The influence of freezing conditions on the organoleptic attributes of Iranian leafy vegetable foods

The edible leafy vegetables contain nutritional ingredients that are necessary for human health and it is important that nutrients protection be monitored during processing and storage. The aim of this study was to study some organoleptic attributes of a very popular Iranian meal named Coco-Sabzi, which was prepared with a mixture of edible grinded leafy vegetable pre-stored at different frozen conditions. So, by sensorial evaluation we can conclude about nutritional loss of products. The mixture of five edible grinded leafy vegetables including Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum, Lepidium sativum, M. spicata (M. sativa), Ocimum basilicum and Allium porrum were stored at -9, -12 and -18oC for 120, 150 and 180 days. The organoleptic attribute of the prepared Coco-Sabzi was compared with the above three different time-temperature combinations during the frozen storage period. Results indicated that the best colors were observed at -18, -12 and -9oC, respectively. Taste and overall acceptability at -18oC after 120 and 150 days and also at -12oC after 180 days ranked 1st (P< 0.05). Data analysis showed that the color, taste and overall acceptability of samples were not statistically different at three different time-temperature combinations during the frozen storage period. As a result, organoleptic attribute during six months of frozen storage was affected by freezing temperature, not by frozen storage perio

Diagnostic role of whole body bone scintigraphy in atypical skeletal tuberculosis resembling multiple metastases: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Osseous tuberculosis can be present with unifocal or multifocal bony involvement. Although multifocal involvement of the skeletal system in areas where tuberculosis is endemic is not a rare presentation, its exact prevalence is not well known. A case of atypical skeletal tuberculosis mimicking multiple secondary metastases on radiologic and scintigraphic imaging is presented to emphasize the contribution of bone scintigraphy in the assessment of osseous tuberculosis in typical and atypical presentations.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 73-year-old cachectic Asian man (Iranian) presented with a general feeling of being unwell and an acute loss of vision in his left eye accompanied by a severe headache. A Tc-99 m-methylene diphosphonate bone scan demonstrated multiple regions of intense activity in the appendicular and axial skeleton, suggesting metastatic involvement. Tumor markers (PSA, CA125, CA 19-9 and AFP) were within normal ranges. Based on clinical presentation and laboratory, radiological and scintigraphic findings, a presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis was made. Quadruple antituberculous chemotherapy was consequently started and the patient later showed marked improvement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Scintigraphic bone scanning should be kept in mind when assessing bone pain in patients at a high risk of tuberculosis infection or reactivation. We present this unusual case of multifocal skeletal tuberculosis, and stress the related clinical and diagnostic points with the aim of stimulating a high index of suspicion that could facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.</p

Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients in Qom Province, Center of Iran

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that depends on the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus for its replication, developing exclusively in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. There are little data regarding the routes of HDV transmission in Iran. The risk factors for HDV infection in Iran are blood transfusion, surgery, family history, Hejamat wet cupping (traditional phlebotomy), tattooing, war injury, dental interventions, and endoscopy.Objectives: We performed this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis D in the general population of Qom province and the potential risk factors for acquiring HDV.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study collected 3690 samples from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. HBs antigen was measured, and if the test was positive, anti-HDV was measured. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and administer the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Forty-eight subjects (1.3%) suffered from hepatitis B, and 1 HBsAg-positive case had HDV infection. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in Qom Province was 0.03%. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in HBsAg-positive cases was 2%. Our anti-HDV-positive case had a history of tattooing, surgery, and dental surgery. There was no significant relationship between tattooing, surgery history, or dental surgery and hepatitis D infection.Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis D in Qom is the the lowest in Iran, similar to a study in Babol (north of Iran)

Radiobiological effects of wound fluid on breast cancer cell lines and human-derived tumor spheroids in 2D and microfluidic culture

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) could abrogate cancer recurrences, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To clarify the effects of IORT-induced wound fluid on tumor progression, we treated breast cancer cell lines and human-derived tumor spheroids in 2D and microfluidic cell culture systems, respectively. The viability, migration, and invasion of the cells under treatment of IORT-induced wound fluid (WF-RT) and the cells under surgery-induced wound fluid (WF) were compared. Our findings showed that cell viability was increased in spheroids under both WF treatments, whereas viability of the cell lines depended on the type of cells and incubation times. Both WFs significantly increased sub-G1 and arrested the cells in G0/G1 phases associated with increased P16 and P21 expression levels. The expression level of Caspase 3 in both cell culture systems and for both WF-treated groups was significantly increased. Furthermore, our results revealed that although the migration was increased in both systems of WF-treated cells compared to cell culture media-treated cells, E-cadherin expression was significantly increased only in the WF-RT group. In conclusion, WF-RT could not effectively inhibit tumor progression in an ex vivo tumor-on-chip model. Moreover, our data suggest that a microfluidic system could be a suitable 3D system to mimic in vivo tumor conditions than 2D cell culture

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Financial performance evaluation and failure prediction of Iranian food and agriculture corporation

It is a common understanding that bankruptcy is not a sudden event for any community. The predicting bankruptcy by new methods could be taken as a shield of production to lower the risk and danger levels of company bankruptcy. Thus, these are much meaning to owners, creditors, investors and academics alike. With a simple plane to improve the availability literatures, The main goal of this study is to explore the predictive power of neural network model and Logistic regression model to bankruptcy prediction by measuring its percentage accuracy on the listed firms in Tehran Stock Exchange(TSE).Logistic regression model is also provided as performance benchmarks for neural network classifiers. Depending on the purposive sampling method, this study covered 94 listed companies in TSE, whereby 47 companies were healthy and 47 companies that have filed for bankruptcy during of 2005-2009.The sample analysis (85% of samples) was joint to train and validation the corporate bankruptcy prediction model. In addition, the sample validation (15% of samples) was employed to test accuracy of the corporate bankruptcy prediction models. ANNs were appraised as a tool to predict bankruptcy prediction model .They are often classified into two different training types : supervised or unsupervised .Prior researchers in business have mainly used Back Propagation(BP) networks . So this study examined BP model for their efficiency and profitability in bankruptcy prediction. Also the study uses the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the accuracy rate approach to compare the predictive ability of all models that find which one model is the first. The result shows significant difference between the two models .The overall Ann's accuracy was 87% compared to 82% for Logistic regression. Besides, the Area under ROC values for ANN achieved above 88% compared to the Area under ROC values of above .82% for Logistic regression model. The study found significant difference between the two models. It means that nonlinear classifiers tend to outperform their linear model. Clearly, ANN is stands both efficient and valid preference in the terms of bankruptcy prediction for Iranian listed firms. A further result observes the majority of the selected factors belong to high leveraged and small liquidity and profitability groups cause the likelihood of bankruptcy. These findings agree strongly with the findings of as studies by (Zhang et al., 1999; Parker et al .,2002)

Evaluation of subsidence in western cities of Hamadan province Using radar images

IntroductionLand subsidence is commonly referred to as vertical downward movements of the earth's surface that can be accompanied by a slight horizontal vector. Land subsidence is a global problem and a morphological phenomenon. This phenomenon is affected by human activities and natural factors that may become a threat to humans and human achievements. The phenomenon of subsidence, although imperceptible and gradual, but is associated with many risks, including the creation of potholes, failure and cracking of buildings, skewing of high facilities, damage to agricultural facilities, breakage and destruction of stairs Roads and network of urban thoroughfares. Therefore, this issue affects the urban areas more, which if not addressed can lead to many human and financial losses. Accordingly, monitoring the rate of land subsidence in order to reduce the negative effects as well as controlling its development process, will be very important and it is necessary to regularly estimate the area subsidence trend. Due to the importance of the issue, in recent years, various studies have been conducted in the field of subsidence and advances in the field of remote sensing have led to monitoring the phenomenon of subsidence, unlike in the past, with greater accuracy and speed. One of the methods that has received a lot of attention in recent years is the radar interference method, which has high accuracy and speed in processing information and monitoring land surface changes, so in this study, this method is used to monitor the situation. Subsidence of cities located in Hamedan-Bahar plain has been used.Materials and methodsIn this study, in accordance with the intended objectives of Sentinel 1 radar images (73 radar images during the period 16/01/2015 to 14/01/20120), the information of piezometric wells in the region (related to the Water and Regional Organization of Hamadan Province ) And the 30 m SRTM digital elevation model have been used as research data. Important research tools also include GMT (for radar interference measurement and SBAS time series) and ARCGIS (for mapping). This research has been done in 2 general stages. In the first stage, the amount of subsidence in the area is assessed using radar images. In order to perform this step, radar interferometry and SBAS time series method have been used. In the second stage, the annual drop in groundwater in the region is evaluated. At this stage, in order to assess the annual drop in groundwater in the region, information about 25 piezometric wells located in the study area in the period of 1375 to 1395 has been used.Discussion and resultsThe study of subsidence results in the study cities indicates that the average annual subsidence in the urban area of Hamedan was about 23 mm, the highest amount of which was related to the western regions of the city. The average annual subsidence in the urban area of Bahar was about 9 mm, the highest rate of subsidence was in the southern areas of the urban area. The average annual subsidence in the urban area of Salehabad with 6 mm was lower than other cities, but the average annual subsidence of Lalejin with 47 mm was the highest among cities. Also, in this research, information related to 25 piezometric wells (statistical periods of wells related to the years 1375 to 1695) located in the study area has been used. Examination of the level of water level drop in the studied wells indicates that these wells have faced a lot of water level drop, so the average annual drop of wells is calculated between 100 to 2070 mm. The study of the spatial status of groundwater depletion indicates that the middle areas of the study area have the highest average annual groundwater level depletion.ConclusionThe results obtained from the assessment of subsidence in the studied urban areas indicate that the highest amount of subsidence occurred in the urban area of Lalejin, so that this area during a period of 5 years (01/16/2015 to 01/14 /­2020) had a subsidence between 26 and 234 mm (average annual 47 mm). In this study, the situation of groundwater resources decline has also been evaluated. The results show that the average annual drop of wells in the region is between 100 to 2070 mm, which is the highest rate of decline in the middle areas of the study area, and given that in this region, the highest rate of subsidence also occurred. Given that there is a significant relationship between land subsidence and groundwater level decline (correlation 0.7). In fact, a study of the subsidence of cities in relation to the decline of groundwater resources indicates that the city of Lalejin, due to its location in the middle of the area and the high annual rate of groundwater decline, had the highest rate of subsidence. Also, the results of evaluations have shown that in addition to the decrease of groundwater resources, constructions have also played a role in increasing the rate of subsidence, so that the city of Hamedan has faced less groundwater loss than the city of Bahar, but it had more subsidence. Considering that the highest rate of subsidence occurred in the western, southern and eastern regions of Hamedan urban area and these areas have faced a lot of physical development in recent years, so it can be said that in addition to water loss Underground, the development of construction has also played an important role in the rate of subsidence in this city