To What Extent Can Surface Morphology Influence the Photoelectrochemical Performance of Au:WO₃ Electrodes?

Naseri, N.,Qorbani, M.,Kim, H.,Choi, W.,Moshfegh, A. Z. American Chemical Society 2015 The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Vol.119 No.3

<P>Considering hydrogen as a future fuel, development of clean energy sources based on solar power is the main human challenge in recent years. Here, for the first time, Au:WO<SUB>3</SUB> photoanodes are synthesized with different Au concentrations and then applied for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. A comprehensive statistical study on the prepared photoanode surface is conducted to understand the correlation between surface morphology and PEC activity, using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results clearly justified the maximum surface area observed for the film containing 1 mol % Au. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined that Au nanocrystals have been formed in cubic structure with the size of 29–52 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the presence of Au in a combined metal/oxide state strongly affects on the Au:WO<SUB>3</SUB> photoanode performance. Photoresponse investigation of the synthesized films showed that the highest photocurrent was obtained for the sample containing 1 mol % gold with the maximum incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) of about 20% at 360 nm wavelength. In addition, measuring the amount of hydrogen produced in the water splitting reaction supports the result that the sample containing 1 mol % Au exhibits the highest hydrogen production rate (∼3 μmol/h) as compared to other samples.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jpccck/2015/jpccck.2015.119.issue-3/jp507988c/production/images/medium/jp-2014-07988c_0011.gif'></P>

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, but not Caspase-3, Facilitates Distinction between Benign and Malignant Thyroid Follicular Neoplasms

Sanii, Sanaz,Saffar, Hiva,Tabriz, Hedieh M.,Qorbani, Mostafa,Haghpanah, Vahid,Tavangar, Seyed M. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Purpose: Definite diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is based on the presence of capsular or vascular invasion. To date, no reliable and practical method has been introduced to discriminate this malignant neoplasm from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) in fine needle aspiration biopsy material. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), by degrading extracellular matrix, and caspase-3, by induction of apoptosis, have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis and aggressive behavior in many tumor types. The aim of this study was to examine expression of MMP-2 and caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis. Method: Sixty FTAs and 41 FTCs were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP-2 and caspase-3. Result: MMP-2 was positive in 4 FTCs (9.8%), but in none of FTAs, with statistical significance (p= 0.025). Caspase-3 was positive in 30 (50%) of FTAs and in 27 (65.9%) of FTCs. Conclusion: Our results show MMP-2 expression only in FTCs and suggest that this protein may be a useful marker to confirm diagnosis of FTC versus FTA with 100% specificity and 100% predictive value of a positive test. We failed to show any differential diagnostic value for caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms.

Efficacy and safety of low dose oral ketamine for controlling pain and distress during intravenous cannulation in children: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Mahdi Bagheri,Alireza Ebrahim Soltani,Mostafa Qorbani,Antoni Sureda,Toktam Faghihi 대한통증학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.35 No.3

Background: Ketamine is widely used in infants and young children for procedural sedation and anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose oral ketamine to control pain and distress in children during intravenous (IV) cannulation. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, including children aged between 3 and 6 years requiring a non-emergent IV-line placement. Children were randomly assigned to two groups, treated either with oral ketamine or a placebo. All patients were monitored for vital signs. Pain was assessed using the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFS) scales and sedation using a 5-point sedation score. The facility of IV-line placement was measured by a 3-point scale. Adverse effects were recorded after 1 and 24 hours. Results: A total of 79 and 81 children were entered in the ketamine and placebo groups, respectively. The heart and respiratory rates increased significantly in the placebo group. The median CHEOPS 4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3, 4, P < 0.001) and WBFS 6 (95% CI: 4, 6, P < 0.001) scores decreased statistically in the ketamine group. IV-line placement was 50% easier in the ketamine group (95% CI: 37%, 63%, P < 0.001). No serious adverse effects were observed in all cases. Conclusions: Low dose oral ketamine effectively decreased the pain and distress during IV cannulation in children without any significant adverse reactions.

Body Weight Misperception and Psychological Distress Among Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-V Study

Roya Riahi,Seyede Shahrbanoo Daniali,Ramin Heshmat,Mostafa Qorbani,Roya Kelishadi,Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh 질병관리본부 2019 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.10 No.5

Objectives: Misperception of weight status is a risk factor that affects psychological health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between weight misperception patterns and psychological distress among Iranian children and adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional nationwide study where data was collected from 14,440 students, aged 7–18 years who participated in the national school-based surveillance program (CASPIAN-V). The students’ weight perception and psychological distress were assessed by validated questionnaires. Weight misperception was classified as misperception of being either underweight or overweight with respect to actual weight. Results: The rate of weight misperception in all study participants was 59.1%. In groups with a perception of being underweight or overweight, the risks of worthlessness, being worried, experiencing aggression, insomnia, or depression, were significantly higher than groups with an accurate weight perception (p < 0.05). The risk of anxiety in girls of normal weight who perceived themselves as underweight, decreased by 57% compared to girls with an accurate weight perception (OR: 0.43; 95% CI, 0.28-0.66). Conclusion: Weight misperception is highly prevalent among Iranian children and adolescents and is associated with their psychological health status. Appropriate education intervention needs to be developed to improve the children and adolescents’ perception of their body weight status.

Is the association of continuous metabolic syndrome risk score with body mass index independent of physical activity? The CASPIAN-III study

Ramin Heshmat,Gita shafiee,Roya Kelishadi,Amir Eslami Shahr Babaki,Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh,Tahereh Arefirad,Gelayol Ardalan,Asal Ataie-Jafari,Hamid Asayesh,Rasool Mohammadi,Mostafa Qorbani 한국영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the association of body mass index (BMI) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well documented, there is little knowledge on the independent and joint associations of BMI and physical activity with MetS risk based on a continuous scoring system. This study was designed to explore the effect of physical activity on interactions between excess body weight and continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetS) in a nationwide survey of Iranian children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data on 5,625 school students between 10 and 18 years of age were analyzed. BMI percentiles, screen time activity (STA), leisure time physical activity (LTPA) levels, and components of cMetS risk score were extracted. Standardized residuals (z-scores) were calculated for MetS components. Linear regression models were used to study the interactions between different combinations of cMetS, LTPA, and BMI percentiles. RESULTS: Overall, 984 (17.5%) subjects were underweight, whereas 501 (8.9%) and 451 (8%) participants were overweight and obese, respectively. All standardized values for cMetS components, except fasting blood glucose level, were directly correlated with BMI percentiles in all models (P-trend < 0.001); these associations were independent of STA and LTPA levels. Linear associations were also observed among LTPA and standardized residuals for blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and waist circumference (P-trend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that BMI percentiles are associated with cMetS risk score independent of LTPA and STA levels.

Is the association of continuous metabolic syndrome risk score with body mass index independent of physical activity? The CASPIAN-III study

Heshmat, Ramin,shafiee, Gita,Kelishadi, Roya,Babaki, Amir Eslami Shahr,Motlagh, Mohammad Esmaeil,Arefirad, Tahereh,Ardalan, Gelayol,Ataie-Jafari, Asal,Asayesh, Hamid,Mohammadi, Rasool,Qorbani, Mostafa The Korean Nutrition Society 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.4

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the association of body mass index (BMI) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well documented, there is little knowledge on the independent and joint associations of BMI and physical activity with MetS risk based on a continuous scoring system. This study was designed to explore the effect of physical activity on interactions between excess body weight and continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetS) in a nationwide survey of Iranian children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data on 5,625 school students between 10 and 18 years of age were analyzed. BMI percentiles, screen time activity (STA), leisure time physical activity (LTPA) levels, and components of cMetS risk score were extracted. Standardized residuals (z-scores) were calculated for MetS components. Linear regression models were used to study the interactions between different combinations of cMetS, LTPA, and BMI percentiles. RESULTS: Overall, 984 (17.5%) subjects were underweight, whereas 501 (8.9%) and 451 (8%) participants were overweight and obese, respectively. All standardized values for cMetS components, except fasting blood glucose level, were directly correlated with BMI percentiles in all models (P-trend < 0.001); these associations were independent of STA and LTPA levels. Linear associations were also observed among LTPA and standardized residuals for blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and waist circumference (P-trend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that BMI percentiles are associated with cMetS risk score independent of LTPA and STA levels.

Is the association of continuous metabolic syndrome risk score with body mass index independent of physical activity? The CASPIAN-III study

Ramin Heshmat,Gita shafiee,Roya Kelishadi,Amir Eslami Shahr Babaki,Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh,Tahereh Arefirad,Gelayol Ardalan,Asal Ataie-Jafari,Hamid Asayesh,Rasool Mohammadi,Mostafa Qorbani 대한지역사회영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.5 No.6

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although the association of body mass index (BMI) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well documented, there is little knowledge on the independent and joint associations of BMI and physical activity with MetS risk based on a continuous scoring system. This study was designed to explore the effect of physical activity on interactions between excess body weight and continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetS) in a nationwide survey of Iranian children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data on 5,625 school students between 10 and 18 years of age were analyzed. BMI percentiles, screen time activity (STA), leisure time physical activity (LTPA) levels, and components of cMetS risk score were extracted. Standardized residuals (z-scores) were calculated for MetS components. Linear regression models were used to study the interactions between different combinations of cMetS, LTPA, and BMI percentiles. RESULTS: Overall, 984 (17.5%) subjects were underweight, whereas 501 (8.9%) and 451 (8%) participants were overweight and obese, respectively. All standardized values for cMetS components, except fasting blood glucose level, were directly correlated with BMI percentiles in all models (P-trend < 0.001); these associations were independent of STA and LTPA levels. Linear associations were also observed among LTPA and standardized residuals for blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and waist circumference (P-trend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that BMI percentiles are associated with cMetS risk score independent of LTPA and STA levels.