Pistachio hull polysaccharide protects Nile tilapia against LPS-induced excessive inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, possibly via TLR2 and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Polysaccharides are polymeric carbohydrates found in living organisms, which have several physiological functions. In the present study, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed diets containing three levels (0%, 0.2%, and 0.6%) of Pistacia vera hull polysaccharide (PHP) for 45 days and then injected with PBS or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Before the LPS challenge, Nile tilapia fed 0.2% and 0.6% PHP showed significantly increased mean final weight and weight gain compared to those received 0% PHP. The specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in the treatment fed 0.6% PHP compared to the remaining groups. After LPS challenge, the activities of liver antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase exhibited the highest values in the 0.6% PHP group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly augmented in the model (fed 0% PHP diet and injected with LPS) and 0.2% PHP groups compared to the control. However, MDA showed decreased levels in the 0.6% PHP group. LPS induced higher mRNA and/or protein levels of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (Myd88), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in Nile tilapia liver. However, PHP administration significantly upregulated the expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10), nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), SOD, and CAT, but markedly suppressed TLR2, NF-κB, Myd88, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and/or production in the liver. The findings of the current study indicated that PHP has positive effects on growth performance, immune gene-related expression, and antioxidative activities. We can conclude that PHP can attenuate LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in vivo, possibly via induction of Nrf2 and blockade of TLR2/Myd88/NF-κB pathways in Nile tilapia.

The synergistic effects of plant polysaccharide and Pediococcus acidilactici as a synbiotic additive on growth, antioxidant status, immune response, and resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Aeromonas hydrophila.

This study evaluated the growth performance, immune responses, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia upon pistachio hulls derived polysaccharide (PHDP) and Pediococcus acidilactici (PA) separately or as synbiotic. Fish received four types of diets: T1, control; T2, PHDP (0.1%); T3, PA (0.2%); T4, PHDP (0.1%) +PA (0.2%) for 56 days. The results showed that final weight and weight gain were markedly higher in fish fed T4 diet than that given T1 and T2 diets (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, a significantly greater specific growth rate was obtained by the T4 diet compared to the control. Fish survival was significantly improved in all supplemented diets compared to the control. On the other hand, the activities of lipase, protease, and amylase showed significant increases in the T4 group compared with other feeding groups. The total leucocytes and lymphocytes proportion significantly elevated in T3 and T4 than remaining groups (P ≤ 0.05). Further, fish fed T3 diet presented significantly higher serum total protein, total immunoglobulin, lysozyme activity (LYZ), alternative complement activity (ACH50), and alkaline phosphatase activity compared to fish fed T1 and T2 diets, while the mentioned indices were found significantly highest in T4 group than others. Fish received T3 and T4 diets had higher skin mucus LYZ and ACH50 than those fed T1 and T2 diets (P ≤ 0.05). The malondialdehyde levels were significantly declined in T3 and T4 when compared to the control. Fish fed T3 and T4 diets demonstrated significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities compared to the control. The intestinal propionic acid significantly increased by T2 and T4 diets, while the highest levels of acetic acid detected in fish given T4 diet. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were significantly affected by T3 and T4 supplements. The efficacy of T4 diet against Aeromonas hydrophila infection was documented by a significantly lower mortality rate. In conclusion, the combination of PHDP and PA presented promising results as a synbiotic feed additive for Nile tilapia.

Do hospital workers experience a higher risk of respiratory symptoms and loss of lung function?

BACKGROUND: Hospital work environment contains various biological and chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the staff. The objective of this study was to investigate potential effects of occupational exposures on the risk of respiratory symptoms and lung function in hospital work, and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and occupational exposures. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 staff members in a hospital and 228 employees of an office building as the reference group in Shiraz, Iran. All subjects completed a standardized ATS respiratory questionnaire and performed a spirometry test. RESULTS: In Poisson regression, the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) among the hospital staff were elevated for cough (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 1.15, 3.16), phlegm production (aPR 3.21, 95% CI 1.63, 6.32), productive cough (aPR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.43), wheezing (aPR 3.18, 95% CI 1.04, 9.66), shortness of breath (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93, 2.12), and chest tightness (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 0.73, 4.12). Particularly laboratory personnel experienced increased risks of most symptoms. In linear regression adjusting for confounding, there were no significant differences in lung function between the hospital and office workers. There was an indication of synergism between hospital exposures and current smoking on FEV1/FVC% (interaction term ß = - 5.37, 95% CI - 10.27, - 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: We present significant relations between hospital work, especially in laboratories, and increased risks of respiratory symptoms. Smoking appears to enhance these effects considerably. Our findings suggest that policymakers should implement evidence-based measures to prevent these occupational exposures.

Metabolite Profiling and Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of Zataria multiflora Boiss. Hydroethanolic Leaf Extracts for Identification of Broad-Spectrum Pre and Postharvest Antifungal Agents.

Hydroethanolic leaf extracts of 14 Iranian Zataria multiflora Boiss. populations were screened for their antifungal activity against five plant pathogenic fungi and metabolically profiled using a non-targeted workflow based on UHPLC/ESI-QTOFMS. Detailed tandem mass-spectrometric analyses of one of the most active hydroethanolic leaf extracts led to the annotation of 68 non-volatile semi-polar secondary metabolites, including 33 flavonoids, 9 hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, 14 terpenoids, and 12 other metabolites. Rank correlation analyses using the abundances of the annotated metabolites in crude leaf extracts and their antifungal activity revealed four O-methylated flavones, two flavanones, two dihydroflavonols, five thymohydroquinone glycoconjugates, and five putative phenolic diterpenoids as putative antifungal metabolites. After bioassay-guided fractionation, a number of mono-, di- and tri-O-methylated flavones, as well as three of unidentified phenolic diterpenoids, were found in the most active subfractions. These metabolites are promising candidates for the development of new natural fungicides for the protection of agro-food crops.

Occurrence of respiratory symptoms and lung function deficits among fruit and vegetable market workers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effects of occupational exposures among fruit and vegetable market workers on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and on the level of lung function parameters. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 140 men working as fruit and vegetable market workers (response rate 100%) and a reference group of 77 male office workers as the reference group (response rate 55%) from Shiraz, Iran. The outcomes of interest included occurrence of respiratory symptoms assessed by a standard respiratory questionnaire and lung function assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: In Poisson regression analyses, the exposed group showed increased prevalence ratio (PR) of wheezing (adjusted PR 5.32, 95% CI 1.40 to 20.26), after controlling for confounding. Cough (PR 3.30, 95% CI 1.16 to 9.40) and wheezing (PR 9.40, 95% CI 2.28 to 38.64) showed increased PRs among vegetable distributors. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity were significantly decreased among exposed workers after controlling for confounders. The absolute value of FEV1 level was reduced significantly among fruit and vegetable carters (-0.99, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.32) and vegetable (-0.51, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.10) and fruit (-0.51, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.15) distributors in comparison with the reference group in the adjusted full model. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that fruit and vegetable market workers are at an increased risk of respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. Workplace conditions and safety training clearly need improvement, and there is a likely role for proper use of personal protective equipment.

Occupational exposures and respiratory symptoms and lung function among hairdressers in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Exposures at hairdressers' work have been reported to lead to an increased risk of several health outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the relations between occupational exposures and respiratory symptoms and lung function among hairdressers in Iran. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare potential respiratory effects among 140 women working as hairdressers to such effects among 140 women working as office workers (administrative personnel). Both groups worked in Shiraz, Iran. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by a standard respiratory questionnaire. The questionnaire also inquired about substances used and workspace conditions, including ventilation type. Lung function levels were measured by spirometry. RESULTS: Respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness were significantly more frequent in hairdressers compared to the reference group (p < 0.05). After controlling for potential confounders, hairdressers had a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.18 (95% CI 1.26-3.77) for cough, 9.59 (95% CI 1.004-91.73) for wheezing, 2.06 (95% CI 1.25-3.39) for shortness of breath, and 3.31 (95% CI 1.84-5.97) for chest tightness compared to the reference group. Lung function parameters (including VC, FVC, and FEV1) were significantly reduced in hairdressers (p < 0.001). Absence of air conditioning predicted greater reduction in lung function (p < 0.05) in the exposed. Decrease in FVC with normal FEV1/FVC in the exposed group suggested existence of restrictive lung function. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and restrictive lung function impairment among hairdressers in Iran.

Vasectomy reversal: Unilateral versus bilateral vasovasostomy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficiencies of unilateral and bilateral vasovasostomies as the vasectomy reversal procedures. A total of 95 patients with a history of bilateral vasectomy were evaluated. 42 of them had undergone unilateral surgery, and bilateral surgery had been done for the other 53 patients. Their information including the age, the time interval between the initial vasectomy to the reversal surgery and other underlying illnesses or medications was gathered. Patency rates in the unilateral and bilateral groups were 88.1% (38 patients) and 88.7% (48 patients), respectively, the difference of which was not statistically significant (p = .907). Successful pregnancies occurred in 22 (52.4%) and 29 (54.7%) patients, respectively, which did not show any statistically significant difference too (p = .713). Based on the multivariate logistic regression model, only the time interval between vasectomy and the reversal (duration of obstruction) was predictive of patency (OR = 1.112, p = .037). The outcomes of the unilateral and bilateral vasovasostomies in terms of patency and pregnancy rates were not significantly different. We suggest that performing unilateral, instead of bilateral, vasovasostomy can reduce the time of anaesthesia and surgery and save costs and consumables without having a significant negative impact on the surgical outcomes.

Fuzzy Logic Modeling of Factors Affecting Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Steel Factory in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to model associated factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), using fuzzy logic in a steel factory in Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on steel industry workers. A 6-part questionnaire was used, consisting of demographic characteristics, occupational stress, work-family conflict, general health, occupational postures, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Pearson correlation was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDs for 270 participants in the studied factory was 94.8%. Job stress, work-family conflict, general health, and work posture had a statistically significant relationship with MSDs (P < .05). The fuzzy model demonstrated 23.8% predictability for the actual data of the study. The defuzzification data had significant correlation with real data of MSDs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provided a new perspective about associated factors affecting MSDs and demonstrate that fuzzy logic can be used as a possible tool for evaluating MSDs.

Evaluating size-fractioned indoor particulate matter in an urban hospital in Iran.

Hospitals host vulnerable people with potentially enhanced sensitivity to air pollutants. We measured particulate matter (PM) including PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 with a portable device in a hospital, a nearby reference building, and ambient air in Shiraz, Iran. Indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio values were calculated to infer on the origin of size-fractioned PM. The mean hospital indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 (4.7 and 38.7 µg/m3, respectively) but not PM1 were higher than in the reference building and lower than in ambient air. The highest hospital PM10 mean concentrations were found in the radiotherapy ward (77.5 µg/m3) and radiology ward (70.4 µg/m3) while the lowest were found in the bone marrow transplantation (BMT) ward (18.5 µg/m3) and cardiac surgery ward (19.8 µg/m3). The highest PM2.5 concentrations were found in the radiology (8.7 µg/m3) and orthopaedic wards (7.7 µg/m3) while the lowest were found in the BMT ward (2.8 µg/m3) and cardiac surgery ward (2.8 µg/m3). The I/O ratios and the timing of peak concentrations during the day (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) indicated the main roles of outdoor air and human activity on the indoor levels. These suggest the need for mechanical ventilation with PM control for a better indoor air quality (IAQ) in the hospital.

Cancer and non-cancer health risk assessment of occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene in a petrochemical plant in Iran.

1,3-Butadiene is classified as carcinogenic to humans by inhalation. This study aimed to assess cancer and non-cancer risk following occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a petrochemical plant producing acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer in Iran. Occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene was measured according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 1024 method. Cancer and non-cancer risk assessment were performed according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. The average occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene during work shifts among all participants was 560.82 ± 811.36 µg m-3. The average lifetime cancer risk (LCR) in the present study was 2.71 × 10-3; 82.2% of all exposed workers were within the definite carcinogenic risk level. Also, the mean non-cancer risk (hazard quotient (HQ)) among all participants was 10.82 ± 14.76. The highest LCR and HQ were observed in the safety and fire-fighting station workers with values of 7.75 × 10-3 and 36.57, respectively. The findings revealed that values of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk in the majority of participants were within the definitive and unacceptable risk levels. Therefore, corrective measures are necessary to protect these workers from non-cancer and cancer risks from 1,3-butadiene exposure.

Dexamethasone loaded multi-layer poly-l-lactic acid/pluronic P123 composite electrospun nanofiber scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and drug delivery.

In tissue engineering, it is common to mix drugs that can control proliferation and differentiation of cells into polymeric solutions as part of composite to get bioactive scaffolds. However, direct incorporation of drugs might potentially result in undesired burst release. To overcome this problem, here we developed electrospun multilayer drug loaded poly-l-lactic acid/pluronic P123 (PLLA-P123) composite scaffolds. The drug was loaded into the middle layer. The surface, the mechanical and physiochemical properties of the scaffolds were evaluated. The drug release profiles were monitored. Finally, the osteogenic proliferation and differentiation potential were determined. The scaffolds fabricated here have appropriate surface properties, but with different mechanical strength and osteogenic proliferation and differentiation. Multi-layer scaffolds where the drug was in the middle layer and PLLA-plasma and PLLA-P123 with cover layer showed the best osteogenic proliferation and differentiation than the other groups of scaffolds. The drug release profiles of the scaffolds were completely different: single layer scaffolds showed burst release within the first day, while multilayer scaffolds showed controlled release. Therefore, the multilayer drug loaded scaffolds prepared have dual benefits can provide both better osteogenesis and controlled release of drugs and bioactive molecules at the implant site.

Indoor air quality-induced respiratory symptoms of a hospital staff in Iran.

The ambient air of hospitals contains a wide range of biological and chemical pollutants. Exposure to these indoor pollutants can be hazardous to the health of hospital staff. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting indoor air quality and their effect on the respiratory health of staff members in a busy Iranian hospital. We surveyed 226 hospital staff as a case group and 222 office staff as a control group. All the subjects were asked to fill in a standard respiratory questionnaire. Pulmonary function parameters were simultaneously measured via a spirometry test. Environmental measurements of bio-aerosols, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds in the hospital and offices were conducted. T-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. The concentration of selected air pollutants measured in the hospital wards was more than those in the administrative wards. Parameters of pulmonary functions were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) between the two groups. However, respiratory symptoms such as coughs, phlegm, phlegmatic coughs, and wheezing were more prevalent among the hospital staff. Laboratory staff members were more at risk of respiratory symptoms compared to other occupational groups in the hospital. The prevalence of sputum among nurses was significant, and the odds ratio for the presence of phlegm among nurses was 4.61 times greater than office staff (p = 0.002). The accumulation of indoor pollutants in the hospital environment revealed the failure of hospital ventilation systems. Hence, the design and implementation of an improved ventilation system in the studied hospital is recommended.

Using fuzzy logic approach to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorders among automotive assembly workers.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are considered an important health concern, particularly in automotive assembly industries. Evaluation of the effects of all MSDs risk factors is difficult due to its multifactorial nature. In addition, the risk factors cannot be detected accurately when they are only based on individual opinions. Thus, in this study, fuzzy logic tool was used to evaluate the combined effects of all risk factors on MSDs. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 male workers in an automotive industry. Job satisfaction, job stress, job fatigue, and body posture were evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. Body posture was evaluated using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Primary data analysis on extracting the input variables of MATLAB was performed by SPSS 22, with a significant level of 0.05. T test, one-way Anova, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to extract the input variables for the fuzzy logic model. The results obtained from the Nordic questionnaire was selected as the output of the fuzzy model. Fuzzy logic assessment was performed using MATLAB software version 7.0. Results: There were significant differences between WMSDs factors, including job fatigue, strain, working posture, and the REBA final score, and pain in all limbs of the body (p<0.05). A significant difference was also found between working posture with wrist score (p<0.05). The findings on defuzzification showed a strong correlation between real and modelling results. Conclusion: The results showed that many factors such as posture, fatigue, and strain affect MSDs. Based on the obtained results, all categories of risk factors, including personal, psychosocial, and occupational, should be considered to predict MSDs, which can be achieved by a modeling approach.

Synthesis and Characterization of Temperature-Sensitive and Chemically Cross-Linked Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)/Photosensitizer Hydrogels for Applications in Photodynamic Therapy.

A novel poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel containing different photosensitizers (protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), pheophorbide a (Pba), and protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (PpIX-DME)) has been synthesized with a significant improvement in water solubility and potential for PDT applications compared to the individual photosensitizers (PSs). Conjugation of PpIX, Pba, and PpIX-DME to the poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) chain was achieved using the dispersion polymerization method. This study describes how the use of nanohydrogel structures to deliver a photosensitizer with low water solubility and high aggregation tendencies in polar solvents overcomes these limitations. FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, 1H NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, SEM, and DLS analysis were used to characterize the PNIPAM-photosensitizer nanohydrogels. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the PpIX, Pba, and PpIX-DME photosensitizers are covalently conjugated to the polymer chains, which prevents aggregation and thus allows significant singlet oxygen production upon illumination. Likewise, the lower critical solution temperature was raised to ∼44 °C in the new PNIPAM-PS hydrogels. The PNIPAM hydrogels are biocompatible with >90% cell viability even at high concentrations of the photosensitizer in vitro. Furthermore, a very sharp onset of light-dependent toxicity for the PpIX-based nanohydrogel in the nanomolar range and a more modest, but significant, photocytotoxic response for Pba-PNIPAM and PpIX-DME-PNIPAM nanohydrogels suggest that the new hydrogels have potential for applications in photodynamic therapy.

Biomonitoring-based exposure assessment of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene among workers at petroleum distribution facilities.

Elevated emissions of volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o, p, and m-xylenes (BTEX), are an occupational health concern at oil transfer stations. This exploratory study investigated personal exposure to BTEX through environmental air and urine samples collected from 50 male workers at a major oil distribution company in Iran. Airborne BTEX exposures were evaluated over 8h periods during work-shift by using personal passive samplers. Urinary BTEX levels were determined using solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry for separation and detection. Mean exposure to ambient concentrations of benzene differed by workers' job type: tanker loading workers (5390µg/m3), tank-gauging workers (830µg/m3), drivers (81.9µg/m3), firefighters (71.2µg/m3) and office workers (19.8µg/m3). Exposure across job type was similarly stratified across all personal exposures to BTEX measured in air samples with maximum concentrations found for tanker loading workers. Average exposures concentrations of BTEX measured in urine were 11.83 ppb benzene, 1.87 ppb toluene, 0.43 ppb ethylebenzene, and 3.76 ppb xylene. Personal air exposure to benzene was found to be positively associated with benzene concentrations measured in urine; however, a relationship was not observed to the other BTEX compounds. Urinary exposure profiles are a potentially useful, noninvasive, and rapid method for assessing exposure to benzene in a developing and relatively remote production region.

In vitro immunomodulatory activity of celastrol against influenza A virus infection.

CONTEXT: The influenza A virus (IAV) causes severe respiratory disease that remains a leading reason for morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have indicated that influenza complications in addition to viral replication are due to overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, a new compound is needed to be used with current antiviral drugs to modulate overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in IAV infection. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of celastrol on mRNA expression and concentration levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL6) that are induced by influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells. The effect of this compound on virus titration and viral mRNA expression was also investigated. METHODS: Confluent MDCK cells were infected with influenza virus (H1N1; PR8) and treated with celastrol at different concentrations. After incubation, mRNA expression and concentrations of TNFα and IL6 were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA. The viral mRNA expression and virus titration were investigated using real-time PCR and 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) assay, respectively. RESULTS: mRNA expression and concentrations of TNFα and IL6 increased significantly in control virus compared to cell control, and decreased significantly when compared with control virus after celastrol treatment. Viral mRNA expression and virus titration did not decrease after celastrol treatment. CONCLUSION: Due to reducing mRNA expression and concentrations of TNFα and IL6, celastrol can serve as a suitable choice to control cytokine-induced inflammation in IAV infection, and therefore it can be used with current antiviral drugs.

In vitro antiviral effects of Peganum harmala seed extract and its total alkaloids against Influenza virus.

This research was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiviral effect and the mechanism of the effect of Peganum. harmala seeds extract against influenza A virus infection using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In this research, ethyl alcohol extract of P. harmala seeds and its total alkaloids was prepared. The potential antiviral activity of the extract and its total alkaloids against influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) virus was assessed. The mode of action of the extract to inhibit influenza replication was investigated using virucidal activity, hemagglutination inhibition assay, time of addition assays, RNA replication, western blot analysis and RNA polymerase blocking assay. The crud extract of P. harmala seed and its total alkaloids showed the best inhibitory effect against influenza A virus replication in MDCK cells using MTT assay, TCID50 method and hemagglutination assay. Our results indicated that the extract inhibits viral RNA replication and viral polymerase activity but did not effect on hemagglutination inhibition and virucidal activity. This study showed that, in vitro antiviral activity of P. harmala seed extract against influenza virus is most probably associated with inhibiting viral RNA transcription. Therefore, this extract and its total alkaloid should be further characterized to be developed as anti-influenza A virus agent.

Enhanced Skin Regeneration by Herbal Extract-Coated Poly-L-Lactic Acid Nanofibrous Scaffold.

The wound healing process is directly related to the type of treatment. Existing methods of treatment are not responsive enough for severe wounds. The aim of this study was the potential capacity investigation of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibrous scaffolds coated by aloe vera gel for wound dressing applications. In this study, electrospinning method was used for preparing PLLA nanofibers, and after characterization by SEM and MTT, its influence on the wound healing process was investigated with and without aloe vera gel as a wound dressing in full-thickness skin defect in mice. Band-Aids were used as a positive control and vaseline gauze as a negative control. SEM and MTT assays confirmed the nanometer size and biocompatibility of fabricated nanofibers. Macroscopic and histopathological characteristics were evaluated at the end of days 7, 12, and 17 and their results showed that the gel-coated scaffold accelerated the wound-healing process compared with other groups. At the end of the experiment, it was shown that during the whole time of study, gel-coated scaffold had the highest overall repair score. Therefore, gel-coated PLLA scaffold would be an ideal construct for wound healing and skin regenerative medicine application.

BTEX exposure assessment and quantitative risk assessment among petroleum product distributors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) exposure among workers at four stations of a major oil distribution company. Personal BTEX exposure samples were collected over working shift (8h) for 50 workers at four stations of a major oil distribution company in Iran. Measured mean values for workers across four sites were benzene (2437, 992, 584, and 2788µg/m3 respectively), toluene (4415, 2830, 1289, and 9407µg/m3), ethylbenzene (781, 522, 187, and 533µg/m3), and xylene (1134, 678, 322, and 525µg/m3). The maximum mean concentration measured across sites for benzene was 2788µg/m3 (Station 4), toluene was 9407µg/m3 (Station 4), ethylbenzene was 781µg/m3 (Station 1) and xylene was 1134µg/m3 (Station 1). The 8h averaged personal exposure benzene concentration exceeded the recommended value of 1600µg/m3 established by the Iranian Committee for Review and Collection of Occupational Exposure Limit and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Mean values for excess lifetime cancer risk for exposure to benzene were then calculated across workers at each site. Estimates of excess risk ranged from 1.74 ± 4.05 (Station 4) to 8.31 ± 25.81 (Station 3). Risk was assessed by calculation of hazard quotients and hazard indexes, which indicated that xylene and particularly benzene were the strongest contributors. Tanker loading was the highest risk occupation at these facilties. Risk management approaches to reducing exposures to BTEX compounds, especially benzene, will be important to the health of workers in Iran.

Fat harvesting site is an important determinant of proliferation and pluripotency of adipose-derived stem cells.

To define the optimal fat harvest site and detect any potential differences in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) proliferation properties in camels, aspirates from the abdomen and hump sites were compared. Obtained results revealed that ASCs from both abdomen and hump exhibited spindle-shaped and fibroblast-like morphology with hump-derived ASCs being smaller in size and narrower in overall appearance than abdominal ASCs. Abdominal ASCs required a greater time for proliferation than the hump-derived cells. These results were further confirmed with a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT) which showed a greater cell proliferation rate for hump ASCs than for the abdomen. Under inductive conditions, ASCs from both abdominal and hump fat deposits maintained their lineage differentiation potential into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages during subsequent passages without any qualitative difference. However, expression of alkaline phosphatase was higher in osteogenic differentiated cells from the hump compared with those of the abdomen. Moreover, the increase in calcium content in hump-derived stem cells was higher than that in abdominal-derived stem cells. In conclusion, our findings revealed that ASCs can be obtained from different anatomical locations, although ASCs from the hump fat region may be the ideal stem cell sources for use in cell-based therapies.