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Abstract Despite the frequent occurrence of heat waves in the Middle East, there is a lack of evidence regarding the overall estimates for the effect of heat waves on mortality in this region. This study aimed to review the effect of exposure to heat and cold waves and daily cause-specific mortality. Four electronic databases were searched. The titles, abstracts, and full-texts of the articles were carefully reviewed by two researchers. Once eligible studies were identified, the required data were extracted. Separate meta-analyses were conducted based on gender, age group, and health endpoint combinations. According to the meta-analysis, heat waves had a statistically significant effect on all-cause mortality with an RR of 1.23 (CI 95%: 1.08, 1.39). Cardiovascular mortality significantly increased in heat waves with an RR of 1.08 (CI 95%: 1.05, 1.10). However, the increase in respiratory mortality was not statistically significant. Compared to young people (age

Background: Numerous investigations have explored variations in vertical air pollutant concentrations, yielding diverse findings. So, we have conducted this systematic review to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the vertical distribution of air pollutant concentrations (PM2.5, PM10, NOX, and NO2) and the influencing factors. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by searching the three central electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2023. This study included original articles published in English that examine the pollutant concentration variations below 500 m. Finding: Of 3614 articles, 57 studies met our criteria. Our findings showed a decline in PM2.5 and NOX concentrations as altitude increased, while NO2 concentrations exhibited an increase. Conversely, no statistically significant relationship was identified between altitude and PM10 concentrations. The regression analysis yielded coefficients for the relationship between concentration and altitude (0–500 m) as follows: PM2.5 (−0.11), PM2.5/PM10 (0.0008), NOX (−0.11), and NO2 (0.13). Conducting additional research on this topic and investigating the impact of meteorological parameters on pollutant concentrations at different altitudes enhances our understanding of the vertical distribution of pollutant concentrations.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess Serum Vitamin D level and female teenage caries experience. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 330 healthy female Iranian students between 13 to 19 years residing in Rey city. A questionnaire collected their demographic information. They underwent clinical dental examination to determine the number of decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT index). The nutritional status was evaluated using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by assessing the consumption of cariostatic, cariogenic, remineralizing, sticky foods and carbohydrates. The serum samples were collected to measure the serum vitamin D level using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression and independent samples t-test. Results: The mean DMFT was 5.34±3.94. of all, 69.3% had severe vitamin D deficiency, 20.3% had moderate vitamin D deficiency and 10.4% had normal level of vitamin D. Cariostatic agents consumption had a significant inverse correlation with DMFT (P=0.006). An increase in serum level of vitamin D by more than 10.27ng/mL was associated with a reduction in prevalence of dental caries by 22%. Increased consumption of cariostatic agents by more than 89.30g/day decreased the prevalence of dental caries by 32%. No significant association was noted between the prevalence of dental caries and level of parent’s education, consanguinity of parents, level of income, place of residence, frequency of tooth brushing, dental flossing, and dental visits (P>0.05). Conclusion: While the serum vitamin D level had no significant effect on DMFT, the nutritional regimen seemed to play a more important role in caries control. Keywords: Vitamin D; Caries; Female; Teenagers; Cariostatic.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of wearing N95 and surgical masks on carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations during various activity levels, to understand the implications for mask use in different settings, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Study design: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, retrieving 6798 articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Twenty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Mask types were categorized into N95 and surgical masks, while activities were classified as low, medium, and high. Results: The meta-analysis revealed CO2 concentrations (mmHg) for different scenarios: No mask (37.91, 95 % CI: 36.46, 39.35), N95-low (36.83, 95 % CI: 33.57, 40.10), N95-moderate (37.85, 95 % CI: 36.51, 39.20), N95-high (39.51, 95 % CI: 38.00, 41.02), N95 with exhalation valve (35.82, 95 % CI: 32.89, 38.75), N95 without exhalation valve (38.45, 95 % CI: 37.10, 39.81), surgical mask-low (38.31, 95 % CI: 34.48, 42.14), surgical mask-moderate (35.05, 95 % CI: 31.12, 38.97), surgical mask-high (36.07, 95 % CI: 34.18, 37.96). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that N95 masks lead to higher CO2 accumulation during various activities compared to surgical masks. Moreover, surgical masks exhibit higher CO2 concentrations during low activity compared to moderate and high activities. Notably, CO2 concentrations are higher in N95 masks without an exhalation valve compared to those with a valve. No significant difference was observed between not wearing a mask and wearing either N95 or surgical masks in terms of CO2 accumulation. These results provide important insights for mask selection and usage recommendations in different scenarios.

Mass mortality in Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia), Pallas’s gulls (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus), and Caspian gulls (Larus cachinnans) was recorded on the northeastern shores of the Caspian Sea in June 2022. More than 5000 gulls and terns died due to the outbreak. The outbreak was investigated in the field, and representative numbers of samples were collected and analyzed using pathological, virological, and molecular methods. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses were detected and isolated from samples collected from dead birds. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the hemagglutinin (HA) genes belonged to the clade 2.3.4.4.b of the H5Nx HPAI viruses, B2 sub-lineage, and were closely related to the highly pathogenic influenza viruses, caused an outbreak in wild birds with a high mortality rate in the western part of the Caspian Sea.

ObjectivesWe evaluated studies that used the World Health Organization’s (WHO) AirQ and AirQ+ tools for air pollution (AP) health risk assessment (HRA) and provided best practice suggestions for future assessments.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive review of studies using WHO’s AirQ and AirQ+ tools, searching several databases for relevant articles, reports, and theses from inception to Dec 31, 2022.ResultsWe identified 286 studies that met our criteria. The studies were conducted in 69 countries, with most (57%) in Iran, followed by Italy and India (∼8% each). We found that many studies inadequately report air pollution exposure data, its quality, and validity. The decisions concerning the analysed population size, health outcomes of interest, baseline incidence, concentration-response functions, relative risk values, and counterfactual values are often not justified, sufficiently. Many studies lack an uncertainty assessment.ConclusionOur review found a number of common shortcomings in the published assessments. We suggest better practices and urge future studies to focus on the quality of input data, its reporting, and associated uncertainties.

Background: In recent years, new findings on the relationship between human health and air pollutants have emerged, underscoring the necessity for appropriate site selection of air monitoring stations. Methods: This analytical-cross-sectional study aimed to compare the concentration levels of PM10 and PM2.5, as measured by weight method, with data collected from an air quality monitoring station (AQMS) in Tehran. Initially, data were collected from the Tarbiat Modares AQMS. The accuracy of this data was then evaluated using a high-volume sampler and Grimm dust monitor situated approximately 200 meters away from the Tarbiat Modares station. The study period was between June 2017 and October 2017, and the frequency of sampling was every six days according to the instructions. Results: The results revealed that the average concentration levels of PM10, as measured during the sampling period by the high-volume sampler, the Grimm device, and the air quality measurement station, were 143.54 ± 33.84, 70.95 ± 7.06, and 110.06 ± 27.08 μg.m-3, respectively. The highest daily concentration of PM10 was recorded by the high-volume sampler device at 197.12 μg.m-3. Conclusion: This study found a weak correlation between the aerosol concentration data obtained from the monitoring station and those obtained from the Grimm device and the high-volume sampler. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the quality control and assurance of data collected from monitoring stations for accurate decision-making and planning.

Here, we report the results of a monitoring study of bat viruses in Austria to strengthen the knowledge of circulating viruses in Austrian bat populations. In this study, we analyzed 618 oropharyngeal and rectal swab samples from 309 bats and 155 pooled tissue samples from dead bats. Samples were collected from 18 different bat species from multiple locations in Austria, from November 2015 to April 2018, and examined for astroviruses, bornaviruses, coronaviruses, hantaviruses, morbilliviruses, orthomyxoviruses (influenza A/C/D viruses), pestiviruses and rhabdoviruses (lyssaviruses) using molecular techniques and sequencing. Using RT-qPCR, 36 samples revealed positive or suspicious results for astroviruses, Brno-hantaviruses, and coronaviruses in nine different bat species. Further sequencing revealed correspondent sequences in five samples. In contrast, none of the tested samples was positive for influenza viruses A/C/D, bornaviruses, morbilliviruses, lyssaviruses, or pestiviruses.

Abstract Bandwidth and noise are fundamental considerations in all communication and signal processing systems. The group-velocity dispersion of optical fibers creates nulls in their frequency response, limiting the bandwidth and hence the temporal response of communication and signal processing systems. Intensity noise is often the dominant optical noise source for semiconductor lasers in data communication. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a class of electrooptic modulators that is capable of mitigating both of these problems. The modulator, fabricated in thin-film lithium niobate, simultaneously achieves phase diversity and differential operations. The former compensates for the fiber’s dispersion penalty, while the latter overcomes intensity noise and other common mode fluctuations. Applications of the so-called four-phase electrooptic modulator in time-stretch data acquisition and in optical communication are demonstrated.

Influenza A viruses are important pathogens that can cause diseases with high mortality in humans, animals, and birds; and wild birds are considered the primary reservoir of all subtypes in nature. After discovering the H9 influenza A viruses in bats, questions arose about their potential to serve as an additional natural reservoir and about the priority of the viral origin: Did the virus initially circulate in bats and then transmit to birds or vice versa? Influenza A viruses of the H9 subtype are of particular interest because fatal infections of humans caused by H5, H7, and H10 influenza viruses contained RNA segments from H9 viruses. Recently, a novel subtype of influenza A virus (H19) was reported and it was closely related to the H9 bat influenza A virus by its hemagglutinin structure. The genome of novel H19 has revealed a mixed characteristic genomic signature of both avian and bat influenza viruses. The time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) estimates have shown that the divergence time between the bat and avian H9-similar influenza virus occurred approximately at the end of the XVIII century. This article discusses the evolution and possible origin of influenza viruses of the H9 subtype isolated from bats and birds. The obtained data, along with the known data, suggest that the primary reservoir of the H9 influenza virus is wild birds, from which the virus was transmitted to bats. We hypothesize that the novel H19 could be a descendant of an intermediate influenza virus that was in the transition stage of spillover from avian to bat hosts.

Abstract Knowledge of species’ functional traits is essential for understanding biodiversity patterns, predicting the impacts of global environmental changes, and assessing the efficiency of conservation measures. Bats are major components of mammalian diversity and occupy a variety of ecological niches and geographic distributions. However, an extensive compilation of their functional traits and ecological attributes is still missing. Here we present EuroBaTrait 1.0, the most comprehensive and up-to-date trait dataset covering 47 European bat species. The dataset includes data on 118 traits including genetic composition, physiology, morphology, acoustic signature, climatic associations, foraging habitat, roost type, diet, spatial behaviour, life history, pathogens, phenology, and distribution. We compiled the bat trait data obtained from three main sources: (i) a systematic literature and dataset search, (ii) unpublished data from European bat experts, and (iii) observations from large-scale monitoring programs. EuroBaTrait is designed to provide an important data source for comparative and trait-based analyses at the species or community level. The dataset also exposes knowledge gaps in species, geographic and trait coverage, highlighting priorities for future data collection.

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) have been classified on the basis of 16 subtypes of hemagglutinin (HA) and 9 subtypes of neuraminidase. Here we describe genomic evidence for a new candidate HA subtype, nominally H19, with a large genetic distance to all previously described AIV subtypes, derived from a cloacal swab sample of a Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) in Kazakhstan, in 2008. Avian influenza monitoring in wild birds especially in migratory hotspots such as central Asia is an important approach to gain information about the circulation of known and novel influenza viruses. Genetically, the novel HA coding sequence exhibits only 68.2% nucleotide and 68.5% amino acid identity with its nearest relation in the H9 (N2) subtype. The new HA sequence should be considered in current genomic diagnostic AI assays to facilitate its detection and eventual isolation enabling further study and antigenic classification.

We integrate a bow-tie antenna on a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) phase modulator to form an electromagnetic E-field sensor. The fiber-coupled TFLN chip is probed by a two-tone optical local oscillator generated using an external phase modulator, which after appropriate filtering allows the system to act as a photonic down-converter. The system is compatible with the use of balanced detection, enabling an improved signal-to-noise ratio. We demonstrate the down-conversion of a 28.3 GHz free-space microwave signal to 100 MHz with a sensitivity of 2 mV/m/√Hz. The current sensitivity limitation stems from the relatively high (25 dB) insertion loss of the packaged device, which is not inherent to the design. The technology can be directly scaled to much higher frequencies and is attractive for remote detection of microwave electromagnetic signals.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is a leading contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One important underlying mechanism is an increase in blood pressure (BP). A growing number of studies have reported a beneficial effect of portable air cleaners (PACs) on systolic and diastolic BP; SBP and DBP. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using true versus sham mode filtration reporting the effects on BP. Of 214 articles identified up to February 5, 2023, seventeen (from China, USA, Canada, South Korea and Denmark) enrolling approximately 880 participants (484 female) met the inclusion criteria for meta-analyses. Aside from studies conducted in China, research on PACs and BP has been conducted in relatively low pollution settings. Mean indoor PM2.5 concentrations during the active and sham mode purification were 15.9 and 41.2 µg/m3, respectively. The mean efficiency of PACs against indoor PM2.5 was 59.8 % (ranging from 23 % to 82 %). True mode filtration was associated with a pooled mean difference of − 2.35 mmHg (95 % confidence interval [CI]: − 4.5, − 0.2) and − 0.81 mmHg (95 % CI: − 1.86, 0.24) in SBP and DBP, respectively. After removing the studies with high risk of bias, the magnitude of the pooled benefits on SBP and DBP increased to − 3.62 mmHg (95 % CI: − 6.69, − 0.56) and − 1.35 mmHg (95 % CI: − 2.29, − 0.41), respectively. However, there are several barriers to the use of PACs, specifically in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as the initial purchase cost and filter replacements. There may be several avenues to help overcome these economic burdens and improve cost effectiveness, such as implementing government or other subsidized programs to distribute PACs targeting vulnerable and higher-risk individuals. We propose that environmental health researchers and healthcare providers should be better trained to educate the public regarding the use of PACs to reduce the impacts of PM2.5 on cardiometabolic diseases globally.

Today, industrial and sanitation wastewater production and their penetration into water resources have caused numerous challenges. Moreover, limitations on water resources used in industry, agriculture, drinking water, and wastewater have led human societies to make optimal use of available resources and treat the polluted water. This study investigated the effect of the acid and alkaline activation methods on dye adsorption by red clay. Each activated soil was used to remove methylene blue paint by adsorption method to determine the activated soil with the highest efficiency. The influential factors on adsorption, including the effects of solution pH (5-11), dye concentration (100-100 mg/L), and the amount of adsorbent (0.3-0.2 g) in adsorption of methylene blue dye, were examined on the optimal adsorbent, and the optimal conditions were investigated and determined. Then, X-Ray diffraction, measurement of porosity and effective surfaces, and Fourier transform infrared analysis were used to study the physical, chemical, and morphological properties. The results of chemical analysis showed that the soil activated with 3 M acid has the highest adsorption capacity among other activation methods. According to the detection analyses, the surface area of the clay increased after the acid activation operation due to some of the bonds in the structure of the clay breaking (results of Fourier transform infrared) and the opening of the plates (scanning electron microscope images). These factors increased the uptake of activated soil significantly (27 to 81%) compared to raw soil. The adsorption behavior of the adsorbent showed that the adsorption isotherm is consistent with the Langmuir equation model. The results of the reusability study showed that the adsorbent is reusable. Results also showed that the modified soil is an effective adsorbent to remove methylene blue from aqueous solutions.

Abstract We estimated mortality and economic loss attributable to PM2·5 air pollution exposure in 429 counties of Iran in 2018. Ambient PM2.5-related deaths were estimated using the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM). According to the ground-monitored and satellite-based PM2.5 data, the annual mean population-weighted PM2·5 concentrations for Iran were 30.1 and 38.6 μg m−3, respectively. We estimated that long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 contributed to 49,303 (95% confidence interval (CI) 40,914–57,379) deaths in adults ≥ 25 yr. from all-natural causes based on ground monitored data and 58,873 (95% CI 49,024–68,287) deaths using satellite-based models for PM2.5. The crude death rate and the age-standardized death rate per 100,000 population for age group ≥ 25 year due to ground-monitored PM2.5 data versus satellite-based exposure estimates was 97 (95% CI 81–113) versus 116 (95% CI 97–135) and 125 (95% CI 104–145) versus 149 (95% CI 124–173), respectively. For ground-monitored and satellite-based PM2.5 data, the economic loss attributable to ambient PM2.5-total mortality was approximately 10,713 (95% CI 8890–12,467) and 12,792.1 (95% CI 10,652.0–14,837.6) million USD, equivalent to nearly 3.7% (95% CI 3.06–4.29) and 4.3% (95% CI 3.6–4.5.0) of the total gross domestic product in Iran in 2018.

Association analysis of 105 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was carried out using 12 SSR markers. For this purpose, wheat seeds were planted in pots in a randomized complete block design with three replications under normal (10 mM NaCl) and saline (120 mM NaCl) conditions and the activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and total protein contents were measured. The results of combined analysis of variance showed that the activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and total protein contents were significantly different in the bread wheat cultivars under study. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that gwm67b and gwm282d markers under salinity conditions were more correlated with catalase activity in the studied species. Also, gwm291a, wmc73a, and barc124a markers were the most effective markers in association with APX enzyme. Analysis of the population structure and the resulting plot showed that the K Index and the Average Likelihood Logarithm had the highest value at K =2 (57.38), thus the population under study has most probably 2 subpopulations. Tassel analysis of SSR markers under normal irrigation and salinity irrigation conditions obtained 54 loci related to the traits under study in control condition and 61 loci in salinity condition based on the general linear model (GLM) and also 35 related loci in control condition and 20 loci in salinity condition based on the mixed linear model (MLM)

Objectives: National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) are critical tools for controlling air pollution and protecting public health. We designed this study to 1) gather the NAAQS for six classical air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries, 2) compare those with the updated World Health Organizations Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQGs 2021), 3) estimate the potential health benefits of achieving annual PM2.5 NAAQS and WHO AQGs per country, and 4) gather the information on air quality policies and action plans in the EMR countries.Methods: To gather information on the NAAQS, we searched several bibliographic databases, hand-searched the relevant papers and reports, and analysed unpublished data on NAAQS in the EMR countries reported from these countries to the WHO/Regional office of the Eastern Mediterranean/Climate Change, Health and Environment Unit (WHO/EMR/CHE). To estimate the potential health benefits of reaching the NAAQS and AQG levels for PM2.5, we used the average of ambient PM2.5 exposures in the 22 EMR countries in 2019 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset and AirQ+ software.Results: Almost all of the EMR countries have national ambient air quality standards for the critical air pollutants except Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen. However, the current standards for PM2.5 are up to 10 times higher than the current health-based WHO AQGs. The standards for other considered pollutants exceed AQGs as well. We estimated that the reduction of annual mean PM2.5 exposure level to the AQG level (5 μg m−3) would be associated with a decrease of all natural-cause mortality in adults (age 30+) by 16.9%–42.1% in various EMR countries. All countries would even benefit from the achievement of the Interim Target-2 (25 μg m−3) for annual mean PM2.5: it would reduce all-cause mortality by 3%–37.5%. Less than half of the countries in the Region reported having policies relevant to air quality management, in particular addressing pollution related to sand and desert storms (SDS) such as enhancing the implementation of sustainable land management practices, taking measures to prevent and control the main factors of SDS, and developing early warning systems as tools to combat SDS. Few countries conduct studies on the health effects of air pollution or on a contribution of SDS to pollution levels. Information from air quality monitoring is available for 13 out of the 22 EMR countries.Conclusion: Improvement of air quality management, including international collaboration and prioritization of SDS, supported by an update (or establishment) of NAAQSs and enhanced air quality monitoring are essential elements for reduction of air pollution and its health effects in the EMR.

High‐speed modulators with low driving voltage, low loss, and compact size are essential for future optical communication systems. Thin‐film lithium niobate modulators have met each of these criteria separately, but simultaneous achievement of all of them has been challenging on this platform. Low driving voltage electro‐optic modulators necessitate either a narrow gap between the electrodes or an elongated Mach–Zehnder arms, both of which adversely affect the microwave loss, hence the bandwidth. Herein, this trade‐off is alleviated by placing the optical waveguides nonsymmetrically with respect to the electrodes and by including a dielectric buffer layer beneath the electrodes. Exploiting this novel design yields a modulator with a measured roll‐off of only 2 dB from low frequencies up to 100 GHz, and with an extrapolated 3 dB bandwidth of 170 GHz. The measured voltage–length product of this subterahertz device is 3.3 V cm. Another device, optimized for a lower voltage–length product of 2.2 V cm, exhibits a 3 dB electro‐optic bandwidth of 84 GHz. The devices are also tested for eight‐level pulse‐amplitude modulation (PAM‐8) and demonstrate data rates of up to 240 Gb s−1 at 80 Gbaud, validating that the modulators are a propitious candidate for next‐generation optical communication systems.

Background: The recent ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), still is an unsolved problem with a growing rate of infected cases and mortality worldwide. The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is targeting the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and mostly causes a respiratory illness. Although acquired and resistance immunity is one of the most important aspects of alleviating the trend of the current pandemic; however, there is still a big gap of knowledge regarding the infection process, immunopathogenesis, recovery, and reinfection. Aim of Review: To answer the questions regarding “the potential and probability of reinfection in COVID-19 infected cases” or “the efficiency and duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced immunity against reinfection” we critically evaluated the current reports on SARS-CoV-2 immunity and reinfection with special emphasis on comparative studies using animal models that generalize their finding about protection and reinfection. Also, the contribution of humoral immunity in the process of COVID-19 recovery and the role of ACE2 in virus infectivity and pathogenesis has been discussed. Furthermore, innate and cellular immunity and inflammatory responses in the disease and recovery conditions are reviewed and an overall outline of immunologic aspects of COVID-19 progression and recovery in three different stages are presented. Finally, we categorized the infected cases into four different groups based on the acquired immunity and the potential for reinfection. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: In this review paper, we proposed a new strategy to predict the potential of reinfection in each identified category. This classification may help to distribute resources more meticulously to determine: who needs to be serologically tested for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, what percentage of the population is immune to the virus, and who needs to be vaccinated.

Herein, frequency conversion to the third‐ and fourth‐order harmonics are demonstrated in ultracompact cascaded periodically poled thin‐film lithium niobate (LN) waveguides on silicon substrates. Pumped at 1550 nm wavelength, the tightly confined waveguides produce strong third‐ (523 nm) and fourth‐harmonic (386 nm) signals. Actively monitoring the periodic poling process on the LN devices renders these efficient frequency conversions. Measurements with a femtosecond pulsed laser source result in comparable power levels across the generated harmonics. A model that simulates harmonic generation from the pulsed source is presented and discussed. The model's results are in general agreement with the experimentally observed processes.

Satisfying indoor air quality in public environments has become essential in cities. In the present study, indoor PM2.5, CO2, NO2, SO2, nicotine, and BTEX have been assessed in 12 categories of public places. The highest average concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were observed in waterpipe cafés (233, 29.6, and 5.1 µg/m3), whereas the lowest concentrations were found in health clubs and hospitals, respectively. Moreover, indoor BTEX concentration varied from 69.5 µg/m3 (passenger terminals) to 1739.2 µg/m3 (elderly care centers). Given nicotine, the highest concentrations were found in waterpipe cafés, ranging from approximately 11.0 to 50 µg/m3. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were calculated in all types of public environments, and results showed that the amount of HQ and HI in none of the places was more than 1. Furthermore, the lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) exceeded the guideline threshold in hospitals, restaurants, elderly care centers, passenger terminals, movie theaters, and beauty salons. The findings of our study indicate that the indoor air quality in most public settings within Tehran city is not acceptable and necessitates appropriate management. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring indoor air quality and implementing effective strategies to mitigate exposure to air pollutants.

Excessive use of nitrate fertilizers in agriculture causes harm to humans and the environment. The most suitable nitrate removal process is heterotrophic biological denitrification. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of three shapes of denitrification bioreactors: triangular, rectangular and semicircular. The main element that was used to remove nitrate was beech woodchips. The concentration of inlet nitrate was 75 mg/l and the salinity of the solution was 1 ds/m and 5 ds/m, for a period of six months. The results showed that the efficiency of the triangular bioreactor with a salinity level of 1 ds/m was 90%, which is more efficient than the rectangular and semicircular bioreactors with performances of 55.8% and 53.8%, respectively. The results also indicated that at a salinity level of 5 ds/m, the semicircular bioreactor with a performance of 50.8% inlet nitrate removal was the best of the three shapes of bioreactors tested, the efficiencies of the triangular and rectangular bioreactors were 49.9% and 48.6% respectively. Also, it was observed that at the salinity level of 1 ds/m, a high hydraulic retention time had a high positive effect on denitrification, on the other hand at the salinity level of 5 ds/m, there was better performance of denitrification if the hydraulic retention time was lower.

In 2015, a mass die-off of ≈200,000 saiga antelopes in central Kazakhstan was caused by hemorrhagic septicemia attributable to the bacterium Pasteurella multocida serotype B. Previous analyses have indicated that environmental triggers associated with weather conditions, specifically air moisture and temperature in the region of the saiga antelope calving during the 10-day period running up to the event, were critical to the proliferation of latent bacteria and were comparable to conditions accompanying historically similar die-offs in the same areas. We investigated whether additional viral or bacterial pathogens could be detected in samples from affected animals using 3 different high-throughput sequencing approaches. We did not identify pathogens associated with commensal bacterial opportunisms in blood, kidney, or lung samples and thus concluded that P. multocida serotype B was the primary cause of the disease.

Abstract Background This study provides biochemical and molecular genetic characteristics of P. multocida isolated from dead saigas in 1988, 2010–2015 on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Results Bacteriological samples taken from carcasses of saiga antelope during mortality events recorded in West Kazakhstan in both 2010 and 2011 and in Kostanay in 2012 and 2015 confirmed the presence of P. multocida, according to morphological and biochemical characterisation. Only in the event of 2015 was the agent proven to be the causative agent of the disease observed, haemorrhagic septicaemia. In the other mortality events it is not certain if the organism was a primary aetiology or an incidental finding as confirmatory pathological investigation was not undertaken. The implemented phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA 16S gene allowed us to identify Pasteurella strains isolated in 2010–2015 as P. multocida subspecies multocida. Capsular typing by PCR showed that the studied strains isolated from dead saiga in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 belonged to serotype B. MLST analysis showed that these strains of P. multocida are of the capsule type B and form one clonal grouping with isolates ST64, ST44, ST45, ST46, ST44, ST47 which isolated from cases of hemorrhagic septicemia of animals in Hungary, Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Spain. Sixteen virulence genes of the five strains of P. multocida, isolated from saigas were studied using multiplex PCR. ptfA, ompA, ompH, oma87, plpB, fimA, hsf-2, pfhA, exbB, tonB, hgbA, fur, nanB, nanH and pmHAS genes were detected in all strains. The toxA gene was not identified in the studied strains. The phylogenies of these isolates is compared across saiga populations and years and the 2015 isolate was compared to that of an isolate from a disease outbreak in 1988 and the findings suggest that these isolated bacteria are stable commensals, opportunistically pathogenic, being phylogenetically uniform with very little genetic variation notable over the last 4 decades. Conclusion Isolation, phenotypic and genetic characterization of the P. multocida isolates inform understanding of the epidemiology of infection in saigas and predict virulent potential of these opportunistic bacteria.

Influenza B viruses (IBV) cause respiratory disease epidemics in humans and are therefore components of seasonal influenza vaccines. Serological methods are employed to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity prior to licensure. However, classical methods to assess influenza vaccine immunogenicity such as the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HI) and the serial radial hemolysis assay (SRH), have been proven to have many limitations. As such, there is a need to develop innovative methods that can improve on these traditional assays and provide advantages such as ease of production and access, safety, reproducibility, and specificity. It has been previously demonstrated that the use of replication-defective viruses, such as lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with influenza A hemagglutinins in microneutralization assays (pMN) is a safe and sensitive alternative to study antibody responses elicited by natural influenza infection or vaccination. Consequently, we have produced Influenza B hemagglutinin-pseudotypes (IBV PV) using plasmid-directed transfection. To activate influenza B hemagglutinin, we have explored the use of proteases in increasing PV titers via their co-transfection during pseudotype virus production. When tested for their ability to transduce target cells, the influenza B pseudotypes produced exhibit tropism for different cell lines. The pseudotypes were evaluated as alternatives to live virus in microneutralization assays using reference sera standards, mouse and human sera collected during vaccine immunogenicity studies, surveillance sera from seals, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against IBV. The influenza B pseudotype pMN was found to effectively detect neutralizing and cross-reactive responses in all assays and shows promise as an effective and versatile tool in influenza research.

Growing evidence suggests that multiple wildlife species can be infected with peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), with important consequences for the potential maintenance of PPRV in communities of susceptible hosts, and the threat that PPRV may pose to the conservation of wildlife populations and resilience of ecosystems. Significant knowledge gaps in the epidemiology of PPRV across the ruminant community (wildlife and domestic), and the understanding of infection in wildlife and other atypical host species groups (e.g., camelidae, suidae, and bovinae) hinder our ability to apply necessary integrated disease control and management interventions at the wildlife-livestock interface. Similarly, knowledge gaps limit the inclusion of wildlife in the FAO/OIE Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR, and the framework of activities in the PPR Global Eradication Programme that lays the foundation for eradicating PPR through national and regional efforts. This article reports on the first international meeting on, “Controlling PPR at the livestock-wildlife interface,” held in Rome, Italy, March 27–29, 2019. A large group representing national and international institutions discussed recent advances in our understanding of PPRV in wildlife, identified knowledge gaps and research priorities, and formulated recommendations. The need for a better understanding of PPRV epidemiology at the wildlife-livestock interface to support the integration of wildlife into PPR eradication efforts was highlighted by meeting participants along with the reminder that PPR eradication and wildlife conservation need not be viewed as competing priorities, but instead constitute two requisites of healthy socio-ecological systems.

In 2014, a novel Avian orthoavulavirus 16 species was described among wild birds in Korea. In 2018, after massive parallel sequencing of archival strains of Avian orthoavulaviruses, isolated in 2006 in Central Kazakhstan, isolates belonging to this serotype were detected. The obtained data allowed to trace the evolution of this serotype in Asia and to reveal its evolutionary relationships with other Avulavirinae subfamily species. It was determined that Avian orthoavulavirus 16 is phylogenetically very close to Avian orthoavulavirus 1 (Newcastle disease virus) in its genomic characteristics. It is known that Avian orthoavulavirus 1 is divided into two phylogenetically distant Classes I and II. Avian orthoavulavirus 16 turned out to be very close to lentogenic Class I, which circulates mainly among wild birds. It was suggested that Avian orthoavulaviruses 1 and 16 may have common evolutionary origin and in ecological terms, both serotypes are circulating among wild birds of the order Anseriformes (ducks and geese), but Avian orthoavulavirus 1 has gradually replaced Avian orthoavulavirus 16 from active circulation.

Despite magnesium limited formability at room temperature, split sleeve hole cold expansion of AZ31B sheet was successfully implemented. Microstructural analysis showed greater hardness in the immediate vicinity of the notch, which was due to high dislocation density and extensive twinning created because of substantial compressive radial strain during the process. Contribution of twinning in accommodating the tensile tangential strain is believed to be the underlying reason why the sheet endured large plastic strains. Residual stress measurements confirmed variations through the thickness, with the highest value being at the exit side of the sheet. The fatigue performance of cold expanded samples revealed that different degrees of cold expansion result in various levels of life enhancement. Optimum degree of expansion was found to be 5%, which leads to 3 times fatigue life improvement compared to the as-received condition, due to the imposed microstructural changes, including developed compressive residual tangential stresses and the greater hardness at the notch root. Abovementioned factors contribute to enhancement of fatigue life through postponing the crack initiation and impeding the crack propagation. Keywords: Magnesium, Split-sleeve cold expansion, Residual stress, Hardness, Texture evolution

Background: Association of Addison's disease with connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma and Sjogren have been rarely reported. Anti-centromere antibody (ACA) has been associated with exocrine gland dysfunction in anti-Ro, anti-La negative Sjogren’s syndrome and may be one of the causes of xerostomia in community. The purpose of this article was to introduce a rare case of scleroderma-Sjogren intermediate phenotype with positive anti-centromere antibody in a known case of Addison’s disease admitted for dental caries and xerostomia. Case Presentation: A 29-year-old woman with Addison’s disease referred to a dental clinic due to recurrent dental caries. Addison’s disease was confirmed by low basal serum cortisol level and unresponsive serum cortisol level to adrenocorticotropin hormone (rapid ACTH stimulation test). Signs of xerostomia, xerophthalmia, Raynaud’s phenomenon, gastro-esophageal reflux, masked face, osteoporosis, positive anti-centromere antibody, negative anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies and failure to match the pathology of the minor salivary gland of lip with Sjogren's disease were found. The diagnosis of scleroderma-Sjogren intermediate phenotype was raised with considering some of the symptoms of scleroderma and Sjogren and not the exact classification criteria for each of these two diseases. Hydroxychloroquine, fluoride and Biotene® mouthwash (Laclede, Inc., CA, USA) (oral moisturizing saliva), chewing gum containing xylitol plus artificial tear droplet was prescribed. Drinking plenty of fluids was recommended. Due to gastroesophageal reflux and osteoporosis, Pantoprazole and CinnoPar® (Cinnagen, Iran) (parathyroid hormone analogue) plus calcium and vitamin D supplements was administered. Regarding adrenal insufficiency, Prednisolone and Fludrocortisone were continued. Conclusion: For evaluation of recurrent dental caries, especially in patients with autoimmune disease, anti-centromere antibody may be useful to identify the cause of dry mouth, as well as early detection of limited scleroderma or scleroderma-Sjogren intermediate phenotype.

The cascaded integration of optical waveguides with third-order optical nonlinearity ( $\chi ^{(3)}$ susceptibilitiy) with lithium niobate (LiNbO $_{3}$) waveguides is demonstrated on the same chip. Thin-film (LiNbO$_{3}$) and chalcogenide (ChG) glass (Ge$_{23}$Sb $_{7}$S$_{70}$ ) waveguides are integrated on silicon (Si) substrates. An optical mode transition between the two waveguides is achieved through low-loss mode-converting tapers, with a measured loss of $\sim$1.5 dB for transverse-electric and $\sim$1.75 dB for transverse-magnetic input polarizations. For nonlinear characterization, wavelength conversion via four-wave mixing is demonstrated on the ChG-LN waveguides. This platform provides an efficient method for the utilization of second- and third-order optical nonlinearities on the same chip, rendering it ideal for nonlinear applications such as stabilized octave-spanning optical frequency comb generation.

This study was aimed to investigate the types and number of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols in indoor air of hospitals according to the type of wards and operating theaters. Bacterial and fungal samples were collected using the passive sampling method of 1/1/1 scheme during a six months' period in the Khatam-Al-Anbia hospital, Tehran, Iran. A simple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between bioaerosol concentrations and the number of active beds. Bacterial bioaerosol concentrations were mainly higher than fungi in all sampling sites. A significant association was found between airborne fungal concentrations and the numbers of beds (R2 = 0.76, p

Context . Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive tumor with a median survival of 3 to 9 months, a 1-year survival of less than 10% and without definitive therapies. Recently, in BRAF V600E mutated ATCs, new targeted therapy using a combination of a BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib (Dab), with a mitogen-activated extracellular protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, trametinib (Tram), has shown significant promise. Case Description . We report a case of aggressive ATC with 5 sequence mutations: BRAF V600E (mutation fraction [MF] 34%), TERT E441del (MF 37%), RET N579K (MF 55%), EZH2 D154E (MF 60%), and CDK4 S259L (MF 48%). The patient had a dramatic response to the Dab/Tram combination with near complete resolution of his lung, bone, hepatic, and splenic lesions soon after starting therapy. Unfortunately, intolerable side effects (grade 2-3) on this regimen required tapering and discontinuation of the treatment. He had a quick resurgence of disease after stopping the combination therapy. The patient died approximately 3 months after discontinuing Dab/Tram. Autopsy revealed an atrophic thyroid gland with microscopic subcapsular focus of well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. There was extensive lymphatic spread of the tumor throughout bilateral lungs with fibrosis. No other metastatic site was identified. Conclusion . We report a unique case of ATC with 2 new mutations of EZH2 D154E and CDK S529L . This case exemplifies the significant promise Dab/Tram therapy holds, the potential side effects that limit their use, and autopsy findings status post use of this combination therapy.

In 2014–2016, >1,000 wild goats and sheep in 4 northern and central provinces of Iran died from peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection. Partial nucleoprotein sequencing of PPRV from 3 animals showed a close relationship to lineage 4 strains from China. Control measures are needed to preserve vulnerable ruminant populations.

A synchronously pumped Kerr cavity is proposed and studied for power-efficient frequency comb generation in optical microring resonators. The system is modeled using the Lugiato-Lefever equation. Analytical solutions are provided for an ideal case and extended by numerical methods to account for optical loss and higher orders of dispersion. It is shown that the average power requirement is reduced by the duty cycle of the pulse with respect to the conventional continuous-wave-pumped microrings, and it is significantly lower than the pulsed pumping of straight waveguides.

Miniaturization of frequency-comb sources could open a host of potential applications in spectroscopy, biomedical monitoring, astronomy, microwave signal generation, and distribution of precise time or frequency across networks. This review article places emphasis on an architecture with a semiconductor mode-locked laser at the heart of the system and subsequent supercontinuum generation and carrier-envelope offset detection and stabilization in nonlinear integrated optics.

Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are among the main pollutants in the urban and industrial atmosphere. An investigation on variation of PAHs in the urban and suburban atmosphere of Tabriz, Iran was conducted in this study. Materials and methods: TSP and PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter

We conducted phylogenetic and epidemiologic analyses to determine sources of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV), subtype H5N1, in poultry holdings in 2007 in Germany, and a suspected incursion of HPAIV into the food chain through contaminated deep-frozen duck carcasses. In summer 2007, HPAIV (H5N1) outbreaks in 3 poultry holdings in Germany were temporally, spatially, and phylogenetically linked to outbreaks in wild aquatic birds. Detection of HPAIV (H5N1) in frozen duck carcass samples of retained slaughter batches of 1 farm indicated that silent infection had occurred for some time before the incidental detection. Phylogenetic analysis established a direct epidemiologic link between HPAIV isolated from duck meat and strains isolated from 3 further outbreaks in December 2007 in backyard chickens that had access to uncooked offal from commercial deep-frozen duck carcasses. Measures that will prevent such undetected introduction of HPAIV (H5N1) into the food chain are urgently required.

Introduction: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis(EV) is a very rare, chronic and inherited disorder characterized by widespread and persistent HPV infection. EV Patients present with widespread, discrete or confluent lesions that clinically indistinguishable from plane warts , scaly hyper or hypopigmented macules closely resemble pityriasis versicolor, and thicker plaques may resemble seborrbeic keratosis. Susceptibility to the virus is inherited, usually autosomal recessive. The disease usually manifests in childhood and continue throughout the life. The most important complication is cutaneous changes of dysplasia and malignancy. Case Report: We report a 19 years old boy with clinical and histopathological findings compatible with EV and cutaneous changes of dysplasia and malignancy. Conclusion: We concluded that in patients with combination of plane warts, pityriasis versicolor-like lesions and reddish plaques, it may be considered EV, and it is recommended to evaluate cutaneous changes of dysplasia and malignancy.

This paper presents a 54-year-old female with lupus whom severe anaemia due to pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) was the first manifestation. There was seven years interval between PRCA onset and diagnosis of lupus. Thymectomy due to thymoma had been carried out six years before but anaemia sustained. Hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism were other associated diseases. Severe anaemia and the need for monthly blood infusions were resolved following treatment with Prednisolone, Hydroxychloroquine and Levothyroxine.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of HLA-B*27 and it’s subtypes in determining severity and clinical manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 163 AS patients were assessed for clinical manifestations and severity using structured questionnaires. HLA-B*27 screening and B*27 sub-typing were performed by PCR. One hundred twenty two patients (74.8%) were B*27 positive. The male to female ratio, peripheral arthritis, steroid use, intense dorsal kyphosis and decrease of cervical slope had a significantly higher frequency in B*27 positive patients compared to B*27 negative ones (p=0.01, 0.001, 0.01, 0.04 and 0.04, respectively). However, the age of diagnosis was significantly lower in B*27 positive patients (p=0.005). Trend in uveitis and some severity markers including: BASMI and ASQoL were toward higher values in B*27 positive group with no significant difference. After controlling confounding variables, significant relationship was found only between B*27 and BASMI (p=0.01). B*27 subtypes in patients were included B*2705: 48.4%, B*2702: 42.6%, B*2704: 5.7% and B*2707: 3.3%. No significant differences were seen for severity markers and clinical manifestations between subtypes; although trend toward lower values of severity markers, less intense dorsal kyphosis and less decrease of cervical slope were observed in B*2704 and B*2707 versus other polymorphisms. Clinical features and severity of AS is influenced by HLA-B*27. Trend toward higher severity markers in B*2705 and B*2702 versus other polymorphisms might be subject of interest for evaluation in other ethnicities with concentration to other novel susceptibility genes co-inherited in each B*27 subtype.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis, which affects mainly spine and sacroiliac joints. According to recent studies, ERAP1 is the second most common candidate gene for AS susceptibility after HLA-B27. The aim of this study was to determine the association of ERAP1 gene polymorphisms with AS in Iranian population. The study group comprised 387 Iranian AS patients and 316 healthy controls from Iran. Using Real Time PCR allelic discrimination method, we genotyped four SNPs (rs30187, rs469876, rs13167972 and rs27434) of ERAP1. We found that rs30187 and rs27434 were significantly associated with AS in Iranian population (P=6×10-5, P=7×10-3, respectively). The rs30187 T/T genotype was associated with AS compared with C/C genotype (P=1.5×10-5). The rs27434 G/G genotype was inversely associated with AS (P=5×10-3). Two specific haplotypes including: rs30187/ rs469876/ rs13167972/ rs27434 TAAA and CAGG were associated with increased and decreased risk of AS in Iranian population, respectively. These results indicated that ERAP1 SNPs and haplotypes were associated with AS in Iranian population.

Research indicates breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women and are least likely to breastfeed. The current study was designed to evaluate women's knowledge of the link between breastfeeding and decreased breast cancer risk among a racially diverse cohort of pregnant women. Pregnant women 18 and older (N = 89; 48.4% black; 28% Hispanic) were recruited during a prenatal visit to complete a survey. Women indicated limited understanding of the association between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction; less than 40% of black and white women indicated knowledge, while 64.7% of Hispanic women were aware of the association. These findings underscore the need for interventions to educate women about the protective benefits of breastfeeding as a strategy to reduce their breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Bloodless medicine and surgery is an evolving field in the practice of medicine designed to avoid allogeneic transfusions. Although this field has largely developed in response to the growing needs of Jehovah's Witness patients refusing transfusions, all patients may potentially benefit from the avoidance of transfusions. The applications of bloodless techniques and strategies in the field of gynecologic oncology have been limited until recently, in part because of the generally large blood loss associated with gynecologic cancer surgeries. However, as advances in our understanding of bloodless surgery have developed and surgical techniques have been refined, the gynecologic oncology patient can now benefit from the avoidance of allogeneic transfusions. This review outlines bloodless surgery as it applies to gynecologic oncology patients and presents a structured approach to successfully managing these complex patients., (Copyright 2009 Mount Sinai School of Medicine.)