[ effects of betaine on vitamin B12 production by Propionibacterium freudenreichii]

Chemical production of vitamin B12 is a complicated process. The purpose of this study, done for the first time in Iran, was to produce vitamin B12 by Propionibacterium freudenreichii and investigate the effect of adding betaine on its yield. Propionibacterium freudenreichii was added to a fermention culture medium containing filtrated soaked corn. This was followed by incubation at 30°C and, then, adding betaine at six concentrations [0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 g/l]. Separation and purification were done and the presence and the amount of vitamin B[12] produced were determined by HPLC. The most effective concentration of betaine for vitamin B[12] production [318.33 Pg/ml] was 10 g/l, which had a negative effect on dry weight of the cells [22.37 g/l]. The results demonstrated that betaine could greatly stimulate vitamin B[12] biosynthesis by Propionibacterium freudenreichii and inhibit cell growth. Based on the findings of this study, betaine added to the culture medium of Propionibacterium freudenreichii at a suitable concentration could increase the yield of vitamin B[12], paving the way to a commercial, more economic method for its production

Blood glucose and body mass index of patients on clozapine and conventional antipsychotics

To evaluate blood glucose and body weight in patients treated with clozapine and conventional antipsychotic. Forty-three patients with schizophrenia [36 males and 7 females] on clozapine were compared with 41 patients [33 males and 8 females] treated with conventional antipsychotics, regarding their fasting blood glucose [FBS], 2 hours post-prandial glucose [2HPPG] and body mass index [BMI]. Data were analyzed using Hest and the chi-square. Of the patients on clozapine, 2 had high FBS, 6 had high 2HPPG, and 5 were diagnosed with diabetes, which was significantly different from the group on conventional antipsychotic. Moreover, comparing the BMIs, the patients on clozapine had higher weights than the conventional treatment group. Clozapine may play a role in high blood glucose of some of the patients

Nursing and midwifery baccalaureate students' approaches to study and learning at Fatemeh School of Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Background: current knowledge suggests that students approach their study in surface, deep or strategic manners. The knowledge of students' approaches to study, and the factors that affect their choice are important for curriculum planners as well as nurse and midwife educators

Purpose: the aim of this study was to investigate the approaches to study of nursing and midwifery baccalaureate students at Fatemeh School of Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students

Methods: a questionnaire containing a number of questions regarding the demographic characteristics and the validated Persian translation of the inventory was administered to all nursing and midwifery students

Results: a significantly higher numbers of students adopted deep approach. There was a significant negative correlation between the stage of study and the use of surface approach by midwifery students. Moreover. There was a significantly positive correlation between the level of interest in the field of study and the use of strategic approach for nursing and midwifery students. The grade point averages of nursing students were positively correlated with their use of deep or strategic approaches

Conclusion: this study showed the majority of nursing and midwifery students were using deep approach to learning. It also showed that in higher years these students tended to use deep or strategic approach. Moreover, it demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between students' levels of interest or grade point averages and the adoption of deep or strategic approaches