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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) are produced against lysozomal constituents and primary granules of myeloid cells (Neutrophiles & monocytes) in some rheumatic diseases and wegner’s granulomtosis (WG). This antibodies not only may related to onset of vasculitis lesions, but also have a valuable diagnostic tool, thus, first we tired to evaluated the prevalence of this antibodies in 65 serum of patients with RA and 42 serum of patients with SLE. By using of indirect immunoflourescence assay (IFA), two staining patterns are recognized: Cytoplasmic (C-ANCA) pattern which in 80% of results from anti-PR3, and prenuclear (P-ANCA) pattern, which can result from any antibody directed to myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G (CG) lactoferrin (LF), elastsae (HLE) and lysozyme (LZ). The sensitivity and specificity for SLE from 1:128 serum dilution was 8% and 85.1% respectively, and for RA from 1:16 dilution was 32.2% and 87.5% respectively. Of the 19 SLE, ANCA positive patients 18 (94.7%) had P-ANCA and 1 patient (5.3%) had C-ANCA and of the 23 RA, ANCA positive patients, 17 (73.9%) had P-ANCA and 6 patients (26.1%) had C-ANCA.

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Rubella can be a disastrous disease in early gestation, leading to fetal death, premature delivery, and an array of congenital defects. In this study we tried to determine the preset states of immunity against Rubella virus among high-school girl pupils in Gorgan city in the north east of Iran. A total of 484 blood samples collected randomly from 484 school girl pupils for the detection of antibody against Rubella virus. Rubella antibody determined by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. From total of 484 high-school girl pupils 88 (18.2%) were found susceptible to Rubella infection and 396 (81.8%) were immune to this infection. Our results show significant relation between immunity, age and history of previous vaccination against Rubella.

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ANCA are classes of antibodies or in reality autoantibodies usually produce in conditions that degradation of neutrophiles occurs. This is led to vascular damage. They are more common in rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), systemic Lupus Erythematus (SLE) and vasculitic diseases especially Wegners’ granulomatosis (With specificity and sensitivity as high as 95%). We decided to design IFA-ANCA because this assay has high sensitivity and in with comparison other techniques such as ELISA & RIA is more economic and simple. On the other hand, screening test for determining ANCA is immunofluorescent assay. ANCA test establishment contains: Isolation of neutrophiles, fixation with Ethanol and Formalin, improvement of method and quality control by using of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), 2 staining pattern are observed. Cytoplasmic (C-ANCA) or classic and prinuclear (P-ANCA) pattern. Established ANCA test by inter assay method had 95% reproducibility and 91% precision.

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Increase blood level of thyroid hormones due to hyperthyroidism can change the balance between resorption and bone formation and result in hypercalcemia, increase Alkaline Phosphatase and increase in urinary Calcium excretion. Due to these finding and the nutritional conditions of our country in Calcium containing food, we decided to evaluate some of bone indexes in hyperthyroid patients. 30 women, 6 men between 17-40 years (23 patients) and more then 40 years (13 patients) were the sample populations. The control subjects were 35 healthy people 17-40 years (25 persons) and more than 40 years (10 persons). The serum Calcium, phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase were determined in these hyperthyroid patients. There were a meaningful correlation between the Alkaline Phosphatase of hyperthyroid patients compared to normal subject (P<0.05) in the patients more than 40 years old, and (P<0.01) in the 17-40 years patients. There were no differences between serum Calcium of hyperthyroid patients and normal subjects. The results from this investigation indicate that in hyperthyroid patients the average Alkaline Phosphatase level is higher than normal subjects. On the other hand the reason for not having a meaningful differences in Calcium level between the hyperthyroid patients and normal population may be due to low dietary intake of dairy produce and proteins in daily diet, which results in low amount of Calcium in nutrition.

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CCHF is a dreadfull zoonetic disease that is transmitted through tick bites or direct contact of infected animals, tissues or blood secretions. This virus can be seen in domestic animals and ticks. At present, CCHF exists in different areas of the world and can be consideras a health problem. The case in present report was 24 year old men, resident in Ali-Abad a town in Golestan province. He had eaten liver of infected sheep, and was suspected to CCHF according Protocol of WHO criteria to the CCHF. He was treated with Ribavirin and supportive management, and subsequently recovered. This report helps health staff to find out the risk and probable causes of disease thus controlling the spread of the disease.

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Background&Objective: Marrubium vulgare has preventing and antioxident components. There are some evidence of hypoglicemic and hypolepidemic of this medicinal herb. This study was done to determine the hypoglycemic and the hypolipidemic activities of Marrubium vulgare in diabetic Rats. Materials&Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, treated control, diabetic, and treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotocin (STZ 60 mg/Kg i.p.) was used at a single dose. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for two months. Serum glucose, triglyceride and cholestrol concentrations. Were meuseud by spectrophotometry technique. Results: Serum glucose level in diabetic group increases 4 and 8 weeks after the experiment as compared to data one week before the study began (P<0.05). Marrubium vulgare treatment of diabetic rats did not any significant effect. In addition, triglyceride level in diabetic group increased 8 weeks after the experiment in comparison with related data one week before the study (P<0.05) and there was a significant lower level of triglyceride in Marrubium vulgare-treated diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, a similar significant reduction was obtained for treated-diabetic group as compared to diabetic group regarding serum cholesterol level (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that oral administration of Marrubium vulgare in long-term could significantly reduce serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels without any effect on serum glucose in diabetic rats.

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Background&Objective: Comorbidity between ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and major depression has been reported from both epidemiologic and clinical studies of both children and adults. With the use of family study methods, we tested hypotheses about patterns of familial association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive disorder among first-degree relatives of clinically referred children and adolescents with ADHD. Materials&Methods: In this case – control study, were 208 probands with ADHD (aged 5-17 yrs) were diagnosed by clinical interview and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School–Age Children Present and Lifetime version (K–SADS–PL), and they were assessed for major depression with interview and K- SADS. 779 first degree relatives (416 parents, 363 siblings) were assessed with interview and K- SADS (for under 18 yrs) and SADS (for age up to 18 yrs) and Wender (for age up to 18 yrs) for major depression and ADHD. Results: Familial risk for ADHD was similar in the relatives of the ADHD probands. The risk for major depression disorder was three times higher in relatives of probands who had ADHD with depressive disorder than in those of the ADHD probands without depressive disorder. There was a tendency for ADHD probands' relatives who themselves had ADHD to have a higher risk for depressive disorder than ADHD probands' relatives who did not have ADHD (cosegregation). Conclusion: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that ADHD and major depression disorder cosegregate within families.

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Background&Objective: Addiction is one of major problems of today's world population. The first step on combating a social issue or disease is the proper re.organization. This study was done to determine the demographic characteristic, prototype of drug consumption and its relation with some personal and social variation in Gorgan (North-East, Iran). Materials&Methods: This study was a descriptive cross sectional research. The characteristics of 3005 addicts, was studied whom research voluntarily to the addiction clinic during 2001–2005 in the 5th Azar hospital of Golestan Medical Sciences University in Gorgan. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: From a total 3005 files which were studied, 2786 (92.7%) were male and the reminder were females. The meanSD of age was 36.9111.41. 4.8% of samples had university education, 21.3% high school diploma, and 61.7% were either unemployed or without any certain job. Opium with 66.7% was the substance with highest rate of consumption. In 40.2% of the cases, inhaling was the main route of consumption and in 30.9% of addict subjects taking the drugs orally. From the point view of type of drug, smocking cigarette, alcohol consumption, using cannabis and pill consumption, there was a meaningful correlation (P<0.05). The rate of addicted male subjects whom referred to the clinic to leave the addiction was 14.97% times of female subjects. 93.8% of the addicts persons had 20-50 years of age, which is an indicative of the real of age of addicted people in Gorgan. Conclusion: Unemployment can be considered as one of the main cause of high rate of addiction among the people in the society and in particular in this sample population. It seems that with education and creating employment in the region, to some extend the addiction can be controlled.

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Background&Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Iran and there are different systemic and local treatments for this disease. There is continuous investigation for finding the most efficient and economical method with little side effects for the treatment of cutaneous leishemaniasis. For this purpose we performed a comparative study between intralesional glucantime injection and cryotherapy in the treatment of papular cutaneous leishmaniasis. Materials&Methods: In this clinical trial 47 patients with papular cutaneous leishmaniasis refered to dermatology clinic of Ghaem hospital in Mashhad were assayed. All patients had positive direct smears. They divided randomly in two groups. First group treated by weekly intralesional glucantime injection and second group treated by weekly cryotherapy. The length of therapy for two groups was 5 weeks. Two groups were followed for 1.5 months after the last week of the treatment. Results: Thirty eight patients completed the study, 21 patients with 35 lesions and 17 patients with 36 lesions were treated by interalesional injection of glucantime and cryotherapy respectively. Clinically in interalesional glucantime group 37.1% of lesions and in cryotherapy group 22.2% of lesions completely cured. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant using chi-square test. Conclusion: Cryotherapy in comparison with interalesional glucantime injection is equally effective and also is cheaper with little side effect.

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Background&Objective: Pediatric renal tumors represent approximately 7% of all childhood cancers and are completely different from those occurring in adults. The aim of this study was to make an analysis of clinical and pathological characteristics of these tumors. Materials&Methods: In this descriptive study all of the pediatric patients diagnosed as having renal neoplasm in departments of pathology of Dr Sheikh children hospital and Imam Reza hospital from 1991-2006 were evaluated. Results: 52 patients including 27 boys and 25 girls with mean age of 40.63 months were studied. Tumors involved each kidney in 24 (45.3%) and were bilateral in 5 (9.4%) patients. Abdominal mass was the commonest clinical symptom and sign. Congenital anomalies were presented in 6 (14.6%) patients. Histopathological examination showed Wilms tumor in 46 (86.8%), cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma in 2 (3.8%), mesoblastic nephroma in 2 (3.8%) rhabdoid tumor of the kidney in 1 (1.9%), metanephric adenofiroma and low-grade tubulopapillary carcinoma in 1 (1.9%) and clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in 1 (1.9%) patient. 11 (20.8%) cases were in stage I, 16 (30.2%) stage II, 13 (24.5%) stage III, 8 (15.1%) stage IV and 5 (9.4%) stage V. Conclusion: Although Wilms tumor is the commonest renal neoplasm in childhood there are also recently described entities such as metanephirc tumors and juvenile renal carcinoma that must be considered in histopathological evaluation of a pediatric renal neoplasm. Role of molecular and cytogenetic methods is increasing for classification and treatment of childhood renal neoplasms.

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Background & Objective: The pathogenesis of appendicitis remains poorly understood. However there is increasing evidence of involvement of the enteric nervous system in immune regulation and in inflammatory responses.This study was setup to characterize the status of the enteric nervous system and mast cells in acute appendicitis with normal and non inflamed appendix with clinical symptoms Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, staining in surgically resected appendixes from 15 patients with histologically proven acute appendicitis (Histologically appendicitis, HA), 15 histologically normal appendix (Histologically normal, HN) from patients with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis and normal histology,and15 normal appendixes from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were studied in Shaid Mostafa Khomeyni medical center, Iran during 2000-01. S100-Positive schwann cells and synaptophisin-positive nerve fibers were evaluated with immunohistochemical staining and mast cells were evaluated with histochemical staining with Toloiden –blue.The number of nerve fibres, schwann cells and mast cells in each tissue compartment was measured quantitively with light microscope in 20 microscopic high power fields. Then the mean number of cells was calculated in each field (×400). Results: Increased numbers of fibers and schwann cells widely distributed in the Muscularis and submucosa were seen in the all HA appendixes. Increased numbers of mast cells distributed in submucosa were seen in the all HA appendixes. A significantly increased number of individually stained nerve fibers, schwann cells and mast cells were present in HA appendixes compared with control appendixes (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this study showed that significant increase in neural components and mast cells in acute appendicitis indicates the interaction between the nervous system and mast cells in pathogenesis of acute appendicitis.

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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: ADHD is the most common mental disorder in children. Awareness of students' mental health has an important role in programming for decrementing their disorders and, improving their mental health and also preventing the complications of their decreased mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADHD and some of the affecting factors among school children in Nishaboor localed in the North – East of Iran. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was done on school children in Nishaboor during 2006. Subjectes selected by stratified cluster sampling. Data collection was done using the Conner's Parent and Teacher Scale questionnaire, and each student's questionnaires were completed by both the teacher and the parents. Data analysis was performed regarding to the mean scores of teachers and parents. The score 15 was chosen as the probable indicator for ADHD. Results: 722 students (79.6%) were involved this study. Prevalence of ADHD was 12.5%, CI95%: 10–14.8%. There was no significant difference in gender distribution. The prevalence of ADHD had a significant rise with age (P<0.05). The highest prevalence was in spring born and the lowest was in the summer born school children (P<0.05). The prevalence of ADHD had a significant relationship with father's education and was lower in students whose father had higher educations (P<0.05). Variables such as type of delivery, pariety, mother's education had no significant relationship with the prevalence of ADHD. Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of ADHD is higher than similar studies. Risk groups to be followed up by the responsible organizations.

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Background & Objective: Vaccination is one of the most effective ways in preventing the hepatitis B viruse. This study was done to evaluate the response rate to hepatitis B vaccine in under one-year children in Gorgan, Iran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 215, children of 7-12 month of age (55.3% male, 44.7% female), in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2006. These subjects already had received the three-time vaccination against hepatitis B. Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc and HBsAg level of these children serum were determined, using ELISA technique. Results: In 30 (14%) subject's serum, there was not detected any antibodies against the viruses. Out of 185 children positive for HBS, 4 cases belong to HBC viruses. As a whole, 86% of the samples, had more than ten international unit of HBS. The meanSD of the titred antibodies in male and female were 158.8412 and 187.5513.83 respectively. The response not to three-times vaccination in male and female were 84% and 89.9% respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that in spit of vaccination, there are cases with virus-contamination. The reasons for absence of any response to the vaccination in some of this children can be due to deficiency in the immune system, improper genetic background which can not be stimulated by that vaccination, inadequate proper conditions for the preservation of vaccine, and the type vaccine used. Also the procedure of vaccine inoculation, the vaccine preservation condition and transportation should be taken into considertion.

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Background and Objective: Stress has been known as an important causative factor in irritable bowel syndrome. Various studies have indicated the relationship between serum leptin levels and stress levels. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between serum leptin levels with irritable bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods: In This case-control study, eighty irritable bowel syndrome patients and 80 controls were recruited. All participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire included demographic information and medical history as well as a stress questionnaire. Serum leptin level was measured by ELISA method. Chi-square, student t-test, pearson correlation and logistic regression were used for investigating the relationships between variables. Results: Participants in irritable bowel syndrome group had significantly higher stress levels than controls (p<0.05). In the other hand, Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group than the other one (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment of stress level and body mass index, serum leptin level was still significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group (Odds ratio=0.9 CI95%:0.85-0.94). Conclusion: The present study indicated that there is a relationship between leptin and irritable bowel syndrome and serum leptin level is significantly lower in irritable bowel syndrome group than controls. This relationship is independent of other variables such as stress levels, BMI.

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Background and Objective: The obesity and overweight in the children of many developing countries have dramatically increased. Obesity is associated with numerous health problems. While children spend a significant amount of their time in school daily, the various aspects of children school-life such as academic achievement, social skills and attendance, can be affected by obesity and overweight. This study was done to determine the correlation between obesity and overweight with attention dificit in elementary school girls. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was carried out on 300 girls student of 7-11 years old, in elementary schools in capital city of east Azarbijan cocated North-West of Iran in 2007. The samples selected based on body mass index and were classified by random sampling in three groups including, normal group, overweight group and obese group. The data, collected by child behavior check list (CBCL). The CBCL have 113 iteams, 9 iteams of them were designed for determination of attention dificit in children. The behaviors were scored on a 3-point ranging scale. SPSS-11.5 software and ANOVA statistical test were used to analyse the data. Results: The results showed that overweight group had greater scores in attention dificit scale than other groups and revealed a significant correlation between obesity-over weight and attention dificit (r=0.177, P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated a significant correlation between obesity and attention dificit. Prevention of obesity as a first step for prevention of behavioral problems, seems to be essentieal. The treatment of obesity may be a matter of dealing with behavioral problems in children.

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Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer is the third common malignancy in the world. Personal habits including life style and nutrition have been proposed as risk factors of colorectal cancer. We conducted this study to assess the nutritional characteristics in colorectal cancer patients in Golestan province of Iran.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 47 colorectal cancer cases, diagnosed during 2004-05 and 47 healthy controls. A questionnaire containing socio-demographic and nutritional characteristics (FFQ) was filled for each of the participants. Chi square test was used to assess the relationship between variables.

Results: In each of the two groups, 40.4% were females and 59.6% were males. The mean±SD age of age in cases and controls were 52.4±13.4 and 52.1±13.1 years, respectively. Total energy expenditure of higher than 1837.5 Kcal/ day was significantly related to colorectal cancer (OR=3.8 95% CI: 1.2-11.3). Colorectal cancer risk was higher in individual with frying cooking method (OR=3 95% CI: 0. 8-11.1). The risk of colorectal cancer was 6.5 times higher in individuals with fat consumption of higher than 118.5 grams/day (95% CI: 1.5-28.8). No significant relationship was seen between vegetables consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion: This study showed that high total energy expenditure, high fat consumption and using frying method for cooking are risk factors of colorectal cancer in Golestan prevince in Nothern of Iran.

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Background and Objective: Cancer is third cause of mortality and morbidity in Iran, after heart diseases and car accidents. This study was aimed to determine the incidence rate gastrointestinal tract cancer during 1998-2001 in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the whole population residing in areas of Tehran, Shemiranat and Eslam'shahr area were supposed to be as the population in risk. Data of cancer recordings were collected from pathology and medical records archives. Those with ICD-10-based diagnosed cancer during 1998-2001, who have been inhabited in above area for at least 1 year, were supposed as canceric cases. The incidence rate of various kinds of cancer were adapted based on age-structure of world population and were calculated by dividing the total rate of this period to 4 in an annual manner. Results: The annual age-specific standardized incidence rate of gastric cancer in men and women were 12.9 and 5.8 per 100000, respectively. The row incidence rate in men and women were 9.2 and 4.1, respectively. Ealderly age groups of both men and women had higher incidence rate of gastric cancer. The annual age-specific standardized incidence rate of colon cancer in men and women were 5.7 and 5.4 per 100000, with row incidence rate of 4.3 and 4.0 per 100000, respectively. The annual age-specific standardized incidence rate of esophageal cancer in men and women were determined as 5.1 and 3.9 per 100000, with row incidence rate of 3.7 and 2.7 per 100,000, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that gastric cancer is the most common type of gastrointestinal cancers in Tehran. Therefore it is suggested the related risk factors in this area should be determined.

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Background and Objective: Reduction of serum glucose and lipids in diabetic patients due to medicinal plants is clinically very important. Therefore, the effect of Allium schoenoprasum feeding on blood glucose and lipids was investigated in male streptozotocin-diabetic Rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar Rats (n=32) were divided into 4 groups, i.e. control, Allium schoenoprasum -treated control, diabetic, and Allium schoenoprasum -treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food at a weight ratio of 6.25% one week after the study for 6 weeks. For induction of diabetes, streptozotocin was administered at a dose of 60 mg/kg (i.p.). Serum glucose and lipids levels were determined before the study and at 3rd and 6th weeks after the study. Results: Serum glucose was significantly lower in Allium schoenoprasum -treated diabetic Rats at 3rd and 6th weeks as compared to untreated diabetics (p<0.05). In addition, serum total cholesterol did not show a significant change at 6th week in Allium schoenoprasum -treated diabetic Rats as compared to untreated diabetics. There was also a significant lower level of triglyceride in Allium schoenoprasum -treated diabetic Rats (p<0.05) and Allium schoenoprasum treatment caused significant improvement in HDL- and LDL- cholesterol levels in treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that oral administration of Allium schoenoprasum to streptozotocin-diabetic Rats at a food weight ratio of 6.25% has a significant hypoglycemic effect, reduces serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol level and increases serum HDL-cholesterol.

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Background and Objective: Golestan province, located in north of Iran has been known as a high risk area for esophageal cancer. The relationship between esophageal cancer and Selenium (Se) has been assessed in previous studies. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between Soil selenium levels and development of esophageal cancer in Golestan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this ecologic study, Golestan province in northern Iran was divided into 135 blocks based on geographical altitude and longitude on the map. One Soil sample was collected from the center of each block. Selenium level in Soil samples was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson correlation and T-Student tests. Results: The mean±SD of Soil Selenium level in Golestan province was 3.7±1.61 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between Soil level of Selenium and esophageal cancer rates in this area (P=0.03), (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.19). The Soil Selenium level for high risk and low risk area for esophageal cancer were (4.13 mg/kg) and (3.39 mg/kg) respectively (P=0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that there is high Soil Selenium level in Golestan province in north of Iran. Also it is found to be a significant positive relationship between Soil Selenium level and esophageal cancer rate in this area.