Sinteza magnetiziranih biokatalizatora unakrsnim vezivanjem pektinaze s makromolekulama kefirana, za njihovu primjenu u postupku bistrenja soka od jabuke

Research background. Pectinase enzyme has become a valuable compound in beverage industry. One of the most significant concepts to overcome the drawbacks of using industrial enzymes is their immobilization. In the present study, magnetic chitosan microparticles were utilized as a substrate for pectinase immobilization. New methods of enzyme immobilization involve the use of non-chemical cross-linkers between the enzyme and the substrate. The aim of this study is to immobilize the pectinase enzyme using polyaldehyde kefiran as a macromolecular cross-linker on magnetic particles. Experimental approach. Pectinase was immobilized in four steps: relative oxidation of kefiran and its application as a cross-linker, production of magnetic iron(II) iron(III) oxide (Fe3O4) microparticles, coating of magnetic Fe3O4 microparticles with chitosan, and immobilization of the enzyme on the substrate, prepared by the use of oxidized kefiran cross-linker. Parameters such as cross-linking concentration, time and ratio of chitosan magnetic microparticles to enzyme were optimized. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer were used to identify the groups and investigate the structures. The biochemical properties (stability of enzyme activity at different pH, temperature and time), enzyme reusability, kinetic parameters (Km and νmax) and apple juice turbidity, using free and immobilized pectinase enzymes, were also measured. Results and conclusions. Cross-linker concentration, cross-linking time and the ratio of magnetic Fe3O4 microparticles with chitosan to enzyme were important factors in activity recovery of pectinase. FTIR analysis correctly identified functional groups in the structures. The results showed that after enzyme stabilization, the particle size and molecular mass, respectively, increased and decreased the magnetic saturation strength. According to the thermal kinetic study, the activity of the immobilized pectinase was higher than of its free form. The findings of this study indicate excellent stability and durability of the immobilized pectinase. Finally, a magnetic pectinase micro-biocatalyst was used to clarify apple juice, which reduced turbidity during processing. Novelty and scientific contribution. This study investigates the usage of kefiran oxidized as a new cross-linker for the immobilization of pectinase enzyme. Magnetic pectinase micro-biocatalyst has a good potential for industrial applications in the food industry, with high thermal stability.Pozadina istraživanja. Enzim pektinaza postao je vrijedan sastojak koji se koristi u proizvodnji sokova. Najbitniji korak u rješavanju problema primjene industrijskih enzima je njihova imobilizacija. U ovom su radu upotrijebljene mikročestice magnetiziranog kitozana kao supstrat za imobilizaciju pektinaze. Nove metode imobilizacije enzima uključuju primjenu vezivnih materijala koji ne stvaraju kemijske veze između enzima i supstrata. Svrha je ovoga rada bila imobilizirati pektinazu njezinim unakrsnim vezivanjem s polialdehidom kefiranom na magnetiziranim česticama. Eksperimentalni pristup. Pektinaza je imobilizirana u četiri koraka: djelomična oksidacija kefirana i njegova primjena kao sredstva za vezivanje, proizvodnja magnetiziranih mikročestica željezovog(II,III) oksida (Fe3O4), premazivanje magnetiziranih čestica Fe3O4 kitozanom, te imobilizacija enzima na supstratu pomoću oksidiranog kefirana kao vezivnog materijala. Optimirani su sljedeći parametri: koncentracija vezivnog materijala, trajanje postupka i omjer magnetiziranih mikročestica kitozana i enzima. Za identifikaciju funkcionalnih skupina i određivanje strukture uzoraka upotrijebljeni su: infracrvena spektroskopija s Fourierovom transformacijom (FTIR), dinamičko raspršenje svjetlosti, transmisijski elektronski mikroskop i vibrirajući magnetometar. Ispitana su biokemijska svojstva (stabilnost enzima pri različitim pH-vrijednostima, temperaturama i trajanju postupka) i mogućnost ponovne uporabe slobodnog i imobiliziranog enzima, kinetički parametri (Km i νmax) postupka, te zamućenost soka od jabuke. Rezultati i zaključci. Koncentracija oksidiranog kefirana, vrijeme vezivanja te omjer magnetiziranih mikročestica Fe3O4 s kitozanom i enzima bitni su čimbenici iskorištenja pektinaze. FTIR analizom su točno identificirane funkcionalne skupine uzoraka. Rezultati pokazuju da je nakon stabilizacije enzima veličina čestica povećala, a njihova molekularna masa smanjila magnetsku zasićenost. Studija termalne kinetike pokazala je da je aktivnost imobilizirane pektinaze bila veća od aktivnosti slobodne pektinaze. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju odličnu stabilnost i iskoristivost imobilizirane pektinaze. Naposljetku, magnetizirani biokatalizator s pektinazom korišten je za bistrenje soka od jabuke, pri čemu se smanjila zamućenost soka tijekom prerade. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. U radu je ispitana primjena oksidiranog kefirana kao novog vezivnog spoja za imobilizaciju pektinaze. Magnetizirani biokatalizator s pektinazom imao je dobra svojstva za primjenu u prehrambenoj industriji i veliku toplinsku stabilnost

A Short Communication: Non-acid Nucleic Blood Multi-Factors Panels for Primary Breast Cancer Detection - A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to compare the non-acid nucleic blood multi-factor panels together and with mammography in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in primary breast cancer detection (I, II, III, and IV). We systematically reviewed studies assessing non-acid nucleic blood tumor markers panels’ diagnostic value in both healthy women and patients (before any anticancer treatment) for the detection of primary breast cancer. Out of the 2358 titles initially identified, 12 studies and 9 panels were included in the network meta-analysis. Panels I (MSA + B2m) and J (GATA3 + E-cadherin) had the highest sensitivity in all stages of primary breast cancer but had no significant difference with mammography. Panels L (MSA + CA15–3) and B (M-CSF + CA15–3) had the highest specificity in all stages compared to other panels but no remarkable difference with mammography. Panels J (GATA3 + E-cadherin) and I (MSA + B2m) respectively had the highest accuracy in primary breast cancer detection but no considerable difference with mammography in terms of accuracy. Panel J, including GATA3 + E-cadherin, demonstrated a higher diagnostic value for primary breast cancer detection (I, II, III, and IV) than the rest of the panels

Population food intake clusters and cardiovascular disease incidence: a Bayesian quantifying of a prospective population-based cohort study in a low and middle-income country

AimsThis study was designed to explore the relationship between cardiovascular disease incidence and population clusters, which were established based on daily food intake.MethodsThe current study examined 5,396 Iranian adults (2,627 males and 2,769 females) aged 35 years and older, who participated in a 10-year longitudinal population-based study that began in 2001. The frequency of food group consumption over the preceding year (daily, weekly, or monthly) was assessed using a 49-item qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered via a face-to-face interview conducted by an expert dietitian. Participants were clustered based on their dietary intake by applying the semi-parametric Bayesian approach of the Dirichlet Process. In this approach, individuals with the same multivariate distribution based on dietary intake were assigned to the same cluster. The association between the extracted population clusters and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases was examined using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsIn the 10-year follow-up, 741 participants (401 men and 340 women) were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. Individuals were categorized into three primary dietary clusters: healthy, unhealthy, and mixed. After adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the unhealthy cluster exhibited a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases [Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.059; 95% CI: 1.013, 4.184] compared to those in the healthy cluster. In the unadjusted model, individuals in the mixed cluster demonstrated a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than those in the healthy cluster (HR: 1.515; 95% CI: 1.097, 2.092). However, this association was attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders (HR: 1.145; 95% CI: 0.769, 1.706).ConclusionThe results have shown that individuals within an unhealthy cluster have a risk that is twice as high for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, these associations need to be confirmed through further prospective investigations

Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternative scenarios assessing disease burden trajectories if selected sets of risk factors were eliminated from current levels by 2050. Methods: Using forecasts of major drivers of health such as the Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a composite measure of lag-distributed income per capita, mean years of education, and total fertility under 25 years of age) and the full set of risk factor exposures captured by GBD, we provide cause-specific forecasts of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age and sex from 2022 to 2050 for 204 countries and territories, 21 GBD regions, seven super-regions, and the world. All analyses were done at the cause-specific level so that only risk factors deemed causal by the GBD comparative risk assessment influenced future trajectories of mortality for each disease. Cause-specific mortality was modelled using mixed-effects models with SDI and time as the main covariates, and the combined impact of causal risk factors as an offset in the model. At the all-cause mortality level, we captured unexplained variation by modelling residuals with an autoregressive integrated moving average model with drift attenuation. These all-cause forecasts constrained the cause-specific forecasts at successively deeper levels of the GBD cause hierarchy using cascading mortality models, thus ensuring a robust estimate of cause-specific mortality. For non-fatal measures (eg, low back pain), incidence and prevalence were forecasted from mixed-effects models with SDI as the main covariate, and YLDs were computed from the resulting prevalence forecasts and average disability weights from GBD. Alternative future scenarios were constructed by replacing appropriate reference trajectories for risk factors with hypothetical trajectories of gradual elimination of risk factor exposure from current levels to 2050. The scenarios were constructed from various sets of risk factors: environmental risks (Safer Environment scenario), risks associated with communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs; Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination scenario), risks associated with major non-communicable diseases (NCDs; Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario), and the combined effects of these three scenarios. Using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate scenarios SSP2-4.5 as reference and SSP1-1.9 as an optimistic alternative in the Safer Environment scenario, we accounted for climate change impact on health by using the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change temperature forecasts and published trajectories of ambient air pollution for the same two scenarios. Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were computed using standard methods. The forecasting framework includes computing the age-sex-specific future population for each location and separately for each scenario. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for each individual future estimate were derived from the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles of distributions generated from propagating 500 draws through the multistage computational pipeline. Findings: In the reference scenario forecast, global and super-regional life expectancy increased from 2022 to 2050, but improvement was at a slower pace than in the three decades preceding the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Gains in future life expectancy were forecasted to be greatest in super-regions with comparatively low life expectancies (such as sub-Saharan Africa) compared with super-regions with higher life expectancies (such as the high-income super-region), leading to a trend towards convergence in life expectancy across locations between now and 2050. At the super-region level, forecasted healthy life expectancy patterns were similar to those of life expectancies. Forecasts for the reference scenario found that health will improve in the coming decades, with all-cause age-standardised DALY rates decreasing in every GBD super-region. The total DALY burden measured in counts, however, will increase in every super-region, largely a function of population ageing and growth. We also forecasted that both DALY counts and age-standardised DALY rates will continue to shift from CMNNs to NCDs, with the most pronounced shifts occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (60·1% [95% UI 56·8–63·1] of DALYs were from CMNNs in 2022 compared with 35·8% [31·0–45·0] in 2050) and south Asia (31·7% [29·2–34·1] to 15·5% [13·7–17·5]). This shift is reflected in the leading global causes of DALYs, with the top four causes in 2050 being ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with 2022, with ischaemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, and lower respiratory infections at the top. The global proportion of DALYs due to YLDs likewise increased from 33·8% (27·4–40·3) to 41·1% (33·9–48·1) from 2022 to 2050, demonstrating an important shift in overall disease burden towards morbidity and away from premature death. The largest shift of this kind was forecasted for sub-Saharan Africa, from 20·1% (15·6–25·3) of DALYs due to YLDs in 2022 to 35·6% (26·5–43·0) in 2050. In the assessment of alternative future scenarios, the combined effects of the scenarios (Safer Environment, Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination, and Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenarios) demonstrated an important decrease in the global burden of DALYs in 2050 of 15·4% (13·5–17·5) compared with the reference scenario, with decreases across super-regions ranging from 10·4% (9·7–11·3) in the high-income super-region to 23·9% (20·7–27·3) in north Africa and the Middle East. The Safer Environment scenario had its largest decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (5·2% [3·5–6·8]), the Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario in north Africa and the Middle East (23·2% [20·2–26·5]), and the Improved Nutrition and Vaccination scenario in sub-Saharan Africa (2·0% [–0·6 to 3·6]). Interpretation: Globally, life expectancy and age-standardised disease burden were forecasted to improve between 2022 and 2050, with the majority of the burden continuing to shift from CMNNs to NCDs. That said, continued progress on reducing the CMNN disease burden will be dependent on maintaining investment in and policy emphasis on CMNN disease prevention and treatment. Mostly due to growth and ageing of populations, the number of deaths and DALYs due to all causes combined will generally increase. By constructing alternative future scenarios wherein certain risk exposures are eliminated by 2050, we have shown that opportunities exist to substantially improve health outcomes in the future through concerted efforts to prevent exposure to well established risk factors and to expand access to key health interventions

Monitoring and assessment of water quality in Tehran city using physicochemical and microbial indexes

Drinking water is one of the main factors for health maintenance and sustainable development of communities and its quantity and quality are so important. The aim of present study is random sampling of drinking water in 30 regions of Tehran city during 2 months in summer of 2020 to determine physicochemical attributes, microbial quantity and heavy metal levels according to national standard guidelines. Tests such as pH, alkalinity, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chloride, nitrite level, total and thermotolerant coliforms, and also heavy metals (arsenic, copper, zinc and lead), were performed in three replications. The pH (6.50 to 7.81), turbidity (0.011 to 2.983 NUT), chloride level (240.42 to 321.34 mg/L) and nitrate value (7.21 to 20.04 mg/L) were in allowable ranges. The phenolphthalein alkalinity was not found and methyl orange alkalinity was detected in the range of 31.54 to 147.22 (mg/L) in samples. The electrical conductivity (1401.7 to 1972.1 μs/cm) and thermotolerant coliforms were found higher than allowable range in some samples. The range of heavy metals was represented by following trend in Tehran: arsenic (0.85 to 15.90 μg/L), cooper (0.04 to 3.38 mg/L), zinc (0.16 to 3.80 mg/L), lead (0.001 to 0.031 mg/L) and some ranges were not within the national standard guidelines. The present study illustrated that quality of drinking water was in line with World Health Organization, while microbial quantity, electrical conductivity and some impurities (Cu and Pb) were higher than standard in some regions, so more arrangements should consider for increasing of drinking water quality in Tehran

Management of internal root resorption in the maxillary central incisor with fractured root using Biodentine

Abstract Biodentine is desirable to successfully manage internal root resorption, and the MTA apical plug backfilled with thermoplasticized gutta‐percha is suggested for the tooth with external apical root resorption

Evaluation of seroprevalence and seroconversion rates of Toxoplasma gondii infection in female students at Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Objectives: The primary infection of pregnant women by Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe complications in the fetus, and can also lead to neurological complications. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence and seroconversion rates of Toxoplasma gondii in female students who were at childbearing age in Iran. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed on female students at Babol University of Medical Sciences (Babol, Iran) over a three-year period between 2012 and 2014. Two ml blood sample was obtained from volunteers, and the specific antibodies (IgG) to T. gondii were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Second, the blood samples obtained from seronegative cases were used to evaluate the seroconversion during a year. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 21±2.2, ranging from18 to 35 years. Overall, 28% of the participants were positive and 232 (72%) were negative for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG). The rate of this infection was higher among female students from Mazandaran province (31.7% vs 12.5%) (P=0.031). Based on the results of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, the seroconversion rate of Toxoplasma infection among female students was estimated to be 2.5%. Conclusion: This study found a noticeable rate of seroconversion in female students. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a national screening project to determine the seroconversion rate of Toxoplasma infection in women at childbearing age, particularly pregnant women from all over Iran

Evaluation and Ranking of Persian Mobile Apps for COVID-19

Introduction: Recently developed mobile apps for controlling COVID-19 have the potential to help fight the pandemic. But assurance regarding the quality of available apps is essential to proving their validity for usage. This study was aimed at evaluating and ranking the apps in Persian developed for COVID-19 in Iran. Material and Methods: 122 apps for COVID-19 in the Persian language were founded in the Miket, CafeBazar, ParsHub, and Charkhooneh app markets. Based on inclusion criteria, 13 apps were selected. The apps were evaluated by two independent reviewers and ranked according to a validated evaluation and ranking tool specifically for the Persian apps for information content, usability, design, ethics, security, privacy, and subjective quality. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to calculate the agreement between two raters based on the mean of their scores for each app (p-value<0.05). Results: Five functional and subjective quality criteria were used. Mask was the app with the highest level of the specific score (mean score: 4.10, subjective quality: 4). The Corona test-Davoudi was the app with the lowest level of the specific score (mean score: 1.85, subjective quality: 1.50), which needs more improvement. The reviewed apps mainly need improvement for data security and privacy, requiring more technical tasks. Conclusion: There is a need for improvement, particularly in terms of privacy and data security, for Persian COVID-19 apps. Develop a valid guideline that could be effective in improving app quality. In addition, the modern technologies that have already proven successful worldwide should be considered by mobile app developers

Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus IgG Among Students of Babol University of Medical Sciences: Importance of Vaccine Strategy for Women of Reproductive Age (2016-2017)

Background and Aims: Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). Although it is usually a self-limited disease, but severe complications may occasionally occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of VZV antibody among students of Babol University of Medical Sciences especially female students in reproductive age. Materials and Methods: 270 students were enrolled to our study. After signing a written informed consent, demographic data and 5 ml blood sample were collected from each participant. Following serum isolation, each serum sample was assessed by ELISA technique for VZV IgG. Results and Conclusion: Of two hundred and seventy students, 197 were female and 73 were male. Out of female students, 145 students (73.6%) were single and in reproductive age. 17.3% of female students and 8.2% of male students were seronegative and susceptible to VZV infection. Besides, 7.9% of unmarried male students and 20.7% of unmarried female students were susceptible to VZV infection. The highest susceptibility to VZV was seen in 18-21 years age group. Therefore, more than 20% of unmarried female students were susceptible to VZV, which can be important regarding infection during pregnancy and subsequent severe complications. Consequently, vaccination for VZV in susceptible students especially unmarried female students is recommended

Household Milk consumption and Its Socio-economic Associates in West Azarbayejan Province, North-west Iran

Background and Objectives: According to the available evidence, consumption of milk and other dairy products among Iranians is far less than recommendations. The share of different milks (i.e., traditionally vs. industrially processed) and its associated variables are, however, neither consistent nor fully known in different Provinces.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine household milk consumption and its association with selected socio-demographic factors in West Azarbayejan Province, North-west Iran. A total of 650 households were selected from urban and rural areas in three major Azeri and Kurdish districts (i.e. Urmia, Khoy and Mahabad) using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using socio-economic and milk frequency questionnaires. Results: The findings indicated that traditionally-processed milk (bulk) was the most common milk consumed at household level (62.5%). Mean of bulk milk consumption in urban and rural areas was 479±23 and 730±64 ml/wk per capita, respectively. It was also shown that establishment of the new food subsidization policy has decreased the mean of household milk consumption by approximately 3 l/wk in urban areas. Factor analysis detected a significant decrease in the higher tertiles of family size/ethnicity score consumption of both bulk and pasteurized milk, which resulted in decreased consumption of total milk. Conclusions: Designing and implementation of alternative approaches, such as targeted milk subsidies for poor households or vulnerable age-groups should be considered. Keywords: Household milk consumption, Milk processing method, Socio-economic variables, Iran