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  Background & Objectives : Urolithiasis is the third common urinary disease. While, relationship between the urinary stones and diet is known to some extent, but there are controversies about it. The aim of this study was to determine the association between food habit, nutrients intake and kinds of urinary stone disease.

  Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive analytical study was performed on 150 patients (91 male and 59 females) with urinary stone disease in Ardabil during 2008-2009. Data of urinary stones analysis, type of stone in the graph, type of stone, preventive emprise and type of drinking water were recorded. Food data were recorded using 24-hour dietary recalls three days in week and food frequency questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS, Food Processor III software, and ANOVA Statistical program .

 Results: Findings showed that the most common and lowest form of urinary stone disease in men and women were calcium oxalate and ammonium phosphate, respectively. There was significant inverse association between beta-carotene intake and the percentage of uric acid stone disease (p<0.05). We observed significant relationship between vitamin A and folacin intake with percentage of uric acid stone disease (p<0.05). There was significant relationship between consumption of cheese and pickles with calcium phosphate stone disease (p<0.05). There was no significant association between other foods and nutrients intake with types of urinary stone disease .

 Conclusion: This study showed the consumption of some nutrients including folacin, vitamin A and some foods such as cheese was associated with the incidence of urinary stone disease. Therefore, taking accurate diet could possibly prevent the incidence of urinary stone diseases.

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 Background & Objectives: The intake of antioxidant supplementations can have key role in prevention of oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Pomegranate has antioxidant effects and may play a role in reduction of oxidative stress in healthy males. Therefore, this study examined the effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on oxidative stress in young healthy males.

 Methods : In semi-experimental study, 14 healthy students living in Dormitories of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were included. Subjects were given one cup of pomegranate juice supplementation per day for two weeks . Fasting blood samples were taken both at the start and the end of 2-week period to measure the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase , glutathione peroxidase , paraoxonase - 1, aryl esterase , and the values ​​of serum total antioxidant capacity , glutathione, and lipid profiles . Data were analyzed using descriptive and paired t - test s.

 Results: T he level of serum total antioxidant capacity and activities of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, arylesterase, and standardized arylesterase activity were significantly increased at the end of two weeks (p<0.05). The serum level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased after intervention (p<0.05). Changes were not significant, although the serum levels of glutathione and HDL- cholesterol increased and LDL- cholesterol decreased at the end of two weeks period.

 Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the pomegranate juice supplementation had beneficial effects in helping body's antioxidant defense system and reduction of oxidative stress in young healthy males . This study suggests that the pomegranate juice supplementation can be useful against oxidative stress included in dietaries of young healthy males.

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  Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterized by focal or diffuse eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal system. The clinical presentation is depending on the involved area and its extension into the layers of the gastrointestinal tract. We repor ted a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the setting of cryptogenic cirrhosis which initially appeared as a tumoral obstruction of the 3^rd portion of duodenum which is relieved by surgical bypass and two years later presented as eosinophilic ascitis. The patient was treated with corticosteroid with full absorption of ascitis.

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  Background & Objectives: Epidemiological and experimental evidences suggest that oxidative stress is elevated in children with Down syndrome (DS). Some studies show that consumption of diets with a high content of fruits and vegetables results in a significant reduction in markers of oxidative stress. We investigated the frequency of fruits and vegetables intake in children with DS and the influence of variations in the level of this consumption on biomarkers of oxidative stress .

  Methods: Frequency of consumption of fruit and vegetables by children with DS were recorded by interview with the children’s parents. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were also measured as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Data analysed using ANOVA and Student’s t-tests .

  Results : Mean consumption of fruits and vegetables was 4.6 and 0.74 servings per week, respectively. No significant relationships were found between consumption of fruits and vegetables with markers of oxidative stress. Based on our findings, the 65.9 % of the children did not eat any vegetables and the rest of the children consumed less than one serving per day. There was a significant correlation between the frequency of fruits and vegetable consumption (r=0.212 p <0.04).

  Conclusion : There wasn’t any significant relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and indicators of oxidative stress in children with DS. This lack of correlation could be due to low consumption of fruits and vegetables in children with DS.

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Background & objectives: Iron overload is involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases including diabetes. In fact, the excess iron by creating free radicals makes damage to pancreas and leads to insulin resistance and diabetes. Andrographolide extract has hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. This study has surveyed the effects of andrographolide on blood glucose and lipid profile in rats with secondary iron overload.

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the healthy control group, secondary iron overload group, secondary iron overload groups treated with a dose of 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of andrographolide extract, and andrographolide groups treated with a dose of 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of extract. Iron and extract were injected for 6 and 12 days, respectively. Blood samples were taken for measurement of blood glucose and lipid profiles. Data were analyzed using ANOVA test.

Results: The pathological results of samples from liver of animals receiving iron showed that the iron was deposited in the liver tissues. Iron injection significantly increased blood glucose levels compared to healthy control group (p<0.05). In the iron overload group, andrographolide extract with a dose of 3.5 mg/kg or 7 mg/kg significantly decreased blood glucose levels (p<0.05). Iron injections did not increase the serum triglyceride and cholesterollevels. Injections of andrographolide extract with a dose of 3.5 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg, significantly decreased the cholesterol levels compared to iron receiving group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that the andrographolide with different doses may be effective in the treatment of diabetes by reducing serum glucose and cholesterol levels.

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Background & objectives: Acne Vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of pilosebaceous glands. Some studies have indicated the significant decrease of linoleic acid in the sebum composition of the patients with acne. The aim of this study was to determine the probable therapeutic effects of linoleic acid on moderate acne.
Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 women with moderate acne were divided into two groups, each group with 20 each with 20 samples. After recording the nutritional and demographic factors, the case group received, 100 mg oral doxycycline daily plus 3 gr conjugated linoleic acid and the control group received 100 mg doxycycline daily plus 4-3 oral paraffin capsules as placebo for one month. The number of acne lesions were counted before and after treatment and the mean of   Acne Severity Index (ASI) and Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) were determined for each group. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: The mean age was 22.8±5.5, in the case group and21.7±5.1 in placebo group indicating no statistically significant deference (p=0.51). At the end of treatment there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups in decreasing acne (p=0.31). During the treatment, ASI reduced from 129.5±13 to 77±11.6 in the case group and from 132±18.6 to 67.5±11.6 in the placebo group, –but there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups (p=0.37).
Conclusion: It seems using 3 gr oral conjugated linoleic acid daily for 1 month has no effect on remission of acne.

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Background & objectives: The relationship between dietary patterns and esophageal cancer has not been documented yet. However, recent studies have shown that the Western dietary pattern is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. The current study was performed a comparative evaluation of the food habits and serum nitrate level in patients with esophageal cancer and healthy individuals in Gorgan city.
Methods: In a case-control study, 44 patients with esophageal cancer (the case group) and 44 healthy subjects (control group) were selected for one year in Gorgan city. Anthropometric factors were measured, and then demographic and dietary data were recorded using general and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), respectively. Fasting blood samples from both groups were collected to measure serum nitrate levels. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, Chi-square, Fisher, and Monte Carlo tests.
Results: the mean weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum nitrate levels were statistically lower in the case group than in control group (p<0.05). Salt intake, smoking cigarette or hookah was higher in patients than in control group (p<0.05). Based on nutritional habits , consumption of bread , rice, saturated fats, hot tea, sausages and industrial soft drinks was statistically higher in the patient group than control group, but intake of vegetables, fruits, unsaturated fats, honey and grilled meat was lower in patients  than control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Consumption of fast foods, hot tea and saturated fats may be associated with esophageal cancer. Serum nitrate levels were lower in patients than control group, probably indicating the need for further research in this field.

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Background & objectives:  The use of supplements such as L-carnitine, optimum nutritional support and early feeding after surgery in cancer patients can be important in the prevention of cancer complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early L-carnitine-rich feeding on complications of esophageal cancer surgery and duration of hospitalization.
Methods: In a clinical trial, 50 patients with esophageal cancer under surgery in two equal groups were randomly selected. Nutritional information was obtained using food record questionnaire. Basic blood samples and 24-hour urine samples were taken in order to measure the hematological parameters (like blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and blood urea) and nitrogen balance, respectively from two groups at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the intervention group received 3 g L-carnitine daily in 3 doses on the first day after the complementary operation, with a routine hospital diet at each meal, and the control group received a routine hospital diet for ten days. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test.
Results: The results showed that changes in the mean BUN and nitrogen balance were significantly different after intervention between the study groups (p<0.05). Patients with early L-carnitine-rich feeding had less hospitalization time in hospital wards and were discharged earlier (p<0.05).
Conclusion:  The results of this study showed that early L-carnitine-rich feeding after surgery has probably a positive effect on the duration of hospital stay in patients with esophageal cancer.

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Background & objectives: Andrographolide has potent antioxidant properties. There is still not a complete understanding of the antioxidant effects of andrographolide. In this study, the effect of andrographolide on the serum antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was investigated in the rats with secondary iron overload. 
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 each. The groups included: 1-Control 2- Receiving iron 3- Receiving iron treated with 7 mg/kg andrographolide 4- Receiving 7 mg/kg andrographolide. The serum activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using colorimetric method. Prussian blue was used to evaluate iron deposition in liver.
Results: The results showed that iron was deposited in the liver. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the secondary iron receiving group, compared to control group, was significantly increased (p<0.05). The activity of catalase was significantly decreased in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared to the control and iron receiving groups (p<0.05). Also, the activity of superoxide dismutase in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide decreased significantly compared to the iron receiving group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the iron receiving group were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared with the iron receiving group, showed a significant decrease (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Andrographolide (7mg/kg) reduced the serum activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde serum levels in rats with secondary iron overload.

 
 

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Background & objectives: Due to the widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and their possible unwanted effects in biological environments, we made an attempt to investigate the effect of ZnO-NPs on the blood lipid profile.
Methods: In this study, 24 male Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, the group receiving ZnO-NPs at 25 mg/kg (ZnO-NPs 25 mg/kg) and the group receiving ZnO-NPs at 50 mg/kg (ZnO-NPs 50 mg/kg). The duration of the test was two weeks. The blood samples were taken and the serums were separated. Serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and HDL were determined using standard kits and methods.
Results: Based on the findings of this study, serum levels of triglyceride and VLDL in both ZnO-NPs receiving groups were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Also,  the serum levels of HDL , LDL and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly in both ZnO-NPs receiving groups compared to the control group (p<0.05), while the  serum cholesterol levels did not change compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Our results showed that 25 and 50 mg/kg doses of ZnO-NPs had both harmful (increase triglyceride and VLDL and reduction of HDL) and beneficial (reduction of LDL and LDL/HDL ratio) effects on the blood lipid profile.

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Background & objectives: Vaginal microbial infections are common, and involvement of bacterial agents in genital infection is equal to that of fungal and protozoal agents. Gardnerella vaginalis is an organism that is often thought to play the most important role in bacterial vaginosis. The aim of this study was to compare the value of the diagnostic method of cultivation with Amsel standard in the diagnosis of Gardnerella Vaginalis infection in patients with genital tract infection.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 150 women aged 15-55 years who complained of vaginal discharge during the period of the study, Jan 2017 to July 2017, in Alawi Hospital in Ardabil and were examined by a clinical examination. For each of the patients, three of the four diagnostic criteria of Amsel, including homogeneous discharge, PH measurements and whiff test were performed, and if two of them were positive, a questionnaire containing general and clinical information was completed. Using three sterile swabs, samples were taken from vaginal discharge. The first swab was used for culture, the second swab for the whiff testing and the third swab for Papanicolaou staining and verifying the presence of clue cell in the vaginal smear sample as a fourth grade of Amsel to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. In general, if three of the four Amsel criteria were positive in one person, it was considered to be positive in terms of Amsel's standard.
Results: Of 150 participants, 21 were diagnosed with Gardnerella vaginalis infection, of which 14 cases (%66.6) had positive Gardnerella culture. All of 21 patients (%100) with Gardnerella vaginalis had clue cells in Pap smear. The pH of vaginal discharge of 20 samples was 4.5 (%95.23), 18 samples had positive Amine tests (%85.71) and 16 samples had homogeneous secretion (%76.19).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that culture method in comparison with Amsel diagnostic criteria did not have sufficient accuracy to detect Gardnerella vaginalis infection. In addition, the culture method is costly and time consuming.

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Background & objectives: Ectopic eruption is a disorder in which the tooth does not follow its usual course and if not diagnosed in a timely manner, leads to occlusal problems. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of ectopic eruption of the first permanent molar and canine in patients referred to Ardabil dental school.
Methods: By observing the panoramic radiographs, recorded from 2016 to 2017, the frequency of ectopic eruption of first permanent molars in children aged 5 to 8 years and permanent canine in children aged 10 to 13 years was determined. The frequency distribution based on sex, involved jaw, unilaterality and bilaterality were evaluated using Chi-Square test.
Results: the frequency of ectopic eruption of the first permanent molar and permanent canine was 2.1% and 6.4% respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of ectopic eruption of the first molar, based on the patient's gender (p=0.366), jaw (p=0.132), and unilateral or bilateral involvement (p=0.366).Also, there was no significant difference between the frequency of ectopic eruption of permanent canine and the patient's gender (p=0.384), unilateral or bilateral involvement (p=0.056). The ectopic eruption of the permanent canine in the maxilla was greater than the mandible (p=0.012).
Conclusions: In this study, the frequency values of ectopic eruption were 2.1% and 6.4% for the first permanent molar and permanent canine respectively that were in the range of other studies reported from other populations.
 

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Background & objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is accompanied by systemic inflammations and is characterized by irreversible airflow limitations. Leptin is a cytokine with pre-inflammatory effect. However, there have been no studies on the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the serum leptin concentration in COPD patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effect of CLA on the serum leptin level, lung function and quality of life in COPD patients.
Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 90 COPD patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (supplement and placebo) with 45 patients per group. After obtaining written consent from the patients and recording their demographic characteristics, the spirometry was performed and COPD assessment test (CAT) score was calculated. Moreover, a fasting blood sample was collected from each of them in order to analyze their serum leptin concentration. After that, the patients in the supplement group were administered with 3.2 g/day of CLA for 6 weeks. The patients in another group received placebo. After the intervention, spirometry, CAT score calculation and blood sampling were repeated for all of the patients and the obtained results were analyzed.
Results: after the intervention, a significant decrease both in the serum leptin level and in CAT score as a quality life marker  was observed in the supplement group (p<0.05). Moreover, the FEV1 levels as a lung function test, increased significantly in the supplement group after the intervention (p<0.05). Although, the difference between the two groups was not significant.
Conclusion: The use of CLA supplement can improve COPD patients’ quality of life through decreasing the serum level of leptin in their blood.
 

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Background & objectives: The main motivator of hospitals is manpower. The expansion and complexity of educational medical centers and the appearance of new diseases such as Covid-19 have increased the need for effective management. During the Covid-19 crisis, in which hospitals are at the forefront, special measures should be taken for better management in critical situations. The current study has been conducted with the aim of identifying the main factors affecting management in crisis and its control.
Methods: The study method was the "Mix Method" performed in two stages. The first stage was exploratory; in this stage 19 university experts as a research sample were selected by simple random sampling. The second stage was a quantitative, confirmative, and survey study. 202 patients were selected randomly as a research sample from both educational-medical centers involved in Covid-19 of Ardabil city. Data were collected by using a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis of data was performed using SPSS software for heuristic factor analysis, and LISREL software was also used for confirmatory factor analysis and finding correlations between factors.
Results: In this study, 17 factors were identified and confirmed, affecting the crisis management in 5 dimensions, including; safety training, crisis control, trust in human resources, sense of vulnerability, the physical and mental health, transparency, justice, participation in decision-making, trust in the manager, honesty, the expectation of needs, efficiency, reward, elimination of stresses, fulfillment of manager's promises, controlling of crisis, inter-sectorial solidity. There was a significant correlation between factors with latent variables.
Conclusion: From the perspective of management, being prepared and training the committed forces are very important in controlling the crisis. Manpower plays the main role in the Covid-19 crisis and treating patients, so paying attention to them by considering the factors and dimensions of leadership, social, motivation, organization, and quickness has high importance.
 

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Background & objectives: One of the main effective factors in combating gastric cancer is having good health literacy in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the health literacy of gastric cancer in clients and patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Medical Center in Ardabil.
Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study. The sample of this study consisted of clients and patients admitted to Imam Khomeini educational -medical center in Ardabil in the second half of 2019. The sample size was 320 people which were randomly sampled. Researcher-made tools were used after ensuring validity and reliability. The questionnaire had two parts: demographic characteristics and items of health literacy dimensions. Patients' informed consent was obtained before completing the questionnaire. Data were collected by nurses and entered into SPSS-26 software. By using descriptive and analytical statistical parameters such as frequency and frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA analyzed.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of the age of participants was 42.98±14.35. The overall level of health literacy about stomach cancer was calculated as 31.13. The average gastric cancer health literacy in five dimensions in the clients and patients of Imam Khomeini educational-medical center in Ardabil was calculated as follows: access to health information resources was 38.02±10.6, reading health information was 13.47±4.41, understanding health information was 30.37±6.9, evaluation of health information was 16.73±4.58 and decision-making and application of health information was 58.49±10.77. Apart from reading in other dimensions of health literacy, no significant difference was found between clients and inpatients.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the mean score of health literacy of clients and patients admitted to Imam Khomeini medical center in Ardabil from gastric cancer is low and not sufficient. Considering the role of health literacy in energy storage, cost and time management of the individual's disease, it is necessary to plan and perform more efficient interventions to promote health literacy in the community, especially clients and patients admitted to Ardabil educational medical centers on gastric cancer.