Showing 21 results for Treatment
A Motevalli Haghi , M Nateghpour , Gh.h Edirssian , E Sori , M.t Satvat ,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2004)
Abstract
Owing to importance of employing native and traditional medicinal plants with good efficacy against malaria parasites, an ethanolic extract of Peganum harmala L. was tested on Plasmodium berghei in sourian mice and a comparison was made with the effect of chloroquine on the same parasite. In this study 56 sourian mice were divided into 8 groups, each consisting of seven animals. The first 7 groups were infected with P. berghei and the last group was used as control. The first seven groups were given chloroquine, Peganum harmala at four different concentrations (20, 100, 300, 600 mg/kg) and placebo, respectively and the seventh group did not receive any treatment. The evaluation was done by Rane test. In each group the level of parasitaemia was determined on days 4 & 7, and compared with values from Day 0 (just before treatment) in order to record the decline in parasitaemia in treated groups. Results were analysed using SPSS soft ware and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that, although all the four concentrations of the Peganum harmala extract significantly reduced parasitaemia in the infected subjects, the 100 mg/kg solution showed optimal effectiveness on the parasites in comparison with other concentrations and the no-treatment option. We conclude that although the ethanolic extract of peganum harmala is not as effective as chloroquine in reducing parasitaemia, it can nonetheless cause a significant decrease when compared to control and placebo groups.
M Mokhtari , K Naddafi , A.h Mahvi , S Naseri ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (6-2005)
Abstract
There is a need for simple and inexpensive water supply systems in small communities, mainly because of high costs and water resource shortages. Ceramic filters used as a Point-of-Use (POU) system could serve as a safe and inexpensive means for supplying water. In this research we looked at the possibility of using Iranian traditional ceramics as filters for drinking water, bearing in mind the importance of ceramic filters as a POU system. A number of parameters relating to water quality were measured before and after filtration through a ceramic pipe wall. We used ceramic pipes made of clay (with 90% purity). It turned out that ceramic filters are capable of eliminating indicator microorganisms and turbidity to a considerable degree. They can also remove 70% of the water's color. But this system could not eliminate Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness and the Nitrate ion content of water. Using Mann-Withney U Test and T- Test, it is confirmed that increasing the thickness and number of ceramic pipes is not effective for improving some water parameters. This research showed ceramic filters can be useful for household water treatment in places where there is microbial pollution or high turbidity.
S Khedmat, M Bahrani,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (5-2007)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Although there have been several epidemiologic studies on first permanent molar caries in Iranian students, the need for endodontic therapy has not been investigated so far.
The purpose of this study was to assess the need for first molar root canal therapy in 7- to 11-year-old schoolchildren and its association with age, gender, and parent education level.
Materials and Methods: We selected 885 students (572 girls and 313 boys) from 12 elementary schools, using a random cluster sampling method. We recorded the subjects' identities and examined their maxillary and mandibular first molars with a mirror and an explorer. In case of any doubts about the need for endodontic therapy, we performed vitality tests and/or obtained periapical radiography. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: In 26 students (3%) there was an indication for endodontic treatment of the first molars. Of these, 18 teeth were in mandible and 8 in the maxilla. The need for endodontic therapy was significantly related to the subjects' age and the parents' education level. We did not detect a significant association between gender and the need for endodontic therapy.
Conclusion: We recommend pit and fissure sealant plus fluoride therapy, beginning with the eruption of the first permanent molars- especially in the mandible.
M Nateghpour, A Miahipour, Gh.h Edirssian, E Sori, A Motevalli Haghi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Due to importance of employing native and traditional medicinal plants with good efficacy against malaria parasite, an ethanolic extract of Otostegia persica, was tested on Plasmodium berghei in sourian mice and a comparison was made with the effect of chloroquine on the same parasites.
Materials and Methods: In this Study 80 Sourian mice were divided in-to 8 groups , each consists ten animals. The first 7 groups were infected with P.berghei and the last group was used as control. The first seven groups were given chloroquine, Otostegia persica . at four different concentration (20,100 ,300,450mg /kg) and placebo.respectively and the seventh group did not receive any treatment. The evaluation was done by Rane test.In each group the level of parasitemia was determined on day 4 & 7 , and compard with values from day (just before treatment) in order to record the decline parasitemia in treated groups. Result were anylased using SPSS software and T-test.
Results:The result indicated that 450 mg/kg concentration Otostegia persica significantly decreased P.berghei parasitaemia in the infected mice (P<0.05), but not as sharp as chloroquine.
Conclusion:We can concluded that the effectiveness O.persica as P.berghei in 450 mg/kg concentration can be considered, for futures studies.
A.r Mousavi, A.h Mahvi, A.r Mesdaghinia, S Nasseri,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Discharge of Wastewater of Cleaning Industries to environment with special physicochemical characteristics has negative effects and in the other hand is not easily biodegradable because in these wastewaters ratio BOD5/COD is low and therefore biological treatment of them is difficult. Nowadays best method for degradation of Wastewater is advance oxidation processes .In this study investigated efficiency of Fenton process in remove anionic detergent and COD and improved from ratio of BOD5/COD.
Materials and Methods: This investigating is descriptive- empirical study that paksan factory was local sampling of wastewater. 30 wastewater composite sample24hr were taken during study period and then chemical characterization was performed by determining the following parameters: (COD, BOD, MBAS, PH, T) Then Sample of row wastewater were prepared and used in the experiments for determining the efficiency of Fenton process in treatment. Treatment experiments performed by use of various concentrations of H2O2 and ferrous iron at constant pH of 3and temperature of 25 in a jar test apparatus adjusted at 200 rpm and for contact time 60 min. Fe+2 on removal (COD, MBAS & BOD ) applied ANOVA. and after that for analysis of effect H2O2
Results: The results of analyze showed that the concentrations of COD, ranging from 6254-13040 mg/l and concentration of BOD was 2590-3200mg/l and concentrations of MBAS were 245-1120 mg/l and results showed that the BOD5/COD ratio was 0.34±0.09. At constant pH of 3 and temperature of 25 for contact time 60 min, about 40% of MBAS with first concentration 470 mg/l removed by H2o2 with concentration1800and fe+2 with concentration 340 mg/l .concentration of COD reduced from 8750 to 5998 mg/l, and the ratio of BOD5/COD improved from 0.334 to 0.340.
Conclusion: Wastewater from this industry has quality characteristics with deferent ranging and high organic load and because of high concentration of foaming that prohibit of oxygen infiltration in wastewater and nonbiodgredable material. These wastewaters are not easily subjected to conversation system of biological treatment therefore suitable method for treatment of this wastewater should reduce organic load foaming and improve ratio of BOD5/COD advance oxidation process is one method with good efficiency for treatment of this wastewater.
A Mesdaghinia, H Nourmoradi, F Vaezi, S Naseri, R Nabizadeh, M Ali Mohammadi, Sh Nazmara,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (7-2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenated additive chemical added to gasoline, which is as a substitute for tetra ethyl lead, to reduce discharge of pollutants from automobile exhausts. This organic chemical is present in water samples collected from areas where gasoline wastes are abundant. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of MTBE removal from drinking water at the point of use (POU) by using an Iranian granulated active carbon (GAC) bed.
Materials and Methods: Adsorption of MTBE from drinking water at POU was studied by using an Iranian GAC bed. The water samples treated by this filter adsorber were prepared synthetically at two concentrations (50 ppb and 100 ppb). In addition, the effects of residual chlorine at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L and of chloroform at a concentration of 100 ppb on removal of MTBE were determined.
Results: It was found that this filter adsorber could treat 375 liters of water containing 50 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chorine. If the residual chlorine content was increased to 0.5 ppb, the volume of water treated would be 335 liters. The filter could t eat 195 liters of water containing 100 ppb MTBE, 100 ppb chloroform and 0.2 ppm residual chlorine to acceptable levels for drinking, provided the amount of MTBE is below the respective standard.
Conclusion: Both residual chlorine and chloroform reduced the MTBE adsorption capacity on GAC due to occupation of adsorption sites. In addition, to the tendency of GAC to adsorb chloroform and chlorine was greater than that of MTBE.
M Shakerkhatibi, H Ganjidoust, B Ayati, E Fatehifar,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (2-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Acrylonitrile (ACN) is widely used as a main raw material in the Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) resin-manufacturing units and other industrial and commercial processes. ACN, due to its toxicity, is not easily decomposed by microorganisms. The discharge of improperly treated ACN-containing wastewater into a natural water body may cause serious environmental problems and severe adverse impact on the aquatic ecology. This study attempts to isolate and identify bacteria which utilize ACN as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen from the activated sludge of petrochemical wastewater treatment system. The performance of the isolated strains in treating different initial ACN concentrations was also investigated under aerobic conditions. In addition, the performance of biodegradation and the metabolic intermediates and end-products in the process were determined.
Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted with three batch reactors, the volume of each one being 250 mL. The activated sludge samples as a microbial seeding were taken from the return sludge line of the aeration tank of the wastewater treatment facility in Tabriz Petrochemical Complex. Phosphate-buffered medium (PBM) was used to make available minerals and trace elements, and ACN was used as the sole carbon and nitrogen source for microbial growth. R2A medium was used to obtain pure colonies, and to identify the isolated strain, Gram staining and microscopic examination followed by biochemical and physiologic analyses using selective media such as O-F glucose, MacConkey agar, TSI agar, EMB and SS agar, nitrate reduction, gelatin liquefaction, lactose fermentation, oxidase, catalase and SIM were used. In the final stage, the performance of biological systems in degrading different initial concentrations of ACN and its intermediate and end-products were investigated.
Results: The findings indicated that when the ACN concentration was 500 mg/L, the average removal efficiency after 46 and 70 h reached 46% and 98%, respectively. But at an initial concentration of 700 mg/L, the removal efficiency of the ACN in the biological system was 50% after 46 h and 98.6% after 94 h . However, when the ACN concentration was increased to 1000 mg/L, the removal efficiency after 46 and 94 h was only 30% and 40%, respectively, and after 118 h of reaction, the remaining concentration of ACN was about 580 mg/L. Furthermore, the results of isolation and identification experiments revealed that at the optimum operation of the biological system the strain belonging to the gamma group of Proteobacteria as Pseudomonas putida had the best ability to degrade ACN.
Conclusion: Biological processes can degrade ACN and the abilities of different bacterial strains in this degradation vary. The rod-shaped Gram-negative P. putida could easily adapt to ACN concentrations up to 700 mg/L and utiliz ACN and its intermediate- and end-products as a carbon and nitrogen source for growth in the process. Thus, this strain is expected to play an important role in aeration tanks for treating ABS resin-manufacturing wastewater.
M Alavi, A Albaji,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (8-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public-health problem in Iran, despite employing the DOTS (directly observed treatment short course) strategy in the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). The aim of this study was to determine the role of teaching hospitals in improving NTP indices.
Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the medical files of treated TB patients in Tehran Razi Teaching Hospital and the Khuzestan Provincial Health Center were reviewed. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up were based on the NTP procedures. The patients hospitalized for at least the first 2 weeks of treatment were placed in the hospitalized TB (HTB) group and the outpatients in the outpatient TB (OTB) group. The NTP indices (the sputum smear positive, fully cured, treatment failure, defaulted, and death rates) and pre-treatment counseling were compared between the 2 groups. Data related to demographic characteristics, risk factors, and the treatment outcome were compared by SPSS 11.5 using the chi square and fisher's tests
Results: A total of 235 patients (mean age 38 years), 67 of whom were hospitalized TB patients, were studied. 122 men (51.9 %) and 42 women (17.9%) had a history of imprisonment, among whom 20 (47.6%) were positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 53 (22.5%) injection drug users, and 120 (51.1%) smear-positive for pulmonary TB. The rates of cured cases, treatment failures, defaulted and death were, respectively, 80.6%, 8.9%, 4.5%, and 5.9%, in the HTB group, and 66.6%, 17.3%, 10.1%, and 5.9% in the OTB group. Pre-treatment counseling had been done in 75% of the HTB and 52% of the OTB cases.
Conclusion: Teaching hospitals can have an important role in improving pre-treatment counseling and NTP indices, such as increased sputum positivity, cured rate, and, probably, decreased treatment failure and defaulted rate.
A Pourreza, R Khabiri, M Arab, A Akbari Sari, A Rahimi, A Toll,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (10-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Factors determining the health care-seeking behaviors of an individual are social, cultural, and economic (treatment costs). Utilization of a health care system by a person will, on the whole, depend mainly on the socio-economic and demographic factors, cultural beliefs and practices, gender discrimination and women's status, the economic and political systems, environment, patterns of illness, and the health care system itself. The main objective of the present study was to examine current patterns of health care-seeking behavior in residents of Tehran, Iran in 2007.
Methods and Materials: In a cross-sectional study a two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select neighborhoods at the first stage and households at the second. The sample included a total of 1882 individuals over 18 years old in the households. The data were collected using a questionnaire. For analysis of the data the exact fisher test, X2, and multivariate logistic regression were used the software used was SPAA.3
Results: About 22/9% (431 persons) of the participants reported 1-2 illnesses during the previous month. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age, sex, perceived severity of the illness, educational level, and marital status were all statistically associated with an attempt to seeking care, whether self-treatment or consulting a health center. The effects of different variables on decisions related to seeking care from a health care center versus self-care were also examined. The data showed that age, sex, perceived severity of the illness, income, educational level, household size, and method of payment were statistically the most significant variables affecting seeking care from a health center.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, it may be concluded that increasing social awareness about side effects of medicines, potential dangers of self-treatment, continuous education and training of physicians and pharmacists, improving health insurance systems and universal insurance coverage will be appropriate strategies for better utilization of health care services by the people.
S Jorfi, N Jaafarzadeh, R Rezaei Kalantary, Y Hashempur, M.m Mehrbani Ardakani,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: High concentrations of organic compounds and ammonia and entry of toxic pollutants lead to a low efficiency of direct biological treatment of landfill leachate. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of a repeated fed-batch biological reactor with powdered active carbon (PAC) for landfill leachate treatment.
Methods and Materials: Raw leach ate was pretreated by coagulation and flocculation processes and, then, the ammonia was removed by air stripping at a high pH, before biological treatment. The pretreated leach ate was treated bio-treated in an aeration tank by the repeated fed-batch method. Three cycles of 1×40, 5×8, and 4×10 hours were attempted in the absence and presence of 2 g PAC /L.
Results: Results indicate that the presence of PAC increased the COD removal efficiency significantly. The initial COD effluent was 3900 mg/L. Its values were 169 mg/L and 622 mg/L in the presence and absence of 2 g/L PAC, respectively, for the cycle of 5×8 h.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and findings of other investogations in this field, it can be concluded that repeated fed-batch bio-reactor has is quite effective for treatment of pretreated leachate.
A.r Mesdaghinia , J Nouri , A.h Mahvi , F Vaezi , K Naddafi , M Ansarizadeh ,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aims of this study was to explore the feasibility of improving efficiency of the wastewater treatment system of the Fars Pegah Dairy Industries (FPDI) and propose ways to upgrade it in 2006-2007. The FPDI wastewater treatment system was of a successive anaerobic-aerobic type using anaerobic stabilization ponds and conventional and extended aeration activated sludge. Due to improper design and operation, it did not meet the required standards with regard to disposal to the surrounding cultivated land.
Materials and Methods: To overcome the problem and eliminate the bad smell, modifications were made, such as changing the entries and exits of the ponds, adjustment of the activated sludge process, and converting the conventional activated sludge F/M to a step-feed activated sludge shift. The efficiency of the system was assessed before and after these modifications
Results: The efficiency of the system to eliminate biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total coliform, and fecal coliform increased from 82.42%, 86.87%, 64.18%, 20.23%, 54.56% and 50.87% to 97.34%, 98.61%, 90.4%, 28.44%, 90.09% and 89.95%, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings show improvements in the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system due to the changes made in it. It was also observed that efficiencies of the feed-step aeration and the extended aeration are similar. This means that application of the extended aeration in the treatment system of the plant would result in waste of money and energy.
M Farzadkia, S Jorfi, M Estebar,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (6-2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Formaldehyde is an organic chemical with widespread applications as a raw material in many industries. Industrial effluents with high contents of formaldehyde should be treated because of their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the anaerobic sequence batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) for formaldehyde biodegradation.
Materials and Methods: A laboratory-scale ASBBR with a total volume of 6 liters was used. The efficacy of the reactor was determined in 9 stages with organic loading rates of 0.54 to 7.09 Kg COD/m3.d.
Results: The best removal efficiency for COD and formaldehyde were 94% and 99%, respectively, with an organic loading of 0.54 KgCOD/m3.d.The lowest efficiencies were 48% and 63.1%, respectively, with an organic loading of 7.09 KgCOD/m3.d.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that ASBBR is a viable, efficient and reliable technology for treatment of industrial wastewaters containing formaldehyde.
Ar Heidari, Ar Mirahmadizadeh, A Keshtkaran, M Javanbakht, K Etemad, M Lotfi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: AIDS is a lethal disease, for which there is no treatment or any vaccine to prevent it. The injection-drug use and unprotected sexual behavior are two factors important in HIV transmission. This study was conducted to determine changes in high-risk sexual and injection-drug use behaviors associated with HIV among drug users referring to Methadone Maintenance Treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This before-after interventional study with no control group included drug-users (n=694) referring to all the 7 MMT centers in Shiraz, Iran in 2009. The data were collected by interviewing patients and using a questionnaire. The software used for data analysis was SPSS 15, the statistical test being the Wilcoxon test.
Results: The average age of the clients was 36.5 ± 9.5 years. Most of them were males (% 92.1) and single (% 43.1). 37.3 % of them being injection-drug users. The proportion of the injection-drug users having had at least one shared injection one week before referring to an MMT center was 23.3%, which decreased to 9.2% after one week. Analysis of the data also showed that 25.2% of the addicts had had at least one unprotected sexual contact during the previous month the proportion decreased to 21.0% one month after referring to an MMT center. The reductions in the mean numbers of both shared injections and unprotected sexual contacts were statistically significant (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the MMT centers in reducing risky behaviors of injection-drug users, it is essential to expand these centers at both the national and regional levels quantitatively and qualitatively and encourage drug-users to refer to them and seek help. This will help greatly in the prevention of HIV.
Maryam Moeini, Omran Mohammad Razzaghi, Mahmood Mahmoodi, Tahereh Pashaeie,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with time to relapse and, thus, retention time, of a cohort of opioid-dependents under methadone maintenance treatment, using survival models, in the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS).
Materials and Methods: A total of 198 opioid-dependent clients participating in the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program, implemented by INCAS between April 2007 and March 2011, were included in the study. A Cox proportional hazard (PH) model was applied to determine predictors of relapse time among the patients.
Results: The data showed that 86 clients relapsed into drug use during the treatment program. The proportional hazard assumption was satisfied according to the goodness of fit test showing that Cox proportional hazard model was appropriate. Estimates of the PH model indicated that an increase of 1mg in the methadone dosage could lead to a decrease of 0.15 in hazard ratio and an increase in the length of treatment (p<0.001). Predictors for raising the probability of drug relapse included suffering from mental disorders (compared to mentally healthy: hazard ratio = 2.29, p<0.001), being a poly-substance user (compared to mono-substance users: hazard ratio = 4.80, p<0.001), and having retention experience in the past (compared to those with no previous therapy: hazard ratio = 1.90, p<0.001). Other variables entered in the model, including social and demographic variables, had no statistically significant effect on hazard ratio.
Conclusions: Although higher methadone dosages are associated with a longer time to relapse, we recommend highly to pay special attention to providing more therapeutic and consultive services to mental health patients, poly-substance users, and individuals with a past therapy record.
Somayeh Abedi Mediseh, Nader Pestechian, Mostafa Ghanadian, Mehdi Nateghpour,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medicinal plants provide an excellent source of drugs and new drug combinations, including the basis for the development of drug resistance to common anti-malarial treatments. In this study we investigated and compared the effect of an alcoholic extract of saffron and its constituents with that of chloroquine on malaria in mice.
Materials and Methods: A total of 65 male mice similar as regards gender, weight and age were randomly divided into 13 groups of 5 each. Eleven of the groups were infected with Plasmodium berghei and treated with saffron extract and its constituents and chloroquine based on the proposed method of Ryley and Petrs. Upon detecting the parasite in peripheral blood of the infected mice, they were treated with an aqueous, alcoholic or ethyl acetate solution at a dose of 350, 700 or 1050 mg/kg body weight (BW), chloroquine at a dose of 20mg/kg BW, and an iron chelator (50mg/kg BW). The solutions with the most effective concentrations were determined. Oral treatment at every stage lasted for up to 4 days. Parasite reduction in the groups treated with the extract was determined on days 4 and 7 and compared with that in the control, placebo and chloroquine groups. The Group 13 mice had no parasite injection and received no drug and were kept in the animal house only to control accidental death.
Results: Data analysis (t-test; SPSS) showed the most effective concentrations to be 700mg/kg ethyl acetate solution and 350 and 700mg/kg saffron extract, causing a significant reduction of parasitemia in the infected mice on day 7 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the potential effect of the alcoholic extract of saffron on Plasmodium berghei and, therefore, should receive proper attention.
Bahareh Karimi, Sahar Khanaki, Leyla Ma’mani, Seyed Mostafa Khezri, Asghar Karami,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Agricultural poisons are one of the most important groups of pollutants in agricultural industries that cause environmental pollution. The main objective of this research was to remove imidacloprid from contaminated water by using modified magnetic-silica core-shell nanoparticles.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the laboratory scale and batch system. The physical and structural characteristics of the synthesized adsorbent were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the effects of various parameters such as pH, initial concentration of imidacloprid, adsorbent dose, and contact time were investigated in order to determine the equilibrium isotherms and adsorption kinetics. The potential of the adsorbent for removal of imidacloprid showed no significant change after four runs of the reaction.
Results: The highest efficiency was found to be 97.85 %, achieved at the following conditions: a contact time of 67 minutes, an adsorbent dose of 0.06 g/l, an initial concentration of 15.6 mg/l and a pH of 6.5. The correlation coefficient of Langmuir isotherm (R2=0.9843) was higher than that of Freundlich (R2=0.8). Therefore, the Langmuir isotherm model is hereby introduced to be used for predicting the adsorption behavior of imidacloprid onto the nano-adsorbent from an aqueous medium. The reaction kinetics fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model.
Conclusion: A modified magnetic-silica core-shell nanoparticle is a cost-effective and recoverable adsorbent for efficient removal of imidacloprid from contaminated water.
Azar Tol, Maryam Sabouri, Bahram Mphebbi, Elham Shakibazadeh, Mehdi Yaseri,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2020)
Abstract
Background and aim: Despite rapid diagnostic and therapeutic advances, patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CCAD) should adopt self-care behaviors. This study aimed to determine predictors of perceived health competence among CCAD patients in Tehran, Iran in 2019-2020.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 700 patients with CCAD referred to Shahid-Rajaie Cardiovascular Center in Tehran selected using the available sampling method. Data were collected using
the perceived health competence scale (PHCS), 12-item quality of life scale and Modanloo's adherence to treatment scale questionnaires. The content validity ratio and content validity index were used to determine validity, and the Cronbach's alpha to determine reliability, of the PHCS questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the software being SPSS
25.
Results: The multivariate regression analysis showed that perceived health competence had statistically significant direct associations with physical (β = 1.08, p< 0.001) and psychological (β = 0.85, p< 0.001) domains of quality of life, commitment to treatment (β = 0.12, p =0.01), willingness to participate in treatment (β = 0.12, p = 0.05) and uncertainty about implementation (p = 0.1, p‹ 0.001) of adherence to treatment. There was a significant indirect association between age and perceived health competence (β = -0.13, p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, considering a “very good” and a “poor” mean score for adherence and the quality of life among the patients, respectively, adopting strategies for promoting quality of life in both the physical and mental dimensions can lead to improvements in perceived health competence in cardiovascular patients. In addition, it seems that focusing on subscales of “willingness to participate in treatment” might help in improving the patients' perceived health competence.
Masoud Sadeghi, Zahra Moradi,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common and most important type of arthritis caused by interaction of genetic, immunologic, psychological and social factors and is accompanied by chronic pains. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and commitment to the perception of pain and functional disability of women with rheumatoid arthritis in Khorramabad, Iran.
Materials and Method: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test design with experimental and control groups, the statistical population being all the women with rheumatoid arthritis in Khorramabad, Iran. A sample of 40 women were selected using the available sampling method and randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 20) or a control (n= 20) group. Under similar circumstances a pre-test was conducted using the pain perception and functional disability questionnaires in both groups. Admission- and commitment-based treatment interventions were then performed in the experimental group in eight 90-minute sessions, but the control group did not receive any intervention. At the end, post-tests were done in both groups.
Results: The multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance showed that the intervention based on acceptance and commitment had a significant effect on reducing the patients' perception of pain and functional disability (P <0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be said that treatment based on acceptance and commitment can reduce the perception of pain and functional disability in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, along with medical treatment, this type of treatment can be used to reduce the perception of pain and functional disability of such patients.
Sogand Ghasemzadeh, Zahra Naghsh, Mohammad Gholami Fesharaki, Elham Shafiee,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is experiencing some physical and psychological symptoms in the last days of the menstrual cycle; it interferes with educational, social and family functioning, creating problems for the adolescents. The objective of this study was to determinee the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic treatment program on anxiety, depression and stress in female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome and their mothers' quality of life.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 26 female adolescents with PMS referring to two health centers in Tehran, Iran in 2019. They were divided randomly in 2 groups, namely, an intervention (n=12, attending six 90-minute session per week) and a control (n=14) group. Data were gathered using the WHO Quality of Life, Beck depression, the DASS and PMS Screening Tool (PSST) questionnaires initially and after one month. The repeated ANOVA test was used for data analysis using SPSS software version 21; a p-value of <5% was considered to show statistical significance.
Results: As compared to the control group, at the end of the period the intervention group showed a statistically significant decrease in the means of the three variables of depression, anxiety and stress (p <0.05). The decrease significantly improved the quality of life of the mothers.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that a transdiagnostic treatment program can be an effective method to reduce the psychological problems of adolescent girls and improve the quality of life of their mothers.
Aboulghasem Pour-Reza, Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Farinaz Moghadasi,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs within 30 days after surgery and involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the surgical incision. It is one of the most common nosocomial infections which, in addition to endangering lives of the patients, increases the heath care expenditures in the health system. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of surgical site infections in hospitals.
Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in a teaching hospital in Kashan, Iran in 2017 to find information about direct hospitalization costs of surgical site infections. Detailed information about the hospiutalization costs of case and control patients was extracted using patient records and the hospital information system software.
Results: Out of all the patients 115 (1.04%) experienced an SSI. The median additional direct medical cost was US$ 2577 and US$ 1034 for the case and control in-patients, respectively (p <0.001). The cost of treating SSI was US$ 1543 per patient. The direct hospitalization costs were 2.5 times greater for patients with an SSI than for those without an SSI. Further analysis of the data showed that the cost of SSI was related to the patient's age, duration of surgery and length of hospital stay before infection.
Conclusion: Surgical site infection treatment costs imposes high costs on the patients, health insurance companies and the hospitals. Therefore, hospitals managers should design and implement interventions to reduce surgical site infections.
