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A Study of the Use of Medicinal Plants by Persons With Type 2 Diabetes in Iran
No full textMedicinal plants are used by many people with Type 2 diabetes in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore why this is so, from their perspective. Sixteen persons with Type 2 diabetes in Yazd City, Iran, were interviewed in April and May 2020 for this study. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of those interviews was done using MAXQDA 10 software. Six themes were identified: beliefs about medicinal plants, psychological factors, accessibility and economic barriers, patients' knowledge and awareness, social pressure, and the role of family culture. The recommendation of the study is that health counselors and specialists should provide needed information and skills for the proper use of medicinal plants, and the pharmaceutical infrastructures need to be expanded to provide enough drugs to facilitate better access to needed medication and reduce reliance on medicinal plants for persons with Type 2 diabetes
The Relationship Between Moral Foundations and Organizational Culture Among Nurses at Vali-e Asr Hospital in Borujen in 2023
No full textConsidering the important role of health organizations and the behavior and performance of nurses in achieving organizational goals, the moral foundations of nurses can significantly influence their behaviors and decisions and shape the organizational culture and atmosphere. Therefore, the present descriptive-analytical study aimed to investigate the relationship between moral foundations and organizational culture among 200 nurses selected using the census method at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Data were collected through a demographic information form along with questionnaires to measure moral foundations and organizational culture. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 via descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytical tests (t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation coefficient, and linear regression). Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a significant relationship between the mean scores of moral foundations and organizational culture among nurses (r=0.61, P<0.001). The coefficient of determination (R2=0.372) showed approximately 37 of the variance in organizational culture can be predicted by moral foundations. Among the dimensions of moral foundations, loyalty to the group, respect for authority, and purity significantly predicted organizational culture (P<0.001). The mean score of moral foundations among nurses was acceptable at 98.55±15.8, while the mean score of organizational culture was favorable at 105.74±25.7. Based on the findings from the present study it can be concluded that by creating a moral atmosphere and promoting moral values such as loyalty to the group, respect for authority, and purity in nurses, the organizational culture can be enhanced
The Global Costs of COVID-19: An Overview of the Healthcare, Economic, and Human Impacts
No full textMicroRNAs in Male Fertility
No full textAround 50% of all occurrences of infertility are attributable to the male factor, which is a significant global public health concern. There are numerous circumstances that might interfere with spermatogenesis and cause the body to produce abnormal sperm. While evaluating sperm, the count, the speed at which they migrate, and their appearance are the three primary characteristics that are analyzed. MicroRNAs, also known as miRNAs, are present in all physiological fluids and tissues. They participate in both physiological and pathological processes. Researches have demonstrated that the expression of microRNA genes differs in infertile men. These genes regulate spermatogenesis at various stages and in several male reproductive cells. Hence, microRNAs have the potential to act as useful indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and other diseases affecting male reproduction. Despite this, additional research is necessary to determine the precise miRNA regulation mechanisms
Untargeted metabolite profiling: A comprehensive study using data analysis workflow in Salvia L. species (Lamiaceae)
No full textThe genus Salvia L., a member of the Lamiaceae family, possesses remarkable medicinal properties for treating various disorders due to its rich natural product resources. Despite the genus's significance, there is a dearth of reports on complete metabolite characterization at intraspecific levels within Salvia. This study endeavors to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive investigation encompassing mass spectral library matching, biomarker assessment, chemotype specification, metabolite enrichment detection, and computational metabolite annotation. Dried aerial parts from three distinct Salvia species served as the primary material for untargeted quadrupole linear/ion trap (QTRAP) liquid chromatography (LC)- mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based metabolite analysis. The metabolite datasets underwent rigorous processing, utilizing multivariate analysis methods through MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) Web Platform. Our investigation identified 160 metabolites through library matching, and an additional 57 annotated nodes were obtained through automated spectral matching. Employing annotation tools such as DEREPLICATOR+ and substructure discovery tools like MS2LDA (a Bayesian Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model) led to the discovery of four metabolites and three Mass2Motifs. Furthermore, 48 metabolites were explored for the first time using GNPS libraries. The investigation unveiled specific chemotypes and identified 98 potential biomarkers. Using library and GNPS spectral matching proved to be high-throughput supplementary strategies for annotating and identifying various metabolites. Moreover, integrating QTRAP LC-MS/MS with a multivariate statistical method grounded in biomarker and functional analysis provided differential features at specific and intraspecific levels. This comprehensive overview of metabolites in Salvia species offers valuable insights for quality profilin
Age at menarche and risk of premature coronary artery disease: results from Iran premature coronary disease (IPAD) study
No full textBackground: Premature coronary artery diseases (PCAD) is a major health concern. Finding the potential risk factors for this health issue is crucial for early detection and prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between age at menarche and PCAD presence and severity. Methods: This study was performed in the framework of the Iran premature coronary disease (IPAD). IPAD is a multiethnic case–control study conducted from 2020. PCAD was defined as at least 75% obstruction in more than one coronary artery or above 50% in the left main artery in man and women under the age of 60 years and 70 years, respectively. Age at menarche is evaluate using self-reporting questionnaire. We categorized age at menarche into three groups: early (8–11 years), average (12–13 years), and late (14–17 years). Results: A total number of 1035 women participated in this study. No significant association was observed between every year increase in age at menarche and the PCAD risk after fully adjustment with odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI) OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.91–1.05, P = 0.65 Besides, no significant association was seen between number of obstructed vessels and age at menarche (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.94–1.08, P = 0.76). Following the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, it was observed that only individuals of Gilak ethnicity showed a significant association between a 1-year increase in age at menarche and the risk of PCAD (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.95, P = 0.026). Conclusion: This study suggested that age at menarche may not be connected to PCAD risk and number of obstructed vessels. However, ethnicity may have roles in terms of the relationship between age at menarche and PCAD. More longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate this relationship. Trial registration number: IR.MUI.REC.1396.2.055
Therapeutic Potential of Ocimum basilicum L. Extract in Alleviating Autistic‐Like Behaviors Induced by Maternal Separation Stress in Mice: Role of Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress
No full textA confluence of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors shapes autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early-life stressors like MS play a contributing role in this multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder. This research was to explore the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum L. (O.B.) extract in mitigating behaviors reminiscent of autism prompted by maternal separation (MS) stress in male mice, focusing on its impact on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. MS mice were treated with O.B. extract at varying dosages (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) from postnatal days (PND) 51–53 to PND 58–60. Behavioral experiments, including the Morris water maze, three-chamber test, shuttle box, and resident-intruder test, were conducted post-treatment. The method of maternal separation involved separating the pups from their mothers for 3 h daily, from PND 2 to PND 14. Molecular analysis of hippocampal tissue was performed to assess gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Hippocampal and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. O.B. extract administration resulted in the amelioration of autistic-like behaviors in MS mice, as evidenced by improved spatial and passive avoidance memories and social interactions, as well as reduced aggression in behavioral tests. O.B. extract attenuated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, as indicated by decreased MDA and increased TAC levels, as well as downregulation of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression in the hippocampus. O.B. extract may offer a novel therapeutic avenue for ASD, potentially mediated through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant propertie
Basic Reproduction Number (R0), Doubling Time, and Daily Growth Rate of the COVID-19 Epidemic: An Echological Study
No full textIntroduction: In infectious diseases, there are essential indices used to describe the disease state. In this study, we estimated the basic reproduction number, R0, peak level, doubling time, and daily growth rate of COVID-19. Methods: This ecological study was conducted in 5 provinces of Iran. The daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases from January 17 to February 8, 2020 were used to determine the basic reproduction number (R0), peak date, doubling time, and daily growth rates in all five provinces. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate epidemiological parameters. Results: The highest and lowest number of deaths were observed in Hamedan (657 deaths) and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (54 deaths) provinces, respectively. The doubling time of confirmed cases in Kermanshah and Hamedan ranged widely from 18.59 days (95 confidence interval (CI): 17.38, 20) to 76.66 days (95 CI: 56.36, 119.78). In addition, the highest daily growth rates of confirmed cases were observed in Kermanshah (0.037, 95 CI: 0.034, 0.039) and Sistan and Baluchestan (0.032, 95 CI: 0.030, 0.034) provinces. Conclusions: In light of our findings, it is imperative to tailor containment strategies to the unique epidemiological profiles of each region in order to effectively mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19. The wide variation in doubling times underscores the importance of flexibility in public health responses. By adapting measures to local conditions, we can better address the evolving dynamics of the pandemic and safeguard the well-being of communities. This open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 License (CC BY-NC 3.0)
Glutathione Therapy in Diseases: Challenges and Potential Solutions for Therapeutic Advancement
No full textAn endogenous antioxidant, reduced glutathione (GSH), is found at high concentrations in nearly all typical cells. GSH synthesis is a controlled process, and any disruption in the process of GSH synthesis could result in GSH depletion. Cellular oxidative damage results from GSH depletion. Various pathological conditions such as aging, cardiovascular disease (CVD), psychiatric disorders, neurological disorders, liver disorders, and diabetes mellitus are more affected by this stress. There are various reasons for GSH reduction, but replenishing it can help to improve this condition. However, there are challenges in this field. Low bioavailability and poor stability of GSH limit its delivery to tissues, mainly brain tissue. Today, new approaches are used for the optimal amount and efficiency of drugs and alternative substances such as GSH. The use of nano-materials and liposomes are effective methods for improving the treatment effects of GSH. The difficulties of GSH decrease and its connection to the most important associated disorders are reviewed for the first time in this essay. The other major concerns are the molecular mechanisms involved in them; the impact of treatment with replacement GSH; the signaling pathways impacted; and the issues with alternative therapies. The utilization of nano-materials and liposomes as potential new approaches to solving these issues is being considered
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesis using Alhagi Maurorum Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Effect on Breast Cancer Cell Lines and Antibacterial Effects
No full textIntroduction: Green synthesis offers a fast, simple, and economical method for producing metallic nanoparticles.The basis of this method is to obtain nanoparticles using natural materials, such as plants, fungi, and bacteria, instead of harmful and expensive chemical-reducing agents. In this study, CeO2NPs were produced using Alhagi maurorum extract, and their anticancer and antibacterial activities were evaluated. Methods: Alhagi maurorum extract was prepared according to a previously described protocol, and CeO2NPs were synthesized from the salt of this extract. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles were measured by MIC, MBC, and MTT assays, respectively. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Prism software. Results: The MTT assay on breast cancer cell lines showed that the cytotoxic effect of CeO2NPs on cell lines was concentration-dependent. In addition, this nanoparticle was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: These nanoparticles can be used as cancer drug delivery systems with specific targeting at low concentrations in addition to anticancer treatments. It can also have biological and medicinal applications, such as natural food preservation and wound dressin