[In vitro antifungal efficacy of different intracanal irrigant against Candida Albicans]

An intracanal irrigant is essential for a successful root canal therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal efficacy of 5.25% sodium hypchlorite, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 94% carvacrol against Candida albicans in vitro. In this experimental study, after crown removal and canal preparation of 48 extracted human maxillary centreal incisors, they were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups of 14 teeth, plus 3 teeth as positive and 3 as negative controls. A suspension of Candida albicans [ATCC-10261] was injected into the experimental and positive control group root canals. The teeth were then incubated for 72 hours. Then, each group was rinsed with one of the irrigants for 1 minute and samples were taken from the canals and inoculated on plates. After 48 hours of incubation, the colony growth was assessed and colony forming units [CFUs] served as a measure of antifungal activity. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis test. In carvacrol, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate groups, 6, 10 and 1 specimen did not show bacterial growth and the mean CFU was 86.3, 53.3 and 271.2 in the mentioned groups, respectively. Carvacrol and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite had similar antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans and this effect was significantly greater than that 2% chlorhexidine gluconate

[ review on ocimum basilicum L. medicinal plant with a focus on the most important secondary compounds and its medicinal and agronomic properties]

Basil [Ocimum basilicum], a member of Lamiaceae family, is used in traditional Iranian medicine. Essential oils of basil leaves are composed of phenylpropanoids which are important in treatment of headaches, diarrhea, coughs, warts, worms and kidney malfunctions. The most important phenylpropanoid compounds contain eugenol, chavicol, methyl eugenol, methyl chavicol, myristicin, methyl cinnamat and elemicin. Biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids that passes from shikimate pathway, are regulated by an enzyme group. Phenylalanine amonia-lyase [PAL], cinnamate 4 - hydroxylase [C4H], 4 - coumarate CoA ligase [4CL], P- coumarate 3-hydroxilase [C3H] and O - methyltransferases [EOMT, CVOMT, COMT] are known as key enzymes regulating at production of phenylpropanoids. The phenylpropanoids are also produced in the area of stress conditions and maintained the plant against biotic and abiotic stresses. The purpose of this study is introducing Basil and its medicinal usages in Iran and an overview of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis as an important part of the essence in basil and its evaluation of agronomic characteristics

effect of chitosan and chitin oligomers on gene expression and lignans production in Linum album cell cultures

Linum album, a herbaceous and medicinal plant, has been shown to accumulate anti-tumor podophyllotoxin [PTOX] and related lignans. In this study, we have verified the time-course of cell growth, lignan production in cells treated with chitosan and chitin oligomers. To study mechanism of chitosan and chitin oligomers action, expression of phenylalanine ammonio-lyase [PAL], cinnamoyl-CoA reductase [CCR], cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase [CAD] and pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase [PLR] genes were investigated. The cells were treated with 100 mg l[-1] chitin and chitosan oligomers. Cells were harvested for 5 days after elicitation. lignans quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. Cell samples frozen with liquid N2 were used to elucidate the expression level of genes by quantitative PCR [qPCR]. Cells elicited with chitosan hexamer for 5 days yielded the highest amount of PTOX [73.5 micro g/g dry weight] and lariciresinol [96 micro g/g DW] which were about 3-fold and 2-fold higher than control, respectively. The expression of genes by oligomers was increased, reaching a peak at 3 day after treatment. Chitosan and chitin oligomers up-regulate the production of PTOX, by effecting on gene expression of PTOX biosynthesis pathway

comparison of the effects of commercial prebiotic [safmannan, biomos and fermacto] on performance, egg quality and antibody titer of Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease in laying hens

Effects of different sources of prebiotic on performance and immune response in laying hens were evaluated in this study. The aim of this experiment was to compare the effects of commercial prebiotics on performance, egg quality and antibody titer against Newcastle disease [ND] and Avian Influenza [AI] in laying hens. The experiment was performed for 11 weeks [from 33 to 44 weeks of age] on 240 laying hens [the LSL strain], in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, and 5 replicate for each treatment and 12 birds for each replicate. Treatments were: 1] control; 2] control +Safmannan; 3] control +Bio-Mos and 4] control +Fermacto. The results showed that feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg production percentage were not affected by different sources of prebiotic. However, egg weight and egg mass were significantly increased [p<0.05] by adding prebiotic, in comparison with control diet. Egg specific gravity and shell thickness were increased [p<0.05] by prebiotic addition. The results of experiment showed that antibody titers against AI and ND were significantly increased [p<0.05] by prebiotics compared with control group. The results showed that the effects of different sources of prebiotic on performance and immune response of laying hen are similar. However, inclusion of prebiotic in the diet results in improvement of the performance and antibody titer against Influenza and Newcastle

[Association between bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery and birth weight in infants]

Background: Preterm birth and low birth weight are important causes of mortality in infants

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between bacterial vaginosis, low birth weight, and PROM

Methods: This analytical study was performed on vaginal discharge of 751 pregnant women within the weeks 23-26 of gestation in Qazvin health centers during 2008-2009. Cluster sampling was the method used in our study. Samples were analyzed according to Nugent criteria and the data evaluated with chi-square test

Findings: Results showed that 734 [97.7%] of specimens were negative for bacterial vaginosis and 17 [2.3%] cases positive. Migration of a number of study population made it impossible to check the delivery status. Of 697 patients with negative bacterial vaginosis, 72 [10.3%] had PROM while in other group there were four cases [23.5%] with PROM however, the difference was found to be insignificant, statistically

Conclusion: Based on results found through this study, No significant difference was found between bacterial vaginosis, preterm delivery, and LBW

[ effect of vesicular=arbuscular mycorrhizal [VAM] fungus glomus etunicatum on growth and some physiological parameters of basil]

Basil [Ocimum bascilicus L.] a member of the Lamiaceae family is used in traditional medicine in treatment of different human diseases. Also, this plant used as a culinary herb and a source of flavouring principles. Mycorrhizal fungi have been observed to be associated with plants cause to improve their productivity. Study of growth changes and some physiological parameters of basil after colonization with a native mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum. The effect of a mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum on the growth and some physiological parameters of two cultivar of basil [green and purple] were investigated under greenhouse condition in three replications. Results showed that the roots of basil cultivars were colonized significantly with Glomus etunicatum. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased leaf area, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of mycorrhizal plants as compared to the non-inoculated plants. The endo-mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum isolated from Iranian soils affects positively on the growth and physiological parameters of the basil cultivars, and it could be applied for improvement of basil growth

[Comparison of signs and symptoms associated with acute coronary syndrome in male and female patients]

Cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent cause of human mortality in the world. Although clinical signs are the most important index in coronary artery diseases, they are different in male and female patients. Comparison of signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome in male and female patients admitted to emergency department of Dr. Heshmat and Rasoul-e-Akram hospital in 1389. This study was a descriptive and crosssectional one carried out with 200 patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome admitted to emergency departments of the above-mentioned hospitals. Data collection tools included questionnaires for personal information, spreading region, signs and symptoms in male and female patients in different shifts of morning, afternoon and night which were filled in by the researcher and his or her colleagues. Most studied cases suffered from chest pain [97%] and dyspnea [73%], tachycardia [71%], perspiration [67%], numbness [62.5%], flushing [61%], weakness [59.5%], fatigu e [57%], and nausea [53.5%]. Statistical test X2 showed a significant difference between the two groups of male and female patients in terms of fatigue, headlight dizziness, nausea, indigestion and fear, so that these symptoms were observed more in female than in male patients, while coughing and perspiration were more common in male than in female patients. Considering the different rates of signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome in male and female patients, the appropriate treatment seems to be based on such differences and their rapid diagnosis

[Causes of patients referring to the emergency clinic of Iranian red crescent society after the earthquake of Haiti in 2010]

According to the research, providing the necessary resources exactly in order to establish emergency clinics requires attention to the frequency and the use of medical services during the establishment. This paper aims to study the frequency and causes of patients referring to the emergency clinic of Islamic Republic of Iran Red Crescent Society after earthquake of Haiti in 2010. All patients referred to the emergency clinic were surveyed by using convenience and consecutive sampling in this sectional and observational study. Some data was recorded as demographic characteristics including gender and age and clinical data as clinical complaints and type of prescribed medication. The results show that, the most frequent cause of Haitian patients complaints [about 35/90%] in Iranian clinic was because of pain after earthquake. Most prescribed and frequent drugs were tranquilizers and antibiotics respectively. Regarding the results, it must be cared for patients pain and infection treatment and the contagious diseases after earthquake in emergency clinic. Therefore, the mentioned cases should be considered in the future clinics

[Comparison of salivary secretory IgA in caries-free children and children with severe early childhood caries]

Background and Aims: Sever early childhood caries [SECC] is a multifactor common disease that unfortunately there have been a lot of unknown points about it. This study was performed to compare the levels of total S-IgA in children with and without SECC

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 44 children aged 6-24 months were divided into two groups of with SECC [n=20] and without SECC [n=24]. The two groups were compared for the concentration of S-IgA assessed with Nephlometric method. The obtained data were analyzed by using t-test and through SPSS 15 software

Results: Mean saliva concentration of S-IgA in children with SECC [18.30 mg/dl] was higher than that in children without SECC [9.46 mg/dl] and this difference was statistically Significant [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to this study, the hypothesis of lower levels of S-IgA in children with SECC might be rejected

Antimicrobial activity of the leaves of Pistacia khinjuk

Pistacia khinjuk is one of the three species Pistacia growing in Iran. The essential oils of some Pistacia plants contain variety of components with different therapeutical effects. The purpose of this study was to provide the examination of antibacterial and antifungal effects of chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol and diethyl ether extracts obtained from the leaves of P. khinjuk. for obtaining different extracts of P. khinjuk, 30 gr of leaves powder was macerated with 120 ml of each solvent [chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether]. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of different extracts was individually tested against a panel of microorganisms, including Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Some major constituents of essential oil from the aerial parts of P. khinjuk are beta-pinene, beta-pinene, Myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, Germacrene B and Spathulenol. The extracts showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria [MIC=0.02 - 0.5 mg/ml] and fungi [MIC=0.06 - 0.4 mg/ml]. In conclusion the different leaves extracts of P.khinjuk [chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether] like other species of Pistacia show antibacterial and antifungal activities

Disaster Assessment 2

In previous article of Disaster Assessment 1, all definitions, frameworks, principles, and types of assessment were surveyed based on the time of implementation and were described their related areas. Also it mentioned that assessment is divided into two parts such as:???Initial Rapid Assessment???Detailed Assessment Initial Rapid Assessment is essential in disasters because it provides the most important data and needed information. This information is important because some reasons: first it is so valid and can be useful for managers; then it helps managers to make best decisions especially when they are suffering from the lack of needed information in the time of emergency. Thus, it's necessary to discuss one of the most important types of assessment in an objective form

Tuberculous spondylitis: risk factors and clinical/paraclinical aspects in the south west of Iran

Tuberculous spondylitis [TS] is both the most common and the most dangerous form of TB infection. Delay in diagnosis and management causes spinal cord compression and spinal deformity. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and paraclinical aspects and also to describe its risk factors in Khuzestan, a province located in the south west of Iran. In this medical record-based retrospective study 69 cases of TS registered in Khuzestan Health Center from 1999 to 2008, were reviewed. For each TS case two extra pulmonary TB cases [without spinal involvement] were randomly selected as control. Related data in patients were analyzed in SPSS software [version 16, USA] using chi square and Fishers exact test. Differences with P<0.05 were considered significant. The mean age of patients was 43.7 +/- 18.3 years, and 60.8% were males. The mean time of delay: for patients' delay, doctors' delays and from diagnosis to initiation of treatment was 1.8 +/- 1.1, 6.8 +/- 4.3 and 1.3 +/- 1.2 months, respectively. In 56 cases [81.1%], TS was diagnosed on lumbosacral radiograph, in remaining cases by lumbosacral MRI. Twenty patients [30.4%] had a previous TB history, 30.4% had underlying medical disorders such as diabetes mellitus [30%], steroid use [45%], chronic renal failure [50%]. The most common clinical findings were: backache 98.5%, fever 26.1%, spinal tenderness 84.1%, paraparesis 26.1%, and kyphosis 28.9%. Laboratory results were: elevated sedimentation rate [ESR] 92.8% and positive CRP 86.9%. There were statistically significant differences in age, gender, CRF, imprisonment and previous TB infection between the two groups. TS is therefore a diagnosis that attending doctors need to consider early. Patients in endemic area of TB, presenting with back pain in association with constitutional symptoms and elevated ESR and or positive CRP should be investigated to exclude TS. Older age, male gender, chronic peritoneal dialysis, imprisonment and previous TB infection may be the main risk factors of TS

OCT-4, an embryonic stem cell marker expressed in breast, brain and thyroid carcinomas compared to testicular carcinoma

Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of cells within a tumor which are responsible for maintaining the tumor mass. A number of factors such as OCT-4 that govern the fate of adult stem cells also play a role in malignant cell transformation. OCT-4 is a key regulator of self-renewal in embryonic stem cells; its expression is potentially correlated with tumorigenesis and can affect some aspects of tumor behavior such as tumor recurrence or resistance to therapies. We have investigated the potential expression of OCT-4 on a panel of tumors including breast, brain, thyroid and testicular carcinomas, using immunohistochemistry. The level of expression of OCT-4 was then compared to different tumor types and degree of differentiation. OCT-4 was expressed at the highest levels on nuclear site of seminoma compared with other tumors. The expression of OCT-4 was detectable in both nucleus and the cytoplasm of almost all breast tumors, but it was detectable at much lower level in normal breast tissues. OCT-4 expression was noted on poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma of thyroid compared to normal follicles of thyroid gland adjacent to the tumor. Breast carcinomas and papillary carcinomas of thyroid express elevated levels of embryonic stem cell gene OCT-4, suggesting that these tumors may contain cells indicative of embryonic-like stem cells. Identification of cancer stem cells in different malignant tumors may be useful for prognostic evaluation and administration of a new treatment which target this sub-population of tumor cells

[Implementation of standards in emergency departments in hospitals of Rasht]

In emergency departments [ED] like all other sectors in health system quality improvement is necessary. For achieving this goal implementing standards rules is important. This study is going to evaluate standard implementation in ED of Rasht [a city]. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Samples were emergency departments of selected hospitals. Data was gathered with a checklist which was prepared by researcher and analyzed by descriptive statistics. 79.6% of evaluated EDs had appropriate situation. Mean achieved scores by hospitals were: manpower 71.4%, physical structure 78.5%, facilities and equipments 81.05%, processes and activities 88.47% and personnel educations 54.28%. All EDs achieved unacceptable scores in manpower education. This is contrary to curvet M.O.H strategies for improving qualities of EDs. Special attention and resource allocation should be considered for improving the job training and personnel educations. In service education recruiters well trained personnel providing appropriate equipments and spaces and periodical evaluations are necessary strategies for quality improvements in EDs

[ comparison of efficacy of isopropyl alcohol and ethanol in disinfection programs in pediatrics ward and neonatal intensive care unit]

Hospital infections are still one of the main causes of death. These infections may be transferred from one patient to another or through medical devices. The prevalence of hospital-acquired infection is 6%-12%. This rate increases to about 65% in some underdeveloped countries. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of Isopropyl alcohol and Ethanol in disinfection in pediatrics ward and neonatal intensive care unit. In this trial, 116 specimens were collected from medical devices before and after disinfecting with Isopropyl alcohol and Ethanol. In order to assess the exact effect of these two disinfectants, some of the medical devices were exposed directly to microorganism colonies and then were disinfected using Isopropyl alcohol or Ethanol. Samples were cultured on Petri dishes. The results of cultured specimens before disinfection showed that some microorganisms such as Staphylococcus, Escherichia-Coli [E. coli], Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter were grown on medical devices. After disinfection, only two microorganisms grew [staphylococcus and Escherichia-Coli] on devices that were disinfected with Ethanol; and there were no growth on the devices that were disinfected with Isopropyl alcohol. The results of the study showed that the Isopropyl Alcohol is more effective in disinfecting than the Ethanol. Since the Ethanol needs more time and specific procedures to act, it should be better to use disinfectants like Isopropyl Alcohol that acts faster and simpler

Biochemical and antioxidant responses of borage seedlings in saline environments

Although borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant, no information is available on the responses of this plant to salinity. For this reason, it is necessary to determine responses of this plant to salinity. Since germination and early growth stage is one of the most critical phases of plant life under salinity condition; this experiment was conducted to determine some responses of borage to salinity at the seedling stage. This experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications and four salinity treatments, including distilled water [EC=0.0dS m-1] and three saline water conditions with EC of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 dSm-1. With increasing EC, the content of free proline, soluble carbohydrates and proteins were increased. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], and polyphenol oxidase [PPO] enzymes were significantly increased. Although seedlings dry weight and emergence percentage were declined with increasing EC, the seedlings had markedly growth/survival under salinity conditions. The survival and little reduction in emergence under salinity conditions [12.5%] indicated that borage was a salt tolerant species at the early growth stage. This tolerant is certainly due to the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and compatible solutes content

[ study of consumed vegetable parasitic infections in Qazvin]

Outbreaks of human parasitic diseases associated with the consumption of raw vegetables, often occur in developing and developed countries. To evaluate parasitic contamination of edible vegetables in Qazvin. This was a descriptive analytical study in which 150 samples of different vegetables including leek, parsley, lettuce, coriander, radish, spring onion, tarragon, basil, mint, and cress; collected from several greengroceries in Qazvin during 12 months between 2006-2007 were examined. Samples were evaluated for presence of metazoan and protozoan parasitic contaminations. The vegetable samples were washed with water and tested microscopically after performance of sedimentation method. Fifty three out of 150 samples [35.3%] were found to have parasitic contamination. Among those 45 [30%] and 8 [5.3%] were revealed to be metazoa and protozoa, respectively. Metazoan contaminations were detected by observation of helminthes' eggs 13 [8.6%] and rhabditoid larva 32 [21.4%] in vegetables. The highest rate of contamination was detected in leek [60%], and the lowest in coriander and radish [20%]. Regarding the parasitic infestation, rhabditoid larva with 21.4% and Hymenolepis nana ova with 0.7% were shown to have the highest and lowest rates, respectively. Based on our results, edible vegetables in Qazvin are the potential sources of several parasitic infections in human

Tendon expansion with fascia lata in treatment of A-pattern strabismus due to superior oblique overaction

In 1991, Wright described a superior oblique expander procedure for browns syndrome and superior overaction with good results. Originally, this procedure has been performed with silicone band expander. The aim of this study was to report the results of treatment of a series of patients with A pattern strabismus associated with overacting superior oblique muscle using the fascia lata tendon expander technique. A total of 12 patients with bilateral overaction of the superior oblique muscle and A-pattern strabismus were treated with bilateral superior oblique lengthening with fascia lata according to the values recommended by Wright. Fascia lata was harvested through a lineal incision on the lateral aspect of the patients' thigh. The follow-up was 4 to 51 months [mean, 28.8 +/- 20.7 months]. Mean superior oblique overaction improved from 3.5 +/- 0.8 before surgery to 0.8 +/- 0.9 after surgery [P<0.001]. Mean A-pattern improved from 26.4 +/- 8.5 PD to 1.7 +/- 7 PD [P<0.001], and subjective intorsion improved from 6 +/- 0.7 degree to 0.3 +/- 1.1 degree [P<0.001]. One patient developed overcorrection. None of the patients developed recurrence. The fascia lata tendon spacer is a useful procedure in the treatment of A-pattern strabismus due to superior oblique overaction. This technique may be superior to posterior tenectomy because of less incidence of superior oblique overaction recurrence; however, the operation time is longer

Evidence of sperm storage in Myotis capaccinii [Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae] in western Iran

Several species of the family Vespertilionidae store spermatozoa for prolonged periods prior to ovulation, but the reproductive strategy used by Myotis capaccinii remains unknown. Reproductive cycle of Myotis capaccinii has been determined using macroscopic and microscopic examinations on two captured bats in spring and one male and one female reared in a flight cage during winter. Microscopic slides prepared from one male collected in late July showed spermatids indicating that spermatogenesis develops in summer. Estimation of the volume of testes and epididymis based on photographs taken on weekly intervals during late summer until late winter in male, M. capaccinii shows that the rate of epididymis to testes volume increases by more than one order of magnitude from late summer until late winter. Microscopic slides prepared from this bat indicate that decapacitated spermatozoa are packed in the tubules in the epididymis in late winter