Annals of Military and Health Sciences Research
Year:2011 | Volume:9 | Issue:1 (SERIAL NUMBER 33)|Papers Count:15

Introduction and aim: Workers who are exposed to inhalation N-hexane can gradually develop progressive polyneuropathy, sometimes results in paralysis and even death. Shoe workers, printers, rubber cement workers and every other job which use glue, are at risk of inhalation of N-hexane. The aim of this study was to compare variables related to neuropathy in these workers with healthy controls.Methods and materials: We compared the results of nerve conduction study (NCS) on 30 N-hexane-exposed cases and 30 non-exposed healthy controls. All participants were male. Case group included 12 printers and 18 shoemakers. Their mean occupational experiences were 5.2 and 17 years, respectively.Findings: Mean of sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and tibial compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes were significantly lower in exposed group (p value<0/05). Mean of F-wave distal latencies significantly higher in the exposed individuals (p value<0/05). Mean of sural SNAP and tibial CMAP-related distal latencies and tibial CMAP-related conduction velocities were not significantly different (P value>0/05).Conclusion: This study showed peripheral nervous system involvement in glue-exposed workers. It seems that NCS is an effective method for diagnosis of subclinical and clinical neuropathy in N-hexane exposure.We can use this inexpensive and noninvasive method for screening and prevention of polyneuropathy in such persons.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of melatonin ingestion on cardiopulmonary indices during rest, exercise and recovery period in female athletes.Material and methods: Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were measured before and after ingestion of melatonin during exercise. Ten female basketball players (age 21.8±1.135 yaer, height 171.1±1 cm.676, weight 61.3±1.693 kg), who were playing in Shiraz basketball league, were selected for this study based on the regularity of their menstrual cycle in the last 3 month.They all were homogenized according to their chronotype and had not any kind of disease. They performed the protocol at luteinizing phase of their menstrual cycles in two separate days with 72 hours interval at 11:30 min in the morning. HR, BP and VO2 max were measured at the first day. To assess their VO2 max and other factors under study during exercise, they performed Bruce treadmill protocol to exhaustion and all above factors were measured during exercise either. At the second stage, 72 hrs after the ingestion of 10 mg melatonin, the HR, BP and VO2 max were measured 30 minutes after ingesting supplement. The same procedure followed for exercise and recovery stages. Paired-samples T test used for data analysis (a=0.05).Result: HR decreased significantly after ingesting melatonin during exercise (p=0.0001). Ingesting melatonin did not affect resting BP but it significantly decreased BP during exercise and recovery. Furthermore, ingesting 10 mg of melatonin before exercise led to significant increase of subjects VO2 max (p=0.0001).Conclusions: The finding of this study shows that ingesting melatonin decreases HR, BP, and BT during rest, exercise and recovery moreover it increases VO2 max. In other term, it increases endurance performance especially in warm environments. Then, athlete and coaches could use melatonin ingestion as a method to pre-cooling, modulating applied stresses to cardio respiratory system during exercise in warm environments, improve their endurance performance and increase efficacy of recovery period.

Background: The aim of current study was the Evaluation of body composition, physiological indices and Motor-physical fitness of the first grade and last grade cadets of Emam Ali University.Materials and Methods: In this study 150 subjects with mean age of (18.5±0.5 and 23.1±0.31 years old) and weight of (65±7.05 and 67.4±8.13 kg) and mean height of (174.4±5.38 and 174.1±5.68 cm) were selected randomly and were assessed within two groups of first grade cadets (n=75) and last grade cadets (n=75). First collected data were compared with in first and last grade cadets, and then compared with USA military norms. For data analysis Independent Samples T Test was used (a=0.05).Results: Findings showed that there is a significant difference (P>0.05) between Motor-physical fitness indices of Emam Ali first and last grade cadets (except flexibility, balance and anaerobic power with lactic acid (P>0.05) ). In comparison with USA military officers› norm, Iranians especially last grade cadets in elements of flexibility, coordination, balance and anaerobic power were respectively in good, intermediate, excellent and under intermediate levels. Also in the cardio vascular and muscular endurance achieved higher scores than norm. There aren’t significant differences in body composition indices between first and last grade cadet (P<0.05). About body fat percent indices, in comparison with American officers, Iranian cadets were in the lower level than normal level. In addition, physiological indices of first and last grade cadets were significantly different (P<0.05).Conclusion: It is concluded that in the most of physical–motor fitness and body composition indices, final grade cadets are in more appropriate level than first grade cadets and norm. It can be as a result of effective training programs used in Emam Ali University.

Subject: Life expectancy is one of the most important health evaluation in a society. Expectancy is the expected (in the statistical sense) number of years of life remaining at a given age this study is a cross-sectional study for estimating life expectancy army staff (employed and retired) in 1387.Aim: We used from data that was in insurance army organization and calculated separately for males and females and different age groups.Method: At this study has been used health armed organization data we excluded number of insurance that they has been retired, jobbed or dead (with sex and age data in 1387) Data analyzed by SPSS software and then life expectancy and personnel ages were calculated by period life table in different ages and sex.Findings: In 1387 from 399630 persons 2883 (0.72 percent survey persons) passed away by different causes. 98.75 percent of dead people were male (2347) and 1.25percent (36 persons) were female. 96.8 percent of death people were retired. Females life expectancy was more than males according to statistical sense and average of life expectancy in the army forces was higher than country life expectancy.Discussion and Conclusion: Army stuff life expectancy average at this study in all ages was 3.87 years more than country expectancy.

Background: Unreasonable consumption of narcotic drugs may cause several problems such as the incidence of some side effects, dependence and inappropriate pain relief. Drug Utilization Review (DUR) program-that nowadays is one of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s priorities - is to assess the problems of drug prescribing and usage, and present reforming suggestion to medical providers.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in surgical ward of one of Tehran`s hospitals for Two Six months’ periods. At first a standard protocol was prepared. All hospitalized patients who had received narcotic drugs via injection after surgery entered the study.Results: In whole 200 reviewed patients, generally 26 (13%) patients taking narcotic drugs were according to protocol and 174 (87%) cases were against the protocol. In this cross-sectional study only 49 of 100 patients had pain relief after receiving narcotic drugs via injection.Conclusion: Physician orders were inappropriate and in 13 (6.5%) cases, there was no medical prescription.50% of patients still had pain after drug injection that was due to medical providers' concern for drug dependence in patients and lack of due supervision by the physician in charge.

Introduction: Hemorrhage in trauma is important and replacement of the blood loss is one of the ways which may reduce the number of mortalities. We decided to study the use of hypersaline serum in comparison with normal saline serum and not prescribing blowing serum in caring animal simulation model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock following trauma.Objectives: The assessment of 3% hyper saline serum application compared with saline normal serum and not prescribing blowing serum in caring animal simulation model of hemorrhagic shock in trauma.Materials and method: The animal lab investigation and the grant of this animal trial was provided by AJA University of medical science. The goats were sedated with Ketamine and Diazepam. The tracheostomy was done on the goat and was ventilated with portable ventilator. Continuous blood pressure and electrocardiogram monitoring was positioned. Animals were cut and blood volume was measured. The bleeding was not being controlled and after 300-350 ml of bleeding, the goats were randomized into 3 groups; those treated with normal saline 20 ml/kg (n=10), hypersaline 3% 6 ml/kg (n=10) and no fluid resuscitation (n=10). Data related to the duration of survival, volume of lost blood, blood pressure and metabolic acidosis were gathered and analyzed.Results: Blood volume loss in normal saline group, hypersaline group and no volume resuscitation group was 1139 ml, 1551 ml, 600 ml respectively. The mortality rate significantly increased using hypersaline. Also, blood acidosis increased and hemoglobin decreased significantly while using normal and hypersaline serum vs. no fluid resuscitation.Discussion and conclusion: Resuscitation with normal saline or hypersaline can increase blood loss during a hemorrhagic shock and do not improve survival.

Background: There are wide-ranging types of fungal infection and dependent on the site of involvement it is divided into five groups; superficial, cutaneous, mucocutaneous, subcutaneous and visceral infections. In humans cutaneous infection includes skin hair and nail disease.Materials and Methods: This study was done on 148 patients suspected to fungal infection. Samples were studied by direct smear and culture in S, SC and SCC culture media.Results: From 148 patients referred to Medical laboratory, 90 patients had cutaneous infection (60.8%) among which 11 were infected with Tinea versicolor (12.23%), 4 with Candidiasis (4.44%), 73 with dermatophytosis (81.11%) and finally 2 patient with Demodecosis (2.22%).Conclusion: In this study, dermatophytosis was the most prevalent infection and Tinea corporis had the most incidence among fungal infections. T. Verocosome, a zoophylic fungus, was the main culprit.

Background: A reflex cough is often observed after intravenous bolus of fentanyl. This study was conducted to determine whether pre-treatment with oral clonidine could attenuate fentanyl-induced cough.Materials and methods: Two groups, containing 80 patients each, were candidated for elective surgery under general anesthesia. They were randomly divided into case group, receiving preoprative oral clonidine tablet, and control group, receiving preoperative placebo. Then gathered data was analyzed with Chi – square, Mann-Whitney U, T-Student and Tukey tests by 13 spss software, version 13. The results were evaluated as the mean±SD and considered statistically significant for p<0.05.Results: Two groups were similar with demographic parameteres as age, weigh and sex (p>0.05).In the clonidine group severity and frequency of fentanyl induced cough were lower (p<0.05).The OAA/S scaling score in two groups were similar (p>0.05).Conclusion: Pre-medication with oral clonidine can effectively attenuate fentanyle-induced cough with an unknown mechanism.

Introduction: The goal of hospitalization of a mentally ill person is providing safety for him (her) and others. Especially if he (she) wanted to harm himself (herself). Usual wards cannot provide adequately for the treatment needs of all psychiatric patients. Structuring of the environment to bring about behavioral changes and to improve the psychological health and functioning of individuals is necessary.Aim: The main aim of this research is introduction of Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to controlling emergency state in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Results: Psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) were designed to create a safe and controlled environment for the management of acutely disturbed psychiatric patients on a short-term basis, with high staffing levels and a limited number of beds. In general, severely psychotic patients exhibiting poor impulse control and who were violent, suicidal, catatonic patients and those who were at nutritional risk due to their mental illness were admitted to psychiatric intensive care units. Many differences exist between these wards and usual sections. Nurses are able to provide a higher level of support and supervision. Nurses and other clinical staff spend therapeutic time directly with service users. No visitors are allowed on a ward during this time and no meetings take place.Conclusion: Threats of violence and self-harm (suicide) were the most significant factors associated with PICU admission. The unit provides a thorough medical, psychiatric and psychosocial assessment, as well as risk assessment for suicide or other violence. Further studies are required to examine the nature and operation of PICUs in other secure psychiatric settings. The PICU is now a well established part of many adult mental health provisions. Besides, our suggestion is opening such wards in psychiatrics hospital in Iran.

The reason why children are more prone to a dog bite is elusive. Some propose the theory that a young child who is playing can be interpreted as aggressive by the dog. however, the fact that in some reports children were killed by dogs while asleep proves that this theory does not hold in all cases.In this case, a 9-year-old boy was attacked by 8 different races of dogs escaping from a serologic research institute. At presentation, he was suffering from severe lacerations in head, neck, thorax and lower limbs.Unilateral neck abscess, cervical and mediastinal emphysema was detected in serial radiologic studies.To conclude, we can only draw attention to the fact that every year in the united status, 5% of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 years are bitten by dogs; Every year, 1 in 5 million dogs kills a child by biting; and there are currently 52 million dogs in the united states and 10 million in France. Something should be done to increase the awareness of public authorities and dog owners to this problem for which, unfortunately, preventive legislation seems to be advancing at a snail’s pace.