Regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be applied for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treatment. Thus, we proposed in vitro assessment of adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs) immunomodulation on autoimmune response along with beta cell protection in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice model. MSCs were extracted from abdominal adipose tissue of normal mice and cultured to proliferate. Diabetic mice were prepared by administration of multiple low-doses of streptozotocin. Pancreatic islets were isolated from normal mice and splenocytes prepared from normal and diabetic mice. Proliferation, cytokine production, and insulin secretion assays were performed in coculture experiments. AT-MSCs inhibited splenocytes proliferative response to specific (islet lysate) and nonspecific (PHA) triggers in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17, and increased secretion of regulatory cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 by stimulated splenocytes were also shown in response to islet lysate or PHA stimulants (P < 0.05). Finally, we demonstrated that AT-MSCs could effectively sustain viability as well as insulin secretion potential of pancreatic islets in the presence of reactive splenocytes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that MSCs may provide a new horizon for T1DM cell therapy and islet transplantation in the future.

The importance of urban form on sustainable development has been recognized in recent years. Since the late 20th century, a number of countries have adopted urban form policies in environmental planning. Urban form directly affects habitat, ecosystems, endangered species, and water quality through consumption, fragmentation, and or replacement of the natural cover with an impervious surface. The current research aims at identifying the urban model of Urmia City so to achieve a sustainable form. This study is applied and utilizes both descriptive and analytical methods. To measure the model of urban growth, Holdern, Shannon's entropy, Moran and Geary's coefficients were employed. The findings indicate that the model of urban growth is sprawl and this may leads to ecological, social and economical and urban form that is unsustainable. Regarding the consequences of sprawl growth and the movement toward achieving a sustainable development and sustainable urban form, it appears that the decentralized centralization method (changing one central city into multicentre one based on centralization and multiplication of activities in sub centers) with the emphasis on principles and strategies of urban smart growth is the best model for achieving sustainable form in the future.

Urban sprawl has become a remarkable characteristic of urban development worldwide in the last decades. Urban sprawl refers to the extent of urbanization, which is a global phenomenon mainly driven by population growth and large scale migration. In developing countries like Iran, urban sprawl is taking its toll on the natural resources at an alarming pace. The purpose of this paper is to study urban growth and effective factors on them in the city of Urmia, Iran. We used quantitive data of the study area from the period between 1989 and 2007, and population censuses of Urmia. To measure the model of urban growth, Holderness and Shannon’s entropy were employed. The Urmia case is interesting for several reasons: first, it is a case of very fast urban growth even for a developing country; second, it illustrates how the fastest rates of urban sprawl may correspond to middle size cities rather than to large centers. Third, it portrays a land substitution process in which agricultural land is not the primary provider of urban land which is relatively rare in urban contexts, and fourth, it also illustrates how urban sprawl may also hide important internal land uses such as the presence of agricultural plots within urban boundaries.

The term sustainability development has been used in various forms and definitions. The earliest use of sustainability or sustainable development can be traced back to 1972. In order to cope with four decades of global economic, social, and environmental challenges, sustainable development was adopted as a mantra by international agencies, national and local governments, especially after Habitat II in the local level. On the other hand, new approaches in urban planning were employed in order to achieve a sustainable development. The purpose of this article is presentation of strategies for Sustainable Urban Development in Urmia city. This study is applied and the method of its investigation is descriptiveanalytical. Findings indicate that the model of urban growth is sprawl and this leads to ecological, social and economical and urban form unsustainable. The Urmia case is interesting for several reasons: first, it is a case of very fast urban growth even for a developing country; second, it portrays a land substitution process in which agricultural land is not the primary provider of urban land which is relatively rare in urban contexts. Third, it illustrates how the fastest rates of urban sprawl may correspond to middle size cities rather than large centers. , and fourth, it also illustrate how sprawl may also hide important internal land uses such as the presence of agricultural plots within urban boundaries. The end is clearly mentioned that achievement of urban sustainable development is a necessity strategy for tomorrow and that needs appropriated action plans to implement as soon as possible.