Assessing Students’ Satisfaction Regarding the Use of Virtual Learning at Larestan University of Medical Sciences

Background: Given the dramatic expansion of e-learning in the world and also its increasing use in Iranian universities and considering the fundamental role of students in educational systems, it is necessary to further study the structure of their knowledge and attitude in using e-learning method. The present study was designed to determine the level of satisfaction with virtual education among the students of Larestan University of Medical Sciences in 2021.Methods: The present study is a survey conducted in 2021 on students at Larestan University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was 132 people. Available (convenient) sampling method was used for sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire (Content Validity Ratio=0.99, Cronbach’s alpha reliability=0.82) was used to collect data on the students’ satisfaction with virtual learning. SPSS software version 25 and independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.Results: Out of 132 students participating in the present study, 88 (67.70%) were girls. The only correlation was between the students’ semester and the total satisfaction score, where the higher the student’s semester, the lower their satisfaction was (P=0.002). The overall mean score of satisfaction with virtual learning was 3.02±0.84.Conclusion: In general, due to the significant expansion of virtual education around the world, despite the short life of those efforts to improve the facilities and infrastructure of hardware and network ,paying attention to the diversity and appeal of training using diverse solutions, providing appropriate content based on the results of needs assessments, and more interactions between professors and students can lead to the development of this type of education and maximize student satisfaction

The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that menopause can be associated with a variety of negative psychological changes such as depression and anxiety, and improving the mental health status of women during menopause is one of the important priorities and challenges of the health system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L., Iridaceae) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women. Methods In this randomized clinical trial which was conducted in 2021, 72 postmenopausal women were enrolled and divided into intervention and control groups. The randomization blocks method was used for random allocation, and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the scores. The intervention included the use of 30 mg of dried stigmas of the saffron plant, which was boiled once (in the morning, in 300 ml of boiling water for 10–15 min) and consumed with white rock candy as one cup of saffron tea daily. To compare the trend of changes and after removing the effect of other variables, generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used. Results There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in any of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics (p > 0.05). The results of paired samples t-test showed that the happiness mean score in the intervention group increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 42.93 ± 8.54 to 61.58 ± 8.24, while in the control group, there was no significant difference between the happiness mean score at the beginning and end of the study (p = 0.861). Also, after applying the treatment program in the intervention group, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the happiness mean scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion Saffron herbal tea had a positive effect on reducing depression and increasing the happiness score; thus, it is recommended that it should be used as a complementary treatment in consultation with the treating physician. Trial registration The present study was registered with the code of IRCT20210403050818N1 (Registration date: 09/04/2021) in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. It was also approved by the Ethics Committee of Larestan University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID: IR.LARUMS.REC.1399.017)

Prevalence and risk factors of Low Birth Weight in Fars province, south of Iran, 2014

Background/Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and its risk factors in Fars province, south of Iran, 2014. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected data of 3,600 neonates through multi-stage random sampling. At first, we divided the hospitals into two strata, private and public. Then by stratified random sampling, we selected the neonates from delivery list in each hospital. In univariate analysis, the variables in which the p-value was less than 0.2 were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis model for adjusting. Two-sided p values <0.05 were statistically considered significant. Result: The prevalence of low birth weight in Fars province was 8.7% (95% CI: 7.8% - 9.7%). In term birth, factors such as mother’s age > 35 years, multiple birth and duration < 24 months with previous pregnancy were risk factors of low birth weight (P <0 .05) and just the father’s literacy was a protective factor for low birth weight. Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight in Fars province was low in comparison to that of the world and other districts of Iran. But we should plan for reduction of low birth weight to achieve world health organization’s goal. Variables of pregnancy interval of less than 2 years, multiple births, mother’s age over 35 years and father’s level of education could predict low birth weight of the neonates

The incidence of testicular cancer in Iran from 1996 to 2017: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Testicular cancer (TC), although it is one of the most unusual cancers, seems to be increasing. There is no accurate information on the incidence of this cancer in Iran. The present study is conducted to evaluate the incidence rates of TC in Iran. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on all published studies of TC incidence using Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar and four Iranian databases (Scientific Information Database, MagIran, IranMedex and IranDoc) until June 2018. This systematic review was done according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Result: The database searching yielded 132 potentially relevant studies. A total of 11 studies were included in the study. The results of the random-effects model were demonstrated that the age-standardised rate (ASR) of TC was 1.13, 95% confidence interval (0.97–1.29) among Iranian males. Conclusion: ASR for TC in Iran is lower than the world average; however, it has a higher incidence than other Asian countries

The effectiveness of walking exercise on the bowel preparation before colonoscopy: a single blind randomized clinical trial study

Abstract Background and Aim Bowel preparation is a crucial factor affecting the diagnostic accuracy of colonoscopy, and few randomized control trials evaluated enhancement in bowel preparation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of walking exercises on bowel preparation before a colonoscopy procedure. Methods The present study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 262 patients scheduled for colonoscopy procedures. These patients were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (n = 131) and a control group (n = 131). In the intervention group, participants followed a predetermined plan that included the consumption of specific liquids and foods, bisacodyl pills, polyethylene glycol powder, and a regimen of walking exercises in preparation for their colonoscopy. Conversely, individuals in the control group followed the same regimen but were not instructed to engage in walking exercises. On the day of the colonoscopy, both groups were assessed for their level of physical activity using a foot counter. Additionally, an experienced gastroenterologist evaluated and compared the bowel preparation between the two groups using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Results The number of footsteps recorded in the two groups exhibited a significant difference (P < 0.001). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of mean BBPS scores (6.26 ± 1.9 vs. 6.29 ± 1.9, P = 0.416), individuals who took more than 6900 steps had significantly higher BBPS scores compared to those with fewer than 6900 footsteps (6.62 ± 1.8 vs. 5.92 ± 1.9, P = 0.003).In the univariate analysis, BBPS was found to be significantly associated with individuals under the age of 50 (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.30–4.61, P = 0.006) and smoking status (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.94, P = 0.043). In the multivariate analysis, the relationship between BBPS and age below 50 and smoking remained significant (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.30–4.70, P = 0.005, and OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16–0.93, P = 0.034, respectively). Conclusion A higher number of footsteps taken especially more than 6900 can significantly enhance bowel preparation; however, walking exercise as an intervention before colonoscopy is not significantly associated with BBPS. Also, older people and smokers seem to have fewer benefits from walking exercises for bowel preparation. Trial registration ISRCTN32724024 (Registration date:22/08/2018)

Comparison between Management and Pharmacotherapy of COVID-19 in Iran and Switzerland: Management and Pharmacotherapy of COVID-19 in Iran and Switzerland

Background: On 30 January 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 as a public healthemergency. In the present study, we compared the preventative and therapeutic strategies and the success rates of Iran and Switzerland during the COVID-19 outbreak.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, andWeb of Science. In addition, the official documents of developed countries and WHO from 1st February until 15th May 2020 were studied. Relevant documents were reviewed in detail, and vital data were extracted.Results: Both countries have restriction policies to reduce the infection rate in the prevention setting. Thesepolicies, such as the recommendation to all citizens to stay home unless necessary, army participation, andnon-face-to-face counseling, were surveyed by similar techniques in both countries. Some policies wereimplemented in both countries with different protocols. These policies, including social distancing practices,smart distancing methods, business activities, border closures, border controls, and restrictions, travelrestrictions, testing and screening for infection and fever, and decreased working hours, were performed inboth countries. In the treatment setting, the therapeutic strategy used in Iran consisted of hydroxychloroquineor chloroquine phosphate and anti-viral drugs. Switzerland followed the guidelines of the European countries.The infection rate, recovery rate, and death rate were 0.139%, 78.73%, and 5.91% in Iran, while these rateswere 0.352%, 88.81%, and 6.15% in Switzerland, respectively.Conclusion: Due to the lack of special treatment for the disease, prevention must be considered the mostimportant factor in policymaking. Importantly, observing social distance is the most effective method amongthe preventative strategies. The capacity of the health care systems to provide optimal services and facilities isan important factor for patients recovery

Clinical perspective: Antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising class of cancer biopharmaceuticals that exploit the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to selectively deliver highly cytotoxic small molecules to targeted cancer cells, leading to an enhanced therapeutic index through increased antitumor activity and decreased off-target toxicity. ADCs hold great promise for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer after the approval and tremendous success of trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan, representing a turning point in both HER2-positive breast cancer treatment and ADC technology. Additionally and importantly, a total of 29 ADC candidates are now being investigated in different stages of clinical development for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. The purpose of this review is to provide an insight into the ADC field in cancer treatment and present a comprehensive overview of ADCs approved or under clinical investigation for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer