Reliability and Validity of Persian Version of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Among High School Students.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y) among high school students. METHODS: A sample of 492 high school students in Kermanshah city, Iran were randomly selected via multistage sampling. They were asked to complete the STAI-Y and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to determine the correlation coefficients. Data analysis was performed via descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Cronbach's coefficient alpha, and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In the Persian version of STAI-Y, the Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was 0.886 for trait anxiety and 0.846 for state anxiety. The convergent validity between STAI-Y and BAI was 0.612 for trait anxiety and 0.643 for state anxiety (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The reliability, internal consistency, and validity of the Persian version of the STAI-Y is good among high school students in Kermanshah.

Low concentration of morphine protects against cell death, oxidative stress and calcium accumulation by nicotine in PC12 cells.

OBJECTIVE: Nicotine causes cell death in many cell lines. Morphine at low concentrations has protective effects against cell death. We investigated the effects of low concentration of morphine on nicotine-induced cell death in PC12 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PC12 are cells that grow in DMEM culture medium. Cell viability was detected by MTT test and cells cytotoxicity was measured by LDH test. The activity of caspase-3 was diagnosed by the caspase activity colorimetric assay kit, and detection of mitochondrial membrane potential was confirmed by rhodamine 123 and TUNEL test was performed for DNA fragmentation detection. The fura-2 AM and also rhod 2-AM was used for measurement of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) ic and mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) m and finally, measurement of antioxidant enzyme activities was assessed. RESULTS: The low concentration of morphine increased cell viability and suppressed cell cytotoxicity, cell death and the formation of mitochondrial membrane potential compared to nicotine treated cells.  It also reduced the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) ic and mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+)m concentration, respectively. CONCLUSION: Morphine as a pain reducer drug, in low concentrations, can protect PC12 cells from nicotine-induced cell death (Fig. 7, Ref. 59).

Adjuvant Rosa Damascena has a Small Effect on SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients Suffering from MDD.

BACKGROUND: Treating major depressive disorders (MDD) with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may impact negatively on sexual function. On the other hand, a satisfying sexual life is associated with overall life satisfaction. Therefore, managing this negative side effect of SSRIs may have an important role in the treatment of MDD. In a former study, adjuvant Rosa damascena oil improved sexual dysfunction in male patients suffering from both MDD and SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (SSRI-I SD). The aim of the present study was to test whether the same pattern of results would be observed among female patients suffering from both SSRI-I SD and MDD. METHOD: In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial, a total of 50 female patients (mean age: 34 years) treated with an SSRI and suffering from MDD and SSRI-I SD were randomly assigned either to the verum (Rosa damascena oil) or to the placebo condition. Patients completed self-ratings of depression and sexual function at baseline, 4 weeks later, and at the end of the study 8 weeks after its start. RESULTS: Sexual desire, sexual orgasms, and sexual satisfaction increased over time. Patients in the verum group reported decreased pain. Overall sexual score increased in the verum as compared to the placebo condition. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas in male patients suffering from both MDD and SSRI-I SD adjuvant Rosa damascena oil improved sexual function, data on female patients are less robust and suggest only modest effects on female sexual function.