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In medium- to high-rise buildings, single shear walls (SSWs) are often used to resist lateral force due to wind and earthquakes. They are designed to dissipate seismic energy mainly through plastic hinge zones at the base. However, they often display large post-earthquake deformations that can give rise to many economic and safety concerns within buildings. Hence, the primary objective of this research study is to minimize residual deformations in existing SSWs located in the Western and Eastern seismic zones of Canada, thereby enhancing their resilience and self-centering capacity. To that end, four SSWs of 20 and 15 stories, located in Vancouver and Montreal, were meticulously designed and detailed per the latest Canadian standards and codes. The study assessed the impact of three innovative strengthening schemes on the seismic response of these SSWs through 2D nonlinear time history (NLTH) analysis. All three strengthening schemes involved the application of Externally Bonded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (EB-FRP) to the shear walls. Accordingly, a total of 208 NLTH analyses were conducted to assess the effectiveness of all strengthening configurations. The findings unveiled that the most efficient technique for reducing residual drift in SSWs involved applying three layers of vertical FRP sheets to the extreme edges of the wall, full FRP wrapping the walls, and full FRP wrapping of the plastic hinge zone. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that implementing these strengthening schemes may lead to an increase in bending moment and base shear force demands within the walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are some routine two-dimensional sequences, including short tau inversion recovery (STIR), T2-weighted fast-spin echo (T2W-FSE), and proton-density fast spin-echo for diagnosing osteoarthritis and lesions of the knee cartilage. However, these sequences have some disadvantages, such as long scan time, inadequate spatial resolution, and suboptimal tissue contrast which results in loss of image details, as well as missing the visualization of knee cartilage lesions. Three-dimensional (3D) sequences, such as the double-echo steady-state (DESS) sequence can decrease and overcome these problems to the smallest possible amount. Material and Methods: A total of 15 volunteers with knee pain were examined by a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and thickness values of the knee articular cartilage were measured. The CNR and thickness values were compared by the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The obtained results showed significant differences between sequences in CNR and thickness values. The DESS sequence with a flip angle of 40°showed the best CNR values and 3D fast low-angle shot (FLASH) showed the worst results. In addition, the results showed no significant differences between FLASH, 3D DESS 40° and 90° in terms of cartilage thickness. However, thickness values of these sequences were much higher than that of the PD, T2, and STIR sequences. Conclusion: The 3D DESS sequence with two flip angles of 40°and 90° are the best sequences for visualizing the cartilage and the synovial fluid. Because they provide the best contrast between the cartilage and the synovial fluid, it is recommended to use DESS sequences in the evaluation of cartilage defections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are one of the promising options in self-management after organ transplantation. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate mHealth interventions in the use of organ transplantation. Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted on December 2021. Comprehensive research was conducted using a combination of keywords and Mesh terms related to mHealth, empowerment, self-management of organ transplant patients. First, titles and abstracts were screened, then two authors independently assessed full-text articles and extracted data from articles that met the inclusion criteria. Original articles that included post-transplant care and mHealth interventions to support self-management. Theses, book chapters, letters to editors, short summaries, reports, technical reports, book reviews, systematic reviews or meta-analyses were also excluded. Results: The reviewed articles were divided into three categories. Self-management interventions (adherence to medication, adherence to medical regimen and remote monitoring), assessment and patient interaction. 40% of the studies focused on lung transplantation, so self-management is important in this group. In 60% of the studies, medication adherence was considered as one of the main reasons for organ transplant rejection and loss. Also, the use of mHealth interventions increased self-care and patient empowerment. Only two studies indicated that although mHealth applications are a promising strategy, exposure has no direct effect on outcomes. Conclusion: The results of our systematic review showed that mHealth interventions can assist patients in self-management in several ways post-transplant. Also, the mHealth interventions strengthens adherence to medication and may help empower patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastrointestinal diseases are associated with significant health care costs. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile health (mHealth) intervention in improving the disease activity, Quality of Life (QoL), privacy and security measures for the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Material and Methods: We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on July 12, 2022. This study was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to report evidence from studies included in this systematic review. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used mHealth interventions for the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Results: 30 articles with 4 topics of patient satisfaction (n=12), disease activity (n=15), quality of life (n=14) and privacy were included in this review. Studies focused on digestive diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, colon disease, irritable bowel syndrome. The results showed that data transmission security was guaranteed by only 5 mHealth interventions. Patient satisfaction was between 25.7-100% and 74-100%, respectively. Disease activity, as measured by symptom severity scales and physiological biomarkers, showed improvements following mHealth interventions in several, but not all, studies. of the 5 included studies showed signifi- cant improvements in QoL and improvements in disease following mHealth interventions in some studies. Conclusion: Data security and evidence of effectiveness are still available in a small number of mHealth interventions, the overall quality of mHealth interventions was moderate and may be effective in managing disease activity and improving QoL in gastrointestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are poised to healthcare delivery, helping users take a more active role in managing their health in life. Objective: This review aimed to identify security barriers and facilitators of using mHealth applications from the point of view of medical students. Material and Methods: Studies were retrieved from Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed on August 14, 2022. Cross-sectional studies that examined the barriers and facilitators of using mHealth applications from the point of view of information security among medical students were considered as inclusion criteria. To assessment the quality of the included studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical apprisal checklist for cross-sectional studies was used. Results: Of the 11 included studies, all studies, there were concerns about security and privacy for the adoption and acceptance of the use of health applications, the risk of information collected by the mobile device during transmission and storage, and also not being free. On the other hand, human and managerial challenges play a more fundamental and important role than technical challenges. Among the factors that are effective in the use of applications can be mentioned being younger, higher income, more education. Conclusion: The results have shown the existence of security and privacy concerns among mobile app users, but there is considerable variation in privacy/health security attitudes for different demographic groups. Therefore, it is suggested that security features be customized for different users to address the individual concerns of users about the privacy and security of mHealth in applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid spread of Covid-19 is one of the biggest advantages of social media and its use in educational purposes. Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine the use of social networks for educational purposes among medical students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: Studies were retrieved from Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed databases from December 29, 2019 to June 20, 2022. Cross-sectional studies that examined medical students' use of social networks for educational purposes were considered as inclusion criteria. In order to assessment the quality of the included studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical apprisal checklist for cross-sectional studies was used. Results: Of the 12 included studies, 9 studies (75%) of students stated that online learning has more advantages than the traditional test in terms of time and cost efficiency. They also stated that the use of social networks for educational purposes during the outbreak of Covid-19 has led to their academic progress and they found social media more interactive, easier and useful than other online educational platforms. However, two studies (16%) showed that students' use of social networks has caused them to drop academically and reduce their study hours per week. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review indicate the popularity of social networks among medical students compared to other online educational platforms during the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic. Such environments provide opportunities for policy makers, planners and educational administrators to make the best decision to control this global threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the covid-19 pandemic, one of the areas that will be quickly affected is mental health. Objective: This systematic review aimed to investigate students' satisfaction of teleconsultation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: Studies were retrieved from Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed databases from December 29, 2019 to June 20, 2022. Cross-sectional studies that examined students' satisfaction of teleconsultation during the Covid-19 pandemic were considered as inclusion criteria. In order to assessment the quality of the included studies, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical apprisal checklist for cross-sectional studies was used. Results: 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. In all included studies, students are satisfied with distance counseling and find it convenient, useful, accessible and easy to use. Also, all 8 included studies and students' preference for confidentiality, time, cost and effectiveness in distance teleconsultation were not much different from face-to-face counseling. Furthermore, 2 included studies reported that teleconsultation was more useful and more satisfying than traditional counseling for residents of rural areas, people with limited mobility, people who avoid socializing, or those who are afraid of meeting new people. Conclusion: The findings showed that patients are equally satisfied with face-toface and teleconsultation if problems related to technology are minimized. On the other hand, some students are more willing to use teleconsultation for their mental health needs and find it useful due to the fear of negative views about psychological counseling. Therefore, future studies are suggested in order to identify the barriers and facilitators of teleconsultation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eye diseases are one of the main causes of vision loss in the elderly. Background: Eye diseases are one of the main causes of vision loss in the elderly. Objective: This systematic review amid to investigate the effect of telemedicine on the diagnosis, follow-up, monitoring, compliance and control of eye diseases. Material and Methods: A systematic review of controlled and randomized clinical trial studies without time limit was explored by searching keywords in the title, abstract and keywords of the studies in the reliable scientific databases Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed on April 20, 2022. A gray literature search was also conducted using the Google search engine to identify the most recent possible evidence. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist; that the studies with a score above 7 were included in the analysis. Results: : A total of 40 articles were identified after removing duplicates. After screening the full text of the articles, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The technologies used for teleophthalmology in the studies included remote monitoring (20%), remote screening (40%), remote medical reminders (30%), and websites (10%). In (80%) of teleophthalmology studies, the intervention group reported a significant improvement in the investigated outcomes compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results of our systematic review showed that in the majority of studies, Teleophthalmology interventions have a positive result compared to face-toface interventions. Therefore, it seems that a well-designed teleophthalmology program can improve the patient's health by early diagnosis of the disease and identification of related risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the "groove" of the pancreas among the pancreatic head, duodenum, and common bile duct. The exact cause is unknown, although there are associations with long-term alcohol abuse, smoking, peptic ulcer disease, heterotopic pancreas, gastric resection, biliary disease, and anatomical or functional obstruction of the minor papilla. The diagnosis can be challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography are the preferred imaging modalities. The treatment of choice is conservative although surgical intervention can sometimes be required. Case Report: A 57-year-old male with a history of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B presented with 4 days of epigastric pain. Abdominal exam revealed absent bowel sounds and epigastric tenderness. He had a creatinine of 1.72 mg/dL, potassium of 2.9 mmol/L, and a normal lipase level of 86 U/L. Liver enzymes and total bilirubin were normal. Computed tomography abdomen showed high-grade obstruction of the second portion of the duodenum without any obvious mass. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a mass at the duodenal bulb causing luminal narrowing, with biopsies negative for malignancy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the region of the pancreatic head and descending duodenum. EUS revealed a 3 cm mass in the region of pancreatic head with irregular borders and no vascular invasion. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was nondiagnostic. The patient then underwent a Whipple's procedure. Pathology of these specimens was negative for malignancy but was consistent with para-duodenal or groove pancreatitis. Conclusion: The low incidence of groove pancreatitis is partly due to lack of familiarity with the disease. Groove pancreatitis should be considered in the differential for patients presenting with pancreatic head lesions and no cholestatic jaundice, especially when a duodenal obstruction is present, and neither duodenal biopsies nor pancreatic head FNA confirm adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]