In this study, powder activated carbon (PAC) and magnetic nanoparticles of iron (III) oxide were used for synthesis of Fe3O4-activated carbon magnetic nanoparticles (AC-Fe3O4 MNPs) as an adsorbent for the removal of aniline. The characteristics of adsorbent were evaluated by SEM, TEM, XRD and BET. Also, the impact of different parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, aniline initials concentration and solution temperature were studied. The experimental data investigated by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and two models kinetically of pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order. The results indicated that the adsorption followed Langmuir and pseudo second-order models with correlation r2 > 0.98 and r2 > 0.99, respectively. The equilibrium time was obtained after 5 h. According to Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity was 90.91 mg/g at pH = 6, and 20°C. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that adsorption of aniline on magnetic activated carbon was exothermic and spontaneous. This synthesized AC-Fe3O4 MNPs due to have advantages such as easy and rapid separation from solution could be applied as an adsorbent effective for removal of pollutants such as aniline from water and wastewater.

Objective: This study explored the association between serum nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and determined whether or not this association is sex dependent. Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 consecutive patients (32 males, 30 females) with NAFLD were recruited. Serum NAMPT (by ELISA), palmitic acid, and the DNL index of erythrocyte membranes as markers of hepatic DNL (by gas chromatography) were analyzed. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and body impedance analyzer were used to assess hepatic and body fat, respectively. Univariate and multiple linear regressions (to adjust for confounders) were used to analyze the association of serum NAMPT with palmitic acid, DNL index, CAP, and body fat. Results: The respective values of serum NAMPT (2.44 ± 1.03 vs. 2.45 ± 1.13 ng/mL, p = 0.98), DNL index (3.11 [2.60-3.71] vs. 3.05 [2.40-3.59], p = 0.90), and palmitic acid (20.55% [15.34-24.04] vs. 22.64% [21.15-25.95], p = 0.07) were not significantly different between men and women, but those of CAP (326 [300-340] vs. 300 [261.25-329], p = 0.002) and body fat (37.71 ± 3.80 vs. 26.60 ± 5.70, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in women. In women, serum NAMPT had a significant negative association with the DNL index (β = -0.56, p = 0.01). The DNL index also had a significant negative association with body fat (β = -0.46, p = 0.02). In men, the only significant association was the positive association between serum NAMPT and CAP (β = 0.35, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Higher serum NAMPT in women was associated with a lower hepatic DNL index, while in men it was associated with higher hepatic fat and had no association with the DNL index. Therefore, the serum NAMPT level interpretation for NAFLD prognosis is probably sex dependent.

Background: De novo lipogenesis (DNL) increases in NAFLD and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) up regulates two essential enzymes in this pathway. On the other hand, NAMPT function could be affected by the promoter region polymorphism and sex hormones. Objectives: This study explored the association of -4689 G/T polymorphism in the promoter region of NAMPT gene with markers of hepatic injury and DNL in patients with NAFLD in order to see whether or not these associations are the same for both sexes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 consecutive patients (32 men and 30 women) with NAFLD were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify -4689 G/T polymorphism. DNL index of erythrocyte membrane as the marker of hepatic DNL was analyzed by gas chromatography. Fasting serum NAMPT, Caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 (cCK18), total soluble cytokeratin 18 (CK18), liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALKP, GGT), and lipid-glucose profile were measured. Anthropometric measurements, Fibroscan, assessment of dietary intake and physical activity were also performed. Twoindependent sample t test, chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Serum NAMPT and erythrocyte membrane DNL index were not significantly different among the three genotypes in both sexes. In men, serum AST (P = 0.04) and ALT (P = 0.03) were significantly higher in GT genotype than GG genotype. Serum CK18, cCK18, and CAP also had the highest levels in GT genotype but not statistically significant. In women, the markers of hepatic injury were not significantly different between GG and GT genotypes. Serum AST (P = 0.01), ALT (P = 0.01) and cCK18 (P = 0.001) levels were significantly higher in TT genotype. Serum GGT, CK18, and CAP also had the highest level in TT genotype but not statistically significant. These associations remained significant even after adjustment for confounding variables in multiple linear regression. Conclusions: -4689 G/T polymorphism was not associated with hepatic DNL index but T allele in this polymorphism was associated with increased biomarkers of hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis in patients with NAFLD especially in men, as one T allele (GT genotype) was enough for increased biomarkers of hepatic injury in men but not in women.

The present study focused on the potential of an ozone-assisted photocatalytic process using the catalyst silica-functionalized graphene oxide/ZnO coated on fiberglass (Si-GO/ZnO-FG) in the removal of toluene from waste air stream. Here, a comparative examination was performed in terms of toluene removal efficiency in the photocatalytic process (UV/Si-GO/ZnO-FG) and photocatalytic ozonation (O 3 / UV/Si-GO/ZnO-FG). The gaseous intermediates resulting from degradation of toluene by different processes were analyzed using GC-MS. The results of this study indicated that with the addition of ozone to the UV/Si-GO/ZnO-FG process, toluene removal increased significantly from 76.18 to 87.8%. The reason for this incremental efficiency can be explained by the fact that with the addition of ozone, the production rate and the extent of hydroxyl radical (OH •) production grow significantly; thereby, more pathways are developed for toluene degradation. The major byproducts in toluene oxidation by photocatalytic and photocatalytic ozonation processes include formic acid, acetic acid, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, p-cresol, hydroquinone, and benzoic acid. Given the intermediates and the dominant oxidants detected in the aforementioned process, the possible toluene degradation pathway by the utilized process was suggested.

Background & objectives:Fatty acids may affect the expression of genes, and this process is influenced by sex hormones. Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so this study was aimed to assess the association of erythrocyte membrane fatty acids with three cytokines and markers of hepatic injury in NAFLD patients and to explore whether these associations were the same in both sexes.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 62 consecutive patients (32 men and 30 women) with NAFLD during the study period. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured in a fasting serum sample, and Fibroscan was conducted for each individual. Gas chromatography was used to measure erythrocyte membrane fatty acids. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze data.Results:In men, IL-6 had a significant (P <0.05) positive association with total ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In women, TNF-α had a significant positive association with total ω-3 (P <0.05) and ω-6 (P <0.01) PUFAs, IL-6 had a significant (P <0.05) positive association with total monounsaturated fatty acids and MCP-1 had a significant positive association with total trans-fatty acids (P <0.05). No significant associations were observed between erythrocyte membrane fatty acids and liver enzymes or Fibroscan report in both sexes. In this study, women were significantly older than men [51 (42.75-55) vs 35.5 (29-52), P <0.01], so the associations were adjusted for age and other confounders.Interpretation & conclusions:Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile was not associated with serum liver enzymes or Fibroscan reports in NAFLD patients, but it had significant associations with serum TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 and these associations were probably sex dependent.