Montmorillonite clay/starch/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite as a superior functional material for uptake of cationic dye molecules from water and wastewater

In this research, montmorillonite clay (MC) was magnetically modified by starch and cobalt-ferrite (CoFe2O4) (MC/starch/CoFe2O4) and then used to eliminate methyl violet (MV) and methylene blue (MB) dyes from water. The materials swere characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX/Map, VSM, BET and TEM analyses. Also, central composite design (CCD) method was employed to optimize the effective factors on the uptake process. The utmost sorption efficiency using the MC/starch/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite were obtained 98.67% (MB) and 99.45% (MV), respectively, indicating significant sorption efficiencies. Also, the utmost sorption capacity of MV using MC, MC/CoFe2O4 and MC/starch/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite were 29.76, 34.79 and 43.95 mg/g, respectively, and the utmost sorption capacity of MB using these sorbents were 31.96, 36.91 and 47.51 mg/g, respectively. Among the studied models, the sorption data were more consistent with the pseudo-1st order kinetic (R2 > 0.99). Furthermore, the uptake of dyes using the nanocomposite was physical, favorable, and exothermic. Also, MC/starch/CoFe2O4 nanocomposite was able to clean textile wastewater (efficiency: 70%)

A Comparative Study on Air Quality Measurement and Spatial Distribution of Pollutants in Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ)

Pars special economic energy zone (PSEEZ) in Iran is the second largest energy zone in the world with more than 60,000 operational and non-operational personnel. Considering the nature of the activities being done in PSEEZ, it is rational to expect that a wide range of hazardous materials be present in the air composition of this area. It is shown in this research that Benzene-Toluene-Ethylbenzene-Xylene (BTEX) are the most challenging in PSEEZ and benzene concentration violates the standards in all sampling points. The study area is divided into three subzones of gas refineries, petrochemical complexes and non-operational areas. In the gas refineries, benzene concentration is recorded to be 480 times higher than the standard for exposure limit. The concentration of benzene in petrochemical complexes is also about 160 times higher than the standard limit. Considering the vicinity of the petrochemical complexes the cumulative impacts of BTEX will also worsen the situation regarding BTEX cancer risk. In non-operational areas, benzene concentration reaches 40 times higher than the standard limit which is a serious health challenge. Comparing the data of BTEX distribution with AQI proves that AQI solely is not an appropriate index for assessing the air quality in PSEEZ and defining local indices for air quality assessment with taking hazardous chemicals such as BTEX into account. Moreover, some other pollutants such as heavy metals and H2S are detected in the air quality in significant amounts which raise the need to a reconsideration in location of unprotected non-operational personnel

Induced overexpression of MARCH-1 in human macrophages altered to M2 phenotype for suppressing inflammation process

Objective(s): The M1 macrophage is characterized by enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines production, whereas macrophage (M2) has anti-inflammatory features. Macrophage polarization as a therapeutic target for controlling immune responses could be performed by gene transduction to control the regulation of exaggerated innate/adaptive immune responses. Materials and Methods: Macrophages were prepared from THP-1 cell line and human monocytes that were transduced with (Membrane-Associated RING-CH-type finger) MARCH-1 viral lentivector produced in HEK-293T cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting confirmed MARCH-1 gene transduction. Cytokine production, CD markers assay, macrophage phagocytosis potential activity and mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) with CFSE were performed for M1/M2 plasticity. Results: The mean fluorescent intensity of HLA-DR and CD64 expression reduced in MARCH-1+ transduced macrophage population. However, CD206 and CD163 expression increased in these macrophages. The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS were decreased in MARCH-1 transduced cells, and TGF-β production showed an augmentation in concentration. Western blotting and real-time PCR measurement confirmed that the expression levels of MARCH-1 protein and arginase-1 enzyme were increased in transduced macrophages. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory features of MARCH-1 revealed the reduced levels of pro-inflammatory factors and maintained M2 phenotype characterized by high levels of scavenger receptors. Therefore, targeting MARCH-1 in monocytes/macrophages could represent a new autologous cell-based therapies strategy for inflammatory conditions

The relationship between the type of nutrition and anthropometric indices of infants during the first year of birth

Background: Considering the importance of proper infant nutrition, especially in the first two years of life, and also the effect of cultural issues on the type of infant's nutrition, this study aimed to investigate the type of nutrition and anthropometric indices of infants during the first year of birth in Bushehr, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study carried out on 546 delivered mothers. The data of mothers and their children were collected through Integrated Health System (SIB). Five centers of comprehensive health care centers were randomly selected. Required information included maternal demographic characteristics and anthropometric indices of infants at birth, 6 and 12 months. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 19 with appropriate statistical tests at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The frequency of exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding and also both feeding methods (combined) were 56.8%, 25.1%, and 18.1%, respectively. The results showed that the 6-month weight gain compared to birth time was not different among the three groups. The increase in height and head circumference in the first six months in the formula feeding group was less than the exclusive breastfeeding group and the combined group (P<0.05). In the second six months, weight gain and height in the formula feeding group were less than the other two groups (P <0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Bushehr is desirable. The growth trend in breastfed infants is either similar or better than formula-fed infants. Using formula with breast milk compared to formula alone has better growth outcomes

Human Papillomavirus and Risk of Head and Neck SquamousCell Carcinoma in Iran

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Knowledge of determinants of α-, β-, and γ-HPVs types in the oral cavity is required for a better understanding of HNSCC development. Oral rinse samples of 498 HNSCC cases and 242 controls from the IROPICAN study—a large multicenter case-control study in Iran—were screened for 21 α-HPV, 46 β-HPVs, and 52 γ-HPVs using bead-based HPV genotyping assays. α-HPVs were detected only in 1.2% of the patients and 2.9% of the controls from which HPV16 was the most prevalent type among participants. β-HPVs were detected in 43.8% of the patients and 38.6% of the controls where the lip and oral cavity (45.5%) had the highest positivity. Values for γ-HPV prevalence in patients and controls were 26.1% and 24.7%, respectively. The highest percentage of γ-HPV positivity was found in the larynx (30.4%). Concerning the β genus, HPV23 and HPV38 were the most prevalent types among the patients and controls, respectively. For the γ genus, SD2 in cases and HPV134 in controls were the most prevalent types. Overall, detection of α-HPVs (aOR, 0.40; 95% CI = 0.1 to 1.2; P = 0.11), β-HPVs (aOR, 1.9; 95% CI = 0.9 to 1.6; P = 0.29), and γ-HPVs infections (aOR, 1.04; 95% CI = 0.7 to 1.5; P = 0.83) was not associated with the HNSCC development. Our data did not suggest an HPV-related etiology for HNSCC pathogenesis. Nonetheless, this study provides novel insights into the diversity of β-, and γ-HPVs in different HNSCC anatomical subsites

Association of dietary acid load with metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women

Background: There is increasing evidence supporting the association between dietary acid load and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are rare and inconsistent studies to examine the association of dietary acid load and MetS score. The aim of this research was to assess dietary acid loads as measured by potential renal acid load (PRAL) in relation to MetS. Methods: The current study involved 246 overweight or obese women. Dietary assessment was performed using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Remer’s equation was used to calculate PRAL score. MetS was defined as the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)/Adult Treatment Panel ΙΙΙ (ATP). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to find the association between PRAL score and MetS. Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 36.49±8.38 years old and 31.04±4.31 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 32 percent of participants had MetS. According to the final model, although not statistically significant, there was a trend which suggested that being in the highest quartile of adherence to dietary acid load, evaluated by PRAL score, compared to the lowest quartile was associated with higher odds of MetS [(OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 0.95–8.26), (P=0.06)]. Conclusions: Our study shows a borderline non-significant association between PRAL and odds of MetS in overweight or obese women. However, definitive clarification of this relationship requires future intervention studies

Theranostic approach in liver cancer: an emerging paradigm to optimize personalized medicine

This review aims to focus an update of the state-of-the-art theranostics approach in liver cancer using 131I, 32P, 90Y, 166Ho, and 186/188Re microspheres as well as some receptors including fibroblast activation protein (FAP), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4), and somatostatin receptors (STR). Methods A literature search was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Clinical Trials.gov database and “liver”, “theranostics”, “transarterial radioembolization (TARE)”, “prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)”, “fibroblast activation protein (FAP)”, “hepatocellular carcinoma”, “32P”, “90Y”, “166Ho”, “131I” and “somatostatin receptor (STR)” as keywords. Both, preclinical and clinical studies were included in this review. The search was restricted to the English language. Result After exclusion of letters, editorials, comments and duplicates publications, remaining articles were included in this review. Conclusion There is growing evidence for applicability of theranostic approach in these patients to enhance early identification, patient evaluation, targeted treatment, restaging, follow-up, and palliation of symptoms or slow down tumor progression. However, this field requires multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration. The increased access to tracers, training multidisciplinary teams, using novel trial designs, and establishing initiatives to share and re-analyze data from clinical imaging studies can encourage the use of molecular nuclear imaging in both clinical research and practical. It is also well recognized that dosimetric recommendations should be considered to compare promising new theranostic agents and clarify the better or similar performance of these methods in hepatocellular carcinoma

Association between platelet, white blood cell count, platelet to white blood cell ratio and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: focus on Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Sarcopenia is a progressive age-related skeletal muscle disorder associated with harmful impacts on health. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between sarcopenia, platelet (PLT), white blood cell (WBC), and PLT to WBC ratio (PWR) due to the importance of early sarcopenia diagnosis. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program. Sarcopenia was defined based on the revised edition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) in accordance with the Iranian cut-off point. Univariate and adjusted multivariate logistic regression and linear regression were used to evaluate the associations. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia among participants was 35.73%. PLT count and PWR were statistically higher in severe sarcopenic participants, while no differences were seen in WBC. In crude analysis, sarcopenia was not associated with quartiles of PLT, WBC, and PWR, while after adjusting for age, marital status, and sex, the association was seen in the fourth quartile of PLT and PWR [OR (95%CI) = 1.40 (1.08 to 1.81), p-value = 0.009 for PLT; OR (95%CI) =1.55 (1.20 to 2.00), p-value =0.001 for PWR]. This association remained significant in the fully adjusted model [OR (95%CI) =1.82 (1.20 to 2.78), p-value =0.005 for PLT; OR (95%CI) =1.57 (1.03 to 2.40), p-value =0.035 for PWR]. Among sarcopenia parameters, PLT count was more likely to be associated with handgrip strength and muscle mass. After stratifying the participants by gender, sarcopenia parameters were no longer statistically significant in men. Conclusion This study showed that PLT and PWR were associated with sarcopenia after considering confounding factors, while this association was not seen in WBC. Moreover, results showed that gender had an important impact on sarcopenia parameters

A Randomized Trial of Sitagliptin and Spironolactone With Combination Therapy in Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19

COVID-19 may cause respiratory distress syndrome and death. Treatment of COVID-19 to prevent complications remains a priority. Objective Our investigation sought to determine whether combination of spironolactone and sitagliptin could reduce mortality for inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This single-blind, 4-arm, prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at Shiraz and Bushehr University of Medical Sciences hospitals between December 2020 and April 2021. We randomized hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia into 4 groups: control, combination therapy, sitagliptin add-on, or spironolactone add-on. The primary outcome was the clinical improvement of the patients in the hospital as measured on an 8-point numerical scale. The secondary outcomes included intubation, ICU admission, end organ damages, CT findings, and paraclinical information. Results A total of 263 admitted patients were randomly assigned to control group (87 patients), combination group (60 patients), sitagliptin group (66 patients), and spironolactone group (50 patients). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, except for higher age in control group. The intervention groups, especially combination therapy, had better clinical outcomes (clinical score on fifth day of admission: 3.11 ± 2.45 for controls, 1.33 ± 0.50 for combination, 1.68 ± 1.02 for sitagliptin, and 1.64 ± 0.81 for spironolactone; P = 0.004). However, the mortality rate was lower in patients who received spironolactone (21.84% control, 13.33% combination, 13.64% sitagliptin, 10.00% spironolactone; P = 0.275). Our intervention reduced lung infiltration but not the area of involvement in lungs. Conclusion Sitagliptin and spironolactone can potentially improve clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Qualitative Study of Health System Preparedness for Successful Implementation of Disaster Exercises in the Iranian Context

Objectives: Implementing disaster exercises in different parts of the health system is one of the important steps in providing and developing disaster risk management plans. Considering the importance of promoting health system preparedness through exercise, the present study aimed to identify and explain necessary and original components for successful implementation of preparedness exercises of the health-care system in disaster. Methods: The study was a qualitative content analysis. Data were collected by purposeful sampling through in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews with 25 health professionals in disaster. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data, which extracted the initial codes after performing the recorded interviews on paper and immersing them in the data analysis. Results: The data analysis resulted in the production of 100 initial codes, 14 subcategories, 6 main categories of “coordination and information management,” “standards and indicators,” “conduction and control of the process,” “logistic management and supplies,” “management of treatment operation,” and “management of health operation,” under the original theme of “implementation of exercise.” Conclusions: The findings of this study can greatly increase the attention of senior managers to preparedness in all areas of the health system, especially managers of prehospitals and hospitals who are the forefront of the response to the disaster. The findings of this study can be considered as a guideline for the implementation of principle and standardized health system preparedness exercises