RESUMEN

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sport game outcomes on acute affective responses in injured veterans. Twenty-three wheelchair basketball players (mean age, 38.39±11.78 years) participated in this study and were divided into two groups: game winner group (n=12) and game loser group (n=11). All participants completed the Physical Activity Affect Scale immediately before and after participation in the first game of a wheelchair basketball tournament. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to examine a significant difference in acute affective responses between the groups and over time within each group. The losers experienced significantly higher negative affect and lower positive affect at the end of the first game compared to the winners. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that the experience of losing may diminish the positive effect that sport participation can have.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: During the eight years of the imposed war, Iraq used various chemical agents such as sulfur mustard and nerve agents (mainly tabun and sometimes soman) on Iran's soldiers. Using information obtained from specialist sequences and analysing information obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) sequence and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides valuable information on continuation of treatment and identifying functional disorders. AIM: The objective of this research was to evaluate the rate of metabolic variations in chemically injured veterans based on chemical neuromarkers using the chemical sequence MRS, which would help patients and physicians in terms of time, economics, and selection of appropriate therapeutic methods, so if the can physician can get complete information about the metabolic properties of the brain through paraclinical (especially MRI) tools before treatment, he might change his treatment program to reduce the complications caused by it. METHODOLOGY: In this research, 40 chemically injured veterans with brain dysfunction admitted to the screening centre for MRI with specialized MRS sequence participated. Accordingly, we examined the rate of brain metabolic variations about the level of neuromarkers and evaluated the relationship between the level of neuromarkers and brain damages. RESULTS: The results of this research revealed that while the demographic characteristics such as age of the two groups of chemically injured veterans and control was similar, only the median of the NAA/Cr (N-acetylaspartate to creatine ratio) ratio in PONS of chemically injured patients was significantly lower than that of the control group, and this ratio was similar in other parts of the brain in two groups. The results also showed that the ratio of NAA to total choline and Cr was similar in all parts of the brain in two groups. CONCLUSION: Based on the research results, using the MR (Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy device and determination of the value and ratio of markers such as creatinine and N-acetylaspartate and choline, the brain injuries of chemically injured veterans can be examined. By conducting further studies and larger sample size, the brain damages in veterans can be diagnosed early, which would be a great contribution in their treatment.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Human enhancement (the enhancement of the abilities of a normative person beyond the norm) of soldiers has been debated for some time. However, therapeutic enhancement of soldiers and veterans with injuries (the enhancement of the abilities of a sub-normative labeled person beyond the norm) is much less discussed. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses 1) historical examples of policies and views linked to soldiers and veterans that have been injured in the Americas, and perception of injured veterans and soldiers; 2) the science and technology of the therapeutic enhancement landscape and 3) views of veterans on therapeutic enhancements. METHODS: Three methods were used: a) historical search of policy documents; b) content analysis of the New York Times and c) online delivered exploratory non-probability survey using the Survey Monkey platform. RESULTS: Researchers found that veterans played a special role in policy developments in the United States, such as disability pension plans, and that veterans who were injured were portrayed more positively than other people with disabilities in the NYT from 1851-2010. However, within the current public discourse around the use of enhancement enabling therapeutic assistive devices, the voices of injured soldiers and veterans are not visible. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic enhancements, especially of injured soldiers and veterans, are an under researched area with various open ethical questions in need of more coverage.

Asunto(s)

Refuerzo Biomédico/métodos , Personas con Discapacidad/rehabilitación , Personal Militar , Humanos , Guerra de Irak 2003-2011 , Dispositivos de Autoayuda , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados Unidos

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Researches show that chronic illnesses may affect marital adjustment and sexual function. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to recognize marital satisfaction, sexual dysfunction and demographic factors among Chemically Injured Veterans (CIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive research, we selected and studied 185 cases of CIVs referred to Tehran's hospitals. Data gathering tools were Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale and structured interview. The items of interview included 28 questions about sexual dysfunction according to DSM-IV-r. The statistical methods were T-test, ANOVA and Correlation. RESULTS: The results show that 45.5%, i.e. nearly half of the CIV subjects were dissatisfied with their marriage and marital relationship and the dissatisfaction level in 11% was very high. Other results show that 65/4% of veterans with chemical injuries suffered from a kind of sexual dysfunction. The most common dysfunctions were: erectile problem and libido reduction by 49.2% and 48.6% respectively. Also, results show that there was a relation between demographic factors and sexual dysfunction in CIVs. DISCUSSION: As far as the results show, sexual libido reduction rate in CIVs is like that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Therefore, sex therapy, psychotherapy and couple therapy must be a component of the treatment of CIVs.