Pt nanoparticle-multi walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites supported on titanium substrate (Pt-MWCNTs/Ti) were prepared by co-electrodeposition method. This composite catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), and electrochemical methods. The SEM images reveal that nanostructures are distributed at the surface of the titanium plate. Electro-oxidation of methanol was investigated in acidic media on Pt-MWCNTs/Ti electrodes via cyclic voltammetric analysis in the mixed 0.1 M methanol and 0.1 M H2SO4 solutions. The Pt-MWCNTs/Ti catalyst has good electro-catalytic activity for methanol oxidation. This novel Pt-MWCNTs/Ti catalyst can be used repeatedly and exhibits stable electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência do vírus Hepatitis A (HAV) em amostras de frutos do mar nas cidades de Isfahan e Shahrekord no Iran. De setembro de 2010 a Abril de 2011 um total de 300 amostras de peixe fresco, camarão, caranguejo e lagosta foram obtidas de lojas de varejo aleatoriamente escolhidas nas cidades de Isfahan e Shahrekord no Iran. As amostras foram testadas para presença de HAV usando o método de reação em cadeia em transcriptase reversa. Do total de amostras examinadas, 8 (2.7%) foram positivas para HAV. Este vírus foi detectado em 5% e 1.7% de peixe fresco e camarão, respectivamente. Este estudo mostrou a importância de frutos do mar como fontes potenciais de infecção HAV em pessoas no Iran.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) in sea food samples in the Isfahan and Shahrekord townships in Iran. From September 2010 to April 2011, a total of 300 samples of fresh fish, shrimp, crab and lobster were obtained from randomly selected retail stores in the Isfahan and Shahrekord townships in Iran. The samples were tested for the presence of HAV using a reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction method. Out of the total number of samples examined, 8 (2.7%) were found to be positive for HAV. This virus was detected in 5% and 1.7% of fresh fish and shrimp, respectively. This study shows the importance of sea food as potential sources of HAV infection in people in Iran.