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"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Intravaginal misoprostol has been shown to be an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. The aim of present study was to assess the effects of adding hyoscine to vaginal misoprostol on its success rate. "n"nMethods: In a clinical trial, 74 women who were referred to undergo legal induction of labor during first pregnancy trimester in Arash Hospital, in Tehran, Iran, between March 2006 and March 2007 were enrolled, and were randomly divided in to two groups of misoprostol (400 µg/4h, vaginal) (n=37) or misoprostol (400 µg/4h, vaginal) plus hyoscine (20 mg IV) (n=37). Their complications including nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, need for analgesics, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding, decline in hemoglobin more than 3 g/dl, need for blood transfusion and failure of treatment according to the failure of induction of labor or cervical opening in 24 hours after starting treatment and the total duration of hospitalization were compared between groups. "n"nResults: There were no significant differences between groups regarding the rate of side effects like nausea, abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. In misoprostol plus hyoscine group, the success rate in abortion was significantly higher (40.5% vs. 18.9%, p=0.04) and total duration of hospitalization were significantly lower (1.16±0.41 vs. 1.42±0.45 days, p=0.01). There was no case of fever, need for blood transfusion or significant vaginal bleeding in both groups. "n"nConclusions: Adding 20 mg hyoscine via IV rout to vaginal misoprostol will raise the success rate in induction of abortion, and decreases the total duration of hospitalization without adding adverse effects.

Introduction: As viral agents، phages serve a significant purpose in molecular biotechnology. These viruses are considered as ideal tools in this field and recent studies revealed their wide potential in biomedicine. Research on phages showed that these viruses have the potential to develop new treatments، encompassing phages as anti-cancer solutions، transporters of imaging substances، tissue repair، medication distribution، vaccine formulation، and addressing COVID-19. The bactericidal effect of phage via CRISPR-Cas technology is also used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this review study، we will explore the key role of phages in the research and development of future treatments. Conclusion: Phages have arisen in the field of bioengineering with great potential in tissue engineering، vaccine development، and immunotherapy. The genetic composition of phages can be utilized to develop new vaccines and antigen display systems. Phages have opened new opportunities to target specific molecular determinants of cancer cells.

Abstract Optimal nutrition is crucial for overall health and disease prevention. Fluoroquinolones (FQs), which are synthetic antibacterial agents, are commonly used both in food preservation and in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, their overuse can lead to significant health risks, including water contamination, antibiotic-resistant pathogens, kidney disease, reproductive disorders, cancers, and severe allergic reactions. Among the frequently used fluoroquinolones are enrofloxacin and flumequine, both of which are essential in various therapeutic applications. The presence of antibiotic residues in food is a growing concern, highlighting the need for highly sensitive and accurate analytical techniques capable of detecting these residues at low concentrations. The complex matrix of food samples complicates the precise quantification of trace-level analytes. In this context, the development of contaminant detection and removal techniques based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has garnered considerable attention. This study aims to design a COF-coated probe for the detection and removal of enrofloxacin and flumequine antibiotic in food samples. The interaction between the antibiotics and COFs occurs primarily through van der Waals (VdW) forces and electrostatic interactions. Our simulations reveal that the flumequine/COF-316 (FLU/COF-316) complex exhibits the lowest average interaction energy at approximately −478 kJ/mol, while the enrofloxacin/COF-316-COOH (ENR/COF-316-COOH) complex has a higher interaction energy, approximately −220 kJ/mol. The main contributor to these interactions is the Lennard–Jones potential, which arises from strong π-π interactions between the fluoroquinolone molecules and the COF surface. Overall, our findings suggest that the COF-316 nanostructure is more effective than COF-316-COOH in adsorbing enrofloxacin and flumequine antibiotics. This study emphasizes the potential of using both COFs for the detection and removal of flumequine and enrofloxacin antibiotics in foodstuffs, presenting a promising strategy for identifying antibiotic residues in complex food matrices.

Abstract Background and purpose The purpose of reflection in the learning process is to create meaningful and deep learning. Considering the importance of emphasizing active and student-centered methods in learning and the necessity of learners’ participation in the education process, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of flipped classroom teaching method on the amount of reflection ability in nursing students and the course of professional ethics. Study method The current study is a quasi-experimental study using Solomon’s four-group method. The statistical population included all nursing students who were taking the professional ethics course at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The study tool was a 26-item questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability. The sample size was 80 nursing students by simple random method and divided into four groups, which included: 1- experimental group 1 2- experimental group 2 3- control group 1, and control 2. The collected data were used by SPSS software and using descriptive statistics methods and two-way analysis of variance and analysis of covariance analysis. Findings The findings showed that the four investigated groups do not have statistically significant differences in terms of gender composition (p = 0.599). There was no significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of all 5 reflection components in the pre-test. A significant difference was observed between the amount of reflection of the experimental and control groups. Conclusion Considering that there are controversial issues in the course of professional ethics, this method can be effective in the field of deep learning of students.

Abstract This study investigates the pyrolysis mechanism of cellulose using reactive molecular dynamics simulations to prepare biochars for CO2 separation applications. Six biochars with densities ranging from 0.160 to 0.987 g/cm³ were prepared, and their performance in adsorbing CO2, CH4, and N2 gases, as well as CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 gas mixtures, was evaluated using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. The adsorption isotherms were fitted to the Dual-Site Langmuir (DSL) equation, and subsequently, the isosteric heat of adsorption, Gibbs free energy, and entropy changes were calculated. It was found that the results indicated that the density of biochar had a strong impact on gabs adsorption. CO2 had much better interactions with biochars than CH4 and N2. The 0.351 g/cm³-density biochar presented the highest selectivity for CO2. The effect of water vapor was also covered which remarkably decreased the adsorption of CO2 by the competition of active sites for adsorption. These results indicate that optimized cellulose-derived biochars could be a promising material for CO2 separation in sustainable gas purification technologies.

Abstract Personalized medicine aims to tailor medical treatments to individual patients, and predicting drug responses from molecular profiles using machine learning is crucial for this goal. However, the high dimensionality of the molecular profiles compared to the limited number of samples presents significant challenges. Knowledge-based feature selection methods are particularly suitable for drug response prediction, as they leverage biological insights to reduce dimensionality and improve model interpretability. This study presents the first comparative evaluation of nine different knowledge-based and data-driven feature reduction methods on cell line and tumor data. Our analysis employs six distinct machine learning models, with a total of more than 6,000 runs to ensure a robust evaluation. Our findings indicate that transcription factor activities outperform other methods in predicting drug responses, effectively distinguishing between sensitive and resistant tumors for seven of the 20 drugs evaluated.

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have unique properties that make them an excellent option for use as drug carriers. However, to make them safe for the human body, their walls are typically coated with a layer of peptide, which also helps to neutralize their toxicity. Additionally, a specific peptide sequence can be used to deliver therapeutic agents exclusively to cancer cells. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the development of drug delivery systems (DDS) for drug delivery by computer-assisted. The present study inquires about the loading of ketoprofen (Ket) and naproxen (Nap) conjugated with RGD peptide sequence on CNT and its interaction with the double-layer membrane using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The obtained results show that the investigated complexes often interact through van der Waals and π-π interactions. Energy values for ketoprofen and naproxen with CNT were evaluated − 270.63 and − 195.8 kJ/mol, respectively. The results of the physical adsorption of the complexes on the membrane surface show that the CNT-KRG and CNT-NRG complexes spontaneously diffuse into the biological membrane. In addition, the study of the interaction energy values ​​of these two complexes with the membrane shows that the van der Waals energy plays a significant role in the stability of the systems. On the other hand, the study of the interaction between the drug-CNT complex and the membrane surface shows that the drug can easily penetrate the membrane in the presence of the peptide sequence and the carrier.

Abstract Introduction Organizational commitment (OC) significantly impacts the quality of care provided by healthcare staff. It reflects employees’ connection to and engagement with their organization, affecting job satisfaction, employee turnover, and the overall success of the healthcare organization. This research seeks to assess OC levels and identify its influencing factors among health sector staff in Shiraz, southwestern Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the staff of the health sector including physicians/family physician (FP), midwives, healthcare workers, psychologists, dentists, and nutritionists were selected through a multi-stage sampling; they filled out an online 36-item questionnaire (12 demographic items and 24-item Allen and Mayer OC questionnaire). The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25). Descriptive statistics of OC scores were provided. Also, independent samples t-test and analysis of variance were used as statistical tests, and P-value

Abstract Background Male infertility is a major problem for many couples in the world. Many factors could cause male infertility such as environmental and genetic factors, life style, aging, inflammation, endocrinological etiologies, and antisperm antibodies. Main body Circulating cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) may play a key role in male infertility. cfNAs are obtained from different body fluids such as blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and seminal plasma. The different types of cfNAs present in human semen include cell-free DNAs, cell free RNAs and cell-free mitochondrial DNAs and they are differentially higher than those in other body fluids. Few evidence have been done regarding the direct relationship between cfNAs and male infertility in serum and seminal plasma of infertile men compared to the fertile men. Conclusions This document aimed to compile data about the main causes influencing male infertility focusing on seminal cfNA/cfDNA and its possible role as differential biomarker to diagnosis the main source of spermatogenesis abnormalities and male infertility.

Abstract Background The technological advancements of the past few decades in various aspects that are directly or indirectly related to health, along with the emphasis on public health in societal development, have improved the quality of life. However, the occurrence of pandemics and crises underscores how various aspects of individual life can be impacted. The financial consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have particularly affected the field of dentistry and public oral health. This study aims to investigate the financial effects of the COVID-19 virus on dentistry through a scoping review. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases (Medline through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central) using keywords such as COVID-19 and its equivalents, dentistry, oral health, dental education, dental services, dental clinics, financial impact, financial opportunities and economic impact. Articles addressing the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry and oral health were then screened and reviewed. Results Out of 1015 articles related to COVID-19 and dentistry, 84 were focused on the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry. The majority of these articles originated from the United States, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, with a prevalence of cross-sectional and review articles. The review categorized the articles into two main themes: financial problems and proposed solutions. Moreover, the following themes were extracted: the effects of practice closure on dentists and staff, increased treatment costs and impacts on oral health, personal protective equipment and unforeseen costs, psychological effects of financial issues, and financial challenges within the dental education system. Conclusions While many high-income countries seem able to mitigate COVID-19-induced financial problems, the economic effects on dentistry might persist despite the pandemic's end. These financial challenges have spurred new opportunities and infrastructure development but can pose significant risks to community oral health. This study aimed to highlight these problems and propose solutions, contributing to efforts to improve the oral health of communities globally. Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts.

Abstract A leading cause of global warming is the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to anthropogenic activities which prompts an urgent need for substantial reduction. Recently, CO2 absorption in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has attracted scientific attention, because of their adaptability compared to traditional ionic liquids and aqueous amine solutions. This study employs the heating method to synthesize DESs using tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) and formic acid (Fa) with molar ratios of TPAB-Fa (1:1) and TPAB-Fa (1:2). Absorption experiments by static method quantified CO2 solubility in the DESs under varied pressures and temperatures. TPAB-Fa (1:2) at 25.0 °C was the most efficient with the CO2 solubility of 0.218. Thermodynamic modeling was performed by employing the nonrandom two liquids activity coefficient model and the Peng–Robinson equation of state for the liquid and gas phases, respectively. The Henry’s law constant was determined from experimental data. CO2 physical absorption was confirmed via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. TPAB-Fa (1:2), as the superior DES, exhibited regeneration efficiency of 99% after five absorption/desorption cycles.

Introduction: The illustrators of lithographic books are important research components that remain unknown to the audience interested in this field except for limited cases. According to the studies of «Ulrich Marzolph», 46 book illustrators have been identified in the field of the lithographic printing industry of Iran in the Qajar era, 19 of whom are on the list of the most famous ones. Mohsen Tajbakhsh, as one of these distinguished but little-known artists, has made a significant contribution to the expression of the public culture of the Iranian people, and his works have represented the technical and visual qualities of reproduction of pictures through lithography in his time. This study seeks to introduce Mohsen Tajbakhsh as a hard-working and active artist in the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. Also, identifying, categorizing and visual analysis of his works is one of the main goals of this research.Research Method: The present research is descriptive-analytical, and data collection was conducted through direct access and study of manuscripts using library sources and written documents.Findings: Even though Mohsen Tajbakhsh followed the artists before him in illustrating books, features such as short and large human bodies, round faces with almond-shaped eyes, smiling lips, tall horses with long legs, etc., are the distinctive features of his illustrations which makes it possible to distinguish Tajbakhsh's works from others. Also, comparing his miniature paintings with others makes it possible to realize more simplicity and fewer details in his illustration technique.Conclusion: Mohsen Tajbakhsh was a hard-working illustrator who lived in Tehran during the era of Ahmad Shah Qajar and Reza Shah Pahlavi and illustrated many books with religious, folk-romantic, and school (Maktabkhaneh) themes. In the illustration, he has adopted the style of artists before him, and despite the trend towards realistic illustration in the mentioned period and access to such miniature paintings, he has chosen traditional Iranian illustration, simplicity in expression, creating flat images without volume and perspective, etc.

Abstract Caspase-9, a cysteine-aspartate protease traditionally associated with intrinsic apoptosis, has recently emerged as having non-apoptotic roles, including influencing cell migration—an aspect that has received limited attention in existing studies. In our investigation, we aimed to explore the impact of caspase-9 on the migration and invasion behaviors of MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line known for its metastatic properties. We established a stable cell line expressing an inducible caspase-9 (iC9) in MDA-MB-231 and assessed their metastatic behavior using both monolayer and the 3D organotypic model in co-culture with human Foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). Our findings revealed that caspase-9 had an inhibitory effect on migration and invasion in both models. In monolayer culture, caspase-9 effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, comparable to the anti-metastatic agent panitumumab (Pan). Notably, the combination of caspase-9 and Pan exhibited a significant additional effect in reducing metastatic behavior. Interestingly, caspase-9 demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Pan in the organotypic model. Molecular analysis showed down regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and migratory markers, in caspase-9 activated cells. Additionally, flow cytometry analysis indicated a cell cycle arrest. Moreover, pre-treatment with activated caspase-9 sensitized cells to the chemotherapy of doxorubicin, thereby enhancing its effectiveness. In conclusion, the anti-metastatic potential of caspase-9 presents avenues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for TNBC/metastatic breast cancer. Although more studies need to figure out the exact involving mechanisms behind this behavior.

Abstract The power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells continues to increase. However, defects in perovskite materials are detrimental to their carrier dynamics and structural stability, ultimately limiting the photovoltaic characteristics and stability of perovskite solar cells. Herein, we report that 6H polytype perovskite effectively engineers defects at the interface with cubic polytype FAPbI3, which facilitates radiative recombination and improves the stability of the polycrystalline film. We particularly show the detrimental effects of shallow-level defect that originates from the formation of the most dominant iodide vacancy (VI +) in FAPbI3. Furthermore, additional surface passivation on top of the hetero-polytypic perovskite film results in an ultra-long carrier lifetime exceeding 18 μs, affords power conversion efficiencies of 24.13% for perovskite solar cells, 21.92% (certified power conversion efficiency: 21.44%) for a module, and long-term stability. The hetero-polytypic perovskite configuration may be considered as close to the ideal polycrystalline structure in terms of charge carrier dynamics and stability.

Abstract Topological growth control allows to produce a narrow distribution of outgrown colloidal rods with defined and adjustable length. We use an external magnetic field to assemble paramagnetic colloidal spheres into colloidal rods of a chosen length. The rods reside above a metamorphic hexagonal magnetic pattern. The periodic repetition of specific loops of the orientation of an applied external field renders paramagnetic colloidal particles and their assemblies into active bipeds that walk on the pattern. The metamorphic patterns allow the robust and controlled polymerization of single colloids to bipeds of a desired length. The colloids are exposed to this fixed external control loop that causes multiple simultaneous responses: Small bipeds and single colloidal particles interpret the external magnetic loop as an order to walk toward the active zone, where they assemble and polymerize. Outgrown bipeds interpret the same loop as an order to walk away from the active zone. The topological transition occurs solely for the growing biped and nothing is changed in the environment nor in the magnetic control loop. As in many biological systems the decision of a biped that reached its outgrown length to walk away from the reaction site is made internally, not externally.

Abstract Background Besides adenine triphosphate (ATP) production for sustaining motility, the mitochondria of sperm also host other critical cellular functions during germ cell development and fertilization including calcium homeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and in some cases steroid hormone biosynthesis. Normal mitochondrial membrane potential with optimal mitochondrial performance is essential for sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and DNA integrity. Results Defects in the sperm mitochondrial function can severely harm the fertility potential of males. The role of sperm mitochondria in fertilization and its final fate after fertilization is still controversial. Here, we review the current knowledge on human sperm mitochondria characteristics and their physiological and pathological conditions, paying special attention to improvements in assistant reproductive technology and available treatments to ameliorate male infertility. Conclusion Although mitochondrial variants associated with male infertility have potential clinical use, research is limited. Further understanding is needed to determine how these characteristics lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and affect male fertility potential.

Introduction: Psychosomatic diseases disrupt patients’ mental order, leading to chronic psychological injuries. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the mediating role of health-promoting behaviors in the relationship between perceived stress and sense of coherence with psychosocial adaptation to the disease in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational and utilized Structural Equation Modeling. The study’s statistical population included patients with IBS referred to therapy centers and gastroenterologists in Isfahan in the autumn and winter of 2020-21. The statistical population comprised 340 patients with IBS, selected using a convenient sampling method. The applied instruments included the Psycho-Social Adaptation to Disease Scale (PSADS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SCQ) and Health Promoting Behaviors Questionnaire (HPBQ). Data analysis was conducted via Structural Equation Modeling and Bootstrap test using SPSS23 and AMOS23 statistical software.Results: The results showed that perceived stress, sense of coherence, and health-promoting behaviors directly affect psychosocial adaptation to disease. Furthermore, the results of the Bootstrap test showed that health-promoting behaviors have a significant mediation role in the relationship of perceived stress and sense of coherence with psychosocial adaptation to disease (P

Abstract The pharmaceutical industry faces a significant challenge from the low water solubility of nearly 90% of newly developed Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Despite extensive efforts to improve solubility, approximately 40% of these APIs encounter commercialization hurdles, impacting drug efficacy. In this context, a promising strategy will be introduced in which nanosuspensions, particularly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a stabilizer, are applied to increase drug solubility. In this work using molecular dynamics simulations, the nanosuspension of four poorly water-soluble drugs (flurbiprofen, bezafibrate, miconazole, and phenytoin) stabilized with PVA is investigated. The simulation data showed van der Waals energies between polyvinyl alcohol with flurbiprofen and bezafibrate are − 101.12 and − 58.42 kJ/mol, respectively. The results indicate that PVA is an effective stabilizer for these drugs, and superior interactions are obtained with flurbiprofen and bezafibrate. The study also explores the impact of PVA on water molecule diffusion, providing insights into the stability of nanosuspensions. Obtained results also provide valuable insights into hydrogen bond formation, diffusion coefficients, and nanosuspension stability, contributing to the rational design and optimization of pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract The effective removal of dye pollutants from water and wastewater is a key environmental challenge. The present study is developed to investigate alizarin (ALI) dye and its derivations, including Alizarin blue (ABL), Alizarin purpurin (APU), Quinalizarin (AQU), Alizarin cyanin (ACY), and Alizarin Red S (ARS) removal process from water and wastewater sources, using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) nanoadsorbents. Herein, we explore the process of how dye molecules are absorbed onto COFs with precise supramolecular structures. The molecular dynamics (MD) and well-tempered metadynamics (WTMtD) simulations are used to investigate this process in aqueous solution. From the results obtained, it is clear that the intermolecular van der Waals (vdw) and π-π interactions have a significant role on accelerating the interaction between dye molecules and the COF nanostructures. This ultimately leads to the creation of a stable dye-COF complex. The dye-adsorbent average interaction energy value reaches around APU-COF1=−604.34, AQU-COF1=-515.25, ABL-COF1=−504.74, ALI-COF1=−489.48, ARS-COF1=−475.81, ACY-COF1=−273.82, AQU-COF2=−459.76, ALI-COF2=−451.46, ABL-COF2=−405.90, APU-COF2=−367.55, ACY-COF2=−287.89, ARS-COF2=−210.63 kJ/mol for dye/COF1 and dye/COF2 complexes, respectively. The primary interaction between dye and COFs is attributed to the Lennard-Jones term, resulting from the formation of a strong π-π interaction between the dye molecules and the surface of the adsorbent. Overall, our simulations confirmed that the COF1 nanostructure is more effective than the COF2 nanostructure in removing alizarin dye and its derivatives. In this study, not only the performance of two COFs in removing alizarin dye and its derivatives has been compared, but also the possibility of removing alizarin dye and its derivatives with both COFs has been examined.

Antioxidants act by preventing excessive oxidative stress within the developing sperm cells. Hookah smoking has been implicated in inducing oxidative stress which may be a risk factor for male infertility. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by evaluating the effect of hookah smoking on sperm quality and the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( NRF2 ) and Cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 ( CYP24A1 ) genes which are involved in antioxidant response. Young fertile men in reproductive age were categorized into hookah smokers ( n = 32) and non-smokers (n=52). Sperm parameters (concentration, volume, motility, morphology) as well as gene expression of NRF2 and CYP24A1 were evaluated in each sperm sample. There was no meaningful change in sperm parameters in the case group compared with the controls. The mRNA levels of NRF2 was significantly higher in the case group compared with the controls ( p = 0.01), while CYP24A1 expression did not significantly change between the study groups. A remarkable increase in NRF2 expression in hookah smokers might be a cellular defense mechanism, indicating activation of antioxidant response in sperm to counteract potential oxidative stress caused by hookah use. However, further research is needed to understand the functional consequences of this upregulation.

BackgroundTo address knowledge gaps, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of inflammasomes in the etiology of azoospermia. This study focused on the gene expression of key inflammasome components, including NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP-3), CASPASE-1, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4/ice protease-activating factor (NLRC-4/IPAF), and Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM-2).MethodsWe analyzed gene expression in blood and testicular tissue from patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Additionally, we compared IL-1β and IL-18 expression levels in seminal plasma samples using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. For comparison, blood samples from normospermic (NS) individuals were also genetically evaluated.ResultsOur results indicated significantly higher gene expression of inflammasome components in NOA patients than those in OA patients either in blood or in testicular tissue. Both azoospermic groups exhibited higher mRNA levels of inflammasome genes comparing with those from blood samples of NS men. Seminal plasma samples showed significantly increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in NOA patients compared to men with OA. The ROC curve analysis indicated strong and significant predictive power of IL-18, AIM-2 and NLRC-4/IPAF gene expression profiles between NOA vs. NS patients and NOA vs. OA.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the role of hidden chronic inflammation in azoospermia, particularly within the NOA group. This study provides a foundation for further detailed research, which could aid in the development of diagnostic panels to differentiate between various azoospermic groups.

Flood spreading is one of the solutions for water resource management that can have positive effects on groundwater resources. The aim of research is to investigate some qualitative changes of Herat aquifer affected by flood spreading station in the region. Statistics of Ca, HCO3, Mg, Na, Cl, TDS and EC parameters of agricultural wells were extracted. To evaluate effect of water extraction and consequently effect of sediment extraction on efficiency of sites, years of 2003-2011 were selected as the first period and 2012-2021 as the second period. Different interpolation methods were used to investigate spatial changes of qualitative parameters. Map of percentage of spatial changes of each parameter was obtained with using mathematical relationships. The results of examining percentage of spatial changes of parameters indicate an increase of water quality in downstream of flood spreading and outlet of aquifer. The lowest EC with less than 1000 µmho/cm is related to western wells and the highest EC with more than 10000 µmho/cm in is related to eastern wells. This reinforces positive effect of flood spreading. Considering spatial pattern, effect of flood spreading projects in this area has been positive and has been able to control the decline in quality of groundwater.

Abstract The present study is focused on the use of cubic metal-organic frameworks-5 (MOF-5) and its functionalized form in the removal of phenolic pollutants by molecular dynamics (MD) and Well-tempered metadynamics (WTMD) simulation methods. It was found that the adsorption mechanism of MOF-5s/phenolic compounds is mostly due to the van der Waals and π–π interactions. However, electrostatic and hydrogen bond (HB) interactions also play a significant role in removing phenolic pollutants by MOF-5 and its functionalized form. The results show that the fluorine functional group (F-MOF-5) increases the adsorption capacity of phenol compounds on the adsorbent surface. By functionalizing the MOF-5 with a methyl functional group (CH3-MOF-5), the adsorption strength decreases. The WTMD calculation confirmed that at the most stable state, the free energy (FE) value of system II (the most stable system in functionalized systems with –F functional group) is about −289.528 kJ mol−1. This value is ~5.781 and 35.514 kJ mol−1 more negative than the FE of the I and III systems (the most stable systems in the pristine and CH3-MOF-5/pollutant systems, respectively). Altogether, the results indicate that F-MOF-5 can be considered a more suitable adsorbent than MOF-5 and CH3-MOF-5 for phenolic pollutants removal from the environment for more assessment.

The purpose of this research was to develop a model that could predict psychosocial ada​ptation to disease in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on perceived stress, sense of coherence, and the mediating function of self-compassion. Utilizing descriptive-correlational and structural equation modeling, the research was conducted. Patients with IBS who were referred to therapy centers and gastroenterologists in the city of Isfahan between the autumn and winter of 2020-2021 constituted the statistical population of the study. The statistical population comprised 340 IBS patients selected using a method of convenient sampling. Psycho-Social Adaptation to Disease Scale (PSADS), Perceived Self-compassion Scale (PSS), Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SCQ), and Self-Compassion Questionnaire (SCQ) were among the instruments utilized. The data analysis was performed using SPSS and Amos software, version 23, in conjunction with path analysis and Bootstrap testing. Significant relationships were found between perceived stress, sense of coherence, self-compassion, and psychosocial adaptation to disease (p

Soft drinks are industrial intermediate chemicals found in wastewater and are among the most significant environmental pollutants. Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are used to treat soft drink wastewater, offering high-volume loading capacity, optimal grain deposition, and the ability to bear impact loads. The use of support materials can enhance biological productivity and expedite the UASB start-up period. In this study, bone powder was utilized as a support material in a UASB reactor to remove contaminants from wastewater. During the 70-day sludge adaptation period, the treatment reactor achieved a 93% reduction in COD, while the control reactor achieved a 65% reduction. Biogas production was higher in the bone powder UASB reactor (1750 mL/d) compared to the control UASB reactor (1100 mL/d), and the bone powder UASB reactor demonstrated greater resistance to shock loading. The improvement in sludge settling, shear strength, and higher biological activity in the bone powder UASB reactor was attributed to the formation of large granular sludge. The size of the granular sludge increased further with the colonization of filamentous bacteria at the irregular levels of bone powder.

Background and purpose: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes which causes disability and mortality. Nearly half of patients with diabetes develop DN. A few studies have been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of DN in children. More than 90% of diabetic children have type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The most accurate way to diagnose neuropathy is NCV. Accordingly, the present study investigates the prevalence of DN in children with T1DM by clinical symptoms, neurological examinations, and NCV. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 after approval. Patients (younger than 18 years old) with T1DM, diagnosed for at least 5 years, and not suffering from other diseases such as hypothyroidism and neuromuscular diseases were included. Children who were not willing to undergo NCV were excluded from the study. Demographic data of patients (age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and duration of diabetes) were collected. Neurological symptoms were evaluated using the neuropathy symptom score (NSS). Patients were asked about tingling, burning, numbness, fatigue, cramping, and pain in the lower extremities. The clinical history of the patients, including HbA1c levels, blood pressure, retinopathy, lipodystrophy, nephropathy, history of diabetic ketoacidosis, and daily insulin dosage, was evaluated. The Achilles reflex was evaluated using the case reflex hammer and peripheral nerve function through 10g monofilament in patients. Patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study underwent NCV. NCV was performed by a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In NCV, peroneal, tibial, and sural sensory and motor nerves were performed in both lower limbs, and median and ulnar sensory and motor nerves in both upper limbs. Results: In the present study, 32 patients with T1DM met the study criteria. The mean age was (14.16±2.55 years), height (154.28±8.96 cm), weight (44.88±12.32 kg), and BMI (18.55±3.787) of the patients. The mean duration of diabetes in the studied patients was 7.1±2.428 years. The mean HbA1c was 9.54%±1.941. The mean NSS was 2.94±2.862. The NSS results showed that 18.75% (score: 3 or 4), 31.25% (score: 5 or 6), and 6.25% of patients had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms (score: 7 to 9), respectively. The blood pressure of the examined patients was in the normal range. The most common complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus in patients were lipodystrophy (21.87%), nephropathy (12.5%), and retinopathy (3.12%). The results of Achilles reflex evaluation revealed no disorder in any of the patients. Only one (3.12%) of the studied patients was diagnosed with peripheral nerve disorder in the evaluation by monofilament. However, the NCV results of this patient showed that the patient did not have peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of DN in children and adolescents with T1DM is very low. Our results, similar to those of other studies, showed that a mere clinical evaluation and having DN symptoms are not sensitive enough to diagnose DN. Further investigation through a standard test (NCV) is needed in this regard. Based on the results of the present study, NCV is not recommended for T1DM patients under 18 years of age, whose 10g monofilament results were also negative. A limited number of patients were evaluated in the present study and it is necessary to conduct studies with a larger population. Background and purpose: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes which causes disability and mortality. Nearly half of patients with diabetes develop DN. A few studies have been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of DN in children. More than 90% of diabetic children have type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The most accurate way to diagnose neuropathy is NCV. Accordingly, the present study investigates the prevalence of DN in children with T1DM by clinical symptoms, neurological examinations, and NCV. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 after approval. Patients (younger than 18 years old) with T1DM, diagnosed for at least 5 years, and not suffering from other diseases such as hypothyroidism and neuromuscular diseases were included. Children who were not willing to undergo NCV were excluded from the study. Demographic data of patients (age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and duration of diabetes) were collected. Neurological symptoms were evaluated using the neuropathy symptom score (NSS). Patients were asked about tingling, burning, numbness, fatigue, cramping, and pain in the lower extremities. The clinical history of the patients, including HbA1c levels, blood pressure, retinopathy, lipodystrophy, nephropathy, history of diabetic ketoacidosis, and daily insulin dosage, was evaluated. The Achilles reflex was evaluated using the case reflex hammer and peripheral nerve function through 10g monofilament in patients. Patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study underwent NCV. NCV was performed by a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In NCV, peroneal, tibial, and sural sensory and motor nerves were performed in both lower limbs, and median and ulnar sensory and motor nerves in both upper limbs. Results: In the present study, 32 patients with T1DM met the study criteria. The mean age was (14.16±2.55 years), height (154.28±8.96 cm), weight (44.88±12.32 kg), and BMI (18.55±3.787) of the patients. The mean duration of diabetes in the studied patients was 7.1±2.428 years. The mean HbA1c was 9.54%±1.941. The mean NSS was 2.94±2.862. The NSS results showed that 18.75% (score: 3 or 4), 31.25% (score: 5 or 6), and 6.25% of patients had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms (score: 7 to 9), respectively. The blood pressure of the examined patients was in the normal range. The most common complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus in patients were lipodystrophy (21.87%), nephropathy (12.5%), and retinopathy (3.12%). The results of Achilles reflex evaluation revealed no disorder in any of the patients. Only one (3.12%) of the studied patients was diagnosed with peripheral nerve disorder in the evaluation by monofilament. However, the NCV results of this patient showed that the patient did not have peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of DN in children and adolescents with T1DM is very low. Our results, similar to those of other studies, showed that a mere clinical evaluation and having DN symptoms are not sensitive enough to diagnose DN. Further investigation through a standard test (NCV) is needed in this regard. Based on the results of the present study, NCV is not recommended for T1DM patients under 18 years of age, whose 10g monofilament results were also negative. A limited number of patients were evaluated in the present study and it is necessary to conduct studies with a larger population.

Abstract The development of effective solid adsorbents is necessary to remove organic pollutants from wastewater in response to the global water crisis. The present study investigates the adsorption behavior of dye pollutants on a 1, 3, 6, 8-tetrakis (4formylphenyl) pyrene (TFPPy) for the self-assembly of an innovative three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Molecular dynamics (MD) and the well-tempered metadynamics simulation were used to evaluate the ability of COFs to adsorb seven types of dye pollutants (DPs). These include methyl orange (MO), gentian violet (GV), brilliant green (BG), tolonium chloride (TC), methylene blue (MB), anionic congo red (CR), and rhodamine B (Rh B). To examine this process, several descriptors are calculated from the simulation trajectories, including interaction energies, root-mean-square deviation, radial distribution function, solvent-accessible surface area, mean square displacement, and the number of hydrogen bonds to figure out the process. After analyzing the data, it was found that the MO/COFs system displayed exceptional stability. It was confirmed by a significant value of −448.54 KJmol−1 for total interaction energy. The density profile of dye molecules in the MO and Rh B-COFs systems exhibits the highest peaks at approximately 325.79, and 26.75 kg/m³, respectively. The free energy values for the DPs/COFs complexes at their global minima reached about, −512.127, −435.603, −381.244, −300.313, and −283.230 kJmol-1 for MO/GV/BG/TC/ and Rh B with the COFs, respectively. The nature of the design of TFFPy-COF’s unique, ultrafast kinetics, high adsorption capacity, and good reusability endow them with great potential for removing dyes in an aqueous environment.