effect of ubiquinone on functional recovery and morphometric indices of sciatic nerve regeneration

A common cause of peripheral nerve injury is trauma. The positive effect of antioxidants on the improvement of nerve regeneration has currently become a focus of attention. In this experiment, the effect of intraperitoneal administration of ubiquinone [CoQ10] on an acute experimentally sciatic nerve crush was studied in a rat model. Forty-five male Wistar rats, weighing between 160-180 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups [n=20]. Each group was further subdivided into four subgroups of five animals each. Functional studies confirmed the faster recovery of regenerated axons in the treatment group compared to the un-treated group [P<0.05]. Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers to be significantly higher in the treatment group than the un-treated group [P<0.05] Intraperitoneal administration of CoQ10 [10 mg/kg/day] in the early inflammatory stage of sciatic nerve crush was found to improve nerve regeneration

[ comparison of shock wave therapy and corticosteroid injection on the treatment of plantar fasciitis]

Plantar Fasciitis is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which can reduce physical activity of the affected person. The usual treatments have short-term effects or they can cause adverse effects. In this study the injection of corticosteroid and shock wave therapy have been compared. This was a prospective, randomized and single blind clinical trial. In the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic of two clinic in Tehran, through the year 2011, 37 feet were randomized to each treatment group. The first group received 40mg methylprednisolone and 2 cc lidocaine 2% and the second group was treated with 3 sessions of rESWT [2000 pulses, 10 Hz, 2.5 bar] weekly apart. The data was gathered by a questionnaire, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. Chi-square, T-test and mann-witney U test was used for data analyzing. In both groups 3 months after the intervention the severity of the symptoms were greatly improved. In short-term [1 month] corticosteroid effect was superior to shock wave's one [p<0.05]. This superiority declined through the time. In other words, the effects of the two treatments measured in the functional scale, didn't differ significantly 3 months after the initiation of the treatment [p>0.05]. Shock wave therapy can be an alternative treatment for plantar fasciitis

Exposure to outdoor air pollution and chronic bronchitis in adults: a case-control study

Although Lebanon is a highly polluted country, so far no study has specifically been designed to assess the association between outdoor air pollution and chronic bronchitis in this country. To assess the association between exposure to outdoor air pollution and chronic bronchitis in Lebanon. A pilot case-control study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals. Cases consisted of patients diagnosed with chronic bronchitis by a pulmonologist and those epidemiologically confirmed. Controls included individuals free of any respiratory signs or symptoms. After obtaining informed consent, a standardized questionnaire was administered. Bivariate, stratified [over smoking status and gender] and multivariate analyses revealed that passive smoking at home [ORa: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.73-3.80] and at work [ORa: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.13-3.17]; older age [ORa: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.55-2.39]; lower education [ORa: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.21-1.72]; living close to a busy road [ORa: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.31-2.89] and to a local power plant [ORa: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07-2.45]; and heating home by hot air conditioning [ORa: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.00-3.43] were moderately associated with chronic bronchitis; an inverse association was found with heating home electrically [ORa: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.85]. A positive dose-effect relationship was observed in those living close to a busy road and to a local diesel exhaust source. Chronic bronchitis is associated with outdoor air pollution

[How could FAIR test modify the H reflex in gastrocnemius muscle in patients with piriformis syndrome?]

Priformis syndrome [PS] is defined by a loose cluster of symptoms arising from entrapment of one or both divisions of the sciatic nerve as they pass the sciatic notch. This paper presents a method of using the H-reflex as an aid in the diagnosis of PS. Forcible pressure from the priformis muscle on the sciatic nerve can be induced by internal rotation of an affected limb in an adducted and flexed position [FAIR]. This pressure is reflected in a delay of the H-reflex. The length of delay seen in 15 legs of 14 patients who met the criteria for PS is compared with that seen in 7 unaffected contralateral limbs. Mean delay of H-reflex was 2.346 msec for affected legs and 0.368 msec for the combined control groups [p<0.01]. There were no significant differences in delay latency between control group and amplitude between all groups [p>0.05]

[Comparing the effect of acupuncture and oral piroxicam in reduced pain and improved function of patient with chronic mechanical low back pain]

Low Back pain [LBP] is extremely common. Studies have shown life time prevalence as high as 84%. Mechanical chronic LBP [mechanical CLBP] is the leading cause of LBP that have a multifactorial cause, which includes functional instability, abnormal posture and emotional stress. Treatment of these patients is aimed to reduced pain, maintaining mobility, and minimizing disability. This study compares acupuncture vs. oral prioxicam in the reduced pain and Active Daily living [ADL] improvement in mechanical CLBP. In a randomized trial, 52 patients with mechanical CLBP were recruited using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria from Shiraz medical university clinics. All patients classified two groups: A group received acupuncture [2 sessions per week] and B group received Oral piroxicam [30 mg/day] for 2 weeks respectively. Evaluation tools were pain intensity [VAS] and ADLs at baseline, after and 4 weeks after treatment. The analyses of variance showed that means VAS of group A was 7.39 +/- 0.42, 3.88 +/- 0.96 and 3.02 +/- 0.52, and group B was 7.12 +/- 0.61, 4.55 +/- 0.93 and 3.91 +/- 0.28 at baseline, after and 4 weeks after treatment, respectively [p<0.005]. Acupuncture was more effective than oral piroxicam in the reduced pain intensity and ADLs improvement of patients. However, preliminary results suggest that Long- term continuous treatment with acupuncture sustains the effectiveness in pain reduction

Sheep abomasal phytobezoariasis: the effect of breed, season and age with histopathological observations

The prevalence of the latent form of sheep abomasal phytobezoariasis and the effect of husbandry management on this condition were determined in a survey in and industrial abattoir in Urmia from June 2005 to July 2006. The effect of different age groups and seasons on the prevalence of sheep abomasal phytobezoariasis was also determined. Furthermore, the histological changes in the affected abomasal tissue were also verified. The breeds and ages of the sheep were identified prior to slaughter. In the postmortem, the abomasum was examined for foreign bodies, including bezoars. Tissue specimens were taken from the abomasal body in the affected cases. The annual prevalence of sheep abomasal phytobezoariasis was 1.95%. The prevalence was highest in the Makuei breed and the lowest in Ghezel sheep. The prevalence was higher in winter compared to other seasons. The number of phytobezoars per abomasums ranged from one to four. The histopathological changes in the affected cases included leukocytic infiltration in the mucosal layer, edema, glandular hyperplasia and cystic spaces

[Effect of melatonin on sexual behavior in male diabetic rats]

Several clinical studies indicate deterioration of sexual behavior in diabetic patients. The pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic sexual impotence remain obscure. In this study the therapeutic effects of melatonin on sexual behavior were investigated through the central serotonergic system in diabetic rats. In this study, 30 male adult Wistar rats, weighing 200 +/- 20 g, were used. Animals were divided into three groups, the controls [C], diabetic [D] and the melatonin-treated diabetic [M] group. Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin. Melatonin was injected [10 mg/kg i. p.] after 3 days of streptozotocin injection for 30 days. At the end of the administration period, the sexual behavior of each male rat to an ovariectomized female rat was assessed for 40 min. Serotonergic type 2 [5-HT2A] receptor activities were investigated through spontaneous WDS behavior, and experimental data were statistically analyzed. First mount, first intromission and first ejaculation latencies significantly [p<0. 05] increased in diabetic rats as compared to controls. Melatonin treatment significantly [p<0. 05] reduced these responses in the M group, compared to the D one. Also the number of mounts, intromissions and ejaculations significantly [p<0. 05] decreased in diabetic rats compared to controls. Administration of melatonin significantly [p<0. 05] increased these activities in the M group as compared to the D one. Calculation of copulatory efficiency and the sexual activity index of each rat indicate that reproductive activity in diabetic rats was significantly [p<0. 05] less than other two groups. The number of WDS responses was significantly [p<0. 05] different in all three groups. Sexual dysfunction in diabetic animals was accompanied by decreasing of 5-HT2A receptor activities, and melatonin prevented the diabetes-induced sexual impotence by modulating of central serotonergic system activity

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: a case report

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava [IVC] is a rare sarcoma, but it is the most common primary malignancy of the IVC. It has an extremely gloomy prognosis. We describe a 40 year-old white female complaining of abdominal fullness for 7 weeks before she sought medical assistance. Initial work-up including sonography and computed tomography showed a huge tumoral mass in the abdominal cavity seemingly originating from the IVC with displacement of the right ureter and hydronephrosis. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor. Pathologic diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma. Postoperatively, she was placed on coumadin and adjuvant chemotherapy was started. Considering the aggressiveness of this tumor, early radical enblock resection with clear margins is still the only chance for long-term survival

[Comparison of effect of EMLA cream and injection of methyl prednisolone acetate relief of pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome]

A standard treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is local injection of anesthetic-corticosteroid. This clinical trial was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of daily application of the EMLA cream with that of a single injection of methyl prednisolone acetate. This is a clinical trial which was performed in the clinics of Shiraz medical school in 1386. Sixty five participants with clinical and electrodiagnostic evidence of mild to moderate CTS were randomized to receive either the EMLA cream [group 1] or one injection [40 mg] of methylprednisolone acetate at wrist [group 2]. Visual analog scale was used to assess the patients' pain acuity. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software using Chi-Square test. Pain intensity before and after treatment and also 4 weeks after treatment in group A was 5.8 +/- 0.98, 0.7 +/- 0.82 and 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 5.7 +/- 1, 2.4 +/- 1.5 and 1.6 +/- 1.4 in group B. The differences in pain intensity in both group were significant [p<0.001]. EMLA cream was effective in reducing pain associated with CTS. It can be an effective, noninvasive symptomatic treatment for the patients with mild to moderate CTS

[Evalution of sympathetic skin response in lumbosacral radiculopathy patients]

Skin temperature changes and sympathetic skin response [SSR] changes have previously been reported in lumbosacral radiculopathy patients. The SSR was studied in 14 normal and in 20 radiculopathy to assess if the SSR becomes asymmetric when measured across ap propriate dermatomes. The SSR was recorded in dermatomal patterns in both feet simultaneously with latency of onset, latency of peak and amplitude are presented with the normal left/ right ratios presented. In all individual subjects the amplitudes of the SSR were extremely variable and asymmetric no significant differences in symmetry between rediculopathy and normal subjects. When using this technique the SSR is not significantly altered in S 1 radiculopathies

[ effect of a stretching- strengthening exercise program on decreasing pain index on workers with musculoskeletal complaints]

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability among people during working years which impose high expenses on the society in different aspects. this study was conducted to assess the effect of a stretching- strengthening exercise program on decreasing pain index on workers with musculoskeletal complaints. This quasi-experimental study was done on cleaning unit workers in one of the factories producing hygiene instruments in Shiraz in 2006. All the fifty four employees were considered in our study. First, all workers were evaluated by the physiatrist under complete musculoskeletal examination and pain intensity was assessed by VAS and BPI indices. After 3 months, to confirm the chronicity of symptoms, the second examination was done and then exercise program was recommended for 3 months. The collected results were analyzed by SPSS software and non-parametric Wilcoxon test. The primary mean of the VAS index was 5.00 +/- 2.27cm while after 3 months it was raised to 5.32 +/- 2.76 cm and reduced to 1.98 +/- 2.07 after doing exercise program, which is a significant decline [p<0.001]. Mean of different indices of BPI showed significant decrease after completing exercise program [p<0.001]. Doing an exercise program based on type of work, and availability of facilities in work environment is effective in decreasing musculoskeletal complaints as a primary cause of disability among workers

[Screening of developmental problem, day care centers, Sari, 2006]

There has not been enough attention towards the domains of development in pediatrics,so there are many deficiencies in monitoring the achievement of developmental milestones in our country. One of the important ways for the improvement of this problem is to use screening method. PEDS questionnaire is one of the screening tools for development. The aim of this study was to investigate about parents' evaluation of developmental status for their children. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The population included infants and children under the age of 6 in day care centers of Sari. Sampling method was clustering. The tool for data collection was PEDS questionnaire [Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status] which consisted of 38 questions about demographic data and medical history of children as well as parents' concern about different developmental domains along with "Yes", "No" and "little" answers. The data were analysed using SPSS11 software. Chi square and Wilcoxon were used. P<0.05 was considered significant. Out of 829 questionnaires, 736 were returned [88.7%]. The Sample age was 4.23 +/- 1.32 gl. Fifty percent of participants were male. By average, in each developmental domains, 3.2% of parents had major concern and 9.5% had partial concern. The most common domains of concern were communication with others [6.4%], behavior [6.1%], speaking [4.3%], preschool and school education [3.1%], children's understanding [2.5%], the self care [2.1%], the use of fingers [1.4%], the use of legs and arms [1.1%]. Parents' concern had a significant relationship with parent's education, residence and history of illness in children [P<0.05]. Out of 23.4% of the infants and children who had later returned to the diagnosis center, 80% had behavioral disorder, 87.6% had speech disorder and 16.6% had hearing impairment. A considerable percentage of parents was concerned about developmental domains of their children, but follow up at referral centers was low. Parents' concern led to the diagnosis of an illness for a child in most cases

Clinical study of lameness associated with digital diseases in dairy cows in Urmia

To determine the prevalence rate of lameness associated with digital diseases. Cross-sectional study. 8 industrial and 30 semi industrial dairy farms. With attending in the farms, lame cows were diagnosed by observation and clinical examination. Lameness was assessed according to the standard scoring method. The affected limb was carefully examined in a chute. The lesion was confirmed through clinical findings and gross pathology. The results were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test. 195 out of 1871 cases were affected in one or more feet. The prevalence rate of lameness in semi industrial farms was significantly higher than industrial ones. Foot overgrowth was the most important factor as the cause of lameness. Foot rot was seen in sporadic form. The prevalence rate of lameness in the hind limb was significantly higher than forelimb. It seems digital diseases are not prevalent in Urmia dairy farms and mainly occur sporadically. High prevalence rate of lameness in semi industrial farms is due to poor management in hoof trimming

[Accuracy of fine needle aspiration in bone lesions]

To determine the accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration [FNA] cytology in the diagnosis of bone lesions, fifty bone lesions after clinical and radiographic correlation were evaluated by FNA. The results were compared with the histopathology of the open biopsis. Accuracy rates of 75% and 88% were achieved by FNA of non-malignant and malignant bone lesions respectively. Chondrosarcoma and non-malignant lesions such as unicameral bone cyst gave the greatest diagnostic difficulties. Osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and metastasis could be easily identified when interpreted with clinical and radiographic findings. FNA plays an important role in early diagnosis of most of the malignant bone lesions. Cytologic evaluation together with clinical and radiographic findings has a high accrucy rate for diagnosis of bone lesions