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

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among mentally disabled children and adults of Urmia, Iran

The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in institutions for mental retardation of Urmia City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran was investigated. This descriptive-cross sectional study was carried out in institution of mentally retarded patients of Urmia city in 2007-2008. Fecal samples of 225 less than 29 year old mentally disabled individuals were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration. Beside their scotch tape samples were observed for Enterobius eggs. Statistical evaluation was performed by SPSS 10. Of 225 mentally retarded persons, 118 [52.4%] and 107 [47.6%] were female and male. The overall prevalence of infection was 20.4% and that of male, and female were 20.5% and 20.3%, respectively. 17.3% of examined individuals had protozoa infection and 3.1% showed Enterobius vermicularis eggs. The infection rates of detected intestinal protozoa were Entamoeba coli 9.7%, Giardia lamblia 6.2%, Iodoamoeba butschlii 5.7%, Blastocystis hominis 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.4%. Forty percent of 1-5 year, 22.8% of 6-14 year, 22.2% of 15-18 year, and 16.8% of more than 18-year age groups, had positive results in their tests. According to IQ test results, 23.8% of less than 25 score group, 19.6% of 25-50, 17.2% of 50-75, and 40% of 75-90 groups were infected. More efforts for increasing sanitation level and prompt diagnosis and treatment of infected persons in these institutions are necessary

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in primigravida women in Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2004

We determined the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in 576 primigravid women randomly selected from health houses in Hamadan. The relationship between positivity and some risk factors was assessed. Data were collected by questionnaire and blood samples examined for Toxoplasma antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test. Of the 576 women, 193 [33.5%] were positive for Toxoplasma antibodies [titre >/= 1:20]. Age, consumption of fresh undercooked meat and frequent consumption of raw vegetables were statistically significantly associated with higher infection rates. Educational level, touching cats, handling raw meat, farming, method of washing vegetables and consumption of raw milk and eggs were not associated with infection

Association between en dothelial selectin [E-selectin] gene polymorphisms and E-selectin level with visceral leishmaniais, in an ARMS-PCR based study

In the visceral leishmaniasis [VL], parasites reside in reticuluendothelial system, mainly in macrophages. Endothelial Selectin [E-selectin] might play an important role in leukocyte-endothelium interactions and inflammatory cell recruitment. The aim of this study was determining E-selectin level and its polymorphism in three groups, patients, seropositive and healthy individuals. Serum soluble E-selectin levels as well as 2 polymorphisms of E-selectin [Ser 128 Arg and Leu 554 Phe] were measured in a cohort of patients with documented VL [n=64], a healthy control group [n=74] and a seropositive for VL but without any symptoms [n=81]. Circulation concentration of E-selectin levels was measured by ELIS. The amplification refractory mutation system [ARMS]-PCR procedure was used for detecting polymorphisms. The mean of E-selectin levels significantly differed between three groups [P<0.026], and were increased in patients in comparison with other groups. Difference was more considerable between two groups of patients and healthy ones [patients 92.8 ng/ml; healthy individuals 71.9 ng/ml]. Polymorphisms were associated with soluble E-selectin levels and altogether explained 14.4%, 7.2%, and 8.7% in patients, seropositive and seronegative healthy individuals, respectively. Distribution of polymorphisms of 128 Ser/Arg and 554 Leu/Phe among three groups was not different significantly; however, there was a considerable arrangement in distribution of Ser 128 Arg polymorphism and 128 Arg allele in healthy group was more than two fold of patients [55% against 20%]. The association between soluble E-selectin levels and visceral leishmaniasis suggests that this molecule might have significant role in the inflammatory process in VL. Moreover, frequency of 128 Arg allele in healthy group was higher than patients

study on the prevalence of cryptosporidium in HIV positive patients

AIDS is acquired by infection with HIV [human immuno-deficiency virus]. It leaves the host susceptible to malignant and unusual infections especially opportunistic ones. Most of AIDS patients infected with opportunistic parasitic infections die because of chronic diarrhea and deaths due to Cryptosporidium diarrhea in AIDS patients are considerable in the recent two decades. The aim of this study is to find Cryptosporidium parasite in AIDS patients referring to the center of Diseases consultation in Kermanshah province and to determine the frequency of infection in those patients. In this study stool and blood samples were collected from 75 AIDS patients referring regularly to the Center of Diseases Consultation in Kermanshah and the gathered information were filled in the questionnaires together with their personal information regarding their names, sex and etc. Stool samples were tested using direct and formalin ether methods and then the smears that were dyed using modified acid fast staining were examined. Peripheral blood samples were used to determine the CD4 counts. The results showed that the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium in AIDS patients was 26.7% [20 cases]. According to the study, as the number of CD4 decreased in the patients, the probability of infection with opportunistic parasites increased and increase in the number CD4 that is normally accompanied with strengthening the body immune system resulted in the decrease in the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium

Seroprevalence of toxocariasis in children aged 1-9 years in western Islamic Republic of Iran, 2003

We determined the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection in 544 children under 10 years randomly selected from urban and rural areas of Hamadan. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for detection of antibodies to T. canis excretion-secretion antigens. Using a questionnaire, epidemiological factors associated with infection were examined, including age, sex, residence. Antibodies to T. canis were detected in 29 children [5.3%] and 19 children [3.5%] were categorized as borderline positive; thus together this gave a prevalence of toxocariasis of 8.8%. No significant differences were found in terms of sex, age and residence.

Echinococcosis in the stray dogs in Hamadan, West of Iran

Sixty stray dogs, one fox and one wolf, were killed around abattoirs and near residential areas in Hamadan area of central Iran, and their intestines examined for the presence of adult worms of Echinococcus granulosus. 29 dogs [49%], but not the fox or the wolf, harbored adult worms of the parasite in their intestinal lumen, with a concentration of more than 1000 worms per intestines in 9 [17%] of dogs. No adult worms of the species Echinococcus Multilocularis were found