[Effects of the anti-diabetic and anti-neuropathy effects of onosma dichroanthum in an experimental model of diabetes by streptozocin in mice]

Introduction: Diabetes is a metabolic disease with hyperglycemia, decrease in insulin secretion or de-sensitization of peripheral cells to insulin. Onosma is a species of Boraginaceae which although it is used in traditional medicine for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, data on its anti-diabetic effects are limited. This research has been designed to assess its' anti-diabetc, anti-neuropathy and anti-oxidative stress effects in an in-vivo model of diabetes

Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from over-ground organs, [shoots and leaves] and underground organs [roots], and administered by gavage [50 mg/kg] for 3 weeks to mice in a streptozocin induced diabetic model. After the treatment period, blood glucose, weight and neuropathy were determined and for positive control, metformin [50 mg/kg] was used. After removing the brain and liver of mice and homogenization of tissues, the MDA and Glutathione contents of the tissues have been assayed by a colorimetric method

Results: Results of this research show that hydroalcoholic extract of Onosma d. has anti-diabeti properties which have beneficial effects for some parameters such as hypoglycemia and reducing MDA, the effect of underground organs as roots extracts were better. However for increasing weight, diminishing neuropathy and increasing GSH contents, the effects of over-ground organs as leaves and shoots extracts were more significant

Conclusion: Results of this research indicate the anti-diabetic and anti-neuropathy properties of Onosma dichroanthum as a herbal medicine, related to its anti-oxidant abilities and limited side effects, can hence be used for treatment with other anti-diabetic drugs

[Additive effects of trans-resveratrol and imipramine to reduce depressive symptoms in the forced swimming test in mice]

Background and Objective: Resveratrol is a phenolic herbal compound which has been proposed as antioxidant in combinational therapy of diabetes, cancer and some neurodegenerative diseases. This study was done to evaluate additive effect of trans-resveratrol and imipramine to reduce depressive symptoms in the forced swimming test in mice

Methods: In this experimental study, 56 Swiss Webster male mice were randomly allocated into 6 groups including negative control group [normal saline], positive control [imipramine [10 mg/kg/bw], experimental groups; trans resveratrol [10 mg/kg/bw], Imipiramine [10 mg/kg/bw] and mixtures [with ratio of 1:1 of resveratrol with imipramine [2.5 mg/kg/bw, 5 and 10 mg/kg/bw], intraperitoneally. The forced swimming test has been done for all groups. Through swimming of animals in water, the immobilization times of animals as depressive symptom were recorded

Results: The immobilization times significantly reduced in animals which were received imipramine 10 mg/kg/bw in compare to control group [P<0.05]. The immobilization times of animals were received resveratrol injection 10 mg/kg/bw with imipramine 10 mg/kg/bw was determined which it was significantly effective than imipramine10 mg/kg/bw, alone [P<0.05]. The antidepressant effectiveness of resveratrol injection 5 mg/kg/bw is similar to resveratrol [2.5 mg/kg/bw] with imipramine [2.5 mg/kg/bw]. is similar to resveratrol [2.5 mg/kg] with imipramine [2.5 mg/kg/bw] [P<0.05]. Also, antidepressant effect of intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol 10 mg/kg was significantly more than imipramine 10 mg/kg/bw [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to additive effect of imipramine with resveratrol we can suggest resveratrol in combinations with other antidepressants to lower their doses and related side effects of chemical drugs

Determination of aflatoxin M1 contamination and integrity as well as credibility

Aspergillums can produce and secrete directly aflatoxin Ml. During the previous decade several papers pertaining to aflatoxin Ml have been published in different journals. Not mention of their more or less scientific aspects, they have fundamentally some problems in different features. In this paper we are going to have a bird's eye view on some articles published on this topic. It is suggested that complete research must be performed in order to find out the source of aflatoxin Ml contamination

Tailoring of interventional procedures for HCC patients-review article

One of the most frequent primary malignant tumors in the world is hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Currently, the optimal treatment methods for HCC are hepatic resection and liver transplantation. Unfortunately, surgical therapies are suitable for 20% of patients and those who are not eligible for surgery should undergo interventional therapies. In the past decade, a variety of interventional procedures have been employed for local control of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] including transcatheter arterial chemoembolization [TACE] and many tumor ablation techniques, such as percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI], radio-frequency ablation [RFA], percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy [PMC], laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy [LITT], cryoablation, and acetic acid injection. By development of new technologies in imaging and drug delivery, it is likely that in the future patients with HCC will be treated by combination therapies to improve patient survival. Computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] have a crucial role in diagnosis and also follow-up of HCC patients treated by interventional procedures, by which the treatment efficacy, recurrence of disease and certain complications are evaluated. In this review article, we discuss the imaging modalities and also tailoring of interventional procedures for HCC patients

Comparison of irrigation penetration into the apical part of canals in hand and rotary instrumentations

The penetration of irrigating solution to the apical one third of canals and removal of debris are dependent on the final size of the instruments and instrumentation techniques used in the canals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of final instrument size, on irrigation penetration into the apical part of canals in hand K-file instrumentation versus rotary system of Hero 642. The mesiobuccal canals of 48 first mandibular molar teeth were selected for this study. The teeth were divided into 2 groups of 24 in each and the mesiobuccal canals were instrumented by hand K-file or rotary system of Hero 642 at 2 stages. After each stage, a contrast medium was injected into the canals and radiographs were taken by RVG system. The irrigation penetration was measured in radiographs by Diamax software. The data were analyzed using t -student test. This study showed that instrumentation up to # 25 file is not enough for irrigation penetration into the apical area. Also by more flaring the canals, more irrigating solution penetrates into the apical part of canals [P < 0.001], but the difference between hand and rotary systems was not statistically significant [P > 0.05]. According to this study, instrumentation up to # 30 file results in better irrigation penetration into the apical area. The flaring of the canals is essential for better cleaning and irrigation of apical area

[Serotyping of Neisseria meningitides in conscripts with meningitis admitted to five military hospital in Tehran between September 2004 and September 2006]

Background: Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared disorders with high rate morbidity and mortality. There is no exact information of meningococcal meningitis incidence in military personnel. Obligate vaccination of the military with meningococcal vaccine is a strategy with the potency to provide active protection of the conscripts before being dispatched to training centers. Although, sporadic cases of meningitis in conscripts occurred. The aim of this study was serotyping of the bacterium; Neisseria meningitides isolated from patients with meningitis which admitted to five military Hospitals

Materials and methods: In this cross- sectional study for determination of meningococcal meningitis serotypes in conscripts submit to five military hospitals the investigation was designed and carried out from September 2003 to September 2006. In this period, 12 cerebrospinal fluids of conscripts with clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis were collected, and the laboratory tests were done. In this study enriched Thayer Martin medium and standard bacteriological methods were used. The sample without bacterial cells or PMNs were centrifuged [10000 xg for 5 min]. The precipitate was cultured and direct smear was performed. Isolated bacterial strains was recognized by biochemical tests, and Neisseria meningitides strains were serotyped by specific antiserum

Results: During the study, 12 cases of meningitis in conscripts were seen. Neisseria meningitides was isolated only from 6 patients. Serotyping analysis revealed that 5 strains belong to Serotype C and 1 strain was to serotype B. Neisseria sica was isolated from one patient. In three patients there was no bacteriological evidence. In two patients, consumption of antibiotic before lumbar puncture results to no bacterial growth, but direct smear showed gram negative diplococci. In one patient recurrent meningococcal infection was occurred. Complement components analysis revealed deficiency in C3, C4 and CH50 [the rate was below 80 mg per deciliter]

Conclusions: the results of this study showed that, Neisseria meningitides was isolated from six patients which are all conscripts. It is necessary to find the reasons that why vaccinated conscripts infected by Neisseria meningitides serotype C. Further analysis showed that, five patients had complement deficiency and further research is necessary. However, 6 Neisseria meningitides strains were isolated from meningococcal vaccinated conscripts around the country [Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd and Oslavieh] in the period of study. Based on the findings of this study, effectiveness of the vaccine was desirable and the disease had been controlled in this population group. Because of complements deficiency in patients with meningococcal meningitis, other preventing methods for eradication of disease are necessary