Quadriceps force production during straight leg raising at different hip positions with and without concomitant ankle dorsiflexion

Objective

Due to the significant prevalence of knee disorders and patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as the importance of quadriceps strengthening in knee rehabilitation programs, it is necessary to specify the best method to activate and strengthen the quadriceps muscles. The current study aimed at comparing the maximum generated isometric force during an active straight-leg-raising (SLR) maneuver in a sitting position by changing the hip rotational position with and without the simultaneous contraction of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles.

Translation,cultural adaptation,and validation of the Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) in Persian-speaking patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Purpose

The aim of this study was the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) in Persian-speaking patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

Ninety-six patients with OSA completed a series of questionnaires including SAQLI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS),10-item Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ-10), and Medical Outcome Survey Short form 12 (SF-12) for assessment of reliability, validity, and responsiveness of Persian version of SAQLI.

Results

The Persian version of SAQLI had a very good internal consistency and also demonstrated good test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations with ESS, FOSQ-10 and SF-12 subscale scores. Comparison of SAQLI scores in groups of patients categorized by ESS showed the high discriminative power of this instrument. However, there was no significant difference in the SAQLI scores of patients with mild, moderate, and severe sleep apnea. The results of sensitivity to change verified that the SAQLI was able to detect changes after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that the Persian version of SAQLI is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure for evaluation of quality of life in patients with OSA.

     

The influence of feeding linoleic,gamma-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid rich oils on rat brain tumor fatty acids composition and fatty acid binding protein 7 mRNA expression

Background  

Experimental studies indicate that gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may inhibit glioma cells growth but effects of oral consumption of these fatty acids on brain tumor fatty acid composition have not been determined in vivo.     

A comparative study of four intensive care outcome prediction models in cardiac surgery patients

Background  

Outcome prediction scoring systems are increasingly used in intensive care medicine, but most were not developed for use in cardiac surgery patients. We compared the performance of four intensive care outcome prediction scoring systems (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II], Simplified Acute Physiology Score II [SAPS II], Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA], and Cardiac Surgery Score [CASUS]) in patients after open heart surgery.     

The effect of natural adjuvants on tracheal responsiveness and cell count in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs

Background and objective:   Airway inflammation is a well-characterized pathological feature of asthma. The effects of two natural adjuvants on lungs of sensitized guinea pigs were examined.
Methods:   The responses of guinea pig tracheal chains, WBC, differential WBC in lung lavage and IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels in serum were examined in control guinea pigs and four treatment groups, including sensitized animals (S) and sensitized animals treated with the adjuvants PC (S + PC), G2 (S + G2) or both adjuvants (S + PCG2) ( n  = 6). Animals were sensitized by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin.
Results:   Tracheal responsiveness to methacholine (concentration of methacholine causing 50% of maximum contraction), WBC, eosinophil, neutrophil and basophil numbers were increased and lymphocyte numbers were decreased in lung lavage of sensitized animals compared with the control group ( P  < 0.01 to P  < 0.001). However, G2 adjuvant and the combination of G2 and PC adjuvants caused a significant reduction in tracheal responsiveness ( P  < 0.01 and P  < 0.001, respectively). In addition both adjuvants prevented changes in WBC ( P  < 0.001 for both). Both adjuvants and the combination prevented changes in eosinophil, neutrophil and basophil numbers in lung lavage of sensitized animals ( P  < 0.05 to P  < 0.001). The adjuvants also prevented changes in IL-4 but increased IFN-γ levels in all treatment groups compared with group S ( P  < 0.001 for all cases).
Conclusions:   These results indicate that the two natural adjuvants (especially G2 adjuvant) and their combination have therapeutic effects, with reduction in tracheal responsiveness and WBC in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs.