A new method for calculating saddle seat height with an emphasis on optimal posture based on trigonometric relations.

INTRODUCTION: Based on the literature, the ergonomic saddle chair provides the most appropriate posture for users. Determination of the seat height is critical to establish the proper posture, carried out using various methods of anthropometry. This study aimed to develop a simple and applied method for determining the saddle seat height with an emphasis on appropriate posture. METHODS: In this study, anthropometric dimensions including weight, body height, popliteal height and seat height at 135° knee angle in 150 male and female dentists were measured. In the laboratory, to determine the 'acetabuloischial number', 25 male and female natural hip bones were measured. The mean saddle-chair height with knee angle of 135° was then compared by two different methods, field measurement and the new calculation method. RESULTS: The results showed a strong correlation between data gathered from the two different methods, the field measurement and the new calculation method (98%), and Cronbach's α from the intraclass correlation was equal to 0.994 (p < 0.05). This indicated that the two methods produced similar results. CONCLUSION: The new method can be applied to calculate the optimal height of the saddle seat based on body height and popliteal height.

Pattern of reported tuberculosis cases in iran 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND: Cooperation of all health sectors and early diagnosis of the disease are the key factors for controlling tuberculosis. This study assesses the patterns of reported tuberculosis cases in Iran. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study. Tuberculosis cases were defined according to World Health Organization and Iran's national TB guidelines. Final data were prepared for analysis using SPSS16 software. RESULTS: Public hospitals, public and private outpatient clinics reported 4111 (39.1%), 3007 (28.6%) and 2839 (27%) cases of TB, respectively. The highest number of reported TB cases was from the public healthcare system. One third of TB cases were reported by private outpatient clinics. CONCLUSION: It is essential to make a plan such as public-private mix model in Iran. Because of high coverage of private physicians in our country and even in rural areas, it is quite necessary to involve private system in tuberculosis program.

The effect of consuming oxidized oil supplemented with fiber on lipid profiles in rat model.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of consuming thermally oxidized oil supplemented with pectin on liver glutathione peroxidase activity, serum malondialdehyde and lipid profiles in male Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Fifty growing male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into different groups. The diets differed only in their fat and pectin content. The diets had fresh sunflower oil or thermally oxidized sunflower oil. The diets were supplemented with pectin in the amount of 50 g/kg diet or not supplemented. Thus, there were four experimental groups: "fresh oil", "oxidized oil", "fresh oil + pectin", "oxidized oil + pectin". Study duration was 42 days. Non parametric, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate mean values of variables in groups. RESULTS: In oil consumption, peroxide, p- Anisidine, thiobarbituric acid, free fatty acid values and total polar compounds increased but iodine value was decreased. In the oxidized oil group compared to the fresh oil group, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde increased (p < 0.05). Serum malondialdehyde was decreased in the "oxidized oil + pectin" group compared to the oxidized oil alone (2.82 ± 0.51 vs. 3.61 ± 0.72 nmol/ml; p < 0.05). Total cholesterol decreased in both groups containing pectin compared to their respective diets without supplementation (70.10 ± 10.75 vs. 81.20 ± 13.10 mg/dl; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pectin consumption could decrease serum malondialdehyde and cholesterol in the diet that contains oxidized oil. Pectin supplementation could decrease the detrimental effects of thermally oxidized oil.