Impact of education on knowledge and attitude of medical students about the abuse of prescription drugs in Iran

Introduction: The abuse of prescription drugs is considered as an important challenge for societies. Regarding many factors contributing to this challenge and its negative impact especially on young and educated people, there is an attempt in this paper to survey the impact of education on knowledge and attitude of medical students about the abuse of prescription drugs.Material and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study, which was conducted on medical students. Two groups of 53 medical students were selected as participants for both intervention group and control group. These participants were studied using the researcher-made questionnaires about knowledge and attitude toward the abuse of prescription drugs.Results: Education plays a significant role in both raising the students’ awareness and changing their attitude about the abuse of prescription drugs. The age variable had a significant relationship with pre-training knowledge. The female participants had less pre-training knowledge about drug abuse so that it was not observed after intervention.Discussion: It is suggested that education can be considered as a strategy to prevent drug abuse and reduce the demand for drug abuse by raising the awareness and amending the attitudes as well as promoting the anti-consumption culture

A problematic marriage of divorced coupled: a qualitative research

Introduction: Although divorce is related to marriage and is usually due to unsuccessful marriage, the marriage of divorced couples is less studied. Method: This research was performed using a qualitative exploratory research design. Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 divorced subjects. The collected data were analyzed using constant comparative method. Results: The main theme of “problematic marriage” with two subcategories of “motivations” and “conditions” were achieved in this research. The subcategories consisted of 2 subclasses of “marriage criteria” and “decision-making conditions for marriage”. It seems that the traditional function of marriage is changing even in small and traditional societies and couples’ willingness to end unsatisfying marriages has increased. Conclusion: The majority of divorces in this study were related to problematic marriages especially marriages begun in haste, with inadequate knowledge of each other, and without consent of either party. Therefore, it is necessary that the marriage ceremony is performed in a way that increases the stability and continuity of the marriage.. Keywords: Divorce, Marriage, Qualitative stud

Predicting the Need for Cardiovascular Surgery: A Comparative Study of Machine Learning Models

This research examines the efficacy of ensemble Machine Learning (ML) models, mainly focusing on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), in predicting the need for cardiovascular surgery, a critical aspect of clinical decision-making. It addresses key challenges such as class imbalance, which is pivotal in healthcare settings. The research involved a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of the performance of previously published ML methods against a new Deep Learning (DL) model. This comparison utilized a dataset encompassing 50,000 patient records from a large hospital between 2015-2022. The study proposes enhancing the efficacy of these models through feature selection and hyperparameter optimization, employing techniques like grid search. A novel aspect of this research was the comparison of a newly developed DNN model with existing ensemble models based on similar cardiovascular datasets. The results indicated the DNN model\u27s superior predictive accuracy, demonstrating an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 74%, alongside notable precision (68%) and recall (72%) for the minority class, which indicates patients requiring surgery. The model further achieved a 70% F1-Score and a balanced accuracy rate of 72%, significantly outperforming the existing ensemble models in every key performance metric. The study underscores the transformative potential of DNNs in predictive modeling for cardiovascular care and highlights the importance of integrating advanced ML techniques into clinical workflows. Future research should delve into the practical application and integration of these models

Comparative Histopathologic Evaluation of the Effects of Portulaca oleracea, Omega-3, and Combination of Sodium Selenite and Vitamin E on Hepatic Enzymes of Experimental Diabetic Rats

Abstract Introduction: Portulaca oleracea (PO) plant, Omega 3, and Sodium Selenite plus Vitamin E exert antidiabetic effects by compensating for the deficiency in insulin release and enhancing antioxidant status. The purpose of the present study was to comparatively assess the effect of Portulaca oleracea, omega-3, and a combination of Sodium Selenite and Vitamin E on hepatic enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (weighing approximately 220 ± 10 g) were injected by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight.) and were randomly assigned to 4 groups, and 4 replicates for each group. Group 1 served as diabetic control, groups 2, 3, and 4 received Portulaca oleracea extract (1.5 mg/kg/day, orally), Omega-3 (500 mg/kg/day, orally), and Sodium Selenite (0.5 mg/kg/day, orally) plus Vitamin E (400 Iu/kg/day, orally), respectively, for 28 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were taken for biochemical investigations. Results: The levels of blood glucose, AST, ALP, and GGT enzymes in all treatment groups were less than those of the control group. The ALT enzyme activity in rats treated with Portulaca oleracea and Vitamin E plus Selenium was less than in control and omega-3 treatment groups. Conclusion: Results indicated that Portulaca oleracea is more effective in hepatic enzyme activities of diabetic rats, compared to other treatment groups. https://saa.rovedar.com/index.php/SAA/article/view/

Energy Audit of Two Multifamily Buildings and Economic Evaluation of Possible Improvements

The energy use of buildings is gradually increasing, which is due to economic growth and an increase in population. Several studies have indicated that the implementation of energy-saving measures (ESMs) such as thermal insulation results in more energy saving; however, most ESMs are not economically viable. This chapter outlines ESMs using the IDA ICE computer software. The evaluation of the energy performance of two multifamily buildings is conducted, and possible ESMs are suggested such as thermal insulation, changing windows, installing a new air handling unit, installing a heat exchanger in showers, improving thermal bridges, replacing lighting bulbs, increasing external insulation plus temperature reduction, and changing schedules for air discharge control. The economic feasibility of these suggestions is assessed using the life cycle cost analysis to determine their economic viability. This involves the determination of the life cycle cost and life cycle cost saving to decide the best option. The most important factor in determining life cycle cost saving is the modified uniform present value. The addition of the attic insulation, installing a heat exchanger in showers, replacing lighting bulbs, and changing schedules meet the economic requirement within a feasible time frame

BORZOUYEH, STAROPERZIJSKI LIJEČNIK KOJI JE PRVI IZVIJESTIO O KONTRAKCIJI MATERNICE KOD PRIRODNOG, VAGINALNOG PORODA

During the final hours of pregnancy, uterine contractions cause the foetus to move through the birth canal and leave the mother’s body. Haly Abbas (died 982-994 CE), is believed to be the first writer to explain the role of these contractions. However, this concept had in fact been described in the text titled Bab-e-Borzouyeh, written four centuries earlier by the physician Borzouyeh (Perzoes in Latin) as a prologue to his translation of the Indian collection of fables known as the Panchatantra. Because Haly Abbas probably had access to ancient Persian medical textsKontrakcije maternice u zadnjim satima trudnoće uzrokuju prolaz ploda kroz porođajni kanal i napuštanje majčinog tijela. Smatra se kako je Haly Abbas (u. 982–994) prvi koji je opisao ulogu tih kontrakcija. Međutim ovaj je pojam četiri stoljeća ranije zapravo opisao liječnik Borzouyeh (lat. Perzoes) u tekstu naslovljenu Bab-e-Borzouyeh, uvodu njegova prijevoda Panchatantre,zbirke indijskih basni. Budući da je Haly Abbas vjerojatno imao pristup staroperzijskim medicinskim tekstovima, prvo izvješće o kontrakcijama maternice trebalo bi biti priznato starijem autoru

Optimizing the Radiation Treatment Planning of Brain Tumors by Integration of Functional MRI and White Matter Tractography

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) present the ability to selectively protect functional regions and fiber tracts of the brain when brain tumors are treated with radiotherapy. Objective: This study aimed to assess whether the incorporation of fMRI and DTI data into the radiation treatment planning process of brain tumors could prevent the neurological parts of the brain from high doses of radiation. Material and Methods: In this investigational theoretical study, the fMRI and DTI data were obtained from eight glioma patients. This patient-specific fMRI and DTI data were attained based on tumor location, the patient’s general conditions, and the importance of the functional and fiber tract areas. The functional regions, fiber tracts, anatomical organs at risk, and the tumor were contoured for radiation treatment planning. Finally, the radiation treatment planning with and without fMRI & DTI information was obtained and compared. Results: The mean dose to the functional areas and the maximum doses were reduced by 25.36% and 18.57% on fMRI & DTI plans compared with the anatomical plans. In addition, 15.59% and 20.84% reductions were achieved in the mean and maximum doses of the fiber tracts, respectively.  Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using fMRI and DTI data in radiation treatment planning to maximize radiation protection of the functional cortex and fiber tracts. The mean and maximum doses significantly decreased to neurologically relevant brain regions, resulting in reducing the neuro-cognitive complications and improving the patient’s quality of life

Lived experiences of participants of factors affecting the Drug stability(Narcotics Anonymous)

Introduction: Drug use has many psychological and behavioral consequences. The elimination of psychological dependence on drugs is much more difficult than that of physical dependence and it requires the passage of time and different stages, and internal care. The purpose of this study was the identification of factors affecting drug withdrawal stability among Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members. Method: This research was conducted using qualitative methods and focus groups interviews. The statistical population included all members of NA who lived in Isfahan, Iran, in 2011 and at least two years had passed since their drug withdrawal stability. For this purpose, data were collected from 18 NA members using purposive sampling. Data were collected and analyzed using content analysis method in 3 stages of conceptualization, interview, and data analysis. Results: The 2 major themes of "social relations and support received from them" and “individual character and identity" were extracted. The former theme consisted of 2 subcategories of “the quantity and type of relationship” and “social support network”. The later theme included the subcategories of “cognition”, “emotion”, and “dignity”. Instance and themes of each subcategory was explained in detail. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the most effective factor in drug withdrawal stability is receiving cognitive support from sympathizers (other members of the association). This support results in the changing of attitudes and self-awareness. Other factors that have impact on drug withdrawal stability included reforming family relationships, receiving emotional support and support regarding dignity from family members, increasing of confidence, and recovery of social status.. Keywords: Drug withdrawal stability, Social support, Narcotics Anonymous (NA

Spatiotemporal variation of projected drought characteristics in Iran under climate change scenarios using CMIP5-CORDEX product

This study aims to assess the change of drought characteristics (intensity, duration, and frequency) under the effect of climate change in Iran using the modified standardized precipitation index (MSPI) and theory of runs on annual and seasonal scales for three near-future, mid-future (MF), and far-future climates. Hence, regional climate models extracted from South Asia-Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiments (CORDEX-SA) are applied. Regarding the result, MSPI could assign the standardized precipitation index (SPI) values better than the conventional form of SPI during the historical period (HP). The outcomes revealed that the northeast stations will experience a decrease in intensity (up to 24.57% in MF compared with HP) until 2100 at seasonal timescale, while the duration and frequency of drought will be increased. Although the greatest increase in intensity changes of droughts (up to 91%) until the end of the century will happen in the eastern and southwestern regions of Iran, these regions will face the maximum decrease in the duration (−30.54%) and frequency (−25%) of droughts compared with HP at seasonal timescale. In addition, regarding the outcomes of this study, strategies can be adopted to better manage water resources for various regions of Iran