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Ralstonia pickettii is a rare Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium that causes rare infections such as bacteremia, neonatal sepsis, endocarditis, and meningitis in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients. In this study, we identified and reported bloodstream infection caused by R. pickettii in a 15 -year-old boy patient with an autoimmune disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, under plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy. He was referred for admission to the neurology center of the teaching hospital of Shiraz, Iran for inability to walk, and lower extremity muscle weakness. After he was treated with plasmapheresis once during hospitalization, and after severe fever besides shivering blood cultures using BACT/ALERT®3D instrument were positive for R. pickettii. According to antibiotic susceptibility test report s , Ciprofloxacin (5 μg) was prescribed. Fortunately, after starting antibiotic treatment, blood culture results reported no growth after 5 days. Indeed, the patient was infected with nosocomial hepatitis A and URSOBIL (300 mg/BID/Po) was administered. Hence, after reporting the infection occurrence to the hospital infection control unit, initial and possible measures such as device infection control, replacement of potentially polluted plasmapheresis fluids, disinfecting the environment and replacing old sterile washing water with new sources were carried out in plasmapheresis unit. In conclusion, R. pickettii is a rare nosocomial infection that is responsible for the contamination of medical equipment, especially in hemodialysis, plasmapheresis devices and sterile solutions. Also, it is suggested that the role and importance of rare environmental bacteria as the causative agents of human infections should not be ignored in medical centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tularemia or rabbit fever is a transmissible disease from animals, rodents, and insects to human populations that is caused by Francisella tularensis. Epidemiological studies showed that tularemia is endemic throughout most different regions of the world. Recent evidence documented the transmission of the F. tularensis in a different part of Asia. Because there is no updated review information for tularemia in Iran, we performed this systematic review. In this study, we systematically explored biomedical databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of sciences) to identify epidemiology, reservoirs, and carriers of Francisella in animal and human clinical specimens from 2010 to 2020, either in English or in Persian. Different studies have shown the different frequencies of F. tularensis among human and animal resources in eighteen provinces of Iran. In total, 1242 human clinical specimens, 1565 animal samples, and 355 environmental water samples were investigated to find F. tularensis in different provinces of Iran. According to the collected documents, 94 human clinical samples, 69 water samples, and 26 animal specimens were introduced as positive samples for the F. tularensis. According to studies, thirteen species of rodent and hare presented as an inter-epizootic reservoir. Only one species of tick (D. marginatus) was introduced as a vector for Francisella in Iran. According to these results, it is essential for exclusive attention to the prevalence of F. tularensis in different provinces of Iran. Furthermore, special planning should be done for prevention, control of the outbreak, and proper treatment of the tularemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the winter of 2021, a previously unknown and almost inaccessible cave called Aškawt-i Daya was discovered in the heart of Bakhakuh Mountain in the west central Zagros Mountains of Iran. An exceptional feature of the cave is its collection of paintings on the walls and ceiling with animal and human motifs, rendered in black pigment, both singly and in groups involved in scenes of hunting and slaughter. As with other rock paintings in Iran, establishing a date for these paintings is difficult, but there are hints both from the presence of certain motifs and from accompanying inscriptions that the paintings were probably created from the Achaemenid (550-330 BCE) to the Parthian period (247 BCE-224 CE). A depiction of a bull-man, as well as the appearance in the inscriptions of the names of divinities such as Nergal, Marduk, Sin, and Šamaš, suggest that the original gods to be worshiped in the cave were Mesopotamian. The use of the cave as a place of worship continued into the Seleucid (312-63 BCE) and then the Parthian and early Sassanian periods, by which time the cave had been transformed into the setting for a cult of Mithra.1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ternary mixed metal oxide coatings with the nominal composition Ir x Ru(0.6−x)Ti0.4O2 (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) on the titanium substrate were prepared by thermal decomposition of a chloride precursor mixture. Surface morphology and microstructure of the coatings were investigated by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Systematic study of electrochemical properties of these coatings was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and polarization measurements. The corrosion behavior of the coatings was evaluated under accelerated conditions (j=2Acm−2) in acidic electrolyte. The role of iridium oxide admixture in the change of electrocatalytic activity and stability of Ru0.6Ti0.4O2 coating was discussed. Small addition of IrO2 can improve the stability of the RuO2+TiO2 mixed oxide, while the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is decreased. The shift of redox potentials for Ru0.6Ti0.4O2 electrode that is slightly activated with IrO2 and improvement in the stability can be attributed to the synergetic effect of mixed oxide formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

MMO (mixed metal oxide) anodes were prepared by depositing 60RuO 2-40TiO 2 coating on titanium substrate by the thermal decomposition of Ru and Ti chloride solution. The thin oxide films were prepared at different calcination temperatures. The effect of heat treatment temperature on electrochemically active surface area was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Stability of the mixed oxide coating during electrolysis was evaluated in 0.5 M NaCl solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and potentiodynamic polarization. The changes in voltammetric charge, current density and Tafel slope of cholrine evolution reaction with time were monitored during the electrolysis. The morphology and surface composition of the oxide coated anodes before and after accelerated life test (ALT) were analyzed. Deactivation process of the oxide coated anodes was also studied. High temperature preparation of the coatings can change the deactivation mechanism and improve the anodes stability through the changes in electrochemical porosity. Based on the obtained results, different mechanisms for degradation in electro catalytic activity were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the commissioning of a dose calculation algorithm in a currently used treatment planning system was performed and the calculation accuracy of two available methods in the treatment planning system i.e., collapsed cone convolution (CCC) and equivalent tissue air ratio (ETAR) was verified in tissue heterogeneities. For this purpose an inhomogeneous phantom (IMRT thorax phantom) was used and dose curves obtained by the TPS (treatment planning system) were compared with experimental measurements and Monte Carlo (MCNP code) simulation. Dose measurements were performed by using EDR2 radiographic films within the phantom. Dose difference (DD) between experimental results and two calculation methods was obtained. Results indicate maximum difference of 12% in the lung and 3% in the bone tissue of the phantom between two methods and the CCC algorithm shows more accurate depth dose curves in tissue heterogeneities. Simulation results show the accurate dose estimation by MCNP4C in soft tissue region of the phantom and also better results than ETAR method in bone and lung tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic nanoparticles are promising agents for increasing the effectiveness of radiation therapy by making cells more sensitive to radiation. High atomic number nanoparticles generate low-energy secondary electrons that initiate a cascade of physical and chemical reactions, which can lead to enhanced cell damage and tumor control. However, despite the growing interest in this area, a comprehensive understanding of the biological consequences of these reactions remains elusive due to the lack of experimental data. To address this gap, the Geant4-DNA track structure code has been used for modeling the interactions of radiation with matter at the molecular and cellular levels. The Geant4-DNA track structure code an extension of the Geant4 simulation toolkit designed for modeling the interactions of radiation with biological systems with high precision. Since the Geant4-DNA code is broadly applied for radiosensitization simulations, the authors were motivated to conduct a review of the literature and provide a comprehensive information on the current status of nanoparticle radiosensitization simulations using Geant4-DNA. This review aims to analyze and categorize the existing knowledge, identify key findings, research gaps, and challenges, and provide recommendations for future research in this area. A comprehensive search for the articles that used Geant4-DNA for nanoparticle radiosensitization was performed. A total of 50 studies met the inclusion criteria, and their simulation data and major findings are extracted. According to the literature, despite the significant contribution of the Geant4-DNA code, validating simulation results against experimental data is a primary challenge because there are limited experimental studies available. In addition, detailed modeling of nanoparticle radiosensitization require an accurate depiction of the cellular microenvironment and incorporation of chemical and biological reactions, which, in turn, demands the utilization of high-performance computers. Our analysis of the literature also reveals that most current studies are focused on gold nanoparticles with cellular distribution, and photon or proton radiations. This could emphasize the need for future research to consider other potential metallic nanoparticles in combination with various particle irradiations as well as utilization of high performance computers. • This review explores the application of Geant4-DNA in nanoparticle radiosensitization. • The paper evaluates the simulation parameters and challenges for such studies. • Recommendations on future research directions for further investigations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the abnormalities in Iranian athletes' electrocardiogram and find any relation with body fat. 239 international athletes were involved in this cross sectional study. Body-fat percentage and resting 12-lead ECGs were recorded from all participants. Of 239 participant athletes, 212 were male and 27 female. 60% of participants had sinus bradycardia. A total of 84% of the athletes demonstrated at least 1 abnormal ECG finding. Average values for the PR, QRS and QT intervals, P-wave duration and QRS axis were in normal range. Frequencies of various ECG abnormal findings in all athletes were as follows: right axis deviation 4.2%, left ventricular hypertrophy 6.2%, sinus arrhythmia 5.8%, right bundle branch block (RBBB) 24.2% (incomplete RBBB 16.8%, complete RBBB 7.4%), ST elevation 72.5%, prolonged QT interval 1.7%, T inversion 3.1% and Mobitz type I 1.2%. The athletes' ECG response to treadmill stress test was normal with no ischemia or arrhythmia. The means of BMI and body-fat percentage were 24.04 ± 3.5 kg/m² and 9.15 ± 2.12%, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficient between body-fat percentage and ST changes was 0.65 (P=0.008) in anterior leads and 0.198 (P=0.017) in lateral leads. Also, the correlation coefficient between the body fat percentage and right bundle branch block was 0.36 (P=0.013). The results of current study support the inclusion of ECG in athletes' cardiac screening before they engage in vigorous exercises in order to detect the potentially fatal arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cushing's syndrome results from lengthy and inappropriate exposure to excessive concentrations of either endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids. This study described 30 patients with a novel type of severe exogenous Cushing's syndrome in a group of intravenous drug users due to illicit use and dependence on a new opioid combination, Norjizak. Thirty consecutive patients (2 women and 28 men) who presented with a novel type of severe exogenous Cushing's syndrome and other complications were admitted to the emergency departments of Qom and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, between September 2005 and September 2007 were enrolled. All participating patients were intravenous drug users who used a narcotic drug called Norjizak, a combination of different opioids with dexamethason or benzodiazepines. Patients were first evaluated and managed based on the current illness, and then entered into a detoxification program by a medical team. Clinical data were collected by an open interview and the patient's files using a standard form. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determined glucocorticoid existence in the brand. The major complaints and clinical findings were withdrawal symptoms, severe edema, osteoporotic fracture, impairment in glucose tolerance, decreased libido, and sepsis (including necrotizing pneumonia, cutaneous infection, multivalvular endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and urogenital infection). Most patients had started with 2 or 3 vials per day and then increased the dose compulsively to maximum of approximately 15 to 20 vials per day. The concentration of Dexamethhasone disodium phosphate in each 2 mL vial was 0.4 to 1 mg/mL. Heroin was also found in them. We are witnessing a special exogenous Cushing syndrome due to the mixing of opiates and dexamethasone. Norjizak syndrome is the clinical condition of poisoning with a second material when it is combined with opiates due to compulsive dose increment and long duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]