Study of water's physico-chemical characteristics in the southern Caspian Sea

This study was conducted to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of water during four season and 8 transects (Astara, Anzali, Sefidroud, Tonekabon, Nowhshar, Babolsar, Amirabad, Bandar Tourkman) in the Southern of Caspian Sea in 2009-2010. 480 samples were collected at different water layers and then physicochemical parameters were measured based on standard methods. Result of this study showed that surface water temperature was varied from 7.2 to 29.8◦C in winter and summer, respectively. Minimum fluctuation of water temperature was observed at 100 m depth (6.8-10.3◦C). Mean value of water transparency was obtained 4.91±0.24 m. This value increased from inshore to offshore. pH value was fluctuated from 7.15 to 8.83 unit with variance of 1.54. Maximum DO concentration was observed at surface layer (8.40±0.08 mg/l) with 137±18 saturation and minimum was at 100 m depth (6.46±0.18) with 86.1±2.8 saturation. The nitrite, nitrate and ammonium concentration were ranged 0.0-0.2, 0.0-4.6 and 0.05-7.12 µM, respectively. Maximum value of TN was observed at inshore and minimum at offshore (100m). Nitrite concentration decreased from inshore to offshore but increased from surface to the bottom (100 m). The inorganic phosphorous increased at surface water and also at the bottom. Trend of inorganic and TP was similar. Minimum of N/P ratio were observed at summer (5.48±0.38) and maximum value at winter (9.13±0.46). This value of N/P ratio showed that the growth of phytoplankton was limited by nitrogen. The dissolved silicate was decreased from spring (230.7±6.65 µg/l) to winter

Volume Changes After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Animal Studies - A Systematic Review

There are limited data on the lesion volume changes following spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the volume size changes of the injured spinal cord over time among animal studies in traumatic SCI. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive electronic search of English literature of PubMed and EMBASE databases from 1946 to 2015 concerning the time-dependent changes in the volume of the spinal cord following mechanical traumatic SCI. A hand-search was also performed for non-interventional, non-molecular, and non-review studies. Quality appraisal, data extraction, qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed afterward. Of 11,561 articles yielded from electronic search, 49 articles were assessed for eligibility after reviewing of titles, abstracts, and references. Ultimately, 11 articles were eligible for quantitative synthesis. The ratio of lesion volume to spinal cord total volume increased over time. Avascularity appeared in spinal cord 4 hours after injury. During the first week, the spinal subarachnoid space decreased. The hemorrhagic lesion size peaked in 1 week and decreased thereafter. Significant loss of gray and white matter occurred from day 3 with a slower progression of white matter damage. Changes of lesion extent over time is critical in pathophysiologic processes after SCI. Early avascularity, rapid loss of gray matter, slow progression of white matter damage, and late cavitation are the pathophysiologic key points of SCI, which could be helpful in choosing the proper intervention on a timely basis

Integration of Research, Public Health, and Hospital Interventions as a Successful Model for Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a serious health problem in most countries in the last few months, with every country adopting different preventive and therapeutic measures based on their specific circumstances. The epidemic began in Iran on February 19, 2020, and gradually spread across the country. The epidemic extent varies, and different preventive and therapeutic measures are taken in Iran. Shahroud and Miami Counties, covered by the Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, have experienced the highest incidence of COVID-19 in Iran. However, the epidemic is well controlled by integrating the activities of the health, treatment, and research sectors and using information technology and a proprietary software application. This model can be thus studied as a successful experience. Keywords: COVID-19, Control, Successful model, Ira

A study on water quality and physio- chemicals parameters in surface water, underground water and wastewater of Mangol dam basin (Mazandaran province)

This study was conducted to determine water quality of surface water (7 stations), ground water (5 stations) and wastewater (4 stations) at Haraz River during instruction of Mangol Dam in 2009-2010. This study is to follow physico-chemical fluctuation of waters and compared the data obtained with previous studies and standard levels. Results of current study showed that annual mean with standard error of temperature, DO, BOD_5, COD, HCO^3-, CO_3^2-, TA, Ca^2+, Mg^2+, TH, TSS, TDS, Cl^-, PO_4^3-, NH^4+, NO2- and NO3- were observed 12.7 (±0.61) centigrade, 10.13 (±0.12), 2.1 (±0.1), 7.71 (±0.99), 28.1 (±6.1), 14.34 (±1.64), 36.30 (±2.33), 64.66 (±2.34), 28.84 (±1.52), 271.62 (±8.41), 0.37 (±0.03), 0.30 (±0.02), 28.02 (±1.96), 0.06 (±0.01), 0.010 (±0.001) and 0.94 (±0.03) mg/l, pH was 8.00 (±0.02) and EC 0.50 (±0.02) ms/cm in surface water. The annual mean with standard error of temperature, HCO^3-, CO_3^2-, TA, Ca^2+, Mg^2+, TH, TSS, TDS, Cl^-, PO4^3-, NH^4+, NO^2- and NO^3- were observed 21.62 (±1.03) centigrade, 54 (±5), 11 (±5), 57 (±5), 208.6 (±42.5), 109 (±23), 1088 (±165), 0.065 (±0.017), 0.97 (±0.11), 317.8 (±76.2), 0.25 (±0.06), 0.06 (±0.01), 0.0007 (±0.0001) and 0.78 (±0.05) mg/l, pH was 7.37 (±0.07) and EC 1.98 (±0.23) ms/cm in underground water. In addition, the annual mean with standard error of temperatute, DO, BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS, and NO3- were observed 12.7 (±0.61) centigrade, 13.59 (±0.87), 9.80 (±0.12), 2.22 (±0.18), 7.54 (±1.02), 0.50 (±0.03), 0.320 (±0.008) and 0.990 (±0.016) mg/l, pH was 7.95 (±0.02) and EC 0.64 (±0.01) ms/cm in wastewater. Quality of surface water of Haraz River and its branches were almost contained suitable for usual applications, but sometimes the quality of surface water based on BOD5 need to more attention for man uses (such as supply of drinking water). In addition, the quality of surface water was relatively suitable for aquatic based on the aquatic standard levels. Results also showed that water quality index (WQI) was declined from upstream to downstream and some parameters were not in standard ranges. The quality of surface water classified in group II at all stations based on water classification rules which it shows serious water quality changes due to environmental destroyed and domestic, agriculture sewage pollutions. Groundwater were affected by different springs at middle and downstream which they caused change physico-chemical characteristics and water quality. Wastewater was classified from good to moderate based on BOD5. The quality of wastewater was declined at downstream with decreasing DO and pH and increasing BOD5 and pollutants

Designing and establishment of ISO/IEC 17025 in 3aboratories of Caspian Sea ecological research center

The project was carried out between March of 2007 and November of 2009.Five laboratories of research center (Clinical pathology, Plankton, Molecular genetics, Pollutants, Analysis Instrument were selected for accreditation. The main stages for establishment of the system consisted of: 1-Conducting a gap analysis to compare the present state of the laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 Training 2 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories Validation of methods Estimation of uncertainty Internal audits 3- Performing of technical and management requirements 4-Submit of quality manual to Iran Accreditation System (IAS) in order to accredit In January of 2010 the laboratories were accredited by Iran Accreditation System (IAS). The main results were including: 1-Increase the accuracy of measurement 2-Improvement of the Repeatability and Reproducibility of the test methods 3-Traceability and standardization of test methods 4- Calibration of measurement instruments 6- Updating of test methods 7-Standardization of physical condition of the laboratories 8- Getting the certification from Iran Accreditation System (IAS)

The response of phytoplankton assemblages to environmental parameters in the Azad Dam Lake in the west of Iran

Seasonal variations of phytoplankton abundance, species composition, and their interaction with environmental parameters were investigated in the Azad Dam Lake, in the West of Iran during 2015–2016. Sampling was conducted seasonally at five stations in the lake. Multivariate statistical analyses were carried out to define the abiotic variables influencing phytoplankton community composition. A total of 51 taxa of phytoplankton belonging to six phyla were identified. Bacillariophyta (diatoms) were most diverse with 22 taxa, comprised more than 90% of the total density. Despite the low Shannon–Wiener index (H ′) diversity (0.10–1.54), pointing out the dominant density of Bacillariophyta resulted in high water quality. Statistical analysis showed seasonal phytoplankton assemblages differences indicating a biogeographical gradient. Distance-based Linear Model (DisTLM) analysis displayed six environmental variables showing significant relationships with the phytoplankton abundance in the resemblance matrix (p < 0.05). Based on Akaike's information criterion (AIC), the combination of total phosphorus (TP), water temperature (WT), Secchi disc depth (SD), total nitrogen (TN), nitrite (NO2−), and dissolved oxygen (DO) by the DisTLM model elucidated 63.1% of the total variability. Since the dam is newly constructed and has not yet been exploited, and the factors caused by human activities that threaten the lake have not yet spread much, findings of the present study suggest Azad Dam Lake appears to have been not highly affected by anthropogenic activities up to now.This paper investigates the variation of the phytoplankton community and its interaction with environmental parameters in the Azad Dam Lake in Iran. We show that the diversity index was low, pointing out a high level of Bacillariophyta dominance. Moreover, environmental variables show significant relationships with phytoplankton abundance

Integration of Research, Public Health, and Hospital Interventions as a Successful Model for Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a serious health problem in most countries in the last few months, with every country adopting different preventive and therapeutic measures based on their specific circumstances. The epidemic began in Iran on February 19, 2020, and gradually spread across the country. The epidemic extent varies, and different preventive and therapeutic measures are taken in Iran. Shahroud and Miami Counties, covered by the Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, have experienced the highest incidence of COVID-19 in Iran. However, the epidemic is well controlled by integrating the activities of the health, treatment, and research sectors and using information technology and a proprietary software application. This model can be thus studied as a successful experience. Keywords: COVID-19, Control, Successful model, Ira