Effectiveness of teaching anger management skills using cognitive-behavioral approach in the reduction of aggression among womensuffering from breast cancer

Cancer patients are facing with the problems such as anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and aggression, which affect the various aspects of their life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of teaching anger management skills using cognitive-behavioral approaches in the reduction of aggression. This quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design was performed on 30 female clients suffering from breast cancer referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2014-2015. The participants were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and assigned to the experimental and control groups. Then, the participants in the experimental group answered the Buss and Fray's scale of aggression before and after the therapy sessions. After receiving the cognitive-behavioral therapy, results obtained from multivariate covariance analysis showed that the mean aggression score in the experimental group had a significantly meaningful reduction [P<0.05] compared to that of the control group. It seems that teaching the anger management skills, due to its cognitive improvement, has an effective role in the control of aggression among the women suffering from breast cancer

[In-vitro comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT and helical CT for detection of mandibular condyle erosions]

Temporomandibular joint [TMJ] dysfunction is the most common jaw disorder. TMJ imaging may be necessary to supplement information obtained from the clinical examination. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of helical computed tomography [CT] and cone beam computed tomography [CBCT] for detection of simulated mandibular condyle erosions. In this in-vitro study, simulated lesions were created in 15 dry mandibles using a dental round bur. Using CBCT and helical CT techniques, mandibular condyles were radiographed before and after creating the lesions. The images were examined by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists for absence or presence of lesions. The accuracy for detecting mandibular condyle lesions was expressed as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Differences between the two radiographic modalities were analyzed by McNemar's test. Inter-observer agreement was determined using Kappa coefficient. The maximum sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100%, 100% and 100% for CBCT images, respectively and 88%, 100% and 98% for helical CT images, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the accuracy of CBCT and helical CT for detection of mandibular condyle erosions [P = 1]. CBCT is a lower-dose cost-effective alternative to helical CT for diagnostic evaluation of erosion of the mandibular condyle

[Alterations to antioxidative enzymes in early life stages of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] reared in different densities]

Stocking density induced stress that affects energy intake, growth rate, enzymatic activity and oxygen consumption in fish. In this study the development of antioxidant enzyme Glutathione peroxidase [GPX], catalase [CAT] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] in egg and larvae of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss] that kept in different stocking density was investigated. Four groups of eggs, cultured in pans [size16x9.5x10 cm, volume 10 L] with density of 400egg/l [group1 as routine density], 200egg/l [group2 as low density] and 600egg/l [group3 as high density] in triplicate. Eggs were held in tanks supplied with flow-through freshwater at 10.8[degree sign]C. samples were taken at day1 [fertilization], 3 [Cleavage], 8[organogenesis], 16 [eyed egg], 31 [hatch] and 48 [active feeding]. A significant increase in GPX and SOD activity was seen from fertilization till eggs were eyed. [p<0.001]. The activity of these enzymes decreased to active feeding [p<0.001], meanwhile this activity was higher than the fertilization starts. Similar changes were seen in SOD and GPX activities in higher and lower densities [Group 2, 3]. CAT activity increased from fertilization to organogenesis and then toward active feeding significantly decreased in compare to fertilization [p<0.001]. Pattern of changes of catalase activity in high density group was similar to routine density but in low density group it was higher until eggs were eyed. GPX, SOD and CAT activities did not show significant difference in similar days among different groups [p<0.05]. Our results showed that rearing densities used in this study could not affect antioxidant defense development in early life stages of O. mykiss

Bioremediation of a crude oil - polluted soil by application of fertilizers

Oil pollution is a worldwide threat to the environment and the remediation of oil-contaminated soils, sediments and water is a major challenge for environmental research. Bioremediation is a useful method for soil remediation, if pollutant concentrations are moderate and non-biological techniques are not economical. The bioremediation consists strategy of actively aerating the soils and adding fertilizer in order to promote oil biodegradation by indigenous microorganisms. The objective of this study was to investigate whether agricultural fertilizers [N, P, K] enhance the microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. Artificially polluted soil with 1% density of crude oil was used and then fertilizers were applied in 3 levels of 0, 1 and 2 ton/ha in 3 replicates. The soils were kept in 30 Degree C and 60 percent of field capacity condition for 5 to 10 weeks. To provide the necessary aeration, the soils were tilled twice a week by shovel. Soil sample were analyzed for hydrocarbon-degrading heterophic bacteria count and some soil chemical properties. Residual oil was measured by oil soxhlet extraction method, and gas chromatography. The results showed that the hydrocarbon-degrading and heterotrophic bacteria count in all the treatments increased with time and heterotrophic bacteria population increased from 6x10[3] cfu/g soil to 1.4x10[8] cfu/g soil. Also, soil C/N ratio decreased from 6 to 3. The results indicated that the applied fertilizer increased the degradation of the hydrocarbons compared with the control. Gas chromatography results showed that normal paraffin and isopernoid [Phitane and Pristane] decreased in the range of 45 to 60 percent in all treatments. Furthermore, the results showed that the application of fertilizers at 2 ton/ha rate in oil-contaminated soil lead to greater rates of biodegradation after 5 weeks indicating the feasibility of bioremediation

[Survey the addition of sildenafil to alpha- blockers in the management of acute urinary retention related to benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Introduction: acute Urinary Retention [AUR] related to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] is an increasingly prevalent condition in men, and the presenting feature in about 25% of men undergoing prostatectomy

Objective: evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil for treating patients with AUR due lo BPH

Materials and Methods: this is a clinical trial, randomized, double blind study. Eighty patients with AUR related lo BPH randomly assigned to receive either 0.4mg tamsulosine hydrochloride and 25mg sildenafil citrate or 0.4mg tamsulosine hydrochloride and placebo. After 48hours, the catheter was removed and ability to void in each group was assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS 10 and K 2, T test, P<0.05 was considered significant

Results: differences in age, prostate size and residue was not significant between two groups [p=0.791, p=0.587, p=0.364 respectively]. After catheter removal 22 patients [55%] in placebo group and 32 patients [80%] in sildenafil group voided successfully [p=0.017]. After week 19 men [47.5% ] taking placebo and 28men [70%] taking sildenafil could void yet [p=0.041].The difference 1 between two groups was statically significant [p=0.041]

Conclusion: addition of sildenafil citrate to alpha-blockers is effective in successful voiding after catheter removal for AUR related to BPH. Sildenafil may be recommended for reducing the re-catheterization rate

[ impact of chronic hemodialysis on QT dispersion, corrected QT dispersion and maximum QT-dispersion]

Sudden cardiac death is common in patients on hemodialysis and may occur in the immediate postdialysis period when ventricular premature complexes are common. QT dispersion, reflecting hetovogelity in ventricle repolarization, has been used for predicting patients with risk of malignant arrhythmia and sudden death. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of hemodialysis on QT dispersion [QTd], corrected QT dispersion [QTcd] and maximum QTc [QTcMax] in chronic hemodialysis patients. In this descriptive-analytic study, data of 48 patients [30 male and 18 female patients with mean age, 43 +/- 16 yr] on chronic hemodialysis were studied. 12 lead ECG were recorded 5-10 minutes before and after hemodialysis in a standard setting and Na +, K+, Ca+ +, Po4 and Mg++ levels were also determined pre and post hemodialysis. During hemodialysis, no drug therapy was used except isotonic and hypertonic NaCl influsions and sodium heparin. The maintenance drug therapy including digitalis, antihypertensive, antianginal, and beta blocking agents was not changed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The maximal QTd interval changed significantly from 434 +/- 12.8 ms to 443 +/- 21.33 ms [P<0.001]. The QTd increased significantly from 55.87 +/- 7.5 ms to 61.27 +/- 9.09 ms [P<0.001] and QTcd from 61.18 +/- 7.43ms to 68.79 +/- 10.32ms [P<0.001]. 33.33% of the patients before and 47.90% after hemodialysis had QTcMax more than 440 ms. Hemodialysis increases the QTd, QTcd and QTcMax in patients with end-stage renal failure. Thus it is likely that heterogeneity of regional ventricular repolarization increases during hemodialysis

Investigation of physical, chemical and microbial characteristics of ahrestan subterranean canal [sc] water in yazd district for water resources conservation and sustainable development

Present Qanats are considered as enovmous investments in Iran, which have old history and great energy and much costs have been covered for them, Attention and protection for Qanats is necessary. In this study, we investigated Ahrestan Qanats water to analyze its quality condition [physical-chemical and microbial] and compare it with standards. For this purpose, sampling was done from 5 station along this Qanat in 4 stages, every month. Different tests were performed on these samples and the results were set in some tables. Results in station one showed that, turbidity, TDS, TSS, electrical conductivity, total hardness, chloride, sulfate, alkalinity in Ahrestan Qanat water were FTU, 7.25mg/L, 2368.8mg/L, 2378.8micros/cm, 563.7mg/LcaCO[3], 391.08mg/LCL-, 61.25mg/LSO[4] ,268 mg/LcaCO[3] respectively. Results in the last station showed that these parameters were 4FTU, 3.75mg/L, 654.3mg/L, 1278jas/cm, 379.35mg/LcaCO[3], 189.44mg/LCL-, 35.5mg/LSO[4], 167mg/LcaCO[3] respectively. According to the results and by comparing them with related standards we can use this water for other consumptions, for example, for fish breeding consumption by animals, drinking [after filtration and chlorination], watermills, for tourism industry as well as in agriculture

[Effect of palm seed alcoholic extract on the blood glucose and lipids concentration in male diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder which can lead to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. The incidence of diabetes mellitus is expected to increase in human population in the future. The present study deals with the effect of palm seed extract on the blood glucose and lipids concentration in male diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats, each weighing about 240-250 gr, were divided into 4 groups: control and diabetic [received nothing] treated control and treated diabetic groups [received palm seed extract]. In order to induce diabetes, stereptozotcin was injected intraperiotoneally [60mg/kg]. The treated groups received [0.5mg/kg] palm seed extract intraperitoneally every day. 14 days latter, blood samples were obtained from all groups and serum levels of glucose and lipids were measured. Concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, LDL, increased significantly in diabetic group when compared with those of control group [p < 0.05], while these values in the treated diabetic group showed a significant decrease compared with those of untreated diabetic group. In addition, the serum level of HDL in diabetic and treated diabetic groups was considerably less than those of control and treated control groups [p < 0.05]. But the concentration of triglyceride didn't show any significant difference among various groups. Probably hypolipidemic effect of palm seed is due to the presence of oleic acid and linoleic acid and its hypoglycemic properties is due to the elements such as magnesium and zinc which stimulate the synthesis and secretion of insulin. Manganese also mimics insulin properties

[Effect of alcoholic extract of Dorema auchrei on homogram in adult male rats]

Dorema aucheri belonging to the umbrella family plants, is used as food by the local residents of the Southern Iran. It is believed that this plant contains medication properties. In this research, the effect of different qnuantities of Dorema aucheri extract on homogram in adult male rats were investigated. Forty adult male rats from wistar inbred were randomly divided into the following groups: control, sham operated and experimental groups. Experimental groups subdivided into three groups and received different doses of the plant alcoholic extract, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for 30 days. The sham group recieved normal saline and the control group received nothing. At the end of 30th day, blood was taken from ventricle of the heart of the rats from all groups followed by routine hematology tests. The whole numbers of white blood cells [WBC], red blood cells [RBC], hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocyte percentage and monocytes and platelets were measured and the results were analysed. The results showed that using Dorema aucheri alcoholic extract at the end of 30th day, caused a significant increase in monocytes number in the experiment group comparing to the control group. The rate of platelet at the end of 30th day showed a significant decrease in the test group. The results indicated that Dorema aucheri probably contains flovonoidic component with antioxidant effect leading to the increase of monocytes and with inhibitory effect on thromboxane A2 production, causing a dicrease in platelet production

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex by molecular analysis of maternal plasma after 8 weeks of gestation

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex is usually performed by invasive methods such as sampling through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. One potential non-invasive approach involves analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma or serum. The objective of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using fetal DNA in maternal plasma for prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex. In this experimental study, a nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] techniques was developed for fetal SRY gene identification using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 32 pregnant women at the gestational period from 8 to 13 weeks and cell-free DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method from plasma. The nested PCR was carried out to amplify the fragment of SRY gene by two sets of PCR primer pairs. Analysis was then performed on the PCR product. Specifically, the presence of Y-chromosome sequences in maternal blood plasma indicated that the fetus is male, whereas lack of signal will indicate that the fetus is female. Among the 32 pregnant women, SRY sequences were detected in 14 plasma samples after nested PCR amplification, while the 18 women bearing female fetuses had the negative results. The sensitivity of this technique was 87.5%. The phenol/chloroform extraction of fetal DNA in maternal plasma is an effective and simple method, and the nested PCR amplification of SRY sequence is a convenient and low-cost approach for the non-invasive early prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex

[Knowledge of Kerman general practitioners about Tramadol in 2004]

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of moderate and severe pains. Its side effects, in parts are due to the activation of micro receptors and in parts to increasing central catecholamine and serotonin levels. In the case of long administration, tramadol has a potential to cause dependency, tolerance and also drug abuse. After prohibition of injective diclofenac, considering Iranian's tendency for rapid sedation of pain symptoms, tramadol has been prescribed widely. The aim of this study is to determine general practitioners knowledge about this new drug.This cross-sectional study was arranged by collecting data through a self-administrated questionnaire consisted of 25 questions related to different aspects of drug knowledge. Sample consisted of 244 general practitioners in Kerman and data analysis was performed by SPSS. Out of 173 general practitioners, 49.1% worked in clinics, 34.9% in private offices and 16% in Emergency Units. Mean knowledge score was 30.72 +/- 0.35 out of the maximum of [50]. From all subjects 49.7% had poor knowledge [Z<-1], while 39.3% had moderate knowledge [-11]. The poorest information was in regard to drug classification and pharmacokinetics, while in dosage and side effects subjects' knowledge was better. No correlation was observed between mean score and variables of job experience, duration, place and sex of practitioners. Considering serious side effects and drug interactions of tramadol and also the low level of knowledge of general practitioners about this drug, educational programs and limitation of distribution seems to be necessary

[Knowledge of Kerman general practitioners about Tramadol in 2004]

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of moderate and severe pains. Its side effects, in parts are due to the activation of micro receptors and in parts to increasing central catecholamine and serotonin levels. In the case of long administration, tramadol has a potential to cause dependency, tolerance and also drug abuse. After prohibition of injective diclofenac, considering Iranian's tendency for rapid sedation of pain symptoms, tramadol has been prescribed widely. The aim of this study is to determine general practitioners knowledge about this new drug. This cross-sectional study was arranged by collecting data through a self-administrated questionnaire consisted of 25 questions related to different aspects of drug knowledge. Sample consisted of 244 general practitioners in Kerman and data analysis was performed by SPSS. Out of 173 general practitioners, 49.1% worked in clinics, 34.9% in private offices and 16% in Emergency Units. Mean knowledge score was 30.72 +/- 0.35 out of the maximum of [50]. From all subjects 49.7% had poor knowledge [Z<-1], while 39.3% had moderate knowledge [-11]. The poorest information was in regard to drug classification and pharmacokinetics, while in dosage and side effects subjects' knowledge was better. No correlation was observed between mean score and variables of job experience, duration, place and sex of practitioners. Considering serious side effects and drug interactions of tramadol and also the low level of knowledge of general practitioners about this drug, educational programs and limitation of distribution seems to be necessary