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CoFe2O4nanostructures composed of spherical-like were obtained by sol-gel method with glucose as template and combine with MWCNT and composed CoFe2O4- MWCNT heterostructure. The crystal Structure, phase composition, morphology and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4/MWCNT heterostructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM), A pure phase of well crystallized CoFe2O4nanostructures, with average size of 60 nm, could be readily synthesized at present glucose. The modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode with CoFe2O4-MWCNT heterostructure was used to determine the ciprofloxacin concentration. A cyclic voltammetric technique was used for comparison between the unmodified and modified electrodes. The fabricated modified electrode shows linear response for detection of ciprofloxacin at two linear range of 0.1-1 μM and 1-30 μM with a detection limit of 0.036 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YbVO4 nanoparticles were prepared using sodium tetraphenylborate (Na(B(C6H5)) as a novel capping agent. The effect of the capping agent on the morphology and size of the product particles was studied. The characterization of the particles was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometery (VSM). The synthesized of YbVO4 NPs nanoparticle was used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of acetaminophen in an aqueous medium using the linear sweep voltammetric (LSV) technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In patients with early-stage dementia and their caregiving partners, reciprocal dyadic coping (DC) is crucial for preventing or reducing depressive symptoms in both partners. This study examines the relationships between ‘own DC’ and ‘perceived partner DC’ with depressive symptoms in couples coping with dementia on individual (actor effects) and cross-person (partner effects) levels. Method: 164 individuals (82 patients with early-stage dementia and their 82 caregiving partners; ND = 82 dyads) participated in this prospective study with measures (DC, depressive symptoms, and dementia severity) taken at baseline and at six months. Each partner evaluated their own and the perceived partner DC. Actor-partner interdependence models were applied to the resulting four independent evaluations. Results: Results differed substantially between patients and caregivers. DC was significantly related to patients’ but not to caregivers’ depressive symptoms, when adjustments were made for individual coping. Perceived partner DC showed a negative association with depressive symptoms in patients, whereas own DC was adversely related for actor as well as for partner effects across individuals. Conclusion: The adverse association between the own DC of the caregiver and the patient on depressive symptoms of the patient might be due to inappropriate efforts or to the loss of autonomy as a care-receiver. DC is important in both patients and caregivers, as shown by the negative association between perceived partner DC and depressive symptoms in the patients, which might inform interventions that target the couple as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An online intervention to improve fruit and vegetable (FV) intake examines the role of planning, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy and gender. Women are not only expected to eat more FV than men, but they are also expected to be more responsive to nutritional advice and benefit more from treatment. Method: A two-arm digital intervention with 269 men and 395 women (Mage = 41.2, SDage = 11.45; range: 19-66 years) was conducted in Italy, Spain and Greece, followed up at three and six months, comparing a static with a dynamic, feedback-intensive platform. Results: Linear mixed models yielded an increase in FV consumption in both the dynamic and the static intervention arms. In men, outcome expectancies were positively related to follow-up FV intake. Dietary planning interacted with self-efficacy on behavioural outcomes. Conclusion: FV intake increased overall, and being a woman and involvement in planning facilitated behaviour change. Women seemed to be more engaged in the dynamic platform resulting in a higher amount of planning. Initial motivation, as indicated by outcome expectancies, seemed to be beneficial for men. Self-efficacious individuals benefitted from their engagement in planning, but self-efficacy did not compensate for failing to plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The randomized controlled trial examined factors that might be responsible for individual differences in physical activity change among men and women who participated in a lifestyle intervention. The main purpose of the analyses regarded the role of psychological mechanisms involving motivation, planning, self-monitoring, and habit strength.Design: A two-arm digital intervention was conducted in Italy, Spain, and Greece to improve physical activity levels, with follow-ups at 3 and 6 months after baseline assessment.Methods: Participants were 1,564 adults at baseline, n = 638 at 6-month follow-up. Linear mixed models examined the intervention effects, and a two-group longitudinal structural equation model explored which psychological constructs (motivation, planning, self-monitoring, habit strength) were associated with changes in physical activity.Results: In addition to an overall increase in self-reported activity, there were interactions between time and sex and between time and experimental groups, and a triple interaction between time, sex, and experimental groups, indicating that men reported an increase in activity independent of groups, whereas women in the active control group did not benefit from the intervention. Planning, self-monitoring, and habit strength mediated sequentially between initial motivation and follow-up physical activity.Conclusions: Although the intervention produced overall improvements in physical activity, the time-by-treatment interaction emerged only for women. The mechanism included a sequence leading from motivation via planning, self-monitoring, and habit strength towards physical activity. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Digital lifestyle interventions can be effective in terms of physical activity performance gains. Men are on average more physically active than women. Long-term adherence rates to digital interventions are usually low. What does this study add? Giving users of an online platform more interactive options did not make a difference. Women gained more than men from adaptive, dynamic online platform content. Individual characteristics (motivation, planning, self-monitoring, habit) were more important than online treatment features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The traditional Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, cereals and nuts, moderate to high intake of fish and dairy products, and low consumption of meat products. Intervention effects to improve adoption of this diet may vary in terms of individuals' motivational or volitional prerequisites. In the context of a three-country research collaboration, intervention effects on these psychological constructs for increasing adoption of the Mediterranean diet were examined.Design: An intervention was conducted to improve Mediterranean diet consumption with a two-month follow-up. Linear multiple-level models examined which psychological constructs (outcome expectancies, planning, action control and stage of change) were associated with changes in diet scores.Setting: Web-based intervention in Italy, Spain and Greece.Subjects: Adults (n 454; mean age 42·2 (sd 10·4) years, range 18-65 years; n 112 at follow-up).Results: Analyses yielded an overall increase in the Mediterranean diet scores. Moreover, there were interactions between time and all four psychological constructs on these changes. Participants with lower levels of baseline outcome expectancies, planning, action control and stage of change were found to show steeper slopes, thus greater behavioural adoption, than those who started out with higher levels.Conclusions: The intervention produced overall improvements in Mediterranean diet consumption, with outcome expectancies, planning, action control and stage of change operating as moderators, indicating that those with lower motivational or volitional prerequisites gained more from the online intervention. Individual differences in participants' readiness for change need to be taken into account to gauge who would benefit most from the given treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a clinoptilolite-rich tuff was modified with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and was used for the removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from aqueous solutions. Kinetic and isotherm of TCP adsorption were studied in a batch system, and the continuous adsorption experiments were performed as a function of initial TCP concentration in a packed bed column. Kinetic experiments indicated that the TCP adsorption by the surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) was rapid and reached to equilibrium in 30 min for all TCP concentrations. The pseudo-second-order rate equation best described the kinetic of TCP adsorption onto the SMZ (R2 > 0.99). Isotherm experiments were conducted in an initial TCP concentration range of 25–200 mg/L, and the isotherm data were found to be in the best fitness with the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.99). According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of TCP was obtained to be 12.9 mg/g. In the packed bed column, by increasing the influent TCP concentration from 100 to 200 mg/L, the adsorption capacity at complete exhaustion point drastically increased from 14.7 to 35.5 mg/L. The breakthrough curves were predicted with the suitable fitness by both the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models (R2 > 0.93). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hearing loss from birth up to the age of 3 years has a negative effect on speech/language development and results in sensory, cognitive, emotional, and academic defects in adulthood by causing delayed development of communicative-linguistic abilities. The present study was performed in order to assess the effect of early intervention on language development in Persian children aged 6-7 years with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Materials and Methods: Thirty boys and girls aged 6-7 years participated in this study, all of them had severe congenital sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. All children were using bilateral behind-the-ear hearing aid, and had similar economic/socio-cultural backgrounds. Subjects were categorized into two groups based on the age of identification/intervention of hearing loss (3-6 and 12-15 months of age). The Persian TOLD-P3 test was used to evaluate language development in all subjects. Data collection was accomplished by observation, completion of questionnaires, and speech recording. Results: There was a significant difference in language development in 11 sub-tests and five lingual gains on the Persian TOLD-P3 test between early (3-6 months of age) and late identified/intervened (12-15 months of age) hearing-impaired children (P 0.05). Early identified/intervened hearingimpaired children had a notable preference in all assessed sub-tests and lingual gains. Conclusion: Early identification/intervention of hearing loss before the age of 6 months has a significant positive effect on a child's language development in terms of picture/relational/oral vocabulary, grammatical comprehension, sentence combining, grammatical completion, phonologic analysis, word differentiation, word production, semantics, and syntax. Moreover, early identification/ intervention of hearing loss develops the hearing-impaired child's lingual gains in visual vocabulary, grammatical completion, word differentiation, phonologic analysis, and word production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sequential intervention to facilitate the adoption and maintenance of dental flossing was conducted among 205 students in India, aged 18–26 years. Two experimental groups received different treatment sequences and were observed at three assessment points, 34 days apart. One group received first a motivational intervention (intention, outcome expectancies, and risk perception, followed by a self-regulatory intervention (planning, self-efficacy, and action control). The second group received the same intervention in the opposite order. Both intervention sequences yielded gains in terms of flossing, planning, self-efficacy, and action control. However, at Time 2, those who had received the self-regulatory intervention first, were superior to their counterparts who had received the motivational intervention first. At Time 3, differences vanished as everyone had then received both interventions. Thus, findings highlight the benefits of a self-regulatory compared to a mere motivational intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The increasing prevalence of childhood overweight makes children an important target for health promotion programmes. An intervention was designed for mothers to provide more vegetables to their daughters’ diet. A randomized controlled trial compared a self-regulation condition with a control condition in 155 mothers aged 25–50 years. Dependent variable was children’s (aged 6–11 years) vegetable consumption which was reported by their mothers at three points in time. After baseline (Time 1), the intervention group received theory-based instructional leaflets to promote self-regulatory skills for providing a healthy nutrition for children. Changes were assessed after two weeks (Time 2) and at three-month follow-up (Time 3). The self-regulation intervention in mothers led to an increase in vegetable intake among their daughters at Time 2 but not at Time 3. However, maintenance of vegetable consumption at Time 3 was mediated by the amount of vegetable intake at Time 2. Engaging mothers in self-regulatory health promotion programmes may be a feasible strategy to facilitate more vegetable intake among their daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proper structure and function of mammal's central nervous system (CNS) is based on inborn neuronal function. Sensory experience-based development deeply affects these processes in the critical period. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of change in visual experience in critical period of brain development on rat's spatial learning and memory using Morris water maze (MWM). Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 30 Wistar male rats at 45 days old randomly distributed in 3 groups (n=10 for each group); the CO (Control) group was in 12 h light/12 h dark cycle through birth to the end of the study; the LR (Light Reared) group was in complete light (24 hours) and the DR (Dark Reared) group was in complete darkness. Using MWM, the animals learned to find a hidden platform for 4 trials/day at 5 days. After removing platform, spatial memory was tested at day 5 in one trial. The spent time and distance in the correct quadrant measured and analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA test. Findings: In the learning stage, the CO rats spent less time and distance to find the hidden platform than the other groups (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between all groups in probe trial. Conclusion: Change in visual experience impairs rat's spatial learning and spatial memory formation would not been influenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Maitotoxin (MTX), the most potent marine toxin wich causes poisoning. • The Quantum dot made from natural source biochar. • FRET system was formed between the CQDs and AuNPs as a donor and receptor agent. • Fluorescent method for MTX detection with detection limit 0.5 pM via FRET system. • The suggested method was successfully applied for MTX detection in real sample. Maitotoxin (MTX) is a potent marine toxin with critical LD 50 , which usually causes poisoning because of eating the contaminated marine crustaceans. This poison is a severe threat to neuronal systems and also disables the heart by increasing the calcium ions flow in the cardiovascular. Therefore, the quantitative determination of MTX by using a fast and cost-effective way is essential. Application of carbon dots in the structure of various sensors for the measurement of biological compounds has been developed due to its easy, rapid and inexpensive synthesis. In this study, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized for the determination of MTX with high sensitivity and selectivity. The structure of CQDs and AuNPs were characterized using SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), EDS (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) techniques. The Basis of the sensing method is fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) which occurs between energy donor (CQDs) and energy acceptor (AuNPs). Under optimal conditions (excitation wavelength 430 nm and emission wavelength 523 nm), the linear range and detection limit were obtained 1−600 pmol L−1 and 0.3 pmol L-1, respectively. The strong point of this nanosensor is its very fast quenching process. The interference effect of other poisons and some ions on the MTX determination were investigated using CQDs at the constant concentration of MTX50 pmol L-1 and various concentrations of other species. The results show excellent selectivity for the measurement of MTX in the presence of other similar species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely-used antiepileptic drug that has been extensively reported to cause hepatotoxicity. Monomethyl fumarate (MMF) is a compound that has been reported to produce hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects. This study was aimed at studying the alleviative effects of MMF on VPA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The test animals were divided into nine groups, each of six rats, as different cases and one group as control. VPA was intraperitoneally administered (500 mg/kg) once daily for 7 days. The VPA-exposed rats were then treated with two doses (25 and 50 mg/kg) of MMF and silymarin. Biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers as well as histopathological examination were employed to evaluate the effect of these compounds on VPAhepatotoxicity. VPAadministration caused hepatotoxicity in rats as evidenced by significant increase in the levels of aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), liver malondialdehyde (MDA), and significant reduction in glutathione (GSH) content compared to values in the control group. The administration of MMF or silymarin attenuated VPA-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity as evidenced by significant decrease in serum liver function tests together with marked improvement in oxidative stress markers. Thus, the treatment with MMF and/or silymarin improved histopathological patterns of liver tissue to a considerable degree. MMF treatment can exert protective effects (similar to those of silymarin) against VPA-induced hepatotoxicity. This amelioration can result from a considerable reduction of the oxidative stress. Moreover, a combination therapy was more effective than MMF or silymarin monotherapy alone. A dose of 25 mg/kg was as effective as 50 mg/kg for either MMF or silymarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the quality of life of patients with anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom. The Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ) is commonly used to assess the psychological burden of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of VQLQ. In this cross-sectional study, VQLQ was translated into Persian according to expert recommendations. The final translated version of VQLQ was then administered to 115 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy at an asthma and allergy clinic in Iran. More than half of the participants were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 60% were male. Fear, anxiety, and outdoor activities had the most significant impact on the quality of life of patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. Additionally, quality of life was more affected in women than in men, while no correlation was found with age. Furthermore, the quality of life was affected by a history of acute anaphylactic shock due to Hymenoptera venom. The Persian version of VQLQ enables the measurement of quality of life in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy in the Iranian population. The inclusion of VQLQ in the initial evaluation of these patients may potentially guide allergist in providing support for venom-specific immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver injury all over the world. Its main characteristic is a fat accumulation in the liver, which is not due to alcohol abuse. This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic and protective effect of a traditional, complementary product called the liver capsule on NAFLD. NAFLD was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Forty male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups; consisting of: standard control, HFD control, lifestyle modification, post-treatment, co-treatment, and treatment. The effectiveness of liver capsules was examined through assessment of liver enzymes, biochemical parameters, antioxidant levels, and lipid peroxidation.We also performed histological examination on liver tissues. Statistical analysis was performed, and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Treatment with l capsule lowered hepatic damage markers, serum glucose level, and serum lipid levels. Rats treated with liver capsule had enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced lipid peroxidation. The higher dose (10 mg/kg) presented lower levels in all the parameters mentioned. Longer duration of treatment in co-treatment groups caused an increase in oxidation activity. The liver capsule could not decrease biochemical markers to baseline in animals without lifestyle modification (p > 0.05). Accordingly, the liver capsule has both therapeutic and protective effects on NAFLD owing to multi-target mechanisms and can be a candidate for further assessments in clinical studies. Our traditional product showed a therapeutic effect, but it seems that lifestyle modification plays a key role in the therapeutic process for NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hepatoprotective effects of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties have been confirmed in various studies. Considering the importance of drug-induced hepatotoxicity as a major cause of liver damage, we aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of Fumaria officinalis extracts against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: In total, 35 adult male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into seven groups: 1) healthy control group, 2) positive control group (intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/ kg of acetaminophen), 3) hepatotoxic rats treated by Silybum marianum (100 mg/kg) once per day, 4) hepatotoxic rats receiving the aqueous extracts of fumaria (250 mg/kg) once per day for two weeks, 5) hepatotoxic rats receiving the aqueous extracts of fumaria (500 mg/kg) once a day for two weeks at the time of acetaminophen injection, 6) protective experimental rats treated by the aqueous extracts of fumaria (250 mg/kg) once per day before drug injection, and 7) protective experimental rats receiving the aqueous extracts of fumaria (500 mg/kg) once daily before drug injection. For groups 6 and 7, after two weeks of oral treatment, acetaminophen was injected and treatment continued for two weeks. At the end of the treatment period, serum level of functional liver markers (e.g., alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase), lipid profile, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Data were analyzed, using one-way ANOVA. Results: Fumaria could reduce the elevated levels of liver enzymes and improve lipid profile. Furthermore, this plant reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the total antioxidant capacity. The protective effects of fumaria in the prevention groups were notable, compared to therapeutic groups. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that fumaria can exert protective and therapeutic effects on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This protective effect might be due to the presence of various flavonoids and should be considered while developing new agents for the treatment of hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A liver capsule is a hepatoprotective polyherbal formulation that has been traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases, particularly liver disorders. The present study aimed to assess the safety of the liver capsule by investigating acute and subchronic toxicity in rats. Acute toxicity test was performed on rats that orally received a single dose of 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg. In a subchronic toxicity assay, the animals received 300 and 600 mg/kg of the liver capsule for 45 consecutive days. All animals were daily evaluated for signs of toxicity and biochemical and hematological parameters and histopathological tissues examination were assessed at the end of the study. The liver capsule did not produce any mortality in the acute toxicity study, although a histopathological examination showed toxicity signs in the liver tissue. In the subchronic study, there was no mortality or changes in behavior, daily food and water intake; however, levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Creatine kinase (CK) were increased and albumin and glucose levels decreased in treated groups. Also, liver and kidney tissues showed pathological changes in the treated animals. The LD50 value of the liver capsule is thought to be more than 2000 mg/kg. A low doseof the liver capsule (300 mg/kg) caused little change in biochemical parameters and histopathology of the liver tissue in a subchronic study. The employed dose was more than 10 times greater than the maximum human daily dose for liver disease treatment (20 – 30 mg/kg). Thus, it can be concluded that the recommended human dose of liver capsules is generally safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to determine the feasibility of an Open Dialogue-inspired approach in a metropolitan, public hospital setting with predominately African American participants. Participants were ages 18–35, experienced psychosis within the past month, and involved at least one support person in their care. We evaluated domains of feasibility including implementation, adaptation, practicality, acceptability, and limited-efficacy. An organizational change model (Addressing Problems Through Organizational Change) facilitated implementation. Clinicians received three trainings and ongoing supervision. Network meetings were successfully implemented with good self-reported fidelity to principles of dialogic practice. Some adaptations (less frequent meetings and no home visits) were necessary. A subset of individuals completed research assessments over 12 months. Qualitative interviews with participants suggested the intervention was acceptable. Symptom and functional outcomes were preliminary but trended toward improvement. Implementation was feasible with relatively brief training, organizational change processes, and context-specific adaptations. Lessons learned can assist in planning a larger research study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are an influential source of antioxidants and the hepatoprotective effects of some of them are well established. The antioxidant capacity of barberry fruit has been documented; therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris (BV) and Berberis integerrima (BI) fruits against acetaminophen (AC)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Male mice were randomly divided into ten groups (Sham, positive control, BV and BI controls, three treatment groups of BV extract, and three treatment groups of BI extract). Following induction of acute liver injury by AC (1000 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), mice were treated by three concentrations of BV and BI extracts orally for 10 days. At the end of the study, blood samples and liver sections were obtained and alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) were measured. Histopathological changes were assessed by H&E staining on liver sections. Data were analyzed by GraphPad prism version 5.04. Administration of AC markedly increased the serum aminotransferase (ALT and AST) levels and lipid peroxidation but decreased SOD and catalase activities and GSH content. Administration of BV and BI ameliorated the AC toxic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological evaluations confirmed AC-induced acute damage in which treatment with the aqueous extract of BV and BI fruit extracts significantly improved damage. Thus, the aqueous extracts of BV and BI may have a hepatoprotective effect against AC-induced liver damage that may result from their antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present investigation aims to evaluate the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-7, gondii antibodies and the associated risk factors among healthy blood donors in Mashhad city, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. Methods: We screened a total of 500 serum samples by census method from apparently healthy blood donors of the Mashhad Blood Transfusion Organization (MBTO) for IgG and IgM anti-T gondii antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We found that 29.6%, 25%, 1.4%, and 3.2% of tested donors were positive for anti-T gondii antibodies, only IgG antibody, both IgM and IgG, and IgM antibody alone, respectively. Several risk factors which were significantly related to T gondii seropositivity in the univariate analysis at P < 0.05 included female gender (OR = 3.222, P < 0.001), age more than 40 years (P = 0.026), and sausage/hot dog consumption (OR = 4.472, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study can be a warning for blood transfusion organizations to pay special attention to toxoplasmosis among blood donors and also design screening programs for prevention of transfusion-transmitted toxoplasmosis. sis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are organic compounds that have estrogenic activity and can interfere with the endocrine system. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of these compounds which possess a potential risk for breast cancer. The aim of this research was to evaluate BPA concentration in both the urine and breast adipose tissue samples of breast cancer mastectomy and mammoplasty patients and study correlations of BPA levels in breast adipose tissue with urine samples in the both groups. Urine and breast adipose tissue samples from 41 breast cancer mastectomy and 11 mammoplasty patients were taken. BPA concentrations were detected using an ELISA assay. Urinary BPA concentrations were significantly higher in cancerous patients (2.12 ± 1.48 ng/ml; P < 0.01) compared to non-cancerous (0.91 ± 0.42 ng/ml). Likewise, tissue BPA concentrations in cancerous patients (4.20 ± 2.40 ng/g tissue; P < 0.01) were significantly higher than non- cancerous (1.80 ± 1.05 ng/g tissue). Urinary BPA concentrations were positively correlated with breast adipose tissue BPA in the case group (P < 0.001, R = 0.896). We showed that BPA was present in urine and breast adipose tissue samples of the studied populations. With regard to higher BPA mean concentration in cancerous patients than non-cancerous individuals in this study, BPA might increase the risk of breast cancer incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Saving blood products is an important public health issue especially in developing countries with limited financial resources. We aimed to suggest a new hypothetical model to make a change in the current blood transfusion policy in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) to reduce wastage of blood supplies as well as the risk of exposure to multiple donors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all transfused neonates (n = 70) who were admitted to NICU of Nemazee Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Southern Iran, were evaluated between March and June 2019. Based on the information of neonates' transfusion during this study period and determined transfusion indices, a specific pediatric pack was suggested and the related total costs per transfusion, as well as the donor-exposure rate of the hypothetical and the current transfusion method, were compared. Results: Considering the mean number of transfusions per neonate: 4 and mean volume of transfused packed red cells: 20 ml per transfusion, the cost-analysis of pediatric and the adult pack was presented. Arithmetically, we proved a higher total cost per transfusion for using adult pack comparing to pediatric pack. Additionally, using a pediatric pack set leads to a 24% reduction in RBCs wastage per transfusion and a 68.13% reduction in donor-exposure rate. Conclusions: The assignment of a dedicated pediatric pack for neonates will be able to improve the cost-effectiveness by a substantial reduction in donor-exposure rate and blood wastage. This finding should be taken into consideration to generate economic growth and make improvements in child health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical application of methotrexate (MTX), an efficacious cytotoxic drug, is restricted due to its associated liver toxicity. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol, possesses hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The present study seeks to address the hepatoprotective effects of Ellagic acid (EA) against MTX-mediated oxidative stress (OS) and widen our current knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms of MTX toxicity. Methods: Wistar rats were orally given EA (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) for 10 successive days and at the end of the third day they were administered a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg i.p). Results: After performing biochemical analysis, liver enzymes and malondialdehyde were significantly higher in the MTX group, indicating hepatic oxidative damage. MTX-induced OS was further confirmed with observation of events such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, mitochondrial outer membrane potential decrease, mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release and caspase-3/9 increase, resulting in apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of pro-inflammatory factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) indicated the MTX-induced inflammation in MTX-treated group. Interestingly, EA was able to significantly prevent OS, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and inflammation induced by MTX. Also, EA-treated rats demonstrated significant upregulation of both nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1), which were considerably downregulated in MTX-treated rats. Conclusions: EA protects rats against MTX-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction via up-Regulating Nrf2 and HO-1 expression and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, EA may protect patients against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity and encourage its clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The University of California's Diabetes Prevention Program (UC DPP) Initiative was implemented across all 10 UC campuses in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying mandates required swift changes to program delivery, including pivoting from in-person to virtual delivery (i.e., Zoom). Our goal was to assess multilevel constituent perceptions of the use of a virtual platform to deliver UC DPP due to COVID-19 mandates., Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 68 UC DPP participants, coordinators, and leaders to examine the use of virtual platform delivery on the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) of UC DPP. Transcripts were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis and emergent themes were categorized using domains corresponding to RE-AIM framework., Results: Among UC DPP participants ( n  = 42), virtual delivery primarily impacted perceptions of UC DPP effectiveness and implementation. Some participants perceived program effectiveness to be negatively impacted, given their preference for in-person sessions, which they felt provided more engagement, peer support, and accountability. Implementation challenges included problems with virtual format (e.g., "Zoom fatigue"); however, several benefits were also noted (e.g., increased flexibility, maintenance of DPP connections during campus closures). UC DPP coordinators ( n  = 18) perceived virtual delivery as positively impacting UC DPP reach, since virtual platforms provided access for some who could not participate in-person, and negatively impacting effectiveness due to reduced engagement and lower peer support. UC leaders ( n  = 8) perceived that use of the virtual format had a positive impact on reach (e.g., increased availability, accessibility) and negatively impacted effectiveness (e.g., less intensive interactions on a virtual platform). Across constituent levels, the use of a virtual platform had little to no impact on perceptions of adoption and maintenance of UC DPP., Conclusion: Perceptions of the reach, effectiveness, and implementation of UC DPP using a virtual platform varied across constituents, although all groups noted a potential negative impact on overall program effectiveness. Unanticipated program adaptations, including virtual delivery, present potential benefits as well as perceived drawbacks, primarily across the effectiveness domain. Understanding differential constituent perceptions of the impact of virtual delivery can help maximize RE-AIM and inform future UC DPP delivery strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Loeb, Gholami, Ramm, Shedd, Soetenga, Jackson, Chung, Duru, Mangione, Hamilton and Moin.)

Little is known about the quality of life of patients with anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom. The Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ) is commonly used to assess the psychological burden of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of VQLQ. In this cross-sectional study, VQLQ was translated into Persian according to expert recommendations.  The final translated version of VQLQ was then administered to 115 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy at an asthma and allergy clinic in Iran. More than half of the participants were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 60% were male. Fear, anxiety, and outdoor activities had the most significant impact on the quality of life of patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. Additionally, quality of life was more affected in women than in men, while no correlation was found with age. Furthermore, the quality of life was affected by a history of acute anaphylactic shock due to Hymenoptera venom. The Persian version of VQLQ enables the measurement of quality of life in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy in the Iranian population. The inclusion of VQLQ in the initial evaluation of these patients may potentially guide allergist in providing support for venom-specific immunotherapy.

Introduction: The University of California (UC) implemented the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to address diabetes and obesity risk. This project examined the reach and effectiveness of this university-based DPP delivery approach., Methods: This project compared 12-month weight change among three groups of UC beneficiaries with overweight/obesity: (1) those who received invitation letters and enrolled in UC DPP, (2) those mailed invitation letters but did not enroll, and (3) those who were not mailed letters and did not enroll (controls). Using 2012-2022 EHR, administrative and DPP cohort data, an interrupted time series was conducted in 2022-2023 to compare group differences in rate of weight change., Results: Among 6,231 beneficiaries (132 UC DPP aware enrollees, 1,750 DPP aware non-enrollees, 4,349 controls), UC DPP enrollees were older (mean age 49), mostly women (76%), and more diverse (33% Asian, 8% Black, 20% Hispanic, 4% Multi/Other). Over 12 months of follow-up, UC DPP enrollee postenrollment rate of weight loss was -0.68 lbs./month. UC DPP enrollees had significantly greater weight change from pre- to post-enrollment than DPP aware non-enrollees (adjusted Δ-1.02 vs. Δ-0.07 lbs./month, difference= -0.95, p<0.001). Weight change among all participants who received letters with/without DPP enrollment was similar to controls., Conclusions: UC DPP reached a diverse group and was effective for weight loss at 12-month follow-up. However, UC DPP invitation letters to raise prediabetes and DPP awareness were not associated with significant weight change in the absence of DPP enrollment. University-based approaches to DPP delivery are effective and may enhance reach of DPP among at-risk adults., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)