[Comparison of honey dressing with hydrocolloid dressing effects on pressure ulcer healing of ICU hospitalized patients]

Bed sore is an important nursing diagnosis in patients in ICU which delay recovery and increase costs of patients and their family. The best method for bed sores is dressing. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of honey dressing with Hydrocolloid dressing on pressure ulcer healing in ICU patients. In this randomized clinical trial research, 29 patients with total of 40 pressure ulcers were participated. After selecting the patient based on inclusion criteria, hospitals were divided randomly in two control and intervention groups. Intervention group with total of 20 pressure ulcers were received bed sore care with honey dressing in Shohada hospital and control group with total of 20 pressure ulcers were received bed sore care with Hydrocolloid dressing in Farabi hospital. Ulcers state were measured with Pressure Ulcer Scale [PUSH] at the beginning of hospitalization and then weekly for 5 weeks. After intervention by comparing PUSH score in two groups, were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS. The results showed that the two groups were statistically similar with regard to baseline and wound characteristics. After 5 weeks of treatment, patients who were treated by honey dressing had similar PUSH tool scores with patients that were treated with Hydrocolloid dressing. However, recovery in group with honey dressing was faster, but there was not any significant difference. Results showed that healing among patients that were treated with honey dressing were statistically similar with the comparison group. But easy accessibility, economical and neutrality makes honey dressing treatment as choice for pressure ulcers treatment

[ effect of poetry reading group on social behaviors of schizophrenic patient]

Schizophrenia is one the complex psychiatric disorders that have many negative effect in patients' social functions and behaviors. Although the antipsychotic drugs are main treatments for this disorder, but psychological interventions are effective in improvement of clinical symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to test the effectiveness of poetry reading group on social behaviors of schizophrenic patient. In this clinical trail 29 schizophrenic patients were selected via convenience sampling and then, subjects were randomly assigned to poetry therapy group [n=14] and control group [n=15]. For experimental group, poetry therapy was held in one hour session, twice weekly for 6 weeks. The Activity daily living Impairment scale [behavioral problems] was used as questioners. Statically analysis was done by t-test and paired t-test in SPSS14 statistical soft ware environment. Paired t-test showed significant decrease in behavioral problem of subject group patients after poetry therapy intervention [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference before and after intervention in control group [P>0.05]. After intervention we found significant differences between poetry reading group and control group [P<0.05]. The study confirmed the effectiveness of poetry reading group on social behaviors of schizophrenic patient

association between sporadic Alzheimer's disease and the human ABCA1 and APOE gene polymorphisms in Iranian population

Apolipoprotein E [APOE], which its epsilon4 allele has been reported as a risk factor in late onset Alzheimer's disease [AD], is the main cholesterol carrier in the brain. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 [ABCA1] gene on chromosome 9, which has been known by genome-wide AD linkage study, has an important role in cellular cholesterol efflux. This study determines the association between sporadic AD and the human ABCA1 and APOE gene polymorphisms in Iranian population. 154 AD cases and 162 control subjects from Iranian population were genotyped for APOE genotypes and ABCA1 polymorphism [R219K]. The frequency of epsilon2epsilon3 genotype was higher in control subjects comparing AD patients but was not significant [13% versus 5.8%] and epsilon3epsilon4 genotype frequency was significantly higher in AD cases comparing with control subjects. APOE-epsilon2 allele frequency in cases was lower than control subjects but this difference was not significant [4.5% versus 8%]. Individuals carrying epsilon4 allele, developed AD 6.5 times more than non-carriers [OR=6.52, 95%CI=2.63-16.17]. There was no significant association between ABCA1 polymorphism and AD. Unlike other studies, R219K polymorphism was not dependent on gender and APOE-epsilon4 allele and there was no association between APOE and ABCA1 in AD patients compared to controls

[Accompanying problems in children with cerebral palsy and their relationship to type and level of motor disability]

There are some accompanying problems in children with cerebral palsy. These problems may affect the children and their family even more than cerebral palsy. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of six common accompanying problems and their relationship to type and level of motor function. In this study, 120 children aged 2 to 14 years old were selected from 4 rehabilitation centers in Tehran. At first consent of the child's mothers were obtained, and then child's medical history was gathered and accompanying problems were extinguished. The gross motor function level and the type of cerebral palsy were determined. The data was analyzed by SPSS-16 using kolmogrov smironov test and spearman's rho correlation coefficient. The speech disorder was the most and hearing problem was the least common among children. The type of cerebral palsy was associated significantly with intellectual disabilities, speech, feeding problems and number of problems [p<0.05].There was significant correlation between Gross motor function classification system and intellectual disabilities, speech, feeding problems, seizure and number of problems [p<0.05]. According to high occurrence of accompanying problems in children with cerebral palsy especially more severe ones, early detection and treatment of these problems could enhance the quality of life of the children and their family

[ effect of a disaster nursing education program on nurses' preparedness for responding to probable natural disasters]

Nurses, as the pioneers of healthcare in societies, play an important role before, during, and after disasters. Enhancement of their professional skills for the purpose of helping the injured is one of the basic principles in health management in accidents and disasters. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a disaster nursing education program on the improvement of nurses' preparedness. It was a quasi-experimental, single group study. The sample including 113 nurses working in Razi psychiatric hospital were selected by census and asked to fill out the "preparedness for confronting disasters" questionnaire, which was developed by the authors. The preparedness program, which consisted of a one-day workshop on disaster management, top-table maneuver, and an operational maneuver, were performed for the participants. The preparedness of all participating nurses was measured one week and also one month after the program. Data were analyzed ANOVA for repeated measures by SPSS-PC [v.17]. Our results showed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and performance improved from 5.55 to 19.88, from 66.18 to 72.41, and from 3.36 to 12.48, respectively in pretest and follow up measurements, which indicated a statistically significant difference [p<0.001]. In addition, the mean score for total preparedness was increased from 75.14 in pretest to 104.77 in follow up, which is statistically significant [p<0.001]. According to the findings in order to promote and maintain the preparedness of nursing staff, inclusion of disaster programs in their academic educational curriculum and as a continued educational program is recommended

[Effect of functional brace on threshold of motion sense in patients with Anterior Aruciate Ligament tear]

Anterior Cruciate Ligament [ACL] tear is one of the most common injuries at knee joint. Threshold of motion sense included inputs that are received by mechanical receptors at dynamic position. The objection of present study was to find the effect of functional brace on the Kinesthesia motion sense in patients with ACL rupture. In this Quasi- experimental study, 20 patients with ACL tear, with aging range between 18 to 44 years old were recruited. Patients were selected in a simple non probability sampling manner. Using Continuous passive motion for testing the Kinesthesia motion sense, as a dependent variable. Data was analyzed with Paired t-test and Colmogrof-Smirnof tests. Threshold of motion sense at affected knee before and after bracing was 3.93 +/- 1.67, 4.45 +/- 1.86 in open eyes and 3.82 +/- 1.61, 4.13 +/- 1.96 in closed eyes [P<0.05]. This study showed that the functional brace did not play in important role in the improvement of threshold of motion sense in patients with ACL tear

Association between alzheimer's disease and apolipoprotein E polymorphisms

Alzheimer's disease as a neurodegenerative disorder is the commonest type of dementia. A growing number of genes have been reported as the risk factors, which increase the susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein E [APOE], which its 4 allele has been reported as a risk factor in late onset Alzheimer's disease [AD], is the main cholesterol carrier in the brain. The main goal of this study was to assess the role of APOE genotypes and alleles in AD in Iranian population. This study was performed in Tehran, Iran from 2007 to 2008. Totally, 154 AD cases and 162 control subjects from Iranian population were genotyped for APOE using PCR method. Genotype and alleles frequencies for APOE were calculated and compared between AD case and control subjects by epsilon 2 or Fisher's exact test. Type one error assumed less than 0.05. The frequency of epsilon 2 epsilon 3 genotype was significantly higher in control subjects than AD patients was [13.5% versus 5.2%, P<0.05] and epsilon 3 epsilon 4 genotype frequency was significantly higher in AD cases compared with control subjects. APOE-epsilon 2 allele frequency in cases was lower than that of control subjects but this difference was not significant [4.2% versus 7.7%]. It seems that individuals carrying epsilon 4 allele, develop AD 6.5 times more than non-carriers do [OR=6.566, 95% CI=2.89-14.92]. It has been reported that epsilon 4 allele acts in dose-age-dependent manner but we have shown that the risk of developing AD in male APOE-epsilon 4 allele carriers is higher than that of female epsilon 4 carriers

effects of health education through face to face teaching and educational movies, on suburban women in childbearing age

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 'face-to-face education' and 'educational movies' on 'knowledge' and 'practice' of women of child-bearing-age, in terms of health-care during pregnancy and during infancy in a suburban region near Tehran City, Iran. In this quasi-experimental study, the sample included 873 married women. Questionnaires for knowledge and practice assessment were designed. The women were assigned to three groups: control [group I], face-to-face education [group II], and educational movie [group III]. Knowledge questionnaires were completed before and immediately after intervention. Practice questionnaires were completed before and three months after intervention. Both questionnaires consisted of two types of questions: type A [concerning infant care issues] and type B [concerning prenatal health care]. There was a significant difference in post-test knowledge between groups I and II and between groups I and III, but not between groups II and III. In terms of post-test practice, the changes were determined for every individual question, and significantly, better results were seen in group II, especially concerning type B questions. Face to face education lead to better practice than educational movies. In addition, significantly better practice occurred regarding child health care issues rather than prenatal issues in both groups. Realistic and tangible issues, those easy to practice, and with little or no economical burden imposed on the family, progressed from the knowledge state to the practice state more successfully in both groups

Socioeconomic status and obesity relationship in non-menopause women aged 15-49 years in Tehran, Iran

To investigate the association between socio-economic status and obesity in non-menopause women aged 15-49 years in Tehran, Iran. This study was based on Iran National Health Survey conducted in 1999. Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index over >/= 30. Constructed area [per-person], educational level and job are considered as factors indicating the socioeconomic status. The results have been adjusted for age and mental health using univariate and multiple logistic regression. A total number of 2859 non-menopause women aged 15-49 yr from urban areas of Tehran have been studied. The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 16.4%and 28.4% respectively. Women aged 30-49 yr had greater risk of obesity [adjusted OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.99-3.20]. Comparing with students, homemakers and employees were at higher risk of obesity [adjusted OR=4.33, 95% CI: 2.47-7.76, adjusted OR= 2.82, 95%CI: 1.41-5.63 respectively]. Those with >=12 years of education had lower risk of obesity compared to illiterate women [adjusted OR=.57, 95% CI: 0.38-0.86]. The role of social factors is dominant over economic factor on obesity. This fact should be considered as one of the most important research priorities in future researches

Acupoint massage in improving sleep quality of older adults

Elderly people often suffer from disturbed sleep and Traditional Chinese acupressure is a noninvasive technique that employs pressure and massage to acupoints in order to stimulate the balance of life energy that promotes health and comfort. The purpose of present study was to determine the effectiveness of acupoints massage in elders experiencing sleep disturbances. In this quasi experimental study which was applied as single blind clinical trial, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index [PSQI] questionnaire was used as a screening tool to select individuals with sleep disturbance by purpo'seful sampling. Then the individuals were assigned to three groups by balanced a randomized method [an acupressure group, a sham acupressure group and control group]. Each group had 30 subjects and gender ratio was equal in three groups. The same massage was used in the acupressure group and the sham acupressure group, whereas only conversation was employed in the control group. Time of interventions was limited to 15 min. One course of intervention lasted for 3 days per week. These interventions were carried out for 4 consecutive weeks. After intervention 77 persons completed the questionnaire. Repeated measure ANOVA, ANCOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for data analysis. The analysis of data post intervention showed significant differences in PSQI subscale scores of the subjective sleep quality [P=0.025], sleep duration [P=0.012], sleep efficiency [P=0.022], sleep disturbance [P=0.025], daily performance [P=0.033], sleep latency [P<0.001] and global PSQI scores [P<0.001] among three groups. POST HOC comparison showed significant differences in PSQI subscales scores and global PSQI scores in the acupressure group compared to control group [P<0.05]. Whereas, there was significant difference only in PSQI subscales scores of the sleep latency [P=0.006] and global PSQI scores [P=0.021] in the acupressure group compared to the sham acupressure group. Sleep log data showed significant decrease of awake time and improving the quality of sleep in acupressure group [P<0.001]. This study confirmed the effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of elderly people and offered a nonpharmacological therapy method for sleep-disturbed elderly people

Comparison of linguistic knowledge between bilingual stutterer students and their healthy peers

There are many reports about relations between stuttering it and language development. Some studies reveal that bilingualism is a contributing factor to the development of stuttering. Main objective of this study was comparison of linguistic knowledge in Kurdish [LI] and Farsi [L2] between bilingual stutterers and their normal peers. In this case-control and comparative study all of 31 Kurdish-Farsi bilingual stutterers from 4 and 5 grades in primary schools of Javanrood were selected as case group and 31 normal peers were selected as control group by Pairs Matching Method. The linguistic knowledge of two groups in LI and L2 were evaluated and compared by analyzing the speech quality indices [speech fluency index, speech complexity index, type-token ratio] in a sample of their spontaneous speech in Kurdish and Farsi. Data were analyzed by Independent -T-test and Mann-Whitney U. In both Kordish and Farsi Language, Speech unfluency was more in stutterd students than normal group. Also, speech complexity, speech fluency and lexical diversity of stuttered students were less than normal group and there were significant differences between two groups in all speech indices [P<0.05]. The linguistic knowledge of stuttered group was less than normal group in both Kordish and Farsi language. This finding confirms that level of language proficiency may be considered as a contributing factor to stuttering

Evaluating the trend of change in the mean on set age of menarche in iranian girls

During puberty, the first menses or menarche, which is considered a special event, takes place. A study to determine the onset time of menses in girls in different regions of Iran, considering geographical specifications or local characteristics of each region, is essential. On the other hand, the changes of this important indicator over time, will show its probable trend and its study in different intervals will have a two-fold importance. This research has targeted this indicator's trend in the subjects born over a rather long period of time [50 years]. The data used in this research is from the data gathered for two national health and disease researches with 8220 and 10228 sample sizes including married women aged 15 to 49, from cities, towns and villages all over Iran, in the years 1990 and 1999 respectively. The means have been presented in the form of "Mean +/- SD" and for the analysis of the data, t-test, oneway ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc were used while employing SPSS software [version 11]. An alpha level of 0.05 was considered significant. The mean age for the first menses or menarche in the two studied periods of time [in the years 1990 and 1999] were 13.86 +/- 1.51 and 13.65 +/- 1.47 respectively, and in both periods the mean age at the first menses was significantly [p<0.001] less in urban areas compared to that of rural ones. With the passage of this 9-year period the mean age for the first menses has been reduced significantly [p<0.001] in both urban and rural areas, that is from 13.76 to 13.61 in urban areas and from 14.03 to 13.72 in rural areas. The analysis of age at the first menses according to the birth year [birth cohort] is indicative of a trend with a significant reduction in the age of menarche in those born during the decade 1936-1945 to those born during 1976-1985 and it has reached from 14.3 +/- 1.59 to 13.57 +/- 1.34. This trend is seen in both urban and rural areas. It seems that these changes are in concordance with the trend of economical improvement and nutritional status of people during those years. These findings are similar to other studies which demonstrate earlier maturation of girls by the betterment of socio-economical status