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Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations. Materials and Methods:Materials and Methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 coun-tries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations. Results:Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoosper-mia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differ-entiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate. Conclusions:Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations.

Abstract Background Numerous studies have explored the effects of L-arginine, whether administered in the form of a supplement or through infusion during cardioplegia, on cardiac and inflammatory markers in individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, these studies presented contradictory findings. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of l-arginine on these markers by analyzing available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods We performed an extensive search across various databases, including Embase, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, covering research published until December 2023. To analyze the mean changes in inflammatory and cardiac markers between the L-arginine and control groups, we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results A total of 393 RCTs were identified during the initial search. After screening and selection, 7 trials were included. In a meta-analysis of three trials that reported troponin T levels, we found a significant impact of L-arginine on reducing troponin T levels (WMD = -0.61 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.07, -0.15). Our analysis also showed that L-arginine had a noticeable impact on decreasing interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (WMD = -7.72 pg/ml; 95% CI: -15.05, -0.39). However, we found no considerable impact of L-arginine treatment on creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and troponin I compared to the placebo groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest that L-arginine may benefit patients undergoing CABG, as it helps reduce inflammatory reactions and limits myocardial ischemia. This study registered in the PROSPERO database (Registration No. CRD42024508341).

Abstract Background Pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate oxidase deficiency is a rare inborn error of vitamin B6 metabolism that presents with drug-resistant epileptic seizures. However, the condition is responsive to supplementation with the active vitamin B6 metabolite pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and, in some cases, pyridoxine. Case presentation In this case report, a 10-year-old Iranian male of Fars ethnicity came to a regional hospital in Tehran, Iran with a chief complaint of tic-like movement. He had a history of unintentional, repetitive, and stereotypic movements of both arms since the age of 4 years. The physical examination depicted facial dimorphism. During admission, the patient experienced habitual hypermotor seizures and generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Ictal electroencephalography demonstrated a generalized background attenuation and bursts of generalized, predominantly left-sided, biphasic spike-wave complexes. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate oxidase deficiency as the underlying cause of the drug-resistant seizures, resulting in a low serum level of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. The patient underwent pyridoxine supplementation therapy, which ultimately resolved his seizures. At 6 months, he was seizure free. Conclusion Physicians ought to be aware of manifestations of vitamin B6 deficiency such as mimicking tic and consider it in the differential for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Abstract Objectives To assess whether the combination of scapular-focused training and mulligan mobilization (SFTMM) improves pain and proprioception compared to scapular-focused training (SFT) and a control group in female rock climbers with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Design Three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Setting Outpatient setting. Subjects Individuals were randomly assigned to SFTMM, SFT alone, and control group. Interventions 8 weeks of SFTMM and SFT. Main measures Outcome measures were pain and proprioception. Results The results revealed significant differences in pain scores and proprioception among female rock climbers with SIS who participated in SFTMM, SFT, and a control group (F(2, 32) = 81.01, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.83 for pain scores; F(2, 32) = 178.2, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.91 for proprioception scores). Post-hoc tests via the Bonferroni test indicated that both SFTMM and SFT significantly reduced pain levels (p = 0.001) and improved proprioception levels (p = 0.001) compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in pain scores and proprioception between the SFTMM group and the SFT group (p > 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, the study indicates that SFTMM significantly reduces pain and improves proprioception in female rock climbers with SIS, as shown by notable changes compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the SFTMM (combined intervention) and SFT alone. Therefore, while the incorporation of SFT and MM shows promise; further research is needed to fully understand its long-term benefits and clinical implications. Ethical Code Registration The study was approved at Ethics.research.ac.ir, code: IR.SSRC.REC.1402.170 on 2023-10-22.

This study was set out to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to explore the environmental and economic impacts of pavement design alternatives using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled plastic. 25 design alternative pavement designs were considered for a four-lane 8 km-long highway section. Design mix percentages varied between 0 and 40% of RAP with 10% increments and 0–20% of recycled plastic with 5% increments. The impact was assessed based on estimating utilized energy and water resources, climate change impact in terms of CO2 equivalent, and air pollution in terms of air acidification, human health particulate (HHP), and photochemical smog. Results show that recycled plastic is superior to RAP in reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. Both RAP and recycled plastic reduced water consumption. Recycled plastic reduced air acidification, HHP, and smog. RAP also increased HHP substantially, mainly during materials production. It was found that the RAP replacement ratio of 10% yielded the highest value of energy consumption, harmful gases emissions, air acidification, HHP, and Smog. RAP and plastic both reduced costs substantially as recycled material reduced the use of virgin materials and bitumen. In addition, using RAP eliminates the cost of moving RAP to landfills.

Extended Abstract Background: Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) is one of the well-known industrial species of Hyrcanian forests that spreads from the west to east of these forests. Human activities have caused significant damage to Hyrcanian forests, and this issue highlights the importance of identifying factors affecting the structural characteristics of trees, especially beech, for the optimal management of these forests and the restoration of degraded areas. Considering the effect of environmental factors on the structural characteristics (the basal area and number per hectare) and the distribution of trees, the knowledge of their ecological requirements can be used to prepare programs for the protection and development of forests. Previous research about factors affecting the distribution of this species focused on topographical variables and the effects of climate change. Thus, No research has so far investigated the effect of the frequency of fog occurrence on the structural characteristics of this species. Therefore, the effect of topographical variables (height above sea level, slope, and direction), temperature, relative humidity, and fog on the number per hectare, basal area, and the presence of beech species was investigated in the present study using a generalized linear model (GLM). The results of this research and other studies on the future data from the forests of northern Iran can help predict possible changes in the distribution of species, especially beech species, under the effect of global warming. Methods: To carry out this research, beech species data were obtained from the forest inventory data bank in the north of Iran. Because no meteorological station was available for the whole region of Hyrcanian forests, meteorological data were obtained from the POWER project of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the USA. Since fog is defined as water droplets suspended near the earth's surface, which reduces horizontal visibility to less than one kilometer, the occurrence of fog was determined using the horizontal visibility index. After preparing the data, first the number of trees per hectare and then the basal area of trees were calculated in each sample plot. The collected data were separated based on the presence or absence of beech. Data were analyzed using GLM and cross-validation evaluation in R software and the caret package. Results: The results of the correlation between the independent variables showed that the amount of precipitation had a significant and high correlation with relative humidity, hence the precipitation variable was removed from the modeling. The GLM showed acceptable accuracy for predicting the number of trees per hectare (R2 = 0.16), basal area (R2 = 0.16), and the presence of beech species (AUC = 0.75). The fog, height above sea level, and relative air humidity variables had a positive relationship with all three traits (number per hectare, basal area, and the presence of beech species) while temperature was negatively related only to the presence of beech species. The aspect variable had a positive and significant relationship with the number of beech trees per hectare and basal area, respectively, but it was not significantly related to the presence of this species. The height above sea level was the most important variable for predicting the number of trees per hectare, the basal area, and the presence of beech species. Relative humidity was the second most important variable for predicting the number of trees per hectare and basal area while fog was the second most important variable for the presence of beech species. The temperature, slope, and aspect had a significance of less than 20%. Conclusion: The reason for the higher relative importance of the height above sea level can be attributed to low temperature and high rainfall as the optimal conditions for the growth of the beech tree; these conditions are directly related to the height above sea level. Our results also determine the importance of relative humidity and the occurrence of fog in the distribution of beech species. The high importance of the relative humidity variable may result from the fact that beech is generally described as adapting to full-shade to partial-shade conditions. Since the northern aspect (in the Northern Hemisphere) generally receives less direct sunlight and is usually cooler, this species usually establishes in the northern direction in the Hyrcanian forest. On the other hand, since relative humidity increases with decreasing temperature, it can be concluded that beech prefers higher relative humidity. In the forests of mountainous areas and near the coast, the number of fog occurrences is high due to high air humidity and altitude. Finally, this phenomenon leads to rain fog and increases the amount of water reaching the forest floor. Therefore, it can be stated that the occurrence and production of fog play a pivotal role in providing the water needs of beech trees due to the high moisture requirement of this species. The high importance of relative air humidity and the occurrence of fog in the distribution of beech species necessitate additional studies regarding the accurate estimation of the occurrence and amount of fog in Hyrcanian forests. Studies on fog and its effects on vegetation, particularly in temperate regions, can provide valuable insight into the potential benefits of fog for this species. Given the lack of studies, it is suggested to investigate the effects of other environmental factors, including soil properties, on the distribution of beech species.

Extended Abstract Background: The plant biodiversity of any ecosystem is directly affected by its vegetative characteristics and diversity of plant species, which always guarantees the ecosystem’s stability against variable environmental and biological factors. Biodiversity indices are measured to compare the biodiversity of different masses and estimate the changes in biodiversity over time at the mass level. The Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran are a legacy left from the third geological period, and today a large part of them has been destroyed in the plains due to destructive human activities. These forests have a special importance for the protection and management in the south of the Caspian Sea. Hyrcanian boxwood (Buxus hyrcana Pojark.), which belongs to the Buxaceae family, is the only species of boxwood in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. It has unique values from various aspects, including economics, tourism, preservation of biodiversity, etc. This valuable species has been threatened by human and natural factors for a long time and its area has decreased in the country. The present research investigates the floristic-physiognomic status of boxwood habitats in Cheshme Bulbul, Sangdeh, Si-Sangan, and Shafarood regions. Methods: In this research, the important habitats of Hyrkanian boxwood were sampled from the protected area of Cheshme Bulbul, Bandar Gaz, Golestan province, as the easternmost distribution area of this species in Hyrkanian forests to Shafarood forests in Gilan province. In total, 125 sample plots of 400 m2 (20 × 20 m) were planted in the four identified areas (35, 30, 40, and 20 sample plots in Bandar Gaz (Cheshme Bulbul), Frame (Sangdeh), Si Sangan, and Shafarood, respectively). To measure the herbaceous cover of the forest floor in each sample plot, five small plots of four m2 (2 × 2 m) were walked in the center and four corners of each sample plot to harvest their herbaceous cover. Biodiversity indices, including Shannon, Simpson, and Fisher diversity, Margalf and Menhinik richness, and Pilou, Simpson, and Shannon uniformity, were measured for each of the sample plots. The plants were identified very carefully using the Persian Flora of Iran, the Flora of Iranica, the Flora of Türkiye, and the Flora of Europe. The biological form of any plant was determined and recorded based on the Rankier method. The range of geographical distribution was determined according to the mentioned flora. Then, the belonging of each species to the existing phytochorions was determined and the geographical distribution diagram of the regional plants was drawn using floristic data in the division of the vegetative regions of the earth's surface. Species diversity between habitats was compared with the one-way analysis of variance. Means were compared using the Tukey-HSD test in SPSS software. Graphs were drawn using Excel software (2013). Results: In total, 186 plant species belonging to 68 plant genera were identified in the studied regions. The hemi-cryptophytes (65 species, 34.94%), phanerophytes (40 species, 21.5%), geophytes (37 species, 19.90%), trophytes (36 species, 19.35%), and cryptophytes (5 species, 69.2%) dominated the vegetation composition of Hyrkanian boxwood habitats. Kamephytes were the rarest biological form in the region with a percentage (3 species). The results of the geographical distribution of plant species in the region showed that the entire flora was mainly of European Siberian (55 species) and multi-regional (38 species) elements, which accounted for more than 50% of the species (93 species). This was followed by Europe-Siberian/Turanian Iran/Mediterranean vegetation areas (25 species, 13.44%), Europe-Siberian/Turanian Iran (25 species, 13.44%), Turanian Iran (16 species, 60.8%), Europe-Siberian/Mediterranean (13 species, 6.70%), and cosmopolitan (8 species, 4.3%) species. The lowest presence in the region was observed for the vegetation areas of Mediterranean/Turanian Iran (5 species, 2.70%), considering that the northern forests are geographically located in the Auxin-Hyrcania state of the Pontic sub-region, which is a large vegetation area belonging to Europe-Siberia. The presence of species belonging to this geographical spectrum in the flora of these regions is not far from expected. Moreover, the presence of species in other geographical areas is a result of the natural patterns of the accidental presence of plant elements from other vegetation areas of the world. Conclusion: The results of this research show higher indices of diversity, uniformity, and species richness in Shamshad Frame and Shafarood habitats, which have a higher average height above sea level than Cheshme Bulbul and Sisangan habitats. The review of the sources shows that physiographic factors play an important role in the indicators of species richness and diversity. Changes in altitude above sea level often lead to changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and soil characteristics. This diversity in habitat conditions increases its heterogeneity and allows a wider range of species to coexist. As a result, more habitat heterogeneity leads to higher species diversity, which is also reflected in the biodiversity index.

Abstract The field of photonic integrated circuits has witnessed significant progress in recent years, with a growing demand for devices that offer high-performance reconfigurability. Due to the inability of conventional tunable directional couplers (TDCs) to maintain a fixed phase while tuning the reflectivity, Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) are employed as the primary building blocks for reflectivity tuning in constructing large-scale circuits. However, MZIs are prone to fabrication errors due to the need for perfect balanced directional couplers to achieve 0-1 reflectivity, which hinders their scalability. In this study, we introduce a design of a TDC based on coupling constant tuning in the thin film Lithium Niobate platform and present an optimized design. Our optimized TDC design enables arbitrary reflectivity tuning while ensuring a consistent phase across a wide range of operating wavelengths. Furthermore, it exhibits fewer bending sections than MZIs and is inherently resilient to fabrication errors in waveguide geometry and coupling length compared to both MZIs and conventional TDCs. Our work contributes to developing high-performance photonic integrated circuits with implications for various fields, including optical communication systems and quantum information processing.

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) in a variety of types are used in food packaging films. Ag NPs and Ag@TiO2 NPs were embedded in polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) based films in an effort to create unique films that would effectively extend the shelf life of beluga sturgeon fish. To achieve this, 22 films were formulated. Two of them were nominated based on an antibacterial evaluation. Pure PE and PLA were selected as control groups. TEM, SEM, FTIR, EDX, AFM, and tensile strength were employed to study the films chemically, physically, and mechanically. The films were used to package beluga sturgeon fish for 6 days, and then humidity, TVN, PV, and colony count were measured. According to the results, Ag@TiO2 NPs had higher antibacterial activity than AgNPs. Films with 3% of Ag@TiO2 NPs showed higher microorganism growth inhibition. The addition of Ag@TiO2 NPs increased the mechanical properties. Both selected films, controlled humidity (

Background: Frailty, a state of diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, is common among geriatric Omani patients attending primary health-care settings. Frailty has been shown to be a dominant predictor of multiple adverse health outcomes such as falls, functional disability, delirium, health-care utilization, and all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the relationship between frailty and adverse health outcomes in Omani older adults. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single center, from April 2020 to December 2022, involving 197 participants aged 65 years and older. Frailty was determined using the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI). The adverse outcomes under investigation included a history of falling, utilization of primary health-care services, and all-cause mortality. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), to evaluate the relationships between frailty and these adverse outcomes. Results: In the adjusted logistic regression model, frail older patients exhibited an elevated risk of falling in comparison to nonfrail patients (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.68, 3.05; OR: 5.94, 95% CI: 1.49, 23.69, respectively). Notably, frailty status demonstrated a significant difference in terms of primary health-care utilization (P = 0.016), particularly for prefrailty (mean ± standard deviation 18.8 ± 10.8). Furthermore, a weak positive correlation was identified between MPI means and the level of primary health-care utilization (r = 0.229, P < 0.001). In addition, it was observed that prefrailty and frailty significantly heightened the risk of all-cause mortality (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.16, 13.30; OR: 27.96, 95% CI: 3.37, 232.24, respectively). Conclusion: Prefrailty and frailty exert detrimental effects on older adults. It is imperative to focus on addressing prefrailty and frailty within primary health care to mitigate adverse outcomes and enhance the overall well-being of older adults.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the broad acceptance of distance education (DE), with university professors and students conducting the teaching–learning process remotely from their homes. The propose of this study to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify risk factors associated with DE that may contribute to an increased incidence of these disorders among university professors. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study took a comparative approach and involved 310 university professors in Iran. Data were gathered using an online questionnaire. Initially, demographic and occupational information of the professors, hours of physical activity, and hours spent using electronic devices were recorded. Participants were then asked to report MSDs in various body areas throughout the previous year and the previous seven days. Finally, MSDs risk factors such as workstation ergonomics during computer, laptop, smartphone, and tablet use, as well as working postures during online teaching or offline content development during the COVID-19 pandemic, were examined. Results The majority of the participants were male (66.13%), with a PhD (46.77%) and a faculty member position (74.2%). On average, the use of computers and laptops increased by 2.67 h and 2.72 h, respectively, during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. This increase was statistically significant (P

The necessity of using ozonated oil and water for treating infections such as gonorrhea and meningitis which their treatment by common antibiotics is sometimes difficult and it is becoming more apparent every day. In this study, the antibacterial effect of ozonated oil and water against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) and N. meningitidis were investigated using Broth microdilution methods at zero, 24 and 48 hours after incubation at 37°C. The results were determined by culturing bacteria on their specific culture medium and using an ELISA reader to determine minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC, respectively). The results showed that ozonated oil with PI=500 had an expressive effect on N. meningitidis. The concentration of 0.09PI was determined as MIC and the concentration of 0.19PI was determined as MBC. The ozonated oil with PI=1000 had an expressive effect on N. gonorrhoeae. The concentration of 3.12 PI was determined as MIC and the concentration of 6.25 PI was determined as MBC. Ozonated water containing 2.5 mg/L of ozone had no significant antimicrobial effect on the studied bacterial species. The results of this study showed that ozonation of oil may improve its chemical properties. In addition, by increasing the incubation time to 24 hours, ozonated oil showed a favorable antibacterial effect against N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis.

Abstract Geological fractures are mechanical breaks in subsurface rock volumes that provide important subsurface flow pathways. However, the presence of fractures can cause unwanted challenges, such as gas leakage through fractured caprocks, which must be addressed. In this study, the dynamics of enzymatically induced carbonate precipitation in rock fractures and their subsequent influence on CO2 leakage were investigated from a pore-scale perspective for the first time. This was achieved through real-time monitoring of the injection of the solution into a rock-microfluidic flow cell using optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed that the main growth dynamics occur during the first three injection cycles, with growth continuing until the fracture aperture is fully closed in the 6th cycle. Based on the flow simulation, a significant reduction of up to 25% in the CO2 conductivity of the original fracture is expected even after the first treatment cycle. Future studies are suggested to explore different resolutions, testing conditions, and to conduct 3-dimensional investigations of the growth dynamics.

In the medical diagnostics domain, pathology and histology are pivotal for the precise identification of diseases. Digital histopathology, enhanced by automation, facilitates the efficient analysis of massive amount of biopsy images produced on a daily basis, streamlining the evaluation process. This study focuses in Stain Color Normalization (SCN) within a Whole-Slide Image (WSI) cohort, aiming to reduce batch biases. Building on published graphical method, this research demonstrates a mathematical population or data-driven method that optimizes the dependency on the number of reference WSIs and corresponding aggregate sums, thereby increasing SCN process efficiency. This method expedites the analysis of color convergence 50-fold by using stain vector Euclidean distance analysis, slashing the requirement for reference WSIs by more than half. The approach is validated through a tripartite methodology: 1) Stain vector euclidean distances analysis, 2) Distance computation timing, and 3) Qualitative and quantitative assessments of SCN across cancer tumors regions of interest. The results validate the performance of data-driven SCN method, thus potential to enhance the precision and reliability of computational pathology analyses. This advancement is poised to enhance diagnostic processes, therapeutic strategies, and patient prognosis.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss among diabetic patients, necessitating effective screening and grading for timely intervention. Regular screening significantly increases the workload of ophthalmologists, and accurate grading into stages—mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative—is crucial for monitoring disease progression. While Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems can alleviate this burden, existing Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based frameworks use fixed-size kernels in a linear feed-forward manner. This approach can lead to information loss in the initial stages due to limited feature utilization across adjacent layers. To address this limitation, we propose a Hierarchical Features Fusion Convolutional Neural Network (HFF-Net) within a Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Grading (DRSG) framework. The framework includes preprocessing to extract regions of interest from fundus images (FIs), enhancement using Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), and data augmentation for class balancing and overfitting mitigation. HFF-Net extracts multiscale features that fused at multiple levels within the network, utilizing the swish activation function for improved learning stability. We evaluated HFF-Net against several state-of-the-art CNN classifiers within the DRSG framework. Experimental results demonstrate that HFF-Net achieves a grading accuracy of 73.77 ​%, surpassing the second-best model by 3.51 percentage points (a relative improvement of approximately 5 ​%), and attains a screening accuracy of 98.70 ​% using only 1.18 million parameters. These findings highlight HFF-Net's potential as an efficient and effective tool in CAD systems for DR screening and grading.©2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract Hereditary ataxias are classified by inheritance patterns into autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, and mitochondrial modes of inheritance. A large group of adult hereditary ataxias have autosomal dominant inheritance, and autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs) are rare, with greater diversity in phenotypic and genotypic features. Therefore, comprehensive genetic testing is useful for identifying the genes responsible for ARCAs. We identified two novel pathogenic variants of the SQSTM1 and SYNE1 genes via whole-exome sequencing in patients with ARCAs.

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite on our planet that causes toxoplasmosis. This study evaluated the seroprevalence and related risk factors for T. gondii infection in a population referred to healthcare centers in Meshkin-Shahr, Northwest Iran. Methods A total of 400 blood samples were randomly collected from the general population and assessed using the anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, Immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kits in two steps before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 2019–2020. The results were analyzed through logistic regression via SPSS 26 software. Results Before the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 39% of individuals (IgG: 38%, IgM: 0.5%, and IgG-IgM: 0.5%). Among the eleven risk factors evaluated, contact with soil and people awareness were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (p 0.05). After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall seroprevalence for anti-T. gondii antibody increased to 49.7% (IgG: 47.7%, IgM: 0.5%, and IgG and IgM: 1.5%). Among these patients, 26% were positive for COVID-19. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 40 samples were negative for anti-T. gondii antibodies but later became positive. The crude and adjusted models suggested that toxoplasmosis may be a possible risk factor for increased susceptibility to COVID-19, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–1.99; P 0.05), and COVID-19 positivity did not increase the levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Conclusions The general population in this region had a moderate seroprevalence of T. gondii. The increased number of COVID-19-positive patients with latent toxoplasmosis highlights the need to pay attention to the early diagnosis and proper treatment of toxoplasmosis in these patients and implement preventive programs in these areas for future possible viral infections.

Abstract Water scarcity and droughts are among the most challenging issues worldwide, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Saudi Arabia. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a major crop in Saudi Arabia, is being significantly affected by water scarcity, soil salinity, and desertification. Alternative water sources are needed to conserve freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a significant number of aquaculture farms that generate substantial amounts of wastewater, which can be utilized as an alternative source of irrigation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of aquaculture wastewater as an alternative irrigation source for date palm orchards. Aquaculture wastewater was collected from 12 different farms (Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions, Saudi Arabia) and its quality was analyzed. The impacts of aquaculture wastewater irrigation on soil quality, nutrient availability, nutrient status of date palm trees, and dates fruit quality were assessed in comparison to source water (freshwater) irrigation at Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions. The water quality analyses showed higher salinity (EC = 3.31 dSm−1) in farm Q3, while all other farms demonstrated no salinity, sodicity, or alkalinity hazards. Moreover, the aquaculture wastewater irrigation increased soil available P, K, NO3 −–N, and NH4 +–N by 49.31%, 21.11%, 33.62%, and 52.31%, respectively, compared to source water irrigation. On average, date palm fruit weight, length, and moisture contents increased by 26%, 23%, and 43% under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Further, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents in date palm leaf were increased by 19.35%, 34.17%, 37.36%, 38.24%, and 45.29%, respectively, under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Overall, aquaculture wastewater irrigation significantly enhanced date palm plant growth, date palm fruit quality, and soil available nutrients compared to freshwater irrigation. It was concluded that aquaculture wastewater can be used as an effective irrigation source for date palm farms as it enhances soil nutrient availability, date palm growth, and date fruit yield and quality. The findings of this study suggest that aquaculture wastewater could be a viable alternative for conserving freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia.

The prediction of a photovoltaic (PV) energy production over time is considered the major challenge to integrate it with the utilize grid. This is because it is affected by many factors, including geographical locations and weather conditions. Hence, accurately forecasting PV generation is a crucial stage for ensuring a grid stability. In this paper, several studies are discussed between 2015 to 2023 based on various term forecasting conditions. Then, a neural network (NN) is employed to forecast a medium-term PV power generation by gathering meteorological data specific to the southern region of Iraq. The proposed NN model based on Python language is trained to find the PV power prediction for various seasons of the year using solar radiation and surrounding temperature of weather condition tests. While, the MATLAB Simulink model is designed to address the PV actual power for the same tests. The results show that the root mean square error of a PV generation test at autumn season provides the lowest percentage of 92.2119 W when compared with the other three seasons

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) pacemakers are sophisticated medical devices that deliver electrical signals to targeted areas of the brain via implanted electrodes, effectively regulating abnormal brain activity and relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant neurological disorders. However, proximity to other electromagnetic equipment may introduce additional noise, which can be disruptive to individuals. To mitigate this issue, we propose a novel polymer-based nanocomposite for pacemakers for signal denoising. This research focused on the development and analysis of nanocomposites comprising polypropylene (PP) combined with montmorillonite nanoclay and graphene nanosheets (GNs). The nanocomposites were created by blending them through melting, using varying ratios of clay to GNs, with a total loading of 4 wt.%. This study focused on enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio for brain pacemakers by using nanocomposites. It investigated the noise reduction properties of PP nanocomposites, specifically in the outlet gate of the pacemaker. This research aimed to find the ideal ratio of clay to GNs in the PP matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were conducted to analyze the crystalline structure and filler dispersion, as well as thermal behavior and filler–matrix interactions in the material. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the dispersion of the nanofillers in the PP, and sound tube testing was conducted to evaluate the noise levels of the composites. The findings indicated that a porous structure of the nanocomposite with dispersed microspheres within the PP matrix and a long pathway facilitated increased dissipation of acoustic waves, making it suitable for denoising in brain pacemakers. Furthermore, the nanocomposite containing 2.75 wt.% of nanoclay and 1.25 wt.% of graphene components within the polypropylene matrix demonstrated a favorable signal-to-noise ratio compared to other evaluated nanocomposites.

Abstract Background Newer generation ultrathin strut stents are associated with less incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the short term. However, its long-term effect on different cardiovascular outcomes remains unknown. Objectives We aim to identify the effects of newer-generation ultrathin-strut stents vs. standard thickness second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) on long-term outcomes of revascularization in coronary artery disease. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registries that compare newer-generation ultrathin-strut ( 70 mm) DES to evaluate cardioprotective effects over a period of up to 5 years. Primary outcome was TLF, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes included the components of TLF, stent thrombosis (ST), and all-cause death were pooled as the standardized mean difference between the two groups from baseline to endpoint. Results We included 19 RCTs and two prospective registries (103,101 patients) in this analysis. The overall effect on the primary outcome was in favor of second-generation ultrathin struts stents in terms of TLF at ≥ 1 year, ≥ 2 years, and ≥ 3 years (P value = 0.01, 95% CI [0.75, 0.96]), P value = 0.003, 95% CI [0.77, 0.95]), P value = 0.007, 95% CI [0.76, 0.96]), respectively. However, there was no reported benefit in terms of TLF when we compared the two groups at ≥ 5 years (P value = 0.21), 95% CI [0.85, 1.04]). Some of the reported components of the primary and secondary outcomes, such as TLR, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and TVMI, showed the same pattern as the TLF outcome. Conclusion Ultrathin-strut DES showed a beneficial effect over thicker strut stents for up to 3 years. However, at the 5-year follow-up, the ultrathin strut did not differ in terms of TLF, TLR, TVR, and TVMI compared with standard-thickness DES, with similar risks of patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), MI, ST, cardiac death, and all-cause mortality.

Abstract Background Historically, epidemics have been accompanied by the concurrent emergence of stigma, prejudice, and xenophobia. This scoping review aimed to describe and map published research targeting ethical values concerning monkeypox (mpox). In addition, it aimed to understand the research gaps related to mpox associated stigma. Methods We comprehensively searched databases (PubMed Central, PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Google Scholar) to identify published literature concerning mpox ethical issues and stigma from May 6, 2022, to February 15, 2023. The key search terms used were “monkeypox”, “ethics”, “morals”, “social stigma”, “privacy”, “confidentiality”, “secrecy”, “privilege”, “egoism”, and “metaethics”. This scoping review followed the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley in 2005 and was further improved by the recommendations of Levac et al. in 2010. Results The search strategies employed in the scoping review yielded a total of 454 articles. We analyzed the sources, types, and topics of the retrieved articles/studies. The authors were able to identify 32 studies that met inclusion criteria. Six of the 32 included studies were primary research. The study revealed that the ongoing mpox outbreak is contending with a notable surge in misinformation and societal stigma. It highlights the adverse impacts of stigma and ethical concerns associated with mpox, which can negatively affect people with the disease. Conclusion The study’s findings underscore the imperative need to enhance public awareness; involve civil society; and promote collaboration among policymakers, medical communities, and social media platforms. These collective endeavors are crucial for mitigating stigma, averting human-to-human transmission, tackling racism, and dispelling misconceptions associated with the outbreak.

Abstract One of the significant challenges of the Radio over fibre (RoF) Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is the propagation delay. This delay can lead to serious issues, such as higher propagation delay resulting in collisions and unnecessary retransmissions. Quantum entanglement is an excellent candidate to overcome the propagation delay of the RoF MAC protocol. A new quantum MAC protocol is proposed, named the Quantum Entanglement‐based MAC protocol (QE‐MAC), in which Quantum Teleportation is utilised to address the propagation delay. Four entanglement states are employed to represent the control packets of the classical MAC protocol, and data is transmitted over the classical channel. Instead of using control packets such as acknowledgement, request to send, and Clear to send, state transitions are employed. This approach avoids the delay and collision issues associated with control packets, resulting in a significant improvement in network performance. The delay, duty cycle (DC), and power consumption of the proposed QE‐MAC protocol are formulated and derived. The protocol is evaluated in terms of delay, DC, and power consumption, demonstrating superior performance compared to the classical RoF MAC protocol. In comparison to published works, our proposed approach has successfully reduced both delay and power consumption by 35%.

Abstract In this work, a novel series of N-phenylacetamide-1,2,3-triazole-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives 5a–n were designed by consideration of the potent α-glucosidase inhibitors containing indole and carboxamide-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide moieties. These compounds were synthesized by click reaction and evaluated against yeast α-glucosidase. All the newly title compounds demonstrated superior potency when compared with acarbose as a standard inhibitor. Particularly, compound 5k possessed the best inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with around a 28-fold improvement in the inhibition effect in comparison standard inhibitor. This compound showed a competitive type of inhibition in the kinetics. The molecular docking and dynamics demonstrated that compound 5k with a favorable binding energy well occupied the active site of α-glucosidase.

In harmony with other aspects of civilization, Iranian cities, in the face of modernity, have taken a new step in their existence and, alongside the physical transformation and the emergence of architectural and urban spaces with a new configuration, have experienced a novel dimension of social space. Baharestan Square is a tangible example of this new spatial arrangement, which at the end of the Qajar era, outside the established order, transformed into a center of social activism and the libertarianism of the constitutionalists. This study, within the framework of a critical paradigm, seeks to explore the factors and forces that have shaped Baharestan Square as a civic space in modern urban order in the historical space-time of Tehran during the constitutional era. It aims to give voice to the overlooked aspects of this experience by narrating its social space, contrary to one-sided physical or symbolic analyses. Civic space, as the final layer of urban public space, is a living space that, with society’s dominance over it, becomes a discursive and socio-political platform for citizens, allowing the free spirit of society to regenerate through the support of its institutions. Based on the interpretation of this study, Baharestan Square, during the constitutional era, became the possession of the constitutionalists, backed by urban independence and detachment from the cohesive network of public spaces, creating a discursive platform through the presence of the progressive institution of the parliament, associations, and affiliated organizations, as well as the diversity and multiplicity resulting from the formation of a modern society, and also, pursuing demands and litigations with the establishment of the dualism of the government and the nation, which, along with fundamentally disrupting the traditional governing order, brought the social life of the city into a completely novel existence and introduced a new experience of placemaking in the public spaces of the city.

Background and Aim: Aging is associated with a gradual decline in cardiac function. Endurance training has been shown to positively impact heart health in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of endurance training on the levels of proteins associated with mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in the left ventricle of aged rats. Methods: This experimental study involved 12 male rats, aged 20 months, with an average weight of 400 ± 30 grams. The rats were randomly assigned to either an endurance training group or a control group, with six rats in each group. The endurance training program consisted of sessions at 55-75% of maximum speed (m/min) each week. The maximum speed started at approximately 12 meters per minute in the first week and increased to about 33 meters per minute by the end of the eighth week. Following a 48-hour period after the last training session, the left ventricle was excised, and the levels of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1 and PARKIN were measured using the western blot method. Results: Eight weeks of endurance training resulted in a significant increase in PINK1 protein levels in the left ventricle of elderly rats (P = 0.005). However, PARKIN protein levels did not show a significant change after the eight-week training period (P = 0.227). Conclusion: The findings suggest that an eight-week endurance training program, conducted at an appropriate intensity, can enhance mitochondrial quality control in the left ventricle of aged rats. However, further research is warranted to explore this area more comprehensively.

Introduction: Farm animals face different types of abiotic stresses due to many management activities. Stress has adverse consequences on the animal's health and welfare. Laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in sheep is also one of the mini surgery activities that associated with the use of sedatives, catching and fettering the animal, the insertion of instruments into the abdomen, and manipulation of the reproductive tract. All these actions are stressful and may impact stress axis, hematological and biochemical alterations, antioxidant status and fertility outcome. The administration of acepromazine combined with a multivitamin and amino acids complex may be a useful strategy for reducing stress in sheep undergoing laparoscopic AI.Materials and Methods: In this experiment, 50 non-pregnant Afshar breed ewes, aged 3-4 years, with almost the same body weight and score, were used. The estrous cycle of the ewes was synchronized by flurogestone acetate loaded sponges and eCG hormone. At the time of sponge removal, the ewes were divided into two groups (n = 25). All of the ewes, 54 h after sponge removal, were exposed to stress caused by LAI. In the first group (treatment), with sponge removal, each ewe was received 10 ml of the Multiaminoject intramuscularly. Also, 20 min before LAI, in addition to Multiaminoject, each animal also received 0.0834 mg aspromazine (i.v) per kg of body weight. At the same time, the ewes of the second group were injected with physiological saline and were considered as control. Changes in plasma cortisol concentration and its kinetics were measured from zero (20 min before LAI) to 180 min after through serial blood sampling. Changes of hematological and biochemical parameters of jugular vein blood were evaluated 20 min before and 40 min after LAI. The plasma antioxidant status was measured at the times of sponge removal, LAI and 3 days after LAI. The pregnancy rate was recorded by ultrasound at 45 days.Results and Discussion: Laparoscopic AI induced stress response in the ewes, by that, 20 minutes after LAI, the concentration of cortisol increased significantly compared to the baseline concentration (P< 0.05). In this research, the injection of the aspromazine along with a multivitamins and amino acids complex could not inhibit the secretion of cortisol during laparoscopic surgery, and it caused the rejection of the hypothesis of this research. The reason for this discrepancy is related to the type of sedative used to reduce or eliminate pain during surgery. It has been reported that plasma cortisol response is reduced by ketoprofen and completely removed by detomidine. As a result, after LAI, the number of white blood cells and the plasma concentration of malodaldehyde increased and the hematocrit, hemoglobin and total antioxidant capacity decreased (P< 0.05), but the concentration of plasma proteins did not change (P> 0.05). Acute stressors cause a transient increase in the number of blood cells in the blood circulation. The cause of this phenomenon is the contraction of the spleen due to the stimulation of catecholamines. In addition, with the increase in cortisol secretion, blood cells are released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. In a study, the use of supplements containing various vitamins and minerals, one week before and one week after laparoscopic surgery, improved the antioxidant status of patients after surgery and the level of plasma malodaldehyde decreased significantly. The reason for not seeing a significant effect on antioxidant parameters in this research may be the type of supplement containing antioxidants and the time of its use before and after surgery. Injection of aspromazine combined with Multiaminoject increased plasma proteins and decreased the level of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (P< 0.05). Depending on its intensity and type, stress causes damage and release of tissue and liver enzymes into the blood. In a research, it was shown that the plasma concentration of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase increases due to transportation stress in pigs. The protective effects of vitamin and amino acid supplements in preventing liver damage have been reported in previous studies. The decrease in enzyme concentration after laparoscopy in the treatment receiving aspromazine and multi amino acids may be related to its protective effects. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference in fertility outcomes between the two groups (P< 0.05). The pregnancy rate for the acepromazine and Multiaminoject-treated group was 50%, while the pregnancy rate for the control group was 45%. This result is probably caused by the lack of interference or partial interference of aspromazine with uterine contractions around ovulation and conception.Conclusion: The authors concluded that acepromazine combined with a multivitamin and amino acids complex, did not have a significant effect on fertility outcome, blood hematological and biochemical alterations and the oxidative stress generated by laparoscopic AI in ewes, but the severity of tissue damage reduce and plasma globulin concentration increase in response to acepromazine combined with a multivitamin and amino acids complex injection. It is important to note that this is just one study and that more research would be needed to confirm these findings.

Background and purpose: Trauma to the knee is one of the most common injuries in people, especially young people, and delay in the diagnosis of knee fractures and soft tissue injuries in the knee causes limitation of movement, instability, and constant knee pain. In this research can show the correlation between the initial symptoms of the patients and the need for further procedures. To be able to identify traumatic knee injuries that are not clear in the simple knee radiography and to evaluate the findings of the patients for further procedure. Materials and methods: This research is an observational study in which all patients who presented with knee trauma during the course of the study were included in the study. All the information of these patients in a form including age, age group and sex, admission and discharge information such as visit date, discharge date, duration of hospitalization, mechanism of trauma, underlying disease, knee pain, limitation of range of motion, hemarthrosis, associate injury, skin abrasion, Inability to walk, history of knee trauma, radiography findings, knee CT findings, MRI findings, arthroscopy findings, Lysholm and Tegner knee score, probable diagnosis in the emergency room, type of treatment the emergency room, duration of hospitalization in the emergency room, discharge from the emergency room, in The hospitalization form of the performed procedures, the time of hospitalization in the ward and the definitive diagnosis were collected, and then 4 weeks after discharge, they were followed up by phone call with referral to the orthopedic clinic, and other diagnostic and therapeutic measures were reviewed in these patients. The information was provided by the project manager without interfering in the patient care process. Quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation and qualitative data were expressed as frequency and percentage. Independent student t-tests were used to evaluate quantitative variables in two groups, and the Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate qualitative variables. Results: During the study period, 177 people were studied. The average age of the patients was 24.21±13.08, of which 138 (76.7%) were men. Most of the injury was caused by traffic accidents. The initial diagnosis in the emergency department had a significant relationship with the definite diagnosis. A statistically significant relationship was seen between MRI findings with knee movement limitation and non-weight bearing. There was a statistically significant relationship between the existence of definitive injury in the knee, limitation of knee movement, lacerations and scratches on the knee, and non-weight bearing. The mechanism of knee injury and laceration, the inability to weight bearing, and the positive findings of X-ray and MRI in the patients who underwent invasive procedures were significantly different from those who received conservative treatment. Conclusion: Injury mechanisms in patients and clinical symptoms such as knee range of motion limitation and non-weigh bearing and abrasion or laceration of the skin on the knee, despite the lack of findings in the initial investigations in the emergency department, is a high chance of injury to the knee joint and they need further evaluation and follow-up.

Abstract Background There is a need for healthcare providers to develop life-story review interventions to enhance the mental well-being and quality of life of older adults. The primary aim of this study is to examine the effects of telling their life stories and creating a life-story book intervention on QoL, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in a group of older adults in Oman. Methods A repeated-measures randomized controlled design was conducted in Oman. A total of 75 older adults (response rate = 40.1%) were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 38) or control (n = 37) groups. Demographic data were collected as the baseline. Depression, life satisfaction, and quality of life scores were collected from each participant at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. Results Their average age is 67.3 ± 5.5 years (range 60–82 years). There are more women (n = 50, 66.7%) than men. Over the 8 weeks, the intervention group exhibited a notable decrease in depression (intervention: 2.5 ± 1.2 vs. control: 5.3 ± 2.1, p

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common infectious bacterial species and one of the agents of community-acquired infections (CAIs) and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Aminoglycosides are potent antibactericidal agents often used together with Beta Lactams or Glycopeptides, especially in treating Staphylococcal endocarditis. The present research aimed to determine the frequency of the aac (6 ́)-le-aph (2 ́ ́) gene that encodes Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes using PCR on clinical isolates of S. aureus. 115 clinical isolates of S. aureus were collected at educational hospitals in Karaj during 12 months. They were first identified by using standard biochemical and laboratory methods and, following CLSI principles and procedures, antibiotic sensitivity patterns of all isolates were obtained using the disc diffusion method. Moreover, using agar dilution, the minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the antibiotic powder Gentamycin. Finally, gene frequency was measured by employing PCR. The highest levels of resistance to Aminoglycosides were observed in Kanamycin (47.8%), Gentamycin (46.9%), and Tobramycin (46.9%), and Doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin with 50.4 and 49.5 percent respectively, were the non-Aminoglycoside antibiotics to which the highest levels of resistance were exhibited. The frequency of the aac (6 ́)-le-aph (2 ́ ́) gene was 39.1 percent. Rapid and timely detection of resistant strains seems to be necessary in selecting suitable treatment options and in preventing the spread of resistance. Furthermore, rapid identification of genes that encode AME enzymes using PCR enjoys special advantages such as high levels of precision and speed.

In the Arabian Gulf, baroclinic tides significantly impact physical and biological phenomena, shaping the region’s marine ecosystem. This study provides the first high-resolution investigation of the baroclinic tides using the three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic MIT general circulation model (MITgcm). The simulation outputs were validated against data from Oregon State University’s Tidal Inversion Software (OTIS), tidal stations, and mooring observations, showing high agreement and confirming the model’s accuracy. We further examined the characteristics of baroclinic and barotropic tides, identifying four key regions with high-intensity baroclinic tides based on energy budget analysis: 1) the narrow Strait of Hormuz; 2) the strait’s entrance along the trough, including the islands Farur, Siri, Abumusa, and Greater Tunb; 3) the central axial trough area with sea-bottom ridges; and 4) the northern area following a secondary ridge. Most baroclinic tides dissipate quickly due to interactions with complex bottom topography and do not propagate far from their sources. Significant seasonal variation shows that in winter, only the Strait of Hormuz and the area around the four islands showed significant baroclinic tidal energy, likely due to well-mixed upper layer seawater that hinders thermocline disturbances. The strong correlation between the simulation results and satellite images of internal waves suggests that intense baroclinic tides generate internal solitary waves in the Gulf.

The current study evaluated the impact of buspirone supplementation on the growth, physiology, stress response, spawning, and immunity in female goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this purpose, buspirone was dissolved in absolute methanol and sprayed onto the feed to create four experimental groups: B0 (control), B25 (25 mg kg−1), B50 (50 mg kg−1), and B100 (100 mg kg−1). Fish were fed their respective diets for 56 days and subjected to stress using the air exposure method at the end of the experiment. Growth performance analysis revealed that fish in the B100 group exhibited significantly higher final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and average daily gain than the other groups (P

This study presents a comparative analysis of friction stir welding (FSW) and underwater friction stir welding (UFSW) of AZ31 magnesium alloy in T-configuration, emphasizing the effects on heat distribution, material properties, and mechanical performance. Simulation results revealed a more uniform heat distribution in both welding techniques, with the hottest area on the advancing side. The maximum temperatures recorded at the shoulder-workpiece contact were 404 °C for FSW and 349 °C for UFSW, a 13.6 % reduction in UFSW. Material velocity at the trailing edge was 63 mm/s for FSW and 42 mm/s for UFSW, showing a 34 % decrease due to lower heat generation in UFSW. Strain rates were 450 s⁻¹ for FSW and 420 s⁻¹ for UFSW. Grain size in the stir zone was 26 micrometers for FSW and 21 micrometers for UFSW, a 19 % reduction. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased by 6 % in the skin direction and 12.8 % in the flange direction for UFSW compared to FSW. SEM analysis indicated enhanced ductility in UFSW fractures. These results demonstrate UFSW's superiority in improving thermal management, microstructural properties, and mechanical performance of welded joints.

Background: Due to the increasing costs of the health system and limited financial resources, healthcare policymakers should apply more cost-effective strategies. This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of laparotomy cholecystectomy with laparoscopy. Methods: This economic evaluation was performed on patients with cholecystitis who were candidate for surgery in a private hospital in Ahvaz, in 2021. Data collection tools consisted of 4 parts: 1) demographic information checklist; 2) clinical information checklist; 3) cost checklist and 4) effectiveness assessment tool. We used SPSS22 and STATA14.2 for data analysis. One-way sensitivity analysis and Tornado diagrams were performed using Tree Age software. Results: The mean total effectiveness score in patients treated with laparoscopy 83.44 (SD = 11.34) was higher than those treated with laparotomy 68.39 (SD = 13.61). This difference was statistically significant in all effectiveness criteria except for postoperative infection dimensions and length of operation (P-value

The fight against insect pests primarily relies on the utilization of synthetic insecticides. However, improper application of these chemicals can lead to detrimental effects on both the environment and human health, as well as foster the development of insect resistance. Consequently, novel strategies must be implemented to address the challenges stemming from the prolonged use of synthetic insecticides in agricultural and public health environments. Certain strategies involve the combination of crop protectants, which not only enhance insecticidal effectiveness but also reduce application rates. Plant-based natural products emerge as promising alternatives for insect management. Monoterpenes, which are abundant plant compounds produced through the activation of various enzymes, have attracted significant attention for their effectiveness in insect control. Notably, they are prolific in fragrance-producing plants. This review explores the plant defense, insecticidal, and antimicrobial characteristics of monoterpenes against insect pests, shedding light on their potential modes of action and possibilities for commercialization. Emphasizing their role as targeted and environmentally safer, the review highlights the practical viability of monoterpenes within integrated pest management programs.

Background The polyphagous predatory bug Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is an active predator used to control many insect pests of agricultural crops. Orius species are significantly affected by the type of food and temperature. Method A study of O. strigicollis feeding on Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) eggs in climate chambers at 28 and 32 °C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity, 16:8 photoperiod, was conducted to determine the effects of different temperatures on the predation activity, biological characteristics and demographic parameters of O. strigicollis. Twosex-MS Charts were used to determine the age-stages and characteristics of this species. Results The results showed that the daily consumption of pre-adults on eggs of P. xylostella was highest at 28 °C, and at this temperature, there was a greater probability that O. strigicollis would survive to adulthood (42.5%) than at 32 °C (25.0%). It has also been found that at 28 °C there was a long oviposition period (9.38 days) and the greatest female fecundity (44.2 eggs/female) In addition to the highest life expectancy of O. strigicollis (16.96 days) at 28 °C, the intrinsic rate of increase (0.087 d−1) was also highest. According to our results, O. strigicollis has the potential to grow and develop on the eggs of P. xylostella at 28 °C and, therefore, could potentially be used as a biological control agent in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

This study aimed to assess the impact of an edible coating holding within chia seed gum (CSG) and Rosa canina L. extract (RCE) nanoemulsions (10%, 20%, and 40% w/w) on the oxidation, microbial load, and sensory characteristics of burgers in a 90-day frozen storage period. Based on the findings, the active CSG coatings showed remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. By increasing the level of RCE nanoemulsions, the functional activity of coatings significantly increased (P

Anti-IgLON5 is a neurological condition with neurodegenerative and autoimmune etiology. A 64-year-old man with a 2-year history of aplastic anemia presented with symmetrical parkinsonism, fluctuating consciousness, supranuclear gaze palsy, mild fasciculation, and muscular atrophy. He had disturbances in his sleep cycle and brain MRI. CSF analysis was positive for the IgLON5 antibody. We initiated immunotherapy with high-dose methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab. The patient showed a mild to moderate response to treatment. We reviewed 29 published case reports regarding anti-Iglon-5 and examined the clinical manifestation. None of the cases showed aplastic anemia, which was the main presentation in our case. All of the patients experienced sleep disturbances, while other symptoms were heterogeneous. Anti-Iglon-5 is usually diagnosed late, leading to a weak prognosis. This study helped us establish a better understanding of the correlation between anti- Iglon5 disease and other autoimmune disorders like anemia.

Introduction Radiography is a crucial healthcare specialty that requires ongoing research to advance imaging technologies and techniques. Despite this, radiographers are faced with obstacles such as time constraints, lack of resources, and the need for training on new technologies, which can discourage their research involvement. This study aims to provide a more representative understanding of the radiography research culture in Saudi Arabia, building upon previous studies. Methods Following the approval of an ethics committee at Taibah University (2024/173/302 DRD), a cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2024 among registered radiographers in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms using a snowball sampling strategy to reach a diverse group of radiographers across different regions and institutions. Participants provided informed consent before completing the questionnaire. The questionnaire, originally in English, was translated into Arabic and validated by two bilingual academics. It included sections on demographics, previous research experience, barriers to research involvement, factors encouraging research engagement, and self-assessment of research competencies. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha were used to analyze the data. Results A total of 105 radiographers participated in the study, with 41% having prior research involvement. Among those engaged, the most common activity was data collection (65%), followed by preparation of scientific articles (49%). Challenges such as the lack of a research-focused culture (48%), insufficient awareness of opportunities (36%), and time constraints (34%) were prominent barriers to research participation. Encouraging factors included the need for research training (63%), support from research groups (51%), and allocated research time (50%). Respondents assessed their research skills, with confidence varied across skills, with 50% feeling capable of initiating research and 51% of participating, yet a significant proportion expressed uncertainties, especially in statistical knowledge and research methodology. Conclusion Most of the surveyed radiographers did not engage in research. However, there is a substantial interest in enhancing research involvement, with training, collaborative groups, and organizational support identified as key factors encouraging participation. The findings suggest that addressing these barriers can foster a more robust research culture, leading to improved diagnostic practices.

Hamed Ahmadinia’s dissertation in the field of Information Studies, ”Navigating Cultural, Health, and Information Landscapes A User-focused Approach to Immigrant Health in a Nordic Context”, was examined on May 13, 2024, at the Åbo Akademi's Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Law. Professor Ágústa Pálsdóttir (University of Iceland, Iceland served as the opponent, with Professor Kristina Eriksson-Backa (Åbo Akademi) as the custodian. The dissertation is published in Åbo Akademi's publication archive Doria at https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-4364-6.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in the healthcare information system. The overwhelming volume of misinformation on social media and other socioeconomic factors created extraordinary challenges to motivate people to take proper precautions and get vaccinated. In this context, our work explored a novel direction by analyzing an extensive dataset collected over two years, identifying the topics de/motivating the public about COVID-19 vaccination. We analyzed these topics based on time, geographic location, and political orientation. We noticed that while the motivating topics remain the same over time and geographic location, the demotivating topics change rapidly. We also identified that intrinsic motivation, rather than external mandate, is more advantageous to inspire the public. This study addresses scientific communication and public motivation in social media. It can help public health officials, policymakers, and social media platforms develop more effective messaging strategies to cut through the noise of misinformation and educate the public about scientific findings.

In recent years, to quantify the quality, energy called "exergy" has been widely used in designs, simulations, and evaluation of the performance of various thermal-chemical systems. The main goal of this project is to evaluate the quality of gasoline engines and the efficiency of a gasoline engine using a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. Furthermore, the effects of 2500 rpm and 4500 rpm on analyzing the second law of thermodynamics were investigated with different fuels. The methods examined in this research include efficiency through heat transfer, irreversibility, total efficiency, and efficiency of burned fuel. The results showed that the performance parameters for gasoline and different ethanol compounds increase until the combustion stage then decrease with the beginning of the expansion phase. For fuel E85, 32.323% of the input energy is converted into indicative exergy and this value for E0, E20, E40, and E60 fuels was 26.27%, 28.5%, 30.3%, and 31.8% respectively. By increasing the amount of ethanol, the efficiency of the second law of thermodynamics increases. The second law efficiency at 4500 rpm for E0, E20, E40, E60, and E85 fuels was, 32%, 35.7% 39.8%, 42.8%, and 50% respectively. Furthermore, by reducing the speed to 2500 rpm, the efficiency for E0, E20, E40, E60, and E85 fuels reduced to 26.7%, 30.4%, 31%, 34%, and 36%, respectively.

Background Male factor infertility can affect spermatogenesis, sexual desire, and thus the quality of life of couples. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between spermogram parameters, and the score of sexual desire in infertile men.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 infertile men referred to the Avicenna Infertility Center of Tehran (March 2022 to March 2023). The participants were selected based on the results of previous spermogram and hormonal tests recorded in their medical records. Eligible men completed the demographic information questionnaire and Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire. A multivariable linear regression model was used to adjust the effect of variables on Hurlbert’s score.Results There was no significant relationship among sperm parameters (count, morphology, motility, vitality, concentration and DNA Fragmentation Index) and with sexual desire of infertile men. Education level, age of men and their partners, the duration of the marriage and duration of infertility did not have a statistically significant effect on sexual desire. However, economic status had an inverse effect on men’s sexual desire, with regression coefficients of 7.37 and 7.78 for medium and low socioeconomic levels compared with high (p

IntroductionGroundwater demand has been considerably heightened due to rapid urban growth, specifically in arid areas that rely primarily on groundwater. This study aims to utilize remote sensing and aeromagnetic data, combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based GIS, to evaluate potential groundwater zones in the Sohag area, Egypt.MethodsNine thematic layers, including soil moisture, rainfall, lithology, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), drainage density, lineament density, slope, and land use/land cover, were developed using various remote sensing datasets. Besides the remote sensing-derived thematic layers, a geophysics-derived thematic layer represented by the RTP aeromagnetic map was included. The aeromagnetic data were analyzed and interpreted to outline the subsurface structure affecting groundwater storage and flow. Also, the aeromagnetic data analysis helps estimate the basement depth that constitutes the Nubian Aquifer’s base and identifies regions with considerable thick sedimentary deposits and significant water reserves.Results and discussionThe groundwater potentiality map was consistent with production wells in the area, and sites for drilling new wells were predicted, especially in the Nile Valley around the Tahta, El-Hamimia, and west Sohag cities. The most promising sites are clustered along the Nile Valley, and the study area’s northwestern and northeastern parts. The results indicate that the predominant magnetic structural trends are NW-SE, NE-SW, N-S, and E-W, which contribute to the formation of a series of subsurface horsts (H) and grabens (G). Three main basins (A, B, and C) were identified as the most profound areas. These basins represent the most promising areas for groundwater accumulation, making them attractive for future hydrogeological exploration. This integrated approach strongly offers a powerful and effective tool to assist in developing an appropriate plan to manage groundwater in arid regions.

Optical sensors provide a fast and real-time approach to detect benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. However, detecting the concentration of a particular gas in a mixture can be challenging. Here, we develop a machine-learning model that can precisely measure BTEX concentrations simultaneously based on an absorption spectroscopy gas sensing system. The convolutional neural network (CNN) is utilized to identify the absorbance spectra for each volatile, along with their concentrations in a mixture. A synthetic data set is generated using a series of physics-based simulations to create the predictive model. The data set consists of the overall absorbance of numerous random BTEX mixtures over time, based on various percentages of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). It is worth noting that benzene has a negligible absorbance (very low PEL, 1–5 ppm) compared to other volatile gases, which makes it difficult to detect. To address this challenge, we introduce a 3-stage solution to accurately discriminate between all BTEX species, regardless of their concentration levels. As a result, the R-squared above 0.99 for toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene, and the R-squared above 0.96 for benzene, is achieved, indicating the model's capability to predict BTEX concentrations.

Ferroptosis is a pervasive non-apoptotic form of cell death highly relevant in various degenerative diseases and malignancies. The hallmark of ferroptosis is uncontrolled and overwhelming peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in membrane phospholipids, which eventually leads to rupture of the plasma membrane. Ferroptosis is unique in that it is essentially a spontaneous, uncatalyzed chemical process based on perturbed iron and redox homeostasis contributing to the cell death process, but that it is nonetheless modulated by many metabolic nodes that impinge on the cells’ susceptibility to ferroptosis. Among the various nodes affecting ferroptosis sensitivity, several have emerged as promising candidates for pharmacological intervention, rendering ferroptosis-related proteins attractive targets for the treatment of numerous currently incurable diseases. Herein, the current members of a Germany-wide research consortium focusing on ferroptosis research, as well as key external experts in ferroptosis who have made seminal contributions to this rapidly growing and exciting field of research, have gathered to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art review on ferroptosis. Specific topics include: basic mechanisms, in vivo relevance, specialized methodologies, chemical and pharmacological tools, and the potential contribution of ferroptosis to disease etiopathology and progression. We hope that this article will not only provide established scientists and newcomers to the field with an overview of the multiple facets of ferroptosis, but also encourage additional efforts to characterize further molecular pathways modulating ferroptosis, with the ultimate goal to develop novel pharmacotherapies to tackle the various diseases associated with – or caused by – ferroptosis.

Abstract Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and fatal opportunistic viral demyelinating infectious disease of the central nervous system (CNS). There are various clinical presenting symptoms for the disease. Case presentation This paper presents a clinical case of PML in a patient with B-Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), previously treated with Chlorambucil, later complicated later with COVID-19 and mucormycosis. Conclusion PML can develop in the setting of cellular immune dysfunction. Late diagnosis of this disease based on nonspecific symptoms is common, therefore when we face a neurological complication in a CLL or immunocompromised patient, we should consider PML infection. A remarkable feature of this case is the possible triggering effect of COVID-19 vaccination for emergence of PML as the disease can be asymptomatic or sub-clinical before diagnosis.

Abstract Cancer, ranked as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, leads to the death of approximately seven million people annually, establishing itself as one of the most significant health challenges globally. The discovery and identification of new anti-cancer drugs that kill or inactivate cancer cells without harming normal and healthy cells and reduce adverse effects on the immune system is a potential challenge in medicine and a fundamental goal in Many studies. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses have become a dual-faceted instrument in cancer therapy. They provide a promising avenue for cancer treatment, but at the same time, they also create significant obstacles and complications that contribute to cancer growth and development. This review article explores the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, examining their potential benefits and drawbacks. By amalgamating established knowledge and perspectives, this review offers an in-depth examination of the present research landscape within this domain and identifies avenues for future investigation. Graphical Abstract The double-edged sword role of bacteria and viruses in cancer therapy.

Abstract Bacterial species often comprise well-separated lineages, likely emerged and maintained by genetic isolation and/or ecological divergence. How these two evolutionary actors interact in the shaping of bacterial population structure is currently not fully understood. In this study, we investigate the genetic and ecological drivers underlying the evolution of Serratia marcescens, an opportunistic pathogen with high genomic flexibility and able to colonise diverse environments. Comparative genomic analyses reveal a population structure composed of five deeply-demarcated genetic clusters with open pan-genome but limited inter-cluster gene flow, partially explained by Restriction-Modification (R-M) systems incompatibility. Furthermore, a large-scale research on hundred-thousands metagenomic datasets reveals only a partial habitat separation of the clusters. Globally, two clusters only show a separate gene composition coherent with ecological adaptations. These results suggest that genetic isolation has preceded ecological adaptations in the shaping of the species diversity, an evolutionary scenario coherent with the Evolutionary Extended Synthesis.