Study of immune system following use of different expression methods of energy and amino acids requirements in Arian broilers

Background: Despite the fact that immune responses are influenced by dietary nutrients, feed formulation is mainly based on the productive responses, so the immunity indexes were ignored

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the effects of diets formulation based on different expression systems of energy and amino acids of feeds and requirements on performance and immune responses of Arian chicks

Methods: A total of 1440 Arian chicks were fed eight diets arranged in a 2x2x2 factorial design with 2 systems of energy expression [AMEn and TMEn], 2 methods of amino acids content of feeds [TAA[f] and DAA[f] and 2 methods of amino acids requirement [TAA[r] and DAAr[r] from 1 to 42 days of age. Each treatment was replicated six times with each replicate consisting of 15 males and 15 females

Results: The results showed that when the Feed formulation was based on TMEn and DAA, the productive parameters increased compared with AMEn and TAA [p<0.05]

Conclusions: Selection for increase the growth rate in poultry, improve metabolic and physiological processes in order to use the feed. Therefore, lower proportions of nutrients will be allocated to other vital systems. However, the most suitable immune responses were observed in chicks that were fed diets which were set based on AMEn and received high level of amino acids. There is a negative correlation between immune responses and productive parameters. It is recommended that in normal conditions TMEn and DAA be used and in stress conditions AMEn and DAA[p]xTAA[r] be added to feed formulation

[Data requirement and appropriated structure for diabetes progress note]

Introduction: Currently, the world faces the serious problem of chronic diseases. These diseases need on going care more than treatment. For care to be recognized as a principle, it should be standard, recordable and evaluable. This requires specific data to beenteredin a system with the appropriate framework. This study aims to determine data requirements and appropriate structure for a template that documents diabetes. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study performed in 2013-2014. A checklist containing 18 groups of diabetes data elements was prepared through studying the inpatient and outpatient diabetes records, as well as related research studies. The check list was presented to and evaluated by a focus group consisting 8 experts. An score was calculated for each of the data elements according to the item influence index formula. Results: Using the item influence index formula, of a total of 99 data elements, 73 were approved and 26 were rejected. Data were classified based on the Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan [SOAP] method. Conclusion: As the approved data requirements were derived from a focus group containing endocrinologists, health information management and medical informatics experts, and classified based on the standards of SOAP, it is expected that the approved data and structure be an appropriate tool for diabetes data collection and acceptable to its users

[Comparison of antimicrobial effect of nanostructure poly [amidoamine] dendrimer generation 4 with conventional antibiotics against water resources indigenous bacteria]

Background and Aim: dendrimers have antibacterial properties and can be used against microbial infections as alternative antibacterial agents with minimal side effects. In this study we evaluated and compared nanostructure macromolecules called Poly [amidoamine] dendrimer generation 4 [PAMAM-G4] with conventional antibiotics in relation to resistance of isolated bacteria from water resources

Materials and methods: 523 samples were collected from 108 water resources and membrane filter method was used for bacterial species isolation. Resistance of isolated species to amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin antibiotics was determined by measuring zones of inhibition and then compared to the resistance of these species to PAMAM-G4 dendrimer as an antibacterial agent. Also we measured maximum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of dendrimer against isolated bacteria

Results: 7.4% of samples showed bacterial contamination. Frequency rates of isolated microbial species were as follows: Escherichia coli [28.2%], Proteus [12.8%], Klebsiella [17.9%], Enterobacter [15.3%], Pseudomonas [17.9%], Bacillus subtilis [5.1%] and Staphylococcus aureus [2.56%]. Gram-negative species revealed high resistance to PAMAM-G4 dendrimer based on the measurement of zones of inhibition. PAMAM-G4 dendrimer didn't have any effect on inhibition of the growth of Enterobacter and Pseudomonas. MIC's against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus were 1250, 500 and 1250 [micro]g/ml respectively. Gram-positive species showed a good response to PAMAM-G4 dendrimer, so that the MIC's for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were 1 and 2.5 [micro]g/ml, respectively

Conclusion: because of increased number of resistant species to conventional antibiotics, PAMAM-G4 can be considered as a potent antibacterial agent against gram-positive bacteria

Phytochemical and antioxidant activities of Berberis integerrima and Berberis vulgaris and pharmacological effects of the more active species on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background: Medicinal plants with biologically active components such as antioxidant and antidiabetic are useful sources of novel therapeutics. In Iran, traditionally believed that the aqueous extract of berberry fruit [Berberis integerima F.] improved health, especially in people with diabetes

Objective: In this study, in vitro phytochemical and antioxidant activities of B. integerrima and B. vulgaris fruit aqueous extracts [BIFA and BVFA] were compared. Effects of more active species on fasting blood sugar [FBS], serum lipid, and malondialdehyde [MDA] were evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Methods: The phytochemical potential and antioxidant activity of these extracts were quantified in terms of total phenolic content and total reducing power, respectively. BIFA [500 mg/kg] and glibenclamide [2 mg/kg] were administered orally to alloxan-induced diabetic rats and FBS, body weight, lipid profile, and serum MDA were monitored at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after induction of diabetes

Results: BIFA showed the highest phenolic content [6.816 +/- 0.132 mg/g of dry extract] and antioxidant activity [0.134 +/- 0.022 EC[50] mg/mL]. LD[50] of BIFA was found to be >2500 mg/kg. FBS, lipid profile, and serum MDA have been significantly reduced in BIFA-treated rats after 21 days versus diabetic control and glibenclamide-treated rats. Extract has significantly decreased FBS levels of rats from 138.1 +/- 1.68 to 82.00 +/- 4.02 mg/dL. Furthermore, body weight has significantly improved in treated groups

Conclusion: The results indicate B. integerrima with high phytochemical and antioxidant activities, has the potential of suppressed hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and lipid peroxidation

Angiogenic mediators plasma response to aerobic exercise with crataegus elbursensis extract in male's rat

Background: Angiogenic factors are set of growth factors that directly and indirectly enhances vessels in the tissue

On the other hand, seem to medicinal extract some herbs can interact with growth factor pathways

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of six weeks of progressive aerobic training and aqueous extract of Crataegus monogyna on VEGF variations and plasma angiopoetin-1/2 in male Wistar rats

Methods: 32 male Wistar rats, 4-6 months old, were randomly divided into four groups: control Crataegus monogyna, training Crataegus monogyna, control saline and training saline

A milli liter aqueous extract of Crataegus monogyna 100 g per body weight orally immediately after training, five days in a week for six weeks from the end of the second week was given to mice

Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at the significant level P<0.05

Results: the results showed that progressive endurance training reduced VEGF of plasma in the training group, Crataegus monogyna group and training-Crataegus monogyna group comparing the control group. Plasma ANG-1 concentration reduced in the training, Crataegus monogyna and training-Crataegus monogyna groups while plasma ANG-2 concentration significantly increased in the Crataegus monogyna group [P=0.022] comparing with the control group

The ratio of plasma ANG-2 to ANG-1 significantly increased in the Crataegus monogyna group [P=0.028] comparing with the control group

Conclusion: The findings suggest that combination of aerobic training and Crataegus monogyna extract has no synergistic effect on anti-angiogenesis indicators

Comparison between the effects of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training on paraoxonase-1, arylesterase activity andlipid profile in obese girls

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to make a comparison between the effects of eight weeks aerobic and resistance training on paraoxonase-1, arylesterase activity and lip id profile in obese girls

Material and method: 30 obese women with mean values for age 30+/-5years, height 1.60+/-2m and weight 85.23+/-6.7kg, and body mass index of 31-33kg/m[2] were divided randomly into three aerobic exercise [n=10], resistance training [n=10] and control [n=10] groups. Experimental groups performed aerobic exercise on treadmill between 60 to 75% of heart rate reserve and resistance training between 55 to 75% 1RM for 8 weeks

Blood samples were taken from the subjects 48 hours before and 48 hours after training and also after 12 hours of fasting. Data were analyzed by use of ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. P<0.05was considered significant

Results: The results showed that aerobic exercise had a significant effect on serum concentrations of paraoxonase-1 [PM3.001] and arylesterase [P=0.006] in obese girls

However, there was no significant difference between the effects of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training on the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL in obese girls [P<0.05]

Also, the results showed that plasma HDL levels significantly increased after eight weeks of aerobic training in obese girls [P=0.007]

The effects of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training on plasma VLDL level, were significantly different from those of the control group [P=0.001]

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that aerobic exercise can increase paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase plasma levels and also modify lip id profile which can result in reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases in obese people

Messaging standard requirements for electronic health records in Islamic Republic of Iran: a Delphi study

The present descriptive-comparative study was conducted to give an overview of the messaging standards that are necessary for interoperable electronic health records [EHRs]. We designed a preliminary model after data collection and compared the messaging standards of Health Level Seven [HL7] and the International Organization for Standardization [ISO]. The data were assessed with the Delphi technique. A comprehensive model for the messaging standards of EHRs in the Islamic Republic of Iran was presented in three pivots: structural characteristics [standard for all EHRs, XML-based and object-oriented messages, and dual model]; model specifications [reference model, archetypes and classes of reference model], and general features [distinct ontology, mapping with other standards, and using reference archetypes for exchanging documents]. In conclusion, we gave an overview of messaging standards for the interoperability of EHRs and experts selected ISO13606 as a suitable standard for the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping by MIRU-VNTR method

st and ardized genotyping systems in molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in the world. This sudy was done to determine the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping by MIRU-VNTR method. Methods: This descriptive study was done on sputum, gastric lavage clinical specimens of 53 tuberculosis suspected patients. Fifty-three isolates were identified by 16S rRNAandRv-typing followed by RD typing. They were then subjected to a 12-locus [ETRA, ETRB, ETRC, ETRD, ETRE and ETRF, MIRU-10, MIRU-26, MIRU-39, MIRU-30 plus QUB-11b] MIRU-VNTR typing system. Results: In MIRU-VNTR typing, forty-four types were identified with 13 isolates classified in 4 clustered and the remaining 40 isolates representing 40 orphan patterns. In comparative analysis of MIRU-VNTR loci, MIRU-26 with 7 alleles displayed the highest diversity level [Simpson's diversity index = 0.767. Out of the 53 isolates, only one was identified as Mycobacterium bovis. All the remaining isolates were characterized as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. None of the samples was affected to Mycobacterium complex strain. No evidence of either double or co-infection of the patients with more than one species/strain was detected. Conclusion: While the genomic diversity observed by MIRU-VNTR typing sounds extensive, the population genomic structure on the whole however, seems to be homogenous. Recent transmission between studied patients does not appear to be a frequent event as only 13 isolates representing 4 MIRU-VNTR types, were assumingly epidemic

[Effect of concurrent training on paraoxonase activity levels and some of the lipid plasma markers in the blood of women without exercise activity]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of concurrent training on serum paraoxonase-1 [PON1] activity and lipoprotein profile in the blood of obese women. Twenty-four non-active exercise healthy women volunteered to participate in this research. They were randomly assigned into two groups: concurrent exercise group [n=12] and control group [n=12]. Duration of training was 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week and each session lasted for 55-70 minutes. Concurrent exercise group carried out exercises at 60-80 percent of maximal reserve heart rate. Dependent variables were measured in the two phases of the study, including pre-test and post-test. Findings of the present study show significant increase in PON1 activity [P=0.01], however, lipid indexes of this research including LDL [P=0.414], HDL [P=0.22], VLDL [0.159], CH [P=0.1566] were not significantly changed. On the other hand, blood TG concentration was significantly reduced [P=0.001]. In addition, in obese women without exercise activity, level of paraoxonase1 has a significant relationship with HDL [P=0.02], but no relation was observed with the other lipid indexes of this research [P<0.05]. The result of this study showed that after four weeks of concurrent training, increased enzyme paraoxonase 1 and decreased TG concentration were observed. But it seems the PON1 enzyme in inactive obese women has a significant relationship with HDL lipid parameters and other factors were not related to research. Thus, this protocol can be employed in inactive exercise obese men with inhibits the oxidation of LDL and limiting the HDL in circulation of blood with the goal of effectively prevent cardiovascular disease. Finally, in active people, exercise can increase PON1 induced enhanced in the total antioxidant system of the body

Identification of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, using molecular methods

A high level of homogeneity observed within all bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex makes a property that seriously challenges traditional biochemical-based identification methods of these pathogens in the laboratory. The work presented here was conducted to characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates in Golestan, Northern Iran. Between 2008 and 2010, 42 mycobacterial isolates were collected from clinical tuberculosis-suspected patients in Golestan province. The isolates were sub-cultured on fresh Mycobacterium-specific culture media including glycerinated and pyruvated Lowenstein-Jensen slopes. The isolates were subsequently subjected to a PCR-based identification scheme coined Huard-Warren method. This strategy consisted of three individual algorithms namely, 16SrRNA; RV typing [Rv0577, Rv3877.8, Rvl970, Rv3120, Rvl510 and IS 1561] and RD typing [RD1, RD 4, RD9 and RD12]. All isolates were proved to be M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, none of the patients were being infected with any other member of the M. tuberculosis complex or simultaneously co-infected with two mycobacteria. This fundamental observation was independently obtained by specific culture media, RV typing and also RD typing. Considering the fact that cattle and sheep farming play an important role in the economy of the region, absence of Mycobacterium bovis in the studied isolates can be unexpected to some extent. Huard-Warren which is a simple and cost-effective identification method can be used in both reference and regional laboratory for differential diagnosis of tuberculosis

[Effect of four weeks of endurance training on serum level of paraoxonase-1 and lipid profile in non-athlete obese men]

Paraoxonase-1 is an important factor in preventing lipid oxidation and formation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. There are conflicting reports on the impact of physical activity on serum level of Paraoxonase-1. This study was done to determine the effect of four weeks of endurance training on serum level of Paraoxonase-1 and lipid profile in non-athlete obese men. In this clinical trial study, sixteen obese healthy non-athletic men randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Subjects in interventional group were practiced endurance running periodic for four weeks, three sessions a week with 65-80% of maximum heart rate. Blood samples collected 48 hours perior the first and 48 hours following the final training. Serum level of Paraoxonase-1 and lipid profile including cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were measured by ELISA method. At the end of the training, the serum level of of paraoxonase -1 increased 15.57% [P<0.05] in interventional group and non-significantly reduced in control group [19.25%]. The serum level of serum Paraoxonase-1 in interventional group significantly increased compared to controls [P<0.05]. The serum level of low-density lipoprotein in interventional group significantly reduced in comparision with controls [P<0.05]. 4 weeks of endurance training increased serum level of paraoxonase -1 and decreased low-density lipoprotein in non-athlete obese men

[Antimicrobial effect of Ruta graveolens extract on pathogenic bacteria]

Ruta graveolens is a plant used in traditional medicine with variety of therapeutic effects. This study was done to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of hydro and alcoholic extracts of Ruta graveolens on 8 species of pathogenic bacteria. In this descriptive study, standard strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphilococcus aureus, Staphilococcus epidermis, Strptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter Cloace were obtained from Iranian institute of scientific and industerial research center. The effect of hydro and hydroalcholic extracts of Ruta graveolens on the growth of bacteria was determined by disc diffusion and serial macro dilution methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] for each extract was determined and the findings were compared with 8 common antibiotics including Co-trimoxazole, Oxycycline, Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Furazolidon, Tetracycline, amoxicillin / clavulanic acid and Ampicillin/sulbactam. Hydro and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ruta graveolens did not show any inhibitory effect on growth of the pathogenic bacteria even in the presence of high concentration [3mg/ml]. The extracts of arial organs of Ruta graveolens had no inhibitory effect on growth of the common human pathogenic bacteria

[Comparison of bibliographic databases in retrieving information on telemedicine]

Some of the main questions which can be of importance for those researchers who intend to perform a systematic review in a field of science are: 'What databases should I use for my review?'; 'Do all these databases have the same value?'; and 'Which sources retrieved the highest of relevant references?'. The main aim of this work was the identification of the best database for retrieving information on telemedicine by comparing the percentage of relevant references among the total literature available that can be retrieved from each database. Databases [Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science] were searched on the topic of telemedicine and education, telemedicine and cost benefit, and also telemedicine and patient satisfaction. Results of analysis and accuracy coefficient, sensitivity, uniqueness, and the overlap of databases were calculated. The number of studies retrieved from each database varied for each topic. PubMed with 50.7% in accuracy and 61.4% in sensitivity was the most effective database for retrieving information on the abovementioned topics. Databases with the highest proportion of unique records in retrieved relevant references varied between the 38% for PubMed to 3% for CINAHL. The largest overlap in the four databases was between PubMed and the Web of Science [18.6%]. Few papers [0.7%] were indexed by all four databases. Our analysis suggests that information scientists, librarians, and researchers who want to access the best references on telemedicine should start by searching PubMed. Searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, respectively, will provide about 90% of the relevant available literature

[Evaluation of hospital information systems from the users' viewpoints in Tehran]

Hospital information systems [HIS] are considered prerequisites for the efficient delivery of high quality health care in hospitals. A dialogue is suitable, if it supports the users to realize their tasks effectively and efficiently. Only those parts of the software are presented, which are necessary to fulfill the task. This is a descriptive cross- sectional study. The hospitals which have hospital information systems in Tehran were selected. Then, between these hospitals, depends on companies providing these systems, one hospital was randomly selected. Finally, it was surveyed hospital information systems usability form viewpoint of department secretaries, the nurses and para units users through the standard questionnaire of IsoMetric 9241/10. Data analysis was performed using descriptive tests by SPSS statistical Software. Findings showed that the means of suitability for the task was 3.04 from 5, with respect to users view. Suitability for the task was rated low especially by Para clinic users [2.96] while secretaries [3.03] and nursing staff [3.13] gave the better ratings, but being far from good. It seems that developers of HIS should pay more attention to the following criteria in the software development life cycle: The software should not force user to perform tasks that are not related to his actual work. I am able to adjust the presentation of results to my various work requirements. The important commands required to perform my work are easy to find

[Improving patient flow management process in emergency department using simulation and PROMETHEE method]

Introduction: This article proposes a method which could improve the performance of an Emergency Department [ED] in a large hospital in Tehran, where the long waiting times cause patients' and ED staff 's dissatisfaction. ED is considered as a bottleneck in hospitals. To reduce long waiting time and improve patient satisfaction, application of system improvement methods is required

Methods: Using discrete- event simulation, it first models patient flow and identifies bottlenecks. In simulation model, patient arrival is assumed to be non-homogenous and operations of medical tests are detailed and consequently patient queues and virtual specimen queues can be considered separately. The analytic hierarchy process [AHP] was used to specify weights for each criterion and PROMETHEE to rank scenarios

Results: Based on simulation results and important criteria, what-if scenarios were designed to evaluate system reactions. Using this method, 10 scenarios were designed. Implementing the best scenario would reduce waiting time by approximately 6%

Conclusion: Considering ED overcrowding, simulation is used to reflect current situation. Based on the simulation reports, what-if scenarios were used to design scenarios which could improve ED performance. Multi criteria decision making method was used to find the best scenario based on criteria like waiting time, utilization, leave with own responsibility [LWOR] and cost

[ survey on the effect of formulating and implementating medical records policies and procedures on the score of policies of accreditation standards for medical records: 2013]

Introduction: One of the important requirements of an accreditation center is the provision of documents and policies in different departments of an organization including medical records departments. The present study was aimed at investigating the impact of formulating and implementing the policies and procedures of medical records on the scores of accreditation policies of medical record departments in the hospitals affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2013

Methods: The present study was performed on the basis of an interventional method in 2013. All hospitals in Shahrekord province were included. Following the intervention of the formulation and implementation of policy on accreditation of medical records, re-rating policy on accreditation of medical records was measured. The instrument for data collection was a standard checklist and the data were analyzed by SPSS18 using statistical parameters of descriptive and analytical statistics

Results: According to the results of the study, the score for policies of medical records showed a significant difference before and after the intervention indication an increase in scores of policies of medical records accreditation after the intervention [p<0/01]

Conclusion: Given the fact that the performance of medical record departments in the policies regarding audit checklist of all parts of the medical records such as discharging, monitoring and completing medical records within 14 days after discharge, ending the incomplete medical records and making conformity between outpatient and inpatient records after the intervention was very poor and poor, the authorities of medical record departments of hospitals should attempt to develop and practice policies which could be put into practice

[Comparison of perfectionism, aggression and coping styles in patients with migraine and tension-type headaches and healthy individuals]

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to the compare perfectionism, aggression and coping styles in patients with migraine and tension-type headache and healthy individuals

Methods: In this casual-comparative method study, the studied sample consisted of 42 patients with tension-type headache diagnosis, 40 patients with migraine headache selected among those referred to medical centers and mental hospitals in Ardabil, Iran, and 41 healthy individuals matched with the other two groups according to gender and educational level. The Perfectionism scale, Aggression scale, and Stress Coping Styles scale were used. In addition, the intensity and frequency indexes were collected. Data were analyzed using multivariable analysis of variance [MANOVA]

Results: There were significant differences in perfectionism, aggression, and cognitive-avoidance coping style mean scores between both the patients with migraine and tension-type headaches with healthy individuals. No significant differences were observed between three groups in behavioral coping style scores

Conclusion: Maladaptive perfectionism, aggression and dysfunctional coping styles are associated with the severity of migraine and tension-type headaches. These results have important implications in explaining the role of personality variables in headaches

Effect of neoprene dynamic orthosis on improvement of walking ability among children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Improving the ability to walk is often a key target for the treatment of abnormal gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy [CP]. One of the goals of orthotic rehabilitation is to improve walking in this field. The aims of this study was to design and manufacture the dynamic neoprene orthoses and evaluate its impact on the gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. This quasi-experimental study was done on 12 children with spastic CP at University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in Tehran, Iran during 2010-11. Initially neoprene dynamic orthosis is designed specifithy for each subject, this neoprene dynamic orthosis was used for six weeks and 6-8 hrs daily. For evaluating the walking speed and the gait variation, 10 meter walking test and visual analogue scale have been used. Modified Ashworth's Scale and electro-goniometre were used to assess muscle spasticity and the flexion degrees of knee joint. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Paired t-tests. The alteration of knee flexion angle, walking speed and walking distance following dynamic orthosis were -18.31 +/- 4.61 [degree], 0.50 +/- 1.82 [meter] and 4.18 +/- 1.51, respectively. The improvement in knee joint angle and walking following dynamic orthosis was significant [P<0.05], but the walking speed was not significant. This study showed that neoprene dynamic orthosis can improve knee flexion angle and walking distance among children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

[Evaluation of pharmaceutical warehouse information systems in teaching hospitals in Tehran]

Introduction: Pharmaceutical Warehouse Information Systems is the software that provides drug preparation and maintenance operations from the order stage to delivery stage. To evaluate this system, different aspects of the system should be taken into consideration. In this study, the features and functionality of the system from the managers' and users' perspectives were examined

Methods: This applied study was descriptive - comparative in nature. Nine teaching hospitals in Tehran were selected by random sampling. Data collection was carried out by a questionnaire and a check list. The validity of the instruments of the study was determined by five experts of the system, and the reliability was measured by test-retest technique

Results: The results showed that the managers and users agreed with significant features of Pharmaceutical Warehouse Information Systems. The technical features of the system were observed by evaluation showing that Razi hospital and the Cancer Institute used more powerful operating system and databases. In regards to system capabilities, the software used in Bouali and Amiraalam showed maximum capabilities [scored 84], while Najmieh appeared to have minimum capabilities [scored 70]

Conclusion: Results indicated that users were not interested in using new technologies in these systems. The technical specifications of the systems appeared to be relatively desirable and all the systems had public reporting and analysis capabilities; however, some of these systems failed to meet management by exception capabilities, supervision and maintenance issues

Clinicopathological study in an ovine model of experimental acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicopathological measurement in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction [MI] in sheep, acute MI was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery [LAD]. For this purpose, twenty four healthy sheep were divided into the sham-operated or control group [group I, thoracotomy without MI] and the experimental group [group II, with MI] [n=12 in each], then all animals were subjected to the echocardiographic and clinicopathological analysis 2 days post-MI. Echocardiography revealed significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter [LVEDD], LV end-systolic diameter [LVESD], LV ejection fraction [LVEF] and LV fractional shortening [LVFS] between groups [P<0.05]. In biochemical analysis, the mean values of troponin [Trop], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] increased in the MI group compared with the control group [P<0.05]. In conclusion, alterations in echocardiographic and early clinopathological mean values were observed in an ovine model of the experimental acute MI, which could aid researchers in interpreting their results when using this model for MI studies