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Herein, we theoretically demonstrate a broadband hybrid plasmonic electro-absorption optical modulator with integrated silver nanoribbons. We have examined two structures. The first one includes two layers of graphene and two layers of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). Silver nanoribbons are placed on the Molybdenum Disulfide ($Mo{S}_2$) layer. In the second structure, we covered the nanoribbon arrays with extra graphene, $Mo{S}_2$, and h-BN layers. The effect of the gap between the silver nanoribbons is analyzed for the effective refractive index, modulation depth (MD), Extinction Ratio (ER), Figure of Merit (FoM), and loss. The best results illustrate that the highest amount of the effective refractive index is 5.65, and the highest amount of the loss is 2.2 dB/μm in the chemical potential of 0.65 eV at the wavelength of 1.3 μm. The maximum MD and FoM are 28.37 dB/μm and 62.93 at 1.3 μm, respectively. The calculations show that this electro-absorption modulator has a modulation bandwidth of 411.25 GHz and 27.18 fJ/bit energy consumption. This modulator achieves a high MD, ER, and FoM with a small footprint and low switching voltage. The study demonstrates that the modulator can achieve a high level of modulation depth with low energy consumption and loss.

Abstract The authors theoretically designed a highly sensitive SPR biosensor with a hybrid structure using two‐dimensional nanomaterials (BP‐WS2). Using the transfer matrix method (TMM), the performance of the sensor in terms of reflection, sensitivity, detection accuracy, and quality factor is investigated, and by changing the structural parameters of the sensor, the obtained results are further analysed so that an optimal structure with optimal performance can be achieved. The sensor was optimised with four layers of BP and a single layer of WS2. This composite structure is placed on a 50 nm thick gold layer and concluded with a maximum sensitivity of 234 deg/RIU with a FOM of 26.53 RIU−1. This biosensor is designed by considering the advantages and characteristics of biosensors in their resistance and high electrical properties, as well as the ability to detect diseases quickly.

Introduction: Silymarin proved to be a beneficial herbal medicine against many hepatic disorders such as alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, its application is restricted due to its low bioavailability and consequently decreased efficacy. We herein used a nano-based approach known as "phytosome", to improve silymarin bioavailability and increase its efficacy. Methods: Phytosome nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using thin film hydration method. NPs size, electrical charge, morphology, stability, molecular interaction, entrapment efficiency (EE %) and loading capacity (LC %) were determined. Moreover, in vitro toxicity of NPs was investigated on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) viability using MTT assay. In vivo experiments were performed using 24 adult rats that were divided into four groups including control, ethanol (EtOH) treatment, silymarin/EtOH treatment and silymarin phytosome/EtOH, with 6 mice in each group. Experimental groups were given 40% EtOH, silymarin (50 mg/kg) and silymarin phytosome (200 mg/kg) through the gastric gavage once a day for 3 weeks. Biochemical parameters, containing ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, GPx and MDA were measured before and after experiment to investigate the protective effect of silymarin and its phytosomal form. And histopathological examination was done to evaluate pathological changes. Results: Silymarin phytosome NPs with the mean size of 100 nm were produced and were well tolerated in cell culture. These NPs showed a considerable protective effect against ALD through inverting the biochemical parameters (ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, GPx) and histopathological alterations Conclusion: Silymarin phytosomal NPs can be used as an efficient treatment for ALD.

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the reactogenicity effects of COVID-19 vaccines, used in Iran. Methods At least 1000 people were followed up with phone calls or self-report in a mobile application within 7 days after vaccination. Local and systemic reactogenicities were reported overall and by subgroups. Results The presence of one or more local and systemic adverse effects after the first dose of vaccines was 58.9% [(95% Confidence Intervals): 57.5–60.3)] and 60.5% (59.1–61.9), respectively. These rates were reduced to 53.8% (51.2–55.0) and 50.8% (48.8–52.7) for the second dose. The most common local adverse effect reported for all vaccines was pain in the injection site. During the first week after the first dose of vaccines, the frequency of the pain for Sinopharm, AZD1222, Sputnik V, and Barekat was 35.5%, 86.0%, 77.6%, and 30.9%, respectively. The same rates after the second dose were 27.3%, 66.5%, 63.9%, and 49.0%. The most common systemic adverse effect was fatigue. In the first dose, it was 30.3% for Sinopharm, 67.4% for AZD1222, 47.6% for Sputnik V, and 17.1% for Barekat. These rates were reduced to 24.6%, 37.1%, 36.5%, and 19.5%, in the second dose of vaccines. AZD1222 had the highest local and systemic adverse effects rates. The odds ratio of local adverse effects of the AZD1222 vaccine compared to the Sinopharm vaccine were 8.73 (95% CI 6.93–10.99) in the first dose and 4.14 (95% CI 3.32–5.17) in the second dose. Barekat and Sinopharm had the lowest frequency of local and systemic adverse effects. Compared to Sinopharm, systemic adverse effects were lower after the first dose of Barekat (OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.46–0.67). Reactogenicity events were higher in women and younger people. Prior COVID-19 infection increased the odds of adverse effects only after the first dose of vaccines. Conclusions Pain and fatigue were the most common reactogenicities of COVID-19 vaccination. Reactogenicities were less common after the second dose of the vaccines. The adverse effects of AZD1222 were greater than those of other vaccines.

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases in the world. There is strong evidence that dyslipidemia and other cardio-metabolic disorders are highly prevalent in patients with NAFLD. This trial aimed at examining the effect of sesame oil (SO) in the context of a weight loss program on lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in women with NAFLD. Methods This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was carried out on 60 women with NAFLD. Subjects were randomly assigned to the SO group (n = 30) and sunflower oil (SFO) group (n = 30), each person consuming 30 g of oil per day for 12 weeks. All the participants received a hypocaloric diet (− 500 kcal/day) during the study. Lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices were assessed at pre- and post-intervention phases. Results In total, 53 participants completed the study. Following 12 weeks of intervention, anthropometric indices (p 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, DBP (p = 0.031) and total cholesterol (TC) divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.039) in the SO group were significantly reduced compared to the SFO group (p

Summary: Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common chronic liver diseases. Due to the lack of definitive documentation for the effect of folic acid on fatty liver, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum folate levels and fatty liver in patients referred to Imam Hossain Hospital in Shahroud, in 2016. Methods: This case–control study was performed on 150 patients. The case group was fatty liver patients whose disease was diagnosed based on laboratory and ultrasound findings and a control group of patients without fatty liver. After liver ultrasonography, blood samples were taken from all patients and folic acid levels were measured. Results: Of the 150 patients examined, mean BMI of patients was (25.3 ± 6.1 kg/m2 in case group and 24.8 ± 7.2 kg/m2 in control group), which was significantly higher in case group (p

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. This study aimed to determine the relationship between risk factors and the incidence of colorectal cancer in Urbanization levels in Iran. Methods: This was a population-based study. Urbanization levels were determined using the census data of the Statistical Center in 2012. Data on risk factors for colorectal cancer were obtained from the information provided by the Iranian Non-Communicable Disease Control Center and the incidence of colorectal cancer from the data from the National Cancer Registry System. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between colorectal cancer risk factors and urbanization levels with colorectal cancer incidence. For statistical analysis, SPSS and Stata software were used. A significant level of P≤0.05 was considered. Results: The relationship between urbanization levels and risk factors with the incidence of colorectal cancer, nutrition Status, tobacco use, and body mass index were not significant. There was a significant relationship between physical activity and incidence at different levels and between levels of urbanization and incidence rate, indicating a lower incidence rate of colorectal cancer at lower levels of urbanization. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer incidence is higher at higher levels of urbanization than lower levels. The difference between regions in terms of urbanization can have in flounce on access to facilities, health service, and counseling opportunities to modify the risk factors and access to proper screening and follow-up care.

Background and aims: Considering the important role of the family in patients with diabetes in management and good control of the disease, the present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of patient-centered and family-centered teaching methods (based on empowerment model) on the laboratory variables of patients with type II diabetes. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study and applied. 147 patients with type 2 diabetes refrred to diabetic center of shahroud were divided into three groups: control (A), patient-centered intervention (B), and family-centered intervention (C) through simple random allocation. Before the intervention and three months after that, nonfasting and fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low and high-density lipoprotein was carried out from patients as laboratory indexes. The intervention was carried out in the form of patient-centered in group B and family-centered in group C and routine education was conducted in the control group. Data was analysed using SPSS software and Chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic variables and laboratory variables among the three groups before the intervention (P>0.050). A significant difference was found between all of these variables after the intervention FBS: (P=0.012), BS: (P=0.002), triglicerid: (P=0.015), cholesterol: (P=0.013), LDL: (P=0.010), HDL: (P=0.022). A significant difference was reported between all of the laboratory variables in the intervetion groups in comparision with the control group (P

Background: Investigators were suspicious of tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) mutations occurred only in patients who were treated by lamivudine. However, YMDD mutations of hepatitis B virus gene (HBV DNA) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) untreated with antiviral medicines was reported in some studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate YMDD mutations in Iranian Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) untreated with antiviral medicines. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 151 adult patients with positive Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (78 asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers, 73 active chronic hepatitis B patients or cirrhosis patients) were evaluated for YMDD mutants. The patients who were treated with interferon and Lamivudine or Adfovier in one year prior to the study were excluded. YMDD mutations of HBV DNA were detected by PCR-RFLP (PCR Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) in a single laboratory. Results: The mean (±SD) age of patients was 37±4 years. Eighty one (54%) cases were male and 70 (46%) were female. Eight cases (5.3%) out of 151 had YMDD mutations. The type of mutation in all of these patients was YSDD. There was no significant relationship between YMDD mutation and viral load and HDV Ab (p>0.05). Conclusions: The mutant strains of the YMDD motif of HBV polymerase can be found in some patients without lamivudine treatment. However, in view of rather clinically insignificant YMDD mutation frequency, routine testing for YMDD mutations prior to antiviral therapy is not recommended in these patients.