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  Background & objectives : Ovarian cancer is the most common female reproductive cancer which is caused due to the malignant transformation of ovarian cells. This type of cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and the primary cause of cancer deaths in the world. Axin2 gene is a tumor suppressor gene of the Axin family in WNT cycle which is essential for embryonic development. WNT proteins in this pathway have important intermediary role in cell messaging and in primary and secondary development of the embryo. Axin2 gene is activated as a negative feedback to prevent excessive proliferation of cells with simultaneous activation of WNT messaging. The aim of this study was to find the frequency of mutation in rs1133683 region of exon 5 in Axin2 gene and its relation with the risk of ovarian cancer.

  Methods : In this case-control study, 100 patients with ovarian cancer together with equal number of same age as controls were collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital. DNAs were extracted from blood and tissue and then were investigated by PCR-RFLP. Data analysis was performed using software SPSS (version 19) using logistic regression.

  Results : The results of study of mutation in rs1133683 region of exon 5 in Axin2 gene between two groups of case and controls indicated that there is no significant association between CT genotype with ovarian cancer (OR=1.26, 95%CI 0.70-2.27,p=0.43). Also no association was observed between TT genotype of Axin2 gene and ovarian cancer risk (OR=1.56, 95%CI 0.49-4.96, p=0.44).

  Conclusion : Study of mutation in rs1133683 region showed that there was no association between TT genotype carriers of Axin2 gene and the risk of ovarian cancer.

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� Background & objectives: Obesity and visceral fat accumulation after menopause are associated with lipid profile changes, metabolic syndrome and c ardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic - resistance training and estrogen replacement therapy on visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in ov ariectomized rats.

� Methods: Fifty female Wistar rats were ov ariectomized and divided into 5 OVX groups (n=10 rats per group): Ovx+sedentary (Sedentary), aerobic - resistance training (Ovx+Exe), aerobic - resistance training+estrogen replacement therapy (Ovx+Exe+Est), estrogen replacement therapy (Ovx+Est) and vehicle group or sesame oil (Ovx+Oil). The exercise consisted of aerobic-resistance training (20 m/min, 3 days/week, 60 min/day, 10% slope, Load 3% body weight) 17b-estradiol valerate (30 �g/kg bw in 0.2 ml sesame oil) were injected subcutaneously three days a week during 8 week. The co-treatment group received both exercise and estradiol protocol as same as previous groups.

� Results: After 8-week of interventions, visceral fat significantly reduced by Ovx+Exe and Ovx+Exe+Est compared to Sedentary rats (p<0.05), however no significant difference in body weight was observed. BMI significantly reduced in Ovx+Exe and Ovx+Exe+Est groups compared to Sedentary group. Also, BMI significantly reduced in Ovx+Est compared to Ovx+Oilgroup (p<0.05). Although this intervention changed lipid profiles, they were not statistically significant in neither of groups. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed usingone-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey&rsquos post-hoc test. The differences were considered significant at p<0.05.

� Conclusion: Eight weeks aerobic-resistance training successfully decreases visceral fat and BMI.

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Background & objectives: History of medicinal plants in healing the pains goes back to five thousand years ago. In addition, strong antibacterial properties have been observed in many of these plants. In this research, the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts and also homogenized form of scrophularia striata was examined on some respiratory and urogenital tract bacterial pathogens.

Methods: At first, bacterial isolates susceptibility test was done by kerby-bauer disc diffusion method and positive control was determined for every isolate. Then, several dilutions (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 mg/ml) of aqueous, ethanolic and homogenized extracts were prepared in distilled water separately. Thirty microliter of each diluted extract was inoculated on sterile blank disc and minimum inhibitory concentration was examined for every studied bacteria by E-test. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of extracts was determined by macrodilution method.

Results: Based on the results, smaller inhibitory zone than inhibitory zone of positive control was observed only with high concentration of aqueous extract in mannheimia haemolytica and with serial dilutions of ethanolic and homogenized extract in trueperella pyogenes, and with homogenized form in corynebacterium renale. No response was observed with other bacteria. Ethanolic extract showed bactericidal property with 62.5 mg/ml concentration and bacteriostatic property with 125 mg/ml concentration on mannheimia haemolytica which was similar to effect of this extract and homogenized form on trueperella pyogenes.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study and common application of this plant in respiratory and urogenital tract infections treatment, study on the role of different bacteria in this infections or effect of this extract on immune system stimulation can be recommended

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Background & objectives: Estrogen reduction after the menopause is associated with visceral adipose tissue accumulation and insulin resistance. Serum omentin-1 level is also decreased by abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. This study investigated the effect of estrogen on visceral fat, omentin-1 and insulin resistance in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods: Thirty 13-week-old female Wistar rats weighing180±5 gr were randomly matched on their body weight and divided into OVX (n=20) and sham-operated (SHAM; n=10) groups. OVX rats were subdivided into estrogen replacement therapy (Ovx+Est; n=10), and control (Ovx+sesame Oil; n=10) groups. The estrogen replacement therapy received 17b-estradiol (30µg/kg bw; in 0.2 ml sesame oil) three days a week, for eight weeks. Ovx+Oil received the same sesame oil subcutaneously as vehicle. All intra-abdominal fat depots were dissected out and weighed immediately. Omentin-1 concentration was measured by rat omentin ELISA kit and HOMA-IR was used to estimate the insulin resistance. Obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test.

Results: Visceral fat was decreased by 12.84% in Ovx+Est compared to Ovx+Oil group; but it wasn ́t significant. Whereas, body weight was significantly decreased by 7.87 % in Ovx+Est compared to Ovx+Oil; and it was significantly increased by 12.5% in Ovx+Oil compared to SHAM group. Omentin-1 level was significantly increased by 41% in Ovx+Est compared to Ovx+Oil group; whereas it was significantly decreased by 13.9% in Ovx+Oil compared to SHAM group. The levels of glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased to 51.16%, 24.23% and 61.52%, respectively, in Ovx+Est group compared to the rats in Ovx+Oil group (p=0.0001).

Conclusion: 8-week estrogen reduces body weight and improves insulin resistance probably via increase in omentin-1.

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Background & objectives: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma seems to be one of the most lethal cancer types among all gynecological malignancies. The conventional course of therapy includes chemotherapy. Actually most cancers respond to chemotherapy but in the long run drug resistance and side effects cause treatment failure. In addition, milk thistle (silibinin), a plant that has been used from ancient time because of its good effects on different organs, determined to have powerful antioxidant activity.  The aim of this study was to examine the effect of silibinin on SKOV-3 cancer cell line after 48 hours of treatment and P21 gene expression which involves in cell cycle progression.

Methods: The human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 was cultured as monolayer in 25 cm² flask in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Then the numbers of live cells were calculated using hemocytometer method and the cells were seeded in 96-well flat-bottomed culture plates and treated with different concentration of Silibinin. MTT assay was carried out to determine cell viability. To study P21 gene expression, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were carried out and real-time PCR was done.

Results: Cell growth was inhibited considerably by Silibinin treated groups compared with control after 48 hours. P21 gene expression was increased as well.

Conclusions: According to the results, Silibinin can be used as an effective drug in cancer treatment. More studies on animal models are also suggested.

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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: Therapeutic abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy can be done by a number of medical or mechanical methods. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol with and without letrozole and combination of misoprostol and laminaria in preoperative cervical ripening among women with under second-trimester abortion.
Methods: In this interventional study, 120 pregnant women with the gestational age of 20 weeks, who were candidates for therapeutic abortion, were selected and randomly divided into three groups (n=40). Proper counseling was done and a written informed consent was obtained before starting the treatment regimen. The first group received vaginal misoprostol alone and the second group received misoprostol in combination with laminaria and oral placebo. In the third group, in addition to cervical placebo on the first and second days, letrozole was prescribed, and on the third day, the patients were hospitalized and received vaginal misoprostol and third dose of letrozole. The patients were regularly examined every 4 hours, and in the absence of abortion, vaginal misoprostol was repeated after 4 hours.
Results: The results showed that termination of pregnancy was caused by embryo anomaly in 23 cases and fetal death in 97 cases. In this study, response to treatment was 90% in the group receiving laminaria and misoprostol 85% in the group receiving letrozole and misoprostol and 67% in the group receiving misoprostol. Regarding the duration and amount of bleeding, the groups receiving laminaria and misoprostol had the lowest duration and severity of bleeding, but this difference was not statistically significant. Combination of misoprostol and laminaria caused a significantly shorter time interval from the initiation of intervention to abortion, and pain relief was also higher than the other two groups.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, a combination of misoprostol and laminaria is recommended for induction of second-trimester therapeutic abortion.

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Background & objectives: In recent years, the hypothesis of using anti-androgens has been increasingly addressed in the treatment of acne in women. One of these drugs is flutamide, which there is no strong evidence of its efficacy in treatment of acne in women. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of combination therapy of flutamide-cyproterone compound with flutamide-doxycycline in severe type of acne in women.
Methods: In an interventional study, patients were divided in to two groups. One group (n=30) received flutamide - cyproterone compound and another group (n=30) received flutamide-doxycycline which were followed for six months. Both groups also received 1% topical clindamycin twice a day. Counting the number of lesions, changes in severity index and grading of acne were used to evaluate the patients. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated.
Results: The mean age in the flutamide-doxycycline group was 19.4±4.67 and in the flutamide-cyproterone compound group was 19.06±11.3. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean of the acne severity index at the onset of intervention between the two groups was not significant (p= 0.7). The mean of the acne severity index at the start of treatment in the flutamide-doxycycline group was 306.07±155.46 and at the end of treatment reached to 19.18±19.5, and also in the flutamide-cyproterone compound group, decreased from 293.21±15.21 to 10.5±21.8 at the end of treatment. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.1).
Conclusion: Both therapeutic regimen were effective in the treatment of severe type of acne and can possibly be used as an alternative treatment for severe acne.

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Background & objectives: Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (Morquio syndrome type A) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a mutation in the GALNS gene located on chromosome 16q24.3 and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. To date, more than 300 different mutations associated with MPS IVA, have been reported. Mutational heterogeneity can lead to difficulties in interpretation of molecular testing results, as novel mutations/variants of unknown significance may be detected relatively frequently. The purpose of this study is to analyze the GALNS mutations in Iranian MPS IVA patients.
Methods: Mutation screening of the GALNS gene was performed using direct sequence analysis on DNA samples from 8 unrelated Iranian MPS IVA patients.
Results: We have identified three novels and four previously reported mutations in 8 Iranian patients. We identified three novel missense mutations including: c.680T>C (p.F227S) in exon 7, c.G949C (p.G317R) and c.956G>C (p.R319T) in exon 9 in three different Iranian MPS IVA patients.  Bioinformatics analysis predicted the novel mutations as being disease-causing.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate the molecular heterogeneity of GALNS gene in Iranian patients. We also managed to find three new mutations of MPS IVA in Iranian patients, which are helpful in diagnosis, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in affected families

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Background & objectives: The increased incidence of metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) has seriously affected human health and life safety worldwide. It is of great significance to find effective drugs from natural compounds and exercise to treat metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of berberine chloride with aerobic training on Liver Gene Expression Nrf2, HO-1 and PPARγ in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
 Methods: In this experimental study,  32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): Diabetes (DM), Diabetes-Berberine (BDM), Diabetes-Aerobic Training (TDM), Diabetes-Aerobic Training -Berberine (TBDM). Diabetes was induced by injection of STZ in male rats. Berberine chloride (30 mg/kg/day) were administered orally, by gavage, once a day. Training groups have performed a progressive aerobic running program (at 10-18 m/min, 10-40 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for six weeks.
Results: There was a significant increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in BDM in BDM (p=0.027 and p=0.038, respectively), TDM (p=0.022 and p=0.028, respectively) and TBDM (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). This increase was also observed in TBDM groups compared to BDM (p=0.034 and p=0.034, respectively) and TDM (p=0.043 and p=0.046, respectively). PPARγ was significantly increased in TDM (p=0.046) and TBDM (p=0.001) groups.
Conclusions: Berberine chloride combination with exercise may possibly inhibit STZ-induced liver damage through up-regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and PPARγ.

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Background & objectives: Over the last couple of decades, research has focused on attempting to understand the genetic influence on sports performance. Whole exome sequencing (WES) has great potential to explore all possible genetic variants associated with physical performance. However, this new technique has not been used in sports genetics research. Therefore the aim of this case study was to report new variants in genes involved in skeletal muscles strength (ACE, NOS3, IGF1R, IL-6) in an elite weightlifter using WES.
Methods: After obtaining a written testimony from a 32-year-old man, who is a member of the Iranian national weightlifting team, 5 cc of blood was taken and then DNA was extracted. DNA samples were analyzed using the whole exome sequencing method.
Results: Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant (99454613G>A) in IGF1R, 22771156C>T polymorphism in IL-6, 150695726T>C and 150704250C>G polymorphisms in NOS3 and 61573761T>C and 61564052A>G in ACE genes.
Conclusion: Results of whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant and polymorphism in muscle strength and hypertrophy related genes in this elite weightlifter. However, other studies with larger sample sizes are needed to investigate the relationship between these variants and power athlete status. 

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Background & objectives: Epilepsy is one of the most common problems in the health system, of which some cases are resistant to treatment. Recently, environmental enrichment has shown beneficial results in the recovery of some cases of epilepsy.
Methods: Male mice were reared in an enriched or normal medium during their growth period. To induce seizures, at adult age, each group was divided into two subgroups, which one of them received pentylenetetrazole eleven times, with two days interval.
Results: The enriched environment greatly reduced seizure behaviors and prevented the occurrence of anxiety-like behavior and cognitive disorders. It also prevented an increase in the inflammatory cytokine of TNF-α in the hippocampus.
Conclusion: Therefore, a suitable growth environment in childhood and adolescence can be useful in preventing seizure disorders in adulthood.

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Background & objectives: Tissue engineering is a growing field to repair and replace the defective function of damaged tissue or organ, and today it is proposed as a new treatment to replace conventional transplant methods. For this purpose, polymeric biomaterials (scaffolds) and living cells are used. The purpose of this study is to fabricate polycaprolactan (PCL) nanoscaffold and load silymarin on the nanoscaffold to check the biocompatibility and proliferation ability of pc12 cells on it.
Methods: In order to prepare polycaprolactan nanoscaffold and load silymarin on it, 7% polycaprolactan solution (dissolved in acetic acid) was mixed with silymarin solution with a concentration of 0.9% (weight percent), and then the scaffold was prepared using electrospinning device. The morphology of the scaffold was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the chemical structure of the scaffold was evaluated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Toxicity of the scaffold and cell survival of PC12 cells were investigated by MTT test and SEM microscope respectively.
Results: Examining the morphology of the scaffold and its chemical structure showed the appropriate porosity of the scaffold and the successful loading of silymarin on the PCL scaffold. The toxicity of the scaffold was investigated 24, 48 and 72 hours after the cultivation of PC12 cells, and the results showed an increase in cell viability and proper attachment of cells on the scaffold.
Conclusion: The results of this research showed that the loading of silymarin on polycaprolactan scaffold increases the proliferation and survival of PC12 cells. Therefore, this scaffold can be a suitable candidate for nerve tissue engineering.
 

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Background & Objective: Bleeding is a common complication during heart surgery, and management of heparin and protamine consumption during operation affects hemeostasis. The dosage of protamine sulfate is variable based on the amount of heparin used and studies have reported different results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of protamine sulfate administration after cardiac surgery on the drainage of the patient's blood secretions.
Methods: In this retrospective cross- sectional study, required data from 120 medical records patients, from 2011 to 2020 undergoing heart surgery, for example CABG, was extracted and examined. Patients were grouped (60 people in each group) and compared based on protamine sulfate intake and not receiving it, in the intensive care unit and body mass index, age, sex, ACT values ​​and blood drainage rate.
Results: 76 (63.37%) patients were male and 44 (36.66%) patients were female. Most patients were in the age range of 50-70 years and most patients were overweight. Blood drainage in the protamine group was significantly lower than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of ACT values. Blood drainage in the protamine group was significantly lower in normal BMI and overweight individuals than in the control group. The amount of blood drained in the protamine group in women and in people over 70 years was significantly lower than the control group.
Conclusion: despite previous studies, our study showed a reduction in the amount of postoperative bleeding following re-prescribing of protamine sulfate in the intensive care unit, which eliminated the effect of heparin and the coagulation disorder caused by heparin. The limitations of the present study included patients under 12 years of age, patients weighing more than 120 kg, and patients requiring hypothermia treatment less than 28 Cº.
 

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Background & objectives: Dental anxiety is an effective factor in reducing children's dental visits. It is necessary to identify the factors involved in causing dental anxiety to promote public health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dental fear and anxiety in 5-10 -year -old children with dental caries and a history of trauma in Ardabil dental clinics in 2022.
Methods: 247 children (139 girls and 108 boys) were examined in terms of demographic information, history of oral and dental trauma, and socio-economic status through a questionnaire. The dmft/DMFT index was determined using the clinical examination to check the oral health condition. Dental fear and anxiety were measured using two standard scales, FIS and CFSS-DS. Chi-square test was used for data analysis .
Results: According to the FIS index, the prevalence of dental anxiety was 11.4% and according to the CFSS-DS questionnaire, it was 18.2%. Children aged 5-7 years showed more anxiety (p=0.043). Children who had a dental visit showed higher levels of anxiety based on the CFSS-DS index (p=0.002). According to the FIS index, children without a dental visit history had a higher frequency in the "very upset" group (p=0.009). Severe dental caries in permanent teeth (DMFT) were associated with a higher level of anxiety (p=0.028). No statistically significant relationship was found between gender, number of siblings, child's position in the family, parent’s education, family income level, history of trauma and dmft with dental anxiety.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that age, history of dental visits and decay of permanent teeth are effective factors on children's dental anxiety.
 

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Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) refers to the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. This condition can be attributed to various factors including X chromosome abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, and chemotherapy drugs. Hormone therapy is a commonly used treatment for POI, but due to side effects and low fertility rates, alternative treatment options are needed. In recent years, stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising treatment approach, offering hope for improving and restoring ovarian function. Stem cells possess the unique ability of self-renewal and regeneration, making them potentially effective in addressing ovarian failure and subsequent infertility. Different types of stem cells have been investigated for the treatment of POI, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), stem cells from extraembryonic tissues, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and ovarian stem cells. This article aims to provide an overview of the causes and treatment options for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, with a particular focus on stem cell therapy as suggested by previous studies.
 Corresponding Author: Hossein Kalarestaghy,  Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Email: h.kalarestaghy111@gmail.com
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