Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its associated risk factors: The first report from Iran using both microalbuminuria and urine sediment

Background: The incidence of major risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the world is on the rise, and it is expected that this incidence and prevalence, particularly in developing countries, will continue to increase. Using data on urinary sediment and microalbuminuria, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of CKD in northeast Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of CKD in a sample of 1557 regionally representative people, aged � 18 years, was analyzed. CKD was determined based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and microalbuminuria. Life style data, urine and blood samples were collected. Urine samples without any proteinuria in the initial dipstick test were checked for qualitative microalbuminuria. If the latter was positive, quantitative microalbuminuria was evaluated. Results: 1557 subjects with a mean age of 56.76 ± 12.04 years were enrolled in this study. Based on the modifcation of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation, 137 subjects (8.89%) were categorized as CKD stages III-V. Based on urine abnormalities, the prevalence of combined CKD stages I and II was 10.63%, and based on macro- and microalbuminuria it was 14.53%. The prevalence of CKD was significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, education, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), ischemic heart disease (IHD), waist to hip ratio, myocardial infarction (MI), and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Conclusion: CKD and its main risk factors are common and represent a definite health threat in this region of Iran. Using and standardizing less expensive screening tests in low resource countries could be a good alternative that may improve the outcome through early detection of CKD

Determination of Metabolizable Energy of Grape Pomace and Raisin Vitis Leaves Using in Vitro Gas Production Technique

. This present study was carried out to determine the fermentation characteristics, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), net energy for lactation (NEl) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) of grape pomace (GP) and raisin vitis leaves (RVL) using gas production technique. Two fistulated whether with average BW 45±2 kg were used. The data was analyzed using completely randomized design. The incubation times were 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h. The gas production of soluble and insoluble fractions (a+b) were 289.49 and 249.93 mLg-1DM and the rate of gas production prices (c) were 0.015 and 0.024 (%/h) for RVL and GP, respectively. The ME, OMD, NEl and VFA for RVL were obtained 15.74 mjkg-1DM, 96.97%, 0.0505 Mcal/lb and 2.787 mmol, and for GP were achieved 13.63 mjkg-1DM, 87.04%, 0.496 Mcal/lb and 2.484 mmol, respectively, that showed significant differences (P<0.05). The amount of gas production in RVL (126.87 mLg-1DM) that was more than GP (112.10 mLg-1 DM) resulted low ME in GP compared to RVL. It was concluded, that the GP and RVL can be used in ruminants diets formulation

Replacing soybean meal with sunflower meal in laying hens rations and its effects on cecal volatile fatty acids profile and intestinal microbial colonization

This experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacing different levels of soybean meal with sunflower meal (with and without enzyme) on cecal volatile fatty acid profile and intestinal microbial colonization in laying hens. In this experiment, 360 laying hens from the age of 47 to 57 weeks, in 9 treatments and five replications (8 hens in each replicate) were performed as a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design for ten weeks. The results showed that the replacement of 30 and 60 percent sunflower meal and enzyme (100 and 200 gr/ton) has significantly improved the concentration of n-valeric acid on the cecum of laying hens (P&lt; 0.05). Simultaneously, increasing 30 percentage of sunflower meal or 100 of an enzyme enhanced isovaleric acid, n-butyric acid, isobutyric acid, propionic acid, and acetic acid (P&lt; 0.05). Reduction in intestinal log Ecoli was discovered for samples treated with 30 and 60 percent of sunflower (P&lt;0.05), but for log baglus that treated with 30 and 60 percent of sunflower showed higher (P&lt;0.05). The main effects of the enzyme had no significant impact on the cecal microbial population (P&gt;.0.05) while, the effect of meal source and enzyme additive interactions on the tested parameters was significant (P&lt;.0.05). Hence, sunflower meal could be used as an alternative protein source in laying hens ration to improve cecal VFA profile and reduce cecal Ecoli population. Substitution of sunflower meal in laying hens is recommended

Determination of Metabolizable Energy of Grape Pomace and Raisin Vitis Leaves Using in Vitro Gas Production Technique

Abstract. This present study was carried out to determine the fermentation characteristics, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), net energy for lactation (NEl) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) of grape pomace (GP) and raisin vitis leaves (RVL) using gas production technique. Two fistulated whether with average BW 45±2 kg were used. The data was analyzed using completely randomized design. The incubation times were 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h. The gas production of soluble and insoluble fractions (a+b) were 289.49 and 249.93 mLg-1DM and the rate of gas production prices (c) were 0.015 and 0.024 (%/h) for RVL and GP, respectively. The ME, OMD, NEl and VFA for RVL were obtained 15.74 mjkg-1DM, 96.97%, 0.0505 Mcal/lb and 2.787 mmol, and for GP were achieved 13.63 mjkg-1DM, 87.04%, 0.496 Mcal/lb and 2.484 mmol, respectively, that showed significant differences (P<0.05). The amount of gas production in RVL (126.87 mLg-1DM) that was more than GP (112.10 mLg-1 DM) resulted low ME in GP compared to RVL. It was concluded, that the GP and RVL can be used in ruminants diets formulation.Keywords: metabolizable energy, gas production, grape pomace, vitis leaves Abstrak. Studi ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui karakteristik fermentasi , energi metabolis ( ME ) , kecernaan bahan organik ( OMD ) , asam lemak rantai pendek ( SCFA ) , energi bersih untuk laktasi ( nel ) dan asam lemak volatil ( VFA ) anggur pomace ( GP ) dan daun kismis Vitis ( RVL ) menggunakan teknik produksi gas . Dua berfistula apakah dengan rata-rata 45 ± 2 BW kg digunakan . Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap . Waktu inkubasi adalah 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 12 , 16 , 24 , 36 , 48 dan 72 jam . Produksi gas dari fraksi larut dan tidak larut (a + b ) adalah 289,49 dan 249,93 MLG - 1DM dan tingkat harga produksi gas ( c ) adalah 0,015 dan 0,024 ( % / jam ) untuk RVL dan GP , masing-masing. The ME , OMD , NEL dan VFA untuk RVL diperoleh 15,74 mjkg - 1DM , 96,97 % , 0,0505 Mcal / lb dan 2,787 mmol , dan untuk GP dicapai 13,63 mjkg - 1DM , 87.04 % , 0,496 Mcal / lb dan 2,484 mmol , masing-masing , yang menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan (P < 0,05). Jumlah produksi gas di RVL ( 126,87 MLG - 1DM ) yang lebih dari GP ( 112,10 MLG - 1 DM ) menghasilkan ME rendah di GP dibandingkan dengan RVL . Disimpulkan bahwa, GP dan RVL dapat digunakan dalam formulasi diet ruminansia. Kata kunci : inkubasi , produksi gas , anggur pomace , energi metabolis , daun vitis. M Moghaddam et al./Animal Production 15(1):40-46, January 201

Shale gas production: potential versus actual greenhouse gas emissions

Estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shale gas production and use are controversial. Here we assess the level of GHG emissions from shale gas well hydraulic fracturing operations in the United States during 2010. Data from each of the approximately 4000 horizontal shale gas wells brought online that year are used to show that about 900 Gg CH[subscript 4] of potential fugitive emissions were generated by these operations, or 228 Mg CH[subscript 4] per well—a figure inappropriately used in analyses of the GHG impact of shale gas. In fact, along with simply venting gas produced during the completion of shale gas wells, two additional techniques are widely used to handle these potential emissions: gas flaring and reduced emission 'green' completions. The use of flaring and reduced emission completions reduce the levels of actual fugitive emissions from shale well completion operations to about 216 Gg CH[subscript 4], or 50 Mg CH[subscript 4] per well, a release substantially lower than several widely quoted estimates. Although fugitive emissions from the overall natural gas sector are a proper concern, it is incorrect to suggest that shale gas-related hydraulic fracturing has substantially altered the overall GHG intensity of natural gas production

Uncertainty Quantification of the CO2 Storage Process in the Bunter Closure 36 Model

The UK plans to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Carbon capture and storage (CCS), an important strategy to reduce global CO2 emissions, is one of the critical objectives of this UK net-zero plan. Among the possible storage site options, saline aquifers are one of the most promising candidates for long-term CO2 sequestrations. Despite its promising potential, few studies have been conducted on the CO2 storage process in the Bunter Closure 36 model located off the eastern shore of the UK. Located amid a number of oil fields, Bunter is one of the primary candidates for CO2 storage in the UK, with plans to store more than 280 Mt of CO2 from injections starting in 2027. As saline aquifers are usually sparsely drilled with minimal dynamic data, any model is subject to a level of uncertainty. This is the first study on the impact of the model and fluid uncertainties on the CO2 storage process in Bunter. This study attempted to fully accommodate the uncertainty space on Bunter by performing twenty thousand forward simulations using a vertical equilibrium-based simulator. The joint impact of five uncertain parameters using data-driven models was analysed. The results of this work will improve our understanding of the carbon storage process in the Bunter model before the injection phase is initiated. Due to the complexity of the model, it is not recommended to make a general statement about the influence of a single variable on CO2 plume migration in the Bunter model. The reservoir temperature was shown to have the most impact on the plume dynamics (overall importance of 41%), followed by pressure (21%), permeability (17%), elevation (13%), and porosity (8%), respectively. The results also showed that a lower temperature and higher pressure in the Bunter reservoir condition would result in a higher density and, consequently, a higher structural capacity

The Effect of Garlic Extract on Expression of INFγ And Inos Genes in Macrophages Infected with Leishmania major

Background: The study was aimed to show the effect of molecular mechanism of Aqueous Garlic Extract (AGE) on expression of IFNγ and iNOS genes in Leishmania major.Methods: Leishmania major promastigotes (MRHO/IR/75/ER) were added to the in-vitro cultured J774 cell line, the cells were incubated for 72 hours. Various concentrations of garlic extract (9.25, 18.5, 37, 74, 148 mg/ml) were added to the infected cells. MTT assay was applied for cellular proliferation. After 72 hours of incubation, supernatants were collected and total RNA was extracted from the infected cells. The express of IFNγ and iNOS genes were studied by RT-PCR method.Results: The colorimetric MTT assay after 3 days of incubation showed cytotoxic effect of garlic extract with an IC50 of 37 mg/ml. In addition, IFNγ and iNOS genes expression by RT-PCR indicated that garlic extract lead to over expression of these genes in J774 cell line infected with L. major.Conclusion: Garlic extract exerts cytotoxic effect on infected J774 cell line. In addition, the hypothesis that garlic can improve cellular immunity with raising the expression of IFNγ and of iNOS genes con­firmed

Replacing of soybean meal with sunflower meal with and without multi-enzyme on laying performance and egg quality in Hy-Line laying hens

This experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacement of different levels of soybean meal with sunflower meal on laying performance and egg quality parameters in laying hens. In this experiment, 360 laying hens from the age of 47 to 57 weeks, in 9 treatments and 5 replications (8 hens in each replication) were divided into a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement consisting of sunflower meal (0, 30, and 60%) and enzyme additive (0, 100 and 200 g/ton) in a completely randomized design for ten weeks. The results showed that the replacement of soybean meal with sunflower meal and enzyme has significant effects on the performance of laying hens. So that 60% replacement of soybean meal with sunflower meal increased the amount of daily feed intake of laying hens (P&lt;.0.05). The use of 200 gr/ton of multi enzyme in laying hens diet, without having significant effects on other performance parameters, increased the amount of daily feed intake (P&lt;.0.05). Concurrently, there was a non-significant (P&gt;.0.05) trend for egg quality parameters, but weights of egg albumin were affected significantly (P&lt;.0.05) substitution of 60% of sunflower meal in diets increased the amount egg albumin weight. In general, in laying hens, it is possible to replace 60% of soybean meal with sunflower meal without adversely affecting the performance and egg quality. The use of a multi-enzyme only increased the amount of feed intake

Multi-locus sequence type analysis of Shigellas pp. Isolates from Tehran, Iran

Background and Objectives: Strains of Shigella spp. can cause shigellosis, or bacillary dysentery. That is a public health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the population structure and genetic relatedness of multidrug resistant S. sonnei and S. flexneri isolated during a one year period from children with diarrhea in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 Shigella spp. were detected during the study period. Twenty MDR isolates of Shigella spp. were randomly selected and used in this study. Bacterial identification was performed by conventional biochemical and serological and confirmed by molecular method. After antimicrobial susceptibility testing, we used Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for subtyping isolates. Results: We found 14 Shigella sonnei and 6 Shigella flexneri isolates. Results of MLST showed five sequence types (ST) (145, 152, 241, 245, 1502) and BURST analysis revealed the largest number of single locus variant (SLV) and highest frequency (FREQ) for ST152. ST 152 with nine members was predicted as the founder by BURST. Frequency for ST 1502 and ST 245 was four isolates and the least frequency was seen for ST 241 and 145 with one and two members, respectively. ST 145 and ST 245 were described as singletons in BURST. All isolates with ST145 and ST245 were identified as Shigella flexneri. Conclusion: Annual Multi locus sequence typing of MDR Shigella would help us in better understanding of dominant species and comparing our results with the same studies in other countries especially our neighbor countries in source tracking purposes. © Tehran University of Medical Science. All rights reserved