Evaluation of Performance of Pharmacy Information Systems in Hospitals of Shiraz

Background & Objectives: Medication error is a preventable event that can lead to patient harm. The Pharmacy Information Systems (PISs) promise to reduce medication errors. Considering the importance of these systems, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of pharmacy information systems in Shiraz hospitals. Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 pharmacies in Shiraz hospitals in 2018. Data were analyzed using standard checklist for the evaluation of hospital information system (HIS). After analyzing the data normalization by Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA test was used. Data were entered into SPSS version 24 software. Results: Public, private, and non-public hospitals had respectively the highest average scores in the pharmacies information systems. In terms of the performance of pharmacies information systems, most public (61.1%) and private (60%) hospitals and all non-public hospitals (100%) were at moderate level. In addition, there was no significant relationship between different dimensions of performance of the pharmacy information systems and hospital ownership type. Conclusion: It is necessary that the designers and analysts of the pharmacies information systems, while cooperating and consulting with users of these systems, pay more attention to design and modify the pharmacy information systems. Key¬words: Pharmacy information system, Hospital information system, Performance evaluation, Public hospital, Non-public hospital, Private hospital Citation: Khademian F, Bastani P, Bordbar N, Mehdi Tazangi Z, Hamzavi F, Bayati B. Evaluation of Performance of Pharmacy Information Systems in Hospitals of Shiraz. Journal of Health Based Research 2019; 4(4): 349-59. [In Persian

Culture, immigration and femininity perception: Comparing young Iranian, Canadian, and Iranian-Canadian immigrant women

This study compares young women’s perception of femininity in three sample of iranians, canadians and iranian-canadian immigrants to understand femininity in two different cultures, and also the immigrants’ position in comparison to source and destination countries. 45 iranian, 21 canadian, and 19 immigrant students participated in focus group discussions of femininity and its norms. Data was coded using content analysis method and frequency of each theme was counted. Frequency of common themes in these three groups was compared by chi square, and then themes were compared 2 by 2 using independent t-test. Content analysis of data revealed nine themes in iranian’s, six in canadian’s, and nine in iranian-canadian immigrants’ perception of femininity. There were five common themes, including “success orientation” and “feminine personal traits” and several distinguishing themes like “chastity” and “personal safety”. Group-specific norms are congruent with more general cultural differences in Iran and Canada, and also special situation of immigrants’ life

Serum ferritin and liver enzymes ratio and their agreement with NAFLD severity

Background : Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease. NAFLD is characterized by elevated liver enzymes and serum ferritin concentration due to damage and abnormal function of liver cells. Increased level of serum ferritin as a parameter of liver function is commonly observed .The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between serum liver with liver and ferritin echogenicity in NAFLD patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 60 NAFLD patients confirmed by ultrasonography in Tabriz. Fasting blood samples were taken for assessment of Alanin aminotransferase, Aspartat aminotransferase and ferritin level. Weight and height were measured. Liver enzymes ratio were estimated and classified into tertile. Results: The mean of serum ferritin was126.34±108.25 ng/ml and was significantly associated with severity of liver echogenisity (p=0.016). Significant relationship was observed between fatty liver severity and ALT/AST ratio (p=0.004) with good agreement (Kappa value= 68.3%) while the ratio of ferritin to liver enzymes was not significantly associated with the severity of NAFLD. Conclusion: This study suggests significant agreement between severity of fatty liver and ferritin and liver enzymes ratio in NAFLD patients but not with the ratio of ferritin to liver enzymes

Life table parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata) treated with some biological and chemical fertilizers

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a destructive insect pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.), in the field and storage, causes significant losses in seed weight, germination ability, and the market value. The effect of cowpea (Mashhad cultivar) fertilization with chemical fertilizers (triple superphosphate (TSP) and urea) and some biofertilizers (Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Pseudomonas putida, mycorrhizal fungi) was studied on biology and life table parameters of C. maculatus at 28 ± 1°C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5%, and complete darkness. The highest immature survival (%) was on the grains treated with P. putida and control (97.75 and 95.69%, respectively), and the lowest survival was on the grains fertilized with TSP and B. japonicum (65.06 and 75%, respectively). Although the developmental time of C. maculatus reared on TSP- and B. japonicum-treated grains was longer than the control, the intrinsic rate of increase (0.124 day-1) and net reproductive rate (34.34 offspring) on the grains treated with TSP were lower than the control (0.143 day-1 and 51.07 offspring, respectively). Results of this research showed that the nutritional value of the grains obtained from TSP and B. japonicum treatments were lower than those obtained from other fertilizer treatments

Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Afghan Refugees and War-Zone Adolescents

"nObjective: Wars' stress and violence can have tremendous effects on children's and adolescents' health and general well being; it may result in patterns of bio-psychosocial problems. The goal of this study was to compare emotional and behavioral problems in Afghan refugees and war-zone adolescents. "n Method: One hundred and eighty high school students (90 students in the refugee group and 90 in the war-zone group) in Harat were included in this research. All participants completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR). War zone and refugee adolescents were compared based on their scores on different scales of behavioral and emotional problems. "n Results: War-zone adolescents scored significantly higher on Anxious/Depression, Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints, Attention Problems, and Internalizing Problems scales than refugee adolescents. In this study, no significant difference was found between the two groups on Social Problems, Thought Problems, Delinquent Behavior, Aggressive Behavior, and Externalizing scales. "nConclusion: Findings revealed that although asylum is not an ideal condition for children's and adolescents' psychological development and prosperity, it can have a protective role in comparison with war zone's circumstances. Further investigation is needed, however, to elucidate the lack of significant differences in externalizing scales among war zone and refugee adolescent

The effect of keeping pet dogs and cats on Toxocariasis

Background : Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the migration or presence of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati larva in human tissues or organs. Human become infected by ingestion of soil or contaminated raw or half-cooked meat (Paratenic hosts) containing Toxocara larva. The present study was conducted to determine Toxocara infection in the dog and cat owners and compare the results with infection in individuals who do not have the history of keeping these pets. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, by random sampling, 558 (405 individuals who do not have dog and cat and 153 dog and cat owners) of 2-20 years old persons were selected in Tabriz during 2009-2010. Serum samples were investigated using ELISA method for the presence of anti-toxocara antibodies and data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Totally, 162 samples (94 from people in contact and 68 from people without any contact with dog and cat) had anti-toxocara IgG. Total of 558 individual samples (235 men and 323 female) 396(70.96%) were negative and 162(29.03%) were positive. There were no significant association between Toxocara infection and gender (P=0.275). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, much of the dogs and cats owners were exposed to parasite. Training of dogs and cats owners, promotion of their awareness about various ways of transmission and examination of the infections in dogs and cats and prevention of these infections are recommended

Anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A report from Iranian population

Background: Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy (iMN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Approximately one third of patients with iMN progress to end-stage renal disease. Anti-phospholipase A2-receptor (anti-PLA2R) antibodies are present in patients with iMN and appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of iMN. Objectives: In this study, we explored the prevalence of anti-PLA2R antibodies in a cohort of patients with iMN in Iran. We also sought to determine circulating levels of anti-secretory PLA2 (anti-sPLA2) antibodies in those with anti-PLA2R antibodies. Patients and Methods: Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, we measured anti-PLA2R antibodies in a group of patients with iMN in Iran. The serum levels of anti-sPLA2 antibodies were also measured in those with positive results for anti-PLA2R antibodies. Results: We studied 23 patients with iMN (M/F 12/11, 34±9.8 year), two patients with secondary MN and five patients with the nephrotic syndrome of other causes.Anti-PLA2R antibodies were detected in 17/23 (74%) of patients with iMN, but not in those with secondary MN or other forms of primary glomerular diseases. We found no correlation between anti-PLA2R antibody titer and the degree of proteinuria. We found high titers of anti-sPLA2 antibodies in a subset of patients with high levels of anti-PLA2R antibodies. Conclusions: Anti-PLA2R antibodies are specific for iMN. Proteinuria may also reflect glomerular structural damage rather than immunological activity of the disease. The preliminary idea of any presumptive role of anti-sPLA2antibodies in iMN needs further investigation

Study presence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in the sweat of patients infected with Covid-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease, which started in Wuhan, Chin, has now become a public health challenge in most countries around the world. Proper preventive measures are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus to help control the pandemic. Because, SARS-CoV-2 is new, its transmission route has not been fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the sweat secretion of COVID-19 patients. Sweat specimens of 25 COVID19 patients were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. After RNA extraction and cDNA amplification, all samples were examined for the presence of ORF-1ab and N genes related to COVID-19. Results annotated by Realtime PCR machines software based on Dynamic algorithm. The results of this study showed the absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the sweat samples taken from the foreheads of infected people. Therefore, it can be concluded that the sweat of patients with COVID19 cannot transmit SARS-CoV-2. However they can be easily contaminated with other body liquids

TGF-β1 receptor blockade attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice through attenuating Smad and MAPK pathways

Renal fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix components and collagen deposition. TGF-β1 acts as a master switch promoting renal fibrosis through Smad dependent and/or Smad independent pathways. Thirty-five male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups of seven each; sham, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), UUO+galunisertib (150 and 300 mg/kg/day), galunisertib (300 mg/kg/day). The UUO markedly induced renal fibrosis and injury as indicated by renal functional loss, increased levels of collagen Iα1, fibronectin and α-SMA; it also activated both the Smad 2/3 and MAPKs pathways as indicated by increased levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad 2, p-Smad 3, p-p38, p-JNK and p-ERK. These UUO-induced changes were markedly attenuated by oral administration of galunisertib, the TGFβRI small molecule inhibitor. In conclusion, we demonstrated that TGF-β1 receptor blockade can prevent UUO-induced renal fibrosis through indirect modulation of Smad and MAPKs signaling pathways and may be useful as a therapeutic agent in treatment and/or prevention of renal fibrosis