---

Background & Objective: Migraine is a periodic headache, usually unilateral and mostly pulsating. This disease is seen in about 10% of general population. So far, no applicable and accurate diagnostic test has been introduced and the diagnosis has been made almost clinically and after other etiologies being ruled out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of visual evoked potential (VEP) in patients with migraine. Materials & Methods: Forty patients with migraine were enrolled in a prospective, case-control study during the years 2004-2005 in Tabriz Imam Khomeini hospital and underwent the VEP study along with 40 healthy volunteers (as the control group). The mean latency of waves N75, P100, N140 and amplitude of wave P100 were measured and compared between two groups. The frequency of increased mentioned waves was compared as well. Results: The mean latency of wave N140 and the number of its increased values and amplitude of P100 were all significantly higher in patients group (P<0.05). The mean latency of P100 was significantly higher in patients with classic migraine (P=0.05). Conclusion: In spite of the fact that there are some significant differences in the VEP results between the patients and the healthy cases, none (except of the patients with classic migraine) are considered as specific changes for migraine. However, for more definite results, further studies are recommended.

---

Background&Objective: Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency situation for the neurologist as for the critical care physician, because it is caused by a focal or by a generalized sever brain suffering. The aim of this study is determine of the etiology of SE, the causes of mortality and the efficancy of side- effect on the mortality of SE. Materials&Methods: In this retrospective and prospective study that was done in ICU department of Tabriz Imam Khomeini hospital (1990-04). 50 cases of mortality from 176 cases of SE were present. Informations were obtained by finding documented. Results: Acute mortality associated with SE in this study was 35.2%.Mortality rate in patient older than 60 years, in females, in Tonic- Clonic and in >1h SE was highest. Lead was the most important causes of SE and it's mortality (26/4%). Aspirative pneumonia was the most important complication of SE (48%). 28% of patients had previous epilepsy and 4% had pervious status epilepticus. The most common complication that effect on short term mortality was long infections. Conclusion: The mortality rate in this study is more than other studies that is in result of delay reference to therapeutic centers or insufficient acquaintance of personnel with correct management of SE. low antiepileptic drug level or give up their usage is the most common causes of mortality that is in result of high prevalence of them in SE's incidence.

---

Background and Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is increasing word-wide. Tuberculosis is the main cause of death and low quality of life in HIV infected patients. The prevalence of Tuberculosis in HIV infected patients varies in different areas according to socioeconomic, cultural and geographical situation. This study was done to asses the pulmonary Tuberculosis risk factors in hospitalized HIV positive patients in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this data based study all medical files of admitted HIV positive patients in Razi hospital in Ahvaz in south west of Iran were reviewed during 2001-09. Demographic characteristics and HIV Tuberculosis related variables were analyzed using SPSS-16, Fisher's exact test and Odds Ratio. Results: Out of 123 HIV cases 99 (80.5%) were injecting drug user (IDU), sixty eight (55.3%) had imprisoment history. Eighty one patients (65.8%) had Tuberculosis, in which 46 had co-morbidities such as infective endocarditis or viral hepatitis, 79 cases were IDU, 61 cases had imprisonment history and 24 cases had CD4 count below 200. There was a significant association between Tuberculosis and IDU, imprisonment and CD4 count (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the rate of Tuberculosis in HIV positive patients is higher than the rate in previous studies performed in Iran. Also exposure to Tuberculosis cases in prison, IDU and low CD4+ T- lymphocyte count are the main risk factors for Tuberculosis acquisition.

---

Background and Objective: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in regulation of proliferation, differentiation, hypertrophy and anti-apoptosis and activation of satellite cells. This study was done to evaluated the effect of 8 weeks resistance training on sphingosine-1-phosphate level and gene expression of SK1 enzyme, isoforms of MHCs in skeletal muscles of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on Twenty four 8-week-old 190-250 gr male Wistar rats. The rats were allocated randomly into control (N=12) and training (N=12) groups. Resistance training was done using a 1 meter height ladder with 2 cm grid with an 85 degree incline, and weights attached to rat's tails. The content of S1P present in the chloroform layer was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Determination of relative mRNA expression was performed by Real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and independent t-test. Results: Resistance exercise training increased the total content of S1P in FHL (fast-twitch) and soleus (slow-twitch) muscles in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Resistance exercise training changed the gene expression of FHL SK1, SOL SK1, FHL MHC I, Sol MHC I, FHL MHC IIa, Sol MHC IIa, FHL MHC IIb, Sol MHC IIb, FHL MHC IIx, Sol MHC IIx in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that S1P level and gene expression of SK1, MHCs increased at skeletal muscles after training.

---

Background and Objective: Magnesium (Mg) ion has possible role in protecting neurons and glia from ischemic damage through the cerebral blood flow and neuronal action. This study was done to evaluate the correlation of total serum Mg level with clinical outcomes in stroke patients. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was done on 316 patients whom diagnosed with stroke in Imam Hossein hospital, Tehran, Iran during 2010-11. Mg levels in all patients were measured. Also, recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA), recurrent myocardial infarction or stroke, unstable angina and death as clinical outcomes were follow-up for period of 3 and 6 months after admission. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, Chi-Square, Fisher and Pearson correlation tests. Results: The mean age of patients was 65±15.8 year. Limb weakness (69.9%) and haemoplasia with 63.6% were the most common clinical complaints. Death was the most common finding in 3 month (16.8%) and recurrent stroke was the most common finding in 6 month follow up (2.5%). There was no significant difference between the total serum Mg and the first and second three-months follow up of clinical outcomes. Conclusion: This study can not show a significant correlation between total serum Mg levels and clinical outcomes after 3 and 6 month follow up in stroke patients.

---

Background and Objective: Antibiotical resistance to Helicobacter pylori reduced the eradication rates. This study was done to compare the sequential comparison of sequential and routine four drugs therapeutic regiments in Helicobacter pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: In this double blind clinical trial study 160 chronic dyspepsia patients randomly divided into 2 groups of sequential and routine four drugs therapeutic regiments. We performed invasive tests for H. pylori in patients who underwent gastroduodenoscopy. 160 patients who were diagnosed as H.pylori-positive by histological evaluation were selected for the trial. A 14-day sequential regimen (Omeprazole, Amoxicillin, each administered twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by Omprazole, Clarithromycin and Urazolidon, each administered twice daily for the remaining 9 days. 14-day 4 drug therapy, Omprazole, Clarithromycin, Amoxicillin and Bismoot each administered twice daily. 5 weeks after treatment urease breath test (UBT) was preformed. Results: The recovery was seen in 50.9% and 49.1% in sequential and routine four drugs theraputical treatment, respectively. The recovery of patient with severe H. pylori infection was non-significantly higher in sequential regiment (64.7%) than four drugs regiment (41.2%). In comparison to four drugs, sequential therapy was significantly more effective in patients with sever gastritis (87.5% vs. 25%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The eradication of H. pylori infection particularly in severe gastritis is preferred by sequential theraputical regiment.

---

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.

---

Background and Objective: Irrational consumption of blood products leads to unwanted side effects in patients and imposes additional financial burdens on society and patients. This study was done to determine the pattern of consumption of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in hospitalized newborns and children.
Methods: This prospective descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 80 newborn (less than 4 months age) 36 children (more than 4 months to 16 years old) who used PRBC in Sari Bu-Ali Sina hospital, north of Iran. Demographic characteristics of patients and parameters of blood product were recorded and compared with standard guideline.
Results: During the study period, administration of 116 units of PRBC (28.5%) was studied. Totally, in 24 % of cases PRBC consumption did not follow the guideline. PRBC consumption was inappropriately prescribed for patients with hemoglobin higher than 12 g/dL (12%) and for patients with hemoglobin higher than 10 g/dL (12%). Both of the consumption volume to weight ratio (P<0.05) and rate of infusion (P<0.05) were significantly higher in children less than or equal to 4 months, than in children older than 4 months. The most commonly indications were respiratory distress syndrome in neonates (62.1%) and bone marrow suppression (14.7%).
Conclusion: A significant percentage of patients were received PRBC out of guideline recommendations.  It seems, for rational use of PRBC in children and neonates the existing guidelines should be more considered to reduce the cost and side effects.
 

---

Background and Objective: Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia in elderly persons. Oxidative stress is one of the main pathological factors in Alzheimer’s disease. This study was done to investigate the effect of crosin on histological changes of hippocampus and memory impairment which induced by scopolamine in the male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups including: control, scopolamine and scopolamine with crosin treated groups. Scopolamine with dose of 3 mg/kg/bw for one week and crocin with dose of 30mg/kg for two weeks were administered, intraperitoneally. The learning and spatial memory parameters were evaluated by Morris water maze test. Then the animals were sacrificed and their hippocampi were removed immediately for histological evaluation.
Results: Scopolamine injection causes significantly increased the number of dark cells in CA1 region of hippocampus in compared to control group (P<0.05). Treatment with crocin decreased dark cells and increased light cells number in CA1 region of hippocampus (P<0.05). Also treatment with crocin decreased memory impairment that induced by scopolamine in rats (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that treatment with crocin has protective effects against neuronal damage of CA1 region of hippocampus and memory impairment that induced by scopolamine.

---

Background and Objective: The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most complex items addressed in the clinical microbiology. Although H. pylori positive subjects are bound to develop into atrophic gastritis, current body of evidences is rare. Due to the high prevalence of this bacterium worldwide, finding the true virulence factors as biomarkers for severe gastroduodenal diseases was the priority in recent researches. This study was carried out to determine the prevalancy of cagA and babA of Helicobacter pylori isolated from gastric atrophic patients.
Methods: This descriptive – analytical study was conducted on 100 patients with gastroduodenal disorders in Labafinejad hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2018. Identification of each patient and also bacterial isolation were undertaken according to the standard protocols.
Results: H. pylori were isolated in 23% of patients. 10 patients affected by atrophic gastritis followd by gastric ulcer (7 patients) and acute gastritis (6 patients). In totally, the rate of cagA gene and babA in H. pylori isolated with positive results was 52% and 34%, respectively. There was a significant association between the presence of cagA positive strains and patients with gastric atrophic (P<0.05). The babA gene did not correlate with the presence of gastric atrophic patients.
Conclusion: This study showed that various carrying cagA positive H. pylori can be recovered from patients with gastric atrophy.