Evaluation of cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the critical thinking disposition scale: methodological study.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing critical thinking disposition is crucial in nursing education to foster analytical skills essential for effective healthcare practice. This study aimed to evaluate the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale among Iranian nursing students. METHOD: A total of 390 nursing students (mean age = 21.74 (2.1) years; 64% female) participated in the study. Face and content validity were established through feedback from nursing students and expert specialists, respectively. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA was used to explore the number of factors and the items that were loading on them. The CFA was used to confirmed the fidnings of the EFA on the same sample. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined, along with reliability through internal consistency and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: EFA revealed a two-factor structure, comprising "Critical Openness" and "Reflective Skepticism," explaining 55% of the total variance. CFA confirmed the model's fit (χ² = 117.37, df = 43, χ²/df = 2.73, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.067; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.041). Convergent and discriminant validity were supported, with significant factor loadings (p < 0.001) ranging from 0.61 to 0.77. The CTDS exhibited strong internal consistency (α = 0.87) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.96). CONCLUSION: The validation of the CTDS in Persian language settings provides a reliable tool for assessing critical thinking disposition among Iranian nursing students. The two-factor structure aligns with previous research, reflecting students' propensity towards critical openness and reflective skepticism. The study's findings underscore the importance of nurturing critical thinking skills in nursing education.

Rosiglitazone attenuates amyloid beta and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus and neuroinflammation associated learning and memory impairments in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the beneficial effects of rosiglitazone (Rosi) on amyloid beta(Aß) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the hippocampus and neuroinflammation-associated learning and memory impairments in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were grouped and treated as follows: (1) Control in which saline and vehicle were administered instead of LPS and Rosi respectively. (2) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group in which LPS was dissolved in saline and injected (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Vehicle was administered instead of Rosi in this group. (3-5) LPS+ Rosi 1, LPS+ Rosi 3, and LPS+ Rosi 5 groups in them 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg of Rosi respectively was administered 30 min before LPS. The treatments were done for two weeks. In the first week, Rosi or its vehicle was injected 30 min before LPS. In the second week, the treatments were the same as the first week and behavioral tests were also carried out in the second week. The hippocampal tissues were finally detached for biochemical assessment. RESULTS: The results showed that Rosi reversed increased levels of Aß, GFAP, interleukin (IL)- 6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, and malondialdehyde (MDA) due to LPS injection. Rosi also reversed attenuating effects of LPS on IL-10 and thiol concentration and activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the Morris water maze test, the LPS group had a longer latency to find the platform while spent a shorter time spent in the target quadrant in the probe trial than the control group. In the passive avoidance test, the animals of the LPS group had a shorter delay to enter the dark chamber than the animals of the control group. Treatment with Rosi reversed these parameters. CONCLUSION: The findings showed Rosi attenuated Aß, GFAP, and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and neuroinflammation-associated learning and memory impairments in rats.

Vitamin D3 administration prevents memory deficit and alteration of biochemical parameters induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress in rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D3 (Vit D) administration on memory function, hippocampal level of amyloid-beta (Aß), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxidative stress status in a rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Vit D was intraperitoneally administered at doses of 100, 1000, and 10,000 IU/kg. Animals were subjected to UCMS for a total period of 4 weeks. Memory function was assessed using morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests. Biochemical markers were measured to reveal the status of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system. In addition, the levels of Aß and BDNF were measured in hippocampal region. In the UCMS group, latency to find the platform was greater and the time spent in target quadrant (MWM test) as well as the latency to enter the dark compartment (PA test), were less than the vehicle group. Hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA) and Aß concentrations in the UCMS group were higher than the vehicle group. Hippocampal level of thiol and BDNF plus the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were reduced in UCMS group compared to the control subjects (i.e. vehicle group). Interestingly, Vit D treatment supplementation reversed the mentioned effects of UCMS. Our findings indicated that Vit D administration improves UCMS-induced impairment of learning and memory through prevention of adverse effects on Aß, BDNF and oxidative stress parameters.

Beneficial effects of vitamin D on anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress by suppression of brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of vitamin D (Vit D) on anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress and brain tissue oxidative damage criteria and neuroinflammation in rats. The rats were treated as follows: (1) control, (2) UCMS, (3-5) Vit D 100, 1000, and 10,000 iu + UCMS. Rats were subjected to UCMS for a total of 4 weeks. During week 4, they received seven training trials. The brains were then collected to examine inflammation and oxidative stress criteria. Pretreatment with Vit D enhanced performances of the rats in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) and forced swimming test (FST). UCMS also increased MDA and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels while decreased CAT, SOD, and thiol. Vit D reversed the effects of UCMS. The results of the current research revealed that Vit D improved UCMS-induced anxiety and depression via decreasing brain oxidative stress and inhibiting neuroinflammation.