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Transparent elements of building enclosure components play a critical role in buildings' performance and integrity. Numeric simulation provides a tool to model and predict the thermal behavior of window constructions. This paper presents a two-dimensional numerical analysis of the thermal behavior of a casement window before and after implementing a vacuum glazing in the external pane. Two modelling approaches were considered, a conventional one (focusing predominantly on conductive heat transfer) and a more detailed one (involving coupled conduction and convection). The results of the study demonstrate the benefits of the aforementioned retrofit option in terms of reduced heat transfer, increase of surface temperature within the cavity during the cold season, and the reduction of surface condensation risk.

مقدمه: مولتیپل اسکلروزیس (MS یا Multiple sclerosis) یک بیماری خودایمن مزمن در سیستم عصبی مرکزی (CNS یا Central nervous system) است که با پاسخ سلول‌های لنفوسیت T به آنتی‌ژن‌های میلین ایجاد می‌شود. یکی از انواع گیرنده‌های سطح سلولی لنفوسیت‌های T مولکول‌های خانواده‌ی TIM (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain) هستند که SNPهای (Single nucleotide polymorphisms) متعددی در ژن مربوط به آن‌ها شناسایی شده است. این SNPها همواره با بیماری‌های خودایمن مختلفی در ارتباط بوده‌اند. هدف از این مطالعه، مقایسه‌ی فراوانی پلی‌مورفیسم +4259A>C ژن 3-TIM در بیماران دچار مولتیپل اسکلروزیس و افراد سالم در اصفهان بود تا مشخص شود که آیا این پلی‌مورفیسم زمینه‌ساز بیماری فوق در اصفهان می‌باشد؟ روش‌ها: DNA سلول‌ها با استفاده از کیت استخراج DNA، از خون افراد جدا شد. در این مطالعه، از روش PCR-RFLP (Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) استفاده کردیم. ابتدا ژن 3-TIM تکثیر شد؛ سپس، در مجاورت آنزیم خرد کننده قرار گرفت. با تکنیک الکتروفورز، قطعات حاصل از هضم آنزیمی تفکیک شد و مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: تفاوت معنی‌داری بین فراوانی ژنوتیپ‌ها و الل‌های پلی‌مورفیسم +4259A>C در بیماران و افراد سالم مشاهده شد (029/0 = P). شانس ابتلا به بیماری در افرادی که حامل الل C بودند، حدود 2 برابر افراد فاقد این الل بود (010/0 = P). نتیجه‌گیری: پلی‌مورفیسم +4259A>C ممکن است در ابتلا به بیماری مولتیپل اسکلروزیس نقش داشته باشد. برای درک بیشتر می‌توان، اثر این پلی‌مورفیسم را بر بیان و نحوه‌ی عمل مولکول 3-TIM بررسی کرد.

Background: Records from the cancer registry system of Iran indicate that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Iranian men and fourth most common among Iranian women. In this study we have investigated the environmental factors associated with colorectal cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, we randomly selected 187 patients with colorectal cancer who had positive results by colonoscopy and pathology (case group) and 250 persons who had negative colonoscopy results (control group) from the Colonoscopy Unit of Al Zahra Hospital and Colorectal Cancer Center of Seyed Al Shohada Hospital from 2014 to mid-2015. This study aimed to find the risk factors for sporadic colorectal cancer; therefore, we excluded patients with positive family history. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that asked about sex, age, body mass index, smoking status, job-related physical activity, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug consumption. Results: This study enrolled 187 colorectal cancer patients (98 males and 89 females) and 250 individuals without colorectal cancer (107 males and 143 females). Multiple analysis demonstrated a significant association of age (odds ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.06) and body mass index (odds ratio: 1.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.15) with colorectal cancer risk. Men had an almost two-fold risk compared with women (odds ratio: 1.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 2.99). Subjects who did not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had an almost three-fold risk compared with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumers (odds ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.19, 0.62). Analysis for job-related physical activity, also indicated an association between the no/low active group with colorectal cancer (odds ratio no activity: 36.09; 95% confidence interval: 10.94, 119 and odds ratio low activity: 2.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.43, 6.13). Conclusion: Knowledge of the risk factors involved in colorectal cancer incidence makes it possible to identify people at risk and begin risk reduction strategies as well as screening programs.

Background: The goal of the current study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Iranian households toward use of iron and vitamin A&D supplements in infants and pregnant women. Method: Overall, 14,136 Iranian households from urban and rural areas of 31 provinces were considered as the study population. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was applied in each province and the size of clusters was 8 people. Data were collected by interviewing the qualified person and using a structure questionnaire. Socioeconomic status was considered as three levels (good, moderate or weak) based on five variables: household assets, occupation and education levels of head of family and respondent and number of family members. The percentage of KAP in households was measured by questions about essential supplementation in pregnancy and infancy. Result: The percentage of knowledge of using vitamin A&D and the beginning time of iron intake was 67.4%, and 67.8%, respectively. More than three forth of respondents had a favorable attitude about iron intake in pregnancy and infancy. Almost 80% of households used iron and vitamin A&D for their infants and 78% of pregnant women used iron supplement. Generally, the percentage of KAP was significantly higher in urban households. There was a linear association between KAP and SES. Conclusion: KAP in urban and rural households was not desirable; however, urban households had better status than rural ones. One of the suggested ways of ameliorating nutritional issues in pregnant women and infants aged less than two years olds is educating households about the importance of supplementation in pregnancy and infancy. Keywords: Socioeconomic status, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Iron, Vitamin A-D

At present, some clinical presentations and serological parameters such as products of complement activation and elevation of autoantibodies (e.g. dsDNA antibodies), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), or cytokines such as IL-2/IL-2 receptor, IL-6 and IL-10 are used as indirect serological markers with variable degrees of significance. To date, no specific serological parameter is available to assess disease activity in SLE. Soluble serum thrombomodulin is a new marker of endothelial cell injury and vasculitis. The objective of this study was to determine in vivo soluble thrombomodulin as a marker of disease activity in SLE pa-tients and compare serum thrombomodulin in SEL patients with and without renal involvement and inactive SLE patients. Sixty-four patients fulfilling ACR criteria with proven SLE with differ-ent disease activities were tested for serum levels of Thrombomodulin and dsDNA by ELISA. C3, C4 and FANA were also measured by standard laboratory tests. The clinical disease activity was evaluated by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index (SLEDAI). Elevated soluble thrombomodulin had significant correlations with an increased ANA level (P= 0.037), decrease level of C3 (P =0.017), increase of SLEDAI (P=0.003) and strongly associated with renal in-volvement in SLE. Thrombomodulin level and Anti dsDNA in active patients with and without re-nal disease were higher than inactive patients. In SLE, serum thrombomodulin seems to be impor-tant marker for evaluation of disease activity.

Background and Objectives: One of the issues affecting the health sector is the presence of regional inequalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the trend of inequality in the distribution of human resources and health facilities in the health sector of Iran. Methods: In this study, inequality in the distribution of human resources and health facilities in the health sector was assessed using the Gini coefficient in 2006, 2011, and 2015. The variables included human resources (6 indicators) and health facilities (10 indicators). Data were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and the Statistics and Information Technology office of the Ministry of Health. For a Gini coefficient less than 0.35, 0.35-0.5, 0.5-0.6, more than 0.6 indicated relatively balanced inequality, relatively unequal inequality, high inequality, and very high inequality, respectively. Results: The maximum Gini coefficient belonged to radiographic centers (0.61) and the minimum was Behvarz (0.23). In human resources indicators, inequality decreased over the study years from 0.57 to 0.27. However, inequality showed a slight increase in Behvarzes from 0.24 to 0.26. Among the facilities indicators, the Gini coefficient of urban health centers, health care facilities, beds, and radiology centers decreased from 0.45 to 0.31, whereas other indicators had an increasing trend from 0.24 to 0.59. In the private sector, there was a high inequality (0.5 to 0.61). Conclusion: Eliminating inequalities in the distribution of health sector resources can help to improve justice in health outcomes. Therefore, policymakers should be pay more attention to eliminating inequalities.

Background: 24-h urinary pr is a standard way to diagnose lupus nephritis. Assessment of Pr/Cr ratio in morning spot urine is a valuable method in diabetic patients but it has no use in SLE patients routinely. In this study Pr/Cr ratio in spot urine was compared with 24-h urine Pr. If they have valuable correlation, we can use this test instead of 24-h urinary Pr. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of spot urine protein-creatinine ratio for prediction of significant proteinuria (> or = 300 mg/24 h) in patients with systemic lupus erythematous. Methods: A cross-section study was conducted in 74 hospitalized women with systemic lupus erythematous. The correlation between Prot/Cr in first morning urine specimens and urinary protein excretion were analyzed in 24-h collections. Findings: Correlation between Prot/Cr ratio in spot morning urine specimens and urinary protein excretion in 24-h collections was significant. Conclusion: A high correlation and precision of agreement were demonstrated between the two methods of assessment proteinuria in lupus patients. The difference between the two methods was less than the biological variability in the protein excretion and its measurement, enabling the methods to be used interchangeably creatinine ratio in spot morning urine samples is a precise indicator of proteinuria in patients with lupus nephritis and represents a simple and inexpensive procedure in establishing severity of proteinuria in patients with systemic lupus erythematous. Key words: Systemic Lupus Erythematous, 24-h urine protein measurement, protein / creatinine ratio.

Background: Rural family physician program as the new reform in the Iranian health system has been implemented since 2005. Its success depends much on physicians′ retention. The present study aimed to identify influential factors on physicians′ willingness to leave out this program in Kerman province. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed in Kerman province in 2011. All family physicians working in this program (n = 271) were studied using a questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and logistic regression through SPSS version 18.0. Results: Twenty-six percent (70) of the physicians had left out the program in the past. In addition, 77.3% (208) intended to leave out in the near future. Opportunity for continuing education, inappropriate and long working hours, unsuitable requirements of salary, irregular payments, lack of job security and high working responsibility were regarded as the most important reasons for leaving out the program in the past and intention to leave out in future orderly. According to univariate logistic regression, younger physicians (odds ratio [OR] =2.479; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.261-4.872) and physicians who had older children (OR = 4.743; 95% CI: 1.441-15.607) were more willing to leave out the plan in the near future, however it was not significant in multivariate logistic regression. Conclusions: Physician retention in family physician program is faced with serious doubts due to different reasons. The success of the program is endangered because of the pivotal role of human resources. Hence, the revision of human resources policies of the program seems necessary in order to reduce physicians leave out and improving its effectiveness.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dietary supplement-use and its relationship with demographics and lifestyle of medical interns. The study sample comprised 356 interns aged 23 to 25 years. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary supplement-use during the month preceding the study, information on demographic characteristics and lifestyle was also obtained. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were employed to assess the correlates of dietary supplement-use. The prevalence of dietary supplement-use was about 33% (males 20.4% and females 43.2%, p

Objective Sleep problems are common complaints among pregnant women. This study was designed to compare subjective sleep problems in non-pregnancy condition, healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy as a major complication of pregnancy. We hypothesized that some sleep problems are more prevalent in females with preeclampsia. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 102 women with preeclampsia, 106 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester and 103 healthy non-pregnant women were selected through random sampling. Age and parity were matched in the three groups. We used Global sleep assessment questionnaire (GSAQ) to check the subjective sleep problems, and then we performed statistical analysis using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson Chi-square tests. Results Our findings revealed significant differences in initial insomnia (p = 0.034), fragmented sleep (p = 0.022), snoring (p