2024 CiteScore: 0.7
pISSN: 0044-6025
eISSN: 1735-9694
Editor-in-Chief:
Ahmadreza Dehpour, PharmD, PhD

This journal is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Articles in Press: Vol 64 No 03 (2026)
Dyspnea or air hunger is distressed breathing that is associated with mental awareness. Dyspnea in chronic respiratory often display anxiety or depressive symptoms. These emotional states cause a decline in the individual's quality of life and functional status. This category contributes to 1) the degree of disability related to dyspnea, and 2) the degree of impairment in lung function. In this study, we need to answer the question: Can mindfulness improve the condition of shortness of breath? Both mindfulness and shortness of breath are subjective sensations, but shortness of breath is multidimensional and multidisciplinary in nature. In this study, we conducted a scoping narrative review using three main online databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus on three main topics: respiratory system, mental imagery, and self- management (rehabilitation). We searched for observational studies and a limited number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published up to 1968 to 2024. The specific keywords were dyspnea, oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, intensive care, and self-management. Dyspnea and mental imagery are the natural occurrence in most people's daily lives. Mental imagery as a cognitive ability is the motivational amplifier for promoting activities, potentially in representative outstanding emotional practices. This review emphasizes on managing the emotional distress caused by dyspnea by imagery in the brain through three different themes: 1) Attention and bodily sensations in the dyspnea, 2) Episodic memory and cognitive load in dyspnea, and 3) Managing dyspnea with mental imagery for health psychology process.
Establishing reliable intravenous access in patients with difficult peripheral veins is a common challenge in perioperative care. In such cases, central venous catheterization (CVC) is often used despite its invasive nature and associated risks. For short elective procedures, this may be excessive. Ultrasound-guided peripheral vein catheterization (US-PVC) has emerged as a safer, less invasive alternative that improves success rates. However, limited evidence exists comparing different anatomical sites for US-PVC in this population. This study aims to compare the efficacy and complication rates of ultrasound-guided IV access in the antecubital versus saphenous regions in adult surgical patients with difficult venous access. This single-center, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted on adult patients undergoing elective surgery with difficult peripheral venous access. Patients were randomized to receive US-guided catheterization in either the antecubital (Group A) or saphenous (Group B) region. All procedures were performed by an anesthesiologist experienced in ultrasound-guided vascular access. Primary outcomes included first-attempt success rate and catheterization time; secondary outcomes included complication rates and patient-reported satisfaction. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 24 hours and 72 hours post-procedure. The saphenous group demonstrated significantly higher first-attempt success rates (53.1% vs. 44.9%, P=0.04) and greater catheter durability (89.8% vs. 75.6%, P=0.03). However, this group also reported significantly more procedural pain based on VAS scores (4.94 vs. 2.24, P<0.001), as well as greater increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Although complication rates such as hematoma and thrombophlebitis were slightly higher in the antecubital group, the differences were not statistically significant. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the saphenous group (95.8% vs. 77.6%, P=0.001), while staff satisfaction did not differ meaningfully between groups. Ultrasound-guided IV catheterization in both antecubital and saphenous regions is effective in patients with difficult venous access. The saphenous site offers higher first-attempt success and catheter longevity but is associated with more discomfort. These findings may aid anesthesiologists in selecting optimal access sites based on clinical needs and patient tolerance. This study was approved by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee (Ethics Code: IR.TUMS.IKHC.REC.1402.418, IRCT Id: IRCT20230130057273N2).
Transforming universities into third-generation universities is a prerequisite for future development. Therefore, awareness of the factors, structures, and practices that exist in higher education institutions and affect the potential emergence of entrepreneurship enables managers to plan to achieve specific results. It seems that the first step in managing this change is to identify the indicators that medical education and medical universities should have in the future. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the indicators necessary to manage the change in medical education, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, on the path to transition to third-generation universities. This study was conducted using a qualitative method and the two-stage Delphi method was used to conduct the research. The research tool was a questionnaire derived from literature on the concepts and components of third-generation universities, which was conducted with the participation of 15 key informants from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences regarding the research topic in 1403. The results showed that the university's support index for staff and student exchanges between the university and industry and organizations outside the university scored the highest with a score of 52, followed by entrepreneurship as a major part of the university's strategy with a score of 50, and internationalization as an important part of the university's entrepreneurial strategy with a score of 30. The lowest score was obtained. Medical universities are forced to move towards third-generation universities for their survival, and in this direction it is necessary to change their functions and structures, therefore, awareness of activities and changes in this direction is necessary and essential, both in order to change and improve the structure and in order to improve performance. It should be noted that creating entrepreneurial universities is not easy and "entrepreneurship and innovation" is complex, chaotic and lacks any linear concept. Universities can start working based on their conditions by changing a number of indicators and move in this direction and continue until the indicators are fully established.
Some studies have concluded that PI and RI play an inadequate role in distinguishing benign tumors from malignant ones; however, later studies have reported different results, showing that Doppler ultrasound is effective in differentiating malignant from non‑malignant ovarian masses by using specific threshold values for both RI and PI. The presence of such conflicting data justifies our study. The purpose of this project was to use color Doppler and ultrasound imaging to differentiate between malignant and benign ovarian tumors and to verify the findings by comparing them with histopathology. Over the course of two years, 86 patients with ovarian masses were evaluated for morphologic features, pulsatility indices (PI), and resistance indices (RI) using Doppler ultrasound. Histopathologic confirmation served as the basis for the final diagnosis. The cutoff value for RI was ≤0.39 and for PI was ≤1.1, as shown in figures 1 and 2 and table 1. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were all 100%. Doppler ultrasound provides effective tools, including resistive and pulsatility indices, that can be used to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian masses.
Febrile seizures are the most common neurologic disorder in infants and young children. Febrile seizures generally have a good prognosis, but approximately one-third of patients may experience a second attack. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of melatonin in preventing the recurrence of subsequent seizures. In this prospective randomized clinical trial study, 60 children with febrile seizures were enrolled in two groups of 30. Clobazam was administered to the control group, while melatonin was given to the intervention group for prophylaxis. Over a 12-month telephone follow-up, the number of febrile illnesses and seizure attacks, as well as drug side effects, was recorded of the 60 children included in this study, 56.7% were boys. The mean age of the participants was 30.22±11.69 months. Seven patients experienced febrile seizures after receiving prophylactic medication, including three patients in the melatonin group and four in the clobazam group. This difference was not statistically significant (P=1.00). Additionally, only two patients in the control group experienced sleepiness. Melatonin may be effective in preventing recurrent febrile seizure episodes without any serious side effects. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT20221102056380N1).
Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, both of which contribute to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidneys. Moreover, atorvastatin appears to enhance the activity of important antioxidant enzymes, potentially reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease and hematological disorders. Eighty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into ten groups: 1) ND (normal diet) 2) HFD (high-fat diet), 3) HFD+ ATO 10, 4) HFD+ ATO 20, 5) HFD+ FO (flaxseed oil), 6) HFD+ F (flaxseed), 7) HFD + ATO 10 + FO, 8) HFD + ATO 20 + FO, 9) HFD + ATO 10 + F, and 10) HFD + ATO 10 + F. Atorvastatin 10 and 20 mg/kg, FO 40 mg/kg, and flaxseed 40 g/kg were administrated for 8 weeks. After 23 weeks, serum level of kidney markers and CBC parameters were evaluated. ATO 20 led to reduce WBC, RBC, and HCT. Furthermore, ATO 20 + FO decreased WBC and ATO 20 + F reduced PLT, RBC and HCT. Administration of ATO 10 cause to increase creatinine (Cr) levels but other interventions had better effect on Cr, however these effects weren’t notable. There weren’t significant differences in Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and urea between groups. F/FO therapies with ATO seems to have synergistic effects to improved dyslipidemia-associated kidney injuries and hematological indices. Although high dose of ATO can be more efficient than low dose.
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has surged globally and is frequently marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking. Nonetheless, the health implications of e-cigarettes remain debated, and their increasing popularity among youth and medical students raises concerns, particularly in countries with limited local research. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding e-cigarettes among dental students at Ashur University in Iraq, while also examining correlations with demographic factors and smoking behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025 involving 104 dental students in their fourth and fifth years. The research team developed a structured, self-administered questionnaire based on previous studies to assess demographic data, smoking status, and knowledge (17 items), attitudes (13 items), and practices related to e-cigarettes. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a P of ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. Of the 100 valid responses, 50% of participants were male, 69% were aged 20 years or younger, and 91% were unmarried. Nearly half (47%) reported being current smokers, with dual use being the most common pattern at 20%. Knowledge levels regarding e-cigarettes were generally high: 88% acknowledged their harmfulness, 69% recognized their addictive potential, and 50% associated them with cancer risk. In contrast, attitudes were more permissive, with 49% believing that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco, 65% considering them a better option for patients, and 61% supporting a ban on their use. Initiation of e-cigarette use was significantly linked to the smoking habits of peers and family (P<0.001). Social media was identified as the primary source of information, cited by 51% of respondents. No significant associations were found between knowledge or attitudes and demographic factors such as age, gender, or income. Dental students at Ashur University demonstrated a solid understanding of e-cigarettes but held permissive attitudes toward their use, indicating misconceptions about their safety. To address these gaps and enhance preventive measures, awareness programs and integration of this topic into the curriculum are essential.
IgG4- related disease is a systemic fibroinflammatory syndrome characterized by tumefactive enlargement of affected organ , diffuse lymphoplasma cells infiltration with a large number of IgG4 producing plasma cells and sclerotic changes. The most commonly involved organs are pancreas, lacrimal and salivary glands. Patients show good response to glucocorticoid therapy and despite its relapsing and remitting course, patients have good prognosis. We report an unusual presentation of IgG4- related disease manifested as isolated soft tissue mass of hand which is an extremely rare manifestation of this disorder.
2024 CiteScore: 0.7
pISSN: 0044-6025
eISSN: 1735-9694
Editor-in-Chief:
Ahmadreza Dehpour, PharmD, PhD

This journal is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
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