Antibacterial and anti-trichomunas characteristics of local landraces of Lawsonia inermis L.

BACKGROUND: Henna (Lawsonia inermis) with anti-bacterial properties has been widely used in traditional medicine especially Persian medicine. Henna oil is suggested for diseases of infectious origin, such as cervical ulcers. Group B Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and, Trichomonas vaginalis are involved in the infection of women especially cervicitis. Henna grows in dry and tropical regions. The main important landraces of henna landraces are cultivated in Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr provinces in Iran. Proper use of antimicrobial agents, use of new antimicrobial strategies, and alternative methods, such as herbal methods may help reduce drug resistance in the future. This study's objective was to investigate the anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of three different henna landraces and antimicrobial effects against group B Streptococcus agalactiae and, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: Total phenol content was measured by Folin ciocaltu method. Antibacterial effect of landraces of Henna against P. aeruginosa and S. agalactiae were assayed by well diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assessments were done using the broth micro-dilution technique. Anti-Trichomonas effect of Henna landraces were assayed by Hemocytometery method. RESULTS: Total phenol content of Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj was 206.51, 201.96, and 254.85 µg/ml, respectively. Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj had MIC against GBS at 15, 15 and, 4 µg/ml. The growth inhibition diameter of the most effective henna (Shahdad landrace) at a concentration of 20 µg/ml on P. aeruginosa was 2.46 ± 0.15 cm and in the MIC method at a concentration of 5 µg/ml of Shahdad landrace, P. aeruginosa did not grow. IC50 of shahdad Henna after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h was 7.54, 4.83 and 20.54 µg/ml, respectively. IC50 of Rudbar-e-Jonub extract was 5.76, 3.79 and 5.77 µg/ml in different days. IC50 of Qaleh Ganj extract was 6.09, 4.08 and 5.74 µg/ml in different days. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of total phenol in Qaleh Ganj was higher than the other varieties. In the well diffusion method, Qaleh Ganj was more effective against group B Streptococcus (Gram-positive bacterium) than the other two landraces, and Shahdad landrace was more effective against P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacterium) than other. In the MIC method, the same result was obtained as in the well diffusion method, but at a lower concentration.

In vitro effects of different moisture level and curing method on microleakage of resin cements to pulp chamber dentine.

This study evaluated the microleakage of resin cements in the pulp chamber dentin. Fifty specimens of sound human molars were divided into five groups. Composite cores cemented using Clearfil SA Luting in the first group to a dried dentin and in the second group to a moistened dentin and then light-cured. In third and fourth groups, cement was placed on dried and moistened dentin and self-cured respectively. In fifth group, composite cores were cemented by Panavia F2.0. After thermocycling, microleakage was evaluated using fluid filtration technique. The highest microleakage mean value was observed in the group with light-cured to a dry dentin. The mode of curing in contrast to moisture value had significant effect on microleakage. The microleakage of self- adhesive resin cement used in this study was lower in case of self cured than in case of light-cured and was not related to the dentin surface moisture.

Evaluation of Accessibility of Iodinated Salt and Nutritional Iodine Status during Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: To assess accessibility of iodinated salt and urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) during pregnancy. This cross-sectional study was carried out between October and December, 2009 in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan (WA), Iran. METHODS: Data on demographic characteristics and iodinated salt accessibility were gathered through a questionnaire at 1st trimester. Household salt samples and urine samples (1st -and 3rd trimesters) were analyzed for iodine content. Pregnant women (n=490) at 1st trimester were interviewed. Of these, 490 subjects (12 prenatal care centers) were enrolled. RESULTS: All participants declared that they were exclusive users of iodinated salt. Segregation of the household salt samples according to iodine content (0, 8, 15 and 30 ppm) revealed that the respective distributions were 3.3%, 1.4%, 23.7% and 71.6%. Median UIC levels at 1st and 3rd trimesters were 73.5 µg/L and 114µg/L respectively. Accordingly, 86% and 70% of participants exhibited UIC < 150 µg/L. CONCLUSION: Median UIC during pregnancy in WA is markedly lower than those previously reported for regions with adequate iodine status in the country. Thus, extra iodine is needed to maintain adequate iodine store during gestation. In addition, this preliminary study reveals that a significant proportion (28%) of the household salt samples had low iodine content (≤ 15 ppm) although a level (>20 and <40 ppm) is mandatory in Iran. Further studies are deemed necessary to elucidate the cause(s) for manifestation iodine deficiency among pregnant women despite 20 years after iodine fortification strategy.

Immune response to measles vaccine after mass vaccination in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran.

We investigated the effectiveness of the mass measles vaccination campaign in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran, by examining the measles IgG seroprevalence and antibody response from paired data before and after the campaign. The overall seropositive rate of 624 subjects aged 5-25 years increased 1 year after the mass vaccination (from 53.0% to 72.3%). A rise in antibody titre occurred in all age groups except the 21-25 years group, which had the highest titre before mass vaccination. On logistic regression analysis, only immune status prior to vaccination was significantly associated with the seroresponse. It may be cost-effective to check antibody titres before mass vaccinations, especially in high vaccine coverage regions with circulating wild virus.

Immune response to measles vaccine after mass vaccination in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran

We investigated the effectiveness of the mass measles vaccination campaign in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran, by examining the measles IgG seroprevalence and antibody response from paired data before and after the campaign. The overall seropositive rate of 624 subjects aged 5-25 years increased 1 year after the mass vaccination [from 53.0% to 72.3%]. A rise in antibody titre occurred in all age groups except the 21-25 years group, which had the highest titre before mass vaccination. On logistic regression analysis, only immune status prior to vaccination was significantly associated with the seroresponse. It may be cost-effective to check antibody titres before mass vaccinations, especially in high vaccine coverage regions with circulating wild virus