Effect of drying process on antioxidant properties of date palm fruits

Aim. In order to identify antioxidant activities and phenolic compound, two varieties of date palm (Mazfati and Kalute varieties) (Phoenix dactylifera) fruits (DPF) from Iran systematically evaluated. Methods. Antioxidant activity determined using typical methods such as DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant method. The total phenolic content of the dates was measured using Folin-Ciocalteau method. The included samples were gathered at three stages of khalaal, rutab, tamr and dried date from Sam and Jiroft date. The total phenolic content ranged from 1074, 856.4 and 723.8 in Mozafati variety and 921.5, 723.5 and 785.3 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE/100-g-dw sample) in Kalute variety for khalal, rutab and tamr stage, respectively. Results. In both varieties antioxidant activities and total phenolic content decreased by ripening stages. Result of drying process showed that total phenolic content and antioxidant activities varied from temperature and decreased by increase of drying temperature. Conclusion. This research demonstrates Iranian dates could be potential rich resources of natural antioxidants, and could be developed into functional foods or drug for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress

Frequency of cataract in Iran: A meta-analysis and systematic review

PURPOSE: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and the second cause of low vision in the world. In the world, Asia has the highest number of blind population. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the frequency of clinical cataracts in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The frequency of clinical cataract was defined based on the international criteria and the measured outcome of the disease. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. We explored PubMed, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, and national databases (scientific information database, Magiran) to evaluate the clinical cataract of cataract in the Iranian populations from 1995 to July 2017. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14.0 software. RESULTS: Of 283 studies, 27 studies utilized meta-analysis. In 2017, the pooled overall frequency of clinical cataract in 59668 people was 9.27 (95 confidence interval CI: 8.09, 10.45, I2 = 98.82%). Based on subgroup analysis, in the random effect method, the frequency of clinical cataract in males and females were 8.03% (CI: 6.78, 9.28) and 8.32% (CI: 7.08, 9.55), respectively. CONCLUSION: Regarding the high frequency of clinical cataract in Iran, it seems that paying attention to the results of the current study and the application of international policy plans may contribute to better cataract control in Iran. © 2018 Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology

O-C Study of 545 Lunar Occultations from 13 Double Stars

International audienceIn this article, we have studied the reports of lunar occultations by this project observation's teams (named APTO) in comparison with other observations of the objects. Thirteen binary stars were selected for this study. All the previous observations of these stars were also collected. Finally, an analysis of O-C of all reports were performed

Quality of life of diabetic patients with smear positive PTB in southeastern Iran: A cross-sectional study in a poor region of Iran

Background: The quality of life is an important indicator of quality of care in chronic diseases such as diabetes and TB. The present research is conducted with an aim to assess the Quality of Life of Diabetic Patients with Smear Positive PTB. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 diabetic patients with smear positive PTB from January to May 2016 in a diabetes clinic in Zahedan city (southeast of Iran). A simple random sampling method was used in this study. Instrument for data collection was quality of life (SF-36) questioner. Results: Total quality of life score was 48 that showed an average level of quality of life. Sixty-five patients with diabetes and affected by smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with the average age of 51.30 ± 10.84 years participated in this research. Four patients (0.06) suffered from type 1 diabetes and 58 (94) from type 2 diabetes, and all of them were smear positive PTB patients. Study of their quality of life revealed that, in general, the average scores for quality of life in the two main subgroups of physical health and mental health were lower than the average and, among the eight studied dimensions, the highest scores were those for physical activity (60 ± 14.23) and the lowest (31.42 ± 12.14) for general health in the subgroup of physical health. Conclusion: Results indicated that the patients had a low quality of life although they received the care and treatments that are effective in patients with diabetes and suffering from smear-positive PTB. © 2017 Tuberculosis Association of Indi

Quality of life of diabetic patients with smear positive PTB in southeastern Iran: A cross-sectional study in a poor region of Iran

Background: The quality of life is an important indicator of quality of care in chronic diseases such as diabetes and TB. The present research is conducted with an aim to assess the Quality of Life of Diabetic Patients with Smear Positive PTB. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 diabetic patients with smear positive PTB from January to May 2016 in a diabetes clinic in Zahedan city (southeast of Iran). A simple random sampling method was used in this study. Instrument for data collection was quality of life (SF-36) questioner. Results: Total quality of life score was 48 that showed an average level of quality of life. Sixty-five patients with diabetes and affected by smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with the average age of 51.30 ± 10.84 years participated in this research. Four patients (0.06) suffered from type 1 diabetes and 58 (94) from type 2 diabetes, and all of them were smear positive PTB patients. Study of their quality of life revealed that, in general, the average scores for quality of life in the two main subgroups of physical health and mental health were lower than the average and, among the eight studied dimensions, the highest scores were those for physical activity (60 ± 14.23) and the lowest (31.42 ± 12.14) for general health in the subgroup of physical health. Conclusion: Results indicated that the patients had a low quality of life although they received the care and treatments that are effective in patients with diabetes and suffering from smear-positive PTB. © 2017 Tuberculosis Association of Indi

The Effects of Globalization on Lifestyle Changes in Rural Areas

Globalization has different effects on human life, which are more noticeable in rural areas than in cities. Thus, the present article aims to study the effects of globalization on lifestyle in rural areas. The methodology in this research is descriptive-analytical; and to collect data in the theoretical section of the study the library method has been used and in the field study questionnaires have been employed. In the present study, the residents of Roshanabad in Gorgan, composed of 24 villages, are included; using Cochran sampling method, 265 families were selected as sample. The results of the study show that the effects of globalization can be detected in all aspects and indexes of lifestyle, and according to participants in the study, some changes are occurring in lifestyle in the rural society. The regression testing indicated a Beta coefficient of 0.328 for most changes happening in lifestyle as a result of globalization. It can be said that since Iranian villages are experiencing a transition from tradition to modernity or even postmodernity, different aspects of lifestyle are somehow mingled; young people in rural areas show a tendency toward urban lifestyle while older people prefer local rural lifestyle

The effect of summer school education on the attitudes of students towards research

Objective: The present study was performed in 2015 to determine the effect of summer school education affects the perspective of talented students on research. Methods: This study was performed semi-experimentally using the summer school training method on Thirty-six Talented students from the Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire used to survey student perspectives on research. Results: Scores on perspectives on research changed from mean ± SD of 40.10 ± 1.30 pre-intervention to 60.30 ± 1.80 post-intervention (p=0.001). The mean and SD for female students was 65.02 ± 2.23, which was higher than mean and SD of males students was 50.32 ± 3.14. (p=0.01). These findings indicate that summer school affected perspectives on research in this student sample (p=0.001). Conclusion: Establishing summer school for students may develop students' perspectives on and willingness to learn about research. Studentship is the best time during which they can learn research skills. Holding such workshops can play an important role in the evolution of the health system. Copyright © 2018, OMICS Group, All Rights Reserved

The effect of summer school education on the attitudes of students towards research

Objective: The present study was performed in 2015 to determine the effect of summer school education affects the perspective of talented students on research. Methods: This study was performed semi-experimentally using the summer school training method on Thirty-six Talented students from the Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire used to survey student perspectives on research. Results: Scores on perspectives on research changed from mean ± SD of 40.10 ± 1.30 pre-intervention to 60.30 ± 1.80 post-intervention (p=0.001). The mean and SD for female students was 65.02 ± 2.23, which was higher than mean and SD of males students was 50.32 ± 3.14. (p=0.01). These findings indicate that summer school affected perspectives on research in this student sample (p=0.001). Conclusion: Establishing summer school for students may develop students' perspectives on and willingness to learn about research. Studentship is the best time during which they can learn research skills. Holding such workshops can play an important role in the evolution of the health system. Copyright © 2018, OMICS Group, All Rights Reserved

Knowledge, attitude and use of complementary and alternative medicine among nurses: A systematic review

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe the knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM by nurses. Methods: Three databases were searched for relevant studies from launch through September of 2017 and included MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of science. Results: The average knowledge of CAM therapies by nurses was 62.2 with attitude about use averaging 65.7. Close to two-thirds (65.9) reported use of CAM therapies with patients. The primary reasons nurses suggested use of CAM were for stress and anxiety reduction and health improvement. Conclusion: Current evidence demonstrates the need for nurse education programs to integrate and strengthen CAM content into existing curricula. Similarly, documentation of the nature and extent of nurse use of CAM therapies in the clinical setting, as well as patient-reported use and preferences for CAM therapies, would provide valuable prospective data. © 2018 Elsevier Lt