SADRA MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2015 | Volume:3 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Background: Knee replacement means replacing the damaged joint with an artificial joint to reduce pain and improve range of motion. This surgery is effective and commonly used in treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis. This research aimed to assess the effect of 8 weeks of Pilates exercises on pain, outcomes, and quality of life of female patients with total knee replacement.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 22 patients were selected through purposeful sampling and were randomly divided into an intervention (N=11) and a control (N=11) group. The patients in the intervention group took part in three 60-minute sessions of Pilates exercises for 8 weeks under the supervision of an instructor. In the same period, the patients in the control group did not participate in any exercise programs. Pain, outcomes, and quality of life were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS) in the two groups before and after exercise training. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (T-test for the difference between the means of the independent groups).Result: The results showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding pain, symptoms, daily activities, sport and recreational activities, and quality of life before the intervention. However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding pain intensity (P=0.001), symptoms (P=0.001), daily activities (P=0.001), sport and recreational activities (P=0.001), and quality of life (P=0.001) after the intervention.Conclusion: It seems that Pilates exercises can be useful as a complementary technique alongside medication and conventional therapy for rehabilitation of patients with total knee replacement.

Background: Scorpion stings are one of the major health problems in many tropical and developing countries. In Iran, especially the southern regions of the country, scorpion sting is one of the most important health issues; such a way that Khuzestan province is one of the most important foci of scorpion sting. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the individuals bitten by scorpions in Haft gel region, Khuzestan province.Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed at reviewing the medical records of the patients referring to the health center of Haft gel region, Khuzestan province within 2011-2012. The information about the study patients was extracted from their records and was entered into a checklist. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 19) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test.Results: Among the 459 cases, 48.4% and 51.6% were related to 2011 and 2012, respectively. Besides, 52% of the cases were male and 48% were female. The mean age of the male and female patients was 29.62±17.06 and 32.02±17.4 years, respectively. The highest and lowest percentages of bites were related to 20-29 and 60-69 year old age groups, respectively. In addition, 39.7%, 38.6%, 5.1%, and 16.5% of the bites were related to hands, feet, head and neck, and trunk, respectively. Moreover, the highest prevalence of scorpion stings was reported from June to September. The majority of the patients lived in urban areas and was homemaker. Furthermore, the case was caused by yellow, black, and uncertain scorpions in 52.4%, 32.1%, and 15.5% of the patients, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the findings, males more than females, younger age groups, hands and feet, and urban areas were at a higher risk of scorpion stings, especially in warm months. Therefore, families, particularly those living in urban areas, should be trained regarding safety and proper use of cover when walking.

Background: Due to the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and side effects of antibiotics, researchers aim at finding new herbal medicines. Several studies have proved the antibacterial effect of medicinal plants, such as Cuminum cyminum L. The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effect of Cuminum cyminum L. extract on some pathogenic bacteria in-vitro.Methods: In this in-vitro study, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Cuminum cyminum L. were prepared from seeds. Antibacterial effect of the extracts on several bacterial strains was evaluated using disk diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Then, the results were compared to the results of bacterial susceptibility to penicillin and amikacin antibiotics.Results: Cuminum cyminum L. aqueous and alcoholic extracts inhibited the growth of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (ATCC 25923). Diameters of zone of inhibition ranged from 10-22 and 14-22 mm for alcoholic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Considering methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (ATCC 700698), diameters of zone of inhibition ranged from 13-23 and 11-13 mm for alcoholic and aqueous extracts, respectively. These extracts were not effective in other tested bacteria. The alcoholic extract MIC was determined as 75±35.4 mg/mL for both MRSA and MSSA isolates.Conclusion: With respect to the antibacterial effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Cuminum cyminum L. on S. aureus isolates, further evaluation of the extracts for treatment of the infections caused by these bacteria is recommended.

Background: The role of physical activities in control and improvement of type II diabetes has always been considered. However, the effect of physical activity on diabetic patients’ renal function has been less taken into account. Therefore, the present research aimed to evaluate the effect of a ten-week resistance training program on some selected biochemical factors of renal function in patients with type II diabetes.Methods: In this study, 21 patients between 40 and 60 years old who suffered from type II diabetes were randomly assigned to an intervention (N=11) and a control (N=10) group. The intervention included a progressive resistance training program which involved 6 exercises using weight machines performed twice or thrice a week for 10 weeks. The participants completed 3 sets of 12 repetitions of each exercise and discontinued exercising in case they got tired. The intervention was performed in a special stadium. The control group continued their usual activities. For measuring Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and Urea (BUN), Creatinin (Cr), and Uric Acid (UAc) serum levels, blood samples were obtained from the subjects at the beginning and end of the 10 weeks. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software.Results: Exercise program resulted in a significant decrease in the intervention group’s GFR (P=0.003) and BUN (P=0.05) and Cr (P=0.001) serum levels. However, no significant changes were found in UAc concentration. The above-mentioned factors showed no significant changes in the control group.Conclusion: The findings of this research suggested that the 10-week progressive resistance training led to a significant improvement in GFR and BUN and Cr serum levels. Therefore, this method can be effective in improvement of the subjects’ renal function.

Background: Motivation is one of the effective factors in increasing employees’ efficiency in an organization. One of the most common theories for assessment of motivation is Maslow's hierarchy of needs whose results can be used to increase organizational efficiency. This study aimed to determine the effects of motivational factors based on Maslow's hierarchy on increase of efficiency from the viewpoints of the staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2014.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 staff working at the central building of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences selected through stratified sampling and simple random sampling methods. The study data were collected using a questionnaire including the effective factors in increasing efficiency based on Maslow's hierarchy. The collected data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 18.0) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-Test, and ANOVA.Results: The results showed that the highest and lowest mean scores were related to need for self-actualization and need for prestige, respectively. Besides, no significant association was found between the effect of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs on increase of efficiency and demographic characteristics (P>0.05).Conclusions: According to the results, need for self-actualization followed by need for belonging, need for security, physiological needs, and need for prestige were priorities of effect on efficiency. Therefore, organizations’ managers and authorities are recommended to apply appropriate motivational factors based on these priorities and needs.

Background: Due to inappropriate postures, high workload, and lack of physical fitness, farmers are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in rice farmers of Babol. Then, the effect of 8 weeks of corrective exercises on neck, back, shoulder, and wrist disorders was evaluated.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on a sample of rice farmers from Babol. At first, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was assessed using Nordic questionnaire. Then, 34 subjects who had reported the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders were selected as the sample and participated in an exercise program. The program consisted of three 40-60-minute sessions of corrective exercises continued for 8 weeks. After all, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 19) and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Result: During the last 12 months, the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the target population was 58% in low back, 50% in wrist, 30% in elbow, 20% in upper back, 12% in shoulders, and 12% in neck. The applied corrective exercise program was effective in decreasing the musculoskeletal disorders (P<0.05).Conclusions: The study findings showed the high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders in rice farmers and suggested that corrective exercises were effective in improvement and reduction of these disorders. This implies that posture examination and use of corrective exercises are necessary and useful for rice farmers.

Background: Information literacy refers to the total skills a person requires to survive in an informational society. This research aimed to assess the effect of type of universities of medical sciences on medical students’ information literacy skills by comparing the information literacy of senior medical students in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences in east, southeast, and southwest of the country.Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences in 2013. A questionnaire was used to assess the level of cognition and utilization of information resources among senior medical students. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 16.Results: According to the findings, 54% of the research population were male and 46% were female. Besides, 47%, 33%, and 20% studied in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences, respectively. The mean information literacy of the senior medical students was 4.02 in type 1, 3.51 in type 2, and 2.97 in type 3 universities of medical sciences. Thus, information literacy of the research community in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences were favorable, partly favorable, and average, respectively.Conclusion: Expansion of research facilities in type 1 universities has provided the ground for performing research activities and students’ mastering on information literacy skills. Therefore, comprehensive attention should be paid to student research committees of types 2 and 3 universities in order to improve students’ information literacy skills.

Equity in health implies that all the individuals who need healthcare services must be able to access them timely and adequately. The present study aimed to assess the role and trend of equity in development and implementation of development plans in the health sector. This review study was conducted in databases, such as Magiran, IranMedex, website of Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, and website of Parliament of Islamic Republic of Iran, in 2014. For this purpose, we searched keywords, such as strategy, health, and equity, in a five-year period (1988-2014). Finally, 26 related documents were selected. According to the results, the first development plan stressed rural areas and deprived regions of the country. In the second and third plans, in addition to what was emphasized in the first plan, increasing services efficiency and necessity for optimal application of healthcare facilities were considered, as well. Eventually, distributive equity, family physician, and referral system were focused in the fourth and fifth plans. In conclusion, tracking the changes through the study years revealed that emphasis was put more on process rather than structure. Individuals’ needs and expectations are changing and satisfying them fairly requires deeper look into various sectors of the society for development and implementation of development plans.