Effect of core stability and general exercise on functional activity in non- specific low back pain patients

Background and Objective: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Core stability exercises have been recommended to improve neuromuscular skeletal system function in order to increase the protection of vertebral column and improve functional activities. This study was done to evaluate the effect of core stability and general exercise on functional activity in non- specific low back pain patients

Methods: In this clinical trail study, sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into general exercise [n=30] and core stability [n=30] groups. The protocol of intervention included 4 weeks [3 sessions in week] of designed exercise for each group. The functional activities were measured before and after intervention

Results: Functional activity indicators were significantly increased in core stability exercise compared to general exercise [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Core stability exercise is more effective than general exercise to improve functional activities in patients with non-specific low back pain

[Incidence of kidney stones in hypertensive patients]

As the population grows older and more obese, hypertension eventually develops in more people during their life span. The prevalence of kidney stone disease is estimated at 1% to 15%, varying in degree according to age, gender, race and geographic location. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of nephrolithiasis in hypertensive patients. Using simple non probability sampling, a total of 200 patients were referred to Aria and Bahman 22[nd] Hospitals entered this study. The exclusion criteria were determined as: those subjects that had used carbonic anhydrase or thiazide; those who had a history of surgery on their urinary system; those who had been diagnosed with HTN before affected by nephrolithiasis. The main group was divided into 2 groups: Group 1 who had normal blood pressure [control group] and group 2, hypertensive patients [case group]. All the patients were examined using both ultrasound and supine abdominal X ray [KUB] for stone scanning. Then, statistical analyses were conducted using t-test, chi-square test and Fisher's Exact Test. All the subjects signed a testimonial before the rest. The comparison of sex and age distribution between the case and the control groups showed no significant differences. Also, the results of Ultra sonograms showed echogenic density of the urinary system prevailing in 4.2% of the patients in the control group and in 25% of those in the hypertensive [case] group [P<0.05]. Moreover, KUB revealed significantly lower frequency of stone density in kidneys in the control group [4.2%], as compared to the hypertensive group [21%]. As a whole, nephrolithiasis was observed in 4% of the patients in the control group and 21% in those subjects in the hypertensive group. Such a difference between the two groups was statistically significant [P<0.001]. we believe that urinary stone is significantly more frequent in hypertensive subjects than normal subjects

[Effects of essential oil and extract of thymus vulgaris, zataria multiflora and eugenia caryophilata on Vero, Hela, HepII cell lines by MTT assay]

Natural flavors essential oils are almost present in various food stuffs, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Safety assessment of these food additives should be seriously considered as long as their due wide applications are favorable. Natural flavors essential oils are widely used in various foods, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. These kinds of additives are applied as colors, preservatives, aroma, antioxidant agents and tasting agents. In some cases, it may happen that the large use of some of these additives may accompany with some concerns and unwanted toxic disturbs. In this study, Concentrations of 24, 12, 6, 3, 1.5, 0.75, 0.375, 0.1875ppm [micro g/ml] of three essential oils, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris and Zataria multiflora, were tested in MTT assay with three cell line Vero, Hep2, Hela. All three Essential oils and extracts were shown cytopathological effects on three cell lines in MTT assay in at least 0.04 micro g/ml to maximum 3.0 micro g/ml concentrations. Based on obtained results, all studied essential oils and extracts may have cytopathologic effect in specific concentrations so suggested using of this compound should be performed with considering their proper concentration and more safety studies on them

Knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran

To assess knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS in Mashhad, 960 people aged 13-58 years who were approached in the street and agreed to participate completed an anonymous questionnaire. The mean of knowledge and attitudes scores were 9.8 [SD 3.0] and 6.1 [SD 3.0] of a total 14 and 10 respectively. People with greater knowledge of HIV/AIDS had more positive attitudes to individuals with HIV/AIDS [P < 0.01]. There were important misconceptions about HIV transmission such as through hugging, food, clothing, public places and insect bites. Regression analysis indicted that women had more tolerant attitudes than men [P < 0.01] and the more educated respondents had higher knowledge and attitudes scores [P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001 respectively]

Correlation of HER2/neu over expression, p53 protein accumulation and steroid receptor status with tumor characteristics: an Iranian study of breast cancer patients

Molecular biomarkers are valuable in evaluation the course of malignancies. In this study, the relationship between HER2/neu, p53, steroid receptors and clinicopathological features of patients with breast cancer has been assessed. Three hundred thirty nine women with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer from 2001 to 2006 were included. They were evaluated for tumor features. The content of the steroid hormone receptors and expression of HER2/neu and p53 was also examined by immunohistochemistry assay. From patients arrived at this study, 52%, 36%, 46.5% and 44% were positive for HER2/neu, p53, ER and PR respectively. No association was found between most of pairs. HER2/neu expression significantly related with grade [P= 0.016]. P53 had considerable reverse relation with axillary lymph node involvement and primary distant metastasis [P= 0.010 and P= 0.023, respectively]. A significant association was found between PR and lymph node involvement [P= 0.038]. This study present the pattern of prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer for the first time in northeast of Iran and suggests to conduct larger studies regarding other effective variables include demographic ones