Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors.

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density.

Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density

Nous avons cherché à déterminer la distribution des dispensateurs de soins ophtalmologiques et sa corrélation avec la situation sanitaire et socio-économique ainsi qu'avec les indicateurs des systèmes de santé. Des données ont été rassemblées par le Conseil médical iranien et les Sociétés d'Ophtalmologie et d'Optométrie iraniennes. Des indicateurs concurrents ont été collectés auprès du Centre statistique d'Iran et à partir d'études nationales. Un nombre d'ophtalmologues et d'optométristes ajusté en fonction de la population a été utilisé comme principale variable dépendante. Le ratio optométriste/ophtalmologue était de 0,9. Il y avait un ophtalmologue et un optométriste pour 40 000 et 45 000 individus respectivement. Nous avons observé une corrélation directe entre le nombre d'ophtalmologues, d'optométristes et l'espérance de vie à l'échelle des provinces. Le revenu et les dépenses bruts en province ainsi que l'alphabétisation à ce niveau étaient également liés. Le chômage à l'échelle des provinces avait une corrélation négative. Les statistiques des hôpitaux de province et la densité de la population entretenaient une corrélation significative. La République islamique d'Iran a atteint le nombre d'ophtalmologues et d'optométristes par habitant fixé par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé, mais il existe une importante variabilité dans leur densité

Influence of sociodemographic features and general health on social capital: findings from a large population-based survey in Tehran, Iran (Urban-HEART).

OBJECTIVES: Social capital is associated with a number of sociodemographic characteristics and health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the components of social capital, and determine its association with different demographic features and general health in Tehran. STUDY DESIGN: A large population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban-HEART). METHOD: A comprehensive questionnaire containing 13 sections, including a specific tool to measure social capital, was administered to 22,300 randomly selected clustered sample households within all 22 districts in Tehran between June and September 2008. The social capital questionnaire consists of two main components - structural and cognitive - which measure collective activities, voluntary help, social cohesion, social network, reciprocity and trust. The first question of Short Form-12 was used to evaluate self-rated health. Descriptive statistics, contingency tables, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, post-hoc test (least squares difference) and multiple linear regression were used to detect differences. A P-value <0.01 was considered to indicate significance. RESULTS: The social capital questionnaire and health-related quality-of-life tool were completed by 21,704 individuals (response rate 97%) in all 22 districts of Tehran. All social capital components apart from participation varied by age group and gender (P < 0.01). An improvement was seen in several social capital components with increased level of education (P < 0.01). All social capital elements apart from volunteering were associated with marital status (P < 0.01). Family size, family assets and length of residence in neighbourhood were considered to be determinants of social capital (P < 0.01), and respondents with better health showed higher levels of social capital (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Various individual and household characteristics influence social capital. General health and social capital are mutually and independently correlated with other determinants, so improvements in either may lead to higher levels of social capital and well-being.

Amino Acid Features of P1B-ATPase Heavy Metal Transporters Enabling Small Numbers of Organisms to Cope with Heavy Metal Pollution.

Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants for extraction and detoxification of pollutants, providing a new and powerful weapon against a polluted environment. In some plants, such as Thlaspi spp, heavy metal ATPases are involved in overall metal ion homeostasis and hyperaccumulation. P1B-ATPases pump a wide range of cations, especially heavy metals, across membranes against their electrochemical gradients. Determination of the protein characteristics of P1B-ATPases in hyperaccumulator plants provides a new opportuntity for engineering of phytoremediating plants. In this study, using diverse weighting and modeling approaches, 2644 protein characteristics of primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of P1B-ATPases in hyperaccumulator and nonhyperaccumulator plants were extracted and compared to identify differences between proteins in hyperaccumulator and nonhyperaccumulator pumps. Although the protein characteristics were variable in their weighting, tree and rule induction models; glycine count, frequency of glutamine-valine, and valine-phenylalanine count were the most important attributes highlighted by 10, five, and four models, respectively. In addition, a precise model was built to discriminate P1B-ATPases in different organisms based on their structural protein features. Moreover, reliable models for prediction of the hyperaccumulating activity of unknown P1B-ATPase pumps were developed. Uncovering important structural features of hyperaccumulator pumps in this study has provided the knowledge required for future modification and engineering of these pumps by techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis.