The effects of sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa) on ovaries and its hormones and gonadotropins on female balb/C mice

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: بنزوات سدیم (C6H5COONa) به عنوان یک داروی ضد عفونی کننده بر علیه باکتریها و میکروارگانیسم ها در انواع مواد غذایی و دارویی بهداشتی مصرف می شود. هدف از این مطالعه تعیین اثرات بنزوات سدیم بر روی تخمدان ها و هورمون های آن و گنادوتروپین ها در موش سوری (balb/c) ماده بالغ است. روش بررسی: در یک مطالعه تجربی 18 سر مـوش سوری (balb/c) ماده بالغ در سه گروه 6 تایی قرار گرفتند. به گروه یک (کنترل) آب آشامیدنی طبیعی و به گروه دوم روزانه 280 میلی گرم در کیلوگرم و به گروه سوم روزانه 560 میلی گرم در کیلوگرم بنزوات سدیم محلول در آب آشامیدنی به مدت 60 روز داده شد. بعد از تهیه سرم های خونی سنجش هورمون های گنادوتروپین (LH)، هیپوفیز (FSH) و استرادیول و پروژسترون به روش رادیوایمنواسی (RIA) انجام گرفت. به کمک میکروسکوپ نوری و الکترونی ساختار و فرا ساختار تخمدانی در موش ها مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. تجزیه و تحلیل آماری برای مقایسه میانگین ها با استفاده از آزمون t انجام شد. یافته ها: میانگین وزن تخمدان ها در موشهای گروه کنترل و گروه دوم پس از 60 روز به ترتیب 98/0±75/7 و 84/0±21/7 میلی گرم بود (05/0P>). اما میانگین وزن تخمدان ها در گروه سوم (72/0±41/6 میلی گرم) نسبت به گروه کنترل کاهش معنی داری را نشان داد (05/0

Kommunicera mera, då ni blir flera! En studie om vikten av kommunikation och samarbete i en förändringsprocess.

Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att belysa hur samarbetet och kommunikation fungerar i en planerad förändringsprocess. Metod: Vi har använt oss av en fallstudie med kvalitativa intervjuer. Vi har genomfört totalt sju intervjuer. Fem intervjuer med butikschefer på handelsområdet och två intervjuer med Väla köpcentrums marknadschef. Slutsatser: Vi anser att kommunikationen och samarbetet i handelsområdet är delvis fungerande då kommunikationen från Välas ledning är relativ öppen. Men Välas ledning har gjort en avgränsning som innebär att en del av handelsområdet är uteslutet i kommunikationsprocessen. Vi anser med teorierna som bakgrund att det inte går att utesluta en part då målet är att bli ett mer attraktivt handelsområde. Det är av vikt att alla parter är informerade och känner sig delaktiga. Konsekvensen av att utesluta en aktör är att målet och visionen inte delas med den uteblivna aktören och på sätt kan förändringsprocessen försvåras

Sorption of Lead (II) Ions on Activated Coconut Husk

Background: In recent years, various toxic chemicals/compounds have been widely detected at dangerous levels in drinking water in many parts of the world posing a variety of serious health risks to human beings. One of these toxic chemicals is lead, so this paper aimed to evaluate of efficiency coconut husk as cheap adsorbent for removal lead under different conditions. Methods: In the spring of 2015, batch studies were performed in laboratory (Branch of Hamadan, Islamic Azad University,) to evaluate the influences of various experimental parameters like pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time and the effect of temperature on the adsorption capacity of coconut husk for removal lead from aqueous solution. Results: Optimum conditions for Pb (II) removal were pH 6, adsorbent dosage 1g/100ml of solution and equilibrium time 120 min. The adsorption isotherm was also affected by temperature since the adsorption capacity was increased by raising the temperature from 25 to 45 °C. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm was better described by Freuindlich adsorption isotherm model. Conclusion: It is evident from the literature survey that coconut-based biosorbents have shown good potential for the removal of various aquatic pollutants. Coconut husk-based activated carbon can be a promising adsorbent for removal of Pb from aqueous solutions

Determination and Evaluation of Copper, Lead and Zinc in Leek Vegetable from Some Olericulture Farms of Hamedan, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study:  Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment, as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities, and humans are exposed to them through various pathways, especially food chain. So, this study aimed to assess heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations in different parts of the leek vegetable in Hamedan Province, Iran. Materials & Methods: Leek samples were collected from 3 farms in Hamedan, Iran. Samples were digested, using wet digestion method (HNO3 solution) and the concentrations of total Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AE). Results: The average concentrations of heavy metals in different parts of the root, stalk and leaf of the Leek were in order; Copper (0.34, 0.54, 0.71), Lead (0.03, 0.05, 0.16) and Zinc (1.42, 3.43, 4.5) mgkg-1; So, all samples concentrations were lower than the permissible limits which are recommended by FAO/WHO. Also, most of the heavy metals were positively correlated with each other in concentration. Conclusions:  Pearson correlation test showed that Cu, Pb and Zn are similar naturally and related to the anthropic activities especially chemical fertilizer, implies the same interactions and/or relationships among these metals. According to the results, there is no risk to consumers via consumption of the leek vegetable. Appropriate measures should be taken to an effective control of heavy metal levels in vegetable soils and protect the human health finally

Health Risks of Heavy Metals for Population via Consumption of Greenhouse Vegetables in Hamadan, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: The last 25 years have seen a remarkable increase in public concern about food contamination. Food and water are the main sources of our essential metals.These are also the media through which we are exposed to various toxic metalsAs such, this study aimed to assess the risks arising from the use of greenhouse vegetables, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers in Hamadan Province. Materials & Methods: Soil and plant samples were digested using wet digestion method (HClO4/HNO3, 2:1) ratio solution, and the concentrations of total As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AE). Results: High concentrations of elements As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were found in vegetables sampled from overused phosphate fertilized soils, which increased the daily intake of metals in food. The Health risk assessment values of all tested vegetables (pepper, cucumber and tomato) were below 1 in As and Cd. The health risk index (HRI) value above 1 indicated a relative health risk through the ingestion of contaminated vegetables. Conclusions: Heavy metal concentrations should be periodically monitored in vegetables grown in contaminated soils. This study found that long-term fertilizer use led to a growing accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils. It would also be beneficial to implement effective remediation technologies to minimize possible impacts on human health

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Alkaloid Extracts of Four Papaver Species

Background and Aim: The use of bioactive compounds of medicinal plants in prevention, control and treatment of human diseases has a long history. Most of plant bioactive compounds have highly complex chemical structures, and their chemical syntheses are often uneconomical. Moreover, their production is still dependent on plants. Plants of Papaveraceae family contain a variety of bioactive compounds that have many uses in traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of alkaloid extracts of four plant species of Papaveraceae family against some human pathogens. Materials and Methods: Crude alkaloid compounds of Papaver macrostomum, Roemeria refracta, Papaver somniferum and Glaucium grandiflorum plants were extracted using cain method.  The antimicrobial activity of plant alkaloid extracts against Pseudomonas aeroginosa PTCC 1310, Listeria monocytogenes PTCC 1297, Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1189, Klebsiella pneumoniae PTCC 1290 and Candida albicans PTCC 5027 pathogens were assessed using agar diffusion method. Results: The results of this study indicated that the alkaloid extracts of tested plants were effective against fungal and bacterial pathogens. All plant alkaloid extracts exhibited more inhibitory effect against fungal pathogen than the bacterial pathogens. Comparison of MIC and MBC values for bacterial pathogens revealed that all plant alkaloid extracts showed more inhibitory effects against the gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The results also showed that the alkaloid extracts of R. refracta have stronger inhibitory effect against fungal and bacterial pathogens compared with other plants. Conclusion: The antimicrobial compounds present in the plant species of Papaveraceae family are suitable candidates to produce new antibiotics. The results of this study demonstrated that antimicrobial compound in R. refracta plant could be used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by C. albicans and S. aureus pathogens

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundEstimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period.Methods22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution.FindingsGlobal all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations.InterpretationGlobal adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic