نشریه یافته
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 1 (پیاپی 103، بهار 1404)

The predictive role of mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cardiovascular diseases has been proven. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a sustainable and effective method for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of HIIT on MPV and RDW in inactive, normal-weight, and obese women.

In this semi-experimental research, 24 participants were voluntarily selected from a population of inactive, healthy, obese women and healthy women of normal weight aged 30 to 45 years. They were divided into two experimental groups, each consisting of 12 participants (normal-weight and obese). Both groups were in a circuit HIIT protocol for eight weeks, three sessions per week with an intensity of 90% HRmax for related exercises. Blood sampling was taken on two occasions: once before and once after a 12-hour fasting period and again 48 hours after the last training session. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical test was employed to analyze variables at a significance level of P < 0.05.

The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the two obese and normal weight groups in the average decreases in MPV (P=0.045), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (P=0.001), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P=0.045).

High-intensity exercise may modulate MPV and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high body mass index and high body fat percentage in middle-aged women, suggesting an effective, inexpensive, and accessible non-pharmacological method for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Today, we can benefit from the capabilities provided by Metaverse in the methods of providing healthcare services, especially telemedicine. This requires an early assessment of the potential benefits and challenges of Metaverse in the field of telemedicine before clinical adoption is realized. The purpose of this research is to identify the goals, consequences, and obstacles of using Metaverse in telemedicine.

In this systematic review, we searched the articles published in online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) until June 2024 (without time limitation) using relevant keywords ("Metaverse" and "Telemedicine") in English. Exclusion criteria included articles that did not focus on this topic.

Of all the articles included in the study, most of the studies (75%) were conducted in 2023, and South Korea accounted for the highest number of studies (25%) in this field. The main capabilities and consequences of using Metaverse in telemedicine included increasing access to healthcare services, increasing the level of security, creating a sense of confidence for users, reducing costs, and managing time. Risks related to security and confidentiality, required technologies, knowledge of use, and cost are also challenges and obstacles to implementing Metaverse in telemedicine.

Metaverse is a suitable platform for telemedicine that provides access to medical and scientific information. Despite the advantages and positive consequences of this platform in providing fast and quality medical services, which causes widespread attention, there are challenges in its implementation that need to be solved by necessary measures.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Valepotriate (from Valeriana officinalis) on pain and inflammation in rats and to determine its possible analgesic and inflammatory mechanisms.

The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the anti-inflammatory effect. To this end, 40 male rats were randomly divided into five groups. In the pain test, 56 male rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8 each). Inflammation test: 1- Normal saline group, 2- Xylene group, 3- Dexamethasone group, 4 and 5- Groups that received the active ingredient Valepotriate at doses of 0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg as a single dose for each animal. Pain test: 1- Saline group, 2- Formalin, 3- Morphine + Formalin group, 4-5- Valepotriate group (0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg) + Formalin, 6- Naloxone + Extract group (0.2 mg/kg) + Formalin, 7- Naloxone+ Morphine + Formalin group

The results showed a significant decrease in pain response time at 0.2 doses of Valepotriate in acute and chronic pain phases compared to Formalin (P<0.001). Valepotriate active ingredient also exerted its inhibitory effect on xylene-induced inflammation, with the best inhibition percentage observed for 0.2 mg/kg dose and dexamethasone with extract at 0.2 mg/kg (P<0.01).

According to the results, Valepotriate has a relatively strong analgesic effect. It is likely that the mechanism of analgesic action of the extract is at least relatively similar to that of morphine based on opioid receptors. In the inflammation test, the extract was able to inhibit inflammation in a way similar to dexamethasone.

The present study investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasites in individuals who referred to hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, from 2019 to 2023.

The present descriptive study was conducted cross-sectionally and consisted of 5,976 individuals referring to the hospitals with gastrointestinal. To describe the data, mean (standard deviation) and number (percentage) were used according to the studied groups.

The results of the study showed that 1,510 people were diagnosed positive. The highest rate of infection by intestinal protozoa was related to Giardia, affecting 528 people (8.8%), while the lowest rate of infection was related to Endolimax nana, affecting 10 people (0.16%). The highest prevalence rate of infections by intestinal worms was related to Entrobius vermicularis, with 64 people (1.07%), whereas the lowest prevalence rate was associated with Trichuris trichiura, with 19 cases (0.31%). 

The comparison of the percentage of pollution in the current study with other relevant studies in the past years showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in this region has decreased significantly, similar to other regions of the country. At the same time, the rate of infection by intestinal protozoa is significantly higher than by intestinal worms. This issue can be due to their direct and easier transmission compared to the worm eggs or larvae.

Abnormalities of electrocardiogram and cardiac arrhythmias after stroke are very common. This study investigated the effect of IC87201, a molecule affecting the NMDA receptor intracellular signaling pathway, on reducing QT interval prolongation, as the most common electrocardiogram change after cerebral ischemia, in male rats.

In this study, 15 male adult rats were randomly divided into three groups: MCAO, MCAO+DXM (dextromethorphan hydrobromide monohydrate, NMDA receptor antagonist), and MCAO+IC87201 (n=5 each). Two hours after ischemia, solvent, DXM, and IC87201 were injected intraperitoneally into these three groups, respectively. Pre-ischemia, four hours, and forty-eight hours post-ischemia neurological-behavioral scores were assessed using the neurological deficit score test. Statistical differences were measured using repeated measures analysis of variance (P<0.05).

QT interval significantly prolonged after ischemia. Administration of IC87201 significantly reduced this interval, whereas DXM did not have such an effect. The LF/HF ratio, as an index of autonomic nervous system balance on cardiac performance, significantly increased forty-eight hours after ischemia. This imbalance improved forty-eight hours after the injection of both IC87201 and DXM.

The results of this study indicated that cerebral ischemia could lead to an increase in sympathetic activity, which in turn causes prolonged QT interval. The administration of IC87201 may be effective in improving this condition by reducing the QT interval. Therefore, IC87201 may potentially be considered a suitable option for reducing cardiac complications following stroke.

Sustainable changes in psychotherapy are formed based on its underlying mechanisms. One of these key mechanisms is Memory Reconsolidation. This biological process involves updating and modifying memory information and is introduced as a fundamental mechanism of change in psychotherapy that leads to transformational changes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate memory reconsolidation as a fundamental mechanism of therapeutic change that bridges neuroscience and psychotherapy.

This study is a narrative review derived from a PhD dissertation in psychology, in which articles related to the keywords (Memory Reconsolidation, psychotherapy, and therapeutic change) were collected through searches in the reputable scientific databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Scopus, and the Google Scholar search engine, within the time frame of 1985-2024. In total, 48 articles related to the topic and objectives of the research were extracted from the full-text English language articles.

Studies show that memory reconsolidation is a common mechanism of change among psychotherapy approaches, and through changes in memory structure, updating and modification of maladaptive memories, and ultimately cognitive-emotional reconstruction, it can cause lasting and profound changes in psychological problems and disorders.

The results showed that the convergence of neuroscience and psychotherapy through this mechanism is considered a new step in the development of more efficient treatment methods. Accordingly, focusing on memory reconsolidation in psychotherapy can significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatment and lead to profound and transformational changes in clients. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should focus on developing therapeutic models based on the mechanism of memory reconsolidation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered the leading cause of mortality worldwide. According to World Health Organization statistics in 2022, these diseases resulted in the deaths of nearly 19.8 million people globally. The early diagnosis and timely treatment are among the main challenges in managing these diseases. Generally, since some of the currently used biomarkers lack specificity; therefore, a stronger need for more specific markers in this area is felt. Exosomes, as one of the extracellular vesicles, are produced in almost all eukaryotic cells. These microvesicles are covered with a bilayer phospholipid membrane and carry proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, etc.

The current narrative review research included studies available in the international databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Various factors, including stress, cellular damage, medications, and toxins can influence the production and secretion of exosomes. Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communications and can serve as biological markers for diagnostic and prognostic strategies. Additionally, exosomes have therapeutic potential and act as biological carriers for targeted drug delivery to the heart.

Based on the findings obtained, the use of the exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases could aid in the better management of these conditions; however, its application may be clinically challenging. Moreover, the present study explores the potential of using exosomes as a novel tool in the medical field.