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Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic employed to treat patients with psychotic disorders. It is associated with sialorrhea as a problematic adverse effect in 30-80% of cases. Various medications such as atropine and amitriptyline have been suggested for its treatment. We aimed to compare the effects of atropine drops and amitriptyline tablets in the treatment of clozapine-induced sialorrhea. The present double-blind, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of atropine drops and amitriptyline tablets in reducing clozapine-induced sialorrhea in patients with psychotic disorders. Forty-six patients were treated for 4 weeks in two groups: group “A”(atropine drops and placebo tablets) and group “B” (amitriptyline tablets and placebo drops). Toronto Nocturnal Hypersalivation Scale (TNHS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating scale were used for measurement of the severity and frequency of sialorrhea and global symptom severity and treatment response, respectively. Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analyses. Demographic information of the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05). There was no patient with adverse effects that interfered with the study. Mean TNHS and Meier scores in groups “A” and “B” were 3.48±0.21 vs.3.24±0.18, and 1.9±0.07 vs.1.86±0.07, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.35 vs. P=0.67). In patients with clozapine-induced sialorrhea, 1% atropine drops (1.7 mg sublingual drops daily) can be just as effective as amitriptyline tablets (29.08 mg daily, oral) in controlling sialorrhea.

While studies have shown the disastrous effects of post-partum depression (PPD) on children's behaviors, there is relatively lack of reliable data in Asian countries. This study examined the relative significance of maternal PPD in children's developmental disabilities at age four. In a longitudinal study design (2009), 1801 pregnant women attending in primary health centers of Mazandaran province in the north of Iran provided self-reports of depression from two to twelve postpartum weeks using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Approximately four years later, the women experiencing PPD and twice as the ones who did not experience this disorder were considered as case (N=204) and control (N=467) groups. The association between maternal depression at different times and childhood developmental disabilities based on Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and other health problems reported by the child were analyzed using two-sample t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression models. The presence of PPD only was not a predictor of child's developmental disabilities at age four. Childhood developmental disabilities in communication, gross motor and personal-social domains of ASQ were associated with the current and concurrent maternal depressive symptoms (OR=2.59, 95% CI=1.16-5.78; OR=4.34, 95% CI=2.10-8.96; OR=5.66, 95% CI=1.94-16.54 and OR=3.35, 95% CI=1.31-8.58; OR=4.15, 95% CI=2.72-13.87; OR=6.17, 95% CI=1.95-19.53 respectively). PPD, the current depressive symptoms, and depression at both occasions were associated with more health problems in children. Childhood developmental disabilities in some domains of ASQ were significantly related to the maternal depression chronicity or recurrence. Also, child's difficulties were more prevalent in association with maternal depression regardless of onset time.

Amphipods collected from the southern coasts of Caspian Sea (Jefrood beach) were transferred to laboratory along with sediment from the same area. Samples were maintained in controlled laboratory condition at temperature of 2510oC, salinity of 9± 0.5 ppt and a 12 hrs. light - dark regime. The average period spent in precopula stage was about 2.6±0.91 days and embryonic development took about 8.5 ±1.05 days. The fecundity was estimated as the number of fertilized eggs existing in brood pouch of each female (14.125). First precopula was observed after about 40 days of birth. To study the effect of feed composition on growth, Gammarus of similar size were fed by composite food of (fish-potato), (fish-bread) , (fish-leaf), (leaf-potato), (leaf-bread) and (breadpotato). At the end of 6th week the head of all specimens were measured. The result of statistical analysis showed significant difference between the treatments (p0.05). The combination of potato-bread was found to be the most suitable food for Gammarus.

Background: Growing national concern about distortions in the size, specially composition, and availability of the physician workforce -especially after "cultural revolution n- has evoked challenges in Iran. Purpose: To determine various factors that influence medical graduates choices for residency program. Methods: All applicants for residency program in Mazandaran university of Medical Sciences and Health Services completed the Medical School Graduation Questionnaire, and rated each factor using 0 to 4 Likert-type scale. Factors' ratings were also compared across applicants of different residency program, and demographic variables. Results: The top two factors rated as having strong influences were ones related to interest in helping peop1e (rated 3.07), and intellectual content of the specially (rated 3). Malpractice insurance cost has the least influence (rated 0.98). Most of men preferred independence, whereas most of women preferred predictable working hours. Opportunity to make differences in people's l(fe influenced the specially choices of usual participants. whereas those who used war veterans quota paid more attention to independence and exercise of social responsibility. Patient contact factors were less important to graduates who chose diagnostic speciafties. Also, there was a significant association between the participants' age and four factors. Conclusion: These graduates based their specially preference heavily on the opportunity that the specially affords to help people, and intellectual content of the specially. Knowing the hierarchy of influences on graduates' motivations should help education strategists determine what experiences and perceptions must change if a different mix of specially decision is to result. Keywords: SPECIAL TY, MEDICAL SCHOOL, SARI, MAZANDARAN