Journal of

 Background and Aim: The applicability of any technology to enter a certain field is determined by defining the advantages and disadvantages of the system in that field. The aim of this study is to show the advantages and limitations of using speech recognition systems in health care and providing practical solutions to improve the acceptability of the system in that field.

 Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive research with a review method that employs library resources and online databases such as Proquest, Pubmed, Science Direct, Ovid and Scientific Information databases using key words like speech recognition software, health care, benefits, barriers, and solutions.

 Results: Speech recognition system has many advantages like increased accuracy of medical documentation, and reduced documentation time. It is a tool for data entry into electronic health records. However, there are several limitations in applying the system in Iran, such as the lack of definition of database system and the high cost of hardware and software.

 Conclusion: Considering the study results in relation to the benefits and limitations of systems in healthcare area, solutions such as production of a national integrated database for the exchange of health information, improving database to increase the accuracy of word recognition, and training the users of the system can reduce the limitations of the system to some extent. Also, in the country’s movement towards the implementation of electronic health records and the users’ need to enter data into the computer, the software is a good alternative to keyboard and mouse input.

 Background and Aim: Along with the constant increase in world population and consequently, the growing need to provide cellulose, as the most abundant organic substance in nature to produce cellulose products, concerns regarding the possible contamination of these products might cause skin, and genital and urinary infections. The aim of this study is to determine the possible microbial contamination of these products supplied in the city of Tehran.

 Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study on 200 samples of unexpired cellulose products including napkins, nappies, sanitary napkin, and cardboard boxes to carry sweets. Fifty samples were obtained in the city of Tehran during six months from September 2011 to February 2012. Microbial contamination was investigated according to the procedure proposed by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.

 Results: The results obtained indicate that 18 samples (9%) exceeded the level allowed for aerobic bacteria and molds in one gram of specimens. Besides, 16 samples (8%) were contaminated with at least one of the following bacteria: Streptococcus Group D, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A total of 34 samples (17%) could not be consumed. The least and the most contaminated products were sanitary napkins (0.5%) and cardboard boxes to carry sweets (5%), respectively.

 Conclusion: The presence of pathogenic bacteria in cellulose products that could cause skin, and genital and urinary tract infections asks for more control over such sanitary products.

 Background and Aim: : Technical knowledge of managers of health care industry regarding budgeting have an essential function on increased efficiency of organizations working in this sector, since every single right decision, rely on appropriate knowledge and analysis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was assessment of technical knowledge of managers of health care system regarding budgeting.

 Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive  -analytic, cross- sectional study. From 80 managers of Tabriz Medical Sciences University 63 participated in the study and a questionnaire was employed to collect data. Data was analyzed by Spss 16 software, Pearson correlation test, T test and ANOVA.

 Results: Mean of total scores was 16.9±4.6 of 30. There was no significant difference between total scores in different courses (P=0.276) and positions (P=0.431). Mean of total scores between women and men (P=0.782) were the same.

 There weren't significant relation between technical knowledge of managers with age (p=0.392, r=0.1), job background (p=0.299, r=0.1) and management background (p=0.121, r=0.2).

 Conclusion: With respect to low level of manager's awareness about budgeting,improving of technical knowledge is essential. Lack of significant relation between technical knowledge of managers and their length of management practices, with unstable situation, may harm seriously organizational achievements. Reviewing and promotion of educational programs and continuous training of managers with respect to budgeting seems to be an essential need for improving manager's performance.

 Background and Aim: Information literacy is a set of skills required to identify rightful information resources and access to them. These skills are empowering goal oriented use of information resources. This study aimed to determine the ability rate of information literacy among health services administration students in Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences based on SCONUL seven pillars model.  

 Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted using a questionnaire developed based on SCONUL information literacy seven pillars model. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through content analysis and coefficient of Chronbach’s alpha was 0.93. The study population included students of health services administration in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The sample size included 40 cases collected randomly. Data analyzed through SPSS descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical tests.

 Results: The mean score for the studied components of information literacy abilities among the study population was 0.5±0.43. Information Literacy score among freshmen was significantly different from other students (P<0.03). Students who passed Computer Basics and Research Methodology educational courses showed significant differences from other students in the information management (P<0.01).

 Conclusion: Given the increasing development in information technology, the need to develop information literacy skills is considerable especially among those who are going to be engaged in the health sector. Although studied students’ information literacy estimated relatively well, it seems necessary to take measures to improve their information literacy in all components.

 Materials and Methods: In this study, the effect of Lactobacillus paracasei isolated from yoghurt (1×10⁸ cfu/ml) on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (1×10⁵ cfu/ml) was assessed at two different temperatures of 25 ^°C and 35^°C in TSB. Then, samples from cocultures and control were pour plated in Baird Parker agar and MRS agar to compute the number of S. aureus and Lactobacillus paracasei at 0, 24, 48, 72 hours after incubation. Then, enterotoxin production was evaluated by ELIZA rida screen kit. The data were investigated by ANOVA and K-square (chi-square) tests.

 Results: It was found that compared to controls, Lactobacillus paracasei inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and reduced the number of S. aureus cells about 3 logs in 25^°C and 2 logs in 35^°C. The production of A, C, and E enterotoxins was inhibited by S. aureus at a temperature of 25^°C according to ELIZA rida screen test. The figure was 35^°C for enterotoxins E and A.

 Conclusion: Probiotics can be used as a new approach for the biocontrol of S. aureus without using antibiotics.

 Background and Aim: Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the increased levels of HbF inducing drugs should be advised for effective induction. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular effects of the drugs thalidomide and sodium butyrate considered as HbF inducer agents.

 Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, CD133+ cord blood stem cells carrying mutations of heterozygous β-thalassemia were isolated and differentiated into erythroid lineage. In order to evaluate the expression of the erythroid markers, CD71 and CD235a, was analysed. For this purpose, the RNA extracted from erythroid precursors at days 6 and 12 of erythroid differentiation and cDNA synthesized, and then the expression of these genes was performed by quantitative Real-time PCR technique.

 Results: The results of this study showed the significant effect of thalidomide on erythroid proliferation as compared to sodium butyrate and control group (P<0.05). Also, thalidomide significantly increased CD71expression and decreased CD235a expression as compared to sodium butyrate and control groups (P<0.05).

 Conclusion : Thalidomide may play its role on HbF induction by increasing the proliferation of early erythroid precursors.

 Background and Aim: Nowadays, entrepreneurs in different fields of health, have an important role in economic development. Prior knowledge has an effect on entrepreneurial alertness and opportunity recognition and with considering the lack of research in this important field, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of various aspects of prior knowledge on entrepreneurial alertness & and opportunity recognition .

 Materials and Methods: To implement this descriptive-survey study, a questionnaire based on Likert scale sent to 63 active health field managers in east of Tehran, where 52 people responded to the questions. In this study the effect of eight variables of prior knowledge were investigated on entrepreneurial alertness and opportunity recognition. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15 and Spearman correlation test.

 Results: Results showed that majori ty of perior knowledge aspects have meaningful relationship to entrepreneurial alertness and opportunity recognition . However, relationship between component of technology skills with both variables was not confirmed. Also, relationship between education level and entrepreneurial alertness, there was no.

 Conclusion: Reinforcing of prior knowledge component led to increased entrepreneurship.

Background and Aim: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a distinct type of leukemia which is caused due to a blockage in myeloid cells normal maturation. The most important therapeutic strategies include the use of ATRA and Arsenic trioxide. Although ATRA is generally well tolerated, some patients develop Retinoic acid syndrome. Some of the symptoms of this syndrome are directly or indirectly related to elevated WBC counts. This study aims to determine the effect of ATRA and BIBR1532 combination on WBC count as a factor leading to the formation of ATRA syndrome.

Materials and Methods: To investigate the effect of BIBR1532 and ATRA combination, NB4 cells were cultured in the presence of 30μ M and 1 μM densities of the drugs. To study the effect of drugs on living cells count, proliferation activity, and metabolic activity of the cells, Trypan blue, Brdu and MTT tests were used, respectively.

Results: The results of Trypan blue, MTT and Brdu suggest that the combination of ATRA and BIBR1532 is more effective than ATRA alone on the reduction of viable cell count, metabolic activity and proliferation of leukemic cells in the first five days of treatment.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the combination of ATRA and BIBR1532 is probably more effective in the treatment of APL patients. It seems that such improvement in results is more obvious especially among the patients who are at a higher risk of ATRA syndrome. 

 Background and Aim: Due to certain problems including being away from their families, entering a large and full-of-tension environment, and having economic problems caused by lack of sufficient income, students are likely to lose their mental health. This study is aimed to investigate college students' conditions and lifestyle at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

 Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 students from School of Allied Medicine were selected through simple sampling. Data collection tools included demographic questions and a lifestyle questionnaire. After collecting the questionnaires and coding the questions, the obtained data were analyzed through such statistical tests as t-test and ANOVA using SPSS software version 18.

 Results: Students' scores on lifestyle test were in the intermediate range and far from a desired situation. A two-sample t-tests did not show a significant relationship between students' lifestyle and their gender and marital status (P>0.05). Moreover, ANOVA test didn't show a significant relationship between students' age and educational level on the one hand and their lifestyle factor on the other.

 Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that students' lifestyle scores were in the intermediate range and that the situation was far from good. Standard educational programs and interventions should be designed to change students' lifestyle. Nutritional and physical support systems and educational, cultural, and entertainment programs in the department of physical education can minimize the concerns and preoccupations of the studied population group.

Background and Aim: Tele pathology is one of the medical subdivisions that has opened a new approach in the telepathology, e specially to organize consultations. In this research, feasibility of Telepathology implementation in teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Science was studied.

Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study population was included 8 hospitals directors and administrator, 20 pathologists, and 8 informatics staffs, in four teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. A researcher constructed questionnaire was used for data collection . The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert panel and using by Test – retest method confirmed its reliability. The data was collected and analyzed by SPSS software to prepare descriptive findings.

Results: The R esults showed that 65.6% of hospitals had hardware facilities . Procedures based on legal issues related to information security and privacy was 95.71%, while t here was no guideline for telemedicine and telepathology.

Conclusion: I t could be concluded that in line with considrating the importance and benefits of telepathology, it is necessary to provide software requirements and hardware infrastructure. It should be noted that available properties also must be improved in terms of implementation of telepathology. Also, rules to support patients’ and staff’s rights should be developed for better implementation of such new technologies

Background and Aim: Learning basic issues in nursing requires new strategies that can enhance knowledge retention among nurses. This study aimed to determine the effect of lecturing by peer-nurses on critical units nurses’ retaining knowledge of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, two units (as test and control groups) were selected randomly from among critical care units of Semnan University of Medical Sciences hospitals. First, a pretest was performed on nurses in both groups. Then, the nurses of test group were trained by a peer-nurse how to interpret ECGs. A posttest was performed on the two groups both a week and a year later. Finally, the data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, t-paired and t-tests.

Results: The mean of nurses’ scores of ECG interpretation in pretest was 9.55±2.73 in the test group and 10.82±3.43 in the control group. In the first posttest, mean scores of nurses’ knowledge in test and control groups were 15.27±2.57 and 11.36±3.29, respectively. In the second posttest, nurses’ mean scores in test and control groups were 10.82±4.07 and 11.33±2.95, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the pretest and the first posttest in the test group, but there was no such difference for the second posttest (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Lecturing by peer-nurses can enhance nurses’ knowledge about ECG interpretation in the short run, but it cannot enhance knowledge retention. So it is suggested that other educational methods be used in nurses' in-service training programs designed for ECG interpretation.

Background and Aim: Based on theories and researches, three variables effective in the organizational citizenship behavior are e thical values, job satisfaction and psychological empowerment. The present study aims to explore the relationship between these variables and the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) among the staff members of private hospitals in Shiraz.

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational study. Some 330 staff members (147 males and 183 females) were selected using stratified sampling technique. The data collection devices consisted of five standardized questionnaires, the reliability of which turned out to be 0.85, 0.93, 0.70, 0.89, 0.90 and 0.70 Besides, the construct validity was confirmed through factor analysis. The data were analyzed inferentially using Pearson’s correlation test, stepwise regression analysis and SEM.

Results: The findings revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between ethical principles, psychological empowerment and job satisfaction with organizational citizenship behavior (p<0/001). Moreover, the findings of stepwise regression analysis showed that ethical climate played a significant role in predicting OCB.

Conclusion: The staff members’ effort to enhance OCB is mostly influenced by psychological empowerment in private hospital.