Investigation of the effects of different substrates on the promotion of the soil microbial consortium, encompassing bacteria and fungi, in the bioremediation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209).

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is recognized as an emerging and hazardous pollutant in numerous ecosystems. Despite this, only a few studies have concurrently investigated the biodegradation of BDE-209 by a microbial consortium comprising both bacteria and fungi. Consequently, the interactions between bacterial and fungal populations and their mutual effects on BDE-209 degradation remain unclear. Our main objective was to concurrently assess the changes and activity of bacterial and fungal communities during the biodegradation of BDE-209 in a real soil matrix. In the present study, various organic substrates were employed to promote soil biomass for the biodegradation of BDE-209. Soil respiration and molecular analysis were utilized to monitor biological activity and biomass community structure, respectively. The findings revealed that the use of wheat straw in the soil matrix resulted in the highest soil respiration and microbial activity among the treatments. This approach obviously provided suitable habitats for the soil microflora, which led to a significant increase in the biodegradability of BDE-209 (49%). Biomass survival efforts and the metabolic pathway of lignin degradation through co-metabolism contributed to the biodegradation of BDE-209. Microbial community analysis identified Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria-Betaproteobacteria), Firmicutes, Bacteroides (bacterial phyla), as well as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (fungal phyla) as the key microorganisms in the biological community involved in the biodegradation of BDE-209. This study demonstrated that applying wheat straw can improve both the biological activity and the biodegradation of BDE-209 in the soil of polluted sites.

The association of arsenic exposure with mortality due to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and congenital anomalies using Poisson regression.

The present study aims to determine the relationship between the concentration of arsenic in the groundwater of Hamadan province and the mortality rate due to various types of malignancies, congenital anomalies, diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's. Mortality data due to various causes of death in Hamadan province were collected for five years (2016-2020). Sampling of drinking water was determined in the reference laboratory using polarography method. Poisson regression was used to investigate the relationship between arsenic level and the death rate due to various types of disease, at a significant level (p value < 0.05). According to the results of Poisson regression, among the various causes of death (N = 8042), Alzheimer's 5.94 (3.67-9.61), diabetes mellitus 4.05 (3.5-5.37), congenital malformations 2.98 (1.88-4.72), breast cancer 2.72 (1.56-4.71), leukemia 1.90 (1.24-2.92), stomach cancer 1.64 (1.28-2.10), Liver cancer 1.58 (1.58-2.30), other digestive organs 5.86 (3.38-10.16), meninges and brain cancer 1.57 (1.02-2.41) showed the highest relationship with arsenic contamination. The results of this study could be evidence for a positive and significant relationship between arsenic concentrations and mortality rates due to cancers, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer disease, and congenital malformations. Therefore, it's necessary to use appropriate water treatment methods to remove arsenic at the source in contaminated areas.

Scleromyxedema in an adult following Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccination: An extremely rare phenomenon.

Introduction: The Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine produces a variety of cutaneous adverse effects. Scleromyxedema is a mucinous connective tissue disorder that causes skin thickness and sclerodermoid changes. According to our findings, this is the first case of scleromyxedema induced by the Sinopharm immunization. Case description: We discuss the case of a 75-year-old woman who acquired progressive thickening of the skin in her limbs and trunk after getting the Sinopharm vaccination. Examination, laboratory testing, and a biopsy were used to verify scleromyxedema diagnosis. Intravenous immunoglobulins, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone were used in the treatment of the patient. The outcomes from the 4-month follow-up were reassuring. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need of considering scleromyxedema as a connective tissue pathology in patients who have recently received Sinopharm vaccine and have similar cutaneous signs.

Arsenic level in drinking water, its correlation with water quality parameters, and associated health risks.

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and likelihood of health risks related to arsenic in drinking water of all counties of the Hamadan province in the northwest of Iran. In this work, 370 samples were collected from all of the water resources of urban and rural regions, during 5 years (2017 to 2021). Oracle Crystal Ball software was used to perform the Monte Carlo simulation and investigate the potential health risks. According to the results, the average values of arsenic in the nine counties were in the order Kabudarahang (40.1 ppb), Malayer (13.1 ppb), Nahavand (6.1 ppb), Bahar (2.05 ppb), Famenin (0.41 ppb), Asadabad (0.36 ppb), Tuyserkan (0.28 ppb), Razan (0.14 ppb), and Hamadan (< 0.1 ppb). The highest concentration of arsenic occurred in Kabudarahang with a maximum value of 185 ppb. In the spring season, the average concentration of the cations, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, lead, cadmium, and chromium, obtained 109.51 mg/l, 44.67 mg/l, 20.50 mg/l, 88.76 ppb, 0.31 ppb, and 0.02 ppb, respectively. Based on the Delphi classification, the P 90% of oral lifetime cancer risk, in Hamadan province, were within level II (low risk) to VII (extremely high risk). The risk analysis revealed there was a possible carcinogenic risk to humans from oral exposure to As-contaminated groundwater, especially in Kabudarahang county. Therefore, there is an urgent need for management and precise measures in contaminated areas to reduce and prevent the adverse health effects of arsenic.

Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory, and Glycemic Control Indices in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

Background and Aims: Diabetes is a leading cause of renal failure. High levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with renal diabetes lead to various disorders and mortality. This study was performed to determine the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) supplementation on superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and insulin (INS) in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, a total of 46 diabetic HD patients were randomly divided into NS (n = 23) and placebo (n = 23) groups. NS group received 2 g/day of NS oil, and the placebo group received paraffin oil for 12 weeks. Serum levels of SOD, MDA, TAC, hs-CRP, HbA1C, FBS, and INS were measured before and after the study. Results: Compared to baseline values, SOD, TAC, and INS levels increased, whereas MDA, hs-CRP, HbA1c, and FBS significantly decreased. After adjusting for covariates using the ANCOVA test, changes in the concentrations of SOD (p = .040), MDA (p = .025), TAC (p=<.001), hs-CRP (p = .017), HbA1c (p = .014), and FBS (p = .027) were statistically significant compared to the placebo group. Intergroup changes in INS were not significant. Additionally, there were no notable side effects during the research. Conclusions: This study found that NS supplementation significantly enhanced the levels of SOD, MDA, TAC, hs-CRP, HbA1c, and FBS in diabetic HD patients.

The Assessment of Trihalomethanes Concentrations in Drinking Water of Hamadan and Tuyserkan Cities, Western Iran and Its Health Risk on the Exposed Population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to calculate and to assess the potential lifetime cancer risks for trihalomethanes from consuming chlorinated drinking water in Hamadan and Tuyserkan cities, western Iran in 2016-2017. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Seventy-two water samples were collected from the distribution systems and from the outlet of water treatment plants (WTPs) and the experiments were carried out to determine the desired parameters. All the sampling and measurement methods were according to Standard Methods. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean concentration of total THMs in the summer and winter was 42.75 and 17.75 µg/L, respectively, below the WHO and Iranian standard. The positive correlation was observed between temperature and THMs levels. Moreover, THMs concentration in Shahid Beheshti's WTP was several times lower than in Ekbatan's WTP. Chloroform, the dominant species of THMs, was identified at different sampling points. The highest cancer risk in Hamadan was 1.4×10-5 and 4.8×10-5 for male and female, respectively; and the cancer risk was obtained to be 5.6×10-7-2.26×10-6 in Tuyserkan. CONCLUSION: The drinking water obtained from the studied area is safe in terms of THMs concentration. Nevertheless, the highest cancer risk was higher than the EPA's acceptable level of 10-6.

Association of long term exposure to outdoor volatile organic compounds (BTXS) with pro-inflammatory biomarkers and hematologic parameters in urban adults: A cross-sectional study in Tabriz, Iran.

This study aimed to compare the hematologic variables and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in urban adults living in Tabriz, Iran, facing various levels of outdoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Of all 219 people (212 male and 7 female), 71 were from the low traffic area and 148 were from high traffic and industrial areas. To validate the exposure levels, 93 air samples were taken to determine the target VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylenes, and styrene collectively called BTXS) concentrations in the studied areas. ANOVA and Tukey's tests were used for statistical analysis. Based on the results, significant differences were observed between the mean concentrations of BTXS with the following order of abundance: industrial > high traffic > low traffic. The Considerable decrease was observed in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and eosinophils of 0.324 ( × 106/µL), 0.57 g/dL, 1.87%, and 0.17 ( × 103/µL), respectively in industrial area participants as compared to the low traffic area. However, a significant increase was observed in white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophils number, neutrophils percent, TNF-α and INF-γ of 0.88 ( × 103/µL), 0.80 ( × 103/µL), 3.53%, 34.2 ng/mL, and 40.06 ng/mL, respectively in the same groups. The comparison of low and high traffic areas showed significant differences in RBC (p = 0.034), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.001), and interferon gamma (INF-γ) (p < 0.001). On the contrary, no significant difference was observed in TNF-α and INF-γ among the high traffic and industrial areas. In conclusion, the results showed that the samples from high traffic and industrial areas were regularly exposed to higher values of BTXS due to traffic and industrial pollutants as compared to the samples residing in low traffic regions. Based on the results living in both high traffic and industrial regions can increase adverse effects on hematologic parameters and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, and Barium Levels in Human Breast Milk and Factors Affecting Their Concentrations in Hamadan, Iran.

Breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for all infants. However, exposure of newborns to toxic metals is of special interest due to their potential harmful effects. Thus, the primary aims of this study were to determine the concentration of toxic heavy metals including lead, mercury, cadmium, and barium in breast milk samples from Hamadan, Iran, in relation to some sociodemographic variables. A total of 100 breast milk samples were collected and their heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The median breast milk concentrations of Pb, Hg, and Ba were 41.9, 2.8, and 1.95 µg/L, respectively. Cd levels were < 1 µg/L in all samples. The Pb level in 94% of the samples was higher than the recommended Pb limit of < 5 µg/L in breast milk suggested by World Health Organization (WHO). Hg levels in 54% of the breast milk samples were higher than the normal mean concentration (1.7 µg/L) suggested by WHO. We found no correlation between Hg levels in breast milk and sociodemographic factors. Ba levels in all the breast milk samples were lower than the WHO's proposed health-based drinking water guideline (0.7 mg/L). Considering the results of the present study and the vulnerability of infants, along with the well-known toxicity of these metals, further studies are warranted to identify the main sources of exposure that contribute their concentration in breast milk, establish harmless intake values of toxic metals in breast milk, and develop preventive measures.

Analysis of aluminum, minerals and trace elements in the milk samples from lactating mothers in Hamadan, Iran.

The present cross-sectional study is aimed at analyzing the breast milk of lactating mothers in Hamadan, Iran for aluminum and several minerals and trace elements. Ten governmental health care centers were utilized to facilitate collection of breast milk samples. The breast milk samples were collected at 1, 2, 6, 7, and 12 months postpartum from one hundred healthy lactating women, who delivered full-term newborns. Detection of sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and aluminum (Al) levels was conducted with the use of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method has shown high accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and linearity for the wide range of concentrations. The accumulated data were not normally distributed; thus, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used in the statistical analysis of the results. Mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Na were 0.75, 1.38, 0.35, 255, 34.58, and 155.72 µg/mL, respectively. The mean level of Al, a well-known neurotoxic metal, was determined to be an alarming 0.191 µg/mL. Moreover, 95% of participants contained very harmful concentrations of Al in their milk. This study also revealed Zn deficiency in about 50% of milk samples. Further investigation is needed to elucidate sources of exposure and factors that may influence maternal and fetal exposure to aluminum.

Effect of oral vitamin C on atrial fibrillation development after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: A prospective randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Some evidences have shown the role of antioxidant vitamins in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. We sought to determine the effect of oral vitamin C on the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery. METHODS: One-hundred patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery were prospectively assigned into two groups: Group 1 - 50 patients received 2 g of oral vitamin C before and 500 mg twice daily lasting for 5 days after surgery; Group 2 - 50 patients as the control group did not receive any. All patients were continuously monitored after surgery in the intensive careunit (ICU), and then Holter monitoring was implemented for 72 h. RESULTS: The mean of patients' age was 61.31 ± 6.42 years. Postoperative AF occurred in 16 and 4 patients in control and treatment groups, respectively (32% vs. 8%, p = 0.003). The ICU stay was 1.79 ± 0.313 and 2.10 ± 0.61 days for vitamin C and control groups, respectively (p = 0.002). The hospital stay was significantly lower in vitamin C group compared with that of the control group (5.32 ± 0.59 vs. 5.74 ± 1.30 days, respectively, p = 0.041). Baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR 1.030, 95% CI 1.003-1.058, p = 0.030) and taking vitamin C (OR 8.068, 95% CI 1.783-36.517, p = 0.007) were the independent predictors of postoperative AF. CONCLUSIONS: Oral vitamin C can be safely used to decrease the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery.

Proliferative index using Ki-67 index in reactive mesothelial versus metastatic adenocarcinoma cells in serous fluid.

BACKGROUND: The cytological diagnoses of serous effusions are usually made by routine cytomorphology with certainty. However, overlapping cases sometimes exist between reactive mesothelial and adenocarcinoma cells. We tried to evaluate the diagnostic utility of proliferative index using a Ki-67 monoclonal antibody in distinguishing between reactive mesothelial cells and adenocarcinoma in serous effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin blocks and H and E stained slides of peritoneal and pleural fluid cell blocks were retrieved from cytology archive of Alzahra Hospital, Medical University of Isfahan, between 2006 and 2010, from among 1025 slides which were screened to ascertain their appropriate diagnoses. Among of these 80 paraffin-embedded cell blocks, 40 cases for each reactive and adenocarcinoma groups were selected. The proliferative index was calculated by using the Ki 67 monoclonal antibody against nuclear proteins. RESULTS: The mean ages of the patients in the reactive mesothelial and adenocarcinoma groups were 60.58 and 58.45 years, respectively. The gender distribution for the malignant group included 23 cases (%57.5) of females and 17 cases (42.5%) of males. This ratio for reactive group included 14 cases (35%) and 26 cases (65%). The mean of Ki-67 index in adenocarcinomatous cells was 17.15 (SD=15.11) and in reactive mesothelial cells was 3.58 (SD= 3.59) (P=0.001). We consider to using the proliferative marker of Ki-67 on benign and malignant lesions revealed 12% as cut off level. The means of Ki-67 index according to serousal spaces were included: Pleura: 10.56 (SD= 13.06) and peritoneum: 10.03 (SD= 12.78), (P=0.9). CONCLUSION: Ki-67 index is useful immunostaining panel for differentiation of mesothelial and adenocarcinoma cells in malignancy like ovarian carcinoma that sometimes mimics mesothelial morphology.

Diagnostic value of E-cadherin and fibronectin in differentiation between reactive mesothelial and adenocarcinoma cells in serous effusions.

BACKGROUND: One of the problems in studying serous effusion cytological samples is differentiation of reactive mesothelial cells from metastatic adenocarcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the immunohistochemical diagnostic value of E-cadherin and fibronectin markers for differentiation of these 2 groups of cells was studied. 50 cell block samples prepared from serous effusions were examined. Based on clinical and histological studies, 25 cases had primary carcinoma, and the other 25 were proved to be benign effusion cases. All the cases were studied for E-cadherin and fibronectin immunostaining using an envision technique. Statistical analyzes were performed employing Chi-square and exact Fisher tests, using SPSS software (version 16). RESULTS: 24 of the 25 benign cases were stained with fibronectin and 2 with E-cadherin, whereas from among the 25 metastatic cases, 2 reacted to fibronectin and 22 to E-cadherin. Considering the staining of the 2 markers under conditions that the cells were stained with fibronectin but not with E-cadherin, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) to identify reactive mesothelial cells were 100% and 92.5% while under conditions that had not been stained with fibronectin but with E-cadherin, PPV and NPV to detect adenocarcinoma cells were 95.2% and 82.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Employing this short panel can be helpful for better differentiation of adenocarcinoma and reactive mesothelial cells in serous fluids.

HBME-1 immunostaining in reactive mesothelial versus metastatic adenocarcinoma cells in serous fluid.

BACKGROUND: The cytological diagnoses of serous effusions are usually made by routine cytomorphology with certainty. However, overlapping cases sometimes exist between reactive mesothelial and adenocarcinoma cells. We tried to evaluate the diagnostic utility of HBME-1 in distinguishing between reactive mesothelial cells and adenocarcinoma in serous effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two cytologic specimens processed by cell-block technique were retrieved from the archive and were assigned to two groups: Group I: 26 effusions containing reactive/benign mesothelial cells; Group II: 26 effusions containing carcinoma cells. Immunostaining with HBME-1 was performed using an Envision technique. The staining intensity of cells, according to proportion of immunoreactive cells, was scored as: 0 (negative), 1+ (<10%), 2+ (10-50%), and 3+ (≥ 50%); and the predominant staining pattern of positive cells were determined. Statistical analysis and tests of significance were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The calculated mean values (in percentile) for stained cells in adenocarcinoma and reactive mesothelial cells were 25.57 and 67.88, respectively ( P = 0.001). Thin membranous, thick membranous, thick and thin membranous, cytoplasmic and combined patterns of staining in adenocarcinoma cells were respectively 4 cases (21.1%), 0 case, 0 case, 8 cases (42.1%), and 7 cases (36.8%), and in reactive mesothelial cells, these were 7 cases (26.9%), 1 case (3.8%), 18 cases (69.2%), 0 case, and 0 case, respectively. The intensity of staining in majority (88.5%) of reactive mesothelial cells was scored 3+, but the distribution varied in the other group. CONCLUSIONS: The staining pattern and intensity for HBME-1 is a useful panel for differentiation of adenocarcinoma and mesothelial cells.

Association between Asthma and Body Mass Index in Children.

Obesity has been reported to be associated with an increase in asthma in children. If there is any association, it could be attributed to an effect of obesity on lung volume and thus airway's obstruction. Data from 2413 children aged 7-12 years in Isfahan were analyzed. The subjects were included in this study if data were available for: height, weight, age, lung volume, and any measure of asthma, including history of diagnosed asthma, wheeze, chronic cough, and medication as obtained by questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles, divided into quintiles per year age, were used as a measure of standardized weight.After adjusting for, sex, age, smoking and family history, BMI was a significant risk factor for wheeze ever (p = 0.000) and asthma ever (p = 0.000), diagnosed asthma (P=0.000) and current asthma (p = 0.000). There was no significant correlation between BMI and obstructive spirometry. Increased BMI was significantly associated with an increased airway resistance.Despite the fact that higher BMI is a risk factor for, wheeze ever, wheeze and dyspnea in the last 12 months, and diagnosed asthma, higher BMI is not a risk factor for obstructive pattern in pulmonary function test.