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Saideh Fakharzadeh,1 Mohammad Ali Sahraian,2 Maryam Hafizi,1 Somayeh Kalanaky,1 Zahra Masoumi,1 Mehdi Mahdavi,1 Nasser Kamalian,3 Alireza Minagar,4 Mohammad Hassan Nazaran1 1Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran; 2MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 3Department of Pathology, Medical School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Centre, Shreveport, LA, USA Purpose: Currently approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) at best only slow down its progression. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize novel technologies in order to synthesize smart multifunctional structures. In the present study, for the first time we evaluated the therapeutic potential of MSc1 nanocomplex, which was designed based on novel nanochelating technology. Materials and methods: MSc1 cell-protection capacity, with and without iron bond, was evaluated against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat pheochromocytoma-12 cells. The ability of MSc1 to maintain iron bond at pH ranges of 1–7 was evaluated. Nanocomplex toxicity was examined by estimating the intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitic mice were injected with MSc1 14 days after disease induction, when the clinical symptoms appeared. The clinical score, body weight, and disease-induced mortality were monitored until day 54. In the end, after collecting blood samples for assessing hemoglobin and red blood cell count, the brains and livers of the mice were isolated for hematoxylin and eosin staining and analysis of iron content, respectively. Results: The results showed that MSc1 prevented H2O2-induced cell death even after binding with iron, and it preserved its bond with iron constant at pH ranges 1–7. The nanocomplex intraperitoneal LD50 was 1,776.59 mg/kg. MSc1 prompted therapeutic behavior and improved the disabling features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which was confirmed by decreased clinical scores versus increased body mass and 100% survival probability. It did not cause any adverse effects on hemoglobin or red blood cell count. Histopathological studies showed no neural loss or lymphocyte infiltration in MSc1-treated mice, while the hepatic iron content was also normal. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that MSc1 could be a promising beneficial novel agent and has the capacity to be evaluated in further studies. Keywords: EAE, multiple sclerosis, MSc1, nanochelating technology, nanocomplex

We describe significant improvements to a well-established method of obtaining optical sectioning in a conventional wide-field microscope. This method relies on the projection of a single-frequency grid pattern onto an object followed by mathematical manipulation of three images taken with the grid in different phases. Here, we present the use of Bayesian Spectral Analysis to determine accurate estimates of the phase of the grid pattern, permitting rapid and precise calibration of grid location. In common with previous algorithms, multiple images are combined to produce both an optical section and a wide-field image. We describe innovations such as the use of non-uniform phase or least-squares solutions involving more than three images, in conjunction with direct phase estimates obtained using Bayesian Spectral Analysis, to yield images substantially free of artefacts. Auxiliary results, such as a method for determining the tilt of the grid, are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin has been found to be crucial in the growth and development of plants under stress conditions. In this study, the effects of melatonin and nano melatonin regarding the growth and development of tomato plants, along with their photosynthetic pigment, phenol, and antioxidant activity, were investigated under saline conditions. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications, and the applied treatments were salt stress and foliar spraying of melatonin at a concentration of 0 (control), melatonin (Mel), and nano capsule-melatonin (Nano-Mel) at 500 µM. Salinity treatments included application of sodium chloride with two concentration of 0 mM NaCl (S1) and 50 mM NaCl (S2). Under saline conditions, Mel and Nano-Mel increased both shoot and root fresh and dry weights, improved relative water content (RWC), and enhanced antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Salinity elevated leaf ABA content, unaffected by Mel or Nano-Mel. Chlorophyll fluorescence and SPAD values demonstrated resilience to salinity with Mel and Nano-Mel applications. Nano-Mel notably mitigated Na + accumulation in leaves under salinity, helping maintain K + homeostasis. Proline levels rise due to salinity but decreased with Mel and Nano-Mel treatments. Electrolyte leakage (EL) increased under salinity but is significantly reduced by Mel, indicating enhanced membrane stability. The findings reveal that salinity stress significantly reduced plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) expression in roots and leaves, whereas Mel and Nano-Mel treatments enhance PIP expression, particularly in roots. The study concludes that Mel and Nano-Mel effectively alleviate salinity-induced stress, promoting growth and maintaining physiological homeostasis in tomato plants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the prevalence of violence against pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic based on the available evidence. Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched. All published observational articles from December 2019 to December 2022 were assessed by two independent authors using the "violence, pregnancy, COVID-19" keywords. The quality appraisal of primary studies conducted using the Newcastle - Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale checklist and 10 eligible articles were included in this review. After reviewing the articles, the prevalence of violence among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic was estimated to be 23% [95% confidence interval (CI) =18 to 29%] using the random effect model. Of them, 59% (95% CI = 13 to 105%) was attributed to verbal-behavioral violence, 30% (95% CI = 17 to 42%) emotional violence, 14% (95% CI = 8 to 20%) sexual violence, and 11% physical violence (95% CI = 6 to 17%). The results indicated that the violence prevalence among pregnant women was not different during and before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the behavioral-verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual violence were the most common forms of violence., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Industrial Psychiatry Journal.)

The slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) significantly limits electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. We proposed the electrocatalyst for glucose oxidation by Ta-doping NiFe LDH nanosheets to simultaneously obtain glucaric acid (GRA) and hydrogen gas as a useful byproduct. Superior glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) activity is demonstrated by the optimized Ta-NiFe LDH, which has a low overpotential of 192 mV, allowing for a small Tafel slope of 70 mV dec -1 and a current density of 50 mA cm -2 . The Ta NiFe LDH-oxidized glucose to GRA with a 72.94% yield and 64.3% Faradaic efficiency at 1.45 V RHE . Herein, we report the Ta NiFe LDH/NF electrode for the GOR&hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which exhibits a cell voltage of 1.62 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm -2 , which is 250 mV lower compared to OER&HER (1.87 V). This study reveals that GOR is an energy-efficient and cost-effective method for producing H 2 and valorizing biomass.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy syndrome characterized by hypertension and organ damage manifesting after 20 gestational weeks. The etiology is of multifactorial origin, where placental stress causes increased levels of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles (STBEVs) in the maternal circulation, shown to cause inflammation, endothelial activation, vasoconstriction, and anti-angiogenic activity. General endothelial dysfunction is believed to be initiated by endothelial insult during pregnancy that alters vascular function resulting in increased arterial stiffness, cardiac dysfunction, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. We compared the effect of normal and PE derived STBEVs in vitro on vascular contractility of human subcutaneous arteries using wire myography. Cellular structures of exposed vessels were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. We explored strategies to pharmacologically block the effects of the STBEVs on human vessels. The PE STBEVs caused significantly stronger angiotensin II-mediated contractions and extended structural damage to human subcutaneous arteries compared to normal STBEVs. These negative effects could be reduced by blocking vesicle uptake by endothelial cells, using chlorpromazine or specific antibodies towards the LOX-1 receptor. The therapeutic potential of blocking vesicle uptake should be further explored, to reduce the permanent damage caused on the vasculature during PE pregnancy to prevent future cardiovascular risk., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Thrombopoietin (THPO or TPO) is an essential cytokine for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and megakaryocyte differentiation. Here, we report the 3.4 Å resolution cryoelectron microscopy structure of the extracellular TPO-TPO receptor (TpoR or MPL) signaling complex, revealing the basis for homodimeric MPL activation and providing a structural rationalization for genetic loss-of-function thrombocytopenia mutations. The structure guided the engineering of TPO variants (TPO mod ) with a spectrum of signaling activities, from neutral antagonists to partial- and super-agonists. Partial agonist TPO mod decoupled JAK/STAT from ERK/AKT/CREB activation, driving a bias for megakaryopoiesis and platelet production without causing significant HSC expansion in mice and showing superior maintenance of human HSCs in vitro. These data demonstrate the functional uncoupling of the two primary roles of TPO, highlighting the potential utility of TPO mod in hematology research and clinical HSC transplantation., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests K.C.G., N.T., and I.S.H. are inventors on a United States provisional patent (63/519,687, filed 15 August 2023) related to the mutant TPO molecules described in the manuscript., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Maintaining the dignity of patients who attempted suicide is one of the caregivers' main ethical duties. Yet, in many cases, these patients are not treated with dignity. The concept of dignity is abstract, and there is no research on the dignity of suicidal patients. So, the present study is done to investigate psychiatric nurses' perception of dignity in patients who attempted suicide., Objective: The present study explores the concept of dignity in patients who attempted suicide from the perspective of psychiatric nurses., Research Design: The present study is a qualitative, descriptive work of research., Participants and Research Context: A total of 20 psychiatric nurses from 2 hospitals affiliated with a university of medical sciences in the southeast of Iran were selected via purposeful sampling., Ethical Considerations: The Research Ethics Committee of the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences approved the study's protocol, and ethical principles were followed in general., Findings: From the findings of the study, three main themes, namely " respect for personal; identity," "management of psychological tension," and "compassion-focused therapy," with 12 sub-themes were extracted., Discussion and Conclusion: In the perspective of caregivers, patients who attempted suicide need to be cared for in supportive environments with compassionate and respectful behaviors to control their psychological tensions. These conditions would maintain such patients' dignity and result in appropriate behavioral outcomes. Policy-makers and administrators can use the present study's findings to create an appropriate clinical environment in which the dignity of patients who attempted suicide is properly maintained., 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.

Hypertension is associated with structural and functional changes in blood vessels with increased arteriosclerosis, vascular inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Decreased adherence (compliance) to antihypertensive medications contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Antihypertensive drugs (AHTDs) and lifestyle changes are the main cornerstones for treating hypertension. Several approaches have been described in the literature for determining AHTDs based on different analytical techniques. Amongst biosensors are one of the most attractive tools due to their inherent advantages. Biosensors are used for the detection of wide range of biomarkers as well as different drugs in past two decades. The main focus of the present study is to review the latest biosensors developed for the detection of AHTDs. Readers of the present study will be able to familiarize themselves with biosensors as advanced and modern diagnostic tools while reviewing the most widely used AHTDs. In the present study, the routine methods are first reviewed and while examining their advantages and disadvantages, biosensors have been introduced as ideal alternative tools., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions are an important environmental issue that causes greenhouse and climate change effects on the earth. Nowadays, CO 2 has various conversion methods to be a potential carbon resource, such as photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photo-electrocatalytic. CO 2 conversion into value-added products has many advantages, including facile control of the reaction rate by adjusting the applied voltage and minimal environmental pollution. The development of efficient electrocatalysts and improving their viability with appropriate reactor designs is essential for the commercialization of this environmentally friendly method. In addition, microbial electrosynthesis which utilizes an electroactive bio-film electrode as a catalyst can be considered as another option to reduce CO 2 . This review highlights the methods which can contribute to the increase in efficiency of carbon dioxide reduction (CO 2 R) processes through electrode structure with the introduction of various electrolytes such as ionic liquid, sulfate, and bicarbonate electrolytes, with the control of pH and with the control of the operating pressure and temperature of the electrolyzer. It also presents the research status, a fundamental understanding of carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) mechanisms, the development of electrochemical CO 2 R technologies, and challenges and opportunities for future research.

This study developed a safe and sustainable route for the epoxidation of cyclohexene using water as the source of oxygen at room temperature and ambient pressure. Here, we optimized the cyclohexene concentration, volume of solvent/water (CH 3 CN, H 2 O), time, and potential on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) cyclohexene oxidation reaction of the α-Fe 2 O 3 photoanode. The α-Fe 2 O 3 photoanode epoxidized cyclohexene to cyclohexene oxide with a 72.4 ± 3.6% yield and a 35.2 ± 1.6% Faradaic efficiency of 0.37 V vs Fc/Fc + (0.8 V Ag/AgCl ) under 100 mW cm -2 . Furthermore, the irradiation of light (PEC) decreased the applied voltage of the electrochemical cell oxidation process by 0.47 V. This work supplies an energy-saving and environment-benign approach for producing value-added chemicals coupled with solar fuel generation. Epoxidation with green solvents via PEC methods has a high potential for different oxidation reactions of value-added and fine chemicals.

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder associated with maternal hypertension and placental dysfunction. A significant micronutrient during pregnancy is iron, which is important in cellular functions. While iron absorption increases in pregnancy, little is known about the exact mechanisms regulating maternal iron levels and transfer through the placenta in normal and complicated pregnancies., Methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated the regulation of maternal and placental iron availability and storage, in normotensive and pregnancies complicated by early- or late-onset PE. Methods used were analysis of clinical records, ELISA analysis on plasma samples, immunofluorescent and Prussian Blue analysis on placenta biopsies., Results: Focusing on erythroferrone (ERFE) as a new marker and hormonal regulator of iron, our results demonstrated altered maternal ERFE levels in PE. We are the first to report the expression of ERFE in trophoblasts and indicate its lower levels in early-onset PE placentas. These changes were associated with lower placental transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in syncytiotrophoblasts in both early- and late-onset PE. In addition, maternal plasma ERFE levels were elevated in both early- and late-onset PE and hepcidin levels reduced in early-onset PE. Unaltered maternal plasma IL-6 levels suggest mechanism other than inflammation being involved in altered iron regulation in PE pregnancy., Discussion: Our data supports a deregulation in maternal iron bioavailability in early- and late-onset PE vs normotensive pregnancies. The exact role of placental ERFE in regulating maternal-placental-fetal iron transport axis requires further investigation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest S.R.H. is a co-founder of Guard Therapeutics International AB (formerly named A1M Pharma AB). All other authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a substantial challenge for rheumatologists and rheumatologic patients. They are concerned about the reciprocal interaction between connective tissue diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the virus. Here, we report a 21-year-old female SLE patient presented to the emergency department with gastrointestinal symptoms and kidney involvement evidence. Based on the pathology and laboratory assessments, she was suspected of C-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive SLE and ANCA-associated vasculitis overlap syndrome (SLE/AAV OS), and plasmapheresis was performed every other day due to this diagnosis alongside the high titer of C-ANCA. We also administered methylprednisolone [1 g/day, intravenous (IV)] for 3 days, followed by dexamethasone with the maintenance dosage (1 mg/kg/day, IV). Although the patient's general condition improved the next days, her condition deteriorated suddenly on the 7th day of hospitalisation. She got intubated and went to the intensive care unit. Despite taking possible measures to manage the patient's condition, she eventually passed away due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, triggered by COVID-19. The distinct role of C-ANCA in SLE/AAV vascular damage and activating neutrophil cytokine release accompanied by the impaired immune system while facing COVID-19 seems to lead to increased morbidity and mortality in such patients. This report is presented to bring into consideration the possible role of C-ANCA in the prognosis of COVID-19 in SLE/AAV OS patients., (© Japan College of Rheumatology 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Air-gap eccentricity fault causes rotor-stator rub and consequently damage to Synchronous Generators (SGs). In this paper, a fault diagnosis approach to diagnose the eccentricity fault for SGs is presented. In this approach, the state matrix eigenvalues based on the subspace identification are estimated, and those are used for fault diagnosis. Two dq models of SGs in faulty and healthy conditions are employed to present the theoretical foundation of the method. As the main advantage, the introduced fault diagnosis method is working properly for either linear or nonlinear loads of SGs. The stator and field currents and voltages, and rotor rotational speed are required signals in the introduced approach. The method is validated using experimental data of SGs in Iran-Safir (ER24) diesel-electric locomotives., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Being on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19, nurses and nursing students have been under considerable psychological stress and pressure. The present study is done to explore death anxiety, moral courage, and resilience in nursing students caring for COVID-19 patients in the south of Iran., Methods: The present study is cross-sectional research conducted between September and December 2021. A total of 420 senior nursing students (nursing interns) who were undergoing their clinical training courses were invited to participate in the study by convenience sampling method from three hospitals affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences of Southern Iran. Data were collected using a demographics survey, Nurses' Moral Courage Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Templer's Death Anxiety Scale.  RESULTS: The nursing students participating in this study had a death anxiety mean score of 12.78 ± 1.17. The results showed that there was a significant and indirect correlation between death anxiety on the one hand and moral courage (r = -0.91, p < 0.001) and resilience (r = -0.89, p < 0.001) on the other in nursing students caring for patients with COVID-19. Also, it was found that there was a significant and direct correlation between the students' resilience and moral courage scores (r = 0.91, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The nursing students caring for COVID-19 patients had experienced high levels of death anxiety in the past few months. Considering the persistence of the COVID-19 crisis in Iran and other countries, there is an urgent need for measures to preserve and improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of nursing students, enhance their moral courage and resilience and reduce their death anxiety., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

We present a superhydrophobic material based on commercially melamine sponge (MS) with great durability, recyclability, and excellent sorption performance. The fabrication process of this sponge is facile without using toxic reagents or sophisticated equipment and therefore it is simple to scale up. The CuO layer utilized to give a rough surface of the substrate (MS) was successfully prepared in a commercial microwave to seed copper nucleuses in an alkaline medium. Stearic acid (SA) plays a role as the self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the sponge skeletons. Throughout this study, the properties of the modified sponge were fully characterized, and the changes in wettability were carefully examined. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements revealed the excellent superhydrophobicity of the material with high static WCA of 165.1° and low dynamic WCA of 8°. Furthermore, the as-prepared sponge demonstrated high efficiency in separation (over 99.0%) of different oils from water. Notably, several unique properties of as-modified material were found, consisting of ultrafast sorption capacities of up to 32-52 times of its own weight by using 80 mL of each oil, outstanding reusability with good sorption capacity even after 40 cycles. Even under various harsh environments, the novel materials proved its outstanding durability and ultrafast sorption capacity of oils. The durability, recyclability, and superhydrophobic properties of the novel superhydrophobic sponge provide it a solid basis for oil-water separation applications through an ultrafast sorption capacity of oils as well as quick recovery of the oil by easy squeezing process., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (PE). Some suggested mechanisms behind this association are changes in placental DNA methylation and gene expression. The objective of this study was to identify how early pregnancy exposure to ambient nitrogen oxides (NO x ) among PE cases and normotensive controls influence DNA methylation (EPIC array) and gene expression (RNA-seq). The study included placentas from 111 women (29 PE cases/82 controls) in Scania, Sweden. First-trimester NO x exposure was assessed at the participants' residence using a dispersion model and categorized via median split into high or low NO x . Placental gestational epigenetic age was derived from the DNA methylation data. We identified six differentially methylated positions (DMPs, q < 0.05) comparing controls with low NO x vs. cases with high NO x and 14 DMPs comparing cases and controls with high NO x . Placentas with female fetuses showed more DMPs (N = 309) than male-derived placentas (N = 1). Placentas from PE cases with high NO x demonstrated gestational age deceleration compared to controls with low NO x ( p = 0.034). No differentially expressed genes (DEGs, q < 0.05) were found. In conclusion, early pregnancy exposure to NO x affected placental DNA methylation in PE, resulting in placental immaturity and showing sexual dimorphism.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex pregnancy syndrome characterised by maternal hypertension and organ damage after 20 weeks of gestation and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Extracellular haemoglobin (Hb) and its metabolites heme and iron are highly toxic molecules and several defence mechanisms have evolved to protect the tissue., Objectives: We will discuss the roles of free iron, heme, Hb, and the scavenger proteins haemopexin and alpha-1-microglobulin in pregnancies complicated by PE and fetal growth restriction (FGR)., Conclusion: In PE, oxidative stress causes syncytiotrophoblast (STB) stress and increased shedding of placental STB-derived extracellular vesicles (STBEV). The level in maternal circulation correlates with the severity of hypertension and supports the involvement of STBEVs in causing maternal symptoms in PE. In PE and FGR, iron homeostasis is changed, and iron levels significantly correlate with the severity of the disease. The normal increase in plasma volume taking place during pregnancy is less for PE and FGR and therefore have a different impact on, for example, iron concentration, compared to normal pregnancy. Excess iron promotes ferroptosis is suggested to play a role in trophoblast stress and lipotoxicity. Non-erythroid α-globin regulates vasodilation through the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway, and hypoxia-induced α-globin expression in STBs in PE placentas is suggested to contribute to hypertension in PE. Underlying placental pathology in PE with and without FGR might be amplified by iron and heme overload causing oxidative stress and ferroptosis. As the placenta becomes stressed, the release of STBEVs increases and affects the maternal vasculature., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Internal Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Publication of The Journal of Internal Medicine.)

In this study, a facile approach has been successfully applied to synthesize a W-doped Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 core-shell electrode with unique nanostructure modifications for photoelectrochemical performance. A two-dimensional (2D) structure of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) and tungsten (W)-doped hematite (W:α-Fe 2 O 3 ) overcomes the drawbacks of the α-Fe 2 O 3 and MoS 2 semiconductor through simple and facile processes to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The highest photocurrent density of the 0.5W:α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 photoanode is 1.83 mA·cm -2 at 1.23 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under 100 mW·cm 2 illumination, which is higher than those of 0.5W:α-Fe 2 O 3 and pure α-Fe 2 O 3 electrodes. The overall water splitting was evaluated by measuring the H 2 and O 2 evolution, which after 2 h of irradiation for 0.5W:α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 was determined to be 49 and 23.8 μmol.cm -2 , respectively. The optimized combination of the heterojunction and metal doping on pure α-Fe 2 O 3 (0.5W:α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 photoanode) showed an incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 37% and an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 26%, which are around 5.2 and 13 times higher than those of 0.5W:α-Fe 2 O 3 , respectively. Moreover, the facile fabrication strategy can be easily extended to design other oxide/carbon-sulfide/oxide core-shell materials for extensive applications.

Both extreme usage of water in agriculture i.e., drought and flooding affect physiological and growth aspects of the plant as well as gene expression undertaken in water absorption. These affect depend on the stress duration i.e., shock or gradual stress exposer. The factorial experiment based on CRD with 10 replicates was conducted to investigate the physiological and water relation as well as aquaporin expression in (Capsicum annuum L.). Drought stress was applied gradually from - 2, - 3, - 4 to - 5 MPa during 8 days but in shock stress - 5 MPa applied at one time. The gradual flooding stress adjusted with changing the aeration duration from 15 to 0 min gradually every 2 days and for the shock- flooding, peppers keep in a nutrient solution without aeration in a sealed container. Results showed that both extreme water stress had a deleterious effect on the growth and physiological parameter of pepper for a longer duration. Antioxidant, proline, fluorescence chlorophyll stimulate in the gradual period except for ABA content, which is higher in shock stress. PIP1expression showed a reverse effect in leaf and root at flooding i.e., PIP1expression raised in root while it was reduced in leaf at shock-flooding. The highest PIP1expression was observed in gradual-drought of root and gradual duration of drought and flooding stress in leaf. In the physiological aspect of plant response to stress in pepper, results showed an enhanced in proline and phenol content to help osmotic adjustment and keep water status in moderate condition. Conclusively, shocked stress first, motivated these defense systems, and then in the next step, the other adaptive mechanism like gene expression activated to help pepper face stress. On the other hand, shock stress showed down-regulation, but when the stress lasted for a longer time results in up-regulation.

This study successfully manufactured a p-n heterojunction hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) structure with molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) to address the electron-hole transfer problems of conventional hematite to enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The two-dimensional MoS 2 nanosheets were prepared through ultrasonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation, after which the concentration, number of layers, and thickness parameters of the MoS 2 nanosheets were respectively estimated by UV-vis, HRTEM and AFM analysis to be 0.37 mg/ml, 10-12 layers and around 6 nm. The effect of heterojunction α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 and the role of the ultrasonication process were investigated by the optimized concentration of MoS 2 in the forms of bulk and nanosheet on the surface of the α-Fe 2 O 3 electrode while measuring the PEC performance. The best photocurrent density of the α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 photoanode was obtained at 1.52 and 0.86 mA.cm -2 with good stability at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl under 100 mW/cm 2 (AM 1.5) illumination from the back- and front-sides of α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 ; these values are 13.82 and 7.85-times higher than those of pure α-Fe 2 O 3 , respectively. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky analysis showed increased donor concentration (2.6-fold) and decreased flat band potential (by 20%). Moreover, the results of IPCE, ABPE, and OCP analyses also supported the enhanced PEC performance of α-Fe 2 O 3 /MoS 2 through the formation of a p-n heterojunction, leading to a facile electron-hole transfer., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder associated with placental dysfunction and elevated fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Early in pregnancy the placenta harbors hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and is an extramedullary source of erythropoiesis. However, globin expression is not unique to erythroid cells and can be triggered by hypoxia. To investigate the role of the placenta in increasing globin levels previously reported in PE, flow cytometry, histological and immunostaining and in situ analyses were used on placenta samples and ex vivo explant cultures. Our results indicated that in PE pregnancies, placental HSPC homing and erythropoiesis were not affected. Non-erythroid alpha-globin mRNA and protein, but not gamma-globin, were detected in syncytiotrophoblasts and stroma of PE placenta samples. Similarly, alpha-globin protein and mRNA were upregulated in normal placenta explants cultured in hypoxia. The upregulation was independent of HIF1 and NRF2, the two main candidates of globin transcription in non-erythroid cells. Our study is the first to demonstrate alpha-globin mRNA expression in syncytiotrophoblasts in PE, induced by hypoxia. However, gamma-globin was only expressed in erythrocytes. We conclude that alpha-globin, but not HbF, is expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts in PE and may contribute to the pathology of the disease.

A sonochemical treatment has been an emerged technique as an interesting method for fabricating different photocatalysts with unique photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. This study investigated the PEC performance of WO 3 with WS 2 nanosheets as a 2D material before calcination (WO 3 /WS 2 -90) and after calcination (WO 3 /WS 2 -450) prepared with sonochemical treatment. The WS 2 nanosheets were prepared from a liquid exfoliation phase with few-layer nanosheets, approximately 6.5 nm in thickness. The nanosheets were confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Further, XPS, RAMAN, and SEM-EDAX analyses indicated that, following calcination of the WO 3 /WS 2 electrode, the WS 2 nanosheets initially transformed to 2D-WO 3 . After depositing the WS 2 nanosheets on the WO 3 , the photocurrent density increased substantially. The WO 3 /WS 2 -450 films after calcination showed a photocurrent density of 5.6 mA.cm -2 at 1.23 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which was 3.1 and 7.2 times higher, respectively than those of the WO 3 /WS 2 -90 before calcination and pure WO 3 . Mott-Schottky and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses confirmed the fabrication of the WO 3 /WS 2 photoanode after calcination. The deposition of WS 2 nanosheets onto pure WO 3 increased the donor concentration (24-fold), reduced the space charge layer (4.6-fold), and decreased the flat band potential (1.6-fold), which could all help improve the photoelectrochemical efficiency. Moreover, the incorporation of WO 3 with WS 2 nanosheets as a 2D material (WO 3 /WS 2 -450) enhanced the incident photon current efficiency (IPCE) by 55%. In addition, the applied-bias photon-to-current conversion efficiency of the WO 3 /WS 2 -450 films was approximately 2.26% at 0.75 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), which is 5.6 and 9 times higher, respectively than those of WO 3 /WS 2 -90 and pure WO 3 ., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mothers with a disabled child experience excessive stress, fatigue, frustration, and depression. Failure of mothers to effectively deal with these symptoms can lead to chronic fatigue and, in the long run, burnout. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of supportive-training intervention on the burnout of mothers with disabled children. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 mothers with disabled children studying in special schools were selected in one of the urban areas of Iran. They were divided into two groups of intervention and control, using Minimization Random Method. In the intervention group, mothers participated in supportive-training sessions once a week for a period of 6 weeks. The control group did not receive any special interventions. The data collection tool was a demographic data form and Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ). Burnout was evaluated as primary outcome at the beginning of the study and one month after the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 18. Results: Based on the results, there was no significant difference between the mean score of burnout in the intervention and control groups before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the mean score of burnout in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Conclusion: Considering the positive effect of supportive-training intervention on the burnout of mothers of disabled children, this intervention is recommended by nurses and other health care providers in special schools, health centers, and supportive institutions., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

The water table is an important piece of data for hydrogeological studies, particularly as input data to groundwater simulation models. Since the accuracy of groundwater simulation models significantly depends on input data, this study highlights the application of fuzzy kriging to improve the accuracy of water table interpolation. The results of the fuzzy kriging approach are compared with common methods in water table interpolation like ordinary kriging, inverse distance weighting (IDW), and Thiessen polygon methods to justify the suitability of the fuzzy kriging. The Gilan and Zanjan plains, located in the northwest of Iran, are used as case study areas. The Gilan Plain is characterized by a dense and regular piezometric network and gentle hydraulic gradient. The longitudinal plain of Zanjan has a sparse and irregular piezometric network and steep hydraulic gradient. Since these plains have different piezometric network configurations, the sensitivity of the interpolation methods to the monitoring point configuration is analyzed. The cross-validation method is employed to validate the accuracy of interpolation methods in water table interpolation. In control points, the average of root-mean-square errors associated with groundwater water table values estimated using fuzzy kriging, ordinary kriging, IDW, and Thiessen polygon methods are obtained to be respectively 1.36, 1.93, 3.49, and 9.10 in the Gilan Plain and 13.60, 22.86, 32.30, and 59.81 in the Zanjan Plain. The results indicate that the fuzzy kriging technique has greater precision in comparison with other methods, especially under the conditions of the sparse piezometric network and steep hydraulic gradient. The results also demonstrate that the used methods generally have higher accuracy in the Gilan Plain with a regular piezometric network than in the Zanjan Plain. Furthermore, Thiessen polygon, IDW, and ordinary kriging methods overestimated water table in comparison with the fuzzy kriging method in our cases. This overestimation may cause large error values in subsequent calculations such as water budget and aquifer storage which play a major role in the appropriate management of water resources.

Preeclampsia (PE) has been associated with placental dysfunction, resulting in fetal hypoxia, accelerated erythropoiesis, and increased erythroblast count in the umbilical cord blood (UCB). Although the detailed effects remain unknown, placental dysfunction can also cause inflammation, nutritional, and oxidative stress in the fetus that can affect erythropoiesis. Here, we compared the expression of surface adhesion molecules and the erythroid differentiation capacity of UCB hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), UCB erythroid profiles along with the transcriptome and proteome of these cells between male and female fetuses from PE and normotensive pregnancies. While no significant differences were observed in UCB HSPC migration/homing and in vitro erythroid colony differentiation, the UCB HSPC transcriptome and the proteomic profile of the in vitro differentiated erythroid cells differed between PE vs. normotensive samples. Accordingly, despite the absence of significant differences in the UCB erythroid populations in male or female fetuses from PE or normotensive pregnancies, transcriptional changes were observed during erythropoiesis, particularly affecting male fetuses. Pathway analysis suggested deregulation in the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/AMP-activated protein kinase (mTORC1/AMPK) signaling pathways controlling cell cycle, differentiation, and protein synthesis. These results associate PE with transcriptional and proteomic changes in fetal HSPCs and erythroid cells that may underlie the higher erythroblast count in the UCB in PE.

In this work, the efficiencies of Fenton catalytic and sonolysis processes were investigated separately and in combination together for the treatment and reduction of sludge volume. Moreover, the effects of operating parameters such as retention time, initial pH, iron concentration, and H 2 O 2 concentration on COD reduction as well as the proportion of volatile solids to total solids (VS/TS) were studied. Finally, the effects of these processes on the sludge volume index (SVI) and sludge volume reduction (SVR) were evaluated. According to the results, the retention time of 60 min, pH = 3, hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.13 M/L, and iron concentration of 2 mM/L were achieved as the optimum values. Furthermore, the SVR and SVI removal efficiencies in the Fenton process were 19% and 25%, respectively, but the removal efficiency in sonolysis process was very low and can be ignored. Under optimum conditions in sono-Fenton (SF) process, the SVR and SVI removal efficiencies were 55.7% and 83%, respectively. The results showed that by combining sonolysis and Fenton processes; due to the synergistic effect of ultrasonic waves, Fenton agent, and the production of more hydroxyl radicals; the COD removal efficiency increased to 77%, and the proportion of VS/TS in row activated sludge was reduced from 75% to 26%. Generally, by combining sonolysis and Fenton processes, the removal efficiency increased significantly as compared to separate processes owing to the production of more oxidizing agents and improving mass transfer., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common causes of family breakdowns. In recent years, various approaches have been proposed to resolve this issue. The present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of cognitive-behavioral consultation on sexual function among women who had referred to health centers in Hamadan. Method: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in two groups. It focused on 198 qualified women who had referred to selected health centers of Hamadan in 2016. The participants were selected by simple random sampling (99 people in each group).The intervention group received four 2-hour sessions of cognitive-behavioral group consultation. The required data were collected using a questionnaire of demographic characteristics and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). For ethical considerations, by the end of the study, sexual counseling for the control group was provided. To analyze the collected data, SPSS 13 was employed; t-test was used for independent samples. ANCOVA was also utilized. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed that the two groups were not significantly different in terms of mean pretest scores in all domains, except for sexual satisfaction and total sexual function. However, after cognitive-behavioral consultation sessions, the intervention group experienced a significant increase in all behavioral domains and total sexual function as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral consultation among women can play a positive and effective role in improving sexual relationships. Therefore, the effectiveness of this type of consultation can be confirmed with more certainty.

Obesity is recognized as the most prevalent metabolic disease worldwide. Decreases in energy expenditure may increase risk of obesity. One of the key regulators of energy balance is uncoupling protein2 (UCP2), a transporter protein presents in mitochondrial inner membrane. Moreover, adiponectin is the most abundant adipocytokine, it may play a role in energy metabolism and gene expression of UCP2. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations between the level of uncoupling protein 2 and adiponectin and their relationship with REE (Resting Energy Expenditure) in obese women with normal and low resting energy expenditure. A total of 49 subjects (women, 25-50 years old), were included in current study, 16 subjects with BMI > 30 and low resting energy expenditure, 17 subjects with BMI > 30 and normal resting energy expenditure and 16 non-obese subjects as a control group. Anthropometric, body composition parameters and resting energy expenditure were measured. Plasma adiponectin, UCP2 protein and total protein in PBMC were determined. Measured resting energy expenditure in obese subjects with low REE was significantly lower than other groups. Plasma adiponectin in the obese subjects with low REE was significantly lower compared to normal weight group. There was a significant relationship between 'UCP2 protein/Total protein' ratio and plasma adiponectin in obese group with low REE and in three groups when we pooled. There was a significant association between REE and plasma adiponectin in three groups when we pooled. There was a significant association between plasma adiponectin and REE. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between UCP2 and REE.

Cdk9 is the catalytic core of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and regulates transcriptional elongation factors by phosphorylation of RNA pol II. Apart from its role on myogenic gene expression, Cdk9 regulation of muscle-specific microRNAs in the early stage of cardiomyogenesis is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Cdk9 not only regulates myogenic transcription factors, but also controls muscle-specific microRNAs. During cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, high Cdk9 expression preceded up-regulation of miR-1. To investigate potential regulatory roles of Cdk9 on cardiac microRNAs and myogenesis genes, we overexpressed Cdk9 in myoblast C2C12 cells, which resulted in significant induction of miR-1 and miR-206, while miR-133 was downregulated. Moreover, expression levels of MyoD and Srf, key regulators of myogenesis, also increased in cells with overexpression of Cdk9. We further observed Cdk9-mediated apoptosis in C2C12 cells corresponding to induction of miR-1 expression levels. Thus, Cdk9 plays a complex role in myocyte progenitor differentiation and apoptosis by regulating myogenic protein and muscle-specific microRNA expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 547-554, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in the maternal circulation but its source is unknown. To investigate whether excessive HbF is produced in the placenta or the fetus, the concentration of HbF (cHbF) in the arterial and venous umbilical cord blood (UCB) was compared in 15825 normotensive and 444 PE pregnancies. The effect of fetal gender on cHbF was also evaluated in both groups. Arterial and venous UCB sampled immediately after birth at 36-42 weeks of gestation were analyzed for total Hb concentration (ctHb) (g/L) and HbF% using a Radiometer blood gas analyzer. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical comparison and P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Our results indicated higher cHbF in venous compared to arterial UCB in both normotensive (118.90 vs 117.30) and PE (126.75 vs 120.12) groups. In PE compared to normotensive pregnancies, a significant increase was observed in arterial and venous ctHb (171.00 vs 166.00 and 168.00 vs 163.00, respectively) while cHbF was only significantly increased in venous UCB (126.75 vs 118.90). The pattern was similar in both genders. These results indicate a substantial placental contribution to HbF levels in UCB, which increases in PE and is independent of fetal gender, suggesting the elevated cHbF evident in PE results from placental dysfunction.

The literature on extracellular vesicles consists of rapidly expanding and often contradictory information. In this paper we attempt to review what is currently known regarding extracellular vesicles released specifically from human placental syncytiotrophoblast cells with a focus on the common but complex pregnancy-associated syndrome pre-eclampsia, where the level of syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicle release is significantly increased. We review common methods for syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicle derivation and isolation and we discuss the cargo of syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles including proteins, RNA and lipids and their possible functions. A meta-analysis of available trophoblast-derived extracellular vesicle proteomic datasets revealed only three proteins in common: albumin, fibronectin-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, suggesting some variability in vesicle cargo, most likely reflecting stage and cell type of origin. We discuss the possible sources of variability that may have led to the low number of common markers, which has led us to speculate that markers and density in common use may not be strict criteria for identifying and isolating placenta-derived exosomes.

Introduction: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have been approved for therapeutic applications. Despite the advances in this field, in vitro approaches are still required to improve the essential indices that would pave the way to a bright horizon for an efficient transplantation in the future. Nanotechnology could help to improve these approaches. Studies signified the important role of iron in stem cell metabolism and efficiency of copper chelation application for stem cell expansion, Methods: For the first time, based on novel Nanochelating technology, we design an iron containing copper chelator nano complex, GFc7 and examined on hMSCs during in vitro expansion. In this study, the hMSCs were isolated, characterized and expanded in vitro in two media (with or without GFc7). Then proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle analysis, surface markers, HLADR, pluripotency genes expression, homing and antioxidative defense at genes and protein expression were investigated. Also we analyzed the spontaneous differentiation and examined osteogenic and lipogenic differentiation., Results: GFc7 affected the expression of key genes, improving both the stemness and fitness of the cells in a precise and balanced manner. We observed significant increases in cell proliferation, enhanced expression of pluripotency genes and homing markers, improved antioxidative defense, repression of genes involved in spontaneous differentiation and exposing the hMSCs to differentiation medium indicated that pretreatment with GFc7 increased the quality and rate of differentiation., Conclusions: Thus, GFc7 appears to be a potential new supplement for cell culture medium for increasing the efficiency of transplantation.

Objectives: To determine factors related to breastfeeding and its perceived health benefits among Iranian mothers., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using 240 postpartum women who were selected randomly from eight public health care centers in Hamadan, Iran, in 2012. Mothers who breastfed (BF) and mothers who never breastfed (NBF) were given a structured questionnaire to collect their demographic data and information regarding their health beliefs and attitude towards child-rearing. Descriptive and logistic regression were used for data analysis., Results: The mean length of breastfeeding was 11.6 (standard deviation=12.5) weeks. There was no difference in demographic variables, such as age, type of medical insurance, number of living children, employment, education, and household income (p>0.050), between mothers that breastfed and those that did not. Mothers' perception of the severity of child illness was higher in those who breastfed than those who never breastfed (p=0.050). In contrast, BF mothers had higher perceived confidence of medical care to prevent diseases (p<0.050) and a higher perception of reverse parent-child roles than NBF mothers (p<0.050)., Conclusion: Mothers' health beliefs and attitude to parenting has a significant role in choosing to breastfeed. Physicians and healthcare providers may provide supportive information that influence a mother's breastfeeding behavior.

Prevention of hepatitis B requires a vaccine that stimulates the humoral and cellular immune responses in a balanced manner, particularly those associated with Th1 and cytotoxic T cells. Alum adjuvant is currently used in the hepatitis B vaccine formulations but it lacks the efficiency of establishing such immune responses. Therefore, for accessing a suitable vaccine to prevent this fatal disease, it is essential to design and construct a new adjuvant which can overcome the limitations of the alum adjuvant and can stimulate a strong Th1 response as used along with it. In the present study, the adjuvant effect of Hep-c, the first nano-complex which was synthesized by nanochelating technology to improve the immunogenicity of the vaccine against hepatitis B, had been evaluated. Female Balb/c mice were divided into 7 groups and were injected with 10μg/ml of the hepatitis B vaccine and different doses of Hep-c for 3 times. Groups merely treated with the vaccine, Hep-c or phosphate buffered solution were used as control. Total specific antibody, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgM, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels were examined by the ELISA method. The proliferative response of the splenocytes was evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine assay. Results showed that immunization with hepatitis B vaccine and Hep-c increased the lymphocyte proliferation and specific IgM and IgG2a compared to the hepatitis B vaccine immunized group. Also, this nano-complex significantly increased the IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokine levels compared to the hepatitis B vaccine immunized group. Our findings show that Hep-c can not only preserve the alum capacity to effectively stimulate production of the antibodies but also cover its inefficiency in inducing Th1 response and prompting cellular immunity. Thus, by boosting the performance of the hepatitis B vaccine, it seemed that this nano-adjuvant has the suitable potential to be used in the commercial HBS vaccine formulation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background. Global concerns have been raised due to upward trend of Vancomycin Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) reports which mean casting doubt on the absolute effectiveness of the last line of antibiotic treatment for S. aureus, vancomycin. Hence, epidemiological evaluation can improve global health care policies. Methodology. 171 Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from different types of clinical samples in selected hospitals in Isfahan, Mashhad, and Tehran, Iran. Then, they were evaluated by agar screening, disk diffusion, and MIC method to determine their resistance to vancomycin and methicillin. The isolated VISA strains were then confirmed with genetic analysis by the evaluation of mecA and vanA genes, SCCmec, agr, and spa type, and also toxin profiles. MLST was also performed. Results and Conclusion. Our data indicated that 67% of isolated S. aureus strains were resistant to methicillin. Furthermore, five isolates (2.9%) had intermediate resistance to vancomycin (VISA). In contrast to usual association of VISA with MRSA strains, we found two isolates of MSSA-VISA. Therefore, our data suggests a probable parallel growing trend of VISA towards MSSA, along with MRSA strains. However, more samples are required to confirm these primarily data. Moreover, genetic analysis of the isolated VISA strains revealed that these strains are endemic Asian clones.