[Effect of short-term supplementation of cocoa on platelet factors [Plt, MPV, PDW] of athlete male's blood after an exhaustive aerobic exercise]

Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] are among the most important causes of death and disability all around the world. Blood cells, especially platelets, may play a crucial role in pathophysiology of these disorders. Considering the increased risk of thrombosis after acute physical activities, and the role of the platelets in these disorders, many nutritional approaches had been evaluated for the prevention of thrombosis. Recently, the effects of cocoa consumption on hemostasis have recently attracted the attention of many researchers. In this study we evaluated the effects of cocoa consumption on platelet count, mean platelet volume [MPV], and platelet distribution width [PDW], during one session of incremental exhausting aerobic exercise in male soccer players. This semi-experimental study included 20 healthy volunteer male soccer players [age: 22 +/- 1years; BF%: 22.5 +/- 1.2; VO2max:52.6 +/- 1.5 ml.kg-1.min]. After written consent, all subjects performed Bruce Test within two successive weeks. After the first blood sampling [stage one], 0.5 mg/kg of placebo [0.5 g cocoa powder in 300 ml of 4% sucrose solution] or cocoa solution [18.75 g cocoa powder in 300 ml 4% sucrose solution] was randomly given to the subjects. All cases performed Bruce Test two hours later. Blood samples were collected just before Bruce Test [second stage], immediately after Bruce Test [third stage] and 1 hour after Bruce Test [fourth stage]. After preparation of peripheral blood smears, platelet count, MPV and PDW were measured by Mindray cell counter. Using spss 16, data were analyzed by means of two-factor analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Bonfferoni test at the level 0.01. Our results indicated a significant decrease in platelet count, MPV, and PDW after cocoa consumption [P<0.01]. In addition, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in these values after Bruse Test [P<0.01]. However, in spite of significant increase in platelet count, MPV, and PDW after Bruse Test, cocoa consumption 2 hours before the test decreased these values significantly [P<0.01]. Cocoa consumption before exhaustive physical exercises may prevent exercise induced increase in the platelet indices; hence, potentially can prevent cardiovascular and thrombotic events and sudden death in the athletes

[ frequency of musculoskeletal disorders in students of Tehran, Tehran, Iran]

Musculoskeletal disorders are common among children. Burden imposed on neck, shoulder and back areas by carrying schoolbags may result in musculoskeletal disorders in students. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms and factors associated with these symptoms in students of Tehran. Three hundred and forty students participated in this Cross-sectional study. Students were selected from five primary and middle schools in five different regions of Tehran.Musculoskeletal disorder examination was based on Nordic Questionnarie and Body Map was used to determine the location of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Cluster sampling was applied to select the required statistical sample. Data using independent T-test, were analysed with significant level of p<0.05. Most common musculoskeletal discomforts were observed in shoulders 37.9%, neck 28.5% and lumbar 17.4% areas. The differences between the avarage weight of schoolbag in those cases who had muculoeskeletal discomforts with those without such disorders, were significant [p<0.05]. According to the results, there is a close relationship between the weight of schoolbag and musculoskeletal disorders in neck and/or shoulder and back in students. So, although it is believed that these disorders have different origin, carrying heavy schoolbags is very suspicious case in expressing these symptoms

Backpack weight and musculoskeletal symptoms in secondary school students, Tehran, Iran

Increased complaints by school students about back and shoulder pain and discomfort have raised concerns among parents, education professionals, and orthopedists and these discomforts may be because of schoolbag carriage. The aim of this study was to investigate of relationship of musculoskeletal symptoms with weight of backpack in Tehran secondary school students. This cross-sectional study was performed in the city of Tehran in 2009. Two hundred thirteen students participated in study. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used, asking about complaints of back, neck, and/or shoulders. Length and weight of the children were determined. Schoolbags were weighed, and the relative weight of the schoolbag was calculated. Most prevalent musculoskeletal discomfort was in shoulders as 38.1%, neck 27.6% and back 16.7%. Average difference of weight of backpack in sample that had musculoskeletal with other samples was significant [P<0.05]. Weight of the backpack appears to be strongly related to the occurrence of shoulder, neck, back, and extremities complaints in students. Although musculoskeletal discomforts are believed to be multifactorial in origin, the carriage and manipulating of heavy backpack is signally a suspected factor and may represent an overlooked daily physical stress for secondary students

[Evaluation of complication after treatment of femoral neck fracture by method of internal fixation]

The incidences of femoral neck fracture are increasing. According to its high complication and lack of enough study about this subject in our country, we decided to perform this study. In this cross-sectional observational study, we evaluated 80 patients with femoral neck fracture who referred to Hazrat-e-Rassol hospital and underwent Internal Fixation from 1383-85. The patients were followed at least one year after surgery. [15%] non-union, 3 patients [3.75%] infection, and 28 patients [35%] pain and claudication. The co: 29 patients [36.3%] had at least one complication: 19 patients a vascular necrosis [23.8%] AVN, 12 patients mplication rate was lower in base fractures than subcapital and transcervical. [p=0.019] In patients without displacement, there was not any complication but 29 of 65 patients with displacement had complication [p=0.001]. The rate of complication became higher when the quality of reduction and fixation was poor [p=0.000]. According to results of this and previous studies, we recommend more attention about the quality of reduction and fixation. Also because the rate of complication was high in group with displacement, the hip arthroplasty should be considered in these patients and patients above 65-year-old with displace fracture

Effect of sensory integration therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy

The primary problem in children with cerebral palsy [CP], frequently referred for occupational therapy, is gross motor dysfunction. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of sensory integration therapy [SIT] on gross motor skills in CP patients. Twenty-four children with diplegic spastic CP were randomly divided into two groups: First group [n=14,6 girls, 8 boys], age range 2 to 6 years, mean age 3.9 years; the second or control group [n=10,5 girls, 5 boys], age range 2 to 6 years, mean age 3.4 years. SIT training was given to the first group and only the home program was given for the second group. All children were evaluated with gross motor function measurement [GMFM 88] for rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking position before and after intervention. Treatment duration for both groups was 1 hour, 5 days per week for a period of 12 weeks. Gross motor function in children of the case group improved significantly better that in the control group, after intervention in sitting [P=0.02], crawling [P=0.001] and standing [P=0.03] positions; however no significant difference was seen in rolling [P=0.65] and walking [P=0.69] ability assessment. This study showed the beneficial effects of the SIT training program for children with CP; the SIT intervention had a significantly positive effect on gross motor function in the children with diplegic spastic CP. Moreover the results of the present study showed that sensory integration and vestibular stimulation were effective in children with cerebral palsy