Factors associated with mental health of high-school students in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: Mental disorders of adulthood can be traced to childhood and adolescent disorders so attention to the mental health of young people is important.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the mental health status of high-school students in Khorramabad and the factors that may affect it.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1 202 high-school students in Khorramabad in the 2015–2016 academic year. Students were selected using stratified and multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics of the students, and the General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] was used to assess symptoms of mental disorders. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the presence of symptoms of mental disorder and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: The mean age of the students was 16.1 [SD 0.9] years and 52.7% were girls. Overall, 481 [40%] students [34% of males, 46% of females] had symptoms of mental disorders. Most had mild symptoms; 5% had severe symptoms. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and social impairment were seen in 40%, 33% and 32% of the students respectively; significantly more girls had these symptoms [P < 0.05]. Female students, those in higher school grades, and those whose fathers were unemployed and mothers were housewives were significantly more likely to have symptoms of mental disorders [P < 0.05].

Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of symptoms associated with mental disorders in the adolescents in Khorramabad. Counselling centres in schools are needed to offer psychiatric counselling services to students and to implement regular mental health training programmes

Chimeric external control to quantify cell free DNA in plasma samples by real time PCR

Background: DNA isolation procedure can significantly influence the quantification of DNA by real time PCR specially when cell free DNA [cfDNA] is the subject. To assess the extraction efficiency, linearity of the extraction yield, presence of co-purified inhibitors and to avoid problems with fragment size relevant to cfDNA, development of appropriate External DNA Control [EDC] is challenging. Using non-human chimeric nucleotide sequences, an EDC was developed for standardization of qPCR for monitoring stability of cfDNA concentration in blood samples over time

Methods: A DNA fragment of 167 bp chimeric sequence of parvovirus B19 and pBHA designated as EDC fragment was designed. To determine the impact of different factors during DNA extraction processing on quantification of cfDNA, blood samples were collected from normal subjects and divided into aliquots with and without specific treatment. In time intervals, the plasma samples were isolated. The amplicon of 167 bp EDC fragment in final concentration of 1.1 pg/ 500 microl was added to each plasma sample and total DNA was extracted by an in house method. Relative and absolute quantification real time PCR was performed to quantify both EDC fragment and cfDNA in extracted samples

Results: Comparison of real time PCR threshold cycle [Ct] for cfDNA fragment in tubes with and without specific treatment indicated a decrease in untreated tubes. In contrast, the threshold cycle was constant for EDC fragment in treated and untreated tubes, indicating the difference in Ct values of the cfDNA is because of specific treatments that were made on them

Conclusions: Spiking of DNA fragment size relevant to cfDNA into the plasma sample can be useful to minimize the bias due to sample preparation and extraction processing. Therefore, it is highly recommended that standard external DNA control be employed for the extraction and quantification of cfDNA for accurate data analysis

[ effects of ankle taping on 3-dimensional kinematic findings of the ankle joint during walking on level ground]

Ankle taping is frequently used in sports to prevent or treat patients with ankle sprain. It claims to help keeping the ankle and foot areas in correct biomechanical positions during activities. Despite its enormous use in sport, there is little evidence to objectively support this claim. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ankle taping on kinematics of the ankle joint during walking on level ground. 36 normal subjects [18 males and 18 females with mean age of 23 +/- 3 years and BMI of 23 +/- 2] and no history of ankle sprain were randomly tested in 3 walking conditions including no-taped, taped, and with a placebo taping. A Gibney close basket weave technique was used in this study and the subjects walked on level ground with their preferred speed. The 3-D ankle kinematic data were captured and analyzed with use of an advanced Qualysis motion analysis system [Qualysis, Sweden]. Finding of the current study revealed a significant decrease in ankle supination at initial contact and a significant decrease in maximum ankle plantar flexion and pronation during the stance phase [p=0.01]. Placebo taping resulted in data very similar to the no-taped condition of the ankle joint. The results of the current study showed that taping can be effective in controlling heel movements, foot supination and ankle plantar flexion angles. The current results showed that ankle taping might be helpful in prevention of ankle sprain

[Predictors of boredom in adolescents]

Boredom is a mental state that can have serious impact on different aspects of life, including: profession and education. The purpose of this study was to identify those factors associated with boredom in a sample of Persian adolescences. In a correlational study, 182 students [96 girls and 82 boys], aged between 12 to 18 years who were studying in secondary and high school level of education in Khoram Abad city, center of Lorestan [a western province of Iran] were selected using a cluster random sampling in 2009. The participants were asked to fill in boredom assessment scale [BSA] and boredom factor questionnaire [BFQ] included 4 components: home factors, school factors, community factors and educational items. Several Pearson correlation and regression analyses were applied on the data. It was shown that home factor [beta=0.23] and school factor [beta=0.24] were significantly correlated with boredom [P<0.01]. Home factor [beta=0.39] was a robust predictors of boredom in girls, while school factor [beta=0.30] was a strong predictor of boredom in boys [P<0.01]. Major components of home factor were: strictness of parents, parental dispute and conflict, more spare time without any job to do, and lack of pastime and recreational activities, and for school factor, component were: strict and serious behaviors of teachers and inappropriate homework. Inadequate interpersonal relationships and inflexible teaching or parenting style appeared to be the main predictors of boredom in adolescents. These variables should be taken in account while dealing with boredom in adolescents in order to prevent destructive consequences