Effect of Ginkgo biloba pill on patients with major depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy

Background and purpose: One of the most common complications of depression and treatment with ECT as one of the most effective treatments for depression is problem related to memory. This study was performed with aim of determination of the effects of Ginkgo pill on depression and cognition disturbance in this patients. Materials and methods: In this clinical trial study, 81 major depressed inpatients who was admitted in Hajar hospital allocated randomly in two groups (case and control). patients had indications of bilateral ECT. Before and at the end of treatment period with ECT, cognition status of patients was evaluated by Mini Mental State Exam questionnaire and depression severity was evaluated with Hamilton depression questionnaire. In case group, patients was treated with Ginkgo pill 40 mg each 8 hours and control group was treated with placebo for ECT treatment period (2weeks). Data analyzed by software SPSS 11 / 5 t-test, mean and ANOVA. Results: Between the two groups there was no statistically significant differences between age, gender, marital status, employment, duration of disease, depression and cognition score (P>0.05). The average scores in the field of cognitive problems and depression status of patients before and after ECT in both groups had significant difference (P<0.001) and case groups was better in both condition. Conclusion: Result of this study revealed the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba in, cognition and depression status of major depress patients who treated with ECT, probably related to flavenoids and antioxidant component of this plant

Investigating the Mediatory Role of Self-Efficacy Beliefs in the Relationship between Self-Perception, Peer Support, and Subjective Well-Being in Visually Impaired Teenagers

Background: Subjective well-being is considered as one of the most important measures for the health of a society, and it refers to emotional improvement to be able to enjoy life. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the mediatory role of self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between self-perception, peer support, and subjective well-being in visually impaired teenagers. Methods: The study was a descriptive correlation performed by path analysis. The statistical population included all female students with visual impairment in Kermanshah city and 176 of which were selected as the sample of the study using convenience sampling. The research instruments included Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWB), the Self-Concept Scale, the Peer Support Questionnaire, and Self-Efficacy Beliefs Questionnaire. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis with AMOS software. Results: The results showed that all the direct paths, except for the path from self-perception to subjective well-being, were significant (P= 0.0001). Moreover, the indirect paths through self-efficacy beliefs to subjective well-being were also significant (P= 0.0001). Conclusions: According to the results of the study, the proposed model had a good fit, and is an important step in identifying the factors affecting the subjective well-being of adolescents with visual impairment. Keywords: Visual impairment, Subjective well-being, Self-perception, Peer support, Self-efficacy beliefs

Manganese-Induced Nephrotoxicity Is Mediated through Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Impairment

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that is incorporated in various metabolic pathways and enzyme structures. On the other hand, a range of adverse effects has been described in association with Mn overexposure. Mn is a well-known neurotoxic agent in mammals. Renal injury is another adverse effect associated with Mn intoxication. No precise mechanism for Mn nephrotoxicity has been identified so far. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential mechanisms of Mn-induced renal injury. Rats were treated with Mn (20 and 40 mg/mL, respectively, in drinking water) for 30 consecutive days. Markers of oxidative stress, as well as several mitochondrial indices, were assessed in the kidney tissue. Renal injury was evident in Mn-treated animals, as judged by a significant increase in serum BUN and creatinine. Moreover, urinalysis revealed a significant increase in urine glucose, phosphate, and protein in Mn-treated rats. Kidney histopathological alterations, including tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, and necrosis, were also detected in Mn-treated animals. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including an increment in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), were detected in Mn-treated groups. On the other hand, kidney glutathione (GSH) stores and total antioxidant capacity were depleted in Mn groups. Mn exposure was associated with significant mitochondrial depolarization, decreased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity, mitochondrial permeabilization, and depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. These data highlight oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment as potential mechanisms involved in Mn-induced renal injury

Investigating the Mediatory Role of Self-Efficacy Beliefs in the Relationship between Self-Perception, Peer Support, and Subjective Well-Being in Visually Impaired Teenagers

Background: Subjective well-being is considered as one of the most important measures for the health of a society, and it refers to emotional improvement to be able to enjoy life. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the mediatory role of self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between self-perception, peer support, and subjective well-being in visually impaired teenagers. Methods: The study was a descriptive correlation performed by path analysis. The statistical population included all female students with visual impairment in Kermanshah city and 176 of which were selected as the sample of the study using convenience sampling. The research instruments included Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWB), the Self-Concept Scale, the Peer Support Questionnaire, and Self-Efficacy Beliefs Questionnaire. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis with AMOS software. Results: The results showed that all the direct paths, except for the path from self-perception to subjective well-being, were significant (P= 0.0001). Moreover, the indirect paths through self-efficacy beliefs to subjective well-being were also significant (P= 0.0001). Conclusions: According to the results of the study, the proposed model had a good fit, and is an important step in identifying the factors affecting the subjective well-being of adolescents with visual impairment. Keywords: Visual impairment, Subjective well-being, Self-perception, Peer support, Self-efficacy beliefs

Coronary cameral fistula manifested as angina pectoris in a 40-year old female

Coronary cameral fistula (CCF) is defined as an abnormal connection between the coronary artery and any cardiac chamber. It usually appears due to abnormal embryogenesis and represents less than 1% of the population. Most CCF cases are asymptomatic, however large CCFs may cause symptoms and complications. We present a case of a young female with symptomatic CCF suspected on echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography coronary angiography. She was successfully treated surgically with total improvement of symptoms

The effect of the distraction of thought by music on pain relief in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aims: The distraction of thought is a technique in which a pleasant stimulus is presented to the patient. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the distraction of thought by music on pain relief in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 120 patients referring to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord for ESWL in 2019. Patients were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. In addition to routine care, the experimental group received the natural sound of the event, along with its beautiful scenery, while the control group only received routine care. The pain score was measured by the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS (version 18) using paired and independent t-tests and Tukey’s test. Results: The two groups were significantly different in terms of pain changes (P=0.007). The mean difference in addictive drug consumption between the control and experimental groups was significant (P=0 004). Conclusion: Thought distraction by music reduces pain and narcotic use of analgesics by the patients under ESWL. Keywords: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, Pain, Distraction, Music, Renal stone