Investigation of Correlation Result of NORDIC Questionnaire (wrist & hand) with DASH Questionnaire

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders occur predominantly in the upper limbs and cause disability. When it comes to the perception of people for their abilities, Questionnaires are useful and valuable tools. Questionnaires can be used to measure the symptoms of disease and disability. We decided to evaluate the correlation result of the NORDIC questionnaire (wrist & hand) with the DASH questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional one and was carried out among 82 female assembly workers. To evaluate the correlation result of the NORDIC questionnaire (wrist & hand) with the DASH questionnaire, chi squire and spearman have been used. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS 20. It is noteworthy to mention that a P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, the results of the DASH questionnaire with the studied variables were similar to the results of the NORDIC questionnaire (wrist & hand). Moreover, in the majority of questions, there was a significant relationship between the two questionnaires (P value <0.05). The average score of DASH was obtained at 19.65 ± 14.85 and 65.9% of the people had a mild upper limb. Moreover, 76.8% of the participants had distress in the wrists area, among which, 46.3% had mild discomfort. Conclusion: According to the results the DASH questionnaire is a useful tool for industrial and occupational issues. Therefore, due to the high relationship between the two questionnaires, the DASH questionnaire could be used instead of the Nordic Questionnaire (Wrist and Hand).  

Joint single-cell measurements of nuclear proteins and RNA in vivo

Identifying gene-regulatory targets of nuclear proteins in tissues is a challenge. Here we describe intranuclear cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes (inCITE-seq), a scalable method that measures multiplexed intranuclear protein levels and the transcriptome in parallel across thousands of nuclei, enabling joint analysis of transcription factor (TF) levels and gene expression in vivo. We apply inCITE-seq to characterize cell state-related changes upon pharmacological induction of neuronal activity in the mouse brain. Modeling gene expression as a linear combination of quantitative protein levels revealed genome-wide associations of each TF and recovered known gene targets. TF-associated genes were coexpressed as distinct modules that each reflected positive or negative TF levels, showing that our approach can disentangle relative putative contributions of TFs to gene expression and add interpretability to inferred gene networks. inCITE-seq can illuminate how combinations of nuclear proteins shape gene expression in native tissue contexts, with direct applications to solid or frozen tissues and clinical specimens.

Urate-induced epigenetic modifications in myeloid cells

OBJECTIVES

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic condition central to gout pathogenesis. Urate exposure primes human monocytes towards a higher capacity to produce and release IL-1β. In this study, we assessed the epigenetic processes associated to urate-mediated hyper-responsiveness.

METHODS

Freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or enriched monocytes were pre-treated with solubilized urate and stimulated with LPS with or without monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Cytokine production was determined by ELISA. Histone epigenetic marks were assessed by sequencing immunoprecipitated chromatin. Mice were injected intraarticularly with MSU crystals and palmitate after inhibition of uricase and urate administration in the presence or absence of methylthioadenosine. DNA methylation was assessed by methylation array in whole blood of 76 participants with normouricemia or hyperuricemia.

RESULTS

High concentrations of urate enhanced the inflammatory response in vitro in human cells and in vivo in mice, and broad-spectrum methylation inhibitors reversed this effect. Assessment of histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) revealed differences in urate-primed monocytes compared to controls. Differentially methylated regions (e.g. HLA-G, IFITM3, PRKAB2) were found in people with hyperuricemia compared to normouricemia in genes relevant for inflammatory cytokine signaling.

CONCLUSION

Urate alters the epigenetic landscape in selected human monocytes or whole blood of people with hyperuricemia compared to normouricemia. Both histone modifications and DNA methylation show differences depending on urate exposure. Subject to replication and validation, epigenetic changes in myeloid cells may be a therapeutic target in gout.

Molecular logic of cellular diversification in the mouse cerebral cortex

The mammalian cerebral cortex has an unparalleled diversity of cell types, which are generated during development through a series of temporally orchestrated events that are under tight evolutionary constraint and are critical for proper cortical assembly and function^1,2. However, the molecular logic that governs the establishment and organization of cortical cell types remains unknown, largely due to the large number of cell classes that undergo dynamic cell-state transitions over extended developmental timelines. Here we generate a comprehensive atlas of the developing mouse neocortex, using single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing. We sampled the neocortex every day throughout embryonic corticogenesis and at early postnatal ages, and complemented the sequencing data with a spatial transcriptomics time course. We computationally reconstruct developmental trajectories across the diversity of cortical cell classes, and infer their spatial organization and the gene regulatory programs that accompany their lineage bifurcation decisions and differentiation trajectories. Finally, we demonstrate how this developmental map pinpoints the origin of lineage-specific developmental abnormalities that are linked to aberrant corticogenesis in mutant mice. The data provide a global picture of the regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular diversification in the neocortex.

Chromatin-Based Classification of Genetically Heterogeneous AMLs into Two Distinct Subtypes with Diverse Stemness Phenotypes

Global investigation of histone marks in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains limited. Analyses of 38 AML samples through integrated transcriptional and chromatin mark analysis exposes 2 major subtypes. One subtype is dominated by patients with NPM1 mutations or MLL-fusion genes, shows activation of the regulatory pathways involving HOX-family genes as targets, and displays high self-renewal capacity and stemness. The second subtype is enriched for RUNX1 or spliceosome mutations, suggesting potential interplay between the 2 aberrations, and mainly depends on IRF family regulators. Cellular consequences in prognosis predict a relatively worse outcome for the first subtype. Our integrated profiling establishes a rich resource to probe AML subtypes on the basis of expression and chromatin data.

Dynamics of Transcription Regulation in Human Bone Marrow Myeloid Differentiation to Mature Blood Neutrophils

Neutrophils are short-lived blood cells that play a critical role in host defense against infections. To better comprehend neutrophil functions and their regulation, we provide a complete epigenetic overview, assessing important functional features of their differentiation stages from bone marrow-residing progenitors to mature circulating cells. Integration of chromatin modifications, methylation, and transcriptome dynamics reveals an enforced regulation of differentiation, for cellular functions such as release of proteases, respiratory burst, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. We observe an early establishment of the cytotoxic capability, while the signaling components that activate these antimicrobial mechanisms are transcribed at later stages, outside the bone marrow, thus preventing toxic effects in the bone marrow niche. Altogether, these data reveal how the developmental dynamics of the chromatin landscape orchestrate the daily production of a large number of neutrophils required for innate host defense and provide a comprehensive overview of differentiating human neutrophils.

Increased H3K9 methylation and impaired expression of Protocadherins are associated with the cognitive dysfunctions of the Kleefstra syndrome

Kleefstra syndrome, a disease with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and other developmental defects is caused in humans by haploinsufficiency of EHMT1. Although EHMT1 and its paralog EHMT2 were shown to be histone methyltransferases responsible for deposition of the di-methylated H3K9 (H3K9me2), the exact nature of epigenetic dysfunctions in Kleefstra syndrome remains unknown. Here, we found that the epigenome of Ehmt1+/- adult mouse brain displays a marked increase of H3K9me2/3 which correlates with impaired expression of protocadherins, master regulators of neuronal diversity. Increased H3K9me3 was present already at birth, indicating that aberrant methylation patterns are established during embryogenesis. Interestingly, we found that Ehmt2+/- mice do not present neither the marked increase of H3K9me2/3 nor the cognitive deficits found in Ehmt1+/- mice, indicating an evolutionary diversification of functions. Our finding of increased H3K9me3 in Ehmt1+/- mice is the first one supporting the notion that EHMT1 can quench the deposition of tri-methylation by other Histone methyltransferases, ultimately leading to impaired neurocognitive functioning. Our insights into the epigenetic pathophysiology of Kleefstra syndrome may offer guidance for future developments of therapeutic strategies for this disease.

The alarmin S100A9 hampers osteoclast differentiation from human circulating precursors by reducing the expression of RANK

The alarmin S100A8/A9 is implicated in sterile inflammation-induced bone resorption and has been shown to increase the bone-resorptive capacity of mature osteoclasts. Here, we investigated the effects of S100A9 on osteoclast differentiation from human CD14⁺ circulating precursors. Hereto, human CD14⁺ monocytes were isolated and differentiated toward osteoclasts with M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) in the presence or absence of S100A9. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that exposure to S100A9 during monocyte-to-osteoclast differentiation strongly decreased the numbers of multinucleated osteoclasts. This was underlined by a decreased resorption of a hydroxyapatite-like coating. The thus differentiated cells showed a high mRNA and protein production of proinflammatory factors after 16 h of exposure. In contrast, at d 4, the cells showed a decreased production of the osteoclast-promoting protein TNF-α. Interestingly, S100A9 exposure during the first 16 h of culture only was sufficient to reduce osteoclastogenesis. Using fluorescently labeled RANKL, we showed that, within this time frame, S100A9 inhibited the M-CSF-mediated induction of RANK. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that this was associated with changes in various histone marks at the epigenetic level. This S100A9-induced reduction in RANK was in part recovered by blocking TNF-α but not IL-1. Together, our data show that S100A9 impedes monocyte-to-osteoclast differentiation, probably via a reduction in RANK expression.-Di Ceglie, I., Blom, A. B., Davar, R., Logie, C., Martens, J. H. A., Habibi, E., Böttcher, L.-M., Roth, J., Vogl, T., Goodyear, C. S., van der Kraan, P. M., van Lent, P. L., van den Bosch, M. H. The alarmin S100A9 hampers osteoclast differentiation from human circulating precursors by reducing the expression of RANK.

Publisher Correction: Epigenetic modulation of a hardwired 3D chromatin landscape in two naive states of pluripotency

In the version of the article originally published, extra lines were displayed in Fig. 7. Fig. 7a contained a solid black line that extended into panel b, and Fig. 7c contained two extra scale bars on the left. These have been removed from the figure. The errors have been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Multi-omics profiling reveals a distinctive epigenome signature for high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia

Epigenomic alterations have been associated with both pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Here, we analyzed the epigenome of two high-risk APL (hrAPL) patients and compared it to non-high-risk APL cases. Despite the lack of common genetic signatures, we found that human hrAPL blasts from patients with extremely poor prognosis display specific patterns of histone H3 acetylation, specifically hyperacetylation at a common set of enhancer regions. In addition, unique profiles of the repressive marks H3K27me3 and DNA methylation were exposed in high-risk APLs. Epigenetic comparison with low/intermediate-risk APLs and AMLs revealed hrAPL-specific patterns of histone acetylation and DNA methylation, suggesting these could be further developed into markers for clinical identification. The epigenetic drug MC2884, a newly generated general HAT/EZH2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis of high-risk APL blasts and reshapes their epigenomes by targeting both active and repressive marks. Together, our analysis uncovers distinctive epigenome signatures of hrAPL patients, and provides proof of concept for use of epigenome profiling coupled to epigenetic drugs to ‘personalize’ precision medicine.

Genetic Drivers of Epigenetic and Transcriptional Variation in Human Immune Cells

Characterizing the multifaceted contribution of genetic and epigenetic factors to disease phenotypes is a major challenge in human genetics and medicine. We carried out high-resolution genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic profiling in three major human immune cell types (CD14⁺ monocytes, CD16⁺ neutrophils, and naive CD4⁺ T cells) from up to 197 individuals. We assess, quantitatively, the relative contribution of cis-genetic and epigenetic factors to transcription and evaluate their impact as potential sources of confounding in epigenome-wide association studies. Further, we characterize highly coordinated genetic effects on gene expression, methylation, and histone variation through quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and allele-specific (AS) analyses. Finally, we demonstrate colocalization of molecular trait QTLs at 345 unique immune disease loci. This expansive, high-resolution atlas of multi-omics changes yields insights into cell-type-specific correlation between diverse genomic inputs, more generalizable correlations between these inputs, and defines molecular events that may underpin complex disease risk.

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Genome, transcriptome, and epigenome reference panel in three human immune cell types

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Identified 4,418 genes associated with epigenetic changes independent of genetics

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Described genome-epigenome coordination defining cell-type-specific regulatory events

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Functionally mapped disease mechanisms at 345 unique autoimmune disease loci

β-Glucan Reverses the Epigenetic State of LPS-Induced Immunological Tolerance

Innate immune memory is the phenomenon whereby innate immune cells such as monocytes or macrophages undergo functional reprogramming after exposure to microbial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We apply an integrated epigenomic approach to characterize the molecular events involved in LPS-induced tolerance in a time-dependent manner. Mechanistically, LPS-treated monocytes fail to accumulate active histone marks at promoter and enhancers of genes in the lipid metabolism and phagocytic pathways. Transcriptional inactivity in response to a second LPS exposure in tolerized macrophages is accompanied by failure to deposit active histone marks at promoters of tolerized genes. In contrast, β-glucan partially reverses the LPS-induced tolerance in vitro. Importantly, ex vivo β-glucan treatment of monocytes from volunteers with experimental endotoxemia re-instates their capacity for cytokine production. Tolerance is reversed at the level of distal element histone modification and transcriptional reactivation of otherwise unresponsive genes.

Dynamic Reorganization of Extremely Long-Range Promoter-Promoter Interactions between Two States of Pluripotency

Serum-to-2i interconversion of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) is a valuable in vitro model for early embryonic development. To assess whether 3D chromatin organization changes during this transition, we established Capture Hi-C with target-sequence enrichment of DNase I hypersensitive sites. We detected extremely long-range intra- and inter-chromosomal interactions between a small subset of H3K27me3 marked bivalent promoters involving the Hox clusters in serum-grown cells. Notably, these promoter-mediated interactions are not present in 2i ground-state pluripotent mESCs but appear upon their further development into primed-like serum mESCs. Reverting serum mESCs to ground-state 2i mESCs removes these promoter-promoter interactions in a spatiotemporal manner. H3K27me3, which is largely absent at bivalent promoters in ground-state 2i mESCs, is necessary, but not sufficient, to establish these interactions, as confirmed by Capture Hi-C on Eed(-/-) serum mESCs. Our results implicate H3K27me3 and PRC2 as critical players in chromatin alteration during priming of ESCs for differentiation.

Glutaminolysis and Fumarate Accumulation Integrate Immunometabolic and Epigenetic Programs in Trained Immunity

Induction of trained immunity (innate immune memory) is mediated by activation of immune and metabolic pathways that result in epigenetic rewiring of cellular functional programs. Through network-level integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics data, we identify glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and the cholesterol synthesis pathway as indispensable for the induction of trained immunity by β-glucan in monocytes. Accumulation of fumarate, due to glutamine replenishment of the TCA cycle, integrates immune and metabolic circuits to induce monocyte epigenetic reprogramming by inhibiting KDM5 histone demethylases. Furthermore, fumarate itself induced an epigenetic program similar to β-glucan-induced trained immunity. In line with this, inhibition of glutaminolysis and cholesterol synthesis in mice reduced the induction of trained immunity by β-glucan. Identification of the metabolic pathways leading to induction of trained immunity contributes to our understanding of innate immune memory and opens new therapeutic avenues.

Impairment of DNA Methylation Maintenance Is the Main Cause of Global Demethylation in Naive Embryonic Stem Cells

Global demethylation is part of a conserved program of epigenetic reprogramming to naive pluripotency. The transition from primed hypermethylated embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to naive hypomethylated ones (serum-to-2i) is a valuable model system for epigenetic reprogramming. We present a mathematical model, which accurately predicts global DNA demethylation kinetics. Experimentally, we show that the main drivers of global demethylation are neither active mechanisms (Aicda, Tdg, and Tet1-3) nor the reduction of de novo methylation. UHRF1 protein, the essential targeting factor for DNMT1, is reduced upon transition to 2i, and so is recruitment of the maintenance methylation machinery to replication foci. Concurrently, there is global loss of H3K9me2, which is needed for chromatin binding of UHRF1. These mechanisms synergistically enforce global DNA hypomethylation in a replication-coupled fashion. Our observations establish the molecular mechanism for global demethylation in naive ESCs, which has key parallels with those operating in primordial germ cells and early embryos.

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Impaired DNA methylation maintenance is the cause of global demethylation in naive ESCs

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Loss of H3K9me2 and UHRF1 lead to impaired maintenance targeting to replication foci

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TET enzymes are not required for global demethylation

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Mathematical model accurately predicts global 5mC and 5hmC during epigenetic resetting

Hepatoprotective effects of zataria multiflora ethanolic extract on liver toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in mice

Although cyclophosphamide (CP), an alkylating agent, has been extensively used in chemotherapy, it possesses a wide spectrum of adverse effects including hepatotoxicity. This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora against hepatic damage induced by CP in mice.Mice were orally (gavages) pretreated with the ethanolic extract aerial parts of Zataria at doses of 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days before a single intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg CP. After 24 h, animals were anesthetized, blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected and used for biochemical and histological examination.Serum levels of hepatic markers were significantly increased after only CP treated animals but restored in Zataria pretreated groups. A single dose of CP administration also markedly induced abnormality in the levels of several biomarkers associated with oxidative stress in liver tissues homogenates. However, pretreatment with Zataria significantly inhibited the abnormality of antioxidant enzymes defense system in the liver tissues. In addition, histopathological studies proved that CP causes damage to the liver, and this was evidenced by the induced dilated and congested sinusoidal space, lymphocytic infiltration between hepatocytes, portal space with moderate to severe inflammation and necrotic hepatocyte with absence of nuclei. Zataria effectively protected animals against CP-induced hepatic tissue damages.Our results reveal that Zataria produces a potent hepatoprotective role and could be a potent candidate to use concomitantly as a supplement agent against hepatotoxicity of CP for the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Survival after 131I-labeled lipiodol therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

This study investigated the efficacy of 131iod- ine-labeled lipiodol (1311-lipiodol) as a palliative therapy, evaluated overall survival (OS) across Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages, and determined the main prognostic factors influencing OS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients, methods: We retrospectively analyzed 57 (44 men; mean age, 65.7 years; mean activity per session, 1.6 GBq; mean cumulative activity in patients with >1 sessions, 3.9 GBq) HCC patients who underwent 1311-lipiodol therapy. A majority of patients exhibited Child-Pugh class B (53.6%) disease and a good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0-1; 72%). Multinodular disease was observed in 87.7% patients, bilobar disease in 73%, and portal vein occlusion (PVO) in 54%. Furthermore, 21.1% patients were staged as BCLC B and 59.6 % as BCLC C. All patients were followed until death. Results: The median OS was 6.4 months, which varied significantly with disease stage (median OS for BCLC A, B, C, and D was 29.4, 12.0, 4.6, and 2.7 months, respectively; p = 0.009); Child-Pugh score and class; presence of ascites, PVO, or extrahepatic disease; largest lesion size; favourable treatment response; international normalized ratio, baseline albumin and alpha-fetopro- tein levels. Patients with a Child-Pugh A liver disease had a longer OS. Conclusion: Currently, different treatment modalities for HCC include radioembolization, transarterial chemoemboliz- ation, and systemic therapy with sorafenib; however, 1311-lipiodol therapy remains a feasible alternative for patients without a favourable response to other therapies, particularly for patients with Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis.

Residual activity after radioembolization of liver tumours with 90Y resin microspheres

The actual number of resin microspheres is approximately 30-60 times higher than glass microspheres per 3 GBq vial. Thus, radioembolization (RE) with resin microspheres exerts an embolization effect besides the radiation effect. This embolization effect can occasionally cause early back flow of the microspheres before application of the entire calculated dose. To avoid these adverse side effects, RE has to be terminated at an earlier time point. Measurement of the residual activity in the delivery box, which includes the v-vial, tube and catheter, to calculate the achieved target dose is often challenging. The aim of the current study was to establish a post-RE measurement method comparable to the glass microspheres method without unnecessary radiation exposure to the staff and risk of contamination. Methods: Two different measurements were performed. First, total radioactivity in the shipping vial was measured in an ion chamber and then it was put in the delivery box and the radiation was measured from a 30 cm distance from the centre of the box with a dosimeter. The required radioactivity was then transferred to the v-vial, and the shipping vial was measured again. After that, the v-vial was measured from the same distance from the centre of the box with dosimeter. Results: Altogether 62 times the shipping vial with different activities were measured with a significant positive correlation between the amount of the activity measured in the iron chamber and the radiation dose, measured with dosimeter (r2 = 0.98; p < 0.001). There was also a strong positive correlation between these measurements of the v-vial (r2 = 0.98; p < 0.001). Conclusion: With measurement of the residual activity in the delivery box using a dosimeter the percentage of the whole injected activity can be easily calculated. This facilitates the calculation of the actual, achieved target and non-target dose in those cases, where therapy had to be stopped because of eminent flow reversal or obstruction.

Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of two distinct interconvertible DNA methylomes of mouse embryonic stem cells

The use of two kinase inhibitors (2i) enables derivation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in the pluripotent ground state. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), we show that male 2i ESCs are globally hypomethylated compared to conventional ESCs maintained in serum. In serum, female ESCs are hypomethyated similarly to male ESCs in 2i, and DNA methylation is further reduced in 2i. Regions with elevated DNA methylation in 2i strongly correlate with the presence of H3K9me3 on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and imprinted loci. The methylome of male ESCs in serum parallels postimplantation blastocyst cells, while 2i stalls ESCs in a hypomethylated, ICM-like state. WGBS analysis during adaptation of 2i ESCs to serum suggests that deposition of DNA methylation is largely random, while loss of DNA methylation during reversion to 2i occurs passively, initiating at TET1 binding sites. Together, our analysis provides insight into DNA methylation dynamics in cultured ESCs paralleling early developmental processes.

Detection of vim- and ipm-type metallo-beta-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most important bacterium isolated from burn wounds, and its resistance to imipenem due to metallo-beta-lactamases is increasing. This study was designed to detect vim1, vim2, ipm1 and ipm2 metallo-beta-lactamases genes between Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates isolated from Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital, Iran.

METHODS

To that end, we isolated 483 nonduplicate consecutive isolates of P. aeruginosa from burn infections; and after biochemical confirmation, we examined the imipenem susceptibility via the Kirby-Bauer method. All the imipenem-resistant and imipenem-intermediate isolates were screened for vim1, vim2, ipm1 and ipm2 genes through the PCR method.

RESULTS

From the 483 isolates, 272 (56%) and 63 (13%) isolates had resistant and intermediate zones in their imipenem antibiogram pattern, respectively. Fifty-four (16.1%), 7 (2.1%), 22 (6.6%), and 11 (3.3%) of the resistant and intermediate isolates had vim1, vim2, ipm1 and ipm2 genes in their PCR results, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MBL-mediated imipenem resistance in P. aeruginosa is a cause for concern in the treatment of infective burn patients. The rate of imipenem resistance due to MBL was increased dramatically and newer versions of MBL families were detected for the first time. These results suggest that an effective method should be provided to fight MBL production in clinical isolates.

The analysis of health research system evaluation in medical sciences universities

BACKGROUND

Based on Iran by 2025 defined vision, we must to receive the first grade of science position in south western Asian region. Thus we need to have a comprehensive evaluation program.

METHODS

A comprehensive WHO Health Research System Analysis (HRSA)- based evaluation system was developed to evaluate the HRS in Iran. This article has explored the results of the five-year evaluation (2003-2008) and aims to introduce this method to other developing countries. Here we explore the results of research performance evaluation from 2002 to 2010 and by comparing the results with previous available information, we reveal the probable role of this method in research promotion and proposed approach to facilitate and expedite achieving the prospects for goals of health research based on the visions of Iran by 2025.

RESULTS

All of the indicators of stewardship and capacity building axes are received to their predefined levels. Moreover all of the medical science university research policies are based on their strategic plannings which are extracted from national visions of Iran by 2025. Most of the predefined goals in knowledge production domain had a significant grow trend but for more growth for commitments they should be closely follow.

CONCLUSION

We developed an HRS-based comprehensive evaluation program to our national vision as well as our regional and international research competition.

Health research evaluation and its role on knowledge production

BACKGROUND

Knowledge production and evaluation are two important functions of health research system (HRS). In this article, we aimed to reveal the correlation between evaluation of health research organizations and health knowledge production promotion.

METHODS

A comprehensive evaluation system was developed to evaluate the academic performance of national medical science universities on an annual basis. It assess following domains; stewardship, capacity building and knowledge production. Measurable indicators for each domain were assigned, a 'research profile' for each department was provided. In this study, we compared the results of annually national Health Research System evaluation findings during 2005-2008.

RESULTS

The number of scientific articles has been increased from 4672 to 8816 during 2005 to 2008. It is mentionable that, the number of articles which has been published in indexed data bases has risen too. This fact could be related to directed policy for more international publication of scientific articles from Iran. The proportion of total articles to the number of academic members was 1.14 in 2008, comparing to 0.84 in 2005. It means that this proportion have increased about twice (0.7 Vs 0.45) during mentioned time. Moreover, other scientific products such as authored books based on domestic researches and cited articles in textbooks have increased according to special attention to knowledge production by policy makers.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that Health System Research evaluation could be used as a mean for implementing policies and promoting knowledge production.

Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract protects G6PD-deficient erythrocytes from hemolytic injury in vitro and in vivo: prevention of favism disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract against the hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba beans extract in both G6PD enzyme-deficient human and rat erythrocyte in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the former model, venous blood samples were obtained from five subjects with known G6PD deficiency and erythrocyte hemolysis induced by Vicia faba L. bean extract was asessed spectrophotometrically in the presence and absence of Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract. In the in vivo model, G6PD-deficient rats (induced by intraperitoneal injection of dehydroepiandrosterone for 35 days) pre-treated with different doses of Diospyros lotus L. (500, 750, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg, p.o for 7 days) were challenged with Vicia faba beans extract and the protective effect of the fruit extract against hemolysis was evaluated as above.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results have shown that Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract has antioxidant activity that may protect against hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba bean extract in both G6PD-deficient human and rat erythrocytes. The study gives a scientific basis for the efficacy of the fruit extract as used in Iran. The fact that this was shown in human erythrocytes in vitro is significant and provides a rationale for further testing in vivo in G6PD-deficient human populations.

The radiotracer (99m)Tc-MIBI is not genotoxic for human peripheral blood lymphocytes at diagnostic radioactive dose

The radiotracer technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) has been widely used for myocardial blood flow imaging. We investigated the genotoxicity of (99m)Tc-MIBI in cultured human lymphocytes at the same concentration used in patients. Radioactivity doses were determined in whole blood at 5 min post-injection of 20 mCi (99m)Tc-MIBI in patients. Subsequently, whole blood of human volunteers was incubated with 1, 2.3, 4 or 8 microCi (99m)Tc-MIBI. After a 30-min incubation, the lymphocytes were stimulated with a mitogen to assay for micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells. The frequency of micronuclei in samples treated with this radiopharmaceutical up to 2-fold (8 microCi) the concentration of (99m)Tc-MIBI normally found in the blood of patients was not more than in control lymphocyte cultures. We concluded that there is no increased induction of micronuclei in lymphocytes incubated with (99m)Tc-MIBI at the radioactivity doses used for diagnostic purposes.

Safety Cultural Assessment among Management, Supervisory and Worker Groups in a Tar Refinery Plant

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the relationship between people's attitudes towards the safety culture and comparing its perceptions among three levels of refinery Personnel: top management, supervisory staff and frontline workers by conducting safety culture survey.

METHODS

A questionnaire comprising general information and 59-safety attitude statement were distributed among 237 workers, 53 supervisors and 12 managers in Isfahan Tar Refinery in Iran.

RESULTS

The 10 testable factors, including organizational and management commitment to safety and communication, Rule breaking, Training and competence, Pressure for production and safety, Communication, Personal involvement in health and safety, Accident/Incidents/Near misses, Organizational/management commitment to health and safety, Supervisors/Immediate bosses/Line managers, Health and safety procedures/Instructions/rules, Workforce view on state of safety culture, have high inter-correlations and the three groups of respondents hold quite different attitudes regarding safety culture.

CONCLUSION

These findings can give invaluable indication to the managers to have better understanding of safety culture in this industry.

Application of a hazard and operability study method to hazard evaluation of a chemical unit of the power station

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify the hazards, evaluate their risk factors and determine the measure for promotion of the process and reduction of accidents in the chemical unit of the power station.

METHODS

In this case and qualitative study, HAZOP technique was used to recognize the hazards and problems of operations on the chemical section at power station. Totally, 126 deviations were documented with various causes and consequences.

RESULTS

Ranking and evaluation of identified risks indicate that the majority of deviations were categorized as "acceptable" and less than half of that were "unacceptable". The highest calculated risk level (1B) related to both the interruption of acid entry to the discharge pumps and an increased density of the acid. About 27% of the deviations had the lowest risk level (4B).

CONCLUSION

The identification of hazards by HAZOP indicates that it could, systemically, assess and criticize the process of consumption or production of acid and alkali in the chemical unit of power plant.

Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella species in acute diarrhoea in Hamedan, Islamic Republic of Iran

This study investigated the frequency of Escherichia col, Shigella and Salmonella species in stool specimens from patients with diarrhoea presenting to health centres in Hamedan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. From 144 samples, Shigella strains were isolated in 17 cases (11.8%): 10 Sh. flexneri, 3 Sh. sonnei, 2 Sh. boydii and 2 untyped strains. No Salmonella strains were isolated. Using molecular diagnostic methods, diarrheogenic E. coli were detected in 37 cases (25.7%), the majority were enterotoxigenic (ETEC) (22 cases) and Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) strains (15 cases). In 14 cases (9.7%) there was co-infection.

Unusual presentation of vitamin A intoxication

A 10.5-year-old boy was admitted to hospital because of a focal motor seizure. He had suffered from impaired attention span and emotional instability from the age of 6 years. From the age of 5 years he received daily a multivitamin preparation containing 5,000 IU vitamin A. The cause of his symptoms was found to be vitamin A intoxication, with an unusual acute presentation of microscopic hematuria, electroencephalographic abnormalities, and convulsions.