Electronic Transitions in Rb2+ Dimers Solvated in Helium

We have measured depletion spectra of the heteronuclear (85Rb87Rb+) dimer cation complexed with up to 10 He atoms. Two absorption bands are observed between 920 and 250 nm. The transition into the repulsive 12Sigmau+ state of HeRb2+ gives rise to a broad feature at 790 nm (12650 cm–1); it exhibits a blueshift of 98 cm–1 per added He atom. The transition into the bound 1 2Piu state of HeRb2+ reveals vibrational structure with a band head at \u3c 15522 cm–1, a harmonic constant of 26 cm–1, and a spin-orbit splitting of \u3c 183 cm–1. The band experiences an average redshift of –38 cm–1 per added He atom. Ab initio calculations rationalize the shape of the spectra and spectral shifts with respect to the number of helium atoms attached. For a higher number of solvating helium atoms, symmetric solvation on both ends of the Rb2+ ion is predicted

Evaluation of oral health status in the population above 50: evidence from the ardakan cohort study on aging (ACSA)

Abstract Background The global population is undergoing rapid aging, and older individuals are more susceptible to various health issues, including oral health problems. Despite the increasing attention given to healthy aging, oral health has often been overlooked in discussions related to health problems. This study aims to assess the oral health status of middle-aged and older adults in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 4970 men and women aged 50 years and above, who participated in the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA) between 2020 and 2022. Trained personnel administered a questionnaire and conducted oral health examinations to determine the oral health status and oral hygiene behaviors of the participants. Results The mean value (SD) of the total Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was 21.3 (10.7). Approximately 46% of all participants were completely edentulous (without natural teeth). Moreover, 58.5% of the total sample wore dentures, and the mean age (SD) when they started using dentures was 48.5 (20.7) years. About 71% of participants with natural teeth reported brushing their teeth at least once a day, while about 63% of denture wearers cleaned their dentures daily. In the sample, 28% of individuals had visited a dentist in the last year. The prevalence of difficulty in biting and chewing food among the participants was 48.2% and 44.6%, respectively. Additionally, nearly 68% of all samples reported experiencing at least one difficulty in daily functioning due to oral/dental conditions. The study identified cutoff points of seven (sensitivity = 56.8 and specificity = 77.5) and 10 (sensitivity = 72.1 and specificity = 71.1) missing teeth, indicating the presence of at least one problem in daily functioning due to oral/dental conditions in middle-aged and older adults, respectively. Conclusion The study reveals a high prevalence of edentulism and denture use among participants aged 50 years and above. The majority of samples reported difficulties in daily functioning due to oral and dental conditions, especially in biting and chewing food. These findings highlight the importance of proactive measures to address oral health issues in middle-aged and older adults, thereby enhancing their overall health and well-being

Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcal Infection in Children and the Resultant Neuro-psychiatric Disorder a Cross Sectional Study Tehran, Iran

Introduction: Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) can induce PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection). GABHS is the most important and common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis in Iranian children. We studied the role of GABHS (anti-streptococcal antibodies) in suspected cases of PANDAS in a cross sectional studies. Methods: Across sectional study was done in 2 pediatric psychiatric /and neurologic clinics in Tehran (Rasul Akram and Aliasghar Hospital) during 2008-2010. We studied serum antistreptococcal antibodies (anti streptolysin O, anti Deoxyribonuclease B, and anti-streptokinase (ABcam-ELISA, USA) in 76 cases with psychiatric manifestation (OCD, ADHD) in compare with 39 healthy controls. These antibodies were studied in 53 cases with movement disorders (Tic/ Tourette syndrome ) in compare with 76 healthy controls. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of tests were calculated. Results: In movement disorders ASOT, Anti-DNase and Anti streptokinase was significantly higher than controls (p<0.0001, p=0.000, p 200IU/ml) had 75% sensitivity 84% specificity and 80% PPV Antistreptokinase (cut off level> 332 IU/ml) had 34% sensitivity 85% specificity, and 72% PPV Anti-DNase (cut off level> 140IU/ml) had 70% sensitivity 99% specificity and PPV 90% for differentiating the group. ASOT, Anti-DNase and Anti streptokinase titer was significantly higher than controls (p<0.0001, p=0.000, p<0.0001). ASOT had 90% sensitivity 82% specificity, PPV 92% Anti streptokinase: 82% sensitivity 82% specificity, PPV 95% Anti DNase: 92% sensitivity 82% specificity, PPV 92% for differentiation the cases from normal controls. Discussion: These findings support that a post infectious immune mechanism to GABHS may play a role in the pathogenesis of PANDAS in our children. A combination of throat culture, rapid antigen detection test, and serologic testing for GABHS is required to achieve maximum sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis. We prefer to use antibiotic prophylaxis in PANDAS cases for preventing recurrent streptococcal infections. Ongoing research is needed for identifying optimum diagnostic, prevention and therapeutic approach especially, aggressive treatment (intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmaphresis)

The Joint Action of Some Broadleaf Herbicides on Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Weeds and Photosynthetic Performance of Potato

Herbicide mixtures are a modern weed management practice as they reduce herbicide application. This study aimes to evaluate the effect of metribuzin, halosulfuron and flumioxazin applied individually and as mixtures (metribuzin:halosulfuron and metribuzin:flumioxazin) on Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, and potatoes on biomass and chlorophyll-a fluorescence in 21 experiments. The individual herbicide experimental design was a randomized completely block design with seven doses and three replications. The factorial experiments were performed on the basis of randomized completely block design in three replications for binary mixture experiments. Flumioxazin was very potent in controlling C. album, A. retroflexus, and injured potatoes with a 50% effective dose (ED50) of 1.21, 0.54, and 12.23 g ai·ha−1, respectively. Both mixtures of metribuzin:halosulfuron and metribuzin:flumioxazin generally showed an antagonistic effect on both weeds and potato in 12 independent experiments. Metribuzin, halosulfuron, and flumioxazin significantly decreased photosystem II activity by decreasing the maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm). The metribuzin:halosulfuron mixtures almost followed the Additive Dose Model for Fv/Fm, whilst there was an antagonistic effect for the metribuzin:flumioxazin that was closely related to biomass. The results indicated that mixtures were generally antagonistic, and the endpoint choice is pivotal when assessing the joint action of mixtures

The Survival Response of Earthworm (Eisenia fetida L.) to Individual and Binary Mixtures of Herbicides

Frequent use of herbicides may impose a risk on non-target species. The objective was to test the combined toxic effect of binary herbicide mixtures&mdash;metribuzin:halosulfuron and metribuzin:flumioxazin&mdash;on non-target earthworms in two test systems: filter paper and a soil toxicity test system. The joint action experiments were independently run twice to substantiate the findings. The most potent individual herbicide was metribuzin, with a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 17.17 &micro;g ai. cm&minus;2 at 48 h in the filter paper test. The toxicity of the individual herbicides on the filter paper test was ranked as metribuzin&gt;halosulfuron&gt;flumioxazin. In the soil test, metribuzin and halosulfuron had high toxicity with an LC50 of 8.48 and 10.08 mg ai. kg&minus;1, respectively, on day 14. Thus, the individual herbicide ranking did not change between the filter paper and artificial soil tests. The herbicide&rsquo;s mixed effect in both test systems showed a consistent antagonistic effect relative to a Concentration Addition reference model. It indicates that the mixtures retracted the herbicide&rsquo;s action in the earthworms