A novel social-network-analysis-based approach for analyzing complex network of actors involved in accessibility of anti-cancer medications in Iran.

Background: The access to anti-cancer medications is influenced by policies formed via the convergence of various stakeholders. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the stakeholders involved in formulating and implementing policies related to the accessibility of anti-cancer medications in Iran and their interactions that are relevant to the outcomes of these policies for the first time.

Methods: To achieve the objectives, a novel multistage social network analysis (SNA)-based approach that includes three phases is proposed.

Lack of hospital resilience as the main challenge of hospital management during the COVID-19 pandemic: A grounded theory study.

Background: Traditional hospital management responses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic proved ineffective, particularly considering the pre-existing challenges in healthcare systems. The study examines hospital management challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming their lived experiences into a conceptual approach to prevent repetition and benefit health planners and policymakers in future crises and normal times.

Methods: This qualitative study utilized the grounded theory methodology, conducting in-depth interviews with 12 hospital administrators from seven major referral hospitals in Shiraz, Bushehr, and Tehran, focusing on COVID-19 patients' complex conditions.

Reporting and Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Evaluating Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Tendinopathies: A Scoping Review.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of the published systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) that looked at the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on tendinopathies and to summarize its effectiveness.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and REHABDATA was conducted. SRs/MAs that assessed the effectiveness of ESWT for treating tendinopathy were included.

Effectiveness of interventions for preventing road traffic injuries: A systematic review in low-, middle- and high-income countries.

Background: Road traffic collisions (RTCs) are the primary cause of death, which usually occur during the most crucial years of life, resulting in significant damage to health, society, and the economy. A wide variety of strategies and policies have been implemented around the world to minimize injuries and fatalities resulting from RTCs. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce road traffic injuries (RTIs) in low-, middle-, and high-income countries.

Latent class analysis of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality among COVID-19 patients in Iran.

Identifying COVID-19 patients' clinical phenotypes based on characteristics and comorbidities, as well as their differences, helps in terms of clinical care and potential crises. Our goal is to use Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify COVID-19 patient profiles based on demographics, symptoms, and comorbidities, and evaluate their correlation with ICU admission, hospitalization duration, and mortality in a cross-sectional study. We included hospitalized patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in two referral hospitals in the south of Iran between January 2020 and July 2021.

Barriers and facilitators to primary healthcare utilization among immigrants and refugees of low and middle-income countries: a scoping review.

Introduction: Primary health care (PHC) is the most common model for providing primary care, and PHC services are the most common points of care that immigrants and refugees attend as a first step. Most immigrants travel to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet only a few studies have examined their health conditions and their access to PHC in these countries. We have attempted to identify the barriers and facilitators that immigrants and refugees encounter when using PHC in these countries.

Quantitative Assessment of PALB2 and BRIP1 Genes Expression in the Breast Cancer Cell Line under the Influence of Tamoxifen.

Background: Breast cancer is considered one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. Cancer incidence and consequently, drug consumption can strongly influence gene expressions at the transcriptome level. Therefore, the assessment of the candidate biomarkers' gene expression can accelerate the diagnosis process and increase the chance of treatment and remission.

All-cause mortality of hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients: a multicenter study from Iran.

Aim: In this multicenter study, we investigated all causes of mortality in hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Background: The widespread use of biologics and immune suppressive treatments, along with the longer lifespan of patients with IBD, may have changed the cause of death in this population. Knowing this may lead to better preventive and therapeutic strategies for IBD patients.

Effects of short-chain fatty acid-butyrate supplementation on expression of circadian-clock genes, sleep quality, and inflammation in patients with active ulcerative colitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: The regulation of the circadian clock genes, which coordinate the activity of the immune system, is disturbed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Emerging evidence suggests that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by the gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses as well as circadian-clock genes. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of sodium-butyrate supplementation on the expression of circadian-clock genes, inflammation, sleep and life quality in active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Correction: Factors associated with reluctancy to acquire COVID-19 vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Shiraz, Iran, 2022.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Evidence-based practice in traditional persian medicine (TPM): a stakeholder and social network analysis.

Background: The utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is experiencing a global surge, accompanied by the adoption of national CAM policies in numerous countries. Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) is highly used as CAM in Iran, and the ongoing scientific evaluation of its interventions and the implementation of evidence-based medicine (EBM) encounters various barriers. Therefore, comprehending the characteristics and interactions of stakeholders is pivotal in advancing EBM within TPM policies.

Public Preference for Financing Preventive Vaccines in Health Shocks: The Case of COVID-19 Vaccines in a Middle-Income Country.

Background: To effectively manage health crises such as disease pandemics, health authorities require reliable information regarding people's preferences. This helps to ensure timely and targeted interventions and avoids increasing societal costs through developing evidence-based policies. This study investigates the Iranian people's preference for financing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and the factors affecting this.

The Global Road Traffic Death Rate and Human Development Index from 2000 to 2019: A Trend Analysis.

Background: Numerous studies on the association between the human development index (HDI) and road traffic death rate (RTDR) merely focus on developed countries, not reflecting the relationship between the HDI components and RTDR in a time-trend analysis. Accordingly, this study analyzes the trends of RTDR and their association with the HDI and its components from 2000 to 2019.

Methods: The RTDR data of 154 countries were imported into the unconditional latent growth model (LGM) to assess the RTDR trends.

The Potential Role of Autophagy in Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Treatment: A Brief Report.

Despite antiviral treatment, some patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progress to cirrhosis. Enhancement of autophagy was implicated in the proliferation of hepatitis B in hepatocytes. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of autophagy in the progression of liver fibrosis in patients receiving antiviral treatments and having completely inhibited viral replication.

Barriers and enabling factors for utilizing physical rehabilitation services by Afghan immigrants and refugees with disabilities in Iran: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Individuals with a migrant background often underutilize physical rehabilitation services (PRS) compared to the host population. This disparity is attributed to various barriers, including limited access to information, language barriers, illiteracy, and cultural factors. To improve PRS utilization by Afghan immigrants and refugees in Iran, it is crucial to identify these barriers and enabling factors.

Factors contributing to the burnout of the faculties of a medical university in Iran: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Faculty members confront a variety of obstacles over time, the most recent of which is the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which may increase their vulnerability to burnout (BO). This study aims to examine BO in medical school faculties, as well as the factors that lead to BO and well-being in them.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 using online questionnaires completed by 222 faculty members of a medical university in Iran.

Demanded interdisciplinary subjects for integration in medical education program from the point of view of graduated medical physicians and senior medical students: a nationwide mixed qualitative-quantitative study from Iran.

Introduction: This study aimed to detect interdisciplinary subjects for integration into the medical education program of Iran.

Methods: A qualitative-quantitative method was used. Firstly, interdisciplinary subjects demanded by medical graduates and senior medical students were defined by qualitative study.

Efficacy and safety of aniseed powder for treating gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent amongst patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and may be associated with an increased risk of disease severity. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aniseed ( L.) powder as an add-on therapy to standard care for treating gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by adults with an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Barriers and facilitators to reducing low-value care for the management of low back pain in Iran: a qualitative multi-professional study.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with a wide range of etiologies, ranging from self-limiting conditions to life-threatening diseases. Various modalities are available for the diagnosis and management of patients with LBP. However, many of these health services, known as low-value care (LVC), are unnecessary and impose undue financial costs on patients and health systems.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Steatosis severity and subclinical atherosclerosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent liver condition recognised as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is ongoing debate regarding the effective strategy for cardiovascular risk assessment in MASLD.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between liver imaging, specifically focusing on the severity of steatosis and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Polypharmacy and pattern of medication use among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: results from Pars Cohort study.

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common chronic condition. Its chronic nature may affect the pattern of medication use. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and patterns of polypharmacy and medication use among GERD patients in southwestern Iran.

Emotional intelligence and happiness in clinical medical students: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background And Aims: Emotional intelligence (EI) has improved job performance and has been associated with the success of individuals. The interfering role of happiness in this equation is unneglectable; however, this association has not been established in clinical medical students exposed to work pressures and stressful hospital atmospheric. The present perusal was conducted to evaluate the relationship between EI and happiness in clinical medical students.