Concomitant Ulecranon Fracture, Ipsilateral Segmental Humerus Fracture and Intercondylar Humerus Fracture in a 4-Year-Old Girl: an Extremely Rare Case Report and Literature Review

T-condylar fracture of distal humerus in young children is very rare. Pure physeal fractures of the olecranon are also rare. We report on an extremely rare case of concomitant ulecranon fracture, ipsilateral segmental humerus and intercondylar humerus fracture (type III) in a skeletally immature patient

Near- to mid-infrared picosecond optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO4

We describe a Ti:sapphire-pumped picosecond optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO4 that is broadly tunable in the near to mid infrared. A 4.5-mm single-grating crystal at room temperature in combination with pump wavelength tuning provided access to a continuous-tuning range from 3.35 to 5 mu m, and a pump power threshold of 90 mW was measured. Average mid-infrared output powers in excess of 100 mW and total output powers of 400 mW in similar to 1-ps pulses were obtained at 33% extraction efficiency. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.</p

Correlation Between Health-Related Quality of Life in Veterans With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and Their Caregiving Spouses

Background: Recently, investigations have indicated that caring of a chronically ill family member strongly influences the health status and the quality of life (QOL) of the caregiving family members. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health-related QOL of veterans with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregiving spouses. Patients and Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study including two groups; veterans with chronic spinal cord injury and their caregiving wives who were living in the city of Mashhad, Iran. The patients with spinal cord injury were veterans from the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). All the participants filled out the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the scales of the two groups. Results: The mean age and standard deviation of veterans and their spouses were 48.5 ± 5.9 and 44.8 ± 7.2, respectively and their number of children ranged between 0-6. Our data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in some domains of the SF-36, including PF, MH, PCS, MCS, BP and GH (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in RP, VT, SF and RE between the two groups. Conclusions: The results indicate that a decrease in health status level of veterans, physically and mentally, can affect the health-related QOL of their caregiving spouses

Introducing molecular markers for Lernaea cyprinacea and Lernaea ctenopharyngodoni using RAPD technique

Molecular comparison of two parasites Lernaea cyprinacea and Lernaea ctenopharyngodoni was carried out using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) technique. A total of 43 Lernaea specimens belonging to the two species were collected from the Guilan and Khouzestan Provinces. DNA was extracted using the Phenol-chloroform method. The quality and quantity of DNA was assessed using 1% Agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometer. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA under specific conditions and PCR products were subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels (6%). Polyacrylamide gels were stained using silver nitrate and DNA bands were analyzed with BioCapt software. The genetic analysis was conducted using POP GEN 32 software. Forty two primers, 10 nucleotides each were used for PCR reaction. Totally, 397 RAPD loci were counted on polyacrylamide gel where 349 identical loci were polymorphic of which some bands may be used as genetic markers for the identification of both Lernaea species. Data analysis on PCR products showed higher genetic variation (1.15%) of L. ctenopharyngodon in the Guilan Province as compared to that of the Khouzestan (0.0%). However, genetic variation (27.46%) of L. cyprinacea in the Khouzestan Province was 7.26 times higher than that of the Guilan province (3.78%). The two species showed a genetic differentiation of approximately 88%. Based on the observed molecular differences, we state that L. ctenopharyngodoni is a genetically independent species from L. cyprinacea

Disabilities and Activities of Daily Living Among Veterans With Old Hip Disarticulation and Transpelvic Amputation

Background: The Iran-Iraq imposed war lasted eight years and was one of the longest wars of the last century. Twenty-three years have passed since the war ended, but little has been discussed about the long-term results of war amputations in the literature. Objectives: In this long-term study, we have evaluated the activities of daily living among veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on Iran-Iraq war veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations in Iran. Eighty-four (96.5%) veterans out of 87 registered veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations participated in the study. The degree of independence for activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by the Barthel index. The degree of independence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed by the Lawton-Brody scale. Results: The average follow-up time was 26.6 ± 3.7 years. The average age of veterans was 44.1±7 years old. Of 84 amputees, 57 (67.85%) had limitations in at least one domain of the ADL. The most common single item that affected the patients was ascending and descending stairs seen in 45 (78.9%) veterans, followed by eating seen in 4 (7.01%) veterans. In addition, 70 (83.33%) had limitations in at least one domain of the IADL. The most common single item that affected the veterans was shopping seen in 56 (80%), followed by responsibility for own medications seen in 13 (18.57%) veterans. Spearman correlation coefficient of the sum scores of ADL and IADL showed an intermediate to strong correlation (r = 0.58). Conclusions: Increasing dependency in ADL is accompanied by increasing dependency in IADL. In the past, the duty of health care providers was saving the life of veterans due to injuries while at present, because these injuries occurred in young and healthy individuals, the need for increased function is being highlighted

Hemocytosis, a new disease in cultured shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus

Certain parasites can cause severe diseases in shrimp. Among these, protozoa are very important. The objective of our study was to describe the signs, prevalence, and intensity of hemocytosis, a new disease in shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus. The experimental design included three groups, one treatment as infected shrimp or group B and 2 controls with non-infected but exposure to White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) shrimp as group A and non-infected non-exposure to WSSV shrimp as group C in triplicate. The results revealed that Hemocytosis associated with a decrease in hyalinocytes and large-granulocytes (less than 8%) and a considerable increase in semi-granulocytes in group A and B in contrast to group C that Hyalinocyte increased. This infection made the shrimp susceptible to WSSV disease. It is believed that Hemocytosis causes a condition which can result in a rapid mortality among susceptible species, F. indicus when exposure to WSSV is occurred

Infertile couples' perceived needs after unsuccessful fertility treatment: A qualitative study

Introduction: Infertility is a major medical issue. Investigations and treatment of infertility are the beginning of a complex, time-consuming and stressful process for couples that may fail well. The present study explored the needs of infertile couples following treatment failure with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in an Iranian infertility center, in the Northeast of the country between April 2016 and June 2017. The researchers recruited 29 individuals including 9 couples, 9 women and two men with primary infertility through purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively, using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA software. Results: The main concepts obtained from the data were classified into one theme titled: ""The need for support"" and four main categories along with their subcategories, and included the need for psychological support, the need for more useful information, the need for social support and the need to access to supplementary services. Conclusion: The findings show that following treatment failure, the infertile patients’ expressed needs and preferences were not met. Identifying and meeting their needs may help the infertile couples to deal with ARTs failure and to reach a decision about future treatment

Evaluation of physiological aspects and molecular identification of Saprolegnia isolates from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) eggs based on RAPD–PCR

The genus of saprolegnia is one of the most important pathogenic aquatic fungi in farmed and wild fish. In the present study, fungal infected egss were collected from rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) and Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius). After purification, 16 isolates were obtained (8 isolates from rainbow trout and 8 isolates from Caspian salmon, respectively). The isolates were then coded as R2 – R9 (rainbow trout) and S2 – S9 (Caspian trout).The registered DNA for S. parasitica (ACTT # 200048) and S. diclina (ACTT # 4206) were used and coded as R1 and S1, respectively. Based on the RAPD profile obtained all samples were divided to 3 groups and members of each group had more than 90% similarity among themselves. According to matrix of similarity and reference strains, the isolates were classified as three groups. Therefore, all of isolates in group 1 and 3 were S. parasitica and S. diclina, respectively, and the members of group 2 were known as Saprolegnia sp. The results of thermal resistance assessment showed that the isolates of rainbow trout and Caspian salmon eggs had slow growth in the temperature between 18 – 20 °C. Thus, R2 and S8 isolates had the lowest radial growth compared to other isolates. The isolates categorized in S. parasitica (group 1) created secoundry zoospores but not observed in two other groups. Thus, catenulated gamme was found in 78% and 55.55% isolates of rainbow trout and Caspian trout eggs, respectively. This study indicated that molecular methods were the best methods for identification of Saprolegnia spp. and it could be applied as a supplementary confirming method

Iranian infertile couples' strategies to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatments with assisted reproductive technologies

Many infertile couples feel vulnerable after failed treatment cycles and find insensitive remarks or inappropriate support distressing. They fear that the stress of failed treatment cycles may affect their marriage and lead to marriage breakdown. This study explored the strategies a sample of infertile couples used to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 34 participants including nine infertile couples, nine infertile women and two infertile men with primary infertility, two relatives, and three fertility clinic staff. The participants were selected through purposive sampling at an infertility centre in Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis approach. Participants found some social interactions after failed assisted reproductive treatment cycles to be distressing and painful. They described tolerating painful emotions which cause them sadness and sorrow as well as feeling embarrassed. As a result, they found they needed to maintain their adopting concealment strategies with their families through not permitting speculation, selective disclosure, not giving details and hiding the truth. This study showed that social interactions following failed assisted reproductive cycles can be upsetting for infertile couples. Couples use different strategies to manage potentially distressing social interactions. Healthcare providers and psychologists may provide a space for safe social interactions in order to help couples to use appropriate strategies in these circumstances