Golestan University of Medical Sciences
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Novel catalytic degradation of Diazinon with ozonation/mg-Al layered double hydroxides: optimization, modeling, and dispersive liquid�liquid microextraction
No full textPurpose: In this study MgAl- layered double hydroxides (MgAl-LDH) nanoparticles were prepared by a simple and fast co-precipitation method and used as a catalyst in the ozonation process to degrade diazinon from aqueous solutions. Methods: The structure of the synthesized MgAl-LDH was investigated by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX). The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effects of different parameters including of reaction time, initial diazinon concentration, pH, and LDH dose on the removal of diazinon by MgAl-LDH catalytic ozonation process. Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed for the optimization and modeling of the process. Dispersive liquid�liquid microextraction (DLLME) method was used to extract diazinon from aqueous samples. The GC-Mass analysis was performed to determine intermediate compounds during diazinon degradation reactions. To evaluate the process performance, TOC and COD removal were measured under optimum conditions. Results: The highest removal efficiency of 92 was observed in optimum conditions as follow; initial diazinon concentration: 120 mg/L, pH: 8.25, LDH dose: 750 mg/L, and reaction time: 70 min. The quadratic model was obtained with a good fit. The removal of COD and TOC were 80 and 74, respectively. Conclusion: This process can be suggested and used in the treatment of various industrial wastewaters. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Molecular dynamic and in vitro evaluation of chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles as an insulin delivery system at two different pH values
No full textUnderstanding the atomic interaction mechanism between chitosan and insulin at different pH levels is essential in the design of chitosan-based drug-delivery systems. In the present study, insulin-loaded nanoparticles were prepared via ionic gelation of tripolyphosphate (TPP) and chitosan with 76 ± 5.5 encapsulation efficiency. Our results showed that the nanoparticles were spherical with a size of 254 nm. Furthermore, the in vitro release profile of insulin was evaluated for two different pH levels. The release of insulin from nanoparticles after 48 h at pH 4.0 was 92, compared to 56 at pH 7.4. The kinetics of the release were best fitted by the Weibull equation, which described a burst release in the first five hours followed by a sustained insulin release for up to 48 h. Moreover, we designed a long single chain chitosan (128 kDa)/TPP nanoparticles in real size for the first time and studied the system behavior in acidic and neutral environments using molecular dynamic simulation for 40 nanoseconds (ns). Our results showed that chitosan chains opened more with higher root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) values at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.4. Also, RMSD plots for insulin and TPP molecules showed that insulin molecules diffused away from chitosan chains, and that TPP were randomly dispersed further away from the chitosan chain in an acidic medium than in a neutral one. The in silico studies were in agreement with our in vitro data. Thus self-assembled chitosan/TPP nanoparticles show promise as a means to release protein drugs in acidic environments. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Opium use reporting error in case-control studies: Neighborhood controls versus hospital visitor controls
No full textBackground: There are relatively scant data to determine whether hospital visitors could serve as a proper source of controls in case-control studies of illicit drug use. The aim of this study was to evaluate using neighborhood versus hospital visitor controls in reporting opium use. Methods: We used data from 2 independent case-control studies of cancer in Iran. In the first study, controls were selected from neighborhoods of the patients. For the second one, controls were selected from among hospital visitors. In the latter study, hospital visitors were companions of the patients or others visiting the hospital for reasons other than disease treatment. We used stata (version 12; Stata Corp (for all analyses and with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Data from 616 of neighborhood controls and 414 of hospital visitor controls were analyzed. Opium point prevalence among men was significantly higher in hospital visitors than neighborhood controls (43.3 vs 32.2; P = 0.047), while the prevalence of cigarette smoking was very similar in both control groups (46.3 vs 47.2; P = .847). Using a logi stic regression analysis, in an unadjusted analysis, neighborhood controls were less likely to report opium use in both genders, with (unadjusted OR = 0.77; 95 CI: 0.59,1). After adjusting for potential confounders, the differences of opium use between the 2 control groups became more pronounced (Adjusted OR = 0.26; 95 CI: 0.10, 0.69). Conclusion: Because of the similarity of reporting cigarette smoking among neighborhood controls but substantially lower reporting of opium use among them, we concluded that neighborhood controls underreport opium use�a sensitive question� and that using neighborhood control biases the findings in case-control studies. Hospital visitor controls may be more appropriate than neighborhood controls for case-control studies of illicit drugs. Copyright© Iran University of Medical Science
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus isolates
No full textBackground: Vancomycin�resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a serious public health challenging concern worldwide. Objectives: Therefore, the objective of present study of 62 published studies was to evaluate the prevalence of VRSA based on different years, areas, isolate source, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the genetic determinants. Methods: We searched the relevant articles that focused on the prevalence rates of VRSA in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from 2000 to 2019. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA software (version 14.0). Results: The prevalence of VRSA was 2 before 2006, 5 in 2006�2014, and 7 in 2015�2020 that showed a 3.5-fold increase in the frequency of VRSA between before 2006 and 2020 years. The prevalence of VRSA was 5 in Asia, 1 in Europe, 4 in America, 3 in South America, and 16 in Africa. The frequencies of VRSA isolated from clinical, non-clinical, and mixed samples were 6, 7, and 14, respectively. The prevalence of VRSA was 12 using disk diffusion agar method, 7 using MIC-base methods, and 4 using mixed-methods. The prevalence of vanA, vanB, and vanC1 positive were 71, 26, and 4 among VRSA strains. The most prevalent genotype was staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec (SCCmec) II, which accounted for 57 of VRSA. The most prevalent staphylococcal protein A (spa) types were t002, t030, and t037. Conclusion: The prevalence of VRSA has been increasing in recent years particularly in Africa/Asia than Europe/America. The most prevalent of genetic determinants associated with VRSA were vanA and SCCmec II. This study clarifies that the rigorous monitoring of definite antibiotic policy, regular surveillance/control of nosocomial-associated infections and intensive surveillance of vancomycin-resistance are required for preventing emergence and further spreading of VRSA. © 2021, The Author(s)
Long term prognostic implication of newly detected abnormal glucose tolerance among patients with stable cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study
No full textBackground: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h post challenge plasma glucose (2 h-PCPG), whether as continuous or categorical variables, are associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes; however, their role among patients with existing CVD is a matter of debate. We aimed to evaluate associations of different glucose intolerance states with recurrent CVD and incident diabetes among subjects with previous CVD. Methods: From a prospective population-based cohort, 408 Iranians aged � 30 years, with history of CVD and without known diabetes were included. Associations of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), newly diagnosed diabetes (NDM) with outcomes of interest were determined by multivariable Cox proportional hazard models after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Furthermore, FPG and 2 h-PCPG were entered as continuous variables. Results: Over a decade of follow-up, 220 CVD events including 89 hard events (death, myocardial infarction and stroke) occurred. Regarding prediabetes, only IFG-ADA was associated with increased risk of hard CVD hazard ratio(HR), 95%CI: 1.62,1.03�2.57 in the age-sex adjusted model. In patients with NDM, those with FPG � 7 mmol/L were at higher risk of incident CVD/coronary heart disease(CHD) and their related hard outcomes (HR ranged from 1.89 to 2.84, all P 2, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Among subjects with stable CVD, NDM whether as high FPG or 2 h-PCPG, but not pre-diabetes status was significantly associated with CVD/CHD and related hard outcomes. © 2021, The Author(s)
A New Study of the Species Composition of Scorpions in Golestan Province, Northeast of Iran
No full textThe scorpion sting and the resulting mortality are considered among the most critical health problems in Iran. This research was aimed to study on the scorpion's species in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran. Scorpions were captured during day and night using rock rolling and ultra violet methods from May to September, 2019. Then, the specimens were put into a 75 alcohol-containing plastic bottle. Finally, the specimens were identified using a valid identification key. Distribution maps were prepared using ArcGIS (Ver 10.4.). A total of 111 scorpion samples were captured. All the samples belonged to the Buthidae family, including Mesobuthus eupeus (97.3), Orthochirus farzanpayi (0.9), and Mesobuthus caucasicus (1.8). M. eupeus had the highest distribution and abundance in the region and was recognized as the leading cause of scorpion sting in the region. O. farzanpayi and M. caucasicus are new to the scorpion's species of this province. M. eupeus is the most prevalent species in Golestan Province and is one of the dangerous the scorpion in the region. © 2021. All Rights Reserved
In silico drug repurposing for the treatment of heart diseases using gene expression data and molecular docking techniques
No full textHeart diseases are known as the most primary causes of mortality worldwide. Although many therapeutic approaches and medications are proposed for these diseases, the identification of novel therapeutics in fatal heart conditions is promptly demanded. Besides, the interplay between gene expression data and molecular docking provides several novel insights to discover more effective and specific drugs for the treatment of the diseases. This study aimed to discover potent therapeutic drugs in the heart diseases based on the expression profile of heart-specific genes exclusively. Initially, the heart-specific and highly expressed genes were identified by comparing the gene expression profile of different body tissues. Subsequently, the druggable-genes were identified using in silico techniques. The interaction between these druggable genes with more than 1600 FDA approved drugs was then investigated using the molecular docking simulation. By comprehensively analyzing RNA-sequencing data obtained from 949 normal tissue samples, 48 heart-specific genes were identified in both the heart development and function. Notably, of these, 24 heart-specific genes were capable to be considered as druggable genes, among which only MYBPC3, MYLK3, and SCN5A genes entered the molecular docking process due to their functions. Afterward, the pharmacokinetics properties of top 10 ligands with the highest binding affinity for these proteins were studied. Accordingly, methylergonovine, fosaprepitant, pralatrexate, daunorubicin, glecaprevir, digoxin, and venetoclax drugs were competent, in order to interact with the target proteins perfectly. It was shown that these medications can be used as specific drugs for the treatment of heart diseases after fulfilling further experiments in this regard. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
Erratum to: SD1000: High Sustained Viral Response Rate in 1361 Patients With Hepatitis C Genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 Using a Low-cost Fixed-dose Combination Tablet of Generic Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir: A Multicenter Phase III Clinical Trial
No full textA review of prevention and adjuvant therapy in acute respiratory syndrome caused by covid-19 from the perspective of persian medicine
No full textBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and quickly became a global pandemic. According to studies, traditional medicine interventions along with conventional medicine protocols have been reported to be effective in prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to summarize the recommendations of Persian medicine based on evidence in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome. METHODS: In this review article, keywords related to the symptoms of COVID-19 in Persian medicine sources, review and items related to the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory syndrome were extracted. Individual items with the keywords "Influenza" or "SARS" or "MERS" or "COVID-19" or "Coronavirus" or "Antiviral" or "Anti-inflammatory" or "Immune system" or "Antioxidant" were searched in the databases SID, Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of science, Science direct, and Google scholar, and finally those with scientific evidence were presented in the form of auxiliary instructions for prevention and treatment. FINDINGS: A significant part of the recommendations of Persian medicine to prevent or control the symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome has practical clinical evidence. These include social distance, avoiding heavy meals, and using herbal remedies according to the specific conditions of the patients. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the use of simple strategies of Persian medicine in preventing and improving the symptoms of acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19 along with common medicine protocols, can help control the epidemic conditions. Also, many of these recommendations can be evaluated as useful research ideas in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. © 2021, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Fabrication of nano-decorated ZnO-fibrillar chitosan exhibiting a superior performance as a promising replacement for conventional ZnO
No full textIn this research, bioactive nano-hybrids based on the nano-fibrillar chitosan-ZnO (NF-CS-ZnO) were synthesized to diminish the toxicity of ZnO-NPs. The successful formation of nano-hybrids was confirmed by FT-IR, UV�Vis, and FE-SEM analyses, showing a uniform spherical ZnO-NPs with an average diameter of 20�30 nm, homogeneously dispersed on NF-CS. The obtained results demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial activity of NF-CS-ZnO-0.6 nano-hybrid against E. coli and S. aureus and, interestingly, no cytotoxic on normal cells (even at a high concentration of 100 μg/mL). Furthermore, NF-CS hybridization efficiently decreased the up-regulation in Cas3, Cas9, and Il6 of inspected fishes compared to the ZnO-NPs. Histopathological examination revealed hepatocyte necrosis in the fish exposed to ZnO-NPs and hyperemia exposed to NF-CS-ZnO-0.6 nano-hybrid. Finally, NF-CS efficiently improved the bio-safety and bactericidal activity of ZnO-NPs; therefore, NF-CS-ZnO nano-hybrid is prominently recommended as a talented low-toxicity antibacterial agent replacement of conventional ZnO-NPs for use in different applications. © 2021 Elsevier Lt