[Q fever a forgotten disease in Iran]

There have already been a few studies on Q fever in Iran and most of them go back to more than 50 years ago. Preliminary serologic studies on ruminants and febrile patients in Southeast Iran show a high seropositivity in this region. Misdiagnosis as well as poor attention of public health authorities to this infection can facilitate the epidemic spread of Q fever. Further studies on the diagnosis of acute and chronic types of Q fever and detection of Coxiella burnetii are in progress by the authors

[ hepatotoxicity of aqueous methanol extract and fractionated-methanol extract of Phytolacca americana in male rat using perfusion method]

Phytolacca americana is a native plant in several states of USA and mostly its boiled leaves are used as a popular salad [called grandmother salad] in American diet. It grows widely in the coastal areas and forests in northern parts of Iran but is rarely used. In spite of having several medicinal properties, its side effect is digestive toxicity [especially hepatotoxicity]. To date, the hepathotoxicity of this plant from northern of Iran has not been studied. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of P. americana using Isolated Rat Liver Perfusion [IRLP] system. The albino rats weighted 180-220 g were desighdted into 6 groups. Subsequently, the male rat's anesthetized using ether, were used for experiments. The inferior vena cava was cannnulated with PE-10 tubing. The portal vein was immediately cannulated with a 23 g catheter. Then the liver was perfused in site by Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37°C with a rate of 20ml/min for 3hr. After 30-45 min of perfusion, various doses [10, 20, 40, 50, 100 mg/kg] of aqueous and methanol extracts and CHCl3, ETOAC and MEOH fraction [10, 20, 40mg/kg] were added to the buffer and perfused for 2 hr. Samples of perfused fluid were collected every 30min and analyzed for any liver injury by measuring the serum enzymes [ALT, AST]. Sections of liver tissue were also examined for pathological changes. The results showed that the activity of aminotransferase enzymes increased significantly and dose-dependently [p<0.01]. Also, methanol extract fractionates were increased compared with the control group [p<0.05]. The histopathological changes in the liver tissue were dose-dependent and confirmed the previous data. The enzymatic differences between the test groups and the control group showed the most difference at 60 min. The finding showed that the hepatotoxic effect of P. americana is dose dependent. Therefore, decreasing the administrated dose may be effective in prevention of its hepatic side effects

[Volatile oil constituents of Lemon grass [Cymbopogon citratus Stapf] cultivated in north of IRAN]

The genus Cymbopogon, a one of Poaceae family, is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.þThe essential oils extracted from this genus used in food, soap, perfumary and other related industries. The C. citratus stapf species was cultivated for first time in the north of Iran. Therefor, recognition of essential oil composition is necessary. Essentiol oil extracted with hydrodistillation method from fresh leaves, and analysed by GC/MS. From 91.1% of identifed components, Citral [49.43%], Citronellal [20.25%] and Geranyl acetate [6.41%] were major components respectively

Neonatal hyperekplexia: a case report

Hyperekplexia is a rare non-epileptic disorder characterized by an exaggerated and persistent startle reaction to the unexpected tactile and acoustic stimuli. The disorder is occasionally associated with generalized muscular rigidity and has the clinical hallmark of positive nose tapping test. The disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Recessively inherited and sporadic forms of the disorder are also seen. Neonatal hyperekplexia is extremely rare but important because, if undiagnosed and untreated, the disease can be fatal. Hyperekplexia is easily mistaken for commoner disorders such as spastic cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Clonazepam is of benefit, but it does not always stop the prolonged spasms. Forced flexion of baby's head toward the trunk is the most effective treatment. We report a young female infant who presented with excessive jerky movements of the limbs in response to tactile stimuli, associated with episodic generalized stiffness and irritability since her birth. Marked improvement was seen following the use of clonazepam