Assessment of Thyroid Dysfunction as a Predisposing Factor for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Women of Reproductive and Postmenopausal age

Background: Infectious diseases are associated with thyroid autoimmune disorders, mainly. Meanwhile, thyroid gland function as a risk factor for infectious diseases is a challenging debate topic that needs more evaluation. Considering the high burden of hypo and hyperthyroidism in many regions of the world and the consequences of these disorders on different aspects of human health, evaluating and screening high-risk populations and treating patients is of great importance. In the present research, we investigated any association between thyroid dysfunction and asymptomatic bacteriuria in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age. Materials and Methods: The study was performed for six years (between 2015-2021) in Tehran, Iran. Our study enrolled 188 women of reproductive and postmenopausal age with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. All participants' thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 levels were evaluated. The association between thyroid dysfunction and asymptomatic bacteriuria was assessed. Results: The mean level of TSH in all culture-positive samples was 2.39, while it was 3.11 in culture-negative samples (P value < 0.05). The mean TSH level was 2.4 and 2.3 in Escherichia coli and Non- E. coli positive urine cultures, respectively (P value= 0.67). Asymptomatic bacteriuria was significantly more common in patients with lower TSH levels. The mean level of free T4 in all participants was 8.21, with maximum and minimum levels of 12.3 and 4, respectively. Also, the mean level of free T4 in all culture-positive samples was 9.53, while 7.13 in culture-negative samples (P value=0.09). The mean free T4 level was 9.36 and 10.03 in E. coli and Non-E. coli positive urine culture respectively (P value= 0.35). Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant correlation between the population's TSH level and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Also, it showed no significant association between TSH level and any specific uropathogenic

Assessing the ecological quality status of arid mangroves in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, using benthic indices of AMBI, M-AMBI, and BENTIX

Polychaetes are suitable indicators to evaluate the benthic ecological status and respond to natural and anthropogenic. We evaluated the ecosystem health of the mangroves of Azini and Gwadar based on benthic indices including AMBI, M-AMBI, and BENTIX using polychaete communities. The results showed that in both regions, EcoQ classifications ranged from "high" to "moderate" in BENTIX, "good" to "excellent" in AMBI, and "good" in M-AMBI. The M-AMBI was significantly correlated with sediment variables, including total organic matter (TOM), total organic carbon (TOC), and silt/clay. The result revealed a significant correlation between the biotic indices and the TOC content of sediments. According to the results, TOC can be used as a descriptor and indicator to evaluate the health of mangrove ecosystems in relation to benthic indices. In addition, it is necessary to combine several indices to assess the status of ecosystems

ANALYSIS OF THE CULTURAL-HISTORICAL BRANDING AND ITS PLACEMENT IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT (CASE STUDY: ZAHEDAN CITY, IRAN)

Abstract. The valuable historical- cultural resources as one of the components of the society’s cultural figure can reflect cultural and historical capacities and characteristics, which in this regard can lead to urban growth and development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the cultural-historical branding in the development and growth of Zahedan city. The research method is analytically- applied based on library, documentary, and field studies. To analyze the data used of SPSS software and AHP. A single-sample T test used to assess the role of the cultural-historical branding in the development and growth of Zahedan city. The results show that, in all the indicators,  the calculated average is higher than the median of three (median= 3), it results illustrates the great role of cultural-historical branding and its place in urban development. As well as we used of the Spearman correlation test to ensure the existence correlation between growth indicators and urban development. The results show that there is a meaningful relationship between the growth indicator and urban development (With a significant level of less than 0.05). To measure and prioritize the cultural- historical branding indicators used of the AHP model. The result reveals that the highest ranks respectively belong to the line index with relative significance calculated 0.445, the language dialect and the race with the relative significance obtained 230.0, architecture with the relative significance obtained 0.107. As wellas the lower ranks belongs to the music index with the relative importance 0.047, The index of oral literature with a relative importance 0.056 and the religious and ritual index with relative importance obtained 0.103.Keywords: Cultural-historical branding, Urban development, Communities, Zahedan city

Estimation of health effects of PM2.5 exposure using Air Q model in Isfahan during 2013

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown that outdoor air pollution results in serious adverse health outbreaks such as respiratory and heart problems, lung dysfunction, chronic bronchitis and death. The aim of this study was to estimate the health effects and premature death due to atmospheric PM2.5 exposure in the city of Isfahan in 2013. Methods: This study was an ecological study. Annually collected PM2.5 data in Ostandari, Khajoo and Eliaderan monitoring stations were obtained from the department of environment and epidemiological data for the study period were attained form the province health center. The World Health Organization (WHO), Air Q 2.2.3 software was used to assess the impacts of PM2.5 on population health. Results: The results showed that the highest and lowest concentrations of PM2.5 were related to the Ostandari and Khajoo monitoring stations. Mean annual, winter and summer, and 98 percentile of PM2.5 concentration, were 76.64, 81.93, 71.37, and 204.3 μg/m3, respectively. The total number of deaths among the studied population attributed to base incidence was 683.5 per 105 people, and the deaths caused by PM2.5 exposure, with relative risks of 1.011, 1.015 and 1.019, were 733, 978 and 1213 persons, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that according to the AirQ software outputs, deaths attributed to PM2.5 in Isfahan city was 8.1 % of total non-accidental deaths recorded in 2013. The average PM2.5 concentration in the winter was higher compared to that in summer, which is due to the occurrence of thermal inversion and increasing use of fossil fuels for home heating. Therefore, controlling measures for reduction of pollutant emissions can considerably reduce the mortality rate

Influence of Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid on the Growth, Biochemical Characteristics and Essential Oil Content of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of foliar salicylic acid (SA) and citric acid (CA) applications on growth, biochemical characteristics and essential oil content of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) grown under field conditions. Salicylic acid (0.5 and 1 mM) and citric acid (5 and 10 mM) were applied three times during the vegetation at 15 day intervals. Results revealed that foliar application of SA and CA significantly enhanced the vegetative characters i.e. fresh and dry weight of thyme as well as pigments (chlorophyll a and carotenoids) content and essential oil production (1.3 fold as compared to control). There was a positive correlation between fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll a and essential oil. Citric acid treatment especially at 10 mM decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. According to our results, applications SA at rate of 0.5-1 or CA at 5 mM should be recommended in order to improve yield and essential oil production in thyme

Assessment of Thyroid Dysfunction as a Predisposing Factor for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Women of Reproductive and Postmenopausal age

Background: Infectious diseases are associated with thyroid autoimmune disorders, mainly. Meanwhile, thyroid gland function as a risk factor for infectious diseases is a challenging debate topic that needs more evaluation. Considering the high burden of hypo and hyperthyroidism in many regions of the world and the consequences of these disorders on different aspects of human health, evaluating and screening high-risk populations and treating patients is of great importance. In the present research, we investigated any association between thyroid dysfunction and asymptomatic bacteriuria in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age. Materials and Methods: The study was performed for six years (between 2015-2021) in Tehran, Iran. Our study enrolled 188 women of reproductive and postmenopausal age with and without asymptomatic bacteriuria. All participants' thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 levels were evaluated. The association between thyroid dysfunction and asymptomatic bacteriuria was assessed. Results: The mean level of TSH in all culture-positive samples was 2.39, while it was 3.11 in culture-negative samples (P value < 0.05). The mean TSH level was 2.4 and 2.3 in Escherichia coli and Non- E. coli positive urine cultures, respectively (P value= 0.67). Asymptomatic bacteriuria was significantly more common in patients with lower TSH levels. The mean level of free T4 in all participants was 8.21, with maximum and minimum levels of 12.3 and 4, respectively. Also, the mean level of free T4 in all culture-positive samples was 9.53, while 7.13 in culture-negative samples (P value=0.09). The mean free T4 level was 9.36 and 10.03 in E. coli and Non-E. coli positive urine culture respectively (P value= 0.35). Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant correlation between the population's TSH level and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Also, it showed no significant association between TSH level and any specific uropathogenic

Effect of CO2 elevation and UV-A radiation on growth responses of Zinnia, Petunia, Coxcomb, and Marigold

In order to evaluate the effect of CO2 elevation and UV radiation on growth responses of zinnia, petunia, coxcomb, and marigold, a study was conducted in 2015 at Arsanjan Islamic Azad University, Iran. The experimental design was factorial arranged in completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were included four ornamental species (zinnia, petunia, coxcomb, and marigold), CO2 concentration at two levels (350 and 700 ppm), and UV radiation at two levels (with and without UV radiation). Results showed that elevating of CO2 concentration from 350 ppm to 700 ppm increased morphological and physiological characters of C3 plants, especially marigold. Meanwhile, increasing CO2 concentration from 350 ppm to 700 ppm, decreased effects of UV damage on plants’ morphological and physiological characters. The highest leaf number, shoot dry mass, plant height and water use efficiency of C4 plant (coxcomb flower) were observed at 350 ppm of CO2 concentration without UV radiation while, the highest leaf number, shoot dry mass and leaf pigments of C3 plants (zinnia, petunia, and marigold flower) were obtained at 700 ppm of CO2 concentration without UV radiation. The results showed that the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes under UV radiation was increased in all of plants. Overall, it is concluded that, the recognition of plants resistant to UV radiation and high levels of CO2 concentration in the future may be better for environmental production and distribution as ornamental plants in town landscapes, where ecophysiological traits should be considered.</p

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIRITUAL CONSISTENCY AND SPIRITUAL WELLBEING IN THE PATIENTS WITH THALASSEMIA REFERRED TO SPECIAL DISEASES CLINICS IN ZAHEDAN IN 2014

Background and Objectives: Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder in the world. Several intervention procedures are used to reduct the Talassemia related symptoms. Spiritual health and coping strategies, including spiritual coping as important resources to cope with chronic diseases are considered. This study was aimed toinvestigate the relationship between spiritual health and spiritual coping In patients Suffering from thalassemia in Zahedan in 2014-2015. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, study population included all patients with thalassemia referring to specific diseases clinic in Zahedanin 2014-2015. 150 available patients were evaluated by several questionnaires included demographic, spiritual health and spiritual coping. Data analysis was done with the SPSS softwareversion21byusingthePearson correlation coefficient, independent and ANOVA. Results: The mean score of spiritual health was 81/05, which is in the range of medium spiritual health and the majority of patient shada high level of spiritual health. The results showed a significant positive relationship between spiritual coping and spiritual health. Conclusions: According to the research findings, treatment and care team should try to take measures for preserving the spiritual health in these patients