Mohammad Reza

Considering the significant threats posed by heavy metals (HMs) to ecosystems and public health, the aim of the current study was the synthesis and

Bacterial wound infections are among the most frequent infections acquired in healthcare settings.

Meniere disease, known for its vertigo episodes and aural symptoms, can impose significant burden on patients. Vitamin D is hypothesized to have an alleviating effect on Meniere disease symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the association between vertigo characteristics and serum vitamin D levels. This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients referred for enrollment in an ongoing Randomized Clinical Trial. Patients’ pre-randomization and allocation, baseline characteristics and information were gathered through interviews and forms, with a specific focus on their vertigo episode characteristics (frequency, severity, handicap). 105 patients were included in this study. All vertigo characteristics (frequency, severity, and DHI) had higher mean and median values (except for the functional DHI subtype) in patients with hypovitaminosis D compared to those with normal vitamin D serum levels. Comparisons of vertigo frequency (<0.001), severity (< 0.001) and all DHI subtypes (functional P value = 0.041, emotional P value = 0.041, physical P value = 0.015) showed significant variability between patients with normal and lower levels of serum vitamin D. Modeling further demonstrated a possible relation of lower levels of serum vitamin D with both vertigo frequency (vitamin D 20–29 ng/mL,3–15 vertigo, P-value = 0.019) and severity (vitamin D < 20 ng/mL, P value 0.022). Vertigo episodes in Meniere patients show great variability, both in frequency and severity. This study showed possible correlations between lower levels of vitamin D and higher frequencies, severities and imposed handicap by vertigo episodes for Meniere patients. Family history of Meniere disease might have a protective effect on patients’ vertigo.

Abstract Background The evaluation of genetic mutations is crucial for personalized therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), zinc oxide

Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and depression are two prevalent conditions in the elderly population, both of which may impact the structure or function of the visual pathway. This study simultaneously investigated the effects of AD and depression on optic nerve head and macular parameters using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging. Methods This cross-sectional study included two groups: 50 individuals with mild to moderate AD and 50 age-matched healthy controls (HCs). All participants underwent the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed, and individuals with significant refractive errors or ocular pathologies were excluded. Peripapillary RNFL (pRNFL) and macular layer imaging were conducted using Heidelberg OCT. Results Compared to HCs, AD patients showed significant thinning of pRNFL in the supra temporal (HC: 136.38 ± 17.68 μm vs. AD: 127.45 ± 16.08 μm, P = 0.010) and infra temporal (HC: 139.46 ± 20.88 μm vs. AD: 127.99 ± 17.06 μm, P = 0.003) quadrants, while temporal and nasal sectors were not significantly different. Inner macular layers were also significantly reduced in the AD group: GCL volume (1.043 ± 0.073 vs. 0.981 ± 0.083 mm³, P < 0.001), IPL volume (0.872 ± 0.061 vs. 0.834 ± 0.048 mm³, P = 0.001), and GCC (2.832 ± 0.181 vs. 2.671 ± 0.192 mm³, P < 0.001). Depression severity correlated negatively with GCL volume (ρ = − 0.260, P = 0.009). In stepwise regression analysis, MMSE score was more strongly associated with GCL volume than depression status and entered the model as the main predictor (β = 0.489, P < 0.001). The MMSE × depression interaction term was also significant (β = −0.213, P = 0.020), indicating that depression modified the association between cognitive impairment and GCL thinning. Conclusions AD and depression in the elderly can influence the thickness of inner retinal layers, with dementia appearing to have a more pronounced effect than depression. These retinal changes may have important implications not only for the early diagnosis and monitoring of AD, but also for the accuracy of OCT-based detection of early glaucoma in patients with coexisting neuropsychiatric disorders—particularly in those with AD, where reliable visual field testing may also be challenging.

Delayed planting after rice harvest constrains maize productivity in Sari. Appropriate planting dates are one of the most important factors in determining the yield potential of crops, and methanol and glycine betaine usage is a suitable solution to reduce the effects of delayed cultivation. For this purpose, a factorial research was carried out in the form of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in two years (2020–2021) in Sari, Mazandaran, Iran, on maize as a second planting after rice harvest. Treatments included glycine betaine at three levels [0 (control), 1, and 2 ppm], methanol at three levels [0 (control), 10, and 20% v/v], and three planting dates: [August 6, 16, and 26]. The results illustrated that the significant differences between planting date, glycine betaine and methanol. The application of methanol and glycine, as well as increasing the concentration of methanol (20% v/v) and glycine betaine (2 ppm), improved the yield and forage quality of maize. The delay in maize cultivation (August 26) decreased the yield and forage quality of maize. The best planting date for corn cultivation was August 6. Foliar spraying of methanol and glycine reduced the negative effects of delayed planting dates compared to the control. Methanol 20% v/v + glycine betaine 2 ppm on the planting date of August 6 raised dry matter yield (81.34%), water-soluble carbohydrates (96.58%), dry matter digestibility (21.63%), acid detergent fiber (50.32%), and neutral detergent fiber (39%) compared to the control of methanol and glycine on August 26. Overall, in order to achieve maximum yield and forage quality of maize, foliar spraying of methanol 20% v/v along with glycine 2 ppm on the August 6 planting date is recommended.

Background Paraquat poisoning is one of the most lethal toxicological emergencies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite several proposed treatment regimens, no single approach has conclusively demonstrated a reduction in mortality. Early clinical manifestations may be nonspecific, and prompt recognition in the emergency department is critical. We report the unexpected survival of a young woman who ingested a potentially fatal dose of paraquat, with emphasis on long‑term radiological follow‑up and dynamic hematological changes. Case presentation A 22‑year‑old Iranian woman presented to the emergency department approximately 48 h after reportedly ingesting 20 mL of a 20% paraquat solution in a suicide attempt. She had initially been evaluated at another facility shortly after ingestion but had refused admission against medical advice. She developed oropharyngeal mucosal ulcerations, odynophagia, hemoptysis, and acute kidney injury (peak serum creatinine 3.9 mg/dL). Laboratory data revealed a triphasic white blood cell pattern, including profound leukopenia followed by a marked rebound after granulocyte colony‑stimulating factor (G‑CSF) administration. A chest CT obtained at admission showed no pulmonary involvement; however, a follow-up CT performed on Day 14 demonstrated diffuse bilateral ground‑glass opacities and patchy consolidations consistent with acute alveolar injury. The patient received early multidisciplinary management including high‑dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, antioxidant therapy, broad‑spectrum antibiotics, antimicrobial prophylaxis against opportunistic infections, nutritional support, and electrolyte correction. Clinical improvement was observed within 72 h, and she recovered without requiring dialysis or mechanical ventilation. A six‑month follow‑up chest CT showed complete radiological resolution with no evidence of pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions This case suggests that complete pulmonary and renal recovery may be achievable in clinically severe paraquat poisoning. The six‑month imaging follow‑up documents the complete resolution of acute lung injury, while the dynamic leukocyte pattern illustrates the severity of bone marrow suppression and subsequent recovery. These findings highlight the potential value of early recognition, intensive multidisciplinary management, and structured follow‑up, particularly in resource‑limited settings.

Background and aim Considering the growth of the elderly population in Iran and the prevalence of cognitive and physical illnesses among them, identifying strategies to enhance subjective vitality and a sense of purpose in life is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of group poetry reading on meaning in life and subjective vitality in older adults attending a daycare center. Methods In this clinical trial study, 73 older adults who visited a daycare center were enrolled and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 37) or a control group (n = 36). The intervention group participated in 60–90-minute group poetry sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks, while the control group attended the regular programs in the center. Both groups completed the Subjective Vitality Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. The data collected were analyzed using ANCOVA, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests in SPSS version 22. Results Post-intervention, a significant difference was observed between groups in meaning in life (p = 0.031), with higher scores in the intervention group (60.02 ± 7.15 vs. 53.55 ± 6.88). For subscales, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in “search for meaning” (p = 0.009) but not in “presence of meaning” (p = 0.339). Both groups exhibited increased subjective vitality post-intervention (intervention: p = 0.046; control: p < 0.001), but no significant difference between groups emerged (p = 0.377). Conclusion The results of this study showed that holding group poetry reading sessions can promote meaning in life, especially in the domain of “searching for meaning” among the elderly. But results showed no significant difference between the two groups’ Subjective Vitality mean scores after the intervention. Therefore, holding such classes in elderly day care centers or nursing homes are recommended to improve meaningful life in the elderly. Trial registration IRCT20190727044347N7 (Registration date: 04/12/2024).

Reinforcement corrosion is a primary cause of durability loss and structural degradation in reinforced concrete (RC) structures.