Immediate Effects of Semi-occluded Vocal Tract Exercises as a Vocal Warm-Up in Singers.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the Immediate Effects of Semi-occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVTEs) as a vocal warm-up on the Electrical Activity of Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscles and acoustic parameters of voice in singers. STUDY DESIGN: This study used a pre-/post-interventional (quasi-experimental) design and a simple non-random sampling method. SETTING: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center. METHOD: Surface electromyography of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle areas and acoustic measurements were assessed before and immediately after performing three SOVTEs: lip-trill, humming, and straw phonation for 20 minutes as a vocal warm-up in eleven healthy male singers with an average age of 26.5 ± 4.2. RESULTS: After performing the vocal warm-up, root mean square in channels two and three (left and right infrahyoid muscle areas) in all vocal tasks, including /i/, /u/, and counting from 20 to 30 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The acoustic parameters, F1, and F1-F0 difference were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that after performing SOVTEs as a vocal warm-up, the electrical activity of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles is reduced. The acoustic analysis also demonstrated a decrease in F0, F1, and F1-F0 variables. Therefore, it seems that the results of acoustic and electromyographic assessments are in line and it is likely that SOVTEs through the vocal economy lead to a reduction in the load applied to the phonatory system.

Investigating the Effects of Oral Ginseng on the Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Metastatic Cancer.

Background: Cancer affects the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the patients' life. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and severe condition among cancer patients. Ginseng has long been used as an efficient treatment for CRF and improvement of quality of life (QOL). The present study aims to assess the efficacy of Panax Ginseng (PG) in reducing CRF in patients with non-metastatic cancer. In addition, the safety of the medication is evaluated. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective clinical trial conducted on the patients (n=113) suffering from non-metastatic colon cancer (age range: 20-70 years old) referring to the Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran for chemotherapy treatment. After the chemotherapy sessions, the patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received daily dose of 100 mg PG for 30 days and the second group received placebo medication. The demographic information and clinical parameters of the patients including age, sex, weight, symptoms of fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and pain were measured pre and post intervention. Afterwards, the variables were compared in each group and between the groups. Results: Results of study showed that the ginseng improved the quality of life and mood in the subjects. (P<0.0001) and no difference was observed in the placebo group (P=0.887). Conclusion: The use of ginseng may can effective on reducing CRF and the associated symptoms in the patients with cancer, but further studies should be conducted for the evaluation of comprehensive therapeutic efficacy.

Cytomegalovirus infection and atherosclerosis in candidate of coronary artery bypass graft.

BACKGROUND: Although there is enough evidence that infectious agents such as Chlamydia pneumonia and Helicobacter pylori may play a pathogenic role in atherosclerosis, this role for cytomegalovirus (CMV) is yet controversial. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to detect CMV-DNA in atherosclerotic plaques in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, candidates for CABG (cases) and patients with valvular or congenital malformation but without atherosclerotic plaques (controls) were studied from 2012 to 2013 at Golestan hospital, Ahvaz, IR Iran. Demographic and laboratory data were collected. Atherosclerotic and histological samples were obtained from visible plaques and from aorta by the surgeon. All the samples were examined for the presence of CMV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using a commercial kit (SinaClon, Tehran, IR Iran). RESULTS: The mean ages in case and control groups were 60.8 ± 6.8 and 57.5 ± 11.5 years, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.09). Thirty patients (54.5%) in case and 32 (58.2%) in control groups were male with no significant difference (P = 0.7). CMV-DNA was present in 8 (14.5%) of the cases and 2 (4%) of the controls. CMV-DNA was associated with higher risk of atherosclerosis (OR: 7.7, 95% CI = 1.1-51.4, P = 0.03). Of the total normal aortic samples (55 in cases and 55 in controls), there was no individual with simultaneous positive CMV-DNA among aortic atherosclerotic and normal tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CMV-DNA in aortic plaques is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. CMV infection may be considered as an independent risk factor for this event.

The relationship of serum vitamin D with pre-eclampsia in the Iranian women.

Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for negative outcome in pregnancy, such as pre-term labour, low birthweight, intrauterine growth retardation and gestational diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and pre-eclampsia. This was a case-control study of 59 pre-eclamptic women and 59 healthy pregnant women selected in two hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Women with term singleton pregnancy, nulliparous and of reproductive age were selected. Venous blood samples (2 mL) were taken and the level of 25-dihydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D) was measured. If the levels of 25-OH-D were less than 10 ng mL(-1), between 10 ng mL(-1) and 29 ng mL(-1) and more than 30 ng mL(-1), they were considered as indicating deficient, insufficient and normal 25-OH-D concentrations, respectively. The independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square and logistic regression were used for analysing the data. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group [odds ratio (OR) = 24.04, confidence interval (CI) = 2.10-274.8, P = 0.01]. Older women (30-35 years) were more likely to develop pre-eclampsia compared with the control group (OR = 10.36, CI = 2.18-49.09, P = 0.003). The results showed that women with body mass index (BMI) <20 were more likely to develop pre-eclampsia. The ages between 20 years and 30 years and normal BMI were not the risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Vitamin D deficiency has a statistically significant relationship with pre-eclampsia. It seems that the serum vitamin D levels are low in Iranian women because of their particular lifestyle and they may need more than 400 IU day(-1) vitamin D supplement during pregnancy.

Iris Claw versus Scleral Fixation Intraocular Lens Implantation during Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of iris claw anterior chamber intraocular lens (IC-ACIOL) with that of scleral fixation posterior chamber intraocular lens (SF-PCIOL) implantation during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) as initial surgery to correct aphakia. METHODS: Twelve patients with complicated cataract surgery or trauma who hadsuffered nucleus, whole crystalline lens or intraocular lens (IOL) drop into the vitreous cavity, and undergone PPV with IC-ACIOL implantation over a period of one year were evaluated for the purpose of this study. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error, astigmatism and complications were recorded. The results were compared to outcomes of another group of 13 patients who had previously undergone PPV with SF-PCIOL implantation. RESULTS: Mean improvement of UCVA was greater in IC-ACIOL eyes as compared tothe SF-PCIOL group (-1.17±0.28 versus -0.89±0.21 logMAR, P=0.01), corresponding values for postoperative BCVA were 0.24±0.17 and 0.44±0.22 logMAR (P=0.041), respectively. Average postoperative SE was comparable in the IC-ACIOL and SF-PCIOL groups at 0.6±1.03 and 0.56±1.23 diopters, respectively (P=0.290). However, 10 (83.3%) IC-ACIOL eyes versus 6 (46.1%) SF-PCIOL eyes had SE within 1 diopter of emmetropia (P=0.048). Mean postoperative increase in CCT was comaparble between the study groups (P=0.126). CONCLUSION: In the absence of sufficient capsular support, the use of an IC-ACIOLfor correction of aphakia during PPV can be a good alternative and seems to entail better visual outcomes as compared to SF-PCIOL.

Sulfur Hexafluoride 20% versus Lactated Ringer's Solution for Prevention of Early Postoperative Vitreous Hemorrhage after Diabetic Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the hemostatic effect of sulfur hexafluoride 20% (SF6 20%) with lactated Ringer's solution for prevention of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy. METHODS: In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 50 eyes undergoing diabetic vitrectomy were divided into two groups. At the conclusion of surgery, in one group the vitreous cavity was filled with SF6 20% while in the other group lactated Ringer's solution was retained in the vitreous cavity. The two groups were compared for the rate of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage. RESULTS: The incidence of vitreous hemorrhage was lower in the SF6 group than the Ringer's group 4 days (20% vs 68%, P=0.001), 7 days (24% vs 60%, P=0.01) and 4 weeks (16% vs 40%, P=0.059) after vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: In comparison with lactated Ringer's solution, SF6 20% had a significant hemostatic effect especially in the early postoperative period after diabetic vitrectomy and reduced the incidence of vitreous hemorrhage.

Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in khuzestan province, iran.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Khuzestan province, Iran in 2006. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study included residents of Khuzestan province during the year 2006. The study was designed according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Multi-stage proportionate clustered random sampling was employed. Sample size was calculated according to the latest national census and estimated rates of blindness. Initially data accumulation including general information and optometrists' findings was performed at local health centers, followed by referral of subjects with best-corrected visual acuity less than 20/60 for a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Categorization of blindness and low vision was based on WHO criteria and causes of visual impairment were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases version 10. RESULTS: Overall, 6,960 subjects with mean age of 24.7±18.3 years (range 3 months to 87 years) participated in the study (74.5% response rate). The prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision in subjects older than 5 years was 1.3% and 2.6%, respectively;a significant positive trend was observed with increasing age (P<0.001) but no significant correlation was noted with sex and domicile. The leading causes of visual impairment included cataracts (39.0%), refractive errors (37.9%) and amblyopia (23.6%).A minority of cases were due to surgical complications (1.9%) and trauma (1.3%). CONCLUSION: Blindness and low vision in Khuzestan province occurred at an average rate as compared to similar countries. It is estimated that there are 28,537 and 105,995 cases of bilateral blindness and low vision respectively in this province.