medicine

Critical thinking is one of the most key skills needed by an outstanding student, which can lead to beneficial results by influencing the learning process. Measuring the state of critical thinking among students and searching for the relationship of this variable with factors such as learning styles can be a guide for policymakers and educational managers in designing and revising educational strategies. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between critical thinking and learning styles.

The current study was a cross sectional research which conducted in 2023. The participants were 110 first-year students who studying at Ilam University of Medical Sciences in the fields of health, nursing and midwifery, medical emergencies and allied health professions. The data were collected using VARK learning styles questionnaire and the California Critical Thinking Skills Test Questionnaire Form B. Statistical tests included independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) which imported to SPSS V.21 at the level of significance less than 0.05.

The average critical thinking score of the participants was 8.55. More than half of the studied students had two or more learning styles. There is a statistically significant relationship between single-style and multi-style modes of VARK learning and evaluation skills (p=0.034) and inductive reasoning (p=0.009) of critical thinking.

It is necessary to strengthen the skills related to reasoning and critical thinking among students of medical sciences with a longitudinal theme approach, both in the form of official curriculum and in the form of short-term training courses.

Oral health neglect could be an indicator of more serious mistakes in medicine. This study was conducted to assess the referral pattern and attitude of physicians towards oral medicine specialty, and their performance in dealing with oral lesions.

In this cross-sectional study, validated questionnaires were administered among 180 medical practitioners with different specialties working in Yazd, Iran. The questions were about the referral pattern, attitude towards oral medicine specialty, and their performance in dealing with oral lesions. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, paired t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation test (alpha=0.05). 

Of all, 81.1% of the participants had at least one encounter with an oral lesion. One hundred respondents (82.6%) were aware of oral medicine as an independent specialty. The most referred cases were oral lesions in pregnant women (59%), followed by oral ulcers, and red-white lesions (54.1%). The mean score of referral pattern had no significant association with specialty, gender, age, experience, and workplace, but the highest score was acquired by surgeons. The difference in attitude based on specialty was significant (P=0.02), and the highest score was acquired by ENT specialists. Males had a significantly more positive attitude towards oral medicine specialists. There was a significant positive correlation between practice and attitude (P=0.001, r=0.285).

Considering the unfavorable attitude and poor practice of medical specialists, it is time to reiterate and enhance the knowledge of physicians about oral medicine specialty.

Stunting has a negative impact on the growth and development of children, which include their susceptibility to dental caries. Caries in primary teeth have been consistently related to malnutrition. Having a history of severe caries was connected with slower childhood growth. We aimed to explain the updated trend of association between stunting and dental caries among all age groups.

A review was done using PRISMA. PubMed and Science Direct was used as database from Jan 2022 to Jan 2023. Studies obtained using specific keywords was 1.748 then filtered. All of the studies that were obtained using specific keywords about stunting and DMFT and or PUFA index. There is no limited year in this systematic search. Endnote software was used to help with the inclusion process; data was extracted into a table that had been prepared.

There were 10 included studies in this systematic review. Eight studies that reported higher dental caries in stunting children than the normal children. Two studies showed a connection between developing stunting malnutrition and severe dental caries. Early childhood caries may increase vulnerability to dental caries by causing odontogenesis to fail, delayed tooth eruption and changes in the salivary glands. Children's ability to eat and sleep may be negatively impacted by untreated caries pain. It might result in decreased nutrient intake and poor appetite, while sleep disturbances might prevent growth hormones from being secreted.

There was a correlation between dental caries and growth stunting because of a decrease in the composition of saliva and defects in tooth formation in children suffered stunting. Thus, there were oral functional limitations and a decrease in food intake since severe dental caries.

Documentation, preservation, and revival of information on how to use the medicinal plants, are among the leading research priorities in Khorasan with its long history.

This research aimed to document the wild medicinal plants and their uses in traditional herbal therapies among the Pashang ethnic group.

Ethnopharmacological field studies were conducted during 2020-2021 in a 2000-year-old village near Gonabad. The herbal plants were collected, identified and prepared as voucher specimens, and data gathering was conducted based on face to face interviews with 80 well-known traditional herbalists and local elder people. Details of plants, part(s) used, and remedy formulations were elicited from informants.

A total of 50 species including medicinal and non-medicinal plants belonging to 25 families were identified. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae with six species had the highest frequencies. These herbal plants have long been used for gastrointestinal (19 species), cold (9 species) and hematological (6 species). The most used parts of the plants were the arial parts with 28 %, flower 18 %, seed 14 % and fruit 12 %.

Due to the long history in the use of medicinal plants, the present study helps introduce the valuable plant species, guide on how to use them, and preserve the local medical knowledge.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected people's lives and healthcare systems worldwide. Therefore, it is important to determine its effects on the economic and health sectors. This study aimed to calculate and analyze the costs and outcomes of COVID-19 treatment, including mortality and recovery, to improve health system planning. This cross-sectional descriptive study analyzed the costs and consequences of COVID-19 treatment in one of the largest referral training centers for patients in Lorestan province, Iran. The study examined hospital documents from the beginning of January to the end of December 2022. The results showed that the recovery rate of patients was approximately 87%, and the average cost per patient was 161 USD. More than 70% of this cost was related to medication and hospital bed expenses. Lopinavir was the most prescribed medication, and Immunoglobulin and Remdesivir had the highest cost share among all medication expenses. Given the significant proportion of medication and hospitalization expenses, it is recommended that the new approach to prescribing medications and managing patient care should be centered around standardized treatment protocols and home-based care. This is particularly crucial in developing countries with limited resources and clinical evidence. It is important to note that the calculation of standard treatment costs has limitations and should be interpreted cautiously.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent cause of vaginal infection among women. This study aimed to summarize the evidence related to the effectiveness of medicinal plants as an alternative therapy for the management of BV.

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline PubMed were systematically searched. Moreover, we searched Google Scholar to explore the possible effects of herbal treatments on BV in women of childbearing age up to 2022. All randomized clinical trials investigating the effects of medicinal plants as oral or vaginal monotherapy or in combination for BV treatment in women of childbearing age were included in this systematic review.

In total, 20 studies comprising 2685 participants were included in our review. The results show that combinations of herbal medicines such as Prangos ferulacea, Berberis vulgaris, Myrtus communis, and Quercus Brantii with metronidazole can have better results in the treatment of BV. Moreover, the main results show that some medicinal plant products alone such as Forzejehe (Tribulus terrestris + Myrtus communis + Foeniculum vulgare + Tamarindus indica), Zataria multiflora, and Calendula officinalis had therapeutic effects similar to metronidazole. Propolis and Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus) were effective in the treatment of BV, but they have less therapeutic effect than metronidazole.

To reduce the complications caused by chemical treatments and also the resistance of patients to these treatments, it seems necessary to use supportive treatments along with chemical drugs after the necessary approvals have been obtained.

Dentistry has been one of the oldest branches of knowledge in the field of medicine. This medical discipline has undergone various changes throughout different historical periods. During the Safavid period (1135-907 AH), practitioners showed a keen interest in dentistry, and numerous medical texts were written in this field, serving as valuable sources of information about the medical conditions of that era. It appears that dentistry in the Safavid era did not experience significant transformation compared to previous periods and largely imitated the achievements of earlier practitioners. The primary topics of focus in Safavid dentistry included the treatment of toothaches, prevention of dental diseases, polishing and whitening of teeth, management of gum diseases, and pediatric dentistry. The most notable remedies prescribed by the medical community of the Safavid era for treating various dental ailments involved the use of Sanun, a concoction made from several herbal ingredients believed to alleviate or cure dental diseases. The main resource for this research was the medical texts from the Safavid era.

With the implementation of the principles of the White Revolution, the activities of the Corps of Knowledge, Health, and Development Promotion began to advance these principles. In the late 1940s, Pahlavi II sought to give a global approach to the Revolutionary Guards’ activities with the United Nations’ approval. For this reason, in his speech at Harvard University, he mentioned his idea of forming a Legion of Human Servants. One of the important areas of the Legion’s effort was the activity in medical and health services in various dimensions. The main problem of the current research is to examine the dimensions of the medical and health activities of the Legion of Human Servants as one of the key fields of their diverse undertakings. The current research method is historical and uses a descriptive and analytical approach. This study utilizes documentary and archival sources as its primary method and tool for data collection. This article tries to answer this basic question: what was the performance of the legion in medical and health services? The findings of the research show that despite achieving some successes in this field, the lack of funds and financial problems, and a shortage of volunteers specializing in medical and health matters hindered the realization of the goals of the Legion in the development and provision of free services in the field of medicine and health.

This review article focuses on hematological disorders caused by psychiatric drugs, including neutropenia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, and anemia. Most major psychiatric drugs induce neutropenia and thrombocytopenia through various mechanisms, such as toxic bone marrow suppression and drug-dependent antineutrophil antibodies against hematopoietic precursors. Among these, agranulocytosis associated with phenothiazines is a well-discussed hematological side effect. Although rare, agranulocytosis is a dangerous and often fatal complication that may go unnoticed until infection occurs. We conducted a comprehensive literature search from 1977 to 2021, identifying 64 relevant articles. Our study aims to analyze outcomes related to pancytopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and other hematological complications leading to hospitalization.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a commonly recurrent inflammatory bowel disease. T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) cell balance plays an essential role in UC progression. However, it is unknown whether curcumin chitosan microspheres (CCM) regulate the Th17/Treg cell balance.

The UC mouse model was established by administering 3% dextran sodium sulfate and treated with CCM. The influence of CCM on the Th17/Treg balance was detected using flow cytometry. Cell experiments were conducted to investigate the role and mechanism of IGF2BP1 in Th17/Treg balance.

We revealed that CCM demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect on UC. CCM obviously decreased the Th17 cell percentage but boosted the Treg cell percentage in UC mice. CCM remarkably increased the mRNA expression of Foxp3 but suppressed RORγt and interleukin-10 mRNA expression. PCR array of RNA modification-related genes revealed that the m6A binding protein IGF2BP1 was a key molecule in CCM regulation of Th17/Treg balance. IGF2BP1 overexpression dramatically repressed the CCM-induced balance of Th17/Treg cell differentiation. Mechanically, IGF2BP1 targeted LRP5 and regulated LRP5 through m6A modification. Furthermore, the silencing of LRP5 canceled the suppressive effect of IGF2BP1 on Th17/Treg cell percentage.

CCM modulated the Th17/Treg balance through IGF2BP1-mediated m6A modification, thereby alleviating UC, and providing new ideas for the treatment of UC.

Sexual function is an important aspect of overall quality of life, and disruptions in this area can significantly harm interpersonal relationships, emotional well-being, and self-esteem. The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its complications, especially in men, and the shortcomings of the current treatments highlight the need for alternative approaches, particularly traditional Persian medicine.

The methodology used in this narrative review study is content analysis. The search was conducted using sources from traditional Persian medicine, including the following: "Qanoon in Medicine" by Ibn Sina, "Zakhirrh (Repository) of Kharazmshahi" by Seyyed Ismail Jorjani, and "Exir (Elixir)" by Hakim Azam Khan. Additionally, databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID were searched until April 2023, using relevant keywords without any time restrictions.

From the perspective of Persian traditional medicine (TPM), sexual dysfunction is the inability to have sexual intercourse, and its leading causes include: quantitative and qualitative changes in semen, weakness of vital organs of the body such as the brain, heart, and liver, stomach and kidney, long-term intimacy leaving, low intravascular flatulence (gas), weakness of mental and emotional states, and weakness of the nerves of the penis. The principles of treating this disorder are based on dietary measures, strengthening vital organs, and then using sexual-enhancing drugs or supplements or manipulations such as massage.

Integrating knowledge from traditional Persian medicine and modern treatments can facilitate future research, develop projects in this area, and enhance the treatment of sexual disorders.

Hands are involved in the completion of different working activities. Hand activities are of particular importance in occupations where risk factors for occupational disorders, including musculoskeletal disorders, are commonplace among workers. This study aimed to examine hand activities and associated disorders.

In this study, hand activities and methods for assessing hand activities were identified. The literature, journals, and websites pertaining to the assessment of hand activities were reviewed with a focus on ergonomic factors for human engineering. Harmful activities to the hands and specific evaluation methods were identified. Subsequently, hand disorders were assessed. Data were analyzed with SPSS.

Numerous tests and a checklist were used to evaluate manual activities. Hand disorders included osteoarthritis of hand joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, and finger joints. Other disorders comprised the tendinitis of the hand and finger muscles, as well as the flexor, extensor, and abductor muscles for fingers. Assessment results were satisfactory for the majority of workers.

The best method for assessing hand activity should include both objective and subjective findings. The most effective method for preventing hand disorders is considering subjective complaints and objective findings. In this study, authos found the majority of workers exhibited acceptable assessment results.

All across the world, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used to treat children. Due to the increasing use and tendency to complementary therapies in Iranian children. 

This systematic review aims to synthesize the existing evidence on the use of CAM the treatment of children's diseases in Iran. 

This was a systematic review study. A search was done on published clinical trials, qualitative, observational, and quasi-experimental studies from January 1, 2020, to January 3, 2023, in nine scientific research databases, namely PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar, Magiran, and SID. The keywords used in English were as follows = ((“Complementary medicine” OR “alternative medicine” OR “CAM” OR “integrative medicine” OR “traditional medicine” OR “herbal medicine” OR “acupuncture” OR “homeopathy” OR “cupping therapy” OR “massage therapy” OR “aromatherapy” OR “naturopathy” OR “spiritual healing” OR “larval practice” OR “music therapy” OR “reflexology”) AND (“pediatric” OR “child” OR “children” OR “adolescent” OR “infant”) AND (“Iran”) AND (“prevalence” OR “epidemiology” OR “frequency” OR “usage” OR “utilization” OR “incidence”)). Meanwhile, the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines were followed to ensure a rigorous and transparent review process.

The initial search yielded 865 articles. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 808 were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria, resulting in 26 full-text articles selected for the analysis. These studies examined a variety of CAM interventions, including mind-body techniques (e.g. music therapy, meditation), manipulative methods (e.g. massage, cupping therapy), and physiologically based therapies (e.g. herbal medicine, aromatherapy). CAM methods were most frequently employed to address various conditions, such as pain and anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, respiratory distress syndrome, diabetes, functional constipation, sleep disorders, and cancer-related symptoms in children. The findings indicate a significant role of CAM therapies in symptom management and improving quality of life.

AM modalities, particularly mind-body and physiologically based therapies, are frequently used among Iranian children to manage specific health conditions. Further research is recommended to evaluate CAM therapies’ safety, effectiveness, and interactions with conventional treatments to optimize integrated pediatric care in Iran.

Teaching medical devices presents the pinnacle of interdisciplinary educational efforts. To thoroughly cover this complex topic in a single course, it is required to encompass the principles of science, engineering, biology, medicine, pharmacy, economy, politics and humanities, all under one hat. Challenges faced by educators in the attempt to accomplish this naturally call for the exploration of innovative pedagogic strategies to be implemented in teaching this extremely broad subject.

Here I share with the readers a new instructional method I devised after a decade of coping with these challenges. The method is based on collective in-class presentations and discussions centered around the hierarchy of Bloom’s learning taxonomy and the students’ individual choices of medical devices for elaboration and analysis. 

The method was overwhelmingly well accepted by the students, who have expressed a statistically significant preference for it over the traditional didactic method involving the instructor’s own choice of the material. Specifically, students’ mean (SD) satisfaction with teaching on the scale of 1.00 – 5.00 increased from 3.89 (0.78) for the instructor-centered didactics to 4.55 (0.82), 4.88 (0.34) and 4.91 (0.30) for this new pedagogic model implemented in the semesters of fall 2021, fall 2022 and fall 2023, respectively.

The method shared here is particularly well suited for audacious instructors who feel comfortable improvising the topics and those who are broadly educated and well versed in a variety of subjects.

This study examined the level of satisfaction of medical and public health students in the management and supervision of Preceptorship in health internships.

In this cross-sectional study, all students who have passed their health apprenticeship and internship courses under preceptorship supervision (from 2019 to 2021) were chosen via census method as the study sample (n=208). A modified nursing clinical facilitator questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20 through the T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The mean age of the subjects was 23.41±2.46 years, the average academic GPA was 16.85±1.35. The mean satisfaction score with the preceptorship program among public health students was 104.34±23.32 and among medical students was 100.45±24.05. The largest mean was related to the items "the feedback and guidelines of preceptor are honest and correct (10.4±1.10)" and "preceptor does her best to keep the client's secrets confidential and also reminds students to observe this issue (4.50±1.11)". The lowest mean was related to the items "the preceptor gives me the sufficient opportunity for independence in tasks (3.86±1.09)" and "the preceptor attempts to determine and investigate my learning needs and do the training accordingly (3.86±1.11)".

This approach could receive a desirable student satisfaction score based on the findings. Thus, the sustenance of this approach can have a good effect on students' training skills. It is suggested that it be implemented and its impact in other fields and internship courses be examined.

Anatomical sciences are considered as the foundation of the medical education. Previously, the anatomy in medical educational environments was based on the lecture presentation and corpus dissection. Then, the newer protocols, such as teaching methods using human models, imaging, simulation, and internet-based webinars, were widely used in academic schools. In this era, the medical curriculums focused less on corpse dissection. Medical learning in the field of anatomy was basically based on the traditional approaches and presentation-based learning using the students under the teacher’s supervision. The teacher, as the class manager, can design the curriculum contents using clinical applications along with knowledge assessment. This procedure can be achieved through planning for the future and the plans ensuring the persistent development of anatomy as a relevant clinical subject in any medical curriculum.