The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of role-playing education on the learning rate and motivation of the biology lesson compared to the traditional and teacher-centered method. This research was conducted with the method of pre-test and post-test in two experimental and control groups and the results were compared. The statistical sample of the research included all the experimental 11th grade boys in Morvdasht city. One high school was randomly selected from among the boys' high schools. This high school had 2 eleventh grade classes and 60 students. These two classes were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Using the half-year grades of the biology course as a pre-test, the difference in the significance level of the two experimental and control groups was examined. The method of playing a role in the topic of hormones was carried out in the experimental group. No action was taken in the control group. A post-test was taken from both groups. The results of the research showed that the students of the experimental group had better grades and more complete and conceptual learning, showing a significant difference. Therefore, the role-playing teaching model can be implemented in biology topics.

Background: Medical education is viewed as a challenging phenomenon, which can cause stress in learners and affect the learning quality. Considering the importance of basic sciences education, development of new pedagogical approaches is necessary to improve medical education. role-play is an efficient simulation-based approach, which can improve the students’ perception and imagination. In basic sciences, immunology is of high relevance in clinical situations, as immunological disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. Objectives: Given the importance of deep learning in immunology, we integrated role-play in teaching immunology to medical students in order to promote deep and durable learning. Methods: In this study, two independent classes of medical students were evaluated in two consecutive academic semesters in 2014-2015. In one class, only lectures were conducted, while in the other class, lectures, along with role-play, were integrated. Pretest and posttest scores were determined at the beginning and end of the semesters in both classes, and the scores were compared. Also, the students’ point of view was studied using a questionnaire. Results: The pretest score, which indicated the students’ general knowledge of immunology, was not significantly different between the two classes. However, there was an increase in the score of students participating in the class, which integrated lecture and role-play. In addition, the score obtained by female students, who participated in the class with lecture and role-play, was significantly higher than that of female students in the lecture-based class. The results of the questionnaire revealed that the students were satisfied with the integrated teaching method and believed that their knowledge had improved. Conclusions: Based on the findings, dramatization can make learning an exciting process and improve the students’ understanding of immunology concepts.

Purpose: To evaluate the awareness of non-urological doctors for their role in evaluating prostate cancer (Pca) in scientific manner which may be a possible probability for late diagnosis of Pca. Materials and Methods: A total of 936 non-urological specialists working in 1 university and 4 education and research hospital who were able to evaluate male patients over 50 years of age were included to the survey. A face to face questionnaire had been administered to all participants. Results: A total of 92 (9. 8%) participants were evaluating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to all their elderly male patients while 404 (43. 2%) participants had never made this evaluation. Among the participants who were evaluating PSA, none was performing an informed decision making consult and even they did not have any idea about the meaning of this strategy. About the criteria for urological consultation, 56 (6%) reported that they consult all their elderly male patients, whereas 880 (94%) answered that they perform consultation if their patients has sought help for any urological symptom. Conclusion: Urologists must remind the non-urological specialists that their approaches to Pca evaluation may change mortality rates of this disease and give them proper information about the scientific evaluation of Pca. This may help us to decrease the mortality rates of Pca.

Background: The northern coastal regions of Iran are endemic for leptospirosis which may range from a subclinical illness to a progressively fatal disease. There has been growing evidence that inflammatory markers play a significant role in the severity and prognosis of leptospirosis. This study aimed to investigate inflammatory cytokines in patients with leptospirosis. Methods: This descriptive-analytical prospective study was performed in 75 patients over 18 years old who had a positive microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titer from January to June 2019. SPSS software Version 20 was used for statistical analysis and the significance level was considered as p<0. 05. Results: The patients’,age enrolled in this study are from 21 to 75 years with a mean and standard deviation of 48. 6±, 14. 0. The male to female ratio in our participants was 54/21. Fever was the most common symptoms in 66 (88. 0%) patients, followed by myalgia in 62 (82. 7%) cases. The level of interleukin 10 was significantly higher in severe illness (P=0. 003) and fatal cases (p<0. 028) compared with recovered patients. The level of TNF-α,level was also higher in the severe illness and Weil's syndrome compared with the mild kind (P=0. 022). Conclusion: Our results showed that the levels of TNF-α,and IL-10 significantly increased in severe leptospirosis. Also, IL-10 was significantly higher in fatal cases. The inhibition of IL-10 production might play an important role in decreasing the risk of fatal outcomes in leptospirosis.