Low Complement C1q/TNF-related Protein-13 Levels are Associated with Childhood Obesity But not Binge Eating Disorder

Objective:C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related proteins (CTRPs) are recently described members of the adipokine family. CTRP-13, a new member of this family, has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and had an anorexigenic effect on food intake in experimental studies. The aim was to investigate serum CTRP-13 levels in children with obesity, and its relationship with other adipokines, metabolic parameters, or binge eating disorder (BED).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 105 pubertal children attending a single center. Clinical (metabolic syndrome, BED) and biochemical (glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, adiponectin, CTRP-13 levels) parameters were assessed.Results:Sixty children with obesity [24 males (40%); median age 14.7 (13.0-16.4) years] and 45 healthy controls [15 males (33.3%); median age 15.2 (14.1-16.5) years] were included. Serum adiponectin and CTRP-13 levels were significantly lower in children with obesity than controls (7.1 vs 20.1 μg/mL, p<0.001; 64.7 vs 103.8 ng/mL, p<0.001, respectively). CTRP-13 levels correlated negatively with body mass index (Spearman rho=-0.230, p=0.018) and positively with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (Spearman rho=0.218, p=0.026). There was no significant difference in serum CTRP-13 concentrations in terms of the presence of metabolic syndrome or BED.Conclusion:Childhood obesity seems to be causing dysregulation in adipokine production and function, including the down-regulation of CTRP-13. The positive correlation between CTRP-13 and HDL-C levels suggested a possible effect of this adipokine on lipid metabolism. Thus CTRP-13 may be a novel biomarker for dyslipidemia in childhood obesity.     

Effects of Wax Molecular Weight Distribution and Branching on Moisture Sensitivity of Asphalt Binders

Wax is an important factor that affects the durability of asphalt binder. In order to understand the molecular weight distribution and branching of wax on the moisture sensitivity of asphalt binder, pure wax-doped asphalt binders are prepared and the performance of model asphalt binders are evaluated by surface free-energy (SFE) and binder bond strength (BBS) tests. In addition, asphaltene is regarded as an additive in this study. The results show that the addition of eicosane, triacontane, squalane and asphaltene can reduce the moisture sensitivity of asphalt, but not necessarily improve its moisture-induced damage resistance. The physical hardening effect of high-wax asphalt and its model asphalt is stronger than that of the corresponding low-wax asphalt and its model asphalt, and its moisture sensitivity is weaker than that of the low-wax asphalt. For all the model asphalts, there is a good correlation between the cohesion work, cohesion POTS (pull-off tensile strength), POTS ratio (the BBS moisture sensitivity index) and ER (the SFE moisture sensitivity index). When using the BBS test to characterize the moisture sensitivity of high-wax asphalt, it is recommended to leave the sample for some time until it is physically hardened and stable.     

Exploring the Barriers and Motivators to Dietary Adherence among Caregivers of Children with Disorders of Amino Acid Metabolism (AAMDs): A Qualitative Study

Dietary intervention is generally accepted as the mainstay of treatment for patients with disorders of amino acid metabolism (AAMDs). However, dietary adherence to a low-protein diet is always reported as a common challenge among these patients. This study explored the perception of barriers and motivators to dietary adherence among caregivers of AAMD patients in Malaysia. Twenty caregivers of children with AAMDs receiving ongoing treatment at the genetic clinic participated in an online focus group discussion from November to December 2021. Findings showed a total of five interrelated main themes identified from focus group discussion (FGD) exploring parents’ experiences related to the management of their child’s daily diet. The barriers to dietary adherence were burden of dietary treatment, diet and dietary behavior, parenting challenges, limited knowledge related to dietary treatment, and challenges in healthcare system delivery. Key factors facilitating good dietary adherence include good knowledge of dietary treatment, parental coping strategies, social coping, and dietary behavior. In conclusion, despite the existence of several barriers to the implementation of dietary treatment, caregivers managed to use a wide range of coping strategies to overcome some, if not all, of the challenges. The important next step is to develop, in conjunction with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, feasible implementation strategies that could address these barriers and at the same time improve the quality of life of caregivers.     

The Effect of Dentifrice on Micro-Hardness,Surface Gloss,and Micro-Roughness of Nano Filled Conventional and Bulk-Fill Polymer Composite—A Micro Indentation and Profilometric Study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of brushing with two whitening dentifrices (Colgate Optic White (COW) and Colgate Optic White Charcoal (COC)) on surface gloss, micro-roughness, and micro-hardness of nanostructured hybrid conventional (Z350) and bulk-fill (Tetric N Ceram bulk-fill) polymer composite. In total, 96 disk samples using two nano-hybrid composite polymers (Z350 and Tetric N Ceram Bulk-fill) were prepared. All specimens were exposed to two different dentifrices (COW and COC), resulting in four main subgroups in the study. Specimens were assessed for surface gloss, micro-roughness (Ra), and micro-hardness using standardized methodology. Means and standard deviations of properties compared using paired t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA, and post hoc test. The presence of dentifrices did not show any significant difference in micro-hardness values of Z350 (p > 0.05), whereas micro-hardness of bulk-fill composite significantly reduced on dentifrices exposure (p ≤ 0.05). Bulk-fill polymer composite showed significant reduction in gloss after dentifrice exposure (p < 0.05), however, Z350 showed no significant loss of gloss due to dentifrices (p > 0.05). A significant increase in Ra was observed for both resin materials after exposure to dentifrices (COC and COW). Conventional resin composite (Z350) showed comparable surface hardness and gloss before and after dentifrice exposure, however, micro-roughness increased significantly due to dentifrice exposure. Bulk-fill resin (Tetric N Ceram) showed significant loss of micro-hardness and gloss and increase in micro-roughness on dentifrice exposure. Conventional nano-hybrid composite polymer showed better durability in resisting loss of surface properties compared to bulk-fill resin polymer in the present experiment.     

Potential of Waste Marble Sludge for Repressing Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete with Reactive Aggregates

The continuous development of the marble industry has led to an increase in the accumulation of waste marble sludge causing landfilling and health-associated issues. The intention of the current study is to explore the potential of waste marble sludge powder (MS) utilization as a means of controlling alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete. Specimen (cubes, prisms, and mortar bars) were prepared to incorporate reactive aggregates and various proportions of MS ranging from 5% to 40% as a replacement for aggregates. Expansion and mechanical strength characteristics were determined to investigate the effectiveness of MS to control ASRfor up to 150 days. Results revealed that on replacing aggregates in the control specimen with 25% MS, the ASR expansion at 14 days reduced from 0.23% to 0.17%, and the expansion at 28 days reduced from 0.28% to 0.17% which is within limits as per American Standard for Testing of Materials (ASTM) C1260. Furthermore, specimens incorporating MS exhibited improved compressive and flexural strength as compared to the identical specimen without MS. Microstructural analysis using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed micro-cracks in the control specimen while the specimen incorporating MS was found intact. Thus, it can be foreseen that the use of MS as a partial replacement of aggregates can control ASR in concrete as well as reduce the dumping and harmful emissions issue.     

A possible mechanism of action of danazol and an ethinylestradiol/ norgestrel combination used as postcoital contraceptive agents

Twenty-seven women requesting postcoital contraception were randomly allocated to take an ethinylestradiol/dl-norgestrel combination or danazol. Urine specimens were assayed for luteinising hormone (LH) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (P3G) levels from the day of the postcoital treatment to the next period. In addition, the urine samples of these recruits and 12 additional women were assayed for the Beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG). A consistent pattern of alteration in urinary steroids was lacking, indicating a heterogenous effect on ovarian function. There was no evidence of early pregnancy in successfully treated cases. We suggest that the main mechanism of action of these drugs is at the endometrial level.     

Molecular Detection of Plasmodium Infection among Anophelinae Mosquitoes and Differentiation of Biological Forms of Anopheles Stephensi Collected from Malarious Areas of Afghanistan and Iran

BackgroundUpdated information on the vectorial capacity of vectors is required in each malarious areas as well in Iran and its neighboring countries such as Afghanistan. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential infection of about 800 specimens collected from malarious areas of Afghanistan and Iran, and to differentiate biological forms of Anopheles stephensi.MethodTwo molecular markers, 18S RNA gene subunit and AsteObp1 intron I, were used respectively for investigation Plasmodium infection and identifying the biological forms of An. stephensi.ResultsPlasmodium infection was detected in 4 pools of Afghanistan specimens, including An. stephensi, collected from Nangarhar. Individually examination showed infection in 5 An. stephensi (infection rate: 1.25), to P. falciparum (2), P. vivax (2) and a mix infection. Out of five infected specimens, three were intermediate forms and two were mysorensis. No infection was found in specimens collected from Iran (Chabahar County), probably due to the active malaria control program in south-east of Iran.ConclusionThe key role of An. stephensi, as a known Asian malaria vector, was re-emphasized in Afghanistan by the results achieved here. The fauna of vectors and the pattern of biological forms of An. stephensi are similar in both countries that urge regional investigations to provide evidence-based and applied data for decision-maker in malaria control.     

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Peripartum Hysterectomy among Iranian Pregnant Women: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundPeripartum hysterectomy (PPH) is one of the effective treatment modalities which is increasingly performed to save the life of pregnant women with uncontrollable severe postpartum hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with PPH among Iranian pregnant women.MethodsIn a retrospective study, 33 pregnant women with PPH referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Mazandaran province, northern Iran were enrolled. Data were collected using census sampling from March 2017 to 2020. Patients'' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Fisher''s exact test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate the study variables.ResultsThe prevalence of PPH among Iranian pregnant women was 2.81 per 1000 deliveries. The mean length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) was 6.15 (SD=2.91) and 3.17 (SD=1.50) days, respectively. Of the participants, 90.9% had a cesarean section, 51.6% had emergency PPH, 88.2% had emergency PPH in 24 hours after delivery, 9.1% had an induction, and 60.6% had PPH due to placental abnormalities. The mean duration of PPH procedure was 2.51 (SD=1.14) hours. The most common post-operative complication in participants was fever. Participants with older gestational age had more elective PPH (P=0.029). The length of ICU stay was more in patients with total PPH procedure compared to the supracervical (P<0.017). The induction rate was higher in emergency PPH after vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section (P=0.005).ConclusionThis study showed a high prevalence of PPH among pregnant women. Also, there was a significant relationship between the PPH and length of ICU stay, especially after supracervical hysterectomy. The results of this study can help obstetrician-gynecologist to provide a better intervention for managing patients with postpartum hemorrhage requiring PPH.     

Photocatalytic Activity of Silicon Nanowires Decorated with PbS Nanoparticles Deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Efficient Wastewater Treatment

The present work aims to study the photocatalytic properties of nanohybrids composed of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) decorated with PbS nanoparticles (NPs). The elaborated material was intended to be utilized in wastewater treatment. The SiNWs were elaborated from the Metal Assisted Chemical Etching route (MACE), while the PbS NPs were deposited at room temperature onto SiNWs using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The influence of decorating SiNWs (having different lengths) with PbS-NPs on their structural, morphological, optoelectronic, and photocatalytic properties was scrutinized. PbS/SiNWs nanohybrids exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation towards Black Amido (BA) dye for 20 µm SiNWs length and 0.2% of BA volume concentration. These optimized conditions may insinuate that this nanocomposite-like structure is a promising efficient photocatalytic systems contender, cost-effective, and recyclable for organic compound purification from wastewaters.