Abstract Background Threatened miscarriage affects pregnancies globally, necessitating reliable diagnostic markers. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet its diagnostic value and response to progesterone support remain unclear. This prospective study aimed to assess the diagnostic significance of GDF-15 levels in maternal serum during the first trimester of threatened miscarriage and evaluate the impact of progesterone-based hormonal support. The study included 120 pregnant women: 60 diagnosed with threatened miscarriage and 60 healthy controls. In the patient group, serum β-hCG and GDF-15 levels were measured before and after a two-week course of progesterone therapy, while the control group underwent a single measurement. Results Women with threatened miscarriage exhibited significantly lower mean serum β-hCG and GDF-15 levels compared to the control group. Following progesterone therapy, GDF-15 levels in the patient group showed no significant change (p = 0.179), whereas β-hCG levels declined significantly (p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated initial diagnostic potential for GDF-15, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88. Conclusions Maternal serum GDF-15 demonstrates effective potential as a promising candidate biomarker for identifying threatened miscarriage. Its levels did not show a significant short-term change following standard progesterone administration, suggesting it potentially reflects underlying placental dysfunction rather than temporary hormonal fluctuations. GDF-15 holds potential as an early, stable biomarker for risk stratification in threatened miscarriage cases.
The proposed study addresses how drug abuse (opioids, marijuana, stimulants, and alcohol) affects fertility and evaluates the patient experience, awareness, and coping behavior, which can affect access to fertility treatment at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital in Najaf, Iraq. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the period between January and June 2024 with 482 participants (both males and females) who are infertile and were recruited through the convenience sampling method. The data were gathered with the help of structured questionnaires about substance use and reproductive health, and clinical and laboratory tests, such as semen analysis, hormonal levels, and ovarian reserve. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS, that is, regression analysis and group analysis. Fertility measures (men and women) such as sperm count, motility, hormonal levels, menstrual regularity, ovulation timing, and ovarian reserve were evaluated according to the nature, duration, and frequency of substance use. There were significant negative correlations between fertility and substance use. Chronic opioid or stimulant use in men was associated with low sperm count and motility and hypogonadotropic testosterone levels. Alcohol and cannabis use in women were linked to menstrual abnormalities, delayed ovulation, and low ovarian reserve. A regression analysis proved that there existed a significant correlation between the duration and frequency of substance use and the severity of fertility impairment (p < 0.01). Patient involvement in fertility services was conditioned by behavioral awareness, which enhanced treatment and lifestyle change adherence. Drug abuse has adverse effects on fertility in terms of biological, behavioral, and sociocultural effects. To improve the decision-making process and reproductive outcomes, the notion of patient education combined with behavioral counseling and culturally sensitive interventions should be incorporated into the clinical practice of fertility care. Reproductive functionality can be partially restored by early stopping of substance use.
A novel and green analytical technique was developed to determine lead in water, wastewater, and food samples. A new hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (HDES) contains 2,2'-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1,2-diyl) diphenol (BIP) and 1-dodecanol. This HDES was used as a synergistic solvent for air-assisted solidified floating organic drop microextraction (AA-SFODME). After extraction and preconcentration, lead was quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The method demonstrated excellent analytical performance, with a wide linear range of 0.05-950 µg L-1 and an enhancement factor (EF) of 50.0. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.02 µg L-1 and 0.06 µg L-1, respectively. The accuracy of this method was confirmed by analyzing certified reference materials (CRMs). Furthermore, the applicability and sustainability of the procedure were evaluated and compared. The Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI), the Sample Preparation Metric of Sustainability (SPMS), and the Environmental, Performance, and Practicality Indicator (EPPI) tool scores were 75.0, 8.84, and 81.5, respectively. The results show significant improvement in environmental friendliness compared to previously reported methods for similar sample types.
Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) facilitated the green hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). X-ray diffraction revealed well-defined peak characteristics of the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO NPs, with an average crystallite size of 23.13 nm. The surface morphology from the FESEM images displays a nanorod and flower-like nanostructure, with rod diameters and lengths ranging from 75 to 95 nm and less than 1 mu m, respectively. The optical characteristics from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed that the absorption edge lies in the UV region, and the optical energy gap is about 3.23 eV. The antioxidant activity for free radical scavenging capacity of ZnO NPs was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH) assay, with varying concentrations of ZnO NPs, which demonstrated scavenging activity with an IC50 of 0.079 mg/ml (79 mu g/ml). Based on the results obtained, the green-synthesized ZnO NRs and NPs exhibit high antioxidant activity, making them potentially useful for treating disorders caused by free radicals. The antimicrobial activities of the green-synthesized ZnO NPs were assessed using the well diffusion assay, revealing the strongest antibacterial activity (inhibition zone of 29 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus, while the lowest activity was observed (inhibition zone of 13 mm) against Escherichia coli bacteria. This study also combines nanotechnology and microbiology to improve and develop new microbial and antioxidant agents of low cost and high activity.
BACKGROUND:The potential link between ambient air pollution and brain tumor incidence remains poorly understood, despite growing concern about environmental exposures and neurological health. While air pollutants are established carcinogens for several cancer types, their role in central nervous system (CNS) tumorigenesis has not been definitively established. AIM:This study aims to systematically evaluate and quantitatively synthesize the epidemiological evidence on the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and the risk of brain tumors, including gliomas and meningiomas. METHODS:A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest (up to October 1, 2024), identifying observational studies assessing associations between air pollution and brain tumor incidence. Eligible studies were screened, data were extracted, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate pooled relative risks (RR) for specific pollutants (PM2.5, NOx, NO2), and traffic proximity. Subgroup analyses and publication bias assessments were also conducted. RESULTS:Eight studies met inclusion criteria, with five contributing to the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates indicated an association between long-term exposure to NO2 and brain tumors (RR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11). PM2.5 exposure showed a higher but more variable association (RR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04-2.55), while NOx (RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.93-1.45) and traffic proximity (RR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.99-1.16) demonstrated weaker or borderline associations. Subgroup analyses suggested slightly stronger associations for meningioma than glioma. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies, but no clear evidence of publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS:This systematic review and meta-analysis provides suggestive evidence that long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants may be associated with a modestly increased risk of brain tumors. While results are not conclusive, the widespread exposure to these pollutants and the observed trends underscore the importance of further research using refined exposure assessments and tumor subtype-specific analyses.
