The Characteristics of Physicians and Medical Students, According to Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari

Research on Persian medical literature has revealed a long history of moral excellence and devotion to the medical field. Ali Ibn Rabban Tabari also emphasized the importance of these qualities, as Islamic culture highly values the traits of physicians. In our discussion, we will explore the qualities of physicians and medical students from the perspective presented by Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari in his widely read book, Firdous al-Hikma. One section of this work focuses on the professional, ethical, and physical qualities that define a doctor and a medical student. The book stands out as one of Iran’s medical encyclopedias.Among them is Ali ibn Rabban Tabari, a prominent figure in the history of Persian Medicine, who made significant contributions to the establishment of ethical principles in the field of medicine. His perspectives and insights hold considerable value as one of the earliest endeavors in this area, exerting a substantial influence on the advancement of medical ethics

Socratic Confrontation with Athens: an Interpretation

Impiety was one of the two charges against Socrates. As a civil religion (within which politics and religion are mutually intertwined) was the then-dominated religion in Athens, impiety was regarded as a civil laws violation. Thus, charge of impiety, as a political subversion, might lead Socrates to death. However, in Apology there are some signs of Socrates’ religiousness as swearing and the claim to be at service of the Polis’ formal gods and goddess which lead to the question whether Socrates were an impious person, in addition to the question concerning the reasons why Socrates was sentenced to death, while he has showed his religiousness. In this study, we argued the nature of Socrates’ religiousness and offered an interpretation of Socrates’ silent confrontation with Athenians as is described in the court and his advocacy there. Therefore, introducing the state of religion in Athens, it would be shown that Socrates goes not deep in the inspirations, but intervening personal negative accounts, argues for a private religious experience, while does not offers any substitution for the formal religion

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT NUTRIENT INTAKE AND MALONDIADEHYDE PLASMA LEVEL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant systems have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study was performed to evaluate dietary nutrient intake and plasma oxidant status in RA patients. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: This case-control study comprised 75 RA patients and equal number of age- and gender-matched controls. Nutrient intake was estimated by using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from each group, and as an indicator of oxidant status, plasma concentrations of malondiadehyde (MDA) were measured. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: The mean calorie intake of RA patients was lower than that of the healthy controls. Energy-adjusted intake of fat, vitamin A and &szlig;-carotene were significantly lower in patients than in control .Plasma MDA concentration was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (4.9&plusmn;1.8 vs 2.1&plusmn;0.6 nmoles/ml respectively, P &lt; 0.01). &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: These results suggest proper antioxidant nutrient intake management may reduce free radical generation and improve antioxidant status in RA patients. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, antioxidant, malondialdehyde.</p

WEIGHT LOSS REDUCES C- REACTIVE PROTEIN AND FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN OBESE WOMEN

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: obesity is one of the most important risk factors in chronic diseases, like coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. It is believed that elevated levels of C- reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We examined the hypothesis that weight loss would reduce plasma CRP and fibrinogen levels in obese women. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: Body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and acute phase proteins were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of weight loss regimen in 29 obese women.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: Weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride had significant reductions. HDL-C had increased significantly. No significant changes were observed in LDL-C and insulin concentrations. Plasma acute phase proteins levels decreased significantly. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: Weight loss may represent an important intervention to reduce acute phase protein levels, which may mediate its cardioprotective effects in obese women. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Obesity, weight loss, acute phase proteins, cardiovascular disease, women.</p

Ethanol consumption inhibits TFH cell responses and the development of autoimmune arthritis

Alcohol consumption is a consistent protective factor for the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The underlying mechanism for this tolerance-inducing effect of alcohol, however, is unknown. Here we show that alcohol and its metabolite acetate alter the functional state of T follicular helper (T-FH) cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby exerting immune regulatory and tolerance-inducing properties. Alcohol-exposed mice have reduced Bcl6 and PD-1 expression as well as IL-21 production by T-FH cells, preventing proper spatial organization of T-FH cells to form T-FH:B cell conjugates in germinal centers. This effect is associated with impaired autoantibody formation, and mitigates experimental autoimmune arthritis. By contrast, T cell independent immune responses and passive models of arthritis are not affected by alcohol exposure. These data clarify the immune regulatory and tolerance-inducing effect of alcohol consumption. Moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with protection from some autoimmune diseases. Here the authors show that ethanol and its metabolite acetate can protect mice from collagen-induced arthritis and provide evidence that the mechanism of this effect might be via inhibition of the effector function of T follicular helper cells

Targeting zonulin and intestinal epithelial barrier function to prevent onset of arthritis.

Gut microbial dysbiosis is associated with the development of autoimmune disease, but the mechanisms by which microbial dysbiosis affects the transition from asymptomatic autoimmunity to inflammatory disease are incompletely characterized. Here, we identify intestinal barrier integrity as an important checkpoint in translating autoimmunity to inflammation. Zonulin family peptide (zonulin), a potent regulator for intestinal tight junctions, is highly expressed in autoimmune mice and humans and can be used to predict transition from autoimmunity to inflammatory arthritis. Increased serum zonulin levels are accompanied by a leaky intestinal barrier, dysbiosis and inflammation. Restoration of the intestinal barrier in the pre-phase of arthritis using butyrate or a cannabinoid type 1 receptor agonist inhibits the development of arthritis. Moreover, treatment with the zonulin antagonist larazotide acetate, which specifically increases intestinal barrier integrity, effectively reduces arthritis onset. These data identify a preventive approach for the onset of autoimmune disease by specifically targeting impaired intestinal barrier function