Analysis of Precipitable Water and Relationship with Moisture Advection in Iran

In this study, the specific humidity, zonal, and meridional wind components data at 850 hPa and PW(PW) data of Modis Aqua for 15-year period (2002-2017) were used; Then, the days that the average amount of PW was 2 standard deviations from the mean were selected and moisture flux was calculated for these days and two days ago. The results showed when the average PW is high (July and August), southwestern parts of the Caspian Sea coasts and northwest of the country, moisture flux is maximum. The northeast and east currents, which pass through the Caspian Sea due to the low pressure in the northeast of the Caspian Sea, cause the maximum PW to occur with the transfer of moisture to the Caspian Sea and northwest. Sub Tropical high pressure over the Arabian Sea and a thermal low pressure over the southeast of Arabian Peninsula, increases moisture flux from the Arabian Sea, the Aden Gulf, the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf to the country's southern and southwestern coasts, as a result, the amount of PW is also increased. Occasionally, currents entering to the country from the northeast and south converge on the Lut and Central Desert Plains; and increase the atmospheric moisture.Based on the results, the presence of low pressure over the western Kazakhstan and high pressure over the Arabian Sea and low pressure in eastern Arabian Peninsula, play key roles in moisture penetration into Iran and increasing atmospheric moisture

بررسی وضعیت سلامت معنوی دانشجویان پردیس خودگردان دانشگاه علوم پزشکی کرمانشاه در سال 1395

Background and Objective: Spiritual well-being is regarded both as one of the major dimensions of health among human beings and a prominent approach to improving public health. So, given the significance of this aspect of health, the present study aimed to Examining the status of spiritual health among students at the autonomous campus of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Method: In this descriptive and analytical study, the statistical population comprised 346 students at the autonomous campus, Dentistry and Pharmaceuticals, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016, and all of them were selected by census method in the study. For data collection, the 20-item spiritual well-being scale by Paloutzian & Ellison (1982) was utilized. To analyze data, the t-test and ANOVA were employed. All ethical issues were observed. Moreover, the authors did not report conflict of interest. Results: The results of the present study revealed that the spiritual well-being of students was average (71.86±4.84), and of all demographic variables under study, only the variable of gender was correlated with the mean score of spiritual well-being. Furthermore, the students’ scores of religious well-being measured higher than that of their existential well-being. Conclusion: According to the dominant religious culture in Iranian society, expected influences of religious as a compatibility source is normal. Therefore, it is necessary for the protection of young people pay attention to their spiritual dimension, to witness the impact of such care and create a sense of peace and healing in patients.   Please cite this article as: Ziapour A, Kianipour N, Saeidi Sh, Zangeneh A. Examining the status of spiritual health among students at the autonomous campus of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016. J Res Relig Health. 2017; 3(2): 8- 19.سابقه و هدف: سلامت معنوی، یکی از بُعدهای مهم سلامت در انسان و رویکردی مهم در ارتقای سلامت عمومی محسوب می­شود. با توجه به اهمیت نقش این بُعد سلامت، پژوهش حاضر با هدف بررسی وضعیت سلامت معنوی دانشجویان پردیس خودگردان دانشگاه علوم پزشکی کرمانشاه در سال 1395 صورت گرفته است روش کار: این پژوهش از نوع توصیفی- تحلیلی است. جامعه­ی پژوهش شامل 346 نفر از دانشجویان پردیس خودگردان (پزشکی، دندانپزشکی و داروسازی) دانشگاه علوم پزشکی کرمانشاه در سال 95 است، که به­روش سرشماری انتخاب شدند. ابزار جمع­آوری داده­ها پرسش­نامه­ی 20 سؤالی استاندارد معنوی (alutzian-Elison) بود. داده­ها پس از جمع­آوری با استفاده از آزمون پارامتریک T-test و نیز آزمون تحلیل واریانس، تجزیه و تحلیل شد. در این پژوهش همه‌ی موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است. علاوه‌براین، نویسندگان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: یافته­ها نشان داده که از بین متغیّرهای جمعیت­شناختی (جنس، سن، محل تولد، وضعیت تأهل، وضعیت مسکن، ترم و رشته­ی تحصيلي) فقط متغیّر جنس با میانگین نمره­ی سلامت معنوی ارتباط معناداری دارد و نمره­ی سلامت مذهبی دانشجویان بالاتر از نمره­ی سلامت وجودی آنان است. نتیجه‌گیری: با توجه به فرهنگ غالب مذهبی در جامعه­ی ایرانی، انتظار تأثیرهای مذهبی که منبع سازگاری محسوب می­شود، طبیعی است. ازاین­رو، ضرورت دارد که در حمایت از جوانان به بُعد معنوی آنان توجه شود، تا شاهد تأثیر این­گونه مراقبت­ها و ایجاد احساس آرامش و تسریع بهبودی در بیماران باشیم.   استناد مقاله به این صورت است: Ziapour A, Kianipour N, Saeidi Sh, Zangeneh A. Examining the status of spiritual health among students at the autonomous campus of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016. J Res Relig Health. 2017; 3(2): 8- 19

Examining the status of spiritual health among students at the autonomous campus of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Spiritual well-being is regarded both as one of the major dimensions of health among human beings and a prominent approach to improving public health. So, given the significance of this aspect of health, the present study aimed to Examining the status of spiritual health among students at the autonomous campus of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016.Method: In this descriptive and analytical study, the statistical population comprised 346 students at the autonomous campus, Dentistry and Pharmaceuticals, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2016, and all of them were selected by census method in the study. For data collection, the 20-item spiritual well-being scale by Paloutzian & Ellison (1982) was utilized. To analyze data, the t-test and ANOVA were employed. All ethical issues were observed. Moreover, the authors did not report conflict of interest.Results: The results of the present study revealed that the spiritual well-being of students was average (71.86±4.84), and of all demographic variables under study, only the variable of gender was correlated with the mean score of spiritual well-being. Furthermore, the students’ scores of religious well-being measured higher than that of their existential well-being.Conclusion: According to the dominant religious culture in Iranian society, expected influences of religious as a compatibility source is normal. Therefore, it is necessary for the protection of young people pay attention to their spiritual dimension, to witness the impact of such care and create a sense of peace and healing in patients.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here

The role of social media literacy in infodemic management: a systematic review

BackgroundThe term infodemic refers to the proliferation of both accurate and inaccurate information that creates a challenge in identifying trustworthy and credible sources. Among the strategies employed to mitigate the impact of the infodemic, social media literacy has emerged as a significant and effective approach. This systematic review examines the role of social media literacy in the management of the infodemic.MethodsSix databases, including SID, Magiran, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science were systematically searched using relevant keywords. We included the relevant publications between 2012 and 2023 in our analysis. To ensure a qualitative assessment of the studies, we used the STROBE and AMSTAR checklists as evaluation tools. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guideline was used for the design of this review study. Finally, we organized the studies into groups based on similarities and retrieved and analyzed evidence pertaining to the challenges and opportunities identified.ResultsEleven papers were included in this study after reviewing the retrieved studies. Five of them examined the effect of social media literacy and health literacy on acceptance of health behaviors. Four studies investigated the role of media literacy in managing misinformation and fake news related to health. Two studies focused on infodemic management and promoting citizen engagement during health crises. Results showed that health-related infodemics are derived from the users' lack of media knowledge, distrust of government service systems, local influencers and peers, rapid circulation of information through mass media messages, weakness of solutions proposed by health care providers, failure to pay attention to the needs of the audience, vertical management, and inconsistency of published messages.ConclusionThe findings of this study highlight the importance of increasing social media literacy among the general public as a recognized strategy for managing the infodemic. Consequently, it is recommended that relevant organizations and institutions, such as the Ministry of Health, develop targeted training programs to effectively address this need

Isolation and molecular characterization of clinical and environmental dematiaceous fungi and relatives from Iran

Background and Purpose: The frequency and genetic diversity of black fungi in environmental and clinical settings have not been fully studied in Iran. This study aimed to identify and evaluate intra- and inter-species DNA sequence variation and also understand the phylogenetic relationships of melanized fungi and relatives isolated from different geographical regions of Iran.Materials and Methods: In total, 111 clinical and environmental strains of dematiaceous fungi were isolated, and their internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA(rDNA) regions were sequenced and analyzed.Results: An inter-species nucleotide sequence diversity rate of 1 to 464 nucleotides was observed between the species. Intra-species differences were found in the strains of Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria tenuissima, Curvularia spicifera, Aureobasidium pullulans, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum,Alternaria terricola, Alternaria chlamydospora, Didymella glomerata, and Drechslera dematioidea by 0–59, 0–22, 0–4, 0–4, 0–3, 0–2, 0–2, 0–2, 0–2, 0–1, and 0–1 nt, respectively.Conclusion: The internal transcribed spacer rDNA is useful for the discrimination of several taxa of dematiaceous fungi. However, a better understanding of the taxonomy of species of Alternaria requires a larger rDNA region or a library of other gene sequences

The global burden of childhood and adolescent cancer in 2017: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license Background: Accurate childhood cancer burden data are crucial for resource planning and health policy prioritisation. Model-based estimates are necessary because cancer surveillance data are scarce or non-existent in many countries. Although global incidence and mortality estimates are available, there are no previous analyses of the global burden of childhood cancer represented in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Methods: Using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 methodology, childhood (ages 0–19 years) cancer mortality was estimated by use of vital registration system data, verbal autopsy data, and population-based cancer registry incidence data, which were transformed to mortality estimates through modelled mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Childhood cancer incidence was estimated using the mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated by using MIR to model survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated by multiplying age-specific cancer deaths by the difference between the age of death and a reference life expectancy. DALYs were calculated as the sum of YLLs and YLDs. Final point estimates are reported with 95% uncertainty intervals. Findings: Globally, in 2017, there were 11·5 million (95% uncertainty interval 10·6–12·3) DALYs due to childhood cancer, 97·3% (97·3–97·3) of which were attributable to YLLs and 2·7% (2·7–2·7) of which were attributable to YLDs. Childhood cancer was the sixth leading cause of total cancer burden globally and the ninth leading cause of childhood disease burden globally. 82·2% (82·1–82·2) of global childhood cancer DALYs occurred in low, low-middle, or middle Socio-demographic Index locations, whereas 50·3% (50·3–50·3) of adult cancer DALYs occurred in these same locations. Cancers that are uncategorised in the current GBD framework comprised 26·5% (26·5–26·5) of global childhood cancer DALYs. Interpretation: The GBD 2017 results call attention to the substantial burden of childhood cancer globally, which disproportionately affects populations in resource-limited settings. The use of DALY-based estimates is crucial in demonstrating that childhood cancer burden represents an important global cancer and child health concern. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), and St. Baldrick's Foundation

The global distribution of lymphatic filariasis, 2000–18: a geospatial analysis

Background Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease that can cause permanent disability through disruption of the lymphatic system. This disease is caused by parasitic filarial worms that are transmitted by mosquitos. Mass drug administration (MDA) of antihelmintics is recommended by WHO to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. This study aims to produce the first geospatial estimates of the global prevalence of lymphatic filariasis infection over time, to quantify progress towards elimination, and to identify geographical variation in distribution of infection. Methods A global dataset of georeferenced surveyed locations was used to model annual 2000–18 lymphatic filariasis prevalence for 73 current or previously endemic countries. We applied Bayesian model-based geostatistics and time series methods to generate spatially continuous estimates of global all-age 2000–18 prevalence of lymphatic filariasis infection mapped at a resolution of 5 km2 and aggregated to estimate total number of individuals infected. Findings We used 14 927 datapoints to fit the geospatial models. An estimated 199 million total individuals (95% uncertainty interval 174–234 million) worldwide were infected with lymphatic filariasis in 2000, with totals for WHO regions ranging from 3·1 million (1·6–5·7 million) in the region of the Americas to 107 million (91–134 million) in the South-East Asia region. By 2018, an estimated 51 million individuals (43–63 million) were infected. Broad declines in prevalence are observed globally, but focal areas in Africa and southeast Asia remain less likely to have attained infection prevalence thresholds proposed to achieve local elimination. Interpretation Although the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis infection has declined since 2000, MDA is still necessary across large populations in Africa and Asia. Our mapped estimates can be used to identify areas where the probability of meeting infection thresholds is low, and when coupled with large uncertainty in the predictions, indicate additional data collection or intervention might be warranted before MDA programmes cease

Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning

Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa. In order to classify IUs that include locations that are environmentally suitable, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify an optimal threshold for suitability concordant with locations where onchocerciasis has been previously detected. This threshold value was then used to classify IUs (more suitable or less suitable) based on the location within the IU with the largest mean prediction. Mean estimates of environmental suitability suggest large areas across West and Central Africa, as well as focal areas of East Africa, are suitable for onchocerciasis transmission, consistent with the presence of current control and elimination of transmission efforts. The ROC analysis identified a mean environmental suitability index of 0.71 as a threshold to classify based on the location with the largest mean prediction within the IU. Of the IUs considered for mapping surveys, 50.2% exceed this threshold for suitability in at least one 5×5-km location. The formidable scale of data collection required to map onchocerciasis endemicity across the African continent presents an opportunity to use spatial data to identify areas likely to be suitable for onchocerciasis transmission. National onchocerciasis elimination programmes may wish to consider prioritising these IUs for mapping surveys as human resources, laboratory capacity, and programmatic schedules may constrain survey implementation, and possibly delaying MDA initiation in areas that would ultimately qualify

The overlapping burden of the three leading causes of disability and death in sub-Saharan African children

Despite substantial declines since 2000, lower respiratory infections (LRIs), diarrhoeal diseases, and malaria remain among the leading causes of nonfatal and fatal disease burden for children under 5 years of age (under 5), primarily in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The spatial burden of each of these diseases has been estimated subnationally across SSA, yet no prior analyses have examined the pattern of their combined burden. Here we synthesise subnational estimates of the burden of LRIs, diarrhoea, and malaria in children under-5 from 2000 to 2017 for 43 sub-Saharan countries. Some units faced a relatively equal burden from each of the three diseases, while others had one or two dominant sources of unit-level burden, with no consistent pattern geographically across the entire subcontinent. Using a subnational counterfactual analysis, we show that nearly 300 million DALYs could have been averted since 2000 by raising all units to their national average. Our findings are directly relevant for decision-makers in determining which and targeting where the most appropriate interventions are for increasing child survival. © 2022, The Author(s).Funding text 1: This work was primarily supported by grant OPP1132415 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. ; Funding text 2: This study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The corresponding author had full access to all the data in the study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. The non-consortium authors have no competing interests . Competing interests for consortium authors is as follows: Robert Ancuceanu reports receiving consultancy or speaker feeds from UCB, Sandoz, Abbvie, Zentiva, Teva, Laropharm, CEGEDIM, Angelini, Biessen Pharma, Hofigal, AstraZeneca, and Stada. Jacek Jerzy Jozwiak reports personal fees from Amgen, ALAB Laboratories, Teva, Synexus, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Zentiva, all outside the submitted work. Kewal Krishan reports non-financial support from UGC Centre of Advanced Study, CAS II, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, outside the submitted work. Walter Mendoza is a Program Analyst in Population and Development at the United Nations Population Fund-UNFPA Country Office in Peru, which does not necessarily endorse or support these findings. Maarten J Postma reports grants and personal fees from MSD, GSK, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novavax, BMS, Seqirus, Astra Zeneca, Sanofi, IQVIA, grants from Bayer, BioMerieux, WHO, EU, FIND, Antilope, DIKTI, LPDP, Budi, personal fees from Novartis, Quintiles, Pharmerit, owning stock options in Health-Ecore and PAG Ltd, and being advisor to Asc Academics, all outside the submitted work. Jasviner A Singh reports personal fees from Crealta/Horizon, Medisys, Fidia, UBM LLC, Trio health, Medscape, WebMD, Clinical Care options, Clearview healthcare partners, Putnam associates, Focus forward, Navigant consulting, Spherix, Practice Point communications, the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Rheumatology, and Simply Speaking, owning stock options in Amarin, Viking, Moderna, Vaxart pharmaceuticals and Charlotte’s Web Holdings, being a member of FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee, the steering committee of OMERACT, an international organization that develops measures for clinical trials and receives arm’s length funding from 12 pharmaceutical companies, and the Veterans Affairs Rheumatology Field Advisory Committee, and acting as Editor and Director of the UAB Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group Satellite Center on Network Meta-analysis, all outside the submitted work. Era Upadhyay has a patent A system and method of reusable filters for anti-pollution mask pending, and a patent A system and method for electricity generation through crop stubble by using microbial fuel cells pending