[Effect of vermicompost and fungi inoculation on growth characteristics and steviosid content of stevia rebaudiana bert]

Background: According to the importance of Stevia rebaudiana that it's sweetener steviol glycosides, has been introduced in recent year as a natural alternative for saccharose, the evaluation of bio-fertilizers effects on growth and development of stevia is necessary

Objective: In this research the effect of vermicompost and mycorrhiza on growth traits and steviosid [ST] content in Stevia rebaudiana was studied

Methods: This research was conducted in faculty of agriculture of Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran, through a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The first factor was different levels of vermicompost [0, 10% and 20%] in basal medium including garden soil + 15% by weight Cow manure and also garden soil alone as a control treatment. Second factor was mycorrhiza fungi including inoculation Glomus mosseae and Piriformospora indica and treatment of non-inoculated plants.

Results: The bio-fertilizers had significant effect [P and le;0.01] on the studied parameters. The maximum amount of growth parameters [chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and root] was obtained treatment of 20% of vermicompost and Glomus mosseae inoculation. The highest content of steviosid was obtained in end of vegetative growth stage and control treatment

Conclusion: Application of vermicompost significantly improved the chlorophyll content and growth traits and also the highest their amounts were obtained in combination treatment of vermicompost and mycorrhizal inoculation

[Assessment of barriers for recording nursing diagnoses by nurses and proposing a solution]

Nursing process is a systematic approach to identify, and treat human responses to health problems and illness. Studies have showed that implementing nursing process and its steps including recording nursing diagnosis, is facing many challenges in Iran many other countries. The aim of this study was to assess nurses, and nurse managers' point of view about the barriers for documenting the nursing diagnoses. This cross - sectional study with a problem-solving approach examined the barriers for documenting the nursing diagnosis. The study was carried out in May 2013 in Besat Nahaja, Imam Hussain [AS], and Khatamolanbya hospitals in Tehran. The sample of the study consisted of 16 nurse managers [Supervisors and matrons] and 54 nurses, and were selected by convenience sampling method. A two-part questionnaire was used for data collection. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic information and the second part was consisted of questions regarding personal, managerial and organizational barriers for identifying and recording nursing diagnoses. Each items was rated in a 5 point likert scale. Validity of the instrument was assured by face and content validity method, and reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha reliability. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive and inferential statistics. From point of view of nurses, managerial factors [2/77] were the main barriers for documentation of nursing diagnosis, while nurse managers [3/25] mentioned organizational factors as the most important barrier. Using a problem solving approach, establishing in service and continuing education programs is proposed. The recommended strategy for improving documentation of nursing diagnoses is establishing in-service education programs on nursing process and nursing diagnoses and nursing documentation

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow in cats diagnosed with hematopoietic disorders

Cytological examination of bone marrow in cats, due to the large number of cells and various growth phases is somewhat complicated. The use of flow cytometric techniques and monoclonal antibodies are appropriate methods in the diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies. The purpose of the present study is to determine cell-surface antigens for various developmental stages of feline bone marrow cells in hematopoietic disorders using flow cytometric. In this study, bone marrow cells from 4 cats with hematopoietic disorders and 2 clinically healthy cats, were labeled with 5 types of anti-feline MAbs included: CD21-like [Cr-Br], T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD-172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte [CD45-like] and then analyzed using flow cytometric. The results revealed changes in immunophenotyping and light scatter properties compared with normal cases. The percentage of CD45, Granulocyte and CD172a markers in the bone marrow of a cat with erythroleukemia were lower compared with normal bone marrow. In a cat with myelodysplastic syndrome, scatter plot indicated an increase in the immature myeloid cells and a decrease in mature myeloid cells. It was concluded that cytological examination of bone marrow with studying dispersion studies on cells using flow cytometric and usage of a panel of antibodies such as CD21-like[Cr-Br], T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD-172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte [CD45-like] could support the diagnosis of feline hematopoietic abnormalities

Determining appropriate strategies for improving women's health promoting behaviours: using the nominal group technique

Women's health constitutes a major aspect of development in societies and is considered a health-related priority. The aim of the present study was to determine appropriate strategies for improving health promoting behaviours in women of reproductive age in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using the nominal group technique, a panel discussion was held in October 2011 with 12 health specialists who were selected through purposive sampling. In the first round, panel members generated 81 strategies; after eliminating irrelevant items and merging items with similar concepts, 44 strategies remained. After group discussion and voting, the following 4 items had the highest scores: improving physical activity, with a social support approach; empowering women; promoting and improving men's role in women's health; and promoting social support. The strategies presented in this study may be utilized by policy-makers, managers and health care providers to improve women's health promoting behaviours, and thus contribute to their wellbeing

Lifetime and current waterpipe use among adolescents in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Waterpipe use among Iranian adolescents has become a matter for concern. A descriptive, crosssectional community-based survey was performed in 2010 to determine the prevalence of waterpipe use and associated factors among Iranian adolescents in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. After multi-stage, random cluster sampling 1201 adolescents aged 15–18 years old responded to a questionnaire based on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. The prevalence of current waterpipe smoking [at least once in the previous 30 days] was 28.0%, significantly higher among males [34.8%] than females [21.4%]. A total of 45.1% of adolescents reported lifetime use [ever use] of waterpipes and 34.2% had ever shared a waterpipe. In multivariate logistic regression analysis the significant correlates of current waterpipe use for both males and females were having smokers among friends and family members, while for males, older age and educational failure were also risk factors.

[Exploration of context of the cultural care education in Iran]

Since cultural care is not included in nurses' retraining and continuing education, clinical nurses should deal with the cultural needs of patients according to their own personal experiences. While measures to implement cultural interventions are unknown, the recognition of cultural factors influencing cultural care education is necessary to increase nurses' ability to provide efficient care. The purpose of this study was to explore the context of the cultural care education in Iran. Using a qualitative study, 23 clinical nurses with the experience of working in practice, were selected using purposive sampling. Semi-structured were held for data gathering. A content analysis approach was used to analyze the collected data. During the data analysis the following themes were developed: "inadequate academic training", and "inadequate retraining". It was believed that in course planning, how to provide care to patients with different cultures, was a hidden part of the bachelor's degree nursing program. Nurses learnt how to communicate with others based on their own experiences and mostly in the workplace

[Patients, experiences with cardiovascular disease risk factors and healthcare providers of determinants of the nutritional behavior: a qualitative directed content analysis]

Unhealthy nutrition plays an effective role in increasing non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the experiences of patients with cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors, and healthcare providers working in diabetes unit of health centers, to ascertain the defeaminants of nutritional behavior based on the Health Belief Model. This qualitative study utilized the content analysis approach, conducted over a six month period in 2012, at the diabetes units of health centers, associated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences, located in Karadj- Iran. The data was collected based on individual semi-structured interviews with 50 patients and 12 healthcare providers in the diabetes unit. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection, using the content analysis directed method. Analysis of the data resulted in finding 54 primary codes, all of which were placed into predetermined categories of the Health Belief model, including threat perceived, benefits and barrier perceived, self efficacy and social support. Most patients were unable to follow healthy diets on a regular or continuous basis. Study results demonstrate the determinants of nutritional behavior as perceived by patients and healthcare providers and can help program planners in designing programs to select the most appropriate methods and applications to address these determinants in order to reduce unhealthy nutritional behavior and to eventually prevent CVDs

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the youth risk behavior survey questionnaire

Adolescents may get involved in high-risk behaviors. Surveys are the primary, and sometimes the sole source of data collection for many high-risk health behaviours. We examined the reliability and validity of the psychometric properties of the self-administered Persian version of the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System [YRBSS] questionnaire. In a methodological study in summer 2010, 100 Iranian adolescents aged 15-18 years were recruited through convenience sampling. The face and content validity were used for the questionnaire validity. In order to evaluate the questionnaire's reliability, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] and Cronbach's alpha were calculated for domains and 89 items. Among 89 items, the ICC values were below 0.4 [weak reliability] for 2 items [2.25%], 0.4-0.6 [moderate reliability] for 10 items [11.24%], 0.6-0.8 [good reliability] for 32 items [35.96%] and 0.8-1 [excellent reliability] for 45 items [50.56%]. The prevalence of most high-risk behaviors was constant in the first and second survey. The value of Cronbach's alpha was 0.73 for intentional and unintentional injuries, 0.77 for tobacco use, 0.86 for alcohol and other drug use, and 0.79 for unsafe sexual behaviors. No domain had a mean ICC of below 0.6. Furthermore, 97.75% of the items had moderate to excellent reliability. Thus, the Persian YRBSS questionnaire had an acceptable reliability. Over the 2-week period, sexual behaviors were reported with less consistency compared to other behaviors. In any case, researchers must be aware of the limitation of the data collected through this questionnaire, particularly in comparison to the domain of sexual behaviors. Overall, 97.75% of the items had moderate to excellent reliability. Thus, the Persian YRBSS questionnaire had an acceptable reliability

Exploring the needs and perceptions of Iranian families faced with brain death news and request to donate organ: a qualitative study

Learning that one of your beloved ones is passing away and you have to decide on organ donation is a very stressful experience. To explore the specific needs of families with a brain-dead patient during organ donation process. A qualitative research using content analysis was used to obtain data from 26 purposely selected families in a transplantation center in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, regarding how they would face organ donation decisions. Data saturation was reached after 38 unstructured in-depth interviews and field notes, once data was transcribed and tabulated. Four major themes emerged as 1] family needs for emotional support, 2] empathy and compassion, 3] team efforts to assure family, and 4] shouldering grief. Study results highlighted the essential need for an expert team with specialized training to help families in despair deciding in favor or against organ donation. Moreover, discovering and explaining these specific needs help policy makers and administrators to plan interventions in relation to conditionbuilding to facilitate safe passing of the families through this difficult situation

novel mutation of GDAP1 associated with Charcot-Marie-tooth disease in an Iranian family

As a result of higher distributed consanguinity in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, autosomal-recessive forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth [ARCMT] are more common in these areas. CMT disease caused by mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 [GDAP1] gene is a severe autosomal recessive neupathy resulting in either demyelinating CMT4A neuropathy or axonal neuropathy with vocal cord paresis. The patient was an 8-year-old boy with AR inheritance that showed some delayed achievement of motor milestones, including walking, also bilateral foot drop, wasting of distal muscles in the legs, pes cavus and marked weakness of the foot dorsiflexors. He had no hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis. Total genomic DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood of the patient and his family by using standard procedures. PCR- sequencing method were used to analysis the whole coding regions of the GDAP1 gene. A novel homozygote insertion of T nucleotide in codon 34 was detected [c.100_101insT] that probably led to an early stop codon. This mutation may be associated with a common haplotype, suggesting a common ancestor that needs further investigation in the Iranian population

[Evaluation effect of different density auxin and fungi piriformospora indica and sebacina vermifera on mentha piperita and thymus vulgaris in vitro condition]

Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris are two important species of family Lamiaceae that abundantly used in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and hygienic industries. Objectives in this study were the effect of different concentration of auxin and fungi Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on the growth and development of peppermint and thymein vitro condition. Two distinct experiments were conducted; the first evaluate the effect of different auxin levels [IAA NAA IBA] on M. piperita and T. vulgaris growth, and the second examined the effect of two fungi Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on plant height, root length, shoots and root weight in in vitro in a completely randomized design. The first study suggested the most effective hormone dose for the M. piperita growth was 1mg per liter of IBA and in the T. vulgaris it was 1 mg per liter of IAA. Increasing of the hormone doses resulted in growth decrease. The second study evolved that growth of the plants inoculated with fungi increased significantly. The data indicated that the plants inoculated with S. vermifera were the highest of all and the plants inoculated with P. indica had the most weight. The nodes of M. piperita and numbers of shoots in T. vulgaris increased significantly. These results indicate that the best hormone for tissue culture peppermint and thyme are 1mg per liter of IBA and IAA, respectively. Also using these fungi can increase grow and development of plants

[Assessing the effects of establishing a nursing commission of pain management on empowering nurses within pain assessment process]

Pain is often inadequately controlled for hospitalized patients specially children. There are barriers to pain assessment of hospitalized children such as lack of appropriate pain assessment tool, lack of specific regulations and policies and nurses' insufficient knowledge and skills. The present study aimed at determining the effects of establishing a nursing commission of pain management on empowering nurses within pain assessment process. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a sample of 64 nurses who were recruited in the study through cluster randomized sampling method. The samples were drawn from Emergency room, Surgery and Orthopedic units of Vali-e Asr Hospital as the control group and Imam Khomeini Hospital as the intervention group, in 2007. Data was gathered using questionnaires of demographic information; nurses empowering tools on pain assessment process of children [consisted of recognition of pain assessment, self reporting of quality and quantity of pain assessment, pain assessment measurement, checklist on skills of documenting pain assessment]. After taking pretest, nursing commission of pain management for nurses' empowerment was established, which followed by undertaking a post-test. All statistics were computed by the SPSS software [version 12]. Findings revealed that mean scores of nurses recognition of pain assessment was increased from 7.7 to 12.9 in intervention group and from 8.4 to 8.6 in control group. Regarding self reporting of quality and quantity of pain assessment, the values turned from 1.9 to 2.8 in intervention group and 2.1 to 2.2 in control group. Pain assessment measuring increased from 0.11 to 0.72 in intervention group and.10 to 0.10 in control group. Pain assessment documentation skill improved from 0.03 to 0.72 in experimental group while there were no changes in control group [0.03]. Nurses' empowerment was progressed significantly after establishing the pain management commission [P=0.01]. The results indicated that establishing pain commission increased nurse's competencies in assessing pain. Therefore, establishing the nursing commission of pain management in other hospitals is recommended to influence nurses' empowerment and children pain assessments, considering its effectiveness and inexpensiveness, with no need for new staffs and budget

[Barrier to forming and implementing academic service partnership in nursing; A qualitative study]

Clinical education is the responsibility of all those involved in delivering health care. As an international trend the development and implementing the partnership clinical education models is on the rise. To create a partnership program, it is needed to involve all the stakeholders in the planning and implementing and evaluation of this program so this study was investigate barrier to forming and implementing academic service partnership in nursing from the perspective of the all key stakeholders. This study was based on qualitative research method. A total of 15 nursing students, clinical educator, clinical nurses and nurse managers participated voluntarily in this study. Sampling was started purposefully and continued with snow-ball method. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews, which recorded and subsequently transcribed. The analysis was carried out by qualitative content analysis method. Findings of the study yielded four significant themes. These include [1] organizational divergency [2] Overemphasizing on theory knowledge [3] Invisible wall. The process of development of the academic service partnership can be facilitated by defining a formal organizational relationship between academic and service institutes, clarifying roles and responsibilities of each staff institute regarding Clinical education, defining the clinical practice roles for nursing faculty members and emphasizing on the importance of nursing clinical practice

[Barriers of readmission control among patients with congestive heart failure: a qualitative study]

Hospital readmission rate as a global health problem has increased over the last few decades. Congestive heart failure [CHF] is one of the most common causes of hospital readmission. Little is known about barriers of readmission rate control. The aim of this study was used for data exploring the barriers of readmission rate control. A qualitative study was designed with grounded theory approach. Data were gathered with interview. This study was started with proposly sampling and continues with theoretical sampling during 6 months. A convenience sample of 42 people was recruited from two public educational hospitals in Tehran during 6 month. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Data analysis demonstrated lake of sensitivity on barriers of readmission; incorrect patients' health believes and expectations; insufficient patient education, drug and diet adherence, and incorrect life style; lack of active medical system, distrust on physicians and lack of communication; psychological issues and patient-family challenges, were as the barriers of readmission control. This research had shown that the barriers of readmission control recognized by applying Qualitative research method with source triangulation better than the biomedical approach with single source. On the other hand, lack of sensitivity of participants on barriers of readmission control is a new finding. So, for controlling the barriers of readmission despite of exploring the barriers, making sensitive of involved people to readmission, is also proposed

Effect of music on anxiety, stress, and depression levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Control of stress and anxiety and the promotion of comfort are challenges facing health practitioners involved in catheterization. The aim of this case-control study was to examine the effect of music on the levels of anxiety, stress, and depression experienced by patients undergoing coronary angiography, as measured by the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Differences in pre- and post-intervention scores demonstrated that there were significant decreases in mean scores of state anxiety [P = 0.006], stress [P = 0.001] and depression P = 0.02] in the intervention group, who listened to 20 minutes of relaxing music, as compared with the control group who had 20 minutes of bed rest

Epidemiology of meningitis in Oman, 2000-2005

We reviewed the epidemiologic features and trends for 771 cases of meningitis in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005. We found 69% were bacterial in origin and 13% were viral. Leading bacterial pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae [15%], Streptococcus pneumoniae [14%] and Nesseria meningitidis [12%]. For 56% of patients with suspected pyogenic meningitis, no specific bacterial pathogen could be identified. Peak occurrence was in children under 2 years old. The incidence of H. influenzae type b decreased by almost 100% after implementation of the national immunization programme in 2001, while the incidence of cases caused by S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis remained steady

[ effect of using The organizational culture improvement model of patient education on anxiety and satisfaction of patients with coronary artery disease]

Cardiovascular diseases and their related complications, disability and mortality are proliferating in Iran. Developing and applying native models can be an important strategy to control such complications, more effectively. Organizational Culture Improvement Model of patient education was developed through a native qualitative research study which was tested in this study. The study aimed at investigating the effect of Organizational Culture Improvement Model of patient education on anxiety and satisfaction of patient with coronary artery disease. Using quasi- experimental method, 70 patients with coronary artery diseases purposely and five nurses through randomized sampling were selected. Data were collected using "The Eshpel Burgers' anxiety questionnaire" and "patients' satisfaction questionnaire". Findings demonstrated significant statistically reduced level of anxiety [before 58.81 and after 30.15 in intervention group and / before 58.74 and after 54.36 in control group] and increased patients' satisfaction [before 23.86 and after 52.57 in intervention group and / before 24.88 and after 26.7 in control group] in intervention group, compared to control group, after the intervention. Organizational Culture Improvement Model of patient education can have impacts on anxiety and satisfaction in patient with coronary artery disease

[Marginating the interpersonal relationship: nurses and parent's experiences of communication in pediatric wards]

Parents have been used to staying with their sick children in hospital for more than a decade. Nowadays, parents are inevitable elements of child care in hospitals. The parent-nurse relationship is considered to be a cornerstone of high quality pediatric nursing care, however there is little knowledge on the quality of nurse-parent communication in internal pediatric wards. The study, therefore, was designed to explore experiences of parents and nurses regarding parent-nurse communication in hospitals. Using inductive thematic analysis method, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 parents and 10 nurses drawn from two pediatric hospitals in Tehran. Five major themes were identified namely: downgrading the communication with parent or child, restricting informing parents, taking lessons from parent-nurse relationships, parent-to-parent emotional support and factors contributing in communication downgrading. The results showed that lack of time and high-load work due to imbalance between human resource's demand and supply, nurses'insufficient interpersonal skills and the nature of physician-nurse relationship are the factors contributing in downgrading the parents-nurses communication. The study revealed that time shortage due to understaffing and nurses' insufficient interpersonal competences led to downgrading the communication between parents and nurses and consequently, not meeting parents' supportive and informative needs. Given that parents are usually their child's bedside presented and enormous contacts of nursing staffs and parents are unavoidable, developing nurses'communication skills through continued education and role models have vital importance

Epidemiological and cost analysis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Oman

We conducted an epidemiological and cost analysis for all 13 patients diagnosed with multaidrug-resistant tuberculosis [11 pulmonary, 2 extrapulmonary] in Oman from January 2000 to October 2005. The disease was secondary, or acquired, in 12 of 13 patients. A total of 140 contacts were screened [mean 10.8 persons per patient], but contact tracing revealed no secondary cases. The mean number of drugs that TB isolates were resistant to was 2.8 [range 2-5]. A mean of 4.7 drugs were given to patients, the mean length of therapy was 8 months and all patients were cured. The cost of medications for these multidrug-resistant cases was 14 to 29 times higher than that for the standard drug-sensitive TB regimen

Role of personality structure and sense of identity in mental health and appropriate efficiency in qom city hall employees

Hardiness is one of the most important personality traits in structuring personality stricture which can cause resistance to psychological traumas. In the present study the relationships between hardiness as a personality structure with automatic thoughts as a mental dysfunction and inferiority as a sense of identity was investigated. In this study, by Applying cluster sampling method, 406 male employees of Qom city hall were selected. Aghayousefi questionnaire of Aghayousefi automatic thoughts and inferiority and Ahvaz hardiness inventory [AHI] was used. Descriptive and inferential indexes such as correlation and multiple-linear regression were utilized in statistical analysis with SPSS 15. revealed that inferiority and automatic thoughts variables are predictor of hardiness. This means that