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Abstract Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including heavy metal exposures, have been associated with numerous negative pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, the association between PTE exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not yet undergone a comprehensive systematic review. Consequently, this study undertook the first-ever systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies concerning this association. All relevant articles published in English were searched in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science until November 6, 2023, adhering to the MOOSE guidelines. The quality of retrieved studies was evaluated based on the Gascon et al. method. The meta-analysis of association estimates was performed using random effects meta-analysis. Egger’s regression was employed to evaluate publication bias. In total, 16 articles (n = 116,728 participants) were included in our review, with 11 eligible for meta-analysis. Quality assessment categorized five studies (31%) as excellent, nine studies (56%) as good, and two studies (13%) as fair. Maternal high levels of Hg during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of GDM (for each one-quartile increase in Hg: 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.31), while serum Cd levels during the second trimester were associated with a lower risk of GDM (for each one-quartile increase in Cd: 0.76, 95% CI 0.65, 0.87). Furthermore, exposure to Pb was not associated with higher risk of GDM. In summary, our comprehensive review and meta-analysis underscore the possible negative influence of Hg exposure on GDM.

Herein, a novel magnetic visible-driven g-C3N4/TiO2/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite with excellent photocatalytic performance was successfully prepared and employed for photodegradation of tetracycline. Several analysis including X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and Ultraviolet–Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS) were performed in order to study the structural, optical, magnetic, as well as morphological properties of nanocomposite. The optical band gap of g-C3N4/TiO2/CuFe2O4 heterostructure was found to be red shifted to 2.45 eV from 3.15 eV for pure TiO2. Enhanced separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and enhanced visible light absorption capacity of nanocomposite lead to a maximum tetracycline photodegradation efficiency. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the influence four independent variables, including initial photocatalyst dosage (7–14 g/L), TC concentration (20–30 ppm), solution pH (5.5–7.5), and irradiation time (20–40 min), and optimize the TC degradation efficiency. The g-C3N4/TiO2/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite was able to separate and recycle easily using an external magnetic field, and the results of reusability was shown its high stability after 5 cycles. Active species trapping experiments suggested that holes and hydroxyl radicals played a crucial role in the TC degradation process. Finally, a potential photocatalytic mechanism for photodegradation of TC was proposed.

Abstract Background The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating the host’s immune responses during aging, which was characterized by a different abundance of bacteria in several age groups. Main body Gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with aging, antibiotic exposure, underlying diseases, infections, hormonal variations, circadian rhythm, and malnutrition, either singularly or in combination. The appropriate use of prebiotics and probiotics may be able to prevent or reduce this disruption. Conclusion The current review focuses on the gut microbiota composition across the life cycle, factors affecting gut microbiota changes with aging, and interventions to modulate gut microbiota.

Abstract Backgrounds Although the significance of diet in preventing or managing diabetes complications is highlighted in current literature, there is insufficient evidence regarding the correlation between nutrient patterns and these complications. The objective of this case-control study is to investigate this relationship by analyzing the dietary intake of nutrients in participants with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A case-control study was conducted at the Tabriz Center of Metabolism and Endocrinology to investigate the relationship between nutrient patterns and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study enrolled 225 newly diagnosed cases of T2D and 225 controls. The dietary intake of nutrients was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Principal component analysis using Varimax rotation was used to obtain nutrient patterns. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk of T2D. Results The participants’ mean (SD) age and BMI were 39.8 (8.8) years and 27.8 (3.6) kg/m2, respectively. The results identified three major nutrient patterns. The first nutrient pattern was characterized by high consumption of sucrose, animal protein, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. The second nutrient pattern included fiber, plant protein, vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B5, copper, and Magnesium. The third nutrient pattern was characterized by fiber, plant protein, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Individuals in the highest tertile of nutrient pattern 3 (NP3) had a lower risk of T2D compared to those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for confounders. The odds ratio was 0.52 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.30–0.89 and a P_trend of 0.039. Conclusion This study found that conforming to a nutrient pattern consisting of plant protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B2, potassium, and calcium is linked to a lower likelihood of developing T2D.The initial results suggest that following a nutrient pattern that includes these nutrients may reduce the risk of T2D. However, further research is required to confirm the relationship between nutrient patterns and T2D.

An oscillator is a circuit that can produce a continuous, repetitive, and alternating waveform without any input. However, the oscillations caused by the conversion between the two forms of energy cannot last forever. As a result, the amplitude decreases until it becomes zero, thus causing their nature to decrease. After discovering graphene nanosheets, their use in nanoelectricity science was much considered. Due to the amazing properties of graphene nanosheets, they can be used to establish permanent oscillations. The results show that graphene nanosheets ' mechanical properties and electrical properties depend on their structure and shape. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of graphene nanosheets type, size, and temperature on the simulated nanostructure’s mechanical properties and oscillating behavior with Molecular Dynamics simulation. The results show that the graphene nanosheets with zig-zag edges has higher mechanical strength than armchair edges. Young’s modulus and Ultimate strength of graphene nanosheets with zig-zag edges are numerically 1079 and 115 GPa, respectively. On the other hand, the resistance in graphene nanosheets can be expressed by reducing the oscillation amplitude and increasing the oscillation frequency. The results show that by changing the armchair edges to zigzag, the oscillation amplitude of graphene nanosheets decreases from 10.36 to 9.82 Å. Also, by enhancing the length of graphene nanosheets from 30 to 100, the oscillation amplitude of graphene nanosheets increases from 7.59 to 12.12 Å. This increase is due to the increases in the contact surface of the atomic structures. Consequently, the interactions between the carbon particles and mechanical resistance decrease. According to the results of this project, the findings improve the dynamics of nanoscale oscillators and cause a significant improvement in the performance of various devices.

This study aims to optimize the economic thermodynamics of a flat plate solar collector and investigate transient heat transfer. This study focuses on modeling and optimization under unfavorable radiation conditions. The method employed here is optimization using a multi-objective genetic algorithm with the assistance of MATLAB software. The key components include objective functions, constraints, and design variables, which are the collector efficiency and the annual total price. The results indicate that increasing the length of the collector has a negative impact on the thermodynamic efficiency and increases the total annual price. Conversely, increasing the width of the collector initially improves the thermodynamic efficiency but then decreases it while also increasing the total annual price. Furthermore, increasing the number of pipes leads to a decrease in the total annual price and an initial increase followed by a decrease in the thermodynamic efficiency. The research was conducted over four different days.

The present study aimed to remove sulfonamide antibiotics from water samples using magnetic Fe3O4-bentonite nanocomposite (Fe3O4-Bt) as an adsorbent. The adsorbent has a surface area of 74.27 m2 g-1, a pore size of 87.53 nm, and a pore volume of 0.146 cm3 g-1. A central composite design (CCD) matrix was employed to model and optimize the process. The optimal conditions for removing sulfonamide antibiotics were determined using Fe3O4-Bt adsorbent at an antibiotic concentration of 20 mg L-1, the amount of nanoparticles of 0.23 g, pH of 6, and ultrasonication time of 17 min. The reusability study of the Fe3O4-Bt adsorbent showed that the Fe3O4-Bt could be used five times in adsorption/desorption processes. Also, applying the Fe3O4-Bt adsorbent on real samples revealed that Fe3O4-Bt adsorbent could remove sulfonamide antibiotics in the range of 86.85–97.47% with RSD (n = 5)

To assess the biological potential of an Er complex that contains a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand, various techniques such as multispectral and molecular modeling procedures were utilized to examine its DNA-binding ability, BSA binding affinity, antimicrobial effects, and anticancer properties. By analyzing fluorescent information and employing the vant’ Hoff equation, important parameters such as the innate docking coefficient (Kb), Stern-Volmer coefficient (KSV), and thermodynamic properties including modifications in liberated energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (∆H°), and entropy (∆S°) were determined. The trial findings suggest that the compound can bind to DNA, primarily through groove binding. Additionally, the engagement between the Er compound and the protein BSA was examined using emission spectroscopy technique, revealing a powerful binding affinity between the compound and BSA. The Er complex binds to BSA primarily via hydrogen links and van der Waals forces, as indicated by the adverse values of ΔH° and ∆S°. Through a static quenching process, the complex significantly reduces the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Molecular binding calculations and rivalrous binding trials confirm that this compound dock to hydrophobic remains found in site III of BSA. Additionally, the Er complex demonstrates promising results in terms of its anticancer and antimicrobial activities based on screening tests.

Magnesium has been a focal point of significant exploration in the biomedical engineering domain for many years due to its exceptional attributes, encompassing impressive specific strength, low density, excellent damping abilities, biodegradability, and the sought-after quality of biocompatibility. The primary drawback associated with magnesium-based implants is their susceptibility to corrosion and wear in physiological environments, which represents a significant limitation. Research findings have established that plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) induces substantial modifications in the surface characteristics and corrosion behavior of magnesium and its alloy counterparts. By subjecting the surface to high voltages, a porous ceramic coating is formed, resulting in not only altered surface properties and corrosion resistance, but also enhanced wear resistance. However, a drawback of the PEO process is that excessive pore formation and porosity within the shell could potentially undermine the coating’s corrosion and wear resistances. Altering the electrolyte conditions by introducing micro- and nano-particles can serve as a valuable approach to decrease coating porosity and enhance their ultimate characteristics. This paper evaluates the particle adhesion, composition, corrosion, and wear performances of particle-incorporated coatings applied to magnesium alloys through the PEO method.