Development of a sustainable method for the disposal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood

Preserved wood is commonly found in solid waste. Among the different types of preserved wood, CCA wood has received much attention due to the scale of usage and its significant role in soil and water contamination after disposal. As the ash of CCA wood is hazardous, it cannot be burned, and the best available disposal method is thus landfilling. Leaching of the metals from disposed CCA wood in landfills pollutes the environment. To reduce the contamination of CCA, treatment before landfilling is required. Nowadays, ethanol is seen as a promising source of energy. Lignocellulosic materials such as wood are resources for ethanol production. This research focuses on the possibility of producing ethanol from CCA wood. It suggests that production of ethanol will not only be a solution to the disposal but will also generate a clean fuel. The results showed the existence of copper, chromium and arsenic did not have a negative effect on the fermentation, and producing ethanol from CCA wood is feasible. The copper removed by sulfuric acid completely precipitated during the hydrolysis and iv neutralization. In addition about 50% of the chromium (VI) and also 60% of the arsenic (V) were removed from the leachate by yeast during fermentation. TCLP tests of the hydrolyzed wood leached less than 4 ppm of arsenic while minimal amounts of chromium and copper remained in the hydrolyzed wood which makes landfilling of hydrolyzed wood acceptable. Baker's yeast behaves selectively by uptaking arsenic (V) and chromium (VI) but not arsenic (III) and chromium (III). There is competition between copper and chromium sorption by yeast. The kinetic model for removal of copper and chromium is a zero order model while the appropriate model for uptaking arsenic by yeast is a first order model. The kinetic models confirm that there are different mechanisms of uptaking metals by yeast, a diffusion mechanism for removal arsenic and a surface adsorption mechanism for copper and chromium. As an overall conclusion of this study, using discarded CCA wood as the feed for ethanol production is a sustainable method for disposal of CCA treated wood

Leaching of heavy metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood

Preserved, treated wood is commonly found in solid waste. Among the different types of preserved wood, chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood recently has received much attention due to the scale of usage and its significant role in soil and water contamination. As the ash of CCA treated wood is hazardous, it cannot be burned, and the best available disposal method is thus landfilling. Leaching of the metals from disposed preserved wood in landfills pollutes the soil, water and the environment. The existing literature on leaching of CCA treated wood is reviewed, and several factors affecting leaching of the metals from wood, including pH of the leachant, temperature, the duration of leaching, the type of leachant are discussed. These factors affect each of the metals including chromium, copper and arsenic, differently. Definition and comparison of the effect of these mentioned factors on each preservative metal several experiments were performed. In all experiments ground wood (remaining at the top of sieve No. 10) was soaked in leachant (ratio 1:10). The leachants were nitric acid, sulfuric acid and acetic acid (0.1N), having pH values of 3, 4 and 5. They were left in an incubator for 5,10 and 15 days. The temperature of the incubator was set to 15C̕ for 15 days and then the experiment was repeated for temperatures 25C̕ and 35C̕. On the other hand to investigate the biodegradability of the leached wood, unleached wood and some of the leached wood samples were chosen. The necessary nutrients for growth of fungi and soil were added and the amount of generated CO 2 was measured through the experiment. The results of the experiments showed that sulfuric acid (pH3) is the most effective leachant. Most of the leaching happens in the first 5 days and temperature increases the amount of leached metals. The leached CCA wood is still resistant to biodegradation

Evaluating the protective effect of 6 weeks resistance training and vitamin D intake on brain neuro-inflammatory factors in female rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease and is associated with reduced physical capacity. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of a 6-week resistance training program and vitamin D intake on the brain neuro-inflammatory factors in female Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, four-week-old female Lewis rats (n=48) were randomly divided into 8 groups. Resistance training protocol was performed for 6 weeks and 5 days a week. A training program was started with a load equal to 50 of the body weight of the rat. Animals in the first two sessions performed 8 to 10 repetitions (climbing the ladder) at 2-minute breaks. The rats were immunized with the guinea pig's spit and complete adjuvant. The EAE model was induced at the end of the sixth week of the exercise. Rats received 5 μg of vitamin D3 in 150 μl of sesame oil per kilogram of their body weight via intraperitoneal injection once every two days for 2 weeks. Results: The results showed that six weeks of resistance training with vitamin D had no significant effect on granulocyte-monocyte growth factor, nuclear transcription factor kB and transforming growth factor beta (P>0.05). However, Interleukin-17 values showed a significant difference in all three levels of training (P=0.000), supplements (P=0.045), and interactive training and supplementation (P=0.043). Conclusion: The inadequacy of the training period (frequency and intensity of exercise) and the dose rate of vitamin D3 can be one of the possible causes of ineffectiveness of the present intervention

How self efficacy impacts on young women' risky sexual behavior? A qualitative study

Introduction: Risky sexual behaviors are great threat for youth' physical and social health. Because of global epidemy of sexual transmitted disease, sexual self efficacy has an important role in the area of risky sexual behaviors and safe sex. This study was designed to "explore the role of young women' self efficacy on risky sexual behavior. Method: In this qualitative inquiry, we recruited 75 young women aged 18-35. Data was collected using focus group discussions (7) and individual interviews (12). We employed content analysis to analyze the data (Graneheim and Lundman's approach). We used multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and external check to enhance dependability and credibility of data. Results: The result of the present study was categorized into three subcategories:"inability to end relationship", "inability to have a proper decision", and "inability to reject sexual relation". Some participants who had sexual experience expressed that they did not able to say "no" in response to their sexual offer. Some others reported that they did not have appropriate performance regarding to selecting boy friend. Some participants stated that they did not able to end friendship when they did not tend to continue. Conclusion: The result shoed that participants do not have sufficient self efficacy to manage their cross sex interactions. Results of the present study can be useful to plan preventive strategies regarding to young girls' risky sexual behaviors. Keywords: young girls, risky sexual behaviors, self efficac

The Protective Effect of Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) Leaf Extract on Locomotor Activity and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in a Ketamine Model of Schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating psychiatric disorder affecting 1% of the population worldwide. As for key role of free radicals in the development of this disease and that Quince leaf is a natural source of antioxidant substances, this study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Quince leaf extract on locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors by an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine in male mice in a ketamine model of schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: In the experimental research, male adult mice were divided into six groups including: control, Sham (received water orally and saline intraperitoneally), psychosis group (received 10 mg/kg/day ketamine i.p. for 10 days) and treated psychosis groups (received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day). Treated groups received hydroalcoholic Quince leaf extract orally for 3 weeks before injection of ketamine. Extract gavages continue for 5 days after the last ketamine injection. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavioral changes were measured in the open-field test. Results: The results showed that chronic administration of ketamine increases horizontal locomotor activity and anxiety like behaviors (p≤0.001) and pretreatment of Quince leaf extract effectively decreases horizontal locomotor activity (p<0.001) and increases duration that spends in middle area of Open field (p<0.01) and vertical ocomotor activity(p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this research showed that chronic administration of Quince leaf extract improves locomotor disorder and induced anxiety-like behaviors by having antioxidant properties in a ketamine model of schizophrenia

Neuroprotective effect of Quince leaf hydroalcoholic extract on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress in cortical tissue of rat brain

Background & aim: Oxidative stress is a result of the imbalance between free radicals and the antioxidant system of the body. Increased oxidative stress in brain causes dysfunction of brain activities, destruction of neurons, and disease such as Alzheimer. Antioxidants, for example vitamins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids have been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo for prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present experimental study, the neuro-protective effect of quince leaf hydroalcoholic extract (QLHE) on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (icv-STZ)-induced oxidative stress in cortical tissue of rat brain was examined. Methods: In the present experimental research, forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, sham, icv-STZ and icv-STZ treated with QLHE groups. The ICV-STZ group rats were injected unilaterally with ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg) using a stereotactic device and QLHE (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day) were administered for 6 weeks starting from 3 weeks before of ICV-STZ injection. The rats were killed at the end of the study and their brain cortical tissue superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were measured. The assay of catalase and superoxide dismutase was performed by following the Genet method. The amount of protein was determined according to the Bradford method.The statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA. Data were expressed as mean&plusmn;SD and&nbsp; P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The present study indicated that in the ICV-STZ group showed significant decrease (P<0.001) in enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase and catalase in the cortical tissue of the brain. Treatment of different doses of QLHE significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity compared to icv-STZ group (P<0.001) in cortical tissue of the brain. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of quince leaf hydroalcoholic extract as a powerful antioxidant in preventing the oxidative damage by increasing the&nbsp;&nbsp; catalase and superoxide dismutase activity caused by ICV-STZ in cortical tissue of rat brain. Although further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of neuroprotective effect of quince leaf, the hydroalcoholic extract seems to partly exert their effects via increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities

The Protective Effect of Dextran-Curcumin Conjugate on Memory Disorder in Animal Model of Global Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Objectives: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality all over the world. Among impairments observed in ischemic survivors, there is considerable cognitive learning and memory impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of dextran-curcumin conjugate on memory impairment and cerebral infarct volume in the animal model of global cerebral ischemia. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 rats were divided into 5 groups. Pre-treatment and positive control groups were treated with curcumin and dextran-curcumin conjugate (15 mg/kg orally) for 30 days. The control and ischemia groups received distilled water. For induction of global cerebral ischemia model, right and left carotid arteries were clamped for 5 min by vascular clamps and then the vascular clamps were removed after 10 min, and in the following, the carotid arteries were clamped again for 5 min and finally the vascular clamps were removed and blood circulation was returned to both carotid arteries. Forty-eight hours after induction of the model, memory impairment was assessed by Novel Object Recognition Test. The cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Results:  In this study, discrimination index showed a significant decrease (p ˂ 0.05) in the ischemic group and a significant increase (p ˂ 0.01) in the curcumin and dextran-curcumin pretreatment groups. Moreover, the cerebral infarct volume significantly decreased in dextran-curcumin group compared to the ischemic group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that dextran-curcumin conjugate can improve cognition and memory disorders induced by global cerebral ischemia

Evaluating the protective effect of 6 weeks resistance training and vitamin D intake on brain neuro-inflammatory factors in female rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease and is associated with reduced physical capacity. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of a 6-week resistance training program and vitamin D intake on the brain neuro-inflammatory factors in female Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, four-week-old female Lewis rats (n=48) were randomly divided into 8 groups. Resistance training protocol was performed for 6 weeks and 5 days a week. A training program was started with a load equal to 50% of the body weight of the rat. Animals in the first two sessions performed 8 to 10 repetitions (climbing the ladder) at 2-minute breaks. The rats were immunized with the guinea pig's spit and complete adjuvant. The EAE model was induced at the end of the sixth week of the exercise. Rats received 5 μg of vitamin D3 in 150 μl of sesame oil per kilogram of their body weight via intraperitoneal injection once every two days for 2 weeks. Results: The results showed that six weeks of resistance training with vitamin D had no significant effect on granulocyte-monocyte growth factor, nuclear transcription factor kB and transforming growth factor beta (P>0.05). However, Interleukin-17 values showed a significant difference in all three levels of training (P=0.000), supplements (P=0.045), and interactive training and supplementation (P=0.043). Conclusion: The inadequacy of the training period (frequency and intensity of exercise) and the dose rate of vitamin D3 can be one of the possible causes of ineffectiveness of the present intervention