Heavy Metal Accumulation and Health Risks in Selected Leafy Vegetables Irrigated with Mixed Potable and Wastewater-A Case Study: Southern Tehran, Iran.

The effect of mixed potable and wastewater (WW) irrigation on leafy vegetables cultivated in southern Tehran, Iran, was investigated in 2022. Eight species-spinach (Spinacia oleracea), scallion (Allium fistulosum), radish (Raphanus sativus), cress (Lepidium sativum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), and savory (Satureja hortensis)-were grown in calcareous loamy soil under greenhouse conditions using five irrigation regimes (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% WW) applied every 2 days. Soil salinity, DTPA-extractable Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn, plant growth traits, and health risk indices-transfer factor (TF), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), average daily dietary intake (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ), and cancer risk (CR)-were determined for children and adults.

Metabolic and Nutritional Outcomes After Sleeve Gastrostomy and Gastric Bypass in Adolescents: A Cohort Study with 1-Year Follow-Up.

We conducted this study to compare the anthropometric and metabolic outcomes and nutritional status, after sleeve gastrostomy (SG) and gastric bypass (GB) in adolescents with severe obesity. We selected 219 adolescents with severe obesity (Body Mass Index>99th percentile or 95th≤BMI<99th percentile) among the participants of Tehran Obesity Treatment Study and assessed them for anthropometric and metabolic outcomes and nutritional status at baseline and during 1 year follow up after the surgery. Out of the total, 182 participants were in the SG group and 37 were in the GB group.

Investigating topological alterations in procedural memory network across neuropsychiatric disorders using rs-fMRI and graph theory.

Background: Cognitive network dysfunction represents a core pathophysiological feature across major neuropsychiatric disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SZ). The procedural memory network (PMN), involving cortico-striatal-cerebellar circuits, is vital for skill learning and automatic cognition. However, its topological changes and link to cognitive impairments have not been studied across major neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dual strategies for epilepsy management employing pharmacological and non-invasive brain stimulation approaches.

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects more than 50 million individuals worldwide, characterized by seizures, and is often associated with complications such as cognitive impairments, and an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Despite advancements in pharmacological treatments, one-third of patients develop drug resistance and some experience serious side effects related to drug therapy. This highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches.

Expression of telomere length and shelterin genes in men and women leukocytes and their correlations with lipid peroxidation in sulfur mustard gas intoxication.

Sulfur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent, inflicts severe acute and chronic health effects. This study investigates the impact of SM-induced oxidative stress on telomere length (TL) and shelterin gene expression, which are crucial for telomere maintenance in exposed veterans. This study involved SM-exposed veterans and non-exposed controls.

Pain invalidation is an independent determinant of fibromyalgia, irrespective of depression.

Background: This study evaluated and compared invalidation domains (discounting and lack of understanding) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and non-FM chronic musculoskeletal pain. The relationship between invalidation and depression was also investigated to clarify the role of FM.

Methods: A total of 207 patients (145 FM and 62 non-FM) completed questionnaires including the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3I), Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), and Beck Depression Inventory-second edition (BDI-II).

In silico evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck proteins (TgRONs) for potential immunogenic epitopes.

This immunoinformatics-based study utilized a suite of online predictive tools to characterize the structural and immunogenic properties of rhoptry neck proteins (TgRONs). Full-length amino acid sequences of TgRON2, TgRON4, TgRON4L1, TgRON5, TgRON8, TgRON9, TgRON10, and TgRON13 were retrieved from ToxoDB and subjected to comprehensive analysis. Except for TgRON4L1, all proteins were predicted to be possess antigenic potential, with none identified as allergenic.

Evaluation of the combined effects of photobiomodulation therapy and periodontal ligament stem cell-derived exosomes on the proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblasts: An in vitro study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the combined effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy with 808 nm diode laser and exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC-exosomes) on the proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells.

Methods: HGF cells were cultured and allocated into four experimental groups: 1. Laser Only (L), 2.

Protein-Templated Fe and Ni Subnanoclusters for Advanced Energy Storage and Electrocatalysis.

Downsizing metal nanoparticles into nanoclusters and single atoms represents a transformative approach to maximizing atom utilization efficiency for energy applications. Herein, a bovine serum albumin-templated synthetic strategy is developed to fabricate iron and nickel nanoclusters, which are subsequently hydrothermally composited with graphene oxide. Through KOH-catalyzed pyrolysis, the downsized metal nanoclusters and single atoms are embedded in a hierarchically porous protein/graphene-derived carbonaceous aerogel framework.

AI applications in disaster governance with health approach: A scoping review.

Introduction: The increasing frequency and severity of disasters worldwide underscore the urgent need for robust systems that facilitate effective information sharing and decision-making. This study explores the current and potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster governance, with a particular focus on health. By examining the transformative capabilities of AI, the study aims to provide practical insights to inform both national and international disaster management policies.

The Association of and Expression Profile in Patients with Prostate Cancer History.

Background: Prostate cancer is ranked as the most widespread malignancy, among men with the second level of mortality in the United States after lung cancer. Despite the low frequency of prostate cancer incidence in Iran, it has been informed as the fourth most predominant cancer among men with 6% of all deaths from cancer. Recent studies suggest that several hot spot points are indirectly associated with the incidence of prostate neoplasm.

Revitalizing health with Lactobacillus isolates: Mitigating Aflatoxin B1 toxicity in HT-29 cell line and Balb/c mice.

Aim: Aflatoxins, carcinogenic mycotoxins found in fermented foods, animal GITs, and the environment, can be detoxified by probiotic lactobacilli. The aim of this study was to test whether probiotic lactobacilli can detoxify aflatoxins, carcinogenic mycotoxins prevalent in fermented foods, animal gastrointestinal tracts (GITs), and the environment.

Methods And Results: Five candidate Lactobacillus strains (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 195 (G1), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 42 (G2), Levilactobacillus brevis 205 (G3), L.

Five-year survival rate of kidney cancer (localized renal cell carcinoma) in the Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The highest incidence and mortality rates of this cancer have been observed in Asia. In the current research, an estimate of localized renal cell carcinoma survival in Asia is presented.

Methods: In the present meta-analysis study, 6 scientific databases of the world were used to search for related articles.

Radiation-induced coronary artery calcification in breast cancer: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer increases the risk of coronary artery disease by promoting atherosclerotic plaques. However, the extent of changes in coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores postradiation and the influencing factors remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated studies investigating changes in CAC scores following breast cancer radiation therapy.

The effect of mobile application-based education on illness perception in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Illness perception (IP) significantly influences recovery and self-care in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in managing post-intervention complications. Although effective education is acknowledged as a way to enhance IP, using novel technologies such as mobile apps in this area has received less attention. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of education delivered through mobile apps on IP in patients undergoing PCI.

Evaluation of Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser, Eggshell Solution, and Their Combination on the Remineralization of Erosive Lesion Caused by Lemonade.

Erosion is the loss of minerals by acids without the intervention of microorganisms. Complications caused by erosion make the use of therapeutic agents necessary. This study aims to survey the effects of the eggshell, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and their combination on the remineralization of erosive lesions caused by lemonade.

Endometrial thickness as a predictor of methotrexate treatment success in ectopic pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Aim: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) remains a significant cause of first-trimester maternal morbidity and mortality. Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective non-surgical treatment for selected early pregnancy cases; however, predicting treatment success remains challenging. Endometrial thickness (ET) has been suggested as a potential predictor, though its clinical utility remains uncertain.

Longitudinal trajectories of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a functional data analysis approach.

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet its long-term trajectory across different phenotypes and obesity statuses remains unclear. This study aimed to model longitudinal IR patterns in women with PCOS, those meeting an isolated PCOS criterion, and healthy controls.

Methods: This population-based prospective study included 1,759 reproductive-aged women (18-49 years) from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, categorized into PCOS (n = 287), isolated PCOS criterion (n = 536), and healthy control (n = 936) groups, stratified by BMI (<25 kg/m2, 25-29.

Antibacterial Potential of BM-MSCs Encapsulated in Collagen-Fibrin Hydrogel for P. anaerobius-Infected Full-Thickness Wounds.

This study investigates the antibacterial potential of murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) encapsulated in collagen-fibrin hydrogel scaffolds for treating Peptostreptococcus anaerobius-infected full-thickness wounds. P. anaerobius, a Gram-positive anaerobic coccus, is a significant contributor to wound infections and exhibits considerable antibiotic resistance.

Analytical insights and physical behavior of solitons in the fractional stochastic Allen-Cahn equations using a novel method.

This study investigates the space-time fractional stochastic Allen-Cahn (STFSAC) equation, a novel extension of the classical Allen-Cahn equation incorporating fractional derivatives and stochastic noise. The model is designed to capture soliton dynamics in complex systems where non-local interactions and randomness are critical, such as plasma physics and materials science. For the first time, we propose the fractional extended sinh-Gordon method (FESGM) and employ the modified [Formula: see text]-expansion method (MGM) to derive exact analytical soliton solutions.

Pelvic splenosis implanted in Douglas pouch mimics pseudo-endometriosis symptoms: a case report study.

Introduction And Importance: Pelvic splenosis is characterized by the autotransplantation of spleen fragments following tissue rupture. Since the fragments are mostly implanted into the Douglas pouch, endometriosis-like symptoms are developed, clinically. Thus, this case report demonstrated a successful surgical procedure for pelvic splenosis management.

I' Wave Auditory Brainstem Response as a Possible Indicator of Noise-Induced Cochlear Synaptopathy.

Objectives: Cochlear synaptopathy, caused by the destruction of synaptic connections due to aging, noise exposure, and ototoxic agents, is defined as auditory dysfunction despite the normal hearing threshold, specifically in challenging situations. One of the main obstacles in synaptopathy studies and the integration and generalization of research findings is the need for a valid diagnostic test. Although the issue of identifying synaptopathy has received considerable critical attention, little agreement is available on a valid and efficient diagnostic method for cochlear synaptopathy.

Neuroprotection effect of HSV-1 LAT-derived miR-H2 and miR-H3 associated with Tau and alpha-synuclein downregulation.

Latency-associated transcript (LAT)-derived miRNAs are presumably the primary anti-apoptotic impellers and the other herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) genes. However, the mechanisms by which this group of miRNAs negatively regulates apoptosis have not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the hypothesis that LAT-derived miRNAs, specifically miR-H2 and miR-H3, serve as key regulatory effectors of LAT-mediated neuronal protection by targeting MAPT and SNCA, thereby interfering with caspase activation and apoptosis pathways.

Extracellular vesicles derived from MSCs carrying dexamethasone alleviate inflammatory damage in septic mice.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from an uncontrol immune response to infection. Current treatment options remain limited and often ineffective, highlighting the need for supportive anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory strategies. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be a good supportive candidate because of their immunomodulatory and drug-delivery properties.

Cytomegalovirus Infection: Concern for Occupational, Environmental, and Nosocomial Infections?

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of congenital and perinatal infections, often presenting as asymptomatic at birth but later resulting in disabilities, and articular neurological disorders.

Aims: The current study aims to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic CMV infection among healthcare workers at Ilam Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital in Iran, as well as investigate the potential nosocomial transmission of CMV infection and identify any potential risk factors associated with neonatal CMV infection.

Methods: This study involved 100 employees at Ilam Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital who underwent blood and nasal swab CMV DNA testing using the real-time PCR technique.