mohammad afshar

Aging is a period of human life in which general health, especially happiness, and hope, may be impaired. Also, sleep quality, general health, and happiness of the elderly begin o decline at this stage of life. The present study aimed to determine the effect of crocin of saffron on sleep quality, general health, and happiness in the elderly population

In this triple-blind randomized trial, 70 elderly people referred to Kashan health center in 2020 were selected. The study samples were divided into intervention and control groups using computer-generated random numbers to receive 30 mg/d of crocin (2 plus crocin tablet, 15 mg Beck depression inventory [BID]) (n=35) or placebo (2 tablets per day, 15 mg Beck depression inventory [BID]) (n=35), one hour after taking food, for 4 weeks. The sleep quality, general health, and happiness were evaluated at the beginning of the study, 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The two groups were matched in terms of demographic characteristics (P>0.05). The independent t-test showed no significant difference between the two groups in the baseline (sleep quality P=0.55, general health P=0.060, and happiness P=0.83) while a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups on the post-test (P=0.001) and follow-up for three variables.

The consumption of crocin by elderly individuals had useful outcomes on sleep quality, well-being, and happiness. Given that the efficacy of the psychological drugs is vital, nurses can use natural medications, such as crocin to improve the psychological disorders of elderly people.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Swedish massage combined with exercise therapy on nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in older adults.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 70 elderly people with NSLBP. Participants were assigned randomly to the intervention and control groups. The interventional group was treated using Swedish massage combined with exercise therapy, while the control group was treated using exercise therapy alone. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) were used to determine the severity of low back pain (LBP) and the LBP disability, respectively. All participants were completed LBP and QBPDS scales for three times (at the beginning and the end of the intervention as well as 4 weeks after completion of the intervention).

It was seen that the participants in the intervention and control groups were similar in baseline scores of VAS and QBPDS. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, the comparison of the mean scores of both the scales in the two groups indicated that the scores decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the intervention group compared to the control group at the second and the third measurements.

The findings indicated that the Swedish massage combined with exercise therapy could be more effective for reducing LBP and back pain disability compared to exercise therapy alone. Further studies are needed to reach more evidence.

Researchers have mentioned many beneficial effects for the compounds present in the toothbrush tree (Miswak) (Salvadora persica: SP); such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous-alcoholic extract of toothbrush tree on the wound healing of second-degree skin burns in BALB/c mice.

In this study, 60 mature mice (8 weeks) were used. The mice were divided into 5 groups of twelve. Groups 1 and 2 were respectively treated with concentrations of 5% and 10% of aqueous-alcoholic extract of the toothbrush plant, group3 was treated with silver sulfadiazine ointment (positive control), group4 was treated with Vaseline (negative control), and group 5 (sham) received no treatment. A second-degree circular burn wound with a diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of the animal. The first to fourth groups were dressed twice a day. On days 4, 7, 10 and 14, sampling was performed from the wounded site and wound healing was evaluated histopathologically.

Inflammation and infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes, being compared to the negative and sham control groups, were significantly reduced in the group treated with 10% SP extract (P<0.01); besides, on days 10 and 14 in the group treated with 10% and 5% SP extracts, the number of fibroblasts, followed by collagen production, epithelialization and formation of new hair follicles in the wound margins significantly increased compared to the negative control and sham group (P<0.05). The number of fibroblasts and collagen fiber density in the group treated with 10% SP extract, compared to the 5% extract group and silver sulfadiazine, showed a significant increase (P<0.05).

The findings showed that using extract of toothbrush plant accelerates the healing process of burn wounds.

Patient compassion is critical in providing quality health services and is essential to nurses' job satisfaction. Therefore, this study aimed to determine compassion level of nurses towards patients and its related factors in the hospitals of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2021.

In this cross-sectional study, 400 nurses working in educational hospitals of Kashan University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenient sampling method in 2021. Then they completed the questionnaires of demographic information, patient compassion of Lee et. al., and job stress. The results were then analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression using SPSS v16 statistical software.

The mean score of patient compassion was 65.99±5.37 (range from 17 to 85) in nurses which was high according to the percentage score of 77.6%. The results also showed that nurses’ the mean of total score of job stress was 112.73 ± 14.23 (range from 35 to 175) and was moderate in terms of job stress (64.4% score). Regression results showed that only three variables of work experience (ß = 0.173), job stress (ß = 0.121), and marital status (ß = 0.110) had significant relationships with compassion for the patient (p <0.05), and may predict the nurse's compassion towards patient.

According to the results of this research, it can be inferred that the nurse's compassion towards patient could be increased by managing stress in nurses and paying attention to their demographic factors.

Glycosylated hemoglobin is used to achieve glycemic control in diabetes, and adherence to treatment is the amount of behavioral therapy performed by an individual. This study aimed to determine effective factors on treatment adherence dimensions and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic patients at Aran and Bidgol in 2019.

This was a descriptive-analytical study on diabetic patients referred to Aran and Bidgol health centers from 2019 to 2020. Data were collected through the Madanlu treatment adherence questionnaire and measuring the latest HbA1c level in the patient’s file during the last three months. Literate patients completed the questionnaire, and the illiterate ones were interviewed. Data were analyzed using multiple regression tests and the Pearson correlation coefficient.

The mean age of participants was 60.04±10.75 and the duration of treatment was 9.46±6.81 years. The number (%) was 258(67%) for women, 302(78.4%) for married, 234(60.8%) for employed, 381(99%) for type 2 diabetes. According to the multiple regression test, the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin decreases for each unit of increasing participation in treatment by 0.088, combination by 0.038 and adherence to treatment by 0.156. Also, the value of glycosylated hemoglobin is increases 0.056 for each unit of increasing in commitment to treatment and 0.089 for each unit of tact in execution. R2 was 0.683 and P <0.001.

Glycosylated hemoglobin level has a negative and significant correlation with treatment adherence rate. Due to the improvement of glycosylated hemoglobin levels as a result of better adherence to treatment, promotional interventions are recommended to increase adherence to treatment.

Covid-19 reduces the quality of service to patients with physical and emotional problems. This study aimed to determine the problems of nurses caring for patients with coronavirus hospitalized in Kashan medical sciences hospitals in 2021.

The cross-sectional study was performed on 260 nurses working in Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Seyed Al-Shohada who had at least one month of care for patients with Covid-19. The researcher selected the samples and asked them to complete the questionnaire of demographic informations and problems of nurses in caring for patients with Covid-19. Then the results were analyzed using chi-square, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS 16 software.

The mean care of patients with Covid-19 in nurses was moderate (94.13±19.01) with frequency (51.1%). Also, the highest rate of problems was in the personal domain (22.16± 4.54) with a frequency (61.5%) and the lowest was in the motivational domain (6.20±2.98) with a frequency (38.7%). And knowledge and experience (4.93±1.74) with frequency (41.1%). The domain of physical and mental problems had a significant relationship with gender (P<0.05). The domain of personal problems was significantly related to the type of hospital and the number of children (P<0.05), also.

The results of the study showed that rate of nurses' problems in caring for patients with Covid-19 is moderate. Therefore, it is suggested that hospital managers should make the necessary plans to solve the problems of nurses.

Diabetes is a chronic, progressive, and metabolic disease that its prevalence is increasing in the world. Poor treatment adherence is a barrier to controlling diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment adherence and blood sugar control in patients with diabetes and related factors.

This descriptive‑analytical study was performed on 385 patients with diabetes in 2020–2021 at both Aran and Bidgol health centers. A proportion of diabetic patients in each center were selected based on the covered population by simple random sampling. The tools was Madanloo’s treatment adherence questionnaire and also measured glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level of patients during the last 3 months. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS‑19. T‑test, analysis of variance, Spearman correlation coefficient, Tukey, and multiple linear regression were used.

The mean ± standard deviation total score of treatment adherence was 61.43 ± 10.02 that 15.1% of patients had a mean adherence score, 79.5% had a good adherence score and 5.5% received a very good treatment adherence score. Various factors such as marital status (P = 0.013), employment status (P = 0.003), housing status (P = 0.001), other diseases (P = 0.004), drug side effects (P = 0.001), belief in the need for medication (P = 0.001), insurance (P = 0.002), number of children (P = 0.003), and monthly income (P = 0.003) affect the rate of adherence to treatment.

The treatment adherence in patients with diabetes was desirable. The results of the research can be used to design interventions to increase compliance with treatment to better control HbA1C and diabetes and reduce treatment costs.

With the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic, the transition from traditional educational approaches to modern methods has become more important. In fact, the emergence of this epidemic was able to revolutionize medical education by integrating e-learning into all levels of education and continuing education programs. Undoubtedly, this epidemic also provided opportunities for learners to innovate new learning experiences and take us beyond traditional classrooms and lecture-based learning. From the learners' point of view, e-learning has not been able to replace traditional education, but rather it can be used as a combined learning strategy. Therefore, due to the educational disorder caused by the Corona crisis, we decided to change the teaching methods of anatomy courses for medical students and use a Flipped classroom design model with small private online courses, combined training strategies to create results. Provide effective learning in the context of using new technologies. In fact, we tried to actively involve learners in this comprehensive approach so that we could facilitate learning.

Spiritual practices have recently emerged as beneficial to both mental and physical health. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of spiritual counseling on hope among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
This single blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on the patients with MS in April-June 2020, Kashan, Iran. 50 patients were randomly assigned to two 25-member groups. The patients in the intervention group participated in eight 60-minute spiritual counseling program. They were asked to fill out the demographic information questionnaire before the intervention and Herth Hope Index (HHI) before, immediately (in the 4th week of the study) and a month after the intervention (in the 8th week of the study). Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent samples t-test and repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS version 16. The significance level was considered P<0.05.
The results showed that the differences between the two groups before the intervention were not statistically significant in terms of demographic variables (P>0.05) and the mean score of hope (P=0.61). However, the total mean score of HHI in the intervention group was significantly different from the control group immediately and a month after the intervention (44.95±1.42 VS. 31.66±2.45 and 43.25±1.84 VS. 30.58±2.24), respectively (P<0.001). According to the results of the repeated measures ANOVA, the level of hope and its dimensions significantly changed in the intervention group over time (P<0.001).
The results of the present study showed that spiritual counseling promoted the hope score in patients with MS. It is recommended that spiritual counseling should be use as a complementary therapy along with other counseling treatments to increase hope in patients with MS.

Available evidences have shown that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), particularly BMP 2 and BMP 4, are involved in vascular calcification. Gremlin 1 is one of the important endogenous inhibitors of BMPs. This extracellular antagonist of bone morphogenic proteins has a very complex and cysteine-rich chain and establishes non-colonial transmissions to the members of the family with varying degrees of dependence and prevents them from binding to the receptor, thereby inhibit their function. The main objective of this study was clinical evaluation of the correlation between Gremlin-1 serum concentration and Coronary Artery Calcification.

Eighty-four patients with coronary artery disease from cardiology ward of Razavi Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, who completed the inclusion criteria, entered in the study between November 2015 and March 2016. CT-Angiography was performed to define coronary artery calcium score and Gremlin-1 serum concentrations were measured by an ELISA kit.

Eighty-one patients, with mean age of 57.19±10.18 years were included to the study. The mean serum level of Gremlin-1 was 10.92±8.46 pg/mL. There was a reverse significant correlation between Gremlin-1 serum concentration and Coronary Artery Calcification of Right coronary artery(RCA) (P<0.05), in contrast to total Coronary Artery Calcification score, left artery Descending (LAD), Left Main (LM) and Circumflex (CX). However, there was no evidence that age and sex risk factor, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, positive family history, current smoking and high BMI to be associated with serum level of Gremlin-1.

 Based on the results, Gremlin-1 serum concentration may be a suitable biomarker for predication coronary artery calcification severity. However, more researches on larger population are necessary for its validation.

Happiness is the most important components in the mental health of patients with multiple sclerosis. Spiritual counseling is a traditional intervention to alleviate illness and promote health. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual counseling on happiness among patients with multiple sclerosis.

This clinical trial study was performed on 50 patients with multiple sclerosis in Kashan in 2020. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (receiving spiritual counseling for one month in eight sessions of 60 minutes and two sessions per week) and control. The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was completed by both groups before, immediately after and one month after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using mixed analysis of variance (between-within groups) test.

The results showed that the mean of happiness in the group receiving spiritual counseling after the intervention and one month after it was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001).

The results of the present study showed that spiritual counseling promotes happiness in patients with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the approach of spiritual counseling can be used as a useful and effective intervention in improving the happiness of these patients. Further studies are recommended.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most frequent chronic diseases among children and adolescents. Educational strategies underscore patient’s roles in the management of diseases and enhance self-efficacy behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an educational intervention based on James Brown’s model on self-efficacy in adolescents with T1DM.

In this randomized clinical trial, 70 participants were selected and assigned to the control and intervention groups by random block. The two groups received routine care for T1DM. The intervention group was also provided with educational sessions, 60 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks, based on the educational model. The participants completed the diabetes management self-efficacy instrument at the beginning, at the end, and a month after the end of the study. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square, Independent samples t-test, Covariance (ANCOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA.

The mean±SD age of the intervention and control groups was 14.81±2.05 and 15.18±2.11 years, respectively. Before the intervention, the two groups were not different statistically in terms of demographic variables (age, sex, duration of diabetes, insulin intake, etc.) and self-efficacy. The results showed that immediately after the intervention and also in the follow-up stage, the mean scores of self-efficacies and its subscales (nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, and medical treatment) in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The mean scores of self-efficacies at the beginning, at the end, and a month after the end of the study were 27.97±5.08, 41.46±4.41, and 44.55±4.38, respectively. In the control group, however, these differences were not significant.

The education based on James Brown’s model can improve self-efficacy among adolescents with T1DM. It is recommended that nurses use this method to increase self-efficacy in adolescents with T1DM.

Wound healing is one of the main problems faced by medical scientists. Nowadays, herbal compounds are used to accelerate the repairing process. Coumarin is a plant compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. In the present study, the benefits of using coumarin in accelerating wound healing were investigated in mice. Sixty male BALB/c mice were used. After making a linear wound on the dorsum of the animals, they were randomly divided into five equal groups: the first and second groups received topical cream of coumarin at concentrations of 1% and 2%; the third and fourth groups received nitrofurazone cream (positive control) and eucerin cream (negative control), respectively. The fifth group as the sham group was not treated. Then on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 of experiment, biopsies were performed on three mice from each group. Histological examination was performedusing hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests. Inflammation significantly decreased in both experimental groups at days 4, 7, and 10, compared to the control groups. In the proliferation phase, fibroblast cells, granulation tissue formation, and epithelialization were significantly higher in both experimental groups than the control groups. In addition, collagen synthesis significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to the control groups. Topical application of coumarin had beneficial effects on different phases of wound healing in the skin of BALB/c mice.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that is secreted for biological responses and is regulated by the interaction between EPO and specific cytokine receptors. The EPO is a mediator of angiogenesis and erythropoiesis and can increase several growth factors. The current research aimed to compare the effects of systemic and subcutaneous injection of recombinant human EPO on the tissue-healing process.

For the purposes of the study, 30 male BALB/c mice were selected and divided into three groups. The first one received EPO treatment with systemic injection (n=10) while the second one received EPO treatment with subcutaneous injection (n=10). The third group was the control or placebo group without any treatment (n=10). The biopsies were studied on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 through staining by hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory's trichrome. In each group, 3 mice were sacrificed due to exposure to high doses of anesthetic on days 4 and 7. Moreover, 2 other mice were sacrificed after 10 and 14 days. The collected data and images were analyzed in SPSS (version 18.0) and ImageJ software, respectively. Furthermore, they were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and analysis of variance tests in. During all the analytical processes, a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant

According to the results, the density of inflammatory cells significantly decreased in EPO-treated groups, compared to the control group. Moreover, the EPO-treated groups underwent an increase regarding the number of fibroblast cells, new capillary formation, and epithelial thickness in the margins of the wound, unlike the control group.

Findings of the present study indicated that the systemic injection of EPO resulted in a better physiological response regarding the acceleration of tissue-healing in comparison with the subcutaneous injection. Furthermore, the systemic injection of EPO improved the parameters related to skin wound repair.

Considering the importance of prayer and its profound and wonderful effects on the individual and social life of youth and students, this study aimed to investigate the effective factors in attracting students to congregational prayers in Kashan University of Medical Sciences, 2019.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 205 students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made, reliable and validity questionnaire in the field of effective factors in attracting students to congregational prayers, which was set according to 5 Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test.

The effective factors in attracting students to congregational prayers (by mean and standard deviation) were respectively: the participation of authorities and professors (3.23±0.89), cultural and internal organizational factors (3.2±0.84), physical and beauty atmosphere of the prayer room (1.07±3.03), factors related to the role of peers and friends (2.98 ±1.19), the individual factors (2.92±0.77), the parents related factors (2.71±1.03), and the factors related to Imam congregation prayer (2.69±1.007). There was a significant relationship between sex (P=0.001), field of study (P=0.006) and place of life of students (P=0.03) with their attraction rate.

According to the findings, university, authorities and family are effective factors in attracting students to congregational prayer. Therefore, it is worthy to analyze the factors that influence students' attraction to prayer and planning to achieve success in this way

Due to the effects of prayer on each person especially at a young age and students, this study aimed to investigating the status of adherence to prayer of the students of Farabi campus of Tehran University in Qom.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 334 students of Farabi campus in Qom. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made, reliable and valid questionnaire in terms of effective factors in adhering students to prayer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and the t-test.

According to the results of this study, 194 (58.1%) of the students prayed as always and most of the time. The factors influencing students 'adherence to prayer from the students' point of view, based on mean and standard deviation, were as follows: awareness of the rulings and the prayer philosophy 3.87± 0.92, the effect of prayer in the individual and social life 3.66±0.82, serious adherence to prayers 3.42±0.9, and attention to requiring and preparing for prayers 2.92±0.82.

Youth and students adherence to the prayers of the islamic country world is a serious issue and concern for authorities. It is hoped that the findings from this study and further studies will be effective for cultural planners of the country's universities, until with a deeper understanding policy making.

Sleep disturbance and anxiety are common problems in patients undergoing hemodialysis, which can be influenced by use of complementary medicine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of guided imagery on anxiety and quality of sleep in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

This clinical trial study was carried out on 70 hemodialysis patients, who were divided into two intervention (35 subjects) and control (35 subjects) groups using block randomization method. In addition to receiving usual care, the intervention group received a compact disc (CD) of guided Imagery through headphones for a consecutive period of 4 weeks, and the control group received just the usual care. At the beginning and the end of the study, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, were completed. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests (independent t-test, paired t-test, and covariance analysis) using SPSS Version 16 at a significant level less than 0.05.

The results of the study revealed that the prevalence of state and trait anxiety and the sleep quality of patients in the intervention group, were 54.42 ± 3.58, 52.05 ± 3.15 and 8.45 ± 2.31, respectively, and in the control group, were 47.91 ± 7. 21, 49.37 ± 5.49, and 6.51 ± 2.82, respectively; so that the mean anxiety scores in the intervention group, was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). After the intervention, the anxiety score in the intervention group, was 43.05 ± 2.15 and 42.48 ± 2.06 and in the control group, was 47.37 ± 6.38 and 49.40±5.79, respectively, and the mean of the anxiety scores in the group was 47.37 ± 6.38, so that the mean anxiety score in the intervention group was significantly lower compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the sleep quality score before the intervention was 8.45 ± 2.31 in the intervention group, which became 6.54 ± 1.93 after the intervention. Sleep quality score in the control group before the intervention, was 6.51 ± 2.82, which became 6.02 ± 2.47 after the intervention.

Use of guided imagery reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality in the hemodialysis patients. Thus, use of this technique is recommended as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) has a long history of therapeutic use in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to seek for the scientific evidence to determine whether the ethanolic extract of myrrh (EEM) has any beneficial effects on Streptozotocin (STZ) induced testicular impairments, and explore the possible mechanisms underlying such actions.

Forty-eight severe and complicated diabetic rats (fasting blood glucose above 350 mg/dL), randomly were divided into six equal groups (n=8). Besides, eight healthy rats allocated as a normal control group and only treated with vehicle solution. The diabetic animals orally received the extract (100, 200, 300, and 500 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg) or vehicle solution for 28 days. As a final point, plasma glucose and insulin, circulatory sex hormones, sperm parameters including sperm concentration, motility and viability and also testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Furthermore, quantitative histological evaluation of seminiferous tubules area and determination of germinal cells apoptosis were performed.

None of the studied doses of EEM showed anti-diabetic effects. However, the extract mainly at the maximum dose (500 mg/kg) exhibited beneficial effects on reproductive impairments. The EEM treated rats mainly at 500 mg/kg had significantly higher sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm viability, sex hormones and lower testicular MDA and germ cell apoptosis index than untreated diabetic rats.

These results indicated that EEM may have beneficial effects against reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes. The mechanisms behind the effects might be associated with the EEM sex hormone booster potential, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Sleep disorder is one of the major problems in cancer patients that affect their quality of life. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of guided visualization on sleep quality in cancer patients.

This clinical trial study was performed on 70 cancer patients. Samples were randomly selected for the study. The samples were divided into intervention and control groups and two groups filled out the demographic and Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaires at the beginning of the study. After intervention, the two groups completed the questionnaires again and the results were analyzed by SPSS-16 software using chi-square, t-test and ANCOVA

The results showed that there was no significant difference between the study groups in the post-test compared to the pre-test, while the mean scores of the intervention group in the post-test were significantly higher than the control group. (P<0.001).

According to the results, guided visualization improved sleep quality in cancer patients, so therapists can use this method to improve sleep quality in cancer patients.

One of the most common care interventions performed by nurses is drug therapy and medication errors are the most common type of medical error in medical centers. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of medication errors and their related factors in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital staff.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2016. To collect the data, four hospital wards were selected randomly at first and the researcher-made questionnaire with 29 open-ended questions and a 20-question checklist were used to investigate drug errors. The data collection tool was completed by the observer while accompanying and observing the nurse in charge of the medication. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

In this study, a total of 65 nurses were observed in four departments of internal medicine, surgery, intensive care and emergency for 301 doses of medication. The highest frequency of medication errors according to the types of errors were incorrect time (41.74%), wrong medication (18.88%) and wrong technique (14.23%). The highest number of medication errors according to the drug administration stage were in drug administration (20.02%) and then in drug preparation (5.04%) and finally in drug prescription (2.94%).

According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that medication errors are common in nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to educate the fundamentals of medication properly considering all safety considerations.

State anxiety is one of the common psychological problems among cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of guided imagery on the state anxiety of cancer patients. This randomized, clinical trial study was conducted on 70 cancer patients who were randomly selected from the patients in the cancer ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan in 2019. The participants were assigned to two 35-member groups of intervention and control, filling demographic questionnaires and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Then, the intervention group received 8 sessions of guided imagery, twice a week for four weeks and again filled out the anxiety inventory. The data were analyzed through SPSS 16 using Chi-square, t-test and ANOVA. and ANCOVA. The results of ANCOVA test showed that there is a significant difference between the groups in the post-test compared to the pre-test. The mean scores of the imagery group in the state anxiety variables significantly decreased in the post-test (54.17±6.82) compared to those in the control group (41.67±6.45). (p<0.001). The results of this study showed that guided imagery can significantly reduce the anxiety symptoms in cancer patients, which can be useful in caring cancer patients while decreasing treatment cost.

Postoperative peritoneal adhesion occurs in more than 90% of intra-abdominal surgeries and can lead to intestinal obstruction, infertility, abdominal and pelvic pain. The extract of Malva sylvestris has shown to be safe and non-toxic with a wide range of biological activities. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal nebulization of M. sylvestris in the healing process of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion for the first time. For creating intra-abdominal adhesions, the rats were anesthetized to undergo surgery. Four lavage solutions including saline, ethanolic extract, hydroalcoholic extract, and aqueous extract of M. sylvestris were used for 2 min, and then the abdomen was closed. After 15 days, the rats underwent surgery and cecum and peritoneal samples were obtained for histopathological analysis. The severity of peritoneal adhesions based on the histopathological analysis and serum levels of TNF-α and Il-1β were compared in different groups. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of M. sylvestris decreased significantly microscopic and macroscopic peritoneal adhesion while the ethanolic extract just reduced it microscopically. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were more potent than the ethanolic extract in the healing process. The concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1β and TNF-α did not change significantly. The extract of M. sylvestris could decrease the severity of peritoneal adhesion compared to the control group but it could not decrease the level of systemic inflammatory mediators.

Many women of childbearing age suffer from problems such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation.

The objective of the study is to determine the relationship between the duration of menstrual bleeding and obesity‑related anthropometric indices in students.

This cross‑sectional study was carried out on 250 students in 2016. Data were collected by a questionnaire composed of: 1) demographic information, 2) information concerning menstrual cycle and 3) obesity‑related anthropometric parameters. Anthropometric parameters include height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and arm circumference. Independent t‑test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regressions with backward strategy were used.

The average age of students was 21/295 (±1/585) years. For most participants, the duration of menstrual bleeding was 3–7 days (87/2%, 218 people). None of the participants had menstrual bleeding <3 days, and the duration of bleeding was >7 days for 32 participants (12/800%). A significant relationship was observed between the intervals of menstruation and the waist‑to‑hip ratio (r = 0/136, P < 0/041). Based on multiple linear regression, hip circumference and waist‑to‑weight, hip‑to‑waist, arm‑to‑weight, hip‑to‑thigh, and arm‑to‑height ratios are predictors for menstrual duration.

In this study, a significant association was found between the anthropometric indices and menstrual characteristics. These findings suggest the need for modifying anthropometric indicators to control menstrual cycle problems.

Structural empowerment (SE) is an effective method of advancing work environments and has previously been widely discussed in Western countries. Due to the lack of culturally and academically accepted scales in Iran for measuring SE, localization of a foreign scale in this field is necessary.

This study aimed at investigating the validity and reliability of the Persian Version of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire‑II (CWEQ‑II‑PV) among Iranian nurses.

The present cross‑sectional methodological research was conducted during 2017–2018. Participants were 230 nurses working in four teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Kashan, Iran, who were selected using quota sampling. A standard forward– backward translation procedure according to Wild et al. (2005) was used to translate the English Version of the CWEQ‑II to Persian. The psychometric evaluation processes were achieved by face, content, and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]). Reliability was examined using test–retest and Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency reliability.

The CWEQ‑II‑PV showed good content validity (the mean content validity scores for relevancy, clarity, and simplicity were 94%, 96%, and 94%, respectively). In the CFA, the original six‑factor version with 19 items was confirmed. The original model was presented and incorporated in the CFA, indicating an acceptable fit for the model (root mean square error of approximation = 0.06, comparative fit index = 0.92, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.94, and adjusted GFI = 0.91). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.84 and for each component ranged from 0.71 to 0.87, indicating good internal consistency, and the test–retest Spearman and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.93 and 0.87, respectively, showing good test–retest reliability.

Evidence was found to support the reliability and validity of the CWEQ‑II‑PV scale that measures the quality of the work environment for nurses from a SE perspective.