QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2020 | Volume:14 | Issue:10|Papers Count:8

Background and Objectives: Given the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes and the importance of self-care and awareness of individuals about diabetes, this study was conducted to investigate the dominant dietary pattern among patients with type 2 diabetes and identify the factors involved in exacerbating the disease. The relationship between food consumption and three levels of education in patients was examined as a relevant criterion to discover the nutritional literacy of patients. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on type 2 diabetic patients referring to Shahid Beheshti Hospital. Qom, Iran, in 2019. The necessary data were collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The gathered data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using t-test and ANOVA to compare the mean consumption of food groups among patients with type 2 diabetes according to their gender and level of education. Results: The results of the current study showed that there were significant differences in the consumption of foods, such as legumes and cabbage family vegetables, among male and female patients with type 2 diabetes. Regarding this, the consumption of this group of foods was higher than the other food groups. Moreover, the education level of patients with type 2 diabetes showed significant differences with the consumption of such foods as refined grains, whole grains, fruits, cabbage family vegetables, yellow vegetables, other vegetables, fish, eggs, coffee, high-fat dairy products, olives, and soft drinks (P<0. 01). Conclusion: The consumption of health-oriented foods was higher in patients with type 2 diabetes having a higher education level. This finding indicated that such individuals were more aware of the benefits of these foods than those with a lower education level. Based on the results, it can be concluded that changing lifestyle, such as losing weight, using healthy eating patterns, performing proper physical activity, plays an effective role in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Background and Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the correlation of male and female gender roles with the big five personality traits and general health in a group of people without personality disorders. Methods: In total, 170 participants (85 males), including the staff of Iran Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran Psychiatric Institute, and the psychiatric ward of Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital were enrolled in this research. These individuals did not have any personality disorder based on a semistructured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID-II). The required data were collected through three questionnaires, namely Gender Masculine (GM) and Gender Feminine (GF) scales of the Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire, and NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Results: In both genders, GM scores were correlated with higher extraversion and lower neuroticism scores. On the other hand, GF scores were correlated with lower extraversion and higher neuroticism in males and lower extraversion in females. Higher levels of masculinity were also associated with higher levels of almost all general health scales in both genders. However, higher levels of femininity were associated with more anxiety and depression in males and higher anxiety and social isolation in females. Conclusion: There were clear correlations between both gender roles and some personality dimensions, including extroversion and neuroticism. Also, higher masculinity in both genders was associated with better general health, but the relationship between femininity and general health was less clear. Mediating and moderating factors have not been investigated in this study.

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer's disease is one of the most important neurodegenerative diseases that occur following the production of free radicals and inflammatory factors. Terpinolene has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of terpinolene and physical activity on memory and learning in a model of Alzheimer's rats. Methods: Bilateral injection of AB1-42 was administered to the hippocampus of the male rats to create the model of Alzheimer's disease. The assigned groups included control (-), sham, exercise, control (+), Alzheimer's+distilled water, Alzheimer's+exercise, Alzheimer's+terpinolene (treatment), Alzheimer's+terpinolene (prevention), and Alzheimer's+terpinolene+exercise. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, shuttle box behavioral test, as well as neurogenesis and amyloid plaques were assessed in this study. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The SOD activity and neurogenesis levels decreased significantly in the control (+) group, compared to control groups of the behavioral test. However, the MDA level and plaque increased significantly (P<0. 05). Terpinolene intake and exercise caused a significant increase in neurogenesis, a significant decrease in plaques, and significant changes in biochemical and behavioral parameters (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and previous reports on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of terpinolene and exercise, it seems that this combination along with exercise can improve memory complications and disorders.

Background and Objectives: Process of aging causes various alterations in a person, for instance, elders are very susceptible to malnutrition. Nutrition is one of the factors that play the most important roles in health. According to epidemiologists, there is a strong relationship between malnutrition and death. Malnutrition is a very usual, recognizable, preventable, and curable risk factor that can be treated by early diagnosis and timely effective intervention. The present study aimed to determine the nutritional status of elders in Qom, Iran, 2014-15. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on 144 people over 85 years old. Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) was used to evaluate their nutritional status and the collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: According to the MNA classification, 27. 1%, 47. 2%, and 25. 7% of subjects suffered from malnutrition, were exposed to malnutrition, and had desirable nutritional status. Variables, such as the charitable organization (i. e., Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, State Welfare Organization of Iran, and Foundation of Martyrs), daily use of more than three different mediations, tooth condition, body mass index, number of meals per day, and fruit, vegetables, and proteins intake had significant correlations with the nutritional status. Conclusion: According to the findings, 74. 3% of subjects suffered from or were exposed to malnutrition. Given that malnutrition in elders can be cured by timely and suitable interventions, the authorities of all related organizations should hold serious educational, economic, and livelihood interventions for them.

Background and Objectives: Quality assurance in doctoral nursing curriculums will have a significant effect on advancing and improving the educational goals of nursing professionals. In this respect, various comparative studies are conducted throughout the world to determine the strengths and weaknesses of educational curriculums in different countries. This study aimed to compare the doctoral nursing curriculums in Iran and Norway. Methods: This descriptive-comparative study was conducted to compare doctoral nursing curriculums in Iran and Norway in 2020. The required data were collected by searching the related keywords on the internet. Subsequently, the collected information underwent analysis using Bereday's four-step comparison model (description, interpretation, juxtaposition, and comparison) to evaluate and analyze the similarities and differences between the two curriculums. Results: It was revealed that there was a complete similarity in the graduates' roles in the PhD curriculum of the two countries and relative similarity in the curriculum content of the program in Iran and Norway. However, other issues, such as the length, majors, and goals of the program and the methods of student admission to this program were different in both countries. Conclusion: Based on the results, among the strengths and weaknesses of the doctoral nursing curriculum in Iran were reported to having a clear perspective with precise goals and lacking sufficient attention to nursing practice, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the existing shortcomings by reviewing the current curriculum in Iran to witness the presence of capable PhD graduates in both research and clinical fields in the Iranian’ s nursing education system.

Background and Objectives: Regarding the new trend towards phytotherapy and the lack of information in the field of medicinal plants, it seems that indigenous information and traditional knowledge can play an important role in the foundation of future scientific research. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the medicinal plants in Orzuiyeh rangelands in Kerman province, Kerman, Iran. Methods: In this qualitative study, 63 local experts were asked to provide information about the plants using free interviews and participant observation methods in the spring and summer of 2019. Such data as the local name, the organ used, collection times, and the vegetative form of the plants’ reproduction was recorded simultaneously using a participation observation method. Information about various aspects of the plants was collected during the interviews. Furthermore, the Persian and scientific names of the plants were identified based on authoritative botanical books. Results: In this study, 70 medicinal plants belonging to 37 families were identified, among which the Lamiaceae family had the largest share. The results of the investigation on the traditional application of the plants revealed that the highest and lowest medicinal use of the plants was related to the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and the cure of children’ s insomnia, respectively. Additionally, among the various organs of the plants, the leaves are the most frequently used parts. Conclusion: Scientific investigations in the field of traditional medicine of different ethnic groups can lead to the discovery of new treatments for various diseases. It should be noted that the protection of indigenous knowledge and making a connection between traditional and modern medicine can lead to the improvement of public health and the creation of jobs in the path to sustainable development.

Background and Objectives: Aggression is one of the most important issues in adolescence and is known as a severe and growing problem among adolescents and young people. Failure to control aggressive behaviors, in addition to causing interpersonal problems, may lead to intrusion and a variety of physical and psychological problems, such as stomach ulcers, migraine headaches, and depression. This study aimed to present the structural modeling of the relationship between adolescents and parental conflicts with aggression through the mediating role of perceived self-control in female adolescents. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted based on the structural equation method. The statistical population of the study included female high-school students in Qom, Iran. In total, 607 students were selected using the stepwise cluster sampling, and they were then asked to respond to the adolescent-parent conflict, perceived self-control, and aggression questionnaires. The reliability and validity of the instruments were confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis. The structural equation method with Amos software was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed the negative and significant effect of adolescent and parental conflicts on perceived self-control (P<0. 01, β =-0. 58). However, the effect of adolescent and parental conflict revealed a positive and significant relationship with adolescent aggression (P<0. 01, β = 0. 54). On the other hand, the effect of perceived selfcontrol on adolescent aggression was negative and significant in this study (P<0. 01, β =-0. 17). Conclusion: It can be concluded that adolescent-parent conflict leads to decreased levels of perceived self-control and increased levels of aggression among female students. Moreover, perceived self-control affected the relationship between student-parent conflict and aggression.

Background and Objectives: Autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system followed by myelin destruction, oxidative stress, and reduced neuroprotective factors play key roles in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). S-allyl cysteine (SAC), an active ingredient in the aged garlic extract, has known anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of S-allyl cysteine and related mechanisms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, a validated animal model of MS). Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following three groups, with each group comprising of ten animals: Group 1: Control, Group 2: EAE induction, and Group 3: EAE induction and daily administration of SAC (EAE+SAC). The EAE induction was performed using the Hooke kit. It should be noted that daily gavage of SAC was carried out and clinical score (severity of tail and limbs paralysis) was assessed daily. The inflammation of the lumbar spinal cord was measured through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α ) level in spinal cord and serum; Interleukin-17(IL-17, Inflammatory factors) level in spinal cord; Activity-dependent neuroprotector homeobox (ADNP), and Microtubule-associated Proteins 1A/1B Light Chain 3A (MAP1LC3A, neuroprotective factors) were measured using ELISA. The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The daily administration of SAC significantly reduced the score of clinical paralysis on days 13 to 18 following EAE induction (from P>0. 05 to P<0. 01). It also significantly reduced spinal cord inflammation (P<0. 01), elevated levels of TNFα in serum and spinal cord, and IL-17 in the spinal cord (P<0. 05). On the other hand, daily administration of SAC elevated the reduced spinal cord levels of ADNP and MAP1LC3A (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Daily oral administration of SAC improved MS symptoms through the reduction of spinal inflammation and inflammatory factors, and elevation of neuroprotective factors. In addition, SAC can be utilized in the prevention and treatment of MS due to its herbal origin.