Modelling the Shifts in Activity Centres along the Subway Stations. The Case Study of Metropolitan Tehran

Activity centers are areas of strong development of a particular activity, such as residence, employment or services. Understanding the subway system impacts on the type, combination, distribution and the development of basic activities in such centers plays an important role in managing development opportunities created along the Tehran subway lines. The multi criteria and fuzzy nature of evaluating the development of activity centers makes the issue so complex that it cannot be addressed with conventional logical systems. One of the most important methods of multi criteria evaluation is Fuzzy Inference System. Fuzzy inference system is a popular computing framework based on the concepts of Fuzzy Sets Theory, which is capable of accommodating inherent uncertainty in the multi-criteria evaluation process. This paper analyses shifts in activity centers along two lines of the Tehran subway system based on three major criteria by designing a comprehensive fuzzy inference system. The data for the present study were collected through documentary analysis, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The result revealed that the level of the subway system influence on the pattern and process of the development of activities varied with the location, physical environment and entity of each station. Furthermore, empirical findings indicated that the subway line might weaken residential activities while attracting employment and service activities to the city center. Specifically, residential estates have moved away from the city center to the suburbs whereas employment and service activities have expanded from the existing central business district (CBD). The results can be applied to suggest planning policies aimed at improving the effects of public transit on property development and land use change in a developing country

A comparative study of kojic acid cream and hydroquinone in treatment of melasma

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: ملاسما به هیپرپیگمانتاسیون اکتسابی صـورت اطلاق می شـود که به طور عمده در خانم های 55-30 سال دیده می شود که در صورت عدم درمان به موقع، می تواند سبب بروز مشکلات زیبایی در آنان شود. هـدف از این مطالعه، تاثـیر مقایسه ای کرم کوژیک اسید و هیـدروکینون در درمـان ملاسما بود. روش بررسی: این پژوهش به صورت یک کار آزمایی بالینی بر روی 100 نفراز زنان مبتلا به عارضه ملاسمای اپیدرمی، مراجعه کننده به درمانگاه پوست بیمارستان 22 بهمن مشهد انجام شد. تمام واحدهای مورد پژوهش، حداقل دارای دو ضایعه ملاسمایی به صورت قرینه بوده که شدت و وسعت ضایعات دو طرف نیز نسبتاً یکسان بود. برای هر بیمار در طول مطالعه، کرم کوژیک اسید 4 موضعی جهت ضایعه ملاسمایی یک طرف صورت و کرم هیدروکینون 2 برای ضایعه ملاسمایی سمت دیگر صورت، به طور همزمان تجویز شد. در طول 3 ماه مصرف دارو، میزان بهبودی توسط محققین مورد بررسی قرار گرفت و داده ها با استفاده از آزمون آماری غیر پارامتری ویلکاکسون تجزیه و تحلیل گردید. یافته ها: یک ماه پس از مطالعه، 7 به کرم کوژیک اسید و10 به داروی هیدروکینون و دو ماه پس از درمان 24 به کرم کوژیک اسید و 22 به هیدروکینون پاسخ خوب دادند (05/0

Redundancy and divergence in the amyloid precursor protein family

AbstractGene duplication provides genetic material required for functional diversification. An interesting example is the amyloid precursor protein (APP) protein family. The APP gene family has experienced both expansion and contraction during evolution. The three mammalian members have been studied quite extensively in combined knock out models. The underlying assumption is that APP, amyloid precursor like protein 1 and 2 (APLP1, APLP2) are functionally redundant. This assumption is primarily supported by the similarities in biochemical processing of APP and APLPs and on the fact that the different APP genes appear to genetically interact at the level of the phenotype in combined knockout mice. However, unique features in each member of the APP family possibly contribute to specification of their function. In the current review, we discuss the evolution and the biology of the APP protein family with special attention to the distinct properties of each homologue. We propose that the functions of APP, APLP1 and APLP2 have diverged after duplication to contribute distinctly to different neuronal events. Our analysis reveals that APLP2 is significantly diverged from APP and APLP1

Effect of sodium lactate /sodium diacetate in combination with sodium nitrite on physiochemical, microbial properties and sensory evaluation of cow sausage

Sodium nitrite has been always considered as one of the common additives due to its antibacterial effects on Clostridium botulinum and meat products' color, however it produces cancer creating nitrosamine. Recently, organic acids and their salts such as lactates have been employed as antimicrobial compounds. Lactates also improve organileptic properties including color, texture and taste and antioxidant properties. Sodium lactate causes to more reduction of anaerobic spore former bacteria than nitrite, inhibits botulin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Sodium lactate produces a permanent reddish pink color through reduction of deoxymygloboline and producing deoxymyoglobuline. In this study, the decrease of sodium nitrite amount from 120ppm to 15ppm by adding sodium lactate / sodium diacetate led to achieve an acceptable product. The best results revealed through adding 3.0625% of sodium lactate / sodium diacetate in combination with 30ppm sodium nitrite. Results also exhibited more reduction of pathogens' growth than nitrite, enhanced flavor slightly, but unable to produce reddish pink color as produced by nitrite. Results also exhibited  that sodium lactate / diacetate cause to retard in microbial growth, reducing chemical change, enhance sensory properties, partially improvement in taste and texture. Although inappropriate color demonstrated sodium lactate / diacetate's inability in red pink color production in 4th sample (contains 15 ppm nitrite), its synergy effect in combination with sodium nitrite on nitroso myoglobuline production has been proven, led to sodium nitrite reduction in sausages

Prevalence of TEM-1 type beta-lactmase genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from burn infections using Duplex PCR in Shahrekord, 2008

Background: Existence of extended spectrum B-lactamase (ESBL) genes plays an important role in spreading B-lactam antibiotic resistance in the producing strains of these enzymes. The resistance of gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to different antimicrobial agents, especially B-lactam and carbapenem, has increasingly been reported. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of TEM-1 beta-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates through Duplex PCR. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 175 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from burn patients were subjected to bacteriological tests. The samples were cultured and identified according to standard methods. Then the frequency of ESBL producing strains was determined via the combined disk method. Using boiling method, DNA was extracted and examined for the existence of TEM-1 gene by Duplex PCR. Results: Out of the 175 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 66 (37.7%) were ESBL positive, 15.15% of which were positive for TEM-1 B-lactamases resistance gene. Conclusion: Noticing the increasing rate of the ESBLs producing strains, using the appropriate treatment protocol based on the antibiogram pattern of the strains is highly recommended

Prevalence of constitutive and inducible resistance to clindamycin in staphylococci isolates from Hajar and Kashani hospitals in Shahrekord 2008

زمینه و هدف: مقاومت به کلیندامایسین در استافیلوکوک به دو صورت بنیادی و القایی است. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی شیوع مقاومت بنیادی و القائی نسبت به کلیندامایسین در سویه های استافیلوکوک جدا شده از بیماران در بیمارستان های هاجر و کاشانی شهرکرد انجام شد. روش بررسی: این تحقیق توصیفی- تحلیلی بر روی 230 ایزوله استافیلوکوک انجام شد. برای سویه های با فنوتیپ مقاوم به اریترومایسین و حساس به کلیندامایسین، تست D انجام گردید. در این تست دو دیسک اریترومایسین (15μg) و کلیندامایسین (2μg) با فاصله مراکز 15 میلی متر، بر روی پلیت قرار داده شدند. پس از انکوباسیون، وجود هاله عدم رشد به شکل D بررسی گردید. داده ها به کمک آزمون های آماری کای دو و فیشر تجزیه و تحلیل گردید. یافته ها: از بین 230 ایزوله استافیلوکوکی، 6/55 حساس به کلیندامایسین بودند و 5/37 مقاومت بنیادی و 2/5 مقاومت القایی به کلیندامایسین داشتند. میزان مقاومت بنیادی و القایی به کلیندامایسین در ایزوله های استافیلوکوک مقاوم به متی سیلین (MRSA) به ترتیب 66 و 9 و در ایزوله های حســــاس به متی سیلین (MSSA) به ترتیب 4/15 و 3/2 بود. میــــزان مقـــاومت القایی در سویه های MRSA 2/4 برابر نسبت به سویـــه های حساس بود )]9/15-1/1OR=4.2 CI95%( (05/0(

Motivational Components Involved in the Metamotivational Monitoring in Medical Students

Background: Theoretical implications of self-regulated learning emphasize that self-regulation of motivation (metamotivation) plays an important role in learning, effort, perseverance, and academic success in general. Metamotivation is how people monitor and control their motivational states to achieve their goals. Researchers believe that metamotivation includes two reciprocal processes: metamotivational monitoring, evaluating whether the person has selected the proper level (quantity) and type (quality) of motivation to perform his tasks; and metamotivational control, using the results of the monitoring phase and applying suitable strategies for adapting or changing the motivation. In metamotivational monitoring, students try to identify the declined motivational component in order to regulate its quantity and quality using motivational regulation strategies. In this field, two important questions arise: How can identify and measure the motivational components involved in metamotivational monitoring? and: Which motivational component is targeted by the medical students when they use every motivational regulation strategy? Methods: Applying a multi-stage study, motivational components involved in metamotivational monitoring were characterized and a questionnaire developed. Then, using Structural Equation Modeling, predictive relationships between motivational components and motivational regulation strategies were investigated. Results: The Motivational Components Questionnaire (MCQ) showed acceptable evidence of validity and reliability. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, 6 factors were discovered that explained 74% of the total variance. In examining the predictive relationships, each of the four components of self-efficacy, intrinsic value, self-relevant value and promotion value were specifically predicted by two motivational regulation strategies. Conclusions: Evidence of validity and reliability of the MCQ indicates that this questionnaire can be used in medical education contexts. Health Profession Educators can improve the academic motivation of students by identifying one or more declined motivational component and teaching specific motivational regulation strategies. It is recommended to hold training courses on motivational regulation strategies for medical school faculty, study-skills advisors, and students

Acute Severe Pancreatitis in Pregnancy Masquerading as Partial Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes Low Platelet (HELLP) Syndrome

Introduction: Acute severe pancreatitis may result in biochemical abnormalities resembling those seen in Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes Low Platelet (HELLP) Syndrome. Case Presentation: A 17-year-old female with 27 weeks of gestation presented mild acute pancreatitis. Based on the criteria of persistent Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) she subsequently developed severe pancreatitis. Bilirubin 2.2 mg/dL, lactate dehydrogenase 2171 IU/L and platelet of 53000 mm3 after 48 hours of the onset of pain, also indicated the possibility of partial HELLP syndrome. However, the results of the differential diagnosis ruled out the presence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Anti phospholipids syndrome. We terminated her pregnancy due to the above-mentioned diagnoses and postponed the cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Termination of pregnancy was performed as it would save the patient’s life in either deteriorated acute severe pancreatitis or HELLP. Keywords: Pancreatitis; Syndrome; Pregnanc

Comparison of Real-Time PCR with Disk Diffusion, Agar Screen and E-test Methods for Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a nosocomial pathogen. Our main objective was to compare oxacillin disk test, oxacillin E-test, and oxacillin agar screen for detection of methicillin resistance in S. aureus, using real-time PCR for mecA as the ``gold standard'' comparison assay. 196 S. aureus isolates were identified out of 284 Staphylococcus isolates. These isolates were screened for MRSA with several methods: disk diffusion, agar screen (6.0 mu g/ml), oxacillin E-test, and real-time PCR for detection of mecA gene. Of the 196 S. aureus isolates tested, 96 isolates (49%) were mecA-positive and 100 isolates (51%) mecA-negative. All methods tested had a statistically significant agreement with real-time PCR. E-test was 100% sensitive and specific for mecA presence. The sensitivity and specificity of oxacillin agar screen method were 98 and 99%, respectively and sensitivity and specificity of oxacillin disk diffusion method were 95 and 93%, respectively. In the present study, oxacillin E-test is proposed as the best phenotypic method. For economic reasons, the oxacillin agar screen method (6.0 mu g/ml), which is suitable for the detection of MRSA, is recommended due to its accuracy and low cost