[Relationship between assertiveness and critical thinking in nursing students]

Assertiveness and critical thinking help improve the academic practice of nursing students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between assertiveness and critical thinking in nursing students. This analytical and correlation study was performed on 213 nursing students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences using convenient sampling. Main study tools were California critical thinking skills test [CCTST] and assertiveness inventory of Gambril and Richi. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using ANOVA, chi square and Pearson correlation coefficient test. Mean scores of assertiveness and critical thinking for nursing students were 68.15 +/- 12.79 and 9.32 +/- 3.38. Many students had moderate level of assertiveness [89.7%] and most of them had unusual level of critical thinking [94.8%]. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a direct correlation between assertiveness and critical thinking [r=0.045] with no significant difference between the two variables [P=0.51]. It is necessary to revise the teaching strategy to improve the level of critical thinking in nursing curriculum. To achieve assertiveness training in nurses, efforts should be made to identifying and support nursing students who have low levels of critical thinking

Bibliometric analysis of parasitological research in Iran and Turkey: a comparative study

This study was designed to assess and compare the quantity and quality of Iranian and Turkish researchers working in the field of Parasitology from bibliometric point of view. To assess the contributions and achievements of the Iranian and Turkish parasitologists, bibliometric analysis was carried out based on the citation data retrieved from Web of Science. The absolute productivity of Turkish and Iranian parasitologists' papers has almost tripled for Turkey, from 12 papers in 2002 to 36 papers in 2011, and decuple for Iran, from 10 papers to 123 from 2002 to 2010. The average number of citation per article is about 5.8 and 4 for Turkish and Iranian parasitologists' papers, respectively. The "Veterinary Parasitology" journal was the most cited journal in both countries. The majority [more than 90%] of cited items was foreign journal articles and one half of all references in journals articles dated 11 and 12 years while one half of cited books was dated within 14 to16 years for Turkish and Iranian papers, respectively. Based on observed data and applied model, it is anticipated that the total number of Iranian and Turkish parasitologists' publications in Web of Science will exceed of 2512 and 240 articles per annum for Iranian and Turkish in 2020, respectively.

[ survey on efficiency, benefits and complexities of using hospital information systems from the perspective of physicians in hospitals affiliated to Urmia university of medical sciences]

Introduction: Consequences of implementing hospital information systems have led to a failure in meeting decision makers' expectations on the one hand and a failure in successful execution of the process on the other hand. This study aimed to evaluate physicians' perspective in regards to the efficiency, benefits and complexities of using hospital information systems in public hospitals of Urmia

Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study. Stratified random sampling was used for sample selection. Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficient and chi-square tests were applied to analyze the assumptions and objectives

Results: The finding of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between the expected performance of HIS and familiarity with information technology [p=0.000] and age [p=0.008]. There was also a significant relationship between the expected performance of HIS and age. The findings showed a significant relationship between the complexities emerging from the use of HIS and familiarity with information technology [p = 0.000] and age [p = 0.049]

Conclusion: Due to physicians' key role in medical procedures and the importance of adopting information systems, familiarity with information technology is crucial. To have optimal use of information technology in hospitals, training courses for physicians are suggested

[Extraction and purification of glycomacropeptide from whey to be used as a source of protein for phenylketonuria patients]

Phenylketonuria [PKU] is a genetic disease. Patients suffering from PKU must adhere to a lifelong low-phenylalanine diet. Glycomacropeptide [GMP] is a unique source of protein for PKU patients, because it contains no phenylalanine. The objective of this study was to extract GMP from whey and purify it in order to obtain a product with a minimum phenylalanine content. The ultrafiltration membrane technology was used to separate GMP from the whey protein concentrate solution at different pH values. Two ultrafilteration disc membranes with 50 and 10 kDa cut-off were used to extract glycomacropeptide from a solution of whey protein concentrtae [10% protein w/v].The experiments in triplicates were performed at the ambient temperature [25 +/- 2 °C] and a pH of 3.5, 4 or 4.5. The diafilteration technique was used for purification of glycomacropeptide in both ultrafilteration phases; the protein, phenylalanine, and non-protein nitrogen [NPN] contents were measured. The phenylalanine and NPN contents of the ultrafiltered whey at a pH of 4 were at the lowest and highest level, respectively, indicating the high purity and recovery rate of glycomacropeptide. Sweet whey, the major type of whey produced in the country, is the best alternative available for producing a new food source for phenylketonuria patients

Sand Bezoar: A Very Rare Cause of Intussusception

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in the first two years of life. The cause is not apparent in most of the cases. Associated conditions that can result in intussusception include polyps, Meckel‟s diverticulum, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, lymphoma, lipoma, parasites, foreign bodies and viral enteritis with hypertrophy of Payer‟s patches. We hereby describe a rare case of sand bezoar induced intussusception in a 9-year-old school girl with pica (geophagia). A description of her presentation and management, along with a review of literature is being presented.

Determination of nanofiltration efficency in arsenic removal from drinking water

Nowadays nanofiltration has been considered for the treatment of organic and inorganic pollutants in surface and groundwater resources. In this study, rejection characteristics of arsenic compounds such as As[III] to form As[2]O[3] and As[V] to form Na[2]HasO[4].7H[2]O by a commercial nanofilter NF90 [DOW-FilmTec] was investigated. Arsenic rejection experiments included variations of feed arsenic concentration, transmembrane pressure and pH. In these experiments, as increasing initial concentration As[V] from 120 micro g/L to 1026 micro g/L in feed water, the percentage of rejection of As[V] decreased from 98.35% to 96.59% [permeate water concentration was 2 micro g/L to 35 micro g/L], while as increasing initial concentration As[III] from 118 micro g/L to 985 micro g/L in feed water, the percentage of rejection of As[III] decreased from 94.07% to 87.51% [permeate water concentration was 7 micro g/L to 123 micro g/L]. Due to increase of pressure from 4 bar to 7 bar, the percentage of rejection of As[V] in finished water increased from 95.68% to 99.02% [permeate water concentration decreased from 21 micro g/L to 5 micro g/L],while the percentage of rejection of As[III] decreased from 80.99% to 95.11% [permeate water concentration decreased from 96 micro g/L to 25 micro g/L]. Also due to increasing pH from 3 to 11, the percentage of rejection of As[V] in finished water increased from 95.45% to 99.00% [permeate water concentration decreased from 22 micro g/L to 5 micro g/L], while the percentage of rejection of As[III] decreased from 86.6% to 94.81% [permeate water concentration decreased from 65 micro g/L to 25 micro g/L]. Finally, nanofiltration application for arsenic removal from drinking water was recognized suitable regarding its proper efficiency and convenience operation and was recommended for point-of-use applications

Ruptured infected pseudoaneurysm of the left radial artery: a rare complication of arterial cannulation

The placement and maintenance of an arterial catheter is common in critically ill patients. Among uncommon complications of radial artery cannulation is ruptured pseudoaneurysm which may lead to considerable morbidity. Local infection and arteriosclerosis are the possible etiology factors of pseudoaneurysm. Those patients with persistent local skin infection for more than 24 hours despite antibiotic treatment or after removal of the catheter have a higher risk of pseudoaneurysm rupture. We report a rare case of ruptured, infected pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery in a ventilated old lady. The clinical presentation, and it management, along with a review of the literature are presented

Recycling of used bottle grade poly ethyleneterephthalate to nanofibers by Melt-electrospinnig method

Used PET bottles disposal is an unsolved environmental problem, and there are many efforts for finding an applicable solution for it. Many researches have showed that the degradation rate of the polymers increase with the smaller size of fibers. This work was carried out to convert used PET bottles into nanofibers by melt-electrospinning method. Uncolored, washed and chipped PET bottles and the PET granule was used for experiments. The temperature of melted PET at extruder nozzle and spinning area were set in the range of 245-255 [degree sign] C and 200-235 [degree sign] C respectively. The melting point of the polymer was determined by DSC. The potential difference was fixed at 25 kV and the distance between the nozzle and the collector were 3-9 cm. the morphology and fineness of produced fibers investigated by SEM. Although the producing fibers were not completely in the rang of nano-size fibers, but the results have showed that the nanofibers with diameter between 61-93 nm can be achieved by the melt-electro spinning method. Comparing the effects of different flow rates of melting polymer as well as the distance between the nozzle to the collector have shown more proportion of finer fibers in flow rate less than 0.1 mL/min and the distance in the range of 3-5 cm. it was concluded however the melt electrospinning production of nanofibers has some difficulties but it can be considered as an applicable and environmental friendly way to recycling the used PET bottles so it can prevent more pollution of the environment

[Effects of iron supplementation with or without vitamin C on Zn and vitamin C status in iron-deficient university female students]

Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are one the most important health problems in the world. Iron supplementation can reduce both Zn absorption and plasma vitamin C concentration. In this study, effects of iron supplementation with and without ascorbic acid on Zn and vitamin C status in iron-deficient university female students have been studied. This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Sixty non-anemic iron-deficient [NAID] girls were selected from 289 female students at Fatemeh Zahra [PBUH] dormitory, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. They were divided randomly into 2 groups, receiving either 50 mg/d elemental iron supplement [group I, intervention] or the supplement plus 500 mg/d ascorbic acid [group II, control] for 12 weeks. Blood analysis was made at the beginning and the end of the 6thand 12th weeks in the two groups. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were measured using cell-counter and ELISA, respectively. Serum zinc and iron concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and plasma vitamin C was analyzed by the 2, 4-DNPH method. The Student's t and repeated-measures tests were employed to analyze the data using the SPSS software. The serum zinc level was not initially significantly different between the two groups. It decreased from 80.9 +/- 4.2 to 68.9 +/- 2.7 and from 81.2 +/- 4.5 to 66.1 +/- 2.9 mg/dl by the 6th week in groups I and II, respectively [p<0.001], but by the 12th week it increased significantly to the preintervention value of 79 +/- 2.9 mg/dl [p < 0.01] in group I and, non-significantly, to 70.5 +/- 3.1 in group n. On the other hand, plasma vita D1 in C increased from 3.0 +/- 0.1 to 3.3 +/- 0.2 mg/l [NS] in group 1 and from 2.7 +/- 0.1 to 4.2 +/- 0.2 mg/l [p < 0.01] in group II by the 6th week. The incremental trend in group n continued between the 6thand 12th weeks [3.3 +/- 0.2 to 4.7 +/- 0.3 mg/l in group I, and 4.2 +/- 0.2 to 7.1 +/- 0.2 mg/l in group II; in both cases p < 0.001]. Serum ferritin and iron levels increased significantly in both groups [p < 0.01]. Iron supplementation with and without vitamin C in iron-deficient female students causes serum Zn reduction after 6 weeks. However, the decreasing trend stops after repletion of iron stores, the Zn level returning to the baseline value. Twelve weeks of iron supplementation does not seem to cause reductions in the serum zinc and plasma vitamin C levels in this age group

Comparison of acute pain relief, after intravenous morphine administration, among different ethnic groups who presented with acute abdominal pain in the emergency department

The aim of this study was to compare acute pain management and pain relief among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia [Malay, Chinese and Indian] who presented with acute abdominal pain in the emergency room [ER]. A prospective observational study involving the use of questionnaires administered to 228 adult patients [Malay n=93, Chinese n=71, Indian n=64] attending a University Hospital ER in the State of Kelantan [located on the east coast of the Peninsular of Malaysia] with the chief complaint of, non-trauma related, acute abdominal pain [onset of pain within 24 hours]. A local acute pain management protocol for intravenous morphine usage was introduced and taught to all emergency room staff. This protocol requires the use of a titration dose of morphine to a maximum value of 0.1mg/kg body weight. The survey incorporated the use of a Visual Analog Scale [VAS] in the assessment of pain severity upon arrival at the triage counter and prior to patients' discharge from the emergency room. The percentage of VAS score reduction was calculated and divided into groups. Paired t and Anova tests were used to analyze the data using the SPSS program, Version 10.0

Fournier's gangrene in a three month old child

Fournier's gangrene is a progressive infection of the genital and peri-anal regions. It is a urological emergency. Testicular and penile loss, septic shock, multi-organ failure, and death are known complications. The incidence of Fournier's gangrene and its complications is very rare in infants. We report a case of an infant who presented with sepsis secondary to scrotal infection. The event was preceded by auto amputation of scrotal skin following Fournier's gangrene. The history was suggestive that the responsible organism was rubeola. The wound was later contaminated by Proteus vulgaris. A description of his presentation and management is given

[Effects of iron supplementation with or without vitamin C on oxidative stress and iron status in iron deficient female college student]

Iron excess disturbs the antioxidant system through pro-oxidants mechanisms. In this study, oxidative stress indices were compared between iron deficient and healthy subjects and effects of iron supplementation with and/or without ascorbic acid on performance of the antioxidant defense system, levels of oxidative stress and iron status in iron deficient female students were determined. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 60 NAID and 30 normal students [control] were selected from 289 female students at the dormitory of Shaheed Beheshti University [MC], Tehran. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were measured by cell counter and ELISA, respectively. After matching, NAIDM students were randomly assigned into the intervention group receiving 50 mg/d elemental iron supplements without [group I] and/or with [group II] 500 mg/d ascorbic acid for 12 weeks. Serum malondialdehyde [MDA], Total Antioxidant Capacity [TAC] and serum ascorbic acid were measured at the beginning and the end of the 6th and 12th weeks in the groups studied. Student's t and repeated measurements tests were employed to analyze the data using SPSS software. Mean TAG in group Ill was significantly higher in NAID subjects at the beginning of the study [3.87 +/- 0.47 vs 3.4 +/- 0.41 mmol/mL; p<0.001]. At the end, serum TAC significantly increased in supplemented subjects, not only compared to the baseline values [within group], but also in comparison with controls [between groups] [5.1 +/- .3 vs 4.7 +/- 0.04 mmol/mL; p<0.001]. In contrast, serum MDA concentrations decreased from 1.7 +/- 0.14 to 1.1 +/- 0.09 nmol/mL [p<0.001] and from 1.9 +/- 0.18 to 1.7 +/- 0.15 nmol/mL [p<0.001] in groups I and II, respectively, after 6 weeks of supplementation. Serum MDA concentration however increased to 1.7 +/- 0.15 nmol/mL at the 12th week [p<0.001]; although the same results were seen in group II, but the mean MDA concentration was significantly less than the value at the beginning [1.4 +/- 0.1 vs 1.9 +/- 0.18 nmol/mL; p<0.03]. It seems that the status of the anti-oxidant defense systems significantly improves among NAID young female subjects within the first few weeks after iron supplementation especially with ascorbic acid, an approach recommended for more efficient control of iron deficiency

[Evaluation of serum zinc status in Neyriz school children]

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements that exists in the structure of many enzymes and is essential for growth, development, reproduction, central nerves system and immune system function. This study was carried out to determine serum zinc status in primary school children in Neyriz. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 205 primary school children that randomly selected with range 7-11 year. 3ml fasting blood venous was obtained of children and serum zinc level was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean serum zinc concentrations was 88.08 34.37 micro g/dl that significantly was higher in boys [P=0.01]. 30.2% of them had zinc deficiency. +/- Results show that the zinc deficiency is a nutritional problems in primary school children. Further study for finding causes of zinc deficiency and removing it through educationing parents are recommended

Magnitude of non-traumatic altered state of consciousness in department of emergency medicine hospital university Sains Malaysia [HUSM]

Non-traumatic Altered State of Consciousness [ASC] is a non-specific consequence of various etiologies. The aim of this study is to collect the demographic data and to review the various etiologies responsible for non-traumatic ASC in Emergency Department. This retrospective study was carried out in teaching Hospital, Kota Bharu for a period of 6 months. Patients' demographic characteristics and the etiologies were analyzed. The total number of patients was 221. Fifty-four percent [54.3%] of the patients were males. The mean age of the patients was 56 years old with underlying medical illnesses. Most of them were non-smokers. The most common characteristics of non-traumatic ASC were ischemic stroke [cerebral infarction] [22.6%], intracerebral bleeding [17.2%] and cardiovascular related diseases [9.5%]. Majority of them were very ill and required intensive care. Four of them died in Emergency Department. Definitely, non-traumatic ASC required intensive management at ED and critical ward. Even though the adult non-traumatic ASC was not uncommon, it was associated with high morbidity. Mean age was 56 years old and equal distribution between males and females. Most of them had hypertension, diabetes mellitus or other cardiovascular disease related. The most common non-traumatic ASC were intracranial pathology and cardiovascular related disease was the second

[Anti-nociceptive effects of the aqueous extracts of Portulaca Oleracea seeds in mice]

Portulaca oleracea [P.O] overgrows in the different parts of Iran, that is used there as both a salad green and a medicinal plant. In previous studies, a 10% ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts [Leaf and stem] of PO showed anti-nociceptive activity in mice and rats. This study was designed to evaluate anti-nociceptive effects of different doses of the aqueous decoction extracts of PO [Seed]. In this study, 65 male mice [25-30 gr] in model tail flick were used. Different doses of the extract 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg [IP] were injected to the separated groups of four [Test group] and water [10 ml/kg-IP] was injected to the one control group. The anti-nociceptive effect was determined 15 and 30 min after injection [N=15 mice for pilot study]. The results showed that there was a significant difference between two groups [P<0.05], but the animals of test groups did not show significant difference in different doses and time. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of PO has anti-nociceptive activity, which is not related to dose and time