2D:4D Suggests a Role of Prenatal Testosterone in Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria (GD) reflects distress caused by incongruence between one’s experienced gender identity and one’s natal (assigned) gender. Previous studies suggest that high levels of prenatal testosterone (T) in natal females and low levels in natal males might contribute to GD. Here, we investigated if the 2D:4D digit ratio, a biomarker of prenatal T effects, is related to GD. We first report results from a large Iranian sample, comparing 2D:4D in 104 transwomen and 89 transmen against controls of the same natal sex. We found significantly lower (less masculine) 2D:4D in transwomen compared to control men. We then conducted random-effects meta-analyses of relevant studies including our own (k = 6, N = 925 for transwomen and k = 6, N = 757 for transmen). In line with the hypothesized prenatal T effects, transwomen showed significantly feminized 2D:4D (d ≈ 0.24). Conversely, transmen showed masculinized 2D:4D (d ≈ − 0.28); however, large unaccounted heterogeneity across studies emerged, which makes this effect less meaningful. These findings support the idea that high levels of prenatal T in natal females and low levels in natal males play a part in the etiology of GD. As we discuss, this adds to the evidence demonstrating the convergent validity of 2D:4D as a marker of prenatal T effects

The relation of TSH and depression in hypothyroid patients

Background and aims: Many of hypothyroid patients that are under treatment with levothyroxine. In spite of normal blood level of thyroid hormones, are suffering from depression symptoms that show it is necessary the normal level of TSH should be detected specificially related to depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 hypothyroid patients under treatment with levothyroxine who referred to endocrinology clinic with TSH levels of 0.5-5 MIU/L for more than one year. Laboratory tests including TSH, T4 and T3 were performed. Beck depression questionnaire was completed for all patients by trained experts. Based on Beck depression test, scoreless and more than 10 was considered healthy and depressed, respectively. Then, TSH cut-off values based on depression was determined by Roc Curve analysis. Results: 174 hypothyroid patients (Female: 116, Male: 58) with mean age 45.5±11.7 years old were entered to the study. According to Roc Curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of TSH based on depression was estimated 2.5 MIU/L with 89.66% sensitivity. Conclusion: The present study suggested that a TSH cut-off value for treatment of depression in hypothyroid patients should be based on depression, not just based on population studies. Based on the assessment of depression, our study concludes that a TSH cut-off value of 2.5 MIU/L is optimal. This cut point can provide the greatest effect in terms of depression improvement and quality of life for these patients

Effect of 'Gutingen V' as an intensive training system on agromorphological characters of some apple cultivars in Karaj region of Iran

V-shape systems represent an efficient and popular option to increase yields and fruit quality in fruit trees. Hence, this paper attempts to compare some vegetative and yield characteristics of five apple cultivars grown at horticultural research station in Karaj, Iran. The selected apple cultivars were included: 'Golab-kohans' (Iranian cultivar), 'Fuji', 'Gala', 'Starking' and 'Delbar estival' (commercial foreign cultivars) that were grafted on M.9 rootstock which were trained in a V system. All of these trees were planted in winter 2005. The time of irrigation started from the second experimental year after planting and the method of irrigation was drip irrigation system. Results showed that the 'Golab-kohans' had the most tree height (278.63 cm), trunk cross sectional area (7.308 cm2) and mean shoot length (100.58 cm). Also 'Delbar estival' had the most yield (0.98 kg), yield efficiency (0.550 kg/cm2). Consistently, Results revealed that among the investigated cultivars, 'Delbar estival' can be introduced as a prone and productive cultivar for V system in Karaj's climatic conditions

Effects of salicylic acid application on two almond cultivars under salinity stress

The effects of salinity stress on the physiological processes and biochemical compounds of plants were reported. Salicylic acid (SA), as one of the main phytohormones, is a signal molecule that alleviates the negative influences of salinity. This study was conducted to investigate the protective role of SA in improving the salinity tolerance of two almond cultivars. Two almond cultivars (\u27Tuono\u27 and \u27Sahand\u27) grafted on the GN (Garnem) rootstock were exposed to different levels of salinity stress (0, 2, 6 and 8 dS·m-1) and treated with SA (0, 1 and 2 mM). The results showed that salinity stress significantly reduced the plant height, Fv/Fm, protein and total phenolic content (TPC), whereas Na and Cl content in roots, proline content and antioxidant enzymes activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), significantly increased in response to salinity stress. Rootstock and scion diameter, and also leaves number of selected shoots significantly increased at 2 and 6 dS·m-1 of salinity, and then significantly decreased at 8 dS·m-1 of salinity. Furthermore, it was found SA treatment significantly alleviated the negative effects of salinity by enhancing morphological characteristics, Fv/Fm, accumulation of Na and Cl in roots, proline content, protein and TPC and also by enhancing the SOD, CAT, APX, POD and GPX activities. Taken together, the results showed that \u27Sahand\u27 cultivar treated with SA had a better response to salinity stress compared with \u27Tuono\u27 cultivar. Therefore, the use of \u27Sahand\u27 cultivar and application of SA could be recommended as a practical tool under salinity conditions

Original Article Efficacy of Addition of Folic Acid to Sodium Valproate in Treatment of Acute Mania, a Double Blind Clinical Trial Study

Abstract Introduction: Treatment resistance is common in acute mania, so the role of augmented therapies, including nutritional factors and vitamins have always been considered. This study aimed to assess the effect of addition of folic acid to sodium valproate in treatment of acute mania. Methods: This double blind randomized clinical trial study was done in Mashhad Avicenna psychiatric hospital, in 2011 and was registered with IRCT201112188106N1 code in Iranian registry clinical trials site. Twenty nine manic patients, divided into two groups randomly. They received sodium-valproate+folic acid or sodium-valproate+placebo. The severity of mania, by Jung Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and cognitional improvement, by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), were determined at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks. Data analyzed by SPSS-16, к 2 and t-student tests. Result: The mean scores of YMRS at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks, in the folice acid group were 22±2.44, 8.26±4.86 and 3.13±1.64 respectively, and in placebo group were 21.14±1.95, 14.14±4.31 and 13±5.21 respectively. The mean scores of YMRS significantly decreased in the folic acid group compared to the placebo group after 3,6 weeks (p=0.005, p<0.001 respectively). The mean scores of MMSE showed no significant difference in same intervals (p=0.068, p=0.068). Conclusion: Our study showed that adjuvant treatment by folic acid in addition to standard treatment with sodium-valproate during manic phase in patients with BMD-I after 6 weeks of treatment was effective

A correlation between the gas and liquid permeabilities of beech wood heat-treated in hot water and steam mediums

Heat-treatment, a major method of wood modification for improving dimensional stability and natural durability, has been studied considerably in the scientific literature. This study will focus on the effect of heat-treatment on permeability, an important physical property of wood by subjecting beech samples to two different mediums of hot water and steam, as well as in two buffered hot water of pH 7 and 8. Hydrothermal treatment caused gas permeability to decrease to its lowest value among the treatments (91.6% decrease comparing the control treatment). Hydrothermal treatment in buffered hot water of pH 8 made the lowest impact on gas permeability (12.3% decrease). The decrease in gas permeability was due to settlement of extractives on vessel perforation plates. Gas permeability showed a highly significant correlation with the amount of swelling in radial direction. Low correlation was found between liquid permeability with water absorption and the amount of swelling. Gas permeability is considered a suitable criterion for predicting the amount of swelling in beech wood

Prevalence of Respiratory Disorders during Sleep among Subjects of Methadone Maintenance Therapy Program

Background: Respiratory disorders during sleep are considered a health problem affecting the life quality. There is some evidence indicating the higher prevalence of apnea in substance-dependent patients. However, there is no information on the prevalence of the disease in people under methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). Therefore, the present study was designed to estimate the disease rate in these patients and consider the relationship of the increasing risk of apnea with some psychiatric problems.Methods: Study group included 152 individuals under the MMT program. Baseline data were collected with the interview, and patients were considered using the STOP-BANG questionnaire to evaluate the risk of apnea. Furthermore, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) tests were performed for all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Findings: Based on the STOP-BANG score categories, 37.5%, 40.1%, and 22.4% of patients indicated low, intermediate, and high risk of apnea, respectively. Moreover, severe daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depression, and anxiety were observed in 5.3%, 5.5%, 6.0%, and 21.1% of participants, respectively. Sex (P = 0.007) and daytime sleepiness (P = 0.048) were significantly different between low and high-risk groups of apnea after adjustment. Besides, age (P < 0.001) and fatigue (P = 0.007) were factors predicting the STOP-BANG score.Conclusion: These findings revealed the higher prevalence of apnea in MMT patients compared to the general population of Iran and rising of the risk of apnea along with an increase in age and fatigue score. However, attention to the sleep disorders in MMT is a prominent factor that should be considered as a route of therapy

The effect of amniotic membrane extract on umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell expansion: is there any need to save the amniotic membrane besides the umbilical cord blood?

Objective(s): Umbilical cord blood is a good source of the mesenchymal stem cells that can be banked, expanded and used in regenerative medicine.  The objective of this study was to test whether amniotic membrane extract, as a rich source of growth factors such as basic-fibroblast growth factor, can promote the proliferation potential of the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and Methods: The study design was interventional. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from voluntary healthy infants from hospitals in Shiraz, Iran, cultured in the presence of basic-fibroblast growth factor and amniotic membrane extracts (from pooled - samples), and compared with control cultures. Proliferation assay was performed and duplication number and time were calculated. The expression of stem cell’s specific markers and the differentiation capacity toward osteogenic and adipogenic lineages were evaluated. Results: Amniotic membrane extract led to a significant increase in the proliferation rate and duplication number and a decrease in the duplication time without any change in the cell morphology. Both amniotic membrane extract and basic-fibroblast growth factor altered the expressing of CD44 and CD105 in cell population. Treating basic-fibroblast growth factor but not the amniotic membrane extract favored the differentiation potential of the stem cells toward osteogenic lineage. Conclusion: The amniotic membrane extract administration accelerated cell proliferation and modified the CD marker characteristics which may be due to the induction of differentiation toward a specific lineage.  Amniotic membrane extract may enhance the proliferation rate and duplication number of the stem cell through changing the duplication time

Attitudes of Iranian Psychiatrists to Psychosomatic Medicine: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Objective: Psychosomatic attitudes may be rooted and grounded in the particular culture of the scientific community in each country. We conducted a qualitative research to understand the exclusive psychosomatic attitudes and psychosomatic medicine status of Iranian Psychiatrists. Method: This research was conducted using a qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundmanand method. All psychiatrists of Avicenna hospital, which is a teaching hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, were the target population of this study. Among them, 9 psychiatrists were selected by a non-random purposeful sampling method, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Results: Results indicated that most psychiatrists do not have a proper understanding of the term “psychosomatic medicine”, but they acknowledged the importance of an integrative approach in medicine. Biopsychosocial model, as a unified and integrated concept, can encompass all emerged categories and refers to the overall pattern in psychiatrists' attitude. Conclusion: Despite acknowledging the importance of a comprehensive approach to medicine and profound theoretical knowledge of psychiatrists, the practical application of biological, psychological, and social dimensions has not been considered equally. Thus, the scientific practical stand of this comprehensive approach requires more serious consideration by the medical community