Cross-Cultural Adaptations of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment in Iran

Background: According to general ethical and legal principles, valid consent must be obtained before starting any procedure. Objectives: Due to the lack of a standard tool for assessing patients’ capacity to consent to medical treatment in Iran, the present study was carried out aiming to devise a Persian version of a cross-cultural adaptation of the MacArthur competence assessment tool. Patients and Methods: By reviewing different methods of cultural translation and adaptation for assessment tools, and due to the lack of consensus on its processes, we selected Wild’s model as one of the most comprehensive methods in this regard. Wild’s (2005) 10-stage model includes preparation, forward translation, reconciliation of the forward translation, back translation of reconciliation, back translation review, cognitive debriefing and cognitive review, and finalization, proofreading and final reporting. Using this model, we translated the MacArthur assessment tool and made it adaptable to Iranian patients. Results: The MacArthur assessment tool is not dependent on any specific culture and language. As a result, if translation and its scientific adaptation are done based on an integrated and detailed model, the tool can be used for every culture and language. In other words, this tool is not culture-specific; so, it is applicable in cases where a translation is needed, and it can be culturally adapted to suit different societies. Conclusions: In the present study, we are able to focus on and prove the efficacy and benefits of this measurement tool

Increased Adiposity, Dysregulated Glucose Metabolism and Systemic Inflammation in Galectin-3 KO Mice

PMCID: PMC3579848This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Evaluation of mental health and its interacting factors in personnel of Hamid porcelain factory in 1997

History and Objectives: The presence of mental problems among personnel of industrial factories is one of the major problems. Since there is little information on mental problems and its effect on performance, this study was carried out on personnel of Hamid porcelain factory in Kashan.Materials and Methods: The descriptive protocol of this study was performed on all of the personnel in two stages. At first stage, after taking letter of satisfaction, GHQ test was applied with cutting marks of 21 and 22 for male and female individuals respectively and suspected ones were selected for diagnostic interview and then DSM-IV criteria were applied.Results: This study was conducted on 145 cases and the incidence rate for mental abnormality was 34.5. In order of prevalence, the disturbances were as follows: Global anxiety (MDD), major depression (MDD), dysthymic disorder (DD) and double depression. The incidence was greater with increasing age, knowledge and lack of interest. Conclusion and Recommendations: There was a serious incidence of mental disorder among personnel and with regard to its prognosis and complications, it is recommended to carry out similar studies in other factories. In addition, it is recommended to consider the interacting factors in the development of such disorders

Effect of Pilates training on some psychological and social factors related to falling in elderly women

Background: Falling is a common serious medical condition that affects the health of elderly persons and increases the health care costs. It also can lead to physical, psychological, social, and economic outcomes and even death. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effect of Pilates training on psychological and social factors related to falling in elderly women in Shahrekord during 2011-2012. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 elderly women (age range, 70.23±5.9) referred to Farhikhtegan rehabilitation center in Shahrekord were randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups. To evaluate the psychological and social factors, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and WHOQOL-BREF (WB) questionnaire were used, respectively. Then the experimental group received a 12-week Pilates training exercise. Results: Results showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the depression (P=0.007) and quality of life in both the physical (P=0.0001) and environmental (P=0.017) dimensions.Conclusion: Pilates training sessions can reduce the depression level and improve the quality of life in the elderly. It can therefore help them play a more significant role in the society and be more interactive in terms of social and cultural aspects

Comparison of the effect of sertraline with behavioral therapy on semen parameters in men with primary premature ejaculation

Objective To investigate the effects of sertraline on semen parameters and comparison of its effect with behavioral therapy (BT) in men with primary premature ejaculation. Methods In this single-blinded clinical trial, a total of 60 married men with primary premature ejaculation were randomly divided into 2 groups: the sertraline group (n = 30, sertraline 25 mg/day for 1 week followed by 50 mg/day for 3 months) and the BT group (n = 30, using BT technique for 3 months). Semen analysis was applied, and the results were compared between groups before and 3 months after intervention. Results The significant reduction in sperm concentration (105/mL) and percentage of normal morphology was reported in sertraline group (P <.05). The percentage of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation after intervention in sertraline group was significantly higher than BT group (P =.004). There was no significant change in semen parameters in patients treated using BT. Conclusion Our study revealed detrimental effects of sertraline on some semen parameters. It should particularly be considered in patients who are trying to conceive. It seems BT is a safe method without any side effect on semen analysis parameters. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

Epidemiology of attempted suicide in Kashan during 2003-8

Background: Suicide is a major public health problem in developing countries which depending on geographical area, several factors have been associated with its prevalence and incidence. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of attempted suicide and its related factors in Kashan during 2003-8. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on all suicide attempters referred to Kashan health centers during 2003-8. Patient's demographic information, manner, outcome and a previous history of suicide attempts were recorded on a questionnaire by interviewing patients or their families. Results: There were 2867 suicide cases during the study period. Most of them were in age range of 25-35 years. Fifty-nine percent of patients were female and 56 married. Drug abuse was the most common method of suicide (79). So, an overall attempted suicide rate was 119 per 100000 people in Kashan during 2003-8 and there were only 29 cases (1.1) of successful suicide. Conclusion: Although the rate of attempted suicide are high in this city, the rate for successful suicide is very low. Therefore, this problem and its related factors need to be considered by health managers

Atomoxetine Efficacy in Methamphetamine Dependence during Methadone Maintenance Therapy

BACKGROUND: Co-occurring methamphetamine (METH) use during methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is a highly prevalent and progressive problem in Iran. There are no registered pharmacological treatments for treating METH use disorder. The present study investigates the potential efficacy of atomoxetine in the treatment of these patients. METHODS: In a double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 86 METH-dependents on MMT randomly received either atomoxetine (40 mg/d) or placebo. We measured the craving scores with visual analog scale (VAS) on a weekly basis, and evaluated depression, anxiety and stress with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) on a monthly basis. Measurements were made in each weekly visit with urinary METH drug test. RESULTS: Atomoxetine significantly reduced METH craving (P < 0.001). Negative METH urine test increased significantly in the drug group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.007). While initially the METH urine test was positive for all patients, 56 (25/45) in the atomoxetine group and 26 (11/41) in the placebo group had negative METH urine tests after 8 weeks. DASS were decreased in both groups with a greater reduction in the atomoxetine group depression (P = 0.028), anxiety (P = 0.038), and stress (P = 0.031). Only mild side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the safety and clinical tolerance of atomoxetine, and its appropriate efficacy in suppressing METH craving and possible potential effects on its treatment. © 2019 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Epicortical Brevetoxin Treatment Promotes Neural Repair and Functional Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

Emerging literature suggests that after a stroke, the peri-infarct region exhibits dynamic changes in excitability. In rodent stroke models, treatments that enhance excitability in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex promote motor recovery. This increase in cortical excitability and plasticity is opposed by increases in tonic GABAergic inhibition in the peri-infarct zone beginning three days after a stroke in a mouse model. Maintenance of a favorable excitatory&ndash;inhibitory balance promoting cerebrocortical excitability could potentially improve recovery. Brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2) is a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gating modifier that increases intracellular sodium ([Na+]i), upregulates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channel activity and engages downstream calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways. In immature cerebrocortical neurons, PbTx-2 promoted neuronal structural plasticity by increasing neurite outgrowth, dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis. We hypothesized that PbTx-2 may promote excitability and structural remodeling in the peri-infarct region, leading to improved functional outcomes following a stroke. We tested this hypothesis using epicortical application of PbTx-2 after a photothrombotic stroke in mice. We show that PbTx-2 enhanced the dendritic arborization and synapse density of cortical layer V pyramidal neurons in the peri-infarct cortex. PbTx-2 also produced a robust improvement of motor recovery. These results suggest a novel pharmacologic approach to mimic activity-dependent recovery from stroke

Epicortical Brevetoxin Treatment Promotes Neural Repair and Functional Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

Emerging literature suggests that after a stroke, the peri-infarct region exhibits dynamic changes in excitability. In rodent stroke models, treatments that enhance excitability in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex promote motor recovery. This increase in cortical excitability and plasticity is opposed by increases in tonic GABAergic inhibition in the peri-infarct zone beginning three days after a stroke in a mouse model. Maintenance of a favorable excitatory-inhibitory balance promoting cerebrocortical excitability could potentially improve recovery. Brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2) is a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gating modifier that increases intracellular sodium ([Na+]i), upregulates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channel activity and engages downstream calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways. In immature cerebrocortical neurons, PbTx-2 promoted neuronal structural plasticity by increasing neurite outgrowth, dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis. We hypothesized that PbTx-2 may promote excitability and structural remodeling in the peri-infarct region, leading to improved functional outcomes following a stroke. We tested this hypothesis using epicortical application of PbTx-2 after a photothrombotic stroke in mice. We show that PbTx-2 enhanced the dendritic arborization and synapse density of cortical layer V pyramidal neurons in the peri-infarct cortex. PbTx-2 also produced a robust improvement of motor recovery. These results suggest a novel pharmacologic approach to mimic activity-dependent recovery from stroke