The data set development for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR): progress toward improving the quality of care

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this manuscript is to describe the development process of the data set for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR). SETTING: SCI community in Iran. METHODS: The NSCIR-IR data set was developed in 8 months, from March 2015 to October 2015. An expert panel of 14 members was formed. After a review of data sets of similar registries in developed countries, the selection and modification of the basic framework were performed over 16 meetings, based on the objectives and feasibility of the registry. RESULTS: The final version of the data set was composed of 376 data elements including sociodemographic, hospital admission, injury incidence, prehospital procedures, emergency department visit, medical history, vertebral injury, spinal cord injury details, interventions, complications, and discharge data. It also includes 163 components of the International Standards for the Neurologic Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and 65 data elements related to quality of life, pressure ulcers, pain, and spasticity. CONCLUSION: The NSCIR-IR data set was developed in order to meet the quality improvement objectives of the registry. The process was centered around choosing the data elements assessing care provided to individuals in the acute and chronic phases of SCI in hospital settings. The International Spinal Cord Injury Data Set was selected as a basic framework, helped by comparison with data from other countries. Expert panel modifications facilitated the implementation of the registry process with the current clinical workflow in hospitals

The data set development for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR): progress toward improving the quality of care

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this manuscript is to describe the development process of the data set for the National Spinal Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR). SETTING: SCI community in Iran. METHODS: The NSCIR-IR data set was developed in 8 months, from March 2015 to October 2015. An expert panel of 14 members was formed. After a review of data sets of similar registries in developed countries, the selection and modification of the basic framework were performed over 16 meetings, based on the objectives and feasibility of the registry. RESULTS: The final version of the data set was composed of 376 data elements including sociodemographic, hospital admission, injury incidence, prehospital procedures, emergency department visit, medical history, vertebral injury, spinal cord injury details, interventions, complications, and discharge data. It also includes 163 components of the International Standards for the Neurologic Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and 65 data elements related to quality of life, pressure ulcers, pain, and spasticity. CONCLUSION: The NSCIR-IR data set was developed in order to meet the quality improvement objectives of the registry. The process was centered around choosing the data elements assessing care provided to individuals in the acute and chronic phases of SCI in hospital settings. The International Spinal Cord Injury Data Set was selected as a basic framework, helped by comparison with data from other countries. Expert panel modifications facilitated the implementation of the registry process with the current clinical workflow in hospitals

Evaluation the Accuracy of Lineartomography in Determining the Quantity of Maxillary Bone

Abstract: Background & Aims: The accuracy of dental implants has increased in recent years. An accurate radiography from the region is needed for precise treatment planning in implants and for determining prognosis of treatment. Because this technique can demonstrate the buccolingual aspect, and due to its lower radiation dose, lower cost, and availability, in comparison with computed tomography, lineartomography could be the most suitable technique in cases with restricted implant sites. In this study we evaluated the accuracy of this technique in determining the quantity of maxillary bone. Methods: This study was a kind of diagnostic test validity. 4 dry human skulls were selected and on each maxilla locations of teeth 7531 1357 were selected and marked with opaque markers (n = 32). On each site, 3 metal bullets, with the diameter of 3 mm, were placed on the alveolar crest to buccal cortex and lingual cortex in different distances from the alveolar crest. Conventional linear tomography was provided by Promax (Planmeca) radiographic unit. Then, the distances from the highest points of the bullets on the alveolar crests to similar points of bullets on the buccal and lingual cortices, and distances from the highest points on the buccal bullets to lingual bullets were measured. These distances were directly measured on maxillary bones in a similar way. The measurements obtained from tomograms and maxillary bones were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. Results: According to Wilcoxon test, measurements on tomograms in buccal height, lingual height, and thickness of the bone were significantly smaller than the gold standard. In 81.3% of measurements distances on tomograms were underestimated; however, in all measurements, differences in results were in the range of ± 1 mm. Conclusion: Regarding the observed results of linear tomography in determining the quantity of maxillary bone in this study, the gained measurements were smaller than the gold standard. However, considering the mean differences in preoperative treatment planning of implants, especially in placing a limited number of implants, and if it is not possible to use the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technique, linear tomography can be used. Keywords: Linear tomography, Quantity of maxillary bone, Implan

Estimating Household Expenditure Economies of Scale in Iran

Households differ from each other concerning size, age, gender and other properties, and it is expected that households with different properties have different consumption patterns. In this study, economies of scale of Iranian households (Mashhad City) were estimated using Engel approach of food consumption and Barten approach for 8 different commodity groups. In Engel approach, economies of scale was equal for all the commodities, so the estimated economies of scale indicator was over estimated. In Berten approach, the indicator estimated more accurately, and it was different for commodity groups. The results showed that food, housing, clothing, transportation and communication have economies of scale. The smallest and the largest of economies of scale were related to food as a private and housing as a public commodities, respectively. Economies of scale for exclusive commodities and miscellaneous commodities were greater than one, and there was diseconomies of scale. Overall economies of scale indicator was equal to 0.79; it showed that 21% of absolute expenditure in larger households could be reduced without changing their standard of living. Acknowledgement : Thank yo

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase-p1 and p53 protein accumulation in Iranian esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background: It has been reported that the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) is over-expressed in plasma and esophagus biopsies in Iranian patients suffering from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of GST-P genotypes in these patients. Moreover, the association of GST-P genotypes with p53 protein accumulation in esophageal epithelium was investigated. Materials and Methods: DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue biopsies from patients suffering from esophageal SCC (n = 56) were collected. polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using Alw261 enzyme was applied to determine GST-P genotypes (Ile 105 Val). All the samples were also subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p53. Results: The frequency of GST-P genotypes in Iranian esophagus SCC patients for Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val was 73.2, 21.5 and 5.3%. There was no association between GST-P polymorphism and p53 accumulation in esophageal epithelial cells. Conclusions: The frequency of GST-P polymorphism was not associated with p53 protein accumulation in esophagus epithelium. The frequency of polymorphic variants of GST-P, Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val in SCC patients may suggest that Ile to Val substitution in GST-P gene dose not represent susceptibility to SCC in high-risk Iranian population

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase-p1 and p53 protein accumulation in Iranian esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background: It has been reported that the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) is over-expressed in plasma and esophagus biopsies in Iranian patients suffering from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of GST-P genotypes in these patients. Moreover, the association of GST-P genotypes with p53 protein accumulation in esophageal epithelium was investigated. Materials and Methods: DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue biopsies from patients suffering from esophageal SCC (n = 56) were collected. polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using Alw261 enzyme was applied to determine GST-P genotypes (Ile 105 Val). All the samples were also subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p53. Results: The frequency of GST-P genotypes in Iranian esophagus SCC patients for Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val was 73.2, 21.5 and 5.3%. There was no association between GST-P polymorphism and p53 accumulation in esophageal epithelial cells. Conclusions: The frequency of GST-P polymorphism was not associated with p53 protein accumulation in esophagus epithelium. The frequency of polymorphic variants of GST-P, Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val in SCC patients may suggest that Ile to Val substitution in GST-P gene dose not represent susceptibility to SCC in high-risk Iranian population

Central macular topographic and volumetric measures: new biomarkers for detection of glaucoma

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that newly developed shape measures using optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular volume scans can discriminate patients with perimetric glaucoma from healthy subjects. METHODS: OCT structural measures defining macular topography and volume were recently developed based on cubic Bézier curves. We exported macular volume scans from 135 eyes with glaucoma (133 patients) and 155 healthy eyes (85 subjects) and estimated global and quadrant-based measures. The best subset of measures to predict glaucoma was explored with a gradient boost model (GBM) with subsequent logistic regression. Accuracy and area under receiver operating curves (AUC) were the primary metrics. In addition, we separately investigated model performance in 66 eyes with mild glaucoma (mean deviation ≥ -6 dB). RESULTS: Average (±SD) 24-2 mean deviation was -8.2 (±6.1) dB in eyes with glaucoma. The main predictive measures for glaucoma were temporal inferior rim height, nasal inferior pit volume, and temporal inferior pit depth. Lower values for these measures predicted higher risk of glaucoma. Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC for discriminating between healthy and glaucoma eyes were 81.5% (95% CI = 76.6-91.9%), 89.7% (95% CI = 78.7-94.2%), and 0.915 (95% CI = 0.882-0.948), respectively. Corresponding metrics for mild glaucoma were 84.8% (95% CI = 72.1%-95.5%), 85.8% (95% CI = 87.1%-97.4%), and 0.913 (95% CI = 0.867-0.958), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Novel macular shape biomarkers detect early glaucoma with clinically relevant performance. Such biomarkers do not depend on intraretinal segmentation accuracy and may be helpful in eyes with suboptimal macular segmentation. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Macular shape biomarkers provide valuable information for detection of early glaucoma and may provide additional information beyond thickness measurements

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract improves growth performance, disease resistance, and serum immune-and antioxidant-related gene expression of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study evaluated the use of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract on the growth performance, immune responses, and disease resistance in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 192 fish (initial body weight of 18.34 ± 1.8 g) were randomly distributed in 12 tanks with 16 fish per tank (4 treatments with 3 replications) and fed with diets containing cornelian cherry extract (CCE) at the rate of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%. The final weight of common carp fed CCE at 0.5% was significantly higher than fish fed 0 and 0.25% doses (p < 0.05). In addition, weight gain and specific growth rate were increased, and feed conversion ratio decreased in fish-fed diets containing 0.5 and 1% CCE compared to other groups. The challenge test with A. hydrophila revealed that common carp-fed CCE had a lower mortality rate than the control. The lysozyme activity was markedly higher in common carp fed 0.5% of cornelian cherry extract than in control. The total immunoglobulin and total protein showed higher values in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control. The catalase gene showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control. Glutathione reductase gene expression was markedly upregulated in common carp fed 1% of CCE than the control and 0.25% groups. The glutathione S-transferase gene showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control and 0.25% groups. The superoxide dismutase gene expression was markedly higher in common carp fed 0.5% of CCE than in control. The CC-chemokine and interleukin-10 showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5% than the remaining groups. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha gene expression was markedly upregulated in common carp fed 1% of CCE than the control and 0.25% groups. The heat shock 70 kDa protein and interleukin-1 beta genes showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.25, 0.5, and 1% than the control. In conclusion, the supplementation of CCE at 0.5–1% is recommended to enhance the growth performance and relieve the impacts of A. hydrophila infection in common carp. © 202

Effect of a diet enriched with sodium propionate on growth performance, antioxidant property, innate-adaptive immune response, and growth-related genes expression in critically endangered beluga sturgeon (Huso huso)

Organic acids are active substances required for improving the productivity and wellbeing of aquatic animals. Herein, the study investigated the effects of sodium propionate on growth performance, antioxidative and immune responses, and growth-related genes expression in beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). For eight weeks, fish fed sodium propionate at 0, 1.2, 2.5, and 5 g kg−1. The final weight, weight gain, and SGR were substantially increased while FCR decreased by dietary sodium propionate at 2.5 and 5 g kg−1 (P &lt; 0.05). The expression of Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was markedly upregulated (P &lt; 0.05) by dietary sodium propionate in the gills and livers of beluga. The highest mRNA level of GH and IGF-1 has been observed in fish fed a 2.5 g sodium propionate/kg diet. The red blood cells count, and hemoglobin level were meaningfully increased (P &lt; 0.05) by 2.5 and 5 g sodium propionate/kg diet compared with 0 and 1.2 g kg−1 levels. Further, the hematocrit level was increased (P &lt; 0.05) by a dietary 5 g sodium propionate/kg diet. The total protein level and lysozyme activity were meaningfully increased (P &lt; 0.05) by 2.5 and 5 g sodium propionate/kg diet compared with 0 and 1.2 g kg−1 levels. The highest superoxide dismutase was observed in fish fed 2.5 g sodium propionate/kg diet. Catalase activity was significantly higher in fish fed 5 g kg−1 than 1.2 g kg−1. The glutathione peroxidase activity was markedly higher in fish fed 2.5, and 5 g kg−1 than fish fed control diet. The lowest malondialdehyde levels were observed in fish fed 1.2, and 2.5 g sodium propionate/kg diets. Moreover, the highest mucosal total protein, total immunoglobulin and lysozyme were recorded in fish fed 2.5, and 5 g sodium propionate/kg diets. The obtained results indicate that dietary sodium propionate is recommended at 2.5–5 g kg−1 to improve beluga sturgeon's growth performance, feed utilization, and wellbeing. © 2022 Elsevier Lt