Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Assessment of Job Performance and its Determinants in Healthcare Workers in Islamabad-e Gharb City based on ACHIVE Model In 2016

Ehsan Bakhshi

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of performance is one of the hardest aspects of management responsibilities. Today, performance evaluation process is a characteristic of work world that can be useful in making workforce more effective. This study aimed to assess the job performance and its determinants in healthcare workers.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional and descriptive –analytical study conducted in capitation way on all workers in healthcare centers and health houses of Islamabad-e Gharb city in 2016. Data collection tools were questionnaires of demographics and job performance of Hersey and Goldsmith. Descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and Independent sample T-test used in order to data analysis.

Results: The mean and standard deviation of job performance score was 52.5± 9. There was a significant relationship between job performance with sex and education level (p<0.05). Also, there were significant relationships between feedback and environment with sex, and support aspect with type of employment (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Success and progress of each organization is based on high levels of job performance in its employees. Solutions such increasing salary and providing good physical environment, can be useful to improve job performance of employees.

The Comparison of the Effect of Mental Rotation and Phonological Awareness Training on Accuracy, Speed and Comprehension in Students with Dyslexia in City of Tabriz, 2015-2016

Ramin Habibi-Kaleybar

Abstract

Background: The problem of learning disabilities is the reason of academic backwardness of students and dyslexia is considered the most common of these disorders.Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the comparison of the effectiveness of mental rotation and phonological awareness training on reading performance of students with dyslexia.

Materials and Methods: The design of the study was quasi-experimental in pre-test and post- test with control group. Statistical population composed of all dyslexic students in the city of Tabriz in 2015-2016. The sample of present research consisted of 45 students with dyslexia who were selected via available sampling and then were assigned randomly to experimental) phonological awareness and mental rotation training) and control groups(n=15 in each). To collect data, revised Wechsler intelligence scale for children and reading improvement and dyslexia test were used. Multivariate Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

Results: Findings indicated that scores of mental rotation and phonological awareness training have a significant effect on reading performance of dyslexic students compared with control group (p<0.001). Furthermore, there is no difference between mental rotation and phonological awareness training effectiveness on reading performance of dyslexic students (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that mental rotation and phonological awareness training are effective on accuracy, speed and comprehension of reading in students with dyslexia.

Comparison of Thromboemboli Prophylactic Effect of Aspirin and Low Dose Warfarin in Standard Risk Multiple Myeloma Patients that Treated with Regimens Containing Thalidomide

Ali Arash Anoushirvani

Background: Most of the current regimens in the treatment of multiple myeloma include thalidomide. Thalidomide is a modulator of the immune system and according to several studies, its main complication is thromboembolism. The aim of this study is to compare the thromboemboli prophylactic effect of aspirin and low dose warfarin in standard risk multiple myeloma patients that treated with regimens containing thalidomide.

Materials and Methods: In this double- blind clinical trial study, sixty-six patients with multiple myeloma under treatment with thalidomide-containing regimens with standard risk for thromboembolism who were admitted to Khansari hospital, entered the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The incidence of thromboembolism in these patients was evaluated.

Results: Five patients in the warfarin group and 2 patients in the aspirin group had thromboemboli. Chi square analyses showed no significant difference between groups (p=0.635).

Conclusion: The results showed that both drugs are effective in preventing thromboembolism and can be used as a prophylactic treatment.

Perceived Benefits and Barriers about Self-medication among Women Referring to Health Center in Qom City - 2016

Zabihollah Gharlipour

Background: Self-medication is one of the biggest problems of social, health and economic societies such as Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits and barriers about self-medication among women referring to health center in Qom city.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study carried out on women referred to health centers in Qom city- 2016. In the current study, 226 people were selected from among the health centers by multistage sampling. A standard questionnaire was used on knowledge about self-medication, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-medication. Data were analyzed by SPSS V.20 using independent t-test and Chi-square.

Results: According to the results of this study, 74.3 percent of women had a history of self-medication that 43.8 percent of them was in the past 6 months. The mean of knowledge about self-medication and perceived barriers in people with a history of self-medication was significantly higher than those who had not a history of self-medication (p<0.05). While, the perceived benefits was not significantly associated with a history of self-medication (p=0.79).

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of self-medication and the relationship between knowledge and perceived barriers with self-medication, therefore, educational program is necessary for women about the effects and consequences of self-medication through the media.

Study of Parvovirus 4 Infection in HCV Infected Patients and Healthy Individuals Referred to Taleghani Hospital, Tehran

Seyed Reza Mohebbi

Background: Parvovirus 4 (PARV4) was first discovered in 2005, in a hepatitis B virus–infected injecting drug user (IDU). To date, the best evidence about PARV4 transmission is parenteral roots and comes from IDU individuals. It seems that the prevalence of the virus in the normal population is very low. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of PARV4 virus among patients with chronic HCV infection compared with healthy controls and related risk factors among these groups.

Materials and Methods: A total of 206 patients, including 103 patients with chronic HCV infection and 103 healthy controls, were studied by use of nested-PCR and also real-time PCR techniques.

Results: AST enzyme levels with a mean of 40.45+34.84 and 18.58+5.9 in patients and healthy group respectively and the amount of enzyme ALT among patients with a mean of 40.45+35.75 and 21.50+11.35 in patients and healthy group respectively, were reported. Finally, after screening all DNA samples from patients and controls, we discovered that none of these people are infected with the PARV4 virus.

Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the occurrence of PARV4 among HCV patients in Iran. The results show that, the virus is not important in Iranian population, even in patients with blood born infections such as HCV and further studies in other areas and various groups are required.

Comparing the Effect of Endurance and High Intensity Interval Trainings on Levels of Chemerin and Protein of C-reactive Plasma in Obese Children

Morteza Salimi Avansar

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity among children is alarmingly rising. Obesity in a chronical inflammatory condition accompanies with inflammatory markers such as Chemerin and CRP; therefore, the aim of this following study is to compare the affection of Endurance & High Intensity Interval Trainings on levels of Chemerin & Protein of C-reactive plasma in obese children.

Materials and Methods: This experimentation included 21 obese children (average weight 61.46±2.5 kg and BMI 7.1±4.31) aging 9-12 years old who were randomly divided into three groups of endurance, HIIT and control (n=7). The training groups performed regular exercises for 8 weeks long (3 sessions in every week). The differences between groups were evaluated using covariance analysis. (p<0.05).

Results: In both training groups, there was a more significant decrease in weight, BMI and body fat percentage than there was before workouts. In HIIT group, we witnessed a significant reduction in level of Chemerin (p=0.016) than before. CRP level was also decreased in both groups, but the changes were not significant.

Conclusion: In summary, 8 weeks of HIIT exercises compared to endurance trainings have greater effect on Chemerin and CRP levels in obese children.

Comparison of Ondansetrone, Metoclopramide and Midazolam for PONV prophylaxis in Strabismus surgery

Darioush Moradi Farsani

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ondansetron, Midazolam and metoclopramide with placebo in preventing PONV following strabismus surgery.

Material and Methods: 160 patients were allocated with simple randomization in 4 groups of 40: group ON received Ondansetrone 0.05mg/kg, MT group received Metoclopramide 0.15mg/kg, MD group received Midazolam 0.03mg/kg intravenously and group CT received the solution of NaCl 0.9% as placebo infused with the same volume and the same manner 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The patients were evaluated for nausea, vomiting, need and dosage of anti-emetic drugs, time of liquid and solid diet tolerance, drug complications and satisfaction score for the initial 24 hours after anesthesia.

Results: The frequency of nausea (p-value = 0.001< 0.05) and vomiting (p-value=0.084>0.05) was lower in ON group and both of these complications were lower in MD group compared with MT and CT group. Use of rescue antiemetic was higher in MT and CT group (p-value = 0.001 < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher in ON group compared with other 3 groups (p-value=0.001<0.05).

Conclusion: Prophylactic use of Ondansetron is more effective with fewer side effects than Metoclopramide and Midazolam in the prevention of PONV following strabismus surgery. Furthermore, metoclopramide was less effective and was associated with more adverse effects.

Response of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Endostatin to a Session Activity before and after a Period of L-Arginine Supplementation in Active Men

Seyyed Reza Attarzadeh Hosseini

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the response of the most important angiogenic and angiostatic factors to a session activity before and after a period of L-Arginine supplementation in active men.

Materials and Methods: In this practical and semi experimental study, 22 active men were selected by convenience sampling method and they were randomly assigned into supplement (n=11) and placebo (n=11) groups. Baseline levels of VEGF and endostatin were measured, then subjects participated an exhaustive treadmill protocol in pre-test and post-test. Immediately and two hours after the protocol, 3 cc blood samples were prepared. The subjects used daily 0.1 g.kg^-1 respectively taking l-arginine and placebo for 14 days. The results were analyzed at the significant level (p<0.05).

Results: Immediately after exercise, the levels of VEGF and VEGF to endostatin ratio were significantly decreased in both groups compared to baseline (p≤0.05), and two hours later this change were lower than the baseline value (p≤0.05). The levels of endostatin immediately after exercise were significantly increased in both groups compared to baseline (p≤0.05) and two hours later this change were lower than the baseline value (p≤0.05). Before and after L-Arginine supplementation, the levels, of VEGF and VEGF to endostatin ratio immediately after exercise were not significant(p≥0.05). while this change in the supplementation group were significantly increased two hours after exercise (p≤0.05). There was no significant change in the levels of endostatin between two groups immediately after exercise (p≥0.05); however, these changes were significantly decreased two hours after exercise (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that short-term L-arginine supplementation probably stimulate angiogenesis factors in response to exercise in active men.

Evaluation of Analgesic Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Allium cepa L. in Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain

Sayyed Alireza Talaei

Background: Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain that affects on the patient’s quality of life. Use of herbal instead of synthetic drugs recently has been increased due to side effects of synthetic drugs and herbal effective components. Flavonoids are herbal compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Because Allium cepa L. has a great amount of flavonoids, this study has been designed to evaluate analgesic effects of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. on neuropathic pain behavior in chronic constriction injury model in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI model) in Rats. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 for each): Sham, CCI model, receiving red onion hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg and a group receiving gabapentin (100 mg/kg). Red onion extract and gabapentin were administered by gavage for 21 days. Using thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia tests, the analgesic effects of extract have been measured.

Results: Findings of this study revealed that CCI surgery on rats induced hyperalgesia, mechanical and thermal allodynia. Daily intakes of alcoholic extract of red onion and gabapentin significantly increase the paw withdrawal latency; increase the threshold to mechanical allodynia and decrease in response to acetone.

Conclusion: Oral use of alcoholic extract of Allium cepa L. reduces neuropathic pain behavior in CCI model in rats.

Investigation into Regeneration Mechanism of Hydroalcoholic Lavender (Lavandula officianalis) Extract through the Evaluation of NT3 Gene Expression after Sciatic Nerve Compression in Rats

Maryam Tehranipour

Abstract

Background: Retrograde transport to the alpha motoneurons causes spinal degeneration. The neurotrophic factor (NT3) increases the number of myelinated axons in the dorsal root, leads to differentiation and survival of sensory neurons, parasympathetic motoneurons and prevents cell death. Lavender is a plant in the family Lamiaceae which is reported to have antioxidant, antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-asthmatic, refrigerant, and antipyretic effects. This study examined NT3 gene expression changes after sciatic nerve compression in rats, in the presence of Lavandula officinalis extract.

Materials and Methods: Lavender Soxhlet hydroalcoholic extraction was prepared. 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control, compression and treatment (compression group + hydroalcoholic extract of Lavender injections 75mg/kg) groups. In controls the muscle was opened without damage to gain access to the sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment groups, the sciatic nerve (right leg) was compressed. The extract was injected intraperitoneally in two occasions. A biopsy was taken from the spinal cord segments L4-L6 on day 28, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and NT3 gene expression changes were analyzed by ANOVA test by using SPSS software.

Results: The results showed that NT3 gene expression had a significant reduction in compression group compared to the control group (p<0.001) and it had a significant increase in treatment group compared with the compression group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A significant increase in gene expression shows that Lavandula officinalis hydroalcoholic extract improves nerve regeneration via NT3 gene expression.