The role of affective temperament and emotional expression in predicting chronic fatigue in patients with cancer hospitalized in Ardabil City, Iran, during the autumn of 2016

BACKGROUND: Affective temperament and emotional expression can be important in the mental and physical consequences of patients with cancer. This study aimed to determine the role of affective temperament and emotional expression in predicting chronic fatigue in patients with cancer.METHODS: 110 patients with cancer, hospitalized in the surgery and hematology wards of Fatemi and Imam Khomeini Hospitals in Ardabil City, Iran, in autumn of 2016, were selected by purposive sampling and participated in this cross-sectional study. The Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS), Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (BEQ), and Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed by correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis using SPSS software.RESULTS: Chronic fatigue positively correlated with depressive (r = 0.69, P < 0.01), anxious (r = 0.59, P < 0.01), apathetic (r = 0.64, P < 0.01), dysphoric (r = 0.37, P < 0.01), volatile (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), irritable (r = 0.36, P < 0.01), disinhibited (r = 0.33, P < 0.01), and obsessive (r = 0.52, P < 0.01) affective temperaments, but it negatively correlated with cyclothymic (r = -0.35, P < 0.01), hyperthymic (r = -0.62, P < 0.01), euphoric (r = -0.69, P < 0.01), and euthymic (r = -0.21, P < 0.01) affective temperaments. Also, it was found that there was a negative relationship between chronic fatigue and emotional expression (r = -0.27, P < 0.01). Results of regression analysis showed that 79% of the total variance of chronic fatigue was explained by affective temperaments. In addition, 27% of the total variance of the chronic fatigue was explained by emotional expressiveness.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that we can consider the affective temperament and emotional expression as psychological factors underlying the chronic fatigue in patients with cancer

Relationship between Sports Aggression and Sports Mindfulness with Sports Self-efficacy in Male Athletes; the Mediating Role of Family Cohesion

Introduction: Self-efficacy is a construct that can greatly influence sports development. Individuals with a high self-efficacy level are more likely to set tougher goals and work harder to achieve them. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sports aggression and sports mindfulness with sports self-efficacy in male athletes through the mediating role of family cohesion. Material and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive-correlational study covered all male athletes who are members of the youth and adult male football teams in Masjed Soleyman (Iran) in 2021. The 258 athletes were selected using convenience sampling. The research tools included the Sports Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport, and the Family Cohesion Questionnaire. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis and indirect correlations were tested with bootstrapping. Results: The results suggested that all direct paths to sport self-efficacy were significant except sports mindfulness (P<0.01), and indirect paths to sports self-efficacy became significant through family cohesion (P<0.01). Conclusion: The proposed model had a good fit, and was a major step toward recognizing the factors affecting sports self-efficacy in male athletes, and can help in designing programs to reduce their experienced tension and improve their sports self-efficacy

Pan Uveitis in a Patient Suspected of Multiple Sclerosis or Neuro-Behcet’s Syndrome: A Case Report

Purpose: To report a case of pan uveitis in a patient initially suspected of having multiple sclerosis and later diagnosed with neuro-Behçet’s syndrome.Case Report: We present the case of a 35-year-old pregnant Iranian woman with a history of recurrent pan uveitis and sensory symptoms (Quadriparesis) who was initially treated based on a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Upon reevaluation of the clinical and paraclinical findings, the condition of the patient was reclassified as neuro-Behçet’s syndrome and treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents was initiated.Conclusion: The visual and neurologic manifestations of neuro-Behçet’s syndrome can closely mimic those of multiple sclerosis, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Accurate diagnosis in such cases is critical for achieving optimal treatment outcomes

Biomechanical comparison of the pullout properties of external skeletal fixation pins in the tibiae of intact and ovariectomised ewes.

The pin-bone interface is the least stable component of the external skeletal fixator. Concerns exist regarding the ability to obtain adequate implant purchase in poor quality bone. Consequently, reduced bone quality has been viewed as a contra-indication for the use of external skeletal fixators. The aim of this study was to investigate the holding power of two different fixator pin designs in bone from entire and ovariectomised sheep. Thirty-two aged ewes were divided into two groups. Group 1 were controls, and Group 2 were ovariectomised (OVX). The ewes were sacrificed 12 months post-ovariectomy and five pairs of tibiae were harvested from each group. The holding power of cortical and cancellous fixator pins was assessed at five standardised locations on each tibia. An increase in mean cortical thickness was noted in the OVX group. The holding power of cancellous fixator pins was superior to that of cortical pins, irrespective of whether or not ovariectomy had been performed. Cancellous pins had an increased holding power in post ovariectomy bone compared to control bone. Cortical pin performance was not affected by ovariectomy. There was a lack of correlation between the incidence of insertional fractures of the far cortex and implant holding power. The results raise questions over the effectiveness of ovariectomy in establishing osteopaenic bone suitable for assessing implant performance, hence further investigations are warranted

Relationships of Students’ Mental Well-being with Mothers’ Emotional Breakdown and Marital Justice Mediated by Mothers’ Marital Intimacy

Background: Students’ mental well-being can be influenced by various maternal characteristics due to their close relationships with their mothers. These factors have an impact on their overall mental health. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between students’ mental well-being, mothers’ emotional breakdown, and marital justice, with the mediating role of mothers’ marital intimacy in Ahvaz, Iran.Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive-correlational study included all female and male senior high school students in Ahvaz, Iran, and their mothers during the 2022–23 academic year. A stratified cluster sampling method was employed, and 300 students and their mothers were selected as the research sample. The research utilized several tools, including the Psychological Well-being Scale, the Love Trauma Inventory, the Marital Justice Scale, and the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire. Path analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 25 to evaluate the proposed model.Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of students’ mental well-being, mothers’ emotional breakdown, mothers’ marital justice, and mothers’ marital intimacy were as follows: 59.69 (12.94), 19.29 (5.11), 59.36 (8.87), and 67.99 (12.34), respectively. The findings indicated that all direct paths to students’ mental well-being were significant (P<0.001), except for the marital justice of mothers. Furthermore, mothers’ marital intimacy significantly mediated the indirect path between mothers’ emotional breakdown and students’ mental well-being (P<0.001). Similarly, the relationship between mothers’ marital justice and students’ mental well-being was significantly mediated by mothers’ marital intimacy (P<0.001).Conclusion: The study revealed a direct positive relationship between mothers’ marital intimacy and students’ mental well-being. Therefore, it is expected that enhancing mothers’ marital intimacy will have a positive impact on students’ mental well-being. To achieve this, training workshops should be conducted to improve marital justice between spouses, thereby enhancing mothers’ marital intimacy and boosting students’ mental well-being

Relationship of depression symptoms with emotional maturity and dysfunctional attitudes in married students: The mediating role of emotional divorce

Background and aims: Maladaptive cognitive patterns including negative cognitive style and dysfunctional attitudes are major risk factors for depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of depression symptoms with emotional maturity and dysfunctional attitudes mediated by emotional divorce in married students. Methods: The statistical population included all married students at the Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz (Iran) during the academic year 2021–2022. A total of 301 students were selected as the research sample based on the research variables. The research instrument included Beck’s Depression Inventory, Emotional Maturity Scale, Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, and Emotional Divorce Scale. Path analysis was used to evaluate the proposed model in SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 25. Results: The relationship between emotional maturity and emotional divorce was negative and significant (β=-0.45, P<0.001). The relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and depression symptoms was positive and significant (β=0.17, P=0.002). There was a positive and significant relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and emotional divorce (β=0.30, P<0.001) and between emotional divorce and depression symptoms (β=0.39, P<0.001). There were also significant indirect paths from emotional maturity and dysfunctional attitudes to depression symptoms mediated by emotional divorce (P<0.001). Conclusion: The research results indicated that the proposed model had a good fit. Therefore, it was considered a major step in identifying the factors affecting depression symptoms in married students

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Training Method and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the Metamemory in the Students with Special Learning Disorders

Background: The present study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive training method and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the metamemory in the students with special learning disorders. Methods: The study has been conducted based on a semi-experimental design of pretest-posttest type with control group. Forty-five students were selected based on a purposive sampling method and assigned to two groups, a control group and an experimental group (each containing 15 individuals) based on a simple randomized method. One of the experimental groups received cognitive training for a period of 20 to 30 sessions, each 45 minutes (twice a week) and the other group was subjected to transcranial direct current stimulation for 20 minutes during ten consecutive days. The statistical method of choice was multivariate covariance analysis (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The results of data analysis using covariance analysis indicated that both of the cognitive training method and the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) were effective in the metamemory (Pvalue&lt;0.01). Conclusions: Cognitive training and the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) methods can be applied for improving the metamemory in students with special learning disabilities. &nbsp;Keywords: Metamemory, Cognitive training, Learning disabilities, Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Training Method and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the Metamemory in the Students with Special Learning Disorders

Background: The present study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive training method and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the metamemory in the students with special learning disorders. Methods: The study has been conducted based on a semi-experimental design of pretest-posttest type with control group. Forty-five students were selected based on a purposive sampling method and assigned to two groups, a control group and an experimental group (each containing 15 individuals) based on a simple randomized method. One of the experimental groups received cognitive training for a period of 20 to 30 sessions, each 45 minutes (twice a week) and the other group was subjected to transcranial direct current stimulation for 20 minutes during ten consecutive days. The statistical method of choice was multivariate covariance analysis (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05. Results: The results of data analysis using covariance analysis indicated that both of the cognitive training method and the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) were effective in the metamemory (Pvalue&lt;0.01). Conclusions: Cognitive training and the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) methods can be applied for improving the metamemory in students with special learning disabilities. &nbsp;Keywords: Metamemory, Cognitive training, Learning disabilities, Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Diabetes Care in Iran: Where We Stand and Where We Are Headed

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has steadily increased in Iran from the time of the first published nationally representative survey in 1999 and despite efforts and strategies to reduce disease burden. Objectives: The aim of the present review was to describe the current status of diabetes care in Iran. Methods: A selective review of the relevant literature, focusing on properly conducted studies, describing past and present diabetes care strategies, policies, and outcomes in Iran was performed. Findings: The quality of diabetes care has gradually improved as suggested by a reduction in the proportion of undiagnosed patients and an increase in affordability of diabetes medications. The National Program for Prevention and Control of Diabetes has proven successful at identifying high-risk individuals, particularly in rural and remote-access areas. Unfortunately, the rising tide of diabetes is outpacing these efforts by a considerable margin. Conclusions: Substantial opportunities and challenges in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes exist in Iran that need to be addressed to further improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes

Comparison of the Effect of Sertraline and Escitalopram on the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We decided to compare the effects of sertraline and escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 100 patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis with a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score greater than 15 who were not using medication for depression were included in the study. Then randomly assigned to two groups: (one receiving sertraline and one receiving escitalopram). Both groups were monitored using the Beck questionnaire at the end of the first, second, and third months. Additionally, side effects, treatment compliance, and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results: In total, 100 patients with ESRD were included in the study (48 in the sertraline treatment group and 52 in the escitalopram treatment group). The results indicate that in both treatment groups, depression rates significantly decreased over time with medication (P&lt;0.001). Comparing the depression scores over time revealed that the effect of sertraline and escitalopram in reducing depression was not significantly different. However, the depression score in the sertraline group was slightly lower than that in the escitalopram group, although this difference was not statistically significant. Side effects, treatment compliance, and mortality were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: In general, both sertraline and escitalopram significantly reduced the score of depression in patients, but sertraline in reducing the depression score was greater than that of escitalopram, although this difference was not significant