Opportunities and Challenges of E-learning for Nursing Students at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

Background: Given the limited presence of students in universities and the closure of educational centers, including nursing schools, during the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant shift toward e-learning. However, there is a lack of research in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students with e-learning during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Materials and Methods: This qualitative-descriptive study focused on 12 undergraduate nursing students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA10 and conventional content analysis. The study was conducted between May and September 2020. Results: Analysis of the findings led to the emergence of 11 subcategories and two main categories: E-Learning opportunities and Challenges of E-Learning, providing a comprehensive description of the experiences reported by the participants. Conclusions: Unforeseen crises, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly affect the quality of education by disrupting face-to-face learning. To mitigate such disruptions, it is crucial to plan and establish infrastructure that supports alternative modes of education, such as e-learning. Additionally, providing training to students and educators on effectively utilizing digital platforms and producing electronic content can help ensure a smoother transition during crises.

Treatment of erosive oral lichen planus with methotrexate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa causing significant pain and impairment of the quality of life. No immediate and definitive cure is available, especially in its chronic and most recalcitrant forms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of methotrexate treatment in EOLP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective open trial of oral methotrexate 15 mg QWK in 18 patients with EOLP (clinically and histopathologically confirmed) unresponsive to at least one previous topical or systemic medication. DURATION: Twelve weeks followed by twelve weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Partial response or better was achieved in 15 (83.3%) patients. A statistically significant reduction in Thongprasom scale score was observed (mean value 5 at baseline, 3.08 ± 1.11 at week 12, 2.94 ± 0.97 at week 24, P value < 0.001). A statistically significant reduction was noted in the pain visual analogue scale (mean value 6.55 ± 2.33 at baseline, 2.46 ± 2.18 at week 12, 2.29 ± 1.93 at week 24, P value < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in four (22.2%) patients, requiring discontinuation of treatment in one patient. CONCLUSION: Methotrexate is a valuable therapeutic option in longstanding recalcitrant EOLP, particularly with respect to the improvement of subjective symptoms. Randomized controlled trials are required.

Effect of Self-etching Adhesives on the Bond Strength of Glass-Ionomer Cements.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Adequate bond strength between glass ionomer cements and composite resin is necessary for the success of the sandwich technique. PURPOSE OF STUDY: This study assessed the micro-shear bond strength of composite resin to glass-ionomer cements (GIC) using self-etch adhesives with different pH values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred specimens (6×4×2 mm) were made using Fuji II and Fuji II LC GICs and treated with different adhesives as follows: Group 1:Fuji II+ Adper Prompt L-Pop, Group-2: Fuji II+SE bond, Group-3: Fuji II + AdheSE, Group-4:Fuji II+ Protect bond, Group-5: Fuji II + Single bond, Group-6:Fuji II LC+ Adper Prompt LPop, Group-7: Fuji II LC+SE bond, Group-8:Fuji II LC+ AdheSE, Group-9: Fuji II LC+ Protect bond, and Group-10: Fuji II LC+ Single bond. Each group consisted of 10 specimens. A cylinder of Z100 composite resin was placed on each sample and light cured. After 24 hours of water storage (37°C), the specimens were subjected to micro-shear bond strength tests (0.5 mm/min). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The mean micro-shear bond strength of groups 1-10 was 11.66±1.79, 16.50±1.85, 18.47±1.77, 13.95±1.77, 15.27±1.49, 15.14±0.90, 20.03±1.19, 17.48±3.00, 16.24±1.98 and 16.03±1.49 MPa, respectively. There were significant differences between groups 1 and 7 (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between other groups (P>0.05). Fuji II LC showed higher bond strength than Fuji II (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Type of self-etch adhesive had no significant effect on micro-shear bond strength of glass-ionomer to composite resin. Resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) exhibited higher bond strength than the conventional GIC.

Effectiveness of massage therapy on the mood of patients after open-heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases have the highest death rates in human society. Coronary artery disease is among the most important of these diseases. No treatment of cardiovascular disease has as much impact on the quality of life of the patients as the heart surgery. The recovery from heart surgery is associated with symptoms of pain and psychological distress. In the early recovery period, the patients will face moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. In this regard, various measures of nursing, as complementary therapy practices have been performed to help the patients for overcoming the physical and psychological needs. One of these methods, in recent years has been the use of complementary and alternative therapies, particularly massage therapy, after heart surgery. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy on the mood of patients after open-heart surgery in Isfahan Chamran Hospital during 2010-11. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 72 patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, were selected. They were randomly assigned to the two case and control groups. The patients of the case group (n = 36) received Swedish massage for 20 minutes in 4 sessions in 4 consecutive days, 3 to 6 days after the open-heart surgery. The patients in the control group received only the routine care. The mood questionnaire (POMS) which was used in this study has been completed the day before the start of the study and intervention and again after the last day of the intervention. SPSS software version 12 and descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for data analysis. FINDINGS: The comparison of study results showed that massage decreased the overall rating of the patients' mood after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of massage therapy as an effective nursing intervention can improve the patients' mood after open-heart surgery. Due to the low cost and simplicity of this method, it can perhaps be used as a complement to drug therapy and postoperative interventions used in these patients.