Burden of lower respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region between 1990 and 2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study

Objectives We used data from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study (GBD) to calculate the burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) in the 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from 1990 to 2015. Methods We conducted a systematic analysis of mortality and morbidity data for LRI and its specific etiologic factors, including pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus. We used modeling methods to estimate incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We calculated burden attributable to known risk factors for LRI. Results In 2015, LRIs were the fourth-leading cause of DALYs, causing 11,098,243 (95% UI 9,857,095–12,396,566) DALYs and 191,114 (95% UI 170,934–210,705) deaths. The LRI DALY rates were higher than global estimates in 2015. The highest and lowest age-standardized rates of DALYs were observed in Somalia and Lebanon, respectively. Undernutrition in childhood and ambient particulate matter air pollution in the elderly were the main risk factors. Conclusions Our findings call for public health strategies to reduce the level of risk factors in each age group, especially vulnerable child and elderly population

Limits on the integration constant of the dark radiation term in Brane Cosmology

We consider the constraints from primordial Helium abundances on the constant of integration of the dark radiation term of the brane-world generalized Friedmann equation derived from the Randall-Sundrum Single brane model. We found that -- using simple, approximate and semianalytical Method -- that the constant of integration is limited to be between -8.9 and 2.2 which limits the possible contribution from dark radiation term to be approximately between -27% to 7% of the background photon energy density.Comment: 8 page

Danger ahead: the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990–2015

Objectives The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces several health challenges at a difficult time with wars, unrest, and economic change. Methods We used the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study to present the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the Eastern Mediterranean Region from 1990 to 2015. Results Ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the region in 2015, followed by cerebrovascular disease. Changes in total deaths ranged from a reduction of 25% for diarrheal diseases to an increase of about 42% for diabetes and tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer. Collective violence and legal intervention increased by 850% during the time period. Diet was the leading risk factor for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for men compared to maternal malnutrition for females. Childhood undernutrition was the leading risk factor for DALYs in 1990 and 2005, but the second in 2015 after high blood pressure. Conclusions Our study shows that the region is facing several health challenges and calls for global efforts to stabilise the region and to address the current and future burden of disease

Tobacco control efforts in the Gulf cooperation council countries: achievements and challenges

This paper reports a review into the current state of tobacco use, governance and national commitment for control, and current intervention frameworks in place to reduce the use of tobacco among the populations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and Yemen. It further reviews structured policy-oriented interventions (in line with the MPOWER package of 6 evidence-based tobacco control measures) that represent government actions to strengthen, implement and manage tobacco control programmes and to address the growing epidemic of tobacco use. Our findings show that tobacco control in the GCC countries has witness real progress over the past decades. These are still early days but they indicate steps in the right direction. Future investment in implementation and enforcement of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, production of robust tobacco control legislation and the establishment of universally available tobacco cessation services are essential to sustain and strengthen tobacco control in the GCC region

Cosmic Acceleration With A Positive Cosmological Constant

We have considered a cosmological model with a phenomenological model for the cosmological constant of the form \Lambda=\bt\fr{\ddot R}{R}, \bt is a constant. For age parameter consistent with observational data the Universe must be accelerating in the presence of a positive cosmological constant. The minimum age of the Universe is $H_0^{-1}$, where $H_0$ is the present Hubble constant. The cosmological constant is found to decrease as $t^{-2}$. Allowing the gravitational constant to change with time leads to an ever increasing gravitational constant at the present epoch. In the presence of a viscous fluid this decay law for $\Lambda$ is equivalent to the one with $\Lambda=3\alpha H^2$ ($\alpha=\rm const.$) provided \alpha=\fr{\bt}{3(\bt-2)}. The inflationary solution obtained from this model is that of the de-Sitter type.Comment: a more revised versio

Effect of Vitamin D3 Levels on Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection and IFN-Gamma Expression in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq

Background: This study aimed to explore the correlation between Vitamin D3 levels and IFN-Gamma expression in children residing in the southern and central provinces of Iraq. Vitamin D3 plays a pivotal role in immune function, and IFN-Gamma is a crucial cytokine involved in antiviral defense. Investigating the connection between Vitamin D3 and IFN-Gamma offers valuable insights into immune responses and potential implications for infectious diseases. Methods: A case-control study was conducted, involving children from various schools and kindergartens in the southern and central provinces of Iraq. The study assessed Vitamin D3 levels and measured IFN-Gamma expression. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the relationship between these variables. Results: The outcomes revealed a significant positive correlation between Vitamin D3 levels and IFN-Gamma expression within the study population (p < 0.05). Children with higher Vitamin D3 levels exhibited elevated IFN-Gamma expression, suggesting a possible immunomodulatory impact of Vitamin D3 on IFN-Gamma production. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of maintaining adequate Vitamin D3 levels to support immune function, particularly in relation to IFN-Gamma expression. Improving Vitamin D3 status could potentially bolster antiviral defense mechanisms and reduce susceptibility to viral infections among children in the southern and central provinces of Iraq. Further investigation is warranted to delve into the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical ramifications of this significant association. Additionally, exploring the long-term effects of maintaining optimal Vitamin D3 levels on immune function and the outcomes of infectious diseases in this population would offer valuable insights for preventive and therapeutic strategies

Effect of COVID-19 Vaccines on Hair Loss

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the global distribution of vaccines, but there are concerns regarding potential side effects. Hair loss is one of the less commonly reported side effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 vaccinations on hair loss. Instruments & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 580 participants aged between 20 to 72 years, consisting of 270 males and 310 females. Machine learning techniques were employed to analyze the data and determine any potential relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and hair loss. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for hair loss. Findings: Of the total participants, 17.6% reported experiencing hair loss after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage was higher in females (19.4%) compared to the males (15.2%). There was a significant association between the COVID-19 vaccine and hair loss in both males and females. The odds ratio for developing hair loss after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.04¬1.73) for females and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.81-1.54) for males. Conclusion: Hair loss is a rare but possible side effect of COVID-19 vaccination in both males and females, which its prevalence is higher in females than in males. Individuals with certain comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes, may be at a higher risk for experiencing hair loss after COVID-19 vaccination

Defining dual diagnosis : a qualitative study of the views of health care workers

Background: \u27Dual diagnosis\u27 is the term of choice in many countries to describe clients with co-occurring mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues. However, it is not known if its meaning is consistently represented within and across health care services. This uncertainty has significant implications for referral, consultation and research.Aim: To obtain information about the way that different health care professionals understand the term \u27dual diagnosis\u27.Method: Twenty-nine health care workers across five service types (medical, mental health, AOD, dual diagnosis and community health) in Victoria, Australia were interviewed about their understanding of the term \u27dual diagnosis\u27.Results: The findings indicated that service providers working in AOD and Mental Health had a shared general understanding of what was meant by \u27dual diagnosis\u27, despite uncertainties about more specific inclusion criteria. In contrast, medical and community health staff lacked a similar shared understanding, and were more likely to recommend change, but offered no consensus on alternatives.Conclusion: The results indicate that while the term \u27dual diagnosis\u27 has value in efficiently directing attention to the complexity of treatment issues, health practitioners cannot assume it will convey the intended meaning outside mental health or AOD services. Clear articulation of the intended definition may be a necessary requirement in wider health care communication. <br /

Kaluza-Klein Type Robertson Walker Cosmological Model With Dynamical Cosmological Term Λ\Lambda

In this paper we have analyzed the Kaluza-Klein type Robertson Walker (RW) cosmological models by considering three different forms of variable $\Lambda$: $\Lambda\sim(\frac{\dot{a}}{a})^2$,$\Lambda\sim(\frac{\ddot{a}} {a})$ and $\Lambda \sim \rho$. It is found that, the connecting free parameters of the models with cosmic matter and vacuum energy density parameters are equivalent, in the context of higher dimensional space time. The expression for the look back time, luminosity distance and angular diameter distance are also derived. This work has thus generalized to higher dimensions the well-known results in four dimensional space time. It is found that there may be significant difference in principle at least, from the analogous situation in four dimensional space time.Comment: 16 pages, no figur