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Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) with positive Cytotoxin associated Gene A (CagA) have higher potential for pathogenesis. Cytotoxin associated Gene A (CagA) accelerate the pathogenecity of bacteria due to cytotoxin production stimulation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the anti-CagA antibody among H. pylori infected persons in Golestan province-North of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 676 H. pylori positive subjects in Golestan province, northern Iran during 2008. Anti CagA antibody were determined in H.pylori positive subjects. Data analyzed by SPSS-16 software and chi-square test. Results: Prevalence of anti CagA in Helicobacter pylori infected cases was 57.7% (390 cases: 179 males and 211 females) (95% CI: 53.9-61.4). According to age the highest and lowest cases of anti CagA antibody were seen in, 15-24 (63.4%) and under 5 years old (26.3%). The level of anti CagA antibody in Sistanian ethnicity group (67.2%) was more than other ethnic group. Anti CagA antibody in Rural area was more than urban regions. Sero prevalence of anti CagA antibody was highest in Minudasht twon (78%), located in East of province in comparison with Bandar Gaz (44%) in west of province. Conclusion: This study showed the prevalence of CagA positive Helicobacter pylori strains in this region is similar to other regions of Iran, Asia and Europe and higher than African population.

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Background and Objective: Although multiple sclerosis is a disease affecting white matter of brain and spinal cord, but involvement of basal ganglions in some studies demonstrated a decrease in T2 sequence signals. This study was done to assess signal intensity of basal ganglions in T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in multiple sclerosis Materials and Methods: This case – control study was done on 30 multiple sclerosis patients and 30 controls in Imam Reza hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, during 2010. MRI images of multiple sclerosis of patients and control group were matched according to age and sex. The basal ganglia signals were identified based on involvement areas, number of plaques, and brain atrophy in T2 and flair sequences. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Chi-Square, Fisher exact test and independent t-tests. Results: Among the case group, 10 patients (33.3%) demonstrated low signals in right thalamus and 14 patients (46.7%) in left thalamus, which was statistically significant compared with control group (P<0.001). The presence of plaques in right and left globus pallidus was observed in 4 (13.3%) and 7 patients (23.3%) respectively. The presence of plaques in right and left thalamus was observed in 10 patients (33.3%) and 14 patients (46.7%) respectively, which was significant compared with control group (P<0.001). The presence of brain atrophy was observed in 18 patients (60%) in case groups and in one patient (3.3%) in control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicated that reduction of T2 signals in thalamus is a valuable finding in multiple sclerosis patients and it may facilitate the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

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Background and Objective: Thyroid nodules are common among the general population and they increase the risk of thyroid malignancies. This study was done to evaluate the correlation of findings of ultrasound based on Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TIRADS) and cytology of fine needle aspiration (FNA) based on Bethesda system to evaluate of thyroid nodules.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study, was performed on 165 patients (152 females and 13 males) referred to the sonography center of Sayyad Shirazi Educational Hospital, Gorgan, northern Iran during 2018. Ultralosonographic features of nodules were recorded in the pre-filled checklist. According to TIRADS and endocrinologist clinical suspicion, couple of patients was eligible for FNA under the ultrasound guidance. The cytology of FNAs was reported based on the Bethesda system classification.
Results: The mean age was significantly lower in patients with malignant nodules (35.4 vs 44.8; P<0.05). Frequency of malignancy was 8 times higher among females than males (16 vs. 2). TIRADS 3 and 4 were the most common categories among the others with the prevalence of 44.4% and 32.3%, respectively. Bethesda 2 and 4 were the most prevalent categories with prevalence of 58.8% and 20.6%, respectively. The strongest agreement was observed between TIRADS 2 and Bethesda 2 that showed benign findings. Kappa index was 0.061 between TIRADS and Bethesda (P<0.05). Echogenicity, echogenic foci, shape, and margin of nodules were seen significantly more in malignancy.
Conclusion: The most accurate prediction of TIRADS belongs to benign nodules. The correlation between TIRADS and Bethesda was evaluated to be significant overall and the maximum level of correlation was at benign findings. Therefore, these two systems can efficiently be used in order to rule out malignancies and reduce the rate of invasive interventions.

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Background and Objective: Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases. About 37 to 50% of patients report exacerbation of symptoms following psychological stress. This study we done to determine the frequency of personality disorders in psoriatic patients in north of Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 128 psoriatic patients referred to the dermatology clinic of Sayyad Shirazi Hospital and private clinics in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2019. Firstly severity of psoriasis was determined based on the PASI score (PASI: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Then, personality disorders were assessed using the Millon MCMI-III multivariate questionnaire.
Results: The mean age of psoriasis patients was 40.84±12.91 years and the duration of the disease was 8.87±y7.62 ears.72.7% of patients were females. The prevalence of most personality disorders was histrionic (22.7%), depressive (6.3%) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (3.1%), respectively. There was a significant relationship between histrionic personality disorder, which was the most common personality disorder, with disease severity, education level and type of treatment (P<0.05). There was significant relationship between depressive personality disorder and level of education, gender, occupation and ethnicity (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The most common personality disorder in psoriatic patients was histrionic personality disorder.