Antibacterial activity of β -Tricalcium phosphate containing nanosilver particles on periodontal Gram-negative pathogen

INTRODUCCTION

This research aimed to investigate the effect of antibacterial suspension containing TCP-β and nanosilver on these pathogens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Suspension containing concentrations of 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.1% was prepared with tricalcium phosphate and nanosilver. Two control suspensions for pure nanosilver and pure β-TCP were also prepared. The antibacterial activity of this suspension was investigated on two groups of bacteria, namely, P. intermedia and Aa in thioglycolate broth environment. Subsequently, the MIC was measured for each bacterium.

RESULTS

The suspension containing β-TCP and nanosilver produced an antibacterial effect on P. intermedia and Aa. The effect of this solution on P. intermedia was greater than that on A. actinomycetemcomitans. Moreover, the MICs (mg/mL) for P. intermedia and A. actinomycetemcomitans were 1% and 0.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study adding nanosilver particles to β-TCP resulted in the antibacterial property of this substance. Specifically, reduced the growth rate of Aa and P. intermedia. Nanosilver can be used to reduce the risk of infection during or after regenerative surgery.

Compassionate behaviours of clinical nurses in Iran: an ethnographic study

AIM

The aim of this research was to explore compassionate behaviour in Iranian nurses.

BACKGROUND

Nurses provide high-quality care with compassion. It is useful to improve relationships between nurses and patients to give them more confidence in the care process. It is important to consider how compassion is demonstrated by nurses and to explore different compassionate behaviours in different cultures.

METHODS

This ethnographic study was conducted with 20 nurses and 12 patients in six medical and four surgical wards in Iran in 2014-2015. Data were collected through fieldwork observations and semi-structured deep interviews and field notes. We analysed data using constant comparison based on Strauss and Corbin method.

RESULTS

Results of the present study showed four cultural themes; love expression and compassion in the form of non-verbal emotional behaviours, empathy with others, emotional supports of patients at bedside and non-caring behaviours.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study described compassionate behaviours in nurses. Compassionate behaviours of nurses are closely related to the culture issues. These are formed by communication between nurses and patients, and nurses and patients' families during nursing care. Thus improving compassionate behaviours is highly significant in nursing.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND/HEALTH POLICY

Nurses, instructors and policy-makers can use the results of this study. They should consider compassionate care as an important component of patient-centred care. Compassion should be considered in nursing and practical educational programmes. To develop the compassionate care, it is vital to make changes in the dominant philosophy and culture of caring environments. Nurses should receive appropriate training with focus on holistic and patient-centred approaches.

Adjustment process in Iranian men to their wives' breast cancer

Women's breast cancer causes various problems in both spouses' family life as well as enormous stress for their husbands. This grounded theory study aimed to define ways in which men adjust to their wives' breast cancer and to present an appropriate model in this respect. Twenty-six individuals (22 husbands, 2 patients and 2 physicians) were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling. The data were collected through in-depth individual interviews. Strauss and Corbin's method was used for data analysis. Data analysis revealed that Iranian men's adjustment to their wives' breast cancer occurs during the following three stages: the first stage turbulence after confrontation with the disease that contains categories 'internal unrest', 'concerns about disease management' and 'sensing the beginning of disorganization in family life'; the second stage disorganisation of family life that contains 'disturbance of family life', 'attempt to get rid of tension' and 'resistance against family life disorganisation'; and the third stage struggle to reorder family life consisting of 'support to the wife', 'revision in communications with relatives' and 'seeking external support' categories. Iranian men struggled for constant organisation of family life after their wives' disease. Health providers should take measures to support the men by facilitating their adjustment to their wives' disease.

The lived experiences of parents of children diagnosed with cancer in Iran

Threatening nature of childhood cancer and the aggressiveness of prescribed treatments place enormous stress on the family of children suffering from cancer. This study was conducted to better understand the lived experiences of parents of children suffering from cancer and to document their account of such experiences. The aim of this research was to describe the lived experiences of parents of children diagnosed with cancer in Iran. This hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted between June 2008 and May 2009. Data were generated from 15 parents using in-depth interviews to capture their experiences of having children with cancer. Analysis is based on the framework of Diekelmann enabled data interpretation and elaboration of shared themes. One constitutive pattern 'Feeling trapped in the cancer dead end' and four related themes, namely 'Contradiction in reconciliation with situation', 'Doomed to accept', 'Isolation from others' and 'Devastated life', were identified. The results of this study showed that parents feel as if they are trapped by their child's disease. They are affected by several mental, social and familial issues while trying to tolerate their child's illness and conform to the new order of life.