[ relationship between the flexibility of calf muscles and functional status of athletes with ankle injuries]

One of the risk factors in sports injuries is inappropriate flexibility of muscles, which leads to pain, decrease range of motion and functional limitation in sport or daily activities and affects the athletes' quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between flexibility of calf muscles and functional status of athletes with ankle injuries. Thirty male athletes with ankle injuries [mean age +/- SD, 22.63 +/- 3.94; range: 18-40 years] participated in this study. Ankle dorsiflexion of affected and non-affected sides were measured with a goniometer. FAOS [Foot and Ankle Outcome Score] questionnaire was used to evaluate the functional status of ankle. The relationship between flexibility of calf muscles in the affected extremity, and total score of the functional questionnaire, was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. While the relationship between the flexibility of muscles and functional questionnaire's total score in the non injured extremity was significant [P = 0.004, r = 0.51]. This study revealed that although the athletes who have more flexibility of calf muscles, show better functional status of ankle; but there is not necessarily a relationship between inflexibility of the muscles and lowered functional status

[Evaluation of pneumothorax risk factors in mechanically ventilated neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit]

Pneumothorax is the most common pulmonary air leak syndrome which occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than any other time of life. Mechanical ventilation with positive pressure is one of the most common causes of this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate pneumothorax risk factors in mechanically ventilated neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj This was a nested case-control study. Case group were neonates under ventilation with pneumothorax admitted to NICU between April 2012 and March 2013. Control group included neonates under ventilation without pneumothorax whose admission times followed in the immediate chronology to the case group. 31 cases and 62 controls were selected. Data collection was performed by use of medical records and ventilator memory in the last 24 hours. The data were introduced into SPSS software. Analysis of qualitative variables was performed by chi-squared and Fisher test. We used Mann Whitney U test for analysis of quantitative variables and logistic regression in order to control confounders. 61.3% of newborns with pneumothorax were male and 38.7% female. 61.3% of these neonates were born by Cesarean section and 38.7% by vaginal delivery. Their mean gestational age was 32 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1819 g. 74% of cases had pneumothorax in the right side, 13% left side and 13% bilaterally. Hyaline membrane disease [HMD] was the most common underlying disease [74.2%] in the newborns with pneumothorax. 38% of neonates under pressure controlled ventilation developed pneumothorax compared to 7.1% of neonates under synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation [SIMV], which showed a significant difference [p=0.03]. Ventilator parameters associated with higher risk of pneumothorax were more episodes of ventilator adjustments [P<0.001], high peak inspiratory pressure [p<0.001], high positive end expiratory pressure [p=0.029] and high mean airway pressure [p<0.001]. In general pneumothorax risk factors in mechanically ventilated neonates in our investigation were similar to those of other studies. Our findings indicated that pressure controlled ventilation more episodes of ventilator adjustments, increased peak inspiratory pressure, positive end expiratory pressure and mean airway pressure are major pneumothorax risk factors in the mechanically ventilated newborns. To prevent pneumothorax, it is necessary to avoid frequent changes of ventilator adjustments and decrease in the above mentioned parameters to the levels enough to supply lung oxygenation

[ effect of soft cervical collar on movement response and anticipatory postural adjustment of postural muscle of neck following arm flexion during standing]

Neck pain is one of three common complains of neuromuscular system. There are three subsystem to maintain stability of spine: passive subsystem, active [muscles] subsystem and control subsystem. Detection of postural muscle response during postural perturbation like fast arm movement can be utilized to analyse of postural control. Wearing cervical collars is a way to prevent or cure cervical pain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soft cervical collar on movement response and duration of activity and recruitment pattern of cervical muscles. Twenty healthy young women participated in this study. They flex right shoulder in response to sound stimulus with and without wearing soft cervical collar. Surface Electromyography [EMG] used to assess postural muscle activity in following muscles: Deltoid, Trapezius, Cervical Erector spinae and Sternocleidomastoid. The effect of soft cervical collar on reaction time, onset and duration of activity of cervical muscles was calculated, Wearing soft cervical collar increased reaction time of arm flexion [P< 0.05] and decreased duration of activity of cervical extensor, trapezius and erector spinae [P< 0.05]. During shoulder flexion with additional load, onset activity of trapezius muscle was significantly earlier than other neck muscles but cervical erector spinae and Sternocleidomastoid exhibit coactivation pattern in response to perturbation. During fast arm movement that leads to postural perturbation, soft cervical collar alleviates the response and reduce activity of muscles. The strategy of motor control centers in response to perturbation in cervical spine is coactivation of flexor and extensor muscles to maintain stability

[Comparison of reaction time and anticipatory skill between female athletes and non-athletes]

Perceptual abilities [reaction time and anticipatory skill] are essential for successful performance in daily activities. Training in dynamic and unpredicted sport domains such as volleyball might make changes in perceptual abilities of athletes compared to non-athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare reaction time and anticipatory skill of volleyball players versus non-athletes. Eleven female volleyball players and 11 female non-athletes participated in this study. Auditory choice reaction time, auditory complex choice reaction time, visual choice reaction time, visual complex choice reaction time, anticipatory skill of the high speed of the ball and anticipatory skill of the low speed of ball of both groups were analyzed by a software [Speed Anticipation Reaction Test [SART]]. Statistical analysis did not show any significant differences between two groups in both auditory reaction time tests [P> 0.05]. However, volleyball players showed better results in visual choice reaction time, visual complex choice reaction time, anticipatory skill of the high speed of the ball and anticipatory skill of the low speed of ball tests [P> 0.05]. Volleyball players acquire extensive knowledge of sport specific patterns of perceptual abilities due to experiences within the volleyball domain and due to the efficient extraction of this knowledge in similar conditions such as, computerized neurocognitive tests, they have superior perceptual skills than non-athletes

[Comparison of the effect of tetracycline 1% and erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointments for prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum]

Ophthalmia neonatorum is a kind of conjunctivitis occurring in infants younger than 4 weeks of age and is the most common eye disease of the newborns. This study compares the effect of tetracycline 1% eye ointment with that of erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment on decreasing the incidence rate or prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis. This study was a controlled randomized single blind clinical trial without placebo. The study included 330 term neonates born by normal delivery or cesarean section in the post-delivery ward of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj City from the spring of 2010 to the spring of 2011. The neonates were assigned to three equal groups, A, B and C, every group consisted of 110 neonates. Before intervention, written consent from the parents was obtained. One hour after birth one cm of tetracycline 1% ophthalmic ointment and one cm of erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment was used for group A and group B respectively. Group C [control group] did not receive any medication. All the infants were examined at the end of the first, second and fourth weeks. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by chi-square and t-test. Conjunctivitis occurred in 22 [20%], 16 [14.5%] and 25 [22.7%] neonates in tetracycline, erythromycin and control groups respectively. Considering the high prevalence of conjunctivitis in the control group and considering the complications that can result from neonatal conjunctivitis [especially gonococcal conjunctivitis], prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis seems quite logical. Since use of tetracycline and erythromycin did not led to a significant decrease in the incidence of conjunctivitis, more comprehensive studies on the effect of other drugs such as povidone iodine or silver nitrate to find an appropriate medication for prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis, seems necessary

[ targeted implementation of teaching in small group discussion for second- year students in physiotherapy: a comparative assessment of teaching effect on satisfaction and learning level]

One of the main problems in learning is ignoring the teaching in small group discussion. So, today, teaching in student-based methods such as work in small group is emphasized. Nevertheless, this method is not used for teaching physiotherapy students. This study was performed to determine the effect of teaching in small group on satisfaction and learning level of second- year students in physiotherapy in comparison with lecture teaching. An experimental study was performed on 29 physiotherapy students. The students were randomly classified into two groups; lecture [14 people] and work in small group [15 people]. Students were educated for 4 sessions. Two separate questionnaires were used to assess learning and satisfaction levels. Overall satisfaction in small group was significantly greater than lecture group [P<0.0001]. However, there was no significant difference between learning levels of the methods [p>0.05]. 86.7% of students in small groups preferred to be educated in the future semesters using this teaching method. This study showed the role of small group teaching on increasing students' satisfaction level. Due to increased satisfaction in small group, despite the lack of significant difference between the two methods of learning, learning process can be facilitated .Thus this method is recommended for education of the undergraduate students

Risk factors associated with borderline intelligence in schoolchildren: a case-control study

To determine risk factors associated with borderline intelligence during intra-uterine life, delivery and the neonatal periods. In a case-control study, 200 school children in first grade, age six years were recruited. A standard intelligence quotient [IQ] test was used for psychometric testing. Cases had a borderline intelligence [70 to 84 score] and normal controls had an IQ of 85 or above scores. Cases and controls were matched for gender. Regression analysis showed that mother's illiteracy [Adjusted OR=2.7, 95% Cl, 1.6-4.2, p=0.001], familial history of mental retardation [AOR=2.1, 95% Cl, 1.4-3.5, p=0.002] and maternal drug consumption during pregnancy [AOR=1.7, 95% Cl, 1.1-2.5, p=0.003] were the main adjusted risk factors associated with borderline intelligence in childhood. No significant association was found between adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight and prematurity and borderline intelligence in children. Intelligence quotient [IQ] of schoolchildren is affected by both prenatal and postnatal factors as well as social determinants such as parental education. Controlling these factors has important implications for preventive strategies in psychological, maternal and child health programs worldwide

[Assessment of serum zinc level in the middle school students of Sanandaj and its relation with gender, body mass index and educational status]

Zinc is essential for human health and its deficiency can lead to various biochemical disorders. The aim of this study was to determine serum zinc concentration in the middle school students of Sanandaj in 2006 and its relation with gender, body mass index [BMI] and educational status. In this cross sectional study 301 students in the middle schools of Sanandaj were selected randomly. BMI was calculated and educational status was obtained from school educational records. Serum zinc concentration was measured by use of flame-atomic absorption spectrometry. Collected data was analyzed by means of T-test, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient statistical techniques. Regardless of gender, the mean concentration of zinc in serum was 90.1 +/- 19.1 micro g/dl. The mean concentration of serum zinc levels in boys [93.6 +/- 22.6 micro g/d] was significantly higher [87.4 +/- 15.4 micro g/dl] than that of girls [p < 0.05]. In 31.2% of the students serum zinc concentration was lower than normal value. No correlation was found between serum zinc concentration, BMI and educational status of the students. More than thirty percent of middle school students in Sanandaj suffer from severe or mild zinc deficiency. Considering the importance of zinc in human health, further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency in Sanandaj in order to plan for future interventions

Prevalence and symptoms of idiopathic hypercalciuria in primary school students in Sanandaj

Determination of prevalence rate of idiopathic hypercalciuria [IH] in primary school students in Sanandaj. This was a descriptive-analytic study and included 506 primary school students. First we measured the ratio of urine calcium to urine creatinine [UCa/UCr] as screening test then 24 hour urine calcium of the patients who had UCa/UCr ratio more than 0.2 mg/mg [31 patients] was measured. Those with 24 hours urine calcium of more than 4 mg/kg were regarded hypercalciuric, [3 boys and 12 girls]. Data were introduced into SPSS win soft ware, represented in the form of frequency distribution table and analyzed by means of Chi square and T-tests. 248 patients were female and 258 were male. 32 patients [6.32%], 11 boys and 21 girls had UCa/UCr ratio more than 0.2 mg/mg, but 15 patients [3 boys and 12 girls] had excretion of more than 4mg/kg/day calcium in urine which encompassed 3% of the students [1.2% boys, 4.8% girls]. The results of this study indicated the Incidence of hypercalciuria among student girls was more than that of boys. 95th percentile for urine Ca/Cr is 0.198 for boys and 0.253 for girls. Considering the effect of hypercalciuria on bone density and growth which has more importance in girls, it is recommended to evaluate such effect in a more comprehensive study

Evaluation of the national health policy of thalassaemia screening in the Islamic Republic of Iran

We reviewed the medical and economic burden of thalassaemia major with emphasis on prenatal diagnosis for disease prevention as the most economic health care policy approach. The current programme in the Islamic Republic of Iran screens couples just before marriage, identifies carriers and refers them for genetic counselling. We searched the current literature for a refined model and enquired into compliance issues in interviews with physicians, couples and families with affected children. The programme was unsatisfactory in comparison with comparable programmes in the Mediterranean region. We devised a simple decision tree that incorporates cost-effectiveness and technical, methodological and social issues that affect compliance. While revisions to the policy could improve efficiency, follow-up is needed, especially to provide prenatal diagnosis for carrier couples