A facile hydrothermal method was used for fabricating phase-pure Bi1-xCexFe1-xZrxO3 (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06) multiferroic ferrites, and the dependence of structural, optical, and magnetic properties on the composition have been investigated. The samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. Structural results show that the structure of Bi1-xCexFe1-xZrxO3 ferrites is indexed to a rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. However, the weakening in the intensity, the expansion of the line-width of all bands, and some band shifts observed in Raman spectra indicate a structural transition from rhombohedral (R3c) to pseudo-tetragonal (P4mm) phase as the content of Ce/Zr increases. Also, a significantly enhanced intensity of the A1-2 mode in Raman spectra means that there is a novel behavior of magnetic anisotropy in the Ce/Zr cosubstituted samples. A significant increase in optical band gap with increasing of the Ce/Zr cosubstitution suggests that the materials are suitable for technological applications. Magnetic properties of the samples show a magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase due to the presence of the rhombohedral to the tetragonal phase transition, and exchange interaction between the 4f orbitals of the Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ and the 3d orbitals of the Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ .

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is common in hemodialysis patients (HPs). However, limited clinical trials have been conducted in this field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se and/or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on NTIS parameters in HPs. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this factorial randomized controlled trial, 68 HPs were divided into four groups: group A received placebo of Se and NAC, group B received 600 μg per day of NAC and placebo of Se, group C received 200 μg of Se per day and placebo of NAC and group D received 200 μg of selenium and 600 μg of NAC per day for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks to assess free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and reverse T3 (rT3) concentrations. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our finding demonstrated that rT3 levels were decreased in B, C, and D groups and increased nearly to baseline levels in the A group after 12 weeks, with a marked difference between the groups (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) based on ANOVA. Although there were no significant differences in FT3 (<i>p</i> = 0.39), FT4 (<i>p</i> = 0.76), and TSH (<i>p</i> = 0.71) between the groups at the end of the trial. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This trial showed that Se and/or NAC exert beneficial effects on rT3 levels in HPs. However, long-term clinical trials with a larger sample size using more appropriate biomarkers are recommended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Se and/or NAC in HPs.

A facile hydrothermal method was used for fabricating phase-pure Bi1 − xCexFe1−xZrxO3 (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06) multiferroic ferrites, and the dependence of structural, optical, and magnetic properties on the composition have been investigated. The samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. Structural results show that the structure of Bi1 − xCexFe1−xZrxO3 ferrites is indexed to a rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. However, the weakening in the intensity, the expansion of the line-width of all bands, and some band shifts observed in Raman spectra indicate a structural transition from rhombohedral (R3c) to pseudo-tetragonal (P4mm) phase as the content of Ce/Zr increases. Also, a significantly enhanced intensity of the A1-2 mode in Raman spectra means that there is a novel behavior of magnetic anisotropy in the Ce/Zr co-substituted samples. A significant increase in optical band gap with increasing of the Ce/Zr co-substitution suggests that the materials are suitable for technological applications. Magnetic properties of the samples show a magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase due to the presence of the rhombohedral to the tetragonal phase transition, and exchange interaction between the 4f orbitals of the Ce3+/Ce4+ and the 3d orbitals of the Fe3+/Fe2+.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of acute cerebrovascular disease. Objectives: In this study, we compared the relative frequency of ischemic stroke (IS) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with a similar period in the previous year. Materials & Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with acute ischemic stroke and IPH. They were admitted to an academic stroke referral hospital in Guilan Province, Iran, between December 2019 and June 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic period) and a similar 6-month period in the previous year. This study compared the patients’ demographic data, clinical information, risk factors, comorbidities, and outcomes. Results: A remarkable reduction of 28.6% in the relative frequency of stroke admission was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared with the same period in the previous year (P<0.001). The ratio of ischemic stroke to hemorrhagic stroke decreased from 2.6 in the corresponding period during the last year to 2.2 during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period. However, this change was not significant (P=0.232). Conclusion: This study revealed that the relative frequency of stroke significantly declined at the pandemic’s peak compared to the same time in the previous year despite cerebrovascular complications associated with COVID-19. However, the ratio of ischemic stroke to hemorrhagic stroke did not change significantly.