Neuropsychological predictors of treatment outcome in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Contexte: En dépit de la preuve substantielle pour l'efficacité générale de la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale pour le trouble obsessionnel-compulsif (TOC), il existe une controverse à propos de l'amélioration de certains déficits neuropsychologiques dans ce trouble. Objectif: Le but de cette étude est d'évaluer: 1) la corrélation de la gravité du TOC et les résultats des tests neuropsychologiques et 2) l'amélioration clinique et neuropsychologique des patients souffrant de TOC qui ont terminé avec succès leur traitement. Méthode: Cette étude évalue les fonctions neurocognitives et l'état clinique de 27 participants du groupe TOC et 25 participants du groupe témoin. La fonction neurocognitive de chaque participant a été évaluée en utilisant le test de Rey-Osterreich Figure complexe (RCFT), le test de fluidité D-KEFS et l’essai Cardebat-D. Nous avons également, utilisé l'inventaire d'anxiété de Beck (IAB), l’Inventaire de dépression de Beck (IDB) et l'échelle d'obsession-compulsion de Yale-Brown (Y-BOCS) pour vérifier la présence de l'anxiété et de la dépression avec le TOC et la gravité des symptômes chez les patients souffrant de TOC. Résultats: Notre étude conclut qu’il y une différence significative de la fonction de la mémoire selon le score au sous test de copie entre les participants souffrant de TOC et le groupe témoin. De plus, nous avons constaté une différence considérable dans le score de rappel immédiat et différé du RCFT avant et après le traitement dans le groupe de TOC. Conclusion: En résumé, la présente étude a démontré que les patients atteints de TOC ont des troubles cognitifs spécifiques et que la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale serait un traitement qui pourrait améliorer, au moins, certaines dysfonctions neurocognitives.Background: Despite substantial evidence supporting the general efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OSD), there is controversy about improvement in some neuropsychological deficits in this disorder. Objective: The present study aim to evaluate: 1) correlation of severity of OCD and neuropsychological test scores and 2) clinical and neuropsychological improvement of patients with OCD who have successfully completed their treatment. Method: This study evaluates neurocognitive function and clinical condition of 27 participants of OCD group and 25 participants of control group. The neurocognitive function of every participant has been assessed using Rey-Osterreich Complex Figure Test (RCFT), D-KEFS fluency test and Cardebat- D test. We also, used Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive scale(Y-BOCS) to verify comorbidity of anxiety and depression with OCD and severity of symptoms in patients with OCD. Results: Our study concludes that a significant difference of function in copy score is present between OCD and control group. Also, we found considerable difference in score of immediate and delayed recall of RCFT before and after treatment in OCD group. Conclusion: In summary, the present study demonstrated that OCD patients have specific cognitive impairments and cognitive behavioral therapy could improve, at least, some neurocognitive dysfunction

A Study Of The Relationship Between Fear Of Success And Burnout Among Working Women In Iranian Public Schools

Fear of success is derived from lack of trust and confidence in one's own personality. To be in doubt of one's self and to be anxious about other's expectations, exists constantly in the thought and behavior of working women. This, on its own, is a great source of anxiety and sets the foundation of continuous job stress. Burnout is a response to chronic job stress. It is a gradual erosion and feeling of failure, and being worn out. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between fear of success and burnout among working women in Iranian public schools. Moreover, it examines whether fear of success and burnout are related to some demographic characteristics such as age, years of service, marital status, academic background and organizational rank. The results reveal that fear of success and burnout in women working in public schools are correlated; but there are no significant differences in levels of fear of success and/or burnout relative to demographic factors

The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Maternal-Fetal Attachment among Pregnant Women with Unwanted Pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Unwanted pregnancy is an event bringing about adverse effects on the mother, the baby and, ultimately, on the whole family. The establishment and enhancement of maternal-fetal attachment play a role in the promotion of emotional communication between the mother and the child in the future. This study aimed at investigating the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling on maternal-fetal attachment among pregnant women with unwanted pregnancy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 eligible pregnant women with unwanted pregnancy and gestational age of 22-28 weeks who had referred to healthcare centers in Mashhad, a city in the northeast of Iran, were selected and they were through random block  assignment divided into two groups of counseling with the cognitive-behavioral approach (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). In addition to the routine pregnancy care, the cognitive-behavioral counseling group received 4 group counseling sessions on a weekly basis, while the control group only received the routine pregnancy care from healthcare providers. Maternal-fetal attachment before and after intervention in the two groups was assessed through Cranley’s Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. Comparison of mean scores within and between the two groups was performed using SPSS 21 through independent and paired t-tests. Results:  At the end of the study and after the intervention, the mean scores of maternal-fetal attachment in the intervention and control groups were  94.06±11.73 and 80.16 ± 10.09, respectively, and the difference between the groups was significant. Although the difference between the mean scores of each group at the beginning and the end of the study was significant, this difference between the two groups was also noticeable (21.56 ± 12.16 versus 7.40 ± 12.39) and statistically significant . Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral counseling can be effective in enhancing the maternal-fetal attachment in unwanted pregnancies; therefore, it is recommended to be integrated into pregnant women's healthcare programs

Effect of sexual enrichment program on the sexual satisfaction of pregnant women in Iran: A randomized clinical trial

Background: To improve the sexual satisfaction of pregnant women, there needs to be a culturally appropriate sex education program. This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of a sexual enrichment program on the sexual satisfaction of pregnant women. Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 61 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years old with low-risk pregnancies and gestational ages of 14 to 32 weeks, who had referred to three healthcare centers in Mashhad. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups of control (n = 31) and intervention (n = 30) based on a table of blocks of four. The intervention group, in addition to receiving routine pregnancy training, participated in six one-hour sessions of a sexual enrichment program held on a weekly basis, while the control group received only the routine pregnancy healthcare. Larson's sexual satisfaction questionnaire was used to assess the sexual satisfaction of pregnant women prior to the study and two weeks after the intervention. Comparison of mean scores between and within the two groups was performed using SPSS software (version 21) using independent and paired t-tests. Results: After the intervention, there was a significant difference between the mean sexual satisfaction scores of the two groups (p = 0.02). Comparison of the differences between the mean sexual satisfaction scores of the intervention group before and after the intervention indicated a significant change (p = 0.009), while in case of the control group this change was not significant (p = 0.46). Conclusion: A sexual enrichment program can be effective in improving the sexual satisfaction of pregnant mothers. Keywords: Sexual satisfaction, Pregnant women, Sexual enrichment program, Clinical tria

The Role of Critical Thinking Components in Predicting Students’ Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of critical thinking components in predicting self-efficacy (effort, self-regulation, and diligence) among the students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Statistical population of the study included 609 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and 361 students were selected via random sampling as the statistical sample. The data were collected using both standard questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire whose reliability was confirmed by experts in the field. The validity of the whole questionnaire was also calculated at 0.90 via Cronbach alpha. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 20 applications. Results, according to research hypotheses, revealed that both the components of cognitive maturity and engagement, as dimensions of tendency to critical thinking, in the first hypothesis, have an impact on students’ effort. However, the relationship between the component of innovation and students’ effort were rejected. In the second hypothesis, moreover, it was confirmed that the components of innovativeness and engagement can predict students’ self-regulation. That is, there was a significant relationship between the components of innovativeness and engagement with students’ self-regulation. Nevertheless, it was revealed that the component of cognitive maturity has no impact on students’ self-regulation

Relationship between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Migraine without Aura in an Iranian Population

Background. Inflammation has a key role in migraine pathophysiology. Vitamin D is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between migraine and two vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (TaqI and FokI) and also the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and headache severity. Methods. In this case-control study we assessed 103 patients with newly diagnosed migraine without aura and 100 healthy subjects. Patients filled headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) as a tool to assess headache severity. Results. Genotype frequencies of VDR were significantly different between control and migraine patients. Heterozygote genotypes (Ff and Tt) were statistically more frequent in the migraine patients than the control subjects both for TaqI gene ( = 0.018; OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.03-3.18) and FokI gene polymorphisms ( = 0.001; OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.47-5.77). Also f and t alleles were more frequent in the migraine patients. Total HIT-6 score was significantly different between FokI heterozygote and homozygote patients (60.32 ± 1.87 versus 49.87 ± 2.69, resp., = 0.004). Conclusions. In conclusion our results showed that TaqI and FokI gene polymorphisms are associated with migraine without aura in Iranians patients. Also headache severity in FokI heterozygote patients was significantly greater than in the homozygote patients

First evidence of the presence of adenovirus type 8 in myocardium of patients with severe idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Previous studies have detected adenovirus and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in cardiac tissue of patients with myocarditis. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the frequency of these viruses, which may be involved in the development of severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Myocardial tissue from of 23 cardiac transplant candidates with acute idiopathic DCM below the age of 40 years were analyzed by amplification of adenovirus and CMV DNA and subsequent sequencing. Adenovirus was detected in four (17.4%) and CMV in one (4.3%) of the patients. All controls were negative for the presence of both viruses. Our study shows that myocardial infection with adenovirus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe DCM and suggests that vaccination against adenovirus might be helpful in decreasing the prevalence of severe idiopathic DCM. This is the first study in which adenovirus type 8 has been detected in the hearts of patients with DCM

Plasma treatment in textile industry

Plasma technology applied to textiles is a dry, environmentally- and worker-friendly method to achieve surface alteration without modifying the bulk properties of different materials. In particular, atmospheric non-thermal plasmas are suited because most textile materials are heat sensitive polymers and applicable in a continuous processes. In the last years plasma technology has become a very active, high growth research field, assuming a great importance among all available material surface modifications in textile industry. The main objective of this review is to provide a critical update on the current state of art relating plasma technologies applied to textile industryFernando Oliveira (SFRH/BD/65254/2009) acknowledges Fundacao para a Cioncia e Tecnologia, Portugal, for its doctoral grant financial support. Andrea Zille (C2011-UMINHO-2C2T-01) acknowledges funding from Programa Compromisso para a Cioncia 2008, Portugal

The effect of sodium valproate on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recurrent disease with incomplete treatment options. The current article evaluated the effect of sodium valproate on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Rats were randomly distributed into six groups including Sham group, colitis control group, sodium valproate treatment groups (50, 100 and 300 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone-treatment group. Dexamethasone was used as a reference drug. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 2 mL of 3% acetic acid solution. The efficacy of sodium valproate was evaluated by macroscopical and histopathological scoring systems, hematocrit measurement as well as biochemical analysis including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines assessment. Sodium valproate, particularly with doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly improved weight loss, and macroscopic damage, reduced ulcer area, colon weight, microscopic colitis index and elevated hematocrit level. Biochemical experiments showed elevated levels of colonic MPO activity, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in colitis control group. Treatment with sodium valproate at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/Kg) decreased the MPO activity and colonic concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. The results provide evidence that sodium valproate has a protective effect in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis which might be due to its anti-inflammatory activities, and it may be useful in patients with ulcerative colitis

The effect of theophylline on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats

Background: Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing inflammatory disorder of the colon. There is a need to explore the new treatments for this disorder. Theophylline, a competitive inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of theophylline on ulcerative colitis has not yet been investigated. The present study evaluated the effect of theophylline on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Materials and methods: Colitis was induced by instillation of 2 ml of acetic acid solution (3%). Colon samples were evaluated grossly and microscopically and assayed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations. Results: Treatment with theophylline at the doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg attenuated acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis as shown by improvement in body weight loss, macroscopic score, ulcer area, hematocrit and histopathological score. Theophylline treatment also reduced MPO activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations in inflamed colon. Conclusion: Theophylline has a protective effect in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis which might be due to its anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, theophylline has the potential to be used for successful treatment of ulcerative colitis. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved