Pharmaceutical ingredients are required in the preparation of a drug tablet: fillers to increase the bulk and lubricants to reduce friction during the tableting process. Some pharmaceutical ingredients require a binder for tableting. This provides the cohesiveness necessary for binding ingredient granules under compression. The quantity used must be carefully regulated, since the tablet must disintegrate after administration to liberate the drug (1). Binders act by causing aggregation of powders, thereby forming granules through the granulation process. They modify the cohesive properties of the granules by promoting the formation of strong cohesive bonds between such particles (2).Mucilages and gums are well known for their medicinal use. In recent times, increasing attention has been given to the application of gums of various sources as phar- Mucilage extracted from Plantago psyllium seeds was evaluated for inertness and safety parameters. The suitability of psyllium mucilage for a pharmaceutical binder was assessed in paracetamol tablets. Properties of the granules prepared using different concentrations of psyllium mucilage was compared with PVP and tragacanth. Psyllium mucilage at 5 % (m/m) was found to be comparable with 3 % (m/m) of PVP. Investigated paracetamol tablets indicated that psyllium mucilage can retard the drug release.

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: Natural disasters are usually a series of unpredictable incidents, which do not originate from humans. With regard to the occurrence of unexpected factors such as earthquakes, floods, and fires, individual and social preparations must be increased in the crisis management. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the preparation of operational teams to provide an effective response to earthquakes. The statistical population included the experts of environmental health and disaster risk reduction management in the healthcare centers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The participants were categorized into 20 operational teams. The necessary equipment of the participating teams was evaluated by checklists. Results: The results showed that 76.2 percent of the teams had the required equipment to control the drinking water and dispose the wastewater. Furthermore, 58 percent had the required equipment for disasters' conditions and 78.1 percent had the equipment to spray and disinfect in the emergency situations. In addition, about 90 percent of the vehicles used in training were appropriate for emergencies, 95 percent of teams observed the standards to setup tents, deployed the equipment, and had the needed proficiency skills. Moreover, 81.3 percent of the operational team authorities had sufficient skills to work with technical equipment. Conclusion: The presence of teams in the response phase in the East Azerbaijan earthquake in 2011 and the acquisition of field experiences led to their technical coherence, made them familiar with facilities, and equipped the operational teams. We suggest the authorities to conduct executive training according to the designed twice a year based on the response plan of the deputy of health department two times a year.

Introduction: Occupational stress results from work demands and pressures that are not matched with abilities and characteristics of an employee. It is one of the main causes of job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, work delays, desertion and early retirement. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate occupational stress among female employees working at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptiveanalytical study was performed in 2015 on 400 female employees of the university who were enrolled via stratified and quota sampling. Data were collected using the standard Osipow occupational stress questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 16) using independent t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean total score of occupational stress was 173.44 ± 25.15. Role ambiguity (score: 33.57 ± 5.74) and physical environment (score: 22.56 ± 8.44) had the highest and lowest impact on occupational stress, respectively. Moreover, 146 contractual employees (52.1%) experienced occupational stress. Total occupational stress was significantly correlated with all study variables including education level (P=0.02), income (P=0.0001), service sector (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.01), employment status (P=0.0001) and work experience (P=0.04). Conclusions: Role ambiguity is the main source of stress for female employees working at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, it is necessary to design individual and organization trainings to help employees overcome role ambiguity.