Water safety in drought: An indigenous knowledge-based qualitative study

The indigenous knowledge of our ancestors provides valuable information on how to prevent negative health impacts on water hygiene in the event of drought. The present study aimed to explore the role of indigenous knowledge in maintaining water safety in drought conditions. A qualitative content analysis method using in-depth semi-structured interviews was used to collect and analyze the data. The current research was carried out from April 2017 to June 2018. A purposive sampling method was used to select 15 participants. Trustworthiness was applied with the Lincoln and Guba approach and data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's method. Two categories including drinking water storage and water collection were extracted from the data. Each category includes different strategies to deal with water. Water storage includes water quantity and water quality. Water collection consists of collection methods and rules. Indigenous knowledge is an indispensable component of community disaster resilience. It can be transferred to other communities and employed to empower affected communities. But using the knowledge without scientific considerations cannot guarantee peoples' health throughout the drought periods. © IWA Publishing 2020 Journal of Water and Healt

The Immunotherapeutic Effects of Pentoxifylline in Type 1 Diabetic Mice and its Effects on Expressions of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) gene

Background & aim: Pentoxifylline is an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent which inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline in the treatment of type 1 diabetes in mice and its effect on the expression of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Methods: After induction of diabetes in male C57BL/6 mice, they were treated with Pentoxifylline (100 mg/kg/day) for 21 days. Blood sugar levels were measured on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Splenocytes were tested for cytokines production by ELISA. Further investigations on immune system changes in spleens were tested by semi-quantitative RT-PCR on PPARγ gene. Statistical data were analyzed using the Student t-test and ANOVA. Results: Treatment with pentoxifylline prevented the level of blood sugar in diabetic rats. Pentoxifylline treatment also significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IFN-γ, while cause increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL- 10 and the expression of PPARγ gene in the spleen compared to the diabetic control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Due to STZ induction, Pentoxifylline may have therapeutic effects against autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells on type 1 diabetes in mic

Investigating the mental health impacts of university campus green space through perceived sensory dimensions and the mediation effects of perceived restorativeness on restoration experience

Introduction: Green spaces support people mentally in their everyday life. Perceived restorativeness and Perceived Sensory Dimension (PSD) have been addressed as optimal environmental related characteristics with regards to psychological restoration. However, relatively little research has investigated how the perception of these characteristics, directly and indirectly, affects restoration experience, particularly in a sample of university students within the area of green outdoor campus landscapes. Methods: This study hypothesizes these associations through application of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), inputting data from a sample of university students in Malaysia. In the hypothesized model, we examine the degree of restoration that is enjoyed by subjects within landscapes through the effects of these characteristics. Indirect effects of perceived restorativeness via evaluation of mediation effects associated with perception of landscape characteristics and restoration experience are also investigated. Results: Through validation of the measurement model, we find significant positive coefficient paths with adequate predictive abilities in the hypothesized model. Findings suggest the effect of PSD on perceived restorativeness leads to a better explanation of restoration experience. In addition, perceived landscape characteristics of PSD enhance restoration experience in alignment with perceived restorativeness characteristics. Conclusions: Greater effects on restoration experience come through perceived restorativeness that is affected by PSD, which itself is capable of promoting favorable experiences of restorativeness in a green space and facilitating psychological restorative outcomes. The mechanistic effect of emotional regulation implies a distinct role of green spaces in maintaining good mental health and has relevance to public health models that promote independence and well-being through preventative approaches. The work paves the way for further studies that examine which dimensions of PSD support perceived restorativeness and restoration experience more than others, and the wider psycho-social value of green spaces through the application of mediation effects and personal sensory dimensions in the development of mental health