Estimating growth parameters for Otolithes ruber in waters of Bushehr, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Southern Iran

Using length frequency of the Otolithes ruber collected in waters of three southern province of Iran, we estimated the fish growth parameters and monthly measured fork length of around 1000 fish caught using gill net with a mesh size of 6.5 centimeters in waters of this study area. The length infinity (L∞) in Bushehr, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchistan province was estimated as 58.5, 56, 59.5 centimeters, growth coefficient per year (K) as 0.48, 043, 0.32 and age at zero length (to) as -0.006, -0.002, -0.001 respectively. The relationship between length and weight of the fish in the three provinces determined. The parameters q, b and r (correlation coefficient) were 0.173, 2.868, 0.984 for Bushehr, 0.012, 2.962, 0.932 for Hormozgan and 0.056, 2.604, 0.921 for Sistan and Baluchestan province. We also evaluated the average length for the fish caught in different months and landing places. An ANOVA test showed a significant difference (P≤0.05) between the average lengths of the fish caught in different months

Population dynamics of the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) in coastal waters of Oman Sea

Length composition data of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede 1800), landed between April 2002 to March 2004, were monthly used to estimate the growth, mortality and exploitation parameters of the stock. Maximum fork length and weight were 170 cm and 38 kg, respectively. Nonlinear least square fitting provided a complete set of von Bertalanffy growth estimates: L¥=178 cm (FL); K=0.28 and to= -0.36 years. The estimated value of total mortality based on length converted catch curve using these growth parameters is Z=0.95 year-I. Natural mortality based on growth parameters and mean environmental temperature (T=26.5°C) is M=0.36 year-1. Furthermore, the annual instantaneous fishing mortality rate of 0.59 year-1 was by far in excess of the precautionary target (Fopt=0.18 year-1) and limit (Flimit=0.24 year-1) biological reference points, indicating that the resource is heavily over-exploited and the management of this species should be implanted rapidly if they are to remain sustainable

Implication of complex vertebral malformation and deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase on molecular-based testing in the Iranian Holstein bulls population

The aim of this study was to identify the deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) and the complex vertebral malformation (CVM) in Iranian Holstein bulls. A total of 144 blood samples were prepared of Holstein bulls in Abbas Abad Animal Breeding Center and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad's Dairy Farm in Khorasan state of Iran. Genomic PCR-RFLP protocol was performed to amplify the polymorphic region of the bovine uridine monophosphate synthase UMPS gene. Also, genomic PCR-SSCP method was performed for CVM to amplify the polymorphic region of the bovine solutecarrier family 35 member 3 (SLC35A3) genes. The results of this study demonstrated that there was no carrier of DUMPS and CVM in Iranian bulls in these centers

The road to developing economically feasible plans for green, comfortable and energy efficient buildings

Owing to the current challenges in energy and environmental crises, improving buildings, as one of the biggest concerns and contributors to these issues, is increasingly receiving attention from the world. Due to a variety of choices and situations for improving buildings, it is important to review the building performance optimization studies to find the proper solution. In this paper, these studies are reviewed by analyzing all the different key parameters involved in the optimization process, including the considered decision variables, objective functions, constraints, and case studies, along with the software programs and optimization algorithms employed. As the core literature, 44 investigations recently published are considered and compared. The current investigation provides sufficient information for all the experts in the building sector, such as architects and mechanical engineers. It is noticed that EnergyPlus and MATLAB have been employed more than other software for building simulation and optimization, respectively. In addition, among the nine different aspects that have been optimized in the literature, energy consumption, thermal comfort, and economic benefits are the first, second, and third most optimized, having shares of 38.6%, 22.7%, and 17%, respectively

Effect of general versus spinal anesthesia on postoperative delirium and early cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and delirium are common in the elderly patients, given the controversial results of previous studies about the impact of anesthesia type on the occurrence of these complications. Objectives: This study was planned to compare the effects of general and spinal anesthesia on the prevalence of POCD and delirium. Methods: A single-blind non-randomized clinical trial. Setting was in two academic hospitals. Ninety-four patients over 50 years old scheduled for hip fracture fixation. Patients were divided into two groups to receive either general (GA) or spinal (SA) anesthesia. Both Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE) and Wechsler tests were used before the operation and 3 times postoperatively to assess the cognitive function and detect early POCD. The DSM-IV criteria were also used for the diagnosis of delirium. The incidence of delirium and POCD and their precipitating factors were compared between the two groups. Results: Ninety-four patients with a mean age of 67.12 years were studied. The overall prevalence of POCD and delirium was 17.02; however, it was significantly higher in the GA group rather than the SA group, 29.7, and 4.25, respectively (P < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between age (P = 0.048), ASA class (P = 0.034), and educational level with the incidence of POCD, meaning that the probability of developing cognitive impairment decreases with patients� higher level of education and lower ASA-physical status. Also, the rate of POCD in men was significantly higher than in women (P = 0.026). Conclusions: The finding of this study showed that, if there is no specific contraindication, neuraxial anesthesia may be preferred over general anesthesia in elderly patients. © 2020, Author(s)

Fairness of health financing before and after introduction of iranian health sector evolution plan: A case study

Introduction: Since out-of-pocket payments of household are a serious obstacle to the equitable utilization of health services, paying attention to the direct payment of households and, consequently, incidence of catastrophic health expenditures should always be considered in the planning and policy-making of health services. Iranian Health Sector Evolution Plan (HSEP) has been implemented since 2014, aiming at achieving universal coverage of health services and reducing the amount of out-of-pocket payments as a percentage of total health expenditures. Aim: To measure the fairness of health care financing and to identify incidence rate of catastrophic health expenditures and it�s most important determinants before and after implementing the HSEP among households in one province of Iran (Lorestan). Materials and Methods: The study population of present cross-sectional research was Lorestan households whose information was collected by a three-stage randomized cluster sampling method by the Statistics Center of Iran during 4/2012-3/2015. For data analysis, Logit�s regression model using Stata14 software was performed. Results: Based on the findings between 4/2012 and 3/2015, the incidence rate of Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE) reduced from 6.7 to 4.34 and Fairness Financial Contribution Index (FFCI) varied from 0.66 to 0.74 and percentage of poverty due to health expenditure varied from 1.96 to 0.28. The most important determinants of facing catastrophic health expenditure are economic status of households, location of households (urban or rural), and number of people over the age of 65 and under the age of 5 in the household, age and sex of household head and insurance status of households. The use of health care also showed a significant relationship with the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure. Conclusion: After implementing Iranian HSEP, the incidence of CHE and the percentage of poverty caused by health expenditure at the level of households were reduced to some degree, and fairness financial contribution index improved. The finding of this study will help health policymakers to identify factors increasing the likelihood of household exposure to catastrophic health expenditure, and based on these factors, to review and revise the programs implemented within the framework of Iranian HSEP and adopt appropriate policies to promote the protection of households against catastrophic health expenditure. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Fairness of health financing before and after introduction of iranian health sector evolution plan: A case study

Introduction: Since out-of-pocket payments of household are a serious obstacle to the equitable utilization of health services, paying attention to the direct payment of households and, consequently, incidence of catastrophic health expenditures should always be considered in the planning and policy-making of health services. Iranian Health Sector Evolution Plan (HSEP) has been implemented since 2014, aiming at achieving universal coverage of health services and reducing the amount of out-of-pocket payments as a percentage of total health expenditures. Aim: To measure the fairness of health care financing and to identify incidence rate of catastrophic health expenditures and it�s most important determinants before and after implementing the HSEP among households in one province of Iran (Lorestan). Materials and Methods: The study population of present cross-sectional research was Lorestan households whose information was collected by a three-stage randomized cluster sampling method by the Statistics Center of Iran during 4/2012-3/2015. For data analysis, Logit�s regression model using Stata14 software was performed. Results: Based on the findings between 4/2012 and 3/2015, the incidence rate of Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE) reduced from 6.7 to 4.34 and Fairness Financial Contribution Index (FFCI) varied from 0.66 to 0.74 and percentage of poverty due to health expenditure varied from 1.96 to 0.28. The most important determinants of facing catastrophic health expenditure are economic status of households, location of households (urban or rural), and number of people over the age of 65 and under the age of 5 in the household, age and sex of household head and insurance status of households. The use of health care also showed a significant relationship with the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure. Conclusion: After implementing Iranian HSEP, the incidence of CHE and the percentage of poverty caused by health expenditure at the level of households were reduced to some degree, and fairness financial contribution index improved. The finding of this study will help health policymakers to identify factors increasing the likelihood of household exposure to catastrophic health expenditure, and based on these factors, to review and revise the programs implemented within the framework of Iranian HSEP and adopt appropriate policies to promote the protection of households against catastrophic health expenditure. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved

Diagnosis and Management of Pseudoguttata: A Literature Review

Corneal pseudoguttata (PG), also known as pseudoguttae or secondary guttata, is a transient, reversible endothelial edema commonly associated with anterior segment pathology. While considered rare, PG presents on slit-lamp examination more commonly than originally thought. We have clinically observed PG after refractive surgeries, in association with infectious keratitis, and following medication use. PG presents as dark lesions on slit-lamp exam with specular illumination, similar to primary corneal guttata. PG is distinct from guttata because PG resolves over time and does not involve Descemet’s membrane. Other ocular findings that may be confused with guttata include endothelial blebs (EB) and endothelial denudation (ED). EB are possibly a type of PG that present after contact lens use or hypoxia. ED is a distinct entity that is characterized by loss of endothelial cells without involvement of Descemet’s membrane. Confocal microscopy may be useful in differentiating these four endothelial lesions, with differences in border definition and the presence of hyperreflective areas two main distinctions. PG presents as a hyporeflective, elevated shape without clear borders on confocal microscopy. PG, EB, and ED can resolve with time without the need for surgical intervention, unlike corneal guttata. Treatment of the underlying condition will lead to resolution of both PG and EB