Showing 279 results for Ai
Aida Alizamir , Seyed Mahdi Rezvanjoo , Elham Khanlarzadeh , Farnaz Fariba,
Volume 78, Issue 3 (June 2020)
Abstract
Background: Early diagnosis and proper treatment of patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and ischemic heart disease are important in determining prognosis, preventing adverse effects, and may even save lives. In this study, the level of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in ACS patients was compared with the control group, in addition to cardiac Troponin (cTn) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) markers.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 116 patients with ACS were selected by convenience sampling method among patients referring to the emergency department of Farshchian Heart Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science in Iran, from June 2017 to May 2018, and then were compared with 116 healthy persons (control group) in term of PAPP-A, CK-MB and serum cTn biomarkers.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of PAPP-A in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and control group were 93.85±27.56 and 89.63±7.29, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between patients with ACS and control group. However, the level of PAPP-A in ST segment elevated myocardial infarction patients (STE-MI) was significantly higher than those with unstable angina (UA) and non-ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTE-MI) (P<0.001). The mean and standard deviation of PAPP-A in patients with acute coronary syndrome with positive and negative troponin results was 99.42±27.52 and 90.69±18.79, respectively (P=0.021). The correlation coefficient between serum PAPP-A and creatine kinase-MB obtained 0.070 (P=0.292).
Conclusion: In patients with ACS, in addition to the increase in cardiac troponin markers (cTn), the serum level of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) also increases significantly. Therefore in addition to measuring serum cardiac troponin levels, evaluation and measurement of PAPP-A can also be used to diagnose and management of ACS.
Mohadese Zademir, Narjes Sargolzaie, Amirhossein Nourolah ,
Volume 78, Issue 4 (July 2020)
Abstract
Background: The empty sella syndrome (ESS) is a neurological or pathologic finding in which sella turcica is devoid of pituitary tissue and the subarachnoid space extends into sella turcica, which is either primary or secondary as well as partial and complete. The widespread use of CT scans and MRIs today has made the ESS a common finding in imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the empty sella syndrome.
Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive-analytic study in which all patients referred to Imam Ali Hospital (Zahedan) for electromagnetic brain imaging (n=1856) were recruited by cross-sectional sampling during the first 6 months from 21 March 2018 to 23 September 2018. Inclusion criteria included the absence of another known problem in the central nervous system and the absence of concurrent underlying disease. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisting of demographic and related variable to empty sella disorder.
Results: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of empty sella was 8.2% with a mean age of 37.02±12.51 years. 66.4% of the patients were female. The prevalence of primary empty sella was 78.9% with a mean age of 34.51±11.26 years. 71.7% of the patients had partial empty sella. There was a significant difference between the mean age and sex of patients with empty sella and non-empty sella subjects (P=0.008) and (P<0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean age of affected patients with type of empty sella (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between mean age of patients with empty sella and severity of empty sella (P=0.056). There was no significant difference between the frequency of empty sella type and the severity with gender (P=0.224) and (P=0.091).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the overall prevalence of empty sella in the referring patients was relatively low. Most of them were females with primary type and minor severity.
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Alireza Rai, Siros Amiri, Mohammadreza Sobhiyeh,
Volume 78, Issue 4 (July 2020)
Abstract
Background: The ineffectiveness of hemodialysis fistulas causes high costs and increases mortality and morbidity rates. The efficacy of drug-coated balloon and nondrug-coated balloon in dysfunctional arteriovenous Fistula was evaluated over six month period.
Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of a total of 50 hemodialysis patients who referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah for failing of arteriovenous fistula in 2018 year, were randomly divided into two separate groups of drug-coated balloon angioplasty and non-drug coated balloon angioplasty. All of these procedures were done with the same surgeon. Patients were followed-up for 6 months. Variables and data of patients like age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and location of arteriovenous fistula were documented and analyzed by SPSS software, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) using statistical tests. T-test and chi-square test were used for data analysis and the significance level was considered less than 0.05.
Results: The success rate of drug-coated balloon angioplasty versus plain balloon angioplasty in the efficacy of arteriovenous fistulas increased significantly (19 vs. 6 and 13 vs. 12, respectively, P<0.05). There is also a significant relationship between age and diabetes over the lifetime of the arteriovenous fistula. According to results, the efficacy of arteriovenous fistula in the elderly patients (>65 years) and the diabetes mellitus patients were lower than other risk factors causing end-stage renal disease.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the use of drug-coated balloons rather than non drug-coated balloon is more effective in the efficiency of arteriovenous artery fistula.
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Mohsen Sheykhhasan, Hamed Manoochehri, Massoud Saidijam,
Volume 78, Issue 5 (August 2020)
Abstract
The highly contagious new coronavirus virus, SARS-CoV-2, was first appeared in Wuhan, China in late 2019. The virus has spread to 216 countries, including Iran, until 7 September 2020. So far, the number of people infected by the new corona virus and died from the disease is 27032617 and 881464 worldwide, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce the available treatments for this virus, as a global dilemma. Articles for this review study were selected from Embase, Medline and Google Scholar. Published full articles in English, English full articles published from 1st December 2019 to 23rd July 2020, were included. The search terms included combinations of COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, chloroquine, convalescent plasma, antiviral, antibacterial, Remidesivir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine phosphate, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. There were no restrictions on the types of study eligible for inclusion. Different available therapies generally can be divided into small molecules and biological products. Among the small molecule drugs used for COVID-19 patients Remdesivir, Favilavir, and hydroxychloroquine have been associated with considerable success in disease control. Separation and transfusion of plasma from blood of improved COVID-19 patients to new patients and the use of recombinant Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) have been two very successful biological therapies in the treatment of COVID-19 disease. However, many efforts are being made by researchers around the world to make other effective and promising biological products. The development of a safe and effective vaccine can lead to great success in eradicating the disease. Also, the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and using of stem cell-based therapeutics can be a great success in treating the disease. In addition, according to the miRNA properties, many efforts have been made to inhibit the production of viral proteins using natural miRNAs or artificial siRNAs. It has been proposed that aptamers derived from SELEX can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Subsequently, since the size of miRNAs is at the nanometer level, they can easily incorporate to the targeted exosomes and be delivered via circulation in human blood to the infected cells such as lung cells. Interestingly, miRNAs can be delivered into the lung by inhalation.
Elham Hoseinnezhad Zarghani, Ghazale Geraily, Mahbod Esfahani, Mostafa Farzin,
Volume 78, Issue 7 (October 2020)
Abstract
Background: Total body irradiation (TBI) is a technique that is commonly used as a part of the patient conditioning regimen before the bone marrow transplant (BMT). The purpose of this study is to introduce and implement a reasonable TBI technique on the human-like phantom in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran.
Methods: The present experimental study was conducted from October 2016 to November 2017 to implement the TBI technique at the Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. For this purpose, percentage depth dose, and dose rate were measured in TBI condition (i.e. SSD=310 cm, field size=40×40 cm2, gantry angle=90°, and collimator angle 45°) in homogeneous phantom. Gafchromic EBT3 films were used to measure the absorbed dose in different areas of the human like phantom at the levels of head, neck, thyroid, lung, umbilicus, pelvic, thigh, knee and leg. Phantom irradiation was performed in parallel opposed anterior-posterior geometry using an 18MV photon beam produced by Varian 2100C/D. Cerrobend blocks were used for lung protection. After analyzing the exposed films with Image J software, the dose uniformity was calculated.
Results: Dose distribution uniformity was acquired in the order of -1.01% to +11.82% relative to the prescribed dose at the umbilicus. The difference between the calculated and measured dose at the umbilicus level was -2.73%. The radiation absorbed dose to the lung with blocks was 127.53cGy in one fraction which resulted in 756.18cGy in six fractions.
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Conclusion: The implemented technique, obtained the acceptable ±10% dose uniformity in most of the body regions. The dosing accuracy was within the acceptable range. The lungs¢ dose was reduced to the desired level using lung shields. This technique is a simple and cost-effective method that does not require complicated dosimetric techniques. Regarding the obtained results, the proposed technique has the necessary conditions for implementation in Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran.
Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan, Fares Najari, Bita Dadpour,
Volume 78, Issue 8 (November 2020)
Abstract
Background: Opioid poisoning is the most common type of poisoning in intensive care units (ICUs). This group usually includes patients who have been drug abusers for a long time and now require hospitalization either because of acute overdose or due to side effects of routine opioid use. This study aimed to compare the severity and prognosis of patients using common mortality predictors Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II, APACHE IV) on different days of hospitalization.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on all patients with opioid poisoning admitted to the ICU, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, from the beginning of April 2016 to March 2017 (Persian Calendar). For all poisoned patients enrolled in the study, the four mortality predicting tools were filled daily in the first three days of hospitalization and then every other day until discharge from the ICU or patient's death.
Results: Overall, 57 patients were evaluated of whom 72% (41 patients) were male. The mean age was 49.9±19.8 (median 53, range 18-94) years. The mean length of stay in the ICU was 13.5±17.5 (median 7, range: 75-75) days. The mortality rate was 17.5% (10 patients). The scores of SOFA, SAPS II, APACHE II, and APACHE IV were significantly higher in deceased patients than in discharged ones. The highest diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve) for all four predicting tools was observed in the second week of hospitalization. On the other hand, SAPS II (74%) on the first day, APACHE-II (76%) on the second day, APACHE-II (82%) on the third day, SOFA (77%) on day 4-5, and SAPS II (82%) on day 6-7 had the highest diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusion: In the present study scores of all four mortality predicting tools at admission were significantly associated with mortality. The accuracy of SAPS II, APACHE IV, and APACHE II are appropriate for estimating prognosis, especially after the second week of admission.
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Hamidreza Shetabi, Seyed Morteza Haidari , Darush Moradi Farsani , Zahra Bechari,
Volume 79, Issue 1 (April 2021)
Abstract
Background: Phacoemulsification surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the world. Various drugs have been used alone or in combination with each other to provide effective and safe sedation in patients, but so far, a drug method agreed upon by anesthesiologists has not been proposed. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the sedative quality of midazolam or propofol with a low dose of ketamine in phacoemulsification surgery.
Methods: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted from November 2017 to August 2019 at Faiz Hospital, Isfahan. In this study, 68 patients were assigned in the groups of midazolam (M) and propofol (P) using randomization software entered the study. The midazolam (M) group received 0.04 mg/kg and the propofol (P) group received 0.5 mg/kg, then in both groups, ketamine 0.3 mg/kg was injected intravenously. The quality of sedation, cardiovascular response and patient and surgeon satisfaction were assessed and recorded. Data were entered into SPSS 23 software and analyzed by using ANOVA and Independent samples t‐test.
Results: In this study, between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics there was no significant difference (P>0.05). In the KM group, higher percentage of patients achieved the desired quality of sedation, but, between the two groups no statistically significant difference was shown (P=0.75). Surgeon satisfaction was higher in the KP group (P=0.18) and patient satisfaction was higher in the KM group (P=0.18) but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). Recovery time between groups was Similar and no statistically significant difference was shown (P>0.98). In the KM group at 5 minutes, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was notably greater than the other group (P=0.02) and diastolic blood pressure was notably greater than the KP group (P=0.08).
Conclusion: It can be stated that adding a small dose of ketamine to propofol and midazolam is associated with effective sedation and a similar cardiovascular response during phacoemulsification surgery.
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Mina Sadat Naderi, Seyed Mehdi Tabaie, Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar, Majid Pornour,
Volume 79, Issue 1 (April 2021)
Abstract
Background: Low-level lasers are used for various medical applications including wound healing and hair loss treatment. Cell Therapy using skin stem cells could be a novel approach to hair transplantation. However, there is no study on the effect of low-level laser on the hair follicle stem cells. So, in this study, we investigated the effect of low level laser irradiation on viability and ROS production in the hair follicle stem cells.
Methods: This study was performed in the cell culture laboratory of Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute in 2020 (June 2020 to February 2020). The hair follicle was isolated from the Safe Donor Area (SDA) using the 4mm punch method. In the laboratory, after separating the follicular units, the bulb region of each follicle was isolated via mechanical and enzymatic methods and cultured in FBS+F12-DMEM. Afterward, the stem cells were characterized via flow cytometry. The effect of low-level laser (685 nm) with different doses (1-20 J/cm2) was investigated on cell proliferation, viability and ROS production.
Results: The stem cells were confirmed via flow cytometry and also morphological tests. The results indicated that the viability of the stem cells under laser irradiation was different. comparison of the cell viability before and after laser irradiation showed that the highest viability was related to 5 J/cm2 dose energy of laser irradiation. However, the viability of the cells in most dose energy of laser irradiation increased compared with the control group. Moreover, ROS production had a significant increase on 5 J/cm2 energy density of laser irradiation. We can be achieved better treatment in hair transplantation and hair follicle growth by knowing the effect of low-level laser irradiation on the viability of the hair follicle stem cells.
Conclusion: The result of this study could be useful in cell therapy and hair transplantation due to the improvement of cell viability and increase in ROS production under the influence of laser irradiation.
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Hatef Ghasemi Hamidabadi , Maryam Nazm Bojnordi , Nourrelah Rezaie, Mojtaba Hajihoseini, Ali Delbari ,
Volume 79, Issue 1 (April 2021)
Abstract
Background: Understanding hand structures is necessary to diagnose its diseases and injuries. Several methods have been used to teach the anatomy of this body part. In this article, we introduce a new educational tool and examine the impact of its use in learning anatomy.
Methods: Color images of different layers of hand structures were connected with a spring. On each page, the desired structure was cut and that part could be turned from another direction so that the tool was beyond a booklet and could create a three-dimensional image of the region. In this way, a multi-layered structure was made that looking at each part of it and going to the next part was equivalent to removing a layer from the palm of the hand and observing the layer beneath. After making the educational tool, 280 students who participated in the study were divided into two groups: control (A) and experimental (B). Both groups participated in a pre-test. After teaching the theory of hand anatomy for both groups, the control group received practical training using the traditional method and the experimental group using the proposed educational tool, and both groups participated in a post-test and the scores of the pre and post-test groups were compared. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 statistical software using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests.
Results: The pre-test scores of groups A and B were 3.48±1.197 and 3.49±1.481, respectively. The post-test scores of groups A and B were 6.97±1.504 and 10.54±1.303, respectively. Therefore, although the pre-test scores of groups A and B were not much different (P>0.05), the post-test scores of the two groups showed a significant difference (P<0.001). Students also expressed that using this educational tool has made learning hand anatomy more interesting for them.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the proposed educational tool is effective in the field of hand anatomy education.
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Ghasem Janbabai, Amir Hashem Shahidi Bonjar , Abtin Heidarzadeh, Mahdi Shadnoush , Ghasem Sadeghi, Mohsen Dalband, Amir Reza Rokn, Hamid Samadzadeh, Ali Tajernia, Said Sai, Reza Masaeli, Gholamreza Heydari, Ali Yazdani , Behzad Houshmand ,
Volume 79, Issue 2 (May 2021)
Abstract
Background: The advent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (so-called SARS-CoV-2) causing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (so-called COVID-19) occurred in Dec. 2019 in Wuhan, China. Having an inconceivable worldwide contagion, the outbreak was labeled a pandemic by the WHO. Dental services and related professions (including dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists and the personnel of cleansing, remedial, triage, dental laboratories, radiographic laboratories and other related paraclinicals), facing galore aerosol and droplets, are in the topmost risk groups exposed to the queer virus. This study was fulfilled to round up evidence-based data to break a link at any part of the virus transmission chain in dental services and related professions.
Methods: Relevant online databases, as PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar and TripDatabase were searched meticulously and evaluated for relevant published original research papers. Subsequently, to fulfill the investigation, ADA, CDC and WHO websites were reviewed to gain relevant guidelines and protocols. Consequently, 476 resources were included considering the canonical inclusion criteria. For the sake of quality assessment of the resources, an authentic checklist was exploited to score the resources from 1 to 15, wherein the admissible score was 10. After deliberation of resources, 366 of them were excluded and finally, 110 resources were selected and overhauled to attain a comprehensive perception on the subject of the investigation.
Results: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 includes direct transmission (via droplet and aerosol inhalation) and indirect transmission (via surface and instrument contamination), which can amply occur in dental services and related professions. Therefore, an all-inclusive evidence-based miscellany was rallied on several exigent topics, containing genuine esteem in reputable scientific authorities, to present a consummate report for the dental clinicians and related practitioners, working in the course of the running pandemic.
Conclusion: Contemplating the ongoing crisis, undertaking a set of miscellany elected guidelines and protocols, is indispensable in this vital interval of history to bridle the current pandemic, which has been abridged via this systematic perusal. |
Mohammad Hossein Mirzaii Dizgah, Mohammad Reza Mirzaii Dizgah, Iraj Mirzaii Dizgah ,
Volume 79, Issue 3 (june 2021)
Abstract
Background: spacecrafts rotate around the Earth every 90 minutes, so the 24-hour cycle turns to 90 minutes. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays a role in regulating the circadian rhythm and its deficiency can impair the biological clock function and consequently impair the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity
. The goal of the study was to assay the effects of simulated spaceship conditions on serum and hippocampal retinoic acid levels in rats
.
Methods: The tail-hanging, hindleg-weightlessness rat model was applied to mimic the microgravity conditions from June to September 2017 in the zoo of the Aja University of Medical Sciences. Thirty-two male
Wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr/in an experimental study were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=8): 1) control animals with 12/12 h day-night rotation, 2) animals with 12/12 h day-night rotation under 14 days unloading, 3) control animals with 45/45 min day-night cycle, and 4) animals with 45/45 min day-night cycle under 14 days unloading. At the termination of the simulation step, rats were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected and the entire brain was removed and each brain was segmented into Hippocampus. ELISA assays were used to detect retinoic acid in the serum and homogenized hippocampus. Data were statistically assayed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni as a post hoc test. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The circadian cycle of 45/45 min compared to the 12/12 h dark cycle increased the levels of retinoic acid in serum (F=4.901, P=0.037) and hippocampus (F=5.793, P=0.029) in rats. But simulated weightlessness had no effect on retinoic acid content in serum (F=0.149, P=0.703) and hippocampus (F=0.004, P=0.952).
Conclusion: It seems that retinoic acid content in serum and hippocampus is affected by circadian cycle change, and weightlessness has not affect.
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Raika Jamali, Reza Zamani, Tayeb Ramim,
Volume 79, Issue 5 (August 2021)
Abstract
Background: Inlet patch (IP) lesion is the presence of gastric columnar epithelial tissue outside of the stomach. Symptoms such as a lump in the throat, chronic cough, laryngitis, or other mouth-throat symptoms may be IP-related only and have no other abnormalities. This study aimed to determine the relationship between globus sensation and structural disorder of Inlet Patch in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Methods: The case-control study was performed in patients who were referred to the endoscopy ward of Sina Hospital in Tehran from October 2016 to October 2017. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux and endoscopic indications. Patients who had endoscopic indications and underwent endoscopy were evaluated. Information on reflux esophagitis and inlet patch structural disorder were determined. Symptoms of reflux, including a lump in the throat, were identified and recorded. Then the frequency of globus sensation in patients with inlet patch structural disorder (patient group) and without it (control group) was compared.
Results: A total of 100 patients with gastric reflux participated in this study. Patients included 42 men (42%) and 58 women (58%). The mean age of patients was 41.17±10.35 years (18-77 years). The severity of mild reflux was 57%, moderate reflux was 27% and severe reflux was 16%. 28% of patients had a lump in the throat and 12 patients had an inlet patch. There was a statistically significant relationship between inlet patch and globus sensation (p=0.001). All patients with inlet patch had globus sensation. 81.8% of patients without inlet patch did not feel a lump in the throat. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups with and without inlet patch in terms of globus sensation in general and in terms of different clinical variables (p=0.001).
Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that inlet patch had a significant relationship with the feeling of a lump in the throat and all patients with inlet patch felt Globus sensation.As the result, to diagnose a patient with an inlet patch, other causes such as esophagitis, hernia, heartburn and metabolic syndrome should be ruled out.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Ghasem Janbabai , Behzad Kalantari, Mahnaz Afshari, Hamed Dehnavi ,
Volume 79, Issue 5 (August 2021)
Abstract
Background: Hospital accreditation is a systematic external evaluation of a hospital's structures, processes, and outcomes by an independent professional accreditation body using published optimum, evidence‐based, and achievable standards. Accreditation is a strategy for ensuring the quality, safety, and productivity of hospital services. Implementing accreditation standards imposes a high cost on hospitals. Therefore, this cost should be offset by increased hospital efficiency. Hence, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the Iranian public hospitals’ efficiency and their accreditation status.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2019. The efficiency of general hospitals in Iran was assessed using the Pabon Lasso chart and three performance indicators of bed occupancy rate, average patient length of stay and hospital bed turnover. Then, the relationship between the efficiency of hospitals and their accreditation grade was examined. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis using SPSS software.
Results: There were 834 general hospitals with 108,275 active beds in Iran in 2018. The Iranian general hospitals had an average bed occupancy of 62.8%, an average patient length of stay of 2.6 days, and an average bed turnover of 93.4 times. Almost 15.3% of the hospitals performed well and were located in area 3 of the Pabon Lasso chart. About 36.1% and 48.6% of the hospitals had moderate and low efficiency, respectively. Approximately, 74% and 21% of hospitals had the accreditation status of 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the degree of accreditation of hospitals with their bed occupancy, bed turnover and bed turnover interval.
Conclusion: The efficiency of public hospitals is low. A hospital accreditation grade is related to some of its efficiency indicators. Low efficiency and waste of resources will reduce the effectiveness of hospital and, consequently, its accreditation grade. Accordingly, the hospital's revenue will decrease and therefore, the hospital's productivity and accreditation grade will decrease and the hospital will be in a vicious cycle. Strengthening hospital accreditation standards and their proper implementation will increase the efficiency of hospitals.
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Mohaddeseh Vafaiee, Raheleh Mohammadpour , Manouchehr Vossoughi, Pezhman Sasanpour,
Volume 79, Issue 6 (September 2021)
Abstract
The recording of electrophysiological activities of brain neurons in the last half-century has been considered as one of the effective tools for the development of neuroscience. One of the techniques for recording the activity of nerve cells is the multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are usually employed to record electrical signals from electrogenic cells like neurons or cardiomyocytes. MEAs consist of an array of planar or three-dimensional electrodes that act as electrical interfaces and record cellular signals or stimulate cells. These platforms can be used in different applications including neuroscience studies, prostheses and rehabilitation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), cardiac pacemakers, retinal and cochlear implants, or for brain-computer interfaces (BCI) in general. Multi-electrode arrays are known as long-term recording and non-invasive devices. The MEA structure includes arrays of electrodes with micrometer and nanometer dimensions which are designed to stimulate and record the electrical activity of cells, and are fabricated using micromachining technologies. MEAs should be biocompatible to serve as a substrate for cell growth. On the other hand, they must have low impedance to be able to provide a high signal-to-noise ratio, and small size to offer a suitable spatial resolution for recording. MEAs are usually fabricated on glass substrates patterned with high-conductivity metals such as gold, iridium or platinum, which are insulated with a biocompatible layer. Despite fast progress, current multi-electrode arrays for neural applications still face limitations such as low signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. To achieve better spatial resolution and lower noise levels and therefore more accurate signal, it is necessary to develop arrays with smaller sizes and lower impedance. Meanwhile, many nanostructures such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, and also conductive polymers have become attractive candidates for this application due to their interesting properties. In this paper, the technology of multi-electrode arrays, how it works and its various parts are introduced, and finally, the challenges and developments in this field are investigated. Multi-electrode array technology is used for neuroscience research, neural network analysis, drug effects screening, and neural prosthesis studies.
Salman Daliri, Mohammad Khanbeigi, Reza Heidary Moghadam , Parisa Asadollahi, Khairollah Asadollahi,
Volume 79, Issue 8 (November 2021)
Abstract
Background: Pulse pressure has recently been considered as a predictor of coronary heart disease. The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called pulse pressure. Various factors including increased age, vascular stiffness, stenosis, and hypertension are associated with pulse pressure. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate the relationship between some cardiovascular function indicators such as vascular stenosis, blood pressure and cardiac output with pulse pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: This case-control study was performed on 544 patients who were referred to Imam Ali Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran, from March 2015 to February 2016. In this study, according to the angiographic findings, individuals with artery stenosis were considered as the case group (n=272) and those without artery stenosis were considered as the control group (n=272). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and odds ratio estimation by SPSS22 software.
Results: According to the findings of this study, ages over 50 (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 2.1-5.2), high systolic blood pressure (OR: 8, 95% CI: 4.3-15.2), high diastolic blood pressure (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 2.0-11.7), cardiac output less than 50% (OR: 1.8%, 95% CI: 1.3-2.7) and vascular stenosis (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 2.4-5.1) were associated with high pulse pressure. The male gender had a preventive role in increasing of pulse pressure (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). A significant relationship was demonstrated between systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the chances of having high pulse pressure are high among individuals over 50 years of age, female gender, those with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and individuals with high coronary artery stenosis. This chance is associated with decreased cardiac output and coronary stenosis. Increased pulse pressure is a predictive indicator of cardiovascular disease and it is recommended that pulse pressure measurements of all referrals, especially those who are being referred to cardiology clinics, are taken into account by medical professionals to prevent adverse clinical outcomes.
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Samira Shiri , Mahmoud Ghasemi, Khairollah Asadollahi, Maryam Deldar , Kourosh Sayehmiri ,
Volume 79, Issue 9 (December 2021)
Abstract
Background: Short children face many problems throughout their lives. Consumption of growth hormone and the drugs such as Letrozole, Oxandrolone, and Anastrozole can increase the growth of children and adolescents. There is not an overall estimate of the effects of Letrozole, Oxandrolone, and Anastrozole on the growth of children and adolescents with Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS). There are different estimates of the effect of growth hormone and the drugs Letrozole, Oxandrolone, and Anastrozole on growth in children and adolescents with Idiopathic Short Stature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of growth hormone, Letrozole, Oxandrolone, Anastrozole, and a combination of growth hormone and aromatase inhibitors on height gain in children and adolescents with idiopathic short stature using meta-analysis method.
Methods: Search was done in databases such as; Scopus, Web of Science(ISI), and PubMed using keywords: Idiopathic, Short Stature, Body Height, Aromatase Inhibitors, Growth hormone, Letrozole, Oxandrolone, Anastrozole. Randomized clinical trial studies ,that have investigated the efficacy of growth hormone and aromatase inhibitors on height gain in children and adolescents with short stature, were selected. Height standard deviation score (HSDS) before intervention and after treatment has been used to measure the rate of height increase in various studies. This study was written based on the PRISMA checklist and the heterogeneity of this study was evaluated using the Q statistic and I2 index.
Results: Height increase index (HSDS) was obtained with the use of growth hormone combined with one of the aromatase inhibitors (0.38-3.58=95%CI) (SMD=0.98), with the use of growth hormone (0.62-1.14=95%CI) (SMD=0.88), with the use of Letrozole (0.51-16.51=95%CI) (SMD=0.83), with the use of Oxandrolone (0.99-0.99=95%CI) (SMD=0.56), and with the use of Anastrozole (0.00-0.63=95%CI) (SMD=0.31), which shows that all these drugs have a significant effect on height increase. (P<0.05)
Conclusion: Although the effect of growth hormone on height increase was greater than that of aromatase inhibitors, but according to our results, adding an aromatase inhibitor to growth hormone can increase the effectiveness of it.
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Elham Bazmi , Shekofeh Sanaie, Amir Hossein Behnoush, Mehdi Forouzesh, Abdolrazagh Barzegar, Behnam Behnoush,
Volume 79, Issue 9 (December 2021)
Abstract
Background: Today, despite the efforts of the medical community and health staff, the rate of dissatisfaction and complaints among patients is increasing and this highlights the importance of evaluating its related factors. The aim of this study was to analytically investigate complaints against ophthalmologists which were referred to the Legal Medicine Organization of Iran in Tehran during 2017-2019.
Methods: In this cross-sectional (analytical-descriptive) study, the demographic data of patients and physicians including age, gender, marital status and academic degree, type of treatment measures leading to complaints, last decision of the medical commission, characteristics of protesting of patients and vote of revision commissions for all the complaints of ophthalmology were recorded and analyzed.
Results: During 3 years, 176 complaints were recorded in the field of ophthalmology. Of these, 90(51.1%) complaints were from medical interventions which took place in university or government hospitals and clinics. Also, 27(15.3%) cases of malpractice were reported, among which negligent was the most common type, with 22 cases (81.5%). The highest number of complaints was for cataract surgery and the most frequent treatments with malpractice of the physicians were cornea transplantation. Although the most protests to the first decision were from the patients, the effectiveness of physicians’ protest was significantly higher (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Nowadays, with advances in treatment methods and technologies in ophthalmology and enhancement in the knowledge of patients about their rights, their expectations from medical staff have changed. The findings of the present study suggest that due to the rise in the number of complaints in ophthalmological treatment while a decrease in malpractice rate, applying intervention actions such as good communication between physicians and patients and patient’s right perception of treatment and possible side effects can lead to less number of complaints. In addition, due to different opinions in consecutive commissions, utilizing a single approach based on new information and evidence seems necessary.
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Maral Banihashemi Torshizi , Seyed Mehdi Tabaie, Mina Sadat Naderi, Saeed Hesami Tackallou ,
Volume 79, Issue 10 (January 2022)
Abstract
Background: Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer and melanoma is the deadliest kind of skin cancer in the world. Due to enhanced induction of apoptosis and ROS levels, low-level lasers can be utilized to destroy skin cancer cells. Lasers are used to treat some skin lesions. Vitamin A is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. Vitamin A inhibits the pathway of cancer signals in the skin and suppresses tumor growth. In this study, the combined effect of low-level laser radiation (LLL) and vitamin A on cellular factors of skin melanoma cancer cells was investigated.
Methods: An in-vitro interventional laboratory study was performed in the cell culture laboratory of Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute in 2020-2021 (July 2020 to July 2021). First, A375 skin cancer cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS. After preparation and culture of A375 cell lines, different concentrations of vitamin A (1, 5, 50, 100 μM) and LLL energy doses (1, 2, 5, 10 J/cm2) as treatments were done. Combination research of these treatments was performed to eliminate skin melanoma cancer cells. The rate of viability was determined using the MTT test, and the rate of apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry.
Results: The results indicated that a low-level laser with energy dosages of two and 5 J/cm2 and vitamin A treatment with a concentration of 50 μM in the A375 skin cancer cell line had the lowest viability and the highest induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the results of the combination of Vitamin A and LLL treatments showed a synergistic effect with a greater reduction in the viability of skin melanoma cells and a greater amount of apoptosis.
Conclusion: In general, vitamin A and Low-level laser diminish the viability of cancer cells. Combination therapy of Low-level laser in the effective dose with vitamin A in optimal concentration provides anti-cancer effects. Further reductions in cancer cell viability caused by vitamin A and low-level laser radiation could pave the way for a novel approach in cancer treatment.
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Firoozeh Raisi , Seyyed Taha Yahyavi, Zahra Shahvari , Ehsan Kazemi Khaledi , Mehdi Soleimani, Agaah Ashrafi,
Volume 79, Issue 10 (January 2022)
Abstract
Background: Patients with severe mental illnesses are more prone to experience sexual health problems. Herein, we developed a "Safe Sex Knowledge and Behavior Questionnaire for Patients with Severe Mental Illnesses"(SSKBQ-SMI).
Methods: The present study was conducted in the form of methodological research in 4 stages. In the first stage, items of the questionnaire were selected and the item pool was formed by using similar studies and experts' opinions. During the next steps, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were assessed using content validity, face validity, reliability and construct validity. The content validity was tested using the Content Validity Index and Content Validity Ratio. The charts of content validity were given to 13 specialists expert in sexual health including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, gynecologists, urologists, and infectious disease specialists. The reliability was tested by using the test-retest method in 70 patients with two-week intervals. The construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis in 265 patients. The internal consistency was calculated by using Cronbach's alpha index.
Results: After determining the content and face validity, a tool was obtained with 16 True/False items in the knowledge section (with one score for each correct answer and the total score range from 0 to 16) and 16 five-point Likert scale items in the behavior section (with each question score range from 0 to 3 and the total behavior score range from 0 to 48, the lower score defined safer behavior). The correlation coefficient of the scale scores in the test-retest method was calculated to be 0.880 (P<0.001) and 0.951 (P<0.001) in the sections of knowledge and behavior, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.809 for the section of knowledge, 0.756 for the section of behavior, and 0.782 for the whole questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the existence of 4 factors in the knowledge section and 3 factors in the behavior section.
Conclusion: The present 32-item questionnaire was designed based on experts' opinions and important statements of patients about sexual health, simple scoring, good reliability and validity, is a suitable tool for assessing the safe sex knowledge and behavior in patients with severe mental illnesses.
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Pejman Pourfakhr, Mohammad Amin Mirzaie , Farhad Etezadi , Reza Shariat Moharrari , Mohammad Reza Khajavi ,
Volume 79, Issue 12 (March 2022)
Abstract
Background: Training of airway management and tracheal intubation skill in emergencies for resuscitation of patients are basic skills for medical students. However, the success rate of beginners in this skill is low. Video laryngoscopes are new devices that can increase the success of endotracheal intubation training.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted with 30 medical students who came to learn anesthesia care at Sina Hospital in 2020. After dividing the students into two groups (n=15) of glide scope and Macintosh, the glide scope group first performed laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation with a glide scope on the manikin 10 times. Then, in the operating room they were trained for endotracheal intubation on 5 patients by glide scope. The Macintosh group first got trained for intubation on the manikin, 10 times and then on five patients in the operating room with a Macintosh laryngoscope. Then all students in the operating room intubated two patients with a Macintosh laryngoscope and their performance was assessed and scored by an anesthesiologist. They evaluated the training course with a questionnaire. The duration of laryngeal access and the time spent for tracheal intubation were compared in the two groups.
Results: In the glide scope group, 76% of students were able to see the epiglottis and larynx in 20 seconds, but in the Macintosh group, 43% of students were able to see the larynx in 20 seconds. In terms of endotracheal intubation time, 72% of the students in the glide scope group were able to successfully perform endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds in their first attempt, but in the Macintosh group, 44% completed endotracheal intubation within 40 seconds (P=0.00). In the evaluation of the quality of skill, the average score of the students in the Macintosh group was 15.30±0.56, while the average score in the glide scope group was 17.20±0.83 (P=0.00). The scores and satisfaction of the students in the glide scope group were higher than the Macintosh.
Conclusion: The use of video laryngoscope in teaching of intubation in trainees will increase the speed, and accuracy of their training and satisfaction compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope.
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