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The present work focused on the adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by amino-functionalized nano titania in a batch system. Surface modification was based on immobilization of o-phosphoethanolamine on the surface. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, initial metal concentration, and temperature on the adsorption process were examined. The maximum adsorption of Pb(II) was observed to occur at pH 6.0. Kinetic data showed that the adsorption process achieved equilibrium within 90 min and experimental data were fitted well by the pseudo-second-order model. According to the equilibrium data, Pb(II) adsorption was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. According to the evaluated thermodynamic parameters at different temperatures, the adsorption was a spontaneous ( ) and endothermic ( ) process. The presence of Mg and Ca ions as interfering cations up to 150 mg/g caused no considerable lowering effect on the Pb(II) adsorption. In addition, the regeneration of the adsorbent was performed using HNO3 (0.1 mol/L). The obtained studies showed that amino-functionalized nano titania was successfully used as an efficient adsorbent for removal of the Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.

Abstract Exosomes are extracellular vesicles characterized by their size, source, release mechanism and contents. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single stranded non-coding RNAs transcribed from DNA. Exosomes and miRNAs are widespread in eukaryotic cells, especially in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are used for tissue regeneration, and also exert paracrine, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the use of MSCs is controversial, especially in the presence or after the remission of a tumor, due to their secretion of growth factors and their migration ability. Instead of intact MSCs, MSC-derived compartments or substances could be used as practical tools for diagnosis, follow up, management and monitoring of diseases. Herein, we discuss some aspects of exosomal miRNAs derived from MSCs in the progression, diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Video Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: Due to the prevalence and adverse consequences of stress at work, implementing practical programs are necessary for a systemic approach to identifying various stress risk factors and preventing them. This study was conducted to survey and analysis the stress prevention at work, by using the participatory ergonomics process to improve the competence (both technical and social skills) of employees in one of the Iranian gas refineries in 2017. Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytic study of cross-sectional type. Firstly, after expert evaluation using the stress prevention at work checklist and ELMERI index, 59 people (from different levels of the organization) was selected by randomized sampling and census method, and were assigned to 10 different workgroups. During the two phases, individuals completed and presented checklists and checkpoints in technical meetings. During these technical meetings, the workgroups were involved in the participatory ergonomics process based on the action learning approach, and provided practical and cost-effective solutions to work problems. Then, to receive feedback from participants and evaluate the study, a questionnaire was used in two different the phases and an evaluation workshop were held. The results were analyzed using SPSS25 software. Results: The results of expert-based assessment showed a score of 4.16, which indicates the need to investigate and intervention. The statistical results of the checklists used by the workgroups also showed a significant difference in before and after the using of the stress prevention checkpoints at work. Also, the results of the questionnaires and evaluation workshop indicated the effectiveness of the participatory ergonomics process, action learning, improved communication, and good teamwork interaction were identified in order to better identify problems and cost-effective solutions. Conclusion: According to the theoretical and empirical evidence of this study, it can be concluded that participants, getting into the joint learning process by the participatory ergonomics process, action learning approach and awakened need to change, that its output was a systemic pre-intervention work to promoting of the competency (both Technical and social skills), and also organizational skills of the participants and internal facilitator.

Background and Objectives: Training emotional intelligence leads to increased awareness of one's self and others, connecting with others, and adapting to the environment that is needed to succeed in meeting social demands. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training on the self-efficacy and academic burnout of third grade high school girl students in the city of Tonekabon. Materials and Methods: This study was of semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test, and control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all third-grade high school girls in Tonekabon city in the academic year 2016-2017. As many as 60 students were selected by cluster random sampling method and then divided into two experimental and control groups. Emotional intelligence training was conducted for the experimental group. Subjects completed general self-efficacy (GSES) and academic burnout questionnaires. Data were analyzed using one-variable covariance analysis and analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results: The mean (SD) age of the students was 15.7 (2.8) in the experimental group and 15.2 (2.4) in the control group. The mean (SD) self-efficacy score in the experimental group was 30.5 (5.9) in the pre-test and 35.4 (5.5) in the post-test, with a mean difference of 4.9 points (P

Background: In maintenance therapy for opioid addiction, to reduce the risk of buprenorphine (BUP) abuse, the combination of BUP and naloxone (NX) has been developed and is commercially available as suboxone (BUP/NX). This study was designed to compare addiction relapse frequency in patients receiving BUP and BUP/NX as maintenance therapy. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial with cross over design, 100 opioid abusers were randomly assigned to two treatment groups to receive either BUP or BUP/NX. After three months, without a time-out period, subjects undertook treatment with the other drug. The subjects were screened weekly for urinary morphine. Results: In each of the study arms, when the patients were given BUP/NX, the number of relapses was significantly higher compared to when they received BUP (0.13±0.24 vs. 0.04±0.09, P = 0.001). If participants’ age was taken into account, the number of relapses was significantly higher when BUP/NX was given in age groups of 31 to 40 years and over 50 years (P < 0.05). The length of addiction had also a significant impact on the number of relapses, i.e., patients with over 10-year history of addiction had higher number of relapses if they were given BUP/NX compared with BUP (P < 0.05). Conclusion:BUP seems to be more effective than BUP/NX in preventing addiction relapse in opioid abusers under maintenance treatment.

Abstract Background The associations of diet with serum levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been examined in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, data on patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the associations of major dietary patterns with serum levels of AGEs and hs-CRP among patients with T1DM. Methods A total of 229 patients with T1DM participated in this current cross-sectional study. We collected dietary data using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The factor analysis approach was used to determine major dietary patterns. A fasting blood sample was collected from each participant to assess serum levels of AGEs and hs-CRP. The associations of dietary patterns with elevated levels of AGEs and hs-CRP were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results Patients with T1DM in the highest tertile of a Western dietary pattern had 4.32 times higher odds of having elevated AGEs than those in the lowest tertile (OR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.86–10.05). Additionally, adherence to the Western diet was associated with 2.97 times greater odds of having elevated hs-CRP (> 3 mg/L) (OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.22–7.24) in these patients. Such positive associations were not observed for unhealthy and traditional dietary patterns. Moreover, higher adherence to a semi-healthy diet (characterized by high consumption of white meat, whole grains, processed meat, and a low salt intake) was associated with 87% lower odds of having elevated hs-CRP (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.05–0.35). However, we found no significant association between the semi-healthy diet and AGEs levels. Conclusion We found that adherence to a Western dietary pattern was associated with elevated levels of AGEs/hs-CRP in patients with T1DM. Also, we discovered a significant inverse association between adherence to a semi-healthy diet and hs-CRP levels.

Objective: To examine the associations between dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 229 Iranian T1D patients. Data on dietary intakes were collected using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. To identify major dietary patterns, we merged data on the 168 food items to obtain 23 food groups. Then, we constructed major dietary patterns using factor analysis with varimax rotation. We used binary logistic regression to assess the association between dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors, in which potential confounders were adjusted. Results: Four dietary patterns were identified: Western, unhealthy, traditional, and semi-healthy patterns. After adjusting for confounders including demographic variables, physical activity, energy intake, and medical history, participants in the highest tertile of the Western dietary pattern had 2.53 (95 % CI: 1.03–6.22) and 3.37 (95 % CI: 1.18–9.63) times more odds of elevated HbA1c and low estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), respectively, compared with those in the lowest tertile. Such the positive association was also seen for elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG). Moreover, individuals in the top tertile of unhealthy diet had more odds of elevated LDL-c and abdominal obesity than those in the lowest tertile. Regarding the semi-healthy diet, higher adherence was associated with 51 % lower odds of elevated FBG (OR: 0.49, 95 % CI: 0.24–0.99). For other outcomes, no significant association was found. Conclusion: We found that T1D patients may take benefit from adherence to a semi-healthy diet with a low amount of unhealthy and Western-related foods.

Background: Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality depend on identifying of pregnancy risks and risk management. There is a dearth of information about the experiences of high-risk pregnant mothers in self-mitigation of the risk in the socio-cultural setting of Iran. This research was conducted to explore the risk management experiences of high-risk pregnant mothers.Methods: This Qualitative study was conducted in educational hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, from July 2018 to December 2020. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit the participants based on medical or obstetric high-risk conditions in pregnancy. Qualitative data were obtained from in-depth and semi-structured 29 interviews. Mothers’ experiences of pregnancy in a risky condition were asked, and the interview continued until data saturation. Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 10 software and the Elo and Kyngäs method.Results: Maternal experiences for risk management in pregnancy were formed by nine sub-categories and three categories: the excitement of emotion including: “feeling worry and despair”, “gladness in the shadow of hope and optimism”, “momentary shocking and excitement”, and “inactivity and helplessness”; self-contemplation including: “active analysis of the ways of moderating the risk”, “cognitive denial”, and “ignoring the risk”; and witnessed action including: “problem-focused and rational actions”, and “avoidance and inefficient engagements”.Conclusion: Risk management experiences of pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies include a wide range of positive and negative feelings, effective and ineffective thoughts, and behaviors. Mutual collaboration between mothers and midwives/obstetricians by providing high-quality risk management counseling can lead to choosing effective risk management strategies.

Mimicking the structure of extracellular matrix and electrical conductivity of myocardium are required to regenerate the functional cardiac tissue. In this study, Molybdenum disulfide, MoS2, nanosheets were synthesized and incorporated into nylon6 electrospun nanofibers in order to enhance the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the scaffolds. Then, the mouse embryonic cardiac cells, mECCs, were seeded on the scaffolds for in vitro studies. The MoS2 nanosheets were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Nylon/MoS2 nanofibers were characterized by SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), water contact angle measurement, electrical conductivity, and tensile test. Furthermore, cytocompatibility of scaffolds was confirmed by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT, assay. SEM images showed more elongated morphology for mECCs attached to the nylon/MoS2 scaffold. Also, the Real‐Time PCR and immunostaining studies indicated the maturation and upregulation of cardiac functional genes including GATA‐4, c‐TnT, Nkx 2.5 and α‐MHC in the nylon/MoS2 scaffold in comparison to the bare nylon. Therefore, MoS2 reinforced nylon nanofibrous scaffolds can be considered as a suitable candidate in cardiac tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In maintenance therapy for opioid addiction, to reduce the risk of buprenorphine (BUP) abuse, the combination of BUP and naloxone (NX) has been developed and is commercially available as suboxone (BUP/NX). This study was designed to compare addiction relapse frequency in patients receiving BUP and BUP/NX as maintenance therapy. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial with cross over design, 100 opioid abusers were randomly assigned to two treatment groups to receive either BUP or BUP/NX. After three months, without a time-out period, subjects undertook treatment with the other drug. The subjects were screened weekly for urinary morphine. Results: In each of the study arms, when the patients were given BUP/NX, the number of relapses was significantly higher compared to when they received BUP (0.13±0.24 vs. 0.04±0.09, P = 0.001). If participants' age was taken into account, the number of relapses was significantly higher when BUP/NX was given in age groups of 31 to 40 years and over 50 years (P < 0.05). The length of addiction had also a significant impact on the number of relapses, i.e., patients with over 10-year history of addiction had higher number of relapses if they were given BUP/NX compared with BUP (P < 0.05). Conclusion: BUP seems to be more effective than BUP/NX in preventing addiction relapse in opioid abusers under maintenance treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Risk perception in high-risk pregnancies influences the mothers' adherence to medical treatments and recommendations. Because of the lack of information about the women's perception of risk, the aim of this study was to explain perception of risk in high-risk pregnancies. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 25 women with a high-risk pregnancy in educational hospitals of Mashhad, Iran, from August 2017 to August 2018. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and data saturation was reached after 29 interviews. Data collection and analysis were simultaneously carried out using the qualitative content analysis method adopted by Elo and Kyngäs in MAXQDA software. Results: Data analysis resulted in the four main categories of perception of risk control ability (risk controlling through experience, risk tolerance through relying on a higher power, and risk tolerance to reach family goals), wrong estimation of risk (wrong calculation of possible risks based on wrong beliefs and knowledge, and incorrect risk estimation caused by misunderstanding), possibility of mutual vulnerability of pregnancy and risk condition (possibility of vulnerability of the fetus to risk factors, and possibility of the mother's vulnerability to risk factors), and induced risk (risk induced by negative experiences, induced threat of unknown pregnancy outcome, and fear of ambiguous medical terms). Conclusions: The results of this study promoted our understanding of risk perception in women with high-risk pregnancies. Therefore, it will help to establish a-Ž better link between women with a high-risk pregnancy and the health team, enhance and improve maternal and fetal care.

Background: Gaining adequate knowledge about high-risk pregnancy (HRP) and correctunderstanding of the condition, empowers women to improve the use of prenatal care, practice betterself-care, and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. The present study aimed to assess thevaluation of knowledge by Iranian women with HRP.Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 25 women with HRP from August 2017to August 2018 at various educational hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. The data were collected throughin-depth semi-structured interviews. The data collection process continued until data saturation.The data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method and MAXQDA software(version10.0). Data collection and data analysis were conducted concurrently.Results: Based on the analysis of the interviews, two main categories and eight sub-categories wereextracted. The main categories were “Positive valuation of credible problem-relevant knowledge” and“Avoidance of misleading and stressful information”. The results showed that various factors had apositive impact on knowledge gathering, namely personal and other people’s experiences, obtainingneed-based information, sympathetic advice from others, and faith-based health recommendations.On the other hand, factors that had a negative impact were related to the type of information thatcaused stress, was unreliable, inefficient or incompatible with personal goals.Conclusion: The findings of the present study would help health care providers to offer suitable andempathetic counseling to women with HRP. Providing valid and accessible sources of information willlead to faster and timely referrals of such patients.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most popular endocrine disorder in reproductive age with unknown etiology and many comorbidities. This systematic review focused on the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D (Ca/ Vit.D) supplementation on metabolic factors, menstrual cycles, and follicular responses in PCOS patients. Methods: Relevant studies were identified from the following electronic databases including Pub Med, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), The Cochrane Library, issue Oct. 2018, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews (EBMR), Google Scholar, EMBASE, as well as Farsi databases including Magiran and SID from 2000 to 2018. Out of 449 articles, six clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Results: Out of six studies included in the study, only three studies had sufficient data for meta-analysis. Overall, studies showed that prescribing Ca/ Vit. D supplementation with metformin improved menstrual regularity and follicular maturation and significant decreases in serum insulin levels, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) and also significant rises on quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) at two studies. Hirsutism and level of testosterone decreased significantly after adding Ca/ Vit. D to metformin in two different studies. Based on two different trials, co-supplementation of Ca/ Vit. D had a significant impact to decrease serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels as well as levels of cholesterol and LDL. Conclusion: It is possible that calcium and vitamin D supplementation improve menstrual disturbances and metabolic factors in PCOS in a long-term period, but further trials are still needed to confirm these findings.

Using of spur dikes is one of the usual methods in river engineering for river bank protection against erosion and destruction due to water flow. In this research the influence of Bandal-Like spur on the erosion pattern in non-submerged conditions was investigated. Experiments were performed in clear water condition, considering 3 spaces between Bandal-Like spurs, 3 placement angels of Bandal-Like spurs and 4 discharges in 45%permeability of Bandal-Like spurs. The results indicated that maximum depth of scouring was occurred around first Bandal-Like spur. Also in a constant Fr, the maximum depth of scouring decreased with increasing space between Bandal-Like spurs. Finally the impact of placement angel of Bandal-Like spurs on the maximum depth of scouring with degrees of 60, 90 and 120 degree was investigated. The results showed that the maximum depth of scouring in degrees of 90 and 60 degree are maximum and minimum, respectively.