Relationship between facial identity discrimination and social function in schizophrenic patients

People with schizophrenia have deficits in interpersonal and social skills associated with social dysfunction. Facial processing ability is an effective component of social functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between facial identity discrimination and social functioning in 20-55 years old schizophrenic patients and comparison with normal matched group. The method of this study was analytical- descriptive and comparative. Twenty normal individuals and 20 schizophrenic patients matched in age, sex and educational level, were assessed about facial identity by researcher- made test, and interaction skills by [Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills][ACIS] questionnaire. Available sampling was used for census patients [who inhabited Tolou rehabilitation center and supported houses in Tehran] and normal group. There were significant difference in scores of [communication and interaction skills] [p<0.01] without any significant difference between facial identity discrimination testing variables [p>0.05] between two groups. The relationships between [facial identity discrimination] and [communication and interaction skills] in schizophrenia were compared with control group and did not show significant difference. [p>0.05]. The facial identity in schizophrenic patients and healthy adults were processed globally [configural]. However, its relation with Communication and Interaction Skills in schizophrenic patients requires further study

Differentiation microRNAs affect stemness status of USSCs

MicroRNAs are endogenous non-coding RNAs with important regulatory and cell fate functions. Many studies have shown that several microRNAs are obviously up-regulated during stem cell differentiation. The question rises here is weather inhibiting differentiation will affect the stemness and self renewal status of stem cells. mercury[TM] LNA microRNA inhibitor [anti-miR-145 and anti-let7g] are a sequence-specific and chemically modified oligonucleotide that specifically target and knockdown miR-145 and let7g miRNA molecules. Unrestricted somatic stem cells [USSCs] were isolated from umbilical cord blood and treated with LNAs. The effect of anti-miRNA transfection was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Real-time PCR showed that LNA was efficiently introduced into the cells and reduced miR145 and Let7g expression levels to 40% and 10% in relation to corresponding scramble control, respectively. Gene expression analysis as to self renewal and expansion showed more than 3.5 fold up regulation in Oct4 in cells treated with mir145 inhibition. Similarly a significant up to 2.5 fold up-regulation in Oct4 and cMyc expression was observed in samples treated with anti-let7g. Suppression in differentiation inducing microRNAs [miR-145 and let7g] can enhance the self renewal and stemness status of USSCs at transcriptional level

[Effects of lecture presentation and presenting educational packages on girls' knowledge about adolescence health]

Adolescents have important role in building the societies. Some deficits were observed in students' knowledge regarding puberty health. This study aimed to compare the effect of two educational methods [lecture-educational package] on girl students' knowledge about puberty health. In this interventional study, 200 students were randomly selected through a multi stage sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire. One group received a self-learning educational package and the other group took part in two lecture sessions which totally lasted about four hours. The post test was taken 6 weeks later. Data analysis was performed using Descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of this study showed that after intervention, both groups' knowledge mean scores increased significantly. Also the average of package group's score after the education was more than the other group's score [P < 0.001]. The difference in knowledge mean scores before and after the intervention was significantly higher in the package group than in the lecture one. The comparison of scores in both groups before and after the education was significantly different [P < 0.001]. Both educational methods can be considered to be effective in promoting students' knowledge; however, the educational package was more effective than the lecture

[Survey the relationship between knowledge and attitude of pregnant women requesting cesarean section referred to Rasht health centers and their choice reasons]

Introduction: Cesarean Section [CS] is more dangerous than normal delivery for mothers and neonates. Rate of Cesarean in our country [total 35%] especially in Guilan province [57.6% in urban areas] is very high. A major reason for this high rate is maternal request

Objective: This survey is done to detect the relationship between knowledge and attitude has pregnant women requesting Cesarean Section and their choice reasons

Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive- analytic study. A total of 210 pregnant women in Rasht who were at 36-40 weeks of pregnancy and had chosen CS as their delivery method without previous history of CS or any medical indications. Cluster sampling was performed at health- treatment centers of Rasht. Data were collected by interview and a questionnaire that was completed by investigators in 2003-2004. Statistical analyze was performed by descriptive and analytic methods [Chi-square and Fisher exact test

Results: The majority of participants [68.6%] had moderate knowledge about benefits and harms of CS and most received their information from their relatives and friends. The majority of women [71.4%] had abstained attitude to CS. More than [50%] of the mothers had chosen CS for following reasons in decreasing order of frequency: child's health, fear of pain, stress and anxiety, prevention of genital tears, fear of vaginal exams, prevention of deformity and relaxation of genital system and shortening of labor duration. There was a significant relation between knowledge level and following reasons: fear of pain, psychotic stress and anxiety, shortening of labor duration

Conclusion: Findings of this study gives attention to the need for instruction deployment by midwives and other health staff. High rates of negative and abstain attitude [84.2%] in spite of choosing it shows that pregnant mothers demand cesarean subsequent to flighting of classic painful vaginal delivery. Thus we can utilize new obstetric and complementary methods, counsel with target mothers and support them by giving information, emotionally and socially in order to decrease cesarean section