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Abstract Background In the available literature, levels of BDNF and CRP have been reported to correlate with suicide in depressive patients but there are inconsistencies in the results. We aimed to evaluate and compare BDNF and CRP concentrations in MDD patients with(MDD + SA) and without suicide attempts (MDD-SA) and healthy controls. Methods 30 (MDD + SA) patients, 30 (MDD-SA) patients, and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Age, sex, and BMI of patients were recorded. Blood sample was obtained for measurement of BDNF and CRP. Smoking and drug history, family history of suicide, and history of self-harm were also documented. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22 and R version 4.1.1. Results 86 patients in three groups were evaluated (mean age: 28.45 ± 9.27 years, 56.71% female). Baseline and demographic parameters except for self-harm (40%, 3.3%, and 0% for MDD + SA, MDD-SA, and healthy controls, respectively, p = 0.001) did not differ between groups. CRP level was not significantly different between groups. BDNF showed a significant difference between groups (17.35, 16.45, and 19.43 for three groups, respectively, p

Background: Sleep disorders are accompanied by increased anxiety and somatic pain. In addition, it has been observed that anxiety and pain have a boosting effect on each other, resulting in continued sleep disturbances. Amygdala's (CeA) central nucleus plays a crucial role in these processes. Cinnamaldehyde (Cinn) is an aromatic compound with anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and sleep-promoting properties. The present study uses sleep-deprived rats to examine the effects of an intra-CeA injection of Cinn on pain and anxiety. Methods: Sleep deprivation (SD) was induced using the platform technique. 35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Anxiety state and nociception were evaluated among groups using formalin test (F.T.), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). Anxiety tests (OFT and EPM) were conducted in all groups. The first group was undergone FT without induction of SD (SD−FT+). The second group received SD without FT(SD+FT−). The third group received both SD and FT(SD+FT+). The treatment and vehicle groups have undergone both SD and FT in addition to the respectively intra-CeA injection of Cinn (SD+FT+ Cinn) and Cinn vehicle (SD+FT+ VC). The recorded behaviors were analyzed between groups using IBM SPSS 24th version. Results: SD did not lead to any significant difference in nociceptive behaviors in FT between groups SD−FT+ and SD+FT+ (P ≥ 0.05). At the same time, there was a considerable discrepancy in rearing behaviors (P

Background: It has been demonstrated that fullerene C60 nanoparticles and their derivatives showed the antioxidant properties in a wide range of the in vitro and in vivo studies.Objectives: Hence, we examined the effects of oral administration of fullerene C60 nanoparticles for eight weeks on antioxidant capacity of brain and liver through assessment of catalase activity in normal rats.Methods: The experiment was performed in two groups of Wistar rats (each group, n=6); untreated and treated normal animals. Treated rats received orally fullerene C60 nanoparticles via oral gavage at dose of 1 mg/kg/day. Blood glucose and body weight of rats were measured during the study. At termination of the study, catalase activity of brain and liver was determined using the method of Aebi.Results: Treatment with fullerene C60 did not change blood glucose of treated rats compared to untreated animals. The rats of both groups showed similarly progressive weight gain during the study. Fullerene administration significantly increased catalase activity in the brains of treated rats (0.34±0.10 U/mg protein) compared to untreated animals (0.12±0.03 U/mg protein), (p

The function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and psychosocial behaviors are affected in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based on presence of several beneficial alkaloids in Papaver rhoeas (PR) plant, we assessed the effects of PR hydroalcoholic extract on blood corticosterone and psychosocial behaviors in the mice model of predator exposure-induced PTSD. Male NMARI mice were assigned into two main groups (control or PTSD) according to stress exposure (presence or absent of the predator). Each main group was divided into four subgroups according to treatment with the different doses of PR extract. Mice were treated intraperitoneally by PR extract at three different doses (1,5&10 mg/kg) 30 min before the beginning of test on days 1, 2&3. Corticosterone concentration determined in the blood samples on days 1, 3&21, and mice examined for the psychosocial behaviors on the third day. PTSD induction in mice by exposing to hungry predator increased blood corticosterone and changed the psychosocial and physiological behaviors. PR extract decreased blood corticosterone in PTSD mice on the third day as well as 21st day. Also, PR extract improved the psychosocial and physiological behaviors in PTSD mice. Moreover, PR extract increased blood corticosterone in control mice at a dose-response manner. PR extract is able to decrease blood corticosterone in PTSD condition and probably prevent the HPA hyperactivity in PTSD mice when exposed to the stress stimuli. Accordingly, decreased blood corticosterone by PR extract might be involved in improvement of the physiological and psychosocial behaviors in PTSD mice.

Background: One of the social groups, which its psychological assessment is important during the COVID-19 outbreak, is health care workers.Objective: This study aimed to predict the severity of COVID-19 anxiety in health care workers based on sleep quality and mental health.Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 180 health care workers (129 females and 51 males). The researcher-made demographic information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CDAS) were completed by the participants.Results: The results showed that 23.3% of health care workers reported COVID-19 anxiety. The severity of COVID-19 anxiety varied among the different work shifts as well as the educational degree of health care workers. In other words, persons on morning shifts as well as persons with master's degrees showed low levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Besides, there was a significant relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and mental health. Also, there was a significant relationship between all dimensions of sleep quality except sleep efficiency and COVID-19 anxiety (P

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented increase in the use of online services has provided a fertile ground for Internet addiction in the community. Given the negative effects of Internet addiction on individuals and the community, addressing this issue and its consequences seem to be of high importance.Objectives: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Internet addiction and Psycho-demographic risk factors during the COVID-19 outbreak in a sample of Iranian people.Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study, conducted from February to June 2021. Researcher-made demographic information questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS-21), Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ), Corona Disease Anxiety scale (CDAS), Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S), and Petersburg Sleep Disorder Questionnaire (PSQI) were applied on 404 people (213 men and 191 women) of internet users living in Hamadan province. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the available sampling and online methods were used. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, independent t-test, and logistic regression using SPSS-24 software.Results: According to the results, the rate of Internet addiction prevalence was 28.5. Internet addiction was occurred more in single people compared to married ones (χ2=7, p