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Nanocellulose (NC) films are gaining popularity in recent years owing to their recyclability and biodegradability; however, the commercialization of this material is limited by environmental and moisture barrier constraints. The incorporation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with NC significantly improved the barrier performance but the resultant films were quite hydrophilic and hence completely disintegrated in water. The aim of this study is to produce hydrophobic NC/CMC films without compromising their barrier characteristics. For this purpose, the optimized content of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was spray-deposited on the fully and partially dried NC/CMC films and their hydrophobic, barrier and mechanical properties were assessed. The deposition of AKD has improved the hydrophobicity and flexibility while maintaining the barrier properties of the films. However, their tensile index values decreased by 26–29% as compared with the neat NC/CMC films, but the values remained in acceptable range. Additionally, the partially dried spray deposited AKD-NC/CMC films have shown superior results as they showed higher hydrophobicity (θ = 127° ± 3), while lower percentage of mass loss after immersion for 48 h in water (15%) as compared with the fully dried spray deposited AKD-NC/CMC films.

The Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) is widely recognized for its protective effect in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), less is known about the associations between health and adherence to the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS). This study investigates the relationship between adherence to the Med-Diet and PDQS with the risk of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) in an Iranian population. A total of 3287 participants were included in this multicenter case-control study across various ethnic groups in Iran, categorized into PCAD cases ( n  = 2106) and controls ( n  = 1181). PCAD cases were defined as individuals with at least one coronary artery exhibiting ≥ 75% stenosis or a left main coronary artery with ≥ 50% stenosis, while controls had normal coronary arteries. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), previously validated for accuracy in the Iranian population Adherence to the Med-Diet was assessed using a standardized scoring system, awarding one point for higher consumption of beneficial food groups (such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, nuts, and a high monounsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio) and one point for lower consumption of less favorable foods (such as red and processed meats). The total score ranged from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the Med-Diet. The PDQS, a dietary quality index, evaluated adherence across 14 healthy and 7 unhealthy food groups, with higher scores reflecting better diet quality. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between dietary scores and PCAD risk. Participants with higher adherence to both the Med-Diet and PDQS had significantly lower odds of PCAD (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.40; P for trend < 0.001 for PDQS), with a stronger association observed for the Med-Diet (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.10; P for trend < 0.001). Additionally, higher adherence to the Med-Diet (OR = 0.04, 95% CI 0.03, 0.05) and PDQS (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.26) was inversely associated with PCAD severity in the fully adjusted model. This study showed a protective association of the Med-Diet and PDQS with reduced risk of PCAD in the Iranian population.

Background Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are those activities that a health professional can perform without direct supervision in a defined environment. Bridging the gap between competencies and learning objectives, EPAs have made assessing the performances of health professional more realistic. The main objective of the present study was developing and customizing EPAs for Iranian Internal Medicine Residency Programs. Results After reviewing the publications, residency curricula and logbooks, and collecting experts’ ideas, the initial list of EPAs was developed. Then, in a focus group, the list was refined, the entrustability level of each residency year was determined, and finally, the EPA-competency cross-tab was established, and in the next step, through a one- round Delphi, the results were validated. Twenty-eight EPAs were developed. Some of them were definitely suitable for the higher levels of residency, such that they had to be accomplished under direct supervision until the end of the program. On the other hand, some of EPAs were those that residents, even from the first year, are expected to perform independently or under indirect supervision. Most of the EPAs cover a wide range of competencies. Conclusion Determining the entrustability level of each residency year in each EPA as well as the competency- EPA matrix has crucial effect on the quality of the graduates. It seems that our findings are applicable in developing countries like Iran.

Synthetic packaging has excellent performance, but most of them becomes a waste after their use and thus, poses serious concerns to the environment and consumer health. Considering current circumstances, the demand for sustainable packaging that is either recyclable or biodegradable if discarded has increased tremendously in last few years. Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films are emerging as a sustainable packaging; however, their high energy consumption associated with the production of fibres and reduced properties on recycling are serious concerns. The aim of this study is to assess the recycling characteristics of spray deposited CNF films. For this purpose, the CNFs were recycled at different revolutions (75 × 10 3 to 999 × 10 3 ) in a laboratory disintegrator, followed by screening and their physical, barrier and environmental characteristics were evaluated. Results showed that recycled CNF films at 300 × 10 3 revolutions had identical barrier performance as compared with the non-recycled films. Additionally, the films after first recycling have maintained their mechanical properties without compromising their dimensional stability. However, the mechanical performance and transmittance of these films after the 2nd recycling have slightly reduced due to the agglomeration of the fibres as affirmed by the SEM images. The CNF films showed slightly higher environmental impact in terms of their embodied energies than conventional packaging; however, these impacts are expected to be lower on possibly further recycling of these films. The ease of recycling of these films without compromising the dimensional stability is an excellent route to contribute towards global sustainability. Graphical Abstract

Background The association of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been well-established in Asians, where SSBs are the leading ultra-processed food product. Objective We aim to examine the association between SSBs and premature CAD (PCAD) in Iranian adults. Design Case-control. Participants A multi-centric study of Iranians including 2006 PCAD and 1131 healthy individuals as control group. Main outcome measures Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). SSBs consist of artificial juice and sugar -sweetened drinks. The PCAD was determined based on the results of angiography and the occlusion percent of vessels. Statistical analysis The odds of PCAD across the quartiles of SSBs were assessed by binary logistic regression. Results The mean (SD) age of participants and SSB consumption was 51.5 years and 46.9 g/d, respectively. In the fully-adjusted model, compared with participants in the first quartile, those in the fourth quartile had higher risk of PCAD (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.00; P trend = 0.044). Consistently, SSB consumption was directly associated with the severity of PCAD. The higher SSB consumption, the greater risk for the severe PCAD (OR Q4 vs. Q1 = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.68; P  < 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrated that higher consumption of SSB might be associated with higher risk of PCAD. However, more prospective cohort studies are necessary to confirm this association. Research Snapshot Research question Does Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Consumption Increases the Risk of Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD)? Key findings Logistic regression of data from Iran Premature Coronary Artery Disease Study from 3137 individuals from 8 ethnicities of Iran demonstrated that there is a positive association between SSBs and PCAD. However, prospective cohort studies are suggested for further illustration of causal relationships. Research brief Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Consumption Was Associated With Increased Risk of Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD): Iran Premature Coronary Artery Disease Study (IPAD).

The cardioprotective effects of nuts are well established. However, the positive impacts of nuts in preventing CVD at a younger age, a condition known as premature coronary artery disease (PCAD), is still debated. Therefore, we aim to determine the association between nuts and PCAD occurrence and its severity in different Iranian ethnicities. This case-control study was conducted within the framework of the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD) study, an ongoing multi-centric study on Iranian patients of different ethnicities. This multi-centric case-control study was conducted in among 3253 persons under the age of 70 years in women and 60 years in men from different ethnicities in Iran. Information on nut consumption was collected using a validated FFQ. Subjects were selected from among the candidates for angiography. Cases were those whose coronary angiography showed stenosis of more than 75 % in at least one vessel or more than 50 % of the left main artery, while the control group participants had normal angiography results. In the crude model, compared to the first quartile, the highest quartile of nut consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of PCAD (OR = 0·26, 95 % CI (0·21, 0·32); = 0·001). In the top quartile of nut intake, a substantial decrease in PCAD was observed after controlling for putative confounders (OR = 0·32; 95 % CI (0·24, 0·43); = 0·001). Additionally, a 75 % decrease in the risk of severe PCAD was observed in the participants in the highest quartile of nut intake. A significant inverse association was observed between nut intake and the risk and severity of PCAD in the Iranian population. Large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.

In this research, a zinc oxide/copper oxide/graphene oxide (ZnO/CuO/GO) nanophotocatalyst was synthesized for photodegradation of aniline as a pollutant, upon exposure to ultraviolet light (UV). Three variables including initial aniline concentration, the nanophotocatalyst dosage, and pH were designed. The statistical test and optimal conditions were determined. The consequences specified that the optimum values of pH, initial aniline concentration, the dosage of nanophotocatalyst, and the reaction time were 6, 150 ppm, 1 g/L, and 3 h, respectively. The obtained results revealed that the photodegradation of aniline was enhanced with doping zinc oxide and CuO on the graphene oxide. Under optimal conditions, 97% photodegradation of aniline was observed. The mechanism of aniline degradation with nanophotocatalyst was evaluated by molecular dynamic (MD) graphs. The interactions between nanophotocatalysts and aniline were considered by energy, density graph.

Background Diverse ethnic groups that exist in Iran may differ regarding the risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of non-communicable disease. Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) is more endemic in Iran than before. This study sought to assess the association between ethnicity and lifestyle behaviors in eight major Iranian ethnic groups with PCAD. Methods In this study, 2863 patients aged ≤ 70 for women and ≤ 60 for men who underwent coronary angiography were recruited in a multi-center framework. All the patients’ demographic, laboratory, clinical, and risk factor data were retrieved. Eight large ethnicities in Iran, including the Farses, the Kurds, the Turks, the Gilaks, the Arabs, the Lors, the Qashqai, and the Bakhtiari were evaluated for PCAD. Different lifestyle components and having PCAD were compared among the ethnical groups using multivariable modeling. Results The mean age of the 2863 patients participated was 55.66 ± 7.70 years. The Fars ethnicity with 1654 people, was the most subject in this study. Family history of more than three chronic diseases (1279 (44.7%) was the most common risk factor. The Turk ethnic group had the highest prevalence of ≥ 3 simultaneous lifestyle-related risk factors (24.3%), and the Bakhtiari ethnic group had the highest prevalence of no lifestyle-related risk factors (20.9%). Adjusted models showed that having all three abnormal lifestyle components increased the risk of PCAD (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.06). The Arabs had the most chance of getting PCAD among other ethnicities (OR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.40–3.65). While, the Kurds with a healthy lifestyle showed the lowest chance of getting PCAD (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.05–3.67)). Conclusions This study found there was heterogeneity in having PACD and a diverse distribution in its well-known traditional lifestyle-related risk factors among major Iranian ethnic groups.

Understanding the genetic changes underlying phenotypic variation in sheep (Ovis aries) may facilitate our efforts towards further improvement. Here, we report the deep resequencing of 248 sheep including the wild ancestor (O. orientalis), landraces, and improved breeds. We explored the sheep variome and selection signatures. We detected genomic regions harboring genes associated with distinct morphological and agronomic traits, which may be past and potential future targets of domestication, breeding, and selection. Furthermore, we found non-synonymous mutations in a set of plausible candidate genes and significant differences in their allele frequency distributions across breeds. We identified PDGFD as a likely causal gene for fat deposition in the tails of sheep through transcriptome, RT-PCR, qPCR, and Western blot analyses. Our results provide insights into the demographic history of sheep and a valuable genomic resource for future genetic studies and improved genome-assisted breeding of sheep and other domestic animals.

Introduction: Premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) has an ascending trend especially in developing countries. This study have investigated the risk factors and severity of developing CAD across various Iranian ethnicities. Methods: This case-control study was done on 3015 Iranian patients undergoing coronary artery angiography, across highly populated Iranian ethnicities including Bakhtiari, Azari, Qashqai, Arab, Fars, Kurd, Gilak, and Lur. This study was performed over three years in 14 capitals of provinces in Iran headed by Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, by including men≤60 years old and women≤70 years undergoing coronary artery angiography. If they had coronary stenosis above 75% (more than 50% in the left main), they were categorized as Case group .The effects of conventional risk factors as well as psychosocial ones including age, gender, weight, Body mass index (BMI), economic status, cigarette smoking, drugs of abuse, stress, anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, etc. were determined in each ethnicity using decision tree statistical method. Also, via logistic regression method, the odds of incidence of CAD in each ethnicity were specified against the Fars ethnicity (the predominant ethnicity in Iran). Results: The most common risk factor among different ethnicities was age and male gender. Also, among the Iranian ethnicities, Kurd had the lowest chance while Gilak and Azari had the highest chance of developing PCAD as compared to the Fars ethnicity. Investigation of the behavioral and psychological dimensions indicated that stress was significantly higher among those without coronary artery involvement as compared to those with this involvement. The decision tree model could predict that among Gilakis, Fasting blood sugar (FBS) above 126 and in Lurs opium as well as diastolic blood pressure above 85, and in Kurds male gender would considerably increase the odds of developing CAD. Conclusion: The model obtained from the decision tree indicated that although variables of age, gender, cigarette, and opium are among the main risk factors for involvement of coronary arteries among young adult patients, in different ethnicities, the risk level of each of these risk factors in incidence of PCAD is different. This means among Kurds, age, among Gilakis diabetes, and among Lurs opium are more important.