Medication Errors and its Contributing Factors among Midwives

Introduction: Medication errors are among the most serious health errors threatening patient safety in all countries, with major impacts on public health. Midwives as members of healthcare systems are prone to such errors. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine medication errors and the contributing factors among midwives working in maternity units of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran in 2015. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 104 employed midwives at four hospitals (Imam Reza, Ghaem, Omolbanin, and Hashemi Nezhad hospitals), affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The validity and reliability of the data collection tools were confirmed through content validity and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), respectively. For data analysis, descriptive and analytical tests, multiple linear regression, and negative binomial regression analysis were performed, using SPSS version 20 and STATA version 11. Results: The average incidence of medication errors for each midwife was 21.24±2.89 in the past six months. Among reasons against reporting medication errors, fear of confrontation with authorities (3.79±1.5) and attributing the medication error to individual factors by officials (3.88±1.34) had the highest average scores. The most common causes of medication errors were overcrowding of the ward (4.32±1.01), excessive workload and overexertion (4.19±1.08), and presence of critically ill patients in the ward (4.03±1.18). Conclusion: Overcrowding of the ward, fear of authorities, and attributing the medication error to individual factors were the main reasons against reporting medication errors, respectively. Therefore, more attention should be paid to error reporting systems, and workshops in this area are highly recommended

The Impact of E-CRM on Customer Loyalty Using Data Mining Techniques

With the expansion of the Internet, various tools have been used to communicate with customers in organizations, and organizations use different E-CRM methods to create competitive advantages. Since customer loyalty is critical to achieving competitive advantage and profitability for organizations, one of the goals of organizations in using E-CRM is to maintain and increase customer loyalty. Therefore, considering the importance of the impact of various E-CRM services on customers’ loyalty, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of E-CRM on the loyalty of Bank Mellat customers using data mining techniques. The data required for this research were extracted from Bank Mellat databases. Data mining techniques include clustering with K-means algorithm and neural networks (using error-relay algorithm) and LRFM model through programming in MATLAB and Excel software were used to analyze the data. The results showed that with increasing use of E-CRM services, customers’ loyalty increases. The relationship between E-CRM, the components of LRFM model, and loyalty is a nonlinear and the change in loyalty as E-CRM changes is not a constant.  The increase in loyalty is a function of LRFM components, the amount of E-CRM and weights obtained in the neural network

Restoration of morphine-induced alterations in rat submandibular gland function by N-methyl-D-aspartate agonist

The effects of morphine, 1-aminocyclobutane-cis-1,3-dicarboxylic (ACBD; NMDA agonist) and 3-((R)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphoric acid (CPP; NMDA antagonist) and their concurrent therapy on rat submandibular secretory function were studied. Pure submandibular saliva was collected intraorally by micro polyethylene cannula from anaesthetized rats using pilocarpine as secretagogue. Intraperitoneal injection of morphine (6 mg/kg) induced significant inhibition of salivary flow rate, total protein, calcium, and TGF-b1 concentrations. Administration of ACBD (10 mg/kg) and CPP (10 mg/kg) alone did not influence secretion of submandibular glands. In combination therapy, coadministration of CPP with morphine did not influence morphine-induced changes in salivary function while ABCD could restore all morphine-induced changes. In combination treatment, ACBD prevented morphine-induced reduction of flow rate, total protein, calcium, and TGF- b1 and reached control levels. It is concluded that morphine-induced alterations in submandibular gland function are mediated through NMDA receptors

Cannabinoids as anti-ROS in aged pancreatic islet cells

Aims: Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds with a high affinity for cannabinoid receptors affecting the central nervous system through the release of neurotransmitters. However, the current knowledge related to the role of such compounds in the regulation of cellular aging is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol on the function of aged pancreatic islets. Main methods: The expression of p53, p38, p21, p16, and Glut2 genes and β-galactosidase activity were measured as hallmarks of cell aging applying real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry techniques. Pdx1 protein expression, insulin release, and oxidative stress markers were compared between young and aged rat pancreatic islet cells. Key findings: Upon the treatment of aged pancreatic islets cells with cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, the expression of p53, p38, p21 and the activity of β-galactosidase were reduced. Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol increase insulin release, Pdx1, Glut2, and thiol molecules expression, while the oxidative stress parameters were decreased. The enhanced expression of Pdx1 and insulin release in aged pancreatic islet cells reflects the extension of cell healthy aging due to the significant reduction of ROS. Significance: This study provides evidence for the involvement of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in the oxidation process of cellular aging

Metal–Organic Framework Fluorescence Sensors for Rapid and Accurate Detection of Melamine in Milk Powder

In this research, a simple, label-free, and ultra-sensitive fluorescent platform based on a metal–organic framework (MOF) has been developed to detect melamine in milk powder. This fluorescence sensor was fabricated from sensitized terbium (Tb)@NH2-MIL-253 (Al) MOF using a hydrothermal method that involved combining the green emission of Tb (λem = 545 nm) with the blue emission of NH2-MIL-253(Al) MOF (λem = 430 nm) under a single excitation wavelength (λex = 335 nm). The fluorescence sensor was then used under optimized conditions (pH = 9.0; sensor concentration = 30 mg/L; response time = 30 s) to quantify melamine in milk powder. The accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of this sensor were established compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The linear range and lower limit of detection (LLOD, computed with 3σ/S) of the sensor were between 40–396.45 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg–0.25 mg/kg) and 40 nM (equal to 25 µg/kg), respectively, which is much less than the maximum residual level (MRL) for the detection of melamine in infant formula (1 mg/kg) and other foods/feeds (2.5 mg/kg). Additionally, the results had good agreement with the HPLC outcomes, suggesting that the NH2-MIL-253(Al) MOF sensing probe has great precision and repeatability. To conclude, the new fluorescence sensor developed in this study can accurately and sensitively detect melamine in food samples, which may be useful for screening for adulteration of milk powders and other foods