Aim: Microplastics (MPs) have become an emerging environmental contaminant and there are increasing concerns about potentially toxic effects on living organisms. This study is aimed to determine uptake, tissue accumulation, and toxic effects of polyurethane microplastics (PUR-MPs) on zebra fish. Materials and Methods: The zebra fish were exposed to different concentrations of PURs-MPs of different sizes for 10 days. Mortality and behavioral changes were monitored. Ingestion and tissue accumulation of PUR-MPs were studied by fluorescent tagging of PUR-MPs. Pathological damages of tissues were investigated with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results: Microsize PUR-MPs can be ingested by zebra fish and fluorescent-tagged PUR-MPs were found in gills and gastrointestinal (GI) tract of fish after 10 days of exposure. A significant negative correlation was found between fluorescence intensity in fish tissues and size of PUR-MPs. Gills, GI tract, and liver were the most affected tissues by PUR-MP toxicity. GI damages included epithelial detachment, thinning of the bowel wall, congestive inflammation, epithelial damage, and lesions of villi in the gastric wall. Necrosis, adhesion, and partial fusion of secondary lamellae were the dominant pathological damages in the gills. Liver also was affected by cellular necrosis, infiltration, and lipid droplets. Conclusion: Exposure of zebra fish to PUR-MPs leads to ingestion of these particles by fish and significant increase in fish mortality and tissue damages. Particle size and MP concentration were the key determinant factors in PUR-MP toxicity. The results of the present study provide novel insights into environmental toxicity of PUR-MPs and toxic effect of PUR-MPs in aquatic organisms.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the level of citizen participation in solid waste recycling in the Isfahan metropolis. Materials and Methods: To assess the proportionate rate of citizen participation in 15 districts of the city, 400 questionnaires were filled out by participants through stratified random sampling method. The statistical analysis (Correlation and regression analysis) of the data was performed using the SPSS software. Results: The results showed that despite popular belief, the situation of solid waste recycling in Isfahan is unfavorable. Moreover, the highest level of citizen participation is related to district 10 (29.91%) and the lowest amount is associated with district 5 (12.22%). Applying strategies tailored to the social, economical, and cultural characteristics of each district and based on the current level of participation of citizens in each district can improve the current status. Conclusion: The results showed that the citizens need more education to increase their participation in Comprehensive Waste management. However, the provision of educational programs through mass media along with municipality co-operation leads to elevate the people awareness.

Aim: In this study, the microplastic (MP) concentration in several brands of salts was investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifteen samples of crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt were purchased from local markets and analyzed for MPs concentration. The salts were digested with the Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation method first, and the MPs were floated based on density difference. Then, MPs were counted by scanning electron microscopy and nature was confirmed by using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Results: The MP concentrations in crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt were 151.4 ± 48.8, 406.7 ± 93.3, 1417.4 ± 203.3, and 283.4 ± 97.0 MPs/kg, respectively. The most abundant polymers were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The fiber was the dominant shape of MPs in all salt samples. Conclusions: This study reveals the presence of MPs in crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt. Therefore, the consumption of salts can expose humans to MPs.

Aim: The early detection of cardiovascular diseases by noninvasive and low-cost methods such as data mining techniques has been considered by many researchers. This study intends to review the studies performed on the prognosis of coronary heart disease using data mining techniques. Materials and Methods: The published studies in English between 2001 and 2021 that the use classification methods to predict coronary heart disease were considered. Databases such as ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ScoPURs were considered as searchable databases. After searching, 348 articles were retrieved. After removing duplicates and evaluating the articles, finally, 20 articles were used. Results: The three data mining techniques support vector machine (SVM), neural network, and naive Bayes which were the most used among the studies. In the most studies, risk factors age, blood pressure, gender, diabetes, and chest pain were used. The accuracy was the most-used measure. The Alizadeh Sani dataset was the most used among the studies. Conclusion: Techniques such as SVM and neural network have performed better than other techniques. The output of these techniques can be used as a decision support system so that clinicians can enter various risk factors such as age, blood pressure, gender, diabetes, and chest pain and then view system output.

Aim: Estrogenic compounds as a group of endocrine disruptive compounds can interfere with endocrine system beings. In the present work, an attempt has been made, to characterize the kinetic coefficients of natural and synthetic estrogens, in a pilot-scale moving bed biofilm bioreactor (MBBR). Materials and Methods: The substrate removal rates were investigated at different organic loading rates, and hydraulic retention times. By applying some biokinetic models including first order, second order, Stover–Kincannon, and the Monod equation, the kinetic constants (m, Ks, k, Y, and Kd) were determined. Results: Estrogen-specific removal rate was between 0.22 and 1.45 μg. g VSS-1.d-1 for natural and synthetic hormones. The experimental data showed that the Stover–Kincannon model and second-order model were the fit models and have high correlation coefficients more than 99%. Conclusion: These findings indicated that theses mathematical models could be promising models for effectively predicting kinetic parameters for performance of MBBR reactors.

Aim: Although vermicomposting is rich in nutrients, the virulent microbes and pathogens present in it may be a threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the microbial quality of produced vermicompost, including fecal coliform and parasitic eggs, at a pilot scale, and compare it to present standards. Materials and Methods: Three various reactors containing decomposable domestic waste (T1), cow manure (T2), and dewatered sludge (T3) were used to produce vermicompost using Eisenia fetida. According to the standard methods, fecal coliforms, parasitic eggs, and some of the treatment characteristics including organic carbons, nitrogen, temperature, humidity, pH, electrical conductivity and metals were evaluated during the 56-day operation period. Results: According to the results, the number of fecal coliforms in treatments of T1, T2 and T3 reduced from 2.5 × 10⁴, 6 × 10⁵ and 15 × 10⁶ to 1000, 1500 and 1500 MPN/g dw, respectively. All parasite eggs reached zero after the 3^rd week. At the end of the study, the average of organic carbon in T1, T2, and T3 were 35.4 ± 6%, 50.7 ± 5%, and 58.4 ± 7%, respectively. This value for total nitrogen were 0.9 ± 0.2%, 1.8 ± 0.7%, and 4.2 ± 1.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that the worm E. fetida has a great ability to reduce pathogens without the need for an increase in temperature. Furthermore, it can be concluded that vermicompost can improve the quality of compost in 8 weeks. The vermicomposting process can also greatly destroy the fecal coliforms and all parasite eggs.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) concentration levels in and around the fuel station and its harmful health effects in the city of Dammam and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Forty fuel-dispensing facilities were randomly selected on the basis of three different areas: residential, traffic intersection, and petrol pump locations (refueling stations). Samples were collected using coconut shell charcoal cartridges, and the portable ambient analyzer was used for measuring BTEX concentration. Results: Results shows that the average concentration of BTEX levels around fuel stations was 10.30, 4.09, and 2.47 ppm, respectively. All mean concentration values of BTEX around residential, traffic intersection, and fuel stations are exceeding the limits of air quality standards values (P < 0.01). The mean concentration of BTEX around the residential area, side street, and direct street was as follows: benzene 8, 12.2, and 11.5 ppm; toluene 2.5, 5.95, and 3.37 ppm; and xylene 2, 2.13, and 2.7 ppm. Hazard quotient was >1, which showed that carcinogenic probability has increased those exposed to this toxic chemical. Conclusion: Values for BTEX were greater than those found in the neighboring residential area of the city and even 100 m away from the fuel station which can have a negative impact on the health of several residences. The environmental contamination associated with BTEX in petrol fuel stations impulses the necessity of preventive programs to reduce further air quality deterioration and reduce the harmful health effects.

Aims: The Iranian city of Sari with a green nature has great environmental importance, especially in ecotourism. Thus, the proper management of medical wastes is necessary to maintain a sustainable environment. This study is aimed to determine the quantitative and qualitative wastes in the hospitals of Sari. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a descriptive-analytical approach to analyze the infectious and noninfectious wastes of four hospitals in Sari. The data collection instrument was a checklist that was completed on visits to hospitals and observation of cases. Data analysis was performed using Excel and R software programs. Results: The average quantity of the total waste produced in hospitals was 218, 482, 19.5, and 17 kg/day for infectious, household, sharp-cutter, and pharmaceutical wastes, respectively. The rate of hospital waste production for various types of infectious, household, sharp-cutter, and pharmaceutical wastes equaled 1.15, 2.13, 0.09, and 0.28 kg/bed, respectively. Conclusion: Due to the high percentage of infectious wastes, despite considerable efforts to separate wastes, there are still problems in the hospitals that require more attention from the authorities, as well as the incorporation of new methods to render waste safe before it leaves the hospital.