Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of model fuel over Pt-decorated carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

Modification of photocatalysts to improve their adsorption and photocatalytic activity in the oxidative desulfurization of liquid fuels has been reported by many investigators. In this study, Pt-decorated carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal and photo-deposition techniques and were subsequently used in photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in n-heptane as a simulated liquid fuel with methanol as the extracting solvent. Carbon-doped TiO2 was first synthesized by a simple self-doping method. Pt was then loaded by a photo-deposition technique. The synthesized photocatalysts (labeled as YPt-CT where Y is percent Pt loading) were characterized by of X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N2-physisorption, UV-Vis diffusive reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and nitrogen sorption measurements. The removal efficiency of DBT was 98% in the presence of 2 g/l of 0.5Pt-CT catalyst under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), ambient pressure, and reaction temperature of 40°C.

Alteration in Gut Microbiota Composition of Older Adults Is Associated with Obesity and Its Indices: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Obesity in the older adults is a health concern that increases the risk of several life-threatening diseases. Previous research has been revealed that alterations in the gut microbiota composition is related to obesity. So, understanding the gut microbiota changes in older adults' obesity may help to provide promising strategies for their health management.

OBJECTIVES

Here we conducted a systematic review that investigate the alteration of gut microbiota composition in association with obesity and its indices in the older adults.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

SETTING

A comprehensive systematic search was performed through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase databases for all relative studies up to 2023 with the main search concepts as Microbiota, Obesity and Elderly. The data about gut microbiota in association with obesity indices had been extracted.

PARTICIPANTS

Older adults (≥60 years).

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS

None.

RESULTS

Within 10741 recordes, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Most of them indicated the gut microbiota alterations in obese compared with non-obese older adults. However, the gut microbiome composition in obese older adults is affected by other underlying diseases like diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The most important taxa that had abundance alteration in association with obesity in older adults were Christensenellaceae, Porphyromonadaceae and Rikenellaceae, Akkermansia, Blautia, Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium.

CONCLUSION

The gut microbiota composition is associated with obesity in older adults. Considering the other factors affecting the composition of gut microbiota, such as age, underlying diseases and lifestyle, a more accurate conclusion about this matter requires more future studies.

Metabolomic biomarkers of low BMD: a systematic review

Due to the metabolic nature of osteoporosis, this study was conducted to identify metabolomic studies investigating the metabolic profile of low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases up to April 08, 2020, to identify observational studies with cross-sectional or case-control designs investigating the metabolic profile of low BMD in adults using biofluid specimen via metabolomic platform. The quality assessment panel specified for the "omics"-based diagnostic research (QUADOMICS) tool was used to estimate the methodologic quality of the included studies. Ten untargeted and one targeted approach metabolomic studies investigating biomarkers in different biofluids through mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance platforms were included in the systematic review. Some metabolite panels, rather than individual metabolites, showed promising results in differentiating low BMD from normal. Candidate metabolites were of different categories including amino acids, followed by lipids and carbohydrates. Besides, certain pathways were suggested by some of the studies to be involved. This systematic review suggested that metabolic profiling could improve the diagnosis of low BMD. Despite valuable findings attained from each of these studies, there was great heterogeneity regarding the ethnicity and age of participants, samples, and the metabolomic platform. Further longitudinal studies are needed to validate the results and confirm the predictive role of metabolic profile on low BMD and fracture. It is also mandatory to address and minimize the heterogeneity in future studies by using reliable quantitative methods. Summary: Due to the metabolic nature of osteoporosis, researchers have considered metabolomic studies recently. This systematic review showed that metabolic profiling including different categories of metabolites could improve the diagnosis of low BMD. However, great heterogeneity was observed and it is mandatory to address and minimize the heterogeneity in future studies.

Effects of metabolic syndrome on bone health in older adults: the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Based on the clinical, BMD, and TBS data of 2380 participants aged ≥ 60 which was gathered during the BEH program, stage II, we showed that MetS was positively associated with BMD, while a negative or no association was observed between MetS and TBS depending on the sex and the adjustment model.

INTRODUCTION

The results of previous reports in regard to the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on bone health are not conclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the association between MetS with bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) as an indicator of bone quantity and quality, respectively.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, this study was carried out based on the data collected during the BEH Program, stage II. MetS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria. BMD (at the lumbar spine and the hip) and lumbar spine TBS were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device.

RESULTS

The data of 2380 participants (women = 1228, men = 1152) aged ≥ 60 were analyzed. In the fully adjusted regression models (including BMI), significant associations between MetS and mean BMD were observed across all locations in men (P values ≤ 0.001) and in the lumbar spine in women (P value = 0.003). In addition, the prevalence of osteoporosis (based on BMD) was significantly lower in those with MetS than those without MetS in both sexes, even after full adjustments (women, OR = 0.707, P value = 0.013; men, OR = 0.563, P value = 0.001). In contrast, in age-adjusted regression analyses, the prevalence of degraded bone microarchitecture (TBS ≤ 1.2) was significantly increased in those with MetS than those without, irrespective of the participants' sex (P values < 0.05). The mean TBS was also negatively associated with MetS in women (β = - 0.075, P value = 0.007) but not in men (β = - 0.052, P value = 0.077), in age-adjusted regression models. However, after including BMI in the adjusted models, all significant associations between TBS values and MetS disappeared.

CONCLUSION

It seems that a positive association exists between MetS and BMD, while MetS is either not associated or negatively correlated with bone quality as measured by TBS.

FRAX-based intervention and assessment thresholds for osteoporosis in Iran

We compared the utility of the current Iranian guidelines that recommend treatment in women with a T-score ≤ - 2.5 SD with a FRAX-based intervention threshold equivalent to women of average BMI with a prior fragility fracture. Whereas the FRAX-based intervention threshold identified women at high fracture probability, the T-score threshold was less sensitive, and the associated fracture risk decreased markedly with age.

INTRODUCTION

The fracture risk assessment algorithm FRAX® has been recently calibrated for Iran, but guidance is needed on how to apply fracture probabilities to clinical practice.

METHODS

The age-specific ten-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women with average BMI to determine fracture probabilities at two potential intervention thresholds. The first comprised the age-specific fracture probabilities associated with a femoral neck T-score of - 2.5 SD, in line with current guidelines in Iran. The second approach determined age-specific fracture probabilities that were equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture, without BMD. The parsimonious use of BMD was additionally explored by the computation of upper and lower assessment thresholds for BMD testing.

RESULTS

When a BMD T-score ≤ - 2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women aged 50 years was approximately two-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The relative increase in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T-score of - 2.5 SD was actually protective. The 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture by age, equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age from 4.9% at the age of 50 years to 17%, at the age of 80 years, and identified women at increased risk at all ages.

CONCLUSION

Intervention thresholds based on BMD alone do not effectively target women at high fracture risk, particularly in the elderly. In contrast, intervention thresholds based on fracture probabilities equivalent to a "fracture threshold" target women at high fracture risk.

Epidemiology of chronic rhinosinusitis in Bushehr, southwestern region of Iran: a GA2LEN study

BACKGROUND

Population-based studies using the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) criteria for the assessment of the chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) prevalence play important roles in the development and promotion of public health policies.

METHODS

A multistage, stratified cluster, random sampling method was used to select the study participants from individuals living in Bushehr, which is in the southwestern part of Iran. The standardized Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) questionnaire was completed by 5,201 participants, and the CRS prevalence were compared among different groups of related factors using chi-squared tests.

RESULTS

The overall CRS prevalence was 28.4% based on the EPOS criteria, while the self-reported physician-diagnosed CRS prevalence was 20.0%. There was no gender difference; however, CRS was more prevalent in smokers, individuals aged 25 - 34 years old, non-educated persons, and healthcare workers. CRS was also associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that the CRS prevalence in Iran was relatively high. These results support the idea that CRS is a major public health problem in Iran.

Inverse association between cigarette and water pipe smoking and hypertension in an elderly population in Iran: Bushehr elderly health programme

The collected data in Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program which had detailed the data on participants' smoking status and habits, was analysed to investigate the association between smoking of both water pipes and cigarettes and hypertension in an elderly population. Three thousand elderly men and women who participated in the baseline assessment of the BEH Program-a prospective population-based study being conducted in Bushehr, Iran-were selected randomly through a multistage, stratified cluster sampling method. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured twice using a mercury sphygmomanometer, and researchers asked participants about medical history of hypertension as well as history of cigarette and water pipe smoking. Researchers used binary logistic regression models to assess the association of hypertension and smoking, and found an inverse, statistically significant association between current smoking and hypertension (odds ratio (OR)=0.50 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.41, 0.60)). The association remained statistically significant after controlling for age, education and body mass index (OR=0.54 (95% CI=0.45, 0.66)). Findings were consistent for cigarette and water pipe smoking by sex (all ORs were inverse and statistically significant). Both cigarette and water pipe smoking were associated with reduced hypertension among older people, but the strength of association was different between men and women and also between cigarette and water pipe smoking. The reasons behind the association as well as the differences observed need to be investigated through more comprehensive, longitudinal studies.

Association of caesarean section and neonatal death: a population-based case-control study in Islamic Republic of Iran

The high caesarean section rate in the Islamic Republic of Iran could be a risk for adverse neonatal outcomes. This population-based, case-control study investigated the association of caesarean section and neonatal death. A total of 146 mothers whose babies had died during 28 days after birth were compared with 549 mothers with live newborns, according to delivery route and reasons for undergoing caesarean section. The crude odds ratio (OR) for the association of caesarean section and neonatal death was 1.97 (1.35-2.87). The adjusted OR was 2.19 (1.48-3.24) controlled for mother's education, parity and age. Adjusted ORs for elective caesarean, previous caesarean and emergency caesarean were 0.65 (0.26-1.62), 2.77 (1.64-4.66) and 2.51 (1.56-4.03) respectively. The ORs for caesarean delivery and neonatal death varied by mother's education, parity and age. The association of caesarean section with neonatal death is complex and is modified by other influencing factors.

Lessons learnt from malaria epidemics in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran is in the pre-elimination phase of malaria control, but malaria epidemics are still a concern in the south of the country. This retrospective study presents the epidemiological characteristics and predisposing factors of 60 of the malaria epidemics reported in Sistan va Baluchestan province during 2005-09. A zero-truncated negative binomial model was used to investigate the relation between predictor variables and the total number of malaria cases. Malaria epidemics occurred mainly in the southern part of the province, mostly between July and October, peaking in August. Most malaria epidemics were small-scale (68.3% were < 100 cases) and short (51.7% lasted < 1 month). Plasmodium falciparum was present in 46.7% of the epidemics. An increase in the rainfall rate as well as population movements were the most significant predisposing factors. The results may help inform an epidemic investigation and reporting system as the country approaches the malaria elimination phase.

Mental health among Afghan refugees settled in Shiraz, Iran

This study was designed to investigate the mental health of Afghan refugees settled in Shiraz, the capital of a southern province of Iran. They were mostly refugees from Afghanistan by reason of internal war during the last two decades. A version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in Persian was administered on a group of randomly selected Afghan refugees (n=81) from a pool of Afghan residents in the Shiraz district. 34.5% of the subjects scored high enough to be considered as having psychiatric problems. There was a significant positive correlation between refugees' years of age and GHQ-28 factor scores, i.e., Physical Health and Social Functioning. The mental health of the subjects was not related to education or marital status. The years of settling in Iran were not significantly correlated with any GHQ-28 indices. The overall findings suggest that the rate of psychiatric problems in the refugees is higher than in the native population.