Investigating the current status of the student evaluation system in Iran University of Medical Sciences: A step to improve education.

BACKGROUND: Medical education has special features due to the need various areas of learning. The present study was conducted to provide a complete picture of the evaluation system in Iran University of Medical Sciences for improving the evaluation system and medical sciences examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was cross-sectional study that conducted through self-reporting of educational departments, a comprehensive review of the student evaluation system in the affiliated faculties of Iran University of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2018. Educational members and heads of nine faculties and 80 departments participated in this study. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, include two parts: (1) 10 general questions about the activities of the educational groups regarding the student evaluation system and (2) 20 questions about the types and quality of examinations. RESULTS: From 80 questionnaires, 71 were completed by the managers of the departments. The results showed that 62% of the faculty members in the educational departments in the last 2 years did not participate in the workshop on the methods of evaluation and making tests. 56% of the faculties have a reference for continuous monitoring of students' assessment and evaluation, and in 87% of the cases, the content is given in accordance with the objectives. The use of logbooks was more common (28%) than other methods to assess practical skills. CONCLUSION: Empower faculty members on the use of various tools, strengthening the supervision of formative evaluation and use of medical education graduates to promote evaluation methods seems necessary.

The biological weapons threats and coping strategies for health promotion.

The biotechnology revolution and the emergence of new ways to change the genetic material of an organism have led to an increased risk of biological wars. Coping strategies against these threats is very important to improve the health of people. Therefore, due to the importance of this issue, this study is aimed to review the scope of using biotechnology and genetic engineering in wars and coping strategies in all over the world. In this review study, database includes of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct were searched. The search was limited to reviewed articles in English published between 1990 and 2020. The primary search results generated 148 relevant references. After eliminating the duplicates and articles which were not related to the review of the abstract, 11 references were identified for inclusion in this review. Based on the results of these studies, the advances in genetic engineering can lead to the development of new weapons for other types of conflict and war scenarios, secret operations, and sabotage activities. Rapid developments in biotechnology and genetics have created environmental, ethical, political, and social challenges for many communities. Increasing awareness and sensitivity, monitoring, and building capacity for effective coping are essential. Biotechnology areas that will probably significantly contribute to countering biological weapons include recognizing the human genome, strengthening the immune system, identifying bacteria and viruses' genome, equipment for biological identification, new vaccines, new antibiotics, and anti-viral drugs must be monitored.

Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of COVID-19: A review of available evidence.

Since December 31, 2019, unknown causes of pneumonia have been reported in Wuhan, China. This special pneumonia associated with a novel coronavirus was named 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020. From the beginning of this infectious disease, clinicians and researchers have been endeavoring to discover an effective and suitable treatment for affected patients. To date, there is no definitive and specific treatments for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection while drugs introduced are still in the clinical trial phase. Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is a biological product prepared from the serum and an optional treatment for patients with antibody deficiencies. In many countries, much attention has been paid to the use of IVIG in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Due to the therapeutic importance of IVIG in virus infections, in the current study, we reviewed the possible effect of IVIG in viral infections and potential evidence of IVIG therapy in patients with COVID-19 virus.

Relationship Between Selenium Trace and Patient Outcome After Open-Heart Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute stress response to heart surgery can cause major morbidity in patients. The trace of selenium is useful for preventing heart damage. Although the trend of selenium changes is of high importance for body balance, the usefulness of routine use and effectiveness of this element for patients under open-heart surgery is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessing serum selenium level before and after open-heart surgery and the relationship between selenium trace and patient outcome. METHODS: This prospective analytical study was performed on 100 patients undergoing open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In all patients, the serum level was measured at a predetermined time (before surgery and one and two days after surgery). Then, the relationship between serum selenium and patient outcome was assessed. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium level in patients on admission was 72.90 ± 14.62 µg/L, one day after surgery was 71.20 ± 15.84 µg/L, and two days after surgery was 71.54 ± 15.97 µg/L. Serum selenium levels were inversely and significantly associated with age (r = -0.183; P = 0.034, 013) duration of surgery (r = -221 and P = 0.014), duration of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.204, P = 0.021), and duration of CPB (r = 0.223, P = 013). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study's results, a low level of selenium can affect patients' outcomes after open-heart surgery.

Tocilizumab for treatment patients with COVID-19: Recommended medication for novel disease.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus has spread all over the world. Scientists are trying to discover drugs as effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. So far about 30 drugs have been introduced that one of them is Tocilizumab. Recently Tocilizumab has been introduced to treat patients with COVID-19 and researchers are investigating further the efficacy of this drug for different are patients. In Iran and China, some reports showed a positive effect of Tocilizumab on Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2) but results of CT scan in patients in different. In some patients, CT scan showed reduced infiltration, however in other no change was observed. Unfortunately, until now there has been no definitive and effective treatment for patients with COVID-19. Although Tocilizumab has been accepted by China Health Commission to treat infected patients, its positive effects still cannot be predicted in all patients. Based on evidence of the Tocilizumab's effect on the SARS COV 2, researchers hope this drug will make effective and promising treatment to improve lung tissue inflammation in patients with the fatal COVID-19 virus. The present study provides an overview of respiratory inflammation with COVID-19 and probable effect of Tocilizumab on SARS-COV 2.

Dose Ginger Have Preventative Effects on PONV-Related Eye Surgery? A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is considered a common complication of anesthesia, which, particularly in eye surgery, may exert pressure on stitches and open or leak the surgical wound, leading to bleeding. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the effect of ginger on PONV and changes in vital signs after eye surgery. METHODS: In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 candidate patients for eye surgery were divided into group A (n = 40) and group B (n = 40). Patients in group A received the capsules of ginger 1 g while patients in group B received a placebo one hour before the procedure with 30 mL water. The incidence of nausea and the frequency of vomiting were evaluated at 0, 15, 30 minutes, and 2 hours after the operation. Also, the vital signs of the participants were recorded at certain times. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the frequency of nausea between group A and group B (P < 0.05). The severity of nausea was lower in group A than in group B immediately and 2 hours after recovery (P < 0.05). The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). The vital signs were not significantly different between group A and group B (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ginger was effective in the prevention of PONV after eye surgery but had no impact on vital signs. Hence, ginger is proposed to use as a low-cost, prophylactic measure for PONV reduction.

The relationship between fluid resuscitation and intra-abdominal hypertension in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Excessive fluid administration for saving patients from hypovolemic shocks is one of the main causes of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this paper is to survey the relationship between fluid resuscitation and increase intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present descriptive-analytical study recruited 100 patients with confirmed abdominal trauma and presenting to emergency departments. The cases with high IAP measured through the bladder were identified as developing ACS in case of having comorbidities involving two of the following systems: respiratory system, renal system or cardiovascular system. The volume of the fluids administered was compared in the first 24 h in subjects with and without ACS. RESULTS: Of 100 patients with abdominal trauma, whose IAP was measured, 28 cases developed ACS. The mean volume of the fluids received was found to be significantly higher in the patients with ACS (8772 ml) compared to in those without (5404 ml). As a complication of excessive fluid administration, IAH can seriously threaten the patient's life. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive fluid resuscitation causes ACS among the critically ill or injured patients such as abdominal trauma, pelvic fracture and intra-abdominal organ injuries hence to prevent this complication in all patients requiring short-term excessive administration of fluids, great care, and sensitivity are required to constantly control IAP and adjust the fluid administration.