Head and face injuries and helmet use among injured motorcyclists with road accidents in Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The study aimed to assess the frequency of head and face injuries in motorcyclists who had an accident and to find out the relationship between helmet use and frequency of these injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with multi-stage sampling method provides data on the injured motorcyclists with road accidents. Data came from a registration form which has documented information of each injured person who had a road accident and hospitalized in the biggest hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran (Al-Zahra). All the registration forms were surveyed for hospitalization period, treatment costs, severity of injury, and date of accident during 2010 (n = 1626). Later, among the list of injured motorcyclists during the last 3 months of the registration form, 125 cases were randomly selected and interviewed by phone regarding occurrence of the head and face injuries and whether wearing helmet during the accident. Confidence intervals (CI), Chi-square, and Phi and Cramer’s correlation coefficient were applied. The ethical approval was provided. RESULTS: Accident by motorcycle was 31.0% of all road accidents. The frequency of motorcycle accidents was higher in the autumn and among 21-25 year olds. The mean period of hospitalization was 4.3 days and the mean of hospital costs was about 9000000 Rials [about 8200 United States dollar (USD), in 2010]. Of motorcyclist, 35.0% reported they were helmeted when they had the accident. The frequency of head and face injuries was 51.0% among all the injured motorcyclists, 22.0% and 78.0% among the helmeted and non-helmeted motorcyclists, respectively (P = 0.009, r = -0.267). CONCLUSION: Motorcycle accidents comprise a large number of road accidents and cause substantial morbidity and financial impact for the community members. Head and face injuries are the most common trauma in motorcyclists, and the injury rate is higher among non-helmeted motorcyclists. KEYWORDS: Helmet, Motorcycle, Accident, Costs, Hospital, Head Injury, Facial Traum

Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Different Post and Core Materials on Stress Distribution in Radicular Dentin by Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the stress distribution of different post and core materials in radicular dentin by three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA). Materials and Methods: Twelve 3D models of a maxillary central incisor were simulated in the ANSYS 5.4 software program. The models were divided into three groups; the first group included: 1-Gold post and core and 2-Nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) post and core restored with metal-ceramic restorations (MCRs). The second group included: 1-Stainless steel post, 2-Titanium post, 3-Carbon fiber post, 4-Glass fiber post, and 5-Quartz fiber post with composite cores and MCRs. The third group included: 1-Zirconia post and core, 2-Zirconia post, 3-Carbon fiber post, 4-Glass fiber post, and 5-Quartz fiber post; the last four models had composite cores restored with all-ceramic restorations (ACRs). Each specimen was subjected to a compressive load at a 45-degree angle relative to its longitudinal axis at a constant intensity of 100 N. The models were analyzed with regard to the stress distribution in dentin. Results: Two stress concentration sites were detected in the models. The first group showed the lowest stress levels in the cervical region, while the stress levels detected in the second group were higher than those in the first group and lower than those found in the third group. Fiber-reinforced posts induced a higher stress concentration between the middle and cervical thirds of the root compared to other posts. Conclusions: According to the results, since cast posts induce lower stresses in dentin, they are recommended for clinical use. Fiber-reinforced posts and ACRs caused the maximum stresses in dentin

Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Inhabitants of Karaj City, Tehran Province, Iran in 2006-2008

Karaj is an area with large influx of refugee people in Iran. To increase knowledge about parasitic infections, we carried out this research during 2006-2008. We recorded the stool examination results and some of their personal characteristics. A total of 13,915 human stools were examined, and 649 (4.7%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Among them, 13 (0.09%) had worm and 636 (4.6%) had protozoan infections. Maximum infections belonged to Giardia intestinalis, and 534 (3.8%) samples had this infection. Other parasitic infections included Entamoeba coli (0.39%), Entamoeba histolytica (0.021%), Blastocystis hominis (0.08%), Trichomonas hominis (0.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.06%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.007%), Endolimax nana (0.05%), Enterobius spp. eggs (0.028%), Taenia proglottids (0.028%), and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (0.03%). The maximum numbers of referred people to laboratories were in July and the maximum percentage of infections was in August. There is a point that all 5 Strongyloides stercoralis infections were pertained to 2008. With attention to the rate of parasitic infections (4.7%), it seems that we should take additional educational information to wide spectrum of people living in this city

Leadership and management in UK medical school curricula

Purpose Although medical leadership and management (MLM) is increasingly being recognised as important to improving healthcare outcomes, little is understood about current training of medical students in MLM skills and behaviours in the UK. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used validated structured interviews with expert faculty members from medical schools across the UK to ascertain MLM framework integration, teaching methods employed, evaluation methods and barriers to improvement. Findings Data were collected from 25 of the 33 UK medical schools (76 per cent response rate), with 23/25 reporting that MLM content is included in their curriculum. More medical schools assessed MLM competencies on admission than at any other time of the curriculum. Only 12 schools had evaluated MLM teaching at the time of data collection. The majority of medical schools reported barriers, including overfilled curricula and reluctance of staff to teach. Whilst 88 per cent of schools planned to increase MLM content over the next two years, there was a lack of consensus on proposed teaching content and methods. Research limitations/implications There is widespread inclusion of MLM in UK medical schools’ curricula, despite the existence of barriers. This study identified substantial heterogeneity in MLM teaching and assessment methods which does not meet students’ desired modes of delivery. Examples of national undergraduate MLM teaching exist worldwide, and lessons can be taken from these. Originality/value This is the first national evaluation of MLM in undergraduate medical school curricula in the UK, highlighting continuing challenges with executing MLM content despite numerous frameworks and international examples of successful execution