The Relation between Awareness of Cancer Diagnosis and Spiritual Health among Cancer Patients

Introduction: Disclosure of cancer diagnosis is one the main challenges in caring of patients with cancer since it may have negative effects on the spiritual health of patients. No study has ever been performed in Iran to investigate the relationship between awareness of cancer diagnosis and spiritual health in cancer patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to review the effects of awareness of cancer on spiritual health in patients with cancer. Methods: This was a descriptive-comparative study conducted in Shahid Ghazi Tabatabaei University Hospital in 2009. The subjects included 150 patients aware of their cancer diagnosis and 150 unaware patients. The patients were selected through convenient sampling method. Using a questionnaire, the patient's spiritual health was assessed. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS17 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results showed the mean (SD) of spiritual health among aware and unaware patients to be 75.1 (3.8) and 75.4 (3.9), respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the spiritual health of the two groups (p = 0.96). Conclusion: These findings showed that awareness of cancer diagnosis had no effects on spiritual health of patients. It is not surprising considering Iranian culture. However, confirmation of this finding requires further studies

The attitude of Iranian nurses about do not resuscitate orders

Background: Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders are one of many challenging issues in end of life care. Previous research has not investigated Muslim nurses′ attitudes towards DNR orders. Aims: This study aims to investigate the attitude of Iranian nurses towards DNR orders and determine the role of religious sects in forming attitudes. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-comparative study, 306 nurses from five hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS) in East Azerbaijan Province and three hospitals in Kurdistan province participated. Data were gathered by a survey design on attitudes on DNR orders. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) software examining descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Participants showed their willingness to learn more about DNR orders and highlights the importance of respecting patients and their families in DNR orders. In contrast, in many key items participants reported their negative attitude towards DNR orders. There were statistical differences in two items between the attitude of Shiite and Sunni nurses. Conclusions: Iranian nurses, regardless of their religious sects, reported negative attitude towards many aspects of DNR orders. It may be possible to change the attitude of Iranian nurses towards DNR through education

How to prevent workplace incivility?: Nurses' perspective

Background: Many articles have studied workplace incivility and its influence on outcomes, but very few have been conducted to assess how to prevent this issue. In this study, we aimed to determine how to prevent workplace incivility from the nurses' perspective. Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study which was based on a conventional content analysis approach. Thirty four nurses (25 to 52 years old) from seven training hospitals in Tabriz, Iran were selected through purposive sampling. Thirty six semi-structured interviews and eight field notes were analyzed. Results: The data analysis revealed 417 codes, ten categories, three subthemes and one theme, that is, A Need for a Comprehensive Attempt. Attempt of organization, nurses, and public as subthemes are needed to prevent workplace incivility. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicated that a comprehensive and systematic attempt was needed to prevent incivility. Nurses should try to improve their skills; officials should try to show the real image and position of nurses and hospitals to the community

Effects of Administration of Monosodium Glutamate and Methylphenidate on the Histologic Structure of Testicular Tissue and Microscopic Indices of Spermatogenesis in Adolescent Rats

Introduction: Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the common medications used for maintaining alertness and improving attention. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive, which acts as an enhancer of palatability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the various effects of these compounds on the reproductive system during adolescence.   Materials and Methods: Methylphenidate (5 and 10 mg/kg) and monosodium glutamate (6 and 60 mg/kg) were administrated to adolescent rats. After 60 days, the pituitary-testicular axis hormones were assayed and testicular histomorphometric studies were performed.   Findings: The coadministration of MPH (5 mg/kg) and MSG (60 mg/kg) led to elevation in serum FSH levels (P0.05). The administration of MSG led to a reduction in the population of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocyte. Coadministration of MPH and MSG also reduced this population. Morphometric studies revealed decrement of tubular diameter and germinal epithelium height (P<0.05), especially with low doses of MPH and high doses of MSG. The changes in spermatogenic indices were similar to morphometric results. Tubular atrophy, interstitial edema, and depopulation of spermatogenic cells were observed in MPH and MSG treated groups. Coadministration of these compounds increased spermatids with pyknotic nucleus.   Conclusion: It has been concluded that the coadministration of MPH and MSG through the induction of some hormonal and structural alterations could induce some changes in the normal structure and function of the reproductive system