The healthy behaviours and COVID-19 mortality among Iranian women: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Women are among the susceptible groups to Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Ardabil, north-west of Iran, despite the current global status. The underlying causes of high incidence and fatality rate of women in Ardabil are not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the healthy behaviours in women of Ardabil and its relationship with COVID-19 mortality. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study to compare the adherence to health protocols and behaviours with respect to COVID-19 between the infected (261 patients) and healthy (515 persons) women. Health protocols and behaviours such as using mask, gloves, disinfectants, history of travelling and contacting, and attending various gatherings and places during the COVID-19 pandemic along with demographic variables were defined as independent variables, and COVID-19 death rate was defined as the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. RESULTS: Chi-square and Fisher tests showed significant differences between infected and healthy women in terms of history of contact and traveling (p < 0.05), wearing mask (p < 0.001), going to work place (p < 0.001), and attend public gatherings (p = 0.038). Multivariable logistic regression disclosed that the age group over 80 years: 8.97 times (95% CI 2.27-29.85), women with underlying chronic diseases: 4.14 times (95% CI 1.61-10.64), and obese women: 3.01 times (95% CI 1.04-6.03) were more likely to die from COVID-19 than other women. CONCLUSION: Considering the high incidence and mortality rate in Ardabil women due to COVID-19 and the corresponding health behavioural factors, special emphasis should be given to the increase of women awareness on the importance of healthy behaviours, diet, and life-style.

A Comparative Study on a Cationic Dye Removal through Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation Systems.

Oxidative treatment of a cationic dye solution, methylene blue, was investigated using magnetite nanoparticles and goethite in heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction, and ferrous ions in homogeneous Fenton-reaction. The aim was to compare the degradation efficiencies of the studied catalysts for decolorization of methylene blue solution as the model organic pollutant. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the optimal operational conditions for magnetite/H2O2 and goethite/H2O2 systems. The [H2O2] of 0.2 M, catalyst dosage of 1 g/L, pH 9.0 and reaction time of 5h were chosen by RSM. The pH value of 3.0 was used in the case of Fe+2/H2O2 system. The experimental results showed that homogeneous Fenton oxidation system was the most effective system under both acidic and neutral conditions but decreased at pH value of 9.0 due to the decrease in available Fe2+ ions in the solution and generation of ferric hydroxide sludge. Fe3O4/H2O2 system represented better removal efficiency than FeO(OH)/H2O2 system that could be attributed to the presence of FeII cations in magnetite structure and its larger surface area.

Linum usitatissimum Delivery over Chitosan Nanobiopolymer: Enhanced Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Condition.

Herein, chitosan nanoparticle (CHIT) was used as a safe and biocompatible matrix to carry flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) extract (FSE). The number of main features and bio-interface properties of CHIT-FSE were determined by SEM, DLS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and zeta potential analyses and compared to those of chitosan lacking FSE. A GC-MS analysis was also conducted to reveal the bioactive compounds of FSE. The active anchoring of the FSE phytomolecules over chitosan nanoparticles with enhanced thermal and structural stability was correspondingly verified. Subsequently, the influence of CHIT-FSE, CHIT-TPP, and FSE supplementation was assessed on hormonal and biochemical markers of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female rats and compared with untreated and healthy control groups. After 16 days of treatment, CHIT-FSE represented the best performance for controlling the serum levels of the studied biochemical (lipid profile and blood glucose level) and hormonal (insulin, testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormone) parameters. Considering the negligible therapeutic activity of CHIT-TPP, the enhanced activity of CHIT-FSE compared to only FSE was expounded based on the potent action of chitosan nanoparticles in enhanced stabilization, bioavailability, transport, and permeability of the therapeutically important phytomolecules. As per the results of this investigation, supporting medically important biomolecules over chitosan can enhance their therapeutic effectiveness in controlling PCOS.

Ecological indicators for qualitative assessment of Ojarud River: A case study.

Today, the application of ecological indicators based on organisms has replaced traditional saprobic approaches for assessment of the quality of rivers impaired due to organic pollution and some other environmental disturbances. This study aimed to weigh the quality of the Ojarud River in Ardabil, Iran, applying biological and physiological indices of macro-invertebrates. A total of 12,524 samplings were fulfilled at four stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) from the headstream to downstream by a Surber sampler (30 × 30 cm2) from June/2020 to April/2021. All year round, the highest frequent families were Chironomidae (2658), Simuliidae (1025) from Diptera and Caenidae (1855), and Baetidae (724) from Ephemeroptera. The diversity pattern was analyzed by PAST software, and Primer 7 (BIO-ENV analysis) was utilized to understand what factor has the most impact on the distribution of macro-invertebrates. The least similarity of S4 to other stations was recognized by Cluster analysis. As per the ANOSIM (analysis of similarities), a statistically significant difference in the macroinvertebrates' frequency was established between S3 and other stations (p = .0001, r = .63). Moreover, the relationship between heavy metals and macro-invertebrate showed that the three families of Simuliidae, Gomphidae, and Caenidae had a positive correlation with the concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment. As per the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera index, the water quality was placed in the "excellent" class, but the Biological Monitoring Working Party and Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index indices scored the water quality "good" class at S1 and the "poor" class at S3. Based on the results of this study, the use of physicochemical and hydro-morphological indicators can support the biological indicators but cannot replace them. In addition, careful evaluation of biological indicators is required to develop conservation strategies.

Chromium and cerium co-doped magnetite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as a potent antibacterial agent against S. aureus.

The development of innovative antibacterial samples with high efficacy has received a great deal of interest. Herein, we synthesized magnetite modified by Cr and co-modified by Cr and Ce, along with their reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based nanocomposites via facile hydrothermal and co-precipitation methods. The rGO-based samples showed proper magnetic behavior, high porosity, and vast specific surface area. The high specific surface area provided more adsorptive active sites with higher potentials for the decomposition of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cells. The antibacterial performance of the samples against S. aureus was evaluated at 50 and 100 µg mL-1 through the colony-forming unit (CFU) method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were subsequently determined. As per results, not only chromium cations could effectively damage the DNA of bacteria, but also the antibacterial efficacy was further enhanced by co-doping of cerium and the integration with rGO nanosheets. The antibacterial results were confirmed through the changes observed in the morphology and topology of the bacteria before and after the treatment using SEM and AFM analyses. Ultimately, the plausible S. aureus inactivation mechanism of the samples was disclosed.

Physicochemical and biological status of Aghlagan river, Iran: effects of seasonal changes and point source pollution.

Although the macroinvertebrates have been widely used as bio-indicator for river water quality assessment in developed countries, its application is new in Iran and data on the health status of the most ecologically important rivers in Iran is scarce. The present study aimed at monitoring and assessing the ecological quality of Aghlagan river, northwest of Iran, using integrated physicochemical-biological approaches. A total of 14,423 samplings were carried out from the headwater to downstream sites at four stations (S1, 2, 3, 4) by a Surber sampler (30 cm × 30 cm) from June 2018 to April 2019. The results obtained from macroinvertebrate biotic index revealed that the genera of Gammarus (Amphipoda) and Baetis (Ephemeroptera) were the most abundant in all seasons. The PAST software was applied to analyze the diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner diversity, Evenness, and Simpson indices). Based on the cluster analysis, S3 established the least similarity to other stations. The average frequency of each macroinvertebrate species was determined by one-factor analysis of similarities (ANOSIM). In accordance with canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), temperature and phosphate were found as the dominant factors effecting the macroinvertebrate assemblage and distribution. Moreover, the results obtained from the biological indices concluded very good quality of S4 by Helsinhoff and EPT indices and fair quality using BMWP index. The data on the macrobenthos assemblage and dynamics in the Aghlagan river across a hydraulic gradient provided useful information on water management efforts that assist us to find sustainable solutions for the enhanced quality of the river by balancing environmental and human values.

Co-regulative effects of chitosan-fennel seed extract system on the hormonal and biochemical factors involved in the polycystic ovarian syndrome.

There is a renewed interest in the application of chitosan-based drug delivery systems over the last few years. In this study, the ionic gelation method was used to prepare chitosan-engaged tripolyphosphate ions, as the cross-linking molecule, (Chit-TPP) and concurrent loading of the biomolecules of the ethanolic extract of fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, seed (FEC@NBC). The samples were characterized by SEM, DLS, TGA, FTIR, XRD, GC-MS, and zeta potential, and their effects on the related hormonal and biochemical factors of the rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were assessed. The estradiol valerate-induced PCOS in female rats was confirmed by vaginal smear test and subsequent histological screening. The PCOS-induced rats were treated by fennel seed extract (FSX), Chit-TPP, and FEC@NBC. The process of treatment was monitored by measuring the serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride after 16 days of treatment and compared with healthy control and untreated PCOS-control groups. The FEC@NBC administration contributed to the remarkable hormonal, glucose, and lipid profile regulation in the rats with PCOS. The significance of FEC@NBC performance in dealing with PCOS complications compared to that of the only extract could be resulted from the effective targeted delivery and stability of phytomolecules when encapsulated in Chit-TPP.

Cerium doped magnetite nanoparticles for highly sensitive detection of metronidazole via chemiluminescence assay.

Cerium doped magnetite nanoparticle (CDM) was synthesized via a co-precipitation method and used as the co-reactant of luminol-K3Fe(CN)6 chemiluminescent system. The physical-chemical features of CDM were studied by XPS, XRD, HRTEM, FESEM, VSM, BET, and FTIR analyses. This simple and highly sensitive nanoprobe enabled the determination of minor concentrations of metronidazole (MNZ). Owing to the quenching efficacy of MNZ in the studied chemiluminescence system, a linear range of 3.47 × 10-6-9.37 × 10-5 mol/L was obtained with a limit of detection of 3.91 × 10-7 mol/L. This biosensor was used for MNZ detection in human serum samples, which was highly efficient. The outcomes of this study give credit to the proposed biosensor to be applied for detection of MNZ in biological samples.

Biogenic integrated ZnO/Ag nanocomposite: Surface analysis and in vivo practices for the management of type 1 diabetes complications.

In this research, a milk thistle seed extract (MTSE)-rich medium was used as a capping and reducing agent for the one-pot biosynthesis of ZnO/Ag (5 wt%) nanostructure. The sample was systematically characterized through various techniques and its strong biomolecule‒metal interface structure was supported by the results. The efficacy of the derived nanostructure (MTSE/ZnO/Ag) was evaluated in vivo on the basis of its therapeutic effects on the main complications of Type 1 diabetes (hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin deficiency). For this purpose, the changes in the plasma values of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, total triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin in alloxan-diabetic Wistar male rats were compared with those in healthy and untreated diabetic controls after a treatment period of 16 days. The antidiabetic results of MTSE/ZnO/Ag were compared with those obtained from pristine ZnO, MTSE, and insulin therapies. The health conditions of the rats with Type 1 diabetes were significantly enhanced after treatment with MTSE/ZnO/Ag (p < 0.05), which is owing to the enhanced interface structure and participatory functions of the united compartments of MTSE/ZnO/Ag.

Enriched zinc oxide nanoparticles by Nasturtium officinale leaf extract: Joint ultrasound-microwave-facilitated synthesis, characterization, and implementation for diabetes control and bacterial inhibition.

The leaf extract of a medicinally important plant, watercress (Nasturtium officinale), was obtained through an ultrasound-facilitated method and utilized for the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles via a joint ultrasound-microwave assisted procedure. The characteristics of the extract enriched nanoparticles (Ext/ZnO) were determined by SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX, BET, FTIR, TGA, and UV-Vis DRS analyses and compared to that of ZnO prepared in the absence of the extract (ZnO). The presence of carbon and carbonaceous bonds, changes in the morphology, size, band gap energy, and weight-decay percentage were a number of differences between ZnO and Ext/ZnO that confirmed the link of extract over nanoparticles. Ext/ZnO, watercress leaf extract, ZnO, and insulin therapies were administrated to treat alloxan-diabetic Wister rats and their healing effectiveness results were compared to one another. The serum levels of the main diabetic indices such as insulin, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile (total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were estimated for healthy, diabetic, and the rats rehabilitated with the studied therapeutic agents. The watercress extract-enriched ZnO nanoparticles offered the best performance and suppressed the diabetic status of rats. Moreover, both ZnO samples satisfactory inhibited the activities of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Based on the results, the application of Nasturtium officinale leaf extract can strongly empower ZnO nanoparticles towards superior antidiabetic and enhanced antibacterial activities.

A facile ultrasonic-aided biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. leaf extract and its antidiabetic, antibacterial, and oxidative activity evaluation.

The synthesis of nanoparticles often result in the generation of harmful chemical pollutants. As such, many researchers have focused on developing green processes, which include the biosynthesis. In this research, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using the leaf extract of whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) via a simple ultrasonic-assisted method. The morphology, crystal size and structure, surface, thermal, and optical properties of the bio-mediated ZnO sample (ZnOext) were analyzed and compared with that produced without incorporating the extract (ZnOchem). The ZnO samples were evaluated for their antidiabetic, antibacterial, as well as their sono- and photo-catalytic performances. Initially, the samples were intraperitoneal injected to alloxan-diabetic rats to examine their treatment efficiency in terms of effects on fasting blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and total triglyceride levels. The ZnOext showed significantly higher efficiency for improving the health status of alloxan-diabetic rats in contrast with other tested treatments, vis. ZnOchem, insulin, and only leaf extract. In addition, both the ZnO samples were assessed against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and through sono- and photo-catalytic processes for removing rhodamine B, respectively. The results of this study indicated that not only the ZnOext sample was pollution free, it also exhibited higher potentials for treating diabetic rats, bacterial decontamination, and also oxidative removal of organic compounds under the influences of ultrasound and UV irradiations when compared with ZnOchem sample.

A comprehensive study on antidiabetic and antibacterial activities of ZnO nanoparticles biosynthesized using Silybum marianum L seed extract.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using the plants' extract and their potential application have driven a tremendous interest in recent years. This study reports a green microwave-assisted method for synthesis of ZnO NPs using Silybum marianum L. seed extract. Characteristics of the as-prepared sample was explored in terms of crystalline phase, morphology, composition, surface area, optical, and thermal properties. The particles of the biosynthesized sample (ZnO/extract) had smaller sizes than the chemically produced one (ZnO). The existence of biomolecules from Silybum marianum L seed extract linked to the ZnO/extract sample was approved by various analyses. The ZnO/extract sample was used for treating alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its efficiency was compared with ZnO, extract, and insulin treatments. For this purpose, the levels of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein were measured before and after treating with the studied treatment agents and compared with each other. Moreover, the antibacterial activities of both ZnO samples were investigated against E. coli to assess their potential antibacterial application. From the results, ZnO/extract NPs represented an outstanding performance in overcoming the diabetic disorders and good antibacterial activity against the studied bacteria.

Cerium-substituted magnetite: Fabrication, characterization and sonocatalytic activity assessment.

The present paper reports the sonocatalytic activity of cerium-substituted-magnetite for removal of oxytetracycline (OTC). The catalyst was prepared through a chemical route (co-precipitation, Fe3-xCexO4) and a mechanical procedure (CeO2/Fe3O4). Subsequently, the physico-chemical characteristics of both samples were determined using XRD, BET, SEM, EDX, TEM, Dot-mapping, FT-IR, DRS, and VSM analysis and compared to pristine magnetite and ceria. Afterwards, the effects of various operational conditions were assessed on sonocatalytic performance of Fe2.8Ce0.2O4 for OTC removal and the obtained optimal conditions were applied to compare the resulted DE with so-synthesized Fe3O4, CeO2, and CeO2/Fe3O4 samples. Fe2.8Ce0.2O4 (0.75 g/L) exhibited great catalytic performance for sono-degradation of OTC under its unchanged pH and US power of 300 W, wherein about 88% and 64% of OTC was removed at its initial concentrations of 20 and 50 mg/L. Moreover, the effects of the addition of a number of oxidants, organic and inorganic compounds and gases on the sonocatalytic degradation of OTC were evaluated under the identical condition. The obtained results presented an effective sonocatalytic system based on the synergistic action of Fe2.8Ce0.2O4 under ultrasonic irradiation.

Synergistic enhancement in photocatalytic performance of Ce (IV) and Cr (III) co-substituted magnetite nanoparticles loaded on reduced graphene oxide sheets.

Effective utilization of visible-light by a photocatalyst is of great significance in photocatalytic processes. Herein, magnetite structure was modified by co-incorporation of Ce4+ and Cr3+ cations, and deposition on reduced graphene oxide sheets. The as-prepared Fe2.8Cr0.2O4#rGO and Fe2.5Cr0.2Ce0.3O4#rGO nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, SEM, X-ray Dot mapping, EDX, BET, DRS, XPS, FT-IR and VSM techniques and assessed for their photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation for treatment of methylene blue. The results confirmed the central role of the incorporated Cr and Ce in improving the photocatalytic performance of magnetite through enhanced light harvesting, and the role of Ce3+/Ce4+ redox pair, and rGO sheets in extending the life span of photo-induced e-/h+. Moreover, the influence of enhancers and scavengers were evaluated and oxidation path and generated byproducts were estimated. The results established the Fe2.5Cr0.2Ce0.3O4#rGO nanocomposite as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst for effective degradation of recalcitrant compounds.

Bio-extract-mediated ZnO nanoparticles: microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and antidiabetic activity evaluation.

Herein, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using microwave-assisted method in the presence of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L, fruits extract. The structure, size, morphology and optical properties of the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS and TGA analysis. A decrease in crystallite size was observed for the biologically synthesized ZnO compared to the chemically synthesized sample. Furthermore, the existence of organic moieties over the biologically synthesized ZnO NPs was approved using characterizing methods. Then, the alloxan-induced diabetic rats were divided into not treated (diabetic control group), and the groups received: insulin, chemically synthesized ZnO, plant extract, biologically synthesized ZnO with a normal healthy control group. After treatment, fasting blood glucose (FBS), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and insulin were measured. Analysis showed a significant decrease in FBS and increase in HDL levels in all groups under treatment. However, the results for cholesterol reduction were only significant for the group treated by biologically synthesized ZnO. Despite the changes in the triglyceride and insulin levels, the results were not significant. For all the studied parameters, bio-mediated ZnO NPs were found the most effective in treating the alloxan-diabetic rats compared to the other studied treatment agents.