Effect of Professional Ethics Workshop on the Moral Intelligence of Prehospital Emergency Personnel in East Azerbaijan, Iran

Background: Moral intelligence is one of the several types of human intelligence. It is the ability to understand right from wrong and behave based on the value which is believed to be right. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a professional ethics workshop on the moral intelligence of prehospital emergency technicians in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, and consequently the improvement of their performance and increase in their work efficiency. Methods: In this before- and after-interventional study conducted in Tabriz University Prehospital Emergency Center, Iran, in 2020, a total of 234 participants were evaluated. The sample was collected using the Lennick and Kiel’s Moral Intelligence Questionnaire and full census method. Before the workshop, the questionnaire was completed by the participants. After the workshop, the same questionnaire was completed again. Results: The pretest and posttest scores for moral intelligence were 83.02 ± 7.33 and 83.49 ± 8.40, respectively, which showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). In the three components of moral intelligence, namely consistent behaviors based on principles, values, and beliefs, persistence for the right, and responsibility for personal decisions, there were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) before and after the workshop. Conclusions: According to the results, holding a professional ethics workshop was effective in increasing the overall level of moral intelligence, particularly in the three aforementioned components of moral intelligence. It is recommended to continue holding such workshops and improve the conditions and methods of training to increase their efficiency as much as possible.

Health-Boosting Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training and Berberine on Diabetes: A Brief Overview

: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most important metabolic disorders that affect lifestyle. Accordingly, studies have shown that lifestyle changes, especially increasing daily physical activity, can prevent diabetes and help people with the disease through various mechanisms. On the other hand, the use of medicinal plants due to having various phytochemical compounds, each of which has healing properties, can be considered a helpful method in preventing and treating diabetes complications. One of the phytochemical compounds used as an effective substance in the treatment of diabetes is an alkaloid called Berberine. Berberine has been used in traditional medicine to lower blood glucose, and new studies in both in vivo and in vitro conditions have confirmed the diabetic effect of Berberine. Receiving increased energy metabolism, increased glucose and fatty acid uptake by peripheral tissues, improving lipid profile, reducing inflammatory mediators, increasing antioxidant capacity are common mechanisms that aerobic exercise and Berberine exert their beneficial effects in diabetes. In the present study, the effect of aerobic exercise, Berberine, and its combination on diabetes markers have been investigated considering the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise and Berberine in diabetes.

In Vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Detarium microcarpum (Fabaceae) Stem Bark Extract

Background: Malaria is a parasitic infection that is common in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is estimated to kill one million individuals annually. Detarium microcarpum (Fabaceae family) is used traditionally for the treatment of malaria, diabetes, hypertension, convulsions, pneumonia, leprosy, and meningitis. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the antiplasmodial potential and safety profile of the methanol extract of D. microcarpum stem bark. Methods: The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and oral median lethal dose (LD50) estimation. Using curative, suppressive, and prophylactic experimental animal models, antiplasmodial activity was assessed in mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei. Biochemical and hematological tests were conducted in rats orally administered with the extract for 28 days. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data, followed by Dunnett's post hoc test. Results: Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, and glycosides were found in the extract through phytochemical analysis. When compared to the negative control group, the extract at the tested doses (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) showed a significant (P < 0.001) curative, suppressive, and prophylactic effect and significantly (P < 0.001) prolonged the survival time of mice in the treated groups. The extract had an insignificant (P > 0.05) effect on the biochemical and hematological parameters tested. Conclusions: The results suggest that the stem bark extract of D. microcarpum at the doses tested possesses antiplasmodial activity and is relatively safe after short-term use.

Prevalence of Dissociative Experiences and Dissociative Disorders in Methamphetamine Users in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kerman

Background: Dissociative symptoms have been reported to result from issues such as substance use. However, there is limited knowledge on the relationship between methamphetamine use and dissociative symptoms, and only a few studies have been conducted on this issue. Objectives: Given little knowledge on the relationship between methamphetamine use and dissociative symptoms, in particular dissociative disorders, the present study was done to investigate the prevalence of dissociative experiences and dissociative disorders in methamphetamine users in Shahid Beheshti hospital of Kerman City, Kerman Province, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, two groups of subjects, including methamphetamine users (N = 50) and controls (N = 51), were randomly selected from the individuals referring to Shahid-Beheshti Hospital, Kerman City, from September 2016 to March 2018. After validating the diagnosis of methamphetamine use via methamphetamine positive-urine test, the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and dissociative disorders interview schedule-DSM5 (DDIS) were employed to assess dissociative experiences and disorders, respectively. Next, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was utilized for the determination of positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in the case group. Finally, the chi-square test and t test were applied for comparing the study groups using SPSS version 20 software. Results: Our findings revealed that the mean score of dissociative symptoms was 15.3 in methamphetamine users. The mean score of depersonalization/derealization subscale of DES, as a dissociative experience, was higher in the case group (P < 0.01). The experience of possession, as a dissociative experience, was recorded in 17 methamphetamine users, while 18 (36%) methamphetamine users were diagnosed with dissociative disorder. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the DES score and positive symptoms in methamphetamine users (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that methamphetamine induces dissociative psychosis in methamphetamine users.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: To begin an educational program for diabetic patients, the assessment of their current level of knowledge (K), attitude (A), and practice (P) was necessary. Objectives: This research aimed to estimate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the general public, because of diabetes mellitus. Methods: A convenient sampling method was used to select 384 of every single person who was admitted to a research, educational and medical center, in the western north of Tehran, in 2018. KAP questionnaire on diabetes was completed, and the level of KAP was evaluated in diabetic and non-diabetic people using SPSS software. Results: The overall mean (± SD) of the knowledge, attitude, and practice was 12.13 ± 3.84, 5.52 ± 5 and 10.68 ± 51.96, respectively. Several linear regressions in the two groups for the total knowledge scores, total attitudes scores, and total practice scores displayed several significant (adjusted) associations. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that we need to increase the knowledge and attitude of patients with diabetes about a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss.

Real-time PCR High-resolution Melting Analysis for the Species Identification of Meat Products: Focusing on Food Safety and Detection of Meat Adulterations

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis are currently considered as reliable techniques for the species identification of meat-based products and widely used to detect meat adulteration. Objectives: To examine the validity of real-time PCR and HRM analysis to identify meat species in meat-based products. Methods: Meat samples from five species (i.e., cattle, sheep, chicken, turkey, and wild pig) were purchased. Minced meat from the animal species of interest was prepared at the purities of 10%, and 20% and also were prepared as single and mixtures of two species. For molecular assessments, DNA samples were extracted from all the meat samples and subjected to real-time PCR by amplifying a mitochondrial cytochrome b specific for each species. Results: All the meat species studied in this research were successfully detected in the mixed meat samples when separately examined by real-time PCR. High-resolution melting analysis showed that all the meat species of interest were efficiently distinguished when examined simultaneously. Conclusions: The data presented here shows that the real-time PCR and HRM analysis are reliable methods for the identification of meat species used in meat products.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Toll-Like Receptor 9 in Alzheimer’s Disease: The Protocol for a Systematic Review

Context: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting many people around the world. Recently, it has been reported that toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a role in AD; therefore, the present study aimed to systematically review the studies and to meta-analyze the role of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in AD. Methods: Seven main electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, will be considered with no language restrictions. Full texts of articles will be prepared by a determined search strategy. Studies including the assessment of TLR9 function in adults with AD, published before June 15 2020, will be considered. Hence, this protocol will be presented based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements for protocols. The related results and data analyses will be provided in the final review. This paper plans the protocol for a systematic review identifying TLR9 up-regulation and down-regulation in adults with AD. Conclusions: The meta-analysis of TLR9 may subsequently provide attractive therapeutic tools for AD.

Diagnosis and Treatment of an Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis: A Case Report Study

Introduction: Given the improvements of diagnostic equipment, including new imaging modalities, the diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis cases has been growing rapidly in recent years. The disorder is mainly caused by Aspergillus species since this species, as the most common pathogen, usually appears asymptomatic, leading to a delay in diagnosis. In this regard, the common manifestations involve headache, cough, nasal discharge, and facial pain. Clinicians usually disregard the odontogenic origin while seeking the etiology of symptomatic rhinosinusitis. Case Presentation: In this paper, we report a case of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis in the left maxillary sinus of a patient complaining about intermittent pain, post-nasal discharge, anosmia, and oral malodor. According to the clinical examinations and radiographs, the maxillary sinusisitis was diagnosed, and the patient was treated with the surgical debridement of the affected tissue. Conclusions: Odontogenic sinusitis is most commonly the result of periodontitis or iatrogenesis. Although no antifungal treatment is necessary for fungal sinusitis, a variety of surgical approaches are adopted. The accurate diagnosis of odontogenic sources improves both treatment strategies and postoperative outcomes.