Changes in sexual desire and activity during pregnancy among women in Shahroud,Iran

ObjectiveTo evaluate women's perception of sexual activity during pregnancy in Shahroud, Iran.MethodsData were gathered during 4 semi-structured group interviews with 33 pregnant women attending 2 obstetric outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital in Shahroud. The interviewers taped the interviews, coded and categorized their content, and performed a qualitative content analysis.ResultsMost women reported a decrease in sexual desire and frequency of intercourse during pregnancy (69.7% and 81.8%, respectively). Sexual desire, however, increased for 18.2% of the women. Some felt that accepting intercourse prevented spousal infidelity, but 65.2% worried that it might cause injury to the fetus. Only 24.2% received information on the advisability of sexual activity during pregnancy from their physicians or midwives, and the other 75.8% sensed that they should discuss the topic with a professional but were not comfortable starting the conversation.ConclusionAlong with excessive anxiety, insufficient information is the major reason why sexual intercourse is often considered dangerous, and sometimes avoided, during pregnancy in Iran. Healthcare professionals, especially midwives, should educate and counsel women, and reassure them that intercourse is safe in women with healthy pregnancies.     

The long leg radiograph is a reliable method of assessing alignment when compared to computer-assisted navigation and computer tomography

BackgroundThe mechanical alignment of the knee is an important factor in planning for, and subsequently assessing the success of a knee replacement. It is most commonly measured using a long-leg anteroposterior radiograph (LLR) encompassing the hip, knee and ankle. Other modalities of measuring alignment include computer tomography (CT) and intra-operative computer navigation (Cas). Recent studies comparing LLRs to Cas in measuring alignment have shown significant differences between the two and have hypothesized that Cas is a more accurate modality. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of the above mentioned modalities.MethodologyA prospective study was undertaken comparing alignment as measured by long-leg radiographs and computer tomography to intra-operative navigation measurements in 40 patients undergoing a primary total knee replacement to test this hypothesis. Alignment was measured three times by three observers. Intra- and inter-observer correlation was sought between modalities.ResultsIntra-observer correlation was excellent in all cases (> 0.98) with a coefficient of repeatability < 1.1°. Inter-observer correlation was also excellent measuring > 0.960 using LLRs and > 0.970 using CT with coefficient of repeatability < 2.8°. Inter-modality correlation proved to be higher when comparing LLRs and CT (> 0.893), than when comparing either of these modalities with Cas (> 0.643 and > 0.671 respectively). Pre-operative values had the greatest variability.ConclusionGiven its availability and reduced radiation dose when compared to CT, LLRs should remain the mainstay of measuring the mechanical alignment of the lower limb, especially post-operatively.Level of evidenceII     

Cognitive determinants of cervical cancer screening behavior among housewife women in Iran: An application of Health Belief Model

Our aim in this cross-sectional study was to assess the cognitive determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Behavior (CCSB) among housewife women in Islamabad County, Iran. Through multistage random sampling we recruited and interviewed 280 housewife women. The women who perceived more benefits of performing the Pap test (OR = 1.11), and perceived fewer barriers (OR = 0.915), and higher self-efficacy to perform the test (OR = 1.12) were more likely to have a CCSB in the previous three years. Our findings are informative for the development of targeted interventions to foster CCSB among housewife women.     

Acceptance of evidence based medicine (EBM) databases by Iranian medical residents using unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)

Objective

Physicians often need uptodate, reliable and with easy access information for clinical decisions evidence based medicine (EBM) databases can be a suitable approach to meet this need. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, use and factors affecting the acceptance of EBM and its databases by Iranian medical residents using UTAUT model.

Clinical outcomes and complication profile of total hip arthroplasty after lumbar spine fusion: a meta-analysis and systematic review

European Spine Journal - Hip and spine pathology can alter the biomechanics of spino-pelvic mobility. Lumbar spine fusions can reduce the mobility of the lumbar spine and therefore result in...     

Gap Balancing Sacrifices Joint-Line Maintenance to Improve Gap Symmetry: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Gap Balancing and Measured Resection

A total knee arthroplasty can be completed using two techniques; measured resection or gap balancing. A prospective blinded randomized controlled trial was completed with 103 patients randomized to measured resection (n=52) or gap balancing (n=51). Primary outcome measure was femoral component rotation. Secondary outcome measures were joint-line change, gap symmetry and function and quality-of-life outcomes. Gap balancing resulted in a significantly raised joint-line compared to measured resection. Gap symmetry was significantly better using gap balancing. Functional outcomes and quality-of-life were not significantly different at 24 months. Using computer navigation, gap balancing significantly raises the joint-line in order to improve gap symmetry. This does not result in a clinical difference in function or quality of life at 24 months.     

Sperm DNA damage and its relation with leukocyte DNA damage

DNA fragmentation in human sperm has been related to endogenous and exogenous factors. Exogenous factors can also affect leukocyte DNA integrity. This study evaluated the relation between sperm DNA damage and leukocyte DNA integrity, as a predictor of exogenous factors. DNA damage in the sperm and leukocytes of 41 individuals undergoing ICSI were measured by Comet assay. In addition, sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) was carried out on semen samples. A positive correlation was observed between the DNA integrity of sperm with leukocytes. When patients were divided into low and high DNA exposure groups, sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly different between the two groups. Cleavage rate and embryo quality showed significant correlation with leukocyte DNA integrity. The results showed that leukocyte DNA integrity could be used to identify individuals at high risk in order to reduce the extent of DNA damage in patients before ICSI in order to improve the subsequent outcome of this procedure.     

Synthesis and study of controlled release of ibuprofen from the new acrylic type polymers

New acrylic type polymeric systems having degradable ester bonds linked to ibuprofen were synthesized and evaluated as materials for drug delivery. Methacryloyloxy(2-hydroxy)propyl-4-isobutyl-alpha-methylphenyl acetate (MOPE), a new methacrylic derivative of ibuprofen in which the drug is separated from the methacrylic backbone by an oxy(2-hydroxy)propylene spacer arm and hydrolytically labile ester bond, was synthesized from reaction of glycidyl methacrylate with ibuprofen. The resulting drug containing monomer was copolymerized with methacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone or n-butyl methacrylate by free radical polymerization method in N,N-di-methylformamide (DMF) solution, utilizing azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator at the temperature range 65-70 degrees C. The obtained polymers were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used for determination of average molecular weights of drug-polymer conjugates and showed that the polydispersity indices of the polymers are in the range of 1.9-2.3. Drug release studies were performed by hydrolysis in buffered solutions (pH 1 and 8) at 37 degrees C. Detection of hydrolysis by UV spectroscopy at selected interval showed that the drug can be released by selective hydrolysis of the ester bond at the side of drug moiety. The release profiles indicated that the hydrolytic behavior of polymeric prodrugs is strongly based on the hydrophilicity of polymer and the pH of the hydrolysis solution. The hydrophilic polymers containing ibuprofen were hydrolyzed in buffer solutions rather than the hydrophobic polymers.