A sustainable Decision Support System for soil bioremediation of toluene incorporating UN sustainable development goals.

Decision Support System (DSS) is a novel approach for smart, sustainable controlling of environmental phenomena and purification processes. Toluene is one of the most widely used petroleum products, which adversely impacts on human health. In this study, Fusarium Solani fungi are utilized as the engine of the toluene bioremediation procedure for the monitoring part of DSS.

Effect of COVID-19 on transportation air pollution by moderation and mediation analysis in Queens, New York.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in 2020 has left many changes in the quality of life and environment, including air quality in different parts of the world. As a result of lockdown conditions, the level of air pollution has been changed considerably due to topographic, geographical, and cultural conditions as well as traffic restrictions. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect COVID-19 outbreak on improving air quality as a result of changes in traffic volume and traffic patterns in Queens, New York, using the moderation and mediation analysis model structure.

Otitis Media with Effusion in Children and the Impact of Risk Factors on Serum Cytokine Levels.

Introduction: To evaluate the role of allergic-type and infectious-type cytokines in children with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME).

Materials And Methods: We investigated serum levels of interleukins (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, along with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 35 children with OME and 28 healthy controls.

Results: Children with OME had significantly higher levels of IL-5 in comparison with the control group, ranging from 1 pg/ml in cases to 0.

Phenotyping and follow up of forty-seven Iranian patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

Background: Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous syndrome with a wide variety of signs and symptoms. This study describes the phenotyping and survival of the CVID patients in the allergy and clinical immunology department of Rasol-E-Akram Hospital of Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed hospital files of CVID patients in our department until January 2014.

Circulating level of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ T cells in patients with chronic urticaria.

Background: CD4+ CD25+ T-regulatory (Treg) cells play critical roles in maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. As characteristics of Treg cells have not been precisely investigated in chronic urticaria (CU) yet, this study was performed.

Objective: To determine the frequencies of circulating CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ T cells and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and IL-17 in patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria and chronic idiopathic urticaria compared to healthy controls.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on airway functions in mild to moderate persistent asthma.

Background: Vitamin D is hypothesized to have some roles in innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation reduction, and remodeling; therefore, it is supposed to affect the asthma phenotype, severity, and response to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

Objective: To explore the synergistic effects of vitamin D supplementation in addition to asthma controllers (ICS or ICS plus long-acting β-agonist) on airway functions.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 130 individuals aged 10 to 50 years who lived in Tehran during a 24-week period.

Evaluation of immunological parameters in purified protein derivative positive tuberculin workers.

Objective(s): According to the occupationally risk of infection in staff workers who have direct contact with mycobacterium species, we investigated their immunological parameters and compared with healthy purified protein derivative (PPD) negative volunteers. Materials and Methods : We investigated 20 PPD positive volunteers working at Tuberculin Unit of Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute and PPD negative healthy controls with no exposure or history of active tuberculosis. The percentages of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations were detected by flowcytometry.