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The aim of this research was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the muscle wall extracts of sea cucumber, Stichopus horrens, against Lactococcus garvieae, Streptococcus iniae, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Yersinia ruckeri bacteria in rainbow trout using the disk-diffusion and well-diffusion methods. In this study, nine sea cucumbers (with the mean weight of 1690 ± 12.18 g) were randomly obtained from two locations in Chabahar Bay, Iran in November 2018. The muscle wall of the body was extracted with each of the ethyl acetate, methanol, and acetone organic solvents. The antibacterial activities of extracts were determined. Only the ethyl acetate extracts of S. horrens in the concentrations at 8 and 12 mg/mL had an inhibitory effect on all the examined bacteria. Y. ruckeri and A.hydrophila bacteria were sensitive to the acetone extracts. The best property was recorded with the S.horrens ethyl acetate extracts, with the MIC value of 0.625 mg/mL against S. iniae and L. garvieae. The MIC values ranging from 0.626 to 1.25 mg/mL were also displayed with the acetone extracts against Y. ruckeri and A. hydrophila, respectively. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate extracts of S. horrens displayed the best spectrum of bactericidal effect obtained from four bacteria strains examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine common pesticides in raw milk from the industrial cattle houses of Kermanshah region of Iran. A novel, simple, inexpensive, reliable and environmentally friendly method based on continuous sample drop flow microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection was developed. In this technique, a few microliters of organic solvent is transferred to the bottom of a conical test tube and the aqueous solution in form of fine droplets passes through the organic solvent. At this stage, target analytes are extracted into the organic solvent. After extraction, 20 μL of organic solvent was injected into the analytical instrument. Some effective parameters on extraction were studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs are linear in the range of 1–800 µg/L and limits of detection are in the range of 0.3–1.0 µg/L. Repeatability (intra-day) and reproducibility (inter-day) of the method based on five replicate measurements of 100 µg/L of target pesticides were in the range of 2.7–4.1 and 4.3–7.2%, respectively. The enrichment factors and recoveries are in the range of 308–372 and 77–93%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies suggest that exposure to industrial solvents can affect blood pressure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a mixture of organic solvents on blood pressure in women working in a pharmaceutical company in Iran. Four hundred and thirty-three women were included in the study. Women working in packing units (group 1) were not exposed to the mixture of organic solvents, women in new laboratory units (group 2) were exposed to the mixture within the permitted range and women working in old laboratory units (group 3) were exposed to the mixture above the permitted limit. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP & DBP) and prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension among groups. The results revealed a significant difference in SBP and pre-hypertension (p<0.001) and hypertension (p<0.05) prevalence between the exposed and the control group, but DBP did not differ significantly. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between hypertension and exposure to mixed solvents. Odds ratio for hypertension in the group 2 and group 3 (exposed) workers was 2.36 and 3, respectively, compared to controls. Our results suggest that exposure to a mixture of organic solvents may increase SBP and hypertension and pre-hypertension prevalence in drug manufacture workers. Therefore, more attention should be paid to workers that work in such settings by periodically measuring blood pressure and implementing accurate and comprehensive programs to reduce exposure to organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the successful design and implementation of several exhaust ventilation systems in a paint manufacturing factory. The ventilation systems were designed based on American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommendations. The duct works, fans, and other parts were made and mounted by local manufacturers. The concentrations of toluene and xylene as the common solvents used in paint mixing factories were measured to evaluate the role of ventilation systems in controlling the organic solvents. Occupational exposure to toluene and xylene as the major pollutants was assessed with and without applying ventilation systems. For this purpose, samples were taken from breathing zone of exposed workers using personal samples. The samples were analyzed using Occupational Safety and Health Administration analytical method No.12. The samples were quantified using gas chromatography. The results showed that the ventilation systems successfully controlled toluene and xylene vapors in workplace, air well below the recommended threshold limit value of Iran (44.49 and 97.73 ppm, respectively). It was also discovered that benzene concentration in workplace air was higher than its allowable concentrations. This could be from solvents impurities that require more investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]