Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of chamomile [matricaria chamomilla L.] essential oil on cake shelf life

Essential oils of medicinal plants such as chamomile are very complex natural mixtures which can contain compounds at quite different concentrations and some of their components have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in foodstuff. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of chamomile essential oil in cake preparation were evaluated during 75 days of storage. Cake were produced: cakes were treated with chamomile essential oil in three levels [0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%], cakes were not treated with synthetic and natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents, and a commercial cake containing synthetic antioxidant [tert butyl hydro quinine= TBHQ] and antimicrobial [potassium sorbate] agents. In all samples peroxide value, thiobarbitoric value, acidity, microbial test [yeast and mould] and sensory test [color, flavor, texture, taste and overall quality] were determined at time intervals 1, 7, 15, 30, 40, 60 and 75 days. Statistical results showed that, the sample containing chamomile at 0.15%, had good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in comparison with the control samples [without any synthetic and natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents] [p<0.01]. But its activity was less than that of synthetic ones [TBHQ and potassium sorbate as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent] [p<0.01]. In sensory evaluation, the sample containing chamomile at 0.05% had higher score in flavor, taste and overall acceptability than the samples at 0.15 and 0.1% [p<0.05]. Chamomile essential oil as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent can increase shelf-life of food products and due to absence of synthetic agents are safe with no side effect on human health

[Anti-human herpes virus-6 antibodies titer in patients with multiple sclerosis in Markazy Province]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a auto-immune disease of central nervous system. The etiology of MS is unknown, but environmental factors such as viruses are involved in the development of MS. In this study, MS patients were assessed for antibodies titers against Human Herpes virus-6 [HHV-6] in Markazi Province. In this case-control study, 31 new cases of MS patients and 60 healthy subjects were selected with similar demographic criteria such as sex, age and location. Antibodies titer [IgM and IgG] against HHV-6 were examined by ELISA and Immunofluorescence methods. Data were analyzed using Logistic regression and Odds ratio. Data indicates that 74.2% of case group and 34.2% of control group were identified as positive for IgM against HHV-6. The difference between the two groups in terms of IgM against HHv-6 was statistically significant [p=0.001]. Incidence of IgM positivity against HHV-6 was increased more than five times in MS patients compared to control group. Also there was a statistically significant difference between case and control groups in IgG titer [p=0.019]. Acute infection of HHV-6 is a risk factor for MS

[ effectiveness of oral capsule prepared from the inner layer of hen's crop in treatment of urolithiasis]

Urolithiasis as the most common disorder of urinary tract, could be treated and prevented by different methods .In this study according to the traditioial medicine recommendations, the powder prepared from inner layer of hell's crop, in the form of oral capsules [druge] were used for elimination of urinary stones. This is a clinical trial study. In this study 60 urolithiasis patients, were diagnosed by urologist were studied in two equal case and control groups. All the patients were treated classically for urolithiasis whereas the case group was also treated by druge and control group used placebo. In both groups, the effectiveness of treatment was assessed by clinical indexes, and radiology and sonography evaluations. Data was analyzed using Man Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. The results of this study showed that, there were no significant differences between case and control groups for rate and duration time of stone elimination. In spite of traditional medicine comments, the usage of inner layer of hen's crop was not effective on solubility, elimination and treatment of urolithiasis

[ evaluation of recombinant HBS. Ag vaccine immunity in vaccinated medical group and hospital personnel in Borujerd, 2004]

Hepatitis B is a disseminated liver inflammation from HBV, that causes diseases and a large number of deaths. Regarding the fact that some of the vaccinated people are non responder [NR], evaluation of immunity in vaccinated one and identification of NR especially in high risk group in necessary. In this descriptive study blood samples of all medical Students of Borujerd Azad University at the age of 18-25 and vaccinated personnel of Borujerd Shariaty hospital were tested for Anti. HBS-Ab level by ELISA method with Radim kit [cat.KHB31]. Results were analyzed according to the number of received vaccines, the duration of vaccination and demographic criteria using descriptive statistics. About 90% of samples had protective immunity and 10% were NR. 8% of immune group had more than 1000, 17.2% between 500-1000 and and 74.8% between 10-500 miu/ml of Ab titer. About 75% of immune samples had received two vaccines. In NR group 53% had received three vaccines and 47% had two. 4% of samples were immune with the duration less than one months after vaccination which 85% of them had two vaccines. Herd immunity was 90% which is accordant to most studies. In some studies with different results the effective criteria were not differentiated. So regarding these differences, vaccinated people are recommended to evaluate their HBS. Ab level