In vivo effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of acute ischemic kidney injury

Objective(s): Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) as a severe condition of acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common clinical problem with high mortality rates of 35-60% deaths in hospital. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) due to unique regenerative characteristics are ideal candidates for the treatment of the ischemic injuries. This work is focused on the administration of MSC to IRI-induced AKI Wistar rats and evaluating their significance in AKI treatment. Material and Methods: Animals underwent surgical procedure and AKI was induced by 40 min bilateral renal pedicle clamping. Immediately after reperfusion, 2×106 rat bone marrow derived MSCs were injected via intra-parenchymal or intra-aortic route. Results: Animals subjected to AKI after days 1 and 3 showed significant increase in the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration along with a declined glomerular filtration rate (GFR) when compared with non-ischemic animals. On the other hand, treated animals showed a significant enhanced regeneration as compared to ischemic animals in both administration route groups. Conclusion: According to the results concluded from the renoprotective effects of MSC in IRI/AKI, MSCs could be considered as promising therapeutic approach for AKI in clinical applications

Autoimmune versus Non-autoimmune Cutaneous Features in Monogenic Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity

Cutaneous manifestations are one of the most common presentations among patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). These skin manifestations are often among the first presenting features in the majority of patients preceding the IEI diagnosis. We studied 521 available monogenic patients with IEI listed in the Iranian IEI registry up to November 2022. We extracted each patient's demographic information, detailed clinical history of cutaneous manifestations, and immunologic evaluations. The patients were then categorized and compared based on their phenotypical classifications provided by the International Union of Immunological Societies. Most patients were categorized into syndromic combined immunodeficiency (25.1%), non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (24.4%), predominantly antibody deficiency (20.7%), and diseases of immune dysregulation (20.5%). In total, 227 patients developed skin manifestations at a median (IQR) age of 2.0 (0.5-5.2) years; a total of 66 (40.7%) of these patients initially presented with these manifestations. Patients with cutaneous involvement were generally older at the time of diagnosis [5.0 (1.6-8.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0-7.0) years; p = 0.022]. Consanguinity was more common among patients who developed skin disorders (81.4% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001). The overall skin infection rate and the type of dominant pathogens were significantly different among the IEI patients in different phenotypical classifications (p < 0.001). Atopic presentation, including urticaria, was highly prevalent among patients with congenital defects of phagocytes (p = 0.020). The frequency of eczema was also significantly higher among cases with both syndromic and non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (p = 0.009). In contrast, autoimmune cutaneous manifestations, including alopecia and psoriasis, were most common in patients with immune dysregulation (p = 0.001) and defects in intrinsic or innate immunity (p = 0.031), respectively. The presence of autoimmune cutaneous complications significantly improved the survival rate of IEI patients (p = 0.21). In conclusion, cutaneous manifestations were observed in nearly 44% of Iranian patients with monogenic IEI. A considerable number of patients with cutaneous involvements developed these disorders as their first manifestation of the disease, which was particularly noticeable in patients with non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency and phagocytic defects. The neglected skin disorders in IEI patients might delay diagnosis, which is generally established within a 3-year interval from the development of skin-related problems. Cutaneous disorders, especially autoimmune features, might indicate a mild prognosis in IEI patients

Gender Differences in Obesogenic Behaviour, Socioeconomic and Metabolic Factors in a Population-based Sample of Iranians: The IHHP Study

This study investigated the gender differences in association of some behavioural and socioeconomic factors with obesity indices in a population-based sample of 12,514 Iranian adults. The mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly higher in women than in men. Current and passive smoking had an inverse association with BMI among males whereas current smoking, transportation by a private car, and longer duration of watching television (TV) had a positive association with BMI among females. Current and passive smoking, cycling, and Global Dietary Index (GDI) had an inverse association with WC among males. Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, current and passive smoking, duration of daily sleep, and GDI had an inverse association with WC among females. Using a private car for transportation had a significant positive association with WHR among both males and females. Living in an urban area, being married, and having a higher education level increased the odds ratio of obesity among both the genders. Non-manual work also increased this risk among males whereas watching TV and current smoking increased this risk among females. Such gender differences should be considered for culturally-appropriate interventional strategies to be implemented at the population level for tackling obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk factors

Genomic reconstruction of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in England.

The evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus leads to new variants that warrant timely epidemiological characterization. Here we use the dense genomic surveillance data generated by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium to reconstruct the dynamics of 71 different lineages in each of 315 English local authorities between September 2020 and June 2021. This analysis reveals a series of subepidemics that peaked in early autumn 2020, followed by a jump in transmissibility of the B.1.1.7/Alpha lineage. The Alpha variant grew when other lineages declined during the second national lockdown and regionally tiered restrictions between November and December 2020. A third more stringent national lockdown suppressed the Alpha variant and eliminated nearly all other lineages in early 2021. Yet a series of variants (most of which contained the spike E484K mutation) defied these trends and persisted at moderately increasing proportions. However, by accounting for sustained introductions, we found that the transmissibility of these variants is unlikely to have exceeded the transmissibility of the Alpha variant. Finally, B.1.617.2/Delta was repeatedly introduced in England and grew rapidly in early summer 2021, constituting approximately 98% of sampled SARS-CoV-2 genomes on 26 June 2021

Uji Beban Lateral Pada Tiang Spunpile Pada Pembangunan PLTU II Tanjung Gundul

Suatu perencanaan pondasi dikatakan benar apabila beban yang diteruskan oleh pondasi ke tanah tidak melampaui kekuatan tanah yang bersangkutan. Dalam skripsi ini akan dibahas tentang analisa daya dukung tiang spunpile dengan metode lateral loading test. Daya dukung yang akan dipelajari adalah daya dukung lateral pondasi tiang pancang spunpile untuk kondisi tiang tunggal. Dalam penelitian ini akan ditentukan defleksi lateral pondasi tiang pancang spunpile dengan analisis perhitungan menggunakan metode broms. Kemudian mengetahui defleksi lateral pondasi tiang pancang spunpile dari hasil analisis daya dukung tiang uji pembebanan statik (loading test). Dari hasil analisis kemudian membandingkan daya dukung yang didapat terhadap hasil analisis daya dukung tiang uji pembebanan statik (loading test). Lokasi tempat pengujian dalam hal ini akan dilaksanakan di PLTU II Tanjung Gundul Kabupaten Bengkayang Kalimantan Barat, lokasi yang akan dilakukan pengujian yaitu Boiler, Turbin, dan Chimney. Penelitian ini juga dapat digolongkan sebagai penelitian studi literatur karena dalam pembahasannya digunakan literatur-literatur yang berisikan teori-teori yang mendukung penelitian dan bahasan tentang analisa daya dukung tiang spunpile dengan metode Broms dan metode lateral loading test yang digunakan pada proyek PLTU II Tanjung Gundul Kalimantan Barat. Pengujian ini dilakukan pada tiga lokasi di proyek pembangunan PLTU 2 x 27,5 MW yaitu Boiler, Turbine, dan Chimney. Berdasarkan hasil analisis metode broms didapat defleksi ijin (yo) pada lokasi Boiler sebesar 0,034 m, dan lokasi Turbine sebesar 0,034 m, nilai defleksi ijin ini didapat ketika pembebanan 200 %, sedangkan untuk lokasi Chimney sudah mengalami keruntuhan sebesar 0,027 m pada pembebanan 75% jadi pada lokasi Chimney dianggap tidak baik. Sedangkan menurut hasil analisis lapangan loading test setelah pembebanan 200% didapat yo pada lokasi Boiler sebesar 0,014 m, lokasi Turbine sebesar 0,019 m, Perbandingan nilai defleksi ijin menggunakan metode Broms dengan loading test terhadap defleksi dari static loading test menghasilkan perkiraan nilai defleksi lateral yang lebih kecil dari kenyataan yang dapat dipikul oleh tiang. Untuk besar perpindahan tiang terjadi pada setiap lokasi berdasarkan hasil analisis metode broms dan loading test, secara keseluruhan perpindahan yang didapat masih dalam toleransi yang wajar terkecuali untuk lokasi Chimney yang mengalami keruntuhan karna faktor sifat fisik tanah yang kurang mendukung. Kata kunci: daya dukung lateral, spunpile, Metode Broms, Lateral Loading Tes