Monitoring muscle oxygenation and myoelectric activity after damage-inducing exercise

In this thesis, three experiments were conducted to monitor: (i) muscle oxygenation and electromyographic activity of the biceps brachii after exercise-induced muscle damage (ii) muscle oxygenation after downhill walking-induced muscle damage, and, (iii) muscle oxygenation following a bout of vigorous concentric exercise. Maximal eccentric exercise (EE) of biceps brachii resulted in significantly increased mean resting oxygen saturation and decreased deoxyhaemoglobin. During isometric contractions at 50% and 80% of subjects’ maximum voluntary torque (MVT), oxygen desaturation and resaturation kinetics and volume were significantly decreased after EE, and these declines were significantly prevalent over the following 6 days. Additionally, a significant shift in median frequency intercept (measured by electromyography; EMG) towards lower frequencies was observed during isometric contractions at both 50% and 80% MVT after EE in the exercised arm. After an exhaustive session of downhill walking, another form of EE, resting total haemoglobin and oxyhaemoglobin decreased. Furthermore, during isometric contractions at 30%, 50% and 80% of MVT, prolonged and significant increases were observed in oxygen desaturation and resaturation kinetics and volumes after ambulatory EE. In contrast to the two EE experiments, concentric contractions did not evoke any prolonged changes in muscle oxygenation. Collectively, the findings of this thesis revealed significant and prolonged changes in muscle oxygenation at rest and during exercise, following sessions of strenuous eccentric exercise. Although not clear, the possible mechanism responsible for the changes in muscle oxygenation after EE could be increased resting muscle oxygen utilization due to probable muscle damage and a subsequent requirement of energy demanding repair processes. Concentric exercise resulted in fatigue, but it did not affect muscle oxygenation. Although a prolonged reduction in EMG median frequency intercept was observed after EE, this was not closely time-associated with the biochemical, anthropometric or functional markers of muscle damage

El impacto del ejercicio de pilates en el trabajo sobre la satisfacción laboral entre las empleadas de Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

This study intends to investigate the effect of on-the-job pilates exercise on job satisfaction. The study follows a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test method with a focus on control and experimental groups. The statistical population comprises of all female employees working at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company. The experimental group received 8 weeks of exercise doing sessions (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session) in Electricity Distribution Company gym while the control group did not receive any treatment.  According to the results obtained, one can conclude that on-the-job Pilates exercise as sports technology had an effect on the job satisfaction of female employees at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company.Este estudio intenta investigar el efecto del ejercicio de pilates en el trabajo sobre la satisfacción laboral. El estudio sigue un diseño cuasiexperimental con un método previo y posterior a la prueba con un enfoque en el control y los grupos experimentales. La población estadística se compone de todas las empleadas que trabajan en Urmia Electricity Distribution Company. El grupo experimental recibió 8 semanas de ejercicio haciendo sesiones (3 sesiones por semana, 30 minutos por sesión) en el gimnasio de Electricity Distribution Company, mientras que el grupo de control no recibió ningún tratamiento. Según los resultados obtenidos, se puede concluir que el ejercicio de Pilates en el trabajo como tecnología deportiva tuvo un efecto en la satisfacción laboral de las empleadas de Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

The role of parenting styles on effort perseverance: the mediating role of conscientiousness and mindfulness

The present study investigates the role of parenting styles on effort perseverance with mediating roles of conscientiousness and mindfulness as moderators. For this purpose, 272 Iranian high school girl students were chosen by stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed by Path Analysis and Hierarchical Regression methods. The results showed that maternal control, parental control and maternal responsibility predict effort perseverance through conscientiousness; and paternal responsibility indicates positive and significant relationship with effort perseverance. Furthermore, findings showed that the relationship between conscientiousness and effort perseverance was moderated by mindfulness. Parenting style is an important factor in predicting effort perseverance through conscientiousness. In addition, being mindfulness has an effective role in relation to conscientiousness and effort perseverance

Clinical features, management and in-hospital outcome of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in young adults under 40 years of age

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings and in-hospital management and outcome in patients with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Material and methods: By review of the Cardiovascular Tehran Heart Center Registry (CVDTHCR), 2028 patients were found to have the acute STEMI. We compared the patients’ characteristics in 109 (5.4%) subjects ≤40 and 1919 subjects > 40 years old. Results: The young patients had less diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and history of MI or prior revascularization, and were more likely to be male (92.7% vs. 74%), smoker (58.7% vs. 31.7%) and have family history of CVD (50.5% vs. 23.4%). The young patients had higher prevalence of angiographically normal coronary artery (13.7% vs. 0.9%; p<0.001). The young patients were more likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (38.5% vs. 18.6%), whereas coronary artery bypass grafting was more common in the old ones (p<0.001). In-hospital death was markedly different among young and old patients (0.9% and 6.1%, respectively; p<0.01). Conclusion: In STEMI population, the risk profile, clinical findings and severity of coronary disease of the young differ substantially from the elderly counterparts. Young patients with STEMI have a favorable outcome compared with that in older patients

El impacto del ejercicio de pilates en el trabajo sobre la satisfacción laboral entre las empleadas de Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

This study intends to investigate the effect of on-the-job pilates exercise on job satisfaction. The study follows a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test method with a focus on control and experimental groups. The statistical population comprises of all female employees working at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company. The experimental group received 8 weeks of exercise doing sessions (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session) in Electricity Distribution Company gym while the control group did not receive any treatment.&nbsp; According to the results obtained, one can conclude that on-the-job Pilates exercise as sports technology had an effect on the job satisfaction of female employees at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company.Este estudio intenta investigar el efecto del ejercicio de pilates en el trabajo sobre la satisfacción laboral. El estudio sigue un diseño cuasiexperimental con un método previo y posterior a la prueba con un enfoque en el control y los grupos experimentales. La población estadística se compone de todas las empleadas que trabajan en Urmia Electricity Distribution Company. El grupo experimental recibió 8 semanas de ejercicio haciendo sesiones (3 sesiones por semana, 30 minutos por sesión) en el gimnasio de Electricity Distribution Company, mientras que el grupo de control no recibió ningún tratamiento. Según los resultados obtenidos, se puede concluir que el ejercicio de Pilates en el trabajo como tecnología deportiva tuvo un efecto en la satisfacción laboral de las empleadas de Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY OF THE BICEPS BRACHII AFTER EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE

It is well known that strenuous eccentric exercise may result in muscle damage. We proposed that vigorous eccentric exercise (EE) would impair myoelectric activity of the biceps brachii. This study utilised a 7-day prospective time-series design. Ten healthy males performed a session of 70 maximal EE elbow flexion contractions. Analysis of surface electromyography activity (sEMG) was performed on the signals recorded during isometric contractions at 50% (IC50) and 80% (IC80) of maximum voluntary isometric torque (MVT), deriving RMS and MDF as sEMG parameters. Linear regression of the RMS and MDF time-series (20-s sustained IC50 and IC80) was used to extract intercepts and slopes of these signals on each day. Plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), MVT, arm circumference, subjective perception of soreness and elbow joint range of motion were also measured to assess effectiveness of EE to evoke muscle damage. CK increased over resting values until day 5 after EE, and remained significantly (p < 0.05) elevated even on day 7. MVT had decreased to 45% of its initial value by day 2 after EE, and remained significantly depressed for the following 6 days. In addition, muscle soreness and arm circumference increased, and range of motion decreased after EE. A significant shift of MDF intercept towards lower frequencies at both IC50 and IC80 was observed after EE in the exercised arm, and these values gradually recovered within the next 3 days during IC50. Although there were some changes in RMS values, these alterations were persistent in both control and exercised arms, and did not follow a consistent pattern. In conclusion, a prolonged reduction in MDF intercept was observed after EE, but this was not closely time-associated with the biochemical, anthropometric or functional markers of muscle damage. Compared to RMS, MDF was a more consistent measure to reflect changes in sEM

The Impact of On-The-Job Pilates Exercise on Job Satisfaction Among the Female Employees of Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

This study intends to investigate the effect of on-the-job pilates exercise on job satisfaction. The study follows a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test method with a focus on control and experimental groups. The statistical population comprises of all female employees working at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company. The experimental group received 8 weeks of exercise doing sessions (3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session) in Electricity Distribution Company gym while the control group did not receive any treatment.&nbsp; According to the results obtained, one can conclude that on-the-job Pilates exercise as sports technology had an effect on the job satisfaction of female employees at Urmia Electricity Distribution Company

Testicular fine-needle aspiration versus testicular open biopsy: Comparable sperm retrieval rate in selected patients

Background: Sperm recovery by testicular fine-needle aspiration (TESA) has resulted in variable sperm retrieval rate (SRR) and is generally considered inferior to open biopsy (testicular sperm extraction [TESE]). Aims: To develop a predictive model for SRR by TESA and to identify factors associated with comparable SRR between TESA and TESE. Settings and Design: Single-center controlled cross-sectional study on 450 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Materials and Methods: Clinical, paraclinical, and histological information of patients were gathered. All patients underwent both TESA and TESE in a single operation. Predictors of SRR by TESA were identified, and the accuracy of TESA in predicting the outcome of TESE was determined. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical and continuous variables were compared using independent t test and -chi-square test. Logistic regression model was applied to develop a predictive model for SRR by TESA. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the accuracy of TESA in predicting TESE outcome. Results: Sperm retrieval rate for TESA and TESE was 41.8 and 50.9%, respectively (P = 0.04). Age, duration of infertility, testis volume, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone did not differ between patients with and without mature sperm in TESA samples. Serum follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) < 15 IU/l (Exp (B) = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.4-18.5; P = 0.001) and histology of hypospermatogenesis (Exp (B) = 6.4, 95% CI: 2.1-27.4; P < 0.001) were predictors of SRR by TESA. In patients with FSH < 15 IU/l (57.4% versus 59.5%; Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.907) and testicular histology of hypospermatogenesis (68.0% versus 70.5%; AUC = 0.890), the SRR by TESA was predictive of SRR by TESE. Conclusions: Serum FSH and testicular pathology were predictors of SRR by TESA. Patients with FSH < 15 IU/l and/or testicular pathology of hypospermatogenesis had comparable SRR by TESA versus TESE

The effect of oral clonidine pre-medication prior to anesthesia on bleeding during tympanoplasty

Background: Intraoperative bleeding is one of the most important complications of surgery. Different techniques and methods have been used to decline this problem. In this study, the effect of oral preanesthetic clonidine on producing a bloodless surgical area was examined on patients undergoing tympanoplasty. Materials and Methods: A randomized, triple blind clinical trial was carried out 88 patients candidates for tympanoplasty. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. 44 patients received oral clonidine 300 µgr, 90min before arriving at the operating room, and 44 patients received placebo. The method of anesthesia was similar in both groups. Interaoperating bleeding assessed on a four –point scale from 3 (abundant bleeding) to 0 (no bleeding). Moreover, surgeon’s satisfaction in the field of surgery and the homodynamic changes were assessed and recorded in data collecting sheets. Results: There were no statistically significant differences regarding gender and age between two groups. The homodynamic changes in the group that had received clonidine were fewer in comparison with those in the control group. In addition, the bleeding amount in the group receiving clonidine was 54.6 times less than in the control group, and the surgeon,s satisfaction in the clonidine group was 54.6 times more than that in the control group. The statistical analysis using independent sample t test showed significant difference between these two groups. Conclusion: Oral clonidine as a premeditation reduces bleeding in tympanopalsty and improves surgeon’s satisfaction