Arch Iran Med
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Considering the non-invasive nature of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and its ability to detect prostate lesions, the present study aimed to investigate the accuracy of MRS techniques in distinguishing between prostate cancer (PCa) and prostatitis. ⋯ The results of this study indicate an acceptable level of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRS in the differential diagnosis of PCa and prostatitis.
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Projection of mortality rates is essential for policy making and planning of health services. Premature mortality, as an important index, commonly refers to deaths occurring before 70 years of age. This study was conducted to estimate the trend of premature deaths from 2006-2015 and to project premature deaths for the 2016-2030 period. ⋯ Overall, it is projected that premature mortality will witness a declining trend in both sexes in Iran. Accordingly, we would expect to achieve less than a third reduction in premature mortality by 2030, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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The desperation to publish among the scientific and academic community has reached new pinnacles and a new threat to academic integrity has surfaced in the form of predatory journals. These journals try to attract the young researchers with aggressive advertisements promising an early turnaround time for publication which is through absence of peer review and comes at a cost in the form of article processing fees. ⋯ They exploit its very foundation which aims at conducting and reporting the research in a truthful way that in turn builds trust and confidence for science in the society. This review gives an overview of predatory journals, their modus operandi, the ethical concerns associated with them and means to curb this menace.
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Herbal medications are becoming increasingly popular with the impression that they cause fewer side effects in comparison with synthetic drugs; however, they may considerably contribute to acute or chronic poisoning incidents. Poison centers receive more than 100000 patients exposed to toxic plants. Most of these cases are inconsiderable toxicities involving pediatric ingestions of medicinal plants in low quantity. In most cases of serious poisonings, patients are adults who have either mistakenly consumed a poisonous plant as edible or ingested the plant regarding to its medicinal properties for therapy or toxic properties for illegal aims. ⋯ Considering the long history of consumption of herbal medicines in different societies, people may wrongly think that medicinal plants are fully harmless and nontoxic. Prescription, preparation and consumption regulations of medicinal plants are not clear and strict as well as their marketing regulations that differ from country to country. The extensive and various consumption of medicinal plants without adequate observation is the most important reason for poisoning by medicinal plants.