Background & Objective: Normal growth is the most important indicator of child health and measurement of height and weight is the simplest and the most reliable means to its evaluation. Due to the significance of the issue, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the anthropometric indices of secondary school girls of Zanjan in 2004-2005.
Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 1010 students who had been selected through cluster random sampling from 10 schools. Height and weight were measured by standard method and body mass index (BMI) was calculated thereafter. The data were analysed using Excel and SPSS softwares and χ 2 and t-tests.
Results: The survey of 1010 secondary schools girls showed that the height and weight of research group were 10.5 and 7.3% lower than the 5th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) respectively and also, 0.6% and 4.5% were higher than 95th percentile of NCHS respectively. However, the 5th percentile of BMI almost matched the 5th percentile of NCHS. Moreover, 21.7% of the short students were underweight and 3.8% were overweight which were statistically significant (P=0.0001). 13.5% of short stature students were from district 1 and 7.8% of them were from district 2, showing a significant difference (P=0.0003).
Conclusions: The research results and other reports throughout the country demonstrate that the height and weight of adolescent population in the country are below standard NCHS although the differences are not significant. However, NCHS curves overestimate the prevalence of underweight and short stature whithin our community.

Background and Objective: Profound hearing loss is one of the most prevalent congenital disorders affecting about 1 in 1000 newborns. Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is the predominant form of the severe inherited childhood deafness. This type of hearing loss in one-half of the cases is caused by mutations in GJB2 (connexin 26) and GJB6 (connexin 30) genes located at DFNB1 locus of chromosome13q. Protein products of the two above-mentioned genes play a crucial role in the intercellular communications within the inner ear through gap junction. This study was conducted to analyze the two most common mutations among ARNSHL patients referring to the Genetics center of Tabriz, eastern Azarbaijan.
Materials & Methods: The most common mutation of GJB2 gene (35delG) and a mutation of GJB6 gene (del(GJB6-D13S1830)) were analyzed in 129 referring patients with ARNSHL using ARMS-PCR and multiplex-PCR techniques, respectively. These methods facilitate analyzing parents and carriers.
Results: 21% of the studied families had 35delG mutation in connexin 26 gene. 36 chromosomes (18%) out of 200 studied chromosomes had 35delG mutation while none of the chromosomes had del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation in connexin 30. The 35delG mutation was assessed in parents and siblings in order to detect carriers.
Conclusion: 35delG mutation accounts for 18% of ARNSHL in eastern Azerbaijan which is various to other published studies from different regions of Iran. The absence of del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation in the patients may be due to the founder effect.

Background and Objective: Different pharmaceutical types of metformin are available for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is some doubt about the efficacy of metformin produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. As a clinical trial, we compared the efficacy and complications of metformin produced by an Iranian company with metformin from a Canadian company in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Eighteen eligible women (age range: 32-62 years) with type 2 diabetes received metformin (500 mg twice a day) either from Iranian company or from Canadian company each for 6 weeks period in a randomized, double blind, crossover study. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1C, lipid profile (Chol, TG, HDL, and LDL), weight, and BMI were assessed before and after each treatment phase. The results were compared with each other by paired sample T-test and Independent sample T-test. Results: Each of the two pharmaceutical types of metformin had the same therapeutic effects on FBS, HbA1C, lipid profile (except for HDL) and BMI. In addition, there was no significant difference between them in side effects (22.2% in each group). Conclusion: According to the beneficial therapeutic effects of Iranian metformin, lower side effects and low cost, in comparison to its Canadian type, it seems that using Iranian metformin would be a suitable choice for control of glycemic patients. However, in this regard, further studies with greater samples are recommended.

Sheehan’s syndrome has a broad spectrum of clinical and laboratory signs that range from nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, fatigue and anemia to severe hypophyseal insufficiency, which results in coma and death. We collected data from 18 patients diagnosed with Sheehan’s syndrome during the past 10 years. Patients profiles, including history, physical examination, clinical presentation that lead to diagnosis, routine biochemical tests, lipid profiles, thyroid function tests, and basal hypophyseal hormone levels were reviewed. The time spent for making a definitive diagnosis of the disease ranged between 10 to 30 years with a mean of 15.55 ± 5.04 years. Five patients (22%) had disturbances in their levels of consciousness at the time of presentation (four with hypoglycemia, one with severe hypothyroidism). Seven patients (39%) were evaluated for central hypothyroidism in outpatient service before definite diagnosis. All of the patients had a history of massive hemorrhage at delivery and lack of postpartum milk production. All of the patients have received replacement doses of Levothyroxine and Prednisolone. Considering the duration of disease, significant delays appear to occur in its diagnosis and treatment.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to detect bacteria associated with biliary tract diseases and relationship between their class 1, 2 and 3 integrons and antibiotic resistance patterns. Materials and Methods: Bile samples of biliary patients undergoing cholangiopancreatography were examined for the presence of bacteria and antibiotic resistance patterns using biochemical tests and disk diffusion method. PCR was used for detection of the presence of integrase genes intI1, intI2, and intI3 in total DNA and plasmid extracts of these bacterial isolates. Results: Out of 102 bile samples, 41.2% were positive by culture. The isolated bacteria belonged to E. coli (35.5%), Enterococcus spp. (19.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.74%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.74%), Acinetobacter spp. (6.45%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1.6%). All isolates were resistant to amoxiclav and 87.5% of the isolates showed multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern. intI1and intI2 were found in E. coli (59.09%, 50%), P. aeruginosa (81.81%, 45.45%), K. pneumonia (63.6%, 27.27%) and Acinetobacter spp. (100%, 100 %), respectively. These results showed the presence of class 1 and 2 integrons on the extracted plasmids and indicated a significant association between class 1 integron and resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: High frequency of class 1 and 2 integrons among the bile isolates and their association with increased antimicrobial resistance phenotypes suggests that bile components are as selective agents for bacterial strains encoding these elements.

Background and Objective: Researchers have pointed out that higher rate of female athlete lower extremity injuries are related to functional imbalances in hamstring and quadriceps muscles and suggest the use of training protocols in order to gain adequate functional muscle patterns. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of neuromuscular, strength and combined trainings on H/Q strength ratio in professional female basketbalists. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 42 female basketbalists in 3 experimental groups and 1 control group with mean age, height and weight of 20.73±1.88 year, 172.47±6.57 cm and 63.54±4.98 kg, and BMI of 21.36±1.17 who completed 6 weeks of neuromuscular, strength and combined trainings. Functional hamstring to quadriceps muscle strength ratio was measured prior to and after training by Isokinetic Biodex Dynamometer 4, at 3 angular velocities 60,180,240.s-1. Repeated measurement, Anova, Independent sample T test and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data. Results: Statistical analysis of data revealed that there was a significant difference in Functional H/Q Ratio in strength training group at 3 angular velocities in pre and post training. Differences between the strength training groups and the control group were meaningful. Conclusion: Prescription of lower extremity strength trainings in injury prevention training programs can cause improvement in functional strength ratio and may lead to reduce lower extremity injury risks. References 1- Taunton J, Ryan M, Clement D, McKenzie D, Lloyd-Smith D, Zumbo B. A retrospective case-control analysis of running injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2002 36(2): 95-101. 2- Bahr R, Reeser JC. injuries among world-class professional beach volleyball players the fédération internationale de volleyball beach volleyball injury study. Am J Sports Med. 2003 31(1): 119-25. 3- Faude O, Junge A, Kindermann W, Dvorak J. Injuries in female soccer players a prospective study in the german national league. Am J Sports Med. 2005 33(11): 1694-700. 4- Nejati V. prevalent sports injuries and related factors in female athlete students. Harkat. 2008 35(35): 5- ShahTahmasebi B, Ebrahimi A, Javaheri A. The investigation of prevalence of lower extremity injuries in Iranian elite female artistic jymnasts:Study on two women,s artistic jymnastics apparatus(floor exercise & uneven bars). paper presented at 5th Sport Medicine Congress in Country. 2007 Tehran. 6- Hewett TE, Ford KR, Hoogenboom BJ, Myer GD. Understanding and prevention ACL injuries: current biomechanical and epidemiological consideration. North Am J Sports Physical Therapy. 2010 5(4): 234-51. 7- Agel J, Arendt EA, Bershadsky B. Anterior cruciate ligament injury in national collegiate athletic association basketball and soccer. The Am J Sports Med. 2005 33(4): 524-31. 8- Hewett TE. Biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms of ACL injuries. In: Hewett TE, Shultz SJ, Griffin LY, eds. Understanding and preventing noncontact ACL injuries.1 st edn. Champaign: Human Kinetics. 2007 129-130. 9- Ford KR, Myer GD, Hewett TE. Valgus knee motion during landing in high school female and male basketball players. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2003 35(10): 1745-50. 10- Hewett TE, Myer GD, Ford KR, et al. Biomechanical measures of neuromuscular control and valgus loading of the knee predict anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in female athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2005 33(4): 492-501. 11- Rosene JM, Fogarty TD, Mahaffey BL. Isokinetic hamstrings: quadriceps ratios in intercollegiate athletes. J Athletic Training. 2001 36(4): 378. 12- Li R, Wu Y, Maffulli N, Chan KM, Chan J. Eccentric and concentric isokinetic knee flexion and extension: a reliability study using the Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Br J Sports Med. 1996 30(2): 156-60. 13- MacLean CL, Taunton JE, Clement DB, Regan WD, Stanish WD. Eccentric kinetic chain exercise as a conservative means of functionally rehabilitating chronic isolated insufficiency of the posterior cruciate ligament. Clin J Sport Med. 1999 9(3): 142-50. 14- Andrade MDS, De Lira CAB, Koffes FDC, Mascarin NC, Benedito-Silva AA, Da Silva AC. Isokinetic hamstrings-to-quadriceps peak torque ratio: The influence of sport modality, gender, and angular velocity. J Sports Sciences. 2012 30(6): 547-53. 15- Dauty M, Tortellier L, Rochcongar P. Isokinetic and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstrings or patella tendon graft: analysis of literature. Inter J Sports Med. 2005 26(07): 599-606. 16- Myer GD, Paterno MV, Ford KR, Hewett TE. Neuromuscular training techniques to target deficits before return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Strength Conditioning Res. 2008 22(3): 987-1014. 17- Holcomb WR, Rubley MD, Lee HJ, Guadagnoli MA. Effect of hamstring-emphasized resistance training on hamstring: quadriceps strength ratios. J Strength Conditioning Res. 2007 21(1): 41-7. 18- Goldman EF, Jones DE. Interventions for preventing hamstring injuries (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Wiley publishers. 2010 2. 19- Filipa A, Byrnes R, Paterno MV, Myer GD, Hewett TE. Neuromuscular training improves performance on the star excursion balance test in young female athletes. J Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy. 2010 40(9): 551. 20- Süss R. Neuromascular control of the knee joint in adolescent female vollayball players. Publicatio LI/II. 2011 35. 21- Fleck SJ, Falkel JE. Value of resistance training for the reduction of sports injuries. Sports Med. 1986 3(1): 61-8. 22- Newton RU, Rogers RA, Volek JS, Häkkinen K, Kraemer WJ. Four weeks of optimal load ballistic resistance training at the end of season attenuates declining jump performance of women volleyball players. J Strength Conditioning Res. 2006 20(4): 955-61. 23- Myer GD, Ford KR, Palumbo OP, Hewett TE. Neuromuscular training improves performance and lower-extremity biomechanics in female athletes. J Strength Conditioning Res. 2005 19(1): 51-60. 24- Liu-Ambrose T, Khan KM, Eng JJ, Lord SR, McKay HA. Balance confidence improves with resistance or agility training. Gerontol. 2004 50(6): 373-82. 25- Agard P, Simonsen EB, Magnusson SP, Larsson B. A new concept for isokinetic hamstring: quadriceps muscle Strength ratio. Am J Sports Med. 1998 26: 231-7. 26- Kannus P. Knee flexor and extensor strength ratios with deficiency of the lateral collateral ligament. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1988 69: 928-1. 27- Orchard J, Marsden S. Lord, Garlick D. Preseason hamstring muscle weakness associated with hamstring muscle injury in Australian footballers. Am J Sports Med. 1997 25: 81-85. 28- Tourney-Chollet C, Leroy D, Delarue Y, Beuret-Blanqurt F. Isokinetic based comparisons of hamstrings-quadriceps ratio between soccer players and sedentary subjects. Isokin Exer Sci. 2003 11: 85-6. 29- Hewett TE, Strupe AL, Nance TA, Noyes FR. Plyometric training in female athletes. Decreased impact forces and increased hamstring torques. Am J Sports Med. 1996 24:765-73. 30- Mjolsnes R, Arnason A, Osthagen T, Raastad T, Bahr R. A10-week randomized trial comparing eccentric vs. concentric hamstring strength training in well-trained soccer players. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2004 14: 311-7. 31- Hewett TE, Myer GD, Ford KR. Prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Current Omen's Health Reports. 2001 1(3): 218-24. 32- Myer GD, Brent JL, Ford KR, Hewett TE. Real-time assessment and neuromuscular training feedback prevent ACL injury in female athletes. Strength Conditioning J. 2011 33(3): 21. 33- Harries SK, Lubans DR, Callister R. Resistance training to improve power and sports performance in adolescent athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sci Med Sport. 2012 15(6): 532-40. 34- Hägglund M, Atroshi I, Wagner P, Waldén M. Superior compliance with a neuromuscular training programme is associated with fewer ACL injuries and fewer acute knee injuries in female adolescent football players: secondary analysis of an RCT. B J Sports Med. 2013 47(15): 974-9.

Background and Objective: Previous studies indicate an inverse association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level with obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events. This study was aimed to assess metabolic syndrome correlation with serum Vit-D levels of physicians in Zanjan city (Iran). Materials and Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional study, a total of 108 physicians were selected and their 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and HDL were assessed using venous blood. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on ATPIII criteria. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean serum 25(OH) D concentration was 23.40±23.72 ng/ml and its median level was 17.65 ng/ml. 25 (OH) D concentrations <20 ng/ml was observed in 62% of the participants. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome for the whole sample was 21.2%. The most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome were hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL with a prevalence of 55.6% and 38%, respectively. Significant correlative difference was found between serum 25(OH) D levels and triglyceride (P = 0.009). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome among physicians in Zanjan was lower than general population. A significant association between serum levels of Vitamin D and triglyceride was detected, which may be due to higher BMI. References 1- Hoseinnejad A, Maghbuli ZH, Mirzaie KH, Karimi F, Larijani B. Relation of vitamin D3 level with metabolic syndrome among Iranian adult populations. Iran J Diabetes Lipid. 2009 9: 383-9. 2- Expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults. executive summary of the third report of the national cholesterol education program (NCEP) JAMA. 2001 285-97. 3- Chiu KC, Chu A, Go VL, Saad MF. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. Am J Clin Nut. 2004 79: 820-5. 4- Bonakdaran S, Varasteh A, Khajeh-Dalouie M. Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 and laboratory risk markers of cardiovascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients. Iran J Endocrin Metab. 2010 504-9. 5- Chagas C, Borges M, Rogero L. Focus on vitamin D, inflammation and type 2 diabetes. J Nutrients. 2012 4: 52-67. 6- Tohru Funahashi,Yuji Matsuzawa, Shinji Kihara. Adiponectin as a potential key player in metabolic syndrome insights into atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer. International Congress Series1262 2004 368-71 7- Wang C, Pereira R, Hosoka P, et al. Association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and adiponectin levels in hypertensive subjects. Eur J Endocrinol. 2011 164: 995-1002. 8- Chacko S, Song Y, Manson J, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. The Am J Clin Nut. 2011 94 209-17. 9- Ziaee A, Hashemipoor S, Karimzadeh T, Jalalpoor A, Javadi A. Relation of vitamin D3 Serum level with metabolic syndrome indices among patients with diabetes and non-diabetic individuals. J Ardabil Univ Med Sci. 2012 12: 149-56. 10- Yilmaz H, Kaya M, Sahin M, Delibasi T. Is vitamin D status a predictor glycaemic regulation and cardiac complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients?. J Diabetes Metab Clin Res Rev. 2012 253: 350-4. 11- Sharifi F, Mousavinasab N, Saeini M, Dinmohammadi M. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an adult urban population of the west of iran. Expert Diabetes Res. 2009 140-5. 12- Hurskainen AR, Virtanen JK, Tuomainen TP, Nurmi T, Voutilainen S. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with type 2 diabetes and markers of insulin resistance in a general older population in Finland. J Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2012 28 418-23. 13- Park HY, Lim YH, Kim JH, Bae S, Oh SY, Hong YC. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with markers for metabolic syndrome in the elderly: a repeated measure analysis.journal of Korean medical science. 2012 27 653-660. 14- Ford E, Ajani U, Mcguire L, Liu S. Concentrations of serum vitamin d and the metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults. J Diabetes care. 2005 28 1228-30. 15- Salekzamani S, Neyestani TR, Alavi-Majd H, et al. Is vitamin D status a determining factor for metabolic syndrome? J Diabetes Metab Obes. 2011 4 205-12.

Background and Objective: About 10 to 30 percent of women in reproductive age suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding. Excessive menstrual bleeding, cause decreased quality of life and anemia.This study aimed to assess the effect of Vitexagnus and Flaxseed on menstrual bleeding in women referred to health centers of Tabriz.

Materials and Methods: This triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 159 women. Using block randomization, subjects were allocated into three groups (n=53 per group). Group I received 25 grams of Flaxseed powder daily group II received 3.2-4.8 mg Vitex agnus tablet daily and control group received placebo of two drugs for two menstrual cycles. Participants completed Pictorial Blood Lost Assessment Chart (Higham) at baseline, 1, and 2 months after the intervention. Data was analyzed using ANOVA tests.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of the demographic and the Higham score before the intervention. The menstrual bleeding score reduced significantly in both intervention groups during the first and second months after the intervention. Mean Higham score was significantly lower than that in the control group in the first month after the intervention in the Vitex agnus group [adjusted mean difference: [-7.9 (95% CI: -11.8 to -4.0)] and Flaxseed [-9.6 (-13.5 to -5.6)] and the second month after the intervention in Vitex agnus [-10.1 (-15.2 to -5.0] and Flaxseed [-10.4 (-15.5 to -5.2]. There was no significant difference between Vitex agnus and Flaxseed groups.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Flaxseed and Vitex agnus are effective for reduction of menstrual bleeding amount. However, for routine use of Flaxseed and Vitex agnus more research is needed.

Background and Objective: Breast tumors include the heterogeneous population of various cells such as luminal and myoepithelial cells which can play a significant role in the development and/or the inhibition of breast cancer. It has been observed that paracrine and autocrine activities of myoepithelial cells can limit the mammary tumors via angiogenesis inhibition and apoptosis induction. Therefore, the present study was set to isolate mice mammary myoepithelial cells and to assess their cell death-inducing potential in the breast carcinogenic cells.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study following the primary culture of mice-isolated myoepithelial cells, specific marker of the myoepithelial cells was determined by flow cytometry analysis. Then, myoepithelial cells were co-cultured with breast carcinoma cells, and the viability of cells was assayed by MTT on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after co-culture.

Results: The isolated cells were spindle shaped and elongated. Flow cytometric analysis showed cells with myoepithelial marker including CD10 expression. The co-culture results elicited that the myoepithelial cells significantly inhibited the proliferation and the growth of breast carcinoma cells on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after co-culture (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Implementation of myoepithelial cells in the inhibition of mammary cancerous cells is postulated as a new and an efficient approach for cancer therapy.   

Background and Objective: Today, silver nanoparticles are used extensively in various fields, especially in the control of bacterial infections. However, the toxicity of silver nanoparticles is a very important concern in their use. The aim of this study was determining the effect of the intraperitoneal injection of colloidal silver nanoparticles on biochemical and hematological parameters in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 21 adult female rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. Group 1 was sham. Group 2 was a control group and group 3 to 7 were case groups that were treated with 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ppm of silver nanoparticles, respectively. Mice treated for 10 days. On the eleventh day the rats were killed by diethyl ether anesthesia. Blood samples were taken from the heart. Then the biochemical and hematological parameters and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels evaluated.

Results: The results showed no significant changes in biochemical factors except triglycerides (TG), which showed a significant decrease in high concentrations of silver nanoparticles (p<0.05). Significant changes were observed at concentrations higher than 20ppm of silver nanoparticles in blood, including: reduction in the amount of white blood cells, increase in number of platelets, slightly decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit (p<0.05). At 80ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles the serum level of lactate dehydrogenase fell sharply.

Conclusion: Low concentrations of silver nanoparticles (such as injecting it inside the peritoneum) has no effect on biochemical parameters in rats. By studying any other possible side effects, it may be safe to use in various industries.

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the major cause of cancer death among women. The survival rate for breast cancer indicates the percentage of people that survive the disease for a specified period of time after diagnosis. The aim of this study was analyzing the survival rate of patients with breast cancer in East Azarbaijan province.

Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis. The statistical population included 79 breast cancer patients of East Azarbaijan province. Data such as age at diagnosis was obtained from the medical records and other data such as the status of survival/death was found out through telephone interview. For survival evaluation, the Kaplan-Meier method was used. The effect of covariates such as age at diagnosis on the survival duration was calculated with the Log - Rank (Mantel - Cox) method.

Results: The 1, 3 and 5 year-survival rate were calculated to be 98%, 88% and 82%, respectively. Age at the time of diagnosis affected the survival rate of patients; patients over 40 years at the time of diagnosis had a higher survival rate than patients under 40 years (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Survival rate analysis showed the similar or higher survival rate of breast cancer patients of East Azarbaijan in comparison with other regions in Iran. The survival rate in patients older than forty years at the time of diagnosis was significantly higher than patients younger than forty. However a study on more patients is recommended to obtain more clear results.

Background & Objective: The incidence of biofilm-related infections caused by Candida albicans has increased dramatically. C. albicans biofilm-related infections are more resistant to antifungal medications. This work was an attempt to examine inhibitory effects of fluconazole in combination with amphotericin B on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans biofilm.
 Materials & Methods: Fluconazole-resistant C. albicans was identified among colonized clinical isolates of C. albicans obtained from the patients at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasooj, Iran, between September 2016 and January 2017. The MICs of fluconazole alone and in combination with amphotericin B were determined on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans by broth microdilution method based on the CLSI document M27-A3 and the synergistic effects were interpreted by the FIC index. To address the inhibitory effects of drug combinations, we investigated the anti-biofilm activities of fluconazole alone and in combination with amphotericin B against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans using crystal violet staining, light field microscopy and expression analysis of HWP1 using RT-PCR.
Results: Ten percent of the colonizing clinical isolates of C. albicans were found to be fluconazole-resistant. The fluconazole combined with amphotericin B exhibited synergistic and partial synergistic effects against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates with FIC index ranging from 0.50 to 0.75. Our findings demonstrated that fluconazole combined with amphotericin B exerted a significant reduction and inhibition on biomass, biofilm formation and the expression levels of HWP1 (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Fluconazole combined with amphotericin B showed potent inhibitory activity against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans biofilm formation. Other measures are important to determine the effectiveness of the drug combinations against C. albicans biofilm.

Background & Objective: Perovskia abrotanoides Karel locally known as Brazambal, is widely used in medical practice to treat various disorders. Burn is a common source of injury and Brazambal ointment has been extensively used in burn wound healing in North of Iran. The purpose of this study was to examine the healing effect of Brazambal ointment in experimental model of burn. In addition, in-vitro healing characteristics and antibacterial activity of P. abrotanoides was investigated.
Materials & Methods: Scald burn injury was produced by pouring 2.5cc of boiling water (95ºC) on the posterior surface of rat’s neck for 10 seconds. Twenty-eight adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (7 rats each) and followed for 7 days. Control group (no treatment); Silver sulfadiazine-treated group; Brazambal ointment-treated group; and vehicle-treated group received the complete ointment without Brazambal part. The effects of Brazambal aqueous extract on fibroblast cells and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated.
Results: Topical application of Brazambal ointment can accelerate wound healing process by initiating re-epithelialization and formation of granulation tissue. Proliferative activity of the aqueous extract on fibroblast cells was observed after 48 h in concentrations of 7.5% and 10% (P<0.0001). However, P. abrotanoides Karel extract had no significant antibacterial effect.
Conclusion: The presence of hair follicles, re-epithelialization and granulation tissue is suggestive of Brazambal ointment relative effectiveness on experimental scald burn in rats. However, further studies are warranted to reveal the healing mechanisms of P. abrotanoides.

 Background and Objective: The clinical outcomes and treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients are highly dependent upon molecular markers. In this study, Wilms tumor (WT1) (exons 7 and 9) mutations, SNP rs16754, and WT1 expression levels in 130 random AML patients were screened; FMs-like tyrosine kinase-3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), nucleophosmin (NPM1), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) mutations were also evaluated.
 Material and Methods: Overall, 130 AML patients were recruited for our study. WT1 mutations were determined by Sanger sequencing, and expression levels were determined by real-time PCR. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
 Results: The frequency of WT1 mutations in the study population was 5.4%, and it did not affect overall survival (OS) (p=0.98), disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.97), or complete remission (CR) rates in AML patients. The major allele of SNP rs16754 in the current study was A. No significant differences were found for OS (p=0.52), DFS (p=0.42), or complete remission rates among all SNP rs16754 genotypes. The overexpression of WT1 was observed in 83% of patients at diagnosis. No significant difference was found for OS (p=0.84), DFS (p=0.82), or complete remission rates between AML patients with high and low WT1 expression levels.
 Conclusion: The results of the current study do not support WT1 mutation, SNP rs16754, or WT1 overexpression at diagnosis, as they were found to be poor prognostic markers in AML patients.

Background and Objective: Hypothyroidism leads to an increased risk of overweight and obesity. This study examined the effect of weight gain caused by hypothyroidism on maternal health (hypertension, gestational diabetes, and miscarriage) for the first time.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study consisted of 123 pregnant women with clinical hypothyroidism and 242 non-hypothyroid pregnant women as the control group. National guidelines were used to diagnose hypothyroidism in the first trimester. Body mass index (BMI), thyroid-stimulating hormone level, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Moreover, fasting blood sugar was assessed during 24-28 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square, Student’s t-distribution, and logistic regression using the SPSS19 software.
Results: We found a significant relationship between BMI and hypothyroidism in pregnant women (P<0.001). Systolic and diastolic BP in the case group were higher in women with BMI≥25 (P=0.017 and P=0.002). Furthermore, diastolic BP had a significant impact on abortion (P=0.018). The rate of abortion increases by 1.042 with 1 mmHg elevation in diastolic BP in pregnant women if the variables maternal age, hypothyroidism, and overweight are constant.
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, weight gain in women with hypothyroidism can affect the risk of high diastolic BP and abortion.

Bisphenol A, as a primary substance used for making many plastic devices enters the body through various routes such as skin penetration, oral ingestion, and inhalation and is among the chemicals leading to the disruption of the endocrine system. It exerts its destructive effects on the various tissues through estrogen, androgen, thyroid, pregnane X, and aryl hydrocarbon receptors. This review study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacological effects of bisphenol and its signaling pathways especially in the adipose tissue. Studies have shown that the disruption in the level of adipocytokines can contribute to the formation and progression of the chronic diseases such as cancers. Decreased level of adiponectin (as an adipokine secreted from white adipose tissue) and increased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and leptin are among the disruptions caused by bisphenol which can develop different types of cancers. Accordingly, it seems that the use of bisphenol and contact with it should be reconsidered with regard to its destructive effects on the endocrine system.