Method development for determination of migrated phthalate acid esters from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging into traditional Iranian drinking beverage (Doogh) samples: a novel approach of MSPE-GC/MS technique

In the current study, a novel magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) technique combined with a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was developed to determine the phthalate ester content of bottled Doogh samples. Doogh is a yogurtbased drinking beverage, which is frequently consumed in Middle East and Balkans. It is produced by stirring yogurt in Chern separation machine and consists of substances such as water, yogurt, and salt in addition to aqueous extracts of native herbs. The magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-Fe3O4) were used as adsorbents of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) due to a superior adsorption capability of hydrophobic compounds. In this context, the quantity of the extractable migrated phthalate esters (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-N-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into Doogh samples was measured. The correlation between the concentration of migrated PAEs and some factors such as the type of Doogh (gaseous and without gas), difference in brand (five brands), volume (1500 and 300 mL), and the storage time also was investigated. The migration level into Doogh samples was increased by incorporating of gas as well as increasing the volume of PET bottles. Also, with elaborating of storage time, the migration of some phthalates such as DEHP (the mean from 2419.85 ng L−1 in the first week to 2716.15 ng L−1 in the second month), DEP, and total phthalate was increased. However, no significant difference in concentrations of migrated phthalate esters among different examined brands was noted. Finally, the concentration of migrated PAEs from bottle into all the examined Doogh samples was below the defined standards by EPA; 6 μg/L for DEHP in drinking water

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Expression of IDOand Qa2 Molecules in Dendritic Cells

Purpose: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to reduce the activity of immunecells, including dendritic cells (DCs). But the exact mechanism of mesenchymal inhibitionof DCs is still unknown. In this study, the effect of mesenchymal cells on the expression ofindoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) and Qa2 molecules in DCs was evaluated.Methods: MSCs and DCs were respectively isolated from the bone marrow and spleen of BALB/cmice. Then DCs were co-cultured with MSCs in the present and absence of lipopolysaccharides(LPS). Then the expression of mRNA and protein of IDO and Qa2 molecules were investigatedin DCs that were treated with MSCs.Results: The expression of IDO and Qa2 mRNA in DCs that were treated with MSCs did notsignificantly differ from the control group. The expression of IDO protein in DCs that were coculturedwith MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in absence of LPS was increased, although theywere not statistically significant (P values: 0.24 and 0.18, respectively). The expression of Qa2protein in DCs that were co-cultured with MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in presence of LPS wasincreased, although they were not statistically significant (P-values: 0.09 and 0.33, respectively).Conclusion: Our results denied the possibility that MSCs led to the induction of tolerogenic DCsby increasing the expression of the IDO and Qa2 immunomodulatory molecules

Effects of Common Fig ( Ficus carica

Formaldehyde (FA) is the leading cause of cellular injury and oxidative damage in testis that is one of the main infertility causes. There has been an increasing evidence of herbal remedies use in male infertility treatment. This assay examines the role of Ficus carica (Fc) leaf extracts in sperm parameters and testis of mice intoxicated with FA. Twenty-five adult male mice were randomly divided into control; sham; FA-treated (10 mg/kg twice per day); Fc-treated (200 mg/kg); and FA + Fc-treated groups. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed for viability, count, and motility. Testes were weighed and gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated. Also, histoarchitecture of seminiferous tubules was assessed in the Haematoxylin and Eosin stained paraffin sections. The findings showed that FA significantly decreased GSI and increased percentage of immotile sperm compared with control group. Disorganized and vacuolated seminiferous epithelium, spermatogenic arrest, and lumen filled with immature germ cells were also observed in the testes. However, Fc leaf extracts improved sperm count, nonprogressive motility of spermatozoa, and GSI in FA-treated testes. Moreover, seminiferous tubule with spermatogenic arrest was rarely seen, indicating that Fc has the positive effects on testis and epididymal sperm parameters exposed with FA

Suitable Concentration of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Extracts in Cell Culture

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ٍEffective factors on the Incidence of medication errors from the nursing staff perspective in various department of Fasa Hospital

 Background and Objective: The incidence of medical errors is deemed one of the unavoidable cases of serious threats to the health and safety of patients. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing medication errors from the perspective of the nursing staff. Materials and Methods: This descriptive -analytic study recruited 80 nurses working in various wards in Fasa Hospital. The nurses were selected via the availability sampling method, and their perspective on factors affecting medication errors was gathered using a questionnaire designed for this study. The data were analyzed with SPSS-15 software.   Results: The most important causes of medication errors were work fatigue, low nurse-to-patient ratio, long working hours, high density of work in units, and doing other tasks. Other variables such as age and gender as well as factors effective on the incidence of medication errors are mentioned in the full text. Conclusion: From the nurses’ standpoint, workload and the patient-to-nurse ratio were the most significant factors leading to medication errors

Investigating the Consistancy Rate of Hypertension Treatment through Guide Line JNC-7, in Patients Who Were Referred to Health Centers and Health Houses of Fasa University of Medical Sciences 2012

 Background & Objective: Choosing antihypertensive as a drug for treating hypertension is the most important part of its treatment. The present study was done in investigating the consistancy rate of hypertension treatment through Guide Line JNC-7 in patients who were referred to health centers and health houses of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2012.   Materials & Methods: In this cross- sectional study, the non-random sample of population was consisted of 200 patients who were suffering from hypertension. The questionnaire contained both demographic information and the use of anti-hypertension medication based on guide line (JNC-7 (. After the confirmation approval of content validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the data and the descriptive statistics were analyzed through SPSS-15 software.   Results: 60 ٪ of the patients were in the first stage of hypertension and 40 percent of them were in the second one. Beta blockers were the most common prescribed drugs which were used among the first stage patients. However, ACEI and Diuretics (Thiazides) were the commonly prescribed drugs for the second stage hypertension patients. Patients who had diabetes and heart failure were used Beta- blocker drugs which was not in line with the Guide line JNC-7.  Conclusions: The treatment of hypertension in patients was not in consistence with guideline JNC-7. It is recommended to organize training classes for doctors to inform patients about the better way of treating this problem.    &nbsp

Effect of an educational intervention based on the model of health beliefs in self-medication of Iranian mothers

Objective. This study sought to determine the effect of education based on the model of health beliefs in self-medication of women in Iran.Methods. Quasi-experimental study in a group of mothers (N = 90, 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group) users of health centers from the city of Fasa, province of Fars, southern Iran. Before and after the educational intervention (four training sessions in three months), a questionnaire was applied containing questions based on the model of health beliefs, on the components of knowledge, vulnerability, severity, benefits, and barriers perceived, and practices on self-medication.Results. Prior to the educational intervention, the level of knowledge, sensitivity, intensity, and benefits of self-medication were equal in both groups; however, after the educational intervention, it was observed that the intervention group improved in all components of evaluation and diminished barriers perceived and self-treatment practices. Conclusion. The educational intervention based on the model of health beliefs was effective in reducing self-medication practices in the group of mothers. Hence, this type of training is recommended in health centers to diminish the frequency of this practice.Keywords: control groups; mothers; self medication; controlled before-after studies.Objetivo. Determinar o efeito da educação baseada no modelo de crenças de saúde na automedicação das mulheres no Irão. Métodos. Estudo quase-experimental num grupo de mães (N = 90, 45 no grupo de intervenção e 45 no grupo de controle) usuárias de centros de saúde da cidade de Fasa, província de Fars, ao sul do Irão. Antes e depois da intervenção educativa (quatro sessões de capacitação em três meses) se aplicou um questionário que tinha perguntas baseadas no modelo de crenças de saúde, sobre os componentes de conhecimento, vulnerabilidade, severidade, benefícios e barreiras percebidas, e práticas sobre automedicação. Resultados. Antes da intervenção educativa, o nível de conhecimento, sensibilidade, intensidade e os benefícios da automedicação foram iguais nos dos grupos; embora, depois da intervenção educativa, se observou que o grupo de intervenção melhorou em todos os componentes de avaliação e diminuiu as barreiras percebidas e as práticas de auto-tratamento. Conclusão. A intervenção educativa baseada no modelo de crenças de saúde foi efetiva na redução de práticas de automedicação no grupo de mães. Por tanto, se recomenda realizar este tipo de capacitação nos centros de saúde com o fim de diminuir a frequência desta prática.Objetivo. Determinar los efectos de la educación basada en el modelo de creencias de salud en la automedicación de las mujeres en Irán. Métodos. Estudio cuasi-experimental en un grupo de madres (N = 90, 45 en el grupo de intervención y 45 en el grupo de control) usuarias de centros de salud de la ciudad de Fasa, provincia de Fars, al sur de Irán. Antes y después de la intervención educativa (cuatro sesiones de capacitación en tres meses) se aplicó un cuestionario que contenía preguntas basadas en el modelo de creencias de salud, sobre los componentes de conocimiento, vulnerabilidad, severidad, beneficios y barreras percibidas, y prácticas sobre automedicación. Resultados. Antes de la intervención educativa, el nivel de conocimiento, sensibilidad, intensidad y los beneficios de la automedicación fueron iguales en los dos grupos; sin embargo, después de la intervención educativa se observó que el grupo de intervención mejoró en todos los componentes de evaluación y disminuyó las barreras percibidas y las prácticas de autotratamiento. Conclusión. La intervención educativa basada en el modelo de creencias de salud fue efectiva en la reducción de prácticas de automedicación en el grupo de control. Por lo tanto, se recomienda realizar este tipo de capacitación en los centros de salud con el fin de disminuir la frecuencia de esta práctica

An Experience to develop and deliver Clinical Nutrition educational content for medical students

Background & Objective: The duty of physicians in the new world is to promote health, prevent diseases and deliver primary health care. But in accordance with the Edinburgh Declaration, physicians are not trained to deal with these issues. One of the key areas that has an important role in the health of the population, contains the issues related to life style and particularly nutritional issues. Proper nutrition plays a major role in achieving optimal health outcomes and inpatient health care costs will be reduced. This article describes the experience of the implementation and results of the evaluation of providing a course of clinical nutrition for medical students. Material & Methods: This action research study was conducted using census method, in collaboration with 50 students of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 96-1395. In this study, clinical nutrition course was presented along with clinical courses for students. The data were gathered through pretest and posttest questionnaire, in each training session, and EDC questionnaire was applied to evaluate students' satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results of the questionnaires. Results: The comparison of students' score after each training session with pre-test scores, showed a significant increase in students' knowledge of clinical nutrition. Most students' satisfaction was related to the presentation (4.37) and the use of resources (4.32), respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a positive effect of teaching clinical nutrition which can be considered by policymakers to insert this topic in the clinical course for medical students

Tips about Scientific Authority Looking at the Role of Students in Its Realization and Barriers

Background & Objectives: Authority means referring a person to an individual or organization due to the capabilities of that person or organization. For example, an increase in the number of citations represents the authority of the author or a country or even a university or research institute and a special journal on that particular topic. From this point of view, production of knowledge is a necessary item but not sufficient for the scientific authority. Medical students can play an important role in the scientific authority. Materials & Methods: A summer school was administered by Fasa University of Medical Science with the subjects of innovation in medical education and transformation plan, for elite medical students from all universities in Iran. Results: The results of student and teachers� discussions in the scientific authority workshop affirmed thatforesight and conceptualization along with preliminary studies, feasibility in expression of view points and survey of present approaches, and breaking out of scientific borders by student researches are three major steps in the realization of scientific authority. Conclusion: There are several steps which should be considered in the realization of scientific authority