Comparing the long-term retention of a physiology course for medical students with the traditional and problem-based learning

The rapid improvements in medical sciences and the ever-increasing related data, however, require novel methods of instruction. One such method, which has been given less than due attention in Iran, is problem-based learning (PBL). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of study skills and the PBL methods on short and long-term retention of information provided for medical students in the course of respiratory physiology and compare it with traditional learning method. In this study, 39 medical students from Medical School of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (2006–2010) were enrolled in the study and allocated randomly in three equal groups (13 in each group). All groups underwent a pre-test to be assessed for their basic information regarding respiratory physiology. Two groups were instructed using the traditional method, and one group used PBL. Among the two groups of the traditional method, one was instructed about study skills and the other was not. Once the PBL group took the study skill workshop, they were aided by tutors for their education. In the final term test, those students who had learned study skills and were instructed with the traditional method scored higher compared to other groups (p\0.05). However, in the 1 year (p\0.05) and 4 year (p\0.01) interval examinations, the PBL group achieved significantly higher scores. Despite the fact that PBL had no positive effect on the final term exam of our students, it yielded a more profound and retained understanding of the subject course. Moreover, considering the positive effect of study skills on long-term student scores, we recommend students to receive instructions regarding the appropriate study skills when initiated into universities

Multiplex quantitative PCR for single-reaction genetically modified (GM) plant detection and identification of false-positive GM plants linked to Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) infection.

BACKGROUND:Most genetically modified (GM) plants contain a promoter, P35S, from the plant virus, Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), and many have a terminator, TNOS, derived from the bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Assays designed to detect GM plants often target the P35S and/or TNOS DNA sequences. However, because the P35S promoter is derived from CaMV, these detection assays can yield false-positives from non-GM plants infected by this naturally-occurring virus. RESULTS:Here we report the development of an assay designed to distinguish CaMV-infected plants from GM plants in a single multiplexed quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction. Following initial testing and optimization via PCR and singleplex-to-multiplex qPCR on both plasmid and plant DNA, TaqMan qPCR probes with different fluorescence wavelengths were designed to target actin (a positive-control plant gene), P35S, P3 (a CaMV-specific gene), and TNOS. We tested the specificity of our quadruplex qPCR assay using different DNA extracts from organic watercress and both organic and GM canola, all with and without CaMV infection, and by using commercial and industrial samples. The limit of detection (LOD) of each target was determined to be 1% for actin, 0.001% for P35S, and 0.01% for both P3 and TNOS. CONCLUSIONS:This assay was able to distinguish CaMV-infected plants from GM plants in a single multiplexed qPCR reaction for all samples tested in this study, suggesting that this protocol is broadly applicable and readily transferrable to any interested parties with a qPCR platform

Effective Strategies for Controlling Common Symptoms of Respiratory Diseases with Emphasis on COVID-19 from the Perspective of Persian Medicine: Narrative Review

Background and Aim: COVID-19 is a new respiratory disease caused by SARS-Co-2. In 81 of patients, the symptoms are mild and improve at home, and treatment includes supportive care. One of the supportive care may be using the recommendations of Persian medicine. Methods: In this study, the topics of pneumonia, salivation, shortness of breath, as well as colds and flu in Persian medical textbooks and search engines Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science were examined. Results: In general, in all diseases, including respiratory diseases, one of the important points in maintaining health and treatment in Persian medicine is to pay attention to diet and eliminate constipation, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and recurrent colds to prevent their complications and also strengthen important organs include the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, stomach and lungs. In the early stages of the disease, the patient should reduce the volume and number of meals and avoid concentrated meats such as beef and veal at night. Conclusion: Strengthening the organs with proper nutrition and taking advantage of the strengthening properties of plants helps to reduce the risk of people suffering from diseases and improve faster and less complication. These lifestyle instructions, along with strictly personal and social health recommendations, are helpful in preventing the acute respiratory illness. © 2020 Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Effects of lavender and Citrus aurantium on pain of conscious intensive care unit patients: A parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background: Conscious patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) suffer from pain for various reasons, which can affect their recovery process. Objective: The present study compared the effects of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium and lavender essential oils against placebo for reducing pain in conscious intensive care patients. Design, setting, participants and interventions: This study was a parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial. The ICUs of two educational hospitals in Kerman in Southeastern Iran were the study setting. One hundred and fifty conscious intensive care patients were randomly divided into three groups using a stratified block randomization method. Two groups received aromatherapy with essential oils: one with lavender and the other with C. aurantium; these patients received a 30-minute therapy session using their assigned essential oil on the second day of their intensive care stay. The placebo group used 5 drops of normal saline instead of essential oil during their session. Main outcome measures: Patient's pain was assessed using a visual analog scale before the aromatherapy intervention, as well as immediately after and one and three hours after intervention. Results: The mean pain score of the lavender group was 40.01 before the aromatherapy intervention and fell to 39.40, 30.60 and 23.68 immediately after the intervention, and at hour one and three post-intervention, respectively. The mean pain score of the C. aurantium group was 45.48 before the intervention and was reduced to 32.34 at three hours after the intervention. The mean pain of the placebo group decreased from 42.80 before the intervention to 35.20 at three hours after the intervention. Pain scores of all groups decreased during the study (P < 0.001). The mean pain of the lavender group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group at three hours after the intervention. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil reduced pain in conscious ICU patients. Our data could not justify the use of C. aurantium for reducing pain in this population. Trial registration: No. IRCT20170116031972N9 (https://en.irct.ir/trial/40827). © 2021 Shanghai Changhai Hospita

Herbal medicine Davaie Loban in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: A 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: In traditional texts on herbal medicines, various medicinal plants have been noted to have beneficial effects on dementia and Alzheimer's disease. According to the traditional books Herbal medicine Davaie Loban (DL) has beneficial effects in Alzheimer's disease. The study aim was to determine the clinical efficacy of DL in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN: Double blind randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. INTERVENTIONS: This included patients older than 50 years with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease according to ADAS-cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale; ADAS≥12) and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB; CDR≤2). Twenty-four patients completed the study in DL group and 20 in placebo group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ADAS-cog and CDR-SOB were filled out for patients to define the improvement in memory over the study period. RESULTS: At 4 weeks and 12 weeks there was significant difference in mean (SEM) ADAS-cog scores between DL and placebo groups and it was lower in DL group (p<0.001). At baseline, no significant difference was seen regarding mean (SEM) scores of CDR-SOB between DL and placebo groups (p=0.096). However, at 4 and 12 weeks there was significant difference in mean (SE) CDR-SOB scores between DL and placebo groups and it was lower in DL group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DL may be effective in improvement of memory in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease