Isfahan University Of Medical Sciences Research Articles

Extending embodied cognition through robot's augmented reality in English for medical purposes classrooms

Researchers have indicated that integrating augmented reality into robot-assisted language learning modules could visually represent the students' learning needs and extend their embodied cognition of comprehension. To examine the potential of robots through extended embodied cognition, this quasi-experimental study was conducted in the English for Medical Purposes classrooms at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In the 2022 academic year, 526 male and female participants, whose first language is not English, were selected. Students were sorted into three English proficiency levels: pre-intermediate (n = 176), intermediate (n = 175), and upper-intermediate (n = 175), then semi-randomly divided into three-member teams, subsequently, randomly assigned to control (n = 370) or experimental (n = 156) groups. Students in the control group learned English for Medical Purposes listening and reading through online classrooms, while those in the experimental group learned the skills in robot (augmented reality)-assisted classrooms. In the control and experimental groups, flipped classrooms were conducted under the supervision of the teachers. The primary data sources included formative assessments of the participants' English for Medical Purposes listening and reading, as well as interviews. The findings showed that the participants in the robot's augmented reality group achieved significantly higher results, when compared with robot-only and control groups, in English for Medical Purposes listening and reading in academia and the healthcare fields. The positive perception participants had of robot's augmented reality was clear, based on interview results. The outcomes are discussed in detail.

Prevalence of acute kidney injury following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The objective is to evaluate the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) as an early complication of the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure. From May 2022 to October 2022, we conducted a retrospective study on patients undergoing PCNL procedures in two of the tertiary medical centers affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Patients' baseline characteristics, laboratory values, perioperative data, and stone features were documented. AKI was defined either as a ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in the serum creatinine level within 2 days, or a ≥1.5-fold increase in baseline serum creatinine level within 7 days after the operation. Laboratory values were measured 1 day before PCNL and daily thereafter until discharge. Patients were followed 1 week later to detect all of the possible cases of AKI. The final analysis was performed on 347 individuals. AKI developed in 16 (4.61%) cases. The two groups were comparable regarding age (P = 0.887), gender (P = 0.566), and underlying comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (P = 0.577) and hypertension (P = 0.383). The mean body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001) and both frequency and severity of hydronephrosis (P < 0.001) were significantly different. A higher mean PCNL duration (P < 0.001), period of hospitalization (P < 0.001), and blood loss volume (P < 0.001) were observed in those who developed AKI. Overall, 56.3% (9) of patients in the AKI group and 2.7% (9) in the non-AKI group required the establishment of more than one access tract, during the procedure (P < 0.001). A lower preoperative hemoglobin level was observed in the AKI group (P < 0.001). Those with AKI had significantly larger stones (3.08 ± 0.46 vs. 2.41 ± 0.23 cm, P < 0.001) and higher Hounsfield units (P < 0.001). In addition, in the AKI group, most of the calculi (81.3%, 13) were of staghorn type, whereas in the non-AKI group, calculi were most frequently located in the middle calyx (30.2%, 100), (P < 0.001). The prevalence of post-PCNL AKI is approximately 4.61%. The mean BMI, preoperative hemoglobin level, PCNL duration, intraoperative blood loss volume, and hospitalization period were significantly higher among patients who developed AKI. Those with AKI had significantly larger stones with higher Hounsfield units and more frequently of staghorn type. The two groups were not statistically different regarding age, gender, and presence of comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes mellitus).

Latent class of depressive symptoms of and its determinants: A cross-sectional study among Iranian University students.

According to the report of the World Health Organization, mental disorders are one of the 10 most important causes of disability in the world. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the number and frequency of latent classes of depression and its determinants in Isfahan university of medical students. A total of 1408 medical students from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were enrolled in the study in 2017. The symptoms and severity of depression were assessed using the standard Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale questionnaire. Latent class analysis was applied to seven symptoms of depression, all of which had four levels. Latent class subgroups were compared using the Chi-square test and analysis of variance test. The regression model was used to check the relationship between identified classes and related factors. Analyzes were done using SPSS-21 and Mplus7 software. In this study, three latent classes were identified, that is, the group of healthy people, the group of borderline people, and the group of people suspected of depression. The prevalence of identified latent classes among medical students is 0.52, 0.32, and 0.16%, respectively. The regression results showed that compared to the healthy group, the factors affecting depression in the borderline and suspicious group were increasing age, female gender, interest in the field of study, physical activity, history of depression, and history of anxiety. The three classes that were identified based on the students' answers to the depression symptoms questions differed only based on severity. The history of depression and anxiety were the strongest predictors of latent classes of depression.

A qualitative report on experiences of participants in the young innovative leadership program

BackgroundLeadership in health system is a universal challenge. The Young Innovative Leadership Program (YILP) designed for undergraduate and postgraduate medical sciences students, implemented at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, aimed to cultivate leadership capacities through a 16-week training program. This program comprises ten modules covering innovation, change leadership, and management skills, with mentor-facilitated group discussions. This study aimed to provide a qualitative report of the experiences of participants in the YILP.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in 2022, three months after the end of the training program, to investigate the participants’ perspectives. Data was extracted through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants.ResultsIn this study 14 undergraduate and postgraduate medical sciences students who had participated in the YILP the previous year were included. Four main categories emerged from the interviews: “emergence of new horizons”, “values as beacon”, “an expanded toolbox”, and “program’s structure: a learning atmosphere”.ConclusionsThe results of our study indicated that medical science students would benefit from leadership development programs. In this regard, the framework utilized to implement YILP could serve as a role model.

Comparing the Effect of Internet-Delivered Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy on the Quality of Life and Grief Experience of First-Degree Relatives of the Deceased Due to COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presents an extreme threat to global health and stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Loss, as a broader theme, intertwines with various aspects of people’s lives during these challenging times. Failing to address the urgent needs of individuals experiencing loss and grief can result in poor mental and physical health. Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT) on the grief and quality of life (QoL) of first-degree relatives who lost loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. Participants who had lost a family member to COVID-19 between March 2019 and September 2020 and who visited the hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty participants were randomly assigned to either IPT or CFT, and each group underwent 6 weekly sessions. The Grief Experience Questionnaires and the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Questionnaires were administered to all individuals via phone interviews before commencing treatment and 1 month after completing the sessions. Results: The results indicated a significant improvement in both treatment groups individually (P &lt; 0.001). However, when comparing the 2 groups while adjusting for the pre-test effects, there were no significant differences between them in any of the following areas: Physical response (P2 = 0.45), notoriety (P2 = 0.53), justification and coping (P2 = 0.59), guilt (P2 = 0.31), feelings of abandonment (P2 = 0.52), judgment by others (P2 = 0.78), and embarrassment and shame (P2 = 0.79). Conclusions: The findings from our study demonstrate that both IPT and CFT resulted in improved QoL and reduced grief experiences. Therefore, these therapeutic approaches can be employed to alleviate grief symptoms and enhance overall QoL.

Identifying the Challenges and Appropriate Solutions for Holding Comprehensive Exam for PhD Students in the Medical Sciences Universities: a Qualitative Research

Introduction: The evaluation of Ph.D. students is one of the main parts of their curriculum, and the comprehensive exam is held with the aim of evaluating the abilities acquired in the educational stage and verifying the qualification and ability to carry out research activities. The purpose of this research is to identify the challenges of holding the comprehensive exam of Ph.D students in the medical sciences universities (Iran) and to provide appropriate suggestions. Methods: The research approach was qualitative and the research method was conventional content analysis (inductive) and the type of study was applied. Participants included the members of the board of examiners in each specialized field with different positions and degrees, Ph.D. students who passed the comprehensive exam, as well as educational staffs in the 7th area of health education like Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Yazd University of Medical Sciences and Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was Purposive and heterogeneous with maximum diversity to obtain different views. In the present study, after 17 interviews, no new data was obtained; however, to be sure, 3 other participants were also interviewed (20 participants). Graneheim and Lundman's 5-stage model was used for data analysis, and Lincoln and Guba criteria were used to measure the trustworthiness of data. Result: The data were classified in 41 codes, 9 subcategories and 3 main categories in the challenges section and in 48 codes, 13 subcategories and 3 main categories in the solutions section. The main concepts about the challenges of conducting a comprehensive Ph.D. exam including macro-policy and planning, the limitations of laws and weak planning, and the problems of the people involved in the exam, as well as the main concepts about the solutions to optimize the conduct of a comprehensive Ph.D exam, including solutions before entering students for the Ph.D course, the solutions related to the comprehensive exam, and the solutions related to the duration of the Ph.D course. Conclusion: The challenges of holding a comprehensive exam for Ph.D students in health are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach to address them. By carefully paying attention to these challenges and implementing solutions at the micro and macro levels, the educational system can better achieve the main mission and goal of holding the comprehensive and at the same time evaluate the students' readiness to enter the research course more accurately.

Examining workload variations among different surgical team roles, specialties, and techniques: a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study

BackgroundA high workload may negatively impact the surgical team's performance and jeopardize patient safety. The aim of this study was to measure the workload of the surgical team across different surgical roles, specialties, and techniques in several hospitals.MethodsThis cross-sectional multicenter study was performed in the operating rooms of eight teaching hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. At the conclusion of each surgical procedure, all members of the surgical team completed the Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) questionnaire to assess workload levels. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations, were performed to compare surgical roles, specialties, techniques, and surgical time on workload overall and by subscale.ResultsA total of 409 workload questionnaires were obtained from 76 surgical teams or cases, involving 346 surgical team members. The total workload among all participants was 32.41 ± 17.21. Surgical complexity, physical demands, and mental demands were the highest workload subscales and distraction was the lowest workload subscale. Cardiovascular specialty had a higher workload compared to other specialties. Open techniques resulted in a higher workload compared to minimally invasive techniques. Surgical technologists who act in both the role of circulating and scrub nurse (C&Ss) experienced the highest workload, followed by surgical residents and surgeons.ConclusionsThe results of the study showed that the workload for some members of the surgical team is disproportionately high and is influenced by factors such as specialty, technique, role, and surgical duration. By knowing the distribution of workload among the members of the surgical team, efforts can be made to optimize the team members’ workload.

Hesitancy among Iranian nursing students regarding future career trajectory: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundThe shortage of skilled nurses is a major concern for health systems worldwide. This may be partly due to the hesitancy of some nurses to enter or remain in the nursing career. This shortage consequently reduces the quality of standard patient care, increases patients’ length of stay in a hospital, increases medical costs, and results in patients’ dissatisfaction. This study aimed to explore hesitancy among senior undergraduate nursing students to pursue a career in nursing.MethodsThis qualitative study adopted a thematic analysis approach. The population comprised senior undergraduate nursing students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who indicated that they were hesitant to pursue a career in nursing. The study sampling was performed from May 2021 till February 2022 and continued until data saturation. Twenty-four interviews were conducted with the selected students. The attributes related to hesitancy among senior undergraduate nursing students to pursue a career in nursing were extracted as themes and sub-themes.ResultsFour themes were identified: academic idiosyncrasies, individual characteristics, poor nursing market regulations (sub-themes: nursing as a tough and intense career, and unfavorable employment contracts), and the peculiarities of the workplace (sub-themes: conflict within work environment, and barriers to professional nursing practice).ConclusionsThe findings of this study showed that senior undergraduate nursing students weigh their future career options from various academic, personal, professional, and work environment dimensions. The findings provide new insights for decision makers to design and implement innovative strategies to promote retention in nursing careers. We recommend to provide academic counseling for all students and applicants of nursing before they enter the nursing education. Furthermore, we suggest to improve study and work environments, and to implement incentive programs to enhance enthusiasm of nursing students for pursuing a nursing career.

Evaluation of Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage quality by nurses and associated factors in Iran.

The triage process of patients in emergency departments is done by nurses in Iran. it is necessary to pay attention to the ability of nurses in patients' triage in order to have a correct picture of the status of the emergency department, so the aims of this study is to investigate the quality of nurses' triage using the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) method and related factors. This is a descriptive study which was performed on all 900 patients referring to the emergency department during 12 months from 2019 to 2020 in the Triage unit of two trauma center hospitals affiliated to Isfahan university of medical sciences. Data collection tools included patients' demographic, nurses' demographic and occupational checklist, and ESI Triage Form. To analyze the data, SPSS software was used, descriptive and analytic statistics were used, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. No significant difference was observed between the quality level of triage by nurses and physicians (P > 0.05), the results of independent t-test showed that nurses in the over triage group have a higher average age and work experience. In the under triage level, the frequency of female nurses was significantly higher than male nurses (P < 0/05). Accurate and fast triage of patients is the key to successful performance in the emergency department. Therefore correct implementation of triage and identifying the need for nurses for training and identifying existing deficiencies are of utmost importance.

Opportunities and Challenges of E-learning for Nursing Students at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

Given the limited presence of students in universities and the closure of educational centers, including nursing schools, during the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant shift toward e-learning. However, there is a lack of research in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students with e-learning during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. This qualitative-descriptive study focused on 12 undergraduate nursing students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA10 and conventional content analysis. The study was conducted between May and September 2020. Analysis of the findings led to the emergence of 11 subcategories and two main categories: E-Learning opportunities and Challenges of E-Learning, providing a comprehensive description of the experiences reported by the participants. Unforeseen crises, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly affect the quality of education by disrupting face-to-face learning. To mitigate such disruptions, it is crucial to plan and establish infrastructure that supports alternative modes of education, such as e-learning. Additionally, providing training to students and educators on effectively utilizing digital platforms and producing electronic content can help ensure a smoother transition during crises.

Investigating Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Children With Cleft Lip and Palate

Background and Objectives: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a subtype of major depressive disorder, which is correlated with having an infant with cleft lip and palate (CL/P). Since there is a dearth of research in this regard, this study compares mothers of infants with CL/P and mothers of normal infants in terms of PPD and suicidal thoughts. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 50 mothers of children with CL/P and 50 mothers of normal children who had recently given birth and presented to the Research Center of Cranial Deformities, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan City, Iran, from September 2020 and 2021. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to assess PPD. Results: The mean PPD score was 15.42±4.77 (range=5-24) and 10.3±6.7 (range=0-29) in mothers of children with CLP and those with normal children, respectively. The frequency of PPD was significantly higher among the mothers of CLP children, compared to mothers of normal children (χ2=25.25, P&lt;0.005). No difference was reported between the mothers with PPD and those without it in terms of educational level (χ2=0.36, P=0.83), occupational status (χ2=0.13, P=0.71), or parity (P=0.93). Having suicidal thoughts had no significant correlation with having CL/P children (P=0.11). Conclusions: The PPD score and frequency of PPD were higher among mothers of children with CLP, compared with mothers of normal children; however, the frequency of suicidal thoughts was not significantly different between the two groups. Educational level, occupational status, and parity were not correlated with PPD or suicidal thoughts.

Comparing the Effect of Internet-Delivered Self-Care Training and Play Therapy on the Quality of Life of Children with Type 1 diabetes in 2021 in Isfahan City- Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood, and its management is associated with many problems. The study aimed to compare the effect of group self-care training and patient child play (PCP) on quality of life (QoL) in children with type 1 diabetes in Isfahan, Iran&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This randomized trial was done from January 2020 to October 2021 in Endocrine and Metabolism research center of Isfahan University of medical sciences. Seventy- five children aged 8 to 11 years with T1DM who did not have a severe behavioral problem based on the child behavior checklist (CBCL) were simple randomly assigned to three groups: self-care training, play therapy, and control. The self-care group received ten education sessions via the Skyroom and the playgroup performed PCP for ten sessions. The control group did not receive any psychological intervention. All participants received routine diabetes medication. They completed a health-related QoL questionnaire for children (KIDSCREEN-52) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS-23 software and analysis of covariance.&#x0D; Results: A significant difference between the mean scores of the post-test subscales of physical well-being (P= 0.003), psychological well-being (P= 0.003), moods and emotions (P= 0.02), self-perception (P= 0.002), self-autonomy (P= 0.002), parental relationships and family life (P= 0.001), social and peers support (P= 0.04), school environment (P= 0.003) and social acceptance (P= 0.001) in PCP group.&#x0D; Conclusion: Self-care training and PCP are effective in increasing the QoL, and can be used as a complementary treatment in children with T1DM.

On genotype-phenotype relationship of dystrophinopathies among Iranian population.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are inherited X-linked disorders resulting from alterations in the dystrophin gene. Genotype-phenotype matching studies have revealed a link between disease severity, the amount of muscle dystrophin, and the extent of mutation/deletion on the dystrophin gene. This study aimed to assess the relationship between genetic alterations in the dystrophin gene and the clinical status of patients with dystrophinopathies among the Iranian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 54 patients with muscle weakness caused by abnormalities in the dystrophin gene at a hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, in 2021. The participants' demographic information, including age, family history of muscle dystrophies, and family history of other medical diseases as well as the type of muscular dystrophy were recorded. Furthermore, the number and region of deleted exons based on dystrophy types were also evaluated using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). The patients' gaits were also assessed as using a wheelchair, the presence of waddling gaits, or toe gaits. The patients' clinical status and the coexistence of pulmonary, bulbar, and mental conditions were also examined and compared between the two groups of dystrophinopathies. Results: In this study, 54 patients with dystrophinopathy with the mean age of 16.63 ± 12.10 years were evaluated, of whom 22 (40.7%) and 30 (55.6%) patients were classified as BMD and DMD, respectively. The most affected regions with deleted exons were exons 45-47 (n = 5) and 45-48 (n = 4) in patients with BMD, while exons 45, 48-52, 51-55, and 53 (2 cases per exon) were the most common affected exons in patients with DMD. Further analyses revealed that deletions in exons 45-47 and 51-55 were significantly associated with older and younger ages at the onset of becoming wheelchair-bound in patients with dystrophy, respectively. The hotspot range in both BMD and DMD was within exons 45-55 (n = 15 for each group); 63% of the patients had alterations on the dystrophin gene within this range [30 patients (68.18%) in the BMD group, 15 patients (53.57%) in the DMD group]. Conclusion: Exon deletion was the most common genetic alteration in patients with dystrophinopathies. No significant difference was observed between DMD and BMD regarding the number of deleted exons. Deletions in exons 45-47 and 51-55 were linked to later and earlier onset of becoming wheelchair-bound, respectively.

Diet in relation to Metabolic, sleep and psychological health Status (DiMetS): protocol for a cross-sectional study

IntroductionMetabolic disturbances are of major health concerns in the world. In addition to their high prevalence, these disorders have substantial roles in developing other physical and mental diseases. Diet could...

The Relationship between Moral Sensitivity and Professional Behaviour and Its Comparison in First- and Last-Year Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Nursing students should be equipped with ethical sensitivity and professional behaviour because they will face challenging ethical issues in their future work environment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and professional behaviour and compare it in first- and last-year undergraduate nursing students. This study was a cross-sectional, correlational study that was conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The sample size of this study was 238 nursing students. The tools used in this study were the Persian versions of the moral sensitivity questionnaire and the professional behaviour questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software. Linear regression showed that the total score of moral sensitivity of nursing students had a significant relationship with their professional behaviour (p < 0.05). The result of the univariate analysis showed that the mean total score of moral sensitivity and professional behaviour was significantly higher in the last year than in first-year students (p < 0.05). Considering the relationship between moral sensitivity and the professional behaviour of nursing students, the promotion of moral sensitivity can become the basis for the development of the professional behaviour of nursing students. Therefore, it is suggested to focus on teaching the principles of nursing ethics to develop the moral sensitivity of undergraduate nursing students.

Sun protection behaviors among children aged 6-18 years old, the role of socioeconomic factors: A cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of sun protection behavior and related factors in children aged between 6 and 18 years in Isfahan, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted at outpatient pediatric clinics affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran during the summer of 2021. A checklist was designed, and the interviewer used that to gather the required information including children's demographic characteristics, families' socioeconomic data, and sun-protective behaviors in children. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of children was 10.54 ± 3.61. Among the study population, 63.7% of children were male. The most common skin phototypes were II and III (33.5% each). 83.8% of children used at least one method of sun protection (94.5% of girls, 77.6% of boys, p < 0.001). Wearing long-sleeved clothes was the most frequent UV-protection method (48%), while sunscreen application was the least prevalent method (28.1%). Sun protection behaviors were more frequent among urban children (86.7%, p = 0.009) and children with wealthy families (94%, p = 0.035). Sun protection methods were used by most of the children whose mothers applied sunscreen on a daily basis (90.2%, p = 0.002) and all of the children whose mothers held a master's degree or above (100%, p = 0.004). Children's sun protection behavior is directly associated with demographic characteristics, families' socioeconomic level and maternal usage of sun protection measures. It is necessary to provide information and education about sun protection methods and the risks of excessive sun exposure to families and children, as well as facilitate their access to these.

The Effect of the Reproductive Health Self-Care Educational Booklet on the Self-Care Ability of Female University Students.

Reproductive health during youth is considered one of the pivotal aspects of sustainable development. In this regard, students are more exposed to reproductive health problems and risks. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of the reproductive health self-care educational booklet on the self-care ability of female university students. This study was a quasiexperimental research in which a reproductive health self-care educational booklet designed based on needs assessment was provided to 75 newly admitted female university students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2018-2019 who were selected by quota sampling method from all faculties. Using a researcher-made questionnaire on reproductive health self-care ability (knowledge, attitude, practice), data were collected before, immediately after, and 6 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS version 20. As the results showed, the mean score of self-care ability (F = 208.46, p < 0.001), knowledge (F = 130.88, p < 0.001), attitude (F = 76.09, p < 0.001), and practice (F = 89.76, p < 0.001) of the subjects immediately and 6 weeks after the intervention was significantly higher than before the intervention. However, no significant difference was observed in these scores, between immediately after and 6 weeks after the intervention. The results indicated that the designed self-care educational booklet led to a relatively constant promotion of the reproductive health self-care ability of female students. Thus, this booklet seems to be useful in meeting the educational needs of female students in various aspects of reproductive health.

Evaluation of last-year dental students’ knowledge of prescription of analgesics and anti-bacterial agents for pregnant and lactating women

Oral health in pregnant and lactating women can affect maternal and child health. Dental treatments in this period should not have adverse effects on maternal and child health. This study was conducted to investigate the last-year dental students’ knowledge of the prescription of analgesics and antibiotics for pregnant and lactating mothers in Isfahan city, Iran. Methods: A total of 104 last-year dental students of Khorasgan Islamic Azad University and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were recruited in this descriptiveanalytical study. They completed a 16-item questionnaire on the prescription of analgesics and antibiotics for pregnant and lactating mothers. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Version 22) statistical software(t-test). Results: The total mean score of students’ knowledge was 9.02±1.91. The highest level of knowledge about the safest analgesic (acetaminophen) was reported for the pregnant patients so that 100% of them had correct information in this regard. Further, the lowest level of knowledge was found for the use of dexamethasone during lactation, as only 10.6% of respondents were able to provide a correct response in this regard. Conclusion: The dental students had average knowledge about the prescription of antibiotics and analgesics for pregnant and lactating patients. To prevent the possible risks for these patients, further information should be provided to dental students.

Effectiveness of High-intensity Laser Therapy for Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is still a controversial physical therapy modality for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of HILT on pain and function in patients with knee OA. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 56 patients with knee OA referred to Amin Hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, from April 19 to August 30, 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups (HILT and control), receiving isometric exercises targeting the quadriceps muscle, meloxicam 15 mg tablet, and Rahamin ointment for two weeks. The HILT group also received high-intensity laser irradiation three times a week for two weeks. The primary outcome was pain assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the secondary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and its subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately, and three months after the last treatment session. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline values, immediately and three months after treatment, VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the HILT group than in controls (P &lt; 0.001), with a large effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.81; -0.62 and SMD = -1.31, 95% CI: -1.90; -0.70, respectively). The results were similar for WOMAC's pain subscale. Despite the difference in WOMAC stiffness score was not significant between the two groups immediately after treatment (P = 0.135), this score was significantly lower in the HILT group than in the control group (SMD = -0.98, 95% CI: -1.56; -0.40, P = 0.002) three months after treatment. Furthermore, WOMAC physical function scores were significantly lower with HILT immediately and three months after treatment (P &lt; 0.001). The same was true for the total WOMAC score. Conclusions: High-intensity laser therapy significantly improved pain and the WOMAC score in patients with knee OA immediately and three months after the last treatment session compared to the control group.

Efficacy of Licorice as Adjunctive Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

There is no definitive pharmacological strategy for COVID-19; thus, medicinal herbs can be an appropriate option for COVID-19 management. We investigated the efficacy of a D-reglis® tablet (root extract of licorice) as adjuvant therapy in critically ill patients with COVID-19 at intensive care units (ICUs) of Alzahra Teaching Hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. In the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, critically ill cases with COVID-19 (n = 52) received a D-reglis® tablet (760 mg) or a placebo tablet for 5 days. The ICU stay length was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome included the changes in oxygen saturation, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality rate, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score during the study period. The ICU stay was significantly lower in the licorice group than in the placebo group (P = 0.015). No significant difference was detected between the groups regarding oxygen saturation, SOFA score, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate. The licorice tablet (D-reglis®) as an adjuvant treatment showed promising results regarding the ICU stay length in critically ill COVID-19 patients. However, further clinical trials with larger sample sizes, further duration of intervention, measurement of inflammatory markers, and further study about the molecular mechanism of the effect of licorice on COVID-19 should be done to obtain more conclusive findings.