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Background & Objectives: Wounds healing especially as to surgical wounds is considered clinical problem. Kombucha is used as a food and adminstarted for wound healing. The aim of this study was to assess histopathological and histomorphometrical effect of Kombucha on surgical wound healing process in stomach of rat.

Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats with 10-week-old and weighted between 200-250 g were randomly divided into two groups (Control and Experimenral). After anesthesia, rats’ stomach was removed and a gastrotomy incision with the length of 1 cm was made in greater curvature, thereafter, sutured in 2 layers. Experimental group received Kombucha extract (1 ml/100gbw) and control group received normal saline (1 ml/100gbw) daily for 14 days through the gavage. In 3, 7 and 14 days after operation, five rats of each group were euthanized and stomach tissue specimens were collected for histopatholocical study by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Histopathological and histomorphometrical studies of wound healing among the groups were carried out considering more effective agents on wound healing including proliferation of fibroblasts, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization and collagen organization in healing tissue.

Results: The numbers of fibroblasts, capillary buds and organized collagen content in healing site of experimental group were significantly more than control group (p<0.05). The size of epithelial gap in experimental group was significantly lesser than control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the results, Kombucha extract possesses beneficial effects on healing of stomach surgical wounds in rats.

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Background & aim: Nowadays because of difficulty in the supply and injection of insulin and blood sugar reducing drugs and considering the side effects of chemical drugs, researcher’s attention is drawn to using herbal medicines. Liver is one of the organs affected by diabetes in different functional aspects. The purpose of this research was studying the effect of Rosa canina extract on reducing the adverse effects and improving diabetes symptoms related to histophysiology, amount of biochemical serum factors and liver enzymes in male rats.

Methods: 32 male Wistar rats, weighed 200-220 gr, were divided into 4 groups. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60mg/kg). The period of experiments was 4 weeks. At the end of experiments, the rats were sacrificed and their serums were collected for measurement of liver enzymes. Also, histological sampling of liver was done. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA).

Results: The results of this study showed that treatment with ethanol extract of Rosa canina led to significant reduction of liver enzymes in the Rosa extract-treated groups in comparison with the diabetic group, indicating the protective effect of alcoholic extract of Rosa canina on liver tissue against diabetes-induced damages. In liver histopathology, a distinct fat change in the lobular center areas was created in the diabetic group. Pathological changes were not significant in the liver of the Rosa extract-treated groups; liver in this group was relatively healthier than in diabetic group.

Conclusions: Rosa extract improved this organ's function in STZ-induced diabetic rats by reducing serum biomarkers of liver pathology and reducing histological damages.

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Background & aims: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of NEO personality dimensions on general health, quality of life and job burnout in a sample of faculty members of Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: In this correlational study, data were collected by convenience sampling using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), WHO Quality of Life- Brief (WHOQOL-FFI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and NEO-FFI. In order to analyze the data, statistical indices, including mean, standard deviation and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. 

Results: The results showed a significant correlation between  personality dimensions, including  neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness and agreement with any public health variables (correlation coefficients 0.435, 0.533, 334.513, 0.0) and quality of life (correlation coefficients 0.294, 0.438, 312.459, 0.0) and burnout (correlation coefficients 0.259, 0.351,       -0.302, -0.299, 0.0) , respectively in the Department of Surgery, but openness to experience had  no significant correlation with any of the above-mentioned variables. Also, there was a significant relationship between the three variables of public health, quality of life with burnout.

Conclusions: According to the findings, it can be concluded that in the participants of this study, increase of neuroticism scores was associated with decreased general health and quality of life scores and increased job burnout. Further, increased extroversion scores were associated with increase in general health and quality of life and decrease in job burnout scores.

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Background & objectives: Propolis is a natural product with powerful antioxidant and therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propolis on passive avoidance memory in adult male mice.

Methods: In this study, 40 adult male mice were divided into 8 groups, including control, sham (solvent) and 3 treatment groups orally treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of propolis, respectively for two weeks before and one week after treatment. Then, passive avoidance learning and memory were recorded in timescales of 24 and 48 hours, 4 days and a week after shock by the shuttle box. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnett’s post hoc tests, and p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Administration of propolis (50 mg/kg) significantly increased the dark chamber entering time at intervals of 24 and 48 hours (p<0.001) and at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg in all time periods after the shock (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Oral administrations of propolis can improve learning and memory dose-dependently in adult male mice.

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Background & Objectives: Infertility (abortion & stillbirth) is one of the most common medical problems during pregnancy. Approximately 10-15% of all clinically recognized pregnancies are lost before the birth. Pregnancy loss is a multifactorial phenomenon. This study was an attempt to analysis the cytogenetic abnormalities of the parents with frequent spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.

Methods: In this study, the samples were analyzed by GTG-banding technique.

Results: From a total of 200 reviewed blood samples, 188 persons (94%) had natural karyotype and 12 persons (6%) had chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomal aberrations were found in 5 (2.5%) females and 7 (3.5%) males. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was as follows: 5(41.6%) pericentric inversion of chromosome 9, 3 (25%) polymorphism 15p+, 1(8.3%) translocation, 1 (8.3%) polymorphism 15ps+, 1 (8.3%) polymorphism 1qh+ and 1 (8.3%) unknown chromophil band on the short arm of chromosome 21.

Conclusion: Chromosomal analysis is an important etiological investigation in couples with recurrent spontaneous abortions and stillbirth, and genetic counseling helps to make a correct decision on further options of reproduction.

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Background & objective:   One of the objectives of health reform plan in Iran is to reduce the rate of cesarean section delivery. This needs research and use of results to improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes after normal vaginal and cesarean section delivery in hospitalized low-risk mothers in Arash Hospital in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 1900 low-risk pregnant women, with 37-40 weeks of gestational age, referring to the emergency department and being hospitalized for delivery were included. The data were collected from two groups of patients (normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section delivery). Data on wound infection, abnormal postpartum hemorrhage, decrease of hemoglobin, transfusion requirement, injuries to the genitourinary system, fever until 10 days after delivery, neonatal respiratory complications, NICU admission, jaundice and obstetric injuries were collected by a questionnaire.

Results: From 1900 pregnant women, 62.1% had cesarean delivery and 37.9% had normal vaginal delivery. The reasons for cesarean delivery included repeated cesarean (68%), failure to progress (18.1%), and fetal distress (13/9%). Wound infection (p=0. 004), abnormal postpartum hemorrhage (p=0.042) and low hemoglobin (p<0.001) were more frequent in cesarean delivery group than in normal vaginal delivery group. But obstetric injuries were higher in normal vaginal delivery group (p<0. 0001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of fever ten days after delivery and blood transfusion requirement. For neonatal outcomes, transient neonatal tachypnea (p=0.032), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.002), and NICU admission (p<0. 0001) were more frequent in cesarean delivery group than in normal vaginal delivery group. There was no difference between the two groups in neonatal jaundice rate and neonatal injuries.

Conclusion: Due to the high rate of cesarean section delivery in our country and higher rate of maternal and neonatal complications after cesarean section delivery, appropriate strategies are required to be applied to decrease unnecessary cesarean section delivery and increase normal delivery with minimum maternal and neonatal complications.

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Background & objectives: Prostate cancer is one the most common cancer in men whose incidence is increasing in many countries. According to the studies, decreased expression of miR-143 has been reported in prostate cancer. In this study, we replaced miRNA-143 in prostate cancer cells by vector based miRNA-143 and evaluated its inhibitory effects on migration of prostate cancer cells (PC3).
Methods: MTT assay was performed to reach an inhibitory concentration of Genticin antibiotic (G418 (in PC3 cells. Then, miRNA-143 vector was transfected into PC3 cells via JetPEI transfection reagent. The transfected cells were selected by G418 antibiotic according to a 2-week treatment with IC50 concentration. Then, the expression level of miRNA-143 was measured by qRT-PCR method. To evaluate the effect of miRNA-143 in inhibition of migration, scratch wound healing assay was performed.
Results: Results of MTT assay showed the IC50 level of G418 on PC3 cells was obtained to be 141.9 μg / ml. The results of qRT-PCR indicated increased expression of miRNA-143 in PC3 cells transfected with miRNA-143 compared to control cells. Finally, the results of wound healing assay showed migration reduction in transfected cells compared with control cells (empty vector).
Conclusion: The results showed that miRNA-143 play an important role in cell migration during prostate cancer metastasis, and it can be a good candidate for molecular treatments.

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Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers of women in the world. Apoptotic pathway is one of the most important pathways to deal with cell damage, especially cancer, which is usually blocked in this disease. One of the main enzymes to set up this pathway is JNK (1,2,3α,3β), which is activated by cellular stress.
Methods: In this study, breast cancer cells with the origin of MCF-7 cell lines were cultured in RPMI medium using 10%fetal bovine serum.Then , they were subjected to heat (42 & 45 ^̊ C) for 1,2,4,6 and 8 hours under X-ray and γ-ray radiations for 1,2,3 and 4 hours as well. Their viability and enzyme level were evaluated by MTT and ELISA tests, respectively.
Results: The obtained results showed that abiotic stresses including heat and radiations resulted in JNK level increase and recovery of apoptosis pathway function in breast cancer cells. In addition, they led to decreased of cell viability and increase of JNK level depending on the duration and kind of stress.
Conclusion: The results in this study showed abiotic stress directly affected the JNK level. Increase of this enzyme in the cell resulted in activity of JNK apoptosis pathway. We hope to find methods to help to cancer treatment by means of more studies on JNK enzyme and relevant pathways.

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Background & objectives: Enterococcus spp. are predominant in the faecal microflora which enter the environment directly or through wastewater. These bacteria play an important role in the development of nosocomial infections due to their ability to acquire resistance genes and their transmission to other bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and to detect van A, van B and van C1/C2 genes in VRE strain isolated from environmental samples of the in southern Fars province.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 155 Enterococcus spp isolates collected from environmental samples (hospital wastewaters and surface waters) in different areas of Larestan and Jahrom cities. Isolates were identified and confirmed as Enterococcus spp. using the membrane filtration method, selective growth on Kenner Fecal Streptococcus Agar (KF) medium and biochemical tests. The disk diffusion test and Macro Broth dilution method based on CLSI guidelines were used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility against conventional antibiotics and vancomycin and to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. Finally, the presence of van A, van B and van C1/C2 genes in VRE strains was determined by multiplex PCR technique.
Results: Out of all of Enterococcus spp. isolates, 41 cases (26.45%) were belonged to E.faecalis, 6 cases (3.87%) to E.faecium and 108 cases (69.68%) to non-faecalis and non-faecium. In total, 46 isolates (29.67%) were resistant to vancomycin and 4 isolates showed MIC ≥128 μg/ml. Resistant to all types of antibiotics was observed in 4 isolates (8.70%). Further, 2 isolates (50%) had vanA gene and 2 isolates (50%) had vanB gene, but vanC1/C2 genes were detected in none of them.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the VRE strains are widespread in the studied area, therefore there is an urgent need for prudent use of vancomycin and implementation of control measures to prevent the environmental spread of VRE strains.

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Background & objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of mortality and disability around the world. Determination of the health status and spatial and temporal patterns of the disease prevalence has a major role in health planning.
This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of CAD in Ardabil Province.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed using the data belonging to 60156 patients with history of hospital admission due to CAD in Ardabil Province during 2010-2015. Hospitalization Rate (HR) was calculated after classification of the data in terms of location and date of hospitalization. The spatiotemporal and demographic variables, including age, gender, type of CAD, periods and duration of hospitalization were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and repeated measures in SPSS v23 statistical software. Spatial distribution maps were drawn for each month and year in ArcGIS 10.2.
Results: Of 60156 hospitalized patients with CAD diagnosis, men (58%) were more in number than women (42%). The majority of hospitalized patients fell in the age range 60-69 years (25.3%), and 92.40% of patients were hospitalized for less than 7 days. An ascending pattern was observed in temporal hospitalization trend in Khalkhal and a descending trend in Ardabil. The lowest hospitalization rate, however, was observed in Kosar city despite the ascending trend. During the research period, the greatest decline in hospitalization rate was observed in temporal trend in Bilasuvar, Meshkinshahrand Namin cities, and the largest increase was observed in Germi, Pars-Abad and Kosar cities.
Conclusion: By using the comprehensive technology, GIS, spatiotemporal distribution and CAD trend during 2011-2015 were modeled in Ardabil province. Spatiotemporal trend of CAD in Ardabil province and allied cities indicated the necessity of paying more attention and studying community for further prevention of the disease. Community-based interventions should be implemented for prevention of risk factors of CAD during childhood and adolescence especially in the districts with high risk.

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Background & objectives: Terfezia Boudieri (TB) has been used as a sexual stimulant for men in traditional medicine. TB containing fatty acid, flavonoids, beta-carotene, minerals and antioxidants such as, catechin, therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terfezia Boudieri on sperm and testosterone levels in male rats.
Methods: In this study, 21 adult male Wistar rats, each weighing approximately 250±20g, were randomly divided into three groups (n=7). The first group (control) with no treatment, the second group (sham group) received normal saline (extract solvent) and the third group, was injected intraperitoneally (IP) with 105 mg / kg of methanolic extract of Terfezia boudieri (TBME) (0.2 ml) for 21 days. The blood samples were collected to determine the concentration of testosterone and  finally, the weight and size  of the testicles and epididymis, the number and the  percentage of sperm moving were evaluated Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Turkey's post- hoc tests.
Results: The results of the present study showed that serum levels of testosterone, body weight of rat, testis weight , sperm count and  sperm motility in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that TB at 105 mg/kg dosage can increase the levels of testosterone and improve sperm parameters and therefore, TB can be used to treat sexual impotence and infertility in males.

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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: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder, which is characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. Crocin is the main component of saffron. According to antioxidant properties and protective effects of crocin on gonads, this study was done to evaluate the effect of crocin on serum levels of gonadotropin, β-estradiol, testosterone and ovarian follicle in a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome
Methods: In this experimental study, 28 Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups. Including: control, non-treated PCOS and two PCOS groups treated with crocin (50 and 100 mg/kg). Polycystic ovarian syndrome was induced by 28 days injection of 1 mg/kg letrozole. Crocin was intraperitoneally administered into treated PCOS groups for 28 days. Saline solution was injected to the animals of control and non-treated PCOS groups. At the end of period treatment, serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and β-estradiol was measured using ELISA. Then, ovarian tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histological changes were examined. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey statistical tests (p<0.05).
Results: Serum level of LH, testosterone, β-estradiol and the number of cystic follicles in the PCOS group treated with 100 mg/kg crocin compared to the non-treated PCOS group significantly decreased and FSH, the number of preantral follicles, antral and corpus luteum significantly increased (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Crocin has been effective in improving ovarian cysts and hormonal disorders in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

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Background & objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a globally widespread infection that spreads mainly through sexual contact, mother to child and intravenous drug use. The disease can vary from an asymptomatic state to advanced immune deficiency and AIDS-related opportunistic infections and complications. Patients may be diagnosed at different stages of the disease. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with HIV and its consequences during the past 10 years (2005-2014) in Ardabil city.
Methods: In this descriptive and case series study, patients with HIV (including live and dead patients) referring to the Ardabil behavioral counseling center were included during 2005-2014 years. The checklist containing demographic data, modes of transmission, time of diagnosis, clinical and therapeutic problems during this period, etc. was prepared for each patient. In dead patients, the causes of death as well as the interval between diagnosis and death were investigated.
Results: In this study, 60 patients with HIV were evaluated, the mean age was 42.96 years, 76.7% of patients were male and 48.2% were intravenous drug users. In 39.7% of cases, patients have probably been infected through intravenous injection and 33.3% by sexual contact. The mean CD4 + lymphocyte cell count of patients was 252 cells per ml. The most common early symptoms of the disease were fever (63.33%), aphthous stomatitis (35%) and diarrhea (28.33%). In 7 cases (50%), tuberculosis was the most common opportunistic infection. 6 patients (10%) had coinfection with hepatitis B or C. 28 patients (46.6%) died within the time of study. The median time from diagnosis to death was 44.84±39.65 months and cardiorespiratory failure was the most common cause of death among patients.
Conclusion: This study showed that most patients were middle-aged and intravenous drug use was the most common risk factors for HIV. The most common way of transmission was intravenous injection and hepatitis C and tuberculosis were the most important comorbidities, respectively. Raising community awareness about the disease, early diagnosis and appropriate care during illness are basic measures to deal with this global problem.

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Background & objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that disrupts normal brain activity due to abnormal electrical discharge of brain cells. Mood swings, depression and anxiety are the common complications in epilepsy. The aim of the present study was to compare alexithymia in patients with Tonic-clonic epilepsy, Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME), and healthy individuals.
Methods: In this casual-comparative study, sampling was performed by convenience sampling method. The study population consisted of all epileptic patients and the study sample included 134 participants (N= 74 Patients and N= 60 healthy people) individuals aged 18-35 years. Among the patients, 14 were excluded due to lack of selection criteria and 60 samples (N= 29 with myoclonic and N= 31 with Tonic-clonic epilepsy) remained.
Data regarding alexithymia was gathered by Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and analyzed by ANOVA, Scheffé post - hoc test and t-test were performed for independent groups.
Results: Findings showed that the mean of Alexithymia in those with JME,  tonic-clonic epilepsy and normal individuals were 64.44, 61.41, and 54.24, respectively. The difference between the two groups with myoclonic and tonic-clonic epilepsy was not statistically significant. However, there was a significant difference found between those with tonic-clonic epilepsy and normal individuals (T= 6.82; p<0.01). In addition, patients with  JME  and tonic-clonic epilepsy had more difficulty in identifying and describing emotions, and external thought direction compared to normal ones, while no such a difference was observed between the two groups with epilepsy.
Conclusion: Epilepsy is accompanied by reduced processing of emotional information such as alexithymia. Individuals with tonic-clonic and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy are less qualified for recognizing and describing emotional information, and their intellectual orientation is mostly external. Also, since the location of discharge in both types is widespread and similar, no significant difference in alexithymia was observed between the patients with tonic-clonic and myoclonic epilepsy

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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: Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) is a medicinal plant usually used in traditional medicine to reduce toothache. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of topical Clove oil on acute and chronic pain in male mice using formalin test.
Methods: In this study, 24 mice were divided into 4 groups: control, morphine (as positive control), Clove oil, and Clove oil plus morphine groups. Before the formalin test, the animals were treated topically with clove oil for 6 hours.  A single dose of morphine (10 mg/kg) was prescribed subcutaneously. Pain scores were obtained using the formalin test through an injection of 20 microliter of formalin 2.5% into the palm of the animal's right hand.
Results: Topical administration of Clove oil significantly decreased acute pain (the initial phase of the formalin test) and chronic pain (the second phase of the formalin test). Furthermore, topical Clove oil increased the analgesic effect of morphine in acute pain phase.
Conclusions: This study showed that the analgesic effect of topical Clove oil was comparable to morphine.

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Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is the sixth leading cause of death in individuals older than 25 years, and accounts for %18 of all deaths. The aim of this study was to investigate the TCD findings in diabetic patients with a history of less and more than 5 years.
Methods: In this descriptive, analytic study, all diabetic patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of diabetes, less and more than 5 years after diagnosis. TCD was performed on the patients, and maximum velocity and mean pulsatility index and resistivity index in the right and left Middle Cerebral Arteries (MCAs) and basilar artery were measured. The checklist was completed for all patients, and all data were analyzed by SPSS (v16) statistical software.
Results: Sixty four percent of the patients with duration less than 5 years (average age of 55.16 years) and 36 percent of those with duration more than 5 years (average age of 59.37 years) were men. There was no statistically significant difference between disease duration and Body Mass Index (BMI), but with an increase in duration of disease, HbA1C of patients was increased. There was no significant difference between the velocity of right, left and basilar arteries and diabetes duration. Also, there was a significant difference between diabetes duration and pulse index of right MCA and basilar. There was no significant difference between age, BMI and HbA1C and pulse and resistivity indexes among patients.
Conclusion: In this study abnormal pulse and resistance indexes in patients with duration more than 5 years was more than patients with less than 5, this may indicate the effect of diabetes duration on the vascular wall.

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Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus belongs to a group of common metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia phenotypes. Diabetes mellitus causes secondary pathophysiological disorders in multiple organs of the body such as nephropathy, which causes many problems for patients and the health care system. In this study, the effect of pentoxifylline, a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on reducing urinary protein excretion in diabetic patients was assessed.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 72 diabetic patients with proteinuria who were admitted to the endocrine and nephrology clinic were selected and divided into two groups. Checklists, including demographic data, etc. were completed. In group (A), Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were prescribed to reduce proteinuria, and in another group (B), in addition to ACEI or ARB drugs, pentoxifylline was prescribed. In the end, the results in both groups were compared in terms of further reduction of proteinuria.
Results: Most of the studied patients were male. There was a significant correlation between proteinuria (mean urinary protein excretion in 24 hours) and the effect of pentoxifylline on reducing proteinuria in patients with type II diabetes. Also, there was not a significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes and HbA1c between the two groups at the beginning and end of the study.
Conclusion: Pentoxifylline, independent of lowering blood pressure or reducing the improvement of metabolic control, can significantly decrease proteinuria and protein excretion

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Background & objectives: Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis (CE and AE) are caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granolosus, respectively. This study was conducted to determine the spread of human AE and CE diseases among the tribes and livestock breeders and farmers in the Moghan plain. The prevalence of infection (CE and AE) significantly increases with a rise in age.
Methods: In this study, using ELISA and HCF-Ag (raw liquid antigen of hydatid cyst) was used for the first time to perform screening, and then the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis was evaluated by specific anti-genes Ag-5 and EM2+, respectively. A total of 2003 serum samples were collected randomly from normal populations of five different areas of Moghan plain. In the first stage, serum screening was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and HCF-Ag. After that, the serology of all sera was evaluated by ELISA and specific antigens for alveolar and cystic Echinococcus.
Results: From 2003 samples, 24 serum samples were (1.19%) AE-positive. Infection was higher in men than women (2.1% vs. 0.6%). The age group of 5-19years had the lowest infection rate and the age group 40- 59 years had the highest infection rate (2%). In the case of cystic ecinococcosis, 164 serum samples were positive for Ag-5 specific antigen, i.e. 7.6% infection, and 156 serum samples were positive for Ag-B-specific antigen.
Conclusion: The findings showed that the highest infection rate was found in the Boran and Eivazlou (Palanglou) regions of Moghan plain and the lowest level of human infection was reported in Parsabad region (Nadar-kandi and Agh-ghabagh). In areas with higher contamination, the risk factor associated with CE and AE were the type of water used, the method of washing edible and wild vegetables, occupation and having or not having knowledge of hydatid disease. The infection of Moghan region dogs is one of the main indicators and potential risk factors for human infection.