Ali Khavanin

Background: Male infertility is increasingly associated with environmental and occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides, particularly chlorpyrifos (CPF). Chlorpyrifos persists in food, water, and the environment, resulting in chronic low-dose exposure. Although the toxic effects of high-dose exposure are well documented, the reproductive consequences of subchronic low-dose exposure remain unclear. Objectives: To evaluate whether intraperitoneal administration of naringin attenuates CPF-induced reproductive toxicity in adult male rats by assessing sperm parameters, serum reproductive hormones, oxidative stress markers, and testicular histopathology. Methods: Adult male rats were assigned to six groups (n = 5 per group): Control, naringin control (200 mg/kg), CPF (8 mg/kg), and CPF plus naringin (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg). Sperm count, motility, and morphology; serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels; testicular malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase levels; and histopathological changes were assessed. Results: Chlorpyrifos exposure was associated with impaired sperm count, motility, and morphology; reduced reproductive hormone levels; increased oxidative stress; and testicular histological damage. Naringin pretreatment was associated with dose-dependent improvements in sperm parameters, partial restoration of hormonal balance, improvement in oxidative stress markers, and preservation of testicular histology, with more pronounced effects at 100 and 200 mg/kg. Conclusions: Naringin administration was associated with attenuation of CPF-induced reproductive alterations and improved oxidative stress markers and hormonal parameters. These findings support further investigation of naringin for pesticide-induced male reproductive dysfunction; however, validation in humans is required. The limited range of naringin doses and the absence of molecular investigations highlight the need for further studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and translational relevance to human reproductive health.

Background: Sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) is an air pollutant that can cause a wide range of health effects. Its’ removal can be achieved in one way through oxidation using non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology. This study aimed to optimize the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) Plasma Reactor Parameters to maximize the SO2 removal efficiency using the Taguchi Method. Methods: At first, the operational condition of the DBD plasma reactor was investigated and optimized using a factorial design. Then, the effective parameters on SO2 removal from air using the selected reactor were optimized using the Taguchi method. Results: According to the results, the DBD reactor packed with inert ceramic granules (ICGs) was selected as the optimal reactor condition, and analysis of the experiments using the Taguchi method indicated that packing the reactor with ICGs has the most contribution in the SO2 removal from air. The maximum removal efficiency of the optimized reactor was achieved as 100% at the optimum condition of SO2 concentration of 600 ppm, flow rate of 2 lpm, and voltage of 25 kV. Also, the result of the validation test showed that the results of the experiments and the model were in good agreement. Conclusion: In this study, following the Taguchi method, the effects of parameters influencing the SO2 removal using a plasma reactor were analyzed. According to the results, it was concluded that the ICGs can be a good choice for packing the DBD reactor for maximizing the SO2 removal efficiency, which was increased by 100% at the optimum condition.

The acoustic, thermal, and mechanical performances of sawdust-reinforced polyurethane (PU) foam are investigated for different thicknesses and varying mesh sizes. Acoustic properties are explored using a combination of impedance tube testing and mathematical modeling with the Johnson–Champoux–Allard–Lafarge (JCAL) model, a simplified JCAL model and a model of non-uniform cylindrical pores with a log-normal radius distribution (NUPSD). Thermal Insulation and mechanical properties are determined by measuring the effective thermal conductivity (K_eff) and by tensile strength tests, respectively. Compared with pure PU foam, the presence of sawdust matches noise reduction coefficients (NRC) and increases sound absorption averages (SAA) by nearly 10%. Increasing thickness and width of backing air gap have the usual effects of improving low- and mid-frequency absorption and shifting resonance peaks toward lower frequencies. As well as superior acoustic performance, samples with Mesh 16 sawdust reinforcement provide both useful insulation (K_eff = 0.044 W/mK) and tensile strength (~0.06 MPa), confirming their multifunctionality. Although the JCAL model provides reasonable fits to the sound absorption data, some of the fitted parameter values are unphysical. Predictions of the NUPSD model are relatively poor but improve with sample thickness and after fiber addition.

Co-exposure to noise and nanomaterials, such as silver nanoparticles (Silver-NPs), is a common occurrence in today’s industries. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to noise and the administration of silver-NPs on the liver tissue of rats. Thirty-six adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: a control group (administered saline intraperitoneally), two groups administered different doses of Silver-NPs (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, 5 days a week for 28 days), two groups exposed to noise in addition to Silver-NPs (at the same doses as mentioned before), and a group exposed only to noise (104 dB, 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks). Blood samples were taken to assess hepatic-functional alterations, such as serum ALP, ALT, and AST levels. Additionally, biochemical parameters (MDA, GPX, and CAT) and the silver concentration in the liver were measured. Histopathological analysis, mRNA expression (P53 and NF-κB), protein expression (CYP450), and liver weight changes in rats were also documented. The study found that the administration of Silver-NPs and exposure to noise resulted in elevated levels of ALP, ALT, AST, and MDA ( p < .01). Conversely, GPX and CAT levels decreased in all groups compared with the control group ( p < .0001). There was a significant increase ( p < .05) in liver weight and silver concentration in the liver tissues of groups administered Silver-NPs (50 mg/kg) plus noise exposure, Silver-NPs (100 mg/kg), and Silver-NPs (100 mg/kg) plus noise exposure, respectively. The expression rate of P53, NF-κB, and cytochromes P450 (CYPs-450) was increased in the experimental groups ( p < .05). These findings were further confirmed by histopathological changes. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that exposure to noise and the administration of Silver-NPs exacerbated liver damage by increasing protein and gene expression, causing hepatic necrosis, altering biochemical parameters, and affecting liver weight.

Introduction: One of the ways to increase sound transmission inside buildings are doors and windows. A lot of effort has been made to reduce the noise inside the building. This study examines the methods of active sound control in windows. Methods and Materials: In this systematic review, English articles were searched based on ...

Hearing loss induced by noise and combinations of factors is a common occupational disease among workers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of acute exposure to white noise and Al₂O₃ NPs, alone and in combination, on changes in the hearing and structural functions of the cochlea in rats. Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups: Control, acute exposure to white noise, exposure to γ-Al₂O₃ NPs, exposure to noise plus γ-Al₂O₃ NPs, exposure to α-Al₂O₃ NPs, and exposure to the combination of noise plus α-Al₂O₃ NPs. TTS and PTS were examined using DPOAE, while oxidative index (MDA, GSH-Px), gene expression (NOX3, TGF-ß, CYP1A1), protein expression (ß-Tubulin, Myosin VII), and histopathological changes were examined in the cochlea. The morphology of Al₂O₃ NPs was examined by TEM. The results of the DPOAE test showed a significant increase in TTS in all groups and an increase in PTS in the groups exposed to noise, γ-Al₂O₃ NPs, and a combination of noise plus Al₂O₃ NPs (P < 0.05). In the group exposed to white noise plus Al₂O₃ NPs, the MDA levels increased, the level of GSH-Px decreased, and the expression percentage of ß-Tubulin and Myosin VII decreased, while the expression of NOX3, TGF-ß, and CYP1A1 (except for the α-Al₂O₃ NPs group) significantly increased (P < 0.05). Histopathological changes of the cochlea indicated damage to hair and ganglion cells, which was more severe in the combined exposure group. The combined and independent exposure to white noise and Al₂O₃ NPs damaged hair and ganglion cells for high-frequency perception, affecting the function and structure of the cochlea and leading to TTS and PTS.

Background: Background: Because of functional and structural similarities between the cochlea and vestibular sensory receptors, vestibular dysfunction could be accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to occupational noise exposure. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of vestibular dysfunction (VD) in individuals with NIHL and occupational noise exposure. Methods: A systematic literature research was carried out within the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science for published articles between 1980 and Jan 5, 2023 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Vestibular system dysfunction parameters were considered as primary outcomes in subjects with NIHL. Results: We reviewed the evidence (from 19 eligible articles) for VD from noise-induced damage to peripheral vestibular structures. VD can occur after occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL. Furthermore, this study showed that the saccular organ has a higher susceptibility to noise damage than the vestibular organs of the utricle and semicircular canals (SCCs). Conclusion: Our results support the role of occupational noise exposure and NIHL as risk factors for developing VD. Further research is needed to investigate the association between the occurrence of VD due to occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL.

Objective: This study intended to investigate whether exposure to the combination of noise and Ag-NPs in rats induces cochlear damage, and hearing dysfunction. Methods: A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into four treatment groups and received /exposed to saline (IP), Ag-NPs (100mg/kg, 5 d/w for 28 days), 8 kHz narrowband noise (104 dB SPL, 6 hrs/day, 5 d/w for 4 weeks) and Ag-NPs plus noise. The DPOAE, signal-to-noise ratio, MDA and SOD levels in blood and changes in rats’ body weight were assessed. The rat cochlea was further stained for investigating the mRNA expression (TL-6, NOX3, and TNF-), IHC (TUJ-1 and MHC7), and histological alterations. The Ag-NPs characteristics were also analyzed by SEM and XRD. Results: The DPOAE values were remarkably reduced (p < 0.05) among the exposed groups. Furthermore, exposure to noise and Ag-NPs significantly increased MDA levels and decreased the SOD activity in the serum. The expression of IL-6, TNF-α and NOX3 was significantly increased in the Ag-NPs plus noise group compared with control group (p < 0.05). The body weight change in all groups, except for Ag-NPs plus noise group, significantly increased. IHC tests showed remarkable down regulation of beta tubulin (TUJ1) and myosin-7a (MYO7A). Morphological changes confirm these findings as well. The formation of Ag-NPs was confirmed by SEM and XRD patterns. Conclusion: This study revealed that the combined exposure of noise and Ag-NPs damages the hair cells responsible for high-frequency perception, eventually leading to hearing deficits.