Chemical composition, antibacterial and antifungal activity of three ecotypes of Thymus fallax Fisch. volatile oils

Background and Aims: Thymus fallax Fisch. is an aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, used for medicinal and spice purposes almost everywhere in the world. In this investigation volatile oils from three ecotypes of T. fallax have isolated using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Methods: The quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed by gas chromatography/Mass spectroscopy (GC and GC/Mass). Antibacterial activity of compounds was assayed using the disc diffusion method against G- and G+ bacteria and some fungi pathogenesis. Results: Final results shows that Thymol & carvacrol constitute of the main elements present in the essential oil of T. fallax. In Lamiaceae plants, thymol is always accompanied by its isomer carvacrol. Both compounds are biologically active and have potent antibacterial (gram+ and gram-) and anti fungal activity. The essential oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Recognized compounds of Thymus fallax Fisch. volatile oils are biologically active and have potent antibacterial (gram+ and gram-) and anti fungal activity. This study also affirmed three ecotypes volatiale oil had significant effects against G- and G+ bacteria and some fungi pathogenesis

Developing a Questionnaire for Iranian Women's Attitude on Medical Ethics in Vaginal Childbirth

Background: Vaginal delivery is one of the challenging issues in medical ethics. It is important to use an appropriate instrument to assess medical ethics attitudes in normal delivery, but the lack of tool for this purpose is clear. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for the assessment of women’s attitude on medical ethics application in normal vaginal delivery. Patients and Methods: This methodological study was carried out in Iran in 2013 - 2014. Medical ethics attitude in vaginal delivery questionnaire (MEAVDQ) was developed using the findings of a qualitative data obtained from a grounded theory research conducted on 20 women who had vaginal childbirth, in the first phase. Then, the validation criteria of this tool were tested by content and face validity in the second phase. Exploratory factor analysis was used for construct validity and reliability was also tested by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in the third phase of this study. SPSS version 13 was used in this study. The sample size for construct validity was 250 females who had normal vaginal childbirth. Results: In the first phase of this study (tool development), by the use of four obtained categories and nine subcategories from grounded theory and literature review, three parts (98-items) of this tool were obtained (A, B and J). Part A explained the first principle of medical ethics, part B pointed to the second and third principles of medical ethics, and part J explained the fourth principle of medical ethics. After evaluating and confirming its face and content validity, 75 items remained in the questionnaire. In construct validity, by the employment of exploratory factor analysis, in parts A, B and J, 3, 7 and 3 factors were formed, respectively; and 62.8%, 64% and 51% of the total variances were explained by the obtained factors in parts A, B and J, respectively. The names of these factors in the three parts were achieved by consideration of the loading factor and medical ethics principles. The subscales of MEAVDQ showed significant reliability. In parts A, B and J, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.76, 0.72 and 0.68, respectively and for the total questionnaire, it was 0.72. The results of the test–retest were satisfactory for all the items (ICC = 0.60 - 0.95). Conclusions: The present study showed that the 59-item MEAVDQ was a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of women’s attitudes toward medical ethics application in vaginal childbirth. This tool might assist specialists in making a judgment and plan appropriate for women in vaginal delivery management

Long-term changes of prostacyclin secretion in radiation-induced myelopathy

Background: We have previously reported the short-term changes in prostacyclin profile after irradiation of rat cervical cord. Aim: Present research investigated the long-term changes of prostacyclin content. Materials/Methods: Wistar rats in groups of five were irradiated with doses of 2, 4, 6, 15, 25, 30Gy and a single group of 25 with 35Gy X-rays. After 26 and 39 weeks, prostacyclin content was quantified by 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1α (prostacyclin stabilized metabolite) . Specimens were stained routinely for histological studies. Results: The 50 latent period and effective dose were 14.86±1.16 weeks and 25.66±0.54Gy (p<0.0001), respectively. Average ratios of 6-keto-PG-F1α for doses of 2-30Gy were between 78.33-12.93 and 79.48-99.96 for 26 and 39 weeks, respectively. Prostacyclin level after 35Gy shows approximately a 7:1 ratio in comparison to the control group (p<0.002). Histopathological changes in glial and vascular tissues were diagnosed and scored. Prostacyclin bimodal profile was observed. Conclusions: Radiation can cause complex fluctuations of prostacyclin in association with marked histopathological changes

Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on auditory brainstem response threshold shift in rabbits exposed to noise and carbon monoxide

Problem statement: Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is one of the most important occupational disease in worldwide. NIHL has been found to be potentiated by simultaneous Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Exposure to noise plus CO is common in occupational and environmental settings. Free radicals have been implicated in cochlear damage resulting from exposure to noise and due to CO hypoxia This study examined whether N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) administration cause attenuation of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) threshold shifts resulting from noise exposure and noise plus CO exposure. Approach: Forty-two rabbits were divided into seven groups including control, noise+ saline, noise+ CO +saline, noise+ NAC, noise+ CO+ NAC, CO+ NAC and NAC alone. ABR was assessed before exposure, 1 hour and 14 days post exposure. Results: The administration of 325 mg kg-1 of NAC prior, following and post exposure to noise or noise plus CO recovered permanent ABR threshold shift at 1 and 2 kHz almost to the baseline and provided significant attenuation in permanent ABR threshold shift at 4 and 8 kHz in subjects which were exposed to noise but it did not block the potentiating of threshold elevation by CO exposure (extra threshold loss by combined exposure) at 4 and 8 kHz. Conclusion: NAC provides protective effect against hearing loss resulting from noise exposure and simultaneous exposure to noise plus CO. © 2010 Science Publications