Critical Content Analysis of Narrative Version of Islamic Medicine

Background and Objective: The nature of Narrative version of Islamic medicine (NIM) is based on Quran and hadith, exclusive attention to Islamic narrative references and rejection of the strategies of other medical schools. This study was conducted to criticize NIM. Methods: In this qualitative study of content analysis, after collecting the opinions of 6 prominent scholars of NIM, the criticisms of these opinions were presented and categorized by three doctors specialized in Persian medicine, a cleric in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and a methodologist by holding expert panel meetings. Findings: Criticisms were raised based on three points of view. The intra-religious area including the routine of Ahl al-Bayt (The holy family of the Prophet Muhammad) in illness and the role of physicians, the place of reason and experience in Islamic sciences, differences in geographical areas, not mentioning the full history of patients and newly occurring diseases was brought up. From a medical point of view, the important points include lack of a research method to check the effectiveness of a medical narrative, lack of diagnostic aspects and an approach to screening. From the viewpoint of religious and social consequences, religious trauma resulting from lack of response to treatment attributed to Ahl al-Bayt, approach to other manifestations of Western civilization, ethical issue of producing, prescribing and selling drugs by a group and loss of life and money due to waste of time in cases with definitive or relative treatment was raised in other medical schools. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, the introduction of this theory to society without sufficient investigations in the seminaries and universities of medical sciences may cause physical, mental and religious trauma at the individual and social level

Comparision of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Foeniculum Vulgare and Carum Copticum with Gentamicin on Escherichia Coli Strains: in Vitro Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, new antibacterial agents is essential. In Persian medicine Fennel (Fuenoculum vulgare Mill.) and Ajwain (Carum copticum (L.) Benth. & Hook.f.) are recommended for the treatment of some infections. In this research, bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of fennel and Ajwain on E. coli were investigated. METHODS: In an in-vitro study 30 clinical isolates of urine culture of children with urinary tract infection from Amirkola Pediatric Hospital in Babol and a standard sample were used. Antibacterial effects of 4 grouos including aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of fennel and Ajwain by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone using disc diffusion (concentrations 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and 512 mg/disc) and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) with Microdilution method was compared with Gentamicin (30mg/disc) as a positive control FINDINGS: There was no significant difference in inhibition zone with Gentamicin at concentrations of 64, 128, 256, and 512 mg/disc in standard and clinical samples. At concentrations of 16 and 32, Gentamicin was significantly better. The extract of 512 mg/disc (12.93±2.66) of hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum was significantly better than 256 mg/disc (9.53±1) (p=0.002). The MIC and MBC for standard samples were 4 and 8, respectively, and for clinical samples 3.83±2.36 and 5.8 mg / ml, respectively. Other extracts were not able to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the Hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on standard and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli

The Role of GIS Mapping Program in Evaluating the Geographical Distribution of Patients with COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Epidemic in Babol

Background and Objective: One of the first cities that announced the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran was Babol, in the north of Iran. Geographic Information System (GIS) is an important tool in tracking and dealing with the spread of diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the weekly GIS reports on the spread of the disease in controlling COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for two months, from the third week of the beginning of the epidemic till the end of the first wave of COVID-19. The geographic address of hospitalized patients was extracted and pinned on the map of Babol. Coding was done in the Python program (python 3.7.6) and the information was placed in an online map that can be enlarged and separated to show the alleys and houses. Moreover, the information was entered into the GIS software and the weekly output was obtained in HTML and PNG formats. The output results of the maps were used as the basis for follow-up in the deputy health department, and after the creation of operational teams, the follow-up of points with high prevalence was done on a weekly basis until the end of the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemics. Findings: The number of hospitalized patients in hospitals of Babol had an upward trend from the beginning of the disease until March 12, 2020. After that, according to the measures taken (including the preparation of patient distribution maps), at first a steady trend and after ten days, a downward trend was observed. A total of 174 pollution points were found in Babol city and Babol county, of which 60 pollution points were related to Babol city. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the preparation of distribution maps of COVID-19 patients in Babol and targeted follow-ups helped to control the first peak of this outbreak within 10 days

The Review of Indices of Mizaj-e-Damagh (Temperament of Brain) Identification in Persian Medicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In Persian medicine (PM), total physical, physiological and psychological properties of individuals are known as “general Mizaj (temperament)”, whereas particular signs of each organ is known as “organ Mizaj”. 9 categories of Mizaj (temperament) have been introduced and each individual belongs to one category according to dominance of a specific quality. To present proper health care directives for each individual, it is necessary to identify his general Mizaj or the Mizaj of important organs of body such as brain, liver and heart. The purpose of this study is to survey and summarize the views of PM references regarding diagnostic signs of Mizaj-e-Damagh (temperament of brain). METHODS: In this review article, we searched online databases such as SienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Magiran as well as PM references for some key words such as “brain”, “termperament”, “Mizaj” and their Persian equivalent. Articles related to Mizaj-e-Damagh were surveyed and summarized. FINDINGS: Out of total 181 articles, 170 articles were related to psychological views on personality types and only a few articles were dedicated to Mizaj in PM. No article was found to be directly related to indices of Mizaj-e-Damagh. Various signs were noted in these books regarding Mizaj-e-Damagh identification, but no reference has been made to the accurate methods of evaluation and their role in Mizaj identification. Condition of touch and hair, condition of sleep and wakefulness, nasal secretions level and psychic functions were the common points in these references regarding intended indices. CONCLUSION: Considering the results of this research, conducting clinical studies to identify the extent and intensity of relationship between diagnostic signs of Mizaj-e-Damagh and Mizaj from the viewpoint of PM scholars is advised

Role of Anthropometric Dimensions of Human Body in Identifying Temperament in Traditional Persian Medicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: From the viewpoint of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), temperament of each person influences his physical and physiological properties such as body dimensions. The aim of this study is to review the reasons behind the diversity of human anthropometric measurements and their status in identifying temperament of people. METHODS: In this descriptive study, we searched online databases such as Sid.ir, PubMed, Scopus, Magiran.com and Google Scholar for Persian key words such as "Anthropometry", "ergonomics" and "temperament" and their English equivalent. Authentic TPM books such as "The Canon of Medicine" by Avicenna, "Complete Book of the Medical Art" by al-Majusi, "al-Mansouri fi al-Tibb" (The book on medicine dedicated to al-Mansur) by Zakariya al-Razi, " Kholasa't ol Hikma" (summary of wisdom) by Aghili Khorasani, “Zakhireh kharazmshahi”(The treasure of Kharazm Shah) by Ismail Jurjani and "Bahr al-jawahir" (sea jewels) were also studied. FINDINGS: Results of the study demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between weight gain, BMI and dimensions of soft tissue which are primarily signs of obesity and fat gain and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Since increase in the aforementioned indices can be a sign of coldness and wetness of temperament, one can argue that people with cold and wet temperament are more susceptible to such diseases. In references of TPM, temperament is mentioned as an agent that changes body dimensions and among the indices that identify temperament, "shape of organs" and "physique" is related to anatomic dimensions of body and obesity and thinness condition, receptively. Magnitude of chest and other organs is a sign of hotness; thinness is a sign of dryness; dominance of muscle tissue is a sign of hotness and wetness and dominance of adipose tissue is a sign of coldness and wetness of temperament. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, variety of anthropometric dimensions is related to genetic loci. Proving the hypothesis of relationship between anthropometric dimensions and temperament and relationship between temperament and genetic polymorphism in TPM requires more research. If the mentioned relationship is confirmed, the process of accessing standard tools for identifying temperament will be facilitate

Evaluation of Influential Factors in the Incidence Period of Cytomegalovirus after Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most frequent infectious complications, which results in renal transplant failure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and risk factors associated with the incidence period of CMV infection after renal transplant. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in renal transplant recipients during 2010-2015 in kidney transplant unit of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Babol, Iran. The evaluated demographics included body mass index (BMI), smoking status, type of underlying disease leading to end-stage renal disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and type of dialysis. Data analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank test, and Cox regression. FINDINGS: In total, 242 patients received renal transplant, among whom 73 (30.2%) cases had CMV infection with median and mean survival of 41 and 48.09±23.50, respectively. In this study, there was no correlation between demographic variables (e.g., gender, place of residence, marital status, educational level, BMI, smoking status, hepatitis B, and type of dialysis) and incidence period of CMV. However, a significant relationship was observed between the incidence period of CMV and age (mean: 45 years, P=0.04), as well as etiology of ESRD urology (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CMV infection is reported to be high in elderly patients with history of urologic diseases. Therefore, performing short-term follow-ups four months after transplantation, with emphasis on the first two months is recommended