Comparison of patients with different pathologies in terms of shoulder protraction and scapular asymmetry.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare cases with different shoulder and cervical pathologies in terms of shoulder protraction and scapular asymmetry. [Methods] A total of 216 patients, aged between 30-70 years, were included, 108 of which were in the patient group (subacromial impingement, rotator cuff problems, adhesive capsulitis, disc herniations) and 108 of which were in the control group. The control group consisted of cases with no prior neck and shoulder problems or pain. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the asymmetry of scapula was evaluated using the Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) with two additional positions; and the protraction of the scapula was evaluated using the shoulder protraction test. [Results] According to the data obtained, the affected side scapular asymmetry and protraction in the patient group were significantly greater than in the control group. When the patient groups were compared in terms of different pathologies, there were no differences between scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the pathologies of the neck and shoulder were found to cause scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction. However, patients with different pathologies had similar scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction.

Effect of Lycopersicon esculentum extract on apoptosis in the rat cerebellum, following prenatal and postnatal exposure to an electromagnetic field.

The expansion of mobile phone technology has raised concerns regarding the effect of 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the central nervous system. At present, the developing human brain is regularly exposed to mobile telephones, pre- and postnatally. Several studies have demonstrated the acute effects of EMF exposure during pre- or postnatal periods; however, the chronic effects of EMF exposure are less understood. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the chronic effects of EMF on the pre- and postnatal rat cerebellum. The control group was maintained in the same conditions as the experimental groups, without the exposure to EMF. In the EMF1 group, the rats were exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods (until postnatal day 80). In the EMF2 group, the rats were also exposed to EMF pre- and postnatally; in addition, however, they were provided with a daily oral supplementation of Lycopersicon esculentum extract (∼2 g/kg). The number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the rats in the control and experimental groups were then counted. The neurodegenerative changes were studied using cresyl violet staining, and these changes were evaluated. In comparison with the control animals, the EMF1 group demonstrated a significant increase in the number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the cerebellum (P<0.001). However, in comparison with the EMF1 group, the EMF2 group exhibited significantly fewer caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells in the cerebellum. In the EMF1 group, the Purkinje neurons were revealed to have undergone dark neuron degenerative changes. However, the presence of dark Purkinje neurons was reduced in the EMF2 group, compared with the EMF1 group. The results indicated that apoptosis and neurodegeneration in rats exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods may be reduced with Lycopersicon esculentum extract therapy.

Effects of Equisetum arvense Ointment on Diabetic Wound Healing in Rats.

UNLABELLED: This study is designed to evaluate the effect of Equisetum arvense (EA) ointment on dermal diabetic wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In this study, diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin in 56 male Wistar rats. After anesthetization, a 15 mm x 15 mm wound for each rat was made by removing skin in a circle on the dorsum. A total of 56 diabetic wounds were studied in 8 groups (n = 7), 4 of which were treated with EA ointment. On the 7th and 14th days after creating the wounds, the state of the diabetic wound healing was evaluated with wound closure ratio and by performing histopathologic studies. RESULTS: Groups treated with EA 5%-10% ointment were found to have a statistically higher wound closure ratio than control and petroleum jelly-lanolin groups (P < 0.05). On day 14, groups to which EA 5%-10% ointment was applied showed 99.71% and 99.93% wound closure ratio (P < 0.05) and higher dermal and epidermal regeneration, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue thickness after 14 days than the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that EA ointments exhibit significant diabetic wound healing activity in excision wounds. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed to confirm these results.

The effects of long-term exposure of magnetic field via 900-MHz GSM radiation on some biochemical parameters and brain histology in rats.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of magnetic field via cell phones on some blood parameters and neurons in the brain of rats. Animals have been classified into three groups: control, Magnetic Field (MF), and F2 groups. Throughout this study, cell phones were placed on the wall of the cages. Rats were exposed to the effects of cell phones during prenatal and postnatal periods until they were 80 days old. During the study, the exposure procedure of rats was that the phone was in standby mode for a whole day and in talking mode for 30 min per day. The waves of cell phones caused an increased blood glucose level from 96.52 ± 5.64 mg/dl to 132.14 ± 5.93 mg/dl and an increased serum protein level from 131.14 ± 6.19 mg/dl to 319.29 ± 6.73 mg/dl compared to control. Statistically, significant differences wasn't observed in the blood cholesterol concentration between the groups compared to the control. Weekly weight gain decreased in all groups compared to the control. MF exposure decreased pyramidal neuron numbers 51.15% and increased ischemic neuron numbers 73% at cortex region of brain. In addition, vascular dilatations have increased clearly in group F2.Whereas the procedure of MF did not have any effects on hippocampal pyramidal cell numbers, magnetic fields increased the amount of ischemic neurons three-fold compared to the control. In conclusion, MF affected some biochemical parameters, especially the cortex region of the brain.

Prediction of low back pain with two expert systems.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the common problems encountered in medical applications. This paper proposes two expert systems (artificial neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) for the assessment of the LBP level objectively. The skin resistance and visual analog scale (VAS) values have been accepted as the input variables for the developed systems. The results showed that the expert systems behave very similar to real data and that use of the expert systems can be used to successfully diagnose the back pain intensity. The suggested systems were found to be advantageous approaches in addition to existing unbiased approaches. So far as the authors are aware, this is the first attempt of using the two expert systems achieving very good performance in a real application. In light of some of the limitations of this study, we also identify and discuss several areas that need continued investigation.

Determination of pain intensity risk factors among school children with nonspecific low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common disease among people under the age of 20. To the best of our knowledge few studies have been carried out on LBP among school children in Turkey, and none of them studied the correlation between pain intensity and related variables with LBP. MATERIAL/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the risk factors and their correlations with pain intensity among 222 school children (106 girls and 116 boys) aged 10-18 years in the city of Denizli. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data. The regression tree method (RTM) was used to determine the risk factors by using the STATISTICA program package. Pain intensity was the outcome variable, and 8 independent variables (body mass index (BMI), sex, regular exercise habit, studying posture, transportation to/from school, duration of studying, bag handling, and type of bed) were used to detect their effect on pain intensity. RESULTS: The results showed that pain intensity is significantly affected by 4 independent variables: duration of studying, type of bed, transportation to/from school, and BMI. The overall mean and standard deviation of pain intensity was 2.58 ± 0.86 (minimum=1, maximum=5). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the literature, as well as our study, show that taking parents' and teachers' concerns seriously is of vital importance. Our results indicate that parents and teachers should be informed about duration of studying, type of bed, transportation and obesity as risk factors predicting NLBP in school children.

Effects of Equisetum arvense Ointment on Dermal Wound Healing in Rats .

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Equisetum arvense ointment on dermal wound healing in rats. METHODS: The authors studied a total of 56 wounds in four groups of rats. Each wound measured 15 mm x 15 mm. The first group did not receive treatment while the second group was treated with a 1:1 mixture of Vaseline and lanolin ointment. Equisetum arvense ointment doses of 5% and 10% were used in the third and fourth groups. The rats were observed at days 7 and 14 post wounding. The state of the wound healing was evaluated using wound closure ratio and histopathologic studies. RESULTS: Equisetum arvense 5% and 10% groups and the Vaseline-lanolin group had a statistically significant higher wound closure ratio than the control group (P &0.05). Equisetum arvense ointment groups had a 95.26% and 99.96% wound closure ratio (P & 0.05) and higher dermal and epidermal regeneration, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue thickness after 14 days as compared to the other groups (P & 0.05). P. Equisetum arvense ointment exhibits significant wound healing activity in rats. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed to confirm these results. .

Relationship between skin resistance level and static balance in type II diabetic subjects.

Diabetes mellitus is major cause leading to pathological changes in skin foot plantar area (SFPA) and affected the static standing balance duration (SSBD). Skin resistance level (SRL) is related to skin conductance which changes in the presence of sweat. This study aims to find out the relationship between the SRL and SSBD in type II diabetic patients. Sixty-eight voluntary students, 30 type II diabetic patients and 30 healthy non-diabetic subjects, were participated to the study. The SSBD was measured on dominant and non-dominant legs. SRLs were recorded with two surface electrodes over the metatarsus heads and heel. The SSBD of the healthy young group was found to be higher than the other groups (P<0.001). The SRL values of the non-dominant leg in the diabetic group was found to be lower than the others (P=0.014). For dominant and non-dominant legs within each group, only the healthy young group has statistically difference (P=0.012). A significant correlation was seen to be between the SRL and SSBD for only healthy non-diabetic group for the non-dominant leg. The relation between the SRL and SSBD is poor but very promising. Measurement of the SRL can be used in evaluating the inflammation of the diabetic foot.

The effect of combined therapy (spa and physical therapy) on pain in various chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Spa therapy is commonly used in the treatment of daily chronic diseases practice, but its benefits are still the subjects of discussion. This study investigates possible effects of a combined spa and physical therapy program on pain and hemodynamic responses in various chronic diseases. METHODS: The pain intensity and hemodynamic responses of 472 patients involved in a spa and physical therapy program were studied retrospectively. Assessment criteria were pain [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)] and hemodynamic responses (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate). Assessments took place before, immediately after treatment, and after completion of the spa program (before discharge). RESULTS: The patients with ankle arthrosis, fibromyalgia and cervical disc herniation reported the highest VAS score before treatment program (P < 0.05). After the therapy program, VAS scores were seen to decrease compared to before treatment (P < 0.05). The patients with osteoarthritis of the hip (1.3+/-1.2) and soft tissue rheumatism (1.3+/-1.2) had the lowest VAS score before discharge compared to patients with other pathologies (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were detected between both sexes in terms of pain improvement (P > 0.05). On discharge, all hemodynamic responses decreased significantly compared to before and immediately after initiation of the therapy program (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: To decrease pain and high blood pressure without hemodynamic risk, a combined of spa and physical therapy program may help to decrease pain and improve hemodynamic response in patients with irreversible pathologies.

Evaluation of balance and physical fitness in diabetic neuropathic patients.

AIM: The main aim was to evaluate balance and physical fitness in diabetic neuropathic patients. METHODS: Sixty voluntary adults of both sexes from Kutahya, Turkey, were divided into two groups: a Type 2 diabetic neuropathic group (DG), mean age 57.6+/-3.9 (50-65; n=30); and a nondiabetic control group (CG), mean age 55.6+/-6.1 (51-64; n=30). The CG was selected to match the diabetic group characteristics, such as age, body mass, and sex. Standing on dominant and nondominant leg, functional reach and physical fitness tests were used for assessment. RESULTS: Static and dynamic standings on one leg test were significantly lower in DG (P<.01). Considering CG results, maximal balance reduction in DG was found in the dynamic test on the dominant leg with the eyes open and head rotation (63.1%) and the lowest was on the static test on dominant leg with eyes open (19.7%). The result of the functional reach test was determined to be significantly lower in DG, with 21.3% balance reduction (P<.01). In all physical fitness tests, DG made significantly lower repetitions in 1 min (P<.01). Functional reach (34 cm) and one-leg standing (42 s) test results had shown our participants' low-risk falling, considering literature studies (15 cm and 30 s). CONCLUSION: The data show that the diabetic neuropathy disturbed especially the balance on the dominant leg and decrease physical fitness. In this situation, further studies that show the difference between dominant and nondominant leg balance and new risk of falling profile in diabetic neuropathic participants are needed.

Effects of infant crawling experience on range of motion.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to show the effects of infant crawling experience on shoulder and hip range of motion and trunk flexibility. METHODS: One hundred and twenty children who had attended the Child and Mothers Health Center in Kutahya City of Turkey between 2002 and 2003 were evaluated, and 40 children walking without assistance with normal motor development were divided into 2 groups, crawler group (CG) (N:20) and noncrawler group (NCG) (N:20). The CG children were selected to match with age of the NCG. Shoulder and hip range of motion and trunk flexibility were measured for assessment. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed in all physical characteristics and range of movement (ROM) for girls and boys of each group (p>0.05). The CG girls were statistically found heavier and taller than NCG (p<0.05). The CG were found to start to walk later (p<0.05) and used walker devices less often (p<0.01) than the NCG. All hip ROM values were found statistically higher in NCG than CG (p<0.05, p<0.01) except hip flexion (p>0.05) and no statistical differences were found between groups shoulder ROM values (p>0.05), except NCG left flexion (p<0.05). The highest hip abduction ROM was measured in NCG boys and highest external rotation was measured in NCG girls. No statistical differences were found in trunk flexion and sit and reach test in both groups. CONCLUSION: Crawling is an important developmental exercise for infants to gain joint stabilization especially on the hip joint, and parents should facilitate their infant`s to crawl and maintain suitable environmental conditions.

Effect of combined spa and physical therapy on pain in various chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to exhibit the effect of combined therapy (spa and physical therapy) on pain in various chronic diseases. METHODS: Retrospectively, 472 (58.1% female and 41.9% male) spa and physical therapy patients with a mean age of 53.4 +/- 12.5 years were evaluated during 2001-2004 from the archives of Dumlupinar University TUTAV Thermal Cure Center. Before, after therapy and before discharging, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, heart and respiratory rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured for hemodynamic evaluations. RESULTS: Arthrosis (230 patient, 48.7%) was found to be the main problem in our patients. Ankle arthrosis, fibromyalgia and cervical disc herniation were found with the highest VAS values compared to other pathologies before spa therapy (p<0.05). Immediately after spa therapy and before discharge, VAS values were lower than before treatment (p<0.05). Immediately after spa therapy, the highest decreases in VAS values were observed in coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis patients (p<0.05). Coxarthrosis and nonarticular patients had the lowest VAS values before discharge than other pathologies (p<0.05). No statistical differences were found between male and female VAS values in all stages of treatment (p>0.05). Heart and respiratory rate were statistically increased (p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure was decreased (p<0.01) but not changed in systolic blood pressure (p>0.05) immediately after spa therapy. Before discharging, all hemodynamic parameters were found statistically decreased before treatment and immediately after spa therapy (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: A combination of spa and physical therapy decreases pain and improves functional capacity without any hemodynamic risk in rheumatological, neurological and cardiac patients.