[ effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilities [PNF] stretching exercise on patellofemoral pain syndrome [PFPS]]

Background and Aim: patellofemoral pain syndrome [PFPS] is a common disorder of the knee. the conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome is to correct shortness of soft tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PNF stretching exercise on PFPS

Materials and Methods: twenty female volunteers with PFPS were randomly assigned to PNF and control groups. The experimental group accomplished their own specific treatment protocols for 8 weeks, whereas the control group did not follow the treatment plan. Pain and functional disability were assessed by visual analogue scale [VAS] and Kujala questionnaire respectively, before and after exercise. Using SPSS 20 software, data were analyzed by t-test. P<0.05 was considered significant

Results: the experimental group showed a significant reduction in the pain [P< 0.05] and also significant improvement in the functional disability [P< 0.05] compared to the control group

Conclusion: we concluded that PNF stretching may have positive effects on PFPS

Challenges of measuring a faculty member activity in medical schools

One of the features of Mission Based Management is measuring the activities of faculty members and departments and their contributions to the school's mission. As it is important to assess the school's readiness for such a system, in this study we assessed the view points of Tehran Medical School's department chairs about faculty members' activities. We used focus group technique to identify participants' view points. We divided 30 department chairs into homogenous groups of 4-6. After a brief introduction, the moderator presented questions to determine the participants' idea and a secretary recorded them. We categorized view points into main themes and subthemes. Ninety three percent of chairs participated in the sessions. Department chairs' view points were categorized into 3 main themes: "system is effective and should not be implemented". Subthemes included chairs' concerns, views, fears and reasons. The results of the study provided reliable information about department chairs' concerns and reactions to this system. Finally, we determined points of strengths and anticipated threats for developing a faculty member activity measurement system

[Assessment of Schwann cell purity cultured in autologous human serum for spinal cord injury repair]

Background: Purity of cultured Schwann cell is very important in patients' outcome. The purpose of this study was evaluation of cell purity in a culture without nerve growth factors and fetal bovine serum

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, for culture of human Schwann cells, nerve growth factors and fetal bovine serum were replaced by human autologous serum. Obtaining a consent from the close relative, nerve grafts were harvested and transported to processing unit where they were cultured in DMEM upon aseptic condition. Then the cultured cells were evaluated with S100 antibody staining for both morphology and purity

Results: Cell purity range was from 97% to 99% [mean=98.11+/-0.782%]. Cell count was 14055.56+/-2480.479 per microliter. There was not significant correlation between cell purity with either the culture period or the age of donors [P>0.05]. The Spearman correlation coefficient for the cell purity with the culture period and the age of donors was -0.21 and -0.09, respectively

Conclusion: We found that the replacement of nerve growth factors and fetal bovine serum with human autologous serum improves the cultured Schwann cells for clinical use with more safety and minimum reagents

[Social factors associated with infants' mortality]

Introduction: One of the important health indexes showing health status of a society is health index of mortality rate of children < 1 year. There are many negative parameters weakening potentiality of children in growth and development of which some can be categorized as social factors. This research has tried to investigate some factors as education level, parents' jobs, maternal care, the times of childcare, breast feeding and < 1 year children mortality

Methods: This is a descriptive comparative retrospective study in which there were 121 less then 1 year children [dead and live] referring to Isfahan health centers selected with all including criteria. The data were collected by questionnaires and categorized into two groups, to be investigated and compared. Content validity and standardized fixed forms were used for questionnaire validity and reliability respectively. The data were analyzed by descriptive inferential statistics [X[2], T-test-mantel Hanzel and column chart] through SPSS software

Results: The findings showed that there was a significant association between parents' education, fathers' jobs. mothers' jobs, manner of breast feeding, the times of child care, maternal care and mortality of children < 1 year

Discussion: Regarding the results, it seems that government, organization, and authorities concerning health strategies as well as health provider staffs play a major role in prediction and control of social factors affecting infants' mortality. These roles can be in forms of education, socio economic and cultural status promoting plans among men and women as well as enhancement of public knowledge

[Norm of women body mass index [BMI] in Isfahan]

Introduction: A simple indicator of total body fat is Body Mass Index [BMI]. This indicator is suggested as an accurate instrument to evaluate total body fat, because it is cheaper, easier to use by the patient and health personnel, easy to be calculated as well as to use to measure weight and height precisely. The present research is conducted to determine the norm of women BMI as well as their personal and reproductive characteristics, since there is no research in regard with BMI in women reproductive ages of Isfahan

Methods: This is a descriptive study, in which data collecting is cross - sectional. The samples were 384 people in Isfahan selected by clustering sampling and referred to 10 health centers in this city. In this research, the evaluation instruments are a questionnaire, adult standard scales and standard meter tape. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive statistical method

Results: Results indicated that the Mean, Median and Standard Deviation of women BMI were = 26.78, Median = 26.2 and SD = 4.46, respectively. The Minimum and Maximum of women BMI were 17 kg / m[2] and 43.5 kg/m[2], respectively. Also it was determined that in 48.4% of women, BMI was less than 26.2 kg/m[2] while in 51.6% equal or more than 26.2 kg/m[2]

Discussion: Median of women BMI in Isfahan compared with the available statistics from other parts of the world including the USA and Canada was higher [Median = 25]. Perhaps this difference is due to some factors such as genetic, race, geographical status, lack or insufficiency of physical activity as well as incorrect nutritional patterns. So, the women are recommended to take exercises, have more activity, improve nutritional patterns to stay physically fit and prevent overweight and obesity. In order to prevent overweight and obesity, women's BMI should be determined by health personnel and if necessary they should be referred to a nutritionist