Paired Correlation Analysis Research Articles

High F-Content Perfluoropolyether-Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Detection of Breast Cancer by 19F Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging.

Two important challenges in the field of 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the maintenance of high fluorine content without compromising imaging performance, and effective targeting of small particles to diseased tissue. To address these challenges, we have developed a series of perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based hyperbranched (HBPFPE) nanoparticles with attached peptide aptamer as targeting ligands for specific in vivo detection of breast cancer with high 19F MRI sensitivity. A detailed comparison of the HBPFPE nanoparticles (NPs) with the previously reported trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA)-based polymers demonstrates that the mobility of fluorinated segments of the HBPFPE nanoparticles is significantly enhanced (19F T2 > 80 ms vs 31 ms), resulting in superior MR imaging sensitivity. Selective targeting was confirmed by auto- and pair correlation analysis of fluorescence microscopy data, in vitro immunofluorescence, in vivo 19F MRI, ex vivo fluorescence and 19F NMR. The results highlight the high efficiency of aptamers for targeting and the excellent sensitivity of the PFPE moieties for 19F MRI. Of relevance to in vivo applications, the PFPE-based polymers exhibit much faster clearance from the body than the previously introduced perfluorocarbon emulsions ( t1/2 ∼ 20 h vs up to months). Moreover, the aptamer-conjugated NPs show significantly higher tumor-penetration, demonstrating the potential of these imaging agents for therapeutic applications. This report of the synthesis of polymeric aptamer-conjugated PFPE-based 19F MRI CAs with high fluorine content (∼10 wt %) demonstrates that these NPs are exciting candidates for detecting diseases with high imaging sensitivity.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation to Reveal Effects of Binder Content on Pt/C Catalyst Coverage in a High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Full atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were performed to provide detailed information on the morphologies of Pt/C catalyst with varying poly(tetrafuoroethylene) (PTFE) binder contents. Changes in the surface configuration and PTFE coverage on Pt particles with changing binder content were examined on the molecular level; this coverage can affect the catalytic performance of Pt particles and PTFE binding. The PTFE binder content in the prepared solutions ranged from 4.0 to 35.1 wt %. From Pt-PTFE pair correlation analysis, the coordination number of this pair increased from 0.43 to 1.23 as the PTFE binder content increased from 4.0 to 35.1 wt %, with a concomitant 40.0 to 84.0% change in coverage over the Pt surface. At low PTFE content, the PTFE binder was dispersed between Pt particles and the carbons on the Pt/C surface to form a triple-phase boundary. Subsequently, Pt particles become increasingly covered by PTFE with increasing binder content. However, no significant changes were observed when ...

A mixed-method analysis on students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill development in Malaysian public universities

Employers nowadays are looking for potential fresh graduates who are able to think outside the box, so that they can produce with quality works. However, they are failed to do so and this situation result in high unemployment rate among graduates, mainly in Malaysia. With this concern, this paper aims to examine students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill development after undergoing an industrial training. Further investigation also examines relationship of the skill development with respect to supervisors’ leadership styles. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed, with three hypotheses were tested. A total of 2,000 undergraduate students from six public universities in Malaysia involved in pre- and post-training surveys. In assessing students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill, eleven items in Belbin inventory on Thinking role was used. Meanwhile, nine employers and twelve students were participated in the interviews and they were asked regarding their perception of industrial training in assisting the development of critical thinking and problem solving skill. Descriptive analysis (such as mean), paired samples t-test, correlation and content analysis were utilized for the data analysis. Overall, results reveal that students developed in their critical thinking and problem solving skill upon completion of the industrial training. The results also demonstrate that there is a relationship between transformational leadership style the skill development. The findings of this study provide the necessity for industrial training stakeholders to improve industrial training program, mainly by implementing appropriate leadership styles.

Coupled Mutations-Enabled Glycerol Transportation in an Aquaporin Z Mutant.

Aquaporins are transmembrane channel proteins with key function being transportation of water or other small substrates. Escherichia coli Aqp Z transports water molecules only, whereas Glp F is permeable to glycerol. It is intriguing to explore the possibility to induce glycerol permeability in Aqp Z by targeted mutations. The Aqp Z mutants with mutated selectivity filter (SF) residues exhibit poor permeability for both glycerol and water. For addressing the complexity of protein systems, pair correlation information in protein sequence analyses is instructive to identify residues that are coupled by coevolution and motion. In this study, we analyze the correlation between residues and unravel the clustering patterns of coupled residues, beyond SF residues, in aquaglyceroporins (AQGPs). The identified coupled motifs are proposed to be sequenced into aquaporin (Aqp Z) to introduce glycerol permeability. These residues are located in the vicinity of SF region, C-loop, and M6–M7 linkage domain. Significant enlargement of SF pore size of the proposed Aqp Z mutant is observed by an all-atom replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation, which is critical to facilitate considerable glycerol passage as characterized in calculated free-energy landscapes. Clearly, the hidden connections among residues play crucial roles in water/glycerol selectivity. In contrast, single-site mutation-based scheme may even lead to undesirable effects in AQGPs, such as the blocking of water transportation by aromatic π-stacked gate. As demonstrated in this work, the pair correlation analysis guided rational mutagenesis provides a feasible strategy to modulate proteins’ functions.

Using functional trait diversity patterns to disentangle the scale‐dependent ecological processes in a subtropical forest

Abstract Disentangling ecological processes that influence community assembly and species diversity across spatial scales remains a major goal of community ecology. Community assembly processes influence spatial patterns of species diversity through their interactions with key functional traits. Hence, quantifying spatial patterns of functional trait diversity (FD) represents a useful tool for disentangling the relative importance of abiotic filtering, biotic interactions, random assembly and dispersal limitation across spatial scales. Here, we measured 12 traits of 112 study species in a 20‐ha fully mapped subtropical forest plot. The individuals of the 112 study species account for 99% of all living stems with diameter at breast height ≥ 1 cm. We studied important functional traits related to physiological processes of plants including resource acquisition (e.g. CO2 assimilation rate and leaf nutrient concentration) and drought tolerance (e.g. stem hydraulic conductivity and leaf turgor loss point). Additionally, species abundance, spatial locations (x‐ and y‐coordinates for each individual of the 112 study species) as well as topographic and soil variables that represent potentially important attributes of the physical environment of the plot were also included in our dataset. We employed two FD‐based tests (comparing FD within communities to those from random communities, distance‐based Moran's eigenvector maps (MEM) and redundancy analysis‐based variance partitioning), and one spatial analysis (inhomogeneous bivariate pair correlation analysis) to quantify the spatial patterns of FD of the plot at multiple spatial scales (400, 900, 1,600, 2,500 and 10,000 m2). We demonstrate that abiotic filtering is the major determinant responsible for trait convergence at relatively small scales (400, 900 and 1,600 m2), whereas dispersal limitation becomes dominant, causing the weakening of trait convergence at relatively large scales (2,500 and 10,000 m2). Our results highlight the relative contributions of different ecological processes to community assembly at different spatial scales, which can be distinguished using the diversity patterns of key functional traits. Also, our integrated approaches constitute a useful study design to disentangle variable ecological processes in shaping community assembly across spatial scales. A plain language summary is available for this article.

Changes in Cognitive Function after Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent phenomenon after surgical and cardiovascular interventions. No data on cognitive function after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) are available so far. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cognitive function after LAAO compared to before LAAO. Methods and findings: Patients who underwent LAAO for treatment of atrial fibrillation at the Heidelberg Department of Internal Medicine III were eligible for this observational, explorative, single-center, non-randomized cohort study, between July 2013 and January 2016. Neurological examination and neuropsychological assessments were conducted one day before LAAO and one month after LAAO, using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery that included several cognitive domains including executive function, verbal fluency, verbal and non-verbal memory. Paired t-tests and correlation analyses were applied to compare test results pre- and post-intervention. In addition, we descriptively analyzed the number of relevant changes (± 1 standard deviation) over all cognitive domains for each patient. 20 patients completed the study. Mean age was 72.6 ± 6.8 years and 15 (75%) were male. There were no significant changes in any of the tested cognitive domains in group statistics. Descriptive single case analysis showed more deteriorations than improvements by one standard deviation over all cognitive domains in three patients, while in 11 patients the number of positive changes exceeded the number of negative changes. Conclusion: LAAO does not adversely affect cognitive function in the majority of cases.

GPI-anchored proteins are confined in subdiffraction clusters at the apical surface of polarized epithelial cells.

Spatio-temporal compartmentalization of membrane proteins is critical for the regulation of diverse vital functions in eukaryotic cells. It was previously shown that, at the apical surface of polarized MDCK cells, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are organized in small cholesterol-independent clusters of single GPI-AP species (homoclusters), which are required for the formation of larger cholesterol-dependent clusters formed by multiple GPI-AP species (heteroclusters). This clustered organization is crucial for the biological activities of GPI-APs; hence, understanding the spatio-temporal properties of their membrane organization is of fundamental importance. Here, by using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy coupled to pair correlation analysis (pc-STORM), we were able to visualize and measure the size of these clusters. Specifically, we show that they are non-randomly distributed and have an average size of 67 nm. We also demonstrated that polarized MDCK and non-polarized CHO cells have similar cluster distribution and size, but different sensitivity to cholesterol depletion. Finally, we derived a model that allowed a quantitative characterization of the cluster organization of GPI-APs at the apical surface of polarized MDCK cells for the first time. Experimental FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer)/FLIM (fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy) data were correlated to the theoretical predictions of the model.

Influence of increment thickness on radiant energy and microhardness of bulk-fill resin composites.

Determining the energy transferred at the bottom of eleven bulk-fill resin composites, comparing top and bottom microhardness's and evaluating the correlation between microhardness and radiant energy were aimed. Samples were placed over the bottom sensor of a visible light transmission spectrophotometer and polymerized for 20 s. The bottom and top Knoop microhardness were measured. Paired t-test and correlation analysis were used for statistics (p≤0.05). In all groups, the bottom radiant energy decreased significantly with increasing thickness. For groups of Aura 2 mm, X-tra Fil 2 and 4 mm, SDR 2 and 4 mm, X-tra Base 2 mm no significant difference was found between top and bottom microhardness. For the bottom levels of Aura, X-tra Fil, Filtek Bulk-Fill Posterior, SDR, X-tra Base groups no significant difference was found between the microhardness's of 2 and 4 mm thicknesses. For X-tra Fil, Tetric Evo Ceram Bulk-Fill, Filtek Bulk-Fill Flowable and Z100 groups radiant energy affected positively the microhardness.

The Relationship Between Linear Osteological and Radiographic Measurements of the Human Calcaneus and Talus

Plain radiographs of the foot are a common form of examination in individuals when medical evaluation is indicated. Their availability makes them useful for studying human variation where large sample sizes are crucial. Calcaneal and talar morphology are critical in the understanding of human foot form and function, but few studies have examined the accuracy of linear measurements of these bones taken from radiographs. If linear measurements are to be used in quantitative analysis, their accuracy must first be demonstrated. For this study, 54 human feet from amputated limbs were imaged in standard radiographic views and skeletonized. Selected linear measurements were made on each skeletonized talus and calcaneus. Corresponding landmarks were identified on the radiographic images and the distances between these points determined. Using the measurements taken from the physical bone, the accuracy of the radiographic measurements was evaluated employing paired Student's t-tests and correlation analysis. Most measurements were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05). Overall, the sagittal plane measurements were correlated (r2 > 0.61-0.88, all P < 0.001) with the radiographic measurements; transverse plane measurements less so (r2 = 0.20-0.63, P < 0.001). These results demonstrate that measurements from radiographic images provide useful information concerning both the calcaneus and talus, indicating that radiographs of living individuals can be evaluated quantitatively and compared to osteology collections of modern humans. This information can be applied to the understanding of functional anatomy of the modern human foot, interpreting the hominin fossil pedal record, and establishing identification in forensic analysis. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:21-33, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Importance of postprocedural Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) restaging in predicting limb salvage

ObjectiveThe Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) classification system was created to encompass demographic changes and expanding techniques of revascularization to perform meaningful analyses of outcomes in the treatment of the threatened limb. The WIfI index is intended to be analogous to the TNM staging system for cancer, with restaging to be done after control of infection and after revascularization. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of WIfI restaging after therapy in the prediction of limb outcomes. MethodsPreoperative WIfI scoring was performed prospectively for all critical limb ischemia patients who underwent revascularization from January 2014 to June 2015. WIfI restaging and assessment of outcomes were performed retrospectively through August 2016. WIfI classification was determined at the following intervals: preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 1 month and 6 months after intervention. Amputation-free survival (AFS) was the primary end point. Kaplan-Meier plot analysis and comparisons of preoperative grades with respective postoperative grades were performed using paired t-test, χ2 test, and correlation analyses. ResultsA total of 180 limbs and 172 critical limb ischemia patients underwent revascularization, of which 29 limbs had major amputations (16%). Wound grades generally improved after surgery across the entire cohort. Major amputation was associated with preoperative wound grade and remained associated with wound grade at postoperative restaging at 1 month and beyond on the basis of amputation frequency analysis (preoperatively, 1 month, and 6 months, P = .03, < .001, and < .001, respectively). Wound grade was significantly associated with AFS at 1 month and 6 months after intervention (log-rank, P < .001 for restaging intervals). Ischemia grades improved initially with a slight decline across the cohort at 6 months. Ischemia grade at 1 month postoperatively was associated with AFS (log-rank, P = .03). Foot infection grades also improved at each time interval. Foot infection grade was associated with AFS at 1 month postoperatively (log-rank, P < .001) and at 6 months (log-rank, P = .017). ConclusionsWIfI restaging is an important tool for predicting limb loss and assessing adequacy of intervention, more so than baseline WIfI alone. The 1- and 6-month postoperative ischemia grade correlated with AFS, whereas preoperative grade did not. The 1- and 6-month postoperative wound and foot infection grades additionally correlated with AFS. WIfI restaging at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively may help identify a cohort that remains at higher risk for limb loss and may merit more expeditious reintervention.

Stoichiometry and Dispersity of DNA Nanostructures Using Photobleaching Pair-Correlation Analysis

A wide variety of approaches have become available for the fabrication of nanomaterials with increasing degrees of complexity, precision, and speed while minimizing cost. Their quantitative characterization, however, remains a challenge. Analytical methods to better inspect and validate the structure and composition of large nanoscale objects are required to optimize their applications in diverse technologies. Here, we describe single-molecule fluorescence-based strategies relying on photobleaching and multiple-color co-localization features toward the characterization of supramolecular structures. By optimizing imaging conditions, including surface passivation, excitation power, frame capture rate, fluorophore choice, buffer media, and antifading agents, we have built a robust method by which to dissect the structure of synthetic nanoscale systems. We showcase the use of our methods by retrieving key structural parameters of four DNA nanotube systems differing in their preparation strategy. Our method rapidly and accurately assesses the outcome of synthetic work building nano- and mesoscale architectures, providing a key tool for product studies in nanomaterial synthesis.

Tracking Oligomeric Transcription Factor Dynamics by Pair Correlation of Molecular Brightness (pCOMB)

Oligomerisation of transcription factors controls their translocation into the nucleus and DNA binding activity. Here we present a fluorescence microscopy method termed pCOMB (pair correlation of molecular brightness) that tracks the mobility of different oligomeric species within live cell nuclear architecture.1 pCOMB amplifies the signal from the brightest species present and filters the dynamics of the extracted oligomeric population based on arrival time between two locations. Here we use this method to demonstrate a dependence of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mobility on oligomeric state. We find that upon entering the nucleus STAT3 dimers must first bind DNA to form STAT3 tetramers, which are also DNA-bound but exhibit a different mobility signature. Examining the dimer-to-tetramer transition by a cross pair correlation analysis (cpCOMB) reveals chromatin accessibility to modulate STAT3 tetramer formation. Thus the pCOMB approach is suitable for mapping the impact oligomerisation has on transcription factor dynamics.1. Hinde, E.∗, E. Pandzic, Z. Yang, I. H. W. Ng, D. A. Jans, M. A. Bogoyevitch, E. Gratton and K. Gaus∗. 2016. Quantifying the dynamics of the oligomeric transcription factor STAT3 by pair correlation of molecular brightness. Nature Communications. 7(11047).

Predictors of the Generalization of Infectious Process

Objectives. This article provides results of the retrospective analysis of the medical records of the patients treated at the septic ICU. Results. The basic predictors of the generalization of infectious process, their authenticity and statistical significance are revealed using bilateral paired rank correlation analysis. Conclusion. Pointing out such factors as elderly and senile age, diabetes mellitus and traumatic operations among factors which do not affect the generalization of the infectious process was totally new in the study.

Impact of horizontal and vertical integration: Learning and perception in first-year medical students

Background: Medical field and its curriculum is dynamic in nature which keeps on adding huge data each year, thus overburdening the students with content information. Most of the colleges in India teach subject in isolation with little or no attempt to integrate in basic science. This leads to confusion in students mind due to different opinion leading to improper grasping of these basic foundation subjects. Integration allows organization of teaching matter to unify subjects frequently taught in separate academic departments. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to finding the perception and learning by integrated teaching approach for first-year medical students. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 students enrolled for the academic year 2016-2017 in medical program of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth were considered. Non-randomized and purposive study was done by providing survey questionnaire. Two focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 15 students in each group after completion of session. Pre-post test was conducted to assess learning outcome of students by feedback methodology. Data were collected, analyzed statistically using paired t-test and correlation analysis for gender variability for perception. Results: Pre-post test showed statistical significance (P < 0.001) for learning after each integrated session. Survey questionnaire and FGD results implied that students’ learning process was enhanced by this teaching approach. Although statistical significance for gender variability as per perception was only for two questions among 27. About 71-79% of students accepted that sessions allowed them for better understanding and relate clinical implication of the course. Conclusion: In-depth understanding of the application of course content was achieved other than that it encouraged student’s intellectual curiosity. They wanted to have these sessions frequently and for various other topics with other departments.

Functional nanoscale coupling of Lyn kinase with IgE-FcεRI is restricted by the actin cytoskeleton in early antigen-stimulated signaling.

The allergic response is initiated on the plasma membrane of mast cells by phosphorylation of the receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE), FcεRI, by Lyn kinase after IgE-FcεRI complexes are cross-linked by multivalent antigen. Signal transduction requires reorganization of receptors and membrane signaling proteins, but this spatial regulation is not well defined. We used fluorescence localization microscopy (FLM) and pair-correlation analysis to measure the codistribution of IgE-FcεRI and Lyn on the plasma membrane of fixed cells with 20- to 25-nm resolution. We directly visualized Lyn recruitment to IgE-FcεRI within 1 min of antigen stimulation. Parallel FLM experiments captured stimulation-induced FcεRI phosphorylation and colocalization of a saturated lipid-anchor probe derived from Lyn's membrane anchorage. We used cytochalasin and latrunculin to investigate participation of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating functional interactions of FcεRI. Inhibition of actin polymerization by these agents enhanced colocalization of IgE-FcεRI with Lyn and its saturated lipid anchor at early stimulation times, accompanied by augmented phosphorylation within FcεRI clusters. Ising model simulations provide a simplified model consistent with our results. These findings extend previous evidence that IgE-FcεRI signaling is initiated by colocalization with Lyn in ordered lipid regions and that the actin cytoskeleton regulates this functional interaction by influencing the organization of membrane lipids.

Influence of random urine albumin-creatinine ratio of pregnant women with hypertension during the gestation period on perinatal outcome.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the random urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) of pregnant women with hypertension during the gestation period on perinatal outcome. A total of 6,758 pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and proteinuria were randomly selected between September, 2009 and June, 2015 for the study. Kidney function, blood pressure, history of gravidity and parity, embryo number and the birth weight of the participants was determined. Logistic regression and paired data correlation analyses were carried out with kidney function, blood pressure, history of gravidity and parity, embryo number, birth weight, maternal age, labor presentation and other risk factors as the independent variables and the newborn APGAR score as the dependent variable. The results showed that random urine ACR was increased and negatively correlated with the APGAR score (OR=−0.095, P=0.017). In conclusion, the increased random urine ACR can influence the postpartum outcome. Early intervention of women of childbearing age in early pregnancy or before pregnancy can minimize the adverse complications of infants and mothers such as pregnancy hypertension syndrome, and improve the outcome of the pregnancy.

Atom-Pair Kinetics with Strong Electric-Dipole Interactions.

Rydberg-atom ensembles are switched from a weakly to a strongly interacting regime via adiabatic transformation of the atoms from an approximately nonpolar into a highly dipolar quantum state. The resultant electric dipole-dipole forces are probed using a device akin to a field ion microscope. Ion imaging and pair-correlation analysis reveal the kinetics of the interacting atoms. Dumbbell-shaped pair-correlation images demonstrate the anisotropy of the binary dipolar force. The dipolar C_{3} coefficient, derived from the time dependence of the images, agrees with the value calculated from the permanent electric-dipole moment of the atoms. The results indicate many-body dynamics akin to disorder-induced heating in strongly coupled particle systems.

Correlation of cervical sagittal alignment parameters on full-length spine radiographs compared with dedicated cervical radiographs.

BackgroundRadiographic parameters to evaluate the cervical spine in adult deformity using 36-inch films have been proposed. While 36-inch films are used to evaluate spinal deformity, dedicated cervical films are more commonly used to evaluate cervical spine pathology. The purpose of this study is to determine correlations between sagittal measures from a dedicated cervical spine radiographs and 36-inch spine radiographs.MethodsPatients who had standing cervical and 36-inch radiographs within four weeks of each other were identified. On separate occasions, the following measures were determined: C0-C2, C0-C7, C1-C2 and C2-C7 sagittal Cobb angles; T1 slope; chin-brow-vertical angle (CBVA), C1-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C2-C7SVA, center of gravity-C7 sagittal vertical axis (COG-C7SVA). Paired t-tests and correlation analyses were done between parameters from the cervical and the 36-inch film.ResultsRadiographic measurements were collected on 40 patients (33 females and 7 males, mean age of 48.9 ± 14.5 years). All correlations were statistically significant at p < 0.001. C0-C2 Cobb had the strongest correlation (r = 0.81) and C2-C7 Cobb had the weakest (r=0.62). Among sagittal balance parameters, COG-C7SVA had the weakest correlation (r = 0.42) and C1-C7SVA (r = 0.64) and the C2-C7SVA (r = 0.65) had strong correlations. The T1 slope and the CBVA had correlation coefficients of 0.74 and 0.91, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in measures taken from the cervical film and 36-inch film, except for the C0-C7 Cobb (p = 0.000) with a measurement difference of 7° and the T1 tilt (p = 0.000) with a measurement difference of 5°.ConclusionExcept for COG-C7 SVA, strong correlations between most cervical spine parameters taken from a dedicated cervical film and those taken from a 36-inch film were seen. 36-inch radiographs provide a reasonable estimation of cervical sagittal spine parameters and may obviate the need for a dedicated cervical spine radiograph.

Effect of Diameter of Saphenous Vein on Stump Length after Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Vein.

Purpose:Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained popularity for treatment of varicose veins. The diameter of the saphenous vein should be considered before RFA because occlusion of the vein may differ depending on its diameter. Until now, however, there have been few data about the correlation between the diameter of the saphenous vein and the stump length after RFA. The purpose of our study was to investigate its correlation.Materials and Methods:A retrospective review was performed from prospectively collected data of RFA patients between March 2009 and December 2011. Preoperatively, the saphenous vein diameter was measured. Ablation was initiated 2 cm distal from the junction. Postoperatively, stump length was measured at 1 week and 6 months. After 2 years, we measured the length from the saphenofemoral junction to the leading point of occlusion for great saphenous vein, and length from the saphenopopliteal junction to the leading point of occlusion for small saphenous vein. The paired t-test, independent t-test, and correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:During the study period, RFA was performed in 201 patients. Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis developed in 3 patients (1.5%). After 2 years, the stump length was obtained in 74 limbs. The mean diameter and stump length of the saphenous vein were 6.7±1.8 mm and 12.5±8.5 mm, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient of these factors was −0.017.Conclusion:There was no correlation between the diameter of saphenous vein and stump length.

Reproductive Health of Women in Rural Areas of East Azerbaijan - Iran, before and after Implementation of rural Family Physician Program: an Ecologic Study.

Introduction: Implementation of rural family physician program in Iran in 2005 has been evaluated and shown that this program has been led to some improvements in health indicators. In this study, some reproductive health (RH) indicators were compared before and after implementation of this program in rural areas of East Azerbaijan, Iran. Methods: In this ecologic- time trend study, the data of 191075 births of rural women of East Azerbaijan from 2001 to 2010 was extracted from vital horoscope (ZIJ) and used for calculation of 20 important RH indicators. The paired t-test and correlation analysis wear used for data analysis. Results: Some indicators such as adolescent marriage rate, adolescent birth and over 35 year olds birth rate were increased after rural family physician program implementation in 2005. Also stillbirth rate and unsafe delivery were decreased during this period. There was a significant correlation between increasing adolescent birth rate and increasing low birth weight deliveries (r= 0.911, P= 0.031) and also between increasing over 35 year olds birth rate and increasing neonatal mortality rate in term of prematurity and congenital malformations (r= 0.912, P= 0.031) after program implementation. Conclusion: Perinatal care and safe delivery even for pregnancies outside the typical child-bearing ages are promoting after implementation of rural family physician program in East Azerbaijan. Also decreasing unsafe delivery and stillbirth rate can be considered as achievements of running this program in this province.