Study of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Traditional and Device-Made Ice Cream in Qazvin, 2017-2018: A Short Report

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in traditional and device-made ice cream in Qazvin. Materials and Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 100 samples of traditional and device-made ice cream in Qazvin were randomly collected over a period of one year and in different seasons. The culture method was then confirmed by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique. Results: The inflammation rate of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was 5% in most seasons in the traditional and device-made ice cream and the most inflammation was in summer, and 80% (4 cases) of the isolated bacteria were methicillin resistant. Conclusion: The use of pasteurized ice cream and observance of health principles in producing traditional and device-made ice cream will reduce the risk of contamination and food poisoning

Wound Healing Potential of Chlorogenic Acid and Myricetin-3-O-β-Rhamnoside Isolated from Parrotia persica

Wound healing is a complex physiological process that is controlled by a well-orchestrated cascade of interdependent biochemical and cellular events, which has spurred the development of therapeutics that simultaneously target these active cellular constituents. We assessed the potential of Parrotia persica (Hamamelidaceae) in wound repair by analyzing the regenerative effects of its two main phenolic compounds, myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid. To accomplish this, we performed phytochemical profiling and characterized the chemical structure of pure compounds isolated from P. persica, followed by an analysis of the biological effects of myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid on three cell types, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid exhibited complementary pro-healing properties. The percentage of keratinocyte wound closure as measured by a scratch assay was four fold faster in the presence of 10 µg/mL chlorogenic acid, as compared to the negative control. On the other hand, myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside at 10 µg/mL was more effective in promoting fibroblast migration, demonstrating a two-fold higher rate of closure compared to the negative control group. Both compounds enhanced the capillary-like tube formation of endothelial cells in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Our results altogether delineate the potential to synergistically accelerate the fibroblastic and remodelling phases of wound repair by administering appropriate amounts of myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Screening for Somatic Symptom Disorders-7(SOMS-7)

Objective: Somatic symptoms are one of the most prevalent complaints in both psychiatric and general population, and validated scales are required to assess these problems. The present study was conducted to determine psychometric properties of the Persian version of Screening for Somatic Symptom Disorders-7(SOMS-7) in an Iranian population. Method: This was a multi centric comprehensive study conducted in Psychosomatic Research Center of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in collaboration with Department of Clinical Psychology of Philipp University of Marburg, Germany. This part of the study includes 100 patients with anxiety/mood disorders and 291 healthy individuals. All participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15) and Screening for Somatic symptom disorders 7(SOMS-7). Data were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, factor analysis, independent t test, and discriminant analysis using SPSS-20 software. Results: Reliability coefficient based on Cronbach’s alpha was 0.92 and 0.94 (clinical vs. healthy sample). Validity index of the SOMS according to correlation between factor 1 and 2 with PHQ somatic subscale was. 51 and. 59, respectively. Score of 15.5 as cut-off point was accompanied with sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 66%. Factor analysis extracted 2 factors in patients and 4 factors in healthy population. Conclusion: Findings of this study indicated that the Persian version of SOMS-7 has appropriate reliability and validity for the assessment of somatic symptoms disorder and evaluation of treatment effects in these patients

Examining the Existence of Synthetic Dyes in the Nuts Offered in Marivan County, West of Iran

These days, making use of synthetic dyes in producing and processing food, such as nuts, is enhancing due to customer attention. Considering that the application of this type of dyes is not permitted in accordance with the current regulations of the country, controlling nut products in terms of dye is required and overriding. In this study, sampling was performed randomly in 10 nut distribution centers at one-week intervals. Samples were tested respecting the type of dye. A Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) method was applied to identify the types of dye. After conducting tests on different samples of nuts, it was recognized that different synthetic dyes such as tartrazine, quinoline yellow, and Ponceau 4R were used in the sample nuts. Of the 50 samples tested and analyzed, 23 samples (46%) had non-permitted synthetic dye, and 27 samples (54%) had permitted synthetic dye. The frequency distribution of synthetic dye among different nuts was significantly different. Furthermore, consumption of almond is associated with lower risk of permitted and non-permitted synthetic compared to pistachio (p< 0.05). Application of these types of dye, due to their glamorous appearance, will be significantly improved in the future. Therefore, with regard to the high consumption of synthetic dyes in food and their adverse effects on health, it seems that measures like increasing the level of awareness of producers and consumers about the effects of consumption or non-consumption of these compounds as well as continuous monitoring of units by health inspectors are necessary

Three-Dimensional Impedance Tomographic Mapping of Metabolically Active Endolumen

Real-time detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions, characterized by a high content of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-laden macrophages or foam cells, remains an unmet clinical need. While fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularization in angiographically intermediate stenoses is utilized to assess hemodynamic significance, in vivo detection of oxLDL-rich plaques may provide a new paradigm for treating metabolically unstable lesions. Herein, we have demonstrated endoluminal mapping of lipid-laden lesions using 3-D electrical impedance spectroscopy-derived impedance tomography (EIT) in a pre-clinical swine model. We performed surgical banding of the right carotid arteries of Yucatan mini-pigs, followed by 16 weeks of high-fat diet, to promote the development of lipid-rich lesions. We implemented an intravascular sensor combining an FFR pressure transducer with a 6-point micro-electrode array for electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. 3-D EIT mapping was achieved using an EIS-based reconstruction algorithm. We demonstrated that EIT mapping corresponds to endoluminal histology for oxLDL-laden lesions. We further used computational models to theoretically predict and validate EIS measurements. Thus, our 3-D EIS-derived EIT provides in vivo detection of metabolically active plaques with the goal of guiding optimal intravascular intervention

Post-discharge health assessment in survivors of coronavirus disease: a time-point analysis of a prospective cohort study

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023, Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law. This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate psychological and quality of life-related complications at three months following discharge in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during the pandemic in Iran. METHODS: In this time-point analysis of prospective cohort study data, adult patients hospitalized with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 were enrolled. Patients were stratifed in analyses based on severity. The primary outcomes consisted of psychological problems and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in the three months following discharge, with Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as the secondary outcome. Exploratory predictors were determined for both primary and secondary outcomes. Results 283 out of 900 (30%) eligible patients were accessible for the follow-up assessment and included in the study. The mean age was 53.65±13.43 years, with 68% experiencing a severe disease course. At the time of the fnal follow-up, participants still reported persistent symptoms, among which fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough were the most common. Based on the regression-adjusted analysis, lower levels of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio was associated with higher levels of depression (standardized ß=- 0.161 (SE=0.042), P=0.017) and stress levels (standardized ß=- 0.110 (SE=0.047), P=0.015). Furthermore, higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulinM (IgM) were associated with signifcantly lower levels of depression (standardized ß=- 0.139 (SE=0.135), P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between lung damage during COVID-19 and the reduction of pulmonary function for up to three months from acute infection in hospitalized patients. Varying degrees of anxiety, depression, stress, and low HRQoL frequently occur in patients with COVID-19. More severe lung damage and lower COVID-19 antibodies were associated with lower levels of psychological health.Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IR.MUI.MED.REC.1399.517, Ramin SamiPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Modelling of continuous surfactant flooding application for marginal oilfields: A case study of Bentiu reservoir

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a proven method to increase oil production from the brown fields. One of the efficient EOR methods is injecting surfactants to release the trapped oil. However, few unconsolidated behaviours were observed in both field and laboratory practice. In this study, a new framework was adapted to evaluate the continuous surfactant flooding (CSF) in Bentiu reservoir. The study aims to quantify the expected range of the oil production, recovery factor and residual oil saturation (Sor). The motivation came from the oil demand in Sudan and the insufficient cores. The framework adopted in the study includes numerical simulation modelling and proxy modelling. Thirty-six cores obtained from the field were revised and grouped into five main groups. The interfacial tension (IFT) data were obtained experimentally. The CSF sensitivity study was developed by combining different experimental design sets to generate the proxy model. The CSF numerical simulation results showed around 30% additional oil recovery compared to waterflooding and approximately oil production between (20–30) cm3. The generated proxy model extrapolated the results with concerning lower ranges of the input and showed an average P50 of oil production and recovery of 74% and 17 cm3, respectively. Overall, the performance of CSF remained beneficial in vast range of input. Moreover, the generated proxy model gave an insight on the complexity of the interrelationship between the input factors and the observants with a qualitative prospective factors. Yet, the results confirmed the applicability of CSF in core scale with an insight for field scale application

Identification of novel anti-cancer agents by the synthesis and cellular screening of a noscapine-based library

53 p.-7 fig.-1 tab.-1 schem.-1 graph. abst.Noscapine is a natural product first isolated from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) with anticancer properties. In this work, we report the synthesis and cellular screening of a noscapine-based library. A library of novel noscapine derivatives was synthesized with modifications in the isoquinoline and phthalide scaffolds. The so generated library, consisting of fifty-seven derivatives of the natural product noscapine, was tested against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in a cellular proliferation assay (with a Z' > 0.7). The screening resulted in the identification of two novel noscapine derivatives as inhibitors of MDA cell growth with IC50 values of 5 µM and 1.5 µM, respectively. Both hit molecules have a five-fold and seventeen-fold higher potency, compared with that of lead compound noscapine (IC50 26 µM). The identified active derivatives retain the tubulin-binding ability of noscapine. Further testing of both hit molecules, alongside the natural product against additional cancer cell lines (HepG2, HeLa and PC3 cells) confirmed our initial findings. Both molecules have improved anti-proliferative properties when compared to the initial natural product, noscapine.We are also grateful to the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF, grant number 98026465) for financial support of this project and Shahid Beheshti University Research Council for providing facilities of to conduct this study. This work was supported by CSIC PIE 201920E111 (MAO).Peer reviewe

A checklist for assessing the methodological quality of concurrent tES-fMRI studies (ContES checklist): a consensus study and statement

Background: Low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), including alternating or direct current stimulation (tACS or tDCS), applies weak electrical stimulation to modulate the activity of brain circuits. Integration of tES with concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows for the mapping of neural activity during neuromodulation, supporting causal studies of both brain function and tES effects. Methodological aspects of tES-fMRI studies underpin the results, and reporting them in appropriate detail is required for reproducibility and interpretability. Despite the growing number of published reports, there are no consensus-based checklists for disclosing methodological details of concurrent tES-fMRI studies. Objective: To develop a consensus-based checklist of reporting standards for concurrent tES-fMRI studies to support methodological rigor, transparency, and reproducibility (ContES Checklist). Methods: A two-phase Delphi consensus process was conducted by a steering committee (SC) of 13 members and 49 expert panelists (EP) through the International Network of the tES-fMRI (INTF) Consortium. The process began with a circulation of a preliminary checklist of essential items and additional recommendations, developed by the SC based on a systematic review of 57 concurrent tES-fMRI studies. Contributors were then invited to suggest revisions or additions to the initial checklist. After the revision phase, contributors rated the importance of the 17 essential items and 42 additional recommendations in the final checklist. The state of methodological transparency within the 57 reviewed concurrent tES-fMRI studies was then assessed using the checklist. Results: Experts refined the checklist through the revision and rating phases, leading to a checklist with three categories of essential items and additional recommendations: (1) technological factors, (2) safety and noise tests, and (3) methodological factors. The level of reporting of checklist items varied among the 57 concurrent tES-fMRI papers, ranging from 24% to 76%. On average, 53% of checklist items were reported in a given article. Conclusions: Use of the ContES checklist is expected to enhance the methodological reporting quality of future concurrent tES-fMRI studies, and increase methodological transparency and reproducibility

Polyphenols: A Comprehensive Review of their Nutritional Properties

Polyphenols are the most prominent natural antioxidants found numerously in nature. They are secondary metabolites recognized for having high health benefits for consumers, even if exploiting these remarkable natural compounds is still a challenge. Moreover, there is a dilemma over the nutritional value of polyphenols. Hence, this paper seeks to review the classification, sources, anti-browning effect, antioxidant activity, nutritional property and anti-disease effect of polyphenols for better understanding the issues which need to be addressed in the valorization of these natural compounds