[Comparison of the personality characteristics of the patients suffering from allergic rhinitis with those of normal people]

Personality characteristics are main determinant factors in the styles of confronting social, physical and psychological environment. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of personality characteristics in the incidence and severity of allergic rhinitis. This was a comparative-causative study and included 120 patients with allergic rhinitis in Tehran Allergic clinic in Taleghani Street. Also 120 normal people were selected and matched to the case group, as our control group. MCMI III questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by use of independent t- test. The results of this study showed that the mean scores of depression, negativism, anxiety disorder, somatoform and dysthymia were more than those of normal people [P

[Effects of endurance and resistance training on calcitonin gene-related content in slow and fast twitch rat muscles]

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide [CGRP], a 37-amino acid peptide generated by alternative processing of primary transcripts from calcitonin gene, is broadly distributed in the peripheral and central nervous systems of vertebrate and invertebrate species, CGRP plays a main role in the neuromuscular junction. This paper investigates the effects of endurance and resistance training on the content of CGRP in the slow and fast twitch muscles. Twenty-two male Wistar rats, [age 10 mo, weight 220 +/- 20gr, Pasteur Institute] were randomly divided to three groups.] Control [n=7], Endurance training [n=7], and Resistance training [n=8]] and underwent 12 weeks training according to protocols. Animals of the resistance training group were housed in a metal cage with a wire-mesh tower; endurance training included treadmill running], 5 days a week, 60 min/day, 30 m/min speed, for animals in this group. Forty-eight hours after last session of protocols, animals were anaesthetized. The right soleus and anterior tibialis were removed, and, tissues were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and kept at -70°C for use later. CGRP content was measured by the ELISA method. For data analyses, one-way ANOVA was used. There was no significant difference between control and endurance training groups in the CGRP of slow and fast twitch muscles. However the content of CGRP in both fast and slow twitch muscles was significantly different in the resistance training group as compared to the control group. That training can be a main factor for CGRP release in muscles. In addition, the type and intensity of activity probably contribute to increase in CGRP content

comparison between the mental health of mothers of exceptional children and mothers of normal children

The birth of a child is a pleasant process for parents, although it is associated with a lot of trouble and discomforties. Despite the difficulties, the hope of the child being normal and healthy usually creates a sense of confidence in them and they accept their child. However, as soon as they become aware of their child's disability, all their wishes and hopes turn into disappointment and then problems begin. The purpose of the present study was to find an answer the question of whether there is a difference between the mental health of mothers with exception to children and those with normal children. The sample of this study was selected randomly and consisted of 90 mothers of exceptional children [30 mentally disabled educable children, 30 blind and 30 deaf children], and 30 mothers of normal children, attending elementary schools in Ardebil. The instrument utilized was the 90-item SCL-90R and a causal comparative design was employed. Obtained revealed that on the whole, there is a significant difference between mothers of exceptional children and those of normal children [p<.05]. In addition, in terms of mental health, that is, depression, anxiety and psychoticism [p < .05], aggression [p<.001] and pathological fear [p < .001] significant differences exist. But in terms of somatizations, compulsions, reciprocal relationship sensitivity and paranoid ideation, no significant differences were obtained. Pair-wise comparisons showed that having a mentally disabled child affects the mental health of a mother more adversely than having a blind or a deaf child. The study revealed that the psychological well being of mothers of exceptional children is not as good as that of mothers of mentally normal but physically disabled children. Among the three groups of mothers studied, mothers of mentally disabled children enjoyed the lowest level of mental health