The Effect of Stevia Rebaudiana on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Review

Due to the increasing prevalence, indefinite proven treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well as the correlation between NAFLD and metabolic disease including obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia, researchers are trying to evaluate treatment methods of these types of diseases in order to treat NAFLD. This review aims to discuss the effects of Stevia rebaudiana on NAFLD. A literature search in Pubmed, Science direct and Google scholar was undertaken using the keywords “Stevia”, “steviol glycoside”, “diabetes”, “insulin resistance”, “blood glucose”, “dyslipidemia”, ”cholesterol”, “obesity”, “food intake”, “inflammatory cytokines”, and then qualified articles were used. Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of stevia on improving fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Moreover, some studies have expressed that stevia decreases the food intake. Results about the efficacy of stevia on serum cholesterol and HDL-c are controversial; however, almost all support the useful effects of stevia on triglyceride level. Furthermore, its reducing effect on the inflammatory factors was previously clarified. Stevia was shown to have certain health benefits on diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and inflammation. Although there have been few studies, which evaluated the impact of Stevia rebaudiana on NAFLD, it is likely that Stevia rebaudiana improves NAFLD

Factors affecting the choice of treatment center by infertile couples: A cross-sectional study in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute

Background: Infertility is one of the critical health issues in Iran. There are more than 70 specialized infertility treatment centers in Iran, of which the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, is one of the most important ones. Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors influencing infertile couples’ choice of Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 275 infertile couples aged 18 and older, referring to Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran from September 2021 to March 2022. Data were gathered using a 2-part questionnaire. Data analysis was done through SPSS software. We used descriptive statistics, Kruskal- Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and t test for data analysis. Results: Most participants were individuals who came from other provinces of Iran (74.9%) and were referred to the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. Among the 4 categories that influenced couples’ decision to choose this center, factors related to the personnel and treatment staff received the highest score (75.83), while personal factors received the lowest score (65.76). The average score for factors related to doctors was 72.90, and for factors related to the center, it was 73.65. The satisfaction with personnel and treatment staff varied based on participants’ education levels, with those who had lower levels of education reporting higher levels of satisfaction (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The primary factors contributing to the success of the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute in attracting clients were the dedication and expertise of the staff, as well as the esteemed reputation of the doctors at the center. Key words: Infertility, Fertility clinics, Yazd, Iran

Explaining the Challenges of the Iranian Health System in Fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic: a qualitative study

Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic has become a global threat for the general public and health care workers and it has created major challenges for all healthcare sectors. The challenges created by this disease can vary in different countries depending on cultural, social, and economic factors. To explain the challenges of the Iranian health system in fighting the covid-19 pandemic from the managers’ and executive authorities’ viewpoints. Methods The present study is a basic-applied research performed using a qualitative approach. It has studied 30 managers of the hospitals and medical centers’ managers, and deputies of the Ministry of Health, and the universities of medical sciences which were selected by purposive and snowball sampling with the maximum variety in March-September 2020. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews and content analysis was used to explain the challenges of the Iranian health system in fighting the covid-19 pandemic (2020). Results Most of the interviewees (87%) had a Ph.D. degree (34%), and 40% of the participants were graduated in management and health economy and policymaking fields. Analysis and synthesis of the data collected from the interviews led to the creation of 19 sub-themes and 12 main themes classified into four general scopes including the organizational factors, resources, management factors, and other factors. Conclusion Identifying the mentioned challenges can provide useful information for the managers and policymakers to develop appropriate plans and take the necessary measures for resolving the challenges and using the available resources to provide the most effective services

An Experimental Investigation of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Adult Murine Neural Stem Cells

Neurons like other living cells may have ultraweak photon emission (UPE) during neuronal activity. This study is aimed to evaluate UPE from neural stem cells (NSC) during their serial passaging and differentiation. We also investigate whether the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or enhancement of UPE (by AgNPs or mirror) affect the differentiation of NSC. In our method, neural stem and progenitor cells of subventricular zone (SVZ) are isolated and expanded using the neurosphere assay. The obtained dissociated cells allocated and cultivated into three groups: groups: I: cell (control), II: cell + mirror, and III: cell + AgNPs. After seven days, the primary neurospheres were counted and their mean number was obtained. Serial passages continuous up to sixth passages in the control group. Differentiation capacity of the resulting neurospheres were evaluated in vitro by immunocytochemistry techniques. Measurement of UPE was carried out by photomultiplier tube (PMT) in the following steps: at the end of primary culture, six serial cell passages of the control group, before and after of the differentiation for 5 minutes. The results show that neither mirror nor AgNPs affect on the neurosphere number. The UPE of the NSC in the sixth subculturing passage was significantly higher than in the primary passage (P < 0.05). AgNPs significantly increased the UPE of the NSC compared to the control group before and after the differentiation (P < 0.05). Also, the treatment with AgNPs increased 44% neuronal differentiation of the harvested NSCs. UPE of NSC after the differentiation was significantly lower than that before the differentiation in each groups, which is in appropriate to the cell numbers (P < 0.0001). The mirror did not significantly increase UPE, neither before nor after the differentiation of NSC. As a conclusion, NSC have UPE-properties and the intensity is increased by serial passaging that are significant in the sixth passage. The AgNPs increases the UPE intensity of NSC that pushes more differentiation of NSC to the neurons. The mirror was not effective in enhancement of UPE. As a result, UPE measurement may be suitable for assessing and studying the effects of nanoparticles in living cells and neurons.This work was supported by grant No. 94-01-01-10157 from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. This article was a part of the thesis written by Esmaeil Fereydoni, MSc. student of Anatomy

Perceived social support, depression, and perceived stress in university students

      Psychological disorders are universally common problems. Social support contributes much to the health of individuals. Focusing upon social support and upon vicissitudes of life can help prevent the depression-induced disorders. The present paper investigated the relationship between perceived social support, depression and perceived stress in university students.The descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 390 students living in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sceince campus, whom were selected based on a simple random selection method. The related questionnaires of multidimensional scales of perceived social support, Beck’s depression, and perceived stress then were distributed during midterm among students to collect the necessary data. Data was fed into SPSS 16 and analysed using ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher exact test.Our results indicated that 49.7 per cent of students suffered from specific degrees of depression. 30.5 per cent of students had given educational progress and employment as sources of stress in living in the campus. The perceived social support scores were 28.32±9.56, depression, 12.10±9.02, and for perceived stress was 26.84±8.27. A significant relationship was shown to be between perceived social support, depression, and perceived stress (p&lt;0.001) The conclusion made in the paper is that considering depression and stress is crucial to the health of the students. Also, forming workgroups to increase social support for students can help alleviates depression and stress in university students

The Structural Model of Job Resources for the Promotion of Innovative Work Behavior of faculty members, Mediated by Job Engagement: A study in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: The innovative behavior of academic members is a prerequisite for their educational and research effectiveness, which helps them to be more effective in the classroom and research work. This study endeavors to investigate the effect of the structural model of job resources on the promotion of innovative work behavior mediated by job engagement. Methods: This study was a correlational descriptive. The population is all faculty members of the school of medicine in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences). To select the sample size, a sample of 214 individuals was selected by simple random method using Cochran's formula. Kanter's Shoufeli et al.'s job engagement, Morgson and Humphrey's job independence, and Baqer et al.'s questionnaire were used to measure innovative work behavior. The reliability of the questionnaire was computed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability and its validity by construct and content validity. Using structural equation modeling technique, the research hypotheses were analyzed. Results: The results revealed that job autonomy has a positive and significant effect on innovative work behavior (p=0.000) and job engagement (p=0.002), reward and appreciation as well as innovative work behavior (p=0.004) and job engagement (p=0.000) has a positive and significant effect. Besides, job passion plays a mediating role in the relationship between job autonomy (p=0.001) and reward and appreciation (p=0.012) with innovative work behavior. Conclusion: By providing the field of job independence and reward and appreciation of academic staff members, it is possible to increase their engagement for their work and promote the innovative work behavior of academic staff members

Microwave Assisted Solvent Free Synthesis of Azomethines from Aryl Aldehydes on Melamin Formaldehyde as Solid Support

Various aryl aldehydes underwent prompt one pot conversion into the corresponding azomethines in high yields by reacting with hydroxylamine hydrochloride supported on melamine formaldehyde under microwave irradiation

Effect of Music Practice on Anxiety and Depression of Iranian Dental Students

Objectives: The practice of dentistry has long been associated with high levels of occupational stress and anxiety and music has been shown as a method of reducing stress. Considering the reportedly high level of stress among dental students and its consequences and also considering the positive effect of music therapy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between music practice and level of stress in dental students.   Materials and Methods: In this analytical, cross-sectional study, 88 students, including 44 with a history of music practice and 44 matched controls without music practice who met the defined inclusion criteria, participated. Upon obtaining written informed consent, all volunteers filled the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and multiple linear regression test with backward method was used to evaluate the effect of demographic factors on anxiety and depression scores. Results: The level of anxiety was higher in students who did not have music practice and this difference was significant (P0.05). But level of anxiety and depression was higher in students of universities with tuition fee compared to free public institutes (P<0.05). Conclusions: It may be concluded that music practice can reduce anxiety and depression of dental students