Investigation of the solubility and thermodynamics of salicylic acid in 2-propanol and ethylene glycol/propylene glycol binary solvent mixtures at (293.15 to 313.15) K

This study aimed to measure both the solubility and thermodynamics of salicylic acid in binary solvent mixtures of (2-propanol + ethylene glycol) and (2-propanol + propylene glycol) at different temperatures in the range of 293.2-313.2 K. The experimental solubility data were analyzed using various linear and nonlinear cosolvency models, such as the van'tt Hoff, Jouyban-Acree, Jouyban-Acree-van'tt Hoff, mixture response surface and modified Wilson models and to evaluate the models, the mean relative deviations of the back-calculated solubility data were compared with experimental values. Through this analysis, the apparent thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated using the van'tt Hoff and Gibbs equations for this system. Additionally, the density values for salicylic acid saturated mixtures were also measured and represent mathematically using the Jouyban-Acree model.

Investigating the factors affecting farmers' intention to adopt contract farming

Agricultural endeavors, especially in developing nations, entail inherent risks. Amidst challenges related to capital and agricultural marketing, contract farming emerges as a highly effective strategy. It not only facilitates capital accumulation but also ensures consistent product sales, establishes fair pricing, and contributes to the overall balanced development of the agricultural sector. This concern has been a longstanding global consideration, with Iran now addressing it. Recognizing the paramount importance of implementing contemporary agricultural methodologies, including contract farming, this research systematically investigates factors influencing farmers' intentions in Iran. A survey methodology is employed for systematic information collection from a statistical population of 98,777 farmers in rural Markazi Province, Iran. Using the Karjesi and Morgan table for sample size determination, a representative subset of 383 farmers is selected through stratified random sampling, ensuring proportional assignment within strata. A researcher-made questionnaire, validated by expert panels and confirmed for reliability through Cronbach's alpha coefficient, serves as the research instrument. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27, and structural equation modeling was performed with SmartPLS4. The findings reveal that trust (0.528), awareness (0.332), and attitude (0.168), exert the most substantial causal influence on farmers' intention to embrace contract farming. Consequently, the research findings offer practical recommendations for the adoption of contract farming, providing valuable insights to policymakers and stakeholders for implementing targeted interventions aimed at boosting farmers' willingness to participate in contractual agreements.

TB and interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

To determine the frequency of TB among patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search in the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases up to 1 August 2023 of studies reporting on the prevalence of TB among patients with ILDs.

RESULTS

Twelve studies comprising 3,817 patients with ILD were found: the pooled prevalence of TB among ILD patients was 11.0% (95% CI 5.4-21.0). In the subgroup analysis, the TB rate among patients with silicosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was respectively 35.6% (95% CI 32.6-38.8) and 4.4% (95% CI 3.6-5.3) (P = 0.00). The frequency of TB among ILD patients was higher in high TB burden countries than in low/intermediate-burden countries: 26.3%, 95% CI 17.7-37.3 vs. 4.9%, 95% CI 3.3-7.2; P = 0.00.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the frequency of TB among ILD patients. The meta-analysis reveals a significantly increased prevalence of TB among ILD patients with silicosis compared to IPF, and among individuals in high TB burden countries than in those with low/intermediate burden. The study results can help physicians and policymakers make efficient decisions for prompt screening and anti-TB treatment initiation in ILD patients..

Comparing the effect of administering gelatin-low dose albumin versus albumin on renal function in liver transplantation: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after liver transplantation (LT) that is independently associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of administering gelatin-low dose albumin versus albumin on renal function and other early outcomes in LT.

METHODS

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 140 patients undergoing LT from brain death donors. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: albumin or modified gelatin with albumin. Blood samples were collected before (T0) and on the first (T1), second (T2), third (T3), fifth (T4), and last day of hospitalization (T5) after LT for the detection of laboratory parameters, including renal and liver function tests.

RESULTS

The incidence of AKT on the basis of RIFLE criteria was 31.42% in the gelatin group (R: 59.10%, I: 36.40%, and F: 4.50%) and 25.71% in the albumin group (R: 66.70%, I: 27.80%, and F: 5.50%) (p = .845). Two patients in the gelatin and one in the albumin groups required renal replacement therapy (RRT). There was no significant difference between groups when the trends of changes in renal and liver function parameters were assessed during the study period (T0-T5). Furthermore, the incidence of complications was similar across groups.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that modified gelatin could be used without inappropriate outcomes on renal function in patients with normal preoperative kidney function tests undergoing LT.

Intestinal Transplantation in a Country Without Home Parenteral Nutrition: The Largest Report from the Middle East

Background:

Many regions of the world, especially middle- and low-income countries, lack facilities for home parenteral nutrition and thus cannot follow existing guidelines for intestinal transplantation. Herein, we report our experiences with treatment protocols, intraoperative management, and early postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing either isolated intestinal transplantation or multivisceral transplantation in our center.

Methods:

During a 1-year period from March 2019 to March 2020, a total of 9 intestinal transplantations including 6 isolated intestinal transplantations and 3 multivisceral transplantations were performed in our center. We reported on donor selection strategies, surgical treatment, anesthesiology care and protocols for total parenteral nutrition, immunosuppression regimen, and pathology evaluation.

Results:

Mean (standard deviation) age of patients was 37.5 ± 12.5 years. The majority of patients were females (7/9). The median (interquartile range) waiting time for patients from diagnosis to transplantation was 79 (34, 164) days. Our 7-day survey of the amount of fluid therapy after transplantation revealed that the greatest need for fluid therapy was seen on the second postoperative day. After transplantation, 2 patients showed a total of 3 episodes of severe rejection, 1 of which was antibody-mediated. The 1-year survival was 66.6% and the 2-year survival was 44.5% in our study population. The median (interquartile range) time to death was 157 (26.5, 382) days. The most common cause of death was sepsis in our series (3/5).

Conclusion:

Acceptable outcomes can be obtained with intestinal transplantation in countries without home parenteral nutrition by application of specific treatment protocols.

Risk factors of the post-reperfusion syndrome during orthotopic liver transplantation: a clinical observational study

Background

Post reperfusion syndrome (PRS) is a relatively common and life-threatening complication during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). It is associated with poor patient and transplanted liver outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the risk factors of PRS during OLT.

Design

Clinical-epidemiological observational retrospective study.

Setting

We gathered the records of patients who underwent OLT in 3 years, from May 22, 2016, to May 22, 2019, in Namazi and Bu-Ali Sina organ transplantation hospitals.

Patients

In this study, we assessed 1182 patients who underwent OLT. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PRS.

Main outcome measures

Diagnosing the predictors of PRS was the primary outcome of this study.

Results

Results showed that age > 60 years, Child-Pugh scores C, higher Model End Stage liver disease score, and preoperative sodium < 130 mmol/l (parameters of the liver recipient), increase in cold ischemic time (the donors’ parameters), and the classical technique (the surgical parameters) were the strong predictors of PRS.

Conclusions

The results indicated that underlying liver disease was not the predictor of PRS in the presence of other risk factors; therefore, clinicians have to consider these risk factors in patients undergoing OLT.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01635-3.

Anesthesia Aspects of Multivisceral Transplantation: A Case Series Study

Background

Multi-visceral transplantation (MvTx) usually refers to the transplantation of more than three intra-abdominal organs. A successful MvTx requires strong multidisciplinary teamwork of transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists.

Case presentation

We present five cases of MvTx with a history of short bowel syndrome admitted to the Abu-Ali Sina Hospital, Shiraz, Iran from May 2019 to January 2020 and describe anesthetic considerations in MvTx. Subjects were identified (4F/1M) with a mean age of 43 years old (range 35-51). The most frequent cause of intestinal failure was portal vein thrombosis, followed by bowel gangrene and short bowel syndrome. The mean ±SD duration of the operation was 360±60 min. The bleeding volume was approximately 2600±1474 cc, and 4±1 bags of packed red blood cells were transfused. Sepsis was the main cause of death in our series.

Conclusion

Careful preoperative planning, vigilant intraoperative anesthetic management, and prevention of postoperative infection are imperative to achieve the best outcomes.

Attosecond charge migration following oxygen K-shell ionization in DNA bases and base pairs

Core ionization of DNA begins a cascade of events which could lead to cellular inactivation or death. The created core-hole following an impulse inner-shell ionization of molecules naturally decays in the auger timescale. We simulated charge migration (CM) phenomena following an impulsive core ionization of individual DNA bases at the oxygen K-edge which occurs before Auger decay of the oxygen. Our approach is based on real-time time dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT). It is shown that the pronounced hole fluctuation observed around bonds of the initial core-hole results in various valence orbital migrations. Also, the same photo-core-ionized dynamics is studied for the related base pairs. We investigate the role of base pairing and H-bonding interactions in the attosecond CM dynamics. In particular, the creation of a core-hole in the oxygen involved in H-bonding leads to an enhancement of charge migration relative to the respective single bases. Importantly, the hole oscillation of the adenine-thymine base pair upon creation of a core-hole at the oxygen, which does not contribute to the donor-acceptor interactions (not H-bonded), decreases compared to the single thymine base. Understanding the detailed dynamics of the localized core-hole initiating CM process would open the way for chemically controlling DNA damage/repair in the future.

Association Between Human Leukocyte Antigen and COVID-19 Severity

In the last days of 2019, a new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, and less than three months its disease, now called COVID-19, was announced a global pandemic by WHO. COVID-19 usually causes respiratory symptoms and can lead to more severe conditions like ARDS. HLA has a crucial role in regulating the immune system; thus, different HLA allele types can be a protective or risk factor for some diseases, so we aimed to find such associations to determine whether some alleles can predict susceptibility or resistibility to COVID-19 and finally facilitate vaccine development. In this case-control study, 15 admitted COVID-19 cases with severe symptoms and ten individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled in the case and control groups, respectively. They were genotyped for HLA A/B/DR loci using a low-resolution HLA typing test. These alleles were more prevalent in case (severe COVID-19) group: A*24 (53.33% vs 10%), B*50 (20% vs 10%), B*55 (20% vs 10%), DRB1*04 (40% vs 20%) and DRB1*11 (53.33% vs 30%) but the difference was only statically significant in A*24 allele (P=0.027; odd ratio=10.286). A*24 was also more prevalent in all patients than the general population in Iran. A*24 was the only allele more prevalent in severe COVID-19 cases with statistical significance. This allele was reported to be a risk factor for such autoimmune diseases as type 1 diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, which may be related to reported immune system hyperresponsiveness in severe COVID-19 cases.

Study of Relationship between Self-rated Health and Objective Health in Different Socio-economic Groups of Tehran in 2014

The evaluation of health by an individual or self-rated health is a popular international index which is widely practiced for evaluating the individuals’ health in the public health researches and epidemiology. Many studies have revealed that self-rated health is a reliable predictor of mortality, illness, and loss of physical capacity. In addition, it has close correlation with the objective health indexes. The findings of this study have revealed the strong relationship between self-rated health and objective health. As self- rated health can be used as a reliable tool in the evaluation of objective health, this questionnaire can be used as a probable tool of screening the individuals’ health in the society and determining the individuals who need care. Further studies are suggested to be done in other regions for studying the quality of the questionnaire and also the factors affecting the self-rated health.

The Effect of Perioperative N-acetylcysteine on the Short and Long Term Outcomes in Pediatrics Undergoing Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation can cause post-operative graft dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in preventing hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and post-transplant outcomes.

METHODS

In this retrospective study on pediatrics undergoing living-donor (from one of their parents) liver transplantation, N-acetylcysteine was administered to one group (n=20) after induction in the donors until graft harvest, and in the recipients during implantation, which was maintained for 19 hours. The second group (n=20) did not receive NAC. Early allograft dysfunction was determined in the presence of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase ≥2000 IU/L and bilirubin ≥10 mg/dL within the first 7 days, and an international normalized ratio ≥1.6 on day 7. Data were collected from a retrospectively maintained database.

RESULTS

The incidence of post-reperfusion syndrome was lower in N-acetylcysteine group compared with the other group (5% vs. 30%, p=0.037). Serum creatinine level was significantly (p=0.04) different in the N-acetylcysteine group during the second post-operative week (0.14 vs. 0.15 mg/dL). There was no significant difference in the incidence of early allograft dysfunction (21% vs. 14%, p=0.327), and the survival rate (p=0.409).

CONCLUSION

Peri-operative infusion of N-acetylcysteine in both donor and recipient would effectively prevent post-reperfusion syndrome and renal insufficiency. However, it might not affect the early allograft dysfunction, ICU stay, and mortality. NAC increases the chance of re-operation due to non-surgical bleeding in the first post-operative day.

Knowledge and Practices of Safe Use of Pesticides among a Group of Farmers in Northern Iran

Background:

The unsafe use of chemical pesticides, along with the lack of appropriate preventive protocols and equipment may damage the health of users.

Objective:

To determine the knowledge and practice of the safe use of chemical pesticides by farm workers in northern Iran.

Methods:

The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 farmers in Mazandaran province, in 2017. The data collection instrument was a two-part questionnaire: The first part was concentrated on demographic and agricultural characteristics of the participants; the second part dealt with the farmers' knowledge and practice of the safe use of pesticides.

Results:

The mean knowledge and practice scores (out of 100) of the participating farmers in the safe use of pesticides were 84.8 (SD 13.5) and 50.8 (13.2), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.466, p<0.001) between their knowledge and practice. Wearing protective clothes, while applying pesticides, was among safe practices. Although more than 60% of farmers had a sufficient level of knowledge of the safe use of pesticides, they did not implement their knowledge in practice. There was a significant (p<0.001) association between the education level and knowledge of the safe use of pesticides.

Conclusion:

There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practices of the safe use of pesticides among farmers in northern Iran. There was a clear know-do gap—although the majority of the participants possessed a sufficient level of knowledge of the safe use of pesticides, they did not implement it in practice.

Survival Rate of Colorectal Cancer in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Different studies have been conducted to estimate the survival rate of colorectal cancer in Iran but there is no overall estimate of the survival rate. The aim of this study was to calculate the pooled 1, 3, and 5-year survival rate of the patients with colorectal cancer in Iran. Methods: To retrieve relevant studies, we conducted a systematic search in Iranian databases, including Iran Medex, Magiran, SID, and international databases such as Medlin/PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar using “Colorectal Neoplasms” and “Survival Rate” as keywords up to December 1st, 2017. We used random effect model to estimate pooled 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of the patients with colorectal cancer in Iran. To assess the heterogeneity, we used Chi-squared test at the 5 % significance level (p <0.05) and I2 Index. We used meta-regression and subgroup analysis to find a potential source of heterogeneity. Results: After a systematic search, 196 articles were found, of the 38 studies met the eligibility criteria and are included in our meta-analysis. The pooled 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates in patient with colorectal cancer were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81-0.87), 0.64 (95%CI: 0.59-0.70), and 0.54 (95%CI: 0.49-0.58) respectively. The 5-year survival rate in the subgroup of women was 0.5 (0.44-0.56) and in male subgroup was 0.44 (0.40-0.48). In a subgroup of the tumor site, the 5-year survival rate in colon cancer was 0.6 (0.49-0.75) and rectum cancer was 0.54 (0.36-0.69). In multivariable models, there was a significant association between years of study and 5-year survival rate as a source of heterogeneity (β = 18.9, P=0.01). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, women had a better survival rate than men, and according to the tumor site, the 5-year survival rate in colon cancer was better than the rectum cancer.

Quality and quantity of construction and demolition waste in Tehran

Background

In recent years the generation rate of construction and demolition waste (C&D) has significantly augmented. The aim of this study was to assessed the quality and quantity of construction and demolition waste in Tehran (capital of Iran).

Methods

Questionnaire methods were used for estimating the amount of generated C&D wastes national statistical data and typical waste generation data. In order to defining the composition of C&D waste, trucks were randomly selected and their wastes were separated and weighted.

Results

According to obtained results, about 82,646,051 m³ of C&D waste (average 16,529,210 m³ per year) were generated during 2011 to 2016 which only about 26% of them has been recycled. Mixing sand and cement, concrete, broken bricks and soil have the highest amount of the composition of C&D waste in Tehran that was 30, 19, 18 and 11%, respectively. Based on the results, about 2,784,158 t of the waste will generate in 2025 and this is approximately 122% higher than wastes generate in 2016. Based on MAPSA’s data, 360 teams of personnel cruise and control the illegal disposals, but due to the expansion of Tehran this number of teams is inadequate and can’t be effective in controlling the situation.

Conclusion

In general, the overall condition of C&D waste management in Tehran seems undesirable and needs to be updated based on the experience of successful countries in this field.

The effect of freeze-dried antibody concentrations on its stability in the presence of trehalose and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: a Box-Behnken statistical design

The present study aimed at preparation and optimization of stable freeze-dried immunoglobulin G (IgG) applying proper amount of antibody with efficient combination of trehalose and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Response surface methodology was employed through a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design. Amounts of IgG (X₁), trehalose (X₂) and HPβCD (X₃) were independent variables. Aggregation following process (Y₁), after one month at 45 °C (Y₂), upon two month at 45 °C (Y₃) and beta-sheet content of IgG (Y₄) were determined as dependent variables. Results were fitted to quadratic models (except for beta-sheet content), describing the inherent relationship between main factors. Optimized formulation composed of 55.85 mg IgG, 52.51 mg trehalose and 16.01 mg HPβCD was prepared. The calculated responses of the optimized formulation were as follows: Y₁ = 0.19%, Y₂ = 0.78%, Y₃ = 1.88% and Y₄ = 68.60%, respectively. The thermal analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of optimum formulation and the integrity of IgG was shown to be favorably preserved. Validation of the optimization study demonstrated high degree of prognostic ability. The DOE study successfully predicted the optimum values of antibody as well as stabilizers for desirable process and storage stabilization of freeze-dried IgG.

Comparative evaluation between hypericin (hypiran) and fluoxetine in treatment of companion dogs with tail chasing

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of hypericin and fluoxetine in the treatment of companion dogs with tail chasing in Ahvaz district. In the present survey, eighteen dogs with tail chasing were assigned into three equal groups for a three-year period. The dogs were randomly classified based on different treatment groups. During 15 weeks, dogs of group A were given 0.05 mg kg(-1) hypericin orally and dogs of group B received 1 mg kg(-1) fluoxetine, orally. The group C was the control group. Changes in signs of tail chasing were weekly reported by the owners or a veterinarian. Treatment periods were assessed in five intervals: weeks 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and weeks 13-15, respectively. Hypericin (group A) was significantly more effective in the treatment of tail chasing compared with fluoxetine (group B), (p = 0.043). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in each group between weeks 1-3 (X(2) = 8.8, p = 0.01), 4-6 (X(2) = 9.1, p = 0.01), 7-9 (X(2) = 7.4, p = 0.03), 10-12 (X(2) = 10.4, p = 0.005) and 13-15 (X(2) = 12.5, p = 0.002). Improvement of behavior in the dogs of group A was significant compared with group B, between weeks 10-12 (X(2) = 5.4, p = 0.02) and 13-15 (X(2) = 7.2, p = 0.007). In conclusion, our survey showed that hypericin was more effective than fluoxetine in controlling signs of tail chasing.

Effect of picrotoxin on antinociception in the formalin test

Subcutaneous injection of diluted formalin (0.25 microliter of 0.5%) caused a biphasic pain response in mice. The first phase of pain was observed during the first 5 min., while the second phase occurred 10-30 min. after formalin administration. With the formalin test, it was found that the antinociception produced by the GABA-A antagonist, picrotoxin, and the GABA-B antagonist, phaclofen, was abolished when employed in combination. The opioid antagonist naloxone and antimuscarinic atropine also decreased the picrotoxin response. However, sulpiride, SCH 23390, phenoxybenzamine and propranolol did not alter the picrotoxin response. Administration of naloxone, sulpiride and propranolol showed a pain response. The data indicate that dopaminergic and adrenergic mechanisms may not be involved in the picrotoxin antinociceptive effect. However, postsynaptic GABA-A and GABA-B may be involved in the drug effect, and involvement of opioid or cholinergic systems can not be excluded.

Effects of dichloroglyoxime on isolated guinea-pig smooth muscle and atrium

The effects of dichloroglyoxime (DCG) on isolated rings of aorta, main pulmonary artery, trachea and spontaneously-beating atrium of guines-pig were studied. DCG caused concentration- dependent relaxation of the epinephrine-contracted aortic and pulmonary artery rings and of the tone of tracheal rings. Propranolol caused a slight shift to the right in the concentration-effect curves of DCG on these preparations. Quinacrine, an inhibitor of the release of arachidonic acid and its metabolites, caused a significant shift to the right in the concentration-effect curves of DCG on the three preparations. Low concentrations of DCG increased the beating rate of the atrium, an effect which was blocked by propranolol but not by quinacrine whereas large concentrations decreased the beating rate, an effect which was not significantly affected by propranolol or by quinacrine. DCG also caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the contractility of the atrium and this effect was only slightly affected by propranolol or quinacrine. These observations suggest that the relaxant effect of dichloroglyoxime on the smooth muscle may not be mediated by the stimulation of beta adrenoceptors specifically although a nonspecific interaction with these receptors or with the contractile machinery of the cell cannot be excluded. Data with quinacrine suggest that the effects may be mediated by the release of an inhibitory metabolite of arachidonic acid. The results further suggest that in the atrium the effects of DCG may not be specific and they may be partially mediated by the release of catecholamines from the nerve endings.