[Antimicrobial effects of some traditional plant essential oils on Clostridium perfringence]

Clostridium perfringence is one of the most important pathogens in animals and cause a lot of death in sheeps and goats every year. In human C. perfringence cause food intoxication and gastroentritis. This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial effects of essential oils of Thymus daenensis, Hypericum Scabrum, pimpinella anisum on clostridium perfringens in the laboratory culture media. After extracting the essential oils by Steam Distilation method, antimicrobial activity were examined by two methods. At first in the plate method after culturing bacteria on the plate containing Nutrient Agar, 5 mm diameter hole was made by the sterile pastuer pipte and 0.1 ml of each essential oils was added to each whole separetely. In the second step tube dilation method containing Tyoglycolate broth was used to determining the MIC and MBC of the essential oils. The results showed that the pimpinella anisum oils had not any effect on growth of C. perfringence, but the mean value of inhibitory zones for thymus daenensis and Hypericum Scabrum oils were 8.1 +/- 0.2 and 6.03 +/- 0.15 respectevely. The MIC for thymus daenensis and Hypericum Scabrum oils were 5% and 15% respectively. The results showed that the MBC of Thymus daenensis and Hypericum Scabrum oils for C. perfringence were 20% and 40% respectively. Regarding to the results of this study it is posible to use these essential oils as a natural preservative in foods also as a disinfectant on infected tissues

Effects of dietary omeg-3 fatty acid supplementation on HbA1c, total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in type-2 diabetic patients: a randomized clinical trial

Essential fatty acid deficiency has been found in diabetic patients. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could be beneficial in alleviating diabetes complications and glycemic control. However, it may increase oxidative stress. In this study the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on glycemic control, total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase and catalase] activities were investigated. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 81 type-2 diabetic patients were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group took 2714 mg/day omega-3 fatty acids [1548 mg EPA, 828 mg DHA, and 338 mg other omega-3 fatty acids], and the control group took sunflower oil as a placebo, for 8 weeks. Dietary intakes were assessed by a 24h dietary recall, before and after intervention, and analyzed using food processor II. In addition, fasting blood samples were collected for analysis and height and weight were measured, initially and at the end of the trial. At the start of the study there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to mean weight, height, body mass index [BMI], daily intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins A, B, C, E, folate, cobalamine, zinc, or biochemical parameters. Neither were there any difference in weight, BMI and dietary intakes before and after intervention in either group. The supplementation brought about a significant decrease [P < 0.00] in HbA1c% in the experimental group, while in the control group the HbA1c level actually increased [p < 0.02]. Furthermore, the magnitudes of HbA1c changes were significantly deferent between the two groups [P < 0.00]. Changes in the fasting blood sugar [163.88 +/- 10 vs. 165.6 +/- 7.9 mg/dl], total antioxidant capacity [3.79 +/- 0.07 vs. 3.62 +/- 0.7 mg/dl], and activities of super oxide dismutase [449.22 +/- 14.14 vs. 417.16 +/- 11.9 U/gHb] and catalase [150.72 +/- 9.6 vs. 151.86 +/- 12.6 k/gHb] were not statistically significant. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be helpful in glycemic control in type-2 diabetes, but it has no significant effect on the antioxidant enzyme activities

[ cardioprotective effects of N acetylcysteine as an additive to the blood cardioplegia during coronary artery bypass grafting]

During coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB], the role of cardioplegic solution which results in cardiac arrest, is critical. This study was planned to evaluate the clinical impacts of N acetylcysteine [NAC] enriched cold-blood cardioplegia on early reperfusion injury in patients with ischaemic heart disease undergoing CABG. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, seventy patients undergoing elective CABG surgery with CPB were studied. They all underwent similar methods of preoperative medication, anaesthesia and cardiac surgery. Patients were randomly divided into the case group [cardioplegia plus 50 mg/kg NAC] and the control group [cardioplegia with the equal volume of normal saline]. The incidence of arrhythmias, usage of DC-shock, pacemaker and inotropic agents during and twenty four hours after surgery, EF five days after surgery and ICU staying and hospitalization periods in the two groups were compared. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups according to demographic features, EF before surgery, CPB or aorta clamping times, intraoperative DC shock and pacemaker requirements and postoperative inotropic necessity [p >0.05]. Two groups showed significant differences in regard to the incidence of arrhythmias [5.7% vs. 22.9%], the inotropic requirement [14.3% vs. 34.3%] during surgery, EF five days after surgery [51.4% vs. 45%] and the mean EF changes postoperatively in comparison with the preoperative period [0.88 vs. -2.28] [p <0.05]. Addition of N-acetylcysteine to cardioplegic solution can reduce some of the clinical complications during and after surgery and has positive effects on the postoperative ejection fraction

[Radiographic evaluation of marginal fit and location in crowns]

Background: The most important factor in fabrication of a perfect crown is having a perfect margin, which matches completely with finish line preparation and has a good situation in relation to the alveolar bone crest. To control the quality of the fixed prostheses made in a dental clinic in Shiraz, there was an attempt to assess the quality of their margins

Materials and Method: Radiography was used to check this quality. Parallel periapical radiography was made from the 102 crowns and bridges after cementation and before discharging the patients. To measure the magnification, a metal ball with 4mm diameter was attached on the crowns at the line of their proximal margins before taking images. To obtain more exact and detailed information, a projector was used to increase the magnification of the images. The distance between the crown's margin and finish line in horizontal and vertical aspects and also the distance to the alveolar bone crest were measured

Results: The statistical analysis of the data revealed that in 76.5 percent of the cases the crowns had more gap in the vertical aspect than the acceptable range [50 micro meters]. In 60.8 percent of the cases there was a gap in the horizontal aspect. In 11 percent of the cases, a ledge was seen in the horizontal aspect and by combining the gaps in both horizontal and vertical aspects, it was seen that, as a whole, 92.2 percent of the crowns had more gaps than the acceptable range. Also it was seen that in 77 percent of the cases in the mesial and 64.5 percent in the distal part, the crown's margin had invaded to the biologic width

Conclusion: It is concluded that it would be worthwhile to make radiographic image to check the framework, thereby important errors, which are difficult or impossible to discover by clinical examination will be shown