Top Mobile Applications in Pediatrics and Children’s Health: Assessment and Intelligent Analysis Tools for a Systematic Investigation

@#The development of intelligent software in recent years has grown rapidly. Mobile health has become a field of interest as a tool for childcare, especially as a means for parents of children with diverse diseases and a resource to promote their health conditions. Current systematic review was conducted to survey the functionalities of available applications on the mobile platform to support pediatrics intelligent diagnosis and children healthcare. Results which met the inclusion criteria (such as patient monitoring, decision support, diagnosis support) were obtained, assessed and organised into a checklist. In this study, 379 potential apps were identified using the search feature in Apple App Store and Google Play Store. After careful consideration of the selected apps, only three (Google Play Store) and one (iTunes Store), fulfilled all the general inclusion criteria and special criteria, such as intelligence tools. The results showed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used minimally in diagnostic apps due to a limited amount of mobile hardware and software, such as the reliable programming of intelligent algorithms.

Cobalt chromium-Titanium rods versus Titanium-Titanium rods for treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; which type of rod has better postoperative outcomes?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE; Compare the outcome of spinal deformity correction between Ti-Ti and CrCo-Ti rods for the treatment of spinal Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) using rods mentioned with all pedicle screws and translation technique. METHOD; 59 patients operated for spinal deformity (Lenke 1 or 2) AIS. The patients were divided into two groups by random allocation using Ti-Ti rods (n = 29) and CrCo-Ti rods (n = 30) and the alone difference among them in the surgical procedure was rod material (Ti-Ti or CrCo-Ti rods) and finally, radiological outcomes were compared preoperatively, postoperatively and at last follow-up for 12 months. RESULTS; Patients' main curve correction after surgical procedure regardless type of rod was 48.95±11.04 (13-75) degree. Success rate of spinal deformity correction following surgical procedure regardless of type of administered rod was 86.76 ± 11.30 percent (62.5-100%). Mean of deformity correction rate was 91.49±10.67% using CrCo-Ti rods versus 81.86±9.88% using Ti-Ti rods (P-value=0.01). Angle change was 3.29±6.60 for kyphosis angle and 0.59±7.76 for lordosis angle. Rate of main curve correction was not significantly different considering patients' gender (P-value0.657). Main curve correction success rate was in association with patients' age and type of rod (P-value=0.054, r=-1.863 and P-value=0.001, r=8.865 respectively). CONCLUSION; CrCo-Ti rods have the ability to produce higher correction rates in AIS compared to Ti-Ti rod of the same diameter. CrCo-Ti rods provide significant and stable spinal correction, especially in correction of main curve. This rate was associated with patients' age and type of rod administered but not gender.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Comparar o resultado da correção da deformidade da coluna vertebral com ligas de Ti-Ti e CrCo-Ti para o tratamento da Escoliose Idiopática do Adolescente (EIA) na coluna usando as ligas mencionadas com todos os parafusos pediculares e técnica de tradução. MÉTODO: 59 pacientes operados por EIA com deformidade da coluna vertebral (Lenke 1 ou 2). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos por alocação aleatória usando ligas de Ti-Ti (n = 29) e ligas de CrCo-Ti (n = 30) e a única diferença entre eles no procedimento cirúrgico foi o material da liga (ligas de Ti-Ti ou CrCo-Ti) e, finalmente, resultados radiológicos foram comparados no pré-operatório, pós-operatório e no último retorno por 12 meses. RESULTADOS: A correção da curva principal do paciente após o procedimento cirúrgico, independentemente do tipo de liga, foi de 48,95±11,04 (13-75) graus. A taxa de sucesso da correção da deformidade da coluna vertebral após o procedimento cirúrgico, independentemente do tipo de liga administrada, foi de 86,76 ± 11,30% (62,5-100%). A média da taxa de correção da deformidade foi de 91,49±10,67% usando ligas de CrCo-Ti e 81,86±9,88% usando ligas de Ti-Ti (valor de P = 0,01). A mudança de ângulo foi de 3,29±6,60 para o ângulo de cifose e de 0,59±7,76 para o ângulo de lordose. A taxa de correção da curva principal não foi significativamente diferente considerando o sexo dos pacientes (Valor de P 0,657). A taxa de sucesso da correção da curva principal foi associada à idade do paciente e ao tipo de liga (valor de P=0,054, r=-1,863 e valor de P=0,001, r=8,865, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: As ligas de CrCo-Ti têm a capacidade de produzir taxas de correção mais altas em EIA em comparação com a liga de Ti-Ti do mesmo diâmetro. As ligas de CrCo-Ti fornecem uma correção espinhal significativa e estável, especialmente na correção da curva principal. Essa taxa foi associada à idade e ao tipo de liga administrada, mas não ao sexo.

Effects of portulaca oleracea ethanolic extract on reproductive system of aging female mice

Background: Aging contains morphological and functional deterioration in biological systems. D-galactose [D-gal] generates free radicals and accelerates aging. Portulaca oleracea [Purslane] may have protective effect against oxidative stress

Objective: Purslane ethanolic extract effects were evaluated on antioxidant indices and sex hormone in D-gal aging female mice

Materials and Methods: 48 female NMRI mice [25-35 gr] were randomly divided into, 6 groups: 1- control [normal saline for 45 days], 2- Purslane [200 mg/kg for last 3 weeks], 3-D-gal [500 mg/kg for 45 days], 4-D-gal+Purslane, 5- Aging, 6-Aging+Purslane. Sex hormones, antioxidants and malondialdehyde [MDA] level of ovary and uterus were measured. Histological assessment was also done

Results: In D-gal treated and aging animals, LH and FSH levels were significantly increased [p<0.001] while estrogen and progesterone levels were significantly reduced [p<0.001] in comparison with control group. MDA contents were significantly increased in ovaries and uterus of D-gal and aging groups [p<0.01]. Superoxide dismutase [SOD] [p<0.001] and catalase [p<0.01] activities were significantly decreased in both aging and D-gal treated animals. Ovarian follicles were degenerated and atrophy on uterine wall and endometrial glands was observed in D-gal and aging groups. Alteration in hormone levels, MDA contents and antioxidant activity were significantly reversed by Purslane [p<0.05]. Purslane could also improve histological changes such as atrophy of endometrium

Conclusion: These findings indicate that Purslane can attenuate aging alternations induced by D-gal and aging in female reproductive system

Effects of ovarian varicose vein on mitochondrial structure, malondialdehyde and prooxidants: antioxidants balance in rat ovaries / Efectos de las venas ováricas varicosas sobre la estructura mitocondrial, niveles de malondialdehído y balance prooxidantes: antioxidantes en ovarios de ratas

Oxidative stress is increased in varicose veins. Many studies have implicated oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of infertility causing diseases of the female reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to determine whether varicocele can cause raised levels of reactive oxygen species and denaturation of mitochondrial structure in ovaries of female rats or not. In each experimental study, 15 weaning-age female rats were divided equally in 3 groups: Unilateral Varicose Vein (A), Sham (B) and Control (C) groups. Mitochondrial structure and malondialdehyde levels as a product of lipid peroxidation and Prooxidants-Antioxidants Balance were evaluated 60 days after intervention in proestrus stage. Comparisons between groups were made by the measured test. After 2 months, our results showed that mitochondrial structure ultra-structurally was denatured with histologic examination, malondialdehyde and prooxidants-antioxidants balance levels of left ovaries increased significantly in varicocele group compared to control and sham groups (P0.05). In the right side, malondialdehyde increased significantly, but in prooxidants-antioxidants balance levels, there is no significant differences between groups. The data of control and sham groups were the same. These findings may support the concept that increased levels of malondialdehyde and PAB in varicocele may cause negative effects on fertility, so using antioxidants maybe useful.

El estrés oxidativo aumenta en las venas varicosas. Diversas investigaciones han implicado al estrés oxidativo en la patogénesis de las enfermedades que causan la infertilidad del tracto reproductivo femenino. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si el varicocele puede provocar niveles de especies reactivas del oxígeno y la desnaturalización de la estructura mitocondriales en los ovarios de ratas. En cada estudio experimental, cinco ratas hembras en edad de destete se dividieron por igual en 3 grupos: Várices unilateral (A), simulado (B) y control (C). La estructura mitocondrial y los niveles de malondialdehído como un producto de la peroxidación lipídica y el balance pro-oxidantes-antioxidantes (BPA) se evaluaron 60 días después de la intervención en la etapa proestro. Las comparaciones entre grupos se realizaron mediante la prueba de medición. Después de 2 meses, observamos que la estructura mitocondrial se desnaturalizó ultraestructuralmente, los niveles malondialdehído y el balance prooxidantes-antioxidantes de los ovarios izquierdos aumentaron significativamente en el grupo A en comparación con los grupos B y C (P0.05). En el lado derecho, los niveles de malondialdehído aumentaron significativamente, pero el BPA, no mostró diferencias significativas entre los grupos. Los datos de los grupos B y C eran los mismos. Estos hallazgos pueden apoyar el concepto de que el aumento de niveles de malondialdehído y BPA en presencia de varicocele, puede causar efectos negativos sobre la fertilidad, por tanto el uso de antioxidantes puede resultar útil.

Role of motorcycle running lights in reducing motorcycle crashes during daytime; a review of the current literature

In comparison to other transportation modes, riding motorcycle is prone to accidents. Motorcyclists are more exposed to physical injury than the car drivers. Many multi-vehicle motorcycles crashes occur, there is right-ofway violation takes place in which another vehicle turns in fronts of a motorcycle, or a sudden cross of path of an on-coming motorcycle. One main factor which leads to high rate of motorcycle crashes is lack of conspicuity of motorcycles by other road users especially during day time traffic. This paper highlights previous studies on the implementation of motorcycle DRLs, focusing on the efficacy of the DRLs to improve motorcycle conspicuity. This paper reviews the impacts of DRL by motorcyclists on multi-vehicle motorcycle crash. The three categories of effects of motorcycle DRLs were reviewed. All literature, supporting that operating headlights during daytime appears to be an influential and effective approach to reduce rate of collision by improving motorcycle's conspicuity in traffic. The motorcycle DRLs managed to reduce about 4 to 20% of motorcycle crash risk. This paper also recommends that motorcycle DRLs must be used globally, especially in countries with high motorcycle accidents to improve the safety of the riders as well as their pillion riders

The role of noninvasive penile cuff test in patients with bladder outlet obstruction

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the penile cuff test (PCT) and standard pressure-flow study (PFS) in patients with bladder outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 male patients with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were selected. Seven patients were excluded; thus, 51 patients were finally enrolled. Each of the patients underwent a PCT and a subsequent PFS. The sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratio were calculated. Chi-square and Fisher exact test were used to evaluate relationships between PCT results and maximal urine flow (Qmax); a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean (±standard deviation) age of the study group was 65.5±10.4 years. Overall, by use of the PCT, 24 patients were diagnosed as being obstructed and 27 patients as unobstructed. At the subsequent PFS, 16 of the 24 patients diagnosed as obstructed by the PCT were confirmed to be obstructed, 4 were diagnosed as unobstructed, and the remaining 4 patients appeared equivocal. Of the 27 patients shown to be unobstructed by the PCT, 25 were confirmed to not be obstructed by PFS, with 13 equivocal and 12 unobstructed. Two patients were diagnosed as being obstructed. For detecting obstruction, the PCT showed an SE of 88.9% and an SP of 75.7%. The PPV was 66.7% and the NPV was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: The PCT is a beneficial test for evaluating patients with LUTS. In particular, this instrument has an acceptable ability to reject obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Effectiveness of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Purpose: Urinary retention is one of the most common complications contributing to surgical procedures. Recent studies have shown the benefits of alpha-adrenergic blockers in preventing post-operative urinary retention (POUR). The aim of this prospective study was to compare the prophylactic effect of tamsulosin with placebo on postoperative urinary retention. Materials and Methods: In this randomized placebo controlled, clinical trial, 232 male patients aged 18 to 50 years old admitted to Razi University Hospital for varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery were randomly assigned to receive either three doses of 0.4mg tamsulosin (n = 118) or placebo (n = 114), 14 and 2 hours before, and 10 hours after surgery. Patients were closely monitored for the development of urinary retention 24 hours after surgical intervention. The primary endpoint was to investigate the effect of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention during the first 24 hours after surgical intervention. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and the P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and eighteen patients were included in tamsulosin arm and 114 in placebo arm. POUR in patients who received tamsulosin was significantly lower than placebo, as 5.9% of the patients treated with tamsulosin and 21.1% placebo group, reported urinary retention following surgery (P = 0.001). No serious adverse effects were seen in both groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that short perioperative treatment with tamsulosin can reduce the incidence of urinary retention and the need for catheterization after varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery. .

Antioxidant activity of Ziziphora tenuoir methanolic extracts and comparison of the essential oil in two stages of growth / 中国天然药物

Flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant capability, total phenolic, ascorbic acid contents, and essential oils compounds of Ziziphora tenuoir (Lamiaceae) for polar and non-polar subfraction in different stages of growth (pre-flowering and flowering) were evaluated in this work. Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by three testing systems namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and reducing power assay. In the DPPH system, the highest radical scavenging activity was seen by the nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extract in the flowering stage (IC50 43.17 ± 3.68 μg·mL(-1)). Large differences in the amount of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, and flavonoids of Z. tenuoir in two stages of growth were detected. The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts of Z. tenuoir was analyzed by GC/MS and compared in the two stages of growth. The main constituents of the 28 identified compounds in the oil were found to be pulegone (67.34% vs 59.61%), β-humulene (3.24% vs 3.25%), and limonene (5.06% vs 2.57%) at the flowering and pre-flowering stages, respectively.

Use of artificial neural networks to examine parameters affecting the immobilization of streptokinase in chitosan

Streptokinase is a potent fibrinolytic agent which is widely used in treatment of deep vein thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE] and acute myocardial infarction [MI]. Major limitation of this enzyme is its short biological half-life in the blood stream. Our previous report showed that complexing streptokinase with chitosan could be a solution to overcome this limitation. The aim of this research was to establish an artificial neural networks [ANNs] model for identifying main factors influencing the loading efficiency of streptokinase, as an essential parameter determining efficacy of the enzyme. Three variables, namely, chitosan concentration, buffer pH and enzyme concentration were considered as input values and the loading efficiency was used as output. Subsequently, the experimental data were modeled and the model was validated against a set of unseen data. The developed model indicated chitosan concentration as probably the most important factor, having reverse effect on the loading efficiency

Preventive effects of a three-month yoga intervention on endothelial function in patients with migraine

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder and any interventions improving endothelial function may contribute to its treatment and prevention of vascular complications like ischemic stroke. Yoga has been shown to have several beneficial effects on cardiovascular systems. However, no randomized controlled studies to date have investigated its effects on endothelial function of migraineurs. A total of 42 women patients with migraine were enrolled and randomized into either a Yoga exercise group or a control group. The control group received only medication for 12 weeks and the Yoga group was placed in yoga training program in addition to the same medical treatment. Blood test was given from all patients in order to measure plasma levels intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM] and vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] after yoga training program. Totally 32 patients were participated in the final analyses [yoga: n - 18, control: n - 14]. By analyzing data between yoga and control groups after the treatment period, there was a significant decreased in plasma level of VCAM in yoga group compare with the control group [15.29 +/- 2.1 ng/ml vs. 21.70 +/- 3.0 ng/ml, P < 0.05], whereas there was no significant difference in ICAM level between groups [19.1 +/- 1.8 ng/ml vs. 20.97 +/- 1.9 ng/ml P>0.05]. It seems that yoga exercises, as a complementary treatment beside pharmacological treatments, can be potentially an effective way of improving vascular functions in migraineurs

Anterior shoulder dislocation and ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture

Simultaneous dislocation of shoulder and humeral shaft fracture is a rare injury, and there is no clear protocol for its treatment. Herein we present a case of a 15-year-old boy, who suffered from a job-related accident and sustained fracture of humeral shaft associated with ipsilateral anterior shoulder dislocation and fracture of greater tuberosity 15 years ago. He received closed reduction of both injuries and coaptation plaster splint for four weeks, followed by Sarmiento splint at that time. Fifteen years after the injury, he has no problem related to the previous injury, and does not experience any episode of shoulder instability

Prevalence and related factors of low birth weight in Mashhad, Iran

Low birth weight [LBW] is one of the main factors for neonatal mortality and morbidity. Many factors are related with low birth weight. The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence and related factors of LBW at Mashhad, in northeast of Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed in all medical health centers of Mashhad during the first six months of 2010. Data collection was performed by scale, meter, and a questionnaire including two sections of neonatal factors and maternal factors. The questionnaire was completed by measuring neonate's height and weight, interviewing with mother, and investigating mother's and neonate's health files. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Fisher, independent T, and Man-witney tests by SPSS [11.5]. Among 2674 alive births, 297 neonates had the weight <2500 gr. Therefore the prevalence of LBW was 11.1%. The factors related to LBW were maternal age <18 yrs [P=0.019], gestational age <37 weeks [P=0.000], multi-pregnancy [P=0.000], first delivery [P=0.029], addiction to narcotics [P=0.001], smoking during pregnancy [P=0.007], history of LBW neonate [P=0.000], irregular visits during pregnancy [P=0.02], Using drugs during pregnancy [P=0.029], psychological disorders of mother [P=0.024], PROM [P=0.000] anomalies of placenta [P=0.01], oligohydramnios [P=0.01], bleeding during pregnancy [P=0.000], and preeclampsia [P=0.001]. The prevalence of LBW in our study suggests a greater emphasis should be placed on related factors of LBW for the early detection and prevention of them

Comparison of the effect of fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil and remifentanil on cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation in children

Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation may cause significant cerebral and systemic hemodynamic responses. Many drugs have been shown to be effective in modifying these hemodynamic responses, including fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil and remifentanil. The purpose of the current study was to compare the efficacy of fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil and remifentanil on blunting cardiovascular changes during laryngoscopy and intubation in children. Eighty children, 1-6 years old, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II who were scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation, were enrolled in this randomized and double-blinded study. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups of 20 patients. Group F received fentanyl 1 micro g/kg[-1], group S received sufentanil 0.1 micro g/kg[-1], group A received alfentanil 10 micro g/kg[-1] and group Rreceived remifentanil 1 micro g/kg[-1] intravenously. After establishment of neuromuscular blockade confirmed with a nerve stimulator, laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation were performed 3 min after induction. Hemodynamic variables including systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SAP, DAP] and heart rate [HR] were recorded at base line [before opioid administration], before laryngoscopy and one minute after orotracheal intubation. The patients' characteristics and laryngoscopy grade were similar in all groups. There was no significant difference in the mean values of SAP, DAP and HR at each measured time between the four groups. There was significant difference in the mean values of SAP, DAP and HR measured over time in each group. The intravenous fentanyl attenuated laryngoscopy-induced SAP, DAP and HR increases better than sufentanil, alfentanil or remifentanil and hemodynamic stability is better preserved with fentanyl

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels in chronically HBV infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase

Data on histological activity and HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels are sparse. We aimed to investigate the histological activity and HBV DNA levels in these patients. There were 132 patients with HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels that were included prospectively. Data were dichotomized according to the median levels. Associations of histology with HBV DNA and other variables were assessed. A total of 80 patients were male. The median age was 36 years. The median baseline HBV DNA was 2.9Log10 IU/mL. There were 50 cases [38%] with a total score >/= 5, 53 cases [40.2%] had grade >/= 4 and 40 cases [30.3%] had stage >/= 2. A baseline HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL was seen in 24 cases [48%] of those with total score >/= 5, 28 cases [53%] of those with grade >/= 4 and 9 cases [22.5%] with stage >/= 2. Multivariate analysis of baseline HBV DNA above the median level significantly predicted the total score, grade and stage with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.43, 3.47, and 4.23, respectively when compared to below median values. A second liver biopsy was performed in 61 patients. The median time interval between the two biopsies was 40 months. Total scores of 23 cases [38%] progressed by >/= 2 scores and the HBV DNA of 18 cases [22.5%] increased by >/= 1 Log[10] IU when compared to baseline values. HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase is not a silent disease. Active liver disease may be seen in such patients with viral loads less than 2000 IU/mL

Bladder neck preservation during radical retropubic prostatectomy and postoperative urinary continence

Bladder neck-sparing modification of radical retropubic prostatectomy has been reported to lower the risk of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. We reviewed the outcomes in men with prostate cancer who had undergone prostatectomy with either bladder neck preservation or bladder neck reconstruction. In this retrospective study, a total of 103 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups of bladder neck preservation [51 patients] and bladder neck reconstruction [52 patients]. WE compared frequency of biochemical failure, bladder neck stricture, and urinary incontinence between these two groups. Biochemical failure was defined as a serum prostate-specific antigen level higher than 0.2 ng/mL and its rising trend in at least 2 postoperative subsequent measurements. Continence was defined as no need to use sanitary pads or diapers. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, serum prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, and prostate volume. After a mean follow-up period of 32.5 months, all patients with bladder neck preservation and 46 [88.5%] with bladder neck reconstruction were continent [P=.03]. There were no significant differences in the frequency of biochemical failure and bladder neck stricture that required dilation between the two groups of the patients. Bladder neck preservation during radical retropubic prostatectomy may improve long-term results of urinary continence and be effective in eradicating prostate cancer without increasing the recurrence rate

[Assessment of realationship between patellar index and anterior knee pain]

Anterior knee pain is one of the most common symptoms for referral reasons to orthopedic clinics specially knee clinic. This type of pain is one of the most common complaints in adolescents and adults, for various. The most common cause is patellar chondromalasia, but in many cases, no definitive cause is found through clinical examinations, paraclinic and imaging procedures. This type of pain has no detectable pathologic factor and is called anterior knee pain syndrome. The aim of this study was to access the relationship between the anterior knee pain and patellar index in patients who were referred to the orthopedic clinic. This case-control study was performed analytically on 44 patients that were selected randomly and were divided equally in two case and control groups. Patients in case group had anterior knee pain and patients in control group had come to the clinic for another reason. In all patients, lateral knee radiography was used to calculate patellar index. In this study, after analyzing the data, we found that there was no significant difference in age factor between the two groups. We found this syndrome to be common in female housekeepers, than in others group. Other notable findings showed there was no significant correlation between BMI and patellar index in females and males. Lastly, we found there is a significant difference regarding patellar index in case group. Presently, despite several studies regarding knee pains, many authors have no common agreement in this field. Many diseases were not detectable in the past and even their etiology was unknown, however, today we know their etiology and even their mechanism in detail. We now understand the pathologic factor of Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome and even its etiology for the future. In this study, we found the relationship between Patellat Index and Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome and a significant difference between the case and control groups

Organ yield from deceased donors: initial experience of an organ procurement unit in Iran

To promote organ transplantation in Iran, organ procurement from deceased donors should be supported. For this policy, some organ procurement units have been established in university hospitals. Further researches in these activities are warranted to better elucidate the role of cadaveric organ transplantation in Iran. We retrospectively studied deceased organ donation from June 2005 through December 2007 in Organ Procurement Unit of Shariati Hospital in Tehran. We analyzed a total of 141 organs that were retrieved from 46 brain-dead organ donors. The median age of all donors was 29 years [min: six, max: 63]. Two third of them were males. The average of harvested organs was 3.06 per donor and four organs per month. The main cause of brain death was head trauma [n=33, 72%]. Organ yield per donor was correlated to the time of the organ procurement unit activity and increased during the three years [r=0.261, P=0.017]. Other variables were not changed during this period. Donor characteristics such as age, sex, blood group, and causes of brain death impacted on the organ yield. This study showed that organ procurement units can improve organ yield and both experience and donor characteristics influence on the number of harvested organs

Seroprevalence study of HCV among hospitalized intravenous drug users in Ahvaz, Iran [2001-2006]

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] in intravenous drug users [IDU] varies in different areas according to socioeconomic and geographical circumstances. The present study was performed to determine seroprevalence of HCV in IDU individuals in Ahvaz, Iran. 142 IDU patients were included in this retrospective study in Ahvaz southwest Iran from 2001 to 2006. Patients were placed in two groups determined by HCV Ab positive or negative status. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows [version 11.5; SPSS Inc., USA] software. Out of total 142 cases, 74 persons [52.11%] had a positive HCV-Ab test according to the ELISA method. There was no difference in age, sex, level of education, residency and co-infection with HIV and hepatitis B virus between HCV-Ab positive [HAP] and HCV-Ab negative [HAN] groups [p > 0.05]. HCV-Ab positivity was significantly related to imprisonment and duration spent in prison [OR: 3.22, 95% [CI] 2.61-3.76, p < 0.0001]. Patients with IDU constitute a high-risk group for acquisition of HCV infection. Transmission of HCV via sharing syringe and needle as well as blood transfusion has been a significant source of hepatitis C infection for patients with intravenous drug addiction