[Expression of genes 1-deoxy-d-xyhilose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase [dxr], sabinen synthase [tctpsl] and a- terpineol synthase [tctpss] and its relation to thymol and carvaerol biosynthesis in thymus vulgaris under water deficit stress]

Background: Thymol and Carvaerol are the two important secondary metabolites from Thymus vulgaris that productions of them are controlled by genetic and environmental factors

Objective: Evaluation of Water stress effects on expression of three important genes of thymol and carvacrol biosynthetic pathway and also physiological and phytochemical properties of Thymus vulgaris

Methods: The present study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 treatments and 3 replications in Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj

For this purpose, the treatments were selected as control [FC], 70% of FC, 40% of FC, and 20% of FC. Gene expression was studied using real-time PCR method, and HPLC was applied to essence analysis. Also physiological characteristic including chlorophyll content, relative water content, electrolyte leakage percentage and carotenoids content were analyzed

Results: The results revealed that water stress significantly influenced the gene expression [P< 0.05]. The highest gene expression of DXR and TctpsS was observed in 70% of FC, while the highest one of TvTPSl was recorded in 40% of FC. Moreover, the maximum thymol and carvacrol was found in 70% of FC. In other hand the highest chlorophyll content and corotenoids content were obtained in 100% and 70% of FC respectively. Also there were not significant differences between treatments for relative water content and electrolyte leakage percentage

Conclusion: The 70% of FC through influencing of genes in the firs and last of MEP pathway increased thymol and carvacrol production

[Assessment of hazard kiln cement factory with failure mode effects and criticality analysis [FMECA]]

Technique of Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis, FMECA, is a method for identifying and analyzing all potential failure modes of a system.This technique is used to prevent failures and to reduce their effects on the system. The main goal of this study was identifying and analyzing of the potential failure modes and assessing the effects of failures in the cement kiln by FMECA method. First the boundaries of the system were determined and then system was divided into its components [systems and subsystems] at a specified level with respect to the analysis goals. Then, effects of failures on production and system were appointed and causes and severity of failures were determined. Finally the results were recorded in FMECA appropriate worksheet. Meanwhile failure priority was presented. Totally one hundered failures were identified. While the highest risk priority number was related to body warping with RPN = 270, the lowest risk priority numbers [RPN=15] were associated to lacking of air supply by fan and unproperly acting of the main brake of kiln. The maximum frequency of failures was found in the kiln body. This study indicated that one failure may lead to other defects in various components of the system itself. Therefore, the implementation of a documentation system to record defects was emphasized in order to improve the machinery safety level. Furthermore, it can be concluded that a planned preventive maintenance could effectively decrease the probability of failures and number of defects consequently.

[Frequency of dysplastic and cancerous Pap smear and genotyping of human papillomavirus by DNA probe techniques in Kerman, Iran]

Around the world, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Today, screening programs have reduced morbidity and mortality rates of this disease. Epidemiological and molecular studies have shown that certain types of the human papillomavirus are carcinogen types and the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV type 16 and 18 are the most common high-risk types. In this study, frequency of different HPV genotypes in women who referred for a routine visit to an outpatient clinic of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, has been obtained by DNA probe technique. Our study is a cross-sectional, analytic study on 20000 Pap smear samples over four consecutive years among women in reproductive ages [15-50 years] referred to University centers and private institutions in Kerman, Iran. All samples were collected in the laboratory of Afzalipour, and Bahonar Hospitals, and private institutions. The typical samples of dysplasia and cancer were reviewed by two pathologists and a pathology assistant according to the World Health Organization standards. The samples were examined after DNA extraction and molecular DNA probe technique. 62 cases of 82 Pap smear samples were dysplastic and 20 samples were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]. Moreover, 20 cases [32.2%] of dysplastic Pap smears and 12 cases [60%] of SCC samples were HPV positive. A total of 32 patients [39%] were positive for HPV. Of all samples only two were genotype 18 [25.6%], one was a mixture of 16 and 31 genotypes, and the remaining were all genotype 16 [93.75%]. In the comparison between dysplasia severity [mild, moderate, and severe] and the HPV status [+ or -], and also the relation between age and status of HPV and the severity of dysplasia no relations were found. However, there was a significant relation between detection [dysplasia, SCC] and the HPV status, and also the relation between age and type of lesion diagnosis. Based on the findings of our study and the Iranian culture, prevalence of HPV infection among women with cervical cancer is less common than in other countries. HPV type 16, which is a carcinogenic genotype, was the predominant genotype

[Studying the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on proprioception of lumbosacral spine in healthy young women]

Despite the fact that joint injury influences different aspects of the proprioception such as posture and balance, and despite the role of rehabilitation programs in increasing the function and activity, the importance of these programs on proprioception has been remained under question. The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on the lumbosacral proprioception in healthy young women. In this clinical trial study, 30 healthy young women were randomly assigned in two exprimental [n=20] and control groups [n=10]. Since the change in pelvic position affects on the lumbar spine position, evaluation of the pelvic proprioception was considered as an scale to evaluate the lumbosacral proprioception. Target angle reproducing error for evaluation of the pelvic proprioception was measured by pelvic inclinometer. The lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt in rest position were measured to examine the probable effects of the exercises on the alignment of the pelvis and lumbar spine. Subjects in the exprimental group attended in ten exercise sessions and subjects in control group did not do any exercises. Proprioception error was measured before and after ten sessions in both groups and analysed by nonparametric tests. In the exprimental group, the absolute proprioception error was reduced statisticaly [P<0.0001] from the 1.4 +/- 1.2 in first session to 0.006 +/- 0.1 in last session but in the control group the absolute proprioception error did not change significantly. The absolute error was different significantly [P<0.0001] between the two groups after ten sessions. Also there was excellent relationship between the proprioception error at the first session and its changes [R=0.99]. The amount of lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt angle did not change in none of the groups after the sessions. Ten sessions of lumbar stabilization exercises reduces the lumbosacral proprioception error in young healthy women. The amount of this reduction had significant relationship with proprioception error at the first session; that is the subjects who had more innitial error gained more improvement through exercises

[ effect of lavender essence smelling during labor on cortisol and serotonin plasma levels and anxiety reduction in nulliparous women]

Labor conditions cause stress and anxiety specifically in nulliparous women and hence the chance of a normal vaginal delivery is reduced. According to some studies lavender scent improves mood and reduces stress and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lavender scent on anxiety status in nulliparous women and also to determine changes in plasma cortisol, serotonin and 5- hydroxyl indol acetic acid [5-HIAA] concentrations. In this study 121 nulliparous women with gestational age >37 weeks and cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm, referring to labor room of Zeinabieh and Hafez hospitals in Shiraz were devided into case group [N=63] and control group [N=58]. The case group smelled lavender essential oil for 1 hour. In both groups anxiety changes were determined before and after aromatherapy by Spielberger questionnaire, and at the same times pulse rate, blood pressure and plasma cortisol, serotonin, and 5-HIAA concentrations were determined by ELISA. Anxiety status and hormone levels were the same in both groups at the beginning of the experiment. Lavender decreased significantly anxiety and cortisol concentration while increased plasma serotonin and 5-HIAA concentrations. The difference between cortisol concentration before and after the aromatherapy in the test group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Lavender scent did not affect blood pressure and pulse. Aromatherapy with lavender improves anxiety status during labor in nulliparous women and decreases cortisol secretion from adrenal gland and increases serotonin secretion from GI tract

[Comparison between two local anaesthetic methods: parabulbar anesthesia using PTFE intravenous cannula [no needle] and retrobulbar anesthesia in extracapsular cataract surgery]

To compare the efficacy and safety of two local anesthetic methods; retrobulbar anesthesia and parabulbar anesthesia using PTFE intravenous cannula without needle in extracapsular cataract surgery. A randomized prospective partially blind study was conducted on 66 eyes of 66 patients with senile cataract who were scheduled for ECCE and PC IOL surgery. After randomization, 35 patients received retrobulbar anesthesia and 31 received parabulbar anesthesia. IOP was measured preoperatively and 1, 5, 15, and 30 min after injection. Akinesia was measured 1, 5, 15, and 30 min after injection. Akinesia was graded as 0, 1, and 2, in which zero means complete absence of movement or minimal movement around primary position; 1 means relative akinesia: residual movement of one muscle or relative reduction of muscle movement in all directions; and 2 means no akinesia. Pain was measured using a 10 point visual analog scale immediately after injection. Parabulbar anesthesia was performed with an IV cannula, gauge 22, 25 mm length, made from PTFE [poly tetra fluoro ethylene]. The 1V cannula sheath was used and its needle was discarded. Patients included 47% female and 53% male subjects. Mean age was 68 yr. There was no significant difference in the age and sex distribution and preinjection intraocular pressure between two groups. Akinesia was significantly more complete at all times after injection in group with parabulbar anesthesia. TOP was significantly higher at all times after injection in eyes with parabulbar anesthesia. Pain sensation was not significantly different between two groups. Major complications were not seen in any groups. Minor complications including chemosis [32%] and hemorrhage at site of peritomy [95%] were seen in parabulbar group. Parabulbar anesthesia produces better and faster akinesia than retrobulbar anesthesia but it can cause more IOP elevation that should be considered in patients with compromised ocular circulation. This needle free variation of parabulbar anesthesia in an effective and safe technique for local anesthesia in cataract surgery