Repository of Research and Investigative Information Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
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An overview of thermocatalyst technology in air pollution control: (narrative review)
No full textAir pollution represents a global challenge with significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment. In recent years, modern technologies have received considerable attention for their potential in controlling air pollution. This study provides a comprehensive review of various thermocatalytic technologies employed to mitigate air pollution. Data were collected from a wide range of online scientific literature sources, including databases such as ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Medline (via PubMed), Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Specific keywords related to thermocatalysts, air purification, air pollution, gaseous purification, gaseous pollution, and thermal catalysts were utilized in the search strategy. In thermocatalytic processes, the Mars-van Krevelen (MVK), Eley-Rideal (E-R), and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanisms play crucial roles. Thermocatalysts demonstrate high efficiency in the removal and reduction of air pollutants. The primary challenges in applying these catalysts include their thermal energy activation and high manufacturing costs. Consequently, ongoing research focuses on reducing energy consumption, lowering production costs, and enhancing catalyst performance in pollutant removal, all of which are conducted at the laboratory scale. To this end, it is recommended that future research prioritize the design and development of optimized thermocatalysts to meet industry needs
Letter to the editor on "A case of MOG antibody-positive unilateral optic neuritis following a pulmonary tuberculosis infection"
No full textComposting of municipal solid waste with microbial-inoculated biochar amendment: impact on process and end-product quality
No full textThis study investigated the application of biochar and microbial-inoculated biochar in municipal solid waste (MSW) composting to enhance and accelerate the process. Microbial consortium from the active composting phase was utilized for inoculation and biofilm formation on the biochar surface. Five experimental windrow piles were established, including a control pile without biochar, and piles amended with either biochar or microbial-inoculated biochar. The composting process and the quality of the final product were evaluated by analyzing a range of physicochemical and biological parameters. The results demonstrated that piles amended with inoculated biochar exhibited higher levels of FDA hydrolytic activity and organic matter reduction, indicating enhanced microbial activity. Notably, piles 3 and 5, amended with biochar inoculated with a bacterial consortium and a bacterial-fungal consortium, respectively, achieved the highest composting temperatures (65 degrees C) and produced the highest-quality end products (C/N ratio: 10.1-11.8, Germination index: 100, and fecal coliform levels within acceptable limits) compared to the control piles. These findings provide valuable insights into the practical application of microbial-inoculated biochar in the real field of MSW composting, offering a promising approach to optimize composting efficiency and product quality
Factors associated with dental care utilization among Iranian adult populations based on Anderson model
No full textBackground The utilization of dental care is affected by different factors. Despite the importance of dental care, there are significant disparities in its utilization among various population groups. The aim of this study was to identify the main factors of dental care utilization and the influences of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in Iran based on the Anderson model. Methods and materials This cross-sectional house-by-house study was conducted during Aug-Nov 2022 among 704 adult people in two cities under the coverage of the HTP and two cities out-side the plan using a multi-stage sampling method. Dental visit in the last year was considered as the utilization of the dental services. Independent Factors included the contextual, individual enabling, individual predisposing and individual need factors based on the Andersen model. Personal health behaviors were also assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square tests, simple and multivariable logistic regression models (alpha < 0.05). Results The 63.1 of the participants covered by the HTP and 57.7 of the population outside the plan sought dental care in the past year. In the final model individuals in the 35-44 age group (OR = 1.5, 95 CI = 1.02-2.2), males (OR = 1.7, 95 CI = 1.2-2.5), single individuals (OR = 1.4, 95 CI = 1.01-2) and those with the perception of need for dental treatment (OR = 2.1, 95 CI = 1.3-3.4) had higher chance of dental visit. Better perceived oral health status was associated with lower chance of visiting the dentist (OR = 0.9, 95 CI = 0.8-0.9). Being covered by the HTP was not significantly in association with the chance of dental visit in the last year (p value = 0.19, OR = 0.78, 95CI = 0.55-1.12). Conclusion The predisposing factors including age, gender, marital status, and perceived oral health status and perceptions of dental need were the main factors in association with the dental utilization behavior among adults and the coverage by the HTP did not have significant effect on it
In vitro Investigation of Radiotherapy along with Gemcitabine Loaded PEG Gold Nanoparticles Against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
No full textBackground:Breast cancer is one of the major causes of cancer death in women. Usually, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, but these methods have significant side effects and low survival rates. By developing combination therapies, side effects can be reduced so that therapeutic efficacy is maintained. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy using combined gem and gold nanoparticle for the treatment of breast cancer.Materials and Methods:In this study, PEGylated gold nanoparticles (PEG-GNPs) were synthesized and loaded with an anticancer agent, gemcitabine (Gem-PEG-GNPs). Then, GNPs, PEG-GNPs, and Gem-PEG-GNPs were investigated using several techniques, including UV-Vis, FTIR, DLS, and TEM analysis. After that, the efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles for chemoradiotherapy was evaluated through in vitro experiments.Results:The prepared Gem-PEG-GNPs act as radiosensitizers and nanocarrier, which increases the effectiveness of radio chemotherapy and reduces side effects. Combining Gem-PEG-GNPs with X-ray irradiation increased apoptosis and decreased survival rates of MCF-7 cells. When Gem-PEG-GNPs and radiation were combined, a significant synergistic effect was observed compared to the effect of radiation alone.Conclusion:Gem-PEG-GNPs can have the potential of an effective and radiosensitizing drug delivery agent against breast cancer therapeutics
Meta-analysis of 5-year survival data for cancers without considering time is misleading
No full textPredicting the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile of Pregnant Women Based on Their Health Literacy Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textAim: Health literacy is considered as key factor to empower women to participate in self-care and child-care activities. The purpose of the present study is to determine the relationship between health-promoting behaviours and health literacy among pregnant women. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study surveyed 308 pregnant women in 2022 using questionnaires, including the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) and the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse the data by IBM SPSS 23.0 statistics package program. Results: The mean scores for women's health literacy and health-promoting behaviours were 70.31 +/- 13.56 and 135.56 +/- 17.38, respectively. The lowest score in the health literacy subscales was related to the appraisal (66.07 +/- 17.81) and in the health-promoting lifestyle dimensions was associated with the physical activity dimension (13.87 +/- 3.87). There was a significant and positive correlation between health literacy and health-promoting behaviours (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). Among the health literacy dimensions, decision-making showed the strongest correlation with health-promoting lifestyle (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). Patient or Public Contribution: The results of this study demonstrated that pregnant women with higher health literacy scores exhibited a higher level of engagement in health-promoting behaviours. Assessing health-promoting behaviours in pregnant women by health providers during prenatal care helps identify dimensions receiving less attention during pregnancy, and solutions can be provided to women to address these issues
Reproductive factors as a risk factor for STEMI: A retrospective case-control study
No full textThis study explored connections between women's reproductive factors and acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A retrospective case-control study was conducted between 2016 and 2017. The study included 110 women diagnosed with STEMI and 110 control participants. Data on reproductive factors were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using statistical methods. Findings showed that increased STEMI risk was associated with longer lactation period, a higher number of parities, gravidity, and abortions. No significant relationships were observed for menopausal status, menopausal age, menarche age, reproductive duration, or oral contraceptive use. This study revealed that higher gravidity, parity, history of abortion, and longer breastfeeding duration were linked to an increased risk of STEMI. However, no significant differences were found between the case and control groups regarding menopausal status, age at menopause, age at menarche, reproductive duration, or oral contraceptive use
Associations of dietary fat types (MUFA, PUFA, SFA) and sources (animal, plant) with colorectal cancer risk: A comprehensive systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
No full textBackground and objectives: While dietary fat intake has long been implicated as a risk factor for colorectal cancer, evidence from prospective cohort studies remains inconsistent. Moreover, previous meta-analyses examining the link between dietary fat intake and risk of colorectal cancer have not explored the dose-response relationships. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the dose-response associations of intakes of specific types (MUFA, PUFA and SFA) and sources (animal, plant) of dietary fat with the risk of colorectal, colon or rectal cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of relevant online databases was performed to detect eligible studies until May 2023, identifying 21 prospective cohort studies with a total sample size of 2311,737 participants. The follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 19.4 years, during which 21,125 cases of colorectal, colon or rectal cancer were recorded. Results: Comparing extreme intake levels of total fat revealed the summary relative risk (RR) of 1.05 (95 CI: 0.96-1.15) for colorectal cancer, 0.99 (95 CI: 0.87-1.11) for colon cancer, and 1.09 (0.95 CI: 0.93-1.13) for rectal cancer, indicating no significant association. Neither animal nor plant fat intake was associated with the risk of cancers. While no significant findings were also observed for MUFA or PUFA, the highest versus lowest comparison showed that a high intake of SFA was associated with a reduced risk of both colorectal 0.91 (95 CI: 0.85-0.99) and colon cancer 0.86 (95 CI: 0.75-0.98). However, in the non-linear dose-response analysis, the inverse association was seen within a certain range (<40 g/day). Conclusions: These findings suggest that dietary SFA intake, less than 40 g/day, may have a protective effect against colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings
Comprehensive review and outline of genotypes and phenotypes of Arboleda-Tham syndrome spectrum: insights from novel variants
No full textBackground and objective Mutations in the KAT6A gene, which encodes a histone acetyltransferase, have been linked to an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder known as the Arboleda-Tham syndrome. The clinical symptoms of this disorder are nonspecific and pose challenges to accurately characterizing the condition based solely on these symptoms. This study aimed to establish a definitive diagnosis in three patients with intellectual disability and multiple congenital anomalies, and to elucidate the genotype-phenotype correlation based on the existing literature. Participants and methods In this study, we investigated three probands with severe intellectual disability, global developmental delay, hypotonia, gait disturbance, microcephaly, scoliosis, abnormal heart morphology, strabismus, gastrointestinal dysmotility, and abnormal facial shape, using karyotype analysis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and whole exome sequencing. We also conducted a comprehensive literature review of previously reported cases. Results The karyotype analysis and Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification results were normal. Whole exome sequencing revealed three novel de novo mutations, c.3712G > T (p.Glu1238*), c.3561 C > A (p.Cys1187*), and c.1069 C > T (p.Arg357*), in the KAT6A gene (NM006766.5). The heterozygous variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and were not present in either parent. Conclusions In this study, we describe three cases of de novo KAT6A variants that were identified for the first time in Iran. Our results expand the understanding of the clinical features associated with Arboleda-Tham syndrome and validate the effectiveness of whole-exome sequencing to rapidly and accurately determine the etiology of such disorders. Furthermore, our literature review demonstrated close genotype-phenotype correlations associated with KAT6A and Arboleda-Tham syndrome