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In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid, against the cholestatic liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Toward this end, male rats were subjected to BDL and treated with astaxanthin for 35 days. Afterwards, their serum and liver biochemical factors were assessed. Also, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to determine the fibrosis and the expression levels of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐ß1) in the liver tissue. Based on the results, BDL caused a significant increase in liver enzyme levels, blood lipids, and bilirubin, while decreasing the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) enzymes. Also, in the BDL rats, hepatocyte necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory lymphocytes, and hyperplasia of bile ducts were detected, along with a significant increase in α‐SMA and TGF‐ß1 expression. Astaxanthin, however, significantly prevented the BDL's detrimental effects. In all, 10 mg/kg of this drug maintained the bilirubin and cholesterol serum levels of BDL rats at normal levels. It also reduced the liver enzymes' activity and serum lipids, while increasing the SOD, CAT, and GSH activity in BDL rats. The expression of α‐SMA and TGF‐ß1 in the BDL rats treated with 10 mg/kg of astaxanthin was moderate (in 34%–66% of cells) and no considerable cholestatic fibrosis was observed in this group. However, administrating the 20 mg/kg of astaxanthin was not effective in this regard. These findings showed that astaxanthin could considerably protect the liver from cholestatic damage by improving the biochemical features and regulating the expression of related proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers around the world. The link between nutrients and the likelihood of developing CRC remains uncertain. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the potential connection between dietary intake/dietary supplements and the occurrence of CRC through a literature review. Methods: A comprehensive online search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to March 2023 using appropriate keywords. A systematic search was conducted for clinical trials and cohort studies in order to determine the relationship between dietary components/supplements and CRC. Results: The intake of long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LCPUFAs), consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing CRC (eight studies found positive effects and four studies found no association). Some other dietary components such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may contribute to suppressing CRC development (three studies found positive effects, whereas three studies did not find any association). There is inconclusive evidence that supplementation with certain micronutrients including vitamin D (one trial found positive effects and another trial reported no association), folate, zinc, and selenium may reduce the risk of CRC. Conclusion: Some dietary supplements such as n‐3 LCPUFAs and probiotics have the potential to reduce the risk of developing CRC. Further studies are necessary to validate these results and understand the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Teucrium orientale is commonly used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant, protecting the liver and digestive system, and treating type 2 diabetes. Purpose: Evaluation of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic plant extract using animal models. Methods: The ethanolic extract was prepared using the maceration method from grounddried aerial parts of the plant. Analgesic effects were determined by acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate test on mice. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using Carageenan and Cotton pellet tests on rats. Result: In the writhing test, TOE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in abdominal contractions. Inhibition percentages of abdominal contractions in test groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), morphine and mefenamic acid were 87.40%, 91.80%, 98.29%, 94.40% and 96.89%, respectively, which indicate the visceral analgesic effects. In hot plate tests, the pain threshold significantly increased in test groups. Extract in the doses of 100mg/kg (P< 0.001), 200mg/kg (P< 0.0001) and 400mg/kg (P< 0.001) significantly reduced the paw edema in the carrageenan test at the second hour. In the cotton pellet test, the prescribed doses of the plant (100-200 mg/kg; P<0.0001) significantly reduced the formation of granuloma tissue and reduced the rate of edema. The percentage of inhibition of granuloma tissue by indomethacin and extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were 39.19%, 66.75% and 75.49%, respectively, and the percentage of inhibition of exudates were 26.5%, 55.57% and 67.24%, respectively. Conclusion: These results clearly showed the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Teucrium orientale extract in animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient fluorescent sensor (S-DAC) was easily created by functionalizing the SBA-15 surface with N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane followed by the covalent attachment of 7-diethylamino 3-acetyl coumarin (DAC). This chemosensor (S-DAC) demonstrates selective and sensitive recognition of Fe3+ and Hg2+ in water-based solutions, with detection limits of 0.28 × 10–9 M and 0.2 × 10–9 M for Hg2+ and Fe3+, respectively. The sensor's fluorescence characteristics were examined in the presence of various metal ions, revealing a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon adding Fe3+ or Hg2+ ions at an emission wavelength of 400 nm. This sensor was also able to detect ferric and mercury ions in spinach and tuna fish. The quenching mechanism of S-DAC was investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy, which confirmed a static-type mechanism for fluorescence quenching. Moreovre, the decrease in fluorescence intensity caused by mercury and ferric ions can be reversed using trisodium citrate dihydrate and EDTA as masking agents, respectively. As a result, a circuit logic gate was designed using Hg2+, Fe3+, trisodium citrate dihydrate, and EDTA as inputs and the quenched fluorescence emission as the output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Amnesia is a cognitive disorder that may lead to memory loss. Caffeine is a psychoactive substance which have an effect on memory and cognitive functions. This study aimed to assess the association of transient global amnesia (TGA) with dietary intake of caffeine. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted on the Sabzevar Persian cohort data of 258 patients with TGA and 520 healthy individuals in Sabzevar, Iran. The Nutritional data were gathered in face‐to‐face interviews using a valid Food Frequency Questionnaire. Different models of logistic regression were used to determine the association between TGA and dietary caffeine intake after adjusting the confounders including age, sex, education, job, marital status, physical activity, BMI, and calorie intake. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of dietary calorie intake of (2279.5 ± 757.9 vs. 2365.5 ± 799.5, p = 0.19), protein (70.79 ± 25.27 vs. 72.94 ± 24.83, p = 0.31), fat (59.97 ± 23.79 vs. 60.13 ± 26.38, p = 0.93), carbohydrate (376 ± 134 vs. 393.1 ± 137.8, p = 0.14), and caffeine (196.4 ± 127.9 vs. 186.3 ± 128.5, p = 0.36) between the groups. No significant association was found between TGA and dietary intake of caffeine (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99–1.01, p = 0.36). The results did not change after adjusting the confounders. Conclusions: No significant association was found between TGA and dietary intake of caffeine. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal oxide nanoporous materials and nanoparticles have main potential uses in several different fields such as nanoelectronics, biomedical science, renewable solar energy, drug-gene delivery, thermal insulation, and so on. On the other hand, it is vital for scientists to understand that agricultural waste biomass-assisted synthesis is less costly, environmentally friendly and renewable strategy, and therefore, agricultural wastes are ideal renewable resources for production of nanostructures as a substitute for toxic chemicals. This present review includes significant recent improvements concerning the synthesis of agricultural waste biomass-assisted metal oxide nanostructures and their application. The goal is to provide a vision for the use of non-extracted agricultural waste, especially lignocellulosic biomass an inexpensive, green, differentiated resource and policy for the synthesis of valuable nanoporous materials and nanoparticles.

Objective: This study examined the association between neighborhood social environment and sleep among urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents as well as the moderating role of cultural factors in this association. Method: The analytic sample included 133 urban AI/AN adolescents (age 12-16, 57.1% female, Mage = 14.03, SDage = 1.35). Perceived neighborhood social environment included safety and cohesion. Cultural factors included AI/AN cultural identification and historical loss. Sleep duration, efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) were measured via actigraphy. Sleep disturbance was measured via a questionnaire. Results: Greater neighborhood safety was significantly associated with lower sleep disturbance (b=-2.17, SE= 0.8, p=.008), higher sleep efficiency (b =1.75, SE =0.64, p =.006), and lower WASO (b=-8.60, SE=3.34, p= .01). Neighborhood cohesion was not associated with any sleep outcomes. Cultural factors moderated the association between neighborhood social environment and sleep outcomes (p,.05). Specifically, both neighborhood safety and cohesion were associated with lower sleep disturbance, only among individuals reporting higher levels of AI/AN cultural identification. Further, neighborhood safety was associated with greater sleep efficiency and lower WASO (i.e., better sleep) only among adolescents with higher contemplation of historical loss. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of considering cultural factors in addressing sleep and health disparities. AI/AN cultural identification and a sense of historical loss may be important targets for identifying adolescents who might benefit the most from policies and interventions focused on improving the social environment in order to improve sleep and other health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normalized full gradient was developed to determine anomalous bodies, such as oil and gas fields or simple geological structures studies. We believe that even in complicated geology, normalized full gradient is practical. We introduce data preprocessing and use step‐by‐step simple‐to‐complicated synthetic tests to develop previous researchers' ideas for regional‐scale gravity modelling. One of the most important steps of the normalized full gradient is the determination of the N optimum value. We found that prevalent methods such as the standard spectral or maxima method are feasible in simple structures only. So, we have suggested the imaging criteria routine for complicated cases. We trace maximum normalized full gradient responses to detect the normalized full gradient responses at the increasing harmonic numbers as the transition of the extensive part of the anomaly to the sharp part of that. With imaging criteria for the determination of N optimum values, the complicated synthetic test results show the success of the normalized full gradient to understand complicated gravity signals. In the real case, we have studied the Northwestern Iran normalized full gradient model of the Bouguer ground gravity data beneath the seismic profile and prepared a P receiver function depth section to uncover the geometry of the Moho boundary and important interfaces in the crust. We suggest the inferred synthetic model from the Bouguer ground gravity anomaly and P receiver function depth section to normalized full gradient trustworthy test in real cases. According to the synthetic test results, we understand the frame of the normalized full gradient responses in the semi‐real case and truthful responses in the real case. Along with this, we study the second ground gravity profile of Northwestern Iran in a good resolution to uncover the deeper structures. The real case results show the possibility of Moho offset and thinning lithosphere beneath the North Tabriz Fault lithospheric boundary, the possible source of Sahand volcanic centre at the west side of the Moho offset beneath North Tabriz Fault, the deep root of the Sabalan volcanic centre in the lower crust and the lithospheric and asthenospheric wedge with the density contrast beneath Sahand–Sabalan volcanic centres. One of the most important results of our study is the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary offset and stepped Moho possibility beneath the Talesh Mts next to the South Caspian Basin boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study optimized the expression of the enterocin P peptide (EntP) in CHO cells using medium additions. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and anti-biofilm effects of Ent-P were examined against several gram positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The findings indicated that increasing medium with 0.75 percent glycerol and 0.75 percent DMSO boosted Ent-P peptide synthesis by around two times. According to Ent-P antimicrobial evaluations, Shigella disentri (4 g/mL) and Escherichia coli (128 g/mL) had the lowest and highest MIC values, respectively. In comparison to Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli (3+ to 2+), the Ent-P peptide shown a strong ability to suppress the formation of the biofilm generated by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4 + to +1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential benefits of trans-chalcone, a compound found in various plants, in treating liver fibrosis. The study found that trans-chalcone reduced liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and lipid profile in rats with liver fibrosis. It also increased antioxidant activity and improved histopathological changes associated with fibrosis. The article suggests that trans-chalcone may have hepatoprotective and antifibrotic properties and could be a potential therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis. The document also includes a list of references that provide further insights into the potential benefits of trans-chalcone in protecting the liver and mitigating liver-related diseases. [Extracted from the article]

SUMMARY: The Ganaveh earthquake on 2021 April 18 (Mw 5.8) occurred in the southwest of the Dezful embayment of the Zagros Mountain belt, Iran, as a mainly compressive event. The InSAR coseismic displacement maps reveal a maximum of 17 cm of surface displacement in the satellite line of sight direction. InSAR inversion indicates a low-angle NE-dipping causative fault plane with a maximum slip of 95 cm at ∼6 km depth. It highlights the occurrence of the Ganaveh earthquake within the competent layers of the Zagros sedimentary cover, beneath the Gachsaran formation. A slight sinistral slip component (2.9 cm) is retrieved which is compatible with the USGS focal mechanism. Time-series analysis of SAR images after the main shock until the end of 2021 indicates a maximum of 7 cm of post-seismic surface displacement with a similar strike and pattern as the coseismic phase. This similarity and the distribution of aftershocks suggest an afterslip mechanism for the post-seismic phase. The inversion of post-seismic cumulative displacement evaluates a maximum of 30 cm slip at a depth of ∼5 km along the coseismic causative fault. A regional compressional stress regime (N041°E for the direction of the σ1 stress axis) is constrained by using the focal mechanisms of 39 earthquakes occurring between 1968 and 2021, including the Ganaveh main shock and its five larger aftershocks. Applying this direction of compression on the Ganaveh fault plane also results in a minor sinistral movement, consistent with the geodetic results. The relocated main shock and aftershocks as well as our InSAR coseismic displacement situations on the hanging wall of the Zagros Foredeep fault highlight it as the causative fault of the Ganaveh earthquake. To fit the geometry of the Ganaveh rupture plane with the Zagros Foredeep fault, we modelled a listric fault plane and its slip distribution using the available geological data. The retrieved slip variation on the listric plane is in close agreement with the slip pattern on the modelled planar geometry. The low dip angle of the rupture plane combined with a listric geometry highlights the thin-skin characteristics of the Zagros Foredeep fault as the causative fault of the Ganaveh earthquake. The occurrence of this moderate magnitude earthquake on the Zagros Foredeep fault underlines its role as the western structural boundary for the recurrence of Mb > 5 events in the Dezful embayment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]