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Introduction Edible oils constitutes a chief component of human diets in our daily life to supply essential fatty acids, energy, and nutrients to human. The nutritional value of edible oils varies depending on the type of oil, processing methods, extraction techniques, and storage conditions. Generally, edible oils are high in triacylglycerols with minor compositions. The presence of high amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the structure of triacylglycerol leads to a reduced shelf life of oils. This is associated to the undesired lipid oxidation that occurs when unsaturated fatty acids are exposed to light, oxygen, and heat. This is a major concern in food industry as it might result in undesired food quality deterioration involving reduction of nutritional components and off-flavors. The demand for nutritious and healthy animal and vegetable oils has been increased with a growth in population and economic progress. Therefore, researches for functional and nutritious edible oils has gained world attention on the technology to process edible oils. The use of ultrasound as a new technology in food processes is increasing due to its potential for changing materials and processing speed. This technique displays several advantages over conventional techniques in terms of time, energy consumption, and higher output. Ultrasonic processing is used in the food industry for numerous processes on high lipid containing food products in cutting, cooking, homogenization/emulsification, and microbial inactivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound time (0, 20, 40 and 60 min) on physicochemical properties of corn oil, soybean oil and kilka fish oil. Materials and Methods Commercial kilka fish oil, corn oil and soybean oilwere purchased from local market. All of the chemicals and reagents used were analytical reagent grade. Each oil was poured at 250 ml Beaker and then treated with an ultrasonic probe at a frequency of 20 kHz for a specified period of time. Oil chemical and physical properties such as acid value (mg/g), peroxide value (meq O2/kg), oxidative stability index (h), thiobarbituric acid value (mg/kg), conjugated diene value (%), fatty acid composition, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and color parameters (L*, a*, b* and ∆E) were determined. Data analysis was done using SPSS software and completely random design. Results and Discussion The results of this study showed that with increasing the duration of ultrasound, acid value, peroxide value, TBA value and conjugate diene value, increased and the induction period decreased. On the other hand, ultrasound treatment led to increase palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and decrease linoleic acid, linoleic acid (and palmitoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in kilka fish oil), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acids (PUSFA/SFA), unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acids (USFA/SFA), Cox value in corn, soybean, and kilka fish oils. Ultrasound did not change the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy but did change some color parameters. Sonication caused an increase in L* (more lightness) of corn oil, a decrease in a* (more greenness) of soybean oil, an increase in b* (more yellowness) of corn and soybean oils, and a decrease in ∆E compared to control samples. Probably, ultrasound causes destruction and isomerization of the double bands of pigments and as a result changes in color indices. According to the results of this study, ultrasound treatment accelerated the oxidation and degradation of oils and as a result, changed some of the physicochemical properties of the oil, which varied according to the type of oil.

Introduction Due to the worldwide growing number of transgender individuals openly identifying themselves, including in Iran, these individuals need more attention and support. This study compares patient satisfaction and quality of life after female-to-male gender confirmation surgery using an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and radial forearm free flap (RFFF).

Abstract Predictive models for spatial correlation play an effective role in the assessment of seismic risk associated with distributed infrastructure and building portfolios. However, existing models often rely on simplified approaches, assuming isotropy and stationarity. This paper verifies these assumptions by presenting a comprehensive study using a database of 3D physics-based simulated broadband ground motions for Istanbul, generated by the SPEED software. The results reveal significant event-to-event variability and nonstationary and anisotropic characteristics of spatial correlation influenced by source, path, and site effects. The development of nonstationary correlation models requires exploring influential metrics beyond spatial proximity and gaining a deep understanding of their impact, which is the focus of this study. Analysis of the spatial correlations of peak ground displacement, peak ground velocity, peak ground acceleration, and response spectral accelerations at different periods, employing both stationary and nonstationary correlation modelling methods and considering the finite fault model, indicates that the slip distribution pattern, direction and distance of station pairs relative to earthquake rupture, soil softness, and homogeneity of soil properties significantly influence the spatial correlations of near-field earthquake ground motions. Implementation of the introduced parameters in predictive spatial correlation models enhances the precision of regional seismic hazard assessments.

Background and purpose: Stress, especially immobility stress, is quite common and one of the most important and influential risk factors in neurological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acute and chronic immobility stress on the level of cortical and hippocampal oxidative stress indicators and memory impairment following global cerebral ischemia. Experimental approach: In this study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: 1, sham (S); 2, sham-acute stress (SSA); 3, sham-chronic stress (SSC); 4, ischemia (IS); 5, ischemia-acute stress (ISA); 6, ischemia-chronic stress (ISC). The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed 14 days after surgery, and cortisol levels and oxidative stress factors such as malondialdehyde MDA and total thiol were measured. Findings/Results: In the MWM test, the time to find the platform (latency time) in the ISC and IS groups significantly increased compared to the S group. The time spent in the target quarter in these two groups was significantly reduced compared to the S group on the day of the probe. The results showed a significant increase in cortisol levels and malondialdehyde concentration in the ISA, ISC, and IS groups compared to the S group, but there was no significant difference in total thiol concentration. No significant difference was observed in the level of oxidative stress factors in the cortex. Conclusion and implication: Chronic immobility stress could reduce antioxidant factors in the hippocampus and exacerbate memory impairment caused by global ischemia.

Abstract Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, gynecological disorder, and the disease's pathogenesis is still debatable. Genes related to apoptosis have been revealed to be deregulated in endometriosis. Objective: This study investigates the relationship between polymorphic variants of Bax -248G > A and Bcl-2 -938C > A promoter regions with endometriosis risk in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the polymorphisms of Bax -248G > A and Bcl-2 -938C > A promoter regions were analyzed in 127 Iranian cases and 125 controls who were referred to Ali-ibn-Abi Taleb Educational hospital, Zahedan, Iran between May 2022 and February 2023. The genotypic analysis was performed for all the subjects using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of mutant allele A carriers and the A allele of Bax -248G > A polymorphism showed about 2-fold significant increase of endometriosis risk (p = 0.04; p = 0.01, respectively). The frequencies of the mutant genotype AA and A allele carriers of Bcl-2 -938C > A polymorphism were approximately 4 and 2.5-fold higher in endometriosis compared to the control women, which were highly significant (p > 0.001). Moreover, the allele A frequency of Bcl-2 -938C > A was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of endometriosis (p > 0.001). Furthermore, the combination effects of these 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that women with Bax -248G > A GGand Bcl-2 -938C > A AA variant alleles were associated with about 5 times higher risk of endometriosis (p > 0.001). Notably, a significant difference was observed in mutant allele distribution between minimal/mild (stage I and II) and moderate/severe (stage III and IV) women with endometriosis disease. Conclusion: The results of our study provide evidence that Bcl-2 -938C > A and Bax -248G > A single nucleotide polymorphisms might be associated with the risk of endometriosis.

Background: Ovarian reserve is one of the most important factors that influences the success of assisted reproductivetechnology (ART). Recently, the role of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in ART has been investigated as a marker forthe prediction of ovarian response. We aim to examine this relationship within a large Iranian population.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data from 1000 infertile couples who referred tothe Research and Clinical Centre of Yazd Infertility Clinic for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperminjection (ICSI). Serum AMH levels, oocyte count, numbers of fertilised oocytes, endometrial thickness, and percentageof mature oocytes were measured. The relationship between AMH serum levels and the number and quality ofoocytes and embryos in ART cycles was analysed.Results: In the linear regression model, the log of the variables total dose of gonadotropin, two pronuclei (2PN), logoestradiol, total embryos, duration of stimulation, number of embryos transferred, protocol, and cause of infertilitywere significant predictors of log AMH.Conclusion: There appears to be a relationship between serum AMH levels in the early follicular phase and ovarianreserve. Higher serum AMH levels were also associated with shorter ART cycles.

The present study aims to investigate the environmental geochemistry of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailing samples of the Ahangaran Pb-Zn mine, located 95 km southeast of Hamadan. For this purpose, physico-chemical properties of 14 tailing samples, mineralogy and the concentration of PTEs were studied. The values of pH, carbonate content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged between 7.7-9.4, 50.5-64.5 %, and 27.3-35.1 meq/100g, respectively. The main clay mineral detected in the studied samples was montmorillonite; quartz and siderite were the most frequent mineral phases in the samples. The tailing samples, based on the total concentration of potentially toxic elements and the calculation of environmental indices, were enriched in Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Ag, and were of high ecological risk. Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) revealed that the hazard quotient of PTEs was much higher for children than adults. The highest values of non-carcinogenic risks via ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation were obtained for As, Mn, and Cd, respectively. The ingestion of As, Cd, and Cr for children, and the ingestion of Cd for adults are associated with probable carcinogenic risks. Based on the obtained results, disposed tailings around the Ahangaran mine can be considered a potential source to pollute the groundwater resources and agricultural soils. Therefore, appropriate environmental management of waste disposal as well as taking remediation actions deem necessary. Introduction During the last decades, extensive anthropogenic activities around the world enhanced the input of PTEs into different compartments of the environment. Mining, processing, and smelting of sulfidic ores are considered the most important source of PTEs in the environment. The waste materials produced during the ore processing (i.e. tailings) have been classified as threatening hazardous wastes that need specific environmental management and treatment (Banerjee et al., 2023). Ahangaran mine located 95 km SE Hamadan is a large Pb-Zn producer wherein the ore mineral is processed by flotation, and the produced tailings are dumped in tailing ponds around the mine. The present study aims to investigate the concentration and environmental geochemistry of PTEs in mine tailings and to assess the human health risk imposed by PTEs through the standard method of USEPA (1989). Materials and methods Sampling, sample preparation and analyses 14 surface composite tailings samples were collected from the tailing ponds (0-30 cm) by a stainless steel trowel. The samples were dried at room temperature. pH, carbonate content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the samples were determined in particles < 0.15 mm. To determine the total concentration of major and trace elements, 1gr of tailings passed through a 230 mesh sieve (63 μm) was digested by a mixture of hot concentrated acids (HF + HClO4 + HCl + HNO3) in the open system ( Jeffery and Hutchinson, 1981). The concentrations of major and trace elements in the digested solutions were measured by an ICP-OES instrument. pH was determined using the standard method of the USEPA test method (USEPA,1989). The carbonate content was measured by titration method, and CEC was determined based on the USEPA standard method (USEPA,1989). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) method was used to investigate the mineralogy of the samples. Results and discussion The physico-chemical properties of tailing samples pH of the tailing samples varies between 7.7 and 9.4. The neutral to alkaline nature of the samples may enhance the bioavailability of metalloids such as As and Sb. The average amount of carbonate content in the samples is 55.9%, which is in accordance with the alkaline pH of the studied samples. Based on the Metson classification (Metson, 1956), the samples are classified as high CEC. XRD analysis of the samples shows that the predominant clay mineral in the studied samples is montmorillonite, which explains the high CEC values of the studied samples. Concentrations of major and trace elements in tailing samples The average concentration of elements (mg/kg) in the studied samples decreases in the following order: Fe > Mn > Pb > Al > Zn > Cu > Sb > Ni > Th > As > Co > V > Cr > Cd > Ag > Sc The average concentrations of PTEs in the tailings samples are much higher than their respective values in the mean crust composition; therefore, the tailings of the Ahangaran mine may enhance the concentration of PTEs in soils, cultivated crops, and groundwater of the adjacent area. In order to assess the level of contamination, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) was calculated as follows: Igeo= log 2 [(Cn)⁄1.5(Bn)] where Cn and Bn are the target element’s concentration in the study sample and the reference material (mean crust composition), respectively. According to the classification of the geoaccumulation index, the studied samples are very highly polluted in Pb, Sb and Ag. The enrichment factor (EF) is calculated using the normalized ratio of target element (x) in the study sample to the respective value in the reference (background) material: EF = RE refers to the concentration of a normalizing element (Sc). The mean crust composition was considered the background sample. On the basis of the obtained results, the studied samples are characterized as extremely high enriched in Pb, Sb, Ag, Mn, Zn, Cd, As, very high enriched in Th and Cu, significantly enriched in Fe, Co, Mo, and moderately enriched in Ni, Cr, and V. Hakanson (1980) defined the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) as follows: where Ei and Ti are the ecological risk index and biological toxicity factor, respectively. The obtained PERI values of all tailing samples are much higher than 600; thus the ecological risk imposed by tailings is very high and suitable measures should be taken to reduce the pollution level in the study area. To assess the human health risk imposed by high levels of PTEs in the tailing samples, the average daily dose (ADD, mg/kg/day) of each element through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact routes as was calculated: ADDinh = The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of each pathway was obtained to assess the non-carcinogenic risk of each target element (USEPA, 1989): Where RfDi is the reference dose (mg/kg/day). While HQ≤1 indicates that there is no non- carcinogenic risk, HQ> 1 shows that non-carcinogenic risks are probable through a certain exposure route. Hazard index (HI) is also an indicator of probable non-carcinogenic health risks: n refers to the number of the studied elements. If the value of HI is ≤1, there is no adverse health effects. HI> 1 indicates likely adverse health effects. Human health risk assessment shows that the HQ values of target elements is higher in children than in adults. The highest non-carcinogenic risk for digestion, inhalation and dermal contact is related to As, Mn, and Cd, respectively. The ingestion of As, Cd, and Cr for children and ingestion of Cd for adults is associated with probable carcinogenic risks. Conclusion Based on the total concentration of PTEs in the samples and the values of geochemical indices, the studied tailings are highly polluted with Pb, Sb, Mn, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, and Ag. Human health risk assessment shows that ingestion is the most important route for element’s exposure, and children are at higher risks. The highest values of non-carcinogenic risks through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways were obtained for As, Mn, and Cd, respectively. The ingestion of As, Cd, and Cr for children, and the ingestion of Cd for adults are associated with probable carcinogenic risks.

Abstract Background: One of the critical cases of recurrent pregnancy loss is immunological factors, whereas obtaining effective prevention or treatment is necessary for cognition of reasons. Objective: In this study, we tried to evaluate some immunological factors related to recurrent pregnancy loss. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 66 women at the age of 18–35 yr who were referred to the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb hospital, Zahedan, Iran, from August-December 2019. Interleukin 33 (IL-33) serum levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and C-reactive protein levels were measured by serology and hematology methods. Results: The mean age of total participants was 30.8 ± 3.80 yr. The mean serum IL-33 in the case group was 318.5 ± 254.1 pg/ml and was lower than the control group (354.2 ± 259.9 pg/ml), which was not statistically significant (p = 0.52). The level of C-reactive protein in the case and control was not significantly different (p = 0.27), and Immunoglobulin A and Immunoglobulin G in the case and control were also not significantly different (p = 0.46, and p = 0.16, respectively), but there were significant differences (p = 0.003) between the level of the IgM in the case and control groups. Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was observed in the IL-33 serum level, for at least 4–6 months after the last abortion in the case group and the final live birth in the control group. In contrast, serum levels of IgM were statistically significant. Finally, the need for more studies is felt according to the different results of the previous studies in this field.

The use of interactive tools, such as voice assistants and social robots, holds promise as coaching aids during public speaking rehearsals. To create a coach that is both effective and likable, it is important to understand how people perceive these agents when they observe them during actual presentation sessions. Specifically, it is important to assess people’s perceptions of the agents’ physical embodiment and nonverbal social behaviour, taking into account both listening and feedback periods. To this end, we conducted an online study with 168 participants who watched videos of agents acting as public speaking coaches. The study had three conditions: two with a humanoid social robot in either (1) active listening mode, using nonverbal backchannelling, (2) passive listening mode, and (3) a voice assistant agent. The results showed that the social robot in both conditions was perceived more positively in terms of its human-like attributes, and likability than the voice assistant agent. The active listener robot was perceived as more satisfying, more engaging, more natural, and warmer than the voice assistant agent, but this difference was not seen between the passive listener robot and the voice assistant agent. Additionally, the active listener robot was found to be more natural than the passive listening robot. However, there were no significant differences in perceived intelligence, competence, discomfort, and helpfulness between the three agents. Finally, participants’ gender and personality traits were found to affect their evaluations of the agents. The study offered insights into general attitudes towards using social robots and voice assistants as public speaking coaches, which can guide the future design and use of these agents as coaches.

Abstract Fluorescence microscopy has undergone rapid advancements, offering unprecedented visualization of biological events and shedding light on the intricate mechanisms governing living organisms. However, the exploration of rapid biological dynamics still poses a significant challenge due to the limitations of current digital camera architectures and the inherent compromise between imaging speed and other capabilities. Here, we introduce sHAPR, a high-speed acquisition technique that leverages the operating principles of sCMOS cameras to capture fast cellular and subcellular processes. sHAPR harnesses custom fiber optics to convert microscopy images into one-dimensional recordings, enabling acquisition at the maximum camera readout rate, typically between 25 and 250 kHz. We have demonstrated the utility of sHAPR with a variety of phantom and dynamic systems, including high-throughput flow cytometry, cardiomyocyte contraction, and neuronal calcium waves, using a standard epi-fluorescence microscope. sHAPR is highly adaptable and can be integrated into existing microscopy systems without requiring extensive platform modifications. This method pushes the boundaries of current fluorescence imaging capabilities, opening up new avenues for investigating high-speed biological phenomena.

Background and Objectives Surgical techniques for carpal tunnel release (CTR) have gradually become less invasive. No substantial evidence supports replacing the open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) with novel minimally invasive approaches. Thread carpal tunnel release (TCTR) is a new minimally invasive CTR method associated with promising results. This study aimed to compare the aesthetic and functional outcomes of OCTR with TCTR.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) are widely used in various applications, such as biomedicine, environmental remediation, and agriculture. Moreover, FeONPs can affect the production of secondary metabolites in plants, which are compounds that have various biological and pharmacological activities. Therefore, in this study, the ajwain (Carum copticum L.) seeds were grown in MS medium containing different levels of FeONPs (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg l−1). After four weeks, the effects of FeONPs on growth, photosynthesis pigments, total phenolic, and anthocyanin content, activities of some antioxidant enzyme and secondary metabolites of ajwain) were investigated. The results showed that low levels of FeONPs (especially 200 mg l−1) increased fresh weight (231 %), total chlorophyll (49 %), total phenolics (259 %), anthocyanin content (110 %), as well as thymol (8 %) and γ-terpinene (16 %) content. Conversely, 400 mg l−1 FeONPs reduced root length (60 %) and fresh weight (64 %) was associated with a reduction in CAT activity, phenol (55 %), thymol (22 %), and γ-terpinene (18 %) content compared to ajwain treated with 200 mg l−1 FeONPs. This reduction was probably due to the increase in ROS caused by the low catalase enzyme activity and important essential oils compounds such as thymol and γ-terpinene. Thus, our results indicate that FeONPs at certain levels can be used as a new way for in vitro production of valuable essential oils and antioxidant compounds in ajwain.

Salt domes play a crucial role in hydrocarbon storage, underground construction, solution mining, and mineralization. Therefore, deformation monitoring is essential for analyzing the kinematics and impact of salt domes. This study aims to measure the temporal displacements of the Shah-Gheyb salt dome from 2016 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2022 using the New Small Baseline Subset (NSBAS) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique and to predict future displacements through machine learning models. A total of 14 data layers, including topography, remote sensing, hydrology, and geology group were used in Machine Learning (ML). Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models were employed to project displacements in both the East-West (E-W) and Up-Down (U-D) components through 29 scenarios.In the E-W direction, the salt dome exhibits a displacement rate of 39 mm/year, while in the U-D direction, it varies between −18 and +6 mm/year. ML predictions and SAR interferometry data processing results for the period 2020–2022 were validated using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficient (R). The RFR model demonstrated the lowest RMSE of 1.9 mm for the E-W component, achieving a maximum R-value of 97.3 %. For the U-D component, the RMSE was 2.8 mm, with an R-value of 55.8 %. Evaluation of the predictive performance of the ML models and a comparison of InSAR and ML outcomes indicated that the RFR model predicted displacement along the E-W and U-D directions between 2020 and 2022 with greater accuracy than the SVR. Furthermore, comparing the displacement predicted by the RFR model using SAR interferometry along two perpendicular profiles confirmed the model's precision.

BACKGROUND: Currently available semiautomated insulin-delivery systems require individualized insulin regimens for the initialization of therapy and meal doses based on carbohydrate counting for routine operation. In contrast, the bionic pancreas is initialized only on the basis of body weight, makes all dose decisions and delivers insulin autonomously, and uses meal announcements without carbohydrate counting. METHODS: In this 13-week, multicenter, randomized trial, we randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio persons at least 6 years of age with type 1 diabetes either to receive bionic pancreas treatment with insulin aspart or insulin lispro or to receive standard care (defined as any insulin-delivery method with unblinded, real-time continuous glucose monitoring). The primary outcome was the glycated hemoglobin level at 13 weeks. The key secondary outcome was the percentage of time that the glucose level as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring was below 54 mg per deciliter; the prespecified noninferiority limit for this outcome was 1 percentage point. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 219 participants 6 to 79 years of age were assigned to the bionic-pancreas group, and 107 to the standard-care group. The glycated hemoglobin level decreased from 7.9% to 7.3% in the bionic-pancreas group and did not change (was at 7.7% at both time points) in the standard-care group (mean adjusted difference at 13 weeks, -0.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.6 to -0.3; P

Abstract Cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) possess tremendous potential for basic research and translational application. However, these cells structurally and functionally resemble fetal cardiomyocytes, which is a major limitation of these cells. Microgravity can significantly alter cell behavior and function. Here we investigated the effect of simulated microgravity on hiPSC-CM maturation. Following culture under simulated microgravity in a random positioning machine for 7 days, 3D hiPSC-CMs had increased mitochondrial content as detected by a mitochondrial protein and mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA ratio. The cells also had increased mitochondrial membrane potential. Consistently, simulated microgravity increased mitochondrial respiration in 3D hiPSC-CMs, as indicated by higher levels of maximal respiration and ATP content, suggesting improved metabolic maturation in simulated microgravity cultures compared with cultures under normal gravity. Cells from simulated microgravity cultures also had improved Ca2+ transient parameters, a functional characteristic of more mature cardiomyocytes. In addition, these cells had improved structural properties associated with more mature cardiomyocytes, including increased sarcomere length, z-disc length, nuclear diameter, and nuclear eccentricity. These findings indicate that microgravity enhances the maturation of hiPSC-CMs at the structural, metabolic, and functional levels.

This study investigates the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of Takht Coal Spoils in Minoodasht, Iran. For this purpose, six representative spoil samples were collected. The geochemistry of the samples were studied using XRF and ICP-OES analyses, microscopic studies, XRD, and SEM-EDX spectra. To examine the potential of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) by the spoil samples, different static tests including pH and EC measurement of saturated paste, Acid-Base Accounting tests (ABA), and Net Acid Generation (NAG) / Net Acid Potential (NAP) test were applied. Based on the geochemical data, the studied samples are not enriched with Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, low enriched with Cu and Cd, moderately enriched with Mo, significantly enriched with Sb and Pb, and strongly enriched with As. Quartz, muscovite, clinochlore and kaolinite are the major mineral phases in the studied samples. Static tests indicate that most of the samples are characterized by saturated paste pH

Abstract Efficient generation of cardiomyocytes from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is important for their application in basic and translational studies. Space microgravity can significantly change cell activities and function. Previously, we reported upregulation of genes associated with cardiac proliferation in cardiac progenitors derived from hiPSCs that were exposed to space microgravity for 3 days. Here we investigated the effect of long-term exposure of hiPSC-cardiac progenitors to space microgravity on global gene expression. Cryopreserved 3D hiPSC-cardiac progenitors were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) and cultured for 3 weeks under ISS microgravity and ISS 1 G conditions. RNA-sequencing analyses revealed upregulation of genes associated with cardiac differentiation, proliferation, and cardiac structure/function and downregulation of genes associated with extracellular matrix regulation in the ISS microgravity cultures compared with the ISS 1 G cultures. Gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes mapping identified the upregulation of biological processes, molecular function, cellular components, and pathways associated with cell cycle, cardiac differentiation, and cardiac function. Taking together, these results suggest that space microgravity has a beneficial effect on the differentiation and growth of cardiac progenitors.