Hematological profile of high-fat diet-induced murine model of metabolic syndrome

The present study was conducted to address how high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) makes alterations to murine hematological profile. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 80 male NMRI mice was measured and mice with FPG falling within the range of 80-160 were included as healthy or non-diabetic mice. Afterward, mice in the selected population were categorized into two separate main groups including normal control (NC, n = 32) and HFD -induced MetS (n = 32) having received a normal chow diet and a HFD, respectively, and 8 mice sacrificed for a biochemical and hematological profile at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 16. Lipid profiling, peripheral blood analysis, and bone marrow (BM) interpretation were considered endpoints. Results were analyzed in a separated time panel using a non-paired t-test at the significance level of p˂0.05. Gained weight at week 16, increased accumulation of abdominal fat at week 8, raised FPG at weeks 2 and 8 and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at week 8 were observed in MetS compared to NC group confirming successful translation of a murine model of MetS. Hematologically, no change in serum ferritin, serum iron, hematocrit, platelet count, and differential leukocyte count (DLC) was observed in MetS compared to NC group. By contrast, MetS group showed raised absolute basophil count compared to NC group at week 8. Strikingly, MetS group showed a downward trend in hemoglobin concentration compared to NC group. However, this downward trend was only significant in the 2nd week. In addition, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in MetS group dropped at week 8 compared to NC group. Furthermore, MetS group showed decreased erythroid lineage cells including proerythroblast, polychromatophilic erythroblast, and orthochromatophilic erythroblast proposing the presence of anemia in the murine model of MetS. Histopathologic evaluation of BM showed decreased cellularity and increased infiltration of lipids in MetS compared to NC group. Additionally, MetS group showed the reduced number of basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in BM during the first 8 weeks of the study. However, in the 16th week, lymphocytes were the only decreased cells, and the absolute count of neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes was raised possibly towards higher production of inflammatory cells in MetS group. It is worth noting that change in the number of plasma cells was shown to be highly variable throughout study. Following the successful development of a HFD-induced murine model of MetS, histological examination of BM in MetS mice showed reduced cellularity and enhanced accumulation of adipose tissue. Additionally, BM analysis indicated significantly decreased basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes at early weeks of receiving diet; however, increased neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes were observed at the end of the study which can primarily be considered reactive leukocytosis due to MetS-mediated inflammatory response. Furthermore, enumeration of erythroid lineage cells in BM demonstrated a significant decrease in proerythroblasts, polychromatophilic erythroblasts, and orthochromatophilic erythroblasts, highly suggestive of anemia

Laboratory Tests and Field Surveys to Explore the Optimum Frequency for GPR Surveys in Detecting Qanats

In this paper, we discuss the results of laboratory tests and field surveys using ground penetrating radar (GPR) method to detect qanats at the main campus of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman (SBUK), Iran. The main purpose of laboratory experiments was to explore the optimum frequency of GPR surveys to detect qanats for the subsoil in the study site. We performed a variety of laboratory tests with a 3 GHz antenna to detect qanats (simulated using dielectric empty targets) hosted by sand with volumetric water content (VWC) values in the range 1.5-8%. The depth to each target was progressively increased until either approaching the edges of the sandbox or modelling a qanat depth for which GPR data could not detect the target anymore. The scaling factors were calculated for each test to estimate the maximum depth of detecting qanats as a function of the scaled GPR frequency. The results showed that in areas where the subsoil is dominated by sand, medium-frequency GPR antennas can penetrate to depths of a few tens of meters, but the penetration depth considerably decreases when the soil moisture and/or clay content of the medium increase. Based on the results of laboratory simulations, qanats are detectable at a maximum normalized depth of about 15-17 times of the wavelengths in very dry sands with VWC less than 5% while the detectable range rapidly drops down to less than 3 or 4 times of the wavelengths in more humid sands with VWC of about 8%. We also discuss the results of a few field GPR surveys that were measured using antennas with the 50 MHz and the 250 MHz frequencies in the northwestern part of the study area. The processed GPR images could detect a qanat in the position compatible with the results of previous remote sensing studies performed in the area. The depth to the detected qanat is 13.5 m, which is a little bit beyond the maximum limit predicted by the laboratory tests

ACE1-I/D Polymorphism in Patients With Severe COVID-19

Background: In several studies, insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) gene is described as a genetic risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. However, in some studies, this contribution is not confirmed. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genotypic and allelic frequency of ACE1-D/I in Kurdish patients with severe COVID-19 in Iran. Methods: A total of 95 patients with PCR positive-COVID-19 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes using the salting out method. All cases were genotyped for ACE1-I/D polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Death percentage from COVID-19 after two months’ follow-up was analyzed. Results: Of the 95 patients, 48 were female (50.5%) and 47 were male (49.5%) with a mean age of 61.9±18.7 years. The ID genotype was the most prevalent (52.6%) followed by DD (32.6%) and II (14.7%). The D and I allele frequencies were 58.9%, and 41.1%, respectively. The D allele frequency was higher in patients with SpO2≤90% (P = 0.048). The mortality percentage was 18.9% (8 females and 10 males). The frequency of the DD, ID, and II genotypes in patients who died from COVID-19 was 27.7%, 61,1%, and 11.1%. Conclusions: Our results indicated that the ACE1- D allele can be a genetic risk factor in COVID-19 patients. Further studies on different ethnicities and geographical regions are needed to evaluate this polymorphism in COVID-19 infection

Synthesis of new functionalized triarylmethanes via Suzuki cross-coupling and Heck-type vinylation reactions

A novel class of triarylmethanes (TRAMs) containing one or two biaryl moieties was synthesized efficiently through the $\mathrm{Pd}(\mathrm{PPh}_{3})_{4}$-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of brominated TRAMs with arylboronic acid derivatives. We also demonstrate that brominated TRAMs can be efficiently functionalized via a one-pot, two-step Pd-catalyzed Heck-type process. This protocol provides convenient access to diverse vinylated TRAMs that are generally not obtained by using the common synthetic methods for TRAMs

Synthesis of new functionalized triarylmethanes via Suzuki cross-coupling and Heck-type vinylation reactions

A novel class of triarylmethanes (TRAMs) containing one or two biaryl moieties was synthesized efficiently through the $\mathrm{Pd}(\mathrm{PPh}_{3})_{4}$-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of brominated TRAMs with arylboronic acid derivatives. We also demonstrate that brominated TRAMs can be efficiently functionalized via a one-pot, two-step Pd-catalyzed Heck-type process. This protocol provides convenient access to diverse vinylated TRAMs that are generally not obtained by using the common synthetic methods for TRAMs

Road Life Perspectives and Experiences Among Iranian Truck Drivers: a Qualitative Study

Truck drivers are one of the largest occupational groups in Iran. Evidence from previous studies suggests that working and living conditions on the road engender many concerns for truck drivers, and their families and communities. This research aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian truck drivers regarding life on the road. This qualitative study was conducted among Iranian truck drivers working in the inter-state transportation sector. A purposeful sample of 20 truck drivers took part in this research. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. After analysis of the data, three main themes emerged: "Individual impacts related to the hardships of life on the road life", "Family impacts related to the hardships of road life", and "Having positive attitude towards work and road". These findings represent the dimensions of perspectives in the road-life of truck drivers. Although truck drivers possess positive beliefs about their occupation and life on the road, they and their families face many hardships which should be well understood. They also need support to be better able to solve the road-life concerns they face. This study's findings are useful for occupational programming and in the promotion of health for truck drivers

Rapid and Green Synthesis of some Benzothiazole-, Benzimidazole-and Benzoxazole-2-thiol Derivatives Using Copper Sulfate in Aqueous Media

In this study an easy, green, efficient and simple approach is reported for the synthesis of some benzothiazole-, benzimidazole-and benzoxazole-2-thiol derivatives. The proposed approach employs the reaction of corresponding aromatic amine with potassium isopropyl xanthate (Z11) in the presence of copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) as a catalyst under conventional heating and ultrasonic irradiation. The advantages of this protocol are: using water and glycerol as green solvents, commercially available precursors, simple work-up, an inexpensive catalyst, high yield and short reaction time

Microencapsulation of Bacillus velezensis Using Alginate-Gum Polymers Enriched with TiO2 and SiO2 Nanoparticles

Bacillus bacteria are a group of plant growth stimulants that increase plant growth and resistance to plant pathogens by producing various metabolites. With their large surface area and small size, nanoparticles can be used in controlled-release formulations and increase the efficiency of the desired product. Encapsulation of biological agents in combination with nanoparticles can be an essential step in increasing the performance of these agents in adverse environmental conditions. In this study, which is the result of a collaboration between scientists from Italy and Iran, Bacillus velezensis was encapsulated in alginate combined with whey protein and zedo, mastic, and tragacanth gums in the presence of silica and titania nanoparticles to obtain two-layer and multilayer assemblies acting as novel, smart micro-encapsulation systems. The results of laboratory studies showed that the B. velezensis could produce protease, lipase, siderophore, auxin, and a dissolution of mineral phosphate. Scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) showed that the studied microcapsules were almost spherical. Moisture affinity, swelling, and efficiency of each microcapsule were examined. The results showed that the highest encapsulation efficiency (94.3%) was related to the multilayer formulation of alginate-whey protein-zedo. XRD and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the alginate, whey protein, and zedo were mixed properly and no incompatible composition occurred in the reaction. This study aimed to provide a suitable formulation of biofertilizers based on biodegradable compounds as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, which is low cost and very effective without harming humans and the environment