Establishment of Space Syntax to Read Urban Road Network; the Case of Sari, Iran

Cities have permanent changes as a living organism, where the transformation required in designing a solution for structural and social demands achieving safe and healthy human contacts. Some scholars divide city sustainable development toward two main views, as the building's set are connected by a space, on the other hand human social actions are linked by urban network interaction. The aim of this paper is to study on urban road network by the establishment of space syntax logic, this issue is divided into two main parts, as a first part, the study on already existing and the second part is bringing the new suggestions to a more qualified urban road network. Sari city of Iran is selected for this Case Study

Core promoter short tandem repeats as evolutionary switch codes for primate speciation

Alteration in gene expression levels underlies many of the phenotypic differences across species. Because of their highly mutable nature, proximity to the +1 transcription start site (TSS), and the emerging evidence of functional impact on gene expression, core promoter short tandem repeats (STRs) may be considered an ideal source of variation across species. In a genome-scale analysis of the entire Homo sapiens protein-coding genes, we have previously identified core promoters with at least one STR of ≥6-repeats, with possible selective advantage in this species. In the current study, we performed reverse analysis of the entire Homo sapiens orthologous genes in mouse in the Ensembl database, in order to identify conserved STRs that have shrunk as an evolutionary advantage to humans. Two protocols were used to minimize ascertainment bias. Firstly, two species sharing a more recent ancestor with Homo sapiens (i.e. Pan troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla gorilla) were also included in the study. Secondly, four non-primate species encompassing the major orders across Mammals, including Scandentia, Laurasiatheria, Afrotheria, and Xenarthra were analyzed as out-groups. We introduce STR evolutionary events specifically identical in primates (i.e. Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, and Gorilla gorilla gorilla) vs. non-primate out-groups. The average frequency of the identically shared STR motifs across those primates ranged between 0.00005 and 0.06. The identified genes are involved in important evolutionary and developmental processes, such as normal craniofacial development (TFAP2B), regulation of cell shape (PALMD), learning and long-term memory (RGS14), nervous system development (GFRA2), embryonic limb morphogenesis (PBX2), and forebrain development (APAF1). We provide evidence of core promoter STRs as evolutionary switch codes for primate speciation, and the first instance of identity-by-descent for those motifs at the interspecies level. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Delineating the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic potentials of 4-methylimidazole against ethyl methanesulfonate toxicity in bone marrow cell of swiss albino mice

4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) is mostly used in beverages and coloring food, dark beers and common brands of cola drinks, which may contain more than 100 μg of this compound per 12-ounce serving. This study was aimed to investigate the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of 4-MEI (100, 130 and 160 mg/kg) against ethyl methanesulfonate (240 mg/kg) using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and Mitotic index (MI) tests in bone marrow cells of Swiss Albino Mice at 12 h and 24 h treatment periods. So, the t-test was used for the statistical analysis. In this research, 4-MEI at all concentrations for 12 h treatment period reduced chromosomal aberrations and at 130 and 160 mg/kg concentrations for 24 h treatment period increased chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS (240 mg/kg), but th ese reductions and increases were not significant. Also, intraperitoneal injection of 4-MEI at doses of 100, 130 and 160 mg/kg combined with EMS (240 mg/kg) showed that the mitotic index was decreased at 100 and 130 mg/kg for 12h and 130 mg/kg for 24 h treatment periods, when compared to positive sample (EMS), but did not show any statistically difference from the EMS treated group. It can be concluded that 4-MEI might not be antigenotoxic and protective effects in bone marrow cells of Swiss Albino Mice, because 4-MEI could not reduce the chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS

Seroepidemiology of human cystic echinococcosis among nomads of lorestan province, Iran

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the major zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by the larval stages of parasite Echinococcus granulosus. This is an endemic disease in a number of regions in Iran, such as Lorestan province, and is considered as a health problem. Objectives: Due to the close contact of nomadic people with sheep dog, this research aimed at studying the seroepidemiology of CE among in-migration and out-migration nomads of Lorestan province, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, among 5920 residents of nomadic areas, 315 people were randomly selected and serum samples were obtained from these individuals. IgG antibodies against CE were evaluated using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Demographic data of all subjects were collected by a questionnaire, and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS V.20 and STATA12. Results: According to the results, the seroepidemiology of CE among the nomads was 18 (5.7); 13 (72.22) were male and five (27.77) were female yet the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence (7.79) was in the age group of 20 to 30 years old, yet no significant difference was observed between various age groups. In terms of education, more seropositive cases were found amongst subjects with low education, yet no significant difference was observed between educational level and seropositivity of CE. It should also be noted that all the participants were not aware of proper washing of vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: This study was conducted for the first time in Lorestan province, Iran, and showed that the seroprevalence among the nomadic population of Aligoudarz and Sepiddasht was considerable. In order to prevent zoonotic disease, increased awareness of nomads in understanding the transmission ways of disease is suggested through health education programs according to the educational level of the target population, the majority of whom are illiterate. Active surveillance is also recommended in these areas. © 2018, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

Evaluation of Silicon Supplementation for Drought Stress under Water-Deficit Conditions: An Application of Sustainable Agriculture

Drought is a key abiotic stress that confines agriculture development worldwide. Silicon (Si) is commonly considered to be a valuable element for resistance against drought and for sustainable agriculture. To investigate the morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of Gerbera jamesonii plants, a pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions and exposed to water stress (60% FC) and well-watered (100% FC) conditions. Foliar application of Si was carried out after ten days (48 days after sowing) of drought treatment and was repeated weekly, while well-water was regarded as control. Water deficiency significantly abridged the morphological attributes, pigments, and stress-related metabolites and negatively affected the photosynthetic apparatus in drought-stressed gerbera plants. However, Si supplementation by 40 mg L-1 produced increased leaf area (31%), stem length (25%), flower diameter (22%), plant fresh biomass (17%), total chlorophyll (48%), and concentration of carotenoids (54%) in water-stressed plants. Similarly, the accretion of a total free amino acid (41%) and the activities of peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glycinebetaine, total soluble proteins, total free proline, and malondialdehyde were enhanced by 44%, 31%, 53%, 33%, 330%, 61%, 51%, and 66%, respectively, under drought stress in comparison with control conditions. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic rate (89%), the transpiration rate (12%), and stomatal conductance (55%) were significantly enhanced in water-deficit gerbera leaves with Si supplementation. This study proposes that the foliar application of Si is a viable and convenient method of improving the performance of elegant gerbera flower plants in regions of the world that are facing severe water deficiency

Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Coil Treatment for Severe Emphysema:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data

BACKGROUND: Lung volume reduction coil (LVR-coil) treatment provides a minimally invasive treatment option for severe emphysema patients which has been studied in multiple clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of LVR-coil treatment on pulmonary function, quality of life, and exercise capacity using individual participant data. METHOD: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched until May 17, 2021. Prospective single-arm and randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of LVR-coil treatment on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), residual volume (RV), St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, and/or 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and were registered in an official clinical trial database were eligible for inclusion. Individual patient data were requested, and a linear mixed effects model was used to calculate overall treatment effects. RESULTS: Eight trials were included in the final analysis, representing 680 individual patients. LVR-coil treatment resulted in a significant improvement in FEV1 at 3- (0.09 L [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.06-0.12]) and 6-month follow-up (0.07 L [95% CI: 0.03-0.10]), a significant reduction in RV at 3- (-0.45L [95% CI: -0.62 to -0.28]), 6- (-0.33L [95% CI: -0.52 to -0.14]), and 12-month follow-up (-0.36L [95% CI: -0.64 to -0.08]), a significant reduction in SGRQ total score at 3- (-12.3 points [95% CI: -15.8 to -8.8]), 6- (-10.1 points [95% CI: -12.8 to -7.3]), and 12-month follow-up (-9.8 points [95% CI: -15.0 to -4.7]) and a significant increase in 6MWD at 3-month follow-up (38 m [95% CI: 18-58]). CONCLUSIONS: LVR-coil treatment in emphysema patients results in sustained improvements in pulmonary function and quality of life and shorter lived improvements in exercise capacity. Since the owner of this LVR-coil has decided to stop the production and newer generations LVR-coils are currently being developed, these results can act as a reference for future studies and clinical guidance

Safety of denervation following targeted lung denervation therapy for COPD:AIRFLOW-1 3-year outcomes

Background Targeted lung denervation (TLD) is a novel bronchoscopic therapy that disrupts parasympathetic pulmonary nerve input to the lung reducing clinical consequences of cholinergic hyperactivity. The AIRFLOW-1 study assessed safety and TLD dose in patients with moderate-to-severe, symptomatic COPD. This analysis evaluated the long-term impact of TLD on COPD exacerbations, pulmonary function, and quality of life over 3 years of follow up. Methods TLD was performed in a prospective, energy-level randomized (29 W vs 32 W power), multicenter study (NCT02058459). Additional patients were enrolled in an open label confirmation phase to confirm improved gastrointestinal safety after procedural modifications. Durability of TLD was evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 years post-treatment and assessed through analysis of COPD exacerbations, pulmonary lung function, and quality of life. Results Three-year follow-up data were available for 73.9% of patients (n = 34). The annualized rate of moderate to severe COPD exacerbations remained stable over the duration of the study. Lung function (FEV1, FVC, RV, and TLC) and quality of life (SGRQ-C and CAT) remained stable over 3 years of follow-up. No new gastrointestinal adverse events and no unexpected serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion TLD in COPD patients demonstrated a positive safety profile out to 3 years, with no late-onset serious adverse events related to denervation therapy. Clinical stability in lung function, quality of life, and exacerbations were observed in TLD treated patients over 3 years of follow up

Determination of maternal risk factors of preterm delivery: Adjusted for sparse data bias; results from a population-based case-control study in Iran

Objective To determine the maternal risk factors associated with preterm delivery in Iran. Methods A population-based case-control study was conducted including 48 women having preterm delivery (case group) and 100 women having term delivery (control group) between March 2007 and March 2012 in the maternity hospitals of the Selseleh County, Lorestan province, Iran. Information regarding maternal risk factors was collected by structured interview and reviewing the medical records. The maternal risk factors associated with preterm delivery were identified using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting the sparse data bias. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was estimated to evaluate the discrimination power of the statistical models. Results Multivariable analysis demonstrated that multiparty (odds ratio OR, 14.23; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.60-127.05), history of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.99), thyroid dysfunction (OR, 97.32; 95% CI, 5.78-1,637.80), urinary tract infection (OR, 16.60; 95% CI, 3.20-85.92), and taking care during pregnancy (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.50) had significant impact on preterm delivery after adjusting the potential confounders. The area under the ROC curve for the aforementioned maternal risk factors was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.92). Conclusion Our study provides evidence for the associations between multiparty, history of gestational diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, urinary tract infection, as well as taking care during pregnancy, and preterm delivery. © 2020 Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Safety and Adverse Events after Targeted Lung Denervation for Symptomatic Moderate to Severe COPD (AIRFLOW):A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

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