impact of music on mood characteristics and performance accuracy in basketball players

Background: In recent years, psychological and physiological effects of music on athletic performance have become an attractive field of research. The present study investigates the effect of various kinds of music on mood characteristics and performance accuracy in skilled and semi-skilled female basketball players

Materials and Methods: The population for this quasiexperimental study consisted of skilled players [League] and semi-skilled players [PE students]. Seventy-two female basketball players [36 skilled and 36 semi-skilled] were selected randomly and assigned to different groups [exciting music, relaxation music, and favorite music]. Data was collected in two days using Brunel mood scale and 5-value Zachary scale for measuring the accuracy of basketball free-throw

Results: ANOVA results show that listening to music improved mood characteristics of participants significantly regardless of their skill level [p=0.012]. The interaction of test and type of music was significant on mood variables [p=0.01]. Favorite music was more effective than exciting music in improving mood properties [p<0.05]. In addition, music improved athletic performance regardless of skill level or type of prescribed music [2.58 +/- 0.093 in pretest vs. 2.88 +/- 0.77 in posttest]. Also, skilled players had significantly higher performance accuracy than semiskilled players [3.23 +/- 0.58 vs. 2.54 +/- 0.79] [p=0.001]

Conclusion: Results showed that negative emotions such as anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, and stress decreased in athletes regardless of the type of music, and positive mood characteristics, such as feeling strong, increased, which is indicative of mood improvement. Also, music improved the performance level regardless of the skill level or the type of prescribed music

Aflatoxin contamination in wheat flour samples from Golestan province, Northeast of Iran

Due to the high toxicity of aflatoxin and its effects on public health, determination of aflatoxin level in Wheat flour samples in the Golestan province, north of Iran was investigated. To examine the effect of seasonal changes, summer and winter sampling was performed with standard sampling methods. A total of 200 flour samples were collected from 25 factories. HPLC method with immunoaffinity chromatography was used to measure aflatoxin types [G2, G1, B2 and B1]. Statistical analysis was performed by the Pearson correlation test, One-way ANOVA and multivariate regression analysis. Mean total aflatoxin levels of samples were 0.82 and 1.99 ng/g in summer and winter, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 levels were detected in 3.1%, 7.4% over permissible limits by worldwide regulations in samples collected in summer and winter, respectively. Aflatoxins in winter were higher than summer. The highest frequency of aflatoxin contamination in winter was B2 [98%] and in summer G1 [51%]. The relationship between humidity and rate of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin was significant in winter. Results of multivariate regression were showed the strongest relationship with humidity and aflatoxin level. Despite the contamination of flour samples, there was no contamination higher than the standard limit of Iran Standard Institute. But it was significantly higher than similar studies from other regions. Therefore, with regard to negative impacts of aflatoxin on health, aflatoxin contamination should be considered in future programs. Decrease of aflatoxin contamination may be made practical through reducing wheat storage duration and controlling humidity

[Sleep-quality investigation of bus drivers working in the Gorgan's passenger terminal and its relation with the public health in 2008-2009]

One of the most common kinds of human's disorders is sleep disorders which have direct relation with age, gender, physical health status, and occupational activities. Increasing the errors during job activities such as driving is one of the most important complications of sleep disorders. Therefore, this study has been conducted to determine the sleep quality of drivers and its relationship with public health. The under study drivers are from the Gorgan's passenger terminal. In this analytical-partial study, all the drivers working in the Gorgan's passenger terminal were studied using standard 28-question public heath questionnaire and standard 19-question Pittsburg sleep questionnaire. After filling out and collecting all forms, data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS.13, and descriptive analytical statistics. The results showed that the driver's public health is not satisfactory. More than one third of drivers have poor sleep quality and there was a direct and statistically significant relationship between the quality of sleep and general health of drivers [P <0.00 1, r = 0.7]. according to the results of this study, training of drivers is advised such that they have a regular number of shifts, timely and sufficient rests, proper diet which can prevent accidents, conserve passengers, reduce costs due to accidents and irrecoverable damage to other drivers. Also it is important to consider possible age limitation for driving on the road or to allocate a less number of shifts for older drivers

[Prediction of trauma outcome with platelet count]

The relationship between the number of platelet and the outcome of trauma is not clearly known. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of platelet and the outcome of trauma in traumatic patients [Abdomen and chest] referred to hospital and mortality and morbidity rates after trauma. This deh1ive-analytical study was performed on 300 patients with torso trauma admitted in Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan Iran in 2005. Injury Severity Score [ISS] complete Blood Count [CBC] and platelet count were measured from all the patients at their arriving to the hospital. We also evaluated the patients for the duration of hospitalization need to stay in ICU duration of ICU care thrombo-embolic events such as deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and respiratory emboli and finally for the outcome of the trauma [death or recovery]. Data were analyzed using student t-test Chi-square and regression. The mean age of patients was 32 +/- 17.51 years from those 78% were men. We found a direct significant relationship between the duration of hospitalization and platelet count and ISS [P0.05]. Our findings suggest that platelet counting in traumatic patients at the beginning of their hospitalization is a good predicting factor to estimate the duration of the hospitalization

Effects of L-carnitine added to erythropoietin in anemic chronic renal failure patients on Hemodialysis

Chronic renal disease [C.R.D] is a pathophysiological process due to progressive and irreversible decrease in number and function of nephrons in the kidney. Anemia is one of the most important complications in CRD patients. Anemia is caused mainly due to diminished production of erythropoietin [EPO], which is treated by weekly injection of the EPO. L-carnitine added to EPO can increase the efficacy of EPO. Present study, from March 2003 until September 2004 [18 months], evaluates the effects of L-carnitine added to EPO in 30 patients at Shaheed Rahnemon hemodialysis center of Yazd. Each patient was administered one oral table [250 mg] of L-carnitine, twice a day along with EPO for 90 days. EPO was in the form of injection 2000 iu/sc after dialysis. [three times per week]. One questionnaire was completed for each patient, which included demographic characteristics, type of disease, duration of the hemodialysis, Hb and Hct levels, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels. Hb, Hct and transferrin saturations were measured on days 1, 45 and 90. Results were analyzed by paired t test and analysis of variance. Results of this study showed that the mean Hb levels and Hct were significantly raised up to 1.1 mg/dl [P. value<0.001] and 2.7% [P.Value<0.001], respectively. In addition, significant decrease of 5.75% in transferrin [P.Value< 0.001] and 121 ng/ml in ferritin levels [P.Value< 0.001] was observed. Efficacy of EPO plus L-carnitine was affected only by duration of hemodialysis and not by age, sex or causes of CRD. L-carnitine added to EPO increases the efficacy of EPO after 3 months