Search

Introduction: B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-lymphoma (B-ALL) accounts for approximately 75% of ALL cases and is observed in children and adults. Recent advances in disease diagnosis, stratification and prognostication have led to a better characterization of different subgroups of ALL. Notwithstanding the significant improvement in the complete remission rate of B-ALL, patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) and relapsed/refractory (R/R) settings suffer from poor outcomes. Hypothesis: However, novel therapies, such as agents targeting tyrosine kinases or the CD20 molecule, combination therapies and improved supportive care, have changed the treatment landscape of B-ALL. Method and results: Meanwhile, blinatumomab has been FDA-approved for MRD-positive or R/R B-ALL patients. Blinatumomab is a bispecific T cell engager containing the CD3 and CD19 that recognize domains redirecting cytotoxic T cells to lyse B cells. Promising outcomes, including long-term overall survival and improved MRD-negative response rates, have been reported in patients who received this drug. Adding blinatumomab to new ALL regimens seems promising for achieving better outcomes in poor prognosis B-ALL patients. Nevertheless, the neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome are the two major adverse events following the blinatumomab therapy. Conclusion: This review summarizes the function and effectiveness of blinatumomab in R/R and MRD positive B-ALL patients. Furthermore, blinatumomab's positive and negative aspects as a novel therapy for B-ALL patients have been briefly discussed.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the significant global health concerns with an increase in cases. Regular screening tests are crucial for early detection as it is often asymptomatic in the initial stages. Liquid biopsies, a non-invasive approach that examines biomarkers in biofluids, offer a promising future in diagnosing and screening cancer. Circulating-tumour DNA (ctDNA) is the genetic material in biofluids released into the circulatory system by cells. ctDNA is a promising marker for monitoring patients since cancer cells display distinct DNA methylation patterns compared to normal cells. The potential of our research to contribute to early detection and improved patient outcomes is significant. Aims The primary objective of this research project was to explore the HAND1 methylation levels in plasma ctDNA as a potential biomarker for diagnosing CRC and evaluate the methylation level of the well-established gene SPET9 to compare it with the methylation level of HAND1. Materials and methods Plasma samples were collected from 30 CRC patients and 15 healthy individuals, with CRC samples obtained pre-treatment. ctDNA was extracted and treated with bisulfite for methylation status assessment. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMS-PCR) was performed for HAND1 and SEPT9, using β-actin (ACTB gene) as a reference. The study aims to evaluate the potential of these genes as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC, contributing to early detection and improved patient outcomes. Results Our study yielded significant results: 90% of CRC patients (27 out of 30) had hypermethylation in the SEPT9 gene, and 83% (25 out of 30) exhibited hypermethylation in the HAND1 gene. The methylation levels of both genes were significantly higher in CRC patients than in healthy donors. These findings underscore the potential of SEPT9 and HAND1 methylation as promising biomarkers for diagnosing CRC, potentially leading to early detection and improved patient outcomes. Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of SEPT9 and HAND1 methylation as promising biomarkers for diagnosing CRC. However, further research and validation studies are needed to confirm these findings and to explore their clinical utility in CRC diagnosis and management.

Background. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic and metabolic diseases. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to compare the effects of multiple daily insulin injections against permanent subcutaneous insulin injections on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. Studies that compared the impacts of multiple daily insulin injections against permanent subcutaneous insulin injections on HbA1C levels and were published until the end of 2022 in international databases were searched and retrieved (nine randomized clinical trial studies). The Chi-squared test and I2 were used to determine the presence and size of heterogeneity. Results. The results of the analysis demonstrated that compared to the group of multiple daily insulin injections, HbA1C was significantly reduced in the group of permanent subcutaneous insulin injections, so that the standardized mean difference was equal to -0.26 (95% confidence interval: -0.46– -0.06 P=0.025). According to the results of Egger’s (P=0.333) and Begg’s (P=0.667) tests, publication bias was not observed in this study. Conclusion. Based on the available evidence, permanent subcutaneous injection of insulin could be significantly successful in reducing and controlling the level of HbA1C because the patients in the permanent subcutaneous injection group had lower levels of HbA1C. Practical Implications. In patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin treatment with the permanent subcutaneous injection method can better control the level of HbA1C than the multiple daily injection method.

Abstract Background The usefulness of repetitious transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and its protocols in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rTMS in treating a sample of patients with MDD who did not respond to conventional treatment. Results The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores for the active rTMS group were 19.66 ± 6.70 at baseline, 12.50 ± 6.69 at 2 weeks, and 11.23 ± 6.59 at 4 weeks. The average HDRS scores for the sham rTMS group were 20.03 ± 7.40 at baseline, 19.36 ± 6.86 at 2 weeks, and 18.53 ± 7.10 at 4 weeks (F = 5.98; p < 0.01). The Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) scores were significantly lower in the second and fourth weeks than the baseline due to the significant interaction between time effects and the groups (F = 9.95, p = 0.002). This condition was also similar to the CGI-Improvement Scale and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ), and the intervention group showed a significantly lower score than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions This study showed that rTMS using the employed protocol was promising for patients with MDD resistant to first-line drug therapy. Further studies are required to ensure our observation. Trial registration Trial registration number: IRCT20190612043877N1 Trial registry Record URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/63919

Objectives: The prevalence of multiple health hazards in various industries is on the rise, with noise and heat being common harmful factors in industrial environments in Iran. This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of simultaneous exposure to thermal stress and noise on human brain waves and perceived workload.Methods: Seventy-two students (36 men and 36 women) participated voluntarily in this study. Participants were subjected to varying levels of noise exposure, including four noise levels and heat stress (three levels of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) for 30 minutes each. EEG recordings were conducted for 10 minutes, with participants allowed a 30-minute rest period between each test condition.Results: The combined exposure to noise and heat at two high levels (SPL95+WBGT34 and SPL95+WBGT29) resulted in a significant increase in perceived mental workload compared to the baseline state (P

Background: Premature menopause (PM) is the cessation of ovarian function before age 40. PM women are more likelyto have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and mental disorders. This is the first study that assessed the associationof single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with anti-heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), and PM and serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), as putative risk factors for CVDs. We aimed toexplore the association of oxidative stress markers with eight different SNPs shown to be related to premature menopause.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, we included 183 healthy women and 117 premature menopausalwomen. We determined baseline characteristics for all participants and measured serum hs-CRP, anti-HSP-27 antibody titer, and PAB levels using the established methods. Genotyping for eight SNPs was done usingthe tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (Tetra-ARMS PCR) and allele-specificoligonucleotide PCR (ASO-PCR) methods.Results: We found a significant difference between mean serum PAB levels and the genetic variant of rs16991615(P=0.03). ANCOVA showed a significant effect of the genotypes rs4806660 and rs10183486 on hs-CRP serum levelsin the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.04 and P=0.007). ANCOVA also showed an association betweenrs244715 genotypes and anti-hsp27 serum levels in the case group (P=0.02). There was a significant effect of thegenotypes of rs451417 on the serum hs-CRP level in the control group (P=0.03).Conclusion: There was a significant association of the genetic variants related to PM with oxidative stress and inflammatorymarkers (serum PAB, anti-hsp27 antibody, and hs-CRP). Accordingly, this seems to be an effective approach topredicting susceptible subjects for cardiovascular and mental disorders as well as various cancers.

Aim: Acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) is a life-threatening emergency with high mortality rates. Surgical intervention is the preferred and potentially life-saving treatment, but perioperative mortality remains a significant concern. Identifying the risk factors associated with surgical mortality, morbidity, and survival rates is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for death during surgical repair of AADA. Material and Methods: We included 64 consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair between April 2013 and March 2021 in a tertiary heart center. Perioperative characteristics and variables were collected and analyzed to find any correlation between them and in-hospital Outcomes. Results: Aortic dissection surgery was performed on an average of 8 patients annually, accounting for approximately 1.7% (64/3757) of all open-heart surgery cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 28% (18/64). The main predisposing factors for in-hospital death were cardiac failure (11.1%), stroke (16.7%), uncontrollable hemorrhage (27.8%), renal failure (11.1%), respiratory failure (11.1%), and postoperative multi-organ failure (22.2%). We found no associations between cardiopulmonary bypass duration and mortality. During the routine use of cerebral protective perfusion, we did not encounter any cases of coma. Left ventricular hypertrophy, a short distance of intimal tear to the aortic valve, and renal failure were associated with postoperative bleeding tendency. Conclusion: Our study showed that multiple factors such as heart failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and respiratory failure increase in-hospital mortality of patients with dissection of aorta type A, but duration of surgery does not have any association with in-hospital death. [Turk J Vasc Surg 2024; 33(1.000): 26-32]

Introduction: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. Smoking occupational and environmental exposures are the most important causes of lung cancer. Cadmium is known as a human carcinogen due to its ability to increase lung cancer risk. This study estimates the general results of all studies on the relationship between cadmium and lung cancer. Material and Methods: In the present study, studies that evaluated the relationship between cadmium and lung cancer until May 2022 were searched and retrieved. From the funnel plot to determine the existence of diffusion skew, from the statistical tests Chi-squared test (x2) and I2 to determine heterogeneity, from the meta-regression method to identify the root of heterogeneity, and from the sensitivity analysis approach to identify the effect of each study on the result, it was generally used. This study performed all analyses with Stata statistical software version 15. Results: In this study, it was observed that the chance of developing lung cancer compared to the base group, in the people exposed to a higher dose than the base level of cadmium is equal to 1.31 (95% CI: 1.06-1.62; p-value = 0.024), which is statistically significant. Based on Egger’s test (p-value = 0.178) and Begg’s (p-value = 0.276), no diffusion bias was observed in this study. Conclusion: ccording to the final results of this review research, exposure to cadmium leads to a 31% increase in lung cancer risk, which is statistically significant. Therefore, cadmium is a risk factor for lung cancer.

Introduction: Acceptance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) rules plays a crucial role in determining the performance of employees in HSE-related areas at the workplace. This study aimed to design a questionnaire to investigate influential factors on acceptance of HSE rules among employees. Material and Methods: The face validity of the survey was assessed by ten individuals from the target population, while content validity was evaluated by ten HSE experts using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The impact scores were calculated for the quantitative assessment of face validity, and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) values were used to assess content validity. Construct validity was determined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) involving 506 participants. The reliability of the survey was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results: All items in the survey showed satisfactory levels of impact score (>1.5), CVR (>0.69), and CVI (>0.79). The mean values for the Impact score, CVI, CVR, and S-CVI-UA were 4.26, 0.963, 0.944, and 0.62, respectively. The survey and its dimensions demonstrated strong reliability, as indicated by Cronbach’s alpha and ICC values exceeding 0.70. Additionally, EFA successfully identified the structure of the questionnaire, and CFA confirmed its goodness of fit. Conclusion: The Persian version of the questionnaire demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability. This instrument can be effectively used to assess the factors that influence the acceptance of HSE rules among employees in various workplace settings.

Background and Objective: Vitamins play a crucial role in cellular growth, function, and evolution. Additionally, they contribute significantly to pathogen defense through cellular responses and immune enhancement. Cobalamin has been identified to play a role in suppressing virus replication, generating anti-inflammatory responses, and boosting immunity in infected patients with COVID-19. Therefore, we hypothesized that the low cobalamin levels are associated with a predisposition to severe COVID-19 infection. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between cobalamin levels and disease severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 117 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Sina Hospital and categorized them into three groups based on their disease severity: mild to moderate, severe, and critical. Demographic information and clinical findings of the patients were recorded. Serum cobalamin levels were assessed using biochemical methods. Logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses were employed for mortality prediction based on serum cobalamin levels. Results: The results revealed that patients with low cobalamin levels are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infections. Furthermore, with each additional day of hospitalization, the mortality rate due to COVID-19 increased by 24%. The high area under the ROC curve (0.837) indicated that mortality in COVID-19 patients can be effectively predicted based on cobalamin levels. Conclusion: It appears that cobalamin supplementation may have positive effects on COVID-19 patients’ outcomes. Additionally, serum cobalamin levels serve as a valuable indicator for predicting the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. However, comprehensive, longer-term studies with a larger number of patients are required.

Abstract Aim Domestic violence is an important public health and human rights problem. In most countries of the world, including Iran, the COVID‐19 pandemic made quarantine necessary to reduce the disease transmission rate. Therefore, due to the spread of the COVID‐19 disease and the emergence of mandatory quarantine conditions, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Iran. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, which was done in 2020, 240 married women were investigated. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, data collection was performed through virtual networks using standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics (relative frequencies, mean, and standard deviation) were used to determine the extent of violence. Independent t‐test and Chi‐square were used to analyze the data of the relation between the types of violence with independent variables. Also, the data were analyzed using the logistic regression model. Results In this study, 240 married women with a mean age of 36.27 were studied. The highest frequency was related to social violence (56.3%), and the lowest was related to financial and verbal violence (11.7%). In addition, a significant relationship was observed between sexual violence and age (p‐value

Changes in pH during CO2 injection into oceans can lead to significant negative environmental impacts, making it particularly important to track these changes. However, previous studies have not comprehensively investigated the development of machine learning models to estimate this parameter. To fill this research gap, this study developed 15 models comprising five machine learning methods: regression trees, support vector regression, Gaussian process regression, bagged trees, and boosted trees, and three optimization algorithms: random search, grid search, and Bayesian optimization. A total of 170 data points were used to develop these models. After data preprocessing and model development, it was determined that the boosted trees model optimized with grid search, with an R2 = 0.9964 and RMSE = 0.0156, performed the best, while the support vector regression model optimized with random search, with an R2 = 0.8426 and RMSE = 0.1030, had the lowest accuracy. The boosted trees model optimized with grid search was found to estimate all data points with a residual error of less than 0.15 and an absolute relative error of 4.62 %. The 95 % confidence interval for the RMSE was calculated based on the best model, showing that the error lies between 0.009060 and 0.023256 with 95 % confidence. Pearson correlation analysis was used for sensitivity analysis. The results showed that in all models, temperature, solubility, and pressure have a negative correlation with pH, while salinity has a positive correlation. Additionally, solubility and salinity exhibited the highest and lowest correlations, with average values of −0.9225 and 0.0594, respectively. Due to the accuracy of the developed models, these models can help to optimize the operation of injecting CO2 into oceans to reduce harmful environmental effects.

License plates to uniquely identify vehicles mainly use aluminum as the base material. Currently, there is no distinction of different use cases of license plates, such as short-time usage for test drive and transportation purposes that do not need such long-lasting materials not only from cost but also from sustainability perspectives. This paper presents a methodology to select the best material for different use cases under the holistic consideration of specifically defined criteria as to material properties, sustainability aspects, and supply chain implications. We show that there are several candidate materials for different use cases that stick out by changing the importance of these numerous criteria. In addition, the paper delves deeper into the sustainability aspect by means of a comprehensive System Dynamics model. We show that a scenario in which the company picks up used license plates by relying on a logistics service provider to get them delivered to an external recycling service provider yields the best results.

Large eddy simulations of an open channel bend are performed at a variety of water depths and flow rates. The results at several cross sections are decomposed into sub-cells of secondary circulation using clusters of instantaneous vortices. The strength and position of the sub-cells are then modelled using decision trees, multiple linear regression, multi-layer perceptrons, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems to obtain parametric models of secondary circulation development in a channel bend. The development of individual cells and total circulation is shown for an arbitrary flow condition using the model, as well as the dependence of all the circulation output variables on the input parameters of aspect ratio and Froude number. The positions of the sub-cells (but not their circulations) are largely independent of the Froude number, and the cross-stream position of the centre cell is found to behave linearly. The model with the best performance across all predicted variables is the ANFIS model without classification.

Non-enzymatic glucose sensors have acquired a lot of attention, where the modifier materials perform as an electrocatalyst instead of an enzyme on the surface of electrodes. More active sites, increased synergistic reactions, and expanded contacts between the electrolyte and the catalyst are essential to enhance catalytic performances. Numerous efforts have been made to fabricate novel non-enzymatic glucose sensors with electrode modification strategies. Herein, a non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensor was constructed by a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) based on micro-rods [Ni(HL)NCS] complex (MR-NiC/GCE) as a novel modifier for the glucose detection. In alkali media, the non-enzymatic glucose sensor showed a linear dynamic range (LDR) of 100-1100 µM with an excellent limit of detection (LOD) of 15.8 μM (S/N= 3). The proposed sensor demonstrated remarkable stability (after recording 50 continuous cycles), good reproducibility, and significant anti-interference performance toward fructose (Fru), ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), citric acid (CA), uric acid (UA) and sucrose. According to this study, complexes can be an excellent suggestion to fabricate non-enzymatic glucose sensors.

Abstract Background The inhalation of paraquat (PQ), one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, can result in lung injury. Curcuma longa (Cl) has long history in traditional and folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of disorders including respiratory diseases. Aim The aim of the present work was to evaluate the preventive effect of Cl on inhaled PQ‐induced lung injury in rats. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n = 7), one group exposed to saline (control) and other groups exposed to PQ aerosol. Saline (PQ), Cl extract, (two doses), curcumin (Cu), pioglitazone (Pio), and the combination of Cl‐L + Pio and dexamethasone (Dex) were administered during the exposure period to PQ. Total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, oxidant and antioxidant indicators in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF), interleukin (IL)‐10, and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF‐α) levels in the lung tissues, lung histologic lesions score, and air way responsiveness to methacholine were evaluated. Results WBC counts (Total and differential), malondialdehyde level, tracheal responsiveness (TR), IL‐10, TNF‐α and histopathological changes of the lung were markedly elevated but total thiol content and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were decreased in the BALF in the PQ group. Both doses of Cl, Cu, Pio, Cl‐L + Pio, and Dex markedly improved all measured variables in comparison with the PQ group. Conclusion CI, Pio, and Cl‐L + Pio improved PQ‐induced lung inflammation and oxidative damage comparable with the effects of Dex.

This numerical simulation studies a homogenous and single-phase nanofluid's turbulent flow and heat transfer behavior in a three-dimensional rectangular microchannel. This study's main purpose is to investigate the use of rectangular winglet angles on flow path and its effect on turbulent flow regime and heat transfer parameters. In the current study, the Reynolds number, winglet attack angle (θ), and twisted angle range (α) (or Pitch angle) from 3000 to 12000, 30°≤ θ ≤ 60°, and 15°≤α ≤ 45°, respectively. Also, Cu nanoparticles with volume fractions of 0–4% are used in water as the base fluid. Results of this study show that heat transfer and flow physics of cooling fluid are affected by the variations of attack angle and winglet twist, and the creation of secondary flows leads to the mixture and deviation of flow. A decrease in the attack angle of the winglet causes the creation of strong vortexes and an increase in Nusselt number and heat transfer. In all investigated situations, with the angle of attack constant, increasing the twist angle can improve the Nusselt number between 11 and 18 percent. Also, increasing the angle of attack of the winglet from 30 to 60° can reduce the Nusselt number by 4–8 percent. The results indicate that changing the winglet angle increases the friction coefficient, and at higher Reynolds numbers, this parameter decreases. Also, by increasing Reynolds number, the ratio of friction coefficient to Nusselt number reduces, leading to the decrease of performance evaluation criterion (PEC).

Widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides has become one of the most important environmental and public health problems around the world. This study was conducted with the aim of applying the theory of planned behavior model to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of tomato growers in the face of pesticides in agricultural lands located in Kurdistan province, western Iran. We included 300 tomato growers in this study and they filled up a standard TPB questionnaire containing questions about basic information, knowledge, attitude and behavior about pesticides and their actions for disposing of the residual spray solution, washing place of pesticide sprayer, and the disposal of water from washing the equipment. Most of the respondents, 86.7 %, had not participated in promotional classes on how to dispose of the residual solution. Approximately 46.15, 38.46, and 15.39 % of pesticides contained moderately toxic, slightly toxic and practically non-toxic compounds, respectively. More than two-thirds (89 %) of the tomato growers stated that they leave the water from washing the equipment in the field. In addition, among the three variables of TPB, attitudes had the highest score (3.38), which indicated the positive to relatively neutral attitude of farmers towards the safe use of pesticides. These findings can be useful for planners and environmental organizations to make effective interventions to reduce environmental pollution caused by pesticides. Since the incorrect use of pesticides is one of the important environmental and health factors, education and awareness programs can help farmers to consider the correct use of pesticides and environmental protection more.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the main occupational health problems worldwide. Among different careers, the farming profession is highly prone to MSDs. A variety of factors to prevent MSDs can be named such as preventive behaviors. To determine the factors in health-related behaviors, protection motivation theory (PMT) is widely accepted as a framework. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to determine the MSD preventive factors using PMT in farmers in rural areas of Tuyserkan County. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 285 farmers living in Tuyserkan County in 2021. The farmers were selected through cluster random sampling from 54 health houses affiliated with the health center of the county. In the next stage, the participants were selected through simple random sampling. Data gathering was done online using a questionnaire of the constructs of PMT and a Nordic questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS 24 using linear and binary regression tests. Results: The mean work experience of the farmers was 22.11 years, and the activity in 81.8% of the participants was in standing and sitting positions. In addition, 55.4% of the participants had at least one of the MSD symptoms and the most common symptoms were back pain (67%) and pain in the knee area (35.5%). The majority of farmers did not observe MSD alleviation behaviors. The variables perceived susceptibility, fear, self-efficacy, and behavior had protective effects against MSDs in the farmers; while, monthly income, age, work hours per day, and type of activity had intensifying effects on MSDs. Conclusions: Farming is recognized as a risky job for health and several evidences show a relationship between failure to perform preventive behaviors and the prevalence of MSDs. Given the paucity of studies using health education theories and models to examine the factors in MSDs, the present study employed the PMT framework to examine MSD factors in farmers.

Introduction: Recent climate changes and droughts have exacerbated the impact of dust sources globally, necessitating a thorough understanding of their influence on air quality. In Tehran, the interaction between internal dust sources from Iran and external sources from neighboring countries significantly affects air quality. Materials and methods: This study spans a 20-year period (2003-2022), utilizing satellite data and advanced algorithms to analyze dust event trends and patterns. The material and methods section outlines the use of Aqua satellite MODIS sensor data alongside two algorithms to identify dust sources, focusing on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data during peak dust event seasons. Statistical analysis of dust events in 2022 supplements the investigation. Results: The analysis reveals distinct patterns in dust particle origin and transport, highlighting the predominant contribution of internal dust sources from Iran's southern Semnan province and significant input from external sources in Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia. Examining meteorological conditions during severe dust events highlights the role of synoptic conditions, particularly the presence of a tropospheric trough, in facilitating dust transport. Increased convective motions and downburst occurrences in specific regions further exacerbate the spread of dust particles, particularly those originating from external countries and provinces. Conclusion: The conclusion emphasizes the complex interplay between internal and external dust sources and the necessity of understanding dust emission dynamics for effective mitigation strategies. It calls for proactive measures involving local and regional cooperation to mitigate dust pollution's adverse effects on air quality in Tehran and similar urban centers.

Key Clinical Message Giant pedunculated hepatic hemangiomas, mostly seen in women, are considered a rare type of giant hepatic hemangioma, with challenging diagnosis. Unlike other types of liver hemangiomas, they can manifest different kinds of symptoms, and are prone to life‐threatening manifestations like rupture or torsion. Abstract Hemangioma is the most common benign liver primary tumor. Hepatic hemangioma >4 cm (some studies suggest >10 cm) is referred to as a giant hemangioma. Although hepatic hemangioma does not manifest symptoms in most cases, a giant hepatic hemangioma can manifest different kinds of symptoms. Giant pedunculated hepatic hemangiomas are considered a rare type of giant hepatic hemangioma, with challenging diagnosis, as the thin pedicle could be hard to be detected on imaging. A 41‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital, with dull discomfort of the right upper quadrant and epigastric region and early satiety for the past 7 months, with the history of taking oral contraceptive (OCP) for 10 years. Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a 130 × 124 × 76 mm solid mass, with central cystic lesion, located in the midline of the epigastric region, attaching to the inferior surface of the third segment of the left lobe of the liver. Due to the potential risk for torsion, and rupture of the hemangioma, the management of the patient proceeded to surgical excision. Pathological examination of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma. Giant pedunculated hepatic hemangioma is a rare benign tumor. It demonstrates higher incidence rate in women, as some hemangiomas have estrogen receptors, and estrogen can lead to endothelial cell proliferation and organization in vascular structure. Most hemangiomas do not express any symptoms; therefore, no treatment is needed except for the patients who manifest symptoms, or in giant pedunculated hemangiomas, as they are prone to rupture or torsion. In this review most cases were female, and most of them presented with abdominal pain, in most cases the tumor located in the left lobe of the liver. Almost all the reviewed cases underwent surgery. Giant hepatic hemangioma is a differential diagnosis of palpable mass, or other symptoms of the right upper quadrant, and epigastric region specially in women taking OCP. Imaging is needed to rule out these tumors, and most often, pedunculated hemangioma is harder to be defined on imaging. It requires surgery because of the risk of acute problems, such as torsion and rupture.

Dementia diagnosis often relies on expensive and invasive neuroimaging techniques that limit access to early screening. This study proposes an innovative approach for facilitating early dementia screening by estimating diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures using accessible lifestyle and brain imaging factors. Conventional DTI analysis, though effective, is often hindered by high costs and limited accessibility. To address this challenge, fuzzy subtractive clustering identified 14 influential variables from the Lifestyle for Brain Health and Brain Atrophy and Lesion Index frameworks, encompassing demographics, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and structural brain markers. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network was developed using these selected variables to predict fractional anisotropy (FA), a DTI metric reflecting white matter integrity and cognitive function. The MLP model achieved promising results, with a mean squared error of 0.000 878 on the test set for FA prediction, demonstrating its potential for accurate DTI estimation without costly neuroimaging techniques. The FA values in the dataset ranged from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating greater white matter integrity. Thus, a mean squared error of 0.000 878 suggests that the model’s predictions were highly accurate compared to the observed FA values. This multifactorial approach aligns with the current understanding of dementia’s complex etiology influenced by various biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors. By integrating readily available data into a predictive model, this method enables widespread, cost-effective screening for early dementia risk assessment. The proposed accessible screening tool could facilitate timely interventions, preventive strategies, and efficient resource allocation in public health programs, ultimately improving patient outcomes and caregiver burden.

Cases of dam failures are seen almost every year globally, and the propagation of rapidly varying unsteady flows resulting from those dam failures has significant environmental and economic consequences. A three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics model was created to solve unsteady Reynolds-Averaged equations to investigate the generation and propagation of dam-break flows and reflected flood waves in the presence of a trapezoidal bottom obstacle. The dam-breaks were modelled using OpenFOAM based on the Volume of Fluid method employing the Finite Volume Method, and the performance of various Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models, including the realizable k - [epsilon], SST k - [omega] (Shear Stress Transport k - [omega]), and [v.sup.2] - f models, has been evaluated. To assess the capabilities of the different turbulence models, quantitative comparisons of numerical simulations with laboratory experiments were completed, and it was found that the SST k - [omega] model performed better in predicting the free surface profiles and negative bore propagation speeds than the realizable k - [epsilon] and [v.sup.2] - f models. Key words: 3D numerical modelling, CFD, dam-break, RANS, OpenFOAM, 1. Introduction Dam failures often result in catastrophic floods that can have a significant impact on downstream areas due to the uncontrolled release of water from reservoirs. Extreme flooding events [...]