[ relationship between social support and death anxiety in hemodialysis patients]

Introduction: Despite the effectiveness of hemodialysis in renal failure, patients are exposed to stressors such as death anxiety. Social support plays a role in maintaining good health and increased mortality rate and incidence of physical and psychological, is characterized by illness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support and death anxiety of hemodialysis patients

Methods: This descriptive - correlative and 151 patient-center hemodialysis unit of Vali Asr hospital in Arak in 2013 were studied. Data were collected using demographic data, and using a combination Tmpler death anxiety, social support for cancer patients, social support waxes Norbek [NSSQ], and the alpha Cronbach's reliability of the questionnaire 0.88 Confirmed. Data were analyzed by spss version 18

Results: The mean and standard deviation of death anxiety, emotional support, instrumental, informational social support total order of 4.05 +/- 64.11, 4.38 +/- 28.04, 5.28 +/- 25.75, 3.18 +/- 20.57, 8 +/- 74.36, respectively. 70.9 percent emotional and instrumental social support 53% of people support a desired position, and then Data Protection 72.2 percent were unfavorable. There was a significant relationship between various dimensions of social support and the relationship between death anxiety and emotional support in the form [r=-0.69], [p<0.0001], instrumental support [r=-0.64] [p<0.001] [supporting information [p<0.001] [r=0.63] respectively

Conclusion: This study showed Social support in patients undergoing hemodialysis unit was low and people who have poor social support, reported higher death anxiety

[ effect of ginkgo on stress level of nurses]

Mental Health of Nurses in recent decades, attracted more attention. Therefore strategies to reduce stress level is essential. Ginkgo biloba is one of thes herbs that has widely usage in complimentary medicine.With regard to the these points and consider of positive effects of Ginkgo biloba, this study aimed to assess the effect of Ginkgo biloba on nurses stress levels. This clinical trial was a double blined cross sectional study that nurses eligible to participate in the study using sampling methods were selected and Then randomly given drug or placebo to nurses. The medication and placebo was 40 mg, twice a day. After the two -week, the experimental and control group were switched. In this study 62 nurses for two weeks consume ginkgo. Sum score of occupational stress questionnaire in case group after intervention was 40.15 with standard deviation 10.26. sum score of occupational stress questionnaire in control group after intervention was 34.55 with standard deviation 12. With regard that stress in nurses has problems such as decrease quality of care and unsatisfaction and unefficacy and fatigue and these factors lead to emotional disorder then intervention for control them is necessary. Therefore with regard that this research identify positive effect of ginkgo on stress levels and ginkgo is a part of complimentary therapy has a wildly application then we can use that for increase quality of life in nurses

Effect of alternative electrolytes on enhanced electrokinetic remediation of hexavalent chromium in clayey soil

Hexavalent chromium is mobile and hazardous in the environment. Electrokinetic remediation of chromium [IV]-contaminated soils is intended either to remove or to reduce Cr [VI] to Cr [III]. This study examines the effectiveness of utilizing EDTA and acetic acid solutions as alternative electrolytes in the electrokinetic [EK] process, with coupled nano-scale zero-valent iron [nZVI] as a barrier for the remediation of Cr [VI]-contaminated clay. An nZVI barrier was installed adjacent to the anode, and different electrolyte solutions [0.1 M EDTA and 1 M acetic acid] were used to investigate the effect of both on the electrokinetic remediation efficiency. Soil was contaminated to 300 ppm of Cr [IV], and a constant DC voltage gradient of 1 V/cm was applied to the soil sample for 72 h. It was found that an nZVI permeable reactive barrier [PRB] could improve the Cr [VI] remediation efficiency and reduce electrical energy consumption. Results also showed that acetic acid as electrolyte promoted the reduction of Cr [VI] to Cr [III], while EDTA application as electrolyte led to more chromium removal and reduction than an EK-nZVI barrier

Violence toward nurses at emergency rooms [ERs] of hospitals of Medical Universities in Tehran

ER nurses are at risk of violence due to the nature of their job and confrontation with a variety of patients as well as heavy workload. This can, in turn, leads to decreased quality of care. This descriptive study was conducted to identify prevalence and causes of violence toward nurses at ERs of hospitals affiliated with Medical Universities in Tehran. 100 nurses with at least 1 year continuous experience at ER were included in the study. Data were collected by a questionnaire. The questionnaire contained items including demographics, frequency and characteristics of violence at work [physical, verbal, nonverbal] and the factors involved. Content and test-retest as well as internal consistency [Cronbach's a] methods were used for Validity and reliability of the questionnaire respectively. Data were analyzed by version 16 of SPSS package. The most frequent type of violence was verbal [87%]. The frequencies of nonverbal and physical violence were 70% and 28% respectively. The most common type of verbal violence was yelling [84%] and, in physical violence, it was throwing objects [33%]. In nonverbal violence, insulting and threatening look [64%] and hitting on the table were very common. Verbal [48.2%] and nonverbal [65.8%] violence was committed mostly over the past month of the study and at nights. The subjects [38%] experienced verbal violence up to 5 times. The most frequent cause of violence [77%] was the lack of control over entrance of patients' relatives, chi test showed a significant relationship between physical violence and night shifts [P<0.001] and between female sex of nurses and physical violence [P<0.005]. ER nurses usually face with violence in a week and the most frequent types are verbal, nonverbal and physical, leading to decreased speed in delivering efficient care to patients and decreased quality of health care resulted from it

Interferon-beta-1b induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient with MS: a case report

A 26-year-old lady with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis who had received interferon beta1-b for eleven months was visited in MS clinic of our hospital because of icter and fatigue. Laboratory tests showed anemia, indirect hyperbillirubinemia, increased LDH, positive direct and indirect coomb's tests, and increased reticulocyte count and percentage. Other causes of autoimmune hemolytic anemia [AHA] and pre-existing AHA in the patient were ruled out. After INF discontinuation, symptoms disappeared, hemoglobin increased, and indirect coomb's test became negative. We concluded that autoimmune hemolytic anemia should be considered in all MS patients who receive interferon beta 1-b and present with symptoms and signs of anemia

alternative data driven approach for prediction of thermal discharge initial dilution using tee diffusers

Mixing of heated water discharged from outfalls is an efficient and effective method of waste disposal in coastal areas. Discharging the heated water with large quantities of mass flux generally requires multi-port diffusers. In recent years, using numerical models to predict the plume behavior has received attention from many researchers, who are interested in design of outfalls. This study reports the development and application of an artificial neural network model for prediction of initial dilution of multi-port tee diffusers. Several networks with different structures were trained and tested using error back propagation algorithm. Statistical error measures showed that a three layer network with 9 neurons in the hidden layer is skillful in prediction of initial dilution and the outputs are in good agreement [R=0.97] with experimental results. Furthermore, the sensitivity analyses showed that the width of the equivalent slot of the diffuser is the most important parameter in the estimation of initial dilution

Potential of natural bed soil in adsorption of heavy metals in industrial waste landfill

Development of higher welfare could not be realized unless by energy consumption and other natural resources. Growth of industrial complexes has shown an unprecedented trend during recent years. Many of these towns have no treatment systems for the industrial wastes leachates. Besides, the chemical composition of wastes in such complexes varies considerably due to the different kinds of industries. It is endeavored in the present work to study the natural potential of soil to treat leachate of such industrial wastes. For this purpose, the Aliabad industrial complex in Tehran-Garmsar road was selected as the study area. The potential of adsorption of elements such as nickel, copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead and manganese was investigated. The results indicated that the soil potential to adsorb heavy metals [except for manganese] was very high [95%] in the adsorption of heavy metals [except for manganese]. Further, chemical partitioning studies revealed that heavy metals are associated with various soil phases such as loosely bonded ions, sulfide and organics to various extents. Among the mentioned soil phases, one can deduce that major portion of metal contaminants is absorbed as loosely bonded ions. Organic bond and sulfide bond are in the 2 [nd] and 3 [rd] positions of metal contaminants adsorption, respectively. The results of the present study apparently showed that soil column had ample capacity to adsorb metal contaminants. Thus, determination of soil potential in adsorption of heavy metals during site selection is as important criteria

Assessment of heavy metal and oil pollution in surface sediments of south eastern caspian sea usingindices

As the largest lake, the Caspian Sea is one of the most important lakes in the world from ecological, political and natural resources points of view. The Caspian Sea is increasingly being under environmental threats and pressures because of residential, industrial and agricultural areas, oil exploitation and production activities within and in the vicinity of long coastlines of this lake. Studying the bottom sediments as the final sink of the fated pollutants has been of interest to evaluate the overall quality of the aquatic environments. Much attention has been paid to the study of the water and sediment quality and ecology of the Caspian Sea. In the present study, heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbon contents in surface sediment samples of a large area from east to central coasts of southern Caspian sea [from Miankaleh bay in Golestan province to Ramsar coasts in Mazandaran province, Iran] are studied. Twenty sediment samples from different depths in 7 zones along coastline are taken and analyzed for metals [Fe, AI, Ba, Ni, Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Sn and Pb], Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons [TPH] and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons [PAHs]. Sampling points coordinates; water depths and percentile of fine materials[<63 micro m] in sediment samples are presented in Table 1. Samples are taken by a Van Veen grab sampler and preserved, prepared and analyzed for; hydrocarbons according to U.S.EPA SW-846 using gas chromatography. Samples for metal analysis aere prepared according to MOOPAM and measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Hydrocarbons in marine environments may either be originated from biogenic or petrogenic sources. Results of the present study showed that the contents of TPH fall in the range of 10-64 micro g/g of sediments with more enriched [40-64 micro g/g] sediments of central part of Mazandaran province coasts. It should be pointed out that TPH contents of some other parts of the world that are recognized as polluted areas are as follows: 60-464 micro g/g in Hong Kong, 35-2900 micro g/g in New York Bay, 11-690 micro g/g in Persian Gulf and 0.059-34.09 micro g/g in northern Caspian sea. Based on some published works, TPH content in sediments more than 500 micro g/g is indicative of pollution while sediments containing less than 10 micro g/g of TPH may be considered as unpolluted. According to this rule of thumb, sediments of the study area may be unpolluted in most of the region except for coasts of Mahmudabad to Tonkabon which may have low pollution of hydrocarbons [30

[ case of hydroa vacciniforme with ear mutilation]

Hydroa vacciniforme is a rare acquired photodermatosis which usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by vesicle, crust and scar formation following exposure to sunlight. Vacciniform scars of face and dorsa of the hands are common features but oral ulcers and eye complications also occur rarely. Another rare manifestation of the disease is ear mutilation which is presented in this report

investigation on the efficiency of electro kinetic coupled with carbon active barrier to remediate nickel contaminated clay

There have been increasing interests in finding new and innovative solution for removal of contaminants from soils recently. In the present investigation, electro kinetic [EK] process coupled with activated carbon barrier to remove Nickel from kaolinite clayey soil is investigated. Laboratory tests were performed by applying a constant voltage to nominal electric field strength of 1 and 1.25 V/cm with initial Ni concentration [500 mg/kg] for 3 and 7 days. Results revealed that, the coupled technology of EK with barrier when filled with activated carbon could effectively prevent the reverse electro osmotic flow which has adverse effect on the Ni removal from soil. In addition, 20-50% of Nickel migration towards the cathode during the tests was achieved

[ attitude of department heads, faculty members, and physicians of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences toward continuing medical education through internet: investigating some related factors]

Despite recent progresses in education through the web in so many countries, no systematic action has been taken in our country in order to establish online courses. The aim of this study was to deter-mine the attitude of the stake holders of these courses and the factors affecting their attitude. Through a survey study the attitudes of 254 persons including departments' heads, faculty members in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and general physicians participating in CME courses, selected through stratified sampling method were investigated. Among the existing factors, availability of hardware facilities, internet and software education, access to internet, and their relationship with the attitude of the participants were studied. The data gathering tools included a questionnaire consisted of 28 items with 5 point Lickert scale for assessing attitude and another questionnaire including demographic data, which were analyzed using frequency distribution indices and chi2. There was no relationship between access to facilities and education with attitudes of the three groups. But, there was a significant relationship between access to internet and their attitude. Although the attitudes toward these courses were positive in total, but with regard to the low mean scores in the three groups, it is highly recommended to improve the attitudes toward online education through education and providing information regarding the advantages of such courses. It is also suggested to provide facilities such as access to internet and study more about other factors affecting human resources attitudes

Solidification/stabilization of heavy metals from air heater washing wastewater treatment in thermal power plants

In the present investigation, for the first time in Iran, dewatered sludge waste from air heater washing wastewater treatment of a thermal power plant was subjected to investigation of the cement base stabilization and solidification experiments in order to reduce the mobility of heavy and other hazardous metals as well as increasing the compressive strength of the solidified product for possible reuse of the waste. The solidification was done with two cement based mix designs with different waste/cement ratio is different samples. The results of leaching test on the solidified samples revealed that regarding the sand-cement mixture even with 25% waste/cement ratio, the leaching of heavy metals has completely been controlled up to 95%. In cement stabilization process the leaching of V, Ni, Zn and Cr could be decreased from 314.1, 209.1, 24.8 and 5.5 mg/L respectively in the raw waste to 6, 32.1, 3.6 and 3.6 mg/L in a mixture with 20% waste/cement ratio. During stabilization with cement-sand, the TCLP leachate contents of mentioned metals have been decreased to 4.2, 16.2, 2.5 and 2.2 mg/L with waste/cement ratio of 20%. X-ray diffraction studies showed that portlandite, calcite, lime, larnite and quartz have been shaped during the stabilization process. The compressive strength test results revealed that in both mixture samples, decreasing the compressive strength with increasing the amount of waste content in the mixture occurs. In sand-cement solidified samples with waste/cement ratio 25% and in cement solidified samples with waste/cement ratio 20%, a 40% decrease occurs in the compressive strength in comparison with the waste free mixtures

Assessing herbalists' knowledge on herbal medicine

To assess the herbalists' knowledge about characteristics of herbal medicine in Tehran, Iran. A questionnaire containing 52 false/true phrases was designed. 206 herbalists have been chosen by cluster random sampling [in 34 clusters] and were interviewed by 5 educated interviewers. Total score of herbalists' knowledge was 48.8 +/- 2.02. The knowledge regarding the 'drug preparing methods' was the highest [71.8%] and minimum score was related to 'morphology of herbal drugs' [34.3%]. There was a positive correlation between years of experience and total scores [P = 0.008, Spearman's p = 0.19]. Total scores in college-educated people were significantly higher than other groups [P < 0.001]. The scores for people who were participated in 'educational courses' was significantly higher than who reported 'mentorship training' or other methods as their training methods [P = 0.009]. The results of this study showed the inadequacy of knowledge of some herbalists about herbal medicine. Improving herbalists' knowledge by educational interventions and monitoring their work by the health administrator organizations would be effective in improving the quality of herbalists' services and making the use of herbal medicines much more logical

Pretreatment of municipal wastewater by enhanced chemical coagulation

The efficiency of existing municipal wastewater treatment plants has been affected by the increase of incoming organic load caused by the expansions in developing countries. In the present investigation, the effect of Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment [CEPT] process was studied on the enhancement efficiency of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Tehran, Iran. Jar test results showed an increase in COD, phosphorus, turbidity and TSS removal by the increase in dosage of aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride as coagulants. Results revealed COD, phosphorus, turbidity and TSS removals of 38, 66, 68 and 69%, for alum at 80 mg/L and 60, 73, 49 and 48% for ferric chloride at 70 mg/L as the optimum doses, respectively. Ferric chloride revealed more efficient results compared with alum. The result of tests to find the optimum pH of two coagulants revealed that pH of 8.2 for both chemicals is the optimum performance condition. Therefore, CEPT can be used as an efficient method in conventional municipal wastewater treatment plants to reduce the organic load of biological treatment and enhance the removal of nutrients

effect of pH and polymer type on release of diltiazem HCI from hydrophilic matrices

Oral administrations have been used for many years as a main method comparing to other methods. Sustained release techniques have been a great interest recently. Matrix polymers are one of the ways used to prepare a sustained-release drug and are most widely used to prepare the controlled-release drugs. Cellulose derivatives are the most common ones. Solubilities of some drugs are pH-dependent due to their acidic or basic nature. Diltiazem Hydrochloride due to having a pH-dependent solubility is a suitable model to investigate the effect of pH and also to prepare pH-independent formulations. In the present study, an attempt was made to form pH-independent formulations using HPMC, lactose, CAP and organic acids in different ratios. The physicochemical properties of tablets prepared [including weight uniformity, hardness, tensile strength, friability and assay] were investigated. Rate of drug release was studied using USP I at pH 1.2 and 7.2, and sampling was done in the time of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The drug release data were analyzed according to four kinetics models. Drug release profile in acid free formulations showed that it was higher in the acidic medium. 50% replacement of HPMC with CAP and 1:1 ratio with drug release was pH-independent. Studying the formulations containing organic acids; citric acid and polymer with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios; -ascorbic acid and polymer with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios and tartaric acid with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios showed their pH independent release characteristics. These results showed the effect of combination of polymers and organic acids on drug release and its kinetic. Thus, the micro-environmental conditions for the dissolution and diffusion of diltiazem HCI were almost kept constant. The release of diltiazem HCI from tablets composed of HPMC and organic acids was found to be pH-independent

[ effect of metronidazole on hemorrhoidectomy pains]

Topical metronidazole [10 percent] has been previously demonstrated to decrease post operative pain after hemorrhoidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical metronidazole [10 percent] on postoperative and after defecation pains of hemorrhoidectomy. A double-blind randomized trial was conducted to compare post- hemorrhoidectomy pain using topical metronidazole [10 percent] to. placebo carrier applied to surgical site. Forty-seven patients were randomly selected to receive metronidazole [n=25] or placebo [n=22]. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale [VAS] preoperatively as well as on postoperative hours 6 and 12, and on days 1, 2, 7, and 14. The use of narcotic, additional analgesics and complications were recorded. [Pain scores were calculated and compared with baseline values and control group [t-test, SPSS ver.10]. Patients in the topical metronidazole group had significantly less postoperative pain than those in the placebo group by the day 14 [P

[Antimicrobial effects of methanolic extracts of some species of stachys and phlomis]

The genus Phlomis and Stachys [Labiatae] are widely distributed in Iran. There are no reports on the antimicrobial activity of some of these plants. The medicinal properties attributed to the genus Phlomis and Stachys prompted us to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of Phlomis bruguieri, P. herba-venti, P.olivieri, Stachys byzantina, S. inflate, S. lavandulifolia and S. laxa. The antimicrobial activity of these plants were studied using the disc diffusion methods [10,50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 100 micro g/disc] and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] values [10 micro g/ml to 25 mg/ml] against Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1112, Streptococcus sanguis PTCC 1440, Escherichia coli PTCC1330, Pseudomonas aeroginosa PTCC 1074, Klebsiella pneumoniae PTCC 1053, Aspergilus niger PTCC 5011 and Candida albicans PTCC 5027. The methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of Phlomis bruguieri, P. herba-venti, P. olivieri, Stachys byzantina, S. inflate, S. lavandulifolia and S. laxa exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. The methanolic extracts were more active against Gram-positive microorganisms [Streptococcus sanguis and Staphylococcus aureus]. The extracts did not show any antifungal activity. The results concluded that the methanolic extracts of these plants have a potential source of antibacterial of natural origin

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity, acute toxicity and hypericins content of Iranian hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant which has been known in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory and healing agent. This study was done to determine the effect of anti inflammatory, analgesic activity and acute toxicity of this plant. In this experimental study the plant extracted by soxhlet with methanol. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extract were studied using carrageenan induced rat paw edema, formalin, hot plate and writhing tests. Motor coordination was assessed using Rotarod test and acute toxicity [LD[50]] was determined using probit method. ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test were used to determine significant differences between groups and p<0.05 was considered significant. Similar activity against carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was observed with hypericum perforation extract [100 and 150 mg/kg] and indomethacin [4 mg/kg]. In the formalin test, the extract [25-250 mg/kg, i.p.] caused graded inhibition of both phases of formalin-induced pain [p<0,001]. In the hot plate test, the i.p. administration of the extract at the doses of 25- 250 mg/kg significantly raised the pain threshold at an observation time of 30 min in comparison with the control group [p<0.001]. In the writhing test, the extract at doses of 25 mg/kg [p<0.05], 50, 75, 100 and 150mg/kg [p<0.001] produced a significant decrease in the number of writhing in comparison with the control group. The extract, at antinociceptive doses, did not affect motor coordination of animals when assessed in the rotarod model. The 72 hr acute LD[50] value of this extract after i.p. administration in mice was 1111.47 mg/kg. The total content of hypericins was determined 0.101 +/- 0.003 in this plant. Based on these results, hypericum perforatum can be introduced as an anti-analgesic and anti-inflammatory plant

Evalution of the relationship between vitamin d receptor gene polymorphism [FOK I] and thyroid cancer

Background and purpose: Vitamin D is an antiproliferative agent against cancer cells and regulates cell differentiation. It acts via Vitamin D Receptor [VDR]. The VDR gene contains a Start Colon Polymorphism [SCP] that can be detected with the restriction enzyme Fok I. Previous studies report an association of SCP and some diseases and some suggest that this polymorphism alters VDR function. As no studies so far have reported the association between Fok I genotype in Thyroid cancer, this study is intended to determine the association of Fok I polymorphism of VDR with thyroid cancer risks in Iranian population

Methods and Materials: 58 patients with papillary carcinoma, 13 patients with follicular carcinoma and 82 controls participated in a case-control study. A PCR-RFLP method used to determine VDR gene polymorphism in start codon characterized by the restriction enzyme Fok I. 95% confidence intervals and odds ratio were calculated for testing the relationship between Fok I polymorphism and thyroid cancer

Results: The odds ratio for the Fok I polymorphism on thyroid cancer was 0.39 [95% CI, 0.12-1.27] witch signifies no relationship between this polymorphism and the ris of thyroid cancer

Conclusion: As no relationship was found between this polymorphism and thyroid cancer, other genetic or environmental factors may be considered in thyroid cancer