Search

Abstract Glycosaminoglycans are often deprioritized as targets for synthetic immunotherapy due to the complexity of glyco-epitopes and limited options for obtaining specific subtype binding. Solid tumors express proteoglycans that are modified with oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (CS), a modification normally restricted to the placenta. Here, we report the design and functionality of transient chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with selectivity to oncofetal CS. Following expression in T cells, the CAR could be “armed” with recombinant VAR2CSA lectins (rVAR2) to target tumor cells expressing oncofetal CS. While unarmed CAR T cells remained inactive in the presence of target cells, VAR2-armed CAR T cells displayed robust activation and the ability to eliminate diverse tumor cell types in vitro. Cytotoxicity of the CAR T cells was proportional to the concentration of rVAR2 available to the CAR, offering a potential molecular handle to finetune CAR T cell activity. In vivo, armed CAR T cells rapidly targeted bladder tumors and increased the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Thus, our work indicates that cancer-restricted glycosaminoglycans may be exploited as potential targets for CAR T cell therapy.

Background & Objective: The learning environment plays a vital role in shaping a student's academic success and overall satisfaction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the educational climate in the Operating Room (OR) on the moral distress experienced by operating room technology students. Material & Methods: In 2022, we conducted a descriptive-analytical study on 58 undergraduate operating room technology students from North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences. We utilized purposeful sampling in the form of a census from qualified academic departments. To collect information, we used three questionnaires: one for demographic information, one for IMOTEC, and one for moral distress. We analyzed the data using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation coefficient, as well as multiple linear regression analysis at a 95% confidence level using SPSS 26 software. Results: The mean score for the OR educational climate was 71.14 ± 12.01. The rate of moral distress was measured in severity and frequency dimensions, with scores of 1.87 ± 1.08 and 1.79 ± 0.94, respectively. We found a significant inverse relationship between the mean of the educational environment and the severity (p < 0.001) and frequency (p < 0.05) of moral distress. Conclusion: Given that the educational climate is one of the key factors affecting moral distress, it appears that enhancing the educational climate in the OR environment can play a significant role in reducing the moral distress experienced by students.

Considering the increasing usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in various specializations of medicine, it seems necessary to instruct our medical students on how to utilize them. This paper provides a view on incorporating ML educational content into the medical curriculum.

Background: Information literacy enables learners to master information content and expand their exploration and control to learn more. Information literacy is an essential element in the development of independent and effective learning in higher education. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the organization and use of electronic information and its relationship with some demographic characteristics of students.Method: In this descriptive-analytical study, the studied population included all medical students from the third to the seventh year of medicine at Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz in the academic year of 2020-2021. The sample size consisted of 302 people, of which 28 people were dropped. Data was collected by using information literacy questionnaire including 30 items and five skills. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire has been checked. The random sampling method was simple. To analyze the data, descriptive and analytical statistics were used using SPSS software at a significance level of p

Introduction: Mobile learning is one of the innovative teaching techniques that help medical students gain knowledge and skills. One of the factors that expanded the use of this strategy was the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the educational pedagogy of such technology has been neglected. This article aimed to critically review available mobile learning models in medical education to suggest a comprehensive model in the field of mobile learning.Methods: We conducted this critical review based on the five steps of the Carnwell and Daly method. For a comprehensive systematic search from 2000 to April 2021, the following keywords were used: Personal Digital Assistant, m learning, Mobile learning, Ubiquitous learning, U learning, medical students, and medical education. 3176 studies in PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, Magiran, and Web of Science were identified. In total, 8 articles entered the study.Results: Eight models of mobile learning in medical education were identified. The key features of each model were extracted and integrated into the new model for the successful design and implementation of mobile learning. This model includes three main elements of mobile learning: 1-stakeholders, 2-interaction, and 3-technology, which are influenced by external factors including Mobiquette, legitimacy, and awareness.Conclusion: The results of this study are an important contribution to the knowledge collection in mobile learning inmedical education. We introduced a comprehensive model of mobile learning including specific characteristics of strategies in the context of medical education.

Obesity/bariatric surgery is rising as the most effective treatment for obesity. In previous studies, the history of Helicobacter pylori as the main cause of chronic abdominal pain in patients undergoing bariatric surgery has not been discussed. In this study, we determine in a set of patients how much of the number of people with positive H. pylori before the operation in one year later suffered from chronic abdominal pain. A retrospective study was conducted on 320 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Data were collected by interviewing and referring to the medical records of patients. Of 320 patients, 125 were H. pylori-positive, and from these numbers, 43 had chronic abdominal pain (34.4%). Although in previous studies of bariatric surgery, the history of H. pylori has not been identified as the main cause of chronic abdominal pain after surgery. However, according to the available evidence in this study, with a prevalence of more than one-third of chronic abdominal pain in one year after surgery in patients with a history of preoperative H. pylori, pylori can be a potential cause of postoperative chronic pain.

Introduction: Measurement has a special place in education. The main challenge of today psychometric measurements is to obtain numerical values for the competencies that can be used as a basis for decision making. In view of this, the purpose of this study is to review the role, position, and application of psychometric measurement in medical education exams. Methods: This review study was conducted through the keywords Measurement, Assessment, Psychometric, Theoretical support, Theoretical Analysis, Theoretical foundation, Psychometric Analysis, Test, Examination, Medical Education, Validity and Reliability at websites such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, ERIC and Science direct and has been done on 32 articles without از time limit. Results: From a total of 92 reviewed articles, the documentation of 32 relevant and valid articles was extracted with 31 English articles and a Persian article. Important findings of this study underline the validity, reliability, educational effect, acceptability, cost and applicability as well as sensitivity of the test, which are important features in the psychometrics of medical science tests. These findings highlight the importance of psychometric properties in evaluations in medical education. Conclusion: The results show that due to the importance of psychometric properties in medical education exams, especially in high-sensitivity exams, familiarity with these features and standardization methods of exams is a necessity for medical educators. The use of techniques to increase the validity and reliability of exams and considering the basic principles in the design, preparation, implementation and analysis of exams is recommended to policy makers and examiners, educators and those in charge of higher education.

Objective (s): Multiple choice questions are the central core of the evaluation of medical students. The purpose of this study was to analyze medical and dentistry basic sciences examinations in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Methods: A valid checklist for totally 450 multiple choice questions (225 questions for each field), were analyzed in terms of structure, difficulty index, discrimination index and diversion options. Structure of the questions was analyzed by a checklist consisting of 16 items with yes or no formats. Difficulty and discrimination indexes for each question also were examined. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics were used. Results: There were structural problems with 6 and 5 percent of medical and dentistry questions respectively. In For medical examination on average 50.1% required difficulty indexes, 25.8% required discrimination indexes and 73.5% diversion options were achieved. For dentistry examination on average 50.07% required difficulty indexes, 23.07% required discrimination indexes and 53.46% diversion options were achieved. Conclusion: The findings indicated that frequency of the questions with required difficulty index, were rather good but frequency of the questions with required discrimination index, were relatively very low. Diversion options in medical questions were designed better than dentistry questions. Indeed, it seems that examinations of medical and density students need some revisions and corrections.

Background and purpose: Nowadays, the side effects of chemical drugs such as dexamethasone, as a steroidal anti-inflammatory factor, is considered on reducing male reproductive potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on sperm parameters and biochemical factors in mice treated with dexamethasone. Materials and methods: In this study, 24 adult male NMRI mice (35±2gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 per group): control, dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), pentoxifylline (200mg/kg/day), and dexamethasone + pentoxifylline. After 7 days of intraperitoneal treatments, sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. Results: Compared to the control group, sperm count, progressive motility percentage, viability, sperm tail length (STL), daily sperm production (DSP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly decreased in dexamethasone group (P 0.05). Assessment of DNA integrity showed that dexamethasone had no effect on denaturation of the sperm DNA double-stranded structure. Conclusion: According to this study, pentoxifylline could prevent the adverse effects of dexamethasone on sperm parameters, biochemical factors, and daily sperm production by reducing oxidative stress.

Introduction: Capability is built upon knowledge and wisdom,and scientific progress and development is associated withwealth production, national and international authority, andindependence. To promote scientific development, as a prerequisiteto the country’s progress in other areas, there is a need for strategicplanning and creating scientific capacities. Today’s world is facinga rapid growth and development in science and technology, anduniversities and higher education centers have an important rolein the society’s development and progress in the areas of humanresources training, science and technology production, andsolving different problems. Considering the Iran’s health scientificroad map and communication of innovation and reform plans, andsince universities are required to identify the areas of authority,this study was conducted to determine the challenges of scientificauthority promotion and proper courses of action.Methods: In this study, content analysis was used as a qualitativeresearch method. The triangulation method was applied for datacollection. Purposive sampling was done to select the participantsfor focused group discussion and data collection continued untildata saturation was achieved. The participants were 19 highereducation experts and MOHME policymakers. The ATLAS.tisoftware version 5.2 was used for analysis of data.Results: The results of the analysis of transcripts obtained fromFGD with higher education experts and MOHME policymakersshowed 4 themes, 10 categories and 43 sub-categories. The resultingthemes included: “Experienced perceptions of scientific authority”,“Requirements of scientific authority”, “Challenges of scientificauthority”, and “Strategies for promoting scientific authority”. Conclusion: Universities and governmental sectors do notrepresent all the capacities, and there are much more capacitiesthat can be exploited with participation of different sectorsand institutions, especially inter-sectoral and inter-universitycollaborations. Many advances in new sciences have occurredin interdisciplinary majors, and these collaborations help to takesolid steps towards scientific authority.

Background and purpose: One of the major challenges for dentists is providing the patients with a crown of appropriate marginal fit and marginal gap. Preparation of a 135° finish line has some advantages such as technical ease and appropriate finish line record. Nevertheless, few studies investigated this type of finish line. The current study aimed at comparing marginal fit and marginal gap in 135° finish line and shoulder bevel finish line. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experiment study, 135° finish line and shoulder bevel finish line were performed in two first mandibular molars with healthy coronal tissue and similar size. Impression was taken from each tooth and 31 crowns were made on each die. Samples plastered with fit checker were pressed under 40 N for three minutes in universal testing machine. They were measured and recorded under a loop with 40x power at three points on each side. To analyze the data, Wilcoxon and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were applied in SPSS V24. Results: Mean values for the marginal fit in shoulder bevel and 135° finish line were 55.0907 µ and 55.2587 µ, respectively. The mean values for marginal gap were 19.7245 µ and 0.9745, respectively (P=0.000). Conclusion: According to current study, a 135° finish line may have better clinical efficacy than a shoulder bevel.

Background and Aim The flavin reductase DszD enzyme is a key enzyme for providing required reduction potential in the bacterial desulfurization process. Considering the low speed of desulfurization process because of low catalytic power of this enzyme, it is necessary to increase the catalytic power of flavin reductase for industrial use of this enzyme as biocatalyst. Methods & Materials The three-dimensional structure of the flavin reductase DszD enzyme was predicted by a CPHmodel server and its amino acid sequence was searched in the protein data bank to identify the homologue molecules. Based on the alignment of the amino acid sequence and the model molecules, the key residues at the flavin mononucleotide substrate were identified. The key residue of asparagine at position 77 was replaced with phenylalanine using the site-directed mutagenesis method. Ethical Considerations This study with research ethics code IR.NIGEB.EC.1398.6.24 A has been approved by research ethics committee at National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran. Results The cloning and expression of each of the wild-type and mutant genes were performed separately. The catalytic power of the produced wild-type and mutant enzymes were compared. The catalytic activity measurements showed that the mutant enzyme had a 2.5 fold increase in catalytic power. Conclusion Replacing phenylalanine with asparagine at position 77 of flavin reductase DszD enzyme leads to an increase in enzyme catalytic power to increase the speed of bacterial desulfurization process.

Background L-carnitine (Lc) as a type of flavonoid antioxidants and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a type of mesenchymal stem cells may recover damaged ovaries. It seems that Lc has favorable effects on differentiation, increasing lifespan and decreasing apoptosis in BMSCs. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of co-ad- ministration of BMSC+Lc on damaged ovaries after creating a chemotherapy model with cyclophosphamide in rats. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, cyclophosphamide was intraperitoneally (IP) injected to forty female wistar rats for 14 days, in terms of chemotherapy-induced ovarian destruction. The rats were then randomly divided into four groups: control, Lc, BMSCs and co-administration of BMSC+Lc. Injection of BMSCs into bilateral ovaries and intraperitoneal injection of Lc were performed individually and together. Four weeks later, levels of se- rum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, number of ovarian follicles at different stages using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and expression of ovarian Bcl-2 and Bax proteins using western blot were assessed. Results Co-administration of BMSC+Lc increased E2 and decreased FSH levels compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The number of follicles was higher in the co-administrated group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Co-administration of BMSC+Lc increased Bcl-2 protein level, decreased Bax protein level and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P < 0.001). Conclusion The effect of co-administration of BMSC+Lc is probably more effective than the effect of their separate administration on the recovery of damaged ovaries by chemotherapy.

Background and Objectives: Dexamethasone is one of the common drugs, which is used in the human severe allergies and can cause defect in the reproductive system by inducing oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of pentoxifylline as a potent antioxidant, was investigated on changes in testicular tissue and spermatogenesis indices in mice treated with dexamethasone. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice weighing 35±2g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6 each group): control, dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), dexamethasone+pentoxifylline, and pentoxifylline (200mg/kg/day). After 7 days of intraperitoneal injections, the mice were dissected and their right testis, were removed for stereological assessments and estimation of spermatogenesis indices. Then, serum level of testosterone, was measured. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s test at the significance level of p0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that simultaneous treatment with pentoxifylline and dexamethasone can prevent the adverse effects of dexamethasone on testis and spermatogenesis indices.

Background and purpose: Recognizing the educational needs of students determine their learning goals and leads to better design of course books and educational materials. In this regard, high quality textbooks are a real need. This study aimed to analyze the content of "English for Dentistry Students'' course book based on the viewpoint of dental students. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in all dentistry students at Sari School of Dentistry, Iran 2018. The participants all had passed the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) modules (I and II). The research was carried out using a questionnaire based on Sheldon model of evaluation modified by Karimi consisting of six dimensions. Data analysis was done in SPSS V24. Results: A total of 123 dentistry students was studied. There were no significant differences between males and females average score for each dimension (P=0.01). The average score for the dimensions of practical subjects, content related to the objectives of the course, linguistic subjects, and order of the contents was 8.83±1.93 and the average score for subjects and subject layout was 12.93±1.86. Overall, dentistry student showed a moderate level of satisfaction towards ''English for Dentistry Students'' course book. Conclusion: In order to enhance learning, course books should include a variety of pictures and other educational tools such as movies and animations could be beneficial too.

Oxygen deficiency, referred to as hypoxia, can be divided into two categories of environmental (exogenous) which is sensitized by respiratory cells, and microenvironmental (endogenous) responses by other cells in the body, like cancer cells. Cell responses to oxygen fluctuations are mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Lung is known as the first organ that encounters the exogenous and environmental oxygen after breathing. However, data are limited for HIF respiratory pathways of environmental oxygen sensing inside the lung cells. Thus, we evaluated the role of both HIF-1 and HIF-2 isoforms in environmental hypoxia sensation by pulmonary vascular and bronchial cells. Then, we introduced the role of HIFs in microenvironmental and endogenous oxygen sensation in tissues and cells other than respiratory cells as well as all of involved molecular mechanisms in those non-lung cells and tissues. Next, a detailed emphasize was put on the strict role of HIF molecule in tumor cells and cancer stem cells.

Introduction: Identifying the learners’ problems early enoughand providing advice from the beginning is definitely an importantinvestment in the training and progress of future practitioners. Thecurrent review aimed at examining factors related to academicfailure of the preclinical medical students.Methods: The study was carried out as a systematic search ofpublications in the following databases published from January1987 to January 2018: PubMed, Web of Knowledge, EducationalResources, Information Center and Scopus. No language limitationwas set for searching the resources. As a comprehensive search, thefollowing keywords were used for the abstract, title and keywordsections: academic performance, academic failure, academicachievement, drop out, academic engagement, learning disorder,medical student, struggle student and problem learner. A valid tool(STROBE) was used to determine the quality of the articles.Results: Most articles discussed personal causes, 7 discussedlearning style, 7 discussed personality traits, 6 discussedmotivational strategies and self-efficacy, 4 discussed quality ofsleep, 4 discussed the effect of stress, 9 discussed demographicfactors, 3 discussed physical activity, 1 discussed copingstrategies, 2 discussed class attendance and 4 discussed studystrategy. Twenty-five articles described instructional designcause, 3 described teaching strategies, 2 described courseassessments, 1 described the course structure, 3 described criticalthinking, 3 described blended learning, 13 described predictivecourses, 14 described admission tests, 1 described the learningenvironment, 2 described curriculum planning and 3 describedthe pre-matriculation program.Conclusion: Medical teachers often do not know which studentsare problem learners or what causes academic failure. The goalof this systematic review was to determine the origin of problemsin learning to identify problem learners. The results indicatesthat managers, policymakers, instructors and counselors canmonitor student academic achievement by careful planning ofinstructional design, attention to an educational environment, useof active teaching methods, continuous assessment of studentsand consideration of personal factors.Keywords: Academic failure, Medical student, Medical Education

Introduction: Burns have impacts including medical, psychological, economic and social that involve patients and health care system. Epidemiologic factors of burns vary in different societies. While the effects of some burn variables on mortality rate, in similar circumstances, are expected to be universal. The present study was carried out to analyze the epidemiology, mortality, and current etiological factors of burn injuries.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during a period of 6 years (from 2010 to 2015). Data were obtained by the analysis of medical records of patients hospitalized in the Imam Reza Burn Center in Mashhad, Iran. The data were recorded by the nurses and staffs in the burn ward.Results: In our study, 1334 in-hospital burn patients were recorded. The mean age was 27 ± 5.67 years. The most common mechanism of burn was flame. The multivariable logistic regression modeling revealed, that the most important risk factors of patient mortality were length of stay (LOS) (OR=2.53(95% CI: 1.75-3.66), percentage of burn regarding body surface (BBS) OR=10.64(95% CI: 7.58-14.43), degree of burns OR=6.39(95% CI: 1.46-27.99). Conclusion: The results of our study revealed a high incidence of burns. Prevention plans should be made in this regard

Background: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), as a type of mesenchymal stem cells, and the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), as a type of growth factor, may recover damaged ovaries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the coadministration of BMSCs and the G-CSF on damaged ovaries after creating a chemotherapy model with cyclophosphamide (CTX) in rats.Methods: The present study was performed in Semnan, Iran, in the late 2016 and the early 2017. BMSCs were cultured and were confirmed using the CD markers of stromal cells. Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with CTX for 14 days to induce chemotherapy and ovarian destruction. Then, the BMSCs were injected into bilateral ovaries and the G-CSF was injected intraperitoneally, individually and together. Four weeks later, the number of ovarian follicles using H&E staining, the number of apoptotic granulosa cells using the TUNEL assay, the number of produced oocytes from the ovaries, and the levels of serum E2 and FSH using an ELISA reader were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA with SPSS, version 16.0.Results: The results showed that the effects of the coadministration of 2×106 BMSCs and 70 µg/kg of the G-CSF were significantly more favorable than those in the control group (P

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is one of the major problems of health system in the countries. In a subgroup of these patients, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) improves the quality of life by enhancing the function of the left ventricle (LV) and preventing of arrhythmias. The present study intends to discuss the effect of CRT-D on the QRS dispersion, as a predisposing factor to arrhythmias. Methods: 45 patients treated with CRT-D during 2012-2015 were enrolled in this study. QRS dispersion in various V-V delays was measured and its association with the incidence of arrhythmias, at least six months after insertion, was assessed. Results: The results showed that QRS dispersion in the intrinsic mode was significantly lower than the other modes of the CRT-D device (P < 0.001). Besides, it was revealed that mean QRS duration in the intrinsic mode had a higher association with arrhythmic events than max QRS duration. QRS dispersion after CRT-D implantation had a significant increase compared to the intrinsic mode. However, it did not correlate with the arithmetic events. Further decrease in the duration of QRS after CRT-D implantation improved arrhythmias. Conclusion: QRS dispersion after CRT-D implantation is not an indicative of arrhythmia risk, and a decrease in the duration of QRS had a more significant effect on the incidence of arrhythmias.

Abstract Background: Silver nanoparticles are capable of inducing toxicity in living organisms. Silver nanoparticles can induce some effect in the liver. Thus silver nanoparticles, due to their wide spread effects, can also affect on hepatic, hematological, and oxidative stress factors. Ginger because of its powerful antioxidantal compounds can influence the toxicity effects of silver nanoparticles in different parts of the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroalchoholic extract of ginger on cytotoxic silver nanoparticles on enzymes, hematological parameters, blood oxidative stress markers, and hepatic apoptosis in Balb-c mice. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 rats of Balb-c race Syrians were selected and devided into 4 groups, each consisting of 12. They were treated for a period of 35 days; the first group (control) received distilled water, the second group received nano silver, the third group received ginger extract, and the fourth group received both nanosilver and ginger extract at the same time. Bleeding was done to measure hematological factors, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress; then liver tissue was removed for evaluation of apoptosis. Data were compared using SPSS software and one-way ANOVA. Results: Enzymes AST , ALT , ALP, GGT and LDH as liver factors showed significant differences in the groups of the study. Hematological factors including of WBC , RBC , Hb , HCT , MCV , MCH , Plt , Lymphocyte and Monocyte showed significant differences in all the groups. Of oxidative stress factors , only GPX showed significant difference between groups, while no significant difference was observed in other oxidative stress parameters in the blood. Changes in apoptosis showed significant differences in all groups of the study. Conclusion Based on the findings the study, silver nanoparticles with their side effects in different parts of the body can induce changes in various factors and enzymes. Ginger can compensate ,and modify to some extent these side effects. Such effectiveness of ginger can probably be due to its special ingredients.

Background: Transplantation of Schwann cells can facilitate the regeneration of peripheral nerves. The aim of this study was to comparison of Schwann cells transplantation effect with autograft model in peripheral nerve regeneration in animal model. Materials and Methods: 20 male Wistar rats were randomly were divided into 3 groups: control, Schwann cells transplantation and autograft model. In the control group, a 10 mm segment of the left sciatic nerve was removed and a silicone tube replaced into this nerve gap. In the Schwann cells transplantation group, after placing the silicone tube were transplanted into the tubeabout 500,000 Schwann cells. In the autograft model group, 10 mm segment of the left sciatic nerve is removed and it was implanted to the two nerve endings after reversing. 12 weeks after surgery we evaluated the number of axons, the number of blood vessels and the restored myelin sheath thickness. Results: Histological analysis by using one way ANOVA showed that the number of axons and the thickness of myelin sheath in autograft model group was significantly greater than the other groups, and in the Schwann cells transplantation group was significantly greater than the control group. Moreover, the number of restored blood vessels in the Schwann cells transplantation group was significantly greater than the other groups (P

Background: Fungal infections especially Candida species are frequent cause of mortality and morbidity in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants receiving intensive care; Candida infections are tissue invasive. This infection increases the risks of adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae. Prevention and treatment of fungal infection is so important in very VLBW infants. The aim of this study was to determine the prophylactic effect of fluconazole in decreasing the mortality and morbidity in VLBW infants (less than 1500gr) admitted in NICU. Methods: This prospective case control study were conducted among 102 Infants (weighing less than 1500gr at birth at born) admitted in NICU department of Ali Asghar University Hospital from 2012 to 2013, Tehran, Iran. Weigh of birth in cases and groups were less than 1500 gr and both were culture negative. Cases received oral fluconazole 3 mg/kg in 3 days in 1st and 2nd weeks, alternate day in 3rd and 4th weeks, daily in 5th and 6th weeks. Control groups had not received fluconazole. Mortality and morbidity and hospital stay were compared between cases and controls groups. Results: We studied 49 very low-birth-weight infants with negative culture as cases (received fluconazole prophylaxis), 46 VLBW infants without fluconazole profilaxy (controls). No significant difference in gestational age (P=0.2), and mean weights (P=0.4) were observed between cases and controls. The mortality rate 8.7% (n=4) in controls (without prophylactic fluconazole) observed vs 2% (n=1) mortality rate in VLBW cases (with prophylactic fluconazole). Although the mortality rate in controls was 4 times higher than cases, but without significant differences (P=0.1). Indeed, mean duration of hospital stay in controls was longer than cases (28.41±9.93 vs 19.85±6.19 days, P=0.00001). Conclusion: Although prophylactic fluconazole in VLBW could decrease the mortality of cases (control the fungal infection) 4 fold in compare with controls (no treatment), it was not significant. The prophylactic effect of fluconazole might decrease the length of hospital stay of VLBW neonates in NICU. Due to limited number of cases and control. For further decision about prophylactic use of fluconazole, prospective RCT studies with larger cases and control would be helpful in future.

Introduction: Assessment and identification of factors and motivations affecting medical major selection could be effective in training committed physicians and improving society’s general health. The aim of this study was to assess the factors and motivations which affect medical students’ major selection. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, opinions of 351 medical students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences who were selected by means of census method in 2014-15 were analyzed. Data were collected by a 22-item questionnaire whose validity was verified by experts. Its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha at 0.84. Descriptive statistical tests, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: 185 students (57.5%) were female and 191 (61%) were natives of Khuzestan Province and their average age was 22.33±3.7 (18-32 years old). According to the mean scores, individual motivations and serving the society (3.07±0.69), employment, high income and social status (3.01±0.68) and interest in the medical field (2.87±0.98) were the most important factors affecting medical major selection. The role of family and friends in female students’ major selection was significantly more important than male students (p=0.03, F=1.255). Comparison of the views of students divided by their year of entrance to the university showed that the mean score of students’ views in most of the aspects decreases significantly (p=0.001, F=34.97). Conclusion: Medical students believe that serving the society, high income and social status are important factors in medical major selection. With higher educational stage, students’ motivation and interest in studying medical fields would decrease. Decreased motivation of medical students during their study should be taken as a warning for the authorities of health care sector.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum level of melatonin, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine, and vitamin-D in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: This study enrolled 47 patients with OA and 40 healthy controls. Serum levels of melatonin and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OH-dG) were assessed. Also, serum levels of bone turnover biomarkers such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in OA patients and controls. Results: The serum level of melatonin was significantly lower in OA patients than the controls (6.18±2.25 vs. 11.57±3.87 pg/mL, P

The use of parenteral nutritional supplementation of phosphorus may lead to exhibit higher plasma phosphate concentrations and less radiological features in premature neonates susceptible to osteopenia. The present study aimed to assess the beneficial effects of adding intravenous phosphorus to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in preterm neonates by measuring bone mineral content. This open-labeled randomized clinical trial was conducted on premature neonates who were hospitalized at NICU. The neonates were randomly assigned to two groups received TPN with intravenous sodium glycerophosphate or Glycophos (1.5 mmol/kg/day) or TPN without sodium glycerophosphate. At the end of the four weeks of treatment, the presence of osteopenia was examined using DEXA Scan. After completing treatment protocols, the group received TPN with intravenous Glycophos had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase (360±60 versus 762±71, P

Background: Assessment of the serum lead’s concentration in the newborn immediately after birth can be effective for the detection of lead poisoning in the early stages and prevent of developmental disorders and neuropsychiatric behaviors. This study aimed to assess the serum lead levels of cord blood in some of the hospitalized newborns. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study conducted in the newborns ward of two hospitals (Rasoul Akram and Akbar Abadi) From December 2011 to October 2012 in Tehran, Iran. After non-probability sampling, 60 newborns in the first days after birth, underwent the cord blood sampling and the cord blood lead levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Then all of data were collected and analyzed. The serum lead concentration greater than 5 μg/dl was considered valuable. Results: In total, 61.4% of samples were boys. The mean (±SD) of gestational age was 37.4±2.64 weeks and mean (±SD) of birth weight was 2701±642.8g. The mean (±SD) of maternal age was 29.20±6.73 years. 70% of mothers were urban. 13% of mothers had a history of drug use, and 5% were current smokers. The mean (±SD) of the serum lead level of cord blood was 2.97±2.24 μg/dl. This level was not associated with fetal gender, place of residence, drug history and current smoking. This level in the 16.7% of samples was greater than 5 μg/dl (high risk cases). High risk level was associated with maternal age, weight and fetal age (P=0.02, P=0.004, P=0.03), but this level was not associated with fetal gender, place of residence, drug history and current smoking. Conclusion: Serum lead level of cord blood was relatively higher than other studies, although the prevalence of the high risk newborns (serum blood lead levels greater than 5 μg/dl) was low. Further research has recommended assessing the serum lead level in other newborns in the different areas to identify risk factors of neuromotor outcome in infants to prevent.

Background: Meningitis is one of the serious and dangerous infections in the infancy and childhood and rapid diagnosis of meningococcal disease is important, especially in infants. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein found in blood and is an acute phase protein. CRP sensitive reactive that used for diagnosis of infection. This study conducted to assessment of the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein, and neonatal meningitis, as well as diagnostic value of test. Methods: Forty nine hospitalized infant that suspected to meningitis were enrolled in this analytic cross sectional research via non probable accessible sampling. 28 patients (52.7%) of all the patients were male and 21 patients (42.8%) were female. The average age of the patients was 22.6±11.88 days. Data from clinical examinations and laboratory tests entered in a questionnaire and all of samples divided in two bacterial (septic) and non-bactria (aseptic) meningitis group. All data including cerebrospinal fluid CRP of newborns were statistically analyzed. Results: In total, the mean and standard deviation of age was 22.6±11.88 days. 57.2% of infants were male and 42.8% were female. In total, 40.82% of infants were diagnosed with septic meningitis. There was no significant difference between septic and aseptic groups in terms of sex (P= 1.00) also in terms of age (P= 0.1). The mean and standard deviation of CRP level in septic meningitis group was 0.95±0.68 mg/L and in aseptic group was 0.16±0.36 mg/L. The CRP level difference in septic meningitis group compare with aseptic group was statistically significant (P

Intraventricularhemorrhage (IVH) is one of thecommon morbidities among preterm neonates. In thepresentstudy, we set out to evaluate the efficacy of two prophylactic modalities (ibuprofen and indomethacin prophylaxis) for prevention of IVH in our local setting. A prospective study was carried out in Akbar-Abadi Hospital, Tehran-Iran (2013-2014). Ninety-six preterm neonates who cared in closed incubator entered the study. Neonates randomly assigned into 3 groups; control, oral indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg indomethacin daily for 3 days) and oral ibuprofen (10,5,5 mg/kg ibuprofen every 24 hours during 3) administration. For all subjects brain sonography examination was performed in 3rd day, first, 2nd week of life and when infants reached to 36 and 42 weeks of postmenstrual age. The IVH prevalence and the effectiveness of the drugs among groups were statistically assessed. Of all 93 subjects; 14 cases had IVH (15.1%). IVH was significantly more frequent in the controls than in other groups (P=0.049). Prophylactic treatment could significantly decrease the incidence of grade 3 or 4 IVH in experimental groups (P=0.008). There were no significant differences between the three experimental groups with respect to theincidence of GI bleeding, Oliguria, renal dysfunction or NEC (P>0.05). This study demonstrates that low-dose prophylactic indomethacin and ibuprofen are equally associated with a reduction of IVH without any significant side effects like renal dysfunction, GI bleeding or NEC.

زمینه و هدف: ترکیبات آلی فرار از مهمترین آلایندههای هوا در شهرهاي صنعتي و همچنن در داخل ساختمان هستند که بر کیفیت هوای یي داخل ساختمان و سلامت انسان تأثیر میگذارند. در این تحقیق ارتباط میان ترام تركبات آلي فرار داخل و خارج از دو ساختمان اداري در يك مرز تهران مورد بررسي قرار گرفت. مواد و روشها: تراکم ترکیبات آلی فرار در 143 اتاق اداري از ساختمانهاي شماره 1 و 2 سازمان بهداشت و درمان شرت نفت در فصل ك زمستان اندازهگري شد. ملاحظات اخلاقی در اخذ مجوزهای لازم از سوی مدیریت سازمان برای اندازه گیریها مورد توجه قرار گرفت. ي اندازهگیری تراکم ترکیبات آلی فرار با استفاده از دستگاه First Check مدل 6000 انجام شد. مزان تهوه طبعي از طرق برآورد مزان نفوذ يييييهوا به داخل ساختمان و با استفاده از جداول ارائه شده از سوي سازمان های مرتبط برآورد گردد.ي یافتهها: نسبت ترکیبات آلی فرار در داخل به خارج از ساختمان شماره یک بین 1 تا 2 و این نسبت در ساختمان شماره 2 بین 5/0 تا 1 بود. تراکم کل ترکیبات آلی فرار اندازهگیری شده در ساختمان شماره 179.39±1006.23 ppb ،1 و در ساختمان شماره 42 ppb ،2 645.44±123.42 بود. نت جهگری: تراکم اغلب ترکیبات آلی فرار در داخل ساختمانهای مورد مطالعه بیش از تراکم آنها در خارج از ساختمان گزارش گردید. تراکم یی ترکیبات آلی فرار در داخل ساختمان شماره 1 از ساختمان شماره 2 بالاتر بود. در واحدهای با تعداد یک و نیم تعویض هوا در ساعت، میزان آلاینده ها کمتر از واحدهای با یک تعویض هوا در ساعت بود.

Introduction : Continuous evaluation of Islamic Thoughts courses and revising the course delivery methods are necessary to make the courses more efficient to meet the needs of the youth, and to transmit the Islamic values to the students. Due to the necessity of curriculum evaluation, this study aimed at determining the students’ attitude about the Islamic Thought courses. Methods: In a descriptive study, the population of students studying in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2008-2009 was involved. Through census sampling, 549 students who had enrolled in Islamic Thoughts courses I and II, took part in the study and filled out a researcher made questionnaire. To analyze the data, in addition to descriptive statistics, chi-square, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests were employed to compare subjects’ viewpoints based on qualitative variables (nominative and ordinal). Results: The mean age of participants was 20.79 ± 2.59, and 68.9% (378) of the subjects were female. Findings indicated that 87.3% (479) of the students were satisfied with the Islamic Thoughts books, the related instructors, their positive effects on the students, and the university educational planning for these courses. Also, there was no significant difference between students’ opinions regarding their gender and study major. Conclusion : In spite of positive viewpoints of students toward various aspects of these courses, the negative points should also be acknowledged to eliminate the defects. Since students’ needs are changing, the books and educational methods should be also revised accordingly.

Introduction: Burns have impacts include medical, psychological, economic and social that involve patients and health care system. Epidemiologic factors of burns vary in different societies. While the effects of some burn variables on mortality rate, in similar circumstances, are expected to be universal. The present study was carried out to analyze the epidemiology, mortality, and current etiological factors of burn injuries. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during a period of 6 years (from 2010 to 2015). Data were obtained by analysis of the medical records of patients hospitalized in the Imam Reza Burn Center in Mashhad, Iran. The data were recorded by the nurses and staffs in the burn ward. Results: In our study, 1334 in-hospital burn patients were recorded. The mean age was 27 ± 5.67 years. The most common Mechanism of burn was flame. The multivariable logistic regression modeling revealed, the most important risk factor of patient mortality were length of stay (LOS) (OR=1.009(95% CI: 1.001-1.018), age OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.96-0.97), sex OR=0.4(95% CI: 0.3-0.5), percentage of burn regarding body surface (BBS) OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.93-0.94),degree of burns OR=0.9(95% CI: 0.89-0.98). Conclusion: The results of our study revealed a high incidence of burns among >20 years old. Implement prevention programs should be designed for focusing chiefly on the domestic environment and the kinds of risks to which children are exposed in their everyday routine and parents, should also be educated about how to supply entertainment that would keep children away from risks.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is an important cause of brain injury in premature neonates. Current study tries to define associated risk factors of IVH in preterm neonates in Aliasghar Children Hospital during 2008 to 2011. In this study, the risk factors have been evaluated in premature neonates with IVH, who had at least one brain sonography since their admission in NICU. A total of 63 premature neonates with IVH were assessed. Mean gestational age was 29.81 (24-34) weeks and mean birth weight was 1290.83±382.96 gr. Other risk factors such as sex, mode of delivery, history of using infertility drugs, maternal disease, maternal hypertension and preeclampsia, lumbar puncture, ventilator therapy and pneumothorax were considered. Because no absolute treatment for IVH is available, identifying risk factors is important in prevention and management of IVH.