BACKGROUND: Medical students face a variety of challenges during their years of medical education that can affect their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the association of QOL with physical activity (PA), depression, and demographic characteristics, as well as to determine its predictors among medical students in different stages of education. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 186 medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in different educational stages including basic sciences, physiopathology, externship, and internship using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, International PA Questionnaire, World Health Organization QOL Questionnaire, and Beck depression inventory-2. Data analysis was performed using SPSS/Ver 23 through descriptive and analytic statistics including one-way analysis of variance, independent t -test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: There were significant differences in total score of QOL among students in different stages ( P < 0.05). There were indirect significant correlations between total score of QOL (β [confidence interval 95%]:−0.85 [−1.11–−0.59]) and its all subdomains with Beck depression score but direct significant correlations with total PA ( P < 0.05) except for social relationship. Educational stage, employment status, family income, inhabitant, moderate PA, and depression were the predictors of QOL and altogether explained 63% of its variance. CONCLUSIONS: To pay attention to the predictors of QOL, life among medical students seems necessary for increasing their QOL to provide high-quality care for people with disabilities as well as for the whole community.

Cognitive impairments are a part of the neurocognitive disorders which deteriorate the normal cognitive function. An overview of systematic reviews (SRs) was conducted to summarize the findings of SRs and meta‐analyses on the effectiveness of Huperzine A (Hup A) in dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A literature search was conducted since inception to December 2020. We used the AMSTAR tool to assess the methodological quality of SRs. The quality of evidence of primary studies was evaluated according to the SRs authors' assessment. Six SRs met our inclusion criteria. The results showed that Hup A has beneficial effects on cognitive function and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in Alzheimer's disease, but in vascular dementia and MCI, there was little or no evidence to conclusion. There is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness of Hup A on the quality of life and global clinical assessment. None of the SRs reported any serious side effects. Despite the promising effects of Hup A on cognition and ADLs, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of Hup A in cognitive impairments due to the high heterogeneity of SRs and the low quality of primary studies. High‐quality, large multicenter RCTs with long‐term follow‐up in different settings are warranted.

ObjectivesThe present systematic review of literature was conducted to study the effect of Nigella sativa (N.S) on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers.ContentDifferent online databases such as Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Sciences, EMBASE, and Clininaltrial.gov for English articles and national databases of SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex for Persian articles, which were published until March; 2019 were scrutinized. All Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies that aimed to compare the impact of N.S along, with placebo or without supplementation, on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were entered in the present study.SummaryFinally, 11 RCTs covering 710 women and men, in total, were participated in the present meta-analysis. Significant differences were observed in Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) (Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) =−2.15 pg/mL, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) =−3.22–−1.09, I2=32%; 5 trials with 262 participants) superoxide dismutase (WMD=63.79 µ/gHb, 95% CI=6.84–120.75, I2=0%; 2 trials, with 88 participants), and total antioxidant capacity (WMD=0.34 mmol/L, 95% CI=0.04 to 0.63, I2=94%; 5 trials with 232 participants). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (WMD=−0.98 mg/L, 95% CI=−1.98–0.03, I2=78%; 5 trials with 267 participants), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) (WMD=−0.25 pg/mL, 95% CI=−0.65 to 0.16, I2=0%; 2 trials with 134 participants), and malondialdehyde (WMD=−0.95 nmol/mL, 95% CI=−1.97–0.08, I2=68%; 4 trials with 179 participants).OutlookGenerally speaking, N.S probably results in the improvement of superoxide dismutase serum levels, TNF-α, and total antioxidant capacity. Thus, further studies are required to fully assess its impacts on all oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Primary osteoporosis is a common complication of aging and menopause. The negative effects of osteoporosis in the coming years will increase by increasing life expectancy and population aging. The purpose of this research was to compare health-promoting lifestyle and quality of life in postmenopausal women with and without primary osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical research was conducted on 445 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 selected by simple random sampling in Tabriz health centers from September 2018 to July 2019. Data collection instruments included demographic, midwifery, anthropometric, health-promoting lifestyle profile II and menopausal quality-of-life questionnaire questionnaires, and serum test checklist (25-hydroxy vitamin D, complete blood count/diff, thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting blood sugar, Calcium, and Phosphor). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method was used to measure bone density. Data were analyzed using SPSS/23 through descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square, independent t -test, Mann–Whitney, and multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean score of lifestyle was 141.2 ± 21.9 in normal and 127.2 ± 25.4 in osteoporosis group, and differences were statistically significant in total score ( P < 0.001) and all subdomains. The mean score of quality of life was 3.9 ± 1.2 in the normal and 4.5 ± 1.4 in the osteoporotic group. The differences were significant in total score ( P < 0.001) and all subdomains except for sexual function subdomain ( P = 0.064). Logistic regression adjusted for confounders indicated by one unit increase in total lifestyle score, the odds of primary osteoporosis reduced by 2.2% (adjusted odds ratio [0.95% confidence interval]: 0.978 [0.963–0.994], P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: To prevent of primary osteoporosis and improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women, it seems that education and implementation of health-promoting lifestyle are essential. The research findings can be used to plan for health care in middle and old ages.

Background: Bone turnover markers can predict subsequent changes in bone status. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between usual daily physical activity (PA) with bone markers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years in Tabriz-Iran in 2018. The women were recruited by a simple random method. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA. The laboratory tests of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus were also used to examine bone function. Results: The education, income, employment status, sun exposure, and history of exercise were significantly correlated with PA. Among reproductive characteristics, only menopausal age showed a significant relationship with total PA levels (r = .285, P = .048). None of the anthropometric indices showed a statistically significant relationship with total PA. Serum calcium (r = −.242) and phosphorus (r = −.045) levels showed negative and inverse relationships with total PA. The intensity of this association was statistically significant only for the calcium (β = −0.108, 95% confidence interval, −0.117 to 0.098; P = .023). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (r = .007) and alkaline phosphatase (r = .046) were directly and positively but nonsignificantly correlated to the intensity of total PA. Conclusion: Usual daily physical activity with any levels has no effect on bone markers except for calcium. Despite of the beneficial effects of PA, our findings showed that usual daily physical activity without increasing total PA cannot affect bone health. For maximal effects of PA on bone health, it seems that a degree of intensity, continuity, and regularity of PA programs should be considered to stimulate bone formation.