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Pirfenidone (PFD), one acceptable medication for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), is not well tolerated by patients at full doses. Hence, employing of some approaches such as combination therapy may be applicable for increasing therapeutic efficacy of PFD. Losartan (LOS), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, could be a suitable candidate for combination therapy because of its stabilizing effect on the pulmonary function of IPF patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of LOS in combination with PFD on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats. BLM-exposed rats were treated with LOS alone or in combination with PFD. The edema, pathological changes, level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), collagen content, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed in the lung tissues. Following BLM exposure, the inflammatory response, collagen levels, and antioxidant markers in rat lung tissues were significantly improved by PFD, and these effects were improved by combination with LOS. The findings of this in vivo study suggest that the combined administration of PFD and LOS may provide more potent protection against IPF than single therapy through boosting its anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-oxidant effects. These results hold promise in developing a more effective therapeutic strategy for treating of lung fibrosis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Anethum graveolens (AG), commonly known as dill, is a plant from the Apiaceae family that has been traditionally used as a skin softener and purifying agent in Persian medicine. In a previous study conducted on male rats, dill was found to have anti-inflammatory effects. The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of topical application of Anethum graveolens oil on pruritus severity, skin dryness, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis., Methods: In the current clinical trial, the participants were randomly assigned to one of these groups: topical AG preparation, sesame oil, or a control group receiving no treatment. The study was double-blind and placebo-controlled. The topical treatment was applied twice a day for one month to areas of the skin affected by pruritus. The outcome measures included the severity of skin dryness, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Duo's Uremic Pruritus Severity Scale, and the Itchy QoL questionnaire., Results: This study involved 106 hemodialysis patients, and after intervention for one month, the medication group had a significantly lower mean score of sleep quality (3.24 ± 2.41) than the placebo (4.54 ± 3.11) and control (5.05 ± 3.21) groups ( P =0.032). The mean change in pruritus severity was significantly greater in the medication group (-17.28 ± 8.938) than the placebo (-5.91 ± 5.398) and control (-3.43 ± 3.228) groups ( P < 0.001). Moreover, a significant difference was observed in the mean changes in quality of life between the medication, placebo, and control groups, with values of -14.88 ± 7.89, -5.34 ± 4.50, and -1.92 ± 2.86, respectively ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, both the medication and placebo groups showed improvement in skin dryness compared to the control group having the values of -1.65 ± 0.91, -1.11 ± 0.79, and -0.38 ± 0.54, respectively ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Topical Anethum graveolens preparation significantly improved the sleep quality and quality of life and reduced skin pruritus and dryness in hemodialysis patients. It could be considered as a simple therapeutic modality to control pruritus in hemodialysis patients. This trial is registered with IRCT2017022032671N1., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in this study., (Copyright © 2024 Zeinab Shaki et al.)

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) can induce neurotoxicity through different pathways, including oxidative stress and apoptosis. Azithromycin is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties., Objective: To evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of azithromycin in an in vivo model of ACR-induced neurotoxicity, by investigating its impact on oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways., Methods: Male rats were divided into eleven groups at random (n = 6). 1:control (vehicle), 2:ACR (50 mg/kg, 11 days, I.P.), 3-7:ACR+ azithromycin (3.1, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg, 11 days, I.P.), 8-9:ACR+ azithromycin (3.1, 6.25 mg/kg, from day 3-11), 10: ACR+ vitamin E (200 mg/kg, every other day, I.P.), 11. Azithromycin (50 mg/kg). Following the treatment period, a gait score examination was performed, and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio and caspase-3 levels in the cerebral cortex were measured., Results: Gait abnormality, a drop in GSH, and an increase in lipid peroxidation, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and caspase-3 levels were all significantly triggered by ACR in the cerebral cortex versus the control group. Azithromycin 3.1 and 6.25 mg/kg with ACR and azithromycin 6.25 mg/kg with ACR from day 3-11 ameliorated movement disorders caused by ACR. Azithromycin in all doses and both protocols along with ACR decreased the MDA level. Azithromycin (3.1, 6.25 mg/kg) along with ACR in both protocols increased the level of GSH, reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 amounts in the brain tissue versus the ACR group., Conclusions: Administration of azithromycin had both preventive and therapeutic effects on ACR-induced neurotoxicity through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties., 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 © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Olanzapine (OLZ) is used by some patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Some of its side effects include weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Zeaxanthin (Zx), a yellow pigment found in egg yolk as well as some yellow and orange plants and fruits, is an anti-obesity factor that aids in the treatment of metabolic disorders. The effects of Zx on metabolic disorders caused by OLZ were investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=6): 1. control (vehicle); 2. OLZ (5 mg/kg, 14 days, intraperitoneal (i.p.)); 3-5. OLZ + Zx (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg, 14 days, gavage); 6. OLZ+ metformin (100 mg/kg, 14 days, i.p.); and 7. Zx (50 mg/kg, 14 days). Weight changes were checked every 3 days and food intake was monitored every day. Systolic blood pressure, insulin, blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and leptin levels were evaluated on the last day of the study. Results: OLZ caused an increase in weight (84.5% increase on day 15), food intake, blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL, insulin, blood sugar, and leptin compared to the control group (p<0.01 and p<0.001). The use of different doses of Zx (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) and metformin decreased weight (the percentages of weigh reduction on day 15 were 91.92% for Zx (50 mg/kg) and 59.39% for metformin), food intake, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL, insulin, blood sugar, and leptin compared to the OLZ group. The amounts of cholesterol and HDL were not different in different groups. Conclusion: Zx alleviates metabolic abnormalities including hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global industrialization has led to a pressing concern of water pollution from refractory reactive dyes. Among Advanced oxidation processes, the Fenton photocatalyst, particularly cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4), is gaining attention due to its advantages, including stability, visible light utilization, recyclability, cost-effectiveness, and light corrosion resistance. This study investigates the synthesis and application of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CFNs) as a Fenton-like catalyst for degrading Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) dye under UV irradiation. CFNs were characterized using XRD, SEM, and VSM techniques. The photo degradation of RB19 was assessed under various conditions, including catalyst dosage, oxidant amount, RB19 concentration, and pH. The maximum removal efficiency of RB19 was achieved as 97.3% for synthetic wastewater under the optimal conditions of pH 3, CoFe2O4 dosage (1.5 g/L), reaction time = 60 min, and H2O2 (80 mM) in the presence of UV radiation (18 W) at the ambient room temperature of 22 °C. The results revealed that the CFNs exhibited high stability, reusability, and catalytic activity. Moreover, the mineralization studies indicated significant removal rates for both RB19 and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The findings suggest the promising application of CFNs in advanced wastewater treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed lignin-sulfonated (LS) to develop biobased carbon materials (LS-Cs) through a sulfur-doping approach to enhance their physicochemical properties, adsorption capabilities, and energy storage potentials. Various characterization techniques, including BET surface area analysis, SEM imaging, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental composition (CHNS), were employed to assess the quality of the LS-Cs adsorbent and electrode samples. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized for optimizing the two main properties (specific surface area, ABET, and mesopore area, AMESO) by evaluating three independent factors (i.e., activation temperature, ZnCl2:LS ratio, and sulfur content). According to the statistical analysis, ABET and AMESO were affected by ZnCl2 and sulfur content, while the pyrolysis temperature did not affect the responses in the studied conditions. It was found that increasing the ZnCl2 and sulfur contents led to an increment of the ABET and AMESO values. The LS-C materials exhibited very high ABETvalues up to 1993 m2 g−1 and with predominantly mesoporous features. The S-doping resulted in LS-Cs with high sulfur contents in their microstructures up to 15% (wt%). The LS-C materials were tested as adsorbents for sodium diclofenac (DCF) adsorption and reactive orange 16 dye (RO-16) and as electrodes for supercapacitors. The LS-Cs exhibited excellent adsorption capacity values for both molecules (197–372 mg g−1) for DCF, and (223–466 mg g−1) for RO-16. When tested as electrodes for supercapacitors, notably, LS-C3, which is a doped sample with sulfur, exhibited the best electrochemical performance, e.g. high specific capacitance (156 F/g at 50 mV/s), and delivered an excellent capacitance after 1000 cycles (63 F/g at 1 A/g), which denotes the noteworthy capacitive behavior of the S-doped electrode. Thus, the present work suggests an eco-friendly resource for developing effective, productive carbon materials for adsorbent and electrodes for SC application. However, further studies on the complete application of these materials as adsorbents and electrodes are needed for a deeper understanding of their behavior in environmental and energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of LED radiation intensity on the photodeposition of gold nanoparticles onto TiO2 substrates, examining their physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activities. Utilizing a range of radiation intensities and wavelengths, TiO2-Au composites were synthesized and characterized through techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The deposition process, markedly enhanced by shorter wavelengths and higher intensities, efficiently formed gold nanoparticles. This research distinctly highlights observable morphological changes in the nanoparticles; increased radiation intensity not only augmented the size but also altered their shape from spherical to hexagonal. These morphological transformations significantly improve the composites' light absorption and catalytic properties due to the surface plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticles. Photocatalytic assessments, using metronidazole as a model pollutant, demonstrated that composites prepared with higher LED intensities showed significantly enhanced degradation capabilities compared to those synthesized with lower intensities. The findings underscore that manipulating photodeposition parameters can critically influence the structural and functional properties of TiO2-Au composites, potentially advancing their applications in environmental remediation and solar energy utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Moral distress occurs when an individual feels dissatisfaction due to ethical conflicts and an inability to adhere to their moral principles, which can lead to depression and decreased job satisfaction. Measuring moral distress is crucial. Moreover, ensuring the validity and reliability of credible tools for assessing moral distress is essential. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Moral Distress Scale. Materials and Methods: In this scoping study, databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran were systematically searched between 2001 and 2023 using keywords such as "Psychometric," "validity," "reliability," "moral," "distress," "scale," and their Persian independently researchers Four .("روانسنجی," "روایی," "پایایی," "اخالق," "پریشانی," "مقیاس") equivalents assessed the quality of the studies based on the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) checklist and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). Results: Out of 2677 articles (321 Persian articles, 2356 English articles) retrieved, eight articles were ultimately evaluated. The quality of the studies was acceptable. The findings indicated that the number of factors extracted varied across studies, and both the Moral Distress Scale and the Revised Moral Distress Scale demonstrated appropriate validity and reliability. The internal consistency of the studies, as reported by Cronbach's alpha, ranged from 0.385 to 0.97. The lowest total variance of extracted factors was 19.38%, while the highest was 68.99%. Conclusion: There were evident limitations in the application of validation methods in the scales under review, and the Moral Distress Scale has not been widely used across different populations. Hence, the lack of application in various cultural contexts limits confidence in the scale's performance. The use of robust techniques for validation and further investigation of the validity and reliability of the Moral Distress Scale in future studies is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review paper, we present a thorough investigation into the role of pavement technologies in advancing urban sustainability. Our analysis traverses the historical evolution of these technologies, meticulously evaluating their socio-economic and environmental impacts, with a particular emphasis on their role in mitigating the urban heat island effect. The evaluation of pavement types and variables influencing pavement performance to be used in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to choose the optimal pavement application are at the heart of our research. Which serves to assess a spectrum of pavement options, revealing insights into the most effective and sustainable practices. By highlighting both the existing challenges and potential innovative solutions within the field, this paper aims to offer a directional compass for future urban planning and infrastructural advancements. This review not only synthesizes the current state of knowledge but also aims to chart a course for future exploration, emphasizing the critical need for innovative and environmentally sensitive pavement technologies in the creation of resilient and sustainable urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging contaminants such as ceftriaxone are a significant issue in the environment. They have led to a series of ecological, environmental, and health issues, and it is urgent to find a green and secure method to remove antibiotics from water effectively. In this research, the CuCoFe2O4@Gum Arabic (GA)/Activated Carbon (AC) as an innovative bio-based matrix magnetic nanocatalyst was synthesized for the efficient degradation of ceftriaxone from aqueous media. The structure of CuCoFe2O4@GA/AC was characterized via FESEM, EDS, Mapping, XRD, FTIR, VSM, and DRS analyses. The structural analysis of the catalyst revealed its synthesis at the nanometer scale (40–50 nm), exhibiting high magnetic strength (Ms: 5.38 emu/g) and favorable optical properties with a bandgap of 3.6 eV. Under optimized conditions, including a pH of 5, 60 min of irradiation time, 0.24 g/L photocatalyst dose, and ceftriaxone concentration of 5 mg/L, the removal efficiency from synthetic and real samples was 94.43% and 62.5%, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation process of ceftriaxone followed pseudo-first-order and Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic models. Furthermore, analysis of the process mechanism indicated a prominent role of the superoxide radical. The catalyst had a high recovery capability and chemical stability. The photocatalytic degradation of ceftriaxone by CuCoFe2O4@GA/AC showcased remarkable efficiency, indicating its potential utility in the treatment of wastewater contaminated with antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two main types of galenic formulation, immediate release and prolonged release, have been developed to optimize melatonin bioavailability. We recently described the kinetic profile of a prolonged-release form generating a peak of plasma melatonin 1 h (Tmax) after intake, followed by a prolonged decay over time. We have developed a new oral form of melatonin with the aim of producing a melatonin peak several hours after intake. Objective: The objective is to investigate melatonin bioavailability after administration of this new delayed-release form (DR form). Methods: In this single-centre open-label study, 12 healthy male volunteers received one tablet of the DR form containing 1.9 mg melatonin, 10 mg zinc and 200 mg lemon balm extract (Melissa officinalis L aerial parts). Blood samples were collected for 12 h, beginning at 8:00 am. Plasma concentrations of melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), the main hepatic melatonin metabolite, were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: A progressive increase in plasma melatonin concentrations was observed from 20 min and a peak about 3 h after intake (Cmax 740 ± 824 pg/mL; Tmax 179 ± 60 min). Concentrations remained high between 140 and 220 min, the concentration remaining physiologically significant (over 100 pg/mL) up to 7 h after intake. The DR form was well tolerated. Conclusions: The melatonin release profile was consistent with what was anticipated for the DR form. The DR form generated a 2 h delayed Tmax compared with a prolonged-release form previously evaluated. This suggests that the DR form is suitable for the treatment of certain sleep disorders such as short sleep duration or early awakening. Trial Registry: Registration number: NCT05419466. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mothers of neonates admitted to the intensive care unit are prone to sleep disorders due to stress and anxiety. Some herbs have anti-anxiety and sedative properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bitter orange blossom distillate on anxiety and sleep disorders in mothers with infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from 2021 May 15 to 2022 February 2, on 60 mothers with NICU-admitted infants in one of the medical teaching centers affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Permuted block randomization was used to assign the mothers to the experimental (bitter orange blossom distillate syrup) and control groups (syrup prepared from water and sugar). Given the impossibility of blinding the participants, allocation concealment was used to prevent the researcher from predicting the future allocation of the samples to the groups. In addition, the statistical consultant received coded data pertaining to the type of intervention in each group. A demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the General Sleep Disorder Scale were employed to collect data. We assessed the level of anxiety and sleep disorder (in both groups before the intervention and again after the last day of the intervention). Data were analyzed using SPSS V22 software. A P-value less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the sleep disorder score in the intervention group from (50.26±5.81) to (44.70±6.94) and in the control group from (50.46±6.95) to (48.53±8.62) changed. The covariance test showed that bitter orange blossom distillate syrup has a significant effect on the improvement of sleep disorders (P = 0.01, Effect size = 0.09), but there was no significant difference in the State and Trait anxiety level of mothers (P = 0.122, 0.144 and Effect size = 0.04, 0.03) respectively. Conclusions: Due to the positive effect of bitter orange blossom distillate syrup on sleep disorders of mothers with hospitalized babies, this low-cost and low-risk intervention is recommended. Trial registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as Trial ID = IRCT20201209049666N1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the performance of an integrated wastewater treatment system, namely an Electro-Fenton (EF) with Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR), for textile dyeing wastewater. Laboratory-scale feasibility studies on electro-Fenton processes using a novel steel flake used as a catalyst were carried out to investigate the color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by effects of optimum variables such as pH, catalyst dose, and H2O2 dose by varying one variable at a time. A novel steel flakes, which were used as a catalyst in this research, had particle dimensions ranging from 0.25 to 1.75 mm. To characterize the steel flakes, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDAX, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used. Performance of novel electro-Fenton and anaerobic sequencing batch reactor treating textile dyeing wastewater was evaluated. Electro-Fenton with steel flakes catalyst treatment was able to remove 97.5% color and59% COD and the pre-treated effluent was transferred to anerobic sequencing batch reactor biological treatment. The maximum color and COD removal of 100% and 94% respectively in the coupled process. The use of steel flakes catalyst in the combined electro-Fenton with ASBR reaction greatly improves COD removal without formation of sludge. Thus, the developed system is economically feasible and superior to other conventional treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the present study, we investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive behaviors in female rats with a high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes. Methods: Twenty-four female rats were divided into four groups randomly (n = 6): control (C), control + exercise (Co + EX), diabetes mellitus (type 2) (T2D), and diabetes mellitus + exercise (T2D + EX). Diabetes was induced by a two-month high-fat diet and a single dose of STZ (35 mg/kg) in the T2D and T2D + EX groups. The Co + EX and T2D + EX groups performed HIIT for eight weeks (five sessions per week, running on a treadmill at 80–100% of VMax, 4–10 intervals). Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were used for assessing anxiety-like behaviors, and passive avoidance test (PAT) and Morris water maze (MWM) were applied for evaluating learning and memory. The hippocampal levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and Tau were also assessed using Western blot. Results: An increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG), hippocampal level of Tau, and a decrease in the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) as an index of anxiety-like behavior were seen in the female diabetic rats which could be reversed by HIIT. In addition, T2D led to a significant decrease in rearing and grooming in the OFT. No significant difference among groups was seen for the latency time in the PAT and learning and memory in the MWM. Conclusions: HIIT could improve anxiety-like behavior at least in part through changes in hippocampal levels of Tau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess police officers' health beliefs about testicular cancer and their level of knowledge about testicular self-examination (TSE). Materials and Methods: The data for the study were collected from 120 volunteer police officers using a questionnaire asking for their introductory information and the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale on Testicular Cancer and Screening. Results: 84.2% of the participants were married, 14.2% had a family history of cancer, 36.7% had never heard of testicular cancer, 81.7% had never heard of TSE and 87.5% had never performed TSE. The rate of those who do not know how to perform TSE is 80.8%. While 40.8% of police officers said that a palpable mass in the testicle was a sign of testicular cancer, 51.7% said that pain in the testicle, 29.1% swelling in the testicle, 47.5% pain or tenderness in the groin, 23.3% redness in the testicle and 20% weight loss would be signs of testicular cancer. Smokers had higher perceptions of the seriousness, benefits and barriers of TSE (p=0.048, p=0.002, p=0.031, respectively). Those with a family history of cancer and those with testicular problems had higher perceptions of sensitivity (p=0.010, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: It was found that there was a lack of knowledge about testicular cancer and TSE among police officers. It is recommended that health training is planned to provide information and to put the acquired knowledge into practice, and that qualitative public health studies are carried out on larger samples to identify the factors that prevent the implementation of TSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel magnetic biocomposite adsorbent, denoted as AgZnFe2O4@Ch, was utilized for the degradation of Metronidazole (MNZ) from water. Various analytical techniques, including vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), were applied to investigate the characteristics of the magnetic biocomposite adsorbent. XRD examination confirmed the formation of spinel ferrites phases. FESEM assessment indicated a notable reduction in sample aggregation. The ferromagnetic character of the adsorbent was well demonstrated by VSM analysis. The saturation magnetization value for straightforward separating by the outside magnetic fields was 14.64 emu/g. An analytical modeling approach was used to evaluate and analyze the impacts of factors including MNZ initial concentration, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH. Optimized conditions involved an adsorbent dosage of 0.9 g/L, pH of 7, MNZ initial concentration of 10 mg/L, and a contact time of 50 min, resulting in a peak adsorption efficiency of 65.53% under favorable circumstances. A good degree of fit was achieved with the linear model. The experimental equilibrium data fitting to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models demonstrates that the Langmuir model was an effective and appropriate model for evaluating adsorption. Intraparticle kinetic modeling was also shown to be better suitable for characterizing the MNZ adsorption onto the adsorbent. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process of MNZ adsorption by AgZnFe2O4@Ch was characterized by exothermicity and lacked spontaneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental caries is a disease which results in progressive destruction of the tooth and gradually leads to sensitivity or pain in that tooth, i.e., toothache the prevalence of which is about 49%–83% worldwide. There are various causes for orofacial pain, of which toothache is quite common. When severe, its unbearable and extremely disturbing for the patient, hence, considered as dental emergency. As per Ayurveda, Krimidanta has clinical features similar to dental caries. Various treatment procedures are mentioned to manage Krimidanta janya-shoola (pain due to dental caries), of which one is the topical placement of Koshna (warm) Hingu over the affected tooth. Materials and Methods: An interventional study was done for which patients were selected from the outpatient department and inpatient department of Shalakya Tantra and were randomly divided into two Groups A and B. Group A was asked to topically place Koshna Hingu (warm asafoetida) at the site of Krimidanta janya shoola three times a day for 3 days and Group B was advised to take paracetamol (acetaminophen) three times a day for 3 days. A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study and all of them completed the treatment. Results and Conclusion: The study showed that both Hingu and tablet paracetamol were effective in managing the pain caused due to dental caries, although the results were slightly better for the group which was given Hingu topically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore technological advances and prospects in phenol treatment by providing a detailed bibliometric survey of wastewater treatment applications, highlighting innovative advances in research. Using the Web of Science database, we identified 79,104 articles from 2003 to 2023, later refined to 1848. The keywords were used for the initial search: "phenol", "wastewater", "degradation", "treatment" and "removal". The bibliographic review details the occurrence of journals, authors, newspapers, countries, institutions, keywords, highly cited articles, and prominent predominant research fields. In particular, the field of "Engineering" was responsible for 32% of the published articles, followed by "Ecology of Environmental Sciences" (25%) and "Chemistry" (12%). In addition, a keyword analysis revealed five major groups of clusters that indicate where the research is progressing. This aspect is crucial for understanding the evolution and perspectives of research interests over time. Therefore, future research in the field should prioritize wastewater treatment and feedstock diversification. This focus is essential to address significant challenges, such as production costs, stability, and durability of treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: No scale has been found in the literature that allows for determining the clinical decision-making level of medical school students in Turkey. We aimed to develop a valid and reliable scale to determine the clinical decision-making levels of medical students. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between October and November 2021. Interviews were conducted with 12 clinician faculty members through semi-structured interview forms created by considering expert opinions, and an item pool was created through content analysis with support from the literature. The item pool was piloted with 20 medical students, and their feedback was used to revise the scale items. The final version of the scale was administered to 332 fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade medical students undergoing clinical training. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and descriptive statistics. Results: The results of the explanatory factor analysis indicated that the scale had 27 items and a three-factor structure, which explained 67,905% of the total variance. The three factors were identified as "1-defining the problem and determining its causes", "2-evaluating alternatives", and "3-individual and institutional factors". Confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the three-factor model, and fit indices indicated a good fit between the model and data. The reliability analysis showed that the scale had high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.94. Conclusion: The study suggests that the Clinical Decision-Making Scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing medical students' clinical decision-making competence in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary goal of the intensive care unit is to the anxiety of conscious patients is often ignored in the care unit., Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of various non-pharmacological therapies for anxiety disorders in adult patients in the intensive care unit, in order to enhance humanistic care in the intensive care unit and to promote the patients' physical and mental recovery together., Study Design: We conducted a systematic and comprehensive search of the literature in five databases (including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Embase) covering nearly a decade for randomized controlled trials of non-pharmacological therapies to reduce anxiety in adult intensive care unit patients. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the literature, collected and condensed the data, and used STATA software to perform a network meta-analysis. The ranking probabilities for each intervention were calculated using the Surface under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) method. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO., Results: This study ultimately included 26 randomized controlled trials involving 2791 adult ICU patients. Non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety in adult ICU patients included music therapy, aromatherapy, ICU diary, virtual reality, massage therapy, monitoring room diary, and health education. when compared to the control group (usual care), aromatherapy + music therapy [MD = -2.65, 95% CI (-4.76, -0.54)] (P = 0.0137) and music therapy [MD = -1.77, 95% CI (-3.40, -0.13)] (P = 0.0338) were superior in reducing anxiety in adult ICU patients. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that aromatherapy combined with music therapy significantly alleviated anxiety in adult ICU patients (SUCRA: 99.8%)., Conclusions: Music therapy combined with aromatherapy has demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to other non-pharmacological interventions for reducing anxiety in awake adults in the ICU. However, the underlying mechanisms of this combined therapy require further exploration., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Future research on the use of music therapy combined with aromatherapy in the care unit may help reduce anxiety in patients while fostering their physical and mental healing; however, individual variances and unique clinical circumstances must be considered., (© 2024 The Author(s). Nursing in Critical Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Association of Critical Care Nurses.)

Arsenic and cadmium, both toxic metals and widespread environmental pollutants, can trigger apoptosis and oxidative stress in various tissues and cells. Morin, a natural flavonoid with diverse biological properties, has been found to protect neurons from oxidative stress and apoptosis-induced damage. This research aimed to examine the protective properties of morin against neurotoxicity caused by arsenic and cadmium, utilizing PC12 cells as a model for nerve cells. The cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of morin and then exposed to arsenic and cadmium, after which cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed. Additionally, western blotting was performed to evaluate the protein levels of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved-caspase-3. Following exposure to arsenic and cadmium, there were significant increases in ROS, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and cleaved-caspase-3. However, the results of the study demonstrated the beneficial effects of morin at various concentrations, as it increased cell viability and decreased ROS production. Furthermore, morin at a concentration of 10 µM was found to reduce the elevated levels of cleaved-caspase-3 induced by arsenic and diminish the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio after exposure to arsenic and cadmium. The findings of this study suggest that morin can effectively protect cells from arsenic and cadmium-induced neurotoxicity through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Thus, morin should be considered a promising agent for treating arsenic and cadmium toxicity., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic agent for humans and animals. Gentisic acid, an aspirin metabolite, has antioxidant activity. Therefore, the present study investigated the probable protective effects of aspirin and gentisic acid on ACR-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and rats. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to assess the effects of aspirin and gentisic acid (1.25, 2.5, 5 µM) on ACR (5 mM) toxicity. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 13 groups: (1) Control group, (2) ACR (50 mg/kg, 11 days, i.p.), (3-5) ACR + aspirin (25, 50, 75 mg/kg, 11 days, p.o.), (6-8) ACR + gentisic acid (25, 50, 75 mg/kg, 11 days, p.o.), (9) ACR + vitamin E (200 mg/kg, every other day, i.p.), (10, 11) Aspirin (75, 100 mg/kg, 11 days, p.o.), (12, 13) Gentisic acid (75, 100 mg/kg, 11 days, p.o.). Behavioral tests were assessed on the final day of the study. In the cerebral cortex, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), cleaved-caspase-3, and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) protein levels were evaluated. When compared with the ACR group, aspirin (2.5, 5 µM) and gentisic acid (2.5 µM) significantly enhanced cell viability. In comparison to the control group, ACR induced severe motor impairment, elevated MDA, cleaved-caspase-3, LC3 II/I ratio, and decreased GSH levels in the cerebral cortex of rats. ACR-induced changes were significantly reversed by aspirin and gentisic acid (25 mg/kg). Oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy play important roles in the neurotoxicity of ACR. Aspirin and gentisic acid significantly reduced ACR-induced toxicity by inhibiting the mentioned mechanisms., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Supportive end-of-life care plays a significant role for patients with cancer. Significantly, art and aesthetics in nursing are regarded as key components of nursing practice. They may contribute to supportive end-of-life care that nurses provide for patients with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of aesthetic care training on nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care in patients with cancer. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with two groups of nurses working in the oncology wards of two hospitals in Kerman, Iran. A sample consisting of 100 nurses was selected by census and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 49) and a control group (n = 51). The experimental group received educational workshops on aesthetic care over four weekly-held 90-minute sessions. Both groups completed the Oncology Nurses' Perceptions of End-Of-Life Care (ONPEoLC) Scale before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. The data were analyzed with SPSS software version 21 using t-test, Chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA. The significance level was set to p < 0.05. Results: The mean baseline scores on the ONPEoLC Scale were 163.08 ± 13.58 in the experimental group and 163.27 ± 14.57 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Post-intervention mean scores in the experimental and control groups were 187.1 ± 18.22 and 159.11 ± 22.11, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). One month after the intervention, the experimental and control groups' mean scores were 190.89 ± 11.13 and 165.80 ± 11.69, respectively, with a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, designing aesthetic care educational programs is an effective way to improve nurses' understanding of end-of-life care. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing faculties and educational policymakers utilize aesthetic care training to improve the nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils, although they are effective due to the compounds they contain, are usually high-cost products that are obtained with low efficiency and have stability problems. Many of these oils, which can be found at various prices on the market and are claimed to be natural by manufacturers, are adulterated with other oils or synthetic substances. This study aims to provide samples of the essential oils, which are used in public, namely clove, neroli, tea tree, and cinnamon essential oils belonging to brands known to be sold widely on the market and to evaluate the compliance of these oils with the pharmacopoeia by conducting pharmacopoeia analysis. Among 25 essential oil samples evaluated with reference to the Turkish Pharmacopoeia (2017) within the scope of the study, only 2 of them were found to comply with the pharmacopoeia in terms of all tests. Investigating the compliance of essential oils with quality criteria is of great importance in preventing harm to the health of consumers and preventing them from purchasing unqualified products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Kelussia odoratissima is involved in the treatment of kidney stones, irritation of the urinary tract and kidney and bladder cleansing. It is useful for gout patients and is used to treat kidney and ureteral stones. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Kelussia odoratissima on renal function tests in male rats. Materials & Methods: In this study, 20 rats were randomly divided into one control group and three treatment groups (n=5 per group). The treatment groups received a 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg silver nanoparticles produced by the extracts of Kelussia, orally once a day for 6 days. After taking a blood sample, a kidney function test was performed. SPSS software version 21 was used for data collection, and the results were presented as mean and standard deviation (mean±SEM). Results: Oral administration of silver nanoparticles produced by Kelussia extracts at 80 mg/kg dose significantly reduced bilirubin and urea compared to the control group (P<0.05). The 120 mg/kg dose also significantly reduced urea compared to the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant effect on total protein, albumin and urea. Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles produced by the Kelussia extracts did not show any negative effect on kidney function, but had some positive effect on waste removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The presence of antibiotic residues in water is a matter of concern for both public health and the environment, owing to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. One of the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) employed for the removal of refractory pollutants in the aqueous matrix is sonication. The sonochemical processes have been found to have a multitude of advantages, including the mitigation or complete elimination of secondary pollutants, energy conservation, enhanced safety, and improved cleanliness. Methodology: Antibiotic degradation mechanisms are thoroughly reviewed in this article, with a particular focus on activating Persulfate (PS) and Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using sonication from 2000 to 2023. The analysis of articles retrieved from Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted using the suggested reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis methodology. A total of 195 published publications were found after the initial search. Following a comprehensive evaluation, a total of 58 publications were chosen for the investigation of the utilization of ultrasound-assisted heterogeneous activation in PS and PMS operations. Results: Our findings were indicative of a discernible increase in publications in recent years, especially between 2017 and 2023. In addition, the elements that contribute to the effective degradation of antibiotics, such as pH, initial antibiotics concentration, PMS and PS dosage, contact time, and Ultrasonic frequency intensity, were analyzed and reviewed in this review study. Conclusion: This method has successfully removed antibiotics from aqueous solutions and hospital wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The female reproductive system is one of the first to age in humans, resulting in infertility and endocrine disruptions. The aging ovary assumes a fibro-inflammatory milieu which negatively impacts gamete quantity and quality as well as ovulation. Here, we tested whether the systemic delivery of anti-inflammatory (Etanercept) or anti-fibrotic (Pirfenidone) drugs attenuates ovarian aging in mice. We first evaluated the ability of these drugs to decrease the expression of fibro-inflammatory genes in primary ovarian stromal cells treated with a pro-fibrotic or a pro-inflammatory stimulus. Whereas Etanercept did not block Tnf expression in ovarian stromal cells, Pirfenidone significantly reduced Col1a1 expression. We then tested Pirfenidone in vivo where the drug was delivered systemically via mini-osmotic pumps for 6 weeks. Pirfenidone mitigated the age-dependent increase in ovarian fibrosis without impacting overall health parameters. Ovarian function was improved in Pirfenidone-treated mice as evidenced by increased follicle and corpora lutea number, AMH levels, and improved estrous cyclicity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Pirfenidone treatment resulted in an upregulation of reproductive function-related genes at 8.5 months and a downregulation of inflammatory genes at 12 months of age. These findings demonstrate that reducing the fibroinflammatory ovarian microenvironment improves ovarian function, thereby supporting modulating the ovarian environment as a therapeutic avenue to extend reproductive longevity., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to American Aging Association.)

Testicular injury and affected spermatogenesis are major complications of methotrexate (MTX) use. Oxidative stress is one contributing process leading to inflammation and apoptosis induction. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a well-known anti-fibrotic drug prescribed for interstitial lung fibrosis, in addition to anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic capabilities. The study aimed to explore the potential protection afforded by PFD in a rat model of MTX-induced testiculopathy. The experimental design included four groups, each containing seven adult Wistar rats: control, PFD (500 mg/kg/day, orally)-, MTX (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, twice weekly)-, and PFD/MTX-treated groups. Treatment continued for 4 weeks. Blood and testicular samples were harvested for biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Also, the testicular damage and spermatogenic activity were graded by the testicular injury and Johnsen scoring system, respectively. PFD positively affected the serum testosterone (TST) level, reduced the testicular inflammatory mediators [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)], reduced the testicular oxidative burden, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), and protected the testicular histological structure. In addition, antifibrotic effects, anti-caspase-3, and PCNA enhancement activity were recorded. PFD exhibited a protective potential and mitigated the MTX-induced testiculopathy via suppression of testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis and retaining the testicular proliferative efficacy as confirmed by histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The SH-SY5Y cell line is widely used in neurotoxicity studies. However, the effects of inducing cell differentiation on the cytotoxic effects of heavy metals are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ), cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ), arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ), and methylmercury (MeHg) on SH-SY5Y cells differentiated in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Neurite outgrowth with distinct changes in neuronal marker expression, phenotype, and cell cycle was induced in SH-SY5Y cells by IGF-I treatment for 1 day or ATRA treatment for up to 7 days. The cytotoxic effects of HgCl 2 decreased at lower concentrations and increased at higher concentrations in both IGF-I- and ATRA-differentiated cells compared with those in undifferentiated cells. Differentiation with IGF-I, but not with ATRA, increased the cytotoxic effects of CdCl 2 . Decreased cytotoxic effects of As 2 O 3 and MeHg were observed at lower concentrations in IGF-I-differentiated cells, whereas increased cytotoxic effects of As 2 O 3 and MeHg were observed at higher concentrations in ATRA-differentiated cells. Changes in the cytotoxic effects of heavy metals were observed even after 1 day of ATRA exposure in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results demonstrate that the differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells by IGF-I and ATRA induces different cellular characteristics, resulting in diverse changes in sensitivity to heavy metals, which depend not only on the differentiation agents and treatment time but also on the heavy metal species and concentration., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Epigenetic alterations, changes in gene expression without DNA sequence modifications, are associated with various health disorders, including reproductive health issues. These alterations can be influenced by environmental factors such as pesticides. This study aimed to explore the relationship between exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides (OClPs) and the histone modification mark H3K9ac in the placenta and fetal tissue, in the context of unexplained recurrent miscarriage (URM). In the case-control study, serum samples from 73 women with URM and 30 healthy women were examined for the presence of OClPs, which include 2,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDT, 4,4-DDE, α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH, using gas chromatography. Western blot analysis was used to assess H3K9ac expression in placental and fetal tissues. In the URM group, significant increases were observed in the values of α-HCH, β-HCH, 2,4-DDE, and 4,4-DDE, as well as in the concentration of total OClPs (Ʃ3HCH, Ʃ2DDE, Ʃ2DDT, and Ʃ7OClP), compared to controls. While H3K9ac levels in fetal tissue showed no significant difference, a notable decrease was found in the placental tissue of the URM. In the placenta tissue of URM, logistic regression analysis also revealed a significant inverse correlation between the toxins α-HCH, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDT, total OClPs, and reduced H3K9ac expression. Our findings suggest that OClPs exposure may contribute to URM by reducing H3K9ac expression in the placenta, potentially affecting placental growth and immune tolerance. This underscores the need for further investigation into the involved mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions, and the importance of OClPs regulation for reproductive health protection., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Citrus flower-green tea (CT) is a scented tea processed from green tea (GT) and fresh citrus flower, which is favored by consumers due to its potential health benefits and unique citrus flavor. This study evaluated the quality of CT and revealed the mechanism of its quality formation., Results: The CT had a significant citrus flavor and a good antioxidant activity, and its sensory quality was superior to that of GT. Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) analysis revealed that the scenting process resulted in a significant increase of alkenes such as β-pinene, trans-β-ocimene, α-farnesene, isoterpinolene, and γ-terpinene, as well as a significant decrease of alcohols such as α-terpineol, l-menthol, and linalool in CT in comparison with GT. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that the levels of flavonoids (such as neohesperidin, hesperidin, tangeritin, hesperetin 5-O-glucoside, and nobiletin) and alkaloids (such as trigonelline and theobromine) in CT increased significantly after scenting process, while the levels of amino acids (such as valine and l-phenylalanine) and organic acids (such as ascorbic acid) decreased significantly., Conclusion: These observations showed that the scenting process promoted the absorption of aroma from citrus flowers by GT and the changes in its non-volatile metabolites, leading to the formation of citrus flavor quality in CT. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The presence of metronidazole (MNZ) and acetaminophen (ACE) in aquatic environments has raised growing concerns regarding their potential impact on human health. Incorporating various patterns into a photocatalytic material is considered a critical approach to achieving enhanced photocatalytic efficiency in the photocatalysis process. In this study, WO 3 nanoparticles, which were immobilized onto ferromagnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes that were functionalized using (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (FMMWCNTs@GLYMO@WO 3 ), exhibited remarkable efficiency in removing MNZ and ACE (93% and 97%) in only 15 min. In addition, the new visible-light FMMWCNTs@GLYMO@WO 3 nanoparticles as a magnetically separable photocatalyst were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS-mapping, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and total organic carbon (TOC) due to detailed studies (morphological, structural, magnetic and optical properties) of the photocatalyst. In-depth spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of the newly developed ferromagnetic FMMWCNTs@GLYMO@WO₃ (III) photocatalyst revealed a spherical morphology, with nanoparticle diameters averaging between 23 and 39 nm. Compared to conventional multiwall carbon nanotube and WO₃ photocatalysts, FMMWCNTs@GLYMO@WO₃ (III) demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity. Remarkably, it exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining its efficiency over a minimum of five cycles in the degradation of metronidazole (MNZ) and acetaminophen (ACE)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Breast milk (BM) is considered as the best source of nutrition which could have prevention effects on various diseases in the first years of a child. Along with nutritive compounds, presence of contaminants such as mycotoxins in BM could be transmitted into neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence, levels, and factors associated with the presence of aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) and ocratoxin a (OTA) in BM samples of nursing mothers in rural centers of Yazd, Iran. The presence and average AFM 1 and OTA concentration in 72 BM samples was measured by competitive ELISA. The demographic and diet parameters of nursing mothers were collected by a questionnaire and were analyzed using SPSS 18 software. AFM 1 and OTA were detected in 63 (87.5%) and 47 (65.2%) samples with the mean concentration levels of 19.46 ± 13.26 ng/L (ranges from 5.1 to 53.9) and 200 ± 160 ng/L (ranges from 100 to 2460), respectively. Of these, 32 samples (50.7%) for AFM 1 and 23 samples (48.9%) for OTA had values exceeding the limit set by the European Union regulation for infant foods (25 ng/L for AFM 1 and 500 ng/L for OTA). It was also found that the risk of AFM 1 and OTA occurrence in BM increased significantly with the consumption of beans, bread, cereals, fruit juice and crackers, and cream, respectively. This study showed that the estimated daily intake for AFM 1 and OTA by 1 month of age infants was 2.7 and 28.5 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, while, as the age of the infant increased, the values were lower and close to 0.9 and 9.9 ng/kg bw/day for AFM1 and OTA in 12 months of age infants, respectively. The high occurrence and noticeable levels of AFM 1 and OTA detected in this study indicated that some infants receive undesirable exposures to AFM 1 and OTA with breast milk. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers are advised to avoid certain foods during pregnancy and breastfeeding that are likely sources of mycotoxins., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Mycotoxin (Research Gesellschaft für Mykotoxinforschung e.V.) and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Testicular cancer (TC) predominantly affects young men and early detection enhances survival. However, uncertainty surrounds the impact of population-wide screening. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is a simple detection method but there is a gap in current practices that needs to be assessed. Our goal was to assess the perceptions and knowledge of male subjects in the general population (MP) and general practitioners (GPs) regarding TSE for TC., Methods: Two distinct surveys evaluating knowledge and perceptions of TSE for TC were administered to GPs and MP, aged 15‒45-years. Factors that could favour the realisation of TSE or improve the knowledge of TC were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression., Results: Overall, 1048 GPs (mean (SD) age: 35.1 ± 10.3 years) and 1032 MP (mean (SD) age: 27 ± 8.2 years) answered the survey. Among the GPs, only 93 (8.9%) performed scrotal examination for TC screening. Although the majority (n = 993, 94.8%) were aware of the age of onset of TC, most (n = 768, 73.3%) did not know the overall survival rate from TC. GPs familiar with the guidelines were more likely to explain TSE to their patients (OR = 2.5 [95% CI 1.5‒4.1]; p < 0.01). Among the MP, 800 (77.5%) admitted that they did not know how to perform TSE and 486 (47.1%) did not know the main symptoms associated with TC. MP who had already undergone TC screening were more likely to be familiar with the main symptoms (OR = 2.1 [95% CI 1.6‒2.7]; p < 0.001) and MP who knew someone with TC or who had already undergone TC screening were more likely to be aware of the correct prevalence of TC (OR = 1.9 [95% CI 1.3‒2.7], p < 0.01; and OR = 1.6 [95% CI 1.2‒2.1], p < 0.01; respectively)., Conclusion: The knowledge of both GPs and MP regarding TC could be improved. TSE screening and knowing someone close with TC improved the awareness of our subjects., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)