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Background and objective: The south of littoral of Caspian sea is located on the Asian belt of oesophageal carcinoma, where has the highest incidence in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiologic aspects of patients with oesophageal carcinoma in the north of Iran. Materials and methods: Based on the existing data of medical charts, we conducted a descriptive study of 668 patients with oesophageal carcinoma who referred to Shahid Rajaei Radiotherapy Center in Babolsar during 1993 to 1999. The data was included age, sex, occupation, residence area, and history of alcohol, smoking, drug consumption, anatomic location and histologic type of tumor. We used T-test and Chi-square test in statistical analysis. Results: The mean (±SD) age of 668 patients was 62.8 (±11) years and the modal age group 60-69 years. The mean age of males was significantly greater than females (63.8 vs. 61.2 years, P<0.05) 54.5% of patients were male and 62.1% of males were farmers, 14.5% clerk, and 7% workers whereas 92.4% of females were housewives. Roughly, 0.7% of patients had a history of alcohol consumption, 19.3% smoker and 7.9% drug users and 50.3% of patients were residence of urban area. The most common histologic type of tumor was squamous cell carcinoma (91.3%) and 7% of tumors were adenocarcinoma. The ratio of men to women of adenocarcinoma was 3 to 1 Also squamous cell carcinoma was more common among men than women The relation between the histologic type of tumor and gender was significant (P<0.05). The most common location of squamous cell carcinoma was the upper third of oesophageal (47.1%) and for adenocarcinoma the lower third (86.4%). Also, we observed a significant relation between occupation and the histologic type of tumor. Conclusion: The results indicated that the frequency of oesophageal carcinoma is increased over the age 50 years. The relation of histologic type of tumor with location and gender are consistent with those reported in the other studies in the western countries, which shows the same pattern of epidemiologic aspects of this neoplasm in the world.

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Background & Objective: The rate of using contraceptive methods in an important criteria for evaluation the performance of family planning in women aged 15-49 years. The aim of this study is to determine the 7-year trend of contraceptive methods in population of rural area in Babol. Materials & Methods: This study was performed based on the existing data in family planning program charts in area under coverage of Gatab health center in Babol from 1994 to 2000. A sample of 400 women aged 15-49 years were selected using systematic sampling technique within each year based on the list of women who had husband aged 15-49 years in family planning books. In overall, 2800 women examined during 7 years of study. The data of type of contraceptive method and the calendar year were extracted from family planning charts. We used Z-test and Chi-square test in statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the rate of tobactomy increased significantly from 26.2% in 1994 to 36.7% in 2000 (P<0.05). The use of condom and IUD changed from 3% to 7.5% and from 5% to 8.5% respectively. The percentage of women did not use any contraceptive method decreased from 27.5% in 1994 to 4.7% in 2000 (P<0.05). While a significant changes neither were observed in using oral contraceptive nor withdrawal methods using 7 years. Conclusion: The rate of using confident methods of contraception increased significantly from 1994 to 2000. In spite of the relative high rate of withdrawal method and due to lack of its confidence, the more research and education for shifting its user to modern form of contraceptive is necessary.

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Background & Objective: Viral gastroenteritis is associated with significant cause of morbidity and is a common cause of hospitalization in worldwide. This study was performed to assess the role of rota, adeno and astroviruses in children presenting with acute diarrhea in the main Children's Medical Hospital in Babol-Iran. Materials & Methods: Stool specimens from 208 children suffering from diarrhea were tested for the presence of rota, adeno and astroviruses by ELISA test during Winter 2004 to Autumn 2005. Data were then analyzed by the Chi-square and Fisher exact test with SPSS-10 software. Results: Rota, adeno and astrovirus antigens were detected in 61.1%, 2.9% and 2.4% of patients. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age were most frequently affected with rotavirus (29.8%), (p<0.05). Rotavirus infection was significantly less frequent in summer and spring than winter and autumn (p<0.05). Fever and vomiting were present in 55.1% and 51.7% of children, respectively. There was not significant correlation between rotavirus infection and gender of patients. Conclusion: This study showed that rotavirus can be regarded as a major etiologic agent of winter acute diarrhea in children under 2-years old in Babol. Therefore, it is suggested to provide proper vaccination to immunize the children.

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Background and Objective: The safety of teenagers and young are the major factor in developing a community and they are also the major group at risk of behavioural problems. So, this study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of risky behaviours among different university students in Babol, located in Norther of Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in a random sample of Babol university students including medical university, university of engineering and Azad University with roughly equal sampling ratio with respect to university and gender. The data was gathered by a designed questionnaire including demographic characteristics, physical involvement with others (violence), cigarette smoking, drug abuse, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity. In statistical analysis the Chi square test was used to determine the association of risky behaviours with demographic characteristics.

Results: The results revealed that in general the prevalence of physical involvement with others (violence) during a recent year was 33.3% current cigarette smoking 13.7%, overweight and obesity 25.6%, physical inactivity 15.3% and drug user during recent year 0.3%. In general, the prevalence of some risky behaviour was more in boys than girls (P<0.001), and it was more in single than married (P<0.001) and in residence of dormitory and rented houses than personal houses (P<0.001) and also in engineering and Azad university in contrast to medical university (P<0.001). For example, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was 25.7% in boys and 3.6% in girls (P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study showed a rather high frequency of risky behaviours among students in Babol city in North of Iran.

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Background and Objective: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is increasing due to artificial reproductive technology and increasing rate of sexual transmitted diseases. Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester and it reduces the chance of future successful pregnancy. Identifying the risk factors can help to reduce the maternal mortality and morbidity due to early diagnosis and on time treatment. This study was carried out to assess the risk factors in ectopic pregnancy in northern, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case control study was carreid out on 150 patients with ectopic pregnancy as cases and 300 women with normal pregnancy as controls. The subjects were selected from teaching hospital in Babol in northern Iran, during 2005-09. The risk factors include history of tuble surgery, ectopic pregnancy, cesarean section, pregnancy with IUD, infertility, assisted fertility with IUI, multiple partener, pre-eighteen years marriages were recorded for each subject by direct interview and file. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Chi-Square and exat Fisher tests. Results: Theraputic assisted fertility with IUI (95% CI: 3.02-185.09, OR: 23.6, P<0.05), previous ectopic pregnancy (95% CI: 1.90-73.94, OR: 8.19, P<0.05) and cesarean section history (95% CI: 1.1-2.6, OR: 1.7, P<0.05) increased the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. There was not significant differnces between pre- eighteen years marriages, infertility history and multiple partener in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: This study showed that assisted fertility with IUI, previous tubal surgery, pregnancy with IUD, previous ectopic pregnancy and cesarean section are the main risk factors of ectopic pregnancy in northern, Iran.

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Background and Objective: Reduction in cerebral blood flow following cereblal ischemia cause the production of oxygen free radicals and finally leads to brain tissue destruction. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of hippocampus are highly sensitive to hypoxic condition. This study was done to determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vitamine E on cellular density of CA1 hippocampal area, learning ability and memory, following ischemia - reperfusion injury in mice. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 male mice in 5 groups as follow: sham control, ischemia, hCG treated, vitamine E treated and hCG + vitamine E treated groups. Single dose of vitamin E was injected intraperitonaly during the establishment of reperfusion and hCG was injected from 48h after ischemia for 5 days. Folowing the treatment period, mice brains were fixated by transcardial perfusion and stained by nissle method. The shuttle box was used to evaluate the learning memory. Results: Co-administartion of vitamine E and hCG, significantly increased the cell numbers in hippocampus compared to the ischemic group (P<0.001). Also learning and memory improved in treatment group in comparison with ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Co-administration of vitamin E and hCG improved ischemia-induced neurodegenration and memory impairment.

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Background and Objective: Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) has numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of spirulina on changes in the levels of liver enzymes of male BALB/c mice exposed to a high dose of acetaminophen.
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adult male BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups of six. The toxic dose of acetaminophen 600 mg/kg body weight was considered. The control group received only a standard diet and water. The sham group was gavaged with saline solution. The third to seventh groups were treated as: acetaminophen; spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, and spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, respectively. In all groups, mice were treated with acetaminophen and spirulina powder by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after receiving the last dose of medication and deprivation of food (the animals still had access to water), the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken from the heart. Activity of liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by spectrophotometry. Protein concentration was determined by the Lowry method. Catalase activity was assessed using hydrogen peroxide. The amount of malondialdehyde was measured and the total antioxidant capacity was determined by FRAP method by reducing ferric to ferro ions.
Results: The levels of serum transaminases (ALT, AST, ALP) as well as the level of total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde of the acetaminophen-treated group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The levels of these enzymes in the group treated with S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen decreased significantly compared to the group treated with acetaminophen (P<0.05). Catalase activity in the acetaminophen group was significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.05).In the group of S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, catalase activity increased significantly compared to the acetaminophen group (P<0.05). The results of experiments in two groups of spirulina and acetaminophen showed that the active ingredients of the algae at a dose of 300 worked better than 600 mg per kg of body weight in response to oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Consuming 300 mg/kg of S. platensis along with a near toxic dose of acetaminophen increases resistance to oxidative stress and injuries caused by drug poisoning by affecting the activity of enzymes and the antioxidant defense system.