Researcher Bulletin of Medical Sciences
Volume:17 Issue: 4, 2013

Cervical discectomy has a high success rate. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and radiological results of anterior cervical discectomy. This was a retrospective study in which its emphasis was on surgical outcomes in patients operated with anterior fusion surgery method along with artificial cage. The study was conducted on 43 patients who underwent standard Smith-Robinson technique. Postoperative follow-up period was 2 years. Clinical assessment was done through Odom criteria, Neck disability index and VAS. The mean age of patients was 50 y. The most common symptom was neck pain and sensory disorder was the most prevalent sign. The most common level involved was C5-6. The mean medical treatment period was 4.5 months. Motor defect and neck pain were the main reasons of surgery. According to Odom Criteria, 80% of patients had reasonable satisfaction after surgery. Also, on the basis of neck disability index and visual analog scale of neck and associated pain, patients had significant improvement. The rate of successful fusion was 95%‍ Due to the possibility of complete discectomy and complete removal of compression, anterior surgery approach is preferred over the posterior one.

Given the prevalence of glioma and importance of cognitive impairments of these patients, it is important to evaluate these impairments using the cognitive tests that have previously shown they are capable of these evaluations. Therefore, this study compared cognitive impairment in patients with glioma and controls, in the Shohada Hospital in 2012. Historical cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with glioma and control subjects were matched in terms of age, gender and education. Cognitive assessment was done using computerized continuous performance test, Stroop and Tower of London)TOL(tests. Stroop test showed a significant difference between the patient’s stroop test variables and the healthy ones (p<0.5), except for the incongruent response time score. In continuous performance test there was a difference between cases and controls (p<0.5). Variables are assumed to equal for the total error scores of the first 50 stimulants and the total true score of the first 50 stimulants variables. TOL test confirmed the difference between patients and healthy people (p<0.5). It seems that the tests are capable of assessing cognitive impairments in glioma patients.

Exercise in high altitude and hypoxia decreases aerobic power and increases oxidative stress and lactic acid. Due to the metabolic and antioxidant properties of L-Carnitine, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term L-Carnitine supplementation on endurance performance and cell damage in acute hypoxia. For this purpose, 16 active men after VO2max measurement in normoxia were divided into 2 groups of supplement and placebo. Supplement group received L-Carnitine and placebo group received placebo (sugar) for 10 days (3 g every day). After eight days of supplementation period, VO2max in hypoxia condition was determined as well as normoxia. Then 1 day after supplementation, individuals participated in submaximal test (60%VO2max for 1 hour). Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and 1 hour after recovery for determining lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatin kinase (CK) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The result showed that short-term supplementation with L-Carnitine had no effect on VO2max (p=0.83), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (p=0.314) and lactic acid, but it caused significant decrease in LDH (p=0.001), CH (p=0.001) and MDA (p=0.001) after submaximal activity. It can be concluded that short-term supplementation of L-Carnitine doesn’t influence VO2max and lactate, but it may decrease cell damage.

Patients who cannot consume food may need intestinal formulas as a supplement. Now the question is: to what extent do the current formulas contain various micronutrients? What are their deficiencies and what supplements are needed to be prescribed with them? The current study was done in 2011 and assessed the efficiency of the amount of nutrients in the formulas, along with presenting some protocols to complete various industrial formulas within different amounts of calorie intake using different types of multivitamins and minerals, regarding the DRI value and the least cost. The study was done using the descriptive method. The intestinal formulas assessed include: diabetic enteramil, HN enteramil, standard enteramil, Nutricomp’s Energy, Fiber D, Intensive, Standard and Ensure. First we calculated the amount of micronutrients in 100 calories of these formulas according to the brochure of the product. Then we calculated the least amount of required calorie to meet the DRI for all nutrients and considered some supplements to meet all nutrients for each calorie level while not exceeding UL. Eight formulas which were available in Iran were studied. The most deficiencies of micronutrients were found in sodium, potassium, Vitamin D, manganese, magnesium, Vitamin K, and Fluor. The least deficiencies were found in Vitamins B, A, and E. The supplements most used are Centrum multivitamins, Vitamin K injections, Calcium D pills, salt, sulfate vials, magnesium, potassium chloride, and tea. The intestinal formulas available in Iran lack micronutrients in various calorie Intake levels; because the calorie estimated for each patient is less than the amount of calorie needed to meet the nutrients needed. Therefore consuming these formulas without the required supplements might be a concernment. Studying the causes and necessary actions is recommended.

Increasing incidence of drug resistant microorganisms poses enormous threat to the human health and requires alternative sources of antimicrobial agents. Plants develop unique family of chemicals to protect themselves from various microbes. The aim of this study was to investigate antibacterial effect of Prosopis sp. hydro-alcoholic extract on some pathogenic bacteria. This study was conducted at Chabahar Maritime University. Leaf of Prosopis sp. was collected and the essence was extracted by hydro-alcoholic extraction method. The extract dried and 4 different concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/ml were prepared after autoclave. Extracts were examined on 4 different clinical bacteria by the Disc Diffusion Agar Method at 3 replicates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined by the serial dilution method. ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Range test was used to analysis data. Hydro-alcoholic extract showed antibacterial effect after autoclave. Concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/ml showed the best result on Staphylococcus aureus and had significant difference with other treatments and standard antibiotics (p<0.05). Extracts didn’t show any effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Regarding Escherichia coli, concentration of 80 mg/ml had significant difference with other treatments and standard antibiotics (p<0.05). Minimum MIC was 2 mg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae serotype ogava. MLC was in higher concentrations. This study showed that autoclave prepared new compounds which had antibacterial effect. Hospital acquired bacteria were resistance to common antibiotics. The Prosopis sp. extract had higher antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae serotype ogava in comparison with antibiotics.

Timely identification and prompt resuscitation of newborns in the delivery room may cause a decline in neonatal asphyxia. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that result in the resuscitation of newborns at birth in Mahdieh Hospital. This cross sectional study was done during one year and risk factors for neonatal resuscitation, level of resuscitation and short outcomes (survival or death), wre extracted from charts and were analyzed. During the study period, 4692 neonates were delivered; 97.7% did not require respiratory assistance. 2.3% needed resuscitation with bag and mask in the delivery unit; of these, 1.6% responded to bag and mask ventilation while 0.65% needed endotracheal intubation and 0.3% were given chest compressions. Epinephrine/volume expander was administered to 0.2%. In multiple regression analysis, low birth weight, meconium stained liquor and chorioamnionitis were revealed as independent risk factors for advance resuscitation. Neonatal mortality was 10 in 1000 live birth; asphyxia with 23.4% was one of major causes of neonatal mortality. Incidence of asphyxia was 0.3%, 24.7% and 50% in neonates without resuscitation, basic resuscitation and advance resuscitation, respectively. It seems that low birth weight, meconium stain amniotic fluid and chorioamnionitis are major risk factors for neonatal resuscitation in delivery room.

Despite the high value of poultry meat, there is no accurate control and inspection on poultry carcasses in the slaughterhouse. Therefore, the possibility of transmission of some bacteria like Escherichia coli which is one of the main causes of food poisoning is not unexpected. The present study was carried out to detect and analyse antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli O157 isolated from pheasant, partridge, duck and goose meat in Gilan, Mazandaran, Isfahan and Fars provinces, Iran. For doing the experiments, 25, 17, 22 and 36 samples from pheasant, partridge, duck and goose chest muscle meat were collected, respectively. The samples were immediately transferred to the laboratory in cooler ice-pack. All samples were cultured and DNA was extracted from the typical bacterial colonies which represent Escherichia coli. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirme the diagnosis and to detect O157 serogroup. Finally, the antibiotic resistance pattern was studied using simple disk diffusion method. The results showed that 27% of samples were positive for presence of Escherichia coli; 6 of them had the O157 serogroup. The goose and partridge meat had the highest and lowest frequencies of bacterium and O157 serogroup, respectively. The Escherichia coli which were isolated from poultry meat had the highest antibiotic resistance to sulfamethoxazol and vancomycinand the lowest antibiotic resistance to ciprofloxacinand gentamycin. A significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) was seen between the prevalence rate of the bacterium and O157 serogroup in goose and partridge meat and between the levels of resistance to various antibiotics. We recommended using Polymerase Chain Reaction as an accurate, rapid and safe method to control presence of some pathogens like Escherichia coli. This study showed that using simple disk diffusion method is very essential before antibiotic prescription.

The official FIFA survey showed that there are more than 840,000 registered referees. Football refereeing is a physically challenging job. Despite the important role of referees, few studies have focused on them. However, health and fitness of football referees is a major concern due to their older ages and significance of their performance. The aim of this study was to assess the selected parameters of fitness as well as risk factors of musculoskeletal problems among all referees of Iran’s Premier League during season 2009-2010. In a cross- sectional study, all referees selected for the premier league competitions were enrolled. All participants underwent preparticipation evaluation including 7 stations. Among 78 participants (32 center referees and 46 assistant), descriptive data were as below: Age: 37±3.8 y, body mass index: 23.6 (2.1), percent of body fat: 20.7 (3.9) and VO2 max: 59.9 (7.1). Regarding musculoskeletal abnormalities, muscular tightness was observed in 35 cases, including hamstring (18), gastrocnemius (14), iliopsoas (2) and iliotibial band (1). Nine referees showed signs of weak quadriceps femoris. Single leg balance test was abnormal in 56 cases. The average BMI is lower than values reported in similar studies, indicating good anthropometric profile. Although VO2 max has been estimated using indirect method, the average values are comparable to elite-level European referees. Furthermore, musculoskeletal problems are common. It is recommended to incorporate periodic medical evaluation in all pre-season preparations.