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Abstract Background: Neuronal damage following seizures and epilepsy is one of the main causes of disabilities and mortality worldwide. In recent years, preconditioning has been introduced as a novel strategy for the prevention of brain damage. Preconditioning is a phenomenon in which a minor noxious stimulus protects from a subsequent more severe insult. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of ethanol (Eth) preconditioning on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced impairment memory in the inhibitory avoidance model. Material and Methods: This study was carried out on 45 adult male Wistar rats (180-200 g). Animals were assigned into five groups: Control, Eth 0.25, Eth 0.5, PTZ and Eth (0.5) +PTZ (n=9, for all groups). Eth-preconditioning was induced 6 days before the injection of PTZ. The animals were tested in a single trial step-through inhibitory test in two sessions (train and test). Then locomotor activity of rats was recorded in the open-field apparatus and NR1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus was measured by real-time PCR technique. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed that the Ethanol preconditioning did not impair inhibitory memory. Further, post-test analyses showed that Ethanol preconditioning significantly prevented from PTZ-induced memory impairment, and increased NR1 subunit mRNA expression in PTZ-induced memory impairment group. In addition, one-way ANOVA for the locomotor activity showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that a pre-conditioning treatment with Ethanol (0.5g/kg/day), 6 days before PTZ-induced memory impairment may provide a kind of neuroprotection in rats.

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.

Hyperlepidemy or the increase in the rate of blood lipids is a condition which is developing as an illness in new decades. With regard to problems as a result of using drugs and also benefits of physical activity to improve hyperlepidemia, this research has tried to study the effect of the physical activity with regard to energy expenditure on blood lipids. Materials and Methods: To do the study, 21 hyperlepidemic men were selected and received a training protocol (the physical activity with 450 and 600 kcal). Results: Results showed that burning 450 kcal per season caused a significant change at levels of total cholesterol and HDL (P≤0/05). However to cause significant changes at levels of the triglyceride need to burn 600 kcal energy expenditure per season (P≤0/05). No significant change was found for both groups in relation to LDL levels and so can be concluded that, burning 600 kcal per session is not enough to cause change at LDL levels. Conclusion: In general, results showed that to cause positive changes at levels of HDL, less physical activity is needed, but to cause positive changes at levels of triglyceride, physical activity and energy expenditure should be increased.

Background and Objective: Antiepileptic drugs can partiality control or achieve the convulsion. There are controversial issues about the use and effect of ethanol to control epileptic convulsion seizers. This study was done to determine the effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid (VPA). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 BALB/c mice were allocated randomly into six groups including: 1-PTZ (Pentylenetetrazol), 2- Ethanol, 3- VPA+ PTZ, 4- ethanol + PTZ, 5-ethanol+ VPA+ PTZ and control groups. The animal brains were excluded and stained by Hematoxilin and eosin. Thirty-six optical microscopic field from each group were selected and microvascular count were determined. Immunohistochemical method was used for detection of injuries in the vascular brain tissue. Results: Mean number of brain microvascular cortex significantly increaed in PTZ+ethanol and PTZ+ethanol+VPA groups in compare to controls (P<0.05). Infiltration and thrombophlebitis were observed in vessels and cortical brain tissues in mice which received ethanol and PTZ. Proliferations in endothelial vascular cells were seen in PTZ and VPA+ethanol groups. Immunohistochemical method showed the endothelial cells of PTZ+ethanol groups were more stained in compare to the other experimental groups. Conclusion: Ethanol + PTZ cause cellular infiltration and damage to the cortical brain vessels although VPA reduces histological altheretions.

Background and Objective: Hypertension in long time can cause cardiovascular disorders and increase chance of stroke. This study was done to determine the association between some dietary factors and risk of hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the fourth phase (2008-11) of Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS). In this study 6089 subjects (2807 males and 3282 females), aged 19-70 years, were participated and dietary, demographic, anthropometric and blood pressure of each subject were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire with 147-items. Odds ratio for hypertension according to quartiles of dietary factors was determined using logistic regression with adjustment for confounder variables. Results: The rate of hypertension was 29.8%. Mean of weight, body mass index, waist circumference, prevalence of abdominal obesity and alliteration in the hypertensive subjects were significantly higher than normotensive subjects (P<0.05). There was a non significant direct relationship between energy density, total fat and saturated fat. Higher consumption of fiber was associated with lower risk of hypertension (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.37-0.97). The risk of hypertension increased in the highest quartiles of dietary protein (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43). Odds ratio for hypertension was higher among subjects whom consumed lower fruits and nuts than those subjects with higher fruits consumption (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15-1.85) and nuts (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.42). Conclusion: High consumption of fiber could protect against hypertension while some dietary factors such as high consumption of protein could increase risk of hypertension.

It is well known that pathogenesis of ethanol in liver and kidney is directly related to increase of free radicals and oxidative stress which lead to the structural and functional damage in these two vital organs. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight identical groups and were treated as follows: control group (normal saline), the ethanol-fed group (4 g/kg body weight), 3 groups received three doses of Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) and 3 groups were fed with three doses of Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract plus ethanol (50, 100, 200 mg/kg plus 4 gr /kg body weight). All treatment were applied once daily by gastric gavage for 60 consecutive days. Samples of serum, liver and renal tissues were achieved for analysis of serum components, antioxidant enzymes, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) from rats. Results: Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) liver activities were decreased significantly in ethanol group compared to the control group. While, only glutathione peroxidase activity of liver increased significantly by administration of Z.jujuba fruit extract (200 mg/kg). The activity of kidney GPx, increased significantly in ethanol group compared to the control group. Also, kidney GPx activity decreased significantly in Z.jujuba fruit extract and ethanol group (200 mg/kg plus 4gr/kg) in comparison with the control group. In the present study, liver TBARS concentration, indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased significantly in ethanol group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment by Z.jujuba fruit extract can protect liver and kidney against ethanol–induced oxidative stress.

Objective (s): This study aimed to determine the relationship between the hospital functional indices and energy consumption rate in the selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.Methods: The present practical, cross-sectional study was conducted in a period of three years (2008-2010) .The study population included six hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Two categories of information were collected: the information about energy consumption which was extracted from bills and the information related to the bed indicators that obtained from the Information Technology Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: The results showed that during the three years, the mean water and electricity consumption was 2.99 and 13.38 to 22.3 times above the international standards, respectively. Besides, the average gas consumption was 19.5 cubic meters per bed occupancy. There was a statistically significant relationship between hospital functional indices and energy consumption.Conclusion: Optimization energy consumption and reduction of hospital expenditures can be achieved by culturalization, and learning effective energy consumption management, presenting functional plans, and creating more relationships among the engineering groups and the hospitals.

Background and Objective: Pregnancy is a period of women’s life which is usually associated with reducing maternal daily physical activity. However, maintaining adequate daily physical activity is important for mother and fetus. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between exercise before and during pregnancy and gestational diabete mellitus (GDM). Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 80 pregnant women with gestational diabete mellitus and 57 non-diabetic pregnant women. Physical activity during one and eight years before, and first and second trimesters of pregnancy was recorded through interview. Results: Regular participation in exercise activities in non-diabetic women were significantly more than diabetic women during all periods (P<0.05). Regular participation in exercise during one year before and second trimester of pregnancy was inversely correlated to GDM (P<0.05). Energy expenditure of second trimester of pregnancy was significantly correlated to reduce GDM (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regular exercise before and during pregnancy can be effective in reducing the probability of GDM. Exercise during one year before and especially second trimester of pregnancy are more important predictors of GDM.

Background: Long lasting exposure to ethanol causes reversible impairment of learning and memory. Gut microbiota imbalance is linked to the neurological disorders. Recent studies indicate that probiotic consumption can relief learning and memory deficit. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation with intragastric gavage on behavioral and electrophysiological aspects of learning and memory in ethanol exposed animals. Materials and Methods: In this study, 4 groups including control (CON) and probiotic administered (C+P) groups, the group receiving chronic ethanol (CE) and CE animals receiving probiotic (E+P) were entered the study. The passive avoidance shuttle box test and in vivo electrophysiological experiment were carried out to assess hippocampal baseline filed excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and long term potentiation (LTP). Results: Results showed that ethanol impaired memory in the CE rats. It also diminished the slope size of fEPSPs and prevented LTP induction in these animals. The probiotic supplementation improved the behavioral performance in the C+P rats but it did not influence synaptic transmission in this group. Conclusion: Behavioral but not electrophysiological aspect of cognition cane be sensitive to the probiotic treatment in the ethanol exposed animals.

Aims: Persons with lower-limb amputations need to achieve more natural gait through more effort, leading to an increase in the energy consumption in them compared to the healthy persons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the socket fit on gait energy consumption level in persons with lower limb amputations. Materials & Methods: In the semi-experimental study, 9 persons with below knee amputation, referred to Tehran Veterans Foundation Center, were studied in 2015. The subjects were selected via available sampling method. The study was consisted of two steps, including improper fit and proper fit conditions. The socket fitting was assessed by the trinity amputation scale and the socket comfort scale. The level of energy consumption of the subjects was measured by the physiological cost index. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using paired T test. Findings: Mean values of persons’ gait speed (p=0.001) and the physiological cost index (p=0.019) with improper fit and proper fit were significantly different. Nevertheless, the difference between gait heart beat and resting heart beat at two steps was not significant (p=0.093). Conclusion: Lower energy consumption can be achieved in persons with lower-limb amputations through the utilization of a proper fit, leading to a better gait.