[Investigation of different drying methods of peppermint [mentha piperita] medical plant]

Background: Agriculture products, especially medical plants after harvest should be processed by different processes such as removal of foreign bodies, washing and cleaning, drying, packaging and so forth. One of main postharvest stages of medical plant especially peppermint is drying process

Objective: The aim of this study is design a solar dryer equipped with double pass collector to drying process of peppermint and comparison their results with traditional drying methods [sun and shade]

Methods: In this study drying process of peppermint with different methods of solar drying [by solar dryer designed in this study] and also traditional drying [shade and sun drying] were investigated and compared

Results: The drying time required for dehydration of peppermint in solar drying method was 150 min, which it was approximately 82% and 55% shorter than to traditional methods of shade and sun. Furthermore, dehydration rate in drying methods of solar drying, sun drying and shade drying were 26.77, 12.48 and 4.48 [kg H2O/kg D.M h], respectively. The results of mathematical modelling indicated that Midli and kucuk [in drying methods of solar and shade] and Aghbashlo et al [in drying method of sun] can be fitted drying curve of this medical plant with high accuracy. Also, solar drying by dryer could be protecting the essential oil of this plant in the best form. The results show that the main components of peppermint essential oil was included: 1,8-Cineole, cisSabinene hydrate, Menthone, Menthofuran, iso-Menthone, Menthol and iso-Menthol

Conclusion: Generally, solar drying method of peppermint was recommended as the best method for postharvest processing of this medical plant

HIV/HBV Co-infections: epidemiology, natural history, and treatment: a review article

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection, one of the major health priorities, accounts approximately for 350 million chronic cases and a global total of 33 million people were living with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] in the world. Co-infection with HIV and the HBV presents a significant challenge to health care providers, with different prevalence rates in different parts of the world. It is important to screen all HIV infected individuals for HBV infection and reverse. Infection with HBV becomes more violent in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV/HBV co-infected individuals are at increased risk of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and of experiencing HAART toxicity. In this review, the latest statistics on epidemiology of HIV, HBV and their co-infection has been presented along with prominent characteristics of HBV. Transmission routes which are the common between HBV and HIV are described and the most important ones are described according to the regional and age features. Also, there is a series of actions being performed once HBV infections occur to prevent HIV or to diagnose if the HBV-infected individuals are also infected with HIV. As in treatment case, some of the frequent treatment methods including applying interferon and using nucleoside and nucleotide analogues have been discussed. Finally, we would explain the new recommendations for treating patients who were co-infected with HBV and HIV, including staging HBV and HIV treatment, based on the stage of each disease. It also outlines the optimal treatment options, whether the patient is treated for HBV first, HIV first, or HIV and HBV together

Specific PCR assay for rapid and direct detection of Neisseria meningitidis in cerebrospinal fluid specimens

Neisseria meninigitidis is one of the most frequently encountered microorganisms associated with central nervous system infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate a PCR-based assay for specific and rapid detection of N. meninigitidis in CSF specimens. Since April 2002 to July 2006, 130 CSF specimens were collected from patients suspected of having baterial meningitis. Bacterial isolation and identification was carried out according to the standard bacteriological methods. The PCR was used to amplify a 101bp fragment of capsular transport gene A [ctr A] of N. meningitidis. PCR yielded an amplified product with the expected size of 101 base pair fragment. Sensitivity test proved 500 mg of N. meningitidis DNA as the final detection limit and specificity test revealed no cross-reaction for a wide range of respiratory pathogenic organisms. The PCR assay was more sensitive than the bacterial culturing. It might be possible to apply this procedure for rapid diagnosis of meningococci in clinical samples

prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens isolated from pediatric patients

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is considered as the most common bacterial infectious disease seen among the pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens isolated from the pediatric patients with urinary tract infections. This descriptive study was conducted in Children Medical Center, Tehran, Iran from March 2006 to Feb 2007. Clean-catch midstream urine specimens were obtained from the patients and cultured on the appropriate bacteriological media. Bacterial isolates were identified by standard biochemical and serological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI guidelines. From 14199 urine specimens, 16.2% had positive results for bacterial cultures. Nine hundred twenty one strains were identified as Escherichia coli; 412 as Klebsiella spp., 285 as Coagulase negative Staphylocococci, 202 as Enterococcus spp., 158 as Pseudomonas spp., and 83 as Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli isolates showed high resistance to carbenicillin [68%], ampicillin [96%], trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazol [70%] and kanamycin [65%]. More than 30% of isolates of Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacter spp. have shown high degree of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Our findings reinforce the need for ongoing investigation to show trends in antibiotic resistance, which can help to prescribing of antibiotics in clinics

survey of traditional Iranian food products for contamination with toxigenic Clostridium botulinum

This study aimed to determine the rate of Clostridium botulinum contamination in some traditional Iranian food products [cheese, kashk and salted fish] and evaluate the efficacy of the mouse bioassay method in detection of C. botulinum toxins in these foods. A total of 131 samples [57 cheese, 11 kashk and 63 salted fish] were collected and examined to determine the rate of contamination by C. botulinum. Standard monovalent anti-toxins were used to determine the types of toxin. C. botulinum bacteria were detected in 4.58% of the examined samples [1.52% of cheese and 3.06% of salted fish samples]. While no contamination was detected in the kashk samples, C. botulinum types A and E were found to be dominant in cheese and salted fish samples, respectively. These results indicate-some traditional Iranian foods may be contaminated with different types of C. botulinum, and the consumption of these products, either raw or cooked, may contribute to food-borne intoxications

[Multicentric Castleman Disease : a case report]

Background: multicentric Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown origin. Castleman disease [CD] also known as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with poorly understood pathophysiology. The multicentric plasma cell variant is highly associated with infection by human herpesvirus 8 [HHV8], and patients have an increased risk for the development of other HHV8-associated neoplasms, including Kaposi's sarcoma and extranodal B-cell lymphoma. The authors describe a 50-year-old woman that presented with protracted fever with diagnosis of Multicentric Castleman disease

Case: we report a 50-year-old woman that presented with a 5 months history of protracted fever, night sweating, abdominal pain, dyspnea, loss of appetite and weight loss approximately 5 kg. Physical examination was significant for a febrile [39 degree c], ill-appearing in mild distress with a distended and diffusely tender abdomen with moderate splenomegaly, pitting edema on lower limbs and disseminated lymphadenopathy. Despite a comprehensive evaluation, her diagnosis remained elusive for several weeks. Eventually, a lymph node biopsy showed the presence of Multicentric Castleman disease. Due to her relatively poor prognosis and severity of the disease, she was treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone. She tolerated her therapy well and is currently free of disease at 6 months of follow-up

Conclusions: according to low prevalence of multicentric CD and loss of standard treatment for it and due to the poor prognosis in adults with multicentric CD, the potential for malignancy, we recommend further evaluations [lymph node biopsy] for diagnosis Multicenteric CD in any patients with compatible signs and symptom

[Environmental effects of Uranium weapons]

Background: depleted uranium [DU], which is one of the residues of enriched uranium, has military and nonmilitary usage. Effects of DU on environment depend on chemical composition of the soil and the rocks. Bullets fallen in the joining part of sand and quartz will erode faster and pollute the superficial waters. This article discusses production and usage of DU and its environmental effects and the means to decontaminate the environment

Methods and materials: this study was a review article. Data and information were collected from libraries and Internet. Search word were, depleted uranium, environmental impact, natural resources in Rose net and google from 1997-2005. Search provided us with 20 full text articles

Results: high percentage [50-96%] of suspended particles of Uranium Oxide that is produced when DU hits the aims are inhale able. Approximately, 52 83% of these particles are insoluble in pulmonary fluids. Particles with the size of 5 micron or lesser can enter the body via air or food. DU particles may contaminate air, water or soil and stay there till it is moved to contaminate other areas

Conclusions: suggested means to reduce contaminations are annual sampling of water resources, environmental decontamination, public awareness, political support of the involved countries, active participation of the responsible organizations, putting sanction on production of these weapons

[Common infectious diseases in Turkey need health attention for habitants near borders]

Background: Many socioeconomical factors as well as different health indicators could be affected in human health in different geographical variation with different climates and it can be seen in different countries of the world. Turkey is a country that its health situation directly or indirectly can be considered to decrease or increase the quality of health in our country especially for our military forces. The aim of this study was to determine the latest situation of gee-pathological of this country in order to find out their health problems

Material and methods: This is a review study that was carried out based on literature reviews as well as collection of health information from Internet and websites of WHO and CDC for Turkey country. In this study more than 300 hours internet works for collection of data and preparation of information were spent. Infectious diseases were determined specially in common border of Turkey and IR Iran

Results: Based on this study, serious health problem and infectious disease such as hepatitis A and E, cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis, malaria, diarrhea, measles, tuberculosis, respiratory infection were reported in Turkey

Conclusions: This study shows that different infectious diseases seen in Turkey and their diseases or health could be affected our national public health aspects and health of military forces. Therefore, it must be considered under observation to prevent any problems for future

Common infectious diseases in Turkey need health attention for habitants near borders

Many socioeconomical factors as well as different health indicators could be affected in human health in different geographical variation with different climates and it can be seen in different countries of the world. Turkey is a country that its health situation directly or indirectly can be considered to decrease or increase the quality of health in our country especially for our military forces. The aim of this study was to determine the latest situation geo-pathological of this country in order to find out their health problems. This is a review study that was carried out based on literature reviews as well as collection of health information from Internet and websites of WHO and CDC for Turkey country. In this study more than 300 hours internet works for collection of data and preparation of information were spent. Infectious diseases were determined specially in common border of Turkey and IR Iran. Based on this study, serious health problem and infectious disease such as hepatitis A and E, cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis, malaria,diarrhea, measles, tuberculosis, respiratory infection were reported in Turkey. This study shows that different infectious diseases seen in Turkey and their diseases or health could be affecting our national public health aspects and health of military forces. Therefore, it must be considered under observation to prevent any problems for future