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Spatial ability is known to have an important role in learning different skills in childhood and achieving success in specific professions. A vast majority of the studies on this topic have focused on adults, and few on in children. In this study, eight tasks were selected to assess eight factors of spatial ability and were modified to be suitable for children. Computerized versions of the tasks were designed and their reliability was measured. One-hundred and ten Iranian children aged 9 to 12 years old participated in the study. In order to assess the test-retest reliability, half of the participants were tested twice. Internal consistency reliability was calculated for some of the tasks. Intraclass correlation coefficients were obtained by test-retest reliability analysis for all tasks ranging from 0.689 to 0.997. The range of Cronbach's α coefficient was found to be between 0.335 and 0.784. The range of the ω coefficient was from 0.428 to 0.798. Each modified task had adequate reliability for assessing the respective spatial ability factors. This battery can help to identify the level of spatial performance in children.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the serious issues which has affected mental health in the world. One of the age groups whose learning processes are highly influenced by the pandemic are adolescents, especially those with low academic performance. Although there have always been problems in the learning process at schools prior to the pandemic, online learning systems have added more challenges to the educational system which results in poor academic performance in this group. Increased stress is among the negative consequence which in turn can affect well-being. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) affects well-being and perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The subjects were 30 adolescents with low academic who were chosen based on by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The research tools were the well-being, perceived stress questionnaires, and CBT. The experimental group received CBT intervention for 10 sessions, each for 120 minutes online, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed by the repeated measures analysis method. Results: Based on the obtained results, there was a significant effect of CBT on well-being and perceived stress in the experimental group. The finding indicated that CBT led to increasing wellbeing and reducing perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance (P ≤ 0.05). This effect impact was persisted following 3 months in the experimental group as well. Conclusions: Considering the effectiveness of mentioned therapy methods on adolescents with low academic performance, it is necessary to apply such a way to improve the well-being of adolescents and relieve their stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, which consequently leads to academic and mental improvement. Moreover, CBT is a feasible and acceptable intervention in adolescents with low academic performance.

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.

Working memory has a important role in the academic performance of the students with reading disability. However educational researchers have reported different results in the effectiveness of existing programs. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of working memory educational program on enhancing working memory performance of dyslexic students. This education considered both auditory and visual dimension. This study was Quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and fallow-up. The statistical population was all the primary school students with dyslexia who went to learning disorders centers in Tehran, 30 of them were selected by convenience sampling and were assigned by random in experimental and control groups. The experimental group experienced the working memory educational program in 24 sessions, 25 to 30minutes. Working Memory Test Battery for Children (Gathercole & Pickering, 2001) was taken before and after education and also two months after finishing the program it was taken for both experimental and control group. Multi-variable variance analysis with repeated measures were used for data analyzing. Results showed significant differences between experimental and control group in post-test and also stability of these differences in follow-up test. In conclusion effectiveness of working memory educational program for dyslexic children is determined in enhancing their ability of auditory and visual working memory.

The ongoing conventional drugs for leishmaniasis treatment are insufficient. The present study aimed to assess 6-gingerol alone and in combination with amphotericin B on Leishmania major stages using experimental and in vivo murine models. Here, arrays of experimental approaches were designed to monitor and evaluate the 6-gingerol potential therapeutic outcomes. The binding affinity of 6-gingerol and IFN-γ was the basis for docking conformations. 6-Gingerol combined with amphotericin B represented a safe mixture, extremely leishmanicidal, a potent antioxidant, induced a remarkable apoptotic index, significantly increased the expression of the Th1-related cytokines (IL-12p40, IFN-γ, and TNF- α), iNOS, and transcription factors (STAT1, c-Fos, and Elk-1). In contrast, the expression of the Th2-related cytokines was significantly downregulated (p < 0.001). This combination was also potent when the lesion appearance was evaluated following three weeks of treatment. The histopathological and immunohistochemical patterns of the murine model represented clusters of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes which compressed and deteriorated the macrophages harboring Leishman bodies. The primary mode of action of 6-gingerol and amphotericin B involved broad mechanistic insights providing a coherent basis for further clinical study as a potential drug candidate for CL. In conclusion, 6-gingerol with amphotericin B synergistically exerted anti-leishmanial activity in vitro and in vivo and potentiated macrophages' leishmanicidal activity, modulated Th1- and Th2-related phenotypes improved the histopathological changes in the BALB/c mice infected with L. major. They elevated the leukocyte infiltration into the lesions. Therefore, this combination should be considered for treating volunteer patients with CL in clinical studies.

Mathematics Learning Disorder (MLD) has been found to be related to impairments in cognitive functions. Spatial ability (SA), which is made up of eight single but unified elements can be assumed to have a leading part in different areas of math skills. The first objective of this study was to explore differences in SA factors in 128 school children of third to sixth grade with and without MLD. The Flexibility of Closure, Closure Speed, Perceptual Speed, Visualization, Spatial Relation, Spatial Orientation, Spatial Temporal, and Wayfinding were measured through eight tasks. The second objective of the study was to explore the SA factors' ability to predict the performance of MLD participants in three executive functions. The results revealed that participants with MLD had poorer performance in all the SA tasks and it took longer to finish the visualization, spatial relation, and spatial orientation tasks compared to children with typical development (TD). Regression analysis indicated that some of the SA factors could predict working memory and cognitive flexibility, but they were unable to predict response inhibition. Regarding these results, applying SA factors in cognitive rehabilitation programs of children with MLD seems necessary.

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.

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.

Friction stir processing is a novel material processing technique. In this study, neural network–based genetic optimization is applied to optimize the process performance in terms of post-friction stir processing mechanical properties of Al7075 alloy and the energy cost. At first, the experimental data regarding the properties (i.e. elongation, tensile strength and hardness) and the consumed electrical energy are obtained by conducting tests varying two process parameters, namely, feed rate and spindle speed. Then, a numerical model making use of empirical data and artificial neural networks is developed, and multiobjective multivariable genetic optimization is applied to find a trade-off among the performance measures of friction stir processing. For this purpose, the properties like elongation, tensile strength and hardness are maximized and the cost of consumed electrical energy is minimized. Finally, the optimization results are verified by conducting experiments. It is concluded that artificial neural network together with genetic algorithm can be successfully employed to optimize the performance of friction stir processing.

In the plant breeding cycle, the length of time from seed to seed is often a limiting factor in producing pure lines or recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The objective of this research was to accelerate the production of field pea RILs while maintaining the population size, through application of a technique referred to as ‘rapid generation technology’ (RGT). The effect of plant hormones and growth conditions were evaluated for two pea cultivars then the optimum combination was applied in the development of RILs from a cross between cultivars CDC Dakota and CDC Amarillo over seven generations. In an average of 33.4 d, 100% of plants flowered when the following conditions were applied in the final in vivo protocol: 0.6 μM flurprimidol, 266 plants per square meter, 20 h photoperiod, 21°C/16°C light/dark, hydroponic system with vermiculite substrate, scheduled fertilizer application, and 500 μM m−2 s−1 light intensity using T5 fluorescent bulbs. Seed setting occurred in 97.8% of plants per generation within 68.4 d. This approach was 30–45 d per generation faster than conventional single seed descent (SSD) methods. Therefore, RGT could increase plant generations per year using much less growth space compared to SSD, and in this way rapidly address new pulse breeding objectives using a fast (5.3 generations per year), reliable (97.9% survival rate), easy, and inexpensive (in vivo instead of in vitro) protocol.

The vasculo-toxic effect of meglumine antimoniate (MA) was confirmed in our previous investigation. The current study investigates the association of this effect with altered VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 expression. Additional mechanisms by which MA causes vascular toxicity are not clearly understood. We hypothesized that MA may alter normal expression of apoptotic genes and cause vascular toxicity. The current investigation was designed to address this issue using a chick embryo model. Fertile chicken eggs were treated with MA and the extra-embryonic membrane (EEM) vasculature was evaluated by morphometric, molecular and immunohistochemistry assays. The results showed that MA not only altered apoptotic gene expression, but that this alteration may disturb the normal development of the vascular network and cause embryo malformation. The relative expression level of the CASP3, CASP7, CASP9, APAF1, AIF1 and TP53 genes increased in drug-exposed EEMs. In addition, IHC assay confirmed the low expression BCL2 and increased expression of Bax, which are associated with a high rate of apoptosis. We suggest that induction of an apoptotic signaling pathway can lead to vascular defects during embryo development and the consecutive cascade of events can lead to the embryo malformation.

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

Developing appropriate curriculum for the education of hearing impairment student depends on identifying the needs of this group. The main purpose of the present study was to assess special needs for students with hearing impairment. The sample of the study consisted of 120 students enrolled at inclusive schools in Tehran, 65 males and 55 females. Who were selected randomly, according to a multistage Sampling method. A special needs scale was developed and used in assessing special needs for students. The investigator used the t-test to answer the research questions. The results indicated that the differences between all pairs of means for both male and female respondents were statistically non-significant. Differences between mean scores of students who used sign language and total communication were in favor of students who used total communication on the dimensions of communication needs, audiological rehabilitation needs, behavioral needs, and learning style needs.

Objective:This retrospective study compared the cochlear implantation outcomes of first- and second-generation deaf children.Methods:The study group consisted of seven deaf, cochlear-implanted children with deaf parents. An equal number of deaf children with normal-hearing parents were selected by matched sampling as a reference group. Participants were matched based on onset and severity of deafness, duration of deafness, age at cochlear implantation, duration of cochlear implantation, gender, and cochlear implant model. We used the Persian Auditory Perception Test for the Hearing Impaired, the Speech Intelligibility Rating scale, and the Sentence Imitation Test, in order to measure participants' speech perception, speech production and language development, respectively.Results:Both groups of children showed auditory and speech development. However, the second-generation deaf children (i.e. deaf children of deaf parents) exceeded the cochlear implantation performance of the deaf children with hearing parents.Conclusion:This study confirms that second-generation deaf children exceed deaf children of hearing parents in terms of cochlear implantation performance. Encouraging deaf children to communicate in sign language from a very early age, before cochlear implantation, appears to improve their ability to learn spoken language after cochlear implantation.

Waardenburg syndrome is an autosomal-dominant trait resulting from mutations occurring in different genes. It is often characterized by varying degrees of: congenital hearing loss; dystopia canthorum; synophrys; broad nasal root; depigmentation of hair (white forelock), skin or both; and heterochromic or hypochromic irides.A retrospective case study was done to assess speech perception, speech production, general intelligence and educational setting in six profoundly hearing-impaired children with Waardenburg syndrome (four with type I, one with type II and one with type III) ranging in age from two years to 14 years, seven months (mean = six years, six months). None of the patients had malformation of the cochlea and were implanted using Nucleus 22/24 and Med-el combi40+. Five out of the six cases were of average intelligence and one had a borderline intelligence quotient. The follow-up period ranged from one year, 10 months to six years, six months (mean = three years, six months) after implantation. The evaluation of auditory perception in patients was accomplished using the Persian Auditory Perception Test for the Hearing-Impaired, a Persian Spondee wordstest and the Categories of Auditory Performance Index. The Speech Intelligibility Rating test was used to evaluate speech production ability. All the patients’ speech perception and speech intelligibility capabilities improved considerably after receiving the implants, and they were able to be placed in regular educational settings. Patients used their cochlear-implant devices whenever awake, implying that they benefitted from the devices. We suggest that any further expansion of cochlear-implantation criteria in children include those with Waardenburg syndrome.

One of the most important factors in auditory speech perception of cochlear-implanted children is age. The goal of this study was to compare auditory speech perception among children implanted from 6 different age groups: 0 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9, 10 to 11, and >12 years. The subjects of this study were matched based on socioeconomic status, residual hearing before cochlear implantation, the kinds of cochlear implant device, speech processing strategy, communication mode after implantation, and primary language in family. All of them have used the device minimally for 2 years. The subjects were tested with a range of closed and open-set auditory speech perception tests, and the levels of auditory speech perception in different age groups were compared. Results showed that the children who received an implant at 0 to 3 years of age had maximum auditory speech perception. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:524-7.)

The main purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of social skills training program to mothers on improving social interact of cochlear implant children. In this experimental study, 8 mothers voluntarily participated in the study. First social skills rating scale (SSRS) Gresham & Elliott (1999) was utilized as pre-test and after training social skills related to children to mothers for 10 sessions SSRS was performed again as post-test and finally data was analyzed by means paired T-Test. Results show there is a significant difference between pre-test and post-test in social skills domain (t= -9/35, p

Objectives:To investigate the prevalence of mutations in the coding exon of the GJB2 gene in Iranian children with cochlear implants, and to compare the outcomes of auditory perception and speech production in cochlear-implanted children with and without GJB2 mutation.Materials and methods:One hundred and sixty-six prelingually deaf children who had undergone cochlear implantation at the Iranian Cochlear Implant Center, Tehran, were selected from a pool of 428 implanted children. The prevalence of GJB2 gene mutations was assessed using nested polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. To enable comparisons, we also identified 36 implanted children with non-GJB2 deafness. Patients' speech perception and speech production were assessed using the Categorization of Auditory Performance and Speech Intelligibility Rating scales.Results:Thirty-three of 166 probands (19.9 per cent) were found to have GJB2 deafness-causing allele variants and were diagnosed with DFNB1 deafness. Results also indicated a significant improvement in speech perception and production scores in both GJB2 and non-GJB2 patients over time.Conclusion:Children with GJB2-related deafness benefit from cochlear implantation to the same extent as those with non-GJB2-related deafness.

Jervell, Lange-Nielsen syndrome is a condition that causes profound hearing loss and disruption of the normal cardiac rhythm. This disorder is a form of long QT syndrome, a cardiac disorder that causes the cardiac muscle to take longer than usual to recharge between beats. A retrospective case study was performed to document cochlear implantation in three profoundly deaf children (two of them siblings) with Jervell, Lange-Nielsen syndrome. We discuss diagnosis and management of this syndrome and also the long-term performance of cochlear implantation in these Iranian patients, referring especially to the role of the ENT specialist in diagnosis and treatment. The collected data show that cochlear implantation can be relatively safely performed in patients with Jervell, Lange-Nielsen syndrome and that these children received significant benefit from cochlear implantation.

Objectives: We aimed to identify the frequency with which the following conditions were present as a second disability in cochlear-implanted, prelingually deaf persons: mild and moderate mental retardation; learning disability; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; cerebral palsy; congenital blindness; and autism. We also aimed to document the development of auditory perception in patients having one of these additional disabilities.Study design: A retrospective study was designed to pursue the above aims.Methods: We examined the records of 398 cochlear-implanted, prelingually deaf patients who had received a cochlear implant at least one year previously. Patients were selected who showed a delay in motor, cognitive or emotional development. The selected cases were referred for psychological evaluation in order to identify patients with additional disabilities. We then compared these patients' auditory perception prior to and one year following cochlear implantation.Results: A total of 60 (15 per cent) cochlear-implanted, prelingually deaf patients were diagnosed with additional disabilities. These were classified as: mild mental retardation in eight cases (13.33 per cent); moderate mental retardation in five (8.33 per cent); learning disability in 20 (33.33 per cent); attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 15 (25 per cent); cerebral palsy in five (8.33); congenital blindness in three (5 per cent); and autism in four (6.66 per cent). All patients showed significant development in speech perception, except for autistic and congenitally deaf-blind patients.Conclusion: Although cochlear implantation is not contraindicated in prelingually deaf persons with additional disabilities, congenitally deaf-blind and autistic patients showed limited development in auditory perception as a main outcome of cochlear implantation. These patients require unique rehabilitation in order to achieve more auditory development.

The use of cochlear implantation to treat patients with inner ear malformations such as Mondini dysplasia has been increasingly successful. Until now, conventional hearing aids in these patients have not performed well. Consequently, the hearing problem for patients with this condition has been somewhat improved with the use of cochlear implants. Various results of cochlear implantation have been reported in these patients so far. This is a report of 5 patients with Mondini malformation who have undergone cochlear implant surgery.