---

  Background & objectives: Cancer is a major public health problem in many countries of the world. At the present time, cancer is the third leading cause of death in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine of epidemiologic status and incidence rates of cancers in the patients above 15 years old in East Azerbaijan province , Iran.

  Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 3832 new cancer cases were obtained from cancer registries in East Azerbaijan province in 2012. Characteristics of all registered cancers (including age, sex, and etc) were collected in a special form. Then the data were summarized and coded using the International Classification of Disease (ICD). Frequency, mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence interval of the study variables were calculated. Age standardized incidence rate was performed by direct method using the world standard population. The data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software.

  Results: Among 3832 cases, 2047(53.5%) were males and 1782 (46.5%) were females. The mean age and standard deviation of cancer incidence were 58.1 and 15.8 years, respectively. The overall incidence rate of all types of cancer in population was 132.5 in 100000 people per year. Among men, the highest frequency (263) of all cancers occurred in the 65-69 age group but in women the highest (220) of them occurred in the 50-54 age group. The highest incidence rate (813.3 per 100000) of cancers had occurred in men who were older than 85 years. While the highest (406.3 per 100000) of them in women had occurred in 70-74 years. The most common cancers among males and females were stomach (11.4%) and breast (30%), respectively. Histopathologically the most common cancers of stomach, breast and skin were adenocarcinoma, infiltrating duct carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, respectively.

  Conclusion: According to the results, the most common cancers in East Azerbaijan province were breast and stomach, respectively. Therefore, comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing relevant factors seem to be essential.

---

Background & objectives: Myocardial infarction (MI) isone of the most commonly heart diseases in all countries with the mortality rate of about 30%. Reperfusion of blocked coronary arteries plays an important role in reducing mortality and enhancing the quality of life of patients after acute MI. 

---

Background & objectives: Hyoscine (scopolamine) as an anticholinergic and antinociceptive drug, has some side effects. Recently, it has been received much attention to the interactions between synthetic drugs and herbal extracts and their pharmacological responses which made the possibility of using the minimum dose and low side effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Salvia officinale extract, hyoscine and their combinationin management of pain in rats.

Methods: In this experimental study animals were divided randomly into eight groups (n=6). Hyoscine (0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg) administrated by intraperitoneal injection and extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered by gavages one hour before administration of hyoscine. Thirty minutes after treatment, rats were subjected to tail-flick test and data were recorded. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05.

Results: Administration of hyoscine at doses of 0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg created significant analgesic effects compared to control group in the Tail-flick test (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The combination of S.officinale extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) and hyoscine (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the pain threshold than the groups receiving only extract or hyoscine.

Conclusion: Our data showed that hydroethanolic extract of Salvia officinale has an important antinociceptive effect which can lead to decreased pain in rats. Sincehyoscine as an analgesic drug has some side effects, combination of Salvia officinale extractand hyoscine can decrease the needed dose of hyoscine and itsside effects.

---

Background & objectives: The teratogenic effects of electromagnetic radiation on different processes of growth caused many concerns related to the harmful effects of cell-phone radiation on human health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cell-phone radiation on estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH hormones together with dynastic sexual cells of adult female offspring of pregnant rats affected by these radiations.

Methods: In this experimental study, 24 pregnant female rats divided into 3 groups including the control, sham and experimental groups were used. The control group received no radiation and the experimental group was exposed to cell-phone radiation at the beginning of pregnancy (4 hours daily for 14 days). The control group was exposed around turning-on cell-phone without conversation over the same period. After giving birth and after maturity, 10 female offsprings of different groups separated and after phlebotomizing, sexual hormones levels was measured and by separating the ovaries, ovarian follicles species were counted. The results analyzed using ANOVA and T tests. Differences in statistical analysis of data were considered significant at p<0.05.

Results: The results showed that the pregnant female exposure to cell-phone radiation caused significant increase in the size and weight of the ovaries and atresic follicles (p<0.05) without significant effect on the number of primary and secondary follicles, antral, graph, primordial, corpus luteum and sexual hormones.

Conclusion: Exposure to cell-phone radiations caused increase in the size, weight and atresic follicles of offspring’s ovaries in pregnant females

---

Background & objectives: Ritalin is one of the drugs used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to investigate the comparative effect of Ritalin with grape seed extract on passive avoidance learning in adult male rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats divided randomly into 5 groups of 8 rats including control, sham and three experimental groups. The control group received no treatment. The sham group received 1 ml of distilled water per day. At the same time the experimental groups received 100 mg/kg grape seed extract, 1 mg/kg Ritalin or 100 mg/kg grape seed extract together with 1 mg/kg of Ritalin by gavage for 28 days. For measuring the amount of avoidance learning, Shuttle box was used. Data analyzed by ANOVA and consistent Tukey's tests using SPSS-18 software and p>0.05 considered as significant.

Results: The results showed that Ritalin decreases the passive avoidance learning, while the grape seed extract alone or together with Ritalin increases passive avoidance learning.

Conclusion:  The outcome of this research shows that taking Ritalin leads to decreasing passive avoidance learning. However, the simultaneous taking Ritalin with grape seed extract inhibits the Ritalin effect and increasing the learning.

---

Background & objectives: Most of coronary angiography patients have not enough information about undergoing procedure . This lack of knowledge makes anxiety in patients and thereby changes their vital signs. There is no study regarding the effective education of patients based on their native language. This study was done to investigate the effect of video education in native language on vital signs caused by anxiety of patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods: This quasi experimental study was done in 2013 on 160 patients undergoing angiography in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil. Participants were divided into two groups randomly (80 in each group): case (native video education) and control groups. The sheets of hemodynamic variables were completed in determined time intervals for data collection. ANOVA with repeated measures and Chi square were used to analyze the data in SPSS13 software. P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed significant improvement in vital sign variables except for temperature in both groups over the time (p<0.05). And there was significant difference in the mean vital sign variables in determined time intervals (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Video education in native language decreases the vital signs in coronary angiography patients. Therefore the video education especially in native language is recommended for improving vital signs before invasive procedures.

---

Background & Objective: Nowadays, female infertility and abortion is considered one of the most important issues in the medical world. Due to high consumption of chamomile as a medicinal herb, this study aimed to investigate the effects of chamomile consumption on abortion, estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH hormones and ovarian follicles in adult female rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 80 adult female rats were divided to 2 categories in 5 groups of 8 pregnant and non-pregnant rats, including control groups, sham group and groups receiving intraperitoneal doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg chamomile hydro-alcoholic extract. At the end of the day 16 of pregnancy, aborted fetuses in pregnant groups were counted, and in day 21, the number of follicles and corpora-lutea in non-pregnant groups was obtained by separating ovaries, and sexual hormone levels were measured after phlebotomizing the samples. The results were analyzed by SPSS software (Ver.18) using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Significant difference of data was set at p≤0.05.

Results: The results of this study showed that chamomile caused a significant increase in the number of aborted fetuses and follicle atresia and a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in serum level of estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH hormones as well as the number of pre-antral follicle, antral follicles, graph and corpora-lutea.

Conclusion: The results showed chamomile extract decreased LH and FSH, thereby decreasing ovarian follicles, sexual hormones and aborted fetuses.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Background & objectives: The spontaneous abortion, loss of the fetus until the twentieth week of pregnancy, is one of the most common medical problems in reproductive age. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies lead to abortion. Failure in pregnancy involves economic costs, physical and mental problems for the family and the society. Recurrent spontaneous abortion is a multifactorial phenomenon and this study analyzed chromosomal abnormalities and the prevalence of consanguineous marriages in parents with recurrent spontaneous abortions in Ardabil province.
Methods: A total of 350 patients with at least two spontaneous abortions were analyzed using GTG-banding cytogenetic technique.
Results:  Parental chromosomal abnormalities were found in 18 cases (10.28% of couples). Most of abnormalities were structural (72.2%). chromosomal aberrations were found in 10 (55.6%) females and 8 (44.4%) males. Translocations were the most common chromosomal abnormalities (55.6 %) diagnosed in this study. Also, there was a significant correlation between recurrent spontaneous abortion due to consanguineous marriage and chromosomal abnormalities (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the significant correlation between recurrent spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormalities in this study and previous studies, and also the high rate of consanguineous marriages in Ardabil province population, analysis of chromosomal abnormalities is necessary after genetic counseling for both parents with recurrent spontaneous abortions.
Keywords: Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion; Chromosomal Abnormalities; Consanguineous

---

 
Background & objectives: Azathioprine is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. It has negative effects on the function of kidney. Therefore, considering the protective effects of ginger on nephrotoxins, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of ginger on renal changes induced by azathioprine in rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 56 female rats were divided into 7 groups including control, sham and 5 experimental groups receiving azathioprine (50mg/kg), ginger (200mg/kg), azathioprine plus ginger (200,100 and 50 mg/kg). In this study, ginger was administered by gavage and azathioprine intraperitoneally in 21 consecutive days. At the end, serum levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine were measured and the histological structure of the kidneys was examined. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests at significance level of p≤0.05.
Results: The results showed that azathioprine caused the destruction of structure along with cell necrosis, tubular degeneration, glomerular atrophy, urinary space enlargement, hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, as well as an increase in the serum level of urea, uric acid and creatinine at p≤0.05. However, simultaneous use of ginger and azathioprine reduced the serum levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine and improved the kidney structure compared to the azathioprine group.
Conclusion: The results showed that ginger had a protective effect on kidney tissue, due to its antioxidant properties, by inhibiting free radicals produced by azathioprine and decreasing the severity degradation effects of azathioprine on kidney tissue and function.
 

---

 
Background & objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver is one of the most common diseases. Nutrition and exercise are recommended for the patients with this disease, and chicory is considered due to its protective effects on the liver. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chicory extract along with treadmill walking on the hepatic transaminases levels and tissue changes in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Methods: In this experimental study, 56 mature male rats were divided into control (without treatment), sham (treatment with high-fat diet 10 ml/kg) and 5 experimental groups receiving high-fat diet (10 ml/kg) with 200 and 100 mg/kg chicory extract alone and with treadmill walking. Chicory was administered as gavage in 28 consecutive days. At the end, after anesthetizing the animals and collecting blood from their hearts the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes were measured. The their livers were removed and after preparing the tissue sections, the results of hepatic enzymes measurements were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests and P≤0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results showed that high-fat diet increased AST, ALT and ALP enzymes and hepatic tissue damage compared to the control group at p<0.001. Treatment with chicory and treadmill walking alone and together resulted in a significant reduction of the above enzymes at p<0.001 and improvement of hepatic tissue compared to the high-fat diet group.
Conclusion: The results showed that high-fat diet increased the levels of ALT, AST and ALP, and hepatic tissue damage. Treadmill walking and chicory extract alone and together reduced the above enzymes and improved the hepatic tissue structure.

---

Background & objectives: Considering the importance of liver toxicity due to drugs and toxins as a major cause of liver damage, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the combination of cinnamon and ginger extracts on serum biochemical parameters in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- intoxicated rats.
 Methods: In this experimental study, forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups (n=6). Three control groups including normal control, combined extract control and damaged control were designated that received distilled water, a mixture of cinnamon and ginger extracts and distilled water respectively for 14 days.
 Other 4 groups were pre-treatment  groups which were treated with cinnamon (50 mg/kg/d), ginger (250 mg/kg/d), cinnamon + ginger (25+125 mg/kg/d) and silymarin (100 mg/kg/d) respectively for 14 days before being damaged by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (1 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil). Fifty - two hours after CCl4 injection, blood sampling was performed and biochemical parameters were measured in serum of rats.
Results: The results of this study showed that the injection of CCl₄ significantly increased the ALT and AST enzymes activity ,cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels and decreased the blood albumin and HDL levels in damaged rats compared to the normal control group (p<0.001). However, pre-treatment with the cinnamon and ginger extracts, especially combination of extracts significantly improved these values ​​compared to the CCl₄ damage group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results suggest that simultaneous use of cinnamon and ginger extracts has more significant protective effects against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.
 

---

Background & objectives: MEFV gene has a major role in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) as an auto-inflammatory disorder. FMF is most often seen in the people of the Mediterranean area. Considering the significant role of the MEFV gene in many rheumatologic diseases and even non-rheumatologic disorders, it is necessary to identify different variations of these mutations in the healthy and normal population of this area.
Methods: 224 healthy people entered into this study. The blood samples were screened for the 12 most common MEFV gene variants according to manufacturer’s instructions. (FMF Strip Assay, Vienna lab, Vienna, Austria)
They filled a questionnaire containing the required information. All patients were initially evaluated for the FMF symptoms and signs in themselves and their first-degree relatives based on clinical criteria. Chi-squared test and t-test were employed for statistical analysis using SPSS ver.24.  
Results: Among 224 cases, 113 cases (50.4%) were male, and 111 cases (49.6%) were female. MEFV mutations were detected in 57 patients (25%) of them, 28 cases were male (49.1%) and 29 cases were female (50.9%). The most frequent mutations were E148Q (18.3%, 41cases), followed by P369S (3.1%, 7 cases), V726A (2.2%, 5cases), A744S (1.3%, 3cases), F479L, M694V and R761H (0.8%, each 2 cases), and eventually K695R (0.4%) respectively. Some mutations such as M694I, M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A), I692del were not seen in these samples. There were compound heterozygous mutations of E148Q/P369S, E148Q/V726A, E148Q/P369S, and P369S / F479L in normal population without any findings in favor of FMF.
Conclusion: Twenty-five percent of the normal population of the northwest of Iran carrying a heterozygous variant of the MEFV gene, E148Q (18.3%) as a most common mutation, which can be considered as a normal variant in the healthy population. The presence of M694I, M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A) and I692del mutations in the normal population can be interpreted with cautiously, while particular compound heterozygous mutations can be considered as normal variants.
 

---

 
Background & objectives:  Hydatid cyst is a major hygiene problem in Iran. In 80% of cases, only one organ is involved. However, multiorgan involvement has also been rarely reported. But it seems, the prevalence of hydatid cyst with the involvement of more than one organ in Iran is more than other world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients with hydatid cyst multi organ involvement in Ardabil province in northwest of Iran.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 34 patients with hydatid cyst with involvement in more than one organ were included. For each patient, a pre-designed questionnaire including name, age, education level, occupation, place of residence, cyst location, clinical manifestations and serologic test results were completed. Patients, who had previously a history of treatment due to hydatid cyst, were excluded from the study.
Results: The mean age of patients was 36.41 years. 61.8% of the patients were housewives and 64% were rural residents. The most commonly involved organs was liver and simultaneous involvement of liver and lung was observed in 38.2% of patients and was more in women. The association of the right lung cyst with the liver cysts was greater than that of the left lung. Only in 43% of the patients, the serologic test was positive for hydatid cyst, and the relationship between serologic test and type of involvement was not significant.
Conclusion: Regarding the high incidence of hydatid cyst involvement in more than one location in our region, in all patients, especially women with liver hydatid cyst, other organs, especially the lungs, should be investigated
 

---

 
Introduction & objectives: Cannabis extract is an important psychoactive substance that have used by people around the world. Due to the diverse effects of cannabis on brain cells, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of cannabis extract on the growth of SH-SY5Y neurons.
Methods: In this experimental study, SH-SY5Y cells were prepared from Pasteur Institute of Iran and then incubated in DMEM, supplemented with  10% fetal bovine serum ,embryo-L glutamine, penicillin and streptomycin at 37^oC and 5% CO₂. following cell proliferation, the cells in the fourth passage were divided into control and experimental groups which were treated with cannabis at concentrations of 100 and1000 ng/ml. during  1 to 9 days, SH-SY5Y cells growth was calculated by flow cytometry using PDT= T× formula.
 
Results: SH-SY5Y cells adhered to the bottom of the flask 24 hours after transfer to the cell culture flask. These cells were initially spherical and after 24 hours become spindle. The results of cell count test on days 1 to 6 showed the growth of cannabis-treated cells similar to the control group, but from the sixth day, in the cannabis extract treated groups, a significant reduction in cell growth was observed at the level of p<0.05 compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The results showed that SH-SY5Y cells in the culture medium were spherically shaped, similar to fibroblast cells, and the based on the results of cell count, it was determined that cannabis inhibits the growth of these cells.

---

A severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 infection (COVID-19)was identified in December 2019 and caused a massive pandemic that claimed millions of lives worldwide. The Chimpanzee adenovirus vector vaccine is one of the few vaccines against coronavirus disease in 2020. This case report introduces, a patient who developed thrombocytopenia, fever, and lethargy nine days after vaccination with the chimpanzee adenovirus carrier vaccine. The patient was admitted to the hospital and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) symptoms appeared during hospitalization.

 

---

Background & objectives: Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that causes progressive degeneration of neurons, and oxidative stress is increasingly implicated as a factor that contributes to its pathophysiology. Carnosic acid, a compound found in rosemary, can scavenge free radicals in the brain and decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Thus, this study explored the effect of this plant on the improvement of Parkinson’s disease.
Methods: The study used 35 male mice that were randomly divided into five groups (n=7 mice each). A control group, a Parkinson's group induced by MPTP toxin, and three groups that received aqueous extracts of rosemary at doses of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg were included in the study. Measurements were made of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, muscle rigidity, and grip strength. Scores were calculated based on rotational behavior tests and scoring systems.
Results: Rosemary treatment at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg significantly changed the level of superoxide dismutase activity, muscle rigidity test and rotational behavior of animals relative to the MPTP group. Moreover, the dose of 200 mg/kg of rosemary significantly modified lipid peroxidation relative to the MPTP group, although lipid peroxidation was still significantly higher than the control group.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Rosemary at a dose of 200 mg/kg can alleviate the signs of Parkinson’s disease and manage the disease.
 

---

Background: Opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, Isospora belli, Blastocystis, etc. cause various gastrointestinal and non-digestive diseases in people with HIV. These symptoms are especially severe in people with HIV who have a CD4 count of less than 200. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in people living with HIV in Tabriz.
Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on137 people with HIV referred to Behavioral Disease Counseling Centers in Tabriz, 2019-2021. Then, after receiving written consent, fecal samples were collected and evaluated for the detection of parasitic infections using direct methods, Ziehl-Neelsen and Trichrome Weber stain.
Results: A total of 137 stool samples were collected, including 93 males and 44 females. Most of them were in the age range of 20-60 years. The overall frequency of parasitic infections was 57.7% and the highest prevalence was related to Blastocystis 24.1% and Cryptosporidium 14.6%.
Conclusion: Due to the relatively high prevalence of parasitic infections, especially Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium in people with HIV in Tabriz, which can endanger the health of these patients, essential interventions, including personal hygiene training to control and prevent infection with these pathogens, seem to be necessary.