[ effect of four medicinal plants on performance and concentration of serum lipids in broiler chicks]

The usage of "growth promoter" antibiotics has been banned recently. This is due to the possibility of bacterial resistance and the risk of transferring to consumers. Herbs with antimicrobial and hypolipidemic properties can suggest as proper alternatives for antibiotic. Comparative investigation of growth promoting effect of four medicinal plants [Cuminum L., Mentha piperita L., Achillea L., Teucrium Polium L.] on performance and concentration of serum lipids of broiler. Total 280 day-old male Ross broiler chicks were used in a CRD design with 5 treatments, and 4 replicates and 56 birds per each treatment. Cuminum, Mentha piperita, Achillea and Teucrium Polium was added to diets in levels of 1.5, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.2 percent, respectively. A treatment without any additive was considered as control group. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded weekly. Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL and HDL were measured at 35 days of age. Among the medicinal plants that used in this study, inclusion Mentha piperita in finisher diets increased feed intake [2196.4 g] and weight gain [1005.3 g], significantly [p < 0.05]. At total rearing period, addition of Teucrium Polium to diets decreased weight gain [1821.3 g] of chicks compared to control [1963.7 g], decreased total cholesterol [151.33 mg/dl] and LDL [29.06 mg/dl]; but it increased HDL [120.16 mg/dl] of serum [p < 0.05]. The results of this experiment suggest that Mentha piperita L., in diet, improves broiler performance compared to control and it can be used as growth promoter in broiler nutrition

[Association between vitamin D receptor Apa1 and Taq1 genes polymorphism and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women]

Background: Osteoporosis is the commonest systemic disease leading to increased bone fragility and fracture. Vitamin D receptor Polymorphism is thought to have the most genetic influence on BMD

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin D receptor Apa1 and Taq1 genes polymorphism and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Methods: This was a case/control study in which 80 patients with osteoporosis [case group], referred to rheumatology ward at Boalisina Hospital during 2010 were investigated. The control group included an equal number of patients who visited other wards of the hospital for a variety of reasons. We obtained the bone mass densitometry [grams per centimeter square] results of case and control groups at the lumbar spine, wrist and hip by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The distribution of Apa1 and Taq1 polymorphism in the VDR gene was determined by PCR-RFLP. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and ANOVA tests

Findings: There was no relationship between the Apa1, Taq1 VDR polymorphism and BMD results. We found that patients with Taq1 genotype [tt] had lower bone mass in the femur and wrist compared with Tt

Conclusion: Based on our findings, a relationship between the VDR polymorphism and osteoporosis remains unclear requiring further in-depth studies. Our results showed that other secondary factors may influence the bone mass density

[Toxoplasmosis infection in the pregnant women in the first half of pregnancy, in Kamyaran in 2008]

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii which is an obligate intracellular parasite. Toxoplasmosis in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to dangerous fetal complications. After diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, proper treatment or curettage of the fetus should be attempted in order to prevent long term disabilities in the newborn. The aim of this study was to determine IgM and IgG anti toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women in the first trimester. This was a discriptive analytic study. 201 blood samples were obtained from pregnant women in the first trimester. Anti toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA method and data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics. In this study, 24 subjects [12%] were IgM positive, 54 [27%] IgG positive and 33 [16.5%] were positive for both IgM and IgG antibodies. In general 55% of pregnant women were seropositive for IgM, IgG or both. The results of this study showed a significant relation between education level and serum levels of anti toxopalsma antibodies [P?0.05], but no significant relationship was found between: occupation, contact with cats or other pets, consumption of unwashed fruits and vegetables, raw or underdone meat and raw milk with presence of toxoplasmosis. Considering the high prevalence of serum anti toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women in the first trimester, screening of the pregnant women in the first trimester is necessary to prevent fetal complications or to take therapeutic measures for the affected newborns

[Evaluation of the pre-emptive effect of acetaminophen codeine on the pain after liver biopsy]

Liver biopsy is one of the most important diagnostic procedures for liver diseases. Pain is the most common complication of liver biopsy and it can lead to clear morbidity. Finding a way to reduce pain of liver biopsy its complication is very important for investigators. There are limited studies on evaluation of pre-emptive effect of acetaminophen on liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to investigate pre-emptive effect of Acetaminophen codeine on the pain of liver biopsy during the first 24 hours after biopsy. This was a double blind randomized clinical trail study from Oct 2007 to Oct 2008 in gastroenterology and liver disease unit of Tohid hospital in Sanandaj. Sample size included all the patients who were candidate for liver biopsy. Forty four patients [23 in experimental group and 21 in placebo group] were enrolled into the study on the basis of randomized blocking method. Exclusion criteria included any contraindication for liver biopsy or need of penetration of needle for two or more times for biopsy. Visual analogue scale [VAS] was used to assess pain after liver biopsy, 0,1,3,6 and 24 hours after biopsy. This study was conducted after approval of Ethical review Committee of Kurdistan University of medical Sciences and obtaining the informed written consent from the patients. The patients received acetaminophen codeine or placebo one hour before biopsy. Data were analyzed by means of Chi square, t-test, analysis of variances, and nonparametric tests. The mean value of the pains intensity in zero, one, three, six, and twenty four hours after biopsy in experimental group was higher than that of placebo group but there was no significant differences between two groups [P>0.05]. Intensity of the pain after liver biopsy in females was higher than in males in the two groups but there was no significant differences between two groups [P>0.05]. Comparison of the results of the present study with those of other studies shows that acetaminophen codeine is not effective in reducing the pain of biopsy. Further clinical trail studies for determination of the effect of other analgesics drugs are recommended in the future