Lorestan University of Medical Sciences

Road dust serves as a significant repository of heavy metal pollutants, posing hazards to the metropolitan area and its residents. heavy metals accumulate in roadway particles via atmospheric deposition, making road pollution a source of hazardous metals in urban areas. The results for the four ecological risk assessment subgroups were as follows: Minimal Ecological Risk: ES: 20.37; 95

Introduction Numerous lifestyle factors contribute to the incidence of infertility, which is a major concern for couples throughout the globe. The effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is highly dependent on the characteristics of the culture media used.Objective The present research study aimed to determine the effects of L-aspartic acid, L-ascorbic acid, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the success rate of IVF in NMRI mice.Methods The solutions of L-aspartic acid, L-ascorbic acid, and synthesized AgNPs were prepared. The 6-8 weeks-old NMRI male mice were used as sperm donors, and 6-8 weeks-old NMRI mice were used for oocyte donation. In addition, the IVF procedure was performed using 50 mu L drops of KSOM+5%BSA in mineral oil. Seven different experimental groups were investigated in addition to the control group. Oocytes were exposed to sperm for 4-6 h in the KSOM medium as a control group.Results and Discussion According to the results, the groups containing supplements "AgNPs", "L-aspartic acid", and "AgNPs + L-ascorbic acid", were not suitable for the 2PN stage. In contrast, the group containing "L-aspartic acid + L-ascorbic acid" was the best group for the 2PN stage. In addition, supplementation of the mixture of L-aspartic acid and AgNPs solution in KSOM+BSA culture medium was the most suitable group for the 2Cell stage.Conclusion In conclusion, the study highlighted the varying impacts of L-aspartic acid, L-ascorbic acid, and AgNPs on IVF outcomes in NMRI mice. Group E, combining L-aspartic acid and AgNPs, emerged as effective for 2Cell development. Future research should explore the underlying biochemical mechanisms of these findings. Furthermore, another study is in progress that utilizes these supplements to generate 2PN first, and then the supplement-free medium as the cleavage media.

Dust storms are significant contributors to aerosol particulates in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in deserts where little vegetation and powerful winds can easily disperse fine particles. Consequently, they have considerable adverse effects on ecosystems and humans. Khorramabad city is one of the most important cities that regularly faces dust from neighboring countries. In this study, PM2.5 particulate matter concentration data on dusty and non-dusty days were received from the Lorestan Meteorological Department and the Environmental Department. Samples were collected in 2023 using a volumetric method, and 24-hour averages were measured. To assess the health consequences of exposure, the World Health Organization Air Q+ model was used, and the RR, AP, AC, and disease burden indices were calculated. The origin of dust plumes was also determined using the HYSPLIT model. The decreasing trend of the average AQI of PM2.5 in the month of 2023 was as follows: October (82.51 ± 30) > July (68.37 ± 19.75) > November (64.83 ± 25.25) > June (61.04 ± 18) > December (60.89 ± 17) > August (60.16 ± 12.75) > May (55.44 ± 16.5) > September (44.53 ± 16.5) > January (46.96 ± 13.25) > April (44.06 ± 18) > February (43.64 ± 13) > March (43.1 ± 13.5). According to the HYSPLIT program, Iraqi deserts are responsible for dust in April, July, and September; Syria was the source of dust in June and October, Turkey was the source of dust in August, and the deserts of Arabia were the source of dust in May. According to calculations made using the Air Q+ program, Khorramabad residents have suffered from cardiovascular, respiratory, and stroke diseases due to exposure to PM2.5. Dust flows from dry and semi-arid regions of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Syria originated from PM2.5 in Khorramabad city.

Sprouts, due to their high nutritional value and suitable environmental conditions during the germination process, are an ideal medium for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Primary sprout contamination usually occurs through seeds and post-harvest washing. Therefore, effective seed and sprout disinfection can be an essential requirement for the food safety of edible sprouts. In this systematic review, 146 studies published between 2010 and 2024 were evaluated, and the effectiveness of different chemical and non-chemical disinfection methods was investigated. In traditional chemical methods, which usually use sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)/calcium hypochlorite (Ca (OCl)₂) and hydrogen peroxide, a reduction in microbial load was observed, but there are disadvantages, such as possible negative effects on seed viability and quality. There are concerns about chemical residues and their effectiveness against pathogens internalized or protected in biofilms is limited. However, chlorine dioxide has been introduced as a promising alternative, which has higher oxidation power, lower dependence on pH, and produces fewer carcinogenic byproducts. Non-chemical methods have also received much attention due to better preservation of seed quality and the absence of chemical residues. Physical and biological non-chemical methods are also effective in disinfection. However, the most effective strategy is the combination of several methods, called “Hurdle” technology. This multiple-stress approach overwhelms the repair mechanisms of the microorganism and leads to further microbial reduction, reduced side effects on the seed and sprout, and increased overall efficiency. On the other hand, the use of hurdle technology is the most promising approach of procuring the best possible safety at the same time as keeping the quality and germination of the end product.

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is one of the most harmful air pollutants, linked to serious health effects including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and premature mortality. Despite this, long-term data on PM₂.₅ exposure and its health impacts are limited in many regions of Iran. This study aimed to assess the long-term trends of PM₂.₅ concentration, estimate related health impacts, and evaluate economic costs in Khorramabad, a semi-arid city in western Iran, over a ten-year period (2014–2023). PM₂.₅ data were collected from three air quality monitoring stations and analyzed for temporal trends using statistical and visualization tools. Health impacts, including all-cause, cardiovascular, COPD, and lung cancer mortality, were estimated using the WHO’s AirQ + model. The data were compared with WHO air quality guidelines to assess public health risks. For estimating the economic cost attributed to PM₂.₅, The human capital method (HCM) was used. PM₂.₅ concentrations showed significant seasonal and hourly variations, with the highest levels in summer months, particularly August. A decreasing trend in annual mean PM₂.₅ was observed after 2020, with the lowest average in 2023 (16.9 µg/m³). Health risk assessment revealed a declining trend in PM₂.₅-related premature deaths, from 662 in 2015 to 288 in 2023, with cardiovascular disease being the most affected outcome. The analysis revealed that over the ten-year study period, the economic burden estimation demonstrated an average annual cost of US34.9 million (range: 19.1–43.9 million US dollars). Although air quality has improved in recent years, PM₂.₅ levels still often exceed WHO guidelines. Continued monitoring, stricter regulations, and regional cooperation are essential to reduce pollution and its health and economic cost burden.