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Abstract Background: Methanol causes so many severe toxicities. Chronic low dose methanol ingestion can cause severe toxicity. There are many unpublished reports from doctors about side effects of toxicity by methanol like blinding in chronic user of herbal essences. Regarding to kinds of herbal essences producing and side effects of its chronic using, probability, there is methanol in the process of making. Therefore we decided to evaluate rate of methanol in various products. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytic study, 3 samples of high consumption homemade herbal essences in Arak (Pussy, Mint, Fenugreek, Hedysarum, Dill and Chicory) and 3 samples of the same herbal essences from industrial products with trademarks were gathered. All of them have been analyzed with spectrophotometer in five times. Results: The maximum methanol concentration was related to a sample of industrial Mint (415.04 ppm) and the minimum methanol concentration was related to a sample of handmade Fenugreek (60.26 ppm). There was no significant difference between methanol concentration in handmade and industrial herbal essences. Conclusion: There is probability of methanol toxicity after chronic usage of some herbal essences. Due to lack of maximum permissible concentration for non methanol essences, it is recommended that a cut of point of methanol concentration was determined and inform people about it.

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Abstract Background: The important reality is that all of human developments and successes are due to learning. Knowing students learning styles will help to produce an educational plan in order to optimal and effective learning. The aim of this study was the comparison of learning styles and preferred teaching methods of different students of medical sciences. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional research. That was done on all students at Fasa Medical Sciences University in 2009. For data gathering, questionnaires of demographic variables and Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) was used and analyzed. Results: Majority of students learning style was convergent learning (38.3%) and then assimilator learning style (29.9%). More frequent preferred teaching method was group discussion. There was a significant difference between learning styles and course of students (P=0.011). Conclusion: Since, the majority of students had convergent and assimilator learning styles is recommended, considering the diversity of learning styles, educational methods related ro learning styles were using.

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Abstract Background: Information on patients' physical and mental disabilities, their lifestyle during rehabilitation period and probably their death due to severe head injury in acute phases is too insufficient and in some cases, it does not exist at all. The aim of this study is to determine the outcome of patients who were hospitalized in Vali-asr Hospital of Arak according to Glascow Coma Scale (GOS). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, using the patients' files in Vali-asr Hospital which is situated in Arak, the patients, who had been hospitalized with severe head injury during 2005-06, were identified. Based on the information existing in their files or visiting them individually in their place of living, 24 months after their release from hospital, their physical and mental performances were examined according to Glascow Outcome Scale (GOS) and were compared to the time of their release from the hospital. Results: Out of 130 patients, 55.4% died within 2 years after the hospitalization period. Among those dead, 32% died in the first 24 hours of hospitalization, 44.4% after the first 24 hours and before release from the hospital and 23.6% after being released from the hospital. The mean of GOS score, from the time of release until 2 years after that, improved from 2.7 to 3.3. Conclusion: Noticing the fact that more than half of the patients died after getting to hospital either in acute level or during rehabilitation, the need is felt for making revisions in the programs for taking care of these patients in different phases of treatment

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  Background: Considering some evidence on anti-diabetic potential of Allium ursinum (AU) , this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of AU on contractile responsiveness of thoracic aorta in diabetic rats.

  Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, AU-treated control, diabetic, glibenclamide-treated, and AU-treated diabetic groups. For inducing diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was administered (60 mg/Kg). AU-treated group received AU mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1% for 2 months. Serum glucose level was measured at weeks 4 and 8. Eventually, contractile responsiveness of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) was evaluated .

  Results: Serum glucose level, at weeks 4 and 8, in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the diabetics group (p<0.01 and p<0.005, respectively). In addition, the maximum thoracic aorta contractile responsiveness to NA in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly less than the diabetic group (p<0.05) however, such a significant reduction was not observed for KCl.

Conclusion: Oral administration of AU for 2 months is of a moderate hypoglycemic effect and attenuates the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system in diabetic rats. Background: Considering some evidence on anti-diabetic potential of Allium ursinum (AU), this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of AU on contractile responsiveness of thoracic aorta in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, AU-treated control, diabetic, glibenclamide-treated, and AU-treated diabetic groups. For inducing diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was administered (60 mg/Kg). AU-treated group received AU mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1% for 2 months. Serum glucose level was measured at weeks 4 and 8. Eventually, contractile responsiveness of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) was evaluated. Results: Serum glucose level, at weeks 4 and 8, in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the diabetics group (p<0.01 and p<0.005, respectively). In addition, the maximum thoracic aorta contractile responsiveness to NA in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly less than the diabetic group (p<0.05) however, such a significant reduction was not observed for KCl. Conclusion: Oral administration of AU for 2 months is of a moderate hypoglycemic effect and attenuates the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system in diabetic rats.

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Background: The existence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, human epidermal receptor-2(HER-2) and cathepsin-D are among the prognostic markers for breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the relationship between these factors and lymph-node involvement. Materials and Methods: In this case-control analytic study, 105 patients with breast cancer were investigated. After detecting breast mass, surgical biopsy was done and the status of the estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, HER-2, and cathepsin-D were studied. Collected data were registered in a checklist and were subjected to analysis. Results: There was no relationship between lymph-node involvement and estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, cathepsin-D and HER-2. Conclusion: In order to get more precise results about hormonal receptors, p53, HER-2 and cathespin-D, a similar research with a larger sample size over a longer period of time is needed.

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Background: Green tea, which is the most common drink in the world, has antioxidant and detoxification properties. In this study, the protective effect of green tea extract on nephro-toxicity induced by acetaminophen was investigated. Materials and Methods: 32 male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Physiologic serum was administered to the control group for 30 days. Toxic (Acetaminophen) group received physiologic serum for 30 days and on day 30 in addition to physiologic serum, 500 mg/kg acetaminophen was administered orally. Green tea group, instead of water, was fed by 7g/l green tea extract for 30 days. Instead of water, the experiment green tea group was fed with green tea extract for 30 days and 500 mg/kg oral acetaminophen was administered on day 30. On day 31, blood samples were taken from jugular arteries for assaying BUN and Cr. The mice kidneys were cut off and placed in 10% formalin for histopathology assessments. Results: BUN and Cr reduced significantly in the experiment group in comparison with the toxic group. Also, in histopathology assessments, kidney necrosis reduced in experimental group. Conclusion: Green tea seems to have a protective role in acetaminophen induced nephro-toxicity.

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Background: Candida species are the most common yeasts that reside in oral cavity in 30 - 50% of people, and are capable to produce opportunistic infections within the oral cavity. This study was done to determine the effect of cigarette smoking on the type and degree of Candida oral carriage. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, oral Candida flora in 34 smoker and 66 non-smoker men were compared. All of the samples were collected by swab and examined by direct microscopy and culture on CHOROM agar Candida and corn meal agar media. Isolated colonies were identified by carbohydrate assimilation method using RapID Yeast PLUS System. Results: Out of the 34 smoker individuals, 27(79.4%) had Candida colonization in their oral cavity while 30(45.5%) of the 66 non-smoker individuals had developed this kind of colonization. A significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the degree of colonisation and the type of candida species which were isolated from the oral cavity of the smoker and nonsmoker groups. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking can act as an important underlying factor in oral candidiasis.

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Background: Primary dismenorrhea or painful menstruation, in the absence of any specific pelvic diseases, is one of the most common complaints in women’s medicine. The main goal of this study is to examine the effect of isometric trainings on primary dismenorrhea. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental Stud, 30 female students from Payame-noor and Azad Universities in Golpaygan were randomly assigned into two exercise and non-exercise groups. The exercise group did 8 weeks of isometric exercises under the supervision of a physical education expert. The trainees were examined based on the intensity and duration of pain, the amount of bleeding, and consumption of drugs in the first period of menstruation (pre-test), the second period of menstruation (mid-test) and the third period of menstruation ( post-test ). Results: Intensity of pain in the exercise group decreased after 4 weeks (p<0.05) while the duration of pain declined after 4 weeks (p<0.05) and 8 weeks (p<0.01). Also, the amount of taken drugs decreased after 8 weeks of exercise (p<0.05), but the degree of bleeding did not change significantly (p>0.05). Conclusion: Isometric exercises decreased intensity and duration of pain, and the amount of drugs taken in primary dismenorrhea. Therefore, such exercises can probably be used in the treatment of primary dismenorrhea.

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Background: Labor pain, which is a natural, unique and multi- factorial pain, is considereds a major part of women's anxiety at reproductive ages. There are two pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for reducing this pain. Since the pharmacological approach involves side effects, lots of attention has recently been given to the non-pharmacological methods. One of these methods, is use inc birth ball the, which includes sitting and rocking on the birth ball. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using birth ball on labor pain, the duration of active phase and contractions of physiologic labor. Materials and Methods: In this randomized control-clinical trial, sixty primiparous women (18-35 year old) were selected and randomly assighed into birth ball and control groups. The severity of pain was measured through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the pain score, interval between contractions and duration of active phase were compared between the two groups. Results: The average pain score in the birth ball group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). In terms of interval between the contractions, duration of active phase and uterine contractions, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Although use of birth ball did not have any effects on the duration of active phase, uterine contractions and interval between uterine contractions, this complementary therapy reduced the severity of pain during the active phase of delivery. Therefore, this safe method is suggested to be used during normal vaginal delivery and physiologic labor. Also, conducting a study, which examines the effects of using a combination of complementary methods, is recommended

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Background: From a physiologic point of view, memory is formed through changes in synaptic conductivity from one neuron to the next. These changes result in the formation of long-term potentiation for conducting a message. Cannabis sativa has more than 61 components that are called cannabinoid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic extraction of cannabis sativa seed on spatial memory consolidation in rats. Materials and Methods: First, 40 Wistar rats, each nearly 250-320g, were divided into four experimental groups and a control group. Cannabis sativa seed was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus. To consolidate spatial memory, Morris water maze (MWM) test was administered in seven sessions, four trials for each session. Experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 received 50mg/kg-1, 100mg/kg-1, 150mg/kg-1, 210mg/kg-1 peritoneal injections (IP), respectively. After memory consolidation, the position of platform area was changed and MWM was repeated for five days. Results: The results show that experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 had a significant decrease in learning time in the comparison to the control group (p<0.05), whereas experimental group 4 with a 210mg/kg-1 dose did not reveal any significant difference in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is likely that this long-term potentiation is done through depolarization-induced suppression inhibition (DSI) and depolarization-induced suppression excitatory (DSE) mechanisms in the CA1 area of Hippocamp that lead to neuro-plasticity through neurotransmitter regulation.

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Background: Inappropriate feeding is one of the major causes of malnutrition in children. This study was carried out to get an insight into mothers’ views and beliefs about the role of complementary feeding in children under the age of two. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through 11 focus-group discussions (FGDs) with mothers, who had children under the age of two, in urban and rural areas of Damavand in 2007. Each FGD was held in the presence of a moderator, two note takers, and an observer. At the end of field work, all notes were collected and coded according to the objectives of the study. Then the subgroups for each objective were obtained, and emerging themes were extracted and reported. Results: In the study, six general themes were identified:(1) The mothers viewed complementary feeding as simple, soft, light foods which are especially made for children (2) the best time for introducing complementary feeding was 6 months of age (3) there were no complementary local foods in Damavand (4) for children under the age of one, a different type of food was separately prepared (5) home-made complementary food was preferred over the ready made type, and (6) children were fed with table food from the first year of life. Conclusion: Despite their sufficient knowledge about the advantages of complementary feeding, the majority of mothers, due to some socio-cultural limitations, had a weak performance. In this regard, in addition to making revisions in current training programs and protocols, providing effective and goal-oriented educational programs for mothers and others who take care of children is strongly recommended.

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Background: Postoperative ileus after appendectomy causes gas storage, distention, nausea, vomiting, and even pain. Gum chewing is one of the ways that can reduce the duration of temporary ileus. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of gum chewing on bowel movements following appendectomy. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was done on 46 patients undergoing appendectomy that were divided into equal treatment and control groups. The treatment group chewed gum three times, each time for 20 minutes, 4, 10 , and 18 hours after recovery from anesthesia. The control group, however, did not receive any special treatments. The bowel sounds were monitored every two hours using stethoscope. Also, through running interviews with two hour intervals, data were collected regarding the first passage of flatus and defecation. Data were analyzed through SPSS and t-test. Results: On average, the first bowel sounds in treatment and control groups were, respectively, heard at 2.08±0.41 and 3.13±1.45 hours, whereas gas passage in treatment and control groups was reported at 26.8±14.59 and 50.08±13.92 hours, respectively. Also, the first defecation in the treatment group occurred at 18.91±10.77 hour but in the control group this happened at 29.21±12.11 hour. Based on these observations, a significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of the test results (p=0.002). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that chewing gum can help bowel movements after appendectomy.

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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.

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Background: Based on the severity and prognostic condition of respective cancers caused by them, papilloma viruses are classified into high, medium, and low risk groups using E6 and E7 viral proteins. Nowadays, different methods of modeling in clinical medicine are used for diagnosis of diseases and evaluation of their molecular characteristics. Among the new methods of modeling, fuzzy systems are of particular importance in various fields of science. The aim of this study was to use a new intelligent Adaptive Nero Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for predicting human papilloma virus oncogenicity based on a number of biochemical properties of E7 protein. Materials and Methods: In this study, using ANFIS model, a new model was developed for predicting oncogenicity of papilloma virus isolated from patients. The process of training and testing was performed using a set of available published filed data and several statistical and graphical criteria. Accordingly, through provision of needed biochemical and biophysical data on E7 gens from the existing data, this model was developed. The results of this model were, then, validated by the authentic published data. Results: Based on the results, the developed model is capable of predicting papilloma virus oncogenicity efficiently. R2 and RMSE values in training stage were 0.99 and 101.18, respectively. In the testing stage, however, they stood at 0.94 and 173.8, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the use of ANFIS model significantly improves the accuracy of estimating virus oncogenicity phenomenon. The methodology presented in this study is a new approach in estimating viral oncogenicity and can successfully be combined with other mathematical models for model updating in real conditions.

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Background: Lead (Pb) brings about a variety of cognitive, mental, renal, and blood system disorders by inducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to compare blood and urine parameters in the workers exposed to Pb and zinc (Zn) with those in the control group. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 134 subjects. The case group included 67 male workers with the age range of 22-65 who had at least worked a minimum of one work shift for two years in the Zn-Pb mine located in the southwest of Arak, Iran. Control subjects consisted of 67 farmers of a village near the mine who had no history of occupational exposure to Pb, Zn, and other metals. Mental disorders were evaluated through the standard Scl-90-R while cognitive disorders were evaluated via the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Results: The mean level of blood and urine parameters did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. The mean scores of physical complaints, anxiety, and aggression scales were significantly higher in the case group than the control (p<0.05), whereas the mean scores on MMSE did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The oxidative stress of Pb led to mental disorders as a result, the mine workers suffered from more psycho- pathology and are in need of greater care. Due to the impacts of Pb and Zn, the proper use of safety equipments and taking daily showers can reduce the risk of absorption of toxic agents and their subsequent hazards for workers.

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This study considers the art of Quran in healing human psychological and spiritual disorders. Since the subject matter of Quran and medicine is human and the objective of both is health and welfare of human body and soul, it is suggested that man can learn how to remedy his psychological pains through Quran. Accordingly, after providing definitions for sick and healthy heart and soul, we will look at some instances of psychiatric disorders and investigate them closely through ideas put forward by scientists. Also, we argue that the origin of these diseases goes back to human motivations, belief system, and social and political matters, while some are related to ethical principles. Then we will focus on the qualities and effects of healthy soul in the view of Quranic verses. Eventually, it will be stated that since human behavioral reactions are the signs of a healthy soul or a psychotic one, those who seek peace in this world and salvation in the afterworld are suggested to prevent and cure psychological problems and create balance in their personality by using commandments given by Quran since the aim of Quran is maintaining balance between different instincts.

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Background: Nowadays, the question of how the moral aspects of health can be put into the framework of patient-physician relationship has turned into a current debate in the area of medicine and patients’ rights. This study was conducted to examine the effect of virtual education through sending emails to physicians on their application of Islamic and Quranic codes of ethics. Materials and Methods: In this interventional study, 75 general practitioners and specialists in Kermanshah were selected through non-randomized simple sampling method. The means of data collection were physicians’ ethical conduct checklist and a questionnaire which was prepared by the researcher according to the ethical traits extracted from Quran and Hadith. Concepts extracted from Islamic resources were sent to the physicians email addresses 3 times a week. Data were analyzed through dependent t-test using SPSS software version15. Results: The major findings of the study indicated the positive effects of online Quran teaching on enhancing the application of the ethical codes of conduct and stabilizing the professional codes of ethics. Conclusion: Although improving professional ethical conduct requires long-term training programs, the findings of this study indicated that religious education can be effective in using the general codes of ethics.

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Background: TTV is the first human circoviridae that was isolated from Japanese patients with unknown hepatitis in 1997. Since then, several studies have been done on different aspects of TTV pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of TTV in patients with chronic hepatitis using two different primer sets. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, blood samples from 240 patients with chronic hepatitis C at Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center were assessed in terms of the presence of TTV DNA in plasma through the nested polymerase chain reaction using two primer sets. Results: Of the 240 patients, TTV-DNA was detected in 220 (92%) patients with chronic hepatitis C using 5΄-UTR primer and in 12 (5%) patients using N22 primer. According to the demographic data, there was not a significant difference between male female patients in prevalence of TTV infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of TTV DNA in plasma samples from patients with chronic HCV by using 5΄-UTR primer was high and it was congruent with studies done in other countries however, N22 primer showed a lower prevalence of viral DNA in the samples. Overall, there was not a significant correlation between sex and the presence of viral DNA in patients. Controversial or high prevalence of this virus in HCV infected people necessitate further studies for determining the relationship between HCV and TTV infection.

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Background: Molybdenum is an essential trace element for both animals and plants. Molybdenum (Mo), which functions as a cofactor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine dehyrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase in mammals, is believed to be an essential trace element in animal nutrition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of sodium molybdate against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, adult male rats received daily oral administrations of different doses of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 g/kg bw) along with intrapertioneal CCl4 (50% CCl4 in olive oil, 1 ml/kg bw) twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Results: Histopathological examinations in CCl4-treated rats showed extensive liver injuries characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, fat degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration while histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were significantly attenuated by sodium molybdate treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that sodium molybdate could protect liver against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be contributed to the protection of liver by preventing the toxic chemical reactions which generate oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and molecular changes which ultimately lead to liver tissue necrosis.

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Background: In pyoderma infections, the density of pus is related to desoxiribo-nucleoproteins. The use of streptodornase (DNase) in combination with streptokinase can help dissolve purulent secretions of infections which results in healing the wound through the discharge of pus from the necrotic tissue. The aim of this study was to produce recombinant streptodornase from group A strain of Streptococcus pyogenes which is highly efficient in terms of active streptodornase production using expression vector. Materials and Methods: In this applied-fundamental study, genomic DNA of streptodornase gene (sd) was extracted by phenol-chloroform. Then by using specific primers of streptodornase gene, it was amplified through PCR. The resulting streptodornase gene was cloned in pGEX4T1-sd transformer for expression and the pGEX4T1-sd plasmid was transferred to the sd. E.coli BL21. Protein production was done by induction via IPTG and optimization of the conditions. The recombinant protein was purified using the glutathione sepharose 4B kit. Results: The nucleotide sequence of PCR and group A streptodornase Streptococcus was totally the same. The production of the streptodornase recombinant protein was done by inducing pGEX4T1-sd plasmid via Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside. Protein purification was done through affinity-chromatography by using glutathione sepharose 4B. The recombinant protein was reacted with anti-streptodornase mouse serum through Western-Blot method. Conclusion: Recombinant streptodornase can be produced by pGEX4T1 in E. coli. The recombinant protein maintains its antigenic property desirably. Noticing the domestic need in Iran, low rate of production, and pathogenesis of streptococci, production of this recombinant product is feasible.