[ review on the biological active compounds and medicinal properties of Ganoderma lucidum]

Ganoderma lucidum Karst. is an annual medicinal fungus which belongs to the Ganodermataceae family. Ganoderma lucidum, also known by the common names Reishi or Mannentake [Japanese], Ling Zhi [Chinese] and Yung Zehi [Korean]. Ganoderma is the symbol of happy living, chance, immortality and health in China. In orient folk medicine Ganoderma was used for treating insomnia, asthma, kidney and liver diseases as well as arthritis. The major chemical constituents of G. lucidum are polysaccharides, triterpenes, sterols, lectins and some proteins having beneficial properties for the prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments. Both triterpenes and polysaccharides contain anticancer properties thus making them important nominees for the researches. Spores, fruiting body and mycelium have been investigated for biological active compounds. In recent years, a number of researches were performed for the identification of biological compounds and medicinal properties of Ganoderma lucidum. The latest findings regarding G. lucidum are discussed in this review article

[Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from wound infection and drug sensitivity pattern, Tehran-Iran [2006-07]]

Considering the significant incidence of nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients, this study was done to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from wound infection and drug sensitivity pattern, Tehran-Iran. In this descriptive study, Staphylococcus aureus isolated and identified according to standard procedures from the wound infections of 614 patients referred to Baqiyatallah hospital, Tehran-Iran during 2006-07. The samples were examined and antibiogram was performed by disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar with 12 antibiotics. 100 [16.28%] of wound infection of Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 614 patients. The infection rate in men was twice compared to women. The highest rate 29 [29%] was observed in people aged 40 to 60 group. Also specimen's patients with immunosuppressive diseases [28 cases], surgical site infection [16 cases] and normal wounds [13 cases] were considered to be most prevalent isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that 96 [96%] of isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, 95 [95%] and 92 [92%] were resistant to penicillin and cotrimoxazole, respectively. Our result showed that 43% of strains were resistant at 11 antibiotics. This study showed that the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was 16.28% of samples, with 43% antibiotic resistance. The highest sensitivity was toward to vancomycin

[Antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of ganoderma lucidum karst [basidiomycota] from Iran]

Ganoderma lucidum belongs to Ganodermataceae family and is a famous medicinal fungus with medicinal properties like antidiabetic, antihypertension, immunomodulating, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Due to its great medicinal effect and lack of investigation on Iranian species, this study was performed. In this study, we have investigated antibacterial activity of aqueous extract at four concentrations [50, 125, 250, 500 mg ml [-1]] against 3 standard Gram positive bacteria [Bacillus subtilits, Staphylococcus aureus, Entrococcus fecalis] and 2 standard Gram negative bacteria [Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli] by using Disk diffusion method. Total polysaccharide of the aqueous extract and sugar composition were analyzed by phenol sulfuric acid method and GC/MS, respectively. The results indicated that the aqueous extract had antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa at concentration of 500 mg ml[-1]. The polysaccharide content was 37.751 mg g[-1] and the monosaccharide's constituents were identified. Based on this finding the fungus contains a great amount of polysaccharides that can be use for medicinal properties, but it is not recommended for antibacterial usage according to its weak inhibitory activity

[General dental practitioner's knowledge about TMJ disorders [TMD] in Tehran]

Early diagnosis and treatment of TMD can significantly reduce future complications of this condition. General dental practitioners can play pivotal role in early detection of such patients by conducting careful initial evaluation. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the TMD knowledge of general dentist practicing in Tehran, in 2005. Using cross-sectional study design, a total of 400 dentists practicing in the north, east, west and central parts of Tehran were randomly selected for participation in this investigation. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic information of dentist, including: age, sex, location of practice, type of services provided; as well as the name, location of dental school where one graduated from. The second part of the questionnaire asked about dentists' knowledge on TMD and related factors. The levels of reported dentists' knowledge were classified into four categories: excellent, good, moderate and low. The relationship between dentists' knowledge about TMD and relevant factors were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods as well as multiple regression analysis. The study sample included 173 females and 227 males [n=400], with average age of 38.44 years. The level of TMD knowledge was excellent for 10% of respondents, good for 38.75%, moderate for 38.75% and weak for 12.5%. The TMD related knowledge was excellent in 20.25%, good in 41%, moderate in 29%, and weak in 9.75%. In search of relationship between individual characteristics and knowledge of TMD and related factors, a significant relationship was detected between the educational institution [university] and the duration of study until graduation, [P<0.0001]. Also, foreign graduates demonstrated the maximum TMD knowledge compared with provincial college graduates who had minimum knowledge. The TMD knowledge of dentist practicing in Tehran is adequate for early detection of abnormal conditions

Tissue necrosis after chemotherapy in osteosarcoma as the important prognostic factor

To determine the histological response to preoperative chemotherapy of the percentage of tumor necrosis, and to assess the relationship between the histological response and the oncological result. Eighty patients with osteosarcoma were managed with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy and operative resection at Shafa Yahyaeeyan Hospital, Tehran, Iran between 2003-2005. Sections of each operative specimen were examined, and the histological response to chemotherapy was graded. Grade 1 indicated necrosis of 50% of the tumor or less; grade 2, necrosis of more than 50% yet less than 90 percent; grade 3, necrosis of more than 90 percent. The mean duration of the follow-up of the surviving patients, who were continuously free from disease was 1044 days. The histological response to preoperative chemotherapy [p=0.016] was the most important predictor of event-free survival. The rate of event-free short-term survival for the 80 patients entering this study was 86 percent [69 patients] at 12 months, 50% 24 patients at 24 months, and 21% [5 patients] at 40 months, with 5 patients surviving for a median of 1096 days. The histological response to preoperative chemotherapy is an important clinical predictor of the result of operative treatment of osteosarcoma. This indicator should be used to identify patients who are at high risk for metastasis, as such patients may be candidates for more intensive or novel therapy

Is vitamin D deficiency prevalent in healthy 6-year-old children in Isfahan City?

Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of good health, and vitamin D deficiency has been reported from many countries including sunny ones. Due to the importance of vitamin D deficiency and its effects on children life quality, this study was conducted to evaluate the vitamin D status in healthy 6-year-old children in Isfahan city [2006]. 513 healthy children were studied in this cross-sectional research. Blood was drawn for measuring biochemical parameters [serum PTH and 25- hydroxy vitamin D] and dietary vitamin D intake, duration of daily sunlight exposure, and percentage of body surface area exposed were measured using questionnaires. Data was analyzed, using SPSS software, V13 [SPSS. Inc, Chicago IL.]. The vitamin D serum levels less than 20 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml were defined as mild and severe vitamin D deficiency. ROC curve was utilized to obtain a cut-off point of vitamin D serum level in this study. Using ROC curves, we defined the cut-off point of vitamin D deficiency in our population as 25-OHD level of 33 ng/ml .as the cut-off point of vitamin D deficiency in our population. Vitamin D serum level was < 20 ng/ml in 3% and < 33 ng/ml in 26% of cases. Duration of sunlight exposure [p<0.001, beta =0.28] and daily intake of vitamin D had significant effects on serum level of vitamin D [p=0.002, beta=0.13]. In agreement with other researches, this study confirmed the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children. Also it was found that improvements in duration of sunlight exposure and daily intake of vitamin D can prevent vitamin D deficiency in children

[Umbilical cord hematologic variables in different modes of delivery]

A variable hematological value without clinical sign of sepsis or hematological disorder is often observed in newborns. The purpose of this study was to investigate hematological measurements in umbilical cord vein of newborns delivered spontaneously or by cesarean section. We studied 150 pregnant women who delivered term normal infants. The patients were divided into two groups according to the route of delivery: vaginal [n=75] and cesarean section [n=75]. Immediately after delivery, umbilical cord blood samples were collected. Any possible relationship between mode of delivery, gestational age, gravidity, parity, sex, weight of the new born infant, and the duration of different phase of labor with the hematological parameters was investigated. We observed a significant increase in all hematologic parameters including hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and WBC, platelet and RBC counts in newborns delivered spontaneously [p<0.001]. The lymphocyte counts were similar in two groups. Male infants and newborns with higher gestational age showed a higher hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Increased parity and gravidity correlated with a decrease in all hematological values of umbilical vein blood except of lymphocyte count [p<0.001]. Prolonged duration of first and second stage was associated with higher mean leukocyte, neutrophil, platelet, hemoglobin and hematocrit values. The mode of delivery, gestational age, parity, gravidity, sex and weight of newborn, and the duration of first and second stage of labor can influence on hematological parameters of umbilical cord blood