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A novel double network (DN) hydrogel nanocomposite with good compressive strength has been prepared by using Carboxymethyl Cellulose-g-Acrylic acid-Iron Oxides Nanoparticles (CMC-g-AA-IONs) as the primary network and polyacrylamide as the secondary network. The structure of the synthesized DN hydrogel nanocomposite was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical strength measurement. The synthesized DN hydrogel showed high mechanical strength (σ of 0.238 MPa), despite the water content of 90%. Its biocompatibility effect on sensitive nerve cells was evaluated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The results showed that the DN hydrogel nanocomposite has no cytotoxicity on these cells and did not cause any disturbance or inhibit their growth and proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: several studies have been performed to assess the cochlear and surgical outcomes in cochlear implanted children with inner ear malformation. Auditory benefits from this intervention were significant, but the evaluation and management of vestibular system in those patients is a novel challenge to even the most clinician. Objective: To evaluate the impact of inner ear anomaly on vestibular system in patients with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss whom undergone cochlear implantation. Material and methods: In this retrospective review study, 43 patients with congenital profound hearing loss who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation from 2001 to 2016 were recruited. They were allocated into patients with and without inner ear malformations by temporal bone high-resolution computed tomography. Vestibular system was assessed with vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and bi- Thermal caloric test. The effects of cochlear implant surgery on vestibular function were evaluated when contralateral ear was considered as control. Statistical analysis was conducted by using Binary Logistic Regression with SPSS and Fisher Exact test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Saccular dysfunction was detected in 60.7 % of abnormal ear that received cochlear implantation. There were significant differences in VEMP results between groups (p-value: 0.026) and 65% of patient with absent VEMP were in patient with abnormal inner ear anatomy. Patients with history of re-implantation in both ear had bilateral VEMP abnormalities (p-value: 0.012). Caloric- no response and weakness was detected in 77.7 % of patient with abnormal inner ear anatomy and 81.3 % of patient with normal anatomy had normal caloric test. There were no significant differences in caloric results and implanted ear (p- value: 0.66). Patients with history of re-implantation in both ear had bilateral caloric abnormalities (p-value: o.o3). Among patients with inner ear anomalies, those with abnormal internal auditory canal performed worse in vestibular function. Gender, age, duration of implantation, age of implantation, type of prosthesis and intra-op cerebrospinal fluid leak had no significant difference in both groups and did not affect clinical outcomes. Conclusion: In patients with inner ear anomalies the incidence of vestibular dysfunction is predominant, especially in those with internal auditory canal narrowing. Therefore, surgeons should be aware of more labyrinth injury during cochlear implantation surgery especially in patients who need re-implantation and try to minimize the risk of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cigarette smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and disability in the industrialized world and it causes at least 85% of lung cancers, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In addition smokers are at a higher risk from psychiatric co-morbid illness such as depression and completed suicide. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in which we targeted all patients with serious mental illness (SMI) who were admitted in Razi mental health Hospital in Tehran, Iran. We recruited 984 participants, who were receiving services from Razi mental health Hospital and hospitalized for at least two days between 21 July to 21 September, 2010. Nine hundred and fifty patients out of this figure were able to participate in our study. Results The final study sample (n = 950) consisted of 73.2% males and 26.8% females. The mean age was 45.31 (SD=13.7). A majority of participants (70%) was smoker. A history of never smoking was present for 25.2% of the study sample; while 4.8% qualified as former smokers and 70.0% as occasional or current smokers. Two hundred and nineteen participants had attempted suicide amongst them 102 (46.6%) once, 37 (16.9%) twice, and 80 (36.5%) attempted more than two times in their life time. In regression model, gender, age, and cigarette consumption were associated with previous suicide attempts and entered the model in this order as significant predictors. Conclusions There is an association of cigarette smoking and suicide attempt in psychiatric inpatients. Current smoking, a simple clinical assessment, should trigger greater attention by clinicians to potential suicidality and become part of a comprehensive assessment of suicide risk.

Length-weight relationships were estimated for five nemacheilian loaches of Iran. Three of these species are endemic to Iran and the L- W parameters of three species are given for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing heat transfer in heat exchangers has gained attention of researchers for many years because of reduction in costs of generating heat exchanger. Application of improved tubes is one way of increasing heat transfer. In the present study, the turbulent flow in tubular heat exchangers with two twisted tapes was numerically investigated. Constant input velocity and output pressure with non-slip conditions on the surface of the tape and the tube were also considered as the hydrodynamic boundary condition. In addition, the constant heat flow and heat resistance boundary conditions were also considered for the surface of the tube and the tape, respectively. The fluent software was applied to solve the governing differential equations. Results indicated that reducing the torsion ratio at constant Reynolds number with unaligned orientation of tapes increases the average Nusselt number. Results also demonstrated that in aligned orientation, performance enhancement is more compared to aligned orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the abstract "Genetic Studies of the Iranian Deaf Population," by Hossein Najmabadi, C. Nishimura, K. Kahrizi, Y. Riazalhosseini, M. Malekpour, A. Daneshi, M. Farhadi, M. Mohseni, N. Bazazzadegan, A. Naghavi, E. Taherzadeh, M. Avenarius, S. Arzhangi, R. Dalgleish, R. J. H. Smith.

Presents the abstract "Screening for DFNB1, DFNB2, DFNB3, DFNB4, DFNB9 and DFNB21 Loci in the Iranian Patients With Autosomal Recessive Non-syndromic Hearing Loss," by Yasser Riazalhosseini, A. Daneshi, P. Imanirad, M. Mohseni, N. Bazazzadegan, K. Kahrizi, M. Farhadi, R. Dalgleish, and H. Najmabadi.

Dispersion and deposition of microparticles are investigated numerically in a channel in the presence of a square obstacle and inlet flow pulsation. Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to simulate the flow field and modified Euler method is employed to calculate particles trajectories with the assumption of one-way coupling. The forces of drag, gravity, Saffman lift and Brownian motion are included in the particles equation of motion. The effects of pulsation amplitude ( A M P ), Strouhal number and particles Stokes number ( S t k ) are rigorously studied on particles dispersion and deposition efficiency. Flow vortex shedding and particles dispersion patterns together with the averaged fluid–particle relative velocity and deposition efficiency plots are all discussed thoroughly. The results show that increment of pulsation amplitude enforces the vortices to form closer to the obstacle until their shape deteriorates as Strouhal number ratio (SNR) rises. The average recirculation length shrinks to its minimum at each studied Amp when SNR escalates to 2. Various behaviors are categorized for dispersion pattern of particles when Stokes number changes from 0.001 to 4. Deposition efficiency is indirectly related to Amp for S t k ≤ 2 while for higher Stokes numbers ( 2 < S t k ≤ 4 ) they show direct relationship. Deposition pattern becomes rather independent of SNR at Amp = 0.1 . The grid independency test was performed for the LBM analysis, and simulation code was successfully verified against credible benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated vestibular function outcomes after cochlear implantation in patients with inner-ear anomalies. Methods: Twenty-two patients with bilateral symmetric inner-ear anomalies and 28 patients with normal inner ears were included. All were congenitally or progressively deaf persons implanted unilaterally during the previous 15 years. Vestibular system function was assessed by vestibular-evoked myogenic potential and bithermal caloric tests. Results: The vestibular-evoked myogenic potential abnormality rate in implanted ears with an inner-ear anomaly was 81.8 per cent, compared with 39.3 per cent in implanted ears with normal anatomy. In the non-implanted sides, the rate was 45.5 per cent (10 out of 22 cases) in the inner-ear anomaly patients compared with 17.9 per cent in patients with normal inner-ear structure. The respective abnormal caloric test rates in inner-ear anomaly versus normal anatomy patients were 81.8 per cent and 17.9 per cent (implanted ears), 77.3 per cent and 14.3 per cent (non-implanted sides). Conclusion: Inner-ear anomaly and implantation were both associated with more vestibular-evoked myogenic potential abnormalities; when occurring together, these factors showed a synergistic effect. Caloric test abnormality is mainly dependent on the presence of an inner-ear anomaly, but implantation is not associated with caloric abnormality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can follow congenital toxoplasmosis. Treatment in the first year of life is associated with diminished occurrence of this sequel. In various parts of Iran, the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii ranges from 24% to 57.7%. We evaluate the possible role of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the occurrence of SNHL in children. Design and setting: This case-control study was performed in a tertiary care center in Tehran between 2002 and 2003. This study was carried out based on diagnostic parameters of the American Academy of Otolaryngology criteria for SNHL and a healthy control group. Main outcome measures: We compared the specific Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgM & IgG ) measured by ELISA in 95 blood samples of infants with SNHL and 63 healthy matched infants. Results: Acute (IgM) and previous (IgG) immunity to Toxoplasma gondii was found in 12 and 21.2% of SNHL children, respectively. Most cases with previous infections (IgG positive) were children aged less than 1 year old (i.e. maternal immunity), but acute infection (IgM positive) was higher in 3–5 year old age group. Acute infection (IgM) was significantly more frequent in the SNHL group, and previous immunity was higher in the controls (CI 95%, P-value = 0.01; 0.01). Conclusion: With respect to seropositive children, as we were unable to differentiate congenital from acquired cases, we recommend prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis by treatment of Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women and treatment of acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection after birth to minimise the risk of SNHL in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background : Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer in Southeast Asia and is frequently associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Human papilloma virus (HPV) is an epitheliotrophic oncogenic virus that has been detected in a variety of head and neck tumors including NPC. This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of EBV and HPV infection subtypes 6/11 and 16/18 in 20 patients with NPC. Methods : In situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) and tyramid signal amplification of ISH for HPV DNA subtypes 6/11 and 16/18 was performed to evaluate the prevalence of EBV and HPV latency infection among Iranian Patients with NPC. Results : 16 cases were classified as WHO type III (undifferentiated carcinoma) and 4 as WHO type II (non-keratinizing SCC). EBER-ISH was positive in 19 (95%) of NPCs evaluated and in one metastases from cervical primary, included in this series. Two of 20 NPC (10%) contained HPV 6/11 sequences and two of 20 NPC (10%) contained HPV 16/18 sequences, and combined EBV and HPV infection was detected in 3 of the 20 (15%) patients. Conclusion : Our data indicated that EBV is closely associated with NPC in Iran. In addition, a low percentage of EBV positive NPC contained HPV sequences. The significance of coexistence of EBV and HPV in NPC requires further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: This study aimed to measure the duration and recovery rate of olfactory loss in patients complaining of recent smell loss as their prominent symptom during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. Method: This was a prospective telephone follow-up observational study of 243 participants who completed an online survey that started on 12 March 2020. Results: After a mean of 5.5 months from the loss of smell onset, 98.3 per cent of participants reported improvement with a 71.2 per cent complete recovery rate after a median of 21 days. The chance of complete recovery significantly decreased after 131 days from the onset of loss of smell (100 per cent sensitive and 97.7 per cent specific). Younger age and isolated smell loss were associated with a rapid recovery, whereas accompanying rhinological and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with longer loss of smell duration. Conclusion: Smell loss, occurring as a prominent symptom during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, showed a favourable outcome. However, after 5.5 months from the onset, around 10 per cent of participants still complained of moderate or severe hyposmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curative-intent radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT) of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) produces high survival rates, but is associated with substantial toxicity. However, there are no commonly accepted quality metrics for early mortality in radiation oncology. To assess the applicability of early mortality as a clinical quality indicator, this study investigated the temporal distribution, risk factors and trends of 90- and 180-day overall and non-cancer mortality in a nationwide cohort of HNSCC patients treated with RT/CRT. Information on all HNSCC patients treated with curative-intent RT/CRT in Denmark between 2000 and 2017 was obtained from the national Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group clinical database. Deaths in patients with residual or recurrent disease after RT/CRT were classified as cancer-related. Possible risk factors were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Data from 11 419 patients were extracted. In total, 90- and 180-day mortality risks were 3.1% and 7.1%, respectively. There was a uniform temporal distribution of 180-day mortality. In multivariable analysis, increasing age, stage, performance status, earlier treatment year and hypopharyngeal cancer were significantly associated with an increased risk (P < 0.05). Risk factor estimates were comparable for 90- versus 180-day mortality as well as for overall versus non-cancer mortality. Between 2000 and 2017 there was a significant decrease in 180-day mortality, which was driven by a reduction in cancer-related events. The distribution of 180-day overall and non-cancer mortality did not indicate a well-defined early high-risk period. Moreover, risk factor estimates were highly similar across risk periods and groups. Taken together, our findings question the applicability of early mortality as a standard metric for treatment-associated toxicity. • Early mortality after radical radiotherapy was investigated in a national head–neck cancer cohor.t • 90- and 180-day mortality risks were 3.1% and 7.1%, respectively • Early mortality decreased between 2000 and 2017. • There were no indications of an early high-risk period after treatment initiation. • Introducing early mortality as a clinical quality indicator is questionable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is limited clinical data on proton radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. • There is no consensus on trial design or relevant endpoints. • The Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group (DAHANCA) have initiated a randomised study in an enriched population of patients with an expected benefit of protons on late toxicity. Proton radiotherapy offers a dosimetric advantage compared to photon therapy in sparing normal tissue, but the clinical evidence for toxicity reductions in the treatment of head and neck cancer is limited. The Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group (DAHANCA) has initiated the DAHANCA 35 randomised trial to clarify the value of proton therapy (NCT04607694). The DAHANCA 35 trial is performed in an enriched population of patients selected by an anticipated benefit of proton therapy to reduce the risk of late dysphagia or xerostomia based on normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modelling. We present our considerations on the trial design and a test of the selection procedure conducted before initiating the randomised study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress has the main role in protein conformational changes and consequent direct involvement in different kind of diseases. Potassium sorbate as a widespread industrial preservative and glucose are two important oxidants that can be involved in oxidative stress. In this study the effect of ellagic acid as a phenolic antioxidant on amyloid fibril formation of human serum albumin upon incubation of potassium sorbate and glucose was studied using thioflavin T assay, surface tension, atomic force microscopy, Amadori product, and carbonyl content assays. The thioflavin T assay and atomic force microscopy micrographs demonstrated the antiamyloidogenic effect of ellagic acid on the human serum albumin fibril formation. This antioxidant also had the repair effect on surface tension of the modified human serum albumin (amyloid intermediates), which was destructed, caused by potassium sorbate and glucose. This mechanism takes place because of potent carbonyl stress suppression effect of ellagic acid, which was strengthening by potassium sorbate in the presence and absence of glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical study was carried out to address the practical aspects of hydrogen absorption and desorption process in a long tubular LaNi 5 metal hydride tank (MHT) integrated with Rubitherm phase change material (PCM) jacket for hydrogen supplying of PEM fuel cell. Different H 2 supply pressures ( p = 10, 15 and 20 bar), different discharge pressures ( p = 1.5, 1.75 and 2 bar) and metal hydride bed porosities (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) were rigorously analyzed to report their influences on transient and local temperature distributions across H 2 -MHT system and PCM jacket. The time-dependent changes of hydrogen to metal (H/M) ratio and PCM melt fraction were also investigated until they reach equilibrium. It was found that system temperature, PCM melt fraction and H/M ratio reach steady state with different rates, such that systems with higher supply pressure in absorption, lower discharge pressure in desorption and higher bed porosity approach steady state faster. Up to the steady state, 64%, 79% and 91% of the initial volume of solid PCM liquefies in absorption and 67%, 83% and 95% of liquid PCM solidifies in desorption for bed porosities of 0.6, 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. The MHT is charged with hydrogen much faster under high supply pressures. Also, it is discharged much faster under lower discharge pressure. Inserting metal foam in the PCM jacket enhances the thermal conductivity, and significantly reduces the charging and discharging time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal inactivation of proteins is a main challenge in food technology and medicine. The 3-β-hydroxybutyrate (3BHB) is the most abundant ketone body with a carboxyl group. Its concentration increases during fasting, prolonged exercise, and in diabetic patients. In this work, human serum albumin (HSA) was incubated with 3BHB for 7, 14, 21, and 35 days under physiological conditions. The thermal reversibility and thermal aggregation of HSA upon incubation with 3BHB were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and free amine content assay. These results indicated that 3BHB binds the lysine residues of HSA through nucleophilic attack leading to formation of covalent bonds. The calorimetric results showed that the modification of lysine residues by 3BHB resulted in partial unfolding of HSA compared to the modification of thiol group of Cys34, which is surrounded by other amino acid side chains. Since thermal aggregation of HSA is related to Cys34, its modification caused a decrease in thermal aggregation and an increase in thermal reversibility of modified HSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, construction of triplet atmospheric plasma jet using argon, air, oxygen and nitrogen gases is reported. Bactericidal effect of the plasma jet is also investigated. To that end, longitudinal geometric configuration for the electrodes was chosen because it would increase the jet length. Electrical characteristics, jet length dependencies on the applied voltage and gas flow rate were decided, experimentally. Relative concentrations of chemical reactive species such as ozone, atomic oxygen, NOx compounds and hydroxyl were measured using optical emission spectroscopy. It was seen that atomic oxygen and ozone concentrations with triplet plasma jet are more than the concentration of single plasma jet. Triplet plasma jet was also used for sterilization of solid and liquid surfaces to disinfect gram-negative and gram-positive Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. The results verified the effectiveness of the triplet plasma jet for killing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Free cooling night ventilation is the process of storing the coolness in the night time and releasing this coolness in hot day time. In this paper, a numerical study was carried out to simulate and to find out the optimum design for plate type storage filled with phase change material (PCM) which is used in night ventilation systems. The effect of different parameters such as thickness of PCM-plates, inlet air temperature and air mass flow rates on melting front, cooling power, outlet temperature and thermal performance of heat exchanger was studied. The results showed that cooling power can be increased by increasing the mass flow rate. Also, the thickness of the plates in the storage device plays an important role in the thermal performance of the unit and has a linear relation with the melting process duration of PCM for considered configuration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Protein glycation, the process by which carbohydrates attach to proteins upon covalent binding, can alter protein thermal reversibility and stability. Protein stability and reversibility have important role in protein behavior and function. Also they are benefit properties for drug produce and protein industrial applications. In this research the thermal reversibility and stability changes in human serum albumin (HSA) were studied upon incubation with glucose (GHSA) under physiological conditions for 21 and 35 days. The thermal reversibility and stability changes in GHSA were evaluated using circular dichroism (CD), UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Our results showed that the glycation of HSA increased its thermal reversibility and stability, but decreased its conformational entropy compared to fresh native HSA and untreated HSA. Free lysine content assay (TNBSA test) indicated glucose can bind to protein covalently. These alterations were mainly attributed to the formation of crosslink between the lysine residues of HSA upon incubation with glucose. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, design and fabrication of a micro direct methanol fuel cell based on stainless steel in two kind of active and passive with cross strip and parallel flow field are presented. Dropping pressure, velocity and heat transfer of the cell is simulated by a 3D modeling in fluent software. An optimum operating condition of the cell is obtained by the mass flow and temperature limitation. The cell was tested in different temperatures and mass flow rate and the cell performance is investigated in different condition. Maximum power density of the cell in active condition and at 60°C was 170mW/cm2 and in passive condition was 85mW/cm2. A μDMFC with different flow field is investigated. Cross strip flow field has shown better performance and the effect of cell orientation on performance is also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defects in the apoptotic signaling cascades contribute to the poor therapeutic response of malignant gliomas. As glioblastomas are characterized by high expression levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, we studied the effects of the novel Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-737, on malignant glioma cells. ABT-737 treatment released the pro-apoptotic Bax protein from its binding partner Bcl-2 and potently induced apoptotic cell death in glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. The local administration of ABT-737 prolonged the survival in an intracranial glioma xenograft model. Downregulation of Mcl-1 and overexpression of Bcl-2 sensitized the cells to ABT-737-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, ABT-737 potentiated the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic drugs vincristine and etoposide, and of the death ligand TRAIL. As glioma stem cells may play a crucial role for the tumor progression and the resistance to treatment in glioblastomas, we investigated the effects of ABT-737 on the subpopulation of glioma cells exhibiting stem cell characteristics. Inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis by ABT-737 were less efficient in glioma stem cells than in non-stem cell-like glioma cells. As the resistance of glioma stem cells was associated with high Mcl-1 expression levels, ABT-737 treatment combined with downregulation of Mcl-1 could represent a promising novel approach in glioblastoma treatment.Oncogene (2008) 27, 6646–6656; doi:10.1038/onc.2008.259; published online 28 July 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poster: Clinical track: Head and Neck PO-0798: Early mortality after radical radiotherapy in head and neck cancer K.H. Jensen, I.R. Vogelius, M. Andersen, J. Overgaard, J.G. Eriksen, M. Farhadi, E. Andersen, J. Johansen, J. Friborg. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare disease and most studies have therefore been conducted in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiology and treatment outcomes of NPC in a population-based, non-endemic setting., Material and Methods: Patients with NPC diagnosed in Denmark from 2000 to 2018 were identified in the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Study Group (DAHANCA) database. Clinical records were reviewed to obtain missing data and confirm outcome, histological subtypes, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-status, prognostic factors, and treatment., Results: NPC was identified in 394 patients corresponding to age-standardized incidence rates of 0.5 and 0.2 per 100,000 in men and women, respectively. The 5-year overall (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were 56 and 66%. In multivariate analysis, stage, smoking, and histology affected both OS and DSS, as patients with undifferentiated carcinomas had superior outcomes. Tumor EBV-status was determined in 221 patients, of whom 160 (72%) tested positive. EBV-positivity was associated with an improved OS in univariate analysis, but not after adjustment for relevant clinical factors., Interpretation: NPC is a rare malignancy in Denmark, and three in four patients have EBV-associated tumors. Tumor histology, smoking status, and stage, but not EBV-status, had independent prognostic impact on survival.

In Iran's biggest towns, deaths and hospitalizations from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases have a strong association with PM 2.5 pollution concentrations. The WHO recommends assessing the health impacts using the Air Quality and Health Evaluation approach (Air Q 2.2.3). Data of particulates on both clear, dusty days have been provided by the Meteorology Office for Lorestan. Results indicated that in terms of mean AQI, May (162.46), July (121.7), and April (110.23) are the most polluted months in Poldokhtar city in 2022. May (16 days), July (6 days), March (5 days), and April (4 days) are the most contaminated months of the total number of polluted days. The days having the highest amounts of pollution in terms of the daily mean AQI are May 17th (407), April 10th (402), May 24th (393), July 31st (351), and April 18th (341). The maps extracted from HYSPLIT showed that the origin of the dust entering the city of Poldokhtar is the arid and semi-arid regions of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Turkey. May shows the maximum amount of pollution in comparison to other months, as shown by the mean AQI of 162.46. Furthermore, with an AQI score of 407 on May 17, it is assumed to be the most polluted day of the year. Hospitalized people who had respiratory diseases were most severely impacted by the short-term adverse effects of fine dust inhalation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Aim: The study aims to improve glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment by combining temozolomide (TMZ) and quercetin (Qct), using folic acid (FA)-conjugated exosomes to overcome TMZ resistance and enhance blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Methods: Exosomes were isolated and after characterizing and modifying their surfaces with FA, drug loading of TMZ and Qct into exosomes was done. In vitro assays, including cell viability tests, RT-PCR, Western-blotting and flow-cytometry, were performed using U87MG and U251MG GBM cell lines. In vivo analysis included administering exosome-drug formulations to glioblastoma-bearing Wistar rats, monitored through optical imaging and PET scans, followed by post-mortem immunohistochemistry and histological examination. Results: The results showed successful exosome isolation and FA conjugation, with drug release studies indicating accelerated release of TMZ and Qct in acidic conditions, enhancing cytotoxicity. Immunofluorescence indicated greater exosome uptake in GBM cells due to FA conjugation. Cell viability assays demonstrated increased toxicity of the combination therapy, correlating with elevated apoptosis. In vivo studies revealed significant tumor size reduction, alongside increased apoptosis and reduced angiogenesis, particularly in the TMZ-Qct-Exo-FA group. Conclusion: FA-conjugated exosomes loaded with TMZ and Qct represent a promising strategy to enhance GBM treatment efficacy by improving drug delivery, apoptosis induction and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Topical delivery to paranasal sinuses through sustained-release stents is one of the new horizons in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study aims to introduce and evaluate sustained co-release of encapsulated ciprofloxacin (CIP) and dexamethasone (DEX) in polyvinyl alcohol-based carriers within the maxillary sinus of rabbit animals. DEX and CIP were loaded in a tyramine-substituted polyvinyl alcohol microparticle (PVATyr MP). The mechanical stability, degradability, and sustained-release patterns of both drugs as well as cellular cytocompatibility were assessed in vitro. The PVATyr MPs were then injected into the maxillary sinus of rabbits and they were monitored weekly for 21 days. Nasal endoscopy, MRI imaging, and tissue microscopy were used to follow the changes and compared them with the control condition. Also, the concentrations of drugs were evaluated in the maxillary sinus and blood samples over the study period. Produced PVA-based MPs possessed a relatively narrow particle size distribution (CV 7.7%) with proper physical stability until 30 days of incubation. The uniform-sized PVATyr MPs and their surrounding hydrogel showed sustained-release profiles for DEX and CIP for up to 32 days in vitro. The injected drugs-loaded hydrogel showed complete clearance from the maxillary sinus of rabbits within 28 days. The concentrations of DEX and CIP in mucosal remained within the therapeutic window when measured on days 7, 14, and 21, which were well above the plasma concentrations without any pathological changes in endoscopy, MRI imaging, and histological examinations. DEX/CIP loaded PVATyr MPs provided an effective, controlled, and safe sustained-drug delivery in both in vitro and in vivo analyses at therapeutic concentrations with minimal systemic absorption, suggesting a promising treatment approach for CRS., (© 2024. The Author(s).)