Introduction: There are various methods for NO_x abatement from flue gas among which the catalytic methods are more conventional. SCR-NO_x (Selective catalytic reduction of NO_x) is one of the catalytic methods. In this research for the first time, natural clinoptilolite zeolite was used in order to the NO_x abatement using methane as reducing agent.

Materials & methods: The chemical modification of the zeolite is conducted by ion-exchange and calcination methods. The catalytic behavior of the sample was investigated using the integral fixed bed catalytic reactor in flow rate of 400 ml/min at temperature range of 200-500°C.

Findings: The protonated Iranian clinoptilolite zeolite showed a promising performance for NO_x reduction via selective catalytic reduction by Methane. The corresponding temperature of maximum activity (63% conversion of NO_x to N₂) was 450 °C at a low GHSV of 20,280 h^-1.

Discussion & Conclusion: The results showed that this zeolite and its preparation method is an effective method for NO_x abatement in comparison with other methods. 

Introduction: There are various methods for VOC abatement from air among which the catalytic method is more conventional. Using modified natural zeolites is one of the catalytic methods. In this research for the first time, dealuminated (acid treated) natural clinoptilolite zeolite was used for the total oxidation of toluene.
 
Materials & methods: The chemical modification of the zeolite is conducted by acid treating, ion-exchange and calcination methods. Then catalytic behavior of the sample was investigated using the integral fixed bed catalytic reactor. In this work, the effect of variables such as reactor temperature, flow rate of pollutant and extent of dealumination was evaluated.
 
Findings: The dealuminated clinoptilolite zeolite showed a promising performance for toluene abatement via total oxidation of toluene so that temperature corresponding to the maximum activity (100% conversion of toluene) was shifted to lower temperature (300 °C).
 
Discussion & Conclusions: The results showed that zeolite and its preparation method can be an effective method for VOCs abatement like toluene.  
 

Introduction: Assisted reproductive techniques and Preimplantation Genetic Test (PGT) are performed to detect aneuploidy to achieve a euploid baby's birth in infertile or low-fertility couples. miRNAs are single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules and essential regulators of gene expression in various biological and physiological processes. The present study aimed to investigate some miRNAs damaged in the culture media of human embryos (as diagnostic biomarkers) and their relationship with the degree of aneuploidy of the embryo and assisted reproductive methods.
Material & Methods: The PGT cycles derived sperm intracytoplasmic injection (April 2021 to June 2021) were evaluated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Following that, the culture medium of three euploids and three aneuploid embryos with an X sex chromosome (Turner) was collected and the expression of has-miR-199a-5p, has-miR-199b-3p has-miR-379-5p, has-miR-483-5p, has-miR-99a-5p, and has-miR-432-5p were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Findings: In the culture medium of euploid embryos, a significant increase was observed in the expression of three miRNAs, including hsa-miR-379-5p, hsa-miR-199a-5p, hsa-miR-199b-3p. Moreover, a decrease was detected in the expression of three miRNAs, including hsa-miR-432-5p, hsa -miR-483-5p, and hsa-miR-99a-5p, with a significant difference (P<0.0001). The expression of these miRNAs in the culture medium of Turner embryos with the model was the opposite.
Discussion & Conclusion: In examining the expression level of miRNAs investigated in this project, the increase in the expression of three miRNAs and the decrease in the expression of three other miRNAs in euploid embryos demonstrated the opposite expression pattern of the same miRNAs in Turner embryos. These results can be considered promising for using non-invasive methods instead of fetal biopsy in the diagnostic studies of the number of sex chromosomes.

Introduction:  According to the conducted studies, breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing yearly. One of the measures to reduce the mentalities from breast cancer is early diagnosis of biomarkers, such as Leptin polymorphisms (rs7799039 and rs2167270), and timely treatment. Leptin is an adipocytokine made by fat cells, playing a crucial role in cell proliferation, survival, migration, and immune response. The present study aimed to assess the association between polymorphisms in the Leptin gene and breast cancer risk in Arak, Iran.
Materials & Methods: Two SNPs of the Leptin gene (rs7799039 and rs2167270) were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) in a case-control study, including 80 breast cancer patients and 80 healthy controls. In this study, all statistical analyses were performed in SPSS software (version 26) using the Chi-Squared test at P˂ 0.05 significant level.
Results: Based on the results, rs7799039 and rs2167270 showed no significant association with breast cancer risk (P=0.183 and P=0.86,  respectively). In this study, the mean age in the patient group was 47 ( an age range of 28-79 years).
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, Leptin gene polymorphisms (rs7799039 and rs2167270) did not increase the risk of breast cancer in the Arak population in Iran. Although based on the present study results, there was no significant association between Leptin gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk, according to the prominent role of the Leptin gene, the polymorphisms of this gene could be used as biomarkers to predict breast cancer in other populations.