comparison of Friedwald formula and direct measurement to determine the serum levels of LDL-C

The risk of coronary heart disease [CHD] is proportional to the LDL-C lipoprotein. Due to frequent use of Friedwald formula in estimation of LDL-C in most laboratories, this study was done to compare the Friedwald formula and direct measurement to determine the serum levels of LDL-C. This descriptive study was conducted on of 598 patients 226 male and 372 female whome referred to Imam Ali hospital Andimeshk cityin Khozestan province of Iran for health check up during 2009. 5 ml of the venous blood was drown. Total cholesterol [TC] [mg/dl], Triglyceride [TG] [mg/dl], HDL-C [mg/dl] and LDL-C [mg/dl] of serum are measured with Pars azmun company kits. The Friedwald formula was used for estimation of LDL-C. The K=3, 3.5 and 5 were used to stimate the lipid by Friedwald formula. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA tests. A total of 598 serum samples collected; 37.8% were men and 62.2% women. The mean age of participants was 38.8 +/- 10.77 years. Minimum age 21 years and maximum age was 77 years. Mean deviation for TG

Necessity of accreditation standards for quality assurance of medical basic sciences

The present article reviews the significance of accreditation standards while emphasizing the necessity of implementation of such standards by basic medical science council, with an eye on such international standards as those published by WFME. This review article had to decide on the key words and expressions, data bases, to review relevant literature, review higher and medical education journals at GOOGLE, ELSEVIER, PUBMED, and such web sites as those of WFME and WMA's. Accreditation is a powerful leverage for institutional change and improvement and must be actively supported by academic and national health authorities worldwide. Considering the mission of the Basic Medical Science, Health and Post grad. Education, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran as accountable medical education, all specialists of the spectrum of disciplines agreed on the necessity of formulating the medical education standards for all disciplines of their interest. It is important that all efforts be joined in the endeavor to create effective and reliable instruments for quality assurance of Basic Medical Sciences Education

Comparative study on the effectiveness of coumavec and zinc phosphide in controlling zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in a hyperendemic focus in central Iran

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an increasing health problems in many rural areas of Iran. The aim of this study was to introduce a new alternative rodenticide to control the reservoirs of ZCL, its effect on the vector density and the incidence of the disease in hyperendemic focus of Esfahan County, central Iran. The study was carried out from January 2011 to January 2012. In intervention areas, rodent control operation was conducted using zinc phosphide or Coumavec. Active case findings were done by house-to-house visits once every season during 2011-2012. To evaluate the effect of rodent control operation on the vector density, sand flies were collected twice a month using sticky traps. The reduction rate of rodent holes in intervention areas with Coumavec and zinc phosphide were 48.46% and 58.15% respectively, whereas in control area results showed 6.66 folds intensification. The Incidence of ZCL significantly reduced in the treated areas. Totally, 3200 adult sand flies were collected and identified in the intervention and control areas. In the treated area with zinc phosphide, the density of Phlebotomus papatasi was higher in outdoors in contrast with the treated area by Coumavec which the density of the sand fly was higher in indoors. Both rodenticides were effective on the incidence of ZCL and the population of the reservoirs as well. Coumavec seems to be effective on the outdoor density of the vector. This combination of rodenticide-insecticide could be a suitable alternative for zinc phosphide while bait shyness or behavioral resistance is occurred

Evaluation of anthropogenic impacts on soil and regolith materials based on BCR sequential extraction analysis

This study was conducted in Assaluyeh region, southwest of Iran to show utilization and efficiency of sequential extraction analysis in environmental impact studies using soil and related regolith materials as sample media. In order to investigate distribution of heavy metals, optimized BCR [Community Bureau of Reference] sequential extraction analysis method was used. In this case eight representative samples which state all types of different regolith materials in the area were investigated. Total concentration and chemical partitioning of a number of elements [Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe] were studied to cover all spectral from typical anthropogenic elements, lead and copper, elements of assumed mixed origin, chromium and zinc, to mostly lithogenic elements, iron and manganese. Results stated that the concentrations of each chemical phase extracted from samples are below the total concentration of each element.The results could be used to establish best media indicators for environmental studies with dependence on type of elements determined in regolith material. Using sequential extraction analysis, the association of particular elements with geochemical phases in soils and related materials was investigated as well as the importance of particular phases in the scavenging of heavy metals. Results showed that the organic and sulphide phase was less important in scavenging mechanism -in spite of industrial and petrochemical activities in the study area- than exchangeable and carbonate fraction, which showed to be most important phase with respect to metal scavenging capacity

[Effect of vertical prism induced stress on binocular visual evoked potential]

To evaluate the effect of vertical prism induced stress on binocular visual evoked potentials. Using checkerboard stimulus patterns in two spatial frequencies [SFs] of 0.48 cpd as a low SF and 2.18 cpd as a moderate SF reversing with temporal frequency of 4 Hz, the effect of increasing visual stress using vertical prisms of 0, 1, 2 and 3 prism diopters on binocular visual evoked potentials was investigated. The project was performed on 23 participants [11 male and 12 female] with normal binocular visual function, i.e., vertical prism vergences and stereo acuities were within normal limits. The amplitude and latency of N75, P100 and N135 components were measured during different vertical prism induced stresses in all cases. To compare mean amplitude and latency with different vertical prism induced stresses, the repeated measure ANOVA statistical method was used. The amplitude of N75, P100 and N135 components showed reduction as a function of vertical prism induced stress at both low and moderate SFs [P<0.001]. This reducing trend was more severe with increasing intensity of prism stress, while the latency of these components showed an increase as a function of vertical prism induced stress at both low and moderate SFs [P<0.001]. Based on clinical findings, ocular symptoms are caused by the vertical prism induced stress; in visual evoked potential as a paraclinical test, amplitude and latency of all components of the VEP wave, are affected by this stress

effect of antioxidant supplementation in semen extenders on semen quality and lipid peroxidation of chilled bull spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT] on microscopic semen parameters and lipid peroxidation following the freeze-thawing of bull semen. Ejaculates were collected from five Holstein bulls and pooled at 37°C. The semen samples were diluted with a CEY extender containing additives including 100 U and 200 U SOD/ml, 50 U or 100 U GPx/ml and an extender containing no antioxidants [control] and stored in liquid nitrogen. The pooled ejaculates were then diluted with CEY or a Tris [hydroxymethyl] aminomethane [TRIS]-based extender [TEY] alone or with added 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mM BHT, and the routine semen evaluation was conducted. The lowest production of malondialdehyde [MDA] was obtained by addition of 100 U SOD/ml, 0.5 and 1 mM BHT to CEY extender compared with the other groups. Sperm viability and motility was significantly higher when 0.5, 1 mM BHT and 100 U SOD/ml were added in CEY extender. The highest sperm viability was achieved by addition of 50 U GPx/ml to CEY extender. In addition, sperm motility was significantly higher in samples extended in Tris-egg yolk [TEY] with 0.5 mM BHT compared with the control group. The results suggest that CEY extender can be improved with the addition of SOD and BHT?

Assessment of ecological integrity in a landscape context using the miankale peninsula of northern Iran

Identification of rapid degradation of ecological resources requires effective environmental monitoring including ecological integrity assessment .Our first aim is to analyze ecological integrity in a landscape context while developing a method to assess integrity in spite of a dearth of historical data. We used a Spatial-Temporal Reference Framework for land cover maps for assessing ecological integrity change, emphasizing changes in patch types and configuration. Land cover is used as a surrogate for habitat. Habitat condition is the main point of this research in assessing ecological integrity. Our second aim is to recognize, through a case study of the above, the ecological integrity of the Miankale peninsula of Miankale Biosphere Reserve on Iran's Caspian Sea coast in the east latitude of 53, 24,50 and north altitude of 36,56,45. Land cover data were obtained from Landsat TM5 of 1985 and compared with current condition images from LandsatTM5 of 2010. Landscape metrics show that Minakale's natural semi-dense shrub lands are fragmented; with the number of patches increasing and average patch area decreasing. This implies a fall in habitat available to its dependent bird species. In conclusion, considering birds' habitat and its aggregation as a measure of integrity, landscape metrics show ecological integrity of Miankale has decreased and signals of habitat loss have appeared in study area. More detailed analysis in ecosystem scale is suggested as the complementary research to find the best indicator for assessing the integrity of the ecosystem

[Indirect inguinal hernia without torsion of greater omentum [a case report]]

Inguinal hernias account for 75-85% of abdominal wall hernias. Inguinal hernias are often classified as direct and indirect. The sac of hernia can include intestines, bladder, colons, ovary and appendices. The torsion of greater omentum with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia is a rare condition. In the present study a different rare case of inguinal hernia is reported. An abnormal swelling was seen on the right scrotal sac of a 50-year old man's cadaver in dissection room of Rafsanjan Medical School. Before dissection of cadaver, and with regard to the age of the case, the cause of swelling was diagnosed as direct inguinal hernia. Dissection of cadaver showed that the greater omentum is normal and without torsion, but a part of it was placed on the right inguinal canal. This part of omentum had entered the deep ring first and then had gone into canal and finally reached scrotal sac causing mentioned swelling and atrophy of testis. After the dissection of other body parts, some variations were seen. This type of inguinal hernia formed by greater omentum is a rare variation because firstly the involved testis was atrophied. Secondly; there was no torsion in the greater omentum and lastly, with regard to atrophied testis, the hernia was from the embryonic period and had remained from the vaginal process. Diagnosis of this type of hernia is difficult for the surgeons especially when there are no clinical signs and pain involved

[ efficacy and complications of metformin produced by Iranian Co in comparison with Canadian Co]

Different pharmaceutical types of metformin are available for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is some doubt about the efficacy of metformin produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. As a clinical trial, we compared the efficacy and complications of metformin produced by an Iranian company with metformin from a Canadian company in diabetic patients. Eighteen eligible women [age range: 32-62 years] with type 2 diabetes received metformin [500 mg twice a day] either from Iranian company or from Canadian company each for 6 weeks period in a randomized, double blind, crossover study. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], HbA1C, lipid profile [Chol, TG, HDL, and LDL], weight, and BMI were assessed before and after each treatment phase. The results were compared with each other by paired sample T-test and Independent sample T-test. Each of the two pharmaceutical types of metformin had the same therapeutic effects on FBS, HbA1C, lipid profile [except for HDL] and BMI. In addition, there was no significant difference between them in side effects [22.2% in each group]. According to the beneficial therapeutic effects of Iranian metformin, lower side effects and low cost, in comparison to its Canadian type, it seems that using Iranian metformin would be a suitable choice for control of glycemic patients. However, in this regard, further studies with greater samples are recommended

[ relationship between allergic rhinitis and chronic otitis media]

Allergic inflammation in upper airways can act as a predisposing factor for infectious ear diseases. There are some evidences about the role of allergic rhinitis [AR] in chronic otitis media with effusion, but its role in establishing Chronic Supportive Otitis Media [CSOM] has not been clearly shown. To assess the relationship between allergic rhinitis and CSOM in patients referring to Amiralmomenin hospital, Rasht, Iran. 61 adult patients with established CSOM were considered as case group and 58 patients with minor head and neck trauma as control group, they were evaluated for the presence of allergic rhinitis. All case and control group were over 15 years old and underwent skin prick test for 23 common regional aeroallergens. Allergic rhinitis was defined with positive symptoms and signs of AR and positive skin prick test. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 15[26.20%] and 8 [13.80%] of patients and controls, respectively [P=0.065].By logistic regression equation after corroding the age factor and the difference between two groups became significant [x2=0.026, OR=3.27, CI=1.15 - 6.57]. Indoor allergens, especially mites and molds, were the most prevalent allergens among both groups, but Outdoor allergens like grass pollen have a low prevalence. The prevalence of AR in the CSOM patients is more than the controls

[Survey of noise exposure and permanent hearing loss among Shadris spinning factory workers of Yazd using Task Base Method [TBM]]

During last decades one the hazardous agents on workers health has been workplace noise. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of noise exposure in different jobs and noise induced permanent threshold shift in relation to noise level and work experience. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that performed among total workers. Dosimetry was done for determination of accurate noise exposure level during an eight-hour s shift for each job group. Audiometry was performed in a standard acoustic room by the audiologist. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software. Mean of age was 36.58 +/- 6.76 [19-52 years] and minimum, maximum and mean of work experience were 1, 18, 11.08 +/- 5.47 respectively. Mean of hearing loss was 15.38 +/- 8.63 in right ear and 16.31 +/- 9.51 in left ear and total hearing loss was 14.72 +/- 8.33. A significant relationship was also identified between noise intensity and work experience with hearing loss. Findings of this study indicated that there is a high prevalence of noise pollution in different parts of workplace. Considering the obtained results, that shows positive effect of noise and work experience on hearing loss, the necessity of improvement of control and protection measures is of prime importance

Evaluation of hospital waste management process in Karaj's Hospitals

In this paper different a,lternatives for hospital waste disposal in Karaj are compared with respect to practicability. The objective of this study is to conduct a survey of present practices [e.g. available procedures, techniques, and methods of handling and disposing of hospital waste], and determine the generation rate of hospital wastes. The study was performed in city of Karaj. Karaj is one of the largest cities in the country. There are 11 hospitals in Karaj [8 governmental hospitals and 3 private hospitals] with a total of 1443 active beds. All the hospitals selected for surveying. Several methods were used to collect data. Survey questionnaires were distributed by the author in each hospital. These questionnaires were based on Likert style. The questionnaires contained information regarding the generation of waste and the core aspects of segregation, collection, internal and external storage, transport, treatment, and ultimate disposal. On-site inspections and interviews were conducted by the author after being authorized by hospital management. To support and supplement information collected in the survey, interviews were conducted with the managers responsible for environmental healthcare in each hospital, as well as with all levels of employees who work in collection, handling and disposal of waste within the hospital. SPSS Software program was used to analyze the collected data. One of the first and most important steps in the development of risk or cost analyses in the field of medical waste management involves understanding the generation rates and quantity of the waste that needs to be managed and treated. Waste is produced from the various activities performed in the hospitals. Domestic waste is generated from food preparation, administrative departments, housekeeping and so on. These wastes have the same composition as municipal solid waste and should be segregated correctly and dealt with by the municipal waste disposal system. Infectious waste is a byproduct of diagnostic and experimental activities and therapeutic methods such as surgery, dialysis, biopsies, injections and chemotherapy. The results of the survey indicate that in these hospitals 4505 kg solid waste is produced each day that 46.67% of them were Domestic like waste, 52% was infectious waste and 1.37% was sharp cutting materials. The mean of daily waste generation was 3.12 Kg per active bed. The Domestic like and infectious wastes were not segregated properly

[Child safety in parks' playgrounds [a case study in Tehran's sub-district parks]]

Safety is a complex concept and multidisciplinary science which is included some difference areas from industrial sectors to urban public arenas. Parks and playgrounds as important public places should be considered in terms of health and safety, especially for kids as prominent social vulnerable citizens. According to CPSC, 147 deaths have been reported for under 15 year old child during Jan 1990 to Aug 2000. Every 2.5 minute, kid suffers playground related accident. The main objective in this study is safety assessment of playgrounds among the selected parks. In this case study, deductive approach and cross-sectional survey was followed, and some parks and playgrounds were selected among five urban counties in Tehran. Our volunteered samples were 160 parents. Playgrounds and related equipment were assessed in terms of safety, as well. Our findings show that more than 68% of playground equipment might create hazardous condition for kids. Lack of sustain maintenance for both of equipment and playground surface make some risky area for the mentioned group. Statistical analysis by SPSS Win 1 3 showed that more than 78% of parents are worry about their child in terms of playground safety problems. Safety assessment of swings and slides showed that there are safety based problems in 89% of cases. Due to statistical reports of Tehran Emergency center, 10-12 and 8-10 year old kids suffer play based accident more than others. Reported traumas showed that face and skull and then feet suffered mechanical injury more than other limbs. Surely, safety and health considerations are known as Municipality responsibilities, so for safety improvement in parks an integration safety system should be happened. HSE_MS seems a reliable approach for the mention goal. For improvement of exist parks and playground some related standard should be follows such as CPSC standards, EN I 176, and EN 1177. Also anthropometric data development for child should be considered

Reduction of environmental pollution through optimization of energy use in cement industries

Industrial development has lead to higher energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases, as well as air pollutants. Cement factories play an important role in over all greenhouse emissions. This study aims to investigate the role of Iranian cement industries and their contribution of greenhouse gases contribution. The measured emission factors for oil and fuel gas shows that carbon dioxide contribution from fuel oil based cement industries is almost 2.7 times higher than gas based cement factories. The strength, weakness, opportunity and threat technique analysis showed that the best strategy to combat greenhouse gases from Iranian cement factory is to implement energy efficiency measures. Further, strategic position and action evaluation matrix analysis indicates that Iranian cement industries fall within invasive category. Therefore, exploitation of opportunities must carefully be used. One of these opportunities is the utilization of financial assistance provided by clean development mechanism. The results show that replacement of ball mills with vertical roller mill can reduce the electricity consumption from 44.6 to 28 kWh/ton. As a result of such substitution about 720 million kWh/y of electricity would be saved [almost a power plant of 125 MW capacities]. Though implementation of new mills may not be economic for the cement industries' owner, but the overall gain for the government of Iran will be about US$ 304 million. If the duration of such efficiency measure is considered as about 12 y, then the overall CO2 reduction/phase-out would be around 4.3 million tons

Molecular epizootiology of rodent leishmaniasis in a hyperendemic area of Iran

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an expanding disease and public health problem in Iran. In the current study, natural Leishmania infection rate and seasonal fluctuation of the infection in Rhombomys opimus population of a hyperendemic focus of ZCL in Iran was investigated. The study was conducted from October 2006 to October 2008 in Esfahan Province, central part of Iran. An extensive sampling of rodents using Sherman traps was done in different seasons. Nested PCR assay was used for detection and identification of Leishmania species and the results were confirmed using PCR-RFLP. Leishmania infection rate was 58.6% [34 of 58] using nested PCR. 44.8% of the gerbils were infected only with L. turanica and 1.7% with L. gerbilli alone. A mixed natural infection with L. major and L. turanica was seen in 12.1% of the rodents. L. major infection alone was not seen in R. opimus population in the study area. The highest and lowest Leishmania infection rates were observed in fall and spring respectively. L. turanica infection was observed throughout the year whereas mixed infections with L. major and L. turanica was not seen in spring. It is concluded that in the study area, L. major, L. gerbilli and L. turanica circulate in the population of R. opimus. Leishmania major infection usually accompanied by L. turanica in naturally infected gerbils with the highest rate in fall. It is recommended that the role of L. turanica in the epidemiology and transmission of ZCL be revisited

Adaptation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by purified gp51SU for detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus

The objective of this study was to compare an indirect ELISA, based on a purified 60 kDa envelope glycoprotein [gp51SU], with a Pourquire indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to the bovine leukemia virus. For conducting this research, 340 serum samples were collected from two different breeds of cows [Sarabi and Holestin] in different herds. Commercial ELISA revealed positive results in 17 [7%] Holstein cows. An appropriate ELISA cut-off was determined by receiver operating curve [ROC] analysis in comparison with commercial indirect ELISA. Results showed a relative sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 92%, respectively, for a cut-off value of 0.34 in the domestic ELISA. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that domestic developed kit can be used for diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. In addition, a comparison of the results from a native breed, Sarabi, with Holstein showed that there was no significant [P>0.05] difference in the frequency of infection with BLV between the two breeds

Study on pattern of Neospora caninum tachyzoite proteins by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting in aborted cows

The intracellular parasite Neospora caninum is prevalent in several countries and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of abortion and stillbirth in cattle. For characterizeing the tachyzoite antigens of Neospora caninum in aborted cows, sera were obtained from 116 cows which were aborted in the third semester of the pregnancy period and had antibodies to Neospora caninum in ELISA. To obtain the protein content of Neospora, purified tachyzoites were lysed, electrophoretically separated and blotted to nitrocelloluse membrane for immunostaining. Minimum 9 and maximum 13 protein bands ranging from 10 to 90 kDa were observed after immunostaining. It seems that, in almost all of the cows, two protein bands with a molecular weight of 45 and 41 kDa, have a prominent reaction in Western blotting. According to our findings, these two protein bands are the most important antigens observed after Western blotting, in seropositive aborted cows