Characterization of extracellular spike waveforms recorded in wallaby primary visual cortex

Extracellular recordings were made from 642 units in the primary visual cortex (V1) of a highly visual marsupial, the Tammar wallaby. The receptive field (RF) characteristics of the cells were objectively estimated using the non-linear input model (NIM), and these were correlated with spike shapes. We found that wallaby cortical units had 68% regular spiking (RS), 12% fast spiking (FS), 4% triphasic spiking (TS), 5% compound spiking (CS) and 11% positive spiking (PS). RS waveforms are most often associated with recordings from pyramidal or spiny stellate cell bodies, suggesting that recordings from these cell types dominate in the wallaby cortex. In wallaby, 70-80% of FS and RS cells had orientation selective RFs and had evenly distributed linear and nonlinear RFs. We found that 47% of wallaby PS units were non-orientation selective and they were dominated by linear RFs. Previous studies suggest that the PS units represent recordings from the axon terminals of non-orientation selective cells originating in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). If this is also true in wallaby, as strongly suggested by their low response latencies and bursty spiking properties, the results suggest that significantly more neurons in wallaby LGN are already orientation selective. In wallaby, less than 10% of recorded spikes had triphasic (TS) or sluggish compound spiking (CS) waveforms. These units had a mixture of orientation selective and non-oriented properties, and their cellular origins remain difficult to classify.

Socioeconomic Status and Domostic Violence Interact in Perdict of Quality of Life in Married Women: A Population-Based Study in Westeren Iran

Objective

Women's quality of life is essential both for women's and their family's health. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life status and interaction of subjective socioeconomic status and violence, on quality of life of married women in west of Iran.

Materials and methods

This was a cross-sectional study that recruited 1533 married women using multi-stages sampling method. Multiple linear regression was employed for estimating adjusted association and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the participants was 33.67(11). The majority of participants (92%) experienced some degree of domestic violence. Less than half of women (46.70%) perceived medium socioeconomic status. Mean (SD) score of quality of life was 3.57 (0.94). There was a significant statistical interaction between socioeconomic status and domestic violence on quality of life.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that considering the interaction of subjective socioeconomic status with domestic violence in prevention program, especially in poor categories of family, appears to be one of the important ways in improving married-females' quality of life.

Microplastic abundance, distribution, and characterization in freshwater sediments in Iran: a case study in Kermanshah city

This paper focuses on abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater sediments of Sarab Niloofar Lake, Kermanshah, Iran. After selecting an appropriate method for extraction of MPs, the characterization such as polymer types, surface morphology, and trace elements has been determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopic, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, respectively. The results highlighted that all sampling locations were contaminated by MP abundance ranged from 1733.33 to 4400 items kg^-1 d.w with an average of 2483.59 ± 805.30 items kg^-1 d.w. MPs with a size range of 0.025 to 1 mm (25-1000 μm) were the most frequently detected MPs in size (62%). Furthermore, the MPs found in this area mainly contain fiber (61%), fragment (19%), film (9%), foam (6%), and pallet (5%). The main color for detected MPs in sampling stations was black (51%) and followed by white/transparent (27%), red (11%), blue (7%), and yellow (4%). The results of polymer identification revealed that the polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polypropylene were the principal polymers. This research work emphasized that various types of MPs have been distributed in freshwater sediments of Sarab Niloofar Lake, which is a first useful data for MPs in one the most important Kermanshah's tourist area.

Trauma and its consequences in Iran: cross-cultural adaption and validation of the Global Psychotrauma Screen in a representative sample

BACKGROUND

Potentially traumatic events may lead to the development of a wide range of adverse psychological responses, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and (complex) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the high prevalence of potentially traumatic events in Iran, there is no population data nor evidence-based instrument to screen for cross-diagnostic psychological responses to trauma. The Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS) is a transdiagnostic self-report instrument for the detection of trauma-related symptoms, as well as risk and protective factors related to the impact of potentially traumatic events.

OBJECTIVE

The present study seeks to 1) translate and cross-culturally adapt the GPS in the Persian (Farsi) language and 2) examine the psychometric properties of the Persian GPS.

METHOD

The translation and adaptation were performed using the Sousa and Rojjanasrirat (2011) method. A pilot study (n = 30) was carried out to test the content validity and test-retest reliability of the GPS. Next, in a representative sample (n = 800) of residents of Kermanshah City, the GPS, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were administered. Construct validity of the Persian GPS was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, we evaluated the convergent validity and internal consistency of the GPS.

RESULTS

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated a three-factor model as the best solution with factors representing 1) Negative Affect, 2) Core PTSD symptoms and 3) Dissociative symptoms. The GPS total symptom score had high internal consistency and high convergent validity with related measures. A GPS total symptom cut-off score of nine was optimal for indicating a probable PTSD diagnosis based on the PCL-5. About half (52%) of the current sample met criteria for probable PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings suggest that the GPS can be effectively adapted for use in a non-Western society and, specifically, that the Persian GPS represents a useful, reliable and valid tool for screening of trauma-related symptoms in Iran.

Investigating geographical accessibility and site suitability of medical laboratories in Kermanshah-Iran

Introduction

One of the major challenges in developing countries is the inappropriate spatial distribution of medical laboratory centers (MLCs) which can lead to injustice in access to health services. This study aimed to investigate the accessibility to and site suitability of MLCs in Kermanshah Metropolis by GIS.

Materials and methods

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from the Iran Statistical Center and Deputy of Treatment of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. We used Arc/GIS 10.6 software, AHP technique, and network analysis tools to determine the access status of Kermanshah citizens to MLCs in 2019 and site selection for MLCs. The layers used in this study included population density, city development trends, compatible and incompatible land uses, pathways, land slope, river area, and access radius.

Results

About 70% of households had inappropriate access to all MLCs in walking scenario. This ratio was 31.26% for 5 min, 9.58% for 10 min, and 6.09% for 15 min driving. Comparisons between public and private MLCs showed that in walking scenario, 88% of households had improper access to public and 80% to private MLCs. Based on 5 and 10 min of driving, 57 and 19% of households had inappropriate access to public MLCs, and 45 and 17% to private MLCs, respectively. Also, with 15 min of driving, 8% of households had improper access to public and 18% to private MLCs. Findings showed that scores provided for population density criteria were (0.298), distance from existing laboratories (0.213), proximity to pathways (0.175), consistent land use (0.129), city development trend (0.087), distance from riverfront (0.053), distance from incompatible land uses (0.015), and land slope (0.03). The final model was obtained by overlaying the layers. The model showed a 9-degree range from very bad to very good in Kermanshah city for the construction of laboratory centers (CR<0.01).

Conclusion

The site selection model showed that the location of the proposed centers can be in the north and outskirts of the city to facilitate citizens' access to the MLCs. These results emphasize the justice in the spatial distribution of MLCs for the benefit of deprived populations as a global value.

Optimizing parameters of the Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL, 585-nm) for hemangioma treatment using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

INTRODUCTION

The lack of objectivity options for a specific individualized therapy might cause challenges in laser treatment. In other words, we need optimally determined laser parameters for less side effects. Generally, laser treatment procedures seem to be subjective. Then, the final evaluation of the patient needs for optimized better response with less laser sections and less side effects. Therefore, employing a reliable objective technique seems to be essential for better response with less laser treatment sessions and also less side effects.

METHOD

In this research, UV-visible diffused reflection spectra from normal skin and a lesion were taken. We obtained the differences in absorption intensity at 575 nm, the wavelength corresponds to the absorption peak of blood oxyhemoglobin for normal skin and hemangioma. To calibrate the measurements, after using pulsed dye laser (PDL at 585 nm), the PDL treatment response of the patients were graded as "good (>50%), moderate(25%-50%), and poor (0%-25%)," by a specialist. Finally, patients were categorized based on the energy of the laser for the best treatment response to propose the recommended laser parameters.

RESULTS

Based on the differences in the absorption peak hemangioma compare with normal skin, the energy density of PDL for a good treatment response of hemangioma was obtained at peak wavelength 575 nm.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of optical reflection spectroscopy can assess the correlation of absorption peak differences of vascular lesions and normal skin. According to this data, it seems to be effective in optimizing lasers parameters for the hemangioma treatment.

Orientation pinwheels in primary visual cortex of a highly visual marsupial

Primary visual cortices in many mammalian species exhibit modular and periodic orientation preference maps arranged in pinwheel-like layouts. The role of inherited traits as opposed to environmental influences in determining this organization remains unclear. Here, we characterize the cortical organization of an Australian marsupial, revealing pinwheel organization resembling that of eutherian carnivores and primates but distinctly different from the simpler salt-and-pepper arrangement of eutherian rodents and rabbits. The divergence of marsupials from eutherians 160 million years ago and the later emergence of rodents and rabbits suggest that the salt-and-pepper structure is not the primitive ancestral form. Rather, the genetic code that enables complex pinwheel formation is likely widespread, perhaps extending back to the common therian ancestors of modern mammals.

The role of risk perception, risk communication, and demographic factors in COVID-19 preventive behaviors: an online survey in Iran

Objectives

This study investigated preventive behaviors toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related factors in a Kurdish Iranian sample.

Methods

This online survey was conducted among the population aged 18 and above in Kermanshah Province, in western Iran, in April 2020. Samples were invited and recruited through social media. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 4 sections (questions on demographic variables, risk perception, risk communication, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors) and analyzed using Stata ver. 8.

Results

The Pearson correlation test showed that risk communication was significantly correlated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors (r=0.320, p<0.01). In the final model, where the explanatory power increased with the entry of the risk communication variable, the variables explained a total of 14% of variance in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Sex (β=−0.482), risk perception (β=0.047), and risk communication (β=0.662) were significant determinants.

Conclusion

Risk communication and risk perception related to COVID-19, as well as being a woman, were determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Exploring the epidemiology of suicide attempts: Risk modeling in Kermanshah-Iran

Background

Suicide attempt is a serious global public health issue. The patterns of suicide may vary depending on the individual characteristics, methods, causes, and the geographical area-also socio-cultural context that determine it. This study identifies the spatial patterns of suicide attempts in Kermanshah province, Iran.

Method

The sample size of this cross-sectional study is 18,331 people (7234 males and 11097 females) who attempted suicide in Kermanshah province between 2006 and 2014. Data was collected from the records of patients referred to the emergency department of hospitals in Kermanshah and analyzed using tests of Mean Center, Standard Distance, and Average Nearest Neighbor.

Results

The results of the mean center and standard distance tests show that drug overdose, poisoning with toxins and pesticides, and chemicals mostly were used in the central areas of Kermanshah province. The mean center of suicide attempts by self-immolation, hanging and firearms was in the western parts of the province, while the suicide attempts with narcotic drug were concentrated in the eastern regions of the province. Out of the 18,331 cases, 74% attempted suicide with drug overdose, 13% with toxins and pesticides, 0.59% with chemicals, 4% with fire, 1% by self-immolation, 1% by hanging, 0.16% with firearms and 0.7% with cold weapons. The spatial pattern of all suicide attempts in Kermanshah was clustered (Z-score < -2.58).

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the methods of suicide attempt vary with geographical areas in the province. Therefore, it is suggested that planning tailored to the geographical location can reduce suicide attempts in Kermanshah.

Investigating Global Spatial Patterns of Diarrhea-Related Mortality in Children Under Five

Objective

Investigating the trends of child diarrhea-related mortality (DRM) is crucial to tracking and monitoring the progress of its prevention and control efforts worldwide. This study explores the spatial patterns of diarrhea-related mortality in children under five for monitoring and designing effective intervention programs.

Methods

The data used in this study was obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) public dataset that contained data from 195 countries from the year 2000 to 2017. This dataset contained 13,541,989 DRM cases. The worldwide spatial pattern of DRM was analyzed at the country level utilizing geographic information system (GIS) software. Moran's I, Getis-Ord Gi, Mean center, and Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE) techniques were used to conduct the spatial analysis.

Results

The spatial pattern of DRM was clustered all across the world during the study period from 2000 to 2017. The results revealed that Asian and African countries had the highest incidence of DRM worldwide. The findings from the spatial modeling also revealed that the focal point of death from diarrhea was mainly in Asian countries until 2010, and this focus shifted to Africa in 2011.

Conclusion

DRM is common among children who live in Asia and Africa. These concentrations may also be due to differences in knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding diarrhea. Through GIS analysis, the study was able to map the distribution of DRM in temporal and spatial dimensions and identify the hotspots of DRM across the globe.

Bacterial Proliferation Reduces Sulphur Toxicity in Stabilization Ponds: Safer Water Resources by Photosynthesis

Background: Studies suggest that sulfur may react with plants or monocellular organisms, such as fungi, to produce toxic agents. It has been theorized that sulfur enters cells and affects their respiration. This study reports on a phototroph development that leads to the diminution and/or production of sulfur and release of hydrogen sulfide from public ponds. Methods: This study was conducted in anoxic stabilization ponds at a dimension of 1×0.25×1 (m), with a hydraulic retention time of 6 days. The ponds’ water was tested during the dark and light cycles. The experiments were carried out by factorial design and measured three variables: volumetric organic loading, sulphate concentrations and temperature. Results: Cyanobacteria and Rhodobacter species were the most abundant phototroph cellular organisms. The mean value of total sulfur and un-ionized hydrogen sulfide concentration were 74 mg/L and 21 mg/L, respectively, at the volumetric organic loading of 100 g BOD5/m3 per day. The efficiencies of biochemical and chemical oxygen removal were 71.9% and 59.1%, respectively. The mean proliferation rate of photosynthetic sulfur bacteria was 3.4×106 cells/ml. Conclusion: photosynthetic sulfur bacteria significantly reduced the sulfur concentration generated in the ponds. The illumination of bright light enhanced the sulfur reduction by the photosynthetic sulfur bacteria in the wastewater of the anoxic stabilization ponds.

How Stimulus Statistics Affect the Receptive Fields of Cells in Primary Visual Cortex

We studied the changes that neuronal receptive field (RF) models undergo when the statistics of the stimulus are changed from those of white Gaussian noise (WGN) to those of natural scenes (NSs), by fitting the models to multielectrode data recorded from primary visual cortex (V1) of female cats. This allowed the estimation of both a cascade of linear filters on the stimulus, as well as the static nonlinearities that map the output of the filters to the neuronal spike rates. We found that cells respond differently to these two classes of stimuli, with mostly higher spike rates and shorter response latencies to NSs than to WGN. The most striking finding was that NSs resulted in RFs that had additional uncovered filters compared with WGN. This finding was not an artifact of the higher spike rates observed for NSs relative to WGN, but rather was related to a change in coding. Our results reveal a greater extent of nonlinear processing in V1 neurons when stimulated using NSs compared with WGN. Our findings indicate the existence of nonlinear mechanisms that endow V1 neurons with context-dependent transmission of visual information.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study addresses a fundamental question about the concept of the receptive field (RF): does the encoding of information depend on the context or statistical regularities of the stimulus type? We applied state-of-the-art RF modeling techniques to data collected from multielectrode recordings from cat visual cortex in response to two statistically distinct stimulus types: white Gaussian noise and natural scenes. We find significant differences between the RFs that emerge from our data-driven modeling. Natural scenes result in far more complex RFs that combine multiple features in the visual input. Our findings reveal that different regimes or modes of operation are at work in visual cortical processing depending on the information present in the visual input. The complexity of V1 neural coding appears to be dependent on the complexity of the stimulus. We believe this new finding will have interesting implications for our understanding of the efficient transmission of information in sensory systems, which is an integral assumption of many computational theories (e.g., efficient and predictive coding of sensory processing in the brain).

Social Determinants of Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Guidelines in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Introduction

Adherence to COVID-19 preventative guidelines may be influenced by a variety of factors at the individual, societal, and institutional levels. The current study sought to investigate the social factors of adherence to those preventive measures from the perspective of health professionals.

Methods

In October 2020, we performed qualitative research in Tehran, Iran, using the directed content analysis method. For the preparation of our interview guide and data analysis, we employed the WHO conceptual framework of socioeconomic determinants of health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 health professionals and policymakers who were chosen using a purposive sampling approach. MAXQDA-18 software was used to analyze the data. The Goba and Lincoln criteria were used to assess the quality of the results.

Results

There are 23 subcategories and 9 categories, which include socio-economic and political context (unstable macroeconomic environment, poor management of the pandemic, media and knowledge transfer), cultural and social values (fatalism, cultural norms, value conflicts, social customs), socio-economic positions (livelihood conditions), social capital (social cohesion, low trust), living conditions (housing conditions), occupational conditions (precarious employment), individual characteristics (demographic characteristics, personality traits, COVID-19 knowledge, and attitude), psycho-social factors (normalization of the disease, social pressure, and stigma), and health system leadership (health system problems, not taking evidence-based decisions, non-comprehensive preventive guidelines, non-operational guidelines, inadequate executive committee) were obtained.

Conclusion

To limit the new COVID-19 transmission, people must be encouraged to follow COVID-19 prevention instructions. Improving adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines necessitates dealing with the complexities of responding to social determinants of those guidelines. Increasing public health literacy and knowledge of COVID-19, informing people about the consequences of social interactions and cultural customs in the spread of COVID-19, strengthening regulatory lockdown laws, improving guarantees for adhering to preventive guidelines, providing easy access to preventive supplies, and strengthening financial support for households with precarious employment are all important.

Spatial modeling of mortality from acute lower respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age in 2000-2017: a global study

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, various goals have been defined to reduce the mortality of children caused by acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) worldwide. However, few spatial studies to date have reported on ALRI deaths.

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the spatial modeling of mortality from ALRI in children under 5 years of age during 2000-2017 using a global data.

METHODS

The data on the mortality of children under 5 years old caused by ALRI were initially obtained from the official website of the World Health Organization. The income status of their home countries was also gathered from the Country Income Groups (World Bank Classification) website and divided into 5 categories. After that, in the ArcGIS 10.6 environment, a database was created and the statistical tests and related maps were extracted. The Global Moran's I statistic, Getis-Ord Gi statistic, and geographically weighted regression were used for the analyses. In this study, higher z scores indicated the hot spots, while lower z scores indicated the cold spots.

RESULTS

In 2000-2017, child mortality showed a downward trend from 17.6 per 100,000 children to 8.1 and had a clustered pattern. Hot spots were concentrated in Asia in 2000 but shifted toward African countries by 2017. A cold spot that formed in Europe in 2007 showed an ascending trend by 2017. Based on the results of geographically weighted regression test, the regions identified as the hot spots of mortality from ALRI in children under 5 years old were among the middle-income countries (R2=0.01, adjusted R2=8.77).

CONCLUSION

While the total number of child deaths in 2000-2017 has decreased, the number of hot spots has increased among countries. This study also concluded that, during the study period, Central and Western Africa countries became the main new hot spots of deaths from ALRI.

Social determinants of adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines: a comprehensive review

Adherence to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive guidelines (ACPG) is an important strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively. The present study aimed to identify and summarize the social determinants of ACPG among the general population. A comprehensive review was performed from December 2019 to February 2021 through searching electronic databases. Two independent reviewers assessed and selected relevant studies. Next, the characteristics and main findings of the included studies were summarized. Finally, the World Health Organization's conceptual framework of social determinants of health was used to synthesize the identified social determinants of ACPG. Forty-one of 453 retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria. The study results showed different patterns of ACPG among various communities. Furthermore, 84 social determinants were identified and categorized into structural and intermediary determinants. ACPG is a set of complex behaviors associated with different individual sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics; living and working conditions; COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions; exposure to sources and information level; leisure activities; social support; trust; social norms; psychosocial well-being; socio-economic position; and the socio-economic and political context. Interventions to promote ACPG among the general population should consider the identified social determinants of ACPG.

Jurisprudential Ruling on the Use of WiFi Internet in Public Places Due to its Definite or Possible Damages to the Function of the Intestines and Other Organs

WiFi is one of the new technologies that has gained an important place in human life today. However, over the recent years, scientists have consistently warned about the adverse effects of this technology on guts and other parts of the human body and called for stricter rules for its use. The present article, using the achievements of biotechnology and declarations of medical experts, attempts to examine the jurisprudential aspects of the use of WiFi in places with a dense population such as residential complexes, schools, and offices, which could harm oneself and many others. The purpose of this study is to encourage communities to use healthy, low-risk, and favorite WiFi. This article examines the problem using a descriptive-analytical method. First, the damages raised for WiFi are stated and then its jurisprudential aspects are examined based on religious and rational arguments. The jurisprudential aspects of the issue have been examined separately under the two assumptions of the certainty of the threats mentioned for WiFi and their probability. Based on our results, in case of certainty of the harms mentioned for WiFi, based on jurisprudential evidence, it can be considered as an Islamic legal Fatwa, hence it is haram to use it in some cases. If these harms are conjectural, the intellect will apply the ruling of impermissibility. However, the mentioned disadvantages and threats are attributed to the continuous and long-term use of this technology. Therefore, considering the benefits of using WiFi on the one hand and its disadvantages, on the other hand, the managed and controlled use of this technology could be permitted.

Survey on the indexes of health equity in the physical environment and infrastructures of Kermanshah province, Iran

BACKGROUND

Health equity is directly associated with the proper distribution of resources, the existence of infrastructures, and the balanced physical environment. The present study aimed to survey the indexes of health equity in the physical environment and infrastructures of Kermanshah province based on the national indexes.

RESULTS

The results revealed that access to transportation, health centers, solid waste management, and green and sports per capita had the least distance from the negative ideal whereas the noise pollution index had the greatest distance. However, house hygiene and air pollution indexes were within the negative and positive ideal ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

The health equity indexes were not distributed equitably across counties and geographical regions of Kermanshah province.

Analysis of extracellular spike waveforms and associated receptive fields of neurons in cat primary visual cortex

KEY POINTS

Extracellular spikes recorded in the visual cortex (Area 17/18, V1) are commonly classified into either regular-spiking (RS) or fast-spiking (FS). Using multi-electrode arrays positioned in cat V1 and a broadband stimulus, we show that there is also a distinct class with positive-spiking (PS) waveforms. PS units were associated mainly with non-oriented receptive fields while RS and FS units had orientation-selective receptive fields. We suggest that PS units are recordings of axons originating from the thalamus. This conclusion was reinforced by our finding that we could record PS units after cortical silencing, but not record RS and FS units. The importance of our findings is that we were able to correlate spike shapes with receptive field characteristics with high precision using multi-electrode extracellular recording techniques. This allows considerable increases in the amount of information that can be extracted from future cortical experiments.

ABSTRACT

Extracellular spike waveforms from recordings in the visual cortex have been classified into either regular-spiking (RS) or fast-spiking (FS) units. While both these types of spike waveforms are negative-dominant, we show that there are also distinct classes of spike waveforms in visual Area 17/18 (V1) of anaesthetised cats with positive-dominant waveforms, which are not regularly reported. The spatial receptive fields (RFs) of these different spike waveform types were estimated, which objectively revealed the existence of oriented and non-oriented RFs. We found that units with positive-dominant spikes, which have been associated with recordings from axons in the literature, had mostly non-oriented RFs (84%), which are similar to the centre-surround RFs observed in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). Thus, we hypothesise that these positive-dominant waveforms may be recordings from dLGN afferents. We recorded from V1 before and after the application of muscimol (a cortical silencer) and found that the positive-dominant spikes (PS) remained while the RS and FS cells did not. We also noted that the PS units had spiking characteristics normally associated with dLGN units (i.e. higher response spike rates, lower response latencies and higher proportion of burst spikes). Our findings show quantitatively that it is possible to correlate the RF properties of cortical neurons with particular spike waveforms. This has implications for how extracellular recordings should be interpreted and complex experiments can now be contemplated that would have been very challenging previously, such as assessing the feedforward connectivity between brain areas in the same location of cortical tissue.

Learning receptive field properties of complex cells in V1

There are two distinct classes of cells in the primary visual cortex (V1): simple cells and complex cells. One defining feature of complex cells is their spatial phase invariance; they respond strongly to oriented grating stimuli with a preferred orientation but with a wide range of spatial phases. A classical model of complete spatial phase invariance in complex cells is the energy model, in which the responses are the sum of the squared outputs of two linear spatially phase-shifted filters. However, recent experimental studies have shown that complex cells have a diverse range of spatial phase invariance and only a subset can be characterized by the energy model. While several models have been proposed to explain how complex cells could learn to be selective to orientation but invariant to spatial phase, most existing models overlook many biologically important details. We propose a biologically plausible model for complex cells that learns to pool inputs from simple cells based on the presentation of natural scene stimuli. The model is a three-layer network with rate-based neurons that describes the activities of LGN cells (layer 1), V1 simple cells (layer 2), and V1 complex cells (layer 3). The first two layers implement a recently proposed simple cell model that is biologically plausible and accounts for many experimental phenomena. The neural dynamics of the complex cells is modeled as the integration of simple cells inputs along with response normalization. Connections between LGN and simple cells are learned using Hebbian and anti-Hebbian plasticity. Connections between simple and complex cells are learned using a modified version of the Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM) rule. Our results demonstrate that the learning rule can describe a diversity of complex cells, similar to those observed experimentally.

Many cortical functions originate from the learning ability of the brain. How the properties of cortical cells are learned is vital for understanding how the brain works. There are many models that explain how V1 simple cells can be learned. However, how V1 complex cells are learned still remains unclear. In this paper, we propose a model of learning in complex cells based on the Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM) rule. We demonstrate that properties of receptive fields of complex cells can be learned using this biologically plausible learning rule. Quantitative comparisons between the model and experimental data are performed. Results show that model complex cells can account for the diversity of complex cells found in experimental studies. In summary, this study provides a plausible explanation for how complex cells can be learned using biologically plausible plasticity mechanisms. Our findings help us to better understand biological vision processing and provide us with insights into the general signal processing principles that the visual cortex employs to process visual information.

Quality of life of HIV-infected individuals: insights from a study of patients in Kermanshah, Iran

Background

Quality of life (QOL) is one of the major factors to assessing the health and wellbeing of People living with HIV (PLWH). Likewise, improved QOL is among the prominent goals of patient treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the QOL of PLWH in Kermanshah, Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 PLWH of Kermanshah between 2016 and 2017. Outpatients were selected as the sample through the convenience sampling method from HIV Positive Clients of Kermanshah Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center. The reasons for the selection of outpatients include: (a) some patients were substance users, homeless or did not have a fixed address to follow-up; (b) addresses and personal details that were registered on the first admission were incorrect or incomplete; (c) due to financial issues, some were forced to relocate frequently and were difficult to track; (d) some patients were convicts or prisoners, making it hard to find them after their release; (e) some of them were from other provinces, where managing access was not easy/possible. Data was collected using WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire (Persian Version). Data also analyzed with STATA 14, and SPSS 23 using T-test and multiple regression.

Results

This study showed that mean (SD) age of PLWH was 40.21 (10.45) years. Females had better QOL than males except for spirituality, religion and personal beliefs. The gender differences disappeared in multivariate results. A significant association was observed between education and the independence, environment, and spirituality domains of QOL. In addition, being married was correlated with overall QOL, psychological and social relationships domains of QOL of PLWH. Drug use was a behavioral factor with negative influence on the QOL.

Conclusion

This study found that marital status and drug use were the main predictors of various domains of QOL. Drug use was a behavioral factor with a negative influence on the QOL. Hence, it is recommended that health professionals, planners, and policymakers take effective measures to improve the status quo.

Photocatalytic degradation of cephalexin by UV activated persulfate and Fenton in synthetic wastewater: optimization, kinetic study, reaction pathway and intermediate products

We used Low pressure mercury vapor lamp activated of Sodium Persulfate (UV/SPS) and Fenton processes in two separate reactors to comparison of cephalexin (CPX) degradation in aqueous solution. The effect of pH, initial concentration of SPS, concentration of CPX, concentration of H2O2 and concentration of Fe2+ on the degradation of CPX were investigated. The residue of CPX and metabolites were determined by HPLC and GC/MS. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis was utilized for surveying the mineralization of CPX. Biodegradability of CPX in both advanced oxidation processes was evaluated by BOD5/COD in optimum condition. The results indicated that the maximum CPX removal was obtained at pH 3, H2O2 3 mM, concentration of initial CPX 10 mg/L and by increasing the doses of SPS from 0.1 to 0.2 mM, the degradation of CPX was enhanced. In this study, the most important factors for AOP efficiency was concentration of initial CPX; and then pH in UV/SPS and H2O2 in Fenton processes. The TOC measurements indicate that the UV/SPS and Fenton can efficiently mineralize CPX. CPX removed enough to achieve suitable biodegradability for a further biological process. Too, analysis of generated intermediates during the degradation of CPX was conducted by GC/MS method and a degradation pathway was proposed.

A study of 0-14-year-old children's access to health centers in rural areas using a buffer model (a case study of villages based in Kermanshah province, Iran)

INTRODUCTION

Children are among the most vulnerable groups in society, whose health is of prominent significance. Moreover, as a group of clients with special needs in the health care system, they require special attention. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the 0-14-year-old children's access to health centers in rural areas of Kermanshah Province, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present cross-sectional study, both the latest published demographic statistics related to the Population and Housing Census, announced by the Statistical Center of Iran in 2011, and the information about the public and private hospitals in the province, collected by Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, were used as the basis for the analyses. In addition, given the importance of the spatial nature of the research, geographic information system was used for data analysis, and a buffer model was also applied.

RESULTS

The results revealed that out of the total population of 0-14-year-old children residing in rural areas within 15,000 and 30,000-km radii of Kermanshah Province, 87.94% and 75.11% of girls versus 88.15% and 75.38% of boys lacked access to health centers, respectively.

CONCLUSION

It was found out that the 0-14-year-old children's access to health centers was in poor condition in rural areas of Kermanshah Province, which would endanger the health of this age group.

Mapping geographical inequalities in access to drinking water and sanitation facilities in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-17

BACKGROUND

Universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities is an essential human right, recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals as crucial for preventing disease and improving human wellbeing. Comprehensive, high-resolution estimates are important to inform progress towards achieving this goal. We aimed to produce high-resolution geospatial estimates of access to drinking water and sanitation facilities.

METHODS

We used a Bayesian geostatistical model and data from 600 sources across more than 88 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) to estimate access to drinking water and sanitation facilities on continuous continent-wide surfaces from 2000 to 2017, and aggregated results to policy-relevant administrative units. We estimated mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive subcategories of facilities for drinking water (piped water on or off premises, other improved facilities, unimproved, and surface water) and sanitation facilities (septic or sewer sanitation, other improved, unimproved, and open defecation) with use of ordinal regression. We also estimated the number of diarrhoeal deaths in children younger than 5 years attributed to unsafe facilities and estimated deaths that were averted by increased access to safe facilities in 2017, and analysed geographical inequality in access within LMICs.

FINDINGS

Across LMICs, access to both piped water and improved water overall increased between 2000 and 2017, with progress varying spatially. For piped water, the safest water facility type, access increased from 40·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 39·4-40·7) to 50·3% (50·0-50·5), but was lowest in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to piped water was mostly concentrated in urban centres. Access to both sewer or septic sanitation and improved sanitation overall also increased across all LMICs during the study period. For sewer or septic sanitation, access was 46·3% (95% UI 46·1-46·5) in 2017, compared with 28·7% (28·5-29·0) in 2000. Although some units improved access to the safest drinking water or sanitation facilities since 2000, a large absolute number of people continued to not have access in several units with high access to such facilities (>80%) in 2017. More than 253 000 people did not have access to sewer or septic sanitation facilities in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe, despite 88·6% (95% UI 87·2-89·7) access overall. Many units were able to transition from the least safe facilities in 2000 to safe facilities by 2017; for units in which populations primarily practised open defecation in 2000, 686 (95% UI 664-711) of the 1830 (1797-1863) units transitioned to the use of improved sanitation. Geographical disparities in access to improved water across units decreased in 76·1% (95% UI 71·6-80·7) of countries from 2000 to 2017, and in 53·9% (50·6-59·6) of countries for access to improved sanitation, but remained evident subnationally in most countries in 2017.

INTERPRETATION

Our estimates, combined with geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden, identify where efforts to increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are most needed. By highlighting areas with successful approaches or in need of targeted interventions, our estimates can enable precision public health to effectively progress towards universal access to safe water and sanitation.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-17: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND

Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea.

METHODS

We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates.

FINDINGS

The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1-65·8), 17·4% (7·7-28·4), and 59·5% (34·2-86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage.

INTERPRETATION

By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mechanisms of Feature Selectivity and Invariance in Primary Visual Cortex

Visual object identification requires both selectivity for specific visual features that are important to the object's identity and invariance to feature manipulations. For example, a hand can be shifted in position, rotated, or contracted but still be recognized as a hand. How are the competing requirements of selectivity and invariance built into the early stages of visual processing? Typically, cells in the primary visual cortex are classified as either simple or complex. They both show selectivity for edge-orientation but complex cells develop invariance to edge position within the receptive field (spatial phase). Using a data-driven model that extracts the spatial structures and nonlinearities associated with neuronal computation, we quantitatively describe the balance between selectivity and invariance in complex cells. Phase invariance is frequently partial, while invariance to orientation and spatial frequency are more extensive than expected. The invariance arises due to two independent factors: (1) the structure and number of filters and (2) the form of nonlinearities that act upon the filter outputs. Both vary more than previously considered, so primary visual cortex forms an elaborate set of generic feature sensitivities, providing the foundation for more sophisticated object processing.

Using high frequency and low-intensity ultrasound to enhance activated sludge characteristics

In this study, high-frequency ultrasound wave (1.8 MHz) at low intensity was applied to improve activated sludge settleability at high MLSS concentration. The effect of irradiation intensity, sonication mode, MLSS concentration and sample volume on the physical characteristics of sludge in a pilot scale settling column were investigated for optimizing the conditions. The obtained results showed that high-frequency ultrasound decreased the height of sludge (44%) and effluent turbidity (82.2%) and increased sludge settling velocity about 3 times at high biomass concentration. Irradiation intensity of 0.4 w/cm² and sonication mode with interval times of 10 s showed the best results on the performance of the system at MLSS concentration of 8000 mg/L with a sample volume of 3 L.

Dataset on adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution onto activated carbon obtained from low cost wastes by chemical-thermal activation - modelling using response surface methodology

The aim of this study was to produce activated carbon derived from corn stalk (AC-CS) with suitable characteristics as inexpensive, nontoxic adsorbent with good efficiency for elimination of Methylene Blue (MB) as cationic dye from aqueous solution in batch adsorption process. The morphology and functional groups of adsorbent were characterized by SEM and FTIR in this dataset. In addition, the influence of MB concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on the removal of dye using AC-CS was tested by central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Based on results, the parameters adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration for this investigation play an important role in the adsorption studies of methylene blue. The experimental values were in good agreement with the model predicted values also the results of the study showed that maximum absorbance efficiency at initial concentration of 10 mg/l, absorbent dose of 1.4 g, contact time of 50 min and pH 11 was 90%.

Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND

Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of "leaving no one behind", it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990-2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment.

METHODS

We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0-100, with 0 as the 2·5th percentile and 100 as the 97·5th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator.

FINDINGS

The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59·4 (IQR 35·4-67·3), ranging from a low of 11·6 (95% uncertainty interval 9·6-14·0) to a high of 84·9 (83·1-86·7). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030.

INTERPRETATION

The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains-curative interventions in the case of NCDs-towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions-or inaction-today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Population and fertility by age and sex for 195 countries and territories, 1950-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND

Population estimates underpin demographic and epidemiological research and are used to track progress on numerous international indicators of health and development. To date, internationally available estimates of population and fertility, although useful, have not been produced with transparent and replicable methods and do not use standardised estimates of mortality. We present single-calendar year and single-year of age estimates of fertility and population by sex with standardised and replicable methods.

METHODS

We estimated population in 195 locations by single year of age and single calendar year from 1950 to 2017 with standardised and replicable methods. We based the estimates on the demographic balancing equation, with inputs of fertility, mortality, population, and migration data. Fertility data came from 7817 location-years of vital registration data, 429 surveys reporting complete birth histories, and 977 surveys and censuses reporting summary birth histories. We estimated age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs; the annual number of livebirths to women of a specified age group per 1000 women in that age group) by use of spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression and used the ASFRs to estimate total fertility rates (TFRs; the average number of children a woman would bear if she survived through the end of the reproductive age span [age 10-54 years] and experienced at each age a particular set of ASFRs observed in the year of interest). Because of sparse data, fertility at ages 10-14 years and 50-54 years was estimated from data on fertility in women aged 15-19 years and 45-49 years, through use of linear regression. Age-specific mortality data came from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 estimates. Data on population came from 1257 censuses and 761 population registry location-years and were adjusted for underenumeration and age misreporting with standard demographic methods. Migration was estimated with the GBD Bayesian demographic balancing model, after incorporating information about refugee migration into the model prior. Final population estimates used the cohort-component method of population projection, with inputs of fertility, mortality, and migration data. Population uncertainty was estimated by use of out-of-sample predictive validity testing. With these data, we estimated the trends in population by age and sex and in fertility by age between 1950 and 2017 in 195 countries and territories.

FINDINGS

From 1950 to 2017, TFRs decreased by 49·4% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 46·4-52·0). The TFR decreased from 4·7 livebirths (4·5-4·9) to 2·4 livebirths (2·2-2·5), and the ASFR of mothers aged 10-19 years decreased from 37 livebirths (34-40) to 22 livebirths (19-24) per 1000 women. Despite reductions in the TFR, the global population has been increasing by an average of 83·8 million people per year since 1985. The global population increased by 197·2% (193·3-200·8) since 1950, from 2·6 billion (2·5-2·6) to 7·6 billion (7·4-7·9) people in 2017; much of this increase was in the proportion of the global population in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The global annual rate of population growth increased between 1950 and 1964, when it peaked at 2·0%; this rate then remained nearly constant until 1970 and then decreased to 1·1% in 2017. Population growth rates in the southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania GBD super-region decreased from 2·5% in 1963 to 0·7% in 2017, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth rates were almost at the highest reported levels ever in 2017, when they were at 2·7%. The global average age increased from 26·6 years in 1950 to 32·1 years in 2017, and the proportion of the population that is of working age (age 15-64 years) increased from 59·9% to 65·3%. At the national level, the TFR decreased in all countries and territories between 1950 and 2017; in 2017, TFRs ranged from a low of 1·0 livebirths (95% UI 0·9-1·2) in Cyprus to a high of 7·1 livebirths (6·8-7·4) in Niger. The TFR under age 25 years (TFU25; number of livebirths expected by age 25 years for a hypothetical woman who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) in 2017 ranged from 0·08 livebirths (0·07-0·09) in South Korea to 2·4 livebirths (2·2-2·6) in Niger, and the TFR over age 30 years (TFO30; number of livebirths expected for a hypothetical woman ageing from 30 to 54 years who survived the age group and was exposed to current ASFRs) ranged from a low of 0·3 livebirths (0·3-0·4) in Puerto Rico to a high of 3·1 livebirths (3·0-3·2) in Niger. TFO30 was higher than TFU25 in 145 countries and territories in 2017. 33 countries had a negative population growth rate from 2010 to 2017, most of which were located in central, eastern, and western Europe, whereas population growth rates of more than 2·0% were seen in 33 of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017, less than 65% of the national population was of working age in 12 of 34 high-income countries, and less than 50% of the national population was of working age in Mali, Chad, and Niger.

INTERPRETATION

Population trends create demographic dividends and headwinds (ie, economic benefits and detriments) that affect national economies and determine national planning needs. Although TFRs are decreasing, the global population continues to grow as mortality declines, with diverse patterns at the national level and across age groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide transparent and replicable estimates of population and fertility, which can be used to inform decision making and to monitor progress.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Isolation and characterization of probiotics from dairies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which show beneficial health effects on hosts once consumed in sufficient amounts. LAB group can be isolated and characterized from traditional dairy sources. This study aimed at isolating, identifying, and in vitro characterizing (low pH/high bile salt tolerance, antibacterial activity, and antibiotic susceptibility) LAB strains from traditional Iranian dairy products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolated strains were identified by Gram staining, catalase assay, and 3 molecular identification methods; namely, (GTG) 5-PCR fingerprinting, ARDRA, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS

A total of 19 LAB strains belonging to 4 genera (Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus) were identified.

CONCLUSION

The experiments revealed that L. plantarum 15HN, L. lactis subsp. cremoris 44L and E. mundtii 50H strains, which were isolated from shiraz, cheese and shiraz, respectively, displayed a desirable tolerance to low pH and high bile salts, favorable anti-pathogen activity, and acceptable antibiotic susceptibility; hence, they could be considered as novel probiotic candidates and applied in the food industry.

Verification of Frequency in Species of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Kermanshah Drinking Water Supplies Using the PCR-Sequencing Method

BACKGROUND

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are habitants of environment, especially in aquatic systems. Some of them cause problems in immunodeficient patients. Over the last decade, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was established in 45 novel species of nontuberculous mycobacteria. Experiences revealed that this method underestimates the diversity, but does not distinguish between some of mycobacterium subsp. To recognize emerging rapidly growing mycobacteria and identify their subsp, rpoB gene sequencing has been developed.

OBJECTIVES

To better understand the transmission of nontuberculous mycobacterial species from drinking water and preventing the spread of illness with these bacteria, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of bacteria by PCR-sequencing techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Drinking water samples were collected from different areas of Kermanshah city in west of IRAN. After decontamination with cetylpyridinium chloride, samples were filtered with 0.45-micron filters, the filter transferred directly on growth medium waiting to appear in colonies, then DNA extraction and PCR were performed, and products were sent to sequencing.

RESULTS

We found 35/110 (32%) nontuberculous mycobacterial species in drinking water samples, isolates included Mycobacterium goodii, Mycobacterium aurum, and Mycobacterium gastri with the most abundance (11.5%), followed by Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium porcinum, Mycobacterium peregrinum, Mycobacterium mucogenicum, and Mycobacterium chelonae (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we recognized the evidence of contamination by nontuberculous mycobacteria in corroded water pipes. As a result of the high prevalence of these bacteria in drinking water in Kermanshah, this is important evidence of transmission through drinking water. This finding can also help public health policy makers control these isolates in drinking water supplies in Kermanshah.

Removal of Penicillin G by combination of sonolysis and Photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) process from aqueous solution: process optimization using RSM (Response Surface Methodology)

Introduction

Penicillin G (PG) is used in a variety of infectious diseases, extensively. Generally, when antibiotics are introduced into the food chain, they pose a threat to the environment and can risk health outcomes. The aim of the present study was the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution through an integrated system of UV/ZnO and UV/WO₃ with Ultrasound pretreatment.

Methods

In this descriptive-analytical work dealing with the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution, four significant variables, contact time (60–120 min), Penicillin G concentration (50–150 mg/L), ZnO dose (200–400 mg/L), and WO₃ dose (100–200 mg/L) were investigated. Experiments were performed in a Pyrex reactor (batch, 1 Lit) with an artificial UV 100-Watt medium pressure mercury lamp, coupled with ultrasound (100 W, 40 KHz) for PG pre-treatment. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was selected to follow the performance of the photo-catalytic process and sonolysis. The experiments were based on a Central Composite Design (CCD) and analyzed by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A mathematical model of the process was designed according to the proposed degradation scheme.

Results

The results showed that the maximum removal of PG occurred in ultrasonic/UV/WO₃ in the presence of 50 mg/L WO₃ and contact time of 120 minutes. In addition, an increase in the PG concentration caused a decrease in COD removal. As the initial concentration of the catalyst increased, the COD removal also increased. The maximum COD removal (91.3%) achieved by 200 mg/L WO₃ and 400 mg/l ZnO, a contact time of 120 minutes, and an antibiotic concentration of 50 mg/L. All of the variables in the process efficiency were found to be significant (p < 0.05). Catalyst dose and contact time were shown to have a positive effect on the response (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The research data supported the conclusion that the combination of advanced oxidation process of sonolysis and photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) were applicable and environmentally friendly processes, which preferably can be applied extensively.

Removal of Penicillin G by combination of sonolysis and Photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) process from aqueous solution: process optimization using RSM (Response Surface Methodology)

INTRODUCTION

Penicillin G (PG) is used in a variety of infectious diseases, extensively. Generally, when antibiotics are introduced into the food chain, they pose a threat to the environment and can risk health outcomes. The aim of the present study was the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution through an integrated system of UV/ZnO and UV/WO₃ with Ultrasound pretreatment.

METHODS

In this descriptive-analytical work dealing with the removal of Penicillin G from an aqueous solution, four significant variables, contact time (60-120 min), Penicillin G concentration (50-150 mg/L), ZnO dose (200-400 mg/L), and WO₃ dose (100-200 mg/L) were investigated. Experiments were performed in a Pyrex reactor (batch, 1 Lit) with an artificial UV 100-Watt medium pressure mercury lamp, coupled with ultrasound (100 W, 40 KHz) for PG pre-treatment. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was selected to follow the performance of the photo-catalytic process and sonolysis. The experiments were based on a Central Composite Design (CCD) and analyzed by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A mathematical model of the process was designed according to the proposed degradation scheme.

RESULTS

The results showed that the maximum removal of PG occurred in ultrasonic/UV/WO₃ in the presence of 50 mg/L WO₃ and contact time of 120 minutes. In addition, an increase in the PG concentration caused a decrease in COD removal. As the initial concentration of the catalyst increased, the COD removal also increased. The maximum COD removal (91.3%) achieved by 200 mg/L WO₃ and 400 mg/l ZnO, a contact time of 120 minutes, and an antibiotic concentration of 50 mg/L. All of the variables in the process efficiency were found to be significant (p < 0.05). Catalyst dose and contact time were shown to have a positive effect on the response (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The research data supported the conclusion that the combination of advanced oxidation process of sonolysis and photocatalytic (sonophotocatalytic) were applicable and environmentally friendly processes, which preferably can be applied extensively.

Effects of different rearing systems on muscle and meat quality traits of slow- and medium-growing male chickens

1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of production system on the meat quality of slow- and medium-growing chickens. A total of 1075 1-d-old male chicks were equally divided into 6 experimental groups, represented by three strains (SG: TETRA-H, MG1: TETRA HB Color, MG2: Shaver Farm) and were reared in a poultry house in floor pens (12 males/m(2)). 2. On d 49, 150 healthy birds (50/genotype) were placed in a free-range family farm while the rest of the birds remained indoors. All birds were fed ad libitum and consumed the same diet. On d 70, 20 birds of each experimental group were slaughtered and muscle samples were taken from the left breast and thigh muscles. 3. Thigh muscle of SG males kept on free range was darker (L* = 75.12 vs. 78.33) with lower frying loss (45.9% vs. 55.9%) compared with the indoor group. Similar results were obtained from the MG1 group. Free-range MG2 males had lighter thigh meat (L* = 50.7 vs. 57.8) and lower frying loss compared to the indoor group. 4. In general, the indoor treatment had a lower impact on breast meat than the outdoor system. Regardless of the rearing system, genotypic differences were more pronounced in thigh than in breast muscle.

What do we need to eradicate rubella in the Islamic Republic of Iran?

To evaluate the need for congenital rubella syndrome prevention in our national health programme we aimed to determine the rate of anti-rubella positivity in umbilical cord blood samples 8 years after measles-rubella mass vaccination in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a cross-sectional study we tested umbilical cord blood samples for anti-rubella IgG and IgM by ELISA in 154 deliveries at a university hospital in Tehran. Overall 72.7% of umbilical cord blood samples were positive for anti-rubella lgG and 27.3% were negative. All of the samples were negative for anti-rubella IgM. In the samples with a history of mothers' rubella vaccination, only 87.5% were positive for anti-rubella IgG. The results suggest the need for another mass vaccination for rubella in women of child-bearing age and continuation of routine vaccination of infants, plus consideration of obligatory anti-rubella IgG testing before pregnancy in women who were not vaccinated and vaccination of women before marriage.

A dynamical model for generating synthetic Phonocardiogram signals

In this paper we introduce a dynamical model for Phonocardiogram (PCG) signal which is capable of generating realistic synthetic PCG signals. This model is based on PCG morphology and consists of three ordinary differential equations and can represent various morphologies of normal PCG signals. Beat-to-beat variation in PCG morphology is significant so model parameters vary from beat to beat. This model is inspired of Electrocardiogram (ECG) dynamical model proposed by McSharry et al. and can be employed to assess biomedical signal processing techniques.

The persistence toxicity of four insecticides against adult Hippodamia varigata (Coleptera: Cocinellidae)

In order to investigate the effects of four insecticides on Hippodomia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), the predator of Aphis fabae, an experiment was carried out using IOBC/wprs method. Persistence toxicity of insecticides has been evaluated in the greenhouse condition. The insecticides abamectin 1.8 EC, deltamethrin 2.5 EC, imidacloprid 350 SC, and proteus OD 110 were used at recommended field rates. The insecticides were applied on broad bean foliage using a hand sprayer, until run-off. Contact toxicity of aged residues of insecticides on adult predator was evaluated using the cage-method. The trials were laid out in randomized complete design (CRD) with 3 replicates and an untreated check. The arcsine transformation was used for analysis. The mortality of adult predator, after 24 h contact with fresh residues of abamectin, deltamethrin, imidacloprid and proteus were 53.4, 52.1, 63.4 and 65.1%, respectively. After 5 days the effect of residues decreased so that the adult mortality diminished to 32.4, 36.5, 56.1 and 57.5% for mentioned above insecticides. 15-day old residues lead to 8.8, 23.1, 56.3 and 57.5%; and 31-day old residues lead to 8.8, 22.7, 29.5 and 41.7% mortality for these insecticides, respectively. Based on this study, abamectin and deltamethrin with persistence less than 5 d are classified as short lived (Class A) while imidacloprid and proteus with persistence between 16 to 31d, classified as moderately persistent (Class C) compounds.

Effect of religious cognitive- behavior therapy on religious content obsessive compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction

Objective

Religious themes commonly feature in religious with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD which includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components, is a debilitating chronic disorder and can affects on patient’ marital satisfaction. The aim of us was to evaluate efficacy of Religious Cognitive- Behavior therapy (RCBT) on religious oriented Obsessive-Compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction.

Method

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. This study conducted on 90 OCD outpatients with 17 and more Yale Brown obsessive compulsive scale(Y-BOCS) and religious content OCD. Intervention consists of 10 weekly RCBT. We used Enrich scale for asses’ marital satisfaction and Y-BOCS scale before and after treatment.Data were analyzed by ANCOVA/ANOVA repeated measure test using SPSS version ver.15.

Result

In our study duration of OCD was 11.5 ± 8.6 years & 11.5 ± 8.8 years and duration of marriage was 16.88 ± 11.6 & 13.51 ± 10.9 years Yale Brown scores after intervention decreased with significant difference (p = 0.001). There were significant difference between mean scores of two groups (p = 0.001). Comparison of obsession subscale and compulsion subscale of Yale Brown scale showed decreasing trend in both of obsession subscale and compulsion either within or between group is statistically significant (p = 0.001).Also marital satisfaction significantly improved in case group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In religious patients with religious contents, religious based interventions like religious CBT could significantly increase clinical responses. Also theses interventions could improve marital status. These results suggest that Religious Cognitive-Behavior Therapy can be effective for religious oriented OCD patients.