Comparison of epineural and peripheral methods in ulnar nerve repair

Background and Objective: Repair of peripheral nerve is one of main challenge in surgery and despite improvement in this field less than 50% of cases have functional improvment. This study was done to evaluate the comparison of epineural and peripheral methods in ulnar nerve repair. Method: In this clinical trial study, 28 patients with ulnar nerve injury in distal of forearm were r and omly divided equly into epineural and peripheral surgery methods. After 4 months of surgery, the subjects were examined using with EMG, nerve conduction velocity [NCV] and sensorimotor examination on the first dorsal interosos muscle [FDIM] and abductor digiti minim muscle [ADM]. Results: The mean of domain nerve activity, latency nerve activity and NCV in affected upper limb and non affected side had significant differences in epineural and peripheral methods [P<0.05]. Latency nerve activity and NCV were similar in both methods. The mean of motor unit potential [MUP] was determined in 71% and 64% of patiants in epineural and peripheral methods, respectively. Muscle activity of FDIM was observed in 64% and 57% of patients in epineural and peripheral methods, respectively. Light touch was determined in 35.7% and 28.5% of patients in epineural and peripheral methods, respectively. Pain was reported in 78.5% and 57% of patients in epineural and peripheral methods, respectively. Conclusion: There was no difference between nerve repair by epineurium and prineurium methods using EMG, NCV and motorosensorial examination

[Evaluation of the horizontal components ground reaction force during gait of children with flat foot]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the horizontal components of the ground reaction force with subjects' flat foot and to compare these changes with subjects with normal foot. Fifteen subjects were randomly selected from 86 children with flexible flat foot, with a mean age [10.40 +/- 1.12], height [124.60 +/- 8.76] and weight [24.10 +/- 6.70]. 15 subjects were randomly selected to the control group from the population with normal feet that were homogeneous with group flat foot of the height, age and weight. Flat-arched feet were determined by the navicular drop test with Brody method, and 1000Hz KISTLER force plate were used to measure horizontal components of ground reaction force at heel strike [Initial heel contact], transfer weight onto the heel [Loading response], touch the foot of land [Mid stance] and transfer weight onto the toes [Terminal stance] during the Stance phase. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software and independent t-test was used [p< 0.05]. There was a significant difference in the initial heel contact between flat foot and a normal foot. However, no significant difference was noted between the two groups at loading response, mid stance and terminal stance. According to the present research findings, it may be concluded that there are differences between children with flat foot and normal foot in the direction and amount of force at the time of heel strike or initial heel contact

[Endocarditis associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a fat-tailed ram]

Endocarditis is rarely reported in sheep and information presented for ovine endocarditis is based mostly on comparative findings in the cattle. Infective vegetative endocarditis of the right heart was diagnosed in a 3-year-old fat-tailed ram. Clinical findings included tachycardia, marked brisket edema, jugular veins distention and pulsation and pale mucous membranes. Hematologic abnormality included neutrophilic leukocytosis. Necropsy confirmed severe right atrioventricular and pulmonary valves vegetative endocarditis with evidence of right heart failure. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from those vegetative lisions.

Introducing a method for achieving standardization and harmonization in clinical and research laboratory centers

Proficiency testing schemes as a part of quality system in clinical and research laboratory centers provides the opportunity to evaluate the quality of test results. In this paper, we try to introduce the proficiency testing schemes as a useful method for achieving standardization and homogenization of test results in clinical and research laboratory centers

Epidemiological characters of pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma among admitted patients of medical mycology lab of kermanshah university of medical sciences 1994 -2011

The rate of superficial mycoses are increasing in special conditions. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the epidemiological parameters of Pityriasis versieolor and Erythrasma during 1994- 2011. In this study, we assessed the results of direct microscopic study and the other data of the patients for Pityriasis versicolor and Erythrasma in 1994-2011. Of 2265, 1294 [57%] suffered from pityriasis versicolor, who were mostly males [60%]. The highest frequency was related to 20-29 year old and the lowest to 0-9. High school and university students were the most infected groups [33%], September was the most common period and the most common site of involvement was chest and abdomen. The people infected with Erythrasma [971; 42%], were mostly 30 -39 year old, males [58%], urban [98%], reported in July and involved in groin. The frequency of both diseases was high in active age group, males, and the hot months of the year, which are the most common predisposing factors

Cholecystitis due to helminthic infection

Helminthic infections were reported from tropical and subtropical locations in the world. The parasitic helminths develop and migrate to different organs. Unusual cases may afflict the gallbladder and the biliary tract. The parasites invade the bile ducts and cause inflammation, fibrotic lesions, acute and chronic cholecystitis. In this article, we reported three unusual cases of parasitic infection in Kermanshah, Iran. The worms were isolated from gallbladder and biliary tract. The specimens were diagnosed by macroscopic features and staining methods. Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia saginata and adult type fasciola hepatica isolated from gall bladder and biliary duct. Cholecystectomy was done on all patients suffering from gall bladder inflammation and obstruction

Frequency of sports injuries and related factors in male students participating in the athletic sports olympiad 2010 of khorasan razavi province, Iran

Background: Causes and mechanisms of injury in athletes are an important consideration in sports medicine. This study reviews the frequency of sports injuries in male students participating in the Sports Olympiad 1020 of Khorasan Razavi Province

Materials and Methods: The population for this descriptive, cross-sectional study consisted of 1156 male student athletes in two educational levels, including middle school and high school. Data was collected using the Fuller's damage report form [Fuller et al., BJSM 2006], which includes injured body parts, injury type, cause, and severity

Results: In total, 122 injuries were recorded, including futsal 53 persons [44%], handball 44 persons [36%], basketball 18 persons [14%], and volleyball 7 persons [6%]. The most frequent injuries were lower extremities [51%], upper extremities [22%], trunk and spine [16%], and head and face [11%]. Most injuries involved muscle-tendinous damage [81%], while the least frequent types were skin [13%] and joint-ligamentous damage [6%]. Highest causes of injury were collision between two players [59.86%] and lack of proper warm-up before the match [16.42%]. Damage intensity was low in 67%, moderate in 23%, and severe in 10% of cases

Conclusion: The results showed that injuries occurred most frequently in handball and indoor soccer fields, while basketball and volleyball had the lowest number of injuries. Lower limb injury was the most prevalent, while the head and face were the least frequent injured parts. The most common type of injury was muscle-tendon injury. Collision between players and non-warmed up limbs were the greatest cause of injuries

[Assessment of genetic diversity in the populations of hypericum perforatum L. using AFLP markers]

Hypericum perforatum is one of the valuable medicinal plants in Iran that is used in treating human diseases likes mania, anxiety and depression. Iranian H. perforatum populations were gathered from deferent region of Iran and also their genetic diversity in company with the possible relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distribution were studied. DNA was isolated by CTAB method from young leaves and double digested by EcoRI and Tru1I enzymes. Polymorphic DNA markers generated by DNA fingerprinting technique AFLP [Vos method] using 12 primers combinations. DNA fragments detected with silver nitrate staining according to Basam protocol. Totally 235 bands were scored, that 97% of them were polymorphic. The PIC values ranged between 0.31 and 0.45 with mean of 0.38. The highest and the lowest levels of genetic similarity were 0.89 and 0.29, respectively. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method and DICE similarity coefficient indicated a high genetic diversity among H. perforatum populations. There was no relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Also for the all loci, the PC[1] and PC[2] explained 12.8% and 8.3% of the variation, respectively. Wide genetic diversity between Iranian H. perforatum pupulations provide applied information to performance of breeding programs and genetic resource management. Of course, investigation of amount of hypericin and hyperforin metabolites in these populations are requiring to selection paramount genotypes

[Challenges in the treatment of epilepsy]

Epilepsy is one of the most important diseases of nervous system that involves 0.5-1% of the population. In spite of new developments in antiepileptic drugs, between 20-30% of epileptic patients can not be controlled and even those who are controlled with antiepileptic drugs suffer from their adverse events. Epileptic patients have different challenges in relation to the disease and its medications. This article has reviewed these challenges. The most common challenges are misdiagnosis of epilepsy or type of epilepsy resulting in wrong drug administration, noncompliance with antiepileptic drugs, adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, drug resistance, non-pharmacological interventions and their limitations, photosensitivity, epilepsy problems in children and the elderly, pregnancy and epilepsy, driving and epilepsy and finally sudden death in epileptic patients

Subcutaneous forehead island flap for nasal reconstruction

Reconstruction of nasal skin after tumor resection is imperative for full patient rehabilitation; and use of similar skin is necessary to achieve best esthetic and functional results. This clinical series study represent management of patients with large nasal defects [up to 4x7 cm] using subcutaneous pedicle island paramedian forehead flap, during a period of 2007-2009, 8 patients with large nasal defects were repaired with this flap, among them 5 patients were male and 3 patients were female with mean age of 53 years, all cases were reconstructed with island pedicle flap in a single stage. Good and satisfying results were achieved in all cases except for one case that was operated again for debulking of flap. Island paramedian forehead flap provides esthetic and functional results in a single stage reconstruction of defects with various sizes and locations. This variation of forehead flap is a good choice especially for those patients that have problems with cost or problem with multistage reconstruction of nasal defects

Human papilloma virus in head and neck squamous cell cancer

Epidemiologic and molecular evidences have established a strong link between high risk types of Human Papilloma Virus and a subgroup of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas [HNSCC]. We evaluated the frequency of HPV positivity in HNSCC and its relationship to demographic and some risk factor variables in an open casecontrol study. Fourteen recently diagnosed patients with squamous cell cancer of oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx aged 18-50 years were examined from 2008-2010 in Tabriz, Iran. HPV DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks of each patient's sample for PCR evaluation. Saliva samples of 94 control cancer-free subjects were collected for DNA analysis. Multivariable logistic regression method was used to calculate odds ratio for case-control comparisons. High risk HPV was detected in 6[42.8%] patients, and 6[5.3%] control subjects which was statistically significant [p<0.0001]. HPV-18 was the most frequent type both in the cases and controls. HPV-16 DNA was detected in two patients of the case group, but it was not detected in any of the controls. The relation between demographic and risk factor variables was not statistically significant. HPV infection has a significant impact on HNSCC. Despite HPV-16 stronger impact, HPV-18 is more likely to cause malignant degeneration in such cancers amongst some communities. It is vital to introduce and conduct immunization schedules in health care systems to protect communities to some extent

[Evaluation of health, environmental, economic and technical aspects of disinfection of WWTP effluent in the north of Isfahan with UV instead of chlorine]

Today, chlorine is the most common material used for effluent disinfection. Chlorination is an established and effective method for effluent disinfection. But the use of chlorine for disinfection of effluent due to several major concerns should be reassessed. The aim of this study was to compare long-term benefits and costs of chlorination/de chlorination with those of UV by pilot studies. This pilot study consisted of pre-treatment units clarification and filtration systems with two types of low pressure and medium pressure UV lamps designed and installed at the wastewater treatment plant in the north of Isfahan. Medium pressure UV systems with dose of 230 mw.s/cm2 for disinfection of filtered effluent with SOR of 1090 lit/m2.hr is more economical than a low pressure system and chlorination/dechlorination process and has the least environmental and health adverse effects. In wastewater treatment plants use of UV disinfection technology should be considered in preference to chlorination, especially if the dechlorination of chlorinated effluent is required. Before application of this system pilot studies on actual effluent at plant sites are required

[ rare case report of the Thyroidea Ima and the thymic arteries common trunk, arising from the brachiocephalic artery]

The Thyroidea Ima artery [The artery of Neubauer], was recognized and described by Neubauer in 1786. This artery which was described in the all anatomical textbooks may arise from the arch of aorta, brachiocephalic trunk or other arteries in the upper mediastina. It is considered as a compensatory artery when the other thyroidal vessels showed deficiencies. This artery showed greatly variation in size and gave some anastomotic branches to the thymic artery. The thymic artery arised from the anterior mediastinal branch of the internal thoracic artery but, may also arise from the brachiocephalic trunk, arch of aorta, common carotid or the main trunk of the internal thoracic artery. Its origin from the thyroidea ima is rare. This rare case was seen in a 65 years old male cadaver, the common trunk of the thyroida ima and the thymic arteries originated from the brachiocephalic artery. After a short course it divided into two branches: an ascending [thyroida ima] and descending [thymic] branches. The thyroidea ima artery turned to left and upward to the lower border of the isthmus of thyroid gland. At this point it sent a branch to the lower part of the left lobe of the thyroid which penetrated it deeply and ended in the left inferior parathyroid gland. The main branch continued its course upward to the upper border of the thyroidal isthmus and divided into right and left branches. Each of these branches, after sending a great anastomotic branch to the superior thyroidal artery of their own side, terminated as several small branches in the upper part of the right and left lobes of the thyroid gland. The thymic artery continued its course downward for about three centimeters and ended as two branches in the right and left lobes of thymus. The thyroid gland of this cadaver was larger than the normal ones and the thymus was also clearly noticeable with right and left bobs. According to the embryonic origin and the developmental processes of the inferior parathyroid glands and the Thymus from the neighboring pharyngeal pouches, their blood supply from a common trunk will be acceptable especially when these two glands show some degree of enlargement as shown in this case. In the cases of thyroidectomies, when a surgeon is going to resect an enlarged thyroid gland, the presence of thyroidea ima artery and its branches to the lower part of lobes of thyroid gland would be a useful guidance to identify the inferior parathyroid glands an save them for the prevention of the next hypocalcemia

Survey of knowledge and practice of Yazd people regarding municipal solid waste management in 2008

Waste production is an integral part of human life. This waste should be eliminated from human life and be recycled again into material and energy. Effective steps have to be taken to improve public health. So for a good management of materials, this study aimed to clarify the knowledge and practice of Yazd people in the management of municipal solid waste in 2008. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study which was conducted by filling up questionnaires. Validity of the data and monitoring was performed by using Cronbach alpha test. Totally 300 questionnaires were completed in different parts of the city of Yazd. The data were then entered into the software SPSS. 11.5 and were analyzed by Chi-square test and frequency distribution tables and charts. The results of the study showed that performance of the citizens regarding separation of waste from the beginning and transportation of waste to the collection vehicle is not in a good condition, the performance of the citizens in delivering waste and storage of waste at home before delivery; is in a good condition, the performance of the citizens in relation to the municipality is in a weak condition. Knowledge of recycling items such as waste paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics stands in the rank of moderate to good. Reducing waste production and disposal methods situation is not favorable. Citizens' awareness of the waste-borne diseases is ranks moderate to good. Waste management system in the city of Yazd requires promoting public awareness and performance and Municipal communication with citizens Also a regular educational program for increasing public knowledge related to specific waste management is necessary

Leachate treatment using wet air oxidation processes

Wet air oxidation [WAO] is one of the advanced oxidation process which reduce organic matter concentration from industrial wastewater, toxic and non biodegradable substances and, solid waste leachate,etc. In this study the efficiency of wet air oxidation method in leachate treatment generating from Esfahan Composting factory was Evaluated. The experiment was carried out by adding 1.5 Lit of pretreated leachate sample the steel reactor with the volume of 3L. The reactor then underwent 10 bar pressure at different temperature [100, 200 and 300 °C] and various retention time [30, 60 and 90 min]. Leachate sample in 18 stages from composting factory in Isfahan in the volume of 20 Lit was taken and the WAO method, was used for pre-treatments. Removal efficiency of COD, BOD, NH4-N, NO3 and TSS were examined. The results showed that the removal efficiency was more than 35% for COD, 38% for BOD, and 85% for TSS within one hour of reaction. The Maximum removal efficiency obtained in this study were 53.3% for NH4-N and 73.9% forNO3-N. the results indicate that the reaction temperatures are the most important factors affecting degradation of organic matter. COD and BODS removal efficiency by WAO process increased as the time of reaction went up. In addition, BOD5/COD ratios of the effluents, which are generally regarded as an important index of biodegradability of leachate sample, were determined and improved grately as it reached to 84%. The WAO process presented in this paper is considered an efficient process for pretreatment of leachate, as the COD, BOD5 and NO3 reduction observed in leachate samples

[Comparisons of three advanced oxidation processes in organic matter removal from Esfahan composting factory leachate]

Wet air oxidation [WAO] is one of the advanced oxidation process which is mostly used to reduce organic matter concentration from industrial wastewater, toxic and non biodegradable substance and solid waste leachate. The objective of this paper is comparisons of three advance oxidation in organic matter removal in different conditions from Esfahan composing factory leachate. The experiment was carried out by adding 1.5 Lit pretreated leachate sample to 3Lit autoclave reactor and adding 10 bar pressure at temperature of 100, 200 and 300 °C and pressure [10 bars] with retention time of 30, 60 and 90 min. leachate sample in 18 stages from composting factory in Isfahan in the volume of 20 lit was taken and the three methods WAO, WPO, and a combination of WAO/GAC were used for pre-treatments. Pure oxygen and 30% hydrogen peroxide was used as oxidation agent. The result shows significant improvement on the removal rate of COD [7.8-33.3%], BOD5 [14.7-50.6%] by WAO process. The removal efficiency of 4.6-34% COD, 24-50% BOD, was observed in the reactor. Adding the GAC to the reactor improved removal efficiency of all parameters. Combination Process [WAO/GAC] removed 48% of COD, 31-43.6% of BOD. Combination process demonstrated higher efficiency than two other previous methods as BOD5/COD ratio of 90% achieved. The WAO process presented in this paper is efficient for pretreatment of leachate, And the modified WPO process remove organic materials and ammonia moreover WAO/GAC can be considered as an excellent alternative treatment for removing reluctant organic matter [COD, BOD5] and organic nitrogen compounds, which found in leachate

[Effect of 8-week walking program on serum lipoprotein [a] concentration in non-athlete menopausal women]

Lipoprotein [a] [Lp[a]] is a new cardiovascular risk factor and its concentration increase cardiovascular diseases, while physical activity decrease cardiovascular diseases. This study intend to investigate the effect of eight week walking program on lipoprotein [a] concentration in non-athlete Iranian menopausal women. Twenty two healthy menopause women of 47-55 year of age any specific disorder were enrolled in this study. The subjects randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Anthropometric characteristics including height, weight, body mass index [BMI], body fat percent and Waist-to-Hip ratio [WHR] and serum lipoprotein on fasting were measured pre and post-walking program. The data were compared using independent t-test, U mann witny and pearson correlation coefficient was used for assessement of relation between lipoprotein [a] with anthropometric indexes. According to these results, there was a significant reduction of serum lipoprotein [a] [pre test12.5 +/- 4/1; post test 10.5 +/- 3md], WHR, BMI and body fat percent prior and after the training in experimental group [P<0.05] while non significant changes was observed in control group. Also, there was non significant relationship between lipoprotein [a] with Anthropometric indexes. This study revealed that 8-week walking program had useful effects on menopausal women' serum lipoprotein [a] concentration, WHR, BMI and body fat percent

[Efficiency study of nickel [II] and cadmium [II] biosorption by powder of waste activated sludge from aqueous solutions]

Nickel [II] and cadmium [II] are important in environmental pollutant. Biosorption of heavy metals can be an effective process for the removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions because of the decrease in sludge problems, economical issues, high efficiency and compatibility with the environment. Power of wasted activated sludge have been contact with nickel [II] and cadmium [II] solutions in 0.25 and 0.75 milli molar invarious pHs and mixing pace, at 24-26 [degree sign]C temperature on batch reactor system .After two hours [continuously 5-420 min in kinetic study] samples were analyzed with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The kinetic study results show that equilibrium adsorption time for nickel [II] and cadmium [II] reached within 2 hr, but the profile curve of cadmium [II] biosorption was smoother than nickel [II] biosorption. Both metals adsorption followed the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity [q[max]] for nickel [II] and cadmium [II] was 0.195 and 0.37 milli mole per gram respectively. The increase in pH resulted in adsorption increase for both metals. For cadmium [II] at 0.25 and 0.75 mMinitial concentration there was no adsorption at pH 2 where as nickel [0.25 mM] adsorption was observed at the same pH. The optimum mixing rate for both metals was 200 rpm and this effect was more obviously in greater concentration. Like other biosorbents, wasted activated sludge showed greater capacity for cadmium [II] biosorption than nickel [II]. Cadmium [II] in modeling and biosorption characteristics study had more conformity than nickel [II]

[Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of quercus persica jaub and spach fruit's hidroalcoholic extract in disc diffusion method]

As a result of indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases, microorganisms have developed resisrtance to many antibiotics and there is a need to develop antimicrobial drugs. One approach is use of local medicinal plants which represent a rich source of novel antimicrobial agents. Due to rapid increase of antibiotics resistance, fewer side effects of chemical drugs, antibacterial properties of oaks and other reasons, this study was carried out. In this study the antibacterial activity of hidroalcoholic extract of oak fruit was evaluated and compared with some in-use antibiotics. Milled oak fruit that their hull was separated was extracted with water+ethanol in Soxhlet's apparatus .The effect of extract in three concentration [25, 50, 75 mg/ml] were tested using agar diffusion method on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis RTCC 1898 and Escherichia coli O157: H7. Results showed that the effect of the extract on bacteria was concentration-dependent. In compared with antibiotics, the effect of 75 mg/ml concentration of extract on S. aureus was similar to GM, lesser than K and higher than TOB. Also this concentration of extract had a similar effect to K, higher than GM and lesser than TOB on S. epidermidis. This effect on E. coli was lesser than GM and K, but in compared with TOB was higher. results show that Quercus persica J. and Sp. possesses compounds with antibacterial properties

Spatial analysis of three agrichemicals in groundwater of isfahan using GS[+]

The purpose of this study was to undertake a spatial analysis of total organic carbon, electrical conductivity and nitrate, in order to produce a pollution dispersion and prediction map for the investigated area in the province of Isfahan in Iran. The groundwater samples were collected from a zone as a pilot study area of 80 km[2], including 25 water wells, based on the criteria of vulnerability assessment projects, that is, about one well per 3 km[2], during four seasons in 2008-09. In order to make any inferences about the areas that did not have well data, a statistical relationship between explanatory total organic carbon, electrical conductivity and nitrate variables related to well coordination was developed. The probability of the presence of elevated levels of the three compounds in the groundwater was predicted using the best-fit variogram model. According to spatial analysis, the highest R[2]=0.789 achieved was related to electrical conductivity and followed the exponential model with 0.266 for NO[3] [spherical model] and 0.322 for total organic carbon [exponential model] in the spring 2009. This showed the high confidence level for electrical conductivity dataset and forecasted trends. The results of the spatial analysis demonstrated that the transfer trends of electrical conductivity in the groundwater resources followed the route of groundwater movement in all seasons. However, for nitrate and total organic carbon, a definite trend was not obtained and pollution dispersion depended on many parameters