Late onset sciatalgia as a rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty; a case report

Nowadays percutaneous vertebroplasty is commonly used for vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures. This technique is also useful for other lytic vertebral lesions including hemangioma. Although cement leakage is the most common technical complication, its clinical prevalence is rare and the presentation is always acute. Hereby, we reported a case of vertebral hamangioma in a 14-year-old girl treated by this technique and presented with late onset sciatalgia. According to our knowledge, such a late neurologic presentation has not been reported so far

Lumbar Spondylolysis and Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis: Who Should Be Have Surgery? An Algorithmic Approach

Lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common spinal disorders that most of the times are incidental findings or respond favorably to conservative treatment. In a small percentage of the patients, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Because too much attention has been paid to novel surgical techniques and new modern spinal implants, some of fundamental concepts have been forgotten. Identifying that small but important number of patients with lumbar spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis who would really benefit from lumbar surgery is one of those forgotten concepts. In this paper, we have developed an algorithmic approach to determine who is a good candidate for surgery due to lumbar spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis

Application of Freire\u27s adult education model in modifying the psychological constructs of health belief model in self-medication behaviors of older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Self-medication by older adults has been always a public health concern. The present study aimed to modify the psychological constructs of Health Belief Model (HBM) in relation to self-medication behaviors using Freire\u27s Adult Education Model (FAEM) among older adults in Khorramabad, Iran, from 2017 to 2018. METHODS: The mean age of the older adults was 66.28 ± 7.18 years. This was a randomized controlled trial study conducted on 132 individuals older than 60 who were referred from different health care centers. The participants were selected using multistage sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The data collection instruments included a questionnaire which was designed based on both HBM and self-medication behaviors questionnaire. The phase of adult education model (AEM) was used to modify the psychological constructs of HBM and self-medication behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 with a significant level of 0.05. Descriptive statistical tests, chi-squared test, paired t-test, independent t-test, and univariate modeling were employed for the purpose of analyzing data. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of self-medication. Unawareness of the effects of medicine were the most important reason for self-medication (p = 0.50). The two groups were not significantly different in terms of knowledge, HBM constructs, and self-medication behaviors (p \u3e 0.05). However, they came up to be considerably different for the above variables after the intervention was implemented (p \u3c  0.05). When the findings were adjusted for the effects of confounding variables, there were significant differences between the two groups in almost all constructs of HBM and their behaviors (p \u3c  0.05). However, the perceived barrier modality of HBM did not reach to a significant level of difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: The educational intervention, which was based on Freire\u27s AEM, had positive effects on the constructs of HBM and consequently on self-medication behaviors. The psychological constructs of HBM were affected at the phases of listening to problems. Self-medication was tempered at the action-reflection phase with shared creation and evaluation of the action plan geared toward the achievement of the behavioral objectives. The results might be of importance to healthcare professionals involved in care of older patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials IRCT2013091814512N2. Registered on January 2 - prospectively registered, the trial was registered in the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry http://www.irct.ir

Training the Spiritual Intelligence and Changing its' Components in Critical Care Nurses

Background and aims: Spiritual intelligence as a capability of behaving with sympathy and wise along with internal and external peace is the key part in confronting with stressor challenges in critical care units. Indeed, nurses can utilize that in the best way to manage stressful situations related to units and patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of training on spiritual intelligence and its' components. Methods: This quasi-experimental was conducted on 82 nurses (40 nurses in experiment group and 42 nurses in control group). Sampling was done in convenience method in critical care units of affiliated hospitals to Lorestan University of Medical Sciences (Shahid Rahimi and Shahid Madani hospitals). King spiritual intelligence scale was used for data gathering which its validity and reliability were confirmed. This scale was fulfilled by participants three times (before study, immediately and one month after study). Eight training sessions was held for experimental group as a workshop. There wasn't any intervention for control group. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and software SPSS15. (p=0.05) Results: The covariance analysis (by adjusting the effect of the base values of spiritual intelligence) showed that the main effect of intervention on the mean scores of spiritual intelligence was significant (p<0.05), so that after the study in the experimental group the mean scores of spiritual intelligence reached from 3.37 before the study to 78.50 after the study. Also, the covariance analysis revealed that the main effect of intervention on the mean scores of four dimensions of spiritual intelligence were significant (p<0.05), so that the training results in significant increase of the mean scores of them in the experimental group. Conclusions: Based on the results that the spiritual intelligence of nurses was at the medium level before training and the training of spiritual intelligence increased their spiritual intelligence, so by using protocols for educating and improving the spiritual intelligence in nurses, their stress in their work places and life would be reduced and finally the quality of care will be progressed. Keywords: Spiritual Intelligence, Training, Nurse, Critical Care Unit

Foliar Application of ZnO-NPs Influences Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Antioxidants Pool in Capsicum annum L. under Salinity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have been proven to helpfully improve plant tolerance to several abiotic stresses. However, no information has been reported concerning the role of ZnO-NPs on pepper plants under salinity stress. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the growth and physiological responses of pepper (Capsicum annum L.) plants to ZnO-NP foliar application under salinity. Plants were subjected to 0 (control), 25 (S1), 50 (S2), and 75 mM (S3) NaCl salinity with a foliar spray of 0, 1000, and 2000 ppm ZnO-NPs. Significant reductions were recorded in the chlorophyll index (SPAD) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and in the activity and/or ratios of reduced ascorbate (AsA), reduced ascorbate/dehydroascorbic acid (AsA/DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and K+ content. There was a significant increase in proline content, electrolyte leakage (EL), H2O2 content, guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) activities, and in Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratio. Foliar treatments improved the salinity tolerance of the pepper plants by fortifying the antioxidant defense system, leaf fluorescence parameters, K+, and proline content, and in contrast, by decreasing the EL, Na+, and H2O2 levels. ZnO-NP foliar treatment efficiently improved the pepper plants' physiological responses under salinity. Considering the overall results, 1000 ppm of ZnO-NPs would be advisable for the amelioration of salinity depression and to promote growth potential. However, at higher levels, the nanoparticle showed toxicity symptoms that limited its reliable applications.O

Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis and Its Associated Factors in Primary School and Preschool Children of Khorramabad in 2013

Background. Nocturnal enuresis refers to an inability to control urination during sleep. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis and its associated factors in children in the city of Khorramabad. Materials and Methods. In this descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional study, 710 male and female children were divided into two groups with equal numbers. The samples were selected from the schools of Khorramabad using the multistage cluster and stratified random sampling methods based on the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV. The data was analyzed using the logistic regression. Results. The results showed that 8% of the children had nocturnal enuresis, including 5.2% of primary nocturnal enuresis and 2.8% of secondary nocturnal enuresis. The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in the boys (10.7%) was higher compared with that in the girls (5.4%) (P=0.009). There were statistically significant relationships between nocturnal enuresis and history of nocturnal enuresis in siblings (P=0.023), respiratory infections (P=0.036), deep sleep (P=0.007), corporal punishment at school (P=0.036), anal itching (P=0.043), and history of seizures (P=0.043). Conclusion. This study showed that the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in the boys was higher compared with that in the girls

Development and psychometric properties of health care workers’ concerns in infectious outbreaks scale

IntroductionHealthcare workers are a crucial workforce; from a moral perspective, understanding their concerns and how to support them is crucial and makes it possible for health services to keep functioning. This study aimed to develop and validate Health Care Workers’ Concerns in Infectious Outbreaks Scale (HCWCIOS).MethodsThis exploratory sequential mix-method study was employed to design and validate the HCWCIOS. The initial tool was designed after searching similar studies and performing a qualitative phase under the semi-structured approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate the face and content validity. The content validity ratio, content validity index, and item-level content validity index were also calculated. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the construct validity. Using a convenient sampling method, 354 Iranian healthcare workers participated in the study. Computing Cronbach’s alpha coefficient estimated the internal consistency for HCWCIOS and its subscales. Furthermore assessed was test–retest reliability.ResultsThe preliminary scale was designed with 57 items. By eliminating nine items in the content validity phase and 12 items during factor analysis, the final 36-item scale was developed on six factors: inadequate preparedness, lack of knowledge, risk perception, affected social relations, work pressure, and absenteeism. These six factors accounted for 46.507% of the total variance. The whole scale’s Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.912, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.88.ConclusionA 36-item HCWCIOS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for measuring healthcare workers’ concerns during a pandemic

Varus distal femoral osteotomy in young adults with valgus knee

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Musculoskeletal disorders specially knee osteoarthritis are the most common causes of morbidity in old patients. Disturbance of the mechanical axis of the lower extremity is one of the most important causes in progression of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the surgical results of distal femoral varus osteotomy in patients with genu valgum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, after recording history and physical examination, appropriate radiographs were taken. We did varus distal femoral osteotomy by standard medial subvastus approach and 90-angle blade plate fixation then followed the patients clinically and radiographically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study was done on 23 knees (16 patients) age 23.3 years (range, 17 to 41 years). The mean duration of following up was 16.3 months (range, 8 to 25 months). Based on paired T test, there were statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative tibiofemoral and congruence angles (p < 0.001, t = 21.3 and p < 0.001, t = 10.1 respectively). Pearson correlation between the amount of tibiofemoral and congruence angle correction was also statistically significant (p = 0.02 and r = 0.46).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Distal femoral varus osteotomy with blade plate fixation can be a reliable procedure for the treatment of valgus knee deformity. In this procedure, with more tibiofemoral angle correction, more congruence angle correction can be achieved. Therefore, along with genu valgum correction, the patella should be stabilized simultaneously.</p

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients of orthopedic ward at hospital admission and discharge time in Shohadaye Ashayer hospital

Background: Malnutrition is one of the significant factors in extending hospitalization period, augmenting disease complications, enhancing treatment and hospitalization costs, and increasing deaths in hospitals. This study was conducted to investigate patients, nutritional conditions, before and discharge time in the orthopedic ward of Shohadaye Ashayer hospital in 2010. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study 283 patients, aged 18 and over, in the orthopedic ward were selected.A previously developed questionnaire containing 15 quantitative and qualitative factors was completed for subjects in two stages (at their hospital admission and their discharge time). The patients, weight and height were also measured during these two stages. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 12.7% of the patients had severe malnutrition, 7.4% had moderate malnutrition and 79.9% had mild malnutrition. The length of hospital stay was found to be an important factor in causing malnutrition. In this study significant statistical relationship was found between the length of hospital stay, sex, the recent 1-month weight loss, previous operation and the severity of malnutrition (P0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be claimed that there is a significant statistical relationship between the length of hospital stay and the severity of malnutrition