A microfluidic liquid phase microextraction method for drugs and parabens monitoring in human urine

Frequent consumption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged as a current problem that highlights the pressing need for new multi-residue analytical methods that allow their simultaneous determination to assess their overall effect on human health. In this regard and for the first time, a versatile microfluidic based- liquid phase microextraction (LPME) method was developed for simultaneous monitoring of ten compounds from six different classes: amoxicillin, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, tiamphenicol, ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, flumequine, propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 5-hydroxydiclofenac, 3-hydroxydiclofenac and diclofenac. The microfluidic device was combined with a HPLC-UV system for the separation and determination of the model analytes in the sample. Optimal conditions were reached using 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as supported liquid membrane, pH 3.5 as donor phase, pH 11.5 as acceptor phase, 0.5 µL min−1 as donor flow rate and 1 µL min−1 as acceptor flow rate. Under optimal method conditions, the extraction efficiency was between 85 and 100% for most compounds after 10 min extraction, and it was successfully applied in non-diluted human urine, with recoveries between 70 and 100% for all analytes except for sulfamerazine (52% recovery). In addition, the extraction of metabolites (3-hydroxydiclofenac and 5-hydroxydiclofenac) was also demonstrated in microfluidic systems with recoveries between 71 and 100% in human urine. The proposed method allowed consecutive extraction and only requires 5 µL of organic solvent and less than 15 µL of sample volume

Classification of organizational failure root causes producing human error

The formal study of human error is relatively recent, especially in medical domain, and is tied closely to a several other relatively new fields. Organizational root cause of human error is less considered. Despite growing social, industrial and scientific interest in the organizational causes of incidents, the concept of organizational failure and related tools are still less considered in many developing countries e.g. Iran. Also, there is few incident record-keeping in medical domain on human error. Therefore, this study draws on case study research to investigate the applicability of a European taxonomy of organizational failure in Iran, in aviation domain with a fair incident record-keeping. This case study resulted in 10 incident in-depth descriptions, which occurred during one year in a part of civil aviation due to operator error. Within each case study, an explanation building method is used to develop a tool for classifying organizational root causes. Results include 100 root causes. The distribution of organizational root causes over the main categories of the former taxonomy shows a need to add a new sub-category to improve its applicability in Iran. The new sub-category is related to culture

The effect of hyperthyroidism on the levels of liver enzymes in adult male Wistar rats

 Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which tissues are stimulated by increased secretion of thyroid hormone. The most common cause is diffuse toxic goiter and toxic multi-nodular goiter. For more reviews on this disease, the effects of hyperthyroidism on liver enzyme levels were studied. A total of 30 adult male Wistar rats weighing about 190 g were purchased from the Pasteur Institute of Iran. In this study, rats were divided into control group, the group receiving vitamin E, the group receiving levothyroxine, the group receiving levothyroxine treated with vitamin E; blood was taken from all groups over a period of 10 days after injection, and measurement of thyroid hormones and liver tests was made. The findings obtained in this study show that Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) hormone levels in rats treated with levothyroxine, Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of ISH , Hormone levels of T4 in the rats treated with levothyroxine were increased compared to normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E reduces serum levels of T4 compared to the first hyper group. T4 hormone levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were reduced compared to normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of T4 compared with the first hyper group. Asparagine Transferase (AST) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were increased compared, Treatment with vitamin E may reduce serum levels of AST , Alanine transferase (ALT) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine were increased , Treatment with vitamin E may increase serum levels of ALT , alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme levels in rats treated with levothyroxine has been increased compared with normal rates. Treatment with vitamin E resulted in serum levels of ALT not to be increased compared with the first group. According to the results of hyperthyroidism and levels of liver enzymes, it can be concluded that hyperthyroidism induced by levothyroxine can increase the levels of hormones T3, T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and then increase the levels of liver enzymes. Treatment of empirical samples with vitamin E is likely to reduce liver damages and prevent the increased levels of liver enzymes compared to empirical samples of hyperthyroidism which have been treated with vitamin E.

An Ecology study on artificial reef in Hormozgan (Bandar Lengeh)

Uncontrolled fishing of marine resources in the world, has caused many commercial species to be at risk of destruction and extinction. Along with development of aquaculture, establishment of artificial reefs is considered one of important strategies to compensate loss of resources and overfishing. Accordingly, the project was based. Sampling of fish cary out from winter 2005 to Fall 2006 and for plankton, zooplankton, Iktyoplankton and bentoses from spring 2006 to winter 2006. The structures of Moloo artificial habitat had been arranged in seven rows at three depths (8, 9.5 and 11 m). Two control stations were considered one kilometer each side of the habitat. Sampling of physicochemical parameters and pollutantsand sediment cary out in summer and winter 2006 . CPUE and frequency of species, showed significant differences between seventh row (mixed structures) and six other rows (P0.05). Although mean CPUE showed high seasonal differences, but because analogous variance was also significantly different (P0.05). Observed and identified ichthyoplanktons were pertaining to families Clupeidae, Gobiidae, Callionymidae, Engraulidae, Sciaenidae and Sparidae. The highest density was observed in summer; The highest mean annual density was related to Gobiidae. Benthos groups were including crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, nematodes, nemertines, foraminiferans, ophiurids and echiurans. There were obtained no significant difference between density of benthic organisms on surfaces of different structures. Despite significant seasonal differences between some physicochemical factors and water pollution (P<0.05), significant differences between stations did not exist; Mean water temperature in establishment area of structures, were obtained 32.9 0.5 °C in summer and 21.4 0.5 °C in winter. Due to the buffering properties of seawater, pH had a limited range of changes (8 - 8.95) with an average of 8.81 0.13. Average amount of transparency was 3.8 2.72 and 5.63 0.78 m. in summer and winter respectively. Annual averages of dissolved oxygen and salinity were 7.11 0.1 ppm and 39.13 0.26 ppt respectively. Annual average of nutrients including nitrate, nitrite and phosphate in the study area, were, 74.9 0.7, 1.44 0.09 and 0.97 0.06 µmol per lit. respectively. The average COD in the summer and winter is estimated 1.53 0.48 and 1.62 0.48 mg per ml, respectively. Mean values of copper, zinc, iron, nickel and lead were obtained 26.5, 54.3, 27.6, 70.85 and 48.15 µg per one gram of dried weight of sediment, respectively; Aliphatic normal hydrocarbons (C10-C30) have been measured in water and sediment samples

A survey on planktonic communities in Bandar Abbas coastal area

This study was conducted for investigation on algae bloom monitoring and oscillations of biotic and non-biotic parameters in coastal waters of Bandar Abbas from October 2013 to Septembre 2014. In this project, planktonic distribution and environmental data were collected from five stations, every 10 days. Four order and 45 genus of phytoplankton (Bacilliarophycea 29 genous, Dinophycea 13 genus, Cyanophycea 2 genus, Raphidophycea 1 genus) were identified, as well as , 10 order of zooplanckton consisted of Copepoda, Mollusca, Chaetognatha, Sarcomastigophora, Urochordata, Annalida, Nematoda, Echinodermata, Ciliophora and Granuloretica. Results showed that Bacillariophycea were dominate among phytoplankton species in all season. So that, Leptocylindrus, Chaetoceros and Nitzschia from Bacillarriophycea, Protoperidinium and Gymnodinium belong to Dinophycea, and Oscillatoria belong to Cyanophycea were dominate genus in Bandar Abbas coastal waters. The maximum and minimum density and frequency for phytoplankton were recorded respectively from Shilat Jety and Airport Stations. Based on ANOVA analysis on phytoplankton density no significant were observed seasonally (p>0.05), but significant differences were observed between stations (p<0.05). Algal blooms were recorded for Protoperidinum, Chaetoceros and Noctiluca form Shilat Jety in the study period. Result showed that Crustacea have more density amongst zooplankton community, although Arthropoda were dominate in all season. The maximum frequencies were recorded for Nauplius (78%) and Copepoda (21%), also Among copepod, Calanoida order observed 68.5% frequency in the study period. The ANOVA analysis showed significant differences both in stations and seasons for zooplankton density (p<0.05). The seasonal range of temperature were recorded between (19.43±2.58 - 31.98±2.48 ), salinity (27.15±9.48 - 38.13± 0.72ppt), dissolved Oxygen (2.8±1.81-6.87±1.25) mg/L, and pH (8.06±0.49- 8.69±0.23). Evaluation of biotic and abiotic factors indicate the probability of unhealthy and unstable Shilat jety and Gorzoozan stations coastal waters of Bandar Abbas City. One of these cases can be mentioned to high density of cyanophyceae in the estuary Gorzoozan compared other stations , high density of Phytoplankton and low diversity in the Shilat station. While the increase in Harpacticoida order of copepods As an indicator of pollution than on previous reports of other researchers In the this area, suggests pollution is pushed into the area

Hydrobiological studies on selected creeks in east Hormozgan for shrimp culture pond purpose

The coastal ecosystem, which represents the boundary in between pelagic province and land, is a complex one. Since most probes of physico-chemical characteristic in coastal ecosystem are unstable, it affects the distribution and abundance of the biota in it. The aim of this project was to determine Hydro-biological studies on the important creeks of East Hormozgan for shrimp culture pond purpose. Three creeks was selected on east coast namely as (Azini, Jask and Khalasi) and three stations in every creek which situated at the mouth, middle and end of the creek. The work in the project is incorporated in living and nonliving characteristics; the sampling period was in four seasons of 1384. Water characteristic like temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D), salinity, carbon dioxide(Co2), nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, silicate, total dissolved solid (T.D.S), total suspended particle,(T.S.S) and hydrogen sulphide (H2s). The recorded mean of these parameters in Azini creek (25.5±1.05 c), (8.11±0.13), (7.21±0.82 mg/l), (2.3±0.73 mg/l), (38.07± 0.86 ppt), (12.4±1.8 mg/l), (3.12±2.8 μg/l), (0.27±0.19 μg/l), (1.39±0.99 μg/l), (0.27±0.22 μg/l),(9.78±5.36 μg/l), (28.2±2.1 g/l), (37.6±11 mg/l),(0.1±0.07 mg/l), Jask creek (27.5±1.1 c ), (7.96±0.33), (6.79±0.77 mg/l), (2.9±0.96 mg/l), (38.77± 1.68 ppt), (10.8±3.4 mg/l), (3.51±2.2μg/l), (0.2±0.15 μg/l), (2.13±1.48 μg/l), (0.55±0.42 μg/l), (13±6.3 μg/l), (38.8±1.9 g/l), (37.1±13 mg/l),(0.32±0.28 mg/l), and Khalasi creek (28.2±1.9 c), (8.04±0.16), (6.9±0.48 mg/l), (2.22±1.03 mg/l), (38.79± 1.46 ppt), (12 ±1.1 mg/l), (3.08±1.4 μg/l), (0.2±0.14 μg/l), (1.41±0.65 μg/l), (0.45±0.39 μg/l), (13.3±4.2 μg/l), (38±3.5 g/l), (35.3±9 mg/l),(0.08±0.04 mg/l), respectively. The range of Total Organic Matter and Total Phosphor of sediment in Azini creek recorded as (4.99-10.57), (0.4-1.73), Jask creek (2.57-5.89), (0.0-1.99) and Khalasi creek (5.23-6.89), (0.59-1.09) respectively. Comparison of concentration mean between three creek shows there was significant difference between Temperature , pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, free Carbon dioxide, Silicate, Phytoplankton and Zooplankton (P<0.05. Phytoplankton with (31 genera from 3 families),(34genera from 4 families) and (38 genera from 3 families) were recorded in Azini, Jask and Khalasi creeks respectively. Zooplankton with 12, 12, and 10 group was present in Azini, Jask and Khalasi creeks. Macrofauna with (54 species from 38 families and 20 Order), (35species from 25 families and 17 Order) and (51 149 species from 39 families and 20 Order) were recorded from Azini, Jask and Khalasi creeks respectively. Minimum and Maximum density of phytoplankton in Azini, Jask and Khalasi creeks were (63-22914), (68-94320) and (280-5523) in liter, Zooplankton (193048-226337), (36750-713753) and (32625-489532) in m^3 and Macrofauna (6400-11357), (8375-24800), and (900-12473) in m^2, Total Count (90-3400), (70-22150), and (0-2250) in one gram sediment and Total Vibrio (43-2400), (15-2400) and (25-460) in one gram sediment respectively

Carbon dioxide/brine wettability of porous sandstone versus solid quartz: An experimental and theoretical investigation

Hypothesis: Wettability plays an important role in underground geological storage of carbon dioxide because the fluid flow and distribution mechanism within porous media is controlled by this phenomenon. CO 2 pressure, temperature, brine composition, and mineral type have significant effects on wettability. Despite past research on this subject, the factors that control the wettability variation for CO 2 /water/minerals, particularly the effects of pores in the porous substrate on the contact angle at different pressures, temperatures, and salinities, as well as the physical processes involved are not fully understood. Experiments: We measured the contact angle of deionised water and brine/CO 2 /porous sandstone samples at different pressures, temperatures, and salinities. Then, we compared the results with those of pure quartz. Finally, we developed a physical model to explain the observed phenomena. Findings: The measured contact angle of sandstone was systematically greater than that of pure quartz because of the pores present in sandstone. Moreover, the effect of pressure and temperature on the contact angle of sandstone was similar to that of pure quartz. The results showed that the contact angle increases with increase in temperature and pressure and decreases with increase in salinity

A selective and efficient microfluidic method-based liquid phase microextraction for the determination of sulfonamides in urine samples

Liquid phase microextraction (LPME) into a microfluidic has undergone great advances focused on downscaled and miniaturized devices. In this work, a microfluidic device was developed for the extraction of sulfonamides in order to accelerate the mass transfer and passive diffusion of the analytes from the donor phase to the acceptor phase. The subsequent analysis was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-DAD (HPLC-DAD). Several parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the method such as the supported liquid membrane, composition of donor and acceptor phase and flow rate were investigated and optimized. Tributyl phosphate was found to be a good supported liquid membrane which confers not only great affinity for analytes but also long-term stability, allowing more than 20 consecutive extractions without carry over effect. Under optimum conditions, extraction efficiencies were over 96 % for all sulfonamides after 10 minutes extraction and only 10 µL of sample was required. Relative standard deviation was between 3-5 % for all compounds. Method detection limits were 45, 57, 54 and 33 ng mL−1 for sulfadiazine (SDI), sulfamerazine (SMR), sulfamethazine (SMT) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), respectively. Quantitation limits were 0.15, 0.19, 0.18 and 0.11 µg mL−1 for SDI, SMR, SMT SMX, respectively. The proposed microfluidic device was successfully applied for the determination of sulfonamides in urine samples with extraction efficiencies within the range of 86-106 %. The proposed method improves the procedures proposed to date for the determination of sulfonamides in terms of efficiency, reduction of the sample volume and extraction time