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Background and Objective: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear is One of the most common injuries at knee joint. Threshold of motion sense included inputs that are received by mechanical receptors at dynamic position. The objection of present study was to find the effect of functional brace on the Kinesthesia motion sense in patients with ACL rupture.

Materials and Methods: In this Quasi- experimental study, 20 patients with ACL tear, with aging range between 18 to 44 years old were recruited. Patients were selected in a simple non probability sampling manner. Using Continuous passive motion for testing the Kinesthesia motion sense, as a dependent variable. Data was analyzed with Paired t-test and Colmogrof-Smirnof tests.

Results: Threshold of motion sense at affected knee before and after bracing was 3.93±1.67, 4.45±1.86 in open eyes and 3.82±1.61, 4.13±1.96 in closed eyes (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the functional brace did not play in important role in the improvement of threshold of motion sense in patients with ACL tear.

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Background and Objective: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a new cardiovascular risk factor and its concentration increase cardiovascular diseases, while physical activity decrease cardiovascular diseases. This study intend to investigate the effect of eight week walking program on lipoprotein (a) concentration in non-athlete iranian menopausal  women.

Materials and Methods: Twenty two healthy menopause women of 47-55 year of age any specific disorder were enrolled in this study. The subjects randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Anthropometric characteristics including height ,weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percent and Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR) and serum lipoprotein on fasting were measured pre and post-walking program. The data were compared using independent t-test, U mann witny and pearson correlation caefficeint was used for assessement of relation between lipoprotein (a) with anthropometric indexes.

Results: According to these results, there was a significant reduction of serum lipoprotein (a) (pre test12.5±4/1 post test 10.5±3md), WHR, BMI and body fat percent prior and after the training in experimental group (P<0.05) while non significant changes was observed in control group. Also, there was non significant relationship between lipoprotein (a) with Anthropometric indexes.

Conclusion: This study revealed that 8-week walking program had useful effects on menopausal women’ serum lipoprotein (a) concentration, WHR, BMI and body fat percent.

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Background and Objective: Striae gravidarum is one of the cutaneous physiological changes during pregnancy with a high prevalence. This study was done to evaluate the effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 100 nulliparous women referring to Tehran health ceatens were gone under investigation during 2009. Those whome had the inclusion criteria were divided to experimental group (using olive oil) and control group. The questionnaire was completed via interview and observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test.

Results: Moderate striae gravidarum was seen 32% and 22% in intervention and conrtol groups, respectively. Severe striae gravidarum was 6% and 14% in intervention and control groups, respectively, but this diference was not significant.

Conclusion: This study showed that olive oil did not demonstrate to have any role in reducing of stria gravidarum.

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Background and Objective: Poor sleep quality is common among hemodialysis patients and can potentially predict morbidity, mortality and quality of life in these patients. On the other hand, hemodialysis patients are encountered with vitamin C deficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous vitamin C on sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods: In this double blind randomized clinical trial, 60 qualified hemodialysis patients were gone under investigation in Sari a city located in North of Iran during 2010. Patients randomly allocated in two equal intervention and control groups. The main measured outcome was the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) which consists of seven components. At the end of each hemodialysis session, Intervention group received vitamin C vial (500mg/5cc) intravenously, three times a week for 8 weeks and control group received normal saline in a same way. Data were collected at pretreatment and after two months of treatment. Data were analyzed by Independent t test, Paired t test, Wilcoxon and Chi-Square tests.

Results: The result indicated that the sleep quality improves significantly in vitamin C group but not in control group (P<0.001). Vitamin C caused significant improvement in subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances in intervention group (p<0.05). Also, Global PSQI score of intervention group had a greater improvement than control group. Moreover vitamin C caused significant improvement in subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances in intervention group after treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that intravenous vitamin C can effectively improve sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

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Background and Objective: Several strains of the Echinococcus granulosus have been described based on morphological characters, intermediate host specificity and/or genetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. The aim of this study was to characterize different E.granulosus isolates by using sequences of mitochondrial atp6 gene.

Materials and Methods: In this study, Sixty infected liver and lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were collected from the abattoir of Varamin city-Iran during 2008. Protoscoleces were removed from each fertile cyst and DNA extracted. New and specific primers were designed for two existing genotypes (G1 and G6) of E. granulosus known to occur in Iran and applied in PCR reactions.

Results: The new primers selectively amplified the G1 and G6 genotypes of E. granulosus with specific bands of 708 and 705 bp respectively. The G1 genotype was identified in all fertile cyst samples.

Conclusion: This study showed that the new primer pairs which specifically amplify portions of the mitochondrial atp6 gene of the G1 and G6 strains of Echinococcus granulosus are proper molecular marker for investigating genetic variation in a number of isolates of E. granulosus from a range of hosts (sheep, goats, cattle) in Iran. The result of sequenced samples showed that our sequences were the same as those reported previously for these strains.

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Background and Objective: Hypertension is considered as a major public health problem in most countries due to its association with ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine people awareness of hypertension in Golestan province of Northern Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional population based study carried out on 2497 subjects (15-65 years old) including 1500 men and 1247 women in Golestan province- Northern Iran during 2006. The subjects were chosen by proportional-cluster sampling based on sex and age groups. The subjects were interviewed, antropometric indexes and serum biochemical factors were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5 minutes interval and defined based on JNC-7 classification. Serum cholesterol and fast blood sugar (FBS) were determined using laboratory kits (enzymatic methods), and spectrophotometery technique. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software and Chi-Square test.

Results: In general, the prevalence of hypertension in this region was 23.9%. with higher rate among women urban area by 3.3% and 5% respectively. Only 48.7% of hypertensive patients were aware of their disease and that was significantly more in women than men (P<0.001). Low physical activity, chronical age, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, general obesity, central obesity and illiteracy were the risk factor for hypertension morbidity (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed, in spite of prevalency of hypertension among 20% of subjects in this area only 48.7% of them were aware about their disorder.

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Background and Objective: Suicide is one of the important causes of death worldwide particularly among 44-15 years. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalency of attempted suicide in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study conducted on 4977 suicide attempted subjects in Golestan province, North of Iran during 2003-07. Data were gathered through a filed questioners. Data was analyzed by SPSS-18 and Chi-Square test.

Results: Mean±SD of the subjects was 22.91±7.59 years. The female to male ratio was 1.62. 55.6% of subjects were single. The subjects resided in urban and rural area were 62% and 37.8%, respectively. 61.4% and 27.1% of subjects have finished and un-finished high-school studies. 2% and 0.9% from those attempted sucide were died and referred to specific centers, respectively for further medical follow-up. There was a positive correlation between suicide single status and low educated subjects with P=0.036 and P=0.001 respectively.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that the prevalancy of suicide were higher among single, female and those with lower education.

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Background and Objective: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders that are associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases and type-II diabetes. This study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adolescents population in Gorgan, Northern Iran - 2009.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 450 adolescents 15-17 years, selected through 2 stage cluster randomized sampling from high schools. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NHANES III criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software, Chi-Square and logestic regration.

Results: The overall metabolic syndrome prevalence was 3.3% (CI 95%:1.8–5.4). More than half of cases (54.6%) had at least 1 or 2 components. High triglyceride level was the most common disorder in both genders (boys 27.6%, girls 52.4%) and then low HDL cholesterol level (17.3%) and central obesity (7.6%) were common among boys and girls respectively. Where as abdominal obesity in boys (0.9%) and hypertension in girls (3.1%) were less common.

Conclusion: This study showed that the rate of metabolic syndrome is slightly lower but the obsity in adolescents is higher than other parts of country.

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Background and Objective: Over half of medical researches in Iran are done by students of different levels as their thesis. In medical school, thesis is a 6 hours mandatory course. This study caried out to determine the publication of thesis in faculty of medical in Gorgan, located in North of Iran.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on all thesis and all faculty members who have been advisor of at least one thesis up to the time of this study. To collect data, we used a questionnaire which contained questions about the research, their output and any obstacles to publication. All data have been analyzed by SPSS-13 software and Chi-Square test.

Results: According to the collected information, 322 thesis were directed by 43 faculty academic members of Gorgan Medical School. 87.6% and 12.4% thesis supervisors were clinical and basic science academic members respectively. The majority of 127 (39.4%) published papers have either been published by domestic medical journals or represented in medical seminars inside the country. Basic members have published 70% of their papers while only 35.1% of clinical faculty members have published their research findings. Experimental papers have been published more than other papers (48.5%). The most important publication barrier were lack of time and collaborator in this matter.

Conclusion: This study showed that publication rate of medical student thesis is far from ideal.

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Background and Objective: Child obesity is increased in developing countries. This study assessed the prevalence of obesity on children which are exclusively on breast feeding and its duration among children aged 24-59 months in Bandar Turkmen district Northern, Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, 343 in children aged 24-59 months were selected with stratified random sampling. Obesity was defined as >+2SD NCHS (National Center for Health Surveys) reference. Data were collected by questionnaire, interview with mothers and were analyzed with Chi-Square and Fisher tests and multiple regression logistic models.

Results: In this study, 6.4% of children were obese. Prevalence of obesity was not significantly different between boys and girls (5.4% and 7.4% respectively). Breast feeding duration<18 months (P<0.005) and formula or cow’s milk plus breast feeding up to 6 months old (P<0.01) was significantly correlated with children’s obesity. Breast feeding duration more than 18 months reduced the obesity risk factor with 64%.

Conclusion: This study demonestrated that exclusively breast feeding in the first 6 months of life and breast feeding duration more than 18 months reduce the child obesity.

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Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are among 46% of deaths in Iran. Changing lifestyle is very important for the disease control. If the patients perceive the benefits of preventive behaviours, the barriers to those behaviours will decline and the probability of engaging in the behaviours will increase. This study carried out to determine perceived benefits and barriers of preventive behaviours of relapsed myocardial infraction.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 patients with a history of myocardial infraction referred to Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center during 2007. A questionnaire was used for data collection which measured perceived benefits of, barriers to preventive behaviours of myocardial infraction relapse and status of those behaviours. Data was analyzed using SPSS-13 and Pearson coefficient and regression tests.

Results: Subjects earned a mean score of 30.24 (out of 36) in perceived benefits and 22.07 (out of 68) in perceived barriers and 24.48 (out of 37) in preventive behaviours. Preventive behaviours was positively correlated with net benefit and negatively with perceived barriers.

Conclusion: This study showed that in spit of suitable level of perceived benefits of myocardial infraction, but still the perceived barriers are significant enough and therefor removal of barriers to such behaviour are essential.

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Background and Objective: The painful menstruation is one of the common disorders of ‎female sexual organ which is experienced by almost fifty percent of the women affected ‎by regular menstrual periods. The primary dysmenorrhea is referred to as the ‎menstrual pain in absence of undetectable pelvic disease which occurs usually during 2 years after first menstruation when ovulation is established. This study was done to investigate the effect of heat and vibration on primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study carried out on 75 female students, aged 18-22 years old from Islamic Azad ‎University. Each subject evaluated for two menstrual cycles. At first cycle the participants received the routine pain-relief method. During the second cycle each of them applied combined heat-vibration device for ten minutes during ‎menstrual pain. Data collected using ‎questionnaire and pain visual analog scale and analyzed using SPSS-14, t student and Wilcoxon tests. Results: In contols, pain score was 5.34 and 4.09 prior and after routine intervertion, respectively (P<0.001). Also, in cases pain score significantly reduced from 5.34 to 3.44 after intervention by heat and vibration. In 8% of cases a slight redness was observed. Conclusion: This study showed that heat and vibration is more effective than routine intervention in pain during menstrual cycles.

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Background and Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common disease among the entrapment neuropathies. The purposes of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new dorsal wrist splinting versus common palmar splinting for CTS based on sensory nerve conduction measurements. Materials and Methods: This single blind randomized control trial study was carried out on 22 idiopathic CTS patients. Subjects were randomly divided in two groups: Dorsal splint group (n=12) and palmar splint group (n=10). Both groups used splints for 4 weeks. Sensory conduction study of median nerve were done initially for having baseline and after 4 weeks follow up. SPSS-16 and Kolmogorov–Smirnov, independent T, and paired T tests were used for analysis of Data Results: After four weeks median nerve sensory distal latency and conduction velocity improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05). There was significant difference between both groups due to electro-diagnostic improvement. Conclusion: This study showed that based on electro-diagnostic method, dorsal wrist splint is more effective than cockup splint in carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Background and Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common injuries at knee joint. This study was done to evalute the effect of reconstruction surgery on hamstring reflex in patients with ACL tear. Materials and Methods: In this Quasi- experimental study, 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) with ACL tear, with mean age of 26.52±8.72 years old were recruited during 2007. Patients were selected in a non probability sampling manner. The Kinsiological Electromyography and trauma mechanism were used for testing the hamstring reflex. Muscle activity were measured as a dependent variable. Data were analyzed with Paired T-Test, ICC, SEM and K-S tests. Results: Hamstring reflex in affected knee and after reconstruction surgery was 73.25±3.22 and 47.35±3.85, respectively. This difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Reconstruction surgery in patients with ACL tear at acute phase is effective in improvement of hamstring reflex.

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Background and Objective: The reactive oxygen species (ROS) continuously are neutralized by antioxidant. Biological molecules become protected from oxidative stress under normal conditions. The production of ROS during hypoxia is reported In Vitro which is also known as reductive stress. In order to study this phenomenon at physiologic scales which occurs in routine activities, this study was conducted to evalute, the effect of voluntary apnea on serum ROS level. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, the participants were 12 healthy non-athlete men aged 21±3 years. At the end of normal depth inspiration the voluntary apnea had been started till 40 seconds. The respiratory rate and depth, heart rate and arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent were continuously monitored. Venous blood samples were collected at two times: (1) immediately after the apnea and (2) at the end of it and before re-breathing. The serum ROS level was measured using the standard D-ROM test. Results: The mean and the range of breath holding time were 52.5±7.9 and 40±61.7 seconds respectively. The heart rate and the arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent decrease 12.75% (P<0.003) and 2.05% (P<0.001) respectively. The mean and the range of basal vs. apnea of these parameters were as follow: 93.3±3.03 and 87-107 bpm vs. 81.43±3.7 and 71-93 bmp 97.6±.16 and 97-98 percent vs. 95.6±.33 and 94-97%. The serum ROS level after 40 seconds of apnea did not show significant differences. Conclusion: In non-athletes the voluntary apnea had no effect on serum reactive oxygen species level.

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Background and Objective: Hirschsprung’s disease is a congenital disorder, characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the intramural and submucosal plexus in distal parts of large bowel. Diagnosis is based on the histopathologic examination of hematoxilin and eosin stained sections. Due to diagnosis limitation by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E), this study was done to identify the ganglion cells by BCL-2 immunoreactivity and compared it with H&E staining. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, paraffin blocks of 36 specimens demonstrating ganglion cells on original H&E stained sections and 35 specimens lacking ganglion cells on H&E staining, were selected. Recuts were stained by H&E and BCL-2 methods. Results: Ganglion cells were observed in 36 cases by H&E staining but in BCL-2 staining ganglion cells were detected in 29 cases. In 35 cases reported negative for ganglion cells on H&E staining, ganglion cells were detected in 5 cases by BCL-2 method. Sensitivity, spesificity, positive and negative predictive values for BCL-2 method for diagnosis of hirshsprung’s disease were 81%, 86%, 85% and 86% respectively.discordancy (positive BCL-2, negative H&E) was 14%. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry method using BCL-2 improve the accuracy of diagnosis in hirschsprung’s disease, when accompanied with H&E staining, particulary for negative slides.

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Background and Objective: Neisseria meningitidis is an obligate pathogen of human and temporary colonizes the mucosa of upper respiratory tract. This study was done to determine the frequency of pharyngeal Neisseria Carriage among 10-12 years old pupiles. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 364 pupiles at four primary schools in Tehran during spring 2008 and winter 2009. The samples were collected from pharyngeal region and were cultured on Thayer-Martin Agar. Results: Among 364 collected samples from pharynx of pupiles, Neisseria meningitidis not found on the selective media, but three of pupiles were carrier of Neisseria lactamica. Conclusion: This study showed that Neisseria meningitides colonization was not observed in the pharynx of 10-12 years old pupiles.

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Background and Objective: The characterization of any disease have important role for the evaluation and control strategy and programming of diseases. This study was done to determine the epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Iran during 2001-08. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, Annual percentage change (APC), average annual percentage change (AAPC) of Tuberculosis incidence rate, mortality of Tuberculosis, case detection rate, success percentage in Tuberculosis treatment and relapses cases during 2001-08 have been studied in Iran. Linear segmented regression model was used for analysis trend of Tuberculosis and estimate parameters. Results: The trend of Tuberculosis smear positive (SP) incidence rate was reduced in Iran during 2001-08. Anually, 4.1% and 3.6% reduction took place in incidence rate and relapses cases, respectively. Tuberculosis mortality decreased annually by 6.8% and success in case detection increased by 2.5%. The Tuberculosis treatment though AAPC is decreasing by 0.5%. The trend of Tuberculosis are higher among women and in both sexes over 65 years of age. Conclusion: This study showed that trend of SP pulmonary tuberculosis and treatment success rate is decreased, but case detection was increased.

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Background and Objective: In term of health and economic, Hospitals is the most important sector in the healthcare providers. Therefore it is necessary to use economic analysis to achieve optimum performance. This study was done to determine the revenue sources of 150 Iranian educational hospitals during 2007. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, data was collected by using of web based software in 150 educational hospitals affiliated to medical universities in Iran. We used the questionnaire for gathering the hospital profile which was filled by experts of budget personel in Minstry of Health and Medical Education. Results: 23674 active beds were in 150 selected hospitals. The total revenue was 4116 billion Iranian rial. The two major sources of total revenue were insurance organizations reimbursement (75.97%) and out of packet payment (24.03%). Per bed revenue was 174 million rial. The composition insurance organizations reimbursement are medical services insurance organization (46.7%), social security organization (32%), army force insurance organization (5.8%), Emdad committee insurance (2.9%), traffic injuries (business insurance) (9.7%), donors funds (0.1%) and the other insurance program (2.7%). Conclusion: The revenue of hospitals in Iran, highly depended on insurance reimbursement. Therefore, the hospitals confront serious problem if insurance organizations delay the reimbursement.

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Background and Objective: Patients consent for medical care is a legal requirement. Consent is a document that patient must be necessary aware about all risks of surgery, treatment strategy, Substitution and the risks involved by physician. This study was done to evaluate status of filled consent form of hospitalized patients in Ardabil – Northwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was done by interview with patients and accompained patients in hospitals of Ardabil – Northwest of Iran during 2010. Patient demographics and other variables gathered by a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by Chi-Square test. Results: 86 (57%) of patients were female and 64 (43%) male. 35 (23%) were illiterate and 92 (61%) under diploma. 45% of patients get information about their illness from doctors. According to patient ideas, 13% of reception personals did not complete consent form. 65 (43.3%) of patients stated that the context of consent form was unreadable and long. Rate of completing form for patients were 87%. 40% of completed forms was not signed by witnesses. The patients and relatives were not satisfied with the form itself, and this observation statistically was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that validity of completed consent forms are low and it is necessary to design programs for improvement the quality of filling the consent forms.