[Repeatability assessment of quantified measurement method in hand drawing skills]

Because of high incidence of hand injuries and the need for a quantitative method that provides measures of patient improvement in treatment period a precise and easy-to-apply quantitative procedure is necessary. As a first step in validating of such a method, the intersession repeatability of quantified measures was assessed in this study. Measurement of hand drawing skills by drawing circle shape in two speeds [preferred and maximum] and spiral shape just in a preferred voluntary speed with two repetitions for each subject was assessed in 15 subjects. Digital data was recorded by a Tablet PC using special software with average sampling rate of 120 Hz. The quantified variables computed for circle and spiral drawing tests with preferred speed were reliable [0.55 < ICC < 0.85], so they can be used for drawing quantifications. Results of drawing circles with maximum speed were not reliable [ICC < 0.5]. Repeatability analysis revealed that measures based on drawing circles with maximum speed are not repeatable and cannot be used for process monitoring. This may be due to large variation in providing maximum drawing speed during test time. On the other hand, spiral and circle drawing parameters with preferred speed had a better repeatability and can be used for quantification of hand drawings in researches

[Frequency of medically unexplained symptoms in homeopathy references of outpatients in isfahan university of medical sciences in 2008]

25-50 percent of all patients who are visited by GPs, have complains that are not medically explained. Their management is a challenge for GPs. In homeopathy [a method of alternative medicine] these symptoms are important for selection of remedies and in an effort to treat them. This study aimed at describing this existing situation by investigating the frequency of such complaints in the patients under study. This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in Isfahan in 2008 on 240 Patients who were visited in some of the clinics affiliated to Isfahan university of medical sciences. The patients were selected by convenient method. Data were gathered by the questionnaire and analyzed via SPSS 13.5 software using Chi-Square test. Out of 240 patients, 150 were women [%65.4] and 90 were men[34.6%]. 75.4 percent were 20-40 years old. 1.7 percent had no symptoms, 31.3 had 1-5 symptoms and 40.8 percent had 6-10 symptoms. The females had more symptoms than males. Symptoms of mind, GI, sleep and miscellaneous ones were 81.3, 80.4, 72.1 and 87.1 percent, respectively. The most frequent symptoms in each group were intrusive thought, salivation in sleep, waking frequently and dyspnea wearing tight collared clothes. Only 10.97 percent of patient referred to the physicians for these symptoms. The symptoms registered in homeopathy references have notable prevalence in the society but most of people with such symptoms will not go to a doctor for examination and treatment Therefore, it is very important to carry out more research regarding these symptoms. General population should receive more information and physicians, in turn, should use appropriate methods of therapy for treating these patients

Impact of zinc supplementation during pregnancy on the anthropometric indices of the newborns

Nutritional status of pregnant mothers is one of the key factors in fetal growth. Micronutrients including Zinc lead to various biological consequences on mother and fetus. We therefore investigated the effect of supplemental zinc sulfate during pregnancy on the newborns weight, height and head circumference. Using a double-blinded controlled clinical trial, 465 pregnant women form Isfahan province with gestational age of 14-81 wks were recruited. 229 as cases received 50 mg Zinc sulfate daily and 149 as controls obtained placebo throughout the pregnancy. The subjects regularly were checked up. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square test. Bothe groups showed similar maternal characteristics. The mean weight, height and head circumferences of newborn cases were 3.11 kg, 49,82 and 34,17 cm, whereas of controls were 3.09 kg, 49,48 cm and 34.48 cm, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the indices of growth in both newborn groups. There was not any significant difference between frequency of low birth weight [less than 2500 gr] among cases and controls. No beneficial effect of Zinc supplementation on fetal growth was observed in our study. The majority of Meta-analysis studies showed similar results but some not

effect of simultaneous administration of zinc sulfate and ferrous sulfate in the treatment of anemic pregnant women

Iron deficiency and its resulting anemia is a common problem among Iranian pregnant women. In spite of iron supplementation program, yet, this problem has not resolved in many parts of the country. Zinc deficiency also is very common in Iran. This study evaluated the efficiency of concomitant zinc and iron therapy in the treatment of anemic pregnant Iranian women. A total of 118 anemic women were registered in this randomized controlled trial. Both groups received 100 mg elemental iron daily. The intervention group received an additional dose of 15mg zinc every day for a period of 12 weeks while the control group received placebo. Serum hemoglobin was measured at the beginig of study, after 12 weeks of treatment and at the end of 8 weeks follow-up. Collected data were analyzed with%95 significance level by ANOVA test for comparing baseline characteristics in the two groups and t-test was applied to assess hemoglobin changes in the intervention group. After 12 weeks of therapy, desirable response was obtained in 78.35% and 93.1% [CI=95%] of anemic women in control and intervention group, respectively which showed a significant difference [P<001]. this study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of this inexpensive and simple intervention in the treatment of anemia and prevention of its recurrence in anemic pregnant women

[Lectin histochemistry epididymal epithelium in mouse]

Introduction: Several different cell types have been identified morphologically in the epididymal epithelium in male mammals. They absorb luminal fluid and secret sperm-maturation glycoconjugates. Lectin histochemical method is useful for detection of glycocojugates with specific terminal sugars

Objective: This study surveys the distribution of glycoconjugates containing terminal sugals in cells of different areas of epididym and its canal sperms by the use of lectins

Materials and Methods: Sample of epididymal tissue was obtained from 30 adult male BALB/C mouse. After fixation and routine laboratory process, 5 microm sections was prepared from paraffin blocks. Slides were exposed to lectins with lectin-histochemistry. Then the slides were assessed by light microscope and graded reaction intensity in different cells

Results: Basal cells reacted to MPA, SBA and principal cells to all of lectins. Reaction intensity in essential cells was different as compared to various lectins and a special lectin in different areas of epididym. Narrow cells reacted to LTA, MPA and clear cells reacted to all of lectins. There wasn't any reaction in basal lamina and interstitial tissue except for MPA

Conclusion: epididymis secrets many sperm-maturation related glycoconjugates. Different reactions in different probably synthesieed glycoconjugates in basal cells due to inability to reach lumen and limited reaction in membrane, are used for repair and reconstruction of membrane. Faint or lack of reactions in caput of epididymis and appearance in corpus principal cells indicates that these cells in caput are involved in fluid absorption and/or glycoconjugates secretion in corpus. Epididymal sperm transit are accompanied with focuse content increasing and alternation in other terminal sugars

Effect of social working in reduction of elderly health needs

Background: Health care for increasing number of elders is an important aspect of health care systems and social workers can play an effective role to meet the elders needs

Objective: This study was performed to assess the effects of using health workers to meet the elders' needs

Methods: In this field trial 75 elders above 60 years old in Isfahan were involved by a simple random sampling. Elders' needs were assessed by a questionnaire before and after a 6 month social workers' care with collaboration of volunteer social workers. Data were analysed by SPSS software and paired t and ANOVA tests

Findings: After intervention the emotional and health related needs scores were decreased significantly [Paired t-test, P0.0001]. There was significant relationship between marital status and education with mean of needs reduction but no significant relationship between age and sex, with mean of needs reduction

Conclusion: Results indicated that social services with a low cost process and using existing facilities can make a significant decrease in elders' needs