Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Jan 2024

 The performance of an athlete can be measured based on physical ability, functional anatomy, and sports’ characteristics and their physical bio-motor properties.

 The purpose of this study was to analyze speed, agility, and anaerobic capacity after high-intensity interval training based on the Tuja-Shuttle Run exercise model and to determine the appropriate high-intensity interval training model according to the characteristics and intensity of various sports.

 This quantitative research employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest group design. The samples were 14 female handball athletes with the age range of 17 - 26 years. The treatment was given 3 times a week for 8 weeks, including high-intensity interval training using the Tuja-Shuttle Run model. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test and SPSS version 20.0.

 According to the paired sample t-test for comparing pretest vs. posttest, there were significant improvements in average speed (3.40 ± 0.86 vs. 3.36 ± 0.78 seconds, P ≤ 0.001), agility (16.76 ± 0.56 vs. 15.51 ± 0.59 seconds, P ≤ 0.001), and anaerobic capacity (1666.65 ± 248.14 vs. 1832.72 ± 340.25 Joules, P ≤ 0.001).

 High-intensity interval training employing the Tuja-Shuttle Run exercise model significantly increased speed, agility, and anaerobic capacity.

 Knowledge-sharing behaviors among academic members in Iran were believed to enhance organizational sustainability. However, the current status of these behaviors was unknown due to the lack of a valid scale to assess them.

 The present study was conducted to validate the Knowledge Sharing Behavior Scale (KSBS) among faculty members of nursing and midwifery schools in Iran.

 This research was a cross-sectional study of scale psychometric type. The samples included 640 faculty members of nursing and midwifery schools across the country in 2021. Validation was performed through face validity, content validity by determining content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR), construct validity by determining exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), concurrent validity by determining the correlation between KSBS and Knowledge Management Questionnaire (KMQ) and Tacit Knowledge Sharing Scale (TEKS), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α coefficient), and stability reliability (test-retest) were determined. SPSS version 21 and LISREL version 8.8 were used for data analysis. The significance level was 0.01.

 Items were edited based on the comments of the target community. Content validity ratio for 28 questions ranged from 0.73 to 1, and all items had I-CVI values greater than 0.78. The results of EFA showed four factors, and CFA approved the construct homogeneity. The correlation coefficient of KSBS with KMQ and TEKS were 0.72 and 0.87, respectively. Cronbach α coefficients for the whole scale and factors were higher than 0.90.

 Knowledge Sharing Behavior Scale was a valid and reliable scale to measure knowledge-sharing behaviour in the Iranian academic community.

 The evaluation of educational environments is the key to achieving a student-centered and qualified curriculum.

 This study was conducted to evaluate the educational environment in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Shiraz, Iran, focused on occupational therapy (OT) students, using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire for incoming students of 8 years (2013-2020).

 This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and applied study was carried out on two occasions in 2017 and 2021. The students' perspectives of the 4incomings between 2013 to 2016 (group 1) and another four incomings between 2017 to 2020 (group 2) were evaluated. SPSS software (version 23) was utilized for data analysis.

 The average total score of the educational environment questionnaire for all 136 students was 102.301 ± 20.607. There was a statistically significant difference in the perception of students in these two groups. The results showed better quality in the total score of the educational environment and all subdomains of this questionnaire in group 2 with a P-value of < 0.05.

 It seems that OT students’ perception shows a semi-favorable to favorable circumstance regarding the educational environment in SUMS. The incoming OT students from 2017 to 2020 in SUMS have reported more favorable conditions in all aspects of the educational environment than the incoming students from 2013 to 2016. Students' perspectives were more negative after passing their years of studying at the university. Serious reforms in the educational environment of OT at SUMS are needed.

 The prevalence of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasing alarmingly, limiting treatment options.

 This study was conducted to investigate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of glycopeptides against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S. aureus isolates from patients with skin infections.

 In this study, S. aureus isolates were collected from outpatients with skin infections (n = 250) during 2019 - 2022. The isolates were identified using routine microbiological and biochemical tests. Susceptibility to ten categories of antibacterial agents was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M100 guidelines (2021). The MIC of glycopeptides was determined using the broth microdilution test.

 Among methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates (40.8%), the majority were from patients with impetigo (53.92%). The highest resistance rate was observed against penicillin (79.41%) and doxycycline (73.52%). Linezolid showed significant inhibitory properties against XDR (91%) and MDR (97%) S. aureus isolates (P = 0.01). The MIC of oritavancin that inhibited the growth of 90% of the MDR isolates (MIC90) was 2 µg/mL, which was eight times less than that of vancomycin (MIC90 = 16 µg/mL) and 16 times lower than that of teicoplanin (MIC90 = 32 µg/mL) in a manner that 91% of MDR isolates from impetigo were eliminated at concentrations 2 µg/mL. Oritavancin inhibited the growth of 54.5% of XDR isolates at MIC concentrations of ≥8 µg/mL.

 Considering the strong antibacterial activity of linezolid against MDR S. aureus isolates, this antibiotic can effectively treat skin infections caused by S. aureus and prevent the development of resistance to other antibiotics. In addition, considering the great inhibitory properties of oritavancin against MDR S. aureus strains, the efficacy of this agent for treating skin infections, particularly impetigo, should be investigated.

 High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is still a controversial physical therapy modality for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

 This study aimed to evaluate the effect of HILT on pain and function in patients with knee OA.

 This randomized controlled trial included 56 patients with knee OA referred to Amin Hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, from April 19 to August 30, 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups (HILT and control), receiving isometric exercises targeting the quadriceps muscle, meloxicam 15 mg tablet, and Rahamin ointment for two weeks. The HILT group also received high-intensity laser irradiation three times a week for two weeks. The primary outcome was pain assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the secondary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and its subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately, and three months after the last treatment session.

 After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline values, immediately and three months after treatment, VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the HILT group than in controls (P < 0.001), with a large effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.81; -0.62 and SMD = -1.31, 95% CI: -1.90; -0.70, respectively). The results were similar for WOMAC's pain subscale. Despite the difference in WOMAC stiffness score was not significant between the two groups immediately after treatment (P = 0.135), this score was significantly lower in the HILT group than in the control group (SMD = -0.98, 95% CI: -1.56; -0.40, P = 0.002) three months after treatment. Furthermore, WOMAC physical function scores were significantly lower with HILT immediately and three months after treatment (P < 0.001). The same was true for the total WOMAC score.

 High-intensity laser therapy significantly improved pain and the WOMAC score in patients with knee OA immediately and three months after the last treatment session compared to the control group.

 Anxiety disorders are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Schema therapy may prove successful in the treatment of psychological disorders in MS patients.

 This study evaluated the effectiveness of schema therapy on anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and fatigue in patients with MS.

 This research was a randomized controlled trial examining the effect of schema therapy on anxiety in MS. It was conducted on 106 patients with MS visiting the MS clinics of Isfahan, Iran, in 2020. The participants were divided into two groups by using block randomization. The evaluations were performed during one year at three times: pretest (Time 1), posttest (Time 2), and follow-up (Time 3). The assessments were conducted using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). SPSS v. 26 was used to analyze the data.

 There was a significant decrease in anxiety and depression in the group receiving schema therapy compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The group × time interaction effect was also significant for anxiety and depression (P < 0.001), but no significant effect on fatigue, quality of life, and sleep was observed.

 The findings indicated the effectiveness of schema therapy in decreasing anxiety and depression in patients with MS.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a chronic mucosa inflammation that supports removable dentures. Candida albicans is the most critical factor in the pathogenesis of DS. Systemic antifungal drugs such as nystatin are effective in people with acute candidiasis. Yet, in cases of predisposing factors such as a denture, nystatin cannot completely control the infection, and recurrences are common.

In this study, the resistance and sensitivity of oral C. albicans species to nystatin were evaluated, and the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated on the nystatin-resistant specimens.

This in vitro study was performed on 20 C. albicans specimens isolated from patients with denture stomatitis. After confirmation of C. albicans and in vitro biofilm preparation, nystatin was applied to the biofilm. The results were recorded as minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) using Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard protocol, and the specimens with MIC of more than 1 µg/mL were categorized as resistant. Then, biofilms were re-formed for nystatin-resistant specimens exposed to AgNPs, and MIC results were reported.

This study revealed that 8 C. albicans specimens (40%) represented a MIC of more than 1 µg/mL when exposed to nystatin. The results of AgNPs exposure to this group showed significantly higher efficiency of AgNPs than nystatin (P < 0.05). AgNPs can reduce the MIC of 6 nystatin-resistant specimens (75% of all resistant specimens).

Both nystatin and AgNPs are effective against Candida biofilms formed on denture surfaces. However, AgNPs seem more effective in the case of resistant species.

Patients with chronic renal failure face many challenges in self-care after a kidney transplant. This treatment method affects their quality of life and leads to multiple complications.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational package on the quality of life (QoL) and complications of renal transplant recipients.

This clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients (control and intervention groups) who had undergone kidney transplantation for the first time. The intervention involved an educational package comprised of five sessions. Besides, an educational booklet, weekly telephone calls, and follow-up (8 weeks after the intervention) were protablevided. The data were collected by the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25) completed before and after the intervention by the two groups, and the Renal Transplantation Complications Checklist completed after 8 weeks. Data analysis was performed in each group before and after the intervention and between the two groups after the intervention via chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, paired t-test, and independent t-test.

The results showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the physical dimension (P = 0.002). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the remaining dimensions and the overall QoL. A significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of infection (P = 0.04), but no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of re-admission and transplant rejection (P > 0.05).

The educational package affected all dimensions of QoL, especially the physical dimension and infection (as an acute complication of renal transplant); it improved QoL and reduced infection in the intervention group. Therefore, this package can be considered in the management plans of renal transplant recipients. Administration of this package can help understand the patients’ needs and requests and improve their health-related behaviors.

Context: Acrylamide (AA) is a dangerous contaminant that occurs in food products, and the formation of this toxic compound is mainly related to the Millard reaction. Acrylamide forms in food products during heat processing, such as frying, roasting, and baking. The AA level in foods depends on the food matrix, processing temperature, amount of carbohydrates, amino acid content, and food additives.

The main foods contributing to AA formation include potato chips, coffee, cookies, French fries, and bread. The international agency recognized this compound for research on cancer as" probably carcinogenic to humans." WHO/FAO determined the amount of daily intake of AA as 0.3 to 0.8 µg/kg bw, while its amount in fried potato products is reported as 400-1500 µg/kg.

Considering the maximum formation of AA in fried potato products and the high consumption of these products, by using methods such as choosing the suitable variety of potato, storing at a temperature above 8°C, frying under vacuum, or at a temperature lower than 120°C, lactic fermentation, soaking potato chips in acetic acid, citric acid, glycine, hydrocolloids, salts, asparaginase enzyme, vitamins, and antioxidants can minimize the amount of AA in fried potato chips.

This article provides information on AA formation and strategies for reducing AA in fried potatoes and potato chips. 

 Although the effect of drug addiction on suicide attempts has been extensively studied, not enough attention has been paid to the role of family members’ drug addiction in women’s suicide attempts.

 The present study aimed to examine the impact of drug addiction in the family on women’s suicide attempts.

 This case-control study was conducted on 220 women, aged 15 - 65 years, with a history of suicide attempts, as well as 220 control women without a history of suicide attempts in Golestan, Iran, during 2020. Demographic characteristics, as well as data pertaining to drug abuse and mental health variables, were collected. Firth’s penalized logistic regression method was used for multivariate analysis and modeling, and the area under the curve (AUC) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were measured to determine the added diagnostic value.

 The AUC increased by 4.6% by adding the variable of “addiction in the family” to the model, which consisted of variables, including the blood group, education level, living area, tobacco smoking, and experience of suicidal thoughts. Besides, the NRI was equal to 0.61.

 Drug addiction in the family is an effective factor for suicide attempts in women. Consequently, women whose parents or partners are drug addicts are at a higher risk of suicide attempts.