Soil health reduction following the conversion of primary vegetation covers in a semi-arid environment.

A degraded forest is the outcome of a degradation process that has adverse effects on ecosystem functions and services. This phenomenon results in alterations of soil physicochemical and biological properties, which serve as valuable indicators for assessing soil health that has been recognized as a crucial component of soil quality. For several decades, the conversion of forested areas into rangeland has been documented in specific regions of the world. There is a widespread lack of global understanding regarding the lasting consequences of land degradation on soil health indicators. The present study aims to investigate the impact of forest degradation on soil health indicators in a mountainous semi-arid region located in northern Iran. The study area was predominantly forested, but due to human activities over the past 30 years, it has been transformed into three distinct land uses: forest, forest-rangeland ecotones and rangeland. In each of these land covers, a total of 20 litter (O-horizon) and 20 soil (from two depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm) samples were collected in the summer (August 2022) season. According to our results, the highest litter thickness, P and Mg were in forest ecosystem, the lowest in rangeland ecosystem. The findings indicated that following the conversion of forest to rangeland, there was a decrease in soil aggregate stability, porosity, soil organic matter, POC, PON, NH4+, NO3- and nutrient levels, while soil bulk density increased. The forest ecosystem showed notably higher C and N stocks (45 and 5.21 Mg ha-1) in comparison to the rangeland (38 and 3.32 Mg ha-1) ecosystem. In addition, P, K, Ca, and Mg exhibited elevated levels within the total root of the forest ecosystem (2.12, 1.23, 0.71, and 0.38 %, respectively), whereas the lower values (1.29, 1.01, 0.43, and 0.23 %, respectively) were found in the rangeland ecosystem. Following the shift of land cover from forest to rangeland, soil fauna, microflora populations, soil enzymes and microbial activities decreased (about 1-2 times higher in the forestland). This research emphasizes the urgent need to advance sustainable management practices to prevent further degradation and promote the implementation of restoration or rehabilitation techniques in degraded forests. Despite being conducted in a semi-arid region situated in northern Iran, the findings of this study have considerable value for the sustainable management of soil and land conservation in various other semi-arid regions around the world.

Carbon dots doped by nitrogen and sulfur for dual-mode colorimetric and fluorometric determination of Fe3+ and histidine and intracellular imaging of Fe3+ in living cells.

The first dual-modality highly intensive fluorescent and colorimetric nanoprobe for Fe3+ ions and histidine is reported. The carbon dots doped by nitrogen and sulfur (N,S-CDs) prepared by the one-pot hydrothermal method have an excitation/emission wavelength of 320/420 nm with 56% quantum yield. N,S-CDs exhibit strong visible fluorescence with high stability at pH ~ 7.0. The fluorescence intensity of the N,S-CDs is quenched in the presence of Fe3+ ions which are recovered upon the addition of histidine. The addition of Fe3+ ions also induces a color change from yellow to red. Using colorimetric determination, Fe3+ and histidine exhibited linearity in the range 75-675 and 100-375 µmol L-1, respectively, while with fluorometric determinations the dynamic range was 0.1-275 and 0.1-3 µmol L-1 for Fe3+ and histidine, respectively. The limits of detection were 19 nmol L-1 and 0.03 µmol L-1 using fluorometry and 20 µmol L-1 and 24.2 µmol L-1 using colorimetry, for Fe3+ and histidine respectively. The relative standard deviations (n = 5) for Fe3+ (10 µmol L-1) and histidine (1 µmol L-1) using fluorometry were 4.6 and 7.3% and using colorimetry at 100 µmol L-1 of Fe3+ and 150 µmol L-1 of histidine were 3.2 and 5.6%, respectively. The developed fluorometric method was applied for the determination of Fe3+ and histidine in various foods and biological fluid samples as well as intracellular imaging of iron. The accuracy of the method for iron determination was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference materials (wheat flour, tomato leaves, and whole milk powder) and quality control materials (whole milk powder, serum, and urine), whereas for histidine, the accuracy was determined by recovery experiment and independent analysis. Good recovery values in ranges of 92-96% and 94-98% were achieved for Fe3+ and histidine, respectively. Graphical abstract.

Gender-based difference in early mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: insights from Kermanshah STEMI Registry.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to gender and other likely risk factors. Methods: This study reports on data relating to 1,484 consecutive patients with STEMI registered from June 2016 to May 2018 in the Western Iran STEMI Registry. Data were collected using a standardized case report developed by the European Observational Registry Program (EORP). The relationship between in-hospital mortality and potential predicting variables was assessed multivariable logistic regression. Differences between groups in mortality rates were compared using chi-square tests and independent t-tests. Results: Out of the 1484 patients, 311(21%) were female. Women were different from men in terms of age (65.8 vs. 59), prevalence of hypertension (HTN) (63.7% vs. 35.4%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (37.7% vs. 16.2%), hypercholesterolemia (36.7% vs. 18.5%) and the history of previous congestive heart failure (CHF) (6.6% vs. 3.0%). Smoking was more prevalent among men (55.9% vs. 13.2%). Although the in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (11.6% vs. 5.5%), after adjusting for other risk factors, female sex was not an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality. Multivariable analysis identified that age and higher Killip class (≥II) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality rate. Conclusion: In-hospital mortality after STEMI in women was higher than men. However, the role of sex as an independent predictor of mortality disappeared in regression analysis. The gender based difference in in-hospital mortality after STEMI may be related to the poorer cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile of the women.

Non-enzymatic sensing of dopamine by localized surface plasmon resonance using carbon dots-functionalized gold nanoparticles.

A highly selective, sensitive, and rapid colorimetric sensor for the determination of dopamine (DA) was developed using the color change of S-doped carbon dots functionalized gold nanoparticles (S-CDs@Au NPs). The base of the method is the formation of a complex between the amine groups of dopamine with carboxylic groups of S-CDs@Au NPs followed by their aggregation with Fe3+ ions which acts as the linkers causing a red shift from 520 to 670 nm in the localized surface plasmon peak of S-CDs@Au NPs. The ratio of absorbance intensity at 670 nm to 520 nm was monitored as the analytical signal for determination of dopamine. The parameters affecting the analytical signal including reaction time, solution pH, the concentration of Au NPs and concentration of Fe3+ were optimized. At optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.81-16.80 µM of dopamine. The detection and quantification limits were 0.23 µM and 0.77 µM, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSDs) at 5.0 µM of DA were 3.9% and 5.6%, respectively (n = 5). The applicability of the method for determination of DA in dopamine ampoule, urine and serum human samples was investigated.

Simultaneous Functionalization and Reduction of Magnetic Graphene Oxide by L-Histidine and its Application for Magnetic Separation/Preconcentration of Antioxidant Trace Elements.

In the present study, for the first time, the magnetic graphene oxide was simultaneously functionalized and reduced with the aim of imidazole-based L-histidine amino acid (rGO/Fe3O4-histidine). The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The synthesized rGO/Fe3O4-histidine nanosheets were implied for solid phase extraction of ultra-trace amounts of Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+ from biological samples prior to ICP-OES determination. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration ranges of 0.4-182.0, 0.4-215.0, and 0.2-168.5 µg L-1 for Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+, respectively. The limits of detection were 0.12, 0.10, and 0.04 µg L-1 for Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) at 50.0 µg L-1 for single-sorbent repeatability and sorbent-to-sorbent reproducibility were less than 6.7 and 9.2% (n = 5), respectively. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of a serum quality control material (QCM, Seronorm™ Human Serum REF NO 203105) and hair certified reference material (CRM, Human Hair IAEA-086).

Internalization capabilities of gold-198 nanoparticles: Comparative evaluation of effects of chitosan agent on cellular uptake into MCF-7.

In this study, internalization of positively charged chitosan-coated nanoparticles (198AuNPs@chitosan) on MCF-7 cells was investigated by γ-ray spectroscopy and then statistically compared to that of 198Au and negatively charged citrate-stabilized nanoparticles (198AuNPs). Sub-50 nm 198AuNPs@chitosan had a higher internalization compared to 198Au and 198AuNPs (p < 0.05). More cellular uptake of 198AuNP@chitosan means a higher dose of radioactivity to the tumor cells which, in turn, more effective treatment of the cancer.

Breast Cancer Status in Iran: Statistical Analysis of 3010 Cases between 1998 and 2014.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in Iranian women. This study analyzed 3010 women with breast cancer that had been referred to a cancer research center in Tehran between 1998 and 2014. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 3010 breast cancer cases with 32 clinical and paraclinical attributes. We checked the data quality rigorously and removed any invalid values or records. The method was data mining (problem definition, data preparation, data exploration, modeling, evaluation, and deployment). However, only the descriptive analyses' results of the variables are presented in this article. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study on breast cancer status in Iran. RESULTS: A typical Iranian breast cancer patient has been a 40-50-year-old married woman with two children, who has a high school diploma and no history of abortion, smoking, or diabetes. Most patients were estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor (HER) negative, and P53 negative. Most cases were detected in stage 2 with intermediate grade. CONCLUSION: This study revealed original findings which can be used in national policymaking to find the best early detection method and improve the care quality and breast cancer prevention in Iran.

Down-regulation of TGF-b1, TGF-b receptor 2, and TGF-b-associated microRNAs, miR-20a and miR-21, in skin lesions of sulfur mustard-exposed Iranian war veterans.

Sulfur mustard (SM) affects divergent cellular pathways including cell cycle, apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammatory responses. SM-induced lesions in skin include late-onset hyper-pigmentation, xerosis, and atrophy. It seems that TGF-b signaling pathway is a major player for SM pathogenesis. Here, we have employed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach to evaluate the expression alterations of all TGF-b variants and their receptors in skin biopsies obtained from 10 Iran-Iraq war veterans. Using specific LNA primers, the expression alteration of a TGF-bR2 regulator, miR-20a, and TGF-b downstream target, miR-21, was also assessed in the same samples Our real-time PCR data revealed a significant down-regulation of TGF-b1 and TGF-bR2, the major mediators of TGF-b signaling pathway, in skin biopsies of SM-exposed patients (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.0115, respectively). Down-regulation of TGF-b signaling pathway seems to contribute in severe inflammation observed in SM-exposed patients' tissues. MiR-20a and miR-21, as two important TGF-b associated microRNAs (miRNAs), were also down-regulated in SM-exposed skin lesions, compared to those of control group (p = 0.0003). Based on our findings, these miRNAs could be directly or indirectly involve in the pathogenesis of SM. Altogether, our data suggest the suitability of TGF-b1, TGF-bR2, as well as miR-20a and miR-21 as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of SM-exposed patients.

Atopic dermatitis-associated protein interaction network lead to new insights in chronic sulfur mustard skin lesion mechanisms.

Chronic sulfur mustard skin lesions (CSMSLs) are the most common complications of sulfur mustard exposure; however, its mechanism is not completely understood.According to clinical signs, there are similarities between CSMSL and atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, proteomic results of AD were reviewed and the AD-associated protein-protein interaction network (PIN) was analyzed. According to centrality measurements, 16 proteins were designated as pivotal elements in AD mechanisms. Interestingly, most of these proteins had been reported in some sulfur mustard-related studies in late and acute phases separately. Based on the gene enrichment analysis, aging, cell response to stress, cancer, Toll- and NOD-like receptor and apoptosis signaling pathways have the greatest impact on the disease. By the analysis of directed protein interaction networks, it is concluded that TNF, IL-6, AKT1, NOS3 and CDKN1A are the most important proteins. It is possible that these proteins play role in the shared complications of AD and CSMSL including xerosis and itching.

Serum levels of interleukins 2, 4, 6, and 10 in veterans with chronic sulfur mustard-induced pruritus: a cross-sectional study.

Inflammation is a key component in the pathogenesis of sulfur mustard (SM)-induced skin complications. Here, the levels of interleukin (IL) -2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were evaluated in patients with chronic SM-induced complications. Seventy-four serum samples were collected from SM-injured veterans (SM group; n = 37) and nonchemically injured patients (control group; n = 37) with skin pruritus. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were evaluated by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay technique in both nil and mitogen medium. No significant difference was found in pruritus score between SM (74.16 +/- 5.93) and control (74.48 +/- 6.15) groups (P > .05). The mean serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-6 were found to be significantly elevated in the control compared with the SM group (P < .05). However, no significant difference was observed between the study groups regarding serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (P > .05). Serum IL-2 (in both SM and control groups) and IL-6 (in the control group) concentrations were significantly correlated with pruritus score while no significant association was found for IL-4 and IL-10. Serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 are significantly decreased in SM-exposed patients with chronic pruritus. Such alterations might represent a plausible mechanism for tissue damage and skin itching following SM exposure. Therefore, variation of ILs may also contribute to skin pruritus induced by SM.

A Comparison of Blood-lead Level (BLL) in Opium-dependant Addicts With Healthy Control Group Using the Graphite Furnace/atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GF-AAS) Followed by Chemometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: A comparison of oral/inhaled opium addicts with a healthy control group was investigated. Using the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS) followed by chemometric analysis, sub-to-low µg L-1 concentrations of blood lead level (BLL) was detected in both the addict and the control groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, BLL of 78 subjects (Iranian volunteers) in two opium-addicted (patient group) and healthy control groups was evaluated. All the volunteers were men. The patient group was comprised of 39 patients who used opium orally or by inhalation with a mean age of 48.6 ± 7.3 years. The patient group was selected through systematic incidental sampling from 150 orally or by inhalation opium-addicted patients referred to Shariati Hospital located in Tehran .The control group (39 subjects) was matched with the patient group with regard to age and sex and with a mean age of 44.8 ± 5.6 years. RESULTS: The mean concentration of lead was found to be significantly lower (P = 0.0001) in control group (16.70 ± 12.51 µg/dL) compared to addicts (57.04 ± 46.03 µg/dL). When the addicts were divided into various age groups, there appeared to be a significant difference (p= 0.0451) in blood lead concentration as a function of age, however when the control group was considered, no difference was observed (P = 0.51). Also, a tendency (P = 0.048) towards increasing BLL with respect to BMI was observed due to drug consumption, but there was no significant variation between BLL concentration and BMI when the control group was considered (P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the BLL in opium-addicts was significantly higher than that of the healthy control group. The mean difference of both groups was statistically significant.

Efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with interferon-gamma in the management of chronic sulfur mustard-induced cutaneous complications: comparison with topical betamethasone 1%.

The present trial investigated the efficacy of immunotherapy with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the treatment of sulfur mustard (SM)-induced chronic skin complications. Forty subjects who were suffering from chronic skin complications of SM and were diagnosed to have severe atopic dermatitis, were assigned to IFN-γ (50 µg/m(2)) subcutaneously three times per week (n = 20) or betamethasone valerate topical cream 0.1% (n = 20) every night for 30 days. Extent and intensity of cutaneous complications was evaluated using scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and quality of life using dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at baseline and at the end of trial. SCORAD-A and SCORAD-B scores were significantly decreased in both IFN-γ and betamethasone. However, SCORAD-C score was decreased only in the IFN-γ group. There were significant reductions in overall as well as objective SCORAD scores in both groups. As for the magnitude of changes, treatment with IFN-γ was associated with greater reductions in overall, objective and segmented SCORAD scores compared to betamethasone. DLQI reduction was found to be significantly greater in the IFN-γ group. Promising improvements in quality life and clinical symptoms that was observed in the present study suggest the application of IFN-γ as an effective therapy for the management of SM-induced chronic skin complications.

Management of sulfur mustard-induced chronic pruritus: a review of clinical trials.

Skin is among the most heavily damaged organs upon sulfur mustard (SM) exposure. Chronic complications due to SM-induced dermatotoxicity are quite frequent among intoxicated patients. Nevertheless, the exact pathophysiology of SM-induced chronic cutaneous complications has not been well clarified yet. The present review highlights clinically important findings on the management of SM-induced chronic skin complications with a particular focus on pruritus as the most prevalent symptom that has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Some methodological pitfalls that implicate the validity of the trials have also been identified.

Improvement of sulphur mustard-induced chronic pruritus, quality of life and antioxidant status by curcumin: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Skin is among the first and most heavily damaged organs upon sulphur mustard (SM) exposure. Pruritus is the most common chronic skin complication of SM, which adversely affects the quality of life (QoL). However, current therapies for the management of SM-induced pruritus are very limited and associated with side effects. The present trial investigated the efficacy of curcumin in the alleviation of SM-induced chronic pruritic symptoms. A total of ninety-six male Iranian veterans (age 37-59 years) were randomised to receive either curcumin (1 g/d, n 46) or placebo (n 50) for 4 weeks. Serum concentrations of substance P and activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial. Assessment of pruritus severity was performed using the pruritus score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. QoL was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Serum concentrations of substance P (P<0·001) as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (P=0·02), glutathione peroxidase (P=0·006) and catalase (P<0·001) were significantly reduced in the curcumin group, while no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Curcumin supplementation was also associated with significant reductions in measures of pruritus severity including the pruritus score (P<0·001), VAS score (P<0·001), overall (P<0·001) and objective SCORAD (P=0·009), and DLQI's first question (P<0·001). None of these measures was significantly changed in the placebo group. As for the QoL, although DLQI scores decreased in both groups (P<0·001 and P=0·003 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively), the magnitude of reduction was significantly greater in the curcumin group (P<0·001). In conclusion, curcumin may be regarded as a natural, safe, widely available and inexpensive treatment for the management of SM-induced chronic pruritus.

Doxepin cream vs betamethasone cream for treatment of chronic skin lesions due to sulfur mustard.

Oral doxepin was shown to reduce chronic pruritus due to sulfur mustard. The present study compared the effects of topical doxepin 5% with betamethasone 1% for the treatment of pruritus in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard. This investigator-blinded, randomized, clinical trial was conducted in an outpatient dermatology clinic. Seventy-five men who were exposed to sulfur mustard 23 to 28 years ago during the Iran-Iraq war who complained of pruritus were randomized to receive doxepin cream 5% (n = 40) or betamethasone cream 0.1% (n = 35) twice a day for 6 weeks. Pruritus severity and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were evaluated before and after each treatment. Both groups showed significant improvement regarding pruritus (P < .05), burning sensation, skin dryness (P < .001), and skin scaling (P < 0.05). The lesions of all regions significantly reduced after treatments (P < .05), except those on the head, face, and genitalia. Pruritus, visual analog scores, and DLQI significantly decreased (P < .01, P < .01, and P < .001, respectively) in doxepin- and betamethasone-treated groups, and there was no difference between groups. All DLQI subscores decreased after both type of treatments (P < .01). Equal efficacy of doxepin cream and betamethasone suggest that doxepin is a potential alternative to control pruritus caused by sulfur mustard in exposed veterans.

Serum trace element levels in febrile convulsion.

Febrile convulsion is the most common disorder in childhood with good prognosis. There are different hypotheses about neurotransmitters and trace element changes in biological fluids which can have a role in pathogenesis of febrile convulsion. In this study, serum selenium, zinc, and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the children with febrile convulsion (n = 30) and in the control group (n = 30). The age and sex of the subjects were registered. Selenium and zinc were found to be significantly lower in febrile convulsion cases than in the control group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the value of copper between the two groups (p = 0.16). While selenium and zinc levels were 44.92 +/- 10.93 microg/l and 66.13 +/- 18.97 microg/dl in febrile convulsion, they were found to be 62.98 +/- 9.80 microg/l and 107.87 +/- 28.79 microg/dl in healthy children. Meanwhile, copper levels were 146.40 +/- 23.51 microg/dl in the patients and 137.63 +/- 24.19 microg/dl in the control group, respectively. This study shows that selenium and zinc play an important role in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsion.

Serum levels of antioxidants (Zn, Cu, Se) in healthy volunteers living in Tehran.

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are well-known as essential trace elements. These elements attract a great interest, not only in the scientific world, but also in the public option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum Zn, Cu, and Se levels in healthy volunteers (60 females and 55 males) living in Tehran. The age (6-62 years) and sex of the subjects, as well as drug and tobacco consumption, were registered. The concentrations of these elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Se in the normal population of Tehran was 0.89 +/- 0.16 mg/L, 0.95 +/- 0.20 mg/L, and 99.10 +/- 21.78 microg/L, respectively. There was no significant gender-related difference in serum Zn concentration (p < 0.15). However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in both Cu and Se levels was observed between males and females.

Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in residents of Tehran.

Monitoring of toxic trace elements for human blood has been of interest to researchers in the fields of environmental chemistry and medical science. The amount of blood toxic elements can reflect the disease state of the person or the environment where that person resides or works. Chronic, low-level exposure to toxic metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) is an increasing global problem. This study focuses on obtaining the usual value of Pb, Cd, and Hg in normal human blood. These elements were determined in 61 male and 40 female volunteers resident in Tehran (Iran). The subjects were non-drug abusers and aged 6-62 years old. Procedures were developed for the collection, storage, and preanalytical treatment of samples. The lead and cadmium were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and mercury was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The blood levels of Pb, Cd, and Hg in normal volunteers living in Tehran were 123.75 +/- 56.42, 1.82 +/- 0.67, and 8.48 +/- 4.42 microg/L. There was no significant gender-related difference in blood Cd and Hg concentrations (p < 0.06 and p < 0.41). However, the results indicated significantly higher content of Pb in blood of males compared to females (138.11 +/- 65.43 and 101.84 +/- 51.38 microg/L, respectively, p < 0.05).