Evaluation of bacteriological and chemical quality of dialysis water and fluid in Isfahan, central Iran

Background: Chemical and microbial quality of water used in hemodialysis play key roles in a number of dialysisrelated complications. In order to avoid the complications and to guarantee safety and health of patients therefore, vigorous control of water quality is essential. The objective of present study was to investigate the chemical and bacteriological characteristics of water used in dialysis centers of five hospitals in Isfahan, central Iran. Methods: A total of 30 water samples from the input of dialysis purification system and dialysis water were analyzed for chemical parameters. Heterotrophic plate count and endotoxin concentration of drinking water, dialysis water and dialysis fluid of 40 machines were also monitored over a 5-month period in 2011-2012. Results: Concentration of the determined chemicals (copper, zinc, sulfate, fluoride, chloramines and free chlorine) did not exceed the recommended concentration by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) exclude lead, nitrate, aluminum and calcium. Furthermore, the magnesium; cadmium and chromium concentration exceeded the maximum level in some centers. No contamination with heterotrophic bacteria was observed in all samples, while the AMMI standard for endotoxin level in dialysis fluid (<2 EU/ml) was achieved in 95 of samples. Conclusion: Dialysis water and fluid failed to meet the all chemical and bacteriological requirements for hemodialysis. To minimize the risk of contaminants for hemodialysis patients therefore, a water quality management program including monitoring, maintenance and development of water treatment system in hemodialysis centers is extremely important. In addition, an appropriate disinfection program is needed to guarantee better control of bacterial growth and biofilm formation. © 2016, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

An investigation on bio-aerosol concentrations in the different wards of hospitals of Isfahan University of medical sciences

Background: Bioaerosol is defined as airborne particles such as living organisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi and their related metabolites, such as endotoxin. The exposure to bioaerosols in the hospital may causes infection especially in immunocompromised patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Bioaerosol concentrations in air of various parts of three hospitals of Isfahan University of medical sciences, Iran. Methods: An Anderson biosampler was used for the bacterial and fungal collection. The effect of factors such as humidity, temperature and outdoor Bioaerosol concentrations were also evaluated. Findings: The lowest mean of fungal and bacterial concentration was observed in hospital operating rooms and the highest concentration was detected in infectious diseases ward of hospital 1 and 2 and surgery ward of hospital 3. Significantly, bacterial levels were found to be higher in hospital wards than outdoor; except hospital operating rooms. Conclusion: Our results show that bioaerosol concentrations in hospitals were relatively high and in particular, the higher levels of bacteria than outdoor might be related to the presence of patients, their activity, unsuitable ventilation and disinfection. Therefore, environmental control measures are needed to assure hospital environmental quality especially in wards with immunocompromised patients

The Comparison of Some Chemical Treatments and Carvacrol on Improving Vase Life of Cut Alstroemeria Flower CV. Bridal

Premature leaf yellowing of Alstroemeria cut flowers prior to petal fall is the most important limiting factor of the flower postharvest life. In this study, cut flower Alstroemeria cv. Bridal were treated for 24 hours with different solutions including gibberllic acid, benzyl adenine, natural essential oil carvacrol with two concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L-1, 5-sulfo salicylic acid in two concentrations of 1 and 1.5 mM, sucrose in&nbsp; two concentrations of 5 and 10%. Ethanol and distilled water were used as controls. After treatment, flowers were placed in distilled water. The traits including vase life of flower and leaf, relative fresh weight, water uptake, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents were measured. The results showed that both concentrations of gibberellic acid (50 and 100 mgL-1) had the highest effect in delaying of flower aging for 3.33 and 3 days, respectively, compared to the control. Relative fresh weight and water uptake also were higher in mentioned treatments, than the other treatments. The gibberellic acid (50 and 100 mg L-1), benzyladenine (100 mg L-1) and 5-Sulfo salicylic acid (1.5 mM) treatments led to the postponement of leaf yellowing relative to the remaining treatments. Also, in the mentioned treatments chlorophyll content was found to be greater than the other treatments, but carotenoids level was lower, compared to control treatments. Overall, the increase in quality and shelf life of Alstroemeria cut flowers cv 'Bridal' due to both gibberellic acid treatments (50 and 100 mg L-1) was found to be greater than the increase due to the other examined solutions

Synthesis of Poly(para-aminostyrene) from 4-Chloromethyl Styrene Homopolymer and Its Styrene Copolymer

4-Chloromethyl styrene homopolymer and its copolymers with styrene were prepared from their corresponding 4-chloromethyl styrene and styrene monomers at 1:0, 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5 mole ratios. These homo- and copolymerswere synthesized by radical polymerization in presence of AIBN as initiator and dry toluene as solvent. Then, chloromethyl groups were converted into azidomethyl groups on the homo- and copolymers by substitution nucleophilic reaction in the presence of sodium azide (NaN3) and dry dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent.Finally, poly(para-amino styrene) homopolymers with different mole ratios of amino group on the polymer chain were prepared by reaction of Schmidt rearrangement in the presence of 3-fluoromethane sulfonic acid from the homopolymer and its corresponding styrene copolymers having all azido methyl groups. Structures of the obtained homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by FTIR,  1H NMR, and 13CNMR spectroscopy. Solubility of the homopolymer and copolymer products wastested in some organic solvents

Monitoring of airborne bacteria and aerosols in different wards of hospitals - Particle counting usefulness in investigation of airborne bacteria

[b]Introduction and objective[/b]. The presence of airborne bacteria in hospital environments is of great concern because of their potential role as a source of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The aim of this study was the determination and comparison of the concentration of airborne bacteria in different wards of four educational hospitals, and evaluation of whether particle counting could be predictive of airborne bacterial concentration in different wards of a hospital. [b]Materials and method.[/b] The study was performed in an operating theatre (OT), intensive care unit (ICU), surgery ward (SW) and internal medicine (IM) ward of four educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 80 samples were analyzed for the presence of airborne bacteria and particle levels. [b]Results.[/b] The average level of bacteria ranged from 75–1194 CFU/m [sup]3[/sup] . Mean particle levels were higher than class 100,000 cleanrooms in all wards. A significant correlation was observed between the numbers of 1–5 µm particles and levels of airborne bacteria in operating theatres and ICUs. The results showed that factors which may influence the airborne bacterial level in hospital environments should be properly managed to minimize the risk of HAIs especially in operating theaters. [b]Conclusions.[/b] Microbial air contamination of hospital settings should be performed by the monitoring of airborne bacteria, but particle counting could be considered as a good operative method for the continuous monitoring of air quality in operating theaters and ICUs where higher risks of infection are suspected

Flower initiation and development in endemic Iranian lily (Lilium ledebourii Boiss.)

This study was performed to depict the anatomical changes in apical meristems in order to determine the flower initiation and development of Iranian lily (Lilium ledebourii). Observations carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM) on groups of bulbs with different age and size showed that only large (≥55 g and ≥6 cm in diameter) 9-year-old and older bulbs expressed flowering transition, abandoning the juvenile condition. The switch from vegetative to reproductive in the apical meristem was characterized by flattening its dome. Flower initiation started between 10 and 20 days after planting, once the bulbs have passed a period of vernalization of two months at 3°C. The first hint of floral organ definition was noted 30 to 50 days after planting when the outer perianths started to grow followed by inner perianths in a pattern of 3−3. After complementation of flower formation by stamen and pistil appearance and development, flower abortion occurred in some bulbs 30 days after flower initiation. Flower bud abortion could not be linked to the bulb size. Identification of the exact time of flower initiation will be useful to provide proper management of Iranian lily in the process of domestication of this endemic endangered lily

Study of knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Oral Health Status among High School Students in Yazd

Introduction: Oral health is one of the most important issues affecting public health. Regarding the high prevalence of dental decay and the high cost of treatment and the direct role of students in preventing dental decay, it is necessary for the students to acquire suitable knowledge, attitude and practice about oral health. Regarding lack of studies in this area, the study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, practice and oral health status of high school students in Yazd. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 male high school students in Yazd city who were selected by cluster random sampling. Data collection tool included two questionnaires; the first was a valid and reliable researcher designed questionnaire which had four part of demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practice and the second one was self reported oral health questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software 21 and via description and analytical tests of T-test, ANOVA and correlation coefficient. Results: Mean score of student's knowledge about oral health was 6.38&plusmn; 2.07 out of 19, and their mean score of attitude was 40.03&plusmn; 5.35 in range of 10-50 and mean score of practice was 13.28&plusmn; 4/09 out of 28. The most reported practice was using toothpaste in brushing and the lowest reported behavior was using antibacterial mouth wash. Mean score of self-reported oral health was 43.05&plusmn; 5.19 out of 57. There was a significantly positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, practice and self-reported oral health. Conclusion: Due to insufficient awareness of school children about their oral health as well as lower performance levels , especially in cases such as the use of antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride-containing , brushing after each meal and&nbsp; sweets, providing educational programs in order to increase students knowledge and function about oral health, particularly in the areas above seem to be necessary