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A great number of drugs have been used to inhibit preterm labor but none has been completely effective. This study has compared. The efficacy of Indomethacin and Mg-Sulfate for delaying delivery in preterm labor. In this randomized controlled trial study 120 pregnant women with intact membrane and preterm labor, cervical dilatation at least 2 cm were studied and if they had premature rupture of membranes, gestational age less than 24 or more than 32 weeks, complete cervical dilatation, severe hemorrhage, chorioamnionitis and triple or higher order gestation excluded from study. Subjects are randomly managed with Indomethacin 25 mg every 6 hours for 4 doses or Mg-Sulfate initially 4 gr/IV followed by 2 gr/h IU infusion until uterine activity diminished or decrease. The success of management was considered as either reduce or stopping the uterine contractions, and no increase in cervical dilatation or effacement. Statistical analysis were performed with Chi-square and T-test. The 2 groups understudy had the same inducer maternal matched maternal age, gestational age, parity, dilatation and effacement at initiation of study, frequency of uterine contractions. Delivery was delayed 24 hr in 66.6% and 48 hr in 58.3% by Mg-Sulfate, also delayed 24 hr in 40% and 48hr in 35% by Indomethacin (P<0.0001). No complications were reported in each group. Mg-Sulfate is more effective than Indomethacin in delaying preterm labor.

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Liver is an important organ with major role in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids metabolism. In addition, secretion and excretion of toxic materials occur in this organ. Exposure to a variety of infectious agents such as parasitic, viral, bacterial or toxic materials may lead to liver damage. Today, one of the best way for investigation and diagnosis of liver damage is measurement of some liver enzyme such as Alanine Aminotransferase (GPT or ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (GOT or AST). Since, these enzymes exist in other tissues, measurement of other specific enzyme is required. In this study activity of Ornithine Carbamyltransferase (OCT), the second enzyme in urea cycle, in 56 patients with liver problem (Cirrhosis and viral hepatitis) was determined. SGPT, SGOT, Alb, Bil, ?GT and ALP tests were performed. To assess the health and unhealthy liver in both control and sample groups. Our data shows a correlation between activity of OCT with SGOT (R=0.782, P<0.001) and with SGPT (R=0.857, P<0.001). Since OCT enzyme is specific for liver, further investigation of activity of this enzyme in assessment of other liver problems is required.

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Background & Objective: The pattern of cell types in vertebrate embryos depend on the function of organizing centers, specialized cell groups that direct the fate of nearby cells through the secretion of inductive factors. Our previous studies showed that during early neural tube formation, the notochord is essential for the induction of ectoderm and for the subsequent differentiations of the neuroepithelium. It is well known that glycoconjugates are developmentally regulated expression on the surfaces of early embryonic cells and could therefore be involved in many critical morphogenetic and histogenetic events during embryonic development. Materials & Methods: In the present study, histochemical studies were carried out to detect the presence and distribution of terminal sugars during development of precursors of motor neurons within the developing spinal cord in balb/c mice. Embryos from day 9 to 14 of gestation were fixed and processed for lectin histochemical studies by using horseradish peroxidase labeled WFA with binding specificity for terminal N-acetylgalactosamine. Results: The first reaction was occurred weakly on the cells surface and extra cellular matrix just around the peripheral portion of floor plate on day 13 of gestation. It seems that these cells are developing premotor neurons, which will form the future motor neurons of the spinal cord. The reaction increased significantly and extended to the deep part of spinal floor plate by day 14. Conclusion: These data indicate that glycoconjugates containing N-acetylgalactosamine may play important roles in differentiation of the floor plate motor neuron and perhaps glia cells in final development of the ventral part of the spinal cord.

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Background & Objective: Ramsar a coastal city in the north part of Iran has among the highest levels of natural radiation known to exist in an inhabited area. This is mainly due to radium-226 and its progenies coming to the earth surface through hot springs. The health effect of low doses of ionizing radiation is not clear and is still under the matter of discussion. The study of the effects of high natural background radiation on human health was the main goal of this investigation. The present article is showing the results of the first phase of our work. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 101 families (402 residents) of high background radiation areas and 98 families (374 residents) from adjacent normal radiation areas. After description of the study and its objectives to the participants, they were asked to participate in interviews and complete questionnaires containing some socio-economic and health items. Some items of questionnaires were determined using the information recorded in local health centers in those areas. Results: Overall data showed no significant differences between the frequencies of any mental and physical disabilities as well as death, abortion and mental depression in residents of normal and high background radiation areas. However the frequency of some special diseases such as cardiac diseases and malignancies among residents of high background radiation area in comparison with ordinary radiation level areas was lower (P<0.05). Conclusion: These preliminary results, showed lack of ill effects and even some positive effects. Among population of high background radiation areas. Although we used census method for getting data, we believe that other radio-epidemiologic prospective studies can improve our knowledge about radiobiology of low doses of ionizing radiation.

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Background&Objective: Prolongation of QRS duration particularly in Left bundle Branch Block (LBBB) is commonly associated with many cardiac diseases. Electrocardiographic study of QRS duration and electrical axis may be predictors of sever LV systolic dysfunction. Materials&Methods: In this prospective Study conducted in cardiac ward CCU and out- patient clinic of Sh. Beheshti hospital in Babol (1999-2001), 150 patients with diagnosis of LBBB divided to two groups (one QRS≥0.16 second and the other with QRS<0.16) second . Then relationship between QRS- duration, Left axis deviation and echocardiographic LV ejection fraction analysed. Results: There wasn’t significant correlation between ages, gender, and type of cardiac disease with ejection fraction among patients with LBBB. The mean ejection Fraction in the patients with a QRS duration0.16 second (n=19) was significantly lower than the mean ejection fraction in the patients with a QRS duration<0.16 second (n=131) (P<0.05) Presence of Left axis deviation associated with LBBB did not have added predictive value and was not significantly correlated with Ejection Fraction. Conclusion: As conclusion, the QRS duration 0.16 second in the presence of LBBB has a significant inverse relation with Ejection Fraction and is a simple and appropriate marker of significant left ventricular dysfunction.

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Background & Objective: The pathogenesis of appendicitis remains poorly understood. However there is increasing evidence of involvement of the enteric nervous system in immune regulation and in inflammatory responses.This study was setup to characterize the status of the enteric nervous system and mast cells in acute appendicitis with normal and non inflamed appendix with clinical symptoms Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, staining in surgically resected appendixes from 15 patients with histologically proven acute appendicitis (Histologically appendicitis, HA), 15 histologically normal appendix (Histologically normal, HN) from patients with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis and normal histology,and15 normal appendixes from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were studied in Shaid Mostafa Khomeyni medical center, Iran during 2000-01. S100-Positive schwann cells and synaptophisin-positive nerve fibers were evaluated with immunohistochemical staining and mast cells were evaluated with histochemical staining with Toloiden –blue.The number of nerve fibres, schwann cells and mast cells in each tissue compartment was measured quantitively with light microscope in 20 microscopic high power fields. Then the mean number of cells was calculated in each field (×400). Results: Increased numbers of fibers and schwann cells widely distributed in the Muscularis and submucosa were seen in the all HA appendixes. Increased numbers of mast cells distributed in submucosa were seen in the all HA appendixes. A significantly increased number of individually stained nerve fibers, schwann cells and mast cells were present in HA appendixes compared with control appendixes (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this study showed that significant increase in neural components and mast cells in acute appendicitis indicates the interaction between the nervous system and mast cells in pathogenesis of acute appendicitis.

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Background & Objective: Neural tube defects, growth retardation and nail hypoplasia are most common features of teratogenic effects of carbamazepine. This study was done to determine the effects of carbomazepine on eye development in Mice fetuses. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study 40 BALB/c pregnant Mice were divided into four groups. Experimental groups I and II received 15 mg/kg daily 6-15 GD (gestational days) and 30 mg/kg daily 6-15 GD intraperitoneal of carbamazepine, respectively. All drugs recolved in Tween20. Two control groups received normal saline or Tween 20. Dams were dissected on GD18 and embryos were collected. After observation of eye malformation in fetuses, we employed routine histological processes to stain the samples and also skeletal staining was performed. Results: Calvaria deformations, finger anomalies, brachygnathia and short tail in experimental groups I and II were 7% and 10.8%, 13.3% and 16.6%, 7.8% and 11.7%, 10.2% and 9.2% respectively. Ten of fetuses (8.6%) in experimental group I and nine of fetuses (7.5%) in the experimental group II had eye malformations. Premature opening of one or both eyes with mild to severe exophthalmos occurred in both of the experimental groups. Also, histological examination showed deformed lens, retinal folds with undeveloped layers, corneal fold with absence of surface epithelium. Conclusion: This study revealed that administration of carbamazepine during embryunic period can induce eye malformations in Mice fetuses.

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Background & Objective: The breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. MDM2 expression is determined in some carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias,and breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of MDM2 gene in primary breast cancer and it’s relationship with grade, stage and axillary lymph node involvement. Materials & Methods: the study was the cross-sectional one, that was performed on 75 samples of patients with breast cancer admitted in Mostafa Khomeini hospital Tehran, Iran (2000-05). After preparing the samples, a tissue section from each samples was obtained. One of the tumoral sections and one of the lymph node sections were stained by H&E. We determined the type of the tumor, the number of lymph nodes, the stage and the grade of the tumor. We studied MDM2 with polyclonal antibody by IHC. Results: The meanSD of patients were 5412.5 years old. 69.3% of patients had lymphoid involvement. 32% of samples were positive for MDM2. 58.7% of samples were in stage II and the most of patients (42.7%) were in grade III. In this study, there was not any relationship between MDM2 and tumor grade, but there was a relationship between stage of tumor and lymph node involvement with MDM2 gene (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that MDM2 gene is a prognostic factor in breast cancer.

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Background & Objective: Glucose Amino Glycans (GAG) are unbranched polysacharides, major components of the basement membrane and play a key role in their molecular organization and function, also have an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases such as hypertension. Hypertention is probably the most important health problem in several countries. But there is not yet a reliable indicator for early diagnosis of hypertension. The goal of this study was the measurement of serum and 24-h urinary GAG as an exact and early diagnostic marker. Materials & Methods: In this case – control study, 24-h urine and serum samples collected from the 53 patients and 38 persons as matched control normotensive group. Then amount of GAG was measured with spectrophotometery method. Results: Our findings showed that there is a direct relation between 24-h urinary GAG excretion and systolic blood pressure and it increases with increase of systolic blood pressure. Also amount of serum GAG increases in hypertensive patients in comparison with control group. Conclusion: This study showed that the concentration of GAG in sera and 24-h of urine samples increase in systolic hypertention.

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Background and Objective: Adolescence is a critical period which has physical, sexual and psychosocial changes. Scientists believe that adolescent must aware from necessary knowledge at critical time, because unawareness causes more sexual deviation. Thus in this study parents and teacher's view had been assessed about the best time and appropriate method for reproductive health education for female adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 400 parents and 50 teachers from girls' high school were chosen by multiple sampling in Gorgan-Iran. Information collected by a questionnaire which consisted of two parts of demographic characteristics and polling which contains three parts: fertilization and pregnancy, family planning, HIV and STDs. Descriptive statistic was used for analysis the Data by SPSS-9 software. Results: 43.5% of mothers and 38.5% of fathers believed that the best time for fertilization and pregnancy education is at marriage time, and 46% of teachers believed grade III high school and pre- university is suitable time. Majority of teachers and parents believed that the best time to teach family planning is at marriage time. 32% of mothers believed that the most suitable time. for teaching HIV and STDs is grade 3 at high school and pre- university but about 30.7% of fathers and 38% of teachers noted the best time is grade I and II at high school. About the most suitable education method, 45% of mothers and 44% of teachers believed that attending a midwife at school is necessary. Conclusion: This study showed that majority of parents and teachers agree with reproductive health education during high school and marriage time and they mentioned that the best education method should be done at school with attending a midwife as a counselor.

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Background and Objective: Compression or sciatic axotomy induces neuronal death in spinal cord alpha motor neuron. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Nigella sativa seed alcoholic extract on spinal motor neuron density in anterior horn after sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 wistar rats were divided into four groups A: control, B: compression, C: compression+treatment with 75 mg/kg alcoholic extract, D: compression+treatment with 50 mg/kg alcoholic extract. In control group muscle was exposed without any injury to sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment group, the right leg sciatic nerve compressed for 60 sec. After four weeks of post operation, L2-L4 and S1, S2 and S3 segments of spinal cord were sampled, processed, serially sectioned and stained with toluidine blue. The number of alpha motor neurons was counted using dissector method. Results: Neuronal density in compression group (650±32) significantly decreased in comparison with control group (1803±24). Neuronal density in C treated group (1581±47) and D treated group (1543±49) significantly increased compare to compression group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed increased the density of alpha motor neurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in rats.

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Background and Objective: Free radical production andsubsqunt oxidative steress can be due to hyperglycemia and its oxidation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of swimming training test and Fenugreek seed extract on plasma glucose and antioxidant activity in heart tissue of streptozotocine – induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male wistar rats were allocated into five groups diabetic (DC, n=10), healthy control (HC, n=10), swimming training (S, n=10), swimming training + Fenugreek seed extract (1.74 g/kg/bw) (SF1, n=10), and swimming training + Fenugreek seed extract (0.87 g/kg/bw) (SF2, n=10). Streptozotocine (60 mg/kg/bw) was used for induction of diabetes in DC, S, SF1 and SF2 groups. Serum glucose and the rat heart tissue antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Glutation peroxidase were determined. Results: Body weight in all groups were significantly reduced in comparsion with healthy control group (P<0.05). Plasma glucose level significantly reduced in SF1 and HC groups compared to diabetic group (P<0.05). Cardiac antioxidant enzymes in swimming training, SF1 and SF2 groups significantly increased in compare to diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of endurance swimming training and fenugreek seed extract can reduce plasma glucose and increase cardiac antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocine – induced diabetic rats.

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Background and Objective: Radiotherapy is a main therapeutic regiment in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Radiation not only eradicate cancer but it also cause damage to healthy surrounding tissues, giving rise to objective and subjective problems. This study was done to evaluate the subjective complications of post radiation in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: This descriptive –analytic study was carried out on 45 patients with head and neck cancer (28 males and 17 females) whom were gone under radiotherapy in Rasht, Iran. Subjective complications evaluated before, during, 1 month and 3 months after radiotherapy. Persian version of LENT-SOMA questionnaire was used. Pain, xerostomia, dysphagia, trismus and dysgeusia were recorded for each subject. Results: 80% of subjects experienced Pain. In the study period, pain intensity, frequency and analgesic consumption were belonging to ear and throat. One month after post radiation, pain intensity, frequency and analgesic consumption belong to ear, throat, jaw, mouth and teeth which were significantly more than 3 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05). One month after post treatment, xerostomia, dysphagia, trismus and dysgeusia were significantly more than 3 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05). Pain in ear and jaw had significant correlation with radiation dosage (P<0.05). Conclusion: Intensity of subjective complains were aggravated and merge one month after radiotherapy and can be reduced to nearly the initial stage of treatment, three months after radiotherapy.

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Background and Objective: Ruta graveolens is a plant used in traditional medicine with variety of therapeutic effects. This study was done to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of hydro and alcoholic extracts of Ruta graveolens on 8 species of pathogenic bacteria. Methods: In this descriptive study, standard strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphilococcus aureus, Staphilococcus epidermis, Strptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter Cloace were obtained from Iranian institute of scientific and industerial research center. The effect of hydro and hydroalcholic extracts of Ruta graveolens on the growth of bacteria was determined by disc diffusion and serial macro dilution methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each extract was determined and the findings were compared with 8 common antibiotics including Co-trimoxazole, Oxycycline, Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Furazolidon, Tetracycline, amoxicillin / clavulanic acid and Ampicillin/sulbactam. Results: Hydro and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ruta graveolens did not show any inhibitory effect on growth of the pathogenic bacteria even in the presence of high concentration (3mg/ml). Conclusion: The extracts of arial organs of Ruta graveolens had no inhibitory effect on growth of the common human pathogenic bacteria.

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Background and Objective: Drug resistance to tuberculosis and especially multiple drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) variants are a serious problem in tuberculosis patients and make difficulties in controlling the disease. This study was coducted for detection of common mutations causing drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis strains among tuberculosis patients using line probe assay method. Method: In this descriptive study, fifty four sputum samples of tuberculosis patients were randomly selected in health centers of Mazandaran, northern Iran during 2012. After culturing of sputum samples on Lowenstein–Jensen medium, genomic DNA was extracted from colonies using CTAB method. Molecular analysis of mutations causing resistance to five different antibiotics including Isiniazide, Rifampin, Sterptomycine, Amicasin / Canamycine, Kinolon were performed using long probe assay (LPA) method. Results: Out of 54 sputum samples, three (5.5%), three (5.5%), four (7.4%) were resistance to Kinolon, Amicasin / Canamycine and Sterptomycine, respectively. Mutation in KATG was seen in 2 samples resistant to Isiniazide. Mutation in rpoB 516 was seen in 3 samples resistant to Rifampin. Four samples (7.4%) were resistant to the two anti-tuberculosis antibiotics, while three samples were resistant to Sterptomycine and Kinolon and one sample was resistant to Rifampin and Canamycine. Conclusion: 7.4% of sputum samples were resistant to the two anti- tuberculosis antibiotics. Line probe assay is a rapid and suitable method for detecting tuberculosis drug resistance.

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Background and Objective: Hemoglobin D-Punjab is one of the variant of hemoglobin caused by a mutation on position 121 of beta globin gene which is frequent in India, Pakistan and Iran. Heterozygote form of this variant is mainly asymptomatic while in combination with hemoglobin S, severe form of anemia occure. This study was carried out to determine the beta globin gene haplotypes associated with hemoglobin D-Punjab in Northern Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on families of 18 individuals whom were carriers of hemoglobin D-Punjab in Sari in Northern Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples using Phenol-chloroform standard protocol. In order to identify different haplotypes associated with hemoglobin D-Punjab, PCR-RFLP method and family linkage analysis were used. Results: In 17 subjects hemoglobin D-Punjab was linked to [+ - - - - + +] haplotype and in one case association with [- + + - + + +] haplotype was observed. Conclusion: The hemoglobin D-Punjab alleles have mainly unicentric origin and [- + + - + + +] rare haplotype may have different genetic origin or is created as a result of gene recombination.

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Background and Objective: The national screening program for G6PD enzyme deficiency is not able to detect all affected neonates. This study was done to compare the fluorescent spot test (FST), decolorization test, and quantitative enzyme assay (QEA) for detecting G6PD enzyme deficiency in neonates. Methods: In this descriptive study, cord blood samples of 365 neonates were collected. Decolorization test, QEA and DNA test was done for each sample. All of the neonates were tested by FST as a part of national screening program on heel-prick blood sample collected on day 3–5 after birth. QEA was considered as the gold standard. According to QEA test results, neonates with <20% and 20–60% of mean normal enzyme activity were considered as total deficient and partial deficient, respectively. Results: Fluorescent spot test detected 13 male neonates with G6PD enzyme deficiency while decolorization test identified 18 male and 1 female neonates. Using QEA, 19 of male and 28 of female neonates with G6PD enzyme deficiency (26 cases with partial and 2 cases with total deficiency) were diagnosed. DNA analysis detected 34 female case as heterozygote and 14 male neonates as hemizygote for the disease. Conclusion: Fluorescent spot test do not have required sensitivity for screening of neonates with G6PD enzyme deficiency. QEA test is recommended to replace the fluorescent spot test in national screening program.

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Background and Objective: Alpha Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent hemaglobinophaties worldwide. Alpha thalasseima patients may represent wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe life threatening anemia. This study was done to assess the carrier frequency of alpha globin gene mutations among newborns in north of Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 412 cord blood samples of neonate from Amir Mazandari hospitali were randomly selected during 2012. Genomic DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. Multiplex Gap- PCR and PCR-RFLP methods were applied in order to detect three common gene deletions, one triplication and one point mutation. Results: Total allelic frequency of investigated mutations was 0.0825. The -α3.7 deletion with allelic frequency of 0.0485 was the most prevalent mutation among 412 neonates. Allelic frequencies of -α4.2, αααanti3.7 triplication and α-5nt mutations were 0.0206, 0.0109 and 0.0024 respectively and -Med double gene deletion was not detected. Conclusion: Most mutated cases had single gene deletion that is asymptomatic while -Med double gene deletion was not detected among the neonates. Therefore, there is low probability of a child birth with Hb H disorder in the region.

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Background and Objective: Several studies reported the contraventional effects of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile. This study was done to evaluate the effect of six weeks supplementation of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile non-athlete male students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 20 non-athlete male students whom were non-randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Subjects in both groups performed aerobic exercises for six weeks based on the principle of overload. Over the course of this period, subjects in the experimental group were received 13 mg/kg/bw of complement g L-Carnitine, orally. Controls were received 3 mg/ke/g/bw of starch on daily bases. Blood samples were collected before and after the training period. HDL, LDL-c, VLDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and body mass index were recorded for each subject. Results: Aerobic exercise with supplementation of L-Carnitine significantly increased HDL and reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and VLDL, but had no significant impact on LDL-c and body mass index. Conclusion: Consumption of slight doses of L-Carnitine in combination with aerobic exercise reduces body fat percentage and lipoprotein profile of non-athlete male students

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Background and Objective: Anxiety disorder (AD) is one of the most common children disorders. In last two decades, several studies conducted to determine the mechanisms of child anxiety disorder specifically in base of neural mechanisms. However, studies about the electrophysiology of child anxiety disorder particularly in the quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) are less than imaging studies. This study was performed to compare the quantitative EEG between children with anxiety disorder and normal subjects.
Methods: This case- control study was done on 30 children with anxiety disorder and 30 normal healthy children with 6-7 years old. Electroencephalography was recorded for each subject. Power of 19 channel and 5 frequency bands delta, theta, alpha, beta and high beta (25-30 Hz) in the frontal, central and occipital area were recorded, respectively.
Results: There was significant  difference in delta absolute power in frontal lobe, theta and beta2 absolute power in central and high beta wave in occipital area between AD and normal children (P<0.05). In other words, the delta absolute power in frontal lobe and theta and beta2 absolute power in central area of brain was less in AD children in compared to normals. Also, the high beta absolute power in occipital lobe was more in AD children in compared to normals.
Conclusion: Recorded QEEG in relax time is a proper index of brain cortex metabolic activity. Therefore, low metabolic activity in particular parts of brain is determined by increasing slow waves power (delta and theta) or decreasing fast waves power (alpha and beta).