Principles to Promote Solar Energy at Urban Management (Case Study: Berlin & Tehran)

The majority of the world’s population now lives in cities. This poses great challenges, but also great opportunities in terms of tackling climate change, resource depletion and environmental degradation. Nowadays, city planners and authorities around the world have been promoting principles to achieve a sustainable city. In this regard, Policy agendas have increasingly focused on how develop renewable energy as a clean energy can help to have integrated sustainable urban development. This paper identifies subjects that should be noticed for sustainable urban development and need to be in place for promoting renewable energy. The paper also, by drawing on three case studies (Germany, China and Iran), examines the key ‘success factors’ to traverse a pathway to a more sustainable future in urban development by using solar energy and it also gives some example about these countries and their main cities' experiences. Finally, it is hoped that the conclusions and recommendations drawn in the present study would be useful to energy scientists, engineers and policy makers. Keywords: Sustainable urban management, solar energy policies, Germany, China, Ira

Significance of E-cadherin and Vimentin as epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in colorectal carcinoma prognosis

Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with very high mortality. One of the most distinguishing features for the establishment of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype is the alteration of mesenchymal markers and structural adhesion proteins. We investigated the level of Vimentin and E-cadherin expression in relation to invasion and metastasis on colorectal cancer patients. Tissue specimens were collected consecutively from thirty-nine colorectal carcinoma patients during surgeries. The patients were diagnosed and treated between 2013 and 2016. In order to histological staging, tissue sections were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Also for evaluating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, E-cadherin and Vimentin, all patient samples were stained and detected via immunohistochemistry, and afterwards the results were analyzed to determine whether these markers could be useful prognostic markers for predicting colorectal cancer patient outcomes. The expression of Vimentin as a mesenchymal marker along with rising grade of cancer, pathological stages, and metastasis to regional lymph nodes increased furthermore, in cancers with vascular invasion, Vimentin value was high. Reversely, the expression of E-cadherin with climbing grade, stages and colon cancer categories decreased and also in cancers with vascular invasion reduced. Variation of the markers had no relation to age and sex. In summary, along with cancer progression level of Vimentin expression varies inversely with E-cadherin expression and by increasing metastasis and invasion the Vimentin expression elevates. Further evaluation in this area might lead to a good method for predicting progressive clone cancer

The association of vimentin and fibronectin gene expression with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor malignancy in colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with very high mortality. One of the most distinguishing features for the establishment of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype is the alteration of mesenchymal markers expression and structural adhesion proteins. We evaluated the significance of vimentin and fibronectin gene expression in relation to invasion and metastasis in CRC patients. Tissue specimens were collected consecutively from forty-five colorectal carcinoma patients during surgeries. Tissues were divided into two separate parts for pathological and molecular assays. In order to histological staging, tissue sections were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. To quantify gene expression, specimens were dissected and homogenized. Moreover, SW480, SW48, SW948, Caco-2, HT-29 and LS174T as human colon cancer cell lines were obtained and cultured, then molecular analyzing was performed. As results the expression of VIM gene increased in SW480, SW48 and SW948 while it decreased in Caco-2, HT-29 and LS174T. Moreover, FN was up-regulated in Caco-2, HT-29 and SW948, while it was down-regulated in SW480, SW48 and LS174T. In tissues, vimentin and fibronectin expression significantly increased in stromal cells, whereas vimentin decreased in colonic epithelial cells and fibronectin had no significant change. Vimentin and fibronectin expression were changed in tumor tissues. It was found an association between vimentin expression with age and tumor size; over-expression in older age and decreasing in larger tumor size. Furthermore, fibronectin over-expression is correlated to older age and high tumor stages; up-regulation with increasing age and high tumor stages

Complications of Scorpion Stings in Patients Admitted in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman

Background: Scorpion sting is one of the medical health problems in tropical and subtropical regions of Iran. This study deals with the frequency of complications of scorpion sting, in patients referred to Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman.Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study was performed using the census sampling method of patients, who referred to Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman following scorpion sting. The statistical population included all patients from 2016 to 2018. After collecting and extracting the data, the results were analyzed by SPSS software.Results: A total of 111 stings were reported, 61 females (55%) and 49 males (45%). Local signs included pain (55), swelling (15.3), erythema (21.6), skin ecchymosis (18.9), tenderness (10.8), and bleeding (1.8%). Systemic symptoms included nausea and vomiting (9), pain (1.8), numbness and paresthesia (3.6), weakness (9) and (86.5) without systemic symptoms. The average number of hospitalization days was 1.77.Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of patients show that species belonging to two families, Buthidae and Hemiscorpidae, are the cause of stings in this province. Stings has been more common in women and in the age group of 21 to 40 years old and more in July. Due to different species with neurotoxic and hemotoxic poison, the development of treatment protocols by trained physicians, who are familiar with clinical manifestations of these arthropods, are essential

Metal concentrations in selected tissues and main prey species of the annulated sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus) in the Hara Protected Area, northeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran.

This study is the first detailed ecotoxicological study of the annulated sea snake, Hydrophis cyanocinctus. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel and vanadium were evaluated in muscle, liver, kidney, skin and blood of the annulated sea snake (H. cyanocinctus) and in the whole bodies of its main prey species (Periophthalmus waltoni and Boleophthalmus dussumieri) in the Hara Protected Area, the Persian Gulf. The mean concentrations of lead and vanadium were highest in the kidney, which identified the kidney as a target organ for metals in sea snakes as it is in other reptilian groups. Mean concentrations of cadmium and nickel were highest in the liver and skin, respectively. Mean cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in the liver compared to prey species, which indicated that prey items may be a source of cadmium for the annulated sea snake in the study area. Data presented here may be considered as a baseline for further ecotoxicological studies in sea snakes

9-cis-Retinoic Acid and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3Improve the Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells into Oligodendrocytes through the Inhibition of the Notch and Wnt Signaling Pathways

Background: Differentiating oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into oligodendrocytes could be improved by inhibiting signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch. 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) can ameliorate oligodendrogenesis. We investigated whether they could increase oligodendrogenesis by inhibiting the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways. Methods: Cortical neural stem cells were isolated from 14-day-old rat embryos and cultured using the neurosphere assay. The cells were treated in 4 different conditions for 1 week: the negative control group received only the basic fibroblast growth factor, the positive control group received only T3 without growth factors, the RA group was treated with 9-cis-RA, and the Vit D3 group was treated with 1,25(OH)2D3. The effects of 9-cis-RA and 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of the myelin basic protein (MBP) and the gene expression of the SOX10, MBP gene, HES5, and LRP6 were studied using flow cytometry and real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with GraphPad Prism. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mRNA expressions of the SOX10, MBP, and MBP gene were significantly increased in the treated groups compared with the negative control group; the increase was similar in the 9-cis-RA group and the positive control group. Furthermore, 9-cis-RA significantly decreased the expression of the HES5 gene, a Notch signaling pathway transcription factor, and 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly reduced the expression of the LRP6 gene, a Wnt signaling pathway co-receptor. Conclusion: It seems that 9-cis-RA and 1,25(OH)2D3 are good candidates to improve the differentiation of OPCs into oligodendrocytes

Monitoring of algal bloom in coastal water of the Persian Gulf and Oman sea (Hormuzgan province)

This study was carried to monitor the algal bloom in Hormozgan Province costal water in 2012. The purpose of this project is to examine the changes of phytoplankton, Zooplankton, and environmental factors in this area monthly. To achieve this goal, eight sampling stations were selected in Bandar Abbass coast and three stations were selected in both port Lengeh and Jask. Physicochemical parameters of water were measured with a CTD and the minimum and maximum values were obtain for these parameters contain temperatures between 19.5 ± 0.32 and 35.34 ± 0.2 (oC), salinity between 36.8 ± 0.05 and 39 ± 0.03(p s u), dissolved oxygen between 4.75 ± 0.14 and 6.8 ± 0.2 (mg / l), pH between 7.9 ± 0.05 and 8.8 ± 0.09, chlorophyll a between 0.29 ± 0.13 and 2.97 ± 0.13 (mg/m^3). In this study 3 branches, 5 classes, 14 orders, 24 families and 42 genera of phytoplankton (including 26 genera of group Bacillariophyceae, 14 genera of group Dinophyceae and 2 genera of group Cyanophyceae) as well as 14 groups of Zooplankton populations were identified. The results of the study of phytoplankton in coastal waters of the Hormozgan province showed that in all months (with some exceptions, regardless of the dominant group have dinoflagellate) diatoms constitute the highest frequency of the dominant group. In the spring, Gymnodinium with 90% ,in summer Chaetoceros and Oscillatoria, each with a 40%, in fall Leptocylindrus and Rhizosolenia each with 71%and 26% and 33% in winter Leptocylindrus the dominant species in coastal waters of Bandar Abbas. In Port Lengeh and r Jask coastal waters Guinardia with 30% and Leptocylindrus with 39% in the Spring Nitzschia, with 69% and Rhizosolenia with 49% in the Summer, Rhizosolenia, with 57% and Gymnodinium 30% in the Autumn, and Leptocylindrus with 40% and 59% in the Winter were the dominant species in these areas.There was a significant correlation n between physicochemical parameters and total abundance of phytoplankton in all area (p<0.5). The results showed that the seasonal variation and the percent of zooplankton were, Nauplius, 49% and Calanoida, 21% in Spring, Nauplius, 41% and Tintinnida, 28% in Summer, Nauplius 49% and Cyclopoida, 20% in Autumn and Tintinnida, 31% and Cyclopoida, 26% in Winter in Hormozgan province Coasts, in other words, the maximum percentage was belong to the crustacean group

Knowledge of Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy Students about Psychedelic Drugs in Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Abstract Background: Psychedelic drugs can cause one to get out of normal status and permanent cerebral defects, via affecting central nervous system. Consumption of theses drugs seems to be increasing nowadays especially among the youth and university educated population. We conducted a study to evaluate the awareness of medical science students of Kerman University of medical science who are going to be the future medical population. Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out on 471 of students of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy which were in the first to forth year of their education about psychedelic drugs (Ecstasy, LSD, Ice, crack and Yaba). To evaluate the students' awareness of drugs we used questionnaire with reliability and validity proven via pilot study. Statistics analysis was performed using SPSS13 software. Findings: Average of their age was 3.2 ± 20.4. Overall among the students, 56.7% were in the low level of insight, 34.3% in medium and 6.9% in good level and 2.2% had best insight of the drugs. Also only 32.2% of students had the full information about the name of drug, 25.7 % had information about the form of them, 24% about the addiction with them, 7% about their complication and only 5% about the origin of drugs. The information about all psychedelic drugs was higher among pharmacy students, students of the third year and males. Conclusion: Our study showed a low insight about psychedelic drugs like Ecstasy, LSD, Ice, Crack, and Yaba among the students. According to this lack of information of these groups, it is suggested that educational courses about the complication, signs and symptoms of these drugs be held. Keywords: Knowledge, Professional PhD students, Psychedelic drugs, Ecstasy, LSD, Ice, Crack, Yaba

Avaliação Qualitativa da Água Engarrafada e Armazenadas em Frascos de Tereftalato de Polietileno com Base Compostos Químicos Orgânicos

Polyethylene terephtalate (PET) is commonly used for bottling drinking water. PET must be harmless in the sense of the migration potentially unsafe materials into its content. The quality determination of migrated organic chemicals in 15 bottled water stored in PET was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Most of the organic chemical compounds including phthalate, alkyl phenol, higher alkene and organic acid were detected in the samples. However, no carcinogens and hormones were recognized in the analyzed waters. The most migrated compounds identified between 13 to 100% of bottled water. The findings of present study could be alarming for the food safety legislative establishments in Iran due to the existence of some organic compounds with adverse influence on human wellbeing. Further investigation is recommended to evaluate the risk assessment of the public health arising from the presence of these toxic contaminants in the bottled water consumed by the people.Tereftalato de Polietileno (PET) é comumente usado para engarrafamento de água potável. PET deve ser inofensivo no sentido da migração materiais potencialmente inseguros em seu conteúdo. A determinação da qualidade de produtos químicos orgânicos que migraram em 15 garrafas de água armazenada em PET foi realizada pela técnica de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massa. A maior parte dos compostos químicos orgânicos, incluindo ftalato, alquil fenol, alceno de maior peso molecular e ácido orgânico foram detectados nas amostras. No entanto, não há agentes cancerígenos e hormônios foram detectados nas águas analisadas. Os compostos migraram identificados entre 13 a 100% de água engarrafada. As conclusões do presente estudo poderia ser alarmante para os estabelecimentos legislativos de segurança alimentar no Irã devido à existência de alguns compostos orgânicos com influência negativa no bem-estar humano. Outras investigações é recomendado para avaliar a avaliação de risco da saúde pública decorrente da presença desses contaminantes tóxicos na água engarrafada consumida pelas pessoas

Effect of troxerutin on apelin-13, apelin receptors (APJ), and ovarian histological changes in the offspring of high-fat diet fed rats

Objective(s): Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption has been linked to metabolic disorders and reproductive dysfunctions in offspring. Troxerutin (TRO) has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the effects of TRO on apelin-13, its receptors mRNA and ovarian histological changes in the offspring of HFD fed rats. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control diet (CD) or HFD groups and received these diets for eight weeks. After mating, dams were assigned into four subgroups: CD, CD + TRO, HFD, and HFD + TRO, and received their respective diets until the end of lactation. Troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day) was gavaged in the CD + TRO and HFD + TRO groups during pregnancy. On the postnatal day (PND) 21 all female offspring were separated and fed CD until PND 90. On PND 90 animals were sacrificed and ovarian tissue samples were collected for further evaluation. Results: Results showed that HFD significantly decreased serum apelin-13 in the female offspring of the HFD dams, which was significantly reversed by TRO. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that TRO treatment significantly decreased the ovarian mRNA expression of the apelin-13 receptor in the troxerutin-received offspring. Furthermore, histological examination revealed that TRO increased the number of atretic follicles in the ovaries of HFD+TRO offspring.Conclusion: Maternal high fat feeding compromises ovarian health including follicular growth and development in the adult offspring and troxerutin treatment improved negative effects of maternal HFD on the apelin-13 level and ovarian development of offspring