فهرست مطالب fatemeh karami robati

Internationalization in medical education (ME) creates new potentials, and links among countries.

The present study aimed to investigate the current outlook on the internationalization of ME in Pakistan.

This case study had an outlook on the internationalization of ME in three top universities in Pakistan. The most significant components, characteristics, and variables related to ME were identified and categorized. The reports regarding the educational, research and health system performance of this country were collected by reviewing the grey literature, and visiting the official websites of these universities.

To improve their competitive capacities Pakistan’s top universities have considered some research parameters, unique strategies (motivational mechanisms for target groups of students, and professors, educational mechanisms and empowering students and professors, mechanisms for communicating with other pioneering universities, and mechanisms for communicating with the industry and exchanging intellectual capital), and short-, medium- and long-term plans for attracting capital, exchanging scientific products, and sharing experience.

Pakistan’s success in internationalization depends on factors, such as concentrating on science and technology, the enhanced role of the local government and the privatization of HE institutes, including modern ideas and making changes in the country’s cultural structure, using English as the primary language in universities, designing web portals based on international criteria, receiving tuition fees from international students, designing programs for international students, hiring foreign faculty members, and sending professors abroad to take part in specialized courses, and making efforts to monitor international initiatives and ensuring quality.

Considering the importance of scorpions and recognizing the mechanisms of toxicity caused by their medically important species in Iran and adopting the best therapeutic approach based on these mechanisms, this study was performed by reviewing the clinical manifestations of scorpion stings.

The research was conducted by searching for articles and researches in related websites (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL) and using domestic and international authoritative journals using the keywords of scorpion, clinical manifestations, in a review method. Finally, 104 qualified sources were selected and after review ing and criticizing these studies, the author's point of view was presented.

Clinical manifestations of Scorpion sting toxicity vary due to the existence of two toxic classes of neurotoxins and cytotoxins or hemotoxins in these arthropods in Iran. The number and distribution of species with neurotoxic ven om are higher than the scorpions with cytotoxic venom and are reported throughout Iran. Scorpions with cytotoxic ven om are mostly widespread in south and southwest of Iran.

Treatment and prevention of scorpion stings in Iran and neighboring countries in the Middle East should be planned based on the mechanism of toxicity and the presence of toxic classes with neurotoxic or cytotoxic venoms.

Approximately two-thirds of infant mortality within the first year of life are caused by preterm labor (PL).

This study aimed to investigate the effects of progesterone-based compounds to prevent PL.

This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 146 pregnant women admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afzalipour hospital in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran in June 2019. The participants with PL received Tocolytic and 12 mg Betamethasone in 2 doses over 2 days to mature the fetus’s lungs. Stopping PL was considered a 12-hr period without any contractions after finishing the Tocolytic. Following the successful cessation of PL, the participants were monitored for 48 hr. Subsequently, the participants were divided into 2 groups. Participants received 200 mg Lutogel capsules orally per day in group A while group B received a weekly dose of 250 mg Proluton in the form of intramuscular injection, respectively. Treatment in groups continued until the 36th wk of delivery. The participants were followed-up weekly, and if any signs of PL were detected, an obstetrician carried out a vaginal examination.

The incidence of PL was the same in both groups. There was no significant difference in the latent phase, average birth weight, and the neonatal intensive care unit admission frequency (p = 0.07, 0.17, 0.58, respectively) between groups.

No difference in the results obtained from the neonatal outcomes evaluated in groups. Both medications similarly led to recovering pregnancy and neonatal outcomes caused by PL. Applying the oral form with similar beneficial effects were pointed out in this study, which can be a solution to the issues caused by numerous injections that are inevitable in the injected administration of this medicine.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection may be common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) patients and may lead to chronic infection as well as cirrhosis. We intended to determine the incidence of HEV infection among HIV-1 patients in comparison to individuals without HIV-1 infection.

In our cross-sectional study, 87 HIV-1-positive patients were compared to 93 healthy individuals in Kerman, Iran. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from all participants. Plasmas were evaluated for HEV IgM and IgG using the ELISA kit. Then, reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) was used in RNA extractions from PBMCs to check for the presence of HEV RNA.

Among the subjects examined in our study, 61 (70.1%) and 71 (77.4%) out of patients with HIV-1 infection and healthy individuals were male, respectively. The average ages of patients with HIV-1 and the control group were 40.2 years and 39.9 years, respectively. No discernible differences existed between the two groups based on IgM and IgG seropositivity against the HEV. However, HEV-RNA was found in 8% of patients with HIV-1 and 1.1% of HIV-1-negative individuals (P=0.03). There was also an association between the HEV genome and anti-HEV and anti-HCV antibodies in HIV-1-positive patients (P=0.02 and P=0.014, respectively).

HEV infection was more common in HIV-1 patients and may develop a chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we suggest molecular-based HEV diagnostic tests, including RT-PCR assays, should be performed in HIV-1 patients with unknown impaired liver function tests.

Considering the importance of internationalization in medical education, adaptation of successful international and national models can help to promote it. This study aimed at explaining the achievement of the universities of medical sciences in internationalization of medical education in Iran.

This descriptive-adaptive study was conducted in the international relations office at Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KMU). At first, top three universities in England, Pakistan, Ireland, Cyprus, and Greece were selected based on The Times Higher Education World University Rankings. According to the land-use planning classification in Iran, KMU is the university to follow and assess the performance of higher education in these countries. Then, information about the policies of these universities in internationalization of higher education was obtained using their websites or by request. We also collected information of KMU as a representative of eight universities of medical sciences and its affiliated academic and research centers.

Data about the ownership of universities, student recruitment strategies, and internationalization policies of the universities were compared with those of KMU and the weaknesses and strengths of KMU were determined.

The universities of medical sciences in Iran are suggested to revise their missions, goals, and performance and aim to practice internationalization of higher education as an important strategy in their university prospects.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is one of the factors that can increase maternal and neonatal mortality, which is affected by several factors. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the frequency of preterm premature rupture of membranes in pregnant women.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman from January 2018 to January 2019. All pregnant women with PPROM and normal pregnant women referred to this Hospital were included in the study through convenient sampling. The data collection tool was a checklist containing patients' demographic information (age, education, occupation, gestational age, number of pregnancies, urinary tract infection (confirmed by the attending physician), history of premature rupture of the water sac, vaginal bleeding (bleeding in any period of pregnancy as the person had visited the doctor), history of premature birth, pregnancy care and trauma (any trauma)). To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation), analytical (Chi-square test) and SPSS software version 22 were used.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 400 pregnant women were studied. Two hundred of pregnant women had preterm premature rupture of membranes and 200 of pregnant women did not have such condistion and were normal. The mean age of pregnant women was 27.4±5.4 years old and the mean gestational age of pregnant women was 34.1±2.1 weeks. The mean parity of pregnant women was 2.3±1.4. Risk factors such as maternal age (P=0.011), number of pregnancies (P=0.035), maternal education (P=0.018), history of preterm premature rupture of membranes (P=0.046), history of preterm delivery (P=0.019), trauma (P=0.037) and pregnancy care (P=0.037) affected preterm premature rupture of membranes.

The results of this study showed that maternal age, number of pregnancies, maternal education, and history of preterm premature rupture of membranes, history of preterm delivery, trauma, and prenatal care are risk factors for PROM. Therefore, by educating pregnant mothers about these risk factors, the incidence and complications of preterm premature rupture of membranes can be reduced.

Gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases, in addition to the high health care utilization, account for a significant proportion of disability and death in Iran. We aimed to assess the incidence of in-hospital mortality for the total GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman, Iran.

In a cross-sectional study from May 2017 to April 2018, we collected the data of in-hospital death records due to GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman city. GI and liver diseases were classified into three main categories: 1. Non-malignant GI diseases, 2. Non-malignant liver and pancreaticobiliary diseases, and 3. GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary malignancies. All data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 (IBM).

Of 3427 in-hospital mortality, 269 (7.84%) deaths were due to GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases, of which 82 (30.48%) were related to non-malignant GI disorders, 92 (34.20%) to the non-malignant liver and pancreaticobiliary diseases, and 95 (35.31%) were associated with GI, liver and pancreaticobiliary malignancies. Most patients were male (62.08%), and the most common age was between 60-80 years (40.5%). GI bleeding occurred in 158 (58.73%) patients, and variceal bleeding was the most common cause (28.48%). Additionally, cirrhosis was reported in 41 out of 92 (44.56%), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) was the most common cause of cirrhosis among 17 out of 41 (41.46%).

Our results show that gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers and cirrhosis due to HBV were the most common causes of mortality associated with GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in the hospitals of Kerman.

Choosing a medical specialty is an important choice for medical students and the healthcare system.

This study aimed to investigate the interest of last-year medical students in choosing a future medical specialty and determine effective factors in it.

A descriptive cross-sectional study of 201 medical students was performed in Iran in 2019. All medical students who completed the internship period by the end of September 2020 were selected by census method. A questionnaire was applied, the validity and reliability of which had already been registered in the Statistics Center of Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran. Data analysis was performed using descriptive methods, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and SPSS software (version 20). A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

About 98% of students intended to choose a future medical specialty. The highest number of interested students were female (66%) and single (83.2%), with a mean age of 26.69 ± 12.22 years. The parents’ educational level of most students interested in continuing education was a bachelor’s degree or lower (52.3%). “Achieving a better economic position” (91.4%) was the most important factor for choosing a specialty. Most participants were interested in ophthalmology (18.2%). The factors “specific working hours” and “easy residency period” were indicated most frequently as effects on the preference for ophthalmology.

The present findings provide significant insight into creating strategies to attract a number of medical students in other specialties based on the needs of the Iranian healthcare system.

Celiac disease is a common malabsorptive bowel disease caused by gluten sensitivity that affects other organs of the body in addition to the gastrointestinal tract, such as the liver, brain, and respiratory system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the pulmonary volumes in patients with celiac disease in Kerman city.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on all adult patients with celiac disease in the Celiac Registry in Afzalipour Hospital. All patients whose records were complete were included in the study. At this stage, height and weight were measured, and their demographic information was recorded in a checklist. Then, according to the standard conditions, spirometry was performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.

The study cases comprised 58 patients with celiac disease. The average age of the patients was 37.59±18.02 years. The mean height was 157.22±14.30 cm and the mean weight was 57.09±17.06 kg. The results showed that the mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.15±0.93 L, the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 2.68±0.76 L, the mean ratio of FEV1 to FVC 83.06 ± 5.56%, and the mean of peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 6.64±1.61 L.

The results of this study indicated pulmonary volumes in celiac patients were lower than the normal age- and sex-matched population. Further studies to follow up and assess respiratory problems in these patients are needed.

Tic disturbances are a group of developmental neurological disorders that often occur in childhood because of abrupt and automatic constrictions of muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with a tic disorders.

This present case-control research was performed on 63 children with tic disorders and 63 children who were healthy and were referred to Besat clinics in Kerman, Iran from October 2019 to October 2020. The clinical information of patients with tic disorders was collected using a questionnaire. Serum vitamin 25(OH) D3 levels were assessed in patients with tic disturbances after identifying tic disorder.

In the group of children with tic disorders, the highest number of patients were girls and in the group of children who were healthy, the highest number of patients were girls. The average age of patients in the case group was 10.37±0.31 years old and the average age of patients in the control group was 10.06±0.41 years old. The average age difference between the children with tic disorders and healthy children was not statistically significant (P=0.971). The average body mass index (BMI) in the case group was 16.98±0.35 and the average BMI in the control group was 16.0±84.56. The average body mass index difference between the children with tic and healthy children was not statistically significant (P=0.838). The mean serum Vit 25(OH) D3 levels in the control group were higher than the average serum level of vitamin D in the case group. The mean serum vitamin D level difference between the children with tic disorders and healthy children was statistically considerable (P=0.036).

The results showed that the average serum level of vitamin D in children with tic disorders was significantly lower than in children who were healthy. To investigate and confirm this relationship, more long-term studies with a larger number of patients are needed.

Vesicoureteral reflux (urinary reflux) is one of the most common congenital anomalies in children. This study aimed to compare the ureteral opening distance from the midline in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and healthy children

This cross-sectional study was performed on the children with pyelonephritis who were referred to Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran from August 2019 to August 2020. Twenty children with vesicoureteral reflux (urinary reflux) and twenty healthy children were randomly selected. Then children with vesicoureteral reflux (urinary reflux) and healthy children were divided into two groups. The distance from the ureter to the midline in these children was then measured by a radiologist with a Philips affinity 70 ultrasound machine.

In both groups (healthy children and ones with vesicoureteral reflux), ninety-five percent of the children were girls. The mean age of the children in the second group (the children with urinary reflux) was 5.8±2.58 years and the mean age of the children in the first group (the healthy children) was 4.75±1.54 years. The mean age difference between the children with urinary reflux and healthy children was not statistically significant (P=0.127). The mean distance of the ureter from the midline in children with vesicoureteral reflux was 11.44±2.60 mm and the mean distance of the ureter from the midline in healthy children was 9.32±2.74 mm. The mean difference distance of the ureter from the midline in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and healthy children was statistically significant (P=0.002).

Considering that the distance between the ureter and the midline in patients with urinary reflux is significantly longer than non-reflux ureters, it can be used as a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (urinary reflux) in children.

The main indicators of higher education (HE) internationalization in the field of awarding degrees are the international development of disciplines and interdisciplinary sciences, new educational and learning methods, new and updated curricula, and their correct ways of sharing. This study aimed to examine the system of awarding degrees in health HE of Iran and the United Kingdom. This descriptive-comparative study focused on the field of medical sciences and its related disciplines. The vital information about the variables was collected by visiting the official websites of the UK universities and related or joint organizations. The related information to the Kerman University of Medical Sciences as a sample of Iran medical universities was obtained from the university’s Farabar system. All data extraction steps were performed manually. There were differences in the mechanism of setting up a new discipline and the process of students’ admission, diversity of degrees’ titles and curriculums, stability of disciplines over the time, creativity in creating competition between different disciplines, the reason for establishing a discipline and the requirements for certification and awarding of degrees in health sciences disciplines in Iran and the United Kingdom were described. Propelling of medical education in the health sciences area towards standard awarding degree systems can be responsible for the requirements of internationalization of higher education.

Ventilator-induced pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection in intensive care unit patients. The aim of this study was to compare the common ventilator-associated pneumonia in two groups of children and adults in the intensive care unit of Bahonar Hospital in Kerman in 2019.

The records of 146 patients in both pediatric and adult groups in the intensive care unit with ventilator-associated pneumonia were reviewed cross-sectional. Broncho alveolar lavage samples were taken from the patients and examined for the presence of operating bacteria.

The mean age of patients in children and adults was 11.2±5.5 and 53.8±19.3 years, respectively. The mean duration of ventilation in children and adults was 12.2±8.14 and 17.7±15.3 days, respectively. The mean time interval between ventilation and infection was not statistically significant between the two groups (P = 0.1). The mean length of hospital stay was 27.5±20.5 in the pediatric group and 40.7±23.4 days in the adult group (p=0.00). Acinetobacter (40%) was the most common disease in both age groups. Most patients in both children and adults were recovered and discharged.

According to similar crimes in the age group, in case of clinical and laboratory symptoms of VAP, a similar antibiotic treatment can be selected.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with various potential etiology, including infectious disease. The number of studies on the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and MS is limited. So, in this study, we aimed to assess the relation between H. pylori infection and MS in Kerman city, the center of the largest province in Iran.

In a case-control study, 71 patients with newly diagnosed MS and 145 sex- and age-matched controls were included. Blood samples for IgG anti-HP antibodies were collected from all individuals. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

71 patients with newly diagnosed MS consisted of 48 (67.6%) women and 23 (32.39%) men were included in our study. The mean age was 43±10 years. The mean ages in the case and control groups were 43.83±10.40 and 44.41±16.30 years, respectively (p= 0.114). The control group more commonly had used smoking (p =0.814). Alcohol consumption was higher in the control group (p =0.965). More than 40% of the patients in the case group and 55.17% in the control group had body mass index (BMI)>25 (p =0.074). H. pylori seropositivity was observed in 61.97% of the MS group compared with 76.55% of the non-MS group (p =0.021).

We concluded that patients with newly diagnosed MS had low H. pylori seropositivity, so H. pylori infection may have a protective effect against MS.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the causes of upper and lower respiratory tract infections especially in children, and antibiotics affecting the cell wall do not affect this type of infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and macrolide resistance in children with community-acquired pneumonia in Kerman city.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a selected teaching hospital in Kerman city from July 2018 to July 2019. Fifty-one children hospitalized in the pediatric ward were diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia acquired from the community. These children were included in the study by census method. The data collection tool was a standard checklist. The checklist was completed by parents. Pharynx and nasal swab samples were taken from all patients. PCR was used to identify mycoplasma.

The highest number of patients with bacterial pneumonia acquired from the community were male (52.9%). The average age of these cases was 5.52±3.93 years and the average weight of these patients was 17.23±10.55 kg. Lung involvement was one-sided in more than half of the patients. The most of lung involvements were lobar (31.4%). More than half of the patients didn’t have any associated involvement (52.9%). The most common type of associated involvement was peribronchial thickening (29.4%). The most commonly used antibiotic was Ceftriaxone (76.5%). The prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with pneumonia was 2%. These children had an rRNA gene at position 2063 that had high levels of macrolide resistance.

The results of this study showed very low rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children with bacterial pneumonia acquired from the community. Therefore, it can be concluded that in addition to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, other viral and bacterial agents are also involved in respiratory infections that need to be identified and addressed.

Regarding the importance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the high prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency in different societies. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Vit D3 deficiency in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this cross-sectional study, 122 individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were selected by a simple sampling method. After collecting demographic data, serum Vit 25(OH) D3 level was measured by the ELFA method. Blood lipids level (TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL), FBS, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, and PT were measured by the enzymatic method. To analyze the data, descriptive and analytical methods and SPSS software version 16 were used. The study cases are comprised of 122 individuals (57.4% male). The average age of cases was 42.4±11.7 years, and the mean of serum Vit D3 level was 19.8±22 ng/dl (3-220 ng/dl). Regarding the serum 25(OH) D3 levels data showed 66.4% of cases were Vit D3 deficient (Vit D3 level< 20 ng/dl), 18% had insufficient level (Vit D3 level=20-30 ng/dl), and the remained 15.6% had sufficient level (Vit D3 level> 30 ng/dl). HDL level was higher in individuals with 25(OH) D3 sufficiency compared to those with 25(OH) D3 insufficiency and Vit D3 deficiency (P=0.019). There was no significant relationship between serum Vit D3 level and other investigated variables. The results of this study indicated that most individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had Vit D3 deficiency. Further studies are suggested.

Scientific productions are among the most important criteria in the development of countries. Gastric cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer in Iran. In this study, we aimed to analyze the publications about gastric cancer in Iran from 1983 to 2017 using the Web of Science (WoS) database.

In this scientometric study, at first, all terms related to «Gastric Cancer» were extracted using the Medical Subject Headings. Then, WoS database was searched using these terms. The time frame was until the end of 2017. Then, the results were refined to the countries. The data analyses were performed using Excel software.

Among 38554 records indexed in the WoS, 372 (0.965%) were published in Iran, ranking the country 16th in the world. Compound annual growth rate of Iranian scientific productions was 16.76%. Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were identified as the most productive centers with a contribution rate of 31.45% and 15.05%, respectively. The most international collaborations of Iranian researchers were with the United States (5.37%), Sweden (2.68%), and Germany (2.41%). Most articles were published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (9.67%). Most scientific productions were related to oncology (36.29%), gastroenterology and hepatology (21.23%), and general internal medicine (11.02%). Most scientific productions were published in the form of an “Article” (63.71%). All of the Iranian scientific productions about gastric cancer were in the English language.

Iranian scientific productions in the field of gastric cancer have been increased from 1983 to 2017, although Iran was ranked 16th in the world.

Dissertations or theses are valuable sources of information, which play an important role in scientific development because of their specific nature and characteristics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the status of medical students and residents' dissertations in terms of contribution to scientific development in Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

This cross-sectional, analytical study examined the status of medical students and residents' dissertations, submitted to the Medical Faculty of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2012 - 2015. First, the research deputy of Kerman University of Medical Sciences provided the dissertation information. Then, the information was analyzed in terms of study design, study type, extraction of Persian and English articles, publication in domestic and international journals, and indexing in reputable scientific databases in two groups of medical students and residents' dissertations. SPSS was used for all statistical analyses.

In total, 643 dissertations were studied, including 342 (53%) residents and 301 (47%) medical students' thesis. Overall, 267 (41.5%) dissertations were published as articles in domestic and international journals. The findings showed that 13.4% of articles were indexed in the Scopus database. The mean scores of medical students and residents' dissertations were 19.22 ± 0.70 and 19.15 ± 0.85, respectively.

Despite the large number of medical students and residents' dissertations submitted to Kerman University of Medical Sciences, a limited number of dissertations were published as scientific and research papers, and the number of articles indexed in international journals was insignificant. Thesis writing is generally a unique opportunity for students to learn research skills and methods. In addition, publication of thesis findings in domestic and international databases can lead to scientific development.

One of the most important criteria of the development of countries at the national and international levels is the survey of scientific productions indexed in authentic databases. This study aimed to analyze the scientific productions by Iranian researchers on gastroenterology and hepatology in the Web of Science (WOS) database.

This applied study used a scientometric approach to review the scientific productions by Iranian researchers on gastroenterology and hepatology in the WOS database. Therefore, the total number of scientific documents related to the category of gastroenterology and hepatology, Iran, and other countries were recovered. The time frame was until the end of 2017. Data were collected in April 2018. This research was conducted at the Clinical Research Unit in Afzalipour Medical Center in Kerman, Iran.

The results showed that during 1983 to 2017, the total number of 2180 scientific productions (0.31%) on gastroenterology and hepatology were published in Iran, ranking the country 34th in the world. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in Iranian scientific publications was 9.5%. The «Tehran University of Medical Sciences» was identified as the most productive center in gastroenterology and hepatology field with a contribution rate of 35.69%. The results also showed that the most international collaboration of Iranian researchers on gastroenterology and hepatology field was with the United States of America (USA) scientific centers (5.82%). Most articles in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology (26.69%) were published in the «Hepatitis Monthly» journal. Most scientific productions in this field were related to the microbiology. The majority of scientific productions on gastroenterology and hepatology field were published in the form of article. Most scientific productions by Iranian researchers on gastroenterology and hepatology in the Web of Science (WOS) database were in English language.

Results showed that although compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in Iranian gastroenterology and hepatology publications was high rather than gastroenterology and hepatology scientific productions CAGR in the world, it’s not satisfying. Most articles have published in journals with low impact factor. Therefore, we should resolve the problems and increase the scientific level of researches.

Evaluation of the quality of hospitals services is very valuable. The results of evaluations can be useful to healthcare providers and patients by identifying the gap between the current and the desired status. SERVQUAL model is one of the methods for assessing the quality of health care services. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of services in a selected teaching hospital in Kerman city, from the perspective of patients. This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in a cross-sectional manner from October to March 2017 in a selected teaching hospital in Kerman. The study population included 83 patients with a history of hospitalization who were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a SERVQUAL model. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, independent t-test, and ANOVA by SPSS version 22. The average age of patients was 43.78±12.43 years. The quality of hospital services was improved compared to previous years. The highest and the lowest mean were related to "Tangibles" (4.04±0.58) and "Empathy" (3.84±0.46), respectively. There was a significant relationship between service quality and gender (P=0.01) and educational level (P<0.001).  Healthcare managers should use the results of such studies to plan and allocate optimal hospital resources and increase the quality of their services. Should improve the level of patients' satisfaction by directing resources towards areas affecting patients' perception and experience.