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A cognitive behavioural model of body image is presented with specific reference to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We make specific hypotheses from the model for testing BDD patients in comparison with: (i) patients with 'real' disfigurements who seek cosmetic surgery; (ii) subjects with 'real' disfigurements who are emotionally well adjusted; and (iii) healthy controls without any defect. There have been no randomised controlled trials of treatment for BDD and therefore the model has clear implications for the development of cognitive behavioural therapy. This was evaluated in a pilot controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to either cognitive behaviour therapy or a waiting list control group over 12 weeks. There were no significant pre-post differences on any of the measures in the waiting list group. There were significant changes in the treated group on specific measures of BDD and depressed mood. Cognitive behaviour therapy should be further evaluated in a larger controlled trial in comparison with another psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy and pharmacotherapy.

Abstract Background Irradiation or chemotherapy that suspend normal spermatogenesis is commonly used to treat various cancers. Fortunately, spermatogenesis in many cases can be restored after such treatments but knowledge is limited about the re-initiation process. Earlier studies have described the cellular changes that happen during recovery from irradiation by means of histology. We have earlier generated gene expression profiles during induction of spermatogenesis in mouse postnatal developing testes and found a correlation between profiles and the expressing cell types. The aim of the present work was to utilize the link between expression profile and cell types to follow the cellular changes that occur during post-irradiation recovery of spermatogenesis in order to describe recovery by means of gene expression. Methods Adult mouse testes were subjected to irradiation with 1 Gy or a fractionated radiation of two times 1 Gy. Testes were sampled every third or fourth day to follow the recovery of spermatogenesis and gene expression profiles generated by means of differential display RT-PCR. In situ hybridization was in addition performed to verify cell-type specific gene expression patterns. Results Irradiation of mice testis created a gap in spermatogenesis, which was initiated by loss of A1 to B-spermatogonia and lasted for approximately 10 days. Irradiation with 2 times 1 Gy showed a more pronounced effect on germ cell elimination than with 1 Gy, but spermatogenesis was in both cases completely reconstituted 42 days after irradiation. Comparison of expression profiles indicated that the cellular reconstitution appeared equivalent to what is observed during induction of normal spermatogenesis. Conclusion The data indicates that recovery of spermatogenesis can be monitored by means of gene expression, which could aid in designing radiation treatment regimes for cancer patients leading to better restoration of spermatogenesis.

The present research examined difference between level of anxiety and self-esteem in children with and without learning difficulties. A sample of 100 students (N=100), 50 with learning difficulties (n=50) and 50 without learning difficulties (n=50) was taken from different public and private schools of Peshawar city. Their age range was between 6 to 11 years, which includes children of primary level classes. It was hypothesized that children with learning difficulties will have higher level of anxiety as compared to children without learning difficulties. It was also assumed that children with learning difficulties will have lower levels of self-esteem as compared to children without learning difficulties. Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety scale (RCMAS) and Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSI) were administered to obtain the data. Independent samples t-test was applied to find out the difference between the scores of the two groups. The results supported the hypotheses and indicated that children with learning difficulties have higher levels of anxiety and lower levels of self-esteem as compared to children without learning difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and antioxidant on the in vitro maturation (IVM) rate of oocytes and cleavage rates of in vitro fertilized (IVF) Indian Bubalus bubalis embryos. The cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and kept in maturation media (MM). The study reveals an improvement in cleavage rate when oocytes were mature in maturation media with EGF.