Koomesh
Year:2008 | Volume:9 | Issue:3 (27)|Papers Count:15

Introduction: Using students' view for teacher evaluation is a common method. This study was designed to investigate the view of faculties and medical students about faculty teaching experiences.Materials and Methods: 100 medical students and 35 faculties from Jahrom University of Medical Sciences were participated in this study. Two separate questionnaires were designed for this purpose and after determining validity and reliability completed by teachers and students.Results: 70.9 percent of faculties reported that they are satisfied with evaluation by students. 48.6 percent of them reported that feedback from this evaluation improved their teaching. 48.8 percent of them thought that some students behave spitefully. 60 percent reported self assessments as a useful method for evaluation of their own teaching. The majority of medical students (76.6%) reported that teachers' communication skills are one of the important factors in teacher evaluation. 67.4 percent of them reported that they completed the teachers' evaluation forms carefully and 60.9 percent of them asserted that teachers, who take difficult examinations, have lower grades in evaluation forms.Conclusion: In general, most teachers are agreed with teacher evaluation. Since students' opinion about their teachers is influenced by some factors which have no close relationship with the evaluation subject and is merely related to other factors, using other evaluation methods such as self evaluation and peer evaluation seems to be necessary. In addition, we should establish a single national and standard method for teacher evaluation all over the country.

Introduction: The internal evaluation which is done by the members of the different departments is the best way to judge about quality of education and to identify its strong and weak areas. With regard to the important role of evaluation in the quality of education, the aim of this study is conducting an internal evaluation of the department of speech therapy in order to optimize the educational quality of the different parts of the department. Material and Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was done to evaluate some variables such as educational goals, optimal leading of the department instrumental and physical equipments, clinical educational environment, and student measures about educational style and teaching quality of practical and theoretical courses of scientific members of the department. To collect data, questionnaires and checklists were provided by the faculty members of the department of speech therapy. These instruments were given to the faculty members (to evaluate themselves) and the students (sophomore and senior students of speech therapy to evaluate the theoretical courses and the junior and senior students were asked to evaluate the clinical courses). After collecting each instrument, results were categorized according to Gourman Scoring Scale. Results: According to Gourman scores, means were obtained from internal evaluation of speech therapy as in follow: Professional - theoretical lessons were in more than satisfied ranking, clinical courses were in good ranking, educational and physical equipments (evaluated by scientific members and students) were in unsatisfied ranking and evaluation of head of group and scientific members were in satisfied ranking.  Conclusion: Generally, results showed speech therapy group was in satisfied category. Obviously, to reach an ideal level, we should make some changes, for example, encouraging and strengthening weak areas and maintaining strong areas.

Introduction: Chymosin (Rennin EC 3.4.23.4) is an aspartyl proteinas (the major proteolytic enzyme in the fourth stomach of the unweaned calf) that is formed by proteolytic activation from zymogene prochymosin. The aim of his study was to produce the full length and splicing form of chymosin using pETexpression system in E-coli and to assay the activity of expressed enzyme and preplasmic secretion.Materials and Methods: The sense primer F-prochy(+) (5´-ggggccatgGCTGAGATCACCAGGA) including NCOI restriction site). The anti sense R-prochy(-) (5´- gggcggccgcGATGGCTTTGGCCAGC -3´) hybridizing to the C-terminal end of calf preprocymosin cDNA and contains an additional NotI restriction site at its 5´-end . The cells were disrupted by sonication and proteins were purified by using Ni-NTA beads from Qiagen under native conditional. The preprochymosin and AS6 preprochymosin were activated at pH 4.7. The enzyme solutions were diluted 20-fold with 50 mM phosphate buffer.Results: Sequencing data analysis showed that the exon six has been spliced out and, therefore the gene product is 114 bp shorter in length, both chymosin forms were expressed together in E.coli. Under the same expression conditions, at least AS6 preprochymosin was produced 7-fold high expression in comparison to a full-length recombinant chymosin. Following acid activation and neutralization, the purified fractions were tested in a qualitative milk clotting assay. The clotting activity of preprochymosin and exon6-less preprochymosin were comparable.Conclusion: High expression of this alternatively expressed transcript in bacteria, and proper folding of the AS6 chymosin protein molecule in the absence of exon six are the two most important aspects distinguished in this research.

Introduction: Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) can be elicited in trapezius and other axial muscles by ipsilateral transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).The purpose of this study is to compare the relative amplitudes and latencies of ipsilateral versus contralateral responses to TMS from trapezius muscle of normal subjects.Materials and Methods: MEPs were bilaterally recorded during complete relaxation and voluntary contraction from upper trapezius muscle in 40 healthy right handed subjects by TMS in right and left hemispheres. Base-to-peak amplitude and latency of MEP were measured for each muscle on both sides.Results: At rest, a contralateral response was obtained in 45 trapezius muscles. Ipsilateral responses were observed in 11 muscles (latency contra-lateral and ipsilateral 9.8ms and 15.5 ms, respectively, P <0.001). During contraction ipsilateral MEPs could be evoked in 37 muscles. Contralateral MEPs were obtained in 76 experiments on 40 subjects (latency contralateral and ipsilateral 8.5ms and 12.6 ms, respectively, P <0.001).Conclusion: MEPs can be readily evoked by TMS over the ipsilateral motor cortex in a variety of proximal muscles, such as trapezius. Ipsilateral MEPs have a later onset and lower amplitude than contralateral responses. It is considered that oligosynaptic connections may be a common feature of axial muscles, such as trapezius. These patterns of connections are discussed in relation to the contrasting bilateral functional roles of this muscle.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that glucocorticoids play an important role in neuropathic pain behaviors, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. The aim of this study was to determine the role of NMDA receptors in the effects of glucocorticoids on neuropathic pain behaviors in CCI model in rats. Materials and Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (200-300 gram) were used in this study. Chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI) rats were produced by loosely ligating a common sciatic nerve. Two weeks after inducing CCI, the effects of corticosterone in the presence or absence of MK-801 (a blocker of NMDA receptor) were studied. Behavioral pain responses (thermal hyperalgesia and thermal and mechanical allodynia) were studied using standard procedures.Results: Findings indicated that peripheral administration of corticosterone suppressed both hyperalgeisa and allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg) pretreatment attenuated the effects of corticosterone (15mg/kg) on both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Also MK-801 alone suppressed thermal allodynia, but not thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia.Conclusion: These findings show that glucocorticoids play an important role in neuropathic pain behaviors. It seems that at least part of glucocorticoids effects on these behaviors may mediate through NMDA receptors suggesting an involvement of non-genomic mechanisms. Our findings suggest a potential role for glucocorticoid receptors agonist in combination of NMDA receptors antagonists in clinical management of neuropathic pain.

Introduction: Previous studies have indicated that aqueous extract of Berberise Vulgaris (BV) has ability to decrease plasma levels of lipids probably via stimulating lipolysis pathways in liver. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of BV Fruit extracts on plasma levels of cholesterol and triglyceride.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 89 patients who suffering from hypercholesterolemia and hyper-triglyceridemia were taken and divided into case and control group using a random pattern. The case group was received aqueous extract of fruit of BV and the control group received a placebo at the same volume. Fasting blood sample was drawn for measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides. Data were analyzed with student t- test.Results: Results showed that extract of BV fruits significantly decreased the amount of total blood cholesterol and triglyceride in case group as compared with control group (P<0.001).Conclusion: Finding above indicated that extract of BV could play an important role in lowering of cholesterol and triglyceride in hyper-lipidemic patients. However, more studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Introduction: The size of the follicles and endometrial thickness are two important factors in pregnancy rate of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). The likelihood of ovulation increases with follicular diameter and the fecundity increases with endometrial thickness. The other important factor in IUI is the number of follicles. In this study, we investigated the role of the endometrial thickness and the number of dominant follicles on pregnancy rate in patients undergoing IUI.Materials and Methods: The study group was the patients who were undergoing IUI during 6 years period in Amir-al-Momenien Hospital of Semnan. Ovulation induction was launched for all patients and when there was appropriate endometrial thickness (³6 mm) and at least one dominant follicle (³16 mm) in trans-vaginal ultrasonography. Thirty six hours after injection of HCG, IUI was performed. After survey of patients file, the number of dominant follicles and endometrial thickness were recorded. Then the pregnancy rate between patients with equal or more than 3 dominant follicles or less than 3 dominant follicles and patients with equal or more than 7mm endometrial thickness with less than 7 mm. we used student t test for statistical analysis.Results: About 361 cases of IUI were performed and pregnancy happened in 70 cases (19.4 %). In non-pregnant group (291 cases), 133 cases had equal or more than 3 dominant follicles and 158 cases had less than 3 dominant follicles. In pregnant group (70 case) 37 cases had equal or more than 3 dominant follicle and 33 cases had less than 3 dominant follicles in the time of HCG injection. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in pregnancy rate between two groups (p=0.317). With regard to endometrial thickness, 222 cases had equal or more than 7 mm endometrial thickness and 69 cases had less the 7 mm in non pregnant group (291 cases). In pregnant group (70 cases) 68 cases had equal or more than 7 mm endometrial thickness and 2 cases (2.8%) had less than 7 mm. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in pregnancy rate between two groups (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Findings of this study indicated that the pregnancy rate in IUI method has a significant relation with endometrial thickness equal or more than 7 mm, but there is no such relationship with equal or more than 3 dominant follicle.

Introduction: Paying attention to mental health status of family members and caregivers of the patients with mental disorders is really of importance regarding its pivotal role on controlling and prevention of the disease and its recurrence. In addition, it may have a role on the public mental health status and prevention of mental disorders in patient's family members. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety in caregivers of the patients in psychiatric wards.Materials and Methods: We designed a descriptive study. In this study, 307 samples were achieved from all caregivers of patients in psychiatric wards of Noor hospital. We used questionnaires of Beck depression test and Zong anxiety scale. Data analysis was performed using t-test and correlation test by SPSS software.Results: Using Beck and Zong test, our data showed %71 and 7/9% of caregivers had some degrees of depression and anxiety, respectively. We found statistical meaningful correlations between sex of the patients and severity of depression in caregivers (P<0.018), sex of the patients and severity of anxiety in caregivers (P<0.007), between sex and severity of in caregivers (p<0.05), and also sex and severity of anxiety in caregivers (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between duration of hospitalization and severity of depression (P=0.47, R=0.042) and anxiety (P=0.97, R-0.002) in caregivers. Finally we did not find any significant difference between anxiety and depression scores of caregivers and type of the patient mental disorder.Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are more common in caregivers of the psychiatric wards in comparison to normal population. This anxiety may load to harmful effects on the management of patient’s disease. Besides that, more prevalent anxiety and depression in female caregivers and those whose patients are female makes it more important to pay special attention to female depression and anxiety.

Introduction: Epithelial is an important tissue in our body. The human epithelium forms a barrier between the external and internal environment. Natural process of wound healing e.g. ischemia, necrotic tissues and infection is a concept that has been in practice for a long time. Large full thickness wounds don’t heal spontaneously and is life treating. The closure of large wounds, when there is limited availability of autologous split skin grafts, has been a significant challenge to burns surgeons over the last century.Material & Methods: Rat keratinocytes were isolated from pups 1 DIV and cultured according to the to the protocol already described by Dulgos et al. Keratinocytes Isolated and were cultured in flask 75cm for 7 days ,then different concentrations of PDGF or GH were added daily for 6 days. Finally MTT test were done for all of wells (Case and Control) . Results were analyzed by Excel & SPSS.Results: Results of current study showed that keratinocytes culture was successfully established. There were two kinds of cells after 7 days in vitro. Both of the factors could stimulate cells reproduction. Count of cells between concentrations of 10–200 ng of PDGF was significant (P<0.000). The concentration of 10ng of GH had the maximum effect in cells number and was significant (p<0.000). In comparison between two factors, the concentration of 100ng of PDGF was the best concentration for cells reproduction.Conclusion: These findings indicated that the extrinsic factors such as PDGF & GH could increase reproduction of keratinocyte cells in vitro.

Background: Burnout syndrome includes aspects of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decrement of personal accomplishment. Medical staffs are vulnerable to burnout syndrome because of their exposure to physical and psychological stressors. The present study assessed the rate of burnout syndrome and its relation to demographic characteristics in medical staffs of university hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.Material and method: In this descriptive-analytical study, we randomly selected 660 staffs of university hospitals of Mashhad by multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using the demographic questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) that assessed prevalence rates of different aspects of burnout including emotional exhaustion (range 0-54), depersonalization (0-30) and personal accomplishment (0-48) in likert rating scale. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS.Results: This study showed that mean scores for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment of subjects were 20.74 (medium severity), 7.35 (medium severity) and 25.66 (low severity), respectively. These dimensions of burnout had significant relationships with age, occupational history, and level of education, job and hospital. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were higher in women than men. Married subjects had higher personal accomplishment.Conclusions: The rates of all aspects of burnout syndrome were high in this study in comparison with other studies. Burnout affects the occupational, familial and personal functioning. In addition, it results in absence from work and early retirement. Therefore, reduction of stressors in the hospitals by organization of occupational factors should be considered.

Introduction: Anemia is one of the main problems of the public health in the world. The most reason for its high prevalence is low iron diet which in progressive cases has notable complications. Due to high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among Afghanistan inhabitant, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in a afghan refugee camp in Semnan. Material and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 321 persons in the afghan refugee Semnan camp in 2004. A blood sample (two ml in EDTA coagulant) was taken from each person for performing CBC and HbA2 test and another five ml blood collected in a tube test for measuring serum iron. MCV less than 80 femtoliter and serum iron less than 35  mg /dl in female and 60 mg/dl in male and HbA2 less than 3.5% were considered as iron deficiency anemia. Results: Our results indicated that 29 cases (9%) including 12 male cases (8.6%) and 17 female cases (9.4%) showed an iron deficiency anemia among 321 afghan refugee. Conclusion: Low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the afghan refugee camp with compared to Afghanistan residents may indicate well nutrition of Afghan people who live in the afghan refuge camp of Semnan.

A 14 years old male patient referred to our clinic with generalized edema, weakness and faintness, which had initiated from 3 weeks ago. He had not any medical problems in his past history, only his father had history of hypothyroidism. In physical examination, he was pale and had ascite and lower extremities edema. His vital signs were normal. Renal biopsy was carried out and showed membranous nephropathy. The patient was treated with levothyroxin. By increasing of drug doses, proteinuria was gradually disappeared during 3 months and return to normal range completely. Therefore, we recommend that in all cases of nephrotic syndrome (massive proteinuria), thyroid function must be assessed and if the TSH level was higher than normal range, in the first step, levothyroxin is administered for normalizing of thyroid function.