Comparison of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, serum inflammatory factors and total antioxidant capacity

Helicobacter pylori infection, the most common chronic bacterial infection in the world, and an important cause of gastrointestinal disorders, may be involved in the pathogenesis of some extra-gastrointestinal disturbances, as well as an increase in blood levels of certain inflammatory markers. Anti-bacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori and anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids have been studied in several research studies. The purpose of the present study was the comparison of the effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication, serum levels of some inflammatory markers and total antioxidant capacity. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 97 Helicobacter pylori positive patients [64 patients in the two intervention groups and 33 in the control group], received 2 grams daily of Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid or Medium Chain Triglyceride oil as placebo, along with conventional tetra-drug Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen, for 12 weeks. Helicobacter pylori eradication test and measurement of concentration of interleukine-6, interleukine-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and total antioxidant capacity were performed after the intervention. There was no significant difference in eradication rate of the infection, levels of interleukine-6 and total antioxidant capacity among the three groups, while the levels of interleukine-8 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were statistically different. Eicosapentaenoic Acid or Docosahexaenoic Acid supplementation had no significant differential impact on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, and serum levels of interleukine-6 and total antioxidant capacity. However, it had a desirable effect on the levels of interleukine-8 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Helicobacter pylori positive patients

Post graduate ESP curriculum: reading and writing needs

Assessing learners' needs is an integral part of any curriculum and course design, namely English for specific purposes [ESP], syllabus design, materials development, teaching methods and testing issues. Critical approach to needs analysis, which is a relatively recent approach, acknowledges the rights of different stakeholders including teachers, students and administrators in the process of needs analysis. However, there has been no formal need analysis for syllabus design at postgraduate level in Medical Universities affiliated to the Ministry of Health in Iran. This study, conducted in 2011, was an attempt to assess the reading and writing needs of postgraduate students in ESP courses on the basis of critical approach to needs analysis. The study population consisted of 67 people: 56 postgraduate students, 5 heads of departments, 5 ESP instructors and 1 executive manager at the Ministry of Health in Iran. Ethical and demographic forms, needs analysis questionnaires, and a form of semi-structured interview were the instruments of the study. According to the findings, there was a discrepancy between students' and instructors' perception of learners' needs and the assumed needs appearing in the syllabi prescribed by the Ministry of Health in Iran. This study showed that a call for critical needs analysis in which the rights of different stakeholders are acknowledged is necessary for meeting the requirements of any ESP classes especially at postgraduate level where the instructors and learners are fully aware of learners' needs

[Effect of royal jelly intake on serum glucose, HbA1c, and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind clinical trial study]

Type 2 diabetes melitus [DM] is highly prevalent worldwide. Evidence supports a role for royal jelly in reduction of serum glucose and lipids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of royal jelly intake on serum glucose, HbA1c, and Total Antioxidant Capacity [TAC] in type 2 diabetic patients. Fifty patients with type 2 DM participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-weeks study. The patients with type 2 DM were divided randomly into placebo and royal jelly groups of 25 each. Both groups received the treatment for 8 weeks. In royal jelly group participants received three 1000 mg royal jelly capsules daily and placebo group received three 1000 mg placebo capsules daily. Blood samples were taken after 12 hours of fasting at the beginning and the end of the study. Serum glucose, HbA1c, and TAC were evaluated. Forty six participants completed the study. Royal jelly intake reduced FBS levels [p=0.006] and increased TAC [p=0.016] significantly after 8 weeks compared with placebo. Royal jelly did not affect serum HbA1c levels. This study shows that royal jelly has some benefits in type 2 diabetic patients

[Evaluation of diagnostic reference dose levels in ct-scan examinations of adolescence in Tehran: a brief report]

Today, a CT scan examination play an important role in disease diagnosis and thus allocates a significant dose of medical X-ray examinations. One of the important principles in the use of ionizing radiations is to observe radiation protection principles. Evaluating patient's absorbed dose and implementing the strategies for reducing dose are prior in safety issues. To achieve this purpose, sufficient studies should be performed in this regard. Therefore, patient's absorbed dose and the factors affecting have been studied in this research. This study aims to present and develop an acceptable level of absorbed dose in CT scan examinations. Diagnostic reference dose level in the adult age group [older than 15 years] has been studied in eleven CT scan centers in Tehran. For this purpose, CT scan examinations prevalent in above-mentioned centers were chosen and Weighted Computed Tomography dose index [CTDIw] and dose length product [DLP] parameters were studied. Standard phantoms with 16 and 32 diameters of Polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] origin have been used in the centers for CT scan calibration process. CTDIw third quartile has been considered as the diagnostic reference dose level [DRL]. Rate of diagnostic reference dose in the adult age group [older than 15 years] for the head, sinus, lungs, abdomen and pelvis are 50.87, 38.27, 8.05 and 9.11 mg, respectively. Dose measurements made in this survey have been used to set up local DRLs and can be used as a template for national DRLs. Value of diagnostic reference dose for the head examinations is more than the other parts and diagnostic reference dose in Tehran city in the Adult age group and the protocols compared is less than national reference dose.

[ effects of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] on helicobacter pylori eradication, some serum inflammatory factors and total antioxidant capacity]

As regard to high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and complications of it's persistence, as well as anti-bacterial activity against of Helicobacter pylori and anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid [DHA] on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, some serum inflammatory markers and total antioxidant capacity. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 66 H. pylori positive patients [33 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group], along with tetradrugs H. pylori eradication regimen, randomly received daily two grams morDHA supplement or Medium Chain Triglyceride [MCT] oil as placebo for 12 weeks. Dietary intake data was collected by 24 hour food recall and analyzed by Nutritionist IV software. Sampling from fasting blood and measuring weight, height, body mass index [BMI] and level of physical activity were done at the first and the end of the study. As well as, eradication test of the infection was performed for all patients at the end of the intervention. Eradication rate of the infection, the level of interleukin-6 [IL-6], high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] didn't have significant difference between two groups at the end of the study [P>0.05], while the level of interleukin-8 [IL-8] was different between two groups [P=0.008]. Difference of the concentration between the beginning and the end of the study was not significant in any factors between two groups [P>0.05]. Intake of morDHA supplement didn't have significant effect on the eradication of H. pylori, serum levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and TAC, while it was effective on the level of IL-8.

Forecasting number of work-related injuries time series with Box-Jenkins Models for registered insured in SSIO between 2000 and 2010 in Iran

Controlling occurrence of accidents in work place has been an interesting subject in all countries worldwide. Financial consequences of these accidents and their economic losses imposed on the involved companies is only one of the insignificant aspects of such damages and when the non-economic but intangible losses to the society are taken into consideration ,these economic damages will be marginalized. Purpose of this research is fitting the box-Jenkins model to time series of total number of accidents in work place and estimation of series1 missing values during fitting of this model. This longitudinal [time series] study, intends to model, estimate and forecast time series of total number of work place accidents for the insured people between 2000 and 2010 in Iran. Spline non-parametric regression methods to find the best interpolation and estimation of the series' missing value as well as box-Jenkins prediction method to find the best prediction on series have been used. Results: Smoothing spline method using some adjusts for seasonal time series in order to estimate missing values, shows better performance on the series. Then, suitable box-Jenkins model, SARIMA [0,1,1] x [0,1,1][12], was fitted to the series. Goodness of fit criterion of model, AIC, for prediction of the time series was equal to 1050.833. Estimation of the missing data in time series with regard to characteristics such as long period of missing data and exposure of values in tandem without any reliable middle points, is an appropriate method in order to leave situation of such gaps in the data. Looking at the goodness of fit of the model can be said that the error estimation and prediction model is rather low and hence, the model is well fitted to the series, Therefore, box-Jenkins model will be reliable for fitting to similar data

[Attitudinal barriers to effective cancer pain management]

Pain can detrimentally affect physical functioning, psychological well-being and social interaction. Various attitudinal factors may be associated with inadequate pain control. Hence, studies should be undertaken to gain a better understanding of association between pain control attitudes and use of analgesics and cancer pain intensity. This study aimed to determine relationship between pain control attitudes and use of analgesics and pain intensity in cancer patients with pain. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy and experienced pain in previous 24 hours. The pain control attitudes, use of analgesics, worrisome about using analgesics and physical and psychological impacts of pain were measured using questionnaires. The cancer pain intensity was measured using the visual analogue scale. Validity and reliability of the instruments were evaluated. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA. About 58% of patients agreed that they would wait before asking for help. Beside, the findings indicated that willing to tolerate pain and perceived control over pain were associated with the time and frequency of taking analgesic and pain intensity in previous 24 hours and last week. Also concerns about addiction to pain-relieving medications were related to the analgesic type and pain intensity within last week [P=0.03], and fear of injection was related to analgesic use and pain intensity within last week [P<0.001]. Many cancer patients had attitudes which could interfere with pain relieving. Suggestions are made for developing patient education programs, accessing effective cancer pain controls and decision making for cancer pain relief

[Stress coping styles among nursing students]

Nursing students usually experience various types of stress. Lack of stress coping strategies result in more stress, incompatibility, manifestation of disorders, and mental health problems. This study carried out to assess the methods of coping with stress among nursing students. In this cross-sectional study, 358 male and female bachelor of nursing students studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences during the first semester of 2011-2012 were selected. Data were collected using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation and a demographic questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the SPSS-14. There were 66.2% female and 33.8% male students in the study. The age of the students ranged 17-29 years. Most of the students aged 20-22 years [45%], were single [90.8%], were habitants of Tehran [53.1%], had an average economic status [72.1%], and were employed [20.9%]. Of all, 19.3% had experienced stressful events in the last three months. A small number of the students [4.7%] suffered from chronic diseases. The nursing students mostly used problem-oriented coping style [56%]. The emotion-oriented method was used among 45.99% of the students and the avoidance-oriented style was used among 39.34% of the students. There were no statistically significant relationship between the coping styles and the demographic characteristics. The problem-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented styles were the most frequent styles used by the students, respectively. The mental health, particularly among nursing students who deal with patients and have important role in the health system, is important and requires special attention. The stress coping styles should be inserted in the educational curriculum of the nursing schools

[Effect of endotracheal suctioning education for nurses on patients' hemodynamic parameters]

Endotracheal suctioning [ETS] is a common invasive nursing procedure. Hemodynamic parameters changes during and after the procedure. If appropriate strategies do not be applied during the ETS, hemodynamic changes can be significant and life threatening in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of education of endotracheal suctioning on patients' hemodynamic parameters. This was a non-equivalent quasi-experimental study conducted in two critical care units in Hazarat Rasool hospital. All nurses working in these two units participated in the study in a period of two weeks. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure of all patients who needed suctioning were measured before and after the endotracheal suctioning. We analyzed the data using the SPSS. At baseline, the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures increased significantly [P=0.02] in the first and third minutes post-suctioning. In post-education phase, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly [P<0.001] in the first minute post-suctioning. In the third minute post-suctioning, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure decreased [P=0.43]. The study findings showed significant changes in hemodynamic parameters after post-endotracheal suctioning. In this study, conducting endotracheal suctioning education improved the outcomes of hemodynamic parameters in patients. Educational programs can improve nursing care outcomes by preventing and minimizing hemodynamic changes during and after the suctioning in critically ill patients

[ survey of ostomy patient satisfaction with nursing care]

Effective steps towards prevention of dissatisfaction and promotion of care could be operationalized by assessing consumers' satisfaction and studying the reasons of their dissatisfaction. Regarding the special needs of ostomy patients this study has been done with the aim of determining the ostomy patient's satisfaction with nursing care. In this cross- sectional study, 300 ostomy patients were recruited by convenience sampling from Educational Hospitals of Iran, Tehran and Shahied Beheshti University. Data was collected by Modified Quality from Patient perspective and was analyzed using SPSS -PC [ver.16] The mean for Items related to respect by nurse during care, good relationship during information giving, and information regarding bathing with ostomy were respectively high. The mean for items of information related to ostomy association, types of appliances and how to provide them and provision of time to talk to patients were respectively low. although total satisfaction with ostomy nursing care was high, but some aspects of nursing care should be revised to promote satisfaction with care

[Relationship between physical activity and triceps skin fold thickness in adolescent girl students]

In recent decades reduction in physical activity had become as one of important factors in increasing obesity in all people especially in adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between physical activity and triceps skin Fold Thickness in adolescent girls. It was an anticipational correlational study. Three hundred eighty five girls in high school were selected randomly. They neither had known physical/mental diseases, nor were engaged in sport teams. They also had not special diets. Data collection was done by IPAQ [short form] and caliper. Analysis was done by ANOVA, Chi square, and Spearman correlation using SPSS - PC [14version]. Data indicated that almost half of student had low physical activity and according to triceps skin fold thickness they were included in over weight and obess group. However, no significant correlation was seen between physical activity and skin fold thickness. Although there was no correlation between Physical activity and obesity, but systematic programs to enhance adolescent's activity and to promote their health could be commended