Unconventional Water Resources: Global Opportunities and Challenges

Water is of central importance for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. With predictions of dire global water scarcity, attention is turning to resources that are considered to be unconventional, and hence called Unconventional Water Resources (UWRs). These are considered as supplementary water resources that need specialized processes to be used as water supply. The literature encompasses a vast number of studies on various UWRs and their usefulness in certain environmental and/or socio-economic contexts. However, a recent, all-encompassing article that brings the collective knowledge on UWRs together is missing. Considering the increasing importance of UWRs in the global push for water security, the current study intends to offer a nuanced understanding of the existing research on UWRs by summarizing the key concepts in the literature. The number of articles published on UWRs have increased significantly over time, particularly in the past ten years. And while most publications were authored from researchers based in the USA or China, other countries such as India, Iran, Australia, and Spain have also featured prominently. Here, twelve general types of UWRs were used to assess their global distribution, showing that climatic conditions are the main driver for the application of certain UWRs. For example, the use of iceberg water obviously necessitates access to icebergs, which are taken largely from arctic regions. Overall, the literature review demonstrated that, even though UWRs provide promising possibilities for overcoming water scarcity, current knowledge is patchy and points towards UWRs being, for the most part, limited in scope and applicability due to geographic, climatic, economic, and political constraints. Future studies focusing on improved documentation and demonstration of the quantitative and socio-economic potential of various UWRs could help in strengthening the case for some, if not all, UWRs as avenues for the sustainable provision of water

The Effect of a Mineralized Bone Graft on the Surface Microhardness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Biodentine

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the effect of Osteon II mineralized bone powder on the surface microhardness of two retrofilling materials: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine (BD). Methods and Materials: Each retrograde material was mixed and carried into 30 sterile custom-made plastic cylinders. Half of the samples in each group were exposed to Osteon II. All cylinders were submerged in simulated tissue fluid and incubated at 37°C and 100% relative humidity for 7 days. Surface microhardness values of each study group was attained using Vicker’s microhardness test. The data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA and independent t test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: In all the setting conditions, BD had significantly greater surface microhardness than MTA (P<0.001). Surface microhardness of both materials was significantly reduced in the presence of osteon II (P=0.006 for BD and P<0.001 for MTA). Conclusion: Mineralized bone graft materials negatively affect surface microhardness of both MTA and BD. In presence of osteon II, BD had the highest surface microhardness.Keywords: Biodentine; Bone Graft Materials; Mineral Trioxide Aggregate; Vickers Microhardness Tes

The Relationship between Small for Gestational Age (SGA) at Birth and Developmental Delay in Children Aged 4 to 60 Months

Background Progress in medical science and success in increasing the survival rate of vulnerable infants have raised the issue of future development in these children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) status at birth and developmental delay in children aged 4 to 60 months. Materials and Methods This study was a correlation descriptive through a multistage sampling method on 419 Iranian children aged 4 to 60 months who attended healthcare centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Healthcare Services, Iran. Data collection tools included a data collection checklist and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASG). The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 18.0.( Results The results showed that 83 (19.8%) of 419 children in the study, had developmental delay and 336 (80.2%) had normal development. Comparison of developmental domains between the two groups of children based on birth weight, showed that there was a significant relationship between the birth weight of children and developmental delay in the domain of fine movements (p = 0.02, r=0.81), problem solving (p = 0.02, r= 0.73), and the total score (p =0.02, r= 0.87). In addition, the Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) status at birth and developmental delay in children (p = 0.001). Conclusion Given the relationship between birth weight and developmental disorders, special attention to the birth weight of infants and performing regular care during pregnancy and afterwards for SGA children can prevent many developmental problems

Assessment of Dental Materials’ Catalogs Based on Safety and Protection Items in Dental School of Kerman

Objectives Dental materials are potentially hazardous and can negatively affect the health of patients, dental staff, and the surrounding environment. Thus, it is important to be aware and comply with the information provided in the material safety data sheets (MSDSs). Therefore, it seems necessary to review the dental material safety sheets in order to determine their consistency with the standard safety items required for dental materials. This study aimed to evaluate the MSDSs of dental materials consumed in Kerman Dental School to determine their compliance with the standard safety items. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 106 dental materials were selected from 12 clinical departments of Kerman Dental School. The MSDSs were assessed in order to determine their consistency with the standard safety items. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21, and t-test was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance level was set at P<0.05. Results Among the 15 items considered necessary according to the standard MSDSs, the item “necessary measures in case of possible leakage and spillage” had been least frequently stated in the assessed MSDSs. Also, the mean safety score of the materials with MSDSs was significantly higher compared with materials that had no MSDSs(P=0.0001). Conclusion Evaluation of the MSDSs of dental materials consumed in Kerman Dental School regarding the required standard items revealed that they did not meet the defined standard levels

Malignant Transformation in Leukoplakia and Its Associated Factors in Southern Iran: A Hospital Based Experience

We evaluated factors that affect malignant transformation of leukoplakia in a sample of the Iranian population. Methods: The records of patients with a clinical diagnosis of leukoplakia during a 20-year period from 1989-2009 referred to two of the largest referral centers in southern Iran were studied. Patients that developed malignant trans-formation were compared with patients that did not have malignant changes. Results: Of 522 patients, female patients, those over 50 yr old and with lesions located on the tongue had the highest rate of malignant changes. Female patients with malignant changes were mostly non-smokers (76.4%), while male pa-tients with malignant changes were mostly smokers (63.8% in non-smokers) (P<0.001). In our univariate analysis, male sex and smoking showed lower chances for malignant transformation (OR: 0.57; CI=0.397-0.822 and OR: 0.025; CI=0.141-0.299, respectively), while age above 50 was a risk factor for malignant transformation (OR: 3.57; CI=2.32-5.42). In the multivariate analysis, smoking (OR: 0.317; 95% CI=0.16–0.626) and morphological presentation as eryt-hroplakia (OR: 0.025; 95% CI=0.005-0.131) had low chances for developing malignant changes, while site of lesion on the tongue (OR: 774; 95% CI=60-9838) and morphological presentation as erythroleukoplakia (OR: 6.26; 95% CI=3.16-12.38) were a risk factor for developing malignant changes Conclusion: A follow-up program and further work-up should be considered for Iranian patients who have a leukop-lakia lesion that is flat and are white patch or plaques with red components, in addition for patients who have lesions located on the tongue and for nonsmokers who develops leukoplakia lesions

Clinical studies relation of metabolic syndrome with neoplastic lesion colon and rectum in persons with age 50 years and higher

زمینه و هدف: اطلاعات کمی در مورد رابطه بین سندرم متابولیک و احتمال بروز سرطان بدخیم کولورکتال وجود دارد. لذا از این مطالعه به منظور بررسی مقایسه ای بین ضایعات کلورکتال در افراد با و بدون سندرم متابولیک طراحی و انجام شده است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به صورت توصیفی تحلیلی در بین 114 بیمار 50 سال و بالاتر (بامیانگین سنی8/50±60/69 سال) مراجعه کننده به درمانگاه بیمارستان شریعتی اصفهان انجام گرفت. بعد از انجام آزمایشات بیماران به دو گروه با و بدون سندرم متابولیک تقسیم شدند و برای هر دو گروه کولونوسکوپی انجام شد. سپس بر اساس وجود پولیپ آدنوم با پاتولوژی پیشرفته و یا پولیپ آدنوم بدون پاتولوژی پیشرفته نیز به دو گروه تقسیم و با یکدیگر مقایسه شدند. داده ها توسط نرم افزار SPSS و با استفاده از آزمون کای اسکور تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: از 119 مورد بیمار که وارد مطالعه شدند، 45/6٪ مبتلا به سندرم متابولیک بودند. و در 42/2٪ این افراد پولیپ آدنوم مشاهده شد که 63/6٪ از این پولیپ های آدنوم پاتولوژی پیشرفته داشتند. این در حالی است که فقط در 12/9٪ افراد بدون سندرم متابولیک، پولیپ های آدنوم مشاهده شد که از این تعداد، 25٪ دارای پاتولوژی پیشرفته بودند..شیوع آدنوم در مردها (41/5) بیشتراز زن ها (17/5) بود (0/0

Etiology and outcome of burns in Hamadan, Iran: A registry-based study

Background: Burn prevention strategies are most effective when they are based on knowledge of etiological patterns of burn injuries and considering the geographical variations and socioeconomic differences in burn epidemiology. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the etiology and outcome of burns in Hamadan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This registry-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 798 burn patients admitted to the Besat Hospital from March 2013 to February 2018. The medical records of all the patients were extracted from hospital information system. Results: In males, the most common cause of burn was gas explosion (41.4), whereas in females, the most common cause was hot liquids (37.1). In below 5 years and 6-15 years age group, burning with hot liquids was the common cause of burn, whereas in other age groups, gas explosion was the common cause of burn. In the present study, 6.9 of the patients died because of their burns. With increasing age, the odds of death increases, so that patients between 30 and 59 years had 2.2 fold (P = 0.02) and patients 60 years had 3.5 fold (P = 0.006) higher odds of death compared to patients aged Conclusion: Findings of the present study show that males and people aged 26-40 years and children 0-5 years were at a greater risk of burns. Furthermore, this study shows that self-immolation with a high rate of case fatality should be considered as a mental health challenge, and it is necessary to design preventive strategies to reduce it

INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN READINESS LEVEL MANAGERS TO IMPLEMENT TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT WITH ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGERS

Abstract This research has been done with goal of investigate the relationship between readiness level managers for the implementation total quality management with organizational culture and effectiveness of managers in the Azad University of Guilan Province. In study statistical society constitute the faculty and staff, and administrators in Azad universities of Province includes the cities of Rasht, Anzali, Lahijan and Astaneh that has been by random class sampling method .for determining sample size was used from formula Cochrane that sample size obtained 229 people and since the 36 percent of teachers are women and 64 percent male were randomly selected 108 women and 191 men teacher. For data collected is used from questionnaires, total quality management, organizational culture and effectiveness of managers and was tested by regression and ANOVA method. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between studied variables in some aspects of total quality management and organizational culture

Prevalence of Malnutrition among Iranian Pediatric Patients before and After Hospitalization (2015 To 2017): A Multicenter Study

Background: Malnutrition undermines the beneficial outcomes of clinical interventions and also increases hospital costs. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition through a multicenter observational study at the time of admission and discharge in Iranian hospitalized children and adolescents. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on children and adolescents aged one month to 18 years from three Iranian public tertiary pediatric hospitals located in different cities of Iran. To determine the participants’ nutritional status, Z-score of the weight for height (for those with 1month to 5years of age) and Z-score of BMI (for ≥5 to 18-year-old patients) were calculated using the WHO growth standards. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Information about 1499 patients was collected. At the time of admission, 64% of the participants had a good nutritional status, 15.5% were at high risk of wasting, 8.4% were wasted, and 12.1% were severely wasted. Among 295 malnourished patients, the nutritional status of 182 patients (63%) had been improved at the time of discharge. Also, 23% of all subjects with normal nutritional status at the admission time (85 participants), were at risk of malnutrition at discharge. The prevalence of moderate and severe malnutrition at the discharge time was about 20%. Conclusion: More than one-third of the hospitalized children had moderate or severe malnutrition or were at high risk. Although the prevalence of malnutrition decreased somewhat during hospitalization, some children were not malnourished at the time of admission and were malnourished at discharge

Global prevalence of nosocomial infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are significant problems as public health issues which need attention. Such infections are significant problems for society and healthcare organizations. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and a meta-analysis to analyze the prevalence of HAIs globally.   Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science between 2000 and June 2021. We found 7031 articles. After removing the duplicates, 5430 studies were screened based on the titles/abstracts. Then, we systematically evaluated the full texts of the 1909 remaining studies and selected 400 records with 29,159,630 participants for meta-analysis. Random-effects model was used for the analysis, and heterogeneity analysis and publication bias test were conducted.   Results: The rate of universal HAIs was 0.14 percent. The rate of HAIs is increasing by 0.06 percent annually. The highest rate of HAIs was in the AFR, while the lowest prevalence were in AMR and WPR. Besides, AFR prevalence in central Africa is higher than in other parts of the world by 0.27 (95% CI, 0.22-0.34). Besides, E. coli infected patients more than other micro-organisms such as Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In hospital wards, Transplant, and Neonatal wards and ICU had the highest rates. The prevalence of HAIs was higher in men than in women.   Conclusion: We identified several essential details about the rate of HAIs in various parts of the world. The HAIs rate and the most common micro-organism were different in various contexts. However, several essential gaps were also identified. The study findings can help hospital managers and health policy makers identify the reason for HAIs and apply effective control programs to implement different plans to reduce the HAIs rate and the financial costs of such infections and save resources