Evaluation of level of knowledge, attitude and performance of Radiologists in Sanandaj city regarding radiation protection in 2014

Abstract Background & Aim: Radiographic tests are used to diagnose various types of diseases, but they are potentially dangerous for patients and radiographers who work in radiology departments. These risks are minimized if the protective measures are observed. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and the performance of radiographers working in the radiological departments of Sanandaj city with regard to radiation protection guidelines. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out using a 30-item questionnaire completed by all radiographers working in Radiology Centers in Sanandaj. The questionnaire included demographic information and questions about the level of knowledge, attitude and performance of radiologists on radiation protection. The data of the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS18 and descriptive statistics including absolute frequency, relative frequency, mean, standard deviation, range, knowledge, performance, and attitude of the radiologists with gender and degree, age group and work experience. Results: The rate of participation of radiographers was 94.16%, and the mean and standard deviation of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding radiation protection were 20.65±2.725, 16.59± 2.09, 592.22, 11.43±1. The mean and standard deviation of age and work experience were 34.19±7, 158, 9.96±931.3, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that with increasing age and reduction of educational degree, the knowledge and awareness of the radiographers with regard to radiation protection was reduced and also there was a direct relation between the knowledge and awareness of the radiographers and their performance in the field of radiation protection. &nbsp

Changes in Essential Oil Composition, Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) Populations in Response to Water Deficit

Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) is considered a valuable spice plant with a high thymol content. Seed yield, essential oil constituents, polyphenolic composition, and antioxidant capacity of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) populations were evaluated in three (normal, moderate, and severe) water irrigation regimes. The highest essential oil content (5.55%) was obtained under normal condition in the Yazd population. However, both essential oil and seed yield showed significant reductions as a result of water stress. According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, thymol (61.44%), γ-terpinene (26.96%), and p-cymene (20.32%) were identified as the major components of the oil. The highest (89.01%) and the lowest (37.54%) thymol contents were in Farsmar and Hamadan populations in severe stress condition, respectively. Based on HPLC analysis, chlorogenic (3.75–47.35 mg/100 g), caffeic (13.2–40.10 mg/100 g), and ferulic acid (11.25–40.10 mg/100 g) were identified as the major phenolic acids, while rutin was determined as the major flavonoid (11.741–20.123 mg/100 g). Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were elevated under drought stress treatment, while antioxidants responded inconsistently to stress based on two model systems. Overall, the Yazd population exhibited a superior response to water stress, as evidenced by its less reduced thymol and oil yield content, while Arak and Khormo had the highest accumulation of polyphenolic compounds

Identification of Polyphenolic Compounds Responsible for Antioxidant, Anti-<i>Candida</i> Activities and Nutritional Properties in Different Pistachio (<i>Pistacia vera</i> L.) Hull Cultivars

The use of by-products from the agri-food industry is a promising approach for production of value-added, polyphenol-rich dietary supplements or natural pharmaceutical preparations. During pistachio nut processing, a great amount of husk is removed, leaving large biomass for potential re-use. The present study compares antiglycative, antioxidant, and antifungal activities as well as nutritional values of 12 genotypes belonging to four pistachio cultivars. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and ABTS assays. Antiglycative activity was evaluated as inhibition of advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation in the bovine serum albumin/methylglyoxal model. HPLC analysis was performed to determine the major phenolic compounds. Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (120.81–181.94 mg/100 g DW), gallic acid (27.89–45.25), catechin (7.2–11.01), and eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside (7.23–16.02) were the major components. Among genotypes, the highest total flavonol content (14.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g DW) and total phenolic content (262 mg tannic acid equivalent/g DW) were in KAL1 (Kaleghouchi) and FAN2 (Fandoghi), respectively. The highest antioxidant (EC50 = 375 μg/mL) and anti-glycative activities were obtained for Fan1. Furthermore, potent inhibitory activity against Candida species was recorded with MIC values of 3.12–12.5 µg/mL. The oil content ranged from 5.4% in Fan2 to 7.6% in Akb1. The nutritional parameters of the tested cultivars were highly variable: crude protein (9.8–15.8%), ADF (acid detergent fiber 11.9–18.2%), NDF (neutral detergent fiber, 14.8–25.6%), and condensed tannins (1.74–2.86%). Finally, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside was considered an effective compound responsible for antioxidant and anti-glycative activities

Bioassay-guided isolation in Salvia abrotanoides Karel. stem based on its anti-fungal and anti-trichomonas activity

Background and purpose: Salvia abrotanoides is considered a medicinal plant and has a broad distribution in Iran. In Iran's traditional medicine, it is also used to treat leishmaniasis, malaria, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and as a disinfectant. This research aimed to determine the anti-Candida component from S. abratonoides and anti-Trichomonas natural compounds from the stems of this plant. Experimental approach: The plant shoots were collected, dried, and after removing the leaves, grounded. Dried plant material was extracted in a maceration tank, concentrated by a Rotavap, degreased, and fractionated by normal column chromatography. Based on anti-fungal screening against Candida species, Fr. 4, with more anti-fungal activity, was selected for phytochemical analysis, by different chromatographic methods on the silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20. Isolated compounds were elucidated by NMR analysis, mass spectrum, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Anti-fungal effects were investigated using the fungal suspension, incubation, and parasite-counting methods on purified compounds. Antibacterial effects were assessed using the Broth dilution test and reported according to the MIC parameter. Findings/Results: Two diterpenoid compounds named carnosol (compound 1), 11-hydroxy-12-methoxy-20-norabiata-8, 11, 13-trien (compound 2), and a flavonoid: 6,7-dimethoxy-5, 4′-dihydroxyflavone (compound 3) were isolated and identified. Compound 1 had selective anti-fungal effects against C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis, but weak toxicity against Trichomonas vaginalis with IC50 of 675.8μg/mL, less than metronidazole with an IC50 of 13.2 μg/mL. Conclusion and implications: Carnosol as the main component was assayed against Candida, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Trichomanas species. The results confirmed its effect on Candida compared to standard drugs

Metabolomics and DNA-Based Authentication of Two Traditional Asian Medicinal and Aromatic Species of <i>Salvia</i> subg. <i>Perovskia</i>

Subgenus Perovskia of the extended genus of Salvia comprises several Central Asian medicinal and aromatic species, of which S. yangii and S. abrotanoides are the most widespread. These plants are cultivated in Europe as robust ornamentals, and several cultivars are available. However, their medicinal potential remains underutilized because of limited information about their phytochemical and genetic diversity. Thus, we combined an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) based metabolomics with DNA barcoding approach based on trnH-psbA and ITS2 barcodes to clarify the relationships between these two taxa. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that aerial parts are more similar than roots and none of the major compounds stand out as distinct. Sugiol in S. yangii leaves and carnosic acid quinone in S. abrotanoides were mostly responsible for their chemical differentiation, whereas in roots the distinction was supported by the presence of five norditerpenoids in S. yangii and two flavonoids and one norditerpenoid in S. abrotanoides. To verify the metabolomics-based differentiation, we performed DNA authentication that revealed S. yangii and S. abrotanoides to be very closely related but separate species. We demonstrated that DNA barcoding coupled with parallel LC-MS profiling constitutes a powerful tool in identification of taxonomically close Salvia species

Variation in Flavonoid Compounds, Volatiles and Yield Related Traits in Different Iranian <i>Rosa damascena</i> Mill. Cultivars Based on SPME Arrow and LC-MS/MS

Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is an aromatic industrial plant with different applications. Selection of cultivars with high-value metabolites such as flavonoids—with acceptable yields—can lead to elite cultivars for mass propagation in various industries. A field experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to evaluate metabolites and some yield-related morphological data. In the present investigation, for the first time 13 flavonoid components of nine Iranian damask rose cultivars were compared using LC-MS/MS. As a result, 13 flavonoids were identified, most of which were reported for the first time in rose petals. Phloridzin (72.59–375.92 mg/100 g dw), diosmetin (82.48–153.16 mg/100 g dw) and biochanin A (0–1066.89 mg/100 g dw) were the most abundant, followed by trans-chalcone (0–106.29 mg/100 g dw) and diosmin (41.55–84.57 mg/100 g dw). Levels of naringenin also ranged from 3.77 in B111 to 54.70 mg/100 g dw in C294, while luteolin varied from 4.37 in B111 to 28.87 mg/100 g dw in C294. The SPME Arrow technique also was applied to determine the real aroma of the studied cultivars. Phenethyl alcohol was the most abundant compound, in the range of 69.28 to 77.58%. The highest citronellol/geraniol (C/G) was observed in D234 (4.52%) and D237 (4.30%), while the lowest amount belonged to A104 (1.28%). Rose oxide, as the most crucial factor for odor, ranged from 0.06% in D237 to 0.15% in D211. Based on cluster and principal component analysis (PCA), D234 cultivar can be suggested as a promising cultivar with high yield, high C/G content and high rose oxide, while D234 and C294 were the most valuable cultivars in terms of flavonoids with high yield. Finally, these cultivars can be introduced for further breeding programs and industrial cultivation

<i>Satureja bachtiarica</i> Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Overcoming drug resistance and specifically targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical challenges in improving cancer therapy. Nowadays, the use of novel and native medicinal plants can provide new sources for further investigations for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of S. bachtiarica, an endemic plant with diverse medicinal applications, in suppressing and targeting cancer and cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer. The effect of S. bachtiarica on viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic potential of MDAMB-231 and U87-MG cells was assessed in both two- and three-dimensional cell culture models. Additionally, we evaluated its effects on the self-renewal capacity of mammospheres. The experimental outcomes indicated that S. bachtiarica decreased the viability and growth rate of cells and spheroids by inducing apoptosis and inhibited colony formation, migration, and invasion of cells and spheroids. Additionally, colony and sphere-forming ability, as well as the expression of genes associated with EMT and stemness were reduced in mammospheres treated with S. bachtiarica. In conclusion, this study provided valuable insights into the anti-cancer effects of S. bachtiarica, particularly in relation to breast CSCs. Therefore, S. bachtiarica may be a potential adjuvant for the treatment of cancer

Metabolomics and DNA-Based Authentication of Two Traditional Asian Medicinal and Aromatic Species of Salvia subg. Perovskia

Subgenus Perovskia of the extended genus of Salvia comprises several Central Asian medicinal and aromatic species, of which S. yangii and S. abrotanoides are the most widespread. These plants are cultivated in Europe as robust ornamentals, and several cultivars are available. However, their medicinal potential remains underutilized because of limited information about their phytochemical and genetic diversity. Thus, we combined an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) based metabolomics with DNA barcoding approach based on trnH-psbA and ITS2 barcodes to clarify the relationships between these two taxa. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that aerial parts are more similar than roots and none of the major compounds stand out as distinct. Sugiol in S. yangii leaves and carnosic acid quinone in S. abrotanoides were mostly responsible for their chemical differentiation, whereas in roots the distinction was supported by the presence of five norditerpenoids in S. yangii and two flavonoids and one norditerpenoid in S. abrotanoides. To verify the metabolomics-based differentiation, we performed DNA authentication that revealed S. yangii and S. abrotanoides to be very closely related but separate species. We demonstrated that DNA barcoding coupled with parallel LC-MS profiling constitutes a powerful tool in identification of taxonomically close Salvia species

Herbal medicines as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Understanding molecular pathogenesis is an essential factor for the allocation of effective preventive measures and the development of targeted therapeutics against COVID-19. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 encodes structural and nonstructural proteins, which can be targets for compounds with potential therapeutic ability. On the other hand, the virus life cycle has stages susceptible to targeting by drug compounds. Many natural antiviral compounds have been studied and evaluated at the cellular and molecular levels with antiviral potential. Meanwhile, many studies over the past few months have shown that plant polysaccharides have good ability to target proteins and stages of the virus life cycle. In this regard, in this review study, the virus specifications and infectious process and structural and functional components of SARS-CoV-2 will be reviewed, and then the latest studies on the effect of plant compounds with more focus on polysaccharides on viral targets and their inhibitory potential on the infectious process of COVID-19 will be discussed. Keywords: Alkaloids; COVID-19; Herbal medicines; Polyphenols; Polysaccharides; SARS-CoV-2; Terpene

Comparative transcriptomics of two Salvia subg. Perovskia species contribute towards molecular background of abietane-type diterpenoid biosynthesis

Abstract Tanshinones, are a group of diterpenoid red pigments present in Danshen – an important herbal drug of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is a dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Some of the tanshinones are sought after as pharmacologically active natural products. To date, the biosynthetic pathway of tanshinones has been only partially elucidated. These compounds are also present in some of the other Salvia species, i.a. from subgenus Perovskia, such as S. abrotanoides (Kar.) Sytsma and S. yangii B.T. Drew. Despite of the close genetic relationship between these species, significant qualitative differences in their diterpenoid profile have been discovered. In this work, we have used the Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis to follow the content of diterpenoids during the vegetation season, which confirmed our previous observations of a diverse diterpenoid profile. As metabolic differences are reflected in different transcript profile of a species or tissues, we used metabolomics-guided transcriptomic approach to select candidate genes, which expression possibly led to observed chemical differences. Using an RNA-sequencing technology we have sequenced and de novo assembled transcriptomes of leaves and roots of S. abrotanoides and S. yangii. As a result, 134,443 transcripts were annotated by UniProt and 56,693 of them were assigned as Viridiplantae. In order to seek for differences, the differential expression analysis was performed, which revealed that 463, 362, 922 and 835 genes indicated changes in expression in four comparisons. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG functional analysis of selected DEGs were performed. The homology and expression of two gene families, associated with downstream steps of tanshinone and carnosic acid biosynthesis were studied, namely: cytochromes P-450 and 2-oxoglutarate-dependend dioxygenases. Additionally, BLAST analysis revealed existence of 39 different transcripts related to abietane diterpenoid biosynthesis in transcriptomes of S. abrotanoides and S. yangii. We have used quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of selected candidate genes, to follow their expression levels over the vegetative season. A hypothesis of an existence of a multifunctional CYP76AH89 in transcriptomes of S. abrotanoides and S. yangii is discussed and potential roles of other CYP450 homologs are speculated. By using the comparative transcriptomic approach, we have generated a dataset of candidate genes which provides a valuable resource for further elucidation of tanshinone biosynthesis. In a long run, our investigation may lead to optimization of diterpenoid profile in S. abrotanoides and S. yangii, which may become an alternative source of tanshinones for further research on their bioactivity and pharmacological therapy