ABSTRACT
Background: Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy. Iranian Traditional Medicine [ITM] has some recommendations for this complaint. Objective: In this study, interventions of constipation in pregnancy have been presented and their efficacy and safety evidence were reviewed from modern literature. Methods: Interventions selected based upon the chapters related to health protection of pregnant women from ITM literature. Then a literature search was performed in the scientific databases including articles from inception up to March 2014. Articles with a focus on safety or efficacy of the selected herbs during animal or human pregnancy were selected. Results: Folus [Cassia fistula], Shir-khesht [Cotoneaster numularia Fisch.], Tamarind [Tamarindus indica], Taranjabin [Alhagi camelorum], Damask rose [Rosa damascene] and almond oil are the most recommended medications for constipation in pregnant women. For all of these herbs, there is some efficacy evidence in animal or human studies. Folus is forbidden during pregnancy due to its anthraquinones ingredients. Shir-Khesht was safe in a study to treatment of constipation in pregnant women. The other mentioned herbs have not been evaluated during pregnancy. There is limited evidence to provide safe advice for consuming these herbs for constipation during pregnancy. Conclusion: Although there are some animal and human study suggesting the laxative effect of ITM interventions, their safety are not sufficiently documented in modern literature. Scientific studies regarding these herbal remedies during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome are warranted to determine safety
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cognitive disorders are one of geriatrics outcomes that can cause a vast spectrum of disorders in older people. This change in cognitive function may see as an early sign before behavioral manifestations. Thus early diagnosis in high risk older people can be an important step in prevention in cognitive disorders and disabilities in this population. The purpose of this study is assessment of older people cognitive status based on demographic characteristics
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that was conducted in 1389-1388 in Rasht. 194 older people that retired form governmental organization participate in that and were selected in regular randomized sampling. The instrument for gathering data was Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] that has 5 parts in orientation, data recording, concentration and calculation, remembering and verbal skills. Data were assessed after gathering and were analyzed by SPSS v.16 and Kruskal Valise, Man Whitney U and Spear man statistical test
Results: The findings showed that among 194 older people 70.6 percent were man and 29.4 percent were women. 91 percent of illiteracy older people had normal cognitive status, 7.5 percent of them had mild cognitive disorder and 1.5 percent of them had moderate cognitive disorder. Among graduate persons, 82 percent had normal cognitive status, 17.3 percent had mild cognitive disorder and 0.8 percent had moderate cognitive disorder. Among demographic character [age, sex, marries, education and morbidity] cognitive status has a significant correlation with age [P<0.03], marriage status [P<0.002] and education [P<0.0001]
Conclusion: The study showed that cognitive status assessment by health care professionals can help in detecting the high risk patients and promote their caring. Moreover it can help to potential senilement health care and help to delay in starting and progressing cognitive disorders among older people
ABSTRACT
Mycotoxin contamination of agriculture commodities is a serious concern as regards human and animal health. Rice is a staple food and one of the major carbohydrate sources in the diet of Iranian people. There are reports on the contamination of rice with mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B1 and B2, fusarenon-X, nivalenol, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, and zearalenone. In the present study, 100 samples of rice sold in several branches of three of the main chain stores in Tehran, Iran were collected and analyzed for ochratoxin A [OTA]. Ochratoxin A was extracted from the samples with acetonitrile-water solvent and purified using the immunoaffinity column. HPLC with fluorescence detector was used to identify and measure the OTA, the detection and quantification limits were being 0.03 and 0.1 microg kg[-1] respectively. The OTA content in all the 100 imported and domestic rice samples was 69%. The mean and range of OTA were 1.37 +/- 5.72 and 0.15- 46.79 microg kg[-1], respectively. In the most samples OTA contamination were lower than the permitted thresholds in cereals according to the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran [ISIRI] standards. Considering the high contents of OTA in some of the rice samples on the one hand, and the high consumption of other foods contaminated with OTA on the other hand, the total intake of this toxic substance may exceed its Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake as determined by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. In order to control mycotoxin contaminations, taking pre- and post-harvest preventive measures [GAP, GHP, GSP, GMP and HACCP], as well as sharing experiences and collective effort of all the parties involved, are highly essential