Effect of Milk thistle plant, Vitis vinifera extract on immune system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) challenge by diazinon

The pollutants due to effect on the immune system of fish increase fish sensitivity to pathogens. Diazinon is one of the most used organophosphates pesticide in many agricultural areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diazinon on the immune system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and application of Milk thistle plant, Vitis vinifera extract to reduce the adverse effects of this pesticide on its immune system. The reduction in the level of plasma peroxides, IgM, total complement and lysozyme were observed in fish exposed to diazinon showing its effect on the fish's immune system. No significant difference between control group and fish fed by Milk thistle plant extract and exposed to diazinon can reflect protective impact of Milk thistle plant extract on the immune system of rainbow trout by eliminating the free radicals and boosting the immune system

The impact of Oncotype DX testing on adjuvant chemotherapy decision making in 1–3 node positive breast cancer

Background: Oncotype DX testing has reduced the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative early breast cancer but less is known about its impact in node positive patients. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Oncotype DX gene assay testing on the decision to offer adjuvant chemotherapy in oestrogen positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, 1–3 lymph node positive patients. Methods: Retrospective review of all node positive patients who underwent Oncotype DX testing at a single centre. Clinicopathological data, as well as estimated survival benefit data (from the PREDICT tool), was evaluated by a multidisciplinary group of surgeons and oncologists. Treatment decisions based on clinicopathological data were compared to recurrence scores (RS). A cut off RS > 30 was used to offer adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: The 69 patients were identified, of which 9 (13%) had an RS > 30 and assigned a high-genomic risk of recurrence. The 32 patients (46.4%) were offered adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall based on the use of the RS, the decision to offer adjuvant chemotherapy changed in 36% of patients, and ultimately 24 patients (34.7%) would have been spared chemotherapy. Conclusion: Using clinicopathological data alone to make decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy in node positive breast cancer leads to overtreatment. Additional information on tumour biology as assessed by the Oncotype DX RS helps to select those patients who will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy and spare patients from unnecessary chemotherapy

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

Background: Estimates 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. Methods: 22 223 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. Findings: Global 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. Interpretation: Global 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

The study of plant associations in salt marshes of the Mouteh Refuge, Delijan

Mouteh Refuge covers an area of 200000 hectars located in the northwest of Meymeh and southwest of Delijan. In this study, the vegetation of salt marshes in Mouteh Refuge was studied, using the Braun-Blanquet method. Phytosociological data were analysed by analyse factorielle des correspondances (AFC) and classification ascendant hierarchique (CAH) methods, using the Anaphyto software. In general, 17 plant associations were determined in the area. Some of physical and chemical soil features of plant associationâs habitats were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the soil data. The results showed that the plant associationâs distribution was mainly related to EC, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4, HCO3- and to the texture of soil

Hazards for pregnant women and nursing mothers working in nuclear fusion laboratories

Objective: Investigating some biological side effects of radiations resulted from fusion reaction experiments in DAMAVAD Tokamak. Materials and Methods: The absorbed dose of the personnel in DAMAVAND Tokamak was measured using LIF dosimeters and analyzed. Results: In DAMAVAND in areas near the forbidden zone around this device the level of the received dose is very high (more than 6 mSv for each 100 shots) and in regions around the control panel  and shielding room that personnel usually attend the level of the effective absorbed dose is about 1.16 mSv for each 100 shots.  In each working period in DAMAVAND Tokamak about 100 shots are being done weekly. Hence, each of the personnel will absorb about 5×1.16= 5.8 mSv that is very high for a short period (5 days). Conclusion: managers of the fusion laboratories must govern personnel's duties properly and arrange female working conditions in critical situations of their lives. Therefore, it is recommended that the contribution of the pregnant women must not be more than 60 shots per month and it is better to be decreased to 55, because they absorb some extra doses from the experiments with other device while attending to the building of laboratory

A Preliminary Survey of Flora, Life form and Chorotype of Plants of the Booz Daghi Region in North Khorassan Province

The Booz Daghi region with an area of 62,000 hectares is located 47 kilometers from Maneh and Semelghan city. The floristic composition, biological, and chorological spectra of this area were investigated through several random collections in different habitats and vegetation types, as well as from 220 plots established in selected plant communities during the growing season of 2021. In this regard, 252 vascular plant species belonging to 173 genera and 53 families were recorded as native plants in the Booz Daghi region. The richest families were Asteraceae (31), Poaceae (25), Lamiaceae (22), and Fabaceae (21). The genera Astragalus L. (10), Allium L., Convolvulus L., and Stachys L. (each with 5 species) were the richest ones. Hemicryptophytes (31.3%) and therophytes (29.8%) were the dominant life forms of the region. A considerable number of species (63.5%) belonged to the Irano-Turanian region. The results of this study showed that the Booz Daghi region had a relatively rich flora that requires special attention and proper planning to protect its biodiversity.Key words: Biodiversity, Endemic Species, the Irano-Turanian Region, Vegetation. IntroductionBecause of the accelerated process of destruction in different ecosystems and its negative effects on reducing biodiversity in recent decades, researchers are more interested in conservation issues. Considering that the first step in the effective and efficient protection of any resource is to have correct and comprehensive information about it, floristic studies provide valuable information about the types of plants and their general biological and vegetative characteristics in different regions.The climatic and environmental diversity of Iran created a rich flora and variety of vegetation in its different regions. The Booz Daghi region in North Khorassan province is one of the regions that has not been studied in terms of floristic aspects. The current research was conducted to investigate the flora and geographical distribution of plants in this region. The findings of this research can provide valuable information for managers and decision-makers in the field of existing plant reserves and planning for the protection of these resources. Materials and MethodsAbout 500 plant samples were collected from different habitats and vegetation types randomly. Some of them were collected from 220 plots of 100 m2 located in selected plant communities during the growing season of 2021. Plant samples were identified by using Flora of Iran, Flora Iranica, and a number of revision papers. Nomenclature conforms to Flora Iranica and is updated according to databases such as IPNI and POWO. The life form of plants was determined based on the Raunkiaer's classification system, distribution areas of plant species by suitable flora, and the chorotype of the species with their distribution areas in Iran and other countries. Findings (Results)In the preliminary survey of the Booz Daghi region, 252 plant species belonging to 173 genera and 53 families were found. In terms of the number of species, Asteraceae with 22 genera and 31 species, Poaceae with 19 genera and 25 species, Lamiaceae with 10 genera and 22 species, and Fabaceae with 10 genera and 21 species had the largest contribution among the identified families. Astragalus with 10 species, Allium, Convolvulus, and Stachys (with 5 species), Centaurea, Cousinia and Ziziphora (with 4 species) and Acanthophyllum, Salvia and Tulipa (with 3 species) had the maximum number of species among the plant genera of the region.The investigation of the biological spectrum of the region showed that hemicryptophytes, therophytes, geophytes, chamaephytes, and phanerophytes had 31.3, 29.8, 14.7, 12.7 and 11.5% of life forms, respectively. The results of plants’ geographical distribution studies showed that Irano-Turanian elements formed 63.5% of the species. After that, there were Irano-Turanian/Mediterranean elements with 13.9% and Euro-Siberian/Mediterranean/Irano-Turanian elements with 11.9%. The other species found in the Irano-Turanian region were in other floristic regions. ConclusionIn the present research, the flora of the Booz Daghi region was investigated. The results of the research showed that there were 252 plant species from 173 genera and 53 families in this area. More than 63.5% of them belonged to the Irano-Turanian region. The Booz Daghi region belonged to this floristic region. Due to the hard environmental conditions, the Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae and Fabaceae families, and among the life forms, hemicryptophytes and therophytes were the most abundant. Based on the results, the Booz Daghi region had relatively good species richness. For this reason, it can be considered an important region in studies. Comprehensive planning and supplementary studies for biodiversity protection should be conducted in this region

The effect of environmental factors on growth characteristics, seed germination and essential oils of Ziziphora clinopodioides

In this study, the relationship between altitude, climate and soil characteristics as important and effective factors on the growth characteristics, seed germination and essential oils of Ziziphora clinopodioides were examined. Three habitats of this species with different altitudes were selected in Alborz and Mazandaran provinces. Growth characteristics of Z. clinopodioides bushes in 45 plots located at the three habitats were recorded. Seed of this species collected from three habitats and their viability was determined. Three soil samples were taken from each habitat and some physical and chemical characteristics were measured. Analysis variance results of data showed that there is a significant difference among the three habitats from the viewpoint of growth characteristics, soil features and common combinations of essential oils. The highest seed viability was obtained for Rineh habitat with chilling and scratching seed coat. The most important environmental factors affecting the vegetative characteristics and essential combinations was determined using principal component analysis. The results showed that annual temperature, absolute minimum temperature, maximum temperature of the warmest month, number of frost days, altitude, electrical conductivity, moisture saturation, organic matter and soil texture had the greatest impact on these properties

A fuzzy based hierarchical coordination and control system for a robotic agent team in the robot Hockey competition

This paper presents the system used by the team of the German University in Cairo (GUC) within the FESTO Hockey Challenge league that took place within RoboCup 2009. The goal of the FESTO Hockey Challenge is to have a competition between robotic teams where each team consists of three robots to compete in an Ice Hockey game. All robots are of the same mechanical, sensor and electronic capabilities so that the focus of the competition is to develop novel artificial intelligence techniques for robot control and coordination. The GUC team scored the 2nd place in this competition after losing by penalty shoot outs in the final. The proposed control approach for GUC team employed Hierarchical Fuzzy Logic Controllers (HFLCs) in which the low level behaviours are implemented using FLCs and the coordination between the behaviours is implemented by a high level fuzzy layer. The coordination between the robotic agents team members is implemented by a hierarchical situation based dynamic role allocation mechanism. The paper will describe the employed approaches and will report on the results achieved

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with first trimester vaginal bleeding.

Objective: To study the pregnancy outcomes in first trimester vaginal bleeding. Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was done on 60 pregnant women with first trimester vaginal bleeding referring to university hospitals affiliated to Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. All women were evaluated for the outcomes including abortion, preterm rapture of membranes, preterm labor, second and third trimester vaginal bleeding, low birth weight and intra uterine growth retardation and the mode of delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS- 11. Results: Placenta accreta, second trimester bleeding and preterm labor were significantly more prevalent in pregnant women with first trimester bleeding (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: According to results of present study vaginal bleeding in first trimester of pregnancy may predict further maternal and fetal complications. We recommend training pregnant women regarding those complications and their prevention