[Effect of aqueous extract from rhizome of Cynodon dactylon L. pers on renal and hepatic catalase activity and testicular histopathology in diabetic rats]

Cynodon dactylon L. pers is one of the plants with applied medicinal value. This study aimed to examine the effect of C. dactylon [L.] aqueous extract on catalase enzymatic activity in kidney and liver tissues as well as the changes in testicular tissues of diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 30 adult male rats were divided into five groups [n=6]. Control rats were injected with physiological saline and the others were made diabetic by the injection of streptozotocin [STZ; 70 mg/kg, i.p.]. The third, fourth and fifth diabetic groups were given the oral aqueous extract of C. dactylon at different doses [50, 250 and 500 mg/kg], respectively for 4 weeks. The catalase enzymatic activity in kidney and liver tissues were measured using Aebi method at the end of the treatment. Then the testis slices were stained and examined by electron microscopy. The activity of catalase enzyme in kidney and liver of diabetic rats treated with the 500 mg/kg extract was increased significantly compared to the untreated diabetic rats [P<0.05]. In the untreated diabetic group, coiled seminiferous tubules and the increased interstitial space of lubules were observable in testis. The aqueous extract-treated group, compared to the diabetic one, showed a significant recovery in the tissue parameters. Aqueous extract of C. dactylon [L.] have beneficial effects on the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes and changes in testicular tissue during the course of diabetes

[Quality assessment of midwives performance in prenatal cares in urban health centers in Mashhad, Iran]

To determine the quality of midwives' performance in delivering prenatal cares in urban health centers in Mashhad in 2001. In this descriptive study, the performance of 37 midwives from 26 urban health centers [selected by multi-stage random sampling] was observed on three separate occasions. Data were collected by administrating a self-report questionnaire dealing with personal characteristics of the midwives and an observation form used for assessing the quality of prenatal care based on the existing prenatal care guidelines. Data analysis included chi-square and T- tests and was performed using the SPSS package. In this study, the practice score was good in 18.5% of the midwives, while 70% showed moderate, and 11.5% showed poor performance. Only 55.8% of prenatal care items were performed appropriately, referral for laboratory tests, fetal heart rate auscultation, control of vaccination status, estimating the date of delivery and history taking were good in most cases, whereas physical examination, assessment of common complaints, consultation and recommendation for the place of delivery were at an undesirable level. It seems that certain areas of prenatal care, such as physical examination and assessment of common complaints, which are important in the diagnosis and treatment of obstetric disorders, are largely neglected in urban health centers. Hence to address these problems and improve practice in prenatal care, midwives and other health workers must receive further training. The quality of prenatal care in urban health centers must be supervised and monitored accurately