Use of Mobile Technology: Effects on Diabetic Health Outcomes and Health Care Costs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Diabetes in Saudi Arabia has reached an epidemic rate and is a significant cause of major medical complications, premature death, and health costs. Recent statistics indicates that up to 30% of Saudi population are diabetic and this number is expected to increase. As diabetes is increasing in extremely high rates in Saudi Arabia, a texting intervention has the potential in improving the health outcomes for this population. This data is needed in Saudi Arabia to improve the outcomes with diabetic patients and to guide the development of practice models with the aim to improve diabetics non-adherence to medically prescribed treatments and their complex self-management plans. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to examine a texting intervention using a Smartphone with diabetics in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An intervention group received text message reminders 3 times a week for two months plus the routine care. Control group received the routine care. Data were collected on quality of life, medication adherence and healthcare costs on day 1 (baseline), weeks 4, and 8. Results: Findings indicate that intervention group benefited from the texting intervention as reflected in their health outcomes, quality of life, medication adherence and healthcare costs. The intervention group had higher scores for quality of life, medication adherence, decreased unscheduled healthcare visits and healthcare costs. These study results indicate that an educational texting intervention with this sample of diabetic Saudi Arabians was culturally receptive by them and an effective, safe intervention that improved their quality of life, increased their medication adherence and decreased healthcare costs Relevance to Clinical Practice: Text messages aimed at improving the health of diabetics had a significant effect on healthcare charges and health outcomes in this sample. The intervention group benefited from 2 months text messages intervention. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to apply these interventions in regions that are lacking this technology such as Saudi Arabia

Isoenzyme characterization of trichomonas vaginalis isolated from hiv patients in fars and kerman, Southeast Iran

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic flagellated protozoan which is responsible for human urogenital infections. Several zymodemes of T. vaginalis have been reported from various parts of the worlds on the basis of isoenzyme patterns. This study was conducted to characterize the isolated organisms of T. vaginalis from HIV patients using isoenzyme electrophoresis in Fars and Kerman provinces, southeast Iran. Methods: Eighteenmass cultivated isolates of T. vaginalis in themodified TYI-S-33medium were analyzed using isoenzyme electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of five different enzyme systems were used to characterize T. vaginalis isolates: (i) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), (ii) Glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), (iii) Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), (iv) Malic enzyme (ME), and (v) Phosphoglucomutase (PGM). Results: MDH, GPI, PGM, and ME enzyme systems showed a homogeneity and detected an identical enzyme pattern in all isolates. Meanwhile, G6PD revealed two different enzyme patterns. The isoenzyme electrophoretic profiles divided 18 T. vaginalis isolates into two zymodemes. Zymodeme 1 contained Shiraz isolates and zymodeme 2 contained Kerman isolates. Conclusion: The polymorphism of Iranian human isolates of T. vaginalis could be assessed by biochemical study using appropriate enzyme systems. Isoenzyme analysis is a promising method for the characterizationof T. vaginalis. New molecular studies with increased number of enzyme loci and genetic markers are suggested to classify more zymodemes of Trichomonas in Iran

Evaluation of internet addiction and mental health status among medical sciences students in Bushehr, southwest of Iran

Introduction: Overuse of the Internet has significant impact on human life by causing psychological and social problems. This study is an attempt to describe the prevalence of addictive Internet use and mental health status among students in a public university in Iran. The relationship between Internet use and socio-demographic as well as mental health dimensions was explored. Methods: The present study relied on a cross-sectional design and 400 students were selected through proportional stratified random sampling. The data were collected using validated and reliable scales, Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT) and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Descriptive statistics, Independent Sample t-test, Chi- square test, and Binary Logistic Regression were conducted for data analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 22.06. The overall prevalence of Internet addiction among the students was 34.5%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the age of starting Internet use [OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87,0.99; p=0.028], daily time spent on the Internet [OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05,1.21; p <0.0001], purpose of Internet use [OR: 3.32, 95% CI: 2.08,5.48; p <0.0001] and anxiety/insomnia [OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07,1.28; p <0.0001] are the significant predictors of Internet addiction. Conclusion: The Internet addiction among the students was high. The purpose of Internet use, experiencing a higher level of anxiety/insomnia, surfing on the Internet for long time are related to the Internet addiction. Organizing cognitive behavioral intervention programs may be effective in developing self-regulation skills of students in order to control their Internet use

Comparison of various methods for DNA extraction from human isolated paraffin-embedded hydatid cyst samples

Successful molecular research with reliable results depends on achieving significant and uniform amounts of genomic DNA from the parasite as the first and most basic step. Therefore, selection of an appropriate method that minimizes damage to the DNA of the parasite, is very important. In this study, we are going to describe a method that can extract DNA from human isolated paraffin-embedded hydatid cysts with a high quality and quantity. Formalin fixed and Paraffin-embedded hydatid cyst samples isolated from human lung and archived in the pathology laboratory were used for this purpose. Several sections of the paraffin blocks were prepared with 5 micron thickness and DNA were extracted by three different methods including; modified boiling, commercial kit and the method described by Larissa A. Pikor et al. The obtained DNA were evaluated by Nanodrop in terms of the yield of DNA and possible contaminations. To compare the quality of DNA prepared, cox1 region was amplified using specific primers. It was found that the DNA extracted by modified boiling had the lowest rate of contamination and the best electrophoretic band on the gel, compared to other two performed methods. Considering the findings of this study, this simple and high throughput DNA extraction method with high yield and quality can be recommended for extraction of DNA from formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded hydatid cysts

Load characteristics and inhalation risk assessment of benzene series (BTEX) pollutant in indoor air of Ghalyan and/ or cigarette cafes compared to smoking-free cafes

To determine the concentration of benzene series (BTEX) compounds, 33 samples were collected from indoor air of Ghalyan cafés (GHC), cigarette cafés (CC) and smoking-free cafés (SFC) in Bushehr city, Iran, and analyzed using gas-chromatography - flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results of this study indicated that the mean±SD values of ΣBTEX in GHC, CC and SFC cafés were 19.46 ± 6.07, 11.34 ± 5.21 and 2.26 ± 0.76 mg/m3, respectively. The mean concentration of BTEX in the cafés with fruit-flavored tobacco was significantly higher than those in traditional cafés (p < 0.05). According to path analysis, the number of active waterpipe heads had the maximum impact on the production of pollutants inside the cafés. The results also indicated that the risk of exposure to BTEX in smoking cafés in Bushehr was very high; it can develop serious carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks

Relationship between work - family conflict and marital satisfaction among nurses and midwives in hospitals of Zabol university of medical sciences

Background: Work-family conflicts described as incompatibility between work and family roles. There is mutual relationship between marital satisfaction and job so that the tension in one of two areas of career and family are affected. Objective: To examine the relationship between marital satisfaction and work-family conflict among nurses and midwives. Methods: All of 289 employees of married nursing and midwifery of Zabol University of Medical Sciences hospitals participated in the study in 2014. The data were collected with questionnaires of Enrich marital satisfaction and Carlson work-family conflict and were analyzed with statistical tests including Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test and linear regression analysis. Findings: Marital satisfaction score of the staff was 168.52 which indicates the relative satisfaction of spouses from each other. The mean score of work-family conflict among employees was 3.26; it can be said that employees in terms of work-family conflict, the conflict a moderate experience. There is a significant negative correlation among marital satisfaction and work-family conflict of employees. In fact, marital satisfaction decreases when the conflict between work and family is decreased. Nursing staffs have a higher marital satisfaction and in terms of work-family conflict they experience less conflict. Conclusion: According to the findings, the managers should create conditions that minimize the role conflicts and consequently increase the level of marital satisfaction. Keywords: Marital Satisfaction, Work-Family Conflict, Nurse, Midwif

Optimum Medium for Lipase Production by Lipolytic Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Kendari Landfill Soil

Lipase produced by Aspergillus is widely known and used in many industrial sectors. In a previous study, three lipolytic filamentous fungi were isolated from Kendari (Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia) landfill soil and identified as Aspergillus niger KE1, Aspergillus terreus KC1, and Aspergillus fumigatus KE6. However, the optimization of these isolates has not been reported. In this study, statistical optimization was selected because it is more effective, efficient, economical, and robust in achieving results, and the possibility of analyzing the interaction effects among factors. Three lipolytic isolates were screened in the initial medium to obtain the highest lipolytic isolate, which was used in the medium optimization process. Optimization was performed using the series experimental design of Taguchi and RSM. Optimization successfully obtained the optimum medium with the reduction of the medium component from the previously reported medium. Aspergillus niger KE1 was the selected isolate with the highest lipase productivity after 72 h in the initial medium. The significant factors affecting lipase production were peptone, olive oil, glucose, and MgSO4.7H2O. The model equation obtained was Y = 1043-228 A + 300 B-19803 C + 99 A�A + 5720 B�B + 292855 C�C-979 A�B + 6563 A�C-56338 B�C. This model successfully predicted the lipase productivity with an R2 of 96.9. The optimized medium was composed of 2 peptone, 0.1 olive oil, 0.5 glucose, and 0.075 MgSO4.7H2O. Using the medium, lipase productivity increases 4.7-fold. Our results suggest that A. niger KE1 is a potential lipase source which catalyses the esterification reaction. Further research is needed to purify and characterize the lipase enzyme of this isolate. © The Author(s) 2021. This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license

Isoenzyme profiles and phylogenetic analysis of Giardia duodenalis isolates from Iranian patients

The main objective of this study was to characterize the Giardia duodenalis isolates from Iranian patients in Fars Province, south of Iran by biochemical and molecular methods. Fifteen mass cultivated of G. duodenalis isolates in modified TYI-S-33 medium were analyzed using isoenzyme electrophoresis and PCR genotyping. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of five different enzyme systems was used to characterize isolates: (i) glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, (ii) glucose phosphate isomerase, (iii) malate dehydrogenase, (iv) malic enzyme, and (v) phosphoglucomutase. As well, a fragment of the SSU-rDNA (292 bp) gene was amplified by PCR using the primers RH11 and RH4. The sequencing of the PCR products and phylogenetic tree were performed. The isoenzyme electrophoretic profiles divided fifteen G. duodenalis isolates into four zymodemes. G6PD, GPI, MDH, ME, and PGM enzyme systems showed 1, 2, 2, 3, and 3 enzyme pattern, respectively. G6PD isoenzyme pattern had the most homogeneity, while isoenzyme patterns of ME and PGM had the most heterogeneity in our study. Genotyping results indicated that the zymodemes 1–4 were categorized in assemblage A based on the SSU-rDNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all four zymodemes were distributed within the cluster of assemblage A. Our results indicated that both isoenzyme and DNA analyses were useful to characterize the isolates of Giardia and distinguishing various zymodemes and assemblages. It could be suggested that the genetic diversity among isoenzymes profiles of G. duodenalis may explain the variable clinical manifestations, pathogenicity, host response, drug susceptibility, and treatment efficacy of human giardiasis

Comparison of the importance and observance of the patient's bill of rights from the perspectives of patients and personnel of hospitals in Kerman

Patients� rights are among the most important criteria for evaluating the quality of health services. The current study aimed to determine the importance and observance of the patient's bill of rights. This cross-sectional study was done in Kerman, Iran. The research samples were 217 patients and 204 personnel. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire in the scope of the patient's bill of rights, and data were analyzed by SPSS 15. The results showed a significant difference between patients and the personnel on the subject of the patient's bill of rights and most of its dimensions (P < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between their views on the observance of the patient's bill of rights and its dimensions. Also, 35.9 of patients as well as 25 of personnel considered the observance of patients� rights unfavorable. The participants were aware of the importance of the patient's bill of rights. It is necessary, however, to codify and approve the laws related to the rights of patients. © 2020 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved