Mohammad Akbari

Evaluating the effect of low-level laser therapy on healing of tentomized Achilles tendon in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by light microscopical and gene expression examinations

Tendon healing is impaired in individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). According to research, there is considerable improvement in the healing of surgically tenotomized Achilles tendons following low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in non-diabetic, healthy animals. This study uses light microscopic (LM) and semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analyses to evaluate the ability of LLLT in healing Achilles tendons from streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. A total of 88 rats were randomly divided into two groups, non-diabetic and diabetic. DM was induced in the rats by injections of STZ. The right Achilles tendons of all rats were tenotomized 1xa0month after administration of STZ. Laser-treated rats were treated with a helium–neon (He–Ne) laser that had a 632.8-nm wavelength and 7.2-mW average power. Experimental group rats received a daily dose of 0.014xa0J (energy density, 2.9xa0J/cm2). Control rats did not receive LLLT. Animals were sacrificed on days 5, 10, and 15 post-operatively for semi-quantitative LM and semi-quantitative RT-PCR examinations of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) gene expression. The chi-square test showed that LLLT significantly reduced inflammation in non-diabetic rats compared with their non-diabetic controls (pu2009=u20090.02). LLLT significantly decreased inflammation in diabetic rats on days 5 (pu2009=u20090.03) and 10 (pu2009=u20090.02) compared to the corresponding control diabetic rats. According to the student’s t test, LLLT significantly increased TGF-β1 gene expression in healthy (pu2009=u20090.000) and diabetic (pu2009=u20090.000) rats compared to their relevant controls. The He–Ne laser was effective in altering the inflammatory reaction and increasing TGF-β1 gene production.

Simple shoulder test and Oxford Shoulder Score: Persian translation and cross-cultural validation

PurposeTo translate, culturally adapt, and validate the simple shoulder test (SST) and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) into Persian language using a cross-sectional and prospective cohort design.MethodsA standard forward and backward translation was followed to culturally adapt the SST and the OSS into Persian language. Psychometric properties of floor and ceiling effects, construct convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability, standard error of the measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC), and factor structure were determined.ResultsOne hundred patients with shoulder disorders and 50 healthy subjects participated in the study. The PSST and the POSS showed no missing responses. No floor or ceiling effects were observed. Both the PSST and POSS detected differences between patients and healthy subjects supporting their discriminant validity. Construct convergent validity was confirmed by a very good correlation between the PSST and POSS (rxa0=xa00.68). There was high internal consistency for both the PSST (αxa0=xa00.73) and the POSS (αxa0=xa00.91 and 0.92). Test–retest reliability with 1-week interval was excellent (ICCagreementxa0=xa00.94 for PSST and 0.90 for POSS). Factor analyses demonstrated a three-factor solution for the PSST (49.7xa0% of variance) and a two-factor solution for the POSS (61.6xa0% of variance). The SEM/SDC was satisfactory for PSST (5.5/15.3) and POSS (6.8/18.8).ConclusionsThe PSST and POSS are valid and reliable outcome measures for assessing functional limitations in Persian-speaking patients with shoulder disorders.

Comparison of respiratory muscles activity and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis and healthy individuals.

Abstract Purpose: Idiopathic scoliosis causes respiratory muscles weakness and reduced exercise capacity. However, the mechanism of these symptoms is still unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the intensity of respiratory muscle activity and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis in comparison with healthy people. Subjects: In this study, 20 female patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis (10 mild and 10 moderate) as well as 10 healthy matched individuals with characteristics of the patients were selected. Methods: The subjects were fatigued through a maximal incremental cycle ergometry protocol. Meanwhile, the electromyography values of the external intercostal muscles and diaphragm were recorded bilaterally, and fatigue duration was determined. Results: The root mean square of concave external intercostal muscles and concave diaphragm in patients with idiopathic scoliosis was significantly reduced during the fatiguing exercise protocol compared with healthy individuals. The median frequencies of the two sides differed significantly and were lower in patients with moderate scoliosis than healthy subjects. Fatigue duration (minutes) also was lower in patients with moderate scoliosis than healthy subjects. Conclusions: Scoliosis causes respiratory muscle weakness and reduced fatigue duration in response to mild physical activity compared with healthy subjects and these dysfunctions appear to be related to the severity of scoliosis curvature (moderate > mild).

Comparison of Selective Local and Global Muscle Thicknesses in Females with and without Chronic Low Back Pain

BACKGROUNDnChronic low back pain (LBP) leads to long-term physical and psychological problems and may result in acute deterioration of the pain. It is hypothesized that size changes in selected limb and pelvis muscles during contracting movements are different between healthy individuals and LBP patients.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA case-control study including two groups of 30 female participants with and without LBP symptoms was designed. Participants were 20-45 years old (36.7±6.7, healthy subjects; 34.6±6.2 LBP subjects). Ultrasonography was used to estimate the thicknesses of the quadratus lumborum (QL), gluteus medius (GMed), transversus abdominis (TrA) and lumbar multifidus (MF). Thickness changes of the muscles in a submaximal contracting position compared to the rest position were measured. Statistical analysis included an independent t-test to determine the significance of differences, and the Kolmogrov-Smirnov two-sample test to evaluate the normality and reliability.nnnRESULTSnAll muscles increased their thickness during contractions. The average increase in LBP subjects was lower than in the healthy subjects. The smaller increase in the muscle thickness of GMed in the LBP group may suggest a weakness because of imbalance in the GMed muscle of LBP patients.nnnCONCLUSIONSn1. Ultrasonography of local and global muscles is an appropriate device for clinical diagnosis of LBP. 2. Strengthening TrA, MF, and GMed muscles for pain prevention is effective in the prevention and treatment of LBP.

Effects of Skin Stretch Sensory Stimuli on Balance in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy

Aims: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of stretch sensory stimuli on legs skin and upper back on balance in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. nMethods: Overall, 17 diabetic patients with sensory neuropathy aged 44.99 ±3.93years old were engaged, to estimate the effects of one session sensory stimuli by kinesiotape on balance. Balance indices were assessed by Biodex Balance System (BBS) and center of pressure parameters were measured with Bertec Force Plate (BFP) on firm and foam surfaces. All tests were done in eyes open and eyes closed conditions in bilateral standing position. nResults: There were significant differences in all stability indices under closed- versus open-eyes conditions. In addition, there were significant differences in center of pressure parameters following sensory stimuli while standing on a firm and 15-cm foam surfaces. The sensory stimuli of kinesiotape in the antero-posterior direction under eyes closed condition were significantly greater than the eyes open. nConclusions: Using of kinesiotape in legs and upper back can improve balance abilities of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Especially it is useful during standing on unstable surface or with problem of the eyes.