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Adiponectin is the most important adipokine secreted by the adipose tissue. It carries out an important role in setting up the metabolism and improving the function of various organs. Adiponectin in the kidneys prevents degradation of the renal arteries, reduces protein excretion, and improves filtration. This role is accomplished by regulating anabolic pathways and reducing oxidative stress in the renal tissue. This hormone in the liver prevents the accumulation of fat and free radicals that cause damage to liver cells and tissue. This adipokine, by preventing inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, obesity and insulin resistance, improves vascular function and prevents the development of atherosclerosis. It seems that adiponectin can also be a therapeutic target for many metabolic diseases. This study aims to clarify the adipose tissue discharge. Here, the diverse physiological actions of adiponectin were reviewed to provide an overview of its therapeutic potential in different metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed study of radiation doses received by 83 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CA) and 26 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by the femoral route in two hospitals in Mashhad-Iran is presented. All procedures were undertaken with Siemens angioscope X-ray equipment. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100), suitably calibrated, were used to measure the dose received at five locations on the patient's skin (on the thyroid, gonads and lens of eyes). A dose area product (DAP) meter was also used. DAP values and fluoroscopy times were recorded for each patient. The mean values for DAP were 32.47±4.03 and 44.49±5.64 Gy cm² for CA and PTCA, respectively. The patient dosimetry results revealed the thyroid receives the highest dose in CA and PTCA examinations. Also, in this study, DAP to effective dose conversion factors were estimated by means of a Rando phantom and the effective dose received by the patients was estimated for CA and PTCA examinations. The estimated mean values of effective dose were 6.75±0.85 and 9.61±1.24 mSv, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was a qualitative research which was done by acase study approach. The samples were chosen from ruraldevelopment experts of Hamedan Province during a snowballsampling process. The data were collected by the semistructuredinterviews. The data collection was done by faceto-face interviews, after the interview questions guide was determined.The theoretical saturation was attained by interviewing25 respondents and at this point the interview process was laidoff. The qualitative analysis of interviews was done by acontent analysis method. The results showed that in order todevelop and promote the rural women enterprises not only financial,domestic, managerial, educational and cultural supportsare needed but some approaches like culturalization and educationalprograms are vital too.

This study is an attempt to evaluate the biomonitoring capabilities of rock oyster, Saccostrea cucullata, for mercury (Hg) pollution. The oyster and sediment samples were collected from 10 rocky habitats of Qeshm and Hormoz Islands in the Persian Gulf. The concentration of mercury in the shell and soft tissues of the oysters and sediments were analyzed using an advanced mercury analyzer. Biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) was calculated based on the ratio of Hg concentrations in soft tissues to that in sediments. The results showed that the rate of mercury accumulation in the soft tissues of the oyster was significantly higher than that in its shell (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between mercury concentrations in the soft tissues and the sediments (r =0.75). According to BSAF, soft tissues of the oyster were recognized as an appropriate indicator for biomonitoring mercury. The present study generally supports the usability of soft tissue of S. cucullata as a sensitive biomonitoring organ to warn mercury pollution in the Persian Gulf.

An abstract of the paper "Skin Dose Measurements in Chest X-Ray Examinations in Radiography Departments in Mashhad, Iran," by M. T. Bahrayni and S. Esmaili is presented.

Skin tissue engineering has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional treatments for skin injuries. Hydrogels, owing to their advantages have become the ideal option for wound dressing, and they are extensively employed in a mixture of different drugs to accelerate wound healing. Sodium alginate is a readily available natural polymer with advantages such as bio-compatibility and a non-toxicological nature that is commonly used in hydrogel form for medical applications such as wound repair and drug delivery in skin regenerative medicine. Losartan is a medicine called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that can prevent fibrosis by inhibiting AT 1 R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). In this research, for the first time, three-dimensional scaffolds based on cross-linked alginate hydrogel with CaCl 2 containing different concentrations of losartan for slow drug release and exudate absorption were prepared and characterized as wound dressing. Alginate hydrogel was mixed with 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 mg/mL of losartan, and their properties such as morphology, chemical structure, water uptake properties, biodegradability, stability assay, rheology, blood compatibility, and cellular response were evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficiency of the developed hydrogels was then assessed in an in vitro wound healing model and with a gene expression. The results revealed that the hydrogel produced was very porous (porosity of 47.37 ± 3.76 µm) with interconnected pores and biodegradable (weight loss percentage of 60.93 ± 4.51% over 14 days). All hydrogel formulations have stability under various conditions. The use of CaCl 2 as a cross-linker led to an increase in the viscosity of alginate hydrogels. An in vitro cell growth study revealed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the suggested dosage of the hydrogel. Increases in Losartan dosage, however, caused hemolysis. In vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 80% improvement of the primary wound region after 2 weeks of treatment with alginate hydrogel containing 0.1 mg/mL Losartan. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a decrease in expression level of TGF-β 1 and VEGF in treatment groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that the alginate hydrogel containing Losartan can be effective in wound repair by decreasing the size of the scar and tissue remodeling, as evidenced by future in vivo studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The international consensus to revise non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in 2020 attracted significant attention. The impact of the MAFLD definition on the research community has not been objectively assessed. We conducted an analysis of systematically collected literature on MAFLD to understand its research impact., Methods: From PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, the literature adopting MAFLD, written in English, and published from 2020 to 10 October 2023 was collected. The publication metrics, including publication counts, publishing journals, author countries, author keywords, and citation information, were analyzed to evaluate the research impact and key topics on MAFLD., Results: 1469 MAFLD-related papers were published in 434 journals with a steady increase in the number. The intense publishing and citations activity on MAFLD indicates the large impact of the redefinition. Topic assessment with keyword and citation analysis revealed a transition from the proposal and discussion of the redefinition to clinical characterization of MAFLD with a focus on metabolic dysfunction. Moreover, the diagnostic criteria for MAFLD showed better performance in predicting hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes compared to NAFLD. The publications were from 99 countries with evidence of strong regional and global collaboration. Multiple international societies and stakeholders have endorsed MAFLD for its utility in clinical practice, improving patient management and promoting multidisciplinary care, while alleviating stigma., Conclusion: This survey provides a quantitative measure of the considerable international impact and contributions of the MAFLD definition towards liver research and as part of the spectrum of cardiometabolic disorders., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In contemporary floriculture, particularly within the cut flower industry, there is a burgeoning interest in innovative methodologies aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal and prolonging the postharvest longevity of floral specimens. Within this context, the application of nanotechnology, specifically the utilization of silicon and selenium nanoparticles, has emerged as a promising approach for augmenting the qualitative attributes and extending the vase life of cut roses. This study evaluated the impact of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 -NPs) and selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in preservative solutions on the physio-chemical properties of 'Black Magic' roses. Preservative solutions were formulated with varying concentrations of SiO 2 -NPs (25 and 50 mg L -1 ) and Se-NPs (10 and 20 mg L -1 ), supplemented with a continuous treatment of 3% sucrose. Roses treated with 20 mg L -1 Se-NPs exhibited the lowest relative water loss, highest solution uptake, maximum photochemical performance of PSII (Fv/Fm), and elevated antioxidative enzyme activities. The upward trajectory of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in petals was mitigated by different levels of SiO 2 and Se-NPs, with the lowest H 2 O 2 and MDA observed in preservatives containing 50 mg L -1 SiO 2 - and 20 mg L -1 Se-NPs at the 15th day, surpassing controls and other treatments. Extended vase life and a substantial enhancement in antioxidative capacity were noted under Se and Si nanoparticles in preservatives. The levels of total phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin increased during the vase period, particularly in the 50 and 20 mg L -1 Se-NPs and SiO 2 -NPs. Petal carbohydrate exhibited a declining trend throughout the longevity, with reductions of 8% and 66% observed in 20 mg L -1 Se-NPs and controls, respectively. The longest vase life was achieved with Se-NPs (20 mg L -1 ), followed by SiO 2 -NPs (50 mg L -1 ) up to 16.6 and 15th days, respectively. These findings highlight the significant potential of SiO 2 - and Se-NPs in enhancing the vase life and physiological qualities of 'Black Magic' roses, with SiO 2 -NPs showing broad-spectrum efficacy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: While retention appliances are widely used in orthodontics, there is still no evidence-based consensus regarding the optimal type of appliance or time of retention., Objectives: To compare chairside rectangular chain retainers, which can be placed in one sitting, with conventional multi-stranded bonded retainers regarding their levels of stability, biological side effects, complications, and patient experiences., Trial Design: A single-centre, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial., Methods: In total, 48 patients were included in this single-centre, randomized controlled trial conducted in Varberg, Region Halland, Sweden. The patients were randomized to two groups: the chairside rectangular chain retainer group, using the Ortho FlexTech retainer (OFT); and the conventional retainer group, using the 0.0195 Penta One multi-stranded spiral wire (PeO). The primary outcome was Little´s irregularity index (LII) evaluated at debond (T0) and at 3 months (T3) and 12 months (T12). The secondary outcomes were inter-canine distance (ICD), plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), bleeding on probing (BoP), and caries, evaluated at T0, T3, and T12, as well as patients' perceptions, evaluated at T3 and T12, and technical complications that were registered throughout the study period. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables for inter-group comparisons, and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used for intra-group comparisons., Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding LII, biological side effects, technical complications, or patients' experiences. However, there was a small but statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the maintenance of the ICD. Within the OFT group, there was a significant increase in CI, and within the PeO group, there was a significant increase in BoP., Conclusions: In terms of clinical relevance, the chairside rectangular chain retainer and the conventional multi-stranded spiral wire provide similar outcomes with respect to the stability of alignment, biological side-effects, technical complications, and patients' experiences short-term., Trial Registration: VGFOUreg-929962. Keywords: Orthodontic retainers; fixed retainers; retention; stability., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background/purpose: Preserving the outcome of orthodontic treatment is both important and challenging. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the best way to ensure long-term treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate a pre-fabricated chain retainer (PFCR) in terms of: ability to maintain satisfactory treatment outcomes; periodontal and dental health; complications; and patient satisfaction., Materials and Methods: Overall, 130 patients who had completed orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance during the period 2016-2019 (follow-up time range, 24-55 months) at a specialist orthodontic clinic in Varberg, Sweden and who had a PFCR in the lower jaw were invited to take part in the study. Little's irregularity index (LII) was recorded on dental casts. Caries, gingivitis, calculus, probing pocket depth, and gingival retractions were registered during clinical examinations. Patient satisfaction and retainer complications were evaluated using a questionnaire., Results: In total, 76 patients (58.5%) agreed to participate. All patients, except for one, had their retainer still in place, and the complication rate was 40%. The LII scores were in the range of 0-4 mm (mean, 1.42 mm). At the retainer site, 82% had calculus, 74% had gingivitis, 1% had pocket depth >4 mm, 10.5% had gingival retractions >2 mm, and 0% had caries. All the patients expressed satisfaction with their retainer., Conclusion: PFCRs exhibit characteristics similar to those of traditional bonded retainers in terms of complications, stability, side-effects and patient experience. Therefore, they can be considered a viable alternative to traditional retainers installed in the lower anterior teeth., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (© 2023 Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

Studies establish that the brain's Orexin system is involved in pain modulation. Orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors (OX1 and OX2r, respectively) are essential in responsiveness to stressful stimuli. Some evidence indicates that the hippocampus's dentate gyrus (DG) potentially modulates pain and stress. The present study examined the involvement of OX1 and OX2 receptors within the DG in response to acute pain after exposure to forced swim stress (FSS). Five to seven days post-stereotaxic surgery, the baseline tail-flick latency (TFL) was taken from the animal, then rats unilaterally received through an implanted cannula either different doses of OX1r antagonist (SB334867; 1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol), OX2r antagonist (TCS OX2 29; 1, 3, 10 and 30 nmol), or vehicle (0.5 μl solution of 12% DMSO). After 5 min, rats were exposed to the FSS for six minutes. Subsequently, the tail-flick test was conducted, and the TFLs were measured at the 60-min time set intervals. Results indicated that FSS produces antinociceptive responses in the tail-flick test. Two-way ANOVA analysis showed that Microinjection of OX1r and OX2r antagonists into the DG region of the brain reduced FSS-induced analgesia in the tail-flick test. The decrement effects of these two antagonists were almost the same. Additionally, results showed that the role of both receptors was the same in modulating stress-induced analgesia (SIA). These findings show that the orexin system in the hippocampal DG region might be partially involved in the SIA in acute pain., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: People's perceptions of events like a pandemic are shaped by individual experiences within their socio-cultural context. Attributing negative or positive meanings to an experience may influence the sense of Being, Belonging and Becoming., Aim and Objectives: To investigate the impact of the isolation/social distancing measures on people's sense of Being, Belonging, Becoming and overall sense of Occupational Wholeness compared to the time before the Covid-19 Pandemic as it is perceived by an Iranian population., Methods: The Model of Occupational Wholeness used to inform the theoretical basis of this study and development of the survey questions. An internet-based survey using a convenient and snowball sampling method was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was published using a software named Porsline. A sample of 1624 members of the general population in Iran (67% response rate) completed the questionnaire within the first four weeks of the isolation/social distancing period starting on 18 March 2020. The Data was analysed by the SPSS 22., Results: The participants showed a more positive perceived level of Being and Belonging as well as an overall sense of Occupational Wholeness, and no difference in the perceived sense of Becoming during the isolation/social distancing period compared to the time before the Covid 19 pandemic., Conclusions: The findings show that the isolation/social distancing measures were perceived by participants as an opportunity to meet some of their Being, and Belonging needs that contribute to an overall sense of OccupationalWholeness.This highlights the role that Occupational science and Occupational therapy may have in helping people in situations when they need to rethink and replan for what they Do and the way they attribute meaning to their experiences.

In this study, a novel series of pyrano[3,2- c ]quinoline-1,2,3-triazole hybrids 8a-o were synthesized and evaluated against the α-glucosidase enzyme. All compounds showed significant in vitro inhibitory activity (IC 50 values of 1.19 ± 0.05 to 20.01 ± 0.02 μM) compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC 50 = 750.0 μM). Among them, 2-amino-4-(3-((1-benzyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4 H -pyrano[3,2- c ]quinoline-3-carbonitrile (compound 8k ) demonstrated the best inhibitory effect toward α-glucosidase (IC 50 = 1.19 ± 0.05 μM) with a competitive pattern of inhibition. Since compound 8k was synthesized as a racemic mixture, molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed on R - and S -enantiomers of compound 8k . Based on the molecular docking results, both R - and S -enantiomers of compound 8k displayed significant interactions with key residues including catalytic triad (Asp214, Glu276, and Asp349) in the enzyme active site. However, an in silico study indicated that S - and R -enantiomers were inversely located in the enzyme active site. The R -enantiomer formed a more stable complex with a higher binding affinity to the active site of α-glucosidase than that of the S - enantiomer. The benzyl ring in the most stable complex (( R )-compound 8k ) was located in the bottom of the binding site and interacted with the enzyme active site, while the pyrano[3,2- c ]quinoline moiety occupied the high solvent accessible entrance of the active site. Thus, the synthesized pyrano[3,2- c ]quinoline-1,2,3-triazole hybrids seem to be promising scaffolds for the development of novel α-glucosidase inhibitors., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)