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Evaluation of Scientific Outputs of Mazandaran University in Scopus during 2006- 2016
Get PDFBackground and aim: One of the most common methods of evaluation of researchers' scientific outputs and their affiliated organizations is using different methods of scientometrics, which is done by a citation databases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the scientific outputs of Mazandaran University from 2006 to 2016.
Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted using scientometric approach. Research population was the indexed papers in Scopus citation (4091 documents). Data related to articles with the affiliation of (AF-ID = "University of Mazandaran") were searched in the Scopus. Then, the time limit for scientific output was defined (LIMIT-TO (PUBYEAR)) and the final research was conducted. Finally, data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS.
Findings: The results showed that the scientific outputs of Mazandaran University have increased during the study period. The least amount of scientific output was in 2006, and the highest in 2013. The largest number of indexed documents, the most received citations, and the prolific authors (60%) belong to the Faculty of Chemistry and Physics. In terms of the type of the indexed scientific documents, the largest number was related to research papers (93/4%), In terms of scientific collaboration and inter-organizational co-authorship, Mazandaran University had the most cooperation with neighboring universities.
Conclusion: Totally, due to the ascending trend of recorded documents until 2013 and its descending one in the following years and for observing the research results of researchers in the world and reaching the University to the peak of their scientific publications, this University authorities should be provided the conditions in which the researchers can achieve to the necessary motivation and ability for publication in valid scientific journals
Co-word mapping of Image Retrieval based on Web of Science-Indexed Papers
Get PDFBackground and aim: Given the special status and wide usage of image retrieval in various fields, the present investigation studied on the research trends and significant factors within the field of image retrieval and drawing the co-word map based on the articles indexed in Web of Science.
Material and methods: This scientometric study was performed using bibliometric techniques such as co-citation analysis. Samples of the current study were all articles indexed in ISI in the field of image retrieval from 2001 to 2012. Therefore, 2537 papers were retrieved in this field. Citespace and VOSviewer were applied for co-word analysis.
Findings: The highest centrality with the number of 0.18 has been related to the term "image retrieval". "Content based image retrieval" and "relevance feedback" both with 0.15 centrality have been in the next rank. The Highest burst with the number of 11.59 was belonged to "pattern recognition society". "Content-based image retrieval", "image database" with the number of 7.53 and 5.79 burst have won the second and third ranks, respectively. Sigma was obtained 1.39 for the "shape" and 1 for other terms during this period. Also, the analysis of co-word network in VOSviewer indicated 9 scientific clusters in the field of image retrieval.
Conclusion: The analysis of co-word network in the field of image retrieval have shown that the content-based image retrieval is one of the most important approaches in the field of image retrieval in the past years
An Evaluation of the Effect of Polycaprolactone/Gelatin (Pcl/Gt) Nanofiber Scaffold on the Therapeutic Function of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hematopoietic stem cells are one of the new therapeutic options for treating skin ulcers. Recently, a new perspective has been developed to better utilize stem cells using nanofiber scaffolds. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GT) nanofiber scaffold on the therapeutic function of hematopoietic stem cells.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 15 male BALB / c mice were divided into three groups of five, including the control group, the group receiving stem cells in the wound site (cell group) and the group receiving cell + PCL nanofiber scaffold. PCL/GT nanofiber scaffold was prepared by electrotherapy. After hematoxylin and eosin staining, the parameters of epidermal repair and hair follicle formation in the wound site were evaluated by fluorescence microscope and Image J and SPSS programs.
FINDINGS: On day 28 after transplantation, the highest and lowest epidermal thicknesses were observed in the cell + scaffold group and control group, which were 10.5±0.3 and 27.3±0.9 μm, respectively, which was significant (p<0.05). Moreover, the highest and lowest number of hair follicles were observed in the cell + scaffold group and control group, respectively; 5.2±0.2 and 4.2±0.3. The difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.01)
CONCLUSION: Polycaprolactone / gelatin (PCL/GT) nanofiber scaffold significantly increases the therapeutic function of hematopoietic stem cells in the wound site
Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program on Sleep Quality in the Elderlies with Heart Failure
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances, a common compliance of the elders with heart failure (HF) that can reduce quality of life. Because simple and low-cost interventions, such as exercise, help to improve sleep, therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercises on the quality of sleep in elderly patients with heart failure.
METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 60 males with type 2 and 3 heart failure were selected by available sampling method and were randomly entered to test and control groups. Pitzberg’s sleep quality questionnaire was used to collect data. Aerobic and resistance exercises were performed three times a week for three months. Before and after the intervention, the questionnaires were completed and the sleep quality of the two groups was compared.
FINDINGS: The aerobic and resistance exercise had promoted scores of sleep duration (0.23±0.77), sleep efficiency (0.73±1.01), mental sleep quality (0.6±0.93), and daytime function (0.06±1.14)(p<0.05). But the exercise Program doesn’t effect on sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and use of sleep medications.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that aerobic and resistance exercises help improve the daily performance of elderly patients with heart failure by improving sleep quality and some of the indices of sleepiness
Comparison of the Effect of Yoghurt Starter Bacteria and Lactobacillous Bulgaricus on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Activity of Ulcerative Colitis Patients
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease and involving colon and rectum. Since patients with ulcerative colitis have high levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of starter bacteria of yogurt and lactobacillus boulagaricus on the activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with ulcerative colitis.
METHODS: This experimental-laboratory study was performed on 10 ulcerative colitis patients in Dezful, Andimeshk and Shoosh in two experimental groups and a control group. Experimental groups included co-culture of PBMC and intended bacteria in dilutions of 0.1 and 0.01 and at 48 and 72 hours, and control group including PBMC of the patient at 48 and 72 hours. Variables IL-10 and IL-1β) were measured by ELISA.
FINDINGS: There was a significant increase in the secretion of IL1β at dilution of 0.1 and 48 hours by PBMC stimulated with bulgaricus 940.4±249.61 in comparison with the starter 669.12±181.11 (p=0.004) and in 72 hours by bulgaricus 796.3±213.34 in comparison with the starter 464.25±128.41 (p=0.000), In dilution of 0.01 and 48 hours by bulgaricus 747.5±198.54 in comparison with starter 529.25±163.82 (p=0.005) and in 72 hours by bulgaricus 617.4±192.5 in comparison with starter 408.62±134.78 (P=0.004). Also, there was a significant increase in the secretion of cytokines in both dilution and both times between of the experimental groups and control.
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that Lactobacillus bulgaricus causes inflammation in comparison with the starter by IL1β secretion. Starter bacteria has a better role in reducing inflammation
A systematic review on reminder systems in physical therapy
Get PDFBackground: The main goal of physical therapy is to help the patient gain a better health status. Several studies have investigated the use of reminders to prevent such failures on the patients’ side. This article presents a systematic review of the literature concerning reminders in physical therapy.
Methods: Databases were searched until May 2017 and literatures were found from April 1992 until 2017. The literature recruitment strategy was based on applying several keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) combination running against title and abstract, including concepts such as reminder, physical therapy. The finally selected articles were categorized through reminder aspects such as how, who feedback. Data were extracted according to PRISMA guidelines.
Results: In 47% of studies, the reminder was sent to the patients, 29% to the physical therapists and 12% to the caretaker team. In 24% of the studies, paper-based letters were main medium for reminders while the rest were various types of media like emails and SMS mobile text messages. 35% of the articles showed positive effects of the reminders.
Conclusions: Many reminder methods consisted of SMS, phone calls, letters, emails and notices on the wall were used in physical therapy. Reminders may be used to improve patients' adherence to exercise programs
Insulin resistance and coronary artery disease in non-diabetic patients: Is there any correlation?
Get PDFBackground: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death in the world and type 2 diabetes is one of them because it is highly prevalent and doubles heart disease risk. Some studies suggest that insulin resistance is associated with coronary artery disease in non-diabetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of insulin resistance (IR) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in non-diabetic patients.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, from September 2014 to July 2015, 120 patients referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Qom were evaluated. Their medical history, baseline laboratory studies, BMI and GFR were recorded. After 8 hours of fasting, blood samples were taken from the patients at 8 am, including fasting glucose and insulin level. We estimated insulin resistance using the homeostatic model assessment index of IR (HOMA-IR). Finally, we evaluated the association between IR and CAD.
Results: Totally, 120 patients were assigned to participate in this study, among them, 50 patients without CAD and 70 with coronary artery stenosis. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR> 2.5) was positive in 59 (49.3%) patients and negative in 61 (50.7%) patients. Hence, the correlation between IR and CAD was not statistically significant (P=0.9).
Conclusions: In this study, although the correlation was not found between insulin resistance and coronary heart disease, among men, we found a significant association between coronary heart disease and insulin resistance
Comparison of preemptive effect of intravenous ketorolac versus meperidine on postoperative shivering and pain in patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study
Get PDFBackground: Pain and shivering are two unpleasant problems in postoperative period. Various techniques are used to alleviate the postoperative shivering and pain. We compared the preemptive prescription of a single dose of intravenous meperidine and ketorolac on postoperative pain and shivering in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.
Methods: One hundred and fifty patients who were scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of three study groups to receive intravenous ketorolac (group K), meperidine (group M) or normal saline (group P). Time to first analgesic request, analgesic requirement in the first 24 hours after surgery, body tympanic temperature, hemodynamic variables and incidence of shivering were assessed as outcome variables.
Results: There was no significant difference between meperidine and ketorolac groups in terms of prevalence of shivering, although both groups were different from the placebo group (p<0.04). The mean time to first analgesic request was longer in group k (3.8±1.4) and groups M (3.3±1.2) than in group P (2.1±0.8) hours (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The preemptive prescription of a single dose of intravenous meperidine and ketorolac can provide a satisfying analgesia immediately after surgery and decrease shivering prevalence without any serious side effects
Prevalence and severity of ocular involvement in Graves’ disease according to sex and age: A clinical study from Babol, Iran
Get PDFBackground: Thyroid-associated eye disease (TED), previously known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy is a cosmetically and functionally debilitating disease that is seen worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical severity of ocular manifestations of Graves’ disease according to sex, age and duration in northern Iran.
Methods: Between April 2011 and March 2012, 105 patients with Graves’ disease, underwent ophthalmic examination, including ocular motility, exophthalmometry, intraocular pressure (IOP), slit lamp and fundoscopy. Patients received scores according to modified Werner’s NO SPECS classification.
Results: Ocular involvement was found in 70 patients with established Graves’s disease. The mean age was 35.0 years, (SD 13.0, range 15 to 69). The most common ocular findings were exophthalmometric proptosis of more than 20 mm (63.8%), lid lag (55.7%), lid retraction (52.8%) and tearing (38.6%). Almost 70% of patients had bilateral involvement. Elevated IOP was seen in 15 (25.4%) patients, and was significantly related to proptosis (P=0.007). More than half of the patients (n=36, 52.2%) had a modified Werner’s NO SPECS score of 3.00. Clinical severity as shown by the increasing number of signs and symptoms per patient was correlated to increasing age (r=0.31, P=0.01) but not to gender (P=0.17).
Conclusions: Both functional (ocular motility disorders, increased IOP) and cosmetic (proptosis, periorbital edema) sequels are common ocular presentations in patients with Graves' disease. Proptosis was the most common finding in this study and was associated with elevated IOP. Clinical severity was found to correlate to increasing age
Botulism and cavernous sinus thrombosis induced by acute rhinosinusitis: A case report
Get PDFBackground: Botulism is an acute and rapidly progressive descending paralytic disease caused by a neurotoxin of clostridium botulinum.
Case presentation: A 28-year-old woman presented with severe generalized ascending symmetrical muscle paralysis. The patient was intubated and transferred to the medical intensive care unit with several symptoms including: severe headache, dysphagia, dyspnea, ptosis, diplopia, and dry mouth. Despite being alert, pupils were bilaterally midriatic and had absent corneal reflux. Pansinusitis was seen in the paranasal sinus scan. At first, the movement of eyelids, head and neck were restored. The movement of the upper limbs (15th day) and chest wall (20th day), abdomen (25th day) and the lower extremities (32nd day) were then gradually restored. On 41st day, the patient was completely disconnected from the ventilator.
Conclusions: Botulism should be a diagnosis in any patient with an acute progressive symmetrical descending paralysis. Sinus mucosal injury (acute sinusitis) can be inoculated with spores of botulinum