Social perception of robots is shaped by beliefs about their minds.

Roboticists often imbue robots with human-like physical features to increase the likelihood that they are afforded benefits known to be associated with anthropomorphism. Similarly, deepfakes often employ computer-generated human faces to attempt to create convincing simulacra of actual humans. In the present work, we investigate whether perceivers' higher-order beliefs about faces (i.e., whether they represent actual people or android robots) modulate the extent to which perceivers deploy face-typical processing for social stimuli. Past work has shown that perceivers' recognition performance is more impacted by the inversion of faces than objects, thus highlighting that faces are processed holistically (i.e., as Gestalt), whereas objects engage feature-based processing. Here, we use an inversion task to examine whether face-typical processing is attenuated when actual human faces are labeled as non-human (i.e., android robot). This allows us to employ a task shown to be differentially sensitive to social (i.e., faces) and non-social (i.e., objects) stimuli while also randomly assigning face stimuli to seem real or fake. The results show smaller inversion effects when face stimuli were believed to represent android robots compared to when they were believed to represent humans. This suggests that robots strongly resembling humans may still fail to be perceived as "social" due pre-existing beliefs about their mechanistic nature. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed.

Perceptual discrimination in the face perception of robots is attenuated compared to humans.

When interacting with groups of robots, we tend to perceive them as a homogenous group where all group members have similar capabilities. This overgeneralization of capabilities is potentially due to a lack of perceptual experience with robots or a lack of motivation to see them as individuals (i.e., individuation). This can undermine trust and performance in human-robot teams. One way to overcome this issue is by designing robots that can be individuated such that each team member can be provided tasks based on its actual skills. In two experiments, we examine if humans can effectively individuate robots: Experiment 1 (n = 225) investigates how individuation performance of robot stimuli compares to that of human stimuli that either belong to a social ingroup or outgroup. Experiment 2 (n = 177) examines to what extent robots' physical human-likeness (high versus low) affects individuation performance. Results show that although humans are able to individuate robots, they seem to individuate them to a lesser extent than both ingroup and outgroup human stimuli (Experiment 1). Furthermore, robots that are physically more humanlike are initially individuated better compared to robots that are physically less humanlike; this effect, however, diminishes over the course of the experiment, suggesting that the individuation of robots can be learned quite quickly (Experiment 2). Whether differences in individuation performance with robot versus human stimuli is primarily due to a reduced perceptual experience with robot stimuli or due to motivational aspects (i.e., robots as potential social outgroup) should be examined in future studies.

Group trust dynamics during a risky driving experience in a Tesla Model X.

The growing concern about the risk and safety of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has made it vital to understand driver trust and behavior when operating AVs. While research has uncovered human factors and design issues based on individual driver performance, there remains a lack of insight into how trust in automation evolves in groups of people who face risk and uncertainty while traveling in AVs. To this end, we conducted a naturalistic experiment with groups of participants who were encouraged to engage in conversation while riding a Tesla Model X on campus roads. Our methodology was uniquely suited to uncover these issues through naturalistic interaction by groups in the face of a risky driving context. Conversations were analyzed, revealing several themes pertaining to trust in automation: (1) collective risk perception, (2) experimenting with automation, (3) group sense-making, (4) human-automation interaction issues, and (5) benefits of automation. Our findings highlight the untested and experimental nature of AVs and confirm serious concerns about the safety and readiness of this technology for on-road use. The process of determining appropriate trust and reliance in AVs will therefore be essential for drivers and passengers to ensure the safe use of this experimental and continuously changing technology. Revealing insights into social group-vehicle interaction, our results speak to the potential dangers and ethical challenges with AVs as well as provide theoretical insights on group trust processes with advanced technology.

Robots engage face-processing less strongly than humans.

Robot faces often differ from human faces in terms of their facial features (e.g., lack of eyebrows) and spatial relationships between these features (e.g., disproportionately large eyes), which can influence the degree to which social brain [i.e., Fusiform Face Area (FFA), Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS); Haxby et al., 2000] areas process them as social individuals that can be discriminated from other agents in terms of their perceptual features and person attributes. Of interest in this work is whether robot stimuli are processed in a less social manner than human stimuli. If true, this could undermine human-robot interactions (HRIs) because human partners could potentially fail to perceive robots as individual agents with unique features and capabilities-a phenomenon known as outgroup homogeneity-potentially leading to miscalibration of trust and errors in allocation of task responsibilities. In this experiment, we use the face inversion paradigm (as a proxy for neural activation in social brain areas) to examine whether face processing differs between human and robot face stimuli: if robot faces are perceived as less face-like than human-faces, the difference in recognition performance for faces presented upright compared to upside down (i.e., inversion effect) should be less pronounced for robot faces than human faces. The results demonstrate a reduced face inversion effect with robot vs. human faces, supporting the hypothesis that robot faces are processed in a less face-like manner. This suggests that roboticists should attend carefully to the design of robot faces and evaluate them based on their ability to engage face-typical processes. Specific design recommendations on how to accomplish this goal are provided in the discussion.

A novel homozygous variant in an Iranian pedigree with cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation, and dysequilibrium syndrome type 4.

BACKGROUND: Cerebellar ataxia, mental retardation, and dysequilibrium (CAMRQ) syndrome is a rare and early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder. Four subtypes of this syndrome have been identified, which are clinically and genetically different. To date, altogether 32 patients have been described with ATP8A2 mutations and phenotypic features assigned to CAMRQ type 4. Herein, three additional patients in an Iranian consanguineous family with non-progressive cerebellar ataxia, severe hypotonia, intellectual disability, dysarthria, and cerebellar atrophy have been identified. METHODS: Following the thorough clinical examination, consecutive detections including chromosome karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis, and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed on the proband. The sequence variants derived from WES interpreted by a standard bioinformatics pipeline. Pathogenicity assessment of candidate variant was done by in silico analysis. The familial cosegregation of the WES finding was carried out by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A novel homozygous missense variant (c.1339G > A, p.Gly447Arg) in the ATP8A2 gene was identified and completely segregated with the phenotype in the family. In silico analysis and structural modeling revealed that the p.G477R substitution is deleterious and induced undesired effects on the protein stability and residue distribution in the ligand-binding pocket. The novel sequence variant occurred within an extremely conserved subregion of the ATP-binding domain. CONCLUSION: Our findings expand the spectrum of ATP8A2 mutations and confirm the reported genotype-phenotype correlation. These results could improve genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in families with clinical presentations related to CAMRQ4 syndrome.

Pediatric allergic fungal rhinosinusitis with extensive intracranial extension - Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last two decades, allergic fungal sinusitis (AFRS) has become increasingly common. It's defined as a noninvasive, benign inflammatory fungal disease of the sinuses which develops in young adults and adolescents. Patients often complain of symptoms like nasal obstruction, congestion, purulent or clear rhinorrhea, anosmia, and headache. The cases are also presenting clinically with symptoms like epiphora and eye discharge as a result of nasolacrimal gland obstruction. In this article, we will review a unique case of AFRS, in an adolescent male. The case was diagnosed with intracranial extradural extension. CASE REPORT: A 15 years old male with AFRS was diagnosed and managed. The case was diagnosed to have allergic fungal sinusitis based on Bent and Khun diagnostic criteria, presented with intracranial extradural extension. DISCUSSION: In our case, there were no irreversible complications except a recurrent polyp. The case was mainly complaining of long-standing nasal discharge and on-off headache with no orbital complaint and no other neurological signs. This shows a presentation of the fungal sinusitis and the need for aggressive intervention for AFRS both medically and surgically for pediatric patients as well. CONCLUSION: To conclude, despite AFRS being categorized as a benign, non-invasive disease, its presentation can range from simple nasal obstruction to signs and symptoms of intraorbital and/or intracranial complications; with pediatric cases being very aggressive. Careful clinical evaluation, detailed histopathological examination, navigation assisted endoscopic sinus surgery followed by steroid treatment, and a lifelong follow up to manage the recurrence.

Pre-exposure to Ambiguous Faces Modulates Top-Down Control of Attentional Orienting to Counterpredictive Gaze Cues.

Understanding and reacting to others' nonverbal social signals, such as changes in gaze direction (i.e., gaze cue), are essential for social interactions, as it is important for processes such as joint attention and mentalizing. Although attentional orienting in response to gaze cues has a strong reflexive component, accumulating evidence shows that it can be top-down controlled by context information regarding the signals' social relevance. For example, when a gazer is believed to be an entity "with a mind" (i.e., mind perception), people exert more top-down control on attention orienting. Although increasing an agent's physical human-likeness can enhance mind perception, it could have negative consequences on top-down control of social attention when a gazer's physical appearance is categorically ambiguous (i.e., difficult to categorize as human or nonhuman), as resolving this ambiguity would require using cognitive resources that otherwise could be used to top-down control attention orienting. To examine this question, we used mouse-tracking to explore if categorically ambiguous agents are associated with increased processing costs (Experiment 1), whether categorically ambiguous stimuli negatively impact top-down control of social attention (Experiment 2), and if resolving the conflict related to the agent's categorical ambiguity (using exposure) would restore top-down control to orient attention (Experiment 3). The findings suggest that categorically ambiguous stimuli are associated with cognitive conflict, which negatively impact the ability to exert top-down control on attentional orienting in a counterpredicitive gaze-cueing paradigm; this negative impact, however, is attenuated when being pre-exposed to the stimuli prior to the gaze-cueing task. Taken together, these findings suggest that manipulating physical human-likeness is a powerful way to affect mind perception in human-robot interaction (HRI) but has a diminishing returns effect on social attention when it is categorically ambiguous due to drainage of cognitive resources and impairment of top-down control.

The first report of two homozygous sequence variants in FKRP and SELENON genes associated with syndromic congenital muscular dystrophy in Iran: Further expansion of the clinical phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) refers to hypotonia and delayed motor development that is manifested at or near the birth. Additional presentations have been observed in CMD syndromes. METHODS: Thorough clinical examinations were performed on two unrelated Iranian families with typical symptoms of CMD and uncommon features such as intellectual disability and nephrolithiasis. The genomic DNA of probands were subjected to whole exome sequencing. Following the detection of candidate variants with a bioinformatic pipeline, the familial co-segregation analysis was carried out using polymerase chain reaction-based Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: We identified a missense homozygous variant in the fukutin-related protein (FKRP) gene (c.968G>A, p.Arg323His) related to CMD-dystroglycanopathy type B5 (MDDGB5) and a frameshift homozygous variant in the selenoprotein N (SELENON) gene (c.1446delC, p.Asn483Thrfs*11) associated with congenital rigid-spine muscular dystrophy 1 (RSMD1), which were completely segregated with the phenotypes in the families. These variants were not found in either the 1000 Genomes Project or the Exome Aggregation Consortium. The present study provides the first report of these homozygous sequence variants in Iran. Moreover, our study was the first observation of nephrolithiasis in FKRP-related dystroglycanopathy and intellectual disability in SELENON-related myopathies. Based on in silico studies and molecular docking, these variations induced pathogenic effects on the proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend the genetic database of Iranian patients with CMD and, in general, the phenotypical spectrum of syndromic CMD. It is recommended to consider these variants for a more accurate clinical interpretation, prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in families with a history of CMD, especially in those combined with cognitive impairments or renal dysfunctions.

A novel taxane, difluorovinyl-ortataxel, effectively overcomes paclitaxel-resistance in breast cancer cells.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is widely used to treat breast and ovarian cancers, but innate and acquired resistance often compromises its applications. The objective of this study was to screen new-generation taxanes for their efficiency against both PTX-sensitive and PTX-resistant breast cancer cells. From twelve compounds, difluorovinyl-ortataxel (DFV-OTX) displayed potent cytotoxic activities against both PTX-sensitive and PTX-resistant breast cancer cells. Moreover, DFV-OTX effectively induced tubulin/microtubule polymerization and G2/M phase arrest, leading to apoptosis in both PTX-sensitive and PTX-resistant cancer cells. Molecular docking analysis showed that DFV-OTX possesses unique hydrogen-bonding and van der Waals interactions with ß-tubulin. LC-MS/MS analysis also demonstrated that the intracellular drug amount of DFV-OTX was lower than that of PTX, which would be critical to overcome PTX-resistance. Furthermore, DFV-OTX exhibited clear efficacy in the MCF-7R and MDA-MB-231R tumor xenografts in mouse models. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the novel taxane, DFV-OTX, can effectively overcome PTX-resistance in MDA-MB-231R cells, wherein the drug resistance was attributed to ABCB1/ABCG2 upregulation and a distinct mode of action in MCF-7R cells. Our results strongly indicate that DFV-OTX is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of PTX-resistant cancers.

Bilateral simultaneous sino-nasal inverted papilloma; A report of two cases and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Inverted Papilloma is a benign sinonasal tumor with a high recurrence rate and potential for malignant transformation, it typically presents as an obstructing unilateral nasal mass, atypical presentations include bilateral involvement which occurs in up to 5 % of cases. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present two different cases of bilateral inverted papilloma, both presented complaining of bilateral nasal obstruction, the second case also had associated nasal polyposis and history of multiple previous endoscopic sinus surgeries, both cases were managed with endoscopic medial maxillectomy and tumor removal, with no signs of recurrence on follow up. CONCLUSION: Bilateral involvement is an uncommon, atypical presentation of inverted papilloma, endoscopic surgery is a safe, reliable approach and it is the mainstay of treatment, regular endoscopic and clinical follow up is important for detection of recurrence.

Eleven-year surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in southwestern Iran.

Momen AA, Shakurnia A, Momen M. Eleven-year surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in southwestern Iran. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 544-551. The purpose of the study was to report the results of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in the southwestern Iran in the 11 years' period. This is a retrospective descriptive study based on WHO guidelines. The collected data includes all pediatric AFP cases reported between of January 2006 to December 2016 by all health centers of Khuzestan province in Southwest of Iran. During an eleven-year period, 274 cases of AFP were reported in Khuzestan Province. Among them, 56.9% were younger than five years of age, and 55.9% were male. None of these cases was confirmed as poliomyelitis. The annual incidence of non-polio AFP ranged from 1.46/100,000 to 3.11/100,000 (Mean: 2.04 cases/100,000). The incidence rate of AFP in children under five years of age was significantly higher compared to older children (p=0.001), and the most common cause of paralysis (74.5%) was Guillain-Barre syndrome. All performance indicators met the WHO-specified targets. The follow-up of patients with AFP is essential to the eradication of poliomyelitis.

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in survival of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent type of cancers in the world. Due to its relatively high rate of recurrence, the prognosis of patients is poor and the survival rate is low; therefore, identifying the prognostic factors is considered necessary for better treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This historical cohort study was conducted on 201 patients diagnosed with aerodigestive SCC who underwent surgery and lymph node dissection. We determined the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional failure-free survival (LFFS). We noticed an association between LNR and survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) of LNR was determined by Cox's regression model. RESULTS: Two hundred and one patients entered this study after their medical histories were evaluated. The mean of lymph node count and LNR was 14.30 (±9.50) and 0.12 (±0.23), respectively. Eighty patients (39.80%) experienced recurrence of SCC. Five-year OS, DFS, and LFFS were 32%, 21%, and 64%, respectively. The median of OS was 40.70 months and 30.11 months in patients with LNR of ≤0.06 and >0.06, respectively (P < 0.01). The LNR >0.06 was found to be a significant prognostic factor for lower OS of patients with HNSCC (HR = 2.11 [1.10, 4.40]; P = 0.04). DFS was not significantly different among patients with LNR ≤0.06 and patients with LNR >0.06 (P = 0.9). However, LFFS was slightly different among two groups (HR = 2.04 [0.90-4.80]; P < 0.1). CONCLUSION: We recommend more intensive adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy with radiotherapy and short interval follow-up for patients with LNR >0.06. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are recommended.

The Epidemiology of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Children under 15 Years Old in Southwest Iran.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy, which has become the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. An accurate estimation of GBS occurrence would be useful for investigating the potential causal relationships between risk factors and GBS. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence, annual time trend, and some epidemiological aspects of GBS in children in the Southwest of Iran. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from January 2006 to December 2015. We extracted data from the national database of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance System. RESULTS: A total of 184 subjects with GBS were assessed. The mean age of subjects was 5.43 ± 4.07 years. The average annual incidence rate of GBS was 1.51 per 100,000 children under 15 years old (95% CI: 1.29-1.73). There was no significant statistical difference in GBS incidence rate between girls and boys (p = 0.376). The highest and lowest proportions of the GBS occurrences were in autumn (32.2%) and summer (14.7%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that the annual incidence rate of GBS in this study was similar to those in other studies in this area.

Evaluation of Hospitalized Intractable Epileptic Children with SPECT Scan in Ahvaz, South West of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Seizures are the most frequent neurologic disorder seen in childhood. Epilepsy is a group of disorders that includes an abnormally increased susceptibility to seizures. AIM: To examine the effectiveness of SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) in detecting seizure foci in 21 Iranian children who had medically refractory epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children between 2 to 15 years of age with uncontrolled seizures were investigated using SPECT scan as a standardized protocol. RESULTS: In 16 cases (76.2%), likely seizure foci were evident, as were seen in the form of decreased regional blood flow, while in 5 cases (23.8%), SPECT scan results were normal. Left temporal lobe was the most common area which had decreased regional blood flow. CONCLUSION: SPECT scan can potentially be used to investigate children with uncontrolled seizures.

An epidemiological analysis of acute flaccid paralysis in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran, from 2006 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES: Investigations into the epidemiology of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) are an essential strategic component of the Global Poliomyelitis Eradication Initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), and are part of the certification process for polio eradication worldwide. This is an epidemiological report of AFP incidence in children less than 15 years old in southwest Iran. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, carried out based on WHO guidelines, in which we reviewed non-polio AFP cases recorded from January 2006 to December 2010 in different regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran. In this study, the records of all children under 15 years old with AFP were evaluated. RESULTS: During a 5-year period, 137 cases of AFP were reported (incidence rate, 2.21 per 100,000 children <15 years old). More than 50% (73 of 137) of the cases were boys, and 52.6% (72 of 137) were under 5 years of age, with a mean age of 5.39±3.98 years. The incidence of AFP was significantly higher in older children (p=0.001). The most common cause of paralysis was Guillain-Barré syndrome (117 of 137). None of the cases were diagnosed with acute poliomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that the incidence rate of AFP in the region was almost in agreement with the expected incidence of AFP in children less than 15 years old; therefore, the AFP surveillance program in Khuzestan Province is satisfactory in terms of reliability and effectiveness. Nevertheless, routine vaccination against polio and ensuring that patients with AFP receive follow-up are essential for eradicating polio.

Double Cortex Syndrome (Subcortical Band Heterotopia): A Case Report.

Objective Approximately 5-10% of preschool age children are considered developmentally disabled. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a key role in the diagnostic evaluation in these children. Many congenital or acquired brain anomalies are revealed with MRIs. Although the majority of these abnormalities are sporadic but patients with subcortical band heterotopia or double cortex syndrome have sex-linked inheritance. We are going to present the first case in Iran from Ahvaz city, which was presented with status epilepticus associated with developmental delay and finally diagnosed as double cortex syndrome, because band heterotopia cases especially for continuous or generalized form is rare. A 4.5-year-old developmentally delayed girl was admitted for generalized tonic clonic seizure attack of 1 hr, upward gaze, locked mouth, and urinary incontinence (status epilepticus) in the child neurology ward. She had a history of recurrent seizures that started as febrile seizures since she was 12 months of age and had frequent admissions for having recurrent seizure attacks. She was the only child of consanguineous parents with negative family history of any neurologic problems. She was a product of uneventful term pregnancy, vaginal delivery with a low Apgar score at birth who was admitted for six days in the neonatal ward for hypotonia and cyanosis. At 4.5 years of age, she had HC: 45cm (<3%) Length: 102 cm (25-75%), and BW: 18kg (75%). She was able to sit, walk with support, speak a few words, and communicate with others. A physical exam was unremarkable. Lab data including CBC, blood biochemical, and urinalysis results were all within normal limits, but the electroencephalography (EEG) revealed generalized poly spike-wave discharges. A brain MRI showed corpus callosal dysplasia, generalized band heterotopia, and polymicrogyria. She was discharged home with oral valproate and regular outpatient follow-ups. In the diagnostic evaluation of developmentally delayed and epileptic children, a brain MRI is strongly recommended for accurate diagnosis of anomalies such as neuronal migration disorders (band heterotopia) and others, because appropriate therapeutic management, prognosis, prevention, and genetic counseling for prenatal diagnosis are dependent on definite diagnosis of the proband case.

Usability of the head upright tilt test for differentiating between syncopal and seizure-like events in children.

The common diagnosis of loss of consciousness and clonic movements in children is seizure or epilepsy, but in a number of patients these symptoms could also be due to syncope. Over interpreted electroencephalography is misleading in a number of patients; therefore, in addition to a detailed and thorough history, a reliable test is needed to differentiate between these conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of the head upright tilt test to differentiate between seizure-like events and syncope in children. A chart review descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary medical center in Ahvaz, Iran. We selected sixteen children (nine boys and seven girls) with convulsions of any type who were first diagnosed as epileptic based on the event description by their parents or caregivers to undergo the head upright tilt test. The main findings were the reproduction of previously presyncopal or syncopal symptoms in the tilted position. Fourteen children showed positive results after conducting the head upright tilt test, and their heart rates were significantly decreased compared to baseline at the onset of the syncopal or presyncopal manifestations. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in patients with positive results. In three children who initially had negative head upright tilt tests, intravenous isoproterenol was administered, and all three showed presyncopal and syncopal symptoms. The results indicate that the head upright tilt test could differentiate presyncopal and syncopal events in children who present with seizure-like movements but their history has clues for conclusive syncope.

Efficacy and safety of intramuscular midazolam versus rectal diazepam in controlling status epilepticus in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intramuscular midazolam in controlling convulsive status epilepticus in children, by comparing it with rectal diazepam. METHODS: In this randomized trial, 100 children (50 in each group) with convulsive status epilepticus aged 1 month to 16 years were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 0.3 mg/kg intramuscular midazolam or 0.5 mg/kg rectal diazepam. Main outcome measure was stopping of all motor activity after drug administration. Another measures were times between patient's arrival to emergency department till drug administration, between drug administration to seizure cessation, and between patient's arrival to seizure cessation. RESULTS: Both medication were effective for seizure control and no significant difference was found between successful treatments after administering the medication (P = 0.061). In the midazolam group, in 96% (48/50) of cases treatment was successful and in the diazepam group, in 94% (47/50) of cases treatment was successful. Time from arrival to administering the medication was significantly shorter in midazolam group (P = 0.017). The majority of seizures in midazolam group were stopped in less than 66 s (median) compared to 130 s (median) for diazepam group, (P < 0.001). No serious adverse effects were seen in both groups. CONCLUSION: IM midazolam is not superior but may be at least as effective as rectal diazepam for controlling of status epilepticus in children. Midazolam via IM route could be one of the choices in children with convulsive status seizures who have difficult IV access.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in developmentally delayed children.

Background. Developmental disorders are failure or inability to acquire various age-specific skills at expected maturational age, which affects about 5-10% of preschool children. One of the most important methods for evaluation of developmentally delayed children is neuroimaging, especially, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that provides useful information regarding brain tissue structures and anomalies. Method and Material. In this study, hospital records of 580 developmentally delayed children (aged 2 months to 15 years) who admitted in pediatric ward of Golestan Hospital from 1997 to 2009 were selected. Information such as age, MRI findings were collected in the questionnaire and statistically analyzed. Results. Total, 580 children including 333 males (57.4%) and 247 females (42.6%) were studied. Abnormal brain MRI was observed in 340 (58.6%) cases (204 Males, 136 females). The finding includes nonspecific in 38 (6.6%), congenital and developmental anomalies of brain in 39 (6.7%), recognizable syndromes in 3 (0.5%), neurovascular diseases or trauma in 218 (37.6%), and metabolic or neurodegenerative diseases in 42 (7.2%) cases. Conclusion. Because 60% of all study groups showed abnormal brain MRI, using this method could be effective in diagnosis, management, and almost prognosis determination processes.