Epigenetic underpinnings of the autistic mind: Histone modifications and prefrontal excitation/inhibition imbalance.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex neurobehavioral condition influenced by several cellular and molecular mechanisms that are often concerned with synaptogenesis and synaptic activity. Based on the excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance theory, ASD could be the result of disruption in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission across the brain. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the chief regulator of executive function and can be affected by altered neuronal excitation and inhibition in the course of ASD.

COVID-19 related stigma among the general population in Iran.

Background: COVID-19 related stigma has been identified as a critical issue since the beginning of the pandemic. We developed a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure COVID-19 related enacted stigma, inflicted by the non-infected general population. We applied the questionnaire to measure COVID-19 related enacted stigma among Tehran citizens from 27 to 30 September 2020.

The association between sleep quality, health status and disability due to breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases susceptibility to sleep disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the association between COPD severity criteria with sleep quality.

Methods: One hundred fifty-eight patients in Rasul Akram Hospital of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from April 2019 to March 2021 diagnosed with COPD were examined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale, spirometry and pulse oximetry.

Translation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS65+).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS65+) in Iran's elderly population.

Methods: The scale English version translated to Persian using a forward and backward translation method. The scale was filled for two elderly population groups (inpatient and outpatients) (N = 300).

Development and Validation of the Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward COVID-19 Pandemic Breaking Transmission Chain (KA-C) Among Iranian Population.

We aimed to develop a scale and evaluate this scale's validity and reliability to measure factors affecting people's knowledge and attitudes toward the pandemic breaking transmission chain. This exploratory mixed-method study was carried out in two phases: (1) item generation using literature reviews and interviews and, (2) item reduction by psychometric assessments of the developed scale. The face, content, construct (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), convergent, and discriminant validity of the scale were assessed in the Iranian population ( = 500) from March to June 2020.