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Background and Objective: Zinc and Copper are the important trace elements for human growth and body’s biological functions. These trace elements are the important cofactors of many enzymes. Serum variation of these trace elements are clinically important and should be taken into consideration, because fluctuation of these elements are behind many clinical manifestation in human. Diarrhea and vomiting can be the clinical symptoms associated with the toxic level of Zinc and Copper in the body. The concept behind this study is to determine the serum levels of Zinc and Copper in hemodialysis patients before and after dialysis, to explain the differences of such trace element concentration in these patients. Materials and Methods: This project is a comparative study. The sample population was 50 of hemodialysis patients chosen randomly from the patients referred to the 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan (33 male and 17 female). The concentration of Zinc and Copper of these patients was determined before and after the dialysis. Results: The results from this research projects indicated that the average concentration of Zinc and Copper in hemodialysis patients after dialysis were 135.32±59.32 and 136.40±51.52 microgram/deciliter which markedly increase in compare to the serum concentration of these trace elements before the dialysis which were 78.38±37.46 and 89.92±32.54 microgram/deciliter respectively. On the basis of the results, we found in this study the average increased concentration of Zinc and Copper after the process of dialysis among the hemodialysis patients had a meaningful statistical variation (P<0.001). Conclusion: Uremia, dialysis blood tube, heavy metal contamination, the quality of dialysis membrane and the quality of water used for the process of dialysis can be a reason for the increased concentration of Zinc and Copper. Such increase in the serum concentration of these trace elements can be the basis for some clinical abnormalities. Therefore it is suggested to determine the rate of released Zinc and Copper from hemodialysis machine, before the procedure is done To enable the medical team to evaluate the serum Zinc and Copper and correct it by nutritional therapy.

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Background&Objective: Copper and zinc, two essential trace elements, are neuroactive substances that can be synaptically released during neuronal activity. These metals have been implicated in diseases with neuropathological components, including Alzheimer's disease, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, Pick's disease, stroke and seizures. Copper and zinc levels in body tissues reflect many physiological and pathological conditions, including dietary factors, hepatic disease, and acute and chronic infections. The purpose of the present study was to examine the plasma levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in schizophrenic patients and to compare the Cu/Zn ratios with that of matched healthy subjects. Materials&Methods: Forty patients with schizophrenia (diagnosis were made according to DSM-IV) were sampled along with 50 healthy controls. Exclusion criteria included another concurrent psychiatric disorder, pregnancy, and medical disorders (endocrine, immune, liver cirrhosis, renal) or drugs (anticonvulsants, contraceptives, glucocorticoids) known to affect trace element metabolism. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn from an antecubital vein between 07.00 and 09.00 h. Plasma copper and zinc levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer GmbH, Uebelingen, Germany). Two-tailed t test was used to determine statistical differences. All data were analyzed with the computer program, GRAPHPAD software (V2.01+). Results: Mean±SE of sera copper levels in cases and controls were 145±28 and 65±3 µg/dl respectively (P<0.05). Also Mean±SE of sera zinc level in cases and controls were 67±2 and 81±4 µg/dl, respectively (P<0.05). Cu/Zn ratios was 2.07±0.38 and 0.87±0.04 in cases and controls respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant higher Cu/Zn ratio in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. These results suggest that Cu and Zn may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

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Background and Objective: Fish as well as other aquatic animals have become an important source of protein diets. Heavy metals due to their specific physical and chemical characteristics as well as their side effects on various ecosystems are considered as a major contaminator of marine environments. Therefore determine determination of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) intensity in Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio fishes of Caspian sea. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, levels of Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Manganese were evaluated, using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (A.S.S) technique, in tissues of two commonly consumed fish in Iran, namely Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio, collected from the southern coastline of the Caspian sea. Results: The mean±SD average concentration of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn were detected as (μg g-1) dry weight of Rutilus frisii kutum’s tissues were 29.97±0.57, 9.45±0.09, 0.30±0.01 and 0.20±0.01, respectively. These values for Cyprinus carpio were detected as: 30.20±0.14, 9.14±0.07, 1.08±0.03 and 0.71±0.02, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that, the concentration of Zn, Cu and Co in Rutilus frisii kutum, Cyprinus carpio fish tissues were higher than standard base of Brian.

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Background and Objective: Pollution due to the heavy metals is a problem that may have negative consequences on the hydrosphere. Identification of microorganisms resistant to heavy metals plays an important role in relation to environmental pollution bioremediation. This study was done to assess the antibiotic resistance in isolated bacteria from urban sewage and copper smeltery industrial wastewater. Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done on the wastewater samples from urban sewage and copper smeltery in Isfahan-Iran, during 2011-12. Heavy metal resistant microorganisms were isolated and enumerated after serial dilution and culturing on PHG agar plates supplemented with 0.5 mM of each heavy metal. The pattern of resistance was assigned by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Antibiotic resistance toward following medicines Ofloxacine, Penicilline, Sulfometoxasole, Lincomycin, Kanamycin, Streptomycin, Clindamycin, Vancomycin, Cefradin and Neomycin were subsequently investigated. Results: The greatest resistance in isolated bacteria has been related to the Ni (MIC: 24 mM) that’s related to the genus of Klebsiella and its minimum MIC is 2mM that’s of Acinetobacter lwoffi, Providencia stuartii, Branhamella. The minimum degree of resistance is related to Cu. Its Maximum MIC related to this metal in swage is 2 mM that’s of Klebsiella pneumoniae and its minimum degree of resistance in copper smeltery effluent is arranged as 1mM related to genus of Pseudomonas alkaligenes. In examining multi metal resistance pattern, the greatest resistance with 8 mM MIC has been related to the Cd, that’s of Ni resistant Moraxella osloensis in Copper smeltery effluent. The highest portion of isolated bacteria were resistant to Pb (P<0.05). The highest resistance of refirary wastewater was to Ni (MIC: 2 mM), which belong to Klebsiella (P<0.05). The lowest belong to Acine to bacter Lwoffi providencia Stuartii, Branhamella (MIC: 2mM) (P<0.05). In urban sewage: the highest resistance belong to copper, which was seen in Klebsiella Pneumoniae (MIC: 2mM). In Antibiogram tests of Klebsiella, Moraxella and Escherichia, it was demonstrated that the metal resistant bacteria were also resistant toward Lincomycin, Kanamycin, Streptomycin, Clindamycin, Vancomycin, Cefradin and Neomycin, as well. Conclusion: Increasing heavy metal resistance in the environment leads to increased antibiotic resistance toward microorganisms.

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Background and Objective: Nowadays the food contamination is increased and threating human health. This study was done to determine the concentration of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in tomatoes and cucumber in Northern Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 48 cucumber and 48 tomatoes samples were collected randomly from the two sampling stations of Gorgan and Gonbad the two cities in Golestan province of northern Iran during spring and summer of 2012. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were determined by voltammetry method of 797 Polarography models. Results: Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gonbad was 53.4±7.7, 0.09±0.013, 1.47±0.21 and 4.1±0.66 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gorgan was 60.3±8.7, 0.12±0.017, 1.4±0.2 and 3.7±0.53 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomatoes in Gonbad was 17.9±2.6, 0.03±0.004, 0.5±0.07 and 0.85±0.12 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomato in Gorgan was 23.8±3.4, 0.08±0.01, 0.66±0.09 and 1.7±0.24 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomatoes samples of Gonbad was up to 2, 14, 0.6 and 5 times and mean concentrations of that in cucumber and tomatoes of Gorgan was up to 2.4, 14.4, 1.6 and 7 times exceed the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO. Conclusion: Mean concentration of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomato samples was exceeded the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO and mean concentration of heavy metals in cucumber was more than tomato samples.

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Background and Objective: The flowers of Citrus aurantium L. are traditionally used in the treatment of neurological disorders such as seizures, epilepsy and neurasthenia. With regard to the importance of nausea and vomiting and effects of strengthening the stomach of Citrus aurantium L. extract, this study, was done to determine the antiemetic effect of the metabolic, aesthetic and aqueous extract of flowers of Citrus aurantium L. in young chickens.

Methods: In this experimental study, induction of emesis was performed in 138 young chickens
(23 groups, n=6) using copper sulfate (60 mg/kg, orally) and ipecac (600 mg/kg, orally). The aqueous, methanolic and acetonic extract at doses of 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg/bw were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) and metoclopramide (as positive control). The number of nausea was recorded 50 and 20 minutes after copper sulfate and ipecac administration, respectively.

Results: Our results showed that all kind of extract at doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg significantly inhibited copper sulfate and ipecac induced–emesis that showed better effect than metoclopramide. Also, comparison of antiemetic effect of different extract revealed that methanolic, aqueous and acetonic had better effect on prevention of nausea, respectively in comparision with metoclopramide.

Conclusion: All kinds of Citrus aurantium (Methanolic, Aesthetic and Aqueous) showed antiemetic effect due to copper sulfate and ipecac dose dependly in Young chickenin in comparision with metoclopramide.

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Background and Objective: Bioabsorbat is one of the most effective methods for the removal of heavy metals from industrial sewages. This study was done to assess the evaluation of Copper removal from industrial sewages by the Green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris.

Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was done on three samples from Bahonar Kerman copper industry sewage samples and 63 copper biosorption synthetic samples by Green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris at a constant temperature of 25°C, optimum pH 6 and contact time of 60 minutes and adsorbent concentration of 2 g/L. The rate of residual copper was determined using atomic absorption instrument. The adsorption isotherms and metal ions kinetic modeling on to the adsorbent were determined based on Langmuir isotherm, Freundlich and kinetics of type I and II.

Results: The removal efficiency was determined as 82.62% and 91.5 % in Copper real examples and synthetic samples, respectively. Based on the obtained results, copper absorption followed Langmuir model and second order kinetic equation (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Due to high absorption potential of Green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, this method can be effectively used for copper removal from industrial sewages.

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Background and Objective: Copper oxide nanoparticles with unique properties have numerous biological applications with probably toxicity. This study was conducted to determine the toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles on the pituitary-gonadal axis and spermatogenesis in male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups including control group and three intervention  groups which receiving the cancentration of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of copper oxide nanoparticles 5 times intra-peritoneally, respectively. Blood sampling was collected first day and 15 days after the last injection. Level of testosterone, FSH and LH were measured by ELISA method. After anesthesia and dissection of mice in each group, tissue sections of testis were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Morphological status of spermatogenesis process and counting of types of cells (spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid) were studied by optical microscope.
Results: In the first day of blood collection, a significant increase in LH and FSH level was observed at concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Also, Testosterone and FSH level decreased significantly reduced at 10 mg/kg/bw concentration compared to control (P<0.05). In 15 days after of the last injection, level of testosterone (P<0.05) and LH (P<0. 05) significantly increased in concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/kg/bw respectively. Also, there was a significant reduction in level of FSH in the concentration of 10 mg/kg/bw (P<0.05). The examination of testis tissue sections showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in density and number of cell types (spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid) and anomalies in the spermatogenesis process, in a dose-dependent manner. The most disturbances was seen at a concentration of 30 mg/kg/bw of copper oxide nanoparticles.
Conclusion: Copper oxide nanoparticles may interfere with the secretion of gonadotropins and testosterone and ultimately lead to a disruption of the spermatogenesis process.

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Background and Objective: Copper oxide nanoparticles, in addition to useful applications, may have adverse effects on the organisms.This study was done to determine the effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on liver toxicity, enzymes changes and liver histological structure of rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups. During 10 days, five times (one day interval), 3 groups of rats were received 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of copper oxide nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 50 nm and purity of 99% and a surface of 80 m²/g intraperitoneally, respectively. One group was considered as the control group. Activity of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes were tested in two stages (one day and 15 days after treatment). Also, liver tissue sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin.
Results: No significant alterations of AST enzyme activity were not seen between different groups in two stages. The activity of ALT, ALP, and LDH enzymes in the first stage showed a significant increase in all treatment groups compared to control and returned to normal after 15 days. Rat's weight changes were not statistically significant between different groups. Histological studies revealed multiple tissue injuries in dose-dependent in treatment groups which included mild and severe hyperemia, hepatocytes degeneration, hyperplasia and inflammation.
Conclusion: Injection of low doses of copper oxide nanoparticles, after 15 days, although changes in enzyme activity return to normal, but significant disturbances observes in the structure of the liver tissue.