Hydroethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaf for induced osteoarthritis using a guinea pig model.

We investigated the therapeutic effects of an extract of Psidium guajava (guava) leaf on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in guinea pig. The left knee of 30 male guinea pigs was anesthetized and the cranial cruciate ligament was severed. The animals were followed for 8 weeks until osteoarthritis was confirmed by radiography and histopathology. Animals were divided randomly into five groups; group 1, the ligament was severed and untreated; group 2, the ligament was severed and treated with piascledine, an extract of soybean and avocado; group 3, the ligament was severed and treated with 200 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; group 4, the ligament was severed and treated with 400 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; and group 5, control animals without surgery or extracts. Radiological and histopathological evaluations after 8 weeks showed reduced severity of osteoarthritis in the piascledine treatment group compared to group 1. The guava extract also reduce the severity of osteoarthritis compared to controls. Histopathological examination of treatment and control groups showed that treatment the guava extract improved lesions significantly. Hydroethanolic extracts of guava leaf appears to prevent osteoarthritis by inhibition of free radical formation in the knee joint.

Fitness-for-work assessment of train drivers of Yazd railway, central Iran.

BACKGROUND: National Transport Commission (NTC) classifies train driving as a high-level safety critical job. OBJECTIVE: To assess fitness-for-work among train drivers in Yazd, central Iran. METHODS: We evaluated 152 train drivers for their fitness for duty. The results were then compared with NTC guidelines. RESULTS: 63.8% of subjects were fit for duty, 34.2% fit subject to review, and 2.0% were temporarily unfit. The most common reason for fit subject to review was a Kessler score >19. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 48.0% and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 69.7%, diabetes 10.0%, impaired fasting glucose 36.0%, and hypertension was 19.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most studied train drivers can continue their work safely. The prevalence of some risk factors such as overweight and dyslipidemia were high among train drivers. This warrants further evaluation and establishment of control programs.

Findings of breast sonography in patients with foal asymmetric breast density on mammography.

BACKGROUND: The imaging parameters that mandate further diagnostic workup in focal asymmetric breast densities are not clearly defined. To identify indications for further workup in Focal asymmetric breast densities (FABD) by doing ultrasonography. METHODS: One-hundred women underwent breast ultrasonography after incidental discovery of FABD on mammograms. Mammograms and sonograms were evaluated for lesion location, associated calcifications, architectural distortion and change from previous examination when available. RESULTS: Twenty three patients had abnormal sonographic findings and the site of sonographic abnormal findings was the same as the site of FABD on mammography. Sonographic findings were 7 focal increases in fibrous tissue, 5 ductal ectasias,4 simple cysts, complex cyst in one, 4 benign solid masses, one malignant solid mass and one with fibrous tissue at the site of pervious breast surgery. There was a significant relation between FABD in upper inner quadrant and normal sonography (p=0.036) and FABD in retroareolar region and ductal ectasia in sonography (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: FABD usually present a benign etiology and can safely be managed by follow up. Sonography helps the physician do tissue diagnosis by detecting mass with features of possibly malignancy, in the women with negative physical examination.

Application of predictive degree day model for field development of sandfly vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in northwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Temperature plays a significant role in insect's development where a rise in temperature, accelerates the insect's metabolic rates, increases egg production and makes blood feeding more frequent. It also shortens the time period required for the development of pathogens within insects. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important vector-borne diseases transmitted by different sandfly species. In this study, a phenological model was used to estimate the number of generations, peak activity and temporal variability of sandflies in the main VL foci in northwest Iran. METHODS: Development requirements of different life stages of a Phlebotomus papatasi laboratory colony were measured and were subjected to the formula for calculation of accumulated degree day (ADD) for field sandflies using the online soft (UC IPM), using horizontal cut-off method and single triangle model. Sandflies population dynamics was monitored in the field during the seasonal activity in the region and its association with the ADD was tested using SAS software. RESULTS: Populations of sandflies accommodated well with the amount of accumulated degree days (ADD) in the region. During the seasonal activity, a total of 639 ADD were produced which was enough to support one complete life cycle and growth of the next generation up to late larval instar. Larvae of the second generation hibernate through winter and the first adult population appears in the mid to late June of the next year when they receive at least 182 ADD from the beginning of the spring. The highest population density of sandflies was observed in early August, followed by a rapid decrease in early September, with the adult population disappearing completely in late September. This is the first degree day model related to sandflies in the most important VL foci of Iran. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Further studies in various regions with variable climate are recommended in order to better estimate and understand the development time, population dynamics and activities of the vectors which in turn could be used in proper implementation of effective vector control programmes.