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Seminars in Ophthalmology May 2021The investigations discussed in this review indicate that iron may exacerbate different eye diseases. Therefore, it is plausible that reducing cellular or body iron... (Review)
Review
The investigations discussed in this review indicate that iron may exacerbate different eye diseases. Therefore, it is plausible that reducing cellular or body iron stores could influence disease pathogenesis, so it is logical to consider the iron chelators' potential protective role in the various ophthalmic diseases in the form of topical eye drops or slow releasing injectable compounds as an adjuvant treatment.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Iron; Iron Chelating Agents; Macular Degeneration; Ophthalmic Solutions
PubMed: 33621147
DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2021.1887900 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2022The present study aimed to investigate the persistence and existence of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and related dissipation products in the environment of Sardasht...
The present study aimed to investigate the persistence and existence of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and related dissipation products in the environment of Sardasht area, Iran. Three types of environmental samples including water, soil, and native local plant materials were collected and analyzed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the electron impact ionization mode has been developed for the separation, screening, identification, and qualification of chemicals after the sample preparation methods. The initial results revealed that no trace of related compounds or CWAs was detected in the soil and water samples. However, trace amounts of some degradation products of blistering agents like mustard gas (HD) and lewisite were found in a tree wood from a house subjected to chemical attack as well as in barley samples (a mixture of leaves and root) collected from an agricultural field in the area indicating chronic low exposure to the environment and people. In order to validate the applied extraction procedures, ethylene glycol was spiked to some of the samples including groundwater, surface soil, grape, and alfalfa plants. All the recoveries were in the range of 83.6-107.4% with the relative standard deviations varying from 4.9% to 12.4% (n = 3) successfully.
Topics: Chemical Warfare Agents; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Iran; Mustard Gas; Soil
PubMed: 34333743
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15593-9 -
Disaster Medicine and Public Health... Dec 2020Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged as a health problem...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged as a health problem worldwide. It seems that COVID-19 is more lethal for Iranian veterans with a history of exposure to mustard gas. There are some similarities in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and mustard gas in immune system disruption and pulmonary infection. SARS-CoV-2 and mustard gas inducing oxidative stress, immune system dysregulation, cytokine storm, and overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor in lungs that act as functional entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, Iranian survivors of mustard gas exposure are more susceptible and vulnerable to COVID-19. It is suggested that the principles of COVID-19 infection prevention and control be adhered to more stringently in Iranian survivors of mustard gas exposure than others who have not been exposed to mustard gas. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the different pathologic aspects of lung injury caused by mustard gas and also the relationship between this damage and the increased susceptibility of Iranian mustard gas exposed survivors to COVID-19.
Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; COVID-19; Cytokines; Humans; Iran; Lung; Mustard Gas; Oxidative Stress; SARS-CoV-2; Survivors; Veterans
PubMed: 32418550
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.156 -
Photochemical & Photobiological... Apr 2024Nerve agents are the most notorious substances, which can be fatal to an individual because they block the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Fighting against...
Nerve agents are the most notorious substances, which can be fatal to an individual because they block the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Fighting against unpredictable terrorist assaults and wars requires the simple and quick detection of chemical warfare agent vapor. In the present contribution, we have introduced a rhodamine-based chemosensor, BDHA, for the detection of nerve gas-mimicking agents diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) and diethylcyanophosphonate (DCNP) and mustard gas-mimicking agent 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), both in the liquid and vapor phase. Probe BDHA provides the ability for detection by the naked eye in terms of colorimetric and fluorometric changes. It has been revealed that the interaction between nerve agents mimics and probe BDHA facilitates spirolactam ring opening due to the phosphorylation process. Thus, the highly fluorescent and colored species developed while probe BDHA is colorless and non-fluorescent due to the intramolecular spirolactam ring. Moreover, probe BDHA can effectively recognize DCP, DCNP, and CEES in the µM range despite many toxic analytes and could be identified based on the response times and quantum yield values. Inexpensive, easily carried paper strips-based test kits were developed for the quick, on-location solid and vapor phase detection of these mustard gas imitating agents (CEES) and nerve gas mimicking agents (DCP and DCNP) without needing expensive equipment or skilled personnel. More remarkably, the test strips' color and fluorescence can be rapidly restored, exposing them to triethyl amine (TEA) for cyclic use, suggesting a potential application in the real-time identification of chemical warfare agents. To accomplish the on-location application of BDHA, we have experimented with soil samples to find traces of DCP. Therefore, the chromo-fluorogenic probe BDHA is a promising, instantaneous, and on-the-spot monitoring tool for the selective detection of DCP, DCNP, and CEES in the presence of others.
Topics: Sarin; Nerve Agents; Mustard Gas; Acetylcholinesterase; Fluorescent Dyes; Chemical Warfare Agents; Nitrophenols; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organophosphates
PubMed: 38519812
DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00553-2 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2022Rapid detection of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) is of great significance in protecting civilians in public places and military personnel on the battlefield....
Rapid detection of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) is of great significance in protecting civilians in public places and military personnel on the battlefield. Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanosheets (NSs) can be integrated as a gas sensor at room temperature (25°C) due to their large specific surface area and excellent semiconductor properties. However, low sensitivity and long response-recovery time hinder the pure MoS application in CWAs gas sensors. In this work, we developed a CWAs sensor based on niobium-doped MoS NSs (Nb-MoS NSs) via direct chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) growth. Characterization results show that the high content of Nb elements (7.8 at%) are homogeneously dispersed on the large-area 2D structure of MoS. The Nb-MoS NSs-based CWAs sensor exhibits higher sensitivity (-2.09% and -3.95% to 0.05 mg/m sarin and sulfur mustard, respectively) and faster response speed (78 s and 30 s to 0.05 mg/m sarin and sulfur mustard, respectively) than MoS and other 2D materials at room temperature. And the sensor has certain specificity for sarin and sulfur mustard and is especially sensitive to sulfur mustard. This can be attributed to the improvement of adsorption properties via electronic regulation of Nb doping. This is the first report about CWAs detection based on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) sensing materials, which demonstrates that the high sensitivity, rapid response, and low limit of detection of 2D TMDs-based CWAs sensor can meet the monitoring needs of many scenarios, thus showing a strong application potential.
PubMed: 36171997
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1011471 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Feb 2022There is no comprehensive study addressing all the epidemiological aspects of Lung cancer (LC) in Iran, therefore this systematic review investigated the epidemiological... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is no comprehensive study addressing all the epidemiological aspects of Lung cancer (LC) in Iran, therefore this systematic review investigated the epidemiological aspects of lung cancer in Iran.
METHODS
The search was performed until the Aug. 2020 on the in international databases based on PRISMA protocol by Pulmonary Neoplasms, Lung Neoplasm, Neoplasm, Lung, Lung Cancer, Cancer, Pulmonary Cancer, Cancer, Pulmonary, Cancers, Cancer of the Lung, Iran, incidence, death, risk factors keywords and different combinations of them. Articles that evaluated epidemiological aspects of lung cancer were included in the analysis.
RESULTS
Of 1420 articles, 82 cases were entered the analysis. Based on studies, in Iran, lung cancer has been the most common cancer and its prevalence is increasing. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in men and women, respectively. Cigarette smoking, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, mustard gas, occupational risk factors and genetic factors considered as the major reported risk factors for lung cancer and vegetarian diet as a protective factor.
CONCLUSION
In according to the increasing trend of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Iran, elimination of the major risk factors can decrease this issue and national comprehensive planning should be considered in health promotion plans.
PubMed: 35866136
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v51i2.8683 -
Combinatorial Chemistry & High... 2021Sulfur-(SM) and nitrogen (NM)-based mustards are the mutagenic incapacitating compounds which are widely used in vesicating the chemical warfare and cause toxicity in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sulfur-(SM) and nitrogen (NM)-based mustards are the mutagenic incapacitating compounds which are widely used in vesicating the chemical warfare and cause toxicity in many organs, especially skin. SM, as a potent vesicating agent, contributes to the destruction of skin in dermis and epidermis layers. The progression of the lesion depends on the concentration of SM and the duration of exposure. Body responses start with pruritus, erythema, edema and xerosis, which lead to the accumulation of immune cells in the target sites and recruitment of mast cells and paracrine-mediated activity. Pro-inflammatory effectors are accumulated in the epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands resulting in the destruction of the basement membrane beneath the epidermis. There is still no satisfactory countermeasure against SM-induced lesions in clinical therapy, and the symptomatic or supportive treatments are routine management approaches.
OBJECTIVE
The current review highlights the recent progression of herbal medicines application in SM-induced injuries through the illustrative examples and also demonstrates their efficacies, properties and mechanism of actions as therapeutic agents.
CONCLUSION
Phytochemicals and herbal extracts with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been recently shown to hold therapeutic promise against the SM-induced cutaneous complications. The present review discusses the possible application of herbal medicines in the healing of SM-induced injuries.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Gas Scavengers; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Mustard Gas; Nitrogen; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Skin; Sulfur; Wound Healing
PubMed: 32679016
DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666200717150414 -
Journal of Food Science Aug 2023Due to the uncontrolled fermentation process and unstable quality of naturally fermented leaf mustard, inoculated fermentation is receiving more attention. Here, the...
Evaluation and comparison of physicochemical properties, volatile substances, and microbial communities of leaf mustard (Brassica juncea var. multiceps) under natural and inoculated fermentation.
Due to the uncontrolled fermentation process and unstable quality of naturally fermented leaf mustard, inoculated fermentation is receiving more attention. Here, the physicochemical properties, volatile compounds, and microbial community in leaf mustard under natural fermentation (NF) and inoculated fermentation (IF) were analyzed and compared. The contents of total acid, crude fiber, and nitrite of leaf mustard were measured. Headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and orthogonal projection on latent structure-discriminant analysis were used to analyze the differences of volatile compounds in NF and IF leaf mustard. Moreover, Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to reveal the composition of microbiota. The results showed that the nitrite content in leaf mustard after IF (3.69 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that after NF (4.43 mg/kg). A total of 31 and 25 kinds of volatile components were identified in IF and NF, respectively. Among the detected compounds, 11 compounds caused the differences between IF and NF leaf mustard. The results of inter-group difference analysis showed that there were significant differences in fungal flora between IF and NF samples. Saccharomycetes, Kazachstania, and Ascomycota were the landmark microorganisms in IF leaf mustard and the landmark microorganisms in NF were Mortierellomycota, Sordariomycetes, and Eurotiomycetes. The abundance of probiotics (such as Lactobacillus) in IF leaf mustard (51.22%) was higher than that in NF (35.20%) and the abundance of harmful molds (such as Mortierella and Aspergillus) was opposite. Therefore, IF leaf mustard showed the potential to reduce the content of nitrite and harmful molds and increase the beneficial volatile compounds and probiotics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Leaf mustard of inoculated fermentation (IF) showed better fermented characteristics than natural fermentation in terms of lower nitrite content, greater beneficial volatile substances, and better potential for increasing probiotics and reducing harmful molds. These results provided a theoretical basis for IF leaf mustard and contributed to the industrial production of fermented leaf mustard.
Topics: Mustard Plant; Fermentation; Nitrites; Fungi; Microbiota; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 37421355
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16687 -
Polymers Feb 2024There have been many studies on surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for detecting sulfur-containing toxic or harmful gases. This paper aims to give an overview of the... (Review)
Review
There have been many studies on surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for detecting sulfur-containing toxic or harmful gases. This paper aims to give an overview of the current state of polymer films used in SAW sensors for detecting deleterious gases. By covering most of the important polymer materials, the structures and types of polymers are summarized, and a variety of devices with different frequencies, such as delay lines and array sensors for detecting mustard gas, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide, are introduced. The preparation method of polymer films, the sensitivity of the SAW gas sensor, the limit of detection, the influence of temperature and humidity, and the anti-interference ability are discussed in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of the films are analyzed, and the potential application of polymer films in the future is also forecasted.
PubMed: 38399835
DOI: 10.3390/polym16040457 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022The present work reveals a comprehensive decontamination study on real and simulated biological and chemical warfare agents (BCWA). The emphasis was on evaluating the...
Antimicrobial Activity and Degradation Ability Study on Nanoparticle-Enriched Formulations Specially Designed for the Neutralization of Real and Simulated Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents.
The present work reveals a comprehensive decontamination study on real and simulated biological and chemical warfare agents (BCWA). The emphasis was on evaluating the antimicrobial activity against real biological warfare agents, such as , and also the capacity of neutralizing real chemical warfare agents, such as mustard gas or soman, by employing three different types of organic solutions enriched with ZnO, TiO, and zeolite nanoparticles, specially designed for decontamination applications. The capacity of decontaminating BCWA was evaluated through specific investigation tools, including surface monitoring with the swabs method, minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) evaluations, time-kill tests for microorganisms, and GC-MS for monitoring chemical agents on different types of surfaces (glass, painted metal, rubber, and cotton butyl rubber). These tests revealed high decontamination factors for BCWA even after only 10 min, accomplishing the requirements imposed by NATO standards. At the completion of the decontamination process, the formulations reached 100% efficacy for after 10-15 min, for soman after 20-30 min, and for mustard gas in an interval comprised between 5 and 24 h depending on the type of surface analyzed.
PubMed: 35056158
DOI: 10.3390/ph15010097