Influenza: A Unique Disease

Dear Editor-in-Chief, Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus (1). Symptoms can be mild to severe (2). The most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, sneezing, and feeling tired (1). Three of the four types of influenza viruses affect people, Type A, Type B, and Type C (3, 4). Type D has not been known to infect people, but is believed to have the potential to do so (4, 5). Usually, the virus is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes (1). Influenza spreads around the world in yearly outbreaks, resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths (1). About 20% of unvaccinated children, and 10% of unvaccinated adults are infected each year (6). In the northern and southern parts of the world, outbreaks occur mainly in the winter, while around the Equator, outbreaks may occur at any time of the year (1). Death occurs mostly in the young, the old, and those with other health problems (1). Larger outbreaks known as pandemics are less frequent (3). In the 20th century, three influenza pandemics occurred: Spanish influenzain 1918 (~50 million deaths), Asian influenza in 1957 (two million deaths), and Hong Kong influenza in 1968 (one million deaths) (7). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of a new type of influenza A (H1N1) to be a pandemic in June 2009 (8)

Curriculum Development in Pediatric Education: A Systematic Review ‏

Training of Pediatric residents is a dynamic process which should be changed as the nature and epidemiology of pediatric diseases change. We aimed to determine the educational needs of Pediatric residents. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review after choosing appropriate keywords and their combinations,, an extensive search was done in databases of Medline, EMBASE, ProQuest and Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL as well as Persian databases, such as Magiran, Medlib, and SID, using equivalent keywords in Persian, to find related articles to Pediatric education, until October 2018. The full text of the articles was studied by two reviewer and their main findings were extracted and categorized. Quality of studies was evaluated using STROBE statement. Results: Data from nine studies were entered in this study. According to the findings, the necessity of changing Pediatric resident curriculum seems to be necessary in accordance with the conditions of the community. So, subspecialties for Pediatric resident training should be considered; these items include: cardiology, development, hematology and oncology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, respirology, palliative care of neurology, emergency, neonatology, gastroenterology, nephrology, gynecology, child psychiatry, behavioral psychology, surgical specialties, orthopedics and adolescents, dermatology, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology.Conclusion: Pediatric residents need sufficient, specific training to enable them to competently investigate and manage of children complaints. So, Pediatric resident curriculum should be developed to be in according to Pediatric educational needs, and also to support the learner’s personal development by contributing to enhancing their self-respect and confidence, motivation and aspirations

Psychotherapy for Depression and Anxiety in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There are several therapeutic methods for the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Although psychotherapy has been introduced for women with PMS, no regular reconsiderations of these treatments are available. Aim of the present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of psychotherapy interventions on the PMS. Materials and Methods:  The present systematic review and meta- analysis was conducted no restriction in date of publication until 13th March 2018 on electronic international databases of Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library as well as Iranian databases, such as Magiran, Medlib, and SID, using equivalent keywords in Persian. The quality of studies and data extraction was assessed by two authors. The standardized mean difference (SMD) measure was applied to calculate the main effect size. Results: Seven trials were included in systematic review. Depression level [SMD =-0.978;

Investigating the Determinants of Physical Activity in Students in Order to Prevent Diabetes based on Planned Behavior Theory

Background and objective: diabetes is the most common endocrine glands disease. Among the factors contributing to increased incidence of diabetes in adolescents is lack of physical activity. Various studies indicate prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in children and adolescents. Therefore, in this research the factors affecting performing physical activity have been examined with the aim of preventing diabetes using the planned behavior theory in girl students in Mashhad in 2018.Method: in this cross-sectional study, 185 girl students were chosen through random multistage sampling method. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of four sections including demographics, awareness about diabetes, the constructs of planned behavior theory about physical activity, and international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Data analysis was performed with the help of SPSS 16, through Pearson correlation coefficient and generalized linear model (GLM).Results: the mean age of the students was 11.51±0.76 years. The mean scores of different components were as follows: awareness (4.85±1.49), attitude (35.84±3.56), mental norms (21.96±4.53), controlling perceived behavior (15.02±2.65), and behavioral intention (15.21±2.50). There was a significant relationship between the intention of performing physical activity and attitude (

Effect of peppermint on pediatrics’ pain under endoscopic examination of the large bowel

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a painful and invasive technique for patients especially for pediatrics. Peppermint has analgesic effect. Therefore, we wish to look at the effect of peppermint essence on the patients&rsquo; satisfaction and pain after colonoscopy. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 100 patient&rsquo;s candidate for colonoscopy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group received no drug. Case group was administrated supermint essence thirty minutes before colonoscopy. A valid questionnaire was filled during the colonoscopy for patient&rsquo;s satisfaction and pain evaluation. Results: The mean value of abdominal pain was 0.527&plusmn;2.500 in control group and 1.625&plusmn;0.491 in case group after treatment (p&lt;0.05). Degree of satisfaction was 8 and 17.6 percent in control and case groups, respectively. Mean value of satisfaction in control group was 1.833&plusmn;0.389 that was significantly different from case group (2.607&plusmn;0.566) (p&lt;0.05). Duration of colonoscopy in control group was significantly higher than the one in case group (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our findings showed that peppermint essence causes an increasing in satisfaction as well as a reduction in pain in patients under the colonoscopy.</p

Evaluating and Comparing the Views of Teachers and Students about the Criteria of a Good Professor at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: The main goal of university includes educating specialists needed for society, promotion and development of the knowledge, developing research, and providing the background for society development. Undoubtedly, professor is one of the main and effective factors in high education quality, and training specialist workers requires strong faculty members that are experienced and skilled in various educational courses. We decided to utilize two, professor and student, groups opinions about the indices of a good university teacher. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional research, 240 professors and 899 students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected by hierarchical and simple random sampling methods. The data were gathered by a researcher-made valid and reliable questionnaire. Results: Teachers Characteristics for a good professor were respectively: Scholarships, communication skills, teaching skills, evaluation skills, and Physical characteristics and appearance of the teachers. Students Characteristics for a good professor, were respectively: communication skills, Scholarships, teaching skills, evaluation skills then Physical characteristics and appearance of the teachers. In the professors, ANOVA test showed there was a significant relationship between the work experience, rank and social field study of teachers and Priority communication skills, scholarship, teaching methods, evaluation and faculty characteristics (p <0.05). In the students, ANOVA test showed there was a significant relationship between major and semester students and Priority communication skills, scholarship and faculty characteristics(p<0.05(. Conclusion: The comparability between two groups in teaching and evaluation domains indicates that there is a good relationship between them; though, this mutual relationship can facilitate learning, then increase students’ consent, and finally increscent educational quality. On the other hand. Giving high priority to professors’ personal characteristics and relationship skills by students shows that, students put more importance on mutual relationship as an educational background. Keywords Professor Students Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Iran Index Good professo

Assessment of Maternal Satisfaction with the Quality of Obstetric Care Provided in the Maternity Unit of Mobini Hospital, Sabzevar, Iran

Background: Mothers and infants are considered as two vulnerable groups. Most problems occur during and immediately after delivery, which, if not addressed promptly, lead to death of mother, baby, or both. Maternal emotional support and midwifery care is one of non-pharmacologic methods of pain management during labor and delivery. Since the quality of midwifery care has an effective role in mothers' satisfaction with midwife's performance, this study was conducted to assess the quality of mothers' satisfaction with midwifery care. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 400 mothers admitted to the postpartum ward of Shahid Mobini Brothers Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, were evaluated by simple convenience sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire entitled "Satisfaction with quality of midwifery care in labor and delivery room", and was confirmed by content validity method and reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.92). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0. Results: The average age of mothers was 25.88 ± 5.70 years old. The mean maternal satisfaction was 104.72 ± 0.76. In satisfaction category, 1% were dissatisfied, 17.3% had moderate satisfaction, and 81.7% had high level of satisfaction. There was a significant relationship between the variables affecting the level of satisfaction including education, age, and number of maternal deliveries with satisfaction (

Assessment of the Blood Lead Level in Children with Unexplained Failure to Thrive (FTT) admitted to Pediatrics Emergency Ward of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran

BackgroundLead is a strong and stable toxin, harmful especially to children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Nearly 27% of children aged under 5 years suffer from failure to thrive (FTT). Due to the probable harmful effects of lead poisoning on children’s growth, in this study we aimed to assess the blood lead level in children with unexplained failure to thrive.MethodsThis analytic cross-sectional study was performed on 200 children under 2 years of age who were referred to Ghaem hospital, a referral hospital in Mashhad city-Iran. The participants were divided into two equal groups, one with unexplained FTT (group A), and children with normal weight (group B). Baseline characteristics were obtained by a research-made questionnaire. Blood samples were taken by the hospital nurses who were blind to the study groups. Blood lead level was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method (Perkin Elmer 3030). ResultsThe mean ± standard deviation (SD) of blood lead level in FTT group and control group were 7.3±3.32 µg/dL and 6.37±5.93 µg/dL, respectively. Blood lead level was significantly higher in FTT group than control group (P=0.001). Baseline Charactistics (such as hgender, parental educational level, gestational age, and socio-economic status of the family) were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe results of our study revealed that blood lead level was higher in children with FTT. So Lead poisoning may be a potential cause of unexplained FTT. So, measuring blood lead level can be useful in diagnostic workup of patients with FTT

Under-five Mortality in the World (1900-2015)

5.9 million children under age five died in 2015, 16 000 every day. Globally, under-five mortality rate has decreased by 53%, from an estimated rate of 91 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 43 deaths per 1000 live births in 2015. The average annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality has accelerated from 1.8%  a year over the period 1990–2000 to 3.9%  for 2000–2015 , but remains insufficient to reach MDG- 4. About 19 000 fewer children died every day in 2015 than in 1990, the baseline year for measuring progress. The biggest challenge remains in the period at or around birth. A massive 45% of under-five deaths occur in the neonatal period – the first 28 days of life. Prematurity, pneumonia, complications during labour and delivery, diarrhoea, sepsis, and malaria are leading causes of death for children under 5 years old. Nearly half of all under-five deaths are associated with undernutrition

Increases of Obesity and Overweight in Children: an Alarm for Parents and Policymakers

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. The prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. Globally, in 2013 the number of overweight children under the age of five years old, is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to 31 million of these are living in developing countries. In the WHO African Region alone the number of overweight or obese children increased from 4 to 9 million over the same period. The vast majority of overweight or obese children live in developing countries, where the rate of increase has been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries. If current trends continue the number of overweight or obese infants and young children globally will increase to 70 million by 2025.  Without intervention, obese infants and young children will likely continue to be obese during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Overweight and obesity are largely preventable. Supportive policies, environments, schools and communities are fundamental in shaping parents’ and children’s choices, making the healthier choice of foods and regular physical activity the easiest choice (accessible, available and affordable), and therefore preventing obesity