Background & Objectives: The reduction of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) affects memory, learning and cognition, food intake and energy metabolism and causes behavioral disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks interval training and curcumin consumption on TNF-a and BDNF levels in men with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study was performed on 40 men with metabolic syndrome who were randomly divided into four groups, including exercise +supplement, exercise, supplement and control groups (n=10). The experimental groups did the exercise protocol and consumed curcumin supplement for eight weeks. The blood samples were collected 24 hours before the start of exercise and 48 hours after the last training session. One-way ANOVA and paired t-test were used to analyze the data. The significance level was considered to be p=0.05. Results: In exercise +supplement and exercise groups, significant changes were observed in BDNF (p=0.000, p=0.004) and TNF-a (p=0.001, p=0.008) levels compared to pre-test. Also, when analyzing changes between groups, TNF-a (p=0.004) and BDNF (p=0.000) changes were statistically significant in exercise +supplement group compared to other groups. Conclusion: Eight weeks moderate-intensity interval training combined with curcumin consumption significantly reduced inflammatory factors and increased BDNF expression.

Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus cause cognitive defects. Royal Jelly has been claimed to improve the neurological damage caused by diabetes. In this study, the effect of oral administration of royal jelly on memory and passive avoidance learning was studied in diabetic male rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences on 48 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into control, diabetic without treatment, diabetic recipient of glibenclamide (600 µg/kg) and three diabetic groups treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg royal jelly (n=8). Diabetes was induced in the animals by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60mg/kg/ip). Treatment in the groups performed by gavage from the onset of hyperglycemia for 30 days. At the end of the test, the passive avoidance learning and memory and blood glucose were measured. Data were analyzed by by SPSS software using ANOVA and post-hoc LSD tests, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Diabetes reduced the latency time of dark room entering. Royal jelly treatment delayed the entrance to the dark room significantly at 24 h, 48 h and 2 weeks after the shock, especially at doses of 100 (p<0.05) and 200 mg/kg (p<0.01) compared to untreated diabetic animals. Conclusion: According to the results, diabetes causes memory impairment, and royal jelly administration can reduce the memory impairment due to diabetes.

Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus belongs to a group of common metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia phenotypes. Diabetes mellitus causes secondary pathophysiological disorders in multiple organs of the body such as nephropathy, which causes many problems for patients and the health care system. In this study, the effect of pentoxifylline, a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on reducing urinary protein excretion in diabetic patients was assessed. Methods: In this clinical trial, 72 diabetic patients with proteinuria who were admitted to the endocrine and nephrology clinic were selected and divided into two groups. Checklists, including demographic data, etc. were completed. In group (A), Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were prescribed to reduce proteinuria, and in another group (B), in addition to ACEI or ARB drugs, pentoxifylline was prescribed. In the end, the results in both groups were compared in terms of further reduction of proteinuria. Results: Most of the studied patients were male. There was a significant correlation between proteinuria (mean urinary protein excretion in 24 hours) and the effect of pentoxifylline on reducing proteinuria in patients with type II diabetes. Also, there was not a significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes and HbA1c between the two groups at the beginning and end of the study. Conclusion: Pentoxifylline, independent of lowering blood pressure or reducing the improvement of metabolic control, can significantly decrease proteinuria and protein excretion

Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is the sixth leading cause of death in individuals older than 25 years, and accounts for %18 of all deaths. The aim of this study was to investigate the TCD findings in diabetic patients with a history of less and more than 5 years. Methods: In this descriptive, analytic study, all diabetic patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of diabetes, less and more than 5 years after diagnosis. TCD was performed on the patients, and maximum velocity and mean pulsatility index and resistivity index in the right and left Middle Cerebral Arteries (MCAs) and basilar artery were measured. The checklist was completed for all patients, and all data were analyzed by SPSS (v16) statistical software. Results: Sixty four percent of the patients with duration less than 5 years (average age of 55.16 years) and 36 percent of those with duration more than 5 years (average age of 59.37 years) were men. There was no statistically significant difference between disease duration and Body Mass Index (BMI), but with an increase in duration of disease, HbA1C of patients was increased. There was no significant difference between the velocity of right, left and basilar arteries and diabetes duration. Also, there was a significant difference between diabetes duration and pulse index of right MCA and basilar. There was no significant difference between age, BMI and HbA1C and pulse and resistivity indexes among patients. Conclusion: In this study abnormal pulse and resistance indexes in patients with duration more than 5 years was more than patients with less than 5, this may indicate the effect of diabetes duration on the vascular wall.

Background & objectives: Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis (CE and AE) are caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granolosus, respectively. This study was conducted to determine the spread of human AE and CE diseases among the tribes and livestock breeders and farmers in the Moghan plain. The prevalence of infection (CE and AE) significantly increases with a rise in age. Methods: In this study, using ELISA and HCF-Ag (raw liquid antigen of hydatid cyst) was used for the first time to perform screening, and then the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis was evaluated by specific anti-genes Ag-5 and EM2+, respectively. A total of 2003 serum samples were collected randomly from normal populations of five different areas of Moghan plain. In the first stage, serum screening was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and HCF-Ag. After that, the serology of all sera was evaluated by ELISA and specific antigens for alveolar and cystic Echinococcus. Results: From 2003 samples, 24 serum samples were (1.19%) AE-positive. Infection was higher in men than women (2.1% vs. 0.6%). The age group of 5-19years had the lowest infection rate and the age group 40- 59 years had the highest infection rate (2%). In the case of cystic ecinococcosis, 164 serum samples were positive for Ag-5 specific antigen, i.e. 7.6% infection, and 156 serum samples were positive for Ag-B-specific antigen. Conclusion: The findings showed that the highest infection rate was found in the Boran and Eivazlou (Palanglou) regions of Moghan plain and the lowest level of human infection was reported in Parsabad region (Nadar-kandi and Agh-ghabagh). In areas with higher contamination, the risk factor associated with CE and AE were the type of water used, the method of washing edible and wild vegetables, occupation and having or not having knowledge of hydatid disease. The infection of Moghan region dogs is one of the main indicators and potential risk factors for human infection.

Background & objectives: Pain is one of the most common post-operative complications of cesarean section, which is very important for mother in nursing a baby and breastfeeding. Finding ways to overcome this pain has always been a concern for researchers. Considering the application of plants in traditional medicine as sedatives, this study evaluated the effect of Dill seed oil on post-operative pain in patients with spinal anesthesia. Methods: This double-blind, clinical trial was conducted on pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and referred to Hajar hospital in Shahrekord, Iran during 2015-2016. By simple random sampling, the patients were divided into two groups. In the first group, 10 cc Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) seed oil was prescribed at intervals of half an hour and one hour before spinal anesthesia and half an hour , one hour and two hours after spinal anesthesia. In the second group, placebos (standard treatment) were prescribed at the same intervals. Pain and vital signs, including blood pressure, nausea , vomiting, heart rate, bleeding , use of narcotics and NSAID and any additional medications (such as atropine and ephedrine) were recorded and rechecked during surgery , thirty minutes after spinal anesthesia and one hour, four hours and twelve hours after cesarean section. Results: The findings showed a significant difference between the two groups in the third stage of the study (4 hours after cesarean section) only in respiratory rate and in the fourth stage of the study (12 hours after cesarean section) in all vital signs (p<0.05). Also, the pain and nausea rate in the third and fourth stages of the study in the case group (Dill seed oil) were lower than those of the control group, indicating a significant difference in the pain level (p<0.05). The bleeding rate and use of NSAIDs and opioids twelve hours after caesarian section in the case group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: considering the effect of Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) seed oil on reducing pain, bleeding rate and use of narcotics and NSIADs, it can be used in women undergoing cesarean section.

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.

Background & objectives: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals as well as human worldwide. Determining the parasite genotype in intermediate hosts is crucial in evaluating the role of these types in human infections as wll as in prevention programs. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and detect the genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in aborted fetuses of ewes in Lorestan province. Methods: Identification of the parasite was performed on the brain and liver tissues of 142 aborted fetuses using a conventional PCR based on amplification of highly repetitive 529 bp region of the parasite genome. Genotyping of positive samples, which were isolated from the brain and liver, was performed by PCR-RFLP based on SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 molecular markers. Results: From a total of 142 samples obtained from brain and fetus, 10 cases (7%) were determined as positive samples based on conventional PCR. The precence of parasite DNA was also confirmed in the liver of 3 positive samples. Evaluation of RFLP pattern of amplified SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 genes showed the presence of various types of parasites, incuding type I in 3 samples, type II in 2 samples and atypical type in 5 samples. Conclusion: Isolation of types I, II and atypical type of T. gondii from ewes in Lorestan province suggests the need for greater attention to parasite transmission from livestock to human, particularly in pregnant women and people with weakened immune system.

Background & objective: Aloe-vera is an herb that has long been used in traditional medicine. Using high-fat diet and fatty liver disorder cause obesity and hyperlipidemia. So, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Aloe - vera gel extract on the body weight and lipid profile in adult male rats treated with high-fat diet. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were included in the control group (no treatment), sham group (treated with high-fat diet 10 ml/kg) and three experimental groups receiving high-fat diet (10ml/kg) along with 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg Aloe- vera gel extracts. Prescriptions were conducted by gavage, for 60 days. At the end, after anesthetizing the rats and phlebotomizing their heart, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL were measured. The obtained results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests. Results: The results showed that high-fat diet significantly increased the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (p<0.001) and weight gain (p<0.01) but had no significant effect on the serum level of HDL. However, in the groups receiving Aloe -vera gel and high-fat diet, there was a significant decrease in the weight and serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (p<0.05) and LDL (p<0.01). Conclusion: High-fat diets increase the weight and serums levels of triglycerides, LDL and cholesterol. Also, the Aloe- vera gel extract causes weight loss and improves lipid profiles in the rats treated with Aloe -vera gel extract.

Background & objectives: One of the main problems in the control of nosocomial infections due to Klebsiella pneumoniae is increase of antimicrobial resistance and prevalence of extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBLs) producing isolates. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of antibiotics resistance with SHV, CTX-M and TEM extended-spectrum beta lactamases genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates isolated from the patients in Kermanshah hospital. Methods: The clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected during the spring from Kermanshah hospitals, and identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was performed using standard microbiological and biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates was determined using disk diffusion method. Then, the presence of CTX-M, SHV, and TEM was investigated using multiplex-PCR method. Finally, the relationship between variables was analyzed by SPSS-22 software using logistic regression and chi-square. Results: A total of 98 isolates out of 112 samples were identified as Klebsiella pneumonia. Also, 82.8% of isolates were resistant to cefotaxime, 40.2% to ceftriaxone, 62.88% to ceftazidime, 3.9% to imipenem, 39.17% to cefepime, 64.94% to cefixime and 26.8% to amikacin. Further, 35.55% of isolates had CTX-M gene, 63.91% of isolates had SHV gene and 9.27% of samples had TEM gene. Conclusion: The presence of CTX-M, SHV and TEM genes along with high antibiotic resistance are very concerning, indicating the importance of rational use of antibiotic for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Background & objectives: The use of supplements such as L-carnitine, optimum nutritional support and early feeding after surgery in cancer patients can be important in the prevention of cancer complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early L-carnitine-rich feeding on complications of esophageal cancer surgery and duration of hospitalization. Methods: In a clinical trial, 50 patients with esophageal cancer under surgery in two equal groups were randomly selected. Nutritional information was obtained using food record questionnaire. Basic blood samples and 24-hour urine samples were taken in order to measure the hematological parameters (like blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and blood urea) and nitrogen balance, respectively from two groups at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the intervention group received 3 g L-carnitine daily in 3 doses on the first day after the complementary operation, with a routine hospital diet at each meal, and the control group received a routine hospital diet for ten days. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test. Results: The results showed that changes in the mean BUN and nitrogen balance were significantly different after intervention between the study groups (p<0.05). Patients with early L-carnitine-rich feeding had less hospitalization time in hospital wards and were discharged earlier (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that early L-carnitine-rich feeding after surgery has probably a positive effect on the duration of hospital stay in patients with esophageal cancer.