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Background: Health costs have risen everywhere, worldwide, and nurses play a pivotal role in cost savings and in contributing to the fi nancial stability of hospitals. Aim: This study evaluated the awareness and performance of Iranian nursing staff, with regard to health economics. Materials and Methods: A total of 175 nurses who worked in three teaching hospitals in Mashhad (Iran) were selected for this descriptive cross-sectional study, and data were gathered via a 27-item questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 78% (n = 39) of nurses did not have a good awareness of health economics. The overall mean score for economic awareness was 5.9 ± 2.1 (possible range, 0-16), and for economic performance was 26.6 ± 4 (possible range, 0-44). There was a significant relationship between the economic awareness and performance of nurses, and nurses in higher positions had a greater awareness of health economics. Conclusions: Considering the inadequacy of the health economics awareness and performance of nurses, it is essential that efforts are made to enhance their knowledge and behavior with regard to economic issues and cost saving in all the fi elds of nursing, through the use of continuing education courses and workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Immobilization in the elderly can reduce the size and strength of muscle mass and ultimately lead to sarcopenia, the severity and progression of which can be prevented by exercise. However, due to physical and mental conditions, the elderly may be unable to take full advantage of regular exercise. Therefore, fun exercise through motivation and effective participation of older adults is likely to have positive effects on decreasing the volume and power of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fun physical activities on the progression of sarcopenia among elderly residents in nursing homes. Methods: This study was a two-group randomized controlled trial conducted in 2014. Sixty three older adults were recruited by the random sampling. The elderly in the fun physical exercise group did the exercise for 8 weeks, three times a week for 20 minutes at a time, and in the control group, the adults did the routine exercises. The Berg Balance Scale, a dynamometer, and the Six-Minute Walk Test were used to measure sarcopenia criteria (balance, muscle strength, distance traveled).The statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 13. Results: The results showed that the mean score of the sarcopenia criterion (balance, distance walked, muscles strength) was significantly increased in the fun physical exercise group than in the control group. Conclusion: The fun physical activity reduces sarcopenia progression through improving balance, increasing distances walked, and strengthening muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction equations for pulmonary function values in healthy young Iranians aged 8–18 yearsBOSKABADY MH, TASHAKORY A, MAZLOOM R, GHAMAMI G.Respirology2004;9: 535–542Pulmonary function test (PFT) variables are dependent on height, age and gender. In addition, there is evidence of PFT variation in different ethnic groups. Prediction equations for PFT from a healthy, non-smoking, urban young population in the city of Mashhad (north-east Iran) have been derived.Prediction equations for normal pulmonary function were derived from 336 healthy, non-smoking subjects, including 187 males (height 103–188.5 cm) and 149 females (height 104–183 cm) aged 8–18 years. The subjects underwent measurement of spirometric flow and volume. The following variables were measured: FVC, FEV1, maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), PEF, maximal expiratory flow at 75, 50 and 25% of the FVC (MEF75, MEF50, and MEF25, respectively), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), inspiratory capacity (IC), and vital capacity (VC). Regression analysis using height and age as independent variables was applied to provide predicted values for both genders.There were positive correlations for each pulmonary function variable with height and age. The largest positive correlations were found for FEV1 with height and age, in both genders. Comparison of PFT variables derived from the equations obtained in the present study showed significant differences to those calculated from several previously published equations (P < 0.001 for most variables). For example, the values of FVC and FEV1 derived from the equations obtained in the present study were 2.83 ± 0.99 and 2.50 ± 0.89 for males, and 2.41 ± 0.54 and 2.19 ± 0.53 for females, while the values derived from the equations of the European Community for Steel and Coal study were 3.12 ± 1.06 and 2.62 ± 0.89 for males and 2.79 ± 0.67 and 3.35 ± 0.57 for females, respectively.A set of PFT reference values and prediction equations for both genders has been derived using a relatively large, healthy, non-smoking Iranian young population, and has generated results that differ from several other prediction equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lower Dipteran fungus fly, Sciara coprophila, has many unique biological features that challenge the rule of genome DNA constancy. For example, Sciara undergoes paternal chromosome elimination and maternal X chromosome nondisjunction during spermatogenesis, paternal X elimination during embryogenesis, intrachromosomal DNA amplification of DNA puff loci during larval development, and germline-limited chromosome elimination from all somatic cells. Paternal chromosome elimination in Sciara was the first observation of imprinting, though the mechanism remains a mystery. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence for Sciara coprophila to take a large step forward in addressing these features. Results: We assembled the Sciara genome using PacBio, Nanopore, and Illumina sequencing. To find an optimal assembly using these datasets, we generated 44 short-read and 50 long-read assemblies. We ranked assemblies using 27 metrics assessing contiguity, gene content, and dataset concordance. The highest-ranking assemblies were scaffolded using BioNano optical maps. RNA-seq datasets from multiple life stages and both sexes facilitated genome annotation. A set of 66 metrics was used to select the first draft assembly for Sciara. Nearly half of the Sciara genome sequence was anchored into chromosomes, and all scaffolds were classified as X-linked or autosomal by coverage. Conclusions: We determined that X-linked genes in Sciara males undergo dosage compensation. An entire bacterial genome from the Rickettsia genus, a group known to be endosymbionts in insects, was co-assembled with the Sciara genome, opening the possibility that Rickettsia may function in sex determination in Sciara. Finally, the signal level of the PacBio and Nanopore data support the presence of cytosine and adenine modifications in the Sciara genome, consistent with a possible role in imprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Painful processing procedures in piglets such as tail docking, castration, and teeth clipping are an emerging animal welfare concern. We hypothesized that transmammary delivery of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, firocoxib, would reduce pain associated with processing in piglets. This study compared the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and tissue residue concentrations of 4 doses of firocoxib (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg) administered to sows and delivered to nursing piglets prior to processing. Sixteen sows, 5 ± 2 d postpartum, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups. On day 0, sows received a single intramuscular dose of firocoxib at 7 ± 1 h before piglet surgical castration, tail docking, and teeth clipping (males) or sham handling (females). Firocoxib and cortisol concentrations were determined from selected samples collected from sows and 3 piglets per litter (2 barrows and 1 gilt) at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after drug administration. On day 21, piglets were weighed and all animals were euthanized and necropsied. Tissues were collected from 3 piglets per litter for histological examination and drug residue analysis. Mean (±SEM) peak plasma firocoxib concentrations (C max ) were 107.90 ± 15.18, 157.50 ± 24.91, 343.68 ± 78.89, and 452.83 ± 90.27 ng/mL in sows receiving 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/kg firocoxib, respectively, and 9.53 ± 1.21, 31.04 ± 6.79, 53.30 ± 11.1, and 44.03 ± 7.47 ng/mL in their respective piglets. Mean plasma terminal half-life values ranged from 26 to 31 h in sows and 30 to 48 h in piglets. Barrows nursing sows that received 2.0 mg/kg firocoxib had a lower mean plasma cortisol concentration at 1 ± 1 h after processing compared with barrows nursing sows that received 1.0 mg/kg (P = 0.0416) and 0.5 mg/kg of firocoxib (P = 0.0397). From processing to weaning, litters of sows receiving 2.0 mg/kg firocoxib gained more weight than litters of sows that received 0.5 mg/kg (P = 0.008) or 1.0 mg/kg (P = 0.005). No signs of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity were observed on examination of the kidney, liver, stomach, and small intestine, and concentrations of firocoxib and the descyclopropylmethyl metabolite were below the limit of detection (0.01 µg/g) in all tissues examined from sows and piglets. These findings indicate that maternal delivery of firocoxib to suckling piglets before tail docking and castration may safely reduce processing-induced stress and enhance production by increasing weaning weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A common, early postpartum concern of the breastfeeding mother is nipple pain. Because of a lack of effective treatment and opposing results about lanolin, we decided to compare the effect of lanolin ointment and aloe Vera gel on nipple soreness treatment. Methods: This clinical blind trial was performed in Mashhad, Iran, from February 2008 to May 2009. Sampling was nonrandom and purposive, and then samples were divided randomly into two groups. After first applying the preparation on their arms to check for allergy symptoms, mothers were instructed to then rub the preparation on their nipples three times a day for seven consecutive days, each application performed after feeding the baby. Mothers were to let the preparation dry and not to wash it before the next feeding. Researcher pretreatment at the third and seventh day filled out the Storr scale with interviews and examinations. There were no complications in mothers and infants because of the drug's usage The data was then analyzed with Spss 11.5 and Mann-Whitney, Student's t-test, and t-paired tests. Results: A total of 100 samples enrolled with 50 samples in the lanolin group and 50 samples in the aloe vera group. In aloe Vera group Nipple soreness scoring decreased significantly at the third day versus pretreatment (p=0.00) and also at the seventh day versus pretreatment and the third day (p=0.000). Nipple soreness scoring decreased significantly at the third day versus pretreatment (p=0.00) and also at the seventh day versus pretreatment and the third day (p=0.000, p=0.001). The two groups were homogenous at the pretreatment day (p=0.711), but there was a significant difference between the two groups at the third and seventh day (p=0.048, p=0.003). Conclusion: Aloe Vera is more effective than lanolin on nipple soreness healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]