Component Analysis of the Illegal Handmade Pills and Capsules for Self-Medicating Substance Dependence in Tehran, Iran

Background: To self-medicate substance dependence, many substance users consume herbal medicines delivered in herbal medicine shops which are prepared through non-standard methods using a variety of different materials. Hence, the present study was carried out aiming to investigate and analyze the content of such herbal medicines.Methods: Four herbal medicine shops were selected from each of the 22 zones of Tehran City, Iran, and a total of 95 samples were purchased. A package containing 6 types of medication that was advertised by a satellite TV channel, was also purchased. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, the samples were analyzed in the laboratory to detect different types of materials.Findings: Among the samples, 23 and 72 samples were uncovered compressed pills (Dragon pills) and capsules filled with colored powders (handmade drug-quitting capsules), respectively. The package advertised in the satellite TV was prepared in 6 various forms. The most common substances present in all the samples were as follows: diphenoxylate, tramadol, opioids, acetaminophen, and codeine with values of 90%, 86%, 78%, 69%, and 68%, respectively. On average, 5 of the above mentioned substances were present in each sample; moreover, 63% of the samples contained 5 or more substances. In addition, 42 (41%) of the samples contained all the 5 main substances including opioids, codeine, tramadol, diphenoxylate, and acetaminophen.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that handmade capsules and pills used for quitting addiction and also medicines advertised in the satellite TV channels contain different amounts of opioids, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, tramadol, codeine, and other substances that cause problems for substance users who are going to abandon substance abuse

Manufacturing a modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide and their electrocatalytic properties

To find hydrogen peroxide, different techniques applied, recently. In this practice we decided to produce a modified carbon paste electrode by catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing hydrogen peroxide and their electroactivity characteristics. Cyclic voltammetry were done electrochemical researches. A three-electrode method including a modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles as the operant electrode, a platinum string electrode as a counter electrode, and saturated calomel electrode as a reference electrode, was applied. Cyclic voltammetric assays were done with different scan speed area from of 50 mV s−1 to 500 mV s−1. Transmission electron microscopy was checked external morphological characteristics of Au nanoparticles. H2O2 in 100 μM to 450 μM area could find out by designed biosensor. By perform assays in two weeks regular interval, the resistance of modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles biosensor has been determine and it has been discovered that after 14 days, modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles keeps its 97% activity. Keywords: electrochemical sensing, hydrogen peroxide, catalase enzyme, Au nanoparticle

An eco-friendly and energy-efficient protocol for the Heck reaction under solar radiation catalyzed by rice husk silica‐anchored cinchonine.Pd nanocomposite

An environmentally friendly and energy-efficient method for the carbon–carbon bond formation via cross-coupling Heck reaction using rice husk silica-anchored cinchonine.Pd nanocomposite as a heterogeneous catalyst under concentrated solar radiation is being reported. In this investigation, first, silica nanoparticles were synthesized using rice husks as available agricultural bioresources. Then, the surface of nano silica was modified by grafting (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane, and after that, thiol-ene free radical reaction of its SH groups with alkene function of cinchonine by azobisisobutylonitrile initiator. Finally, the target nanocomposite, nano SiO2-S-Cin.Pd, was created via loading palladium nanoparticles into the mesoporous nanocomposite by its reaction by palladium acetate, followed by ethanol reduction. The structure and morphology of the nano SiO2-S-Cin.Pd nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic ability of this nanocomposite was investigated in the arylation of olefins in both concentrated solar radiation and conventional thermal conditions. A comparison of the conventional and CSR methods for C–C bond formation in PEG, showed that the CSR approach is a better alternative route with a high energy-saving strategy. The nanocatalyst is easily removed from the mixture and has been tested on several runs without a loss of catalytic activity. The heterogeneity of the nano SiO2-S-Cin.Pd catalyst was confirmed by hot filtration test. This method has the advantages of simple methodology, easy work-up, high yields, short reaction times, and greener conditions. In addition to convenience, this technology improves product purity and offers economic and environmental benefits

Stillbirth and Preterm Birth During Lockdown Periods in 5 Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Iran: A Region-Wide Cohort Study in Mazandaran Province

Introduction Conflicting reports for preterm birth and stillbirth during the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have emerged. Most of the studies are related to the initial waves of the pandemic. Objectives This study aims to evaluate changes in preterm birth and stillbirth rates during various waves of COVID-19 in northern Iran. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study to evaluate preterm birth and stillbirth rate based on weight distribution per 1000 live births during lockdown periods in 5 peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic using the regional data registration system at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in northern Iran. We compared these rates with the corresponding months 4 years before the pandemic. The odds ratio for the primary outcome was estimated by logistic regression. Results We observed an overall increased rate of preterm birth during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (4.7% vs 2.8%, P  < .001). The overall stillbirth rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (7.48/1000 vs 5.41/1000, odds ratio: 1.38 [1.21-1.57]). This increase in the rate of stillbirth was significantly observed in the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic ( P  < .001). Conclusion Our study showed that adverse pregnancy outcomes increased during lockdown periods of a global pandemic. Further studies from geographically diverse regions to evaluate different behavior changes during pregnancy and access to prenatal services, and its impact on pregnancy outcomes is recommended

Characteristics of drug demand reduction structures in Britain and Iran

Administrative structure of drug demand reduction and the way in which involved organizations interact with each other has been neglected by researchers, policy makers, and administrators at the national level and even in international institutions in this field. Studying such structures in different countries can reveal their attributes and features.&nbsp; In this study, key experts from the addictive behavior department of St George’s University of London and a group of Iranian specialists in the field of drug demand reduction first wrote on a sheet the name of organizations that are in charge of drug demand reduction. Then, via teamwork, they drew the connections between the organizations and compared the two charts to assess the relations between the member organizations.&nbsp; In total, 17 features of efficient structure were obtained as follow: multi-institutional nature, collaborative inter-institutional activities, clear and relevant inter-institutional and intra-institutional job description, the ability to share the experiences, virtual institutions activity, community-based associations activity, mutual relationships, the existence of feedback sys-tems, evaluation, changeability, the ability to collect data rapidly, being rooted in community, flexibility at the local and regional levels, connection with research centers, updated policymaking, empowering the local level, and seeking the maximum benefit and the minimum resources.&nbsp; Recognizing the characteristics of substance related organizations in various countries could help policy makers to improve drug demand reduction structures and to manage the wide-spread use of psychoactive substances more effectively.&nbsp

Phytochemical Study and Recognition of Curcuminoids of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Extract and Comparison of the Flavonoid and Flavanol Content Utilizing Different Extraction Methods

Introduction: Turmeric as the scientific name of Curcuma longa L. belongs to Zingiberaceae family. Extraction method is effective on the percentage and type of chemical compounds present in the extract. The aim of this study was phytochemical surveying of turmeric soxhelt extract by using instrumental analysis and determination of flavonoids and flavenols contents in different extraction methods. Materials & Methods: Phytochemical tests were done on ethanolic soxhelt extract to determine secondary metabolites and different instrumental analysis methods in order to verify the existence of curcuminoids on it extract took place. The content of flavonoids and flavonol extracts were measured by different extraction methods (maceration, ultrasonic and soxhlet) using quercetin as a standard. Findings: The results of phytochemical studies have confirmed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids and glycosides compounds and the absence of tannins and saponins in the ethanolic soxhelt extract. The results of IR, UV, GC and GC / Mass indicate the presence of curcuminoids in turmeric extract by soxhelt extraction. The results of statistical tests indicated that the highest content of flavonoids and flavenols belongs to the extraction with hexane and ethanol. Discussion & Conclusion: In soxhelt method despite requiring high temperature and using of hot solvent, the curcuminoids structure was retained and this extraction method may be a suitable method for curcumin extraction from turmeric plant. Also suitable method for extracting flavonoids and flavonoid compounds is extraction with two solvent “ethanol and hexane“

Association of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Normal-Weight and Overweight Children

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), defined by a gender-specific cutoff value, among normal weight and overweight children; and to assess the relationship of increasing ALT levels with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school students, aged 6-18 years in Isfahan, Iran. Based on the body mass index (BMI) percentiles, a group of normal-weight was compared with a group of overweight and obese students. Gender differences were considered for increased levels of ALT, i.e. 19U/L and 30U/L for girls and boys respectively. Findings: The study participants consisted of 1172 students (56.2% girls), with a mean (SD) age of 12.57 (3.3) years. Among overweight/obese students the mean triglycerides (TG) and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in those with increased ALT than in those with normal ALT levels. The logistic regression analysis showed that among overweight/obese boys, for each 1 unit increase in ALT, the odds ratio (OR) of TG, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure increased significantly. After adjusting for age, these associations remained significant, and the OR of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) decreased significantly. In the model adjusting for age and BMI, the ORs of TG and HDL-c remained significant. After adjusting for age and waist circumference, HDL-c was the only parameter with significant OR. Among overweight/obese girls, in all models applied, the OR was significant for TG and total cholesterol. A significant independent association was documented for waist circumference and increase in ALT after adjustment for BMI. Conclusion: This study documented significant relationship of increased ALT levels, defined by a gender-specific cutoff point, with cardiometabolic risk factors and hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype in Iranian children and adolescents