Gastrointestinal complaints in shift-working and day-working nurses in Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is evidence in the scientific literature of the adverse physiological and psychological effects of shift work. The work of nurses in hospitals is connected with shift and night work. Several publications have described gastrointestinal disturbances in shift workers. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints of nurses on a rotating shift with that of nurses on a regular day shift.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study involved 160 nurses (133 working in shifts and at night and 27 working on day shifts) in the Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. These nurses answered a Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire regarding the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (including heartburn, regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea and bloating). Positive responses required frequent symptom occurrence in the past 4 weeks. Significance of group differences was assessed by chi-square and Fisher-exact tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of GI symptoms was significantly higher (p = 0.009) in rotating-shift nurses (81.9%) than in day-shift nurses (59.2%). Irregular meal consumption (p = 0.01) and GI medications (p = 0.002) were all significantly higher among the rotating shift nurses. In both groups, regurgitation was the most common symptom.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nurses on rotating shifts in Iran experience more GI disturbances than do nurses on day shifts.</p

Lack of Pathogenic Mutation in the Human CAII Gene in an Individual Suffering Renal Tubular Acidosis

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a rare genetic disorder. It has four clinical types, and type 3 demonstrates a mixed pattern of tubular dysfunction. The causative gene for type 3 RTA (CAII) is located on the 8q22 locus and encodes a protein called carbonic anhydrase II. In this study, we analyzed the entire exons and flanking regions of the CAII gene in a child suffering renal tubular acidosis with an autosomal recessive pattern that was diagnosed with type3 RTA. DNA was extracted from the blood sample of the patient and his parents by the salting out extraction method. The exons and flanking regions of the CAII gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We performed exon direct sequencing by forward and reverse primers, which were designed by primer3 program. No mutation was found following the screening of the entire coding sequence of the CAII gene. It is likely that another gene might be involved in this case. In other words, other types of RTA have to be considered.Keywords: Renal Tubular Acidosis, distal, type 3; Gene; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Effects of psycho-educational intervention on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic liver disease referring to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are progressive disorder which has a significant impact on the well-being of patients and leads to significant morbidity. CLDs are characterized by disturbances in physical, psychological and social aspects of well-being. It causes significant health-related quality of life (QOL) impairment. Psycho-educational interventions targeting to functional factors could be beneficial for patients with CLDs. METHODS: An interventional study was conducted on 110 patients with CLDs in Shiraz Liver Transplantation Center (SLTC). Subjects with the required CLDs criteria were selected and randomly divided into experimental (55) and control (55) groups. A two part questionnaire with 25 items concerning demographic and general information and 29 items regarding QOL was used. The psycho-educational needs of the experimental group were assessed in a session before the intervention, then the experimental group took part in 3 sessions individually and one session in groups. The questionnaires were filled in again for both groups but the control group did not receive the intervention program. The questionnaires were filled in again for both groups one day and three months after the intervention. RESULTS: Findings revealed no significant differences between the two groups from the view point of demographic characteristics such as marital status, gender, etc... (p > 0.05) and from the point of clinical variables no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05). Findings revealed statistically significant differences in all domain of QOL in the experimental group three months after the intervention (p = 0.001), while there was no statistically significant differences in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that psycho-educational intervention had a significant effect on QOL of patients with CLDs

MWCNTs-TiO2 incorporated-Mg composites to improve the mechanical, corrosion and biological characteristics for use in biomedical fields

This study attempts to synthesize MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composites with varying TiO2-MWCNT concentrations using mechanical alloying and a semi-powder metallurgy process coupled with spark plasma sintering. It also aims to investigate the mechanical, corrosion, and antibacterial properties of these composites. When compared to the MgZn composite, the microhardness and compressive strength of the MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composites were enhanced to 79 HV and 269 MPa, respectively. The results of cell culture and viability experiments revealed that incorporating TiO2-MWCNTs increased osteoblast proliferation and attachment and enhanced the biocompatibility of the TiO2-MWCNTs nanocomposite. It was observed that the corrosion resistance of the Mg-based composite was improved and the corrosion rate was reduced to about 2.1 mm/y with the addition of 10 wt% TiO2-1 wt% MWCNTs. In vitro testing for up to 14 days revealed a reduced degradation rate following the incorporation of TiO2-MWCNTs reinforcement into a MgZn matrix alloy. Antibacterial evaluations revealed that the composite had antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone of 3.7 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The MgZn/TiO2-MWCNTs composite structure has great potential for use in orthopedic fracture fixation devices

A comprehensive review on surface modifications of biodegradable magnesium-based implant alloy: polymer coatings opportunities and challenges

The development of biodegradable implants is certainly intriguing, and magnesium and its alloys are considered significant among the various biodegradable materials. Nevertheless, the fast degradation, the generation of a significant amount of hydrogen gas, and the escalation in the pH value of the body solution are significant barriers to their use as an implant material. The appropriate approach is able to solve this issue, resulting in a decrease the rate of Mg degradation, which can be accomplished by alloying, surface adjustment, and mechanical treatment. Surface modification is a practical option because it not only improves corrosion resistance but also prepares a treated surface to improve bone regeneration and cell attachment. Metal coatings, ceramic coatings, and permanent polymers were shown to minimize degradation rates, but inflammation and foreign body responses were also suggested. In contrast to permanent materials, the bioabsorbable polymers normally show the desired biocompatibility. In order to improve the performance of drugs, they are generally encapsulated in biodegradable polymers. This study summarized the most recent advancements in manufacturing polymeric coatings on Mg alloys. The related corrosion resistance enhancement strategies and future potentials are discussed. Ultimately, the major challenges and difficulties are presented with aim of the development of polymer-coated Mg-based implant materials

Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder in Iran

BACKGROUND: Estimates of the annual prevalence for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were consistent across the international sites range, 1.9% – 2.5%. The nine population surveys, which used Diagnostic Interview Schedule, estimated a six-month prevalence of OCD ranging from 0.7% to 2.1%. This study performed in order to determine the prevalence of OCD in a population-based study among Iranian adults aged 18 and older and to study the association of them with factors such as sex, marital status, education, type of occupation and residential area. METHODS: A cross-sectional nationwide epidemiological study of the Iranian population aged 18 and older was designed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and their association with the above mentioned factors. 25180 individuals were selected and interviewed through a randomized systematic and cluster sampling method from all Iranian households. Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria were used in diagnosis of OCD. 250 clinical psychologists interviewed the selected subjects face to face at their homes. RESULTS: The prevalence of OCD in Iran is 1.8% (0.7% and 2.8% in males and females; respectively). 50.3% of the survey sample were men, 49.9% women, 29.1% single, 67.45% married, 0.4% separated or divorced, 2.5% widow/widower and 4% undetermined. All of the above-mentioned factors were examined in the univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Although the data did not fit the models well, but in univariate models, sex, the category "single" of marital status, age, the categories "business" and "housewife" and residential areas showed significant effect adjusting for the factors, but the models didn't fit the data properly. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the prevalence of OCD is not rare in the community of Iran and is within the range of other countries. Similar to prior studies in other communities, OCD is more common in females than males

Trout farms and other human activities effects on Cheshmehkileh river ecosystem in Tonekabon

Cheshmehkileh River and adjacent mountainous streams, play a strategic role as a historical axis for anthropogenic civilization, human welfare also habitat and migration pathway of commercial – biologic valuable fishes e.g. Caspian trout, Caspian kuttum, members of Cyprinidae family in south Caspian Sea drainage. Treats such as overfishing of Caspian trout and Red spotted trout stocks in mountainous headwaters, barriers construction and manipulations those are out of river carrying capacity developed by human activities, affected normal function of river as well. Sand mining big factories establishment next to the river, legal and illegal trade of river sediments, direct entry of Tonekabon landfill leakage into the river, development of Rainbow trout farms since 3 decades and huge effluents into the river containing dead fish and types of solids, escapement of cultured Rainbow trouts into the river, … are major minimum factors which needs basic information for integrating inclusively drainage management system. Cheshmehkileh River contains Headwaters of Dohezar (Daryasar & Nusha), Sehezar and Valamroud rivers during 13 monthly sampling phases between September 2009 and October 2010 based on macrozoobenthoses investigations by EPT, EPT/C EPA protocols, measurements of nominated physic-chemical and microbiologic parameters. Probability of Rainbow trouts escapement and invasion, existence, nutrition in Cheshmehkileh environment indeed investigated. Data analysis explained significant differences (P<0.05) between groups of measured parameters in different sampling stations. Dendogram of clustered analysis based on consolidation of major biologic/ physic-chemical and microbiologic parameters, separated stations No. 1, 3, 2, 4 in one group and remained classified in different groups. Station 8 and 9 similarly separated which expressed general similarities according to Sehezar river environment which were differs in comparison with other stations. Station 11 separated according to its natural quality of water and environment. Similarities between station 10 to Sehezar river stations 8 and 9 expressed general influence of Sehezar River more than Dohezar River in Cheshmehkileh condition especially in station No. 10. High scores of EPT and EPT/C indices in upstream stations 1, 3 and 8 also low score of indices in stations 7, 13 and 6 expressed levels of environment quality between these groups of stations. Maximum average biomass of macroinvertebrates belongs to Trichoptera order in Cheshmehkileh River. Significant decrease of biomass in stations 11, 12 and 13 in comparison with other stations stated environment degradation in mentioned stations relevant to excessive sand mining as well. Pollution resistant groups of invertebrates significantly increased in downstreams against upstream stations. Also disappearing of Plecoptera order in station No. 7, 9, 10 and 13 stated low quality of environment in comparison with upstream stations. Confirmation of effects quality and quantity for point and non-point sources of imported pollutants require specific management considerations in order to present exploitations, pollutants control and emergencies for river monitoring in forthcoming years

Determination of Occupational Stress and Its Related Factors in Female Staff of Kashan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aim: The phenomenon of stress is one of the fundamental problems in the last few decades following the changes and developments of societies and the advent of modern life that has put people at risk. The aim of this study was to determine the level of occupational stress and its related factors in female staff of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study and the sample size was all female employees (132 persons) working in faculties and departments of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2016. The UK HSE occupational stress questionnaire was used to measure occupational stress. Data were imported into SPSS16 software and analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher exact test.&nbsp; Findings: Only two variables showed a significant statistical relationship with job stress; hours of work and the workplace (P-value &lt;0.05), but there was no significant statistical relationship between job shift, education level and employment status (P-value&gt; 0.05). Conclusion: The high level of occupational stress among employees of the deputies indicate the importance of reducing the working hours of the staff to the standard working hours of other countries, as well as the periodic shift of staff from the deputies to the faculties. &nbsp

Hearing Statement in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Control Study Using Auditory Brainstem Responses and Otoacoustic Emissions

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder of Central Nervous System. It involves 8th cranial nerve and its central nuclei and is an uncommon cause of the sensorineural hearing loss. For determining the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) especially retrocochlear type in MS, a cross-sectional study was designed using Pure-Tone Audiometry (PTA), Otoacustic Emissions (OAEs), Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) compared with the control group. Data were analyzed by Qui2 & Fischer exact test in SPSS 17 software. Among 60 patients (44 women & 16 men) and 38 controls (27 women & 11 men) with a mean age of 29.9±9.8 and 31.4± 8.3 years, 12.5% of case ears and 3.9% of the control ears had abnormal PTA (P= 0.043). Frequency of abnormal high frequency-PTA and two modalities of OAEs were not significantly different between case and control ears. The means of overall correlation were 75.9±23.8 in cases and 70.0±27.2 in controls (P= 0.111). 20% of case ears, and 9.2% of the control ears had abnormal ABRs (P= 0.044). The absolute latencies of waves I, II & V had not significant difference, but 10% and 11.7% of case ears and 1.3% & none of the control ears had increased inter peak latencies of I-III, and III-V respectively (P<0.05). 6.7% of case ears and 2.6% of control ears had retrocochlear abnormality (P=0.181). In conclusion, HL is more common in MS patients, especially when determined by using PTA and ABR