[Effect of Phoenix Dactylifera Spathe hydroalcoholic extract on chronic pain in mice]

In Persian traditional medicine, many medicinal plants have been used as analgesics; in which one of them is the distillate of Phoenix Dactylifera Spathe [PDS] known as "Tarooneh". This study was conducted to assess the antinociceptive effect of Tarooneh [PDS] hydro alcoholic extract on inflammatory pain induced by formaline in mice. In this study, 28 male albino mice weighting 25 - 30 grams, were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups. 2, 20 and 200 mg/kg PDS extract and vehicle were administered intraperitomeally to the test and control groups respectively in a volume of 10 ml/kg. Animals were subjected to Formalin test as an animal model for inflammatory pain assessment. Mean pain score induced by formalin test in control group was 1.665 +/- 0.0599 while in test groups receiving 2, 20 and 200 mg/kg PDS extract were 1.079 +/- 0.0666, 0.9192 +/- 0.0822 and 0.3842 +/- 0.0658 respectively. data from this study revealed that PDS extract, significantly and dose dependently, attenuated the inflammatory formalin induced pain in mice

comparison between the efficacy of iranian and syrian hydrogel dressings on wound healing in rats

Following the production of Syrian gel, the scientists from Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, researchers in Yazd Atomic Energy Commission Radiation Processing Center in Iran, have manufactured a hydrogel wound dressing. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of these two hy-drogels. In this study, 32 male Wistar rats underwent a full thickness circular skin wound on the dorsum under light anesthesia. Animals were divided into two groups. Wounds in the 1[st] group were dressed by the Syrian hydrogel and in the 2[nd] group by Iranian gel. Wound contraction rate was determined on days 1, 3, 7 and 12 for comparing the wound healing rate in two groups. Laboratory investigation of blood samples, skin tensile strength and histopathology of repaired skins were also evaluated. Wound contraction ratio on 7[th] and 12[th] days in Iranian gel was significantly greater than Syrian gel group. According to histopathological evaluations, wound repair in 63.6% of specimens in Iranian gel group was excellent and in 35.5% good while in Syrian gel group, 54.5% of repaired wounds were graded as excellent and 1 case showed to be in a weak repairing state. A significant difference was noticed in wound repair patterns between the two groups. The differences in skin tensile strength in two groups on days 15 and 30 were not significant. According to our findings Iranian and Syrian hydrogels did not show any adverse effects on wound healing in rats and could be easily removed from the wound area without any trauma. However Iranian hydrogel dressings were more effective in wound repair regarding wound contraction rate and histopathological evaluation of the skin specimens in the region of healed wounds

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is endemic in some regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and efforts have been made to find factors that play a role in its prognosis. We retrospectively examined the correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] levels with several clinicopathological characteristics of 207 cases of oesophageal carcinoma. The mean ALP level in patients with lymph node involvement was significantly higher [141 [SD 77] U/L] than with node negative cancers [116 [SD 63] U/L]. Patients with ALP level > 165 U/L were 3.29 times more likely to have lymph node involvement than patients with ALP level

[ effect of artemisia sieberi besser on infkammatory and neurogenic pain in mice]

Nowadays herbal therapy for pain relevance is the matter of considerable propensity. Artemisia sieberi Besser is one of the herbal medication which has been consider as a pain reliever in Iranian traditional medicine, which needs further scientific investigations. In this study the antinociceptive effect of hydro alcoholic Artemisia sieberi Besser extract [AE] was assessed by using formalin test in mice. 42 male mice were divided into 7 groups. Interaperitoneal administration of distilled water to control group, vehicle to negative sham group, 1, 2 mg/kg morphine to positive sham groups and 40, 400, and 4000 mg/kg AE to test groups were performed. 25 alpha l of 2% formalin was then injected into the plantar surface of animal's hind limb and the animal's pain behavior for one hour was assessed. Mean pain scores in each five minute time block calculated for each animal were statistically analyzed. In acute phase mean pain score animals receiving 4000 mg/kg AE was significantly less than control groups p<0.05. The antinociceptive effect of AE was more prominent in the chronic phase so the analgesic effect of 4000 mg/kg AE was significantly more than 2 mg/kg. The data collected from this study indicates the analgesic effect of AE which is more significant in chronic phase and this effect may be due to anti-inflammatory ingredients in AE which needs to be more investigated

Efficacy of Iranian hydrogel on wound healing in rat as an animal model

Hydrogels are one of the commonly used dressings for chronic ulcers. Nowadays, much therapeutics can be delivered to the wound or circulation by the gels. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Iranian hydrogel in wound healing in rat as an animal model. Thirty four Wistar male rats were anaesthetized and a full thickness circular skin wound was created by excising the dorsum of the rats. The animals were divided into two groups. In the experimental Ir gel group, the wounds were dressed by hydrogel and in the control NS group by conventional moist normal saline gauze. The wound areas were measured on days 1, 3, 7 and 12 for comparing the wound healing rate in the two groups. Laboratory investigation, skin tensile strength and histopathology of the healed tissues were also considered for evaluation. Mean percentages of wound contraction on the 3rd, 7th and 12th days were not significantly different between the two groups. The differences in skin tensile strength, in the two groups, on days 15 and 30 were not significant. Histopathologically, wound repair was excellent in 6 [60%], good in 3 [30%] and poor in 1 [10%] of specimens in control NS group while these figures were 6 [60%], 4 [40%] and 0 [0%] in the Ir gel group respectively and the difference was not statistically significant. The effect of Iranian hydrogel effect on wound healing in rats was identical to moist gauzes. As Iranian hydrogel did not have any adverse effects and was easily removed from the wound, it can be safely used for dressing wounds

[Role of estrogen on prevention of morphine addiction in ovarectomized female rats]

Evidence indicates that the biological response and the causes of drug abuse may be different between women and men. These sex differences in drug abuse may be due to socio-cultural factors or biological [hormonal] differences. Estrogen is one of the hormones which involves in dopamine release in striatum and nucleus accumbency and also is one of the most important neurotransmitters in central nervous system which has critical role in morphine addiction. So, in this study we survey the role of estrogen on dependency and tendency to morphine in rat as a factor of sex differences in addiction. This experimental study was carried out in Yazd University of Medical Sciences. Behavioral changes like morphine craving was evaluated by self-administration as a criterion for tendency and for assessment of dependency. we evaluated withdrawal syndrome sings [e.g. jumping, wet dog shaking, etc] in control group [ovarectomized female rats receiving morphine sulfate solution] and test group [ovarectomized female rats, pretreated with estradiol benzoate before receiving daily morphine sulfate solution]. Data obtained were analyzed by SPSS software, using T-test analysis. Results showed that although pretreatment with estradiol in test group might lead to a significant decline in withdrawal syndrome sings in comparison with control group, differences in morphine craving as a criterion for tendency was not significant between the two groups. According to our findings, it seems that estrogen, through central mechanisms and its effect on brain dopaminergic system, reduces the physical dependency to morphine

Estrogen attenuates fatty streak formation in coronary arteries of cholesterol-fed diabetic male rabbits

In this study we investigated the histological role of estrogen on Fatty Streak [FS]formation in some branches of coronary arteries [CA] in cholesterol-fed diabetic male rabbits. Seventeen rabbits were obtained from Pasteur Institute of Iran and diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of Alloxan [200 mg/kg]. After induction of diabetes, they were randomly divided into three groups: [i] control, [ii] low-dose estrogen treatment [1mg/animal] and [iii] high-dose estrogen treatment [5mg/animal]. Estrogen was injected i.m, weekly. Control group received normal saline injection. All groups were fed with cholesterol rich diet [1%] during the experiment. After six weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Hearts were isolated and four branches of CA [Right and Left CA; RCA and LCA, Anterior and Posterior interventricular arteries; AIVA and PIVA] were dissected and evaluated for the relative size of FS and the percentage of arterial lumen narrowing by FS using scale micrometer. The average grades of pathological evaluation for branches of coronary crteries showed that in animals receiving high dose estrogen, the FS formations in RCA, LCA, AIVA and P1 VA [0.33 +/- 0.21, 0.17 +/- 0.17, 0.0 +/- 0.0, 0.0 +/- 0.0, respectively] were significantly lesser than control group [1.40 +/- 0.24, 2.2 +/- 0.37, 0.80 +/- 0.2, 1.20 +/- 0.37, respectively]. We conclude that estrogen has a beneficial role in histological changes of coronary arteries, it can attenuate progression of FS formation administration diabetic rabbits

Slippage after adjustable gastric banding according to the pars flaccida and the perigastric approach

To evaluate laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the 'pars flaccida' techniques for treating morbidly obese patients. Between May 1999 and July 2002, 64 patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The 'perigastric' technique was performed in the first 31 patients. From September 2000 the band was positioned according to the 'pars flaccida' technique in the remaining 33 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 - 'perigastric' technique using Lap-Band size 9.75 and 10 cm [31 patients]; group 2 - 'pars flaccida' technique using Lap-Band size 10 cm [12 patients], and group 3 - 'pars flaccida' technique using the Swedish band [21 patients]. There were 58 females and 6 males with a mean age of 36.6 years [range 17-56]. The preoperative mean body mass index was 46.2 kg/m2. Band slippage occurred in 10/31 patients [32.2%] of group 1, 3/12 patients [25%] of group 2 and none in group 3 patients [p < 0.01]. The 'pars flaccida' technique significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative slippage after gastric banding. This complication is further reduced in the Swedish band group. Furthermore, we do not recommend using the 10-cm Lap-Band in the 'pars flaccida' technique

chronic effect of Kombucha tea consumption on weight loss in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus [DM] is a chronic disease with a relatively high prevalence in many populations throughout the world. Despite the availability of many synthetic drugs many diabetic patients are seeking herbal medications to relieve the symptoms of the disease. Kombucha tea is a fermented remedy which is produced by cultivation of Kombucha mushroom in sweet black tea solution and is consumed by many diabetic patients, but its efficacy and safety has not been scientifically evaluated. This study was conducted to assess the chronic effect of Kombucha Tea consumption on weight loss in diabetic Rats. 42 male diabetic Wistar rats were divided into six groups. DM was induced by streptozotocin [60 mg/kg]. Animals in 1st group [control] had free access to tap water; the 2nd group [sham] consumed sweet black tea solution and the remaining 4 groups [test] received different dilutionts of Kombucha tea [25%, 50%, 75% and 100%] for 15 days instead of tap water. Animals in all groups were weighted before DM induction and in days 1, 3, 7 and 15 post DM inductions. The data were analyzed as Mean +/- SEM of weights in different days and in different groups by using T-test and one way ANOVA. Our results showed that all groups had a significant weight loss due to DM induction [p< 0.05] which continued progressively in control group but in the sham and test groups there was a progressive weight gain during the 15 days of remedy consumption, so there was no significant difference between the weight of animals at the end of experiment and their weight before DM induction [p > 0.05]. There was also not significant difference between the animal's weight in sham and test groups at the end of this period [p > 0.05]. In conclusion our findings indicate that both black tea and Kombucha tea prevent weight loss in diabetic rats which may be due to some active agents in black tea itself

[60]Co gamma-ray attenuation coefficient of barite concrete

Recently uses of medium and high energy x-rays has been increased in Iran and radiotherapy centers along with a variety of accelerators have been installed in some provinces. In the other hand there is no sufficient skill in designing and making radiotherapy treatment rooms. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different mixtures of barite concrete for shielding the radiotherapy rooms. In this way we emphasized on determining the size and amount of barite aggregations to achieve the maximum radiation attenuation which leads to minimizing wall thickness in treatment room. To increase concrete density, the barite aggregation was added to concrete. Different size variations of barite aggregates mixed with different water/cement ratio were examined. The dimension of cubic concrete specimens for compression strength test was 15_15_15 cm. The rectangular barite concrete blocks with different compressions as used for strength test with cross section of 10_10 cm and thicknesses from 5 to 40 cm were used for radiation attenuation test. For this test concrete specimens were irradiated by gamma beam of [60]Co [Phoenix Theratron]. The transmission radiation through the blocks was measured by a Farmer ionization chamber [FC65P] in Yazd radiotherapy center. Our findings showed that in all specimens the highest mean compression strength was related to the specimens with equal ratio of fine to coarse barite aggregates but the lowest HVL was obtained from mixtures with fine to coarse ratio of 35/65. The concrete sample with a 0.45 water/cement ratio, 350 kg/m[3] cement and equal amounts of fine and coarse barite sands had nearly minimum half value layer[HVL] and maximum compression strength, so this sample was considered as the best barite concrete sample. Since HVL of the barite concrete specimens with the same compression strength is markedly lower than the conventional concrete and we have a plenty barite mines in our country it is recommended to use barite concrete with the best mixture condition based on our findings for shielding the radiotherapy rooms

[ effect of finishing line form on the microleakage of cement in implant supported fixed prosthesis with cups to marginal ridge occlusion]

Resistance to sliding and tipping of a restoration must be considered at the time of treatment planning. Some factors have influence in resistance such as type of occlusion, size of occlusal table in comparison with cervix, and place and amount of occlusal forces. When the occlusal table of a restoration is wide and the cervical part is narrow, it is very probable that the line of action of an applied force on marginal ridges passes outside the margins of the restoration and produce destructive torque and causes dislodgment of the restoration. Leverage is probably the predominant factor in the dislodgment of cemented superstructure of implant supported prosthesis, that results in disruption of the cement film. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of finishing line form on cement microleakage in implant supported prosthesis following occlusal forces in cusp to marginal ridge occlusion. In this experimental study, 90 metal models were made similar to implant abutment with three types of finishing lines [Shoulder, Sloping shoulder, and Knife edge]. Ninety crowns were made from base metal alloy with the occlusal table similar to mandibular first molar and cemented on the models. All specimens were subjected to 1000 thermocycles between 5[0c], and 55[0c], with a dwell time of 15 seconds. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups. The subgroups were subjected to 50000 masticatory cycles [equal to 3 months of mastication] with 60 and 100 N occlusal forces on the marginal ridge. All samples were then immersed in 5% basic foshin solution for 24 hours and mounted in polyester to be sectioned vertically. Microleakage was measured under a microscope with magnification of 40 times. The results were analyzed using One-Way and Two-Way ANOVA and t-test. There was no difference in microleakage rate between 3 forms of finishing lines. The interaction between finishing lines and occlusal force of 60 N showed significant difference [P= 0.0182<0.05]. The results of this study showed that the least microleakage was observed in shoulder finishing line

Laparoscopic splenectomy for hematological disorders

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy [LS] in patients with hematological disorders of the spleen. Subjects and Between 1999 and 2001, 15 patients [11 female and 4 male], with a mean age of 30 years, underwent LS after preoperative evaluation. If difficulties were encountered in LS, one trocar site incision was enlarged to 7-8 cm to engage the left hand for hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy [HALS] and the procedure was completed. Various parameters were reported, including spleen size as assessed by ultrasound scan, postoperative mortality and morbidity rates, accessory spleen removal, conversion rate, operative times and length of hospital stay. LS was successfully completed in 9 patients [60%] and HALS was performed in 4 patients [26.6%]. Two patients required conversion to open splenectomy. The mean operative time was 209 min and the mean hospital stay was 8.1 days. The hospital stay was significantly longer among HALS patients than LS patients. The mean age of patients and splenic size were associated with a significantly higher conversion rate. No deaths were attributed to the procedure. Complications occurred in 2 of 15 patients. Accessory spleens were identified in 2 patients. Conclusions: LS is both a safe and feasible procedure, but it requires great technical care to avoid serious complications

effect of Kombucha Tea on learning and memory in rats

Kombucha tea is a health beverage made by incubating the Kombucha mushroom in black tea and sugar. Although various therapeutic benefits have been attributed to the drink, and it is consumed however widely in many populations throughout the world. Neither its beneficial effects nor adverse side effects however have been studied sufficiently. As this beverage contains some alcohol and it may have some effect on central nervous system [CNS], we proposed to study the effect of its chronic consumption on learning and memory which are among the most complex functions in the CNS. In this study we used a Shuttle Box device to assess active avoidance learning and memory as recently described. Ten Wistar male rats were equally divided into two groups. The animals in control group continued to drink tap water while the animals in the experimental groups had availability of Kombucha tea ad libitum instead, for 2 months until the onset of behavioral studies and continued up to the end of the studies. Our data showed that although chronic consumption of Kombucha tea during 2 months led to a slight decline in number of shocks receiving by animals in all three stages of the study [learning, short term memory and long term memory]. There was no significant difference between animals of the control and the experimental groups [p=0.539, p=0.476, p=0.323 respectively]. Our results indicate that chronic consumption of Kombucha tea had neither significant beneficial nor adverse side effect on learning and memory

Gram-negative septicemia and trace element alterations in tissue and plasma: effects of superoxide dismutase and allopurinol

Alterations of trace element concentrations in plasma and liver tissues in four groups of animals were investigated: group A septic animals treated with superoxide dismutase; group B septic animals treated with allopurinol; group C, control septic animals without treatment, and group D, nonseptic control animals. Septicemia was achieved by intraperitoneal capsule placement of a mixture of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. On the 3rd day after bacterial challenge, surviving animals were sacrified. The mortality rate during the first 3 day were group A, 78%, group B, 54%, group C, 63%, and group D, 0%. Plasma zinc decreased significantly in groups A and C but was normal in group B. There was a significant decrease in liver zinc content in groups A, B, and C when compared with control, group D; similar changes occurred in liver copper content. Liver selenium content was significantly increased in group B. In conclusion, a dramatic depletion of zinc and copper was found in liver tissue and plasma during septicemia. However, animals treated with allopurinol showed significantly fewer changes. It was concluded that free radical formation could be an important factor during infection and that xanthine oxidase inhibitors have a protective effect, reflected ir lower mortality rates