Association of Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Functional Mobility with Risk of Fall: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA).

Background: Falls are considered one of the leading causes of accidental deaths and nonfatal accidental injuries in older adults. Previous research indicates a 1-in-5 yearly fall incidence among Iranian older adults. To examine specific risk factors within this population, our study aimed to evaluate fall risk factors such as obesity, sarcopenia, functional mobility, and activities of daily living (ADL) scores.

Tele-rehabilitation for children with physical disabilities: qualitative exploration of challenges in Iran.

Background: Children with physical disabilities (Having this type of disability can be due to any of the reasons such as cerebral palsy, genetic, developmental, neurodevelopment and any other reasons that cause physical disability in the child) need rehabilitation services. Tele-rehabilitation is a practical approach to provide rehabilitation services for children with rapid and continuous access. This approach has been used more recently and overcomes the limitations of conventional rehabilitation, which involves wasting time, traveling distance, and cost.

Addressing Challenges of Implementing Community First Responder Models based on National and International Experiences: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Background: This systematic scoping review aimed to investigate and delineate the dimensions of the Community First Responder (CFR) model implemented in emergency medical services (EMS) across different countries. The primary focus was on identifying key components and characteristics associated with CFR programs.

Methods: This study conducted an extensive search across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar, official sites) until Mar 2023 using keywords related to community first responders.

Improved Diagnostic Yield in Recessive Intellectual Disability Utilizing Systematic Whole Exome Sequencing Data Reanalysis.

Recent advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) have positioned whole exome sequencing (WES) as an efficient first-tier method in genetic diagnosis. However, despite the diagnostic yield of 35%-50% in intellectual disability (ID) many patients still remain undiagnosed due to inherent limitations and bioinformatic short-comings. In this study, we reanalyzed WES data from 159 Iranian families showing recessively inherited ID.

Impact of Virtual Reality Task-Oriented Training on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of a newly developed virtual reality task-oriented training (VR-TOT) video game on upper extremity fine motor function compared with conventional occupational therapy through leap motion in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 30 children with spastic hemiplegic CP aged six to 10 years were included and randomly allocated into two groups. During six weeks, 15 patients in the intervention group received VR_TOT-based video game in addition to conventional occupational therapy, whereas 15 patients in the control group received only conventional occupational therapy.

Sensory neuropathy in patients with Pompe disease: a case series in Iran.

Background: Pompe disease is a glycogen storage disease primarily affecting striated muscles. Despite its main manifestation in muscles, patients with Pompe disease may exhibit non-muscle symptoms, such as hearing loss, suggesting potential involvement of sensory organs or the nervous system due to glycogen accumulation.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of concomitant small and large fiber neuropathy in patients with Pompe disease.

Development and evaluation of a combined fluency rules program (FRP) with parent-child interaction training for preschool children who stutter: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a combined Fluency Rules Program (FRP) with parent-child interaction training for preschool children with stuttering.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 49 preschool children who stuttered. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which received the combined FRP with parent-child interaction training, or the control group, which received only the FRP.

Pentoxifylline adjunct to risperidone for negative symptoms of stable schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent an unmet therapeutic need for many patients on whom pentoxifylline may be effective in terms of its dopaminergic, anti-inflammatory, and cerebral blood flow-increasing properties. This study aimed to evaluate pentoxifylline as a therapeutic agent for improving negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Methods: Chronic schizophrenia outpatients experiencing significant negative symptoms were randomly allocated to receive pentoxifylline 400 mg or matched placebo q12hr for eight weeks.

Effects of mini-basketball training on improving the motor coordination of children with intellectual disabilities and developmental coordination disorders: a randomizedcontrolled trial.

Background: Motor coordination (MC) is one of the main components of motor competence. Children with Intellectual disabilities (ID) usually have weaknesses in MC and related components. Therefore, the aim of study was to investigate the effect of mini-basketball training (MBT) versus general physical education programs on improving the motor coordination of children with intellectual disabilities ID.

Improve the behavioral auditory attention training effects on the Speech-In-Noise perception with simultaneous electrical stimulation in children with hearing loss: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Auditory attention is an important cognitive factor that significantly affects speech perception in noisy environments. Hearing loss can impact attention, and it can impair speech perception in noise. Auditory attention training improves speech perception in noise in children with hearing loss.

Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Rhinoviruses in Patients with Acute Respiratory Infections and Community-Acquired Pneumonia in a Referral Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Rhinoviruses are known as the leading pathogens of respiratory diseases. Determining the prevalence and phylogeny of rhinoviruses plays a pivotal role in producing vaccines and medications and preventing virus complications. This study investigated the frequency, and genetic variation of rhinoviruses detected in patients referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital.

Challenges in Emergency Medical Services in Mega Cities: A Qualitative Study in Iran.

Objective: This qualitative study aimed to identify the key issues within Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in large urban regions.

Methods: This study used qualitative content analysis as its research methodology. The study was conducted in 2023 and involved 21 Iranian EMS stakeholders, selected through purposive sampling with maximum diversity to ensure a broad range of expertise.

Does lower limb kinesio taping affect pain, muscle strength, and balance following fatigue in healthy subjects? A systematic review and meta analysis of parallel randomized controlled trials.

Background: Kinesio tape (KT) has gained popularity in sports and rehabilitation due to its ease of use and potential benefits. However, its effectiveness is not well understood especially in addressing fatigue, a condition that can impair muscle function and increase the musculoskeletal risk of injury. Given KT's potential impact on muscle activity and recovery, this review aims to evaluate the effects of lower limb KT on pain, strength, and balance following fatigue.

Evaluation of a New Patellar Tendon Bearing Brace With Offloading Monitoring and Adjustability: A Pilot Study.

Background And Aims: The patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) brace is a crucial device designed to lessen axial forces on the tibia. The newly designed PTB brace allows clinicians to measure offloading amount in the realtime. This study aimed to explore the relationship between a rise in displacement between the foot plate and calf shells of this new PTB brace and changes in the amount of offloading on the tibia.

Assessment of speech sound disorders: Clinical experiences of Speech-language pathologists in Iran.

Background: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in non-English speaking countries face challenges when assessing children for speech sound disorders (SSD). Exploring their clinical challenges in service delivery-along with their problem-solving approaches-may contribute to the development of instruments for clinical use in such settings.

Aim: The study aimed to explore assessment methods used by Iranian SLPs to identify children with SSD.

Comparison of the accuracy and the response time to behavioral pain scales (BPS and CPOT) during painful procedures in the intensive care unit.

Background: Pain is one of the most common symptoms in the patients hospitalized in intensive care units, and its correct and timely diagnosis is important. Identifying tools that accurately assess pain in a shorter time will help patients better manage pain. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and the duration of response to behavioral pain scales (BPS and CPOT) during painful procedures in the intensive care unit.

Reliability of the Wii balance board for static and dynamic balance assessment in total knee arthroplasty patients.

Purpose: Poor performance in practicing balance tasks is partly caused by the changes in the knee function and balance control activities following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the static and dynamic balance measures using Wii Balance Board (WBB) in patients after TKA.

Design: Thirty-one TKA patients (6 males, 27 females, mean age 55 ± 5.

Crocus sativus (saffron) adjunct to risperidone for negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Current treatments for schizophrenia encounter resistance, limited efficacy, and limiting complications, necessitating novel approaches. The effects of saffron on negative symptoms were investigated as it has shown neuroprotective and antipsychotic properties. Fifty-six clinically stable chronic schizophrenic outpatients were equally assigned to saffron 15 mg q12hr or placebo groups while continuing risperidone.

Global and Regional Prevalence of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Determinants: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Domestic violence is one of the most significant global public health priorities. This social problem could be accelerated by global catastrophes such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The structural changes due to the imposition of health measures, combined with personal and social problems, may worsen the situation.

Beginning at the ends: telomere and telomere-based cancer therapeutics.

Telomeres, which are situated at the terminal ends of chromosomes, undergo a reduction in length with each cellular division, ultimately reaching a critical threshold that triggers cellular senescence. Cancer cells circumvent this senescence by utilizing telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) that grant them a form of immortality. These mechanisms can be categorized into two primary processes: the reactivation of telomerase reverse transcriptase and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway, which is dependent on homologous recombination (HR).

Coping strategies of the sandwich generation in the care process: a qualitative study.

Objective: The sandwich generation refers to individuals who are simultaneously responsible for caring for their aging parents and their own children. Research shows that the number of sandwich generation caregivers is increasing, and they face significant physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for these caregivers to develop effective coping strategies.