Isfahan University of Technology (IUT): Towards a Green Campus Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development Initiatives at IUT

Today, many universities are trying to move towards sustainability by observing the principles of environment and green management. In this regard, the issue of green university has been considered by many countries in recent years, and many efforts have been made to join (UIGWURN (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Network)). Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), as one of the top higher education universities in Iran, has taken fundamental steps to implement "Green Management" and has achieved honors in this regard. Some of the measures taken are extensive educational and research activities in the field of environment as well as executive measures for the university campus, including Xeriscaping, energy efficiency, clean energy use, water consumption management, waste and wastewater management, green buildings, and transportation. The implementation of these measures has led to significant results in reducing water and energy consumption, reduction of all types of pollutions following the use of clean energy, as well as saving consumption costs

Multiple sclerosis epidemiology in Middle East and North Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders and a leading cause of nontraumatic disability in young adults in many countries. Recent reports from the Middle East and North Africa have suggested a moderate to high risk of MS in these countries. Methods: A literature search was performed in August 2014 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and IMEMR to retrieve original population-based studies on MS epidemiology in the Middle East and North African countries published between 1st January 1985 and 1st August 2014. We designed search strategies using the key words: MS, prevalence, incidence, and epidemiology. According to the inclusion criteria, 52 studies were included in this systematic review. Results: McDonald's criteria were the most widely used diagnostic criteria in the studies. Most studies were conducted in single hospitalbased centers with a defined catchment area. The female/male ratio ranged from 0.8 in Oman to 4.3 in Saudi Arabia. MS prevalence ranged from 14.77/100,000 population in Kuwait (2000) to 101.4/100,000 in Turkey (2006). The overall MS prevalence in the region was 51.52/100,000. The mean age at disease onset ranged from 25.2 years in Kuwait to 32.5 years in Northeastern Iran, with an overall estimate of 28.54 years. Conclusions: Recent advances in MS registries will allow nation-wide studies and temporal comparisons between countries, provided that age- and sex-standardized estimates are available. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel

Causes of bimodal melting curve:Asymmetric guaninecytosine (GC) distribution causing two peaks in melting curve and affecting their shapes

The aim of this study was to present a new situation in which a relatively single short PCR-product might show two separate peaks with sequence specific shapes at the dissociation curve. SYBR-Green I real-time RT-PCR was performed on Lhcgr-gene transcripts in rats. Different programs were used for melting curve simulation and estimating Tm. Statistical tests were performed to determine whether two peaks at the dissociation curve were belonging to a single template. A bimodal melting curve was observed in real-time RT-PCR on a short segment (169 bp) of Lhcgr gene with a single band in gel electrophoresis. Sequencing of the Cloned PCR-product was compatible with template sequence. Realtime PCR using the vector conveying interested sequence, showed again two peaks at dissociation curve. The GC-content of first 100 bases (75%) and last 69 bases (42%) were significantly different. DNA melting simulation programs also confirmed the bimodal pattern, although, their height and wideness were different to actual peaks. Due to the asymmetric GC distribution effect on dissociation curve in short sequences, it is highly recommended to use DNA melting simulation programs to predict the number of peaks in the melting curve when designating primers; however, predicted peak shapes are not always accurate.Key words: Asymmetric GC distribution, bimodal melting curve, DNA melting simulation, SYBR-green I realtime PCR

Serum protein alterations in goats naturally infected with Babesia ovis

Summary This study was conducted to determine the electrophoretic pattern of serum protein in goats infected with Babesia ovis. Serum total protein was calculated and serum electrophoresis from 15 goats naturally infected with B. ovis as well as same number of healthy goats was performed. Microscopic examination of Giemsastained peripheral blood smears revealed B. ovis infection. The parasitological diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay by using a pair of B. ovis-specific primers. Mean values total protein and α and γ globulin fractions in infected goats were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those observed in the healthy group

A Role for Proapoptotic BID in the DNA-Damage Response

SummaryThe BCL-2 family of apoptotic proteins encompasses key regulators proximal to irreversible cell damage. The BH3-only members of this family act as sentinels, interconnecting specific death signals to the core apoptotic pathway. Our previous data demonstrated a role for BH3-only BID in maintaining myeloid homeostasis and suppressing leukemogenesis. In the absence of Bid, mice accumulate chromosomal aberrations and develop a fatal myeloproliferative disorder resembling chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Here, we describe a role for BID in preserving genomic integrity that places BID at an early point in the path to determine the fate of a cell. We show that BID plays an unexpected role in the intra-S phase checkpoint downstream of DNA damage distinct from its proapoptotic function. We further demonstrate that this role is mediated through BID phosphorylation by the DNA-damage kinase ATM. These results establish a link between proapoptotic Bid and the DNA-damage response

Non-medial infectious orbital cellulitis: etiology, causative organisms, radiologic findings, management and complications

Background: Orbital cellulitis is an ophthalmic emergency, which is associated with vision-threatening adverse effects. The purpose of this study is investigating etiology, radiologic findings, management and complications of patients with non-medial orbital cellulitis. Method: A retrospective medical record and radiologic file review of patients with infectious orbital cellulitis was performed to detect all patients with non-medial orbital cellulitis who referred to Khalili hospital from 2016 to 2019. Age, sex, origin of infection, size of collection or abscess, medical or surgical management, microbiology, first and final best-corrected visual acuity, duration of admission, and complications was recorded. Patients divided into two groups; medical management and surgical management groups and all of data compared between in this groups. Results: Of ninety-six patients with infectious orbital cellulitis, 23 cases (14 male, 9 female) were included. Five patients (21.7) were managed medically and 18 patients (78.3) were managed surgically. Patients� age range was 5�70 years old. Most common location for non-medial cellulitis was superior space (66.7 in surgical and 40 in medical group; p = 0.511). In 13 cases of surgical group (72.3) were detected microorganisms. The mean ± SD of collection volume in medical group were 476.5 ± 290.93 mm3 and 2572.94 ± 1075.75 mm3 in surgical group (p < 0.001). Ten patients in surgical group had compressive optic neuropathy. The mean ± SD of collection volume was 3204.97 ± 879.88 mm3 in patient with compressive optic neuropathy and 1280.43 ± 880.68 mm3 in patient without compressive optic neuropathy (P < 0.001). One case complicated by subdural empyema and another case progressed to necrotizing fasciitis. Conclusion: Non-medial orbital cellulitis is an uncommon but sight-threatening and life-threatening condition. Timely diagnosis and accurate management reduce morbidity and mortality. Combined surgery for patients with superior or supra-temporal and large non-medial abscess is recommended. © 2020, The Author(s)

Оценка насыщения кислородом как показателя для интубации трахеи у пациентов с COVID-19: проспективное когортное исследование

   Background. Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of clinical criteria for tracheal intubation in critically ill patients with respiratory failure became more noteworthy, especially in resource limitations. The objective was to evaluate the importance of hemoglobin oxygen saturation as a criterion for tracheal intubation in patients with COVID-19.   Materials and methods. This is a multi-center, prospective, observational cohort study. We included 117 patients with COVID-19 who needed respiratory support between March to June 2021. Patients were intubated by the protocol of each institution participating in the study and the anesthesiologist’s clinical judgement. Signs of respiratory failure, methods of respiratory support and patient outcome were recorded.   Results. Among 117 studied cases, 100 patients had hemoglobin oxygen saturation of 60–90 % in whom 58 were intubated. During hospitalization, 56 intubated patients and 14 non-intubated patients died (96.6 % Vs. 33.3 %).   Conclusion. Arterial blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation of 60–90 could not be the correct key to unlock the problem of intubation decision in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, hemoglobin oxygen saturation should not be solely regarded as an indication for intubation in COVID-19.    Введение. С началом пандемии COVID-19 возросла значимость клинических критериев для интубации трахеи у тяжелобольных пациентов с дыхательной недостаточностью, особенно в условиях ограниченных ресурсов.   Цель – оценить важность показателя насыщения гемоглобина кислородом как критерия для интубации трахеи у пациентов с COVID-19.   Материалы и методы. Многоцентровое проспективное обсервационное когортное исследование, включившее 117 пациентов с COVID-19, которые нуждались в респираторной поддержке в период с марта по июнь 2021 г. Пациенты были интубированы в соответствии с протоколом каждого участвовавшего в исследовании учреждения и клиническим заключением анестезиолога. Регистрировали признаки дыхательной недостаточности, методы респираторной поддержки и результаты лечения пациентов.   Результаты. Из 117 случаев у 100 пациентов насыщение гемоглобина кислородом составило 60–90 %, 58 из них были интубированы. Во время госпитализации 56 интубированных пациентов и 14 неинтубированных пациентов умерли (96,6 % против 33,3 %).   Заключение. Насыщение гемоглобина артериальной крови кислородом в пределах 60–90 % не может быть ключом к решению проблемы интубации у пациентов с COVID-19 и, следовательно, само по себе не может быть подходящим критерием для принятия решения об интубации

A Novel Combination of Surfactant Addition and Persulfate-assisted Electrokinetic Oxidation for Remediation of Pyrene-Contaminated Soil

Effect of surfactant addition on persulfate-assisted electrokinetic remediation of pyrene-spiked soil was studied. The influence of effective factors including voltage, surfactant addition, moisture content, and persulfate concentration on the removal of initial pyrene concentration of 200 mg kg–1 were investigated. A complete pyrene removal was observed for voltage of 1 V cm–1, saturated conditions, Tween 80 concentration of 20 mL kg–1, and persulfate concentration of 100 mg kg–1 after 24 h, corresponding to pyrene mineralization of 61 %, based on TPH analysis. The experimental results were best fitted with pseudo-first-order kinetic model with correlation coefficient of 0.968 and rate constant of 0.191 min−1. The main intermediates of pyrene degradation were benzene o-toluic acid, acetic, azulene, naphthalene and decanoic acid. Finally, an unwashed hydrocarbon- contaminated soil was subjected to persulfate-assisted electrokinetic remediation, and a TPH removal of 38 % was observed for the initial TPH content of 912 mg kg–1, under the selected conditions. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Effects of weight on osmoregulatory ability of Salmo trutta caspius juveniles

Salmo trutta caspius is a commercial migratory fish species in the Caspian Sea. Over fishing and deterioration of natural spawning grounds of the species are two major causes depressing stocks of the fish in the Sea. Thus, artificial breeding and release of salmon juveniles into the Caspian Sea is now considered an urgent need towards the rehabilitation of the stocks of the fish. This study was conducted in early 2004 to determine the ideal weight for the release of salmon fry in order to increase fishery return coefficients in the species. For this research, we used facilities of the Marine Fisheries Breeding and Research Center in Ghazian, along the coastal areas of the Bandar Anzali. Salmon juveniles used in this study belonged to the same generation. Fishes belongirig to different weight classes (5, 10, 15 and 20g) were selected in a random design and stocked in two groups of sea water at 7% salinity and freshwater. Osmosis was studied using blood samples collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 72, 168 and 240 hours. Heparin tubes were used for sampling blood which was centrifuged to separate blood plasma. Osmotic pressure was determined using osmometer. Statistical analysis of the results on variations in osmotic pressure showed that after 10 days of stocking fish in seawater (7%), fishes in all weight classes were capable of osmoregulation. Also fishes in weight classes 10, 15 and 20g were capable of osmore-gulation in the Caspian Sea water