comparative study of diclofenac phonophorosis and ergonomic instructions on neck and shoulder pain in women with myofascial trigger points in trapezius muscle

Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system. There is controversy about the effectiveness of treatment strategy. This study was done to compare the effects of diclofenac phonophoresis with ergonomic instructions on neck and shoulder pain and disability in women with myofascial trigger points in trapezius muscle. This clinical trial study was conducted on thirty female students with trigger points in trapezius muscle in Razmejo-Moghadam Physiotherapy Clinic, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran during 2009. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three equal groups: diclofenac phonophoresis, ergonomic instructions, and control groups. In phonophoresis group, after applying diclofenac gel, ultrasound with frequency of 1 MHz, continuous mode, intensity 1.5 W/cm2, and duration 4.5 min was used. Ergonomic group received instructions in order to maintain appropriate posture during activity of daily life. Control group received ultrasound without output. A 12 session treatment program, during 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week was performed. Neck pain was assessed before and after intervention with Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and shoulder pain and disability with Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, paired t-test, One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Neck pain score decreased from 18 +/- 3.5 to 7.6_4.4 in phonophoresis group and from 17.8 +/- 3.5 to 10.5 +/- 3.4 in ergonomic group [P<0.05]. Also, shoulder pain and disability score decreased from 106.2 +/- 28.1 to 36.76 +/- 30.7 in phonophoresis group and from 103.3 +/- 22.9 to 26.2 +/- 12.3 in ergonomic group [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between post and pretreatment results in control group. After treatment, there was no significant difference between two treatment groups regarding neck, shoulder pain and disability. However, after treatment there was significant difference between two treatment groups and control group regarding pain [P<0.05]. This study showed that diclofenac phonophoresis and ergonomic instructions are effective in decreasing neck and shoulder pain and disability in patients with myofascial trigger points in trapezius muscle. None of both treatment strategy was superior to other

[ role of Lactobacillus bioencapsulated Daphnia magna on the growth and feeding efficiency in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] larvae]

The use of probiotic bacteria has been suggested as an important strategy to accomplish reproducible outputs through biocontrol in cultivation systems for marine fish larvae and crustaceans. These bacteria have beneficial effects on fish larvae. This study was done to determine the effect of probiotic lactobacilli on the growth and feeding performance of Persian Sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] larvae via bioencapsulation with Daphnia magna. Daphnia magna was enriched by probiotic lactobacillus for 8 hours in three levels of 4.30, 4.60 and 4.78 log of colonies forming unit per milliliter in suspension of broth, and fed by A. persicus larvae in experimental treatments [treatments of T1, T2 and T[3]]. The Persian sturgeon larvae were fed on D. magnaon the base of 30 percent of their body weight for 30 days. The control treatment was fed on unbioencapsulated D. magna. At the termination of the experiment, the whole body samples of the fish were analyzed according to the AOAC procedures [1990]. The probiotic lactobacillus significantly promoted the body weight, levels of crude protein and carcass dry matter of larvae in experimental treatments in comparison with control treatment [p<0.05]. But in the treatment T[3], the crude lipid and crude energy were significantly decreased [p<0.05]. The maximum level of average crude protein in T[3] [70.27 +/- 0.44%] and its minimum in control [68.51 +/- 0.34%] were obtained. This study indicated that the blend of Lactobacillus had an effect on the promotion of some of the growth and feeding parameters in Persian sturgeon larvae

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in iranian patients with congenital bleeding disorders

Chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the major cause of liver disease related morbidity and mortality in hemophilic patients who needs regular blood product administration. Although genotype of infecting HCV is one of the prime predictors of response to antiviral therapy however, its distribution in hemophilic patients is still unclear and just few studies with low sample sizes have investigated this issue. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify this distribution in 367 Iranian hemophilic patients. Blood samples were received from 367 hemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C detected during a nationwide screening program who referred to our center for therapeutic measures. HCV RNA viral load was detected using Amplicor test [Version 2]. Genotyping was performed by genotype specific primers. HCV genotype distribution was 1a in 58%, 3a in 18.5%, 1b in 14.7%, 4 in 1.1%, 2 in 0.8% and mixed in 6.2% and finally 0.5% of isolates were non-typable. Serum liver enzymes were not associated with HCV viral load and genotypes. Patients with severe bleeding tendency had significantly lower serum liver enzymes than those with a mild bleeding tendency. Genotype 1a followed by 3a and 1b were the most frequently detected HCV genotypes in Iranian hemophilic patients and there was no association between splenomegaly and viral markers and liver enzymes in these patients

[Evaluation of the impact vaccination program among children and mothers during in southern khorasan province in 2005 year]

Vaccination is one of the most important index for disease prevention program. Therefore this study conducted to assess the coverage of vaccination program to identify the delay or disruption of program in 2005 year. Health profiles [vaccination card] of children between 15-26 months assessed. We did interview with their mothers as well. This survey was conducted in rural and urban area in southern Khorasan province in Iran during 2005. The coverage of children and mother's vaccination were 96.7% and 71.1% respectively. The study findings showed that inadequate information about the arrangement of dosage, distance to health centre and feeling the necessity of vaccination were most factors for incomplete converge of vaccination program. Based on study findings educational program to increase mothers awareness is recommended

Social health of 7-11 years old children living in foster care centers

Nowadays, one of main and critical subject is preparation of a healthy and fair environment for children who are biggest national sources in every society, because, factors that disturb children living environment can affect children's health. Some problems such as families' bad function, abuse, poverty, divorce and parental substance abuse are the reasons usually lead to place children in foster care centers. On the other hand, entry to these foster care centers and living in these centers face children with lot of social and health problems. In regard to this issue for assessing social health status of 7-11 years children living in foster care centre in Tehran, we performed a cross sectional study with 105 children [57 boy, 48 girl]. In this research, sampling was of census type and information about children social health was obtained through Vienland Adoptive Behavior Scale by guardians who recognized these children and their behavior. Results showed that 45.7% of participants in this research were considered as moderate regarding social health, and 19.1% were considered as poor. Chi-square test also showed that between social health and sex [p=0.053] was a statistically significant relationship, but there was no significant relationship between social health and age [p=0.462] and social health with duration of stay in these centers. While children in foster care centers are one of the high risk groups in societies related to their social health status, based on findings of current study and results of researches in other countries, full attention should be directed towards social health of children and conducting more studies is recommended to survey factors that affect their social health

[Prediction of LV dysfunction in basis of ventricular depolarization time in patients with left bundle brunch block]

Prolongation of ventricular depolarization time [QRS duration] particularly in left bundle branch block [LBBB] is commonly associated with many cardiac diseases. Electrocardiographic study of QRS duration and electrical axis may be predictors of sever LV systolic dysfunction. In this prospective study that was conducted in CCU and out-patient clinic of Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Babol [2000-2003], 150 patients with the diagnosis of LBBB were assigned in two groups [one QRS >/= 160 and the other with QRS<160 millisecond.]. Then relationship between QRS-duration, left axis deviation [LAD] and echocardiographic LV ejection fraction [EF] were analysed using SPSS software and T-test, chi-square and linear regression analysis in step wise manner. There was no significant correlation between age and gender with duration of QRS and LAD among patients with LBBB [NS]. The mean +/- standard deviation of EF in the patients with a QRS duration >/= 160 millisecond was significantly lower than the mean of EF in the patients with a QRS duration <160 millisecond [%[54.50 +/- 10.55] vs.%[23.89 +/- 5.47] p<0.001]. Pearson correlation between EF and LAD was lower than its value between EF and QRS duration [r=0.378 p=0.006 vs. r=0.926 p<0.001, respectively]. Evaluating QRS duration in the presence of LBBB has a significant inverse relation with EF and when its value is greater than 160 millisecond, it could be a simple and appropriate marker of significant left ventricular dysfunction

comparison on histopathological effects of myrtle extract and silver sulfadiazine 1% on healing of second degree burn wound in rats

Myrtle [Myrtus Communis] is an indigenous plant of northern parts of Iran and has been traditionally used for its healing effect on burn wounds. To compare the histopathological effect of Myrtle extract and 1% silver sulfadiazine on healing of second degree burn wound in rats. This was an experimental study performed on 100 adult male rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups [25 in each group]. Following nesdonal anaesthesia, a second degree burn wound of 4 cm2 was made on back of each rat. Methanolic extract of Myrtle; ointment base; 1% silver sulfadiazine and normal saline [control group] were used as treatment protocols for burn wounds. Revascularization, number of neutrophils and fibroblasts were parameters studied histopathologically. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, One way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. Histopathological study was indicative of an increase of 9.87 +/- 1.48 in revascularization [p<0.001] in Myrtle extract group which was greater than those in other. There was also a higher number of fibroblasts [23.62 +/- 2.2] [p<0.001] in this group. Silver sulfadiazine [1%] was only showed to have increased the number of neutrophils [p<0.001] in epidermis of injured areas of rats. Extract of Myrtus Communis was found to have more healing potential on second-degree burn wound. Faster healing process, less complications and easy availability of Myrtle are among the reasons suggesting more clinical trails using this preparation..

[Pregnancy outcome in premature delivery of between 34-37 weeks and the effects of corticosteroid on it]

Respiratory Distress Syndrome [RDS] is one of the important causes of newborn mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the pregnancy outcome and corticosteroid effects for prevention prophylaxis in pregnant women with premature labour between 34-37 weeks gestational age. This semi experimental single blind clinical trial Study was performed on hundred 34-37 weeks pregnant women who were referred with labour pain or rupture of membrane. These women divided in two almost similar case and control groups. The control group received 5mg dexamethasone 6 hours to delivery time [maximum 4 doses]. Data was entered to SPSS and analyzed by Chi-Square and T-Test. There wasn't any significant difference between administration of dexamethasone and incidence of RDS in 34-37 weeks newborn [p=0.6]. The Frequency of RDS was similar in two groups [in all women: 4%] the mean weight of newborns with RDS diagnosis was 2675 +/- 263.76% of women had vaginal delivery. The mean weight of newborn was 2672 gr and mean gestational age was 35.4 weeks]. The frequency of RDS in newborn with 34-37 weeks gestational age was 4% and administration of one or more dexamethasone had no effect on reduction it