Search

In this research, for the first time, Bi/CeVO4/Cu4O3 nanocomposite was synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method using hydrazine as both hydroxide ion production agent and reducing agent to produce bismuth metal. XRD, EDS, DRS, and FESEM analyzes were used to characterize the product. According to the analysis results, cerium vanadate and copper oxide nanostructures were formed on bismuth microstructures. Then, the photocatalytic performance of the as-synthesized products in the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene was evaluated under visible light irradiation for one hour. The desulfurization efficiency for the as-synthesized nanocomposite under visible light irradiation for one hour was about 88%, which is a favorable result. Also, by using Bi/CeVO4 nanocomposite, a desulfurization value of 75% was obtained, which shows the effect of copper on the ability of nanocomposite. In fact, Cu4O3 significantly improves the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi/CeVO4 by increasing the amount of light absorption, synergy in electron-hole production, and reducing the recombination rate.

This study details the synthesis of a novel ternary nanocomposite composed of MnFe2O4, FeVO4, and modified zeolite, achieved through a two-step process. The initial step involved the hydrothermal synthesis of the MnFe2O4/FeVO4 composite, followed by its application onto modified zeolite using ultrasonic waves. The synthesized nanocomposite was thoroughly characterized using a range of analytical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indeed confirmed the successful synthesis of MnFe2O4/FeVO4 composite without impurities and other by-products. This purity was significantly facilitated by the inclusion of hydrazine during the synthesis process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) provided insights into the morphology, indicating that the use of hydrazine resulted in smaller particle sizes and reduced agglomeration. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping demonstrated a uniform distribution of the particles on the modified zeolite, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed spherical particle shapes and the layered structure of the zeolite. Diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis indicated bandgap values of 1.38 eV for MnFe2O4/FeVO4, 1.48 eV for the 1:1 ratio of MnFe2O4/FeVO4/modified zeolite, and 1.44 eV for the 2:1 ratio. In terms of pollutant degradation, the study evaluated the removal efficiency of methylene blue (MB) across various samples, with the following removal percentages: MnO2/MnFe2O4 (66 %), FeO2/Fe0.5V3.5O8 (60 %), MnFe2O4/FeVO4 (67 %), amorphous (58 %), MnFeO3/Fe2VO4/Mn2V2O7 (64 %), MnFe2O4/FeVO4/modified zeolite (1:1) (84 %), and MnFe2O4/FeVO4/modified zeolite (2:1) (93 %). For sulfur removal, the efficiencies were recorded as 67 %, 28 %, 68 %, 45 %, 22 %, 83 %, and 100 % for the same samples, respectively. This comprehensive characterization and evaluation of pollutant removal efficiencies highlight the potential applications of the synthesized nanocomposite in environmental remediation.

Abstract Cerium vanadate/modified bentonite (CeVO4/mbt) nanocomposite with different composition percentages was synthesized through a simple one-step hydrothermal method at 180 ℃, and then its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by decolorizing methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution under light exposure. In order to increase the surface area as an important parameter in photocatalytic processes, bentonite was modified by ball mill method. The structural and optical properties of the synthesized composites were determined by XRD, FT-IR, DRS, FESEM, EDS, and BET measurements. XRD and EDS results confirmed the successful synthesis of pure CeVO4. FESEM images and EDS mapping showed a proper distribution of rice-like CeVO4 nanoparticles on bentonite. The removal efficiency of MB with only 0.1 g of CeVO4/mbt nanocomposite in 15 min was about 99%, which is significant compared to neat bentonite and pure CeVO4 with efficiency of 30% and 57%. The mentioned nanocomposite followed the first-order kinetics, had a reaction rate constant equal to 0.1483 min–1, and showed acceptable stability in five consecutive cycles.

Key Clinical Message Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) aided in the management of complex soft tissue injury in a 14‐year‐old girl by managing moisture, reducing oedema, and stimulating wound granulation less than 2 months after the accident and prepared the skin for skin grafting, thus successfully saving the limb. Abstract This case study describes the use of a tubular bandage encompassing the whole limb to deliver successful NPWT in the treatment and reconstruction of extensive soft tissue damage extending from the right lower extremity to the hip in a 14‐year‐old female.

Abstract In order to improve the desulfurization efficiency of petroleum derivatives, Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized by sonochemical method. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, FT-IR, BET, and DRS analyses. XRD analysis shows that the synthesized nanocomposite is amorphous. FESEM images showed that nanostructures with a smaller particle size distribution were synthesized under optimal conditions, i.e. controlling the synthesis temperature between 0 and 5 °C. The results of desulfurization showed that nanocomposites containing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure samples, the main reason of which can be better charge separation in the samples through the π electron in the rGO structure. The highest amount of desulfurization of CeVO4/rGO, BiVO4/rGO, and Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposites was 95.62, 91.25, and 96.38%, respectively, after exposure to UV light for 40 min. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity of Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO composite could be attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs and the inhibition of recombination. Desulfurization in the presence of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide increased the efficiency by 12%, which is a significant amount.

Abstract Dendrimers, a new class of nanomaterials, are receiving more attention in various fields. In this study, by combining the advantages of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3), we came to design a new composite and its application for electrochemical sensors was investigated for the first time. As a new approach in the preparation of the composite, PAMAM was used for the first time to increase the surface of Bi2S3 with rGO, which ultimately led to an increase in the active surface area of the sensor (5 times compared to the bare electrode). For the first time, we used the sonochemical method for interaction between PAMAM with Bi2S3 and rGO, which was a simpler and faster method to prepare the composite. The purposeful design of the composite was done by using the experimental design method to obtain the optimum composition of components. The new nanocomposite was successfully applied for simple and sensitive electrochemical sensing of salbutamol for controlling the health of food. Salbutamol is used as a prohibited additive in animal and poultry feed. The sensor has good sensitivity (35 times increase compared to the bare electrode) and a low detection limit (1.62 nmol/L). Moreover, it has acceptable selectivity, good repeatability (1.52–3.50%), good reproducibility (1.88%), and satisfactory accuracy (recoveries: 84.6–97.8%). An outstanding feature of the sensor is its broad linear range (5.00–6.00 × 102 nmol/L). This sensor is well suited for the determination of salbutamol in milk, sausage, and livestock and poultry feed samples.

Abstract Viral hepatitis, the most common cause of inflammatory liver disease, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It is most commonly associated with one of the five nominal hepatitis viruses (hepatitis A–E viruses). HBV and HCV can cause acute infections and lifelong, persistent chronic infections, while HAV and HEV cause self-limiting acute infections. HAV and HEV are predominantly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, while diseases transmitted by the other forms are blood-borne diseases. Despite the success in the treatment of viral hepatitis and the development of HAV and HBV vaccines, there is still no accurate diagnosis at the genetic level for these diseases. Timely diagnosis of viral hepatitis is a prerequisite for efficient therapeutic intervention. Due to the specificity and sensitivity of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated sequences (Cas) technology, it has the potential to meet critical needs in the field of diagnosis of viral diseases and can be used in versatile point-of-care (POC) diagnostic applications to detect viruses with both DNA and RNA genomes. In this review, we discuss recent advances in CRISPR–Cas diagnostics tools and assess their potential and prospects in rapid and effective strategies for the diagnosis and control of viral hepatitis infection.

Abstract In the present study, the superhydrophobic coating was synthesized by spherical silica nanostructures modified with organosilane compounds for glass surfaces. To optimize the conditions in terms of cost-effectiveness and create a super-hydrophobic coating with a high contact angle, the response surface method of the central composite design (CCD) model was performed for the StÖber method, and the contact angle was defined as the response surface for the model. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was used as a precursor and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was used to modify the surface of a spherical silica nanostructure synthesized by a one-step sol–gel method using a base catalyst. The accuracy of the research was checked by the contact angle measurement test and an angle of 162° was obtained. XRD, FT-IR, EDS, SEM, DLS, and AFM analyzes were performed to investigate the synthesis of silica nanostructure. Chemical resistance was performed in acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments and the contact angles were 127°, 134°, and 90°, respectively, which indicates that the coating created on the surface glass has good chemical resistance in acidic and neutral environments.

Background and purpose: Nonlinear analysis methods for quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies better describe molecular behaviors, than linear analysis. Artificial neural networks are mathematical models and algorithms which imitate the information process and learning of human brain. Some S-alkyl derivatives of thiosemicarbazone are shown to be beneficial in prevention and treatment of mycobacterial infections and this study seeks to find out the relationship between structural features and the anti-tuberculosis activity of these compounds. Materials and methods: Multiple linear regression and Bayesian regularized artificial neural network (BRANN) for 47 compounds of thiosemicarbazone derivatives were designed using QSAR approaches. Descriptors were selected from a pool of 343 descriptors by stepwise selection and backward elimination. A three layer Bayesian regularized back-propagation feed-forward network was designed, optimized, and evaluated using MATLAB version R2009a. Results: The best model with 6 descriptors was found using multiple linear regression analysis: Log MIC= 2.592 + (0.067 ± 0.018) PMIX – (0.066 ± 0.017) PMIZ – (1.706 ± 1.600) Qneg – (0.235 ± 0.039) RDF030p + (0.118 ± 0.026) RDF 140u – (0.064 ± 0.021) RDF060p. The best BRANN model was a three-layer network with three nodes in its hidden layer. Conclusion: The BRANN model has a better predictive power than linear models and may better predict the anti-tuberculosis activity of new compounds with similar backbone of thiosemicarbazone moiety.

Objectives: Psychological problems could have some relationship with undetermined chest pain. The aim of this study was to compare the general mental health status of out-patients with atypical chest pain with a reference age and sex matched controls. Materials and Methods: Patients less than 40 years old, with atypical chest pain and low probability of ischemic heart disease were included in the study. The control group were age and sex matched. The Iranian translation of 28 item general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used to evaluate the mental status. Results: Totally 113 cases in each group completed the study. Mean age of the study group was 26.33± 5.77 years and 148 cases (65.5%) were female. Mean GHQ-28 score in the atypical chest pain and the control groups were 31.37±14.69 and 21.31±9.97 respectively (P

Today, the use of medicinal plants has been considered by the researchers due to the reduction of side effects. Syrian rue has long been used to disinfect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles on the antimicrobial activity of Syrian rue against E. coli. First, silver nanoparticles were prepared by a new green method and then used to produce silver nanoparticles/Syrian rue extract composite. Antibacterial process was performed using diffusion method on Mullerinton medium. Due to the lack of growth around the discs, which shows the antagonistic effects of silver nanoparticles and the extract of Syrian rue, the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite is higher than that of each of the silver nanoparticles and Syrian rue plant separately.

Here, we offer an easy and eco-friendly sonochemical pathway to fabricate Nd2Zr2O7 nanostructures and nanocomposites with the help of Morus nigra extract as a new kind of capping agent. For the first time, the performance of Nd2Zr2O7-based ceramic nanostructure materials has been compared upon NOx abatement. Diverse kinds of techniques have been employed to specify purity and check the attributes of the fabricated Nd2Zr2O7-based nanostructurs by Morus nigra extract. Outcomes revealed the successful fabrication of Nd2Zr2O7 nanostructures and nanocomposites applying Morus nigra extract through sonochemical pathway. All nanostructured samples have been fabricated through ultrasonic probe with power of 60 W (18 KHz). Further, the fabricated Nd2Zr2O7-based ceramic nanostructure materials can be applied as potential nanocatalysts with appropriate performance for propane-SCR-NOx, since the conversion of NOx to N2 for the best sample (Nd2Zr2O7-ZrO2 nanocomposite) was 70%. In addition, in case of Nd2Zr2O7-ZrO2 nanocomposite, the outlet quantity of CO as an unfavorable and unavoidable product was lower than the rest.

The method used in this research is descriptive and analytical approach to the use of library and documentary studies and field surveys is. The population studied old local resident Sultan Mir Ahmad and drab-e-Esfahan in the Old Textures Kashan. In this regard, a total of 150 questionnaires among residents of these areas in order to identify problems and socioeconomic problems and effects on skeletal state - space tissue distribution. To analyze the results of the questionnaire Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques with the use of software Amos and chi-square method (chi Tow) through the SPSS software and to get the required maps from GIS software is used. In this context, the purpose of the study also examined the hypothesis that the first hypothesis seeks to answer the question of whether poverty has increased residents in Quarters with spatial failure? Based on the assumption that effects of income and economic sub-criteria and sub physical space were analyzed using structural equation model The results show that the loss of income and economic indicators increased physical failure and the space Quarters level. The second hypothesis is trying to investigate the cause of settlement residents together a hypothesis based on Chi-square analysis was one-way The results show that the main reason for people to live in the Quarters, with other neighbors in terms of the level of financial and economic.

Nowadays, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as nonionizing radiation is used for cancer treatment. Basically, the function of HIFU is similar to conventional ultrasound. Ultrasound beams are perverted when crossing the border of different environments. This decreases the beam’s focus within the tumor and may induce damage to the normal tissues. In this study, we aim to develop appropriate algorithms for correcting the focal point displacement duced by the beam’s refraction. First, the level of displacement due to difference in two specific tissues was calculated for one element of the transducer and, then, it extended to all of the elements. Finally, a new focal point was calculated, which is considered as a desired focal point of the transducer in which the maximum temperature occurs. Designed algorithms were implemented in MATLAB software. A HIFU simulator (by the Food and Drug Administration of US) was used to simulate HIFU therapy. The proposed algorithm was tested on four models with two layers of tissue. Results illustrated the use of proposed algorithm results for 78% correction in the focal point displacement. In addition, it was noted that a part of this displacement was caused by the absorption of the beam in the tissues. The proposed algorithm can significantly correct the focal point displacement in HIFU therapy and consequently prevent damage to the normal tissues.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tricyclazole is a systemic fungicide, used for eradicating rice blast disease. This substance has replaced Hinozan pesticides and appears to have adversly effects on reproductive tissues and hormone levels. Due to its widespread use in agriculture, the effects of this toxin on testosterone changes and the testicular structure of mice were evaluated in this study. METHODS: In this experimental study, 30 adult male NMRI mice, weighing 33±3g, were selected and divided to equal three groups: control, experimental 1, and experimental 2groups. The mice in experimental groups 1 and 2 orally recieved 20 and 40 mg/kg of tricyclazole, respectively for two weeks (5 consecutive days per week), while the control group received no toxins. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the mice were killed with ether and then samples were taken from all groups. After providing testicular tissue sections, different lines of spermatogenic cells, Leydig cells, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules were measured, using a eye piece. Testosterone level was measured via radioimmunoassay, and finally, the obtained data were analyzed. FINDINGS: Testosterone level was 1.26±0.44 ng/ml in experimental group 1, 1.12±0.46 ng/ml in experimental group 2, and 0.16±0.059 ng/ml in the control group (p

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most common complications after radiographic procedures using intravascular radiocontrast media. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on prevention of CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial study, 200 patients referred for angiography were randomly divided into two groups of using 80 mg atorvastatin and placebo before the procedure. Furthermore, 100 patients who were under chronic treatment of statins were included as the third group. Serum creatinine (Scr) levels before and after the procedure were evaluated and incidence of CIN (post-procedural Scr of >0.5 mg/dl or >25% from baseline) was assessed. Results: Mean age of the participants was 60.06 ± 0.69 years and 276 (92%) were male. There were no significant differences between group with respect to age and gender. In pre-operation atorvastatin, placebo and long term statin groups, the incidence of CIN was 1%, 2% and 1%, and mean changes of Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 3.68 ± 1.32, −0.77 ± 1.21 and 1.37 ± 0.86; and mean changes of creatinine (Cr) was −0.05 ± 0.02, 0.02 ± 0.02 and −0.01 ± 0.01 respectively. (P = 0.776, 0.026 and 0.041 respectively). In pre-operation atorvastatin group, Cr decreased, and GFR increased significantly (P = 0.019 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusion: pre-operation short term high dose atorvastatin use was associated with a significant decrease in serum Cr level and increase in GFR after angiography.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) considers as one of the most common risk factors, which potentially raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regarding high prevalence of HTN among Iranian population this study designed to examine a range of socio-demographic and clinical variables to determine the association with failure to achieve blood pressure control in a cohort of hypertensive subjects. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study is a part of Isfahan cohort study which carried out on adults aged 35 years old or more. Subjects with confirmed HTN entered in this sub-study. For all subjects questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data and lifestyle behavior completed by trained nurses. Uncontrolled HTN was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure more than 140/90 in the presence or absent of pharmacological treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of uncontrolled men was significantly higher than controlled in both 2001 and 2007 (P < 0.001). A significant association was found between sex and control of blood pressure: compared with women, being men [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.64-3.24] was significantly associated with uncontrolled HTN in 2001 and (OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.78-3.18). Among lifestyle behaviors, tendency for more consumption of salty foods increased the risk of uncontrolled HTN in 2001 by 1.73 times [OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.20-2.50, (P = 0.003)]. Patients who were naive to mono-therapy without considering the type of antihypertensive drug were found to be associated with uncontrolled blood pressure (OR = 0.14; 95 % CI =0.1-0.2). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled HTN was sex, marital status, diabetes, tendency to salty foods and medication adherence. Assessment of them presence of these risk factors is warranted to recommend an aggressive HTN management with the goal of reducing excessive risk of cardiovascular events caused by uncontrolled HTN.

Background: Clinical trials of revascularization have routinely under-enrolled elderly subjects. Thus, symptom relief and improved survival might not apply to elderly patients, in whom the risk of mortality and disability from revascularization procedures seems to be high and co-morbidity is more prevalent. The present case control study was performed to draw a comparison in terms of the procedural success, procedural and in-hospital complications, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in a one-year follow-up of octogenarians (age ≥ 80 years) with a selected matched younger control group in the Tehran Heart Center Angioplasty Registry.Methods: According to the Tehran Heart Center Interventional Registry of 9, 250 patients with a minimum follow-up period of one year between April 1993 and February 2010, 157 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were performed in 112 octogenarians. Additionally, 336 younger patients (459 PCI procedures) were selected from the database as the propensity-score matched controls.Results: There were 147 (93.6%) and 441 (96.1%) successful PCI procedures in the elderly group and control group, respectively (p value = 0.204). Procedural complications were seen in 5 (3.2%) of the elderly group and 16 (3.5%) of the control group (p value = 0.858). Totally, 7 (6.3%) in-hospital complications occurred in the elderly group and 22 (6.8%) in the control group (p value = 0.866). One-year MACE was seen in 9 (9.1%) of the elderly and 18 (5.8%) of the control group (p value = 0.26). Conclusion: Procedural success and complications, in-hospital complications, and one-year MACE were not significantly different between our two study groups. Therefore, age alone should not be used as the sole criterion when considering revascularization procedures. Furthermore, PCI should not be refused in octogenarians if indicated.

In the last few years, the number of projects studying the human hand from the robotic point of view has increased rapidly, due to the growing interest in academic and industrial applications. Nevertheless, the complexity of the human hand given its large number of degrees of freedom (DoF) within a significantly reduced space requires an exhaustive analysis, before proposing any applications. The aim of this paper is to provide a complete summary of the kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the human hand as a preliminary step towards the development of hand devices such as prosthetic/robotic hands and exoskeletons imitating the human hand shape and functionality. A collection of data and constraints relevant to hand movements is presented, and the direct and inverse kinematics are solved for all the fingers as well as the dynamics; anthropometric data and dynamics equations allow performing simulations to understand the behavior of the finger.

Context: Planarians, zebrafish, and Xenopus laevis are able to mend damage to their spinal cords after they have been damaged. After undergoing metamorphosis, the X. laevis loses the ability to do this. This study examines the genes that are involved in the process of spinal cord regeneration in these animals, investigates the pattern of their expression at various stages after spinal cord injury (SCI), and compares them to animals that do not have the ability to regenerate their spinal cords. This study reviews gene-based studies in regenerative animals, such as zebrafish, X. laevis , and planarians, and compares their expression patterns and fold-change slopes to non-regenerative ones to identify SCI recovery milestones. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search was carried out with the intention of including all of the studies that had been conducted on the gene expression of X. laevis , zebrafish, and planarians in the context of SCI. Studies have been transferred to Endnote 2019 software. The researchers used the software to remove duplicate studies. Two researchers then assessed the titles and abstracts. A neutral third party resolved the discrepancies and extracted the data to a predesigned Microsoft Excel Worksheet. The genes were retrieved, and the data from the genome-wide studies were also combined to identify genes whose expression patterns in non-regenerative and regenerative species were significantly comparable or disagreeing with one another. Results: This review included 45 original and 2 genome-wide studies. Overall, 112 genes and their pathways were extracted. A total of 238 genes were common in these studies, and 9 significant expression patterns were possible. Among these 238 common genes, genes 23, 9, and 4 followed 4, 5, and 6 of these significant patterns, respectively. Additionally, pooling the genome-wide studies yielded 15 significant genes, with similar patterns in zebrafish and regenerative X. laevis and conflicting patterns between them and non-regenerative X. laevis. Conclusions: The regeneration of the spinal cord involves several processes, including regulation of inflammation, promotion of glial cell proliferation, facilitation of neuroplasticity, and establishment of coordination between newly formed neurons. Genes such as FOXN4, STC1, HSPA5, EGFR, and PRTFDC1 are also important. MCAM and Dkkb genes must be timed to create the right microenvironment for SCI healing in regenerating X. laevis and zebrafish. However, humans and non-regenerative X. laevis share an insufficient microenvironment. In contrast to non-regenerative models of SCI, regenerative animals decrease early-phase agents and increase injury site neuroplasticity in the late phase. As they show parallel expression patterns in regenerative and non-regenerative animals but in competition with one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]