Study of allergenicity of petal and stamen in middle-aged ontogenical stage of cytisus scoparius L. in guinea pig

Background: Cytisus scoparius is an ornamental and highly aromatic plant. The petals and stamens in aromatic plants are important allergenic agents. The aim of this study is examination study of allergenicity of petal and stamen in middle-aged ontogenical stage of Cytisus scoparius L. in guinea pig

Methology: In this experimental study, 9 guinea pigs from hartly stirps were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups. Plant extracts were prepared with 16% concentration and injected intraperitoneally to guinea pigs.The first group was considered as negative control [injected with phosphate buffered saline]. The second and the third groups received petal extract and petal + stamen extract respectively. In addition intraperitoneal injections within 4 weeks, once per week, subcutaneous injection was performed in the fifth week. Finally, a week after the last injection was taken blood sampling directly from the heart of animals, and the number of eosinophils, immunoglobulin E and blood sugar levels were measured in experimental groups and analyzed data

Results: Skin test [Created wheal diameter] and serological tests [levels of immunoglobulin E, eosinophils, and blood glucose] in both groups treated with Cytisus scoparius L. significantly increased compared to controls. Electrophoretic profiles was observed about 4 protein bands [2 light protein bands and 2 pale protein bands] in the range of 27 to 85 kD in the middle-aged petal and about 6 more specific protein bands in the range of 10 to 75 kD in middle-aged petal whit stamen proteins

Conclusion: The results showed that petal of ontogenical stage of middle-aged in Cytisus scoparius have allergenicity property and and this effect is exacerbated when they are together with stamens

inventory for assessment of female workers' health promotion behaviour based on the integrated model of planned behaviour and self-efficacy

This study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric properties of an Inventory for Iranian Female Workers' Health Promotion Assessment [IWAHPA]. In the first phase of the study a content analysis approach was applied to explore the meaning of health promoting behaviours among female workers. A 120-item questionnaire was developed, based on the integrated model of planned behaviour and self-efficacy. In the second phase the instruments' psychometric properties were assessed. Scale level content validity index was 0.93. Confirmatory factor analysis showed confirmatory factor index 0.97, goodness of fit index 0.95 and root mean square error of approximation 0.05. Concurrent validity versus the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II showed r= 0.60. Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.70 to 0.93 across the subscales. Test-retest reliability revealed no significant differences. The IWAHPA is a culturally sensitive instrument, with a satisfactory level of validity and reliability, that can be used for planning female workers' health services

inventory for assessment of the health needs of Iranian female adolescents

Health needs assessment is a first step to planning adolescent health programmes but it needs to be socioculturally relevant to the target population. This study aimed to develop an instrument to assess the health needs of Iranian female adolescents and evaluate its psychometric properties. Content analysis was applied to explore the health needs of female adolescents through focus group discussions with adolescents and in-depth interviews with key informants. Five themes were identified: educational needs, and emotional, social, physical and spiritual health needs. A scale-level content validity index of 0.92 was obtained. The factor structure was identified by principal component analysis; 5 factors were extracted which accounted for 44.89% of the variance. Reliability of the instrument was demonstrated with a Cronbach alpha of 0.90 for the entire scale. Consistency was established with test-retest reliability with an interval of 2 weeks [intracluster correlation coefficient = 0.984, P< 0.001]. There was a negative correlation with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [r = -0.66, P < 0.001]. The instrument is culturally sensitive with satisfactory validity and reliability and could be used for planning of adolescent health services

[Evaluation of genetic pattern of non-tuberculosis mycobacterium using VNTR method]

Epidemiological studies of Non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium is important because of the drug resistance pattern and worldwide dissemination of these organisms. One of genetic fingerprinting methods for epidemiological studies is VNTR [Variable Number Tandem Repeat]. In this study genetic pattern of atypical Mycobacterium was evaluated by VNTR method for epidemiologic studies. 48 pulmonary and non pulmonary specimens separated from patients with the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis [PTB] and identified as Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteriumby phenotypic and PCR-RFLP methods were selected for this study. Clinical samples and their standard strains were evaluated according to VNTR pattern using the 7 genetic loci including ETR-B. ETR-F. ETR-C. MPTR-A. ETR-A. ETR-E. ETR-D. The results of VNTR method showed that none of the 7 loci had any polymorphism in the standard strains of atypical mycobacterium. Some of these variable number tandem repeat in 42 clinical samples of non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium were polymorphic while the PCR product [for any loci] was not found in the remaining 6 specimens. Although the used genetic loci of this study were suitable for epidemiological studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, these loci were not able to determine the diversity of genetics of non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium Therefore, it seems necessary that other loci be studied using VNTR method

Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon

Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon Entezari M1, Majd A2, Falahian F3, Mehrabian S4, Hashemi M51 PhD student of Biology, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 2 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran. 3 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 4 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran. 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch Tehran, Iran. Currently cancer is considered as one of the main causes of mortality globally. Many chemicals in our environment can cause genetic mutations and are potentially responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths. The scientists are nowadays looking for food materials which can potentially prevent cancer occurrence. The aim of this research was to examine antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juices. Material and methods: In the present study Human Astrocytoma cancer cells were cultured in DMEM [Gibco], supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin, streptomycin, L-glutamine and incubated at 37°C for 2 days. In addition, cancer cell lines were treated by Citrus Limon fruit juice and cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. The Citrus Limon fruit juice was subsequently evaluated in terms of antimutagenicity and anticancer properties by a standard reverse mutation assay [Ames Test]. For performing Ames Test salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain was chosen based on the fact that it had a specific mutation in the histidine operon, requiring histidine from a foreign source to ensure its growth. The mentioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies exposing to carcinogen substance [Sodium Azide]. During MTT, human Astrocytoma cell line revealed to have a significant cell death when compared with controls [p > 0.01]. In Ames Test the fruit juices prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of half-ripe Citrus Limon was 71.7% and ripe Citrus Limon was 34.4% in antimutagenicity test and this value in anticancer test was 83.3% and 50% in half-ripe Citrus Limon and ripe Citrus Limon, respectively. This is the first study that revealed antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juice and the effects were higher in half-ripe Citrus Limon in comparison to the ripe one

Adhesion and proliferation of horse fibroblast and keratinocyte cells in fibr in glue

Evaluation of autogenous fibrinogen extracted from horse blood in fibrin glue and it's effects on horse's fibroblast and keratinocyte cells were preformed. Fibrinogen has been obtained by glycine precipitation technique from horse's blood. Fibroblast cells were separated by explant culture method from neck skin and keratinocytes were separated by enzyme digestion from lib samples. Autologous fibrinogen, horse`s fibroblast and keratinocyte cells separately mixed with bovine thrombin, calcium gluconate and tranexamic acid. This mixture was uniformly spread on cell culture plate and evaluated for six days. After one day of culture the thickness of fibrin glue were observed by invert microscope, fibroblast cells in elongated shape were observed in the fibrin glue in all thickness and keratinocyte cells were flattened and adherent on surface of plate. Both of them proliferated after 3 days. Fibrinogen that was obtained from horse blood by glycin precipitation technique can support horse fibroblasts as a scaffold and support horse keratinocyte proliferation in vitro

Using hormonal treatment to decrease barrenness percentage in awassi ewes

The study was conducted to study the effect of hormonal treatment on Barrenness ewes reproductive performance. Fertility [number of ewes lambed per ewes joined], Twinning percentage [number of twinning lambing per ewes lambed],Lambing percentage [number of lambs porn per ewes joined], mortality [number of lambs died ber lambs born] and weaning percentage [lambs weaned per ewes joined] for 25 Barrenness ewes were treated with Veteglan [Cloprostenol] and HCG .Reproductive performance were affected significantly [P<0.05] by hormonal treatment Treated ewes were surpassed control group in there fertility [73.0% compared with 40,0%], twinning percentage [9.1% compared with 0.0%], lambing percentage [80.0% compared with 40%], mortality [25.0% compared with 50.0%] and weaning percentage [60.0% compared with 20.0%] It was concluded that hormonal treatment increased fertility and weaning percentage in barrenness ewes by 33.0% and 40.0% res

[Research of change of tropane alkaloids quantities in different stages of growth of Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. in natural condition and assessment of suger and elements changes on biosynthesis of these alkaloids in In vitro]

Hyoscyamus reticudatus from Solanaceae is an important pharmacological plant which contains tropane alkaloids. Presence of tropane alkaloids in this plant is investigated by HPLC apparatus. Different parts of plant including root, stem, leaf, flower and seed in different phases of vegetative growth [two leaves, five leaves, ten leaves], flowering, full flowering and fruiting have been prepared for this experiment. In roots and stems, the highest amount of hyoscyamine and scopolamine are found in vegetative phase with ten rosete leaves and in first stage of flowering phase, respectively. In leaves, the highst quantity of hyoscyamine and scopolamine are in full flowering phase. The flowers have the most amount of scopolamine and hyoscyamine. In fruiting phase, the green and immature seeds in comparison with the mature and brown seeds have more hyoscyamine and scopolamine. In all of these considerated phases, the rate of hyoscyamine production is higher than scopolamine. In vitro culture of Hyoscyamus reticulatus plant was carried out on B5 medium including 2 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l 6-BAP. Explants were supplied from culturing of root, hypocotyl and leaf of sterile seedlings which were growing in B5 medium free hormone. The effect of different environmental factors on tropane alkaloids production were examined by changing the quantity of sucrose, calcium, nitrate and phosphate in B5 medium

Maternal height as a contributory factor towards birth of small for date infants

A case control study of "small for date" and premature infants was conducted at 17 hospitals in Tehran between December 1989 and June 1990. The study population consisted of mothers of 347 small for date, 261 premature and 1164 normal infants. Mothers who were less than 18 years old and their height less than 155 cm had a statistically significant R. R, F.+ [2.18] for the birth of small for date infants, while mothers of the same age group but with a height of 155-159 or 160-165 cm had an R.R.F. of 2.61 and 1.41, respectively. It was therefore concluded that an increase in height did not decrease the R.R.F. for birth of small for date infants in teen-age mothers. Mothers older than 18 years, 18-29 and 30-39 years with a height of less than 155 cm had an R.R.F. of 1.63 and 1.47, respectively, both being statistically significant concerning the birth of small for date infants. Whilst in mothers taller than 155 cm and older than 18 years no significant risk factor was noted, it was concluded that a maternal height of less than 155 cm seems to be a contributory factor to birth of small for date infants. In this study no association was established between maternal height and prematurity. Since 57% of LB W t infants were small for date, any measures aiming at decreasing this figure would be beneficial to the individual as well as to the community. Short-term measures such as marriage at an older age, availability of contraception to teen-age mothers, and more years of education for girls may help decrease the proportion of small for date infants

antimicrobial effect of genus vinca on some pathogen microorganism

Vinca major, minor and rosea are three species of vinca genus and Apocynaceae family. The present work is to investigate antimicrobial effects of these plants against Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococus aureus. Alkaloids from leaf extracts had a better effect on pseudomonas aeroginosa than alkoloids from stem and root. Alkaloids from stem extracts were more effective than alkaloids from other parts on Staphylococus aureus. Root alkaloids were more effective on C. albicans. The antimicrobial effect of vinca minor was the most

antimicrobial effect of garlic [Allium sativum] extract on mouth microflora

Five strains of mouth normal microflora containing staphylococcus epidermidis, streptococcus mutant, lactobacillus acidophilus, Actinomyces viscosos and candida albicans, were isolated and identified then cultured and purified on different media by using routine methods in microbiology. Extract of 3 garlic samples south [Khuzestan], north [Mazanderan] and Hamedan garlics, were affected on these microbial cultures using Bauer and Kirby method. The effects were compared with antimicrobial effects of erythromycin. The results show all three used extracts have antimicrobial effects. The extract had a bactericidal effect on bacteria but a fungi static on candida albicans

Inciolence of molder pregnancy in a University Hospital in Tehran: age and birth oroler

In a hospital-based study in Tehran from October, 1988, to October, 1989, the pathology findings of all D and Cs reported for abortion, hydatidiform mole, and blighted ovum are analyzed, and also the total number of term deliveries for this period are recorded. Overall incidence of hydatidiform mole in this study is 6.7/1000 live deliveries. First birth order at all age groups decreased the relative risk of hydatidiform mole which is statistically significant. The incidence of mole for first and second birth order at age group 15-19 is 0.4 and 10.6 per 1000 live births, respectively. At 20-24, the relative risk for hydatidiform mole is 2.13, which is statistically significant. The incidence of mole for this age group is 6.3/ 1000 live births for the first birth order and 23.8/1000 live births for 6th + birth order, which can mean that early and closely-spaced child bearing can be a contributory factor in this respect. Age 45 and over increases the risk of mole by 32 times. Since the risk of choriocarcinoma is increased after delivery of mole, recommendations are made for delay of child bearing for the young and against any pregnancies at older age