[Introducing the standard and chart to measure and control the motorcycle noise level]

Sound of motorcycles plays an important role in noise pollution in big cities. This is due to the lack of national law or standards to control the noise of domestic and also imported motorcycles. This study tries to introduce a practical limit value in different stage of motorcycle life cycle by assessing their noise pollution. First the motorcycles noise standards at different countries were studied and they were compared with the results from noise level of 622 motorcycles in 3 different groups. The sample volume in each group corresponds to the amount of their annual production rate. Then using statistical tests, a limit was determined in which 90% of the domestic motorcycles can be covered. The limit is proposed as the standard for domestic motorcycle noise. The limit for motorcycles of groups 1, 2 and 3were 84, 86 and 87 dB [A], respectively in the TA stage. For the COP stage [Conformity of Production], the limit increases according to certain formula. In the end, a flowchart was proposed as a standard method for measuring the sound of motorcycles in the TA and COP stages was proposed. Noise level of the domestic motorcycles is at least 9 dB [A] higher than the noise limit value of European motorcycle. If European limit value is considered for producing the national motorcycle, 90% of them will get out of production cycle and this would not be practical

Psychosocial disabilities in patients with schizophrenia

This study aimed at revaluating the psychosocial disabilities in schizophrenic patients. In an analytic-descriptive setting, schizophrenic patients were evaluated in Razi University Hospital during a one-year period [2009-10]. The study group consisted of male and female patients aged 18-65 years, with the onset of disease for a minimum of 2 years and at least one psychological hospitalization in their medical record. The demographic data, as well as the results of the SANS, SAPS, GARF and SOFAS questionnaires were determined in each patient. Two hundred and eight patients, 53 females, and 155 males with the mean age of 36.96 +/- 11.55 [18-65] years were enrolled. Vocational, educational, social, familial, and self-hygiene related disabilities were seen in 63.5%, 21.2%, 93.8%, 13.9%, and 48.1% of the patients, respectively. Totally, psychosocial disabilities were reported in 98.1% of these patients. The mean age of the patients with educational or social disabilities was lower. Vocational problems were more common in male patients. Familial and social disabilities were positively related to the severity of positive and negative symptoms, with the predominance of the latter. Positive and negative symptoms were more frequent in patients with social and self-care related disabilities, respectively. The duration of the disease was significantly correlated with the positive symptoms and familial-social disabilities. The current study described the high prevalence of psychosocial disabilities in patients with schizophrenia and may have implications for public health interventions

Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Tabriz, Iran

Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the west while different reports indicate an increase in the prevalence in Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of GERD in staff of a referral hospital and evaluate the risk factors. This cross-sectional study using a modified Mayo clinic questionnaire was performed on staff of Imam Hospital, Tabriz, Iran on a pilot of 50 subjects, and a randomly selected group consisted of 522 subjects in the year 2005. GERD symptoms were defined as at least weekly heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during the past year. Response rate was 95%. Mean age of responders was 40.02 +/- 10.72 yr. The prevalence of recurrent heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly and monthly was 26.8% and 34.1%, respectively. They were not related to age and gender. The severity of symptoms was mainly reported of a mild to moderate degree. 45% of the cases reported at least one of the atypical symptoms. There was no relation between marriage status and prevalence of GERD. On the other hand, GERD was less common among cases with no family history of upper gastrointestinal disease. The prevalence of frequent GERD was more common among medical staff. Increased BMI [but no recent weight gain or lose] was associated with higher prevalence of GERD symptoms only in women. Interestingly 33% of our population had a history of using antacid or PPIs which was more among cases with frequent GERD symptoms. This study revealed a high prevalence of frequent GERD symptoms in a selected population of Tabriz. Atypical symptoms should be considered in this area

Skull metastasis as the first presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Skull metastasis from Hepatocellular carcinoma, specially as the first presentation is very rare. We report a case with a history of head trauma in Bam earthquake and craniotomy due to lytic tumor of the skull, presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms which Hepatocellular carcinoma with skull metastasis was revealed .the patient was infected with hepatitis B virus without cirrhosis