ABSTRACT
Background: Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease[SAD] is caused by genetic risk factors, agingand oxidative stresses. The herbal extract of Rosa canina [R. canina], Tanacetumvulgare [T. vulgare]and Urtica dioica [U. dioica]has a beneficial role in aging, as ananti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent. In this study, the neuroprotective effectsof this herbal extract in the rat model of SAD was investigated
Methods: The rats were divided into control, sham, model, herbal extract -treated andethanol-treated groups. Drug interventions were started on the 21st day after modelingand each treatment group was given the drugs by intraperitoneal [I.P.] route for21 days. The expression levels of the five important genes for pathogenesis of SAD includingSyp, Psen1, Mapk3, Map2 and Tnf-alphawere measured by qPCR between thehippocampi of SAD model which were treated by this herbal extract and controlgroups. The Morris Water Maze was adapted to test spatial learning and memoryability of the rats
Results: Treatment of the rat model of SAD with herbal extract induced a significantchange in expression of Syp [p=0.001] and Psen1 [p=0.029]. In Morris Water Maze,significant changes in spatial learning seen in the rat model group were improved inherbal-treated group
Conclusion: This herbal extract could have anti-dementia properties and improve spatiallearning and memory in SAD rat model
ABSTRACT
Long-time erexposure to ultraviolet radiations can lead to various skin and ocular diseases. UV-blocking contact lenses due to their properties against ultraviolet radiations can protect eyes. The present study aimed to compare between ultraviolet and visible light rays transmission through soft contact lenses available in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 6 types of contact lenses [Avaira, Biofinity, Acuvue 2, Acuvue Oasys, Ultra Wave, and Specialy S55] were purchased from reputable companies of the country, and were evaluated in terms of transmission of ultraviolet and visible light according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration of [FDA] criteria. To test the samples, a calibrated spectral transmittance-meter was used, which had the ability of evaluation of samples at wavelengths of ultraviolet type B, type A, and visible light. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests. The significance level was considered to be p >/= 0.05. In this study, none of the lenses were eligible for blocking UV radiation. Among the UV-blocking soft lenses, the Acuvue Oasys had the best performance, with a transmittance of less than 4% of UV-B and less than 45% of UV-A. All of the lenses decreased the transmittance of visible light about 4%. Considering that all of the studied contact lenses can protect eyes against UV radiation compared to other lenses, but for protection against harmful sunlight, standard sunglasses and an appropriate hat should be used together with even the best UV-blocking contact lenses
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity world-wide. The estimation of the direct medical costs of breast cancer can help payers of the cost to understand the burden of breast cancer on their limited financial resources as well as the society. We used a cross-sectional study to calculate the direct medical costs of breast cancer among women in Isfahan, Iran. The medical records of all patients which were registered in Seyed Al-Shohada Hospital between March 2005 and March 2010 were reviewed. The relevant data from patients' profiles extracted. The direct medical costs of received services were calculated with both public and private tariffs. The total numbers of 467 patients in various disease stages were included into the study. The average age of patients was 49 years. The average direct cost per patient per month in stages I to IV were 222.17, 224.61, 316.51 and 828.52 US$, respectively. The surgery cost was the main cost driver for stages I and II with private tariffs. However for stages III and IV, the medication cost was the main cost component for managing breast cancer. The direct economic cost of breast cancer in Iran is very high; nonetheless, as the age of breast cancer in Iran is nearly 10 years lower than Western countries, the burden of the disease in Iran is expected to be significantly high. Medication therapy is the main cost component of the breast cancer