فصلنامه نوید نو
پیاپی 72 (زمستان 1398)

The emergence of drug resistance in microorganisms poses a serious threat to human health; therefore, new oxadiazole derivatives can be a good alternative. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the synthesized oxadiazole derivatives and compare it with conventional antibacterial drugs.

In the current study, following the one-step reaction process, new derivatives of oxadiazoles were obtained with the 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole isomer. Thereafter, they were confirmed by InfraRed )IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)C-NMR), and Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)  H-NMR spectroscopy). Antibacterial activity of derivatives was established by performing a test and re-test on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. using disc diffusion method, determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and  Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml.

As evidenced by the obtained results, the compounds synthesized at 1 mg/ml had antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. However, they exerted no effect on the other bacteria which were tested.   

The results of the current study indicated that the new single-step oxadiazole derivatives have a very good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

High-risk pregnancy is a kind of pregnancy that causes anxiety and compromises the health of the mother and fetus. The current study aimed to compare the effect of lecture and cognitive behavioral methods on the anxiety level in women with high-risk pregnancy in Sanandaj, Iran.

The present interventional study was a randomized clinical trial performed on 144 women with high-risk pregnancy of 24-35 weeks referring to comprehensive health centers in Sanandaj, within 2018. To select samples, the city was divided into five districts and then the subjects were randomly selected from 6 centers with the highest number of women with high-risk pregnancy. In each center, the sampling units were selected by the available sampling method. Before the intervention, the Spielberger questionnaire was completed to assess the anxiety score. Then the samples were divided into three groups of cognitive behavioral (n =48), lecture (n=48), and control (n=48). The cognitive behavioral group was divided into four groups of 12 participants and the lecture group into two groups of 24 people, each. The intervention was performed twice a week in a 90-120 minute sessions for each cognitive behavioral group and once a week for each lecture group for a period of 4 weeks. The control group also received routine pregnancy care. Four weeks after the intervention, the Spielberger questionnaire was completed again by the researcher for all groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 21) and the collected data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, paired t-test, Tukey, covariance analysis, and one-way ANOVA. 

The results of the current study showed that before intervention there was no significant difference in the level of anxiety in the three groups of lecture, cognitive behavioral, and control groups (P<0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed in the anxiety level of the control group (P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the lecture group (P<0.05) and the cognitive behavioral group (P<0.05) and the anxiety in the cognitive behavioral group decreased significantly (P<0.05), compared to the control and lecture groups.

The results of the current study showed that educating with the cognitive behavioral approach and lecture style reduced pregnancy anxiety. Moreover, cognitive behavioral training had a more effective impact on reducing anxiety during pregnancy. Therefore, it was concluded that in lecture and cognitive behavioral methods, mothers gain a higher ability to manage their anxiety and avoid thoughts or behaviors that lead to increased anxiety.

In addition to the importance of vitamin D in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus, which have an important role in bone metabolism, it is defined that vitamin D plays a role in many biological activities, and its deficiency makes the individual become more susceptible to various diseases. Some individuals, such as medical staff, may be more likely to be vitamin D deficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum vitamin D level and its related factors among nursing students in Langarud, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 nursing students to evaluate serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels in 1395. Vitamin D was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and calcium and phosphorus levels were evaluated by colorimetry. Then, a research-made questionnaire was completed based on age, gender, body mass index, sunscreen usage, milk consumption, skin color, sun exposure, as well as the type of coverage and physical activity. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, or Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS software (version 22) at P

The mean values of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus were 27.30±19.07 ng/ml, 10±0.29 mg/dl, and 3.47±0.24 mg/dl, respectively. Less than normal levels of vitamin D were found in 65% of females (29.74±23.11) and 73% of males (25.26±14.86), and there was no significant difference between the two genders in this regard. There was only a significant difference between the type of coverage and level of serum vitamin D.   

The results showed that despite the normal levels of calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were prevalent among the nursing students in the Nursing and Midwifery School of Langarud. In addition, it is needed to consider the increase of vitamin D a health priority.

Research-based education is an important indicator of higher education and research status in every country and it is regarded as the main criterion of its development. The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and performance of medical students in relation to research and its related factors in 2018.

The current study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 431 students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The participants of the present study were selected using cluster sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with four sections of demographic characteristics, knowledge measurement, attitude measurement, and research performance. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) using descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Likert spectrum tests).

Based on the findings of the present study, 78.4% of the participants had a very good attitude, 92.3% poor knowledge, and 58.5% poor performance toward research. Lack of study on statistical methods, participation in research and article writing courses, and non-participation in even one research project in 60-75% of students were observed. No statistically significant relationship was detected between students' attitudes and their gender, knowledge and academic level, and research performance and the employment status of the students (P<0.05).   

Results of the present study indicated poor knowledge and performance of the students in researching, as well as their lack of familiarity with the role and duties of the research centers in the universities. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to broaden the students' knowledge of research.

Honey acts as a powerful and effective dietary compound against many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different kinds of honey native to grasslands of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran, on the activity of Candida albicans.

This laboratory study was performed in 2019. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity,  seven kinds of honey were obtained from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Furthermore, they were investigated with Fluconazole against Candida albicans using the measurement of the zone of inhibition diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and live count. Following that, Oak and Forty tropical plant (i.e., Chelgiah) honey were identified to contain the highest antimicrobial activity in the culture medium. Subsequently, 48 laboratory animals were divided into 4 groups (12 animals per group). The first 2 groups were candida-infected animals treated with two natural kinds of honey (Oak and Forty tropical plants). Moreover, group 3 was regarded as a drug control and treated with standard Fluconazole, and the fourth group was a positive control that was under no treatments after being infected with digestive candidiasis. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using one-way ANOVA and paired t-test.

The results of measurement of the zone of inhibition diameter and MIC showed that at the concentrations of 40% and 50%, Oak and Forty tropical plant honey had the most significant effects on Candida albicans (P

From the academic perspective, the differences between the educational curriculum of Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are quite clear in basic medical sciences. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more effective relationship between these two programs to provide better clinical services and conduct joint research projects. In this regard, the present study was conducted to review the evidences of the Ph.D. in medical sciences to MD course  in other countries and to make suggestions for set up this course in Iran.

This study was conducted by reviewing the English articles published from 1960 to 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases using the keywords, such as "Ph.D." AND "MD" OR "Ph.D. to MD course" in combination with the "Curriculum" OR "Program" OR "Course".

The results of the present study showed that the plans of the Ministry of Health in encouraging MD graduates to enter the Ph.D. courses in medical sciences have been effective in promoting clinical services. Therefore, this experience can be used to set up the Ph.D. to the MD course. Moreover, given the existence of the Ph.D. to MD course at some prestigious universities worldwide and considering the medical education program in Iran, this course can be set up at some internally accredited universities.    

It seems that launching the Ph.D. to MD courses in Iran as a 4-year course can provide an effective link between basic and clinical sciences, improve the quality of medical research, and increase the motivation of Ph.D. students and graduates.

Heart disease is the most common cause of mortality in industrialized countries. The most important contributing factor in this regard is high blood cholesterol levels. Milk Thistle was widely used in the past to lower cholesterol levels. This study aimed to determine the effect of Milk Thistle on Hyperlipidemia.

This systematic review study was conducted using databases, such as Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, Scopus, PubMed, and ISI along with English and Persian individual or combined keywords of "Milk Thistle", "Silymarin", "Dyslipidemia", "Hyperlipidemia",  and "Silybum Marianum" up to 2019. Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of articles, and the data were analyzed qualitatively.

Out of 56 papers, only eight clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria were selected in this study. The majority of the studies confirmed the significant effect of "Milk Thistle" (individually or in combination) under different brand names, such as Berberol, on cholesterol, triglycerides, and Low-density Lipoproteins. No serious side effects of this herb have been reported in these studies.    

According to the results, the consumption of "Milk Thistle" individually or in combination with other herbs, such as Berberis aristata can decrease Hyperlipidemia. These results pave the way for the wider utilization of this herb in medicine.