مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی سبزوار
سال هجدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 60، تابستان 1390)

Background and Formation of well-ordered fibrillar protein deposits is common to a large group of amyloid-associated disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, type II diabetes and prion diseases. The nature of the pathogenic species and the mechanism by which the aggregation process results in cell damage are, however, not well established. In the present study, the propensity of hexokinase type B from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YHKB) to form amyloid-like and amorphous aggregates is investigated under various conditions and their cytotoxicity is determined. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, Amyloid-like aggregation was induced under three different conventional conditions including the preincubation of YHKB (1) in acidic pH, at 55 ºC and with agitation, (2) in acidic pH, room temperature, in presence of salt and without agitation, and (3) in the presence of trifluoroethanol (TFE). Types of aggregates in above conditions were compared for their capability to react with ThT (as a amyloid marker) and their morphology was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Also, Cytotoxicity of the aggregates on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) were assayed by MTT reduction assay test. Aggregates produced under all three conditions had ThT binding ability but with different intensity. Atomic force microscopy indicated that aggregates morphologies in various conditions were completely different. Amorphous aggregates of the enzyme were also produced for comparing with ordered aggregates. Amorphous aggregates were not found toxic to human neuroblastoma cells, as indicated by the MTT reduction assay while those formed at acidic pH and in the presence of TFE indicated cytotoxicity. Based on the findings, differences in cytotoxicity can be attributed to the variations in the nature and morphology of the aggregates in the conditions tested.

Background and Lower levels of academic anxiety can motivate the educational improvement but higher degrees can be a disturbance in concentration, attention, storage, recall and educational failure. Since it affects millions of students worldwide, the present study aimed to determine the effect of assertiveness training on reducing anxiety level in the pre-university students in Gonabad, Iran in 2008. Methods and Materials: In this randomized clinical trail, all pre-university students of Gonabad, Iran were invited to the study; and finally 89 students were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Data collection instruments included a 3-part questionnaire for recording demographic, academic anxiety and assertiveness (Rathus questionnaire with a validity of 0.83). The intervention for the experimental group was a 5-session course of assertiveness training based on PRECEDE model and one session for parents and teachers to help support the intervention program. Post-test was given top both groups 8 weeks after the last training session. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 16 using paired and independent t-test, chi-square and correlation coefficient. The results showed that anxiety levels and assertiveness in the target group were moderate to high (18.14 and 108 respectively); a negative but significant relationship was found between these two factors (r =-0.69, p < 0.001). Also, the anxiety levels of the study decreased significantly, so that their anxiety score lowered from 18.87 to 8.12 (P<0.001). On the one hand, decisiveness was observed to have increased significantly in the same group (from 107 to 159) (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between academic anxiety and assertiveness in the control group before and after the intervention. The results showed that training assertiveness was effective in reducing the anxiety in academic settings.

Background and Addict women face more mental problems than healthy women, and the issue is less attended. Applying inexpensive, easily accessible preventive measures like aerobic training can improve their mental health. The present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training on the mental health of addict women in the central prison of Zahedan, Iran. Methods and Materials: This experimental study involved the addict women in the central prison of Zahedan, Iran in 2008. Thirty addict women were randomly selected and assigned into two equal groups (15 controls and 15 experimental). The Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28) and Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire were used for Data collection. The experimental group was trained for 8 weeks, three weekly sessions of 45 minutes. Both groups completed the questionnaires before and after the 8-week training for the evaluation of their mental health status. The data were analyzed in SPSS 15 using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean and standard deviation) as well as the dependent and independent t-test. Results showed that after eight weeks of aerobic training program, symptoms significantly improved: physical symptoms (from 12.20±6.37 to 4/±53±2/83), anxiety (from 14.47±4.50 to 4.33±2.13), depression (from 11.67±6.78 to 3.60±3.25) and mental health (from 48.20±15.50 to 18.87±6.71) (p≤0.05). However, the social functioning of the participants did not significantly change (from 10.33±4.43 to 7.70±3.80). The results indicated aerobic training had an effective role in improving the mental health of addict women.

Health care personnel are always exposed to occupational injuries especially injuries due to sharp and cutting things. Therefore, the present study was designed and conducted to investigate the effect of safe management performance on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) levels of the health care personnel of Baqyatallah Hospital, Iran. Method and Materials: This experimental study was carried out in 2010, and 115 nurses were selected from 8 parallel wards; two random groups were shaped: experimental (n=59) and control (n=56) groups. The data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire including 59 questions on the personnel’s knowledge, attitude and practice. The KAP was assessed in both groups after a two-month training period. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 15 using chi-square, independent and paired t-test (P<0.05).

Mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the experimental group before training were 6±2.4, 52.1±6.2 and 80.5±10.3 respectively; the corresponding scores in the control group were 5.9±2.3, 51.6±7 and 77.4±13.2 respectively; the difference between the two groups before training was not significant (P>0.05). However, the KAP scores of the experimental group after training became 15.7±2.6, 58.1±2.7 and 87±4.6 respectively, with the corresponding control group scores of 6.2±1.8, 50.6±7.1 and 76.7±13 respectively; the difference after training was significant (P<0.05).

Implementing the safety management program caused an increase in the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care personnel and improved the safety levels.

Background and Bread waste is consumed as a food in the livestock, and can cause considerable harm to human and animal beings if they are moldy. Since health volunteers can convey health knowledge to people in a simple and intelligible language, the present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of health volunteers about the necessity of moldy bread separation from other bread waste and the effect of education on their knowledge in the Abkooh Sugar Factory of Mashhad. Methods and Materials: In this interventional experimental study, 39 active health volunteers at the health center of Abkooh Sugar Factory of Mashhad, Iran participated and were recruited by non-probability convenient sampling, and were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n=21) and control group (n=18). Relevant data were collected through questionnaire and training was performed by providing a CD (educational video) for the experimental group. After a two-month training period, data were collected again. Data of before and after training were analyzed in SPSS 16 using paired t-test and mean± SD (p<0.05). After training, the scores of volunteers in the intervention group raised from 22.86±4.8 to 26.36±4.9; and paired t-test showed a significant difference between their scores before and after education (p=0.03). Also, their perceived self-efficacy on the necessity of separation of moldy bread from other bread waste was significantly different across the two groups (p=0.023). The results indicated the effect of education on the knowledge of health volunteers about the necessity of moldy bread separation from other bread waste.

Background and Due to the small number of studies on obsessive compulsive disorder and the existence of non-pharmaceutical treatments, it is possible to introduce the Metacognitive therapy as an alternative with long-term effects. The purpose of present study was to compare the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy versus pharmaceutical therapy on the patients with obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Methods and materials: This research is a quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups. The participants were equally assigned into two groups with 8 members, metacognitive therapy (14 sessions) and pharmaceutical therapy (one month). Pretest and posttest were given to both groups: MCQ30, YBOCS, DASS21, BDI&II, STAY-T. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 18 using t-test, chi-square and covariate analysis. The results showed a preference for metacognitive therapy in decreasing obsession intensity (P=0.006) with pretest mean of 50.13±2.07 and posttest mean of 10.25±2.81, negative variables of metacognition (P=0.001) with pretest mean of 15.00±2.72 and posttest mean of 11.75± 2.25. A significant relationship was observed between the general functioning and the pharmaceutical therapy (P=0.042) with pretest mean of 60.25±4.83 and posttest mean of61.75±5.28. However, no significant differences were observed between the two types of therapy as far as depression (0=0.09), worry (p=0.07) and anxiety (p=0.2) are concerned. The results indicated better results with metacognitive therapy in reducing the obsessions, stress and negative metacognitive beliefs. However, enhancing the overall functioning of the patients can be achieved with pharmaceutical therapy. There were no signification correlation between the two types of therapy for treating depression, worry and anxiety.

Background and

Induction is one of the most common interventions in midwifery which is conducted for many clinical purposes. One of the main challenges of the induction is the prediction of its success because its failure has a major role in increasing the rate of cesarean section. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the role of maternal age, parity, gestational age, birth weight and cervical status in predicting the success of induction. Methods and Materials: This cohort study involved the population of pregnant women admitted to Mobini Maternity Hospital in Sabzevar, Iran in 2006. A sample of 175 pregnant healthy women was selected by non-probability convenient sampling. For data collection, a checklist and a questionnaire were used for recording the personal details, midwifery history and labor details. For data analysis, they were analyzed in SPSS 15 using chi-square, mantel henzel and logistic regression tests (p<0.05).

Based on the findings, 41.1% of the inductions were lengthened, and 45.1% of its failure related to lack of labor progression. In total, 33.7% of the women underwent cesarean section due to unsuccessful induction. Controlling the variables such as dilation, effacement, descent, maternal age, gestational age, parity and neonatal weight, the logistic regression showed that the only significant effect was the effect of cervical dilation (OR=2.55), so that for every cm of dilation at the beginning of the induction, the chances of a successful induction was 2.55.

The results indicated that cervical dilation is the only factor in predicting the success of induction.

Background and Because of dyspraxia students have difficulty in some movements and deformity of the spine as a factor can lead to restriction of their movement, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between vertebral column deformities and components of the Kepart test in students with dyspraxia.Methods and Materials: The present descriptive analytical research is a cross-sectional study, involving the male elementary school students of Tehran in 2009. The participants were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling: Zone 4 was chosen by random from among the 22 municipal districts; 5 schools were selected by random from among many schools in the zone; finally, 1100 students were randomly selected. In the first step, we distributed the questionnaire about the conceptual - movement deficiency (validity 0.86). Eighty students of 8 to 12 years with problems in at least 5 components (out of 14) participated in the Kepart test (validity 0.95). From them, 34 students with the lowest scores were selected as the study subjects. Then, with the use of Spinal – Mouse machine, the vertebrate column deformities of students were studied from frontal and sagital aspects. For analyzing the data, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used in SPSS 13. The prevalence of deformities was flat back 40%, thoracic kyphosis 29.16% and thoracic scoliosis 20.83% in the subjects. A significant relationship (p=0.05, r=0.34) was found between lumbar lordosis and side walking in students with dyspraxia. Also, the prevalence of dyspraxia was 7.26%, and 2.18% suffered from severe dyspraxia. The results showed that the lower the amount of lumbar lordosis, the lower the students’ ability to side walk.

Background and

Clinical competency is one of the requirements in nursing profession, for which nurses have recently been criticized. For this reason, health educational systems always intend to discover and improve factors that affect clinical competency. On the other hand, spiritual intelligence is considered as a significant factor in nurses’ success and efficacy. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the spiritual intelligence status and its relationship with nurses’ clinical competency.

This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 250 nurses of Mashad educational hospitals selected by multi-stage sampling. Demographic, clinical competency and spiritual intelligence questionnaires were used for data collection; the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, t-test, correlation and simple linear regression and covariate analysis.

The results showed that %53.3 of the nurse's scores on spiritual intelligence were above the mean, and %46.7 below the mean. Most nurses’ (%53/8) scores of clinical competency scores was reported good (by self-assessment), %48.2 of the scores in the average range (by matron assessment), and %53.3 of them in the average range (by the overall assessment). A significant positive correlation was observed between spiritual intelligence and clinical competency, as Pearson correlation coefficient indicated (p<0.001).

A positive significant correlation was observe between spiritual intelligence of nurses’ clinical competency.

Background and Photochemical smogs, CO, NO2 and SO2 are among the major air pollutants with known effects and complications. The present study was designed to investigate the density of these pollutants in Sabzevar, Iran. Methods and Materials: this descriptive cross-sectional study intended to measure the air pollutants in different parts of Sazbevar, Iran. Sampling was done with stratified time sampling based on NIOSH 4800 and 6004 methods for SO2 and NO2, and method 6604 for CO. Sampling instruments included pump (debi 5 L/min), impinger, detector tube and ratameter. Based on traffic intensity, four points in the city were located and observe for 12 months, three day a month and three times per day; total sample swere 324. Data analyssi was done in SPSS 16 usingdescriptive measures as well as Pearson correlation coefficient ad one-sample t-test. Significantly highest rate of CO intensity was observed in Mordad (August) (64.1 mg/m3) and Esfand (March) (63.11 mg/m3) (P<0.01). The lowest one-hou intensity of CO was seen in Tabas square (21.71 mg/m3) and the highest in Post square (97.13). Mean annual concentration of SO2 ranged from 2.61 to 95.34 mg/m3, with the highest amount in Mehr (September) (83 mg/m3) (p<0.05). The highest annual concentrtion of NO2 was seen in Aban (October) (87.89) (P<0.05). the results showed that the density of CO throughout the year and that of SO2 during some months of the year were above the standard amounts but the density of NO2 was not higher throughout the year.