[Behavioral factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in nurses based on theory of planned behavior]

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common and costly occupational injuries. Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational problem among nurses. The aim of current study was to determine behavioral factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among nurses by using the theory of planned behavior. A cross-sectional study was carried out among nurses in hospitals of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2011. A total number of 264 registered nurses with working experience at least one year, and different shifts were included in the study. A reliable and valid questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior and Nordic was used for data gathering. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS for windows V. 16 Independent t-test, chi-square, Mann - Whitney and Pearson correlation tests were used for testing the correlations among variables. The study showed that 47. 5% of nurses in the past 12 months and 36. 2% during the past 7 days have suffered from musculoskeletal disorders. The most work-related disorders were in the low back and neck. Also statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of the constructs of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention in nurses with and without musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorder rate still is high in nurses and attention and action is needed to improve nurses' health. Theory of planned behavior is effective at identifying behavioral and attitudinal factors related to the correct ergonomic principles in the through working position

Effects of mesenchymal stem cells with injectable scaffold on cardiac function in myocardial infarction in Rabbit

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells can transdifferentiate into Cardiomyocyte cells and improve heart function after transplantation. Since biomaterials can improve the cell retention in the site, cell survival and differentiation, heart tissue engineering is now being explored as an applied solution to support cell-based therapies and increase their efficacy for myocardial diseases. Chitosan in combination with Glycerol Phosphate [GP] can produce a thermo sensitive material that in body temperature can form a jellylike material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of autologous undifferentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] and injectable scaffold on cardiac function improvement in rabbits after inducing myocardial infarction. The Left Anterior Descending [LAD] coronary artery was ligated by No. 6-0 poly amide suture material, and autologous MSCs with injectable scaffold were injected into the margins of the infarcted zone at the time of surgery. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the cardiac function and structure was detected using echocardiography. There was no significant difference among the three groups [MI only, MI Scaffold, and MI+Scaffold+MSCs] in the Echocardio-graphic parameters including, heart rate [HR], Ejection Fraction [EF], Fractional Shortening [FS], Left Ventricular Diameter [LVD] and Left Ventricular Parietal Wall Diameter [LVPW]. A combination of autologous undifferentiated bone marrow MSCs and injectable scaffold made of Chitosan+ Glycerol Phosphate in echocardiographic evaluation did not have a positive influence on achieving functional improvement

[ risk factors affecting blood transfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft procedure related to gender]

Females were reported to have significantly lower hematocrit [Hct], which might be the cause of increased need for blood transfusion. The goal of this study is to determine risk factors affecting blood transfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft procedure related to gender A cross sectional review of 500 [306 males and 194 females] ASA physical status I or Il patients undergoing bypass procedures with saphenous vein graft performed over a one year period were included in this study. The conducting of anesthesia was standardized. For each patient, we recorded the gender, age, body weight, height, body surface area [BSA], and duration of surgery. Hematocrit levels prior to surgery and the end of surgery were recorded. Packed red blood cell [PRBC] administration and use of fresh frozen plasma [FFP] and platelets were noted. Differences between the data for female and male patients were evaluated using Student's t-test, Chi-square test and using regression analysis. Approximately 57.2% [111] female and only 39.9% [121] male patients received PRBCs. On average, females received 1. 6 units of PRBCs intraoperatively and 2. 6 units of PRBCs during the entire hospital stay, while the males received 1.1 units and 1.8 units for similar periods [P=0.0001]. When females and males were compared within the same subgroups for age, body surface area [BSA], duration of surgery, and preoperative Hct, etc. ...had a significant correlation with age, postoperative Hct and BSA in females but had a significant correlation with preoperative Hct, preoperative PRBC and duration of surgery in males [P<0.05]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of a patient receiving or not receiving PRBC transfusion is significantly influenced by preoperative Hct, postoperative Hct, duration of surgery, preoperative PRBC mass, and gender. Gender is an independent essential determinant of blood transfusion in CABG patients, and may interact with BSA, preoperative Hct, duration of surgery and other factors in determining the probability of transfusion

Early outcome of concurrent mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting

Concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery [CABG] in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement [MVR] has been shown to be an important risk factor for hospital mortality. We evaluated preoperative characteristics, postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality rate, and length of stay in hospital for patients undergoing concurrent CABG with MVR. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data from 175 patients undergoing concurrent CABG with MVR operation at Tehran Heart Center from 2002 through 2006 were collected and entered into a database. Information was obtained by clinical and case note review as well as detailed questionnaires to physicians and patients. Mean age of patients was 57.95 +/- 10.54 years and 51.4% were male. Mean New York Heart Association [NYHA] score was 2.46 +/- 0.84. Among studied patients, 18.3% and 2.9% underwent aortic and tricuspid valve replacement, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 6.9% and 96.0% of patients were hospitalized >/= 14 days. History of congestive heart failure [P = 0.027] and postoperative brain stroke [P = 0.004] were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. Exact considering of congestive heart failure and postoperative brain stroke related to in-hospital mortality in concurrent CABG with MVR operation are necessary

Preparation of fibrin glue as a biological sealant fo control bleeding in heart muscle and blood vessels

Fibrin glue is used for control of bleeding in various surgical procedures. In this work the ability of fibrin glue to seal punctures in the vascular system is demonstrated. Blood samples were taken from rabbits, fibrinogen was separated and fibrin glue was eventually prepared. The rabbits were anesthetized and a midline incision was carried out. The heart and abdominal aorta were exposed. Punctures were made in different parts of the vascular system and bleeding was controlled either with [test] or without [control] fibrin glue. Oozing was also tested by scratching the rabbit's ears. A minimum of 6 rabbits was employed for each experience. The mean bleeding time using fibrin glue was found to be 37 seconds. This average without fibrin glue was more than 3 minutes. This study shows the powerful effect of this biological glue in bleeding control, and its routine use is therefore recommended, especially in major surgery