Association between diabetic retinopathy and polymorphisms of cytokine genes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Ophthalmology - Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a medical condition caused by damage to the blood vessels of retina tissue due to diabetes mellitus. DR leads to injury in neural and...     

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Iran

Metabolic syndrome is a set of cardiovascular risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mortality. Women are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome as they enter the postmenopausal period. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iranian postmenopausal women. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 16 national articles published in Persian and English were gathered without time limit. National databases such as SIDs, IranMedex and MagIran, and international databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus were used to search the relevant studies. We searched for articles using the keywords “menopause”, “postmenopausal”, “metabolic syndrome”, “MetSyn”, and their combinations. Data were analyzed using the meta-analysis method and the random effects model. Analysis of 16 selected articles with a sample size of 5893 people showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iranian postmenopausal women was 51.6% (95% CI: 43–60). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on ATP III and IDF criteria was 54% (95% CI: 59–63) and 50% (95% CI: 45–56), respectively. Based on the results of univariate meta-regression analysis, the increase in the mean age of postmenopausal women (p?=?0.001) and sample size (p?=?0.029), the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased significantly. More than half of postmenopausal women in Iran suffer from metabolic syndrome. Providing training programs for postmenopausal women to prevent and control cardiovascular disease and its complications seems to be necessary.     

Drug addicts seeking treatment after the Iranian Revolution: a clinic-based study

A sample survey of 200 addicts attending the Rehabilitation Centre at Shiraz was conducted after the 1979 Iranian Revolution had disrupted both drug supply and addict treatment programmes. The study showed that clinics were, after the revolution, seeing a broader social range of addicts than before; and that action by the authorities was bringing many recently-addicted individuals to clinics. Heroin use predominated among those who were urban residents, whilst villagers were more likely to be opium users. The survey also sought the addicts' perceptions of the reasons for their initiation and addiction.     

Relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

Dalvand H, Dehghan L, Hadian MR, Feizy A, Hosseini SA. Relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingOccupational therapy clinic.ParticipantsChildren with CP (N=662; 281 girls, 381 boys; age range, 3–14y).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresIntelligence testing was carried out by means of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised. Gross motor function level was determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS E&;R).ResultsOf the children, 10.4% were at level I of the GMFCS E&;R, 38% at levels II and III, and 51.5% at levels IV and V. The lowest level of intelligence or profound intellectual disability was found in children with spastic quadriplegia (n=28, 62.2%). Children at the lowest levels (I–IV, GMFCS E&;R) obtained higher ratings in terms of intelligence in comparison with children at level V. Based on the present results, the diagnosis was statistically related to the intellectual level as dependent variable (P<.01); accordingly, hypotonic, quadriplegic, and hemiplegic patients had the highest odds to assign higher ratings in abnormal intelligence, respectively. Sex and age were not statistically related to the dependent variable.ConclusionsThe study results demonstrated a significant association between GMFCS E&;R and intellectual function. Therefore, we suggest that particular attention should be paid to the intellectual level in terms of evaluations of gross motor function. These results, in respect, might be interested for occupational and physical therapists who are involved in rehabilitation programs for these children.     

The effect of trunk kinesio taping on static and dynamic balance and functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy

Background

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disease that causes the loss of normal motor function.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk kinesio taping on static and dynamic balance and functional mobility in children with CP.

Methods

In an experimental study with pre-test and post-test, 38 children with spastic CP were randomly divided into intervention (n?=?19) and control (n?=?19) groups. In the intervention group, kinesio taping was applied on the thoracic and lumbar regions. Taping was employed in control group in a sham mode. Berg balance scale (BBS), forward functional reach (FFR), and timed up and go (TUG) tests were used prior to taping application, immediately, 2 days after taping application, and 2 days after removed kinesio tape.

Results

Results showed a significant increase in BBS (P?<?0.001) and TUG (P?<?0.001) short time after application and after remove of taping in the intervention group. However, non-significant changes perceived in BBS (P?=?0.58), FFR (P?=?0.32), and TUG (P?=?0.32) immediately after application of kinesio taping in intervention group. No significant change has been observed in the control group in any different interval application.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, kinesio taping seems to be effective in improving dynamic balance and functional mobility in children with spastic CP. Therefore, kinesio taping can be used in the neurorehabilitation of CP as a complementary therapy.

     

Viologen–cucurbituril host/guest chemistry – redox control of dimerization versus inclusion

Two calix[4]arene systems, C23⁴⁺ and C24⁴⁺ – where 2 corresponds to the number of viologen units and 3–4 corresponds to the number of carbon atoms connecting the viologen units to the macrocyclic core – have been synthesized and led to the formation of [3]pseudorotaxanes when combined with either CB[7] or CB[8]. The [3]pseudorotaxanes spontaneously dissociate upon reduction of the bipyridinium units as the result of intramolecular dimerization of the two face-to-face viologen radical cations. CB[7] and CB[8]-based [2]pseudorotaxanes containing monomeric viologen guest model compounds, MC3²⁺ and MC⁴⁺, do not undergo decomplexation and dimerization following electrochemical reduction of their bipyridinium units.

Two calix[4]arenes with two viologen units separated by 3 or 4 carbon atoms from the macrocyclic core were synthesized and led to the formation of [3]pseudorotaxanes when combined with CB[7] or CB[8].     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of Leishmania infection in blood donors

Background

The risk of transfusion transmitted leishmaniasis (TTL) from apparently healthy persons or asymptomatic individuals, should not be ignored. Lack of a comprehensive review, encouraged us to design a systematic review with meta-analysis approach to assess the prevalence of Leishmania infection in healthy blood donors.

Prevalence of needlestick and sharps injuries in the healthcare workers of Iranian hospitals: an updated meta-analysis

Background

Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are critical occupational risk among health care workers (HCWs), which is extremely worrying due to the potential risk of transmitting bloodborn pathogens (BBPs). This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of NSIs among Iranian HCWs.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the key terms percu* injur*, needle* stick injur*, needlestick* injur*, or sharp* injur* were searched in the Scientific Information Database (SID), MagIran, IranMedex, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. A prefabricated checklist, including variables: first author, publication year, study population, sample size, gender, total prevalence of needlestick in each gender, type of questionnaire, region, and type of hospitals, was used to extract data from the selected articles included which were published between 2003 and 2016.

Results

The analysis showed that the prevalence of NSIs in the Iranian HCWs was 42.5% (95% CI 37–48). Moreover, the prevalence of NSIs was more in women (47%; 95% CI 36–58) compared to men (42%; 95% CI 26–58).

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of NSIs, it is necessary to supply safe needles and instruments, hold training programs focused on new methods of using sharp objects safely, observe safety principles and standards, reinforce the practical skills of personnel, and pay more attention to reporting and improving occupational behaviors like avoiding needle recapping in order to reduce the prevalence of NSIs and consequently reduce potential risk of transmission of BBPs.