[Cross cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability study of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] questionnaire for evaluation of shoulder function in injured athletes]

The translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] were carried out in accordance with published guidelines. The study was conducted on 100 athletes [25.96 +/- 5.81 years], which suffered from different shoulder disorders. When the translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire was carried out on the standardized method, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the DASH, the Short Form General Health Survey [SF-36] and ASES questionnaires. In addition, 30 randomly selected patients were asked to complete the ASES questionnaire 48 hours later for the second time. After data collection the Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. The Cronbach's alpha was used to indicate internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for ASES. Test-retest reliability was quantified by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. It was 0.91 for ASES questionnaire. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for the questionnaire validation study. The DASH questionnaire showed high correlation of ICC=0.78 with ASES. The ASES showed moderate correlation of 0.48 to 0.62 with those of the various scales of the SF-36. The Iranian ASES showed good reliability and validity and can be used for shoulder-specific patient self-assessment

[Systematic review article of Berlin Bedrest studies about prolonged bedrest effects on lower limb musculoskeletal system]

Many studies have been carried out about bedrest and its effects on different systems including musculoskeletal,neuromuscular,cognition and vascular systems throughout the world.The purpose of this paper is to review systematically all Berlin Bedrest Studies on musculoskeletal system.The focus of this review is mainly Second Berlin Bedrest Study [2[nd] BBRS] supported by European Space Agency[ESA].Such studies provide a chance to study the specific effects of immobilization without interference of other diseases. A literature search was carried out using MEDLINE and ESA database to assess existing literature about the effect of bedrest on musculoskeletal system published by Berlin Bedrest Studies.It has been searched for efficacy of interventions as high load resistive exercise and whole body vibration,as well. Fourty six articles have been found from 2000 to 2011year: 2 articles in 2000 and 2003,the other ones between 2005 to 2011. Seventeen articles were related to muscle and intervention on it,three ones about bone and related intervention on it,four ones related to both bone and muscle and twenty two ones about the other systems such as heart,vesseles,sleep and cognition. According to study results,bedrest has widespread effects on musculoskeletal system specially in early bedrest. These effects remain up to 180 days after bedrest course.Thus,high load resistive exercise and vibration should be prescribed in early stage of bedrest to reduce the detrimential effects of prolonged bedrest

effect of lifting on trunk muscles motor control in athlete and non-athlete subjects

Spinal injury especially during occupational lifting is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders in the general population of the world. Asymmetric motions of trunk frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful activities contribute to spine disorders. Sport as a comprehensive activity might be able to cause less force to the spine and decrease spinal injuries. The purpose of present study was to determine the effect of lifting on motor control pattern during combined symmetric and asymmetric trunk motions on athlete and non-athlete subjects. Seventeen non-athlete female subjects and seventeen athlete female subjects performed to lift four loads [5,7,9, 12 kilogram] at symmetric and asymmetric conditions. Under each condition temporal parameters of motor control were measured on flexor and extensor of trunk muscles. In two groups of athletes and non-athletes with increasing load, muscles begin their activity faster [P<0.05]. No significant change was found at asymmetric condition. Also, in athletes premotor time of muscles during lifting was less than non-athletes. With increasing load, according to the feed forward control mechanism and awareness of subjects from amount of loads, muscles quickly prepared to contract for starting the movement. It seems that the response of movement on the neuromotor system of athletes is preprogrammed and automatic due to sport experience. Actually muscles have anticipation activity

Evaluation of an interferon-gamma release assay in young contacts of active tuberculosis cases

In a cross-sectional study in a hospital in Tehran in 2006-08 the QuantiFERON[Registered]-TB interferon-gamma release assay [QTB] was compared with the tuberculin skin test [TST] in 59 young people [aged<20 years] with close contact with immunocompetent cases of proven pulmonary tuberculosis. After 1 year follow-up 10 subjects had progressed to tuberculosis disease and received treatment; TST was positive in 30% and QTB in 100%. Of the 49 non-progressive subjects, TST was positive in 10.4% and QTB in 16.3%. The agreement between TST and QTB assay in non-progressive subjects was poor [Kappa=0.43]. False positive and false negative rates for TST were 40.0% and 9.3% respectively; positive and predictive values were 60.0% and 90.7%. We suggest adding the interferon assay to the skin test in the decision to perform chest X-ray or to start chemoprophylaxis at least in younger subjects [aged<20 years]

Theoretical study of possible solutions for addressing the kinetic redundancy in lumbar spine by central nervous system

This is mainly achieved by the way that central nervous system [CNS] uses the redundancy in musculoskeletal system. The kinetic redundancy in human musculoskeletal systems is a significant property by which central nervous system achieves many complementary goals. In this study, by explaining the definition and role of uncontrolled manifold for movement kinematics, the kinetic redundancy concept is explored in mathematical terms. The null space of the kinetically redundant system when certain joint moment and/or stiffness are needed is derived and discussed. In this paper, the mathematical methods have been developed for a simpler planar biomechanical model with 3 muscles in which the explained concepts have been utilized

[Effect of sodium hypochlorite gel on shear bond strength and bond durability of excite to dentin]

Although bonding mechanism is based on resin diffusion onto the demineralized dentin collagen fibers in most of dentin adhesive systems, it has been shown that the bond is going to degrade over time. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium hypochlorite on shear bond strength and bond durability of Excite to dentin. In an experimental study, buccal and lingual surfaces of 36 intact human premolars were prepared and randomly assigned to 4 groups. In groups 1 and 3, specimens were etched and bonding procedures were accomplished according to manufacturer's directions. Then, composite resin was bonded to the dentin surfaces. In groups 2 and 4, AD Gel [10% sodium hypochlorite gel] was applied in order to remove the collagen fibers after acid conditioning. Then, the bonding procedure was followed as for groups 1 and 3. After 24 hours, water storage in groups 1 and 2 and 1 year water storage in groups 3 and 4, shear bond strength was evaluated and analyzed by one way analysis of variance. Variance test was used for data analysis due to normal distribution of data and homogeneity of variances. ANOVA test showed that shear bond strength of group 1 [28.2 +/- 7.0 MPa] was significantly higher than group 2 [17.6 +/- 8.6 MPa] [P=0.001]. The bond strength was also significantly higher in group 3 [29.4 +/- 4.7 MPa] than group 4 [21.3 +/- 8.0 MPa] [P=0.009]. No statistical significant difference was found between groups 1 and 3 and also between groups 2 and 4 in terms of shear bond strength. Shear bond strength of Excite to dentin decreased with using sodium hypochlorite gel. Shear bond strength of Excite did not show any significant difference after one year of water storage, with or without using sodium hypochlorite gel

[Study of frequency distribution of homocysteinemia in patients admitted to ICU of Rasoul-Akram hospital 2005]

Homocysteinernia is currently regarded as an independent risk factor in venous thrombosis and vascular diseases. So noticing its causes and risk factors in high risk populations, such as elderly and chronically ill patients is of much importance. This research is designed, considering the important role of homocysteinemia and the lack of statistics and adequate information about the prevalence of this disease among hospitalized patients in ICU. The is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, done by census sampling method on patients admitted in ICU of Rasoul-Akram hospital, during a 6 months period. Epidemiologic data was collected from the patients' files. A blood sample was taken from the patient to measure homocysteine level. Data was introduced using descriptive statistics. 52 patients with the mean age of 58.42 were included in this study. Among these, 12 [23.1%] had a high homocysteine level and the other 40 patients [76.9%] had a normal range of homocysteine. The mean homocysteine level in patients with normal levels was 9.28 [3.08-15.48] micromol/dl and the mean in patients with homocysteinemia was 21.05 [11.05-31.05]. Among patients with homocysteinemia, 25% had renal failure and 25% were presented with cerebrovascular accident [CVA]. There was no significant difference between homocystein level in patients with renal failure and those with CVA. According to the 23.1% frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia in hospitalized patients of our study, also considering the Folate and vitamin B6 and B12 role in homocysteinemia, and also due to previous epidemiologic studies, it seems that evaluating Folate, vitamin B6 and B 12, creatinine clearance and plasma albumin level may clarify the role of these factors as the probable predictive factor in patients with homocysteinemia

Co-activation of muscles in biomechanical modeling

Muscles co-activation is a significant concept often used in the studies of spine and knee joint biomechanics and rehabilitation. Researchers and clinicians use this measure to design rehabilitation strategies and/or evaluate clinical interventions. In this paper, biomechanical and physiological consequences of co-activation of muscles are discussed succinctly using a number of illustrative examples. The paper shall further demonstrate the need for more cooperation and interaction between clinicians and biomechanical engineers for development of better biomechanical models, assisting the development of new experimental designs and more precise methods of evaluating neuromuscular performance during functional tasks

Inter tester and intra tester reliability of eight sacroiliac joint static and dynamic and three pain provocation tests

The purpose of this study was to determine the inter tester and intra tester reliability of 5 static and 3 dynamic palpation tests, and three pain provocation tests used to diagnose sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Five static palpation tests, namely palpation and assessment of the levels of the 1] posterior superior iliac spine [PSIS] in standing position, 2] PSIS in sitting position, 3] anterior superior iliac spine [ASIS] in standing position, 4] Medial Maleolus [MM] in supine position, and 5] MM in long sitting position, and three dynamic [motion palpation] tests, 1] the Gillet test, 2] the standing flexion test, and 3] the sitting flexion test were performed on ten asymptomatic subjects by four examiners. Each test was performed four times by each examiner resulting in 1280 assessments in total. Pain provocation tests were posterior pelvic pain provocation test [PPPPT] or posterior shear test, patric test, and hip resisted abduction test. The Study included twenty women with chronic low back pain, aged between 20 to 30 years. Each of pain provocation tests were performed two times by two examiners. Reliability was determined using Kappa Statistic which allows assessment of observer agreement for more than two examiners and multiple examiners. Intra examiner agreement of static palpation tests revealed a range of reliability from slight to good. Kappa coefficient yielded intra examiner agreement that ranged between slight to good for the PSIS in standing position [0.18-0.75], slight to moderate for the ASIS [0.15-0.5], and slight to fair [0.1-0.35] for other static and all motion palpation tests. Inter examiner reliability of all the static and dynamic tests did not exceed slight reliability [0.0-0.2]. Kappa value for intertester reliability of posterior shear test, patric test, and hip resisted abduction test for right limb was 0.7, 0.7, and 0.6, and for left one was 0.7, 0.78, 0.34, respectively, and the mean value of kappa for intratester reliability was between 0.75 and 0.91. The results of this study suggest that the reliability of palpation and assessment of the levels of the PSIS, ASIS, and MM in static positions, and the gillet, standing flexion, and sitting flexion tests as indicators of sacroiliac joint dysfunction still remain questionable. Therapists should reconsider the usefulness of evaluation techniques that rely on the assessment of the anatomical symmetry of bony landmarks of the innominates in static and dynamic conditions. About pain provocation tests, the results showed that posterior shear and hip resisted abduction tests are reliable tests to diagnose the pathology in the sacroiliac joints. The reliability of patric test that commonly used to determine the sacroiliac joints pathologies is in under question

[Infection of river whitefishes [rutilus rutilus] by ligula intestinalis parasite in Aras dam; case series]

A lot of organisms including parasites cause damages to the fishes. Ligulosis is one of the most common parasitic infections and is economically the most important fish diseases in sweet water. This study was performed to introduce the cases of river whitefishes infected by Ligula intestinalis parasite. Case: 50 river whitefishes [Rutilus rutilus], which had been hunted from Aras dam prepared from Babol fish market and transferred to parasitology department of Babol medical school. For more investigation, the samples were kept in 10% formalin. On average most of these fishes had 4 to 5 numbers of plerocercoid larvae that their size was on average 30 +/- 5 centimeters. Conclusion: This parasite has been known to infect aquatic animals especially breeding fishes that many scholars in the world reported it and there are some reports from Iran. The important point is the toxin produced by this parasite, which causes special physiologic side effects in fishes such as infertility, reduction of body weight, pale and etc and this toxin can be harmful for human health

olmsted syndrome: a case report

Olmsted syndrome is a rare congenital palmoplantar keratoderma distinguished by presence of massive palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and periorificial hyperkeratotic lesions. To date, 16 cases have been described in literature. Our case is a thirteen years old boy with massive palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and deep fissuring and horn-like lesions together with hyperkeratotic plaques on extensor surface of elbows and knees and periorificial hyperkeratotic plaques. Physical and mental development was normal and his family history was unremarkable. Routine laboratory tests were also normal. Radiological findings included osteoporosis of the bones of extremities and acro-osteolysis in the distal phalanx of fingers. Pathological samples showed massive hyperkeratosis, considerable acanthosis, focal parakeratosis, hypervascularity and mild lymphocytic infiltration in the upper dermis. Palmoplantar keratoderma is seen in different congenital palmoplantar keratodermas but the presence of other signs helps to differentiate these syndromes