Effects of varied­intensity endurance exercise training on oxidative and antioxidant factors in the liver of rats with valproic acid­induced autism.

Autism spectrum disorders are complex behavioral disorders that can be caused by exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy. A therapeutic role for exercise training has been reported in many neurological diseases and problems, including autism. We aimed to evaluate various intensities of endurance exercise training and investigate its effects on oxidative and antioxidant factors in the liver of young males in a rat model of autism. Female rats were divided into a treatment (autism) and a control group. The autism group received VPA intraperitoneally on day 12.5 of pregnancy and the control pregnant females received saline. On the 30th day post­birth, a social interaction test was performed on the offspring to confirm autistic­like behavior. Offspring were divided into three subgroups: no exercise, mild exercise training, and moderate exercise training. Then the oxidative index of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the antioxidant indices of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase in liver tissue were examined. The results of this study showed that both indices of sociability and social novelty decreased in the autism group. MDA levels in the liver of the autistic group increased, and moderate exercise training was shown to reduce the levels. Catalase and SOD activity as well as TAC levels decreased in the autism group, and moderate­intensity exercise training was shown to increase the values. Parameters of hepatic oxidative stress were altered in VPA­induced autism, and moderate­intensity endurance exercise training was demonstrated to have beneficial effects on hepatic oxidative stress factors by modul ating the antioxidant/oxidant ratio.

A Shift Toward Childbearing in One-Child Families Through a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Fertility patterns are a key to the estimation of future population size, but they are restricted by serious indecision. One-child families are one of these patterns that is caused by a set of factors and one of these factors is the fear of re-pregnancy. In this regard, this study aimed to use a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program to reduce the fear of women who have been experiencing anxiety after their first pregnancy and delivery. Materials and methods: This interventional study was conducted on 67 one-child women, who at least 6 years have been passed since the birth of their child and according to the short form of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-17), have been experienced anxiety. These women were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. For the intervention group, the MBSR program was conducted in 8 sessions, once every week, each session lasting 2.5 hours. At the end of the program, a second PRAQ-17 was completed by both groups. Results: The findings showed that the MBSR approach in the intervention group significantly decreased the anxiety score in total (p=0.001) and individually in all subcategories. Conclusion: The MBSR approach can reduce the anxiety of one-child women who have experienced anxiety after their pregnancy and childbirth. Thus, using this method in helping women with pregnancy-related anxiety is recommended to increase the birth rate.

Anthropometric Analysis of Cephalofacial Dimensions in Kerman, Iran.

The human body dimensions are affected by ecological, biological, geographical, racial, sex, and age factors. Craniofacial measurements can be considered to be one of the important tools for determination of the morphological characteristics of the head and face. In this study, which was conducted on Persian adolescents living in Kerman/Iran, different forms of head and face were determined for using in various aspects of medicine. The study was conducted on 732 participants including 366 males and 366 females in the age of 18-20-year-old. In addition to the height and weight of the participants, cephalofacial sizes of them were measured and then cephalic, facial, and brain indices were calculated. Among the cephalofacial sizes, cranial length and breadth, cranial circumference, prosopic length and prosopic breadth were significantly greater in males compared to females (P<0.005). Also, volume and weight of brain were significantly greater in male comparing to female participants (P<0.005). The predominant type of head was meso-cephal, and the predominant type of face was meso-prosopic in both sexes.

A study of the phenomenology of psychosis induced by methamphetamine: a preliminary research.

BACKGROUND: Psychotic disorder due to industrial drug, such as methamphetamine addiction, is one of the important causes for referral to psychiatric hospital. Psychotic symptoms in these patients are varied. A group of researchers believe that methamphetamine-induced psychosis is completely similar to schizophrenia. Others believe that at least some cases of permanent psychotic clinical manifestation due to methamphetamine abuse are different from schizophrenia. In the present study, the existence of differences between psychotic symptoms caused by methamphetamine addiction and schizophrenia is investigated. METHODS: This study was a qualitative study. Patients with psychosis due to methamphetamine addiction were selected from among patients who were hospitalized in hospitals of the Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. All patients were interviewed using unstructured interview based on self- reporting. Interviews were recorded and reviewed later. FINDINGS: Based on clinical observations, some of the patients with psychotic disorder due to methamphetamine showed rare symptoms that had been mostly reported in psychosis due to organic disorders and some of them showed symptoms that had not been reported before. CONCLUSION: This study showed that in a group of patients with methamphetamine-induced psychosis, clinical manifestation is different from schizophrenia.

Effect of Cultural Themes on Forming Cotard's Syndrome: Reporting a Case of Cotard's Syndrome with Depersonalization and Out of Body Experience Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Cotard's syndrome is a rare psychiatric syndrome. Its core symptom is nihilistic ideation or delusion. CASE REPORT: A female patient with Cotard's syndrome symptoms associated with out of body experience and depersonalization, and complicated grief was referred for evaluation. She believed that she was killed by a creature named "Aal" in the Persian folklore Conclusions: Cultural and superstitious beliefs could affect the forming of the complex constellation of the patient's symptoms including Cotard's syndrome symptoms. The resolution of symptoms might be achieved step by step. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

Suicide in narcotic drugs dependents.

BACKGROUND: The problem of addiction is one of the four global crises. These patients are more vulnerable to mental disorders. This study aimed to examine the risk of suicide in drug dependent patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients who referred for addiction treatment were selected and the control group was chosen among their companions who did not have narcotic drugs dependence. Suicide risk was assessed through California Suicide Risk Assessment Questionnaire. Beck's Depression Inventory questionnaire was used to assess the depression level. FINDINGS: The comparison of average education (P < 0.01) and the unemployment rate (P = 0.03) and previous attempted suicide (P = 0.01) between the narcotic drug dependent group and control group showed a statistically significant difference. Suicide risk score (P < 0.01) and depression score (P < 0.01) differences were statistically significant. The average scores of depression score in addicts was significantly associated with their previous attempted suicide (P = 0.01). In the control group, there was a significant association in suicide score and depression score with their previous attempted suicide (P < 0.01). Suicide score were compared based on the depression degree in both groups and statistically significant differences were found (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The suicide risk and depression in drug addicts are more than general population and they are closely related to each other.

Antioxidants rescue stressed embryos at a rate comparable with co-culturing of embryos with human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells.

PURPOSE: During laboratory manipulations, oocytes and embryos are inevitably exposed to suboptimal conditions that interfere with the normal development of embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we examined the effects of antioxidants, feeder cells and a conditioned medium on embryo development and cleavage rate following exposure of the embryos to suboptimal conditions. We exposed mouse two-cell embryos to visible light and divided them into four groups: control (E-ctr), co-culture (Co-c), conditioned medium (Cndm) and antioxidant-plus medium (Aopm). We used human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal cells for co-culture. A group of embryos was not exposed to visible light and served as the non-exposed control (NE-ctr) group. RESULTS: The developmental rate was higher in NE-ctr embryos than in the E-ctr group. Exposed embryos in the various groups showed a comparable developmental rate at different stages. Blastomere number significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the Co-c and Aopm groups compared with the E-ctr and Cndm groups. No significant difference was observed between the Co-c and Aopm groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that in suboptimal conditions, antioxidants could improve the embryo cleavage rate in the same way as feeder cells. Antioxidants probably improve embryo quality through their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Comparison of Physical Fitness among Smoker and Non-Smoker Men.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that cigarette smoking has negative impacts on body health, as well as social health, economy, culture, etc. Nowadays, there is a large body of evidence that smoking is the cause of numerous life-threatening diseases like cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases along with different kinds of cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the physical fitness of smokers and non smokers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 non-sportsmen (34 non-smokers and 30 smokers) aging 19-27 years. Both groups were matched for age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). The smokers used cigarettes at least 5 cigarettes a day for 2 years. None of them had a musculoskeletal disease. We used a questionnaire and physical fitness tests for data gathering. The tests were used to measure muscle strength, endurance, speed, agility and flexibility in both groups. FINDINGS: The muscle strength was significantly different in smokers and non-smokers (P = 0.012). Moreover, smokers had less agility (P = 0.004) and speed (P = 0.008) than non-smokers. However, although smokers were weaker than non- smokers, the differences in muscle endurance (P = 0.066) and flexibility (P = 0.095) were not the statistically significant. CONCLUSION: According to these results, the smokers were less powerful than nonsmokers. In addition, physical activity skills in young smokers were decreased. Therefore, smoking will cause a gradual loss of physical strength and active personal and social power.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in male cigarette smoking students at shiraz university of medical sciences, iran.

BACKGROUND: The rising trend of smoking cigarettes, especially among the youth, has become a great concern in Iranian society. Not only does smoking cigarettes harm one financially, but also it will cause immense damage to the smoker as well as the society. This paper investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and the factors affecting it in young smokers. METHODS: The research has been conducted on 400 men smokers aged 18-30 studying at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected through a questionnaire containing information about age, history and amount of smoking, existence of pain and its severity according to the visual analog scale (VAS). The subjects were randomly selected while making sure the proportion of subjects from each department was appropriate. The subjects were smokers for more than two years and smoked more than five cigarettes a day. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference (LSD) test. FINDINGS: Among all studied subjects, 129 (32.25%) suffered from musculoskeletal pain. Most of the subjects (31.25%) had pain in their backs. The relationship between the duration of smoking and musculoskeletal pain, as well as that between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the pain, was direct and significant. However, no significant relationship was found between age and pain. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in male students was relatively high. This fact can bring irrecoverable damages to the society and would put its health at risk. It also decreases the socioeconomic improvements.

Nicotine and opium dependence in psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: Many psychiatric patients have nicotine and other substance dependence. The goal of this research is examining the frequencies of nicotine and opium dependence among psychiatric inpatients in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: Three groups of psychiatric inpatients, chronic medical patients and a sample from the local population, each including 400 subjects were selected. Psychiatric patients were evaluated in Kerman Psychiatric Hospital, Kerman, Iran in the year 2001. Nicotine dependence was evaluated via Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, score above 7 was considered positive for nicotine dependence. Opium dependence was evaluated by semi-structured interview based on The Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen (28.75%) psychiatric patients had nicotine dependence which was higher than 2 other groups (X2=4, degrees of freedom (df)=4, p<0.0001). One hundred and forty (35%) psychiatric patients had opium dependence which did not differ from chronic medical patients but was higher than the third group (X2=21.97, df=2, p<0.0001). Frequencies of nicotine and opium dependence were higher among male subjects in all 3 groups. Highest frequencies of nicotine and opium dependence were seen among patients with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The highest coefficient of contingency between nicotine dependence and opium dependence was seen among psychiatric patients. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric patients are predisposed to substance dependence. One plausible reason for opium dependence in our patients is cultural factors. Substance dependence associated with other psychiatric disorders should be considered by treating physicians in any treatment plan.