The impact of industrial pollution on macrobenthic fauna communities

Mossa creek is a long, deep, tidal canal in Iran. The creek stretches almost 56 km along the northwestern edge of the Persian Gulf. The creek contains numerous sources of organic pollution including industrial sewage effluent. A survey of the creek was performed assessing organic pollution, water properties, and the macrobenthic community. The need to assess the environmental status of marine and coastal waters encouraged the design of specific biotic indices to evaluate the response of benthic communities to human-induced changes in water quality. In this study of the benthic community structure in two creeks surrounding an industrial sewage discharge, water and sediment samples were collected at eight sites in the warm season (September) and cold season (February). Environmental data on physical and chemical variables were also collected from each site and a multivariate analysis was carried out to determine the effect of environmental factors on the biodiversity distribution. The result indicated that: Shannon's-weaver index has significant correlate with dissolved oxygen (DO) and organic matter (OM). In addition, in station near of the swage pollution biodiversity index, water quality and DO decreased and organic matter increased. However, very heavy pollution was observed according to the biodiversity index value in both seasons. The results showed that in both seasons 1, 2, 3 and 5 stations (which are located near the sewage output) in pollutant confine, 4 station in moderate confine and 6, 7, 8 stations located in un pollutant class. Also the results of water quality determine base on Welch index indicated that 1, 2, 5 stations in both season, 362.95 ha (7%) and other stations in moderate pollution load, 4885.73 ha (93%) located in high and moderate pollution load, respectively. Also, the results indicated that stations around the sewage outlet had less macrobenthic species and higher organic matter. On the contrary, the station furthest from the petrochemical industries (station located in Ghanam creek) had higher species diversity and consequently a higher value for the Shannon-Weaver diversity index. The present study also showed that Polychaetes, a biotic index of pollution biotic, were more abundant. Although Polychaetes were also recorded at all the other stations, these stations had greater biodiversity with different numerically dominant species such as: Isopoda, Decapoda, Gastropoda, Copepoda, Bivalvia, Pennatulacea, and Crustaceastations. Consequently, it was established that macrobenthic biodiversity was related to dissolved oxygen and the percentage of organic matter in the sediment.Key words: Biotic indices, pollution, macrobenthos

Are we responding effectively to bone mineral density loss and fracture risks in people with epilepsy?

© 2020 The Authors. Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy. Objective: A 2007 study performed at Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY) identified high prevalence of reduced bone density in an urban population of patients with epilepsy and suggested that bone mineralization screenings should be regularly performed for these patients. We conducted a long-term follow-up study to determine whether bone mineral density (BMD) loss, osteoporosis, and fractures have been successfully treated or prevented. Methods: In the current study, patients from the 2007 study who had two dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) scans performed at least 5 years apart were analyzed. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria to diagnose patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis were used, and each patient\u27s probability of developing fractures was calculated with the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). Results: The median time between the first and second DXA scans for the 81 patients analyzed was 9.4 years (range 5-14.7). The median age at the first DXA scan was 41 years (range 22-77). Based on WHO criteria, 79.0% of patients did not have worsening of bone density, while 21.0% had new osteopenia or osteoporosis; many patients were prescribed treatment for bone loss. Older age, increased duration of anti-epileptic drug (AED) usage, and low body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for abnormal BMDs. Based on the first DXA scan, the FRAX calculator estimated that none of the patients in this study had a 10-year risk of more than 20% for developing major osteoporotic fracture (hip, spine, wrist, or humeral fracture). However, in this population, 11 patients (13.6%) sustained a major osteoporotic fracture after their first DXA scan. Significance: Despite being routinely screened and frequently treated for bone mineral density loss and fracture prevention, many patients with epilepsy suffered new major osteoporotic fractures. This observation is especially important as persons with epilepsy are at high risk for falls and traumas

Design a new photocatalyst of sea sediment/titanate to remove cephalexin antibiotic from aqueous media in the presence of sonication/ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide: Pathway and mechanism for degradation

The aim of the current study was directed to develop a new sea sediment/titanate photocatalyst to remove cephalexin from aqueous media in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ultrasonic waves. The influence of furnace temperature (300, 350, 400, and 500 °C), furnace residence time (1, 2, 3, and 4 h), and ratio of sea sediment: titanium (0–6 v: w) on the physicochemical properties and the cephalexin removal by the sea sediment/titanate photocatalyst was explored. The technique of FTIR, SEM/EDX, XRD, BET, BJH, and Mapping was used to determine the physicochemical properties of the generated photocatalyst. The maximum cephalexin removal (94.71%) was obtained at the furnace temperature of 500 °C, the furnace residence time of 2 h, and the sea sediment: titanium ratio of 1:6 (=12 mL TiO2/2 g sea sediment). According to the acquired results, the surface area of the optimized catalyst, namely Cat-500-2-12, was computed to be 52.29 m2/g. The crystallite size of titanium oxide on the optimum photocatalyst was calculated ~17.68 nm. The FTIR test confirmed the presence of C=C, O-H, C=O, C-S, and C-H functional groups in the photocatalyst. The transformation pathway for the degradation of cephalexin by the developed system was drawn. The present investigation showed that the developed technique (sea sediment/titanate-UV-H2O2-ultrasonic) could be used as a promising alternative for attenuating cephalexin from aqueous solutions

Optimization and characterization of zeolite-titanate for ibuprofen elimination by sonication/hydrogen peroxide/ultraviolet activity

In this study, a photo-catalyst of titanium oxide was coated on zeolite by the sol–gel method. The generation of the zeolite-titanate photo-catalyst was optimized at conditions of calcination temperature (300, 350, 400 and 500 °C), calcination time (1, 2, 3, and 4 h), and titanate content (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mL). The catalyst was used for ‘Sonication/UV/H2O2″ activity and finally, eliminating ibuprofen. Physicochemical properties of the as-built photo-catalysts for all optimized conditions were determined using FESEM-EDX-mapping, BET, FTIR, and XRD. The highest percentage of ibuprofen removal (98.9%) was obtained at conditions of zeolite to titanium ratio of 1 g: 2 mL, time in the furnace of 1 h, and temperature of the furnace of 350 °C. The optimum photo-catalytic (namely, Cat-350-1-2) had a surface area value of 39 m2/g and a crystalline size of 4.9 nm. The surface area for all photo-catalysts increased after being used for ibuprofen removal, possibly due to ultrasonic waves. The presence of Ti-O, benzene ring, O-Al-O, O-Si-O, C–H, and O–H in the photo-catalysts structure were confirmed. Growing the calcination time resulted in an increase in the crystallinity of titanium dioxide in the photo-catalysts and, ultimately a reduction in the ibuprofen removal. The consumed energy by the developed system was calculated for the presence (0.094 kJ/g) and absence (17.5 kJ/g) of the ultrasonic wave. The degradation pathway and reaction kinetic are also explored and proposed. The results showed that the ultrasonic-UV-activated H2O2-based technique can be applied as an alternative method for ibuprofen removal from aqueous medi

MIL-101(Cr)-cobalt ferrite magnetic nanocomposite: synthesis, characterization and applications for the sonocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutants

In this study, for the first time, a novel magnetically recyclable MIL-101(Cr)/CoFe2O4nanocomposite was preparedviaa facile solvothermal method. The morphology, structural, magnetic and optical properties of the nanocomposite were characterizedviafield emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-visible) and BET surface area analysis. Furthermore, the sonocatalytic activity of the MIL-101(Cr)-based magnetic nanocomposite was explored for the degradation of organic dye pollutants such as Rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) under ultrasound irradiation in the presence of H2O2. Under optimized conditions, the degradation efficiency reached 96% for RhB and 88% for MO. The sonocatalytic activity of MIL-101(Cr)/CoFe2O4was almost 12 and 4 times higher than that of the raw MIL-101(Cr) and pure CoFe2O4, respectively. The improved sonocatalytic performance of the as-prepared binary nanocomposite can be attributed to the relatively high specific surface area of MIL-101(Cr) and magnetic property of CoFe2O4, as well as the fast generation and separation of charge carriers (electrons and holes) in MIL-101(Cr) and CoFe2O4. In addition, the trapping tests demonstrated that ·OH radicals are the main active species in the dye degradation process. Moreover, the most influencing factors on the sonocatalytic activity such as the H2O2amount, initial dye concentration and catalyst dosage were investigated. Finally, the nanocomposite was magnetically separated and reused without any observable change in its structure and performance even after four consecutive runs

Expanding the clinical spectrum of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency

3-Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (3-PGDH) deficiency is considered to be a rare cause of congenital microcephaly, infantile onset of intractable seizures and severe psychomotor retardation. Here, we report for the first time a very mild form of genetically confirmed 3-PGDH deficiency in two siblings with juvenile onset of absence seizures and mild developmental delay. Amino acid analysis showed serine values in CSF and plasma identical to what is observed in the severe infantile form. Both patients responded favourably to relatively low dosages of serine supplementation with cessation of seizures, normalisation of their EEG abnormalities and improvement of well-being and behaviour. These cases illustrate that 3-PGDH deficiency can present with mild symptoms and should be considered as a treatable disorder in the differential diagnosis of mild developmental delay and seizures. Synopsis: we present a novel mild phenotype in patients with 3-PGDH deficiency

Analysis of the active fraction of Iranian Naja naja oxiana snake venom on the metabolite profiles of the malaria parasite by 1HNMR in vitro

Objective(s): Malaria is an important parasitic disease with high morbidity and mortality in tropical areas. Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the development of new drugs including natural products. Venom is a complex mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimalarial activity of purified fractions of Naja naja oxiana. Materials and Methods: Lyophilized venom was purified with a Sephacryl S-200 HR column and the fractions lyophilized and inhibitory concentration 50 against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 in vitro obtained. The 4th fraction was run on a Mono Q column, and activity against P. falciparum was detected by lactate dehydrogenase assay and purity by SDS PAGE. Large scale culture of the parasite was carried out with and without the active fraction on the ring stage for 48 hr. The parasites were collected and lyophilized and analyzed by 1HNMR. Chemometrics studies were performed using MATLAB, differentiating metabolites were identified by Human Metabolic Database, and metabolic pathways by the Metaboanalyst online package. Results: The active fraction from the ion exchange column had a 50 inhibitory concentration of 0.026 μg/ml on P. falciparum in vitro (P<0.001) with molecular weight of 63 kDa by SDS-PAGE and no hemolytic activity. Metabolomics studies on the two groups with and without the fraction identified 5 differentiating metabolites and a number of related pathways. Conclusion: The metabolites were succinic acid, l-glutamic acid, pyruvic acid, cholesterol, and NAD. The changes in the Krebs cycle and metabolism pathways of nicotinamide and pyruvate were noticeable. © 2020 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Seasonality:A Global Overview

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children. By the age of 1 year, 60-70% of children have been infected by RSV. In addition, early-life RSV infection is associated with the development of recurrent wheezing and asthma in infancy and childhood. The need for precise epidemiologic data regarding RSV as a worldwide pathogen has been growing steadily as novel RSV therapeutics are reaching the final stages of development. To optimize the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of RSV infection in a timely manner, knowledge about the differences in the timing of the RSV epidemics worldwide is needed. Previous analyses, based on literature reviews of individual reports obtained from medical databases, have fail to provide global country seasonality patterns. Until recently, only certain countries have been recording RSV incidence through their own surveillance systems. This analysis was based on national RSV surveillance reports and medical databases from 27 countries worldwide. This is the first study using original source high-quality surveillance data to establish a global, robust and homogeneous report on global country-specific RSV seasonality