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Environmental fate of cigarette butts and their toxicity in aquatic organisms: A comprehensive systematic review
No full textCigarette butts (CBs) are the most frequently littered pieces of environmental wastes which are released both directly and indirectly into the environment and finally may reach aquatic environments and contaminate aquatic biomes. However, to date, there is no comprehensive review on the extent and magnitude of the potential effects of CBs on aquatic organisms. Hence, a systematic review of published studies was conducted in this paper to survey the fate of CBs in the aquatic environments and also the impacts of exposure to CBs on survival, growth, and reproduction of aquatic organisms. The gathered data showed that the leachates of CBs in the aquatic environment could extremely be toxic for various organisms and increasing the exposure time, increases the mortality rate. In addition, smoked filtered CBs with tobacco remnants have higher mortality rate compared to unsmoked filtered butts (USFs) for Hymenochirus curtipes, Clarias gariepinus, tidepool snails, Atherinops affinis and Pimephales promelas. The fate of CBs in the aquatic environments is affected by various factors, and prior to sinking they are floated for a long time (long distance). Hence, CBs and their associated toxic chemicals might be ingested by diverse aquatic organisms. However, further studies are necessary to understand the exact toxicity of CBs on different freshwater and marine organisms and also their fate in the aquatic media. The results of this review showed the essentiality of regulations to prevent the release of chemical and toxic compounds into the aquatic environments
Spatio-seasonal variation, distribution, levels, and risk assessment of airborne asbestos concentration in the most industrial city of Iran: effect of meteorological factors
No full textLike other dangerous pollutants in the air, asbestos has negative and adverse effects on human and animal health. The present study is designed to determine the concentration of asbestos in the air of the most industrial city of Iran (Karaj) in 2018–2019. For this purpose, 4 samples were taken from different areas of the air of Karaj during a year with an SKC pump and flow of 6 L/min for 8 h and in 45 days, and a total of 68 samples of asbestos fibers were collected. Then, the samples were analyzed by phase-contrast microscope (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eventually, the health effects of asbestos fibers were evaluated by the IRIS EPA method. The average concentration of asbestos fibers was 1.84 f/L PCM and 18.16 f/L SEM. Also, the results of statistical correlation analysis indicated that asbestos fibers are positively correlated with wind speed but negatively correlated with the other three parameters (temperature, relative humidity, and pressure). On the other hand, the average annual risk of asbestos fiber in the ambient air of Karaj for all samples was in the range of 4.32 × 10−6 to 1.81 × 10−4 which in some places had more danger than the recommended risk range. According to the EPA guidelines, carcinogenicity acceptable levels are in the range of 10−4 and 10−6. Values higher than 10−4 have more carcinogenic risk and values lower than 10−6 have a lower carcinogenic risk
A nationwide study of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Iran; A comparative analysis of six definitions
Get PDFIntroduction To integrate and execute a proper preventive plan and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), policy makers need to have access to both reliable data and a unique definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was conducted on the data collected by cross-sectional studies of WHO's STEPwise approach to surveillance of NCD risk factors (STEPs) to estimate the national and sub-national prevalence rates of MetS in Iran in 2016. Materials and methods The prevalence of MetS was estimated among 18,414 individuals aged ≥25 years living in urban and rural areas of Iran using various definition criteria; National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2004 (ATP III), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI), Joint Interim Statement (JIS). Regional IDF (RIDF) and JIS (RJIS) were defined using ethnicityspecific values of waist circumference for the country. Results National prevalence rate of MetS based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS criteria were 38.3% (95% CI 37.4-39.1), 43.5% (42.7-44.4), 40.9% (40.1-41.8), 47.6% (46.8-48.5), 32.0% (31.2-32.9), and 40.8% (40.0-41.7), respectively. The prevalence was higher among females, in urban residents, and those aged 65-69 years. MetS was expected to affect about 18.7, 21.3, 20.0, 23.3, 15.7, and 20.0 million Iranians, respectively, based on ATP III, IDF, AHA/NHLBI, JIS, RIDF and RJIS. The two most common components noted in this population were reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and central obesity. Conclusion High prevalence rate of MetS among Iranian adults is alarming, especially among females, urban residents, and the elderly. The JIS definition criteria is more appropriate to determine higher number of Iranians at risk of NCDs. Proper management and prevention of MetS is required to adopt multiple national plans including lifestyle modifications, medical interventions, and public education on NCDs risk factors
Metformin-Loaded PCL/PVA Fibrous Scaffold Preseeded with Human Endometrial Stem Cells for Effective Guided Bone Regeneration Membranes
No full textMany studies have been devoted to investigating the potential of guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes for bone defect reconstruction. Regardless of approaches for treating damaged bone tissues, a beneficial therapeutic strategy has remained a challenge. In this study, a novel GBR membrane with polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing different concentrations of metformin (Met) for improving osteogenic properties was developed. The membranes were evaluated for their hydrophilicity, degradation rate, swelling ratio, drug release, mechanical properties, and biological responses. The results showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity, swelling ratio, and degradation rate and no significant changes in mechanical properties of PCL/PVA membranes with Met concentration enhancement. A decrease in cell viability cultured on the surface of the PCL/PVA membrane was seen when the amount of Met was changed from 10 to 15 wt %. The results of the in vitro quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) also confirmed the higher secretion of osteogenic-related genes in a PCL/PVA/Cell/10 wt % Met scaffold than in the PCL/PVA/Cell sample. Therefore, further in vivo studies were conducted using the electrospun PCL/PVA membrane containing human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) and 10% Met. Histopathological and histomorphometric results confirmed that PCL/PVA/hEnSCs/10 wt % Met has excellent potential to differentiate hEnSCs into osteogenic lineages and bone regeneration in calvarial defects of rats. The results of this study confirm the high potential of the PCL/PVA/10 wt % Met fibrous membrane preseeded with hEnSCs in GBR applications
Effect of Cassiopea andromeda Venom on P15INK4b, P21 WAF1/CIP1, P53, DNA methyltransferase 1, and Bcl-2 Genes Expression, Apoptosis Induction, and Cell Growth Inhibition in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4 Cell line
No full textBackground: One of the acute hematologic malignancies is acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that resulted in translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17, t (15; 17), and cessation in the maturation of myeloid cell line, and ultimate aggregation of neoplastic promyelocytes. Regarding that appetence of using herbal and marine medicine studies is increasing, and on the other hand, the features of Cassiopea andromeda Venom remained unclear; this study was conducted to determine its effects on NB4 cells as a model for APL. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the cells were treated with C. andromeda Venom concentrations at different periods and times. Growth inhibition and toxic effects of C. andromeda Venom were evaluated through methyl thiazole tetrazolium salt reduction (MTT test). The flow cytometry analysis was carried out using 7AAD and Annexin V stains for evaluating this venom's effect on apoptotic pathways. Besides, Real Time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the relative gene expression. Results: C. andromeda Venom inhibited the growth of NB4 cells as correlated with concentration and time. Cell growth was inhibited by 49.1%, after 24 hours of treating NB4 cells with 1000Ltg/mI, C. andromeda Venom. This venom increased the apoptotic process, which was then verified by 7AAD/AnnexinV staining. The fold change of p15INK4b, p21 WAF1/CIP1, P53, DNMT1, and Bcl-2 genes in the NB4 cell line were 144, 2.78, 1.75, 15.24, and 0.33, respectively, which meant that the expression level of p15INK4b, p21 WAF1/CIP1, P53, and DNMT1 were increased by 14400%, 278%, 175%, and 1524%, respectively and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased by 67%. Conclusion: Considering the inhibitory property of C. andromeda Venom, the authors recommended it as a part of combinational medication for treating APL in animal trials and for other leukemias' in vitro studies
Substance use and its related factors among iranian university students
No full textAim: Substance use in students is a serious problem around the world. This study aimed to determine the status of substance use and its relationship with religious beliefs and familial support and other related factors in Iranian university students. Study design: Cross sectional study. Methodology: This study took place in Hormozgan (south of Iran) in 2016. The randomly selected sample consisted of 524 university students. A self-report questionnaire had been used examining substance use, religious beliefs and familial support. All of analysis was performed using chi-square test, binary logistic regression in SPSS 16 software. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: The lifetime, last year, last month and daily or almost daily prevalence of substance use was 20.8, 14.9, 8.8 and 2.1%, respectively. After adjusting for other factors, living in single home (OR=5.02), cigarette smoking (OR=20.62), hookah smoking (OR=5.22), and score of familial support (OR=0.94) were associate with last year substance use. Among all substances, the prevalence of alcohol use was the highest (18.3% in lifetime and 6.9% in last month) and the prevalence of Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) was the lowest one (2.3% in lifetime and 1.9% in last month). Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among Iranian university students is relatively high. The findings of this study can be used in planning and evaluating intervention by considering risk and protective factors
Blood Trace Element Status in Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Get PDFThe aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether the blood concentrations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with those of the healthy control group in terms of trace elements including zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu). A comprehensive search was performed in online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science for studies, which have addressed trace elements in MS up to July 23, 2020. The chi-square test and I2 statistic were utilized to evaluate inter-study heterogeneity across the included studies. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and corresponding 95% CI were considered as a pooled effect size (ES). Twenty-seven articles (or 32 studies) with a total sample comprised of 2895 participants (MS patients (n = 1567) and controls (n = 1328)) were included. Pooled results using random-effects model indicated that the levels of Zn (WMD = − 7.83 mcg/dl, 95% CI = − 12.78 to − 2.87, Z = 3.09, P = 0.002), and Fe (WMD = − 13.66 mcg/dl, 95% CI = − 23.13 to − 4.19, Z = 2.83, P = 0.005) were significantly lower in MS patients than in controls. However, it was found that levels of Mn (WMD = 0.03 mcg/dl, 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.04, Z = 2.89, P = 0.004) were significantly higher in MS patients. Yet, no significant differences were observed in the levels of Mg, Se, and Cu between both groups. This meta-analysis revealed that the circulating levels of Zn and Fe were significantly lower in MS patients and that Mn level was significantly higher than those in the control group. However, it was found that there was no significant difference between MS patients and controls with regard to levels of Mg, Se, and Cu
Computed Tomography Angiographic Features of Anomalous Origination of the Coronary Arteries in Adult Patients: A Literature Review and Coronary Computed Tomography Angiographic Illustrations
No full textComputed tomography angiography not only detects atherosclerotic coronary artery disease but also helps delineate the anomalous coronary arterial anatomy that may be more than just an incidental finding and could contribute to patients’ symptomatology. Additionally, identification of coronary artery anomalies is clinically significant for preoperative planning and optimizing the approach for coronary catheterizations or surgical treatments. In this work, we review rare origination anomalies of coronary arteries and illustrate their characteristics through computed tomography images
The Epigenetic Assessment of Human Spermatogenic Cells Derived from Obstructive Azoospermic Patients in Different Culture Systems
Get PDFPurpose: Generating functional gametes for patients with male infertility is of great interest. We investigated different cultural systems for proliferation of SSCs derived from obstructive azoospermic patients. Materials and Methods: Testicular cells were obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia. After enzymatic digestion process, cells were assigned to various groups: culture of SSCs in the dish without cover (control group), co-culture of SSCs with infertile Sertoli cells (I), co-culture of SSCs with fertile Sertoli cells (II), culture of SSCs on nanofiber (covered with laminin) (III), culture of testicular cell suspension (IV). Then cells were cultured and colony formation, gene-specific methylation (by MSP), quantitative genes expression of pluripotency (Nanog, C-Myc, Oct-4) and specific germ cell (Integrin α6, Integrin β1, PLZF) genes were evaluated in five different culture systems. Results: Our findings indicate a significant increase in the number and diameter of colonies in IV group in compare to control group and other groups. Expression of germ specific genes in IV group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and levels of expression of pluripotency genes were significantly decreased in this group (P < 0.05) compared with other groups. Gene-specific pattern of methylation of examined genes showed no changes in culture systems during the culture era. Conclusion: A microenvironment capable of controlling the proliferation of cell colonies can be restored by testicular cell suspension
Evaluation of anthropometric indices, eating habits, and their relationship with CD4 level in individuals with HIV/AIDS
Get PDFIntroduction: Malnutrition is one of the important and complex complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and anthropometry is a valuable clinical indicator in health planning and policy making among HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate anthropometric indices, eating habits, and their association with CD4 in individuals with HIV/AIDS. Material and methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on all individuals with HIV/ AIDS over 20 years of age, who referred to a behavioral diseases counseling center in Iran in 2018. Census sampling method was conducted, and 122 patients were selected. Anthropometric indices were measured using standard methods, and nutritional status questionnaire was used to assess patients’ nutritional status. Results: The mean body mass index in women and men were 25 and 22 kg/m2, respectively. Abdominal obesity was 0.89 and 0.87 cm in female and male patients, respectively. Furthermore, 64% of patients had poor eating habits. Among food groups, consumption of water (p = 0.05) and carbonated drinks (p = 0.034) were significantly different between men and women. Among dietary groups, only meat and legumes group had a significant association with CD4 level (p = 0.047). Conclusions: Although 57% of patients with HIV infection were within normal range, abdominal obesity was higher than standard values, and two thirds of the participants presented poor eating habits. Therefore, nutritional interventions are of great importance in this group of patients