Ambient PM2.5 and O3 pollution and health impacts in Iranian megacity

The main objectives of this study were to assess variation within fine particles (PM2.5) and tropospheric ozone (O3) time series in Khorramabad (Iran) between 2019 (before) and 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic); assess relationship between PM2.5 and O3, the PM2.5/O3 ratio, and energy consumption; and estimate the health effects of exposure to ambient PM2.5 and O3. From hourly PM2.5 and O3 concentrations, we applied both linear–log and integrated exposure–response functions, city-specific relative risk, and baseline incidence values to estimate the health effects over time. A significant correlation was found between PM2.5 and O3 (r =−0.46 in 2019, r =−0.55 in 2020, p < 0.05). The number of premature deaths for all non-accidental causes (27.5 and 24.6), ischemic heart disease (7.3 and 6.3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17 and 19.2), and lung cancer (9.2 and 6.25) attributed to ambient PM2.5 exposure and for respiratory diseases (4.7 and 5.4) for exposure to O3 above 10 μg m−3 for people older than 30-year-old were obtained in 2019 and 2020. The number of years of life lost declined by 11.6% in 2020 and exposure to PM2.5 reduced the life expectancy by 0.58 and 0.45 years, respectively in 2019 and 2020. Compared to 2019, the restrictive measures associated to COVID-19 pandemic led to reduction in PM2.5 (−25.5%) and an increase of O3 concentration (+ 8.0%) in Khorramabad

Description Anatomical study of Dodonaea viscosa in Iraq

Dodonaea viscosa Linn. is a woody species from Sapindaceae, used as antibacterial, pain relieving antiviral, calming, antiulcer and cancer prevention agent in folk medicine. This study has aimed to contribute to the anatomical identification the anatomy of leaves also identification the important compositions in the cell of plant parts. The results shown the stomata shape in Dodonaea viscosa was anomocytic type and the mesophyll type is bifacial, also the vascular bundle is large and concentric. The xylem and phloem appeared in a ring shape so can see the druses crystals and the oil cavities was very clear in the epidermis of leaf, the petioles have a special shape look like the bird with long wing from the one side and small wing from the other side in the transverse section. Keywords: Anatomy Dodonaea, , Sapindaceae, Dodonaea viscosa

Solar Photocatalytic of Reactive Blue Dye in Aqueous Suspension of V2O5

Decolorization of blue azo dye (Cibacron Blue FN-R) in simulated wastewater has been investigated as a function of solar photocatalytic process. Different parameters that affected on the removal efficiency, such as initial concentration of dye, pH of the solution, catalysis dosage, and H2O2 concentration, were evaluated to find the optimal operation conditions. From the experimental results, the desired pH value for solar photocatalytic V2O5 was 2 and the best catalysis dosage was 500mg/L. In addition, the most efficient H2O2 concentration was 100 mg/L for V2O5. The mathematical models that describe the photocatalytic process have been predicted by using response surface methodology (RSM). The decolorization efficiency by using V2O5 as solar photocatalytic can be reached to 97%

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HIV, 1980–2017, and forecasts to 2030, for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017

Background Understanding the patterns of HIV/AIDS epidemics is crucial to tracking and monitoring the progress of prevention and control efforts in countries. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the levels and trends of HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence, mortality, and coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 1980–2017 and forecast these estimates to 2030 for 195 countries and territories. Methods We determined a modelling strategy for each country on the basis of the availability and quality of data. For countries and territories with data from population-based seroprevalence surveys or antenatal care clinics, we estimated prevalence and incidence using an open-source version of the Estimation and Projection Package—a natural history model originally developed by the UNAIDS Reference Group on Estimates, Modelling, and Projections. For countries with cause-specific vital registration data, we corrected data for garbage coding (ie, deaths coded to an intermediate, immediate, or poorly defined cause) and HIV misclassification. We developed a process of cohort incidence bias adjustment to use information on survival and deaths recorded in vital registration to back-calculate HIV incidence. For countries without any representative data on HIV, we produced incidence estimates by pulling information from observed bias in the geographical region. We used a re-coded version of the Spectrum model (a cohort component model that uses rates of disease progression and HIV mortality on and off ART) to produce age-sex-specific incidence, prevalence, and mortality, and treatment coverage results for all countries, and forecast these measures to 2030 using Spectrum with inputs that were extended on the basis of past trends in treatment scale-up and new infections. Findings Global HIV mortality peaked in 2006 with 1·95 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 1·87–2·04) and has since decreased to 0·95 million deaths (0·91–1·01) in 2017. New cases of HIV globally peaked in 1999 (3·16 million, 2·79–3·67) and since then have gradually decreased to 1·94 million (1·63–2·29) in 2017. These trends, along with ART scale-up, have globally resulted in increased prevalence, with 36·8 million (34·8–39·2) people living with HIV in 2017. Prevalence of HIV was highest in southern sub-Saharan Africa in 2017, and countries in the region had ART coverage ranging from 65·7% in Lesotho to 85·7% in eSwatini. Our forecasts showed that 54 countries will meet the UNAIDS target of 81% ART coverage by 2020 and 12 countries are on track to meet 90% ART coverage by 2030. Forecasted results estimate that few countries will meet the UNAIDS 2020 and 2030 mortality and incidence targets. Interpretation Despite progress in reducing HIV-related mortality over the past decade, slow decreases in incidence, combined with the current context of stagnated funding for related interventions, mean that many countries are not on track to reach the 2020 and 2030 global targets for reduction in incidence and mortality. With a growing population of people living with HIV, it will continue to be a major threat to public health for years to come. The pace of progress needs to be hastened by continuing to expand access to ART and increasing investments in proven HIV prevention initiatives that can be scaled up to have population-level impact

Anatomical and Molecular Study of Capsicum L. Taxa (Solanaceae Family) Cultivated in Iraq

Background: The anatomy of the stem and leaves are important to separate and identify species. The present work includes comparative anatomical and molecular studies of six taxa belonging to the genus Capsicum L. which are grown widely in Iraq. Anatomical and phylogenetic traits were observed for the identification of different taxa.Methods: For the anatomical study, stem, leaves and petioles of leaves were microscopically investigated, while for phylogenetics traits DNA was extracted from fresh and young leaves from each sample using RAPD and ISSR indices.Results: The anatomical results indicate that all taxa have anomocytic type of stomata. The glandular trichomes were found in the taxa C. frutescens and the taxa C. annum var. kkwari-gochu and C. annum was free from it, and these characteristics were important in the classification of the taxa of this genus. Phylogenetic results showed that 10 decamers of primers from 20 observed primers had diversity in cultivars of the genus Capsicum L. The genetic set of 10 RAPD primers and 8 Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), and the pooled RAPD and ISSR data analyses support a genetic similarity range of 0.54, and 0.5 sequentially, and the taxa C. frutescens formed a single cluster in both molecular analyses in the genetic tree. The phylogenetic tree results also showed that other Capsicum cultivars are divided into two subgroups, one of which refers to the same variety C. annuum var. annuumm, and it was among the most important taxa studied, as it showed that it has two stages of maturity, physiological and vegetative maturity, so it appears morphologically different, but genetically integrated with the same taxa (Capsicum). Conclusions: The anatomical and molecular study of Capsicum taxa cultivated in Iraq provides valuable insights into the diversity and relationships between different species of this taxa.  

Distribution of some Heavy Metals Pollution Caused byAl- Daura Refinery in the Surrounding Region

Due to the higher increase in the oil industry activities in Iraq, since there are a little information of the environmental status of the areas around the refinery locations, and the concerns of a possible environmental pollution that will cause health and life threats to living organisms, this study was carried out.To understand the status of heavy metals pollution in areas inside and surrounding Al-Daura refinery activities, (17) testing locations were chosen, ten locationsoutsidethe refinery and sevenlocationsinside it.One additional location was chosen in a rural (control) area, in the University of Baghdad, to compare between the heavy metals concentration in the study area and a sample from the rural area not affected by the pollution. The soil samples have been taken from (5 and 60 cm) depth from the top surface of the soil. Three samples were taken from each depth for each location to take an average of results.All the samples of soil were taken during the period from Dec/2010 to Feb/2011.The experimental work has been includes the heavy metals concentrations, such as Zinc, Nickel, Lead and Cadmium, have been measured at each selected depth for each testing locations.The results indicate that the mean concentration of Zn and Ni is (62.4 µg/g) and (100.5 µg/g) respectively and this valuesexceeded the mean allowable value by (Alloway, 1995 [2]; Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 1992 [6]).The most concentrations of Zn, Ni and Pb, with some exceptions, accumulate at the top soil and decrease with the depth except Cd

Designing home-based physical activity programs for rural cancer survivors: A survey of technology access and preferences

BACKGROUND: While technology advances have increased the popularity of remote interventions in underserved and rural cancer communities, less is understood about technology access and preferences for home-based physical activity programs in this cancer survivor population. PURPOSE: To determine access, preferences, and needs, for a home-based physical activity program in rural cancer survivors. METHODS: A Qualtrics Research Panel was recruited to survey adults with cancer across the United States. Participants self-reported demographics, cancer characteristics, technology access and usage, and preferences for a home-based physical activity program. The Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) assessed current levels of physical activity. Descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations for continuous variables, and frequencies for categorical variables. Independent samples t-tests explored differences between rural and non-rural participants. RESULTS: Participants (N=298; mean age=55.2 ± 16.5) had a history of cancer (mean age at diagnosis=46.5), with the most commonly reported cancer type being breast (25.5%), followed by prostate (16.1%). 74.2% resided in rural hometowns. 95% of participants reported accessing the internet daily. On a scale of 0-100, computer/laptop (M=63.4) and mobile phone (M=54.6) were the most preferred delivery modes for a home-based physical activity intervention, and most participants preferred balance/flexibility (72.2%) and aerobic (53.9%) exercises. Desired intervention elements included a frequency of 2-3 times a week (53.5%) for at least 20 minutes (75.7%). While there were notable rural disparities present (e.g., older age at diagnosis, lower levels of education; CONCLUSION: These findings provide insights into the preferred physical activity intervention (e.g., computer delivery, balance/flexibility exercises) in rural cancer survivors, while highlighting the need for personalization. Future efforts should consider these preferences when designing and delivering home-based interventions in this population

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Outcome After Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Unknown Primary Melanoma Site

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and outcome of melanoma of unknown primary site (MUP) after therapeutic lymph node dissection (TLND) of palpable nodal melanoma metastases. Disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) time of MUP patients were analyzed and compared to patients undergoing a TLND for known primary melanomas (MKP). Methods: This single institution retrospective study analyzed 342 consecutive patients who were treated with 415 TLNDs for palpable nodal disease from 1982 to 2009. Univariate and multivariate analyses included: MUP versus MKP, gender, Breslow thickness, ulceration of primary tumor, site of prima