Major and minor criteria for gastric dystemperaments in Persian Medicine: Sari gastric dystemperament criteria-I (SGDC-I).

Background: Gastric disorders are one of the most common human ailments, which impose a huge economic burden on countries. In Persian Medicine (PM), it is possible to predict the susceptibility to gastric diseases with diagnosis of gastric Mizajes (temperaments) and dystemperaments. The semiology of gastric dystemperaments has been investigated in PM textbooks, although the value of each sign and symptom is not mentioned. Consequently, this research is designed to determine the major and minor criteria for classifying gastric dystemperaments on the basis of valid manuscripts and with the help of PM specialists in the present era. Methods: This was a consensus-based study consisting of four phases. In the first phase, reference PM textbooks were studied. Symptoms and signs of gastric dystemperaments were collected and listed in four groups. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with a sample of PM experts were carried out. Phase three included a focused group discussion with experts. Eventually, findings were integrated from the three study phases in a two-day meeting in Sari City. Results: Selected criteria included eight major and eight minor criteria for hot-cold dystemperament, as well as six major and eight minor criteria for wet-dry gastric dystemperament. Conclusion: Modern lifestyles and the interfering factors are responsible for some changes in diagnostic signs and symptoms according to PM. This was the first step to coordinate PM diagnostic criteria for gastric dystemperaments. Further studies are recommended to reach a unique protocol in the field of PM diagnostics. The next step includes design and validation of national diagnostic tools.

Investigating the rate of different ovarian response in in vitro fertilization cycles based on estrogen receptor beta +1730 polymorphism: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The response to ovarian stimulation is different among women referring for assisted reproductive techniques. This difference could be due to different genotypes in genes related to reproduction such as estrogen receptor beta (ERß or ESR2) gene. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we explored the rate of ESR2 gene polymorphism in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment with different ovarian response to ovulation induction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 91 infertile women. The relationship between genotype distribution of the +1730 G/A polymorphism in the ESR2 gene (rs4986938) and the mean number of follicles and oocytes, their mean ratio, mean number of embryos, mean size of the follicles and pregnancy rates were measured. The ESR2 gene +1730 G/A polymorphism were identified by the amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Genotypes GG, GA, and AA of the ESR2 gene presented frequencies of 27.5%, 67%, and 5.5%, respectively, in the infertile women. The results of the study showed that the mean number of follicles and oocytes, their mean ratio, mean number of embryos, mean size of the follicles, and pregnancy rates are not related to different genotypes. CONCLUSION: According to the endocrine and paracrine factors which are involved in the ovulation induction and maturation of oocytes, more studies with higher number of participants are required to confirm the results of the present study; in addition, further studies are required to find out other gene polymorphisms affecting estrogen receptor efficacy in the infertile women.

A Historical Review of Persian Medicine Studies into Saliva Manifestations for Potential Applications for Diagnosis and Management of Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Regarding the development of diagnostic tests based on saliva and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), the aim of this study is to review Persian Medicine manuscripts in the field of saliva manifestations, its relation to metabolic syndrome, and treatment recommendations. METHODS: This study is a mini-review. We investigated the canon of medicine and some important Persian medical or pharmaceutical manuscripts from the 9th to the 19th centuries. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were explored for finding relevant information about the relationship between saliva and metabolic syndrome and its treatment. RESULTS: Studies have suggested that maldigestion is one of the important causes of MetS. Sialorrhea may be an early symptom of maldigestion. Attention to sialorrhea and its treatment may be useful in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome based on PM sources. In PM, sialorrhea is treated with 3 major approaches: lifestyle modification along with simple or compound medicines. CONCLUSION: Saliva manifestations could be considered as early symptoms of metabolic syndrome. As mentioned in WHO strategies, traditional medicine can be used along with modern medicine due to its effectiveness in the management of various ailments.

Water Intake from the Points of View of Rhazes and Avicenna.

Owing to the effect of acute and chronic hypohydration on health and the lethal effects of hyperhydration, an appropriate amount of water intake is important for each individual. Traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) is a holistic system one of whose important parts deals with lifestyles and how to maintain health, including the amount of water intake for every person and the appropriate principles of drinking water. In this study, Avicenna's Canon of Medicine, Rhazes' Benefits of Food and Its Harmfulness, and conventional medical articles were reviewed to evaluate the amount of water intake for each person and the principles of drinking water. TIM has expressed an individualized difference in the amount of water intake in the form of temperament and the relationship between the appropriate time of drinking water with other daily activities. In this view, drinking water at the inappropriate time causes liver and gastrointestinal diseases; it can create the foundation for conducting new studies in the field of appropriate water intake and lifestyle changes to reduce malnutrition complications.

Appetite Reducing Herbal Drugs from the Perspective of Avicenna and Aghili in Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian medicine).

The increasing prevalence of obesity is one of the major problems of today's society. Man needs food to continue living, daily activities, and even the metabolism of food; and appetite plays an important role in receiving foods. Appetite and weight reducing synthetic drugs, which are mostly costly and have significant side effects, are recommended for some patients, and have limited effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. Given the epidemic of obesity and the lack of satisfaction with synthetic drugs these days, people are more likely to use herbal medicines. Complementary medicine has always been considered for the choice of new treatment. This medicine has a long history. Persian Medicine is one of the traditional medicine systems. This study was a qualitative study on the Books of Canon and the Makhzan Al-Aladvia. Saffron has been introduced in both modern medicine and in Iranian medicine to reduce appetite. In the case of Purslane seed and Chio nut, Figs, Sesame seeds, Camphor, and Solomon's seal, and Opium poppy, which have been appetite suppressant in traditional medicine books, in the books and articles of modern medicine, they have not proved to be appetite reducing. Modern medicine has known Gourd as a weight reducing food with the effects on fat but there is no talk about its effects on appetite. According to traditional Iranian medicine, Chio nut causes anorexia due to weakness in the stomach. Therefore, it is not advisable for weight loss. More clinical studies are conducted to prove the effects of appetite suppressant and weight loss effects of these herbal medicines seem logical.

A bioinspired self assembled dimeric porphyrin pocket that binds electron accepting ligands.

A binding pocket consisting of two zinc porphyrins self assembled by Watson-Crick base pairing is presented. The porphyrin binding pocket is located in the confined environment of a lipid membrane whereas the DNA is located in the water phase. Bidentate electron accepting ligands are shown to coordinate in-between the two porphyrins.

Relationship between Age and Peripheral White Blood Cell Count in Patients with Sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: Total white blood cells (WBCs) decrease slightly in the elderly. In response to an acute infection, the number of WBCs increases and in sepsis, the increase is very dramatic. There are some reports about the effects of increased number of WBCs as a predisposing factor of bacteremia. An association between neutrophilia and eucopenia and increased mortality rate in the elderly has also been observed. We compared peripheral WBC counts in young and elderly patients with sepsis. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on 130 admitted patients who were divided into two groups based on age, ≥ 65 years (case group) and < 65 years (control group). All patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of sepsis in two teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran, 2001-2006. RESULTS: Mean WBC counts at admission time were 17061.5 ± 14240.2 /µl in the case group and 13567.7 ± 9888.0 /ml in the control group. There were statistically significant associations between age and history of infection and history of hospitalization during the last month in the case group and also between age and source of infection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The history of infection and the history of hospitalization during the last month with sepsis are important risk factors in elders.