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Transformation of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis; from a friend to foe
Get PDFSwelling and the progressive destruction of articular cartilage are major characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systemic autoimmune disease that directly affects the synovial joints and often causes severe disability in the affected positions. Recent studies have shown that type B synoviocytes, which are also called fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), as the most commonly and chiefly resident cells, play a crucial role in early-onset and disease progression by producing various mediators. During the pathogenesis of RA, the FLSs’ phenotype is altered, and represent invasive behavior similar to that observed in tumor conditions. Modified and stressful microenvironment by FLSs leads to the recruitment of other immune cells and, eventually, pannus formation. The origins of this cancerous phenotype stem fundamentally from the significant metabolic changes in glucose, lipids, and oxygen metabolism pathways. Moreover, the genetic abnormalities and epigenetic alterations have recently been implicated in cancer-like behaviors of RA FLSs. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms underlying the transformation of FLSs to a cancer-like phenotype during RA. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may lead to devising more effective and targeted treatment strategies
The relationship between professional self-concept and work-related quality of life of nurses working in the wards of patients with COVID-19
No full textBackground: Nurses are at the forefront of providing health care services and their performance is largely determinant of the quality of health care. This study aims to investigate associations between professional self-concept (PSC) and WRQoL among nurses from selected hospitals in Bushehr and Shiraz cities (south of Iran), during the period of COVD-19 pandemic. Method: This study is designed as a cross-sectional study. Available sampling was performed among active nurses in the care wards of patients with Covid-19 in public hospitals in Bushehr and Shiraz. Data were collected using demographic information form, along with the work-related quality of life and professional self-concept questionnaires. SPSS software and univariate and multivariate linear regression statistical methods with a significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean scores of the PSC and the WRQoL Scale in nurses were respectively 202.32 ± 38.19 and 68.81 ± 19.12. There was also a significant direct relationship between PSC and WRQoL. PSC together with work location and working experience could thus explain 34.6% of the variance in WRQoL, which was 26.5% for PSC. Conclusion: Considering the confirmation of the predictive role of nurses’ PSC in their WRQoL in terms of planning and designing interventions to boost their WRQoL, attention to internal factors such as PSC is of utmost importance
Phthalate acid esters in pickled vegetables packaged in polyethylene terephthalate container: Occurrence, migration, and estrogenic activity-associated risk assessment
No full textPhthalate acid esters (PAEs) in plastic products such as plastic-based containers are not chemically bonded. The migration of these compounds from the wall of the plastic containers into the water and food packaged is a health concern. The current work investigates the aspects leading to PAEs migration from the wall of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers into pickled vegetables and their estrogenic–based risk evaluation. Six PAEs compounds with control priority (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, bis (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate) were characterized and analyzed using 40 samples of pickles packaged in PET containers. It was found that the concentration of diethyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate exceeded the EU limits (1.5 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively). A positive and significant relation between PAEs concentration in pickles and storage temperature, storage time, and exposure to sunlight has been observed (P-value < 0.05). In contrast, a negative and significant relationship between pH and PAEs concentration has been detected (P-value < 0.05). The risk assessment of human daily intake indicated a diethyl phthalate safety factor lower than 1 (0.63 for adults and 0.39 for children), suggesting an increased health risk. Also, indexes of estrogenic activity associated-risk assessment were significantly high, indicating a high probability of adverse effects for human health
Crystal violet dye sorption over acrylamide/graphene oxide bonded sodium alginate nanocomposite hydrogel
No full textThe synthesis of acrylamide bonded sodium alginate (AM-SA) hydrogel and acrylamide/graphene oxide bonded sodium alginate (AM-GO-SA) nanocomposite hydrogel was successfully performed using the free radical method. The AM-SA and AM-GO-SA hydrogels were applied as composited adsorbents in crystal violet (CV) dye removal. The adsorption process experiments were performed discontinuously and the acquired data showed that the efficiency is more dependent on pH than other factors. The C–O, C[dbnd]O, and C[dbnd]C groups were detected in the produced hydrogels. The amount of surface area was computed to be 44.689 m2/g, 0.0392 m2/g, and 6.983 m2/g for GO, AM-SA, and AM-GO-SA nanocomposite hydrogel, respectively. The results showed that the experimental data follow the Redlich-Peterson isotherm model. Also, the maximum adsorption capacity of monolayer for CV dye adsorption was determined using AM-SA hydrogel and AM-GO-SA nanocomposite hydrogel 62.07 mg/g and 100.30 mg/g, respectively. In addition, the parameters RL, n, and E showed that the processes of adsorption of CV dye using both types of adsorbents are physical and desirable. Thermodynamically, the CV elimination was exothermic and spontaneous. Besides, thermodynamic results showed that the adsorption process is better proceeding at low temperatures. The experimental data followed a pseudo- second- order (PSO) kinetic model. Also, the Elovich model showed that AM-GO-SA nanocomposite hydrogel has more ability to absorb CV dye. Therefore, according to the obtained results, it can be stated that the produced hydrogels are efficient and viable composited adsorbent in removing CV dye from aqueous solution
Heavy metals concentration in mangrove tissues and associated sediments and seawater from the north coast of Persian Gulf, Iran: Ecological and health risk assessment
No full textWe evaluated the concentration of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), and cobalt (Co) in the mangrove tissues (leaf and root) and adjusted sediments, as well as seawater samples in the north coast of the Persian Gulf from three counties (Mahshahr, Bord Khun, Asaluyeh). Assaluyeh and Mahshahr were selected because of their proximity to the oil and petrochemical industries and Bord Khun was considered for being away from pollution sources. The metal detected in highest concentration in mangrove leaves and roots was Cu (Asaluyeh: 1.507 μg/g and 1.198 μg/g, Bord Khun: 1.812 and 1.756 μg/g, and Mahshahr: 0.880 and 1.617 μg/g, for leaves and roots, respectively). For sediments, Cr (among the metals) had the highest concentration (1.325 μg/g) in Asaluyeh, whereas in Bord Khun and Mahshahr Ni was predominant: 2.542 and 2.237 μg/g, respectively. For seawater, Cu was the most abundant metal and Hg was the one with the lowest concentration. The bio-concentration factor for Zn and Cu revealed that mangroves in the study areas have suitable potential for phytoremediation of these two metals. Translocation factors from the roots to leaves also indicated higher transportability for Zn and Cu through the plant tissues, compared to the other metals. Ecological indexes quantified the contamination of sediments and revealed a low level of heavy metal accumulation in sediments of the north of the Persian Gulf. Human risk hazards appeared low in all the areas under study. Gas and petrochemical activities can be considered as a potential source of the discharge of heavy metals into the aquatic environment
Iranian population exposures to heavy metals, PAHs, and pesticides and their intake routes: a study protocol of a national population health survey
No full textCancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and the third leading cause of death in Iran. It has been proven that numerous cancer cases are caused by exposure to environmental pollutants. There is a public health concern regarding an increase in exposure to carcinogens across Iran through different sources (air, food, and water) and a lack of research to address this issue. This study aims to gather data on exposure to heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides and their intake routes during the implementation of a national population health survey. This is a cross-sectional study of environmental pollutants in Iran, with a stratified multi-stage random sampling method, which led to 660 nationally representative samples in 132 clusters in three sequential parts. The first will be questionnaires to obtain demographics, assets, food records, air quality, and food frequency. The second will be physical measurements, including anthropometric and body composition. The third will be lab assessments that measure 26 types of environmental pollutants (7 heavy metals, 16 PAHs, and 3 pesticides) in urine, inhaled air, and consumed food and water of the population under study using ICP-MS and GS-MS devices. The results of this study will inform policymakers and the general population regarding the level of threat and will provide evidence for the development of interventional and observatory plans on the reduction of exposures to these pollutants. It could also be used to develop local standards to control contaminants through the three exposure routes. This study protocol will obtain data needed for policymakers to set surveillance systems for these pollutants at the national and provincial level to address the public concerns regarding the contamination of food, air, and water
The Iranian Study of Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN): Rationale, design, and initial findings
Get PDFBackground: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified opium use as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, much remains to be studied on the relation between opium and cancer. We designed the Iranian Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN) study to further investigate the association of opium use and cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum. In this paper, we describe the rationale, design, and some initial results of the IROPICAN Study. Methods: The IROPICAN is a multi-center case-control study conducted in 10 provinces of Iran. The cases were all histologically confirmed and the controls were selected from hospital visitors who were free of cancer, were not family members or friends of the cancer patients, and were visiting the hospital for reasons other than their own ailment. The questionnaires included detailed questions on opium use (including age at initiation, duration, frequency, typical amount, and route), and potential confounders, such as tobacco use (e.g., cigarettes, nass and water-pipe), and dietary factors. Biological samples, including blood and saliva, were also collected. Results: The validation and pilot phases showed reasonably good validity, with sensitivities of 70% and 69% for the cases and controls, respectively, in reporting opium use. The results also showed excellent reliability, with intra-class correlation coefficients of 0.96 for ever opium use and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.92) for regular opium use. In the main phase, we recruited 3299 cancer cases (99% response rate) and 3477 hospital visitor controls (89% response rate). The proportion of ever-use of opium was 40% among cases and 18% among controls. Conclusion: The IROPICAN study will serve as a major resource in studies addressing the effect of opium on risk of cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum
Spatial distribution, occurrence, and health risk assessment of nitrate, fluoride, and arsenic in Bam groundwater resource, Iran
No full textEvidence shows that exposure to high levels of arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate may be contributing to adverse hygienic effects. This work was carried out to detect the concentration of arsenic (As), fluoride (F−), and nitrate (NO3) in the groundwater resource of Bam, southeastern Iran and approximate their health risk to citizenships. The GIS-mapping of As, F−, and NO3 concentrations was accomplished. As, F−, and NO3 concentrations in studied drinking water samples have been ranged from 9.26 to 14.65 μg/L, 0.91–1.12 mg/L, and 8.50–10.85 mg/L, respectively. Based on results, all measured concentrations of F− and NO3 were lower than the WHO standard value, while As levels were higher than the allowed value. The acquired findings revealed that the mean risk of As is 5.372 for oral hazard quotient (HQ) and 1.407 for dermal one. For F−, HQ values for children were computed above one for study areas, while all HQ values for adults were below one. The values of dermal and oral HQ for both groups obtained >1 for NO3. Among studied contaminants, the carcinogenic risk (CR) values of As was more than one. The results showed that the carcinogenicity ratio of ‘children to adults’ is equal to 3.8 for As and 2.33 for NO3. For all examined pollutants, the health risks of dermal exposure were less than that of oral. The levels of non-cancer and cancer risk for children were greater than those for adults. The highest non-carcinogenic risk in study areas was related to As. This research proposes that any attempt to mitigate the arsenic of the Bam citizenships must consider the health risk of As exposure from potable water
One-pot transesterification of non-edible Moringa oleifera oil over a MgO/K2CO3/HAp catalyst derived from poultry skeletal waste
No full textA hydroxyapatite (HAp) catalyst support from poultry's bones was derived and then modified with MgO/K2CO3 to generate a heterogeneous catalyst to produce biodiesel from a non-edible Moringa oleifera oil. The catalyst properties were analyzed with SEM, EDX-Map, XRD, FTIR, and N2 adsorption–desorption. A design of experiments by response surface methodology (RSM) via central composite design (CCD) including catalyst loading (1–5 wt%), temperature (40–80 °C), reaction time (50–250 min), and methanol to oil ratio (0.346–0.81 w/w) optimized the biodiesel yield. The P-value and F-value of the model proposed were 677.129 and <0.0001, respectively, thus the predictive model can identify the operating conditions that maximize biodiesel yield (99.3%). These conditions were catalyst loading of 4 wt%, reaction time of 200 min, methanol to oil weight ratio of 0.69, at 70 °C. The environmental performance (E-factor) was obtained 0.98, which indicates low waste generated from the process. The reusability of the catalyst was evaluated in 9 consecutive runs. The catalyst lost up to 40% of its activity, depending on the recovery method. The produced biodiesel complies with EN14214 and ASTM D6751 standards. Therefore, this investigation showed that MgO/K2CO3 can be used as a potential heterogeneous catalyst to produce biodiesel from non-edible Moringa oleifera oil