Inventory and Connectivity Assessment of Wetlands in Northern Landscapes with a Depression-Based DEM Method

Peer reviewe

THE EXPRESSION OF P53 AND MDM4 IN ORAL, LARYNGEAL AND CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA; A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: P53 and MDM4 had been known to have dual mechanism depending on their localization. Nuclear p53 can bind to DNA and activate proapoptotic gene expression; cytoplasmic p53 can trigger transcription-independent apoptosis by directly interacting with Bcl-2 family members. Objectives: The aim of current study to evaluate and compare the expression of P53, MDM4 in oral , laryngeal and cutaneous SCC by microarray(TMA) and to investigate the correlation of expression of these markers with histopathological grading of tumor. Methods: One-hundred twenty paraffin embedded SCC sample of Iraqi patients collected during period 2009-2012, retrieved for TMA construction and the expression of P53 and MDM4 was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Data showed males with SCC were more than females ( 63.3%/76 , 36.7%/44). Most cancer types expressed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of P53 and MDM4 in different percentage, cutaneous Scc Nuclear/cytoplasm expression of P53 were ( 38.8%/94.6%), laryngeal (55%/90%), oral (36.8%/86.8%). Cutaneous SCC N/Cyt expression of MDM4 were (91.8%/72.9%), laryngeal (91.3%/76.3%), oral (97.5%/62.5%).There is no significant difference in expression of both protein markers and tumor types. Obvious significant correlation showed between tumor grading P53 nuclear expression. Conclusions: P53 and MDM4 were frequently overexpressed in SCC cases and there was a significant correlation between these markers. Nuclear p53 and cytoplasmic MDM4 overexpression can be considered as prognostic factor with tumour grading. High percentage MDM4 overexpression should be considered in their treatment

Hidrogeokemična in izotopska karakterizacija ter ocena hidravličnega delovanja kompleksnega kraškega območja Izeh, provinca Khuzestan, jugozahodni Iran

Proper water resources management requires recognizing and evaluating the factors that affect the quantity and quality of water resources. The Ilam-Sarvak (Upper Cretaceous) and Asmari (Oligocene to Miocene) limestone- dolomite formations in the Zagros structural belt have formed a promising karst groundwater horizon. In the present study, the hydraulic relationship between the karst structures of the Izeh territory in the northeast of Khuzestan province was investigated using hydrogeochemical and isotopic information of springs and wells. The results enabled to understand various components influencing the recharge of water resources. In this study, samples were collected from the karst springs and wells of Mongasht, Shavish-Tanosh and Kamarderaz anticlines and Naal-e-Asbi (Horseshoe) syncline and meteoric water to understand the hydrochemical and isotopic characterization, and hydrogeological and hydraulic behavior of the Izeh karst system. The meteoric and groundwater samples were analyzed to determine major and minor ion concentrations and δ18O and δ2H isotope ratios. Isotopic content ranged from -31.6 to -2.9‰ and from -6.32 to -1.87‰ for δ2H and δ18O, respectively, and d-excess values were high and positive. The study of the isotopic content of water samples of springs and wells in the region shows three groups of water sources. The first group, related to the Mongasht anticline springs, has lower isotopic values, indicating that it is recharged by rainfall at high altitudes and snow melting. The isotopic value of the second group is richer than that of the first group, indicating rainfall recharge as well as groundwater mixing (ex­amples of Naal-e-Asbi syncline and Shavish-Tanosh anticline). The highest value in the third group (samples of Kamarderaz anticline) is attributed to evaporation and longer distance from the recharge site to the discharge point, as well as to the diffu­sion system. The trend of decrease in Sr+2 and increase in Ba+2 in the samples of dolomitic limestone formations (Shavish Ta­nosh and Mongasht anticlines) compared to the water samples of Kamarderaz anticline and Naal-e-Asbi syncline indicates the possibility that karst aquifers of the region are recharged from the Mongasht anticline and that there is a hydraulic relation­ship between these structures. D-excess and δ18O show a linear trend, illustrating the effect of altitude difference on isotopic content and recharge sources. The major and minor changes in the concentration of ions, the isotopic content of groundwa­ter and the relationship between TDS and δ18O and d-excess and δ18O indicate the mixing and recharging of karst aquifers (Shavish-Tanosh, Kamarderaz and Naal-e-Asbi aquifers) from the Mongasht karst aquifer and their hydraulic connection.Ustrezno gospodarjenje z vodnimi viri temelji na prepoznavanju in vrednotenju dejavnikov, ki vplivajo na količino in kakovost vodnih virov. Apnenčasto-dolomitni formaciji Ilam-Sarvak (zgornja kreda) in Asmari (oligocen do miocen) v strukturnem pasu Zagros sta oblikovali obetaven kraški vodonosnik. V tej študiji je bil hidravlični odnos med kraškimi strukturami ozemlja Izeh, ki je na severovzhodu province Khuzestan, ocenjen z uporabo hidrogeokemičnih in izotopskih analiz vode v izvirih in vodnjakih. Rezultati so omogočili razumevanje komponent, ki vplivajo na napajanje vodnih virov. Zbrani so bili vzorci iz kraških izvirov in vodnjakov antiklinal Mongašt, Šaviš-Tanoš, Kamarderaz, sinklinale Naal-e-Asbi (podkev) in meteorne vode, da bi razumeli hidrokemično in izotopsko karakterizacijo ter hidrogeološko in hidravlično delovanje kraškega sistema Izeh. Za določitev koncentracij glavnih in drugotnih ionov ter razmerja izotopov δ18O in δ2H so bili analizirani vzorci meteorne in podzemne vode. Vsebnosti izotopov so bile v razponu od ‒31,6 do ‒2,9 ‰ za δ2H in od ‒6,32 do ‒1,87 ‰ za δ18O, vrednosti devterijevega presežka pa so bile visoke in pozitivne. Analize vsebnosti izotopov v vzorcih vode iz izvirov in vodnjakov v regiji kažejo na tri skupine vodnih virov. Prva skupina, ki je povezana z izviri antiklinale Mongašt, ima nižje izotopske vrednosti, kar kaže, da se napaja s padavinami na višjih nadmorskih višinah in s talje­njem snega. Izotopska vrednost druge skupine je bogatejša od prve skupine, kar kaže na napajanje s padavinami in na mešanje podzemnih vod (primera sinklinale Naal-e-Asbi in antiklinale Šaviš-Tanoš). Najvišja vrednost v tretji skupini (vzorci antiklina­le Kamarderaz) je posledica delno izhlapevanja in daljše razdalje med mestoma napajanja in iztekanja ter delno difuzijskega siste­ma. Trend padanja Sr2+ in naraščanja Ba2+ v vzorcih v formacijah dolomitnih apnencev (antiklinali Šaviš-Tanoš in Mongašt) v pri­merjavi z vzorci vode antiklinale Kamarderaz in sinklinale Naal­-e-Asbi kaže na možnost, da se kraški vodonosniki napajajo iz območja antiklinale Mongašt, in na hidravlični odnos med temi strukturami. Devterijev presežek in δ18O kažeta linearni trend, ki ponazarja učinek višinske razlike na vsebnost izotopov in vire napajanja. Večje in manjše spremembe v koncentraciji ionov, vsebnosti izotopov v podzemni vodi in razmerju med TDS in δ18O ter devterijevim presežkom in δ18O kažejo na mešanje in napajanje kraških vodonosnikov (vodonosniki Šaviš-Tanoš, Ka­marderaz in Naal-e-Asbi) s kraškega vodonosnika Mongašt in na njihovo hidravlično povezanost

Effect of Massage Using Camel Hump Oil Compared to Olive Oil on Muscle Tone of Children with Spastic Diplegia: Single Participant Design

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of massage with camel hump oil on muscle tone in the lower limb compared with olive oil on children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods:  The study was performed using a single subject design. Six children were selected based on available sampling. The study lasted 10 weeks for each person, which includes five phases: 1-baseline (two weeks), 2-massage with olive oil (two weeks), 3- baseline (two weeks), 4- massage with camel hump oil (two weeks), and 5- baseline (two weeks). At each stage, muscle tones of Hamstring, hip adductors, and calf muscles were evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The visual analysis and Mann-whitney U test were used to evaluate differences between phases. Results: A significant difference was observed between the adductor (in 4 cases), hamstrings (in 4 cases), and calf muscles tone (in two cases) (P<0.05), demonstrating the higher effect of massage with camel hump oil compared to that with olive oil. Conclusion: It seems that camel hump oil may be more effective in some cases than olive oil in reducing muscle tone, but the overall conclusion requires further studies.Keywords: Camel hump oil; Massage; Muscle tone; Spastic diplegi

Nature-based solutions for flood-drought risk mitigation in vulnerable urbanizing parts of East-Africa

Urbanization and climate changes have direct impacts on ecosystems and the services they provide to society, thus influencing human well-being and health. Urban sprawl may conflict with ecosystem services, e.g. enhancing water-related stresses and risks of, e.g., droughts and floods, with significant economic, environmental and societal impacts. Such hydro-climatic extremes and their societal impacts are evident around the world. East Africa is a region with highly vulnerable populations to frequent floods and droughts. To achieve long-term sustainable solutions to such water-related risks and problems, we need to understand and plan for the feedback mechanisms between population expansion and associated land-use changes and their impacts on ecosystem services. The potential of nature-based solutions to mitigate these risk and problems in urban development under climate change needs to be considered and accounted for in spatial planning and management strategies.</p

Long-term Visual and Refractive Outcomes of Argon Laser-treated Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose: In this case–control study, we measured visual acuity, objective refraction, ocular biometric parameters, and strabismus in premature cases classified according to the following categories: argon laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), untreated spontaneously regressed ROP, no ROP, and full term controls. Methods: Cases with a history of prematurity at six years of age were categorized into the following groups: patients with a history of treated type 1 ROP using argon laser (group I), untreated spontaneously regressed ROP (group II), and no history of ROP (group III). Group IV included age-matched healthy full-term controls. Funduscopy was performed for all the cases and the control group. Results: In total, 24 eyes of 12 laser-treated ROP cases, 186 eyes of 93 spontaneously regressed ROP patients, 74 eyes of 37 premature cases with no history of ROP, and 286 eyes of 143 controls were included in the study. The mean spherical equivalent in the treated cases was not significantly different from that in the untreated cases and patients in group III. However, the average cylindrical power was significantly different among the groups (P &lt; 0.004). Furthermore, anisometropia (≥1.5 diopter) was diagnosed with a higher rate in the treated cases (P = 0.03). The corneal curvature of the laser-treated eyes was significantly steeper and the axial length was significantly shorter than those in the other groups (P &lt; 0.002 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively, for multivariate analysis). Strabismus was found in three treated patients (25%). Additionally, there were three treated eyes (12.5%) diagnosed with macular dragging. Conclusion: Premature cases including those who had a history of argon laser-treated ROP and those with untreated spontaneously regressed ROP showed acceptable long-term visual and refractive outcomes along with a fairly low rate of ocular disorders

Application of the Adaptive Cycle and Panarchy in La Marjaleria Social-Ecological System: Reflections for Operability

The adaptive cycle and panarchy are recognised tools for resilience assessment prior to establishing new management approaches aligned with Anthropocene needs. This study used the adaptive cycle and panarchy to assess the dynamics of the social-ecological system (SES) of La Marjaleria, Spain, which experienced increasing human pressure and environmental degradation in recent decades, and developed the 'adaptive curve' as a novel graphical representation of system change in the presentation of the results. Based on a literature review of historical changes in La Marjaleria, a SES analysis was performed using the adaptive cycle and panarchy, following the Resilience Alliance's Practitioners Guide. The assessment offered new insights into the social and ecological dynamics of La Marjaleria through identification of causes and consequences from a complex systems perspective. Previous land-use management in the area has generated tensions between different stakeholders and reduced environmental resilience. The systems thinking approach highlighted the complexity of change processes, offering the possibility of new routes for dialogue and understanding. The 'adaptive curve' developed as a method of illustrating interactions across scales in this study could be useful for synthesising the results of a panarchy analysis and supporting their interpretation, offering relevant departure points for future planning and decision-making

Sensory processing patterns and sleep quality in primary school children

ABSTRACTObjectives: Sensory processing and sleep quality affect children's academic performance and their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sensory processing patterns and sleep quality in primary schoolchildren.Materials &amp; Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 231 primary school students aged 7 to 12 years old (133 girls and 98 boys, mean age of 8.68±1.51) who were studying in schools in Tehran were randomly selected through cluster sampling. Researchers distributed a questionnaire for children's sleep habits to assess the quality of sleep and a Sensory Profile Questionnaire to assess the sensory processing patterns.Results: In this study, we found a meaningful moderate relationship between sensory processing patterns and the general scores of sleep habits (p &lt;0.001) and each of the patterns of sensory processing (avoidance, sensitivity, seeking, and registration) had a negative relationship with areas of sleep habits (p =.005). Also, there was a significant difference between children who had more challenges with sleep and children with normal sleep patterns in sensory processing; mean differences in all four sensory quadrants were significant (p &lt;001).Conclusion: Sensory processing patterns and sleep habits in primary school children have moderate correlation. Occupational therapists should consider the relationship between sensory challenges and sleep habits during their practice decisions with sensory challenges and sleep problems. Better sleep may occur with attention to sensory needs within the sleep routines. When sleep is better, this may lead to improved quality of life for the family and student performance at school

Effect of seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in the synthesis of Cu@Cu2O core–shell nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction method

This study aims is to investigate the influence of different concentrations of Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. alvarezii) for the synthesis of Cu@Cu2O core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solution. The core–shell NPs were prepared by a chemical reduction method using K. alvarezii, CuSO4·5H2O, NaOH, ascorbic acid, hydrazinium hydroxide, as stabilizer, copper precursor, pH moderator, antioxidant and reducing agent under 120°C temperature, respectively. Formation of Cu@Cu2O-NPs was determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy where surface plasmon absorption maxima can be observed at 390-590 nm. The synthesized core–shell NPs were also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the morphology and structure of the K. alvarezii/Cu@Cu2O-NPs were investigated by TEM, FESEM and EDXRF. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum suggested the complexation present between K. alvarezii and Cu@Cu2O-NPs. The study clearly showed that using various amounts of K. alvarezii leads to produce different ratios and sizes of Cu@Cu2O NPs. The size of the Cu@Cu2O-NPs decreased as the amount of K. alvarezii was increased. The ratio of Cu@Cu2O increases with the increasing concentration of K. alvarezii until 0.2 wt%