[ modified method for placing drains to reduce the risk of surgical site infections: a pilot experimental study]

Surgical site infection is a major concern in surgery and has a high prevalence rate in many developing countries. There are many controversies on the use of drains as they may not reduce the risk of infections. In this pilot experimental study, we are introducing a modification in placing tube drains to reduce the of surgical site infections. Ninety albino male rats were used in three groups. In group one [test], the drains were placed subcutaneously, and were then fixed to the skin after making a two-turn crossing-over circular loop. In group two [control], the drain was just simply tied to the skin and in group three [sham], a skin incision was created without any drain placement. Animals were followed for signs of infection for one week and were then examined for microbiologic evidences of infection. There were no significant differences among groups in terms of clinical signs of infection; however, the colonization rate by gram positive cocci was significantly lower in test group [p<0.001]. This finding implies that our method may impair retrograde transfer of germs into the surgical site hence reducing the rate of infections

[Comparison of musculoskeletal complaints between helicopter and aero plane pilots]

Background: some previous surveys have indicated on high prevalence of low back pain in helicopter pilots, but there are a few studies about comparing of musculoskeletal complaints between helicopter and aero plane pilots

Materials and Methods: an interview based Nordic questionnaire was carried out in 150 aero plane pilots and 209 helicopter pilots. For this analytical study, we used x2 and fisher exact test for comparing qualitative variables, and for quantitative variables with normal distribution we used parametric tests. Odds ratio [OR] and %95 CI were used for comparing the proportion of risks estimate

Results: the means of monthly flight hours were 12.6±10 and 54.5±12 in helicopter and aero plane pilots, respectively. After flight's low back pain was prevalent among both groups %42 and %40 in helicopter and aero plane pilots, respectively. Classification of other musculoskeletal complaints ware %35 and %37 for upper back, %33 and %30 for neck, %32 and %30 for shoulder and arm, %25.4 and %32.8 for knee and leg, %25 and %23.3 for thigh and buttock and %18 and %30 for ankle and foot in helicopter and aero plane pilots, respectively. [all results were with p-value >0.005]. Odds ratios [OR] for comparing of risk estimate between helicopter and aero plane pilots were not significant after flight in any site. But, ORs for effect of musculoskeletal pain on normal daily activity during the last year were 6.2 [95%CI: 1.4-26.8] for low back pain, 8.4 [95%CI: 1.12-63.43] for upper back pain and 9.6 [95% CI: 1.2-72] for neck pain

Conclusion: this study showed that after flight's low back pain was more prevalent in nearly two groups. And normal daily activity affected by musculoskeletal complains was significantly more prevalent in helicopter pilots. But for accurate conclusion we need more data

[Studying the volume and weight of the brain index in boy between the ages of 18-22 in the city of Tehran year 1385]

Background: cephalometry discusses different measures of the head and face and having this information is very important in foreseeing the scale of growth of the skull. By having the dimensions of the skull we are able to calculate the weight, volume and index of the brain. Acknowledging the above mentioned information can be helpful for the evaluation of health of sickness in infants, youth and in the elderly

Materials and Methods: this research was done under the cross-sectional method. 560 Samples of boys between the ages of 18-20 in the city of Tehran were studied. All were sane and none of them contained any effective disease. The weight was measured with the minimum amount of clothes and by German scale called Sohnel with 0/5 mm accuracy, the length and width of the face was measured by the Martinsaler scaled cephalometre weight was measured with 0/5 Kg accuracy and height by stadiometer with 1 mm accuracy. Then the weight, volume and index of the brain were measured

Results: the mean of the length of the head in boys between the ages of 18-22 year olds were as follows: 188/7 + 7/7 and 188/6 +8/7 millimeter, Width: 152/7 + 6/5 and 156 + 6/9 millimeter, Height: 69/7 + 11/5 and 70/8 + 10/5, Auricular Height: 132/1 + 7/1 and 133/4 + 8/1 millimeters, Brain Volume: 1411/4 + 76/8 and 1438/5 + 11, Brain Weight: 1460/8 + 82/6 and 1488/8 + 114/9, Brain Index: 2/1 + 0/3 and 2/1 +]/3

Conclusion: the length of the head in between the ages of 18-22 has not changed but the weight, auricular height, volume and weight of the brain have ascended. However the brain index has been the same in all ages [except for 19 year olds]

[Stem cell transplantation into rat inner ear]

Recent advances in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy has opened new horizons with promising results in treating diseases so far known as incurable. Therapy with stem cells has been considered in treating various disorders encompassing hematologic, cardiovascular, neurologic, dermatologic and orthopedic entities as well as diabetes. Stem cells transplantation has been lately evaluated in treating hearing impairments in experimental studies and it is expected to open its way in treating patients with sensori-neural hearing loss in future. The present study is a review of literature published in medical databases current as of July 2007. Authors in this article has highlighted important characteristics of this novel approach including basics of stem cell biology and its potential application in treating auditory disorders. Despite primary hopeful results from stem cells transplantation in treating hearing impairments in experimental research, there are many questions which should be answered before their being introduced in clinical trials. Finding a proper source for cellular isolation, method of differentiation, way of delivery to the target organ and the right dosing as well as the ethical issues and potential hazards confronted are such challenges which should be first overcome

[Trauma Registry in Iran Army Medical Centers]

Background: trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries and it constitute a majority of combat casualties in military conflicts. Trauma registries are essential to assess and improve standards of trauma care in military health services. The aim of this study was to describe the first trauma registry in Iran Army Medical Centers over a period of five months

Materials and methods: from January to May 2000 in a prospective study, all trauma patients referred to all of the Iran Army Medical Centers in Tehran were put under study and the process of their treatment were carefully observed during the study period. Trained physicians at each of the five hospitals are responsible for collecting trauma registry information using srandardized data collecting form. Collected data were entered into a research darabase, designed for this study. The trauma registry database include data items in the general fields of pre-hospital events, emergency room care, operating room interventions and out comes

Results: During the study period, 130 victims of injuries were evaluated. The majority of patients were young men. Injuries were occurred more frequently in military personnel with low military rank and low educational degree. The most common mechanism of injury was: blunt material strikes [24.6%], pedestrians stuck by a motor vehicle [17.6%] and falls [16.9%]. The mean duration of injury occurrence to arrival to the hospital was [1.78 +I- 0.33 hours] and 62.3% of patients received pre-hospital emergency care. None of the patients were died and 18.5% were completely cured

Conclusion: the over all trauma mortality rate at our trauma registry was low however, the high rate of morbidity and disabilities indicate the need for preventive measures and educations in military personnel