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Background and Objective: Home surplus drugs are an important problem in the developing countries especially in Iran. Iran is one of the most important consumers of drugs in the world. Materials and Methods: The study was descriptive and limited one and included 257 families of Yasuj (25 clusters) that are selected by random sampling. The method of survey is done by questionnaires and intends to evaluate home surplus drugs on basis of value, dosage forms, which is wasted from the therapeutic categorie and expiry date of drugs. Results: The findings that 83% of families had home surplus drugs on basis of dosage forms tablets, capsules, syrup and ampoules (Vials) are ranked. On basis of the therapeutic categories, gastrointestinals, analgesics, antibiotics, CNS and antihistamines are ranked. 80.50% of families are covered by one of the current insurance organizations and 19.5% are not. Conclusion: The average value of drugs for every one family was 8869 girls and from macroeconomic point of view, it will be a huge amount of money budget of country.

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Background&Objective: Transurethral resection of prostate (TUR-P) is the Gold standard therapy in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Urinary tract infections are one of the most important complications of this method. Prophylactic antibiotic regimen and the duration in preventing the infections are controversial. This study was designed to compare three different prophylactic regimens in TUR-P. Materials&Methods: In this interventional study, patients with sterile urine analysis and culture prior to TUR-P were classified in to three groups (A, B and C). One single-dose Keflin was prescribed before the operation. Four additional doses of Keflin were given to group B patients after TUR-P. Group C was similar to group B but Ciprofloxacin was given to them until catheter removal. Data were analyzed with SPSS-11.5. ?2 test and ANOVA were used. P-value less than 0.05 considered significant. Results: The incidence of positive urine cultures in group A, B and C were 35%, 20% and 11.5%, respectively. No significant relationship was seen between UTI and antibiotic regiments. Conclusion: There was not any significant relationship between UTI and different regimens although UTI rate was lower in the group with longer duration of the prophylaxis. Complementary studies are suggested for application of this regimen.

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Background&Objective: People with cancer commonly experience a range of symptoms, including pain and various types of physical and emotional distress. One of important roles of health care providers is managing these complications. The aim of this study was to the evaluation of Therapeutic Touch on hospitalized cancerous females suffering from pain. Materials&Methods: This quasi-experimental study performed on cancerous females hospitalized in Imam Khomeini hospital at Tehran. It was performed on 3 groups (case, placebo, control) 30 female with different cancers were selected, matched and then divided in 3 groups: the case group received five 20-25-minute session of therapeutic touch, the placebo group 5 ten-minute session with no energy exchange and no intervention for control group. Data gathered by two tools include: demographic questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale of Pain (0-10). Pain severity was measured before and after intervention Data was analyzed by SPSS-11.5 using ANOVA, Repeated measurement analysis variance (Wilks lambda test), qui-square and TUKEY tests. Results: The means of pain score in case, placebo and control groups before intervention was 3.8, 4.1 and 4.16 and after intervention 0.8, 6.4, 4.2 respectively. There was significant difference between 3 groups in pain severity during using ANOVA and repeated measurement analysis variance (Wilks lambda test) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the above findings, Therapeutic touch as a non invasive procedure, and non pharmacologic procedure was recommended for relive pain in cancerous females.

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Background&Objective: Research utilization provides quality and cost- effective care, optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing the credibility of nursing. Despite of increase in the amount and quality of nursing research, the conduct of research and use of its results remains poor. In Iran one of the most important barriers of research is related to research utilization. The aim of this study is to identify the barriers and facilitators of research utilization in nursing practice. Materials&Methods: The study used a descriptive- analytic design. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: The former asked for information on the academic and professional profiles of respondents, the latter was based on the BARRIERS Scale. In addition there was one open –ended question to measure the facilitators of research utilization. Content and face validity was further enhanced by submitting it to nursing researchers. Results: In factor analysis procedure four factors were extracted. The factors were labeled as: organization barriers and limitations, Quality of research, Nurses' values, awareness and skills, Communication of research. Factor loading for barrier item ''the nurse is unaware of the research'' was not included under factor headings. The top three barriers were The nurses do not have time to read research, the facilities are inadequate for implementation and the nurses do not feel they have enough authority to change patient care procedures. All the participants suggested facilitators to increase research use The most frequently mentioned facilitators were related to human resources, individual and organizational factors. Conclusion: The most dominant findings were related to organizational support. The top three barriers mentioned by the participants reflect a traditional organizational culture which hinders professional autonomy. Organizations need to ensure that facilities are provided and give the authority to the nurses to change the practice based on research.

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Background & Objective: Gorgan Gulf, with unique environmental value, has been located at the eastern south region of the Caspian Sea. It has not only valuable fish species such as strugen, Caspian roach, carp and vobla fish which supply a great part of daily protein need of our country and the world, but also its beaches are used for swimming. Therefore Lack of observation for environmental regulations result in entrance of microbial pollutants into Gorgan Gulf and creates dangers both for human health and for marine environment. So the evaluation microbial pollution for these beaches and comparing them with standards is an essential need. This study was done to evaluate microbial pollution for Caspian Sea at Gorgan Gulf. Materials & Methods: 40 sea water samples were collected during spring and autumn of 2004 at Gorgan Gulf for evaluation of sea water in Gorgan Gulf microbial pollution and also the mean total number of bacteria, coliforms, fecal coli forms and fecal streptococci was determined by standard method. Results: The results indicated that the mean total number of bacteria, coli forms, fecal coli forms and fecal streptococcus were 5001/1cc, 1555/100cc, 817/100cc and 59/100cc respectively. Conclusion: Mean results compared with related standard (both for swimming beach and piscicultres) and we found that Gorgan Gulf beaches have been polluted for swimming applications, but it is not the case for piscicultures.

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Background and Objective: Short stature among children is often due to physiological causes but it can be a sign of important and curable diseases. Thus early detection of problem, before epiphyseal closure, is critical. This study was done to determine the cause of short stature among children in Gorgan-Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional research study was done on 100 children of 6-14 years of age during 2005 in Gorgan-Iran. Children were selected by census. Demographic character of children, history of serious disease, prematurity, blood and provocative growth hormone tests, physical examination, wrist radiography and standard deviation score (SDS) were recorded for each child. Data were analyzed by t-student and chi-square tests. Results: The finding of this study showd that most children with short stature was girl (66%). mean+-SD of calendar and bone age of female children was 10.4+-2.25 and 8.4+-2.32 year, respectively. The most frequent causes of short stature were constitutional (57%), Growth hormone deficiency (30%) and familial causes (8%). Mean+-SD of calendar and bone age of males children was 10.79+-2.32 and 7.89+-2.19 years. Children with growth hormone deficiency had lower bone age and children with constitutional short stature had higher standard deviation score than others. (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that since growth hormone deficiency was one of the common and important pathologic causes of short stature. Therefore growth hormone determination and theraphy is recommended, after elimination of familial and constitutional factors.

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Background and Objective: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the brain,which occures in first few years of life, and characterized by symptoms such as qualititative impairments in verbal and non verbal communication, reciprocal social interactions, inability to communicate with others, stereotyped patterns of behavior, loss of eye contact and inappropriate facial expressions. Its prevalence is 2-5 in 10000 children and is greater in boys. Due to retarded language development, differential diagnosis other than those used with communication, behavioral and sensorial deficits should be made with Sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine whether children with autism have abnormalities affecting the cochlear nerve or auditory pathway in brainstem.

Materials and Methods: In this case – control study, auditory brainstem responses were recorded from 12 autistic children and 12 normal children aged 3-12 years in rehabilitation Zafar central in Tehran – Iran during 2005. Absolute latency values of waves I, III and V and interpeak latencies of I-III, III-V and I-V were compared with the results of 12 normal children as control group.

Results: Wave V could be traced down to 25 dB nHL in both normal and autistic groups. Absolute latency of Wave V and Interpeak latencies of III-V and I-V were significantly prolonged in Autistic children in comparison with control group.

Conclusion: This study showed a slowing in nerve conduction in auditory pathway in brainstem of autism patients. The brainstem lesion may be a part of neurological damage in autistic children that accounts for deviant language, cognition and social development. Prolongation of wave V, III-V and I-V IPLs can be a marker for early diagnosis of autism.

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Background and Objective: Epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis is affected by combination quality and interaction of Parasite-Vector-Host and environmental conditions. So, disease cycle related and eco-social factors and environmental risk factors co-analyzing, help to understanding these interactions, prognosis and orientation in disease control and treatment. This study was done to determine the role of nomadic and non-nomadic lifestyle in transmission of Kala-Azar in the Northwest of Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, firstly the prevalence of Kala-Azar among people living in selected villages were determined by both serological test (Direct Agglutination Test: DAT) and immunological test (Montenegro Skin Test: MST) in the Northwest of Iran, on the way of Shahsavan tribe travelling in summer/winter quarters villages. Then DAT was conducted on the dogs presenting in those villages during 2006. One year later Seroconversion rate was calculated through collection of the individual’s negative sera and re-analyzing them via DAT. Finally, occurrence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in relation with various involving factors like dog density/abundance and nomadic and non-nomadic lifestyle using Chi-Square test were determined.

Results: Both MST and DAT were significantly higher in the nomadic lifestyle than in the non-nomadic lifestyle (P<0.05). Three values of prevalence (5.5%), seropositivity (2.7%) and seroconversion (2.5%) were higher in nomads than non-nomads. The GIS studies and electronically prepared maps showed that the endemicity and the infection rate are higher in nomads than non-nomads. There were a negative correlation between general distribution of Visceral Leishmaniasis in relation with environmental conditions altitude, mean temperature and rainfall.

Conclusion: This study indicated that Nomadic lifestyle can play as a risk factor in transmission of Visceral Leishmaniasis due to nomads/dog contacting, their entering in the wild cycle of disease and travelling.

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Background and Objective: Lead threaten living creature’s life as air pollutant and causes several diseases such as degenerative disease of nervous system. This research was conducted to determine the effect of Curcumin on BDNF changes and oxidative/antioxidative process in rat’s hippocampus which exposed to Lead acetate.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of ten: Base, Sham(control), lead and Curcumin+Lead. lead and Curcumin+Lead groups received 20 mg/kg lead acetate and Curcumin+Lead group also received 30 mg/kg Curcumin, peritoneally for 8 weeks (3 days in weeks). MDA (oxidative stress biomarker) and TAC (total antioxidative capacity) levels were measured by TBARS and FRAP methods, respectively, and hippocampus BDNF level was measured by ELISA method in rat hippocampus region. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and Tukey at P<0.05 level.

Results: Injection of lead acetate significantly increased MDA, non-significantly decreased hippocampus BDNF and significantly decreased TAC levels in the Lead group compared with control groups. On the other hand, curcumin administration led to non significantly decreased MDA, nonsignificantly increased BDNF and significantly increased TAC levels compared with other groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that Curcumin adminstration in long term lead acetate-treated male Wistar Rats did not increased BDNF of hippocampus, but it prevent the reduction of BNDF due to lead-intoxification.

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Background and Objective: Fish as well as other aquatic animals have become an important source of protein diets. Heavy metals due to their specific physical and chemical characteristics as well as their side effects on various ecosystems are considered as a major contaminator of marine environments. Therefore determine determination of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) intensity in Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio fishes of Caspian sea. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, levels of Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Manganese were evaluated, using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (A.S.S) technique, in tissues of two commonly consumed fish in Iran, namely Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio, collected from the southern coastline of the Caspian sea. Results: The mean±SD average concentration of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn were detected as (μg g-1) dry weight of Rutilus frisii kutum’s tissues were 29.97±0.57, 9.45±0.09, 0.30±0.01 and 0.20±0.01, respectively. These values for Cyprinus carpio were detected as: 30.20±0.14, 9.14±0.07, 1.08±0.03 and 0.71±0.02, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that, the concentration of Zn, Cu and Co in Rutilus frisii kutum, Cyprinus carpio fish tissues were higher than standard base of Brian.

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Background and Objective: Autism spectrum disorder is a genetic-based cognitive and neurobehavioral disorder characterized by impairment in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive motor behavior. This study was done to evaluate the verbal fluency and working memory deficit in first-degree relatives of autistic children. Materials and Methods: In this case - control study, 49 first-degree relatives of autistic children from 33 families (32 mothers, 10 fathers, 6 sisters, and 1 brother) supported by Isfahan autism association were selected and compared with 51 first-degree relatives of typical children (23 mothers, 16 fathers, 7 sisters, and 5 brothers) of 27 families during 2010. The assessing tasks were phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tests to assess verbal fluency and forward and backward digiti span tests to assess low load and high load working memory. Data were analyzed using SPSS-19 and independent t-test and paired t-test. Results: Autistic relatives showed significant poor performance in phonemic (11.46±3.3 V.S. 14.08±3.8), semantic verbal fluency (16.83±3.3 V.S. 19.23±3.9), forward digiti span (5.22±0.6 V.S. 5.55±0.9) and backward digiti span (3.65±0.98 V.S. 4.14±0.8) (P<0.05) compared to healthy children of first-degree relatives. Conclusion: This study showed that parents and siblings of autistic children have a lower performance in phonemic and semantic, low and high load verbal fluency, which might be transmitted genetically.

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Background and Objective: Disability of upper extrimity from stroke are often permanent. Despite numerous functional problems, there is less attention to upper exterimity disabilitis than lower limbs. Some new methods of treatment focuses on using the magnetic stimulation as a means brain currents to produce therapeutic effects. This study was done to evalute the effect of low frequency repeatitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve motor function and grip force of upper limb in hemiplegic patients. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 12 stroke hemiplegic patients in Firoozgar hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2009-10. Patients in group I, recieved rehabilitation program with placebo magnetic stimulation, and patients in group II, received magnetic stimulation with routine rehabilitation program for 10 session, 3 times in week. Pre and post were evaluated by Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indeces and dynamometer. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, paired t-test, independent t-test and Wilcoxon signed tests. Results: According to Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indeces both groups I, II showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Using dynamometer, it was demenstrated that grip force of upper limb in group I was not significant but this index in group II was significant after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that low frequency repeatitive truscrianial magnetic stimulation has therapuetic effect on grip force of upper limb.

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Background and Objective: Since accurate and quick clinical and paraclinical diagnostic methods are not available, in some cases diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis occurs after considerable time from the onset of disease. This study was designed to determine the diagnostic value of High Resolution Computed Tomographic (HRCT) scan in active pulmonary tuberculosis, in Gorgan, Golestan province, North of Iran. Materials and Methods: This diagnostic screening study was carried out on 135 (79 male and 56 female) hospitalized patients suspected with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and HRCT was used in their course of treatment as recommendation of their clinician. The patients were chosen from 5th Azar hosptial during 2009-10. Also it should be mentioned that patients were selected on avaliabity bases, and they were examined by smear, and sputum culture. The patients with negative smear and culture were set up as true healthy group (64 subjects). The lung or small nuddles in HRCT was considered as proper position of lung involvument in active lung pulmonary. The HRCT findings between the case group (71 subjects) and healthy group were compared. According to HRCT findings, the sensitivity and specifity were determined for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Chi-Square test. Results: In this study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HRCT in active pulmonary tuberculosis were equal to 97.2%, 71.9%, 79.3% and 95.8% respectively. Involvement of upper and middle lobe of the right lung and upper lobe of the left lung were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that HRCT has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and can be used as a quick diagnostic way in active pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in patients with strong clinical suspicion and negative smear.

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Background and Objective: Autism is one the most disturbing neurodevelopmental disorders associated with any kinds of communicative problems and physical objects. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of pivotal response treatment on communicative and behavioral disorder of 8-12 years-old autistic boys. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 24 boys with autism (aged between 8-12 years) in pediatric rehabilitation clinic in Tehran, Iran, during 2011. Patients randomly were divided into two groups: control and pivotal response treatment (PRT). The interventional group was received 20 session of PRT during the two months, but the control did not receive any intervention. All patients were examined in the field of social communicative, interactive disorder and self-stimulation behavior, using autism diagnostic interview revised. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and MANCOVA test. Results: The mean±SD of social communicative (18.58±0.45), interactive disorder (17.13±0.46), self-stimulations behavior (1.92±0.36) in interventional group were significantly lower than control with following index, 26.33±0.45, 23.11±0.48 and 6.16±0.37, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that pivotal response treatment can be useful in communicative behavioral disorder of 8-12 years old autistic boys.

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Background and Objective: Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment abnormality. Inattentive behavior is considered a core and pervasive feature of ADHD. This study was done to compare the executive function and working memory in attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder and healthy children. Materials and Methods: This case – control study was done on 50 children with ADHD as cases and 40 healthy children as controls. The disorder was diagnosed by applying Kanerz teacher test and confirmed by a psychiatrist. Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and n-back test were used to assess the executive function and working memory. Results: There was a significant difference between case and control groups in regard to executive function and working memory (P<0.05). Error omission was 16.98±8.157 and 7.3±3.824 in cases and controls, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder reduces executive function and working memory in children.

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Background and Objective: Leptospirosis is an infectious and zoonosis disease, which is caused by leptospira and is transmitted from animal to human. The rapid diagnosis can control the disease, therefore this study was carried out to determine the prevalent serovars of leptospira using micro agglutination test (MAT) in human and cattles. Method: In this descriptive study, 175 cattles and 67 suspected human serum samples were tested in five provinces in Iran during 2011-12. Serum samples tested by micro agglutination test using 20 live leptospira serogroup. Results: Ninty nine out of 175 (56.5%) cattle serum samples and 31 out of 67 (46.2%) human samples were positive against leptospira antigen. The most prevalent leptospira serovar in cattles and human were Serjoe hardjo (61.9%) and Serjoe serjoe (23%), respectively. The most frequent titer in positive samples was equal to be 1/400. Fifty percent of human positive samples belong to farmers between 20-40 years old. The common contaminations belong to polluted water (61.1%) and infected blood (28.3%), respectively. Conclusion: Using micro agglutination test, the most prevalent leptospira serovar in cattles was Serjoe hardjo and in human was Serjoe serjoe.

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Background and Objective: Thrombophilia is characterized by increasing blood coagulability. It causes preeclampsia and repeated abortions. This study was done to determine the corrolation of coagulation factors deficiency with preeclampsia. Method: This case-control study was carried out on 142 pregnant women with preeclampsia as caess and 142 pregnant women without preeclampsia as controls. Coagulation factors including Prs, prc, and anti-thrombin-3 were measured using ELISA and chromogenic methods. Results: Prs deficiency was found in 2 (1.4%) and 6 (4.2%) of cases and controls, respectively. This difference was not significant. Prc and anti-thrombin- 3 deficiencies was not found in cases and controls. Conclusion: There is not any relation between deficiencies of coagulation factors with preeclampsia.

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Background and Objective: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the structural and functional changes of the myocardium due to diabetes. This study was done to determine the effect of swimming training and arbutin supplement on cardiac antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups including control, diabetes, Arbutin, diabetes+Arbutin, diabetes+exercise and diabetes+ exercise + Arbutin (combined). Diabetes induced using alloxan (90 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally). Arbutin (50 mg/kg/bw, ip) was administered for 5 days a week. The exercise consisted of swimming training at 5 min to 36 min per day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Renal Malondialdehyde, catalase level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated in animals. Results: Diabetes significantly increased cardiac Malondialdehyde level and decreased cardiac SOD activity and catalase level (P<0.05). Six weeks of supplementation with Arbutin, swimming training and combined intervention significantly increased catalas level and superoxide dismutase activity compared to the diabetes group(P<0.05). Malondialdehyde level significantly reduced in combined and exercise groups in comparison with diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regular training (swimming) and Antioxidant supplement (Arbutin) protect the cardiac tissue against diabetes-induced oxidative stress through their antioxidants capacity and the combination of the two interventions have synergic effect.

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Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common type of metabolic diseases which is characterized with hyperglycemia due to implicit or relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes mellitus is acutely related to obesity. Agouti-related protein (AGRP) has 132 amino acids and increases appetite in humans. This study was done to determine the effect of eight weeks aerobic exercise on plasma level of agouti-related protein, glycated hemoglobin and glucose in non-active type II diabetic women. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 female diabetic patients were divided into exercise and control groups. The training program was performed 3 sessions a week in course of 8 weeks, each session was last for 60 minutes, and the controls did not have any exercise. The plasma level of agouti-related protein, glycated hemoglobin and glucose were measured. Results: There was no significant alteration in the level of AGRP, HbA1c and glucose in either exercise or control groups. There was no significant relation between AGRP with glucose, AGRP with HbA1c and HbA1c with glucose in the exercise and control groups. Conclusion: Eight weeks of aerobic exercise is not enough for making any changes on plasma level of AGRP, HbA1c and glucose in non-active type II diabetic women.

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Background and Objective: Nano-sized particles at scale of 1 to 100 nm, called nanoparticles. In addition, the composition and structure of materials is also one of the factors influencing the material properties. With the advent of nanotechnology and due to increasing antimicrobial properties of nanoscale silver it can also be used in the fight against various human pathogens. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized by green method against the standard strains Escherichia coli k12 and Escherichia coli 25922. Methods: In this descriptive study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Prosopis farcta seed exudates and analyzed by UV visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles was evaluated using broth macro-dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles was determined on the standard strains of Escherichia coli k12 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Results: Transmission electron microscopy showed nanoparticles with diameters in the range between 5-35 nm with a maximum frequency range in 20-25 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of bacteria, of E. coli k12 and E. coli 25922 respectively, were 1.56 and 0.39 µg/ml (ppm) and minimum bactericidal concentrations of 3.12 and 0.78 µg/ml wiring (ppm). Conclusion: Biological synthesis using P. farcta seed is a inexpensive, method and require no energy. Due to the strong antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles, can be a suitable alternative for disinfectants, disinfection and control of pathogens.