[In vitro evaluation of methanol extract of Agrimonia eupatoria on PBMC and 12 pathogenic bacteria]

Background: Today the use of medicinal plants to improve the immune system function and against pathogenic bacteria has been considered

Objective: In this study, the effect of methanol extract of the aerial parts of Agrimonia eupatoria on peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] and 12 pathogenic bacteria were investigated

Methods: The methanol extract of branches, stems, seeds and leaves of Agrimonia eupatoria were prepared and the effect of different concentrations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 micro g/ml of the extract on proliferation of PBMC was evaluated by MTT assay. Also the effect of concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 mg/ml of the extract was tested on 12 pathogenic bacteria by disc method and on nutrient agar media

Results: The methanol extract of the branch, stem and seed of Agrimonia eupatoria showed the most stimulatory effects on immune system and induced the proliferation of PBMCs up to 8 times. Methanol extract of Agrimonia eupatoria showed antibacterial effects against gram-positive bacteria and the most antibacterial effect was on Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 4 mg/ml and Staphylococcus aureus at concentration of 7 mg/ml

Conclusion: The Agrimonia eupatoria methanol extract showed stimulatory effects on the immune system and also antibacterial properties against certain gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. These finding indicate that Agrimonia eupatoria can be considered to use for immunodeficiency patients and moreover to control some bacterial infections

qualitative study on a 30-year trend of tobacco use and tobacco control programmes in Islamic Republic of Iran

We conducted in-depth interviews with key tobacco control policy-makers to explore their views and opinions of trends in tobacco use and the effectiveness of tobacco control programmes over the past 3 decades. A qualitative interview study was conducted in 2014 using a grounded theory approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 86 key tobacco control policy-makers and data collection was based on principles of saturation. The core code "tobacco consumption and its control programme" was extracted and its related themes were listed. After review and classification by an expert panel, 9 categorized codes emerged. The final 31 codes were ordered according to their conceptual differentiations. Overall, tobacco consumption was constant over the past 3 decades; however it was increasing in females and young people and decreasing in older people; hookah consumption was increasing. A positive outcome is that tobacco use is now viewed negatively in the Islamic Republic of Iran, largely due to tobacco control programmes but the current situation is still not ideal and a comprehensive tobacco control law is needed

[Prevalence of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria in patients referring to Mycobacteriology Research Center of Iran]

Considering the increasing significance of diseases due to NTM all over the world, we investigated the burden of such diseases in our region. The aim of this study was to assess NTM prevalence from different clinical samples during a period of 8 years in Massih Daneshvari Hospital, in Iran. This descriptive study was performed on 8322 samples obtained from pulmonary TB patients in Mycobacteriology Research Center from 2004 -2012. Using Tb1 and Tb2 primers, a 190 bp fragment of IS6110 gene was amplified in order to identify Mycobacterium species. Specimens with negative IS6110 PCR results were analyzed with PCR-RFLP using hsp65 gene, for NTM investigation. Out of 8322 samples, we identified 124 [1.5%] strains of NTM. The mean age of the patients was 57 +/- 18/9 years [age range: 7 - 88 years]. 55/6% of the patients were male. The most common species detected in our study were Mycobacterium simiae [44.3%], Mycobacterium chelonae [16.9%] and Mycobacterium kansasii [12.9%]. We found a high prevalence rate of Mycobacterium simiae among our patients. Treatment protocols for NTM are different from the protocols for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, so early diagnosis of these species will be of great importance

[Investigation of the relationship between polymorphism of IFN-gammaR1 [-611],IFN-gamma[2109] and IL-12B[-1188] genes and pulmonary TB]

A large number of factors are involved in the development of TB, but the most important one belongs to the host genetic factors. One of the genetic factors is cytokine gene polymorphisms. The results of recent studies indicate that IL-12 and IFN-gamma play a central role in regulating the type and level of immune response in mycobacterial infections. Mutations in these genes may be associated with susceptibility to pulmonary TB. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequencies of IFN- gamma [2109], IFN-gamma R1 [-611] and IL-12B [-1188] genes polymorphisms and their relationships with susceptibility to pulmonary TB in Iranian population. This was a case-control study. Thirty TB patients with positive smears hospitalized in TB departments of Masih Daneshvari Hospital and 30 healthy controls with no history of TB were selected for this study. Genotypes of IFN- gamma [2109], IFN-gamma R1 [-611] and IL-12B [-1188] genes were determined by using PCR-RFLP method. The PCR-products were analyzed by use of restriction enzymes. The data were analyzed by means of SPSS and Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium. Considering IFN-gamma R1 [-611] and IL-12B [-1188] genes there was a significant difference between the control and study groups [P < 0.05], but in regard to IFN- gamma [2109], this difference was not detected between the two groups. Mutation in the regions of -611 of IFN-gamma R1 and -1188 of IL-12B genes may increase the host susceptibility to mycobacterium tuberculosis and genotyping of these regions can be used for screening of the high risk individuals

Which form of nicotine replacement therapy is more effective for quitting smoking? a study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Nicotine replacement therapy can double the chance of success for smokers attempting to quit. This observational study aimed to compare quit rates of different formulations of nicotine replacement among clients referred to a smoking cessation clinic in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Clients entering the study [n= 308] participated in 4 sessions of behavioural therapy, chose a type of nicotine replacement to use [patches, chewing gum, tablets or both patches and gum] and were followed up for 12 months. After 4 weeks of quitting, 88.2% [246/279] reported abstaining from smoking. Self-reported maintenance rates for quitting were 54.9% after 6 months and 36.2% after 12 months follow-up. A significant correlation was found between type of nicotine replacement and quit rate. Use of nicotine patches and chewing gum together had the highest quit rate [95.2%] after 4 weeks and at 12 months follow-up [62.5%]. Consuming 2 forms of nicotine replacement in therapy could result in enhanced rates of long-term quitting

[ effect of forceps type on results and complications of transbronchial lung biopsy]

Lung biopsy via the bronchus [TBLB] is among the routine diagnostic procedures for pulmonary diseases and is performed using either of two different kinds of forceps: cup and alligator. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two kinds of forceps on quality of biopsy as well as the side effects of TBLB. This was a prospective, observational and double-blind study in which four samples were biopsied from each patient via TBLB. The sample characteristics were recorded based on size, number of alveoli included, diagnostic value, and the side effects such as pneumothorax and bleeding. A total number of 44 patients and 176 biopsies were evaluated. Twenty one patients [47.7%] were males and 23 [52.3%] females. While considering the size of samples, of 88 biopsies via alligator forceps, 21.6% were small, 45.5% medium, and 33% large. Corresponding results for the cup forceps were 43.2% small, 29.5% medium, and 27.3% large. From 88 biopsies taken using alligator forceps, 18.2% were found to have diagnostic value whereas in the case of cup forceps the diagnostic value was 23.9%. While no significant pneumothorax was seen with alligator forceps it was observed in 9% of the cup forceps procedures. Significant bleeding was seen in 1% of the alligator forceps and 5.7% of the cup forceps procedures. Comparing two types of forceps regarding the effect on results of TBLB, alligator forceps produced larger samples and less side effects. There was no significant difference in diagnostic value between two procedures

[Outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy for post penetrating keratoplasty myopia and astigmatism]

To report the results of photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] with mitomycin-C [MMC] to correct myopia and astigmatism in patients who had previously undergone penetrating keratoplasty [PKP]. Thirty-eight eyes of 32 patients underwent PRK with MMC to correct astigmatism and myopia following PKP. Mean spherical equivalent [SE] was -5.2 +/- 4.7 D [diopter] and mean astigmatism was -2.4 +/- 3 D preoperatively which reached -3.1 +/- 3.1 D and -1.2 +/- 2.8 D 3 months after the operation respectively. The cornea was clear in 55.3%, had trace haze in 21.1%, moderate haze in 15.8% and severe haze in 7.9% of cases. PRK with MMC after PKP is a relatively safe and effective procedure. It reduces both the spherical error and the cylindrical component of the ametropia. Corneal haze is the major complication

Propofol induced pain; Comparison between effects of lidocaine propofol mixture and metoclopramide premedication

Propofol causes pain on injection in 28% - 90% of patients. A number of techniques have been tried for minimizing propofol-induced pain with variable results.To compare the use of premixed lidocaine-propofol with metoclopramide pretreatment for the reduction of pain during injection of propofol in adult patients. A prospective, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Shiraz University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Shiraz, Iran. From Jan 2007 to Dec 2007. 202 subjects [ASA I-II] scheduled for elective operations under general anesthesia were allocated into three groups and treated as follows: Group A: 20 ml propofol mixed with 20mg lidocaine%1 following 2ml normal saline; Group B: 20 ml propofol mixed with 2ml normal saline following 5 mg metoclopramide; Group C [control group]: 20 ml propofol mixed with 2 ml normal saline following 2 ml normal saline. Pain intensity was graded by a single, blinded observer and recorded as either severe, moderate, mild or no pain according to the response of the patients to the injection. The incidence of pain was 72% in placebo group compared to 58.7% in the metoclopramide and 28.8% in the lidocaine group. Propofol-lidocaine admixture is more effective than metoclopramide pre treatment in decreasing the pain of propofol injection

[Ocular symptoms and signs in professional video-display users]

To compare the prevalence of ocular symptoms and signs in professional video-display users [VDU] and non-users. This cross-sectional case-control study was performed on bank staff who used computer for their task as the VDU group and staff who did not work with computer as controls. Ocular symptoms were evaluated based on a questionnaire and signs were detected according to complete ocular examination. The VDU group included 34 male and 23 female subjects with mean age of 30.7 +/- 6.8 years and controls included 25 male and 31 female subjects with mean age of 27.6 +/- 7.2 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age and sex. Ocular symptoms included burning and tearing in 79% vs 45% [P=0.037], dry eye sensation in 66% vs 32% [P= 0.022] and asthenopia in 64.8% vs 40% [P=0.044] of the VDU group vs controls, respectively. Dry eye based on Schirmer test of less than 10 mm after 5 minutes was found in 40.3% vs 10.7% in the VDU group and controls, respectively [P=0.012]. Tear break up time of less than 10 seconds was seen in 43.8% of the VDU group and 8.9% of the control group [P=0.044]. Heterophoria was present in 33.2% of the VDU group vs 5.3% of controls [P=0.032]. There was no difference between the two groups regarding myopia [54.3% in the VDU group vs 39.2% in controls]. Ocular complaints such as burning and tearing, dry eye sensation and asthenopia were more prevalent in video-display users

Evaluating the rate of international scientific journal use in the libraries of four educational and research centres

Background: Reviewing the rate of journal use is a known and conventional way of studying the cost effectiveness of the most expensive sources of the libraries in the educational centres. This process is routinely carried out in the libraries of the developed countries

Purpose: To assess the usage rate of the periodical "international journals" by faculties and others, and their related costs [in [dollar sign]US] in the libraries of four educational and research centres in Tehran

Methods: In a descriptive cross - sectional study, the rate of international scientific journal use by the faculty members and others was studied. Depending upon the rate of journal use in one month, three groups were classified: Group 1: with use of 1 journal /month; Group 2: with 1-3 journal usage/month; and Group 3: with 3 and more journal usage/month. The mean monthly journal use and the related costs of the three groups were measured

Results: Among the entire journals in the studied libraries, 87 [27.6%] belonged to group 1, 121 journals [38.4%] placed in group 2 and finally 107 journals [34%] were in group 3. Cost per use for each journal in Masih Daneshvari, Labbafinezhad, Rasool-E-Akram and Imam Hospitals were 10.52, 14.42, 14.84 and 13.35 [dollar sign]US respectively

Conclusion: According to our findings, about 2/3 of the journals were used less than three times per month. The same situation exists with little difference in the rest of the medical and non-medical educational centres of the country. To improve the present situation, we can not only exclude those journals which are used less frequently but also encourage the professors to use the journals themselves and to persuade the students to take advantage from the relevant journals during their education. It is also recommended that the journals in group 1 and 2 [less frequently used journals] to be purchased and stored by a National Library Centre only and journals of group 3 by individual educational centres. Regarding the increasing facilities of electronic journal usage, it is recommended to use not only these types of journals, but also to preserve the more frequently used journals, in order to improve the present situation