Optimization of UV/H2 O2 /Fe3 O4 process to remove aniline from aqueous solutions using central composite methodology

Aniline with a benzene ring in its structure is a toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic compound that causes many diseases in humans. Various methods have been developed to remove this pollutant from the environment among which the advanced oxidation has been successful in obtaining higher aniline removal efficiency. In this study, a UV light and Fe3O4 nano catalyst were used to remove aniline. In this study, the efficiency of aniline removal was studied as a dependent variable and aniline, hydrogen peroxide and iron nano catalyst concentrations, time and pH were investigated as independent variables. The concentration of aniline was measured by spectrophotometer. The optimization of the process was determined using the response surface method design and the central composite design model. Design Expert software was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the aniline removal efficiency decreased with increase in nano-catalyst concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration and time and decreased with increasing pH and aniline concentration. To achieve maximum efficiency (78.1%), the optimal values for pH; initial concentration; time; nanoparticle content and H2O2 content were 3.2; 101 mg L–1; 50 min; 0.45 g L–1 and 31.08 mmol L–1. The results showed that the photo-Fenton process has a desirable ability to remove aniline from aqueous solution at pilot scale. Therefore, it was suggested to study the efficiency of this process as one of the clean and environmentally friendly methods at full scale on real wastewate

Difficulty in detecting discrepancies in a clinical trial report: 260-reader evaluation

Background: Scientific literature can contain errors. Discrepancies, defined as two or more statements or results that cannot both be true, may be a signal of problems with a trial report. In this study, we report how many discrepancies are detected by a large panel of readers examining a trial report containing a large number of discrepancies. Methods: We approached a convenience sample of 343 journal readers in seven countries, and invited them in person to participate in a study. They were asked to examine the tables and figures of one published article for discrepancies. 260 participants agreed, ranging from medical students to professors. The discrepancies they identified were tabulated and counted. There were 39 different discrepancies identified. We evaluated the probability of discrepancy identification, and whether more time spent or greater participant experience as academic authors improved the ability to detect discrepancies. Results: Overall, 95.3% of discrepancies were missed. Most participants (62%) were unable to find any discrepancies. Only 11.5% noticed more than 10% of the discrepancies. More discrepancies were noted by participants who spent more time on the task (Spearman’s ρ = 0.22, P < 0.01), and those with more experience of publishing papers (Spearman’s ρ = 0.13 with number of publications, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Noticing discrepancies is difficult. Most readers miss most discrepancies even when asked specifically to look for them. The probability of a discrepancy evading an individual sensitized reader is 95%, making it important that, when problems are identified after publication, readers are able to communicate with each other. When made aware of discrepancies, the majority of readers support editorial action to correct the scientific record

Establishment of gene bank of inland water fish species

Genetic knowledge helps to protect biodiversity and optimal harvest resources by several ways. This knowledge can help to reduce the risk of extinction to those populations that have high genetic diversity or diminished by detected them. Also, studies of population genetics can present guidelines for improving the structure of the population and understanding the biology of species. One of the most important applications of DNA database is detecting species, fishing offense, diagnose of anemia and genetic classification of animals. DNA bank has helped to identify the species that are hunted and were discovered only parts of their meat and texture. Optimal Storage of aquatic genetic resources and the conservation of biological diversity, as the national capital by using biotechnology methods are the most important goals of gene bank and database reserves of the country creation. Collecting biological specimens of aquatic species, preparation and long-term maintenance of them, genetic registration of endangered and threatened species and the use of biotechnology techniques for the protection, conservation and management of aquatic genetic resources is one of the other functions of the gene bank. Gene bank of inland waters of Iran (Gorgan) is planned and implemented to identify, collect, maintain and protect species at the level of genes, cells, tissues and live fish research and commercial exploitation. Despite the predicted projected funding for this project, unfortunately funding sources have been considered, does not allocated. Therefore some parts of the aims of this project has been organized by Golestan province credits to build molecular laboratory and aquaculture pond in Alang farm and exploitation of potential Gharasou station and Sijoval center restocking and the conditions for the bulk of the project goals is provided. Some parts like tissue culture laboratory and bioinformatics as well as parts and equipment related to the freezing of sperm and embryo development are the items that should be considered in the development of the this bank

Enhanced recovery programmes for lower limb arthroplasty in the UK

Introduction: Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) reduce patient morbidity and mortality, and provide significant cost savings by reducing length of stay. Currently, no uniform ERP guidelines exist for lower limb arthroplasty in the UK. The aim of this study was to identify variations in ERPs and determine adherence to local policy. Methods: Hospitals offering elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) (23 and 22 centres respectively) contributed details of their ERPs, and performed an audit (15 patients per centre) to assess compliance. Results: Contrasting content and detail of ERPs was noted across centres. Adherence to ERPs varied significantly (40–100% for TKA, 17–94% for THA). Analysis identified perioperative use of dexamethasone, tranexamic acid and early mobilisation for TKA, and procedures performed in teaching hospitals for THA as being associated with a reduced length of stay. Conclusions: This study highlights variation in practice and poor compliance with local ERPs. Given the proven benefits of ERPs, evidence-based guidelines in the context of local skillsets should be established to optimise the patient care pathway

Identification of Candida species using PCR-RFLP in cancer patients in Iran

Opportunistic infections caused by Non- Candida albicans have been increasing. Traditional methods that are used to identify clinical isolates of Candida species are time-consuming and not appropriate for rapid, accurate and reliable identification. Purpose: To identify Candida spp isolated from cancer patients using PCR-restriction enzyme. Materials and methods: Using universal primers, ITS1 and ITS4, in this study, we could amplify ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA regions at both 80 clinical isolates and 3 standard strains. The PCR products were digested with two restriction enzymes MspI and BlnI separately. Result: We successfully identified all isolated species using two restriction enzymes (MspI, BlnI). Candida albicans was the most common species (77.5%), followed by C. glabrata (15%), C. tropicalis (5%), C. krusei (2.5%). Although the primers and enzyme had the ability to identify C. parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii, C. dubliniensis, present isolates did not include these among identified ones. Conclusion: RFLP-PCR using ITSI and ITS4 primers and restriction enzyme is a rapid, easy, reliable and also applicable method in clinical laboratory for identification of medically important Candida spp

Mycoflora assessment in drinking tap water (Sari, Iran)

Background and Objective: Fungi are widely distributed in nature and they are usually present in attomospher but other sources such as water play an important role in their ecology. This study was done to evaluate mycoflora assessment in drinking tap water in Sari, North of Iran. The tap water collected form Sari water distribution system for fungi. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a volume of 100 ml of tap drinking water samples (n=60) were collected in sterile bottles. All water samples passed through sterile 0.45 micrometer filters. The filters were placed directly on Malt extract agar and incubated at 27°C for 3-7 days. Routine mycological techniques were applied to identify the grown fungi. Results: Out of 468 grown fungal colonies, eight different fungal genera were identified. The total mean cfu per 100 ml for the positive samples were 8.4. Aspergillus (37.4%) and Penicillium (27.3%) were the most common isolated fungi. Rhizopus (0.6%) had the lowest frequency. Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus had the highest frequency. Conclusion: Our result showed that various fungi were present in the tap drinking water. We propose fungi should be considered as part of the microbiological analysis parameters in drinking tap water

Most Hospital-Acquired Complications among Older Adults Are Associated with Frailty: The South-Western Sydney Frailty and Hospital-Acquired Complications Study

Background: People live longer, and frailty has become an important problem in the acute hospital setting. Increasingly the association between frailty and hospital-acquired complications has been reported. However, the overall burden of frailty in this setting has not been described. Therefore, we undertook this study to describe the association between frailty and the risk of hospital-acquired complications among older adults across our five acute hospitals and to estimate the overall burden of frailty attributable to these complications. Methods: Consecutive admissions among women and men aged ≥ 65 years across our local health district’s five acute hospitals, between January 2010 and December 2020, were included to investigate the association between the number of cumulative frailty deficit items and hospital-acquired complications and infections. The numbers of cumulative frailty deficits are presented in four groups (0–1 item, 2 items, 3 items, and 4–13 items). Individual events such as falls, delirium, pressure injuries, thromboembolism, malnutrition, and multiple types of infections are also presented. The overall burden of frailty was estimated using a population-attributable-risk approach. Results: During the study period there were 4,428 hospital-acquired complications, among 120,567 older adults (52% women). The risk of any hospital-acquired complication (HAC) or any hospital-acquired infection (HAI) increased as the cumulative number of frailty deficits increased. For the 0–1 deficit item group versus the 4–13 items group, the risk of any HAC increased from 5.5/1000 admissions to 80.0/1000 admissions, and for any HAI these rates were 6.2/1000 versus 58.2/1000, respectively (both p-values \u3c 0.001). The 22% (27,144/120,567) of patients with 3 or more frailty deficit items accounted for 63% (2,774/4,428) of the combined hospital-acquired complications and infections. We estimated that the population-attributable risks of any hospital-acquired complication or infection were 0.54 and 0.47, respectively. Conclusion: We found that an increasing number of cumulative frailty deficit items among older patients are associated with a higher risk of hospital-acquired complications or infections. Importantly, frail older adults account for most of these adverse events