Multi-criteria GIS-based land suitability analysis for rice cultivation: a case study in Guilan Province, Iran.

Ensuring food security and sustainable resource management has become a paramount global concern, prompting significant attention to land suitability analysis for enhancing agricultural production. In this study, an AHP-weighted overlay method was employed to delineate rice cultivation suitability in Guilan province, Iran, a central hub for rice production. Sixteen climatic, topographic, and soil variables were integrated, and individual maps were reclassified to align with the specific requisites for rice production. The results revealed three suitability classes: including 'very suitable,' 'suitable,' and 'moderately suitable', covering 91%, 6%, and 3% of the land, respectively. Soil attributes, particularly organic matter, significantly influenced suitability (weight value of 0.745), with topographic and soil factors outweighing climate in assessment. While salinity is generally absent, organic matter deficiency affects 44% of the land. Phosphorus imbalances are prevalent, with potassium toxicity observed in 10%. Microelement deficiencies, especially in iron and zinc, are noted. Additionally, the results indicated that topographic and soil attributes played a more significant role than climate-related factors in assessing land suitability for rice cultivation within the study area. This research provides a comprehensive spatial analysis of all variables in the study region, shedding light on the complexities of land suitability for rice cultivation. These findings contribute to the understanding of agricultural sustainability and resource management strategies in the context of food security.

Predicting the effects of climate change on physiological parameters determining wheat yield in 2050 (case study: Golestan Province, Iran).

Climate change is one of the most important threats to food security. Earth's temperature is reported to increase by 1.5 to 4 °C by the end of the twenty-first century, compared to the base period (1850-1900), and will continue after 2100. Different models have been used to investigate the effects of climate change on different plant responses, including the exponential downscale statistical model of SDSM. Photosynthesis, respiration, and production are some of the first components to be affected by temperature which are discussed here. This study was aimed to introduce and compare the best interpolation method of main temperatures and precipitation to simulate the rate of photosynthesis, total respiration (total growth and maintenance respiration), and dry matter production of wheat in Golestan Province under climate change. Long-term data of 38 synoptic meteorological stations were used to interpolate the main temperature variables and provide reliable maps. Then, temperature change (ΔT) was used to simulate photosynthesis, total respiration, and dry matter production using the canopy photosynthesis simulation model (Can_Phs). The results clearly showed that by changing the minimum temperature by 1.1 to 3.1 °C and the maximum temperature by 2.3 to 4 °C, the amount of wheat production in the study area will be affected in 2050. This increase in temperature can reduce the length of the growing season in autumn wheat and limit the duration of intercepting light and capturing other resources, which in turn leads to a decrease in photosynthesis and increased respiration during the growing season.

Development of a new model for health assessment in agroecosystems.

Healthy agroecosystems provide a range of ecosystem services, and the lack of information about the importance of their health degree leads to the unsustainability of these agroecosystems. To assess the health status of agroecosystems, a model was developed using spatial analysis-based procedures in Geographic Information System (GIS) media, surveyed data, and field monitoring at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Initially, a survey-based study was conducted in 50 barley fields of Bandar-e-Torkaman County, north of Iran, during the 2016-2017 years. Then, the health index maps were provided by spatial analysis-based functions in GIS media. For accurate estimation of health status in barley agroecosystems, some meteorological variables were layered. Finally, the health status of the agroecosystems was determined based on six indices, including pesticides consumption rate, chemical fertilizers consumption rate, crop yield, and cultivar type, soil organic matter, and biodiversity indices. When all the layers overlaid, only 12% of the surveyed agroecosystems were located in the healthy class. The use of proper tillage methods, the appropriate weed control operations, the optimum consumption of high-quality pesticides, high soil organic matter, and grain yield > 2.6 ton ha-1 were the main reasons for obtaining of health degree in these agroecosystems. In contrast, the consumption of low-quality pesticides, the use of inappropriate tillage tools and machinery, the little knowledge of the farmers about the optimum rates and consumption methods of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and resistance of some weeds to herbicides were identified as the most essential reasons for non-health status in the most surveyed barley agroecosystems.

The Effect of Marshallagia marshalli on Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Experimentally Infected Lambs.

: Because there appeared to be no data available on serum gastrin concentrations in animals infected with Marshallagia marshalli, and considering the high prevalence of this parasite in livestock throughout many countries, we decided to perform research in the field using experimental infection. After surgical implantation of abomasal cannula into 10 male Baluchi sheep, each animal was orally infected with 5,000 M. marshalli larvae. Serum gastrin concentrations and abomasal pH were measured with a human ELISA kit and a PHM LE438 standard pH electrode, respectively. According to the results obtained from the study, serum gastrin increased after 14 and 21 days post-infection (dpi), while abomasal pH increased after 7 dpi and reached a maximal value 16 dpi. The increase in serum gastrin concentration was revealed 6 days after elevation in abomasal pH, which could be the result of reduced acid secretion. Generally, the present study pointed out that a limited number of M. marshalli could increase serum gastrin concentrations.

Overview of Agents Used for Emergency Hemostasis.

CONTEXT: In today's modern world, despite the multiple advances made in the field of medicine, hemorrhagic shock is still the main cause of battlefield mortality and the second most prevalent cause of mortality in civilian trauma. Hemostatic agents can play a key role in establishing hemostasis in prehospital situations and preventing hemorrhage-associated death. In this respect, this article aims to review different aspects of known hemostatic agents. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A comprehensive search of the academic scientific databases for relevant keywords was conducted; relevant articles were compiled and assessed. RESULTS: Hemostatic agents can establish hemostasis by means of different mechanisms, including concentrating coagulation factors, adhesion to the tissues, in which traumatic hemorrhage occurred, and delivering procoagulant factors to the hemorrhage site. Presently, these hemostatics have been significantly improved with regard to efficacy and in adverse consequences, resulting from their use. Several hemostatic dressings have been developed to the degree that they have received FDA approval and are being used practically on the battlefield. In addition, there are currently several case reports on the use of such hemostatics in the hospital setting, in conditions where commonly known approaches fail to stop life-threatening bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The use of hemostatic dressings and agents is one of the main advancements achieved in recent decades. However, it can be claimed that the ideal hemostatic has not been recognized yet; therefore, this topic needs to be brought into focus and further addressed.

Accuracy of Rapid Ultrasound in Shock (RUSH) Exam for Diagnosis of Shock in Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Rapid ultrasound in shock (RUSH) is the most recent emergency ultrasound protocol, designed to help clinicians better recognize distinctive shock etiologies in a shorter time frame. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of the RUSH protocol, performed by an emergency physician or radiologist, in predicting the type of shock in critical patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An emergency physician or radiologist performed the RUSH protocol for all patients with shock status at the emergency department. All patients were closely followed to determine their final clinical diagnosis. The agreement between the initial impression provided by RUSH and the final diagnosis was investigated by calculating the Kappa index. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of RUSH for diagnosis of each case. RESULTS: We performed RUSH on 77 patients. Kappa index was 0.71 (P Value = 0.000), reflecting acceptable general agreement between initial impression and final diagnosis. For hypovolemic, cardiogenic and obstructive shock, the protocol had an NPV above 97% yet it had a lower PPV. For shock with distributive or mixed etiology, RUSH showed a PPV of 100% but it had low sensitivity. Subgroup analysis showed a similar Kappa index for the emergency physician and radiologist (0.70 and 0.73, respectively) in performing rush. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the role of the RUSH exam performed by an emergency physician, to make a rapid and reliable diagnosis of shock etiology, especially in order to rule out obstructive, cardiogenic and hypovolemic shock types in initial exam of shock patients.

Experience with esthetic reconstruction of complex facial soft tissue trauma: application of the pulsed dye laser.

BACKGROUND: Facial soft tissue injury can be one of the most challenging cases presenting to the plastic surgeon. The life quality and self-esteem of the patients with facial injury may be compromised temporarily or permanently. Immediate reconstruction of most defects leads to better restoration of form and function as well as early rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present our experience in management of facial soft tissue injuries from different causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied patients treated by plastic surgeons from 2010 to 2012 suffering from different types of blunt or sharp (penetrating) facial soft tissue injuries to the different areas of the face. All soft tissue injuries were treated primarily. Photography from all patients before, during, and after surgical reconstruction was performed and the results were collected. We used early pulsed dye laser (PDL) post-operatively. RESULTS: In our study, 63 patients including 18 (28.5%) women and 45 (71.5%) men aged 8-70 years (mean 47 years) underwent facial reconstruction due to soft tissue trauma in different parts of the face. Sharp wounds were seen in 15 (23%) patients and blunt trauma lacerations were seen in 52 (77%) patients. Overall, 65% of facial injuries were repaired primary and the remainder were reconstructed with local flaps or skin graft from adjacent tissues. Postoperative PDL therapy done two weeks following surgery for all scars yielded good results in our cases. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the injury including location, size, and depth of penetration as well as presence of associated injuries can aid in the formulation of a proper surgical plan. We recommend PDL in the early post operation period (two weeks) after suture removal for better aesthetic results.

Comparison of two methods of Marshallagia marshalli donor sheep production.

Marshallagia marshalli is found in the abomasums of sheep, goats and wild ruminants in tropical and sub tropical climates. In Iran among different species of Ostertagiinae that can infect sheep, M. marshalli is currently the major cause of parasitic gastroenteritis in ruminant. Having a donor animal is essential for various studies. In the present study we compared the efficacy of two different method of M. marshalli donor sheep production. In the first method, M. marshalli donor sheep was produced by transplanting of adult forms of this worm into abomasum of a lamb (6 months of age) through a surgically established cannula. In the second method, 5,000 infective larvae (L3) from the female M. marshalli culture were given to a worm-free lamb of 6 months age through a stomach tube. After 3 days of transplanting, few eggs of M. marshalli appeared in the cannulated lamb's faeces. The number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) increased in the following days. The average number of EPG reached up to 23.5 ± 11.26 per day in 2 months. In larval infected lamb by day 21 post infection the eggs were appeared in faeces. The average number of EPG reached up 53.5 ± 42.5 per day in 2 months. In comparison between cannulation and larval infected, the number of eggs laid by worms transplanted in cannulated lamb was less than that of larval infected lamb. However, the abomasal cannulation method seems more preferable due to some advantages such as defined number of worms transplanted into abomasums, rapid access to the eggs and their culture.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Chest Ultrasonography versus Chest Radiography for Identification of Pneumothorax: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of pneumothorax is critically important. Several studies have shown that chest ultrasonography (CUS) is a highly sensitive and specific tool. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CUS and chest radiography (CXR) for detection of pneumothorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, SUMSearch, Trip databases, and review article references. Eligible articles were defined as diagnostic studies on patients suspected for pneumothorax who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) scan and those assessing the screening role of CUS and CXR. RESULTS: The analysis showed the pooled sensitivity and specificity of CUS were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81-0.92; I2= 88.89, P<0.001) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-0.99; I2= 86.46, P<0.001), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CXR were 0.46 (95% CI: 0.36-0.56; I2= 85.34, P<0.001) and 1.0 (95% CI: 0.99-1.0; I2= 79.67, P<0.001), respectively. The Meta regression showed that the sensitivity (0.88; 95% CI: 0.82 - 0.94) and specificity (0.99; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.00) of ultrasound performed by the emergency physician was higher than by non-emergency physician. Non-trauma setting was associated with higher pooled sensitivity (0.90; 95% CI: 0.83 - 0.98) and lower specificity (0.97; 95% CI: 0.95 - 0.99). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracy of CUS was higher than supine CXR for detection of pneumothorax. It seems that CUS is superior to CXR in detection of pneumothorax, even after adjusting for possible sources of heterogeneity.

Pathophysiology of Marshallagia marshalli in experimentally infected lambs.

Species of Marshallagia are abomasal parasites in free-ranging and domesticated ungulates in temperate climatic zones throughout the world. Pervasiveness of these nematodes is significant in various parts of the world. There has been limited research in the area of Marshallagi amarshalli pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of M. marshalli on the acid secretory capacity of the abomasal mucosa and the morphological changes due to parasitic migration to different parts of abomasal tissue in sheep. Ten lambs, approximately around 6 months old, were allotted to two groups of five (A and B). The sheep from group A were infected orally with a dose of 5000 third-stage larvae (L3) of M. marshalli whereas the sheep of group B were not infected. The results indicated that the development of M. marshalli in the abomasal glands of ruminants causes pathophysiological changes, which include a reduced acidity of the abomasal contents, increased abomasal pH and increased serum pepsinogen concentrations. The reduced acid secretion is explained by a replacement of functional parietal cells by undifferentiated cells. Histology changes include mucosal cell hyperplasia, loss of parietal cells and inflammatory cell infiltration, which includes numerous granulocytes and lymphocytes.