Forecasting the number of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in south of Fars province, Iran using seasonal ARIMA time series method

Objective: To predict the trend of cutaneous leishmaniasis and assess the relationship between the disease trend and weather variables in south of Fars province using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average(SARIMA) model,Methods: The trend of cutaneous leishmaniasis was predicted using Mini tab software and SARIMA model,Besides,information about the disease and weather conditions was collected monthly based on time series design during January 2010 to March 2016,Moreover,various SARIMA models were assessed and the best one was selected,Then,the model's fitness was evaluated based on normality of the residuals' distribution,correspondence between the fitted and real amounts,and calculation of Akaike Information Criteria(AIC) and Bayesian Information Criteria(BIC),Results: The study results indicated that SARIMA model(4,1,4)(0,1,0)(12) in general and SARIMA model(4,1,4)(0,1,1)(12) in below and above 15 years age groups could appropriately predict the disease trend in the study area,Moreover,temperature with a three-month delay(lag3) increased the disease trend,rainfall with a four-month delay(lag4) decreased the disease trend,and rainfall with a nine-month delay(lag9) increased the disease trend,Conclusions: Based on the results,leishmaniasis follows a descending trend in the study area in case drought condition continues,SARIMA models can suitably measure the disease trend,and the disease follows a seasonal trend.

Establishment of an early warning system for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Fars province, Iran

Objective:To establish an early warning system for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Fars province,Iran in 2016.Methods:Time-series data were recorded from 29 201 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in 25 cities of Fars province from 2010 to 2015 and were used to fit and predict the cases using time-series models.Different models were compared via Akaike information criterion/Bayesian information criterion statistics,residual analysis,autocorrelation function,and partial autocorrelation function sample/model.To decide on an outbreak,four endemic scores were evaluated including mean,median,mean+ 2 standard deviations,and median+ interquartile range of the past five years.Patients whose symptoms of cutaneous leishmaniasis began from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015 were included,and there were no exclusion criteria.Results:Regarding four statistically significant endemic values,four different cutaneous leishmaniasis space-time outbreaks were detected in 2016.The accuracy of all four endemic values was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:This study presents a protocol to set early warning systems regarding time and space features of cutaneous leishmaniasis in four steps:(i)to define endemic values based on which we could verify if there is an outbreak,(ii)to set different time-series models to forecast cutaneous leishmaniasis in future,(iii)to compare the forecasts with endemic values and decide on space-time outbreaks,and(iv)to set an alarm to health managers.

Aberration detection of pertussis from the Mazandaran province, Iran, from 2012 to 2018: Application of discrete wavelet transform

Objective:To define the level of alarm threshold for pertussisaberrations and to detect the aberrations of the reported suspectedcases of pertussis from the Mazandaran province in the north ofIran.Methods:The included cases were composed of the suspectedpertussis patients who came from Mazandaran province andregistered in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention from20 March 2012 to 20 March 2018.A discrete wavelet transformbasedmethod was used to detect the aberrations.All analyseswere performed using MATLAB Software version 2018a andExcel 2010.Results:A total of 1162 cases were recruited in the study,including 545(46.90%)males and 617(53.10%)females,withmedian age of 1.47(0.22-9.56)years.The median age of maleswas 1.18(0.21-8.24)years,while that of females was 1.82(0.21-10.75)years.Concerning the level of the alarm threshold,it was1.28 case/d when k=2,while it was 1.34 case/d when k=3.Thetotal detected aberration days were 123 d and 57 d by consideringk=2 and 3,respectively.The most defined alarm threshold wasrelated to spring(>2 cases/d)and summer(>1 case/d),respectively.Conclusions:The sensitivity of the surveillance system issubjected to a different time.Thus,determining the level of alarmthreshold periodically using different methods is recommended.

The Influence of Socio-Demographic, Health and Work-Related Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Iranian Industrial Workers

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated among Iranian industrial workers. The present paper aimed to study the influence of the socio-demographic, health and work-related factors on HRQOL among Iranian industrial workers. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 280 workers of two factories. The Persian version of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess the HRQOL. A questionnaire was developed to assess the socio-demographic, health and work-related factors. Results showed that the means (SD) of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment domains of HRQOL were 13.2 (2.7), 13.3 (2.6), 14.2 (3.5) and 12.6 (2.5), respectively. A multiple linear regression showed that types of job, exercise activity, working schedule, sleep quality, smoking, and conflict between work and social life were significantly associated with physical health domain;whereas, working schedule, marital status, working demand, sleep quality, BMI, and conflict between work and individual life were significantly associated with psychological health domain. Working schedule, working demand, sleep quality, conflict between work and individual life, and having children over two years were significantly associated with social relationship domain;however, working demand, working schedule, smoking, sleep quality, working hour, job satisfaction, marital status and exercise activity were significantly associated with environment domain. Collectively, work-related factors including unhealthy working conditions, unsafe working environments, long working hours, irregular working schedules, and the lack of occupational training may negatively influence the HRQOL of workers. To improve workers’ HRQOL, intervention programs should focus on improving work environment, working schedule, occupational training and restricting working hours.

Enhanced removal of benzene in nonthermal plasma with ozonation, flow recycling, and flow recirculation

A double stage AC/DC sequential high voltage reactor has been developed to study the decomposition of benzene in the air stream at atmospheric pressure. The removal efficiency was measured as a function of ozonation, flow recycling, and flow recirculation. Ozonation in the inlet, and recycling of the exhaust stream increased the removal of benzene, also with increasing of specific input energy(J l^-1) the effect of inlet flow ozonation on benzene decomposition was enhanced. The highest removal efficiency was obtained up to >99% in recirculation six times,while CO2 selectivity reached 99.9% and energy efficiency was 0.59 g kWh^-1. O3 production/decomposition > production of OH radicals > electronic and ionic collisions were indicated as the main mechanisms influencing benzene abatement in this research.

Higher risk of type 2 diabetes in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A 10-year retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a common disorder in women of reproductive age.Over the last few decades,research studies have revealed that PCOS is strongly associated with metabolic disorders,including metabolic syndrome,obesity,insulin resistance and prediabetes.Clinical observation has shown that women with PCOS are expected to have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes(T2DM)in the future.AIM To assess the hazard ratio(HR)of T2DM between women with/without PCOS.METHODS This population-based,retrospective cohort study evaluated data retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database.The subjects were women with PCOS(n=2545)identified on the basis of diagnosis,testing,or treatment codes,and women without PCOS as controls(n=2545).The HR of T2DM between women with or without PCOS was the main outcome measure analyzed.RESULTS Our study found that, during a 10-year follow-up period, the overall incidence of T2DM was 6.25per 1000 person-years in the PCOS group compared with 1.49 in the control group. Afteradjustment for potential confounding variables, the overall incidence of T2DM was higher in thePCOS group vs the control group (HR = 5.13, 95%CI: 3.51-7.48, P < 0.0001). The risk of developingT2DM subsequent to PCOS decreased with increasing diagnosis age: the adjusted HR was 10.4 inthe 18–24-year age group, 5.28 in the 25-29-year age group, and 4.06 in the 29-34-year age group.However, no such significant association was noted in women older than 35 years.CONCLUSIONThese findings highlight the importance of prompting a more aggressive treatment to preventdiabetes in women diagnosed with PCOS at a young age, and, in contrast, the lessened importanceof this type of intervention in women diagnosed with PCOS at a late reproductive age.

GC-MS analysis and anti-mosquito activities of Juniperus virginiana essential oil against Anopheles stephensi(Diptera: Culicidae)

Objective: To investigate phytochemicals present in the essential oil from aerial parts of eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana(J. virginiana) L.(Cupressaceae) and to determine its killing and repellent activities against larvae, pupae, and adults of the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi(Diptera: Culicidae). Methods: J. virginiana essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seven different logarithmic concentrations of J. virginiana essential oils were used in larvicidal and pupicidal assays. J. virginiana essential oils-impregnated bed nets were applied in a designed animal module to test excito-repellent activity against adult mosquitoes. Results: Fourteen constituents corresponding to 99.98% of J. virginiana essential oils were identified. Five main components were terpinen-4-ol(25.21%), camphor(19.89%), E-3-hexen-1-ol(13.30%), γ-terpinene(7.86%), and l-menthone(2.27%). The LC_(50) and LC_(90) values against larvae of the Anopheles stephensi were 11.693 and 66.140 ppm and for pupae were 9.640 and 40.976 ppm, respectively. In excito-repellency assay, J. virginiana essential oilsimpregnated bed nets provided an average of 54.63% protection for guinea pig and 45.37% mortality for the mosquitoes. Conclusions: Four monoterpenes and one leaf alcohol were identified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. J. virginiana essential oils showed potent larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities against Anopheles stephensi at acceptable concentrations. Evaluation of bioactivity of identified chemicals(alone or in combination) will provide new eco-friendly substances for mosquito-management programs.

Does prospective permutation scan statistics work well with cutaneous leishmaniais as a high-frequency or malaria as a low-frequency infection in Fars province, Iran?

Objective: To determine whether permutation scan statistics was more efficient in finding prospective spatial-temporal outbreaks for cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL) or for malaria in Fars province, Iran in 2016. Methods: Using time-series data including 29 177 CL cases recorded during 2010-2015 and 357 malaria cases recorded during 2010-2015, CL and malaria cases were predicted in 2016. Predicted cases were used to verify if they followed uniform distribution over time and space using space-time analysis. To testify the uniformity of distributions, permutation scan statistics was applied prospectively to detect statistically significant and non-significant outbreaks. Finally, the findings were compared to determine whether permutation scan statistics worked better for CL or for malaria in the area. Prospective permutation scan modeling was performed using SatScan software. Results: A total of 5 359 CL and 23 malaria cases were predicted in 2016 using time-series models. Applied timeseries models were well-fitted regarding auto correlation function, partial auto correlation function sample/model, and residual analysis criteria(Pv was set to 0.1). The results indicated two significant prospective spatial-temporal outbreaks for CL(P<0.5) including Most Likely Clusters, and one non-significant outbreak for malaria(P>0.5) in the area. Conclusions: Both CL and malaria follow a space-time trend in the area, but prospective permutation scan modeling works better for detecting CL spatial-temporal outbreaks. It is not far away from expectation since clusters are defined as accumulation of cases in specified times and places. Although this method seems to work better with finding the outbreaks of a high-frequency disease; i.e., CL, it is able to find non-significant outbreaks. This is clinically important for both high-and low-frequency infections; i.e., CL and malaria.

Therapeutic applications of collagenase(metalloproteases): A review

Non-invasive therapeutic methods have recently been used in medical sciences. Enzymes have shown high activity at very low concentrations in laboratories and pharmaceutical,enabling them to play crucial roles in different biological phenomena related to living organism, especially human medicine. Recently, using the therapeutic methods based on non-invasive approaches has been emphasized in medical society. Researchers have focused on producing medicines and tools reducing invasive procedures in medical.Collagenases are proteins which catalyze chemical processes and break the peptide bonds in collagen. Collagen may be generated more than the required amount or produced in unsuitable sites or may not degrade after a certain time. In such cases, using an injectable collagenase or its ointment can be helpful in collagen degradation. In both in vitro and in vivo tests, it has been revealed that collagenases have several therapeutic properties in wound healing, burns, nipple pain and some diseases including intervertebral disc herniation, keloid, cellulite, lipoma among others. This review describes the therapeutic application of collagenase in medical sciences and the process for its production using novel methods, paving the way for more effective and safe applications of collagenases.

Co-detection and isolation of Leishmania and Crithidia among naturally infected Tatera indica(Rodentia: Muridae) in Fars province, southern Iran

Objective:To explore the co-detection of natural infection of Trypanosomatidae parasites such as Leishmania and Crithidia in reservoir hosts of leishmaniasis.Methods:Rodent populations were monitored in two endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis of Fars province,southern Iran from March to October 2016.Rodents were trapped alive in several parts of Shiraz and Kharameh cities.Afterwards,their organs were prepared for detection of Leishmania and Crithidia species by molecular,microscopic,and culture methods.Results:Totally,115rodents of five species;Tatera indica(T.indica)(85),Rattus rattus(12),Meriones libycus(9).Mus musculus(7),and Rattus norvegicus(2),were trapped alive and their tissue samples were examined using microscopic,cultivation,and molecular assays.Overall,59(51.3%)rodents were positive for Leishmania or Crithidia parasites.The highest rate(61.2%;52/85)of Leishmania infection was related to the T.indica population.The cultivatioin,and molecular observations showed that two(2.4%;2/85)of T.indica(foot-pad,and spleen samples)were positive to Crithidia.Conclusions:This is the first report of Crithidia infection in T.indica in Iran.Consequently,more epidemiological and ecological studies are needed to understand the role of Crithidia and Leishmania in T.indica.

Determining endemic values of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iranian Fars province by retrospectively detected clusters and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis

Objective: To determine the endemic values of cutaneous leishmaniasis in different cities of Fars province, Iran. Methods: Totally, 29 201 cases registered from 2010 to 2015 in Iranian Fars province were selected, and the endemic values of cutaneous leishmaniasis were determined by retrospective clusters derived from spatiotemporal permutation modeling on a time-series design. The accuracy of the values was assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve. SPSS version 22, Arc GIS, and ITSM 2002 software tools were used for analysis. Results: Nine statistically significant retrospective clusters(P<0.05) resulted in finding seven significant and accurate endemic values(P<0.1). These valid endemic scores were generalized to the other 18 cities based on 6 different climates in the province. Conclusions: Retrospectively detected clusters with the help of ROC curve analysis could help determine cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic values which are essential for future prediction and prevention policies in the area.

Survival rate and the determinants of progression from HIV to AIDS and from AIDS to the death in Iran: 1987 to 2016

Objective: To examine the prognostic factors of progression from HIV to AIDS and AIDS to the death in people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran.Methods: In this registry-based retrospective cohort study, we recruited 28 873 HIV-infected people from 158 Behavioral Diseases Counseling Centers of Iran.Two outcomes of interest included survival rates from HIV diagnosis to AIDS and from AIDS to the death.We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model to investigate survival rate and factors affecting on survival controlling effect of confounding factors.Results: The one, three, five, and ten-year survival rate from HIV to AIDS were 85%, 73%, 61% and 32%, and for AIDS to death were 90%, 81%, 74% and 55%, respectively.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk of progression from AIDS phase toward death in individuals with CD4 less than 200/mm^3, infected with tuberculosis(TB) and not treated by antiretroviral therapy(ART) was 2.17(95% CI: 1.62-2.90), 1.49(95% CI: 1.01-2.20) and 4.88(95% CI: 3.42-6.96) times higher respectively.The risk of progression to AIDS in patients with baseline CD4 less than 200/mm^3 was 2.32(95% CI: 2.14, 2.51) times higher than patients with CD4 > 200/mm^3(P=0.001).On the other hand, tuberculosis increases the risk of death by 49.0%(P=0.04).The hazard ratio of death in patients who did not receive ART was 4.88(95% CI: 3.42, 6.96) times higher than patients who received ART(P<0.001).Conclusion: The early detection of HIV, the screening and treatment of TB and receiving the ART improve the survival of HIV/AIDS patients significantly, and prevent the transmission of HIV to other people.

Combined Effects of Exposure to Noise and Vibration on Human Postural Equilibrium under Simulated Driving Conditions

There is little information about drivers’body balance responses to combined exposure of noise and vibration.To fill the gap,this study aims to investigate the combined effects of exposure to noise and whole-body vibration(WBV)on the body balance under simulated driving conditions.For this purpose,30 male participants were exposed to noise level at 85 dB(A)and two vibration levels(0.87 and 1.3 m/s^(2))in five sessions.The design of the study was repeated-measures,and it attempted to assess the effects of 40 minutes of exposure to noise and/or WBV.Moreover,the participants’fatigue was measured with the Borg scale(CR 10).The findings revealed there was a significant change in body sway after WBV and combined noise and WBV exposure(p<0.05).However,no significant difference was found in exposure to noise alone(p>0.05).The effect sizes of exposure to noise,WBV(1.3 m/s^(2)),and combined noise and WBV(1.3 m/s^(2))on body balance were 0.035,0.425,and 0.635,respectively.Also,single exposure to WBV caused more fatigue than single exposure to noise(p<0.05).Combined noise and WBV exposure descriptively caused more fatigue in comparison with the influence of WBV alone.The study concluded that the combined effects of exposure to noise and vibration are more than the sum of them.So,some synergistic effects may be observed in human body balance.It is essential to increase drivers’awareness and revise current health care interventions about new possible effects of combined exposures.

Pulmonary effects of intermittent, seasonal exposure to high concentrations of cotton dust

AIM: To quantify the exposure levels and to assess pulmonary reactions associated with exposure to cotton dust and its biological contaminants.METHODS: All employees(51 male workers) of a ginning industry as well as 51 referent unexposed subjects from clerical staff of an educational center were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust and bioaerosols were measured. Furthermore, bacterial and fungal genera and species were identified by an expert microbiologist and an experienced mycologist. A standard respiratory symptom questionnaire was filled out for the subjects and they underwent multiple spirometry tests, at the beginning and at the end of work season as well as prior to(pre-exposure base line values) and at end of the first shift of workweek(post exposure). RESULTS: Gram negative bacteria including Enterobacter agglomerans and Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the dominant bacterial species and genera, respectively. Similarly, dominant fungi were identified tobe Mucor sp. Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus niger. Mean atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust in ginning and outdoor areas were found to be 35.2 and 6.8 mg/m3, respectively. The prevalence rates of cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspenea and grade 1/2 byssinosis among the exposed subjects were significantly higher than their corresponding values for the unexposed employees(P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were noted in the mean baseline value(preshift) of vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio of the exposed subjects when compared with those of their referent counterparts. Similarly, significant cross shift decrements were noted in most parameters of pulmonary function of the exposed subjects.CONCLUSION: Seasonal exposure to cotton dust induces both acute, partially reversible, and chronic irreversible decrements in the lungs' functional capacities as well as increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms.

Energy efficiency training's effect on fatigue scores of children with a cancer diagnosis

Objective:Fatigue is the most common complication of cancer treatment procedure during chemotherapy,leading to limited daily activities,mood swings,and ultimately impaired functional status.This study aimed to determine the effect of energy efficiency training on the fatigue scores of children with a cancer diagnosis.Methods:In the present clinical trial study,30 children with a cancer diagnosis were randomly assigned variously to the control and testing groups.The cancer-related fatigue questionnaire for children with cancer was employed as the data collection tool.The intervention of the testing group was conducted in 4 sessions of 45-60 min of face-to-face interaction,group sessions,and questionand-answer sessions.Meanwhile,routine interventions were employed in the control group.Quantitative variables were repor ted as mean and standard deviation,and qualitative variables as frequency and percentage.Stata 11 statistical software and a change score approach were used to analyze the data.Results:The mean fatigue score of the testing group increased from 72.12 to 77.53.There was a statistically significant difference between the mean fatigue scores of the testing group before and after the intervention(P=0.013),and the children’s fatigue score decreased.There was a statistically significant difference between the mean fatigue scores of the testing and control groups before and after the intervention(P=0.001),and the fatigue score of the children in the testing group had decreased compared to the control group.Conclusions:Energy efficiency techniques can be employed to increase energy and reduce fatigue during pediatric chemotherapy.

Common psychological disorders in elderly and their correlations with social support, Shiraz, Iran, 2018

Objective: To recognize and screen common mental disorders in elderlies and determine their relationship with social support in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 400 elderlies aged >60 years from Shiraz were selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection was done by 3 demographic data, Medical Outcome Study (MOS), social support, and standardization of mental disorders symptoms checklist 90 (SCL-90) questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 22, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. A P value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 400 elderlies (mean age = 67.39 ± 6.89), among whom 204 individuals were female (51%), participated in the study. Somatization and phobic anxiety were the most (68.9%) and least (14.2%) prevalent disorders, respectively. The average total score of social support was 85.59 + 3.5. Social support and its 5 subscales showed statistically significant negative correlation with SCL-90 total scores and its 9 domains (P < 0.05). A 1-point increase in social support score results in reduction in the psychological disorders score by 0.35 point (P < 0.001). Conclusions: It seems necessary to plan and make policies by the authorities to increase social support and reduce the burden of common mental disorders in the elderly.

Respiratory Morbidity Associated with Long-Term Occupational Inhalation Exposure to High Concentrations of Hydrated Calcium Sulfate Dust

Despite wide application of hydrated calcium sulfate, possible respiratory effects of long-term occupational exposure to high concentrations of this chemical have only been investigated in a limited number of epidemiological studies. This study is undertaken to examine this issue, more thoroughly. This cross-sectional study is carried out at a local gypsum plant in Shiraz, capital of Fars province situated in south western Iran. All exposed subjects (20 male workers) and 20 healthy non-exposed male individuals as the referent group are investigated. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the studied subjects is evaluated and they undergo spirometry test (twice for the exposed group and once for the unexposed employees). Moreover, to assess the extent to which workers are exposed to gypsum dust and using standard methods, inhalable and respirable fractions of this compound are measured in different dusty worksites. Average airborne concentration of inhalable dust fraction is estimated to be 24 ± 14.76 mg/m3 which is higher than the recommended threshold limit value (TLV) for this chemical. Respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and dyspnea are significantly more prevalent in exposed subjects than in non-exposed employees (p < 0.05). The results of ventilatory function tests (pre- shift) don’t show any significant differences between both groups. However, some post-shift parameters of ventilatory function such as FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio are significantly lower than those of preshift and referent group. Exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of gypsum dust is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms along with acute reversible significant decreases in some parameters of ventilatory function.

Competing Risks Data Analysis with High-dimensional Covariates:An Application in Bladder Cancer

Analysis of microarray data is associated with the methodological problems of high dimension and small sample size. Various methods have been used for variable selection in high- dimension and small sample size cases with a single survival endpoint. However, little effort has been directed toward addressing competing risks where there is more than one failure risks. This study compared three typical variable selection techniques including Lasso, elastic net, and likelihood-based boosting for high-dimensional time-to-event data with competing risks. The per- formance of these methods was evaluated via a simulation study by analyzing a real dataset related to bladder cancer patients using time-dependent receiver operator characteristic （ROC） curve and bootstrap .632 ＋ prediction error curves. The elastic net penalization method was shown to outper- form Lasso and boosting. Based on the elastic net, 33 genes out of 1381 genes related to bladder cancer were selected. By fitting to the Fine and Gray model, eight genes were highly significant（P 〈 0.001）. Among them, expression of RTN4, SON, IGF1R, SNRPE, PTGR1, PLEK, and ETFDHwas associated with a decrease in survival time, whereas SMARCAD1 expression was asso- ciated with an increase in survival time. This study indicates that the elastic net has a higher capacity than the Lasso and boosting ＇for the prediction of survival time in bladder cancer patients. Moreover, genes selected by all methods improved the predictive power of the model based on only clinical variables, indicating the value of information contained in the mieroarray features.

Long term exposure to ambient air particulate matter and mortality effects in Megacity of Tehran,Iran:2012-2017

Ambient particulate matter(PM)is the major environmental concern in Tehran,Iran.Exposure to such particles is a serious global health concern and substantial evidence indicates that exposure to particulate matter contributes to cardiovascular and respiratory disease.Here,we provide a detailed health impact of ambient air pollution in Tehran by linking PM pollution with mortality caused by cardiovascular and respiratory disease.Air quality data of PM obtained from Tehran Air Quality Monitoring Stations(TAQMSs)during 2012–2017.Data mining methods conducted by Spatio-temporal outlier detection and“Air Pollution and Health:a European Approach(APHEA)project”was applied to impute missing values.Time-series data were analyzed to estimate the associations between PM pollution and cause-specific mortality at different lags in Tehran.Based on descriptive analysis,PM_(2.5) is expected to be a major influencing factor in the increased cardiovascular-related death(CVD)and respiratory dysfunction related death(RD)deaths.The cross-correlation analysis showed the same source for PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) in the ambient air of Tehran.Also,the results indicated delays of about 7-15 days from the increased concentrations of PMs and the observed rising in CVD and RD death.Trend analysis showed a more decreasing trend for PM_(2.5) pollutions than PM_(10) pollution and a slightly increasing trend for cause-specific deaths during 2012-2017.Long term exposure to high PM levels increases the CVD and RD deaths and control strategies along with control regulations should be considered to control PM.

Assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk and risk of lung cancer due to exposure to radon in a middle eastern city in Iran

Objective:To assess the excess lifetime cancer risk and lung cancer risk due to exposure to ^(222)Rn at homes,stone cutting and processing plants,and stone mines.Methods:^(222)Rn concentration was measured in 74 sample sites.Sampling was conducted using Alpha Track,comprising CR-39 polymer film.The detectors were placed at the height of 1.00–1.50 m from the floor and away from windows and sunlight per the US.EPA guidelines.The detectors were retrieved after being exposed to ^(222)Rn for the period of three months and then etched in a 6.25 mol/L NaOH solution at 90C for 4 h.The results were used to assess the excess lifetime cancer risk(ELCR)and lung cancer risk(LCR).Results:The findings showed that the ELCR at homes,stone cutting and processing plants,and stone mines for the mean levels of ^(222)Rn were 0.49%,0.15%,and 0.15%,respectively.The ELCR values for all sampling sites were lower than the U.S.EPA action level.The number of lung cancer cases in the Neyriz due to the effective dose received by residents for the mean,maximum,and 95^(th) percentile was estimated to be 1.6,3.6,and 3.1 per year,respectively.The number of lung cancer cases per 106 population due to exposure to mean concentration for stone cutting and processing plants was 10.53,15.79,and 14.49,respectively.These values for stone mines were 10.39,26.76,and 18.87,respectively.The results have shown that LCR values were below the range recommended by ICRP.Conclusions:Overall,the ELCR,because of long-term exposure to ^(222)Rn and its progeny levels,does not pose a significant threat to residents and workers.The LCR associated with radon exposure was low in three sampling sites that could be considered safe for both residents and workers.