Northwest Of Iran Research Articles

Ecosystem health assessment using multi-criteria approach in a forested ecotone area in northwest Iran

Assessing and monitoring ecosystem health are critical components of ecosystem management as they provide information on natural resource destruction and the causes and factors leading to it. The need for comprehensive and multidimensional indices for assessing and predicting the status of ecosystems has become increasingly important. The ecosystem health index (EHI) was calculated by assessing multiple criteria, including vigor, organization, and resilience criteria, in an ecotone ecosystem in Ardabil province. Different weighting approaches were used to evaluate the index value, and sub-watersheds were prioritized based on the index weighting. The EHI values varied among the studied sub-watersheds, ranging from 0.32 to 0.79, depending on the weighting method. Sub-watershed SW1 had a higher health status with a value of 0.77 compared to other studied sub-watersheds in the Iril watershed, while SW5 had a lower health status with a value of 0.34 in the equal weighting approach. The average value of the EHI for all studied sub-watersheds in the Iril watershed was found to be 0.50, indicating a relatively undesirable ecosystem health status. The EHI is a useful tool for prioritizing areas and an effective step in ecosystem management, considering the multidimensional nature of the index and the factors affecting ecosystem restoration or destruction. Assessing the extent of ecosystem degradation across various regions depends on the health status of the studied ecosystem, the feasibility of index calculation, and may involve different selection criteria.

Comparative study for coastal aquifer vulnerability assessment using deep learning and metaheuristic algorithms.

Coastal aquifer vulnerability assessment (CAVA) studies are essential for mitigating the effects of seawater intrusion (SWI) worldwide. In this research, the vulnerability of the coastal aquifer in the Lahijan region of northwest Iran was investigated. A vulnerability map (VM) was created applying hydrogeological parameters derived from the original GALDIT model (OGM). The significance of OGM parameters was assessed using the mean decrease accuracy (MDA)method, with the current state of SWI emerging as the most crucial factor for evaluating vulnerability. To optimize GALDIT weights, we introduced the biogeography-based optimization (BBO) and gray wolf optimization (GWO) techniques to obtain to hybrid OGM-BBO and OGM-GWO models, respectively. Despite considerable research focused on enhancing CAVA models, efforts to modify the weights and rates of OGM parameters by incorporating deep learning algorithms remain scarce. Hence, a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm was applied to produce the VM. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for OGM-BBO, OGM-GWO, and VMCNN were 0.794, 0.835, and 0.982, respectively. According to the CNN-based VM, 41% of the aquifer displayed very high and high vulnerability to SWI, concentrated primarily along the coastline. Additionally, 32% of the aquifer exhibited very low and low vulnerability to SWI, predominantly in the southern and southwestern regions. The proposed model can be extended to evaluate the vulnerability of various coastal aquifers to SWI, thereby assisting land use planers and policymakers in identifying at-risk areas. Moreover, deep-learning-based approaches can help clarify the associations between aquifer vulnerability and contamination resulting from SWI.

The prevalence of ADSL (rs3788579) and CYP1A2 (rs17861162) polymorphisms in female breast cancer patients in North-West Iran

IntroductionBreast cancer is a prevalent and significant contributor to cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Its increasing incidence, especially in regions like North-West Iran, necessitates a deeper understanding of genetic factors contributing to its development. Genetic alterations, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), are implicated in breast cancer susceptibility, making investigation in this context crucial. This study explores the role of CYP1A2-rs17861162 and ADSL-rs3788579 SNPs in breast cancer risk among Iranian women.MethodsThis study involved 200 female breast cancer patients and 200 healthy controls in North-West Iran. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and PCR–RFLP was used for genotyping the CYP1A2 and ADSL genes.ResultsThe CYP1A2-rs17861162 SNP exhibited a shift from the C allele to the G allele in breast cancer patients, resulting in a 21.7% decrease in CC genotype frequency and a 21.6% and 77.8% increase in CG and GG genotypes, respectively, compared to controls. In ADSL-rs3788579 SNP, breast cancer patients had a significantly higher prevalence of the T allele, with a 28.5% increase compared to controls. In healthy participants, CC was most common, while in the breast cancer group, TT was most common.ConclusionThis study highlights significant genetic alterations in CYP1A2-rs17861162 and ADSL-rs3788579 SNPs among breast cancer patients in North-West Iran, suggesting their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying their contributions to breast cancer susceptibility in this population.

Investigation of ambient BTEX concentrations along a bus rapid transit route in Tabriz: Spatio-temporal variations and health risk assessment

Urgent actions are imperative to assess ambient BTEX concentration in urban areas and increase awareness of the significant health risks linked to exposure to these volatile compounds. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations of BTEX concentration in BRT stations and provides a health risk assessment in Tabriz, located in the northwest of Iran. We collected samples repeatedly from four BRT stations and three areas between stations (N = 86). The mixture BTEX compounds had average concentrations ranging from 6.7 to 52.9 μg/m3, with the highest concentration belonging to o-xylene. Additionally, the average ratios of toluene/benzene, m-xylene/benzene, and o-xylene/benzene were 2.4, 2.3, and 3.0, respectively. Total BTEX concentrations were significantly higher in BRT stations than areas between stations. Furthermore, the concentration of total BTEX doubled in the evening compared to the morning. Although the maximum concentrations of BTEX were recorded in winter, there were no significant seasonal differences. The lifetime cancer risk (LCR) of benzene exposure was 1.07 × 10−7 and 1.52 × 10−5 for passengers and residents located in the vicinity of the BRT lane, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests that emissions from BRT buses are one of the main contributors to BTEX in Tabriz.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis in a rural population: A cross-sectional study

Brucellosis is recognized as a significant global zoonotic infection that disproportionately affects low-income settings. A community cross-sectional survey was carried out in a rural setting of northwest Iran between February and May 2023. Rural individuals were interviewed according to a questionnaire with questions about demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to human brucellosis. We employed descriptive statistics to study knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns. In addition, we applied a multivariable logistic regression model to assess potential predictors of knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to brucellosis using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Among 700 participants, 91.1% were aware of brucellosis, and 85.7% identified cows, sheep, and goats as primary transmission sources. 75.6% and 78.7% recognized transmission risks via unpasteurized and raw milk products. 60.5% understood the benefits of boiling milk and using gloves. Attitudinally, 64.3% perceived higher risk for livestock owners and supported practices like milk pasteurization (70.5%), protective gear (84.4%), handwashing (92.2%), and animal vaccination (71.0%). 90% expressed a need for more information. In practice, 44.8% exclusively consumed boiled and pasteurized milk, 37.8% consumed fresh cheese, and 92.2% solely consumed thoroughly cooked animal meat. Logistic regression revealed that higher education and no prior history of the disease correlated with good knowledge and attitudes, while older participants displayed inappropriate practices compared to their younger counterparts. This study highlights the reasonably high awareness of brucellosis, particularly regarding transmission sources and preventive measures. However, the gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices still exist, with education level emerging as a significant factor. To improve prevention practices, tailored interventions addressing age-related disparities are necessary.

The upper cretaceous sedimentary sequence in North-West of Iran: Microfacies and geochemistry analysis, evidence of Neotethys

The upper cretaceous sedimentary sequence in North-West of Iran: Microfacies and geochemistry analysis, evidence of Neotethys

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetiiin tick and blood samples from small ruminants in northwest of Iran.

This survey sought to molecularly detect Coxiella burnetii in Argasidae and Ixodidae ticks attached to small ruminants in the region of West Azerbaijan (Northwest of Iran) and blood samples collected from the same animals. 451 tick samples and 927 blood samples were obtained from sheep (n = 536) and goats (n = 391) and tested by nested PCR for detection of C. burnetii insertion sequence IS1111 or icd gene sequence. The collected ticks were morphologically classified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, or Argas reflexus. 14% of ticks (65 in total 43 for IS1111 and 22 for icd gene) tested positive for C. burnetii, none of which were from the Argas genus. Among the 927 blood samples, 218 (23.5%) tested positive for C. burnetii. The positive result from analysis targeting the genes IS1111 and icd were 131 and 87 respectively. As Q fever is a tickborne zoonosis and endemic to Iran, such information is critical for creating effective, coordinated, and strategic tick and pathogen control programs to prevent disease outbreak in domestic animals and humans.

The severity of andropause symptoms and its relationship with social well-being among retired male nurses: a preliminary cross-sectional study

BackgroundAndropause is a syndrome that occurs due to decreased androgen levels in men. Various aspects of health, such as social well-being, can affect andropause status during men’s retirement. This study aimed to determine the severity of andropause symptoms and its relationship with social well-being among retired male nurses.MethodsThis preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 retired male nurses in Ardabil (northwest of Iran). The participants were selected through the census sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Male Andropause Symptoms Self-Assessment Questionnaire (MASSQ), and the Social Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0).ResultsThe study found that the overall mean scores of the severity of andropause symptoms and social well-being among retired male nurses were 57.24 ± 12.62 (range = 35–91) and 94.54 ± 12.77 (range = 75–123), respectively. The highest and lowest mean scores between dimensions of social well-being were related to social contribution (20.26 ± 2.47) and social acceptance (15.26 ± 2.77), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that subscales of social well-being, age, marital status, and spouse’s menopause were predictors of the severity of andropause symptoms among retired male nurses. The selected predictors accounted for 53.1% of the total variance in severity of andropause symptoms (F = 36.613, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results showed a moderate to severe prevalence of andropause among retired male nurses and a significant association between andropause and social well-being. The study suggests further research to examine sexual orientation and other factors that may affect andropause in retired male nurses.

Developmental delay in preterm infants during the first twelve months after birth and its risk factors.

Developmental delay in preterm infants in different geographical areas has different risk factors. The present research was a large study aiming to assess developmental delay in preterm infants during the first 12 months after birth and its risk factors in northwest Iran (with multiethnic texture). Eight hundred and seventy preterm infants (25 to 36 weeks; up to 12 months) were included in this descriptive-analytical study from the beginning of 2019 to the end of 2021 in northwest Iran by the convenient sampling method. Patients' basic and medical information was recorded in the data collection form, and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess children's developmental status. The prevalence of developmental delay in this study was 26.4%. Regarding demographic characteristics such as age, height (at birth and one year of age), weight (at birth and one year of age), Apgar score (first and twentieth minutes), duration of ventilator connection, comorbidities and complications after birth, and breastfeeding during the first year of life, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of infants with and without developmental delay. Breastfeeding during the first 12 months after birth alone could have the power to predict developmental delay in preterm infants. Breastfeeding in the first year of life is considered one of the most important predictors of normal development in preterm infants. Therefore, encouraging the parents of these infants to breastfeed their infants at birth can be a positive step in improving the quality of life of these infants in the future.

Cardiovascular risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes at a tertiary referral hospital in northwest Iran: A prospective cohort study

Objective: To investigate cardiovascular risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed 269 participants with COVID-19. The primary outcomes were ICU admission, prolonged hospital stay duration, and in-hospital death. The secondary outcomes included death, chronic symptoms, and NYHA functional class during follow-up periods. Results: A total of 412 patients with COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled in the study, and out of which 269 patients had complete medical records and positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results, fulfilling the study criteria were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups, with cardiovascular comorbidities (group A, n=122), such as established cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, and without cardiovascular comorbidities (group B, n=147). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that patients with underlying hypertension, diabetes, and established cardiovascular disease had a 1.55 (95% CI: 1.28-2.26), 1.62 (95% CI: 1.34-2.13), and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.07-5.34)-fold risk of mortality, respectively in the adjusted model. Conclusions: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with predisposing cardiovascular risk factors are more susceptible to develop worse outcomes. More attention should be paid to the management and follow-up of these patients.

PERSIAN traffic safety and health cohort: a population-based precrash cohort study

PurposeDespite to high burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs), the RTI epidemiology has received less attention with rare investments on robust population cohorts. The PERSIAN Traffic Safety and Health Cohort...

Temporal characteristics of cold waves hazard frequency in northwest of Iran and Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation impacts

Temporal characteristics of cold waves hazard frequency in northwest of Iran and Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation impacts

Soil contamination around porphyry copper mines: an example from a semi-arid climate.

Extraction and processing of disseminated metalliferous ores, porphyry copper in particular, results in significant tonnages of waste and can cause severe disturbances and contamination in natural ecosystems. This is particularly important in semi-arid climates where natural soils are often deprived of organic matter and nutrients. This study was conducted on seven sites around Sungun Copper Mine, northwest Iran. Soil texture, EC, pH, and concentrations of nutrients, organic matter, along with 16 metal and metalloids were measured in 94 soil samples. Results showed a gradient of contamination from low contamination in natural hillsides to high contamination in mine waste depositories, Waste Dump and Oxide Dump, alongside Pakhir and Sungun Rivers. Nutrient deficiency occurred in disturbed sites. The main contaminant point sources were Waste Dump, mine pit drainage, and Oxide Dump. The results of Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination showed elevated Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Pb, As, Mo, Mn, Co, S concentrations, high EC, and higher sand percentage in the sites affected by mine waste and acid mine drainage. Geo-Accumulation and Potential Ecological Risk Indices indicated that Pakhir riverside, Sungun riverside, and Oxide Dump have severe to moderate levels of environmental risks. Positive correlations between certain metal elements suggest common sources and similar reaction pathways, which may contribute to their similar geochemical behaviour in transport, deposition, and interdependence. Overall, the deficiency of organic matter and nutrients along with the soil sandy texture in contaminated sites of Sungun Copper Mine are the main limiting factors in managing metal mobility and soil remediation.

Exploring virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori isolated from gastric biopsy.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes human gastric mucosa and is classified as class one carcinogenic bacteria. In this regard, this study aimed to detect major virulence factors in H. pylori strains recovered from gastric biopsy in patients referred to Aras Clinique in Ardabil, northwest of Iran (2019-2021). In this descriptive-cross sectional study, 287 dyspeptic patients were included. For bacterial isolation, gastric biopsy specimens (n=287) were taken from gastric antrum, then aseptically were cultured on the selective medium and incubated at 37C in microaerophilic conditions for 3-5 days. 25.18% of all (n = 70) patients were found to be infected withH. pylori uponendoscopy. Of them, 9 patients (12.857%) and 2 patients (2.875%) had peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer respectively. According to the different patterns of virulence factors, 57 virutypes were identified in which oipA-vacAs1-vacAm2 (3, 4.28% n =) and oipA-vacAs1-vacAs2-vacAm2 (3, 4.28% n =) were the most common patterns. The simultaneous presence of vacAS2, vacAm2 and hopQ2 genes was observed in both patients with gastric cancer. OipA (n = 562.5%), VacAs1 (n = 6.75%), VacAs2 (n = 6.75%), and VacAm2 (n = 787.5%) were found to be the most prevalent virulence factor. According previous studies, it is confirmed that the cagPAI gene cluster and vacA gene alleles are strongly correlated with gastritis and gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. Our study indicated that 50% of the indigenous strains of H. pylori harbor these oncogenic genes and they are hypervirulent.

Identifying predictors of patient safety competency based on sleep quality in student faculty of nursing and midwifery during the internship period: a multidisciplinary study

BackgroundEnsuring patient safety is of paramount importance in healthcare services. Sleep disorders not only have detrimental effects on the health of healthcare students but also significantly impair their performance, leading to an increased risk of medication errors. These errors can pose a grave threat to the safety and well-being of patients. It is crucial to address and mitigate sleep disorders among internship healthcare students to safeguard the quality of care and minimize potential patient harm.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the predictors of Patient Safety Competency (PSC) based on the sleep quality of internship healthcare students.MethodsA study was conducted on 331 students from the Ardabil School of Nursing and Midwifery at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in northwest Iran from August to December 2022. The participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0. Person correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between PSC level, its dimensions, and sleep quality, while multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the predictors of PSC.ResultsThe competency of nurses in patient safety was average in both classroom and clinical settings. However, their ability to work as a team with other healthcare professionals scored the lowest. In addition, the quality of sleep was found to be a predictor of patient safety competency among healthcare students during their internships.ConclusionsIt is important to note that healthcare students tend to have moderate patient safety competence (PSC), which is positively correlated with their sleep quality. Therefore, it is vital to identify the key factors that directly affect PSC. This would enable nursing and midwifery faculty administrators to take preventive measures to enhance patient safety competence in both classroom and clinical settings. Additionally, organizing educational workshops that engage students and improve their sleep quality could improve patient care. Practical courses are recommended for health professionals and students in clinical settings to enhance patient safety competencies. Additionally, student internships should receive hands-on training to improve teamwork and rest conditions.

Genetic and Clinical Study of Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever in Northeastern Iran

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the MEFV gene and characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and polyserositis. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the frequency and distribution of MEFV mutations in children with FMF in northeastern Iran and determine clinical examinations. Methods: Our study was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted among 29 patients under the age of 18 who visited the pediatric rheumatologist between April 2014 and 2021. After clinical diagnosis, the patients underwent genetic evaluation. The mutations related to each patient were identified using Sanger sequencing of the entire MEFV gene sequence. The rest of the information was extracted from the checklist. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS v. 16. Results: Fever was the most common symptom, followed by abdominal pain. During the acute attack period, laboratory inflammatory factors increased in all patients. None of the patients had complications. There was no significant relationship between the demographic variables in the groups (benign, variant of uncertain significance [VUS], pathogen) except for the rate of hospitalization (P-value = 0.039). Moreover, 34.5% of the studied patients had pathogenic mutations. The most common mutation was E148Q, which was reported to be benign, followed by pathogenic mutations (M680I), with a frequency of 10.2%. Conclusions: The FMF is rare in Northeastern Iran, and the number of pathogenic mutations is lower compared to Northwest Iran and other studies. It is necessary to conduct a genetic examination and treatment of affected patients to control the course of the disease and its complications.

Phylogenetic analysis of Acanthamoeba isolated from soil samples and nasal cavities of patients with malignancy: a public health concern in the northwest of Iran.

The genus Acanthamoeba is reported from various environmental sources and can cause multiple complications, including chronic amoebic aeratitis and amoebic granulomatous encephalitis. This study investigated the presence and genotyping of Acanthamoeba in the soil of parks and patients with malignancies referred to health centers in Zanjan city, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 200 soil samples were collected from amusement parks in Zanjan city from September 2017 to May 2018. Samples were cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar, and the Acanthamoeba genus was identified using the morphological method. PCR was performed on all positive environmental samples, and six microscopically positive clinical samples belonged to our previous study. DNA sequencing of 18S rRNA was performed to analyze the genetic pattern of some PCR-positive isolates. Microscopic results showed that 96 (48%) soil samples were positive. PCR confirmed all positive cases of clinical samples and 84 soil samples. Out of the PCR-positive samples, 20 soil samples and five clinical samples were sequenced successfully. All soil isolates belonged to the T4 genotype, and three and two clinical samples belonged to T4 and T5 genotypes, respectively. : The presence of Acanthamoeba in both the environment and clinical samples of Zanjan city suggests paying greater attention to the infections caused by it.

Study on species distribution and seasonal dynamics of equine tick infestation in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran

Ticks are important ectoparasites in equids, causing economic losses in animal husbandry in Iran and worldwide. This study was aimed to determine frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in equids in Ardabil province, during the four seasons in 2021. A total of 240 equids (187 horses, 53 donkeys) were randomly selected and examined. Ixodid ticks were collected from body surface of examined animals and identified. Of all examined equids, 32.5% horses, and 4.58% donkeys were infested with a total number of 412 ixodid ticks. Tick indices (tick number per animal) were 4.62. There was significant difference between prevalence and different age groups of infested animals. The highest prevalence of hard ticks was found in ≥3 years-old equids in the region. Of all examined ticks (412), three genera including Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp. .and Dermacentor spp. with four species. i.e. Hyalomma anatolicum (73.05%), H. marginatum (17.23%), Rhipicephalus bursa (7.76%) and Dermacentor marginatus (1.94%) were identified. Ixodid ticks' infestations occurred throughout the year with the highest prevalence in spring. The findings indicated that the equids had a high species diversity and ixodid tick infestation, necessitating additional research to identify any possible tick vectors for the hemoparasite transmission in equids of this region.

Mapping cultivation potential index of rainfed wheat from climatic perspective using Shannon entropy catastrophe scheme

Mapping the Cultivation Potential Index (CPI) for a specific crop is a topical research activity in agro-climate studies, which can lead to environmental and water resources protection and agriculture efficiency increase. This study formulates a framework to delineate the CPI of rainfed wheat from the climatic perspective of precipitation and temperature. Four precipitation layers were prepared using the frequency analysis of annual, autumn, spring, and June precipitation time series; also, three temperature layers comprise autumn, spring, and June temperatures obtained by remote sensing techniques. The Shannon-Entropy Catastrophe Scheme (ECS) was also formulated to combine seven layers of precipitation and temperature besides the land use layer while decreasing the inherent subjectivity. The formulated methodology was implemented in the Maragheh city, northwest of Iran. Some contrasts exist between the spatial distributions of precipitation in different time scales, which necessitates the formulation of ECS as a multi-criteria decision-making technique. ECS identifies the eastern half of the study area as the medium to relatively high CPI, which can be employed as a decision support system for planning and managing agriculture.

Drought index downscaling using AI-based ensemble technique and satellite data

This study introduces and validates an artificial intelligence (AI)–based downscaling method for Standardized Precipitation Indices (SPI) in the northwest of Iran, utilizing PERSSIAN-CDR data and MODIS-derived drought-dependent variables. The correlation between SPI and two drought-dependent variables at a spatial resolution of 0.25° from 2000 to 2015 served as the basis for predicting SPI values at a finer spatial resolution of 0.05° for the period spanning 2016 to 2021. Shallow AI models (Support Vector Regression, Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System, Feedforward Neural Network) and the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning method are employed for downscaling, followed by an ensemble post-processing technique for shallow AI models. Validation against rain gauge data indicates that all methods improve SPI simulation compared to PERSIANN-CDR products. The ensemble technique excels by 20% and 25% in the training and test phases, respectively, achieving the mean Determination Coefficient (DC) score of 0.67 in the validation phase. Results suggest that the deep learning LSTM method is less suitable for limited observed data compared to ensemble techniques. Additionally, the proposed methodology successfully detects approximately 80% of drought conditions. Notably, SPI-6 outperforms other temporal scales. This study advances the understanding of AI-driven downscaling for SPI, emphasizing the efficacy of ensemble approaches and providing valuable insights for regions with limited observational data.