Investigating the effectiveness of iron nanoparticles synthesized by green synthesis method in chemoradiotherapy of colon cancer.

Current methods of colon cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, require new treatment methods due to adverse side effects. One important area of interest in recent years is the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles since several studies have revealed that they can improve the target specificity of the treatment thus lowering the dosage of the drugs while preserving the effectiveness of the treatment thus reducing the side effects. The use of traditional medicine has also been a favorite topic of interest in recent years in medical research, especially cancer research. In this research work, the green synthesis of Fe nanoparticles was carried out using Mentha spicata extract and the synthesized nanoparticles were identified using FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM and EDS techniques. Then the effect of Mentha spicata, Fe nanoparticles, and Mentha spicata -loaded Fe nanoparticles on LS174t colon cancer cells, and our result concluded that all three, especially Mentha spicata -loaded Fe nanoparticles, have great cytotoxic effects against LS174t cells, and exposure to radiotherapy just further intensified these results. The in vitro condition revealed alterations in the expression of pro-apoptotic BAX and anti-apoptotic Bcl2, suggesting a pro-apoptotic effect from all three components, particularly the Mentha spicata-loaded Fe nanoparticles. After further clinical trials, these nanoparticles can be used to treat colon cancer.

Effectiveness of Group Spiritual Care on Leukemia Patients' Hope and Anxiety in Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study examined the effectiveness of a group spiritual care program on leukemia patients' hope and anxiety. This randomized controlled trial involved 94 leukemia patients hospitalized in the two oncology departments of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. This study was carried out from November 2022 to April 2023. The participants were selected based on the study inclusion criteria using the convenience sampling method then they were randomized to either the experimental (N = 46) or the control group (N = 48). The participants completed the written informed consent form, the demographic information form, and Beck's anxiety and Snyder's hope questionnaires. The spiritual care program was provided in six sessions (one 45-60 min per week), including a spiritual needs assessment, religious care, spiritual care, psychological-spiritual care, supportive-spiritual care, and evaluation. The participants then completed Beck's anxiety and Snyder's hope questionnaires immediately, one and two months after the intervention. At baseline, there was no significant between-group difference in leukemia patients' mean scores of hope (P = 0.313) and anxiety (P = 0.141); however, immediately, one and two months after the intervention, a significant between-group difference in the mean scores of hope and anxiety was observed (P < 0.001). Also, from baseline to two months after the intervention, a significant decrease and increase in anxiety and hope mean scores, respectively, were observed in the experimental group (within-group difference) (P < 0.001). However, in the control group, from baseline to two months after the intervention, a significant increase and decrease in mean scores of anxiety and hope, respectively, were observed (within-group difference) (P < 0.001). As a result, it is recommended that nurses should consider providing spiritual care to leukemia patients as a part of holistic care.

Efficacy of the Synbiotic Supplementation on the Metabolic Factors in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is overwhelmingly increasing and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disorder, so effective treatment strategies are considered high priority. This study aimed to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on metabolic factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, 108 participants were divided into two groups to receive synbiotic supplementation or placebo for 12 weeks. All participants were also educated about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consuming low-calorie nutritious meals, along with dietary intake and physical activity monitoring. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycemic indices, lipid profile, hepatic enzymes, and hs-CRP were evaluated at the baseline and end of the trial. Results: Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduces fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in the intervention group versus placebo group [-14.69 ± 15.11 mg/dl vs. -8.23 ± 7.90 mg/dl; p=0.007], but there was no difference between groups in other metabolic factors. Conclusions: These findings suggest that synbiotic supplementation while following a healthy lifestyle and nutrition improved FBG in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Opium use and risk of bladder cancer: a multi-centre case-referent study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common type of cancer worldwide and the fourth most common type of cancer in Iran. Opium use is considered as one of the risk factors for BC. We aim to assess the association between various parameters of opium use, which in Iran is mainly ingested or smoked in various forms, and the risk of BC. METHOD: In this multi-centre case-referent study in Iran, 717 BC cases and 3477 referents were recruited to the study from May 2017 until July 2020. Detailed histories of opium use (duration, amount, frequency) and potential confounders were collected by trained interviewers. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression models were used to measure adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The ORs were adjusted for age, gender, place of residence and pack-years of cigarette smoking. RESULTS: Regular opium consumption was associated with an increased risk of BC (OR 3.5, 95% CI: 2.8, 4.3) compared with subjects who never used opium. Compared with continuous users, the risk decreased to one-third for those who stopped opium more than 10 years ago. The adjusted OR for those who used both crude opium (teriak) and opium juice was 7.4 (95% CI: 4.1, 13.3). There was a joint effect of opium and tobacco (OR for users of both opium and tobacco 7.7, 95% CI: 6.0, 9.7). CONCLUSIONS: Regular opium use is associated with an approximately 4-fold risk for BC. The OR decreases along with the increasing time since stopping opium use.

Application of waste chalk/CoFe2O4/K2CO3 composite as a reclaimable catalyst for biodiesel generation from sunflower oil.

This investigation aimed to produce a new composited catalyst from a waste chalk powder, a waste generated by the construction industry, to produce biodiesel from sunflower oil. The waste chalk was modified by CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and K2CO3. The surface tests showed that the obtained catalyst has been successfully synthesized with desired surface properties. The surface areas of waste chalk, waste chalk/CoFe2O4, and waste chalk/CoFe2O4/K2CO3 were determined 20.8, 77.8, and 5.8 m2/g, respectively. This indicates that the waste chalk/CoFe2O4/K2CO3 catalyst has a lower surface area due to K2CO3 being placed on the catalyst. Results showed the efficiency of RSM-CCD (R2 = 0.992) compared to ANN (R2 = 0.974). It was shown that a contact time of 180 min, a temperature of 65 °C, a waste chalk/CoFe2O4/K2CO3 mass of 2 wt%, and methanol to oil mole ratio of 15:1 gave the highest efficiency (98.87%) of biodiesel production at the laboratory conditions. The kinetic results of the process showed the energy of activation and frequency factor of 11.8 kJ/mol and 0.78 min-1, respectively. Also, the values of ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° at 65 °C was calculated to be 9010.7 J/mol, -256.3 J/mol and 95.7 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating that the biodiesel production process is endothermic requiring high energy for proceeding. The generated catalyst has an efficiency of over 90% up to 6 steps of reuse. The generated biodiesel was met most of the international standard levels.

Probiotic Yogurt Fortified with Vitamin D Can Improve Glycemic Status in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant public health problem globally and the most notable chronic liver disease in Asian countries. Various dietary supplements have been assessed as potential methods to alleviate the metabolic damages related to NAFLD, but the results of these works have been equivocal. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic yogurt fortified with vitamin D (Pro-YFD) on glycemic and anthropometric indices in patients with NAFLD. One hundred and four NAFLD patients of both sexes were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group A (Pro-YFD) and group B (unfortified yogurt). The intervention period was 3 months. Fasting blood samples were obtained for measuring fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin level. Food intake was measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was estimated by bio-impedance. Eighty-eight patients completed the study. The mean serum level of 25(OH)D3 was elevated significantly (p < 0.001), while insulin level decreased significantly (p < 0.003) in group A at the end of the study. FBS levels showed no significant differences between the groups at the end of the trial. Also, there were no significant changes in diet caloric intake, physical activity, or anthropometric indices in the 2 groups during the interventions. Pro-YFD in the diets of patients with NAFLD may attenuate insulin resistance and improve serum level of 25(OH)D3.

The effect of yogurt co-fortified with probiotic and vitamin D on lipid profile, anthropometric indices and serum 25-hydroxi vitamin D in obese adult: A Double-Blind Randomized- Controlled Trial.

Vitamin D deficiency can be regarded as one of the overgrowing health problem in all of the world. Evidence from a clinical trial suggested a role for probiotic bacteria in increasing vitamin D. However, probiotic's effect is strain specific and this effect should be confirmed about different strains. The objective was to determine if yogurt fortification with probiotic bacteria, Lactobillus acidophilus La-B5, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 either alone or in combination with vitamin D can be a complementary treatment for vitamin D deficiency. The end-points were vitamin D, cardio metabolic lipid profile, anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist, hip, fat mass, lean body mass) and dietary intake. A 10-week parallel-group, double-blind, randomized and controlled trial was conducted on 140 obese men and women. The participants were randomly allocated to receive 100 grams either 1) plain low-fat yogurt or 2) probiotic yogurt or 3) vitamin D-fortified yogurt or 4) probiotic and vitamin D cofortified yogurt. All groups received low-calorie diet. Vitamin D increased significantly in group 4 (p = .008), group 3 (p = .001) and group 1 (p = .012 with no difference between groups. Vitamin D-fortified yogurt had the most effect size and showed a significant difference versus plain (p = .018) and probiotic yogurt (p = .002). Regarding lipid profile, there were no significant differences between groups. Data from this study does not support the hypothesis that yogurt fortified with probiotic bacteria, Lactobillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 either alone or in combination with vitamin D might impose any increasing effect on serum level of vitamin D in comparison with vitamin D-fortified yogurt.

Applications of emerging botanical hydrocolloids for edible films: A review.

In recent years, many studies have been conducted on the production of edible films from emerging gums, which are mostly made from botanical sources. However, each one interacts differently with the film compounds, producing films with different properties that may improve or hinder their utilization in food packaging. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate and compare the physical, mechanical, thermal and structural properties of edible films produced with these emerging gums. The results of this review showed that it is possible to produce edible films with desirable physical, mechanical and thermal properties by optimizing the amounts and type of compounds in film formulations such as plasticizers, nanoparticles, lipid compounds, crosslinkers and combination of gums with other biopolymers. The future trends of this research include the deepening of knowledge to understand the molecular structures of emerging gums and to address the shortcomings of films based on these gums for their industrial-scale application in food packaging.

Transesterification of waste edible oils to biodiesel using calcium oxide@magnesium oxide nanocatalyst.

In the present research, application of waste edible oil (WEO) as a suitable and abundant source for biodiesel production using CaO@MgO nanocatalyst derived from waste chicken eggshells was studied. To this end, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX, Map, and TEM analyses were performed to investigate characteristics of the CaO@MgO nanocatalyst. Also, the physical properties of the biodiesel such as flash point, kinematic viscosity, density, distillation point, cloud point, pour point, cetane number, oxidation stability, and acid number were determined according to the international standards. In addition, FT-IR and HNMR analyses were used to determine the biodiesel characteristics. Moreover, the produced catalyst was successively reused for up to 6 cycles and the results showed that the catalytic activity of the catalyst produced was sufficient for biodiesel production from WEO for up to three cycles, beyond which its catalytic activity decreased. The present work further considered the effects of different parameters on biodiesel production using central composite design to determine optimal conditions. According to the results, the highest biodiesel conversion yield (98.37%) was achieved in a reaction time of 7.08 h, reaction temperature of 69.37 °C, methanol-to-oil ratio of 16.7:1, and catalyst concentration of 4.571 wt% which shows the highest biodiesel conversion yield ever achieved from waste edible oil.

Characteristics and performance of Cd, Ni, and Pb bio-adsorption using Callinectes sapidus biomass: real wastewater treatment.

In the current study, the bio-adsorption potential of Callinectes sapidus biomass for control of cadmium, nickel, and lead from the aqueous stream was assessed. Spectrum analysis of FTIR, AFM, EDAX, mapping, SEM, TEM, and XRF was used to study the properties of the C. sapidus biomass. The XRF analysis revealed that C. sapidus bio-adsorbent has various effective metal oxides that can be useful to adsorb pollutants. The best model to describe the equilibrium data was Freundlich isotherm. The Langmuir bio-adsorption capacity was reported at 31.44 mg g-1, 29.23 mg g-1, and 29.15 mg g-1 for lead, cadmium, and nickel ions, respectively. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were studied to test the kinetic behavior of the process. An intra-particle diffusion model was used to determine the effective mechanisms involved in the bio-adsorption. Based on t1/2, it can be concluded that the equilibrium speed of the bio-adsorption process is high. The thermodynamic study showed that the metal bio-adsorption process using C. sapidus biomass is exothermic and spontaneous. The field applicability of the crab bio-adsorbent for eliminating concurrently several contaminants (metal ions, antibiotics, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium) from an actual wastewater was successfully examined.

Extraction optimization of pepsin-soluble collagen from eggshell membrane by response surface methodology (RSM).

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of extraction-process variables on pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) from eggshell membrane. A central composite design (CCD) was employed for experimental design and analysis of the results to obtain the best possible combination of NaOH concentration (X1: 0.4-1.2 mol/l), alkali treatment time (X2: 6-30 h), enzyme concentration (X3: 15-75 U/mg) and hydrolysis time (X4: 12-60 h) for maximum PSC extraction. The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and analyzed by appropriate statistical methods. According to the results, optimum extraction conditions were as follows: NaOH concentration of 0.76 mol/l, alkali treatment time of 18 h, enzyme concentration of 50 U/mg and hydrolysis time of 43.42 h. The experimental extraction yield under optimal conditions was found to be 30.049%, which is in good agreement with the predicted value of 30.054%.

Epidemiology of minor and moderate burns in rural Ardabil, Iran.

Epidemiology of minor burns is not well defined worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine epidemiological features of minor and moderate burn events that could be beneficial for prevention purposes. The study was conducted in Ardabil province in north-west Iran in 2005-2006. A total of 1700 minor and moderate burns were studied using a pretested questionnaire. Using the SAS 9.1 statistical program analyses were made. Females comprised the majority of cases (n=1000, 58.8%) and children, aged six and younger, made up 36.4% of burn victims. The majority of burns were caused by hot water and tea with the primary containers being kettles in 37.8%, cups or glasses in 24.2%, pots in 13.6% and samovars in 7.9%. Samovars, gas stoves, valors and picnic gas stoves were the primary heating devices involved in burns. In 56% of the cases, overturning of liquid containers was the primary injury mechanism of scalds. 43% had a second-degree burn with a mean total body surface area of 1.3%. This study provides possible beneficial information for burn prevention in the Ardabil area and other similar settings.

The effectiveness of wet-cupping for nonspecific low back pain in Iran: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of wet-cupping for treating persistent nonspecific low back pain. BACKGROUND: Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. It is still used in several contemporary societies. Very minimal empirical study has been conducted on its efficacy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Patients in the experimental group were offered the option of referral to the wet-cupping service; all accepted that option. The control group received usual care. SETTING: Medical clinic in Kermanshah, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 98 patients aged 17-68 years with nonspecific low back pain; 48 were randomly assigned to experimental group and 50 to the control group. INTERVENTION: Patients in the experimental group were prescribed a series of three staged wet-cupping treatments, placed at 3 days intervals (i.e., 0, 3, and 6 days). Patients in the control group received usual care from their general practitioner. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three outcomes assessed at baseline and again 3 months following intervention: the McGill Present Pain Index, Oswestry Pain Disability Index, and the Medication Quantification Scale. RESULTS: Wet-cupping care was associated with clinically significant improvement at 3-month follow-up. The experimental group who received wet-cupping care had significantly lower levels of pain intensity ([95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72-2.60] mean difference=2.17, p<0.01), pain-related disability (95% CI=11.18-18.82, means difference=14.99, p<0.01), and medication use (95% CI=3.60-9.50, mean difference=6.55, p<0.01) than the control group. The differences in all three measures were maintained after controlling for age, gender, and duration of lower back pain in regression models (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Traditional wet-cupping care delivered in a primary care setting was safe and acceptable to patients with nonspecific low back pain. Wet-cupping care was significantly more effective in reducing bodily pain than usual care at 3-month follow-up.

The risks of using samovars as the main tea-preparing facility in some Eastern countries.

Samovars are the main tea-making devices in some Eastern countries. In part of a joint Iran-Sweden research project on epidemiology and prevention of burns, 265 households in a rural area were entered into a cross-sectional study in which safety status of samovars used and unsafe behaviours in using them were assessed. Samovars were the main device used to boil water for making tea in 75% of the households; 55.2% of samovars were placed in the kitchen, 20% in the living room and the remainder elsewhere. The device was placed where the floor surface was uneven in 15.1% of the houses. It was placed in traffic areas in at least 20.7% and where it was accessible to preschool children in 60%. Only 11.5% of the 194 kerosene samovars examined had a national standard maintenance mark. Mean volume capacity of samovars was 6.9 l (6.4-7.4 l). A tap problem was observed in 17.4% of samovars, an unstable base in 7.7%, an unstable teapot in 13.4%, unstable handles in 7.2%, broken handles in 5.7%, an unstable water container in 13.4% and an unstable container lid in 5.1%. With most of the samovars there were technical problems making them unsafe. Behaviours in using samovars were also unsafe.