[Antimicrobial effect of zataria multiflora and rosemarinus officinalis on antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from food]

Staphylococcus aureuse is one of the important pathogens which transmitted by food and has majority of habitant in human and animal community as a pathogen and normal flora. Antibiotic resistant among Staphylococcus aureuse strains is a global health challenge. Regarding to the different therapeutic and antimicrobial effect of Shirazi Zataria multiflora and Rosemarinus officonalis in present work the antibacterial effect of this extract and its synergistic effect with routine antibiotics was investigated. In this in vitro study the antimicrobial effect of Shirazi Zataria multiflora and Rosemarinus officonalis extract on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] and other antibiotic resistant strains to tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazol, together with its MIC and MBC were determined. Also synergistic effect of these extracts with these antibiotics was investigated by paper disc method. Shirazi zataria multiflora, had a significant antibacterial effect against MRSA, and other Staphylococcus aureus resistant strain to tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, and sulfametoxazol, isolated from food. Production of a suitable herbal medicine with few side effects will give rise to a promising outlook in the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Antimicrobial effect of Zataria multiflora on antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from food

Methicillin -resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] have created a major problem in the treatment of diseases. MRSA colonization in nose can lead to increased rate of nosocomial infections and mortality. Zataria multiflora is a plant which is widely used in the world for medical purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of zataria multiflora extract on MRSA strains isolated from food. In this in vitro study the antimicrobial effect of Shirazi Zataria multiflora extract on MRSA and other staphylococci aureus strains resistant to tetracycline,erithromycine,trimethoprim,sulfamethoxazol,and methiclline, together with its MIC and MBC were determined. Shirazi zataria multiflora, had a significant affects against MRSA, and other Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin, tetracycline,erithromycine,trimethoprim,and sulfametoxazol ,isolated from food. Production of a suitable herbal medicine with few side effects will give rise to a promising out-look in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus

[Antibacterial effects of Rosmarinus officinalis on methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients and foods]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus [MRSA] is considered a major problem in the world. This strain colonizes nose and causes increased incidence of nosocomial infections, mortality and morbidity. Rosemary [Rosmarinus officinalis] is a herbal medicine widely used all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of rosemary essence on MRSA isolated from patients and food. 200 strains of MRSA, 100 from patients and 100 from food samples, were collected and analyzed in Tehran, during the last year. 28 MRSA strains and multi drug resistant [MDR] strains were isolated. The antimicrobial activity of the rosemary essence against different isolates of the microorganism was evaluated by disk diffusion and macro broth dilution methods. MRSA isolates belonged to 25% and 60% of food and clinical samples, respectively. The results showed effective and similar antimicrobial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis on broth clinical and food samples with an inhibition zone of 20mm in diameter. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] in our study were 1.40 mg/ml and 2.81 mg/ml, respectively. Overuse of antibiotics has led to extensive bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which demonstrates the need for use of new antimicrobial agents. Considering increasing prevalence of MRSA strains and the beneficial effect of rosemary essence on these strains, this essence can be recommended for the treatment of MRSA infections

[ evaluation of probiotic effect of L.acidophilus on the immune responses in BALB/C mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe due to the immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus [L] acidophilus on the immune responses of BALB/c mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue. 6-8 week-old in-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. The mice were divided into two groups each consisted of 9 mice as test and control groups. The L.acidophilus ATCC4356 strain was used in this study. It was inoculated in MRS agar and cultivated overnight under anaerobic conditions then collected and resuspended in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of this suspension it was orally [2.7 x 10[8] CFU/ml] administered to the mice with a gastric feeding 2 weeks before tumor transplantation and 3 weeks after that, with 3 days break and 7 days administration. The control mice received an equal volume of PBS during the study. Results of the present work showed that L. acidophilus can increase the production of immunomodulatory cytokine IL-12 and decrease the TGF-alpha which can suppress immune response. Moreover, the growth rate of tumor in group which received L. acidophilus were decreased and the results of delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] of this group in 48h were better than control group. The results of our study suggest that daily use of L. acidophilus can regulate immune response with Th1 dominance and may be helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies are needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect

[Prevalence of gestational trophoblastic disease and relative factors]

Gestational trophoblastic disease [GTD] is one of the rare neoplastic diseases that remains curable even with a lot of metastases, but if left untreated, it can be life threatening. We had an increase in number of GTD during recent years in Ahvaz. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of trophoblastic diseases among women who were admitted in Imam Khomaini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, all hospital records related to trophoblastic diseases [n=132] were reviewed from 1996 up to 2006. Demographic and histo-pathologic data were taken using a questionnaire containing 34 questions. The Chi-square, "t" and Exact -Fisher tests were used to analyze all data. P

[In vitro development of cattle embryo as affected by glucose, serum and EDTA]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different modifications of sequential synthetic oviductal_fluid [SOF] culture system on developmental competence of in vitro matured/fertilized cattle embryos. Bovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro and then presumptive zygotes were randomly cultured for up to 9 days in different modifications of SOF culture system to consider the effects of glucose, serum and EDTA on embryo development. All the embryo culture systems were efficient to support bovine embryo development till blastocyst stage. There was no significant difference in the ratios of embryos; however, the ratios of blastocyst and also hatchability of embryos cultured in SOF C [51.3%, 43.0% and 83.8%, respectively] were significantly higher than those of all the other SOF groups. Furthermore, while glucose had a partial improving effect on embryo development, a significant decrease in embryo development beyond the morula stage was observed in embryos cultured in SOF system with initial supplementation of EDTA compared with all the other groups. It was concluded that appropriate modifications of SOF culture systems can result in significantly great in vitro embryo development

[ probiotic effects of Lactobacillus casei in BALB/c mice on the Tumor growth rate bearing breast cancer]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria [LAB] have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe as a result of immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work, we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus casei on the tumour growth rate in BALB/c mices bearing breast cancer. 6-8 week-old In-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. There are two experimental group consisted of 9 mices that they were used as controls in each assay. The L.casei ATCCT 39392 strain used in this study was inoculated in MRS broth and cultivated for a day at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions, collected by centrifugation and resuspend in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of these suspension it was orally administered to the mice with a gastric feeding, Control mice received an equal volume of PBS in duration of study. Results of this study showed that oral administration of L.casei can inhibit the tumour growth and increased the local inflammation in DTH assay as a result of increase in immune responses efficiency. In conclusion oral administration of Lactobacillus casei may regulate immune responses skewed Th1 balance and maybe helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies is needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect

Comparative assess of home birth and hospital birth in primigravid women

Home birth has beneficial effects on labor and delivery. This study is aimed to compare home and hospital births in primigravid women. In this analytic descriptive study the participants consisted of all women aged 18-30 years, with term pregnancy, single fetus, cephalic presentation, spontaneous onset of labor and without antenatal complications. 50 women were in home birth group and another 50 were in hospital birth group. In this study length of delivery, first and fifth minute APGAR scores, rate of episiotomy, satisfaction from delivery experience and initiation of breastfeeding were measured T-test, CHI-square and Fisher exact tests were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that home birth appears to be associated with shorter overall delivery time [P<0.01], lower rate of episiotomy [P<0.01], earlier initiation of breastfeeding [P<0.01] and increased satisfaction from delivery experience [P<0.01]. No significant difference was observed in duration of second stage of delivery, and also first and fifth minutes APGAR scores in two group. Considering the above findings, it can be concluded that home birth is not only devoid of adverse effect on delivery, but also improves many factors related to delivery. Planned home birth can be applied in normal uncomplicated deliveries in our country by providing optimum conditions

[Effect of demecolicne treatment on the developmental competency of in vitro matured bovine oocytes]

The aim of this study was to investigate whether demecolicne treatment of matured bovine oocytes adversely affects the process of in vitro fertilization and embryo development. Bovine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes [COC's] were matured in vitro and then were randomly allocated to two treatment groups of common concentrations of demecolicne [0.05 and 0.4 micro g/ml for 30 min] and a control group. COC's were then fertilized and cultured in vitro for up to 9 days when the ratios of in vitro embryo development and the viability of the hatched blastocysts were assessed and compared with the control group [p<0.05]. The ratios of the cleavage and blastocyst formation of demecolicne treated groups [0.4 and 0.05 micro g/ml] were 68.6, 63.5% and 23.3, 32.8%, which were not significantly different from the control group [73.3, 29.0%], respectively. The results of cell-viability were also not significantly different between the control vs. treatment groups. Since the overall indices of in vitro embryo development revealed no significant difference between the demecolicne treated compared to control bovine oocytes, it seems that demecolicne treatment of matured bovine oocytes may not compromise their potency for further in vitro development

Prevalence of aggressive periodontitis in 15-18 years old schoolgirls in Tehran, Iran

Aggressive periodontitis is one of the periodontal diseases, which affects systemically healthy individuals usually under the age of 30 years old. The disease is characterized by rapid bone destruction which is not in accordance with the quantity of bacterial plaque. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of aggressive periodontitis among 15-18 years old female students in Tehran high schools. In this cross sectional study,, 2870 students were selected from all educational areas of Tehran during 1382-83 based on systematic clustered random sampling .Probing pocket depth on 6 areas of incisors and first molars were examined in each subject. Students with pocket depth equal to or more than 4 mm on more than one tooth were referred to Shahed Dental School for radiographic examination. For cases in which the distance between the crest of interdental septa and CEJs were equal to or more than 2 mm, full clinical and radiographic examination was performed. Among the subjects of study, only 4 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of localized aggressive periodontitis. Nobody was diagnosed with generalized aggressive periodontitis. The prevalence of aggressive periodontitis among 15-18 years old schoolgirls was 0.14%. The results of the present study were similar to previous studies with the same age groups and diagnostic criteria in other countries. For determination of total prevalence in Tehran, similar studies in schoolboys are recommended

[Knowledge and practice of faculty members in assessing the validity and reliability of examinations]

Background: Evaluation is one of the important aspects of teaching activity; and makes it possible to detect the positive and negative aspects of teaching. So evaluation is very important for improvement of quality of higher education in university

Objective: Determining the knowledge and practice of faculty members about validity and reliability of exams

Methods: In this study; 100 faculty members in Ahvaz medical university were selected randomly. Data were gathered via a questionnaire which included 22 questions about validity and reliability. 70 questionnaires returned after 2 months. We used descriptive statistical method for analyzing data

Findings: 80% of subjects knew about content validity; 42.8% about surface validity; 25% about construct validity and 41.5% about possession validity. 41.5% of subjects had knowledge about test-retest; 35.7% about parallel; 42.9% about halves split and 24.2% about kouder-Richardson reliability index. In assessment of practice 45.7% of subjects were using content validity; and 20% test-retest; for validity and reliability of exams. But about other techniques of determining validity and reliability, subjects seemed to fail using them correctly

Conclusion: Knowledge of faculty members about validity and reliability of exams is low; and using of various kinds of validity and reliability in exams is very low too