Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Year:2017 | Volume:26 | Issue:146|Papers Count:34

Background and purpose: Appropriate treatment and care are essential to promote healing and preventing infection of wound and different approaches have been used to avoid such complications. Calotropis procera is a plant with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. properties. The aim of the present study was the evaluation the effects of latex and hydro-alcoholic extract of Calotropis procera on cutaneous wound healing in a rat model.Materials and methods: Forty five male rats weighting 200-250g were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. Anesthesia was done by intraperitoneal administration of ketamine-xylazine combination. Then, back hairs of animals were shaved and after disinfection with betadine a circular full thickness incision with 6 mm diameter was made near the cervical vertebras. Latex and hydro-alcoholic extract of plant were poured topically on wound in two experimental groups, while in the control group normal saline was used once daily for five days.Results: On days 4, 7, 14, and 21, after assessment of wound contraction rate, two rats from each group were euthanized and skin samples were prepared for histopathologic examination. Sections in 5 μm thicknesses were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and studied microscopically. In all days, wound contraction rate was higher in experimental groups compared to that in control group. Histopathologic examination showed that in all days other indices of wound healing were in a better state in experimental groups, but there were no any significant differences between the two experimental groups.Conclusion: Results showed that the latex and hydro-alcoholic extract of Calotropis procera accelerate skin wound healing and decreases the duration of complete wound healing.

Background and purpose: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder with increased inflammation and bronchial over react to stimulants. Th1 and Th2 cells are the main cells involved in thepathophysiology of asthma. The function of these cells is under the influence of T-bet and GATA3 transcription factors. This study aimed to investigate the impairment of immune responses in patients with allergic asthma compared with controls.Materials and methods: In a case-control study, 24 patients with allergic asthma and 10 healthy individuals were recruited. The Mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and cDNA was synthesized after RNA extraction. Gene’s expressions of T-bet and GATA3 were evaluated by Real-time Polymerase chain reaction and their relationships with risk factors for asthma were analyzed using statistical tests.Results: In our study, the GATA3 gene expression in patients increased 29 times more than that in controls (P=0.002) but the expression of T-bet declined (0.43, P=0.32). Evaluation of T-bet/GATA3 showed that this ratio was significantly lower in patients compared with that in the controls (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Increased expression of GATA3 and significant reduction of T-bet / GATA3 ratio in patients showed disturbed immune responses in asthma. So, any remedial or control actions should focus on improving the unbalanced situation.

Background and purpose: Iran is one of the endemic focuses of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the world. The disease is commonly seen in some tropical regions of Kermanshah province (West of Iran). In this study, patients with CL were diagnosed and identified using RFLP-PCR and DNA sequencing.Materials and methods: In this descriptive study all suspected cases of CL attended a clinic affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2015 were diagnosed by microscopic and molecular methods. The Leishmania species were identified by PCR-RFLP and genomic sequencing.Results: There were 65 patients of whom 47 (72.3%) were detected as CL including 64.6% males and 35.4% females. Among the patients 49.2% were resided in Kermanshah, and 50.8% lived in other cities of the province. It was found that 47.7% of the patients had history of travel to other provinces in previous months. Leishman bodies were detected in 50.8% and 72.3% of the patients by microscopic observation and PCR technique, respectively. By RFLP-PCR, 14.9% and 84.1% of positive samples were identified as Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major, respectively. The PCR product sequences of 5 samples confirmed the results of PCR-RFLP in identification of the Leishmania species.Conclusion: Leishmania major is the main cause of CL in Kermanshah province. PCR is believed to be more sensitive than microscopic method for detection of CL and RFLP-PCR is an appropriate technique for identification of Leishmania species.

Background and purpose: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play an important role in human and other organisms life. Some of LABs kill pathogenic and other harmful microorganisms. Enterococcus are, gram-positive, catalase-negative, cocci forming, non-sporogenesis, and facultative anaerobic bacteria. This study was done to identify and isolate possible probiotic bacteria with benefits to human health from Persian oak sap (Quercus brantii var. persica). The aim was to identify beneficial bacteria for plant pathogenic biological control and industrial applications.Materials and methods: LABs were identified using conventional methods, including culture dependent methods and 16S rRNA sequencing method. Antibiogram analysis was performed and the presence of virulence genes, including efaA (endocarditis antigen), as, ace, esp and gelE was examined by PCR.Results: It was found that out of 285 colonies, 160 (56.1%) were catalase-negative and grampositive. Results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the bacteria isolated bacteria belong to the Enterococcus Faecium species. E. faecium strains of this study were sensitive to a number of clinically important antibiotics such as vancomycin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin. Two strains of E. faecium bacteria, one with the ability to produce Co2 from glucose (KX185054) and one with no Co2 production ability (KX185055) were identified. The 16S rRNA sequence of identified strains were deposited in NCBI database. PCR amplification did not amplify virulence genes except efaA (endocarditis antigen).Conclusion: In this study, two different E. faecium strains were isolated from the oak which can be good candidates for probiotics and biological control.

Background and purpose: This study aimed at estimating the relationship between air pollution and mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Mashhad, Iran 2011, using negative binomial regression.Materials and methods: The dataset of mortality rates due to CVD and different types of these diseases in Mashhad were coded according to ICD 10. The dependent variable was the logaritm of the daily cardiovascular mortality. Independent variables and air pollutants were also determined. The effect of different factors and the estimation of the incidence rate ratio was done with one day lag time. Data analysis was performed in Stata software.Results: Negative binomial regression analysis showed a significant association between the increase in air pollutants and the cardiovascular mortality. By increase in air pollutant variables including CO, SO2 , NOX, NO2, and NO the incidence rate ratio had increased by 1.23 CI: (1.10, 1.37), 1.03 CI: (1.01, 1.05), 1.001 CI: (1.001, 1.003), 1.01 CI: (1.006, 1.014), and 1.002 CI: (1.001, 1.003), respectively. No significant relationship was found between the PM10 and PM2.5 and the incidence rate of cardiovascular death. Increase in O3 had an inverse impact on the increase of mortality incidence rate 0.98 CI:(0.97,0.99).Conclusion: Among the air pollutants, CO had the highest effect on CVD death and O3 had a significant inverse impact on CVD mortality rate.

Background and purpose: Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a prevalent phenomenon that might lead to repetition of angioplasty, open heart surgery, myocardial infarction, and death. This study, drawing on extended Cox regression model, pursues examining effective factors on the time to incidence of restenosis.Materials and methods: In this historical cohort study, 421 patients attending Ayatollah Moosavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran (from April 2009 to June 2011) for drug-eluting stent implementation were followed up until June 2015 for time of incidence of restenosis. In next stage, some demographic variables and clinical records were studied. The proportional hazards assumption did not hold, so, to model this survival data, extended Cox regression was applied.Results: Compared to other patients, the hazard ratio of restenosis in patients with drug abuse and hyperlipidemia was 2.09 times and 1.91 times more, respectively. Also, two years after angioplasty, the hazard ratio of restenosis in patients over 60 years old 2 times, diabetic patients 2.91 times, and in patients suffering from hypertension was 2.49 times more than those of other patients (P<0.05).Conclusion: In this study, drug abuse and a history of hyperlipidemia constitute effective factors on the incidence of restenosis. Compared to these, being over 60 years of age and suffering from diabetes and hypertension had lower effects. Accordingly, preventing the risk factors mentioned and periodic follow-ups are highly suggested in patients with such conditions.

Background and purpose: Critical care nurses could actively participate in the decision made by the healthcare team especially if they have the knowledge on the factors that affect extubation time following coronary artery bypass surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the duration of intubation after coronary artery bypass surgery and related factors in Mazandaran Heart Center, Sari, Iran.Materials and methods: A descriptive analytical study was carried out in 200 patients with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Relevant information was obtained via observation, patients medical records, and nursing notes. Data analysis was performed using frequency and central tendency, dispersion indices, Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal- Wallis, chi-square, and regression tests.Results: The duration of intubation was 9.39±2.27 hours. Meanwhile, the relationship between demographic variables and preoperative clinical factors was examined using regression models. In this study, respiratory disease, history of MI, age, and weight were found to be significantly associated with duration of intubation.Conclusion: Considering demographic and clinical factors on admission and preparation of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery results in earlier detection of patients at risk of prolonged intubation, and makes it possible to schedule and perform care plans accurately to prevent physical and psychological complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased healthcare costs.

Background and purpose: There are considerable differences in prevalence of oral lesions in different parts of the world. Few studies are done on this problem in Iran, so this study aimed at investigating the prevalence of oral lesions and awareness of these lesions in patients attending Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic in Sari Dental School, Iran.Materials and methods: A Descriptive study was performed in all patients aged≥12 years in 2015-2016. Demographic and clinical features were recorded in a checklist.esults: The subjects were 391 males and 680 females (aged 12-19 years old). Among the patients 388 had no oral lesions but 683 were found with oral lesions. Awareness of the lesions was observed only in 8.49% of the patients. The most frequent lesion was coated tongue including 246 people, and lowest frequencies lesions were vascular malformations, hemorrhagic macule and fibrosarcoma with conflict in one person.Conclusion: High frequency of oral lesions and lack of awareness about them calls for periodic oral mucosal examinations such as dental examinations.

Background and purpose: One of the key components of social support is the role of family members and friends. The present study was designed to determine the effectiveness of family participation in providing primary care to reduce pain anxiety of burn ICU patients.Materials and methods: In a randomized controlled trial 110 patients were selected by nonrandom sampling from Zaare Hospital burn ICU in Sari, Iran. Based on random numbers table, they were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups (n= 55 per group). In the intervention group, on day 4 of hospitalization, one of the family members attended the patient’s bedside before wound dressing for one-hour for five days. In control group, the practice was done according to the ward routine (nonfamily attendance). In both groups, burn pain anxiety scale was completed in days three to eight of hospitalization. Data analysis was done in SPSS V.20.Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, total burn surface area, and type of burn. Friedman test indicated significant difference in pain-induced anxiety in different days between the two groups (P<0.001). According to Mann Whitney-U test there was a significant difference between the two groups in mean value of pain induced anxiety during 5 days (P<0.001).Conclusion: In order to lower the anxiety caused by pain in ICU burn patients, non- medicinal methods such as family participation can be applied.

Background and purpose: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is an important subject and unfortunately an overlooked symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) especially in women. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of affected functional systems on primary sexual dysfunction.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Tehran, Iran in which a sample of female patients with MS was recruited consecutively from an outpatient clinic. Sexual function was evaluated by the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire. A neurologist evaluated the clinical characteristics including disease progress, duration, and affected functional systems. The neurological impairment was assessed by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).Results: There were 226 women in whom brainstem and/or cerebellum (OR for suffering from Brainstem and/or cerebellum=2.54, 95% CI=1.40-4.60, P=0.002), pyramidal dysfunction (OR for suffering from pyramidal dysfunction=3.14, 95% CI=1.363-7.26, P=0.002), and sensory dysfunction (OR for suffering from sensory dysfunction=3.13, 95% CI=1.56-6.25, P<0.028) were significant contributing factors to primary sexual dysfunction.Conclusion: This study emphasized that sexual dysfunctions are associated with affected functional systems. Therefore, more consultations and sensitive approaches are suggested in treatment of these systems.

Background and purpose: Suitable sedation during gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy leads to the patient’s and the physician’s satisfaction and enhances the quality and the adequacy of the procedure.Materials and methods: In a clinical trial, 140 patients were randomly assigned into two groups in order to compare the adequacy of upper GI tract endoscopy after choosing the type of sedation by either the physician or the patient who were provided with educational pamphlets.Results: Among 70 patients for whom the type of sedation was chosen by the physician, 15.7% received just local Lidocaine spray, 65.7% received Lidocaine spray + intravenous (IV) Midazolam, and 18.5% received Lidocaine spray+I.V. Midazolam+I.V. Pethidine. No patient needed any change in the dose or type of sedation. From 70 patients in the second group 13 (18.5%) chose just Lidocaine spray, but almost half of these patients could not tolerate the procedure and received I.V. Midazolam. Also, 41 (58.5%) chose Lidocaine spray+I.V. Midazolam, but 2 of them received I.V. Pethidine due to intolerance. Furthermore, 16 patients (22.8%) chose Lidocaine+I.V. Midazolam+I.V. Pethidine, but one of them received I.V. Propofol due to intolerance.Conclusion: Patient’s right to make decisions is an important issue in choosing the type of sedation for endoscopy, nevertheless, a considerable number of patients cannot make an appropriate decision independently.

Background and purpose: One of the indices that assess the efficacy and progress of health sector is the clients’ satisfaction with hospital services. To promote this index, Honoring the Client project was proposed in Iran. Client-orientation is of great importance in today’s world, so, we have decided to evaluate this project in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital (hospitalization wards) along with Health Development Program in 2015.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The study population consisted of 2800 and a sample of 328 subjects were randomly selected. A questionnaire was designed by the University and its validity was verified by researchers using alpha-Cronbach. Data analysis was done by measures of central tendncy in SPSS V.20.Results: The satisfaction rate from hospital services, nursing services, and medical cares were (p<0.005) 43.83%, 53.46%, and 68.15%, respectively.Conclusion: Implementation of the Honoring the Client Project was successful in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital. This project would be more fruitful if performed alongside Health Development Program, the Hoteling Project and regular monitoring of the hospitals.

Background and purpose: With increase in human population the demand for meat products has raised. One of such products is poultry meat which could be contaminated by heavy metals in production process. The purpose of this study was to estimate the concentration levels of cadmium, lead, and zinc in chicken tissues consumed in Sanandaj, Iran, 2016.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, twenty samples of liver, thigh and pectoral muscle were collected from chickens. The samples were digested by acid method and concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: The liver and pectoral muscle of chickens had the highest and lowest concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn, respectively. Zn and Pb were found to have the most and least concentrations, respectively. Daily and weekly intake of heavy metals in edible tissues showed that the estimated amount of metals intake is lower than the maximum acceptable level permitted by the joint FAO/WHO expert committee.Conclusion: The present study showed that chicken meat in Sanandaj is safe to consume and does not threaten the health of consumers.

Background and purpose: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of environmental pollutants in soils and sediments that causes concern because of their toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of utilizing poultry manure as a co-substrate to enhance the bioremediation of phenanthrene and anthracene in contaminated soil.Materials and methods: The soil samples were homogenized and filtered using a 2.0 mm sieve. The soil samples were added into nine aluminum buckets. Then, phenanthrene and anthracene solution were added into buckets. Finally the inoculum was mixed with buckets’ contents. The treatment was performed with or without poultry manure. In all treatments, tap water was added during the bioremediation to adjust the moisture content (15-20%) according to the recommended values for the bioremediation process. All of the bioremediation experiments were carried out in duplicate during 45 days of incubation.Results: The biodegradation data of anthracene and phenanthrene indicates about 92.65% and 95.62% (samples without co-substrate), 96.07% and 95.91% (samples contain co- substrate) degradation at the concentration of 12.5 mg/kg. Also, the experimental data revealed that the PAHs removal percentage increases due to increase in incubation time. Moreover, the results of the changes COD showed that highest rate COD removal in sample containing co-substrate occurred.Conclusion: According to this result, the presence of poultry manure as a co-substrate can enhance the anthracene and phenanthrene removal comparing to the control sample and the sample contain co-substrate.

Background and purpose: Dyes in textile wastewater are amongst the main sources of environmental pollutants that are harmful for environment and human health. This study was designed for experimental evaluation of Reactive Blue 19 absorption from aqueous solutions by dried powder, modified powder, and modified carbon derived from Azolla aquatic plant carbon filiculoides, as a low cost adsorbent.Materials and methods: In this experimental laboratorial study the effects of various parameters (initial dye concentration, contact time, pH and, amount of adsorbent) on the dye removal efficiency was investigated. Then the isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic equations were done. Measuring the amount of dye concentration was determined using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of nm 594. Adsorbent characteristics were analyzed using SEM, FTIR, and BET techniques. Statistical analysis was done by Excel software.Results: The highest absorption capacity were 4.83 mg/g by modified powder, 4.55 mg/g by dried powder, and 4.15 mg/g by modified carbon which were observed in optimum conditions: pH=2, equilibrium time of 60 min, 10 g/L of adsorbent, and initial dye concentration of 5 mg/l. The absorption efficiency of Azolla filiculoides increased by increasing the adsorbent dose and contact time, and decreasing the initial concentration of dye. It was found that the adsorption process followed Lungmuir isotherm and the kinetic model of pseudo second-order. The maximum absorbance of dye occurred by modified powder of Azolla filiculoides.Conclusion: According to our results, adsorption process by Azolla aquatic plant is an efficient and affordable method for removal of dyes from textile industry wastewater.

Background and purpose: Publication of scientific journals in every country is recognized as one of the main ways for publishing and development of science and knowledge. The aim of this research was to compare the differences in non-citations of Iranian journals in Persian and English on health indexed in Scopus during 2011 and 2015.Materials and methods: In a descriptive-analytical study, we investigated 85 Iranian journals in Persian and English on health indexed in Scopus database. The list of Journals was obtained from the Ministry of Health and all journals were searched in Scopus database. Data analysis was done in SPSS V.20 applying Mann-Whitney, t-test, and Pearson correlations. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: There was a weak positive correlation between Iranian journals in Persian and percentage of articles with at least one citation (r=0.4) which was found to be not significant (P=0.123). But in English language journals published by Iranian institutions and bodies a weak negative correlation (r=-0.388) was seen between the number of articles and percentage of articles with at least one citation (P=0.000).Conclusion: According to SJR and SNIP, Iranian Journals in English indexed in Scopus have a better status compared with that of journals in Persian. Also, the number of articles with no citation published in English is low.

Background and purpose: The medlar (Mespilus germanica L., Rosaceae) is an edible fruit and modern medicine has recognized its healing properties in treatment of some diseases. There is no scientific data in literature about its activity against some bacteria. In this study, antibacterial activity of hydro-acetonic extract of medlars leaf was evaluated against some bacteria.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, the leaves were collected from Sari, Iran. Materials were dried at room temperature and coarsely ground before extraction. The extraction was performed at room temperature by maceration method using acetone (70%) as solvent. Total phenols and tannins were determined by Folin-ciocalteu method and antibacterial effects were studied. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactricidal Concentration (MBC) were calculated by Broth Dilution Test.Results: The yield of extraction was 20%. Total phenolic and tannins contents were 90±10 GAE (based on standard curve) and 10±4 /g extract, respectively. The extract showed best inhibitory and bactericidal activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC=3.333±0.0233 and MBC=5.833±0.065). The lowest MIC was observed against Vibrio Cholera (6.667±0.048) and the lowest MBC was seen against E. coli and Shigella dysentiea (9.167±0.042).Conclusion: M. germanica leaf extract showed good antibacterial activities. So, this plant is potentially effective in controlling dysentery.

Background and purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy in the wrist. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CTS and the risk factors associated with this condition.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sari, Iran 2014-2016, among patients with clinical symptoms in whom CTS was confirmed by electrodiagnostic test. Afterwards, demographic information and underlying risk factors were recorded and data was analyzed in SPSS V.20.Results: In this study, the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome was 1.82%. With respect to the distribution of employment, among female patients 66.14% were housewives while male patients were mainly involved in agriculture (54.54%). The risk factors for CTS were diabetes mellitus (11.6%), hypothyroidism (8.7%), old wrist fracture (2.17%), and rheumatoid arthritis (1.44%). Idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome was found in 75.37%.Conclusion: Idiopathic CTS was more prevalent in our cases and the most important underlying risk factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome were diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, old wrist fracture, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Background and purpose: Tramadol intoxication is a common medical emergency and a major public health problem around the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of intoxicated cases with tramadol in Gorgan, Iran.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with acute tramadol intoxication was done in individuals attending 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan, during March 2008 to March 2016. Data was collected from patients records and then analyzed in SPSS V.16.Results: Tramadol intoxication included 20.3% of the total drug poisonings. From 168 cases with tramadol intoxication 75.6% were males. The mean age of the cases was 24.78±16.26 years and a high rate of poisoning was seen in those aged 21-30 years old (47%). The majority of the cases were from urban areas (82.1%) and they were mainly single (64.3%). The seasonal distribution in our patients showed a peak in autumn (19.6%). Suicide attempt was the main cause of tramadol intoxication (65.5%) followed by tramadol abuse (31.5%) (P<0.001). Among the subjects 30.4% had co-ingested tramadol with other drugs particularly benzodiazepines (40%). Seizure was reported in 31.5% of the cases and its occurrence was significantly higher in males (P<0.001).Conclusion: In current study, suicide attempt and drug abuse were the most common causes of tramadol intoxication that were seen most commonly among single men who were less than 30 years of age.

Background and purpose: Accurate information on clinical and laboratory findings of parasitic diseases in medical centers could be effective in evaluating various aspects of their disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and preclinical findings of the intestinal parasitic infections in patients in gastrointestinal clinics in Sari, Iran, 2006 to 2015.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using the medical records of 300 cases of gastrointestinal disorders with intestinal parasitic infections. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed in SPSS V.16.Results: Among the patients with parasitic infections there were 57.7% females, 64.3% lived in rural areas, 81% were married, and 40% were illiterate or had primary school educational levels. The most important parasitic diseases in patients were Giardiasis (44.7%), Amebiasis (12.3%), Enterobiasis (10.6%), Trichostrongylus (10.2%), Strongyloidiasis (9.78%) and, Hymenolepiasis (6.38%). Abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea were the most common symptoms.Conclusion: According to this study, intestinal parasitic infection is a high priority for diagnostic purposes in gastrointestinal clinics. Therefore, diagnosis is important for appropriate treatment. Future studies are suggested to use sensitive and specific methods such as molecular methods to identify the parasites.

Background and purpose: Heavy metals and their health and environmental side effects are major complications threatening food safety. Rice is one of the popular foods among people that could be contaminated by heavy metals. In this paper, Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations were evaluated in three varieties of rice: Jamshid, Hashemi, and Mosa Tarom in Astaneh-Ashrafieh, Gilan province, Iran.Materials and methods: Thirty samples were collected from five areas in Astaneh-Ashrafieh. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Data analysis was done in SPSS V.20.Results: The concentration of Pb in all rice samples was higher than recommended levels and was the highest in Mosa Tarom. In all rice samples, Cd levels were found less than recommended values and Hashemi was the variety with the least amount of Cd. Cr was detected more in Jamshid rice and its concentration was more than recommended levels in all samples studied.Conclusion: Heavy metals in foods have cumulative effects and adverse reactions on human so, appropriate evaluations of foods are highly important to reduce the risks threating human health.

Background and purpose: Fish is consumed by humans for its nutritional properties, but accumulation of heavy metals in fish can pose serious health hazards. The aim of this research was to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the muscle and liver of common carp in Zarivar wetland, Iran.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which carps were caught from Zarivar Wetland in 2015. The levels of heavy metals in liver and muscle were measured using ICP.Results: The findings indicated that Fe and Pb in liver, and Zn and Cd in muscle had the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. The levels of heavy metals in liver were higher than those in the muscles of carp. Moreover, the Target Hazard Quotients for an adult person with mean weight of 71.5 kg was lower than 1 for the levels of heavy metals studied (expect for Cr).Conclusion: This research showed that the levels of heavy metals in edible muscle of carp was lower than international standards, but according to the bioaccumulation and toxicity of these metals in humans periodic monitoring is required.

Background and purpose: The status and role of each country in scientific production in specific fields may indicate the potential and its performance in promoting and improving that particular issue. Cancer is a major health problem in Iran, so this study aimed to investigate the role of scientific production of Iran about cancer.Materials and methods: We conducted a scientometric study using Iranian articles about cancer based on the Scopus database and Web of Science. The electronic search was done according to subject and affiliation for articles published until 2015. Data was then extracted using the Analyze Search Result.Results: According to Scopus at the end of 2015, Iran had 2865 articles about cancer placing the country in 29th position. The H-Index score for the country was 52 which placed Iran in 45th position in the world. The impact factor of articles published by Iranian researchers on cancer in Eastern Mediterranean region was 4 and the number of papers placed Iran in third place. By the end of 2015, a total of 1868 articles were indexed by Web of Science of which 27.5% were published in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.Conclusion: The number of Iranian articles in the field of cancer is increasing in international databases, yet the number of articles in high-quality journals is low. This requires appropriate planning that could improve Iran’s position on scientific productions about cancer.

Relapse is an unpredictable risk factor for every patient. Before treatment begins, patients need to be informed of the long-term risk of relapse and the ways that this may be reduced. Some causes of relapse are within the control of the orthodontist, but others such as soft tissue changes and latent growth are not, and may explain long-term changes in tooth position. Therefore, retention after orthodontic treatment has been recommended by several authors and orthodontists. The objective of the retention phase is to maintain teeth in their corrected position after orthodontic treatment. This article aimed to review the causes of relapse and the ways that reduce it using retainers and other new adjective techniques.

Background and purpose: Aging is associated with brain changes and reduction in motor skill acquisition that can limit its functional capacity. One of the effective interventions is using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of tDCS on learning and motor skill in healthy older adults.Materials and methods: A literature search for the period of 1995-2016 was performed using PubMed, Google scholar, Science Direct, OVID, PEDro, Cochrane library, and CINAHL databases. Studies investigating the effect of tDCS in different regions of cortex on learning and motor skill parameters in healthy older adults were included. The PEDro quality scale was used to investigate the studies included.Results: According to the inclusion criteria of the study, seven articles were selected from 97 relevant articles. There were considerable differences among the studies in terms of methodology, outcome measures, sample size, procedure, etc. The results indicated that using tDCS on primary motor cortex and cerebellum regions could significantly improve motor learning and motor skill in older adults. In addition, tDCS in prefrontal, parietal and temporoparietal regions had significant, strong and long- erm effects on cognition and working memory in older adults.Conclusion: It seems that administration of tDCS in different regions of brain as a boosting technique can enhance motor learning, motor skill, and working memory capacity in healthy older adults. This method can control aging learning deficits.

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Leishmaniasis annually affects the socioeconomic status of some societies. Evidence show that vaccination could prevent Leishmania and many studies are done on this, particularly nanovacines. So, this article aimed at reviewing recent developments in this field. In current narrative review article, five English databases including Ebsco, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus and four Persian databases including Magiran, Elm Net, Barakat Knowledge Network System, and the Scientific Information Database (SID) were searched for articles published between 2005 and 2016. Current treatment of leishmaniasis is based on chemical drugs but their application is limited due to high cost, toxicity, side effects, and low efficacy. In addition, vaccines can modulate the immune response in removing Leishmania in favor of the hosts. We attempted to review different types of Leishmania vaccine and their development trends, carriers, vaccine candidates, and strategies and delivery systems in last decade. It was found that nanovaccines consisting of multiple antigens and adjuvant are well developed in conjunction with IL-12 as Leish-111f and MPL-SE, therefore, they could be more successful. Current researches on vaccination clearly indicate the need for more research and investment in developing Leishmania vaccine.

Cancer is a complex and life-threatening disease involving uncontrollable cell proliferation, evading apoptosis, and metastasis. Despite recent developments in cancer chemotherapy, there are no effective broad spectrum anticancer agents that could selectively target cancer cells. Thus, designing and discovering new efficient and selective anticancer agents are urgent needs. It is important that new anticancer agents could act via apoptosis induction, since it has a critical role in control of cell proliferation. Chalcones are naturally occurring compounds possessing high degree of synthetic diversity for design of new leading bioactive compounds including anticancer agents. Chalcones are considered as promising anticancer agents against most human cancers with capability of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Furthermore, some clinically useful anticancer drugs show genotoxicity due to interaction with DNA, but chalcones with different mechanism may be devoid of this side effect. This review highlights the recently identified anticancer chalcones from naturally or synthetically origins that induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The diversity of scaffolds described in this review along with their structure-activity relationships could help medicinal chemists in development of new selective anticancer chalcones with improved potency.

Background and purpose: In Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM), human body is composed of substances called humors. Any change in quantity or/and quality of these humors causes many diseases and their treatment requires purgation of pathogenic substances. Among the drugs introduced in ITM, ‘Maoljobon’ is considered with wide uses. This drug with nutritional benefits is used both alone and in combination with other drugs. Purification of the body from wastes is its obvious therapeutic effect and some physicians opt it for its features in order to abstain from potent drugs that have harmful effects on human body. Maoljobon is derived from milk. Type of milk and making procedure affect its temperament (Mizaj), but it is considered to be mainly warm and somewhat wet. Consumption of laxatives is not recommended in hot seasons, but Maoljobon can be used in every season, especially in spring while following the principles. In ITM, therapeutic effects of Maoljobon is mentioned in many diseases such as stroke, amnesia, headache, obsession, cancer, joint diseases, kidney and bladder stones, varices, and hemorrhoid. Recent studies also showed its various properties including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertension, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Perception of the nature and effects of Maoljobon in addition to accurate and reference-based clinical usages can underlie widespread researches in this regard.