Review of Coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) in Iraq

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) or 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is quickly spreading to the rest of the world, from its origin in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. And becoming a global pandemic that affects the world's most powerful countries. The goal of this review is to assist scientists, researchers, and others in responding to the current Coronavirus disease (covid-19) is a worldwide public health contingency state. This review discusses current evidence based on recently published studies which is related to the origin of the virus, epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and all studies in Iraq for the effect of covid-19 diseases, as well as provide a reference for future researchers. The findings of this review show significant differences across gender, age group, area of residence, environmental agents (temperature, humidity), and people with chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, respiratory disorders, and immunocompromised disease). To control the pandemic, information about COVID-19 was disseminated to people, including wearing a face mask and using a social distancing strategy as an effective tool for controlling COVID-19. More education and progress are required to convince the public that the vaccine is both effective and safe.

Plant Secondary Metabolites against Skin Photodamage: Mexican Plants, a Potential Source of UV-Radiation Protectant Molecules

Human skin works as a barrier against the adverse effects of environmental agents, including ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Exposure to UVR is associated with a variety of harmful effects on the skin, and it is one of the most common health concerns. Solar UVR constitutes the major etiological factor in the development of cutaneous malignancy. However, more than 90% of skin cancer cases could be avoided with appropriate preventive measures such as regular sunscreen use. Plants, constantly irradiated by sunlight, are able to synthesize specialized molecules to fight against UVR damage. Phenolic compounds, alkaloids and carotenoids constitute the major plant secondary metabolism compounds with relevant UVR protection activities. Hence, plants are an important source of molecules used to avoid UVR damage, reduce photoaging and prevent skin cancers and related illnesses. Due to its significance, we reviewed the main plant secondary metabolites related to UVR protection and its reported mechanisms. In addition, we summarized the research in Mexican plants related to UV protection. We presented the most studied Mexican plants and the photoprotective molecules found in them. Additionally, we analyzed the studies conducted to elucidate the mechanism of photoprotection of those molecules and their potential use as ingredients in sunscreen formulas.

Prom1 and Notch regulate ciliary length and dynamics in multiciliated cells of the airway epithelium

Differences in ciliary morphology and dynamics among multiciliated cells of the respiratory tract have been well reported and known to contribute to efficient mucociliary clearance. Nevertheless, little is known about how phenotypic differences among multiciliated cells are established in the mammalian lung. Here we show that Prominin-1 (Prom1), a transmembrane protein widely used as stem cell and tumor-initiating marker, is crucial to this process. During airway differentiation, Prom1 becomes restricted to multiciliated cells, where it is expressed at distinct levels along the proximal-distal axis of the airways and in the adult airway epithelium in vitro. We found that Prom1 is induced by Notch in post-specified multiciliated cells and that Notch inactivation abolishes the gradients of Prom1 in the developing airways and in differentiating organotypic cultures. Prom1 was not required for multicilia formation and when inactivated resulted in longer cilia, which remained functional but beating at a lower frequency. Disruption of Notch resulted in opposite effects and suggested that Notch fine-tunes Prom1 levels to regulate the multiciliated cell phenotype and generate diversity among these cells in the respiratory tract. By controlling these features, this mechanism contributes to the innate defense of the lung against environmental agents and prevent pulmonary disease.

Municipal environmental management and regional conservation in eastern Amazon: perceived performance by public agents in the Pará state, Brazil

Public agents play a key role in municipal environmental management (MEM) under decentralised regimes. This study aimed to evaluate the MEM through the combined perception of municipal agents and the municipal performance previously calculated by secondary data in Pará, Brazil. A questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was applied to environmental agents. The respondents (n = 75) from 53 municipalities were divided into poorly performing and well-performing municipalities. The perception of agents from poorly performing municipalities was more optimistic than shown by empirical data. Agents from well-performing municipalities prioritised “economic issues” as significant threats to management over the “institutional capacity” chosen by the other group, indicating a broader view of the reality. As the perception over land-use practices was vital to differentiate the agents from different groups, we concluded for the use of mixed monitoring methods and feedback information for agents for a better MEM, focusing on five variables (Rural environmental register – CAR, in Portuguese acronym; degraded area; deforested area; rural credit; and abandoned pasture) that differentiated the municipalities.

Gestão de Resíduos Sólidos e Trabalho Informal: a experiência do município de Francisco Beltrão (Paraná) ## Solid Waste Management and Informal Work: the experience of the municipality of Francisco Beltrão (Paraná, Brazil)

Este trabalho de abordagem qualitativa, buscou conhecer a trajetória de vida de agentes ambientais e a importância atribuída por eles à atividade de catador de material reciclável, bem como conhecer as experiências do município de Francisco Beltrão-PR em atividades relacionadas ao tratamento de resíduos sólidos. Foram entrevistados três trabalhadores informais que atuam na coleta de materiais recicláveis, mediante termo de consentimento com a pesquisa. E, para compreender a concepção que subsidia as ações do poder público municipal, foi entrevistado o diretor da Secretaria Municipal do Meio Ambiente. Dentre os resultados das entrevistas com os catadores, destaca-se que a catação de material reciclável se torna alternativa na falta de qualificação para o mercado de trabalho. Estes trabalhadores são frequentemente submetidos a situações de risco à saúde e rotina diária exaustiva realizada em condições precárias, corroborando com a entrevista realizada com o diretor da Secretaria Municipal do Meio Ambiente. Os resultados da pesquisa podem contribuir no reconhecimento do trabalho exercido pelos agentes ambientais e/ou catadores de material reciclável como relevante para a sociedade. ABSTRACTThis qualitative approach work searched to know the life trajectory of environmental agents and the importance assigned by them to the activity of collecting recyclable material, and to know the experiences lived by the city of Francisco Beltrão activities related to solid waste treatment. Three informal workers that act in collecting recyclable material were interviewed, through permission form about the research. And, to understand the conception that subsidizes the actions of the municipal government, the director of Environmental Municipal Secretary was interviewed. Among the collectors’ interviews results, it is noteworthy that collecting recyclable material becomes an alternative in the absence of enough qualification to the labor market. These workers are frequently subjected on health risks situations and an exhaustive routine performed in precarious conditions, corroborating the interview conducted with the Environment Municipal Secretary director. The research results can contribute to the environmental agents and/or recyclable material collectors works recognition as relevant to the society.

Inter-Cavity Coupling Strength Control in Metal/Insulator Multilayers for Hydrogen Sensing

Hydrogen (H2) sensing is crucial for modern energy storage technology, which looks to hydrogen as the most promising alternative to fossil fuels. In this respect, magnesium (Mg) offers unique possibilities, since magnesium and hydrogen easily undergo a reversible hydrogenation reaction where Mg reversibly converts into MgH2. From an optical point of view, this process produces an abrupt refractive index change, which can be exploited for sensing applications. To maximize this opportunity, we envision an architecture composed of two Ag/ITO/Mg metal/dielectric resonators facing each other and displaced by 200 nm of vacuum. This structure forms a so-called Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) multi-cavity resonator, in which the two internal Mg layers, used as tunneling coupling metals, are accessible to environmental agents. We demonstrate that the hydrogenation of the two Mg layers leads to substantial changes in the strong coupling between the cavities composing the entire resonator, with a consequent abrupt modification of the spectral response, thus enabling the sensing mechanism. One of the main advantages of the proposed system with respect to previous research is that the proposed multilayered architecture avoids the need for lithographic processes. This feature makes the proposed architecture inexpensive and wafer-to-chip scalable, considering that each kind of substrate from common glass to silicon can be used. Therefore, our sensing architecture offers great promise for applications in embedded H2 sensors.

Environmental health methods

Both host and environmental factors are involved in the development of human diseases. Environmental causes of disease include physical, chemical, biological, behavioural, and social factors. Consistent findings in both observational and interventional studies at aggregate and individual levels provide strong evidence of causation between human diseases and environmental agents. They are illustrated by the elucidation of the pleiotropic health effects of arsenic in drinking water and the multifactorial aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by viral hepatitis. Molecular and genomic biomarkers are used to explore the time-dependent host–environment interaction in the natural history of human diseases. They include dosimetry of exposure to environmental agents; the health outcomes at molecular, cellular, and histological levels; and the genetic and acquired susceptibility. Risk calculators combining multiple biomarkers are developed for the prediction of long-term disease risk. Global partnerships need to be strengthened to achieve interrelated goals of human health, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic development.

A role for club cells in smoking-associated lung adenocarcinoma

The cellular origin of lung adenocarcinoma remains a focus of intense research efforts. The marked cellular heterogeneity and plasticity of the lungs, as well as the vast variety of molecular subtypes of lung adenocarcinomas perplex the field and account for the extensive variability of experimental results. While most experts would agree on the cellular origins of other types of thoracic tumours, great controversy exists on the tumour-initiating cells of lung adenocarcinoma, since this histologic subtype of lung cancer arises in the distal pulmonary regions where airways and alveoli converge, occurs in smokers as well as nonsmokers, is likely caused by various environmental agents, and is marked by vast molecular and pathologic heterogeneity. Alveolar type II, club, and their variant cells have all been implicated in lung adenocarcinoma progeny and the lineage hierarchies in the distal lung remain disputed. Here we review the relevant literature in this rapidly expanding field, including results from mouse models and human studies. In addition, we present a case for club cells as cells of origin of lung adenocarcinomas that arise in smokers.

Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Mechanisms Controlling Cirrhosis Development

Because the liver is considered to be one of the most important metabolic organs in the body, it is continuously exposed to damaging environmental agents. Upon damage, several complex cellular and molecular mechanisms in charge of liver recovery and regeneration are activated to prevent the failure of the organ. When liver injury becomes chronic, the regenerative response goes awry and impairs the liver function, consequently leading to cirrhosis, a liver disorder that can cause patient death. Cirrhosis has a disrupted liver architecture and zonation, along with the presence of fibrosis and parenchymal nodules, known as regenerative nodules (RNs). Inflammatory cues contribute to the cirrhotic process in response to chronic damaging agents. Cirrhosis can progress to HCC, the most common and one of the most lethal liver cancers with unmet medical needs. Considering the essential role of inflammatory pathways in the development of cirrhosis, further understanding of the relationship between immune cells and the activation of RNs and fibrosis would guide the design of innovative therapeutic strategies to ameliorate the survival of cirrhotic and HCC patients. In this review, we will summarize the inflammatory mechanisms implicated in the development of cirrhosis.

NAIL VARIATIONS IN PAPULO-SQUAMOUS DISORDERS: A CLINICAL INVESTIGATION

Background: Nail diseases account for about 10% of all dermatological conditions. Any abnormality that affects any part of the nail unit is classified as a nail condition. The plate, matrix, bed, proximal and lateral folds, hyponychium, and underlying distal phalanx are all part of the nail unit. Heredity, skin problems, infections, systemic disease, and the ageing process, as well as internal and external drugs, physical and environmental agents, trauma, and benign and malignant tumours, can all affect these tissues. Papulo-squamous disorder is one of the main causes. Nail changes in Papulo-squamous disease have received insufficient attention, with only a few research available. Aims & Objectives: This study attempts to shed some information on the frequency and patterns of nail involvement in Papulo-squamous illnesses. Methodology: This is a descriptive research project. Over the course of two years, it was conducted at the dermatology department of a tertiary healthcare centre in central India. Examinations of the general, systemic, and dermatological systems were performed. The nails were meticulously examined. In pertinent cases, special examinations such as skin biopsy and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount were performed. Results: Papulo-squamous disorder affected 100 people. Psoriasis was the most frequent Papulo-squamous condition, followed by lichen-planus and PRP. Pitting was the most prevalent nail alteration (81%) while dorsal pterygium was the least common. Conclusion: The nail is an important appendage that affects a variety of dermatoses and serves as a diagnostic window. Knowing the normal and abnormal variations, as well as their relationship to various Papulo-squamous illnesses, aids not only in diagnosis but also in treatment. Key words: Papulo-squamous disorder, nail changes, psoriasis, lichen-planus.