ABSTRACT
Introduction: the growing rate of medical information on the Internet and its effect on community health has necessitated the evaluation and validation of health websites. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of Persian diabetes websites, based on the WebMedQual scale, as one of the modern and comprehensive health website evaluation methods
Materials and Methods: the research population comprised of all Persian Diabetes Websites [12 websites] which were retrieved using the keyword diabetes in Persian language, in the search engines of Google, Yahoo and Bing. The WebMedQual checklist, containing 83 questions, was used to collect data. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, using SPSS
Results: regarding the three indexes: information content, design and links, Persian Diabetes Websites obtained about 50% of WebMedQual scores and were generally at a moderate level. They obtained less than average, regarding other scores, including: credit resources, accessibility and usability, privacy and user support. The "Gabric Diabetes Education Association" website, with 75.9% of the necessity scores, achieved the first rank among Persian diabetes websites
Conclusion: it is recommended that the producers and designers of Persian diabetes websites consider the strength and weaknesses of websites for improving their quality. Health custodians could contribute to community health by introducing reputable websites to the users
ABSTRACT
Introduction: One of the most important criteria for assessment of research activities is the quantitative evaluation of scientific output, for which the most effective method is the assessment of indexed articles in valid databases. This study aimed at mapping the scientific output of indexed thyroid disease in the Web of Science database between 2007-2013.Materials and Methods: For the present study, we conducted an analytical survey, using a scientometric approach. The study population included all populations of scientific publications on indexed thyroid diseases in the web of science database between the years 2007-2013. Data were analyzed by Excel software, and the scientometric tool "HistCite" was used for mapping of scientific output in the region. Results: Our findings showed that from the 2294 records retrieved, 7344 authors affiliated to 1339 institutions, had published their research in 700 journals, using 6 document types. The Thyroid journal had the largest number of local and global citations. Majority of scientific productions in the Middle-East belonged to Turkey and Iran, i.e. 60.7%, 17% respectively. In the scientific map, 5 scientific clusters were developed based on TGCS and TLCS. Conclusion: According to the results, Iran, in the field of thyroid disease, Iran with a rate of 17%, ranked as the second country in the middle-east in scientific publications, a relatively low ranking with regard to the significance of thyroid disease. To increase the scientific output in Iranian universities and research facilities, precisely designed strategies are urgently needed, based on which Iranian researchers in this field can achieve top rankings with research output in the Middle-East in the near future
ABSTRACT
This research aimed at determining and comparing the precision and recall of general search engines to retrieve images of important diseases in the field of endocrinology. An analaytical survey was conducted in this applied research, for which 50 keywords in the field of 5 endocrine diseases were selected, and the 30 top images retrieved by each search engine were stored and analyzed, using precision and recall measurement formulas and excel software. This research show that Google search engine has the most percision [35%] followed by the Bing and Yahoo search engines. Images retrieved for adrenal diseases had the most percision [42%] in google while it was [16%] in yahoo. The Bing search engine had the most recall [77%], followed by the google and yahoo search engines. Diabetes mellitus had the most recall [97%] in the google and bing search engines. Adrenal diseases had the least recall [30%] using yahoo search engine. Results show that Google and bing search engines were in competition with each other and professionals of endocrinology and other researchers can use these search engines, Google and bing in particular, to retrieve the best medical images. Librarians also can use and recommend these two search engines to related professionals for retrieving medical images of adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, diabetes and para-thyroid diseases
ABSTRACT
Statement of Problem: Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is an important cause of work disability. There is controversy over the relation between carpal tunnel syndrome and occupation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the time-span of practicing dentistry and the role of dominant hands in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome
Materials and Method: In this descriptive cross sectional study, 40 dentists and dental students [15 women and 25 men] undertook the electroneuro-diagnostic test in both hands by an electromyogram [EMG] and they were also evaluated in terms of self- reported clinical symptoms
Results: 17.5% of participants were diagnosed to have decreased nerve conduction velocity while10% had reported clinical symptoms of CTS. Both dominant and nondominant hands were involved. Within cases who were diagnosed as having median nerve neuropathy, 87.5% worked more than 20 hours per week. 57% had 17-23 years of dental practice experience and 14.2% of cases had10-16 years of practice in dentistry
Conclusion: The high rate of CTS symptoms, in both dominant and non-dominant hand among dental practitioners with more years of dental practice, indicates a prequisite for particular attention, then sufficient education on the major risk factors causing this problem. Early diagnosis of these symptoms may improve the future management of the disease
ABSTRACT
Infants often undergo painful procedures such as vaccination and blood sampling. Kangaroo Mother Care [KMC] and breastfeeding methods may be desirable in order to create positive interaction between mother and child. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the analgesic effect of KMC and breastfeeding methods during immunization injections in infants. In this randomized controlled trial, 180 infants undergoing DPT vaccination were divided randomly into three groups. Breastfeeding was performed from 2 minutes before, during, and one minute after the injection in breastfeeding group, while kangaroo mother care started 10 minutes before the injection and continued for one minute after the injection in KMC group. Symptoms associated with pain were evaluated using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale [NIPS], crying time, and latency to cry. The mean severity of pain was 3.5 +/- 1.53, 4.38 +/- 1.37, and 5.43 +/- 0.96 in breastfeeding, KMC, and control groups, respectively, and their difference was statistically significant [p < 0.001]. The mean crying times for breastfeeding, KMC, and control groups were 34.62 +/- 14.40 s, 49.87 +/- 26.57 s, and 61.17 +/- 22.08 s, respectively, which were significantly different [p < 0.001]. The mean latency to cry showed no significant difference in the three groups [p=0.927]. Both breastfeeding and KMC showed an analgesic effect in infants, but breastfeeding was more effective than KMC. Health care workers are recommended to encourage parents to use simple pain reduction methods for relieving pain, facilitating acceptance of mother, and promoting quality health care
ABSTRACT
Different techniques are employed for sealer placementinto the root canal system. The purpose of this study was to compare the percentage of voids following root canal obturation with gutta percha and AH26 sealer using four different sealer placement techniques. In this laboratory experimental study, root canals of 50 mandibular second premolars were prepared using the step-back technique. The teeth were assigned to 4 experimental groups of 10 and one control group based on sealer placement technique. After sealer application and canal obturation with lateral condensation technique, specimens were horizontally cut into 3 mm slices. Sections were evaluated under a digital microscope at 150X magnification for void detection in apical, middle and coronal thirds. Kruskal Wallis and Bonferroni tests were applied to compare the percentage of voids between different groups. No significant difference was found in void percentage in one-thirds or total sections between the four methods [P=0.276]. Overall, no significant difference was noted in void percentage between the four techniques of sealer placement
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Verbal memory and executive function might be disturbed in subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of levothyroxine treatment on the memory quotient of Anti-TPO-Ab positive subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism
Materials and Methods: Sixty Anti-Tpo-Ab positive subjects [51 female, 9 male] with subclinical hypothyroidism with a mean age of 34 were enrolled in this randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Subjects were randomized into two groups, i.e. the case [26 females-4 males] and the controls [25 females, 5 males] groups. Using the Weschler memory test, memory quotient was assessed at the beginning and three months after initiation of levothyroxine treatment
Results: The mean age of subjects was 34.22 +/- 10.75 y and the mean TSH level was 8.25 +/- 3.64 mIU/l. There was no difference between two groups in relation to the memory quotient at the beginning of the study [10.5.70 +/- 11.66 vs 105.87 +/- 11.49, P=0.83]. Following treatment the mean for the memory quotient rose by 9.9 +/- 8.01 in the cases and 3.23 +/- 7.63 in the controls [P=0.002]
Conclusion: In this study we observed an increase in the memory quotient after treatment with levothyroxine in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism, demonstrating that levothyroxine treatment could be recommended to improve verbal memory and executive function in this group of subjects
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Thyroxine/therapeutic use , Memory , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Double-Blind MethodABSTRACT
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS], the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, has a prevalence of 6 to 7 percent. Previous studies have shown that depressive mood disorders in this group is more than other women of similar ages. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of depression in this group to women without the condition
Materials and Methods: In these cross-sectional analytic study, 71 patients with PCOS diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria, were selected after an initial survey conducted to determine demographic characteristic, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reproductive status, following which the Beck 2 depression questionnaire was used to assess depression in both groups. The study of 134 of PCOS and controls
Results: The average Beck 2 score number in patients was 16.01[ +/- 10.8] and in the control group was 11.56 [ +/- 8.8], p-value=0.003, which was statistically significant. Frequency of moderate to severe depressed mood based on Beck 2 criteria in the patient group was 23 [32.4%] and in the control group was 19 [14.2%], difference statistically significant, p-value=0.002
Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in patients with PCOS is more than in normal women, and should be kept in mind in the follow up of these patients
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Depression/epidemiology , Prevalence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Statement of Problems: Ethnic and sex differences in the mesiodistal width of the teeth have been proved in different studies. The prediction methods of the canine and premolar width have been obtained from other populations, which are in controversy with the results of previous Iranian studies
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Tanaka-Johnston prediction equations and Moyer's prediction tables in the prediction of un-erupted canines and premolars in a South Iranian population. Also, new regression equations and tables are presented to predict the width of the un-erupted canines and premolars based on the sum of the mesiodistal width of the lower incisors
Materials and Method: For this cross-sectional study, a total of 715 dental casts were recruited from southern Iranian population. The greatest mesiodistal widths of all the teeth were measured using digital caliper with the accuracy of 0.01 mm. All the data were compared with Moyers's and Tanaka-Johnston predictions using Pearson Correlation, independent t-test and paired sample t-test. New regression equations were presented with multiple linear regression tests and new prediction tables were presented with LMS chart maker software
Results: Tanaka-Johnston equations and Moyer's prediction tables revealed a significant difference with the mesiodistal dental width of southern Iranian population and the predictions were overestimated in this population. Also, there was a significant difference between the mesiodistal width of the teeth of males and females. So, new regression equations and tables [based on the sum of the lower incisors] were introduced for different jaws and sexes in this study. The suggested regression for prediction of the maxillary canine and premolars based on the summation of mesiodistal width of the lower incisors was y=0.529x+9.161 and for prediction of the mandibular canine and premolarsit was y=0.567x+7.827
Conclusion: Tanaka-Johnston and Moyer's prediction tables overestimate the actual size of southern Iranian's teeth width; Moyers prediction tables are not accurate in the prediction of the width of the canines and premolars in none of the percents. So, application of these methods is not suggested for Iranian population
ABSTRACT
Statement of Problems: Several methods have been presented for the prediction of mesiodistal width of the unerupted canines and premolars. Nowadays, application of digital methods is suggested in dental analysis in orthodontics
Purpose: The aim of this study was to design a software for space analysis and comparison of the accuracy of tooth measurements by digital and manual methods in an Iranian population
Material and Method: By using Delphi and C++ programming languages, a software was designed. After insertion of 2 dimensional scanned images of dental casts, the software can predict mesiodistal width of the unerupted canines and premolars by using 12-variable regression equations based on the incisors and first molars. After providing 2 dimensional images of 125 dental casts in permanent dentition [75 females and 50 males], the prediction accuracy of regression equations was investigated. By providing 2-dimensional images of dental casts in 50 patients with mixed dentition, the accuracy of dental measurements was evaluated through the designed software. Moreover, the time duration of manual and digital measurements was evaluated. Data was analyzed in SPSS, version 17, using paired sample t-test for comparing the manual and digital measurements and evaluation of interobserver and intraobserver errors
Results: Prediction of the width of the canines and premolars by the designed software was not significantly different from manual measurement of those teeth on dental casts with digital Caliper [p >0.05]. There were no significant differences between manual and digital measurement of mesiodistal width of the teeth [p >0.05]. Also, there were no significant differences between intra-observer and inter-observer measurements and the speed of measurements in digital and manual methods. However, the time duration and speed of space analysis with these two methods were significantly different
Conclusion: The designed software has a good accuracy in prediction of unerupted canines and premolars with equations and it is an efficient tool for predicting the mesiodistal width of the teeth as to the time duration or speed
ABSTRACT
Statement of Problem: Post-treatment endodontic pain is a concern of both patients and dentists. Several methods and drugs have been suggested to prevent the pain. In several studies, the use of long acting local anesthetics has been considered in the prevention of pain after some dental procedures
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of Bupivacaine and Lidocaine as local anesthetics on the incidence of pain after root canal therapy
Materials and Method: A total of 60 patients referring to 3 endodontists were invited to participate in this double blind clinical trial study. The patients had no history of cardiovascular disease, hypersensitivity to amide types of local anaesthetics, renal failure and hyperthyroidism. They were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: 0.5 percent Bupivacaine with 1.200000 Epinephrine or 2 percent Lidocaine with 1.100000 Epinephrine. After root canal therapy, the extent of postoperative pain was measured during 48 hours and categorized into 4 scores, 0 to 3. The results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test for comparing the pain scores among the patients and Fischer's Exact test for evaluating the correlation between, sex, jaw position, type of pulpal disease and preoperative pain with postoperative pain
Results: Statistical analysis showed that Bupivacaine significantly reduced the incidence of flare-up after root canal therapy [p =0.002] and the need for analgesics was significantly decreased using Bupivacaine [p =0.01]
Conclusion: Long acting local anesthetics can be used in endodontic treatment especially for patients with high prediction of postoperative pain
ABSTRACT
Oral lesions of TB have frequently been reported but its probable association with arteritis has rarely been noted. A 57 year old woman is presented here with chronic headache associated with oral lesion of TB