Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2020 | Volume:14 | Issue:6|Papers Count:7

Background and Objectives: Many healthcare providers use health information technology to improve their performance. Picture Archiving and Communication System is a subsystem of the health information system that aims to facilitate the storing, archiving, and managing of digital images as well as their transmission. In this regard, measuring the level of acceptance of technology can be very helpful in the successful implementation of a system. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the level of acceptance of Picture Archiving and Communication System by users based on the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire. This study was conducted in teaching hospitals of Qom, Iran (where the Picture Archiving and Communication System are currently in operation). Methods: The present cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on all the radiology staff of teaching hospitals in Qom, which is equipped with Picture Archiving and Communication System. The data were collected using the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS (version 21) and SmartPLS (version 21) software using descriptive statistics for the demographic characteristics and partial least square approach for the structural equation modeling and the path coefficients were calculated. Results: Based on the findings, the attitude towards usefulness had a significant correlation with the attitude towards usage (P<0. 001). Moreover, attitude towards the ease of use had a significant relationship with the attitude towards usefulness (P<0. 001). The attitude towards usage also had a significant association with the actual use (P<0. 001). According to the table of path coefficients, the effect of ease of use on the attitude (path coefficient: 0. 599) was greater than that of the ease of use (path coefficient: 0. 108). It was also concluded that age and work experience did not have a significant relationship with the attitude towards ease of use, usefulness, usage, and actual use (P<0. 001). Conclusion: According to the results, the two variables of attitude towards ease of use and usefulness influenced the acceptance of the Picture Archiving and Communication System and should be considered in evaluations and plans.

Background and Objectives: Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is a toxic substance with a broad range of applications; however, the ingestion of high levels of it cause a wide range of complications in the liver tissue. According to previous studies, mitochondria are potential targets for CuSO4 toxicity. The present study aimed to examine the role of Nacetyl-cysteine as an antioxidant agent in the protection of mitochondria against toxicity induced by CuSO4. Methods: This study was performed on isolated liver mitochondria extracted from male Wistar rats (180-200 g) by multiple centrifuges and finally divided into 5 different groups. Group 1 was the control group, while group 2 received a single dose of 106 µ M of CuSo4. The other groups were pretreated with different concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (1, 2, 5 mM) and exposed to 106 µ M of CuSO4. Subsequently, MTT assay, lipid peroxidation, and GSH (reduced glutathione) were determined in each group. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance test. Results: The results of the present study revealed that significant changes in mitochondrial indexes such as mitochondrial complex Ⅱ function, mitochondrial glutathione reduction, and lipid peroxidation levels were evident in rat liver mitochondria exposed to CuSO4. On the other hand, it was found that pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine efficiently inhibited CuSO4 toxicity. Conclusion: The results confirmed the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against CuSO4 toxicity on rat liver mitochondria, which may be due to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Background and Objectives: Stress disrupts the neurotransmitter release and reproduction. Dopamine (D) is one of the most important neurotransmitters, and its receptor (D2R) has been identified in testis. The use of effective drugs on reproductive system may affect the physiology of offspring whose parents are under treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of D2R inhibition on testicular tissue and the process of spermatogenesis in stressed rats and their offspring. Methods: In total, 72 adult male Wistar rats weighing 190± 10 g were divided into groups of saline, sulpiride (D2R antagonist) (4mg/kg, ip), physical or psychological stress, and physical or psychological stress receiving sulpiride. Physical or psychological stress was induced by a communication box. At the end of the 14-day treatment, each male rat mated with three female rats. The male offspring were raised under normal conditions until puberty. Subsequently, the indices of spermatogenesis (number of spermatogonia cells, spermatocytes, spermatids, sertoli cells), seminiferous tubules diameter, thickness of testicular capsule, and serum testosterone concentration were evaluated in male rats under treatment and their offspring. Data were analyzed in SPSS software through a one-way ANOVA and Duncan test. Results: Stress induction and/or sulpiride administration led to a significant decrease in the number of spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and sertoli), morphometric indices (seminiferous tubules diameter and thickness of testicular capsule), and testosterone concentration in parents and offspring, compared to the corresponding control groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Stress caused a decrease in spermatogenesis in parents and offspring. Moreover, the sulpiride administration intensified the adverse effects of stress on spermatogenesis in both generations.

Background and Objectives: Thyroid dysfunction and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are autoimmune diseases that can cause many problems and complications in patients. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate thyroid disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Thyroid hormones, including TSH, T4, and T3, were measured by radioimmunoassay. Following that, thyroid antibodies, including Anti TG Ab and Anti TPO Ab, were measured by ELISA. The data were analyzed in SPSS software through the Chi-square test, Fisher test, and t-test. Results: The results of statistical analysis show that there is a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the prevalence of hypothyroidism. Also, the results of this study show that there is a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of Anti TG, Anti TPO, RF, Anti CCP and also in terms of Free T3. On the other hand, the results of statistical analysis for TSH and Free T4 showed that there was no significant difference between the case and control groups. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study indicate that there is a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in RA patients, especially hypothyroidism. It is recommended that thyroid tests and examinations be included in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Further studies are also suggested to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid dysfunction.

Background and Objectives: Numerous scientific studies related to the status of scientific productions of various subjects have been performed using the Scientometric method. This study aimed to analyze the previously conducted research procedures on the effect of biorhythm and sleep cycle in information retrieval. Moreover, it was attempted to draw a scientific map in this regard. Methods: The present study was conducted based on an applieddescriptive design using scientometric techniques. The documents were extracted from the Scopus and PubMed databases, and after analysis, the scientific map of the subject areas of these documents was drawn using Excel and UciNet software as well as its combined net draw package. This procedure was conducted using the topic matching matrix in the subject category field of the studies. Results: The results showed that 28 documents were published in Scopus and PubMed databases. The majority of the studies were in the field of mathematics (n=8), biological sciences (n=6), medicine (n=5), engineering (n=5), physics and astrology (n=4), genetics, chemistry, computer science, and environment. Udesen J with an H-index of 11 and a study published in 2006 topped the list of the authors with 80 citations. Moreover, the keywords of mathematics, life sciences, and medicine are introduced as high-frequency clusters. The core journal of these topics is Physical Review E Statistical Nonlinear and Soft Matter Physics with 7 studies as the most prolific journal. Conclusion: In general, according to the results of this study, it can be said that very little scientific activity and production have been conducted on these issues so far. Due to the importance of these issues in activity planning, there is a need for scientific productions in these fields.

Background and Objectives: Improvement of the level of student development is one of the most important goals of the higher education system. Regarding the significance of providing and reinforcing the developmental opportunities in medical students and its impact on promoting the health community system, the present study aimed to explain the attitude of professors towards the implementation of student mentoring in the field of medical education. Methods: The present study was conducted based on a qualitative design. The data were collected during the academic years of 2019-20 through conducting semi-structured interviews with the faculty members of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, and continued until the responses were fully reached. Accordingly, initially, 16 professors were selected according to the purposeful sampling method and face-to-face interviews with an approximate time of one hour were conducted in the professors' office. The data were analyzed based on a step by step content analysis through 6 steps. Results: The participants included 16 cases (9 females and 7 males) with the academic ranks of professor (n=2), assistant professors (n=12), and instructors (n=2). In total, 25 basic themes were extracted and based on the overlapped content, 6 organizational contents were obtained during the research procedure. In the next stage, they were divided into three comprehensive contents of individual, professional, and social empowerment. Conclusion: The implementation outcome of the student mentoring in medical sciences has been significant in various aspects and has remarkable effects on the improvement of students and the enhancement of the healthcare system of the country. The results indicated that according to the professors’ attitudes, the components of individual, professional, and social empowerment can be achieved if mentoring is performed properly, especially in the field of medical sciences. Due to the sensitivity of this domain and its direct impact on human life and health, it has attracted a great significance. This study can be a basis for further studies related to mentoring in the higher education system.

Background and Objectives: Sexual satisfaction is one of the important components and key variables in marital satisfaction that plays an undeniable and important role in strengthening and stabilizing the family. Since no studies have been conducted on the social health and sexual satisfaction, this study aimed to determine the relationship between social health and demographic characteristics regarding sexual satisfaction of women referring to health centers in Qom, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted based on a descriptive-correlational design. A total of 320 married women were selected from those referred to health centers in Qom, Iran, during 2019 using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (Meston and Trapnell) and Kiez Social Health Questionnaire. The data were then analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: This study investigated 320 married women in Qom, Iran, during 2019. According to the results, there was a significant positive correlation between social health and sexual satisfaction (R=0. 324, P<0. 01). In other words, individuals who are benefited from more social health have higher sexual satisfaction. Furthermore, sexual satisfaction showed a significant inverse relationship with age and duration of marriage (P<0. 05). With increasing age and duration of the marriage, the level of sexual satisfaction will decrease. Additionally, there is a direct and significant relationship between education level and sexual satisfaction (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the findings, social health can be considered one of the appropriate factors to increase women's sexual satisfaction. The utilization of training packages or sessions (real or virtual) may help improve women's sexual satisfaction.