41 research outputs found
Possible role of Helicobacter pylori infection via microvascular dysfunction in cardiac syndrome X
Recently, some investigators have reported seeing microvascular dysfunction in patients with
cardiac syndrome X (CSX). In addition, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium causing
chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, has recently been associated with CSX. Yet the
mechanism(s) by which H. pylori infection leads to CSX is poorly understood. We propose
a link between H. pylori and microvascular dysfunction infection in the development of CSX
Enhancing Urban Flood Prediction Accuracy with Physics-Informed Neural Networks: A Case Study in Real-Time Rainfall Data Integration
Urban flooding presents significant socio-economic challenges in cities, emphasising the need for effective flood forecasting [1]. Traditional flood prediction methods are data-intensive and time-consuming for calibration and computation. However, due to data scarcity and the necessity to account for real-time variable factors, Machine/Deep Learning (ML/DL) techniques are emerging as preferred solutions. These methods offer an advantage over slow, yet accurate, calibrated numerical models by handling limitations more efficiently [2]. More recently, a notable DL technique, called the Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN), integrates physics understanding into the modeling process. This approach enables the model to incorporate physical principles into its inputs, enhancing its predictive capabilities despite limited data availability. Similar to other DL models, PINNs consist of an input layer, several hidden layers, and an output layer. However, as added value, the structure of these layers in PINN models varies based on the problem's nature and hyperparameters such as weights and biases are adjusted based on physical equations/roles/formula during the training phase to minimise the loss function [3]. Application of PINN models have been tasted widely in other contexts such as groundwater systems, climate prediction, energy systems, and waste management [4]. However, in the context of real-time flood early warning systems, this issue remains relatively novel. This study aims to develop a PINN model to detect flood events at specific points in an urban drainage system at the earlier timesteps of rainfall. The model employs the Horton equation applied to the rainfall hyetograph (both time-dependent) to process real-time data. This input allows the model to predict water level rises at certain points in the channel, identifying potential flooding. This new data is used as both input data and roles of bias adjusting during training model. The results show that by integrating physics-based rainfall inputs, accuracy of prediction have been significantly enhanced especially for longer timesteps in comparison to well-developed ML models.Peer reviewe
The Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Management of Children with Asthma
Background Making decision on asthma as an inflammatory disease is done mostly on the airways function and the patient symptoms which most of them are nonspecific and subjective. Also, the children are not able to express their signs and collaboration in examination of the lungs function. Evaluation of serum level inflammatory biomarkers can be useful in assessment of the response to treatment and severity of asthma. In this regard, we aimed to examine the changes of serum levels of biomarkers which may occur as a result of treatment in children with asthma. Materials and Methods This study was conducted in 2017 and 54 children who referring to the respiratory clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz city (Iran), were studied by convenience sampling method. To evaluate the changes of biomarkers (Immunoglobulin E, Eosinophil, Periostin and Eosinophil Cationic Protein), 5ml peripheral blood samples were drawn before and after the treatment period of six-month. They were measured by ELISA method. The data were analyzed by SPSS software ver.16.0 using descriptive statistics and Paired Sample t test. Results The mean age of the children was 6.27±2.25 years. There was a significant difference between the studied biomarkers before and after treatment (P>0.05) and the serum level of Immunoglobulin E, Eosinophil, Periostin and Eosinophil Cationic Protein was reduced after receiving the treatment. Conclusion The biomarkers serum levels in the children was reduced after the end of the treatment period. Thus, in this study, the role of selective biomarkers in asthma management was confirmed. The physicians could decide about the stop or continuation of the treatment by measuring their serum levels
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal sediments from urban and industrial areas of Asaluyeh Harbor, Iran: distribution, potential source and ecological risk assessment
The distribution and toxicity levels of 16 EPA priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) in the sediments of Asaluyeh shore, Iran were investigated. The total concentrations of the
PAHs in surface sediments ranged from 1,054 to 17,448 ng/g dry weights with a mean concentration
of 8,067 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PAHs showed that PAH levels are much higher in the
industrial areas in comparison with urban areas. Based on diagnostic ratios, pyrogenic activities were
dominant sources of PAHs pollution in sediments comparing petroleum sources. The toxic equivalent
concentrations (TEQ Carc) of PAHs ranged from 172 to 2,235 ng TEQ/g with mean value of 997.9.
Toxicity levels were evaluated using sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and toxic equivalent factors.
Samples were collected from industrial and urban stations in Asaluyeh shores. According to SQGs,
ΣPAHs concentrations in sediments of urban areas were below the ERL (effects range low), but the
industrial samples had ΣPAHs concentrations between ERL and ERM (effects range median).
Furthermore, ΣHPAHs (heavy PAHs) and some individual PAHs in some industrial stations exceeded
ERM, indicating adverse ecological risk effects frequently occur. Findings demonstrate that the
surface sediment from Asaluyeh shore is highly to very highly contaminated with PAHs
Comparison of the Performance of Iranian Azeri-Speaking Children Based on Iran and Reference Bayley III Norms
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was comparing of performance of Iranian children on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development- third edition with the standardized norms of Iran and United State.
Materials & Methods
A total of 248 Iranian children at the ages of 1-42 months were participated in this study. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development- third edition was administered to evaluate the cognitive, language and motor development of these children.
Results
The scaled scores of the study group were higher based on the reference norms in receptive communication, fine motor, and gross motor subtests. The scaled scores were variable in expressive communicationand cognitive subtests. The differences were significant for receptive communication and fine motor subtests (P<0.05). Using the reference norms instead of Iran norms resulted in under-referral regardingreceptive communication and fine motor subtests. More children scored below 1 and 2 SD using Iran norms in comparison to those reported for using the reference norms.
Conclusion
Iran norms differ significantly from the reference norms over twosubscales. It is recommended to use population-specific norms to identify children with developmental delay and early interventio
Data on copper level in the blood of patients with normal and abnormal angiography
In this data article, we measured the levels of copper in the blood
of patients undergoing coronary angiography. The samples were
taken from patients with cardiovascular disease in Bushehr's university
hospital, Iran. Patients were divided in two groups: normal
angiography and abnormal angiography. After the chemical
digestion of samples, the concentration levels of Cu in both groups
were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical
spectrometry (ICP-OES).
& 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open
access article under the CC BY licens
Data onFe(II)biosorptiononto Sargassum hystrix algae obtainedfromthePersianGulfinBushehr Port, Iran
In thisarticle,weused Sargassum hystrix algae asbiosorbentfor
removalofFe(II)fromaqueoussolutionsthatwascollectedalong
the PersianGulfcoastline,Bushehr,Iran.Theconcentrationlevelof
remaining Fe(II)inthesampleswasmeasuredbyusing flame
atomic absorptionspectrometry(FAAS,VarianAA240,Australia).
The isotherms,kineticsandmodelingdataofFe(II)biosorption
onto Sargassum hystrix werealsopresented
Adiponectin as a Protective Factor Against the Progression Toward Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women.
Serum adiponectin levels have been suggested to be predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in diverse populations. However, the relationship between circulating adiponectin levels and the risk of development of type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women has not been investigated.A total of 382 healthy postmenopausal women who participated in a prospective cohort study were followed for 5.8 years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was defined according to the criteria set out by the American Diabetes Association. Adiponectin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured using ELISA.Of 195 women who did not have diabetes at baseline and who were reexamined in the second phase of the study for diabetic status, 35 subjects (17.9%) developed type 2 diabetes mellitus during the 5.8 years follow-up period. The women with type 2 diabetes had lower adiponectin levels than the healthy postmenopausal women. Multiple regression analysis showed that, after adjustments were made for age, cardiovascular risk factors, OPG, and hs-CRP levels, higher baseline adiponectin levels were associated with a lower relative risk (RR) of having type 2 (RR = 0.07, confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.66, P = 0.021).Higher baseline adiponectin levels functioned as a predictor of a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus among postmenopausal women during a 5.8 years follow-up study. Therefore, it is suggested that elevated adiponectin levels may offer protection against the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus after the menopause
Cigarette butts abundance and association of mercury and lead along the Persian Gulf beach: an initial investigation.
The toxic metal contents of cigarette butts and distribution of cigarette butts have not been studied well in maritime environment. In the present study, cigarette butts distribution and the associations of Hg and Pb from cigarette butts were monitored along the Persian Gulf with 10 days interval sampling time. The number of cigarette butts, and Hg and Pb associations of butts were found to vary widely between 2 and 38 items per square meter, 2.5 and 86.32 ng/g cigarette butt (CB), as well as 650 and 8630 ng/g CB, respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that there were no significant differences between the number of butts, and Hg and Pb contents of the butts at different sampling times. Considering amount of cigarette butts littered yearly, this study demonstrates that remarkable toxic metals of Hg and Pb may enter maritime environment each year and may introduce critical hazards to aquatic organisms, enter food chain, and finally human body.
KEYWORDS:
Bushehr; Cigarette butts; Lead; Mercury; Persian Gul
Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Programme, phase I (cardiovascular system)
Purpose: The main objective of the Bushehr Elderly
Health Programme, in its first phase, is to investigate
the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their
association with major adverse cardiovascular events.
Participants: Between March 2013 and October
2014, a total of 3000 men and women aged
≥60 years, residing in Bushehr, Iran, participated in
this prospective cohort study ( participation
rate=90.2%).
Findings to date: Baseline data on risk factors,
including demographic and socioeconomic status,
smoking and medical history, were collected through a
modified WHO MONICA questionnaire. Vital signs and
anthropometric measures, including systolic and
diastolic blood pressure, weight, height, and waist and
hip circumference, were also measured. 12-lead
electrocardiography and echocardiography were
conducted on all participants, and total of 10 cc
venous blood was taken, and sera was separated and
stored at –80°C for possible future use. Preliminary
data analyses showed a noticeably higher prevalence of
risk factors among older women compared to that in
men.
Future plans: Risk factor assessments will be
repeated every 5 years, and the participants will be
followed during the study to measure the occurrence
of major adverse cardiac events. Moreover, the second
phase, which includes investigation of bone health and
cognition in the elderly, was started in September
2015. Data are available at the Persian Gulf Biomedical
Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical
Sciences, Bushehr, Iran, for any collaboration