---

---

Compared with older children and adults, neonates are more sensitive to pain and more vulnerable to long-term effects. Despite the clinical importance of neonatal pain, current medical practices continue to expose infants to repetitive, acute, or prolonged pains. This specific intervention are necessary for reduced the neonatal pain experiences. This is an experimental study of determine the effectiveness of skin contact between mother and her healthy full-term newborn to reduce pain experience by the infant during intramuscular injection. The sample population was 30 healthy full-term newborns delivered at university hospital in Gorgan. The samples and controls were chosen randomly. During intramuscular injection case group was being helped by their mothers under cloth that directly were contact with their abdominal and chest skin and newborn in control group swaddled in crib on the bed before, after and during injection. Behavioral responses (Facial changes, crying, …) and physiologic responses (Heart rate and O2 saturation of arterial blood) of newborns were noted before, after and during intramuscular injection. The results show that there was no significant difference in behavioral and physiologic responses caused by pain between two groups, except crying time (38.2 second in control group and 35.5 second in case group). Finding from this study indicate that skin-to-skin contact has a clinically important effect on the pain of intramuscular injection, if we can prepare physically and emotionally a good situation.

---

Solvent exposure can affect human health. It can cause different effects in different part of the body. One of the most important side effects is neurobehavioral symptom including mood disorders, short memory, and tiredness. To determine the frequency of neurobehavioral effects in patients of a car producing plant in Tehran and comparing them with other workers in the same plant whom was not being exposed to such solvents. All of car painters (78 persons) as our case group and 83 non-painters as our control group were selected by simple random sampling and neurobehavioral abnormality was assessed by Q16 questionnaire. Neurobehavioral disorders based on above questionnaire was observed in 46% of car painters vs. 36% of non-painters (P=0.10). The significant differences were observed in perspiration without any particular reason (Q8) and feeling irritated without any particular reason (Q4). There was not a significant difference in observed frequency of neurobehavioral abnormalities in patients vs. non-painters, however both of these frequencies were higher than expected frequency reported in other reports.

---

Background&Objective: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world, The prevalence rate in developing countries is higher than developed countries, and also affecting a large number of child and women. The main purpose of this study was to promot the knowledge, attitude and practice of girl student in Ghaemshahr in order to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Materials&Methods: This study was an educational intervention to evaluate the effect of education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (K.A.P) in intervention and control groups (each group: 300) among female students in Ghaemshahr. The data was gathered using a questionnaire (include the demographic information, some of question related to knowledge, attitude, practice. K.A.P were assessed before and also 1.5 month after implementation of educational program using the questionnaire, collected data was analyzed by SPSS (11.5), STATA (8.0). Results: There was not significant difference between K.A.P in study group before implementation of educational intervention, but there is a significant increase between K.A.P after interventional education in intervention group. Educational intervention was promoted knowledge mounting to 15 score, 5 score to promote attitude and 1.6 score to improve the practice. There was significant relation between mother education, father job with their knowledge and class with their attitude, also mother education with their practice. Conclusion: The results indicated that improvement of knowledge could prevent iron deficiency anemia, thus emphasis on the health education in adolescent age is necessary to promote K.A.P.

---

Background&Objective: Copper and zinc, two essential trace elements, are neuroactive substances that can be synaptically released during neuronal activity. These metals have been implicated in diseases with neuropathological components, including Alzheimer's disease, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, Pick's disease, stroke and seizures. Copper and zinc levels in body tissues reflect many physiological and pathological conditions, including dietary factors, hepatic disease, and acute and chronic infections. The purpose of the present study was to examine the plasma levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in schizophrenic patients and to compare the Cu/Zn ratios with that of matched healthy subjects. Materials&Methods: Forty patients with schizophrenia (diagnosis were made according to DSM-IV) were sampled along with 50 healthy controls. Exclusion criteria included another concurrent psychiatric disorder, pregnancy, and medical disorders (endocrine, immune, liver cirrhosis, renal) or drugs (anticonvulsants, contraceptives, glucocorticoids) known to affect trace element metabolism. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn from an antecubital vein between 07.00 and 09.00 h. Plasma copper and zinc levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer GmbH, Uebelingen, Germany). Two-tailed t test was used to determine statistical differences. All data were analyzed with the computer program, GRAPHPAD software (V2.01+). Results: Mean±SE of sera copper levels in cases and controls were 145±28 and 65±3 µg/dl respectively (P<0.05). Also Mean±SE of sera zinc level in cases and controls were 67±2 and 81±4 µg/dl, respectively (P<0.05). Cu/Zn ratios was 2.07±0.38 and 0.87±0.04 in cases and controls respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant higher Cu/Zn ratio in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. These results suggest that Cu and Zn may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

---

Background&Objective: Synaptosomes as an In Vitro model have unique properties. So, general method of preparation and their applications in studying presynaptic mebrane proteins are introduced. Materials&Methods: This study was done by using five rats and in every examples. Synaptosomes were prepared from rat cerebellum. In order to verify structurally and functionally, biochemical, morphological and their response to depolarization were tested. Results: Lactate dehydrogenize activity rised after exposure to detergent 9±1.8 (n=5). 15 mM K+-evoked depolarization increased synaptosomal exogenous neurotransmitter release 3±0.76 (n=5) times, compared to the basal state. Plasma membrane, mitochondrion and synaptic vesicles were observed in electron micrographs. Conclusion: Application of synaptosomal samples may provide useful information in both basic and clinical researches because it is efficient and can easily be prepared, even from human tissues.

---

Background & Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most important health problems all over the world. This study was conducted to determine the co-infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) in HBV infected patients in Golestan province of Iran. Materials & Methods: This population based cross sectional study was done in 2004. 139 HBsAg positive cases were assessed for co-infection with HCV and HDV. Serologic tests were done by ELISA method using available kits. Data were analyzed by SPSS-12 and STATA8 software. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Sixty eight (48.9%) of 139 cases were males and 71 (51.1%) were females. The mean (±SD) of participant's age was 41.89 (±11.3) years (range: 25-64 years). Anti-HCV and Anti-HDV antibodies were positive in 17 (12.3%) and 8 (5.8%) cases, respectively. Females were more infected with HCV and HDV than males. But the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of co-infection with HCV and HDV in HBV infected cases is relatively high and notable in Golestan province of Iran. Because of negative effects of these co-infections in clinical outcome of the disease, it is recommended to assess possible HCV and HDV infection in individuals with HBV infection. This may result in more efficient management of the disease.

---

Background and Objective: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men after lung cancer. Therefore, this study was done to assess of risk factors for prostate cancer in Mazandaran province, Iran. Materials and Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted on 104 prostate cancer patients and 104 controls in Mazandaran province during 2005. The addresses of the patients were obtained using the cancer registry information existed in Babol research center in Iran. The data were collected using a questionnaire by in-person interview of cases and their controls and were analyzed using STATA (8.0). Results: Univariate condition logistic regression showed that age, prostatitis, drinking alcohol, using chopoghe, family history of prostate cancer, having other cancer, intensity of activity, time of job activity were found to be the risk factors although higher BMI and execreise were protective for prostate cancer (P<0.20). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for the effect of the confounders, prostatitis, age, alcohol consumption and family history of prostate cancer were found to the most important risk factors. Conclusion: This study identified prostatitis, age, alcohol consumption and family history of prostate as the independent risk factors for prostate cancer. We suggest that men after the age of 60 should be screened for prostate cancer annually.

---

Background and Objective: Nowaday many diabetic patients interested in using medicinal herbs to relieve the symptoms of their disease in spite of the availability of synthetic drugs, one of such herbal medicine is green tea, studies about effects of this plant on blood glucose, weight of diabetes is contradict and suitable dosage is not mentioned, thus this study was done to determine the effect of green tea extract on blood glucose and body weight in male induced diabetic Rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 40 wistar male Rats with body weight of 230±20 purchased and kept standard situation subsequently 8 of them considered as normal group and the reminder became diabetic by 50mg/kg IP by streptozotosin. After 2 weeks animals with blood glucose of 200-500 mg/dl were considered as diabetic and divided in 4 groups with 8 animals in each. Then 3 groups of them daily was feed with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of extract by feeding tube for 6 weeks, diabetic control group and non-diabetic group also was feed with DMSO10% as well. BS and body weight were assessed at 2nd, 4th, 6th week after daily feeding by different doses of green tea extract, and at last results were analyzed by using student t-test and one way ANOVA. Results: The mean of blood glucose of diabetic control group were significantly higher than non-diabetic group and blood glucose of diabetic groups that was feed with 50, 100 and 200mg/kg of extract was significantly lower than diabetic control group. Body weight of 3 treatment groups were not significantly reduced. Conclusion: This study showed that green tea extract has an antidiabetic effect and suitable dosage of this extract was 100mg/kg.

---

Background & Objective: Pulse pressure is a marker of arterial stiffness. In old age the pressure wave reflection also contribute to disparity of pulse pressure between upper and lower limbs. This study was done to determine the relation between ageing and increased pulse pressure of upper and lower limbs. Materials & Methods: In this discriptive study blood pressure measured in 40 nonsmoker men, all free from medication and disease history, insubjects divided in two groups: 18-25 and 50-70 years old with mean age of 22±1.3 and 59±2 years respectively. Using a mercury-column sphygmomanometer (ERKA) with appropriate cuff size and after five minutes of quiet rest, the blood pressure was determined in supine posture at three separate times. The lower limb pressure was measured with placing the cuff on calf muscle and the stethoscope on posterior surface of internal malleolus. The mean of the second and third records rounded and were used for analysis. Results: The right and left brachial and ankles pulse pressure in two groups were: 44.50±2.03, 44.50±1.71, 37.90±2.24, 37.25±2.30 mmHg in 18-25 years old group and 47.10±2.74, 46.90±2.65, 56.05±3.18, 55.90±4.48 mmHg in 50-70 years old group, respectively. Significant differences were found between brachial and ankle pulse pressure in both sides in first group, (P<0.05). In the second group this difference was only significant at right, (P<0.05). The ratio of brachial pulse pressure to ankle pulse pressure in 18-25 years old group was greater than 1 and in 50-70 years old group it was less than .15 In both side the ankles pulse pressure was significantly greater in 50-70 years old group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that in subjects of more than 55 years of age, the increasing of pulse pressure was more prominent in lower limb. The ankle pulse pressure may be a proper index of central pulse pressure changes and atherosclerosis of elastic arteries with ageing.

---

Background and Objective: The Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungi that can be pathogenic in patients suffering from diabetes and AIDS. This organism can cause various infections such as superficial of the skin and mucosa to deep tissue infections. In this study the antifungal effects of ZnO and SDS on Candida albicans in comparison with Fluconazole were investigated. Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study which evaluated the antifungal effects of biocide SDS and ZnO on Candida albicans by microbroth dilution assay in broth and agar medium. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determinated for each inhibitor during colony count in comparison with control. Results: MIC of ZnO was 1.013-296 µg/ml and for SDS and Fluconazole were 0.001-0.56 and 0.062-128 µg/ml respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated antifungal activity of ZnO can be a candidates for the elimination of candida in medicine particular in medical instruments.

---

Background and Objective: The Problems caused by diabetes have direct and indirect impacts on quality of life of diabetic patients. By increasing of these problems quality of life of patients will decrease. This study was done to assess the effect of the educational program based on PRECEED (predisposing reinforcing enabeling causes educational diagnosis evaluation) model in promoting quality of life of patients with typeII diabetes.

Materials and Methods: This pre- and post-intervention quasi-experimental study was conducted on 78 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to diabetes clinic in Minoodasht located in Golestan province of Northern Iran. The educational program based on PRCEDE Model and patients educational needs was designed. The data were collected using two questionnaires. life-quality WHOQOL- BREF questionnaire and PRCEDE Model-based educational questionnaire. The subjects were followed for one month after intervention to identify the role of educational intervention on patients. The data was analyzed by using SPSS-16 and Paired t-test.

Results: After the intervention, the mean score of quality of life increased from 80.39±11.35 to 81.35±8.31. No significant difference was existed in the total score of quality of life after intervention but there were significant differences in the physical health (P<0.05), self-evaluation of quality of life of patients (P<0.01) and self-assessment of health of patients after educational intervention.

Conclusion: This study showed that the educational program based on PRECEDE model was effective in improving quality of life of patients with regard to physical health and self-assessment of their health status.

---

Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases is the first cause of mortality in developed and developing countries. This study was done to determine findings of coronary arteries angiography of subjects referring to Kosar angiography center in Golestan province, Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 5444 patients whome referred to the Kosar angiography center in Golestan province, Northern Iran undervent in this study during 2008-09. Gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, opium, hypertension and coronary arteries angiography findings were completed for each subjects. Coronary arteries angiography was performed on 5400 of subjects. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-13, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results: In this study 52% of subjects were men. 72% of patients were Native Fars. 49.5% of subjects were found to be illiterate. While 92.6% of clients did not reported any history of smoking, 22.5% of subjects were addicted to different opium. The mean BMI was 27.48 and 38.2% of clients reported a history of hypertension. Coronary arteries angiography was performed on 5400 of subjects. Coronary arteries disorders were determined in 3142 of subjects (58.8% males, 41.2% females). Left anterior descending, right coronary artery, circumflex and obtuse marginal were the most involved coronary arterial branches in positive angiograms, respectively.The most severe failure (47.7%) has been found in left anterior descending artery.

Conclusion: Due to high incidence of coronary arteries disease in this region of Iran, it is suggested to design a project to investigate the preventive mearsures of cardiovascular disorders.

---

Background and Objective: Several strains of the Echinococcus granulosus have been described based on morphological characters, intermediate host specificity and/or genetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. The aim of this study was to characterize different E.granulosus isolates by using sequences of mitochondrial atp6 gene.

Materials and Methods: In this study, Sixty infected liver and lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were collected from the abattoir of Varamin city-Iran during 2008. Protoscoleces were removed from each fertile cyst and DNA extracted. New and specific primers were designed for two existing genotypes (G1 and G6) of E. granulosus known to occur in Iran and applied in PCR reactions.

Results: The new primers selectively amplified the G1 and G6 genotypes of E. granulosus with specific bands of 708 and 705 bp respectively. The G1 genotype was identified in all fertile cyst samples.

Conclusion: This study showed that the new primer pairs which specifically amplify portions of the mitochondrial atp6 gene of the G1 and G6 strains of Echinococcus granulosus are proper molecular marker for investigating genetic variation in a number of isolates of E. granulosus from a range of hosts (sheep, goats, cattle) in Iran. The result of sequenced samples showed that our sequences were the same as those reported previously for these strains.

---

Background and Objective: The reactive oxygen species (ROS) continuously are neutralized by antioxidant. Biological molecules become protected from oxidative stress under normal conditions. The production of ROS during hypoxia is reported In Vitro which is also known as reductive stress. In order to study this phenomenon at physiologic scales which occurs in routine activities, this study was conducted to evalute, the effect of voluntary apnea on serum ROS level. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, the participants were 12 healthy non-athlete men aged 21±3 years. At the end of normal depth inspiration the voluntary apnea had been started till 40 seconds. The respiratory rate and depth, heart rate and arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent were continuously monitored. Venous blood samples were collected at two times: (1) immediately after the apnea and (2) at the end of it and before re-breathing. The serum ROS level was measured using the standard D-ROM test. Results: The mean and the range of breath holding time were 52.5±7.9 and 40±61.7 seconds respectively. The heart rate and the arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent decrease 12.75% (P<0.003) and 2.05% (P<0.001) respectively. The mean and the range of basal vs. apnea of these parameters were as follow: 93.3±3.03 and 87-107 bpm vs. 81.43±3.7 and 71-93 bmp 97.6±.16 and 97-98 percent vs. 95.6±.33 and 94-97%. The serum ROS level after 40 seconds of apnea did not show significant differences. Conclusion: In non-athletes the voluntary apnea had no effect on serum reactive oxygen species level.

---

Background and Objective: In pathogenesis of beta major thalassemia, tissue damage is occurring due to oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum Paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzyme activity and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients. Materials and Methods: In this clinical tiral study, Sixty (25 males, 35 females) beta major thalassemia patients with age≥18 years who had criterias to enter the study, were selected randomely in two groups. The patients in interventional group, vitamin E at a dose of 400 mg/day were given for three months, with no supplementations in control group. The enzyme activities of paraoxonase, SOD, GPX and lipid profiles (LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride, total Antixidant Capacity) were measured prior and after 3 months in both case and control groups. Data analyzed by using paired t-test. Results: Significant increases in serum levels of vitamin E, Paraoxonase activity, HDL cholesterol (P<0.001), BMI (P≤0.001) and a significant reduction in GPX activity (P<0.05) were observed in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: The vitamin E supplementation may be useful in reducing oxidative stress and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemic patients.

---

Background and Objective: Passive smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-reported exposure to passive smoking and urinary cotinine level of the pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 108 non-smoker pregnant women referred to Arash hospital in Tehran, Iran for delivery during 2010. A questionnaire including smoke exposure during pregnancy was completed for all the participants. Urine samples were collected from the mothers in the delivery room. The urinary cotinine levels was measured by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Student t-test, Chi-Square and one-way ANOVA tests. The Kappa test was used to evaluate the variability of mothers which report exposure to passive smoking with maternal urinary cotinine level. Results: The geometric mean cotinine of the maternal urine in the exposed group (27.4±29.96 ng/ml) was significantly higher than the non-exposed group (0.75±2.29 ng/ml) (P<0.05). There was a significant association between maternal reports of cigarette smoke exposure and urinary cotinine (Kappa=96%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that there is a relationship between maternal self-reporting and urinary cotinine level during pregnancy.

---

Background and Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impairs spatial learning and memory. Desmopressin acetate ameliorates the cognitive deficits induced by electroconvulsive shock. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Desmopressin acetate on retention of spatial memory deficits induced by post-traumatic stress disorder in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study twenty one male Wistar rats were used. Animals were trained for 5 consecutive days in Morris water maze and then were randomly assigned in three groups (Vehicle + Sham, Saline + PTSD and Desmopressin acetate + PTSD) and tested in a probe 60 sec in 24h after the last acquisition trial. The groups of PTSD+Desmopressin acetate rats and vehicle+sham, saline+PTSD were injected Desmopressin acetate (10 micro gr/kg body weight) and saline (IP), respectively. Injections performed ten minute prior to PTSD and spatial memory was tested ten minutes later. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, One-Way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The platform location latency of the Desmopressin acetate+PTSD group was significantly shorter (4.24 sec) than the control group (P<0.05) and also, had significantly smaller average proximity values (33.87 cm) compared to the saline+PTSD group (P<0.05). Desmopressin acetate + PTSD spent significantly more time (21.65%) in the target zone (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that Desmopressin acetate blocks the ability of PTSD to impair spatial memory retention.

---

Background and Objective: Disclosure of cancer is one the main challenges in caring of patients with cancer, since it may have adverse effects on the patients quality of life. This study was done to determine life quality of cancer patient with or without self awareness. Materials and Methods: This case – control study was conducted on 300 cancer patients in Shahid Ghazi-Tabatabaei hospital in Tabriz, Iran during 2009. The cancer patients included 150 subjects aware of their cancer diagnosis as cases and 150 unaware patients as controls. The patient's quality of life was assessed Using EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17 and student’s t-test. Results: The mean±SD of quality of life among aware and unaware patients were 64.18±18.85 and 65.16±19.02, respectively. There was no significant difference of quality of life between two groups. Life social dimension in unaware patients significantly was more than aware patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: Patients awareness of cancer have no effect on their quality of life.

---

Background and Objective: Carbamazepine during pregnancy can induce various malformations. Recent studies have showed an increase in homocysteine level due to Carbamazepine administration. This study was to evaluate the effect of Carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 BALB/c timed-pregnant mice were allocated into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) or 60 mg/kg (group II) of Carbamazepine on gestational days 6 to 15. The control groups were received either - normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18. External examinations were done and all data concerning malformations, weight and crown-rump of fetuses collected. Blood samples were collected from Dams' hearts prior to performing the Cesarean section. Homocysteine was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Tukey tests. Results: Significant increase in Homocysteine levels of dams’ serum compared to control groups was seen in both experimental groups I and II (10.56±1.31 and 11.11±1.64 µmol/L, respectively, P<0.05). The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups (P<0.05). Various malformations such as limb defects, vertebral defects, facial deformity and severe malformations were observed in fetuses of both experimental groups. Conclusion: Serum elevation of homocysteine in Carbamazepine exposed pregnant mice may be a risk factor for induction of fetal malformations.