The Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health Outcomes in African Populations: A Scoping Review.

Background: Air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but its impact on African populations is under-researched due to limited air quality data and health studies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to synthesize available research on the effects of air pollution on CVDs outcomes in African populations, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest areas for research and policy intervention.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed was conducted using terms capturing criteria ambient air pollutants (for example particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide) and CVDs and countries in Africa.

A rare case of cryptococcal meningitis with infarction of the splenium of the corpus callosum in an immunocompetent patient: A case report.

Meningitis is a severe infection of the central nervous system. is an uncommon fungal agent that can cause meningitis and often manifests unusual symptoms. While this infection is more prevalent in immunocompromised patients, it can also affect immunocompetent patients.

Clearing the Air to Address Pollution's Cardiovascular Health Crisis.

Air pollution is a critical global health issue that significantly impacts cardiovascular health. The air pollutant PM (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less) has been positioned as a leading environmental risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

A fast and simple procedure for the synthesis of a zinc and 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid metal-organic framework and its evaluation as a sorbent for dispersive micro solid phase extraction of pesticide residues.

In this work, Zn-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate metal-organic framework was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process and used in dispersive micro solid phase extraction of some pesticide from various fruit juice and water samples. Seven widely consumed pesticides in agriculture (chlorpyrifos, haloxyfop--methyl, oxadiazon, diniconazole, clodinafop-propargyl, fenpropathrin, and fenaxoprop--ethyl) were selected as target analytes. In this work, dispersive micro solid phase extraction was followed by a liquid phase microextraction method to achieve more enrichment of the analytes, and the enriched analytes were quantified using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector.

The role of magnesium oxide foliar sprays in enhancing mint (Mentha crispa L.) tolerance to cadmium stress.

This study investigates using magnesium foliar spray to enhance mint plants' growth and physiological performance under cadmium toxicity. It examines the effects of foliar application of magnesium oxide (40 mg L), in both nano and bulk forms, on mint plants exposed to cadmium stress (60 mg kg soil). Cadmium stress reduced root growth and activity, plant biomass (32%), leaf hydration (19%), chlorophyll levels (27%), magnesium content (51%), and essential oil yield (35%), while increasing oxidative and osmotic stress in leaf tissues.

Biochar-based nanoparticles mitigated arsenic toxicity and improved physiological performance of basil via enhancing cation exchange capacity and ferric chelate reductase activity.

The modified biochars have positive effects in reducing heavy metal toxicity for plants. However, the mechanism and extent of these effects on mitigating arsenic toxicity and plant performance are not clear. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted as factorial to evaluate the potential of fresh and enriched biochars with potassium and magnesium nano-sulfates [potassium-enriched biochar (K-BC), magnesium-enriched biochar (Mg-BC) in individual and combined forms] on reducing arsenic toxicity (non-contamination, 50, and 100 mg NaAsO kg soil) in basil plants.

Wastewater monitoring for detection of public health markers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Near-source monitoring of schools in England over an academic year.

Background: Schools are high-risk settings for infectious disease transmission. Wastewater monitoring for infectious diseases has been used to identify and mitigate outbreaks in many near-source settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, including universities and hospitals but less is known about the technology when applied for school health protection. This study aimed to implement a wastewater surveillance system to detect SARS-CoV-2 and other public health markers from wastewater in schools in England.

The biochar-based nanocomposites improve seedling emergence and growth of dill by changing phytohormones and sugar signaling under salinity.

Biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs) with a high level of sodium sorption capacity may improve salinity tolerance and seedling establishment of dill. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of solid biochar (30 g solid biochar kg soil) and biochar-based nanocomposites of iron (BNC-FeO) and zinc (BNC-ZnO) in individual (30 g BNC kg soil) and a combined form (15 g BNC-FeO + 15 g BNC-ZnO kg soil) on dill seedling growth in different levels of salt stress (non-saline, 6 and 12 dSm). Salinity caused a decrease in emergence percentage and emergence rate of seedlings.

Predicting preventive behaviors against COVID-19: A structural equation modeling approach from Iran.

Background: The purpose of this study was to use the health belief model (HBM) to predict the adoption of preventive behaviors against COVID-19 using the structural equation modeling approach.

Methods: As a descriptive-analytical study, this research was conducted on 831 men and women who were under the coverage of comprehensive health service centers in the Lorestan province of Iran in 2021. A questionnaire based on HBM was used to collect data.

The biochar-based nanocomposites influence the quantity, quality and antioxidant activity of essential oil in dill seeds under salt stress.

The essential oil content and composition of medicinal plants may be influenced by eco-friendly products for nutrient availability under abiotic stresses. This research was conducted to determine the effects of biochar (30 g kg soil) and biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs) of iron (30 g BNC-FeO kg soil), zinc (30 g BNC-ZnO kg soil), and their combined form (15 + 15 g) on dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under salinity levels (non-saline, 6 and 12 dS m).

Biochar-based nutritional nanocomposites: a superior treatment for alleviating salt toxicity and improving physiological performance of dill (Anethum graveolens).

Biochar-supported metal oxide nanocomposites as functional materials could help to improve the production and stress tolerance of plants by enhancing the physicochemical properties of biochar. This experiment was carried out to assess the effects of unmodified biochar (30 g kg soil) and biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs) of iron (30 g BNC-FeO kg soil), zinc (30 g BNC-ZnO kg soil), and a combined form (15 g BNC-FeO + 15 g BNC-ZnO kg soil) on dill (Anethum graveolens L.) plants under various salinity levels (non-saline, 6 and 12 dS m).

Monitoring occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in school populations: A wastewater-based approach.

Clinical testing of children in schools is challenging, with economic implications limiting its frequent use as a monitoring tool of the risks assumed by children and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, a wastewater-based epidemiology approach has been used to monitor 16 schools (10 primary, 5 secondary and 1 post-16 and further education) in England. A total of 296 samples over 9 weeks have been analysed for N1 and E genes using qPCR methods.

Causes of mortality in patients after first-ever stroke: A retrospective population-based study.

Background: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in developed countries and it is the most common cause of disability in the adult population of Iran. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and other predisposing risk factors on mortality after stroke.

Methods: We studied 1572 patients with first-ever stroke during a 7-year period from January 2008 to December 2014.

Geographical and socioeconomic inequalities in female breast cancer incidence and mortality in Iran: A Bayesian spatial analysis of registry data.

Background: In Iran, trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality have generally been monitored at national level. The purpose of this study is to examine province-level disparities in age-standardised breast cancer incidence versus mortality from 2000 to 2010 and their association with socioeconomic status.

Methods: In this study, data from Iran's national cancer and death registry systems, and covariates from census and household expenditure surveys were used.

Evaluating equality in prescribing Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) in England: The protocol of a Bayesian small area analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting about 1.6% of the population in England. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are approved AF treatments that reduce stroke risk.

Promoter methylation and expression pattern of , , and genes during osteoblastic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Nowadays, mesenchymal stem cells are touted as suitable cell supply for the restoration of injured bone tissue. The existence of osteogenic differentiation makes these cells capable of replenishing damaged cells in the least possible time. It has been shown that epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, contribute to the regulation of various transcription factors during phenotype acquisition.

Dynamic of miRNA-101a-3p and miRNA-200a during Induction of Osteoblast Differentiation in Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

miRNAs are known as the cellular phenomena regulators that exert their effects in post-transcriptional level. Recent studies highlight the role of miRNAs in mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into osteoblasts. The purpose of this study was to recognize the pattern of miRNA-101a-3p and miRNA-200a expression during osteoblastic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Inter-joint coordination during obstacle crossing in people with diabetic neuropathy.

Sensori-motor deficit due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) alters the quality of obstacle-crossing which may increase the risk of falling. The aim of this study was to compare inter-joint coordination (IJC) during obstacle-crossing between people with DPN and healthy controls. Fifteen DPN and 15 healthy people crossed over obstacles with heights of 10% and 20% of the subject's leg length.

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017.

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends.

Nickel ion release from dental alloys in two different mouthwashes.

. Mouthwashes are widely used as adjuncts to mechanical oral hygiene procedures. Nonetheless, there is little information regarding the effect of various mouthwashes on the amount of ions released from the nickel-chromium (Ni‒Cr) alloys used in the fabrication of fixed prostheses.

Current Status of Used Protocols for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation: A Focus on Insulin Producing, Osteoblast-Like and Neural Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted a great deal of interest in the field of regenerative medicine because of their ability to differentiate into mesodermal derivatives and even other germ layers. The main requirement for better differentiation of MSCs into desired cell lineage is relied on pure population of these cells. During the past years, significant progresses have been developed for the identification of MSCs by introducing new markers or different combination of markers.

Interplay between microRNAs and Wnt, transforming growth factor-β, and bone morphogenic protein signaling pathways promote osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Osteoblasts are terminally differentiated cells with mesenchymal origins, known to possess pivotal roles in sustaining bone microstructure and homeostasis. These cells are implicated in the pathophysiology of various bone disorders, especially osteoporosis. Over the last few decades, strategies to impede bone resorption, principally by bisphosphonates, have been mainstay of treatment of osteoporosis; however, in recent years more attention has been drawn on bone-forming approaches for managing osteoporosis.