Search

Lead and cadmium are toxic to human, animal, and plant health; they enhance oxidative stress indirectly while simultaneously acting through other toxicodynamic mechanisms. In this study, pristine vermiculite (VER) was functionalized with butylamine (BUT) and a novel organoclay (BUT-VER) adsorbent material was produced for simultaneous removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in aquatic medium. The adsorbents were characterized by spectroscopic, microscopic, spectrometric, and potentiometric techniques. The adsorption affecting parameters, including pH, time, initial concentration, temperature, and co-existing cations were investigated and optimized. The kinetic data results were in better agreement with pseudo-second-order (PSO) model (R2 > 0.992). Multiple isotherm models were used to study the adsorption system and results showed that adsorption was monolayer. The BUT-VER showed an improvement in adsorption capacity in a single system (Pb(II): from 134.2 to 160.6 mg g−1) and (Cd(II): from 51.1 to 58.9 mg g−1) while in binary system (Pb(II): from 107.3 to 114.5 mg g−1) and (Cd(II): from 33.7 to 39.7 mg g−1), respectively. Furthermore, BUT-VER was tested in real river water and removed efficiency of >99% was achieved in just 1 h. The dominant mechanisms were electrostatic attraction and complexation. BUT-VER was regenerated for five consecutive cycles and showed >90% removal efficiency. These findings suggest that the proposed inexpensive adsorbent has the potential for practical applications of toxic metals removal from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major part of water pollutants includes of organic such as phenolic pollutant, thus there are every hazardous to environment. Present work is a comparative onto surface chemistry and adsorptive characteristics of coordinate organic polymer (Cop-150) and nanoporous carbon (NPC) prepared using solvothermal method. New NPC was successfully synthesized to remove of phenol. FT-IR, XRD, XPS, SEM, TGA, and BET techniques have been used to characterization and confirm physicochemical variation during preparing Cop-150 and NPC. Box–Behnken response surface methodology (BBRSM) was used to optimize four important factors of the pH (2–10), contact time (1–40 min), temperature (25–60 °C), and initial concentration of phenol (5–50 mg L−1). To analyze the data obtained from the adsorption of phenol by synthesized adsorbents, four linear, 2FI, quadratic and cubic models were examined, which the quadratic model was recognized as the best model. To the NPC the equal adsorption capacity 500 mg g−1 is achieved at the initial concentration of phenol = 49.252 mg L−1, contact time = 15.738 min, temperature = 28.3 °C, and pH 7.042. On the other hand, the adsorption capacity for Cop-150 in pH 4.638, the contact time = 19.695 min, the temperature = 56.8 °C, and the initial concentration of phenol = 6.902 mg L−1 was equal to 50 mg g−1. The experimental data at different conditions were investigated by some famous kinetic and isotherm models, which among them, were corresponded to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. Moreover, based to result of thermodynamics to the both Cop-150 and NPC, the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous. According to results the Cop-150 and NPC could be used for up to four and five cycles without significantly reducing their performance, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds in the environment threatens human health. The introduction of these substances into organic sources causes pollution of plants and soil and creates problems for public health. In this research, the removal of metronidazole and ibuprofen from aqueous solutions was investigated using clay nanocomposites as adsorbents. First, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) were synthesized, and then nZVI-clay and activated carbon-nZVI-clay nanocomposites were prepared. The characteristics of primary materials and synthesized nanocomposites were confirmed by XRD, FT-IR, and SEM techniques. Next, a certain amount of adsorbent was added to different concentrations of drugs separately, and the absorption of the solutions was detected by UV–Vis spectrophotometry at specific times. Afterward, the effects of pH (3–11), adsorbate concentration (10–50 ppm), adsorbent amount (4–12 gL−1), and contact time (15–240 min) were evaluated for the removal of Metronidazole and Ibuprofen. Eventually, the adsorption isotherm and the kinetic behavior of adsorption in an aqueous solution were investigated. The results show that the nanocomposite-activated carbon-nZVI-clay with 20% activated carbon removes 87.11% metronidazole and 87.1% ibuprofen from an aqueous solution at 150 min. The adsorption of drugs on nanocomposites well followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Overall, it can be concluded that nanotechnology, with the help of natural adsorbents, can offer new solutions in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water bodies with the dye methylene blue pose serious environmental and health risks to humans. Therefore, the creation and investigation of affordable, potential adsorbents to remove methylene blue dye from water resources as a long-term fix is one focus of the scientific community. Food plants and other carbon-source serve as a hotspot for a wider range of application on different pollutants that impact the environment and living organisms. Here, we reviewed the use of treated and untreated biosorbents made from plant waste leaves for removing the dye methylene blue from aqueous media. After being modified, activated carbon made from various plant leaves improves adsorption performance. The range of activating chemicals, activation methods, and bio-sorbent material characterisation using FTIR analysis, Barunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), and SEM-EDX have all been covered in this review. It has been thoroughly described how the pH solution of the methylene blue dye compares to the pHPZC of the adsorbent surface. The presentation also includes a thorough analysis of the application of the isotherm model, kinetic model, and thermodynamic parameters. The selectivity of the adsorbent is the main focus of the adsorption kinetics and isotherm models. It has been studied how adsorption occurs, how surface area and pH affect it, and how biomass waste compares to other adsorbents. The use of biomass waste as adsorbents is both environmentally and economically advantageous, and it has been discovered to have exceptional color removal capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Older adults are concerned about the quality of care as many of them are vulnerable to the co-occurrence of geriatric syndromes and age-related diseases due to accumulated impairments in multiple systems. Literature indicates that though people are living longer, they are not necessarily living healthier, which creates the need for providing quality healthcare services specifically to address the needs of this population. B  This rapid review investigates the impact of healthcare service quality on older people’s satisfaction at geriatric medical centers. Methods. The rapid review includes 11 articles from searches on PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Results. The reviewed studies indicate that the quality of healthcare services to older adults enhances their satisfaction at senior facilities and produces positive patient outcomes. A thematic analysis of these studies revealed four major themes related to the review topic: perceived quality of healthcare services, patients’ quality of life, patient satisfaction, and provider-patient communication. Implications for practice. Nurses should provide high-quality care to older adults in geriatric settings to improve patients’ and their families’ satisfaction. Nurses should target quality leadership, implement quality improvement, and communicate effectively. Nurses should also offer patient-centered care by involving family members in care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid that is widely distributed in the earth's crust. People are continuously exposed to this toxicant in their food and drinking water. Inorganic arsenic occurs in two oxidation states, arsenite 3+ (iAs3+) and arsenate 5+ (iAs5+). The most toxic form is its trivalent form which interferes with the electron transfer cycle and induces overproduction of reactive oxygen species, leading to depletion of the antioxidant defense system, as well as altering fatty acid levels and mitochondrial action. Since arsenic crosses the blood–brain barrier, it can damage cells in different regions of the brain, causing neurological disorders through the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and cell death. Hydroxytyrosol, taurine, alpha-lipoic acid, ellagic acid, and thymoquinone have been shown to effectively alleviate arsenic-induced neurotoxicity. The protective effects are the result of the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the phytochemicals and in particular their anti-apoptotic function via the Nrf2 and PI3/Akt/SIRT1 signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a disease linked to pathologies, such as chronic inflammation, neuropathy, and pain. The synthesis by the Claisen−Schmidt condensation reaction aims to obtain medium to high yield chalconic derivatives. Studies for the synthesis of new chalcone molecules aim at the structural manipulation of aromatic rings, as well as the replacement of rings by heterocycles, and combination through chemical reactions of synthesized structures with other molecules, in order to enhance biological activity. A chalcone was synthesized and evaluated for its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effect in adult zebrafish. In addition to reducing nociceptive behavior, chalcone (40 mg/kg) reversed post-treatment-induced acute and chronic hyperglycemia and reduced carrageenan-induced abdominal edema in zebrafish. It also showed an inhibitory effect on NO production in J774A.1 cells. When compared with the control groups, the oxidative stress generated after chronic hyperglycemia and after induction of abdominal edema was significantly reduced by chalcone. Molecular docking simulations of chalcone with Cox -1, Cox-2, and TRPA1 channel enzymes were performed and indicated that chalcone has a higher affinity for the COX-1 enzyme and 4 interactions with the TRPA1 channel. Chalcone also showed good pharmacokinetic properties as assessed by ADMET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi Part C: Tasarım ve Teknoloji is the property of Gazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: This study was designed to detect the therapeutic effects of galbanum oil plus dry cupping (a Persian medicinebased method) in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with positive polymerase chain reaction test (PCR), pulmonary involvement and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≤93 mmHg, were randomly assigned into two groups to take the standard therapeutic regimen alone or alongside cupping and topical galbanum oil (Ferula gommosa oleo-gum resin) for 3-5 days. The SpO2 level, the severity of signs and symptoms of patients and laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups. Results: Fifty-eight patients were analyzed. The SpO2 level changed from 89.27±3.82 to 90.29±3.09 mmHg (p=0.038) in control group, while it increased from 88.74±3.45 to 94.23±2.1 mmHg (<0.001) in galbanum group with a significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). Fever, cough, dyspnea, and anorexia alleviated in the galbanum group more than the control (p=0.003, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively). No adverse effects were reported due to galbanum oil and cupping therapy. Conclusion: Dry cupping with galbanum oil alongside the routine therapeutic regimen could be more effective than the routine therapeutic regimen alone for improving SpO2 level and alleviating fever, cough, and dyspnea in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the comparative analysis of biosorption performance of Delonix regia seed pod toward the removal of Rhodamine B (RB) from simulated solution using native (DRSP) and chemically treated form (ADRSP). The surface morphology, structural analysis, textural properties, and thermal analysis of DRSP and ADRSP were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. FTIR analysis concluded that surface functional groups like hydroxyl –OH stretching, C–N stretching, and C = C stretching of the aromatic ring were largely responsible for the attachment of RB. The chemical treatment enhanced the surface morphology of D. regia seed in terms of heterogeneity, distinct depth cavities, and irregular pores responsible for RB biosorption. The biosorption of RB was investigated using parametric analyses such as solution pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial RB concentration, and operating temperature. The obtained equilibrium data were fitted with different isotherm and kinetic models. Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic were well suitable for the biosorption of RB using DRSP and ADRSP. The maximum monolayer biosorption capacities (mg/g) of DRSP and ADRSP were predicted to be 39.37 and 60.61, respectively. Using thermodynamic principles, the removal of RB was found to be thermodynamically feasible, endothermic, and spontaneous process. The results of the present study proved that DRSP and ADRSP can be identified as promising biosorbents for the removal of RB. The potential utilization of Delonix regia seed pod (native and chemically treated forms) for the removal of Rhodamine B (RB) from simulated water. Surface morphology, surface area, functional analysis, and thermal analysis of both native (DRSP) and treated forms (ADRSP) to understand materials properties before biosorption of RB. Parametric effects of dosage, initial pH, initial pollutant concentration, and temperature on biosorption capacity and biosorption (%) using native and treated forms of bisorbents. Implantation of different kinetic models and two-parameter isotherm models to examine the feasibility and type of biosorption. The maximum biosorption capacity (mg/g) of DRSP and ADRSP is predicted to be 39.37 and 60.61 using the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. Identification of possible biosorption mechanism using the functional group analysis. Negative values of Gibbs free energy change ( Δ G 0) and positive values of entropy change ( Δ S 0) , enthalpy change ( Δ H 0) demonstrating the thermodynamic feasibility, increase in randomness at the solid-liquid interphase and endothermic biosorption [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was the transcultural adaptation of the Rotator cuff quality of life (RC-QOL) questionnaire and the determination of the reliability and validity of the questionnaire in the Persian-speaking population with rotator cuff disease. Methods: This study was conducted in Isfahan from April 2022 to February 2023. The participants consisted of 56 people with rotator cuff pathology. The process of adapting and translating the questionnaire was done with the methodology presented previously by Beaton et al. Content validity was first tested by a group of orthopedic and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists and then through a pilot study consisting of 15 Persian-speaking patients with rotator cuff disease. Test-retest reliability was established with an intraclass correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The measurement's error estimation was calculated with the standard error of the measurement. Reproducibility evaluation was measured with a 3-day interval between the completion of the test-retest questionnaire. Results: The age range of the participants was 34 to 68 years (55% men and 45% women). The mean (standard deviation) of the total score of the RC-QOL questionnaire was 44.33(10.81) and ranged from 17.35 to 70.88. Cronbach's alpha was 0.971, which showed high internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99, indicating high test-retest reliability. The mean values (standard deviations) of the DASH and SPADI questionnaires were equal to 77.66(13.69) and 66.66(18.25), respectively. The results of the study showed excellent and significant convergent validity of the RC-QOL questionnaire with both the DASH and SPADI questionnaires. The correlation value with the DASH and SPADI questionnaires was equal to 0.907 and 0.941, respectively. Conclusion: The Persian version of the RC-QOL questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the quality of life in patients diagnosed with rotator cuff injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Everyday, nursing students interact with culturally diverse clients. Nursing education recognizes that cultural competence is a necessary outcome of nursing programs. Nurse educators expect all nursing students to provide culturally congruent care to multicultural clients. Therefore, nurse educators must be culturally competent in order to prepare culturally competent nursing students for clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual training program on the cultural competence of academic nurse educators. Methods: This randomized controlled study included nurse educators working in six nursing schools affiliated with medical universities of Kerman province in southeastern Iran. Sixty-nine nurse educators were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 34) groups. The training program consisted of three 2-hour sessions for a month. Cultural Diversity Questionnaire for Nurse Educators Revised (CDQNE-R) was used to evaluate the cultural competence of educators before and one month after the virtual training program. Results: Both the intervention (3.29 ± 0.58) and control (3.24 ± 0.58) groups demonstrated a similar level of cultural competence before the training program (t = 0.05, p = 0.95). After the training, the intervention group showed a significant increase in cultural competence (3.80 ± 0.7) compared to the control group (3.23 ± 0.67). This improvement resulted in culturally competent participants becoming culturally proficient, as evidenced by a large effect size (t = -4.76, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The virtual training program had a positive impact on the cultural competence of nurse educators. Given the importance of cultural competence in nursing education, continuing education programs that focus on strengthening the cultural competence of nurse educators should be prioritized. The experiences gained from implementing virtual training programs can serve as a valuable resource for nurse educators seeking to enhance their cultural competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moral distress appears when a healthcare professional is not able to carry out actions in accordance with their professional ethical standards. The Moral Distress Scale-Revised is the most widely used to assess levels of moral distress, but it is not validated in Spanish. The aim of the study is to validate the Spanish version of the Moral Distress Scale – utilised within a sample of Spanish healthcare professionals treating COVID–19 patients. Methods: The original (english) and the portuguese and french versions of the scale were translated into spanish by native or bilingual researchers and reviewed by an academic expert in ethics and moral philosophy as well as by a clinical expert. Research design: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out using a self-reporting online survey. The data was collected between June- November 2020. A total of 661 professionals responded to the survey (N = 2873). Participants: healthcare professionals with more than two weeks of experience treating COVID–19 patients at the end of their life and working in the public sector of the Balearic Islands Health Service (Spain). Analyses included descriptive statistics, competitive confirmatory factor analysis, evidence on criterion-related validity and estimates of reliability. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Balearic Islands. Results: An unidimensional model in which a general factor of moral distress explained by 11 items of the Spanish version of the MDS–R scale was an adequate representation of the data: χ2(44) = 113.492 (p 0.001); Comparative Fit Index = 0.965; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.079[0.062,0.097]; and Standarized Root Mean-Square = 0.037. Evidence of reliability was excellent: Cronbach's alpha = 0.886 and McDonald's omega = 0.910. Moral distress was related to discipline, with nurses having statistically significant higher levels than physicians. Additionally, moral distress successfully predicted professional quality of life, with higher levels of moral distress being related to poorer quality of life. Conclusions: The Spanish version of Moral Distress Scale–Revised can be used as a reliable and valid measurement tool for the evaluation of moral distress experienced by health professionals. This tool will be highly useful for managers and applicable to a variety of healthcare professionals and settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toward the treatment of waste solution containing heavy metals, direct precipitation of the metal ions from an acidic solution without alkaline neutralisation is still the greatest challenge. Based on the ligand properties of benzene tricarboxylic acid (BTC) to copper ions, a simple ball milling with 90 min at 400 rpm was used to activate BTC to enhance its capacity for copper removal from the pH of the original solution around 3–4. A set of analytical methods were used to characterise the activated BTC sample and BTC-Cu precipitate before and after copper precipitation. Compared with the raw BTC, the activated BTC could efficiently remove copper ions over 90% from an initial copper concentration of 100 mg/L in a shorter time from an acidic media with lower pH of around 2.60 and the maximum adsorption capacity can be stable at about 111.70 mg/g, resulting from probably the enhanced deprotonation effect for copper incorporation. Furthermore, at controlled dosage, the activated BTC demonstrated much high selectivity on precipitating copper ions from other heavy metals of Ni, Mn, Zn and Cd and provided a new approach for easy copper recycling from waste solution as secondary sources. This process may serve the purpose of recycling both metal and acidic solutions after the purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ferula gummosa Boiss is a well-known Iranian endemic plant that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine against various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic capacity of F. gummosa gum on prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potentials of the gum. The MTT experiment was conducted to assess the cytotoxic potential of the gum on PC-3 cells. The clonogenic, micronucleus formation, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining methods were used to evaluate the survival and proliferation of PC-3 cells. DNA degradation and caspase 3/7 activity evaluations were used to assess apoptosis. The inhibitory effect on the migration of PC-3 cells was examined by in vitro wound-healing experiment. Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential of the gum were 9.22 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 3.6 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g of the extract, and 13 μg/ml, respectively (compared to gallic acid and quercetin, respectively) (p<0.05). The IC50 value was 9.14 μg/ml for 48 hours (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.01). The pattern of DNA degradation, and caspase 3/7 activity levels (compared to nontreated cells) (p<0.05) proposed decreased cell viability that may be due to apoptosis induction. Microscopic observations revealed nuclear condensation, a significant increase in the formation of micronuclei, and inhibition of forming colonies (compared to nontreated cells) (p<0.01) in PC-3 cells treated with 8 and 10 μg/ml of the gum. Wound-healing assessment showed the migration suppression potentials of the gum (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that F. gummosa has considerable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties that can make it a good nominee for subsequent investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Essential oils are complex substances used extensively in aromatherapy and phytotherapy, some of them as anxiety and stress-relieving agents. In order to evaluate the effects of Melissa officinalis essential oil on state and trait anxiety, this study was conducted. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and the chemical composition was investigated by Gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, a Quasi experimental study with measures at pretest-posttest was conducted, where 58 participants were divided into two groups, a waiting-list (WL) control group, and an experimental group (EG)treated with aromatherapy based on Melissa officinalis essential oil. The anxiety index was evaluated by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Measures were taken at two times: pretest and posttest. Results: The chemical analysis showed that β-cubebene (26.3%), β-caryophyllene (25.4%) and geranial (12.5%) were de main components. Both state and trait anxiety levels decreased in the experimental group during the posttest phase; however, only state anxiety demonstrated statistically significant differences (p<0.05). A moderate size effect was found for state anxiety (d = 0.799; g= 0.797) with 1-β=0.803; but none for trait anxiety. Conclusion: Melissa officinalis essential oil was moderately effective on state anxiety but has no effect on trait anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) has long been a concern because of its harmful effect on the environment and humans. This study aimed to prepare a novel graphene oxide/O-carboxymethyl chitosan (GO/CMC) composite adsorbent using the solution-blending method for the removal of UDMH from wastewater. The prepared GO/CMC was systematically characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric, and zeta potential analyses. The effects of initial pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, contact time, and recyclability on the UDMH adsorption behaviour of GO/CMC were studied. The adsorption kinetics was consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, and the adsorption process was mainly controlled by chemisorption. Adsorption isotherms indicated that the adsorption of UDMH by GO/CMC followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption mechanisms were mainly electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and surface complexation. Furthermore, GO/CMC composites can be used as a renewable and eco-friendly adsorbent for the removal of UDMH wastewater. The designed GO/CMC composites exhibited a relatively satisfactory recyclability and removal efficiency after five adsorption–desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining electrocoagulation with another process is a potential strategy for increasing the efficiency of water and wastewater pollutant removal. The integration of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and electrocoagulation (EC) demonstrates improved performance. The mechanism of the EC combined with ozone (O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sulfate radicals, electrooxidation (EO), Fenton/electro-Fenton, and UV is discussed. This review sheds light on EC-AOP hybrid processes in terms of their mechanisms, development, challenges, and their potential application for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). The majority of the articles claimed improved performance of the EC process when combined with AOP as a pre-treatment, especially in terms of removing recalcitrant contaminants. For instance, the integrated EC-Fenton/photo-Fenton processes have been shown to be a promising treatment to virtually complete removal of the phenolic compounds in oil refinery wastewater. In EC-EO process, boron doped diamond (BDD) anode, despite being costly electrode, has the highest oxidation potential and is therefore the most suitable type for the mineralization of organic pollutants. PFASs are more effective at being removed from water through zinc and Ti4O7 electrodes in EC-EO treatment. Furthermore, the peroxone and synergistic effects between O3 and coagulants played almost equal dominant role to removal of ibuprofen using hybrid EC-O3. However, enough data for conducting these integrated processes at industrial scale or with real wastewaters do not exist, and so there is a lack for comprehensive and systematic approaches to address complexity of such systems. Although a great number of papers were focused on the degradation of effluents from different industries, viruses, and pharmaceuticals, there is not sufficient research in terms of the removal of herbicides, pesticides, microplastics, and micropollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral and dental health is one of the important branches of public health, which has a significant impact on people's health and quality of life, and improving oral and dental health is one of the most important goals of preventing other diseases. Meanwhile, nurses can actively participate in the promotion of oral health care. The purpose of this research is to investigate the level of oral and dental health awareness of nursing students as future nurses based on oral and dental health indicators. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 119 third- and fourth-year nursing students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were included in the study. The questionnaire was used as a tool to evaluate the level of knowledge of students about oral and dental health, and the Chi-square test was used by spss software to analyze the data. Results: There was no significant relationship between the level of knowledge and ability of students about oral and dental hygiene with the duration of studying at the university, gender, marital status and grade point average (p>0.05). Meanwhile, there is a significant relationship between the level of awareness of nursing students in the field of oral and dental health indicators and the necessity of teaching these topics in the field of nursing (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study can be useful as a basis for teaching oral and dental health indicators in theory courses or internships for nursing students. Also, it can be used as a basis for the development of knowledge and the body of science in the field of nursing, and it can be effective in helping to improve the level of oral and dental health of people in the community and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Jollab monzej (JMZ), a Traditional Persian compound medicine, on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (MSRF). Methods: We did a double-blind randomized controlled phase3 clinical trial on the JMZ syrup in fifty-six relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients aged 18-55 years with moderate to severe fatigue using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 6. We randomly assigned (1;1) participants to the JMZ syrup or placebo syrup groups treated for one month. Participants, investigators, and assessors were unaware of the assignments. The primary outcome was changes in the fatigue score on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), at baseline and one month after treatment using the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. The secondary outcomes were changes in the score of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Outcomes were measured at baseline, one month after treatment, and 2-week follow-up. Safety was detected in all participants. Results: We randomly assigned 56 participants to the JMZ group (n=28) and placebo group (n=28). Fatigue scores significantly changed in both groups; however, the JMZ group had a greater reduction in FSS score in the ITT analysis. The adjusted mean difference was 8.80 (Confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.90-14.70, P = 0.00). The mean difference of VAS, BDI, and global PSQI scores were statistically significant (P=0.01, P₌0.00, P₌0.01; respectively). Regarding safety, mild adverse events (AEs) were reported. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the administration of JMZ syrup alleviated MSRF and also could improve depression and sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The internationalization of higher education is an effective strategy to meet the diverse needs of a society. One of the factors determining the failure or success of internationalization is the organizational culture of universities. The present study aims to investigate the role of organizational culture-related factors in the internationalization of Iranian universities. Methods & Materials This is a quantitative-quantitative study. Participants were 124 Iranian experts in higher education and those involved in internationalization of universities. A researcher-made questionnaire was used as a self-report tool with close-ended questions. In the quantitative stage, structural equation modeling and first- and second-order factor analysis were performed in SPSS and AMOS software. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch (Code: IR.IAU.RASHT.REC.1400.035) Results The ranking of factors affecting the internationalization of Iranian universities showed that the factor with the highest factor loading was “communication & interaction” (1.03) and the factor with the lowest factor loading was “human/physical/financial resources” (0.87). Conclusion Communication/interaction of universities with other education centers, as an organizational culture-related factor, plays an important role in the internationalization of Iranian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the biopolymer chitosan (CHI) was functionalized by grafting aromatic groups (benzaldehyde, BZA) onto its backbone using a hydrothermal technique to create an efficient hydrothermally chitosan-benzaldehyde adsorbent (CHI-BZA). The characterization results revealed a mesoporous and crystalline structural features of the CHI-BZA, further supporting that the aromatic ring of BZA was successfully grafted onto CHI. The resulting CHI-BZA product was applied as a promising adsorbent to remove a model of acidic dye (reactive orange 16, RO16) from simulated wastewater. Optimizing the major adsorption factors (A: CHI-BZA dose (0.02–0.08 g); B: pH (4–10); C: time (5–25)) was accomplished by the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models match the adsorption profile of RO16 species. The hydrothermally prepared CHI-BZA was found to possess a maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 228.9 mg/g for the RO16 dye. The adsorption of RO16 species onto the CHI-BZA surface is controlled by several types of interactions: electrostatic, n-π, π-π, and H-bonding. This work highlights that hydrothermally prepared CHI-BZA may serve as an efficient and promising adsorbent for the removal of acidic dyes from contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Inter-hospital transfer refers to the transfer of patients to receive diagnostic, therapeutic and paraclinical services that can prevent more injuries or more effective treatment. The present study was designed with the aim of collecting and analyzing information related to sent patients and identifying the factors that cause the transfer of patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 11,362 patient referral forms registered at Gilan University of Medical Sciences. Data were analyzed by Spss statistical software version 22 and Chisquer statistical test. Results: The amount of patient transfer requests in 1401 compared to 1400 has increased by 9%. There is a relationship between the demand for transfer of patients with inappropriate distribution of specialized human resources, lack of demand feedback mechanisms, ineffective planning of nursing staff and residency of doctors in the hospital of origin, inefficient management of resources and equipment, lack of diagnostic, medical and pharmaceutical facilities, as well as with the seasons of the year. There is significant (p>0.05). There is a significant relationship between non-acceptance of patients and the lack or lack of beds needed by the patient in the destination hospital (p<0.05). Conclusion: Improper distribution of specialized manpower according to the needs of the region, ineffective planning of resident guards, inefficient management have been identified as the main reasons for the demand for patient transfer. Forming a special working group to identify, evaluate, plan and monitor the removal of obstacles in a centralized manner and forming quality improvement circles can be a solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new chalcone series has been developed that may be useful in the treatment of lung cancer. The new series was confirmed by the different spectral tools. MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxic effect of the novel chalcones against lung cancer cell line (A549). Molecular docking studies were performed on the most two effective chalcones 7b and 7c. Different molecular techniques were utilized to study the activity and the effect of two chalcones 7b and 7c on apoptosis of A549 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Treatment of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) remains a major challenge for conventional medicine. In this regard, developing new natural treatments could be an alternative choice. This study was planned to appraise the efficacy of chamomile-lemon balm syrup on chest pain and quality of life in patients with conventional drug-resistant CSX. Materials and Methods: 29 participants with conventional drug-resistant were enrolled in a single-arm clinical trial, and 14 participants completed the study protocol. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)-lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) syrup was provided for the treatment for the 90-day study period. All conventional treatments of CSX remained unchanged. Efficacy assessment included Seattle Angina Questionnaires (SAQ), 36-item short form survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: An improvement was observed in the total score of all questionnaires with statistically significant changes over time of the study (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Chamomile-lemon balm syrup showed promising results in improving effect on angina symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety and depression in the patients with drug-resistant CSX. However, a placebo-controlled trial should be performed to verify these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid disease is one of the most common endocrine problems around the world. Among the numerous factors, exposure to environmental elements such as pesticides is associated with an increase in the incidence of thyroid disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in induction of oxidative stress (OS) and development of thyroid tumors. This case–control study was conducted on 61 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 70 patients with benign thyroid nodules (BTN), and 73 healthy individuals as control. Seven derived OCPs residues measured by gas chromatography (GC), and enzyme activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase3 (SOD3), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3) and paraoxonase1 (PON1) and also, non-enzymatic antioxidant including; malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC), and nitric oxide (NO) biomarkers in all participants were investigated. Furthermore, all of the above enzymes were docked against measured OCPs. The results revealed that β-HCH, γ-HCH, 2,4 DDE, 4,4 DDE, 2,4-DDT, and 4,4-DDT levels along with MDA, NO, and PC levels were elevated, while AChE, SOD3, GPx3, CAT, and PON1 activities and TAC levels were decreased in the PTC and BTN groups compared with the control group. Therefore, OCPs might play a role in the development of thyroid tumors through several mechanisms including generation of OS. Importantly, in silico analysis confirmed the in vivo findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that even at very low levels can cause cancer by increasing the activity of tumor cells and suppressing the immune system. There is also little information on OCPs and survival after diagnosis. The aim of this study was to monitor the concentration of OCPs in the blood serum of cancer patients and its relationship with their socio-demographic characteristics and ultimately that impact on survival time and hazard ratio (HR). This cross-sectional study included 89 diagnosed patients with cancer in Isfahan, Iran. 12 types of OCPs were measured in serum by gas chromatography (7GC) with an electron capture detector and equipped with mass spectrometer (MS). Also, participants' questionnaire was completed to collect information. T-test, ANOVA, and Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the association between serum levels of OCPs and quantitative and qualitative information of patients. Survival analysis was also examined based on Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox model. The mean of total OCPs in patients' serum was calculated to be 1.82 ± 1.36 μg/L. Concentration of 2,4′ DDE had a significant relationship with body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) (P < 0.05). In addition, gender revealed a significant correlation in estimating survival time (P < 0.05). Non-exposure to OCPs showed a positive effect on increasing the life expectancy of patients. Lindane and endosulfan increased the risk of death by 16% and 37%, respectively, with insignificant P value (P > 0.05). The findings of the present study showed adverse effects of OCPs on patients' survival time and increased mortality of HR. Moreover, as the first research conducted in the study area, it is suggested management of environmental, individual and social factors that could be influenced the biological accumulation of OCPs in humans and cause health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most serious diseases with high mortality. Concerning the influence of age and gender on ACS properties, this study aimed to determine gender and age-based differences in risk factors and symptoms of the ACS in a sample of Iranian patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 patients with ACS in Kerman from 10 September, 2018 to 25 February, 2019. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews in the coronary care unit (CCU) after ACS diagnosis. A trained interviewer collected the data using a demographic and clinical information checklist. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square, Fisher exact test, and Mann‐Whitney U test and through SPSS software (version 23). Results: In this study, more than half of the patients with ACS were males (n=240, 53.4%). In one-third of the patients, ACS symptoms were presented in the age range of 60-69 years (n=145, 32.2%). In the female patients compared to the male patients, there were more cases of underweight [58 (27.6%) versus 45 (18.8%), P value: 0.02], positive family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) [102 (48.6%) versus 92 (38.3%), P value: 0.02], and hypertension [119 (56.7%) versus 113 (47.1%), P value: 0.04]. In contrast, there were no differences in common symptoms and pain severity in patients in various age and sex groups. Conclusion: Attention to the differences in the profile of risk factors and symptoms of ACS in males and females of different ages, would be helpful in choosing the best clinical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The adsorption removal of phenol onto bentonite that was prepared by the traditional hydrothermal method has been widely studied; especially, surfactant‐modified bentonite has achieved an exclusive position on effective removal to phenol. However, the adsorption performance of the bentonite functionalized by double‐carbon chain surfactants in a microwave field for phenol is relatively low. The study on the fabrication of organobentonite by microwave‐assistance to remove organic pollutants still needs to be investigated. RESULTS: The adsorption performance of bentonite was enhanced after functionalizing with Dihexadecyldimethylammonium Bromide (D1621). FTIR and XRD patterns revealed that D1621 was successfully intercalated into bentonite, and the interval space was increased by 1.54 to 1.84 nm. The optimized preparation condition was obtained at a molar ratio (D1621: Bentonite) of 0.36, solid–liquid ratio (D1621 + Bent: water) of 0.12, microwave mode of Med, and thermal radiation for 6 min based on the indicator of phenol adsorption uptake. An excellent removal rate for phenol was observed at pH 2 to 7 and room temperature in adsorption tests. The adsorption process was spontaneous at room temperature according to thermodynamic parameters, and it agrees with Freundlich (R2 = 0.9781) and pseudo‐second‐order (R2 = 0.9999) models, validating a chemisorption process. CONCLUSION: The D1621‐Bent perpetrated by using the microwave‐assisted heating method was proven to be a reliable adsorbent for phenol in water. The adsorption performance of bentonite on phenol was remarkably enhanced after the introduction of organic modifiers. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal phosphides are highly toxic pesticides that result in high morbidities and mortalities worldwide. This systematic review included 350 studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. There were significant rising trends of studies on acute aluminum phosphide (AlP) and zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) poisoning (p-values = <.001), pointing to an increased number of phosphide-intoxicated patients. Acute AlP poisoning studies represented 81%, 89.3%, and 97.7% of all descriptive, analytical, and experimental interventional studies included in this review, respectively. High AlP poisoning mortality explains great research interest in AlP poisoning. Thus, after 2016, nearly half (49.7%) of studies on acute AlP poisoning were issued. Also, 78.82% of experimental interventional studies on AlP poisoning were published after 2016. The trends of in-vitro, animal, and clinical studies on AlP poisoning significantly increased with p-values equal to.021, <.001, and <.001, respectively. Seventy-nine treatment modalities for acute AlP poisoning were pooled from 124 studies; 39 management-related case reports, 12 in-vitro studies, 39 animal studies, and 34 clinical studies. All therapeutic modalities were summarized to formulate an integrated and comprehensive overview. For clinicians, therapeutic modalities significantly decreased mortality of acute AlP poisoning in clinical trials included extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), vitamin E, glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusion, fresh packed RBCs infusion, and GIT decontamination using oils. However, meta-analyses are needed to provide solid evidence regarding their efficacies. To date, there is no effective antidote nor evidence-based standardized protocol for managing acute AlP poisoning. This article outlined the potential research gaps in phosphide poisoning that might promote and direct future medical research in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

This paper reports the degradation of the sulfadiazine (SDZ) drug with a hybrid advanced oxidation process (AOP) of heterogeneous α-Fe2O3/persulfate coupled with hydrodynamic cavitation. The major objectives of the study are parametric optimization of the process and elucidation of the chemical mechanism of degradation. The optimum conditions for maximum SDZ degradation of 93.07 ± 1.67% were as follows: initial SDZ concentration = 20 ppm, pH = 4, α-Fe2O3 = 181.82 mg/L, Na2S2O8 = 348.49 mg/L, H2O2 = 0.95 mL/L, inlet pressure = 0.81 MPa (8 atm), orifice plate configuration: hole dia. = 2 mm and number of holes = 4. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the atoms of SDZ with a high Fukui index (f0) were potentially active sites for the attack of •OH and SO 4 · - radicals. Fukui index calculation revealed that atom 11 N has a higher value of f0 (0.1026) for oxidation at the α-amine group of the sulfadiazine molecule. Degradation intermediates detected through LC–MS/MS analysis corroborated the results of DFT simulations. Using these results, a chemical pathway has been proposed for SDZ degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world faces tremendous challenges and environmental crises due to the rising strength of wastewater. The conventional technologies fail to achieve the quality water that can be reused after treatment means "zero effluent" discharge of the industrial effluent. Therefore, now the key challenge is to develop improved technologies which will have no contribution to secondary pollution and at the same time more efficient for the socio-economic growth of the environment. Sustainable technologies are needed for wastewater treatment, reducing footprint by recycling, reusing, and recovering resources. Advanced oxidation process (AOP) is one of the sustainable emerging technologies for treating refractory organic contaminants present in different industrial wastewaters like textile, paper and pulp, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and refineries. This critical review emerges details of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), mentioning all possible permutations and combinations of components like ozone, UV, the catalyst used in the process. Non-conventional AOP systems, microwave, ultrasound, and plasma pulse assisted are the future of the oxidation process. This review aims to enlighten the role of AOPs for the mineralization of refractory organic contaminants (ROC) to readily biodegradable organics that cannot be either possible by conventional treatment. The integrated AOPs can improve the biodegradability of recalcitrant organic compounds and reduce the toxicity of wastewater, making them suitable for further biological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel ferrites (MFe2O4, M divalent metallic ion) and their nanocomposites with specific metallic oxides (ZnO, TiO2, CeO2) have attracted the interest of researchers for studying the decontamination of wastewater using photocatalysts, due to the fact MFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are stable and handy to separate after being used due to its incredible magnetic behavior. With this background, the latest growth on photocatalytic performances of MFe2O4-based binary nanocomposites have been comprehensively revised. Particularly, a much interest rising on MFe2O4/metal NPs, MFe2O4/metal oxides, MFe2O4/polymers, MFe2O4/carbon-based materials, and MFe2O4/other compounds for the photocatalytic decomposition of dyes. In this review, nanocomposites of MFe2O4 as photocatalysts are discussed in detail. This review paper has explained the advantageous pathway for the generation of free radicals with the help of these catalysts in the presence of visible and UV light. This review sums up that MFe2O4-based nanocomposites with metal oxide have valuable application in purification of water. Nevertheless, their sensible consumption in wastewater treatment plants still needs additional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning and memory play a fundamental role on brain cognitive functions which are crucial for human life. Nonylphenol (NP), a serious environmental pollutant over the world, is proven to be harmful for learning and memory mainly via diet exposure. Currently, besides the administrative restrictions for the use of NP, there are rarely other effective approaches against learning and memory impairment caused by NP. This review summarized the mechanisms underlying NP-induced learning and memory impairment according to in vivo and in vitro experiments. Based on the studies involved in behavior tests, these mechanisms were classified as oxidative stress, neurotransmitter disorder, synaptic plasticity impairment, and neuron injury. In addition, according to the studies which did not conduct behavior tests, the possible mechanisms underlying NP-induced learning and memory impairment were proposed as chronic inflammation and gut permeability increment. Furthermore, this review also revealed the demanding questions for the mechanism investigations and therapeutic methods. Notably, the summarized mechanisms might accelerate the prevention and remediation of NP-induced learning and memory impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fluoride with high-concentration in industrial wastewater will cause great harm to the environment and calcium-modified biochar is an effective adsorbent for the removal of fluoride. Biochar composites were prepared from mature and dried dead leaves and eggshell to remove fluoride from the aqueous solution. The effects of raw material ratio, pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, initial concentration of fluoride, and the coexisting ions on the removal efficiency of fluoride were explored. The biochar composites before and after fluoride removal were characterized by the SEM, FTIR, XRD, and XPS, which showed CaF2 precipitation was formed during the adsorption. The kinetics and isotherm study showed that chemical adsorption was the primary step for the fluoride adsorption of the biochar composites. The removal efficiency of fluoride can reach 98.53% when the amount of adsorbent was 1.6 g/L and the fluoride concentration was 500 mg/L. The BET-specific surface area of platanus acerifoli leaves biochar was 410.14 m2/g, which was suitable for the adsorption carrier. The adsorption capacity of the biochar composite materials was as high as 308 mg/g. The platanus acerifoli leaves-eggshell biochar composite with large pore size and high removal efficiency may be used as an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for treating high-concentration fluoride-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant increase in the turnip sector has brought a wastewater problem that needs to be managed. In this study, turnip juice wastewater treatment was studied using the electrocoagulation/electroflotation and electrooxidation processes. Independent process parameters such as electrode type (aluminum–aluminum, iron–iron, boron-doped diamond–platinum and graphite–platinum), current density (25–100 A/m2) and retention time (15–180 min) were investigated for the optimization of treatment conditions. Removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand and total phenol were studied. It was determined that the optimum removal efficiencies in both electrocoagulation/electroflotation and electrooxidation processes were the same under the conditions of 100 A/m2 current density, pH 5.4, and 45 min reaction time. Here, 100% removal efficiencies were achieved for both chemical oxygen demand and total phenol. The operating cost of the electrocoagulation/electroflotation process was calculated as 1.58 $/m3, while it was determined as 0.61 $/m3 for electrooxidation for the optimum removal parameters. It is seen in laboratory scale test results that electrocoagulation/electroflotation and electrooxidation processes are applicable/feasible for the treatment of turnip juice wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pain after periodontal surgeries is one of the most common complications. Echium amoenum is among the important therapeutic herbs in Iranian traditional medicine. Various studies have shown its pain control properties. This study aimed to evaluate this herb's efficacy in controlling pain after periodontal surgeries. Methods. In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients referred to Tabriz Dental School for clinical crown lengthening surgery were divided into two equal groups: control and test. In the test group (using E. amoenum), 24 hours before surgery, E. amoenum was administered to the patient at home every 12 hours, and a dose of E. amoenum was administered one hour before the procedure. The postoperative pain was assessed using VAS 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours after the surgery and verbal rating scale (VRS) 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. A chi-square test was used to compare the pain severity between the two groups. Results. The VAS index was significantly lower in the E. amoenum group compared to the control group (30 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours after the procedure) (P < 0.05). In both groups, pain severity increased significantly up to 3 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). In the first 24 hours, the VRS index of the E. amoenum group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the two groups at 48 and 72 hours (P > 0.05). Conclusion. The E. amoenum herb reduced the pain severity after clinical crown lengthening surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously we showed that Beclin1 has a regulatory role in the secretion of inflammatory molecules in glia after exposure to morphine and Tat (an HIV protein). Here we show increased secretion of neuronal growth factors and increased neuronal survival in Beclin1-deficient glia. However, without glia co-culture, neurons deficient in Beclin1 showed greater death and enhanced dendritic beading when compared to wild-type neurons, suggesting that glial-secreted growth factors compensate for the damage reduced autophagy causes neurons. To assess if our ex vivo results correlated with in vivo studies, we used a wild-type (Becn1+/+) and Beclin1-deficient (Becn1+/+) mouse model and intracranially infused the mice with Tat and subcutaneously administered morphine pellets. After morphine implantation, significantly impaired locomotor activities were detected in both Becn1+/+ and Becn1+/- mice, irrespective of Tat infusion. After induction of pain, morphine-induced antinociception was detected. Interestingly, co-exposure to morphine and Tat increased sensitivity to pain in Becn1+/+ mice, but not in similarly treated Becn1+/- mice. Brain homogenates from Becn1+/+ mice exposed to Tat, alone and in combination with morphine, showed increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expression of growth factors when compared to similarly treated Becn1+/- mice. Likewise, increased neuronal loss was detected when both Tat and morphine were administered to Becn1+/+ mice, but not in similarly treated Becn1+/- mice. Overall, our findings show that there is a Beclin1-driven interaction between Tat and morphine in glia and neurons. Moreover, reduced glial-Beclin1 may provide a layer of protection to neurons under stressful conditions, such as when exposed to morphine and Tat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the preparation, characterization, and application of Fe3O4-polyindole-Ag composite are reported. The Fe3O4-PIN-Ag composite with the structure that Ag nanoparticles were decorated on the surface of Fe3O4-PIN was prepared via a facile in situ method. The nanocomposite was manufactured via oxidation in situ polymerization of indole on iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of ammonium persulfate, (NH4)2S2O8, as an oxidant. Then, the formed silver nanoparticles without using external reductant were deposited on the surface of polyindole. The structure and the component of Fe3O4-PIN-Ag composite were well identified by FT-IR, UV–Vis, XRD, SEM, EDX, ICP-AES, and TEM techniques. The composites indicated excellent catalytic activities for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue in the presence of NaBH4 and removal of methylene blue with just a low amount of adsorbent (1 mg). The catalyst could complete reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue in 28 and 20 min, respectively, and adsorption of methylene blue in 140 min with apparent rate constants kapp of 9.49 × 10–2, 16 × 10–2, and 1.2 × 10–2 min−1, respectively. The Fe3O4-PIN-Ag composite was able to capture the electrons/hydride ions and increased the opportunities to reduce 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue and could help to facilitate the contact of methylene blue by PIN chains and Ag nanoparticles. This catalyst exhibited superior durable catalytic stability so that no significant activity loss was observed in the consecutive six reaction runs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw meatball is a popular traditional food product commonly consumed in Turkey. Legally, minced meat is not allowed in the commercial production of raw meatballs, and generally, it is made by mixing finely shredded bulgur and spices. The risk of mycotoxin production increases when bulgur and spices are produced and/or stored in unsuitable conditions. Therefore, in this study, the presence and levels of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Total Aflatoxin (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2), and Ochratoxin A (OTA) were investigated in 40 spring–summer samples and 40 fall-winter samples (80 raw meatball samples in total), collected from different producers and retailers, using the ELISA method. As a result, the AFB1, Total AF, and OTA levels were detected at 40%, 22.5%, and 7.5% in the spring–summer samples and 12.5%, 17.5%, and 2.5% in the fall-winter samples, respectively. Therefore, hygienic procedures must be followed for each step of the production and storage of bulgur and spices used for raw meatball production to avoid any toxin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Physical activity (PA) is associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among women with breast cancer; however, uncertainty remains regarding PA types and dose (frequency, duration, intensity) and various HRQoL measures. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to clarify whether specific types and doses of physical activity was related to global and specific domains of HRQoL, as part of the Global Cancer Update Programme, formerly known as the World Cancer Research Fund–American Institute for Cancer Research Continuous Update Project. Methods PubMed and CENTRAL databases were searched up to August 31, 2019. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) in HRQoL scores were estimated using random effects models. An independent expert panel graded the evidence. Results A total of 79 randomized controlled trials (14 554 breast cancer patients) were included. PA interventions resulted in higher global HRQoL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast (WMD = 5.94, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.64 to 9.24; I 2 = 59%, n = 12), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (WMD = 4.53, 95% CI = 1.94 to 7.13; I 2 = 72%, n = 18), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–C30 (WMD = 6.78, 95% CI = 2.61 to 10.95; I 2 = 76.3%, n = 17). The likelihood of causality was considered probable that PA improves HRQoL in breast cancer survivors. Effects were weaker for physical function and mental and emotional health. Evidence regarding dose and type of PA remains insufficient for firm conclusions. Conclusion PA results in improved global HRQoL in breast cancer survivors with weaker effects observed for physical function and mental and emotional health. Additional research is needed to define the impact of types and doses of activity on various domains of HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout history, Matricaria chamomilla L. (M. chamomilla) has had countless applications in traditional medicine. Its extracts, oils and teas have been used for treating diverse ailments, including wounds, rheumatic pain, menstrual cramps, eye and ear infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory illnesses. These traditional applications guided modern research into its medicinal effects through increasingly detailed in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials. A plethora of preclinical studies have assessed the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic, wound healing, and anticancer properties of M. chamomilla. These pharmacological properties of M. chamomilla are attributed to its rich reservoir of phytochemical constituents, primarily its flavonoids, such as luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin, as well as its sesquiterpenes, mainly chamazulene and (−)-α-bisabolol. Remarkably, preclinical studies have paved the way for progress towards controlled human clinical trials. M. chamomilla has been clinically evaluated for its effects against anxiety, sleep-deficiency, depression, as well as oral, women-related, inflammatory, metabolic, dermatological, gastrointestinal disorders, and children-related conditions. In this sense, this review elucidates and discusses the recent findings for M. chamomilla development as a therapeutic agent that possesses health-promoting, disease-preventing and even treatment properties. The traditional medicinal uses and evidence-based research studies, which were performed in cell culture, animal models and human subjects to assess the pharmacological activities of M. chamomilla, are extensively highlighted. Particular emphasis is given to some phytochemical constituents of M. chamomilla, which demonstrate great potential in treating various conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed barriers to testicular self-examination (TSE) performance in a population of US Modern Orthodox Jewish undergraduate students. Participants answered questionnaires that measured their TSE performance and their attitudes toward TSEs. Out of 541 participants, 301 (55.6%) had heard of TSEs, 177 (32.7%) had ever performed a TSE, and 21 (3.9%) performed TSEs once per month in the past year. Significant positive associations of TSE awareness and practice included self-efficacy and engagement with medical professionals vis-à-vis testicular health. Shame and adherence to certain religious beliefs negatively correlated with awareness and performance of TSEs. The results demonstrate medical professionals' integral role in educating young individuals about TSEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, OTA content of 97 black, green and chamomile tea samples and consequently, their carcinogenic (MOE) and non-carcinogenic effect (THQ) were estimated. As the results showed, 65, 36 and 38% of chamomile, black and green tea samples contained OTA with a maximum level of 47.7, 0.51 and 4.7 µg kg−1, respectively. Furthermore, the OTA level in chamomile, black and green tea samples were found to be 13.7 ± 14.4, 0.17 ± 0.1 and 2.2 ± 1.2 µg kg−1, respectively. Forty percent of chamomile tea (Matricaria chamomilla) and nineteen percent of green tea samples had over 2 µg kg−1 of OTA. The risk assessment study revealed that even in the worst-case scenario, consumption of tea poses no serious health risk to Iranian consumers. However, there is a relatively high risk of OTA exposure for long-term high consumers who drinks at least four cups of chamomile beverage with maximum level of contamination per day. Considering the high amount of contamination in the samples analyzed in this study and based on the studies conducted in other countries in the same area, OTA level in Iranian beverages must be managed through risk assessment screening. Moreover, the simultaneous occurrence of mycotoxins is required to be investigated in further studies on different types of tea because the co- occurrence of mycotoxins may have a synergistic effect on the toxicity of each one of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ninety-seven spices of seven different types were collected from different retailers in the West Bank of Palestine and were analysed for fungal contamination, specifically aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. and Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels. Aspergillus was found in 89% samples analysed. Ground red chilli had the highest average number of fungal colonies. In decreasing order, mixed spices (57%), cardamom (53%), red chilli (52%), chicken spices (50%), sumac (47%) and pepper (38%), were contaminated with Aspergillus species. Aspergillus niger and A. flavus were dominating Aspergillus species in 37% and 23% of food samples analysed, respectively. Of the 11 tested isolates, 82% were identified as aflatoxin-producers. AFB1 was detected in 40.2% of the samples analysed with a mean value of 2.09 ± 3.20 μg/kg. Red chilli powder followed by chicken spices and cardamom recorded the highest levels (6.98, 3.55 and 1.48 μg/kg, respectively). Twenty-two of the spices (23%), were above the European Union's maximum limit of 5 μg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbohydrate polymers, such as cellulose and its derivatives, are the most abundant materials that find in nature that can use as adsorbents for water treatment. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or cellulose gum is one of the cellulose derivatives with carboxymethyl groups which has features such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, non-toxicity, and low cost. In this case, CMC was utilized to synthesize CoFe2O4@CMC/Hydrogen-exchanged Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (HZSM-5). The aim of this research was the synthesis of CoFe2O4@CMC/HZSM-5 in green conditions as a new nanomagnetic adsorbent for metronidazole (MNZ) removal from the aqueous media. The physicochemical structure of the adsorbent was characterized by various techniques. After that, in the adsorption process under the optimal conditions including pH 6, temperature 20 °C, MNZ concentration of 50 mg/L, contact time 60 min, and adsorbent dose 2 g/L, the synthetic and real samples removal efficiency was obtained 94% and 85%, respectively. The adsorption experiments were fitted with the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic. The values of entropy changes (ΔS = 46 J/mol k), enthalpy changes (ΔH = 9.33 kJ/mol), and negative Gibbs free energy changes (ΔG) showed that the adsorption process was endothermic, random, and spontaneous and had a physical mechanism. In addition, the findings showed that after the nanosorbent recovery, the adsorbent chemical structure did not change and the efficiency decreased to 86% after six runs. CoFe2O4@CMC/HZSM-5 magnetic nanocomposite had effective adsorption capacity for MNZ removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, novel aerogels of Nicandra physaloides (L.) Gaertn seed gum (NPG) and Nicandra physaloides (L.) Gaertn seed gum/Carboxymethyl chitosan (NPG/CMC) were prepared by freeze-drying method for removing tetracycline (TC) from water. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) were used to characterize structure and morphology of NPG and NPG/CMC aerogels. The average pore diameter of NPG and NPG/CMC were 3.04 and 1.2 nm, the specific surface areas were 2.67 and 0.73 m2/g, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of NPG and NPG/CMC aerogels for TC based on Langmuir isotherm was 266.7 and 332.23 mg/g respectively. Through thermodynamic and kinetic studies, it was found that the adsorption processes of the two adsorbents were spontaneous and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. And the process of NPG adsorption of TC was endothermic, while NPG/CMC was exothermic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moral distress is one of the most important problems that nurses face in their care of patients. Various studies have reported the frequency and severity of moral distress in nurses. However, to date, a comprehensive study that shows the results of these research across the world was not found, therefore due to the importance of this issue, its role in the health of nurses and patients, and the lack of general statistics about it worldwide, the present study was conducted to determine the frequency and severity of moral distress in nurses through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: In this review study, searching national and international databases of SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Google Scholar, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, CINHAL, PubMed, and Web of Science (WoS) between 2005 and February 2020 were extracted. The random-effects model was used for analysis, and the heterogeneity of studies with the I2 index was investigated. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2).Results: The frequency of moral distress in 9 articles with a sample size of 1576 persons was 1.7 ± 0.5 from (0-4), in 13 articles with a sample size of 1870 persons, 3.07 ± 0.1 from (0-5), in 6 articles with a sample size of 1316 persons, 3.2 ± 0.29 from (0-6), in 18 articles with a sample size of 1959 persons, 4.6 ± 0.518 from (1-7) and in 35 articles with a sample size of 3718 persons, 81.1 ± 4.6 from (216-30), and the severity of moral distress in 4 articles with a sample size of 1116 persons, 1.7 ± 0.37 from (0-4), in 5 articles with a sample size of 1282 persons, 2.6 ± 0.28 from (0-5), in 5 articles with a sample size of 944 persons, 3.9 ± 0.63 from (0-6) and in 8 articles with a sample size of 901 persons was 82.3 ± 5.4 (0-216).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the frequency and severity of moral distress in nurses are high and are a serious problem in nurses. Therefore, policymakers in this field should consider its role in the health of nurses and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]