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Background&Objective: Postnatal depression is a key concept for mother-infant mental health. Identifying risk factors of postnatal depression and developing screening system are needed. The propose of this study was to determine Psychological and obstetric risk factors for postnatal depression Materials&Methods: 288 consecutive admitted women at 6-8 weeks after childbirth on maternity ward in Ghaem hospital, Mashad, Iran were assessed by two psychiatrics. Interview data included presence obstetric history, economic and demographic characteristics, Personality, psychiatric history and life-events information that were obtained from a questionnaire, psychological status was assessed by using the GHQ. The prevalence of distress was ascertained by the 28-item Goldberg Health Questionnaire (GHQ), using a cut-off score of > 24. Results: 57.6% of mothers had GHQ-above 24scores which categorized them as having significant emotional distress several psychological and obstetric risk factors for the development of predisposing psychological distress at 8 weeks postpartum were reported including: Economical situation, marital relationships, and the gender of the infant, multiparous women, caesarean section deliveries, and unplanned pregnancy Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of cumulative psychosocial and obstetric risk factors for postnatal depression. Early identification of potential risk for postnatal depression should include assessment of sociodemography, personality, psychiatric history and recent life events, as well as past and present obstetric factors.

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Background&Objective: Leptospirosis is most widespread Zoonosis in the world and is more prevalent in tropical and temperate regions. In most of Iran, climatologic and ecological conditions are unfavorable for leptospirosis to play an important role as a public health problem. However this does not count for the neglected flat area of Guilan province which presumably represents a region with a high incidence of human leptospirosis. This area has a subtropical climate with mainly farmers as inhabitants. By far the most important agricultural activity is rice farming. Most of farmers used to keep domestic animals in their houses and rodents are abundant. Materials&Methods: To find evidence for a high incidence of leptospirosis in the Guilan province, we collected blood samples from patients who attended one of the three big general hospitals in the province with clinical symptoms consistent with leptospirosis in 2003. All sera were stored at –20c until examination by ELISA and MAT. All patients whose serum had titers ≥160 against at least a pathogenic serovar in MAT and had titer ≥ 1:160 in IgM-ELISA were regarded as confirmed positive cases (70 from 282) and their demographic and epidemiological data were analyzed. Results: Results from our study demonstrate that leptospirosis is mainly a disease of predominantly males (62.5%), occurring in high incidence in villagers (89.5%) during the warm season (100%) notably in September that is time of harvesting (42.90%). Conclusion: In addition it is an occupational disease affecting rice about 90% field workers.

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Background&Objective: Probiotics have been defined as live microorganisms that confer a health effect on the host when consumed in adequate amounts.Lactic bacteria play an important role in production and maintenance of the fermented and probiotic products.The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of lactic bacteria, which isolated from yoghurt against Gastrointestinal pathogenic microorganisms in the Golestan province in North of Iran. Materials&Methods: In this descriptive study we used 96 strains which belong to 12 species of Lactobacillus and 5 species of Lactococcus ,that isolated from home made yoghurt, and their antimicrobial effect on 7 species of important intestinal pathogenic microorganisms were examined.After growing the Lactic bacteria in broth media centrifuged and filtred the suspension and used the supernatant for study.The effect of supernatant against intestinal pathogenic microorganisms were assessed by Disc diffusion and pour in well method and each test were repeated 3 times and mean inhibition zone were recorded. Results: Lactobacillus casei and Lactococcus lactis showed better effect than other strains.The maximum light zone diameter was 18 milimeter. Maximum and minimum inhibitiry effect has seen in Yersinia enterocolitica and Bacillus cereus. Conclusion: Both Lactobacillus and Lactococcus strains had a proper inhibitory effect on the intestinal pathogenic bacteria but Lactobacillus strains that present in yoghurt showed better effect. This inhibitory effect was more obvious on the Yersinia enterocolitica.

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Background & Objective: Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis that responded variably to dietary modification of fat and cholesterol. Previous studies in humans have shown that ingestion of lecithin can alter plasma cholesterol and triglyceride but results were different. The current study was designed to investigate the hypocholesterolemic properties of lecithin on patient with hypercholesterolemia. Materials & Methods: Sixty one subjects (27 Male, 34 Female) with mean ages 44±14 years old with hypercholesterolemia, was admitted to Mottahari Health Center(Shiraz), randomly assigned to the case (n=31) and control (n=30) groups. Case group received three lecithin capsules (1200 mg) which contain 420 mg Phosphatidylecoline, daily for six weeks. Subject's weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and serum lipid concentration were measured at the beginning and the end of six weeks. Results: No significant difference were found in mean weight in case group when compared to control group. Also no significant difference were found in mean BMI in case group when compared to control group. Significantly lower mean serum Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride and significantly higher HDL cholesterol were found in case group. In addition mean serum total cholesterol (P<0.05), LDL cholesterol (P<0.05) and TG (P<0.05) decreased and mean serum HDL-Cholesterol (P<0.05) increases significantly in case group vs. control group. Conclusion: This study showed that lecithin could be considered as effective nutrient useful in dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

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Background&Objective: Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant vitamin, is found throughout the mammalian central nervous system. Although, the centeral role of ascorbic acid is unclear, but there is good evidence that ascorbic acid modulates opiate withdrawal syndrome. This study was done to determine the effect of ascorbic acid (A.A.) on naloxone-induced withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent guinea-pigs. Materials&Methods: In this experimental study, male guinea-pigs (300-400 g 8-10 animals/group) were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine sulfate 3 times a day for 3 days, and withdrawal signs were induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of naloxone (15 mg/kg) 2 h after the tenth injection of morphine sulfate on day 4 then animals were placed individually into a cylindrical glass (25 cm in diameter, 180 cm height) and the withdrawal signs were recorded over a 60-min period. Results: Chronic pretreatment of guinea-pigs with A.A., 200 mg/kg, s.c. 3 times daily for 3 days, reduced withdrawal jumping, digging, writhing, rearing, face- washing, head and body shakes, penile licking and diarrhea. The mixed dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) markedly antagonized the inhibitory effect of A.A. on the withdrawal signs. The effect of apomorphine was blocked by the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (50 mg/kg, s.c.) nor the peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic administration of ascorbic acid inhibits opiate withdrawal, via a central dopamine D1 receptor mechanism.

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Background&Objective: Celiac is a digestive disease. In this disease, small bowel is damaged and the absorption of nutrients are adversely affected. These patients do not absorb gluten. There is probably a correlation between esophagus cancer and celiac. The aim of this research was to study the seroepidemiology celiac disease in this area with high prevalency of esophagus cancer. Materials&Methods: This research was a descriptive study, which was performed on blood donors in Golestan province during the year 2005-06. blood samples were taken from 2547 subjects. tTG-IgA determination were carried out using ElISA technique, the titre<4U/ml, 4-10U/ml and >10Um/l were considered to be as negative, weakly positive and positive respectively. EMA antibody assessment were carried out on all sample population with more than 4U/ml, using IFA method. Results: 28 subjects (1.1%) had tTG-Ab positive test, out of this number 18 subjects (0.7%) were weakly positive and 10 persons (0.4%) were considered to be positive. EMA test were positive in 70% of subjects with tTG positive results. There was not any significant meaning between positive tTG test and ethnicity from weakly positive tTG, 15 subjects (83.3%) and 3 subjects (16.7%) were male and female respectively. The entire tTG positive were male subjects. Conclusion: In regard to high prevalency of esophagus cancer in the region and the relation of celiac disease with above cancer, it seems necessary to look more seriously at the celiac disease.

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Background&Objective: Two enzymes have the ability to hydrolyze acetylcholine. One is acetylcholinesterase, which is called true cholinesterase, it is found in erythrocytes. The other cholinesterase is pseudocholinesterase, it is found in serum. Some chemical components of organophosphates group and carbamates affected cholinesterase activity. Determination of cholinesterase has application in diagnosis of liver disease, liver damage by insecticide and assessment of fatty liver. Pesticide factory workers are one group of peoples which are exposed of poisoning by pesticide. Materials&Methods: This research in 2005 performed in pesticide producers. In two stages (3 month interval) from 58 of personal blood was drown. Results: Mean of erythrocyte cholinesterase in first stage was 48.5±11.2 IU/gHb and second stage was 37.9±17.3 IU/gHb. Decrease of erythrocyte cholinesterase was significant differences (paired t test, P<0.05). Increase of serum AST was not statistically significant. Increase of serum ALT and Albumin was significant differences (paired t test, p<0.05). In 15 individual (25.9 %) cholinesterase decrease more than 35% and in 16 workers (27.6 %) erythrocyte cholinesterase decrease between 26-35%. Conclusion: Since in more than 26% of personnel cholinesterase decreased over than 35%, routine assessment of cholinesterase in similar factory, is recommended.

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Background&Objective: Cancer of the esophagus ranks among the 10 most frequent cancers in the world. As esophagus cancer belt is coincide with loess deposits belt of the world, So there is possibility of close relationship between loess deposits and certain endemic diseases such as esophagus Cancer. This study deals with Loess deposits with medical geology aspect toward diagnosis and prognosis. Materials&Methods: In this study sampling from loess deposits from East towards West of Golestan province has been done. Collected samples have been undergone diffraction X-ray (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) for determination of minerals, Surface morphology of minerals and chemical analysis for further studies respectively. Results: In mineralogical studies dominated minerals are quartz, feldspar and calcite. Clay minerals are illite and chlorite, which are about 9.3%. The amount of quartz is variable from 56.3 to 45.4. The grains sizes are decreasing from northeast to southwest. Chemical analysis of loess deposits contain Si, Al, K and Ca, which are related to presence of quartz, feldspar, calcite, illite and chlorite minerals. Conclusion: According to medical geology evidences, loess deposits of Golestan province could be considered due to the effects of clay minerals on biochemical cycle, chemical composition of loess deposit for its high silica percentage and direct relationship of grain size with ethiology of esophagus cancer incidence. As variation of esophagus cancer incidence in Golestan province in last 30 years indicates that still high percentage of esophagus cancer incidence which is reported in eastern of province is occurred on loess deposits.

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Background&Objective: Abusing the married women are among one of the most difficult problem in many countries. In the study, mental health status of spouse abused women was evaluated. Materials&Methods: 1186 women were selected randomly from all districts of Tehran, undergoing spouse abuse questionnaire and general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software with t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: In 1186 study case, 1013 women (85.4%) experienced emotional abuse, 374 ones (31.5%) physical abuse, 360 ones (30.4%) sexual abuse and 206 ones (17.4%) all types of abuse. Also, the abuse victims suffered worse status of general health (p<0.05). Examining relation between all types of abuse, as a predictive factor ,and general health aspects as an(y) factor,with multiple regression analysis revealed a positive relation, i.e. experiencing any type of abuse could predict worsening of general health (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spouse abused women suffer a worse status in general health. Also they showed emotional disorders. The victims of sexual and physical abuse suffered worse than victims of emotional abuse.

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Background&Objective: The breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. The normal and malignant breast tissue are under the regulatory effects of esteroid hormones and growth factors including HER-2/neu. The purpose of this study, is to determine the expression of estrogene receptor (ER) progesterone receptor(PR) and HER-2/neu among Iranian women with invasive breast cancer. Materials&Methods: The study is descriptive and cross-sectional that was performed on 50 samples of patients with invasive breast cancer in Imam-Khomeini Hospital-Sari (2005-06). After preparing the samples four tissue sections from each sample was obtained then H&E and IHC staining were performed. Results: In our study, the patients were between 28-88 yrs, (mean:52/6). ER and PR and HER-2/neu were positive in 80%, 72% and 57.1% of cases, respectively. Concurrent positive ER and PR was 70%, meanwhile 62.9% of these patient were also positive for HER-2/neu. 20% of the cases showed negativity for both ER and PR and of these 83.4% were also negative for HER-2/neu. Conclusion: In our study ER expression by itself is equal to previous studies in textbooks but PR expression, HER-2/neu and concurrent expression of ER&PR are higher in our study. Interestingly HER-2/neu expression is near to what was previously proposed by Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization and Kerman University of Medical science. It seems that racial and geographic factors are contributed for these diffrences.

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Background&Objective: People with cancer commonly experience a range of symptoms, including pain and various types of physical and emotional distress. One of important roles of health care providers is managing these complications. The aim of this study was to the evaluation of Therapeutic Touch on hospitalized cancerous females suffering from pain. Materials&Methods: This quasi-experimental study performed on cancerous females hospitalized in Imam Khomeini hospital at Tehran. It was performed on 3 groups (case, placebo, control) 30 female with different cancers were selected, matched and then divided in 3 groups: the case group received five 20-25-minute session of therapeutic touch, the placebo group 5 ten-minute session with no energy exchange and no intervention for control group. Data gathered by two tools include: demographic questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale of Pain (0-10). Pain severity was measured before and after intervention Data was analyzed by SPSS-11.5 using ANOVA, Repeated measurement analysis variance (Wilks lambda test), qui-square and TUKEY tests. Results: The means of pain score in case, placebo and control groups before intervention was 3.8, 4.1 and 4.16 and after intervention 0.8, 6.4, 4.2 respectively. There was significant difference between 3 groups in pain severity during using ANOVA and repeated measurement analysis variance (Wilks lambda test) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the above findings, Therapeutic touch as a non invasive procedure, and non pharmacologic procedure was recommended for relive pain in cancerous females.

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Background&Objective: Dyspnoea and fatigue caused considerable impairment in the functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. The purpose of this study were to determine efficacy of home walking exercise program on functional performance and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Materials&Methods: This study was qusiexperimental trial that assessed efficacy of home-based exercise program on the functional performance and quality of life in patients with HF in the Ahvaz city (2005). In this study 60 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III heart failure divided two groups training (n=30) and control (n=30). Material or measurements was demographic characteristics form, Minnesota quality of life check list and timed exercise program form. Exercise training in the patients would be performed tree day per week for 8 weeks. Determination quality of life measures by Minnesota check list would be performed in both the training and control groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Also 6 minute walking tests for determination functional performance would be performed in both groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Ultimately data analysis by SPSS softward. Results: results showed that significant difference existed between mean walking distance on the 6MWT at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group (373.86 to 412.30 m, P<0.05), that no significance was seen between control group (376.79 to 377.63 m). Also significant difference exists between mean quality of life scores at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group (52.32 to 43.80), that no significance was seen between control group (52.43 to 52.50). Conclusion: This study showed that home-based exercise program affected on functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. Its accepted. Therefore exercise training can be used as a therapeutic approach in these patients, because not only promotes quality of life but also improve the functional performance.

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Background & Objective: Burning is a general health problem and is also a global injury as well as a very serious sanitary issue in industrial and developing countries. In its severe form, burning can claim lives. It seems essential in every society to analyze burning, to study the causes of burning, treatment outcomes and the death rates, etc. to find proper preventive measures. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the medical records of all patients who were hospitalized and finally deceased during the years 2002 and 2004 in Zare' teaching hospital, Sari, were examined. Some variables including the age span average, the degree and percentage of burning, patients' residence, gender, the cause of burning (i.e. boiling water, fire, acids and explosives), average hospitalization period, surgery and also the abundance of self – burning attempts were examined. Results: This study indicate that during these 3 years the total number of those who died from burns was 506 (23.4%). The residential places were in Mazanderan province (41.7%), Golestan province (41.4%), and Gilan province (10.2%). The abundance of burning ranges as below: The 2 and 3 degree of burning at 91.8%. Regarding the percentage of burns, 31.7% of abundance pertains to burning at 90% and more. The greatest external causes leading to burns are petrol, gas, and gas oil at 57.9%. Also, the percentage of burns does not have much influence on death rate among 50 – year – olds and older people. Conclusion: This study indicated that the importance of death between burned patient in special sex and age. To establish hospitals, some issues must be considered as: distance, transportation, route dangers, characteristics of area, existing epidemiological survey, and finally the epidemics and event statistics.

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Background & Objective: Hyperalgesia is considered as one of the marked signs of subchronic diabetes mellitus that could affect the life style of the patients. Considering the evidence on antidiabetic effect of Allium ampeloprasum (AA), this study was designed to investigate the analgesic effect of Allium ampeloprasum on formalin-induced nociceptive response in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

 

Materials & Methods: 45 male rats were randomly divided into control, AA-treated control, diabetic, sodium salicylate (SS)-treated diabetic, and AA-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, STZ was used at a 60mg/kg dose. The treatment groups received oral administration of AA-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for one month. After one month, for all animals, blood glocuse concentration and formalin test measured. Data analyzed with using student paird t-test and ANOVA.

 

Results: The results showed that diabetic rats exhibited a higher score of pain at both phases of the formalin test (p<0.05) and AA treatment for one month did cause an improvement in this regard (p<0.05). Meanwhile, SS administration significantly reduced pain score only at chronic phase of the test (p<0.05).

 

Conclusion: This study indicated that one month administration of Allium ampeloprasum could attenuate nociceptive score in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus.

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Background & Objective: Tetra Carbon Cholride has been known as reference hepatotoxin because it can cause necrosis, fatty change, cirrhosis and cancer liver. Silymarin has hepatoprotective and anti hepatoxin effect. This study was done to determine the protective effect of Silymarin in acute hepatotoxicity of CCl4 in rats.

Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, we chose 25ml/kg dose of CCl4 (in mineral oil solvent) as an optimum dose. The hepatotoxic effects of intraperiotoneal injection of CCl4 for obtaining parameters of toxicity and therapeutic effects have been examined. According to enzymatic results (increase in ALT and AST) and histopathologic changes (grading the changes in liver including cytoplasmic granularity, cloudy swelling, necrosis and fatty change), the interval between prescribing silymarin and sampling  was determined. Silymarin as a suspension in propylene glycol CMC 2% (3/2 ratio) has been prescribed in 50, 200 and 800mg/kg doses and serum and liver samples were obtained. Negative control group received silymarin vehicle in CCl4 solvent, drug control received 800 mg/kg of silymarin in CCl4 solvent and positive control received silymarin vehicle after injecting CCl4.

Results: The results showed that prescribing 50mg/kg silymarin one hour after injecting CCl4, in addition to inhibiting transaminase activity, prevents progress of liver injury up to 50% of positive control group. Cellular repair and regeneration are also enhanced, So the grade 3necrosis in positive control group is decreased to grade 0.5 in silymarin gourp in 48 hours prescribing silymarin (50mg/kg).

Conclusion: This study showed that up to six hours after injecting CCl4 significantly prevents hepatotoxicity, and cause acceleration in repair of liver injuries.

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Background & Objective: Bone densitometry is an appropriate method for the evaluation of the patients’ skeletal status. This study was done to determine, the relationship between MI (Mental Index) of mandibular bone in panoramic radiography and skeletal status in femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) in women referring to the radiology department.

Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional descriptive study, the panoramic radiographs of 67 healthy women over 35 years old referring to radiology department Mashhad, Iran during 2004, were assessed and their MIs recorded. All of the patients were then referred to Toos Bone Densitometry Center, for bone densitometry in left femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4), using DEXA technique with Osteocore apparatus. The patients were divided into three categories of normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic in each skeletal region according to their T-score. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results: The mean of Mental Index between normal and osteopenic subgroups of skeletal status in femoral neck showed a significant difference (P=0.042). The mean of Mental Index between normal and osteoporotic and osteopenic and osteoporotic subgroups of skeletal status in lumbar spine region showed a significant differences (P=0.02 & 0.05, respectively). The Mental Index was significantly related to T-scores in femoral neck and L2-L4 regions (r = 0.33 & 0.32, respectively, P<0.01).

Conclusion: This study showed that using Mental Index of mandibular bone can be useful for estimating skeletal status of patients but is not enough for precise evaluation of skeletal status of patients.

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Background & Objective: Adenosine deaminase is an enzyme which catalyses adenosine to Inosine. The determination of adenosine deaminase in body fluids is important for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. There are contradictory reports about the diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase in pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was set up to investigate the diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase and its isoenzymes activities on pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, blood samples were obtained from 26pulmonary tuberculosis patients (group 1), 17 suspected tuberculosis with negative in both smear and culture tests (group 2), and 67 healthy subjects (group 3). Total ADA and ADA2 determination was carried out by kinetic method and EHNA Inhibitor, respectively. Results: ADA and ADA2 activities are as follow: 19.35±5.04, 13.35±5.34 (group 1) 17.24±6.20, 11.47±3.92 (group 2) and 13.96±4.25, 7.36±2.91(group 3). The mean differences of ADA and ADA2 activity between group 1 and 2 with group 3 was meaningful. The sensitivity and specificity for ADA and ADA2 tests were (26.9%, 94 %) and (50%, 97 %) respectively. The PPV for ADA and ADA2 were 63.6% and 86.7% and the NPV were 76.8% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that the assessment of these enzymes in serum to some extend can be a useful method for differentiation of healthy subjects from respiratory disease, but these tests do not have enough sensitivity to assist in the diagnoses of tuberculosis patients from other respiratory diseases.

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Background & Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most important health problems all over the world. This study was conducted to determine the co-infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) in HBV infected patients in Golestan province of Iran. Materials & Methods: This population based cross sectional study was done in 2004. 139 HBsAg positive cases were assessed for co-infection with HCV and HDV. Serologic tests were done by ELISA method using available kits. Data were analyzed by SPSS-12 and STATA8 software. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Sixty eight (48.9%) of 139 cases were males and 71 (51.1%) were females. The mean (±SD) of participant's age was 41.89 (±11.3) years (range: 25-64 years). Anti-HCV and Anti-HDV antibodies were positive in 17 (12.3%) and 8 (5.8%) cases, respectively. Females were more infected with HCV and HDV than males. But the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of co-infection with HCV and HDV in HBV infected cases is relatively high and notable in Golestan province of Iran. Because of negative effects of these co-infections in clinical outcome of the disease, it is recommended to assess possible HCV and HDV infection in individuals with HBV infection. This may result in more efficient management of the disease.

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Background & Objective: In addition to pyramidal neurons and interneurons, the hippocampus contains Astrocytes that play important roles in regulating ion flux currents, energy production, neurotransmitter release and memory. Learning needs some instrument for information storage and information maintenances mechanisms resemble to memory. The aim of this study was determination of spatial memory effect on the number of astrocytes in rat’s hippocampus. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, with usage of Morris Water Maze and Reference memory technique, we used 10 male albino wistar rats. 5 rats were in control group and 5 rats in Reference memory group. After histological preparation, the slides were stained with PTAH staining for showing the Astrocytes. Results: The findings of this study showed significant difference in astrocytes number in CA1, CA2 and CA3 area of hippocampus between control and reference memory group. The mean and SD of astrocytes in CA1, CA2 and CA3 of reference memory group were 118.57±25.29, 58.91±23.59 and 116.6±31.14, that they are more than control group with 49±17.29 in CA1, 48.8±25.21 in CA2 and 41.95±11.22 in CA3. Conclusion: We concluded that the number of astrocytes increased due to spatial learning (e.g. reference memory method).

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Background & Objective: The effects of acute and chronic exposures to opiate drugs on anxiety process are controversial. Acute morphine injection showed the beneficial effects on anxiety. Morphine withdrawal induced severe anxiety response in morphine dependence rats. Whereas, the effects of chronic administrations of morphine on anxiety process are less studied. Furthermore, this study was designed to assess the role of morphine dependence on the level of anxiety in Rat. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, Twenty male Wistar rats (250-300 gr) were made dependent by chronic administration of morphine in drinking water that lasted at least 21 days. Control groups received only sucrose in their water. This study utilized the elevated plus- maze model to evaluate anxiogenic-like behavior in rats. Four fundamental behavior patterns were recorded for 5 minutes: the time spent on open arms, the number of entries into open arms, stretched-attend posture and defecation. Immediately after test, the locomotor activity of each animal was tested by using an automated activity monitor system. The data were analyzed by independent t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Finding indicated that the time spent on open arms and the numbers of entries into open arms were significantly shorter in morphine dependence group than control group (P<0.05). Also, the numbers of stretched-attend posture and defecation were significantly higher in morphine group (P<0.05). Whereas, there were no significant differences between groups in locomotor activity. Conclusion: This study showed that dependent rats may rapidly predispose anxiogenic- like effects in stressful conditions and without the effect on motor activity.