Comparison of quantitative electroencephalography between normal and children with anxiety disorder

Background and Objective: Anxiety disorder [AD] is one of the most common children disorders.In last two decades, several studies conducted to determine the mechanisms of child anxiety disorder specifically in base of neural mechanisms. However, studies about the electrophysiology of child anxiety disorder particularly in the quantitative electroencephalography [QEEG] are less than imaging studies. This study was performed to compare the quantitative EEG between children with anxiety disorder and normal subjects

Methods: This case- control study was done on 30 children with anxiety disorder and 30 normal healthy children with 6-7 years old. Electroencephalography was recorded for each subject. Power of 19 channel and 5 frequency bands delta, theta, alpha, beta and high beta [25-30 Hz] in the frontal, central and occipital area were recorded, respectively

Results: There was significant difference in delta absolute power in frontal lobe, theta and beta2 absolute power in central and high beta wave in occipital area between AD and normal children [P<0.05]. In other words, the delta absolute power in frontal lobe and theta and beta2 absolute power in central area of brain was less in AD children in compared to normals. Also, the high beta absolute power in occipital lobe was more in AD children in compared to normals

Conclusion: Recorded QEEG in relax time is a proper index of brain cortex metabolic activity. Therefore, low metabolic activity in particular parts of brain is determined by increasing slow waves power [delta and theta] or decreasing fast waves power [alpha and beta]

[Molecular investigation of Y chromosome microdeletions in AZF regions of the non-obstructive azoospermic and oligospermic patients referred to Montaseriyeh infertility center in Mashhad]

Background and Aim: The Y-chromosome azoospermic factor [AZF] regions consist of genes whose specific roles and functions in spermatogenesis and fertility have not been completely clarified. Hence, recognition of the association between AZF microdeletions and male infertility has suggestions for the diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling. The main objective of the present study was investigation of Y chromosome microdeletions in the non-obstructive azoospermic and oligospermic patients in Mashhad and identification of appropriate STS markers associated with azoospermia and oligospermia

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 45 infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia with normal karyotypes referred to infertility center of Montaseriyeh hospital in Mashhad. Molecular screening technique was performed by using Multiplex PCR and sequence-tagged sites [STS] primers according to the EAA/EMQN guideline for detection of microdeletions in Y-chromosomal AZF regions and the Y specific sequences

Results: Three out of 45 infertile men had deletions in the AZFc and AZFa regions. Among every 3 infertile men, two patients [7.7%] and one patient [5%] had microdeletion in the AZFc region and in the AZFa, respectively. The results indicated that AZF microdeletions had a significant effect on azoospermia and oligospermia in infertile men

Conclusion: Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis can be recommended as an important molecular test for infertile males to obtain reliable genetic information before the administration of assisted-reproductive techniques. It will help to decrease the cost and technical difficulty of the procedure

Association of the maternal 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the histocompatibility leukocyte antigen G gene with recurrent implantation failure

Implantation failure of blastocyst is one of the main reasons of failure to become pregnancy following use of Assisted Reproductive Techniques. HLA-G, one of the non-classic HLA subtypes, seems to have a vital role in neutralizing of mother immune system. According to importance of ins/del polymorphism of HLA-G in regulation of HLA-G expression, it seems that this polymorphism has an important effect in immune response against embryo, and so success of embryo implantation. In this experiment we try to evaluate association of HLA-G ins/del polymorphism with risk of occurrence of RIF in ART treated infertile women. To evaluating insertion/deletion polymorphism association with RIF we design a case-control study. We select 40 women with history of recurrent failure to become pregnant following IVF as RIF case group. Forty women with pregnancy following IVF were selected as control. Members of both groups were assessed to rule out of anatomical, immunological and known genetical cause of infertility. Presence of 14 bp insertion/deletion alleles was assessed using PCR-PAGE technique. The data were analyzed by means of SPSS software using Chi-Square tests at the significant level of p<0.05. Our data shows that frequency of heterozygote genotype [ins/del] was significantly higher in case group. Furthermore presence of HLA-G insertion/deletion genotype shows association with increase of implantation failure risk by 3.85 fold. According our results, Heterozygote genotype of ins/del leads to increase of RIF risk. It seems that by genotyping of HLA-G polymorphism, we can predict risk of implantation failure in infertile women after use of ART

[ efficacy of an integrated treatment in comparison with treatment as usual in a group of children and adolescents with first-episode psychosis during a two -year follow-up]

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an integrated treatment [IT] versus treatment as usual [TAU] in a group of inpatient children and adolescents with first episode psychosis [FEP] during a two year follow up. In a randomized controlled trial, 40 children and adolescents with FEP based on DSM-IV criteria were recruited from referrals to Robe Hospital [Tehran, Iran]. They were divided into a TAU group [N=20], and an IT group [N=20] who received a low dose of atypical antipsychotic medications and family psycho-education program, and were followed up by telephone contacts. All participants were evaluated at admission and discharge as well as in 6, 12, 18 and 24 month intervals using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version-Persian Version [K-SADS-PLPV], Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS], Young Mania Rating Scale [YMRS], Children's Depression Inventory [CDI], Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAM-D], Global Assessment of Functioning Scale [GAF], and Children Global Assessment Scale [CGAS]. Statistical methods consisted of analysis of independent t and x[2] for qualitative variables, and random effect regression model for quantitative variables. The two groups showed significant improvement in all outcome measures at different time-points. The rate and duration of recurrences were lower in the IT group compared to the TAU group. All of the other outcome measures were comparable in the two groups and there was no difference between them in different follow-up periods. Integrated treatment may decrease the rate and duration of recurrences in children and adolescents with FEP

Training health professionals to conduct family education for families of patients with first-episode psychosis: adherence to protocol

The implementation of family psychoeducation at the service delivery level is not without difficulty. Few mental health professionals receive special training to work with families especially in Iran. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of training health professionals in terms of their adherence to protocol. Eight professionals [general practitioners, nurses and social workers] participated in a training program for health professionals as part of the Roozbeh First-Episode Psychosis Program [RooF] to conduct family psychoeducation. Training included a 3-day- workshop and 12 supervision sessions during the course of the implementation of the psychoeducation program. The family psychoeducation sessions [multiple-family group or single-family home-based] were tape-recorded. Transcripts of the audiotaped sessions were analyzed based on the content of the manual and were scored accordingly. Twenty-four recorded sessions were analyzed in terms of the adherence to protocol, the number of questions and the time for each session. The overall rating showed a 72% adherence to the protocol. Multiple-family group sessions had a higher rate compared to the singlefamily home-based family psychoeducation sessions [79% to 69%] as well as the time spent and questions asked. The rate of adherence to the protocol of conducting the family psychoeducation sessions had not changed over time. Considering the amount of time taken for training and supervision, the level of adherence to the protocol was satisfactory. Tape recording sessions and regular supervision would be beneficial following specialized training. Further research is needed to tailor the amount of training and supervision required for professionals to conduct family psychoeducation programs in different settings

Roozbeh home care program for severe mental disorders: a preliminary report

To describe a home care service developed in Roozbeh Hospital for patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and report baseline and 6-month follow-up data. Roozbeh Home Care Program consists of home visits by multidisciplinary home care teams, including general practitioners, nurses, and social workers who are supervised by psychiatrists. Home visits are scheduled as biweekly for the first three months following discharge and then on a monthly basis and the care includes biopsychosocial assessments and interventions. Baseline and 6-month data were extracted using a chart review. After 10 months of the Program development. 53 patients were enrolled and a total of 349 home visits were made. Of these, 29 were followed for at least 6 months. More than 86% of the patients remained in the community throughout the follow-up period, most in full remission and a small minority [4 patients] with a mild to moderate relapse that was overcome with interventions made by the home care teams. A home care service is a feasible mode of community-based aftercare for patients discharged from the hospital. Its effectiveness should be assessed by a randomized controlled trial

[Reliability and feasibility of the Persian version of the structured diagnostic interview for DSM-IV [SCID]]

In this study the Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV axis I disorders [SCIDI] was translated into Persian using a cross-cultural methodology, and its reliability and feasibility was tested in a multi-center study. The study had two phases: a] translation of the instrument and assessing the cross-cultural equivalence, including forward and backward translation, and face validity of the translated version in regard with cross-cultural characteristics; b] reliability and feasibility assessment of the Persian translation on an Iranian clinical population. This is part of a larger study on validation of the SCID on 299 subjects admitted to outpatient and inpatient services of thee psychiatric centers [Roozbeh Hospital, Imam Hossein Hospital and Iran Hospital] in Tehran, Iran. For test-retest reliability assessment, two SCID interviews [3 to 7 days apart] were administered to 104 subjects and the level of diagnostic agreement was assessd. Feasibility for interviewees [n=299] and interviewers was tested by questionnaires considering the length of interview, its being boring/tiring, comprehensibility and acceptance of the questions, and difficulty of administration. Diagnostic agreement of SCID test and retest were fair to good for most diagnostic categories [kappas over 0.6]. Overall weighted kappa equaled 0.52 for current diagnoses and 0.55 for lifetime diagnoses. Most interviewees and interviewers reported the administration of the Persian SCID as feasible. Acceptable reliability of diagnoses made by the Persian translation of SCID, and its feasibility suggest it as a useful diagnostic instrument in clinical, research, and educational settings