Effects of backpack-induced fatigue on gait ground reaction force characteristics in primary school children with flat-foot deformity

This study aimed to assess the effects of backpack carriage in different weights and muscle fatigue on the GRF components in primary school children with flat-foot deformity. The GRF components from 42 primary school children (21 with low arch, and 21 with normal) were collected before and after backpack-induced fatigue protocol during shod walking with backpacks in weight 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% of the child's bodyweight. The amplitudes of Fx2 of 10%BW and Fz3 of 7.5%BW in the flatfeet group were less than in the healthy group without fatigued condition. (P < 0.05). After fatiguing, the amplitudes of Fx2 of 7.5%BW, Fz3 of 12.5 and 15%BW were significantly decreased in the low arch group than those in the healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Within-group comparisons of measured Fx2 of 10%BW, Fy1 (7.5,10 and 15%BW), Fy2 of 7.5%BW, FZ1 (7.5,10 and 15%BW), FZ2 (7.5,10 and 15%BW), and TTP of TFz1 of 7.5%BW, TFz3 (7.5,10 and 12.5%BW), Loading rate (7.5,10 and 15%BW) were significantly different from pre- to post-fatigue in the flatfeet group(P < 0.05). Within-group comparisons of measured Fy1 of 10%BW, Fy2 (7.5% and 10%BW), FZ1 (7.5% and 10%BW), FZ2 (7.5% and 10%BW), and TTP of TFz3 of 7.5%BW, Loading rate (7.5% and 10%BW) were significantly different from pre- to post-fatigue in the healthy group (P < 0.05). It seems that TTP of GRF variables does have clinical importance for rehabilitation of flatfeet deformity. Carrying heavy backpacks and backpack-induced fatigue had different effects on GRF characteristics among children with low and normal foot arch.

SLC30A8, CDKAL1, TCF7L2, KCNQ1 and IGF2BP2 are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Iranian Patients

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious public health issue with significantly increasing rates across the world. The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have previously manifested involved genes that remarkably enhance the risk of T2DM. In this study, the association of common variants with T2DM risk has been identified among Iranian population from Tehran province of Iran.

METHODS

Here, the association of refSNPs with T2DM risk was examined on peripheral blood samples of 268 individuals including control group and patients with T2DM using the tetra amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) methods and direct genomic DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated that SLC30A8 rs13266634 (T/C), CDKAL1 rs10946398 (A/C), TCF7L2 rs7903146 (C/T), KCNQ1 rs2237892 (T/C), and IGF2BP2 rs1470579 (A/C) polymorphisms are significantly associated with type 2 diabetes, but no significant association was identified for FTO rs8050136 and MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphisms.

CONCLUSION

The prediction of refSNPs is remarkably needed for pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomic approaches, in which the information would be useful for clinicians to optimize therapeutic strategies and adverse drug reactions in patients with T2DM.

High prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection among injection drug users in Iran: the need to increase vaccination of adults at risk

We measured the prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) among male injection drug users (IDUs) in Detention, Tehran, Iran. A cross-sectional survey included 499 male IDUs arrested by police during a predetermined police sweep in Tehran (February, 2006). A questionnaire was filled out for each individual. Blood specimens were collected for HBsAg testing. Prevalence of HBsAg was 5.8% (95% CI 3.6-7.9). The majority of chronic HBV infections, 69.2%, were among adults age 25 to 34 years. The high prevalence of HBsAg highlights the need for special efforts to increase vaccination among adult populations at risk for HBV infection in order to reducing continuing transmission and stave off future high burden of disease.

Substance-dependent professional drivers in Iran: a descriptive study

OBJECTIVE

To determine characteristics of a nationwide sample of Iranian dependent drug users whose main profession is driving.

METHODS

Data were derived from a larger study, which aimed to describe pattern of drug dependency in Iran. A "driver" was defined as a person whose main profession was driving a motor vehicle to earn a living. Nine hundred twenty individuals were interviewed by a trained drug abuse team in all provinces of Iran during a 5-month period, from April to August 2007. Socioeconomic characteristics, substance abused, and high-risk behaviors were collected by a checklist.

RESULTS

All drivers were male and their mean (+/- standard deviation) age was 35.1 (+/- 8.6) years. Opioids (434 cases, 46.8%) and kerack (256 cases, 27.6%) were the two most common drugs used. Except for buprenorphine, which was used via intravenous injection, inhalation was the dominant method of us in other substances including opioids (56%), heroin (51.4%), kerack (80.1%), methamphetamine (73.9%), and cannabis (77.8%). Extramarital sexual relationships (414 cases, 45%) and nonfatal intoxication (362 cases, 39.3%) were the two most frequent high-risk behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

There are people with drug dependencies who drive for living in Iran. Deterrence programs through screening and random drug testing at police stations and legislation regarding charges of drugged drivers and prohibition from driving for long time periods are essential priorities in traffic safety.

Hepatitis B carriers in large vehicle drivers of Iran

Hepatitis B is a serious cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in Iran is about 1.7% but little is known about the high-risk occupations. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of HBsAg and assess risk factors of infection in Iran's large vehicle drivers as a high-risk group. The population studied included 1113 large vehicle drivers. Study was carried out in 51 police stations in roads of 17 provinces around the country. From each of the sites 20-30 large vehicle drivers were randomly selected. An interview with each of the subjects was performed and a blood sample was taken. The prevalence of HBsAg was 5.9% (confidence interval (CI) 95%: 4.5-7.3%) which was significantly different from the prevalence in general population in the same age group (P<0.0001). Cost-effectiveness studies regarding immunization programs for this high-risk group is suggested.

Musculoskeletal disabilities among police force personnel of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common causes of disability in the military population. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency of musculoskeletal disabilities in police force personnel and to determine the association between disabilities and age, rank, and different job types. The population studied were 2600 Islamic Republic of Iran police force disability cases from March 1997 to March 1998. Ninth revision of International Classification of Diseases was used to indicate diagnoses. The frequency of disabilities related to musculoskeletal disorders was 25.7%. Back disabilities were the most common musculoskeletal problems. Patients with back disabilities were older on average than patients with other musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.001). Back disabilities were more common in commissioned officers (third lieutenant to colonel) than other police force personnel (p < 0.0001). On the contrary, fractures and dislocations were more common in noncommissioned officers (sergeant to warrant officer) (p < 0.001). There were associations between specific jobs and musculoskeletal disabilities. According to present data, musculoskeletal disorders account for one-quarter of disability cases in police force personnel. Prevention programs, especially in high-risk groups, should be considered.

Surgical interventions at field hospitals during the Iran and Iraq War (1980-1987)

Surgical treatment of wounded soldiers in the field began in World War II, and the care of the wounded was aided by air, ground, and marine transportation. Even with highly developed facilities, medical care should be started as soon as possible. The Islamic Republic of Iran was under an economic blockade during its war with Iraq. Field hospitals were considered a solution to the problem of transportation shortages. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical interventions of these hospitals. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, data for 7,718 patients admitted to field hospitals (among a total of 173,823 casualties) were analyzed. A checklist was used as the data-collection tool. The data were entered and analyzed by the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences. The type of surgical intervention, duration of the surgery, and frequency of the interventions in each hospital were examined. Laparotomy was the most common and tracheostomy the least common intervention. Shahid Baghaei Field Hospital had the greatest number of admissions. Of all the patients in the Southern Command District who underwent any kind of surgery, 21.53% were operated on in the complex of field hospitals. The surgery time in these hospitals was 156 +/- 69 minutes (mean +/- SD). A great number of the procedures were lifesaving (including laparotomy and chest tube insertion). It seems that these hospitals played a key role in reducing mortality and morbidity during the war.