Effect of microbial transglutaminase on gelling properties of kiddi shrimp (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) mince

The properties of kiddi shrimp (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) gel added with different levels of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) (0.6, 1, 1.4 and 1.8 units/g) were studied. Most textural parameters of the gels improved by adding MTGase espacially at higher levels (1.8 and 1.4).The expressible moisture and trichloroacetic acid content declined with the increase in MTGase content. MTGase espacially at higher levels was effective in the color of the gels so that it increased L* and decreased a*andb* value. SDS-PAGE study revealed that myosin heavy chain underwent polymerization to a higher extent in the presence of MTGase. Microstructure of gels added with 1.8 units of MTGase had more ordered fibrillar structure compared with those of gels without MTGase. Therefore it could be concluded that at MTGase play an important role in improving the gel properties of kiddi shrimp mince

Satisfaction of Iranian Medical Universities’ faculty members towards holding Shahid Motahari Annual Educational Festival

Introduction: Shahid Motahari Annual Educational Festival aims to improve the quality of medical education in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and has held since 2008. The present study was performed to determine the satisfaction level of Iranian medical universities’ faculty members about holding Shahid Motahari Annual Educational Festival during the past six years, from 2008 to 2014. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 473 faculty members (FMs) including deputies and educational administrators, managers, and faculty members of medical education development centers, members of scientific committees, and faculty members who participated in Shahid Motahari Festival from 42 medical sciences universities in Iran. Data collection instruments were two reliable and valid questionnaires on the background and also participants’ satisfaction towards Shahid Motahari Educational Festival. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software, version 14. Results: Among all participants, 30 FMs (6.3%) were educational deputies, 36 FMs (7.6%) managers of medical education development centers, 226 FMs (56.2%) members of scientific committees, 29 FMs (6.1%) members of the national committees, 343 FMs (27.5%) attendees, and 264 FMs (55.8%) had participated for retraining. The total satisfaction level of the participants was 73.3% which shows a good satisfaction level. Conclusion: The results identified the main important strength points such as “proposals’ review process at the country level” and weakness points such as “organizing the festival”

Social Cognitive Determinants of Patient Education Intention among Nurses

Background and Objectives: Patient education is an important nursing duty. This practice is considered as one of the standards of nursing care quality, which plays an important role in the health promotion of the patients. Regarding this, the present study aimed to determine the predictors of behavioral intention of patient education among the nurses based on the theory of planned behavior. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 nurses working at teaching hospitals affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. The study population was selected through cluster sampling with a probability proportional to size. The data were collected using self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts, including items related to demographic data and theory of planned behavior regarding the intention of patient education. The data were analyzed using linear regression, Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation in SPSS version 16. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control accounted for 35% of the variance in patient education behavioral intention among the nurses (R2=0.35), out of which attitude was the strongest predictor (ß=0.287). Furthermore, behavioral intention was significantly correlated with subjective norms (r=0.470, P<0.001), perceived behavioral control (r=0.384, P<0.001), and attitude (r=0.508, P<0.001). Conclusion: As the findings indicated, attitude had a higher impact on the nurses’ behavioral intention of patient education. Therefore, it is suggested to pay more attention to this determinant

E-learning Adoption by Faculty Members of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and Health Services: Faculties’ Viewpoints

Introduction: E-learning is an individualized education and due to its low costs, Iranian universities have suggested the use of this method. In this context, recognizing the factors affecting the adoption and use of e-learning is important. The study was performed to determine the usefulness, ease of use and perceived barriers to E-learning considering the viewpoints of faculty members of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in year 2013 among faculty members of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected through simple random sampling with probability proportional to size. Data were collected using questionnaire through self-report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA statistical tests at 95% significant level. Results: The highest scores were respectively related to the domains of barriers (70.5 %) ease of use (68.4 %) and perceived usefulness (67.2 %). Highest scores in the three domains of usefulness, ease of use and barriers related to the items, were respectively related to the items of “more access to other experienced teachers in distance”, “ease of using computer software related to E-learning” and “low speed internet service” that achieved the mean scores 3.82±0.76, 3.6±0.95, 4.14±0.83 respectively out of 5 as a total score. Conclusion: Considering the fact that perceived barriers had a greater proportion in E-learning among faculty members, therefore, it seems emphasis on perceived barriers can lead to beneficial results in E-learning

The global burden of childhood and adolescent cancer in 2017. An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Force LM, Abdollahpour I, Advani SM, et al. The global burden of childhood and adolescent cancer in 2017. An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet Oncology. 2019;20(9):1211-1225.Background Accurate childhood cancer burden data are crucial for resource planning and health policy prioritisation. Model-based estimates are necessary because cancer surveillance data are scarce or non-existent in many countries. Although global incidence and mortality estimates are available, there are no previous analyses of the global burden of childhood cancer represented in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Methods Using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 methodology, childhood (ages 0-19 years) cancer mortality was estimated by use of vital registration system data, verbal autopsy data, and population-based cancer registry incidence data, which were transformed to mortality estimates through modelled mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Childhood cancer incidence was estimated using the mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated by using MIR to model survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated by multiplying age-specific cancer deaths by the difference between the age of death and a reference life expectancy. DALYs were calculated as the sum of YLLs and YLDs. Final point estimates are reported with 95% uncertainty intervals. Findings Globally, in 2017, there were 11.5 million (95% uncertainty interval 10.6-12.3) DALYs due to childhood cancer, 97.3% (97.3-97.3) of which were attributable to YLLs and 2.7% (2.7-2.7) of which were attributable to YLDs. Childhood cancer was the sixth leading cause of total cancer burden globally and the ninth leading cause of childhood disease burden globally. 82.2% (82.1-82.2) of global childhood cancer DALYs occurred in low, low-middle, or middle Socio-demographic Index locations, whereas 50.3% (50.3-50.3) of adult cancer DALYs occurred in these same locations. Cancers that are uncategorised in the current GBD framework comprised 26.5% (26.5-26.5) of global childhood cancer DALYs. Interpretation The GBD 2017 results call attention to the substantial burden of childhood cancer globally, which disproportionately affects populations in resource-limited settings. The use of DALY-based estimates is crucial in demonstrating that childhood cancer burden represents an important global cancer and child health concern. (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd