Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
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The Use of an Online Educational Course to Study the Most Important Drug Information and Conventional Community Pharmacy Scenarios in a Virtual Learning Environment and Evaluate its Impact on Pharmaceutical Care Education
No full textObjective: VLE is based on MOODLE that provides an online social networking platform for communicating and sharing information among students and also used as an educational assistance tool by pharmacy educators in Ardabil School of Pharmacy. Despite its previous usage, there is very little research to demonstrate how to use VLE effectively to enhance pedagogy in a specific course. We used VLE in mentioned campus to create an electronic learning space to teach drug information and pharmacotherapeutic subjects more effectively than lecture-based teaching and less labor-intensive. This study is aimed to determine pharmacy student's perceptions toward case-based learning method in VLE space.
Method: We created a course on VLE, to explore the possibilities of using EBC to promote and motivate student learning. Using it, the students would be able to work through 51 designed cases which encapsulate the entirety of a patient presentation. 45 cases were focused on drug information and 6 of them were based on pharmacotherapeutic principles. Students who had completed basic science and pharmacology courses were qualified to enroll. Individual students were expected to participate in at least one case of each type. A post course survey was administered anonymously to students. The questionnaires were designed to measure participant's satisfaction and their opinion about the effectiveness of the course.
Results: A total of 61 signed up in the online course. Of these, only 35 participants (57%) were both eligible and fully participated. All participants completed the survey. 97% of participants agreed with the creativity in drug information education using case-based learning and 94% of them agreed with the improvement in the retention of drug information using spaced education and case-based learning method. However, they had the least agreement with the statements "the scenarios were easy to follow" and "improvement in the retention of pharmacotherapeutic tips using case-based learning".
Conclusion: EBC appears to be well-accepted learning method to participants in this study. Their opinion was influenced by the creativity and high efficiency of case-based learning in VLE space
Parameter optimization and degradation mechanism for electrocatalytic degradation of 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide by lead dioxide electrodes
No full text2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world. In this work, the electro-catalytic degradation of 2,4-D herbicide from aqueous solutions was evaluated using three anode electrodes, i.e., lead dioxide coated on stainless steel 316 (SS316/β-PbO2), lead dioxide coated on a lead bed (Pb/β-PbO2), and lead dioxide coated on graphite (G/β-PbO2). The structure and morphology of the prepared electrodes were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The process of herbicide degradation was monitored during constant current electrolysis using cyclic voltammetry (CV). In this study, the experiments were designed based on the central composite design (CCD) and were analyzed and modeled by response surface methodology (RSM) to demonstrate the operational variables and the interactive effect of three independent variables on 3 responses. The effects of parameters including pH (3–11), current density (j = 1–5 mA cm−2) and electrolysis time (20–80 min) were studied. The results showed that, at j = 5 mA cm−2, by increasing the reaction time from 20 to 80 min and decreasing the pH from 11 to 3, the 2,4-D herbicide degradation efficiency using SS316/β-PbO2, Pb/β-PbO2 and G/β-PbO2 anode electrodes was observed to be 60.4, 75.9 and 89.8%, respectively. Moreover, the results showed that the highest COD and TOC removal efficiencies using the G/β-PbO2 electrode were 83.7 and 78.5%, under the conditions pH = 3, electrolysis time = 80 min and j = 5 mA cm−2, respectively. It was also found that G/β-PbO2 has lower energy consumption (EC) (5.67 kW h m−3) compared to the two other studied electrodes (SS316/β-PbO2 and Pb/β-PbO2). The results showed a good correlation between the experimental values and the predicted values of the quadratic model (P < 0.05). Results revealed that the electrochemical process using the G/β-PbO2 anode electrode has an acceptable efficiency in the degradation of 2,4-D herbicide and can be used as a proper pretreatment technique to treat wastewater containing resistant pollutants, e.g., phenoxy group herbicides (2,4-D)
Evaluation of anti leishmanial effect of Agrostemma githago by topical and injection treatment on Leishmania major infected BALB/c mice
Get PDFBackground and Objective: The Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites from more than 20 Leishmania species, transmitted to human by the bites of the infected female Phlebotomine sandfly. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is the most common form of the disease. The current therapies mainly rely on Antimonial drugs that are associated with difficulties such as parasite resistance to the drug. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo anti-leishmanial activity of Agrostemma githago seed extract against L.major on infected Balb-c mice and to compare its efficacy with Meglumine antimoniate (MA,Glucantime).
Materials & Methods: In this study, promastigotes of Leishmania major (MRHO /IR /75 /ER) parasites was injected to the base of the tail of female Balb-c mice to cause lesions. The local treatment was done for 3 weeks by intra lesion injection of Agrostemma githago extract with concentrations 10 and 20 mg/kg with two day intervals and also with topical ointment of Agrostemma githago with concentrations 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 5% daily. Measuring of lesions sizes and weighing the mice was done before and during the treatment each week for three weeks. At the end of the treatment, pathologic slides of lesions tissue were prepared and the parasitic burden of the samples was determined.
Results: The results showed no significant changes in mice weight between different groups. Evaluation of the lesions sizes demonstrated a significant difference between the control group compared to the groups which had been treated with extract of Agrostemma githago and Glucantime (P<0.001). After treatment of the injection groups with concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/kg and the topical ointment group with concentration of 0.5% of extract, mean diameter of lesions was significantly reduced in compared to the other groups and Glucantime (P<0.05). Evaluation of the parasite burden determined a significant difference between the control group compared to all of the treated groups (P<0.001). Parasite burden in injected group with concentration of 20 mg/kg of extract and topical ointment group with concentration of 5% of extract, was significantly decreased compared to Glucantime group.
Conclusion: Agrostemma githago seed aqueous extract has strong anti-leishmanial activity in in vivo against Leishmania major
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Sealing Agents and Antioxidants Protect Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Naproxen, Diclofenac and Celecoxib
No full textNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib used to reduce pain. Many of these drugs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The molecular mechanism(s) by which NSAIDs induce CVD up to now is unknown. We investigated the effects of naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib with different structures and mechanism action on isolated rat heart mitochondria. All tested NSAIDs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane collapse (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione and ATP depletion, which all of them play important roles in developing cardiotoxicity. We reported that mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agents and antioxidants have the capacity to significantly prevent mitochondrial toxicity. Therefore, the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by MPT pore sealing agents and antioxidants can double confirm NSAID-induced cardiomyocytes toxicity is resulted from induction of apoptosis signaling trough ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition
The Effect of Training Triage on the Performance of Employees in the Emergency Department on Triage
Get PDFTria training is essential for triage personnel, due to the emergence of triage system in Iran. In the present study, the effect of training on knowledge and practice of emergency staff of Fatemi Hospital of Ardebil in Iran was carried out. The level of knowledge, attitude and practice of staff in the field of triage before and 6 weeks after the training was conducted on triage training. Training was conducted during two sessions of a 3-hour workshop. Data collection included demographic data, knowledge assessment, attitude and practice of the staff through the questionnaire. Demographic characteristics included age, gender, marital status, work record, degree, type of employment, shift and average number of shifts per week.The level of knowledge, attitude, and performance of the staff 6 weeks after the workshop was 10.3 ± 2.62 to 30.25 ± 2.61, 95.9 ± 14.97 to 95.3 ± 14.58, 104, and from 4.4 ± 7.3 to 12.94 ± 4.0, there was a significant increase (0.00001P 0.05(
Education has a significant impact on the level of knowledge, attitude, and performance of emergency staff in the field of triage. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the training courses for the employees of this department to achieve the correct and lasting skill
Fluoroquinolones‑resistant Shigella species in Iranian children:a meta‑analysis
Get PDFBackground Shigella is one of the most common causes of childhood dysentery along with high rate of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, the prevalence of fluoroquinolones-resistant Shigella species is increasing worldwide which can cause treatment failure of Shigella infections. Since there has not been any comprehensive information on drug-resistant Shigella species in Iran, we conducted the following meta-analysis to raise awareness.
Methods We conducted a literature search on antibiotic resistance of Shigella species to collect published studies in Iran using national and international databases. Literature search was performed by up to Jan 30, 2019 and eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis by predefined criteria. Results Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disk diffusion technique was the only used method in all included studies. Antibiotic resistance characteristics of Shigella species against WHO recommended therapeutic regimens were as follows: S. dysenteriae 7%, S. flexneri 3.8%, S. boydii 6.9% and S. sonnei 2.6% to ciprofloxacin, S. dysenteriae 27.9%, S. flexneri 19.3%,
S. boydii 15.7% and S. sonnei 9.5% to ceftriaxone and also S. dysenteriae 91.7%, S. flexneri 20.7%, S. boydii 46.7% and S.
sonnei 32.3% to azithromycin. Resistance to pivmecillinam has not been investigated in Iran.
Conclusions Our findings revealed that ciprofloxacin can still be used as the first-line antibiotic for Shigella infections in Iranian children. However, it seems that second-line antibiotics i.e., ceftriaxone and azithromycin are not good choices for treatment and thus not recommended
One-year results of photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia in Patients Reffered to Ardabil Noor Surgical Center
Get PDFBackground and Objective: Hyperopia is a commonly encountered refractive error.The tendency to correction of refractive errors such as hyperopia is one of the most common causes of referrals to the ophthalmology clinics. The purpose of refractive surgery is to reduce the individual's dependence on using glasses or contact lenses for daily activities.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on the treatment of hyperopia between +1.00 to +7.00 diopter using Allegretto Eye Q 400.
Methods : In this case-series and prospective study,47 eyes (25 patients) with cycloplegic hyperopia between + 1.00 to + 7.00 D and cycloplegic astigmatism equal to and less than one diopter were consecutively entered within 6 months into the study and underwent PRK surgery.
All patients underwent slit lamp examination, uncorrected and corrected visual acquity testing with LogMAR, cycloplegic refraction (hyperopia and astigmatism), keratometry and fundus examination prior to surgery, and were examined in first week , 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Corneal haziness was also examined in every visits. Visual acquity was presented by comparison of pre-op and 12th month post-op acquities.
Results: The preop UCVA was 0.76 ± 0.28 (range 0.00-1.3) and increased to 0.19 ± 0.22 (range 0.00 to 0.78) with P: 0.000 at 12 months. The pre-operative BCVA increased from 0.13 ± 0.24 ( Range 0.00 -1.00) to 0.08 ± 0.16 (range 0.0-0.7) with P: 0.01 at 12 months.
The preoperative cycloplegic sphere and spherical equivalent (SE) were +5.02 ± 1.64 (range 1.5 -7.00) and +4.75±1.55 (range: 1.38 – 6.5 ) ,respectively and decreased to 12th month postop 1.83±1.72 (range -0.75-5.75) and +1.35 ± 1.51 (range -1.00-5.38), respectively. (P: 0.000)
Refractive cycloplegic sphere and Mean k became stable between 6 and 12 month and stability for mean cycloplegic spherical Equivalent (SE) was between 3 and 6 month.
The rate of regression or remain of cycloplegic hyperopia above 2 diopters had a significant correlation with preoperative cycloplegic hyperopia above 5 diopters (P = 0.001) and age equal to and less than 35 years (P: 0.036).
While all eyes had preoperative astigmatism equal and less than one diopter (-0.5±0.41 and range -1.00-0.00 ), in the 12th month postoperative examination,17 eyes (36.2%) had astigmatism more than 1 diopter (range 1.25 - 3.75). The increase in astigmatism was significantly correlated with preop cycloplegic hyperopia more that 5 diopters (P: 0.000), cycloplegic hyperopia of 12 months equal and more than 2 diopters (P: 0.000), corneal ring haziness at 12th month postoperatively (P: 0.000) and with age equal to and less than 35 years old (P: 0.047).
Corneal ring haziness at 12th month was detected in 53.2 % of the eyes ( grading range: 0.5-4), which had a significant correlation with cycloplegic sphere above 5 diopters (P: 0.006) and with the remaining cycloplegic hyperopia at 12th month that was equal to and more than two diopters (P: 0.000)
Conclusion: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with Allegretto Eye Q 400 despite decreasing the mean cycloplegic sphere and improving the UCVA and BCVA , but due to the high rate of induction of astigmatism, regression of hyperopia and corneal haziness in high percentages, it is not recommended to perform in cases of preop cycloplegic hyperopia above 5 diopters
The impact of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans biofilm-derived effectors following antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts
No full textBackground
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an effective adjunctive therapeutic modality for the treatment of local infections, including periodontitis and peri-implantitis. After receiving aPDT, microbial cells in the biofilm structure may produce and/ or release soluble biofilm-derived effectors (BDEs), which may affect the biology of the host cells in the community context of their surrounding microenvironment. Given the fact that no study has investigated the role of BDEs following aPDT in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, the aim of the current study was to determine the effect of BDEs of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans following exposure to sub-lethal doses of indocyanine green (ICG)-aPDT on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in terms of cytokines produced.
Materials and methods
In this study, we evaluated the effect of biofilm-conditioned medium (BCM) resulting from the treatment of A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm with a sub-lethal dose of aPDT on cytokines production, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL10, TGF-β, and bFGF of HGFs using enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA). The sensitivity of cytokines to BDEs was determined by micro-titer plates.
Results
The maximal sub-lethal dose of ICG-PDT was 20.15 μM/mL ICG at a fluence of 31.2 J/cm2. The BCM of ICG-PDT-treated viable A. actinomycetemcomitans significantly reduced IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL10 levels compared to the BCM of untreated viable A. actinomycetemcomitans (78-, 93-, and 61.6-fold reduction, respectively; all P < 0.01). TGF-β and bFGF were strongly induced by BCM of ICG-PDT treated viable A. actinomycetemcomitans (by 57.7 and 36.1 folds, respectively; both P < 0.05). The BCM of untreated viable A. actinomycetemcomitans degraded most of the CxCL10, TGF-β and bFGF (58.8, 61.5, and 71.6%, respectively) in 24 h, while it degraded 9.3% of IL-6 and 15.1% of IL-8 after 24 h.
Conclusion
The results of the current study revealed that a sub-lethal dose of ICG-aPDT through the effect of BCM on HGFs could not only significantly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines but also promoted their role in periodontal regeneration due to increasing the bFGF level. Altogether, ICG-aPDT, with it's antimicrobial effects reduces inflammation and induces of tissue regeneration resulting from BCM, can be considered an efficient adjunctive therapeutic method for the treatment of local infections
Efficacy of intravenous paracetamol dilutions compared with lidocaine for prevention of propofol-induced pain during induction of anesthesia
Get PDFBackground: Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic drug that is commonly used for induction of anesthesia; pain during induction of anesthesia with propofol is a common problem (with a prevalence of 28-90%) that can be distressful for patients. We aimed to compare the efficiency of intravenous paracetamol in different dilutions and lidocaine in prevention of propofol-induced pain. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 200 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with propofol was randomly assigned to 4 groups of 50 persons. In Group 1, 40 mg lidocaine in 5 ml normal saline; in group 2, 2 mg/kg Paracetamol in 5 ml normal saline; in group 3, 2 mg/kg Paracetamol in 20 ml normal saline, and in group 4, 5 ml normal saline were injected as control. Then, 25% of the calculated dose of Propofol (2.5 mg/kg) was injected at a speed of 0.5 ml/sec and the patient’s pain was determined based on VRS score from 0-3. Then, general anesthesia was induced. Results: In the four groups, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of age and sex. The amount of pain in Lidocaine group was significantly lower, compared to the control group (P=0.001), in the paracetamol group (P=0.03), in the diluted paracetamol group (P=0.009), but there was no significant difference among the three groups in terms of pain reduction. Discussion: Both 2 mg/kg paracetamol in 5 ml normal saline and in 20 ml normal saline are as effective as 40 mg lidocaine in 5 ml normal saline
