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Background and Objective: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited disorder in Caucasian populations caused by mutation in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The type of mutations and their distributions varies widely between different countries and/or ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to characterize mutations involved in this disease in Mazandaran province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study thirty unrelated Iranian cystic fibrosis patients were screened for deltaF508, N1303K, G542X, R347H and W1282X mutations in the CFTR gene using Reverse Dot Blot method during 2004-06. This technique uses biotinilated PCR products for simultaneous hybridization with several normal and mutant probes specific to known mutations fixed on Biodyne C membranes. Results: DeltaF508 mutation was found in 13 (21.66%) alleles. 6 patients were homozygote and one was compound heterozygote for this mutation. Conclusion: These findings reveal an important heterogeneity of CFTR gene mutations in Mazandaran Province. Thus regarding the relative low rate of detectable mutations, it is necessary to undertake larger studies for molecular diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in this province.

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Background and Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory multi-system disease with an unknown origin. In patients with lupus disease cardiovascular events is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. This study carried out to measurement of high sensitivity C –reactive protein (HsCRP) and homocysteine in patients with SLE and their relation with diseases activity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Materials and Methods: This case control study carried out on 60 patients (55 females and 5 males) with lupus disease which referred to Clinical Research Center of Rheumatology, Mashhad, Iran and 30 controls (26 females and 4 males) during 2007-08. Information of subjects were gathered using SLEDAI questionare. HsCRP and homocysteine of subjects were measured. The level of low density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerid, hypertension and Body mass index (BMI) was assessed. Systemic lupus erythematosus activity was assessed by using SLEDAI so that if the score was higher than 10, lupus was called as active disease.

Results: Mean age was 28.8±10.3 and 33.8±9.13 years in SLE and control groups respectively. The mean of HsCRP in SLE patients were 3±2.42 mg/dl versus in controls were 1.58±2.1. The serum level of homocysteine were 12.3±1.93 µmol/L and 24±8.13 µmol/L in SLE patients and controls (P<0.001). Mean disease activity was 15.37. There was no any associtation between homocysteine and HsCRP and disease activity. LDL, Triglycerid, hypertension had significant association with homocystein (P<0.05). BMI and Triglycerid had significant association with HsCRP (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that there is no linear significant corrolation between homocysteine, HsCRP and disease activity, but there is significant corrolation between increase of homocysteine and HsCRP and cardiovascular risk factors.

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Background and Objective: Considering the role of the hippocampus in memory, this study was done to evaluate the effect of 3-4,methylenedioxymethamphetamine on CA1 hippocampal neurons in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 18 sprague dawley male rats (200-250g) were randomly allocated into three groups as follow: control (intact), control sham and experimental groups. Sham and experimental groups were received normal salin (1 cc) and MDMA10mg/kg IP for 7 days, respectively. Following transcardial perfusion by paraformaldehid 4%, structure and ultrastructure of right CA1 hippocampus were assessed by crysel violet staining and electronic microscope. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: There was no significant difference between control (mean=210±40.38) and sham groups (mean=199±38.7) in neuron density. Neuron number decreased significantly in experimental group (mean=98±25.4) in compare to control and sham groups (P<0.001). There was no ultrastructural abnormality in control and sham groups. Finally, ultrastructural changes with apoptosis characterized by mitochondrial cristae reduction, distribution of nuclear chromatin and loss of cytoplasmic organelles in MDMA groups. Conclusion: This study shows that MDMA administration can stimulate the cell death with apoptotic pattern in hippocampus.

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Background and Objective: Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) is a medicinal odor plant contains CNS effective compounds which has been used in Iranian traditional medicine. This study was done to determine the effect of Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) Boiss essential oil on spatial learning and memory in adult male rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 35 wistar adult male rats were randomly allocated into the five groups (n=7) including: control, sham (injected vehicle) and Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) Boiss essential oil groups 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5ml/kg/bw, intraperitonally during four days. Morris water maze test was used to assess learning and memory.

Results: Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) Boiss essential oil (0.5 ml/kg/bw) was significantly increased escape latency in the second and third (P<0.05) as well as forth (P<0.05) days of acquisition test in compare to control group. In addition latency to find the hidden platform was significantly decreased with 0.25 essential oil in all days except first day (P<0.05) and in essential oil- treated rats at 0.125 ml/kg/bw in the second and third days (P<0.05) in compare to the control group.  Time spent and distance travelled in target zone were significantly increased in Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) Boiss essential oil -treated rats (0.5ml/kg/bw) in compare to control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Intraperental administration of the Ducrosia anethifolia (Dc.) Boiss essential oil at doses of 0.5 and 0.25 ml/kg/bw during four days can improves spatial learning and memory in adult male rats.

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Background and Objective: Congenital anomalies are one of the major causes of neonatal mortality. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect world wide, and recent studies about CHD have reported congenital heart disease approximately is about one percent of all live births. This study was done to determine the frequency of congenital heart disease using ecocardiography in patients with extra-cardiac anomalies in Gorgan peadiatric center in north of Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive study, 55 girls, 84 boys a total of 139 patients were in the age range of birth to 12 years of age whom have referred to Taleghani Teaching and Medical Center in Gorgan during 2012-17. 139 cases of congenital heart disorders with echocardiographic report sheet in their medical record were evaluated. Information of patients including age, sex, ethnicity, type of extra-cardiac, anomalies, cardiac anomalies (simple, complex and ductal anomalies), cardiac murmur status, and clinical symptoms were extracted from their medical records.
Results: From of total of echocardiography, 139 patients (88.5%) were affected by congenital heart disease. The anomalies were included of 88 cases (56.05%), 48 cases (31.21%), 2 cases (1.27%) simple, complex anomaly and ductal dependent anomaly respectively. The other disorders accompanied with congenital heart diseases were 17 cases (12.2%) with cleft palate, 4 cases (2.9%) with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 8 cases (5.8%) with closed anus, 52 cases (37.4%) with Down syndrome, 4 cases (2.9%) with Turner syndrome, 4 cases (2.9%) with ileum atresia, 11 cases (7.9%) with Esophageal atresia, 7 cases (5%) with Hirschsprung's disease, 6 cases (4.3%) with urogenital anomalies and 26 cases (18.7%) with other extra-cardiac abnormalities.
Conclusion: Down syndrome and cleft palate are among the highest prevalant anomalies with congenital heart diseases.

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Background and Objective: Using chewing tobacco is one of the most important health problems in ports of the southern coast of Iran. The prevention of this problem requires identifying the factors affecting this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chewing tobacco and related factors among adolescents in South- East of Iran (2018).
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 204 male high school students through multistage sampling in two the ports of Konarak and Chabahar located in south - east of Iran during March to June 2018. The data collection tool was a self-administered standardized questionnaire including items about knowledge, attitude and prevalence of chewing tobacco among participants, intimate friends and family members of the study population.
Results: Prevalence of chewing tobacco in life time and current use (pervious 30 days) was 71.8% and 43.1%, respectively. Supari was the main chewing tobacco were used (80.8%) by participants. The negative attitudes about chewing tobacco was a protective factor (OR=0.41) and easy access (OR=6.88), using by family members (OR=2.28), and close friends (OR=3.28) were the most important risk factors.
Conclusion: The prevalence of chewing tobacco was alarming in male high school students in south - east of Iran.

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Kawasaki disease is a medium-size vasculitis with peak incidence among infants of 9 to 11 month age. This case report represents a female infant of 18-month age whom was admitted to the Taleghani Pediatric Center of Gorgan, Iran; with referral for admission due to persistent fever for roughly 2 weeks despite various outpatient treatments. Upon the admission, Echocardiographic study was performed to assess whether the patient fulfils cardiac criteria of Kawaski disease which was consistent with the diagnosis and also positive for serious coronary complications in the infant. General condition of the patient improved as the treatment with both IVIG and Corticosteroids was initiated and carditis seemed to vanish in echocardiographic studies but as expected aneurysmal growth can last for over 80 days and in this case serial echocardiographic studies confirmed the formation of giant coronary aneurysms. Diagnosis of Kawasaki disease is based on persistent fever and consistency with clinical criteria and the main purpose of this case report was to emphasize the need to consider this disease in cases of persistent fever to avoid the serious following complications.

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Background and Objective: Antioxidant apigenin (AP) is a natural, non-mutagenic, and less toxic flavonoid with pharmacological anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This antioxidant is easily received by the cell, binds to sperm DNA, and forms a DNA-AP complex, thereby protecting sperm DNA. The present study was conducted to determine the antioxidant effect of AP on human sperm quality after freezing-thawing.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 10 normozoospermic samples underwent freezing-thawing conditions, and sperm functional tests were investigated in different AP concentrations, including 0.4 mM, 0.2 mM, 0.1 mM, and 0.05 mM.
Results: The quality of total sperm parameters and functional tests decreased after freezing compared to before freezing. Among the AP concentrations, only in the 0.2 mM AP concentration, the improvement of the additional histone percentage, protamine deficiency, and sperm DNA health were observed compared to the control; this finding was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The use of AP with a concentration of 0.2 mM during freezing-thawing culminates in improving sperm functional tests.