Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and High Sensitive C-reactive Protein in Bipolar Depression and Unipolar Depression: The Practical Usage as a Discriminatory Tool.

Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been reported to play roles in depression and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the probable discriminatory properties of these biologic markers are less investigated. We aimed to assess the serum BDNF and hs-CRP levels among Iranian patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and BD during a depressive episode and investigate the optimum cut-off point for differential diagnosis of BD and MDD.

Factors Associated with the Involvement of Women Drug Users in Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Narrative Review.

Background: Drug use is known as an important underlying factor in the occurrence of risky sexual behaviors. The present study was conducted to identify the factors associated with the involvement of women drug users in risky sexual behaviors.

Materials And Methods: This review was conducted by searching databases of ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, PubMed, Scientific Information Database (SID), the Iranian Magazine Database (Magiran), the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc), and the Iranian Medical Articles Database (IranMedex) and searching through the Google Scholar engine.

Can Vitamin B6 Help to Prevent Postpartum Depression? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: A low level of vitamin B6 may theoretically cause symptoms of depression.

Aims: To investigate the effect of vitamin B6 on the prevention of postpartum depression (PPD) among mothers at risk for PPD.

Methods: This single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 81 pregnant women who were at risk of PPD from February to July 2016 at six selected health centers in Isfahan, Iran.

Intelligence Quotient, Anxiety, and Depression in Congenital Hypothyroid Children at School Age.

Background: Many studies who evaluated the outcome of the congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening reported some intellectual and behavioral deficit despite early diagnose and treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare the intellectual and behavioral adjustment of CH children with controls.

Methods: This study was conducted among a group of 135 children aged 8--12 years in Isfahan, including transient and permanent congenital hypothyroidism (TCH and PCH) and a matched group of their classmate.

The Effect of Add-on Buprenorphine to Matrix Program in Reduction of Craving and Relapse Among People With Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Methamphetamine addiction is a global issue. Buprenorphine might have beneficial roles in reducing craving to methamphetamine use via altering neurotransmission signaling and dopaminergic system-related reward mechanisms.

Procedures: This clinical trial was performed in 2019 to 2020 in Khorshid Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

Depression literacy and the related factors among a group of hospitals' staff in Iran.

Background: Having a proper approach to depression requires having sufficient depressive literacy in the affected person.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the level of depression literacy among hospital staff affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and to reveal the risk factors and knowledge gaps.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 760 participants from university hospital staff at IUMS who were selected by a census method from April 2018 to December 2018.

The process of risky sexual behaviors formation in women drug users: a protocol for a grounded theory study.

Background: Drug use is an important underlying factor in risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behaviors can lead to STIs and HIV/AIDS, especially in women. For better understanding of the relationship between drug use and risky sexual behaviors in women, it is necessary to identify the process of the formation of these behaviors that is a multidimensional process influenced by multiple socio-cultural factors.

Citalopram and metacognitive therapy for depressive symptoms and cognitive emotion regulation in patients with major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a new psychotherapy for depression. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of citalopram and MCT on major depressive disorders (MDDs).

Materials And Methods: A total of 36 patients with MDD were randomly assigned into three groups of citalopram ( = 12), MCT ( = 16), and control ( = 8).

Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of depressed and nondepressed individuals.

Background: Involvement of the immune system is one of the issues raised in the pathophysiology of depression. BCL2 and BAX genes are related to immune system regulation. We investigated the BCL2 and BAX expression as a probable mechanism of immune system involvement in depression.

Psychological profiles of risk for antenatal depression and anxiety in Iranian sociocultural context.

Background And Aim: Mental health issues including depression and anxiety are common in pregnancy worldwide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with mental disorders in a sample of Iranian pregnant women.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women referred to a prenatal-care clinic in an urban area, Isfahan, Iran.

Association between sleep quality and postpartum depression.

Background: The objective of this study was an investigation of the association between depression and sleep quality.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 360 delivered women that referred to thirty health-care centers in Ardabil, Iran. The Standard Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire was used to the investigation of sleep quality.

Effect of add-on valproate on craving in methamphetamine depended patients: A randomized trial.

Background: Methamphetamine dependence lead to the compulsive use, loss of control, and social and occupational dysfunctions. This study aimed to compare the effect of valproate in reducing the craving in methamphetamine dependents.

Materials And Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial on 40 men of 18-40 years old referred to Noor Hospital during December 2012-September 2013 in Isfahan, Iran.

Validity, reliability and factor analysis of Persian version of schizophrenia quality of life scale.

Context: Exact measurement of quality of life (QOL) in schizophrenia patients for evaluation of the patient's deterioration and also to assess the efficacy of therapeutic Interventions has become a daily task, which requires accurate assessment tools.

Aims: This study was aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a Persian version of schizophrenia QOL scale (SQLS) as a common transcultural instrument.

Settings And Design: One hundred and fifty schizophrenia patients who referred to Psychiatric Clinic in Noor Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) have been selected using simple sampling method.

The effect of assisted reproduction treatment on mental health in fertile women.

Introduction: The process of assisted reproductive treatment is a stressful situation in the treatment of infertile couples and it would harm the mental health of women. Fertile women who started infertility treatment due to male factor infertility have reported to experience less stress and depression than other women before the assisted reproductive process but considering the cultural and social factors and also the etiology of the assisted reproductive process, it could affect the metal health of these women. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the mental health of fertile women who undergo assisted reproductive treatment due to male factor infertility.

Efficacy of illness perception focused intervention on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients with myocardial infarction.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide, which can reduces quality of life in patients. Some disabilities are depression and anxiety which delay returning to work. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of illness perception focused intervention on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in MI patients.

The Effect of Buprenorphine on Methamphetamine Cravings.

Background: Methamphetamine (METH) abuse and dependence present a major global problem. We investigated the efficacy of adding buprenorphine in reducing METH cravings during treatment with the Matrix program.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial of 40 men between the age of 18 and 40 years who were referred to the addiction treatment center at Noor Hospital from December 2012 to September 2013.

Effects of needs-assessment-based psycho-education of schizophrenic patients' families on the severity of symptoms and relapse rate of patients.

Background: Family psycho-education is one of the most effective interventions for preventing relapse in patients with schizophrenia. We evaluated the efficacy of a needs-assessment-based educational program in comparison with a current program (textbook based) in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Materials And Methods: Patients with schizophrenia and their families (N = 60) were allocated to needs-assessment-based education (treatment) and textbook-based (control) programs; both included 10 sessions of education within about 6 months.

Effect of needs-assessment-based psychoeducation for families of patients with schizophrenia on quality of life of patients and their families: A controlled study.

Introduction: Family psychoeducation is one of the most routine interventions in a schizophrenic patients' management. We evaluated the effects of a needs-assessment-based educational program in comparison with the current program on global function and quality of life (QOL) of the patients and their families.

Materials And Methods: In this controlled study, 60 schizophrenia patients and their families were allocated for a needs-assessment-based psychoeducation (treatment) and current education (control) programs.

Is there any association of personality traits with vascular endothelial function or systemic inflammation?

Background: Evidences showed association of some personality traits with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, but mediated mechanisms are not entirely described. In this study, we investigated the association of different personality traits with systemic inflammation and endothelial function as probable mediators.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 on 40-60 years old employees of an industrial company located in Isfahan city (central Iran).

Predictive factors of delay in contact with a psychiatrist in depressive disorders: a sample of Iranian patients.

Background: The different duration of delay to first contact with a psychiatrist in depressive disordered patients has been observed in western and non western cultures. This study aimed to examine the duration and predictive factors of delay in contact with a psychiatrist in depressive patients in Isfahan city of Iran.

Methods: In This cross sectional study 156 depressive patients were recruited from various outpatient clinics in Isfahan city between January 2013 and February 2013.

Is there any association of anxiety-depressive symptoms with vascular endothelial function or systemic inflammation?

Background: Studies have shown the association of mood disorders and endothelial dysfunction, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, mediatory mechanisms are not entirely clarified in this regard. We investigated the relationship between depression/anxiety symptoms with systemic inflammation and endothelial function.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2011 on employees of an oil company located in the Isfahan city (central Iran).

Validity, reliability, and factor analysis of Persian version of quality of life questionnaire for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-QOL-34).

Background: Quality of life (QOL) improvement is the main objective of treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and factor analysis of IBS-QOL-34 questionnaire as a common transcultural instrument for Iranian IBS patients.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and forty patients with IBS (based on gastroenterologists' diagnosis according to ROM III criteria) were referred to Digestive Health Clinic in Psychosomatic Research Center have been selected in this study.

Comparison of Alopecia severity and blood level of testosterone in men suffering schizophrenia with control group.

Background: Testosterone causes Alopecia that is related to functional testosterone and end organ sensitivity to testosterone. Studies conducted on the relationship of schizophrenia and testosterone have reported different findings. This study was designed to measure the extent of Alopecia in schizophrenic patients which is one of the most important signs of sensitivity to Androgens.

Psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the edinburgh postnatal depression scale in a sample of Iranian women.

Background: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been used as a reliable screening tool for postpartum depression in many countries. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the EPDS in a sample of Iranian women.

Methods: Using stratified sampling 262 postpartum women (2 weeks-3 months after delivery) were selected from urban and rural health center in the city of Isfahan.