Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a serious health challenge at the global level due to Leishmania tropica. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with anthroponotic CL (ACL) ...in unresponsive (patient who does not heal and remains with an active lesion, despite receiving two courses of intra-lesional Glucantime along with cryotherapy and one cycle of systemic Glucantime) and responsive patients in a major focus in southeastern Iran. A case-control study was conducted from April 2015 to October 2016 in the southeast of Iran. Patients were recruited in a major ACL focus from unresponsive and responsive cases. These patients were compared for environmental, clinical, and demographic characteristic factors. Twenty-five risk related factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination stepwise models. P<0.05 was defined to be statistically significant. In general, 340 patients with ACL comprising 72 (21.2%) unresponsive cases and 268 (78.8%) responsive cases with active lesions or scars were analyzed by estimating odds ratio (OR). All isolates from 15 responsive and 15 unresponsive patients were characterized as Leishmania tropica based on the BLAST and phylogenic analyses by PCR sequences of the Hsp70 and ITS1 loci. Among the 25 variables, 4 major risk factors including poor interior housing conditions (OR = 1.99, confidence interval (CI) = 1-3.93, P<0.04), history of chronic diseases (OR = 6.22, CI = 2.51-15.44, P≤0.001), duration of lesion in the patients referred ≥13 months (OR = 74.99, CI = 17.24-326.17, P≤0.001), and 5-12 months (OR = 7.42, CI = 3.07-17.92, P≤0.001) than lesions with ≤4 months of age and age groups ≥51 years (OR = 3.85, CI = 1.04-14.22, P<0.04) than those ≤7 years, were significantly associated with unresponsive forms. Improving interior house construction protecting high risk individuals and those with debilitating diseases from being bitten by sand flies, together with the early detection and effective treatment of older age groups with history of chronic diseases are highly important measures for preventing unresponsive forms in patients with ACL in southeastern Iran.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background and Aim: Early communication skills in children with hearing loss depend on the quantity and quality of information received from parents. The present study aimed to investigate the ...effectiveness of early communication skills training in developing the communication skills of infants and toddlers with cochlear implants. Methods: To this end, 54 infants and toddlers at the age range of 8–24 months with sever to profound hearing loss fitted by Cochlear Implant (CI) with their mothers participated in this study. The experimental and wait list control groups had auditory verbal therapy as the main intervention after the CI; however, the experimental group received a systematic early communication skills program. All subjects were assessed using the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales Developmental Profile as the pre-and post-tests. Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated the effect of systematic training on the early communication development of subjects in intervention group. Conclusion: Teaching the parents how to interact with infants and toddlers with CI could improve the communication skills of the infants and therefore it’s recommended to be included in the auditory rehabilitation programs.
Background and Aims Despite the existence of various tools to assess such children’s educational and rehabilitation needs, there is no instrument in Persian for this purpose. The present study aims ...to develop a questionnaire to measure the educational and rehabilitation needs of children with Down syndrome in Iran from the perspective of their mothers. Methods This is a mixed method study with exploratory design-instrument development model. The phenomenological method was used in the qualitative stage, where the participants were 17 mothers of children with Down syndrome in Iran who were selected purposefully based on theoretical saturation. In this phase, semi-structured interviews were used. Hsieh and Shannon’s content analysis method was used to analyze the data. In the quantitative phase, participants were 100 mothers of children with Down syndrome who were selected using a random sampling method. In this phase, a researcher-made questionnaire of educational and rehabilitation needs of children with Down syndrome was used. Then, its validity and reliability were determined. Results According to mothers, children with Down syndrome have four main needs: Communication skills, adaptive behaviors, language skills, and educational problems. These were considered as the subscales of the questionnaire. The content validity ratio (CVR) was in the range of 0.8-1, and the content validity index (CVI) value was 0.98. The Cronbach’s alpha for the overall scale was 0.93. The test-retest coefficient for the overall scale was 0.84. Conclusion The educational and rehabilitation needs scale for children with Down syndrome (parent form) in Persian has acceptable validity and reliability.
Over the last years, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of unresponsive patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) reported worldwide. The primary objective of this ...study was to explore the role of demographic, clinical and environmental risk related-factors in the development of treatment failure, relapse and chronic cases compared to responsive patients with ACL. Moreover, molecular, histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings between these forms were explored. This work was undertaken as a prospective and case-control study in southeastern Iran. Culture media and nested PCR were used to identify the causative agent. Univariate multinomial and multiple multinomial logistic regression models and the backward elimination stepwise method were applied to analyze the data. A P<0.05 was defined as significant. Also, for different groups, skin punch biopsies were used to study the histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) profile. All samples showed that L. tropica was the only etiological agent in all unresponsive and responsive patients with ACL. Data analysis represented that 8 major risk factors including nationality, age groups, occupation, marital status, history of chronic diseases, duration of the lesion, the lesion on face and presence of domestic animals in the house were significantly associated with the induction of unresponsive forms. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were different from one form to another. The present findings clearly demonstrated a positive relation between ACL and distinct demographic, clinical and environmental risk determinants. Knowledge of the main risk factors for ACL infection is crucial in improving clinical and public health strategies and monitor such perplexing factors.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, we carried out extensive in vitro studies on various concentrations of tioxolone along with benzoxonium chloride and their niosomal forms against Leishmania tropica. Niosomes were ...prepared by the hydration method and were evaluated for morphology, size, release study, and encapsulation efficiency. This study measured leishmanicidal activity against promastigote and amastigote, apoptosis and gene expression levels of free solution and niosomal-encapsulated tioxolone along with benzoxonium chloride. Span/Tween 60 niosome had good physical stability and high encapsulation efficiency (more than 97%). The release profile of the entrapped compound showed that a gradual release rate. The combination of niosomal forms on promastigote and amastigote were more effective than glucantime. Also, the niosomal form of this compound was significantly less toxic than glucantime (P≤0.05). The flowcytometric analysis on niosomal form of drugs showed that higher number of early apoptotic event as the principal mode of action (89.13% in 200 μg/ml). Also, the niosomal compound increased the expression level of IL-12 and metacaspase genes and decreased the expression level of the IL-10 gene, which further confirming the immunomodulatory role as the mechanism of action. We observed the synergistic effects of these 2 drugs that induced the apoptotic pathways and also up regulation of an immunomodulatory role against as the main mode of action. Also, niosomal form of this combination was safe and demonstrated strong anti-leishmaniasis effects highlights further therapeutic approaches against anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in future planning.
Background and Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) questionnaire. ...Because cochlear implantation is done today at younger ages, the use of a suitable questionnaire is necessary to evaluate auditory skills and follow up the rehabilitation progress.
Methods: IT-MAIS was translated according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation protocol. The content validity was performed using Lawshe method with the participation of 10 expert professionals. The questionnaire was completed for 34 parents of cochlear-implanted children before initial programming of the device, two weeks after the rehabilitation program, and finally three months later. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability for each IT-MAIS subscale. The internal consistency reliability was analyzed using the Cronbach α coefficient.
Results: The content validity ratio for all items was above 0.79, and the content validity index
Background and Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) questionnaire. Because cochlear implantation is done today at younger ages, the use of a suitable questionnaire is necessary to evaluate auditory skills and follow up the rehabilitation progress.
Methods: IT-MAIS was translated according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation protocol. The content validity was performed using Lawshe method with the participation of 10 expert professionals. The questionnaire was completed for 34 parents of cochlear-implanted children before initial programming of the device, two weeks after the rehabilitation program, and finally three months later. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability for each IT-MAIS subscale. The internal consistency reliability was analyzed using the Cronbach α coefficient.
Results: The content validity ratio for all items was above 0.79, and the content validity index was obtained to be higher than 0.96. The Cronbach α for the entire questionnaire was 0.74, and for different sections of it was obtained as 0.63‒0.67. A significant difference was observed between the total score of the questionnaire before and after the rehabilitation program and its sub-items (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the questionnaire of IT-MAIS is a valid instrument in terms of translation quality as well as reliability and validity for assessing cochlear implant user children who are younger than three years.
Background and Aim: Early communication skills in children with hearing loss depend on the quantity and quality of information received from parents. The present study aimed to investigate the ...effectiveness of early communication skills training in developing the communication skills of infants and toddlers with cochlear implants. Methods: To this end, 54 infants and toddlers at the age range of 8–24 months with sever to profound hearing loss fitted by Cochlear Implant (CI) with their mothers participated in this study. The experimental and wait list control groups had auditory verbal therapy as the main intervention after the CI; however, the experimental group received a systematic early communication skills program. All subjects were assessed using the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales Developmental Profile as the pre-and post-tests. Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated the effect of systematic training on the early communication development of subjects in intervention group. Conclusion: Teaching the parents how to interact with infants and toddlers with CI could improve the communication skills of the infants and therefore it’s recommended to be included in the auditory rehabilitation programs.
Objectives: Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children often have a negative attitude towards themselves. They are often negatively affected by these challenges and the failure of their ...children. Thus, their interaction with their children is negatively influenced. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of family-centered nature therapy on the interaction of parents with their children. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and a control group. Statistical population included all ASD children aged 3-7 years in Tehran city, Iran. A sample of 14 children with ASD were selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were non-randomly assigned into either the experimental or control groups. The necessary data were collected through Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) and the program of nature therapy developed on the basis of the current theoretical frameworks and research findings. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The obtained results suggested that the Mean±SD score of experimental group on PCRS after the treatment was 100.14±11.82. While the Mean±SD score of the control group was 84.14±3.93. Moreover, the results of the statistical tests revealed that the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant, indicating that the family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents’ interactions with their ASD children. In addition, the ANCOVA results indicated that the estimated F (13.32) was statistically significant at P=0.001, indicating that the treatment had a positive effect on the dependent variable. Discussion: Family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents’ relationship with their children. The ASD children had fewer conflicts with their parents, enjoyed a positive relationship with their parents, and showed lower dependence on their parents after receiving the treatment. Therefore, this therapy can be a complementary method along with other standard treatments received by ASD children. It is an effective, simple and readily accessible option to improve the interaction of parents with their ASD children.
Arithmetic knowledge has long been known as an essential factor for educational and vocational success. Aims: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a process-based Executive Function (EF) ...intervention program on the improvement of components of arithmetic. Methods and procedure: A goal-directed sampling method was applied in this study. Participants were assigned into active control and experimental groups. Semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and follow-up was utilized in this research. Participants were included in this study based on their WISC-IV and Key-Math test performance. 30 male students aged 8–10 years with a formal diagnosis of Developmental Dyscalculia (DD), selected from a learning disability center in Ahvaz, Iran, participated in the study. The pre-test took 1 month, the intervention including 17 sessions, took two months and the post-test took 1 month. All the students’ arithmetic knowledge were tested in pre-test, post-test, and 3 months after post-test to test the longevity of the intervention effects. Repeated measure Univariate Analysis of Variance was conducted in this study. Outcomes and results: The results indicate that the students who attended the intervention, outperformed control group in the components of factual and procedural arithmetic in post-test and follow-up, however; the performance of two groups in conceptual knowledge was not different. This study contributes to the emerging evidence that EF intervention may improve factual and procedural arithmetic knowledge in children with DD. Conclusions and implications: Process-based EF interventions can improve arithmetic knowledge of students with DD, which can contribute to the literature of this area
The current research helps cognitive science to present a more meticulous theoretical and conceptual pattern for EF components and math, using process-based EF intervention programs with arithmetic content. Furthermore, this research allows for specification of cognitive fundamentals of arithmetic development and understanding the mechanisms underlying the transfer effect of EF intervention to math. The findings of this research can contribute to evidence-based EF intervention studies and help educational psychologists in preparation of appropriate curricula based on the fundamental components of arithmetic development in preschool and primary school.
•Process-based executive function intervention improves procedural arithmetic knowledge in developmental dyscalculia.•Process-based EF intervention improves procedural arithmetic knowledge of children with DD.•Process-based executive function intervention yields far-transfer to arithmetic knowledge.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background and Aim: Clinicians and researchers always need standard measures for the evaluation of auditory perception and speech production in deaf children, particularly those with cochlear ...implants. This study addresses the reliability and validity of the Persian version of categorization of auditory performance (CAP) scale and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) in cochlear-implanted prelingual deaf children. Methods: A total of 92 cochlear-implanted deaf children aged 1.3-15.7 years participated in the study. Test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and criterion and construct validity of the scales were investigated. Results: The obtained test-retest reliability for categorization of the auditory performance scale and speech intelligibility rating was 0.82 and 0.99 (p<0.01), respectively, whereas the suggested inter-rater reliability based on average Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 0.73 and 0.70 for the two scales (p<0.01), which appear acceptable. The concurrent validity of the scales was 0.64 and 0.69 (p<0.01). The construct validity for categorization of the auditory performance scale ranged between 0.58 and 0.74 (p<0.01), whereas the same feature for the speech intelligibility rating indicated a range between 0.66 and 0.69 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings of this investigation indicated that both CAPII and SIR scales are reliable and valid instruments for the assessment of auditory perception and speech production of cochlear implant deaf children.
PDF
