---

Background & Objective: Giardiasis is one of the most prevalent human intestinal parasites, especially among children aged between 2 to 12 years old. In this study, the effects of Giardiasis on serological levels of Zinc and Iron elements were determined. Materials & Methods: A total of 100 children aged under 12 years who were admitted to the pediatric departments of hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University with gastrointestinal complain, and diagnosed as having Giardiasis by stool examination (Direct and Formalin-ether technique and trichrome stain) in the parasitology department, were enrolled as the case group. The control group consisted of 100 age-matched healthy children. A questionnaire including age, physical growth status and clinical symptoms were completed. Serological levels of Zinc and Iron were measured by atomic absorption spectophotometer in all samples in Shilat of Mazandaran. Results: In this study, serum Iron levels were 67±25 µg/dl and 77±23 µg/dl and Zinc levels were 64±20 µg/dl and 96±23 µg/dl in case and control group, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the serological levels of these elements, which was much higher in serum Iron levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results revealed those serological levels of Zinc and Iron decreased during Giardiasis due to malabsorption.

---

Background&Objective: Considering the high prevalence of Tricomonas vaginalis (TV) in women and the known side effects of metronidazol, herbal drug therapy in order to reduce drug side effects has been considered increasingly in recent decades. This study was done to determine the effect of Artemisia aucheri Boiss, Zataria multiflora Boiss and Myrtus communis L. on Trichomonas vaginalis. Materials&Methods: This study was done on samples extracted from 100 patients with vaginitis due to Trichomona. The parasite was isolated from vagina and determined directly. Identification was done through direct smear preparation. Parasite was added to the 5 test tubes containing Dorse medium, metronidazole. dimethyl sulfoxaide (DMSO), Artemisia, Zataria and Myrtus extraction with concentration of 0.1, 0.01 ml in order to determine the effect of these concentrations within 72 hour. Results: Trichomonas could be alived in Dorse medium for 72 hours, in presence of metronidazole for one hour and in Dorse medium for 6 hours. Also, methonolic extracts of Artemisia are effective at concentration of 0.1 after one hour and 0,01 after 4 hours of the inoculation. Methanolic extracts of Zataria at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.01 and the Myrtus extract at concentration of 0.1 are effective at beginning of inoculation but the Myrtus extract at concentration of 0.01 is effective after one hour. Conclusion: Considering the acceptable effect of metanolic extracts of these plants on trichomonas in in-vitro conditions, it is recommended that , the therapeutic effects of the substances from these plants to be studied in in vivo conditions and in case of having positive effect to be used as a drug.

---

Background and Objective: The growing evidence suggest on the association between dietary patterns and obesity. This study was done to determine the relation between pattern of nutrient intake and obesity in Isfahanian adults.

Methods: In this descriptive - analytical study, dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in 8,691 subjects aged 18-55 years. Complete data of 6,724 and 5,203 adults were available for general and abdominal obesity, respectively. Daily intakes of 38 nutrients and bioactive compounds were calculated for each participant. Factor analysis was applied to derive major nutrient patterns.

Results: Three major nutrient patterns were identified: 1) pattern high in fatty acids, cholesterol, vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc, choline, protein, pyridoxine, phosphorus, and pantothenic acid; 2) high in thiamine, betaine, starch, folate, iron, selenium, niacin, calcium, and manganese; and 3) high in glucose, fructose, sucrose, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, copper and vitamin K. Men in the highest quintile of the second pattern were less likely to be generally obese in the fully adjusted model (95% CI: 0.20-0.76, OR: 0.39, P<0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, a significant positive association was observed between the third pattern and general obesity among men (95% CI: 1.04-3.04, OR: 1.77, P<0.05), but it was not in women (95% CI: 0.74-1.88, OR: 1.18, P>0.05).

Conclusion: Nutrient patterns were significantly associated with general, but not abdominal obesity in the male Iranians participating in SEPAHAN study.

---

Background and Objective: Dietary acid load affects acid–base homeostasis, which may be associated with overweight and obesity as well as dietary quality index international (DQI-I), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), energy density (ED). This study was done to determine the association between dietary acid load with weight status and dietary quality indices among women.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was randomly performed on 306 women aged 20 to 55years. Dietary acid load was calculated by potential renal acid load (PRAL), net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and dietary acid load (DAL). DQI-I, MAR, ED were estimated for the participants.
Results: The probability of obesity (95% CI=0.97-5.50, OR=2.33, P=0.04), as well as abdominal adiposity (95% CI=1.21-4.50, OR=2.4, P=0.005) was significantly increased with tertile of DAL (P<0.05). While even after control of confounder variables, other dietary acid load indices (PRAL and NEAP) showed no significant association between dietary acid load and obesity, overweight or abdominal obesity. Also ,with increasing dietary acid load scores, DQI-I and MAR significantly decreased whereas energy density showed a significant increased across tertile categories of dietary acid load indices (P<0.05).
Conclusion: DAL was associated with increased risk of obesity and abdominal obesity. PRAL, NEAP and DAL were good indicators of diet quality indices.