Investigating the level of moral distress and its related factors among nurses in mazandaran burn center

Background and purpose: Moral distress is a common phenomenon in nursing professional and burn nurses are constantly faced with making different moral decisions for patients who are in terrible conditions. Therefore, nurses in burn units experience moral distress as mental tension. This study was conducted to determine the severity of moral distress and the factors associated with that in burn nurses. Materials and methods: A descriptive- analytical study was conducted using census sampling on 172 nurses working in Mazandaran burn center, 2014. Data was collected through identifying demographic and occupational characteristics of the nurses (using relevant questionnaires) and Corley’s Moral Distress Scale. Data analysis was performed applying Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean score for moral distress was 105.65±52.39 which indicates a moderate level experienced by nurses. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant positive correlation between educational level and level of moral distress (P=0.011). There was no significant association between moral distress and other individual and professional characteristics (P>0.05). Conclusion: Moral distress is accompanied by many complications that have direct effects on nurses’ professional practice. Therefore, nurse managers should consider this issue and plan for programs on appropriate coping strategies. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Simulation of Logging While Drilling Tools Based on Amorphous Si:H and LaBr3:Ce Detectors

Bore hole logging data represent the properties of rocks, such as porosity, density and constitutiveelements of formation, as a function of depth in a well. Properties of rocks are obtained from thermal neutron counting and gamma ray radiation due to neutron activation. Transport of neutrons, from an Am-Be source situated in a bore-hole tool, through rock media to detectors, has been simulated using a GEANT4 radiation transport code. The high precision GEANT4 cross section library was used to gain better analyses about well formation. In this paper we present the results of simulation of logging tools based on boron coated amorphous silicon detector for thermal neutron detection and LaBr3:Ce detector for gamma spectroscopy. Key words: Well logging; Spectroscopy; GEANT

Efficacy of aftercare services for people with severe mental disorders in Iran: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether after-care services reduced the number of rehospitalizations and length of hospital stay among patients with severe mental disorders. Methods: A total of 120 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective or bipolar disorder between the ages of 15 and 65 were recruited from 2010 to 2012 for a randomized controlled trial. The participants were followed up for 20 months after discharge from a university-affiliated hospital in Tehran, Iran. The selection procedure was random sampling. Sixty patients received aftercare services, which included treatment follow-up, family psychoeducation, and patient social skills training, and 60 patients received treatment as usual. Number of hospitalizations and length of hospital stay were primary outcome measures, and severity of psychopathology and severity of illness were secondary outcome measures. The quantitative primary and secondary outcomes measures were compared by using repeated-measures analysis. Results: Three members of the control group did not complete the study. The cumulative number of hospitalizations during the follow-up period was 55 for the control group and 26 for the intervention group. Length of stay was significantly greater in the control group compared with the intervention group (rate ratio=2.38, 95 confidence interval=2.17-2.62). Psychopathology was less severe in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<.001). Conclusions: Aftercare services are efficacious for reducing both the need for rehospitalization and the severity of psychopathology. © 2015, American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved

Suffering Sources among the Newly-Graduated Nurses at the Beginning of Their Clinical Work: A Qualitative Study

Suffering is an inevitable reality at the beginning of work that may cause several damages to the amateur nurses and health care organizations. Although suffering has been investigated in some studies, its sources among the newly-graduated nurses have not been investigated so far. The goal of this study is to investigate suffering sources of the newly-graduated nurses at the beginning of work. The present research is a qualitative content analysis study. The participants included 17 amateur nurses of Tehran educational hospitals. The data was collected through a semi-systematic interview. Sampling was made by using a targeted method and was continued until data saturation. All interviews were recorded and were then written down and were analyzed by using the qualitative content analysis method. Findings of this study showed that suffering is a joint experience among the newly-graduated nurses at the first months of their beginning to work. The findings showed the suffering sources among the nurses. Four main themes emerged in this study, namely non-preparedness for working, workplace, patients, and colleagues as the suffering sources. Experiences of the participants showed that suffering of the newly-employed nurses has extensive sources that affect their personal and professional lives. Understanding suffering sources of the newly-employed nurses can be an important factor in helping this group of nurses. Sensitivity of nursing managers to the reduction of these suffering sources and supporting the newly-graduated nurses are very important. Rafii F, Sajadi hezaveh M, Seyedfatemi N, Esmaeili Vardanjani SA. Suffering Sources among the Newly-Graduated Nurses at the Beginning of Their Clinical Work: A Qualitative Study. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):5517-5524] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 81

Effect of flavonoids of extract of cichorium intybus L. leaf on induction of P19 stem-cells differentiation to insulin-producing cells

Background and purpose: Regarding the effective role of plant flavonoids in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus, in this investigation, induction of P19 stem cells differentiation into insulin producing cells by flavonoids of methanol extract of Cichorium intybus L. leaf was examined. Materials and methods: Initially, flavonoids of methanol extract of Cichorium intybus L. leaf were concentrated. The P19-derived embryonic bodies were cultured in α-MEM (Minimum Essential Medium) containing 15 fetal bovine serum for three days. To induce the differentiation, the cells treated with the concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml of flavonoids of methanol extract of Cichorium intybus L. leaf for 12 days. Untreated P19 cells and embryonic bodies were used as controls. Dithizone staining, immunoflorecence and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used to demonstrate the differentiated cells. Results: Differentiated P19 cells by different concentrations of extract shown positive reaction to dithizone staining. Most percentage of positive dithizone cells was reached in concentration of 100 μg/ml. Immunoflorecence method showed that differentiated P19 cells were able to express the pancreas beta cell-specific markers. Pdx-1 gene expression in the cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR technique. Conclusion: The flavonoids of methanol extract of Cichorium intybus L. leaf are able to induce differentiation of P19 stem cells to insulin producing cells. © 2014 Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Investigation of antioxidant activity of nonpolar and semipolar natural compounds of the Persian Gulf Sea Cucumber (Holothuria sp.)by using Oil Stability Index (OSI) method

In this investigation, nonpolar and semipolar compounds in sea cucumber (Holothuria sp.) collected from coasts of Lengeh Port were extracted by Bligh &Dyer method. The extraction of nonpolar and semipolar natural compounds was conducted by Hexane and Ether, respectively. After condensation, the prepared samples were injected into gas chromatography machine equipped with mass spectroscopy; and mass spectra obtained, using Eight Peak reference, and Kuats index (KI) and its conformity with standard Kuats index was also assessed. The compounds in Hexane-Ether phases were identified. Based on the results, in the Hexane phase of sea cucumber issue, there were nine compounds including: 2-Octanol (5.23 %), 5-Methyl 2-Hexanol (8.05 %), 2-Nonanol (2.5%), Cyclohexasiloxane, Dodecamethyl (2.09%), 3-Hydroxystearic (1.66%), Methyl Arachidonate (20.65%), 1, 4, 8, Dodecatriene (21.71%), Oleicacid (30.27%), and 1-Dodecanol (2.52%). There were also seven compounds in the Ether phase including: Tetradecane (0.63%), Palmitoleic acid (1.23%), Palmitic acid (1.63%), Oleic acid (40.31%), Stearic acid (3.40%), Methyl Arachidonate (28.62%), and 1, 2- Benzendicarboxlic acid (2-ethyl hexyl) (2.71%). We found that in both phases the main ingredient is Oleic acid. The investigation of antioxidant activity was conducted by the OSI and Rancimat apparatus. We detected no antioxidant activity in the sea cucumber compounds

Effect of Edible Coatings of Alginate and Oliveria decumbens Essential Oil on Physicochemical, Microbial and Sensory Properties of Grated Carrots During Shelf Life

IntroductionToday, carrots are widely used in freshly cut products, including ready to eat salads, however, its shelf life is reduced due to the damage caused on the texture of the product which accelerate the reduction of nutritional value as well as the growth of microorganisms, (Azizian et al., 2020). To increase the shelf life of freshly cut products, it is recommended to use coatings on the surface of these products. Alginate is a hydrophilic biopolymer and having unique colloidal characteristics, it demonstrates a suitable coating function. Olivas et al. (2008) showed that by coating fresh apple slices with alginate and antimicrobial agents increased the shelf life of apple and decreased weight loss. Among the native plants of Iran, we can mention the Oliveria plant, which belongs to the Amblifra family. The aerial parts of this plant have a significant amount of essential oils (EOs). Researches by Amin et al. (2005) on the antimicrobial properties of Oliveria essential oils have shown a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all studied organisms, and this effect is comparable to that of commercial antibiotics. Packaging with modified atmosphere is one of the best ways to increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of alginate and Oliveria essential oils on the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of grated carrots in polypropylene packages with modified atmosphere during storage. MethodsEssential oil of Oliveria plant was extracted, dehydrated by sodium sulfate and placed in sealed glass container and stored at 4˚C until using. Carrots prepared from Wilmoren cultivar. An industrial crusher crushed the carrots, and samples were coated by treatment solutions. Two treatments of coating were prepared, one as control with 0% and the other one with 1.5% alginate with stirring and moderate heat (50-60°C) (Lu et al., 2009). Then the Oliveria EO was added to the alginate solution at the specified concentration. The resulting solution was deaerated at 25˚C.T1: control sample (without coating)T2: 1.5% alginateT3: 150 ppm Olivieria EOT4: 250 ppm Olivieria EOT5: 1.5% alginate and 150 ppm of Olivieria EOT6: 1.5% alginate and 250 ppm of Olivieria EOAfter weighing (250 g), the grated carrots (control and coated) were placed in 10 g polypropylene packages of suitable food grade in dimensions of 50 × 190 × 144 cm and the package was injected with 5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2. The packages were then stored in the refrigerator for 12 days at 4±1˚C. All experiments were performed on days 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Evaluation of Chemical, Microbial and Sensory CharacteristicsA pH meter used for pH determination (Rad et al., 2020). The acidity measured based on Rocha et al. (2007) method.The weight was reported using pre and post-storage weight. The carotenoid concentration calculated by Rocha et al. (2007) method. Total soluble solids determined by refractometer (Rad et al., 2020). Ascorbic acid content measured by Falahi et al. (2013) method. The L*, a*, b* and WI (white index) indicators of grated carrots evaluated by Hunter lab system. A 5-point hedonic test was used to assess sensory attributes(Ajnevardi et al., 2002). The internal gas concentration evaluated by Ullsten & Hedenqvist (2003) method. Total count microorganisms, mold, and yeast were counted according to the method of Azizian et al. (2020). Data AnalysisThis study was conducted in a completely randomized design with factorial form to investigate the effect of independent variables of type of alginate coating (2 levels), essential oil (3 levels) and time (5 levels) on the physicochemical properties of grated carrots (3 replications) and total counting, mold and yeast (2 replications). Mean comparison was performed using LSD test at 5% probability level and SPSS software was used to statistically analyze data. ResultThe results showed that the level of acidity, carotenoid and acid ascorbic, the amount of L* and sensory (color, quality, flavor, odor) scores reduced during time. By contrast the level of pH, weight loss, the amount of a*, b*, CO2, TSS and total counts increased (P<0.05). Also, with increasing the concentration of essential oils and alginates, the amount of acidity, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, L* increased and pH, weight loss, TSS, a*, b*, CO2 and total count decreased (P<0.05). Escherichia coli, mold and yeast count of the samples did not show any growth from the mentioned treatments until the 12th day. Overall, the Oliveria essential oil and alginate were effective in improving the properties of grated carrots under the modified atmosphere during storage. ConclusionThe study showed that Oliveria EO and alginate added to grated carrots in modified atmosphere packaging during storage was effective in reducing respiration, water loss, microbial load and increased the shelf life. Treatment containing 1.5% alginate and 250 ppm Oliveria EO showed the best chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that by packing under modified atmosphere and coating by alginate and Oliveria EO, a new carrot product provided to the market with maintaining durability and quality characteristics during storage

Planning and establishment of the laboratory information database system for Iranian fisheries research organization

Due to lack of access to comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding equipment, personnel, laboratory services tariffs and chemicals in the laboratories of Iran Fisheries Research Institute and felt the necessity of having this information for optimal management of the laboratories, it was decided with regard to all information needs in this area and using previous experiences in this regard as well as the experiences of other institutions and related organizations at the national (and even international) level, the system would be designed. The main purpose of implementing this plan was to establish and implement a software system based on web technology to create a comprehensive database of the Fisheries Research Institute's laboratories, so that in addition to organizing information, using periodic reports on various related areas a more appropriate monitoring and management system could be applied. Fortunately, after the design and implementation stages, the system in early January 2011 was fully applicable. The main parts of this system include portal; database; advanced data entry, search and reporting capabilities; direct tests order system and discussion forums

Designing and building a teledermatology system

Background and purpose: Teledermatology means specialized skin care (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up) using information technology and telecommunications. This system facilitates communication between patients, doctors, nurses and primary care providers with dermatologists. The purpose of this study was to design and build a software for remote diagnosis of skin diseases. Materials and methods: In the first phase of study, based upon a literature review, a questionnaire was designed to determine the items needed for software design and was completed by dermatologists in Razi Hospital. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS V.19. In next phase, according to the results of first phase, the prototype was designed and Think Aloud usability test was applied. Then, the final version of the software was designed. Results: In the section of patient's identity, the respondents listed all data elements except the National Identification Number, address, and weight. They also suggested patient's job as an essential item. All items for clinical data and functionality of the software were found necessary. Considering the results obtained from the questionnaires and usability test, the final version of the web-based store and forward software was created. Conclusion: This kind of platform could help dermatologists in providing rapid diagnosis and treatment plan for each patient since it enables electronic transmission of patient images and clinical history. Also, this system requires limited technical equipment and is cheap to run which could be applied with little training to nurses or referral physicians. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved