Background & Objectives: Preeclampsia is still one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite active researches over the past many years, the etiology of this disorder in human pregnancy is an enigma. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Essential nutrients such as vitamin C can scavenge free radicals inducing cellular damage. The present study was designed to investigate the plasma levels of vitamin C in patients with preeclampsia (case) and normotensive pregnant women (control).

  Methods: In this case-control study vitamin C as an antioxidant was estimated and compared spectrophotometrically in 40 preeclamptic and 80 normotensive pregnant women referring to Alavi Hospital of Ardabil province, Iran. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

  Results: The plasma levels of vitamin C were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia (0.147 ± 0.030 mg/dl) compared to controls who were normotensive pregnants (0.347 ± 0.119 mg/dl).

  Conclusion: Attempts at prevent preeclamsia are justified but since no reliable screening test has been offered as yet for women at risk, assessment of plasma level of vitamin C in patients prone to preeclampsia is strongly suggested.

  Background &Objectives: According to a recent report published by the Ministry of Health in Iran gastric cancer is the most common cause of death due to cancer in this country and cardiac cancer is the most common kind of upper GI cancer. This study is an attempt to determine the epidemiology of cardiac cancers in Ardabil.

  Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for four years (2000-2003) at the only private clinic in Ardabil. The results of endoscopy of these patients including the exact determination of the topography of cancer in cardia and other general information were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version-10)

  Results: During this study 4356 endoscopy were done and 533 histologically proven upper GI cancer were detected. Out of 533, 242 cases were located at E-G junction area, 82(33.9%), 130 (53.7%) in cardia region and 30(12/4%) cases were located at the proximal bady of stomach. 130(53.7%) cases of tumors were, in the right side of cardia. Bormann classification showed that most of cancers (43.8%) were ulceroinfiltrative.

  Conclusion: Statistical analysis indicated that there is a significant relationship between type and topography of cancer with dysphasia, weight loss and epigasteric pain(p<0.05). The results showed significiant relationship between type and topography of cacers with Bormann classification(p=0.001). Further epidemiologic studies are required to evaluate etiology of cardia cancers in Ardabil.

Background & Objectives: Hypertension is the most common medical problem in pregnancy, with  an incidence rate of 6-8%. The patients with preeclampsia are exposed to more maternal and fetal  complications. This requires more intensive prenatal cares. The diagnosis in early stages of disease has an important role in decreasing maternal and neonatal mortality and its comsequent complications. This study was an attempt to determine the epidemiological factors and complications of preeclampsia among patients admitted to Alavi hospital, Ardabil.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was conducted on 176 women with preeclampsia. The data were collected using a questionnaire and medical records of patients. These data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: 75% of the patients had severe preeclampsia and 25% had mild preedampsia. Regarding the predisposing factors, history of preeclampsia was observed in 23.1% of the cases, mother's underlying diseases in 12.5%, twin in 2.3% and hydramnios in 4%. The method of delivery in 62.5% of the cases was cesarean section. 67.6% of preeclamptic patients had maternal and fetal complications (10.2% Maternal and 57.4% fetal). The maternal complications were: abruptio placenta, (44.4%), eclampsia (22.2%) and coma (11.1%). The fetal complications were: IUGR (42.4%), prematurity (39.6%) and  IUFD (9%).

Conclusion: In this study the incidence of severe preeclampsia was higher, which may be due to insufficient prenatal cares and delay in diagnosis. Further studies about the effect of prenatal cares on pregnancy outcomes in preeclamtic women are recommended.

 Background and Objectives: Pre-eclampsia is one of the common causes of maternal mortality. A main problem with induction of general anesthesia in these patients is exagergted increase of blood presscure during laryngoscopy and intubation that is associateed with a significantly increased intracranial pressure with the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. There are some strategies to minimize extreme increase in blood pressure during laryngoscopy and intubation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Fentanyl-Droperidol combination (Talamonal) on reducing cardiovascular responses due to laryngoscopy and intubation in preeclamptic parturient.

 Methods: Thirty preeclamptic parturients who were admitted for emergency caesarean section under general anesthesia were studied. All patients had diastolic pressures sustained at ≥ 100 mmHg, and had received antihypertensive therapy. A standard general anesthesia was induced in all patients. Fentanyl-Droperidol combination was used only in the case group five minutes before induction of anesthesia.

 Results: Arterial pressure and heart rate increases, improved in approximately 86.6 % of the case group. The mean increase in systolic pressure, and heart rate following laryngoscopy and intubation was significantly different in two groups (P=0.0001). There was no significant difference in the mean Apgar score of the neonates at 1 and 5 minutes after delivery in two groups.

 Conclusion: Using Fentanyl-Droperidol Combination during induction of anesthesia produced a clinically significant decrease in sympathetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation in most mothers, without any adverse effect on the neonates.

  Background & Objectives : Sinusitis is inflammation of perinasal sinuses. Gold standard for diagnosis and etiology of bacterial sinusitis is a positive culture of punctured samples in sterile conditions, which is invasive procedure. This study was designed to compare the effects of clarithromycin versus amoxicillin on treatment of acute community acquired bacterial sinusitis in children.

  Methods: This study was conducted as a single-blind clinical trial, with 30 randomly selected patients in each of two groups (case and control). Acute sinusitis was defined as sinusitis not lasting more than 4 weeks. Inclusion criteria were defined as existence of post nasal septic drip or nasal prulent secretions plus at least 3 out of 4 conditions as follows: unilateral local pain on face or head, halitosis, deterioration of symptoms in recent 5 to 7 days and axillary temperature equal to or greater than 38 degrees centigrade. For one group of patients (group A) clarithromycin (KLACID) 15 mg/kg in two divided doses, and for another group (group B) amoxicillin 40 mg/kg in three divided doses, were administered. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS (rel 9) using Chi-square and t-test.

  Results: In view of response to treatment, 9 persons in group B (30%) and 26 persons in group A (86%) felt healthy on tenth day of therapy. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.001) using Chi-square test. Mean days before patients’ improvement was calculated to be 10 ± 0 (mean ± SD) days for group B and 6±1.9 days for group A. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.001).

  Conclusion: Despite relatively small sample size, the difference found between effectiveness of two drugs was significant (p=0.001). Thus clarithromycin can be used as one of the effective drugs in treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis.

  Background & Objective: Preeclampsia is an unknown disease. It was seen in 3.7% of live births and it is the cause of mothers' death in 18%. In addition to complications for mothers, fetal damage have also been seen. Also we sought to consider predictors of neonatal outcome in women with preeclampsia and normal women.

  Methods: It is a prospective and cross-sectional study that was performed on 127 preeclampsia pregnant women and 254 normal pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed by software SPSS/Win and was used X² test for analysis of the results.

  Results: Prevalence of preterm labor was 54.4% in women with preeclampsia and 25% in normal pregnancy. There was no statistical difference such as parity (P=0.157), age (P=0.256) and type of delivery (P= 0.226). There was a significant difference between two groups in gestational age (P<0.0001), birth weight (P<0.0001), neonatal mortality (P=0.013), neonatal Apgar score (P=0.005) and NICU admission (P<0.0001).

  Conclusion: It is clear that the difference between two groups is mainly because of preterm labor in preeclampsia group. Attention to exact control of illness and avoidance of making rash decision for terminating pregnancy in mild preeclampsia can improve outcomes of Neonates.

  Background & Objectives: Preeclampsia is a major cause of prenatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia remains one of the most important functions of antenatal care .By predicting pre-eclampsia maternal and infantile prenatal mortality rates are expected to be lowered.

  Methods: This was a prospective study with randomly sample that was performed on 400 primiparous women between the 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. At first weight, height, blood pressure on left position and supine position were measured then these women were followed until delivery.

  Results: Of total 400 women, 23 women developed pre-eclampsia. Mean difference of diastolic blood pressure in left position and supine position and BMI were significantly different in the two groups (P<0.05). Using the ROC, BMI higher than 28/88 showed a sensitivity of 61%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 33% and negative predictive value of 97%. Roll-over test higher than 20 mmHg showed a sensitivity of 52%, specificity of 95%, PPV= 39% and NPV= 97%. When the two tests were positive they showed a sensitivity 30%, specificity 99%, PPV= 58% and NPV= 96%.

 Conclusion: The combination of Roll-over test and BMI with low sensitivity has high specificity for rulengout pre-eclampsia.

  Back ground and aim: Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in humans is caused by fungal agent which belongs to black yeasts. The disease is apparently restricted to Middle East been reported from Saudi Arabia, occupied Palestine and Qatar. The disease has not been recorded from Iran yet or its existence has not been noticed. Ramichloridium mackenziei is responsible for this disease, which belongs to fungal order chaetothyriales. Members of this order are mainly opportunistic pathogens on humans and animals causing a wide range of infections such as chromoblastomycosis (cutaneous, subcutaneous) and cerebral phaeohyphomycosis. Species recognition and delineation in members of this order is based on morphological features of asexual stage (anamorph). This order encompasses several genera such as Ramichloridium, Rhinocladiella, Exophiala, Veronaea, Cladophialophora. Some members of this order are morphologically similar to plant pathogenic or saprotrophic species and there is no clear-cut morphological differences among these genera. Accurate identification of human pathogenic species in both clinics and natural ecological niches will play important role in our understating on ecology of these fungi.

  Materials and methods: In present study, 24 isolates belonging to 15 species from three genera viz., Ramichloridium, Rhinocladiella and Veronaea were subjected to morphological and molecular examinations. Morphological features were evaluated on malt extract agar, using a slide culture technique. Phylogenitc relationship among isolates was inferred based on sequence data from two genomic regions of ribosomal DNA including partial sequences from ITS-rDNA and LSU-rDNA.

  Results: Phylogeny inferred from DNA sequence data placed isolates in two groups. Clade one included Rhinocladiella and Veronaea together with Ramichloridium mackenziei and R. fasiculata, R. anceps and Rhinocladiella basitona which all belong to the order Chaetothyriales. The second clade included type species of genus Ramichloridium (R. apiculatum) together with other plant pathogenic Ramicholridium species which belong to the order Capnodiales. Putting together DNA sequence data, ecology and morphology, Rhinocladiella is an appropriate genus to accommodate Ramichloridium mackenziei.

  Conclusion: taxonomic and phylogenetic position of Ramichloridium mackenziei is ascertained in Chaetothyriales. Combination of DNA data set together with morphology and ecology is indispensable in identification of human pathogenic Chaetothyriales. Current work is good starting point towards studying importance and diversity of these fungi in Iran.

  Background & Objectives : Preeclapsmia representing as one of the most important complications of pregnancy, affects up to 8% of all pregnancies nevertheless little has been known about its etiology. It is, however, generally accepted that the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is related to systemic maternal endothelial dysfunction. Homocysteine, a cytotoxic compound, adversely affects the endothelial system. Main objective of this study was to assess plasma levels of homocysteine in women with normal pregnancies and those who suffering from preeclapsmia .

 Methods: A case –control study was designed for 165 preeclamptic patients and 165 normal cases. Controls were matched for gestational age and age of mothers. Blood samples were obtained from patients attending Alavi hospital in Ardabil (after 6-8 hour NPO). Two milliliters blood was collected in tubes containing ice bag stored ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and homocysteine level was analyzed.

 Results: Mean levels of homocysteine were elevated in the preeclamptic cases compared to control group (7.4±3.3 vs. 4.09±2.3 _mmol/l, P < 0.001) the levels of BMI and Arms sizes have been shown to be different statistically in two groups and other variables revealed no significant differences between the groups.

 Conclusion:�It is concluded that in our study homocysteine Levels, BMI and Arms sizes are signiffantly effected patients with preeclampsia compared with control group and can increase the risk of developing severe side effect to mothers and neonates.

 Background & objectives: Pre-eclampsia, as a idiopathic disease, is one of the most important causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Deficient or excessive level of trace elements can be considered as an unfavorable factor in pregnancy.The aim of this study was to evaluate copper status in pre-eclamptic women .

 Methods: 95 pre-eclamptic and 92 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in a case - control study .The sera and 24-hour urine copper of two groups were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The data were recorded and analyzed statistically by using t-test, X2, and pearson's correlation .

 Result: Copper concentration of serum and 24-hour urine in pre-eclamptic patients were significantly higher than normotensive ones (p<0.000). Intensity of pre-eclampsia did not correlate with copper concentration in the serum and 24-hour urine .

 Conclusions: The results suggest that the high level of copper in maternal serum and urine is in correlation with pre-eclampsia but pre-eclampsia intensity have not significant effects on copper levels. However, further studies would be helpful for this test to be used as a prognostic method for pre-eclampsia.

  Background & Objectives: The development of technology has naturally given rise to an increase in environmental low-frequency electromagnetic fields and consequently has attracted scholars' attention. Most of the studies have focused on transmission lines and power system distribution with 50 Hz. This research is an attempt to show the effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields on bioelectric parameters and indicates the possible influence of this change in F1 cells of Helix aspersa .

  Methods: The present research used Helix aspersa neuron F1 to identify the location of magnetic fields as well as the rate of effects of environmental magnetic fields on nervous system. Control group was used to study the effect of elapsed time, electrode entering and the cell membrane rupture. Intuition group and environmental group were considered in order to study the potential impact of interfering environmental factors and identify the effectiveness rate of magnetic fields, respectively. For the purpose of producing uniform magnetic field Helmholtz coil was used. Electrophysiological recording was realized under the requirements of current clamp. And, in order to show the impacts from magnetic fields on ion channels Hodgkin-Huxley cell model was applied. All data were analyzed taking the advantage of SPSS 16 software and two-way ANOVA statistical test. P < 0.05 was considered as significance level. And MATLAB software environment and PSO were used in order for applying the algorithm and estimating the parameters.

  Result: No statistically significant difference was found between control and sham groups in different time intervals. Once the 45.87 microtesla was applied significant differences were observed 12 minutes after the application. The highest amount of change happened 14 minutes after the application of more fields. With the application of the field, the amplitude of the sodium action potential shows decreasing trend . No significant changes were observed in different time intervals, whereas significant differences were seen in frequency of action potential during different time intervals. The amplitude of AHP shows no significant changes .

  Conclusion: The results indicated that low-frequency magnetic fields with 50 Hz frequency will directly lead to change in bioelectric activities of neurons through a change in amount and rate of opening and closing of ionic channels and the conductivity of sodium and potassium channels reduces together with increase in conductance of potassium dependent calcium channel (AHP).