Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Volume:18 Issue: 8, 2014

Although endogenous and exogenous β-Carbolines, which have been found in blood and tobacco, have neurotoxic effects,, some of these compounds have been shown to have a stimulating effect on the dopaminergic system and to increase dopamine levels in hippocampus, leading to memory improvement. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of acute injection of norharmane as a benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist on learning and spatial memory in water maze. 40 female and 40 male Wistar rats (200-250 gr) were divided into 5 groups: control, ethanol and norharmane (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg, i.p.). Norharmane and ethanol groups respectively received norharmane and ethanol (0.2ml) intraperitoneally on the 5th day 30 min before the test and on the 8th day 30 min before the probe test. All rats were examined in terms of learning and spatial memory in the water maze. The results showed that acute injection of norharmane in both males and females improved learning and spatial memory in low doses (1, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) but attenuated learning and spatial memory retention in high doses (4 mg/kg, i.p.). According to the findings, the effects of norharmane on learning and spatial memory were dose-dependent not sex-dependent. Although norharmane is useful for learning and memory at low doses, it can impair learning and memory in high doses,

The present study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of painting therapy in reducing aggression in children with conduct disorder. This study was a semi-experimental research (pretest-posttest with control group design) in which the statistical population consisted of thirty 8-12 year-old children with conduct disorder who were studying in Parsabad city in the academic year of 2013-2014 and were selected through convenience sampling method. Then, they were divided into two equal groups (experimental and control) using sample random sampling. The instruments for data collection consisted of Raven's intelligence test, child symptom inventory-4 and Eysenck aggression inventory. The experimental underwent painting therapy for 12 sessions and every session lasted 40 minutes. The obtained data were analyzed by ANCOVA and t-test for dependent and independent groups. There was not a significant difference between the mean aggression scores of experimental group in the post-test and follow up compared with pre-test. Also, a significant difference was reported between the mean aggression scores of experimental and control groups in post-test and follow up phases (P<0.05). Painting therapy is an effective method in reducing aggression in children with conduct disorder.

Students’ aggression at schoolshas attracted the attention of many professionals and researchers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the reduction of male secondary student's aggression in Kermanshah. In this experimental study, a pretest-posttest control group design was used. A total of 400 students were randomly selected from among the high school male students in Kermanshah using multistage sampling. Of these, 40 students who had a higher mean score were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy once a week for eight sessions. The subjects completed Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (1992) twice, one before treatment and another after treatment. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that after removing the effect of pretest, the experimental group indicated a significant reduction compared to the control group in the total aggression scale (F=1059.531; P<0.001). Also, after removing the effect of the pretest, the experimental group experienced a significant decrease compared to the control group at the micro scales of aggressive feeling (F=639.936; P<0.001), the subscales of aggressive thoughts (F=154.240; P<0.001), and aggressive behaviors (F=502.836; P<0.001),. This study showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduced aggression in all three components of aggressive behavior, aggressive thoughts and aggressive feelings in the students.

Fatty acids are one of the most important compounds in edible oils. Further, the stability of oils depends on the composition of fatty acids. So, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of fatty acid composition on the oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oils during the heating process. In total, eight samples of extra virgin olive oil were studied. To evaluate their thermal stability, the oils were heated at 120 ° C for 4 h and sampling was carried out in 2-hour intervals. Then, fatty acid composition, peroxide value, anisidine value and totox value were evaluated according to Iranian national standards. Results showed a significantly direct correlation between Palmitoleic acid and Totox index in the second (r=0.786) and fourth hours (r=0.762), and between linoleic and Totox index in the second (r=0.643) and fourth hours (r=0.786). However, there was a significantly inverse relationship between oleic acid and Totox index in the fourth hour (r=-0.833). Result indicated that linoleic and Palmitoleic acids had a reducing effect on thermal stability of extra virgin olive oil after the second hour. But, Oleic acid caused a positive effect on thermal stability after the fourth hour. Thus, it is concluded that unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid affect the thermal stability at final hours.

This cross-sectional study was carried out to compare balance performance between children with cochlear implants and post-aural aid and normal children. The present study was done on 67 severe to profound hearing impaired children. Of these, 21 children with an average age of 7 years and 4 months (±1.7) wore cochlear implant, 46 children with an average age of 7 years and 7 months (±1.7) wore post-aural aid and 60 children with an average 8 years and one month (±11 months) were considered as a control group. All of the children were tested with the 9-stage balance subtest of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency2 (BOT2). The mean total BOT2 score of hearing impaired children was significantly lower than the normal group (P≤0.001). The mean total BOT2 score among children with cochlear implant, post-aural aids and normal group showed that cochlear implant group significantly performed weaker than the other two groups (P≤0.001). Hearing impaired children particularly children with cochlear implant are exposed to the risk of balance deficit. Hearing impaired children specially those who wear cochlear implants must be screened for vestibular hypofunction.

Nowadays, parents remarkably contribute to the education, training and treatment of their children with advanced disabilities. Considering the financial restrictions, changing the values and the social norms governing the society, it can be argued that besides their major roles, parents are also responsible for fulfilling their children’s specific needs. The joining of these different roles is called empowerment which reflects the parents’ active role as well as a sense of control over themselves, the child and the family. The current research studied the impact of family empowerment on controlling the phenyl level and adherence to treatment plans in children with phenylketonuria in Fars province. This research was a correlational study. The research tools included Koren family empowerment scale, demographic data inventory, blood phe level check-list, and adherence to treatment programs which were filled in by 80 families. The data was analysed by means of SPSS20 software and correlation test. the findings of the study showed a significant relationship (P<0.01)between family’s empowerment and metabolic control (r=0.724), and commitment to treatment programs (r=0.527). Moreover, a 45-percent empowerment variation was explained by the mothers’ education. Family empowerment explained the family attitude, knowledge and behaviour in the domain of family’s relation with children, services and society, which can be considered as a psychological source to support the children with metabolic deficiencies and advanced disabilities.