Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
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Emoji as an Aid for Information Retrieval: A Viewpoint regarding Metadata, Technology and Improving International Information Seeking
No full textCurrent metadata schema, internet search engines and databases of scientific literature have an Anglo-American language and cultural bias. While it is possible to catalogue or index non-English, non-Latin script publications and achieve some degree of success in the retrieval of such information, librarians and researchers are often disappointed by inconsistencies in the accuracy of search results for this type of publication and frustrated by the limitations created by the biases embedded in the technology and schema. This paper is the result of a two-year dialog between a Farsi-speaking medical librarian in Iran and an English-speaking metadata librarian in Canada. They present the argument that a metadata schema which incorporates graphical images such as Emoji along with keyword indexing or a controlled vocabulary and new search engines which can make use of the new schema for Boolean searching is a robust potential solution for the difficulties they discussed. While this new information seeking environment that requires both the edition of a graphical facet to metadata schema and new search engines presents the potential to break down significant intercultural barriers, the authors recognize that this undertaking is more than a simple technological or procedural change but would require significant agreement between and work from librarians, standards bodies and researchers
Why iranian women experience work-family conflict?
No full textBackground: Despite the global importance of work-family issues and the many calls for studies within distinct cultural contexts; work-family research has mainly been conducted in Anglo societies, and Western countries. Objective: The present study was designed to explore the factors which determine the work-family conflict through personal information, including, but not limited to the lived experiences and per-spectives of Iranian women who are both employed and married. Methods: A qualitative approach was chosen, which would allow for an in-depth and rich explora-tion of the experiences, perceptions, and feelings of participants. Data were obtained from 29 participants, in-depth individual interviews with 17 participants and two focus groups. Each focus group discussion included 6 participants. Results: Six main categories emerged from the data analysis: the value of work and family, hegemonic masculinity, non-supportive environment, job stress, overloading family, and inade-quacy of individual ability and skills. Conclusion: Based on the data obtained from participants, sociocultural factors play an important role in the creation of work-family conflict
Genetically engineered fusion of allergen and viral-like particle induces a more effective allergen-specific immune response than a combination of them
Get PDFAbstract: Chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) were developed as a candidate for allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) that genetically fused to Chenopodium album polcalcin (Che a 3)–derived peptide was expressed in E. coli BL21, purified, and VLP formation was evaluated using native agarose gel electrophoresis (NAGE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chimeric HBc VLPs were characterized in terms of their reactivity to IgE, the induction of blocking IgG and allergen-specific IgE, basophil-activating capacity, and Th1-type immune responses. Results from IgE reactivity and basophil activation test showed that chimeric HBc VLPs lack IgE-binding capacity and basophil degranulation activity. Although chimeric HBc VLPs induced the highest level of efficient polcalcin-specific IgG antibody in comparison to those induced by recombinant Che a 3 (rChe a 3) mixed either with HBc VLPs or alum, they triggered the lowest level of polcalcin-specific IgE in mice following immunization. Furthermore, in comparison to the other antigens, chimeric HBc VLPs produced a polcalcin-specific Th1 cell response. Taken together, genetically fusion of allergen derivatives to HBc VLPs, in comparison to a mix of them, may be a more effective way to induce appropriate immune responses in allergen-specific immunotherapy. Key points: • The insertion of allergen-derived peptide into major insertion region (MIR) of hepatitis B virus core (HBc) antigen resulted in nanoparticles displaying allergen-derived peptide upon its expression in prokaryotic host. • The resultant VLPs (chimeric HBc VLPs) did not exhibit IgE reactivity with allergic patients’ sera and were not able to degranulate basophils. • Chimeric HBc VLPs dramatically improved protective IgG antibody response compared with those induced by allergen mixed either with HBc VLPs or alum. • Chimeric HBc VLPs induced Th1 responses that were counterparts of Th2 responses (allergic). • Chimeric HBc VLPs increased IgG2a/ IgG1 ratio and the level of IFN-γ compared to those induced by allergen mixed with either HBc VLPs or alum. [Figure not available: see fulltext.
Microalgae biodiesel: A systematic review in Iran
No full textThe use of fossil fuels has faced the world with new challenges, so that renewable energy has become a part of the world's total energy consumption. Iran is rich in natural energy resources and can consider for using the renewable fuels like biofuels as an alternative to non-renewable. This study has two purposes. First, it purposes to provide an overview on all studies conducted in Iran in the field of biodiesel production from microalgae and fish waste. Second, it purposes to study the biodiesel production potential from those two sources in Bushehr province. Overall, 109 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved, of which 15 original articles were included. The results of the systematic review showed that biodiesel production research from algae and fish waste in Iran has increased in the last ten years. In addition, the minimum and maximum algae lipid content was obtained equal 17.5 and 52%, respectively. The lowest and highest amount of oil productivity was obtained equal 0.026 and 0.154 g/l.day, respectively. Also, the biodiesel production potential of Bushehr from aquatic algae and fish waste was estimated at about 196.1 kt, which is equal to 19.25% of the total diesel fuel requirements of Bushehr and 1.2% of the total diesel consumption of Iran in transportation sector. In general, the total revenue of $ 118.8 million from the aquatic microalgae and fish waste of Bushehr province can be obtained. The study concludes with biodiesel production policy concepts and avenues for future researches
Physical activity status of elementary school children in bushehr in 1398
No full textBackground and Objectives: Physical activity is one of the most important components of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity level of primary school students in Bushehr in 1398. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, the research population included all elementary school students in Bushehr. Four hundred and six students were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, which is a valid and reliable scale, was used to collect the data. Independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression model were used for data analysis. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean score of physical activity was 3.27±0.84. There was a significant relationship between demographic factors (parents’ education level, participant’s education level and BMI) and physical activity. Students whose parents had higher levels of education were more likely to engage in physical activity and people who were obese had less physical activity. Conclusion: The students' physical activity was moderate. Given that there is a direct link between physical inactivity and increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, it is important to pay attention to the lifestyle of people, especially children and adolescents who are in the learning age. Therefore, more attention should be paid to improving the level of physical activity in students through education and building a cultur
Investigating the association between allergic diseases and COVID-19 in 400 Iranian patients
No full textINTRODUCTION: Allergic diseases could play a role of a predisposing factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to investigate allergic comorbidity and its association in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory reports, and radiologic findings, together with underlying comorbidity of patients, were studies. Allergic diseases were identified by using the standard GA2LEN questionnaire. The severity of COVID-19 was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and an intensive care unit (ICU) report. RESULTS: Out of 400 COVID-19 patients admitted in the hospital, 158 (39.5%) presented with different allergic diseases, and a reverse association was observed between having allergic comorbidity and severity of COVID-19 infection (P = 0.005, relative risk = 0.96; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 0.77-1.19). The respective frequency of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, and food or drug allergy was 7.3%, 16%, 1.8%, 5%, 10% and 13.3%. Significantly, only AR was reversely associated with the severity of COVID-19 (P = 0.02, relative risk = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.77-1.19). Additionally, 43% of the patients presented hypoxemia, and 93.5% had chest CT scan involvement. Interestingly, patients with allergic diseases had significantly lower hypoxemia and chest CT involvement as compared with non-allergic patients (P = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study established that allergic diseases were not determined to be a predisposing factor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Significantly, AR patients developed mild clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and admitted to ICU as compared to non-AR patients
Concentrations, spatial distribution, and human health risk assessment of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Tehran, Iran
Get PDFThe aim of current research was to determine airborne asbestos fiber concentrations in the ambient air of Tehran, and to investigate their spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and human health risk assessment. For this, the sampling of the study was carried out during August 2017 and June 2018, and totally, 64 samples were taken from 8 stations along the different areas of Tehran. The concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers were determined by phase contrast microscope (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Spatial mapping was conducted using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) technique. The health risk assessment was done based on the detected levels of airborne asbestosis fibers. The mean concentrations of the airborne asbestos fiber were 1.9 × 10−3 f/ml and 595 × 10−3 f/ml based on PCM and SEM analyses, respectively. One of the effective factors on ambient level of asbestos fibers is meteorological parameters, where the maximum and minimum concentrations of asbestos fibers are related to cold and warm seasons, respectively. These differences could be due to the presence of inversions phenomenon in cold seasons in Tehran. It was observed that the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) calculated for all the sampling areas are between 5.26 × 10−5 and 5.37 × 10−4. Based on the EPA-suggested standards (10−4–10−6), these values are categorized rather to moderate levels. The obtained data indicated no threat of asbestos fibers to Tehran’s citizens’ health
Male subfertility effects of sub-chronic ethanol exposure during stress in a rat model
No full textBackground: Stressful conditions increase alcohol consumption in men. Clinical studies link disruption of the neuroendocrine stress system with alcoholism, but the effect of alcohol in a stress condition on male fertility is still relatively poorly understood. This project was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sub-chronic alcohol in a stress condition on male fertility in a rat model. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, a stress group that was exposed to restraint stress, an ethanol group that was injected with ethanol daily, and a stress + ethanol group that was injected with ethanol daily and was exposed to restraint stress, simultaneously. Furthermore, testis tissue was evaluated histomorphometrically and immunohistochemically for apoptosis using a TUNEL assay after 12 days. Epididymis sperm analysis was done. Blood cortisol and testosterone were measured and expression of hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1), RFRP-3, and MC4R mRNA were evaluated. Results: Ethanol exposure during restraint stress did not alter body weight. Ethanol exposure decreased the cellular diameter and area, and stress increased the cellular diameter and area, in comparison with the control group. In the stress group, in comparison with the other groups, the number of seminiferous tubules decreased and the numerical density of seminiferous tubules increased. In addition, ethanol exposure and/or stress reduced semen analysis parameters (sperm viability and motility), but did not change serum testosterone concentrations. Apoptosis increased in spermatogonia with ethanol exposure, but spermatocytes were not affected. Our data present the novel finding that ethanol and stress reduced hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression, while ethanol exposure decreased hypothalamic RFRP-3 and MC4R mRNA expression. Conclusions: Ethanol decreased cortisol hormone level during the restraint stress condition and attenuated hypothalamic reproductive-related gene expressions. Therefore, ethanol exposure may induce reduction of sperm viability, increased sperm mortality, and increased apoptosis, with long-term effects, and may induce permanent male subfertility
Correction to: Health risk assessment on human exposed to heavy metals in the ambient air PM10 in Ahvaz, southwest Iran
Get PDFHeavy metals (HM) are one of the main components of urban air pollution. Today, megacities and industrial regions in
southwest of Iran are frequently suffering from severe haze episodes, which essentially caused by PM10-bound heavy
metals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health risk assessment on human exposed to heavy metals
and Zn) in the ambient air PM10 in Ahvaz, southwest Iran. In this study, we estimated healthy people from the following
scenarios: (S3) residential site; (S2) high-traffic site; (S1) industrial site in Ahvaz metropolitan during autumn and winter.
In the current study, high-volume air samplers equipped with quartz fiber filters were used to sampling and measurements
of heavy metal concentration. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was utilized for
detection of heavy metal concentration (ng m−3
). Also, an estimate of the amount of health risk assessment (hazard index)
of Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn of heavy metal exposure to participants was used. Result of this study showed that the residential and
industrial areas had the lowest and the highest level of heavy metal. Based on the result of this study, average levels of
heavy metal in industrial, high-traffic, and residential areas in autumn and winter were 31.48, 30.89, and 23.21 μg m−3 and
42.60, 37.70, and 40.07 μg m−3
, respectively. Based on the result of this study, the highest and the lowest concentration of
heavy metal had in the industrial and residential areas. Zn and Pb were the most abundant elements among the studied
PM10-bound heavy metals, followed by Cr and Ni. The carcinogenic risks of Cr, Pb, and the integral HQ of metals in PM10
for children and adults via inhalation and dermal exposures exceeded 1 × 10−4 in three areas. Also, based on the result of
this study, the values of hazard index (HI) of HM exposure in different areas were significantly higher than standard. The
health risks attributed to HM should be further investigated from the perspective of the public health in metropolitans. The
result of this study showed increasing exposure concentrations to heavy metal in the studied scenarios have a significant
potential for generating different health endpoints, while environmental health management in ambient air can cause
disorders in citizenship and causing more spiritual and material costs
Erratum: Incidental Detections Suggestive of COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing 68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT Scan for Oncological Indications (Nuklearmedizin (2020) DOI: 10.1055/a-1311-2856)
Get PDFIn the above article, an incorrect figure 2 was depicted. The mistake has been fixed in the meantime. The corrected figure presents below. (Figure Presented)