---

Background: Nutrition assessment is a routine method for determining the nutritional needs of individuals, especially for vulnerable groups (women, infants, and children). One of the important criteria for assessment of nutritional status is determining the concentration of a nutrient after its intake. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 lactating mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Tabriz. Data gathered through the questionnaire included general information concerning lactating mothers and also their nutritional diet. Since vitamin A and beta-carotene were measured through Karr-Price method, vitamin A and beta-carotene concentrations were measured at 620 nm wavelength. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between retinol intake and colostrum retinol of lactating mothers (p≤0.01) (r = 0.28). Also, retinol intake showed a positive and significant correlation with total vitamin A (retinol equivalent) in colostrum (p≤0.002) (r= 0.33). Conclusion: Daily retinol and beta-carotene intake affect retinol of colostrum which its proper concentration in mother’s milk can play an important role in better function of this vitamin for both mother and child.

---

Background: Nutritional status assessment is a method for nutritional care which aims to determine nutritional needs and to meet nutritional requirements. Pregnant and lactating mothers are considered vulnerable groups. The use of this method, especially for determination of calorie and protein intake has positive effects on growth of neonates. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 pregnant mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Arak. Data were gathered through a questionnaire including general information concerning pregnant mothers and their nutritional diet. The analysis of dietary intake was done by nutritionist IV software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: The average weight gain for pregnant mothers at the end of pregnancy was 10.1kg. The mean of body mass index for the mothers was 22.2 kg/m2, and the average weight for neonates was 2.5 kg. The average energy intakes in mothers were equal compared with RDA, and the average protein intake was greater compared with RDA. There was a significant positive correlation between weight gain during and total body weight at the end of pregnancy (r=0.93) (p<0.01). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between weight of pre pregnancy and percent of weight gain at the end of pregnancy (r=-0.39) (p<0. 01). A significant positive correlation was found between total body weight at the end of pregnancy and birth weight of neonates (r=0.34) (p<0. 01).

Conclusion: Adequate nutritional status of mothers influenced normal body weight in neonates.

---

Background: There is priority for evaluation of micronutrients (vitamin A) in the world, especially in develpoing countries like Iran. Vitamin A has an essentiall role in growth, reproduction, and maintenace of epithelial cells. Vitamin A, especially retinoic acid,  acts like a hormone for gene expression. Vitamin A is necessary for growth of bones and immune system. The role of vitamin A in reducing mortality rates of neonates is well recognized. The aim of research is to evaluate this micronutrient (vitamin A) and the rate of transportation from mother to fetus and its positive effects on birth weight.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 90 pregnant mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Arak. Data were gathered through a questionnaire including general information concerning pregnant mothers and also their nutritional diet. The analysis of dietary intake was done by Nutritionist IV software. The measurements of serum and cord blood retinol samples were carried with reverse phase HPLC. Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation.

Results: The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between cord blood retinol of mothers and birth weight of neonates (r=0.22) (p&ge0.05). There was not a significant correlation between serum retinol of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates. Also, there was no significant correlation between retinol intakes of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates.

Conclusion: Improvement of the retinol status of mothers has an effective role in normal birth weight of neonates.

---

Background: Pentoxifylline is a xantin derivative that causes deduction of blood viscosity, improves peripheral blood current and increases tissues oxygenization. In this study, considering special properties of this drug and inspite of undefined mechanism of its effect, the effect of pentoxifylline on skin biomechanical indices in acute phase of skin wound healing in rat is evaluated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 14 adult Wistar rat were divided in two groups of experimental (n=7) receiving 100mg/kg twice a day and control (n=7) receiving distilled water intraperitoneal. Incisional wounds, 20mm length in identical pattern were created on back skin of rats. On day 15 skin strips containing incision were excised and used to evaluate biomechanical indices, work up to maximum force-Nm and Tensile strength= Rm-N/mm2. Results were analyzed by Spss soft ware and K-S, Levens and student T-Test.

Results: According to biomechanical test findings, pentoxifylline administration causes improvement in biomechanical indices of skin after 15 days of drug administration. Discrepancy between skin biomechanical indices of experimental and control subgroups was significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Pentoxifylline caused improvement in skin biomechanical indices and accelerated skin wound healing in experimentals.

---

Background: It is expected that affected people with diabetes will increase to 439 million in 2030, 15% of them are affected with chronic leg ulcer disease. Increasing number of researches implicate the positive influence of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the skin wound healing. Pentoxifylline is a xantin derivative that modifies or inhibits inflammatory factors, reduces blood viscosity, improves peripheral blood currency and increases oxygenation of tissues the In this study the effect of Pentoxifylline (PTX) on skin biomechanical indices in acute phase of skin wound healing in diabetic rat is in considerable interest.

Materials and Methods: It is an experimental- interventional study in which fourteen adult male wistar rats were divided into experimental group (n=7), receiving pentoxifyllineintraperitoneally and control group (n=7) receiving distilled water (DW). Diabeteswas induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin in both groups then full thickness incisional wound (20mm length) in identical pattern was made on the dorsum of rats. After 15 days a band of skin (4×60mm) containing wound was extracted and used to evaluate skin biomechanical indexes (work up to maximum force-Nm and Tensile strength= Rm-N/mm2). Results were analysed by SPSS software version 19 and K-S, Levens Test and Student SampleT-Test were used.

Results: Pentoxifylline administration improved skin biomechanical indices after 15 days after skin incisional wound. Differences between experimental and control’s indices were significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Pentoxifylline accelerated wound healing and improved tensile strength of skin in diabetic rats of experimental group.

---

Abstract

Background: One of the problems in children with cerebral palsy is impaired eating and drinking liquids. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of oral motor stimulations on feeding function in the children with spastic cerebral palsy by two medical and family centered approaches.

Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive-analytical cross sectional study that performed on 40 children 2-8 year olds with spastic Cerebral Palsy from the rehabilitation clinics in the city of Arak. They were selected by simple and purposeful sampling. Applied instruments were Gross Motor Measure Function Classification System Expanded & Revised (GMFCS E&R) and oral motor assessment scale(OMAS). Data were analyzed by statistical tests such as: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, reporting mean, standard deviation, data analysis frequncy distribution table, independent t-test, dependent t-test, chi-square and MANOVA.

Results: The difference of swallowing function assessed by OMAS in both groups managed by family centered and clinician centered approach prior and post management statistialy was meaningful (p=0.001(. The difference between swallowing function of both groups post intervention was not meaningful in view of first and second assessor, also it had no statistical significance(p=0.89 , p=0.07)

Conclusion: In general, we can conclude that oral motor stimulation is effective on swallowing function of cerebral palsy children in both treated groups. The effect of these stimulations on swallowing function in children with cerebral palsy between clinician centered and family centered approaches was equal.

---

Introduction: Bird′s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L., Fabaceae) has many medicinal properties due to its valuable chemical compounds. This research reviews the chemical compounds and medicinal properties of this plant.
Methods: This study used library resources, search engines, and databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubChem, ScienceDirect, Magiran, ResearchGate, and SID. The data were collected and classified.
Results: The results indicate that bird′s-foot trefoil is rich in valuable compounds such as kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, oleamide, and linoleamide. Different extracts of this plant have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, anti-cancer, anti-pain, anti-depressant, anti-amylase, anti-fungal, antiprotozoal, and anti-bacterial activities. It is used for wound healing, controlling anxiety and nausea, treating urinary infections, removing kidney stones, and as an antispasmodic and anti-hemorrhoid. Topical application of Lotus corniculatus seed extract has reduced the sebum contents and areas of oily human skin.
Conclusions: L. corniculatus can directly and indirectly affect human life and health. Due to the effective compounds and medicinal properties of Bird′s-foot trefoil, additional studies and clinical tests on its medicinal properties should be performed.