Evaluation of the Effect of a Clobetasol Propionate and Nystatin Mouthwash on Recurrent Aphthous Stomataitis

Statement of problem: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common diseases affecting human oral mucosa. The etiology of this disease remains unclear; therefore a definitive treatment has not yet been established and corticosteroids might be prescribed to reduce the symptoms associated with RAS.Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a mouthwash containing 0.05% clobetasol and nystatin on aphthous ulcers.Materials and Methods: Forty patients with RAS, 18 males and 22 females with an age range of 11-50 years, participated in this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A received amouthwash containing 0.05% clobetasol and 100,000 IU/cc nystatin with instructions to rinse with 20 drops for 5 minutes, 3 times daily. Group B (control) received placebo and was asked to follow the same instructions. All symptoms along with possible adverseeffects were measured and recorded during the 2-week study period. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and independent paired t-tests.Results: Complete resolution of the lesions and their symptoms was observed in 85% of the participants in group A. Two (10%) patients showed no response to treatment and the symptoms increased in 5% (1 patient). There were no measurable changes in pain or healing time of the ulcers in the control group.Conclusion: The use of the tested mouthwash was found to be a safe and efficacious treatment for RAS of the oral mucosa

Effect of Sowing Date on Some Agronomic Characteristics and Seed Yield of Winter Wheat Cultivars

To evaluate the effect of sowing dates on yield, yield components and some agronomic characteristics of four winter wheat cultivars and also their phenological changes, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out at the Agriculture Research Station of Ardabil (Iran) during 2009 growing season. First factor consisted of four wheat cultivars (Azar2, Sabalan, Sardari and Zagros) and second factor consisted of four sowing dates (1st, 10th, 20th and 30th of September). The results showed that sowing date had significant effect on the number of spikes, the number of seed per spike, 1000-seed weight, germination percentage, days to spike appearance, days to ripening, growing degree days, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index. The highest and lowest seed yields of wheat were obtained from sowing date of the September the first (4616 kg/ha) and sowing date of September 30th (2197 kg/ha) respectively. Delaying planting decreased the number of spikes per m2 and 1000-seed weight. Cultivars had significant effect on all of the traits measured, except leaf number, fertile and non-fertilie tillers. The highest and the lowest seed yields were obtained from Sabalan (4750 kg/ha) and Zagros (2757 kg/ha) cultivars respectively. Interaction of sowing date and cultivar were significant on all of traits measured, except stem height, the leaf number, the number of spikes, 1000-seed weight and seed yield (

Cognitive Strategies Instruction: Attitudes Toward Learning and Academic Functioning of Science

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cognitive strategies instruction on students’ attitude toward learning and academic functioning of science. This research method was semi-experimental with pretest, post-test, experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all boys of grade 3 in Lordegan city. The samples were 126 students, who were selected with cluster sampling method, and then 64 students were randomly set in the experimental group and 62 in control one. The experimental group had seven sessions of cognitive strategies. The results of covariance analysis showed that cognitive strategies instruction has a positive effect on academic functioning of science. Also, attitude toward learning has been increased through cognitive strategies instruction