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Background: Migraine sufferers seek a range of treatments according to the frequency and severity of their symptoms. Just a few research studies have shown the effectiveness of ginger derivatives for migraine treatment. Ginger has analgesic properties and is effective for the acute treatment of migraines, and there is anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness in migraine prevention. Objectives: The goal of this research was to see whether ginger may help prophylaxis of migraine episodes. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was done in the Neurology Clinic of Golestan Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran). This research enrolled 103 individuals with episodic migraine aged 18 to 50 years. Randomization was used to divide the participants into two groups: Control and intervention. For three months, patients were given 500 mg dry extract of ginger (5% active component) or placebo (starch) tablets twice a day. At the baseline and end of the study, MIDAS score, the number and duration of migraine attacks, headache severity, demographic data, dietary intakes, and anthropometric indices were collected. The data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS (version 26). In all tests, a P < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: At the end of the study, MIDAS score, duration of migraine attacks, and headache severity decreased significantly in the ginger group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of migraine episodes between the two groups. Conclusions: Compared to the placebo, ginger has a stronger efficacy in the prevention of migraine.

Background: Human polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) belongs to the Polyomaviridae family and seems to be a drastic virus in prostate cancer (PCa) etiology. BK virus induces oncogenesis via the expression of large tumor antigen (LTAg) and small tumor antigen (stAg). Also, BKV infection seems to play an essential role in prostate cancer development. Objectives: In this study was aimed to study the prevalence of BKV in benign and cancerous prostate tissues. Methods: In this study, 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of PCa specimens and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were collected. The DNA was extracted from tissue samples, and the BKV DNA was investigated using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MEGA 6.0 software was used for phylogenetic analysis to assemble the viral genome. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by neighbor-joining analysis with 1,000 replicates of the bootstrap resampling test. Results: The BKV DNA was found in 66% (33/50) of patients with PCa and 36% (18/50) of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (P = 0.003). The frequency of BKV DNA in different classes of Gleason score (5 - 10) was not significant (0.094). The distribution of BKV DNA among different age groups was not significant (P = 0.086). Conclusions: High frequency of BKV infection was detected in patients with PCa compared to patients with BPH (P = 0.003), and the coexistence of BKV DNA was confirmed in 51% (51/100) of tissue samples, which were confirmed to be subtype 1 of BKV infection.

Background: As an ancient zoonosis, cystic echinococcosis still is prevalent among livestock worldwide. Early diagnosis is of utmost clinical importance. Objectives: Herein, we compared the efficacy of ELISA with native antigen B and a commercial ELISA kit to detect human hydatidosis in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. Methods: The current study consisted of 90 serum samples, including 50 samples obtained from hydatid-affected patients approved by surgery, 20 samples from patients affected by other diseases (having anti-Toxoplasma antibody, giardiasis, hepatitis, etc.), and 20 serum samples from healthy individuals. Native antigen B was prepared from sheep-isolated hydatid cysts. Checkerboard procedure was performed to determine the optimum dilution of antigen, serum and conjugate. Commercial ELISA was done using Vircell indirect immunoenzyme assay to detect anti-hydatidosis IgG. The cut-off point for native ELISA was the sum of two-fold standard deviation and the mean optical density of all negative samples. Results: Using commercial ELISA kit and native ELISA test, 22 out of 90 and 52 out of 90 sera were positive for hydatid-specific IgG, respectively. Compared to the operation, the sensitivity of native and commercial ELISA tests was 100% and 44%, respectively. However, the specificity was not determined due to the lack of surgical information among the heterologous and control groups. In comparison to the commercial ELISA, both tests showed the same sensitivity (97%), while the specificity of native and commercial ELISA was 95% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions: Developing ELISA tests using native antigens would be a reliable method to improve the efficacy of human hydatidosis detection.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases in the world. Recently, willingness to use alternative treatments to control and reduce blood sugar levels has noticeably increased. The general objective of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the active ingredient of Berberis (Berberine) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled placebo trial, 84 patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated. The patients were divided in 2 groups (42 each). In addition to their previous drugs, new diet, and life style each group received Berberine capsules 500 mg or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. At baseline, weight, height, blood pressure, and BMI were calculated for all patients. Fasting plasma glucose, post- meal plasma glucose, fructosamine, lipid profile, fasting blood insulin levels, BUN, creatinine, and liver enzymes were taken from all patients before the study and after 4 weeks. HOMA-IR and HOMA-β% were calculated. Results: After administration of Berberine for a month, average blood sugar (FBS) in the Berberine group decreased from 192 ± 59.6 to 167.7 ± 51.8, which was statistically significant compared with the results of the placebo group (P = 0.036). There was a significant decrease from 266.1 ± 93.7 mg dl to 222.5 ± 76 in 2HPP in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.001). There was also a significant decrease from 425.7 ± 139.7 micromoles per liter to 344.9± 126.1 micromoles per liter in fructoseamine in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.014). In addition, fasting insulin, HOMA-β%, and HOMA-IR increased in the Berberine group compared with the placebo group, however, this increase was not statistically significant. There was a significant decrease in LDL, TG, VLDL in the Berberine group, however, it was not lower than that in the placebo group. Also, total cholesterol in the Berberine group decreased insignificantly compared to the placebo group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of BMI, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: The results showed taking Berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes for 1 month significantly reduces the fasting plasma glucose, post- meal blood glucose, and fructosamine. No signification changes were found in lipid profiles, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β%.

Background Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of psychological disorders and symptoms. Objectives This research investigated the effect of group reminiscence therapy on depression among women with type II diabetes. Patients and Methods The present study was a clinical trial study. Twenty-four patients referring to the diabetic clinic of Golestan hospital in Ahvaz, Iran were selected through simple random sampling and were divided in two groups. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. Group reminiscence therapy was held over eight biweekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Finally, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Chi-Square tests, using SPSS version 20. Results A significant difference was observed between the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.001). The rating for depression decreased significantly in the experimental group. Before the group reminiscence therapy, the highest rating for depression obtained by the experimental group was “need for consultation” (50%), whereas after the intervention, the highest rating was “no depression” (50%). One month after the intervention, the highest rating obtained for depression was “low” (50%). Conclusions Reminiscence therapy decreased depression among diabetic female patients after the intervention and one month after the intervention. It can be said that, through the reminiscence therapy, patients’ past memories were reviewed and emphasis on the positive aspects thereof in the group setting was followed by an increased sense of self-worth and a decrease in depression.

Background Despite published guidelines emphasizing the importance of education in preventing readmissions, the most effective means of educating hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) about their self-care remains unknown. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the effects of group education with the teach-back method on the readmission of HF patients. Patients and Methods A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at two academic health care systems in Ahvaz. A total of 100 patients aged 50 years and older were enrolled during hospitalization for the treatment of heart failure. Patients in the intervention group were educated and evaluated using the teach-back method as part of usual care. Data on patients’ ability to recall educational information while hospitalized and during follow-up approximately seven days after hospital discharge were collected. Readmissions were confirmed through follow-up telephone calls and reviews of medical records. The data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney statistical test to compare the proportion of readmissions in each study groups using SPSS. 22. Results Patients correctly answered three out of four, or 75%, of self-care teach-back questions. In the intervention group, greater time spent teaching was significantly associated with correctly answered questions (P < .001). The number of readmissions for heart failure was reduced by 56.2% in the intervention group (44 vs. 21, P = 0.04). Conclusions This study will be an important step in creating an evidence base for the relative benefits of different educational strategies for reducing readmissions.