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Pop songs are, in fact, an ideal source for incidental vocabulary learning because teenagers often spend large amounts of their free time listening to music and in particular to pop songs. Employing an experimental approach, this study attempted to investigate the role of pop songs on vocabulary recall, attitude and retention of Iranian advanced adult EFL learners based on their gender. In so doing a language placement test (Quick Oxford Placement Test) was administered to 100 male and female language learners studying English at different language institutes in Esfahan, Iran. Ultimately, 60 advanced learners (30 males-30 females) were selected by leaving out the students of other levels of proficiency and randomly divided into two relatively homogenous groups as musical and non-musical groups. While the students of musical group (=30) were taught the new vocabulary in the syllabus through 60 different pop songs chosen by themselves through a questionnaire, the students of the non-musical group (n = 30) were taught new vocabulary without using the songs. The participants were examined based on an English vocabulary test developed by the researchers, which probed into the learners' vocabulary recall. A questionnaire was also used to investigate the attitude of the learners towards the instruction. A month later the vocabulary test was re-administered as a delayed retention test and obtained data were statistically analyzed. The results of t-tests demonstrated that the musical group outscored the nonmusical group on vocabulary recall and retention. The results also showed the male learners perform better than the females.

This study investigated the different primary and secondary strategies the Iranian EFL students use in different situations and the effect of gender on this. A questionnaire was developed based on Sugimoto's (1995) to compare the apology strategies used by male and female students, only gender was examined as a variable. The results showed that the statement of remorse was the strategy most frequently used by male and female respondents across the sample and female participants used this strategy more frequently than male participants. Moreover the four primary strategies used by the male respondents were accounts, compensation reparation, negative assessment of responsibility (30%, 20%, 15%, 15%, respectively), while those used by female respondents were compensation, showing lack of intent to do harm, accounts, reparation (20%, 20%, 15%, 10%, respectively). Male respondents tended to use negative assessment of responsibility more than their female counterparts (15% and 5%, respectively). Female respondents used the strategy of promise not to repeat offense in 10% of the situations, while their male counterparts did not use this strategy at all.

It is widely agreed that much second language vocabulary learning occurs while the learner is attentively engaged in the process of reading and interpreting the texts encountered. It is also argued that to understand vocabulary learning linguists cannot limit the investigation of the process of vocabulary learning to word meaning (Gass, 1999). Since many questions remain unsettled in this domain, this study was conducted in the context of TEFL to investigate the effect of teaching vocabulary through its use in contexts in which learners have an interest versus contexts in which they are not that much interested. It, therefore, examines the impact(s) of contextual vocabulary learning and attempts to have a comparison of the effect(s) of the role of favored contexts as opposed to disfavored contexts. The experiment involved two groups of twenty-five male Iranian participants aged from 15 to 25 at the intermediate level in an Iranian English language institute. All things considered, a pretest-posttest control group design was determined to check the accuracy of the researchers' hypothesis in a short-term treatment through the application of reading comprehension tests (RCT). As a result, the overall findings support the initial idea that second language vocabulary acquisition (SLVA) is better achieved through the use of favored-contexts.

Objectives: Relapse is very much associated with the management of disorder during the treatment, but also many other factors could trigger it. The aim of this study was to explore classes and patterns of relapse risk in patients with schizophrenia of Razi Hospital. Methods: Using random sampling techniques, we recruited 300 participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in Razi hospital of Tehran (Iran) between January and May 2017 in a cross -sectional survey. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to establish a baseline model of risk profiles and to identify the optimal number of latent classes, and we used ordinal regression to identify factors associated with class membership. Results: Three classes of multiple relapse risk were identified. LCA showed that, overall, 52%, 22% and 26% of participants with schizophrenia were divided into class 1, class 2 and class 3, respectively. Compared to members in the lowest -risk class (reference group), the highest -risk class members had higher odds of being the age of disorder onset under 25 (OR = 1.4; CI: 1.42-2.33). Participants with schizophrenia who were unemployed were more likely to categorize in the highest -risk class than members of the low -risk class (OR = 2.5; CI: 1.44-4.1). Also, female patients were more likely to belong to members of the high -risk class than members of the low -risk class (OR = 2.22; CI: 1.74-7.64). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of having targeted prevention programs for all domains of Age of onset, female and unemployed related. So, current study suggested that interventions should focus on these risk factors. Furthermore, Increasing the Job opportunities for participants with schizophrenia is warranted so as to prevent of schizophrenia disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to latest available data there are more of 300,000 people injects drug users (PWID) in Iran. Objectives: In this study, we used a Blinder-Oaxaca (BO) decomposition to explore the relative contributions of inequality in utilization of NSPs and to decompose it to its determinants in Teheran. Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional survey using snowball sampling to recruit 500 PWID from June to July 2016 in Tehran. Participants were reported injecting drug use in the past month, were able to speak and comprehend Farsi enough to respond to survey questions, and were able to provide informed consent to complete the interview. We used a BO method to decompose the role of economic inequality on utilization of needle and syringe programs. Results: A total 520 of clients participated in the study of which data was fully complete for 500. The selected predictor variables (age, education level, marital status, homelessness, HIV risk perception, and HIV knowledge) together explain 54% (8.5% out of 16%) of total inequality in utilization of needle and syringe programs and the remaining 46% constitute the unexplained residual. HIV risk perception status contributed about 38% (3.3% out of 8.5%) to the total health inequality, followed by HIV knowledge (26%) and education level were contributed 20% each, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that contribution of economic inequalities in utilization of NSPs was primarily explained by the differential effects of HIV risk perception and HIV knowledge among PWID. Reducing HIV risk perception and increasing HIV knowledge might be essential to efforts to eliminate inequalities in access to NSPs among PWID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iran there are limited data regarding HIV risk perceptions among people who inject drugs (PWID). The objective of this study was to explore HIV risk perception and to examine factors associated with the perception of HIV risk among PWID in Iran. Methods: We surveyed 433 PWID in Kermanshah concerning demographic characteristics, sexual risk behaviors, HIV risk perception, and drug-related risk behaviors in the month prior to the study. Two classes of HIV risk perception (high vs. low) were identified. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with high HIV risk perception. Result: Of 433 PWID who participated in this study, 36% (95% confidence interval; CI95%: 25.3%, 42.2%) of participants reported high HIV risk perception. Methamphetamine use (adjusted odds ration; AOR = 3.7,p < 0.05), or use of multiple drugs at the same time (AOR = 1.7,p < 0.05) was associated with higher HIV risk perception. Moreover, PWID who were NSP users had 2.8 times the odds of high risk perception compared with non-Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) users (AOR = 2.8) . Conclusion: This study implies that initiating drug use at a younger age, using methamphetamine, polydrug use, and needle- and syringe-exchange program utilization were predictors of higher HIV risk perception among PWID in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Dyssynergic defecation disorder (DD) has recognized as the main factor for chronic functional constipation. This was a debilitating disease effective on diverse aspects of physical, psychological and social functions as well as patients' quality of life generally. Modern studies show positive impact of biofeedback therapy on dyssynergic defecation. This study was evaluated the efficacy of biofeedback on quality of life in patients with dyssynergic defecation. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients with dyssynergic defecation disorder visited tertiary care centers who were selected. Among them, 15 subjects underwent 8 biofeedback therapy sessions as experimental group and remaining subjects were placed into control group without biofeedback intervention. Both groups participated in pre-test and post-test of 36-item short form survey (SF-36) of quality of life. Data were analyzed and compared by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Findings shows that biofeedback therapy was effective on quality of life patients with dyssynergic defecation (p= 0.001) Also, index effect suggested that 53% increased of QOL patients with dyssynergic defecation in experimental group can be related to biofeedback therapy. Also in 8 cases, results indicated that biofeedback therapy was effect on quality of life in patients with DD (p<0.05). Conclusion: Given the results in this study, biofeedback is a long-term effective method to treat with limited side effects in dyssynergic defecation and patients QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Therapeutic interventions can be classified into two distinct approaches: abstinent and maintenance method. Currently, there are no clear criteria for referring addicted patients to one of these modalities. We aimed to compare the personality characteristics of individuals with addiction who attended narcotics anonymous sessions with those who received methadone maintenance therapy. Methods: This was a cross- sectional study. The participants were NA members and patients who were undergoing methadone maintenance treatment in outpatient clinics. Using the randomized cluster sampling method, 200 individuals with opioid dependence were selected (each group 100 persons). Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and the five-factor personality inventory (NEO-FFI). Comparison of the mean scores of NEO-PPI in the two groups was performed by independent t test, and qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: We found a significant difference between the MMT and NA groups with respect to neuroticism, extroversion, and agreeableness. No significant difference was found in the subscales of conscientious and openness. Conclusion: People who regularly attended the NA sessions had lower neuroticism and higher agreeableness than patients who were under the maintenance modality. Whether this is the cause or effect of attending NA sessions requires future large-scale cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Sexual dysfunction is common in chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sexual function is an important aspect of quality of life. The present study seeks to determine the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 47 female patients with IBS who referred to the one of gastroenterologist clinics in Tehran and gastroenterologist clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital, selected via the available sampling method. Patients completed the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality Of Life questionnaire (IBS-QOL) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation models. Results: According to the IBS-QOL, patients' mean score for quality of life(121.9) was poor. The FSFI mean score was indicative of sexual dysfunction. We observed a significant correlation between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS (p<0.05). There was a significant correlation between dyspareunia and quality of life in patients with IBS (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the presence of a relationship between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS. Therefore appropriate strategies for education and counseling should be adopted, as well as referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist for sexual health promotion to improve the quality of life in patients with IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system that presents with special gastrointestinal signs and lack of an organic etiology. Quality of life (QOL) is one of the most important outcomes of IBS. Several psychological factors are mentioned as effective in determining QOL in IBS patients. The goal of this study is to determined the relationship between illness perception and QOL in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 96 patients, 40 males(41.7%) and 56 females(58.3%) who referred to the gastroenterology clinics of Imam Khomeini and Laleh hospitals from September to December 2012 Tehran, Iran. Participants completed a Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief- IPQ) and an IBS-specific QOL (IBS-QOL-34) questionnaire. Information collected by the questionnaire swereanalyzed with Pearson'scorrelation and regression analysis. Results: Results of the analysis performed by Pearson's correlation showed a significant association between patient's illness perception and QOL among those with IBS. Among the subscales of illness perception, the Consequence (p<0.01, r=0.63), Emotion (p<0.01, r=0.55), Concern (p<0.01, r=0.31), Timeline (p<0.01, r=0.30), and Identity (p<0.01, r=0.20) subscales showed the most significant correlation with QOL. There was no relation observed between Illness Comprehensibility, Treatment Control, and Personal Control subscales with QOL. Conclusion: Patient's illness perception seems to play a role in determining QOL among IBS suffers. Therefore psychological intervention based on the patient's illness perception is recommended for IBS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Quality of life is a main outcome in psychosomatic disorders. Several psychological factors are mentioned for predicting the quality of life in patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between type D personality and quality of life in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 90 (52 women) IBS patients who referred to the gastroenterology clinics of Imam Khomeini and Laleh hospitals from September to December 2012. We used the Type D Personality and IBS Quality of Life questionnaires to evaluate patients. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multi-variable regression models. Results: Overall, 61% of patients were H. pylori positive. The mean anti-Thyroid peroxidase level in the H. pylori positive group We observed a relationship between type D personality and quality of life in patients with IBS (r=0.504, p<0.01). The results showed a 26% variation in quality of life predicted by type D personality (p<0.01, R²=.26). Conclusion: According to the results, type D personality is one of the predictors of quality of life in patients with IBS. Therefore, it is important to consider psychological factors when choosing the appropriate treatment for IBS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the quality of life of hematological malignancy patients with major depressive disorder or subsyndromal depression. Method: Sample consisted of 93 hematological malignancy patients recruited from oncology ward of Valieasr hospital for Imam Khomeini complex hospital at Tehran through purposeful sampling. Participants were divided into three groups through diagnostic interview based on DSM-IV-TR criteria and the Beck Depression Inventory-2 (BDI-II): Major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 41; 44.1%); subsyndromal depression (SSD) (« = 23; 24.7%), and without depression (WD) (n = 29; 31.2%). Participants completed the short-form health survey (SF-36) as a measure of the quality of life. We carried out an analysis of covariance to examine the collected data. Results: Findings showed that there was not a significant difference between patients with MDD and SSD based on measure of quality of life. But patients with MDD and SSD showed significantly worse quality of life than patients with WD. This finding highlights the clinical importance of subsyndromal depressive symptoms and casts doubt on the clinical utility of separation between MDD and subsyndromal depression in terms of important clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this clinical trial, we studied the effects of adjunctive treatment with gabapentin in controlling the symptoms of acute mania in patients admitted with bipolar disorder. Method: Sixty patients with bipolar dis- order (30 men and 30 women) admitted in the acute phase of mania were categorized as case and control groups, each holding 30 patients. Both groups were treated with lithium for 6 weeks and the case group received an adjunctive treatment with 900 mg gabapentin simultaneously. All patients were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the trial using Young's Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and two groups were compared for improvement in acute symptoms. Findings: The final score of YMRS was significantly improved in the case group compared to the control group (p = 0.00). The improvement of YMRS score was not significantly different between men and women and between different age groups. Conclusion: Adjunctive treatment with gabapentin is effective for controlling symptoms of acute mania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Whereas (GCC)-repeats are overrepresented in genic regions, and mutation hotspots, they are largely unexplored with regard to their link with natural selection. Across numerous primate species and tissues, SMAD9 (SMAD Family Member 9) reaches highest level of expression in the human brain. This gene contains a (GCC)-repeat in the interval between + 1 and + 60 of the transcription start site, which is in the high-ranking (GCC)-repeats with respect to length., Methods: Here we sequenced this (GCC)-repeat in 396 Iranian individuals, consisting of late-onset neurocognitive disorder (NCD) (N = 181) and controls (N = 215)., Results: We detected two predominantly abundant alleles of 7 and 9 repeats, forming 96.2% of the allele pool. The (GCC)7/(GCC)9 ratio was in the reverse order in the NCD group versus controls (p = 0.005), resulting from excess of (GCC)7 in the NCD group (p = 0.003) and (GCC)9 in the controls (p = 0.01). Five genotypes, predominantly consisting of (GCC)7 and lacking (GCC)9 were detected in the NCD group only (p = 0.008). The patients harboring those genotypes received the diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Five genotypes consisting of (GCC)9 and lacking (GCC)7 were detected in the control group only (p = 0.002). The group-specific genotypes formed approximately 4% of the genotype pool in the human samples studied., Conclusion: We propose natural selection and a novel locus for late-onset AD and VD at the SMAD9 (GCC)-repeat in humans., (© 2024. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a noninvasive technique used in different medical fields. It has been applied in different medical areas such as wound healing, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disorders, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, pain, and arthritis, with different results. We studied the effectiveness of LLLT on cognitive impairment in patients with chronic schizophrenia. A randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial was performed in a men's chronic treatment center, in Razi Psychiatric Hospital, in Tehran, Iran. We screened the cognitive impairment by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was also used to assess the patients' positive and negative symptoms. Seventeen consenting patients were randomly allocated to the treatment arm, and 15 to the sham treatment control arm. The mean age of the control and treated patients was 49.47 ± 6.99 and 50.24 ± 7.69, respectively. No significant difference in PANSS and MMSE test scores was detected in both groups after the 6th session and after 2 months of follow-up after laser therapy. The positive and negative scales and agitation and excitement levels did not change significantly in either group. Nevertheless, the depression/anxiety subscale in the PANSS test showed a significant reduction after 6 sessions but did not persist after 2 months. No improvement in cognitive impairment or the positive and negative symptoms was detected after LLLT in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Trial registration: IRCT 20210520051349N1., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Psychiatric patients who live in psychiatric residential care homes may often feel a loss of autonomy, decision making, and participation in social activities. They usually have few or no visitors and also do not have any purpose for living. Animals may increase the happiness and quality of life of psychiatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on happiness and quality of life of chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran., Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 males with a chronic psychiatric disorder who were living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The patients were randomly selected and divided into animal therapy intervention group and control group. Patients in the intervention group received animal-therapy with a bird for eight weeks. Patients in the control group received no intervention. The Oxford Happiness Inventory evaluated all patients pre and post-intervention. To evaluate life quality, the Wisconsin Quality of Life Index was used. Data were statically analyzed using SPSS Ver.19.0. ANCOVA with pretest statistical control. The significance level was set as p < 0.05., Results: The mean age in both control and intervention groups were 47.12 and 45.82 years, and the mean age of illness onset for both control and intervention groups was 18.94 and 16.83 years, respectively. The result of this study showed that happiness in the intervention group had significantly increased (p < 0.001). The results also showed that the quality of life in four sub-domains increased significantly., Conclusion: To bring happiness to chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes is essential and may result in returning them to society and healthy life. The results of this study showed that AAT was helpful for chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes and not only made them happy but also increased their quality of life., Trial Registration: This was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (clinical trial code: IRCT20101013004922N4. Registered 2018-08-19. Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/32390.