Impacto a nivel económico de las exportaciones de la industria de procesamiento de alimentos en Irán

[EN] This paper aims to analyze the economy-wide impact of an increase in the export of food processing industry in Iran and to compare it to the same increase in oil and gas exports as the main eco-nomic sector. It uses both demand-driven and supply-driven mixed Input-Output models referred to as 2011 SAM framework purposely designed by authors. The results show that an increase in the food pro-cessing industry promotes the production of other sectors and, increases factor employment and house-hold income. The significance of this impact is comparable to a similar shock in the oil and gas sector.[ES] Este documento tiene como objetivo analizar el impacto en la economía de un aumento en la exportación de la industria de procesamiento de alimentos en Irán y compararlo con el mismo aumento en las exportaciones de petróleo y gas que es el principal sector económico. Utiliza modelos mixtos input-output basados en la demanda y en la oferta, denominados marco SAM 2011 diseñados específicamente por los autores. Los resultados muestran que un aumento en la industria de procesamiento de alimentos promueve la producción de otros sectores y aumenta el empleo de factores y los ingresos de los hogares. La importancia de este impacto es comparable a un shock similar en el sector de petróleo y gas.Ghahremanzadeh, M.; Sassi, M.; Javadi, A.; Javanbakht, O.; Hayati, B. (2020). Economy-Wide Impact of Food Processing Industry Exports in Iran. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 20(1):131-148. https://doi.org/10.7201/earn.2020.01.06OJS13114820

Evaluation of Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Evolutionary Process of Groundwater in Jajarm Plain, Northeastern Iran

Jajarm Plain in the province of North Khorasan is located, in terms of structural zoning, in the north of the central desert basin and in the south of the Alborz mountain range. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the evolutionary process of groundwater resources and hydrogeochemical characteristics of water resources of Jajarm plain. To achieve this goal, 20 water samples were taken from the plain wells and physical parameters such as pH, TDS, EC, and salinity were measured in situ using multimeter. In addition, the chemical properties of the surface water entering the plain were also evaluated. The hydrogeochemical analysis was carried out in the laboratory through induction plasma method, the statistical analysis and modeling were performed in Chemistry and AqQA software environment. According to the Piper chart, most of the groundwater in this plain was a part of the sodic and chloride type facies, and in some examples, the sodic facies and the sulfate type. Chemical analysis of water entering the aquifer of Jajarm plain showed that the sources of ions entering the plain of Jajarm were affected by the lithology of rocks and sediments that were exposed to weathering for a long time; hence, as the plain waters, due to the passage of the detrital evaporation formations of the third period (marl, salt gypsum, and marl limestone formation), have dissolved them and increased the ratio of Cl+ SO4> HCO. The results showed that the presence of rocks and minerals of carbonate (calcite), sulfate (gypsum) and silicate (tuff and detrital igneous rock) in the water passage has caused the scenarios of Ca>CO3 and Ca+Mg>CO3. Based on the calculations, it was found that the evolutionary trend of water samples in this plain, if not properly managed, will lead to the formation of SO₄>Mg ratio, which will probably lead to the formation of sodium carbonates and halites in the future, and also eventually rising EC and the emergence of saline in the Jajarm plain in the future

Effect of Genistein and L-Carnitine and Their Combination on Gene Expression of Hepatocyte HMG-COA Reductase and LDL Receptor in Experimental Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that leads to hyperlipidemia. L-carnitine and genistein can effect on lipid metabolism and the syndrome. In the present study, we have delved into the separate and the twin-effects of L-carnitine and genistein on the gene expressions of HMG-COA reductase and LDL receptor in experimental nephrotic syndrome. Methods: In this controlled experimental study, 50 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: NC (normal-control), PC (patient-control), LC (L-carnitine), G (genistein), LCG (L-carnitine-genistein). Adri-amycin was used for inducing nephrotic syndrome and the spot urine samples and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio were measured. Hepatocytic RNA was extracted and real-time PCR was used for HMG-COA Reductase and LDL receptor gene Expression measurement. Results: The final weight of the patients groups were lower than the NC group (P=0.001), and weight gain of the NC group was higher than the other groups (P<0.001). The proteinuria and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio showed sig-nificant differences between PC group and LC, G and LCG groups at week 7 (P<0.001). The expression of HMG-COA Reductase mRNA down regulated in LC, G and LCG groups in comparison with PC group (P<0.001). ΔCT of LDLr mRNA showed significant differences between the PC group and the other patient groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study shows a significant decreasing (P<0.001) and non-significant increasing trend in HMG-COA Reductase and LDLr gene expression, respectively, and synergistic effect of L-carnitine and genistein on these genes in experimental nephrotic syndrome

A study of the effect of change on ownership structure on enterprise value of privatized firms: Evidence from Tehran Stock Exchange

In this paper, we present an empirical investigation to measure the effects of privatization on some selected firms listed on Tehran Stock Exchange. The proposed study of this paper selects eleven relatively big sized Iranian firms whose structures were privatized prior year 2011. The main hypothesis of this survey studies whether there is a meaningful relationship between ownership structure and enterprise value of privatized firms. We collect the necessary information before and after privatization process completed and using a regression model examined the main hypothesis as well as five sub-hypotheses. The results of the survey indicate that the number of major shareholders has been reduced after privatization process accomplished, the number of shares had no impact on firms’ values. In addition, non-board members’ duty had not impact on firms’ value before and after privatization process, institutional investors did not play important role before and after privatization process, and separations played important role on firms’ value before and after privatization occurred

Effects of administration of omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E supplementation on adiponectin gene expression in PBMCs and serum adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels in male patients with CAD

Objective: Adiponectin is a unique anti-atherogenic adipocytokine. Regulation of adiponectin secretion is dysfunctional in cardiovascular diseases. The current trial study assessed the effects of omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E on adiponectin gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP; also called ap2 and FABP4) levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 67 male patients with CAD. First of the four group of participants received 4 g/day omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 IU/day vitamin E (OE), second group 4 g/day omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin E placebo (OP), or both omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E placebos (PP) for 8 weeks. Adiponectin gene expression and serum adiponectin and FABP4 levels were evaluated. Results: The combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E in patients with CAD affected their serum adiponectin and FABP4 levels and the adiponectin/FABP4 ratio significantly. In the OP group, serum adiponectin levels did not change significantly. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids with and without vitamin E had no significant effect on adiponectin gene expression. Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E improve adiponectin levels in patients, without any significant changes in adiponectin gene expression. This nutritional intervention may prevent complications in patients with CAD because of increased adiponectin levels. (Anatol J Cardiol 2015; 15: 981-9

Vitamin D suppresses cellular pathways of diabetes complication in liver

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on glucose metabolism, as well as the expression of five key genes involved in the development of diabetes complications in liver tissue of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats in each group). The first group served as control and the other two groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to develop diabetes. Groups were treated for four weeks either with placebo or vitamin D (two injections of 20000 IU/kg). Thereafter, serum levels of glucose, insulin and HbA1c were assessed. Liver tissue was examined for the level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the gene expression of AGE cellular receptor (AGER), glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1), aldose reductase (AR), O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and glutamine/ fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT). Results: Vitamin D injection resulted in a significant increase in plasma level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, which could improve hyperglycemia about 11% compared to placebo-receiving diabetic rats (P=0.005). Insulin level increased as a result of vitamin D treatment compared to control (3.31±0.65 vs. 2.15±0.79; P= 0.01). Serum HbA1c and liver AGE concentrations had a slight but insignificant reduction following vitamin D intake. Moreover, a significant decline was observed in gene expression of AGER and OGT in liver tissue (P=0.04 and PConclusion: Vitamin D might contribute in ameliorating diabetes complications not only by improving blood glucose and insulin levels, but also by suppressing AGER and OGT gene expression in the liver

A Prospective Study on Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury and All-Cause Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients From Tehran (Iran)

BackgroundSeveral reports suggested that acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relatively common occurrence in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but its prevalence is inconsistently reported across different populations. Moreover, it is unknown whether AKI results from a direct infection of the kidney by SARS-CoV-2 or it is a consequence of the physiologic disturbances and therapies used to treat COVID-19. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of AKI since it varies by geographical settings, time periods, and populations studied and to investigate whether clinical information and laboratory findings collected at hospital admission might influence AKI incidence (and mortality) in a particular point in time during hospitalization for COVID-19.MethodsHerein we conducted a prospective longitudinal study investigating the prevalence of AKI and associated factors in 997 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Baqiyatallah general hospital of Tehran (Iran), collecting both clinical information and several dates (of: birth; hospital admission; AKI onset; ICU admission; hospital discharge; death). In order to examine how the clinical factors influenced AKI incidence and all-cause mortality during hospitalization, survival analysis using the Cox proportional-hazard models was adopted. Two separate multiple Cox regression models were fitted for each outcome (AKI and death).ResultsIn this group of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of AKI was 28.5% and the mortality rate was 19.3%. AKI incidence was significantly enhanced by diabetes, hyperkalemia, higher levels of WBC count, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). COVID-19 patients more likely to die over the course of their hospitalization were those presenting a joint association between ICU admission with either severe COVID-19 or even mild/moderate COVID-19, hypokalemia, and higher levels of BUN, WBC, and LDH measured at hospital admission. Diabetes and comorbidities did not increase the mortality risk among these hospitalized COVID-19 patients.ConclusionsSince the majority of patients developed AKI after ICU referral and 40% of them were admitted to ICU within 2 days since hospital admission, these patients may have been already in critical clinical conditions at admission, despite being affected by a mild/moderate form of COVID-19, suggesting the need of early monitoring of these patients for the onset of eventual systemic complications

Comparison of the CES-D and PHQ-9 depression scales in people with type 2 diabetes in Tehran, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The quality of life in patients with various chronic disorders, including diabetes has been directly affected by depression. Depression makes patients less likely to manage their self-care regimens. Accurate assessment of depression in diabetic populations is important to the treatment of depression in this group and may improve diabetes management. To our best knowledge, there are few studies that have looked for utilizing questionnaires in screening for depression among patients with diabetes in Iran. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and accuracy of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), in comparison with clinical interview in people with type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Outpatients who attended diabetes clinics at IEM were recruited on a consecutive basis between February 2009 and July 2009. Inclusion criteria included patients with type 2 diabetes who could fluently read and speak Persian, had no severe diabetes complications and no history of psychological disorders. The history of psychological disorders was ascertained through patients' medical files, taking history of any medications in this regard. The study design was explained to all patients and informed consent was obtained. Volunteer patients completed the Persian version of the questionnaires (CES-D and PHQ-9) and a psychiatrist interviewed them based on Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for DSM-IV criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 185 patients, 43.2% were diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based on the clinical interview, 47.6% with PHQ-9 and 61.62% with CES-D. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) for the total score of PHQ-9 was 0.829 ± 0.30. A cut-off score for PHQ-9 of ≥ 13 provided an optimal balance between sensitivity (73.80%) and specificity (76.20%). For CES-D the AUC for the total score was 0.861 ± 0.029. Optimal balance between sensitivity (78.80%) and specificity (77.1%) was provided at cut-off score of ≥ 23.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It could be concluded that the PHQ-9 and CES-D perform well as screening instruments, but in diagnosing major depressive disorder, a formal diagnostic process following the PHQ-9 and also the CES-D remains essential.</p