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Zhila Maghbooli, Solaleh Emamgholipour, Majid Ramezani, Mohammad Ali Sahraian,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Volume 19, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) is an uncommon disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. NMOSD is associated with IgG antibody binding to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) that triggers astrocyte and axon loss. Aquaporin 4 is also expressed skeletally and affects bioenergetic regulation pathways and calcium (Ca²⁺) translocations.
The aim of this study was the association between AQP4 and bone loss in NMOSD patients.
Material and Methods: In this study, 32 NMOSD patients were enrolled as the case group, and 37 age-matched individuals without a history of neurological disorders or other acute or chronic conditions served as the control group. Patients with NMOSD were diagnosed based on the criteria established by Wingerchuk et al. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD) at three bone sites: the total hip, femoral neck, and spinal lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4). Bone status was defined based on the Z-score in these regions, with a Z-score less than -2 classified as severe bone loss.
Results: Among patients with NMOSD, 15.6% exhibited severe bone densitometry loss in at least one area (total hip, femoral neck, or spine), compared to 5.4% in the control group (P=0.01). Bone densitometry results showed that the Z-score in the femoral neck and hip regions was significantly lower in individuals with NMOSD compared to the control group (P<0.05). In NMOSD patients, the Z-score in the femoral neck and hip regions was considerably lower in aquaporin-4 positive patients compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the regression model, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and history of vitamin D supplementation, patients with aquaporin-4 had lower bone mass (P=0.02).
Conclusion: The study results indicate that aquaporin-4 may play a mediating role in the bone status of patients with NMOSD.
The aim of this study was the association between AQP4 and bone loss in NMOSD patients.
Material and Methods: In this study, 32 NMOSD patients were enrolled as the case group, and 37 age-matched individuals without a history of neurological disorders or other acute or chronic conditions served as the control group. Patients with NMOSD were diagnosed based on the criteria established by Wingerchuk et al. Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD) at three bone sites: the total hip, femoral neck, and spinal lumbar vertebrae (L1-L4). Bone status was defined based on the Z-score in these regions, with a Z-score less than -2 classified as severe bone loss.
Results: Among patients with NMOSD, 15.6% exhibited severe bone densitometry loss in at least one area (total hip, femoral neck, or spine), compared to 5.4% in the control group (P=0.01). Bone densitometry results showed that the Z-score in the femoral neck and hip regions was significantly lower in individuals with NMOSD compared to the control group (P<0.05). In NMOSD patients, the Z-score in the femoral neck and hip regions was considerably lower in aquaporin-4 positive patients compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the regression model, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and history of vitamin D supplementation, patients with aquaporin-4 had lower bone mass (P=0.02).
Conclusion: The study results indicate that aquaporin-4 may play a mediating role in the bone status of patients with NMOSD.
Keivan Keramati, Sina Adib, Mahmood Ahmadi Hamedani, Leila Mohammadnejad Nasrabadi,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Volume 19, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: BronchoT.D is an Iranian herbal drug manufactured for human consumption and has anti-cough and expectorant properties. Isoproterenol is a non selective agonist of beta-adrenergic receptors that although has been used as a drug in cases such as bradycardia, but based on the results of some studies, it has been determined that isoproterenol can also lead to tissue damage and hematological changes. The aim of this research was hematological evaluation of the interaction of BronchoT.D® with isoproterenol.
Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study. Eighteen male wistar rat were used in 3 experimental groups (each group 6 rats) including control, recipient of isoproterenol and normal saline and recipient of isoproterenol and BronchoT.D. There was no intervention in the control group. Isoproterenol was administered via twice injection and normal saline and BronchoT.D were administered five times orally. Finally, blood was collected from the rats and White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hematocrit (Hct), Hemoglobin (Hgb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and Platelets (Plt) were measured. Statistical analysis of data was performed through one-way analysis of variance using SPSS software.
Results: In terms of WBC, the difference between the experimental groups was not significant. The isoproterenol and normal saline receiving group had a significant increase in terms of RBC, Hct, Hgb and Plt as compared to the control group. The difference between the isoproterenol and BronchoT.D receiving group was not significant in terms of RBC, Hct and Plt as compared to the control group. In terms of Hgb and MCHC, the isoproterenol and BronchoT.D receiving group had a significant increase as compared to the control group. In term of MCV, the difference between experimental groups was not significant. The isoproterenol and normal saline receiving group did not differ significantly in comparison with the control group in term of MCHC.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that BronchoT.D not only prevents some hematological changes caused by isoproterenol, such as an increasing of RBC and plt, but can also increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood through a significant increase in Hgb and MCHC. BronchoT.D probably causes such effects by counteracting oxidative stress or by directly affecting the bone marrow, although additional researches are necessary to investigate such probablities.
Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study. Eighteen male wistar rat were used in 3 experimental groups (each group 6 rats) including control, recipient of isoproterenol and normal saline and recipient of isoproterenol and BronchoT.D. There was no intervention in the control group. Isoproterenol was administered via twice injection and normal saline and BronchoT.D were administered five times orally. Finally, blood was collected from the rats and White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hematocrit (Hct), Hemoglobin (Hgb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and Platelets (Plt) were measured. Statistical analysis of data was performed through one-way analysis of variance using SPSS software.
Results: In terms of WBC, the difference between the experimental groups was not significant. The isoproterenol and normal saline receiving group had a significant increase in terms of RBC, Hct, Hgb and Plt as compared to the control group. The difference between the isoproterenol and BronchoT.D receiving group was not significant in terms of RBC, Hct and Plt as compared to the control group. In terms of Hgb and MCHC, the isoproterenol and BronchoT.D receiving group had a significant increase as compared to the control group. In term of MCV, the difference between experimental groups was not significant. The isoproterenol and normal saline receiving group did not differ significantly in comparison with the control group in term of MCHC.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that BronchoT.D not only prevents some hematological changes caused by isoproterenol, such as an increasing of RBC and plt, but can also increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood through a significant increase in Hgb and MCHC. BronchoT.D probably causes such effects by counteracting oxidative stress or by directly affecting the bone marrow, although additional researches are necessary to investigate such probablities.
Creating a Management Dashboard for the Oncology Ward to Monitor Health Data of Children with Cancer
Saber Yazdani Damavandi, Tayebeh Baniasadi, Mohammad Ali Molavi, Farid Khorrami,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (12-2025)
Volume 19, Issue 5 (12-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cancer has been recognized as the second leading cause of child mortality in recent years. Due to the increasing amount of healthcare data for cancer patients, healthcare providers need a tool to monitor patients for immediate intervention. An intelligent and dynamic information management dashboard is capable of compiling and displaying data using charts and tables. In the present study, a management dashboard was designed for the oncology department of a children’s hospital, and its usability was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: This developmental–applied research was conducted in 2024 at the Educational, Medical, and Research Center for Children in Bandar Abbas. In order to create a management dashboard for the pediatric oncology department, three stages were carried out. In the first stage, all necessary content to be displayed on the dashboard was extracted based on a review of literature and documents from the oncology department of Bandar Abbas Children’s Hospital. This content was then validated by experts using the Delphi method in two rounds. In the second stage, a prototype of dashboard for the oncology ward was designed using Power BI Desktop software. Finally, its usability was evaluated using a SUS questionnaire by 20 users. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software.
Results: Following the screening of 3,435 initial records and a review of 22 articles alongside 38 patient files, a preliminary set of 104 managerial and 67 clinical indicators was extracted. These indicators were validated through a tworound Delphi process with 12 experts, resulting in the final selection of 105 managerial and 71 clinical indicators for dashboard inclusion. Based on this validated set, a tenpage managerial dashboard was developed to present key performance metrics. Usability assessment using the System Usability Scale (SUS) yielded a mean score of 75.87, which, according to the Bangor scale, is classified as “acceptable” and corresponds to a grade of “excellent.” User feedback informed subsequent refinements to the dashboard’s data visualizations and interface. In summary, the developed dashboard represents an effective and userfriendly tool for monitoring and managing information within a pediatric oncology department.
Conclusion: The pediatric oncology management dashboard facilitates the integration and summarization of essential data for healthcare providers, thereby assisting them in making timely diagnoses and interventions for children with cancer. Additionally, the present dashboard demonstrates appropriate usability, which enhances users’ understanding of health information and leads to more accurate decision-making.
Materials and Methods: This developmental–applied research was conducted in 2024 at the Educational, Medical, and Research Center for Children in Bandar Abbas. In order to create a management dashboard for the pediatric oncology department, three stages were carried out. In the first stage, all necessary content to be displayed on the dashboard was extracted based on a review of literature and documents from the oncology department of Bandar Abbas Children’s Hospital. This content was then validated by experts using the Delphi method in two rounds. In the second stage, a prototype of dashboard for the oncology ward was designed using Power BI Desktop software. Finally, its usability was evaluated using a SUS questionnaire by 20 users. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software.
Results: Following the screening of 3,435 initial records and a review of 22 articles alongside 38 patient files, a preliminary set of 104 managerial and 67 clinical indicators was extracted. These indicators were validated through a tworound Delphi process with 12 experts, resulting in the final selection of 105 managerial and 71 clinical indicators for dashboard inclusion. Based on this validated set, a tenpage managerial dashboard was developed to present key performance metrics. Usability assessment using the System Usability Scale (SUS) yielded a mean score of 75.87, which, according to the Bangor scale, is classified as “acceptable” and corresponds to a grade of “excellent.” User feedback informed subsequent refinements to the dashboard’s data visualizations and interface. In summary, the developed dashboard represents an effective and userfriendly tool for monitoring and managing information within a pediatric oncology department.
Conclusion: The pediatric oncology management dashboard facilitates the integration and summarization of essential data for healthcare providers, thereby assisting them in making timely diagnoses and interventions for children with cancer. Additionally, the present dashboard demonstrates appropriate usability, which enhances users’ understanding of health information and leads to more accurate decision-making.
Reza Safdari, Arash Mansourian, Shahram Tahmasebian, Niloofar Mohammadzadeh, Hamideh Ehtesham,
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Artificial intelligence-based systems can facilitate data management and interpretation in various dental specialties and can be used as auxiliary tools in diagnosis and education. Case-based reasoning is a promising artificial intelligence method for implementing decision support systems in medical sciences. In the current research, this technique has been used to design an intelligent system for the differential diagnosis of oral diseases.
Materials and Methods: This research is a developmental study and is applied in terms of results. To create a database of cases, patient data was collected by referring to the specialized polyclinic of the Faculty of Dentistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and through clinical interviews. The [feature-value] collection was used to display the cases. The weight of the features was determined through a specialized Delphi survey conducted at the national level and as an online study. The determined weights were stored in the case database and used as similarity evaluation parameters. Then, the similarity index was calculated for each case.
Results: The intelligent system designed in this research has been developed based on web technologies. Problem-solving in the case-based reasoning method is done in a cycle and includes four main stages: recovery, reuse, review, and maintenance. The input parameters of the system include clinical indicators, paraclinical indicators, historical data, and management data affecting the diagnosis process. The system provides a prioritized list of differential diagnoses of oral diseases across six main axes as output including Ulcerative, vesicular, and bullous lesions, Red and white lesions of the oral mucosa, Pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa, Benign lesions of the oral cavity, Oral cancer, Salivary gland diseases.
Conclusion: The development of the system utilizing case-based reasoning techniques and clinical data processing has the potential to assist dentists in achieving differential diagnosis across six main areas of oral diseases.
Materials and Methods: This research is a developmental study and is applied in terms of results. To create a database of cases, patient data was collected by referring to the specialized polyclinic of the Faculty of Dentistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and through clinical interviews. The [feature-value] collection was used to display the cases. The weight of the features was determined through a specialized Delphi survey conducted at the national level and as an online study. The determined weights were stored in the case database and used as similarity evaluation parameters. Then, the similarity index was calculated for each case.
Results: The intelligent system designed in this research has been developed based on web technologies. Problem-solving in the case-based reasoning method is done in a cycle and includes four main stages: recovery, reuse, review, and maintenance. The input parameters of the system include clinical indicators, paraclinical indicators, historical data, and management data affecting the diagnosis process. The system provides a prioritized list of differential diagnoses of oral diseases across six main axes as output including Ulcerative, vesicular, and bullous lesions, Red and white lesions of the oral mucosa, Pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa, Benign lesions of the oral cavity, Oral cancer, Salivary gland diseases.
Conclusion: The development of the system utilizing case-based reasoning techniques and clinical data processing has the potential to assist dentists in achieving differential diagnosis across six main areas of oral diseases.
Davood Bahrami, Mahin Tavakoli, Bahram Ahmadi,
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Trichophyton rubrum is among the most frequently detected species that cause dermatophyte infections, especially chronic infections, so it requires early diagnosis and appropriate antifungal treatment. Due to the increasing resistance of different species of dermatophytes to antifungals, the use of herbal compounds with antifungal properties can be used as adjuvant therapy or even an alternative therapy. Carvacrol has a wide range of biological activities, including antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the antifungal effect of carvacrol on 12 strains of Trichophyton rubrum in comparison to the antifungal drug terbinafine in vitro.
Materials and Methods: This investigation was conducted on Trichophyton rubrum isolates that had been previously identified morphologically and molecularly. The protocol used to perform in vitro susceptibility testing was the A38-M-CLSI standard using the Broth Microdilution method. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS software, and the MIC50, MIC90, and GM of this compound against Trichophyton rubrum isolates were estimated compared to terbinafine.
Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using different concentrations of carvacrol (in the concentration range of 0.25 to 2 μg/mL) and terbinafine (in the concentration range of 0.0625 to 0. 5 μg/mL). The MIC50 and MIC90 values for Carvacrol were determined to be 0. 5 and 2 μg/mL, respectively. Whereas, the corresponding values for terbinafine were calculated at 0.0625 and 0. 5 μg/mL. The GM values were 0.5 for cavacrol and 0.1 for terbinafine. Similar to terbinafine, the antifungal efficacy of the studied compound displayed significant differences against Trichophyton rubrum isolates (P-value<0.05).
Conclusion: Although the MIC values for carvacrol were higher than those for terbinafine in vitro, it demonstrated significant antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum isolates. Therefore, this natural compound seems to be a good option for adjuvant therapy along with antifungals in dermatophyte infections, although the realization of this matter requires further investigation on the combined effect of carvacrol and terbinafine, determining the toxicity of carvacrol, and also examining this compound in vivo.
Materials and Methods: This investigation was conducted on Trichophyton rubrum isolates that had been previously identified morphologically and molecularly. The protocol used to perform in vitro susceptibility testing was the A38-M-CLSI standard using the Broth Microdilution method. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS software, and the MIC50, MIC90, and GM of this compound against Trichophyton rubrum isolates were estimated compared to terbinafine.
Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using different concentrations of carvacrol (in the concentration range of 0.25 to 2 μg/mL) and terbinafine (in the concentration range of 0.0625 to 0. 5 μg/mL). The MIC50 and MIC90 values for Carvacrol were determined to be 0. 5 and 2 μg/mL, respectively. Whereas, the corresponding values for terbinafine were calculated at 0.0625 and 0. 5 μg/mL. The GM values were 0.5 for cavacrol and 0.1 for terbinafine. Similar to terbinafine, the antifungal efficacy of the studied compound displayed significant differences against Trichophyton rubrum isolates (P-value<0.05).
Conclusion: Although the MIC values for carvacrol were higher than those for terbinafine in vitro, it demonstrated significant antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum isolates. Therefore, this natural compound seems to be a good option for adjuvant therapy along with antifungals in dermatophyte infections, although the realization of this matter requires further investigation on the combined effect of carvacrol and terbinafine, determining the toxicity of carvacrol, and also examining this compound in vivo.
Mohammad Ahmadian, Zahra Molaei, Monireh Rahimkhani, Shaban Alizadeh, Fariba Nabatchian, Nasrin Dashti, Hamid Choobineh, Bahram Nikmanesh, Yoosef Erfani, Mehdi Zavvar, Reza Afrisham, Ziba Majidi, Alireza Latifi, Mohammad Ebrahimi Siahboomi, Azade Omidkhoda,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Preparing laboratory sciences students for clinical internship requires enhancing practical skills and effective review of theoretical topics taught in the early years. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a summer school for laboratory skills to improve students’ preparedness before entering clinical internships.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted over two consecutive academic years (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) at the School of Allied Medical Sciences, in collaboration with the Departments of Laboratory Sciences, Hematology and Blood Transfusion, and Medical Information Sciences. Educational needs were identified through literature review and unstructured interviews. Subsequently, six specialized hands-on workshops were designed and conducted, covering Hematology and Blood Banking, Biochemistry, Immunology and Serology, Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hormone Assays. The quality of the courses was assessed with a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed based on a literature review and considering the research objectives. The face and content validity of this questionnaire was qualitatively reviewed and confirmed by experienced teachers (5 members of the faculty of the Laboratory Sciences Department), and its reliability was calculated and confirmed based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.92. The questionnaire items measured the level of student satisfaction with a 5-point Likert scale from completely disagree (1) to completely agree (5). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software. The effect of the courses on the students’ competence after the internship was also measured with the questionnaire.
Results: Based on the results of the questionnaires completed by the students, 93.3% of the participants expressed their satisfaction with the overall implementation of the summer school. Further details showed that 91.6% of the students believed that the summer school was effective in improving their practical skills. Also, 78.8% of the participants gave a positive rating to the educational environment provided for practical learning, and 93.9% expressed their satisfaction with the supervision and feedback provided by the professors. Based on the results of the questionnaires after the end of the 12-unit internship, on average, 77.7% of the students stated that participating in the summer school increased their self-confidence and ability to perform laboratory tests during the internship. Also, 66.6% of the participants evaluated the course as an effective factor in improving their readiness to enter the clinical hospital environment. More than 90% considered the workshops useful for consolidating knowledge.
Conclusion: It seems that the summer school increased students’ satisfaction and preparedness for entry into the clinical environment. It is recommended that such programs be integrated into the laboratory sciences curriculum.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted over two consecutive academic years (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) at the School of Allied Medical Sciences, in collaboration with the Departments of Laboratory Sciences, Hematology and Blood Transfusion, and Medical Information Sciences. Educational needs were identified through literature review and unstructured interviews. Subsequently, six specialized hands-on workshops were designed and conducted, covering Hematology and Blood Banking, Biochemistry, Immunology and Serology, Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hormone Assays. The quality of the courses was assessed with a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed based on a literature review and considering the research objectives. The face and content validity of this questionnaire was qualitatively reviewed and confirmed by experienced teachers (5 members of the faculty of the Laboratory Sciences Department), and its reliability was calculated and confirmed based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.92. The questionnaire items measured the level of student satisfaction with a 5-point Likert scale from completely disagree (1) to completely agree (5). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software. The effect of the courses on the students’ competence after the internship was also measured with the questionnaire.
Results: Based on the results of the questionnaires completed by the students, 93.3% of the participants expressed their satisfaction with the overall implementation of the summer school. Further details showed that 91.6% of the students believed that the summer school was effective in improving their practical skills. Also, 78.8% of the participants gave a positive rating to the educational environment provided for practical learning, and 93.9% expressed their satisfaction with the supervision and feedback provided by the professors. Based on the results of the questionnaires after the end of the 12-unit internship, on average, 77.7% of the students stated that participating in the summer school increased their self-confidence and ability to perform laboratory tests during the internship. Also, 66.6% of the participants evaluated the course as an effective factor in improving their readiness to enter the clinical hospital environment. More than 90% considered the workshops useful for consolidating knowledge.
Conclusion: It seems that the summer school increased students’ satisfaction and preparedness for entry into the clinical environment. It is recommended that such programs be integrated into the laboratory sciences curriculum.
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