Journal of Arak University Medical Sciences
Year:2022 | Volume:24 | Issue:6 (154)|Papers Count:12

Background: Physical activity has multiple health benefits, yet its association with female fertility remains unclear. Considering the critical effects of lifestyle on reproductive health, this study aimed to compare the physical activity and body composition of fertile and infertile women in Arak during 2021. Methods: This study is a case-control study that was performed on 200 fertile and infertile women (20 to 40 years old) referred to the infertility center in Arak who was selected through the convenience sampling. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, physical activity and sedentary behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of fertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior and body composition. Results: The level of physical activity (P=0. 001) and body mass index (P=0. 03) in infertile women were lower and higher compared to fertile women, respectively. In women with moderate level of physical activity (odds ratio 4. 42 and 95% confidence interval: 1. 60, 12. 99 and P=0. 004) the chance of infertility decreases. Women who spend more than 300 minutes a day sedentary are 2. 07 times more likely to have fertility problems than women who are physically active (odds ratio 2. 07 and 95% confidence interval: 1. 36, 3. 14 and P=0. 001). Conclusion: This study shows that low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are independent risk factors associated with infertility, so to prevent and even treat infertility, more attention should be paid to lifestyle behaviors in women.

Letter to Editor, Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 has caused numerous economic, social, medical and political problems in the world [1]. It causes various illnesses such as cold and severe respiratory syn-drome [2]. The Covid 19 pandemic is more widespread compared to previous epidemics, indicating the extremely high contagious power of this virus [3]. . .

Background and Aim Despite improvements in medical therapy and standard care, exercise-based rehabilitation programs have been shown to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in patients with Myocardial Infarction (MI). This study aims to review the exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation strategies in patients with MI, focusing on the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Methods & Materials This is a systematic review study. A search was conducted in reputable databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Springer on related studies without restriction of publication year using the keywords: “, microRNAs (miRNA) and myocardial infarction”, , “, cardiac rehabilitation and myocardial infarction”, , “, cardiac rehabilitation and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)”, , and “, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Myocardial infarction”, . Ethical Considerations All Ethical principles in writing were in accordance with the instructions of the National Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations. Results The HIIT is a safe and effective method to improve cardiac function in patients with MI. It exerts significant changes in molecular targets and cellular pathways to prevent abnormal changes in mass, size, geometry, and function of heart after MI. Conclusion HIIT protects the heart against adverse left ventricular remodeling after MI by targeting oxidative stress-induced myocardial necroptosis, and can be considered an integral part of post-MI cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Background and Aim Dysphagia is a common problem in people with Down Syndrome. In laboratory studies, electromyography can be used to evaluate mastication. This study aims to compare Electromyography (EMG) of the masseter and temporalis muscles during mastication in children with and without Down syndrome aged 2-12 years. Methods & Materials This is a descriptive-analytical and case-control study that was conducted on 15 children with Down Syndrome and 15 healthy children matched for age and gender. Ethical Considerations The protocol of this study was approved by the ethics committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR. ARAKMU. REC. 1396. 76). The personal information of participants was kept confidential, and written informed consent was obtained from the parents. Results In comparing the mean amplitude of EMG signals, there was a significant difference between the two groups in all muscles during mastication, except for the right temporalis muscle. In the mean frequency of EMG signals during mastication, there was a significant difference between the two groups in all muscles except for the left temporalis muscle. In comparing the median frequency of EMG signals, the difference was not significant in most muscles. Conclusion Mean amplitude and mean frequency of EMG signals for most muscles during mastication are different between children with and without Down syndrome, but the difference in median frequency is not significant for any muscles.

Background and Aim Evaluating variability can help to investigate the process underlying motor coordination problems. The current study aims to measure motor coordination and its variability in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Moreover, the symmetry of motor coordination variability in these children and the relationship between motor competence and variability are evaluated. Methods & Materials Participants were 15 children with DCD and 20 non-DCD children aged 7-10 years. They were assessed using Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and performed a contralateral hand-foot coordination task. Using motion capture system, motor coordination and variability were recorded and calculated using the continuous relative phase and its standard deviation, respectively. Ethical Considerations The study with an ethical code (IR. UT. SPORT. REC. 1396030) obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran. Results Children with DCD showed significantly higher coordination variability, while there was no significant difference between the groups in performing the coordination task. Moreover, the variability of motor coordination was found asymmetrical in children with DCD. Finally, more variability was shown to be associated with lower score of motor competence in MABC-2. Conclusion There is a need for employing assessments for underlying process of movement coordination such as variability, which can help provide more comprehensive understanding of motor patterns of children with DCD and the strategies that they adopt to perform a movement.

Background and Aim Infertility is defined as inability to become pregnant with regular sexual intercourse for more than one year without using preventive methods. Infertility has negative effects on the quality of life of infertile couples. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of infertility counseling in improving the quality of life of infertile couples in Iran. Methods & Materials This randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 infertile couples with primary infertility in 2017. They were allocated to two groups of intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) by simple randomization method. The intervention group received infertility counseling at six 45-minute sessions twice a week, while the control group received routine care. The Fertility Quality of Life questionnaire was completed before and after intervention. For data analysis in SPSS 19 software, paired t-test, MannWhitney U test, and Chi-square test were used. Ethical Considerations Kerman University of Medical Sciences approved this research (Code: IR. KMU. REC. 1395. 678) was obtained from. Results Comparison of the differences between the means of quality of life in the intervention and control groups before and after counseling showed that infertility counseling significantly increased the quality of life in the intervention group (P<0. 0001). Conclusion Infertility counseling can improve the quality of life in infertile couples and can lead to more satisfaction and cooperation in infertility treatment.

Background and Aim Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. There are different therapeutic approaches for their treatment. The evidence of the positive effect of exercise therapy on this pathology is inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a combined exercise program on improvement of shoulder pain and function in patients with rotator cuff injuries. Methods & Materials In this clinical trial, 24 patients (Mean age= 51. 5 years) with confirmed rotator cuff injuries in clinical examination and shoulder MRI received the 12-week exercise protocol at four phases. The 12-week exercise protocol included strengthening, stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and dynamic stabilization exercises. Pain was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and function was measured by two questionnaires,the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and western Ontario rotator cuff index (WORC). Range of motion (ROM) of shoulder joint was measured in five directions by a goniometer. All outcomes were evaluated before the intervention and 6, 12, 24 weeks after the intervention. Ethical Considerations This study was registered by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Code: IRCT20100718004409N13). The written informed consent was obtained from all participants before the study. Results Of 24 patients, 14 (53. 8%) had supraspinatus tendinopathy, 6 (23%) had supraspinatus tear, 3 (12. 5%) were with both Supraspinatus and biceps tendinopathy, and one (4. 16%) with both subscapularis and supraspinatus tendinopathy. The VAS score decreased at all follow-up periods especially in the 24th week (8±, 0. 1 vs 3±, 0. 1) (P< 0. 001). Shoulder ROM and function based on WORC and DASH scores were also improved from pretest phase to 24 weeks after intervention which were statistically significant (P< 0. 001). Conclusion The 12-week exercise protocol is effective on reduction of shoulder pain and improvement of shoulder function and ROM in patients with shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tear. It has a lasting effect of 6 months.

Background and Aim The most concern in children with head and facial trauma is the effects of the trauma and the treatment on their growth considering the possibility that the teeth with different stages of evolution in the fracture line have different prognosis in growth and deformity. The present study aims to examine the status of the teeth in the fracture lines of children in order to check the effects of head and facial trauma on these teeth. Methods & Materials Participants were 28 children under 12 years of age with jaw fracture admitted to the maxillofacial surgery department of Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran from 2010 to 2016. Their information was extracted from their medical files and the teeth in the fracture line were clinically evaluated. Panoramic graphs were taken immediately after and 6 to 24 months after the surgery. The information examined in the panoramic graphs included the internal and external erosion, pathological lesion, and eruption rate of the teeth in the fracture line. Ethical Considerations This article was approved by the ethics committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (Ethical Code: IR. KMU. REC. 1396. 1398). Results It was found that 60. 7% of the fractures occurred in the lower jaw, of which 67. 9% were treated by closed reduction method and 10. 7% by open reduction method. Moreover, 89. 3% of the teeth had no pathological lesion. In 78. 6% and 71. 4% of cases, no dental discoloration and necrosis were observed, respectively. Moreover, 82. 1% of the teeth had reached full eruption. Conclusion Most of the teeth in the fracture line reaches full eruption with no pathological lesion, discoloration, root deformity, and looseness, and there is no difference in this respect between patients received open and closed reduction methods.

Background and Aim Acinetobacter baumannii causes various nosocomial infections and has a high antibiotic resistance. Probiotics can produce metabolites with antimicrobial properties. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial ability of probiotics against nosocomial pathogens by inhibiting the ompA gene expression effective in biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods & Materials The antimicrobial properties of probiotics against nosocomial pathogens were evaluated phenotypically. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to identify the ompA gene in Acinetobacter baumannii. After treatment with Bacillus licheniformis supernatant, the ompA gene expression was compared before and after treatment with real-time PCR technique. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Islamic Azad University, Qom branch (Code: IR. IAU. QOM. REC. 1398. 004). Results Among the study probiotics, Bacillus licheniformis supernatant had the best antimicrobial properties against nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii A52, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC19606, Kelebsiella pneumonia ATCC70063, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Bacillus licheniformis supernatant also significantly reduced the biofilm formation and ompA gene expression in Acinetobacter baumannii. Conclusion Bacillus licheniformis can produce substances with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. It can be used for controlling the causative agents of nosocomial infections.

Background and Aim Different implant angulation, which is unavoidable in clinical situations, can affect the accuracy of impression. This study aims to investigate the effect of implant angulation on the accuracy of placing impression coping on implants with internal hex. Methods & Materials A gypsum model of 4 implants with internal hex connection was prepared. The implants were installed in different mesiodistal angles of 0, 15, 25 and 35 degrees to the longitudinal axis in the gypsum model. To simulate the gums, a gingival material was injected around the implant analog with a height of 2 mm. After a training session for senior dental students on how to place the impression coping, 40 students were volunteered to place the impression copings on four implants. The accuracy of impression coping placement was evaluated by a prosthodontist. Data were statistically analyzed using Cochran Q test. Significance level was set at 0. 05. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR. ARAKMU. REC. 1397. 283). Results The percentage of correct impression coping placement on the implants at angles of 0, 15, 25 and 35 degrees was 85%, 72%, 52%, 35%, respectively. Except for implants at 0 and 15 degrees, a statistically significant difference was observed between different groups of implant angulation. Conclusion The implant angulation has a significant effect on the accuracy of impression coping placement on the implants with internal hex,by increasing the implant angulation, the accuracy of impression coping placement decreases.

Background and Aim A common infection in complete or partial dentures is denture stomatitis. One of the most important factors in the adhesion of Candida albicans is the surface and chemical properties of the denture base materials. This study aims to evaluate the surface roughness and adhesion of Candida albicans to two different types of acrylic materials (Vertex and Ivoclar). Methods & Materials In this experimental study, 16 samples were prepared from each Vertex and Ivoclar acrylic resin. The surface roughness of the samples was measured by a profilometer. The samples were then placed in a cell suspension of Candida albicans. After incubation and staining with acridine orange, the yeast cells attached to the acrylic samples were counted using a fluorescent microscope. Data were statistically analyzed by t-test. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR. ARAKMU. REC. 1398. 301) Results There was no statistically significant difference in the mean surface roughness between the two study groups (P=0. 311). However, Candida albicans colonization in ivoclar acrylic was significantly lower than in vertex acrylic (P=0. 000). Conclusion Differences in surface topography and physical and chemical properties of Vertex and Ivoclar acrylic resin affect the adhesion of Candida albicans.