Evaluating the effect of a mixture of alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis therapy

Introduction and objective: Otomycosis is a fungal infection of external auditory meatus. The acute form of the disease causes secretion and pruritus. The usual prescribed medicines for otomycosis are topical clotrimazole 1, amphotericin B and otosporin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis. Materials and methods: In the present study 910 patients examined and those suspected to have otomycosis referred to medical mycology laboratory of Golabchi, Kashan. A questionnaire was also filled for each patient. Both direct and culture examinations were used to confirm otomycosis in the patients. Then the patients were treated with the mixture of isopropyl alcohol+acetic acid. Results: Out of 910 examined patients, 60 patients were suspected to have otomycosis and referred to medical mycology lab. Mycological examinations confirmed otomycosis in 52 patients (86.7). Most of the patients (78.8) were cured perfectly after therapy with the mixture of alcohol and acetic acid. After three weeks, in addition to elimination of clinical signs further smear showed no sign of disease. However in four patients there was a relapse of the disease. Conclusion: Due to therapeutic effect of the mixture of isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid for otomycosis, its low side effects and low rate of relapse, it is recommended to use this mixture for the treatment of otomycosis

In vitro effect of nanosilver toxicity on fibroblast and mesenchymal stem cell lines

Nanotechnology presents countless opportunities to develop new and improved consumer products for the benefit of the society . A most prominent nanoproduct is nanosilver. Nanosilver particles are generally smaller than 100 nm and contain 20–15,000 silver atoms. Despite the wide application of nanomaterials, there is a serious lack of information concerning their impact on human health. In the previous study we reported the cytotoxic of nanosilver on osteoblast G292 cancer cell line and the amount of IC50 determined as 3.42 µg/ml (Moaddab et al., Iran. Nano Lett., Vol. 1, No. 1, January 2011, pp. 11-16). The purpose of the present study is to assess the biological assay of nanosilver on two normal cell lines of fibroblast (HF2), and mesenchymal stem cells . The effect of nanosilver on these cells is evaluated by light microscopy, and by cell proliferation and standard cytotoxicity assays. The results demonstrate a concentration-dependent toxicity for the cells tested, and IC50 was determined as 6.33, and 6.68 µg/ml in mesenchymal stem cell, and fibroblast HF2, respectively. There is no significant difference between the 24 h and 48 h of cells exposure to nanosilver. The results show that Nano-Ag possesses low toxicity to normal cells and can display potential application in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy

Different patterns of association between education and wealth with non-fatal myocardial infarction in Tehran, Iran: A population-based case-control study

Background: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a main cause of death and disability worldwide, which involves a number of genetic, physiopathologic and socio-economic determinants. The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of association between education, wealth and some other risk factors with non-fatal MI in Tehran population. Methods: Data derived from a second round of large cross-sectional study, Urban HEART-2, conducted in Tehran in 2011. Out of 118542 participants, all 249 self-reported incident cases of nonfatal MI were selected as the case group. A number of 996, matched on age and sex, were selected as controls. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to calculate wealth index and logistic regression model to assess relations between the study variables. Results: Mean (SD) age of participants was 60.25 (12.26) years. A total of 870 (69.9) of the study subjects were men. Education, wealth status, family violence, hypertension and diabetes were observed as independent predictors of non-fatal MI. Overall, as the level of education increased, the odds of non-fatal MI decreased (p<0.001). We observed an almost J-shaped association between wealth status and non-fatal MI. No significant associations were found between marital status, BMI and current smoking with non-fatal MI (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found different patterns of association between education and wealth with nonfatal MI among Tehran adults. Lower risk of non-fatal MI is linked to high educated groups whereas economically moderate group has the lowest risk of non-fatal MI occurrence

Comparison of chemical characteristics of shoot, root and litter in three range species of Salsola rigida, Artemisia sieberi and Stipa barbata

Some chemical characteristics of root, shoot and litter of index species such as Salsola rigida, Artemisia sieberi and Stipa barbata commonly used in rangeland development projects were evaluated and compared. Chemical properties of soil under and between the above mentioned species were also studied. For this purpose, vegetation types of Stipa barbata and Artemisia sieberi - Salsola rigida were selected in Zarand-eSaveh rangelands. Totally, 30 individuals of each species within each type were randomly selected for shoot, root and litter sampling and chemical analyses. Also, values of N, P, K, C and C/N ratio were measured in different parts of the species. Results showed that the highest and lowest C/N ratios were related to Stipa barbata root and Artemisia sieberi shoots, respectively. N and P values of Stipa barbata litter were the lowest while Artemisia sieberi and Salsola rigida shoots had the highest values of P and N, respectively. Litter of Salsola rigida and shoot of Artemisia sieberi had the lowest and highest K, respectively. C/N ratio of A. sieberi soil was lower than rest of the species

New magnetic Co3O4/Fe3O4 doped polyaniline nanocomposite for the effective and rapid removal of nitrate ions from ground water samples

In the present study, a new nanocomposite of iron/cobalt oxides and magnetic nanoparticle doped with polyaniline (PANI-Co3O4@MNPs) was synthesized and subsequently, evaluated for its potential in decontaminating nitrate ions from ground water. Various important parameters such as pH, mass dosage, adsorption time, initial concentration, and temperature were experimentally investigated. The important surface and chemical properties of PANI-Co3O4@MNPs, such as surface morphology and roughness, composition and chemical structure were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. Finally, the removal of nitrate was assessed using kinetic, adsorption isotherm, and thermodynamic studies to investigate the underlying mechanism of the removal process. Maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 68.96 mg/g for nitrate ions at pH 6, adsorbent dosage 60 mg within 60 min. The kinetic studies and the adsorption isotherms have been well fitted using pseudo first and the Freundlich models respectively whereas the thermodynamic parameters have been described in terms of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy which showed a negative value signifying that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous in nature

Investigation on possibility of survival and growth enhancing by selected seaweeds from Persian Gulf in post larvae shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The use of antibiotics in aquaculture has been limited. Scientifics seeking for natural substitutes to prevent of aquatic animals diseases. Considering seaweeds are rich of nutritions and bioactive compounds, the propose of this study is: investigation the potential and use possibility of native seaweeds from Persian Gulf in shrimp aquculture industry to improve growth, survival of postlarvae and to resistance against pathogens such as vibriosis. For this propose 7 macroalgaes species from Bushehr province coast, inclouding: green algae (C.iyengarii), brown algae (S.angutifolium and S.ilicifolium) and red algae (L.snyderiae, K.alvarezii and G.corticata) were collected and identified. Then seaweed extracts abtained by Water, Ethanol, Methanol and Chloroform solvents by soaking method. In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts against Gr^+ bacteria (S.aureus and B.subtilis) and Gr- bacteria (V.harveyi,V.alginolyticus and E.coli) was conducted by Agar diffusion, MIC and MBC methods. Antioxidant activity also by DPPH and EC_50 methods was investigated. According to results of these two tests four seaweeds species (S.angutifolium, L.snyderiae, K.alvarezii and G.corticata) were selected for use in shrimp postlarvae (PL22) diets by Bio-Encapsulation (Artemia enrichment). Before of enrichment, toxicity effect of extracts to Artemia naplii were evaluated by determination of LC_50 24 h method. From results of this section Ethanol extracts were selected to bioencapsulation. After encapsulation shrimp postlarvae divided to 12 groups in triplicate, namely: C^-, C^+, S (200), S (400), S (600), L(200), L(400), L(600), G(300), G(600), K(300) and K(600). During 30 days of reared period C- and C+ use of basal diet and unenriched Artemia, but the other groups use of basal diet and enriched Artemia. Except C-, the shrimps in first day of culture put in 107 cfu/ml v.harveyi suspension for 30 minutes, and after water exchange 10 ml of this dose was added to reared aquaria. After 30 days survival percentage, obtained weight and SGR% were investigated. To evaluate vibrio loadind, every 10 days 5 postlarvae were sampled randomly for vibrio count. Results showed that vibrio count in C^- was less than the others and in C^+ was more than the others. In treatments vibrio count in L(200) was the most and L(600) was the less. Survival rate in C^- was the most and after that G(600) with 79.4±6.6% and then S(300) and K(600) were 73.3±7.3% and 70.6±6.6% respectively that were significantly compare the other (P < 0.01). Also the C+ was the less with 33.3±6.6% that difference was significant (P< 0.01). In this study growth parameters of all groups that fed by enriched Artemia were better than C^+ (P<0.05). After cultre period 10 shrimp of every aquarium disinfected and reared for 10 days like before treatment. After 10 days the shrimps were challenged by 3×108 cfu/ml V.harveyi and mortality was recorded for 7 days. The all of animals in C^- were survive but more than 90% of C^+ were dead. And survival in all of treatments were better the C^+ (P<0.05). the study showed the ethanol extracts of selsected seaweed from Persian Gulf is a good source for growth, Survival and disease control in shrimp larviculture

Evaluation growths and survival indexes of vaccinated Litopenaeus vannamei against white spot virus syndrome

Nowadays, white spot virus disease is serious threat for breeding and culture industry of shrimp. In this study was increasing resistance of shrimp against white spot virus by using modern methods such as shrimp vaccination with inactivated viruses and recombinant proteins. The aim of this study were determine the growth and survival rates vaccinated and non-vaccinated of Litopenaeus vannamei (5 to 15 and 12 to 26 day), that were challenged with white spot virus in 40 and 60 day rearing. This study consisted two separate groups were vaccinated and non-vaccinated with 11 treatments experimental and each of replicate was stocked 1000 pieces by post larva of 5 to15 and 12 to 26 day. After vaccination, two groups of post larvae exposed to the white spot virus at 40 and 60 day, one groups no exposure to the virus. Samplings were randomly of shrimp in 40, 60 and 80 days 10 pieces each of treatment experimental and measured mean of weight and length. Also, number of deaths was recorded at morning and evening daily and calculated survival rate at the end of study. The results showed growth rate of post larvae vaccinated (5 to15 day) which exposed to white spot virus at 40 and 60 was significantly lower than non-vaccinated of post larval, while the growth rate of post larval exposed to virus in 60 day was significantly increased. On the other hand, growth rate of post larval vaccination (12 to 26 day) exposed to virus in 60 day compared with post larval vaccination (5 to 15 and 12 to 26) exposed to virus in 40 and 60 days was significantly increased. Hence, growth rate was significantly increased in post larval vaccinated (5 to 15 and 12 to 26) which non-exposed to virus. Although the survival rate was post larval vaccinated (12 to 26 days) exposed to virus Post larvae in 60 day higher than post larval were exposed to virus in 40 and 60, but no significant differences were observed. However, relative mortality of post larval vaccination in 12 to 26 day compared with post larval vaccination in 5 to 15 days exposed to virus were significantly lower. Considering growth and survival index was improved of post larval vaccination can be concluded that the optimum age for vaccination against white spot virus of L.vannamei was 12 to 26 day

Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe

Mapping child growth failure across low- and middle-income countries

Childhood malnutrition is associated with high morbidity and mortality globally1. Undernourished children are more likely to experience cognitive, physical, and metabolic developmental impairments that can lead to later cardiovascular disease, reduced intellectual ability and school attainment, and reduced economic productivity in adulthood2. Child growth failure (CGF), expressed as stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five years of age (0�59 months), is a specific subset of undernutrition characterized by insufficient height or weight against age-specific growth reference standards3�5. The prevalence of stunting, wasting, or underweight in children under five is the proportion of children with a height-for-age, weight-for-height, or weight-for-age z-score, respectively, that is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization�s median growth reference standards for a healthy population6. Subnational estimates of CGF report substantial heterogeneity within countries, but are available primarily at the first administrative level (for example, states or provinces)7; the uneven geographical distribution of CGF has motivated further calls for assessments that can match the local scale of many public health programmes8. Building from our previous work mapping CGF in Africa9, here we provide the first, to our knowledge, mapped high-spatial-resolution estimates of CGF indicators from 2000 to 2017 across 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 99 of affected children live1, aggregated to policy-relevant first and second (for example, districts or counties) administrative-level units and national levels. Despite remarkable declines over the study period, many LMICs remain far from the ambitious World Health Organization Global Nutrition Targets to reduce stunting by 40 and wasting to less than 5 by 2025. Large disparities in prevalence and progress exist across and within countries; our maps identify high-prevalence areas even within nations otherwise succeeding in reducing overall CGF prevalence. By highlighting where the highest-need populations reside, these geospatial estimates can support policy-makers in planning interventions that are adapted locally and in efficiently directing resources towards reducing CGF and its health implications. © 2020, The Author(s)

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health