---

  Background & Objectives: The diagnosis�of Helicobacter pylori infection is based on invasive and non-invasive methods. The present study was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of three non-invasive and one invasive methods either separately or in combination for detection of Helicobacter pylori.

  Methods: A total of 108 dyspeptic patients older than 12 years who had not previously been treated for H. pylori infection were selected for upper GI-endoscopy. Histology was considered as a gold standard diagnostic test. Urea breath test, histologic examination and rapid urease test were done in endoscopy unit. Serology and stool anigen detection test were done in hematology unit of Nour Laboratory using ELISA Method.

  Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The tests results were compared using the McNemar test.

  Results: According to histologic method, 56 patients had H. pylori infection. Sensitivities and specificities were 89% and 71% for the rapid urease test, 94% and 52% for serology, 90% and 82% for the urea breath test, and 46% and 80% for the stool test respectively. The most accurate combination test was rapid urease test and urea breath test.

  Conclusion: Rapid urease test and urea breath test in combination showed excellent diagnostic reliability.

---

  Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has become an especially challenging target in experimental neuroscience. Approach into the spinal cord is the interface among all different types of spinal cord injury modeling. The lower thoracic spinal cord has generated special interest due to the lower limbs’ spinal pattern generator position and presence of relative scales for behavioral assessment. However, a clear method with which to approach the thoracic spinal cord has yet to be determined.

  Methods : A total of 20 animals were subjected to this study. Following induction of anesthesia, the 10th thoracic vertebra were positioned, and muscles were retracted. Using the high speed rotary, the vertebral lamina were carefully thinned. As a final point, the reduced lamina was meticulously removed away to expose underlying spinal cord. Loco motor behavioral test (BBB) was implemented before and after surgery procedure.

  Results: This manuscript has presented the stepwise method to expose rat thoracic spinal cord. Whole procedure took less than an hour. Animals acquired complete BBB loco motor rating score before and after surgery indicating the safety of procedure.

  Conclusion: This article introduces simple and practical approach for the rat lower thoracic spine. The anatomical orientation, anesthesia , postoperative management , and common problems are discussed .

---

  Background & objectives: Nitrate is one of the major contaminants in food and water. Excess intake of this substance can increase the risk of stomach cancer and also cause other health problems. The objectives of this study were estimation of dietary nitrate consumption in the Varzaghan with high and Parsabad with low stomach cancer incidence in country, and also the comparison dietary nitrate consumption with World Health Organization standards.

  Methods: In this comparative study performed during autumn and spring of 2011 about 216 food samples (including all food groups) and drinking water collected and their nitrate concentration was determined by colorimetric method. Then daily dietary consumption of nitrate calculated based on daily diet of each person (according to national study on food consumption pattern in Iran) and nitrate concentration in each group of food and drinking water.

  Results: Daily consumption of nitrate in Varzaghan and Parsabad was 8.53 ± 0.35 and 8.17 ± 0.54 mg per kg of body weight (of adults), respectively, which is much greater than the amount recommended by FAO/WHO (0-3.7 mg per kg of body weight). Significant difference was not observed in the dietary consumption of nitrate in two cities at studied period (P> 0.05).

  Conclusion: Despite of no significant difference in dietary consumption of nitrate in two cities, the daily consumption of nitrate in both of studied cities was significantly greater than the recommended level. Therefore monitoring sources of contamination and reduction of environmental pollution for decreasing food nitrate concentration are recommended.

---

 
Background & objectives: Using medications that decrease postoperative pain and opioid consumption is a widely recommended approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Ibuprofen and its complication in controlling pain after abdominal surgery.
Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, interventional clinical trial. Sixty patients aged 20 to 60 years were candidates for abdominal surgery (inguinal hernioplasty and appendectomy). Patients were divided into two equal size groups (n=30) using a random block design method. The First group received (400 mg IV) ibuprofen every 6 hours for 24 hours as well as (15 microgram/ml bolus) fentanyl pump with PCA. Second group only received (15 microgram/ml blous) fentanyl pump with PCA. 
Results: Demographic characteristics and duration of surgery, ASA class, type of anesthesia and type of surgery were similar in the two groups. Pain severity in 24 postoperative hours was significantly lower in the ibuprofen group compared with the control group. Nausea and vomiting frequency in 24 postoperative hours was significantly lower in the ibuprofen group compared with the control group. Patients belonging to ibuprofen group were significantly more satisfied with their analgesic method.
Conclusion: Results showed that using 400 mg intravenous ibuprofen every 6 hours mitigates postoperative pain, reduces fentanyl consumption and is highly tolerated by patients.