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Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance as a result of prolonged strenuous exercise leads to poor thermoregulation and impaired muscle performance. Thus, appropriate rehydration during and after exercise with a solution that has a balanced combination of nutrients including electrolytes, carbohydrates and proteins is crucial in preventing the side effects of dehydration. Yogurt drink as a traditional drink with an appropriate nutritious content could be used as an alternative to expensive commercially available drinks for rehydrating athletes after long exercises in warm and humid environments and in developing countries. In this cross-over trial we examined the rehydration potential of yogurt drink in comparison to water and a commercial drink after a strenuous exercise (cycling) session in a hot and humid environment. Blood measurements included blood osmolality, serum glucose, hematocrit and serum electrolytes. Urine measurements included urine volume, osmolality and electrolyte concentrations. The results showed that early after rehydration Yogurt drink compared to water significantly increased urine sodium (mmol/L) (138.8 ± 93.4 vs. 90.0 ± 50.7, P < 0.01), urine potassium (mmol/L) (105.6 ± 55.1 vs. 35.8 ± 22.0, P < 0.05) and urine chloride (mmol/L) (113.2 ± 28.4 vs. 35.8 ± 25.1 P < 0.01). This degree of improvement was the same as with the commercial drink for urine sodium, potassium, and chloride. Yogurt drink prevented dehydration-induced changes in the blood as it stabilized the hematocrit and serum sodium, potassium and osmolality within the normal range after exercise. Finally, our results indicated that yogurt drink, as a natural and affordable rehydration option, can be considered to restore fluid and electrolyte losses after strenuous exercises in hot and humid environments.

Background: As future health care providers, medical students should be aware of the relationship between health and physical fitness, giving them an advantage toward attaining proper physical fitness. The exercise and fitness habits of first-year medical students in Iran are not known. This study examines the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) of an unselected group of first-year medical students and their personal physical fitness. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 513 first-year medical students were evaluated. BMI, skin folds (triceps, biceps, suprailiac and subscapular) and physical fitness were assessed in all students. Fitness was evaluated by the Eurofit test, which included body composition, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, power, balance and agility. The software SPSS (version 11) and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis.Results: The group surveyed was 67.8% female and 32.2% male, and 97.2% were entering medical school in 2004. The mean weight of the students was 60.1 kg, mean height was 163.9 cm and the mean BMI was 22.3 kg/m2. Underweight status (BMI30). Overweight and obesity in males was higher than in females. The total physical fitness score in female students was better than that of male students. We found a negative correlation between physical fitness and weight, BMI, body fat and wrist to hip ratio in both genders. In addition, a positive correlation exits between hip circumference and physical fitness in both groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that academically competitive premedical students may not be involved in physical activity. Medical students should be encouraged to maintain a good BMI and perform physical exercise.

Background: Both hypoxia and hypocapnia can cause broncho-constriction in humans, and this could have a bearing on performance at high altitude. The objective of this study was to examine how pulmonary ventilatory function during high-altitude trekking. Methods: This study was a before and after study on spirometric parameters at Base line (1150 m above sea level), and after ascending at 4150 m above sea level. This study was performed in summer 2004 at Cialan Mountain in Iran. Fifty six healthy male University student volunteers were enrolled in the study. Respiratory function was assessed in participants before ascending at baseline (1150 meter) and after ascending at 4150 meter in Cialan Mount with a Spirolab II. Spirometric parameters changes were compared using paired t-test statistical analysis computations were performed by spss 11.5 and p≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age and body mass lindex of our subjects were 22.9±5.3 years and 21.5±2.5, respectively. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly decreased with increasing altitude from baseline level (P0.05). FVC fell by the average of 7.1% at 4150m (2.4% per 1000m increased altitude) in comparison to 1150m. Conclusion: The changes in some pulmonary ventilatory parameters were proportional to the magnitude of change in altitude during a high-altitude trek.

Background: To determine the incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness (A - AMS) in pilgrims. Although it is well known that western trekkers suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) in other mountains, not much is documented about the incidence of AMS in the Damavand Mountains, Iranian population that go to high altitude and its related contributing factors. Materials and Methods: The design was a cross sectional study. During six weeks (in summer 2000) a population of 459 pilgrims was studied. The period of the study was six weeks in summer AMS symptoms, were assessed by an extensively used standard questionnaier (Lake Louise), applied at 2900 m, after than arrive at 4200 m above sea level, and during descent from summit Damavand (at 4200 m) at Damavand in Iran Alborz Mountain. Results: The overall incidence of A.M.S. was 60.8 percent. Climbers had 13-71 years and 67.8 percent of the study population was men. Men did not differ significantly higher rate of AMS from women. The incidence being increased in those who residence at an altitude below 600 m, climbed fast, amateur climbers, a previous AMS experience or high altitude illness, a history of AMS at ascent to Damavand and ascent time at night (6pm-6am). It was weakly dependent to rate of ascent (from 2800 m up 4200 m less that 4 hours) and sleep in 4200 m. The incidence of AMS was unrelated to sex, age, body mass index (BMI), height, weight, smoking, to the load carried and knapsack and spent more than 15 hours in shelter (at 4200 m). So it was independent of rate of ascent in the higher altitude (from 4200 m to 5671 m), speed of descent and family history of AMS. Conclusions: Data show a strong relation between experiences mountaineer, history of AMS, ascent time at night and the incidence of acute mountain sickness in 459 climbers studied at high altitudes that didn’t report previously.

Infantile systemic hyalinosis ( ISH) is an extremely rare genodermatosis, characterized by thickened skin, joint contractures and subcutaneous nodules. ISH is caused by mutations in the CMG2 gene, which encodes a protein of unknown function. In this report, we describe a patient with ISH, who was a twin born to a consanguineous Iranian couple, and who demonstrated unusual skin findings in addition to the characteristic features of ISH. Mutation analysis disclosed a homozygous deletion mutation, c.1074delT in CMG2, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination codon 50 amino acids downstream of the deletion. This information adds to the recurring nature of this mutation in ISH, with implications for genetic counselling in extended families with a history of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide a low cost and simple model of culturally-appropriate and low cost facilities for improvement of physical activity for girls and their mothers through an after-school program and to determine the changes in anthropometric indexes after this trial. Methods: This national study was conducted in 2006-2007 in 7 provinces with different socioeconomic situations in Iran. Female students who studied in the 7th through 10th grade and their mothers were selected by random cluster sampling. In each province, 24 sessions of after-school aerobic physical activity were held for 90 minutes, two days a week, and 3 months long at school sites in the afternoon. Findings: The study comprised 410 participants (204 mothers and 206 daughters), with a mean age of 15.86±1.01 and 40.71±6.3 years in girls and their mothers, respectively. The results of the focus group discussions showed that in general, both mothers and daughters were satisfied from the program and found it feasible and successful. After the trial, the indexes of generalized and abdominal obesity improved significantly both in girls and in their mothers (P-value<0.0001 for weight, body mass index and waist circumference). Conclusion: Our findings may provide a low-cost and simple effective model of motivation for physical activity with targeted interventions for girls and their mothers. We suggest that the success of this trial might be a result of bonding and accompaniment of mothers and daughters. Such model can be integrated in the existing health and education systems to increase the physical activity level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pregnancy is a physiological condition that its concurrence with fasting introduces some controversies about condition of mother and fetus. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fasting on pregnancy outcome. Methods: The historical cohort paradigm of this study was conducted on referrals of one of the Tehran's hospitals in 2004. All pregnant women at one of the trimesters in holy month of Ramadan were included in the study. The women were divided into non-fasting, 1-10 days fasting, 11-20 days fasting, and 21-30 days fasting. For statistical analysis of data, covariance analysis and SPSS package was used. Findings: In this study, 189 cases were evaluated and their mean age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were 25.9 years, 61.7 kg, and 23.9 kg/m2 respectively. The mean for number of days on fasting was 13 days and 66 cases (34.9%) had not been on fasting. In addition, there was no significant difference between BMI at the beginning of pregnancy, mother's age, number of pregnancies, and a history of abortion in different groups. Meanwhile, there was also no significant difference between means of weight, height, and head circumference of infants with number of days on fasting. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between pregnancy outcome parameters and fasting at different trimesters. Conclusion: According to these findings, in healthy women with appropriate nutrition, Islamic fasting has no inappropriate effect on intrauterine growth and birth-time indices. Meanwhile, relative risk of low weight birth was 1.5 times in mothers on fasting at first trimester as compared to non-fasting mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is shortage of knowledge about medical problems in adolescent skiers. This study aimed to determine frequency of medical signs and symptoms during or after ski among adolescent skiers. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in 12 consecutive weekends in winter 2005 at Dizin ski resort in Iran. All adolescent skiers (<16years) who had entered the resort during this time period were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire including demographics, duration of transport to the resort, wearing glasses and contact lenses for medical and non medical applications, duration and frequency of skiing and development of signs and symptoms of ski sickness during or after skiing was filled for each participant. In addition, association of mentioned variables with medical problems was investigated. Findings: Of 162 skiers, 111 subjects (68.5%) were males. The mean age of the participants was 14.7±2.1 years. Of them, 127 skiers wore glasses or lens during skiing. Visual disorders including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were found in 24 (14.8%) skiers. Our study showed that the frequency of main ski-related signs and symptoms varies from 0 to 10.5%. There was significant association between occurrence of signs and symptoms and presence of visual disorder (P=0.015). Conclusion: Our results showed that development of ski-related signs and symptoms is relatively frequent. These signs and symptoms have association with minor ophthalmologic problems such as myopia or astigmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TA) or giant cell vasculitis is the third common vasculitis after Henoch-Schoenline purpura and Kawasaki disease in children. This vasculitis usually affects large vessels and is more common in females during the childhood. Aim of this report is to present three Iranian children (two boys, one girl) with TA. Case Presentation: Mean age of our cases on admission was 10 years. Patients most commonly presented with episodes of systemic symptoms including, fever, headache, increased arterial blood pressure in one limb and convulsion. Other related symptoms were myalgia, limb pain, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Supra sternal, and abdominal bruit was noted in all patients. Angiography was performed in all cases. This revealed stenosis of the left subclavian artery and common carotid artery in one patient, generalized aortitis in one case and stenotic right renal artery in one patient. One boy was diagnosed as having systemic onset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. One case was referred with hand pain and headache, and one case for control of hypertension. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 7 years since diagnosis. All patients were treated with prednisone, azathioprine, aspirin, and antihypertensive drugs. Each patient received either methotrexate, or hydroxychloroquine or mycofenolate mofetil. Conclusion: Although TA is uncommon before 10th year of life, it should be considered in patients presenting with hypertension and systemic symptoms such as fever, limb pain and pulseless limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of traditional games on fundamental motor skills in seven to nine-year-old boys. Methods: Forty subjects of seven to nine-year-old boys selected randomly by a personal information questionnaire. After pretest by Test of Gross Motor Development- edition 2 (TGMD-2), gross motor skill, locomotor and object control motor skills, subjects were divided by random matching into two groups. The first group performed traditional games and the second group performed daily activities. Then children in first group played traditional game at 24 sessions. After 12 and 24 sessions, traditional game and daily activity groups participated in the mid and post tests. Data were analyzed by Variance Analyze of Repeated Measures. Findings: The results showed that traditional games with mean difference in fundamental motor skill development (17.12, P<0.001), and also with mean difference in locomotor (2.23, P=0.002), and mean difference) in object control skill development (2.27, P=0.002) significantly are more effective than daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a common condition in elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of self-reported EIB symptoms in children.Methods: In a cross sectional study in 2005, all soccer player boys of 3 football schools of Shahr Rey a town in the south of Tehran, enrolled in this study. All subjects were asked for the presence of four cardinal symptoms of EIB (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, chest pain/discomfort) during and after exercise. Self reported symptom-based EIB was defined as having at least two out of four symptoms. Findings were compared to spirometric criteria as a gold standard test.Findings: A total of 371 boys were enrolled in this study. The mean age of children was 11.67 ± 1.53 years (range 7-16 years). According to spirometric findings, 74 (19.9%) subjects had EIB. The sensitivity and specificity of self-reported symptoms for EIB diagnosis were 13.0% and 89.9%, respectively.Conclusion: Self-reported symptoms of EIB in children can be useful for epidemiological study. Our results in Iran are comparable with studies in other countries and point to a relatively high prevalence of EIB among athlete children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]