Optimization of in vitro propagation and virus eradication using meristem culture and thermotherapy in two geranium species Pelargonium X hortorum ('Zonal') and Pelargonium × domesticum ('Regal').

Background: Geraniums (Pelargonium) are among the most popular flowers worldwide. Viral infection is one of the main problems of the genus Pelargonium, and the production of virus-free mother plants is necessary for large-scale geranium propagation and exchange. Meristem culture and thermotherapy are two effective procedures that have been widely adopted to produce healthy virus-free plant stocks.

Effect of Cinnamaldehyde and Its Nanoemulsion on Acanthamoeba castellanii Cysts and Trophozoites.

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the trophocidal and cysticidal activities of cinnamaldehyde (Cinn), a natural compound with known antimicrobial properties, against environmental and reference strains of Acanthamoeba castellanii. Additionally, we explored the potential benefits of Cinn formulated as a nanoemulsion (Cinn-NE) in enhancing its efficacy.

Methods: Cinn-NE was prepared using the ultrasonic emulsification method.

Recycling e-waste into gold-loaded covalent organic framework catalysts for terminal alkyne carboxylation.

The rising demand for gold requires innovative methods for its recovery from e-waste. Here we present the synthesis of two tetrazine-based vinyl-linked covalent organic frameworks: TTF-COF and TPE-COF that adsorb gold ions and nanoparticles and catalyze the carboxylation of terminal alkynes. These covalent organic frameworks have low band gaps and high photocurrent responses.

Template-Assisted Electrospinning and 3D Printing of Multilayered Hierarchical Vascular Grafts.

Fabricating complex hierarchical structures mimicking natural vessels and arteries is pivotal for addressing problems of cardiovascular diseases. Various fabrication strategies have been explored to achieve this goal, each contributing unique advantages and challenges to the development of functional vascular grafts. In this study, a three-layered tubular structure resembling vascular grafts was fabricated using biocompatible and biodegradable copolymers of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) using advanced manufacturing techniques.

A novel social-network-analysis-based approach for analyzing complex network of actors involved in accessibility of anti-cancer medications in Iran.

Background: The access to anti-cancer medications is influenced by policies formed via the convergence of various stakeholders. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the stakeholders involved in formulating and implementing policies related to the accessibility of anti-cancer medications in Iran and their interactions that are relevant to the outcomes of these policies for the first time.

Methods: To achieve the objectives, a novel multistage social network analysis (SNA)-based approach that includes three phases is proposed.

Emergence of coinfection with visceral Leishmania infantum in COVID-19 patients: a case‒control field study in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran.

Background: COVID-19 is a pandemic involving coinfection with other opportunistic microorganisms, including parasites such as Leishmania infantum. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of L. infantum infection and its role in disease and mortality among symptomatic COVID-19 patients in comparison with the non-COVID-19 control group in the endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Iran.

Computational exploration of injection strategies for improving medicine distribution in the liver.

Background And Objectives: The liver, a vital metabolic organ, is always susceptible to various diseases that ultimately lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, acute liver failure, chronic liver failure, and even cancer. Optimal and specific medicine delivery in various diseases, hepatectomy, shunt placement, and other surgical interventions to reduce liver damage, transplantation, optimal preservation, and revival of the donated organ all rely on a complete understanding of perfusion and mass transfer in the liver. This study aims to simulate the computational fluid dynamics of perfusion and the temporal-spatial distribution of a medicine in a healthy liver to evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics of flow and medicine transport with the purpose of more effective liver treatment.

Mandibular bone defect healing using polylactic acid-nano-hydroxyapatite-gelatin scaffold loaded with hesperidin and dental pulp stem cells in rat.

Addressing mandibular defects poses a significant challenge in maxillofacial surgery. Recent advancements have led to the development of various biomimetic composite scaffolds aimed at facilitating mandibular defect reconstruction. This study aimed to assess the regenerative potential of a novel composite scaffold consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA), gelatin, hesperidin, and human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in a rat model of mandibular bone defect.

Protective Effect of Whey Protein Supplement Against Rotenone Induced Motor Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Parkinson Disease.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplements in a rat model of rotenone-induced locomotor and biochemical features of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats were used. Daily injections of rotenone (2 mg/kg; i.

Global prevalence of constipation during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Constipation is a common complication and an unpleasant experience during pregnancy. Due to hormonal factors, intestinal movements decrease during this time, causing the digestive system to malfunction. This study aims to explore the worldwide prevalence of constipation during pregnancy to prevent and minimize its complications.

Curcumin and exercise prevent depression alleviating hippocampus injury and improve depressive-like behaviors in chronically stressed depression rats.

Background And Purpose: Depression is a growing public health concern worldwide, characterized by cognitive impairment and structural abnormalities of the hippocampus. Current antidepressant treatment sometimes causes the late onset of results and the much faster occurrence of side effects. For this reason, the interest in new treatment strategies including exercise and natural products such as curcumin has increased to treat depression.

Policy Options for Reducing Defensive Medicine Behaviors: A Multi-Method Study.

Background: Defensive medicine (DM) refers to taking or not taking clinical actions, mainly to prevent legal or reputational consequences. It increases patient and health system costs and threatens patient safety. This study aimed to provide policy options to reduce DM behaviors and was conducted in two phases.

The emerging role of TIM-3 in colorectal cancer: a promising target for immunotherapy.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) imposes a substantial worldwide health burden, necessitating innovative strategies to enhance therapeutic outcomes. T cell immunoglobulin-3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint, enhances immunological tolerance. Tim-3's role in CRC surpasses its conventional function as an indicator of dysfunction in T lymphocytes.

Machine learning and deep learning algorithms in stroke medicine: a systematic review of hemorrhagic transformation prediction models.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with hemorrhagic transformation (HT) further worsening outcomes. Traditional scoring systems have limited predictive accuracy for HT in AIS. Recent research has explored machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms for stroke management.

Optimized co-delivery of curcumin and methylprednisolone using polyvinyl alcohol-coated CuO nanoparticles for synergistic rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

The combination of methylprednisolone (MPDL) and curcumin (CUR) for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) offers several therapeutic advantages. This synergy allows for a reduction in the dosage of methylprednisolone, minimizing potential side effects associated with long-term steroid use while maintaining or enhancing the treatment's effectiveness. The objective of this study is to prepare drug carriers for MPDL and CUR aimed at treating RA, utilizing Freund's Complete Adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model (AIA).

A global multi catchment and multi dataset synthesis for water fluxes and storage changes on land.

Water on land is essential for all societal, ecosystem, and planetary health aspects and conditions, and all life as we know it. Many disciplines consider and model similar terrestrial water phenomena and processes, but comparisons and consistent validations are lacking for the datasets used by various science communities for different world parts, scales, and applications. Here, we present a new global data synthesis that includes and harmonises four comparative datasets for main terrestrial water fluxes and storage changes, and the catchment-wise water balance closure they imply for the 30-year period 1980-2010 in 1561 non-overlapping hydrological catchments around the world.

Comparison of Gene Polymorphisms of ACE1 and ACE2 and the Level of Total ACE Activity in the Blood of Afghans and Iranians with COVID-19 and Its Relationship with Disease Severity.

Field evidence indicates differences in the rate and severity of COVID-19 infection among Afghans and Iranians, potentially influenced by individual genomic variances. Therefore, investigating the potential causes of these disparities holds significant clinical importance. This study aims to explore and compare variations in the genes encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), along with total ACE activity levels in the blood of Afghans and Iranians with COVID-19, to assess any potential correlation with disease severity.

Ultrasonic depolymerization of pomegranate peel pectin: Effect of sonication time on antioxidant, α-amylase inhibitory, and prebiotic properties.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasonic treatment time (5-30 min) on the structural characteristics, antioxidant, α-amylase inhibitory, and prebiotic properties of pomegranate peel pectin (PPP). The extracted PPP was rich in galacturonic acid (64.27 %) and exhibited a high degree of esterification (DE, 61.

Determining the sensitivity and specificity of the calculated fatty liver index in comparison with ultrasound.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease in human history and it is expected to surpass other causes of liver disease mortality by 2030. Therefore, finding an alternative way to diagnose steatosis in the early stage when imaging modalities are not available is crucial. This study decided to validate the optimal cut-off points and the sensitivity and specificity of the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) based on the Iranian population compared to ultrasonography.

The Impact of Vitamin E Supplementation on Oxidative Stress, Cognitive Functions, and Aging-Related Gene Expression in Aged Mice.

This study investigated the effects of different doses of vitamin E on oxidative stress, cognitive function, and gene expression in aged mice. A total of 32 male mice, aged 12 months, were divided into a control group and three treatment groups. These groups received varying daily doses of vitamin E for a period of 28 days.

Indoor air pollution due to bacterial bioaerosols in beauty salons of Ardabil, Iran: characterization, influencing factors and health risk assessment.

Beauty salons are establishments that provide hair, face, and body treatments for consumers. In this research, type of bacteriological pollution and the associated bacteriological human health risks were evaluated using Monte Carlo Simulation. A cross-sectional study design was carried out in 50 randomly selected beauty salons in Ardabil, during April-June, 2022.