Reliability of the universal goniometer for assessing active cervical range of motion in asymptomatic healthy persons

Objective: To determine within-rater and between-rater reliability of the universal goniometer [UG] for measuring active cervical range of motion [ACROM] in asymptomatic healthy subjects

Methods: Nineteen healthy subjects were tested in an identical seated position. Two raters used UG to measure active cervical movements of flexion, extension, right side flexion, left side flexion, right rotation and left rotation. Each motion was measured twice by each of the two raters and was re-measured all over again after one week. Data analysis was performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]

Results: The results demonstrated excellent within-session [ICC2,1 = 0.83 to 0.98] and between-session [ICC2,2 = 0.79 to 0.97] intra-rater reliability and excellent inter-rater reliability [ICC2,2 = 0.79 to 0.92]

Conclusion: Considering above results it is concluded that UG is a reliable tool for assessing ACROM in a clinical setting for healthy subjects

Ultrasonographic assessment of transverse abdominal muscle in healthy subjects and patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review

Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Low back pain [LBP] is a common and complicated disorder which is influenced by a number of factors, among them is the lack of spinal stability provided by muscle contraction. One of the most important muscles which has a role in spinal stability is musculus transversus abdominis. A literature search for the period of 2000-11 was performed in PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Thomson, EMBASE, OVID, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases using musculus Transversus Abdominis, ultrasonography, chronic nonspecific low back pain as keywords. Nineteen articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Evidences demonstrated that thickness of transversus abdominis reduces in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain [LBP] and ultrasonography seemed to be a valid and highly reliable instrument for measuring thickness of transversus abdominis in patients with LBP and healthy subjects on different positions and states. Studies demonstrated that there are adequate evidences to confirm the merit of ultrasonography in the assessment of musculus transversus abdominis in patients with chronic LBP and healthy subjects

Status of water quality parameters along Haraz River

Water samples have been collected from key parts of Haraz River along different points and analyzed for various water quality parameters during winter and spring season. Effects of industrial wastes, municipal sewage, fish farming and agricultural runoff on river water quality have been investigated. The survey was conducted on along the Haraz River [185 km] from near its headwaters at the Polour, foot of Mount Damavand toward the Caspian Sea in Sorkhrood area. It lies between longitude of 35°522 and 45°52 and latitude of 35°452 and 36°152. In this study eight stations were selected, depending on the quality of surface water and effluent entering points from industrial and commercial areas and population density in coastal rivers. 120 samples were taken from these stations and analyzed. Analysis performed as standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. This study involves determination of physical, biological and chemical parameters of surface water at different points. The river was found to be highly turbid in the middle and lower parts of the river. But BOD and fecal coliform concentration was found higher in the dry season. The minimum and maximum values of parameters were Conductivity 400 -733.33 micro s, DO 8.48 and 12.8 mg/L in stations 5 and 6 respectively, BOD5 1.31 and 3.54 mg/L, COD 8 and 38.67 mg/L, total nitrogen 2.124 and 3.210 mg/L. The results analyzed statistically and used for this river data bank and recommendations for the water authorities

Motor developmental delay in 7500 Iranian infants: prevalence and risk factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and the most common risk factors of motor developmental delay in infants. Following ethical approval, a study was carried out on the prevalence and risk factors of infants with motor developmental delay. The first stage was conducted through a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of motor developmental delay on 7500 infants and the second stage was an analytic case - control survey to identify the most common risk factors on 140 infants, aged one month to three years with motor developmental delay. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status questionnaire, the Denver Developmental Screening Test II, a neurological assessment form, and the movement and tone assessment form. The prevalence of motor developmental delay in 7500 infants was 18.7/1000. The most common risk factors in infants with motor developmental delay were prematurity [25.6%], low birth weight [19.2%], neonatal seizures [7.5%], hyaline membrane disease [6.7%], systemic infections of mothers during pregnancy [5.9%], severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia [5%] in sequence. Motor developmental delay was significantly correlated with consanguinity of parents [p=0.001], prematurity [p=0.046], abnormal head circumference at birth [p=0.038], and low birth weight [p=0.026]. The prevalence of motor developmental delay appears to be high and further studies should focus on different preventive strategies, controlling the most common risk factors and emphasizing on early detection and treatment of high risk infants

[Survey on paper recycling potential in the head offices of Mazandaran province]

Recycling is one of the best alternatives in solid wastes management. Recycling has few benefits from the viewpoint of economics and environmental. Paper and cardboard are the valuable recyclable materials in solid wastes. The rate of paper recycling is 35% in world. The major production source of paper and cardboard wastes is private and governmental offices and organizations. To be informed about paper production is very important in the solid wastes recycling Thus, the aim of this study was to determine production rate of paper and cardboard waste and also to determine paper recycling potential in the 20 head offices of Mazandaran province. This study was conducted in the 20 head offices of at province center. The offices were selected by chance. This study was conducted four months in 2006. paper waste was separated after suspension of work. Collected material weighed on the sensitive scales. Separation and measuring was done for a week per month. The results showed that more than 2 tons of paper waste was produced in the twenty offices. The maximum and minimum of paper production was in education and recycling organization, respectively. The maximum and minimum of production rate was 2.08 and 0.192 kg per capita in month that was in the education and Jihad-e-Agriculture organization, respectively. Also the maximum and minimum of paper waste was produced at first work day of week [Saturday] and last work day of week [Thursday], respectively. However, it was not significantly [P >0.05]. Paper recycling operation and marketing was done in an office. Findings of this study indicated that office solid waste management needs more notice in Iran. And also calculations showed that paper recycling is economical

[Epidemiological aspects of low back pain in nurses]

Among all occupation, the highest rate of musculoskeletal injuries especially back pain is seen in nurses. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of back injuries in nursing personnel and to study how individual and occupational characteristics affect it. Following ethical approval, 1226 nurses were randomly selected from 13 hospitals in Mazandaran province in the north of Iran. Data were gathered by questionnaires included individual and occupational characteristics, prevalence of back pain, probable causes and its effects on nursing activities. Point, one month, 6 month, one year and lifetime prevalence of LBP [Low back pain] in nurses reported 51.5%, 56.3%, 58.9%, 59.6% and 62%, respectively. Lifting heavy things was the most common cause of back injury [30.4%]. Prolonged standing and rest were found to be the significant aggravating and relieving factors, respectively [57.6% and 59.2%]. Absence from work because of LBP during the last month was reported 33.7% of the sample. There was a significant correlation between the type of ward and LBP [P<0.001], the highest prevalence of LBP was in emergency ward and the lowest one was in NICU and urology ward. There was also a reverse correlation between job satisfaction and prevalence of LBP in nurses [P<0.001]. The results demonstrate that the magnitude of LBP amongst nursing personnel appears to be high and associated with some occupational and individual characteristics. Therefore, more resources should be allocated to prevent such an injury in nursing profession