The Potential Radioprotective Effect of Piperine against Radiation-Induced Lung Injury in Mice: Histopathological and Biochemical Evaluations.

INTRODUCTION: It has been hypothesized that piperine, the main alkaloid component of black pepper, possesses a unique radioprotective effect. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of piperine against Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (RILI) in mice. METHOD: Firstly, eighty male mice were divided into eight groups; the control group did not receive any dosage of piperine and radiation (6 Gy), and the other groups received piperine alone at doses 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg, radiation, and radiation-piperine combination (6 Gy + 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg). Animals received piperine by gavage for 7 consecutive days. To investigate the effect of piperine pretreatment in mice that were exposed to radiation, histopathological and biochemical evaluations (markers of oxidative stress) were performed. Irradiation led to an increase in oxidative stress (increase in MDA and PC). Pretreatment of piperine in all three doses in irradiated mice was able to reduce oxidative stress compared to mice that were only exposed to radiation. RESULTS: Piperine at a dose of 25 mg/kg exhibited the highest protective effect as compared to other doses. Also, in the histopathological examination, it was seen that pretreatment with piperine was able to improve the infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduce the thickness of the alveolar septum and air sac damage. CONCLUSION: The outcomes completely proved significant lung protection by piperine in mice through reducing oxidative stress. This natural compound could be considered a protective agent against lung injury induced by ionizing radiation.

Does collagen cross linking have any effect on retinal circulation in patients with keratoconus? An optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to employ Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) to comprehensively assess changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) and macular perfusion before and after the Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CCL) procedure in patients with keratoconus. METHODS: A total of 22 keratoconus patient's candidate for CCL procedures were included based on specific criteria, with meticulous exclusion criteria in place to minimize potential confounders. Participants underwent OCTA assessments of the ONH and macula using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg) before CCL, as well as at 1- and 3-months post-CCL. MATLAB software was utilized for image analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 20.09 ± 6.11, including 59% male, and the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before the surgery was 13.59 ± 2.85 mmHg. Peripapillary Retinal nerve fiber layer (ppRNFL) thickness and overall retinal thickness remained stable post-CCL. However, significant alterations were observed in macular vessel density, emphasizing regional variations in vascular response. For macular large vessel density (LVD), both superficial and deep vascular complex (SVC and DVC) demonstrated significant differences between before surgery and the 3 months post-surgery follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Optic nerve head markers demonstrated relative stability, except for changes in avascular complex density, which was 49.2 ± 2.2% before the surgery and decrease to 47.6 ± 1.7% three months after the operation (P-value = 0.005). CONCLUSION: While CCL appears to maintain the integrity of certain ocular structures, alterations in macular perfusion post-CCL suggest potential effects on retinal blood supply. Long-term monitoring is crucial to understand the implications of these changes, particularly in the context of conditions such as diabetes.

The experiences and perceptions of people with chronic and rare diseases during political-economic sanctions in Iran: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Economic sanctions aim to exert pressure on political and economic foundations. Hypothesizing that sanctions might affect various aspects of population health, this study, as a component of a broader investigation to ascertain the trend effects of sanctions on selected health outcomes in Iran, seeks to explore the experiences of Iranian citizens associated with the imposed sanctions. METHODS: This is a qualitative study. We conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with randomly selected patients diagnosed with at least one chronic and rare disease from diverse backgrounds across four provinces in Iran. We analyzed data using an inductive content analysis approach, facilitated by the MAXQDA10 software. RESULTS: We identified three primary themes: direct effects, side effects, and coping strategies. The immediate effects were perceived to be manifested through the restriction of healthcare service availability and affordability for citizens. The side effects included the economic hardships experienced in individuals' lives and the perceived devastation caused by these difficulties. Some coping mechanisms adopted by patients or their families/relatives included prioritizing comorbidities, prioritizing health needs within families with multiple ill members, and readjusting health/illness requirements in light of daily living needs. CONCLUSION: In addition to the inherent burden of their illness, patients faced substantial healthcare costs as a result of sanctions, restricted access to medications, and availability of low-quality medications. We advocate considering these challenges within the healthcare system resilience framework as a crucial first step for policymakers, aiming to determine actionable measures and mitigate the adverse effects of sanctions on citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

Surgical complications of bariatric surgery among patients with rheumatic diseases.

Background: Obesity is one the most prevalent diseases all around the world. Some studies have shown a relationship between obesity and the worsening of rheumatic disorders. Higher rates of surgical complications might also be seen among these patients. Methods: This retrospective-descriptive study was performed on 25 patients with rheumatic disease referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital (Tehran- Iran) and candidates for bariatric surgery (laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) from 2018 to 2020. Duration of hospitalization after surgery and history of post-operation surgical and rheumatic complications were assessed. Patients were followed through 6 months after surgery. Results: The age (Mean±SD) of recruited patients was (38.4 ±10.0) years. The mean body mass index was 45.54 kg/m2 with the minimum and maximum values of 37.5 kg/m2 and 56.5 kg/m2. Among them, the prevalence of rheumatic disorders was rheumatoid arthritis 32%, psoriasis 28%, gout 16%, lupus erythematosus 8%, and other rheumatologic disorders 16%, respectively. One patient had a surgical complication that was a port site infection. One patient had a relapse of gout and other patients had remission and also, their therapeutic drugs were discontinued or reduced. Conclusion: Patients with rheumatic disorders revealed no higher surgical complication rate after bariatric surgery, and bariatric surgery helped disease remission among these patients.

Viruses and thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a decrease in platelet count, is a multifaceted clinical manifestation that can arise from various underlying causes. This review delves into the intriguing nexus between viruses and thrombocytopenia, shedding light on intricate pathophysiological mechanisms and highlighting the pivotal role of platelets in viral infections. The review further navigates the landscape of thrombocytopenia in relation to specific viruses, and sheds light on the diverse mechanisms through which hepatitis C virus (HCV), measles virus, parvovirus B19, and other viral agents contribute to platelet depletion. As we gain deeper insights into these interactions, we move closer to elucidating potential therapeutic avenues and preventive strategies for managing thrombocytopenia in the context of viral infections.

The Combination of Estradiol and N-Acetylcysteine Reduces Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries of Mice Autografted Ovarian Tissue.

Ischemia-reperfusion injuries are important issues after ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT). Our study examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and estradiol (E2) on mouse ovarian autografts. Mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into ovarian autograft as follows: Control: fresh OTT; Sham: cryopreserved/warmed OTT; NAC: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with NAC treatment; E2: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with E2 treatment; NAC+E2: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with the treatment of NAC and E2. In all groups, grafts were harvested on days 2, 7, and 28 after transplantation to evaluate histological parameters, inflammation relative to genes expression, and oxidative status. Histological analysis showed that NAC, E2, and a combination of NAC+E2 significantly increased the primordial, preantral, and antral follicular number. When NAC was used, it significantly reduced the expression of Tnf-α and Fgf-2, whereas it increased Il-1ß, Il-6, and Vegf expression levels. The levels of Il-6, Fgf-2, and VEGF were dramatically increased in the E2-treated group. The combination of NAC and E2 significantly increased levels of Il-1ß, Il-6, Fgf-2, and Vegf. NAC and E2 alone or in combination significantly increased total antioxidant capacity but did not affect the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. In conclusion, after transplantation, NAC and E2 alone or in combination, could improve follicular development and angiogenesis as well as decline inflammation and ovarian oxidative damage.

Comparing the Effect of Ketamine and Lidocaine on Agitation and Pain in Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is an important clinical problem that occurs during the initial period of recovery from anesthesia. This study aimed to determine the effects of ketamine and lidocaine administered on agitation level, postoperative pain, and hemodynamic changes in adults after rhinoplasty. Materials and Methods: Totally 72 patients scheduled to undergo elective rhinoplasty were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups including control group (n = 24), ketamine group (n = 24), and lidocaine group (n = 24). Twenty minutes before surgery completion, 1 ml saline was administered intravenously to the saline group, while 0.5 mg/kg ketamine or 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine was administered to two other groups. The emergence agitation level of the patients was evaluated using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale just after extubation and in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Postoperative pain was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale that scored (from 0 to 10) every 10 min until the patients were discharged from PACU. Results: There was a significant difference between EA level between ketamine (P = 0.049) and lidocaine (P = 0.019) groups compared to the control group, and there was a significant difference between pain level between the ketamine (P = 0.008) and lidocaine (P = 0.035) groups compared the to control group, while there was no significant difference between the level of agitation (P = 0.922) and level of pain (P = 0.845) after extubation between the ketamine and lidocaine groups. Conclusion: Ketamine and lidocaine are highly effective in preventing EA and pain control. Further studies with a greater sample size and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the current findings.

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative stress induced by metabolic disorders in the male reproductive system: a systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent models.

Background: Male infertility is a multifaceted issue that has gained scientific interest due to its increasing rate. Studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is involved in male infertility development. Furthermore, metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, are risk factors for male infertility, and oxidative stress is believed to contribute to this association. Melatonin, functioning as an oxidative scavenger, may represent a promising therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorder-associated male infertility. Material and methods: We systematically searched three online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) for studies that evaluated the effects of melatonin therapy on metabolic disorders-induce infertility in male rodents. The favorable outcomes were histopathological parameters of testicular tissue, reproductive hormones, and markers of oxidative stress. Then, meta-analyses were done for each outcome. The results are reported as standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) and 95% confidence interval. Results: 24 studies with 31 outcomes were included. Rats and mice were the subjects. Studies have employed obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and food deprivation as metabolic disorders. To induce these disorders, a high-fat diet, high-fructose diet, leptin, streptozotocin, alloxan, carbimazole, and levothyroxine were used. The outcomes included histopathologic characteristics (abnormal sperm morphology, apoptotic cells, apoptotic index, Johnsen's testicular biopsy score, seminiferous epithelial height, tubular basement membrane thickness, tubular diameter, sperm count, and motility), weight-related measurements (absolute epididymis, testis, and body weight, body weight gain, epididymal adipose tissue weight, and relative testis to body weight), hormonal characteristics (androgen receptor expression, serum FSH, LH, and testosterone level), markers of oxidative stress (tissue and serum GPx and MDA activity, tissue CAT, GSH, and SOD activity), and exploratory outcomes (serum HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose level). The overall pooled effect sizes were statistically significant for all histopathological characteristics and some markers of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Melatonin can reduce damage to male rodents' gonadal tissue and improve sperm count, motility, and morphology in metabolic diseases. Future clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of melatonin for male infertility in patients with metabolic diseases.

Radioprotective effect of piperine, as a major component of black pepper, against radiation-induced colon injury: biochemical and histological studies.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing radiotherapy are prone to radiation-induced gastrointestinal injury. Piperine is an alkaloid component in black pepper with a unique chemopreventive activity against oxidative stress-related damage in healthy tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of piperine on intestinal damage. METHODS: In this study, mice were divided into eight groups: including the control, piperine (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg), radiation (6 Gy), and piperine+radiation (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg + 6 Gy) groups. The radioprotective effects of piperine were evaluated by biochemical (MDA, GSH, and PC) and histopathological assessments in colon tissues. RESULTS: The 10 mg/kg dose of piperine significantly reduced the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers compared to the group that received only radiation. In addition, pre-treatment with 10 mg/kg piperine diminished the histopathological changes like vascular congestion in the submucosa, while the dose of 50 mg/kg led to the infiltration of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it is concluded that piperine, at low dose, with its antioxidant properties, could reduce the colon damage caused by radiation.

Engineering and application of polysaccharides and proteins-based nanobiocatalysts in the recovery of toxic metals, phosphorous, and ammonia from wastewater: A review.

Global waste production is anticipated reach to 2.59 billion tons in 2030, thus accentuating issues of environmental pollution and health security. 37 % of waste is landfilled, 33 % is discharged or burned in open areas, and only 13.5 % is recycled, which makes waste management poorly efficient in the context of the circular economy. There is, therefore, a need for methods to recycle waste into valuable materials through the resource recovery process. Progress in the field of recycling is strongly dependent on the development of efficient, stable, and reusable yet inexpensive catalysts. In this case, growing attention has been paid to the development and application of nanobiocatalysts with promising features. The main purpose of this review paper is to: (i) introduce nanobiomaterials and describe their effective role in the preparation of functional nanobiocatalysts for the recourse recovery aims; (ii) provide production methods and the efficiency improvement of nanobaiocatalysts; (iii) give a comprehensive description of valued resource recovery for reducing toxic chemicals from the contaminated environment; (iv) describe various technologies for the valued resource recovery; (v) state the limitation of the valued resource recovery; (vi) and finally economic importance and current scenario of nanobiocatalysts strategies applicable for the resource recovery processes.

Extracellular vesicles as a new horizon in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory eye diseases: A narrative review of the literature.

Extracellular vesicles include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Their cargos contain a diverse variety of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids that are involved in both normal physiology and pathology of the ocular system. Thus, studying extracellular vesicles may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and even potential treatments for various diseases. The roles of extracellular vesicles in inflammatory eye disorders have been widely investigated in recent years. The term "inflammatory eye diseases" refers to a variety of eye conditions such as inflammation-related diseases, degenerative conditions with remarkable inflammatory components, neuropathy, and tumors. This study presents an overview of extracellular vesicles' and exosomes' pathogenic, diagnostic, and therapeutic values in inflammatory eye diseases, as well as existing and potential challenges.

Health condition of Afghan refugees residing in Iran in comparison to Germany: a systematic review of empirical studies.

BACKGROUND: The re-emerging dominance of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021 caused a new wave of Afghan refugees heading Iran and neighboring countries. Iran in the Middle East and Germany in Europe are two major host countries to the largest populations of Afghan refugees. In both countries, several studies have been done to assess the health condition of refugees. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the existing literature to identify similarities and differences of health conditions of Afghan refugees living in the two countries, and to synthesize evidence on the health status and health care access of these populations. METHODS: Related electronic databases and grey literature of Iran and Germany on the health of Afghan refugees were scanned and searched up for the period 2000-2020. Key terms were formed by combining "Afghan refugees or immigrants or populations or asylum seekers", "Physical or mental health", "Healthcare service or access or use", "Iran or Germany". Empirical studies were considered if they contained samples of Afghan refugees with particular outcomes for Afghans. Results were categorized for both countries in the three main areas of physical health, mental health, and access/use of healthcare services. RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty-two documents were extracted, of which 75 full-texts were finally reviewed. 60 documents belonged to the health condition of Afghan refugees residing in Iran including 43 in physical health, 6 in mental health, 8 in healthcare access and use, and 3 in multiple aspects of health, and 15 belonged to Germany including 7 in physical health, 4 in mental health, 2 in healthcare access and use, and 2 in multiple aspects of health. A less explicit evaluation of the overall health condition of Afghan refugees was observable, particularly for Germany. While matches on the study subject exist for both countries, in comparison to Germany, we extracted more quantitative and qualitative health studies on Afghan refugees of the mentioned areas from Iran. German health studies were rare, less qualitative, and more on the health condition of diverse refugee groups in general. CONCLUSIONS: Wide gaps and unanswered questions related to mental health and overall health status of the Afghan refugee population are observable, especially in Germany. Our systematic review identified the gap in evidence, which we would recommend to bridge using a wider lens to comprehensively assess the overall condition of refugees considering associations between health and socio-economic and cultural determinants instead of a one-dimensional approach. Further, within health studies on refugee populations, we recommend stratification of results by the country of origin to capture the within-group diversity among refugees with different countries of origin.

Predictors of Breast Cancer Screening behavior in Women aged 20-69 Referred to Public Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Isfahan Province.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer is a major challenge that can lead to disease progression. Identifying the predictors of breast cancer screening behavior is necessary to promote early detection of breast cancer. This study aims to investigate the predictors of breast cancer screening behavior in women aged 20-69 referred to public health centers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 17255 women aged 20-69 years old in Isfahan Province referred to Public Health Centers by the multi-stage random sampling method. data were collected based on the paper forms of women's care aged 20-69 at public health centers, Isfahan, Iran, in 2012. Using STATA 14, logistic regression was employed to explore predictors of breast cancer screening behavior at a 5% significance level. Results: The mean age of women was 36.75 ± 10.46. About 6006 (34.8%) of women had a history of breast self-examination, and among women aged over 40 years, 17.7% reported ever having a mammogram. The most important factors influencing breast self-examination were age 40-49 (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06-1.33), history of hormone consumption (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.15-1.33), family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives (OR = 14.22; 95% CI: 9.83-20.57. The most important factors influencing mammography were hormone consumption (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.05-1.51), and family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives (OR = 32.55; 95% CI: 20.08-52.70). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the performance of breast self-examination and mammography was low. The frequency of BC screening behavior was higher among women with BC risk factors The results revealed the need for health authorities to pay attention to education in BC detection methods.

The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Silk Cocoon on Hypothalamic-Pituitary -Gonadal Axis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus impairs the reproductive system by damaging the glands and changing their function and hormone secretions. Given the previous studies on medical properties of silk cocoon, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of silk cocoon on pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and the testis changes in diabetic male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into 5 equal groups. Control (C), nontreated diabetic rats (DNT1), and experimental diabetic rats treated (DT1) with a silk cocoon extract at concentrations of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 56 days. Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin. Blood sampling was performed by the tail and heart after fasting. Body weight, serum levels of glucose, prolactin, leptin, inhibin A, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH were measured along with the testis weight and diameter as the outcome of the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: Investigation of hormonal factors indicated that all diabetic groups had higher prolactin, inhibin A levels than those in C group and lower leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels than controls. Silk cocoon treatment significantly decreased prolactin and inhibin in comparison of DNT1 group. While there was a significant increase in leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels compared with DNT1 (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in both the testis weights and diameters was observed in diabetic male rats compared to controls (P < 0.05). While silk cocoon treatment improved gonadal weight, the diameter of tunica albuginea, and seminiferous tubules as long as increased in numbers of spermatocytes and Sertoli-Leydig cells. Spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, spermatozoid, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cell count were significantly lower in the DNT1 group in comparison with the control group, while all groups receiving the highest dose of SC800 mg/kg daily had a higher count of cells than the DNT1 group. Conclusion: It seems that silk cocoon treatment decreases the effects of diabetes on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Homodimer 99mTc-HYNIC-E(SSSLTVPWY)2 peptide improved HER2-overexpressed tumor targeting and imaging.

We hypothesized that a novel design of the LTVPWY (LY) peptide might exhibit a great potential for improving binding affinity and targeting HER2-overexpressed tumors. Hence, new dimer construction of 99mTc-labeled LY [99mTc-HYNIC-E(SSSLTVPWY)2] (99mTc-DLY) was introduced. Afterward, a head-to-head comparison of in vitro and in vivo experiments was performed between 99mTc-DLY and 99mTc-HYNIC-SSSLTVPWY as the monomer analog. The blocking dosage of trastuzumab reduced the uptake of the dimer about 20% more efficiently than the monomer in the SKOV-3 cell line. A twofold increase in competitive binding affinity and biological half-life was observed for 99mTc-DLY. The ovarian-tumor-bearing mice were detected with high contrast where the tumor-to-muscle ratio of 99mTc-DLY was notably increased about 40% using a gamma camera. The biodistribution experiment revealed an approximately 10% enhancement in tumor/blood, tumor/muscle, and tumor/bone ratios for the dimer. More rapid blood clearance was another achievement of the homodimer design. Overall, 99mTc-DLY successfully affected the pharmacokinetics and consequently the visualization of HER2-overexpressing tumors.

Homomultimer Strategy for Improvement of Radiolabeled Peptides and Antibody Fragments in Tumor Targeting.

A homomultimeric radioligand is composed of multiple identical ligands connected to the linker and radionuclide to detect a variety of overexpressed receptors on cancer cells. Multimer strategy holds great potential for introducing new radiotracers based on peptide and monoclonal antibody (mAb) derivatives in molecular imaging and therapy. It offers a reliable procedure for the preparation of biological-based targeting with diverse affinities and pharmacokinetics. In this context, we provide a useful summary and interpretation of the main results by a comprehensive look at multimeric radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear oncology. Therefore, explanations for the strategy mechanisms and the main variables affecting the biodistribution results will be explained. The discussion is followed by highlights of recent work in the targeting of various types of receptors. The consequences are expressed based on comparing some parameters between monomer and multimer counterparts in each relevant section.

Psychometrics of the Persian version of the COVID-19-related health literacy in the Iranian population.

Background: Since the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, information dissemination has increased rapidly. Promoting health literacy is currently crucial to prepare people to respond quickly to situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the importance of health literacy in this critical situation, we are looking for a questionnaire to measure COVID-19 health literacy. The COVID-19 Germany Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22) is an excellent tool, so the study aimed to create a cultural validity of this questionnaire for the Iranian population. Methods: In this validation study, 880 samples were enrolled using a convenient sampling method. The questionnaire was translated through a backward forwarding procedure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were employed for Persian version validity. McDonald's omega (Ω), Cronbach's alpha, and average inter-item correlation (AIC) coefficients were assessed for reliability. Results: Using EFA on the random half sample (n = 440), the EFA indicated that the scale had four factors: accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health-related information in the COVID-19 pandemic context, which explained 59.3% of the total variance. CFA was used for the sample's second part (n = 440) to evaluate the goodness of fit of the four-factor solution. CFA showed the model fit. All indices RMSEA = 0.067, CFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.934, PCFI = 0.772, PNFI = 0.747, and CMIN/DF = 2.972 confirmed the model fit. The convergent validity of the HLS-COVID-Q22 was confirmed. McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha were very good (α and Ω >0.80). Conclusion: The Persian version of the HLS-COVID-Q22 had acceptable psychometric properties and is applicable to measure COVID-19 health literacy.

Biochemical response and nutrient uptake of two arbuscular mycorrhiza-inoculated chamomile varieties under different osmotic stresses.

BACKGROUND: Water-deficit stress is known as one of the most severe environmental stresses affecting the growth of plants through marked reduction of water uptake, which leads to osmotic stress by lowering water potential. Adopting appropriate varieties using soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi, can significantly reduce the adverse effects of water deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Funneliformis mosseae on nutrient uptake and certain physiological traits of two chamomile varieties, namely Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksári (Sor) under osmotic stress. For pot culture, a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three factors: osmotic stress (PEG 6000) was applied along with Hoagland solution at three levels (0, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa), two German chamomile varieties (Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksari (Sor)), and AM inoculation (Funneliformis mosseae species (fungal and non-fungal)) at four replications in perlite substrate. RESULTS: Osmotic stress significantly reduced the uptake of macro-nutrients (N and P) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in the shoots and roots. Moreover, the level of osmolytes (total soluble sugars and proline) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the shoots of both varieties increased under osmotic stress. Regarding the Sor variety, the level of these compounds was more satisfactory. AM improved plant nutrition uptake and osmolyte contents while enhancing antioxidant enzymes and reducing the adverse effects of osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, the growth and total dry weight were improved upon AM inoculation. CONCLUSIONS: In general, inoculation of chamomile with AM balanced the uptake of nutrients and increased the level of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes; hence, it improved plant characteristics under osmotic stress in both varieties. However, it was found to be more effective in reducing stress damages in the Sor variety.

The potential neuroprotective roles of olive leaf extract in an epilepsy rat model induced by kainic acid.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Epilepsy is recognized as a chronic neurologic disease. Increasing evidence has addressed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles of olive leaf extract (OLE) in neurodegenerative diseases. So, the current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective roles of OLE in epilepsy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Forty rats were divided into 4 groups including a control group, sham group, kainic acid (KA) group, and KA + OLE group. KA (4 µg/rat) was injected intrahippocampal, and OLE (300 mg/kg) was orally administrated for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed, and their hippocampi were isolated. KA- induced seizure activity was recorded. Oxidative stress index was assessed by measuring its indicators including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, nitrate, and glutathione (GSH) as well as the catalase (CAT) activity. The supernatant concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the apoptosis rate in neurons were measured. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Treatment with OLE significantly reduced the seizure score. OLE decreased oxidative stress index by reducing the concentration of MDA, nitrite, and nitrate as well as increasing the level of GSH. OLE had a significant anti-apoptotic effect on neurons. However, CAT activity and the level of TNF-α were not affected. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings indicated neuroprotective properties of OLE, which is mainly mediated by its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, therefore, could be considered as a valuable therapeutic supplement for epilepsy.