Fluoride ionadsorptionontopalmstone: Optimizationthroughresponsesurface methodology,isotherm,andadsorbent characteristicsdata

In somepartoftheworld,groundwatersourcecanbecomeunsafe for drinkingduetothehighconcentrationof fluoride ions[1]. The low costandfacile-producedadsorbentlikepalmstonecould effectivelyremoved fluoride ionsthroughadsorptionprocess.In this dataset,theinfluence of fluoride ionconcentration,solution pH, adsorbentdosage,andcontacttimeon fluoride ionadsorption by palmstoneswastestedbycentralcompositedesign(CCD) under responsesurfacemethodology(RSM).Thedatastonecar- bonized adsorbentwaspreparedbyasimpleandfacilemethodat relativelylowtemperatureof250 °C during3h.Theadsorbenthad the mainfunctionalgroupsofO–H, –OH, Si–H, C¼O, N¼O, C–C, C– OR, C–H, andC–Br onitssurface.Attheoptimizedconditions obtained byRSM,about84.78%of fluoride ionwasremovedusing the adsorbent.TheLangmuirisothermwassuitableforcorrelation of equilibriumdata(maximumadsorptioncapacity¼ 3.95 mg/g). Overall,thedataofferafacileadsorbenttowaterandwastewater workswhichfacetohighlevelof fluoride water/wastewater content

Comparative investigation of heavy metal, trace, and macro element contents in commercially valuable fish species harvested off from the Persian Gulf

This study was performed to determine the differences between two commercial species of fish harvested off near the Kharg Island (one of the largest oil terminals in the world) in the Persian Gulf in terms of toxic metals, macro, and trace elements. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed that Ca, Li, Mg, P, Se, Sn, Sr, and Zn concentrations were significantly different between the skin and muscle tissues of Scomberomorus guttatus but with the exception of P, there was no significant difference between element levels in the skin and muscle tissues of Otolithes ruber. The S. guttatus contained significantly higher levels of As, Sn, Se, and P in the muscle tissue and Zn in the skin tissue compared to the muscle and skin tissues of Otolithes ruber. The estimated daily intake of the toxic elements including As, Cd, Sb, Pb, and Sn via consumption of these fish were below the established guidelines but due to the potential contamination by oil activities near the island, continuous and permanent monitoring in this region is highly recommended

A new bioindicator, shell of Trachycardium lacunosum, and sediment samples to monitors metals (Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu) in marine environment: The Persian Gulf as a case

Background: The present work was designed to detect heavy metal contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu in sediments and shells of the Trachycardium lacunosum collected in polluted and unpolluted areas along the Persian Gulf. Methods: The samples were taken from surface sediments (0-10 cm) and shells of Trachycardium lacunosum in two separated areas (polluted and unpolluted) in northern part of the Persian Gulf, Asaluyeh Bay, during summer 2013. The prepared samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results: Based on the results, all measured metals including Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu were meaningfully higher in the sediment samples of polluted area compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the sediment samples were Cr > Co > V > Ni > Zn > Cu > Fe > Al > Mn in polluted area. In the case of shell samples of Trachycardium lacunosum, polluted area contained significantly higher contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr and Cu compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the shell samples were Fe > Zn > Al > Mn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Co in the polluted area. Conclusion: It was concluded that shells of the Trachycardium lacunosum can be used as a suitable bioindicator for heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Results confirmed that due to the possible contaminations by oil and gas activities near the polluted area perennial monitoring and mitigation measures is extremely necessary. Keywords: Aquatic Organisms, Environmental Monitoring, Geologic Sediments, Metals, Persian Gulf, Trachycardium lacunosum, Toxicolog

Exploring nursing students’ experience of peer learning in clinical practice

Background: Peer learning is an educational process wherein someone of the same age or level of experience level interacts with other students interested in the same topic. There is limited evidence specifically focusing on the practical use of peer learning in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore nursing students’ experiences of peer learning in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted. Focus groups were used to find the students’ experiences about peer learning. Twenty‑eight baccalaureate nursing students at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences were selected purposively, and were arranged in four groups of seven students each. The focus group interviews were conducted using a semi‑structured interview schedule. All interviews were tape‑recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using conventional content analysis method. Results: The analysis identified four themes: Paradoxical dualism, peer exploitation, first learning efficacy, and socialization practice. Gained advantages and perceived disadvantages created paradoxical dualism, and peer exploitation resulted from peer selection and peer training. Conclusion: Nursing students reported general satisfaction concerning peer learning due to much more in‑depth learning with little stress than conventional learning methods. Peer learning is a useful method for nursing students for practicing educational leadership and learning the clinical skills before they get a job

Evaluation of the knowledge level of health violations in food production, distribution, sales centers and public places and their authorities investigating among the women of Bushehr city

Background: Women and mothers are the most important educational audience to convey health teachings. This study was aimed to evaluate the knowledge level of different types of health violations of food production, distribution, sale centers and public places; and authorities investigating the violations among women referring to health care centers in Bushehr. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive‑analytical study, which was done cross‑sectionally, 600 women who were referred to health care centers affiliated to the Bushehr University of Medical Sciences was selected by convenience sampling. Two‑part questionnaire was used to collect data: demographic information and a researcher‑designed knowledge survey questionnaire consisted of 25 questions with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.7. Data were analyzed with the software SPSS version 13; using Chi‑square test and Phi and Cramer test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The findings showed that 56.9% and 26.5% of women had good and moderate knowledge levels regarding health violations, while the general knowledge level of authorities investigating health violations were at the moderate level among 57.3% and at the good level among 15.3% of women. Overall, there was a significant relationship between education level and the women’s knowledge level of health violations (P < 0.0001). The relationship between the women’s education level and authorities investigating health violations was not significant (P = 0.073). Conclusion: Applying interventional methods of education in health violations to the women by health centers can elevate the level of health knowledge among them

Exposure sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and health risk assessment: a systematic review in Iran

This systematic review aims to identify the sources of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), portioning, and human health risk assessment in Iran. The literature was searched in the international databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the national databases of SID and MagIran up to November 14, 2020. Among all 153 articles, 21 eligible papers were identified. Among them, only one article was related to drinking water, the rest was related to food and soil, and no article was found on ambient air. The corrected portion of each exposure source was determined to be 90% for food, 9% for water, and 1% for air. The total hazard quotient (HQ) was determined to be within an unsafe range, and the total excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was determined to be at a high risk of oral carcinogenesis. It is suggested that a comprehensive study be conducted in a specific period for all sources of exposure in all counties of Iran. Moreover, it is recommended that the policymakers set national standards for this pollutant in near future in some sources of exposure (e.g., drinking water) which have no standards in Iran

Serum concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a 10-year follow-up historical cohort study

Abstract This study investigated the association between serum concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and the risk of type 2 diabetes within the general population. A ten-year follow-up historical cohort study was conducted during 2009–2019 as part of the Bushehr MONICA cohort study in Iran. Of 893 non-diabetes participants at base line, 181 individuals were included in the study. The concentration of nine PCB congeners was measured in individuals’ serum samples at baseline, and the risk of type 2 diabetes was determined based on fasting blood sugar at the end of follow-up. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the study outcomes after adjusting for covariates. This study included 59 diabetes individuals (32.6%; mean [SD] age: 58.64 [8.05]) and 122 non-diabetes individuals (67.4%; mean [SD] age: 52.75 [8.68]). Multivariable analysis revealed that a one-tertile increase (increasing from 33rd centile to 67th centile) in Σ non-dioxin-like-PCBs (OR 2.749, 95% CI 1.066–7.089), Σ dioxin-like-PCBs (OR 4.842, 95% CI 1.911–12.269), and Σ PCBs (OR 2.887, 95% CI 1.120–7.441) significantly associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The strongest association was obtained for dioxin-like PCBs. The results highlight a significant correlation between PCB exposure and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The evidence suggests that additional epidemiological studies are necessary to clarify the link between PCBs and diabetes