Protective effect of vitamin C against hemolytic anemia-induced changes in small intestine histoarchitecture of phenylhydrazine-treated mice

Background and aims: Hemolytic anemia-induced hypoxia can lead to multi-organ dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy of vitamin C as an antioxidant agent against hemolytic anemia-induced changes in small intestine histoarchitecture of phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-treated mice. Methods: In this experimental study, adult male mice were randomly assigned to four groups of eight mice each. PHZ was administered to two groups of mice at a dose of 60 mg/kg per 48 hours intraperitoneally for 35 days. One of these groups received vitamin C (250 mg/kg per day) intraperitoneally four hours before PHZ administration. A vehicle-treated control group and a vitamin C control group were also included. 24 hours after the last treatment, desired segments of small intestines were dissected out and subjected to histological processing and morphometric parameters were evaluated. Results: PHZ caused significant decreases in villi width of duodenum and jejunum, crypts depth of duodenum, distribution rate of the goblet cells in ileal villi and height of villi in all segments of small intestine. Vitamin C markedly improved all changes in the aforementioned parameters. Conclusion: Vitamin C could ameliorate hemolytic anemia-induced histological injuries in mouse small intestine

Association of Body Surface Area and Body Composition with Heart Structural Characteristics of Female Swimmers

In healthy nonathletic populations, some left ventricle (LV) parameters such as LV mass (LVM) and LV end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) can be predicted by some of body size parameters such as body surface area (BSA), fat-free mass (FFM), and height (H). These body size parameters use to remove covariate influence of body size from cardiac dimension variables and allow comparisons to be made between individuals and groups of different body size. Endurance exercise has been associated with changes in LV size and body composition of athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate in 30 trained female swimmers (age range 12-17 years) possible correlations between BSA, FFM, fat mass (FM) determined by bioelectrical impedance analyzer(BIA); and a range of cardiac dimensions derived by echocardiography. Univariate correlations were studied between left ventricular and body size variables. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to determine the best determinants of LV variables. LVM and LVEDD had a significant relation with FFM and BSA (p\u3c0.001), (p\u3c0.05) respectively. Left ventricle posterior wall thickness (PWT) had a significant relation with BSA (p\u3c0.001) and FFM (p\u3c0.005). No relation was found between heart’s structural variable (LVM, LVEDD, LVESD and PWT) and FM. Using a multivariate regression analysis, FFM was the only independent predictor of both LVM (R2=0.541, p\u3c0.001) and LVEDD (R2=0.189, P\u3c0.05). These results suggest that Correction of LVM and LVEDD by FFM in athletes may be more appropriate than other measures of body size for indexing absolute amounts of LV dimension. Yet further researches in other athletes are required to confirm these findings. Key words: Indexation, LVM, LVEDD, fat-free mass, athlet

The survey of patient safety culture among nurses in hospitals affiliated to Zahedan university of medical sciences in 2014

Introduction: Surveying and diagnosing patient safety culture is a key step to improve the health and patient safety culture, which generally is provided by surveying of providers and measuring globally. So the present study aimed to survey and evaluate patient safety culture among nurses in hospitals affiliated to Zahedan university of medical science. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. In order to collect data, a questionnaire was developed to survey patient safety culture on 400 nurses in hospitals related to Zahedan university of medical sciences. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. The required tests such as T-test, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation coefficient were used. Results: The results of the present study showed that the score of patient safety culture for each aspect of it was low. Findings also showed that items such as general perception to patient safety, management support, and organizational learning and permanent promotion in Khatam ol Anbia, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, and Bu Ali hospitals had the highest scores, while hospital patient transfer and exchange of information, manager’s actions, expectation to promote patient safety, and related issues to staffs had the lowest scores Conclusion: Patient safety care is necessary for providing an appropriate and efficient healthcare. So the organizations which provide healthcare services must establish a comprehensive and regular system based on the processes of patient safety promotion to decrease errors. They should also be responsive to injured people through establishing a patient safety culture and maintaining appropriate organizational mechanisms. Keywords: Patient safety culture, Nurse

Evaluation of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Biochemical Traits of Lettuce under Drought Stress and Super Absorbent or Bentonite Application

The effects of two superabsorbents (natural-bentonite) and (synthetic-A 200) on the chlorophyll fluorescence index, proline accumulation, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and total carbohydrate in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was evaluated. For this purpose, a factorial experiment using completely randomized design with superabsorbents at 3 levels (0, 0.15, 0.30 w/w%), drought stress at 2 levels (60 and 100% of field capacity) and 4 replicates was conducted. Results showed that photosystem photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) II under drought stress (60% FC) as well as lower levels of bentonite superabsorbent polymer reduced. The minimum and maximum proline content were obtained in 0.3% bentonite, 100% FC and 0 benetonite, 60% FC, respectively. The lowest and highest phenolic compounds was corresponded to the highest levels in both super absorbents and control respectively, so that the super absorbent and bentonite, reduced phenolic compounds by 62.65 and 66.21% compared to control. 0 and 0.15 wt % bentonite in high drought stress (60% FC) showed the highest and 0.3 wt % bentonite and 100% FC attained the lowest level of antioxidant activity. Control bentonite treatment beds at 60% FC and beds containing 0.3 wt. % bentonite in 100% FC, showed the lowest and the highest total carbohydrate content respectively. Results of this study indicate that bentonite can reduce the negative effects of drought stress similar to artificial super absorbent

RC-class and LC-class on fixed point theorems for α-Caristi type contraction mappings

In this paper, we introduce the notion of (α,ℋLC,fRC)-Caristi type contraction mappings and prove fixed point theorem by using this notion on complete metric space. To illustrate our result, we construct an example

Detection of blaNDM, blaDIM, blaIMP, blaVIM and blaCTX-M-15 beta-lactamase Genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Isolated from Two Hospitals of Tehran, Iran

Background: In this study, we evaluated the existence of blaNDM ,  blaDIM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaCTX-M-15 beta-lactamase  genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from hospitalized patients.Materials and Methods: From June 2013 to May 2014, thirty-four nonduplicate nonconsecutive isolates of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were isolated from blood, respiratory tract, wound, sputum and urine samples of patients from hospitalized in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. In this study, the frequency of MBL (metallo-beta-lactamase) producers was evaluated by CDDT (Combined disk diffusion test) and prevalence of blaNDM, blaDIM, blaIMP, blaVIM and blaCTX-M-15  genes were evaluated  by PCR and sequencing methods among P. aeruginosa and  A. baumannii strains isolated from  hospitalized patient of Tehran during 2013 -2014 years.Results: Of thirty-four non-fermenter isolates, 24 (70.58%) P. aeruginosa and 10 (29.41%) as A. baumannii were isolated and identified. High rate of resistance to common antibiotics were detected specially among A. baumannii isolates that showed 100% resistance to 4 of tested antibiotics. The CDDT results reveal that 4 (16.66%) of the P. aeruginosa isolates and 1 (10%) of the A.baumannii were positive for production of MBLs. The prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 gene among 10 A. baumannii isolates was 4 (40%), and for IMP-1, 2 (20%). The OXA-51 has been investigated and was detected in all A. baumannii isolates. Also the prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 gene among 24 P.aeruginosa isolates was 11 (45.83%), and for IMP-1, 3(12.5%). Fortunately, NDM, blaVIM, blaDIM gene was not detected in all isolates.Conclusion: The detection of MBL-producing A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa strains detected in this research is of great concern and highlights the need of infection control measures, including antimicrobial management and prompt detection of beta-lactamase-producing isolates.

Efficacy of DVIU and intralesional injection of mitomycin C in the treatment of bulbar urethral stricture

Background and aim: To find if intra-operative local injection of Mitomycin-C after internal Urethrotomy in patients with urethral stricture can improve the outcome of surgery.Materials and Methods: Seventy patients were allocated in two groups randomly and data were analyzed. The case group (n=35) was treated by internal Urethrotomy with intra-operative local injection of Mitomycin-C. The control group (n=35) was underwent standard internal Urethrotomy. The patients were followed after removing catheter and for 6 months after surgery by USS PROM questionnaire and uroflowmetry.Results: A significant difference was observed in terms of urodynamic indices like Q-max (p-value=0.006) and urine flow pattern (p-value=0.025) after internal Urethrotomy in the local injection of Mitomycin-C group and control group, six months after surgery. In the case group, in the six months after operation, only 2.9% of patients had Q-max less than 15 and no one had obstructive pattern, while in the control group, 25.7% of patients had Q- max less than 15 and 17.1% had obstructive pattern. However, the patient's satisfaction history did not show any significant difference in post-internal Urethrotomy voiding status in the local injection of Mitomycin-C group and control group, either immediately after removal of the urethral catheter (p-value=1) and six months after surgery (p-value=0.198). Also, no significant difference was observed in terms of urodynamic indices like Q-max (p-value=0.771) and urine flow pattern (p-value=1) after internal Urethrotomy in the local injection of Mitomycin-C group and control group, immediately after removal of the urethral catheter.Conclusions: Intra-operative local injection of Mitomycin-C after internal Urethrotomy can be regarded as a safe and efficient technique which has several advantages including lower cost. Lower recurrence rate of urethral stricture is the main effect of local Mitomycin-C application that is more prominent after six months follow up

Investigating the Role of E-Tourism in Urban Constant Development with an Emphasis on Entrepreneurship (Case Study: Abarkouh Township)

ABSTRACT: Today towns are regarded as efficient elements in economical development of countries. Towns have various capabilities and potentials in respect with tourism, including residence, food, recreation, transportation, and commercial facilities that are appropriate factors for tourism and attracting tourists. In this study, besides investigating e-tourism as an efficient factor and a driving force for improvement of entrepreneurship and subsequently economical development, benefits of developing etourism for the economy of the town has been investigated. The present study aims to analyze various aspects of virtual tourism as well as its role in constant development of the town. The method of this study has been descriptive-analytic; and the method of data collection has been documental and field work; i.e. interview and questionnaire. Findings reveal that on one hand, virtual tourism, with contribution of marketing and advertisement, causes occupational movement and relative economical development; and on the other hand with identifying tourism potentials of the area, contributes to facilitate the identification of the area and subsequently, to constant development