Death Trends and Years of Life Lost Due to Social Harms Such as Suicide, Homicide, and Addiction, Ilam Province, 2009-2019.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the death trend and years of life lost (YLL) caused by social harm in Ilam province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ilam province from 2009 to 2019. To estimate YLL, all deaths caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction were included in the study. The data were collected from the Forensic Medicine Organization. The analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 23.0). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Between 2009 and 2019, there were 1712 occurrences of suicide, homicide, and addiction, which resulted in a total of 62,605 years of lost life (53,934 per 100,000 people). The highest frequency was related to the age group of 15-29 years, while the lowest was related to the age group of 0-14 years (p<0.001). During the studied period, men were more likely than women to commit suicide, homicide, and addiction in Ilam (p>0.439). Between 2009 and 2019, the number of suicides and homicides in Ilam province started a decreasing trend for both sexes, while the number of deaths caused by addiction was increasing. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the age groups of 15-29 years had the highest rate of YLL caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction for both sexes. Furthermore, the findings showed that YLL decreased for suicide and homicide, but increased for addiction.

TiO2/porous carbon as a new nanocomposite and catalyst for the preparation of 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzimidazoles.

A nano TiO2/porous carbon nanocomposite (TiO2/PCN) was designed by the pyrolysis of peanut shells as bio waste with nano titanium dioxide. In the presented nanocomposite, titanium dioxide is properly placed in the positions and pores of the porous carbon, so that it acts as an optimal catalyst in the nanocomposite structure. The structure of TiO2/PCN was studied by various analyses such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM coupled EDX (SEM mapping), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and BET. TiO2/PCN was successfully tested as a nano catalyst for the preparation of some 4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzimidazoles in high yields (90-97%) and short reaction times (45-80 min).

An Overview of Potential Natural Photosensitizers in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. There are several different types of cancer recognized thus far, which can be treated by different approaches including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof. However, these approaches have certain drawbacks and limitations. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as an alternative noninvasive approach for cancer treatment based on the generation of toxic oxygen (known as reactive oxygen species (ROS)) at the treatment site. PDT requires photoactivation by a photosensitizer (PS) at a specific wavelength (λ) of light in the vicinity of molecular oxygen (singlet oxygen). The cell death mechanisms adopted in PDT upon PS photoactivation are necrosis, apoptosis and stimulation of the immune system. Over the past few decades, the use of natural compounds as a photoactive agent for the selective eradication of neoplastic lesions has attracted researchers' attention. Many reviews have focused on the PS cell death mode of action and photonanomedicine approaches for PDT, while limited attention has been paid to the photoactivation of phytocompounds. Photoactivation is ever-present in nature and also found in natural plant compounds. The availability of various laser light setups can play a vital role in the discovery of photoactive phytocompounds that can be used as a natural PS. Exploring phytocompounds for their photoactive properties could reveal novel natural compounds that can be used as a PS in future pharmaceutical research. In this review, we highlight the current research regarding several photoactive phytocompound classes (furanocoumarins, alkaloids, poly-acetylenes and thiophenes, curcumins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and natural extracts) and their photoactive potential to encourage researchers to focus on studies of natural agents and their use as a potent PS to enhance the efficiency of PDT.

Inflammatory cytokines and sarcopenia in Iranian adults-results from SARIR study.

Some studies suggested the effects of inflammatory cytokines in reducing muscle mass and muscle strength and, performance. This study aimed to compare pro-inflammatory cytokines in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic subjects. 120 men and women were selected out from the cross-sectional study 'sarcopenia and its determinants among Iranian elders' (SARIR). Sarcopenia was defined based on the first 'European Working Group on sarcopenia in older people' (EWGSOP1) guidelines. A fasting blood sample was taken from each participant to measure serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). A total of 120 participants were included in this study. Mean age was 66.7 ± 7.7 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2. Forty participants had the criteria of EWGSOP1 sarcopenia. A statistically significant difference was seen between normal and abnormal groups of muscle strength in hs-CRP (P-value = 0.04). Furthermore, we did not observe any remarkable association between inflammatory biomarkers including IL-6 (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.31-4.28), TNF-α (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.17-2.77), and hs-CRP (OR 2.39; 95% CI 0.87-6.55) and the presence of sarcopenia even after controlling for plausible confounders. We found that inflammatory biomarkers level was not associated with odds of sarcopenia. The lack of correlation between inflammatory cytokines and sarcopenia could be due to the participants' age and genetics. Future studies are required to confirm these findings.

Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy improvement after para-aortic paraganglioma resection: a case report.

Phaeochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGL) are rare tumours that can cause cardiovascular complications following the secretion of catecholamines. We present a young female presented with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as a result of norepinephrine secreting para-aortic paraganglioma and improvement of heart failure sign and symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction following tumour resection.

Association between common stressful life events and coping strategies in adults.

BACKGROUND: As shown in previous persons that used the effective coping strategies are more aware to recent stressful life events in their live, this study conducted to investigate the main stressful life events and common coping styles in adult's population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. In overall, 345 persons aged 18 years and more by stratified cluster sampling were enrolled in the study. The valid questionnaires including the coping inventory for stressful situations-21, the Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory, and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to interview. The analysis of variance and t-student (t-test) was used to determine the association between the two variables. The statistical significance level was considered <0.05. RESULTS: The top three importance events among 43 stressful items in our study were change in financial state, gain of a new family member, and death of close family member. We found that task-oriented coping (P < 0.001) and avoidance-oriented coping (P = 0.021) significantly more used in males compered to females. According to Holmes-Rahe life stress inventory instructions only 4.7% of participants are prone to getting ill in next 2 years. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a positive relationship between coping styles and lower risk of mental health problems and stressful life events. Hence, activities and training programs aiming to enhance personal approach coping skills is important to reduce of side effects of stressful life events especially those recently exposed to negative life events and stresses.

Retracted Article: Boric acid in magnetized water: clean and powerful media for synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones.

Water was magnetized via an external magnetic field and employed, for the first time, as a solvent in green preparation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones by the one-pot three-component condensation reaction using boric acid as a catalyst. Shorter reaction times, higher yields, and cleaner reaction profiles were some advantages of using magnetic water.

Retraction: Boric acid in magnetized water: clean and powerful media for synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA03769B.].

Relationship between internet addiction and mental health in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) currently is the major public health concern, especially in adolescents, although the results of previous reports are not generally uniform. This study was conducted to determine IA in adolescents and to examine the correlation of IA with mental health in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 in Ilam city. In this study, 362 persons were included using stratified cluster sampling; clusters were geographical area and schools. The valid questionnaires including Internet Addiction Test and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to interview. The correlation statistical technique was used to determine the association between the two variables. The significance level was considered <0.05. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the responders was 16.40 ± 2.47 years; the total score of IA and mental health was 43.02 ± 16.50 and 19.27 ± 9.72, respectively. We found that 5.5% of the adolescents had a severe level of IA. The lack of control with anxiety, neglect work and social dysfunction, and neglect social life and severe depression in internet users were found to be statistically significant: r (365) = 0.151, P < 0.033; r (365) = 0.126, P < 0.021; and r (365) = 0.125, P < 0.033, two-tailed, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the excessive use of internet, lack of control, and neglect social life are significantly correlated with mental health in adolescents; these results could be contribute to improve the theoretical models for IA in adolescents.