Reliability of Ultrasonography in Measuring Deep Abdominal and Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Dimensions in Patients with Unilateral Lumbar Disc Herniation

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the within-day and between-day reliability of abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscle size in patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) using ultrasonography (US). Materials and methods: In this study, 15 patients with unilateral LDH (20-60 years old) were recruited. To assess within-day and between-day reliability, three images were taken with one hour and one week intervals respectively. The images were taken at rest and during contraction. Results: The within-day and between-day reliability of abdominal muscle thickness measurements using US in patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in both rest and contraction state was found to be high with ICC=0.87 for within and ICC=0.75 for between-day rates of transverse abdominis (TrA) muscles at rest and ICC=0.78 and 0.75, respectively, in contraction state. For internal oblique muscles, ICC=0.70 at rest and 0.79 in contraction state and ICC=0.73 at rest and 0.77 in contraction state were found for within-day and between-day, respectively. Within-day and between-day reliability at rest with ICC=0.76 and 0.76 and in contraction state with ICC=0.75 and 0.74 were demonstrated for the external oblique muscle. Within-day and between-day reliability rates at rest with ICC=0.88 and 0.84, respectively, and in contraction state with ICC=0.84 and 0.80, respectively were demonstrated for the lumbar multifidus muscle. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that US is a reliable method for evaluating the thickness of the abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles. However, further research is recommended to support the findings of the present study.Keywords: Ultrasonography, disc herniation, abdominal muscles, lumbar multifidus muscle, reliabilit

Effect of hand reflexology on anxiety and physiological variables among patients hospitalized in the cardiac care unit: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

publishedVersio

Recombinant production of Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (sTRAIL) as a therapeutic protein

Abstract:  Successfully cancer therapies aim to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines. Recent advances in cancer therapy based on the use of some recombinant proteins such as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). TRAIL is a new member of the TNF superfamily. In this paper, we report the expression, purification, and  preparation of a recombinant form of the extracelluar domain of the TRAIL (sTRAIL) in Escherichia coli rosetta gami under the control of T7 promoter; which  may selectively induce apoptosis of tumor cells in vitro. To obtain recombinant sTRAIL protein, the encoding region for sTRAIL was cloned between Xho1 and BamHI in pET28a expression vector. The results showed that the recombinant sTRAIL was efficiently produced in Ecoli rosetta gami strain.                               Introduction: Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and essential for maintenance of  tissue homeostasis and removal of unwanted cells. TRAIL belongs to the group of therapeutic agents selectively targeting a wide variety of cancer cells without affecting the normal cells .The therapeutic potential of TRAIL is attributed to its receptor expression in a variety of tissues; which initiates apoptosis in cancer cells through interaction with the death receptors DR4 and DR5. Due to its selective nature, it is considered as a significant therapeutic agent in cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to produce recombinant human sTRAIL in Rosetta Gami2 E.coli strain and its functions on cancerous cells in vitro. Methods and results:  we optimized the coding sequence of this protein. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Rosetta Gami2 E.coli strain for expression. The transformed bacteria which contain recombinant plasmid were cultured in 37ºC with 250 rpm in LB and in 20ºC in TB medium for 18 hours. TRAIL was purified by Ni sepharose column, and the presence of the recombinant protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The concentration of purified protein was measured by Bradford assay. Our finding showed that the recombinant protein (34kD) has been successfully produced for next experiments, the purified protein was desalted and applied toward cancerous cells. Conclusions: In summary, TRAIL can be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for effective, targeted and less toxic agents for treatment of cancers

Predictors of In-hospital Mortality after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) has been successfully developed, especially after introducing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) as it nowadays is the recommended treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital mortality of STEMI patients treated with PPCI according to gender and other likely risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study presents a part of the results of a single-center registry in Imam Ali cardiovascular center affiliated to Kermanshah University of medical science (KUMS). From June 2016 to December 2017, 731 consecutive patients undergoing PPCI registered. Data were collected using a case report form developed by European Observational Registry Program (EORP). The relationship between in-hospital mortality and predicting variables was assessed using the Chi-square test, t-test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models (Forward LR). Results: Totally, 155 patients (approximately 21%) were female. The mean age of women and men was 65.2 and 57.5, respectively (p=0.001). There were differences between women and men in hypertension (58.1% vs. 30.4%, respectively, p=0.001), diabetes mellitus (26.5% vs. 14.9%; p=0.001), hypercholesterolemia (37.4% vs. 18.6%; p=0.001), and history of prior congestive heart failure (5.2% vs. 2.0%; p=0.016). Although more men were current smokers (58.7% (men) vs. 15.5% (women); p=0.001). Women had a significantly greater incidence of multi-vessel disease, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade of 0/1 before PPCI, and longer symptom-to-balloon time. In-hospital mortality was higher in women than in men (5.2% vs. 1.9%; p=0.024). Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 60 years, Killip class≥ II, and post-procedural TIMI flow grade < 3, but not female sex, as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: In-hospital mortality after PPCI in women was higher than men, though this difference was likely due to the severe clinical profile in women. Also, female gender was not identified as an independent predictor of death

The Effects of Vestibular Stimulations on Neurodevelopment, Growth and Vital Signs of Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review

Background: The purpose of the present study was to systematically review all published studies investigating the effects of only vestibular interventions on neurodevelopment, growth and vital signs in preterm infants (PIs).Method: PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched to find relevant studies published from 1980 and June 2022. In addition, reference lists of the articles were also checked.Results: Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen of these articles reported studies conducted on stable preterm infants and five on unstable ones. Waterbed, rocking, hammock, air mattress and Vestibu_Guide stimulations were applied in eight, four, six, one, and one study, respectively. Twelve studies evaluated neurobehavioral development, five studies assessed neuromotor development, five studies evaluated the growth and fifteen studies assessed the vital signs in preterm infants using vestibular stimulations.Conclusions: The results indicate that vestibular stimulations may improve neurodevelopment, growth and vital signs in premature infants, but there are still some disagreements among researchers, and further research is recommended

Comparison of the Effects of Hand Reflexology versus Acupressure on Anxiety and Vital Signs in Female Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases

Hospitalization in the cardiac care unit can increase anxiety in patients. This study aimed to compare hand reflexology versus acupressure on anxiety and vital signs in female patients with coronary artery diseases. This double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial with a pre- and post-intervention design was conducted on 135 female patients with coronary artery diseases. Female patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit were randomly divided into three groups of hand reflexology, acupressure and placebo (n = 45 patients in each group) using blocking and a table of random numbers. Data was collected using the Spielberger anxiety inventory. Also, their vital signs were measured before, immediately after and half an hour after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in anxiety levels between the groups (p > 0.05). Also, the effects of hand reflexology and acupressure immediately and half an hour later on the reduction of anxiety and vital signs were equal (p < 0.05). Implementation of hand reflexology and acupressure can have positive effects on anxiety and vital signs in patients with coronary artery diseases. They can reduce patients’ anxiety with an equal effectiveness

Att flytta till särskilt boende : Ett patientperspektiv

Bakgrund: När den äldre inte längre kan ta hand om sig själv i det egna hemmet kan flytt till särskilt boende bli aktuellt. Ibland kan den äldre ha svårt att acceptera ett liv i det särskilda boendet. Tidigare forskning visar att sjuksköterskor anser att övergångsperioden är en svår period för de äldre. Syfte: Syftet är att beskriva äldre personers upplevelse av att flytta från ordinär boende till särskilt boende. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie med kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Resultaten belyste vikten av att vara delaktig i besluten och ha känslan av kontroll. Förtroendet för det särskilda boendet underlättades när de äldre fick vara delaktiga i beslutet att flytta. Känslan av kontroll över sin vardag var viktigt för att knyta an till det nya boendet. Det framkom även att acceptera det oundvikliga var viktigt för anpassningen. Även att känna samhörighet med andra var viktigt för anpassningen. De äldre upplevde trygghet av att vara del av ett sammanhang. Slutsats: När äldre kände delaktighet och samhörighet anpassade de sig bättre till det nya livet på särskilt boendet. Känslan av kontroll var viktigt för de äldre. Äldre som upplevt ensamhet hade det lättare att acceptera flytten

Att flytta till särskilt boende : Ett patientperspektiv

Bakgrund: När den äldre inte längre kan ta hand om sig själv i det egna hemmet kan flytt till särskilt boende bli aktuellt. Ibland kan den äldre ha svårt att acceptera ett liv i det särskilda boendet. Tidigare forskning visar att sjuksköterskor anser att övergångsperioden är en svår period för de äldre. Syfte: Syftet är att beskriva äldre personers upplevelse av att flytta från ordinär boende till särskilt boende. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie med kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Resultaten belyste vikten av att vara delaktig i besluten och ha känslan av kontroll. Förtroendet för det särskilda boendet underlättades när de äldre fick vara delaktiga i beslutet att flytta. Känslan av kontroll över sin vardag var viktigt för att knyta an till det nya boendet. Det framkom även att acceptera det oundvikliga var viktigt för anpassningen. Även att känna samhörighet med andra var viktigt för anpassningen. De äldre upplevde trygghet av att vara del av ett sammanhang. Slutsats: När äldre kände delaktighet och samhörighet anpassade de sig bättre till det nya livet på särskilt boendet. Känslan av kontroll var viktigt för de äldre. Äldre som upplevt ensamhet hade det lättare att acceptera flytten

Comparisonof depression prevalence in medical students between the first and last years of Birjand University of Medical Sciences: Brief Article

Background and Aim: Depression, due to its high prevalence and subsequent effects, is one of the important public health issues. Regarding the specific educational problems in the field of medicine and the importance of medical students’ mental health the present study aimed at comparing the prevalence of depression in the first two and the last two years of medical in Birjand University of Medical sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive analytical and cross-sectional study was done on 151 medical students in the first two and the last two years in Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Assessment of depression was done by means of Beck’s brief questionnaire in both groups who had been selected in a census .The obtained data was fed into SPSS software (V: 15) and was finally analyzed using by χ2 and independed Student-t tests at the significant level α<0.05. Results: A total of 151 students whose mean age was 22±2 years participated in the current study. Prevalence of depression in all the cases in all types of the problem i.e. mild, moderate, and severe was 31/8%. Prevalence of depression in the first two years and the last two years was 29.8% and 34.3%, respectively which was not statistically significant. Prevalence of depression in males was more than females, which was not significant either. Besides, no significant relationship was found between prevalence of depression with variables such as age, residence, parental education, housing, and employment status of parents. Conclusion: Apparently, prevalence of depression in medical students in Birjand university of Medical Sciences is high, although studying medicine is not significantly decisive in the occurrence of the problem

The Eligibility of Surface Electromyography in the Assessment of Paraspinal Muscles Fatigue Following Interventions in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Objective: Evaluation of paraspinal muscles endurance in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) seems to be of great importance. Many studies demonstrated that surface electromyography has merit to assess muscle fatigue using frequency spectrum. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the eligibility of the surface electromyography in the assessment of paraspinal muscles fatigue changes following different interventions in patients with chronic LBP. Materials & Methods: A literature search for the period of 2000-2012 was performed, using PubMed, Science Direct, OVID, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Paraspinal muscles, fatigue, low back pain, therapeutic interventions, exercise, endurance and surface electromyography were used as keywords. Results: The literature search yielded 158 studies using the above keywords. Eight articles were relevant according to the inclusion criteria of the study. There was a wide variation among studies in terms of methodology, main outcome measures, sample size, procedure, electromyography parameters, etc. Conclusion: The results indicate that there does not appear to be a convincing body of evidence to support the merit of surface electromyography in the assessment of paraspinal muscles fatigue following interventions in patients with chronic LBP. Key words: Paraspinal muscles, Fatigue, Low back pain, Therapeutic interventions, Exercise, Endurance and Surface electromyography