Comparison of blue-yellow opponent color contrast sensitivity function between female badminton players and non-athletes

To compare the chromatic contrast sensitivity Junction [CSF] for the blue-yellow opponent channel [BYOC] between female badminton players and non-athlete controls, We recruited 40 young females [18-25 years old] who played badminton for at least 5 consecutive years as the test group, and 30 age-matched female control; who had no history of regular physical activity. The Pattern generator [TM] system was used to test the CSF for the BYOC which was performed at three spatial frequencies [SFs] of 2 cycles per degree [cpd], 5 cpd, and 25 cpd. Comparison of BYOC thresholds showed significantly better results in rhe lest group for alt three SFs [P<0.001]. B and pass shift [better CSF in the middle SF] was seen in the test group. The control group had low pass [bettfer CSF in the low SF]. Ocular motility [heterophoria, fusional convergence and divergence at far and near distances, and near point of convergence] was better in the test group, but the inter-group difference was not significant. The BYOC threshold results for badminton players indicated a better visual performance which may be a result of enhanced performance of the parallel processing of the parvocellular and magnocellular systems. This may be inherent and/or acquired in badminton players. In addition, badminton players appear to have developed sensory-motor programmed activities. Testing the CSF for BYOC may be useful for athlete selection in different levels and/or used as a criterion for screening players in the field of badminton

Evaluation of rubella IgG antibodies among women at marriage in Kermanshah city, before and after mass vaccination

Rubella is a mild viral infectious disease, usually occurs subclinically without a serious complication. But if occurs during pregnancy, specially the first trimester, it can transmit and invade to fetus causing congenital rubella syndrome or fetal death. In 2003, nearly all Iranians at the age of 5 to 25 years old were vaccinated against rubella and the vaccine was included in the compulsory immunization, MMR afterwards. This study was carried out on girls attended at a marriage consultancy center in Kermanshah city [West of Iran] in 2006. Considering 95% of confidence, the sample size was estimated at 140. All samples were tested using ELISA serologic method and compared with similar study conducted on 240 unvaccinated girls at the same place in 1999. Antibody positivity was observed in 99.3%, compared to 79.58% of the previous study. A rise of 19.72% [95% CI 12.7%-26.7%] of seropositivity was observed in vaccinated girls versus unvaccinated ones [P < 0.001]. In our previous study, we had recommended to screen for susceptibility to rubella before marriage, which is no longer required since more than 99% of vaccinated girls showed immunity at the time of marriage. However, as sustainability of immunity after rubella vaccination is usually less than immunity due to illness, we recommend screening for rubella protective antibody every few years