[ review on ocimum basilicum L. medicinal plant with a focus on the most important secondary compounds and its medicinal and agronomic properties]

Basil [Ocimum basilicum], a member of Lamiaceae family, is used in traditional Iranian medicine. Essential oils of basil leaves are composed of phenylpropanoids which are important in treatment of headaches, diarrhea, coughs, warts, worms and kidney malfunctions. The most important phenylpropanoid compounds contain eugenol, chavicol, methyl eugenol, methyl chavicol, myristicin, methyl cinnamat and elemicin. Biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids that passes from shikimate pathway, are regulated by an enzyme group. Phenylalanine amonia-lyase [PAL], cinnamate 4 - hydroxylase [C4H], 4 - coumarate CoA ligase [4CL], P- coumarate 3-hydroxilase [C3H] and O - methyltransferases [EOMT, CVOMT, COMT] are known as key enzymes regulating at production of phenylpropanoids. The phenylpropanoids are also produced in the area of stress conditions and maintained the plant against biotic and abiotic stresses. The purpose of this study is introducing Basil and its medicinal usages in Iran and an overview of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis as an important part of the essence in basil and its evaluation of agronomic characteristics

Parotid duct repair by facial vein graft versus gore-tex, a sialographic evaluation

Statement of Problem: The most common method for parotid duct anastomosis is suturing. A ductal defect of greater than 1cm may prevent a direct anastomosis

Purpose: The goal of this study was a sialographic evaluation to compare repairing a parotid duct with facial vein graft versus Gore-Tex tub in 19 dogs

Material and Methods: Nineteen dogs were studied in this experimental trial. Extra oral transverse incisions were made in buccal regions bilaterally to expose parotid ducts and a defect [2 cm] was performed in similar areas [right and left]. The right resected duct was repaired with facial vein graft and the left anastomosis was performed by using the Gore- Tex tube microscopically. Sialography was used to evaluate the ductal leakage. Statistical analysis was performed, using SPSS software and McNemar's test

Results: Based on the sialography evaluation; the ductal leakage was seen in five cases [26.31%] on the right side and in seven cases [36.84%] in the left side. Statistical analysis using McNemar's test suggested no statistically significant difference between ductal leakages in right and left parotid ducts [p>/= 0.05]

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the efficacies of Gore-Tex tube and vein graft in parotid duct anastomosis are similar, but the use of Gore-Tex tube had a number of advantages, including reduced morbidity of the graft and short operation time

effect of shoe sole tread groove depth on the gait parameters during walking on dry and slippery surface

Prevention of slipping accidents requires provision of adequate friction through the use of suitable combinations of footwear and underfoot surfaces. Shoe sole tread groove is one of the important factors on friction coefficient during walking. To measure the effect of different shoe sole tread groove depths and different surfaces on the required quotient of friction [Q], heel strike velocity and occurrence time of ground reaction forces [GRF] in stance phase during walking on slippery and dry surfaces. In this semi-experimental study, 22 healthy men were studied under different conditions. The studied independent variables were shoe groove depths [included 1, 2.5 and 5 mm] and type of walking surface [dry and slippery]. Biomechanical gait analysis was carried out with 396 single steps. Data were collected by motion analysis system and two force platform. The occurrence time of GRF was significantly faster on dry surface than slippery surface [p<0.01]. Q was significantly lower on slippery surface and with groove depths of 1 and 2.5 mm. The highest value of Q was observed with the deepest groove depth of 5 mm. Heel strike velocity did not differ significantly in the 6 conditions tested. Tread groove depth is a significant factor affecting the Q at the shoes-surface interface on dry and slippery floors. It seems that deeper groove is more appropriate for maintaining the stability during walking. The walking surface affects the occurrence time of GRF; the force components occur sooner on the dry than slippery surface

effect of calendula officinalis in therapy of acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in dog as an animal model

In patients with ulcerative colitis [UC], the repeated cycle of injury and repair of intestinal mucosa has been reported to increase the risk of colon cancer. So, a safe and efficient therapy is required for the treatment and prophylaxis for the disease. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Calendula officinalis extract in treatment of experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in dog animal model. During fall 2010, 10 out-bred female German dogs [1-2 years old; weighs of 20-25 kg] were enrolled. Ulcerative colitis was induced with 6% acetic acid as enema and method of treatment was retrograde [via enema] too by C. officinalis. Loose stools, diarrhea, gross bleeding and loss of body weight happened after administration of acetic acid and crypt damage, loss of epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and depletion of goblet cells were noticed histologically. C. officinalis could successfully resolve the damages of UC. Treatment with C. officinalis can broaden the current therapy options for UC

[Comparison of dietary and physical activity patterns among obese children and adolescents with or without metabolic syndrome]

Considering the appearance of chronic diseases in adulthood and the emergence of their underlying causes such as metabolic syndrome since early years of life, recognition of effective factors and taking interventional measures will lead to a more short term and long term beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to compare the dietary and physical activity patterns among obese children and adolescents with or without metabolic syndrome. This case-control study was conducted in 2007 in Isfahan. 825 overweight or obese children and adolescents [body mass index equal to or greater than 85th percentile] aged between 6-17 years were assigned into two groups: with or without metabolic syndrome and the dietary and physical activity patterns of the groups were compared with each other. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by means of Chi-Square, regression and t-tests. Comparison of the mean frequency of food consumption and physical activities in both groups indicated that increased consumption of meat, egg, dairy products, nuts, vegetables and fruits had a significant relationship with decreased incidence of metabolic syndrome. The physical activity level of those with metabolic syndrome was lower than that of those without this syndrome. However this difference was not significant. Considering the increasing incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, and its relation with the dietary habits and physical activity established from early life, it is necessary to pay more attention to the lifestyle of children and adolescents in order to prevent emergence of chronic diseases in the future

[Evaluation of serum levels of IL-L alpha, TGF-Beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-Omega, IL-1 alpha, TGH-beta, cortisol and immunoglobulins in Islamic ramadan fasting]

This research aimed determining the levels of cortisol, immunoglobulins and major serum cytokines, following Ramadan fasting, as immune response indexes. For this before and after Ramadan fasting study, twenty-five students residing at the dormitory of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected. All cytokines levels [IL-1alpha TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-omega] were determined by the ELISA method, Immoglobulines were determined by the Radial Immunodiffusion [SRID] technique and cortisol levels were measured by EIA too. While IFN-omega a showed a considerable increase after Ramadan fasting [P<0.01], IFN-alpha and TNF-alpha had decreased [P >/= 0.5 and <0.02 respectively]. Serum level of TGF-beta increased but not significantly [P>0.3]; cortisol also increased after one month of fasting [P<0.05]. Serum IL-1alpha had a non-significant decrease [P >/= 0.5]. Although IgG and IgM levels showed no significant increase, IgA levels showed significant decrease [P<0.5]. Our data revealed that Ramadan fasting increased IFN-omega, while decreasing TNF-alpha and IgA levels; ramadan fasting can probably increase T-Cell function, lower the inflammatory appreance rate and affect immunoglubulin production