[Awareness of nursing staff about standard precautions and isolation]

Regarding incremental trend in infections transmitted by blood or other body secretions, and evolving infectious diseases such as avian influenza and SARS, and keeping in mind that health care personnel including nurses are at high risk of being infected, Center for Disease Control [CDC] has recommended standard precautions for all infectious diseases and isolation in cases of specific diseases. Aims of this study were to asses and determine knowledge and information of nursing staff on isolation and standard precautions. In a descriptive study, 191 nurses of educational hospitals completed a questionnaire consisting 12 questions about standard precautions and isolation recommended by CDC. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was good and Kronbach alpha was measured 82%. Questionnaire scored 12 points and the responders were divided in 4 categories, including well, intermediate, weak, and very weak. The data were analyzed by EpiInfo2000 with t-test, chi-square and Fisher exact test. Of 191 nurses, 169 were female, 13 were male and 9 persons didn't identify their gender. 56% worked in a general hospital, 28.2% in children's hospital, 12.6% in obstetrics and gynecology hospital and 3.2% in psychiatric hospital. Average score was 6.9 +/- 1.6 out of 12 points. 4.2% scored well, 57.6% intermediate, 35.1% weak and 3.1% very weak. Correct isolation and standard precautions need sufficient knowledge, and nurses and healthcare workers should have more detailed and comprehensive education in this field

[Combination therapy of albendazole and praziquantel in treatment of hydatid cyst]

The standard therapy of hydatid cyst is surgery, but in non-operable patients and multiple organ involvement medical therapy may be more useful. Efficacy of drugs especially in short duration in treatment of hydatid cyst is unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of combination therapy with Albendazole and praziquantel in treatment of hydatid diseases. In a nonrandomized clinical trial, 9 hydatid cyst patients with multiple organ involvement or post surgical recurrence were treated with albendazole and praziquentel for 3 months. The average follow up was 18 months. Response to treatment was assessed through the observation of the symptoms, radiologic [CT scan, sonography, and X-ray]. Symptoms disappeared in 7 [77/8%] patients and improved partially in 2 [22/2%]. Radiologic assessment showed significant improvement in 5 [55/6%] and partial improvement in 4 [44/4%] patients. Combination therapy with albendazol and praziquentel is effective in treatment of hydatid cyst and can be used as an alternative to surgery in disseminated and non-operable cases

[Evaluation of two preoparative chemotherapy regimens for complete operability of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: a clinical trial]

This prospective phase III study was designed to compare the activity of two combinations chemotherapy drugs in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma In a double blinded clinical trial, From Jan. 2002 to Jan. 2005, ninety patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to 1] Cisplatin and continuous infusion of 5FU and Epirubicin [ECF], and 2] Cisplatin and continuous infusion of 5FU with Docetaxel [TCF]. Reduction in tumor mass, overall survival [OS], time to progression [TTP], and safety were measured outcome. About 90% of patients had stage III or IV disease and the most common sites of tumor spread were peritoneal surfaces, liver and Paraaortic lymph nodes in either group. The objective clinical response rate [more than 50% decreases in tumor mass] was 38% and 43% in ECF and TCF group respectively. Global quality of life increased [p=0 002] and symptoms of pain and insomnia decreased after chemotherapy. Patients in TCF had more grade one or two skin reactions, neuropathy and diarrhea. Fourteen patients underwent surgery. Complete microscopic [R0] resection had done in two of ECF and six of TCF tumors [p=0.015]. Two cases in TCF group showed complete pathologic response. Median TTP was nine months and 10 months in ECF and TCF group respectively. Median OS was 12 months in both groups. Although there wasn't statistically significant difference regarded to clinical response or survival between two groups, TCF showed more complete pathologic response