Scientific Information Database Research Articles

Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

This study aims to scrutinize prevalent sources of health information utilized by individuals for informed decision-making regarding protective and preventive health behaviors amidst an infectious epidemic. The acquisition of comprehensible and reliable information relevant to individual needs is deemed imperative in this context. This scoping review encompasses investigations into the sources of information employed during infectious epidemics, conducted in both Persian and English languages, spanning the timeframe from 2003 to 2019. The search for pertinent studies was executed across diverse databases, including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database. This review incorporated a total of 13 relevant studies. Findings indicate that traditional media, comprising television, radio, and newspapers, emerged as the predominant information sources during epidemics. Conversely, government resources and official government websites were identified as the least utilized channels. Additionally, the most reliable sources were identified as television, newspapers, and healthcare personnel. Given the historical prevalence of traditional media as a primary information source during past infectious epidemics, health officials and policymakers must consider enhancing public education through these channels during epidemic dissemination. However, due attention should also be directed towards the provision of pertinent and credible content on online social media platforms, particularly catering to the informational needs of young adults and the emerging generation. The identified limitations in the extant studies, namely their contextual dependence on sociocultural factors, the trajectory of lifestyle modifications, technological advancements, and the recent advent of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the necessity for additional and comprehensive investigations in this domain.

Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries among Iranian Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.

Injuries caused by sharp objects are a major health risk for nurses. These injuries can be extremely dangerous and lead to various diseases. The purpose of this study was to establish the pooled prevalence of Needle Stick Injuries (NSIs) among nurses in Iran. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eligible articles were searched from five electronic databases (Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and one search engine. A random effects model was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence. The heterogeneity of the sample was tested using the I2 index, and the meta-regression function was used to evaluate variables suspected of heterogeneity at the 0.05 significance level. Finally, 21 articles were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (ver. 2.2.064). Based on the random-effects model, the frequency of NSIs among Iranian nurses is 18.70% (95% CI: 15.10%-22.90%). The highest frequency is recorded in a teaching hospital in Tehran in 2007 (19.80%; 95% CI: 16.40%-23.70%), and the lowest frequency was recorded in a teaching hospital in Tehran in 2008 (17.90%; 95% CI: 14.60%-21.80%). Sample size, mean age, and work experience were significantly associated with and mean and frequency of NSIs in nurses (p < 0.05). NSIs occur in about one-fifth of nurses in Iranian hospitals. In addition to its cost burden, the increase in NSIs has negative consequences for nurses. Therefore, health policymakers and managers must take serious action to reduce these injuries.

Удосконалення засобів для повітряно- абразивної обробки у порожнині рота (Огляд літератури)

The purpose of the study is to analyze the content of sources of scientific and medical information related to the development and implementation of air-abrasive processing in dental practice. Materials and methods: an information search was performed in the available electronic databases of scientific and medical information using the relevant keywords «abrasive», «air-abrasive processing», «air-flow», «air-blasting» in the systems «PubMed», «Scopus ” and “Web of Science”. The search depth was 10 years, including secondary sources of information. Results. During the last two decades, air-abrasive treatment in the oral cavity has become almost a standard for professional oral hygiene in dental healthcare institutions in Ukraine. At the time of its creation, this technology involved the use of sodium bicarbonate (soda) powder, which was available in dental practice. In the course of defining the basics of the technology, Robert Black formulated the basic requirements for abrasive materials used in practice. In the absence of accepted manufacturing standards and indicators of such products, the general consensus is a list of requirements for powders for air-abrasive processing: safe removal of dental layers without damage to the enamel surface, no trauma to soft tissues and other structures of the tooth, not to linger in the oral cavity after processing, absence of reaction of a foreign body in case of accidental short-term retention in the patient’s body. Variable influencing factors when performing air-abrasive processing in dentistry remain particle size, pressure in the tip, distance to the treated surface, angle between the surface and the jet, processing time and cutting speed of the jet. The most common substances used as an abrasive component in air-abrasive processing are sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, glycine, and erythritol. Conclusions. Currently, research is ongoing for clinical standardization and development of protocols for air-abrasive treatment in dentistry, improvement of abrasive powder manufacturing technology, and introduction into practice of new substances with high cleaning properties and a minimally invasive effect on tissues and surfaces in the oral cavity. Key words: dentistry, air-abrasive processing, oral cavity, periodontium, soda, calcium carbonate, glycine, erythritol.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in HIV-Infected Individuals in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Patients with co-infection with toxoplasmosis and HIV have a 30-40% risk of developing toxoplasmosis encephalitis. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and burden of Toxoplasma gondii in HIV-infected individuals in Iran. We searched the five English databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and Cochrane) and four Persian databases (Scientific Information Database (SID), Iran Medex, Iran Doc, and Magiran) with the terms of (Toxoplasma gondii OR "toxoplasmosis") AND (HIV OR "AIDS" OR immunodeficiency OR acquired immune deficiency syndrome) AND (Seroprevalence) AND (Seroepidemiologic Studies) AND (Elisa OR IgG) AND (PCR) AND (Iran) by two authors up to Feb 2021. Studies were included if they investigated people with HIV infection and presented data that allowed us to establish the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Iran. According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 15 studies were selected. A total number of 2275 HIV-infected individuals were tested and evaluated for toxoplasmosis from 2005 up to 2018 in different regions of Iran. The weighted overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected individuals with Elisa was obtained using a random-effects model, which was estimated at 47% (95% CI = 31% - 62%). Also, the Weighted overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected individuals with PCR was obtained using a random-effects model, which was estimated at 7% (95% CI = 3% - 12%). According to the results of this study, it can be clearly understood that a large population of HIV patients living in Iran have toxoplasmosis. Therefore, due to the high susceptibility of these groups to toxoplasmosis, healthcare professionals must consider measures such as training in the ways of transmission and prevention of the infection to this high-risk group in order to reduce the risk of infection.

The role of nursing care in the management of post-burn epidermal cancer: A narrative review

Severe burns, affecting over 20% of the body, induce systemic dysfunction and immune suppression, correlating with increased cancer risk, especially skin cancer. Nurses play a crucial role in averting complications, which is explored in this study through a comprehensive literature review. The literature review focused on nursing care for post-burn skin cancer; a systematic search covered databases including Magiran, Scientific Information Database, and PubMed and Google Scholar search engine. Keywords "nursing", "skin cancer", and "burn" were strategically combined with Boolean operators. From an initial 580 articles, 10 met eligibility post-screening. The results have shown that optimal care for burn patients necessitates an interdisciplinary approach with the burn nurse at its core, coordinating patient care across multiple disciplines. The nurse's responsibilities encompass a comprehensive understanding of multisystem organ failure, critical care methodologies, diagnostic procedures, and psychosocial skills. Meticulous wound care, infection prevention, and pain management are pivotal, with the nurse actively engaging in nursing research. The origin of cancers within burns involves hypotheses of persistent cell proliferation, chronic inflammation, toxin exposure, and compromised immunological defense. Nursing care, particularly in detecting and treating wound inflammation, is pivotal in preventing cancer. Nurses contribute to patient education on skin cancer prevention, emphasizing lifestyle choices and providing crucial psychological support. Nursing diagnoses, based on symptomatology studies, include "risk for impaired skin integrity", "impaired skin integrity", "acute pain", "chronic pain", and "impaired comfort". These diagnoses guide tailored interventions to prevent skin cancer incidence.In sum, nurses are pivotal in comprehensive burn care, overseeing wound care, infection prevention, and patient education on UV radiation dangers. They advocate healthy lifestyles to reduce skin cancer risk, provide psychological support, and encourage commitment to prevention practices. Nursing diagnoses guide tailored interventions, contributing to ongoing improvements in burn care and enhancing the quality of life for survivors.

Social Determinants of Reproductive Age Women's Sexual Health: A Scoping Review

Background: Evidence, especially in the last two decades, indicates the effect of social factors on health. Social determinants of health (SDH) are the environmental conditions in which people are born, live, grow, educate, work, and age. Objectives: Hence, this study intended to identify the SDH of the reproductive age women's sexual health dimensions. Methods: To conduct this scoping review, the researchers searched the databases, including PubMed, Medline, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran, disregarding language limit. They searched the original observational articles (cohort, cross-sectional, case-control) on social determinants of reproductive age women's sexual health, assessing at least one social determinant of health for sexual health between January 2010 and January 2023. Results: A total of 4704 articles were extracted in the initial review; however, 30 entered the scoping review. The results revealed that the social determinants of reproductive age women's sexual health in different societies are socioeconomic status (socio-economic constraints, economic gradient, poverty, lack of food at home, homelessness, low prospects, and poor educational and job outlook), personal determinants (age, gender, religious affiliation, marital status, education level, employment/unemployment status, economic status, age at the first sex, age over 40, dissatisfaction with the sexual potency of the spouse, high body mass index, partners' sexual education, sexual intimacy, relationship duration, frequent contact with a given partner, perceived social support, and perceived safe sex norms), social support (social networks of peers, friends, and family, emotional support and strong attachments to families), neighborhood, violence, addiction, migration, stress, early life experiences, and education that can affect different sexual health dimensions. The sexual health dimensions encompass sexual function, sexual satisfaction, risky sexual behaviors, receiving sexual health services, condom use, and forced sexual behavior. Conclusions: Considering each person's conditions and needs, health policymakers and health services providers should evaluate the various dimensions of the SDH to promote women's sexual health. Moreover, they should plan and implement the required strategies to eliminate the identified obstacles.

Arthropod-borne and arthropod-related viruses in Iran and neighboring countries

Arthropods are very significant for human and veterinary medicine and health because of the burden of diseases caused by the pathogens they transmit. Databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CABI, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex and Magiran were searched to the end of December 2022 for publications concerning infections in Iran caused by arboviruses. Pertinent information was extracted and analyzed. Thirty-three viral infections occur in Iran, which are biologically or mechanically known or assumed to be transmitted by arthropods. Information about agents (viruses), distribution (in 31 Iranian provinces), hosts (human and animals) and known vectors in Iran was obtained for each disease. Also, a list of arboviruses was provided for the countries neighboring Iran, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, which do not neighbor Iran but, like Iran, occur in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. This list includes 40 viruses which are not formally recorded in Iran. The viruses are members of 19 genera representing 14 families in which three, four, 20 and 29 viruses are sandfly-borne, biting midge-borne, mosquito-borne and tick-borne, respectively.

The Mechanism of Action of Cotoneaster Manna, an Iranian Herbal Medicine, in the Treatment of Neonatal Jaundice

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical problem caused by the deposition of bilirubin in the tissue. Natural products have long been used to treat jaundice, and Iranian medicine can be a good source of natural treatments for this purpose. In this study, we investigate the mechanism of the effect of Cotoneaster, an Iranian herbal medicine, in the treatment of jaundice in neonates.&#x0D; Methods: We investigated every article that evaluated Purgative manna, Cotoneaster manna, or Cotoneaster in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. We searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, SciELO, CNKI, and Google Scholar for English articles, and a search was also done in Persian in Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID) published until August 2023.&#x0D; Results: The exact mechanism of Cotoneaster in reducing jaundice is not known, but the following mechanisms have been suggested. The most common mechanisms include increased urination, increased bile excretion from the liver, and increased defecation, as well as neutralizing the effects of oxidative agents and free radicals.&#x0D; Conclusion: Considering that most studies have stated that Cotoneaster combined with phototherapy is effective in treating jaundice and herbal medicines alone cannot treat jaundice. Therefore, identifying the mechanism of Cotoneaster in reducing jaundice can lead to the creation of methods to strengthen its effect. More detailed biochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action of Cotoneaster in reducing neonatal jaundice.

Prevalence of maternal mortality causes based on ICD-MM: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMaternal mortality is a universal public health challenge. ICD-Maternal Mortality (ICD-MM) was introduced in 2012 to facilitate the gathering, analysis, and interpretation of data on maternal deaths worldwide. The present study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of maternal death causes through a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted using various databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, as well as Persian databases such as MagIran and Scientific Information Database (SID). The search encompassed articles published until August 21, 2022. Thirty-four eligible articles were included in the final analysis. Analysis was performed using a meta-analysis approach. The exact Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals, heterogeneity assessment, and random effects models with Mantel-Haenszel methods were employed using the STATA software version 14.2.ResultsThe most prevalent causes of maternal deaths, listed in descending order from highest to lowest prevalence, were non-obstetric complications (48.32%), obstetric hemorrhage (17.63%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (14.01%), other obstetric complications (7.11%), pregnancy with abortive outcome (5.41%), pregnancy-related infection (5.26%), unanticipated complications of management (2.25%), unknown/undetermined causes (2.01%), and coincidental causes (1.59%), respectively.ConclusionNon-obstetric complications, obstetric hemorrhage, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium were the most common causes of maternal deaths. To reduce the burden of maternal mortality causes, increasing awareness and promoting self-care management among women of reproductive age, and implementing effective screening mechanisms for high-risk mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium can play a significant role. ICD-MM enables the uniform collection and comparison of maternal death information at different levels (local, national, and international) by facilitating the consistent collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on maternal deaths. Our findings can be utilized by policymakers and managers at various levels to facilitate necessary planning aimed at reducing the burden of maternal mortality causes.

Status of antibiotic residues in milk and dairy products of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Today, antibiotics are widely used for treatment and feed additives to enhance livestock growth. Antibiotic residues may be found in food of animal origin for various reasons, including ignoring the withdrawal period after treatment, overuse for animals, and contamination of feed with treated animals in animal products. Among animal products, dairy products have a special place in the human diet, and antibiotic residues in them have caused a great deal of concern among consumers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare studies conducted in Iran on antibiotic residues in dairy products during 2000-2022. In this review, 52 eligible studies were collected by searching the Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Google Scholar, Science-Direct, Scopus, and PubMed using the English or Persian keywords such as an antibiotic or antimicrobial residue, Beta-lactam residue, Tetracycline residue, Sulfonamide residue, Chloramphenicol residue, Aminoglycosides residue, Macrolide residue, Quinolones residue, Milk, Raw milk, Pasteurized milk, UHT milk, Powder milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Cream, Doogh, Kashk, Ice cream, and Iran. According to the reviewed studies, the total prevalence of antibiotic residues in dairy products was 29% (95% CI: 15-43%). Among the seven evaluated antibiotic groups, most studies have been conducted on tetracycline, beta-lactam, and sulfonamide groups, with 16, 10, and 7 respectively, and the highest level of contamination with 663 ± 1540μg/l is related to tetracycline. Most studies on antibiotic dairy product residues in Iran with 12, 11, and 8 studies are associated with East Azarbaijan province, then Tehran and Khorasan Razavi respectively, and no study has been conducted in 11 provinces of the country. According to the studies, Gilan, Qazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces had the highest amount of antibiotic residue in milk with an average value of 56.415 ± 33.354, 45.955 ± 4.179 and 45.928 ± 33.027, respectively. Most of the methods used in the studies to measure antibiotic residues in milk were the Copan test kit and the HPLC method, which were used in 19 and 14 studies, respectively. Studies have shown that the prevalence of antibiotic residue in dairy products in Iran is high, so applying an effective strategy and developing the necessary standards in this field to control milk quality is a public health necessity. The findings of this study show that further evaluation of fermented dairy products, especially non-fermented ones such as butter and cream, is needed to prevent adverse health reactions.

Phytochemistry and Biological Studies of Endemic Hawaiian Plants.

The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and are host to a plethora of endemic plant species, which have been utilized in traditional Hawaiian medicine. This scientific review provides an in-depth analysis of the phytochemistry and biological studies of selected endemic Hawaiian plants, highlighting their medicinal properties and therapeutic potential. A literature search was conducted, utilizing major academic databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Scientific Information Database. The primary objective of this search was to identify relevant scholarly articles pertaining to the topic of the review, which focused on the phytochemistry and biological studies of endemic Hawaiian plants. Utilizing these databases, a comprehensive range of literature was obtained, facilitating a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. This review emphasizes the rich phytochemical diversity and biological activities found in Endemic Hawaiian plants, showcasing their potential as sources of novel therapeutic agents. Given the unique biodiversity of Hawaii and the cultural significance of these plants, continued scientific exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of these valuable resources is necessary to unlock the full potential of these plant species in drug discovery and natural product-based therapeutics.

The Needs of Women Survivors of Rape: A Narrative Review.

Rape is a serious global problem linked to long-term physical health complications in women. Women survivors of rape have different needs, the identification of which ensures optimal services and improves their health conditions. This study aimed to explore the needs of women survivors of rape through a narrative review. This review was conducted by searching databases of ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, PubMed, Scientific Information Database (SID), the Iranian Magazine Database (Magiran), Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), Iranian Medical Articles Database (IranMedex), and the Google Scholar engine. All English and Persian articles published from January 2000 to August 2022 were searched using the keywords rape, sexual assault, sexual violence, victim, survivor, demands, and needs. Two independent researchers conducted all steps of article extraction and review to avoid possible bias, and a third person reviewed the articles in the case of disagreement between the two researchers. The final related articles were selected and evaluated using a pre-prepared checklist. Out of 112 articles, 26 articles were selected for final evaluation. The needs of women survivors of rape were divided into six categories, including sociocultural, educational, legal and judicial, psychological, spiritual and religious, and healthcare. Women survivors of rape need survivor-centered, culturally appropriate services, necessitating careful planning and policymaking to address health and judicial issues from different dimensions considering their real-world needs.

Patient satisfaction with nursing care in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Patient satisfaction (PS) with nursing care is considered one of the most important predictors of satisfaction with hospital services. The current research was conducted to determine the level of PS with nursing care provided in hospitals in Iran. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in various international electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and the Scientific Information Database (SID) using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as ‘Patient satisfaction’, ‘Satisfaction’, ‘Nursing care’, and ‘Nurse’ from the earliest to 27 January 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale, and the analysis was performed in Stata software version 14. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to clarify the source of heterogeneity. Results: The results showed that the overall PS with nursing care in different hospitals was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79–0.86). The proportions of complete satisfaction, partial satisfaction, and dissatisfaction were 0.38 (95% CI: 0.23–0.53), 0.45 (95% CI: 0.34–0.55), and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.12–0.21), respectively. Conclusion: However, overall satisfaction was seen in four out of five patients admitted to hospitals in Iran, complete satisfaction with nursing care was 38%. Future studies should identify the effective factors related to PS with nursing care.

Some reflections on immunosuppressants and their delivery to the lungs by aerosol in the treatment of COVID-19

Disorders of immune homeostasis represent the key pathogenetic link of COVID-19, which often manifests as a hyperimmune response to the pathogen, leading to severe uncontrolled inflammation in lungs, followed by complications and death. Accordingly, a certain therapeutic potential is provided by different pharmacological drugs with distinct mechanisms of action, This class of drugs should, however, act in common direction by suppressing the immune response, thus being often classified as immunosuppressants (IS). Of them, the most promising are immunobiological preparations, which include monoclonal antibodies, as well as purinergic regulatory agents. There are several attempts to use the “classical” IS by a certain way, e.g., cytostatics and calcineurin inhibitors which found clinical application in transplantology and oncology. However, their usage for treatment of uncontrolled inflammation of respiratory tract was abandoned by the end of XX century. Meanwhile, the aerosol route of drug administration optimizes treatment, both in terms of their effectiveness, and the reduction of side effects thus promoting usage of IS for treatment of uncontrolled airway inflammation. Previously, the analysis of therapeutic opportunities for some IS delivered as aerosols to the lungs in COVID-19 therapy was not carried out, thus bein the purpose of our work. Methodological analysis was carried out using various databases of biomedical scientific information, including Index Medicus, PubMed, Embase, Cohrane Clinical Trials gov registry and patent databases.The efficiency of the impact of various IS subgroups in COVID-19, including their administration by inhalations into the respiratory ways, was assessed. The role of regulatory T cells considered the central regulator of immune response, in pathogenesis of COVID-19 was considered, and their therapeutic potential was characterized, dependent on phase and severity of the disease as well as drug dose dependence. Methods and approaches to the use of IP, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The expediency and future prospects of their application are considered.One may conclude that the effectiveness of cytostatics and calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of airway inflammation in COVID-19 remains unconfirmed and seems to be unpromising. Meanwhile, biological preparations, including monoclonal antibodies and purinergic regulatory agents, offer great promise in this respect.

What is the uptake rate of breast self-examination in Iranian women? Estimation based on systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBreast self-examination is a simple, painless, confidential and inexpensive screening method for early diagnosis that does not require specialized tools and equipment. In this study, we have estimated the pooled percentage of breast self-examination (BSE) in Iranian women.MethodsAll the published literatures between 2012 and 2022 have been reviewed. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scientific Information and Magiran databases. The effect size was the pooled percentage of breast self-examination (BSE). In order to check the heterogeneity, the estimation of the I2 index and extraction of the Galbraith plot were used, and the drivers of heterogeneity have been identified through meta-regression and estimates were made based on subgroups. All the analysis was done in STATA 15.ResultsFrom the initial 294 records, 38 were included in the final analysis in which 9960 women have been studied. The heterogeneity of the studies was high based on the variation in OR (I2 = 98.4%, heterogeneity X2 = 2278.21 (d.f. = 37), p < 0.01). The pooled rate of BSE based on fixed and random methods was obtained as 15.46 (95% CI: 14.83 to 16.09) and 24.74 (95% CI: 19.62 to 29.86) percent, respectively. The highest pooled percentage BSE (39.41%, 95% CI: 30.98 to 47.83) was obtained from studies that investigated the action phase in the Trans theoretical model. The pooled percentage obtained from the studies conducted in the central regions of Iran was higher than other cities (27.47%, 95% CI: 17.38 to 37.55).ConclusionThe result from our analysis determined that performing breast self-examination in Iranian women is low. Health policy makers can increase the rate of breast self-examination in Iran by implementing basic educational programs in schools and encouraging and justifying women in social health centers.

Effects of Herbal Products on Menorrhagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Context: Menorrhagia is an important healthcare challenge. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies are strategies with potential positive effects on menorrhagia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the effects of herbal products on menorrhagia. Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Barekat Gostar, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, and IranDoc international and Iranian databases, in addition to the Google Scholar search engine, were searched without any time or language limitation (updated until 02.07.2022). Eligible studies were combined through the random-effects model based on their sample sizes, mean scores, and standard deviations. Data analysis was performed at a significance level of less than 0.05 using STATA software (version 14.0). Results: Nineteen trials on 1715 women (856 and 859 subjects in the control and intervention groups, respectively) were reviewed. After the intervention, menstrual bleeding severity in the first, second, and third cycles (P &lt; 0.001) and the number of menstrual days in the first (P &lt; 0.001), second (P &lt; 0.001), and third (P = 0.487) menstrual cycles significantly decreased in the herbal products group. There were no significant between-group differences regarding the bleeding severity at the pretest (P &lt; 0.001) and in the third cycle (P &lt; 0.001) and the number of menstrual days at the pretest (P = 0.131) and in the second (P &lt; 0.001) and third cycles (P = 0.014). However, the bleeding severity in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group in the first (P &lt; 0.001) and second cycles (P &lt; 0.001), and the number of menstrual days in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group in the first cycle (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Herbal products are effective in significantly reducing bleeding severity and the number of menstrual days among women with menorrhagia, and their effects reduce over time.

Modern Trends in Research Assessment: A Case of the Netherlands

After the departure of commercial scientific information databases such as Scopus and Web of Science from Russia, the problem of building a new system for research assessment is more relevant than ever. At the same time, the new system does not have to copy the previous one with other data sources. The purpose of the article is to analyze global trends in the field of research evaluation. The authors have examined key supranational documents and practices in introducing a responsible approach to research assessment in the Netherlands. All the reviewed sources agree on one point: research activities should not be assessed based solely on quantitative indicators, especially on the basis of surrogate measures of quality such as impact factor. In the Netherlands, all the key stakeholders in the research sphere adhere to responsible research evaluation. An important role is played by the concept of valorization, which involves the use of scientific research results in the economy and for the benefit of society as a whole. The experience of the Netherlands can be used in Russia to build an advanced system for assessing research activities, which will contribute to achieving the development goals of our country and the implementation of priorities in the scientific, technical, and socio-economic spheres.

Salivary Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Epidermal Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: a Meta-Analysis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) has been identified as a common oral lesion with an unknown pathogenesis. Various studies have been conducted to show the important role of two factors named epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RAS, but certain results have not been achieved. The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the salivary levels of EGF and VEGF in patients with RAS. For this purpose, the related articles in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, ProQuest and Scopus databases until January 2022 were searched and their abstracts were studied. Google scholar and scientific information database were also searched for articles in Persian. The searches were completed by the medical subject heading terms considering "recurrent aphthous stomatitis" and "saliva" in combination with "EGF" or "VEGF" keywords. All case control studies that evaluated the salivary levels of EGF and VEGF in patients with RAS were included in this study. To evaluate statistical heterogeneity between the studies, Cochrane Q and I2 tests were adopted. The extracted data then were used in the analysis process based on comprehensive meta-analysis software. Originally, 619 articles were considered, of which 7 articles were selected. According to this meta-analysis, salivary EGF and VEGF levels were significantly lower in the active and remission period of RAS than in healthy individuals (pValue< 0.05). In addition, salivary levels of these factors were significantly lower in the active stage of RAS than in the healing phase. This review study suggests that decreasing of salivary EGF and VEGF levels have significant role in the development of RAS.

Relationship between body mass index and mortality of burns patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality of burn patients. A comprehensive, systematic search was conducted in different international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database (SID) using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as "Body mass index", "Burns" and "Mortality" from the earliest to the April 1, 2023. The quality of the studies included in this systematic review was evaluated using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS tool). Finally, six articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 16 154 burn patients participated in six studies. Their mean age was 46.32 (SD = 1.99). Of the participants, 71.7% were males. The mean length of hospitalization was 18.80 (SD = 8.08) days, and the average TBSA in burn patients was 38.32 (SD = 2.79) %. Also, the average BMI in burn patients was 27.10 (SD = 1.75). Results found mortality in patients with abnormal BMI (overweight to morbidity BMI) was 0.19 more than normal BMI (ES: 1.19, 95%CI: 0.76-1.87, Z = 0.75, I2 : 71.8%, p = 0.45). Results of linear dose-response showed each 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 5% increase in mortality that was marginally significant (ES: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.00-1.11, Z = 1.99, I2 : 22.2%, p = 0.047). There was a non-linear relationship between levels of BMI and mortality (Prob > χ2 = 0.02). There was an increase in mortality from percentile 10 to 50, although it was not significant (Correlational coefficient: 0.01, p = 0.85). Also, there was an increase in mortality rate from percentile 50 to 90 that was statistically significant (correlational coefficient: 0.06, p = 0.047). Finally, the results of the study indicated BMI can increase the chance of mortality by 0.19, although it was not significant. As a result, more studies are needed to better judge the relationship between BMI and mortality in burn victims.

Prevalence of surgical site infection and risk factors in patients after foot and ankle surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of surgical site infection (SSI) and related factors in patients after foot and ankle surgery. A comprehensive, systematic search was conducted in different international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex and Scientific Information Database (SID) using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as 'Prevalence', 'Surgical wound infection', 'Surgical site infection' and 'Orthopaedics' from the earliest to 1 June 2023. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS tool) evaluates the quality of the included studies. A total of 10 447 patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery participated in nine studies. The pooled prevalence of SSI in patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery was reported in nine studies was 4.2% (95% CI: 2.4%-7.2%; I2 = 96.793%; p < 0.001). The odds ratio of SSI prevalence in men was higher than that of women and was significant (OR: 1.335; 95% CI: 1.106-1.612; Z = 3.009; p = 0.003). The pooled prevalence of SSI in patients with hindfoot fracture sites reported in five studies was 4.9% (95% CI: 2.6%-8.9%; I2 = 90.768%; p < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of SSI in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) reported in six studies was 9.1% (95% CI: 5.6%-14.6%; I2 = 73.957%; p = 0.002). The pooled prevalence of SSI in patients with hypertension (HTN) reported in five studies was 5.5% (95% CI: 2.5%-11.6%; I2 = 91.346%; p < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of SSI in patients with tobacco use reported in eight studies was 6.6% (95% CI: 4.1%-10.4%; I2 = 85.379%; p < 0.001). In general, the existing differences in the prevalence of SSI after foot and ankle surgery in different studies can be based on different risk factors such as comorbidities and gender. Therefore, it is suggested to design appropriate interventions to reduce SSI in these patients.