Remote magnetically stimulated xanthan-biochar-Fe3O4-molecularly imprinted biopolymer hydrogel toward electrochemical enantioselection of l-tryptophan.

Monitoring the levels of L-Tryptophan (L-Trp) in body fluids is crucial due to its significant role in metabolism and protein synthesis, which ultimately affects neurological health. Herein, we have developed a novel magneto-responsive electrochemical enantioselective sensor for the recognition of L-Trp based on oriented biochar derived from Loofah, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and molecularly imprinted polydopamine (MIPDA) in xanthan hydrogel. The successful synthesis of these materials has been confirmed through physicochemical and electrochemical characterization. Various operational factors such as pH, response time, loading sample volume, and loading of active materials were optimized. As a result, the sensor exhibited an affordable linear range of 1.0-60.0 µM, with a desirable limit of detection of 0.44 µM. Furthermore, the proposed electrochemical sensor demonstrated good reproducibility and desirable selectivity for the determination of L-Trp, making it suitable for analyzing L-Trp levels in human plasma and serum samples. The development presented offers an appealing, easily accessible, and efficient strategy. It utilizes xanthan hydrogel to improve mass transfer and adhesion, biochar-stabilized Fe3O4 to facilitate magnetic orientation and accelerate mass transfer and sensitivity, and polydopamine MIP to enhance selectivity. This approach enables on-site evaluation of L-Trp levels, which holds significant value for healthcare monitoring and early detection of related conditions.

Regulatory effects of statins on Akt signaling for prevention of cancers.

Statins, which are primarily used as lipid-lowering drugs, have been found to exhibit anti-tumor effects through modulating and interfering with various signaling pathways. In observational studies, statin use has been associated with a significant reduction in the progression of various cancers, including colon, lung, prostate, pancreas, and esophagus cancer, as well as melanoma and B and T cell lymphoma. The mevalonate pathway, which is affected by statins, plays a crucial role in activating Rho, Ras, and Rab proteins, thereby impacting the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells. Statins block this pathway, leading to the inhibition of isoprenoid units, which are critical for the activation of these key proteins, thereby affecting cancer cell behavior. Additionally, statins affect MAPK and Cdk2, which in turn reduce the expression of p21 and p27 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Akt signaling plays a crucial role in key cancer cell features like proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis by activating multiple effectors in downstream pathways such as FOXO, PTEN, NF-κB, GSK3ß, and mTOR. The PI3K/Akt signaling is necessary for many events in the metastatic pathway and has been implicated in the resistance to cytostatic drugs. The Akt/PTEN axis is currently attracting great interest for its role in carcinogenesis. Statins have been shown to activate the purinergic receptor P2X7 and affect Akt signaling, which may have important anti-cancer effects. Hence, targeting Akt shows promise as an effective approach to cancer prevention and therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion on the specific impact of statins through Akt signaling in different types of cancer.

Easy and fast synthesis of MnCo-LDH yolk-shell spheres porous composites applied electrospinning nanofibers highly effective for extracting triazole fungicides.

Today, the wide utilization of triazole fungicides due to environmental damage and its side effects has raised global concern. Thus, in this investigation, polyacrylonitrile/MnCo-layered double hydroxides nanofiber was synthesized and applied as an effective and novel adsorbent at thin-film solid-phase micro-extraction technique for the quick and concurrent extraction of five triazole fungicides in fruit and vegetable samples before quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet. The incorporation of MnCo-layered double hydroxides with porous structure and abundant functional groups in a polymer medium improves the extraction efficiency of nanofibers owing to hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions formed between analytes and synthesized nano-adsorbent. Various important elements that affect the extraction efficiency of the intended analytes were optimized using a time-variable approach. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection and quantification range from 0.1 to 0.15 and 0.3-0.5 ng mL-1, respectively.

Quick synthesis of CoFe-PBA@GO with electrochemical method as a novel, sensitive, and degradable nanocomposite applied in nanofibers for triazole extraction before HPLC-UV analysis.

Today, the wide use of triazole fungicides due to environmental damage and its side effects has raised global concern. Hence, in this research, poly-vinyl alcohol/polyacrylic-acid/CoFe-PBA@GO electrospun nanofiber was synthesized and applied as effective, degradable, and novel adsorbent at pipette-tip microextraction (PT-µSPE) method for the rapid and concurrent extraction of five of triazole fungicides in fruit and vegetable samples prior to quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet. The incorporation of CoFe-PBA@GO with superporous structure and abundant functional groups in a polymer medium improves the extraction efficiency of nanofibers due to hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions formed between analytes and synthesized nano-adsorbent. Various important elements that affect the extraction yield of the target analytes were optimized utilizing a time-variable approach. Under the optimum conditions, dynamic range was attained in the range of 0.3-900.0 ng/mL with correlation coefficients ≥ 0.999. The identification limit of the PT-µSPE-HPLC-UV method ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 ng/mL.

A dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials investigating the effects of omega-3 supplementation on body weight in patients with cancer cachexia.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is one of the side effects of cancer diseases that can be reduced weight, and lower overall survival. Weight loss has been associated with adverse outcomes in both cancer patients and patients with benign diseases. There is no definitive treatment for fully reverse cachexia. studies showed higher levels of inflammatory markers in patient with cachectic cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the dose-response effects of omega-3 as an anti-inflammatory supplement on body weight in patients with cancer cachexia. METHODS: Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched by relevant keywords up to January 2022. Random effect analysis was applied to perform meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to find heterogeneity sources. Quality assessment was conducted using Revised Cochrane Collaboration's tool II. Trim and fill analysis were also carried out in case of the presence of publication bias. The certainty in the evaluations was assessed by the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Omega-3 supplementation resulted in a significant increase of body weight in patients with cancer cachexia when the age of study participants was ≥67 years and the baseline weight of them was ≤60 kg (WMD = 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.06, 1.92 and WMD = 1.22; 95 % CI: 0.14, 2.30, respectively). Also, there was a non-significant linear relationship between the dosage of omega-3 supplementation and body weight in patients with cancer cachexia. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation may be a promising agent to increase body weight in patients with cancer cachexia. Also, a non-significant linear relationship between the dosage of omega-3 supplementation and body weight was found in these patients.

Facilitators and barriers in the donor family interview process from the perspective of hospital staff: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Obtaining consent from potential donor families is a challenging step in the donation process and is influenced by various factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we utilized a questionnaire containing 14 questions about facilitators and barriers in the family interview process. The questionnaire was distributed in March 2023 to intensive care unit (ICU) nurses who had experience with donor family interviews. We collected the opinions of these respondents on hospital performance and drew comparisons between the studied hospitals. Results: A total of 60 participating ICU nurses provided mean scores for hospital performance in family interviews of 2.60±0.84 for type I hospitals (those providing neurosurgery and trauma care) and 2.035±0.890 for type II hospitals (those without neurosurgery and trauma services; P=0.04). The mean scores for public and private hospitals were 1.86±0.86 and 2.59±0.85, respectively (P=0.008). Based on the findings, the most important facilitators were the availability of organ donation staff and access to a professional team for family discussions. Conversely, poor physician communication skills and limited communication capabilities among medical staff were identified as significant barriers. Implementation of a professional team for family interviews was found to be more critical for type II hospitals. Poor physician communication skills were a significant concern in public hospitals, while families' lack of awareness of patient prognosis emerged as a key barrier in private hospitals. Conclusions: This study highlights numerous facilitators and barriers that vary across hospitals. Addressing these issues individually and developing tailored plans to enhance hospital performance in interviewing donor families is essential.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data is available on the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet during early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) in countries located in the Middle East, one of the regions with the highest prevalence of GDM. METHODS: A total of 647 pregnant mothers were included in the present prospective birth cohort study in Iran. Dietary intake was assessed by a 90-item food frequency questionnaire during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cases of GDM were ascertained by a two-step approach with a 50-g screen followed by a 100-g oral glucose tolerance for those who tested positive. Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio and 95%CI of GDM across tertiles of the Mediterranean diet score, while controlling for a wide range of potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 647 pregnant mothers were included, of whom 77 mothers were diagnosed with GDM during their pregnancy. The average age of the mothers was 28.8 ± 5.1 years. In the multivariable analysis, being in the third tertile of the score of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing GDM as compared to those in the first tertile (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet during early pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of developing GDM in Iranian women. Larger cohort studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Comparison of the Effect of Education Using Team-based Learning Method and Lecture Method on Controlling Diabetes in the Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Patient education is considered as an essential part of diabetes control. This research is conducted to compare the effect of education using team-based learning (TBL) method and lecture method on blood pressure (BP), serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and Body mass index (BMI) in the elderly with diabetes. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 61 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in diabetes clinics in Rafsanjan, during October 2018 to January 2019. Patients were selected using simple random sampling. They were divided into two groups of TBL and lecture-based learning. For each group, educational content was presented through 2-hour sessions held once a week for 1 months. FBS, HbA1c, BMI, and BP were measured at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed through SPSS 21, using Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t-test; A P-value<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: After the intervention, the TBL group had a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic BP compared to the lecture group (P<0.001). Before and 3 months after the intervention in the TBL group, there was a significant decrease between the means of FBS (P=0.01), HbA1c (P<0.001), and systolic and diastolic BP (P<0.001), but in the lecture group, only the systolic BP showed a significant decrease (P<0.001). Conclusion: TBL method had more effects on controlling diabetes type 2 in the elderly than the lecture method. It is suggested that health providers should consider TBL for the education of the elderly with diabetes.

The effects of vitamin C supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It has been suggested that taking vitamin C supplements may improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there has not been a thorough evaluation of the actual impact or certainty of the findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin C supplementation on glycemic profile in T2DM patients. METHODS: A systematic search was performed across online databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed/Medline to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until July 2022. A random-effects model was applied for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The present meta-analysis included a total of 22 RCTs with 1447 patients diagnosed with T2DM.A pooled analysis revealed a significant decrease in levels of serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in vitamin C-treated T2DM patients compared with their untreated counterparts. The dose-response evaluation displayed a substantial linear association between the intervention duration and changes in serum HbA1c levels. However, the analysis did not demonstrate any significant effect of vitamin C on serum values of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) in diabetic patients. Subgroup analyses indicated that high-dose vitamin C administration (≥1000 mg/d) considerably decreased serum HOMA-IR levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that long-term (≥12 weeks) and high-dose vitamin C supplementation (≥1000 mg/d) may ameliorate glycemic profile in T2DM patients. However, additional high-quality RCTs are necessary to validate these results.

Cancer immunotherapy via stem cell-derived NK cells.

NK cells are the first sentinels of the immune system that can recognize and eradicate transformed cells. Their activation without a need for additional signaling have attracted great attention on the use of NK cells as a promising option in cancer immunotherapy. However, the large-scale production of NK cells for successful NK cells therapy is a challenge that needs to be tackled. Engineering NK cells to avoid tumor escape and improve their antitumor potency are the other matters of focus that have widely been studied in the recent years. This paper reviews the most recent advances in the stem cell-derived NK cell technology and discusses the potential of the engineered NK cells for clinical applications in cancer immunotherapy.

NK cells are important cells in our body's defense system that can find and destroy tumor cells. These cells are made in bone marrow (in adults) or umbilical cord (in the embryonic period) from a population of cells called stem cells, and then released into the blood and lymph. Stem cells are the early ancestral cells that can differentiate into multiple cell types. Because the number and function of NK cells in a tumor context are reduced, thus we can use these stem cells to make lots of NK cells for treatment purposes. Scientists can also make these cells even better at killing tumors by changing them to have special sensors. In the end, NK cells are like superheroes that fight and kill tumor cells, and using stem cells to make them is a really promising way to help treat malignant diseases.

Polyvinyl alcohol/citric acid/ß-cyclodextrin/CuONP composite nanofibers as an effective and green absorbent for the simultaneous extraction of three antidepressant drugs in biological fluids prior to GC-FID analysis.

Composite nanofibers, namely, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), citric acid (CA), ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD), and copper oxide nanoparticles (PVA/CA/ß-cyclodextrin/CuO NPs), were developed as a novel, green, and efficient adsorbent in the pipette tip-micro-solid-phase extraction method (PT-µSPE), for the simultaneous extraction of three antidepressants drugs namely imipramine (IMP), citalopram (CIT), and clozapine (CLZ) in biological fluids before quantification by gas chromatography (GC-FID). Based on the obtained results from field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the successful synthesis of composite nanofibers was approved. Due to the presence of ß-cyclodextrins and CuO NPs rich of functional groups on their surface, the nanofibers have high extraction efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range for imipramine, citalopram, and clozapine was 0.1 to 1000.0 ng mL-1 with a determination coefficient ≥ 0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) were in the range 0.03 to 0.15 ng mL-1. The relative standard deviation was 4.8 to 8.7% (within-day, n = 4) and 5.1 to 9.2% (between-day, n = 3) for 3 consecutive days. In addition, excellent clean-up was achieved which is a great advantage over other sample preparation methods. Finally, the ability of the developed method to extract the target analytes from the biological samples was evaluated.

The Relationship between Perfectionism and Sexual Function: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Perfectaionism is a common personality trait that can affect various aspects of life, especially sexual relationships. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the existing evidence for the relationship between perfectionism and sexual function in studies conducted in Iran and the world. Method : A comprehensive search of databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, ProQuest, PsychINFO, IranPsych, Irandoc, SID, and Google Scholar search engine was performed until December 2021 without a time limit. To find studies, we searched for the keywords perfectionism and sexual function in both Persian and English and combined these words with the AND operator. Studies that scored above 15 according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria were included. Data analysis was performed qualitatively. Results: From the total of 878 articles found in databases, six articles met the inclusion criteria and had moderate quality. Reviewing studies corroborated that, notwithstanding the positive association between general/sexual perfectionism and sexual desire, specific dimensions such as socially prescribed perfectionism, partner-prescribed, and socially prescribed sexual perfectionism, have the utmost unfavorable effect on female sexual function, which means that a higher level of perfectionism ultimately decreases the rate of sexual function in women. In addition, studies suggested that by increasing sexual anxiety and distress levels, perfectionism deteriorates sexual function. Conclusion: Perfectionism may cause a variety of problems regarding sexual function. However, to clarify the precise role of each dimension of perfectionism on different areas of sexual function, more research must be conducted in this area in various communities and on age groups other than females of reproductive ages.

3D-printing-assisted synthesis of paclitaxel-loaded niosomes functionalized by cross-linked gelatin/alginate composite: Large-scale synthesis and in-vitro anti-cancer evaluation.

Breast cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, especially in women. Despite many efforts, side effects of anti-cancer drugs and metastasis are still the main challenges in breast cancer treatment. Recently, advanced technologies such as 3D-printing and nanotechnology have created new horizons in cancer treatment. In this work, we report an advanced drug delivery system based on 3D-printed gelatin-alginate scaffolds containing paclitaxel-loaded niosomes (Nio-PTX@GT-AL). The morphology, drug release, degradation, cellular uptake, flow cytometry, cell cytotoxicity, migration, gene expression, and caspase activity of scaffolds, and control samples (Nio-PTX, and Free-PTX) were investigated. Results demonstrated that synthesized niosomes had spherical-like, in the range of 60-80 nm with desirable cellular uptake. Nio-PTX@GT-AL and Nio-PTX had a sustained drug release and were biodegradable. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the designed Nio-PTX@GT-AL scaffold had <5 % cytotoxicity against non-tumorigenic breast cell line (MCF-10A) but showed 80 % cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), which was considerably more than the anti-cancer effects of control samples. In migration evaluation (scratch-assay), approximately 70 % reduction of covered surface area was observed. The anticancer effect of the designed nanocarrier could be attributed to gene expression regulation, where a significant increase in the expression and activity of genes promoting apoptosis (CASP-3, CASP-8, and CASP-9) and inhibiting metastasis (Bax, and p53) and a remarkable decrease in metastasis-enhancing genes (Bcl2, MMP-2, and MMP-9) were observed. Also, flow cytometry results declared that Nio-PTX@GT-AL reduced necrosis and increased apoptosis considerably. The results of this study prove that employing 3D-printing and niosomal formulation is an effective approach in designing nanocarriers for efficient drug delivery applications.

Regenerative engineering of long bones using the small molecule forskolin.

Bone grafting procedures have become increasingly common in the United States, with approximately 500,000 cases occurring each year at a societal cost exceeding $2.4 billion. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs) are therapeutic agents that have been widely used by orthopedic surgeons to stimulate bone tissue formation alone and when paired with biomaterials. However, significant limitations such as immunogenicity, high production cost, and ectopic bone growth from these therapies remain. Therefore, efforts have been made to discover and repurpose osteoinductive small-molecule therapeutics to promote bone regeneration. Previously, we have demonstrated that a single-dose treatment with the small-molecule forskolin for just 24 h induces osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow-derived stem cells in vitro, while mitigating adverse side effects attributed with prolonged small-molecule treatment schemes. In this study, we engineered a composite fibrin-PLGA [poly(lactide-co-glycolide)]-sintered microsphere scaffold for the localized, short-term delivery of the osteoinductive small molecule, forskolin. In vitro characterization studies showed that forskolin released out of the fibrin gel within the first 24 h and retained its bioactivity toward osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells. The forskolin-loaded fibrin-PLGA scaffold was also able to guide bone formation in a 3-mo rabbit radial critical-sized defect model comparable to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) treatment, as demonstrated through histological and mechanical evaluation, with minimal systemic off-target side effects. Together, these results demonstrate the successful application of an innovative small-molecule treatment approach within long bone critical-sized defects.

Development of electrospun nanofibers based on Poly (vinyl alcohol) for thin film solid-phase microextraction of antidepressant drugs in biological samples.

Today, antidepressants are widely used and it is important to determine their trace amounts due to harmful consequences. Here, a new nano sorbent was reported for the simultaneous extraction and determination of three types of antidepressant drugs (Clomipramine (CLO), Clozapine (CLZ), and Trimipramine (TRP) by the thin-film solid-phase micro-extraction (TFME-µSPE) method followed by the Gas Chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis. So, the compound poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/citric acid(CA)/ß-cyclodextrin/Bi2S3@g-C3N4 nano sorbent was constructed by electrospinning technique. Then, nano sorbent was studied to optimize the many parameters impacting the extraction performance. Electrospun nanofiber has a large surface area, high porosity, and homogeneous morphology with a uniform bead-free structure. In optimal conditions, the limits of detection and quantification were calculated to be 0.15-0.03 ng mL-1 and 0.5-0.1 ng mL-1, respectively. The dynamic linear range (DLR) was in the range of 0.1 to 1000 ng mL-1 for CLO and CLZ, and 0.5 to 1000 ng mL-1 for TRP with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.999. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were achieved in the range of 4.9-6.8% (intra-day, n = 4) and 5.4-7.9% (inter-day, n = 3) in the period of 3 days. Finally, the capability of the method was evaluated to simultaneously measure trace amounts of antidepressants aqueous sample with desirable extraction efficiency (78 to 95%).

The Role of the Health Belief Model in Explaining Why Symptomatic Iranian Women Hesitate to Seek Early Screening for Breast Cancer: a Qualitative Study.

Early detection of breast cancer (BC) is important to increase the likelihood of treatment and improve the quality of life and survival. The study explored why symptomatic women linger to seek early screening for BC diagnosis based on the health belief model (HBM). In this qualitative study, 20 participants were selected using the purposive sampling method (9 health professionals and 11 female patients BC). Data were collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews in 2019. Transcribed interview data were analyzed using the directed content analysis informed by HBM. According to the participants' experiences, although most patients comprehended the extent of the disease, they did not see themselves at risk of BC. Some were not adequately aware of the benefits of early diagnosis and did not have the self-efficacy required for early presentation. The main barriers to the early presentation included lack of awareness, financial problems, embarrassment over the clinical examination, and inadequate access to specialized centers. According to HBM, while designing and implementing educational programs, it is recommended to focus on reinforcing perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived self-efficacy, providing access to facilities, and removing possible barriers and cultural issues to encourage women for timely referral for BC screening.

Designing and developing a sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG detection kit for identifying positive human samples.

BACKGROUND: More than 3 y into the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to undergo mutations. In this context, the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) is the most antigenic region among the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and has emerged as a promising candidate for immunological development. We designed an IgG-based indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit based on recombinant RBD, which was produced from the laboratory to 10 L industry scales in Pichia pastoris. METHODS: A recombinant-RBD comprising 283 residues (31 kDa) was constructed after epitope analyses. The target gene was initially cloned into an Escherichia coli TOP10 genotype and transformed into Pichia pastoris CBS7435 muts for protein production. Production was scaled up in a 10 L fermenter after a 1 L shake-flask cultivation. The product was ultrafiltered and purified using ion-exchange chromatography. IgG-positive human sera for SARS-CoV-2 were employed by an ELISA test to evaluate the antigenicity and specific binding of the produced protein. RESULTS: Bioreactor cultivation yielded 4 g/l of the target protein after 160 h of fermentation, and ion-exchange chromatography indicated a purity > 95%. A human serum ELISA test was performed in 4 parts, and the ROC area under the curve (AUC) was > 0.96 for each part. The mean specificity and sensitivity of each part was 100% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A highly specific and sensitive IgG-based serologic kit was developed for improved diagnostic purposes in patients with COVID-19 after generating an RBD antigen in Pichia pastoris at laboratory and 10 L fermentation scales.

Oxygen-Generating Biomaterials for Translational Bone Regenerative Engineering.

Successful regeneration of critical-size defects remains one of the significant challenges in regenerative engineering. These large-scale bone defects are difficult to regenerate and are often reconstructed with matrices that do not provide adequate oxygen levels to stem cells involved in the regeneration process. Hypoxia-induced necrosis predominantly occurs in the center of large matrices since the host tissue's local vasculature fails to provide sufficient nutrients and oxygen. Indeed, utilizing oxygen-generating materials can overcome the central hypoxic region, induce tissue in-growth, and increase the quality of life for patients with extensive tissue damage. This article reviews recent advances in oxygen-generating biomaterials for translational bone regenerative engineering. We discussed different oxygen-releasing and delivery methods, fabrication methods for oxygen-releasing matrices, biology, oxygen's role in bone regeneration, and emerging new oxygen delivery methods that could potentially be used for bone regenerative engineering.

Mechanisms of immune evasion of monkeypox virus.

The mpox (disease caused by the monkeypox virus) epidemic in 2022 provides a good opportunity to study the immune response to mpox. Vaccinia virus-infected monocytes could be recognized by monkeypox virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which produce inflammatory cytokines including IFNγ and TNFα. However, these cells are mostly unable to react to monkeypox virus-infected cells. The monkeypox virus also has no effect on the expression of MHC classes. Cells infected with monkeypox virus can prevent T cells from being activated via their T cell receptors. Insensitivity is an MHC-independent strategy for controlling antiviral T cells activation and inflammatory cytokines production. It is likely a critical aspect of virus spread in the infected host. The ability of monkeypox virus to spread efficiently as cell-associated viremia may be explained by the evasion strategies employed by the virus to subvert immunological surveillance by virus-specific T cells.

Evaluation of blood lead levels in opium addicts and healthy control group using novel deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by GFAAS.

Today, drug dealers and sellers add lead compounds to these substances to get more profit. As a result, drug users are heavily exposed to lead, and lead poisoning is clearly seen in most of them. Therefore, it is especially important to check the blood lead levels in these people. In this research, an efficient and eco-friendly pretreatment method was established by deep eutectic solvent for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DES - DLLME) followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) analysis. The selected hydrophilic deep eutectic solvent consists of l-menthol and (1S)-( +)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid (CSA) at a 5:1 molar ratio as a green solvent instead of traditional toxic organic solvents. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the introduced method exhibited good linearity with coefficient of determination (r2) 0.9975 and an acceptable linear range of 0.3-80 µg L-1. Accordingly, the detection limit was 0.1 µg L-1 (S/N = 3) for lead ions, and the high enrichment factor (240) was obtained. The proposed method was successfully applied to analysis lead ions in real blood samples, which is a promising technique for biological samples. The case samples were classified and analyzed based on age, duration of consumption, and type of substance. The results showed that there was no significant difference between blood lead levels in different age groups and different duration of use, while blood lead levels were higher in opium residue (shireh) users than in opium users.