RESUMO
Objectives: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a bone densitometry method that is less expensive and more portable than DXA. It is also noninvasive. QUS parameters include speed of sound (SOS), broad band ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI). This study defined normal values of QUS parameters in Iranian men and women. Methods: QUS of heels measured in 258 Iranian men and women, aged 20-76 y/o. They were participants of Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis study (IMOS), selected by randomized sampling. QUS device was an Achilles+ (GE-Lunar) device. Results: Percentiles of SI (2.5%, 50%, and 97.5%) determined. We found a good agreement between the Iranian reference values and western reference (used by device) value in defining normal and osteoporotic people (κ = 0.875). Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that QUS of the heel may be a good method for diagnosis of low bone mass in different regions.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Critical thinking is one of the goals of education. It is a criterion for academic accreditation in medical education by concentration on students' soft skills. Due to lack of basic information on critical thinking tendency in undergraduate medical program, this study aimed to determine the trend of tendency toward critical thinking of medical students in two phases: basic science (year 1) and preinternship (year 5) at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This longitudinal descriptive-analytic study has been conducted in two phases (2010 and 2015); all 105 medical students were selected by accessible sampling method. Years of entrance to college was the inclusion criterion. The psychometric properties of The California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) were confirmed, and then, the instrument was completed twice by participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS: 16 using student t-test, and paired t-tests. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between genders of students (P < 0.05). Males were more disposed toward critical thinking than females. The significant increase was found between mean of truth-seeking in the second test compared to the first test; instead, the mean of inquisitiveness, analyticity and self-confidence and inquisitiveness was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, in other subscales, there were no significant differences between the 1st and the 5th year students (P > 0.05). The total score of the test in the second phase was lower than the first phase, which was not significant. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, there is necessary to consider the critical thinking dispositions in medical students training programs and break down the barriers. Tendency toward critical thinking seems to be as prerequisite of critical thinking skills in undergraduate medical program.
