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Background: Webometrics refers to the quantitative study of science production, application, structure and technology in the cyber environment. Furthermore, webometrics is applied in ranking studies for universities and academic centers as an internationally approved mean. Our study aimed to evaluate the webometric status of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Iran, and its place in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including all websites of Iranian universities. Census sampling was applied to cover all Iranian university websites. Then, the websites were evaluated according to the latest criteria for the international webometrics ranking methodology (Cyberometric Lab, July 2012) and their webometrics rank at international level and the changes in the rank between July 2012 and January 2013 were analyzed. The webometrics rank of IUMS was compared with other medical universities at different levels as well. Findings: From July 2012 to January 2013, IUMS webometrics rank improved 707, 5 and 2 at international, national and ministerial levels, respectively. Moreover, the IUMS rank for openness rose from 4477 to 193 (Δ = 4284) during the studied period. In excellence, the university rank did not change sensibly (1537 to 1538). In the same period, the rank in presence shifted from 1137 to 1091. Meanwhile, growth in website impact was negative as the university impact rank declined from 3369 to 3393. Conclusion: It seems that impact as the most influential ranking indicator fails to grow proportionately as other factors in IUMS website. This is potentially due to the content language (Farsi) which is an important barrier to easy retrieval of information by non-Farsi speakers. However, the scientific content and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) standards of the website need serious improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is commonly associated with abnormalities in plasma lipoprotein levels, especially a significantly low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL). Most treatments for RA, particularly biological drugs, decrease atherogenic index. Improvement in lipoprotein profile has been found to be associated with decrease in inflammation in RA patients. This study was designed to survey the relationship between lipid profile and RA activity index. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 200 randomly selected RA patients. After blood sampling, plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL were measured. The correlations between these indices and disease activity index were then evaluated using disease activity score calculator (DAS28). The collected data was statistically analyzed by SPSS18. Pierson and Spearman correlation coefficients were applied for data analysis. Multiple regression test and factorial model were used to control bias.. Findings: Examination of the relation between LDL levels and RA criteria revealed a direct significant association of 0.13. A significant association of 0.17 was also found between pain intensity (based on visual analogue scale) and LDL levels. Moreover, LDL and tender joints were significantly associated (0.16). There were no statistically significant associations between LDL, joint swelling and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). HDL levels did not show significant relations with ESR, pain intensity and tender joints (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant reverse association between HDL levels and joint swelling (0.16). Conclusion: This study showed that lipid profile and RA were significantly related in many aspects. This finding was in accordance with the results of other similar studies. Therefore, it seems advisable to check the lipid profile of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, especially RA, on a regular basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some studies have shown the possible role of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in persistence of endemic goiter in iodine replenished areas. The present study was conducted to assess the association between PEM and goiter in schoolchildren of Isfahan, Iran., Methods: In a cross-sectional study using multistage cluster random-sampling, 2331 schoolchildren with age ranged from 6-13 years old with a female to male ratio of 1.60 were enrolled. Thyroid size was examined by two endocrinologists for goiter detection. Children were considered goitrous if they had palpable or visible goiters according to World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations children's Fund/International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency criteria. Weight and standing height were measured using the standard tools and anthropometric indices were calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus software developed by the World Health Organization. Height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ), weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) and body mass index (BMI) for age were calculated for each child. Children with a HAZ, WAZ or BMI-for-age of Z-score < -2.0 were classified as stunted, underweight or thin, respectively. Blood samples were drowned to measure serum thyroid hormones., Results: Overall, 32.9% of subjects were classified as goitrous. Weight, height, BMI, WAZ and BMI-for-age Z-score were significantly lower in children with goiter than in children who did not have goiter (P < 0.05). The prevalence of goiter in thin children was higher than that in non-thin ones (48.4 vs. 31.6%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-2.69, P < 0.001). Although 33.4% of non-stunted children were goitrous, 31% of stunted ones had goiter (P = 0.5). According to the logistic regression model taking sex and age as covariates, the only significant parameter affecting palpable goiter detection was thinness (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.22-3.69, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: In the present study, we found a high prevalence of goiter in children who were malnourished. It seems that PEM may play a role in the still high prevalence of goiter in this region.