Effects of probiotics with or without honey on radiation-induced diarrhea

Background: Diarrhea is a well-recognized side effect associated with pelvic radiation; however, there is not any effective common treatment for radiation-induced diarrhea. A popular alternative is probiotics, which have been used in several gastrointestinal disorders. Probiotics are live microbial food supplements. Furthermore, honey is a putative nutritional with a variety of health effects, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic. The present study evaluated the effects of probiotic with or without honey on radiation-induced diarrhea. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven adult patients with pelvic cancer underwent radiotherapy for four weeks. They randomized to receive probiotic [n = 22], probiotic plus honey [n = 21] or placebo [n = 24] from one week before radiotherapy for five weeks. Diarrhea grade and stool consistency score were recorded weekly according to the Common Toxicity Criteria system and the Bristol scales, respectively. Results: The results showed a decrease in the daily number of bowel movements [p = 0.003 and 0.006], diarrhea grade [p = 0.001 and 0.001] and the need for antidiarrheal medication [p = 0.021 and 0.041] also an increase in the stool consistency [p = 0.004 and 0.005] in patients who either used probiotic or probiotic plus honey [respectively], these were significant in weeks 4 and 5 of treatment. Conclusion: Probiotics with or without honey can reduce the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea and the need for antidiarrheal medication

[In Vitro Assessment of Antibucteriul Activie of Pomegranate Vinegur ilnd Rose Water Compared with Persicu Mouthwush on Oral Bacteriu]

Backgroand and Aim: Mutans streptococci are the main cause of tooth decay. Application of natural materials as mouthwash has been effective in reducing the bacterial count. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effebts of rose water and pomegranate vinegar in comparison with Persica mouthwash on two oral bacteria gesponsible for tooth decay.

Materials and Methods: Strongly adherent strains of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were selected for this in vitro study. Antimicrobial effects of pomegranate vinegar and rose water on microbial count in the biofilm and adhesion potential of bacteria was evaluated by microtiter plate method. Also, the well-plate technique was used to assess the effect of rose water and pomegranate vinegar in comparison with Persica mouthwash on bacterial growth and proliferation. The obtained resulted were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test using Graph Pad Prism version 5 software. Level of significance was set at P:0.05 withglo/o confidence interval.

Results: Pomegranate vinegar, rose water and Persica decreased plaque formation by S. mutans by 93%, 80% and 680%, respectively. These values for the S. sobrinus were 92%, 57% and 48%, respectively [all Ps<0.001]- Pomegranate vinegar was more effective than the other fwo materials [p<0.001]. However, none of these materials eliminated the biofilm. Pomegranate vinegar and Persica mouthwash had a negative effect on growth of the aforementioned bacteria.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it seems that pomegranate vinegar and rose water have the potential to prevent or control the proliferation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus.

Hypnotic effect of salvia reuterana boiss for treatment of insomnia

Insomnia, which is difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep, is a very common experience for many people. Considering the increasing interest in medicinal plants in the past decade, many plants such as Coriandrum sativum, Salvia leriifolia, Salvia reuterana and Stachys lavanduli folia have been used in Iranian traditional medicine to abate insomnia. The present study was designed to investigate hypnotic effect of Salvia reuterana on male mice. Ethanolic extract of S. reuterana was prepared. Five groups of 6 animals each were pretreated with vehicle, Salvia extract [50, 100 and 250 mg/kg; i.p.] or diazepam [0.5mg/kg; i.p.] 30 minutes before ketamine injection [100 mg/kg, i.p.]. The latency and total sleeping times were recorded to determine the hypnotic effect of the extract. The results indicated that ethanolic extract of S. reuterana, reduced the latency time and induced the total sleeping time in a dose dependent manner, compared to saline group. The present study suggests that S. reuterana produces hypnotic effect which can be evaluated clinically

[Inhibitory effect of nano-oligonucleotides as a new nanotechnology method in gene therapy of leukemia in vitro]

Gene therapy is a new and specific method for therapy of leukemia. Antitelomerase agents can be used in cancer therapy. Telomeres are specialized heterochromatin structures that act as protective caps at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. Human telomeres consist of tandem repeats of the hexanucleotide sequence TTAGGG in double strand. Telomerase is detected in the majority of cancers, but not in normal tissue. Telomere maintenance in 80-95% of tumor cells is achieved by telomerase. The aim of this research was to assess the inhibitory effects of nano-oligonucleotides as a new nano technology method in gene therapy of leukemia in vitro. In this study, we employed P5N3 phosphoramidate oliogoadenylate synthetic, called sense, antisense and scramble. In this research, oligomers with.5 micromolr did not have any effect on telomerase phosphoramidate P5activity. But telomerase activity significantly decreased with N3 hTR sense and antisense after 3 days with 1 to 3 micro molar in comparison with control groups. One of the reasons for inhibition of telomerase via the aforementioned antisense is to link them with RNA telomere named hTR and hence prevent this enzyme from functioning. By doing this, in fact, hTR is dissolved. This method in vitro can be used in human leukemia

Persian herbal medicines with anxiolytic properties

Anxiety disorders are amongst the most popular diseases which interfere with normal life. Benzodiazepines are used as a first line of treatment, but difficulties with pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders such as dependence and low response rate, encourage researchers to find new approaches. From the past, the role of medicinal plants have been a subject of intense interest. In this respect, Citrus aurantium, Coriandrum sativum, Crocus sativus, Echium amoenum, Nepeta persica Boiss, Stachys lavandulifolia and Salix aegyptiaca are widely used by Iranian population. This review summarized the information on Iranian plant species that have been explored for their potential anti-anxiety profile using validated animal models, doses and possible mechanism

[Attitudes towards oral health behavior among students of dental schools in Tehran]

Effectiveness of oral health promotion programs requires presence of knowledgeable and prevention-oriented dental workforce. The aim of the present study was to investigate attitudes of dental students and its determinants in Tehran towards prevention based on Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory [HU-DBI] questionnaire. A Farsi version of HU-DBI questionnaire was prepared, validated and administered to the pre-clinical and clinical students of three dental schools located in Tehran. Chi-square test and logistic regression model served for statistical analysis. In this cross-sectional study, two-hundred students participated. Women were less likely to agree with the statements "I have noticed some white sticky deposits on my teeth", and "I think I can clean my teeth well without using toothpaste" [P=0.04 and P=0.06, respectively], and more likely to agree with "I think that I cannot help having false teeth when I am old" compared to men [P=0.015]. Differences related to the students' schools also existed in the students' reactions to the items "I have used a dye to see how clean my teeth are" and "I use a toothbrush which has hard bristles". Differences related to the students' study year were also found in their attitudes towards prevention. Dental students' prevention-oriented attitudes seem to be associated with their gender and study year. More emphasis should be placed on prevention in Iranian dental curriculum to overcome those differences in the students' attitudes which are related to background and academic characteristics

[Association between amino acid sequences in peptide binding region [BOLA-DRB3] and susceptibility or resistance to calf diarrhea]

The major histocompatibility complex genes [mhc] encode MHC I and II molecules which present peptide fragments to T cells. Therefore these polymorphic molecules critically influence susceptibility to infectious diseases. At present study potential relationship between amino acid sequences in the antigen binding groove of different BoLA-DRB3 alleles and susceptibility or resistance to calf diarrhea was investigated. Twelve different DRB3 alleles were found among 171 calves [84 diarrheic and 87 healthy] analyesd by PCR-RFLP method. Amino acid sequences of the encoded peptide binding region were compared. 26 polymorphic positions were detected in this region. A significant association [p<0.05] was shown between occurrence of diarrhea and the presence of glutamic acid and tyrosine inpocket 4 and valine, glutamine and leucine in pocket 9 of peptide binding region. Thus it can be concluded that pockets 4 and 9 of the BoLA-DRB3 molecule would be involved in conferring susceptibility of calf to diarrhea

[Detection of aflatoxin M1 in spray dried and lyophilize bovine colostrum products]

Aflatoxin M[1] [AFM[1]] is an important mycotoxin frequently found in milk and dairy products. Dairy products and colostrums may be contaminated by aflatoxin M[1] when dairy cattle have fed with aflatoxin B[1]-contaminated feeds. This study was undertaken in a dairy farm around Tehran province to determine the presence and level of aflatoxin M[1] [AFM[1]] in spray dried and lyophilized colostrums samples. In this study, 25 spray dried and lyophilized colostrums samples were analyzed using competitive ELISA for determining the presence and levels of AFM[1]. AFM[1] was found in 76% of the colostrums samples. The range of contamination level was 16 ng/l to 1176 ng/l, [mean values was 213.37 ng/l]. Ninety two percent of the contaminated samples exceeded the maximum acceptable levels [50 ng/l, EU standard] and 8% exceeded 500 ng/l. Due to human health hazard and high occurrence of AFM[1] in colostrums samples, monitoring programs should be more extensive and frequent in Iran

Evaluation of antibodies levels against Escherichia coli, rotavirus and coronavirus in the colostrum of non-vaccinated cows in southern Tehran, Iran

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] kit was used for the evaluation of antibodies against Escherichia coliK99, rotavirus and coronavirus in colostrum samples of 240 non-immunized Holstein dairy cows in southern Tehran, Iran. Antibody levels against E. coli K99, coronavirus and rotavirus were higher than a 20% inhibition threshold in 76%, 99% and 100% of samples, respectively. From a total of 240 samples 14 cases [5.83%], 222 cases [92.5%] and 240 cases [100%] showed the strongest positive results [4[+]] for antibodies against E. coli, coronavirus and rotavirus, respectively. These colostrum samples were considered as high titre colostrum. The results showed that only a small number [5.83%] of colostrum samples had enough antibodies to protect the calves against diarrhea due to E. coli K99 after passive transfer. In the cases of rotavirus and coronavirus it was concluded that the colostrum samples obtained from non-immunized, naturally infected cows contained enough antibodies to develop passive immunity against rotavirus and coronavirus in suckling calves

Serological and genomic detection of bovine leukemia virus in human and cattle samples

Bovine leukemia virus [BLV] is a retro virus responsible for lymphoproliferative disorders in cattle. Although infections of BLV in animals are well known, little is known about its capacity to infect humans. This study investigated the presence of anti-BLV antibodies and BLV pro viruses in human and cattle samples. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was used to detect anti-BLV antibodies while nested PCR was employed to identify BLV provirus sequences. The overall prevalence of anti-BLV antibodies in human and cattle samples were 12.50% and 16.73%, respectively. When using ELISA as a reference test, sensitivity and specificity for nested PCR were 0.625 and 0.970, respectively. The predictive value of a positive test was 0.862 and the predictive value of a negative test was 0.897. The percentage of cattle correctly classified by nested PCR assay was 89.1%. Nested PCR and Southern blot analysis, using primers specific for BLV gag sequences, revealed that BLV pro viruses were detectable in cattle and human samples. Our results highlight the risk of human exposure to BLV and the need for further investigations to determine whether BLV infection poses a health hazard for humans

Cloning and high level expression of bovine interferon gamma gene in eukaryotic cells [COS-7]

Interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] is one of the key cytokines in defining T helper 1 lymphocyte immune responses. In this study, the bovine IFN-gamma gene was cloned from spleen tissue RNA using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. IFN-gamma cDNA was sub-cloned and expressed in mammalian expression plasmid [pcDNA3.1[+]] under the control of the human cytomegalovirus [CMV] promoter. The predicted amino acid [aa] sequence of bovine IFN-gamma compared with corresponding known sequence from bovine [Bos taurus] was 100% identity and with ovine, caprine, camel, lama, equine, canine, feline, human, mice and chicken cytokine was 95, 95, 86, 83, 77, 75, 75, 61, 44 and 35%, respectively. Invitro expression of recombinant bovine IFN-gamma [rBoIFN-gamma] and secretion to culture medium was confirmed by ELISA test. Maximum expression of rBoIFN-gamma occurred at 96 and 144 h after transfection in COS-7 cells. These results showed that pcDNA3.1 expression vector and COS-7 cells transfected by diethylaminoethyl [DEAE]-dextran allowed the high level expression of bovine IFN-gamma gene and the release of protein in supernatant of cell culture

[Comparative study on 1D [VP1] region of foot and mouth disease virus [type A strain] among different isolates: Khorasan Razavi isolate and other Iranian and neighboring countries isolates]

Foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] is one of the most important virus disease in farm animals. Types O, A and Asial FMD virus have been endemic in Iran. In this study, samples from suspected livestock were analyzed by RT-PCR experiment. The number of 702 nucleotides determined at 1D- 2B region of type A strain isolated from Khorasan Razavi province sequenced and compared with that of other reported isolates type A from Iran and neighboring countries. The results show that field isolated type A has about 89% similarity with other reported isolates type A from Iran and neighboring countries. Furthermore, this virus shows the most similarity with A/IRN/1/87[Samuel. Phylogenitic analysis revealed that virus was closely related to A22-Iraq/99 and A/IRN/iso/105 that rest in the same lineage. The data showed high similarity between type A viruses involved in the Khorasan Razavi province and A/IRN/87v [vaccine strain]; so that it can be concluded that the vaccine can produce prophylactic antibody against this virus

Mutation of the histidin residue of the DRH motif in vasopressin V2 receptor expression and function

Vasopressin type 2 receptor [V2R], a G protein coupled receptor [GPCR], plays an important role in the regulation of renal antidiuretic function. The highly conserved DRH motif is essential for G protein signaling of V2R; however its role especially regarding the histidin residue is not fully understood. Site directed mutagenesis was performed with replacements of the histidin to isoleucine by using nested polymerase chain reaction. ELISA was performed for receptor expression assay and the adenylyl cyclase activity assay was performed for functional characterization of DRI mutation on V2R signaling. The adenylyl cyclase activity assay in COS-7 cells showed no difference in the amount of cAMP production between the wild type and the mutant V2 receptors. The V2 receptor expression was not changed in the presence of this mutation using ELISA assay. These results suggest that the role of histidin residue is not critical in the V2 receptor function, however further mutagenesis studies are required to define the role of this motif in V2R function

Comparison of the effects of propolis and virginia mycine on performance and immune response of broiler chicks

Three hundred and sixty male day- old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in order to evaluate the effect of propolis as growth promoter on the performance and the immune response of the broiler chicks to the ND vaccine. Each treatment contained three replicates of 30 chicks. Dietary treatments were as follow: Acorn - soy meal diet [control diet].Control diet + 3000 ppm [starter] and 2000 ppm [grower and finisher] propolis.Control diet + 6000 ppm [starter] and 4000 ppm [grower and finisher] propolis. Control diet + 100 ppm virginiamycine.The chick performance was evaluated by recording the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conservation ratio, and productive efficiency index at 21 and 42 days of age. Prior to the administration of ND vaccine [day 17] and 10 days post-vaccination, the blood sample was taken for HI test. The chicks fed diet supplemented with virginiamycin showed higher BWG, FI, PEI when compared with other treatments. However, those chick provided with dietary treatment 2 [3000 and 2000 ppm] had lower FCR. Propolis had no effect on antibody titer against ND vaccine. In this experiment propolis don't act as an immunostimulant, but appeared to be promising a potential growth promoter

Investigation of synthesis of PVP hydrogel by irradiation

A dressing often covers the wound to accelerate its healing. Hydrocolloid-type dressing to give better conditions for healing has been developed consisting of gelatin, pectin, water and hydrophilic polymer which promote healing. In recent years, much attention has been focused on the research and development of polymer hydrogels as biomaterials, such as contact lenses, wound dressing and drugdelivery systems. Hydrogels, as wound dressing were prepared with composite poly [N-vinyl-2-pyrolidone] [PVP] with several additives such as agar and polyethylenglycol [PEG] and by electron-beam. Electron beam was applied as a tool for initiation of crosslinking and sterilization of these materials. The effects of irradiation dose at the range of 10-40 KGy and various concentration of components on the characterizes of hydrogel such as gel content, degree of swelling [DS], equilibrium water content [EWC] and dehydration properties, transparency and microbial test were investigated. After irradiation, the achieved gel content of hydrogels was obtained higher than 25%. Gels' degree of swelling with different concentrations was changed from 35 to 20 at the range of irradiation dose of 10-40 KGy. Also, at the same range of irradiation and concentration, EWC of gels was found to be 98 to 94%. The dehydration results did not show variation with the tested parameters. Results showed that hydrogels membrane with composition PVP [10% w/w], agar and PEG [1-3%w/w] at the dose of 25 KGy had the amount of gel content 80-85%. Their DS and EWC were respectively obtained 30% and 96.5%. They were elastic, transparent, flexible, sterile and impermeable for bacteria. They absorbed a high capacity of water, attached to healthy skin, and they were easy to remove. It was concluded that the network was solely composed of crosslinked PVP plasticized by other compounds

Study of p53 polymorphism at codon 72 in patients of breast cancer in Isfahan

The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays an important role in genomic stability. A common G-to-C polymorphism at codon 72 in the p53 gene has been accompanied with high risk of lung, nasopharyngeal, oral, prostate, and colorectal cancers, and may result in genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. We studied the effect of this p53 polymorphism on breast invasive ductal carcinoma development This case-control study was conducted among 51 patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma and 51 matched controls in Isfahan. P53 codon 72 genotypes were identified using allele-specific polymerase-chain reaction [PCR]. In control samples, the genotype distribution of p53 polymorphism showed 43.2%, 52.9% and 3.9% for the Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro genotypes, respectively. In cancer group the distribution was 86.2% for Arg/Arg, 11.8% for Arg/Pro and 2% for Pro/Pro. Distribution differences in p53 codon 72 polymorphism between the cases and controls were statistically significant [P]

Detection of anti-E coli, rota virus and corona virus antibodies in sera samples of diarrheic and normal calves under 1 month of age

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence anti- E. coli, -rotavirus and -corona virus, in calves' sera. A total of 184 calves under 1 month of age [84 diarrheic and 100 normal] was studied. Serological tests including: direct ELISA for detection of anti-K99 E. coli, - rotavirus and - corona virus and tube agglutination test for detection anti-O157 E. coli, antibodies were used. Data were analyzed by chi-square, fisher test and t-student tests. Anit-K99 E. coli antibodies were detected in 56% and 66% of diarrheic and normal calves, respectively. Tube agglutination test showed the presence of anti- O157-E. coli antibodies in 82% and 69% of diarrheic and normal calves respectively. Anti-rotavirus antibodies were detected in 100% and 99% of diarrheic and normal calves, respectively. Anti- corona virus antibodies were detected in 82% and 72% of diarrheic and normal calves respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study may indicate the high exposure of the examined dairy cattle population to E. coli, rotavirus and corona virus and also the absence of correlation between such serological responses with the prevention of calves' diarrhea

Identification of the foot and mouth disease foci from susceptible foci in Khorasan Razavi province

This study was conducted in Khorasan-Razavi during 23 months [since February 2004 to December 2005]. The samples [83 samples] of suspected farms were collected from tongue and mouth epithelium and tested by indirect sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. During the study, twelve foci during the year 2004 and 23 foci during the year 2005[up to December] were approved. Maximum distribution of FMD foci was observed in spring [63%]. Pearson's correlation coefficient and Chi- square tests were carried out for data analysis. Attention was paid to frequent traffic of farm in springs since there is an increase of the disease in this season. There was no correlation between the sheep density and the disease must be account in cattle. However, with respect to considerable sheep population in Iran and its role in persistence of the virus, the vaccination of sheep seems to be essential for the control of FMD

[ first report of Klebsiella as a pathogen in neonatal diarrhea of calves in Iran]

Clinical evaluation of klebsiella induced diarrhea and frequency of this agent in calve's diarrhea in Iran. Cross sectional Study. Out of 295 calves [less than one month age] 209 calves showed diarrhea and 86 calves were as control group. To collect stool sample from rectum of the all calves [affected and apparently healthy] and using bacteriological standard methods for detection of this bacterium. Descriptive study using SPSS package. Thirty one samples out of all examined stool samples were infected with klebsiella. In this regard, 18 samples [8.6%] were from diarrheic calves and 13 samples [15.3%] from the control group. Mean of age in diarrheic calve was 12.00 +/- 3.08 days. In diarrheic group 6 calves [33.3%] showed severe lienteric diarrhea. All diarrheic calves [100%] showed thin and vivacity in general condition. Nine diarrheic calves [50%] had yellow feces, 17 of diarrheic calves [94.4%] had poor feeding behavior and all diarrheic calves [100%] showed second dehydration degree. Klebsiella can be one of causative agents in the calves diarrhea syndrome in the less than one month age