Effect of Hypoxia Preconditioned Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Medium on Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Mice

Purpose: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder distinguished by tissue injury and inflammation of the pancreas. Using paracrine potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provides a useful clinical approach in treating inflammatory diseases. We investigated the therapeutic effects of adipose-derived MSC conditioned medium (CM) and hypoxia preconditioned adipose-derived MSC conditioned medium (HCM) in cerulein-induced AP in mice. Methods: AP was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (75 μg/ kg/h × 7 times). One hour following the last injection of cerulein, mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of CM and HCM (500 µL/mice/30 min × 3 times). Twelve hours following the treatment, serum levels of amylase and lipase were measured. In addition, pancreas pathological changes, immunohistochemical examinations for evaluation of IL-6 expression and pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity were analyzed. Results: The in vitro results of the morphological, differentiation and immunophenotyping analyses confirmed that hypoxia preconditioned MSCs (HP-MSCs) conserve MSCs characteristics after preconditioning. However, HP-MSCs significantly expressed high mRNA level of hypoxia inducible factor 1-α and higher level of total protein. The in vivo findings of the current study showed that CM and HCM significantly reduced the amylase & lipase activity, the severity of pancreas tissue injury and the expression of IL-6 and MPO enzyme activity compared with the AP group. However, no significant difference between CM and HCM groups was demonstrated. Conclusion: Use of CM and HCM can attenuate cerulein-induced AP and decrease inflammation in the pancreas tissue in AP mice

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Evaluation of seismic performance of X bracing systems equipped with flexural yielding dampers

The X-bracing system is one of the lateral loads bearing system. In X-bracing system’s elements, axial plastic hinges (compressive or tensile) will be formed instead of flexural hinges which are not capable to absorb high energy. Seismic performance can be improved by replacing these plastic hinges with the bending plastic joints. In this study, a new kind of X-bracing named X-bracing equipped with flexural yielding damper is introduced in which the plastic axial hinges is substituted by flexural plastic hinges. In this kind of bracing the failure mechanisms focuses on flexural hinges. The objective of this study is to evaluate the seismic performance of this kind of bracing. For this purpose, several X-bracing frames with various stories was selected and designed based on Iranian building codes. The seismic performance of these frames (stiffness capacity, strength capacity, and ductility capacity) and force reduction factors were evaluated using static and time history nonlinear analysis. In dynamic time history analysis seven acceleration-time records was applied. The results show that the damper reduces stiffness and strength capacity inconsiderably, but increases the ductility capacity significantly. It also increases the force reduction factor of the frames significantly. The amount of force reduction factor for this system is the same as eccentrically braced frame one

Effects of Occupational Exposure on Blood Cells of Radiographers Working in Diagnostic Radiology Department of Khuzestan Province

Introduction: Because radiology technologists are exposed to protracted low-dose ionizing radiation and considering the possible effects of low-dose radiation on blood factors, we aimed to investigate the effects of occupational exposure on blood factors of radiographers working in radiology departments of Khuzestan Province, Iran.   Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Khuzestan Province, Iran, during 2015. Blood samples were obtained from 95 radiology technologists and 85 matched, nonradiated controls. The participants were chosen using the cluster sampling method.The data were collected by performing complete blood count (CBC) assay with aSysmexcell counter. To analyze the data, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were run in SPSS, version 16.   Results: T-test demonstrated that the mean values of blood factors were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (radiographer and non-radiographer) by gender   Conclusion: In this study, occupational exposure did not have any deleterious effects on radiographers’ blood factor levels,but with increasing age and work experience in radiographers,  number of white blood cell decreased. uction: Because radiologyIntroduction: Because radiology technologists are exposed to protracted low-dose ionizing radiation and considering the possible effects of low-dose radiation on blood factors, we aimed to investigate the effects of occupational exposure on blood factors of radiographers working in radiology departments of Khuzestan Province, Iran.Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Khuzestan Province, Iran, during 2015. Blood samples were obtained from 95 radiology technologists and 85 matched, nonradiated controls. The participants were chosen using the cluster sampling method. The data were collected by performing complete blood count (CBC) assay with a Sysmex cell counter. To analyze the data, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were run in SPSS, version 16.Results: T-test demonstrated that the mean values of blood factors were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (radiographer and non-radiographer) by genderConclusion: In this study, occupational exposure did not have any deleterious effects on radiographers’ blood factor levels, but with increasing age and work experience in radiographers, number of white blood cell decreased. technologists are exposed to protracted low-dose ionizing radiation and considering the possible effects of low-dose radiation on blood factors, we aimed to investigate the effects of occupational exposure on blood factors of radiographers working in radiology departments of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Khuzestan Province, Iran, during 2015. Blood samples were obtained from 95 radiology technologists and 85 matched, nonradiated controls. The participants were chosen using the cluster sampling method.The data were collected by performing complete blood count (CBC) assay with aSysmexcell counter. To analyze the data, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were run in SPSS, version 16. Results: T-test demonstrated that the mean values of blood factors were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (radiographer and non-radiographer) by gender Conclusion: In this study, occupational exposure did not have any deleterious effects on radiographers’ blood factor levels,but with increasing age and work experience in radiographers,  number of white blood cell decreased

Survey of Compliance with Radiation Protection Standards in Diagnostic Imaging Centers of Khuzestan Province in 2015

Introduction and purpose: The growing use of ionizing radiation in disease diagnosis necessitaes the appropriate use of devices and awareness regarding the principles of radiation protection. With appropriate adoption of personal protection equipment and compliance with the existing regulations in relation to protection of the buildings where sources of ionizing radiation are located in, the adverse effects of radiation can be curtailed to a great extent. Methods: In this descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, we investigated the rate of compliance with radiation protection standards of 45 radiography rooms in 32 diagnostic imaging centers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, 2015. The centers were chosen through random cluster sampling method. The data were obtained using open-ended interview and a checklist designed based on the recommendations of the International Commission for Radiation Protection and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Results: The compliance rates with regard to radiology room, radiology equipment, darkroom, and radiographer’s protection were 80.76%, 80.47%, 69.28%, and 93.12%, respectively. Maximum and minimum rates of compliance with the standards were related to performance of the cassette tray (100%) and hopper status (25%), respectively. Comparison of public and private imaging centers in terms of safety standards showed no significant differences (P>0.05).Conclusion: The observance of the radiation protection standards in Khuzestan Province was in a relativly desirable condition. However, there are some shortcomings in compliance with the principles of protection in the darkroom. In this regard, with recommend adopting protection measures such as timelyreplacement of processing solution, appropriate ventilation of darkroom, provisionof protection equipment and appliances, and protection training required for entering the darkroom

Understanding children’s perceptions and activities in urban public spaces: The case study of Zrêbar Lake Waterfront in Kurdistan

As public spaces are often designed based on adults’ behavioural patterns and perceptions, children’s perceptions and physical needs based on their body size have received less attention in both the design of urban spaces and urban studies. Focusing on the interpretive reproduction theory, this study aims to investigate children’s perceptions of urban spaces. Using behaviour and mental mapping, this paper examines children’s activities in public spaces as well as their mental images of such spaces. Behaviour mapping was conducted over 37 days on the Zrêbar Lake Waterfront in Kurdistan. Sketches drawn by 36 children were then analysed to identify children’s perceptions of the Waterfront. Unlike conventional methods in which children’s demands are determined through caregivers, this study focuses on engagement with children. Results indicate that two main factors of actualised environmental affordances (AEA) and safety-conscious parenting practices (SPP) have a significant influence on children’s freedom of movement (CFM) and consequently children’s activities in public spaces

Inhibitory Effect of Mentha Longifolia L. Essential Oil against Listeria Monocytogenes Using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Inevitable side effects of chemical food preservatives and drug resistance have increased interests on use of natural preservatives derived from plants. Therefore, in the present paper, the biological properties of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil were studied. Chemical analysis (GC/MS) and antibacterial properties of the Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (EO) was under different temperature and pH values were evaluated with special reference to the mechanism of inhibition Listeria monocytogenes growth at ultra-structural level by TEM.Minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of the M. longifoli L. EO showed to be in the range of 150-9600 μg/ml. These MIC, MBC results and cell membrane damage observed in TEM evaluation indicate that this EO has a high potential of anti-Listeria effect.It is concluded that M. longifoli L. EO could be effectively used as a natural biopreservative against foodborne bacteria.</p

Seroepidemiology and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondiiin Hemodialysis Patients

Purpose Immunocompromised patients may be at risk for reactivation of the toxoplasmosis infection, because of defection in cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, early diagnosis would be highly desirable in these individuals. This case-control study was designed to increase information about toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients in Guilan province, Iran. Methods The study was performed among 150 patients and 150 controls referred to hospitals of Guilan University of Medical Sciences during 2018-2019. Questionnaire forms, including demographic and epidemiological information, were completed. Peripheral blood samples were taken for serum separation and were collected into tubes and then kept at - 20 degrees C until use. IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected by a commercial ELISA kit. Accordingly, IgG absorbance levels 11 was positive; IgM absorbance levels 1.1 was positive. Results Throughout the study, 72.0% of HD patients and 64.7% of the control group were positive for anti-ToxoplasmaIgG antibody subsequently. 2% of HD patients and 0.7% of the control group were positive for anti-ToxoplasmaIgM antibody and these difference weren't significant between control and ones with HD (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between dialysis duration factor and the seropositivity rate. Seroprevalence ofT. gondiiinfection did not vary significantly with age, educational level, residence and presence of a cat at home. On the contrary, seroprevalence varied significantly with gender and consumption of raw vegetables. Conclusion Because of the high percentage of positivity forToxoplasmaIgG antibodies in hemodialysis patients, we suggest a periodically screening program to carry out for monitoring and evaluating the possible dissemination of toxoplasmosis during hemodialysis