Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2021 | Volume:14 | Issue:12|Papers Count:8

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, virtual social networks play a significant role in the exchange of health information and promotion of health. Moreover, they provide a good opportunity to create a suitable and comprehensive platform for dissemination and sharing of information and increase the quality of health care services in form of health information social networks. Given the high costs required to implement and provide services based on new technologies, it is necessary to reduce the unnecessary costs through the design and presentation of a model. This study aimed to provide a model for the health information social network. Methods: This study was an analytical survey. The components of the proposed network were identified through the review of the literature based on the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA). The statistical population included 380 faculty members of medical universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS Amos software (version 19). Results: Based on the obtained EFA results, the proposed network had six dimensions that accounted for 80% of the variance of the components of the health information social network model. The CFA results confirmed the good fit of the model as well. Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that the obtained model was an appropriate and comprehensive platform and would provide appropriate services in form of a health information social network.

Background and Objectives: Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoan that is the most common sexually parasitic transmitted infection in the world. Metronidazole is currently used for the treatment of trichomoniasis, which has side effects. In recent years, the use of plants and natural compounds has been considered by researchers. This study was conducted to investigate the anti-trichomonal activity of methanolic extract of Hyssopus officinalis on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, the extract was prepared by Soxhlet method, and to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of Hyssopus officinalis on Trichomonas vaginalis parasites, the concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1, 000, 1, 200, and 1, 400 μ g/ml was prepared. Metronidazole and distilled water were considered as positive and negative controls, respectively. Afterward, 105 live parasites were added to all tubes, and all groups were kept at 37° C. Live parasites were counted at 24, 48, and 72 h intervals by Trypan Blue using a neobar slide and light microscope (Hemocytometer). Subsequently, the IC50 value for the above extract was calculated using SigmaPlot ™ software (version 13). It should be noted that all steps of the experiment were performed in triplicate and the results were considered as average. Results: The IC50 of methanolic extract of Hyssopus officinalis on Trichomonas vaginalis parasite was calculated at 965. 8, 730. 4, and 542. 1 μ g/ml after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The highest mortality rate (100%) was observed at a concentration of 1, 400 μ g/ml after 72 h of exposure. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of Hyssopus officinalis in different concentrations had an inhibitory effect on the growth of the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. Further and more comprehensive studies are suggested to investigate the constituents of this plant and the lethal effect of the parasite in vivo conditions.

Background and Objectives: Pre-hospital care report is a valid medical document containing demographic information, vital signs, times related to ambulance location, evaluations, and performed medical procedures. With the advancement of technology and communication, Asayar smart program has replaced the paper registration method. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the time indicators and outcome of pre-hospital emergency operations in two methods of electronic registration with the Asayar program and paper registration. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan in 2019. A number of 700 missions registered by paper in 2017 and 230 missions recorded by Asayar program methods in 2018 were reviewed. Samples were selected by a stratified method with a proportional allocation approach. In order to collect data, researcher-made tools were designed, and content validity was examined. Data analysis was performed by propensity score matching, descriptive statistics, as well as Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The results demonstrated that incomplete data were obtained at 2. 68% and 7. 19% in the Asayar method and the paper method, respectively. The rates of hospital admission in the Asayar and paper methods were reported as 0. 9% and 4. 9%, respectively. Ambulance arrival time at the patient's bedside, in the Asayar and paper methods were calculated at 8 min and 43 sec and 11 min and 30 sec, respectively. Moreover, the time of ambulance discharge from the hospital in the Asayar and paper methods were reported as 9 min and 20 sec and 12 min and 37 sec. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, documentation by the Asayar method reduced the lost data and increased patient admission in hospitals. Furthermore, it reduced the time of ambulance arrival at the patient's bedside and the time of ambulance release.

Background and Objectives: The semen cryopreservation is not only required for improving the success chance of assisted reproductive technologies fertility but also is performed for men undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, and facing ejaculation problems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine on human sperm parameters and DNA damage in frozenthawed sperm samples of patients with asthenozoospermia. Methods: In this study, 20 patients with asthenozoospermia referring to Jihad University Infertility Treatment Center, Qom, Iran, were evaluated in three groups, namely control, freezing, and freezing + Nacetyl-cysteine (1mg/ml). Sperm parameters, viability, and DNA damage were respectively assessed using the World Health Organization guideline (2010), eosin-nigrosin staining, and sperm chromatin dispersion kit, respectively in all three groups. The statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. The significance level was considered at the p-value of < 0. 05. Results: The freezing process resulted in a decrease in sperm motility parameters, and the addition of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine improved sperm motility, morphology, and sperm viability. The addition of N-acetyl-cysteine could reduce DNA damage (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Our results showed that N-acetyl-cysteine could reduce the disruptive effects of the freezing-thawing process.

Background and Objectives: Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) is a common instrument used for the assessment of patients’ coping strategies. Since the factor structure of the instrument has been shown to vary in different clinical populations, the present study aimed to cross-validate the factor structure of the Brief COPE among Iranian women with breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 224 women with breast cancer who were recruited from October 2014-May 2015 in Tehran, Iran. Factor analysis was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’ s alpha, and analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 24). Results: The PCA results indicated nine factors explaining 61. 6% of the total variance. Acceptance and religious coping compose an independent factor. Each pair of positive reframing and planning, use of emotional support and instrumental support, substance use and withdrawal, as well as venting and self-blame, composed one united component. Humor was extracted as an independent factor in the 9-factor structure. A number of 26 items (except humor) were merged with two higher-order factors of efficient and inefficient coping The internal consistency of the 9-factor structure ranged from 0. 54-0. 72, and those of functional and dysfunctional copings were obtained at 0. 83 and 0. 61, respectively. Conclusion: Consistent with previous studies, Brief Cope shows different factor structures in Iranian women with breast cancer. Researchers who use this instrument are recommended to be aware of the possible changes in the combinations of the strategies among their population of interest.

Background and Objectives: Organizations and administrative offices associated with crisis management play an important role in controlling crises in a country. This study aimed to present a crisis management model in Khuzestan Province, Iran, with an emphasis on environmental crises based on a three-pronged approach in 2018. Methods: Crisis management components were prioritized according to the analytic hierarchy process pairwise comparison method. These components were designed in the form of a questionnaire scored on a Likert scale. After determining the main components of crisis management in the three-pronged approach, the main priorities were identified based on the current status, and the management model in Khuzestan Province was presented with regard to the environmental crises. Results: In structural, behavioral, and contextual components, financing of crisis management in Khuzestan Province with a weighted eigenvalue of 0. 146721, the commitment of managers and staff with a weighted eigenvalue of 0. 143181, and urban infrastructure with a weighted eigenvalue of 0. 18365 were determined as the most important components. According to experts' opinions, the most desirable item was the existence of planning and main strategies for crisis management with a mean score of 4. 05 and the least desirable item was related to the urban infrastructure with a mean score of 1. 6. Factor analysis revealed 9 explanatory factors, which respectively constituted 35. 2%, 14. 2%, 8. 9%, 7. 2%, 6. 1%, 5. 2%, 4. 1%, 3. 5%, 3. 5%, and a total of 88. 25% of the total variance. Conclusion: Finally, based on the analysis of the conceptual model of the research as well as the identified and prioritized components, the proposed model was presented.

Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that involves an individual's central nervous system and can affect many aspects of his/her life. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fingolimod compared to placebo in the treatment of relapsing MS. Methods: A detailed research was carried out on Medline, Web of Sciences, the Cochran Library, Embase, and Scopus databases within January-December 2020. The studies were evaluated regarding the effectiveness of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the safety of complications. A random model with a 95% confidence interval was used for data analysis. To evaluate the heterogeneity of the studies I2 test was used in this research. The Cochrane risk of bias tool checklist was applied to assess the quality of the study methodology. Results: The results indicated that in 3 and 1 studies fingolimod was used at a dose of 1. 25 and 0. 5 mg, respectively. Based on the findings, the use of fingolimod at a dose of 0. 59 mg was effective in improving patients. The patients receiving fingolimod 1. 25 mg were more likely to have lymphopenia than patients taking placebo. Conclusion: Finally, the findings of this study showed that the use of fingolimod was effective on the EDSS index, compared to placebo. Doctors can use this drug to improve EDSS and the quality of life of patients.

Background and Objectives: Non-adherence to treatment in elderly diabetics is associated with several problems. Existing studies have been less addressed the dimensions of treatment adherence in this population. This study examines the relationship between health literacy of elderly diabetics and adherence to treatment. Methods: : This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 375 randomly selected elderly members of Babol Diabetes Association. Data collection instruments included demographic sheet, abbreviated mental test score, and questionnaires for health literacy of Iranian adults and treatment adherence. The data were analyzed by Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression test using version 22 of SPSS software. Results: A significant correlation was found between health literacy and gender (P=0. 003). The level of health literacy was higher among the highly educated male elderly (P<0. 001) as well as among employees and retirees (P=0. 003). The people over the age of 70 had lower health literacy (P=0. 004). There was no significant relationship between health literacy and marital status (P=0. 14) as well as health literacy and duration of illness (P=0. 19). The treatment adherence was above-average in 99. 2% of the elderly. There was a significant relationship between health literacy and adherence to treatment (P<0. 001, r=0. 21). The regression analysis also showed that the rate of adherence to treatment increased with improvement in health literacy. (P <0. 001, β =0. 08). Conclusion: Our results showed that N-acetyl-cysteine could reduce the disruptive effects of the freezing-thawing process.