[Evaluation of calcium effect on antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content in borage [borago officinalis L.]]

Borage of Boraginaceae family is a valuable medicinal plant. This plant because their seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids is introduced as an important food. Many research has indicated that the borage extract is able to scavenge active oxygen species and DPPH free radical To study the effect of different levels of calcium nitrate on phenolic contents and antioxidant activities in aerial parts of borage. The split-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, located in Karaj was done from 2008 to 2009. Results showed that Phenolic content and antioxidant activity [IC50] in the various stages of growth significantly was different [p < 0.05]. Also, spraying of calcium nitrate had significant effect [p < 0.01] on antioxidant activity and phenolic content, but interaction effect of calcium nitrate and vegetative stages on amount of phenol and IC50 wasn't significant. Generally, results showed that spraying calcium nitrate throughout seed ripening increased antioxidant activity of borage plants. Considering to the borage plant is important in the formulation of health and food products, the increasing antioxidants compounds can be valuable

[Allelopathic effects of harmal [peganum harmala L.] aqueous extract on seed germination and seedling growth of purslan [portulaca oleracea L.] and black weed [chenopodium album L.]]

The study of allelopathic properties of plants is one of up-to-date biological and ecological methods, which can lead to discover the bio-herbicides and growth inhibitors. In order to study the allelopathic effects of harmal [Peganum harmala L] on seed germination and seedling growth on purslan [Portulaca oleracea L.] and black weed [Chenopodium album L.], these experiments were conducted. The aqueous extracts of harmal different organs including capsule, leaf, stem and root were applied at five concentration levels [0 as control, 1, 5, 10 and 15%] through a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that different organ extracts had different negative effects on seed germination and seedling growth of the two species in such a way that capsules extracts had the highest inhibitory effect. With increasing extract concentrations of harmal, the seed germination and seedling growth of the two species was reduced significantly. The minimum amount of seed germination and growth of the seedlings were observed at 15% extracts concentration of capsules. Also, purslan seedlings appeared to be more sensitive to harmal extracts than black weed seedlings. The aqueous extracts of harmal different organs had inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedlings growth of purslan and black weed. Also, the highest inhibitory effects were related to capsule extracts

[Qualitative and quantitative changes in the aerial parts of borage under foliar application of calcium nitrate]

Borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant of Boraginaceae family, which is used in treatment of different human diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to determine optimum levels of agronomical factors affecting plant growth and production. To determine the effects of foliar application of calcium nitrate on quantitative yield and some quality components of borage. This study was done in Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants Research in a randomized complete block design with three replications and four treatments along 2008-2009. The treatments were four concentrations of Ca[NO[3]][2] foliar application [0,5,10,and 15mM calcium Nitrate]. The results showed that foliar application of calcium nitrate had significant effects [p<0.01] on plant height, dry matter yield of aerial parts and flowers, chlorophyll content and content of total phenol and tannins. With increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate, these parameters increased and the highest amount of them were observed at 15mM Ca[NO[3]][2]. The application of calcium nitrate had positive effects on growth and yield of borage. Also, the qualitative and quantitative yield of borage aerial parts increased with increasing concentration of calcium nitrate

[Nd:YAG membranotomy in diabetic premacular hemorrhage]

To evaluate the success rate of Nd:YAG laser membranotomy in patients with diabetic premacular hemorrhage. This interventional case series included 24 eyes of 22 patients referred to retina clinic of Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran during 2000-2007 with chief complaint of sudden loss of vision and clinical diagnosis of premacular hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. All patients underwent complete ocular examination and color fundus photography. Nd:YAG laser membranotomy was performed in patients with >3 DD hemorrhage. Main outcome measures were success rate of membranotomy, improvement of visual acuity and the complications. Twenty-four eyes of 22 patients [68.2% female and 31.8% male] with diabetic premacular hemorrhage were enrolled. Mean age of patients was 56 +/- 6.5 years. Nd:YAG laser membranotomy was successful in 71% of patients resulting in release of trapped blood into the vitreous cavity which absorbed during 14.3 +/- 5.03 [range 8 to 27] days. Range of preoperative visual acuity was from hand motion to count finger at 4 m which improved to a range of 20/100 to 20/25 postoperatively. Patients complained of some visual disorders such as blurred vision and floater over 23-86 days [mean 43 days], postoperatively. Macular photocoagulation was performed in 11 eyes with macular edema before panretinal photocoagulation. Mean follow-up period was 34.7 +/- 18.3 [range 10-71] months. Nd:YAG laser membranotomy in diabetic premacular hemorrhage is a simple and inexpensive outpatient procedure which results in rapid visual recovery and is relatively safe. Further controlled clinical trials are recommended

[Comparison of life quality and psychological disorders in drug-using, drug-using HIV infected, non-drug using HIV infected and a reference group of healthy men]

Researches show that substance abuse, AIDS and their interaction have negative effects on people. The aim of the present study was to investigate psychological disorders as well as quality of life of 4 groups of men: drug-using, drug-using HIV-infected, non-drug using HIV infected and a reference group of healthy men. Study samples consisted of 350 subjects from 4 groups of men: drug-using, drug-using HIV infected non-drug using HIV infected and a reference group of healthy men [100 in each group except for the reference group which consisted of 50 subjects]. Study was applied by means of SCL-90 and SF-36 questionnaires. Multivariate Analysis of Variance [MANOVA] was employed in order to compare the data obtained from the four groups of subjects. Results of the study showed that there were significant differences among the four groups of the subjects in all of the components of SF-36 and in all of the SCL-90 scales. Compared to the healthy group of subjects, drug-using, drug-using HIV infected and non-drug using HIV infected had higher scores in SCL-90 questionnaire and lower scores in SF-36 questionnaire. Substance abuse and AIDS have negative effects on individuals' psychological health and quality of life. To prevent substance abuse, AIDS, and their negative effects, comprehensive programming and creation of a new understanding of these two are essential

[Effects of leukocyte-depletion filters on alluimunization derived reactions of platelet transfusion in acute leukemic patients]

Leukemia is the most common malignancy among adults and children which may develop several side affects such as anemia, infection and thrombocytopenia-related hemorrage. Many modalities have been suggested for prevention of Alluimunization and one of them is using of leukocytes free products. In fact, platelets could not solely stimulate immune reaction. This study is conducted at two hospials of "Shohada" and " Taleghani" to demonstrate the usefulness of such products. This research is a single- blinded clinical trial. All the patients had acute leukemia. In control group [24 subjects] we used a routin infusion set for transfusion and in experimental group [20 subjects] a biofilter was applied during the transfusion, platelet were counted one hour and 24 hr after transfusion. CCI formulate was used to represent a signs for Alluimunization. If CCI was less than 10x10 L/M[2] after transfusion or it became below 5-7x10 L/M[2] after 18-24 hr, the subject was considered alluimmune. After one hour, 21 cases out of 24 were alluimmuned in control group whereas in experimental group 13 cases from 20 patients became alluimmune. After 24 hours, 5 cases in control group and 5 ones in experiments were found to be Alluimmune. We did not prove any preventive properties from leukocyte-depletion filters in reducing the risk factors of Alluimunization amongs patients with acute leukemia

[Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in chronic refractory uveitis]

To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for management of chronic refractory uveitis in terms of inflammation, visual acuity and macular thickness. This interventional case series was conducted on uveitic eyes with no remission despite proper administration of periocular and/or systemic steroids. After systemic and rheumatologic evaluations and confirmation of non-infectious nature of uveitis, 18 eyes of 10 patients underwent intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Changes in intraocular inflammation, bestcorrected visual acuity [BCVA], intraocular pressure [IOP] and macular thickness on optical coherence tomography were assessed during six months of follow-up. Mean BCVA increased from a baseline value of 0.81 +/- 0.29 to 0.35 +/- 0.33 LogMAR one week and to 0.17 +/- 0.07 LogMAR one month after the injection, respectively [P<0.001]. It decreased thereafter to 0.46 +/- 0.3 LogMAR at the sixth month visit, but was still significantly greater than the baseline value [P<0.001]. Mean IOP reached its maximum level one month post-injection with an increase of 7.36 +/- 0.48 mmHg compared to the baseline value, however only two eyes had IOP>22 mmHg which were successfully controlled using topical IOP-lowering medication. Mean central macular thickness decreased from 339.8 +/- 24.1 microm to its minimum value [197.18 +/- 12.7 microm] one month after the injection [P<0.001] and then increased to 203.57 +/- 9.06 microm at sixth month visit, still less than the baseline value [P< 0.001]. Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in chronic refractory uveitis improves visual acuity and decreases central macular thickness which is sustained for at least six months. The only noticeable complication, transient IOP elevation can be controlled with topical medications

preliminary report on prevalence of antibody response to GBV-C, E2 protien in Iranian blood donors and multitransfused patients

To analyze serologic markers of Hepatitis G virus [GBV-c] infection in Iranian blood donors and two major groups of multitransfused patients, hemophiliacs and thalassemics. Nine hundred and five serum samples collected from the volunteer blood donors and two patient groups under the study were tested for the presence of antibodies to the GBV-C antigen [anti E2] by an ELISA assay .Those found positive for anti- E2 were also tested for possible exposure to HCV by detecting anti- HCV in their sera. Levels of ALT were also tested to evaluate impact on liver function. Approximately 8.6% of the volunteer blood donors were found positive for anti-E2 .The prevalence rate in hemophiliacs was 41.4% and in thalassemia patients was 33.4%, which was significantly [P< 0.05] higher than donors. However, the prevalence rate among the two high risk groups was not statistically significant. A large number of the healthy blood donors in Iran have been exposed to the GBV-C. The significantly higher levels seen in the multitransfused patients can be regarded as an important route of transmission. It seems that no evidence of liver damage in individuals exposed confirming that GBV-C is not a hepatitis virus

[Parenting and family functioning among irresponsible families, families with behavioral disorder children and normal families]

In the past two decades, the relationship between family functioning and parenting style has been studied by many researchers. In the present study family functioning of three groups of families, irresponsible families, families with behavioral disorder children and normal families was investigated. The McMaster model of family functioning questionnaire and baumarind parenting style questionnaire have been filled for three groups of children: 36 children with behavioral disorders, 65 children of irresponsible families and 444 children of normal families. Results of the study indicated that, family functioning among the irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children was statistically lower than that of the normal families. Low family functioning in irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children was positively related to authoritarian parenting style. Family functioning in normal families had positive relationship with uninvolved and authoritarian parenting styles and negative relationship with authoritative parenting style. Irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children had more authoritarian and uninvolved parenting styles than authoritative parenting style. Parenting styles play an important role in family functioning and family functioning plays an important role in children's health

How much improvement is expected in ocular lesions of Behcet's disease treated with pulse cyclophospamide?

The natural history of ocular lesions in Behcet's disease is toward severe loss of vision/blindness in few years, whereas cytotoxic drugs have changed the outcome. Several open labeled cohort studies showed pulse cyclophosphamide [PCP] to be the best choice. Since one third of these patients are resistant to PCP it is important to know how much improve ment one can expect from the responders. To address this question, we selected patients who improved or maintained their baseline visual acuity after treatment. From a cohort of 528 patients [1056 eyes], 753 eyes were selected. At the beginning of the study PCP was given for one month as 0.75 to 1 g in perfusion, and then followed every 2 to 3 months. Prednisolone was also given as 0.5 mg/kg/daily and then tapered upon controlling inflammation. The mean +/- SD number of pulses was 11.5 +/- 8.5/month with follow-up of 20.6 +/- 19.8 months. Different disease activity indices such as visual acuity, posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, total inflammatory activity index [TIAI], total adjusted disease activity index [TADAI] were calculated at baseline and at last evaluation. The mean visual acuity improved from 2.4 to 4.4. The mean indices for posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, TIAI and TADAI improved from 2.2 to 1, 2.7 to 1.4, 19.3 to 9, and 27.2 to 20.5 respectively. The P value was less than 0.001 for all comparisons. Pulse cyclophosphamide is able to improve ocular lesions of Behcet's disease; therefore it may be used as a first choice, especially in retinal vasculitis

Potential role of cytokines as predictors in infection induced premature rupture of membranes; I-colony stimulating factor one [CSF -1] in premature rupture of membranes whether term or preterm

Acute bacterial intraamniotic infections are an important cause of perinatal morbidity and death. Although early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are believed to decrease the ill effects of intraamniotic infection, this goal is frequently difficult to achieve because the infection may not be clinically apparent before delivery in all patients. In this respect, the current study was designed to assess the potential role of CSF-l as a predictor of infection induced rupture membrane whether term or preterm. Collectively 75 amniotic fluid samples were obtained through caesarian section [C.S.] route of delivery. Fifty of them were from women suffering from premature rupture of membrane [PROM] [25 preterm and 25 full term] as well as 25 full term women with intact membranes served as controls. Bacterial cultures, chlamydial LPS antigen, mycoplasma and CSF-l detections revealed a significant association of bacterial infections and CSF-l with PROM deliveries [term and preterm] compared to the controls. A significant increase in CSF-l values were observed among PROM cases compared to the controls. CSF-l values were higher among preterm cases than full term ones and among positive amniotic fluid bacterial culture cases compared to negative culture ones. The highest CSF-l values were with ordinary bacterial infections and the least were with mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal ones

Potential role of cytokines in infection induced premature rupture of membranes; II- interleukin-6 in the amniotic fluid in cases of premature rupture of membranes whether term or preterm

The study aimed at evaluating the role of IL-6 in infection induced premature rupture of membranes [PROM]. 75 pregnant women at labor were the subjects of the study. Group I, included 25 preterm PROM cases, gp II included 25 full term PROM cases and group III included 25 full term with intact membranes [controls]. Amniotic fluid was collected through caesarean section route of delivery. Bacterial culture, chlamydial LPS antigen, mycoplasma detection and IL-6 quantitation, all except mycoplasma revealed, significantly higher values among PROM cases compared to the controls. They revealed to be good diagnostic tools to assess the microbial state of amniotic fluid. IL-6 recorded a significant constant level of 1050 pg/ml among all preterm PROM cases regardless the bacterial results. We conclude that lL-6 determination could be a good predictor of infection induced PROM

Potential role of cytokines in infection induced premature rupture of membrane; III- interleukin one beta in premature rupture of membranes whether term or preterm

The study was conducted upon 75 pregnant women delivering by caesarean section [CS] route. Group I [n=25] included preterm premature rupture of membranes [PROM] cases [20-37 wks of gestation], Group II [n=25] included full term PROM cases [38-42 wks], Group III [n=25] included the controls who were full term with intact membranes submitted to elective CS. Routine bacteriologic culture, chlamydial LPS and mycoplasmal detection and IL-1beta estimation of amniotic fluid samples revealed a significantly elevated IL-1beta values among preterm PROM cases with positive bacterial culture compared to negative culture cases. Also full term PROM cases revealed significantly elevated IL-1beta values among positive chlamydial amniotic fluid samples. To conclude IL-1beta could be a potential marker in infection induced PROM cases. Further studies arc warranted to clarify the role of IL-1beta receptor antagonist as a causal therapy in PROM cases

Quality of spaghetti supplemented with apricot kernel flour.

Chemical composition, cooking quality, color as well as sensory and biological evaluation of supplemented spaghetti with apricot kernel flour at 4, 8, 12 and 16 replacement levels were studied and compared with semolina spaghetti as a control sample. The results indicated that the supplemented spaghetti samples with apricot kernel showed more protein, fat, ash, fiber contents and nutritive value; but less total carbohydrates than the semolina spaghetti sample at all replacement levels. Less than 45% of potassium and sodium was retained in the investigated spaghetti samples after cooking. Spaghetti processed from 100% durum semolina showed the highest quality characteristics [cooking quality, color, sensory parameters and consumer acceptability], followed by spaghetti samples supplemented with apricot kernel flour at levels until 12%. Further supplementation above this level improved food efficiency ratio [FER], net protein utilization [NPU], digestibility [D] and biological value [BV], but decreased the quality attributes of produced spaghetti

effect of micro abrasion on surface topography of enamel and esthetic restorative materials

The effect of Prema microabrasion compound on enamel, composite, compomer, and glass ionomer was tested. Glass ionomer recorded a significantly higher average roughness than all other materials tested, that ranged between 2.7 mm [FUJI ILL C] and 3.2 um [Vitremer]. It was concluded that enamel microabrasion seems to be unsatisfactory for esthetic restorations with emphasis to roughness topography

influence of dietary changes in diabetic patients on their plaque cariogenic potential

The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of diabetes mellitus on the cardiogenicity of dental plaque. 20 patients aged 35-45 years old were selected. 10 of them were insulin dependent diabetic patients while, the other 10 were normal patients. Quantitative and qualitative acid production, its rate, protein content and colony forming units counts of plaque samples were determined. No apparent statistical significant differences were found between the patients and controls for quantitative and qualitative acid production, its rate and protein content. However, the only difference appeared was the colony forming units counts within the plaque samples of the diabetic and normal group of patents

new electrophoresic sponge cushion fluoridator

Several investigations reported out that topical fluoride application by the help of electrophoresis increased the quantity and depth of fluoride uptake by enamel. Using electrical potential to permeate fluoride into the teeth revealed also a promising effect in the treatment of hypersensitive dentine, several electrophoresic units were developed to be utilized with air cushions made of rubber membrane. It was felt that the plastic trays and rubber membranes used suffered from a serious disadvantage, being not properly sterilizable. A new technique for electrophoresic fluoridation was developed using special form of sponge cushions and trays. The new applicator made of the tray a the sponge suchion is completely disposable, very cheap and could be customized easily

study of trace metals in acute myocardial infarction

The study was carried out on 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction and another 15 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex as control subjects. All the studied cases were subjected to detailed history taking and clinical examination. Electrocardiogram, serum transaminases, lactic acid dehydrogenase were done, serum zinc and nickel were estimated on the second, sixth and tenth day after the onset of infarction. The results of the study showed significant decrease in serum zinc level within two days of the onset of infarction and gradual return to normal level within ten days. Hyperkalemia was also observed at the onset of infarction. The cause and significance of these results are tabulated and discussed

Urinary excretion of some catecholamines and their metabolites in patients with duodenal ulcer

Urinary excretion of vanil mandic acid [VMA], adrenaline, noradrenaline and total catecholamine were estimated in 20 patients of duodenal ulcer, [10 patients of healed group and 10 patients of active group]. There was significant rise of VMA, adrenaline, noradrenaline and total catecholamine in active and healed ulcer as compared to control group. In healed ulcer, VMA only was higher than control group. Basal acid output [BAO] was increased in active ulcer than healed one. There was no correlation between BAO and urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline in active or healed ulcer