Magnetic field effects on seed germination and activities of some enzymes in cumin

Failure of germination among Apiaceae family seeds, e. g. cumin (Cuminum cyminum), has been reported by many investigators. Until now few works have been done on seed germination and seedling growth of cumin. In this research the effects of the exposure of cumin seeds to magnetic fields on seed germination, early growth, and enzyme activity have been studied under laboratory conditions. Seeds were magnetically exposed to one of three magnetic field strengths, 25, 50 and 75 mT for different periods of time (15, 30, and 60 min). The germination test was performed according to the guidelines issued by the International Seed Testing Association. Enzymes related to the germination process in magnetically exposed and unexposed germinating cumin seeds were assayed after 24 hours of imbibitions in distilled water. Exposure of cumin seeds to different intensities of magnetic fields prior to germination significantly increased germination-related characters. The increase in germination, speed of germination, shoot length, root length, total seedling length, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight was, respectively, 14-17%, 14-57%, 8-27%, 25-62%, 16-39%, 10-29%, and 17-49% compared to untreated control seeds. The calculated vigor indices I and II also increased by 33-73% and 38-72%, respectively. In germinating seeds, enzyme activities of alpha-amylase, dehydrogenase, and protease were significantly higher in treated seeds in contrast to controls and the maximum value was 50 mT for 60 min exposures. The higher enzyme activity in magnetic-field-treated cumin seeds could trigger fast germination and early vigor of seedlings

Gundelia: A systematic review of medicinal and molecular perspective

Gundelia (Gundelia tournefortii L.) is a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family which grows in the semi-desert areas of Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Anatolia and other countries. Traditionally, G. tournefortii (L.) is used for treatment of liver diseases, diabetes, chest pain, heart stroke, gastric pain, vitiligo, diarrhea and bronchitis. It is also reported to have hypoglycaemic, laxative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasite, antiseptic and emetic effects. It has enhanced gingivas and removed water from patients having spleenomegaly. Compounds found in gundelia proved to have several pharmacological effects, e.g. antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiplatelet and hypolipemic activities. The observed pharmacological properties indicated a close association of these effects with infectious diseases, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and cancer. In traditional medicine, this plant has been prescribed in many disorders; therefore, clinical trials on the compounds of gundelia seem essential. This study gives an overview of traditional uses of gundelia, irrespective of pharmacological studies on its effects. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Relationship between Mental Workload Index and Work Ability Index in a Food Industry

Background: Spending a significant part of the daily in workplace has led to reduction in the time of rest and recreation of people. Therefore, considering the importance of the potential effect of mental work load on work ability, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between mental workload and work ability in workers of a food industry. Methods: This cross-sectional study performed on 40 workers in a food industry in Qom province, Iran in 2017.  Three demographic questionnaires, NASA-Tlx mental workload index and work ability index (WAI) were used for data collection. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results obtained from examining the relationship between work ability index and mental workload index in the studied industry showed high workload index score, however, there was no significant relationship between these two indexes (P = 0.07). results of regression analysis showed that only age of people has a significant relationship with the results of WAI. Conclusion: The mental workload index among workers of food industry was very high, which can be attributed to strict supervision due to the importance of food hygiene. High mental workload can affect human error and work efficiency of the worker

Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies on the Adsorption of Acid Yellow 36 Dye by Pinecone

Background & Aims of the Study: Dyes have significant role in environmental problems, due to their toxic effects on the food chain and sources of water. The purpose of this research was to study the adsorption of acid yellow 36 dye onto pinecone using batch system. Materials & Methods: This research was performed at laboratory scale and batch system. Equilibrium isotherms were modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, and D-R models. Also kinetic studies were done by three models of pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and intra-particle diffusion. Results: The maximum adsorption was achieved at pH 5.0, adsorbent dose 0.7 g/l and contact time 20 min. The equilibrium adsorption capacity (mg/g) increased with increasing initial dye concentration. The Langmuir model (R2=0.99) provided the best fit for the experimental data. The adsorption kinetics were studied and best fit was achieved by pseudo- second order model (R2= 0.96). Conclusions: According to the results obtained of equilibrium and kinetic studies on the adsorption of acid yellow 36, pinecone can be a suitable and efficient adsorbent in the removal of yellow acid 36 dye from industrial wastewater

Is There a Relation between ABO Blood Groups and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Pemphigoid? A Case-Control Study

Background. Relationship between blood groups and dermatologic diseases remains controversial and was not yet fully elucidated nor explained clearly. The aim of this study was to examine if any relation exists between different types of pemphigoid diseases and ABO blood group. Methods. In this case-control study, 159 pemphigoid patients and 152 healthy matched-controls were evaluated. All blood group (including Rh status) data for the study was obtained from the hospital medical records. Statistical comparisons were completed with chi-square test and logistic regression. Results. Blood group “O” was found in 32.9% of patients and 38.2% of control group. Blood group “A” was found among 30.8% of patients and 34.2% of control group, while group “B” was reported in 27.4% of cases and 21.1% of controls and “AB” was identified among 8.9% of patients and 6.6% of control group. 84.9% of patients were Rh positive, while in the control group 86.2% of patients were Rh positive. No significant differences were found regarding ABO blood groups (P=0.46) or Rh (P=0.76) between pemphigoid patients and control group. Also, older females had the higher risk of developing bullous pemphigoid. Conclusion. We found no relationship between ABO blood groups and pemphigoid disease

The global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Safiri S, Sepanlou SG, Ikuta KS, et al. The global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. LANCET GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY. 2019;4(12):913-933.Background Data about the global, regional, and country-specific variations in the levels and trends of colorectal cancer are required to understand the impact of this disease and the trends in its burden to help policy makers allocate resources. Here we provide a status report on the incidence, mortality, and disability caused by colorectal cancer in 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017. Methods Vital registration, sample vital registration, verbal autopsy, and cancer registry data were used to generate incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) estimates of colorectal cancer at the global, regional, and national levels. We also determined the association between development levels and colorectal cancer age-standardised DALY rates, and calculated DALYs attributable to risk factors that had evidence of causation with colorectal cancer. All of the estimates are reported as counts and age-standardised rates per 100 000 person-years, with some estimates also presented by sex and 5-year age groups. Findings In 2017, there were 1.8 million (95% UI 1.8-1.9) incident cases of colorectal cancer globally, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 23.2 (22.7-23.7) per 100 000 person-years that increased by 9.5% (4.5-13.5) between 1990 and 2017. Globally, colorectal cancer accounted for 896 000 (876 300-915 700) deaths in 2017, with an age-standardised death rate of 11.5 (11.3-11.8) per 100 000 person-years, which decreased between 1990 and 2017 (-13.5% [-18.4 to -10.0]). Colorectal cancer was also responsible for 19.0 million (18.5-19.5) DALYs globally in 2017, with an age-standardised rate of 235.7 (229.7-242.0) DALYs per 100 000 person-years, which decreased between 1990 and 2017 (-14.5% [-20.4 to -10.3]). Slovakia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand had the highest age-standardised incidence rates in 2017. Greenland, Hungary, and Slovakia had the highest age-standardised death rates in 2017. Numbers of incident cases and deaths were higher among males than females up to the ages of 80-84 years, with the highest rates observed in the oldest age group (>= 95 years) for both sexes in 2017. There was a non-linear association between the Socio-demographic Index and the Healthcare Access and Quality Index and age-standardised DALY rates. In 2017, the three largest contributors to DALYs at the global level, for both sexes, were diet low in calcium (20.5% [12.9-28.9]), alcohol use (15.2% [12.1-18.3]), and diet low in milk (14.3% [5.1-24.8]). Interpretation There is substantial global variation in the burden of colorectal cancer. Although the overall colorectal cancer age-standardised death rate has been decreasing at the global level, the increasing age-standardised incidence rate in most countries poses a major public health challenge across the world. The results of this study could be useful for policy makers to carry out cost-effective interventions and to reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors, particularly in countries with high incidence or increasing burden. Copyright (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd