[Staff nurses' adherence to oxygen therapy standards]

Oxygen therapy is a method in which oxygen is provided with more density than that in the atmosphere. Oxygen is used in the treatment of many diseases and since it is considered as a drug, it has to be prescribed and controlled like a drug. This research was done with the purpose of determining the observance of oxygen therapy standards by nurses before and during oxygen therapy. In this descriptive study, 36 nurses, working in lung wards of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were included in the study and their practice on oxygen therapy procedure was studied during the year 2006. Data collection tools were questionnaire and checklist and data collection methods were interview and observation. The researcher collected data on staff nurses practice of oxygen therapy, before and during the therapy, twice for each staff. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The performance before the oxygen therapy for all staff nurses [%96.3] was at a low level. Also, the performance during oxygen therapy for majority of staff nurses was at a low level. In general, many mistakes occur by staff nurses regarding oxygen therapy

[Comparison of the effect of clinical evaluation by two methods: Portfolio and popular, on satisfaction of nurse students]

Introduction: Clinical evaluation is one of the important factors in nursing education, and there are some difficulties in evaluation of clinical skills, representing more practical and effective ways in this field is the topic of many researches. So, in this research we designed a lesson plan based on portfolio evaluation method and used it in nurse student's clinical courses. Then we compared their satisfaction from clinical evaluation with popular method

Methods: In this experimental research, students in fifth semester of nursing at Tehran University of Nursing and Midwifery are participated. These students were divided into subgroups of 7 and 8. Each of these subgroups passed the clinical probationary in cardiac unit. After explaining the research goals, these subgroups were put in two research groups randomly. In portfolio group [n=21] students evaluated by using portfolio method and portfolio evaluation tool. And in other group [n=20], popular form of clinical evaluation in university was used. Both groups answered the satisfaction questionnaire in last day. Content validity and reliability of questionnaire was tested. Data analyzed by SPSS software and with Chi square, Fisher Exact, Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon and spearman's rho tests

Results: Findings showed that students had 21.5 +/- 1.36 years of old and most of them was female and married. Satisfaction in portfolio group was meaningfully greater than popular group in three aspects: alignment of subjects in evaluation method and form with clinical course objects [P=0.04], creating interest and motivation for participation of students in learning [P=0.005], motivating students to use books and other scientific references [P=0.01]. Satisfaction of popular group from fairness of evaluation method was greater than portfolio group [P=0.017]. There were no meaningful results in other aspects

Conclusion: More satisfaction in some aspects from portfolio method represents acceptance of new active methods of learning and evaluation by students. so, using portfolio as one of the best method of clinical evaluation in nursing and doing more researches advised

[Effect of cardiac rehabilitation program's first phase on anxiety in patients with coronary arteries bypass surgery]

It is important to measure the anxiety level in patients who undergo heart surgery and find out ways to relief it. This study aimed to determine the effect of cardiac rehabilitation program's first phase on the level of anxiety among patients hospitalized for coronary arteries bypass surgery. In this randomized clinical trial, sixty patients were selected using block sampling and randomly allocated into experimental and control groups. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including the spiel burger's standardized questionnaire. The level of anxiety was measured in both groups. Then, the first phase of cardiac rehabilitation program [including physical exercise, and daily living activities] was carried out in the experimental group. Finally, patients in the experimental group discussed their experiences of surgery. Control group Patients received usual care. The level of anxiety was measured in both groups the day before surgery and at the time of discharge. Data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square, and Friedman tests in SPSS. Findings showed that the level of anxiety had no significant differences between two groups at the time of admission. After implementing the rehabilitation program, the level of anxiety decreased significantly [P < 0.001] in the experimental group. Significant differences were observed in the level of anxiety between two groups after intervention [P=0.015] and at the time of discharge [P=0.038]. This procedure should be used in surgery patients

Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics, of concealed and manifest accessory pathway and intermediate term follow up after radiofrequency ablation

It is current opinion that concealed and manifest accessory pathways are indistinguishable with respect to their location, and contribution to orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia This study aimed at comparing the clinical and Electrophysiological characteristics of concealed and manifest accessory pathways, assessment of immediate results and complications of radiofrequency ablation and detection of the recurrence rates of accessory pathways after radiofrequency ablation. This study was carried out in National Heart Institute and Zagazig University Hospital and included 37 patients that were referred because of symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia [SVT] refractory to medical treatment. They were divided into two groups: Group 1; twenty two patients with manifest accessory pathway on resting ECG and Group II; fifteen patients were proven retrogradly in the electrophysiological study [BPS] to have concealed pathway after exclusion of patients with AVNRT. Patients with more than one accessory pathway, Accessory pathway and associated SVT due to other mechanisms were excluded from the sturdy. All patients in both groups were subjected to Full history taking, Complete general and local examination of the heart, twelve lead surface ECG, Echo-Doppler Study and electrophysiological study to diagnose the mechanism of tachycardia and to localize the accessory pathway and radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathway. Then follow up was done to the patients for the next 6 months on regular basis in the outpatient clinic for recurrence of symptoms, resting ECG for resumed manifest pre-excitation, documented attacks of tachycardia, need for antiarrhythmic and need for redo. Symptoms pattern did not differ significantly between the two studied groups, with palpitation occurred in 100% in both groups, dizziness 40.4% in group I and 46.6% in group 11, syncope 18.18% in group I and 6.66% in group 11, dyspnea 27.27% in group I and 26.66% in group II, and sweating 18.18% in group land 13.33% in group II. Palpitation was the most common presenting symptom in both groups. Accessory pathway mediated tachycardia caused significantly higher rate of hospitalization in group II, There was no associated cardiac disease in any of our patients. We did not find any patient with accessory pathway and congenital heart disease. AVRT was correctly diagnosed in 8 patients [53%] in group II. The success of radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways depends on accurate localization of accessory pathway. In our study 91% of group II patients had orthodromic tachycardia and 9% had antidromic tachycardia and 100% of group II patients had orthodromic tachycardia. Radiofrequency ablation was attempted in 21 patients in group I. In group II RF ablation was attempted in all patients. The acute success was comparable in both groups with no significant difference. In group I the acute success was 90% while in group II it was 85.5%. Complications in our study were met with in group I with one patient developed VF during catheter ablation, one patient developed RBBB, one patient had complete heart block necessitated insertion of permanent pacemaker, and one patient had deep vein thrombosis, and in group II one patient developed complete heart block, and one patient had deep vein thrombosis. The recurrence rate was 9% in group I while it was 6.6% in group H with non significant difference in both groups. Patients with concealed accessory pathway are older, has longer history of arrhythmia, and more frequent hospitalization than patients with manifest AR. Radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective therapy for AP mediated tachycardia with comparable success, complications, and recurrence in manifest and concealed AP

[Relationship between perception of health concept and health promoting behaviors: a comparative study among Tehran University Medical and non-medical students]

Health is one of the vital concepts in every society which is affected by several factors including age, gender and social situation of the people. Individuals' perception of health concept is also of paramount importance. The main objective of this study is to determine health concept perceptions and health promoting behaviors among Tehran University medical and non-medical students. This is a descriptive- analytical study. Four hundred medical students and four hundred non-medical students were recruited for the study using stratified sampling. A three-section self-evaluating questionnaire including demographic information, health perception information and health promoting behaviors information was used to gather data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and Pierson Correlation Coefficient. 49.7 percent and 6.8 percent of the medical students had good and excellent perceptions about health concept, respectively. In non-medical students, it was 49.4 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively. 57 percent of the medical students and 54.9 percent of non-medical students had good health promoting behaviors, respectively. There was significant relationship between perceptions of health concept and health promotion behaviors among both groups [P<0.001]. Based on the results, there is a direct relationship between perception of health concept and health promoting behaviors among both groups. There is no difference in all aspects of health promoting behaviors, except for cigarette smoking in which the medical students showed more healthy behaviors

effect of interventional measures for cessation of smoking on FEV[1] rate of the patients with COPD in medical health centers of sanandaj city in 1384

Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD. Cessation of smoking is the most effective way for prevention or treatment of COPD. The study group consisted of 160 patients which was divided into 2 equal groups [intervention and control]. Sampling method was simple. In intervention group counseling for cessation of smoking was performed. The data were collected by use of the questionnaires, Fagrostrom test, registered FEV[1] rate and smoking rate. Measurement of FEV[1] before and 3 months after the study, was performed by using a hand spirometer device. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential methods, such as x[2] exact fisher test, t-test and ect... usting SPSS Statistic program. After 3 months of study, reduction in smoking rate in intervention group was%66, while this figure for control group was 41.3% [p=0.001]. 41.3% and 26.3% of the subjects of the intervention and control groups respectively, quitted smoking. 3 months after study the rate of FEV[1] in intervention group was significantly [%13.2] higher than those of control group [0.5%] which revealed a significant statistical difference [p<0.05%].The result of this study supported the use of such measures encouraging cessation of smoking which can lead to an increase in FEV[1] and a decrease in FEV[1] reduction with improvement of pulmonary function in COPD patients

[Effect of test item analysis of summative exams on quality of test designing]

Item analysis is a process in which both test items [questions] and students' answers are examined in order to assess the quality and quantity of the items and test as a whole. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of analysis of multiple choice test items of summative exams on quality of the test design by faculty members of Tehran Nursing and Midwifery School. A quasi experimental method [pre-test and post-test] without control group was used in this study. After a pilot study, 33 nursing faculty members of school of nursing and midwifery at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were chosen through census sampling. Then one of their exams designed in the second semester [83-84] were chosen to be analyzed. The analysis results were reported to the faculty members. Then their designed tests for the next semester were analyzed again. The analysis was carried out using a checklist which included item structure, whole structure of exam, content validity, and levels of thinking skills reflected in questions and criteria for holding an exam. Moreover, for the quantitative analysis of questions, item difficulty and discrimination index were calculated. Item distracter analysis was examined by calculating the percentage of examinees who selected incorrect alternatives. Integrated t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis. 1056 questions before presenting the feedback and 803 questions at the end were analyzed and then the results were compared. According to the results, there was a significant difference between before and after intervention in variables item structure [P<0.001], levels of thinking skills [P<0.05], and item distracter analysis [P<0.001].While there was not significant difference between item difficulty, discrimination index, whole structure of exam, content validity, and criteria that should be considered on holding of an exam. Although, Pearson correlation coefficient showed that variables such as age [r=-0.535, P=0.004], and years of services [r=-0.546, P=0.003] with difficulty index were statistically significant. The results emphasized that item analysis, providing feedback to the faculty members and offering educational booklets to assist them were effective means on improving some qualitative and quantitative items analysis measures

[ effects of counseling on smoking cessation in patients suffering from COPD]

Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases]. Smoking cessation is the most effective strategy for prevention or treatment of COPD. Counseling is a efficacious method for smoking cessation. One of the nurses' roles is counseling that they can use it in patients' care. The aim of this study is evaluating the effects of counseling in smoking cessation on patient with COPD. This study is an interventional clinical trial and the subjects consisted of 160 patients who had eligibility criteria for this study. Sampling was convenience sampling and subjects were allocated to two patients groups [Interventional and control]. In interventional group smoking cessation counseling was used during 12 weeks. Counseling consisted of individual counseling Telephone counseling and self- help material. The data were collected by the questionnaire and Fagrostrom test before study and smoking rate were recorded before, 1 and 3 months after study. Research data were analyzed with spss statistic program and use of descriptive and inferential methods, such as chi2, exact fisher test, mann-whitney and etc. The rate of smoking cessation after 1 month in interventional group was 28.8% [n=23] versus in control group was 22.5% [n=18] [p<0.0001] and after 3 month in interventional group was 41.3% [n=33] versus in control group was 26.3% [n=21] [p=0.006]. Mann-whitney test showed significant difference between smoking cessation in two groups after 1 and 3 month after study. Results supported the use of smoking cessation counseling to stop smoking on patients with COPD

[Comparison of effective factors on sleeping the nurses and hospitalized patients' viewpoints]

One of the responsibilities of nurses is to identify of effective factors on sleeping, because identification of these factors prevents from occurrence of sleep disorders, improves sleeping, decreases duration of hospitalization, and reduces use of hypnotic drugs. This research is a comparative descriptive study. The population under research was included 50 nurses who were working in CCU wards and 50 patients who were hospitalized in CCU wards that were selected by interviewing and information gathering tools was a questionnaires which consisted of two parts and for each group one questionnaire was used. The first part was included demographic specification. Second part is consisted of 56 questions [four rating] related to effective factors on patient's sleeping in the domains such as environmental factors, personal [physical and mental] factors, pre-sleeping habits and an extra question [to explain other factors with the except of factors that mentioned in sleeping]. Gathered data is processed by SPSS software, 12'Th version, and for achieving to research goals, descriptive and perceptive statistical methods [such as t-test, ANOVA test, and Pearson coefficient of correlation] were used. Then descriptive statistic was used in data analysis and statistical t-tests were used to compare of these two groups opinions. The results of this research showed that environmental factors such as turned on light, pain, anxiety due to loss of job, fears of outcome of disease, connection to monitoring systems are the important effective factors on sleeping according to the nurses points of view however patients believe that phone ring, pain, anxiety from loss of job, fears of outcomes of disease, connection to monitoring systems are important. According to the research results, the most important effective factors on sleeping are "turned on light", "phone ring" "pain", "anxiety from loss of job", "fears of outcome of illness", "connection to monitoring systems". The foundation of this schedule is based on identification of effective factors on sleeping according to viewpoint of patients and then eliminating the disturbing factors

Molecular characterization of Egyptian trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates by HSP70 restriction fragment length polymorphism

Molecular typing of 20 Egyptian Trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates was performed using the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [RFLP] analysis employing a probe from the heat-inducible cytoplasmic HSP70 gene family hybridized with EcoR I-digested genomic DNA. In each of the isolates tested 5 to 6 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 2.7 Kb to 7.5 Kb in size were detected. Analysis of 13 isolates from symptomatic and 7 isolates from asymptomatic women revealed 6 distinct RFLP pattern subtypes of T. vaginalis. Eleven isolates [55%] showed the same RFLP pattern, teen of them [90.9%] were from symptomatic patients. T. vaginalis virus [TVV] was present in 7 isolates [35%]. Only one isolate was considered resistant to Metronidazole. There were no relations between TVV infection or Metronidazole susceptibility and RFLP subtypes

[Relationship between cancer characteristics and quality of life in the cancer patients under chemotherapy referred to selected clinic of Tehran university of medical sciences]

This descriptive study was performed to find the relationship between cancer characters and the life quality of patients under chemotherapy referred to selected clinic of Tehran university of medical sciences. The sample consisted of 200 patients with different types of cancer [solid tumors] selected by simple sampling method. A questionnaire was filled for each patient using patients' files, self-reports and interviews. Chi-square test was used to find the statistical relationships. Thirty-five percent of the subjects had gastrointestinal cancer, 35.5% were at the stage 3 of the disease, in 61.5% the duration of disease from diagnosis time was less than a year, 41% had mild pain, 91% had accepted their disease, 84.5% had a decrease or loss of organ's function and 69.5% had a moderate intensity of fatigue. The quality of life of the majority of the subjects was moderate [66%]. There were significant relationships between characteristics of cancer like type of the cancer [P < 0.01], intensity of pain [P < 0.01], decrease or loss of organ's function [P < 0.01], or the degree of fatigue [P < 0.001] and the life quality, but there was no correlation between acceptance or refusal of the disease, duration of disease from diagnosis time or stage of cancer and quality of life

Biological variability of trichomonas vaginalis clinical isolates fom symptomatic and asymptomatic patients

The vaginal specimens of 60 women were cultured using modified thioglycolate medium. Thirteen samples were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. The pathogenicity of these clinical isolates was investigated by intraperitoneal injection to mice. Additionally, their susceptibility to metronidazole was evaluated. All the clinical isolates produced infection in mice, but marked variations in pathogenicity and susceptibility were observed. Four out of 13 isolates produced mortality in mice, indicating a higher pathogenicity of the four isolates. Concerning metronidazole susceptibility, only one isolate was considered resistant and the other twelve showed different degrees of susceptibility

Femoral approach vs subclavian in measurement of central venous pressure in adult patients

Thirty patients with stable cardiovascular condition were included in this study. All the patients had already central venous catheter [either subclavian or internal jugular] in situ for measuring the SVCP. For all the patients, another catheter of the same type [multiple-lumen, 20 cm long] was inserted into the common iliac vein via the femoral route. The SVCP and CIVP were simultaneously measured at six-hour interval for 24 hours. It was concluded that CIVP measured by a 20 cm catheter placed through the femoral route can predict accurately the central venous pressure in adult patients [with normal intra-abdominal pressure] and it can be taken as a reliable alternative to SVCP and major complications

Prevalence of Listeria and Listeria monocytogenes in certain aquatic environments in Egypt

A collection of 157 water samples from aquatic and marine environments and from potable and waste sources were analyzed to determine the total Listeria and L. Monocytogenes counts. For enumeration, both direct plate count and a selective enrichment MPN technique, followed by surface streaking onto selective agar medium were used. Listeria enrichment broth base provides with 3.75 [w/v] potassium thiocyanate, 0.01 g/l nalidixic acid and Listeria selective agar supplement with 0.01% [w/v] esculin and 0.05% [w/v] ferric citrate were used for the MPN and direct plate methods, respectively. Listeria species and L. monocytogenes occurred in 83-94% of fresh water samples and in 40-80% of marine water samples. Tap and bottled water samples were determined to be completely free of Listeria by both techniques. Less than one third of ground water samples examined harbored Listeria. They contained relatively low numbers of a few hundred Listeria/100 ml, which were mainly L. monocytogenes. All tested samples of raw and treated wastewater were positive for the presence of Listeria. The differences in counts may be attributed to the source of sample and the method of count. With regard to chlorinated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities, only 15% of tested samples were positive for Listeria for Listeria and L. monocytogenes

Effect of C: N ratio on numbers and types of fungi in Egyptian soil.

The amendment of three different soil types [loamy, clay and sandy] with different carbon sources [glucose, cellulose, starch, chitin and sawdust] increased the total count of fungi compared with non-amended soil. Treatment with chitin increased the densities of Trichoderma harzianum. Testing the effect of different C: N ratios [5: 1, 10: 1 and 40: 1] on soil fungi in a loamy soil sample using glucose or cellulose and NaNO3 showed that a narrow C: N ratio was more stimulative to the development of the fungal flora in the presence of glucose. However, a wide C: N ratio was more favorable when cellulose was used as a carbon source showing that sugar fungi and cellulose decomposers responded differentially. Trichoderma was favored by a wide C: N ratio [40: 1] using either glucose or cellulose as a carbon source

Role of cellulose decomposing fungi on azospirillum-maize association

A greenhouse pot experiment and sand cultures were used to examine the possible role of cellulose decomposing fungi in Azospirillum-maize association. Soil amendment with 0.2% straw and inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum [strain Z 4/1] gave the highest densities of Azospirillum in the histosphere of maize plants and higher growth parameters. Other diazotrophic bacteria of plant free soils were stimulated with a straw amendment. Fifteen genera and 22 species of cellulose decomposing fungi were isolated on cellulose-Czapek's agar medium from pots amended with straw. The total count of these fungi increased significantly with straw amendment. The most common cellulose decomposers were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium funiculosum and Trichoderma harzianum. In sand cultures amended with straw, nitrogenase activity, total nitrogen, residual and straw utilized by co-cultures of Azospirillum brasilense [strain R6/1] and cellulose decomposing fungi were studied

Synthesis of condensed heterocyclo [n,m-b] quinazolines

Condensation of the cyclic imidoyl chlorides; namely, 2-chlorobenzothiazole, 2-chloroquinoline, 2-chloro-4-methylquinoline, 2-chloropyridine and 2-chloro-3-methylquinoxaline with ethyl anthranilate afforded the corresponding 2-[2-ethoxycarbonylphenyl] aminoheterocycles IIIa-f. The products underwent cyclocondensation to the heterocycloquinazolines IVg-i upon heating above their melting points. Condensation of ethyl anthranilate with 2-chloro-4-arylphthalazines directly gave the corresponding quinazolinophthalazines. Attempted isolation of the cyclic intermediates was unsuccessful. The relatively less reactive 2-mercaptobenzimidazole underwent condensation with ethyl anthranilate only upon fusion at a relatively high temperature [300C] to give benzimidazoquinazoline. The structures of all products were assigned on the basis of elemental analysis, IR and PMR spectra

Assessment of mucosal graft technique in management of biliary stricture

This study was conducted on nine patient who have biliary stricture [six of them were due to benign causes and three were due to cholangio carcinoma. All cases underwent biliary- enteric anastomosis using mucosal graft technique and followed up for six months. The results were good, no major complications or mortality. This study concluded that mucosal graft operation is an easy, safe and more rapid method of anastomosis and gave satisfactory results in the management of high biliary stricture whether benign or malignant