review of the medicinal plants from the tragopogon Spp.

Tragopogon is a genus of Asteraceae family and Lactuceae tribe. Distribution of this genus in different areas resulted to its dietary and feed applications as well as medicinal uses. Different parts of these plants have been used in treatment of stomachache and digestive disorders

In Iranian traditional medicine they used as hemostatic and wound healing agent in nose, ears, lungs, throat, intestine, stomach, and skin bleeding. Reduction of lipid peroxidation and blood lipid level, antioxidant, antileukemic, and antibacterial effects, and healing effect on inflammatory bowel disease are some of evaluated pharmacologic effects of the plants in this genus. Flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, bibenzyl and hydroisocoumarins, phenolic compounds, and strolls are some of detected phytochemicals of these plants that majority of them have been identified through the chemotaxonomic studies. Some tragopogon plants with high antioxidant effect are able to protect the tissues from the inflammatory disorders and inhibit DNA damage in the determined concentrations

[Quantitative and qualitative analysis of anthocyanins and flavonols in berry skin of some grape cultivars using high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]]

Background: Grape berries are valuable nutraceuticals, due to the presence of different types of flavonoids as anthocyanins and flavonols, however, type and percentage of the components are influenced by genotype and environmental conditions

Objective: To identify anthocyanins and flavonols of some important grape cultivars with different color profiles

Methods: Berry skins of grape cultivars including Angoorab, Bidane-Ghermez, Fakhrie-Ghermez, Muskat of Hamburg, Flaim seedless, Sorkhak, and Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz were extracted using water/methanol as solvent. Anthocyanins and flavonols compositions were studied by HPLC

Results: Highest total anthocyanin and total flavonol contents were 0.44 [Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz] and 0.67 [Angoorab] mg.100 g-1, respectively. Highest percentage of cyanidin in Bidane-Ghermez [91.6%], peonidin in Fakhri-Ghermez [91.43%], delphinidin in Flaim seedless [4.95%], malvidin in Sorkhak [87.69%] and petunidin in Muskat of Hamburg [4.36%] were observed. Quercetin [61.21 in Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz to 87.37% in Muskat of Hamburg] was the major flavonol, among all studied grape cultivars. Highest amounts of laricitrin in Sorkhak [16.73%], myricetin in Ashe-Siahe-Shiraz [28.4%], kaempferol in Flaim seedless [21.39%] and isorhamnetin in Fakhrie-Ghermez [14.41%] were observed. Also, estimation of hydroxylation and methylation activities showed that for both of the reactions, anthocyanins are much better substrates than flavonols

Conclusion: The present study showed that studied grape cultivars are different for the content, composition and ratio of anthocyanins and flavonols and pattern of hydroxylation and methylation, which could lead to differences in their nutraceutical values specially their antioxidant activity, stability, solubility and color properties

[ case report of isolated radial nerve palsy physiotherapy]

Isolated radial nerve palsy is caused by pressing this nerve and it is usually caused by the excessive pressure either in the uterus or during the labor. Isolated radial nerve palsy should be considered different from brachial plexus damages. In brachial plexus damages depending on the damage degree and involved spinal roots, different disorders such as disability in brachial abduction, disability in elbow, wrist and digital flexion and extension may be observed, however, in isolated radial nerve palsy weakness is only reported in extension power. In isolated radial nerve palsy depending on the level of pressure and damage, different symptoms are suspected but the most common symptom is inability in extension of wrist and fingers, which is called wrist drop. This phenomenon is a rare condition and usually recuperates by itself. In the present case report, we have described a newborn case with isolated radial nerve palsy. This male newborn was born after a long labor during which his radial nerve was pressed, so he was born with wrist drop. By prescribing Physical therapy modalities including IR [Infrared], Gentle Massage, Electrical Stimulation [IDC], Gentle Rang of Motion, the patient was completely revealed from the disease

[Polyneuropathy in gasoline addiction, a report of three cases]

The polyneuropathy caused by chronic Gasoline Sniffing is reported to be a gradually progressive, symmetric, sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The report of gasoline sniffing by three 12, 16 and18 years old brothers [Respectively 5, 8 and 11 years of gasoline inhalation addiction] that referred with peripheral neuropathy was studied. The conditions were characterized by relatively small reduction in nerve conduction velocity [depending on the severity of nerve involvement] and to some degree in all four limbs with moderate to severe sensory and motor involvement, lower limbs had worse conditions than upper limbs. The neuropathy was attributed to the N-hexane and tetraethyl, the lead components of gasoline. Educational efforts about the dangers of gasoline sniffing are essential

[Learning improvement in organizations through transformational leadership at Isfahan university of medical sciences in 2012-2013]

Introduction: studies show that organizations using transformational leadership, achieve high levels of growth and development. For this reason, in recent decades, transformational leadership has become an unavoidable necessity, because through transformational leadership organizations can improve their competitive advantage such as organizational learning. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational learning at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Methods: Research method was descriptive-correlative. To collect data, 117 employees at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were surveyed. Research instruments were to questionnaires: 1] Bass and Avalio's transformational leadership, and 2] Neif's organizational learning. Reliability coefficients were.87 and .88 respectively, using Chronbach's formula. The collected data were analyzed using one- sample t-test, and Pearson correlation

Results: Findings showed that there are a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and its components [Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration] with organizational learning. The collected data were analyzed using one variable t-test, and Pearson correlation

Conclusion: according to the findings, it can be suggested that the existence of transformational leadership can result in the improvement of organizational learning

Breeding biology of the great cormorant phalacrocorax carbo sinensis in southern coasts of the caspian sea, Iran

Breeding biology of the Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis is assessed in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, Iran during the years 2008-2010. About 84 nests located on 63 trees were examined. Nests were built on large trees located in Abbas abad marsh, Gilan Province. Initially, eggs were found on first week of April and egg laying continued until the last week of May. Clutch size varied from 2 to 5 eggs, with a mean clutch size of 2.8 +/- 0.69. Mean shape index for all eggs were 1.68 +/- 0.035 and 1.706 +/- 0.048, respectively. The length of the incubation period was estimated at 26.6 +/- 2.2 days. in 2010 of the 84 eggs laid, 26.6% were lost. In 2009 of 92 eggs laid, 62% were lost. Number of eggs hatched per nest averaged at 1.57 +/- 0.57 in small ones and 1.8 +/- 1.6 in large nest. Mean weight of eggs was estimated at 46.8 +/- 1.28g [N=10, mean =48.9, min=45.2]

Antimicrobial activity of different lactobacillus species against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lactobacilli are the well known friendly bacteria for their probiotic activities against pathogens. The inhibitory activity of different strains of lactobacilli either obtained as commercial products or isolated from human feces was investigated against the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The isolates were selected as the most resistant strains when challenged with anti-pseudomonal antibiotics already in clinical practice. Both the plate spot test as well as the agar cup method were used for screening of Lactobacillus strains against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from feces of an Iranian child showed a strong anti-pseudomonal activity [90 percent after 72h incubation] against the multi-drug resistant clinical isolates while a Lactobacillus reuteri strain isolated from a commercial oral product resulted in relatively weak response and a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain isolated from a commercial vaginal product did not show any inhibitory activity. In a kinetic study the lactobacillus sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a significant bacteriostatic activity in vitro in the presence of lactobacillus supernatants. Some lactobacilli exhibit significant inhibitory activity against the multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Establishment of a modified in vitro cultivation of protoscoleces to adult echinococcus granulosus; an important way for new investigations on hydatidosis

Echinococcus granulosus, a zoonotic cestode parasite, causative agent of hydatid cyst is endemic in many parts of the world including the Middle East. Study on different aspects of this parasite is very important and valuable. However, working with adult worms which their habitat situated in the small intestine of canids, is dangerous and risky. Achieving such risky situation needs a controlled condition which is cultivation of the organisms in the laboratory. In this regard, cultivation of E. granulosus protoscoleces leading to adult worms was established in the laboratory for the first time in Iran. Under aseptic conditions a number of protoscoleces were cultivated in diphasic S.10E.H medium using CO2 incubator to produce adult worms. Different forms of parasites including pre-segmentation stages [PS1 - PS4] and segmentation stages [S5-S8] and developing stages in segmented worms [S10-S11] were observed and evaluated in these medium. Finally adult worms contained four proglottids with a large and distinct genital pore were observed 50-55 days post cultivation. These parasites do not produce fertile eggs and conclusively do not have risk of hydatid disease transmission to the researchers. The mentioned method for producing E. granulosus adult worms can open a new window for researches and facilitate working on different aspects of hydatidosis especially for diagnosis, protection and treatment studies

Protective effect of pretreatment with thymoquinone against aflatoxin B1 induced liver toxicity in mice

Thymoquinone [TQ] is one of the active components of Nigella sativa. The plant has been used in herbal medicine for treatment of many diseases including liver complications. The present study aimed to investigate protective effects of TQ on Aflatoxin B1 [AFB1] induced liver toxicity in mice. Animals were divided into six groups and treated intraperitoneally. Group 1 [blank] served as vehicle, group 2 [positive control] received AFB1, Group 3 was treated with 9 mg/kg of TQ, Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 4.5, 9 and 18 mg/kg of TQ, respectively. After three consecutive days, except for groups 1 and 3, animals were administered with a single dose of AFB1 [2 mg/kg]. All the animals were killed 24 hrs following the AFB1 administration under ether anesthesia. Biochemical parameters including AST, ALT and ALP in serum samples and glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] contents in liver homogenates were determined. Liver sections were collected for histopathological examination. Findings of this study showed that AST, ALT, ALP and MDA levels were significantly lower in the TQ treated animals as compared to AFB1 group [group 2]. Furthermore, TQ was able to recover glutathione content [GSH] of liver tissue. The best response, however, was observed with the dose of 9 mg/kg. Liver sections of AFB1 intoxicated mice showed inflammation, necrosis, hyperplasia of kupffer and infiltration of mononuclear cells, dilation of sinusoids and disruption of hepatocytes, while treatment with TQ helped to normalize liver architecture in accordance to biochemical findings. Taken collectively, TQ has a protective role with optimum dose of 9 mg/kg in AFB1 hepatotoxicity

[ comparative study of the previously graduated dentists' knowledge versus those recently graduated as to proper prescription of interaoral radiography and panoramic views]

Statement of Problems: The first step to decrease the patients' exposure to unnecessary radiography radiation is the proper prescription of radiography

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of general dental practitioners as to proper prescription of intraoral radiography and panoramic views

Materials and Method: In this study, a questionnaire on the dentists' knowledge about the proper prescription of dental radiography was used. A total of eighty one general dental practitioners filled in the questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the dentists' awareness and its relationship with graduate round off period was done carried out by Chisquare, Mann Whitney and Fishers exact tests using SPSS software

Results: The Knowledge of general dental practitioners as to panoramic radiography was moderate and that of those who graduated more than five years ago [Group 1] was 42.8%. The knowledge of the recently graduated general dental practitioners graduated less than 5 years ago [Group 2] was 50%. As to preference of application of panoramic radiography and intraoral periapical radiography in diagnosis of oral and dental diseases, group 1 gave 100% correct answers compared to 83.3% in group 2

Conclusion: The dentists' knowledge regarding the proper prescription of radiography did not have a significant difference. Adequate instruction for dentists in this regard seems to be necessary

[ effect of Hemoglobin changes on postoperative shivering]

Background and aim: Postoperative shivering is a common complication of anesthesia. Some studies reported that hemodilution induced anemia can reduce postoperative shivering. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between the hemoglobin index and changes on post anesthesia shivering

Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study, 117 patients aged 16-60 years were participated. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin index was measured. The level of hemoglobin was evaluated in 3 steps; before operation, 1 and 6 hours after operation. Postoperative shivering was evaluated by Crossly-staging. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 17.00 software, using repeated measures analysis of variances and Spearman correlation tests

Results: From the total of 117 patients, 21 patients [17.9%] demonstrated postoperative shivering. The mean hemoglobin levels in patients with and without shivering before the operation were found 14.70+/-2.38 and 15.14+/-2.25 mg/dl, respectively [P>0.05]. After the operation, the mean hemoglobin levels in two groups were 13.28+/-2.36 and 13.64+/-2.05, respectively [P>0.05]. Finally, measuring hemoglobin levels in both groups six hours after the operation, were found 13.08+/-2.2.10 and 13.52+/-2.49, respectively [P>0.05]. No correlation was observed between the hemoglobin levels and shivering stages [P=0.085]

Conclusion: According to results of this study, there is no correlation between hemoglobin level and postoperative shivering

Influence of short-term creatine supplementation on hormonal responses to resistance exercise

Creatine is a dietary supplement that is used by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength and especially to improve sports performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of creatine-monohydrate supplementation on hormonal responses in resistance exercise. Twenty-seven trained men took, daily, either creatine- monohydrate [CR, n=15] or a placebo [PL, n=12] for 7 days, followed by performing exercise testing [6 sets of no more than 10 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their 1RM]. Blood samples were taken at baseline and on the exercise testing day [pre-exercise [Pre], immediately post-exercise [1P], and 15 [2P] and 30 [3P] minutes post-exercise] to measure of serum growth hormone [GH] and testosterone concentrations. Significant increases in the number of repetitions [7.2 +/- 1.2] and volume of exercise [1569 +/- 1.8] were observed in the CR, as compared to PL group in set 5 of the exercise protocol. GH was significantly higher at minutes 15 [6.1 +/- 1.8 ng/ml] and 30 [3.6 +/- 1.9ng/ml] post-exercise, as compared to the pre-exercise values in the CR group. In addition, in the CR group the testosterone concentration was also significantly higher [69.1 +/- 19.2 pmol/L] at minute 15 post-exercise as compared to the pre-exercise and PL values. These results suggest that creatine supplementation can enhance acute exercise performance by increasing the number of repetitions performed and the total volume of exercise. The enhanced performance results in an increase in both GH and testosterone concentrations, indicating an augmented anabolic hormone response to creatine supplementation

[ relationship between diabetes and hearing impairment]

This study was carried out in 2003-2004 in Kermanshah Diabetes Research Center to assess the effect of diabetes on hearing. This is a case-control study. 82 diabetic cases [26 types I and 56 type 2 cases] were studied along with 82 controls matched both in age and sex. Cases were selected randomly, their range of age was 15 to 55 years and their duration of diabetes was more than 3 years. After completing questionnaires, all cases and controls undergone autoscopic examination. Those with other ear disease with hearing impairment were omitted. Audiometery including; pure tone audiometery, speech audiometery, and impedance audiometrey with well tone AD19 formed was done on 164 [diabetic and control] persons. Data was analyzed using t-test. Audiometric findings with different frequencies in the two groups revealed that there was a significant relationship between diabetes and hearing impairment [p<0.001]. This relationship was more significant in high frequencie, older age and type 2 diabetes, but there were no relationship between control of blood sugar [HbA1c], duration of diabetes, sex, microvascular and macrovasculur complications with hearing loss in diabetic patients. These finding demonstrate that diabetes can cause mild to moderate hearing impairment especially in high frequencies. The mechanism of this effect is unknown

new primer pair in ITS1 region for molecular studies on echinococcus granulosus

Echinocuccus granulosus, the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis has long been recognized as having a high degree of genetic divergence. The strains characterization seems to be essential for the establishment of a preventive and control strategy in every endemic area. Using DNA based methods for strain /genotype characterizations of E. granulosus have some difficulties, especially access to an efficient and pure concentration of DNA and proper primers. Using grinder method, a pure and high concentration DNA was extracted from 10 human hydatid cysts collected from Isfahan [central Iran] hospitals, and processed for PCR reaction. Using DNASIS, the primers were designed in internal transcribed spacer 1 [ITS1] region, following analysis of 30 E. granulosus nucleotide sequences, extracted from gene bank. This new and specific E. granulosus primer which amplified DNA thoroughly can be applied for molecular studies on echinococcosis