[Evaluation of depression in Iranian children with epilepsy, which referred to neurological clinic of Mofid hospital]

Epilepsy is among the most common pediatric neurological disorders in need of long-term medication treatment. Some studies also show increased risk of depression among children and adolescents with epilepsy. Epileptic children and adolescents experience more emotional and behavioral problems than healthy children and adolescents or others who are suffering from other chronic diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate the depression rate and its related risk factors in children with epilepsy. In this descriptive study 70 children with epilepsy who were referred to neurological clinic in Mofid Hospital of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected. The measurement tools were demographic questionnaire, children and adolescent depression test, which has been designed for Iranian society. In the present study 85.7% of epileptic patients were depressed [mild to moderate]. The results of this study indicated there is a very high rate of depression in these children with epilepsy. According to treatable nature of depression, early screening and diagnosing of depression were suggested

Tear film break-up time: comparison between patients using psychiatric drugs and healthy individuals

Ocular dryness is a well-recognized adverse side effect of many medications. The purpose of this study was to compare tear film stability between psychiatric patients that use lithium carbonate or carbamazepine and normal cases. Tear film break up time test was performed in three groups, 30 patients using lithium carbonate, 30 patients using carbamazepine and 30 normal cases. Values of the TBUTs were compared among groups by the independent t-test. Differences between both of patients and control groups were significant [p<0.0001]. The results show that these drugs contribute to decrease of tear film break up time

[Correlation between psychological disorder and irritable bowel syndrome]

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Psychological factors are major factors involved in this disease. Some psychological areas such as anger have not been investigated in Iranian patients. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the correlation between psychological problems and IBS, compared to controls. Participants in this case-control study included 45 patients with IBS and 50 healthy controls. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of IBS was carried out by a gastroenterologist. Anxiety, depression, stress and anger were evaluated by DASS 21 and Staxi2 scales and the results were analyzed with statistical tests. These two groups were similar in terms of age and gender. Generalized anxiety disorder was seen in 40% of IBS patients compared with 7.9% of the healthy group, obsessive compulsive disorder was in 18% of IBS patients and in 2.5% of the healthy group, panic disorder was seen in 13% of IBS patients and in 2% of the healthy group, depression was seen in 24% of IBS patients and 12% of the healthy group [P < 0.05]. It seems that psychological problems are involved in the development of IBS. Study on the effect of psychological treatment in IBS is suggested.

[Development and application of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique using SYBR green I in the diagnosis of Down syndrome]

Rapid diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Syndrome [Down Syndrome] patients using Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction [Real-Time qPCR] in order to establish a novel method for prenatal diagnosis in the future. A total of 5 ml of peripheral blood was obtained from each patient and normal controls [NR]. Then, genomic DNA from lymphocytes was extracted using the salting out procedure. Gene dosage levels of DSCAM and [PMP22, DSCAM] in Down Syndrome and NR were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR. The DSCAM/ PMP22 ratio was calculated according to the 2-delta delta Ct formula for all samples. Real-time PCR showed a DSCAM/PMP22 ratio of 1.48 +/- 0.18 and 1.01 +/- 0.10 [p<0.001] in Down Syndrome and normal samples, respectively, demonstrating three copies of the target [DSCAM] gene in Trisomy 21 Syndrome. DSCAM/PMP22 ratio is increased significantly in Down Syndrome patients than NR [1.5 times]. Therefore, the real-time quantitative PCR technique can be used as a sensitive, accurate and reliable technique for rapid and prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Syndrome

Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in a case of conversion disorder associated with mood disorder

Conversion disorder is a type of disturbance in physical functions that does not conform to anatomical and physiological functions of central or peripheral nervous system. Being more common among adolescents, this disorder occurs following stress and results in disturbed organic functioning. Despite the high prevalence of its classic picture, this disorder also creates various uncommon clinical pictures and is often associated with the diagnosis of mood disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. The reported case was an example of conversion disorder associated with mood disorder presenting with severe elbow and finger contractions of the left side that occurred following trauma to the same hand and was associated with mood swings, aggression and suicidal ideas. All symptoms improved following electroconvulsive therapy. In patients with physical symptoms and signs, looking for personal and social factors is very important. Moreover, evaluation of other concurrent psychiatric disorders and their treatment is worthwhile

[Evaluation of emotional intelligence among students of 4[th] grade in different medical majors in Shahid Beheshti university of medical sciences]

El [emotional intelligence] is a series of emotions, feelings, social knowledge and abilities that prepare people to adapt to the environment; it will also affect their domestic and professional performance. Considering the importance of EQ [emotional quotient] and lack of information about its quantity among the students, the purpose of this study was to investigate the EQ of students of 4th grade in different medical majors in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2008-2009. This study was comparison -based; the 90 item questionnaire of Bar-On and a personal information questionnaire were used. 400 students were selected via convenience sampling; finally, 379 questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and variance analysis. The studied group consisted of 24.5% men. The highest mean EQ was found in the nursing college [with an average of 322] and the lowest was found to be in public health college [with an average of 307]. The EQ of the married students was higher than the single students, whereas the EQ did not have meaningful difference among two genders, different majors and originality. The students did not have much different EQ and their overall EQ level was low; thus, EQ skills training is necessary for all groups