[-vitro anti-bacterial activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts of Scilla persica Hausskn]

The generated genetic diversity in the microbial pathogens and drug resistant led to a growing interest to use herbal medicine. This study was carried out to determine the in vitro anti-bacterial activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts of Scilla persica Hausskn. In this laboratory study, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from bulb of Scilla persica. The anti-microbial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and the minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] of the extracts were evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli using the disk diffusion [growth inhibition zone] and macro-dilution methods. Dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] was used as a negative control while nalidixic acid and ampicillin were used as positive control. The maximum inhibition zone for ethyl acetate extract was 26.3 +/- 0.1 milimetre, 23.7 +/- 0.3 milimetre and 19.5 +/- 0.4 milimetre for Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus, respectively. The maximum inhibition zone of chloroform extract was found to be 16.4 +/- 0.2 milimetre and 14.9 +/- 0.3 milimetre for Staphylococcus and Bacillus, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of bulb of Scilla persica on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus are more effective compared to nalidixic acid and it is similar to ampicillin in in-vitro condition

[ effect of supervisors and work group on hospital information system acceptance model]

Issues related to organizations and users are among factors influencing successful implementation of information systems. These factors should be taken into account by managers. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of supervisors and workgroup on Hospital Information System [HIS] acceptance by users in medical hospitals of Tehran [former Iran] University of Medical Sciences. After the literature review, a primary model including seven variables influencing HIS acceptance was proposed. A questionnaire including 121 questions based on the variables was developed, the validity and reliability of which were tested and confirmed by an expert panel and through Chronbach Alpha. The population of the study were 400 HIS users in hospitals selected by stratified random sampling method. To confirm the model and determine the relationship between variables, Structural Equation Modeling [SEM] method was used by applying LISREL Software. The result of Normed Chi Square Index [x[2]/df= 2.49] showed that the model had fitness with the collected data. According to the model, supervisers and workgroup influenced Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, and Satisfaction which affected users Behavioral Intention to use Hospital Information System in these hospitals [P-value= 0.0054]. Considering the goodnesss of fit indices, it is concluded that supervisors and workgroup factors have the potential to influence HIS acceptance. The application of the suggested model could increase the possibility of HIS acceptance in hospitals under the study

[Assessment of the effectiveness of training relationship enhancement program on increasing intimacy in dual-career couples]

Intimacy in couples has beneficial effects on physical and psychological health. This study investigated the effectiveness of training relationship enhancement program on increasing intimacy in dual-career couples. This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest and control group. The research population included female elementary school teachers who had married for 5 to 10 years, in Sanandaj City. 30 women were selected randomly from eligible volunteers and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group used the relationship enhancement program for ten 1.5 hour sessions [one session/week] while the control group did not do any training. Marital intimacy questionnaire was used as a measurement tool and the groups completed it three times in pretest, posttest and follow up test. Data were introduced in to SPSS software and analyzed by covariance analysis. Our results showed that training relationship enhancement program led to increased intimacy and all intimacy subscales [emotional ,intellectual,physical,social-recreational,relational,spritual,psychological, sexual and general] between dual-career couples significantly [p<0/05]. The training relationship enhancement program can be used to increase intimacy in dual-career couples

[Evaluation of lavandula officinalis extract on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-aplha production]

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 micro g/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 micro g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 micro g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract

Peripheral venous pressure as a predictor of central venous pressure in continuous monitoring in children

Measurement of central venous pressure [CVP] is a reliable method for evaluating intravascular volume status and cardiac function; however it is an invasive and expensive method that may result in some complications such as arterial puncture, pneumothorax and development of infections. This study was performed to compare CVP measurements between central and peripheral catheters in infant and children with congenital heart disease. The CVP and peripheral venous pressure [PVP] were measured simultaneously in 30 patients within 10 consecutive hours. The mean difference between CVP and PVP was 1.48 +/- 0.98 mmHg. The linear regression equation showed that CVP was 0.374+0.774 PVP [r[2] = 0.725]. PVP measured from a peripheral intravenous catheter in infants and children with congenital heart disease is an accurate estimation of CVP and its changes has good concordance with CVP over a long period of time

study of plasma concentration [Zinc and Copper] and their relation in rheumatoid arthritis ptarients in comparison to control group

The role of trace elements [Cu, Zn] in chronic inflammatory states has provided interest, as many of them are co-factors in metabolic processes, involving arthricular tissues and immune system function. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate zinc and copper plasma concentration in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients, who were referred to the Sari Outpatient Clinics and were compared with control group. We studied plasma concentrations of Zn and Cu in 40 patients with RA and compared them with sex and age matched of healthy subjects [N=40]. Plasma Cu and Zn concentrations were determined by an analysis of 100 Perkin Elmer model flame atomic absorption spectrometer [FAAS]. The plasma Zn concentration in the patient group was statistically lower than control group. The plasma copper was not statistically different in comparison with control group. There was no correlation between Cu and Zn concentration in patient group. In contrast to Cu, there was a significantly positive correlation between Zn and Zn/Cu ratio. However, the decrease of Zn/Cu is more influenced by decreasing the Zn concentration. It appears the decrease of Zn plasma concentration in patients [comparison with control group] is more important than the differences in plasma Cu concentration, but the use of Zn supplement for RA patients needs more investigation

[Elevated plasma copper/zinc ratios in patients with schizophrenia]

Copper and zinc, two essential trace elements, are neuroactive substances that can be synaptically released during neuronal activity. These metals have been implicated in diseases with neuropathological components, including Alzheimer's disease, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, Pick's disease, stroke and seizures. Copper and zinc levels in body tissues reflect many physiological and pathological conditions, including dietary factors, hepatic disease, and acute and chronic infections. The purpose of the present study was to examine the plasma levels of copper [Cu] and zinc [Zn] in schizophrenic patients and to compare the Cu/Zn ratios with that of matched healthy subjects. Forty patients with schizophrenia [diagnosis were made according to DSM-IV] were sampled along with 50 healthy controls. Exclusion criteria included another concurrent psychiatric disorder, pregnancy, and medical disorders [endocrine, immune, liver cirrhosis, renal] or drugs [anticonvulsants, contraceptives, glucocorticoids] known to affect trace element metabolism. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn from an antecubital vein between 07.00 and 09.00 h. Plasma copper and zinc levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer [Perkin Elmer GmbH, Uebelingen, Germany]. Two-tailed t test was used to determine statistical differences. All data were analyzed with the computer program, GRAPHPAD software [V2.01+]. Mean +/- SE of sera copper levels in cases and controls were 145 +/- 28 and 65 +/- 3 mg/dl respectively [P<0.05]. Also Mean +/- SE of sera zinc level in cases and controls were 67 +/- 2 and 81 +/- 4 mg/dl, respectively [P<0.05]. Cu/Zn ratios was 2.07 +/- 0.38 and 0.87 +/- 0.04 in cases and controls respectively [P<0.05]. There was a significant higher Cu/Zn ratio in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. These results suggest that Cu and Zn may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia