Biotransformation of myrcene by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dihydrolinalool and terpineol are sources of fragrances that provide a unique volatile terpenoid alcohol of low toxicity and thus are widely used in the perfumery industry, in folk medicine, and in aromatherapy. They are important chemical constituents of the essential oil of many plants. Previous studies have concerned the biotransformation of limonene by <it>Pseudomonas putida</it>. The objective of this research was to study biotransformation of myrcene by <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</it>. The culture preparation was done using such variables as different microbial methods and incubation periods to obtain maximum cells of <it>P. aeruginosa </it>for myrcene biotransformation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was found that myrcene was converted to dihydrolinalool and 2,6-dimethyloctane in high percentages. The biotransformation products were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet (UV) analysis, gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Comparison of the different incubation times showed that 3 days was more effective, the major products being 2,6-dimethyloctane (90.0%) and <it>α</it>-terpineol (7.7%) and comprising 97.7%. In contrast, the main compounds derived for an incubation time of 1.5 days were dihydrolinalool (79.5%) and 2,6-dimethyloctane (9.3%), with a total yield of 88.8%.</p

Oral health status of a sample of disabled population in Iran

BACKGROUND: A wide range of oral health conditions has been studies in disabled populations. Many studies showed that the oral health of individuals who were disabled was poor and their oral treatment needs were greater than those of the general population. This study aimed to determine caries experience, levels of oral hygiene, periodontal health and prevalence of malocclusion in a sample of disabled subjects. METHODS: Five special care needs schools were randomly selected from the list of schools in Kerman and all attendants were examined for dental status on the basis of WHO criteria, gingival health and oral hygiene behaviors. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and chi-square tests. RESULTS: There were 297 participants in the study. The most frequent group of disability was mental retard. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score was 5.14. Ninety percent of subjects had gingival inflammation. There was no significant (P = 0.34) difference between caries experiences of different disable groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral hygiene of disabled groups was poor and their caries experience rate was very high. Special oral health care program for them is recommended. KEY WORDS: Special care, oral health, oral hygiene, disability

The effectiveness of cognitive-function stress management training in glycemic control in children and in mental health of mother caring for child with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aim: The study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training course of cognitive-behavioral stress managementin glycaemia regulation in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus as well as in mental health status of their mothers. Materials and methods: Fifty children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their mothers were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. A group of mothers (n = 25; as experimental one besides their children) passed a course, eight 2-h sessions, on the cognitive-behavioral and stress management, and the control group received the usual care. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, before and after holding the course, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test was done on both groups of children, and also some information was collected from the mothers through interview and the DASS (depression, anxiety, stress scale) and PSI (parenting stress index) questionnaires. Results: After the intervention, HbA1c level decreased in the experimental group. Feeling of depression, anxiety and stress was significantly lower than the control group. Furthermore, training for parenting stress management positively affected on the sense of demanding, reinforcement, and adaptability in child domain and also on attachment, competence, depression, relationship with spouse and family health in parent domain. Conclusion: The intervention program was significantly effective in reducing the amount of HbA1c in diabetic children, and also reduced the intensity of psychosocial problems such as depression, anxiety and stress in the mothers caring for children with type 1 diabetes

Induced Abortion by Vaginal Use of Aluminum Phosphide in a 44-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is an efficient and toxic pesticide that is easily available in many Asian countries such as Iran. Many cases of unintentional or suicidal use of AlP have been reported in these countries, and these statistics are rising rapidly. We aim to present a case of abortion induced by vaginal use of AlP. We report a 44-year-old gravid woman who self-administered one-quarter of a 3-g AlP tablet intravaginally. Ultrasound at 6 hours post-admission showed no fetal movement or heart motion. Intravaginal administration of AlP can lead to fetal death and abortion. There is concern about the spread of vaginal use of these agents in pregnant women, as the number of illegal abortions is increasing

The effect of silymarin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease of children

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases of adults and its prevalence is increasing in children and adolescents. It is the most predisposing factor for liver cirrhosis. Due to complications of NAFLD, the treatment of this disease is essential. Since silymarin is recommended for adults recently, the effect of this herbal drug on children and adolescents was evaluated for treatment of NAFLD in children.Methods: This is a clinical trial study, which was done in Shahrekord University of Medical Science in 2012-2013 on 5-16 years old children with NAFLD. The patients were randomly divided into two groups containing 20 patients in each group. Silymarin tablets were administered for 12 weeks in case group and changing life style including exercise was advised in both groups. Liver sonographay and liver function tests (LFTs) were done after 12 weeks.Results: Patients with higher grade of fatty liver were developed lower grade of fatty liver during intervention in case group based on sonography after 12 weeks (P = 0.001). Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in control group (P = 0.35). Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase ALT and aspartate transaminase AST) (P = 0.001, P = 0.025, respectively) and triglyceride (TG) levels (P = 0.043) were improved significantly but low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) did not change during intervention in case group.Conclusion: Silymarin can improve fatty infiltration of liver and liver function in children and adolescents

Comparative study of oral probiotic and dimethicone on infantile colic

زمینه و هدف: کولیک شیرخواری یکی از شایع &zwnj;ترین مشکلات شیرخواران در 3 ماه اول زندگی است و حدود 28-3 شیرخواران را درگیر می&zwnj;کند. این بیماری باعث نگرانی زیادی برای والدین و مشکلات درمانی برای متخصصین کودکان نیز می&zwnj;شود. پاتوژنز این بیماری هنوز ناشناخته است. هدف این مطالعه بررسی اثر پروبیوتیک لاکتوباسیلوس روتری (Lactobacillus reuteri) بر روی بهبود علائم و نشانه&zwnj;های کولیک شیرخواری در یک مطالعه آینده&zwnj;نگر بود. روش بررسی: این مطالعه از نوع کار آزمایی بالینی مورد شاهدی است. تعداد 70 شیرخوار با معیارهای کولیک شیرخواری وارد مطالعه شدند و به&zwnj;صورت تصادفی در دو گروه دریافت پروبیوتیک لاکتوباسیلوس روتری (108 باکتری زنده روزانه) یا دایمتیکون (20 میلی&zwnj;گرم سه بار در روز) برای 28 روز قرار گرفتند. یافته&zwnj;ها: 70 شیرخوار 34 بیمار در گروه پروبیوتیک و 36 نفر در گروه دایمتیکون مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. میانگین سنی گروه&zwnj;های پروبیوتیک و دیمتیکون به ترتیب 41/35 و 43/5 روز بوده است. میزان متوسط زمان گریه در دو گروه پروبیوتیک و دایمتیکون از میزان اولیه 206 دقیقه روزانه به 47&plusmn;78/2 و 36/5&plusmn;173/8 دقیقه روزانه به ترتیب بعد از دو هفته رسید. درنهایت 88 و 9 شیرخواران در گروه پروبیوتیک و دایمتیکون بهبود یافتند. عارضه جانبی برای هیچ&zwnj;کدام از دو دارو مشاهده نشد. نتیجه&zwnj;گیری: داروی پروبیوتیک علائم و نشانه&zwnj;های کولیک را به&zwnj;صورت قابل&zwnj;توجه در شیرخواران شیر مادر خوار کاهش داد که می&zwnj;تواند بیانگر نقش مهم این دارو نه&zwnj;تنها در بهبود معیارهای کولیک بلکه در کاهش شدت دفع گاز شیرخواران که نشانه شدت نفخ شکم است، باشد

Comprehensive Assessment of The Relative Frequency of Sleep Disorders in Migraine and Non Migraine in 6- To 14-Year-Old Children

ObjectiveHeadaches are common during childhood. In addition, sleep disorders are common problems in children, too. Although it is commonly thought thatheadache and sleep problems are related, there is not enough evidence to confirm this relationship. Finding evident relations between these problemswould help practitioners a lot to make earlier diagnosis and plan treatment modalities for both problems as soon as possible. This study aimed to assess the relative frequency of sleep disorders in migraine and non migraine children.Material &amp; MethodsIn a cross sectional study, 148 children were enrolled in migraine (60) and non migraine (88) groups. They were aged 6 to 14 years. Migraine group consistedof patients who had definite migraine according to IHS (International Headache Society) criteria. Ten sleep problems (snoring, nightmares, sleep walking, sleeptalking, bedtime struggle, bruxism, sweating during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia in early or mid night and sleep apnea) were comparedbetween 2 groups. Fisher exact and chi square tests were used for making comparisons.ResultsWe found relationships between night sleep and daytime headaches. Some of these relationships were easy to explain but for some others, finding complicated explanations are necessary.Our findings showed that bruxism, sleep walking, early and midnight insomnia was significantly higher in migraine children. There was a common etiology forheadache and sleep disorders. Also, parents and migraine children were well familiar with the effect of relaxation on decreasing migraine episodes .Theyprovided appropriate facilities for night sleep for this reason.Conclusionwe found relationships between night sleep and daytime headaches. Some of these relationships were easy to explain but for some others, finding complicated explanations are necessary

Change in growth performance and liver function enzymes of broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease virus to dietary supplementation of methionine and threonine

Problem statement: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of methionine and threonine supplementations higher than the NRC recommendation on growth performance, liver function enzymes, blood parameters and immune tissues of broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease. Approach: A total of 450 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to nine groups. Chickens were fed by three graded levels of DL-methionine [NRC (M1), 2 times NRC (M2) and 3 times NRC (M3)] and three graded levels of L-threonine [NRC (T1), 2 times NRC (T2) and 3 times NRC (T3)] from day 1-42 of age. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Results: Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Intake (FI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments in starter phase and either methionine or threonine at the highest levels significantly decreased BWG, FI and FCR in broiler chickens. A similar trend by methionine and threonine at the highest levels was noted on BWG and FI in grower phase. The highest level of threonine significantly increased spleen weight on day 28 (pre-challenge) and 14 days post challenge. At 14 days after challenge, dietary supplementation of methionine at NRC recommended level (M1) significantly increased the serum concentrations of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). In the T3 group, the serum concentrations of AST and LDH were significantly decreased, whereas the serum uric acid concentration was significantly increased. Conclusion/Recommendations: In conclusion, our data suggest that the methionine and threonine requirement of male broiler chicks is higher for growth performance than was suggested by the last NRC committee and liver function enzymes results showed that methionine and threonine supplementation three times higher than NRC requirements in broiler chickens has not toxic potential

Learners’ Evaluation of EFL writing Tasks in Iran’s ESOL Exam Preparation Courses

The purpose of this research was to analyze EFL writing tasks in the most popular ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exam preparation courses in Iran: IELTS, TOEFL, FCE and CAE. Having collected the criteria of writing task appropriateness in light of the process-oriented approach to writing instruction, 114 learner participants were asked to rate EFL writing tasks based on a checklist previously gathered and validated. An observation process was conducted of the task performance followed by an interview with teachers about the nature of these courses and learners’ motivation. According to the learners’ primary needs and goals, the four types of courses were initially divided into two groups: Group-1 (IELTS/TOEFL) and Group-2 (FCE/CAE). The independent-sample t-test was employed to compare the mean scores of ratings for all items of the checklist once between IELTS and TOEFL courses in Group 1 and once between FCE and CAE in Group 2. Significant differences were obtained especially related to the quality of writing procedures