Basin scale monitoring of microplastics and phthalates in sediments from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Makran using GIS-based algorithms: Insights towards spatial variation and potential risk assessment.

Information on sedimentary microplastics and phthalates has been restricted to the coastal regions of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Makran. Our basin-wide study monitored their levels, spatial behaviors, and potential risks using GIS-based techniques. Microplastics and phthalates ranged from 5 to 75 particles/kg d.w and 0.004-1.219 µg g-1 d.w, respectively. Microplastics were in the size category of 100 µm to 3 mm, and black microfibers (< 1 mm) and high-density polymers were dominant. The total number of microplastics was between 356.333 × 1012 and 469.075 × 1012 particles in the surface sediments of the studied regions (confidence interval = 99 %). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and Di-isobutyl phthalate contributed 88 % of detected phthalates. Significant correlations among microplastic abundance, total phthalates, and DEHP were distinguished (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings reiterated the widespread presence of microplastics and a potential link between phthalates and microplastics. Semi-variogram, cluster Voronoi polygons, and Trend analysis identified spatial outliers and major deposition sites of microplastics and phthalates and consequently outlined the localities where upcoming studies should be concentrated. A hotspot of potential risks was marked using Fuzzy logic and GIS-based algorithms in the Sea of Makran, covering an area equal to 342. 99 km2.

Histologic Evaluation of the Effects of Folinic Acid Chitosan Hydrogel and Botulinum Toxin A on Wound Repair of Cleft Lip Surgery in Rats.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of folinic acid chitosan hydrogel and botulinum toxin A on the wound repair of cleft lip surgery in rat animal models. Cleft lip defects were simulated by triangular incisions in the upper lip of 40 Wistar rats. Then, the rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control (CTRL), chitosan hydrogel (CHIT), and folinic acid chitosan hydrogel (FOLCHIT), in which the wounds were covered by a gauze pad soaked in normal saline, chitosan hydrogel, and folinic acid chitosan hydrogel, respectively for 5 min immediately after closure; and botulinum toxin A (BOT) with the injection of 3 units of botulinum toxin A in the wound region. Fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, neovascularization, and epithelial proliferation and each parameter were rated on days 14 and 28. Statistical analysis was performed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal-Wallis, and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). The mean score for fibroblast proliferation was significantly higher in the FOLCHIT group compared with the BOT group at days 14 and 28 (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, respectively). At day 28, collagen deposition was significantly higher in the FOLCHIT group compared with the BOT group (p = 0.012). No significant difference was observed between the inflammatory infiltration of the study groups at the two time points (p = 0.096 and p = 1.000, respectively). At day 14, vascular proliferation of group FOLCHIT was significantly higher than groups CTRL and CHIT (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). The epithelial proliferation in the FOLCHIT group was significantly higher than groups CHIT and CTRL at day 14 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively) and day 28 (p = 0.012). In simulated lip cleft defects, topical application of folinic acid induces faster initial regeneration by higher inflammation and cellular proliferation, at the expense of a higher tendency for scar formation by slightly higher fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. While injection of botulinum toxin A provides less fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, and thus lower potential for scar formation compared with the folinic acid group. Therefore, in wounds of the esthetic zone, such as cleft lip defects, the application of botulinum toxin A shows promising results.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on major cardiovascular-related parameters in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a secondary-data analysis of a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), have a higher risk of future cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Meanwhile, probiotics are shown to positively impact CVD-related parameters. This randomized controlled trial sought to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on fundamental CVD-related parameters including atherogenic index of plasma (AIPs), blood pressure, the Framingham risk score, and antioxidant markers in patients with T2DM. METHODS: Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive 2 capsules/day of probiotics [each containing 500 mg of L.acidophilus(5 × 1010 CFU/g), L.plantarum(1.5 × 1010 CFU/g), L.fermentum(7 × 109 CFU/g), L.Gasseri(2 × 1010 CFU/g) and 38.5 mg of fructo-oligo-saccharides], or placebo for 6 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), atherogenic indices (the ratios of TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and logTG/HDL-C), the 10-year Framingham CVD risk score, as well as total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), paraoxonase (PON) and total oxidant status (TOS) were evaluated before and after the study. Final analyses were adjusted based on baseline parameters, and potential covariates including age, sex, PUFA and sodium intakes. RESULTS: Sixty participants completed the study. Compared with placebo, probiotic supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in SBP[-9.24 mmHg(- 14.5, - 3.9)], DBP[- 3.71 mmHg(- 6.59, - 0.83)], MAP[- 5.55 mmHg(- 8.8, - 2.31)], the Framingham risk categories [medium-low(1.5) vs. 2 (medium)] and logTG/HDL-C ratio [- 0.08 (- 0.14, 0)] (All P < 0.05) at the end of the study. No significant changes were observed in the antioxidant markers. CONCLUSION: Overall, probiotic supplementation for 6 weeks led to a significant improvement in major CVD-related parameters in populations with T2DM, suggesting the possible beneficial role of probiotics in lowering the risk of future CVDs associated with diabetes. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to confirm the veracity of these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT2013100714925N1 (registered on November, 9th, 2013).

Effects of zinc chelating nutrients on Aflatoxin production in Aspergillus flavus.

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Aflatoxin contamination of food is a serious health hazard. Some metal ions (such as Zn2+) affect Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis. Presence of zinc in the growth medium incites aflatoxin production. This study investigates the effect of zinc binding amino acids and peptides on aflatoxin synthesis in indigenous toxigenic Aspergillus species isolated from agro-ecological zones in Northern Iran. Zinc (II) chelating nutrients (such as Histidine (His), Cysteine (Cys), Histidine-Cysteine (His-Cys), and triple peptide (Asn-Cys-Ser) were added to the growth medium of toxigenic Aspergillus isolates and incubated at temperature range of 25-40 °C. Aflatoxin production on different culture media was tested using ELISA. Addition of cysteine to Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) medium significantly reduced aflatoxin production, which could be related to its zinc chelating property. Aflatoxin production was drastically restrained at high concentration of His, especially in combination with Cys, at high pH values and incubation temperature (pH = 7.5, temperature = 40 °C). Aflatoxin production was low in presence of triple peptide (Asn-Cys-Ser) at concentration of 500 mg/L. From the application perspective, natural zinc chelators can be used as harmless aflatoxin-production inhibitors.

Henna ( Lawsonia inermis) as an Inexpensive Method to Prevent Decubitus Ulcers in Critical Care Units: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Henna has been used to combat various diseases and pathological conditions of the skin. This study aimed to determine the cooling and protecting effects of henna on prevention of decubitus ulcers in critical care units. METHOD: This is a randomized clinical trial. It was conducted on 80 patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of control and intervention (n = 40) by blocking method. For the intervention group, along with the standard prevention cares for decubitus ulcers, henna was applied with 15 cm extent on the patients' sacrum. RESULTS: At the end of the study, 1 patient in the intervention group (2.7% male) and 6 patients in the control group (14.29% male, 2.85% female) had developed decubitus ulcers; this difference was significant ( P = .001). CONCLUSION: For every patient at risk of developing decubitus ulcers, application of henna as a preventive measure is recommended.