Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies on sorption of uranium and thorium from aqueous solutions by a selective impregnated resin containing carminic acid

In this work, the removal of uranium and thorium ions from aqueous solutions was studied by solid-liquid extraction using an advantageous extractant-impregnated resin (EIR) prepared by loading carminic acid (CA) onto Amberlite XAD-16 resin beads. Batch sorption experiments using CA/XAD-16 beads for the removal of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions were carried out as a function of several parameters, like equilibration time, metal ion concentration, etc. The equilibrium data obtained from the sorption experiments were adjusted to the Langmuir isotherm model and the calculated maximum sorption capacities in terms of monolayer sorption were in agreement with those obtained from the experiments. The experimental data on the sorption behavior of both metal ions onto the EIR beads fitted well in both Bangham and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models, indicating that the intra-particle diffusion is the rate-controlling step. The thermodynamic studies at different temperatures revealed the feasibility and the spontaneous nature of the sorption process for both uranium and thorium ions.

The relationship between body mass index and sexual function in infertile women: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Infertility as the bitterest life experience can affect sexual function. Many studies have shown agitation, depression, marital dissatisfaction, and sexual dysfunction as the psychological outcomes resulting from infertility. Many factors, including body mass index, influence the female sexual function.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and the relationship between sexual function and body mass index in the Iranian infertile women who had attended the infertility clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 502 infertile women who had attended Honoree clinic, Jahrom in Iran between April 2012 and December 2012. The infertile cases were classified into three groups according to the body mass index: 20-24.9 (Group I), 25-29.9 (Group II), and >29.9 and above (Group III). In addition, Female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was used in order to assess the sexual problems. Finally, the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

The mean age of women was 30.95±6.80 years. The results showed that 430 subjects (87.1%) had sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, the rate of sexual dysfunction among the infertile women was reported as 23.30%, 31.47%, and 45.23% in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Considering body mass index, FSFI score was 21.65±1.70 in the women with normal weight, 18.08±1.52 in overweight women, and 12.21±3.62 in obese women and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was quite high in infertile women, which might be due to the lack of knowledge about marital issues and lack of training in the society. If body mass index is too high, it can have a great effect on fertility. In this study, being overweight and obese based on body mass index had a negative effect on the infertile woman's sexual function.

Gender-dependent effects of metformin on vaspin and adiponectin in type 2 diabetes patients: a randomized clinical trial

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of metformin on serum concentrations of vaspin and adiponectin in diabetes. Randomized clinical trial of 99 newly diagnosed, medication-naïve, type 2 diabetes patients (NCT01521624) was carried out. Patients were randomly assigned to either metformin 1 000 mg daily plus advice for exercise and lifestyle modification (n=50) or modification alone (n=49). A third group of 50 normoglycemic subjects were also enrolled to compare adipokine concentrations between healthy and diabetes subjects. Serum concentrations of adipokines were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks using ELISA method. Healthy subjects had significantly higher adiponectin levels, but lower concentrations of serum vaspin (p<0.001 in all cases). Vaspin and adiponectin concentrations were 23% and 26% higher in women compared with men. Vaspin dropped significantly after 3-month metformin therapy only in women (1.36 vs. 0.98, p=0.003 in women and 1.31 vs. 1.20, p=0.335 in men). Metformin therapy did not change adiponectin concentration in neither women nor men of the case group (12.66 vs. 12.44 p=0.699 in women and 10.13 vs. 10.94 p=0.253 in men). Comparing case and control groups, metformin decreased vaspin levels more significantly than lifestyle modification in the final multivariate model after controlling for potential confounders only in women (p=0.002) but not men (p=0.896). Conversely, adiponectin levels increased more significantly in the control group, again only in women (p=0.012 and 0.579 for women and men, respectively). Our findings suggest that metformin therapy reduces vaspin concentration in a gender-specific manner. Metformin exerts little benefit in increasing adiponectin levels in diabetes patients.

Electrocardiogram analysis of the normal unanesthetized green peafowl (Pavo muticus)

The aim of this study was to describe normal electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns and values in unanesthetized green peafowl (Pavo muticus). The standard bipolar and augmented unipolar limb leads ECGs were recorded in the birds. The waveforms were analyzed in all leads at 50 mm/sec and at 10 mm = 1 mV to determine P, PR (segment and interval), QRS, ST, QT durations, P, net QRS complex and T amplitudes. The polarity of each waveform was tabulated in all leads. The mean electrical axis (MEA) for the frontal plane was calculated using leads II and III. The mean heart rates were calculated from lead II that was 257.5 ± 5.33 beats/min. The P wave was dominantly positive in all leads. The dominant pattern of waveforms of the QRS complexes were QS in leads II, III, and aVF. In leads I, aVR and aVL, the R pattern was dominant. The T wave was almost positive in leads I, II, and aVF. The average value of the heart MEA was -96.75 ± 3.31°. Description of normal ECG parameters will facilitate a better realizing of ECG changes of unhealthy green peafowls.

Disseminated Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania tropica in a Puppy from Karaj, Central Iran

A 5-month old puppy with muco-cutaneous lesions in the chin, around lips and eyes was examined physically and microscopically for leishmaniasis. Muco-cutaneous lesions containing a large number of amastigotes of Leishmania spp. were observed. Amastigotes were also detected in liver and spleen of the puppy. The animal was positive with Dipstick rK39 kit and high level of anti-Leishmania antibodies was detected by direct agglutination test (DAT). DNA, Using PCR-RFLP technique extracted from cultured Leishmania promastigotes and L. tropica was identified. This is the first report of concurrent mucosal and visceral involvement of L. tropica in a puppy from Iran.