Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Effectiveness of Specific Recall Training on Depression and Anxiety in Children (7-11 years old) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Caused by Sexual Abuse

Kianoosh Amini

Background: There are numerous negative side-effects of child sexual abuse such as post- traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. The purpose of this study is the use of Specific Recall Training on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by Sexual Abuse.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group.34 children with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by sexual abuse were selected by available sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group was educated over 7 sessions of 1.5 hours by Specific Recall Training method. To collect data, the Spence children's anxiety questionnaire and children's depression questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-20 software and multivariate analysis of covariance method.

Results: The findings showed that specific recall training, significantly reduce depression and anxiety scores. In follow up, the pre-test effect, the long term effect of treatment on depression was observed (F=5.943, p=0.021), but it can't effectively reduce anxiety.

Conclusion: The results showed that specific recall training was effective on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by sexual abuse. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use this method for the treatment of children with mentioned disorder.

A Study on the Performance of Classifiers and Extracted Features in Discriminating EEG Patterns of Mental Activities Related to Four Main Directions

Mahsa Bagheri

Background: The purpose of this research is to design a Brain-Computer Interface to discriminate the brain signals while the brain images four main directions. To be innovative, the subjects have imaged the aimed directions by power of imagination, and for the first time, the ICA algorithm has been used to detect the aimed signal and to eliminate the artifacts.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-ana alytic study, signals are recorded by using a Micromed device and a 19-channel helmet in unipolar mode. The statistical population included three persons in the age range of 25 to 30 and the designed task consisted of 24 slides of four main directions.

Results: Simulations have shown that the best classification accuracy was the outcome of the 2.5-second time windowing and the best choice for extracting features was the AR coefficients of 15 order. There was no significant difference between the classification accuracy of different implementation of the Artificial Neural Network classifier with different number of layers and neurons and different classification functions. In comparison with the Neural Network, the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) showed better classification accuracies.

Conclusion: The results of this research are in accordance with the results of the methods such as FMRI and methods based on the brain signals in vowel imagination. In this research, the best classification accuracy was obtained from the Linear Discriminant Analysis classifier by extracting the target signal from the output of the ICA algorithm and extracting the AR coefficients as feature and the 2.5-second time windowing. The Linear Discriminant Analysis classifier result the best classification accuracies.

Comparing the Expression Levels of Toll Like Receptors 2, 4 and, in Normal and Cancerous Tissues of Patients with Laryngeal Carcinoma

Hossein Hamedi

Background: Laryngeal carcinoma induce immune system suppression in tumour micro environments with unknown mechanism. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are important molecules which play a critical role in the management and induction of immune responses. In this regard, the importance and the role of TLR 2, 4 and 9 have not been studied together in laryngeal cancer. The present study aims to evaluate the expression level of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Materials and Methods: 89 tumour samples and 35 tumour-free tissues were obtained from laryngeal carcinoma male patients and the expression level of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 was analysed using Real-time PCR method.

Results: The expression level of TLR2 was increased as the result of increasing lymph node involvement, pretumoral involvement and regional metastasis. Also, the TLR4 gene expression levels were increased 1.5 fold in patients with lymph node involvement. The expression Level of TLR9 was increased by increasing stage and primary tumour involvement. The expression pattern of TLR2 and TLR4 in tumour and tumour-free tissues was the same, while TLR9 gene expressions show higher level in tumour tissues than its normal tissue. None of our findings were statistical significant.

Conclusion: we have shown that the expression status of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in patients with laryngeal cancer was correlated with their clinicopathologic features. Additionally, the expression level of TLRs in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues shows no significant changes.

TITEL: Exploring the Process of Mothering Handling Training for the Child with Cerebral Palsy at Home

Seyed Ali Hosseini

Background: Mothering handling plays an important role in the daily life of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their mothers, so that the greatest amount of handling of children with CP is done by the mothers at home. The study aimed to explore the process of mothering handling in the children with CP at home.

Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory methodology in Tehran. The purposeful sampling followed by theoretical sampling. Selecting participants continued to achieve theoretical saturation. The number of participants was 26 including 15 caregivers, 3 children with cerebral palsy, 5 occupational therapists, 1 physiotherapist, and 3 rehabilitation manegers. The main source for gathering data was in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed by Corbin & Straus method (2008).

Results: Six categories/themes emerged from the data, including: motherly care, confronting with unusual co-occupation, confusion in roles, effort to special care, dynamic management of handling, and continuing care. The central category, confrontation with unusual co-occupation, represented the main theme of the research, and all major categories had been related to it.

Conclusion: The results of this research could provide broad perspective to rehabilitation therapists, managers and policy makers for understanding the needs, meeting challenges and concerns of caregivers and children with CP and designing a comprehensive plan for handling process of children with CP and helping them to be empowered for achieving the proper management and effective handling.

Studying the Prevalence of Listeria Monocytogenes in Pregnant Women in Arak

Hamid Abtahi

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important causes of abortion and postpartum infection in newborns. Because of the importance of L . monocytogenes in the health of pregnant women and newborn babies, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these bacteria in pregnant women and to compare the level of prevalence between women with a history of abortion and with no a history of abortion.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 540 samples of pregnant women were provided from Arak Taleghani hospital. The samples were cultured in enrichment media, then L .monocytogenesis was isolated in specific media.

Results: Of clinical samples, 14 cases had Listeria monocytogenes. Of these samples, 8 cases in women had a history of abortion, while women with no history of abortion were 6 Most cases of positive culture were related to the age of 25 to 34 years, including 7 cases, the lowest cases were 35 to 44 years old including 3 women and 4 women were between 17 and 24 years old.

Conclusion: The study showed that Listeria monocytogenes can cause infection in pregnant women. The use of Phenotypic methods and specific media can apparently isolate listeria monocytogenes from healthy pregnant women.

Lack of Association between Interleukin-12 Receptor B1 Gene Polymorphism (rs11575934 A/G) and Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Seyed Reza Mohebbi

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of hepadenaviridae family, which is infectious for humans and a few animal species. Successful clearance and elimination of infection from the body or development of HBV infection to chronic disease depend on the host genetic background in immune system genes. Interleukin-12 (IL12) and also Interleukin-12 Receptor B1 (IL 12 RB1) are the key factors in the spontaneous clearance of viral infections, especially HBV. The aim of the present research is to investigate the association between Interleukin-12 receptor B1 gene polymorphism (rs11575934 A/G) and susceptibility to chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, genomic DNA of 150 chronic HBV infected patients and 150 healthy controls were extracted from peripheral blood cells. Single nucleotide polymorphism (rs11575934 A/G) was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results: The frequency of GG, AG, AA genotypes was 6.7%, 40.7%, and 52.7% in chronic patients and 12.7%, 41.3%, and 46% in control group, respectively. No statistically significant difference between case and control groups has been observed (p=0.176).

Conclusion: In the present study, no significant correlation between rs11575934 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism of the IL12RB1 gene and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection has been observed. According to the study, this polymorphism does not affect the susceptibility to chronic HBV infection.

Comparison of Two Membrane Low and High Flux on the Uptake of Electrolytes, Urea and Creatinine in Hemodialysis Patients

Rasool Kavyannezhad

Background: Hemodialysis is the most common method of treatment in patients with end-stage renal diseases (ESRD). Given the importance and the role of permeability of hemodialysis membranes in removing the materials and particles, they were divided into two categories Low and High Flux.This study aimed to compare the effects of membranes in removing electrolytes and particles in ESRD patients.

Materials and Methods: In a crossover clinical trial, blood sampling from 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis was done in two sessions of hemodialysis using a Low Flux and High Flux membrane from arterial lines before and after hemodialysis in order to assess and compare the amounts of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, urea and creatinine was taken. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software.

Results: The mean age of samples was 47.46±10.74 years and 70% were men and 30% were women. Urea and phosphorus uptake was significantly higher in the high flux membrane (p=0.017)(p=0.006) respectively. Other parameters did not show significant differences between the two filters (p>0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of research and high flux membrane features, we propose a high flux filter regularly be used in hemodialysis in the absence of specific ban.

The Study of Soil Contamination with Toxocara Eggs in Arak Public Parks, 2015

Mojtaba Didehdar

Background: Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by presence of Toxocara larva in human body. Soil as a reservoir maintained eggs of parasite and has important role in dissemination of disease because dogs and cats defecate eggs of parasite by feces. Despite there are large number of stray cats and dogs in urban areas such as Arak city, we need to collect information about soil pollution in public places. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination with Toxocara eggs in public parks in Arak city.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 soil samples were collected from 15 public parks in the Arak city during the summer 2015. The soil samples were provided by flotation method and examined by microscope.

Results: The results of this study showed that 4 (26.6%) of 15 parks were infected with Toxocara eggs. The highest rate of infection was observed in the walking and picnic site of parks. Also, in this study, two contaminated parks were located in the center and two parks were located in the southeastern of city.

Conclusion: Considering that soil contamination with Toxocara eggs was high in Arak city, it seems that the health authorities should design and implement programs in order to prevent human infection.

Investigation of Anticonvulsant Effect of Aqueous Extract of Chelidonium Majus on PTZ Induced Kindling in Male Mice

Simin Namvar Aghdash

Background: Traditional medicinal herbs have remained as a component of disease treatment system of many societies in the world. Today, many scientists have paid attention to the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of epileptic seizures, because epilepsy is one of the most common neuropsychological disorders in the world that have many serious physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Chelidonium Majus extract in the treatment of seizure.

Materials and Methods: In this study 40 mice have been randomly chosen and divided into 5 groups including a control group that received only pentylenetetrazol, sham group that received distilled water and 3 experimental groups received aqueous extract of Chelidonium Majus in doses of 50,100 and 150 mg/kg for 4 weeks. 30 minutes after gavage with different doses of the extract or distilled water, pentylenetetrazol was injected to experimental and sham groups. Animals immediately were transferred to a special cage and the seizure behaviors and parameters were recorded by a camera. Then, the different phases of seizure, latency time for onset of seizure and seizure duration were evaluated.

Results: Data analysis indicated that the aqueous extract of Chelidonium Majus had a significant effect on PTZ-induced seizure. Therapy by this extract increases latency time for onset of seizure and prevents progress of seizure phases.

Conclusion: The attained results showed that Chelidonium Majus extract has anticonvulsant effect on PTZ-induced seizure. Thus, it may be used in seizure treatment.

Application of the Nano Polyamidoamine –G5 (NPAMAM-G5)Dendrimer in Removal of Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella Oxytoca,Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Proteus Mirabilis and Staphylococcus Aureus from Aqueous Medium

Soudabeh Alizadeh Matboo

Background: Dendrimers are macromolecules with regular three-dimensional structure that have many branches. The aim of this study was to investigate the fficiency of Nano Polyamidoamine–G5 (NPAMAM-G5) dendrimers in removal of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus from aqueous solution.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, initially, dilution of 10³ CFU/ml was prepared from each strain of bacteria. Then, different concentrations of dendrimers (0.025, 0.25, 2.5 and 25 µg/ml) in the ambient temperature (23-25°C) was added to water. In order to determine the efficiency of dendrimers in removal of bacteria, samples were taken at different times (0, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 60 min) and were cultured on nutrient agar medium. Samples were incubated for 24 hours at 37 ° C and then the number of colonies was counted.

Results: There is a direct relation between antibacterial properties of dendrimers in aqueous solution and increasing the dendrimer concentration and contact time. At a concentration of 25 μg/ml and 60 minutes, all kinds of bacteria except Staphylococcus aureus, and at 30 minutes, E. coli and Klebsiella bacteria, were removed by 100% The concentration of 2.5 μg/ml at 60 minutes of bacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus mirabilis, 100% Were removed. All concentrations of dendrimer at different times were reduced bacteria.

Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that NPAMAM–G5 dendrimer is able to remove Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus from aqueous solution.