Evaluating delay factors in the construction and operation of port operational areas (case study: Shahid Rajaee port complex)

A significant part of the annual budget of developing countries is allocated to civil projects and the construction industry. In Iran, between 30% and 40% of the total budget of the country `is allocated to this industry. However, the implementation of these projects is often faced with several problems that cause delays and increase costs. The main objective of this research is to identify, analyze, and prioritize factors effective in delays in the construction of port operational area and to offer suggestions for preventing or reducing these delays. The statistical population of the study consists of employers,investors, consultants and contractors involved in the construction of port operational areas in Iran. Data were collected through a questionnaire and were then analyzed using structural equation modeling in VPLS software. Results showed the most effective factors of the delay in the construction of port operational areas to be inadequate monitoring(11%), poor planning and time scheduling (19%), improper allocation of resources (24%), cash flows changes(28%), failure to fund the projects on time (16%)and other factors (27%). These results can assist companies and legal authorities involved in the construction of port operational areas in Iran in making the right decisions based on the importance and effectiveness of each delay factor.Keywords: Delay Factors, Port Construction Projects, Project Management

Apolipoproteins A1, B, and other prognostic biochemical cardiovascular risk factors in patients with beta-thalassemia major

OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of cardiac iron deposition is one of the late effect of iron over load which causes cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients who are affected by beta-thalassemia major. Evaluation of some cardiovascular risk factors plays a crucial role in prediction and prevention of CVD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 70 young adult subjects with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) (aged <30 years) and 71 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as control group in the range of 20-30 years. Hematological and biochemical laboratory parameters including apolipoprotein (Apo)A1 and ApoB, oxidative stress biomarker pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), homocysteine, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipid profile were evaluated. RESULTS: ApoA1, ApoB, lipid profiles, and homocysteine were significantly decreased in patients group (P  0.05) were different. Some elements included ferritin (P  0.05) was not significantly different in study groups. Exception of high-density lipoprotein (P > 0.05), other lipid profiles, and apoB had a negative meaningful correlation with PAB (P < 0.05). Likewise, apoA1, apoB, apoB/A1 ratio with apoB and homocysteine showed a strong correlation (P < 0.05). We did not find a slight correlation between apoB/A1 ratio in the company of oxidative stress marker PAB (r = -0.366; P = 0.086). We found a statistical correlation between apoB/A1 and homocysteine (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Higher level of some risk factors like PAB values, apoB/A1 ratio concentration, and lipid profiles is able to involve in the prognostic pathological consequences in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Even so, they contribute toward the gradual development of CVD

Assessment of Liver and Kidney Functional Parameters along with oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarker in Patients with beta-Thalassemia major

Background: Thalassemias are the most common inherited blood disorders caused by some mutations which can reduce the synthesis of globin chains. Iron overload and its organ deposition are responsible for functional abnormalities and tissue injury in patients who affected by beta-thalassemia major. The aim of this case-control study was evaluation of hematological parameters, oxidative stress and some serum liver and kidney risk factors which play crucial role for early prediction and prevention of patients to end-stage tissue failure and mortality. Materials and Methods: Present study consisted of Fifty young adult subjects with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) (aged0.05) was not significantly difference in study groups. Exception hs-CRP and PAB (P>0.05), liver risk factors had a positive correlation with ferritin and serum Urea, Creatinine and Uric Acid tests had negative meaningful with hematological parameters (P0.05). Conclusion: Higher level of risk factors PAB values and key liver enzyme profiles are able to involve in the prognostic pathological consequences in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Even so, they contribute toward the gradual development of tissue injuries

A review on iron chelators in treatment of iron overload syndromes

Iron chelation therapy is used to reduce iron overload development due to its deposition in various organs such as liver and heart after regular transfusion. In this review, different iron chelators implicated in treatment of iron overload in various clinical conditions have been evaluated using more up-to-date studies focusing on these therapeutic agents. Deferoxamine, Deferiprone and Deferasirox are the most important specific US FDA-approved iron chelators. Each of these chelators has their own advantages and disadvantages, various target diseases, levels of deposited iron and clinical symptoms of the afflicted patients which may affect their selection as the best modality. Taken together, in many clinical disorders, choosing a standard chelator does not have an accurate index which requires further clarifications. The aim of this review is to introduce and compare the different iron chelators regarding their advantages and disadvantages, usage dose and specific applications. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Clinical significance of long noncoding RNA VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 expression in type 2 diabetes

Background/Aims: The risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Multiple studies have proposed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial molecules in regulating several biological processes and complex diseases. The study was aimed at investigating the association between the expression levels of lncRNA VIM-AS1, lncRNA CTBP1-AS2, and T2D susceptibility. Methods: lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of 100 healthy individuals and 100 T2D patients were collected for Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR analysis. A logistic regression was performed to understand whether the likelihood of T2D can be predicted based on the expression levels of lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed to determine the statistical analysis of VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 levels in 200 samples. Results: Our results display that decreased levels of VIM-AS1 and CTBP1-AS2 in PBMC were associated with diabetes in Iranian population. The logistic regression revealed that Systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and CTBP1-AS2 are substantial predictors of T2D. The ROC analysis of CTBP1-AS2 revealed the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.68 with a sensitivity of 58.7 and specificity of 75.3 in distinguishing nondiabetic from diabetic subjects. The ROC analysis of VIM-AS1 determined AUC of 0.63 with a sensitivity of 56.1 and specificity of 68.37 in distinguishing the two diagnostic groups. Conclusion: lncRNA VIM-AS1 and lncRNA CTBP1-AS2 expression levels are associated with T2D susceptibility. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc