Detection of Herpes simplex virus, Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in Ulcerative Colitis patients by PCR method

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is one type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herpes viruses have been suggested as possible etiological agents of UC and Crohn’s disease (CD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Herpes Simplex virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients with UC in comparison with healthy subjects by using PCR technique. In this analytical case-control study, five patients with UC and thirty healthy patients as controls were selected. Sampling was performed by endoscopic biopsy operation. Biopsy specimens were frozen under sterile conditions at -20˚C until analysis. After DNA extraction, analysis of PCR to detect HSV, CMV and EBV DNA in tissue samples was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with the χ2 test. We observed HSV DNA in 80% of UC samples (4 of 5) and 10% from the normal control group (3 of 30). CMV DNA was found in 80% of UC samples (4 of 5) and 30% from the normal control group (9 of 30). Also, EBV DNA was found in 60% of UC samples (3 of 5) and 36.7% from the normal control group (11 of 30). Statistical analysis showed a significant association between the prevalence of HSV and CMV and the incidence of UC compared with the control group. The results of the present study has shown UC patients have a predisposition to HSV and CMV infections as compared to healthy individuals. Also, the results demonstrate a lack of direct molecular evidence to support an association between HSV and CMV with UC.         

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in colorectal cancer and Polyp by using PCR technique

      Colorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with colorectal carcinomas and polyps in comparison with healthy people. In this analytical  case-control study, 15 patients with colorectal cancer and 20 patients with colorectal polyp were studied. From each patient two tissue samples were collected: one sample of the malignant tissue and one sample of normal colorectal tissue from an area located 15 cm away from the malignant tissue. Also the 35 patients without malignancy as controls were sampled. Biopsy specimens were frozen under sterile conditions at -20. After DNA extractions, analysis of PCR to detect EBV DNA in tissue samples was performed with chi square test. EBV DNA were found in 60% of tumor samples (9 of 15), in 35% of polyp samples (7 of 20) and 40% of the non-malignant control group (14 of 35). Two cancer patients (13.3%) and five polyp patients (25%) had EBV DNA detected in both the tumor and the matched normal tissue. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between the prevalence of EBV and incidence colorectal cancer and polyps according to the location of the sample in comparison with the control group (p = 0.44). The results of the present study demonstrate the presence of EBV sequences in differentiated cancer tissue, polyp and non-malignant by PCR method reflects the ability of the virus to infect of the different colon cells

Evaluation of Sunscreen activity and Phototoxic effect of methanolic extract of Punica Granatum var.pleniflora

Introduction: Skin is the most important barrier to protect our body, therefore supporting this fundamental organ against to sun rays is very important. Herbal formulations may  have less harmful effects. Considering the previous studies carried out on Punica granatum var.pleniflora (Golnar-e-Farsi), an approximately unknown Iranian plant, have shown the sunscreen effects, the phototoxicity and cytotoxicity of this plant was evaluated in this research. Methods and Results: In this study, five different concentrations of methanolic extracts of plant (50, 75,100,125,150µg/L) were provided. The prepared extracts were determinded for SPF and PIF values. Evaluation of cytotoxicity and phototoxicity effects  were used by B16  and 3T3 cells with a number of 5000 cells for each skin in a 96-well plate. Positive controls were taxol and chlorpromazine respectively .The results were indicated as Mean ±SEM and were compared using ANOVA with TukeyPost Hoc. To calculate IC50, Probit analysis was used. At the applied concentration,10μg/ml, all of the extracts, showed a little cytotoxicity, however calculated PIF did not show any phototoxicity for the extracts. Transmittance values for concentrations 50, 75,100,125,150µg/L. The wavelength range 292.5-337.5 nm was measured at intervals of 5 nm. For this plant calculated PIF did not show any phototoxicity for the extracts SPF is calculated 9.35 for metanolic extract.The extracts did not have cytotoxic effects and also at the above-mentioned concentration they did not show phototoxicity. Thus, the extracts can be considered as appropriate agent  for herbaceous sunscreen products. Conclusions: The extracts of Punuca Granatum did not have cytotoxic effects and also at the above-mentioned concentration they did not show phototoxicity. Thus, the extracts can be considered as appropriate candidate for herbaceous sunscreen products, after doing more tests

Socio-demographic characteristics and safety practices in pesticide applicators in Zangiabad area, Iran

Iran is the largest producer of pistachios in the world and farmers apply chemicals in pistachio orchards to pest control. A high risk of occupational human exposure to pesticides may occur in applicators if they do not practice adequate protective measures. The present study was designed to determine socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of safety practices and use of protective measures for applicators to avoid pesticide contamination. Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted and a questionnaire was administered to obtain information on characteristics such as environmental exposure, personal characteristics, lifestyle factors and agricultural work practices. There was a significant difference in educational level between cases and controls (α < 0.05) and cases had a generally lower educational level than controls. Among the pesticides that were used for pistachio pest control, amitraz was dominant. The most common form of packaging used to pesticides, especially amitraz, in the study area was COEX, Aluminum, and PET. In order to dispose of empty containers, most of the farmers sell empty containers for recycling, but it is not clear who buys them and how they are recycled. Health effects of pesticides underscore the importance of alternative methods for pest management to reduce pesticide exposure

Effect of foliar application of α-tocopherol and pyridoxine on vegetative growth, flowering, and some biochemical constituents of Calendula officinalis L. plants

A field experiment was conducted during 2010 at the Experimental Farm of Fajr, SB University of Kerman, Iran. The aim was to study the effects of foliar spray of α-tocopherol (0, 50, 100 part per million (ppm)) and pyridoxine (0, 50, 100 ppm) on vegetative growth, flowering parameters, and some chemical constituents of Calendula officinalis L. plants. Most parameters were significantly affected by application of two vitamins which were used in this study. The obtained results could be summarized as follows; pyridoxine at 100 ppm recorded the best value of leaf area, stem height, chlorophyll b, reducing sugars and hyperoside content; no significant difference was found between plants treated with vitamins in terms of chlorophyll a, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of root; the treatment with α-tocopherol at 100 ppm resulted in the highest yield of seed, fresh and dry aerial parts, as compared to control plants; maximum values of carotenoid were obtained by the application of pyridoxine at 50 ppm; and application of both vitamins led to the reduction of flower diameter.Keyswords: Calendula officinalis L., α-tocopherol, pyridoxin

The efficacy of whey associated with dodder seed extract on moderateto- severe atopic dermatitis in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that is on the rise and adversely affects quality of life of the affected individual. Dry skin and pruritus, major characteristics of this disease, are associated with the dysfunction of the skin barrier. Though mild cases of the disease can be controlled with antihistamines and topical corticosteroids, moderate-to-severe cases often require treatment with immunomodulatory drugs, which have many side effects. It is now more common to use complementary and alternative medicines in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In traditional Iranian medicine, the use of whey with the aqueous extract of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) seeds in severe and refractory cases of atopic dermatitis is common and has no side effects. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of whey associated with dodder seed extract in the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind placebo control trial that was conducted on 52 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for 30 days. In this study patients received freeze dried whey powder with spray dried water extract of field dodder or the placebo for 15 days. At baseline (week zero), after the end of the 15 day treatment period (week three) and 15 days after stopping the drug or placebo (follow-up/week five), patients were evaluated in terms of skin moisture, elasticity, pigmentation, surface pH and sebum content on the forearm with Multi Skin Test Centers MC1000 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany) and the degree of pruritus and sleep disturbance in patients were also recorded. Results: 42 patients completed 30 days of treatment with the medicine and the follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period a significant increase in skin moisture and elasticity in the group receiving whey with dodder was observed compared with the placebo group (po0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the pruritus after 15 days of receiving treatment or the placebo (po0.05), and at the end of the 30-day study period the difference was clearly significant (po0.001). Sleep disturbance showed significant changes at the end of follow-up period (po0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning changes in skin pigmentation, however, a significant decrease was observed in the group receiving whey associated with dodder seed extract over time (po0.001). There were no significant alterations in skin surface pH and the amount of sebum between the two groups. Temporary side effects were reported including anorexia and mild gastrointestinal problems in drug use. It is noteworthy that in this study despite the fact that patients received whey with dodder for just 15 days, moisture and elasticity of the skin continued to increase in the second half of the study (follow-up period). This shows that the effect of whey with dodder is not transient and this drug really helped skin barrier reconstruction and accelerated the healing process of skin. This positively influenced the skin parameters and consequently the improvement of pruritus and sleep disturbance

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis From the Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine: Presentation of a Novel Therapeutic Approach

There is a strong current trend for using complementary and alternative medications to treat atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, pruritic, and inflammatory skin disease. It can have a profound, negative effect on patients’ quality of life. Mild cases of atopic dermatitis can be controlled by the application of moisturizers and topical corticosteroids. However, in severe cases, application of immunosuppressive medication is unavoidable but it can have adverse effects. In traditional Persian medicine, diseases similar to resistant atopic dermatitis are treated with whey in combination with decoction of field dodder. Both whey and field dodder have anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of whey can also aid skin repair, mitigate pruritus, and help combat the high level of stress experienced by patients. Therefore, it is hypothesized that consumption of traditional medicinal treatment of whey with decoction of field dodder can be applied as a complementary treatment for atopic dermatitis

Assessment of inhalation exposure to Amitraz among pesticide sprayers in Zangiabad, Iran

Orchard operations involve heavy use of pesticides to control pests and the potential for exposure of sprayers is high. When high pressure equipments for pesticide application are used, the potential for respiratory exposure is increased. The aim of this study was to assess the amitraz residue level in the individual breathing zone of the sprayers. Individual air samples of 70 amitraz sprayers have been collected using modified fitted with impinger acetonitrile as liquid sorbent. A sample size of 480 liters of air was collected in each case. The mean concentration of amitraz and its metabolite in the breathing area during the application were 11.51 and 1.35 ug/m3, respectively

Evaluation of the antifungal effects of various extracts of Amygdalus eburnea on some fungal pathogens

The present study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of Amygdalus eburnea Spach. (Rosaceae family) extracts against some fungi strains. Antifungal effects of A. eburnea were performed using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) methods on Aspergillus flavus (ATTCC 15546) and Candida albican (ATCC 10321). Both aqueous and menthanolic extract of A. eburnea at all concentration demonstrated fungistatic activity against the tested fungi from week to potent with the MIC ranging from 5.33 to 9.33 mg/mL and 7.3 to 13.33 mg/mL, respectively. To conclude, the obtained findings demonstrated that A. eburnean extracts were found to be more active against some pathogenic fungi strains and thus provided the evidence for its traditional use value and it is suitable substitute for treatment of fungi infections

The Frequency of Using Herbal Medicines Among Patients With Hypertension in Kerman, Iran, 2012-2013

Introduction. The use of medicinal plants has dramatically increased in recent years. Given the increasing rate of hypertension and medical plants usage by these patients and considering drug interactions due to concomitant use with drugs, the present study aims to evaluate the rate of medicinal plants usage in hypertensive patients. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study (descriptive–analytical) in which 650 hypertensive patients referring to the subspecialty clinic of Kerman were questioned about medicinal plants usage by a medicinal plants questionnaire. Among these patients, there were 612 who consented to participate. After the variables were described, the data were finally analyzed using Stata 12. Results. The average age of those using these drugs in the past year was 58.8 +10 years. Of the total number of participants using medicinal plants, there were 58 males (23.5%) and 122 females (33.4%). There were 129 participants (72.5%) using medicinal plants through self-administration, 17 participants (9.5%) on experienced users’ advice, 16 participants (9%) as administered by herbalists, and 11 participants (6%) as administered by doctors. However, the most important resources for using a drug that prevents hypertension were family and friends (74 participants; 41.5%) and doctors (13 participants; 7.3%). According to the results, there was no significant difference between the level of education and medicinal plants usage (P ¼ .95); however, there was a significant difference between gender and medicinal plants usage (P ¼ .009). Discussion. According to the results indicating the relatively high prevalence of medicinal plants usage and their arbitrary use by hypertensive patients without consulting a specialist, it seems necessary to plan for more effective and secure public education and train people to provide herbal drug services for various diseases with hypertension being the most common one