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