Training courses for emergency unit medical staff with regard to interpreting radiological findings of head and neck and high clinical suspicion for cervical spine injuries are essential to improve the quality of early hospital care and reduce the mortality and morbidity of traffic accident patients.

Alleviation of complaints such as low back pain and articular pain of the sound leg through appropriate medical management, granting facilities for continuing education, and employment are issues that should be considered by authorities and rehabilitative centers to increase HRQOL in amputee veterans.

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Heracleum persicum Desf. Ex Fischer (Apiaceae) is a native medicinal plant in the Iranian traditional medicine and also a safe and common dietary spice. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the impact of supplementation with H. persicum fruits on serum lipid concentrations in a group of patients with minimal coronary artery disease. Subjects who were diagnosed with <50% luminal narrowing in any of the major coronary arteries in coronary angiography were recruited for this trial and were randomized to receive either H. persicum hydroalcoholic fruit extract (n=15; 300 mg/day) or placebo (n=12) for a period of 6 months. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured at baseline and at the end of study. No significant difference in concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed between H. persicum extract and placebo groups (p>0.05). However, serum triglycerides levels were reduced after H. persicum extract supplementation in a borderline significant manner (p=0.063). Short-term supplementation with H. persicum fruit extract might be used as an adjunctive treatment for patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Introduction:Hydatid cyst is a significant health problem in underdeveloped and developing countries, particularly among sheep breeders. Although cardiac involvement is seen only in 0.2% to 3% of the cases, early diagnosis and treatment are important.Case Presentation:A 13-year-old boy with dyspnea and atypical pericardial type chest pain for three months was referred to us. Chest X-ray revealed linear calcification in the left side of the heart. Computed tomography demonstrated a cyst with peripheral calcification and without internal septation in the lateral left ventricle (LV) myocardium. Serologic IgG test was positive for Echinococcosis. No other cyst was seen in the other organs such as the lungs and liver. By midline sternotomy on pump, an incision was made 2-cm lateral to the left ascending artery through the LV myocardium and without entering any cardiac chamber. After injecting hypertonic (5%) saline, the cyst was punctured and its fluid contents were aspirated, the cyst was enucleated, and the cavity marsupialization was done for protection of the myocardium. LV ejection fraction before operation was 40% but after operation and repairing LV myocardium, ejection fraction increased to 50% in. Histopathologic examination confirmed a hydatid cyst.Conclusions:In myocardial hydatid cysts, we recommend a direct approach without entering the cardiac chambers to avoid dissemination of the infection. We recommend excision of the germinative membrane without capitonnage to avoid impairment of myocardial contraction.