Evaluation of the Level and Distribution of Articles on Electronic-learning in Medical Sciences in the Iranian Journals of Medical Education

Background: Today, information technology and communications play an important role in the promotion of education quality. Some pedagogical studies have been conducted with a focus on electronic learning. This study aims to evaluate the level and distribution of articles on electronic-learning of medical sciences in the Iranian journals of medical sciences. Methods: To collect data, English- and Persian-language scientific-research journals in medical sciences published from 2011 to the end of 2015 were evaluated. Titles, keywords, and methods were searched in the most reliable journals to extract articles in line with the study objectives. The data were analyzed based on descriptive statistics using Excel software. Results: According to the results of the current study, only 1 journal allocated more than 10% (14.6% of all evaluated articles) of its published articles to e-learning in medical sciences (totally 14.6%). The highest ratio of articles on e-learning in medical education to the total articles was found in the Iranian Bimonthly of Education Strategies in Medical Sciences (0.146) and strides in development of Medical Education (0.094); and the lowest ratio was found in the Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism (0.31). Conclusions: Limitations such as hardware and software infrastructures, as well as lack of interest and time by professors were considered as barriers to study electronic skills and technology sciences and their institutionalization within the curriculum. Keywords: Education, Medical Sciences, Electronic Learning, Journal

Effect of Workplace Noise on Hearing Ability in Tile and Ceramic Industry Workers in Iran: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Introduction. Noise as a common physical hazard may lead to noise-induced hearing loss, an irreversible but preventable disorder. Annual audiometric evaluations help detect changes in hearing status before clinically significant hearing loss develops. This study was designed to track hearing threshold changes during 2-year follow-up among tile and ceramic workers. Methods. This follow-up study was conducted on 555 workers (totally 1110 ears). Subjects were divided into four groups according to the level of noise exposure. Hearing threshold in conventional audiometric frequencies was measured and standard threshold shift was calculated for each ear. Results. Hearing threshold was increased during 2 years of follow-up. Increased hearing threshold was most frequently observed at 4000, 6000, and 3000 Hz. Standard threshold shift was observed in 13 (2.34%), 49 (8.83%), 22 (3.96%), and 63 (11.35%) subjects in the first and second years of follow-up in the right and left ears, respectively. Conclusions. This study has documented a high incidence of noise-induced hearing loss in tile and ceramic workers that would put stress on the importance of using hearing protection devices

Low Level Laser Effect in Treatment of Patients with Intractable Tinnitus Due To Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Introduction: Tinnitus is defined as a perception of sound without an external acoustic stimulus. Due to large number of causes and limited knowledge of its pathophysiology, tinnitus still remains an obscure symptom.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 120 patients with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss who were randomly divided into two groups; one group received low-level laser and the second group used the same instrument but off, for 20 sessions of 20 minutes. A tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the severity of patients' symptoms. Severity and frequency of tinnitus were also determined using Audiometric tests.Results: The average age of the 120 patients in the two groups of study were not statistically significantly different. The mean difference of severity of tinnitus between the two groups was statistically significant at the end of the study and 3 month after completion of treatment. The VAS and THI mean differences after the treatment were statistically significant between the two groups but not statistically significant after 3 months of completion the study.Conclusion: Low level laser radiation is effective for short-term treatment of Tinnitus caused by sensorineural hearing loss and its impact may be reduced over the time

Shift Work Effects and Pregnancy Outcome: A Historical Cohort Study

Objective: Employed mothers face considerable amount of hazards. Especially shift work can impact pregnant women by affecting some hormones. This study was conducted to assess the adverse effects of shift work on pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: This historical cohort study was conducted in 2017 in order to assess the effect of shift work on pregnancy outcomes. The subjects were consecutively selected from pregnant women, which referred to Al Zahra and Shahid Beheshti hospitals, Isfahan, Iran for their pregnancy care. The effect of shift work on pregnancy and labor complications (low birth weight, small for gestational age, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, intra-uterine growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, excessive bleeding during labor, and type of labor) was assessed. The effect was adjusted for occupation and number of children as well. Data were analyzed by SPSS (ver. 17) usingT-test, chi-Square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Totally, 429 pregnant women entered the study. There was not a statistically significant difference between morning and shift workers regarding age. It was found that shift work probably increases the incidence of small for gestational age, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, intra-uterine growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and preterm delivery, but after adjustment for job and number of children the effect was observed only on preterm delivery. Conclusion: Working in a rapid cycling schedule of shift work may cause an increase in the incidence of preterm delivery in pregnant mothers

Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Tinnitus due to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background. Several remedial modalities for the treatment of tinnitus have been proposed, but an effective standard treatment is still to be confirmed. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on tinnitus accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss. Methods. This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on subjects suffering from tinnitus accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss. The study intervention was 20 sessions of low-level laser therapy every other day, 20 minutes each session. Tinnitus was assessed by three methods (visual analog scale, tinnitus handicap inventory, and tinnitus loudness) at baseline, immediately and 3 months after the intervention. Results. All subjects were male workers with age range of 30–51 years. The mean tinnitus duration was 1.85±0.78 years. All three measurement methods have shown improved values after laser therapy compared with the placebo both immediately and 3 months after treatment. Laser therapy revealed a U-shaped efficacy throughout the course of follow-up. Nonresponse rate of the intervention was 57% and 70% in the two assessment time points, respectively. Conclusion. This study found low-level laser therapy to be effective in alleviating tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss, although this effect has faded after 3 months of follow-up. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand clinical trials registry with identifier ACTRN12612000455864)

Successful treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy: A case report

A 28 years’ pregnant woman with 24 weeks’ gestational age referred with petechiae and purpura from previous day without any trauma. She had an occipital headache from last night. Overt petechial and purpuric lesions were seen in the mouth and skin. There was neither hepatosplenomegaly nor lymphadenopathy. She was conscious and oriented. The patient was febrile, anemic and thrombocytopenic with stable vital signs. All liver enzymes were elevated. Coagulation profile was normal. WBCs were normal. RBCs were reduced, and she had polychromatosis. Overt shistocytosis was seen. Platelets were significantly decreased. The first diagnosis was TTP. All necessary laboratory tests were done to rule out the secondary rheumatologic causes of TTP; which all were normal. Coombs tests were negative. ADAMTS 13 Ab was elevated. Fetal ultrasonography was normal. Treatment started with plasmapheresis and corticosteroid. After treatment, platelets count begins elevated, and LDH decreased. The patient discharged with a good general condition and normal lab tests. She continued her pregnancy until term, and born a normal infant without any complication. She did not have a recurrence of TTP until September 2014

Residents and Medical Students’ Satisfaction with Journal Club Meetings at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Journal club is one of the accepted methods in clinical training of the medical students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of residents and medical students with journal club meetings at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 134 residents and medical students of major clinical wards (internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics) who were selected through census method in Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were verified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Residents, interns and stagers of internal medicine ward were more satisfied with journal club meetings than the students of other wards. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of students’ opinions at different educational level (p=0.0001). Accordingly, residents and stagers had the highest and lowest level of satisfaction respectively. Journal club meetings were relatively held on a regular basis and at specific hours. Conclusion: Stagers, interns and residents of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences were relatively satisfied with journal club meetings. Each journal club meeting, if properly managed and deemed important, could be the basis for creating new and innovative ideas

The Occupational Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer: A narrative Review

Occupational cancers account for a major part of cancers. So far, various occupational factors have been recognized as a risk factor involved in the development of different occupational cancers. Prostate cancer is one of the cancers on which various studies have been carried out to examine the role of occupational exposures. The studies have introduced numerous occupational factors and jobs regarding this cancer. The results of studies in this regard have some contradictions. In this short review, occupational risk factors in the development of occupational cancers have been studied. The focus of this study is mainly on the factors, while occupations have not been examined in depth

A Survey of the Usage of Personal Protective Devices in Industrial Workers in Yazd, Iran, in 2011

Background and purpose: Many workers are exposed to workplace hazards. Many occupational diseases are preventable by personal protective devices (PPDs). Though many workers do not use PPDs or their protection by PPDs is not sufficient. This study was designed to assess the quality of PPDs usage among industrial workers. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 648 workers from four main industries (tile and ceramic, metal, textile, and chemical) were evaluated for PPDs use. The quality of appropriate PPDs was defined according to the workplace exposures, available PPDs, and time of exposure. The reasons for non-usage of PPDs were evaluated as well. Data were analyzed by SPSS using chi-square test. Results: On average, 56.8%, 69.6%, and 61.6% of workers were exposed to noise, and respiratory and dermal exposures, respectively. From the workers who needed PPDs, 77.8%, 26.3%, and 21% used gloves, respirators and hearing protection devices, respectively. The most frequent reason for non-usage was discomfort while wearing PPDs. Conclusion: This study showed an unsatisfactory situation in the industries for PPDs usage: Low compliance rate, inadequate training programs, and low quality of usage

Investigating the methodology of indexed articles in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon and rectal cancer in SID and MEDLIB databases within 2004-2014

Introduction: Methodology is one of the main parts of a study, indicating its scientific status. The aim of this study was to review the methodology of indexed articles in three domains, including breast, ovarian, colon and rectal cancers in SID and MEDLIB databases from 2004 until 2014. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one. It was used a checklist for gathering the required data. The articles consisted of 748 ones indexed in SID and MEDLIB databases in the domains of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon and rectal cancers since 2004 until 2014. The sample size was determined through stratified sampling as 188 articles. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21 and descriptive method, including table and chart, frequency and mean percentage. Results: Most of the articles (%89) belonged to SID database and related to breast cancer (%80. 9). All indexed articles were applied ones and %44.4 of them was written for the purpose of curing diseases. The most important method was the observation method (%69.4). The observation-analysis method was applied the most (%53.5). Among intervention studies, the most important method was empirical method (%88.1). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it is necessary to pay special attention to various research methods of Persian researches related to above mentioned research fields in order to resolve the need of other researchers and medical teams can easily access these studies