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Background: In recent years, 1, 2, 4-triazole and its derivatives have been reported to be pharmacologically significant scaffolds. They possess analgesic, anti-tubercular, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity. This study was designed and conducted to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Triazole derivatives. Methods: Swiss albino (male and female) mice weighing 20-30 g (10-24 weeks female), (5-14 weeks male) and Wister Kyoto rats (male and female) weighing 200-300 g (8-10 weeks old) were used for the present study. Anti-inflammatory activity was checked using Lambda carrageenan (λ) and egg albumin-induced paw edema models. Analgesic via Writhing Reflex induced by acetic acid and formalin, furthermore anti-pyretic activity was assessed by yeast induced pyrexia. Results: Both of the test compounds exhibited encouraging anti-inflammatory analgesic and antipyretic results when compared with standard drug ibuprofen. The maximum inhibition of edema for the compound (S)-1-(4-Amino-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl) ethanol [3] was found to be (91)% as compared to reference drug ibuprofen (82)%, while (S)-1-(6-Phenyl-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazin-3-yl)ethanol [5e] showed equipotent results to ibuprofen (81)%. The derivatives were also screened for their anti-nociceptive activity by Acetic acid writhing and tail immersion test. Compound 3 showed a significant reduction in wriths (83)% as compared to standard drug ibuprofen 71.5% and [5] showed comparable results to ibuprofen by exhibiting 70% reduction in writh at the same dose as that of standard drug, moreover, there were no signs of toxicity being observed after administration of high doses of test compounds to mice. Conclusions: It is evident from the results that compounds 3(compound A) and 5(compound B) are a potential candidate for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic and the scaffold could be used for further structural modifications. Further studies would help to evaluate their molecular mechanism of action regarding these beneficial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Ferula is a genus of the family Apiaceae and it includes around 170 species of flowering plants mostly native to the Mediterranean region and eastern to central Asia. In Iran, Ferula spp. are widely used in cuisine and traditional medicine. This review discusses the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of different species of Ferula. Materials and Methods: To prepare the present review, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science scientific databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles published from 1985 until December 2020. Results: Based on our literature review, Ferula plants and their derivatives decrease the levels of inflammatory mediators and exert anti-apoptotic effects. Under oxidative stress conditions, these plants and their constituents were shown to decrease oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide but increase superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activity, and glutathione level. Ferula plants and their constituents also showed immunomodulatory effects by affecting various cytokines. Besides, in vivo and in vitro studies showed hypotensive, neuroprotective, memory-enhancing, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anticytotoxic, antiobesity, and anthelmintic effects for various species of Ferula and their constituents. These plants also showed a healing effect on gynecological issues such as miscarriage, unusual pain, difficult menstruation, and leukorrhea. All these beneficial effects could have resulted from the antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of these plants and their constituents. Conclusion: Based on the available literature, members of the genus Ferula can be regarded as potential therapeutics against inflammatory conditions, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aim: Changes in hemodynamic parameters can indicate the health status of individuals, and treatment measures cause changes in hemodynamic parameters, and affect the treatment process of patients. Different ways of distraction can have different effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music distraction and movie-watching on hemodynamic parameters of patients undergoing extracorporeal lithotripsy. Methods & Materials: A quasi-experimental study with a three-group, before and after design was performed on 90 patients undergoing extracorporeal lithotripsy in the lithotripsy unit of Ayatollah Kashani hospital affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Patients were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into three groups. The intervention included visual and auditory distraction. Data was collected before and after the intervention using demographic characteristics questionnaire, calibrated mercury blood pressure monitor, and pulse oximeter. Descriptive statistical tests (mean and standard deviation, percentage, frequency) and inferential tests (paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and analysis of variance) through the SPSS software version 16 were used to analyze the data. Results: Analysis of variance showed that the mean scores of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation in the auditory, visual and control groups were not significantly different before the intervention (P>0.05). Also, the mean scores of these variables in auditory, visual and control groups were not significantly different after the intervention (P>0.05). Paired t-test also showed the mean scores of pulse rate (P=0.133), systolic (P=0.159) and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.413), and oxygen saturation (P=0.083) did not have significant differences after the intervention compared to before the intervention between the groups. Conclusion: According to the results, music and movie-watching did not have a significant effect on hemodynamic parameters of patients undergoing lithotripsy. Due to the lack of confirmatory studies, further research is needed on lithotripsy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Older adults duo to circumstances of aging such as relationship losses, medical morbidities, and functional declines, are prone to social isolation and loneliness more than any other age group. Furthermore, with The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to quarantine, the possibility of feelings of loneliness, especially in older adults, became an important nursing priority. Therefore, it is important to quickly identify loneliness and respond appropriately to prevent, reduce, or treat it. The aim of this study was to translate the De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale into Persian for older adults.Methods: The sample was 400 adults aged 65 and older with a mean age of 71.32 (SD= ± 6.09) years. Recruitment and data collection was done via online methods. The original scale was translated into Persian using the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol of forward-backward translation technique. Face validity and content validity; was followed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Lastly, reliability was assessed using the Average Inter-Item Correlation, Cronbach's alpha, and McDonald's Omega.Results: The results showed that the Persian version of the loneliness scale had two factors namely social loneliness (5 items) and emotional loneliness (3 items) and the combined score explained 45.66% of the total variance of this scale. In addition, all goodness of fit indices confirmed a two factors model fit and all of the reliability indices were excellent.Conclusions: The Persian version of the loneliness scale is useful and suitable for detecting social loneliness and emotional loneliness in older Iranian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of various physicochemical parameters was investigated on the removal efficiency of azo dye reactive red 120 from wastewaters by sunflower hairy roots. The highest percentage removal of the colored dye from wastewater(s) was observed at 25 °C, pH 7, adsorbent dosage 12.5 g L−1, shaking speed 85 rpm and light intensity 20 μmol m−2 s−1. Further, a combinatorial study with all the optimized parameters was performed in the dye concentration range of 20–110 mg L−1 to determine the synergistic effect, if any, of all the physicochemical parameters on the kinetics of the dye removal. Nearly 100% dye removal could be achieved in 32 h as opposed to only 54% under the unoptimized conditions. Similarly, the initial dye removal rate could also be enhanced (from 3.4 to 19.6 mg L−1 h−1) under the optimized conditions. This correlated well with the proportionate increase in the (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) antioxidant potential of the root system under the optimized process parameters. The potential degradation of reactive red 120 by sunflower hairy roots was studied by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscope analysis. Interestingly, sunflower hairy root system was also able to remove other azo dyes like reactive orange 16 and reactive blue 21 from their aqueous solutions. As seen in the study with reactive red 120, the removal increased from 49.5% under unoptimized conditions to 80.7% under optimized conditions (1.6 fold) for reactive orange 16 and from 55 to 82% (1.5 fold) for reactive blue 21, suggesting that these physicochemical parameters could significantly influence the removal of azo dyes in plant cells and their optimization can lead to further enhancement in the efficiency of the phytoremediation process for azo dye removal. The effect of optimized parameters on the removal of azo dyes from other wastewater compositions (synthetic and actual with different total dissolved solids) was also investigated to check the extrapolation of the key results obtained earlier with an aqueous solution of the dyes. As observed earlier, in a similar combinatorial study, the removal of reactive red 120 (90 mg L−1) could be improved from 72 to 92% (1.2 fold) in its solution in tap water (TDS: 650 ppm), from 26 to 72% (2.8 fold) in its solution in synthetic wastewater (TDS: 950 ppm) and from 41 to 62% in its solution in a secondary treated actual textile wastewater (TDS: 350 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work gave details on the application of Malacantha alnifolia tree bark as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution. The tree bark was modified using different ratios of ferrous sulphate and hydrogen peroxide (Fenton's reagent). Fenton modification of the adsorbent was more effective at high concentration of ferrous sulphate solution and at low concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution. Both the modified and unmodified adsorbents were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration and pH of point of zero charge (pHpzc). The effects of various parameters such as pH, Fe2+/H2O2 concentration ratio, contact time, initial tetracycline concentration and adsorbent dose were studied. The experimental data were best described by Freundlich isotherm model and the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic analysis of the adsorption processes indicated a non-spontaneous process for the unmodified adsorbent (UMA) and a spontaneous process for the modified adsorbent (MMA); change in enthalpy showed that the adsorption process for both adsorbents was exothermic and change in entropy indicated that the adsorption process was orderly. Desorption studies showed that the modified adsorbent can be regenerated more than the unmodified. Fenton-modification improved the adsorption capacity of Malacantha alnifolia tree bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cardiovascular disorders are the most common causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Complementary medicine reduces the complications related to cardiovascular disorders while improving the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to review the effects of aromatherapy on cardiovascular disorders from the perspectives of Persian and modern medicine. Methods: In this review article, information related to Persian medicine was collected by searching through "Comprehensive Library of Traditional and Islamic Medicine" software (Noor Digital Library) using keywords such as "smelling", "sham", "lakhlakheh", "bakhoor", "heart", and "dill". Additionally, to find clinical trials (1994-2019) related to the effect of aromatherapy on cardiovascular disorders, electronic databases such as ISI, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched using several keywords including "cardiovascular disorder", "heart," "coronary", "cardiovascular disease", "cardiac", "aroma", and "aromatherapy". Results: According to Persian medicine references, the heart is the most important organ and gives life to the whole body. Aromatherapy using odorous herbs such as rose, apple, quince, and saffron helps balance the heart temperament and improve cardiovascular disorders through their cardiotonic, anti-syncope, anti-depressant, and anti-arrhythmic properties. Conclusions: Based on Persian medicine references and recent findings in modern medicine, aromatherapy is an effective approach for relieving cardiovascular disorders. Considering these findings, it is suggested to include aromatherapy as a palliative measure for cardiovascular patients. It is also recommended that more clinical trials derived from Persian medicine references be conducted to value the effectiveness of aromatherapy for treating various cardiovascular ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most synthetic dyes are toxic and hardly biodegradable compounds that enter the environment mainly through the discharged of non-treated textile industry effluents. The present study investigated the removal of the textile monoazo dye Reactive Red 198 (RR-198) from aqueous solutions using the ultraviolet light and ozonation alone and in combination (i.e., UV/O3) followed by a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). The pH (5 ≤ pH ≤ 9) and dye initial concentration (50–300 mg/L) parameters were optimized in the ozonation process at reaction time of 0–60 min. Then, TOC removal and dye discoloration percentage was compared with the O3, UV and O3/UV processes. In order to compare the performance of the SBR in dye discoloration of RR-198 and TOC removal, four types of effluent, including Raw dye, O3-pretreated dye, UV-treated dye and UV/O3-pretreated dye were separately treated in the SBR system. In the ozonation process, by increasing the pH and reducing the initial dye concentration increased the discoloration percentage. The highest dye discoloration percentage and TOC removal obtained in the hybrid UV/O3/SBR process. Combining biological systems and Advanced Oxidation Processes is an appropriate option for the decomposition of resistant pollutants and increasing the biodegradability of these compounds and is applicable in the water and wastewater industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Different factors have an important role in the positive and negative childbirth experiences of the mothers. The parturient mother's privacy preservation is one of the factors for increasing the mothers' satisfaction consistent with natural childbirth. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the parturient mother's privacy preservation. Materials and methods: Content analysis was used in this qualitative study that is based on the semi structured individual interviews with women who had experienced natural vaginal delivery, midwives, and the specialist in a maternity ward from 2018 to 2021 in Shahroud, Iran. The collected data were analyzed simultaneously with the sampling procedure using a five-step qualitative content analysis method. To ensure the robustness of the data, Lincoln and Guba's four criteria (credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability) were used. Results: The findings of the study with 40 participants resulted in the extraction of 28 codes, 9 subcategories, and 2 main categories entitled extra-and intra personal factors affecting the mother's privacy. Conclusion: To foster the mother's awareness of her rights and privacy during pregnancy and delivery, continuous education, monitoring, and evaluating both the students and the staff to respect preserving the mother's privacy is necessary to develop an instrument to measure the preservation of the mother's privacy in the maternity ward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we proposed to synthesize CuFe2O4/Fe2O3 core-shell materials with different Fe2O3 contents in order to create new and efficient photo-Fenton-like catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue with oxalic acid as a radical-producing source. The catalysts were prepared through two stages: first, CuFe2O4 was prepared by a hydroxide coprecipitation – annealing method and then, Fe2O3 was immobilized on CuFe2O4 surface by a simple impregnation – annealing procedure. According to the experimental results, our CuFe2O4/Fe2O3 core-shell materials exhibit high photo-Fenton-like catalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue under both UVA light and visible light, as well as good ferromagnetic properties, which allows them to be easily separated from the solution by a magnet. Among them, the catalyst prepared with the molar CuFe2O4/Fe2O3 ratio of 1:2 showed the best catalytic performance with the rate constant of 2.103 h–1 under UVA light and 0.542 h–1 under visible light, which were 2 times higher than CuFe2O4 sample. The enhanced catalytic activities of our core-shell materials can be attributed to the high content of surface Fe3+ species, high specific surface area and the presence of rod-like Fe2O3 particles on their surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, jute stick derived activated carbon (JSAC) has been evaluated as an adsorbent to remove textile dyes namely acid red-1 (AR-1), reactive orange-16 (RO-16), and methylene blue (MB) from water using the Box–Behnken model of response surface methodology (RSM). The direct and interaction effects of four independent process parameters namely solution pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose, and time were investigated and optimized for textile dye by using ANOVA. The optimum conditions for maximum % dye removal were found to be pH-3, initial dye concentration-500 mg L−1, adsorbent dose-0.9 gL−1, and time-110 min for AR-1; pH-3, initial dye concentration-350 mg L−1, adsorbent dose-1.5 g L−1, and time-110 min for RO-16, and pH-11, initial dye concentration-415 mg L−1, adsorbent dose-0.7 g L−1, and time-86 min for MB, respectively. Adsorption equilibrium investigations were carried out with Langmuir, Freundlich, and Jovanovic models. Based on error analysis, Langmuir isotherm was found the best-fitted model with maximum adsorption capacities of 588.2, 156.3, and 384.6 mg g−1 for AR-1, RO-16, and MB, respectively. The dimensionless factor, RL values (range: 0.0152–0.2665) also indicated spontaneous and favorable adsorption of studied dyes onto JSAC. Dye loaded adsorbents were easily regenerated with 0.1 M HCl (for MB) and 0.1 M NaOH (for AR-1/RO-16) and reused up to the 4th cycle. The present investigation indicated that JSAC, with a highly porous and stable structure coupled with various functional groups, holds immense potential as a new adsorbent for textile dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among food and agricultural products, spices play important roles in the diets of millions of people worldwide. These products may be colonized by fungi genus and subsequently mycotoxin production. Due to the large demand and supply of spice for cooking, preservative effects, or medicine purpose, it is essential that further investigation is designed to examine mycotoxins in spice. In the present study, the possible contamination of spices by aflatoxins (AFTs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) were analyzed. A total of 80 spice samples (curry, sumac, ginger, and saffron) were purchased and cultured on appropriate medium. Simultaneously mycotoxins from spices were extracted with immunoaffinity columns (IAC), and the occurrence of AFTs (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) and OTA was then determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector (FD). The results depicted that 62 (77.5%) and 58 (72.5%) spice samples were contaminated with AFTs and OTA, respectively. Out of the 80 analyzed spices samples, the mean concentration of AFTs and OTA was higher in the curry samples. Among spices that contaminated with mycotoxins, 5 (6.25%) and 2 (10%) of the samples were above the acceptable limit of AFTs (≥ 10 μg/kg) and OTA (≥ 15 μg/kg), respectively. Aspergillus species were the predominant species isolated, followed by Penicillium, and finally Mucor species. Among the examined samples, only few curry samples were contaminated with mycotoxins above acceptable limit. Despite this low level of contamination, this spice is used daily in the cuisine of this region of the world, and consequently, even the small amount of these heat stable toxins for a long time may cause many adverse effects. Hence, it is recommended to monitor the toxicogenous fungi contamination and level of mycotoxins in the spices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With increasing knowledge and awareness of aflatoxins (AFs), as potent health hazards to both humans and animals, major efforts have been made to completely eliminate these toxins or reduce their content in foodstuffs. Although prevention is the most effective intervention, heating has been also used to inactivate AFs in contaminated foodstuffs. Methods: The aflatoxin was extracted, using 80% methanol and then purified via immunoaf-finity column. Measurements were performed, using high-performance liquid chromatography, equipped with a fluo-rescence detection system at excitation and emission wavelengths of 365 and 435 nm, respectively. Results: The present findings indicated a 92.7% decline in the amount of AFB1 and a 94.8% reduction in AFB2. There was a significant difference in AF decomposition under different treatment conditions (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although treatment showed different degrees of AF reduction in the samples, a substantial decline was reported in samples heated at 150°C for 60 to 180 min. Also, degradation of AFB1 was found to be both time- and temperature-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) removal from synthetic textile wastewater was investigated by using a CoFe2O4@methylcellulose (MC) activated with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and the ultrasound process. CoFe2O4@MC as a new magnetic nano-biocomposite was prepared using a convenient and rapid microwave-assisted technique in presence of MC as a green biopolymer, and characterized by FESEM, EDS, Mapping, TEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM, and BET techniques. Then, the effective parameters including pH (4–10), reaction time (0–30 min), CoFe2O4@MC (0.2–1 g/L), and PMS concentration (0.5–10 mM) in the sonocatalytic degradation of RB19 were investigated. The maximum removal efficiency of RB19 was achieved as 97% for synthetic wastewater under the optimal conditions of pH 4, CoFe2O4@MC dosage (0.6 g/L), reaction time = 30 min, and PMS (5 mM) in the presence of ultrasonic waves (60 kHz) at the ambient room temperature of 22 °C. The CoFe2O4@MC catalyst was simply isolated using a magnet and recycled with no remarkable loss of catalytic activity following usage in four runs. The results showed that the CoFe2O4@MC sonocatalysis process is practical, and effective for degrading complex and resistant dyes such as RB19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilization or coating of photocatalysts on supporting media can open a new avenue for industrial application of photocatalysis in wastewater treatment. Herein, we present a critical review of the recent advances in loading photocatalysts on different materials to degrade such bio-recalcitrant organics as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, surfactants, and dyes, which helps in the sustainable use of polluted water after treatment. Many of the recently developed photocatalysts have proven high stability for long periods under illumination. Consequently, employing the catalysts in retained forms provided a viable solution for reuse. Supports may be movable; these include zeolites, polymers, quartz sand, 3-D graphene or fixed, such as glass plates, aluminum plates, and stainless steel plates. Photocatalytic reactors could be an ideal solution for continuous operating treatment, especially in a large-scale operation. In this review, the use of suspended and immobilized systems are compared in the degradation of bio-recalcitrant organic pollutants. Despite the limited research used in the immobilized systems, this proved very successful. This technique has overcome many of the other suspended systems' problems, affording economical solutions such as the possibility of repeated reuse of the catalyst, reduced risk of the catalyst escaping with treated water, and the possibility of application on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Today, it has been proven that Quran therapy in the treatment of many mental illnesses, such as depression, estrus, anxiety, Alzheimer's, obsessive disorders, mental retardation, growth retardation, physical disability, mental disorders and etc significantly effective. This study aims to review the studies conducted on the effect of the Qur'an in the treatment of stress, depression, and anxiety caused by various conditions in Iran. Methods: The present study was carried out by 06- PRISMA guideline in various English and Persian databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, SID, IranMedex, Magiran, and IranDoc were searched for publications related to the effects of Holly Quran on anxiety and stress to identify all published articles that have so far been studied. Keywords included "Holy Quran", "stress", "depression", "anxiety", "Iran". Results: out of 18420 papers, 25 papers up to 2020, met the inclusion criteria for discussion in this systematic review. The most studies were clinical trials (14, 56.0%), followed by semi-experimental (7, 28.0%), experimental studies (3, 12.0%). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that in various types studies, the Qur'an has been reported as an effective intervention for reducing stress and anxiety caused by diseases such as mental illness. However, it is suggested that the study of various aspects and details of the effect of the Holy Quran in different areas of education, care and treatment is required for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In middle eastern countries, most nursing colleges use simulation‐based learning activities. However, Saudi nursing students' correlators and predictors for simulation learning have been underreported. Aim: This study investigated the variables that correlate to and predict Saudi nursing students' simulation learning competencies. Methods: A descriptive cross‐sectional design guided this study's understanding of simulation learning among nursing students (n = 461). We used three National League of Nursing instruments to collect data: the 13‐item student satisfaction and self‐confidence in learning scale (SCLS), 20‐item simulation design scale (SDS), and 16‐item educational practices questionnaire (EPQ). We applied analysis of variance, t tests, χ2 tests, and linear regression to analyze the data. Results: The SCLS and EPQ revealed significant differences in the participants' year level, gender, fidelity of simulation experience, number of nursing courses with simulation, and grade point average (GPA). Only GPA was insignificant in SDS. The number of nursing courses with simulations and GPA were significant predictors of the three instruments. Finally, year level and gender were important predictors of SDS and SCLS, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings explain Saudi students' experiences of simulations in nursing education. Simulation is an important pedagogical approach that enhances students' achievements when implemented in nursing schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal by adsorption of methylene blue dye from water using two‐dimensional (2D) (graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide) and three‐dimensional (3D) (graphite and graphite oxide) carbon structures was studied. Two graphites with different degrees of graphitization were used to evaluate the significance of the carbon structural order in the adsorption efficiency, and therefore, the economic repercussions, because the degree of graphitization is related with the cost. Graphene oxides showed the best performance in methylene blue adsorption, with a removal of around 90%. The adsorption process was strongly influenced by the surface oxygenated groups, and electrostatic interaction was the main mechanism of adsorption. The degree of graphitization of the precursor does not have a strong influence on the adsorption results of methylene blue. Thus, graphene oxide with a lower degree of graphitization represents an economical and efficient adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from water. The kinetic study was realized in pseudo‐first order, pseudo‐second order, and Elovich kinetic models in their linear and non‐linear forms. According to the determination coefficient and the standard deviation, the experimental data were best fitted to the Elovich model in its non‐linear form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Testicular Self-Examination (TSE) causes earlier diagnosis of Testicular cancer (TC). Hence, all men aged between15 to 35 years should perform TSE every month. This study aims to survey the effect of educational intervention based on health belief model and social support on testicular self-examination in men aged between 15 to 35 years of Fasa City, Fars province, Iran.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 200 men (100 in the experimental group and 100 in the control group) in Fasa City, Fars, Iran, were conducted from June 2018 to August 2019. The educational intervention for the experimental group consisted of six training sessions (testicular cancer, its prevalence and types, its risk factors, symptoms, infected areas, diagnosis, side-effects and its severity, understanding about testicular self-examination and its importance, benefits, and barriers of self-examination and correct way of doing TSE were discussed, role of social support). A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, HBM construct, and social support was used to measure testicular self-examination before, 3 months after the intervention, and 6 months later. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 via chi-squared, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney, and repeated measures ANOVA at a significance level of 0.5.Results: The mean age of the men was 27.26 ± 3.16 years in the experimental group and 27.39 ± 3.12 years in the control group. Three months after the intervention and 6 months after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, social support, and testicular self-examination performance compared to the control group.Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of the intervention based on the HBM constructs and social support in the adoption of testicular self-examination in 3 and 6 months post-intervention in men aged between 15 to 35 years. Hence, these models can act as a framework for designing and implementing educational interventions for testicular self-examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Acinetobacter baumannii is an important bacterium in causing nosocomial infections that has multidrug resistance. Several factors are involved in the resistance of these bacteria to drugs, the most important of which are the proteins OXA-24 beta-lactamase, OXA-23 beta-lactamase and OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN A (OMPA). In this regard, the aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of plant compounds in Salsify, Hyssop and Mangrove on these Acinetobacter proteins in silico. Materials and methods In this study, first the structure of plant compounds and proteins were obtained from PubChem and PDB databases, respectively. Then the physicochemical properties and mutagenic potential of plant compounds were predicted by Swiss ADME server and Toxtree-v2.6.13 software, respectively. ViewerLite, Chimera 1.14, Discovery Studio, AutoDockTools-1.5.6 and AutoDock Vina environments were used for molecular docking and interaction between plant compounds and proteins. The results were analyzed using three programs including AutoDockTools, Visualizer DS and Ligplot. Results According to mutagenicity potential and inhibition cytochromes results, compounds related to H. officinalis had higher mutagenic potential and cytotoxicity than the other two plants. In addition, the results showed that A. marina compounds have higher digestive absorption compared to other compounds. A comparative study of the interactions showed that the compounds of H. officinalis and A. marina have stronger interactions with the studied proteins. In addition, it was found that the strongest interactions occurred between plant compounds and 1BXW protein. On the other hand, T. graminifolius compounds were found to have weaker interactions with the evaluated proteins. Conclusions Based on docking results, among all compounds evaluated in all three proteins 1BXW, 3G4P and 4 K0X, the best docking results were related to cis-pinocamphone and 3,5-difluorophenyl ester 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid, respectively, from Hyssop and mangrove. In fact, these compounds with the most negative binding energy levels (-9 Kcal / mol and -8.8, respectively) have a greater tendency to bind to the key amino acids of the active site of all three proteins. Therefore, these compounds can be considered as important candidates for laboratory and in vivo testing of A. baumannii activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with comparative study of wind-induced mutual interference effects on twin Square and Fish- plan shape building models having equal volume. Wind induced pressure and force is measured through experiments under boundary layer wind tunnel for interference and isolated wind incidence condition with building model of scale 1:300. For isolated condition's study two wind incidences i.e. 00 and 1800 is considered whereas; for interference conditions five different orientation of twin interfering building models are considered. The distance between the twin building models is fixed at 10% of the height of principal model. The variation of coefficient of wind pressure on different surfaces of the model is shown by contour plots. To examine the mean variation along the faces Face-Average Cp has been calculated, plotted and discussed to a great extent. The interference study is done in order to understand the effects of different conditions that can arise in real life situations and the differences associated with them. The concluding remarks states the dominance of Drag and Lift forces at isolated 00 and 1800 wind incidences for Fish- plan shape model and at isolated 00 wind direction at Square shape model. Also, the overall efficiency in terms of Base shear of principal building is enhanced due to interference effect; with maximum efficiency exhibited by Back-to-Back wind interference condition when only Fish- plan shape model is considered. Overall, maximum efficiency in terms of induced wind pressure and base shear is exhibited by Square- plan shape model at Full Blockage condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of many micropollutants in water and wastewater is of great concern to the contemporary scientific community. Several types of advanced techniques such as heterogeneous photocatalysis are being used for the degradation of micropollutants in waters from domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities. Thus, structured photocatalytic systems are a great alternative in the development of photocatalytic reactors and continuous water treatment systems, as they present good autonomy during the treatment process. Many aspects such as type and geometry of the catalytic structure to be developed must be carefully chosen for the proper functioning of the system, as well as the best routes by which the photocatalysts will be immobilized. In this sense, this work brings the main photocatalytic coating techniques in low-cost structures for the treatment of water and wastewater contaminated with micropollutants. The methodologies and synthesis parameters that can influence the final result of the coating were highlighted, as well as the ability to reuse photocatalysts and methods for pretreating the structural surface. The dip-coating technique was the most reported among the current works due to its simplicity and, predominantly, the pretreatment techniques of the structure are still cleaning the surface with water, soap, and also some alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, CoFe2O4@methycellulose (MC) was prepared as a novel magnetic nanocomposite by a facile, fast, and new microwave-assisted method using iron and cobalt salts in the presence of MC as a green biopolymer in alkaline medium and was then structurally evaluated by FESEM, EDS, Mapping, BET, VSM, XRD, TGA, and FTIR. Effective parameters on tetracycline (TC) removal such as pH, initial TC concentration, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were examined. The central composite design (CCD)–based response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to design the experiments and find optimal conditions. CoFe2O4@MC was synthesized with the particle size of about 50 nm, magnetic properties, and high specific surface area. The maximum TC adsorption efficiencies using CoFe2O4@MC from synthetic and real wastewater samples under optimal conditions were 79.45% and 74.85%, respectively. The data of TC adsorption on CoFe2O4@MC were fitted well with pseudo–second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The results of thermodynamic data indicated the exothermic and spontaneous nature of TC adsorption process using CoFe2O4@MC. CoFe2O4@MC showed high efficiency and chemical stability after 5 runs. Therefore, CoFe2O4@MC nanocomposite can be applied as a good and practical adsorbent for removing TC from synthetic and real wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The family caregivers of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery experience considerable physical and emotional distress. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational support programme on caregiver burden among the family caregivers of patients undergoing CABG surgery in Iran. Methods: This non-randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted from January to April 2017 at a cardiovascular centre in Tehran, Iran. A total of 80 family caregivers of patients undergoing CABG surgery were sequentially selected and non-randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group received routine care, whereas the intervention group received additional education sessions at baseline, prior to surgery, the day after surgery and before discharge. Caregiver burden was compared at baseline and six weeks post-discharge using the Persian-language versions of the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Results: A significant difference was observed between family caregivers in the control and intervention groups with regards to pre-post differences in mean CBI scores (+1.67 ± 19.23 versus +17.45 ± 9.83; P <0.001), with an effect size of −1.14. In addition, there was a significant increase in mean post-discharge IADL scores among CABG patients in the intervention group compared to the control group (4.42 ± 1.05 versus 3.07 ± 1.09; P <0.001). Conclusion: An educational support programme significantly reduced caregiver burden among the family members of patients undergoing CABG surgery in Iran. As such, in addition to routine care, healthcare providers should provide educational support to this population to help mitigate caregiver burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The big data revolution has created data center sustainability problems, whose solutions require the consideration of environmental factors. The purpose of this study is to establish a big data center sustainability evaluation index and provide guidance for sustainable data center construction. This research formulated a big data center sustainability evaluation model that integrates multiple-criteria decision-making methods based on the analytic network process and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS). Furthermore, a case study was used to examine the proposed model. The refrigeration system, layout and ventilation, data center location, data volume, and server power consumption are the five most crucial factors in determining the sustainability level of a big data center. The areas that require further development are the balancing of tasks on different IT equipment, renewable energy use, and waste heat utilization. This research provides a method or guide that can be used by managers when they build new big data centers or upgrade and optimize existing big data centers to make them more sustainable. This study is the first to assess the sustainability of a big data center according to multiple criteria decision-making methods, in which fuzzy theory is applied to evaluate the imprecise and subjective judgments of decision-makers. This study provides a systematic evaluation framework that is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria and comprises the four factors of big data level, equipment level, room level, and data center level. Big data is new oil, but it is not clean oil. It is both a vital driver of economic growth and a source of environmental damage. We need to ensure that big data centers are run in a sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Synthetic dye waste is one of the world's key ecological concerns. The algal biomass has emerged as a promising alternative adsorbent for wastewater treatment. The present study deals with the functionalization of brown algae (BA) by citric acid in order to improve its adsorption ability for textile dye removal in aqueous solutions. The morphological texture (SEM and BET) and surface chemistry (FTIR, EDS-mapping, and PZC) of the novel functionalized brown algae (designated as BA-CA) were analyzed. The performance of BA-CA for crystal violet (CV) dye removal from wastewater was investigated. The isotherm and kinetic adsorption modeling indicate the good fit of Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order models. Optimum monolayer uptake capacity was 279.14 mg/g for BA-CA, which was about two times higher than that of unmodified BA. The thermodynamic parameters clearly indicated that CV removal process was physiosorption, exothermic, and spontaneous in nature. The regeneration study showed excellent reusability of the BA-CA up to five cycles. Overall, the experimental findings lead us to conclude that the BA-CA can be used as an eco-friendly, cost-effective and easily regenerated adsorbent for the purification of textile effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, CeO2 (cerium oxide) nanoparticles were synthesized using Pinus halepensis pollen and were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the ensuing CeO2 nanostructures, ranging in size from 5 to 25 nm, had high porosity. Synthesized CeO2 showed the effective catalytic activity towards the photocatalytic removal of dyes. In this work, the photocatalytic activity to removal dye (methyl violet 2B), in the absence of UV radiation, using cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NP) was determined. In this research, four main factors such as effect on color, concentration and pH were examined and maximum %R was obtained about was 97% in 75 min in presence of 50 mg of hydrogen peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the association between pesticide use and breast cancer. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Petrópolis city, Brazil. The study data were obtained through interviews, and the magnitude of the association between self-reported pesticide exposure and breast cancer was determined using unconditional logistic regression. A higher estimated risk for breast cancer was found in women exposed to pesticides for 10 or more years, where this association was not statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 1.40; 95% CI 0.85-2.49). A positive statistically significant association was found between breast cancer and higher educational level or previous use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), whereas having had 2 or more pregnancies to term proved a protective factor. Further studies elucidating the contribution of pesticide exposure to the development of breast cancer are needed, given that current findings in the literature are conflicting., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Pods of the forest species Caesalpinia echinata were used as an alternative adsorbent to remove bright blue (BB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes. The raw and acid-treated samples were characterized by techniques like SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The acid-treated pod sample was characterized by an amorphous structure containing several cavities, bumps, and functional groups. The Elovich model was the most satisfactory to describe the adsorption kinetic data. The isothermal studies were better described by the Langmuir model for BB dye, with a maximum capacity of 261 mg g−1, and Tóth model for MB dye, giving a maximum capacity of 288 mg g−1. The thermodynamic study indicated a spontaneous and favorable process and endothermic nature for both dyes. In the treatment of two simulated effluents containing a mixture of different compounds such as dyes and salts, to simulate real wastewaters, the adsorbent was highly efficient, presenting around 80% of color removal for both effluents. Therefore, the acid-treated pods of Caesalpinia echinata have great potential to be applied as an alternative adsorbents in treating colored effluents in discontinuous systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two novel chemotherapeutic chalcones were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by different spectral tools. Theoretical studies such as molecular modeling were done to detect the mechanism of action of these compounds. In vitro cytotoxicity showed a strong effect against all tested cell lines (MCF7, A459, HepG2, and HCT116), and low toxic effect against normal human melanocytes (HFB4). The lung carcinoma cell line was chosen for further molecular studies. Real-time PCR demonstrated that the two compounds upregulated gene expression of (BAX, p53, casp-3, casp-8, casp-9) genes and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic genes bcl2, CDK4, and MMP1. Flow-cytometry indicated that cell cycle arrest of A459 was induced at the G2/M phase and the apoptotic percentage increased significantly compared to the control sample. Cytochrome c oxidase and VEGF enzyme activity were detected by ELISA assay. SEM tool was used to follow the morphological changes that occurred on the cell surface, cell granulation, and average roughness of the cell surface. The change in the number and morphology of mitochondria, cell shrinkage, increase in the number of cytoplasmic organelles, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies were observed using TEM. The obtained data suggested that new chalcones exerted their pathways on lung carcinoma through induction of two pathways of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel ecological and low-cost adsorbents were prepared from seed residues of the tree species Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Cedrela fissilis for the removal of methylene blue dye in water. The materials were comminuted and characterized by different techniques. The particles of samples have a rough surface with cavities. The optimum dosage and pH for both materials were 1 g L−1 and pH 8. The pseudo-second-order model was the most suitable for describing the adsorption kinetics for both systems. The Anadenanthera macrocarpa presented a maximum experimental capacity of 228 mg g−1, while the Cedrela fissilis, a similar capacity of 230 mg g−1 at 328 K. The Tóth model was proper for describing the equilibrium curves for both systems. The thermodynamic indicators show that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic for both materials. The application of materials for the simulated effluent treatment showed 74 and 78% of color removal using Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Cedrela fissilis samples, respectively. Overall, seed residues of Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Cedrela fissilis could be potentially applied for adsorptive removal of colored contaminants in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Students are considered part of the capital of each country. Several factors can affect their educational status and, as a result, contribute to their academic failure. The current study seeks to investigate the relationship between students' academic failure and the affecting factors with the Iranian Educational Ranking of Universities. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The required sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula. A researcher-made questionnaire with 5 parts was used to collect data. Kruskal Wallis and Spearman's analysis of variance was used for analysis. The significance level was considered as 0.05. Results: A total of 1215 people participated; 13.7% of students had had an academic failure and 2.0% of them were on academic probation. There was a correlation between university RAD rank and academic failure (r = -0.098 and P = 0.0001) as well as student satisfaction (r = 0.264 - P = 0.0001). There was a significant difference between an academic drop and academic grade in three ranks of university (Pv= 0.0001), and, interestingly, having moved from Rank 1 to 3, having academic grade increases, and having academic failure decreases. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the higher ranked the college campus is on the RAD scale, the higher the academic failure rate. For annual assessment of universities, it is proposed that assessment of academic failure and grades be used as a benchmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging and underdeveloped countries in Africa face numerous difficulties managing infectious waste during the SARS-CoV-2 disease, known as the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to help decision-makers in African countries to select the best available waste management strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present research undertakes seamless assessment and prioritization of infectious solid waste (SW) and wastewater (WW) treatment technologies based on a criteria system involving four dimensions, i.e., environment-safety, technology, economics, and sociopolitics. A combined approach that integrates the results of life-cycle assessments and life-cycle costs (LCA–LCC), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and VIKOR method in an interval-valued fuzzy (IVF) environment is proposed. The results reveal that combined incineration and chemical disinfection approach, and combined chlorination and ultraviolet irradiation are the most sustainable technologies for managing infectious SW and WW treatment in the present context. The proposed approach, alongside the findings of the study, constitutes a reference to devise urgent planning for contagious waste management in African countries as well as developing countries worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study analysed 150 suya spice mix samples from three locations in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for the presence of fungal contaminants and aflatoxin B1 in order to establish possible health hazards and suitability for consumption. Methods: The fungi were isolated, enumerated and identified using potato dextrose agar and sabouraud dextrose agar via standard microbiological and Analytical Profile Index techniques. Direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the extraction and quantification of aflatoxin B1 in the samples. Results: A total of 20 species across 11 genera were obtained. Aspergillus spp. dominated among the moulds while Saccharomyces cerevisae and Candida spp. dominated among the yeasts. Aspergillus flavus was the only fungus isolated from all the 150 samples tested and was the only aflatoxin-producing species isolated. The mean fungal counts ranged from 7.1 × 103–1.12 × 108 CFU/g, 4.9 × 103–8.1 × 105 CFU/g and 6.1 × 104–8.9 × 105 CFU/g for Trans-Amadi, Rumuokoro and Woji, respectively, while the aflatoxin B1 values ranged from 11.701–45.800 μg/kg, 11.562–47.278 μg/kg and 13.984–35.845 μg/kg for Trans-Amadi, Rumuokoro and Woji, respectively. Approximately 94% of the samples were deemed unacceptable for consumption with regards to fungal counts while about 53–100% were unsafe for consumption based on their aflatoxin B1 content consistent with national and international standards. Conclusion: There is clearly an urgent public safety concern as the study establishes a high risk of aflatoxicosis from suya spice mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to examine the beneficial role of organic acids and other beneficial compounds produced by Aspergillus japonicas and their effects on performance, carcase yield, digestive enzymes, intestinal microbiota and blood constituents of quail. 240 quails (7 days old) were allotted to 5 groups consisting of 48 quail chicks (4 replicates of 12 chicks). The first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups were fed basal diet with 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, and 4 mL A. japonicas culture filtrate/kg diet, respectively. The addition of A. japonicas culture filtrate up to 3 mL/kg feed increased body weight at 3 and 5 weeks-old and body weight gain from 1–3, 3–5 and 1–5 weeks, the best level was 3 mL/kg feed. Quails fed A. japonicas filtrate diets recorded the best feed conversion ratio in comparison with the control. Dietary addition of A. japonicas filtrate tended to decline triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL and increased HDL values in the plasma. Use of A. japonicas filtrate in diets up to 2 mL/kg improved the immune indices. The levels of SOD and TAC, GSH and CAT as well as digestive enzymes were improved due to A. japonicas filtrate supplementation compared to control. Plasma levels of MDA were decreased (p =.0001) in the quails fed Aspergillus filtrate (1 or 2 mL/kg). Quails fed rations enriched with filtrate exhibited lower colonisation of Escherichia coli, coliform and Salmonella. In conclusion, supplemental A. japonicas culture filtrate could improve the performance, digestive enzymes, immunity, antioxidant indices and mitigate intestinal pathogens. Use of Aspergillus filtrate improved in quail diets performance and digestive enzymes. Use of Aspergillus filtrate in quail diets improved immunity and antioxidant indices. Dietary addition of Aspergillus filtrate mitigated intestinal pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This research examined Fumaria parviflora (f. parviflora) leaves and implied mechanisms with the use of in vivo hyperglycemia models. Materials and Methods: The study included fifty Wistar rats from 180- 220 g. Ethanolytic soxhlet extract of the F pads. Parviflora (EFP) was developed. Two weeks of oral remedy for the extract (500-100, or 200 mg / kg / day), metformin (200 mg / kg / day), diabetic rats. Other animals are only given extract, alloxan or vehicle control. Results: Plant Extract Pretreatment Effect of diabetes rats The levels of blood glucose were lower (p < 0,05) relative to the amount of alloxane alone in rats treated for plant extraction, with normal levels of glucose at the begin of the experiment being between 73,00±1.5 and76,00±0,54 mg / dL. Blood glucose decreased during extraction in these animals, but values achieved were less important than the 14th day p < 0,05 control values. Conclusion: F sheets in alloxane-induced rats the results of the study showed F. The effect of lowering blood glucose decreases. Parviflora has a significant effect on normal rat blood glycosis due to diabetes rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bluetongue (BT) is one of the important viral diseases of domestic and wild ruminants, especially small ruminants such as sheep. Out of the 29 BTV serotypes prevalent in the world, at least 24 of the serotypes are reported in India, either by virus isolation or serology. To better understand the seroprevalence of BTV, we conducted a comprehensive study in the main reservoir hosts of BTV, i.e., cattle and buffaloes of different age groups in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India where the disease is majorly prevalent. A total of 321 blood samples collected from cattle and buffaloes during 2017–2018 were tested for group-specific BTV seroprevalence by c-ELISA, followed by type specific seroprevalence (against BTV-1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 16, and 24) by serum neutralization test. Of the 311 BTV seropositive samples, 112, 98, 102, 127, 2, 113, 160, and 5 samples neutralized BTV-1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 12, 16, and 24, respectively. Twenty-nine samples could not neutralize any of the tested BTV serotypes. Majority of the sera neutralized more than one serotype, up to a maximum of six serotypes. Major finding of the study is detection of BTV serotypes not included in the commercial pentavalent inactivated vaccine. Regular surveillance of circulating serotypes, especially in sentinel reservoir hosts throughout the country can help in designing better multivalent vaccines with suitable vaccine strains, for specific geographic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication, has been associated with weight gain and metabolic toxicity, especially in long term usage. Carnosic acid (CA), a major constituent of rosemary extract, has been shown to improve metabolic abnormalities. In this experiment, the effect of CA on olanzapine-induced obesity and metabolic toxicity has been evaluated. Female Wistar rats were divided into six groups. (1) control; (2) olanzapine (5 mg/kg/day, IP); (3, 4 and 5) olanzapine (5 mg/kg/day, IP) plus CA (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day, gavage) and (6) CA (20 mg/kg/day, gavage). Bodyweight and food intake were measured during the study. After 14 days, mean systolic blood pressure (MSBP), glycemia, serum lipid profile, the serum concentration of leptin, insulin, AMPK, P-AMPK, and P-ACC liver protein levels were evaluated. The mean weight in the group received olanzapine increased by 4.8 g at the end of the study. The average food intake was increased by olanzapine. Olanzapine increased triglyceride, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and leptin levels. It increased MSBP and down-regulated P-AMPK/AMPK ratio and P-ACC protein levels. CA (three doses) decreased body weight gain and reduced average food intake at 10 and 20 mg/kg. CA especially at the highest dose decreased the changes in lipid profile, FBG, leptin level, and MSBP. P-AMPK/AMPK and P-ACC protein levels were increased by carnosic acid. In conclusion, the activation of AMPK by CA can be proposed as a key mechanism against olanzapine-induced metabolic toxicity where the activation of AMPK increases fat consumption and regulates glucose hemostasis in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV is a danger to the world and is spreading rapidly. Very little structural information about 2019-nCoV make this situation more difficult for drug designing. Benzylidenechromanones, naturally occurring oxygen heterocyclic compounds, having capability to inhibit various protein and receptors, have been designed here to block mutant variety of coronavirus main protease enzyme (SARC-CoV-2 Mpro) isolated from 2019-nCoV with the assistance of molecular docking, bioinformatics and molecular electrostatic potential. (Z)-3-(4′-chlorobenzylidene)-thiochroman-4-one showed highest binding affinity to the protein. Binding of a compound to this protein actually inhibits the replication and transcription of the virus and, ultimately, stop the virus multiplication. Incorporation of any functional groups to the basic benzylidenechromanones enhances their binding ability. Chloro and bromo substitutions amplify the binding affinity. ADME studies of all these compounds indicate they are lipophilic, high gastro intestine absorbable and blood-brain barrier permeable. The outcome reveals that the investigated benzylidenechromanones can be examined in the case of 2019-nCoV as potent inhibitory drug of SARC-CoV-2 Mpro, for their strong inhibition ability, high reactivity and effective pharmacological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echium amoenum (EA), a popular medicinal plant in Persian medicine, has anxiolytic, antioxidant, sedative, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined whether GABA-ergic signaling is involved in the anxiolytic effects of EA in mice. Sixty BALB/c mice (25–30 g) were divided into six groups (n = 10) as follows: the (I) control group received 10 ml/kg normal saline (NS). In the stress groups, the animals underwent 14 consecutive days of restraint stress (RS), and received following treatments simultaneously; (II) RS + NS; (III) RS + Diaz (Diazepam); (IV) RS + EA; (V) RS + Flu (Flumazenil) + EA; (VI) RS + Flu + Diaz. Behavioral tests including the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) were performed to evaluate anxiety-like behaviors and the effects of the regimens. The plasma level of corticosterone and the hippocampal protein expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, CREB, and BDNF, as well as p-GABAA/GABAA ratio, were also assessed. The findings revealed that chronic administration of EA alone produced anxiolytic effects in both behavioral tests, while diazepam alone or in combination with Flu failed to decrease the anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, the p-GABAA/GABAA and p-CREB/CREB ratios, and protein levels of BDNF were significantly increased in the EA-received group. On the other hand, plasma corticosterone levels and the hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased by EA. However, pre-treatment with GABAA receptors (GABAA Rs) antagonist, Flu, reversed the anxiolytic and molecular effects of EA in the RS-subjected animals. Our findings confirmed that alternation of GABAAR is involved in the effects of EA against RS-induced anxiety-like behaviors, HPA axis activation, and neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem, with almost 1.8 million newly diagnosed cases and about 881,000 deaths annually. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a well-documented medicinal herb that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study aimed to unravel the effect of aqueous chamomile extract against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine(DMH)-induced CRC in mice. Methods: Male Balb/c mice received a weekly intraperitoneal injection of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) for 12 weeks. Chamomile extract (150 mg/kg body weight/5 days/week p.o.) was administered at the initiation and post-initiation stages of carcinogenesis. Polyps count, histopathological analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of Wnt signaling genes, ELISA of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and enzyme assay for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were performed. Results: Chamomile extract modulated the Wnt pathway in colonic tissues, where it significantly downregulated Wnt5a, β-catenin, T cell factor (Tcf4), lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (Lef1), c-Myc and Cyclin D1 expression levels, while it upregulated adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3β) expression levels. This extract significantly reduced COX-2 levels and iNOS activities. Polyps count and histopathological analysis provided supportive evidence for the biochemical and molecular analyses. Conclusions: Chamomile can act as a potent dietary chemopreventive agent against DMH-induced CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the high incidence of coronavirus and the shortage of nurses in Iranian hospitals, nurses' intention to care for patients with COVID-19 is important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the nurses' intention to care scale (NICS) by Iranian nurses who care for patients with COVID-19 in hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on nurses (n= 400) at public and private Mazandaran hospitals. An online questionnaire was used that consisted of two parts: demographic variables and NICS. The scale was translated into Persian first and then validated using both construct and content validity. Results: The findings from an exploratory factor analysis yielded six factors that explained 53.12% of the total variance of the NICS. The confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the model had a good fit and the inter-item correlation values of the factors indicated good internal consistency. Conclusion: The Persian version of NICS in Iranian nurses had six factors. The results of our study add insight for nurse administrators and educators to further develop strategies to increase nurses' intention by improving positive attitudes and reducing their negative beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]