[Antinociceptive and acute toxicity effects of erigeron acer L. in adult male rats]

Background: one of the most important sources that have been used in treatment of various diseases in human is medicinal plants. Erigeron acer is one of the medicinal plants that used topically to heal toothache and arthritis

Objective: the aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Erigeron acer [HEEA] in adult male rats

Methods: in this study, thirty-six adult male rats divided into six groups: control, under treated with extract [80, 100, 300mg/kg], morphine [1 mg/kg, IP] and naloxone [1 mg/kg, IP]+dose of 300 mg/kg of extract. To evaluate the analgesic effects of extract writhing, tail-flick and formalin tests was used. Acute toxicity of extract also was assessing with method of Lork

Results: HEEA at dose of 300 mg/kg clearly has been shown antinociceptive effect in writhing and tail-flick with P<0.01 and chronic phase of formalin test [P<0.001]. Results showed there were no significant difference between the morphine and HEEA [200 mg/kg] groups in the chronic phase of formalin. Using naloxone+ HEEA at dose of 300 mg/kg has been reversed analgesic activity in all three assessment pain tests. Injection of different doses of extract up to 5000 mg/kg has been not revealed acute toxicity

Conclusion: the Erigeron acer has central and peripheral analgesic effects. This analgesic effect could possibly be applied through of opioid mechanism

[ effects of hydroalcoholic extract of raspberry fruit on pain and passive avoidance memory following transient global ischemia/reperfusion in wistar rats]

Background: Brain ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and physical disability worldwide. Flavonoids found in Raspberry fruit [RF] play an important role against oxidative stress injuries in the biological systems

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of RF on ischemia/reperfusion [I/R]-induced brain injury in rats

Methods: In the present experimental study, 42 wistar adult male rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into six groups as sham operated [Sh], ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] received normal saline [I+Veh], I/R groups treated with RF extract [I+RF, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, IP, respectively]. The global cerebral I/R was induced by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. Behavioral test performed with shuttle box and analgesia test performed with tail flick test

Results: Administration of RF extract 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg doses increased passive avoidance memory significantly [P<0.05]. In addition, RF extract delayed the emergence of painful reflux in tail flick test significantly [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that RF extract possesses protective effects against pain and memory deficits induced by I/R, which may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

[Survey educational needs of 11-14 years old girls about sexual health]

Introduction: Teenagers [especially girls] who are going through puberty are among vulnerable populations whose sexual needs receive little attention

Objective: This study aimed to determine educational needs of 11-14 year old girls on sexual health in Dezful

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 810 middle school girls aging 11 to 14 in Dezful city in 2012. Samples were selected by cluster sampling method. Data collection instrument was a researcher made questionnaire including 14 questions on demographic data and 46 questions on 4 domains of puberty, menstruation, sex relationship and reproduction using articles and resource reviews.Descriptive statistics and Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis test were used for quantitative and qualitative data analysis

Results: The knowledge of girls on puberty, menstruation and reproductive was weak. Need to get information on puberty health [underwear wash with soap, shaving] and menstruation [age of menarche, menstruation blood source, dysmenorrhea] was 95/7% and 97/5% respectively. The most important source of information on puberty [51/1], menstruation [54/2%] mother, sexual activity [42/5%] friends and reproduction [32/1%] was sister. There was a significant correlation between mother's education level and need to obtain information on puberty, menstruation and reproduction using Chi-square test [P<0/05]

Conclusion: In attention to the need for samples to receive information on sexual health and the role of mothers as the most important source of information to girls, people based training approaches [family education through health volunteers] is the best solution

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian Dental Students of the standard hand washing technique: an interventional study

Background and purpose: Hand contamination is an important factor of infection transmission from dental staff to patients and vice versa. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hand washing training on dental students' knowledge, attitude, and clinical practice at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Dental School in 2010

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 volunteers studying in the 6[th], 7[th], 8[th], and 11[th] semesters in the Shahid Beheshti Dental School. A standardized questionnaire was used after confirmation of its content validity and reliability as the study tool. All students were assessed twice: once before [pretest] and once after the training [post-test] of hand washing techniques. The scores of pretest and post-test were compared and analyzed by paired T test and by repeated measured analysis of variance test [RMA] by means of SPSS-15 program

Results: A total of 100 students [38 boys and 62 girls] participated in this study. The difference between the mean scores of dental students' knowledge before [13.73 +/- 2.76] and after training [19.64 +/- 2.53] was found to be significant [p<0.001]. With regard to their attitudes, the mean scores related to before [25.21 +/- 2.31] and after training [26.63 +/- 2.08] were significantly different [p<0.001]. Meanwhile, the participants showed significantly improved hand washing technique after training [p<0.001]. RMA scores showed no significant difference between the male and female students in terms of their knowledge and attitudes, although the clinical practice of boys was better than that of girls [p=0.017]. However, the academic grades of the students [semesters] had no effect on their attitude, knowledge, and hand washing techniques

Conclusions: Training about hand washing techniques can improve the knowledge, attitude, and clinical practices of dental students, regardless of their grade

Epidemiological aspects and disease association of childhood vitiligo

To determine, for the first time in Iran, different epidemiological aspects and association of vitiligo with diseases between children and adults. This was a cross-sectional study with 324 participants, divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 108 of cases. The first group consisted of sex matched adults with vitiligo, second group were children between 2 and 18 years old with vitiligo [case group] and the third group were children with other skin disorders being matched for age and sex. Laboratory tests such as FBS, thyroid function test, CBC/Differentials and anti TPO antibody obtained from the participants and the type of the vitiligo was recorded. Our findings showed that thyroid abnormalities were seen in 4.5% of children of the case group. FBS was higher in only one child with vitiligo. Family history of vitiligo was significantly different between children with vitiligo and those with other skin disorders [p=0.001]. In our research, most of the children with vitiligo had positive anti-TPO antibody, confirming the importance of anti - TPO screening test in vitiligo patients

Comparing transcervical intrauterine lidocaine instillation with rectal diclofenac for pain relief during outpatient hysteroscopy: a randomized controlled trial

There are a number of potential advantages to performing hysteroscopy in an outpatient setting. However, the ideal approach, using local uterine anesthesia or rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has not been determined. Our objective was to compare the efficacy of intrauterine lidocaine instillation with rectal diclofenac for pain relief during diagnostic hysteroscopy. We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial on 70 nulliparous women with primary infertility undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy. Subjects were assigned into one of two groups to receive either 100mg of rectal diclofenac or 5mL of 2% intrauterine lidocaine. The intensity of pain was measured by a numeric rating scale 0-10. Pain scoring was performed during insertion of the hysteroscope, during visualization of the intrauterine cavity, and during extrusion of the hysteroscope. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the mean pain score during intrauterine visualization [p=0.500]. The mean pain score was significantly lower during insertion and extrusion of the hysteroscope in the diclofenac group [p=0.001 and p=0.030, respectively]. Nine patients in the lidocaine group and five patients in diclofenac group needed supplementary intravenous propofol injection for sedation [p=0.060]. Rectal diclofenac appears to be more effective than intrauterine lidocaine in reducing pain during insertion and extrusion of hysteroscope, but there are no significant statistical and clinical differences between the two methods with regard to the mean pain score during intrauterine inspection

[Barriers to clinical governance administration from point of view of managers and nurses]

Introduction: clinical governance is a framework in which the organization providing clinical services is accountable for continuing improvement of quality of clinical service excellence

Objective: this study aimed to determine obstacles of clinical governance administration from view point of managers and nurses in hospitals affiliated to Jahrom University of Medical Sciences

Methods: this is a cross-sectional study conducted on 280 nurses and 20 managers selected by census method. Data were gathered by a researcher made questionnaire, consisting of 48 items in 7 domains of clinical governance. Questionnaire validity was done by face and content determination style and its reliability was established through Test-retest method and Spearman test [r=0.73]. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics

Results: clinical audit and personnel management had the most negative effect in clinical governance administration from participants' viewpoint. From all questions "inattention to personnel job satisfaction" in "personnel management" domain had the most negative effect

Conclusion: according to importance of clinical governance administration, such research results should be considered by health managers

[ efficacy of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of chronic and lupoid cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Kerman city: a randomized clinical trial]

Lupoid [LL] and chronic leishmaniais [CCL] are variants of cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] which are resistant to various treatments. The diseases are endemic in some developing countries such as Iran. A Variety of drugs with different effects have been suggested in recent decades. Carbon deoxide laser has been recently applied in the treatment of different dermatological diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of CO[2] laser compared to systemic Glucantime plus Allopurionl in the treatment of LL and CCL. A total of 50 patients with 86 LL or CCL lesions were participated in this study. They were divided into the two groups; the first group was treated with CO[2] laser for one session and the second group was treated with Glucantime [50 mg/kg IM for 21 days] plus Allopurionl [20mg/kg for 30 days]. All patients were followed at weeks 4[th], 8[th], 48[th] and 72[nd] and the results were compared. At week 4, the cure rate of complete improvement of two treatment groups was not statistically different [P=0.609]. By week 8, the cure rate slightly decreased [P=0.417]. The decreasing trend continued until weeks 48[th] and 72[nd] [P=0.289 and P=0.095, respectively]. Finally, 16 patients of laser group and 22 patients of the other group were cured, but statistically no significant difference was observed between the two groups [P=0.095]. Carbon deoxide laser therapy could be used in patients with hypersensitivity to pentavalent antimoniate or those with serious systemic diseases

[Diagnostic accuracy of digital phosphor plates using pseudo-color enhancement for detection of horizontal root fractures in single-rooted teeth]

If root fractures remain undetected, pulp necrosis will occur in 25% of cases leading to eventual tooth loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of digital phosphor plates using pseudo-color enhancement for detection of horizontal root fractures in single-rooted teeth. Eighty-two human single-rooted teeth were evaluated [41 with no horizontal fracture and 41 with horizontal fractures]. Digital intraoral imaging plate system. [Digora[registered sign] Optime PSP System, Soredex] was used to obtain 16-bit gray scale images. Five 16-bit images were obtained from each specimen and saved [one original and four with pseudo-color enhancement]. Four observers evaluated the images twice with a 2- week interval. Accuracy, positive predictive value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV], specificity and sensitivity for each observer and each image group were calculated. The diagnostic sensitivities were not significantly different among the five images [P absolute=0.125, P complete=0.170]. But, statistically significant differences were found in the diagnostic specificity [P absolute=0.019, P complete=0.016] among the five views. Cool and Summer views had higher diagnostic specificity than Bone, Copper and Original views [P=0.025]. Kappa and Weighted Kappa values showed statistically significant differences for intra- and inter-observer reliability in the five views [P=0.032]. Both Cool and Summer views were suitable for detection of horizontal root fractures and had statistically significant differences with the original view

Isolation and identification of Helicobacter pullorum from caecal content of broiler chickens in Mashhad, Iran

The presence of Helicobacter pullorum in intestinal tract of broiler chickens may be a potential risk for human health. In this study, a total of 100 caecal samples of broilers carcasses from 20 flocks at a poultry abattoir in Mashhad suburb were tested for the presence of H. pullorum using modified conventional culture method by combination of culturing on Brucella sheep blood agar and a filtering technique. Suspected colonies were determined as H. pullorum using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] by amplifying a 447 bp fragment of the 16SrRNA gene of this bacteria. 41% of caecal content samples and samples from 12 broiler flocks [60%] were determined as positive for the presence of H. pullorum. This is the first report of H. pullorum in Iranian poultry flocks. The results showed high prevalence of this bacterium in broiler chickens in this area of Iran. It seems using combination of conventional culture method and PCR assay based on amplification from conserved genes allows reliable detection and identification of H. pullorum

review on phytochemistry and pharmacology of Otostegia persica [Burm.f.] Boiss

Iran has a great wealth of various naturally occurring medicinal plants which have great potential pharmacological activities. Otostegia persica [Burm.f.] Boiss. is one of these plants which is a perennial shrub found in South and Southeast of Iran. The aerial parts of O. persica have been used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat various types of diseases [e.g., inflanimatory and pain- mediated diseases, malaria and diabetes]. Research carried out using different in vivo and in vitro assays of biological evaluation support most of these claims. The active pharmacological components of O. persica most studied are flavonoids and terpenoids. This paper presents the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of this medicinal plant. This is the first article reported in this review form about O. persica which might be helpful for scientists and researchers to find out new in modern health concept

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women referring to the reference laboratory of Zahedan, Iran [2011]

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections worldwide. Contamination of pregnant women with toxoplasmosis may cause fetal death, preterm delivery and congenital Toxoplasmosis. Due to importance of congenital Toxoplasmosis and the need of further study, this research was accomplished in Zahedan. The serum samples [N= 221] were collected from pregnant women referring to reference laboratory of Zahedan in 2011. The IgG and IgM antibody levels against toxoplasmosis were investigated using ELISA method. Out of all samples, 30.8% are IgG positive and 1.4% are both IgG and IgM positive. There is no significant difference between positive and negative groups using Chi-square tests. The main part of pregnant women in Zahedan [69.2%] is serologically negative against toxoplasmosis; therefore, hygiene education to eliminate risk factors especially during pregnancy period seems to be imperative

[Effect of doxorubicin on Bcl2 and Bax expression in Rat heart]

The anthracyclin drug doxorubicin [Adriamycin] is one of the most effective antineoplastic agents, and widely used to treat a number of malignancies. However, its use has been restricted due to the dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. The mechanisms of Doxorubicin - induced cardiotoxicity is not entirely clear. This study investigates the effect of Doxorubicin on Bcl2 and Bax genes expression as key molecules that involve in intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rat heart. In this experimental study Doxorubicin administration, male Wistar rats were exposed to intraperitoneal injections [2.5 mg/kg, six times for 2 weeks, n=20]. Animals were randomly assigned to the healthy untreated control [n=10] and to the Doxorubicin treatment groups [n=10]. Three weeks after completion of treatment myocardial fibrosis, Bcl2 and Bax genes expression were investigated by Masson's trichrome staining and Real Time- PCR analysis respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS-16 and independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney and Kaplan- Meyer method. Masson's trichrome staining showed that Doxorubicin increased fibrosis in the cardiac muscle [16.4 +/- 1] in compare to control group [1 +/- 0.79]. Real Time- PCR analysis showed that Doxorubicin decreased Bcl2 expression levels [0.1 +/- 0.07] and increased Bax expression levels [2.1 +/- 0.1] in the myocardium in compare to control group [P<0.01]. This study showed that administration of Doxorubicin increase interstitial fibrosis of myocardium and Bax expression levels and decrease Bcl2 expression that are the key genes of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway

[Psychiatric status in couples attending training courses before marriage]

Marriage is a critical event that has a great effect on mental health. Psychological problems are considered as a factor undermining the foundation of the family and divorce. Due to its significance this study was conducted to determine the mental status of married couples attending training courses in 1389 in Qazvin city. In a cross-sectional study all couples referring to training classes before marriage were chosen. The data were gathered by SCL-90 questioner. All samples were in normal range of mental illness index. A total of 339 couples with a mean age of 23/71 +/- 4/45 participated in this study. Somatization, anxiety and aggression were seen in women more than men. Only somatization and gender with exact Fischer test have a statistical significant relationship[p=0/.5]. Obsession and depression in men were higher than women. Disturbance in interpersonal relationship and phobia were the same in men and women. Anxiety and Disturbance in interpersonal relationship were higher than other disturbances. With respect to effective importance of mental problems of each couple on family mental health, it is essential to include this component in pre marriage education program

Estimation of the effective dose from radon ingestion and inhalation in drinking water sources of Mashhad, Iran

Radon concentration was measured in 50 drinking water samples in Mashhad - Iran. The tap water used for drinking and other household usages can increase the indoor radon level. Drinking water samples were collected from various places and supplies of public water used in Mashhad. Then radon concentration has been measured by portable radon gas surveyor SILENA [PRASSI] system. The results showed that about 70% of water samples had radon concentration greater than 11Bq/l the level recommended USA environmental protection agency [EPA]. The arithmetic mean of radon concentration for all samples was 16.238 +/- 9.322 Bq/l. Also the annual effective dose in stomach and lung per person were estimated in this research, with the mean value of 0.040 mSv and 0.043 mSv per year for these two organs for all samples, respectively. The results indicate that radon concentrations in public drinking water samples of Mashhad are mostly low enough and below the proposed concentration limits. The mean radon level was 16.238 Bq/l for all samples; which is not much greater than 11Bq/l as EPA advised level. Further, only two samples induced the total annual effective dose greater than 0.1 mSv per year

[Multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV viruses in plasma samples]

HIV-1 and HCV infections especially in co-infected forms are among the most important infections transferred during blood transfusion. The screening of the blood products is valuable for preventing the transmission of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV Viruses in plasma samples. This laboratory study was done to evaluate the use of multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV genomes in plasma samples. The amplified genomes were detectable in 3% agarose gel base on difference in the numbers of nucleotides. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was determined on healthy and infected subjects whome simultanously exhibit HIV-1 and HCV co-infection using plasma samples. The specificity results showed that the primers used in this assay have no interaction with each other and other possible interfering agents. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay has been considered as 90% and 100%, respectively. Multiplex RT-PCR can be used for screening of blood donors due to high sensivity and specificity

[Assessment of relationship between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to organic solvents]

Nowadays, some studies indicate the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals, especially organic solvents on the reproductive system of females. This study aimed to assess the relationship between spontaneous abortion with occupational exposure to organic solvents in pharmaceutical industry. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study which was carried out in 2010 in one of the pharmaceutical factories located in the suburbs of Tehran. During the study, married women who were working in the factory laboratory units and were exposed to mixed organic solvents were compared with married women who were working in the packing units of the factory without occupational exposure to organic solvents. Frequency of spontaneous abortion and duration of pregnancy were assessed in both two groups. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS software using t-test, logistic regression, and chi-square test. In the present study, the frequency of spontaneous abortion in employees with exposure to organic solvents mixture was 10.7%. This study showed that even after adjustment for confounding factors, there was a significant correlation between spontaneous abortion and occupational exposure to organic solvents mixture and this correlation increased with increasing levels of exposure to organic solvents. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents and waiting time to become pregnant [TTP]. Furthermore, this study showed that even after adjustment for confounding variables, shift workers were significantly more affected by spontaneous abortion compared to daytime workers [P<0.001]. According to the results of this study, since there is probability of spontaneous abortion resulting from occupational exposure to various chemicals including organic solvents, review of the status of occupational exposure of workers can be helpful in improving the reproductive health of female workers

[Comparison of the effects of resistance, endurance and combined exercises on lipid profile of non- athlete healthy middle aged men]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different exercises including resistance, endurance and combined exercise training with equal intensity on some cardiovascular risk factors. 40 middle-aged healthy men were selected from academic and working staff of Azad University in Sanandaj and randomly divided into four groups including [G1: Endurance training, G2: resistance training, G3: combined endurance and resistance training, and control groups. The experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, trained endurance exercise for 8 weeks. Levels of HDL, LDL, TG, TC, Apo A, Apo B, ratio of Apo B/Apo A, and LPL were measured before and after exercise. The levels of Apo B and Apo B/Apo A ratio decreased significantly in G3 group [P<0.05]. TG and LDL levels decreased significantly in G1 and G3 groups [P<0.05]. TC/HDL-C Ratio and HDL levels reduced significantly in G2 group [P<0.05]. LPL, TC and Apo A levels did not show any significant change in the groups. Various exercise trainings have beneficial effects on some indicators of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy middle-aged people. But it seems that a combination of resistance and endurance trainings has higher efficacy on cardiac risk factors than strength or endurance exercise training alone

[Genetic heterogeneity of helicobacter pylori putative virulence genes and association with clinical outcomes, recent studies and future perspectives]

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] plays an important role in the development of peptic and duodenal ulcerations as well as gastric cancer. Several studies have shown a strong association between specific genotypes of H. pylori and gastrointestinal tract diseases. The vacA and cagA genes, which are the putative virulence factors of the bacterium, are important determinants of H. pylori-related diseases. Polymorphisms of the signal peptide [s], middle [m], and intermediate [i] regions of the vacA gene, presence of the cagA, and genetic heterogeneity of the C-terminal motifs of CagA might result in varying clinical outcomes in H. pylori-infected patients. In this review article, the intracellular activities of VacA and CagA proteins, the genetic diversity of the coding sequences of these proteins, their association with clinical outcomes with regard to the status of H. pylori infection in Iran, and future perspectives are discussed

Effects of training in the Morris water maze on the spatial learning acquisition and VAChT expression in male rats

It has been well established that cholinergic pathway plays an important role in learning and memory processes. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of Morris water maze [MWM] training on spatial memory acquisition and expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter [VAChT] in male rats. Methods: In this study, training trials of all groups of animals were conducted in the MWM task. Rats received one training session consisting of four trials per day which continued for another four consecutive days. Controls received visible platform MWM training. The escape latency, the traveled distance and swimming speed for each rat were recorded and used to evaluate the performance of the animal during training period. For evaluation of expression of VAChT protein levels, brain tissues from animals in each experiment were obtained immediately after the last trial on the related experimental day and processed for immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting analysis. There was a significant difference between animals subjected to one day training and those receiving four days of training in escape latency and travel distance. There were an apparent increase in VAChT immunoreactivity in the medial septal area [MSA] and CA1 region of the hippocampus in one day and four day trained animals compared with controls [visible group]. Quantitative immunostaining analysis by optical density measurements in the CA1 region and evaluation of immunopositive neurons in medial septal area of brain sections confirmed qualitative findings. Assessment of VAChT protein level expression in hippocampus by western blotting evaluation showed the same pattern of immunohistochemistry results. Overall, results of this study reveal changes in cholinergic neuron activity in different stages of training in the MWM task. Data suggest that there is a significant level of cholinergic neuronal activity during early stages of the training especially in the hippocampus region that may contribute to the apparent increase in VAChT expression