Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (miR-24, miR-200, and miR-34): Screening and Detection MicroRNA.

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) includes about 90% of all oral malignant tumors, and most of them are diagnosed in advanced stages. This study investigated the expression changes of miR-24, miR-200, and miR-34 in saliva samples of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, for early diagnosis. METHODS: In this study, 30 patients and 30 healthy individuals were selected. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression levels of miR-24, miR-200, and miR-34 in saliva samples were measured and evaluated using the Real-Time PCR technique. RESULTS: Folding change calculation using 2^(-∆∆ Ct) refers to the relative difference in the expression of the markers of the two groups. The expression level of two biomarkers, miR-200 and miR-34, is decreased in patients compared to healthy people; and the expression level of miR-24 is increased in patients compared to healthy people. CONCLUSION: In general, considering the availability and convenience of saliva sample collection for early detection of the disease, this research result can be considered a diagnostic screening test. To further prove the research results, conducting more extensive studies with more samples is recommended.

Unintended impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of catheter related nosocomial infections and incidence of multiple drug resistance pathogens in three intensive care units not allocated to COVID-19 patients in a large teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of resistant hospital infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) increases mortality and antibiotic resistance. COVID-19 pandemic may have unintended impact on nosocomial infections (NI) and the prevalence of resistant microorganism. METHODOLOGY: The present non-interventional study was performed by a pre and a post survey each lasting 8 months before (March-October 2019) and after (March-October 2020) the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in three ICU's, not allocated to COVID-19 patients, in Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The rates of the following nosocomial infections were compared at pre- and post-pandemic period: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and incidence of multiple drug resistance (MDR) pathogens. RESULTS: Pre-pandemic and pandemic incidence of VAP was 23.5 and 17.2 cases per 1000 device-days, respectively; an absolute decrease of 27%. The main reason for the decrease in the rate of VAP during the pandemic was a significant decrease in the rate of VAP caused by Acinetobacter baumannii; from 39 to 17% in total VAP episodes. The rate of VAP associated with other microorganisms remained relatively unchanged from 14.2 cases in pre-pandemic period to 14.3 cases per 1000 MV-days during the pandemic (P = 0.801). Pre-pandemic incidence of CLABSI was 7.3 cases and, in pandemic period, was 6.5 cases per 1000 device-days (IRR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.43-1.73, P = 0.703). Pre-pandemic incidence of CAUTI was 2 and in pandemic period, was 1.4 cases per 1000 device-days (IRR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.22-1.98, P = 0.469). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed a decrease in the incidence of VAP in critically ill non-COVID-19 patients during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic, especially regarding Acinetobacter baumannii.

Water treatment by forward osmosis using novel D-Xylose coated magnetic nanoparticles as draw agent.

In this study, D-Xylose coated MNPs were synthesized and used as draw agent in forward osmosis (FO) process for water purification. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized for the design and optimization of synthesis parameters. In order to characterize the synthesized MNPs, FTIR, TEM, VSM, and UV characterization techniques were performed. The effect of independent parameters including D-Xylose mass, MNPs mass, and synthesis time on the osmotic pressure was investigated. Based on the optimization results, the osmotic pressure of a 2 wt./v% draw solution using 2.66 g D-Xylose, 0.13 g MNPs, and a 7.11 h synthesis time was 0.81 bar as the highest value. Using D-Xylose coated MNPs as draw agent and deionized water as the feed, the initial FO water flux was 2.98 LMH. Reusing the recovered MNP draw agent in two more consecutive tests resulted in the reduction of water flux to 2.68 and 2.30 LMH, respectively. Moreover, using 0.01 M NaCl solution as the feed, the initial water flux was reported as 1.3 LMH. To remove the draw agents from suspension, external magnetic field was applied to obtain a water turbidity of 0.08 NTU.

Investigating the role of the morphology of the Zn-Al LDH on the adsorption of humic acid from aqueous solutions.

Flake Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (FLDHs) and microspheres of LDH (MLDHs) were fabricated with a simple hydrothermal method to investigate the role of the morphology of Zn-Al LDH for humic acid (HA) adsorption from synthetic solutions and natural water. The effect of process variables, i.e. contact time, initial concentration of HA, pH, and competitive ions on the adsorption was investigated. HA removal mechanism was also studied. The two adsorbents exhibited different adsorption behaviors for HA in the presence and absence of background ions, which may be highly correlated with the various adsorption mechanisms involved. Comparison of the HA removal capacity of these two adsorbents implies the superior adsorption capability of FLDH for removal of HA from synthetic solutions (9.5 mg/g), while the adsorption capacity of MLDH was higher for natural organic matters present in natural water samples containing co-existing ions (8.9 mg/g). The pseudo-second-order kinetics model and Longmuir isotherm model could adequately interpret the HA adsorption process for the studied adsorbents. Both LDHs exhibited good regeneration and recycling abilities.

Desalination of brackish water by gelatin-coated magnetite nanoparticles as a novel draw solute in forward osmosis process.

This paper presents the optimization of synthesis of gelatin-coated magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) and their application as a draw solute in forward osmosis (FO) process. Persicaria bistorta root extract is used as the gelatin crosslinker, and its efficiency is compared with glutaraldehyde as a common crosslinker. Also, the impact of the concentration of gelatin and the draw solution on the osmotic pressure of the produced draw solution has been investigated using response surface methodology. Using Persicaria bistorta root extract as the crosslinker in the optimized conditions, the highest osmotic pressure (1.01 bar) was achieved in a concentration of 7.7%w/v and 14246 mg/l for gelatin and draw solution, respectively. Using glutaraldehyde under the same conditions resulted in osmotic pressure of 1.06 bar which is very close to the pressure found for Persicaria bistorta root extract (1.01 bar), confirming the benefit of the latter as a gelatin crosslinker. Further, using a solution with gelatin-coated MNPs as the draw solution, deionized water as the feed solution, and an osmotic pressure difference of 1.5 in the FO process generated an initial water flux of 1.54 LMH. By repeating the process in nine more cycles, the initial water flux was reduced to 0.365 LMH. These experiments confirm the as-prepared gelatin-MNPs as a promising draw solution in the FO process.

Green synthesis and optimization of nano-magnetite using Persicaria bistorta root extract and its application for rosewater distillation wastewater treatment.

The aim of this research is to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles, using Persicaria bistorta root extract as the reducing agent, and to test its adsorption properties in the treatment of rosewater distillation wastewater. Taking advantage of Taguchi method, effect of synthesis parameters, including molar concentration of FeCl2, concentration of plant extract, temperature, and pH on crystallite size and magnetization strength is studied. Based on the successful synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles and characterization experiments, Persicaria bistorta root extract can be considered as a proper alternative as the reducing agent. Data analysis shows that crystallite size and magnetization are positively correlated with concentration of FeCl2 and pH, while inversely related to temperature and independent of plant extract concentration. The optimum values achieved for concentration of FeCl2, temperature, and pH are 0.15 M, 70 °C, and 11, respectively, with the production of nanoparticles with magnetite size of 45.5 nm and magnetization value of 62.5 emu/g. In addition, the application of as-synthesized magnetite nanoparticles as an adsorbent for treatment of rosewater distillation wastewater proved its high adsorption capacity for chemical oxygen demand (COD) up to 149 mg/g. Adsorption data also shows a good fitness with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.

Inter-Rater Agreement of Emergency Nurses and Physicians in Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Triage.

INTRODUCTION: Triage is one of the most important systems in patients prioritizing at the time of arrival to hospital. Based on the severity of the injury and the need for treatment, this system manages patients in the least time, which could lead to rotation of patients with high reliability and safety. Currently, the most accepted method for triage is emergency severity index (ESI) system, considered as five-level triage method, too. This method were implemented in Al Zahra Hospital of Isfahan by trained nurses since March to May 2010. This study was aimed to evaluate the accuracy of emergency nursing triage using ESI. METHODS: This prospective cross sectional study was carried out on 601 patients referred to Al-Zahra hospital of Isfahan through May 2010. The patients' triage level were determined by physicians and nurses separately and the results compared. To define the level of agreement between two groups (inter-rater agreement), the kappa index was evaluated. To specify the association between the time interval of initial triage and patient final status, Chi-Square test was applied using SPSS 18 statistical software. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between results of nurses and physicians triage (P<0/0001). The agreement level (kappa index) between two groups was 94% (95% CI: 0.931-0.957). Of 601 patients, 44.1% ones were hospitalized at the emergency department, 52.6% discharged and 3.3% died. The average of time interval between nursing triage and physician visit was 9.55 minutes at the level one triage, 21.64 minutes at level two, 26.03 minutes at level three, 26.93 minutes at level four, and 11.70 minutes at level five. CONCLUSION: It seems that there is an acceptable inter-rater agreement between emergency nurses and physicians regarding patients' triage in terms of ESI system.

The effect of yoga on coping strategies among intensive care unit nurses.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, it has been known that individuals handle coping strategies when faced with stressful events. These strategies play an important role in individuals. Nurses are exposed to high stress, which directly affects their job satisfaction and the quality of their services. Therefore, the present study tried to investigate the effect of Yoga on stress coping strategies among nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 34 female nurses working in ICU who were qualified to enter the study were selected. Yoga exercises were administrated two sessions a week for 8 weeks in the study group. CS-R questionnaire was filled before and after intervention. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential (t test) statistical tests. RESULTS: The results of statistical tests showed that the highest application of stress coping strategies was for inconsistent stress coping strategy. There was a significant difference in the mean scores of coping strategies of stress focus, emotion focus, and ineffectiveness after Yoga exercises compared with those before the yoga sessions. DISCUSSION: With regard to the findings, 8 weeks exercises of Yoga can be considered as a complementary treatment to amend stress coping strategies. Further studies in this field are suggested.