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Background and Objective: Today, workshop industries play an important role in urban development by creating effective employment in urban areas. It has been stated that these small industries can cause environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the contaminations caused by the workshops in Qom in 2016. Materials and Methods: The present study was descriptive-analytic-cross sectional. First, all of the citychr('39')s businesses were listed in 67 relevant :::::::union:::::::s. After identifying the polluting businesses, a total of 223 classes of all :::::::union:::::::s were randomly screened. Sewage, solid waste, air, sound, soil and landscape pollution were investigated. According to 15 specialists and using Expert Selection software, each pollution type and rating of each class were weighed and determined. Results: The results showed that the wastewater, solid waste, air, noise, and landscape pollution with a score of 0.399, 0.259, 0.169, 0.097, and 0.027, respectively, are important. Accordingly, in terms of the total contamination of the studied occupational units, authorized dealers of car sales, carwash, guest house, carpet cleaning, bath, brick plants, chalk plants, gemstones, chelokbaby, mosaic making, lathes and blacksmans, iron doors and window making, general blinds and shuttering, ceramic making, wood processing industry, mechanical, polishing with a total score of 1, 0.889, 0.881, 0.872, 0.709, 0.644, 0.644, 0.641, 0.62, 0.609, 0.582, 0.569, 0.552, 0.546, 0.518, 0.499, and 0.499 had unfavorable status, respectively. Conclusion: In order to reduce the environmental pollution caused by these businesses, continuous monitoring and inspections should be carried out in the short term. Moreover, the polluting industries should be relocated out of the city in the long term.

Objective: A prototype infrared attenuated total reflection (IR-ATR) laser spectroscopic system designed for in vivo classification of human cartilage tissue according to its histological health status during arthroscopic surgery is presented. Prior to real-world in vivo applications, this so-called osteoarthritis (OA) scanner has been tested at in vitro conditions revealing the challenges associated with complex sample matrices and the accordingly obtained sparse spectral datasets. Methods: In vitro studies on human knee cartilage samples at different contact pressures (i.e., 0.2–0.5 ​MPa) allowed recording cartilage degeneration characteristic IR signatures comparable to in vivo conditions with high temporal resolution. Afterwards, the cartilage samples were assessed based on the clinically acknowledged osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment (OARSI) system and correlated with the obtained sparse IR data. Results: Amide and carbohydrate signal behavior was observed to be almost identical between the obtained sparse IR data and previously measured FTIR data used for sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (SPLSDA) to identify the spectral regions relevant to cartilage condition. Contact pressures between 0.3 and 0.4 ​MPa seem to provide the best sparse IR spectra for cylindrical (d ​= ​3 ​mm) probe tips. Conclusion: Laser-irradiating IR-ATR spectroscopy is a promising analytical technique for future arthroscopic applications to differentiate healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage tissue. However, this study also revealed that the flexible connection between the laser-based analyzer and the arthroscopic ATR-probe via IR-transparent fiberoptic cables may affect the robustness of the obtained IR data and requires further improvements.

The series of newer salicylate derivatives incorporating nitroxy functionality were synthesized and evaluated for their potential effect in gastrointestinal (GI) related toxicity produced by aspirin. The synthesized compounds (5a-j) were subjected to %NO (nitric oxide) release study, in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential, % inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema and the obtained results were validated by in-silico studies including molecular docking, MD simulations and in-silico ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) calculations. Compounds 5a (20.86 %) and 5g (18.20 %) displayed the highest percentage of NO release in all the tested compounds. Similarly, 5a and 5h were found to have (77.11 % and 79.53 %) &(78.56 % and 66.10 %) inhibition in carrageenan induced paw edema in animal mode which were relatively higher than ibuprofen (standard used). The obtained results were validated by molecular docking and MD simulations studies. The molecular docking study of 5a and 5h revealed that docking scores were also obtained in very close proximity of −8.35, −9.67 and −8.48 for ibuprofen, 5g and 5h respectively. In MD simulations studies, the calculated lower RMSD (root mean square deviation) values 2.8 Å and 5.6 Å for 5g and 5h, respectively indicated the stability of ligand-protein complexes. Similarly lower RSMF (root mean square fluctuation) values indicated the molecules remained in the active pocket throughout the entire MD simulations run. Further, in-silico ADME calculations were determined and all compounds obey the Lipinski’s rule of five and it was predicted that these molecules would be orally active without any serious toxic effect.

BackgroundMechanical power (MP) refers to the energy transmitted over time to the respiratory system and serves as a unifying determinant of ventilator-induced lung injury. MP normalization is required to account for developmental changes in children. We sought to examine the relationship between mechanical energy (MEBW), MP normalized to body weight (MPBW), and MP normalized to respiratory compliance (MPCRS) concerning the severity and outcomes of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (pARDS).MethodIn this retrospective study, children aged 1 month to 18 years diagnosed with pARDS who underwent pressure-control ventilation for at least 24 h between January 2017 and September 2020 were enrolled. We calculated MP using Becher's equation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, pediatric organ dysfunction score, and oxygenation index (OI) was performed to determine the independent association of MP and its derivatives 24 h after diagnosing pARDS with 28-day mortality. The association was also studied for 28 ventilator-free days (VFD-28) and the severity of pARDS in terms of OI.ResultsOut of 246 admitted with pARDS, 185 were eligible, with an overall mortality of 43.7%. Non-survivors exhibited higher severity of illness, as evidenced by higher values of MP, MPBW, and MEBW. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that only MEBW but not MP, MPBW, or MPCRS at 24 h was independently associated with mortality [adjusted OR: 1.072 (1.002–1.147), p = 0.044]. However, after adjusting for the type of pARDS, MEBW was not independently associated with mortality [adjusted OR: 1.061 (0.992–1.136), p = 0.085]. After adjusting for malnutrition, only MP at 24 h was found to be independently associated. Only MPCRS at 1–4 and 24 h but not MP, MPBW, or MEBW at 24 h of diagnosing pARDS was significantly correlated with VFD-28.ConclusionsNormalization of MP is better related to outcomes and severity of pARDS than non-normalized MP. Malnutrition can be a significant confounding factor in resource-limited settings.

Electronic absorption spectrums of methylene blue (MB) in the concentration range wherein monomer–dimer equilibria exist have been systematically investigated in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycols (PEG's) having molar mass 400, 1000 and 4000 g∙mol–1, at 298 K. The data on the absorption spectrums (550–700 nm) of MB are resolved to obtain monomer and dimer spectrums as well the geometrical details of the species (such as oscillatory strength, dipole moment etc.) are calculated. The molar absorption extinction coefficients for monomer and dimer cations of MB, the dimer dissociation constant values are calculated as a function of PEG concentrations. It has been noted that, absorption maximum occurs at 664 ± 1 and 605 ± 1 nm, respectively, for monomer and dimers which do not get affected much by presence of polymeric molecules and the data show perfect obedience of Beer–Lambert's law. The changes in dimer geometry from sandwich type to end–on–end type have been studied by applying exciton theory of Kasha et al. The dimer dissociation constant values at finite as well for infinitely dilute concentration of PEG's exhibit orderly amendment with respect to molar mass of PEG's and alteration in chain length of molecules. We report the free energy changes of transfer of dimeric cations of different concentrations from water to aqueous solutions of PEG's of fixed concentration, that is, to probe the interactions of water and PEG molecules with a hope of getting information about salting–in/salting–out effects, as well of binding of dye molecules with PEG's. We have suggested complexation of end hydroxylic groups of PEG's with dimer cations. The results are further interpreted as salting–in of PEG complex with MB–dimers only in the limit of infinite dilution (solute–solvent interactions) while salting–out of these complexed species is observed as a function of MB–dimer concentration.

Studies have shown that the airway pressures displayed on the screen of the ventilator monitor do not correlate with the actual alveolar distending pressures known as transpulmonary pressure or stress. The change in tidal volume (Vt) on top of the available functional residual capacity (FRC), also known as strain, is an essential factor directly related to stress. Even the correlation of driving pressure (DP) with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) needs to be interpreted in the background of what Vt, respiratory compliance (Crs) and at what positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is that DP calculated and at what was the chest wall compliance, and the flow rate at that time. Stress and strain are related to all these factors, either directly or indirectly. The impact of stress and strain should be interpreted in “dynamic terms” over time rather than at one point. Hence, VILI is minimized by optimizing the Strain (using appropriate PEEP and Vt against available FRC) and stress (transpulmonary inspiratory and expiratory pressures), applied at an optimal respiratory rate and flow. In the pediatric age group, pulmonary mechanics also change as age changes. Moreover, children respond differently to lung injury than adults, adding another layer of complexity to the concept of stress and strain in the pediatric population. Despite this, most knowledge about stress and strain has come from studies in the adult population. Therefore, more extensive studies focussing on pediatric age groups are needed to improve our understanding of stress and strain in pediatric ventilated patients.

IntroductionPrenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes neuroinflammation that may contribute to the pathophysiology underlying Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has shown success in mitigating effects of PAE in animal models, however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Some PUFA metabolites, specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), play a role in the resolution phase of inflammation, and receptors for these are in the brain.MethodsTo test the hypothesis that the SPM receptors FPR2 and ChemR23 play a role in PAE-induced behavioral deficits, we exposed pregnant wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice to alcohol in late gestation and behaviorally tested male and female offspring as adolescents and young adults.ResultsMaternal and fetal outcomes were not different among genotypes, however, growth and behavioral phenotypes in the offspring did differ and the effects of PAE were unique to each line. In the absence of PAE, ChemR23 KO animals showed decreased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze and FPR2 KO had poor grip strength and low activity compared to age-matched WT mice. WT mice showed improved performance on fear conditioning between adolescence and young adulthood, this was not seen in either KO.DiscussionThis PAE model has subtle effects on WT behavior with lower activity levels in young adults, decreased grip strength in males between test ages, and decreased response to the fear cue indicating an effect of alcohol exposure on learning. The PAE-mediated decreased response to the fear cue was also seen in ChemR23 KO but not FPR2 KO mice, and PAE worsened performance of adolescent FPR2 KO mice on grip strength and activity. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into how PUFAs could act to attenuate cognitive impairments caused by PAE.

Excess internal pressure of solution and excess partial molar volume of solute data embedded in the parameter reversible isothermal work (W) have been used to calculate the ion–ion pair correlation functions (gij(r), r being distance) and the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of decyltrimethylammonium bromide (C10TAB) in concentration range 0.01 – 0.14 mol∙kg–1. It is observed that gij(r) exhibits a peak at critical micelle concentration (cmc), while the virial coefficient term (gij(r) – 1) also goes through a maximum. Using Friedman's methodology and McMillan–Mayer theory of solutions, these results have been examined. With the help of concept of Gurney cosphere around the ions, the overlap of solvation shells (water molecules) as the concentration of ions increases have been used to probe water– structure effects as water–structure making/breaking. Coefficients Aij are estimated (Coulombic term, a core repulsive term, a cavity formation term and overlap of cosphere term) at various concentrations of ionic surfactant and at a radial distance of 20 Å for a micellar entity. Further analysis indicates that gij parameter (that is, representing cation–cation interaction g++) dominate over g+– (representing ion–solvent interaction) in solution phase. Thus for a self–assembly process (formation of micelle with aggregation number) in a solution phase is being characterized by a peak in gij(r) function at cmc and aggregation number of ≈ 38, area under the peak, while the virial coefficient variation indicates a dominance of cation–cation interaction and cosphere water–structural effects. It is emphasized that the approach adopted by us to use excess PV work to estimate gij(r) is better to understand the thermodynamic process involved in self–assemblies and micelle formation.

A widely used approach to analyze single particles in electron microscopy data is 2D classification. This process is very computationally expensive, especially when large data sets are analyzed. In this paper we present GPU ISAC, a newly developed, GPU-accelerated version of the established Iterative Stable Alignment and Clustering (ISAC) algorithm for 2D images and generating class averages. While the previously existing implementation of ISAC relied on a computer cluster, GPU ISAC enables users to produce high quality 2D class averages from large-scale data sets on a single desktop machine equipped with affordable, consumer-grade GPUs such as Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 TI cards. With only two such cards GPU ISAC matches the performance of twelve high end cluster nodes and, using high performance GPUs, is able to produce class averages from a million particles in between six to thirteen hours, depending on data set quality and box size. We also show GPU ISAC to scale linearly in all input dimensions, and thereby capable of scaling well with the increasing data load demand of future data sets. Further user experience improvements integrate GPU ISAC seamlessly into the existing SPHIRE GUI, as well as the TranSPHIRE on-the-fly processing pipeline. It is open source and can be downloaded at https://gitlab.gwdg.de/mpi-dortmund/sphire/cuISAC/

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy to detect cartilage degradation due to osteoarthritis and to validate the methodology with osteochondral human cartilage samples for future development towards clinical use. Design: Cylindrical (d ​= ​4 ​mm) osteochondral samples (n ​= ​349) were prepared from nine human cadavers and measured with FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Afterwards, the samples were assessed with Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system and divided into two groups: 1) healthy (OARSI 0–2) and 2) osteoarthritic (OARSI 2.5–6). The classification was done with partial least squares discriminant analysis model utilizing cross-model validation. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was performed and the area under curve (AUC) was calculated. Results: For all samples combined, classification accuracy was 73% with AUC of 0.79. Femoral samples had accuracy of 74% and AUC of 0.77, while tibial samples had accuracy of 66%, and AUC of 0.74. Patellar samples had accuracy of 84% and AUC of 0.91. Conclusions: The results indicate that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy can differentiate between healthy and osteoarthritic femoral, tibial and patellar human tissue. If combined with a fiber optic probe, FTIR-ATR spectroscopy could provide additional objective intraoperative information during arthroscopic surgeries, which could improve clinical outcomes.

The health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) continue to be of important public health interest. Following its well-cited 2010 critical review, the Health Effects Institute (HEI) appointed a new expert Panel to systematically evaluate the epidemiological evidence regarding the associations between long-term exposure to TRAP and selected adverse health outcomes. Health outcomes were selected based on evidence of causality for general air pollution (broader than TRAP) cited in authoritative reviews, relevance for public health and policy, and resources available.The Panel used a systematic approach to search the literature, select studies for inclusion in the review, assess study quality, summarize results, and reach conclusions about the confidence in the evidence. An extensive search was conducted of literature published between January 1980 and July 2019 on selected health outcomes. A new exposure framework was developed to determine whether a study was sufficiently specific to TRAP.In total, 353 studies were included in the review. Respiratory effects in children (118 studies) and birth outcomes (86 studies) were the most commonly studied outcomes. Fewer studies investigated cardiometabolic effects (57 studies), respiratory effects in adults (50 studies), and mortality (48 studies).The findings from the systematic review, meta-analyses, and evaluation of the quality of the studies and potential biases provided an overall high or moderate-to-high level of confidence in an association between long-term exposure to TRAP and the adverse health outcomes all-cause, circulatory, ischemic heart disease and lung cancer mortality, asthma onsetin chilldren and adults, and acute lower respiratory infections in children. The evidence was considered moderate, low or very low for the other selected outcomes.In light of the large number of people exposed to TRAP – both in and beyond the near-road environment - the Panel concluded that the overall high or moderate-to-high confidence in the evidence for an association between long-term exposure to TRAP and several adverse health outcomes indicates that exposures to TRAP remain an important public health concern and deserve greater attention from the public and from policymakers.

Exposure to respirable air particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air is associated with morbidity and premature deaths. A major source of PM2.5 is the photooxidation of volatile plant-produced organic compounds such as isoprene. Photochemical oxidation of isoprene leads to the formation of hydroperoxides, environmental oxidants that lead to inflammatory (IL-8) and adaptive (HMOX1) gene expression in human airway epithelial cells (HAEC). To examine the mechanism through which these oxidants alter intracellular redox balance, we used live-cell imaging to monitor the effects of isoprene hydroxyhydroperoxides (ISOPOOH) in HAEC expressing roGFP2, a sensor of the glutathione redox potential (EGSH). Non-cytotoxic exposure of HAEC to ISOPOOH resulted in a rapid and robust increase in EGSH that was independent of the generation of intracellular or extracellular hydrogen peroxide. Our results point to oxidation of GSH through the redox relay initiated by glutathione peroxidase 4, directly by ISOPOOH or indirectly by ISOPOOH-generated lipid hydroperoxides. We did not find evidence for involvement of peroxiredoxin 6. Supplementation of HAEC with polyunsaturated fatty acids enhanced ISOPOOH-induced glutathione oxidation, providing additional evidence that ISOPOOH initiates lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. These findings demonstrate that ISOPOOH is a potent environmental airborne hydroperoxide with the potential to contribute to oxidative burden of human airway posed by inhalation of secondary organic aerosols.

The fruit of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is well-known for its several health blessings and dietary values and its wonderful supply of phenolics compounds and holds relatively exquisite antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate the free radical scavenging efficiency of the five-date types Aseel, Kupro, Karbala Wari, Asul Khurmo and Gajar Wari cultivated in district Khairpur Mir’s. These date varieties were screened with the help of DPPH assay to evaluate their free radical scavenging efficiency in different solvents. From the statistics, it turned into scrutinize that each extract has interesting antioxidant functionality against free radicals. The methanolic extract has more potential to incline the free radicals. It was concluded that the date variety Asul Khumro is shown excellent activity because it possesses lowest IC50 value 17.823µg/mL, followed by Gajar Wari 20.679 µg/mL in methanolic solution while Kupro 20.937µg/mL in Methanol + Water solution then relaxation of different date varieties at their mature Tamar level. It is concluded from the results that all dates fruit varieties at their final mature stage holds higher antioxidant potency and indicated that these date fruits have natural antioxidants.

Background: Mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) has widened the horizons of modern laparoscopic surgery. Standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC), which has long been established as the “Gold Standard” for gall bladder diseases, is under reconsideration following the advent of further minimally-invasive procedures including MLC. Our study aims to provide a comparison between MLC and SLC and assesses whether MLC has any added benefits. Materials and Methods: Patients with symptomatic gall bladder disease undergoing MLC or SLC during the 2.5-month period were included in the study. Thirty-two patients underwent MLC while SLC was performed on 40 patients by the same surgeon. Data was collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively using a predesigned questionnaire. Results: In our study, both the groups had similar age, body mass index (BMI) and gender distribution. No cases of MLC required insertion of additional ports. The mean operative time for MLC was 38.2 min (33-61 min), which is longer than SLC; but it was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in mean operative blood loss, postoperative pain, analgesia requirement and mobilization. Patients who underwent MLC were able to return to normal activity earlier than patients undergoing SLC (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our experience suggests that MLC can safely be used as an alternative to SLC. Compared to SLC, it has the added benefit of an early return to work along with excellent cosmetic results. Further large scale trials are required to prove any additional benefit of MLC.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a syndrome of high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) commonly seen all over the world in the immediate newborn period. Several case reports from India have recently described severe pulmonary hypertension among infants in the postneonatal period. These cases typically present with respiratory distress in 1–6-month-old infants, breastfed by mothers on a polished rice-based diet. Predisposing factors include respiratory tract infection such as acute laryngotracheobronchitis with change in voice, leading to pulmonary hypertension, right atrial and ventricular dilation, pulmonary edema and hepatomegaly. Mortality is high without specific therapy. Respiratory support, pulmonary vasodilator therapy, inotropes, diuretics and thiamine infusion have improved the outcome of these infants. This review outlines four typical patients with thiamine-responsive acute pulmonary hypertension of early infancy (TRAPHEI) due to thiamine deficiency and discusses pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options.

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Wheat Research Station Tandojam. The objective of the experiment was to determine the genetic variability in seven F3M2 mutated hybrid populations of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) developed through crossing between eight parents. The F1 hybrids were treated with three radiations doses (100, 150, 200Gy) of gamma rays and their control. The experiment was laidout in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The means of treated populations were compared to their untreated parental lines for selected traits viz. plant height, number of fertile tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, seed index and grain yield per plant. The mean squares revealed that all the genotypes under the treatments as well as untreated populations differed significantly (P? 0.01) for all the traits under study. The mutated hybrids Soghat-90 × Sarsabz at T2 (150 Gy) recorded the highest value of plant height, while Khirman × RWM-9313 at T2 (150 Gy) recorded the highest values for number of fertile tillers per plant, number of grains per spike and grain yield per plant. On the other hand, parent Marvi-2000 gave the highest values of spike length and seed index, while parent Khirman gave the highest number of spikelets per spike. Results indicated that moderate to high doses of gamma rays (150, 200Gy) could produce desirable mutant. Hence, offering the better scope of selection towards the improvement and can be utilized for the development of new superior varieties of wheat.

Arginine, useful in protein refolding, solubilization of proteins, and suppression of protein aggregation and non-specific adsorption during formulation and purification, is a ubiquitous additive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. In order to provide a framework for analyzing the molecular level mechanisms behind arginine/protein interactions in the above context, density functional theory was used to systematically examine how arginine interacts with naturally occurring amino acids. The results show that the most favorable interaction of arginine is with acidic amino acids and arises from charge interactions and hydrogen-bond interactions. Arginine is also shown to form stacking and T-shaped structures with aromatic amino acids, the types of cation–p and N–H…p interactions, respectively, known to be important contributors to protein stability. The analysis also shows that arginine-arginine interactions lead to stable clusters, with the stability of the clusters arising from the stacking of the guanidinium part of arginine. The results show that the unique ability of arginine to form clusters with itself makes it an effective aggregation suppressant and support the interpretations of the current study using experimental and molecular dynamics results available in the literature. The results also contribute to understanding the role of arginine in increasing protein solubility, imparting thermal stability of important enzymes, and designing better additives.