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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. 

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Background & Objectives: Maintain of fixed amount of glucose in blood has always been valuable. Especially in diabetic patients it is important to determine accurate amount of it. In this study we are trying to find a method to determination of the amount of serum glucose.

Methods: First a biosensor was prepared using carbon paste electrode modified with Copper Oxide nanoparticles for determination of serum glucose. The synthesized Copper Oxide nanoparticles were studied by using a variety of chemical spectrum UV-Vis, XRD, SEM and TEM. XRD confirmed that our synthesized are Copper Oxide nanoparticles. By measuring of the oxidation currents in the several levels of glucose, the accuracy and efficiency of biosensor was studied.

Results: Based on a increase of the electrocatalytic response of the oxidized form of GOD to dissolved oxygen, the proposed biosensor exhibits a linear response to glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 15 mM with a detection limit (defined as the concentration that could be detected at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3) of 9 �M at an applied potential of 0.44 V which has better biosensing properties than those from other biosensors. This biosensor retained 89% of its initial response after 30 days storage at pH=7.

Conclusion: Carbon paste electrode and Copper Oxide nanoparticles offer excellent catalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide generation in enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and glucose, which would enable sensitive determination of glucose. This biosensor exhibited good stability, reproducibility and low interferences. It has been used to diagnose diabetes very fast and sensitively and to determine the glucose concentrations in serum samples with satisfactory results.

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Background & objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the extent of possible genetic influence on cardio-metabolic risk factors and to evaluate the familial aggregation of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Tehranian population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, the anthropometry, blood pressure andbiochemical measurements were examined in each member of 566 nuclear families. The role of risk factors in MetS and the Pearson partial correlation between MetS and lipid related factors were calculated.

Results: The prevalence of MetS among the mothers and girls was 78.4 and 12.9%, respectively. Grandmothers had the highest incidence of atherosclerotic risk factors. Four factors were found which explained 77.7% of the overall variance. Recurrence risk ratio among siblings was 5.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.15-9.97). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of proband’s MetS status was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.06–1.67) and adjusted OR for the four factors to predict MetS were all significant with the obesity factor having the highest risk (OR: 7.50, CI: 5.91–9.52) followed by dyslipidemia/hyperglycemia factor (OR: 4.86, CI: 4.03–5.87), and blood pressure factor (OR: 4.20, CI: 3.51-5.02).

Conclusion: The present findings confirm the idea of familial aggregation and the recurrence risk ratio in MetS traits. Sibling correlations were higher than other relatives indicating the high genetic factors of these quantitative components in which a high risk of MetS (two-fold) was found

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Background & objectives: Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease and is considered as the most important disease in dogs. The disease has been reported in North West and South of the country, in Iran. In addition to stray dogs, some apparently healthy dogs can be contaminated without showing any sign or symptoms in this area. In the present study, canine visceral leishmaniasis was investigated in dogs lacking clinical signs in Meshkinshahr city in Ardabil, Iran.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted during 2011-2014. A total of 110 serum samples collected from dogs either having or lacking clinical signs and tested by direct agglutination test (DAT) assay. Then 10 dogs (41.6%) showing clinical signs and 15 dogs (17.4%) without any symptoms were autopsied and their spleens were sampled. The samples were used for smear preparation and culturing.

Results: Based on the results, among 24 dogs with clinical signs 20 cases (83.3%) and of 86 dogs without signs, 16 cases (18.6%) found to be positive. On the other hand, smear and culture results were found to be positive in 100% and 60% of dogs with and without clinical signs, respectively. The interesting and impressive results of this study was that the dogs with symptoms but negative DAT and asymptomatic dogs with negative DAT were positive in parasitological tests.

Conclusion: This proves that asymptomatic dogs like symptomatic dogs can be effective in L. infantum infection and is able to maintain the transmission of the disease in endemic areas. On the other hand, a number of symptomatic dogs with negative anti-leishmania antibodies were positive in parasitological tests. Thus, this study also shows that although DAT is effective in determining asymptomatic dogs and canine visceral leishmaniosis control programs but it does not seem to be satisfying in endemic areas such as Meshkin-shahr. Thus in endemic areas, it is recommended that the low antibody titer should be considered.

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Background & objectives: Early diagnosis of preeclampsia and its severity in pregnant women is greatly important for controlling this disease and preventing subsequent dangers for mother and the fetus. Current study is conducted to assess neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a determining factor for the severity of the disease in patients with preeclampsia referring to Sabalan hospital, Ardabil.

Methods: This was a case control study on 50 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (group 1), 50 pregnant women with mild preeclampsia (group 2), and 50 healthy pregnant women (group 3). The groups were homogenized for basic variants including age, gestational age, mean BMI, gravid and parity. Required information including age, gestational week, BMI, gravid, parity, 24-hour urine protein, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and NLR were obtained and analyzed.

Results: The NLR was significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia (p=0.031) and healthy women (p<0.001). NLR did not show difference between mild preeclampsia and healthy women (p=0.209). Significant positive correlation was also observed between NLR and proteinuria (p<0.0001, r=0.558), systolic blood pressure (p=0.0026, r=0.244), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.0028, r=0.242).

Conclusion: This study showed that maternal NLR can be used as a marker for preeclampsia severity.

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Background & objectives: Ischemic stroke has complex pathophysiology and its treatment with single neuroprotective drugs has so far failed. Combination therapy could produce amplified protective effects via different mechanisms. We examined the neuroprotective effects of enalapril and/or alpha tocopherol against sensorimotor dysfunctions of ischemic stroke.

Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8): sham, control ischemic, enalapril (0.03 mg/kg), alpha tocopherol (30mg/kg) and enalapril plus alpha tocopherol treated groups. Transient focal cerebral ischemia (90 min) was induced by occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery that followed by 24 h reperfusion periods. Infarct volumes were detected by TTC coloring technique and sensorimotor dysfunctions investigated by rotarod, grip strength and hotplate tests.

Results: Induction of cerebral ischemia in the control group produced severe neurological sensorimotor deficits in conjunction with considerable cerebral infarctions. Compared with the enalapril or alpha tocopherol groups, the combined treatment significantly improved neurological motor and sensory functions (p=0.038 and p=0.034, respectively) and also reduced the infarct volume (p=0.032).

Conclusion: Administration of alpha tocopherol increased protective effects of enalapril. Enalapril combined with alpha tocopherol can produce an augmented protection against ischemic brain injury, and improvement in sensorimotor dysfunctions.

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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 & 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: 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: Treatment of dysmenorrhea in women is aimed to bring them to their normal condition. In the present study, the effect of mefenamic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was compared with that of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) as a tocolytic drug in the management of primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods: A total of 160 nulliparous women aged 18-30 years with primary dysmenorrhea were included in this single blind, clinical trial, which was carried out from 2014 to 2015. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. At the beginning of menstruation cycle, the patients in group A received 500 mg oral mefenamic acid, followed by 250 mg mefenamic acid every 6 hours. The patients in group B initially were administered 2.5 mg transdermal glyceryl trinitrate 0.2% every 12 hours to the abdominal skin under the umbilical cord. Treatment was continued for up to 48 hours and repeated for three cycles. Pain scores were assessed by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) every 4 hours. Adverse effects such as headache and gastrointestinal disorders were recorded. The decrease of pain scale was the primary outcome and adverse effects were the secondary outcome.
Results: The mean pain severity score in in the first 24-hours in mefenamic acid group was lower than that of the glyceryl trinitrate group (p=0.01). On the second day, the mean pain severity scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean pain severity scores in the second day of second cycle (p<0.001) and in the first day of third cycle (p=0.001) were significantly lower in mefenamic acid group than in glyceryl trinitrate group. The side effects were also higher in the glyceryl trisitrate group than in the mefenamic acid group, but this difference was not statistically significant. The most common complication was headache in the group receiving glyceryl trinitrate (18.75%) and nausea in the group receiving mefenamic acid (26.25%). The satisfaction rate was 42.2% in the patients receiving transdermal glyceryl trinitrate, while it was 78.5% in patients receiving mefenamic acid; therefore, the patients in the mefenamic acid group were more satisfied (p=0.004).
Conclusion: The analgesic effects of oral mefenamic acid were better than transdermal glyceryl trinitrate in the management of primary dysmenorrhea. The adverse effects of these two drugs were not significantly different, but the type of complications was different in both groups.

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

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Background & objectives: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Much attention has been given to nutritional supplements that can alter intestinal flora as factors preventing colon cancer. Research has shown that lactic acid bacteria in foods are potentially capable of inducing apoptosis. In this regard, the most focus has been on Lactobacillus genus. This study, investigated the cytotoxic effect of metabolites of isolated strain from Azerbaijan traditional cheeses on HCT116 colorectal cancer cells.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, after collecting samples of traditional "Lighvan" and "jug" cheeses in the region of Azerbaijan, MRS medium was used for isolation of lactobacilli. The isolates were identified by biochemical and molecular approaches after primary confirmation. The metabolites were produced in MRS broth, and their supernatants were separated. The inhibitory effect of the supernatants of the isolates on HCT116 cancer cells was studied and their effects were evaluated by microscopy and MTT assay.
Results: In this study, three isolates of "Lighvan" and sixteen isolates of "jug" cheeses were obtained. The results of anticancer activity showed that the supernatants of the isolates CT2 and JT1 had a significant anticancer effect on HCT116 cancer cells (p˂0.05). Identification of the isolates CT2 and JT1 showed 99% and 96% similarity with Lactobacillus brevis, respectively.
Conclusion: Lactobacilli in Azerbaijan traditional dairy products have a significant value in terms of anticancer properties.
 

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Background & objectives: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are one of the most important agents in cartilage damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Increase of these enzymes can change sensitivity to insulin. Therefore, in this study, the MMPs level, insulin sensitivity index and effective factor related to rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated in obese female with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: In the present study, 50 obese women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the Sheikh Al-Reis clinic and Sina hospital in Tabriz and 50 healthy obese individuals were considered as case group and control group respectively. After determining the body weight, the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, insulin, leptin, visfatin, resistin and glucose were measured using ELISA and Pars -Azmoon kits. One-way ANOVA method was used for statistical analysis of data. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between variables (p<0.05).
 
Results: in the present study, the mean level of MMP-1 (p=0.008), MMP-3 (p=0.015) and MMP-13 (p=0.001) in the case group was significantly higher than the control group. Also, Insulin- sensitivity index analysis didn’t show significant difference between the case group and the control group (p=0.21). In the case group, the level of leptin (p=0.000), resistin (p=0.000) and visfatin (p=0.024) was significantly increased compared to control group while insulin (p=0.231) and glucose (p=0.430) levels didn’t show significant increase.
Correlation results showed that there was a negative correlation between insulin and MMPs and a positive correlation with other parameters affecting insulin sensitivity.
Conclusion: our results showed, the matrix metalloproteinase level and the level of some factors affecting insulin sensitivity have increased in rheumatoid arthritis disease. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase and some parameters affecting insulin sensitivity, including resistin and visfatin.
 

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Background & objectives: The growing numbers of cosmetic treatments, especially Botox in recent years, and the limited researches on the mental characteristics of those applying for this type of cosmetic surgery, have necessitated more attention to this matter. The aim of this study was to compare appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non-applicants of botox injection.
Methods: the present work was cross-sectional (causal-comparative) study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all individuals referring to beauty clinics (dermatology, hair, beauty) in Ardabil, second half of 1396. Among them, 60 subjects (30 applicants and 30 non-applicants for Botox cosmetic) were selected through convenience sampling procedure. Furthermore, Appearance Schema Inventory (ASI) and Baker et al’s Emotional Processing Questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean of appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non- applicants (p<0.01). The amount of visual schema (self-assessment and self-motivation) and emotional processing was high in the Botox group (p<0.01) and non-Botox group (p<0.01) respectively.
Conclusion: results indicated that Botox and beauty enthusiasts had high appearance schemas and low emotional processing. These people in compared to non-applicants were more likely to experience difficulties.
 

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Background & objectives: This study was conducted to compare the basic psychological needs and different levels of Theory of mind between mothers of oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity / attention deficit disorder children
Methods: The statistical population of the study included all mothers of childern with oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder in psychiatric clinics of Fatemi hospital of Ardabil in 1396-1397. These mothers were randomly assigned in to two groups (35 people in group ODD & 35 people in group ADHD). The instruments used in this study were: Theory of mind, basic psychological needs and Children's Symptoms Questionnaire (CSI-4 Parent Form). The collected data were entered into SPSS-21 software and analyzed by data analysis method. Multivariate variance (MANOVA) was used.
Results: The results of the analysis of variance finding show that is no significant difference between mental theory (p>0.407, F=0.697) of basic psychological needs such as competency (p>0.336, F=0.393) self-determination (p>0.597, F=0.283) and communication (p>03.387, F=0.760) between two groups of mothers of children with oppositional defiant disorder and hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit.
Conclusion: These results show that the importance of paying attention to the basic psychological needs and the theory of the minds of mothers of these children in improving the educational status of social communication and emotional assessments and cognitive development of the child.
 

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Background & objectives: Pentavalent antimonials are the first-line drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis, which have multiple side effects such as drug toxicity. Moreover, parasite resistance to these drugs is rising around the world. Second-line drugs, including Amphotericin B and pantamidine have also side effects and expensive for patients. According to the cytotoxic effects of paraquat, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paraquat on Leishmania major promastigotes and HUVECs viability.
Methods: A number of 2.5×10⁶ of Leishmania major promastigotes were treated in each well of 96 well plates with different concentrations of paraquat. Cells were incubated for 48 hours in 24 °C. MTT test was performed for evaluating paraquat impact on promastigotes. The absorbance was measured using a microplate reader at 570 nm.  The trypan blue staining assay was performed to evaluate the number of viable Leishmania major promastigotes following paraquat treatment. Furthermore, the effect of paraquat concentrations on HUVECs viability was evaluated under the cell culture condition.
Results: The results of the MTT test showed that increasing concentrations of paraquat could significantly reduce the viability and the number of Leishmania major promastigotes in comparison to control group (p<0.05). In this study, the IC₅₀ for Leishmania major promastigotes was calculated as 272.46 µg/ml. Trypan blue results were in line with the finding of MTT assay. Moreover, we found that HUVECs were susceptible to paraquat (IC₅₀=188.99 µg/ml).
Conclusion: Paraquat has a strong inhibitory effect on Leishmania major promastigotes and human endothelial cells. Although more comprehensive studies on the effects of the topical use of paraquat on Leishmania major lesions in animal model and its side effects are necessary.

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Background & objectives: Local systemic filling pressure measurement can be used to determine other hemodynamic parameters such as venous return and the stressed volume. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between local systemic filling pressures and central venous pressure.
Methods: In this study, candidate patients of cardiac surgery in Imam Khomeini hospital of Ardabil, in the first half of the 1397, were chosen and studied by their satisfaction, then an intra-arterial catheter inserted to the upper limb, a tourniquet closed to the same arm.  The arterial pressure measured during the surgery. Central vein pressure was also measured simultaneously. Finally, other variables obtained from transesophageal echocardiography and demographic data were recorded in each patient's checklist.
Results: 43 patients (71.7%) were man and 17 (28.3%) were women. The Mean CVP, MSFP, CO, and CI were 8.3±4.5 mmHg, 17.0±6.1, 3.27±1.1, and 1.89±0.7, respectively. Ten patients (16.7%) had mild heart failure, 42 patients (70%) had a moderate heart failure and 8 patients (13.3%) had severe heart failure. There were positive and significant relationship between CVP and MSFP (r=0.478: p=0.001). The EF status has no significant effects on CVP with SBP, DBP, MAP, CO and CI. There was significant and reverse correlation between PSF value with CO, and CI in severe heart failure (p<0.05).
Conclusion: we concluded that the local MSFP is a good and valuable substitute for CVP measurement, especially in severe heart failure

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Background & objectives: Impaired immune system provides favorable conditions for colonization by Acanthamoeba in the human body. In this case control study, we compared the molecular and culture methods in identifying Acanthamoeba in the nasal and oral secretions of HIV⁺/HIV^­ human.
Methods: In a current case control study, nasal and oral discharge of 53, HIV⁺ patients and 53, HIV^­ people were evaluated. The nasal and oral secretions of each patient were prepared by sterile swabs and transferred to the laboratory. All samples were cultured but only the positive samples used for molecular analysis.
Results: By cultivation method, of the 53, HIV⁺ patients, a total of 11 samples, including 5 nasal and 6 oral samples, were contaminated with Acanthamoeba. Of the 53, HIV­­ people, 3 samples of nasal discharge were contaminated with this parasite. The molecular method approved the contamination of 10 samples, including 5 oral and 5 nasal samples from HIV⁺ patients with this parasite. Statistical analysis showed the rate of infection in HIV⁺ patients was significantly different compared to HIV^­ people
Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that the rate of Acanthamoeba infection in HIV⁺ patients was higher than that of HIV^- individuals. Also, considering that in the control group (HIV- individuals) only the nasal discharge were infected with the parasite, it seems that in the case group (HIV + patients) the infection of the oral discharge with the parasites is due to the  entry of its cysts into the nose and transmission to the mouth

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Background & objectives: The present study investigated the effects of royal jelly on lead acetate induced toxicity on sperm parameters, reproductive hormone assay, and bak gene expression in NMRI male mice.
Methods: In this study, fifty four male mice were randomly divided into nine groups: control group (without royal jelly) (n=6); sham group(10 ml normal saline) (n=6); lead group (1000 ppm, oral) (n=6); Group 4: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) (n=6); Group 5: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 6: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 7: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6); Group 8: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6) and Group 9: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6). On day 35, blood samples were collected from anaesthetized mice by cardiac puncture to assess reproductive hormones and the testes were harvested for determination of sperm parameters and expression bak gene. Sperm parameters including motility, viability, DNA damage, morphology and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were determined.
Results: The results showed that administration of royal jelly significantly enhanced sperm parameters and all reproductive hormone levels compared to control mice, (p<0.05). Also, treatment with lead acetate caused a significant reduction in levels of all reproductive hormones and a significant diminution in sperm motility, morphology, viability; with an increase in percentage of dead spermatocytes (p<0.05). The co-administration of the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day royal jelly with lead acetate could ameliorate the deleterious effects of lead acetate resulting in a significant increase in sperm parameters and all reproductive hormones and increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p<0.05). Also, the expression of bak gene in all treated (sham, royal jelly groups) and control groups was significantly lower than the lead acetate group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that the royal jelly has a beneficial effect on male reproductive parameters following lead acetate induced toxicity in mice.