[Investigation of in vitro germination of zygotic embryo of ferula gummosa]

Galbanum is one of the endemic medicinal-industrial plants of Iran that is extincting because of irregular and unsuitable harvesting from natural habitats and its propagation problems. In this study, in vitro germination of zygotic embryo of galbanum [originated from Esfahan] was investigated. The effects of medium [B5 and ¼ MS], hormonal treatment [0 and 0.5 mgl[-1] GA3], duration of cold treatment of cultured embryos [0 and 6 days] and light condition of cultures [for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod or only under 16-h photoperiod] factors on embryo germination and characteristics of obtained plantlets were investigated. Maximum embryo germination [100%] was obtained. GA3 caused more height of shoot and less diameter of basal ring in obtained plantlets. Production of primary leaves in plantlets was mainly observed in ¼ MS medium and the highest production of secondary roots in plantlets was obtained in the both media. Cold treatment of cultured embryos had negative effect on production of primary leaves and secondary roots in plantlets. Production of primary leaves in obtained plantlets from cold treated embryos [for 6 days] was observed in hormone-free media, that were incubated for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod, and in media containing GA3, that were incubated only under 16-h photoperiod. Also, production of secondary roots in those plantlets was observed in the media incubated only under 16-h photoperiod. Embryo culture of galbanum is a useful method for overcoming seed dormancy and it also improves germination

Anxiety, depression and anger in breast cancer patients compared with the general population in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Breast cancer and its treatment have specific challenges for women due to changes in sexuality, femininity, body image and maternal issues which might lead to associated psychological morbidity. In the present study, our aim was to measure depression, anxiety and anger in breast cancer patients. Our study comprised 178 breast cancer patients, most of whom were diagnosed for 1 to 5 years, compared with 400 other women randomly selected from the general population referred to Shiraz medical clinics for non-therapeutic reasons. We used depression, anxiety and anger subscales of Symptom Checklist-90 Revised [SCL-90R] questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were not significantly different between the two groups and the mean scores of anger were significantly lower in breast cancer patients than those in the general population. Higher depression and anger mean scores were found among younger patients. Education and tumor size correlated significantly with anxiety. Most of our patients had been diagnosed for more than 1 year and no patient had distant metastasis. Qualitative data showed stable family condition, religious tenets and social supports which are all among the reasons for our results

[ study of seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus in healthy blood donors referring to Fars blood bank]

Human cytomegalovirus [HCMV] infection is most often asymptomatic in immuno-competent individuals and has lifelong latency especially in leukocytes. However, CMV is a major cause of infection and death in immune-compromised patients. Transfusion transmitted HCMV [TT-HCMV] can cause serious morbidity and mortality in certain patients who are at risk. In this study, we evaluated the risk of TT-HCMV infection in a seroprevalence survey of HCMV. In this descriptive cross-sectional study that was performed in a period of eight months, the blood samples were collected from 360 healthy blood donors referring to the Fars blood bank in Shiraz, Iran. The IgG and IgM antibodies to HCMV were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] test. Of 360 samples, IgG was detected in 356 sera [98.9%] samples and only 16 samples [4.4%] were IgM positive. No statistically significant association was observed between seropostivity rate, age, sex, number of children and educational level in the studied population, The high prevalence of HCMV observed in this study confirms the necessity of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of HCMV infection in immune-compromised blood recipients in our community

[Lifestyle of nurses working in Shiraz University Hospitals]

Due to increasing urbanization, diet changes, and sedentary lifestyle in today's world, the incidence of certain chronic diseases is dramatically increased. This study is designed to investigate the lifestyle of nurses as individuals that play an important role in educating healthy lifestyle in different groups of people. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 nurses working in Shiraz University Hospitals as study group. Subjects were selected through stratified random sampling by means of a questionnaire including different questions about lifestyle. The statistical tests of the 11.5 version of SPSS software were used for data analysis; these tests included t-test, One-Way ANOVA test, Kruskal Wallis H-test and Spearman correlation. P-Value was considered statistically significant at >0.05. Research analysis showed that 54% of the study group had average conditions in their diet, 60.3% had moderate physical activity and 76% had intermediate and poor conditions in mental health. 44.6% of individuals had got poor grades in personal health care and 62% had got poor grades in disease prevention activities. 96.3 per cent of nurses did not smoke and 95.7 per cent of individuals did not ever consume alcohol. According to the results of this study, nurses, in spite of being educated and having important role in patients' education, do not have desirable lifestyle

Detection of Mycobacterial antigen and antibody in patients with tuberculosis and their association with therapy

Little is known about changes in total antibodies occurring during the progression of tuberculosis or its treatment. Using passive and reverse passive hemagglutination methods, mycobacterial antibody and antigen were determined in sera of patients with acute smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Fifty-nine patients were studied in different groups according to the duration of treatment in various stages of disease. The first group that did not undergo treatment showed a very low level of antibody. The second group with less than 6 months of therapy had a mean antibody titer of about 1:70. The third group underwent therapy for more than 6 months and their mean antibody titer was about 1:970. The fourth group whose disease was under control and their treatments were discontinued, showed the highest level of antibodies [1:2760]. A significant difference was found between the average antibody titers and the duration of treatment and course of disease. No antigen was detected in any patients except in group 5. A high antibody response seemed to occur after treatment when the bacteria were disrupted and their antigens released. Absence of antigen may be due to the formation of antigen-antibody complexes

[Cataract etiology in children less than 3 years of age at Khalili hospital, Shiraz-Iran]

To evaluate the etiology of cataracts in children less than 3 years of age particularly the association of rubella virus infection and galactosuria with congenital cataracts at Khalili Hospital, Shiraz-Iran from 2003 to 2006. This prospective study included 46 patients less than 3 years undergoing lensectomy for the management of significant cataracts. Lens aspirate specimens were obtained from some cases. Serum samples for detection of anti-rubella IgM and IgG antibodies and urine samples for detection of galactose were also obtained. Out of 46 patients, 78.3% had congenital cataracts and 21.7% had traumatic cataracts. Patients with congenital cataracts were male in 45% and female in 55% with mean age of 5.12 +/- 5.23 months at the time of diagnosis. In the congenital cataract group, 2.8% had history of failure to thrive and 16.7% had low birth weight; 80.6% had bilateral and 19.4% had unilateral cataracts; 77.8% had isolated cataracts, 16.7% were associated with other ocular disorders and 5.6% were associated with systemic diseases; 11.1% had family history of congenital cataracts and 10.5% had galactosuria. Rubella virus was isolated from one [5.3%] of 19 cultured lens aspirates. No cases had anti-rubella IgM antibody. Congenital cataract is the most common type of cataracts in children under age 3 years in our area and most of them are idiopathic. The prevalence of rubella induced cataract in our country is less than developing countries but more than developed countries

Assessment of a breast cancer screening programme in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

A breast cancer screening programme was evaluated for approximately 10,000 women aged 35 years and older. There were 67 cases of breast cancer. Highest rates of attendance were seen among younger women [35-44 years] and middle socioeconomic groups. Lowest rates were among those aged over 65 years and low socioeconomic groups. The rate of detection by self-examination was similar to that by health personnel examination. At all stages of screening, positive findings were most common among the high socioeconomic class. Attendance decreased steadily from first to last stages of serial screening. Although mammography is the most sensitive method of detection, because of its high cost we suggest establishing breast self-examination education programmes and encouraging women to self-examine