Protective effect of aqueous and ethanoic extracts o Achillea Wilhelmsii on oxidative stress induced by trivalent arsenic

Introduction: Arsenic (As3+) is a toxic metalloid and a potent environmental toxicant that has been reported to cause severe liver injury. Long-term exposure to arsenic through food and contaminated water can result in a chronic As3+ poisoning. One of the main hypotheses about the mechanism of As3+ toxicity is oxidative stress so that As3+  toxicity which may be due to direct reaction of reactive oxygen species with cell biomolecules, causing damages to lipids, proteins, and DNA, hence leading to cell death. In the present study, the protective role of hydro alcoholic and aqueous extract of Achillea wilhelmssi (A. Wilhelmsii) against liver injury induced by As3+ toxicity. Methods and Results: Hepatocytes were obtained by collagenase perfusion of the liver and their viability was assessed by the trypan blue (0.2% w/v) exclusion test. Cytotoxicity was associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential which were prevented by antioxidants and ROS scavengers (DMSO, mannitol), mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agent (carnitine) and the ATP generator (L-glutamine),  Lysosomal protective agent and glutathione discharge. We used aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Achillea wilhelmssi with concentrations 25μg/ml, 50μg/ml and 100μg/ml for 3h to evaluate the protective effect of these extracts on the As3 –induced oxidative stress in isolated rat hepatocytes. Also the protective and antioxidant effects of Quercetin and Gallic acid polyphenols in the A. Wilhelmsii have been investigated as control. According to the results, the concentration of As3+, which can cause death of 50% of cells, is equivalent to 50 μM, that could significantly increase cell death, ROS production, lipid peroxidation induction and mitochondrial membrane slump compared to the control group (p <0.05). Achillea wilhelmssi extract could significantly decrease produce ROS, lipid peroxide and loss of mitochondrial membrane decline. Conclusions: In the present study, result showed the hepatoprotective role of hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract of Achillea wilhelmssi against liver injury induced by arsenic in rats had been studied by determining their effects on decrease produce ROS, lipid peroxide and loss of mitochondrial membrane decline. Because of existence large amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, including quetitintin and Gallic acid in A. Wilhelmsii can hepatoprotective effects be attributed to these compounds

Mitochondrial Transplantation Attenuates Toxicity in Human Lymphocytes Caused by Clozapine and Risperidone

Background: Clozapine (CLZ) and risperidone (RIS) are drugs that have the ability to disrupt mitochondrial function. Also, these drugs increase the level of free radicals. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the etiology of various diseases. Replacement and treatment of defective mitochondria with healthy mitochondria have been considered. Mitochondrial therapy (mitotherapy) or exogenous mitochondria transplantation is a method that can be used to replace dysfunctional mitochondria with healthy mitochondria. This method can help in the treatment of diseases related to mitochondria. Methods: In this study, we investigated the transplantation effect of isolated lymphocyte mitochondria on the toxicity induced by CLZ and RIS on human blood lymphocytes. Lymphocytes were isolated using the Ficoll standard method. Mitochondria of human lymphocytes were used for mitotherapy. This study was conducted in 6 groups. After treatment, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were evaluated. Results: Our data showed that CLZ (70 µm) and RIS (24 nM) caused cytotoxicity on human blood lymphocytes which are associated with ROS generation, collapse in MMP, decrease in GSH content, increase in GSSG content and change in ATP content. Mitochondria transplantation results showed that adding mitochondria of lymphocytes could protect the lymphocytes against the toxicity effects caused by CLZ and RIS. Furthermore, the results showed that pre-incubation with cytochalasin D considerably reserved the protective effects of mitotherapy in the human lymphocytes. Conclusion: We proposed that mitochondria transplantation or mitotherapy-affected blood lymphocytes with exogenous mitochondria could be used to treat CLZ and RIS-induced toxicity

Behavioural and molecular study of the effects of rosuvastatin on acquisition and retention of spatial memory impaired by H-89 in rats

There is controversy on the effect of statins on cognitive functions such as spatial memory. In the present study, effect of ten- day oral gavage of rosuvastatin (Ros, 20 mg/kg) on spatial learning and spatial memory retention impaired by H-89, was investigated in male rats. This study was comprised of two sets of experiments each including the following 3 groups (n = 8): Control group treated with DMSO; H-89 group received bilateral intra-hippocampal H-89 (10 μM/side, in DMSO) and Ros- H-89 group orally treated with Ros (20 mg/kg) and H-89 (similar to the H-89 group). For spatial learning (acquisition phase) assessment, from day 7 of Ros gavage, rats were trained in the Morris water maze (MWM) for four days (one block of 4 stages each day) and received daily H-89, 30 min after Ros gavage. On day 11, the probe test was performed. Also, to assess spatial memory retention, from day 7 to 10 of Ros gavage, rats were trained in MWM but received H-89 on day 10 only. On day 12, the probe test was performed. Besides, CREB and p-CREB protein expression was assessed in hippocampal samples and oxidative stress status was assessed in serum samples. We observed that H-89 led to a clear impairment of the spatial learning and spatial memory recall, increased levels of lipid peroxidation and downregulated CREB and p-CREB proteins, compared to the control group. However, Ros prevented H-89-induced deleterious consequences which might be probably in part due to its ameliorative effects on lipid peroxidation index and CREB and p-CREB expression

Detection of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens of patients with HIV by Multiplex PCR Assay

Background: Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus are life threatening opportunistic pathogens under immunodeficiency conditions, particularly among patients infected with HIV. Rapid and accurate detection of these infections can improve immune health quality, patient management and appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to design a novel multiplex-PCR assay for rapid diagnosis of these three organisms directly from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens of patients infected with HIV.Methods: The genus specific primers were designed for directdetection of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus in a single tube multiplex PCR. This PCR specifically amplified the target genes from pure cultures. It subsequently was applied on BAL specimens of 29 HIV positive patients that had previously been culture negative for actinomycete bacteria, of which Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus are members.Results: Of 29 respiratory clinical specimens, there were positive for Nocardia spp. and one was positive for Streptomyces spp using the multiplex PCR assay. The sequencing of the PCR products identified the species as Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (n=2), Nocardia farcinica and Streptomyces albus.Conclusion: This novel multiplex PCR assay yielded reliable results for accurate identification of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus from BAL while the results of bacterial culture were negative.

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. FINDINGS: Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. INTERPRETATION: As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Using of saltwater to increase the output power of a steam injected gas turbine (STIG) by connecting spray freezing desalination to it

Gas turbines are one of the common methods for generating electrical energy. However, reducing the output power by increasing the air temperature is one of the problems of these turbines. Common methods to compensate for the power drop of gas turbines are often based on turbine inlet air cooling (TIAC) technology or injecting steam or water into the turbine as humidified gas turbine (HGT) that causes an increase in its output power. However, these technologies often require high consumption of fresh water which limits their use in dry and low-water areas. Therefore this study has investigated the connection of a spray freezing desalination to a steam-injected gas turbine (STIG) through a reverse Brayton cycle for increasing its output power by consuming saltwater. This spray freezing desalination is a process based on eutectic freeze crystallization (EFC) technology that uses compressed air in a turbo expander to produce chilled air that can crystallize the droplet of sprayed saline water. This desalination technology has the potential of zero liquid discharge (ZLD). Therefore, with the possibility of using a saline water source such as reverse osmosis (RO) brine in this process, in addition to increasing the output power of gas turbines, it will be possible to reduce the environmental problems related to its disposal

Dynamic optimization of acetylene hydrogenation reactors with considering catalyst deactivation

Ethylene is a very important material in petrochemical industries, whose chief application is producing polymers. The steam cracking of naphtha or ethane is usually applied to produce ethylene. A small amount of acetylene is produced in this process. The amount of acetylene in the product stream should not exceed 1 ppm, because it is harmful to polymerization catalysts in downstream units. The acetylene hydrogenation unit is designed for acetylene removal in industrial plants. In this unit, the removal of acetylene up to 1 ppm in the product stream and ethylene’s selectivity are of great importance. In this paper, the dynamic optimization of acetylene hydrogenation reactors of Marun petrochemical complex with considering catalyst deactivation is presented. In this study, the differential evolution (DE) method is used as a powerful method for determination of a dynamic optimal temperature profile to achieve maximum of ethylene’s selectivity in a period of 720 operating days. Then, the optimal results are compared with the condition wherein the inlet temperatures of the reactors are maintained constant at 55 ˚C and with the condition wherein the inlet temperatures of them increase linearly from 55 to 90 ˚C. The results showed when the inlet temperatures are kept 55 ˚C, the outlet acetylene exceed 1 ppm, but the best selectivity is achieved. With a linear increase in the inlet temperatures, the outlet acetylene is below 1 ppm but the selectivity is decreased. An optimal temperature profile maximizes the selectivity when the outlet acetylene is below 1 ppm

Possibility of Full Compensation for Damages: A Comparative Assessment under the Principles of International Commercial Contracts, Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods

Compensation for damages arising from a breach of contractual obligations should place the injured party in the position he would have been in had the contract not been breached. By accepting the idea of full compensation, the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts as well as the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (1980), judicial precedents, and international arbitration awards have recognised this approach. Despite the recognition of the principle of compensation, this theory is subject to controversy in Iranian law, particularly in the event of damages caused by the loss of anticipatory benefits. From justice and economic efficiency perspectives and for the sake of adapting Iranian commercial rules with ones reflected in international trade instruments, and for considering the affirmative religious jurisprudential principles, it is recommended that effective steps should be taken towards the removal of all existing legal barriers in Iranian law

Use of high salinity water in a power plant by connecting a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) to a steam-injected gas turbine (STIG)

Unlike steam turbines, electricity production in gas turbines is inherently independent of freshwater consumption. However, the thermal efficiency of gas turbines decreases as the temperature of input air increases. As a result, many methods of cooling the inlet air require the use of fresh water. Moreover, when it comes to humid gas turbine technology, the practice of injecting steam or humid air into the turbine to improve its thermal efficiency and output power consumes a substantial amount of freshwater. Therefore, reducing the use of fresh water to enhance the output power and thermal efficiency of gas turbines can be a necessary option, especially in hot and dry regions. Alternatively, considering the significant amounts of waste heat in gas turbines, one solution to reduce fresh water consumption is to connect them to thermal desalination units. However, conventional thermal desalination is only practical for seawater desalination in coastal areas. Therefore, this study explores the possibility of linking a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) unit to a Steam-injected gas turbine (STIG), which can use high salinity water sources like reverse osmosis (RO) brine in inland regions. The freshwater generated by the DCMD is used to chill the input air to the compressor and produce steam injected within the turbine. Simulation results show that this connection can raise the net output power by [9 to 17.2] MW and thermal efficiency by [3.3 to 15.6] % for compressor pressure ratios between [5 to 30], when compared to a simple gas turbine