No abstract

Remobilization of stored carbohydrates in the stem of wheat plants is an important contributor to grain filling under drought stress (DS) conditions. A massive screening on Iranian wheat cultivars was performed based on stem dry weight changes under well-watered and DS conditions. Two cultivars, Shole and Crossed Falat Hamun (CFH), with different fructan accumulation and remobilization behavior were selected for further studies. Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and fructan metabolizing enzymes were studied both in the stem penultimate and in sucrose (Suc) treated, excised leaves. Under drought, CFH produced higher grain yields than Shole (412 vs 220 g m(-2)). Also, grain yield loss under drought was more limited in CFH than in Shole (17 vs 54%). Under drought, CFH accumulated more graminan-type fructo-oligosaccharides than Shole. After anthesis, fructan 6-exohydrolase (6-FEH; EC 3.2.1.154) activities increased more prominently than fructan 1-exohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.153) activities during carbon remobilization. Interestingly, CFH showed higher 6-FEH activities in the penultimate than Shole. The field experiment results suggest that the combined higher remobilization efficiency and high 6-FEH activities in stems of wheat could contribute to grain yield under terminal drought. Similar to the penultimate, fructan metabolism differed strongly in Suc-treated detached leaves of selected cultivars. This suggests that variation in the stem fructan among wheat cultivars grown in the field could be traced by leaf blade induction experiments.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities and some associated demographic factors in a large sample population-based study. Method: As part of a population-based survey among 30,532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years, we used K-SADS-PL to screen and detect ADHD and its comorbidities. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was 4%, with more prevalence among boys (5.2% vs. 2.7%), younger participants, urban residents, and offspring of mothers who had a history of psychiatric hospitalization. Anxiety disorders (37.9%) and behavioral disorders (31%) are the most prevalent group of comorbidities, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is the most prevalent comorbid disorder (26.1%). Mood disorders and anxiety disorders are more common among girls, but conduct disorder has a higher rate among boys. Conclusion: ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder which is accompanied by several comorbid conditions. The high rate of comorbidities makes it complicated and difficult to manage.

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services.

Objective This study investigated the prevalence of feeding and eating disorders, and identified their correlates and comorbidities among children and adolescents. Method We used the nationally representative sample of the Iranian Children and Adolescents' Psychiatric disorders (IRCAP) survey, with 30,532 participants randomly selected by a multistage cluster sampling method. We employed the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia‐present and lifetime version (K‐SADS‐PL) semi‐structured face‐to‐face interview to screen for any psychiatric disorders, including feeding and eating disorders, and associated factors. We used multivariate binary logistic regression to analyze the data. Results Valid data from 27,111 participants were analyzed. The total prevalence of feeding and eating disorders among children and adolescents was 0.89 (0.81–1.10). In all types of feeding and eating disorders, the adjusted odds ratio was higher among girls (except binge‐eating disorder) and older adolescents but was lower among rural residents. The most common psychiatric comorbidities observed in children and adolescents with feeding and eating disorders were obsessive–compulsive disorder (20.2%), agoraphobia (20.2%), depressive disorder (16.4%), social phobia (10.1%), oppositional defiant disorder (10.1%), generalized anxiety disorder (9.4%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (7.5%), and conduct disorder (5.7%), which were significantly more common compared to their peers without feeding and eating disorders. Discussion Older age, female gender and living in an urban area are predisposing factors in feeding and eating disorders (in binge‐eating disorder, the male gender is a positive correlate). We suggest that future works pay attention to the role of gender, comorbidities and predisposing factors.