[Phytochemical and morpho-physiological changes lavender (lavandula officinalis l.) in response to different culture media]

Background: Since the essential oil of lavender [Lavandula officinalis L.] was used for the treatment of diseases related to the nervous system and rheumatism, phytochemical evaluation of this plant is essential especially in terms of cultivation and production

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different culture media on the amount of essential components, chlorophyll content, nutrients, growth characteristics, and rooting of lavender

Methods: The experiment was done the basis of randomized complete blocks design [RCBD] in 10 treatments and 3 replications. Substrates and culture media for plant production in this study were Ml; sand, M2; sandiperlite [2:1], M3; sand:peat-moss [2:1], M4; sand:vermicompost [2:1], M5; sand:perlite:peat-moss [2:1:1], M6; sand:perlite:vermicompost [2:1:1], M7; sand:peat-moss:vermicompost [2:1:1] M8; sand:vermicompost:peat-moss:perlite [2:1:1:2], M9; sand:vermicompost:peat-moss:perlite [4:1:1:2], and M10; sand:vermicompost:peat-moss:perlite [6:1:1:2]

Results: Results showed that culture media had significant effect on the all characteristics of rooting, chlorophyll and nutrient content and essential oil components in lavender plants. Limonene, borneol, and camphor were the highest amount of essential oil compounds in lavender, respectively

The highest content of limonene and oxygenated monoterpenes in Ml, rooting percentage and number of main root in M3, camphor and chlorophyll content and root dry weight in M5, borneol content in M8, and hydrocarbon monoterpenes in M10 were observed. Conclusion: The application of different culture media in the production and propagation of lavender in addition to changes in morpho-physiological characteristics of lavender can directly alter the properties of essential oil and phytochemical compounds

[Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test]

Gestational diabetes is affected 3-12% of women and occurs at the final stage of second trimester. This study was done to determine the fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test. This case - control study was carried out on 96 pregnant women with glucose challenge test [GCT]>140 mg/dl as cases and 96 pregnant women with GCT<140 mg/dl as controls. The serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin determined using ELISA and chemical methods, respectively. In pregnant woman with abnormal GCT, there was a significant correlation with glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine. The glycated hemoglobin correlation was more significant compared to fructosamine [0.63 to 0.24]. There was not significant correlation between GCT with fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in individuals with normal GCT. The measurement of glycated hemoglobin is more accurate than fructosamine in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test

comparison of serum vitamin d level in patients with iron deficiency anemia and minor thalassemia

Of the most common hypochromic microcytic anemia are iron deficiency anemia and minor thalassemia, which are common in Iran and their differential diagnosis is extremely important. The level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D is the indication of vitamin D blood status. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of vitamin D in people with minor thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia with healthy subjects in order to investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and iron absorption. In this case-control study, 24 patients with minor thalassemia, 20 patients with iron deficiency anemia and 24 healthy individuals participated. Groups were matched for age and sex. Testing of Vitamin D level by ELISA, ferritin by quantitative luminescence method and HbA2 by column chromatography was carried out. The number of individuals with low level of vitamin D in iron deficiency group is 15 [75%], in minor thalassemia group is 8 [33/3%] and in the control group 11[45.8%]. In this study, the highest percentage of vitamin D deficiency is observed in cases with iron deficiency anemia. Because of association between vitamin D and anemia, iron and vitamin D supplementation is recommended to enrich the diet

[Effects of vitamin E supplementation on activity of serum paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzymes and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients]

In pathogenesis of beta major thalassemia, tissue damage is occurring due to oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum Paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzyme activity and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients. In this clinical tiral study, Sixty [25 males, 35 females] beta major thalassemia patients with age >/= 18 years who had criterias to enter the study, were selected randomely in two groups. The patients in interventional group, vitamin E at a dose of 400 mg/day were given for three months, with no supplementations in control group. The enzyme activities of paraoxonase, SOD, GPX and lipid profiles [LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride, total Antixidant Capacity] were measured prior and after 3 months in both case and control groups. Data analyzed by using paired t-test. Significant increases in serum levels of vitamin E, Paraoxonase activity, HDL cholesterol [P<0.001], BMI [P

[People awareness of hypertension in Golestan province, north of Iran [2006]]

Hypertension is considered as a major public health problem in most countries due to its association with ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine people awareness of hypertension in Golestan province of Northern Iran. This cross sectional population based study carried out on 2497 subjects [15-65 years old] including 1500 men and 1247 women in Golestan province- Northern Iran during 2006. The subjects were chosen by proportional-cluster sampling based on sex and age groups. The subjects were interviewed, antropometric indexes and serum biochemical factors were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5 minutes interval and defined based on JNC-7 classification. Serum cholesterol and fast blood sugar [FBS] were determined using laboratory kits [enzymatic methods], and spectrophotometery technique. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software and Chi-Square test. In general, the prevalence of hypertension in this region was 23.9%. With higher rate among women urban area by 3.3% and 5% respectively. Only 48.7% of hypertensive patients were aware of their disease and that was significantly more in women than men [P<0.001]. Low physical activity, chronical age, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, general obesity, central obesity and illiteracy were the risk factor for hypertension morbidity [P<0.05]. This study showed, in spite of prevalency of hypertension among 20% of subjects in this area only 48.7% of them were aware about their disorder

[Correlation of hormonal disorders with menstrual disorders]

Menstrual disorders are including of metruragy, oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea. Hormonal disorders can be the cause of such abnormalities. This study was designed to evaluate, the correlation between serum thyroid and sex hormones level, with menstrual disorders. This descriptive - analytical study carried out on 110 women with menstrual disorders without anatomical disorders referred to private clinic during 2007-08. In third day of menstrual cycle, sample blood was taken for determination of LH, FSH, PRL, TSH, T3, T4 and Testosterone. Laboratory tests were performed by ELISA method. The 42.7% of women with menstrual disorders were in age group lower than 25 years. Oligomenorrhea with 42.7% was the major menstrual disorder and amenorrhea was the lowest with 4.5%. The most hormonal disorders was related to T3 [46.3%], LH [44.5%] and testosterone was the lowest with 5.4%. 11 cases [10.0%] have presented with hirsutism. According to findings of this study T3 and LH are the common hormonal disorders in menstrual abnormalities

[Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody in inflammatory bowel disease in golestan province, Northern Iran [2005-08]]

Celiac is a hereditary disease presented with chronic inflammation of small intestine. Several studies supposed a relationship between Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD]. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody is one of the best serological markers in Celiac disease. This study was designed to evaluate the association of Celiac and IBD using tissue trans-glutaminase antibody. In this descriptive study 127 confirmed IBD patients who were referred by gastroentrologists 2005-08 enrolled into the study. A questionnaire was completed and tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was evaluated with ELISA method with a Cut-off=12 U/ml. Among 127 referred patients, serum samples of 102 patients were collected. Mean +/- SD of age was 36.17 +/- 15.2 years and 48% were males. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and other colitis were observed in 76 [74.5%], 7 [6.9%] and 19 [18.6%] of patients, respectively. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was positive [19.8 U/L] in one 46-years-old male patient with ulcerative colitis. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody titer was not significantly different between IBD patients and controls, thus it seems not appropriate to suggest as one of the routine tests in IBD patients

[Comparison of serum and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in myocardial infarction and healthy people]

Despite of success in treatment of cardiovascular diseases by drugs and other methods, cardiovascular diseases and myocardial infarction are the most common causes of death in the developing countries. Many reports have been published about correlation between free radicals and increase of homocysteine with atherosclerosis pathogenesis. The aim of this research was to study the correlation between the heaelevation of homocysteine with changes of superoxide dismutase [GPx] activity after myocardial infarction. This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study that performed in 2006. In fasting condition, blood was taken from 48 patients and 48 normal healthy people under 76 years old. Serum homocysteine was determined by ELISA method, erythrocyte GPx [rGPx] activity assayed by Randox company kit and serum GPX [sGPx] activity assayed by Cayman chemical company kit. 36 men and 12 women were in the patien group, while the control group included 29 men and 19 women. The mean of homocysteine in patients were 30.3 +/- 5.3 micro mol/L and in controls were 11.1 +/- 3.1 micro mol/L, that it showed a significant difference between two groups [p<0.001]. The mean activity of sGPx in patients and controls were 2705 +/- 2078 U/g Hb and 2509 +/- 2450 U/g Hb, respectively. The mean activity of rGPx in patients and controls were 47.8 +/- 25.6 U/ml, 44.8 +/- 24.6 U/ml, respectively. In this study, an increase in homocysteine, sGPx and rGPx was observed in patients in compared with controls; however the increase of GPX was not significant. It seems that the elevation of GPX is due to cellular damages. This enzyme inhibits free radicals

[Seroepidemiology of celiac disease among blood donor in Golestan province]

Celiac is a digestive disease. In this disease, small bowel is damaged and the absorption of nutrients are adversely affected. These patients do not absorb gluten. There is probably a correlation between esophagus cancer and celiac. The aim of this research was to study the seroepidemiology celiac disease in this area with high prevalency of esophagus cancer. This research was a descriptive study, which was performed on blood donors in Golestan province during the year 2005-06. blood samples were taken from 2547 subjects. tTG-IgA determination were carried out using ElISA technique, the titre<4U/ml, 4-10U/ml and >10Um/l were considered to be as negative, weakly positive and positive respectively. EMA antibody assessment were carried out on all sample population with more than 4U/ml, using IFA method. 28 subjects [1.1%] had tTG-Ab positive test, out of this number 18 subjects [0.7%] were weakly positive and 10 persons [0.4%] were considered to be positive. EMA test were positive in 70% of subjects with tTG positive results. There was not any significant meaning between positive tTG test and ethnicity from weakly positive tTG, 15 subjects [83.3%] and 3 subjects [16.7%] were male and female respectively. The entire tTG positive were male subjects. In regard to high prevalency of esophagus cancer in the region and the relation of celiac disease with above cancer, it seems necessary to look more seriously at the celiac disease

Study of zinc deficiency in pregnant women

Zinc is one of the elements necessary for growth and health in human. Some evidences indicate that the zinc deficiency is one of real difficulties for the public health in developed and developing countries. Since the pregnant women are more at risk by the zinc deficiency, and this can cause many problems, in this study we tried to find out the rate of zinc deficiency in pregnant women within the region. This research project was analytical-descriptive study which was done on the 400 pregnant women whom referred to Zahedan Ghods hospital. A questionnaire was set up for each case which contained the following items, mother age, pregnancy age, numbers of deliveries, education, and consumption of iron tablet during pregnancy. The serum zinc level in each mother in this project was determined by atomic absorption technique. Prevalence of zinc deficiency among the pregnant women was 49%. Statistical analysis indicated that zinc deficiency had correlation with mother age, term of pregnancy and iron consumption. But zinc deficiency showed no correlation with numbers of deliveries and education