Photocatalytic Oxidation of Carbofuran Pesticide Using Zinc Oxide

In recent years, the application of ultraviolet irradiation and zinc oxide (UV/ZnO) process water and wastewater treatment has gained removal activity of the persistence organic compounds. The degradation of carbofuran pesticide was investigated under ultraviolet irradiation and zinc oxide (UV/ZnO) process. Likewise, the effect of the operational parameters such as reaction volume, initial concentration of catalyst, initial carbofuran concentration, light intensity and pH were studied. In this study the (UV/ZnO) process at different initial concentrations (50-250 mg/L), 5 different initial pH and 5 different initial concentration of catalyst was investigated. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Results showed that the carbofuran initial concentration of 50 mg/L, ZnO concentration of 300 mg/L, pH of 8, light intensity of 125 watts and reaction volume of 150 mL, were the optimum condition for degradation of carbofuran by UV/ZnO system. This study demonstrated that carbofuran could be effectively degraded by ultrasonic irradiation

Ensemble Classification and Extended Feature Selection for Credit Card Fraud Detection

Due to the rise of technology, the possibility of fraud in different areas such as banking has been increased. Credit card fraud is a crucial problem in banking and its danger is over increasing. This paper proposes an advanced data mining method, considering both feature selection and decision cost for accuracy enhancement of credit card fraud detection. After selecting the best and most effective features, using an extended wrapper method, ensemble classification is performed. The extended feature selection approach includes a prior feature filtering and a wrapper approach using C4.5 decision tree. Ensemble classification, using cost sensitive decision trees is performed in a decision forest framework. A locally gathered fraud detection dataset is used to estimate the proposed method. The proposed method is assessed using accuracy, recall, and F-measure as evaluation metrics and compared with basic classification algorithms including ID3, J48, Naïve Bayes, Bayesian Network and NB tree. Experiments show that considering the F-measure as evaluation metric, the proposed approach yields 1.8 to 2.4 percent performance improvement compared to other classifiers

Immunokinetic Model for COVID-19 Patients

In this paper, we develop a fractional-order differential model for the dynamics of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral load in one host. In the model, a fractional-order derivative is incorporated to represent the effects of temporal long-run memory on immune cells and tissues for any age group of patients. The population of cytotoxic T cells (CD8+), natural killer (NK) cells, and infected viruses is unknown in this model. Some interesting sufficient conditions that ensure the asymptotic stability of the steady states are obtained. This model indicates some complex phenomena in COVID-19 such as "immune exhaustion " and "long COVID. " Sensitivity analysis is also investigated for model parameters to determine the parameters that are effective in disease control and future treatment as well as vaccine design. The model is verified with clinical and experimental data of 5 patients with COVID-19

Atypical pityriasis rosea with unilateral presentation

Pityriasis Rosea (PR) is a common skin disease and characterized by generalized scaly eruptions typically on the trunk and proximal extremities. Atypical presentations of PR are common and can be a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Here we present a case of a 26-year-old female who presented with a sudden onset of several asymptomatic, erythematous and scaly plaques on her trunk. Plaques sized 0.5-1cm in diameter that were distributed unilaterally (right side) on her chest, back and axilla. Atypical cases of PR are fairly common and less readily recognized. Careful history, clinical evaluation and follow-up are important to avoid misdiagnosis of PR and physicians should be aware of PR variants so that appropriate management and reassurance can be offered. For atypical eruptions without a definite diagnosis, it is safer to consider lesional skin biopsy. © 2016, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Determining the best form factor formula for Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations at the age of 18, in Guilan- northern Iran

In order to determine the best form factor formula for Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in Talesh (Western Guilan province-Iran), a number of 110 trees were selected based on their distribution in diameter classes, from 12 to 34 cm (in a two- cm diameter interval). First, several quantitative factors including diameter at breast height, diameter at 0.65 m of height, and diameter at stump were measured using a diameter tape, just before the trees being felled. After cutting the trees, the heights and diameter from breast height up to the height where diameter is 5 cm was measured using a diameter tape in a two meter interval. Finally, diameter at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 meter of the total height was measured respectively. As a consequent, each tree's volume was precisely calculated as the real volume. Next, the real form factor was calculated and its average was statistically compared to the averages of Natural , Artificial , and Hohenadl?s form factors using pair sample T-test. Results showed that there is no significant difference between the averages of real and Hohenadl?s form factors (at = 0.01 level). Furthermore, the averages of real and artificial form factors were not significantly different. Hence, both artificial and Hohenadl?s form factors are capable to replace the real form factor of Loblolly Pine over the study area

The effects of doxorubicin, ethanol extract and flavonoid-rich fraction of euphorbia splendida mobayen on the PARP level, and APC gene expression in HT-29 human colon cancer cell line

Background: Natural products derived from various sources are being used to develop chemotherapeutic drugs. Euphorbiaceae is widely used to treat different types of cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and third cause of cancer in women and men, respectively. CRC is strongly associated with the deregulation of the Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PPAR) protein. Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the effect of doxorubicin, ethanol extract, and the flavonoid-rich fraction of Euphorbia Splendida Mobayen on colon cancer HT-29 cell line death, APC gene expression, and PPAR concentration. Methods: Following treatment of cells by Euphorbia ethanol extract, Euphorbia flavonoid-rich fraction, and doxorubicin, cell viability assay was used to investigate the viability status of the HT-29 cell line. Total RNA was isolated from the cell line and converted into cDNA. The expression level of the APC gene was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PPAR) protein was detected by the ELIZA method. Results: We found that Euphorbia ethanol extract, Euphorbia flavonoid-rich fraction, and doxorubicin can stimulate dose-dependent cell death in the HT-29 cell line, increase ACP gene expression (P = 0.001, P = 0.041, P = 0.019), and decrease PARP level (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The findings indicated that doxorubicin, ethanol extract, and the flavonoid-rich fraction of Euphorbia Splendida Mobayen had cytotoxic effects on human colon cancer HT-29 cell line by possibly stimulating apoptosis. Copyright © 2020, Author(s)

Carbapenem resistance in gram-negative bacilli isolates in an iranian 1000-bed tertiary hospital

Objective: Carbapenems are beta-lactamase antibiotics, presently considered as most potent agents for treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli. The aim of this study was to determine resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumonniae as prevalent nosocomial agents to commonly used antibiotics including carbapenems such as imipenem and meropenem. Methodology: A total of 202 gram-negative bacilli including K.pneumoniae, P aeruginosa and A.baumannii isolated from hospitalized patients in Milad hospital of Tehran were subject for susceptibility testing. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion and MIC methods as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Results: All isolates of K. pneumonia were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Resistance in non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (NFGB) was prevalent. P.aeruginosa isolates exhibited 7.5 and 40.2 resistance to imipenem and meropenem respectively. The majority isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were multi-drug resistant and resistance of this organism to imipenem and meropenem was 27.7 and 38.5 respectively. Conclusions: Our study revealed that in spite of resistance of K.pneumoniae to commonly used antibiotics, all isolates were susceptible to imipenem and meropeem. More than 80 isolates of A .bammanni were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. About 40.2 isolates of P.aeruginosa and (38.5) isolates of A.baumannii were resistant to meropenem respectively

Orientational self-sorting in cuboctahedral Pd cages

Cuboctahedral coordination cages of the general formula [Pd12L24]24+ (L = low-symmetry ligand) were analyzed theoretically and experimentally. With 350 696 potential isomers, the structural space of these assemblies is vast. Orientational self-sorting refers to the preferential formation of particular isomers within the pool of potential structures. Geometric and computational analyses predict the preferred formation of cages with a cis arrangement at the metal centers. This prediction was corroborated experimentally by synthesizing a [Pd12L24]24+ cage with a bridging 3-(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)pyridine ligand. A crystallographic analysis of this assembly showed exclusive cis coordination of the 3- and the 4-pyridyl donor groups at the Pd2+ ions

Monitoring of airborne asbestos fibers in an urban ambient air of Mashhad City, Iran: levels, spatial distribution and seasonal variations

Asbestos, as with other pollutants in the air, has adverse effects on the health of human beings and animals. Today, the relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the air breathed by humans and developing serious diseases such as lung cancer (asbestosis) and mesothelioma has been proven. The objectives of this study were to monitor the levels of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Mashhad, Iran during 2018, and to draw its Geographic Information System (GIS) distribution map for the city. In this descriptive study, 13 sampling points in Mashhad city were chosen. Sampling of asbestos was carried out for 3 hour during summer and winter at 2018. Sampling of asbestos was performed using MCE (Mixed Cellulose Ester) membrane filters (pour size 0.45 µm; diameter: 25 mm) and cassette holder and peripheral pump. The samples were the analyzed by the phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method (NIOSH7400). Also, to investigate the type of asbestos and for more accurate counting of fibers, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized. Meteorological parameter were recorded through portable devices. To draw the graphs, Excel, R and Arc GIS software were used. Results showed that the mean asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to 11.40 ± 2.14 and 14.38 ± 2.52 f/L in summer and winter, respectively. The maximum level of asbestos fiber was detected in the station of Baitolmoghaddas square by 26.64 ± 2.14 and 19.3 SEM f/L in winter and summer, respectively. High concentration of asbestos fiber observed in this study can be attributed to the heavy traffic, the presence of prominent industries in the vicinity of the study area, and topographic features. The results from this research recommends that suitable controlling policies should be regulated to reduce both ambient air asbestos and its adverse health endpoints in Mashhad. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Serum levels of CTRP3 in diabetic nephropathy and its relationship with insulin resistance and kidney function

Background C1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue. Previous studies have suggested that CTRP3 improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation. Human studies have evaluated circulating levels of this adipokine in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic retinopathy, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery diseases. However, circulating levels of this adipokine in patients with diabetic nephropathy have not been evaluated. The present study aimed to assess serum levels of CTRP3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (T2DM-NP) and its relationship with metabolic and inflammatory markers. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 55 controls, 54 patients with T2DM, and 55 patients with T2DM-NP. Serum levels of CTRP3, adiponectin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured by ELISA technique. Results Serum levels of CTRP3 were significantly lower in patients with T2DM (257.61 ± 69.79 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and T2DM-NP (222.03 ± 51.99 ng/mL, p < 0.001) compared to controls (328.17 ± 80.73 ng/mL), and those with T2DM-NP compared to T2DM group. CTRP3 was independently associated with HOMA-IR (r = -0.327, p < 0.05) and adiponectin (r = 0.436, p < 0.01) in T2DM group. In T2DM-NP patients, CTRP3 independently was associated with eGFR (r = 0.428, p < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.436, p < 0.01). Furthermore, CTRP3 revealed a ability to differentiate T2DM-NP patients from controls (area under curve (95 confidence interval): 0.881 (0.820�0.943) and p < 0.001). Conclusion Decreased serum levels of CTRP3 in patients with T2DM and diabetic nephropathy and its association with pathologic mechanism in these patients suggested a possible role for CTRP3 in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy; nevertheless, further studies are required in this regard. © 2019 Moradi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited