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Plant secondary metabolites (SMs) play a crucial role in shielding plants from pathogens and environmental stressors. These natural products find widespread applications across various industries, including pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and healthcare. However, the quantity and quality of these compounds in plants can be influenced by factors such as genetics, morphology, plant age, and the seasonal and daily variations. The timing of harvest holds particular significance for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) as their active compounds peak at a specific moment during the plant growth cycle. Determining the optimal harvest time is essential to ensure the plants meet their intended cultivation goal. In this review, we analyzed how developmental and external factors impact the qualitative and quantitative effectiveness of SMs in MAPs. We examined recent studies on the effects of environmental and developmental factors on SMs of MAPs, compiling relevant data for analysis. The results of this review demonstrate how these factors influence the quantity and quality of plant SMs, underscoring the importance of determining the optimal harvest time (known as the balsamic time) to maximize the utilization of these compounds. Our findings offer crucial insights into the factors affecting SMs, serving as a tool for quality control in MAPs production. Moreover, this review can be a valuable resource for researchers, farmers, and industrial users aiming to optimize plant growth and harvest timing for maximum yield. Overall, our review provides valuable information for devising effective strategies to produce high-quality MAPs products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aloe barbadensis is a drought-tolerant perennial medicinal plant with both nutritional and cosmetic uses. Drought is one of the main abiotic stresses limiting plant growth and development. However, the use of drought-resistant plants combined with beneficial soil micro-organisms could improve the effectiveness of biological methods to mitigate drought damage. This research aims to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (MF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (including Pseudomonas putida and Pantoea agglomerans), and their co-inoculation on the macronutrient status, antioxidant enzyme activities, and other morphophysiological traits of A. barbadensis under four irrigation regimes [25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of water requirement (WR)]. Three harvests were conducted, revealing that inoculation enhanced the survival rate and shoot fresh weight (SFW) compared to the control plants. However, at 25% WR, the SFW was reduced by 43% more than the control. across all harvests, while the PGPR + MF treatment showed increases of more than 19%, 11%, and 17% compared to the control, MF, and PGPR treatments, respectively. The results also showed that A. barbadensis exhibited innate drought tolerance up to a 50% WR level by enhancing physiological defenses, such as antioxidant enzyme activity. Inoculation increased the macronutrient status of the plant at all levels of irrigation regimes especially under severe drought conditions. The highest levels of nitrogen (N) (16.24 mg g -1 DW) and phosphorus (P) (11.29 mg g -1 DW) were observed in the PGPR + MF treatment at 100% WR. The maximum relative water content under MF inoculation and 75% WR (98.24%) (98.24%) was reached. PGPR + MF treatment alleviated drought-induced osmotic stress, as indicated by reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and electrolyte leakage. However, P. putida and P. agglomerans strains alone or in combination with F. mosseae increased plant yield, macronutrient uptake and antioxidant enzyme activity. This study underscores the potential of these PGPR and MF strains as invaluable biological tools for the cultivation of A. barbadensis in regions with severe drought stress., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Among the metals contaminants, cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements in cultivated soils, causing loss of yield and productivity in plants. Recently, nanomaterials have been shown to mitigate the negative consequences of environmental stresses in different plants. However, little is known about foliar application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) to alleviate Cd stress in medicinal plants, and their dual interactions on essential oil production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar-applied TiO 2 NPs on growth, Cd uptake, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) contents, total phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and POD) activity and essential oil content of Mentha piperita L. (peppermint) under Cd stress. For this purpose, plants were grown in Cd-contaminated (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg L -1 ) soil, and different concentrations of TiO 2 NPs (0, 75, and 150 mg L -1 ) were foliar sprayed at three times after full establishment until the beginning of flowering. Exposure to TiO 2 NPs significantly (P < 0.01) increased shoot dry weight (37.8%) and the number of lateral branches (59.4%) and decreased Cd uptake in plant tissues as compared to the control. Application of TiO 2 NPs increased the content of plastid pigments, and the ratio Fv/Fm (13.4%) as compared to the control. Additionally, TiO 2 NPs reduced the stress markers, MDA and H 2 O 2 contents and enhanced the activity of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme (60.5%), total phenols (56.1%), anthocyanins (42.6%), flavonoids (25.5%), and essential oil content (52.3%) in Cd-stressed peppermint compared to the control. The results also demonstrated that foliar spray of TiO 2 NPs effectively improved the growth and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and reduced Cd accumulation in peppermint, which was mainly attributed to the reduction of oxidative burst and enhancement of the enzymatic (SOD, CAT, and POD) antioxidant defense system due to the uptake of NPs. The findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanism of TiO 2 NPs on peppermint plants growth, physiology and secondary metabolites production in Cd-contaminated soil., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Lentils are a significant source of plant protein and are cultivated across Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Plants are subjected to various environmental stresses, which can hinder growth, yield, and productivity. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a compound that acts as a precursor in the biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles and can increase plant tolerance to different abiotic stressors. However, the effects of exogenously applied ALA on lentil growth, yield, and physiological parameters under rain-fed and supplemental irrigation conditions are not well-known. In this study, a split plot experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of ALA foliar application and supplemental irrigation on lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). The experiment was designed based on a randomized complete block with three replications. The main plot included four levels of supplemental irrigation [(supplementary irrigation in the flowering and early seed-filling stages, supplementary irrigation in the flowering stage, supplementary irrigation in the early seed-filling along with rain-fed conditions (no irrigation)]. The subplot considered foliar application of ALA at varying levels [(0 (control), 50 and 100 ppm)]. The results showed that water regimes and foliar spray with ALA significantly (P ˂ 0.01) affected plant height, number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of seeds per pod and weight of 1000 seeds, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index. The highest total chlorophyll content was observed in plants that were subjected to supplementary irrigation in flowering and early seed filling stages and foliar sprayed with 100 ppm ALA. The study also found that exogenous ALA improved drought tolerance in lentil plants under rain-fed conditions mainly by regulating antioxidant enzymes, which ultimately protected the cellular membranes against overproduction of H 2 O 2 . Furthermore, ALA application increased total carbohydrate contents at all supplemental irrigation levels, but the rate was higher in complementary irrigation conditions during flowering and early seed-filling stages. Malondialdehyde (MDA), H 2 O 2 , and proline contents were increased in field-grown plants under rain-fed conditions without exogenous ALA application. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the effects of ALA foliar spray and supplemental irrigation on lentil growth, yield, and physiological parameters. The findings suggest that exogenous ALA can improve plant tolerance to various abiotic stressors and enhance plant growth, yield, and physiological parameters., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Elicitors, irrigation regimes and harvest times influence the content, yield and compound of the essential oil (EO) in Salvia officinalis (sage), through changes in biomass dynamics and biosynthetic pathways. A two-year field experiment was conducted to determine if foliar application of putrescine under optimum and deficit stress conditions would favorably affect EO yield, content and profile of sage harvested in spring and summer. The response of dry weight, EO yield and content, myrcene and borneol concentrations to irrigation regime and putrescine concentration can be expressed by a quadratic model. The maximum dry weight (182.63 g m -2 ) and EO yield (1.68 g m -2 ) were predicted under irrigation regimes of 9.06% and 27.75% available soil water depletion (ASWD), respectively. The highest EO content (1.05%) was predicted under 3.04 mM of putrescine. Based on results obtained from GC/MS analyses, 25 compounds (mostly monoterpenes) were identified in the EO of sage. Among EO compounds, α-thujone (54.08%), 1, 8-cineole (17.87%), pinocarvone (14.30%), β-thujone (7.97%) and camphor (8.76%) in turn were the most abundant. The concentration of myrcene was higher in spring than summer under the irrigation regimes of 60% and 80% ASWD. The myrcene concentration reached its maximum (4.53%) under the irrigation regime of 86.5% ASWD. The irrigation regimes of 48.03% and 45.6% ASWD caused the highest borneol concentrations of 1.47% and 1.41% by application of 1.5 mM and 2.25 mM putrescine, respectively. All treatments tested on sage, particularly harvest time, can play an important role in the improvement of EO quality and quantity. Averaged over both years, the irrigation regime of nearly 30% ASWD resulted in the highest EO yield harvested with greater quantity and better quality in summer. The EO content and quality changed slightly with the application of putrescine, without significant effect on yield., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 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.)

There has been an increase in the prevalence of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) causing significant economic impact on the health care system. Although toxigenic C. diff carriage is recognized in infancy, there is limited data regarding its longitudinal trends, associated epidemiolocal risk factors and intestinal microbiome characteristics. The objectives of our longitudinal cohort study were to investigate temporal changes in the prevalence of toxigenic C.diff colonization in children up to 2 years, associated epidemiological and intestinal microbiome characteristics. Pregnant mothers were enrolled prenatally, and serial stool samples were collected from their children for 2 years. 2608 serial stool samples were collected from 817 children. 411/817 (50%) were males, and 738/817 (90%) were born full term. Toxigenic C.diff was detected in 7/569 (1%) of meconium samples, 116/624 (19%) of 2 m (month), 221/606 (37%) of 6 m, 227/574 (40%) of 12 m and 18/235 (8%) of 24 m samples. Infants receiving any breast milk at 6 m were less likely to be carriers at 2 m, 6 m and 12 m than those not receiving it. ( p  = 0.002 at 2 m, p  < 0.0001 at 6 m, p  = 0.022 at 12 m). There were no robust differences in the underlying alpha or beta diversity between those with and without toxigenic C. diff carriage at any timepoint, although small differences in the relative abundance of certain taxa were found. In this largest longitudinal cohort study to date, a high prevalence of toxigenic C. diff carrier state was noted. Toxigenic C. diff carrier state in children is most likely a transient component of the dynamic infant microbiome.

Soil moisture and nitrogen (N) are two of the most important factors affecting the production of medicinal plants. So, the management strategy of these factors is critical and to be identified. In order to study the application of zeolite (Z) (0 and 10 ton ha -1 ) in S. officinalis culture medium under different irrigation regimes (30 % depletion of available soil water (ASW)) and 60 % depletion of ASW) and N (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha -1 ) a split-factorial experiment was carried out with three replicates in 2018. The highest fresh and dry weight were achieved at irrigation after 30 % depletion of ASW while using 150 kg N ha -1 and 10 ton Z ha -1 . Maximum water use efficiency (WUE) (22.10 g.L -1 ) was obtained after 60 % depletion of ASW and 150 kg N ha -1 and 10 ton Z ha -1 . Besides, the maximum nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was obtained after 60 % depletion of ASW and 75 kg N ha -1 and 10 ton Z ha -1 (14.25 kg.kg -1 N). Maximum essential oil (EO) content (1.06%) and cis -Thujone were obtained from plants subjected to 60 % depletion of ASW and, application of 75 kg N ha -1 and 10 ton Z ha -1 . Applying Z with N, in different irrigation regimes did improve soil conditions for achieving higher, WUE and NUE, increased the EO content and yield while decreasing the negative effects from water-deficit stress and has provided a direction towards a stable system., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

A 2-year (2017-2018) field experiment was performed to specify if the foliar application of putrescine (PUT) under optimum and water-deficit stress (WDS) conditions would favorably affect leaf gas exchange, greenness, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, pigments, sodium (Na), potassium (K), as well as yield and content of the essential oil (EO) relationships in Salvia officinalis L. (sage) in spring (cutting 1) and summer (cutting 2). Based on the results analysis of variance, the effects of WDS, PUT, and cutting time were significant for the dry weight, leaf area index (LAI), EO content, EO yield, chlorophyll (Chl) t, carotenoid, Na, and K of sage. According to regression results, the response of EO content, EO yield, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), spad, Chl a, Chl t, K, and K/Na to WDS can be expressed by a quadratic model, indicating that they would attain their maximum in 75.5%, 34.86%, 38.33%, 84.13% 60%, 70%, 50.40%, and 40.28% available soil water depletion (ASWD), respectively. The response of dry weight, LAI, EO content, EO yield, Fv/Fm, spad, ΦpsII, Chl a, Chl b, Chl t, carotenoid, K, and K/Na to PUT can be expressed by a quadratic model, showing that they would attain their most under 0.98, 1.14, 1.34, 1.16, 1.27, 1.18, 1.17, 1.25, 1.17, 1.27, 1.31, 1.21, and 1.19 mM of PUT, respectively. These findings suggest that, probably, the functions and structures of the photosynthetic system were further enhanced with PUT, thereby they can be promoting primary electron transfer in PSII. Also, stomatal and photosynthetic activity improved with increasing K levels with PUT., (© 2022 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Understanding modifiable factors related to breastfeeding initiation and duration is critical to increase breastfeeding rates. Maternal parenting confidence is a modifiable factor whose association with breastfeeding duration has not previously been investigated. In a retrospective cohort of 1023 mother-infant dyads, the association between maternal confidence and breastmilk feeding at 6 and 12 months of age were analyzed. The association of breastmilk frequency categories and maternal confidence score at 6 and 12 months was examined using multinomial logistic regression stratified by race, ethnicity, and adjusted for gestational age. We found that breastmilk feeding frequency at 6 months was negatively associated with the maternal confidence score. After stratification by ethnicity, the association was no longer significant. There was no association between human milk feeding frequency at 12 months and maternal confidence score at 12 months. Our results demonstrate the need for additional research to identify modifiable factors to increase breastfeeding rates., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Background: Water-deficit stress is known as one of the most severe environmental stresses affecting the growth of plants through marked reduction of water uptake, which leads to osmotic stress by lowering water potential. Adopting appropriate varieties using soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi, can significantly reduce the adverse effects of water deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Funneliformis mosseae on nutrient uptake and certain physiological traits of two chamomile varieties, namely Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksári (Sor) under osmotic stress. For pot culture, a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three factors: osmotic stress (PEG 6000) was applied along with Hoagland solution at three levels (0, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa), two German chamomile varieties (Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksari (Sor)), and AM inoculation (Funneliformis mosseae species (fungal and non-fungal)) at four replications in perlite substrate., Results: Osmotic stress significantly reduced the uptake of macro-nutrients (N and P) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in the shoots and roots. Moreover, the level of osmolytes (total soluble sugars and proline) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the shoots of both varieties increased under osmotic stress. Regarding the Sor variety, the level of these compounds was more satisfactory. AM improved plant nutrition uptake and osmolyte contents while enhancing antioxidant enzymes and reducing the adverse effects of osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, the growth and total dry weight were improved upon AM inoculation., Conclusions: In general, inoculation of chamomile with AM balanced the uptake of nutrients and increased the level of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes; hence, it improved plant characteristics under osmotic stress in both varieties. However, it was found to be more effective in reducing stress damages in the Sor variety., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Water stress is the major factor limiting plant productivity and quality in most regions of the world. In the present study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of putrescine (Put) on phytochemical, physiological, and growth parameters of Salvia officinalis L. under different irrigation regimes. The highest stem dry weight (56.05 and 65.21 g m -2 ) plus leaf dry weight (124.51 g m -2 ) were predicted in irrigation regimes of (20 and 40%) plus 20% available soil water was depleted (ASWD), respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) was increased significantly under the irrigation regime of 80% with the application of distilled water in spring. TPC showed an increasing trend with increases in Put concentration under all irrigation regimes in both spring and summer. The highest total flavonoids content (TFC) in wavelengths of 415 and 367 nm were predicted in 2.25 mM Put. The highest ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (0.13 μmol mg -1 protein) was predicted in the irrigation regime of 20% with the application of distilled water in spring and summer. There was a significantly negative correlation coefficient between APX, TPC, and TFC. Indeed, there was a decreasing trend in APX and an increasing trend in TPC and TFC with increases in Put concentration under the irrigation regime of 20% ASWD. The highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA) values were obtained under irrigation regimes of 49.27% and 20% ASWD in spring and summer, respectively. There was an increasing trend in endogenous Put with increases in the Put concentration. The responses of compatible osmolytes to irrigation regime can be expressed by quadratic model, suggesting maximum proline (0.52 mg g -1 ), total reducing sugars (TRS) (0.37 mg g -1 ), xylose (0.68 mg g -1 ), and mannose (0.37 mg g -1 ) values would be obtained in irrigation regimes of 68.33%, 48.33%, 53.75%, and 56.25% ASWD, respectively., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Author(s).)

Strigolactones (SLs) have been implicated in many plant biological and physiological processes, including the responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, in concert with other phytohormones. While it is now clear that exogenous SLs may help plants to survive in harsh environmental condition, the best, most effective protocols for treatment have not been defined yet, and the mechanisms of action are far from being fully understood. In the set of experiments reported here, we contrasted two application methods for treatment with a synthetic analog of SL, GR24. A number of morphometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured following foliar application of GR24 or application in the residual irrigation water in winter wheat plants under irrigated and drought stress conditions. Depending on the concentration and the method of GR24 application, differentiated photosynthesis and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in drought conditions were observed. We present evidence that different methods of GR24 application led to increased photosynthesis and yield under stress by a combination of drought tolerance and escape factors, which should be considered for future research exploring the potential of this new family of bioactive molecules for practical applications.

Poor physicochemical characteristics and high heavy metals content are main limitations of applying sludge-based biochars in remediation studies. The present study attempts to combine two practical approaches of ultrasound pre-treatment with low-time and low-frequency and chemical functionalization using citric acid. The aims of this study are enhancement physicochemical characteristics and environmental applicability of sludge-derived biochar. The characteristics of obtained ultrasound-treated functionalized biochar (UFB), sludge-derived biochar (SDB) and sewage sludge (SS) were evaluated. Then, the effects of these additives on soil heavy metals availability, soil enzyme activities and soil physicochemical characteristics were investigated during a 2-month stabilization process. The results indicated that ultrasound pre-treatment and functionalization considerably increased pore volume, surface area, and surface functional groups of the biochar, but significantly decreased total heavy metals concentration and metals ecological risk index (Er). The results of soil amending showed that application of UFB decreased Pb, Zn and Cd availability in soil by 85.3, 82.9 and 30.6%, respectively. In all cases, except for Cd, the Pb and Zn availability decreased by UFB was two times greater than the availability decreased by SDB and SS. Compared to SDB, the UFB potentially enhanced the positive effect of additive on soil enzyme activities. The obtained results revealed that the feasible, uncomplicated physical and chemical techniques can be used as a valuable approach for enhancing the environmental applicability of sludge-derived biochar and management of the excessively produced sewage sludge in the world., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The all authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Salinity stress is one of the main limiting factors of medicinal plant growth and may affect their characteristics and chemical composition. In order to evaluate the response of different species of Iranian mint to salinity stress, an experiment was designed in greenhouse conditions. In this experiment, six Iranian mint species were cultivated in pots under different salinity stress including 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 dS/m. The chlorophyll indices (a, b, total, and a/b ratio), carotenoids, total anthocyanin, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, dry matter yield, and essential oil content were measured in two different harvest stages. Salinity stress affected various measured traits. The results showed that despite the negative effect of salinity stress on photosynthetic pigments, in some ecotypes and species, photosynthetic pigments were not affected by salinity stress. The amount of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total anthocyanin increased in response to salinity stress. The dry matter decreased under salinity stress, but the content of essential oil increased as a result of salinity stress increment. The results of PCA biplot showed that the E16 and E18 ecotypes were separated by a large distance. Among the various ecotypes, E18 had the most desirable traits which can be recognized as a salt-tolerant ecotype. Also, piperita species was the best among the species in all salinity stress levels., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2021 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The genus Stachys is a member of the Lamiaceae family. These are important medicinal plants which grow all over the world and are known for their flavoring and therapeutic effects and Stachys lavandulifolia is an endemic species of Iran. To acquire high-quality essential oil (EO), drying technique was implemented which is an essential part of this process. The present study designed to evaluate the influences of different drying techniques (fresh sample, shade, sunlight, freeze-drying, microwave, and oven-drying (40, 60, and 80°C) on EO yield and composition of S. lavandulifolia . The results indicated that the maximum EO yield was obtained by the shade-drying method. The main compounds found in the fresh samples were spathulenol, myrcene, β-pinene, δ-cadinene, and α-muurolol, while spathulenol, cyrene, δ-cadinene, p-cymene, decane, α-terpinene, β-pinene, and intermedeol were found to be the dominant compounds in the dry samples. Drying techniques were found to have a significant impact on the values of the main compositions, for example, monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, and β-phellandrene were significantly reduced by microwave drying, oven-drying (40, 60, and 80°C), and sunlight-drying methods. Drying techniques increased the antioxidant activity of S. lavandulifolia EOs especially those acquired by freeze-drying with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values 101.8 ± 0.8 mg/ml in DPPH assay and 315.2 ± 2.1 mg/ml in decreasing power assay. As a result, shade-, sun-, and oven-drying (40°C) were found to be the most important techniques for attaining maximum yields of EO., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Salinity is a major environmental stress that limits crop production worldwide. It is well-understood that environmental adaptations, physiological and biochemical traits adjust salinity tolerance in plants, but imparting the knowledge gained towards crop improvement remain arduous. Utilizing the potentially of beneficial microorganisms present in the rhizosphere is an alternative strategy to improve crop production under optimal or stress conditions. The current study aims at examining the ability of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in improving coriander growth under salt stress condition. Coriander seeds were inoculated via dual culture of Azospirillum brasiliense and Azotobacter chroococcum , and therefore subjected to four levels of salt stress (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl) with three replications in a research greenhouse. Seventy-five days after sowing, when leaves fully developed, leaf samples were collected and the traits were measured. The results indicated that the dual inoculation improved chlorophyll a and b content, in comparison to the un-inoculated plants. The dual inoculation increased grain yield, stem fresh and dry weights by 11.6, 11.3 and 17.2%, respectively; it also enhanced total plant fresh and dry weights by 6.1 and 10.2%, respectively, as compared to control. As a result, the dual inoculation significantly improved catalase (CAT), but decreased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enzymes activities, as compared to control plants. Salt stress significantly increased (CAT) activity in the leaves, whereas it resulted in significant reduction in (APX) and (GPX) activity, especially in inoculated plants. Furthermore, dual inoculation decreased Na and subsequently increased K concentration in coriander leaves comparing with untreated plants. Overall, these results indicate that the PGPRs has improved coriander growth under control as well as salt stress conditions. Thus, PGPR can could significantly contribute to solve the coriander plant production problems caused by high salinity., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Cesarean section (CS) is recognized as being a shared environmental risk factor associated with chronic immune disease. A study of maternal gene expression changes between different delivery modes can add to our understanding of how CS contributes to disease patterns later in life. We evaluated the association of delivery mode with postpartum gene expression using a cross-sectional study of 324 mothers who delivered full-term (≥ 37 weeks) singletons. Of these, 181 mothers had a vaginal delivery and 143 had a CS delivery (60 with and 83 without labor). Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) were upregulated in vaginal delivery compared to CS with or without labor. Peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3), a gene in the antimicrobial peptide pathway and known to be involved in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, showed a twofold increase in vaginal delivery compared to CS with or without labor (adjusted p-value 1.57 × 10 -11 and 3.70 × 10 -13 , respectively). This study evaluates differences in gene expression by delivery mode and provides evidence of antimicrobial peptide upregulation in vaginal delivery compared to CS with or without labor. Further exploration is needed to determine if AMP upregulation provides protection against CS-associated diseases later in life.

Heracleum persicum , commonly named Persian hogweed, is a principal native medicinal plant in Iran. Collecting H. persicum at the most appropriate growing stage is the key factor to achieve the high phytochemical quality to meet consumer's needs. In the present experiment, the aerial parts of this plant were harvested at up to six different developmental stages during the growing season to determine the phytochemical profiles. Our results indicated that the highest essential oil content was obtained in the mid-mature seed stage (3.5%). The most elevated extract content was recorded in the floral budding stage (10.4%). In the vegetative stage, limonene (18.1%), in floral budding stage, caryophyllene (14.1%), anethole (14.6%), and β-bisabolene (12.7%), in the full flowering stage, myristicin (15.0%), and hexyl butyrate (9.1%), in the early development of seeds stage, hexyl butyrate (32.1%), and octyl acetate (11.7%), in the mid-mature seeds stage hexyl butyrate (38.8%), octyl acetate (14.5%), in the late-mature/ripe seeds stage, hexyl butyrate (23.6%), and octyl acetate (10.5%) are recorded as the main components. The highest phenolic acids content was obtained in the floral budding stage (287.40 mg/g dried extract). The analysis of phenolic acids demonstrated cinnamic acid (8.0-225.3 mg/g extract), p-coumaric acid (1.7-39.2 mg/g extract), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.8-16.8 mg/g extract), and ferulic acid (2.4-15.8 mg/g extract) as the main phenolic acids. Cinnamic acid was found as the major phenolic compound in the vegetative stage following by floral budding, the full flowering stage, the early development of seeds, and late-mature/ripe seeds stages. P-coumaric acid was the most abundant phenolic compounds in the mid-mature seeds stage. In this regard, the harvest time of H. persicum aerial parts can be selected to achieve the highest secondary metabolites of interest. The results of this study can be used as a guideline for grower to obtain the highest possible amount of desirable metabolites, beneficial in both food and pharmaceutical industries as well as their undeniable economical benefits., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest., (© 2020 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In order to investigate the decrease in total metal contents and to mitigate the availability and toxicity of metals from farmland near a lead mining area, a combination of two effective soil washing and eco-friendly stabilization technologies was applied in current research. The pre-treatment was performed with three types of agents including Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), and mixture of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and citric acid (HA)) and the post-treatment stabilization was adopted using four rich-carbon organic waste amendments (cow manure compost (CMC), vermicompost (VC), urban sewage sludge (SS), and sludge-derived biochar (BIO)). Furthermore, the fate of residual metals (leachability, plant-availability, bioaccessibility, and chemical distribution), soil quality indicators (phytotoxicity and enzyme activities), and some soil physicochemical properties were examined before and after the two-steps remediation. The soil washing, especially using HA and CA agents, dramatically increased the labile metals and negatively changed the soil microbial activity. The two-month stabilization with SS, BIO, and VC resulted in a significant control of the leachability and plant-availability of residual Zn and Pb. However, the post-treatment was only slightly immobilized of Cd. The amendments affected the restoration of soil pH and organic carbon as well as the improvement of available nutrients. Compared to the other amendments that caused restrictions, the SS significantly restored the enzyme activities. With the exception of CMC, the SS, VC, and BIO, indicated higher germination rate and growth of wheat were also obtained. This study reveal the ability of the complementary role of stabilization with soil washing to reduce metal toxicity and confirm the usefulness of municipal and animal wastes in enhancing soil and environmental qualities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The all authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

1. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of ajwain ( Trachyspermum ammi ) and dill ( Anethum graveolens ) essential oils (AEO and DEO, respectively), probiotic (PRO) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on the growth performance, serum metabolites, meat quality, intestinal morphology and microbial populations of Japanese quail.2. A total of 375 one-day-old Japanese quail were randomly allocated into five treatment groups with five replicates of 15 birds each for a 42 d feeding experiment. The dietary treatments were a basal diet (control) or the same diet supplemented with PRO (0.15 g/kg feed), MOS (2 g/kg feed), AEO (0.25 g/kg feed) or DEO (0.25 g/kg feed).3. AEO, MOS, and PRO supplementation increased weight gain, while diets supplemented with AEO decreased feed intake (FI), and improved feed conversion ratio from d 1 to 21 (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the gizzard was higher in birds supplemented with AEO compared to control group, while the birds fed MOS diet had the longest intestine (P < 0.05). Ceca length was greater in control, MOS and PRO groups (P < 0.05). Both essential oils decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of breast meat and percentage of cooking loss in quail (P < 0.05). The villus length (VL) was greater in birds fed diet supplemented with MOS, AEO, and DEO (P < 0.05).The population of E.coli decreased in Japanese quail fed MOS, while Lactobacilli spp . count was increased in the MOS group (P < 0.05).4. In conclusion, AEO, MOS, and PRO supplementation exhibited a positive effect on growth performance, while lipid peroxidation of the meat decreased in birds fed AEO and DEO diets. The intestinal morphometric indices increased in quail fed the AEO, MOS, and DEO diets. Supplementation with MOS modulated intestinal microbial populations of the Japanese quail.

Background/Objective: Understanding the influence of genetically determined ancestry may give insight into the disparities of obesity seen in different ethnic groups beginning at a very early age. Aim: To investigate the relationship between children's ancestral genetic proportions and excess weight at 12 months of age. Methods: Eight hundred twenty-one 12-month-old children were included in this cross-sectional study. Their genetic admixture was estimated using the ancestry and kinship tool kit by projecting the samples into the 1000 Genomes principal component database. Weight-for-length percentile (WFLP) at 12 months of age was categorized as <95th percentile or ≥95th percentile. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of admixture proportions, including European (EUR), admixed American (AMR), African (AFR), South Asian (SAS), and East Asian (EAS) populations, with WFLP categories, adjusting for maternal education, birth weight, frequency of breastfeeding, and juice consumption. Results: Eight hundred twenty-one children were included; WFLP <95th percentile = 671 (81.7%) and WFLP ≥95th percentile = 150 (18.3%). Crude ORs showed that the EUR admixture was protective [OR 0.45 (95% CI 0.27-0.74)], whereas AMR [OR 3.85 (95% CI 1.92-7.70)] and AFR [OR 5.70 (95% CI 2.19-14.85)] admixtures were positively associated with excess weight. After adjusting for confounding variables, only the AFR admixture was associated with WFLP ≥95th percentile [OR 7.38 (95% CI 2.31-23.59)]. Conclusions: AFRs remain associated with early excess weight after accounting for confounding variables, suggesting that this ancestral genetic background may contribute to the differences seen in early childhood obesity.

The high demands for the consumption of edible oils have caused scientists to struggle in assessing wild plants as a new source of seed oils. Therefore, in this study, the oil yield, fatty acid and tocopherol compositions, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the oils obtained from Iran's two endemic plants ( Pyrus glabra and Pyrus syriaca ) were investigated. The obtained oil yields from the P. glabra and P . syriaca seeds were 33 ± 0.51 and 26 ± 0.28 w/w%, respectively. Oleic acid (C18:1) with the amount of 49.51 ± 1.05% was the major fatty acid in the P. glabra oil, while the main fatty acids in the P. syriaca seed oil belonged to linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1) with the amounts of 46.99 ± 0.37 and 41.43 ± 0.23%, respectively. The analysis of tocopherols was done by HPLC, and the results indicated that the P. glabra and P. syriaca seed oils were rich in α-tocopherol (69.80 ± 1.91 and 45.50 ± 1.86 mg/100 g oil, respectively), constituting 86.24 and 89.01% of total detected tocopherols, respectively. The study on the reducing capacity of the oils indicated that the P . glabra oil had more reducing capacity than the P. syriaca oil. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the P. glabra seed oil (43.4 ± 0.7 µg/ml) was higher than the P. syriaca seed oil (46.3 ± 1.2 µg/ml). Also, the investigation of the antibacterial activities indicated that the P. glabra and P. syriaca oils have an inhibitory effect on the studied bacteria. The results indicate that the oils of these plants can be appropriate sources of plant oils which can act as natural antibacterial agents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest., (© 2019 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Due to the increase of microbial resistance to antibiotics and the occurrence of side effects, use of medicinal plants with anti-microbial properties seems to be rational. Hence, in this study, some plants of the Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Cucurbitaceae families were evaluated for antimicrobial effects. The aerial parts of the plants were extracted by different solvents using a Soxhlet apparatus. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of the extracts on different microbial species was assessed. Extracts with high growth inhibitory effect were fractionated and their MIC was determined. Furthermore, primary phytochemical and GC-MS analysis were used to identify the chemical compounds of potent samples of n-hexane extracts of Eryngium caerulum ( E. caeruleum ) and Eryngium thyrsoideum ( E. thyrsoideum .) Both plants showed considerable antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis among the fractions, 40% and 60% VLC fractions of n-hex extract of E. caeruleum and 40% VLC fraction of n-hexane extract of E. thyrsoideum illustrated the most growth inhibitory effect. Moreover, the results of preliminary phytochemical and GC-MS analysis confirmed that steroids, fatty acids and terpenoids play an important role to show anti-microbial activity, respectively. Among all samples, the 40% VLC fraction of n-hexane extract of E. thyrsoideum for possessing high amounts of fatty acids and terpenoids indicated the most anti-microbial potency.

Background: Hispanic children are disproportionately affected by obesity, with this disparity starting at a young age, and there is a paucity of data comparing factors associated with excess weight in the first year of life in Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic populations., Methods: Excess weight was defined as weight-for-length ≥95th percentile. The associations of potential risk factors were compared by ethnicity stratification., Results: Of the 1009 children, 302 (30.0%) were Hispanic and 707 (70.0%) were non-Hispanic White. The rate of excess weight was 30.1% and 13.6% among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White children, respectively. Factors associated with excess weight for non-Hispanic White children were higher than recommended weight gain during pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) 1.8 (1.2-3.1)), higher paternal body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.1 (1.02-1.15)), higher birth weight (OR 1.001 (1.001-1.002)), and lower breast milk feedings at 6 months (OR 0.98 (0.96-0.98)). Factors associated with excess weight for Hispanic children were lower maternal education (OR 2.37 (1.1-4.5)) and lower breast milk feedings at 6 months (OR 0.98 (0.96-0.99))., Conclusion: There are differential risk factors associated with excess weight at 12 months between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White children. Identification of differential factors in different ethnicities may allow for more targeted anticipatory guidance reduce obesity in at-risk populations.

Concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) were investigated in indoor air quality of 50 beauty salons in Ardabil, Iran (2017). Ten liters of air samples were collected from each salons regarding the recommended method and analyzed by GC-FID for BTEX concentration. Also, structural and operational conditions of the salons were studied with a self-designed questioner. The results of this study show that the mean concentration of benzene (32.40 ± 26.38) higher than the recommended levels by Health Canada, ANSES and HKSAR. Among the BTEX, ethylbenzene (62.38 ± 32.37) has the most concentrations in the salons. Subsequently, the cancer risk values in different age groups of birth to <6, 6 to <21, and 21 to <81 for benzene (1.83 × 10 -3 , 2.76 × 10 -4 and 1.50 × 10 -4 , respectively) and ethylbenzene (4.9 × 10 -4 , 7.30 × 10 -5 and 3.52 × 10 -5 , respectively) for long time exposure were drastically higher than the recommended levels. The results showed that the benzene concentration is significantly influenced by the structural and operational conditions of type of ventilation system, area of the salons, the number of people in the salon, number of services in the salons, and while doing of bridal makeup., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cephalexin is extensively used as an antibiotic for treatment a number of bacterial infections. The data of possible adsorption mechanism and isotherm of Cephalexin on the synthesized adsorbent are depicted in this data article. The data obtained showed that the adsorption trend follows the pseudo-second order kinetic model and that the Langmuir isotherm was suitable for correlation of equilibrium data with the maximum adsorption capacity of 48.78 mg/g. Considering the findings data, powdered activated carbon derived from pomegranate peel as available and a cheap adsorbent, could be considered as promising adsorbent for Cephalexin and probably similar organic pollutants removal from aqueous solutions.

Objective: To examine genomic, social, and clinical risk factors of ≥85 weight for length percentile (WFLP) at 12 months., Study Design: Children in this study had whole-genome sequencing, and clinical and social data were collected. WFLPs at 12 months of age were grouped as follows: (1) <85th, (2) ≥85th to <95th, (3) ≥95th to <99th, and (4) ≥99th. Whole-genome sequencing data were used to analyze rare and common variants, and association of clinical and social factors was examined., Results: A total of 690 children were included; WFLPs were 422 (61.2%) <85th, 112 (16.2%) ≥85th-<95th, 89 (12.9%) ≥95th-<99th, and 67 (9.7%) ≥99th. Family-related risk factors associated with greater WFLP were greater paternal body mass index, WFLP ≥99th OR 1.10 (1.03-1.16), and greater than recommended weight gain in pregnancy, WFLP ≥85th-<95th OR 1.90 (1.09-3.26). More breast milk at 6 months was protective factor: WFLP ≥85th-<95th, OR 0.98 (0.97-0.99), WFLP ≥95th-<99th OR 0.98 (0.97-0.99), and WFLP ≥99th OR 0.98 (0.96-0.99). Although none of the variants reached genome-wide significance, there was a trend toward increased prevalence of genetic variants within or near genes previously associated with obesity in children with WFLP ≥99th., Conclusion: This cross-sectional study identified several modifiable factors, including increased weight gain in pregnancy and decreased breast milk at 6 months, associated with greater WFLP at 12 months. Strong genetic factors were not identified., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector borne diseases in the world, transmitted by sand flies. Despite efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, cases continue worldwide. In Iran, the disease usually occurs in children under 10 years. In the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate is 95-100%. The main objective of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of visceral leishmaniasis as well as its correlation with climatic factors for determining high-risk areas in an endemic focus in northwestern Iran., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on VL cases were collected from local health centers in Ardabil Province, Iran during 2001-2015 to establish a geodatabase using ArcGIS10.3. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS23 and ArcMap Spatial Analyst. MaxEnt model was used to determine ecologically suitable nichesfor the disease., Results: Two hotspots were found in Meshkinshahr and Germi counties with 59% and 23% of total cases, respectively. There was an increase in the incidence rate of VL in Ardabil County from 2.9 in 2009 to 9.2/100,000 population in 2015. There was no spatial autocorrelation between county and total number of cases (P> 0.05). Higher NDVI, lower altitude and southern aspects had positive effects on the presence probability of VL., Conclusion: The number of cases of this disease have been rising since 2013 and doubled in 2015. According to the derived distribution maps, the disease is spreading to new locations such as Ardabil and Namin counties.

Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None.

Children are the vulnerable group at risk of adverse health effects related to air pollution due to dust storm in Ahvaz. The purpose of this study was to compare the values of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and lung functions as parameters of adverse health effects of particulate matter (PM) in dusty and normal (non-dusty) days in elementary schoolchildren. The study was conducted among elementary school students in Ahvaz. The healthy elementary schoolchildren (N = 105) were selected from different districts for FENO and lung function sampling during the dusty and normal days. The values of PM 10 and PM 2.5 during dusty days were higher than during normal days. Mean values of FENO during the normal and dusty days were 14.23 and 20.3 ppb, respectively, and the difference between these values was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lung function results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean values of forced vital capacity during the dusty and normal days (p < 0.05). The results revealed a significant difference both in the values of inflammatory biomarker and in the lung function tests in dusty and normal days. Based on our results, fractional exhaled nitric oxide could be a useful short-term biomarker of particulate pollution effect coupled with spirometry.

Aim: We compared the effectiveness of a combined treatment involving cervical pessary plus vaginal progesterone to vaginal progesterone alone in decreasing the rate of preterm birth in women with short cervix in the second gestational trimester., Methods: This prospective, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 144 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who had a cervical length ≤ 25 mm, at 18-22 gestational weeks (GW). Seventy-three patients were assigned to receive 400 mg of daily vaginal progesterone (group A), and 73 to receive cervical pessary plus 400 mg of daily vaginal progesterone (group B), until the 37th GW. The patients were then followed until delivery., Results: The rates of preterm birth were 16.4% in group A and 19.7% in group B, which were not statistically different (P = 0.6). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of preterm birth at <37, <34, <32, and ≤26 GW between participants randomized to each group (P = 0.55). The rates of low-birthweight delivery were 17.8% in group A, and 23.9% in group B, which were not statistically different (P = 0.36). The rates of premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, the requirement for neonatal intensive care unit admission, and fetal and neonatal deaths were similar between the two groups., Conclusion: In pregnancies with short cervix at mid-pregnancy, combination therapy of cervical pessary plus daily vaginal progesterone does not have any additional benefit over daily vaginal progesterone alone in reducing the rate of preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes., (© 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Aloe vera L. is one of the most important medicinal plants in the world. In order to determine the effects of light intensity and water deficit stress on chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and pigments of A. vera, a split-plot in time experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a research greenhouse. The factorial combination of three light intensities (50, 75 and 100% of sunlight) and four irrigation regimes (irrigation after depleting 20, 40, 60 and 80% of soil water content) were considered as main factors. Sampling time was considered as sub factor. The first, second and third samplings were performed 90, 180 and 270 days after imposing the treatments, respectively. The results demonstrated that the highest light intensity and the severe water stress decreased maximum fluorescence (Fm), variable fluorescence (Fv)/Fm, quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ФPSII), Chl and photochemical quenching (qP) but increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), minimum fluorescence (F0) and Anthocyanin (Anth). Additionally, the highest Fm, Fv/Fm, ФPSII and qP and the lowest NPQ and F0 were observed when 50% of sunlight was blocked and irrigation was done after 40% soil water depletion. Irradiance of full sunlight and water deficit stress let to the photoinhibition of photosynthesis, as indicated by a reduced quantum yield of PSII, ФPSII, and qP, as well as higher NPQ. Thus, chlorophyll florescence measurements provide valuable physiological data. Close to half of total solar radiation and irrigation after depleting 40% of soil water content were selected as the most efficient treatments., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Childhood obesity studies rely on parentally reported anthropometrics. However, the accuracy of such data has not been evaluated for 12-month-old children. Moreover, methods to improve the accuracy of reported data have not been assessed in prior studies., Methods: A total of 185 children enrolled in a northern Virginia childhood longitudinal cohort genomic study had parentally completed surveys at 12 months. Measured weights and lengths were recorded for the same children from their 12-month paediatrician visit. Weight for length percentiles were calculated using World Health Organization gender-specific growth charts. The agreement between reported and measured values was examined using Pearson's correlation, paired t-test and κ statistics. The interquartile outlier rule was used to detect and remove outliers., Results: Parentally reported weight was strongly associated with measured weight at 12 months (r=0.90). There was only a moderate correlation between parentally reported and measured lengths (r=0.52) and calculated weight for length percentiles (r=0.65). After removing outliers from parentally reported data, there was an increase in correlation between parentally reported and measured data for weight (r=0.93), length (r=0.69) and weight for length percentiles (r=0.76). Outliers removed compared to all children included were more likely to have maternal education less than a bachelor's degree (p=0.007)., Conclusions: After removal of outliers from reported data, there is a strong correlation between calculated reported and measured weight for length percentiles suggesting that this may be an effective method to increase accuracy when conducting large-scale obesity studies in young children where study costs benefit from using parentally reported data., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) concentrations, factors affecting their levels, and the exposure risks related to these compounds were studied in waterpipe (Ghalyun/Hookah) cafés of Ardabil city in Islamic Republic of Iran. 81 waterpipe cafés from different districts of Ardabil city were selected and their ambient air was monitored for BTEX compounds. Air samples were taken from standing breathing zone of employees, ~150 cm above the ground level, and were analyzed using GC-FID. In each case, the types of smoked tobacco (regular, fruit flavored), types of ventilation systems (natural/artificial), and the floor level at which the café was located were investigated. A high mean concentration of 4.96±2.63 mg/m(3) corresponding to long term exposure to benzene-related cancer risk of 4314×10(-6) was estimated. The levels of the remaining compounds were lower than the national guideline limits, but their hazard quotients (HQ) for long term exposure to ethylbenzene (1.15) and xylene (17.32) exceeded the HQ unit value. Total hazard indices (HI) of 63.23 were obtained for non-cancer risks. Type of the smoked tobacco was the most important factor influencing BTEX concentrations in the cafés. BTEX concentrations in indoor ambient air of Ardabil waterpipe cafés were noticeably high, and therefore may pose important risks for human health on both short and long term exposures., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anti-inflammatory effect of natural adjuvants has been reported. Lung inflammation is the most characterized pathological feature in asthma., Objectives: The effects of three natural adjuvants (PC, G2, and G2F registered as a patent in the Iranian Patent Office) on sensitized guinea pigs lungs were examined in the present study., Materials and Methods: LUNG PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES WERE EXAMINED IN CONTROL AND FIVE GROUPS OF RANDOMLY DIVIDED GUINEA PIGS INCLUDING: sensitized animals (S, receiving normal saline, 0.5 ml i.p.); sensitized animals treated with adjuvant PC; G2F (0.1 ml i.p. for both cases); G2 (0.4 ml i.p.); and PC + G2 (receiving both PC and G) adjuvants (twice a week for 4 weeks for all groups). Sensitization of animals was done by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA)., Results: All pathological changes in S group including the eosinophil infiltration (scoring 3.28 ± 0.28), lymphocyte infiltration (2.82 ± 0.26), local epithelial necrosis (2.71 ± 0.47) and mucosal plug (2.75 ± 0.37) were significantly higher than control group (0.64 ± 0.18, 1.36 ± 0.24, 0.36 ± 0.18 and 0.28 ± 0.18 for eosinophil infiltration, lymphocyte infiltration, epithelial necrosis and mucosal plug respectively, P < 0.001 for all cases). Treatment with all adjuvants improved all pathological changes significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001)., Conclusions: These results indicate preventive effects of all natural adjuvants (especially G2) on pathological changes of the lung in sensitized guinea pigs.

Background: Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and long-term morbidity as well as the long-term health consequences and cognitive outcomes., Objective: Present study was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with preterm birth in Ardabil, Iran., Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted between Nov 2010 and July 2011 in all three maternal hospitals in Ardabil. All the live newborns during the study period were investigated. Of 6705 live births during the study period 346 births occurred in <37 weeks were taken as a case and 589 term neonates were taken as a control group. Data were obtained through review of prenatal and hospital delivery records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied to obtain magnitude of association between independent variables and preterm birth., Results: The prevalence rate of preterm birth was 5.1%. History of previous preterm birth (OR=12.7,CI: 3.9-40.4, p<0.001), hypertension (OR=7.3, CI:2.1-25.4, p=0.002), Oligohydramnios (OR=3.9, CI:1.6-9.5, p=0.002), spouse abuse (OR=3.7, CI:1.1-11.8, p=0.024), preeclampsia (OR=3.6, CI:1.3-10.3, p=0.014), premature rupture of membrane (OR=3.1, CI:1.9-4.9, p=0.000), bleeding or spotting during pregnancy (OR=2.0, CI:1.0-3.8, p=0.037), Hyperemesis Gravid arum (OR=2.0, CI: 1.1-3.8, p=0.015), urinary tract infection in 26-30 weeks , (OR=1. 8 CI:1.0-3.2, p=0.04), diastolic blood pressure ≤60 mmg (OR=1.5, CI: 0.99-2.2, p=0.049) were determined as significant risk factors for preterm birth., Conclusion: Early detection and treatment of diseases or disorders among pregnant women especially hypertension, Oligohydramnios, preeclampsia, bleeding or spotting, Hyperemesis Gravid arum, urinary tract infection, and low diastolic blood pressure as well as the improving health care quality delivered to pregnant women may reduce preterm prevalence rate.

Objective: The effects of natural adjuvants were examined on total and differential WBC counts in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs., Materials and Methods: In three sensitized groups of guinea pigs including: untreated sensitized animals (S), sensitized animals treated with adjuvant G2 (S+G2) and G2F (S+G2F) as well as non-sensitized group (C) (n=6 for each group), total and differential WBC counts of lung lavage were examined. Sensitization of animals was achieved by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA)., Results: The results showed increased total WBC, eosinophil, neutrophil, and basophil counts, and decreased lymphocytes in lung lavage of sensitized animals compared with the control group (p<0.01 for all cases). However, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts in lung lavage were decreased in treated groups with either G2 or G2F but total WBC was decreased in lung lavage of treated group with only G2., Conclusion: These results indicate important preventive effects of two natural adjuvants, especially G2, on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs.

Objective: This study investigated the association between alcohol and violence among Argentine youth., Methods: Data from the 2007 Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey of middle school students, were examined using age-adjusted logistic regression models., Results: Of the 1,328 participating students aged 13 to 15 years old, 51.9% reported drinking alcohol in the previous month, with higher rates among males (p=0.04) and older students (p<0.01). Both male and female drinkers were nearly twice as likely as non-drinkers to report being physically attacked, being in a physical fight, and having thoughts about self-directed violence. Among drinkers, those who reported poor mental health, were victims of bullying, used tobacco or drugs, or skipped school without permission were approximately twice as likely as other drinkers to have engaged in violent activities., Conclusion: Public health interventions targeting violence among young adolescents should be developed in combination with alcohol education programs., (Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Two new adjuvants from natural animal lipids (G2) and bacterial polysaccharide extracts (PC) were previously prepared by our group and showed a reduction in tracheal responsiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of recently introduced natural products (G2 and PC) on the development of asthma., Materials and Methods: Asthma was induced using a standard method in four groups of BALB/c mice. A non-sensitized control group was also included in order to be compared with treated groups. Three groups were premedicated with novel agents named G2, PC, and a combination of these two for 20 days before starting the induction of asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and analyzed for inflammatory cells. Interferon-γ, and IL-4 and the histopathological of both lungs were also evaluated., Results: In all pretreated groups, the inflammatory cells infiltration especially eosinophils and smooth muscle hyperplasia decreased significantly. BALF cytology also showed significant decrease in eosinophil count in all pretreated groups. There was a significant increase in the BALF and serum INF-γ in all pretreated groups but the combination of G2/PC was more effective. BALF IL-4 decreased significantly in the group pretreated with a combination of G2 and G2/PC (4.11±0.86 and 4.02±0.52 pg/ml in G2 and G2/PC, respectively). Serum IL-4 in the PC group was significantly higher than the sensitized control., Conclusion: G2 and PC may effectively prevent asthma development by activation of the type 1 T helper system.

Gamma rays pose enough energy to induce chemical changes that may be biologically important for the normal functioning of body cells. The external exposure of human beings to natural environmental gamma radiation normally exceeds that from all man-made sources combined. In this research natural background gamma dose rates and corresponding annual effective doses were determined for selected cities of Ardebil province. Outdoor gamma dose rates were measured using an Ion Chamber Survey Meter in 105 locations in selected districts. Average absorbed doses for Ardebil, Sar-Ein, Germy, Neer, Shourabil Recreational Lake, and Kosar were determined as 265, 219, 344, 233, 352, and 358 nSv/h, respectively. Although dose rates recorded for Germi and Kosar are comparable with some areas with high natural radiation background, however, the dose rates in other districts are well below the levels reported for such locations. Average annual effective dose due to indoor and outdoor gamma radiation for Ardebil province was estimated as 1.73 (1.35-2.39) mSv, which is on average 2 times higher than the world population weighted average.

The versatility and reaction specificity of a novel bioinorganic catalyst is demonstrated in various reactions. Palladized cells (bioPd) of the sulphate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans showed an increased product selectivity and a catalytic activity comparable to a commercial Pd catalyst in several industrially relevant hydrogenations and hydrogenolyses (reductive dehalogenations). The ability of palladized cells to promote the reductive debromination of a polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE #47) is demonstrated, although chemically reduced Pd(II) and commercial Pd(0) were more effective debromination agents. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are being supplanted as flame retardants by other compounds, e.g. tris(chloroisopropyl)phosphate (TCPP), the concentration of which was seen to increase approximately 10-fold in groundwater samples between 2000 and 2004. BioPd dechlorinated TCPP in groundwater samples with >90% recovery of free chloride ion, and was five times more effective than using commercial Pd(0) catalyst. Examination of the spent groundwater using 31P NMR showed a phosphorus species novel to the bioPd-treated solution, which was not evident in a commercial reference sample of TCPP.

Concentrations and chiral signatures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in outdoor air (using polyurethane foam (PUF)--disk passive samplers) and surface soil samples taken at approximately monthly intervals over 1 year at 10 locations on a rural-urban transect across the West Midlands of the U.K. In both air and soil, concentrations clearly decrease with increasing distance from the city center, supporting the existence of an urban "pulse", that indicate the West Midlands conurbation to be a source of PCBs to the wider environment. Concentrations of PCBs in outdoor air samples in this study are well below those reported previously for indoor air in the West Midlands. This, combined with comparison of chiral signatures in outdoor air and soil with those in samples of indoor air taken in the West Midlands, suggest strongly that the principal contemporary source of PCBs in this conurbation is ventilation of indoor air and not volatilization from soil. Future reductions in PCB concentrations in outdoor air and ultimately human exposure appear best achieved by action to remove remaining sources of PCBs from existing structures.

The environmentally prevalent polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) #47 and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) #28 and #118 were challenged for 24 hours with a novel biomass-supported Pd catalyst (Bio-Pd(0)). Analysis of the products via GC-MS revealed the Bio-Pd(0) to cause the challenged compounds to undergo stepwise dehalogenation with preferential loss of the least sterically hindered halogen atom. A mass balance for PCB #28 showed that it is degraded to three dichlorobiphenyls (33.9%), two monochlorobiphenyls (12%), and biphenyl (30.7%). The remaining mass was starting material. In contrast, while PCB #118 underwent degradation to yield five tetra- and five trichlorinated biphenyls, no less chlorinated products or biphenyl were detected, and the total mass of degraded products was 0.3%. Although the Bio-Pd(0) material was developed for treatment of PCBs, a mass balance for PBDE #47 showed that the biocatalyst could prove a potentially useful method for treatment of PBDEs. Specifically, 10% of PBDE #47 was converted to identifiable lower brominated congeners, predominantly the tribrominated PBDE #17 and the dibrominated PBDE #4, 75% remained intact, while 15% of the starting mass was unaccounted for.

PUF disk passive air samplers are increasingly employed for monitoring of POPs in ambient air. In order to utilize them as quantitative sampling devices, a calibration experiment was conducted. Time integrated indoor air concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were obtained from a low volume air sampler operated over a 50 d period alongside the PUF disk samplers in the same office microenvironment. Passive sampling rates for the fully-sheltered sampler design employed in our research were determined for the 51 PCB and 7 PBDE congeners detected in all calibration samples. These values varied from 0.57 to 1.55 m3 d(-1) for individual PCBs and from 1.1 to 1.9 m3 d(-1) for PBDEs. These values are appreciably lower than those reported elsewhere for different PUF disk sampler designs (e.g. partially sheltered) employed under different conditions (e.g. in outdoor air), and derived using different calibration experiment configurations. This suggests that sampling rates derived for a specific sampler configuration deployed under specific environmental conditions, should not be extrapolated to different sampler configurations. Furthermore, our observation of variable congener-specific sampling rates (consistent with other studies), implies that more research is required in order to understand fully the factors that influence sampling rates. Analysis of wipe samples taken from the inside of the sampler housing, revealed evidence that the housing surface scavenges particle bound PBDEs.

Airborne concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were measured in offices, homes, public environments, and cars. Variations in concentrations between different rooms in the same domestic and office buildings, showed some intra-building variability for both compound groups. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed no clear and consistent relationships between log-normalized concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs in homes and offices and factors such as the number of personal computers. This is considered to reflect the complexity of relationships between indoor air contamination and microenvironment characteristics. The influence of personal computers was demonstrated when PBDE concentrations in one office fell appreciably following the exchange of a computer constructed in 1998 for one dating from 2003. Concentrations of PCBs in buildings constructed between 1950 and 1979 were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in those constructed since. When two of the most contaminated cars were omitted as outliers, a significant (p < 0.01) positive linear relationship was detected between PBDE concentrations and vehicle age. Concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were monitored throughout a calendar year in four homes and four offices. Although concentrations in warmer months usually exceeded those in colder months, seasonal variability in indoor contamination appears less significant than observed previously for outdoor air.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in air (using PUF disk passive samplers) in 31 homes, 33 offices, 25 cars, and 3 public microenvironments. Average concentrations of sigmaBDE (273 pg m(-3)) and sigmaPCB (8920 pg m(-3)) were an order of magnitude higher than those previously reported for outdoor air. Cars were the most contaminated microenvironment for sigmaBDE (average = 709 pg m(-3)), but the least for sigmaPCB (average = 1391 pg m(-3)). Comparison with data from a previous spatially consistent study, revealed no significant decline in concentrations of sigmaPCB in indoor air since 1997-98. Concentrations in indoor dust from 8 homes were on average 215.2 ng sigmaBDE g(-1), slightly higher than other European dust samples, but twenty times lower than Canadian samples. Inhalation makes an important contribution (between 4.2 and 63% for adults) to overall UK exposure to sigmaPCB. For sigmaBDE, dust ingestion makes a significant but--in contrast to Canada-a not overwhelming contribution (up to 37% for adults, and 69% for toddlers). Comparison of UK and Canadian estimates of absolute exposure to sigmaBDE suggest that differences in dust contamination are the likely cause of higher PBDE body burdens in North Americans compared to Europeans.