Selective cytotoxicity of standardised n-hexane extract of black soldier flies' larvae on cancerous skin cells mitochondria isolated from rat model of melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Melanoma is known as a highly lethal cancer. In melanoma cells, apoptosis signalling which relies heavily on the acute activity of mitochondria and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation is suppressed. Our previous studies on natural compounds on melanoma suggested that mitochondria are a potential target for the melanoma treatment by selective cytotoxic effect of them. The black soldier fly is an important environmental protectant insect that based on recent studies induces apoptosis in liver and colorectal carcinoma cells through the activation of caspase 3, 8, and 9 and ultimately inhibits the growth of cancer cells. PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the selective apoptotic effect of the n-hexane BSFL extract (BSFLE) on skin mitochondria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mitochondria isolated from melanoma cells were treated with various concentrations (1500, 3000, and 6000 µg/ml) of n-hexane BSFLE Then MTT viability assay, ROS determination, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release determination, and % apoptosis were performed. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that different concentrations of n-hexane BSFLE significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the SDH activity in cancerous skin mitochondria with the IC50. The ROS production and mitochondrial swelling results also showed that all concentrations of BSFL extracts significantly increased. MMP decline and the release of cytochrome c in cancer groups mitochondria. BSFLE increased apoptosis on melanoma cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is suggested that n-hexane BSFLE compounds selectively induce a cascade of proapoptotic events that are probably defective in cancer cells. Most of these compounds target the mitochondrial transient pore caused by disruption of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. These events lead to disruption of the temporary permeability of mitochondria, swelling of mitochondria and finally the formation of apoptosome in the cytosol.

The Effect of Mindfulness on Posttraumatic Growth of Mothers of Premature Infants Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in mothers of premature infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Iran. Sixty mothers were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received two MBSR sessions each week over the course of three weeks. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) was used to collect data before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention. Based on repeated measures ANOVA, group-by-time interaction effect was significant and there was a statistically significant difference in the mean PTG scores of mothers in the two groups over time (p = 0.004). MBSR increased PTG in mothers. As a result, it is suggested that this approach be used in psychological support programs for mothers who have premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units.

Using chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a drug carrier for opioid delivery against breast cancer.

Over the past decades, opium derivatives have been discovered as new anticancer agents. In our study, Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) decorated with chitosan were loaded with papaverine or noscapine to surmount drug delivery-related obstacles. Modifying the magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) surface with polymeric materials such as chitosan prevents oxidation and provides a site for drug linkage, which renders them a great drug carrier. The obtained systems were characterized by DLS (20-40 nm were achieved for MNPs and drug- loaded MNPs), TEM (spherical with average size of 11-20 nm) FTIR, XRD, and VSM (71.3 - 42.8 emu/g). Contrary to noscapine, papaverine-MNPs attenuated 4T1 murine breast cancer cell proliferation (11.50 ± 1.74 µg/mL) effectively compared to the free drug (62.35 ± 2.88 µg/mL) while sparing L-929 fibroblast cells (138.14 ± 4.38 µg/mL). Furthermore, SPION and SPION-chitosan displayed no cytotoxic activity. Colony-formation assay confirmed the long-term cytotoxicity of nanostructures. Both developed formulations promoted ROS production accompanied by late apoptotic cell death. The biocompatible nanoparticle exerted an augmenting effect to deliver papaverine to metastatic breast cancer cells.

Effects of Hair Follicle Stem Cells Coupled With Polycaprolactone Scaffold on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetic Male Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic wounds are debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) by polycaprolactone scaffold on the healing of incisional cutaneous wounds on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. METHODS: The wound model was obtained by a biopsy punch of the skin of the animals' back. The animals were randomly divided into five groups as follows: (1) Sham (nondiabetic, not treated), (2) Control (diabetic, not treated), (3) Scaffold (diabetic, treated with polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffold), (4) HFSCs (diabetic, treated with HFSCs), and (5) Scaffold + HFSCs (diabetic, treated with combination of Scaffold and HFSCs). The wounds were photographed in the course of the treatment and their healing rate was assessed. The samples were collected from the wound sites 7, 14, and 28 d after their development. Angiogenesis was surveyed by examining messenger RNA expression and the protein synthesis levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1/cluster of differentiation 31. The histological changes were investigated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Furthermore, the wound breaking strength was measured on the 28th day by tensiometry. RESULTS: The application of the VEGFR2 as a substrate promotes the expression of CD31 in HFSCs and Scaffold + HFSCs groups compared to controls (P < 0.0001). HFSCs and scaffold also rescue the diabetes-induced dysfunction as assessed based on the parameters, such as viability, proliferation, colony formation, cellular adhesion, and chemotactic migration. HFSCs augment the levels of VEGFR2 and promote the restoration of the wound healing in diabetic groups. Furthermore, the maximum biomechanical stress significantly increased in the experimental diabetic groups (Scaffold: 1.38 ± 0.09, HFSCs: 2.13 ± 0.8, Scaffold + HFSCs: 2.38 ± 0.11) compared to the diabetes control group (1.16 ± 0.12). Using of HFSCs and scaffold on diabetic wounds leads to an accelerated wound closure, notably. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the current data showed that HFSCs and scaffold form excellent biomaterial in the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Effect of teaching health-promoting behaviors on the care burden of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients: a four-group clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease could have a profound effect on the life of patients and family caregivers. The caregivers' care burden increases as the disease progresses. Interventions reducing care burden should be investigated. Educational interventions could affect family caregivers' care burden among hemodialysis patients. However, most studies and interventions have focused on caregivers. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of teaching Health-promoting behaviors on the care burden of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This trial was conducted using a pretest-posttest design and follow-up after one month. Hemodialysis patients and their family caregivers were selected using convenience sampling method. In total, 124 patient-caregiver pairs were divided into four groups of patient-centered education, caregiver-centered education, Patient and caregiver education and control by block randomization (15 blocks of 8 members and 1 block of 4 members) (n = 31 pairs per group). The intervention (teaching health-promoting behaviors) was performed in 8 sessions using the teach-back method, except for the control. The data were collected by patient and caregiver demographic forms and Novak and Guest care burden inventory as well as following the treatment regimen in three stages (before, immediately after and one month after the intervention). Demographic variables were compared among the four groups using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square test. The intragroup comparison of the main variables was made using the repeated measures ANOVA with modified LSD post hoc test. The intergroup comparison was made by one-way ANOVA with LSD post hoc test. RESULTS: Out of 124 caregivers participating in the study, 68 (54.8%) were female. Also, out of 124 patients participating in the study, 86 (69.4%) were male. The mean age of the caregivers and patients was 39.2 ± 11.31 and 54.23 ± 14.20 years old, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean total care burden scores of the pre-test and post-test between the four groups (p < 0.001). The total care burden decreased in patient-centered, caregiver-centered and Patient and caregiver education groups. However, this reduction in the caregiver-centered and Patient and caregiver education groups was significantly higher than the patient-centered education group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results revealed teaching health-promoting behaviors reduced care burden. Moreover, caregiver-centered approach could reduce care burden more than patient-centered approach. Therefore, this could be used as a supportive method to improve the health of patients and caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER (TRN): IRCT20090522001930N4. DATE OF REGISTRATION: 2021-11-12.

The roles of Eph receptors, neuropilin-1, P2X7, and CD147 in COVID-19-associated neurodegenerative diseases: inflammasome and JaK inhibitors as potential promising therapies.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread worldwide, and finding a safe therapeutic strategy and effective vaccine is critical to overcoming severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, elucidation of pathogenesis mechanisms, especially entry routes of SARS-CoV-2 may help propose antiviral drugs and novel vaccines. Several receptors have been demonstrated for the interaction of spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), ephrin ligands and Eph receptors, neuropilin 1 (NRP-1), P2X7, and CD147. The expression of these entry receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) may make the CNS prone to SARS-CoV-2 invasion, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. The present review provides potential pathological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the CNS, including entry receptors and cytokines involved in neuroinflammatory conditions. Moreover, it explains several neurodegenerative disorders associated with COVID-19. Finally, we suggest inflammasome and JaK inhibitors as potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

CD33 mRNA Has Elevated Expression Levels in the Leukocytes of Peripheral Blood in Patients with Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In despite of conflicting results among different ethnic groups, the rs3865444 of CD33 gene has previously been identified as a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD).This study was aimed to evaluate the association between rs3865444 SNP with LOAD occurrence, and to investigate whether CD33 mRNA expression will change in the leukocytes of peripheral blood in LOAD patients. METHODS: The rs3865444 polymorphism was genotyped in 233 LOAD and 238 control subjects using the Tetra-ARMS-PCR method. CD33 mRNAs expression in leukocytes were assessed and analyzed using the real-time qPCR method. We used in silico approach to analyze potential effects imparted by rs3865444 polymorphism in LOAD pathogenesis. RESULTS: Our results show a significant increase in CD33 mRNA expression levels in white blood cells of LOAD patients, however, the association between CD33 rs3865444 polymorphism and LOAD was found to be not significant. We also noticed that LOAD patients with the C/A genotype had higher CD33 mRNA levels in their peripheral blood than those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: rs3865444, located upstream of the 5'CD33 coding region, might positively influence CD33 mRNAs expression in leukocytes of LOAD versus healthy people. This is likely to happen through interfering rs3865444 (C) with the functional activity of several other transcription factors given that rs3865444 is in linkage disequilibrium with other functional polymorphisms in this coding region according to an in silico study. We propose that CD33 mRNAs elevation in peripheral immune cells - as a potential biomarker in LOAD - is related to peripheral immune system impairment.

Postpartum depression and its correlates: a cross-sectional study in southeast Iran.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression has a negative impact on both infants and women. This study aimed to determine the correlates of postpartum depression in women in southern Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 186 mothers who had recently given birth to a baby. Data were collected using the demographic form, Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21) 3 days after delivery and EPDS and DASS-21 6 months after childbirth. RESULTS: Postpartum depression (PPD) was 24.2% and 3.2% 3 days and 6 months after delivery, respectively. Anxiety, Prenatal Care Quality and educational level predicted 34.0% of the variance of PPD 3 days after delivery (R2 = 34.0%). Anxiety, type of delivery, and stress predicted 24% of the variance of PPD 6 months after delivery (R2 = 24.0%). CONCLUSIONS: With an increase in stress and anxiety and a reduction in the quality of prenatal care, the risk of postpartum depression increases. Therefore, attention to the quality of prenatal care and postpartum stress and anxiety should be carefully evaluated to prevent PPD. Psychological support and interventions are recommended to promote the mental health of women before and after childbirth.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Posttraumatic Stress of Mothers With Premature Neonates Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Mothers experience posttraumatic stress disorder with the birth of a premature neonate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on posttraumatic stress of mothers with premature neonates in Iran. Sixty mothers with premature neonates were selected by using convenience sampling and stratified random allocation. Mindfulness-based stress reduction was trained and mean posttraumatic stress disorder was measured. Mean posttraumatic stress scores of the 2 groups were statistically significant immediately and 1 month after the intervention (independent t test, P < .05). Posttraumatic stress of both groups reduced over time, but this reduction was more significant in the intervention group (repeated-measures analysis of variance, P < .05). Concerning the positive role of mindfulness-based stress reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder of mothers, it is recommended to use this approach in care programs of mothers with premature neonates.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Iran: The Role of Social Dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 epidemic has both physical and psychosocial consequences for the general population. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social dysfunction during the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran. This cross-sectional web-based study was conducted on 1000 Rafsanjani citizens in southeastern Iran. Data were collected by using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the General Health Questionnaire from March 15 to March 30, 2020. The prevalence of GAD was 27.8%. The mean score of social functioning was 9.71 ± 2.66, and all participants had social dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression test showed a significant correlation between anxiety and social functioning (confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.30; p < 0.001), sex (CI, 1.49-3.04; p < 0.001), and concern about COVID-19 (CI, 1.38-2.73; p < 0.001). The COVID-19 epidemic had negative psychosocial consequences in the general population in Iran.

Versatile Process for the Preparation of Nanocomposite Sorbents: Phosphorus and Arsenic Removal.

Nanomaterials are being increasingly utilized for environmental remediation. The use of these materials, however, is greatly hindered due to challenges in material handling and deployment. Here we present a novel nanocomposite synthesis method based on the direct growth of nanoparticles on and within solid support materials, referred to as Crescoating. In this work, iron and copper nanoparticles have been grown on polyurethane support materials using this process and applied as sorbents for dissolved phosphorus and arsenic in water, respectively. These nanocomposite sorbents exhibit rapid sorption with saturation occurring in less than 5 min. The loading capacity is 104.8 mg PO43- g-1 and 254.4 mg As(III) g-1 for the iron and copper nanocomposite sorbents respectively, which is up to four times higher than commercially available alternatives. In addition, phosphorus can be recovered from the iron nanocomposite sorbent. This coating by growth process produces nanocomposites that do not emit particles and has the capability to be scaled and applied to other nanoparticles for diverse pollutant sorption applications.

Preparation and optimization of ciprofloxacin encapsulated niosomes: A new approach for enhanced antibacterial activity, biofilm inhibition and reduced antibiotic resistance in ciprofloxacin-resistant methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus.

Ciprofloxacin is an alternative to vancomycin for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The objective of this study was to optimization of niosomes encapsulated ciprofloxacin and evaluate their antibacterial and anti-biofilm efficacies against ciprofloxacin-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CR-MRSA) strains. Formulation of niosomes encapsulated ciprofloxacin were optimized by changing the proportions of Tween 60, Span 60, and cholesterol. The optimized ciprofloxacin encapsulated niosomal formulations based on Span 60 and Tween 60 were prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The SEM and TEM results showed that the formulation of niosomes encapsulated ciprofloxacin were spherical with a size between 50 and 150 nm. The prepared niosomal formulations showed high storage stability up to 30 days with the slight change in size and drug entrapment during the storage, making them good candidates for drug delivery systems. Optimum niosome encapsulated ciprofloxacin enhanced antibacterial activity against CR-MRSA strains via reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value and inhibited significantly biofilm formation. Niosome encapsulated ciprofloxacin down-regulated the expression of icaB biofilm formation gene. Our results showed that encapsulating ciprofloxacin in niosomes is a promising approach to enhanced antibacterial activity, biofilm inhibition and reduced resistance to antibiotic in CR-MRSA strains.

3D construct of hydroxyapatite/zinc oxide/palladium nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

The purpose of this study was to produce and characterize Hydroxyapatite/Zinc Oxide/Palladium (HA/0.05 wt% ZnO/0.1 wt% Pd) nanocomposite scaffolds and study their mechanical and antibacterial properties, biocompatibility and bioactivity. The initial materials were developed using sol-gel and precipitation methods. Scaffolds were characterized using atomic absorption analysis (AA), scanning electron microcopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Brunauer-EmmeS-Teller (BET) method. Furthermore, the bioactivity of scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF) and the interaction of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) with the nanocomposite scaffolds were assessed. Our results showed that the HA/ZnO/Pd (H1), HA/ZnO/Pd coated by 0.125 g chitosan (H2) and HA/ZnO/Pd coated by 0.25 g chitosan (H3) scaffolds possess higher compressive strength and toughness and lower microhardness and density compared to the pure HA (H0) scaffolds. Immersion of samples in SBF showed the deposition of apatite on the surface of the scaffolds. The biocompatibility assay indicated lower cell proliferation on the H1, H2 and H3 in comparison to the H0. The antibacterial results obtained show a significant impact by loading Pd/ZnO on HA in the deactivation of microorganisms in vitro.

Minocycline attenuates testicular damages in a rat model of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Testicular torsion is a serious urological disease leading to testicular damage. This study aimed to assess the effect of minocycline on testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by testicular torsion/detorsion. Male adult Wistar rats (n = 32) were assigned into four groups of sham, I/R, I/R + minocycline and minocycline. I/R injury was induced by two sets of surgical operations, including the rotation of the left testis (720°, counterclockwise), followed by detorsion after 4 hr. The administration of minocycline was carried out 30 min before detorsion and then continued for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, rats were killed and sampling was done. Johnson's score, the height of seminiferous tubule epithelium, the mean seminiferous tubule diameter, as well as biochemical parameters, SOD, GPx and CAT, were significantly enhanced in the I/R + minocycline group compared with the I/R group. The administration of minocycline led to a marked decrease in expression levels of Caspase-3, Bax, IL-1ß and TNF-α genes, and a remarkable increase in expression levels of Bcl-2, 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD3 genes compared with the I/R group. Administration of minocycline could also reduce the rate of germ cell apoptosis (TUNEL staining). Hence, minocycline was useful in the management of testicular torsion/detorsion.

Hair follicle stem cells promote cutaneous wound healing through the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis: an animal model.

OBJECTIVE: An appropriate source of adult stem cells for therapeutic use is stem cells deriving from the hair follicle bulge. Following injury, ischaemic tissues produce a variety of cytokines and growth factors that are essential for tissue repair. This study sought to investigate the temporal effects of hair follicle bulge stem cells (HFSCs) on cutaneous wound healing in rats using the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis. METHOD: HFSCs obtained from rat vibrissa, labeled with DiI and then special markers, were detected using flow cytometry. The animals were divided into five groups: control (non-treated, n=18), sham (PBS, n=18), AMD (treated with AMD3100, n=18), HFSC + AMD (treated with HFSCs + AMD3100, n=18) and HFSC (treated with HFSCs, n=18). A full-thickness excisional wound model was created and DiI-labeled HFSCs were injected around the wound bed. Wound healing was recorded with digital photographs. The animals were sacrificed 3, 7 and 14 days after the surgery and were used for histological (H&E, Masson's trichrome staining) and molecular (ELISA and q-PCR) assays. RESULTS: The flow cytometry results demonstrated that HFSCs were CD34-positive, nestin-positive, but Kr15-negative. The morphological analysis of the HFSC-treated wounds showed accelerated wound closure. The histological analysis of the photomicrographs exhibited more re-epithelialisation and dermal structural regeneration in the HFSC-treated wounds compared with the control group. In the HFSC + AMD group, the histological parameters improved on the same days, but showed a significant decrease compared with the HFSC group in all the days assayed. In the AMD group, there was a significant reduction in the noted parameters. qRT-PCR and ELISA showed a high expression level of SDF-1α, CXCR4 and VEGFR-2 in the HFSC-treated wounded skin tissue, but the expression of CXCR4 and VEGFR-2 showed a significant reduction in the HFSC + AMD group compared with the HFSC group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this study, HFSC transplantation affects wound closure parameters and the expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4. As the SDF-1α expression level increases in the injured area, the HFSCs contribute to wound repair through the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis. This result is extremely valuable because it raises the possibility of wounds healed by isolating autologous HFSCs from the patient.

Development and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles containing an indanonic tricyclic spiroisoxazoline derivative using ion-gelation method: an in vitro study.

Biodegradable nanoparticulate carriers are potentially applicable compounds in the administration of therapeutic agents and drug delivery. They have received much attention due to their biological characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bioadhesive. The objectives of this work are first, investigating the impact of two important parameters (i.e. chitosan or sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) solution concentration and chitosan to TPP mass ratio) on the chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) formation by ionic-gelation method and then, the synthesis and characterization of chitosan-based, biodegradable drug-loaded nanoparticles in the encapsulation of novel 4'-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3'-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4'H-spiro[indene-2,5'-isoxazol]-1(3H)-one (MTS) indanonic tricyclic spiroisoxazoline, which is a potent anticancer drug. The particle size, shape, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, in vitro release characteristics, and stability of the formulated drug-loaded nanoparticles of the different drug:carrier ratio has been studied. The results indicated that the particle size increased at the higher chitosan or TPP concentration while the mass ratio did not appear to be a significant parameter during the cross-linking process. The particle diameter and zeta potential of CNPs including MTS were approximately in the range of 256-350 nm and 24.08-38.70 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiency steadily increased with increasing the concentration of the polymer in formulizations. Throughout 24 h, the in vitro release behavior was provided a sustained release from all the drug-loaded formulizations. The optimal formulization of CNPs based on drug content with a drug:carrier ratio of 1:2 did not change appreciably during 60-day storage at either 4 °C or the ambient temperature.

226Ra, 238U and Cd adsorption kinetics and binding capacity of two cyanobacterial strains isolated from highly radioactive springs and optimal conditions for maximal removal effects in contaminated water.

Biomass-based decontamination methods are among the most interesting water treatment techniques. In this study, 2 cyanobacterial strains, Nostoc punctiforme A.S/S4 and Chroococcidiopsis thermalis S.M/S9, isolated from hot springs containing high concentrations of radium (226Ra), were studied to be associated with removal of radionuclides (238U and 226Ra) and heavy metal cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption equilibrium data was described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption of 3 metals followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Effects of biomass concentration, pH, contact time, and initial metal concentration on adsorption were also investigated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed active binding sites on the cyanobacterial biomass. The obtained maximum biosorption capacities were 630 mg g-1 and 37 kBq g-1 for 238U and 226Ra for N. punctiforme and 730 mg g-1 and 55 kBq g-1 for C. thermalis. These 2 strains showed maximum binding capacity 160 and 225 mg g-1, respectively for Cd adsorption. These results suggest that radioactivity resistant cyanobacteria could be employed as an efficient adsorbent for decontamination of multi-component, radioactive and industrial wastewater.

The relationship between emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills in Iranian nursing students.

Background: Critical thinking skills are one of the most important competencies in successful clinical performance of nursing students. Emotional intelligence is also one of the concepts related to critical thinking and can play an important role in the ability to think. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and critical thinking in nursing students. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive-correlative Study. Participants were nursing students in different levels. To collect data, California Critical Thinking Test (form B) and Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire were used. Then, data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 software. Results: Pearson correlation test showed no significant correlation between the total score of critical thinking skills and each of its components with the total score of emotional intelligence and its component, except for empathy (p=0.001), in nursing students. Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant relationship between empathy and critical thinking skills in nursing students. Using these elements as teaching techniques for nursing education courses can be very helpful in developing good nurse-patient relationships and improving patient care.

Prevalence of fibromyalgia in general population and patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to estimate the reliable prevalence of fibromyalgia using meta-analysis method. Available databanks were searched using appropriate keywords. According to the heterogeneity between the results (indicated by Cochrane and I square indices), random- or fixed-effects model was applied to combine the point prevalences. Meta-regression models were used to assess the suspected factors in the heterogeneity. In 65 selected papers, 81 evidences regarding prevalence of fibromyalgia among 3,609,810 subjects from general population and specific groups were investigated. The total prevalences (95% confidence intervals) of fibromyalgia among general population, women, men, patients referring to rheumatology and internal departments, patients with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemodialysis patients and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus were estimated as of 1.78% (1.65, 1.92), 3.98% (2.80, 5.20), 0.01% (-0.04, 0.06), 15.2% (13.6, 16.90), 12.9% (12.70, 13.10), 6.30% (4.60, 7.90) and 14.80% (11.10, 18.40), respectively. In addition, prevalence of fibromyalgia in specified groups varied from 3.90% in hemodialysis patients to 80% in patients suffering from Behcet syndrome. This meta-analysis showed that prevalence of fibromyalgia in general population was significantly lower than that in populations with some diseases.

Ultrasound Assistance In Differentiating Malignant Thyroid Nodules From Benign Ones.

BACKGROUND: The search is ongoing for simple, effective ways to identify and differentiate thyroid nodules in order to avoid invasive procedures. This study aims to perform an ultrasound assessment of clinically suspected patients with malignant nodules, to perform a fine needle biopsy on them, and to compare the results obtained. METHODS: In total, 135 patients with thyroid nodules suspected to be malignant in the ultrasound underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsies. The patients' gender, age, ultrasound views (echogenicity, shape, and calcification type), nodule size, number of nodules, and needle biopsy results were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 135 patients, 117 (86.7%) were female and 18 (13.3%) were male. In terms of age, 67 (49.16%) were younger than 40 and the rest were older. According to the Chi-square test, a significant relationship was found between the type of nodule and calcification found in the ultrasound views (p=0.001). The nodule type was not significantly related to gender (p=0.563) or to the number of nodules (p=0.128); however, there was a significant relationship between nodule size and type (p=0.001). Ultrasound specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for differentiating benign from malignant nodules were 93.2%, 93.8%, 81.1%, 98%, and 93.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound views (comet tail artefact and linear echogenic foci) were better predictors of benign nodules than of malignant ones, while round, echogenic foci, brighter and larger than typical micro-calcifications without any visible echoes and multiple punctuate round echogenic foci were better predicted malignancy.