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This study was conducted to examine experiences and attitudes of midwifery student tutors during scheduled class time. Sixty-one students from 2016 to 2019, who passed the gynecology and infertility course, participated in this study as student tutors and tutees. Students' experiences were investigated with a five-point Likert-type rating scale questionnaire including 17 items in six domains. The average score, frequency, and percentage of positive and negative attitude were calculated in each domain. All participants were female with an average age of 26.3 years. Average student experiences were favorable, and their attitudes towards peer teaching were overwhelmingly positive in all domains. Class-time peer tutoring programs where students change their roles as teacher and student may be regarded as an alternative to traditional peer tutoring programs.

This study was conducted to compare teaching gynecology and infertility courses with both lecture and peer methods. In 2018, a quasi-experimental study was designed at the midwifery department of a state university in Iran. A total of 32 midwifery students were participated in the study. During the first eight sessions, 50% of the course content was taught in the form of same-level peer-teaching. The last eight sessions of the course were taught by lecture. At the end of each session, students were given a post-test, also midterm and final exam. At the end of exams, each student was asked to complete a questionnaire assessing students' perception about teaching methods. The average mid- term exam score for peer-teaching (34.5 ± 5.5) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the lecture method (30.4 ± 5.8), as well as average final exam score (7.2 ± 1.5 vs. 5.8 ± 1.6). The average overall student perception score for the peer-teaching method was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the corresponding score for the lecture method (86.8 ± 11.5 vs. 74.1 ± 12.4). Using the peer education as a complementary method in teaching theoretical courses along with the traditional lecture method seems to be appropriate.

A 4-year (2008–2011) community-based participatory research was implemented in the Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran. A steering committee was established from academics, policy makers, health officials, and representatives of health sectors. This committee selected six regions within Boyerahmad and Dena counties based on administrative divisions. Health companions consisting of stakeholders, academics, local leaders, health providers, and public representatives were established to guide the project in each region. The health companion groups were enabled by attending workshops dealing with need assessment, priority setting, and research methodology. Health companion groups adopted a Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) methodology including community mobilization for data collection, health priority setting, developing of a comprehensive intervention plan, and evaluation. A list of main health issues and their priorities for each region was provided. Subsequently, research topics were determined and six surveys and intervention programs were planned and implemented. After intervention most of top priority health risk factors were decreased and the preventive programs that targeted risk factors were increased significantly. This project is found to be an effective approach for building stronger partnerships between researchers and community members for the development of effective solutions for local health concerns and promote public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone marrow (BM) niche is an appropriate site for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into adipocytes. Adipocytes are metabolically active cells affecting the function of their neighboring cells through the secretion of adipokines, growth factors, and inflammatory mediators. Although the pathological roles of adipokines have not been elucidated, the changes in their levels have been observed in various malignancies. Adipokines also affect tumor growth in the BM niche. Decreased levels of adipokines and increased levels of leptin have been reported in a number of cancers. Adipocytes can be introduced as a diagnostic marker of metastasis in some cancers. Identification of the relationship between different adipokines secreted from adipocytes and the signaling pathways activated by these adipokines, as well as the detection of molecules involved in the development of various types of malignancies, can contribute to the recognition of drug resistance factors and appropriate treatment of malignancies. In this review paper, we examine the effects of various BM-derived adipokines on the growth and metastasis of tumor cells in the neoplastic BM niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilms' tumor is common in children and is caused by Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1). The WT1 mutation has been reported in a variety of hematologic malignancies. Changing expression of miRNA molecules has also been shown to play a role in the development of Wilms' tumor. Considering the fact that WT1 can be used as a clinical biomarker in leukemia cases, it can be a basis for immunotherapy of leukemia. WT1 is a gene that can be used as a prognostic biomarker for minimal residual disease, as well as the detection of relapse for clinical remission in leukemia. Furthermore, it can be considered as a predictive biomarker for the treatment of leukemic patients after allogeneic transplantation. This study aimed to review WT1 expression in leukemia, its involvement in miRNAs expression, as well as its importance in prognosis and treatment of leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The duration of the protection of hepatitis B vaccination for infants and the necessity of a booster dose administration is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the persistence of seroprotection after hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in order to determine the necessity of a single booster dose in 5- to 7-year-old children. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted from 2004 to 2005. The study population included all children aged 5 to 7 years old in the Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province who had been vaccinated starting at birth with hepatitis B vaccine. Among these children, 729 were selected via a multiple-stage sampling method. Parents gave their informed consent, and blood specimens (3 ml) were obtained from children. Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subjects with nonprotective titer levels (< 10 mIU/ml) received a booster does of the DNA recombinant vaccine. Four weeks after the administration of a booster dose, the antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) titer was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and analyses included chi-square, ANOVA, and independent-samples and paired-samples t-tests. Results: 615 children (84.4%) had a protective antibody titer. The mean antibody titer was 230.5 ± 308.9 IU/ml, with a range of 10.6 to 1175 IU/ml. 15.6% of subjects had a nonprotective antibody titer, and the mean antibody titer was 4.97 ± 3.5 IU/ml. All subjects were HBsAg negative. No statistically significant differences were found by sex or by urban versus rural area of residence. The seroprotection rates significantly decreased by as the age of the children increased. Following the booster dose, 78.1 % of the children had a protective titer, and the mean titer significantly increased from 4.97 ± 3.5 at birth to 332.1 ± 402 IU/ml after the booster (P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to our results, the proper response of the immune system to a booster dose of HBV at 5 to 7 years of age reveals that immunologic memory is good after primary vaccination. Administration of booster dose does not appear to be necessary at these ages even though these children have a greater possibility of exposure to HBV in school age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]