A preliminary study on heavy metal monitoring in soil and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) biomass amended with sewage sludge.

Applying sewage sludge in agricultural soils is an interesting source of organic matter. This study aimed to monitor concentrations of heavy elements in soil and guar plants, which can pose a risk to the health of humans and animals if they enter the food chain through the soil-plant system. The experiment revealed that applying sludge increased the amount of organic matter, total nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in the soil. Additionally, the concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn in all treatments remained below the permissible limits for soil. The highest plant height and plant dry weight were recorded in the sludge and sludge + fertilizer treatments. The dry weight of the guar varied from 629 g m-1 in the control treatment to 1050 g m-1 in the sludge + fertilizer plots. The use of sludge increased the accumulation of heavy metals in the above-ground parts of the guar plant compared to the control. However, the level of heavy metal remained within the normal range and below the toxic concentration. Our results also showed that the application of sludge along with fertilizer improved the quality of the guar forage by increasing the levels of crude protein, digestible dry matter and water-soluble carbohydrates. Overall, the results indicated that using sludge as organic fertilizer can improve soil properties, reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers, and decrease the harmful effects of heavy metals on the environment and health in the research area.

Association Analysis of GSTP1-rs1695 Polymorphism with the Risk of Oral Cancer: A Literature Review, an Updated Meta- Analysis, and a Structural Assessment.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the association of rs1695 polymorphism in glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) with risk of oral cancer in a meta-analysis which was followed by a bioinformatics approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Related articles were collected through a systematic search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases up to June 2022 and then screened. Finally, seven studies, including 1249 cases of oral cancer and 1861 healthy individuals, were included in our meta-analysis. Seven different genetic models including G vs. A, GG+GA vs. AA, GG vs. GA+AA, GA vs. GG+AA, GG vs. GA, GG vs. AA, and GA vs. AA were used for the calculation of odds ratio and 95% confidence interval in order to assess the association between GSTP1-rs1695 polymorphism and oral cancer risk. Also, the ethnicity-based stratified analyses were performed using the seven mentioned models. Some bioinformatics software was used to investigate the effect of rs1695 polymorphism on the primary, secondary, and three-dimensional structure of GSTP1. RESULTS: Our results showed that rs1695 polymorphism was not associated with the risk of oral cancer in any seven genetic models (G vs. A: OR= 0.9331, 95%CI= 0.6339-1.3737, P= 0.726; GG vs. GA+AA: OR= 0.9112 , 95%CI= 0.6865-1.2093, P= 0.520; GG+GA vs. AA: OR= 0.9006, 95%CI= 0.5522-1.4690, P= 0.675; GA vs. GG+AA: OR= 0.8732, 95%CI= 0.5763-1.3230, P= 0.522; GG vs. AA: OR= 0.9516, 95%CI= 0.5503-1.6456, P= 0.859; GG vs. GA: OR= 1.0645, 95%CI= 0.7891-1.4359, P= 0.683; GA vs. AA: OR= 0.8825, 95%CI= 0.5499-1.4162, P= 0.604). Also, we did not observe any significant associations in ethnicity-based stratified analyses. But bioinformatics studies have shown that this polymorphism can alter the physicochemical properties and secondary structure of the protein. CONCLUSIONS: Based on results, the rs1695 polymorphism could not be considered a risk factor for oral cancer.

Molecular mechanisms involved in anosmia induced by SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2.

Since 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic virus that has posed many challenges worldwide. Infection with this virus can result in a number of symptoms, one of which is anosmia. Olfactory dysfunction can be a temporary or long-term viral complication caused by a disorder of the olfactory neuroepithelium. Processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal damage are involved in the development of SARS-CoV-2-induced anosmia. One of the receptors that play a key role in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell is the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2, which facilitates this process by cleaving the viral S protein. The gene encoding TMPRSS2 is located on chromosome 21. It contains 15 exons and has many genetic variations, some of which increase the risk of disease. Delta strains have been shown to be more dependent on TMPRSS2 for cell entry than Omicron strains. Blockade of this receptor by serine protease inhibitors such as camostat and nafamostat can be helpful for treating SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, including anosmia. Proper understanding of the different functional aspects of this serine protease can help to overcome the therapeutic challenges of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, including anosmia. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular events involved in anosmia induced by SARS-CoV-2 with a focus on the function of the TMPRSS2 receptor.

Scolicidal effects of Cassia fistula and Urtica dioica extracts on protoscoleces of hydatid cysts.

Echinococcosis is among the most underestimated parasitic diseases that have universal distribution. The primary treatment is surgery. Hence, the development of new and more effective scolicidal agents with lower side effects is crucial. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica and Cassia fistula extracts as a scolicidal herbal drug in vitro. Suspension of protoscoleces was obtained from the infected livers of sheep in Khorramabad, Iran. Hydro-alcoholic solution was extracted from the leaves and stems of Urtica dioica and the fruit of Cassia fistula. Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces were treated with the essential oils at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL for 10, 20, 30, and 60 min and their viability was evaluated by the eosin staining test. The extract of Urtica dioica at a concentration of 100 mg/mL killed 90.51% of protoscoleces after 60 min. Cassia fistula also killed 67.74% of protoscoleces after 60 min. This study obtained satisfactory results. Urtica dioica and Cassia fistula extracts are promising protoscolicides and can be used in the treatment of hydatid cysts and pre-surgically to prevent secondary infections.

Could human chorionic gonadotropin modulate interleukin 1ß to be a successful pregnancy predictor or not?

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive medicine needs to find some ways to predict pregnancy outcomes and implantation, which are non-invasive and accurate. Immunologic factors and interleukins are good choices reported in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not HCG administration can modulate interleukin 1ß as a successful pregnancy predictor. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study involving women with regular menstrual cycles who had frozen their embryos. They prepared their endometria with letrozole and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Their interleukin 1ß serum levels were checked on the day of HCG administration and embryo transfer. Its value assesses pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: We had 44 women with mean age of 32.2±5.4, and clinical pregnancy rate of 31.8%, mean interleukin 1ß before and after HCG injection in women who did not achieve pregnancy was 15.82±6.68pg/ml before HCG injection and 18.38±13.76pg/ml on the embryo-transfer day. It was high, but not significant (p value=0.210). In those participants who had clinical pregnancy before HCG injection, the mean interleukin 1ß level was 17.29±7.00pg/ml and 29.72±10.41pg/ml on the day of embryo transfer, with significant changes (p value=0.001). CONCLUSION: HCG did increase the mean level of interleukin 1ß, but it was not significant. High interleukin 1ß level is a significant predictor of successful pregnancy in IVF cycles.

Women with Autoimmune Thyroiditis have Lower Reproductive Life Span or Not? A Cross- Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune diseases are a main cause of primary ovarian insufficiency. This study was designed to elucidate the relationship between ovarian reserve and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies in women of different ages. METHODS: 98 women in a cross-sectional study was conducted at the infertility Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Hazrate Zeinab Hospital, from September 2018 to March 2019. Women with infertility and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) > 3mIU/L were included in the study with convenience sampling. Data were collected by a form containing demographic characteristics, thyroid hormones, and ovarian reserve data. Participants were categorized based on the negative or positive anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies. According to a pilot sample, and possible dropout of 20%, the sample size was determined to be 49 cases in each group. The results were compared between groups using SPSS, version 22. All statistical comparisons were performed using the t-test, and the data are presented as the mean±SD. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: 49 women were analyzed in each group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the mean age (P=0.42), body mass index (BMI) (P=0.34), duration of infertility (P=0.99), mean prolactin (P=0.66), TSH (P=0.17), thyroxine (T4) (P=0.87) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (P=0.14). Ovarian reserve characteristics: antral follicular count (AFC) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in anti-TPO positive group were 10.61±7.29 and 1.98±2.38, respectively, and AFC and AMH in anti- TPO negative group were 16.46±6.38 and 2.94±2.22, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups on AFC (P <0.001) and AMH (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Patients with autoimmune thyroiditis were at higher risk for decreased ovarian reserve. They should consider their lower reproductive life span during their childbearing years.

CYP1A1 and GSTs common gene variations and presbycusis risk: a genetic association analysis and a bioinformatics approach.

Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are involved in the metabolism and detoxification of cytotoxic compounds, as well as the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, alterations in the structure of these enzymes could result in prolonged production of ROS with subsequent risk of development of disorders such as presbycusis. This study aimed to investigate the association between CYP1A1 (rs4646903, rs1048943) and GSTs (GSTM1-deletion, GSTT1-deletion, GSTP1-rs1695) with presbycusis risk in an Iranian population which was followed by an in silico approach. In a case-control study, 280 subjects including 140 cases with presbycusis and 140 healthy controls were enrolled. Genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by PCR-RFLP method and the genotype of the above mentioned deletions was determined by touchdown PCR. Some bioinformatics tools were employed to evaluate the impact of SNPs on the gene function. SNP analysis revealed that there are significant associations between rs1048943 (AG vs. AA: OR = 2.46, 95%CI = 1.30-4.65, p = 0.006; GG + AG vs. AA: OR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.36-4.69, p = 0.003; G vs. A: OR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.33-4.17, p = 0.003) and rs4646903 (C vs. T: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.02-2.06, p = 0.040) variations and increased risk of presbycusis. However, there was no significant association between rs1695 and presbycusis risk. Also, significant associations were observed between GSTM1 (OR = 4.28, 95%CI = 1.18-15.52, p = 0.027) and GSTT1 (OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.02-2.65, p = 0.041) deletions and elevated risk of presbycusis. Moreover, the combination analysis revealed a significant association between GSTM1+/GSTT1- genotype and presbycusis susceptibility (OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.00-2.67, p = 0.049). In silico analysis revealed that the rs1048943 SNP could influence significantly on the RNA structure of CYP1A1 (distance: 0.1454; p value: 0.1799). Based on our findings, the rs4646903, rs1048943 SNPs as well as GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions could be considered as genetic risk factors for the development and progression of presbycusis.

Gonadotropin-Resistant Ovary Syndrome Presented with Secondary Amenorrhea and Infertility: A Case Report.

Resistant ovary syndrome (ROS) is a presentation of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism condition with very low incidence. Infertility is one of the most common complaints of women with this syndrome. We herein present a case of a 27-year-old woman with all features of secondary amenorrhea and secondary sexual characteristics. In 2018, the patient was referred to the Hazret-e-Zeinab Infertility Center affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. She was diagnosed with secondary amenorrhea and increased gonadotropin secretion after menopause. However, the patient had a normal antral follicle count, anti-Müllerian hormone level, 46, XX karyotype, and thyroid function. After taking oral contraceptives her menstruation started, but she showed no response to high doses of exogenous gonadotropins. She was advised to have an embryo derived from in vitro maturation. By using patients' own oocyte maturation, this technique could be a better treatment for infertile women with ROS. This case report is particularly interesting due to the rarity of its prevalence and similarity with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Frozen embryo transfer: Endometrial preparation by letrozole versus hormone replacement cycle: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The endometrial preparation with stimulating natural cycles for frozen embryo transfer (FET) have benefits like lower cost and ease of use. OBJECTIVE: Comparing the clinical outcome of letrozole versus hormone replacement (HR) for endometrial preparation in women with normal menstrual cycles for FET in artificial reproduction techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 167 participants who had frozen embryos and regular ovulatory cycles were randomly divided into two groups for endometrial preparation. One group (82 women) was stimulated with letrozole 5mg/day and the other group (85 women) was hormonally stimulated by oral estradiol valerate (2 mg three times a day). All participants were followed serially by ultrasonography. Any patient who did not reach optimal endometrial thickness was excluded from the study. Implantation, biochemical and clinical pregnancy and abortion rate were reported. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean age, duration, and primary or secondary infertility, cause of the infertility, number, and quality of transferred embryos between the groups. The mean estradiol level on the day of transfer was 643 ± 217 in the HR group and 547 ± 212 in the letrozole group (P = 0.01), which was significantly different. The clinical pregnancy rate was 38.7 in the letrozole group, higher than the HR group (25.3) but not significantly different (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: For endometrial preparation in women with a normal cycle, letrozole yields higher pregnancy rate although it is not significant; due to its cost, ease in use, and lower side effects, letrozole is a good choice.

Survivin c.-31G>C (rs9904341) gene transversion and urinary system cancers risk: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

AIM: To investigate the possible association between survivin c.-31G>C (rs9904341) gene polymorphism and urinary system cancers by a meta-analysis approach. METHODS: Standard electronic literature databases were searched to find eligible studies. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were estimated to find the associations possibility. RESULTS: Overall meta-analysis revealed significant associations between c.-31G>C transversion and risk of urinary tract cancers in dominant (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02-1.75; p = 0.035), recessive (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.33-1.74; p < 0.001) and homozygote codominant (OR: 1.90; 95% Cl: 1.37-2.62; p < 0.001) genetic models. CONCLUSION: The c.-31G>C transversion might be a risk factor for urinary system cancers. However, more articles with different ethnicities will help to obtain a more accurate conclusion.

Genetic differentiation between bitter and sweet asafetida plants using ISSR markers.

Bitter (Ferula pseudalliacea) and sweet (Ferula assa-foetida) asafetida (Apiaceae family) are well-known economic and medicinal herbs owing to their gum. This study investigates genetic differentiation of F. pseudalliacea and F. assa-foetida using ISSR markers, to determine the effective primer and to assess the possibility of separating sweet and bitter plant populations from each other. Results showed that among 22 primers, eight markers reproduced obvious DNA patterns and revealed 234 scorable DNA bands. ISSR-16 and ISSR-55 primers had better performance than other primers according to the number of bands, PIC and Marker Index. Bitter population showed polymorphic loci (224), percentage of polymorphic loci (95.73%) and observed number of alleles (1.96 ± 0.2), while sweet populations showed the amount of these parameters as 218, 93.16% and 1.93 ± 0.25, respectively. Estimated Gst of sweet population was 0.09 and Gst of bitter population was 0.06. Comparing gene flow in bitter and sweet populations showed a lower level of gene flow between sweet populations (Nm = 4.93) compared to bitter ones (Nm = 7.89). Within group genetic similarity of sweet asafetida population was higher than between group variation of bitter and sweet populations. The highest similarity was observed between bitter populations (0.95). The highest genetic dissimilarity was also estimated between bitter and sweet populations (0.08). Cluster analysis grouped four studied populations into 13 clusters using Jaccard's similarity coefficient and UPGMA method. Principal coordinate analysis showed that 61.02% of total variance was explained using three components and it could completely separate populations as well as cluster analysis. These grouping correspond nearly with geographical distribution. Analysis of molecular variance showed that genetic variation within populations (87%) was more than among populations (13%). The results indicated that ISSR marker is suitable to investigate genetic diversity of asafetida populations and could separate populations of the same genera with similar germplasm.

A Comparison of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and Modified Radiofrequency Tissue Ablation in Mild to Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of modified radiofrequency tissue ablation (MRFTA) with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) based on both subjective and objective outcome measures in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Forty patients with mild to moderate OSA were randomly divided into UPPP and MRFTA groups. Evaluation was made based on the apneahypopnea index (AHI), Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), immediately before the surgery and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The postoperative AHI scores were improved significantly in both groups, although the postoperative AHI in the UPPP group was significantly lower than in the MRFTA group (P = .02). The difference between success rates for moderate OSA in UPPP and MRFTA was significant (77% versus 30%, P = .03) but there was no significant difference between success rates for mild OSA in UPPP and MRFTA groups (70% versus 50%, P = .36). Comparing postoperative ESS scores in the 2 groups showed no significant difference (P = .24). The postoperative scores in social interaction, treatment-related symptoms domain, and SAQLI total score were significantly higher in the MRFTA group. CONCLUSIONS: MRFTA as well as UPPP can greatly improve daytime sleepiness and AHI, especially in patients with mild OSA. MRFTA proved to be more effective than UPPP to enhance quality of life of patients with OSA. Further studies with longer follow-up are required to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of these procedures. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1023. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial name: Comparison of RFTA (Radio-Frequency-Tissue-Ablation) and UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. URL: http://en.search.irct.ir/view/18617. Registration number: IRCT2014060910160N3.

Correlation between brain cortex metabolic and perfusion functions in subjective idiopathic tinnitus.

OBJECTIVES: Subjective tinnitus has associated with abnormal brain metabolism and perfusion found in functional imaging studies by fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and technetium99m (TC99m). But there is no study evaluating the association of brain metabolism and perfusion abnormalities in a group of these subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is any significant correlation between the brain perfusion and metabolism abnormalities in subjects with tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients were undergone TC99m-ECD single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan and F18-FDG positron emission tomography (PET). The results of PET and SPECT scanning were fused with MRI to accurate anatomical localization of abnormalities. The analysis was performed using Kendal's correlation, t-test and chi square. RESULTS: Assessing these 52 tinnitus subjects (containing 42 males [76.4%]) showed that a significant correlation was found between the brain metabolic function and perfusion (p value 0.001).

Pattern of brain blood perfusion in tinnitus patients using technetium-99m SPECT imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tinnitus is associated with an increased activity in central auditory system as demonstrated by neuroimaging studies. Brain perfusion scanning using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was done to understand the pattern of brain blood perfusion of tinnitus subjects and find the areas which are mostly abnormal in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 122 patients with tinnitus were enrolled to this cross-sectional study. They underwent SPECT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain, and the images were fused to find the regions with abnormal perfusion. RESULTS: SPECT scan results were abnormal in 101 patients (83%). Most patients had bilateral abnormal perfusion (N = 65, 53.3%), and most subjects had abnormality in middle-temporal gyrus (N = 83, 68%) and temporoparietal cortex (N = 46, 37.7%). Patients with multifocal involvement had the least mean age than other 2 groups (patients with no abnormality and unifocal abnormality) (P value = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Brain blood perfusion pattern differs in patient with tinnitus than others. These patients have brain perfusion abnormality, mostly in auditory gyrus (middle temporal) and associative cortex (temporoparietal cortex). Multifocal abnormalities might be due to more cognitive and emotional brain centers involvement due to tinnitus or more stress and anxiety of tinnitus in the young patients.

Comparing the performance of image enhancement methods to detect microcalcification clusters in digital mammography.

BACKGROUND: Mammography is the primary imaging technique for detection and diagnosis of breast cancer; however, the contrast of a mammogram image is often poor, especially for dense and glandular tissues. In these cases the radiologist may miss some diagnostically important microcalcifications. In order to improve diagnosis of cancer correctly, image enhancement technology is often used to enhance the image and help radiologists. METHODS: This paper presents a comparative study in digital mammography image enhancement based on four different algorithms: wavelet-based enhancement (Asymmetric Daubechies of order 8), Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), morphological operators and unsharp masking. These algorithms have been tested on 114 clinical digital mammography images. The comparison for all the proposed image enhancement techniques was carried out to find out the best technique in enhancement of the mammogram images to detect microcalcifications. RESULTS: For evaluation of performance of image enhancement algorithms, the Contrast Improvement Index (CII) and profile intensity surface area distribution curve quality assessment have been used after any enhancement. The results of this study have shown that the average of CII is about 2.61 for wavelet and for CLAHE, unsharp masking and morphology operation are about 2.047, 1.63 and 1.315 respectively. CONCLUSION: Experimental results strongly suggest that the wavelet transformation can be more effective and improve significantly overall detection of the Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system especially for dense breast. Compare to other studies, our method achieved a higher CII.

Functional brain abnormalities localized in 55 chronic tinnitus patients: fusion of SPECT coincidence imaging and MRI.

Tinnitus is often defined as the perception of sounds or noise in the absence of any external auditory stimuli. The pathophysiology of subjective idiopathic tinnitus remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional brain activities and possible involved cerebral areas in subjective idiopathic tinnitus patients by means of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) coincidence imaging, which was fused with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this cross-sectional study, 56 patients (1 subject excluded) with subjective tinnitus and 8 healthy controls were enrolled. After intravenous injection of 5 mCi F18-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), all subjects underwent a brain SPECT coincidence scan, which was then superimposed on their MRIs. In the eight regions of interest (middle temporal, inferotemporal, medial temporal, lateral temporal, temporoparietal, frontal, frontoparietal, and parietal areas), the more pronounced values were represented in medial temporal, inferotemporal, and temporoparietal areas, which showed more important proportion of associative auditory cortices in functional attributions of tinnitus than primary auditory cortex. Brain coincidence SPECT scan, when fused on MRI is a valuable technique in the assessment of patients with tinnitus and could show the significant role of different regions of central nervous system in functional attributions of tinnitus.