Functional Independence Measure in Iran: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Evaluation of Ceiling and Floor Effects in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Background: The functional independence measure (FIM) is one of the most important assessment instruments for motor and cognitive dependence in rehabilitation medicine; however, there is little data about its confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and ceiling/floor effects from other countries and also in Iranian patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a two-factor model (motor and cognitive independence as latent variables) and ceiling/floor effects for FIM in Iranian patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 185 subacute TBI patients were selected from emergency and neurosurgery departments of Poursina Hospital (the largest trauma hospital in northern Iran, Rasht) using the consecutive sampling method and were assessed for functional independence. Results: The results of this study showed that the floor effect was not observed; however, ceiling effects were observed for the FIM total score and its subscales. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the chi-square/df ratio was 2.8 for the two-factor structure and the fit indices for this structural model including root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.099, normed fit index (NFI) = 0.96, tucker lewis index (TLI) = 0.97, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.97 were close to standard indices. Conclusions: Although ceiling effects should be considered for rehabilitation targets, the two-factor model of FIM (motor and cognitive independence) has an eligible fitness for Iranian patients with TBI

Drug-induced skin reactions: A 2-year study

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with adverse cutaneous drug reactions, which occur when a medicinal product results in cutaneous morbidity. Methods: The study included 308 patients who were diagnosed as having an adverse cutaneous drug reaction during the study period (2007�2009). In 84 cases, histopathologic examination of skin biopsies were also performed. Results: Patients with drug reactions were found to be more commonly female (63) than male (37). Beta-lactam antibiotics were found to be the most frequent cause of adverse cutaneous drug reactions (42.7), followed by non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs (16.5). Acute urticaria was the most common clinical presentation (59.2) followed by fxed drug eruptions (18.5), and maculopapular eruptions (14.9). Conclusion: Adverse cutaneous drug reactions in our study population were mainly induced by beta-lactam antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most common forms of cutaneous adverse drug reactions were found to be acute urticaria, fxed drug eruptions, and maculopapular rashes. © 2015 Farshchian et al

The antitumor efficiency of combined electrochemotherapy and single dose irradiation on a breast cancer tumor model

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with cisplatin combined with suboptimal radiotherapy doses. Tumor radiosensitization was evaluated on large invasive ductal carcinoma tumors in Balb/C mice. Materials and methods. Tumors of an average volume of 630 mm3 were treated with cisplatin, electric pulses, radiotherapy, electrochemotherapy, alone as well as in appropriate combinations. Tumors were irradiated with Cobalt-60 γ-rays at doses 3 Gy and 5 Gy in combination with electrochemotherapy using cisplatin. Controls included each of the treatments alone as well as the combination of the radiotherapy with electric pulses alone or with cisplatin alone. Antitumor effectiveness was evaluated by tumor growth delay, tumor-doubling time, inhibition ratio and the objective response rates. Results. As anticipated, electrochemotherapy was more effective than the treatment with cisplatin alone or the application of the electric pulses alone. When treatments were combined with tumor irradiation at either 3 or 5 Gy, the combination with electrochemotherapy was more effective: at 5 Gy, 2 animals out of 8 were in complete remission 100 days later. In general the higher 5 Gy dose of γ-radiation was more effective than the lower one of 3 Gy. Conclusions. The results of our study demonstrate that irradiation doses, 3 Gy or 5 Gy, increase the antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with cisplatin on invasive ductal carcinoma tumors. Good antitumor results were achieved in experimental tumors with a size comparable to clinical lesions, demonstrating that this three-modality combined treatment is useful for the treatment of large lesions even at sub-optimal radiotherapy doses

Association among Thyroid Dysfunction, Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Eczema in Children with Alopecia Areata

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a non-scarring hair loss, which typically starts quickly. Atopy is one of the possible predisposing risk factors for this condition.AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid disease, atopic dermatitis and allergic diseases in children with alopecia areata and compare the results with healthy individuals.METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 50 patients with alopecia areata, diagnosed by a dermatologist, and 150 healthy individuals as the control group. Participants filled the questionnaires, and necessary tests were performed.RESULTS: In this study, the mean age of the participants was 2.55 ± 14.26 and 3.19 ± 11.92 in the case and control groups, respectively. Prevalence of asthma was 22% in the case group and 12.5% in control group (P = 0.109). Also, allergic rhinitis and eczema were observed in 20% and 22% of the subjects of the case group, whereas they were reported to be 8% and 10% in the control group (PV = 0.03 and 0.175, respectively). Moreover, 28% and 8% of the participants in the case and control groups had a family history of atopy and allergic disorders, respectively (P = 0.046). A significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding gender, type of delivery and contact with animals.CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, a significant association was observed between the prevalence of alopecia areata and atopic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and history of atopic dermatitis

A psychometric lens for e-learning: Examining the validity and reliability of the persian version of University Students’ Engagement Inventory (P-USEI)

Student engagement is a critical component of e-learning, which became an important focus for most academic institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. University students’ engagement is measured using various scales with diferent subscales. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the University Student Engagement Inventory (P-USEI). A cross-sectional methodology study was conducted among Iranian university students (n =667) from April to May 2020. After forward–backward translation, the content, and construct validity, and reliability of the scale were assessed. The results obtained from the confrmatory factor analysis confrmed that the P-USEI has three factors: cognitive, emotional, and behaviour. The fndings of the study supported the adequate reliability, factorial, convergent, and discriminant validities of P-USEI in a sample of Iranian students. The P-USEI dimensions have predictive value for important academic variables that can be generalized by developing the research through a psychometric evaluation on student engagement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Novel derivatives of phthalimide with potent anticonvulsant activity in PTZ and MES seizure models

Objective(s): Phthalimide-based derivatives have anticonvulsant activity like as phenytoin by inhibition of sodium channel. In our previously research we mentioned about some phthalimide derivatives as potent anticonvulsant agents. Materials and Methods: Fourteen analogs of 2-substituted phthalimide pharmacophore were synthesized and then were evaluated for the anticonvulsant activities in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures (PTZ) and maximal electroshock seizure (MES) models. Results: The in vivo screening results showed that all the analogs have the ability to protect against the maximal electroshock and PTZ. The compounds 3 and 9 elevated clonic seizure thresholds at 30 min which were more active than the standard medicine phenytoin. Compounds 3, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14 with 100% protection were the most potent ones in tonic seizure. The most potent compound in the both PTZ and MES models was compound 3. Using a model of the open pore of sodium channel, all of the compounds were docked. Results of docking showed that the ligands interacted mainly with residues II-S6 of NaV1.2 by making hydrogen bonds and have additional hydrophobic interactions with other domains in the channel's inner pore. Conclusion: Some of these compounds are more potent than phenytoin simultaneously in the clonic and tonic seizures

A predictive study between anxiety and fear of COVID-19 with psychological behavior response: The mediation role of perceived stress

Published: 22 March 2022Objective: Despite the abundance of studies linking fear and anxiety to Covid-19, there are limited studies that examine how these elements impact psychological behavioral responses, especially in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety and fear of COVID-19 with psychological behavior response, whether this relationship is mediated by role of perceived stress among Iranian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A predictive cross-sectional study was used to investigate the relationships between COVID-19 anxiety syndrome, fear of the COVID-19 with psychological behavioral responses due to the pandemic and the mediating role of the COVID-19 perceived stress in these relationships. Results: The current study revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, fear and anxiety of COVID-19 can influence the psychological behavioral responses of the individuals, however this can be explained through perceived stress. Conclusion: As such, the current study points to the individuals who perceived high stress due to COVID-19 were more likely to comply with guidelines, which was contrary to the findings of previous studies. The current study findings are applicable for health policy-makers in order to help them in understanding human behavior for developing health promotion programs and also for fostering resilience among the general population.Hamid Sharif Nia, Long She, Harpaljit Kaur, Christopher Boyle, Fatemeh Khoshnavay Fomani, Esmaeil Hoseinzadeh, Daniyal Kohestani and Pardis Rahmatpou

Student satisfaction and academic efficacy during online learning with the mediating effect of student engagement: A multi-country study.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented changes to educational institutions, forcing their closure and a subsequent shift to online education to cater to student learning requirements. However, successful online learning depends on several factors and may also vary between countries. As such, this cross-sectional study sought to investigate how engagement of university students, a major driver of online learning, was influenced by course content, online interaction, student acceptance, and satisfaction with online learning, as well as self-efficacy across nine countries (China, India, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Serbia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a questionnaire-based approach, data collected from 6,489 university students showed that student engagement was strongly linked to perception of the quality of the course content and online interactions (p < .001). The current study also indicated that online interactions are a major determinant of academic efficacy but only if mediated by engagement within the online learning context. A negative correlation between student engagement and satisfaction with online learning was found, demonstrating the importance of students being engaged behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively to feel satisfied with learning. Academic efficacy and student satisfaction were explained by course content, online interaction, and online learning acceptance, being mediated by student engagement. Student satisfaction and, to a lesser degree academic efficacy, were also associated with online learning acceptance. Overall, the structural equation model was a good fit for the data collected from all nine countries (CFI = .947, TLI = .943; RMSEA = .068; SRMR = .048), despite differences in the percentage variations explained by each factor (no invariance), likely due to differences in levels of technology use, learning management systems, and the preparedness of teachers to migrate to full online instruction. Despite limitations, the results of this study highlight the most important factors affecting online learning, providing insight into potential approaches for improving student experiences in online learning environments

Predominance of Trichophyton tonsurans causing tinea capitis: A 12-year retrospective study in the north of Iran

Background and purpose: Among different clinical entities of dermatophytosis, tinea capitis (TC) is considered a major public health challenge in the world, especially in regions with poor health and low income. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a retrospective analysis of the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory from July 2009 to April 2022. Hair roots and skin scrapings were collected from the participants. The laboratory diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Finally, 921 out of 11095 (8.3%) patients were suspected of TC.Results: Based on the findings, TC was confirmed in 209 out of 921 patients (22.7%). In terms of gender, 209 TC patients (75.1%) were male. Moreover, the male to female ratio of TC patients was 1:3.0. Trichophyton tonsurans (146/174, 83.91%) was the most etiological agent,followed by T. mentagrophytes (13/174, 7.47%), T. violaceum (9/174, 5.17%), Microsporum canis (3/174, 1.71%), T. verrucosum (2/174, 1.15%) and T. rubrum (1/174, 0.57%). Besides, endothrix (77.0%) was the most prevalent type of hair invasion.Conclusion: The results revealed the predominance of T. tonsurans, as a causative agent of TC. Despite the prevalence of TC, the absence of appropriate consideration highlights that it is a neglected complication among children