BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Year:2016 | Volume:3 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important organisms involved in nosocomial infection acquired by patients. In recent years, the appearance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has turned the treatment of these infections into a serious challenge. Surface proteins, such as fibronectin binding proteins (FnBP), and the ability to produce Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are important factors in pathogenesis of this organism.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of disease-associated genes in the clinical isolates of S. aureus encoding FNB and PVL, collected from the educational hospitals of Qazvin, Iran.Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which a total of 103 isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus were collected from hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals of Qazvin, during 2013 - 2014. Initially, the identification of isolates was performed according to the standard laboratory methods, followed by confirming the presence of the femA gene, a gene specific to S. aureus. Later, the prevalence of virulence genes (fnb and pvl) was investigated by the PCR method, using specific primers. PCR products were sequenced to confirm the presence of the target genes.Results: The results of this study showed that among 103 isolates of S. aureus resistant to methicillin, 88 isolates were positive for the presence of the pvl and fnb genes, with the fnb gene present in 86 (83.5%) isolates and the pvl gene only in 2 (1.9%) isolates.Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate the presence of the pvl and fnb genes in the strains of S. aureus isolated from clinical specimens collected from the patients admitted to teaching hospitals in Qazvin. Considering the clinical significance of these organisms, and their potential in threatening public health systems, the identification, treatment, and infection control management of patients infected with these organisms is of prime necessity.

Background: Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) is a vital index to monitor the standard of health and social inequality which is related to human development dimensions worldwide. Human development index (HDI) includes basic social indicators such as life expectancy, education and income.Objectives: The current study aimed to find the correlation between human development index and infant mortality rate.Patients and Methods: This descriptive study that represents the relationship of infant mortality rate withhumandevelopment index and human development index dimensions was performed on the profiles of 135 countries worldwide [Africa (35 countries), America (26 countries), Asia (30 countries), the Pacific (2 countries) and Europe (42 countries)]. Two databases were used in the study: the world health organization (WHO) database (2010) and human development database (2010). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test by SPSS software.Results: The study found that socio-economic factors or human development dimensions are significantly correlated with risk of chance mortality in the world. The per capita income (r=-0.625), life expectancy (r=-0.925) and education (r=-0.843) were negatively correlated with the infant mortality rate; humandevelopment index (r=-0.844) was also negatively correlated with the infant mortality rate (P<0.01).Conclusions: Human development index is one of the best indicators and predictors to perceive healthcare inequities. Worldwide improvement of these indicators, especially the education level, might promote infant life expectancy and decrease infant mortality.

Background: Today, oil, gas, and petrochemical industries are of strategic significance in the macro-development of oil-rich countries. These industries, given the nature of the work and the technical complexity of the various processes, are hazardous and susceptible to occupational accidents. More than 90% of the accidents are related to the faults and unsafe actions of personnel, either directly or indirectly.Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the unsafe actions of staff working in the maintenance unit of a petrochemical complex.Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical study conducted on 167 morning-shift workers at the Mahshahr petrochemical complex. The data were collected based on a checklist of unsafe actions prepared through a direct observation of their activities and an analysis of work instructions, documents, and incident reports. SPSS statistical software was also used for data analysis and relevant testing.Results: According to the results of this study, the mean number of unsafe actions performed by the employees was 42%. The highest number of unsafe actions achieved in the maintenance mechanical unit was 52.8%, 47.1% in repair services, and 43.8% in machinery. The highest frequency of unsafe actions were caused by indiscretion and negligence, a failure to use a face shield and goggles, and non-compliance with safety principles.Conclusions: According to the findings, there has been a rise in the number of unsafe actions in machinery and maintenance service units compared to other maintenance units. As such, training courses based on the behavior-based safety principles at the beginning of employment, close monitoring of health safety environment (HSE) officials on the implementation of regulations, and provision of appropriate scheduling based on weather conditions and the nature of maintenance services are recommended. In addition, a refrainment from hastiness in performing duties, enhanced participation from the employees to improve occupational safety, and the production and distribution of high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) is also recommended to mitigate unsafe actions.

Background: Lack of independence and unwanted dependence on others for activities of daily living (ADL) and decreased functional capacity affect nutritional status of the elderly.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of functional capacity on malnutrition status in hospitalized elderly patients in the Qazvin city of Iran.Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on patients 60 years or older hospitalized in two teaching hospitals of Qazvin, Iran, from May to October 2011. The nutritional status was assessed using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Functional capacity of the elderly was assessed using self-report questionnaires of ADL and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.Results: Of the 322 participant, 171 (53.1%) were male. The mean age was 70.36 ± 7.8 years. Based on MNA, 96 patients (29.8%) had normal nutritional status, 138 (42.9%) were at risk of malnutrition and 43 (13.4%) had malnutrition. Dependency on ADL and IADL was significantly associated with malnutrition and risk of malnutrition. In the logistic regression analysis, IADL was associated with malnutrition (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.33; P<0.001).Conclusions: Risk of malnutrition as well as reduced functional ability was high among the hospitalized elderly of Qazvin. Nutritional status assessment of older adults is necessary, particularly when they are admitted to hospitals.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most occupational problems among nurses and often cause many physical and psychological complications for nurses, and are a financial burden for health-care systems.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence MSDs and their related risk factors among Iranian nurses.Patients and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study included 240 hospital nurses, with a baccalaureate nursing degree, who worked at three public hospitals of the Ilam province of Iran. Data were collected through a validated self-administered questionnaire.Finally, 156 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 65%) and 135 questionnaires qualified for subsequent analysis. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 15.0 software. Descriptive and inferential statistics (logistic regression) were used.Results: Overall, 97 (71.9%) hospital nurses experienced MSDs in at least one anatomical site within the last year. Low back pain was the most prevalent MSDs (40%) and hip and thigh were the least (11.1%) frequent sites. Most of the nurses with MSDs worked at surgery wards (17.8%), emergency (15.6%) and intensive care units (12.6%). Pain (48.1%) and cramps (31.9%) were the most frequent symptoms of MSDs and loss of limbs control (5.9%) was the least frequent symptom. Bend or twist at waist for performing nursing procedures, patient transfer from and to beds, working with the hands higher than shoulder height and changing position of patients in beds were the most frequent occupational factors that influenced MSDs. Increased age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and gender had no significant association with MSDs. However, being single and involved in any kinds of physical activity were significantly associated with the prevalence of MSDs (P<0.05).Conclusions: The study findings indicated high prevalence of worked-related MSDs among Iranian hospital nurses. Accordingly, appropriate policies for managing MSDs among hospital nurses should be considered.

Background: Nutrition can be regarded as an important part of any preparation program, as well as an important part of life. It seems essential to develop nutritional science and improve eating habits with the purpose of developing a healthy diet and avoiding the outcomes that arise from a lack of nutrition. Proper nutrition is one of the important factors for the development of health. Lack of sufficient awareness about nutrition can result in improper eating habits.Objectives: The present study evaluated the effect of knowledge about healthy nutrition and nutrition science on the knowledge development approach.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the statistical population consisted of 190 experts and other scholars in the area of nutritional science. A questionnaire based on demographic details, nutritional science, nutrition education, research, proper solutions to individuals’ nutritional problems, and a culture of nutrition was used for data collection.Results: A relatively strong positive correlation was found between the knowledge development approach, nutritional science, nutrition education and research, and proper solutions for individual nutritional problems and a culture of nutrition (P<0.001).Conclusions: 1) Effective enhancement and participation in an academic community will be important in the future of food and nutrition security; however, major gaps and weaknesses also exist in this context; 2) The main weaknesses in relation to the lack of clear policies and procedures include focusing on only Tehran, Iran; the need to overcome bureaucracy; and problems related to motivation, capital, and international communications; 3) Qualitative and quantitative improvement of research is not possible without access to skilled experts and researchers; 4) To solve these problems, it will be beneficial to pay more attention to the role of universities, facilitate intellectual communication among professors in Tehran and other provinces, ensure that Iranian professors are employed abroad, develop educational and research cooperation with foreign countries, and ensure that facilities for international cooperation put in place by united nations (UN) agencies are used.

Background: Parturition has been associated with free radicals, itself linked with poor pregnancy outcome.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers levels of maternal and cord blood samples at the second stage of labor with the maternal parity number.Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, subjects were selected from Fatemieh teaching hospital, Hamadan, Iran, and allocated into the two groups according to their number of parity: the primiparous group (n=33), and multiparous group (n=35). Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were taken from all subjects and then assessed for catalas activity (CAT), total thiol molecules (TTM) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).Results: Total antioxidant capacity levels were significantly higher in newborns of primiparous women compared to multiparous women (P=0.006). The CAT levels were significantly lower (P=0.04) and TAC levels significantly higher (P=0.03) in maternal plasma of primiparous women compared to those of multiparous women.Conclusions: Increment in the number of parity can lead to decrease antioxidant defense mechanisms in multiparous women and their newborns. So, control of oxidative stress is considered to be beneficial in multiparous women.

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is developing treacherously along industrialization and development of urbanization Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular risk factors between subjects with and without diabetes mellitus in the Minoodar district of Qazvin.Patients and Methods: This analytical study was conducted on 100 subjects with diabetes and 140 subjects without diabetes in Qazvin from September 2010 to April 2011. Standardized measurements were available for waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), fasting serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TGs). Cardiovascular risk factors were defined according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the national cholesterol education program. Data were analyzed using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test.Results: Overall, 12% of subjects with diabetes and 17.9% of subjects without diabetes were smokers (P=0.277). The WC, TGs, systolic and diastolic BP were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes compared to subjects without diabetes. The prevalence of high WC, high BP, low HDL, and high TGs were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes compared to subjects without diabetes.Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors were higher in subjects with diabetes compared to subjects without diabetes. Lifestyle intervention programs should be focused on community education about reduction of CVD risk factors in patients with diabetes.

Background: Using different methods of strategic thinking is essential for organizations such as hospitals; without them, many organizations will not survive. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between strategic thinking and management productivity in teaching hospitals of Shiraz.Objectives: Because of the importance of strategic management in organizational productivity, the present study is conducted with the goal of assessing the relationship between strategic thinking and hospital managers’ productivity.Patients and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2015. The statistical population included all managers in different levels in the teaching hospitals of Shiraz (170 persons). Among these, 119 participants were selected through Cochran’s formula and a simple random sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire addressing strategic thinking based on Liedtka’s model and Hersey and Blanchard’s theory. Its validity was verified by a panel of experts and its reliability was measured in previous studies. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using descriptive and analytic statistics (analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation test and t-test).Results: The average and Standard Deviation of strategic thinking managers was (2.2 ± 0.04), and productivity of management (2.32 ± 0.37) was estimated on the average level. There was a direct meaningful relationship between strategically thinking managers and productivity (r=0.387, P<0.001). The results also showed that there is a meaningful correlation between strategic thinking and sustainability, organizational support and understanding of the job.Conclusions: Due to the correlation between strategic thinking and productivity, we recommend educating and training managers in the use of strategic thinking, and that they understand its importance to productivity. Managers should understand that increasing efficiency in a competitive environment today is a necessity for survival.

Background: We have little information on the degree of individuals’ in Iran and their use of complementary and alternative medicine, its variations and the causes of people’s tendency towards the treatments used in the methods mentioned above.Objectives: In 2012, we set out to study the viewpoints of patients in Qazvin, Iran, examining how they feel about complementary and alternative medicine.Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, data were collected through the use of a questionnaire. A total of 293 patients who had been referred to the complementary and alternative medicine centers were surveyed. These centers practice methods such as cupping, homeopathy and acupuncture. The questionnaire was divided in two parts, demographic questions and main questions, in this particular study. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19 with P<0.05.Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.2 ± 13.3, and 60.8 percent of them were men. In all, 70.6 percent and 24.4 percent of respondents were married and single, respectively. About 58 percent had completed their undergraduate education. The cause of 31.3 percent of the participants’ visits was mental sicknesses, 20.2 percent attended due to rheumatologic diseases, and 8.2 percent applied to the mentioned treatment centers seeking relief from skin-related diseases. Ninety-one percent of the participants reported using alternative and complementary medicine for its efficiency. The levels of high satisfaction they reported gaining from the center’s homeopathy, acupuncture, and phlebotomy services were 17.2%, 16.5%, and 18.2%, respectively. In addition, 70 percent of the patients found the new treatment method to be quite successful, while 27 percent found it to be less effective than other approaches they had tried.Conclusions: The people were receptive to the use of alternative and complementary medicine and their satisfaction level was high.