Optimization and Modeling of Ammonia Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Using Adsorption on Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes

Due to the health effects of ammonia as an environmental pollutant, such as its odor, corrosion, algae phenomenon, etc., a method should be adopted to remove it from wastewater. In this study, removal of ammonia from hypothetical wastewater was investigated using adsorption on SWCNTs. The Design-Expert software was used to design the experiments and optimize the parameters that are effective in the adsorption performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature, and ammonia concentration. The results revealed that the maximum adsorption with a performance of 90% was attained at a pH of 9.5. In addition, the adsorption performance was enhanced by increasing adsorption time and adsorbent dosage. Furthermore, increasing the temperature and the adsorbate quantity led to a decrease in the adsorption performance

Molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates from Iran in the period 2012–2017

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) causes chronic non-fatal diseases in the poultry industry with a remarkable decrease in feed consumption, egg production and other production indices. To study the genetic characteristics of MG isolates in commercial and backyard poultry flocks, 21 positive samples from different regions of Iran were analysed in the period 2012–2017. Typical macroscopic and histopathological lesions of the upper respiratory tract and lungs were found, similar to those reported by other researchers. A 298–361 bp part of the mgc2 gene was sequenced and analysed. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the Iranian MG isolates fell into four distinct subgroups. The nucleotide difference between subgroups 1 and 4 was remarkable (91.6–94.9%). A 22-amino-acid insertion was present in two of the studied MG isolates, not observed in other vaccine and standard MG strains. The Iranian Veterinary Organisation (IVO) should consider the observed diversity of prevalent MG isolates from both commercial and backyard flocks in designing the strategy for controlling MG. More studies are needed to understand modifications in MG antigenicity and pathogenicity because of the observed genetic variations

Evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins Expression in the Rat Hippocampus due to Childhood Febrile Seizure

How to Cite This Article: Saeedi Borujeni MJ, Hami J, Haghir H, Rastin M, SazegarGh. Evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins Expression in the Rat Hippocampus due to childhood Febrile Seizure. Iran J Child Neurol. Winter 2016; 10(1):53-60.AbstractObjectiveSimple Febrile Seizure (SFS) is the most common seizure disorder in childhood, and is frequently described as inoffensive disorder. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting the association between neonatal febrile seizures and hippocampal abnormalities in adulthood. This study was conducted at evaluating the hippocampal expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins following SFS induction in rat neonates.Materials & MethodsFebrile seizure was modeled by hyperthermia-induced seizure in 22-dayold male rats by a hot water bath. The animals were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of seizure behaviors: Hyperthermia without seizure (n=10) and hyperthermia with seizure (n=10). To control the effects of environmental stress a sham-control group was also added (n=10). The rats’ hippocampi were dissected 2 or 15 days after hyperthermia. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were measured using Western Blotting technique.ResultsThe hippocampal expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly lower in the hyperthermia with seizure animals than that of the sham-control and hyperthermia without seizure groups. The expression of pro-apoptotic Bax protein also significantly increased in the hippocampus of hyperthermia with seizure group rats compared to the sham-control and hyperthermia without seizure animals.ConclusionThe simple febrile seizure markedly disturbed the hippocampal expression of both Bcl2 and Bax proteins, resulting in apoptosis promotion in hippocampi of juvenile rats, which were measurable for at least 15 days

Subcloning and expression of recombinant human parathyroid hormone rhPTH by fusion strategy in E.coli

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that over time, bone mass, and therefore bones strength, is decreased, due to depletion of calcium and bone protein. So, bones become fragile and break easily. The unique ability of human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) as a bone anabolic agent, to increase bone density makes it a promising anabolic agent in the treatment of osteoporosis. Parathyroid hormone secreted by parathyroid chief cells is composed of 84 amino acids act as one of the major hormones maintaining calcium homeostasis. Anabolic agents directly stimulate bone formation and improve the microarchitecture of bone. Hence, they have the potential to increase bone mass by promoting the growth of new bone greater extent than antiresorptives that inhibit bone resorption. N-terminal fragment (amino acids 1–34) of human parathyroid hormone was regarded to cover most of the hormonal actions of the intact human parathyroid hormone named teriparatide and is currently the only FDA approved anabolic medication for osteoporosis. According to some reports, the C-terminal region of the full-length PTH (1–84) may play an important role in its biological function. The C-terminus of PTH can regulate calcium concentration released from bone through binding to a different PTH receptor specific for the C-terminus. The aim of this study was to express and produce the recombinant PTH protein (1-84) in E.coli

Optimization of Wastewater Refinery in Shokoohiyeh Industrial City of Qom Before Entering RO System Using Chlorophyll, Alum and PAC Coagulators

The effluent from the active sludge treatment plant of Qom Shokoohiyeh industrial flows into surface water and reuse of water in industrial process is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of aluminum sulfate, chlorofluorocarbons and poly aluminum chloride in removing turbidity and other parameters in industrial wastewater before entering RO in Shokoohiyeh Qom industrial refinery. This study was applied in a laboratory scale using a jar-test and experiments based on varying concentrations of coagulants (200, 400, 700, 800, 1000, 1200 mg/L) and pH=2.4.6.7.8.10 has been done. Steady mixing, slow mixing and stagnation have been performed and factors such as turbidity, pH, COD, BOD5, EC, SVI and TSS have been investigated. Coagulants are effective in removing turbidity. The highest removal rate was for polyvinyl chloride (95%) and the least amount of turbidity removal was in chlorofacry (50%). The highest and lowest levels of pH were detected at pH=2 (72%) and pH=8 (10%), respectively. The lowest BOD5 removal efficiency in poly aluminum chloride was 88% at pH=4 and the highest removal rate of BOD5 was found in chloroformate coagulant with pH=4 (96%). The highest COD reduction was observed in poly aluminum chloride at pH=9 (89%) and the lowest COD reduction was observed at a concentration of 800 mg/L alum with 34%. The highest reduction in electric conductivity in poly aluminum chloride with 87% and the lowest amount of electrical conductivity reduction occurred at a concentration of 500 mg per liter of alum with 12%. The highest total removal of suspended solids in chlorofacrylic coagulant was 88% and the lowest amount was removed in chloroform with up to 18%. The maximum amount of sludge deposited at  pH=9 (240 mg/L) in aluminum chloride and the lowest amount of sludge deposited at pH=2 (5 mg/L). The use of coagulant materials can increase the purification efficiency, eliminate opacity and return water to the cycle. PAC and Alum coagulant have high efficiency in removing turbidity and other wastewater treatment parameters that can be used to treat wastewater for RO systems

Principles of International Humanitarian Law in the Face of New Military Weapons: Challenges and Solutions

With the advent of new weapons of different nature and type of use on the battlefields in recent regional and international conflicts and the increasing development of weapons of the autonomous, intelligent, UAV and non-lethal weapons, most activists and thinkers in the field of armed conflict To study the feasibility of observing the principles and regulations governing international humanitarian law, as well as the responsibility of the states that own and use these types of weapons, and to study and analyze theoretical and practical issues in this field. to describe precisely doubts have been risen for some that the rules and principles of the philanthropy international law is completely obsolete and inefficient in adapting the new ways of conflicts. But the fact is Yet with the notable advancements in the field of technology, these rules and principles are still in use. In fact, the origins of these rules, which are the public conscience, as well as the flexibility of humanitarian law rules make it possible to adapt to new conflicts. Although new software wars, like any other emerging phenomenon, have created legal challenges for manufacturers and tensions between countries, these tensions can be reduced by regulating specific regulations. Although the general principles governing armed conflict may suffice, in this area we need to update the rules governing them so that a precautionary approach can be taken to prevent tensions between the owners of these weapons and the limits of their use in accordance with international regulations and in the light of international responsibility. Specified the type of aggravated responsibility