Tehran University Research Articles

Explanation of the Components of Skill-Based Education in Higher Education With A Qualitative Approach

Introduction: Academic skill-based education is a basic tool for empowering citizens with high-level technical skills and abilities that can be used for national development. Therefore, the current research aimed to identify the components of skill-based education in higher education with a qualitative approach. Methods: The current research was conducted with a qualitative approach of thematic analysis type. The target group of the study was the faculty members of Mohagheg Ardabili, Allameh Tabatabai, Shahid Beheshti, and Tehran universities in Iran. The participants included 15 faculty members who were selected by purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Results: In total, 113 free codes were extracted from the content of the interviews. After merging the similar codes, finally, 98 codes were extracted and classified into 16 similar sub-themes and finally categorized into 7 main themes. Categories of policy-making, skill-based curriculum, university mission, teaching methods, entrepreneurship, empowerment of faculty members, and technology development were identified as the most important components of skill-based education from the point of view of faculty members. Conclusion: According to the findings of the research, it can be said that institutionalization of skill-based education in the university can play an effective role in the employment of graduates.

Coping strategies of intensive care unit nurses reducing moral distress: A content analysis study

Background Moral distress has negative effects on physical and mental health. However, there is little information about nurses’ coping strategies reducing moral distress. Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the coping strategies of intensive care unit nurses reducing moral distress in Iran. Study design This is a qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Participants and research context The research sample consisted of nurses working in intensive care units of teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Samples were selected among eligible nurses by purposive sampling. Data were obtained through 17 in-depth, individual, and semi-structured interviews with 17 nurses. Graneheim and Lundman’s (2004) 6-step content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Data management was also performed by MAXQDA software version 20. The COREQ checklist was used to report the study. Ethical considerations This project was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All ethical guidelines in research were followed. Finding The data analysis resulted in the formation of two main categories of desirable coping strategies (with two subcategories of compensation and rejuvenation) and less desirable coping strategies (with three subclasses of indifference over time, escape and concealment). Discussion The intensive care unit nurses in dealing with ethical problems first try to solve the problem through discussion, but when they fail to resolve it peacefully, they resort to several coping strategies. Factors, such as increasing experience, lack of support from hospital managers and officials, poor communication between colleagues, the need to maintain hierarchy, fear of reprimand, and a sense of powerlessness, changed the nurses’ preferred strategies. It is important for managers to provide a blame/punishment-free atmosphere for expression of ethical experiences; a supportive atmosphere in which staff can engage in ethical discussions without fear of punishment. They should also provide opportunities for rest, rejuvenation, and adequate training for their employees.

Avoidable Overuse of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) in Patients with Suspected Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE): The Role of Clinical Prediction Rules and D-Dimer Assay

Background: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is an imaging technique widely used in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Despite its disadvantages and potential risks, the overuse of CTPA has been a growing concern over the past decades. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of avoidable overuse of CTPA in patients with suspected PTE and to identify factors contributing to this overuse. The study aimed to highlight the importance of proper training for physicians in using validated diagnostic algorithms to minimize the overuse of CTPA and improve patient outcomes. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted between April 2016 and March 2019 at Shariati Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), 1058 patients underwent CTPA due to suspected PTE. Wells scores were calculated retrospectively for all patients. The study defined avoidable overuse of CTPA as an imaging request without prior D-dimer testing or ignoring a negative D-dimer result in patients with low clinical pre-test probability. Results: Two hundred and seventy-three patients were excluded from the study due to unavailable documentation or pregnancy. Among the included 785 patients, 139 (17.7%) revealed PTE on CTPA. Based on the Wells scores, 480 patients were identified as the “PTE-unlikely” group. In this group, 299 patients (62.3%) underwent CTPA directly despite recommendations to order a D-dimer test first. Of these patients, 281 (94%) cases showed negative results. Moreover, CTPA was performed inappropriately in 52 “PTE-unlikely” cases despite negative D-dimer serum levels, and only one patient was diagnosed with PTE. Conclusions: The study revealed that 44.7% of the CTPA requests for patients with suspected PTE were avoidable, indicating the need for better adherence to current diagnostic guidelines to reduce unnecessary radiologic investigations and improve patient care.

A placebo-controlled, crossover trial to investigate the efficacy of tiotropium bromide or placebo added to usual care in stable symptomatic post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS)

BackgroundDespite the fundamental progress in hematopoietic stem cell transplant, this treatment is also associated with complications. Graft-versus-host disease is a possible complication of HSCT. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the pulmonary form of this syndrome. Due to the high morbidity and mortality rate of BOS, various studies have been conducted in the field of drug therapy for this syndrome, although no standard treatment has yet been proposed. According to the hypotheses about the similarities between BOS and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the idea of using tiotropium bromide as a bronchodilator has been proposed.Method/designA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of tiotropium in patients with BOS. A total of 20 patients with BOS were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a once-daily inhaled capsule of either tiotropium bromide (KP-Tiova Rotacaps 18 mcg, Cipla, India) or placebo for 1 month. Patients will receive tiotropium bromide or placebo Revolizer added to usual standard care. Measurements will include spirometry and a 6-min walking test.Ethics/disseminationThis study was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Science. Recruitment started in September 2022, with 20 patients randomized. The treatment follow-up of participants with tiotropium is currently ongoing and is due to finish in April 2024. The authors will disseminate the findings in peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and seminar presentations.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT) IRCT20200415047080N3. Registered on 2022–07-12, 1401/04/21.

The Impact of Epidural Analgesia on Cesarean Section Rates and Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the frequency of emergency cesarean sections with epidural analgesia and its implications on Apgar scores and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions among patients at Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospitals from 2017 to 2018. Data from 7170 patients were extracted from the hospital information system (HIS) through a consensus method. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and logistic regression analyses were conducted using Stata v17 software. Out of 9387 patients, 62.7% underwent cesarean sections, and 37.1% had normal vaginal deliveries. Epidural analgesia was administered to 127 patients, with 98.4% achieving successful normal vaginal delivery. Nulliparous women constituted 64.29% of those receiving epidural analgesia. Apgar scores at five and ten minutes were comparable between epidural and non-epidural groups. Emergency cesarean rates with epidural analgesia were low (1.6%). Findings align with previous research indicating no significant impact of epidural analgesia on Apgar scores. Nulliparous women predominated in the epidural group, consistent with pain pattern disparities. The study supports recent research showing epidural analgesia does not increase emergency cesarean rates, even in high-risk pregnancies. This study suggests that epidural analgesia does not significantly impact Apgar scores, NICU admissions, or emergency cesarean rates. While the comprehensive dataset enhances reliability, retrospective design limitations are acknowledged. Prospective studies exploring factors contributing to neonatal mortality and overall labor duration are recommended for more robust evidence.

Maternal education and its influence on child growth and nutritional status during the first two years of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The first 1000 days of life are critical for a child's health and development. Impaired growth during this period is linked to increased child morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences. Undernutrition is the main cause, and addressing it within the first 1000 days of life is vital. Maternal education is consistently identified as a significant predictor of child undernutrition, but its specific impact remains to be determined. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the influence of high versus low maternal education levels on child growth from birth to age two, using population-based cohort studies. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar were searched from January 1990 to January 2024 using appropriate search terms. We included population-based cohort studies of healthy children aged two years and under and their mothers, categorizing maternal education levels. Child growth and nutritional outcomes were assessed using various indicators. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and assessed study quality. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was utilized for quality assessment. Random-effects models were used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q and I2 statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was evaluated. The literature search retrieved 14,295 titles, and after full-text screening of 639 reports, 35 studies were included, covering eight outcomes: weight for age z-score (WAZ), height for age z-score (HAZ), BMI for age z-scores (BMIZ), overweight, underweight, stunting, wasting, and rapid weight gain. In middle-income countries, higher maternal education is significantly associated with elevated WAZ (MD 0.398, 95% CI 0.301-0.496) and HAZ (MD 0.388, 95% CI 0.102-0.673) in children. Similarly, in studies with low-educated population, higher maternal education is significantly linked to increased WAZ (MD 0.186, 95% CI 0.078-0.294) and HAZ (0.200, 95% CI 0.036-0.365). However, in high-income and highly educated population, this association is either absent or reversed. In high-income countries, higher maternal education is associated with a non-significant lower BMI-Z (MD-0.028, 95% CI-0.061 to 0.006). Notably, this inverse association is statistically significant in low-educated populations (MD-0.045, 95% CI-0.079 to-0.011) but not in highly educated populations (MD 0.003, 95% CI-0.093 to 0.098). Maternal education's association with child growth varies based on country income and education levels. Further research is needed to understand this relationship better. This study was a student thesis supported financially by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

Comparative study of master's degree curricula in nursing informatics at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the University of Maryland

Comparative study of master's degree curricula in nursing informatics at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the University of Maryland

A 5-year evaluation of quality of life, pelvic discomfort, and sexual function following posterior pericervical repair.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life, pelvic discomfort, and sexual function of patients who underwent posterior pericervical repair or level I to III surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) after 5 years of follow-up. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 107 women with POP who were referred to the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, an academic center affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from 2014 to 2021. The patients underwent transvaginal surgery using native tissue, in which the rectovaginal fascia was attached to the pericervical ring. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module (ICIQ-FLUTSsex) questionnaires were completed by each patient before and 5 years after surgery. Of the 107 patients, only 78 completed the 5-year follow-up. The mean PFDI-20 scores before, 12 months, and 5 years after surgery were 141.87 ± 34.48, 100.87 ± 26.48, and 37.49 ± 56.39, respectively, indicating a significant improvement in the patients' symptoms after surgery (P < 0.001). The total mean score of ICIQ-FLUTSsex was 3.67 ± 3.63 (range, 0-10). In total, 22 (28.2%) women had an ICIQ-FLUTSsex score of 0, indicating no problems. The attachment of the rectovaginal fascia to the pericervical rings can be an effective surgical technique for correcting posterior vaginal wall prolapses, without significant morbidity. The PFDI-20 score improved significantly from before surgery to 12 months and 5 years after surgery.

Workforce and Employment Status of Sleep Medicine Graduates in Iran

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background and Objective: Sleep medicine is a multidisciplinary specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Sleep medicine fellowship programs in Iran commenced in 2012 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. This study aimed to investigate the human resources and employment status of sleep medicine fellowship graduates in Iran.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Iran in 2022 using conven- ience sampling and included 41 sleep medicine fellows in Iran. Data collection tools included a demographic question- naire and a researcher-made survey. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software.&#x0D; Results: Out of 57 sleep medicine fellows, 41 individuals with an average age of 44.95 ± 7.57 years participated in the study. Only 12% of the fellows were satisfied with their income, and all participants expressed dissatisfaction with their insurance coverage. 92% considered the existence of a national guideline for sleep medicine to be crucial, while 66.7% felt the curriculum of medical sleep medicine had some deficiencies.&#x0D; Conclusion: Lack of a suitable national guideline for treating and preventing sleep disorders, lack of insurance coverage for tests and respiratory assist devices, and high costs of establishing and equipping specialized sleep clinics are major challenges recognized by sleep medicine fellows. Additionally, due to the low priority given to these diseases by authorities and the inappropriate distribution of sleep medicine specialists in the country, access to appropriate treatment for sleep disorders is only feasible in giant cities.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Thermo-economic analysis of an integrated combined heating, cooling, and power unit with dish collector and organic Rankine cycle

In recent years, the integration of renewable resources into simultaneous production systems has resulted in a substantial reduction in fuel consumption when compared to the conventional methods. This study focuses on the design and modeling of a CCHP (combined cooling, heating, and power) system for the campus of Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran. The system harnesses the primary energy and heat derived from a dish collector and natural gas, while electricity generation is facilitated by a Brayton cycle. Additionally, two organic Rankine cycles recover the waste heat and generate supplementary electricity downstream of the system. The total efficiency of this system attained 79%, and the total exergy efficiency of the CCHP reached 48%. When examining the economic sector, noteworthy savings can be observed, compared to a centralized power generation system. This can be attributed to a 37% reduction in fuel consumption, resulting from the adoption of the dish collector as the primary supplier. Overall, this is a novel setup that involves two stages of ORC, along with a dish collector and combustion chamber that supply the microturbine. The proposed system in this article could be a guide for novel commercial and residential systems in the future.

Subjective Social Status as an Important Mediator in the Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Mental Health

Background and aims: Socioeconomic status (SES) is frequently seen as a significant indicator of mental health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the mediating role of subjective social status (SSS) in the association of SES and mental health among the employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). Methods: This cross-sectional research involved the analysis of data collected from 4461 TUMS employees using a two-step structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The study examined the impact of SES on mental health issues, specifically symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. SES was assessed as a composite index, and then each indicator was evaluated separately. SSS was considered as a potential mediator using the MacArthur scale, which was converted to a five-point Likert scale. The analysis utilized a two-step SEM approach in STATA version 14.0 with maximum likelihood estimation. Results: The majority of participants in the study were female (60.65%), and the mean (±SD) age of the participants was 42.21±8.72 years. The analysis revealed that the composite SES index had a standardized indirect effect of -0.05 on mental health through SSS. SSS accounted for 27.78% of the association between the composite SES index and mental health among TUMS employees (27.27% in males and 22.23% in females). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that a lower SES may impact the development of mental health issues, indicating a relationship between SES and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Dissatisfaction and Protest of First-Year Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Related Factors: A Qualitative Study

Background: Physical and emotional stress during the residency period can have lasting negative effects on residents’ health as well as patient care. Such stress can cause emotional and psychological burnout, decreased physician productivity, impaired job performance, and poor social relationships. First-year residents have more burnout and stress due to many factors. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the protest of this group of residents. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with the participation of residents and professors of obstetrics and gynecology in one of the teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in spring of 2021. Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews and group discussions. The conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data. To ensure the accuracy of the qualitative data, the criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba were considered. Results: A total of 14 participants were interviewed and 16 people participated in focus group discussion sessions. From the text of the interviews, two themes were extracted. Participants’ experiences showed unbearable pressure, domination, and anonymity as stressors in first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents. Conclusion: The results showed that the main reason for the protest of the first-year residents was the wrong behavior of the second-year residents and the lack of supervision over these behaviors. Launching a kindness campaign was a suggested solution in this research that could help improve communication between residents and the educational atmosphere.

Prevalence of psychosis and its relationship with substance use disorder in patients with bipolar disorder in Iran

BackgroundThe correlation between psychosis and bipolar disorder is a crucial and complex matter that requires attention and study. In this study, researchers examined the relationship between the current episode status, substance use disorder, different types of substance use, and psychotic symptoms in inpatients with bipolar disorder. MethodsThe study included 150 patients who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). These patients were referred to the emergency department of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Iran between November 2019 and February 2020. The Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (SCID-5) questionnaire was used to diagnose the patient's bipolar disorder, including episodes of depression and mania, as well as their substance use disorder. The type of substance used and the pattern of its use were also evaluated using this questionnaire. Additionally, a faculty member of the psychiatry department at Tehran University of Medical Sciences carefully evaluated the patient's condition for the presence of psychotic symptoms using a psychiatric diagnostic interview. ResultsOut of 150 inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 89 (59.3 %) had comorbid substance use disorder. Among these 89 patients, 42 (47.2 %) had psychotic symptoms, whereas 79 (52.7 %) of the total 150 inpatients had psychotic symptoms. There was no significant relationship between substance use disorder (p-value=0.86), the type of substance used in a recent episode (p-value=0.93), and the current episode type (p-value=0.69) with psychotic symptoms. LimitationsThe study's generalizability is limited to hospital patients with bipolar disorder. Additionally, since it was a cross-sectional study, causal interpretation was not possible. ConclusionsThe study suggests a primary link between bipolar disorder and psychosis, independent of substance use. Longitudinal multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.

Migration pattern analysis of faculty members based on scientific disciplines: the case of the University of Tehran

Migration pattern analysis of faculty members based on scientific disciplines: the case of the University of Tehran

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MICE LIVER AND KIDNEY ON ORAL ACUTE TESTING OF WHITE RADISH TUBER LYOPHILISATE

Background and aim: Radish tuber (Raphanus sativus L.) is one of the plant species often consumed by society as a vegetable. Currently, its use is beginning to expand as a medicinal plant, including its use for diabetes, pharyngitis, sinusitis, cardiac fibrosis, diuretics, and bacterial infections. This study aims to determine the histopathology of the liver and kidney organs in male albino mice (Mus musculus) by testing the oral pungency of white radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Methods: This experimental study used 12 mice weighing 25–30 grams, divided into 4 treatment groups: Group 1 was administered aquadest, Group 2 received a dose of 400 mg, Group 3 received 800 mg, and Group 4 received 1600 mg of the medication. The treatment was carried out for 14 days, and then the mice were euthanized to see the histopathology of the hepatic and kidney tissues. Results: In the histopathology of the liver and kidney in treatment groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, the results were normal, mild, moderate, and severe damage, respectively. In kidney histopathology, there are signs of damaged tissue, such as bleeding, edema, and inflamation cells. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the higher the dose of white radish lyophilizate, the greater the potential to cause toxicity to the liver and kidney organs. Peer Review History: Received 3 December 2023; Revised 29 January 2024; Accepted 27 February; Available online 15 March 2024 Academic Editor: Prof. Dr. Gorkem Dulger, Duzce University, Turkey, gorkemdulger@yandex.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewers: Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com

URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HADHRAMOUT GOVERNORATE, YEMEN

Background: Urinary schistosomiasis is a potentially life-threatening public health issue in some areas of Yemen, particularly in Hadhramout rural communities. It is considered as one of the most common neglected tropical parasitic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and associated risk factors among school-age males and females in selected rural communities of Hadhramout, Yemen. Methods: A total of 450 students participated in this cross-sectional study. Urine samples were collected, then examined for haematuria and Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) eggs using urine dipsticks and filtration technique respectively. To assess knowledge and practices regarding the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis, a pre-tested questionnaire was employed. Results: An overall (66)14.7% of participants tested positive for S. haematobium, and of those, 54 (12.0%) developed haematuria with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). A total of 35(53.0% eggs/10 ml urine) had heavy intensity of infection, with a significant difference (p=0.001) between the different communities visited: high in Al-Dhulaya'a (18.2 eggs/10 ml urine) and low in Yabaith (6.1 eggs/10 ml urine). S. haematobium infection showed significantly higher (p=0.002) in males (13.8%) than females (0.9%), and increased with age of participants. Multivariate logistic analysis of risk factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis such as swimming activities (p=0.016), washing clothes (p=0.14), time spent in infested areas more than 15 minutes (p=0.012), habits of defecation/urination in open water sources (p=0.44), self-reported symptoms suggestive of the disease (p=0.03), participants with a history of illness (p=0.014), lack of awareness of schistosomiasis (p=0.050), and no prior treatment with praziquantel (p=0.001). Conclusions: Urinary schistosomiasis remains highly prevalent among schoolchildren in rural communities in Hadhramaut. The study highlights the urgent need to implement preventive measures, safe drinking water supply, proper sanitation, and vector control programs in order to reduce transmission and morbidity caused by schistosomiasis. Peer Review History: Received 3 December 2023; Revised 28 January 2024; Accepted 27 February; Available online 15 March 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Marwa A. A. Fayed, University of Sadat City, Egypt, maafayed@gmail.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewers: Dr. Owanaro Peter, Nigeria, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. owonaropeter@gmail.com Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com

The association between dietary total antioxidant capacity and hearing loss: results from the Tehran employees Cohort Study

BackgroundDespite numerous studies that have explored the association between individual antioxidants or specific combinations and the risk of hearing loss, there is lack of information regarding the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) and hearing loss. The conflicting results on this association further highlight the need for more research in this area. This study aims to investigate the association between overall dietary antioxidant intake and the risk of hearing loss among Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 3443 adult participants aged between 19 and 67 years (with an average age of 41.4 years ± 8.8) who were employed at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Participants underwent dietary assessment using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The hearing status of each participant was evaluated by a licensed audiologist in a soundproof room, using diagnostic audiometry that adhered to American National Standards specifications and followed standard audiometric clinical procedures. The dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) was calculated using the Ferric Reducing-Antioxidant Power (FRAP) values.Results43.6% of male participants had hearing loss, while 26.8% among female participants. After accounting for various confounding factors, no significant association was observed between higher levels of dTAC and reduced odds of hearing loss in the overall population. However, among men under the age of 40, higher levels of dTAC were associated with decreased odds of hearing loss, even after adjusting for several covariates (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.31–1.02, Ptrend = 0.02). This relationship was not evident in men over 40 years of age or among women.ConclusionThe study found an inverse relationship between higher antioxidant intake in the diet and lower odds of hearing loss, specifically among men who were 40 years old or younger. However, this relationship was not observed in the overall population or among women. Additional prospective studies are necessary to validate these results.

Overview, Trends, and Collaboration on Immunization, Vaccination, and Immunomodulation Therapies for Periodontitis: A Scientometric Study.

To identify patterns and trends in the field of immunization, vaccination, and immunomodulation therapies for periodontitis. Metadata were collected from the Scopus database on publications related to these topics from January 1986 to February 2024. Several types of papers were included in this study, a total of 22 publications. Data were extracted from relevant publications and loaded into SciVal for analysis that were used to identify trends and patterns in the data, including cross-country collaboration, thematic evolution, and keyword distribution. Mohsen Amin of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran and S. Aadil Ahamed and Annie Kitty George of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in India were found to be notable contributors in this field. India leads in terms of academic paper production, followed by Iran and China. The journals Expert Review of Vaccines and International Immunopharmacology have published significant papers in this field. According to Lotka's Law, most authors have written only one paper, reflecting the distribution of productivity in many academic and scientific fields. Collaborations were observed between Iran and Canada, Korea and New Zealand, and the United States and Belgium. This study provides useful insight into the predominant trends and patterns in the scientific literature in the field of immunization, vaccination, and immunomodulation therapies for periodontitis. The findings of this study may help to understand the dynamics of the production on immunization, vaccination, and immunomodulation therapies could reduce the inflammation and progression of periodontitis, thus improving the patient's oral and overall health. How to cite this article: Mauricio F, Mendoza R, Silva H, et al. Overview, Trends, and Collaboration on Immunization, Vaccination, and Immunomodulation Therapies for Periodontitis: A Scientometric Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):128-133.

Psychometric Properties of the Iranian Version of the Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale.

Objective: To understand the consequences of an invalidating environment, it is essential to have a measurement tool with appropriate statistical properties. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to render the ICES (Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale) into Persian and subsequently evaluate the psychometric attributes of this translated version. Method : Data were collected from 1221 nonclinical participants, including 1053 females and 168 males, who were students at medical universities in Tehran, Iran. Several questionnaires, such as the ICES, CTQ (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), DTS (Distress Tolerance Scale), BIS-11 (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), Self-Compassion Questionnaire, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and EAT-26 (Eating AttitudesTest) were used in the study. The data sets were investigated through SPSS and R language to evaluate the ICES' reliability and construct validity. Additionally, Item Response Theory (IRT) was employed with the Graded Response Model (GRM) to measure the psychometric properties of each item in terms of difficulty and discrimination parameters. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that both single-factor and two-factor models fit well for both maternal and paternal versions of the ICES. The internal consistency, as assessed by Cronbach's alpha, was high and satisfactory for both maternal (0.87) and paternal (0.87) versions. Notably, the IRT analysis revealed that item 9 performed poorly in both maternal and paternal versions. Compared to the one-factor model, the two-factor model demonstrated a superior fit. Additionally, the test-retest reliability of the ICES over two months demonstrated good reliability for both maternal and paternal versions (0.98). Divergent and convergent validity analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between childhood invalidation environment and distress tolerance (r = 0.175, P < 0.01) as well as self-compassion (r = 0.142, P < 0.01), which were inversely related to the ICES. Furthermore, there was a considerably positive correlation between the invalidating environment experienced during childhood and impulsivity, as evidenced by r = 0.196 and P < 0.01. Conclusion: This study established the favorable psychometric properties of the Persian version of the ICES, indicating that this version is reliable and valid to assess the Invalidating Childhood Environment in the Iranian population. However, further investigations are warranted to reevaluate its validity and reliability.

Characterization of research trends and prospects on hepatic echinococcosis over the past forty years: a bibliometric analysis.

The distribution of hepatic echinococcosis (HE) is extensive, significantly impacting public health and economic development. Therefore, analyzing global collaboration networks and tracking developmental trends over the past four decades are crucial. This study aimed to demonstrate collaboration in the field of HE and explore key topics and future directions. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using CiteSpace, Bibliometrix package of R, and VOSviewer software on HE-related studies from the Web of Science Core Collection published before August 1, 2023. This study identified 2,605 records published in 196 journals by 9,860 authors from 2,607 institutes in 90 countries. Publications significantly notably increased in 2021. Developing countries like Turkey and China made notable contributions, while developed countries like the USA had higher average citation rates. The largest nodes in every cluster of the collaboration network were Hacettepe University, Tehran University, Xinjiang Medical University, Salford University, and the University of Pavia, and the top-producing authors were Wen H, Vuitton DA, Gottstein B, and Craig PS. Keyword co-occurrence analysis suggested that surgical techniques and novel drugs targeting combined immune checkpoints are the main therapeutic approaches in the future. Although developing countries had significantly contributed to publications on HE, the citation rate for individual articles from developed countries was significantly higher. Additionally, advancements in surgical techniques and novel drugs targeting combined immune checkpoints may emerge as the next research focus and developmental direction.