Medicinal plants are recognized as sources of natural antioxidants that can protect from biological system oxidative stress. The present cross-sectional before/after clinical trial was carried out to investigate the antioxidant properties of the decoction of the flowers of Echium amoenum Fisch & C.A. Mey in humans. A group of 38 healthy subjects was invited to use the E. amoenum (7 mg kg−1) twice daily for 14 days. Blood samples before and after entering the study were measured for lipid peroxidation level (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol (SH) molecules. A significant reduction of blood LPO (24.65 ± 11.3 versus 19.05 ± 9.7, P = 0.029) was observed after 14 days of E. amoenum consumption. Blood TAC (1.46 ± 0.51 versus 1.70 ± 0.36, P = 0.018) and total thiol molecules (0.49 ± 0.11 versus 0.56 ± 0.12, P = 0.001) increased after 14 days of E. amoenum consumption. In conclusion, this antioxidative stress potential of E. amoenum may be due to its bioactive antioxidant components, especially rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. In recent years the importance of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of many human disorders has been confirmed, thus use of this plant as a dietary supplement is highly recommended.

Background:Providing intubated patients admitted to the intensive care units with oral healthcare is one of the main tasks of nurses in order to prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). This study aimed at comparing the effects of two mouthwash solutions (echinacea and chlorhexidine) on the oral microbial flora of patients hospitalized in the intensive care units.Materials and Methods:In this clinical trial, 70 patients aged between18 and 65 years undergoing tracheal intubation through the mouth in three hospitals in Arak, were selected using simple random sampling and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group and the control group. The oral health checklist was used to collect the data (before and after the intervention). The samples were obtained from the orally intubated patients and were then cultured in selective media. Afterwards, the aerobic microbial growth was investigated in all culture media. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results:The microbial flora in the echinacea group significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.0001) and it was also the case withmicrobial flora of the patients in the chlorhexidine group (p < 0.001). After 4 days, the oral microbial flora of the patients in the intervention group was lower than that of the patients in the control group (p < 0.001).Conclusions:The results showed that the echinacea solution was more effective in decreasing the oral microbial flora of patients in the intensive care unit. Given the benefits of the components of the herb Echinacea, it can be suggested as a viable alternative to chlorhexidine.

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Background: Because of the rising number of elderly people, their Quality of Life have become more important. Health status has been considered as one of the factors that affect life quality and Spiritual Well-Being is one of its important dimensions. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life among the elderly people residing in Arak City, Iran. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and correlational study. The study sample comprised 400 elderly people residing in Arak, Iran who were selected by cluster sampling method. Spiritual Well-Being was measured using Spiritual Well-Being scale (SWB) and the Quality of Life was assessed by Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-35). The obtained data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, along with Pearson correlation test, t-test, and ANOVA in SPSS V. 16. Results: The Mean±SD score of life quality among the elderlies was 76.24±17.84 and was associated with their marital status and education level (P=0.001). The Spiritual Well-Being score of most elderly people ranged from moderate to high and the Mean±SD score of their Spiritual Well-Being was 96.47±13.43. There was a significant relationship between Spiritual Well-Being and the Quality of Life (r=0.37, P=0.0001). Conclusion: According to the findings, more attention should be paid to the factors related to the Quality of Life for taking care of the elderly people. Considering the relationship between Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life among these elderlies, provision of spiritual care for this group of society is recommended.

Background: Given the negative impact of cancer on the quality of life, low self-efficacy and self-esteem are common in the patients suffering from cancer. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and self-esteem in these patients. Methods: This study was descriptive and cross-sectional and was conducted in Ayatollah Khansari Hospital in Arak. The obtained data were collected from 160 eligible patients diagnosed with cancer using Coopersmith self-esteem inventory and the strategies used by people to promote health and then analyzed in SPSS V. 20. Results: Spearman correlation showed a significant relationship between the subscales and the total score of self-efficacy and self-esteem score (P<0.05). Also, linear regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy could significantly predict self-esteem (P<0.05). Conclusion: Self-efficacy had a direct relationship with self-esteem. By improving self-efficacy, self-esteem will increase and lead to more self-care compliance and initiative in cancer patients.