Iranian Journal of War and Public Health
Year:2023 | Volume:15 | Issue:3|Papers Count:15

Aims: Lower limb amputee veterans are at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to physical problems and depression after the accident caused by amputation. Aerobic and resistance training are effective interventions in improving heart structure and function. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic and combined exercises on the structure and function of the heart of lower limb amputation veterans. Materials & Methods: This semi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was designed with two interventions and one control group. 45 randomly selected samples were divided into three groups: Aerobic training (15 people), combined training (15 people) and control (15 people). The experimental groups received the relevant intervention for 12 weeks. One-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, and paired T-test were used in SPSS 25 software to analyze the data. Findings: After 12 weeks of intervention, the groups had significant differences in weight (p=0.001) and body mass index (p=0.001). There were significant weight losses in the aerobic (p=0.001) and combined (p=0.001) training groups compared to the control group. Also, a significant decrease in body mass index was observed in the aerobic (p=0.001) and combined (p=0.001) training groups compared to the control group. A significant decrease in weight and body mass index was observed in the aerobic (p=0.001) and combined (p=0.003) training groups from pre-test to post-test. Conclusion: Upper-body aerobic training alone and in combination with resistance training affects the functional and structural indicators of the heart in lower-limb amputees.

Aims: The Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), one of the most ubiquitous lizards in the world, is characterized by its pantropical distribution and is heavily populated in Iraqi homes. The present study was conducted with the aim of histomorphological examination of the dorsal skin of Hemidactylus farnatus in Iraq. Materials and Methods: Ten Hemidactylus frenatus were examined, which were gathered from various parts of the Najaf Province, Iraq. They were fixed by adhesive and were killed by chloroform. The skin was investigated by histological technique and light microscopy. Findings: The epidermis and dermis were examined in vertical sections of the skin. In comparison to the ventral region, the dorsal region's skin was more keratinized and rougher. Conclusion: In Hemidactylus frenatus, the epidermis is covered in overlapping, flattened scales all over the body. The epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer make up the majority of the dorsal skin's three layers. In the basal layer of the epidermis, massive, dendritic black melanophores are observed. The horizontally arranged brownish granule-containing iridophores are adjacent to the basement membrane of the epidermis.

Aims: This study was done to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of ipragliflozin during endotoxemia in mice. Materials & Methods: Twenty-four adult male Swiss-albino mice aged 8-12 weeks (25-35g) were randomized into four equal groups (n=6): sham (laparotomy without cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), sepsis (laparotomy with CLP), vehicle (equivalent volume of DMSO before CLP), and ipragliflozin (3mg/kg/day, orally before CLP). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and P-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 levels were assessed in the brain tissue and histological examination was done. Findings: The tissue levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1B in the sham group were much lower than in the sepsis and vehicle groups. Furthermore, the ipragliflozin group had considerably lower tissue levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1B compared to the sepsis and vehicle groups. However, the sham group showed much lower tissue levels of TLR4 and STAT3 compared to the sepsis and vehicle groups. Also, the tissue levels of TLR4 and STAT3 in the ipragliflozin group were considerably lower than those in the sepsis and vehicle groups. Histopathology analysis demonstrated that ipragliflozin might considerably reduce brain damage compared to sepsis and vehicle groups that showed interstitial edema and included glial cells with pyknotic nuclei. Conclusion: Ipragliflozin attenuates brain dysfunction during CLP-induced polymicrobial sepsis in male mice.

Aims: Employees of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) are psychologically more vulnerable than other jobs due to the inherent characteristics of the military job. Considering the importance of this issue, the main aim of the current research was to predict the cognitive emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being in FARAJA forces based on the level of physical activity. Instrument & Methods: The present research was a descriptive-correlational study, which was conducted in 2022. The research population included all the male personnel of FARAJA in Yazd City, of whom 182 individuals were selected based on the available sampling. The research tools were the Psychological Well-Being Scale (2002), the Garnefski Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2002), and the Sharkey Physical Activity Index (1997). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression using SPSS version 25 software. Findings: The physical activity levels can significantly predict the variables of adjusted emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being in the male FARAJA personnel (p<0.01). However, due to the low correlation with the non-adjusted emotion regulation strategies, the physical activity levels could not significantly predict this variable (p=0.48). Conclusion: According to the results on predicting emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being based on the level of physical activity, it is suggested to provide appropriate programs and considerations for the participation of FARAJA male employees in regular physical activities.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of an educational package containing the ability to enjoy, the well-being of PERMA, and the perspective of time on the vitality of the children of veterans. Materials & Methods: The current semi-experimental research with the pre-test post-test and follow-up design and a control group was done on 72 high school students with veteran parents in the academic year 2022-20233 in Isfahan City. The samples were selected by purposeful sampling and randomly assigned to three experimental groups (18 people each) and a control group (18 people). Those in the experimental groups participated in parallel and simultaneous training sessions on the ability to enjoy, PERMA well-being, and time perspective and the the control group received no intervention. Data were collected by the Academic Vitality Questionnaire by Dehghanizadeh and Chari (2019). To analyze the data, repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Findings: There was a significant difference in academic vitality, ability to enjoy, PERMA well-being, and time perspective between the three experimental groups and the control group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the three experimental groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this research emphasize the importance of paying attention to the academic vitality of children of veterans and have important practical implications for educational interventions useful for them.

Aims: Families of war veterans continue to experience the consequences of war, including psychological and emotional impacts, years after the end of the conflict. This study aimed to explore the experiences of adult offsprings of war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants & Methods: This research employed a qualitative research method using a content analysis approach. Nine adult offsprings of war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using a contractual approach based on the Graneheim & Lundman model. Lincoln and Guba's criteria confirmed the research's validity and reliability. Findings: The initial coding and formation of meaningful units led to data classification into 13 subcategories based on commonalities. Ultimately, five main categories were identified; an unsafe childhood, witnessing endless suffering due to their father's condition, challenges in their mother's life, empathy with their father, and fears, anxieties, and mental struggles. Conclusion: Adult offsprings of war veterans experience various challenging events that significantly impact their quality of life.

Aims: Congenital hand anomalies are abnormal conditions presented at birth regardless of their cause. These abnormalities may lead to structural or functional disorders in children. The treatment of pediatric hand anomalies has been controversial, and the agreement on the gold standard for the treatment of this malformation in children has yet to be ambiguous. Information & Methods: The aim of the present study was to review studies on splinting in congenital hand anomalies using ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases published from 1990 to 2023. Findings: A total of 344 articles were found and finally, 13 articles were reviewed, of which six cases were at evidence level I (one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and five reviews), two cases were at evidence level II,  two cases were at evidence level III, one study was at evidence level IV, and two cases were at evidence level V. The methodological quality assessment of the one and five included RCTs and systematic review studies showed the moderate-to-high quality of the studies based on the scores≥5 using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) scales. Conclusion: The use of a splint alone in the function of the upper limbs of children suffering from congenital hand abnormalities cannot be presented as an effective solution.. The use of splints as the first line of congenital hand anomalies in children can be useful if prescribed during infancy and in some congenital anomalies, such as thumb and radial hand. The best treatment process for children with other hand anomalies is surgery and timely prescription of a splint.

Aims: Amputation refers to removing a limb's defective or useless portion. Although it is an awful solution, amputation may be the only strategy that can save lives. This study was done to identify the causes of amputation and build a database for assessing healthcare. Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study, which excluded cases of congenital amputations, included all cases admitted to Ghazi Al-Hariri Hospital for surgical specialties in the center of the medical city of Baghdad from January 2016 to January 2021. Findings: A total of 19744 patients were hospitalized in the orthopedics and trauma department, with 12381 male patients (63%) and 7363 female patients (37%). Also, 748 cases (4% of all cases) had their limbs amputated, of whom 499 cases (67%) were male and 249 cases (33%) were female. For both sexes, the average age was 46 years. The average hospital stay was close to five days. Lower limbs made up 677 cases (91%). However, the difference between these sides was too tiny to be taken into account. Trauma affected 269 patients (36%), complications from diabetes mellitus were found in 232 patients (31%), peripheral vascular ischemia affected 205 patients (27%), malignant tumor cases affected 32 patients (4%), infection was found in only three patients (0.4%), COVID-19 and rheumatologic affected only two patients (0.26%), and burn and chronic ulcers that did not respond to treatment affected just one patient (0.13%). Conclusion: Male gender and younger ages were found with lower limb disease. Both sides were affected equally. COVID-19 may present as an ischemic limb.

Aims: The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of DBT-PE combined treatment protocol, dialectical behavior therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy in reducing self-injury behaviors of veterans with PTSD. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted with a pre-test/post-test design with a control group and a follow-up. The statistical population of the research was made up of all veterans with PTSD who were referred to Isar Psychiatric Hospital in Ardabil, Iran, in 2022. The research sample consisted of 80 veterans with PTSD, who were selected from the statistical population as a purposeful sampling, considering the acceptance of veterans to participate in the research in the first place and having the entry criteria. To collect data, the Inventory of Statements about Self-injury was used. The first experimental group received DBT (10 sessions of 90 minutes), the second experimental group received PE (10 sessions of 90 minutes), and the third experimental group received DBT-PE (16 sessions of 90 to 120 minutes). Findings: All three intervention methods were effective in reducing self-injury behaviors of veterans with PTSD (p<0.01); However, the effect of combined treatment was greater than the other two interventions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The combined treatment method has a greater effect in reducing self-injury behaviors in veterans with PTSD compared to prolonged exposure therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Also, prolonged exposure therapy has a greater effect than dialectical behavior therapy.

Aims: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) are known as one of the most important leading causes of loss of duty time among military personnel. A practical approach to reducing the risk of MSKI and related consequences seems beneficial to identify at-risk personnel. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether chronic pain and physical fitness can predict scores of FMS tests in Navy personnel. Instrument & Methods: 125 active-duty Navy personnel aged 18-38 participated in this cross‐sectional study at Bandar Abbas City, Iran, in 2021 winter. Susceptibility to MSKI was assessed using Functional Movement Screening, and Physical Fitness was measured using 60-second push-up and sit-up, deep squat jump, and Cooper's 12-minute run tests. Chronic pain intensity was evaluated using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire-Extended and Visual Analog Scale, respectively. A multiple linear regression model was applied to predict FMS scores. Findings: The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of the subjects were 28.5±8.5 years, 178.9±10.2cm, 76.2±9.5kg, and 24.7±3.3kg/m2, respectively. The sit-up (p=0.002), Cooper's test distance (p=0.001), and chronic pain index (p=0.04) predicted 83% of the variance of the FMS score significantly.  Conclusion: Sit-up number, Cooper test score, and chronic pain are the predictors of musculoskeletal injuries of Navy active personnel that predicate 83% of the variance of the functional movement screening test.

Aims: This research has been conducted to investigate the effects of eight weeks of sports exercises in water on sleep disturbance and alexithymia in inactive veterans. Materials & Methods: This semi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test control group design was conducted in the Spring of 2023. The research statistical population consisted of all non-athlete veterans, over 25% of anatomy being disabled (inactive) in Ilam city, Iran, among whom 28 individuals were selected by available and voluntary sampling and were divided randomly into two groups; experimental and control. Standard sleep quality questionnaires of Pittsburgh (1989) and Toronto Alexithymia (1994) were used to collect data. For analyzing the data, univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance was employed in SPSS 24 software. Findings: Before the exercise intervention, there were no significant differences in sleep disturbance and alexithymia between the experimental and control groups, and the two groups were homogeneous. However, after the exercise intervention, improvements in sleep disturbance and alexithymia were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Sports exercises in water have a negative impact on sleep disturbance and alexithymia in the veteran population.

Introduction: This paper adopted a desk review of existing information from peer-reviewed articles, scientific reports, and grey literature through triangulation of data sources. This article aimed to provide a concise and comprehensive overview of some environmental and public health problems resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war. Conclusion: Just sixteen months into the face-off, the crisis has been characterized by diverse public health challenges such as environmental-induced pollution; nuclear and technological threat; energy crisis; food insecurity; humanitarian castatropic; and the likelihood of a surge in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has caused civilian casualities, forcing people to flee their homes seeking safety and protection. So far, it is estimated that 9,083 civilians have been killed and 15,779 injured in Ukraine; with over 18 millions refugees diplayed within and outside Ukraine as of 19th June, 2023. Furthermore, the war has notably triggered food price spike, economic pressure and social stress in most part of Africa, with the inclination to precipitate political upheaval especially in volatile countries in the continent. We opined that prompt attention should be given by international bodies and humanitarian agencies to restore public health sanity in Ukraine by providing critical protection services and humanitarian assistance. Conclusively, a cease-fire by the belligerent nations remains the only panacea to the highlighted problem.

Aims: One extremely important public health challenge worldwide is diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a rising concern around the globe. Early revealing of Type 2 diabetes mellitus is very significant in that morbidity associated with the condition can be decreased. Studies have proposed that insulin-like growth factor-1 has roles similar to that of insulin. The existing study was implemented to reveal the alliance of single nucleotide polymorphism rs10860860 of the IGF-1 gene with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Merjan Hospital in Babylon Province, Iraq, in 2022. The available random sampling method selected two groups of healthy individuals (n=50 as control) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (n=158 as study). The serum levels of glucose and zinc were determined by spectrophotometric method. The serum IGF-1 level was estimated using the sandwich ELISA technique. The students’ T and Chi-square tests were used to assess data in SPSS 21 software. Findings: The different levels of glucose, zinc, and IGF-1 were significant between the two groups. Genotyping frequencies of the IGF-1 gene deviated from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the control group (χ2=9.158; p=0.002) while were consistent in the study group (χ 2=2.482; p=0.115). The AT genotype was associated with lower odds of Type 2 diabetes mellitus than those of the wild genotype AA.    Conclusion: The AT genotype of IGF-1 gene SNP rs10860860 negatively associates with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Aims: Type 2 diabetes is a major public health threat that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly women. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum lipid levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in female patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials & Methods: This retrospective experimental study was conducted at Al-Karkh Private Laboratory, Baghdad, Iraq, from 3 July 2022 to 8 March 2023 in female patients records who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Fifty-nine type 2 diabetes patients and 23 healthy individuals were selected using the appropriate sampling method. Data was collected from medical records and laboratory results of the patients. The relationship of serum lipids and erythrocyte sedimentation rate with diabetes was evaluated using an independent sample T-test. Findings: Patients with higher ESR, VLDL, LDL, TG, or total cholesterol levels had lower HDL levels, indicating a correlation with type 2 diabetes. There were significant differences between the two groups of diabetic patients and healthy individuals below and over 30 in every parameter except HDL. Conclusion: Increased levels of very-low-density lipoprotein are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. High levels of low-density lipoprotein are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Aims: Amputation has become one of the problems of today's society, whether it is related to lifestyle or due to accident or disease. There are a large number of people who have amputated one or both lower limbs, and this situation is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to assess the self-esteem and its correlation with quality of life in amputees. Instruments & Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted in the Babylon Rehabilitation Center from October 1, 2022 to March 10, 2023. The study sample was 200 amputees referred to Babylon Rehabilitation Center, which selected based on nonprobability sampling approach. Research variables were measured by Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Findings: The mean age of participants was 51.0±14.42 years. 54.0% and 60.5% of amputees had low self-esteem and poor quality of life, respectively. The self-esteem in amputees predicted variables of psychological quality of life (p=0.0001), social quality of life (p=0.001) and overall quality of life (p=0.0001). Conclusions: Amputees who participate in rehabilitation have a very low overall quality of life and self-esteem, and there is a direct correlation between self-esteem and quality of life in amputees.