[Comparison of single and dual task balance training on balance in the women with multiple sclerosis]

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis is a progressive degenerative disease of myelin in the central nervous system. One of the main complications of the disease is development of balance disorder. Since considerable attention is needed to the balance issue, this study aimed to compare the two methods of single and dual task balance training on balance in the women with multiple sclerosis

Material and Methods: 20 women between 25 to 45 years of age participated in this study. They were members of the MS association of Khorasn Razavi province with disability scores of [1-4]. The patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups [single and dual balance groups] and conducted balance exercises three sessions per week for 8 weeks. The dual training group performed a cognitive task in addition to the balance training exercises. Using the Biodex balance analyzer instrument, we evaluated the indices of patients' balance.Using SPSS software, data analysis was performed by analysis of covariance

Results: Covariate effects were significant for all three variables [p<0.01]. The indices of overall and anterior - posterior balance were significantly different between the two groups [p<0.01, p<0.02]. The mean values for the overall and anterior-posterior balance indices decreased in the dual training group, but no significant differences were found in the medial-lateral index [p<0.4]

Conclusions: According to the results of this study, dual training exercises were suitable methods to improve balance disorders in the women with MS

[Isolation of actinomycetes producing antibacterial against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus from soils of Astara region, Iran]

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the important causes of severe infections in hospital and community, and the methicillin-resistant strains [MRSA] of the bacterium have high prevalence and mortality. This study aimed to isolate Actinomycete strains producing antibacterial agents for antibiotic therapy and control of infection spread. After sampling from the soils of different regions of Astara city, Starch Casein Agar [SCA] medium was used for isolation and purification of Actinomyces spp. In the next step, investigation of antimicrobial characteristics was done by primary screening via spot inoculation method on 96 isolates. Then, the ISP-2 medium was used for the isolation of Streptomyces at the secondary screening stage, and by determination of the antimicrobial activity against MRSA, the strong isolates in terms of producing antimicrobial agents were selected by well diffusion method and based on the diameter of inhibition zone. In the final step, various biochemical tests, such as sugar tests, urease, citrate consumption, etc. were used to identify the active isolates. 96 Actinomycetes isolates were isolated from 51 soil samples of different areas of Astara. In primary screening, 9 isolates showed anti-MRSA activity, of which, 3 isolates of AS22, FS38, and AS13 were active in the secondary screening, and showed inhibition zones with the diameters of 28, 17, and 15 mm, respectively. The results of this research indicated that soils of Astara are rich in active isolates producing antibacterial agents, which needs further investigations

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of three common potato [Solanum tuberosum] cultivars in Iran

Potato [Solanum tuberosum L.], as a whole food, contains high levels of vitamins and important antioxidants including phenolic acids, carotenoids and flavonoids. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of three common potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] cultivars in Iran i.e., Savalan, Agria and Sante. Phenolic compound extraction of samples was done with methanol and total phenolic on the basis of folin-ciocalteu assay was estimated as 16.58 to 36.24 mg GAE/100g dry sample. The antioxidant activities of potato extracts on the basis of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and DPPH assay were compared with a commercially available antioxidant, alpha - tocopherol. Savalan had the highest phenolic content and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC[50] value of 41.815 +/- mg/ml [DB]. Also Savalan had the best inhibitory action against linoleic acid oxidation at 94.10 +/- 1.89% at 50 mg/ml sample concentration. Methanolic potato extracts had better antioxidant activity than alpha-tocopherol. Significant [p<0.01] negative correlation was observed between total phenolic content and the EC[50] for DPPH radical scavenging activity[R=-0.877], but there was no correlation between total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity. Metanolic extracts of three potato cultivars are able to inhibit the oxidation process. The correlation between total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicates that phenolic compounds are responsible for antiradical activity

Accidental five fold overdose of propofol for induction in a 38-days-old infant undergoing emergency bilateral inguinal hernia repair

The induction dose of propofol is higher in younger children [2.9 mg/kg for infants younger than 2 years] than in older children [2.2 mg/kg for children 6-12 years of age]. A modest reduction in systolic blood pressure often accompanies bolus administration. The major concern with propofol is the potential for propofol infusion syndrome [lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, cardiac and renal failure], which is generally associated with high-dose infusion for an extended period. We report a 38-days-old male infant underwent emergency bilateral inguinal hernia repair who accidentally received a five-fold dose of propofol for induction of general anesthesia

evaluation of upper leg traction in lateral position for pediatric caudal block

A well-functioning caudal block is an excellent adjunct to general anesthesia, but misplaced injection results in poor analgesia as well as possibility of serious morbidity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of leg traction on success rate of caudal block in lateral position in children. Two hundred children, age 2 months to 6 years, ASA I and II, who underwent lower abdominal surgeries were randomized in prospective controlled clinical trial study in two groups. After induction of General anesthesia, the caudal block was performed in the lateral position with upper leg traction [L-T-] or with the standard position [S-P] [leg flexed 90°]. Hemodynamicchanges, movement of lower extremity in response to surgical stimulus were evaluated. There was no significant difference in caudal block's success rate between two groups at first attempt [P=0.25]. In group [S-P] the procedure was successful in 60% of cases at first attempt, 25% at second,10% at third attempt and 5% failure of caudal block, whereas in the first group it was 75%, 20%, 1% and 4% of cases respectively. There were no significant differences in heart rate and blood pressure changes between two groups [P>0.05]. The success rate of pediatric caudal block in upper leg traction did not differ from that of the standard position

[ assessment of the awareness of senior students about the effects of sunlight on the skin and necessity and methods of sun protection]

Nearly ninety percent [90%] of skin cancers occur in sun exposed areas. In this study the awareness of senior students of Mashhad University [Ferdowsi] about the effects of sunlight on the skin plus necessity and methods of sun protection is evaluated. In this descriptive study in 2004 at Mashhad University [Ferdowsi], 802 senior students of 9 majors enrolled. This study was approved by the local committee of Medical Ethics. The standard questionnaires including 24 questions distributed among students. The students divided into groups according to their score in the 24 awareness questions: weak [score

Serum IgE level in chronic lupoid leishmaniasis

It appears that chronic lupoid leishmaniasis is the result of type 2 predominant T helper response to parasite and a defect in the down regulation of IL-4 production during infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the underlying immune status in these patients and their predominant T helper activity we considered serum IgE as an indicator of TH2 activity and IL-4 production as it has been shown in atopic diathesis. In 34 cases of chronic lupoid leishmaniasis serum IgE level was measured and compared with 34 control cases of age and sex matched healthy individuals without atopic diathesis. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There were 21 females and 13 males with a mean age of 14.35 +/- 8.3 years in the patients group. The mean age of the control group was 16.11 +/- 8.4 [P>0.05 and matched]. Nine patients had atopic diathesis. Mean serum IgE level in patients and in the control group was 102.6 +/- 22.4 i.u/ml and 135.6 +/- 24.9 i.u/ml, respectively [P>0.05 with no significant difference]. Mean serum IgE level in patients without atopic diathesis [25 cases] was 66.8 +/- 113 i.u/ml which was significantly lower than the control group [P<0.05]. In this study, serum IgE level in cases with chronic lupoid leishmaniasis was lower than the control group and it seems that in these patients, there is not an underlying Th2 over activity as it is seen in atopic diathesis

Intraocular lens power determination in 10 patients with previous radial keratotomy with or without astigmatic keratotomy: a case series

To compare results of different methods for true corneal power determination and intraocular lens [IOL] power calculation formulas in 10 eyes of 7 patients with previous radial keratotomy [RK] with or without astigmatic keratotomy.In this case series study, we determined the corneal power of 10 eyes of 7 patients who had undergone RK with or without astigmatic keratotomy with two methods: the contact lens method [CLM] and the mean keratometry of the 3 mm zone in topography. In the next step, the IOL power for these eyes was calculated with the 3 formulas of SRK II, SRK T, and Holladay II; the latter was used for the IOL selection. Refractive results were determined 3 month after surgery. According to the rule that 1.5 diopter [D] change in IOL power results in 1.0 D change in a patient's refraction at the spectacle plane, we estimated the manifest refraction of these eyes with other formulas and compared them with the results achieved by Holladay II formula. Using the CLM and Holladay II formula, the postoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent in 8 eyes ranged from -3.00 to +2.00 D. Both CLM and the mean keratometry of the 3 mm zone in topography lead to a greater degree of hyperopia after cataract surgery with SRK II formula than SRK T, and with SRK T than Holladay II. The mean spherical equivalent with mean keratometry of the 3 mm zone in topography and Holladay II formula was 0.08 D, and with CLM and Holladay II formula was -0.05 D. In this study, it seemed that after RK, the mean keratometry of the 3 mm zone in topography gives a better estimate of true corneal power compared with CLM, and that the Holladay II formula brings results closer to emetropia compared with SRK II and SRK T formulas

relationship between cerebral oxygen saturation changes and post operative neurologic complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

To study the relationship between cerebral oxygen saturation changes and postoperative neurologic complications. Seventy two adult patients with ASA class II, III who were scheduled for elective cardiac surgery, were randomized into three groups: Group I: with CPB [on-pump] Group II: without CPB [off-pump] Group III: valve surgery. Neuropsychological outcome was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]. Cerebral oxygen saturation was also measured. There was no statistical difference in desaturation of more than 20% among three groups [P=0.113] but it was significant between group I and II [P=0.042]. Changes of rSO2 in different hours of surgery was significant in group I and group II [P=0.0001 in both] but it was not significant in group III [P=0.075]. Although cerebral oximetry is a noninvasive and useful method of monitoring during cardiac surgery, it has low accuracy to determine postoperative neurologic complications

Prophylactic effects of mitomycin-C on regression and haze formation in photorefractive keratectomy

To study the effect of prophylactic application of mitomycin-C on regression and corneal haze formation after photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] for high myopia. Fifty-four eyes of 28 high myopic patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All eyes underwent PRK with application of 0.02% mitomycin-C for two minutes and irrigation with 15-20 ml of normal saline. Follow-up visits were scheduled for the first 7 days and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Hanna grading [in the scale of 0 to 4+] was used to assess corneal haze. Mean spherical equivalent [SE] refraction was -7.08 +/- 1.11 diopters [D], preoperatively. All eyes were examined on the first 7 days and one month after surgery; 48 eyes [88.9%] were evaluated 3 and 6 postsurgery. Six months after surgery, all eyes had uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA] of 20/40 or better and 37 eyes [77.1%] achieved UCVA of 20/20 or better, 45 eyes [93.7%] had SE within +/- 1.00D of emmetropia. One month postoperatively, 2 eyes [3.7%] had grade 0.5 haze, while at 3 and 6 months after surgery no visited eye had haze at all. There was no decrease in best corrected visual acuity after 6 months. In spatial frequencies of 6 and 12 cycle/degree, contrast sensitivity decreased immediately after PRK but increased to the preoperative values by the 6th postoperative month. Mitomycin-C can prevent the development of corneal haze when treating high myopia with PRK. In patients with insufficient corneal thickness for laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK], mitomycin-C makes a useful adjunct to PRK to provide an alternative treatment for myopia. However, further research with longer follow-up is suggested

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy: a case report

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy [AHEI] is a rare skin disorder which was first described by Snow in 1913.Clinical manifestations are usually limited to cutaneous lesions and is most commonly observed in infants under the age of 1 year. Usually, there is a history of recent upper respiratory tract infection and antibiotic administration. Clinical presentation of this disease includes petechia and ecchymosis on the head, face and distal extremities. Herein, a typical case of AHEI in a 10-month-old infant is reported. Differential diagnoses of AHEI is discussed