Predicting PTG based upon self-efficacy and perceived social support in cancer patients

Despite the fact that being exposed to traumatic and stressful events could have severe consequences, studies have shown that even in the wake of negative events such as cancer diagnosis, we see some changes and positive impacts in scheme, philosophy of life and self-perception, a process which is called Post Traumatic Growth [PTG]. The aim of the current research is to define share of self-efficacy and perceived social support in the prediction of PTG. The research is a correlation type. For this aim, 95 patients with cancer came to Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Tehran, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Zanjan, and Mehraneh Charity Institute, Zanjan in 2012 have been selected based on available sampling and evaluated regarding self-efficacy, and perceived social support and PTG. Data analysis using Pearson correlation and regression analysis [simple and multiple] showed that self-efficacy and Perceived Social Support in cancer patients have direct significant relation with variable of PTG and explain 13.5%, 10.6% and jointly 20.7% of PTG changes respectively. The research findings show that the variables of self-efficacy and Perceived Social Support explain significantly the PTG and these psychological variables can be used to provide improvement plans and mental health and PTG facilities

In vitro assay for osteoinductive activity of different demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft

PURPOSE: Various bone graft materials have been used for periodontal tissue regeneration. Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) is a widely used bone substitute. The current widespread use of DFDBA is based on its potential osteoinductive ability. Due to the lack of verifiable data, the purpose of this study was to assess the osteoinductive activity of different DFDBAs in vitro. METHODS: Sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS-2) cells (human osteoblast-like cells) were exposed to 8 mg/mL and 16 mg/mL concentrations of three commercial types of DFDBA: Osseo+, AlloOss, and Cenobone. The effect of these materials on cell proliferation was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The osteoinductive ability was evaluated using alizarin red staining, and the results were confirmed by evaluating osteogenic gene expression using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In the SaOS-2 cells, an 8 mg/mL concentration of Osseo+ and Cenobone significantly increased cell proliferation in 48 hours after exposure (P<0.001); however, in these two bone materials, the proliferation of cells was significantly decreased after 48 hours of exposure with a 16 mg/mL concentration (P<0.001). The alizarin red staining results demonstrated that the 16 mg/mL concentration of all three tested DFDBA induced complete morphologic differentiation and mineralized nodule production of the SaOS-2 cells. The RT-PCR results revealed osteopontin gene expression at a 16 mg/mL concentration of all three test groups, but not at an 8 mg/mL concentration. CONCLUSIONS: These commercial types of DFDBA are capable of decreasing proliferation and increasing osteogenic differentiation of the SaOS-2 cell line and have osteoinductive activity in vitro.

[Investigating the effects of parents training on decreasing behavioral problems of children suffering from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]]

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is the most common behavioral disorders among childhood. Due to the problems of ADHD children, different treatment methods such as medication and behavior therapy is used to treat these children. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of training the parents on reducing behavioral problems of children suffering with ADHD. This research is performed by experimental test [pre- post test] as well as cluster sampling method. 32 parents of students with ADHD among the elementary schools [boys] in Tehran were selected. 18 parents were placed in testing group randomly and they were trained in 10 two- hour sessions and 14 parents were placed in control group without any training. The data was collected through the form of Rutter [1967] before and after the sessions in both groups. After 45 days, two tests were performed in both groups for follow up. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and covariance analysis methods. The mean behavioral disorders before and after training of parents was 7.61 and 6.32, respectively. Meanwhile, there was no decrease of problems in control group. On the other hand, a significant decrease in behavioral problems of children was noted among those suffering from ADHD in testing group [P<0.001]. The findings indicated that training of parents causes the reduction of behavioral problems among children suffering from ADHD.