Role of dipstick in detection of haeme pigment due to rhabdomyolysis in victims of Bam earthquake

Avoiding life-threatening complications of rhabdomyolysis depends on early diagnosis and prompt management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of urinary dipstick test in the detection of haeme pigment in patients who were at risk of acute renal failure [ARF] due to rhabdomyolysis after suffering injury in the Bam earthquake. Serum creatine phosphokinase [CPK] level was used as the gold standard for prediction of ARF. ARF developed in 8 [10%] of 79 patients studied. We found no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of dipstick urine and serum CPK tests for identifying patients who were at risk of ARF. However, dipstick urine test is an easy test that can be performed quickly at an earthquake site

Characteristics and seasonal variations of pH in the southern shelf of the Caspian sea

This paper presents distribution and seasonal variations of pH over the southern Caspian Shelf adjacent to Iran. The pH data were collected down to 200m depth in two areas in east [off Babolsar in Mazandaran] and west [off Kiyashahr in Gilan] of the Caspian Sea southern coast. The data were collected using a pH sensor of a CTD probe in summer 2003 and spring and autumn 2004. In summer, when the surface water temperature was highest and the strongest seasonal thermo cline existed, the maximum value for pH was observed. In this season, pH had a value of 8.35-8.4 at the water surface. This amount reduced to 8.2 at 80-m level and even deeper waters. In autumn, the pH was less than summer and was mainly 8.25 at the water surface outside of the shelf and 8.3-8.35 in the shelf and it gradually reduced by decreasing the depth. In early spring, during the formation process of new seasonal thermo cline, low temperature and maximum local river inflow, pH at the water surface was mainly 8.25 and reduced to 8.2 at 30-m level. The results showed that seasonal variations of pH in the southern Caspian Shelf and the coastal waters adjacent to Iran is a function of seasonal variations in water temperature, characteristics of thermo cline, local rivers chemical characteristics and discharges, and production or degradation processes