Hematology and Some Biochemical Parameters of Wild Rodents in Pistachio Gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran

Wild rodents were collected using live snap traps in pistachio gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran from 2007 to 2009, then some physiological parameters of them were measured. The samples were identified as follow: Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus, Meriones lybicus and Tatera indica. Blood samples were obtained from the heart, then the blood parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, HDL, red and white blood cell number) in wild species of rodents and laboratory rat were compared. The results showed that there were no significant differences in serum glucose, triglyceride, HDL and total protein levels among different experimental groups. The concentration of cholesterol in T. indica was more than that in N. indica (P < 0.01). The total numbers of red blood cells also showed significant difference between wild garden rodent species and laboratory rat (P < 0.01), while the numbers of white blood cells showed no significant difference.     

Environmental and economical acceptance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating agents

Eco-efficiency analysis was used to compare eco-effectiveness of PVC plastisol with two commercially accepted coating agents; polyacrylate (PAA) and polyurethane (PUR) both in dispersed form in water. Eco-efficiency portfolio was graphically illustrated for different scenarios of coating textile fabrics using high and low quality PVC plastisols. PVC plastisol was found as the most eco-efficient coating agent followed by polyacrylate and polyurethane resin dispersions in water. It was concluded that PVC plastisol containing non-toxic plasticizer and less than 5 ppm free vinyl chloride monomer is an eco-efficient material which, when responsibly managed from cradle to grave, provides sustainable benefits to the society.