[Development and validation of an instrument to measure patient satisfaction with pharmacy services of Red Crescent society]

This research aimed to develop and validate the questionnaire in order to measure patients' satisfaction with pharmacy services of Red Crescent society. This study was standardisation. In this study, about 330 people who referred to pharmacy of Red Crescent society of Shiraz Township were selected and studied by using purposive sampling in winter 2011. The reliability was assessed by internal-consistency method [Cronbach's alpha and split-half coefficient] and by content and construct validity [factors analysis] validity was measured. Data was analyzed by using SPSS. The results of internal consistency indicated that alpha coefficient and split-half for the total factors were 0/88 and 0/73; and alpha coefficient for the three factors of 'interpersonal aspects','services quality' and 'ambience' was 0/92, 0/75, 0/71 respectively. The values of face and content validity were appropriate. The result of factors analysis [with varimax rotation] indicated that three factors explained questionnaire variance [%62/23]. The mentioned questionnaire had an appropriate validity and desired reliability in order to evaluate the quality of services in pharmacy of Red Crescent society

Hedgehog signalling pathway: carcinogenesis and targeted therapy

Hedgehog signalling pathway has not only a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and tissue polarity at embryonic period but also has a vital role in stem cell proliferation, tissue healing and carcinogenesis. Recent research has increased our understanding of this pathway and its relation to other signalling pathways. In addition, a large number of studies confirmed the alteration of Hh signalling pathway in various types of human malignancies including basal cell carcinomas, medulloblastomas, lung, gastrointestinal, ovarian, breast, prostate cancers and leukemia. More than 50 small biomolecules have been introduced which have inhibitory effects on Hh signalling pathway. Although, in many tumors some acceptable results have been showed in phase I clinical trial, closer studies are required to improve drug bioavailability, to decrease the side effects and to find the right small molecules for specific types of cancers, considering patients overall benefits as well