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Background and purpouse : Thalasemia major is one the most prevalent congenital anemia. These patients recieved much rate of iron, due to frequent blood transfusion. Indocrine disorders are prevalent due to replacement of iron in indocrinal gland system, example can be of hypogonadism. In this study the delay of puberty in thalasemic patients of Gorgan city and its relevance to the rate of ferritin was evaluated.
Materials and Methods : This was a case control study conducted on 110 thalasemia major patients in the age group of 8-18 referred to Taleghani pediatric Hospital to receive blood. In 62 control group patients (31 females and 31 males) electeropheresis was done on their blood. The talassemic patients were divided into two groups on the basis of ferritin level. Those with ferritin level less than 1500 mg/dl (31 females , 18 males) In all the groups the stages of sexual puberty was calculated on the basis of Marshal-Tanner table with the 1-5 scale. For better studying of the groups of one and two, they were divided in subgroups of 8- 11, 12- 14, 14- 18 years of age.
Results : There was no significant difference of puberty in the control and case group of age 8- 11 years old. But there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in the case and control group of 12- 14 years old. And in the age group of 14- 18 result was different, that means, none of female case group had complete puberty while in the female control group all had complete puberty. In case of males, onset of puberty was less as compaire to control group and none had complete puberty.
Coclusion : This study showed that if the ferritin level in talassemic patient is not under control, it would lead to delayed sexual puberty in both sexes

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Background and purpose: Low health related quality of life is one of the most important consequences of diseases. Patients’ believes about different aspects of new situation influences the consequences of illness and their quality of life. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between illness perceptions and quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional survey research, 102 patients were studied after CABG in Alzahra Hospital in Shiraz. Patients were selected according to convenience sampling. Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) and global Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to collect the data. Results: Significant association was observed between patient’s illness perception and quality of life. Among illness perception subscales, time line (r= 0.501, P< 0.001), causal representation (r= 0.210, P< 0.05), illness coherence (r= 0.210, P< 0.05), personal control (r= 0.467, P< 0.001), treatment control (r= 0.380, P< 0.001), and emotional representations (r= 0.312, P< 0.001) had the most significant correlation with quality of life. Also, quality of life was significantly associated with sex (P<0.001), level of education (P<0.03) income (P<0.001), and occupation (P< 0.001). Conclusion: Illness perception about coronary artery disease has significant effects on disease outcomes and quality of life of patients after treatment. Therefore, psychological interventions focusing on this factor are recommended in involved patients.

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Background and purpose: Several factors are involved in caries prevention in children. One of the most effective factors is the appropriate use of fluoride. Fluoride induces its main effects in caries prevention through antibacterial effects and topical contact with enamel. In this study the inhibitory effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) and acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gels on cariogenic microorganisms concentrations (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus) were compared using Quantitative Real-Time PCR.

Materials and methods: A single blind parallel clinical trial was performed in which plaque samples were investigated twice (before and after the use of fluoride). The plaque samples of 44 children were studied by quantitative Real Time PCR and the number of bacteria (lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans) was counted in each sample. Then, APF gel (Fluoride 1.23% +0.98% phosphoric acid, pH 5.3) was randomly used for 22 children. All the teeth (primary and permanent) were covered with fluoride by applicator. For other children 2% NaF gel (neutral pH) were used. After the use of fluoride, the numbers of bacteria were measured again by quantitative real-time PCR. Finally, the variability of microorganisms before and after the intervention was compared. Mann-Whitney test was applied for data analysis using SPSS V.18.

Results: Significant reductions were observed in numbers of streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus after consumption of APF-gel (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The APF gel exhibited more caries-preventive effect compared to NaF gel and could be used to benefit children’s oral health.

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Background and purpose: Diazinon is one of the most widely used organophosphate pesticides classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “moderately hazardous” Class II. This work aimed at optimizing the electrocoagulation process in removal of diazinon from aqueous environments using response surface methodology.

Materials and methods: In an experimental-laboratory study using the D-optimal method, the effects of independent variables including initial concentration of diazinon (10-100 mg/l), applied voltage (20-40 V), reaction time (10-60 min) and pH (3-10) were investigated on removal of diazinon in 30 runs. Process optimization was done by response surface methodology. Analysis of proposed model was also performed using analysis of variance.

Results: Diazinon removal in proposed model was statistically significant at 95% confidence level. The model had insignificant lack-of-fit at 95% confidence level (P=0.614). Diazinon removal efficiency was dependent on initial concentration of diazinon, applied voltage, and reaction time. The removal efficiency of diazinon was 84.6% at optimum condition (voltage= 20 V and diazinon concentration= 100 mg/L).

Conclusion: Electrocoagulation process applying current experimental conditions was found to be efficient in removal of diazinon from aqueous solutions. Designing experiments by D-optimal method can optimize the removal of the process and prepare the best conditions for pollutant removal by reducing the number of experiments.

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Background and purpose: Aniline is widely used as raw material in many chemical industries. The aim of this study was to survey the photocatalytic degradation of aniline using magnesium oxide nanoparticles from aqueous solutions.

Materials and methods: An experimental study was carried out in a 2 L volume batch reactor. Various parameters such as pH (3-11), dose of nanoparticles (0.1-1), contact time (15-120 min), initial aniline concentration (5-250 mg/L) and irradiation source power (8, 15 and 30 W) were investigated. The concentration of residual aniline was measured by UV spectrophotometer at λ_max of 198 nm.

Results: The results showed that photocatalytic process of nMgO+UV could effectively remove aniline from effluent. The optimal solution pH and dose of nanoparticles for 8 W, 15 W and 30 W UVA lamp were 7.0 and 0.6 g/L, 7 and 0.4 g/L, and 7 and 0.4 g/L, respectively. In 30 min optimum contact time the photocatalytic degradation efficiency decreased when the concentration of aniline was increased. In optimum conditions (5 mg/L of aniline and 30 min reaction time) the aniline removal efficiency was 90.63 % and COD removal was 87.02%.

Conclusion: The photocatalytic process of nMgO+UV can be used as a suitable technique for aniline removal from aqueous solutions.

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Background and purpose: Ethyl benzene is a toxic aromatic compound derived from petroleum hydrocarbons which usually enters the environment through leakage of oil industries and activities, wastes and effluents released by pharmaceutical industry, plastics, resins and petrochemicals. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the use of MgO nanoparticles as catalysts in the ozonation process for ethyl-benzene removal from the aqueous environments under laboratory conditions.

Materials and methods: This experimental study was performed on a laboratory scale in a semi-continuous reactor. We studied the effect of different variables such as pH values (3, 5, 7, 12, and 13), ozonation time (5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 min), the dose of MgO nanoparticles (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 g), and initial concentration of ethylbenzene (10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L) on ethyl benzene degradation under catalytic ozonation process. In order to achieve the optimal experimental conditions, response surface methodology (RSM) model was designed and applied. Also, gas chromatography method was used for measuring the residual amounts of ethyl benzene at the end of process.

Results: The results of data analysis showed that the pH (P= 0.0063) and catalyst dose (P= 0.0004) had the greatest impact on the response variable (percent removal of ethyl benzene). Also, optimum removal condition based on suitable analysis of variance and model was achieved at 50 min reaction time, pH 12, initial concentration lower than 50 mg/L, and 0.5 g/L catalyst dose. Under these conditions, the removal efficiency of 99.99% was achieved.

Conclusion: Catalytic ozonation process in the presence of MgO nanoparticles has a high efficiency in the removal of ethylbenzene from aqueous environments.

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Background andpurpose:Currently, leachate production and its management are major environmental problems associated with the operation of solid waste landfill. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of combined processes of coagulation, ozonation, and advanced oxidation using UV-activated oxone in treatment of landfill leachate of Zahedan, Iran.

Materials andmethods: This experimental-laboratory study included chemical coagulation using poly aluminum chloride (PAC), ozonation, and chemical oxidation using potassium peroxymonosulfate (oxone). For the purpose of this study, the effect of critical operating parameters on treatment of landfill leachate was investigated. These operating parameteres included: pH (3-8) and concentration of PAC (50-250 mg/l) in chemical coagulation process,time of ozonation (5-20 min), pH of solution (2-10), concentration of oxone reactant (150-750 mg/l), contact time with oxone (60-360 min), temperature (20-45ºC), and intensity of UV lamp in oxidation process using oxone (8, 15, 30 W).

Results: According to the results, the overall efficiency rates of this process in removal of total coliform, fecal coliform, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD)were 99%, 99%, 97%, 100%, 91.1%, and 85.62%, respectively, with optimum
PAC concentration= 250 mg/L, pH= 6 at the chemical coagulation phase, ozonation duration= 20 min,
reactiontime= 180 min during oxone-based oxidation process, oxone concentration= 750 mg/L, pH= 5, temperature= 25ºC, and UV lamp intensity= 8 W. Furthermore, the BOD₅/COD ratio increased from 0.42 to 0.72 after completion of the treatment process.

Conclusion:Current study showed that application of combined processes of chemical coagulation, ozonation, and advanced oxidation using UV-activated oxone are highlyefficient in removing major pollutants from waste landfill leachate.

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Background and purpose: Antibiotics are non-biodegradable and wastewater treatment processes are not fully effective in their removal. Therefore, presence of some antibiotics such as erythromycin and metronidazole in environment has become a major concern in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate TiO₂ nano-particles for removal of these two antibiotics from aqueous solution based on the response surface methodology (RSM).
Materials and methods: Effect of independent variables including pH, catalyst dose, contact time, and initial concentrations of erythromycin and metronidazole on the removal efficiency of these antibiotics were evaluated using RSM based on Box-Behnken design. All experiments were performed under ultrasonic irradiation in ultrasonic bath at a frequency of 35 kHz.
Results: According to ANOVA analysis and the model proposed, the optimum condition of pH, nano-particle concentration, reaction time and initial concentration of antibiotics for removal of erythromycin and metronidazole were 3, 0.4 g/l, 89.8 min, and 50.0 mg/l for erythromycin and 3, 0.4 g/l, 85.5 min, and 50.0mg/l for metronidazole. Under these conditions, efficiency of COD removal in erythromycin and metronidazole was 98.5% and 99.4 %, respectively.
Conclusion: In current study, sono-catalytic process was accelerated in the presence of TiO₂ nano-particle and enhanced the removal of erythromycin and metronidazole.
 

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Background and purpose: Pharmaceutical products, particularly antibiotics are emerging contaminants that cause major environmental challenges due to cumulative effects, different adverse effects, and leading to drug resistance. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the efficiency of advanced oxidation process by persulfate activated by UV in removal of ofloxacin from aqueous solutions.
Materials and methods: In order to investigate the removal efficiency of ofloxacin, major operating parameters including initial pH of solution (2-12), the concentration of persulfate (50-3500 mg/l), concentrations of ofloxacin (2-100 mg/l), reaction time (6-30 min), and UV radiation (8,15,30 Watt) were studied.
Results: Maximum removal efficiency of ofloxacin and COD in optimal conditions (pH =6, persulfate concentration = 350 mg/l, ofloxacin concentration = 40 mg/l, reaction time =20 min and UV radiation = 8 watt) were 94.35% and 79.17%, respectively. Advanced oxidation with activated persulfate by UV, deceased the concentrations of ofloxacin and COD to 2.26 and 37.21 mg/l, respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that using UV activated persulfate is an efficient method in removal of ofloxacin from aqueous solutions.
 

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Background and purpose: Sonocatalytic process as an advanced oxidation process is considered for degradation of pollutants in aqueous solution. The aim of this study was to increase the removal of dye by doping of TiO₂ with non-metal element such as nitrogen.
Materials and methods: Un-doped and N-doped TiO₂ nano-particles with different nitrogen contents were synthesized by a simple sol–gel method in laboratory. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) were used for characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles. The sonocatalytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated by investigating degradation of reactive blue 29 under ultrasonic radiation and the effects of nitrogen doping content, different initial pH of solution, and dye concentration.
Results: The study showed that both un-doped and doped nano-particles were in nano-sized that tend to agglomerate. By using different nano-particles, the highest sonocatalytic activity was achieved by 0.6 N-doped TiO₂ with 58 % after 90 min of ultrasonic irradiation. Effect of initial pH of aqueous solution showed that the sonocatalytic activity decreased by increase in initial pH.
Conclusion: Sonocatalysis using N-doped TiO₂ was found to be an effective method for degradation of textile dyes. The high sonocatalytic activity could be attributed to the band gap narrowing and anatase phase in TiO₂ nanoparticles. Sonocatalytic degradation followed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model (R² = 0.98) with a rate constant of 0.01 mg L⁻¹ min⁻¹.
 

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Background and purpose: Wearing face masks has become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus. Some studies have pointed out the intervening role of these masks in the effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system. This study aimed at examining and comparing the effects of masking (N95 respirators and surgical masks) and not wearing a mask during exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.
Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental design, 15 healthy women were randomly placed into three groups: surgical mask, N95 respirators and no mask. The participants took part in a progressive running session and then two weeks of HIIT program (2-4 sets, 20-60 seconds with 15-60 seconds of rest between repetitions and 3-5 minutes between the sets) with 80-90% of HRmax. The time- and frequency-domain parameters of HRV were recorded during rest and recovery after exercises using electrocardiogram and then analyzed in Kubios HRV software.
Results: Progressive running session before two weeks of HIIT training caused a significant decrease in parasympathetic time-domain parameter (RMSSD) and average RR in all groups in the fifth minute of recovery compared with rest values (P≤0.05). In addition, after HIIT training, sympathetic time-domain (SDNN) parameter and average RR significantly increased (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively) while a significant decrease was seen in the sympathetic frequency-domain (LF) parameter in rest and recovery compared with baseline values (P=0.01). No significant differences were observed between the two masked groups in parameters studied (P=0.43).
Conclusion: Increase in parasympathetic parameters and decrease in sympathetic parameters improved HRV. Wearing surgical masks or N95 respirators during exercise did not have an intervening effect on the positive results of exercise, including improving the autonomic function of the heart and maintaining sympathovagal balance in healthy women.
 

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The nomenclature of fungi has undergone significant changes in the last decade. Renaming of fungi has always occurred and will continue, largely due to the influence of molecular methods in taxonomy, diagnosis, and epidemiology. Recently, advancements in molecular techniques and genetic analysis have have led to changes in the classification of dermatophytes that could potentially affect the clinical diagnosis and management of the disease. Fungal culture is still considered the "gold standard" for the diagnosing dermatophytosis; however, modern molecular assays have overcome the major drawbacks of culture and can be used in conjunction with it. Dermatophytes are one of the oldest groups of microorganisms known to cause disease in humans and animals. The ability of dermatophytes to secrete keratinolytic enzymes in vitro has led to the study of secretory proteases. Studies on the quantity and function of keratinolytic proteases produced by dermatophytes are increasing, and the enzymatic properties of these compounds have been investigated. Because of the importance of this group of fungi in public health, this review focuses on the new classification of dermatophytes, including the renaming of important medical species, as well as the pathogenic factors associated with them.
The search strategy used was a narrative review, using national and international sources such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the country's periodicals database to collect information.
In the proposed new classification, Arthroderma includes 21 species, Trichophyton 16, Nanzia 9, Microsporum 3, Paraphyton 3, Epidermophyton and Lophophyton one each. However, more detailed studies are needed to determine the boundaries of these species. Based on previous studies, it can be concluded that the current classification of common anthropophilic dermatophytes is fairly stable and is unlikely to change drastically in the future. While the study of geophilic dermatophytes has been inadequate compared to many zoophilic species, further taxonomic innovation in these groups is expected. In addition, research into the pathogenic mechanisms of dermatophytes has shown that endopeptidases and exopeptidases play an important role in the pathogenesis of dermatophytes by degrading keratin and converting it into free peptides and smaller amino acids. The most important endopeptidases are from the fungilysin family (M36) and two genes encoding MEP1 and MEP5, while the most important extracellular aminopeptidases are the leucine aminopeptidases Lap1 and Lap2 (M28A family) and the dipeptidyl peptidases DppIV and DppV, which are considered to be dermatophyte exopeptidases. The results of previous studies suggest that by identifying these major proteases, it is possible to isolate and identify dermatophyte species.
Based on the results of this study, many factors related to the classification and pathogenesis of dermatophytes remain inadequately expressed in existing research. However, the factors discussed in this study serve as a guide for the identification of relevant factors.