Modern Care Journal
Volume:21 Issue: 3, Jul 2024

 Obesity is a hormonal-metabolic disorder that leads to the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body due to lifestyle changes, especially inactivity and genetic predispositions.

 The present study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training on serum myonectin levels and insulin resistance in overweight and obese women.

 A total of 45 women aged 30 - 50 years who were either overweight or obese participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of 15 participants: Control (group I), resistance training (group II), and aerobic training (group III). The aerobic training group engaged in an eight-week running program with an intensity set at 50 - 70% of their maximum heart rate, following the principle of gradual overload. The resistance training group completed an 8-week program with three sessions per week. All data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26). Two-way analysis of variance in repeated measures and Bonferroni’s post hoc test were utilized, with significance set at P ≥ 0.05.

 Both aerobic and resistance exercises resulted in a statistically significant difference in serum myonectin levels compared to the control group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.002, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed between the effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on this variable (P = 0.214). Similarly, both aerobic and resistance exercises led to a statistically significant difference in insulin resistance, compared to the control group (P = 0.028 and P = 0.001, respectively), with no significant difference observed between the effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on this variable (P = 0.068).

 In conclusion, 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training, when performed separately by obese or overweight women, resulted in increased serum myonectin levels and improved insulin resistance. The aforementioned findings collectively indicate an enhancement in metabolic status, contributing to overall health improvement in individuals.

Context: 

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected the operation of health systems and services and dramatically increased the responsibilities of health professionals. Medical and nursing practitioners are an integral part of health care. They shouldered an important role in the fight against the novel coronavirus despite the potential risks.

Evidence Acquisition: 

The present article applied a narrative approach to examine the nature and scope of the medical and nursing professions, especially during a pandemic or epidemic, and to describe the societal impact of the recent public health emergency. This study also analyzed the experience gained from the pandemic and how this could be used to ethically guide health services and clinicians through similar crises in the future.

 The COVID-19 crisis revealed ethical dilemmas related to the retention of balance between the commitment to duty and the discretion to opt out. Health workers' obligation to treat derives from their professional role and is based on scientific, moral, and legal grounds. A pandemic mandates health staff to work at the limits of their competencies and entails the risk of infection with the pathogen, physical exhaustion, and emotional stress. The tremendous toll on society and health care due to the spread of a pathogen needs to be managed. The responsibility of clinicians to care for the sick is at the core of any successful response to a pandemic. Protective measures, safety training, sustainable working hours, and moral and fiscal compensation are essential prerequisites for the fulfillment of their tasks.

 Despite the reduced clinical severity associated with new variants, individual and collective fatigue among doctors and nurses continues to exist. The most recent epidemiological indicators show that the COVID-19 pandemic is still progressing but with a decelerating rhythm. In addition, preparation for a potentially catastrophic future pandemic is appropriate. Therefore, there is no time for complacency. All the involved parties need to ensure that health professionals uphold the mission of their profession.

 Stroke is a type of neurological disorder that can be attributed to a central vascular cause. Stroke can affect the patient’s performance in daily activities and quality of life (QoL). Research indicates a decrease in the quality of life in stroke patients due to cognitive and emotional damage.

 The present study compared the effect of two group approaches, mindfulness training based on stress reduction and Powell’s cognitive rehabilitation, on improving the quality of life of stroke patients.

 This semi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a follow-up period. The sample consisted of 36 eligible stroke patients selected in a targeted and simple random manner. The patients were divided into two intervention groups and one control group. The tools used were a demographic information questionnaire and a Stroke-specific QoL (SS-QOL) scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS software (version. 26). Chi-square, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni statistical tests were applied at a significance level of P<0.05.

 The majority of the sample were men, with 60%, 63.6%, and 75% in the cognitive rehabilitation, mindfulness, and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender distribution between the studied groups (P > 0.05). The mindfulness intervention had a higher effect on quality of life on average. Still, statistically, none of the interventions were effective in improving quality of life (P > 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the effect of mindfulness-based methods and cognitive rehabilitation on improving quality of life (P > 0.05).

 Mindfulness training increases behavioral responses related to attention as the basis of all cognitive activities. Also, mindfulness exercises improve cognitive skills and, by affecting the cognitive system, increase the capacity and ability of the information processing system and improve the quality of life.

 Transformational management (TM) focuses on the characteristics and behaviors required for a manager to empower and motivate team members. Nursing managers and leaders who practice TM mostly demonstrate varying degrees of transformational characteristics.

 This study aimed to explain the characteristics of nursing managers in TM.

 In this study, we used the qualitative content analysis method. Twenty-two nursing managers were selected through purposive sampling within April 2022 to September 2023. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Data analysis followed the technique recommended by Graneheim and Lundman (2020). All interview sessions were recorded, transcribed in a Word file, and subsequently entered and analyzed in MAXQDA (2020).

 After analyzing the data and extracting 423 open codes, seven subcategories and three final categories emerged regarding the characteristics required for nursing managers in TM. The identified characteristics in this study include the creation of a transformational culture, an ethics-oriented approach, and institutionalization of changes.

 By identifying and applying the characteristics essential to TM, nursing managers can initiate valuable changes. This, in turn, leads to transformation within their management style, the nursing profession, and the improvement of health services.

 The global population is undergoing rapid aging, highlighting the importance of assessing the hope levels of the elderly to develop educational and welfare programs aimed at enhancing their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the state of hope and its associated factors among elderly individuals in Birjand city.

 This descriptive-correlational study included 441 elderly aged 60 and above from Birjand City, selected using a systematic stratified sampling method in 2018. Data were collected through interviews conducted by trained interviewers using the standard questionnaire “Schneider's Hope of the Elderly (SHS)." Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software, and statistical tests, including independent T-Test, ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test, were applied at a significance level of α = 0.05.

 The average age of the participants was 70.1 ± 7.3 years. The mean scores for hope, agentive thinking, and strategic thinking were 27 ± 3.3, 12.9 ± 2.1, and 14.1 ± 2.1, respectively. Men had significantly higher scores in agentive thinking (P < 0.001) and the overall hope score (P < 0.003) compared to women. Illiterate individuals had lower agentive thinking scores than other groups (P < 0.001). Additionally, married individuals had significantly higher scores in agentive thinking, strategic thinking, and overall hope scores compared to other elderly individuals. Conversely, elderly individuals without children had lower scores in these areas compared to other groups (P < 0.05).

 Based on the study's findings, it is essential to develop and implement educational and welfare interventions aimed at increasing hope among the elderly, particularly targeting women, single individuals, those who are lonely, and those with lower levels of education.

 A satisfying and proper sexual relationship that meets the needs of both spouses plays a crucial role in the stability and longevity of the family. Sexual self-concept is one of the factors affecting women's sexual behavior and performance and can be changed throughout life.

 This study aimed to determine the status of sexual self-concept and its socio-demographic predictors of women on the verge of marriage.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 women referring to premarital counseling centers in Tabriz, Iran. The data collection tool was the questionnaire of personal and social characteristics and Snell's Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire. Pearson's correlation test, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression test were used in data analysis with SPSS software version 24.

 The mean (standard deviation) of the positive sexual self-concept score was 117 (0.20) from the obtainable score of 0 - 176, and the mean (standard deviation) of the negative sexual self-concept score was 16 (0.7) from the obtainable score of 4 - 38. Additionally, the mean (standard deviation) of the sexual self-concept score was 44 (0.9) from the range of the obtainable score of 0 - 72. The results of multivariate analysis with multivariate linear regression test and control of confounding variables showed that the husband’s age, education, and mother's education were the predictors of positive sexual self-concept. Moreover, age, father's education, and duration of previous acquaintance were reported as predictors of negative sexual self-concept, and age was observed as a predictor of situational sexual self-concept.

 The study's findings indicated that age, education, parents' education, and the duration of acquaintance with the future spouse could predict sexual self-concept in women approaching marriage without sexual abuse. Given that sexual self-concept evolves well before any sexual activity, policymakers can enhance women's sexual self-concept through interventions, such as psychological counseling with a focus on sexual health. This, in turn, can improve their overall well-being, ultimately supporting stable family foundations and successful childbearing in the future.

 Reports indicate that probiotics have beneficial effects on both the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases.

 This study aims to explore the overall inclination toward probiotic consumption, its trends, and its association with common gastrointestinal diseases.

 We conducted an ecological study utilizing Google Trends (GTs) and Global Concern data. We analyzed search terms related to “probiotic," “Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)," “Peptic," “Constipation," “Diarrhea," and “Stomach Cancer (SC)" across all searches performed on GTs from January 2014 to July 2023.

 Globally and in Iran, there has been an increasing interest in consuming probiotics over time. This increase is linked to a rise in cases of stomach cancer and irritable bowel syndrome, which, in turn, boosts the propensity to utilize probiotics. Globally, there is a direct correlation between probiotic consumption and IBS (R = +0.69, P = 0.0001), peptic disorders (R = +0.71, P = 0.001), Constipation (R = +0.93, P = 0.001), and diarrhea (R = +0.89, P = 0.001). In Iran, significant direct correlations were found between probiotic consumption and both constipation (R = +0.36, P = 0.001) and diarrhea (R = +0.40, P = 0.001). Among probiotic-containing products, yogurt was preferred over others worldwide and in Iran.

 The interest in probiotic use is high globally and in Iran. Consequently, there is a need for strategies to educate the public about the areas where the benefits of probiotics are well-supported by evidence and where information is either weak or lacking.