Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psycho Physiology
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Nov 2017

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is among the most prevalent chronic disorders in children.  ADHD is associated with impaired functioning in the social, educational and non-educational areas. This study evaluated the Quality of Life (QoL) related to oral health in ADHD children. In this case-control study, 70 children aged 8-10 years with ADHD disorder were comparatively reviewed with 70 healthy counterparts. The QoL associated with oral health was studied using the Child Perception Questionnaire. The number of decayed (D), missing (M), or filled (F) teeth (T), or Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index were determined in both groups by a dentist (deciduous [dmft] and permanent [DMFT]). The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS. The mean “dmft” and “DMFT” scores in ADHD children were greater than those of the controls (P<0.05). The QoL Mean±SD score in ADHD children was greater (worse) than that of the control group (49.7±6.1 vs. 11.50±0.88) (P<0.05). Children with ADHD are more vulnerable to dental defects and have lower oral health-related QoL; therefore, it is necessary to conduct further interventions in this regard, in addition to the conventional treatment interventions.

Cultural Competence (CC) is an effective approach to reducing racial and ethnic inequalities in the provision of healthcare by relevant staff. A valid and reliable scale is one of the main tools for situation analysis and planning CC promotion programs; this study investigated the psychometric properties of the Cultural Competence Scale (CCS) among Iranian healthcare providers.  This study was done with the aim of the psychometric analysis of the Cultural Competence Scale (CCS) among Iranian health care providers. This cross-sectional study was performed among 192 healthcare providers who worked at healthcare centers of Kermanshah City, Iran, in 2018. The CCS was prepared by the assessment of the international CC questionnaires. Cronbach’s α coefficient and exploratory factor analysis were used to measure the reliability and construct validity of it, respectively. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was calculated as 0.817. Bartlett’s sphericity test was statistically significant (P<0.001). Five factors were extracted based on the eigenvalues of ≥1 and factor loading of ≥0.4. Based on the conceptual basis of CCS, 5 factors were included; cultural skill, cultural awareness, cultural desire, cultural encounters, and cultural behavior, which accounted for 62.44% of the assumed model. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was calculated equal to 0.85, 0.80, 0.80, 0.71, and 0.70, respectively. CCS was reliable and valid and can be useful in planning CC promotion programs among Iranian healthcare providers.

The present study investigated the moderating role of integrative self-knowledge and self-control in the relationship between the basic psychological needs and self-compassion among the students of Bukan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran.  The purpose of this study was the moderating role of Integrative Self-Knowledge and Self-control in relation to Basic Psychological Needs with self- compassion. This study employed a correlational method. The statistical population consisted of all students of Islamic Azad University (N=2200) studying in the academic year of 2016-2017; of whom, 384 students (male and female) were selected by proportional stratified sampling method. The instruments used in this study included the Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and Self-Control Scale. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the structural equation model were used to analyze the obtained data. The findings indicated a positive and significant relationship between the basic psychological needs, integrative self-knowledge, self-control, and self-compassion (P≤0.01). Moreover, the integrative self-knowledge and self-control models demonstrated a desirable goodness-of-fit in the association between basic psychological needs and self-compassion. The results of model revealed that the basic needs exerted a greater impact on self-compassion through integrative self-knowledge path, compared to self-control path.

The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids is associated with changes in learning and memory function.   Nandrolone is one of the most popular anabolic androgenic steroid compounds abused by adolescents. Previous studies suggested that nandrolone changes learning and memory; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluated the role of P450 aromatase and castration on spatial learning and memory changes induced by nandrolone in adolescent male rats.  This study used the Morris water maze to evaluate spatial learning and memory. The experimental groups received DMSO as control groups and different doses of nandrolone (10, 30 and 60 µg/ 2.5 µL), anastrozole (2.5, 5 and 10 µg/ 2.5µL), and anastrozole (2.5 µg/ 2.5 µL) + nandrolone (60 µg/ 2.5 µl) all days before the training. The rats of ninth and tenth groups were castrated and treated with 2.5 µL of DMSO and nandrolone (60 µg), respectively for 4 days.  Both nandrolone and anastrozole decrease in escape latency and traveled distance (P<0.05). Furthermore, the escape latency and traveled distance in the group which received anastrozole (2.5 µg) + nandrolone (60 µg) were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, castration had no effect on escape latency and traveled distance, but it abolished the improvement effect of ND.  Nandrolone improved spatial learning and memory, but castration could abolish nandrolone-induced spatial learning and memory improvement. These results indicate the effect of nandrolone on learning induced by changes in gonadal function.

Emotional reactivity is important in the development and maintenance of psychopathology, including Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), Emotion Reactivity Scale (ERS) is a self-report measure to assess this concept. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of ERS in Iranian adolescents. We also compared the emotional reactivity in adolescents with and without NSSI.  The study samples consisted of 646 high school students with the Mean±SD age of 16.55±0.71 years. The data were gathered using ERS, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM). The collected data were analyzed using factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and analysis of variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was also calculated as a measure of internal consistency. The 21-item ERS demonstrated strong internal consistency (α=0.92), and factor analysis supported the single factor structure of ERS. With regard to convergent validity, the ERS indicated positive correlations of medium to large magnitudes with the measures of depression, anxiety, and stress, ranging from 0.45 to 0.62. The study participants with a history of NSSI reported significantly higher emotion reactivity, compared to those without such condition.  This investigation suggested that the Persian version of ERS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring emotional reactivity in nonclinical Iranian adolescents.