Evaluating Visual Quality of Natural Landscapes to Achieve Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Margoon Waterfall Protected Area, Iran

Margoon waterfall protected area due to its ecological and environmental values and capitals can attract native and exotic tourists but incompatible development plan to the natural capitals of this site causes many problems. Therefore, the current research was formed to present sustainable strategies in Margoon protected area. In the current research, survey method has applied. To find reasons of the tourists and native communities' presentence, a questionnaire is prepared in two parts and distributed to 100 tourists. To achieve the problems of development plan, 14 points are choosing in the case study (Margoon waterfall protected area). These points located in privileged, ordinary, and poor landscapes in development plan. To analyze the visual evaluation of these points, GIS software is used.Keywords: Visual analysis, Sustainable design, Natural landscap

A framework for sustainable architecture in Iran with emphasis on the views of scholars

Development of the built environment needs to be addressed in a way that is socially and ecologically responsible. There is great urgency to make sustainable interventions in Iran, while built environments are being created without the above engagement. Lack of awareness and consensus on sustainable actions needs formulation of a framework set by scholars analyzing effects of its components in a comprehensive model. The need to develop an instrument for investigation of views of scholars has instigated the researcher to collect the necessary data through interviews and prepare a research questionnaire. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis survey method was employed, so that structural equation can be used for modeling purposes. The results led to development of a theoretical model to describe views of sustainable architecture in Iran. Results show that environmental and productivity in the use of nature aspects of buildings is the cause of transition to sustainable architecture. Technology, construction and operations of buildings aspects as mediating variables have effects on environmental awareness as dependent variable of transition to sustainable architecture in Iran. The results can pave the path for further research in this area and orient the research priorities for sustainable architecture in Iran

Analyzing the effect of nature on social interaction in urban squares (case examples: squares of Tehran)

One of issues that have been considered in the urban environment is improving the quality of these spaces. Enjoying nature and its elements can play a role in promoting them; this role can be searched in the relationship between man, nature and characterization of natural effects on the built environment and their interactions with each other. Because of the importance of urban environments as one of the most important of this space and their role in the development of society, the focus is on squares and the influence of nature on social interactions and how to respond to some psychological needs of human nature is assessed.In this study, using descriptive-analytical study and library method it was confirmed that vitality and sociability in urban areas, have a significant impact on increasing social interaction and increasing these factors improve urban spaces. By using correlation method and questionnaire and their analysis using SPSS software it was concluded that proper use of designed natural space, has a significant impact on satisfaction, socialization, creating vitality and ultimately increase local identity and social interaction.Keywords: Urban Space, Square, Natural Space, Vitality, Sociability, Social interactio

The effect of nature on social interactions in urban squares (Case study: Squares of Tehran)

One of the issues that have been considered in the urban space is improving the quality of these spaces. Using nature and its elements can play a role in promoting them and this role can be sought in the relationship between man, nature and  identification of nature's effect on artificial environment and their interactions with each other. Because of the importance of urban environments and squares as one of the most important of these spaces and their role in the development of society, the focus is on squares the effect of nature on social interactions and the way nature responds to some psychological needs of human is assessed. In this study, using descriptive analytical design and through library research method, it was proved that vitality and sociability in urban areas, have a significant impact on increasing social interaction and increase of these factors improve urban spaces. Using correlation method, questionnaires and analysis of them using SPSS, it was  concluded that the use of natural space with the appropriate design, has a significant impact on satisfaction, sociability, creating vitality and local identity and ultimately increase of social interactions.Key words: urban space, square, natural space, vitality, sociability, social interactions

Consumption of nuts and seeds and health outcomes including cardiovascular, diabetes and metabolic disease, cancer, and mortality: an umbrella review

Consumption of nuts and seeds is associated with a range of health outcomes. Summarizing the best evidence on essential health outcomes from the consumption of nuts is essential to provide optimal recommendations. Our objective is to comprehensively assess health outcomes associations related to the consumption of nuts and seeds, using a culinary definition including tree nuts and peanuts (registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021258300). Health outcomes of interest include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, respiratory disease, mortality, and their biomarker for disease. We present associations for high versus low consumption, per serving, and dose-response relationships. Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Epistemonikos were searched and screened for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Evidence was extracted from 89 articles on the consumption of nuts and relevant health outcomes, including 23 articles with meta-analysis on disease and mortality, 66 articles on biomarkers for disease, and 9 articles on allergy/adverse outcomes. Intake of nuts was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors, with moderate quality of evidence. An intake of 28 grams of nuts per day compared to not eating nuts was associated with a 21% relative risk reduction of cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease incidence and mortality, atrial fibrillation, and stroke mortality), 11% risk reduction of cancer deaths, and 22% reduction in all-cause mortality. Nut consumption was also inversely associated with mortality from respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, and diabetes: however, associations between nut consumption and diabetes incidence were mixed. Meta-analyses of trials on biomarkers for disease generally mirrored meta-analyses from observational studies on cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes. Allergy and related adverse reactions to nuts were observed among 1–2% of adult populations, with substantial heterogeneity between studies. Overall, the current evidence supports dietary recommendations to consume a handful of nuts and seeds per day for people without allergies to these foods

Oral wheat immunotherapy in a patient with anaphylaxis despite negative sensitization tests

Introduction: Wheat allergy can develop at any stage of life. The aim of this report was to demonstrate that skin testing and specific IgE have poor specificities and sensitivities for wheat allergy. Case Presentation: A 37-year-old female presented symptoms that were initiated immediately after consumption of bread and biscuits. She was well until two months prior to her recent admission. Her skin prick test, RIDA assay, and patch test for wheat showed negative results despite a history of two episodes of anaphylaxis. She underwent an oral food challenge, which confirmed wheat allergy. A desensitization procedure was recommended for her. At the end of the immunotherapy process, she had normal intake of wheat without any symptoms. Conclusions: Negative sIgE and SPT results do not rule out clinical food allergy. Oral food challenges are still the cornerstone of diagnosis of food allergy. © 2018, Author(s)

A Case of Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis Induced by Aspirin Therapy

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease that may be triggered by some diseases and medications. For the latter one, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been identified as one of the potential causative agents to develop LABD. Here, a rare case of drug-induced LABD is introduced. A 13-month-old Iranian boy presented with a history of generalized blisters, displaying the classic "string of pearls" sign who was eventually diagnosed as a case of LABD. In his admission, he was diagnosed whit Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome and treated with aspirin. Some features like appearing the characteristic lesions one week following the administration of aspirin, rapid clearance of lesions after the withdrawal of the drug, and reappearance of new lesions after readministration of aspirin were highly suggestive of aspirin-induced LABD. To establish the diagnosis, we used the "Naranjo probability score" which determined the probable causative role of aspirin. The diagnosis was confirmed by showing the positive IgA deposition in the basement membrane zone in a direct immunofluorescence study of the skin biopsy. The child was treated with dapsone with dramatical response to the drug

Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Region Instability, and Facial Anomalies Syndrome (ICF) in a Boy with Variable Clinical and Immunological Presentations

Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by recurrent infections and low immunoglobulin levels due to variable combined immunodeficiency, and centromeric region instability, and facial dysmorphism. We describe a 12-year-old boy with recurrent respiratory tract infections, facial anomalies, scoliosis, and psychomotor retardation. He had recurrent pneumonia with low serum IgG and IgM levels during infancy and preschool age. Later at the age of 10, he developed recurrent ear infections. An IgA and IgM deficiency was found accompanied by a normal B-cell and T-cell count as well as an impaired candida-induced T-cell proliferation. Further evaluations revealed a missense mutation in the DNMT3B gene on chromosome 20. Chromosomal analysis showed a sunburst multi-radial feature on chromosome 1, which is a hallmark of ICF syndrome. The genetic mutation and chromosomal abnormality along with clinical findings are compatible with the diagnosis of ICF syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that scoliosis is observed in an ICF patient. The additional variable clinical symptoms in the case were the presence of spastic gait as well as hypogammaglobulinemia with immunoglobulin isotype switch at different ages

Can concurrent lower gastrointestinal manifestations help the timely diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in CVID patients?

Summary Introduction and objective. Gastrointestinal complications are considered as one of the most common manifestations in patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). These complications can result from Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Hydrogen breath test is extensively used to diagnose SIBO. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO using the Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT) in patients with CVID. Materials and methods. Twenty-seven patients with CVID entered this cross-sectional study. Demographic and lower gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded in a check list. Hemoglobin level was measured in all patients. The concentration of IgA and IgG was assessed using nephelometry. Moreover, SIBO was detected by means of Glucose hydrogen breath test. Results. The mean (± SD) age of the patients was 35.25 (± 11.69) years. Twenty patients (74.1) manifested at least one lower gastrointestinal symptom. The most frequent lower gastrointestinal manifestations were bloating (66.7) and chronic diarrhea (40.7), respectively. IgA level less than 10 mg/dl and IgG level less than 600 mg/dl were determined in 77.8 and 25.9 of patients, respectively. Positive HBT was detected in 40.7 (n = 11) of the patients. In the positive HBT group, bloating, chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain were the most common lower GI manifestations. There was no significant difference in terms of age, BMI, IgA level, and duration of CVID between the positive and negative HBT groups. The significant association of co-occurrence of anemia and abdominal pain with positive HBT (positive predictive value: 100) might be considered as a clue to SIBO diagnosis. Conclusions. Regarding the high prevalence and non-specific manifestation of SIBO, it is suggested to consider concurrent symptoms in patients with CVID to manage the timely and precise diagnosis of SIBO. © 2021 Associazione Allergologi Immunologi Italiani Territoriali e Ospedalieri-AAIITO. Published by EDRA SpA. All rights reserved

Pulmonary complications in primary hypogammaglobulinemia: a survey by high resolution CT scan

Background. Primary hypogammaglobulinemia disorders are a group of heterogeneous immunodeficiency syndromes with an increased susceptibility to pulmonary complications. Methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of lung abnormalities in primary hypogammaglobulinaemic patients by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan and pulmonary function test (PFT). HRCT and PFT were performed in 22 Iranian patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. Results. Pathological bronchial findings were observed in thirteen patients: three patients showed only peribronchial thickening and the remaining ten patients suffered from both bronchiectasis and peribronchial wall thickening. Mild type of bronchiectasis and peribronchial wall thickening were the most common type, predominantly observed in the right middle and both right and left lower lobe segments of lungs. Although bullae were not found, emphysema, air-trapping, and collapse/consolidation were observed in two patients. Bronchial involvement was mostly limited to 1 up to 5 bronchopulmonary segments; only one HRCT indicated bronchial involvement in more than nine bronchopulmonary segments. Pathological bronchial findings mostly observed in the proximal bronchi; meanwhile the involvement of the distal bronchi was less common. Decreasing FEV1 and FVC were observed in 65% and 55% of patients, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the HRCT score and the predicted values by PFT. The delay of diagnosis in patients with bronchiectasis was significantly higher than those without bronchiectasis. Conclusions. It seems that the majority of hypogammaglobulinaemic patients suffer from the mild type of bronchiectasis, which is mostly observed in the proximal bronchi of the lower lobe segments. The delay of diagnosis plays an important role in the occurrence of this complication in these patients