Introduction: The present work describes a study in which, based on patient dose measurements, thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to obtain the diagnostic Reference level arising from panoramic radiography.Materials and Methods: Ten panoramic units and a sample of 15 patients per X-ray unit were studied. Two thermoluminescent dosimeter chips were placed on the skin surface of selected organs. Mean value of two ESDs was taken as the measured representation dose at the point of interest.Results: Mean ESD on parotid glands derived from panoramic radiography was equal to 369.2 mGy. Individual patients’ dose value varied from 180.1 to 470.3 mGy.Conclusion: Third quartile of mean absorbed dose distribution arising from a particular examination has been adopted as diagnostic Reference level. Based on this definition, local diagnostic Reference level arising from panoramic radiography of the greater Khorasan province is equal to 400 mG.

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy), an intermediate form generated during the metabolism of methionine, is associated with cardiovascular diseases. There is little information available about serum concentration of Hcy in healthy Iranian population. In the present study, we assessed the Reference range of serum Hcy level among inhabitants of the northern Persian Gulf. Methods: In the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study (PGHHS) which used a multistage, stratified, clustered sampling, we measured fasting serum Hcy level using enzyme immunoassay method with an accuracy limit of 1 μmol/ L. Confounding factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, drugs and chronic diseases were eliminated. Reference range for homocysteine level was considered between 5 and 95 percentiles. Results: A total of 886 participants (39.3% female, 60.7% male) were evaluated. Mean plasma Hcy level was 14.58 ± 7.29 mmol/ L and was higher in men than women. Reference range for Hcy level was 8.35-31.1 mmol/ L in males and 2.39-24.31 mmol/ L in females. There was no difference among age groups for serum Hcy level. Conclusion: The Hcy level in the northern Persian Gulf general population is high. Since high Hcy level has been shown as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases in various studies, it is essential to study the reasons of this high level of Hcy in this region.

The nursing profession generates a large number of documents, and despite a number of terminology standards in existence, lack of interoperability in process and data structure still persists. The purpose of carrying out this study was to develop an integrated, comprehensive structure of nursing process as a domain information model which could be suitable for message development which potentially can be used when implementing clinical information software. We present phases of nursing process modeling, followed by mapping the resultant model to the HL7 Reference Information Model, generating a nursing domain message information model. Also, reviewing the Clinical Document Architecture in relation to the nursing process, we present our proposal for changes required to its object model for better support of nursing documents.

Introduction: The expected values of hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in domestic animal species can be affected by breed, age, environment, and nutrition. Established breed-specific Reference intervals (RI) are an important tool for monitoring the health of sheep. There is a lack of published data on biochemical RI for Sngsari sheep. Thus, the aims of this study were to establish RI for select of serum biochemical parameters for Sangsari sheep by Reference Value Advisor (RVA) method and provide information on the studied parameters for both sex of this breed in order to form a basis for clinical interpretation. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy Sangsari sheep including 26 ewes and 34 rams (2– 4 years old) were chosen from the breeding station of Sangsari sheep among 150 sheep in Damghan, Semnan, Iran. The type of feeding, all the animals had free access to water and to good-quality alfalfa hay (90. 0 % DM, 15. 8 CP % DM, 50. 4NDF%DM, 31. 6ADF%DM, 5. 8 lignin% DM, and 2. 2 EE % DM). Concentrate (23 % oats, 36 % corn, 38 % barley, and 3%mineral and vitamin supplements) was provided once daily (200 g per animal per day). In the sampling day, breeder signed a subscription form and completed a primary questionnaire consisting of specific questions about past and current health status, sexual status, medications used, and familial and reproductive medical history. Complete physical examinations were performed by the same experienced veterinarian on each sheep. In order to reduce stress, blood samples were taken in the station with minimal changes in the usual schedule of the sheep. Blood samples (taken from the jugular vein) were collected in simple tubes in order to separate the serum (centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min) for biochemical analysis. Samples transported at +4 ° C to the laboratory department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan, Iran. Biochemical parameters were measured by a autoanalyzer. These parameters included alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyletransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb). For statistical analysis, data were analyzed by Reference Value Advisor and outliers were deleted if detected according to Tukey or Dixon. RIs, according to sample size, were determined using a robust method and following Box-Cox transformation of data. The data were normally distributed, and differences between sexes in biochemical parameters were analyzed using independent sample T test. A value of P<0. 05 was considered as significant. Results and Discussion: The RI of biochemical parameters obtained from adult healthy Sangsari sheep includes the following: ALP 49. 24-564. 84 u/l; GGT 24. 14-62. 23 u/l; AST 10. 86-338. 40 u/l; BUN 6. 91-26. 43 mg/dl; TP 5. 19-13. 95 gr/dl and Alb 0. 92-3. 63 gr/dl. Established RI of biochemical parameters for ewes and rams, respectively including: ALP 29. 98-702. 89 u/l; GGT 22. 41-54. 49 u/l; AST 1. 36-279. 89 u/l; BUN 5. 9526. 86 mg/dl; TP 5. 75-12. 83 gr/dl; Alb 0. 84-2. 77 gr/dl and ALP 106. 08-568. 55 u/l; GGT 20. 80-58. 30 u/l; AST 360. 12 u/l; BUN 8. 15-26. 04 mg/dl; TP 4. 66-15. 59 g/dl and Alb 0. 74-3. 77 g/dl. Interpretation of the biochemical results in different breeds of sheep, with regard to RI for each parameter, in conjunction with history, clinical findings and other paraclinical tests helps the clinician to reach a definitive diagnosis. A unique feature of Sangsari sheep is that they are highly adaptable with desert and mountain ranges with high tolerance of drought conditions. This breed is also relatively small size and light weight, and most studies have focused on genetic characteristics associated with this trait. In view of the characteristics mentioned above and considering the lack of Reference range for biochemical parameters, it is necessary to determine Reference intervals in Sangsari sheep. In order to establish a comprehensive Reference interval in Sangsari sheep, a select biochemical parameters were evaluated in the present study. Almost most of the established RI for biochemical parameters in this study differed from previously published RI, so that the lower and upper limits of RI of theses parameters (with the exception of BUN) were lower and higher than the values previously reported. Differences between obtained RI for the Sangsari sheep and previously reported RI for other breeds may be attributed to variations in hormonal influences, hydration status, dietary differences, or adaptations to a desert environment, age, breed, season of study and analytic method. Conclusion: The obtained data provided Reference interval for biochemical parameters in Sangsari sheep for the first time. Present study demonstrates significant differences in most of the biochemical parameters. Reference intervals determined in this study provide a baseline for interpreting biochemical results in Sangsari sheep, and contribute to optimization of the management of this species.

Background & Objective: In addition to pyramidal neurons and interneurons, the hippocampus contains Astrocytes that play important roles in regulating ion flux currents, energy production, neurotransmitter release and memory. Learning needs some instrument for information storage and information maintenances mechanisms resemble to memory. The aim of this study was determination of spatial memory effect on the number of astrocytes in rat’s hippocampus.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, with usage of Morris Water Maze and Reference memory technique, we used 10 male albino wistar rats. 5 rats were in control group and 5 rats in Reference memory group. After histological preparation, the slides were stained with PTAH staining for showing the Astrocytes. Results: The findings of this study showed significant difference in astrocytes number in CA1, CA2 and CA3 area of hippocampus between control and Reference memory group. The mean and SD of astrocytes in CA1, CA2 and CA3 of Reference memory group were 118.57±25.29, 58.91±23.59 and 116.6±31.14, that they are more than control group with 49±17.29 in CA1, 48.8±25.21 in CA2 and 41.95±11.22 in CA3. Conclusion: We concluded that the number of astrocytes increased due to spatial learning (e.g. Reference memory method).

While ionizing radiation plays a pivotal role in the precise diagnosis and treatment, it concurrently engenders risks, including an elevated incidence of cancer. The research speaks to the discernible decline in quality assurance programmes and dose measurement endeavors within Nigerian imaging facilities, with a substantial portion lacking established protocols for routine machine calibration and dose measurement. This study encompasses a large-scale survey involving 307 adult patients undergoing routine X-ray procedures in two hospitals in Nigeria. Thermo-luminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used for measuring Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) of consenting adult patients. The mean ESD values ranged from 1.16 mGy to a maximum of 3.94 mGy. Notably, these values were predominantly below the dose Reference levels (DRLs) established by reputable bodies such as NRPB, CEC, IAEA, and UK for most examinations. The main purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic Reference level (DRL) for routine digital radiography examinations in Nigeria.

This study aims to examine the adaptation level of the Reference point, the dynamic level of this point, and the intensity of investors' reaction to gains and losses based on prospect theory. The basis of the study is the adaptation of the Reference point based on the received stimuli and considering the disposition effect. In this regard, a sample of 103,937 firm-year observations of the firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during the years 2008 to 2020 and an integrated panel data approach was used to examine the research hypotheses. The results show that, because investors act on the stimuli they receive to correct their Reference point, the Reference point cannot be fixed. Five variables (stimuli) – gain (loss) amount, gain (loss) duration, simultaneous effect of amount and duration of gain (loss), positive (negative) EPS adjustment, and positive (negative) coverage percentage of EPS – have a significant effect on trading volume and Reference point adaptation level, and they can be mentioned as adaptation determinant factors of the Reference point. The results show that the intensity of investors' reaction to gains and losses is not the same. In most studies, the Reference point is assumed to be fixed and static. The Reference point does not appear to be static and varies according to the conditions and stimuli received. In this research, the researchers intend to identify the factors affecting the Reference point, to provide a dynamic model that can explain how investors' Reference point is adapted.