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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on glucose and lactate concentrations, and aerobic capacity during sub-maximal exercise on ergometery cycle. Materials and Methods: In this double- blind clinical trail, 34 healthy noathlete male students at Saveh University were divided into experimental (L-carnitine usage) and placebo (lactose usage) groups and had one trial of cycling on ergometer (PWC170). This trial was done in two stages: 1) Exercise protocol without L-carnitine or placebo supplementation, 2) Exercise protocol with 3g L-carnitine (90 minute before exercise) and placebo supplementation in the experimental and placebo groups, respectively. Immediately after the physical exercise, blood sampling was taken for determining plasma glucose and lactate concentrations, and lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH). Through polar telemetry rest and sub-maximal heart rate, and also, VO2max were measured. Results: L-carnitine supplementation had no influence on plasma glucose and lactate concentrations. Otherwise, rest and sub-maximal heart rate, VO2max and LDH activity were equal in pretest and posttests. All variables remained with no change in control group. Conclusion: Regarding the effect of L-carnitine usage on performance of endurance exercises, the findings are still vague and controversial. Our findings indicated that ingestion of 3g L-carnitine 90 minutes before exercise did not affect the dependent variables. Further investigation is required to determine the direct effect of such supplementations on substrate utilization, fat-carbohydrate metabolism and performance on exercise.

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Background: Albizzia lebbeck is used for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. In this study the efficacy of hydro-ethanolic extract of this plant on enteric gram-negative and aerobic gram-positive bacillis was determined. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-clinical trial, cold maceration method by ethanol was used for extraction of Albizzia lebbeck fruit, seed, flower and leaves. Then its polyphenolic components were separated by ethyl acetate. After concentrating the different extracts through disk diffusion and tube dilution, the effect of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) of their antibacterial component on shigella dysenteriae, proteus mirabilis, escherchia coli, bacillus cereus and bacillus anthracis were evaluated. Also, the antibacterial effects of Albizzia lebbeck extracts together and in combination with some antibiotics, were compared through variance analysis. Results: Different extracts of Albizzia lebbeck just had similar and positive effects on shigella dysenteriae, bacillus cereus, and bacillus anthracis. However, the hydro-ethanolic fruit extract was more effective than the falavnoid fruit, flower and leave extracts. MIC and MBC results for antibacterial material on the three aforementioned bacterias were 0.125 and 0.25 gram/ml, respectively while the effects of the polyphenolic components of this plant's fruit were similar to its hydro-ethanolic extracts. Conclusion: Through the identification of different components of Albizzia lebbeck and the attainment of new formulations of these components, the grounds will be provided for its application on treatment of patients with inflammatory diseases and asthma, and on improvement of their immune system.

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Background: The major aim of this study was synthesis and assay of antimicrobial activity of peptide D28 and its new analogues derivatives as dimeric peptides. Materials and Methods: Three antimicrobial peptides known as D28, Di-D28-Lys,Di-Cys-D28 including 20, 41, 42 residues were synthesized respectively. For peptide synthesis, solid phase peptide synthesis method using blocked amino acids with flourenyl methoxy carbonyl group and for peptide purification HPLC were used. Peptides compositions were confirmed by amino acid analysis and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Antimicrobial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were performed as disk and well diffusion on plate and by adding to liquid broth culture (Broth macrodilution) in different concentrations. Results: Three required peptides (D28, Di-D28-Lys, Di-Cys-D28) successfully were synthesized. All three peptides were effective against S. aureus, but Di-Cys-D28 on the contrary to two other ones, showed no antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. The inhibitory activity of Di-D28-Lys against P. aeruginosa was more than that of D28 peptide. Conclusion: Improvement of antimicrobial peptides activity through dimerization depends on the methods of dimerization and the strain of bacterium. Di-D28-Lys peptide in comparison with D28 and Di-Cys-D28 showed wide range and more antimicrobial activity. Therefore, Di-D28-Lys peptide could be a suitable antibiotic candidate for future studies.

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Background: Influenza is an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza virus. Influenza epidemics are reported every year and worldwide pandemics occur with varying frequencies. The majority of mortalities are due to underlying diseases and complications associated with influenza. In this study, we evaluated ten fatal cases caused by the established type A influenza (H1N1) infection in the 2009-2010 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This mortality survey was compiled by a review of the deceased patients’ files. The assessed variables were demographic data, underlying diseases, secondary infections, delayed commencement of therapy, and non-medication. Collected data were analyzed by measures of central tendency and dispersion using SPSS software. Results: In the ten deaths due to the established H1N1 virus, the median of age was 30 years and 90% of the cases had underlying diseases. Ninety percent of the deaths occurred during October and November and the rest took place in December and February. Conclusion: The main cause of death was the delayed commencement of antiviral treatment. This emphasizes the importance of timely treatment in high risk patients. In flu pandemics, physicians should swiftly start specific therapy in at-risk groups to reduce the mortality rates.

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Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonotic infections in the world. The incidence of this infection is quite high and is endemic in several countries. According to WHO report, the prevalence of zoonotic and human brucellosis is on the rise in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and west Asian countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the usage of silver nanoparticles in treatment of brucellosis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the activity of silver nanoparticles against Brucella meltensis 16M was determined by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles were determined by macrodilution method. Also, the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles was studied in mouse model. Results: The results showed that silver nanoparticles in low concentrations can kill Brucella melitensis 16M in laboratory conditions. MIC and MBC of silver nanoparticles were 4 ppm and 6 ppm in macrodilution method, respectively. The anti-brucella effect of silver nanoparticles was also observed in mouse model. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that silver nanoparticles can be used against brucellosis.

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Background: Live attenuated Shigella vaccines have shown promise in inducing protective immune responses in human clinical trials. The aim of this study was to design and construct pDS132::∆icsA as a suicide plasmid for targeted deletion of a region of icsA gene in Shigella. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, species and serotypes of Shigella isolated from diarrhea samples of children at Firozabadi and Milad Hospitals of Tehran were confirmed by using serological and PCR tests. Identification primers of icsA gene were designed and then cloned to the pGEM-5zf vector and sequenced. According to icsA restriction enzyme map, 1751 bp of icsA gene was deleted by HincП restriction enzyme and the ∆icsA was constructed successfully. The pGEM∆icsA vector was digested by use of SphI and SalI enzymes and was then cloned to a suicide vector (pSD132). Precision of the process was confirmed by phenotype and genotype tests. Results: The Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strain was verified by serological tests and PCR. Sequence of the icsA gene in the native strain was identical to the strains submitted in the gene-bank database. Since the pDS132::∆icsA contains 1484 bp derived from icsA gene, it can be used to disrupt icsA gene as a specific suicide vector. Conclusion: Application of suicide systems facilitated mutant construction in more specific and effective methods in comparison with the other primary techniques such as serial passage.

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Background: Epidemiological studies have shown the relationship between incidence of asthma symptoms and environmental factors, such as sedentary lifestyle and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of exercise rehabilitation protocols on lung function in obese adult patients with chronic asthma is a controversial issue. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of aerobic exercise on lung function in obese middle-aged men with chronic asthma. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 39 obese middle-aged males with mild and moderate asthma. The experimental group (n=19) with regard to the safe range 15≥ RPE>9 followed the sub-maximal rehabilitation exercise program (50 to 80% HRmax intensity) for 3 months. Then, they underwent one month of detraining. The control group (n=20) did not have any form of aerobic exercise. Spirometric parameters in base, three months of training, and one month of detraining were measured by standard methods. Results: Indicators of lung function, including FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF%75, and MVV significantly decreased. The pattern of changes in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and MVV remained stable even after a month of detraining (p<0.05). However, no significant changes occurred in the dependent variables of the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that the incidence of physiological adaptations of aerobic exercise, as a non-pharmacologic clinical factor, after the one-month detraining period affected the spirometric parameters in obese asthmatic patients

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Background: ASSR is the latest threshold detection technology in pediatric audiology. The aim of this study is to investigate the degree to which ASSR thresholds correlate with click-ABR thresholds.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 children ranging in age from birth to 7 years were evaluated by ASSR and ABR in moderate to severe and severe to profound hearing loss groups.

Results: The correlation coefficients for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, mean of 2-4 and mean of 1-4 kHz were between 0.68- 0.90 in moderate to severe hearing loss and 0.79-0.96 in severe to profound hearing loss.

Conclusion: Strong correlations were found between ASSR and click-ABR thresholds in all frequencies. This correlation was greater for higher degrees of hearing loss.

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Background: Epidemiologic studies show the high prevalence of some infections and cancers in individual blood groups. Perhaps, level of immunity factors differs in people with individual blood group. The aim of this study is to compare the level of antibodies and complement factors in ABO blood groups.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, peripheral blood samples from 40 male healthy individuals with different ABO blood groups (n=10 in each group) with similar age (18-25 years) and genetic background were collected. The serum levels of total IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C4 were analyzed by nephelometry method. All data were analyzed by SPSS software version 11.5.

Results: The levels of IgA, IgG, and C4 protein in individuals with O blood group were significantly higher than those of other groups (p=0.02, p=0.01, and p=0.004, respectively). Also, the mean concentration of IgM in individuals with AB blood group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p=0.02). There was a significant difference between the level of C3 in O blood group and those of other blood groups (p=0.01). The mean concentrations of all parameters (except IgG) in B blood group were lower than those in other blood group.

Conclusion: Generally, natural antibodies in O blood group were higher than those in other groups. This high level of total antibodies in O blood group may reduce susceptibility to some infections.

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Background: The hypothesis that non-secretor status of individuals makes them more susceptible to certain bacterial infections and they might be at a greater risk of metabolic syndromes and autoimmune diseases motivated us to evaluate the relationship between secretor status and risk factors for duodenal ulcer in the present study.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 120 patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer undergoing endoscopy, and a control group including 120 healthy individuals. Secretor status was determined by saliva and the association of some risk factors with the prevalence of disease was determined by a questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

Results: Overall, 27.5% of the patients were non-secretor and 72.5% were secretor, whereas 20.8 % of the controls were non-secretor and 79.2% were secretor. There was not a significant relationship between secretor status and the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. However, some risk factors, such as gender, smoking, and physical activity, were significantly associated with gastric disease.

Conclusion: The statistical analysis showed that there was not a significant association between secretor status and prevalence of gastric disease. According to the results, gastrointestinal diseases are more common in men than women and in smokers more than nonsmokers. Furthermore, physical activities reduce the incidence of this disease.

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Background: Traditionally levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are used to identify individuals at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study is examining the association of ApoA1 and ApoB with severity of coronary artery disease and whether these parameters are better predictor of CAD.

Materials and methods: This is a cross- sectional study. All patients that referred to ARAK amirallmomenin hospital and enrolled for coronary angiography was entered to study. Before angiography and after gathering informed consent, levels of apoA1 apoB, cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, HDL and FBS were measured. The results of coronary angiography were reviewed by two experienced cardiologist separately. Severity of coronary artery disease involvement was determined by Gensini score (GS), the data were analyzed with statistical methods by SPSS software.

Results: There is a statistically significant correlation Between apoB and GS (r=0.127, p=0.047). Logistic regression model showed that among predictors for CAD entered model eg gender, age, cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL , VLDL, ApoA1, ApoB and ApoB/Apo- A1 ratio, only ApoB and gender were proper predictors of coronary artery Disease( CAD) (p=0.002, , p=0.001). In comparison with angiography for diagnosis of CAD, ROC analysis represent that using ApoB can be useful test (p=0.047).

Conclusion: According to result of this study, using ApoB in addition to conventional parameters for assessing the patient at risk to having CAD would be reasonable and could be an independent risk factor for CAD.

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Background: SLC26A4 gene mutations are the second currently identifiable genetic cause of autosomal recessive non syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) after GJB2 mutations. In databases, several potential STR markers related to this region have been introduced. In this investigation, the identity and informativeness of D7S2459 CA repeat STR marker in SLC26A4 gene region was examined in five ethnic groups of the Iranian population.

Materials and Methods: The research study was accomplished by genotyping the locus in 165 individuals of five different ethnic groups including Fars, Azari, Torkaman, Gilak and Arab using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and fluorescent capillary electrophoresis. In this study, results were analyzed by GeneMarker HID Human STR Identity software, GenePop program and Microsatellite Tools software.

Results: Analysis of the allelic frequency revealed the presence of 8 alleles for D7S2459 marker in the Iranian population. Among all, allele 148bp at the D7S2459 locus with 31% frequency was the most frequent. The Azari ethnic with 84.8% observed heterozygosity was the highest among all ethnic groups. Finally, analysis of PIC value revealed that D7S2459 marker could be considered as a highly informative marker in each ethnic of the Iranian population (PIC value above 0.7).

Conclusion: Our data suggested that D7S2459 could be introduced as a highly informative marker in molecular diagnosis of SLC26A4 based ARNSHL by Linkage analysis.

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  Background : Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease which often needs long term treatment.. There are several reports about the efficacy of topical doxepin in the treatment of pruritic dermal diseases. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of 5% doxepin cream and clobetasol 0.05% versus clobetasol 0.05% alone in the treatment of hand eczema.

  Materials and Methods: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled, study was carried out during years of 2011-2012.In total 70 patients with moderate to severe hand dermatitis were selected randomly to be treated with either the doxepin 5% cream+ clobetasol or clobetasol+placebo twice daily for 8 days. Efficacy assessments were performed at baseline and 8days after termination of therapy, according to hand eczema severity index (HECSI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software, version 18.0 and statistical tests including paired T-test and independent T-test.

  Results: Overall, 56 patients completed our study. Out of them 32 were male and 24 were female. The reduction of HECSI score and VAS was statistically significant in the treatment and placebo group (p&le0.05), but differences in HECSI and VAS reduction between treatment and control group were not significant.

Conclusion: Although there is some evidence that doxepin 5% cream is effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of eczematous dermatitis, few trials have been performed. We suggest that in a more extensive clinical trial, the efficacy of this treatment against chronic hand dermatitis be evaluated.

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Background: Multidrug resistance is the main reason for unsuccessful chemotherapy. The important reason of drug resistance is ATP dependent pumps shus as MDR1 that extrude drugs from the cell. MDR1 is high polymorphic. It seems that polymorphisms influent on gene expression and response to treatment. The aim of this study was investigation of C1236T polymorphism MDR1 gene and it’s association with response of treatment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, C1236T polymorphism of MDR1 was investigated in 44 acute lymphoblastic leukemia childhood and 40 healthy individual by ARMS-PCR technique. Association of this polymorphism with response to treatment was also investigated. Data were analyzed using Chi-squre test and SPSS software. P values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results: There was no significant difference in frequencies of C1236T polymorphism between patients and healthy group (p=0.876). Frequency of C1236T polymorphism of MDR1 between responder and non responder was not significant (p=0.304).

Conclusion: It seems that there is no correlation between C1236T polymorphism of MDR1 gene and response to treatment. So the role of C1236T polymorphism in gene expression MDR1 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and response to treatment is still controversial.

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Background: According to the studies, Iran’s per capita antibiotic consumption is remarkable. Since the emergence of Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (AROs) is considered a global problem in the community and hospitals, this study aimed to investigate the pattern of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from patients in an academic and a non-academic hospital in Arak, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included all specimens referred to the microbiology laboratory at Amir Al-Momenin Hospital (academic hospital) and Imam Khomeini Hospital (non-academic hospital) in a one-year period from June 2012 to June 2013. The susceptibility of the isolated Gram-negative bacteria against the important antibiotics used in clinical practice was determined using the disk diffusion method.

Results: A total of 846 specimens were collected from patients in the two hospitals where 520 (61.5%) were Gram-negative bacteria, of which 63.3% were E. coli. The prevalence of Gram-negative organisms in the academic and the non-academic hospital was measured 79.8% and 20.2%, respectively (p=0.097). It was also determined that there is a significant difference between the two hospitals in the prevalence of ESBL (Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) Gram-negative bacteria (p=0.003).

Conclusion: There was a significant difference between the two hospitals in the prevalence of ESBL Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, conducting regional surveillance programs to examine the patterns of antibiotic resistance is recommended.

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Background: All-trans retinoic acid(RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, is widely used to induce cell differentiation. It has significant effects on growth and proliferation of epithelial cells. It also causes cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and induces the apoptosis. cisplatin, a chemotherapy compound that cross-linking to DNA, and leads to apoptosis, it is commonly used for treatment of ovarian, head and neck, esophageal, gastric cancers and melanoma. Recent studies showed that RA enhances cytotoxic effects of cisplatin on melanoma and ovarian cancer. Our literature review showed that there is no previous study on the effect of RA in combination with cisplatin on esophageal cancer, hence current study conducted to investigate such combination treatment on esophageal derived cell, KYSE-30.

Materials and Methods: KYSE30 cell line was cultured in presence of different concentration of RA alone and in combination with cisplatin. Then, cell death was investigated by colonogenic assay and acridine orange/ ethedium bromide staining.

Results: The results showed that RA concentrations &ge15µM cause differentiation of KYSE30 to squamous cell morphology, while lower concentrations decreases the colony formation (p&le0.05). These effects were also observed in combination with cisplatin and RA. The best effects on cell death were observed in 10 µM of RA of combination with 5 and 10 µg/ml of cisplatin.

Conclusion: The results suggest that low concentration of RA in combination with cisplatin are more effective than cisplatin alone in terms of apoptosis and necrosis of esophageal cancer, KYSE-30.

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Background: Motivation is one of the most important tools to push faculty members to perform effectively and efficiently in the workplace is. This study is based on Herzberg's theory of motivating factors to consider requiring faculty at the University of Medical Sciences deals.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 168 faculty members of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 102 persons conducting a completely free and informed, a 40-question questionnaire based on Herzberg's two-factor theory, design, a questionnaire. Data using t-test and Mann-Whitney U and indicators of central tendency and dispersion were analyzed by SPSS 16 software.

Results: Response rate to the questionnaires, 7.60, respectively. 5.24% of the faculty in the basic sciences and 5.74% at the clinical level of activity. Of "communication" and "progress and development", the motivation faculty have the greatest impact. Factors "physical condition" and "salary" have been less effective. Between the ages of faculty motivating factors, "nature", "responsibility and career" and "supervision and monitoring", there was a significant correlation. The relationship between work experience and of "salary" and "job security" was also significant.

Conclusion: Communication is one of the most important factors in increasing the motivation of faculty members in the physical conditions of work and wages are minimal impact in this area. With an aging faculty, salary, supervision and monitoring, and job security are more important motivation. In other words, with increasing age and work experience, academic expectations of the management of change and the proper evaluation of the activities of the officials do not have the decision-making, and because the quality of activities, good participate Ndah encouraged do not motivate members to create good will.

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Background: Shigella dysenteriae one of the main causes of diarrhea in humans, but there is no vaccine against it. IpaD protein is one of the most important virulence factors in pathogenic shigella. The cloning N-terminal ipaD genes with ctB genes that have a role in adjuvant and carrier as recombinant vaccine can caused enhance the mucosal immune response.

Materials and Methods: Designing primers for genes ctB and ipaD were carried out based on the construction of gene cassettes, respectively. PCR reactions were performed to amplify the fragments and amplified fragments were cloned into pGEM-Teasy vector. Both the vector cut by restriction enzymes HindIII and XhoI and ipaD gene to gene ctB finally were Fusion. The ctB-ipaD gene cassette and expression vector pET28a(+) cuted by SalI and HindIII restriction enzymes. The cloning ctB-ipaD cassette was performed in the expression vector and expression of gene cassettes.

Results: In this study, the N-terminal ipaD as vaccine candidate antigen was genetically linked to the C terminal of ctB which has a carrier and adjuvant role. Fusing ctB-ipaD in the expression vector pET28a(+) is confirmed by sequencing, PCR and digested with restriction enzymes. The recombinant proteins produced is confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.

Conclusion: According to previous and similar studies, product cassette ctB-ipaD and expression its was expected. Is hoped to protein expression of this gene cassette and the production of antibodies could be achieved the candidate vaccine against Shigella.

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Background: Peripheral nerve injures are common in clinical practice that includes from compression injury to complete disruption of nerve trunk. After injury nerves can grow and repair spontaneously, early end to end anastomosis is first choice for repair but only 50% of nerve fiber would be physiologically accurate and effective, thus several techniques for repair of nerve injury are introduced including combination of nerve transplant with silicon tubes, use of biologic and synthetic tubes for nerve conduit.

Materials and Methods: In this Exprimental study, 20 rats with the same weight were selected and kept in the same condition .The left sciatic nerve of them was cut and were divided in two groups.In the first group the facial flap method for repair of nerve injury was used .In the second group vein conduit method was used as standard method. Histological nerve repair was assessed after 45 days and the intact right sciatic nerve was used as control.

Results: Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion of nerve in facial flap method was more effective than vein conduit (P<0.05). Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion had no difference compared with control group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Repair of nerve injury with facial flap method is more effective than standard method and can be used as a new method for nerve repair.