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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Workers working in car painting workshops are exposed to different contaminants including isocyanates. One of the most important sequelae of this exposure is occupational asthma. The aim of this study was to identify alterations in peak expiratory flow test in the workers working in the car painting workshops. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 43 workers were selected randomly from the car painting workplaces in Isfahan. The peak expiratory flow of the workers was measured by means of a peak flow meter set at the beginning and at the end of the work shift, for one week. Results: The mean percentage of alterations in peak expiratory flow was 6.91% on the first day and 8.11% on the last day of week. The mean percentage of alternation of peak expiratory flow of the workers were 11.2±1.8 and 7.9±1.9 an the day of exposure to the contaminants after painting, and also one day after exposure respectively, which was indicative of pathological changes in the lungs of the workers, as shown by standard tests of pulmonary function. 72% of the workers after exposure to the contaminants showed alternation of more than 10% in the peak expiratory flow. Conclusion: This study showed there is high risk of occupational asthma and other lung diseases in the workers working in car painting workshops and peak flow meter test can be useful for assessment of pulmonary disorders. Key words: Peak Flow, Car Painters, Occupational asthma Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: May 5, 2010 Accepted: Dec 29, 2010

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Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to compare plantar peak pressure and time to peak pressure during normal walking between women with genu recurvatum (GR) and healthy subjects.

Material and Methods: 10 women with genu recurvatum and 11 healthy women participated in this study. The knee angle was measured by goniometer. Plantar pressure was measured using emed platform during barefoot walking. After dividing plantar area into 10 masks, peak pressure values and time to peak pressure were calculated. Repeated measure and MANOVA were used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Subjects with GR had significantly lower peak pressure values at the lateral heel (p=0.02), medial heel (p=0.04) and midfoot (p=0.02) masks of the right foot; and also at the lateral midfoot (p=0.02) and 3^rd 4^th and 5^th toes (p=0.04) masks of the left foot, compared to the healthy women. Also, we found higher values for time to peak pressure at the masks of the lateral heel (p=0.0001), medial heel (p=0.0001) and midfoot (p=0.01) of the right foot and at the masks of medial (0=0.03) and lateral heel (p=0.03) of the left foot in the subjects with GR, compared to healthy women.

Conclusion: GR abnormality can change peak plantar pressure during walking by changing the alignment of ground reaction force. These changes may affect the function of the lower limb muscles and alter the gait pattern. So, assessment of plantar pressure distribution is recommended for planning and evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in the patients with GR.

 Keywords: Genu recruvatum, Plantar peak pressure, Time to peak pressure, Gait.

Received: Feb 8, 2016      Accepted: May 16, 2016

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Background and Aim: The fifth wave of Covid-19 occurred in Iran and lasted from the beginning of July to the end of August 2021. Unlike the previous waves, which lasted mainly 3-4 weeks, the fifth wave in the country, especially in Kurdistan province, was longer than 4 months. This study aimed to identify the causes of prolongation of the fifth covid-19 wave in Kurdistan Province.
Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, the views of 52 medical professionals who were directly or indirectly involved in the surveillance and treatment of COVID-19 were obtained using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the framework analysis method.
Results: Low coverage rate of vaccination, false beliefs and lack of confidence in regard to the effectiveness of vaccines used, incomplete effects of the vaccines, vaccination during incubation period or illness, non-compliance with health protocols especially use of masks by vaccinated people, lack of correct and consistent use of standard masks, insufficient medical services and facilities, use of outpatient treatment approach and rapid discharge of the patients regardless of the disease transmission period, insufficient attention to the education of the patients and their families, weakness in contacts tracing of infected people, lack of seriousness in implementing government decisions, especially insufficient government support for vulnerable people and businesses, community exposure to a new strain of the virus (Delta strain), increased risk of transmission of the disease in the community due to cold weather in the province were the most important reasons for the prolongation of the fifth covid-19 peak in Kurdistan Province.
Conclusion: Based on the results, various factors such as vaccination, behavior of community members, government decisions, and response rate of health system were involved in the prolongation of the fifth corona wave in Kurdistan Province. It seems necessary to consider these factors in dealing with the next waves and peaks