Relationship between resilience and academic success in dental students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 2015-16

Background and Aim: Understanding the relationship of some personality traits such as resilience with academic and career success could be helpful. Therefore, this research aims to investigate such a relationship in dentistry students, one of the most stressful professions of medical sciences.Materials and Methods: A total of 185 dental students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participated in this cross-sectional non-experimental correlation study through convenience sampling. The Conner-Davidson  questionnaire was filled out to assess the resilience of students and theaverage score of the final test of basic science was considered as the criterion for measuring the academic success. Data analysis was carried out through logistic regression and chi-square test. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. The subject of study was explained to students, and they were includedin the study after accepting and obtaining oral satisfaction.Results: The relationship between resilience score with basic science score as a criterion for academic success showed a positive and direct correlation. The median of the resilience score was 62.27. The minimum and maximum resilience scores were 21 and 91, respectively. About 82.7% got a basic science score of > 120 (successful) and 12% got a basic science score of < 120 (not successful).Conclusion: The results of this study can be very useful for educational planners, especially in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The current curriculum of dentistry primarily focuses on profession competencies as a decisive factor in academic success, while some personality traits are directly related to academic success. Therefore, there is no doubt about the necessity of changing and refining educational programs towards the development of personality dimensions affecting the nature and professional conduct.Keywords: Resilience, Academic success, Dental student

Impact of educational intervention on high blood pressure-related knowledge, attitude and preventive behavior among women in Islamshahr City

Background and Aims: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke. Due to the increasing prevalence of hypertension and its serious complications, this study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on preventivebehavior of hypertension in school students’ mothers in Eslamshahr, Iran.Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, a total of 112 mothers of elementary school girls and boys were selected through a two-stage cluster sampling and were divided into two groups (n=56 per group). The lecture method of education was employed in the form of question and answer at the endof the lecture. A questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate subjects at three stages consisting of a pretest, a post-test immediately after education, and a post-test two months later. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. Results: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between test and control groups in terms of the mean knowledge and attitude score, before the intervention. Concerning the mean practice score, however, a little difference was observed. After education, by contrast, scores for all above mentioned variables were significantly increased in intervention group (P-value<0.001).Conclusions: The results revealed that the educational program on knowledge, attitudes and behavior to promote effective preventive behavior and to increase the knowledge and attitudes can promote the preventive behavior of hypertension.Keywords: Hypertension, Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, LectureFor downloading the full text please click her

Long-term exposure to low frequency electro-magnetic fields of 50- and 217-Hz leads to learning and memory deficits in mice

       Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation affects cellular and brain chemistry and function, resulting in deleterious effects such as free radicals formation, impaired DNA repair, reduced melatonin and blood brain barrier protection, and defects on learning and memory and other higher brain functions. In this paper the effects of low frequency EMF of 50- and 217 Hz, ranges often associated with common electronic devices such as televisions and cell phones were examined on learning and memory in adult male mice. Five groups (n=10 mice/group) of mice (1 control and 4 experimental) were initially trained for the passive avoidance (PA) test. They were then placed in devices creating EMF radiation with varying intensities (0.5 to 2 milli-Tesla, mT) and frequencies (50- and 217-Hz) for 2-weeks (16 hrs/day). Control mice received no radiation. Learning and memory was tested by the PA test and evaluated based on the following parameters: mean step through latency (STL), number of crossing (Cr#) and time in dark compartment (TDC). Results showed significant deficiencies in learning and memory in the EM-exposed mice compared to controls: mean STL decreased significantly (p<0.001) in the 50 Hz group (1 and 1.5 mT intensities).  In the 217 Hz group, STL also decreased in the 0.5 and 2 mT groups (p< 0.05).  There was a notable increase in mean Cr# for both groups and TDC for 50 Hz group. Results confirm that long-term exposure to EMF radiation of 50 and 217 Hz, imparts significant harmful changes on memory and learning, reiterating the need for preventive measures against such exposures

Comparing the effects of group discussion and lecture educational methods on preventive behaviors of high blood pressure in Eslamshahr women

Introduction: Nowadays, high blood pressure is a major risky factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney diseases and education is one of the effective factors that reduces high blood pressure. This study was designed and conducted to compare the effects of group discussion and lecture methods on preventive behaviors of high blood pressure in Eslamshahr school stu­dents’ mothers. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, a two-stage cluster sampling was conducted and 168 students were selected. Then, these students were divided into three groups of 56 members each. In addition, their mothers were invited to participate in the study. Samples into three groups (two case groups and a control group) were divided into three stages and with a questionnaire which consists of demographic information questions and questions related to knowledge, attitude, behavior developed by the researcher, were evaluated. provide educational content, lectures and group discussion methods were to used. Data collected using software SPSS-21 and ANOVA, chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results: The test showed significant differences between the two methods in the confidence level of 0.95, so that the ratings of knowledge and attitudes and preventive behaviors were higher in grou discussion (p<0.001). These results suggest that education in group discussion in comparison with lecture method is more effective and encouraging. Conclusion: The results showed that the group discussion method is more effective than lecture is. therefore recommended to pay more attention to high blood pressure in mothers, in this educational method, especially in the education of preventive behaviors. &nbsp

Assessment of an educational intervention effectiveness on promoting menstrual knowledge and related health behaviors in female high school students in Khamir city in 2015-2016

Background and Aims: Puberty is a period of psychological, physical, mental, emotional and social growth in which the development of personality takes place. This study was aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention on promoting the Knowledge and Menstrual Health Behaviors in female high school students at their first grade in Khamir city in 2015-2016.Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study, along with a control group, was conducted  in female high school students in Khamir city. Totally, 120 eligible teen girls were involved in our study. The questionnaire consisted of three part: demographic information, awareness and health behaviors concerning puberty. The questionnaire was completed before and two months after the intervention. Thecontents of training was presented through lecture, group discussion with teaching aids such as booklets.Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for data analysis by SPSS22 Software. Ethical issues such as confidentiality of studied community were all considered.Results: It was found that the mean of Knowledge score increased from 11.81±2.60 to 17.48±2.18 after the educational intervention. Similarly, the mean of behavior score increased from 19.93±2.68 to 25.26±3.53 in the intervention group as compared with the control. Both findings were statistically significant (P<0/001).Conclusion: Health education played a statistically significant role in promoting the awareness and improving the behavior of students about their adolescent health. Thus, pubertal health education during menstruation should be emphasized to reform the health behaviors of girls during adolescence.Keywords: Health education, Knowledge, Behavior, Menstrual health, Female students, Khamir cit

Introduction to Competing Risk Model in the Epidemiological Research

Background and aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health challenge worldwide, with adverse consequences of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and premature death. The CKD leads to the end-stage of renal disease (ESRD) if late/not diagnosed. Competing risk modeling is a major issue in epidemiology research. In epidemiological study, sometimes, inappropriate methods (i.e. Kaplan-Meier method) have been used to estimate probabilities for an event of interest in the presence of competing risks. In these situations, competing risk analysis is preferred to other models in survival analysis studies. The purpose of this study was to describe the bias resulting from the use of standard survival analysis to estimate the survival of a patient with ESRD and to provide alternate statistical methods considering the competing risk. Methods: In this retrospective study, 359 patients referred to the hemodialysis department of Shahid Ayatollah Ashrafi Esfahani hospital in Tehran, and underwent continuous hemodialysis for at least three months. Data were collected through patient’s medical history contained in the records (during 2011-2017). To evaluate the effects of research factors on the outcome, cause-specific hazard model and competing risk models were fitted. The data were analyzed using Stata (a general-purpose statistical software package) software, version 14 and SPSS software, version 21, through descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 3.12 years and mean age at ESRD diagnosis was 66.47 years old. Each year increase in age was associated with a 98% increase in hazard of death. In this study, statistical analysis based on the competing risk model showed that age, age of diagnosis, level of education (under diploma), and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.98, P < 0.001, HR = 0.99, P < 0.001, HR = 2.66, P = 0.008, and HR = 0.98, P < 0.020, respectively). Conclusion: In analysis of competing risk data, it was found that providing both the results of the event of interest and those of competing risks were of importance. The Cox model, which ignored the competing risks, presented the different estimates and results as compared to the proportional sub-distribution hazards model. Thus, it was revealed that in the analysis of competing risks data, the sub-distribution proportion hazards model was more appropriate than the Cox model

Relationship between β-globin gene mutations and blood factors in Beta- Thalassemia carriers

Background: Iran, located in Eastern Mediterranean region, is one of the noteworthy centers for the prevalence of Beta-Thalassemia genetic disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Beta-globin gene mutations and blood factors in the carriers of Beta-Thalassemia. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between beta-globin gene mutations and the average volume of red blood cells in Beta-Thalassemia carriers referred to the health network. The study was conducted in Pakdasht and Varamin from 1997 to 2013. Ethical issues such as confidentiality of studied community were all considered. Results: In the present study, the relationship between some blood parameters of red blood cells, such as the mean volume of red blood cells (MCV), and the type of mutation in the beta-globin was analyzed. MCV was statistically related to the type of mutation (p=0.05). The mean and standard deviation values of MCV were 62.1 and 3.9, respectively.Conclusion: The amount of MCV can be used as a guide for quick access to genetic mutations in Beta-Thalassemia carrier couples referred to Genetic centers before and during the pregnancy. Keywords: Thalassemia, Genetic disease, Mutation, Blood factors, Iran Iran, located in Eastern Mediterranean region, is one of the noteworthy centers for the prevalence of Beta-Thalassemia genetic disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Beta-globin gene mutations and blood factors in the carriers of Beta-Thalassemia.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between beta-globin gene mutations and the average volume of red blood cells in Beta-Thalassemia carriers referred to the health network. The study was conducted in Pakdasht and Varamin from 1997 to 2013. Ethical issues such as confidentiality of studied community were all considered.Results: In the present study, the relationship between some blood parameters of red blood cells, such as the mean volume of red blood cells (MCV), and the type of mutation in the beta-globin was analyzed. MCV was statistically related to the type of mutation (p=0.05). The mean and standard deviation values of MCV were 62.1 and 3.9, respectively.Conclusion: The amount of MCV can be used as a guide for quick access to genetic mutations in Beta-Thalassemia carrier couples referred to Genetic centers before and during the pregnancy.Keywords: Thalassemia, Genetic disease, Mutation, Blood factors, Ira

The Effect of Noise Exposure on Cognitive Performance and Brain Activity Patterns

Background: It seems qualitative measurements of subjective reactions are not appropriate indicators to assess the effect of noise on cognitive performance. In this study, quantitative and combined indicators were applied to study the effect of noise on cognitive performance. Materials and Methods: A total of 54 young subjects were included in this experimental study. The participants’ mental work load and attention were evaluated under different levels of noise exposure including, background noise, 75, 85 and 95 dBA noise levels. The study subject’s EEG signals were recorded for 10 minutes while they were performing the IVA test. The EEG signals were used to estimate the relative power of their brain frequency bands. Results: Results revealed that mental work load and visual/auditory attention is significantly reduced when the participants are exposed to noise at 95 dBA level (P&lt;0.05). Results also showed that with the rise in noise levels, the relative power of the Alpha band increases while the relative power of the Beta band decreases as compared to background noise. The most prominent change in the relative power of the Alpha and Beta bands occurs in the occipital and frontal regions of the brain respectively. Conclusions: The application of new indicators including brain signal analysis and power spectral density analysis is strongly recommended in the assessment of cognitive performance during noise exposure. Further studies are suggested regarding the effects of other psychoacoustic parameters such as tonality, noise pitch (treble or bass) at extended exposure levels

رابطه تاب آوری با موفقیت تحصیلی در دانشجویان دانشکده دندانپزشکی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهید بهشتی 95-1394

Background and Aim: Understanding the relationship of some personality traits such as resilience with academic and career success could be helpful. Therefore, this research aims to investigate such a relationship in dentistry students, one of the most stressful professions of medical sciences.Materials and Methods: A total of 185 dental students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participated in this cross-sectional non-experimental correlation study through convenience sampling. The Conner-Davidson&nbsp; questionnaire was filled out to assess the resilience of students and theaverage score of the final test of basic science was considered as the criterion for measuring the academic success. Data analysis was carried out through logistic regression and chi-square test. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. The subject of study was explained to students, and they were includedin the study after accepting and obtaining oral satisfaction.Results:&nbsp;The relationship between resilience score with basic science score as a criterion for academic success showed a positive and direct correlation. The median of the resilience score was 62.27. The minimum and maximum resilience scores were 21 and 91, respectively. About 82.7% got a basic science score of &gt; 120 (successful) and 12% got a basic science score of &lt; 120 (not successful).Conclusion:&nbsp;The results of this study can be very useful for educational planners, especially in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The current curriculum of dentistry primarily focuses on profession competencies as a decisive factor in academic success, while some personality traits are directly related to academic success. Therefore, there is no doubt about the necessity of changing and refining educational programs towards the development of personality dimensions affecting the nature and professional conduct.زمینه و اهداف: شناخت ارتباط برخی ویژگیها از جمله تاب آوری، با موفقیت تحصیلی کمک کننده است. لذا این پژوهش با هدف بررسی ارتباط بین تاب آوری و موفقیت تحصیلی در دانشجویان دندانپزشکی ترتیب داده شد مواد و روشها: این مطالعه همبستگی از نوع مقطعی بود که تعداد 185 نفر از دانشجوان دندانپزشکی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهید بهشتی به ي روش نمونه گیری آسان، در آن شرکت داشتند. ابزار تاب آوری، پرسشنامه کونور&nbsp; دیویدسون و ملاک اندازه گیری موفقیت تحصیلی معدل نمره آزمون علوم پایه بود. تحلیل دادهها با استفاده از آزمون کای دو و رگرسیون لجستیک انجام شد. برای رعایت کامل اخلاق در پژوهش، برای دانشجویان، موضوع تحقیق توضیح داده شد و بعد از گرفتن رضایت شفاهی، در مطالعه شرکت داده شدند. &nbsp;یافتهها: بین نمره تاب آوری با نمره علوم پاه به عنوان ملاک موفقیت تحصیلی ارتباط مثبت و مستقیم معنی دار مشاهده شد. میانگین نمره يتاب آوری 62/27بود. حداقل نمره تاب آوری 21 و حداکثر نمره تاب آوری 91 تعیین شد. 82/7 درصد دارای نمره علوم پایه بیشتر از 120 موفق و 12/4درصد دارای نمره علوم پایه کمتر از 120 غیرموفق بودند. نتیجه گیری: نتایج این مطالعه برای برنامهریزان آموزشی، بسیار مفید است. در برنامه فعلی آموزشی دندانپزشکی تاکید بیشتر بر صلاحیت های حرفهای به عنوان عامل موفقیت تحصیلی است، در حالی که برخی خصوصیات شخصیتی فردی هم با موفقیت تحصیلی مستقیما در ارتباط هستند. لذا بر لزوم تغییر و اصلاح برنامه های آموزشی به سمت پرورش ابعاد شخصیتی موثر بر منش و رفتار حرفهای تاکید میشود &nbsp