---

Background & objectives: Construction of new service centers including hospitals is expensive and requires optimal site selection for these centers so that all citizens benefit from its increased productivity. It can also help them lower their costs. This study investigates the optimal locations for construction of hospitals in Ardabil using GIS software.

Methods: This is an applied research which incorporates a descriptive-analytic methodology. The data is made up of 11 criteria; proximity to densely populated areas, proximity to green space, closeness to main thoroughfares, proximity to fire departments and distance from existing hospitals, industrial centers, slopes, learning centers, cemetery, military bases and from sport facilities. They were all weighted using analytic network process (ANP) model.

Results: After performing the necessary calculations and evaluations, the highest and lowest weight of criteria belonged to the proximity to densely populated areas (0.229) and distance from the cemetery (0.033), respectively. According to the criteria weights and overlapping of layers, the most and least favorable locations for the establishment of hospitals were identified.

Conclusion: Results of the classification showed the best location for construction of hospitals in Ardabil city based on four municipal regions. In region one it belongs to the 8^th, 5^th, 2^nd, and 11^th districts in region two districts of 6 and 7 which cover southeastern edge of the city, in region 3 districts of 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10 which contain the western part of the city, and in region four it belongs to districts of 1, 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11 that encompass the blocks in the northern and north-western route of the city. These regions can be used for construction of new hospitals in order to improve people’s access to healthcare services.

---

Background & objective: Aloe-vera is an herb   that has long been used in traditional medicine. Using high-fat diet and fatty liver disorder cause obesity and hyperlipidemia. So, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Aloe - vera gel extract on the body weight and lipid profile in adult male rats treated with high-fat diet.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were included in the control group (no treatment), sham group (treated with high-fat diet 10 ml/kg) and three experimental groups receiving high-fat diet (10ml/kg) along with 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg Aloe- vera gel extracts. Prescriptions were conducted by gavage, for 60 days. At the end, after anesthetizing the rats and phlebotomizing their heart, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL were measured.   The obtained results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests.
Results: The results showed that high-fat diet significantly increased the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (p<0.001) and weight gain (p<0.01) but had no significant effect on the serum level of HDL. However, in the groups receiving Aloe -vera gel and   high-fat diet, there was a significant decrease in the weight and serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (p<0.05) and LDL (p<0.01).
Conclusion: High-fat diets increase the weight and serums levels of triglycerides, LDL and cholesterol.  Also, the Aloe- vera gel extract causes weight loss and improves lipid profiles in the rats treated with Aloe -vera gel extract.