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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: Gastric cancer is the 2nd cause of cancer mortality after lung cancer. Approximately 12% of all cancer death are due to gastric cancer. Tumorgenesis is thought to be a multistep process involving a series of genetic changes in oncogenes and suppressor genes. The most common cancer-related genetic change known in human tumors is P53 mutation, particularly in gastric cancer. This study was done to determine P53 gene mutations in gastric cancer. Materials & Methods: This study was performed on 44 biopsy from patients with gastric cancer during 2002 in 3 hospitals in Tehran. For determination of P53 gene mutations was performed PCR-SSCP methods. Results: The patients group comprised 31 males and 13 females (Average age, 60.8 years Ranging from 34 to 84 years). 36 cases (81.8%) intestinal type, 5 cases (11.4%) were diffuse type and 3 cases no defined. 44 gastric cancers of gastric tissues were screened for the mutations of P53 gene mutations in exons 5-8 using the PCR-SSCP analysis. After polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 9 patients (20.5%) showed an apparent electrophoretic mobility shift between the cancer and other normal samples. One mutation in exon 5 (11.1%), 2 were detected in exon 6 (22.2%), 3 were found in exon 7 (33.3%) and 3 were detected in exon 8 (33.3%). The mutation rate was 7 of 36 (21.2%) in intestinal type and 2 of (40%) in diffuse type. No significant correlation between P53 gene mutations and age and genus was found. Conclusion: This investigation showed the rate P53 gene mutation (20.5%) in gastric cancer in our society.

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Background&Objective: Celiac is a digestive disease. In this disease, small bowel is damaged and the absorption of nutrients are adversely affected. These patients do not absorb gluten. There is probably a correlation between esophagus cancer and celiac. The aim of this research was to study the seroepidemiology celiac disease in this area with high prevalency of esophagus cancer. Materials&Methods: This research was a descriptive study, which was performed on blood donors in Golestan province during the year 2005-06. blood samples were taken from 2547 subjects. tTG-IgA determination were carried out using ElISA technique, the titre<4U/ml, 4-10U/ml and >10Um/l were considered to be as negative, weakly positive and positive respectively. EMA antibody assessment were carried out on all sample population with more than 4U/ml, using IFA method. Results: 28 subjects (1.1%) had tTG-Ab positive test, out of this number 18 subjects (0.7%) were weakly positive and 10 persons (0.4%) were considered to be positive. EMA test were positive in 70% of subjects with tTG positive results. There was not any significant meaning between positive tTG test and ethnicity from weakly positive tTG, 15 subjects (83.3%) and 3 subjects (16.7%) were male and female respectively. The entire tTG positive were male subjects. Conclusion: In regard to high prevalency of esophagus cancer in the region and the relation of celiac disease with above cancer, it seems necessary to look more seriously at the celiac disease.

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Background&Objective: Two enzymes have the ability to hydrolyze acetylcholine. One is acetylcholinesterase, which is called true cholinesterase, it is found in erythrocytes. The other cholinesterase is pseudocholinesterase, it is found in serum. Some chemical components of organophosphates group and carbamates affected cholinesterase activity. Determination of cholinesterase has application in diagnosis of liver disease, liver damage by insecticide and assessment of fatty liver. Pesticide factory workers are one group of peoples which are exposed of poisoning by pesticide. Materials&Methods: This research in 2005 performed in pesticide producers. In two stages (3 month interval) from 58 of personal blood was drown. Results: Mean of erythrocyte cholinesterase in first stage was 48.5±11.2 IU/gHb and second stage was 37.9±17.3 IU/gHb. Decrease of erythrocyte cholinesterase was significant differences (paired t test, P<0.05). Increase of serum AST was not statistically significant. Increase of serum ALT and Albumin was significant differences (paired t test, p<0.05). In 15 individual (25.9 %) cholinesterase decrease more than 35% and in 16 workers (27.6 %) erythrocyte cholinesterase decrease between 26-35%. Conclusion: Since in more than 26% of personnel cholinesterase decreased over than 35%, routine assessment of cholinesterase in similar factory, is recommended.

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Background & Objective: Adenosine deaminase is an enzyme which catalyses adenosine to Inosine. The determination of adenosine deaminase in body fluids is important for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. There are contradictory reports about the diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase in pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was set up to investigate the diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase and its isoenzymes activities on pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, blood samples were obtained from 26pulmonary tuberculosis patients (group 1), 17 suspected tuberculosis with negative in both smear and culture tests (group 2), and 67 healthy subjects (group 3). Total ADA and ADA2 determination was carried out by kinetic method and EHNA Inhibitor, respectively. Results: ADA and ADA2 activities are as follow: 19.35±5.04, 13.35±5.34 (group 1) 17.24±6.20, 11.47±3.92 (group 2) and 13.96±4.25, 7.36±2.91(group 3). The mean differences of ADA and ADA2 activity between group 1 and 2 with group 3 was meaningful. The sensitivity and specificity for ADA and ADA2 tests were (26.9%, 94 %) and (50%, 97 %) respectively. The PPV for ADA and ADA2 were 63.6% and 86.7% and the NPV were 76.8% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that the assessment of these enzymes in serum to some extend can be a useful method for differentiation of healthy subjects from respiratory disease, but these tests do not have enough sensitivity to assist in the diagnoses of tuberculosis patients from other respiratory diseases.

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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.

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Background and Objective: Stress has been known as an important causative factor in irritable bowel syndrome. Various studies have indicated the relationship between serum leptin levels and stress levels. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between serum leptin levels with irritable bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods: In This case-control study, eighty irritable bowel syndrome patients and 80 controls were recruited. All participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire included demographic information and medical history as well as a stress questionnaire. Serum leptin level was measured by ELISA method. Chi-square, student t-test, pearson correlation and logistic regression were used for investigating the relationships between variables. Results: Participants in irritable bowel syndrome group had significantly higher stress levels than controls (p<0.05). In the other hand, Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group than the other one (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment of stress level and body mass index, serum leptin level was still significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group (Odds ratio=0.9 CI95%:0.85-0.94). Conclusion: The present study indicated that there is a relationship between leptin and irritable bowel syndrome and serum leptin level is significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group than controls. This relationship is independent of other variables such as stress levels, BMI.

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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.

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Background and Objective: Celiac is a hereditary disease presented with chronic inflammation of small intestine. Several studies supposed a relationship between Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody is one of the best serological markers in Celiac disease. This study was designed to evaluate the association of Celiac and IBD using tissue trans-glutaminase antibody.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 127 confirmed IBD patients who were referred by gastroentrologists 2005-08 enrolled into the study. A questionnaire was completed and tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was evaluated with ELISA method with a Cut-off=12 U/ml.

Results: Among 127 referred patients, serum samples of 102 patients were collected. Mean±SD of age was 36.17±15.2 years and 48% were males. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other colitis were observed in 76 (74.5%), 7 (6.9%) and 19 (18.6%) of patients, respectively. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was positive (19.8 U/L) in one 46-years-old male patient with ulcerative colitis.

Conclusion: Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody titer was not significantly different between IBD patients and controls, thus it seems not appropriate to suggest as one of the routine tests in IBD patients.

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Background and Objective: Hypertension is considered as a major public health problem in most countries due to its association with ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine people awareness of hypertension in Golestan province of Northern Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional population based study carried out on 2497 subjects (15-65 years old) including 1500 men and 1247 women in Golestan province- Northern Iran during 2006. The subjects were chosen by proportional-cluster sampling based on sex and age groups. The subjects were interviewed, antropometric indexes and serum biochemical factors were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5 minutes interval and defined based on JNC-7 classification. Serum cholesterol and fast blood sugar (FBS) were determined using laboratory kits (enzymatic methods), and spectrophotometery technique. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software and Chi-Square test.

Results: In general, the prevalence of hypertension in this region was 23.9%. with higher rate among women urban area by 3.3% and 5% respectively. Only 48.7% of hypertensive patients were aware of their disease and that was significantly more in women than men (P<0.001). Low physical activity, chronical age, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, general obesity, central obesity and illiteracy were the risk factor for hypertension morbidity (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed, in spite of prevalency of hypertension among 20% of subjects in this area only 48.7% of them were aware about their disorder.

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Background and Objective: Menstrual disorders are including of metruragy, oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea. Hormonal disorders can be the cause of such abnormalities. This study was designed to evaluate, the correlation between serum thyroid and sex hormones level,with menstrual disorders.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study carried out on 110 women with menstrual disorders without anatomical disorders referred to private clinic during 2007-08. In third day of menstrual cycle, sample blood was taken for determination of LH, FSH, PRL, TSH, T3, T4 and Testosterone. Laboratory tests were performed by ELISA method.

Results: The 42.7% of women with menstrual disorders were in age group lower than 25 years. Oligomenorrhea with 42.7% was the major menstrual disorder and amenorrhea was the lowest with 4.5%. The most hormonal disorders was related to T3 (46.3%), LH (44.5%) and testosterone was the lowest with 5.4%. 11 cases (10.0%) have presented with hirsutism.

Conclusion: According to findings of this study T3 and LH are the common hormonal disorders in menstrual abnormalities.

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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.

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Background and Objective: Gestational diabetes is affected 3-12% of women and occurs at the final stage of second trimester. This study was done to determine the fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test. Methods: This case – control study was carried out on 96 pregnant women with glucose challenge test (GCT)>140 mg/dl as cases and 96 pregnant women with GCT<140 mg/dl as controls. The serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin determined using ELISA and chemical methods, respectively. Results: In pregnant woman with abnormal GCT, there was a significant correlation with glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine. The glycated hemoglobin correlation was more significant compared to fructosamine (0.63 to 0.24). There was not significant correlation between GCT with fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in individuals with normal GCT. Conclusion: The measurement of glycated hemoglobin is more accurate than fructosamine in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test.

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Background and Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common clinical condition with a mortality rate of 15-20%. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is known as an indicator in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with various diseases and malignancies. This study was conducted to determine the value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the prognosis of death in patients with venous thromboembolism during the short term.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 93 hospitalized patients with spontaneous venous thromboembolism in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2012-15. Demographic, blood and biochemical parameters of the patients were evaluated in the prediction of fatal outcome in a follow-up of 30 days after thrombose diagnosis.
Results: Sixteen patients (17.2%) died within 30 days. The variables of age, white blood cells, neutrophils, NLR, creatine kinase MB and lactate dehydrogenase significantly increased (P<0.05), and lymphocyte also platelet significantly reduced within the occurrence of death in a short period of 30 days follow up (P<0.05). A cut-off point of 7.21≤NLR had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 56.3%, 87%, 47.3% and 90.5%, respectively.
Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio can be used as a useful biomarker in the prediction of mortality during short periods of time in VTE patients.

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Selenium is an essential mineral found naturally in soil, water, and some foods. Today, selenium, as an antioxidant, is one of the vital elements in the human body. Although the human body needs a small amount of selenium daily, recent studies have shown that the same small amount of selenium is essential for maintaining healthy body function. It is challenging to choose the right dose of selenium. According to several studies in this present review, a daily supplement of 31.5-200 micrograms seems beneficial since the amount of selenium in various diseases is less than the amount in healthy people. The articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and SCOPUS databases were screened and collected based on the keywords including selenium, oxidant, antioxidant, diabetes, cancer, toxicity, heart disease and liver disease. These keywords were chosen because of the antioxidant role of selenium as well as the prominent role of oxidation in the progression of these diseases. 150 articles published over a period of 20 years from 2000 to 2020 were used in this study. Articles about nano-seleniums, non-dietary supplements, and diseases caused by the underlying disease of metabolic syndrome were excluded and finally 121 articles were included in the study. A limited number of studies show that patients with multiple disorders may need to take higher doses of selenium (82.4 to 200 micrograms) than healthy people. In this study, selenium's antioxidant role in chronic metabolic disorders, including hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, and some cancers, were investigated. Also, the clinical significance of selenium deficiency in metabolic diseases, as well as clinical and experimental observations on the effect of selenium dietary supplements in the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, and cancers, are briefly mentioned. Besides, the recommended toxicity and dose of selenium have been discussed.