effectiveness of group narrative therapy on reducing identity crisis and mental health improvement of divandarre students

Narrative therapy is a rather new approach based on the postmodern approach in treatment of mental disorders. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of group therapy on reducing identity crisis and mental health improvement of boy students at Divandarreh high schools. In a semi-experimental study targeting all boy students studying at Divandarreh high schools [2011-2012] where two high schools were randomly selected. GHQ and Berzonsky identity style questionnaires were distributed. Thirty students - whose scores for mental health and identity crisis were 1 standard deviation lower than the average - were randomly divided into trial and control groups. Multivariate covariance analysis was used for the analysis of the data in SPSS software Package [version 19]. The findings showed that narrative therapy could be effective for both reducing identity crisis and achieving normal identity. Narrative therapy also effects on improving the mental health. According to the findings of this study as well as the negative impacts of identity crisis on one hand and low mental health on personality development and talent flourish of the individual on the other hand, it is recommended to use narrative therapy for the treatment of such disorders

client satisfaction of delivered services in private nursing homes for elderly: a survey in the provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, Semnan and Northern Khorasan in 2012

Objective: In The last two decades, nursing homes for elderly have expanded tremendously. Client satisfaction is one of the most important indicators of service quality delivered by institutes and organizations. This study was carried out to measure client satisfaction in the private nursing homes of Golestan, Mazandaran, Semnan and Northern Khorasan Provinces in 2012

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 89 participants from all 14 nursing homes located in the pre-mentioned provinces who met the inclusion criteria including age 60 years or older, ability to communicate, Abbreviated Mental Test scores of 6 or higher, and at least 6 months stay duration were recruited by the method of census and interviewed. Data was gathered using the questionnaire of Assessing Elderly Residents' Satisfaction of the Delivered Services in Nursing Homes. In order to analyze data, statistical parametric t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal- Wallis test, Spearman correlation coefficient and SPSS software [version 17], were used

Results: Mean scores showed that satisfaction with the physical care [3.55] and physical environment [3.77] were higher than of satisfaction with psychological care [3.00] and social care [3.26]. The mean score of overall satisfaction with the services was 3.40 and indicative of satisfaction in the levels of moderate to good. There was a significant relation between mean scores of satisfaction and the way which clients had been admitted to nursing homes [p<0.002]

Conclusion: Lower levels of satisfaction with psychological and social care in the nursing homes points to the need of paying more attention toward these two care dimensions. Considering the significant relationship between self commitment and the level of satisfaction, psychological preparedness of older clients before committing them to nursing homes may play a role in their satisfaction with the services delivered in nursing home

Bacterial contamination of dead-in-shell embryos in ostrich hatcheries and antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated Escherichia coli

The bacterial contamination of fertile eggs is the most common cause of embryonic death in ostrich hatchery units leading to financial loss in ostrich industry. The aim of this research was to investigate the bacterial contamination status, with emphasis on Escherichia coli, of ostrich hatcheries and the antimicrobial resistance profile of isolated Escherichia coli. A total of 120 ostrich eggs with dead embryos, at weekly intervals, were collected from three ostrich hatcheries. The dead embryos were sent to laboratory and samples were collected aseptically from different organs. Bacterial detection and identification were performed by using standard bacteriological and biochemical techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by agar disk diffusion method against 27 antimicrobial agents. Different types of bacteria were isolated from 56 eggs [46.7%]. Twenty-four ostrich eggs were shown to carry E. coli. In some eggs, in addition to yolk sac, E. coli was also isolated from meconium, liver, or heart blood which increased the total number of E. coli isolates to 32. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole, danofloxacin, and flumequine, whereas all were resistant to carbenicillin and erythromycin. Resistance to other agents was variable. Multi-drug resistance pattern was found among all E. coli isolates and included 2 to 12 drugs. Thirty-two E. coli isolates generated 30 different resistance profiles against 27 antimicrobial drugs. This was the first comprehensive report regarding the bacterial, particularly Escherichia coli, contamination of dead-in-shell ostrich embryos and antimicrobial resistance status of the Escherichia coli isolates from ostrich eggs in Iran

Molecular typing of avian Escherichia coli isolates by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequencespolymerase chain reaction [ERIC-PCR]

Colibacillosis is one of the most economically important diseases of poultry worldwide. This study was conducted to examine the clonal relatedness and typing of 95 avian Escherichia coli isolates by ERIC-PCR.. Sixty-three E. coli isolates from two common manifestations of colibacillosis [yolk sac infection and colisepticemia] and 32 isolates from feces of apparently healthy broilers were provided. The PCR amplification reactions were performed in duplicate for all isolates. The molecular weight of the observed bands on gel electrophoresis ranged from 232 bp to 2690 bp. Sixty-five fingerprinting patterns were observed among 95 isolates on the basis of molecular weights and the number of bands. The numbers of 20, 22, and 23 fingerprinting patterns were found among isolates from yolk sac infection, colisepticemia, and feces, respectively. Among different fingerprinting patterns, the number of produced bands differed from 2 to 11. No identical pattern was observed among isolates of three sources. Isolates showing similar patterns in each source group belonged to a single farm. However, a few isolates that had been isolated from different farms also showed similar fingerprinting patterns. In conclusion, this study showed a high degree of polymorphism among E. coli isolates originated from different poultry sources when the respective bacterial genomes were analyzed by the ERIC-PCR and that no specific genotypes were responsible for different manifestations of colibacillosis

[ effects of Zingiber officinal R. on primary dysmenorrhea]

Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its importance for women life as well as side effects of non steroid anti inflammatory drug used for its treatment increases the tendency for alternative complementary, and herbal therapy. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Zingiber offlcinale R. on primary dysmenorrheal on students residing in Dormitories' Shahed University. This clinical trial was performed on 78 unmarried students, average 21 years old with primary dysmenorrhea residing in Dormitories' Shahed University. Subjects were selected through a questionnaire which included demographic and menstrual cycle characteristics and graded of dysmenorrhea. Graded of dysmenorrhea were determined by verbal multidimensional scoring system and subjects who were graded moderate and severe dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated into two groups that received the Zingiber capsule and the placebo capsule. The subjects in Zingiber group received the 500 mg zingiber powders in capsules three times a day for three days and placebo group received 500 mg placebo capsule similarly from a day of starting of menstruation. Severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain were determined in both groups and compared to each other. Results indicate that demographic characteristics [age, BMI and menstrual status] were similar between two groups before treatments. Severity and duration of dysmenorrhea in Zingiber group deceased significantly [p<0.01 and p<0.021 respectively] at the end of the study compared to placebo group. Administration of Zingiber 500 mg t.i.d decreases pain and duration of primary dysmenorrhea without any obvious adverse effects. The investigation for accurate effective doses of Zingiber and its adverse effect on long term administration is recommended

Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of the prenylated coumarin umbelliprenin

Umbelliprenin, the natural prenylated coumarin distributed in the plants of apiaceae family, has shown various biological activities, especially as a cancer chemopreventive agent. In the present study, umbelliprenin, was examined for in vitro antioxidant activity, in vitro inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The applied tests were interaction with 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl [DPPH] stable free radical, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase and in vivo inhibition of the carrageenin-induced rat paw edema. Umbelliprenin did not show any significant antioxidant activity but exhibited a remarkable and potent inhibition against soybean lipoxygenase [IC50 = 0.0725 micro M]. This compound, in the in vivo anti-inflammatory test, could also inhibit the carrageenin induced paw edema significantly [39%].The observed inhibition of lipoxygenase may be a plausible mechanism for the potent cancer chemopreventive activity of umbelliprenin and may pose this compound as a valuable agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

[Adenoid tissue: a comparative bacteriological study]

Adenoid hypertrophy and its complications such as otitis media and sinusitis are common problems in childhood. Rapic and appropriate detection of interfering microorganisms in chronic nasopharyngitis is very important for better medical and surgical interventions. The aims of this study were to detect major core adenoidal microorganisms and to compare similarity of pernasal and oropharyngeal cultures with adenoidal culture, and also to compare bacteriological resistance in patients with and without complications. In this descriptive study, 50 patients with adenoid hypertrophy and chronic nasopharyngitis were recruited and divided into 2 groups: group I [n=25] with complications such as otitis media with effusion and group II [n=25] without complication. All patients underwent adenoidectomy. A pressure equalizing tube was inserted for patients in group I. The smear and culture specimens were collected for bacteriological study. After 26 months of prospective bacteriological study on 50 patients with adenoidal enlargement, major results were as follow: the most common adenoidal growing microorganisms in two groups of patients, in decreasing frequency were hemophilus influenza. Type B beta hemolytic streptococcus and staphylococcus auresus. Pernasal smear and culture results were more similar than oropharyngeal results to core adenoidal cultures [p<0.01]. 70.1% of adenoidal microorganisms in group I patients and 21.2% in group II patients were resistant to ordinary antibiotics [without anti-betalactamase activity] [P<0.0001]. For better medical management of chronic nasopharyngitis [pre and/or post adenoidectomy], were recommend that in antibiotic selection, the hemophilus influenza type B should be considered as the major growing organism. Pernasal culturing is more appropriate for detection of interfering microorganisms. In complicated patients [cases or otitis media with effusion and /or sinusitis] it is advisable to use more potent antibiotics with anti-betalactamase activity. For infection control in non-complicated patients, use of ordinary antibiotics can reduce the resistance to potent antibiotics in general population

[Retropharyngeal lipoma: a case report]

Retropharyngeal lipoma is a rare benign tumor [less than 27 reports in literature] of nonspecific clinical symptoms. It can grow to an enormous extent causing total obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Until now its etiology is unknown. A 60-year old female complained from severe snoring, mild dysphagia and moderate respiratory difficulty with gradual onset since one year prior to clinical presentation. In Oropharyngeal examination and indirect laryngoscopy, there was a bulging over posterior pharyngeal wall extending from the level of soft palate to lower part of hypopharynx with moderate closure of laryngeal inlet and soft consistency on palpation. Fine needle aspiration was in favour of neurofibroma but CT scan and MRI showed criteria of a large retropharyngeal lipoma [75x50 mm,oval shaped]. The mass was removed completely via transpharyngeal approach with creation of U- shaped flap. Post operative pathologic study confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Lipoma as differential diagnosis of retropharyngeal tumors always has to be considered. Surgical intervention through pharyngeal or cervical root is recommended. To prevent functional complications resulting from tumor and surgery and to get information about the extent of the lipoma, accurate radiological imaging is mandatory

[Comparison of vaginal with vaginal plus oral prostaglandine E[1] in medical treatment of missed abortion in first trimester]

Missed abortion, due to its severe complications, has both medical and surgical treatments. Because of surgical complications, medical treatment has recently more commonly used. As misoprostol [a prostaglandin E[1] analogue] has oral route formulation, low expense, ease of administration and quick effect, has been widely prescribed. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of misoprostol when given by vaginal with that given both vaginal plus oral misoprostol in the treatment of missed abortion in the first trimester. In this clinical trial, which was performed during 2007, 98 patients with missed abortion who were referred to Ahvaz Imam Khomeini and Razi hospitals were enrolled and divided into two groups with 49 patients in each. Group I was prescribed 800 micro g of vaginal misoprostol and every 12-24 hours, an additional 800 micro g was administered. Group n was prescribed 400 micro g of oral and 400 micro g of vaginal misoprostol simultaneously with additional 400 micro g of vaginal misoprostol every 8 hours. For analysis of the data ANOVA and Chi squared tests and SPSS 13 software were used. Vaginal bleeding started significantly sooner in group I than group n 4 hour and 23 minute in contrast to 7 hour and 2 minute [P< 0.05]. Group I expelled gestational products more than group 39[76/5%] in contrast to 12[23/5%] [P< 0.05]. Patients in group I had less complications including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever than the patients in group II [P<0.01]. The overall results of this study confirms the previous studies that misoprostol is an effective drug in controlling complications of first trimesters missed abortions. Furthermore vaginal route of administration is preferable method to vaginal plus oral route for treatment of missed abortion

comparative study between three topical treatments in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media

Chronic suppurative otitis media [CSOM] is a common ear disease with potential intra and extracranial complications. The control of infection is very important for prevention of its consequences. The aim of this study was to compare three topical treatment modalities in patients with this disease. A randomized clinical trial was performed on three groups of CSOM patients with active otorrhea but without cholesteatoma, otomycosis or ear polyps. They were treated with three different topical drug regimens: group I [combined therapy, 61 patients] with acetic acid 1.5% solution and ciprofloxacin 0.3%; group II [acid therapy, 30 patients], with acetic acid 1.5% solution; and group III [antibiotic therapy, 30 patients] with ciprofloxacin 0.3%. All patients were followed weekly for 4 weeks and results compared with chi-square and fisher tests. At the end of second week, the infection was controlled in 95.1% of patients in group I, which was statistically greater than other two groups 50%, 73.3% respectively [p<0.0001]. The response rate to topical therapy was also more than other group in group I patients, after one week of treatment [p<0.001]. In accordance with the ethical principles, 15 patients of group II and 8 patients of group III, with treatment failure, were also underwent combined therapy, which 100% of these patients in the group II and 87.5% of them in the group III, responded to treatment after two weeks. According to our findings, the combined topical therapy with acetic acid and ciprofloxacin is an effective and quick treatment method for control of infection and otorrhea in patients with CSOM

Role of IgE low-affinity receptor [CD23] in pathogenesis of nasal polyp

Nasal polyps, a common clinical problem, are characterized by eosinophilic and mast cell inflammation. The role of allergy and IgE in pathogenesis of nasal polyps is still unclear. IgE receptors are important components of the immunological pathway in allergic and inflammatory diseases. To determine if the low affinity IgE receptor [CD23] is presented on nasal polyp tissues as a marker of local allergy or inflammation. Twenty patients who had undergone polypectomy enrolled into the study. Polyp tissues were stained by hematoxylineosin and acid-fast methods for histopathologic study. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with monoclonal antibody to leukocyte surface CD23. Polyp tissue fluid was extracted by slicing and centrifuging. Total serum IgE and tissue fluid was measured by ELISA. Thirteen of 20 polyp tissues were positive for CD23. Moderate to large number of eosinophils were observed in 5 patients. Serum IgE level was elevated [>70 IU /ml] in 13 patients and polyp IgE level was elevated in 8 patients. No significant correlation was found between CD23, serum and polyp tissue IgE, and eosinophil infiltration. CD23 may act as non-IgE dependent inflammatory marker in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps