Our results show that HS produces significant antiparkinsonism and neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity. Since injection of 6-OHDA into MFB produces severe lesion in SN dopaminergic neurons similar to this lesion in the onset of PD in human being, our data recommend HS as potential therapeutic target for treatment of this disease.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem that can be a risk factor for a broad range of diseases such as some autoimmune diseases. Due to the autoimmune base of lichen planus, it seems that a reduction of the serum level of vitamin D is related to lichen planus. In this study, we investigate the relation between serum level of vitamin D and oral lichen planus patients (OLP). Material and Methods: In this case-control study, 35 patients with OLP (including 15 men and 20 women) and 70 healthy volunteers (including 35 men and 35 women), aged between 30-60 years old, referred to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences were investigated. None of these volunteers had systemic diseases. Vitamin D levels were measured with ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay) and the data was analyzed using the chi-squared test and t-test. Results: The mean serum level of vitamin D in the control group was 23.7±9ng/ml and in the case group was 18.12±8/7ng/ml. The results show that the serum level of vitamin D in patients with OLP is significantly less than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, the serum level of vitamin D in patients with OLP was significantly lower than that of healthy people.

Introduction: Cystatin C (CysC) is an indicator of renal function, and has been recently reported that associates with neurodegenerative diseases. To investigate the role of this substance in Parkinson's disease (PD), we evaluated the association between serum levels of CysC and other markers of renal function with 6hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced Parkinsonism in rat. Methods: The 6-OHDA was microinjected into the medial forebrain bundle by stereotaxic surgery. After behavioral tests, immunofluorescence and biochemical studies were carried out to determine the number of survived dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatal dopamine level. The blood samples were collected from the caudal vain and the heart of animals. CysC was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: There was no difference in serum level of CysC between the 6-OHDA treated and control groups, as well as before and after the toxin in the 6-OHDA group. Also, no association was found between CysC and DA neuronal death in SNc or striatal dopamine level. In addition, there was no significant difference in serum levels of creatinine, urea and potassium ions between the control and 6-OHDA treated groups. Conclusion: Since the death of DA neurons in SNc is the main pathophysiological mechanism underlying in the development of both 6-OHDA induced Parkinsonism and PD in human being, CysC and other markers of renal function cannot reflect DA neuronal death and accordingly cannot use for early diagnosis of PD.

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the common disorders in pregnancy. It is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. It is also one of the three main causes of death in pregnant women. Objective: This study investigated the risk factors of preeclampsia in women referred to Kowsar Hospital in Qazvin Province, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, after reviewing 7855 cases of pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital in 2016, 171 hospitalized patients with severe preeclampsia were put in the case group, and 171 patients with delivery problems were in the control group. Then, we compared the collected data about risk factors, such as a history of preeclampsia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, infertility, twin, and body mass index, in both groups. Results: The Mean±SD age of the pregnant women with preeclampsia was 31.19±6.42 years with an interquartile interval of 26-35 years. History of preeclampsia (P=0.02), hypertension (P=0.001), and body mass index (P=0.001) were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group than in the control group. Also, there was no significant relationship between a history of diabetes mellitus, infertility, or twin with preeclampsia (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the risk factors of a history of preeclampsia, hypertension, and body mass index significantly differed between the case and control groups.

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., are considered as opportunistic and pathogenic protozoans.  Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis (AGE) is a serious threat for immunodeficient patients and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) for contact lens users. We aimed to identify the presence of free living amoebae in nasal swabs of patients and contact lens users in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: During 2019, 251 nasal and oral swabs (including the pharynx and mouth) were collected from patients with diabetes, AIDS and those under periodic dialysis in Qazvin, Iran. In addition, 27 soft contact lenses were collected from the participants. Following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were conducted to identify the genotypes of the amoeba. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified sequences was performed using MEGA 7 software. Results: A strain of Acanthamoeba belonging to the T3 genotype was isolated from hemodialysis patients. Two specimens of Acanthamoeba with T3 genotype were isolated from keratitis patients. Conclusion: The clinicians should pay attention to the possible complication of this organism because this amoeba is potentially pathogenic for immunocompromised patients. Since the amoeba is present in environmental resources, the use of contact lenses should be accompanied by considering proper hygiene.