Preparation, characterization, and ex-vivo evaluation of curcumin-loaded niosomal nanoparticles on the equine sperm quality during cooled storage.

Oxidative damage to sperm during cooled storage is a significant issue, and curcumin, with its antioxidant properties, could be a solution. However, its low bioavailability presents a challenge that this study aims to address. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential of curcumin-loaded niosomal nanoparticles (Cur-LNN) to enhance the antioxidant properties of curcumin and its effect on sperm quality during 72 h cooled storage. The thin-film hydration procedure was applied to prepare Cur-LNN. The fabricated noisomal nanocarriers were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the encapsulation and loading efficiency, in vitro release study, and ex-vivo antioxidant functionality of Cur-LNN on the stallion sperm preserved under cooled storage conditions were assessed. The fabricated Cur-LNN was spherical in shape and had an average particle size of 163.1 ± 1.8 nm, a zeta potential of -34.1 ± 1.9 mV, a poly-dispersity index of 0.339 ± 0.045, an encapsulation efficiency of 92.34 ± 0.18 %, and a loading efficiency of 35.57 ± 1.36 %. Ex-vivo evaluation revealed that supplementation of the semen extender with Cur-LNN has the potential to enhance sperm quality by improving total and progressive motility, plasma membrane functionality, and lipid peroxidation. These results demonstrate that Cur-LNN exhibited stronger antioxidant and protective effects than curcumin. Although further in vivo investigations are warranted, our ex-vivo results suggest that Cur-LNN has the potential to attenuate oxidative damage and can be used to fortify the antioxidant capacity of equine semen under cooled storage conditions.

Efficient removal of lead and arsenic using macromolecule-carbonized rice husks.

The adsorption process using inexpensive adsorbents is one of the methods to remove contaminants from aqueous solutions. Biomass porous carbon based materials are among the most widely used adsorbents in this field. Rice husk is a bio-based adsorbent material for pollutant removal. In this study, the porous carbon material obtained from the rice husk was used for the adsorptive removal of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) from aqueous solutions. Silica was removed from rice husk structure through the one-step reaction using PTFE. The morphological and crystallographic characteristics of the adsorbent surface were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The removal efficiency was investigated under different conditions of pH (3-9), contact time (3-90min), adsorbent amount (0.5-6 g/l) and initially adsorbed concentration (10-100 µg/l) by changing the parameters in the adsorption reactions. The Response Surface Method (RSM), a Box-Behnken design (BBD), was used to optimize adsorption of Lead and Arsenic by Rice husk. The removal efficiency was finally calculated using analysis of variance. According to the adsorption analysis results, the removal efficiency of Pb and As in aqueous solutions increased (up to 97%, 85% for Lead and Arsenic) under optimum conditions.

Efficient dye removal from wastewater by functionalized macromolecule chitosan-SBA-15 nanofibers for biological approaches.

Today, one of the major concerns of environmental health is the purification of colored wastewater due to its high contamination. The present study focused on the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of environmentally friendly electrospinning membranes based on Chitosan cross linked with SBA-15 as a novel adsorbent for dye removal. Unlike most micro structured adsorbents, CTS-SBA-15 nanofibers with their special properties such as density, porosity, high surface-to-volume ratio, small and layered structures, etc. have a very high adsorption capacity to remove macromolecular pollution and microorganisms. Adsorbents were synthesized and functionalized, then produced by electrospinning instrument in the form of nanofibers sheets. In this study, FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, and tensile tests were employed to characterize the functional groups, surface morphology and pore diameter distribution of nanofibers. The influence of different analytical parameters was investigated to obtain the optimum conditions for the adsorption process. The optimum conditions for adsorption process obtained as following: type of adsorbent: CTS-SBA-15-NH2, pH: 2, adsorbent dosage: 0.05 g, initial concentration: 60 and 40 mg/l and contact time: 40 min, which followed from the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. So, it was found that CTS-SBA-15 can act as inexpensive and efficient adsorbent for the dye removal from the contaminated water.

Removal of Brilliant Red dye (Brilliant Red E-4BA) from wastewater using novel Chitosan/SBA-15 nanofiber.

An environmental-friendly adsorbent composed of chitosan nanofibers modified by mesoporous silica sieve (CTS-SBA-15) was synthesized via an electrospinning technique and used to remove of brilliant Red dye from a wastewater solution. Characterization of the synthesized nanofibers using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that the chitosan nanofibers were effectively modified with mesoporous silica sieve (SBA-15). The effects of some adsorption parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, and the time of adsorption process on the dye removal percentage were investigated in detail. Based on the kinetic and thermodynamic studies, the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-second order and Langmuir models, respectively. The obtained results revealed that the dye removal efficiency of CTS-SBA-15 was about 98% in the presence of 0.03 g of the adsorbent and pH = 7 after 80 min. So, it was found that CTS-SBA-15 can act as inexpensive and efficient adsorbent for the brilliant Red E-4BA elimination from the contaminated water.

Application of Electrochemical Techniques for Determining and Extracting Natural Product (EgCg) by the Synthesized Conductive Polymer Electrode (Ppy/Pan/rGO) Impregnated with Nano-Particles of TiO2.

The polypyrrole/polyaniline-based electrode (Ppy/Pan/TiO2/rGO) was fabricated via the electrophoretic deposition technique on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass. Physico-electrochemical adsorption/desorption of epigallocatechin gallate (EgCg) as an electroactive species was enhanced by the fabricated electrode compared to the electroless technique extraction using the same electrode. EgCg was electrochemically extracted using chronoamperometry by electrophoretically deposited Ppy/Pan/TiO2/rGO film. Isolated EgCg was qualified and quantified by the voltammetry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. It was found that the extracted EgCg values were 3.38 and 0.72 ppm from a 10 ppm prepared solution using the electrochemically and physically based techniques, respectively. Morphology/elemental analysis and crystal structure of the prepared electrodes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (FESEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The conductivity of the fabricated electrode was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and was calculated as 1.124 S/cm for the electrophoretically deposited electrodes (EPD).

Effects of an Educational Program for Prostate Cancer Prevention on knowledge and PSA Testing in Men Over 50 Years old in Community Areas of Shiraz in 2016

Background and Objectives: Prostate cancer was reported to be the second cause of cancer death in men in 2013. Studies have shown that those with higher knowledge levels are much more likely to undergo prostate cancer screening. The present study was aimed to determinate the effect of an educational program for prostate cancer prevention on knowledge and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in men over 50 years old in community areas of Shiraz. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted among 93 men over 50 years old who were randomly divided into an intervention (n=48) and a control (n=45) group. The intervention group took part in an educational program focusing on the importance of prostate cancer prevention with emphasis on cultural and economic issues. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Weinrich questionnaire for measuring the knowledge level about prostate cancer and screening, and also a researcher-made questionnaire covering reasons for not doing the test, before and 3 months after the intervention. Additionally, participation in PSA testing was evaluated 3 months after the intervention. All data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (version 14) and p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Findings: The results showed that the intervention group's participation in PSA testing increased from 6.12% to 36.4% three months after the intervention. However, no significant change was observed in the control group. In addition, the intervention group's mean score of knowledge increased by about 2.69 points after the intervention, and a significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed effectiveness of the educational program in increasing the knowledge about prostate cancer and participation in PSA testing in men over 50 years of age. Hence, managers and authorities should execute plans to educate men regarding prostate cancer screening and promote their health status.

Graphene oxide electrocatalyst on MnO2 air cathode as an efficient electron pump for enhanced oxygen reduction in alkaline solution.

Graphene oxide (GO) was deposited on the surface of a MnO2 air cathode by thermal evaporation at 50°C from a GO colloidal suspension. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of GO on the MnO2 air cathode (GO-MnO2). Voltammetry and chrono-amperometry showed increased currents for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 6 M KOH solution for GO-MnO2 compared to the MnO2 cathode. The GO-MnO2 was used as an air cathode in an alkaline tin-air cell and produced a maximum power density of 13 mW cm(-2), in contrast to MnO2, which produced a maximum power density of 9.2 mW cm(-2). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggest that the chemical step for the ORR is the rate determining step, as proposed earlier by different researchers. It is suggested that the presence of GO and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) on the MnO2 surface are responsible for the increased rate of this step, whereby GO and ERGO accelerate the process of electron donation to the MnO2 and to adsorbed oxygen atoms.

Solid-phase electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide films in alkaline solution.

Graphene oxide (GO) film was evaporated onto graphite and used as an electrode to produce electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) films by electrochemical reduction in 6 M KOH solution through voltammetric cycling. Fourier transformed infrared and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ERGO. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization of ERGO and GO films in ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox couple with 0.1 M KCl supporting electrolyte gave results that are in accordance with previous reports. Based on the EIS results, ERGO shows higher capacitance and lower charge transfer resistance compared to GO.

Corrosion inhibition properties of pyrazolylindolenine compounds on copper surface in acidic media.

BACKGROUND: The corrosion inhibition performance of pyrazolylindolenine compounds, namely 4-(3,3-dimethyl-3H-indol-2-yl)-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide (InPzTAm), 4-(3,3-dimethyl-3H-indol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothiohydrazide (InPzTH) and 3,3-dimethyl-2-(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3H-indole (InPzPh),) on copper in 1M HCl solution is investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), open circuit potential (OCP) and linear scan voltammetry (LSV) techniques. RESULTS: The results show that the corrosion rate of copper is diminished by the compounds with the inhibition strength in the order of: InPzTAm> InPzTH > InPzPh. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies for the three inhibitors are 94.0, 91.4 and 79.3, for InPzTAm, InPzTH and InPzPh respectively with the same inhibitor concentration (2 mM). CONCLUSION: From the EIS, OCP and LSV results it was concluded that pyrazolylindolenine compounds with S-atom (with an amine group) have illustrated better corrosion inhibition performance compared to hydrazine and phenyl group.

Electrodeposition of quaternary alloys in the presence of magnetic field.

Electrodeposition of Ni-Co-Fe-Zn alloys was done in a chloride ion solution with the presence and absence of a Permanent Parallel Magnetic Field (PPMF). The PPMF was applied parallel to the cathode surface. The deposition profile was monitored chronoamperometrically. It was found that the electrodeposition current was enhanced in the presence of PPMF (9 T) compared to without PPMF. The percentage of current enhancement (Gamma%) was increased in the presence of PPMF, with results of Gamma% = 11.9%, 16.7% and 18.5% at -1.1, -1.2 and -1.3 V respectively for a 2400 sec duration. In chronoamperometry, the Composition Reference Line (CRL) for Ni was around 57%, although the nobler metals (i.e. Ni, Co) showed anomalous behaviour in the presence of Zn and Fe. The anomalous behaviour of the Ni-Co-Fe-Zn electrodeposition was shown by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) results. From Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements, it was found that the surface roughness of the Ni-Co-Fe-Zn alloy films decreased in the presence of a PPMF.

Psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors in Iran: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the city of Bam in Iran on the 26th of December 2003 at 5.26 A.M. It was devastating, and left over 40,000 dead and around 30,000 injured. The profound tragedy of thousands killed has caused emotional and psychological trauma for tens of thousands of people who have survived. A study was carried out to assess psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors and factors associated with severe mental health in those who survived the tragedy. METHODS: This was a population-based study measuring psychological distress among the survivors of Bam earthquake in Iran. Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method a random sample of individuals aged 15 years and over living in Bam were interviewed. Psychological distress was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). RESULTS: In all 916 survivors were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 years (SD = 12.4), mostly were males (53%), married (66%) and had secondary school education (50%). Forty-one percent reported they lost 3 to 5 members of their family in the earthquake. In addition the findings showed that 58% of the respondents suffered from severe mental health as measured by the GHQ-12 and this was three times higher than reported psychological distress among the general population. There were significant differences between sub-groups of the study sample with regard to their psychological distress. The results of the logistic regression analysis also indicated that female gender; lower education, unemployment, and loss of family members were associated with severe psychological distress among earthquake victims. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated that the amount of psychological distress among earthquake survivors was high and there is an urgent need to deliver mental health care to disaster victims in local medical settings and to reduce negative health impacts of the earthquake adequate psychological counseling is needed for those who survived the tragedy.

Psychological Distress Among Bam Earthquake Survivors in Iran: A Population-based study

Backgrond: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Ritcher scale struck the city of Bam in Iran on the 26th at 5.26 A.M. It was devasting, and left over 40,000 dead and around 30,000 injured. The profound tragedy of thousands killed has caused emotional an psychological trauma of tens of thousands of people who have survived. A study was carried otu to assess psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors and factors associated with serever mental health in those who survived the tragedy. Methods: This was population-based study measuring psychological distress amoong the survivors of Bam earthquake in Iran. Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method a random sample of individual aged 15 years and over living in Bam wee interviewed. Psychologial distress was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHW-12). Results: In all 916 survivors were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 years (SD=12.4), mostly were males (53%), married (66%) and had secndary school education (50%). Forty-one percent reported they lost 3 to 5 members of their family in the earthquake. In addition the findigns showed that 58% of the repondents suffered from severe mental health as measured by the GHQ-12 and this was three times higher than reported psychological distress among the general population. There were significant differences between sub-groups of the study sample with regard to their psychological distress. The results of the logistic regression analysis also indicated that female gender; lower education, unemployment, and loss of family members were associated with severe physcological distress among earthquake victims. (AU)

The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12): translation and validation study of the Iranian version.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to translate and to test the reliability and validity of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in Iran. METHODS: Using a standard 'forward-backward' translation procedure, the English language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian (Iranian language). Then a sample of young people aged 18 to 25 years old completed the questionnaire. In addition, a short questionnaire containing demographic questions and a single measure of global quality of life was administered. To test reliability the internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was performed using convergent validity. Finally, the factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing principal component analysis using oblique factor solution. RESULTS: In all 748 young people entered into the study. The mean age of respondents was 21.1 (SD = 2.1) years. Employing the recommended method of scoring (ranging from 0 to 12), the mean GHQ score was 3.7 (SD = 3.5). Reliability analysis showed satisfactory result (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.87). Convergent validity indicated a significant negative correlation between the GHQ-12 and global quality of life scores as expected (r = -0.56, P < 0.0001). The principal component analysis with oblique rotation solution showed that the GHQ-12 was a measure of psychological morbidity with two-factor structure that jointly accounted for 51% of the variance. CONCLUSION: The study findings showed that the Iranian version of the GHQ-12 has a good structural characteristic and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used for measuring psychological well being in Iran.