The effect of educational application in nursing internship clinical training on cognitive and functional skills and students' satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Clinical education plays an essential role in shaping the nursing identity and is one of the central elements in the education of nursing students. Today, with the advancement of novel technologies, utilizing mobile phone-based technologies in the education of medical sciences is inevitable. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of the urology educational application on nursing students' cognitive-functional criteria and satisfaction during the internship period. METHODS: This experimental educational intervention study was conducted during nursing students' urology internship course at Shahid Beheshti School of Nursing and Midwifery in Rasht. The data collection tools included a demographic characteristics questionnaire, cognitive skills scale, functional skills scale, and satisfaction scale (Stokes, 2001). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, and a significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 48 studied students, 28 (58.3%) were males. The mean age of the students was 20.34 (SD = 1.51) years. In the application group, the mean of students' cognitive skills after the intervention significantly increased by 2.33 units (95% CI: 1.73 to 2.9) (t(23) = 7.97, P < 0.001, d = 1.626). By controlling the scores before the intervention, the adjusted mean score of cognitive skills in the application group was 0.56 units (95% CI: -0.16 to 1.28) higher than the traditional group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (F(1, 45) = 2.42, P = 0.127, η2p = 0.051). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of students' functional skills in traditional and application groups (t(46) = 0.63, P = 0.532, d = 0.184). The total mean score of satisfaction with education in the application group was 83.0 (SD: 10.7). According to the values ​​of the quartiles, 75% of the students scored higher than 75.9, 50% scored higher than 83.9, and 25% scored higher than 91.1. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, students' scores of functional and cognitive assessment and satisfaction with the application in urology clinical training were reported as favorable. Therefore, it is recommended that mobile phone-based technologies be used in students' clinical education and internships in combination with the traditional method.

Evaluation of the frequency of metabolic syndrome and assessment of cardiometabolic index among men with erectile dysfunction: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Recently, an association has been observed between metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to evaluate the cardiometabolic index (CMI) in patients with ED. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 144 patients with ED who were referred to a urology clinic in Rasht, Iran, from 2019 to 2021. Metabolic syndrome was evaluated according to National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel (NCEP) and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria which are considered three positive criteria from five. Also, the ED severity was classified as weak, moderate, and severe based on the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5) questionnaire. Results: The mean age of participants was 53.46 ± 10.58 years. 56.9% had abdominal obesity, 48.6% had hypertriglyceridemia, 34.7% had low HDL-C, 55.6% had hypertension and 56.9% had elevated fasting blood sugar (FBS). 43.8% had diabetes and 13.2% had cardiovascular disease. The mean CMI was 2.51 ± 1.57. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 50.7%. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and CMI (P = 0.001). The severity of ED had a significant relationship with high FBS in patients. CMI and components of abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C had no statistically significant relationship with ED. However, the incidence of moderate and severe ED increased with increasing the number of metabolic syndrome components. Conclusion: ED is not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and CMI, however, the severity of this disorder increases with increasing the number of components of metabolic syndrome.

Right varicocele secondary to left-sided inferior vena cava with a retro-aortic left renal vein and azygos continuation.

Varicocele represents the main cause of male infertility. Right-sided varicocele is rare and can be due to renal malignancy or a venous abnormality. The most common anomaly of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is interruption of IVC with azygos continuation, which is recognized as an uncommon congenital anomaly. The prevalence of the interruption of IVC is less than 0.3% in the healthy population. We describe the case of a 26-year-old man who had right varicocele because of a right-sided IVC with a retro-aortic left renal vein and azygos continuation. The right and left IVCs received the right and left common iliac veins, respectively, and the left renal vein crossed posteriorly to the aorta and joined the right IVC. The right IVC continued cephalad as the azygos vein within the retrocrural space. Isolated right-sided varicoceles are uncommon, but practitioners should be aware of such a condition. In case of a venous anomaly, clinicians should aware of the association with other important clinical presentations.

Effectiveness of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Urinary retention is one of the most common complications contributing to surgical procedures. Recent studies have shown the benefits of alpha-adrenergic blockers in preventing post-operative urinary retention (POUR). The aim of this prospective study was to compare the prophylactic effect of tamsulosin with placebo on postoperative urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized placebo controlled, clinical trial, 232 male patients aged 18 to 50 years old admitted to Razi University Hospital for varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery were randomly assigned to receive either three doses of 0.4mg tamsulosin (n = 118) or placebo (n = 114), 14 and 2 hours before, and 10 hours after surgery. Patients were closely monitored for the development of urinary retention 24 hours after surgical intervention. The primary endpoint was to investigate the effect of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention during the first 24 hours after surgical intervention. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and the P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients were included in tamsulosin arm and 114 in placebo arm. POUR in patients who received tamsulosin was significantly lower than placebo, as 5.9% of the patients treated with tamsulosin and 21.1% placebo group, reported urinary retention following surgery (P = 0.001). No serious adverse effects were seen in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that short perioperative treatment with tamsulosin can reduce the incidence of urinary retention and the need for catheterization after varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery.

Effectiveness of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Purpose: Urinary retention is one of the most common complications contributing to surgical procedures. Recent studies have shown the benefits of alpha-adrenergic blockers in preventing post-operative urinary retention (POUR). The aim of this prospective study was to compare the prophylactic effect of tamsulosin with placebo on postoperative urinary retention. Materials and Methods: In this randomized placebo controlled, clinical trial, 232 male patients aged 18 to 50 years old admitted to Razi University Hospital for varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery were randomly assigned to receive either three doses of 0.4mg tamsulosin (n = 118) or placebo (n = 114), 14 and 2 hours before, and 10 hours after surgery. Patients were closely monitored for the development of urinary retention 24 hours after surgical intervention. The primary endpoint was to investigate the effect of tamsulosin in prevention of post-operative urinary retention during the first 24 hours after surgical intervention. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and the P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and eighteen patients were included in tamsulosin arm and 114 in placebo arm. POUR in patients who received tamsulosin was significantly lower than placebo, as 5.9% of the patients treated with tamsulosin and 21.1% placebo group, reported urinary retention following surgery (P = 0.001). No serious adverse effects were seen in both groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that short perioperative treatment with tamsulosin can reduce the incidence of urinary retention and the need for catheterization after varicocelectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, and scrotal surgery. .

Survey on blood ordering and utilisation patterns in elective urological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is an important part of the medical care service. As there has not been a regional study about blood requests for operations, this study was done to assess blood ordering for various types of elective urological surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study, blood requests for all patients undergoing elective urological surgery in Razi Hospital (Rasht, Iran) during the first 6 months of 2010 were studied. The patients' data (age, sex, weight, type of surgery, haemoglobin level before and after surgery, number of units of blood cross-matched and number of units transfused in the operating theatre and in the 3 days after surgery) were collected from their clinical records. Patients with a history of coagulopathy or anticoagulant drug use were excluded. The cross-match to transfusion ratio (C/T ratio), transfusion index (TI) and transfusion probability (T%) were calculated. The level of statistical significance was set at P =0.05. RESULTS: Of the 435 patients studied, 327 (75.1%) were male and 108 (24.9%) were female. The mean age of patients was 51.74 ± 19.33 years. The mean number of units of blood requested for each operation was 2.8 ± 1.2, whereas the mean number transfused was 0.59 ± 0.24; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relationships between pre-operative haemoglobin concentration and both blood requested and blood used were also statistically significant (P =0.038 and P <0.001, respectively). Calculated for all the operations, the C/T ratio was 14.16, the TI was 0.11 and the T% was 8.85%. Overall, only 8.5% of the patients (n=37) need blood transfusion in the operating theatre and only 10.8% (n=47) required transfusion within the 72 hours after surgery. DISCUSSION: The amount of blood requested and cross-matched for elective urological surgery is much greater than the real level of consumption. An appropriate, standard blood order guideline would reduce costs and staff workload.

Evaluation of Tadalafil effect on lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients treated with standard medication.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and efficacy of tadalafil on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients treated with standard medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-controlled randomized clinical trial, from November 2008 to August 2009, 132 patients with obstructive and irritative urinary tract symptoms due to BPH, IPSS ≥ 8, no indication for surgical intervention and that reached plateau levels of response to treatment were selected. These patients were randomly allocated in two groups (each containing 66 patients). The treatment group received standard treatment of BPH and tadalafil (10 mg nightly); the placebo group received only standard treatment of BPH. IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and quality of life were assessed before and after a 3-month period of study. RESULTS: Before treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax and quality of life values in the treatment and placebo groups were 13.06 ± 4.37 and 13.66 ± 4.25, 8.92 ± 2.96 mL/s and 9.09 ± 2.91 mL/s, 2.93 ± 0.86 and 2.66 ± 0.78, respectively. After treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax, and quality of life values in treatment group were 7.66 ± 3.99, 9.99 ± 4.76 mL/s and 1.80 ± 0.98, respectively. These findings were compared to corresponding values of the placebo group (11.37 ± 3.64, 8.73 ± 2.22 mL/s and 2.19 ± 0.53, respectively): IPSS and quality of life were significantly different but Qmax didn't show a significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil improves quality of life and urinary symptoms in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH, but doesn't have any significant effect on Qmax. Therefore, this drug may be effectively used in combination with standard medical therapies for BPH.

Treatment of loin pain suspected to be renal colic with papaverine hydrochloride: a prospective double-blind randomised study.

OBJECTIVE: • To assess the efficacy of papaverine hydrochloride combined with a diclofenac sodium suppository to relieve renal colic compared with diclofenac suppository monotherapy, as the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on ureteric muscles might reduce the pain of renal colic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • A prospective, double-blind clinical study was performed. • In all, 550 patients aged 17-55 years with acute renal colic were randomised to two groups. Patients in one group (group A) received a diclofenac suppository (100 mg) plus saline 0.9% (placebo) and the other group (group B) received a diclofenac suppository (100 mg) plus intravenous (i.v.) papaverine hydrochloride (1.5 mg/kg up to 120 mg). • Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 20 and 40 min after treatment. Further analgesia was provided at the patients' request (25 mg pethidine intramuscularly). RESULTS: • Baseline characteristics (sex, age, past history of similar pains) were similar in the two groups. • There were significant differences in VAS pain scores between 0 and 20 min and 0 and 40 min in both groups (P < 0.001). • At the end of study, 71.1% of patients in group A and 90.9% of patients in group B reported pain relief and did not require pethidine, respectively. • Significantly more patients in group A required further analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: • According to our results, i.v. papaverine hydrochloride plus a diclofenac suppository were more effective than the diclofenac suppository alone for treating acute renal colic. • Therefore, i.v. papaverine hydrochloride is a beneficial supplemental therapy to relieve renal colic pain, particularly combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Evaluation of Tadalafil effect on lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients treated with standard medication

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and efficacy of tadalafil on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients treated with standard medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-controlled randomized clinical trial, from November 2008 to August 2009, 132 patients with obstructive and irritative urinary tract symptoms due to BPH, IPSS > 8, no indication for surgical intervention and that reached plateau levels of response to treatment were selected. These patients were randomly allocated in two groups (each containing 66 patients). The treatment group received standard treatment of BPH and tadalafil (10 mg nightly); the placebo group received only standard treatment of BPH. IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and quality of life were assessed before and after a 3-month period of study. RESULTS: Before treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax and quality of life values in the treatment and placebo groups were 13.06 ± 4.37 and 13.66 ± 4.25, 8.92 ± 2.96 mL/s and 9.09 ± 2.91 mL/s, 2.93 ± 0.86 and 2.66 ± 0.78, respectively. After treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax, and quality of life values in treatment group were 7.66 ± 3.99, 9.99 ± 4.76 mL/s and 1.80 ± 0.98, respectively. These findings were compared to corresponding values of the placebo group (11.37 ± 3.64, 8.73 ± 2.22 mL/s and 2.19 ± 0.53, respectively): IPSS and quality of life were significantly different but Qmax didn't show a significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil improves quality of life and urinary symptoms in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH, but doesn't have any significant effect on Qmax. Therefore, this drug may be effectively used in combination with standard medical therapies for BPH.

Analysis of GSTM1, GSTT1, and CYP1A1 in idiopathic male infertility.

Enzymes belonging to the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) families are involved in a 2-stage detoxification process of a wide range of environmental toxins and carcinogens. In order to investigate whether there is a genetic association of the biotransformation enzymes and idiopathic male fertility, we studied GSTT1, GSTM1, and CYP1A1*2A polymorphisms in 150 infertile men and 200 healthy men as controls from Northern Iran. Genotyping of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes were performed using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, the CYP1A1 polymorphism was determined using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were present at frequencies of 0.61 and 0.34 in infertile cases, whereas in controls the frequencies were 0.33 and 0.17, respectively. Double-null genotype was found to be elevated among infertile men (odds ratio [OR] = 3.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.42-6.45; P < .0001). The frequency of TT, TC, and CC genotypes of CYP1A1 polymorphism in the controls were 42.5%, 45.5%, and 12%, respectively, while those in the infertile men were 38.7%, 48%, and 13.3%. The CYP1A1*2A did not display any association with male infertility. We observed an association between male infertility and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null deletion, but not with the CYP1A1 polymorphism in North Iranian men with idiopathic infertility.