Design and Evaluation of a New Type of Knee Orthosis to Align the Mediolateral Angle of the Knee Joint with Osteoarthritis

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease which influences the performance of the knee joint. Moreover, the force and moments applied on the joint increase in contrast to normal subjects. Various types of knee orthoses have been designed to solve the mentioned problems. However, there are other problems in terms of distal migration during walking and the alignment of the orthosis which cannot be changed following the use of brace. Therefore, the main aim of the research was to design an orthosis to solve the aforementioned problems. Method. A new type of knee orthosis was designed with a modular structure. Two patients with knee OA participated in this research project. The force applied on the foot, moment transmitted through the knee joint, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured by use of a motion analysis system. Results. The results of the research showed that the adduction moment applied on the knee joint decreased while subjects walked with the new knee orthosis (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion. The new design of the knee brace can be used as an effective treatment to decrease the loads applied on the knee joint and to improve the alignment whilst walking

Evaluation of the influences of various force magnitudes and configurations on scoliotic curve correction using finite element analysis

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine, and the curvature can be moderate to severe. Different treatment can be used based on severity and age of subjects, but most common treatment for this disease is using orthosis. To design orthosis types of force arrangement can be varied, from transverse loads to vertical loads or combination of them. But it is not well introduced how orthoses control scoliotic curve and how to achieve the maximum correction based on force configurations and magnitude. Therefore, it was aimed to determine the effect of various loads configurations and magnitudes on curve correction of a degenerative scoliotic subject. A scoliotic subject participated in this study. The CT-Scan of the subject was used to produce 3D model of spine. The 3D model of spine was produced by Mimics software and the finite element analysis and deformation of scoliotic curve of the spine under seven different forces and in three different conditions was determined by ABAQUS software. The Cobb angle in scoliosis curve decreased significantly by applying forces. In each condition depends on different forces, different corrections have been achieved. It can be concluded that the configurations of the force application mentioned in this study is effective to decrease the scoliosis curve. Although it is a case study, it can be used for a vast number of subjects to predict the correction of scoliosis curve before orthotic treatment. Moreover, it is recommended that this method and the outputs can be compared with clinical findings

Evaluation of the magnitude of hip joint deformation in subjects with avascular necrosis of the hip joint during walking with and without Scottish Rite orthosis

The femoral head in subjects with leg calve perthes disease (LCPD) is generally considerably deformed. It is debatable whether this deformation is due to an increase in applied loads, a decrease in bone mineral density or a change in containment of articular surfaces. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of these factors on deformation of the femoral head. Two subjects with LCPD participated in this study. Subject motion and the forces applied on the affected leg were recorded using a motion analysis system (QualsisTM) and a Kistler force plate. OpenSim software was used to determine joint contact force of the hip joint whilst walking with and without a Scottish rite orthosis. 3D Models of hip joints of both subjects were produced by Mimics software. The deformation of femoral bone was determined by Abaqus. Mean values of the force applied on the leg increased while walking with the orthosis. There was no difference between bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral bone of normal and LCPD sides (p-value>0.05) and no difference between hip joint contact force of normal and LCPD sides. Hip joint containment appeared to decrease follow the use of the orthosis. It can be concluded that the deformation of femoral head in LCPD may not be due to change in BMD or applied load. Although the Scottish rite orthosis is used mostly to increase hip joint containment, it appears to reduce hip joint contact area. It is recommended that a similar study is conducted using a higher number of subjects

Evaluation of the hip joint contact force in subjects with Perthes based on OpenSIM

The head of femoral bone is deformed in the subjects with Leg Calve Perthes disease (LCPD). This may be due to the excessive loads applied on it. There are no studies that report the hip joint contact force in subjects with LCPD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hip joint contact force in subjects with Perthes disease. Ten typically-developing (TD) children and 10 children with LCPD were recruited in this study. The kinematics and kinetics of the subjects were evaluated in 3D motion analysis. The hip joint contact force was approximated using OpenSIM software. Differences were determined with an independent t-test. There was a significant difference between walking speed of TD and Perthes subjects (63.8 (±8.1) and 57.4 (±7.0) m/min, respectively). The first peak of hip joint contact force was 4.8 (±1.7) N/BW in Perthes subjects, compared to 7.6 (±2.5) N/BW in TD subjects (p = 0.004). The peak hip joint contact force in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions was significantly lower in Perthes subjects (p < 0.05). The hip joint excursion was 40.0 (±5.6) and 46.4 (±8.5) degrees in Perthes and normal subjects, respectively (p = 0.03). The hip joint contact forces were lower in the subjects with Perthes disease. Therefore, it can be concluded that the strategies used by LCPD subjects were successful to decrease hip joint contact force

RELATION BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA AND PERFORMANCE OF LOWER LIMB IN SQUAT JUMP

In this study, the total peak of joints’ torque, work, and the maximum jump height were measured in ten physically active male subjects performing the squat jump (SJ), and squat jump with arm swing (SJA). Accordingly, arm swing caused an increment in the heights of squat jump (p\u3c0.001).The results revealed relationships between body mass and height with the total peak of joints’ torque (0.5

Hepatitis a seroprevalence and associated risk factors: A communitybased cross-sectional study in Shahrekord, Iran

Background: Recently, the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been changing sue to lifestyle-related variations. To our knowledge, there are no published data about the seroepidemiology of this infection in Shahrekord, central Iran, by which decisions on the commissioning of a vaccination program could be made. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody at the Shahrekord Center of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using the multistage cluster sampling method, a total of 501 serum samples from the same number of individuals over 15 years in both urban and rural areas of Shahrekord, during 2013 were tested for HAV IgG antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test. Logistic regression was also used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: It was found that 455 out of 501 (90.8%) serum samples, including those of 211 (42.1%) men and 290 (57.9%) women, were positive for HAV IgG antibody. Education level, age, marital status, and ethnicity were associated with HAV seropositivity in the studied individuals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The HAV seroprevalence of 90.8% in the studied region may be representative of a highly endemic region of HAV that does not require a vaccination program to be commissioned. © 2016, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center

Pomegranate peel extract inhibits internalization and replication of the influenza virus: An in vitro study

Objective: Influenza virus, which is associated with high level of morbidity and mortality, has been recently considered a public health concern; however, the methods of choice to control and treat it are limited. Our previous study showed anti-influenza virus activity of pomegranate peel extract (PPE). In this study, the mechanism through which PPE acts against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) was investigated. Materials and Methods: Ethyl alcohol extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel was prepared, and the action mechanism of PPE in inhibiting influenza replication was studied by time-ofdrug-addition assay, virucidal activity, RNA replication, hemagglutination inhibition assay, viral mRNA expression, and western blot analysis. Results: PPE inhibited viral polymerase activity, viral RNA replication, and viral protein expression but could not affect hemagglutination inhibition and virucidal activity. According to time-of-drug-addition assay results, PPE inhibited the virus adsorption and early steps of influenza replication. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the antiviral effect of PPE on influenza virus is most probably associated with inhibition of viral adsorption and viral RNA transcription. Keywords: Anti-influenza virus; Pomegranate; Punica granatum L.; Mechanism

In vitro anti-adenoviral activities of ethanol extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel

Background: Adenovirus causes a number of diseases in human, and can cause serious infection in severely immunosuppressed individuals. Despite the seriousness of adenovirus infection, there is no definitely approved anti-adenoviral therapy. Many studies have shown that compounds derived from medicinal plants have antiviral activity. Therefore, this study evaluated in vitro anti-adenoviral activity of ethanol extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds of pomegranate peel. Methods: The ethanol extract of pomegranate peel was prepared with maceration method and fractionated by consecutive liquid/liquid partition. The cytotoxic and anti-adenovirus activities of the extract, fractions, and main phenolic compounds (ellagic acid, punicalagin and gallic acid) were evaluated on Hep-2 cell line using MTT assay. Inhibitory effect on adsorption and post-adsorption phases of the virus replication cycle was also evaluated. Results: Pomegranate peel extract had a desirable effect against adenovirus with IC50 of 5.77 µg/mL and selectivity index of 49.9. Among the fractions and compounds, the n-butanol fraction and gallic acid had the highest anti-adenoviral activity with IC50 of 2.16 µg/mL and 4.67 µM and selectivity indices of 122.5 and 10.5, respectively. The crude extract, n-butanol fraction and gallic acid inhibited the virus replication in post-adsorption phase (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract, especially its n-butanol fraction, could serve as a new promising anti-adenovirus agent due to high inhibitory effect against adenovirus replication. The effect of the n-butanol fraction may be related to the synergistic effect or other compounds of this fraction. Further understanding of the bioassay guided isolation of natural compounds of this fraction seems essential

In vitro anti influenza virus activity, antioxidant potential and total phenolic content of twelve Iranian medicinal plants

The emergence of medicine resistance strains of influenza A viruses to the chemical drogs lead to the development of alternative herbal compounds that inhibit the virus replication. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate in vitro anti-influenza A viruses activity, antioxidant potential, total phenolic, and flavonoid content of a total of 12 hydro alcoholic crude extracts obtained from 8 kinds of medicinal plants. Antiinfluenza A viruses activity of the extracts was investigated by the using of MDCK cell line and MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol– 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. Both 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of the extracts were identified using regression analysis. The antioxidant activity, total phenol, and flavonoid content of the extracts were determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, Folin-Ciocalteu method, and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The results demonstrated that there was high activity against influenza virus for Peganum harmala L., Equisetum arvense L., and Punica granatum L, extracts with IC50 value of 9.1 (CI95%:7.3-11.3), 6.45 (CI95%: 4.5-9.23), and 104.5 (CI95%: 82.8-131.8), respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed that both Equisetum arvense L. and Punica granatum L. demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 6.5, 6.8 and 7.7 μg/mL, respectively. According to the results, some of these extracts might be further analyzed to develop effective anti-influenza factors

Evaluation of Various Fixation Methods in Acute Scapholunate Dissociation, A Finite Element Study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of fixing scapholunate with pins and screws in parallel,convergent, and divergent orientations.Methods: In this computer simulation study, the CT scan images of a healthy subject wereused to construct a 3D model of the wrist joint using MIMICS software. The imposed force to scaphoid and3D model lunate bones, as well as the scapholunate angle and distance, were compared in different surgicaltechniques using parallel, divergent, and convergent pins and screws.Results: In the absence of external force, the imposed stress applied to the scaphoid and lunate bones in casesof parallel pins and screws were 7.5MPa, 5.08MPa (pins), 1.134MPa, and 1.151MPa (screws), and 10.90MPa,10.90MPa (pins), 9.7MPa, and 34.1MPa (screws) for 50N flexion force. The imposed stress in this approach issignificantly lower compared to other interventions. Better outcomes were seen regarding scapholunate angleand scapholunate distance in using parallel pins or screws as well.Conclusion: In conclusion, implementing parallel pins and screws for scapholunate fixation had better resultsin terms of achieving carpal stability in scapholunate dissociation. However, fixation with pins and screwsshowed a statistically significant difference. Furthermore, a wide range of motion exercises with no additionalforces can be used in the rehabilitation of patients undergoing this surgery