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Rapid urbanization has given rise to escalating land surface temperatures, climate change, and the emergence of surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) and urban hot spots (UHSs), posing significant environmental challenges. This study, situated in the dynamic urban landscape of southern Iran, leverages Landsat satellite imagery to scrutinize the repercussions of temperature escalation on the environment. Our approach harnesses a novel Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) in conjunction with thermal and spectral indices to gain insights into these challenges. We employ a multifaceted methodology that integrates linear regression, cellular automata (CA)-Markov chains, and advanced neural network techniques to predict land surface temperature (LST) values and associated indicators. Over the span of 2000–2019, our findings reveal a 5% augmentation in urban heat islands (UHIs), signifying an alarming temperature increase. A striking 46% of the region, as uncovered by UTFVI, falls into the most severe categories of ecological discomfort. Our analysis underscores the robust correlations between LST and critical indices, notably the Normalized Difference Built Index (NDBI) (0.96), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (-0.71), UTFVI (0.98), and SUHI (0.82). Notably, our original contributions lie in the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), wherein the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) method excels in predicting UTFVI (R2=0.96) and NDBI (R2=0.96), while the Radial Basis Function (RBF) method demonstrates remarkable accuracy in forecasting the SUHI index (R2=0.96). These achievements signify a groundbreaking advancement in comprehending the intricate dynamics of urban environmental conditions. The repercussions of increased urbanization, the proliferation of barren land, and dwindling vegetation in 2019 manifest in a marked decline in ecological quality, with a concomitant surge in temperatures within the study area. These findings underscore the pressing need for informed urban planning and sustainable practices to mitigate the detrimental effects of urban heat islands and their impact on local climates. [Display omitted] • Determining surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) using remote sensing • Applying LST index to investigate thermal pollution • Determining ecological comfort using the UTFVI index • Using the Markov and CA-Markov chain to predict LST • Appling the neural networks to predict UTFVI, SUHI, NDBI values [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of the Bandar Abbas thermal power plant on the waters of the Persian Gulf coast, a combination of satellite images and ground data was utilized to determine the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) as a thermal index, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) as biological indices. Additionally, measurements of SO 2 , O 3 , NO 2 , CO 2 , CO, and CH 4 values in the atmosphere were taken to determine the plant's impact on air pollution. Temperature values of the water for different months were predicted using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Cascade neural networks. The results indicate that the waters near thermal power plants exhibit the highest temperatures in July and September, with temperatures reaching approximately 50 °C. Furthermore, the SST values were found to be strongly correlated with ecological indices. The Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis revealed a strong correlation between the temperature and TOC, COD, and O 2 in water (R TOC 2 = 0.98), R O 2 2 = − 0.89 , R COD 2 = 0.87 and O 3 , NO 3 , CO 2 , and CO in the air (R O 3 2 = 0.99 , R NO 3 2 = 0.97 , R CO 2 2 = 0.95 , R CO 2 = 0.96). Finally, the results demonstrate that the LSTM method exhibited high accuracy in predicting the water temperature (R2 = 0.98). • SST index showed high temperatures water in near thermal power plant. • LSTM method had high accurate in predicting thermal pollution near power plant. • High temperature around power plant decreased O 2 in water, posing risk to aquatic life. • There were a strong correlation between TOC, COD, O 2 values and water temperature. • Air pollution was more around the thermal power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and reduced rainfall in the past decade have resulted in an alarming increase in soil erosion within arid and semi-arid regions, including southern Iran. Given the significance of this issue, our research aimed to predict soil erosion in the southwest of Fars province, Iran, by utilizing climatic indicators and remote sensing. To determine the key indicators of drought influencing soil erosion, the principal component analysis (PCA) method was employed. Subsequently, Markov chains and Cellular Automata Markov chain (CA-Markov) were utilized to forecast soil erosion and drought conditions in 2040. The findings revealed a steady rise in drought frequency within the region from 2000 to 2020. Notably, meteorological indices and meteorological drought exhibited strong correlations with the Standard Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) (RSPEI = 0.98 and RSPI = 0.97). The correlation analysis between soil erodibility indices and drought identified Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as significantly linked to erosion rates. The soil erosion predictions using Markov and CA-Markov chains in 2040 indicated that approximately 38% of the region faces erosion risk based on the NDVI index, while around 47% face risk based on the EVI index. Moreover, the southern and eastern regions are projected to experience increased erosion due to the combination of low rainfall and high drought in the upcoming years. These results underscore the profound impact of drought on critical soil properties, including soil moisture, texture, and the adhesion of soil particles. Consequently, drought-induced soil erosion may lead to greater wastage and ecological repercussions. By leveraging remote sensing drought indicators and their influence on soil erosion, effective land management practices can be implemented to prevent soil erosion and mitigate its adverse effects on the ecological potential of watersheds. • The relationship between drought indices with soil erosion was assessed. • The several methods were used to investigate and predict soil erosion. • The study can help to reduce the time and costs required to predict soil erosion. • The results can help to erosion prediction and sustainable land management. • The soil erodibility has the most correlation with the Enhanced Vegetation Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identify potential ecotourism sites using ordered weight averaging (OWA). • Preparing ecotourism maps with different confident levels. • Utilizing feature selection algorithm to select the most importance parameters. To reduce the negative effects of tourism on the environment, the importance of ecotourism is increasingly considered because this form of tourism helps to protect the environment and sustainable development of an area. So, it is important to determine suitable places for tourism to better manage the study area. The aim of this study is to identify potential ecotourism sites using ordered weight averaging (OWA) and fuzzy quantifier algorithms in the east and central of Fars province, Iran. Required spatial data such as geology, soil, slope land, topographic roughness index (TRI), vegetation, surface water, elevation, protected area, climate, distance to road, and distance to the village were utilized. To prepare ecotourism maps with different confidence levels, eleven ordered weights were applied corresponding to the eleven parameters that were rank-ordered for each parameter after the modified factor weights were applied. Also, the feature selection algorithm (random search and genetic search methods) was used to select the most important parameters to determine the ecotourism map. The results showed that, with decreasing risk (α = 0), almost all of the study area was unsuitable for ecotourism while, with increasing risk (α = 20), all of the study areas were suitable for ecotourism. One of the ecotourism maps prepared with different confidence levels can be suggested based on the different conditions of tourists so that, if the tourist has a limited time, ecotourism maps with a higher degree of confidence levels are recommended and vice versa. This is one of the innovations of the present research. Also, the results of the random search method with the least error show that slope, elevation, climate, distance to river, and distance to road parameters are the most important parameters in preparing the ecotourism map of the region. So, using the results of the research, many economic problems, such as unemployment, will be solved by managers by preparing tourism maps and creating service jobs for tourists. With the OWA method, tourism zoning maps can be controlled by managers in order to provide better services and social and economic justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Biochemistry is one of the main courses of basic sciences in the medical curriculum, along with other difficult subjects that are difficult to learn. The emergence of new technologies has made it possible to test new methods such as e-Learning. In this study, we compared two methods of Flex-Flipped Classroom (FFC) and face-to-face., Method: A quasi-experimental research was done which involved both medical and dental students studying the clinical biochemistry course in the joint semester in 2019. A total of 100 medical students were trained in biochemistry through face-to-face teaching, and 60 dental students were trained in the same course through the FFC model. Three researcher-made tools were used to compare the two groups to assess the student's satisfaction, scores, and self-evaluation. The content validity of the tools was checked using the opinions of 10 experts through the CVI index. The results were analyzed using one-sample t-tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA., Results: Both groups scored significantly more than the cut-off-point (Mean > 3.5) in their average scores of the total and sub-components of the self-evaluation questionnaire (P < 0.05). Face-to-face teaching was viewed more favorably than the FFC teaching except for considering the flexibility (4.14 ± 1.55), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The students' knowledge score in the FFC was slightly higher than that in the face-to-face method, but this difference was not significant(P = 0.758)., Conclusion: Both face-to-face and FFC methods were effective according to the students, but the level of satisfaction with the face-to-face method was higher. It seems that teacher-student interaction is an important factor in students' preferences. However, the students preferred the flexibility of multimedia. It seems necessary to use the advantages of each method in a model appropriate to the students' conditions and available facilities., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide. Genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors contribute to the multifactorial etiology of obesity. Evidence suggests an association between human Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and obesity. Reduced plasma BDNF levels have also been reported in patients with eating disorders and obesity. We aimed to evaluate the BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) SNP and also plasma BDNF levels in morbidly obese patients compared with healthy normal controls in southern Iran. One hundred morbidly obese patients and one hundred eight healthy normal controls were enrolled. Blood-derived DNA samples were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Plasma BDNF levels were evaluated using a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for human BDNF. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software, version 18.0. Genotype distribution was not significantly different between obese patients and controls. However, plasma BDNF levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared with controls. Interestingly, a significant association was found between BDNF Val66Met SNP and plasma BDNF levels. No relationship was observed between BDNF Val66Met SNP and all assessed demographic and clinical characteristics of obese patients. It seems that plasma BDNF levels were associated with both obesity and BDNF Val66Met SNP. However, this association was not found between BDNF Val66Met SNP and obesity. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed for more detailed assessment of this genetic variation as a potential biomarker for obesity., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Different DNA aberrations processes can cause colorectal cancer (CRC). Herein, we conducted a comprehensive molecular characterization of 27 CRCs from Iranian patients., Materials and Methods: Array CGH was performed. The MSI phenotype and the methylation status of 15 genes was established using MSP. The CGH data was compared to two established lists of 41 and 68 cancer genes, respectively, and to CGH data from African Americans. A maximum parsimony cladogram based on global aberrations was established., Results: The number of aberrations seem to depend on the MSI status. MSI-H tumors displayed the lowest number of aberrations. MSP revealed that most markers were methylated, except RNF182 gene. P16 and MLH1 genes were primarily methylated in MSI-H tumors. Seven markers with moderate to high frequency of methylation (SYNE1, MMP2, CD109, EVL, RET, LGR and PTPRD) had very low levels of chromosomal aberrations. All chromosomes were targeted by aberrations with deletions more frequent than amplifications. The most amplified markers were CD248, ERCC6, ERGIC3, GNAS, MMP2, NF1, P2RX7, SFRS6, SLC29A1 and TBX22. Most deletions were noted for ADAM29, CHL1, CSMD3, FBXW7, GALNS, MMP2, NF1, PRKD1, SMAD4 and TP53. Aberrations targeting chromosome X were primarily amplifications in male patients and deletions in female patients. A finding similar to what we reported for African American CRC patients., Conclusion: This first comprehensive analysis of CRC Iranian tumors reveals a high MSI rate. The MSI tumors displayed the lowest level of chromosomal aberrations but high frequency of methylation. The MSI-L were predominantly targeted with chromosomal instability in a way similar to the MSS tumors. The global chromosomal aberration profiles showed many similarities with other populations but also differences that might allow a better understanding of CRC's clinico-pathological specifics in this population.

Background: The prevalence of obesity, a major public health problem, is increasing in many countries, including Iran. Leptin, a peptide hormone that is released from adipocytes, is a major factor in appetite regulation. Levels of plasma leptin increase with increased body fat mass (BFM). Research has found acupuncture to be effective both in weight loss and suppression of appetite. Although a few studies have reported the effect of body and ear acupuncture on leptin levels, researchers have performed few studies on the effect of body electroacupuncture in humans., Objective: The research team examined the effects of body electroacupuncture and a low-calorie diet on plasma leptin in obese and overweight individuals with an excess (phlegm-dampness or phlegm-heat) or deficiency (spleen/stomach qi deficiency or primary qi deficiency) pattern according to Chinese medicine., Design: The research team randomly assigned participants to one of two groups, intervention or control., Setting: This study occurred in the nutritional clinic at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran., Participants: Participants were individuals (N = 86) between 18 and 65 years of age with body mass indexes (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m2., Intervention: The intervention group (n = 47) received actual electroacupuncture, and the control group (n = 47) received sham acupuncture. Both groups consumed a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks., Outcome Measures: The research team measured plasma leptin, BFM, body weight (BW), and BMI before and after treatment., Results: For participants in the intervention group with both the excess and the deficiency patterns, the research team found a significant reduction in plasma leptin (24.96%, P = .001) and BFM (8.29%, P = .001). In the control group, the team found a less significant reduction in leptin and BFM. The difference between the two groups was significant for leptin (P = .03) but not for BFM (P = .8)., Conclusions: While body electroacupuncture with a low-calorie diet can reduce plasma leptin concentration, the mechanism will require further clarification.

Background: Human leptin is a peptide hormone that is released from white adipocytes. The absence of leptin or its receptor leads to uncontrolled food intake, leading to obesity. In the present work, the effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone level were investigated., Methods: Volunteers (n=86) with body mass indices (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m² were randomised into a case (n=43) or a control (n=43) group. Participants in each group received a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. The case group was treated with auricular acupressure and the control group received a sham procedure. Plasma leptin levels, body fat mass, body weight and BMI were measured before and after treatment., Results: Participants who received auricular acupressure showed significant reductions in their plasma leptin levels (18.57%, p<0.01) as well as in their body fat mass (4%, p<0.05). These changes were not observed in the control group. The reduction in leptin was significantly greater in the acupressure group than the controls., Conclusions: Auricular acupressure combined with a low-calorie diet significantly reduced plasma levels of leptin. However, the mechanism of this reduction is not clear.

The WNT signaling is deregulated in most human colorectal cancers (CRC). Promoter methylation has been proposed as an alternative mechanism to inactivate genes in tumors. To gain insight into the methylation silencing of the WNT pathway during colorectal carcinogenesis, we examined the aberrant methylation profile of four genes, APC, Axin1, Axin2, and GSK3β in an unselected series of 112 sporadic colorectal tumors by methylation specific PCR. It has been suggested that the Axin2 C148T SNP is associated with the risk of developing certain types of cancers. To assess the contribution of Axin2 SNP to CRC susceptibility, we examined the Axin2 C148T genotype in CRC patients and 170 healthy controls by PCR-RFLP. The frequency of CRCs with at least one gene methylated was 18.75%. Promoter methylation of Axin2 and APC genes was detected in 7.1 and 11.9% of tumors, respectively. No aberrant methylation was found in Gsk3β and Axin1 gene in these tumor series. The methylation status of APC had no significant association with clinical parameters. But, promoter methylation of Axin2 was sex-related, occurring more frequently in females (P = 0.002). The frequency of Axin2 C148T genotypes were similar in patients and controls. Moreover, we observed no association between the Axin2 SNP and risk of CRC in patients stratified by age, sex, and smoking status. However, the heterozygote CT genotype was associated with a reduced CRC risk in distal patients compared with proximal patients (OR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.9, P = 0.04). Our findings indicate that Axin1 and GSK3β methylation play a minor role in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in the folate metabolic pathway. We aimed to test the hypothesis that C677T and A1298C variants of MTHFR predispose to microsatellite instable (MSI) colorectal cancer. We determined MTHFR genotypes in 175 sporadic colorectal cancer patients and a total of 231 normal controls in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Among the genotypes found in our samples, MTHFR CT and CT+TT were associated with increased risk for CRC incidence [odds ratio (OR)=2.4, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=1.8-4.4; OR=2.4, 95%CI=1.6-3.6, respectively]. Double heterozygotes 677CT/1298AC and double homozygote 677TT/1298AA and 677CC/1298CC genotypes also showed a significantly increased risk of developing CRC compared with the wild-type 677CC/1298AA genotypes of the controls. Among the 151 tumors tested, 36 (23.8%) were MSI+. MSI was more common in proximal tumors (OR=10.4; 95%CI=3.9-27.8) and in smokers (OR=2.9; 95%CI=1.3-6.7). In a case-control comparison, the MTHFR 677CT+TT genotype was strongly associated with MSI (OR=2.6; 95%CI=1.3-5.3). Hypermethylation of mismatch repair genes was positively related with MSI incidence in these tumor series (P=0.00). Our data suggest that the MTHFR 677CT+TT variant genotype may be a risk factor for MSI+ cancer.

Background: Mutations and promoters' methylation of a set of candidate cancer genes (CAN genes) are associated with progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). We hypothesized that these genes' promoters are inactivated through epigenetic silencing and may show a different profile in high-risk populations. We investigated the status of CAN gene methylation and CHD5 protein expression in African American CRC tissue microarrays (TMA) using immunohistochemical staining., Methodology/principal Findings: The promoter methylation status of the CAN genes was studied by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in 51 Iranians (a white population) and 51 African Americans (AA). Microsatellite instability (MSI) was analyzed as well. The differential frequency of methylation for each gene was tested by chi-square analysis between the two groups based on matched age and sex. CHD5 protein expression was evaluated in moderate to well differentiated and poorly differentiated carcinomas compared to matched normal tissue using TMA. In addition, the correlation between these epigenetic biomarkers and various clinicopathological factors, including, age, location, and stage of the disease were analyzed. Seventy-seven and 34% of tumors were distal in Iranian and African American patients, respectively. In both populations, the percentage of methylation was >65% for SYNE1, MMP2, APC2, GPNMB, EVL, PTPRD, and STARD8, whereas methylation was <50% for LGR6, RET, CD109, and RNF. The difference in methylation between the two populations was statistically significant for CHD5, ICAM5 and GPNMB. Thirty-one percent AA tumors showed MSI-H, compared to 28% in Iranians., Conclusions/significance: A significantly higher methylation rate was found for GPNMB, ICAM5, and CHD5 genes in AA patients compared to Iranians. These genes might play a role in the high incidence and aggressiveness of CRC in the AA population. The hypermethylation of the CAN genes can be considered as a marker of colon carcinogenesis.