per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 1 2 article Farshad Ahmadi Haddad farshadhadad@gmail.com 1 Health Management Center, Lifestyle and Spiritual Health Research Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran This article examines the impact of Iran's general maritime development policies on public health and marine environmental protection. Given the importance of the sea and Iran's geographical position in meeting the country's economic and social needs, Iran's general maritime policies should focus on sustainable development and maintaining community health. These policies include establishing a unified management system for maritime affairs, developing maritime economic activities, facilitating and developing investment, drafting a comprehensive plan for the development of coastal and marine areas, optimal utilization of marine resources, providing and enhancing specialized human resources, developing international cooperation, and increasing the country's share in maritime transport. This article examines the challenges of implementing these policies in the field of public health and marine environmental protection. These challenges include structural problems, high infrastructure costs, financial barriers, technological barriers, environmental problems, social and human factors, geopolitical issues, and transportation problems. Additionally, opportunities for developing new technologies, education and awareness-raising, and strengthening international cooperation have been examined. The results of this study show that despite efforts to comply with general maritime policies and their impact on health, there are still many challenges that need more attention and improvement. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-487-en.pdf General policies Ocean-based development Public health Environmental protection Climate change Marine pollution per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 3 9 article Ameneh Marzban amenemarzban@yahoo.com 1 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: Health-protective behaviors (risk reduction and prevention) and health-promoting behaviors represent two complementary components of a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to examine the correlation between Quranic engagement and health-oriented lifestyle among students at Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2023. A random sample of 358 students from Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology was selected. Data collection instruments included a demographic checklist, a researcher-developed Quranic Engagement Questionnaire, and a researcher-developed Health-Oriented Lifestyle Questionnaire. Results: The mean scores for Quranic engagement and health-oriented lifestyle among students were 84.14 ± 3.07 and 73.22 ± 4.01, respectively. Significant differences were observed in Quranic engagement scores based on gender. Similarly, health-oriented lifestyle scores showed significant variations according to gender and economic status. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between all dimensions of Quranic engagement and health-oriented lifestyle, except for "Quranic learning" and "persistence in Quran recitation," which showed no significant correlation with tobacco, alcohol, and drug use. Conclusion: Given the established relationship between Quranic engagement, religious activities, and health-oriented lifestyle, greater emphasis on spiritual development through targeted programming is warranted. Implementing Quranic educational initiatives can foster deeper student engagement with the Quran, thereby contributing to enhanced health outcomes among the student population. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-489-en.pdf Quranic engagement Lifestyle Health-oriented Students per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 10 16 article Salimeh Khanamani Falahati-pour Sali.falahati@gmail.com 1 Reza Hosseiniara hosseiniara7@gmail.com 2 Computer Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Marine biotoxins, produced by harmful algal blooms, pose significant threats to public health and the seafood industry, necessitating advanced detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as mouse bioassays and chromatography, are often slow, costly, and ethically concerning. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with biosensor technology offers a transformative approach to enhance the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of detecting these toxins. This review explores the current state of biosensors for marine biotoxin detection and examines how AI can automate and optimize these systems. By leveraging machine learning and deep learning algorithms, AI enables rapid data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling, paving the way for real-time monitoring and early warning systems. Despite challenges such as the need for standardized datasets and regulatory approval, the integration of AI with biosensors holds immense promise for revolutionizing marine toxicology and ensuring safer seafood consumption. This article synthesizes recent advancements in biosensor technology and AI applications, providing a comprehensive overview of their potential impact on public health and food safety. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-496-en.pdf Marine Biotoxins Artificial Intelligence Biosensors Seafood Safety Real-Time Monitoring per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 17 27 article Mojtaba Fattahi Ardakani mjfattahi57@gmail.com 1 Somayeh Khezerloo khezerloos@yahoo.com 2 Morad Ali Zareipuor z.morad@yahoo.com 3 PhD in health education and health promotion, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Department of Nursing, University of Medical Sciences of Khoy, Khoy, Iran Department of Public Health, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran Background and Aim: Due to the unique working and living conditions at sea, seafarers face numerous health and safety challenges. Health literacy -defined as the ability to understand and utilize health information- plays a vital role in improving their quality of life and mitigating health risks. This study aimed to examine the importance of health literacy and strategies for its promotion among seafarers. Methods: This scoping review was conducted by searching reputable English and Persian scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, ISI, PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and MagIran, using keywords such as health literacy, seafarers, and strategies to retrieve the most recent relevant studies. Results: Inadequate health literacy among seafarers can lead to increased disease and infection rates, inability to manage emergencies, reduced quality of life, and higher healthcare costs. Ultimately, these issues may contribute to elevated risks of maritime accidents and safety deficiencies, which have far-reaching negative impacts on individual health and overall maritime operational safety, reducing seafarers' efficiency and productivity. Various strategies -such as conducting training courses and practical workshops on health and hygiene, disease prevention, emergency management, utilizing diverse media for health literacy education, empowering seafarers to seek and evaluate health information, and actively involving them in health literacy promotion programs- can enhance seafarers' health literacy. Conclusion: Improving health literacy among seafarers not only enhances their quality of life and reduces disease burden but also increases the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. By implementing targeted educational programs and fostering a culture of health awareness, significant improvements can be made in their working and living conditions. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-480-en.pdf Health literacy Seafarers Health behaviors Scoping review per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 28 34 article Fatemeh Rahmaanian rahmanian.fatemeh@jums.ac.ir 1 Navid Kalani navidkalani@ymail.com 2 Zhila Rahmanian dr.j.rahmanian@gmail.com 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran Background and Aim: Monitoring acid-base balance through arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is essential in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to evaluate arterial blood gases and acid-base status and their association with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Methods: This retrospective analytical study reviewed medical records of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU in Jahrom county during 2020-2021. Arterial blood gas values were collected over the first 10 days of ICU admission and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, adjusting for demographic characteristics. Results: The study analyzed 296 COVID-19 ICU patients (mean age 64.4±17.4 years), revealing a 90.2% mortality rate (n=267) with only 9.8% (n=29) surviving to discharge. Deceased patients exhibited significantly lower pH levels (showing an increasing trend over time), higher PCO₂ levels (with a decreasing trend), and elevated LDH levels (demonstrating an increasing trend) compared to survivors. However, after adjusting for age, sex, and hospitalization duration, repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant time-dependent effects, group × time interactions, or independent associations between these ABG/acid-base parameters and COVID-19 mortality in the ICU setting. Conclusion: While deceased COVID-19 patients demonstrated lower pH and higher PCO₂/LDH levels compared to survivors, these parameters did not independently predict mortality in ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between acid-base balance and COVID-19 outcomes. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-469-en.pdf COVID-19 Arterial blood gases Acid-base balance PCO₂ Intensive care unit per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 35 46 article Mazyar Jahanbakhsh m.jahanbakhsh@casu.ac.ir 1 Ali Mohammadi mohammadi.a4682@gmail.com 2 Abbas Khazaei a.khazaei59@gmail.com 3 Department of Science and Technology Studies, Command and Staff University of AJA, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: Given the critical importance of advanced equipment in diving operations, particularly in complex and deep environments, this study examines the effects of atmospheric diving suits (ADS) on improving safety and operational efficiency in underwater missions. Methods: This applied research employed a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach with an exploratory-descriptive design. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 8 military and industrial diving experts, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. The quantitative phase distributed a 29-item questionnaire via complete census sampling to 40 diving supervisors and operators. Questionnaire reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha. Qualitative data were analyzed through coding and content analysis, while quantitative data were examined using descriptive statistics. Results: The study revealed that atmospheric diving suits (ADS) significantly impact underwater operations across six key dimensions: 1) technical-operational aspects (6 components, mean=4.84) emerged as the most influential factor, followed by 2) economic considerations (4 components, mean=4.82), 3) military-security applications (4 components, mean=4.67), 4) operational safety and protection (7 components, mean=4.33), 5) scientific research capabilities (5 components, mean=4.18), and 6) environmental factors (4 components, mean=4.12), demonstrating ADS technology's comprehensive potential to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness in challenging underwater environments while offering notable economic and security benefits. Conclusion: As an innovative technology, atmospheric diving suits play a vital role in improving underwater operation safety and performance. The systems offer significant advantages not only technically and operationally, but also economically, environmentally, and in security applications. Their deployment is particularly recommended for challenging underwater environments.   http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-490-en.pdf Atmospheric diving suit Diving performance Underwater operations per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 47 55 article Shabnam Bahrami shbahrami68@gmail.com 1 Karim Parastouei parastouei@gmail.com 2 Ebrahim Salimi-Sabour e.salimisabour@gmail.com 3 Kiarash Aghayan aghayan.kiarash.20@gmail.com 4 Hadi Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh h.smaili69@yahoo.com 5 Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Intermittent fasting in Islam, particularly periodic fasting, has demonstrated significant positive effects on metabolism, immune function, and physical health that may prove particularly valuable for ship crews undertaking extended maritime missions. The caloric restriction and altered feeding schedules characteristic of intermittent fasting have been shown to enhance immune function, increase longevity, reduce risk of autoimmune disorders, and inhibit cancer development. The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of spirituality in health, and intermittent fasting may serve as both a spiritual practice and health strategy. The fasting process stimulates innate and adaptive immunity through autophagy and stem cell activation, promoting production of new immune cells and improved immune responses. This mechanism holds particular relevance for ship crews exposed to harsh environmental conditions and mission-related stressors. By modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, fasting activates autophagy to clear abnormal cells while enhancing stem cell regeneration and immune system renewal. Studies indicate fasting reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppresses cytokine storms, leading to decreased inflammation, improved immune health, and reduced risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases- benefits that may help maintain crew health and performance during prolonged missions. As a low-cost, accessible intervention, intermittent fasting offers broad potential for health optimization and disease prevention in maritime personnel. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-493-en.pdf Fasting Metabolism Immune System Autophagy Inflammation Maritime Medicine per Marine Medicine Research Center Journal of Marine Medicine 9 2676-6051 2025-06 7 1 55 64 article Hamdollah Hadi amir.hadi1@gmail.com 1 Physical Education and Sport Science Department, Police University, Tehran, Iran Background and Aim: Obesity and overweight represent major risk factors for mortality and chronic diseases. This study investigated the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) on mir143 expression, GLUT4 levels, insulin resistance, and total antioxidant capacity in overweight military personnel. Methods: Forty healthy overweight male military personnel were randomly assigned to either an 8-week HIFT program (3 sessions/week) or a control group. Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention to measure mir143, GLUT4, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results: The levels of mir143 and insulin resistance showed a significant decrease in the functional training group compared to the control group. Additionally, GLUT4 levels and TAC demonstrated a significant increase in the functional training group versus the control group. Conclusion: These results provide compelling evidence for the beneficial effects of high-intensity functional training on mir143, GLUT4, insulin resistance, and TAC in overweight men. However, further studies are deemed necessary. http://jmarmed.ir/article-1-475-en.pdf Functional training Overweight mir143 GLUT4 Insulin resistance Total antioxidant capacity