Overview of the antibacterial properties of essential oils and extracts of medicinal plants in Iran

Background and aims: With increased resistance resulting from overusing of chemical-synthetic antibiotics, finding alternative medicines that have antibacterial properties and they have the least side effects on human health appears to be necessary. Many studies have been taken into consideration medicinal plants with antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to have an overview of the antibacterial properties of medicinal plants. Methods: In this study, by searching key words as: herbs (Medicinal Plants), anti-bacterial properties of medicinal plants in Iran , antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants in Iran, in scientific articles published in databases as: Iranmedx, Magiran, Google scholar, Ebsco, Pubmed, Science direct, and SID, the required data were obtained. Results: Many herbs, including Zataria multifora, Urtica dioical, Crocus sativus L., Artemisia Absinthium, Menta piperita, Eucalyptus globules L., Borago officinalis L., Scrophularia desrti, Cuminum cyminum L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Allium hirtifolium, Castaneifolia- sativa, Allium sativum, Pycnocycla spinose, Juglans Regia, Salvia officinalis L. have strong antibacterial properties against a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: In addition to the various medicinal plants with antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenic bacteria resistance, antimicrobial properties of these studied medicinal plants could be used as a natural preservative in a variety of foods from these herbs. Thyme and garlic have antibacterial effects on an extensive range of positive and negative gram bacteria through them

Systematic review of violence against women

Aim: Violence against women (VAW) all over the world threatens their physical, mental, and social status. This study attempts to systematically review VAW. Methods: First, a search strategy was designed based on keywords and Mesh system. Then, different search engines such as ScienceDirect, Pubmed, World Health Organization, Google Scholar, Iranmedex, Magiran, and SID were used to carry out an extensive search. Quality assessments were done on the results of the search and finally, articles in different groups were classified based on the analyzed subjects and result contents. Findings: After the quality of articles was analyzed, 270 articles were selected which were within the research framework. Of these articles, 125 articles were in English and 140 articles were in Persian. The articles were categorized into four groups. All these articles examined the issue of VAW. 172 articles were about VAW and its effect on health, 26 articles were in areas of VAW and juridical and legal aspects, 36 articles were about VAW and its cultural aspects and 31 articles were related to VAW and its economic repercussions. Conclusion: VAW was observed in all countries and nearly in all social, economic, racial, geographical classes and among all age groups. Although this issue has been examined in its different aspects and by different organizations, it is continuously occurring all over the world. The results of this study showed that these articles did not offer any appropriate strategy to deal with this predicament. Thus, national and international research about the present issue and interventional and practical studies are still required

Effects of cross-linking modification with phosphoryl chloride (POCl3) on pysiochemical properties of barley starch

Chemical methods are one of the comon method in starch modification. This study aimed at investigating of cross-link affection of phosphoryl chloride with two different levels 0.5 and 1g.kg-1 in order to enhance funciotnal proeprties and physiochemical changes on extracted starch from barley variety Bahman which cultivates in Chahr-Mahal Bakhtiari Province of Iran. Obtained results indicated that cross-linking leads to reduce sweeling power of strach granuls compred to natural starch and the amount of reduciton increase via the substitituin level. Powerfull cross-linkingnetween starch chains casue more resistance of granules to seweeling which is increased by means of cross-linking dgree. Additioally,  investigationresults from synersis revealed that releasing water percentage in cross-linked starches increase in comparison to natural starches and this amount depends onthe amount of cross-link surface with a significantly difference in (α <0.05). Gelatinization temperature in both levels negligibly increased by modification where in low level of cross-linking was more. Furthermoe evaluating gelation temperatures of both natural and cross-linked modified starches showed that addition of phosphate groups in starch and creating extra coovalent bonds make granues more compressed reulting in slight increase of To, Tp, Tcin barley starch. Icreasing of temperature observed more in less concentration of cross-links. Evaluation of viscosity changes also revealed that this modification depending on increasing the amount of Phosphoryl Chloride led to increasing peak temperature, diminish peak and setback viscosity. Result also exhibited that in morphological level, cross-link causes to incidence changes in particles' diameter size. The comparison of diameter average and frequency between natural starch and cross-links starch exhibited that in cross-linkd treatment with 0.5% phosphoryl chloride, increase in frequency of granules with diameter of 6 - 10µm and >20 µm obersced. While frequency of granules with diamater size of 2 - 6 µm and 10 - 20 µm has been reduced to 0 which create bigger granules

Decomposing socioeconomic inequality in poor mental health among Iranian adult population: results from the PERSIAN cohort study

Background Socioeconomic inequality in mental health in Iran is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess socioeconomic inequality in poor mental health among Iranian adults. Methods The study used the baseline data of PERSIAN cohort study including 131,813 participants from 17 geographically distinct areas of Iran. The Erreygers Concentration index (E) was used to quantify the socioeconomic inequalities in poor mental health. Moreover, we decomposed the E to identify factors contributing to the observed socioeconomic inequality in poor mental health in Iran. Results The estimated E for poor mental health was - 0.012 (95% CI: - 0.0144, - 0.0089), indicating slightly higher concentration of mental health problem among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults in Iran. Socioeconomic inequality in poor mental health was mainly explained by gender (19.93%) and age (12.70%). Region, SES itself, and physical activity were other important factors that contributed to the concentration of poor mental health among adults with low socioeconomic status. Conclusion There exists nearly equitable distribution in poor mental health among Iranian adults, but with important variations by gender, SES, and geography. These results suggested that interventional programs in Iran should focus on should focus more on socioeconomically disadvantaged people as a whole, with particular attention to the needs of women and those living in more socially disadvantaged regions. Keywords:Mental health; Socioeconomic inequality; Concentration index; Decompositio

Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders in a National Survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services

Study of Lower Hybrid Current Drive for the Demonstration Reactor

AbstractSteady-state operation of a fusion power plant requires external current drive to minimize the power requirements, and a high fraction of bootstrap current is required. One of the external sources for current drive is lower hybrid current drive, which has been widely applied in many tokamaks. Here, using lower hybrid simulation code, we calculate electron distribution function, electron currents and phase velocity changes for two options of demonstration reactor at the launched lower hybrid wave frequency 5 GHz. Two plasma scenarios pertaining to two different demonstration reactor options, known as pulsed (Option 1) and steady-state (Option 2) models, have been analyzed. We perceive that electron currents have major peaks near the edge of plasma for both options but with higher efficiency for Option 1, although we have access to wider, more peripheral regions for Option 2. Regarding the electron distribution function, major perturbations are at positive velocities for both options for flux surface 16 and at negative velocities for both options for flux surface 64

The relationship between pain score and change in physiological indices of premature neonates under ventilation

Background & Aim: Tracheal suctioning is one of the ways to clean and open the airway in infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit that can be with many negative consequences such as pain, decrease in arterial oxygen saturation, pneumonia, heart rhythm disorder, change In the rhythm and number of respiration and sepsis. Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study with IR.UMSHA.REC.1395.424 ethical code, was performed on 120 preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit of Besat and Fatemieh Hospitals of Hamedan. Firstly, before suctioning the patient, the heart rate index of the newborn that needed to be suctioned was registered by the researcher in three shifts based on the findings of the direct monitoring of the infant. The heart rate index was re-recorded during suction. Data were analyzed using descriptive and regression tests. Results: Infants with a catheter of 6 to 9 french were suctioned at 80 to 85 suction pressure. In 26% of cases, the suctioning standards for the duration of suction, standard pressure and proper size of the catheter were not observed. There was a significant difference between the change in heart rate index and pain score (P=0.001). Conclusion: Failure to observe suction standards in premature infants can lead to changes in heart rate index and increase their basic needs, which can impair the recovery process of preterm infants

Comparison of achievement of clinical skills in seventh and eighth semester nursing students in Hamadan, West of Iran

Background: Identifying the status of clinical education helps to improve the achievement of educational goals. This study aimed to compare the achievement of clinical skills in the final year nursing students. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 157 nursing students in the seventh and eighth semesters were selected through a census method, who were compared with each other. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire that included 111 clinical skills in 7 dimensions of primary nursing care, vital signs control, oxygenation and airway management, medication administration, laboratory samples collection, infection control, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. Students scored each skill on a scale ranging from 0 to 5. The acceptable skills level in this study was the third level, which observes skills performed by the instructor or the nurse. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression. Results: In the seventh semester students, except for the vital signs skills, other skills were at lower than expected levels. In the eighth semester students, except for the laboratory samples collection and infection control skills which were at a lower than expected level, other skills were reported at expected levels. Multiple linear regression showed that the eight semester students had more total score than the seventh semester students (t = 3.19, p = 0.002). Conclusions: The provision of sufficient opportunity to develop clinical skills in the eight semester was observed in this study; therefore, it is recommended that the internship course be increased in the dimensions in which students can independently perform clinical skills

CDK9 Regulates Apoptosis of Myoblast Cells by Modulation of microRNA-1 Expression

Cdk9 is the catalytic core of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and regulates transcriptional elongation factors by phosphorylation of RNA pol II. Apart from its role on myogenic gene expression, Cdk9 regulation of muscle-specific microRNAs in the early stage of cardiomyogenesis is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Cdk9 not only regulates myogenic transcription factors, but also controls muscle-specific microRNAs. During cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, high Cdk9 expression preceded up-regulation of miR-1. To investigate potential regulatory roles of Cdk9 on cardiac microRNAs and myogenesis genes, we overexpressed Cdk9 in myoblast C2C12 cells, which resulted in significant induction of miR-1 and miR-206, while miR-133 was downregulated. Moreover, expression levels of MyoD and Srf, key regulators of myogenesis, also increased in cells with overexpression of Cdk9. We further observed Cdk9-mediated apoptosis in C2C12 cells corresponding to induction of miR-1 expression levels. Thus, Cdk9 plays a complex role in myocyte progenitor differentiation and apoptosis by regulating myogenic protein and muscle-specific microRNA expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 547–554, 2018