Characterization of Odorous Gaseous Emissions from a Rendering Plant by GC-MS and Evaluate the Performance of Existing Refiners

Background: Among the industrial activities that may cause odor nuisance problems, baking waste one is of the sources of bad odor, and therefore individuals complain from the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluation of pollutants released from poultry rendering plant and also performance of existing refiners in removing these pollutants. Methods: In this study, 66 air samples were collected from air pollution sources, environmental and worker's breathing zone using absorbent activated carbon and silica gel at two slaughterhouses in North and West of Iran. The samples were analyzed by GC-MS, and then efficiency of the three refiners condenser, thermal oxidation and water tank had been determined.Results: Overall, 56 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse A and 41 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse B had been identified. These compounds were  included hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, halogenated compounds, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, acids and hormones. Condenser efficiency was 38 to 100%. Thermal oxidation efficiency was 15.41 to 100% and the efficiency of the water tank was 8.93 to 100%.Conclusions: Occupational exposure to pyridine and carbon disulfide, in the slaughterhouse A, and carbon disulfide in the slaughterhouse B, was excessive. The concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and pyridine in the slaughterhouse A and concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and acetone in a slaughterhouse B was much more than the threshold of smell. Results showed that the combination of condenser and thermal oxidation, could remove large volumes of gases emitted

Characterization of Odorous Gaseous Emissions from a Rendering Plant by GC-MS and Evaluate the Performance of Existing Refiners

Background: Among the industrial activities that may cause odor nuisance problems, baking waste one is of the sources of bad odor, and therefore individuals complain from the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluation of pollutants released from poultry rendering plant and also performance of existing refiners in removing these pollutants. Methods: In this study, 66 air samples were collected from air pollution sources, environmental and worker's breathing zone using absorbent activated carbon and silica gel at two slaughterhouses in North and West of Iran. The samples were analyzed by GC-MS, and then efficiency of the three refiners condenser, thermal oxidation and water tank had been determined.Results: Overall, 56 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse A and 41 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse B had been identified. These compounds were  included hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, halogenated compounds, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, acids and hormones. Condenser efficiency was 38 to 100%. Thermal oxidation efficiency was 15.41 to 100% and the efficiency of the water tank was 8.93 to 100%.Conclusions: Occupational exposure to pyridine and carbon disulfide, in the slaughterhouse A, and carbon disulfide in the slaughterhouse B, was excessive. The concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and pyridine in the slaughterhouse A and concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and acetone in a slaughterhouse B was much more than the threshold of smell. Results showed that the combination of condenser and thermal oxidation, could remove large volumes of gases emitted

The Relationship between Caring Burden and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Taking care of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes exerts great tiredness and stress on the caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of the caring burden and its relationship with the quality of life of caregivers of diabetic patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 154 caregivers of patients with type 2 diabetes referred to Imam Hossein hospital in Shahroud city were evaluated. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, SF-36 standard quality of life questionnaire, and Novak & Guest care burden questionnaire. The accessible sampling was used and the data were collected by self-reporting. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis). Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 41.86 ± 12.78 years old. The mean scores of care burden and quality of life of the participants were 53.21 ± 49.61 and 61.02 ± 20.71 respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between the mean score of care burden and caregivers’ quality of life. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, providing social and informational support for caregivers is recommended to reduce the care burden and subsequently improve the quality of life. Key words: Caring pressure, Quality of life, Diabetes, Caregiver

The Effect of Gradual Reduction in Sodium Dialysate on Occurrence of Muscular Cramp, and the Serum Level of Calcium and Magnesium in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Over Clinical Trial

Background: The aim of study was to determine the effect of gradual reduction in sodium dialysate on occurrence of muscular cramp, and the serum level of calcium and magnesium in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This triple-blinded cross-over clinical trial was conducted on 56 hemodialysis patients. After random allocation of patients into group A by the routine method (fixed sodium dialysate) and group B with gradual reduction in sodium dialysate, they underwent a 3-session dialysis. After one week of dialysis through routine method (wash out), patients underwent 3-session dialysis in group B by routine method and in group A by gradual reduction in sodium dialysate. Occurrence of muscular cramp was recorded by using a check list. Patients, serum level of calcium and magnesium before and after intervention was measured. Descriptive statistics indices and inferential statistics tests (repeated measures Analysis of variance) were used. Results: The rate of muscular cramp in routine method was 3.8% in one muscle, 1.9% in two or more muscles, and in the method of gradual reduction of sodium dialysate was 1.9% in one muscle, and 7.5% in two or more muscles. The mean difference of plasma calcium and magnesium before and after the dialysis with routine method was 0.43 and 0.26, respectively, and in the method of gradual reduction of sodium dialysate was 0.45 and 0.34. In this study no significant difference was observed for the rate of occurrence of muscular cramp and serum level of calcium and magnesium between two methods. Conclusions: The results showed that gradual reduction of sodium dialysate, has no effect on occurrence of muscular cramp during dialysis, serum level of calcium and magnesium in hemodialysis patients. Further investigations are needed to better understand the exact effect of this method, and also eliminate the study limitations. Keywords: Calcium, Hemodialysis, Magnesium, Muscle cramp, Sodium dialysate

Investigating the Relationship between Learning Approaches and Academic Achievement among the Students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences

Background: The study approaches are among the effective factors in comprehensive academic achievement and performance. This study was conducted aiming at identifying the learning approaches of nursing and midwifery students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences and its connection to their academic achievement. Method: This study is descriptive - cross-sectional conducted on 234 nursing and midwifery students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences during the educational year of 2010-11. Data were collected by Approached and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIS) and also demographic information collection form. To determine the students’ academic achievement, their averages were used. To analyze the data, descriptive test and Chi-square test as well as the one-way ANOVA were used by SPSS version 16.      Results: results showed that more than 60% of students were using the in-depth approach. There was a significant relationship between the semester average among the nursing students and learning approaches (P=0.032), while no significant relationship was observed between the semester average among the midwifery students and learning approaches (P=0.270). conclusion: regarding the study results, it seems that the manner of application of teaching techniques and methods, the environmental conditions of student, assessment method and motivation among the students are the probable causes of the results. To encourage the student to use the deep learning approach, it is needed to teach the systematic teaching methods to instructors and promote the teaching qualitatively. Keywords: Learning Approach, Academic Achievement, Shahroud. &nbsp

Investigating the Relationship between Learning Approaches and Academic Achievement among the Students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences

Background: The study approaches are among the effective factors in comprehensive academic achievement and performance. This study was conducted aiming at identifying the learning approaches of nursing and midwifery students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences and its connection to their academic achievement. Method: This study is descriptive - cross-sectional conducted on 234 nursing and midwifery students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences during the educational year of 2010-11. Data were collected by Approached and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIS) and also demographic information collection form. To determine the students’ academic achievement, their averages were used. To analyze the data, descriptive test and Chi-square test as well as the one-way ANOVA were used by SPSS version 16.      Results: results showed that more than 60% of students were using the in-depth approach. There was a significant relationship between the semester average among the nursing students and learning approaches (P=0.032), while no significant relationship was observed between the semester average among the midwifery students and learning approaches (P=0.270). conclusion: regarding the study results, it seems that the manner of application of teaching techniques and methods, the environmental conditions of student, assessment method and motivation among the students are the probable causes of the results. To encourage the student to use the deep learning approach, it is needed to teach the systematic teaching methods to instructors and promote the teaching qualitatively. Keywords: Learning Approach, Academic Achievement, Shahroud. &nbsp

The Impact of the Gradual Reduction of Sodium Dialysis Fluid on Occurrence of the Hypotension and Plasma Sodium Level in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Dialysis is the most common method of caring end-stage kidney disease, but it has some complications despite its several advantages. The aim of study was to investigate the impact of the gradual reduction of dialysate sodium on occurrence of the hypotension and plasma sodium in hemodialysis patients. Methods: 56 hemodialysis patients participated in this randomized triple-blind crossover clinical trial. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of A and B. The routine method (Sodium Dialysis Solution) was performed on Group A, whereas the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid was given to Group B for three sessions. These dialysis methods were again implemented three sessions, after one week of routine dialysis (Wash Out).The routine method (Sodium Dialysis Solution) was performed on Group B, and the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid was performed on Group A, for three sessions. Patients' blood pressure was measured three separate times: 15 minutes before dialysis, during dialysis (first, second, third and fourth hours of dialysis) and 15 minutes after of it. Moreover, Patients' sodium level was also measured before and after the intervention. In this way, the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (repeated measure analysis of covariance) were utilized to implement data analysis. Results: in the case of routine method, the percentages of the prevalence of hypotension in above mentioned different hours were declared 6.2%, 26.6%, 44.5%, 32.8%, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid, these corresponding percentages were  cleared 2.3%, 1.7%, 5.31%, 44.46%, respectively. The mean differences of plasma sodium before and after dialysis in the mentioned methods were obtained as 0.58 in the case of routine method, whereas it is 2.36 in the case of gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid method. In this research, there was no significant difference between the rate of hypotension and plasma sodium in the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid by the routine method under 80% powers. Conclusions: The experimental results revealed that a gradual reduction of the sodium dialysis fluid did not play a significant role in the reduction of blood pressure during dialysis and plasma sodium in hemodialysis patients. However, either confirmation or rejection of this issue will require further studies and resolving the limitations.  Keywords: Sodium Dialysis Fluid, Hypotension, Plasma Sodium, Hemodialysis

The Impact of the Gradual Reduction of Sodium Dialysis Fluid on Occurrence of the Hypotension and Plasma Sodium Level in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Dialysis is the most common method of caring end-stage kidney disease, but it has some complications despite its several advantages. The aim of study was to investigate the impact of the gradual reduction of dialysate sodium on occurrence of the hypotension and plasma sodium in hemodialysis patients. Methods: 56 hemodialysis patients participated in this randomized triple-blind crossover clinical trial. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of A and B. The routine method (Sodium Dialysis Solution) was performed on Group A, whereas the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid was given to Group B for three sessions. These dialysis methods were again implemented three sessions, after one week of routine dialysis (Wash Out).The routine method (Sodium Dialysis Solution) was performed on Group B, and the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid was performed on Group A, for three sessions. Patients' blood pressure was measured three separate times: 15 minutes before dialysis, during dialysis (first, second, third and fourth hours of dialysis) and 15 minutes after of it. Moreover, Patients' sodium level was also measured before and after the intervention. In this way, the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (repeated measure analysis of covariance) were utilized to implement data analysis. Results: in the case of routine method, the percentages of the prevalence of hypotension in above mentioned different hours were declared 6.2%, 26.6%, 44.5%, 32.8%, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid, these corresponding percentages were  cleared 2.3%, 1.7%, 5.31%, 44.46%, respectively. The mean differences of plasma sodium before and after dialysis in the mentioned methods were obtained as 0.58 in the case of routine method, whereas it is 2.36 in the case of gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid method. In this research, there was no significant difference between the rate of hypotension and plasma sodium in the gradual reduction of sodium dialysis fluid by the routine method under 80% powers. Conclusions: The experimental results revealed that a gradual reduction of the sodium dialysis fluid did not play a significant role in the reduction of blood pressure during dialysis and plasma sodium in hemodialysis patients. However, either confirmation or rejection of this issue will require further studies and resolving the limitations.  Keywords: Sodium Dialysis Fluid, Hypotension, Plasma Sodium, Hemodialysis

The Relationship between Caring Burden and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Type 2 Diabetes: Caring burden and quality of life in caregivers

Background: Taking care of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes exerts great tiredness and stress on the caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of the caring burden and its relationship with the quality of life of caregivers of diabetic patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 154 caregivers of patients with type 2 diabetes referred to Imam Hossein hospital in Shahroud city were evaluated. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, SF-36 standard quality of life questionnaire, and Novak & Guest care burden questionnaire. The accessible sampling was used and the data were collected by self-reporting. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis). Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 41.86 ± 12.78 years old. The mean scores of care burden and quality of life of the participants were 53.21 ± 49.61 and 61.02 ± 20.71 respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between the mean score of care burden and caregivers’ quality of life. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, providing social and informational support for caregivers is recommended to reduce the care burden and subsequently improve the quality of life. Key words: Caring pressure, Quality of life, Diabetes, Caregiver

The Effect of Gradual Reduction in Sodium Dialysate on Occurrence of Muscular Cramp, and the Serum Level of Calcium and Magnesium in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Over Clinical Trial: The effect of gradual reduction in sodium dialysate on occurrence of muscular cramp

Background: The aim of study was to determine the effect of gradual reduction in sodium dialysate on occurrence of muscular cramp, and the serum level of calcium and magnesium in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This triple-blinded cross-over clinical trial was conducted on 56 hemodialysis patients. After random allocation of patients into group A by the routine method (fixed sodium dialysate) and group B with gradual reduction in sodium dialysate, they underwent a 3-session dialysis. After one week of dialysis through routine method (wash out), patients underwent 3-session dialysis in group B by routine method and in group A by gradual reduction in sodium dialysate. Occurrence of muscular cramp was recorded by using a check list. Patients, serum level of calcium and magnesium before and after intervention was measured. Descriptive statistics indices and inferential statistics tests (repeated measures Analysis of variance) were used. Results: The rate of muscular cramp in routine method was 3.8% in one muscle, 1.9% in two or more muscles, and in the method of gradual reduction of sodium dialysate was 1.9% in one muscle, and 7.5% in two or more muscles. The mean difference of plasma calcium and magnesium before and after the dialysis with routine method was 0.43 and 0.26, respectively, and in the method of gradual reduction of sodium dialysate was 0.45 and 0.34. In this study no significant difference was observed for the rate of occurrence of muscular cramp and serum level of calcium and magnesium between two methods. Conclusions: The results showed that gradual reduction of sodium dialysate, has no effect on occurrence of muscular cramp during dialysis, serum level of calcium and magnesium in hemodialysis patients. Further investigations are needed to better understand the exact effect of this method, and also eliminate the study limitations. Keywords: Calcium, Hemodialysis, Magnesium, Muscle cramp, Sodium dialysate