Presence of bla(PER-1) and bla(VEB-1) beta-lactamase genes among isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from South West of Iran

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates have acquired resistance to antibiotics such as novel beta-lactams. The aim of this study was to investigate the blaPER-1, bla(VEB-1), and bla(PSE-1) genes among isolates of P. aeruginosa among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Sixty-five isolates were collected. The antibiotic susceptibility testing and combined disk tests were performed to detect the isolates producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) among ceftazidime-resistant isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of bla(PER-1), bla(VEB-1), and bla(PSE-1) genes was conducted. Ten (15.3) isolates were ESBL-positive, of which 40 (n = 4) belonged to males and 60 (n = 6) were collected from females. Moreover, two and one isolates harbored bla(PER-1) and bla(VEB-1) genes, respectively. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia

Contamination of Soil, Water, Plant and Dust by Zinc, Lead and Cadmium in Southwest Isfahan

Introduction Due to mining, considerable amounts of heavy metal bearing mineralsare scattered in the atmosphere in the form of dust and make the surrounding air, water and soils polluted.Runoff water movingfrom the mountainstowardsplains may also transport heavy metals from mines to the soils.One type ofpollutions is contamination withheavy metals.The purpose of the present research has been to investigate the effect of heavy metals of mine on soil, water, plant and dust pollution. Materials and Methods: Gushfil mine is located 3 kilometers southwest of Sepahanshahr, Isfahan. Soil profiles were dug 500 meters apart along three parallel transects, between east of Sepahanshahr and Gushfil mine. The profiles were described and samples were collected from their horizons. Ore, wells, plant and dust were sampled as well. Total concentrations of lead, zinc and cadmium were measured in the samples. To find the origin of polluted dust and soil, lead isotopes contents in the samples were measured and regressional relationships between the ratios of these contents were investigated. Results and Discussion Sepahanshahr soils are not contaminated by zinc, lead and cadmium, but within a distance of one to two kilometers from the Gushfil mine, the soils are polluted by zinc and lead. Cadmium contamination was not observed in the studied soils. In all of the soils, the heavy metals content varies downwards irregularly. The reason for this variation trend is that the studied soils are alluvial. In different periods of time, alluvium parent materials have been transported by runoff water from the lead and zinc mines towards the alluvial piedmont plain. The studied heavy metals have been distributed irregularly in different horizons of the soils that have been formed in these parent materials. Lead and cadmium concentrations of drinking water in the studied area are much higher than the maximum amount allowed by the World Health Organization. Cadmium content in all trees of the Sepahanshahr urban park and in alfalfa, lead content in olive trees and lead and cadmium concentrations in Holly hock (Althaea officinalis), Spurge (Euphorbiarigida) and Rhizome (Acanthe phylum bracteatum)are higher than dietaryallowance. Significant correlation between heavy metal concentrations reduction in dust samples and increase of distance from the mine expresses that contaminant heavy metals enter the atmosphere due to mine explosions. In dolomitic sandstone rich in sphalerite mineral, the total amounts of lead and zinc are maximum. The maximum amount of cadmium and too much lead and zinc were observed in a shale fragment, sampled from a location of a fault in the mine. Contents of the three metals were less in black and green shales, compared with the other samples. In dolomitic sandstone rich in gallon mineral, the amounts of the three metals are high and its lead content is maximum with respect to other rocks excluding dolomitic sandstone rich in sphalerite mineral. Significant correlation between ratios of lead isotopes contents of the rocks, soil and dust showed that the soils of the alluvial piedmont plain located at the footslope of the western mountains of the studied area have formed in alluvium parent materials originated from western mountains. The studied heavy metals have been transported together with these alluviums from the mine towards the alluvial piedmont plain. The other origin of these metals is the dust which is produced during the Gushfil mine explosions. This dust is translocated towards the Sepahanshahr and makes the surrounding environment of the mine polluted. Conclusions: Origin of zinc, lead and cadmium in soil, water, plant and dust in the studied area is rocks of Gushfil mine. Transportation of these metals from the mine towards the environment can be explained by two mechanisms: 1) together with runoff water flowing from the western mountains towards the alluvial piedmont plain and 2) in the form of dust which originates from the mine and moves eastwards. The soils are not contaminated with cadmium. With increase of distance from the mine, contamination of lead and zinc decreases in soil and dust in such a way that in the Sepahanshahr soils, pollution of these metals is not observed. The soils located within a distance of 1 to 2 kilometers from the Gushfil mine are contaminated with lead and zinc. Water is polluted with lead and cadmium and the cadmium content of the plants is higher than dietaryallowance

Effect of Using Dual Composition of Cationic Starch-Nano Silica and Nano Cellulose-Poly Acrylamide On Physical and Strength Properties of Cotton Papers

In this study, the comparison of the use two combination of additives including the use of nano silica with cationic starch and the use of nano cellulose with cationic poly acrylamide on the physical and strength properties of cotton based paper. For this purpose, the pulp of the chemical pulp of bleached cotton fibers is made with a 45˚RS grade peroxide and then the additives with specified conditions (cationic starch 1 and 1.5%, nano silica 0.3 and 0.7%, nano cellulose 1, 2 and 3% and cationic poly acrylamide 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7%) added to it and in the end 70 grams of handsheets were made. Similary, the paper was evaluated for physical and strength properties. The results indicated that the combination of cationic poly acrylamide and nano cellulose did not have much effect on increasing the majority of chemical pulp strength of cotton. As the reduction density, tensile strength, strength to tearing and no signification effect on strength to cutting. While the use of cationic and nano silica starches has significantly increased the strength and density properties of pulp paper significantly. Therefore, considering the results of physical and physical tests, it is possible to use the combination of cationic starch and nano silica to increase the chemical properties of cotton pulp

Explanation of the commercial banking marketing strategy selection based on customer equity

Although selection of marketing strategy could be considered the most important action with regard to forming and maintaining an optimum customer mix to gain sustainable profitability for the organization, some businesses have neither true understanding of their own customer mix nor the profitability associated with them. Commercial banks are one of those businesses that have millions of customers and have made huge investments in human resources and infrastructure in order to serve them, but their business management activities are poorly customer oriented. This research is trying to benefit from grounded theory approach to provide a better understanding of the situation in which sales and marketing managers in Bank Mellat select marketing strategies. Through analyzing of data we came up with 400 initial codes which in return led to 65 concepts, 17 initial categories and ultimately 5 final categories which enabled us to explain Bank Mellat marketing selections based on their understanding of customer equity

The reaction of active methylene compounds with carbon disulfide in the presence of arylidenemalononitriles: synthesis of 6-amino-2-(4,4-dimethyl/dihydro-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)-4-aryl-4H-1,3-dithiine-5-carbonitrile derivatives

<p>An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of novel ketene dithioacetals <i>via</i> a one-pot three-component reaction of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexan-1,3-dion or 1,3-cyclohexandion with carbon disulfide in the presence of arylidenemalononitriles is reported. The effects of different bases have been investigated and triethylamine can provide products in good to excellent yields at room temperature. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were established from advanced spectroscopic data.</p

Analysis of Hip Joint Dose in Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy: A Dosimetric Comparison of Treatment Plans

Background and purpose: Radiation therapy as a part of cancer treatment is used in almost 50-60% of involved cases. In prostate cancer radiation therapy, a large volume of pelvis is irradiated, so, it is necessary to preserve sensitive organs around the treatment area, especially rectum and bladder. In this study, some dosimetric parameters such as minimum dose (Dmin), maximum dose (Dmax), mean dose (Dmean) to target (PTV) and organs at risk (OAR), Integral dose, Homogeneity Index and Conformity Index were compared between two techniques. Materials and methods: In this analytical study, computed tomography scans of 50 patients (mean age: 52 years) attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital were acquired and transferred to the 3D treatment planning system (TPS). For each patient, a conventional plan (Box Fields) and modified oblique four-field (MOFF) plan were prepared using TPS for 15 MV photon energy. A total dose of 7200 cGy was prescribed for each patient. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS applying paired-t-test. Results: In current study, 15-MV energies for radiation of pelvis and bladder using box radiation fields (routine plan) lead to maximum uniformity and homogeneity of dose in irradiated tumor tissue. The results also showed that 15-MV energies for radiation of pelvis and bladder and the new plan could decrease the average integrated dose in femur heads. Conclusion: We observed a significant effect of the geometrics of radiation fields on distribution of dose in tumor tissue and also the amount of dose received by organs at risk in radiotherapy of patients with prostate cancer

Exposure of Infants to Aflatoxin M1 from Mother's Breast Milk in Ilam, Western Iran

OBJECTIVES: Aflatoxins as a highly toxic group of mycotoxins are present in the environment and foodstuff. These have been reported to cause serious health problems in humans. Since aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is excreted into breast milk, investigating the exposure of infants to AFM1 is of special concern. METHODS: In the present study, breast milk samples were collected from 85 lactating mothers in Ilam province, Iran, and the levels of AFM1 were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based technique. AFM1 was detected in breast milk of all lactating women. The mean contamination level was 5.91 +/- 2.031 ng/L, ranging from 2 ng/L to 10 ng/L. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis indicated no significant associations of consumption of milk and dairy products, meat, fish, legumes, grain products, fruits, and nuts with the concentration of AFM1 in breast milk. Furthermore, no significant association was observed between AFM1 concentration and anthropometric data of infants. CONCLUSION: In western parts of Iran, lactating mothers and their infants could be at risk of aflatoxin B1 and AFM1 exposure, respectively. Therefore, in Iran, the evaluation of AFM1 in human breast milk as a biomarker for postnatal exposure of infants to this carcinogen requires more attention in different regions and various seasons