Journal of Chemical Health Risks
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

Under the present study, the adsorption capability of the activated carbon originated from Bombax ceiba fruit shell was examined using batch experimental mode. Bombax ceiba fruit shell was carbonized and chemically activated using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as activating agent. The surface structure of the prepared activated carbon was examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Some important experimental parameters namely pH of the solution, contact time and initial metal ion concentration in the solution, which affect the adsorption process were optimized. Maximum cadmium(II) removal from the aqueous solution was found at pH 9 with 0.3g/30mL adsorbent dose. The equilibrium in adsorption was attained after about 90 min of contact. Different adsorption isotherm models namely Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models were fitted to explain the equilibrium data obtained for the adsorption system. Temkin isotherm was found to show stronger correlation for cadmium(II) adsorption from the experimental solution onto the prepared adsorbent surface.

A large variety of fruits and vegetables and a large number of Lactobacillus strains provide a great opportunity for the development and industrialization of non-dairy beverages. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were used for cornelian cherry probiotic juice. Physicochemical factors such as the survival of probiotic bacteria, acidity and the total amount of reducing carbohydrates in probiotic juice were studied. After four weeks, the survival of Lactobacillus delbrueckii was significantly higher than other treatments (p < 0.05). After four weeks, no Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria had survived. In terms of sensory evaluation, there was a significant difference between two treatments of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, while the treatment with Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic bacteria was more acceptable than Lactobacillus delbrueckii (p < 0.05). Due to the sensory characteristics, the viability of bacteria, and other physicochemical properties, it can be concluded that probiotic juice can be useful for human health if the probiotic bacteria can survive.

The active films composed of polyvinyl alcohol/Alyssum homolocarpum seeds gum (PVA-AHSG) in corporatinglysozyme (LY) are developed and characterized. The LY affects the thickness, solubility, and water vapor permeability, mechanical, microstructural, and optical properties of PVA-AHSG films and also the antimicrobial activities of obtained films are evaluated. The LY content increased the thickness of composite films. The LY addition led to an increase in water solubility, moisture contents, and contact angle, and decreased density. The control films without LY had the lower opacity and acted as a weak barrier against the water vapor. The LY reduced elongation at break and slightly increased tensile strength and elastic modulus. The electron micrographs showed that the control films had a smoother structure, and the addition of LY formed films with a rough surface. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectra indicated some interactions between PVA and AHSG chains and LY. Functional activities were found against Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.

Deboning method has a major effect on quality and safety of poultry carcasses or animal bones.The aim of this study was to determine residual concentration of lead, iron and calcium in chicken meat paste as indicative parameters for identifying deboning procedure. The test samples were eight whole chicken carcasses collected randomly in a three-month period from main retail markets in Tehran. All of the collected samples divided into the two groups: deboning of one group well done by hand and the other was performed mechanically by machine. Sample preparation and analyses were performed by wet digestion and atomic absorption analysis, respectively. According to the results the mean concentration of lead, iron and calcium in manually deboned samples were 2.94 (±0.56), 4.21 (±0.31) and 65.77 (±2.11) mg Kg-1 and in mechanically deboned samples were 3.79 (±0.52), 23.05 (±3.47) and 275.83 (±16.31) mg Kg-1, respectively. In all cases, concentration of investigated elements in mechanically deboned treatments were significantly higher than manual ones (p < 0.05) and obviously indicated the difference in deboning procedures. More ever the results of calculating estimated daily intake for lead due to consumption of chicken meat paste showed that in both of deboning methods, the concentration of lead was more than that recommended by provisional tolerable daily intake.

Comparing to the chemical and physical techniques, biosynthesis of nanoparticles is being facilitated due to its nontoxic and economically feasible availability. In this present study, plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the fruit extract of Sonneratia apetala from the silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. Among different physiological conditions, effect of reaction time was investigated during the AgNPs synthesis. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) characterization was conducted for verifying the nanoparticles size and morphology. A distinct band centered around 400-480 nm in the UV-Visible spectroscopy represented the formation of AgNPs. FTIR spectroscopy revealed that –OH group may play important role for the reduction of Ag+ to AgNPs. XRD revels the face-centered cubic geometry of AgNPs. AFM image analysis helped to find out the shape of the synthesized AgNPs is sphereical. The efficiency of AgNPs as a promising catalyst through electron transfer in the degradation of methyl orange and methyl red was investigated. This catalytic activity of AgNPs can be used to synthesis different chemical intermediates and organic transformations.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of oncologic dose of bisphosphonate on the condylar temporomandibular joint’s (TMJ’s) static and dynamic bone parameters. Forty adult male albino rats were utilized in the study. Animals were randomly assigned into four groups, each included ten rats that were intraperitoneally injected with saline (control groups I and II), or 0.2 mg.kg-1 Zoledronic acid (experimental groups I and II). The rats were sacrificed at the end of 6 weeks (groups I) and 12 weeks (groups II). The right side TMJs condyles were used in histological and histomorphometric analysis while the left side condyles were utilized for assessing dynamic bone parameters. Bone volume/ Tissue volume (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) were significantly increased in ZOL group II as compared to control and Zoledronic acid (ZOL) group I (p=<0.001) while trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) was markedly increased in ZOL group I as compared to both control and ZOL group II (p=0.001 and 0.012, respectively). The ZOL group II showed a significant increase in mineral apposition rate as compared to the ZOL group I (p < 0.001). Our results demonstrated that oncologic dose of Zoledronic could have a catabolic effect on TMJ’s condyles after six weeks which is reversed after 12 weeks as evidenced by enhanced endochondral and intramembranous ossification.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dusts on rat specimens in Southern Iran, Khuzestan, focusing on serum enzymes (Alpha-Amylase, Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine transaminase, Lactate dehydrogenase, and Aspartate transaminase) and kidney parameters (creatinine and urea). The study was conducted on 30 adult male rats that were divided into six groups, including one as the control group, and five as the experimental groups (Ahvaz, Ramhormoz, Andimeshk, Abadan, and Susangerd). Results showed that alanine aminotransferase increased in the groups of Ramhormoz, Andimeshk, Abadan, and Susangerd while Ahvaz showed a decrease. Alkaline phosphatase activity in all treated groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase decreased in all samples, but only in Ahvaz and Susangerd groups it was significant compared to control group. Alpha-amylase activity was significantly increased in the groups of Ramhormoz, Andimeshk, Abadan, but decreased significantly in Ahvaz group, indicating a different value of harmful substances in dust particulates of these five cities. Serum urea level increased in all groups except Ahvaz, which was only significant in the group of Ramhormoz. Also, creatinine level decreased in all groups except Ahvaz. The results of this study showed that, the effect of fine dust was more evident in three cities of Ahvaz, Andimeshk and Ramhormoz due to the large amounts of total concentrations of heavy metals. Also, both the liver and the kidney were affected by both particulate matter, but it seems that the effect on the liver was more than the kidney.

Fluoride is needed for better health, but it can cause adverse health effects if used at higher levels. There are different sources for the uptake of the fluoride, and drinking water is its primary resource.  The aim of this study is the evaluation of fluoride concentration at the inlet and outlet of household water treatment systems and highly consumed bottled water distributed in Ardabil city in 2020. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 60 water samples (30 samples of bottled water from 10 distribution brands of Ardabil city and 30 samples of inlet and outlet of household water treatment system). The concentration of fluoride was measured using the SPADNS standard method and spectrophotometer techniques. The SPSS version 22 software was used for analyzing the data. The concentration of fluoride in all samples was obtained to be in the range of 0 to 0.87 mg.l-1, with an average of 0.35 mg.l-1, which was less than the standard. According to the results, the concentration of fluoride in the studied groups was significantly different (P = 0.001). Moreover, the efficiency of the household water treatment system in the reduction of fluoride was observed to be 67.25%. Although the concentration of fluoride in most samples was lower than standard, further studies on other sources of fluoride, such as vegetables, tea, and so on, are required for accurate comment on fluoride deficiency in drinking water of one area.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important crops for which Iraq is famous. As a result of increased water salinity and the lack of rain in recent years. The technique of magnetizing water has been tried to irrigate palm trees. For the purpose of studying the effect of magnetization on leaf content of some biomarkers. The research was carried out during the years 2019 and 2020, when sixty-three-year-old date palm trees were selected from the variety (Barhi), which are densely textured and planted in the orchard of the tissue date palm station / Ministry of Agriculture located in the desert region of Najaf Governorate. As (well water and river water) were used before and after magnetization by watering the soil around the palm on a weekly basis for sixteen consecutive periods starting from 2/6/2019, results measurements were made for total chlorophyll, total protein, amino acid proline and carbohydrates. The results showed that the magnetization of the water caused significant increases in the leaf content of total chlorophyll, carbohydrates and total protein, and a significant decrease in its content of the amino acid proline. The results indicate that the magnetization of irrigation water increases the efficiency of the palm plant in tolerance saline water and increases its vital properties in the case of irrigation with magnetized river water. These results improve the process of cultivation and management of date palm farms and contribute to increasing production.

This article studies the effect of vibration of different frequencies on the body of Hubbard F15 broiler chickens. The analysis of changes in leukogram parameters, leukocyte indices found that 8 hours after exposure to vibration with frequencies of oscillatory movements of 140 and 160 per minute, the stage of stress anxiety develops, passing after 24 hours into the stage of resistance. Vibration action with a frequency of 120 vibrational movements per minute does not cause deviations in leukogram parameters characteristic of a stress response and is a subthreshold stress effect.

Several plants have been used in folk medicine to treat various types of diseases. Gynura procumbens (G. procumbens), a medicinal plant is widely used in traditional treatment of many aliments due to the presence of potent bioactive components. In this study,G. procumbens leaves were extracted with three different polarities of solvents viz., ethyl acetate (EA), methanol (MeOH) and methanol-water (MeOH-H2O). A cerebroside and a pure compound were isolated from the EA and MeOH crude extracts respectively. Antibacterial, antifungal activities and cytotoxicity of the crude extracts of G. procumbens leaves were investigated using six bacterial strains (three gram positive and three gram negative), one fungal strain and brine shrimp lethality bioassay, respectively. The EA extracts showed moderate antimicrobial activity, whereas MeOH and MeOH-H2O extracts exhibited very minute sort of sensitivities. The MeOH-H2O extract showed a significant cytotoxic activity having LC50 of 3.98 μg/mL on the other hand EA and MeOH exhibited mild and moderate cytotoxic activities having LC50 values of 63.10 and 4.47 μg/mL, respectively. These results demonstrate the presence of potential bioactive components in the studied crude extracts of the G. procumbens leaves.

Plaque accumulation is the buildup of bacterial substances on dental surface. Plaque can be controlled using anti-bacterial chemicals such as acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The function of APF and CPP-ACP is to inhibit the growth and adhesion of bacterial plaque colonization by S. mutans on the tooth’s surface. This study aims to identify differences in the effectiveness of the topical application of APF gel and CPP-ACP paste against plaque accumulation in children. The research applied a quasi-experimentalmethod with a time-series design. The study was conducted at the Nur Hidayah and Ihsan Sakeena orphanages in Surakarta, where 30 children aged 6-12 were involved as research subjects, divided into two treatment groups namely the APF and CPP-ACP groups. Topical application of APF was given once on the first day, while that of CPP-ACP was administered once a day from the first until the seventh day. Plaque score data were obtained by PHP-M plaque score measurement. Total plaque scores were measured on day 1 before and after application, day 7 and day 14. Results show declining average plaque scores between the first day prior to topical application of APF and CPP-ACP and the fourteenth day afterwards. Independent samples tests reveal differences in effectiveness of topical APF gel and CPP-ACP paste application on plaque accumulation in children on day 7 and day 14, but no difference in plaque score change on day 1 ahead of and following application. Topical application of CPP-ACP paste decreases plaque accumulation in children more effectively than that of APF gel.