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The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride concentration in seven most consumed brands of tea in the Middle East which was imported to Iran through Zabol County. In the present study, the health risk of exposure to fluoride was estimated using a probabilistic approach. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were applied to quantify uncertainties in risk estimation. The highest mean and 95th percentile of chronic daily intake (CDI) was observed for children group. Iranian tea and Kenya tea had maximum CDI and target hazard quotient (THQ) values among studied brands of tea which followed by Green tea, Taksetare tea, Ceylan tea, Red tea, and White tea. These result indicated that there were significant risks of exposure to fluoride in most of studied brands of tea for children (THQ>1). Sensitivity analysis showed that fluoride concentration and daily intake were the most influential variables in three exposed populations. In conclusion, the fluoride concentration in some studied brands of tea is high and it put children at risk risks of exposure to fluoride.

In this study, laboratory anaerobic migrating blanket reactor (AMBR) with four units was used to reduce and remove COD leachate of composting process; it was also used to determine the kinetic coefficients of COD removal and biogas and methane gas production in several different OLRs. The maximum concentration of organic matter entering the reactor was 100,000 mg/L and the reactor was under operation for 319 days. The results showed that the COD removal efficiency of AMBR in all concentrations of substrate entering the reactor was above 80%. First-order model and Stover-Kincannon were used to investigate the kinetics of COD removal via AMBR biological process; in addition, the two models of Modified Stover-Kincannon and Van der Meer and Heertjes were used to check the kinetic constants of biogas and methane gas production. The results obtained from the models showed that the experimental data on COD removal were more consistent with the results obtained from Stover-Kincannon model (R2 = 0.999) rather than with the First-order model (R2 = 0.926). Kinetic constants calculated via Stover-Kincannon model were as follows: saturation value constant (KB) and maximum utilization rate constants (Umax), respectively, were 208,600 mg/L d and 172,400 mg/L d. We investigated the linear relationship between the experimental data and the values predicted by the models; as compared with the values predicted by the First-order model, the values predicted by Stover-Kincannon model were closer to the values measured via experiments. Based on the results of the evaluation of kinetic coefficients of Stover-Kincannon model, with the migration of the leachate flow from unit 1 to unit 4, Umax value has fallen significantly. The values of maximum specific biogas production rate (Gmax) and proportionality constant (GB) obtained from the Stover-Kincannon model, respectively, were 35,714 ml/L d and 42.85 (dimensionless) and value of kinetic constant of Van der Meer and Heertjes (ksg) was 0.0473 ml CH4/mg COD.

The heavy metals available in drinking water can be considered as a threat to human health. Oncogenic risk of such metals is proven in several studies. Present study aimed to investigate concentration of the heavy metals including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in 39 water supply wells and 5 water reservoirs within the cities Ardakan, Meibod, Abarkouh, Bafgh, and Bahabad. The spatial distribution of the concentration was carried out by the software ArcGIS. Such simulations as non-carcinogenic hazard and lifetime cancer risk were conducted for lead and nickel using Monte Carlo technique. The sensitivity analysis was carried out to find the most important and effective parameters on risk assessment. The results indicated that concentration of all metals in 39 wells (except iron in 3 cases) reached the levels mentioned in EPA, World Health Organization, and Pollution Control Department standards. Based on the spatial distribution results at all studied regions, the highest concentrations of metals were derived, respectively, for iron and zinc. Calculated HQ values for non-carcinogenic hazard indicated a reasonable risk. Average lifetime cancer risks for the lead in Ardakan and nickel in Meibod and Bahabad were shown to be 1.09 × 10−3, 1.67 × 10−1, and 2 × 10−1, respectively, demonstrating high carcinogenic risk compared to similar standards and studies. The sensitivity analysis suggests high impact of concentration and BW in carcinogenic risk.

Purpose Historically, electron boost dose mainly was delivered by a direct field in adjuvant radiotherapy of breast cancer. In this prospective study, we investigated direct electron field, in terms of optimal coverage of tumour bed volume following localization using ultrasound and surgical clips. Material and methods First, for all 24 patients, a breast sonographer drew perimeter of tumour bed on the breast skin. Then an electron boost field was outlined on the demarcated territory, and a lead wire marker compatible with CT scan was placed on the field borders by a 2 cm margin. After CT scan simulation, all patients underwent adjuvant whole breast irradiation with 3D-conformal radiotherapy to 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Then for boost radiotherapy, lead wire in CT images was countoured as electron boost field. Also, the tumour bed was contoured based on surgical clips (true clinical target volume and true planning target volume). Electron treatment planning was done for electron boost field. Finally isodose coverages for true planning target volume investigated. Results On average, 16.68% of clips planning target volume (true planning target volume; range: 0.00 to 95%) received 90% oor more of the prescribed dose when the electron treatment plan was made. Isodose curves does not provide adequate coverage on the tumour bed (clips planning target volume) when electron boost treatment planning was generated for electron boost field (en face electron field). In fact, a part of target (planning target volume-c) is missed and more doses is absorbed in normal tissue. Conclusions Electron boost treatment planning (an en face electron field) following tumour bed localization using ultrasonography does not provide an optimized coverage of tumour bed volume.

Aims Growth of the cancer incidence rate in Iran has been very high in recent years. Therefore, the Iranian health care system should be prepared for the treatment of a huge number of patients in the foreseeable future. One of the most important treatment options for cancer is radiation. However, there is no comprehensive information on infrastructure for radiation oncology in this country. Materials and methods In 2015, a questionnaire was designed by the Iranian Society of Clinical Oncology (ISCO) and all radiation oncology centres in the country were visited to determine four important components of radiation oncology services, including facilities, equipment, personnel and patients. Results In 2015, 94 radiotherapy centres were identified in Iran. Sixty-one centres were fully operational, six centres were commissioning, 26 centres were under construction and one was inactive. Among the fully operational radiotherapy centres, 54 offered three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and two-dimensional radiotherapy, eight offered brachytherapy, two intensity-modulated radiotherapy, two intraoperative radiotherapy, ostereotactic radiosurgery, two hyperthermia and 59 chemotherapy. Moreover, the survey identified 110 linear accelerators, 25 cobalt-60, one gamma knife, 21 remote brachytherapy afterloaders and six orthovoltage units. Treatment planning equipment included 15 graphy simulators, 19 dedicated computed tomography simulators, 22 multileaf collimator and 12 electronic portal imaging devices. Moreover, in 2015, 243 clinical oncologists participated in the treatment of 42 350 cancer patients in need of radiotherapy, which is about one radiation oncologist for 175 patients. During 2010–2015, number of cobalt-60 reduced 70%, from 25 units to 8 units. Conclusions There is a significant gap between Iran's available facilities for radiation therapy and international standards. Moreover, during international economic sanctions against Iran this gap widened.

In this paper we give three functors $\mathfrak{P}$, $[\cdot]_K$ and $\mathfrak{F}$ on the category of C$^\ast$-algebras. The functor $\mathfrak{P}$ assigns to each C$^\ast$-algebra $\mathcal{A}$ a pre-C$^\ast$-algebra $\mathfrak{P}(\mathcal{A})$ with completion $[\mathcal{A}]_K$. The functor $[\cdot]_K$ assigns to each C$^\ast$-algebra $\mathcal{A}$ the Cauchy extension $[\mathcal{A}]_K$ of $\mathcal{A}$ by a non-unital C$^\ast$-algebra $\mathfrak{F}(\mathcal{A})$. Some properties of these functors are also given. In particular, we show that the functors $[\cdot]_K$ and $\mathfrak{F}$ are exact and the functor $\mathfrak{P}$ is normal exact., Comment: 24 pages

Future study is a new interdisciplinary science that is classifying in part of the science and technology applications. Future study have introduced as a science and art of discovering and shaping the future. Till now future studies in various field soft technologies, economics, politics, and other various methods and experts have been identified and presented many trends in the relevant fields. On the other hand changes in the world are so fastso homologize with it, is so difficult. This retrospect sometimes leads to and looking away from the present and future and puts jurisprudence inthepassiveposition.That iswhyallourefforts aremaking theFutureelement in to the fight that decision makers of jurisprudence field would have preemptive deal with future changes. With this assumption in this paper we tried to combine the interdisciplinary science with the jurisprudence, and made its concepts and methods Conceptualization and equivalent generally. The researchinthis paperisdescriptive.

Background: Solvents, which are widely used in industry, are able to dissolve another substance for creating a solution. Solvents have various effects on human health based on their type and chemical composition. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the harmful effects of solvents on wood painters in Yazd city. To achieve information, a census questionnaire was prepared and distributed among wood painters. The studied parameters include the mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice of wood painters about harmful effects of dyes and solvents on body according to age, work experience, education, hours worked per day, and smoking. The data of survey were analyzed by Chi-square test and T-test in SPSS. Results: The average age and work experience of wood painters were 29 and 7.5 years, and the age of 25 years and work experience of 5 years had the highest frequency among them. Analysis of data indicated that 71.8% of people had middle school and lower education level, 68.3% was married, 31.7% was single, and 37.5% was smoking. Average working hours were 8 hours in day. Conclusion: Results show that attitudes had significant correlation with education level and different age groups. None of the studied parameters were not significant correlation with performance. Also, there was significant correlation between knowledge with experience.

Background: Reactive dyes have extensively been used in textile industries, the effluence of the waste containing such dyes into water resources can pose hazardous effects on the environment and to the human health because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, allergenic and toxic nature. The present research was performed to study the efficiency of residues of Rosa Damasena powder in removing Reactive red 198 dye from aqueous solutions. Methods: In the present experimental study, effects of various operating parameters such as pH (4-10), initial concentration of dye (25 and 50 mg/L), contact time (15-180 mines) and adsorbent dosage (0.2-0.6 g/L) were investigated. Results: Result showed that maximum adsorption capacity of the residues of Rosa Damasena powder was 5.19 mg/g at pH 4, contact time of 120 min and adsorbent dosage of 0.4 g/L. Besides, the equilibrium data were also fitted into the Langmuir and Freundlich equilibrium isotherm models which the data better fitted with Freundlich (R2=0.913) model than Langmuir's (R2=0.825). Conclusion: According to results of the present study, it was found that residues of Rosa damasena powder has a high capacity to remove Reactive red 198 dye from aqueous solutions and textile industry wastewater.

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of diameter on thermal properties of phase change fibers at nanoscale in order to develop a shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM). In this regard, polyethylene glycol/cellulose acetate (PEG/CA) electrospun nanofibers as a model of PCM/polymer structure were electrospun. The electrospinning process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to produce phase change nanofibers (PCNs) with achievable minimum and maximum diameter at nanoscale range. Therefore, PCNs with minimum and maximum diameter (223 nm and 545 nm, respectively) were successfully prepared. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results, the PCNs sample with maximum diameter exhibited higher efficiency of enthalpy (49.41 %) than the PCNs sample with minimum diameter (46.24 %). On the other hand, a test based on the T-history method revealed that PCNs with maximum diameter enjoy higher thermal insulation effect. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as DSC results showed that the PCNs samples exposed to thermal cycling test not only preserved their structural durability, but also exhibited about twofold increasing in the efficiency of enthalpy than the non-exposed samples. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TG) results, due to successful entrapping, a fraction of PCMs within the structure of polymer matrix, PCNs sample display greater thermal stability comparing to the pure PCM. The present work emphasises that at nanoscale range, higher diameter of PCNs can present more favorable thermal behavior; suggesting a great potential for advanced applications of thermal energy storage and thermal regulating materials fields.

The purpose of the paper is to design and fabricate a ZnO-based MEMS acoustic sensor for higher sound pressure level (SPL) measurement in the range of 120---200 dB and low frequency infrasonic wave detection. The thickness of silicon diaphragm was optimized for higher SPL using MEMS-CAD-Tool COVENTORWARE. The microtunnel which relates the cavity to the atmosphere was designed and simulated analytically for low cut-off frequency of the sensor in infrasonic band. The resonance frequency of the sensor was obtained using modal analysis. The sensitivity of the sensor was also estimated using COVENTORWARE. The optimized Si-diaphragm thickness for the intended SPL range was determined and found to be 50 μm. The lower cut-off frequency of the sensor for a 10 μm-deep microtunnel was found to be 0.094 Hz. The resonance frequency of the sensor was obtained using modal analysis and found to be 78.9 kHz. Based on simulation results, the MEMS acoustic sensor with 10 μm-deep microtunnel was fabricated. The optimum sensitivity of sensor was calculated using simulated results and found to be 116.4 μVolt/Pa. The lower cut-off frequency of the sensor can be utilized to detect low frequency sounds. The high SPL sensing capability of the device up to 200 dB facilitates detection of high sound pressure level in launch vehicles, rocket motors and weapons' discharge applications.

The epistemological approach of a thinker influences his attitudes to education, and determines teacher activity in the learning process. This article through a qualitative approach and based on a ‘descriptive- inferential’ method, examines the necessity of aesthetic experience in education based on Allama Jafari’s epistemological principles. So we at first, according to his works, consider Allama’s epistemological elements as theoretical principles, then focusing on his cognitive pluralism, explain the necessity of aesthetic experience in education, and analyze the importance of its use in the education system. The results show that regarding epistemic pluralism can get rid us of narrow perspectives in education and can lead us to a special kind of literacy i.e. aesthetical literacy

Aim To examine the association between quality of life (QoL) and religious coping in older people living in their own homes. Method A descriptive analytical study was undertaken in Iran with 200 older people aged over 60 living in their own homes who were selected for inclusion by systematic random sampling. Data were collected by use of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) QoL questionnaire and a religious coping questionnaire developed previously by the authors. Results There was no significant association between QoL and religious coping. However, mental health (r=0.20, P=0.003) and social function (r=0.20, P=0.004) had a significant association with the total score for religious coping. An association between a high level of religious coping and QoL was significant only for the mental health domain of the SF-36 (P=0.04). Conclusion In light of these results, it can be suggested that older people's mental health and social function may be improved by strengthening their religious beliefs. Mental health and social function are associated with other QoL domains and so their promotion may also improve overall QoL.

Milk is very susceptible for growth and development of many microorganisms because it is rich in nutrients and has suitable condition. Thus, it is very vital to respect sanitary conditions at all stages of production and transport of raw milk. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the total bacterial, and acidity in raw milk from milk collection centers in Malayer and Nahavand cities. 52 milk samples were collected from 13 centers in summer 2012 and were analyzed according to standard methods. None of the raw milk samples under investigation, had superior or grade 1 quality. Only 7.7% of the samples were classified as raw milk with grade 2 quality and 92.3% were non-standard. The mean of microbial total count in base was 3.8 × 107 CFU/ml and average acidity in the samples was 0.163. The city of Tochqhaz and Aliabade-Damagh has the lowest and the highest microbial total count. In general the result of this study showed unsatisfactory conditions of milk in the milk collection centers of the Malayer and Nahavand cities.

By definition, “aflaxions” refer to a group of chemically toxic fungal metabolites, which are generated by specific species of genus Aspergillus. The species flourish on some of raw foods. This research is an attempt to assess aflatoxin contamination in nuts (Fig, Almond, Hazelnut, Walnut, Pistachio and Sunflower) available in Tehran city market in 2013. The assessments were done using ELISA method. To this end, 200 samples including Fig (n = 30), Almond (n = 25), Hazelnut (n = 25), Walnut (n = 40), Pistachio (n = 40), Sunflower (n = 40) were collected and analyzed regarding contamination with aflatoxin. The result of the tests was positive for 96.5% (193 samples) with total average concentration of 1.68 μg/kg (0 - 6 μg/kg). Moreover, in 6% (12 samples) of the cases, contamination exceeded the EU limits (4 μg/kg), while 100% of the samples met the legal limits of National Standard of Iran (15 μg/kg). In spite of contamination of majority of the cases, none was at hazardous level as the condition for growth of mycotoxin fungus or antioxidant activity in the nut was not suitable in Tehran (humidity level).

Background and Aim : This study aimed to determine whether the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score is an accurate predictorof discharge outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to compare its performanceto Glasgow coma scale (GCS). Materials and Methods: Thisis diagnostic study conducted prospectively on 53 TBI patients admitted to ICU of education hospitals of Medical Science University of Mazandaran during February 2013 to June 2013. Data collection was done with a checklist including biographic, clinical information and outcome. The FOUR score and GCS were determined by the researcher in the first 24 hours. Outcomes considered as in-hospital mortality and poor neurologic outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 1-3) in discharge time from the hospital. Results: In terms of predictive power for in-hospital mortality, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0/92 (95% CI. 0/81-0/97) for FOUR score and 0/96 (95% CI. 0/87-0/99) for GCS. In terms of predictive power of poor neurologic outcome, the area under the ROC curve was 0/95 (95% CI. 0/86-0/99) for FOUR score and 0/90 (95% CI.0/79-0/96) for GCS as evidenced by GOS 1-3. The cut-off of 6 showed sensitivity and specificity of total four score predicting poor outcome at 0/86 and 0/87 while the cut-off of 4 showed the value of in hospital mortality at 0/90 and 0/90. The total GCS score showed sensitivity and specificity 0/100 and 0/61 at cut-off 7 in predicting poor outcome while in predicting mortality at cut-off of 4 this range was 0/100 and 0/92. Conclusion: The FOUR score is an accurate predictor of discharge outcome in TBI patients. Thus, researchers recommend for therapeutic Schematizationto use in neurosurgical patients at admission day.

Context: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an invasive method that causes anxiety. Studies have shown that education is effective in reducing anxiety. Aims: This study aimed to compare the effect of two educational methods of multimedia and peer training on the anxiety of patients who are candidates for TEE. Setting and Design: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in 2018 Mazandaran Heart Center, Sari. Materials and Methods: 46 Patient seeking TEE (16 in the multimedia group(ME), 16 in the peer group(PE) and 14 in the control group) and randomly divided into three groups. The data collection tool was personal information form and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. All groups received routine training. In addition,one intervention group, received PE and another intervention group received ME. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS 25. The significance level was considered below 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of personal and medical characteristics. The mean of anxiety scores before training was 44.6± 2.2, 46.18± 2.7, 46.5± 2 in the peer group, multimedia and control group (P = 0.826). The mean of anxiety scores in the peer group, multimedia and control group after intervention was 42.2 ± 3.3, 41.6 ± 2.6, and 47 ± 7 (P = 0.354). This difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Both PE and ME groups decreased anxiety in patients with TEE. But it was not statistically and the use of these techniques required more studies.

The antimicrobial activity of 4-amino-5-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (AMTT) and its silver(I) and copper(I) complexes has been investigated. Results show that MIC50 and MIC90 of the organic ligand against all test strains were higher than MIC50 and MIC90 of both complexes. The minimum MIC50 of the silver complex, copper complex, and the ligand against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were 5.6, 10.3, and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 of the silver complex were lower than those of the copper complex against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At the same time, the MIC50 of the silver complex is higher than that of the copper complex against Staphylococcus aureus.

Improper disposal of solid waste is one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Converting solid waste into compost and using it as an organic fertilizer in agriculture are an effective waste management method. Quality of such fertilizer may affect ...

Objectives: The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran.Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children’s Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression.Results: The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 (78%), 260 (46%) and 180 (32%), respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 (90%) participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 (67%) cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers’ age (p=0.02), as well as with the number of children in the family (p=0.03), and the mothers’ trait anxiety (p

Background and purpose: Since 2005, a reform known as Rural Insurance and Family Medicine Scheme has introduced to primary health care network in Iran in rural areas and small towns. The content of the reform implies a substantial change in those aspects of health centers that mainly could be categorized as structural quality. Although, this is the requirement of all health care providers, they are not identical in those items. In this article, we have tried to report the relation between structural quality of health centers and utilization of curative care in Mazandaran province. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2013. Secondary and routinely collected data was used to answer the research questions. The source of original data was provincial health authority’s data set. A check list containing pre-identified variables was used to extract the data. Using SPSS software package, regression analysis was run to measure the role of different independent variable on dependent variable. Results: There were 215 rural health centers affiliated to 16 cities or small towns that the reform has taken place. The outreach area population of these health centers was 1,330,212 of which 834,189 (62.71%) were covered by rural insurance solely. Health centers are not identical in terms of the characteristics of health centers and their utilization. Among the variables with significant impact on the utilization of outpatient care, except for number of physician in each health centre and existence of state owned pharmacy that were found in some health centers, the rest of variables had significant positive impact on the demand for physician visit. Conclusion: Structural quality has significant impact on the utilization of curative care of primary healthcare units at rural area in Iran. The reform seems well targeted the quality improvement and utilization of effective primary health care. [*Rouhani S. Yazdani J. Mohammadpour RA. Structural Quality& utilizing outpatient Curative Care under Family Medicine Scheme in Rural Areas of Mazandaran, Iran. IJHS 2013; 1(2):28-34] http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), defined as the presence of hematopoietic elements outside of the medullary cavity of bone, has been reported in patients with various hematopoietic neoplasms including myelofibrosis. EMH commonly occurs in the liver and spleen (resulting in hepatosplenomegaly) and uncommonly involves the kidney. EMH involving the allograft kidney has not been reported in English literature. Herein, we report the first case of EMH in allograft kidney in a patient with myelofibrosis. The clinical and pathological findings are described. Through comparison of the medullary neoplastic infiltrate with the renal allograft infiltrate, we postulate the neoplastic nature of the infiltrate in the allograft kidney.

Background and purpose: Health related quality of life (HQOL) has different dimensions and many factors affect it. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lifestyle satisfaction and health- related quality of life in the population aged 40 year old and over. The question is, if there is not lifestyle satisfaction, how should be the pattern of tendency to behavioral changes? Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The statistical population is the inhabitants aged40 and over in Mazandaran province. One thousand and two hundred twenty five subjects by stratification and clustering random sampling were selected. The data were collected by face-to-face interview using the Persian version of the Short Form Health survey (SF-36). SF-36 is a standard questionnaire and Persian translation is valid and reliable. Lifestyle variable assessment includes smoking, physical activity, nutritional status, exercise and stress. Lifestyle satisfaction, tendency to behavioral change and demographic variables were assessed by separate questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed by T-test and ANOVA by SPSS. Results: All health related quality of life components had meaningful relationship with lifestyle satisfaction. The mean of all the components of SF-36 measurements for those who had high lifestyle satisfaction were higher than the others (p

We report the synthesis and photophysical studies of two different complexes incorporating a chromophore and a catalyst within the same structure. The chromophores used are of the form [(bpy)2(phen)RuII]2+ and [(COOEt)2bpy)2(phen)RuII]2+. The electron-withdrawing auxophores in the periphery of the bipyridine ligands convey the chromophores with different chemical and photophysical properties. The catalyst incorporated is [RuII(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ which has been shown to carry out the catalytic oxidation of water and organic substrates. We present the different mechanisms of light-driven activation observed for the catalyst. Depending on the electronic properties of the chromophores, these can act as antenna systems by activating the catalyst via energy transfer followed by electron transfer to an acceptor or as chromophores, in which case activation of the catalyst is done by direct electron transfer from the photo-oxidized sensitizer. The oxidized form of the catalyst formed by either mechanism is stable o...

Aims and methodTo evaluate the effect of liothyronine administration on the cognitive side-effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), 30 participants with major depressive disorder that were suitable candidates for ECT were randomly allocated to either a liothyronine or a placebo group. Participants in the liothyronine group received a daily 50 μg dose for the whole period of receiving ECT starting the day before ECT, whereas the other group received a placebo. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the Wechsler Memory Scale – revised (WMS-R) were used for evaluating mood and memory before the first ECT session and after the sixth session (the HRSD was also used after the third session).ResultsThe results indicated that after the sixth ECT session, participants that received liothyronine achieved significantly better scores on the HRSD and WMS-R.Clinical implicationsFurther studies with a larger number of participants, through multicentre research projects, are indicated to obtain adequate data for meta-analysis and systematic review.

The efficient one-pot condensation of aldehyde, dimedone, and phthalhydrazide has been achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of phospho sulfonic acid as a novel environmentally benign heterogeneous solid acid under solvent-free conditions. A diversified 2H-indazolo[1,2-b]phthalazinetrione derivatives were prepared in good to excellent yields in short time. The economical factors (time, cost, waste etc.) for this three-component reaction hold promise for the future of organic synthesis.

Aim Nine plant essential oils (EOs), including those from Artemisia sieberi, Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Heracleum persicum, Menta spicata, Nigella sativa, Rosmarinus officinalis, Zataria multiflora and Ziziphora clinopodioides, were evaluated for their anti-dermatophytic properties. Methods The tested dermatophytes included Trichophyton mentagrophytes (No. 32), T. rubrum (No. 29), Epidermophyton floccosum (No. 19), Microsporum gypseum (No. 11) and M. canis (No. 42). The susceptibility tests of plant oils in terms of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) were performed by the broth microdilution technique as described by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Results All EOs studied were active against the dermatophytes. The MICs recorded for the plant oils tested ranged from 0.25 to 4 mg·mL−1. The most significant activity was observed with A. sieberi, showing a lower MIC against dermatophytes than other plant oils (P Conclusion Data from this study indicated that several Iranian medicinal plant oils, mainly A. sieberi, are active in vitro against different dermatophyte species, suggesting their potential use for the topical treatment of dermatophytoses.