Fatemeh Zaboli, Seyed Mojtaba Mahdipour Mir,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli (E.coli) is one of the most common bacteria causing urinary tract infections which has become resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics due to the acquisition of plasmids encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). Here, we investigated the phenotype and genotype of Cefotaxsim-M (CTX-M) gene among ESBL-producing Escherichia coli among urine samples of patients reffering to Yahyanejad hospital of Babol city.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among all 1842 patients referring to Yahyanejad hospital since June to December of 2015. Disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the bacterial resistance to cefotaxime, meropenem, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid. The resistant strains were also confirmed using a combination of cefotaxime-clavulanic acid and ceftazidime-clavulanic acid discs. The presence of CTX-M gene was evaluated among ESBL-producing strains by Real time PCR. SPSS 20 software and chi-square test were used to analyze data statistically.
Results: A total of 84 E.coli isolates were detected in all specimens. The most sensitivities were against amikacin (91.67%), meropenem (96.43%), ampicillin/sulbactam (95.24%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (94.5%). However, the highest resistancies were against nalidixic acid (83%) , doxycycline/ salicilin (70%), ceftriaxone (46.63 %) and ciprofloxacin (51.2%). Twenty-nine isolates (34.5%) produced ESBL. The CTX-M positive ESBL-producing E-coli was 69%. There was a significant relationship between the presence of CTX-M gene and ESBL (P-value = 0.03).
Conclusion: In the present study, the presence of beta-lactamase-producing genes (CTX-M) in E.coli strains were markedly high. Therefore, the consumption of antibiotics should be controled and further phenotypic and genotypic studies on bacterial pathogens should be conducted.
Samira Shakerizadeh, Mohammadi Shekari, Abdolazim Nejatizadeh, Aliakbar Poursadegh Zonouzi, Hedieh Fardmanesh, Ahmad Poursadegh Zonouzi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Deregulation in the expression of microRNAs is involved in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. Impaired microRNAs processing pathway is one possible mechanism for global deregulation of the miRNAs. Exportin 5 (XPO5) is a key member of this pathway that links nuclear and cytoplasmic steps of miRNAs biogenesis together. XPO5 deregulation has been reported in some cancers but very little is known about its role in breast cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of XPO5 in breast cancer in an Iranian population.
Methods: In this case-control study, 30 tumoral tissues and 30 tumor-free margins were collected from breast cancer patients. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, XPO5 mRNA expression level was assessed using quantitative Real-Time PCR.
Results: Our results showed that XPO5 was overexpressed in 53.3% of tumoral tissues but the difference in the gene expression level between tumoral tissues and tumor-free margins was not statistically significant (P-value=0.834). XPO5 expression level showed no statistically significant correlation and association with clinical and pathological parameters.
Conclusion: Overexpression of XPO5 in large percent of patients indicates that high level of XPO5 expression may be a tumorigenic factor for breast cancer which needs to be investigated more deeply.
Alireza Mohebbi, Sanaz Baghban Rahimi, Alijan Tabarraei, Mohsen Saeedi, Mirsaeed Ebrahimzadeh, Leila Alizadeh, Amir Ghaemi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is known as the etiologic agent of cervical cancer and second common cancer among women. HPV viruses with the elevated risk of infection have more potentiality to cause cancer. The carcinogenesis in these viruses is accomplished by oncoproteins such as E7. Employing DNA vaccines which code specific antigens such as E7 is a novel therapeutic approach against such cancers.
Methods: In the present study, plasmid coding HPV16 E7 was administered intracutaneously to C57BL/6 tumoric mice models for investigation of its immunostimulating potential. PcDNA3.1+ vector was used as control vector. After immunization, spleen of animals were removed. Then, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was evaluated to address the cytotoxic activity (CTL) induced by cellular immunity in spleenocytes. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokines were also analyzed as profiles of Th1 and Th2, respectively. Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were also investigated in tumor microenvironments.
Results: Our results showed that CTL activity was higher among samples receiving HPV16 E7 coding vector in comparison to the group receiving pcDNA3.1+ control vector (P < 0.05). Levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also higher in the group receiving HPV16 E7 plasmid in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in tumor carrying mice groups receiving HPV16 DNA vaccine compare to PBS and pcDNA3.1 receiving control groups.
Conclusion: HPV16 E7 expressing DNA vaccine could increase the release of LDH due to immune system CTL activity. Elevation in IFN-γ and IL-4 levels as well as IL-10 reduction indicates an increase in both Th1 and Th2 profiles resulted by using potent DNA vaccine coding HPV16 E7 in tumor animal model.
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Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of genital cancer among women in developing countries. Addicted women are among the high-risk group of patients who suffer from cervical cancer. Health Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is one of the theories that emphasizes on fear effects of health risks (such as diseases) on attitudes and health behaviors. Thus, this study was performed to determine the factors associated with cervical cancer screening behavior using PMT on addicted women referring to addiction treatment center of Hamedan in 2015.
Methods: The current study was conducted on 56 addicted women referring to Hannah's Methadone Therapy Counseling Center in June 2015. A researcher-made questionnaire which comprised of three sections (demographics, knowledge and assessment of the PMT constructs) was used to collect data.
The validity of questionnaire was evaluated using content validity method and test-retest test was used to measure reliability. Data were analyzed statistically by SPSS version 16 and using T-test, Chi-Square and ANOVA tests.
Results: The mean age of all participants was 46.48±10.82 years. The average duration of addiction was 8.11±7.22 years. Of all samples, 53.6% had never done any Pap smear test. There was not a significant relevance between test performance (screening method) and the marital status, income or the last pregnancy method. However, there was a significant relationship between test performance and education (P=0.041), awareness level (P<0.001), structures of motivation (P<0.001), perceived costs (P=0.031), perceived rewards (P=0.001), self-efficacy (P<0.001) and efficient response (P<0.001).
Conclusion: We showed that there was a significant relevance between test performance and the level of awareness and various domains of PMT. Thus, it is recommended that PMT could be used during educational interventions and counseling procedures.
Towhid Babazadeh, Morteza Banaye Jeddi, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Fatemeh Moradi, Katayoon Mirzaeian, Elham Gheysvandi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Family-centered empowerment model is one of the patterns in the area of empowering patients in modification of risky behaviors. According to extensive health and economic consequences of brucellosis in the community, we decided to evaluate the effect of this pattern in risk behavior modification in patients with brucellosis.
Methods: The current study was a quasi-experimental study that was performed on 76 individuals with brucellosis in Chalderan County, 2013. All of the patients were allocated in intervention and control groups using stratified randomiztion. Data was collected using a standardized researcher-made questionnaire based on family-centered empowerment model in five structures including knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, self-esteem and behavior in two phases. The first stage was before the educational intervention and the second stage was performed two months after the intervention. To analyze data statistically, descriptive statistics and paired and independent t tests with the significance level of 0.05 were used.
Results: Mean and standard deviation of the patients' ages was 37.9 ± 14.7. Paired t-test results showed that the mean scores of knowledge (p<0.001), attitudes (p<0.001), self efficacy (p<0.001), self-esteem (p<0.001) and behavior (p<0.001) were significantly increased within the intervention group. However, the changes were not significant in the mean scores of knowledge (p=0.293), attitudes (p=0.106), self efficacy (p=0.225), self-esteem (p=0.105) and behavior (p=0.303) in the control group. According to the results of independent t-test, the mean scores increased considerably in all structures within the intervention group in comparison to the control group after the educational intervention (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Regular interventional programs and applying educational theories could be an effective method in high risk behavior modification in patients with brucellosis. Therefore, such programs should be implemented in a wide range.
Akram Gazerani, Sara Shirdelzadeh, Sima Joharinia, Mohammad Ali Dashti, Mohammad Amin Younesi Herawi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cardiac massage is the first and most important step during Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Effective massage restores blood flow to the brain and heart and plays a remarkable role in a successful CPR. Exhaustion of treatment team during resuscitation is one of the factors which may lead to reduced quality of resuscitation massages or failure in some cases. The aim of this study was to design, construct and evaluate a new cardiac massage facilitator to improve the quality of CPR in adult patients.
Methods: In this study, the massage facilitator was designed and registered as a glove which was worn by rescuers during cardiac massage (number of invention: 80797). A load cell sensor was placed under the surface of the glove and the facilitator could be displayed number and depth of massage in centimeters. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the designed system, an experimental study was conducted among 30 emergency students. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 19 software using Pearson correlation and independent sample t-test. P-values lower than 0.05 were considered to be significant.
Results: The mean age of all participants was 23.41±2.02 years, the mean height was 175±4.43 centimeters and the mean weight was 65.45±5.02 kilograms. The instrument validity was evaluated using standard validation method of concurrent validity. Our findings revealed a significant correlation between the cardiac massage facilitator and Sim Pad system (more than 0.9). Accordingly, the validity of cardiac massage facilitator was confirmed. While assessing the efficient massage criteria during cardiac massage facilitator utilization, the massage possessed suitable depth (less than 5 cm) in 98% of participants. The numbers of massages were at least 100 massages per minute in 93% of participants.
Conclusion: The results showed that designed system could be used as an effective tool to improve quality of cardiac massage in CPR.
Marzieh Latifi, Mahem Kamran Toraj, Abdurrahman Charkazi, Sakineh Graylou,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common hematologic problem during pregnancy. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referring to health care centers in Bandar Turkmen city in 2013.
Methods: In the present descriptive study, 544 pregnant women were enrolled using census method of samplinig from urban health centers of Bandar Turkmen city . Data was collected using a check list and was analyzed by spearman correlation, linear regression, kruskal wallis and Wilcoxon descriptive and analitical tests using SPSS 15.
Results: Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed among 13.4% of pregnant women during 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. Spearman correlation results showed a positive significant correlation between age and hemoglobin level in the secound stage. Wilcoxon results showed a significant difference between hemoglobin levels of first and secound stages. Linear regression results showed a significant correlation between age and iron deficiency anemia, while kruskal wallis results revealed a significant relationship between Hematocrit levels within Trimesters.
Conclusions: According to the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women, especially during secound and trimesters, pregnant women should be educated in terms of lifestyle modification and compensating nutritional deficiencies.
Sanaz Baghbanrahimi, Hoorieh Soleimanjahi, Alireza Mohebbi, Mir Saeid Ebrahimzadeh, Leyla Alizade, Amir Ghaemi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins, including E6 and E7 are constitutively expressed in cervical cancer cells. These proteins are ideal targets to be used for developing therapeutic vaccines against existing HPV-associated carcinomas. The aim of this study was to measure the proliferation response rate of splenic lymphocytes derived from E7-HPV16 encoding plasmid injection on the tumor mouse model of papillomavirus.
Method: C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneous with 5× 10⁵ TC-1 cells in three times with two weeks intervals and then immunized with HPV-16 E7 DNA vaccine. The proliferation response of splenic cells was measured by MTT assay. IL12 cytokine was measured by ELISA assay and the mass of tumor was calculated with caliper for six weeks.
Results: Following the application of DNA vaccines containing E7 therapeutic gene, the proliferative response of splenic cells was provoked significanltly higher than the stimulation in control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the secretion of IL12 was significantly increased in vaccinated mice tumor tissue (P<0.05). The growth of tumor in vaccinated group was markedly decreased in comparison to PBS and pcDNA3 groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the application of DNA vaccine containing E7 gene in a tumor mouse model may induce anti-tumor cellular immune responses.
Salimi Hadi, Parya Hoseinzadeh, Dr Eghbal Zarei, Zeynab Badal Poor,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Health is undoubtedly on of the most important aspects of human life issues and various personal and family factors can have a key role in this issue. The aim of the present study was to predict physical and mental health among married teachers of elementary schools in Karaj city based on components of decision making and problem solving, family solidarity, expression of love and physical appearance.
Methods: The research method was descriptive-analytical. The statistical population included all married teachers of elementary schools in Karaj city in the academic year 2014-2015. 358 individuals were selected based on Morgan table using random cluster sampling. Health Survey Questionnaire (SF36), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Samani Family Process Scale (SFPS) and Samani Family Content Scale (SFCS) were used to collect information. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regressions.
Results: Pearson correlation results showed that there was a significant relationship between physical and mental health with components of decision making and problem solving (r= 0/488, P< 0/05), family solidarity (r= 0/474, P< 0/05), expression of love(r= 0/356, P< 0/05) and physical appearance (r= 0/409, P< 0/05). Results of multiple regression showed that components of decision making and problem solving with value %23.7, family solidarity with %18.3, expression of love with %12.6 and physical appearance with %12.8, in total consist %30 of physical variance and mental health.
Conclusion: Decision making and problem solving, family solidarity, expression of love and physical appearance could be used to predict the physical and mental health. By improving these factors the physical and mental health in family members could be increased.
Azita Fathnezhad Kazemi, Nasibe Sharifi, Dr Masoomeh Simbar,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Nowadays, the participation of men in prenatal care is emphasized by international institutions to improve the health and reduce mortality of mothers and children. The purpose of this study was to review the various aspects of men participation in prenatal care.
Methods: All of the articles published since 2005 to 2016 containing full texts which were archived in SID, Medlib, Magiran, IranMedex, Google Scholar and Pubmed were searched with the keywords of “Men” and “the empowerment of women with prenatal care” in both Persian and English languages. After the initial investigation and search on the basis of sources, a total of 7 Persian and 28 English articles were included in this study.
Results: The results showed that the participation of men in prenatal care exerts positive effects on mother-infant outcomes. Increasing the expectations of women and core families are of the most important reasons showing the necessity of men participation in prenatal care. However, despite the positive attitude of couples towards men's participation, barriers such as lack of awareness among men and their undefined role in the field of prenatal care, economic and cultural issues and health system problems are the obstacles for men to cooperate in prenatal care.
Conclusion: Considering the important role of men in different areas of women's life and the positive effects of their participation in reproductive health of women, different strategies should be used to promote men's participation in order to introduce them to different aspects of fertility. Therefore, further research in this field seems necessary.
Mohammad Yadegary, Dr Gholam Reza Mahmoodi Shan, Dr Mohammad Ali Vakili, Dr Abdelreza Fazel, Dr Mohammad Zaman Kamkar,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Surgical treatment is one of the most widely used therapies. One of the most important tasks of the medical and nursing team is to reduce the anxiety of patients and subsequently to reduce the vital signs alterations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Jasmine essential oil inhalation on physiological parameters of patients before laparotomy.
Method: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was performed on 84 patients undergoing laparotomy in two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group inhaled two drops of Jasmine essential oil and the control group inhaled two drops of aquapura (sterile water) for one hour which was poured on their collar. Physiological variables including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate of the patients were measured and recorded before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.
Results: The mean age of the intervention group was 35.52 ± 12.73 and it was 36.26 ± 13.39 in the control group. In the pre-intervention stage there were no significant differences in physiological parameters between two groups but after the Jasmine essential oil inhalation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate variables were significantly different compared to pre-intervention stage (P<0/0001) and this difference was also significant comparing the intervention and control groups (P<0/0001).
Conclusion: The physiologic parameters were markedly improved in intervention group after Jasmine essential oil inhalation compared to the control group, which prevented sudden and severe changes in patients waiting for surgery. Therefore, Jasmine essential oil inhalation may be an effective factor in reducing the anxiety and avoiding extreme changes in physiological parameters in patients which could be recommended in clinical situations.
Dr Seyyed Kamal Mirkarimi, Rahmanberdi Ozoni Doji, Dr Mohammadreza Honarvar, Leyla Fazeli Aref,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Obesity is an important health problem that is dramatically increasing in developed and developing countries and is also responsible for the most leading health problems in the vast majority of countries. Then, the current survey was aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and fruit and vegetables consumption among overweight and obese women referring to health centers of Gorgan city.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was accomplished among 420 overweight or obese women referring to the health centers of Gorgan city. A multi-stage cluster sampling was conducted. A researcher made questionnaire was made based on social cognitive theory constructs including demographic characteristics, HPLPII physical fitness standard questionnaire and fruit and vegetables consumption. All data were analyzed using central and distribution indices and analytical information through correlation and multivariate linear regression tests.
Results: The mean score of fruit and vegetable consumption were accordingly 2.04 ± 0.78 and 1.67 ± 0.83 portion per day; while, the average score of physical activity was 23.31 minutes with standard deviation of 16.6. There were a significant relationship between the self-efficacy, availability, expectation, environment and physical activity (p=0.001) and between the availability, expectation and fruit and vegetable consumption (p= 0.001).
Conclusion: The current findings suggest that structures of social cognitive theory including expectations, availability and self-efficacy play an important role in predicting physical activity and fruit and vegetables consumption.
Dr Jahangir Karami, Dr Kamran Yazdanbakhsh, Parvaneh Karimi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: According to the importance of somatization disorder in women, this study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of attachment styles in relationship with temperament and character dimensions of personality and somatization disorder among female teachers in Kermanshah city.
Methods: The study population consisted of all female teachers working in Kermanshah educational system in 2013-2014. The sample population included 300 teachers who were allocated by multistep cluster sampling. They were asked to complete Cloninger Temperament and character Inventor Questionnaire (TCI), somatization questionnaire and Adult Attachment Styles Inventory Questionnaire (AII). The data analysis was done by correlation coefficient calculation and path analysis using SPSS 21.0 and Amos 18.0 software.
Results: Our findings showed that there was a significant correlation between anxiety and avoidance attachment styles and dimensions of personality with somatoform disorder. However, the relationship between safe attachment style and physical disorder was not significant.
Conclusion: Temperament and character dimensions of personality result in somatization disorder when the insecure internal models which are set according to the framework of mother-neonate attachment relationships had been formed.
Dr Ehsan Zarei, Dr Aziz Rezapoor, Dr Sima Marzban, Dr Payam Tabarsi, Vahid Bay,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis requires high utilization of resources and costs and assessing the utilization of health care resources is always important for budgeting and long-term planning in a highly dynamic health care system. This study aimed to investigate the resources and service utilization pattern of patients with smear positive tuberculosis in the Azadshahr district, Golestan province.
Methods: In this retrospective and cross-sectional study, all new patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis who were registered and successfully completed their treatment at the health network of Azadshahr County, from April 2013 to October 2015, were entered to the study (45 patients). Data were collected from the patients’ records at the health care facilities, telephone interviews with patients and registry book of patients in the tuberculosis unite of health network.
Results: The average duration of treatment and DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course) implementation was 195 and 158 days per patient, respectively. The average drug consumption was 741 pills and the average number of X-ray and laboratory tests (smear test) was 1.7 and 4.4 per patient, respectively. Each patient had been visited on average 8.8 times by physician and 27% of patients were hospitalized, their average length of stay was 1.8 days.
Conclusion: Our findings showed that the utilization pattern of resources and services in patients with tuberculosis was approximately consistent with protocols developed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health of Iran often.
Seyed Farid Nourbakhsh, Reza Fadayevatan, Mahtab Alizadeh-Khoei, Farshad Sharifi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (10-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Dementia is associated with serious effects on memory, cognition and ability to carry out daily activities. There is evidence that impairment in activity of daily living (ADL) is even reported among elder patients who suffer from mild cognitive disorders. Therefore, we aimed to determine the status of ADL and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) in healthy and cognitive impaired elderlies (MCI, Mild, and Moderate dementia).
Methods: In this cross-sectional study which was conducted in 2016, 300 elderlies (60 years and above) were selected using a classified cluster sampling in four groups (each group of 75 individuals). These groups comprised of healthy old people and elderlies with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild to moderate dementia that were residing in rural areas of Isfahan and Tehran and were classified between stages of 1 to 5 according to the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). All individuals in four groups were assessed by ADL and IADL evaluation tools. The geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) and DSM-IV scale were performed on healthy elderlies by a physician to confirm the lack of mild dementia or depression. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software and using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and independent samples T-test.
Results: According to the cognitive impairment screening results by GDS, 76 elderlies were healthy, 75 were in MCI group, 72 individuals were diagnosed with mild dementia and 77 were suffering from moderate dementia. The mean scores of ADL tool on the basis of different cognitive stages of elderlies were statistically significant (p<0.001). The ADL scores among elderlies were lowered by increasing the severity of cognitive impairment. Moreover, the average scores of IADL among elderlies with different cognitive status were significantly different (p<0.001). The IADL scores in cases with moderate dementia were markedly declined in comparison to healthy subjects and elderlies with MCI and mild dementia.
Conclusion: Although applying the ADL and IADL tools are not considered as gold standards in rapid assessment of cognitive impairments among elderlies, they could be considered as useful and user friendly tools to detect performance alterations in elderlies with dementia to provide healthcare by geriatric teams.
Dr Alireza Norouzi, Dr Mohammadkazem Fakhri, Razieh Talebi, Dr Gholamreza Roshandel, Reza Mohammadi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (10-2017)
Abstract
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder and is a psychosomatic disorder. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on coping styles and gastrointestinal symptoms of IBS patients. This Experimental (pretest-posttest with the control group) study was conducted on 32 patients with IBS based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. They divided randomly assigned into two groups intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 17). ROME III was used for the diagnosis of IBS. coping styles were evaluated by using Lazarus coping styles questionnaire (CSQ). Data analysis was conducted in SPSS software by using student t-test, Mann-Whitney, and covariance. The results showed that the difference between the mean scores of coping styles (emotion-focused & problem-focused) and gastrointestinal symptoms in the intervention group after the sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was statistically significant (p <0.01). The results show that mindfulness-based therapy can be effective in reducing and controlling psychological symptoms, enhance well-being and quality of life. Therefore, this therapy as an adjunctive therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome is recommended.
Fatemeh Bagheri, Mehdi Dehghan, Dr Majid Ziaratban,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (10-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Major management decisions in organizations not only in the present but also in the future have a profound impact on different aspects of the organization. A slight mistake in making decisions may lead to the loss of resources of the organization, including financial and human resources. In the present study, we evaluated the problem of choosing the most convenient location for the construction of hospitals and health centers as one of the most important issues in the field of health. Regarding the numerous factors in decision making and the myriad of possible solutions to this problem and also disability of human in solving such problems, a genetic optimization algorithm has been used to calculate the best location for the construction of hospitals.
Methods: This study was simulated according to the actual conditions which may exist in a city. Given the existence of a city with N × N dimensions and having several hospitals and health centers in the city, the issue was raised for the construction of three hospitals. Important factors which could influence the decision making were health status, referring times and land prices. Furthermore, the most proper locations for the construction of three hospitals were calculated using the genetic algorithm.
Results: Three characteristics including the level of health, referring times and land prices were randomly assigned to all urban areas. The coordinates of available health centers in the city were also identified. Another point was the lack of proximity of hospitals in the city. Setting the threshold of 0.2 units for the minimum distance between hospitals (current and new), this restriction was applied. After performing the algorithm with the governing conditions, three optimal points were found.
Conclusion: Considering the importance of locations for the construction of hospitals and health centers in the city and the existence of various factors for selecting the most appropriate place, application of strategies and algorithms which may be helpful in finding the best solution among the myriad of solutions in inevitable. According to the fact that human beings alone or by simple mathematical methods are not capable of taking all the features together and examine the search space to find the best result, we achieved the best solution in the city by setting the parameters of the genetic algorithm and taking into account all important factors.
Ali Maleka, Dr Nasser Behnampour, Dr Seyed Kamal Mirkarimi, Sadegh Khosravi, Asghar Khosravi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (10-2017)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Animal bites are a major threat to human health, while the subsequent infections such as Rabies could be lethal. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic status of animal bite and the effect of wasting stray dogs on the incidence of animal bites in Galikesh County since 2009 until 2013.
Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study with descriptive-analytical approach. A total of 1712 animal-bitten cases who were residing in Galikesh during the years of 2009-2013 were enrolled by census method. Data were collected from the recorded documents of animal-bitten individuals and analyzed by SPSS.
Results: Of all cases, 1203 (70.3%) individuals were male and 509 (29.7%) were female. Regarding the age, cases were ranged between 1 to 89 years with a mean and standard deviation of 26.88 ± 18.39 years. The majority of bite cases (92.3%) were related to dogs. Moreover, 71.4% of bites were on legs. There was a significant relationship between sex and the place of residence as well as between the place of the event (biting) and delay to the first vaccination (P <0.05). Wasting the stray dogs has no effect on reducing the incidence of bites (P <0.05).
Conclusion: The current plan of wasting the stray dogs has no effect on reducing the incidence of bites in Galikesh. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out controlling programs, education and community awareness in this field.
Maedeh Sadat Alavi, Sheida Jabal Ameli,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the interventions used in the treatment of chronic medical conditions such as MS in recent years. Hence, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on emotional control of MS patients in the city of Isfahan.
Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental research which was conducted by using a pretest-posttest design with the control group. The study population consisted of all members of the MS Society of Isfahan in 2016-2017. Using the available sampling method, 30 subjects were selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (15 subjects for each group). Both groups completed Williams and Chambless emotional control questionnaire as the pre-test. After eight sessions (two one-hour sessions per week for four weeks) of cognitive-behavioral therapy, the posttest was performed for the groups. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, including mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics including univariate covariance analysis in the SPSS 20 software.
Results: The study participants included 16 married women and 14 married men. The mean age of the participants in the experimental and control groups was 30.23 ± 7.06 and 29.34 ± 7.15, respectively. The results of the univariate covariance analysis showed that a significant difference in the mean scores of emotional control from the pre-test to the post-test stage between the experimental group and the control group (P = 0.001). Thus, in the experimental group, the mean total score of emotional control in the pretest and post-test phases was equal to 71.66 and 31.33, respectively, while these values in the control group in the pre-test and post-test phases were 67.06 and 62.93, respectively. Also in the experimental group, the scores of four sub-scales of anger, depressed mood, anxiety, and positive emotions revealed significant differences between the post-test stage and the pre-test stage (P =0.001). Therefore, the cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective in improving the emotional control of MS patients.
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, we recommended the use of this therapeutic method to improve the emotional control of the patients with MS.
Rasoul Heshmati,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with negative emotions of anger and stress, which are one of the nonclinical risk factors of the disease. Therefore, evaluation of the effective therapeutic models alleviating the patients’ negative emotions is of paramount importance. This study aimed to examine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on anger and stress in patients with coronary heart disease after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
Methods: This research had an A-B single-subject design. The research population encompassed all patients with coronary heart disease referring to Shahid Madani Hospital of Tabriz, Iran during the second half of 2016 for rehabilitation measures. Four patients were selected using convenience sampling. Before the interventions, the participants completed state-trait anger expression inventory (STAXI-2, Spielberger) and depression anxiety stress scale (DASS) throughout two consecutive weeks, which led to establishing two baselines. Afterwards, they received mindfulness-based stress reduction training during seven consecutive weeks and completed the questionnaires after each intervention. Percentage of recovery, percentage of non-overlapping data (PND), standard mean difference (SMD), and effect size were used to analyze the data, and eye diagram analysis was adopted to interpret the data.
Results: The findings indicated that the mean recovery rate for all participants was 0.84 and its effect size index was 2.7. Moreover, the mean percentage of recovery and the effect size index of mindfulness intervention on the patients’ anger were 0.18 and 1.38, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it could be concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction is an effective intervention to regulate stress in patients suffering from coronary heart disease.
