A Double Blind Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Honey Drop in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Purpose. This trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical honey eye drops in patients with diagnosed VKC. Methods. This clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with diagnosed VKC. The patients were selected and randomly allocated between two groups of 30. Patients in two groups received honey eye drop (60% in artificial tear) or placebo, other than cromolyn and fluorometholone 1% eye drops, to be used topically in each eye, four times per day. The patients were examined with slit lamp and torch at baseline and the follow-up visits on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of the study for redness, limbal papillae, and intraocular pressure. Results. Out of 60 patients who completed the study, 19 patients (31.7%) were female. There was significant increase in eye pressure and reduction in redness as well as limbal papillae, following the consumption of the honey drop in honey group compared to placebo control group (P < 0.05). At the end of trial, one patient in honey group and 7 ones in placebo group had limbal papillae (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Topical honey eye drops, when used along with Cromolyn and Fluorometholone eye drops, might be beneficial for the treatment of VKC

Comparison of compassion-focused therapy and dialectical behavior therapy on state-trait anxiety and impulsivity of patients with coronary heart disease

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on state-trait anxiety symptoms and impulsiveness in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental research method, with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The study population in this study is cardiac patients of Tabriz Madani Hospital. The sample consisted of 60 patients with cardiovascular disease who were selected by voluntary and purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into three groups self-compassion (20 patients), DBT (20), and control group (20). Data were collected using the Bart impulsivity scale (Bart, 1994) and state-trait anxiety log (Spielberger et al., 1970) and analyzed by repeated measure analysis of variance using SPSS software (version 22). Results:&nbsp;&nbsp; The results showed that the mean of state-trait anxiety symptoms group (p&lt;0.01, F (df=2) =10.17, Eta= 0.26) and impulsivity (p&lt;0.01, F (df=2) =11.81, Eta= 0.28) in the DBT group at the end of post-test was lower than CFT and the control group. In other words, DBT had the highest effect on state-trait anxiety symptoms and impulsivity (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion:&nbsp; It can be concluded that DBT has a greater effect on state anxiety and impulsivity than CFT and both treatments can be used to improve psychological problems in patients with coronary heart disease

Effects of different extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on Trichomonas vaginalis parasite in culture medium.

BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis is considered one of the main causes of vulvovaginitis in women. Metronidazole with vast side effects is now the drug of choice for treatment of this infection. In an attempt to find an alternative drug, the effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on this parasite was shown in previous studies. In this investigation, the effect of different extracts of this plant on T. vaginalis in culture medium has been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five different extracts including total extract, diethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions were prepared. The extracts were dried using vacuum rotary evaporator and then they were used for in vitro anti-trichomonas experiments. RESULTS Crude extract of E. camaldulensis showed 80% growth inhibition (GI) in a concentration of 12.5 mg/ml during 24 h. Diethyl ether extract in a concentration of 25 mg/ml showed 100% GI during 24 h. With ethyl acetate extract, 100% GI was detected with the minimum concentration of 12.5 mg/ml in the first 24 h. Finally, water extract in a concentration of 50 mg/ml showed 80% and 100% GI after 48 and 72 h, respectively. CONCLUSION Ethyl acetate fraction is the extract which showed the highest percentage of GI (100%) with the least concentration (12.5 mg/ml) after 24 and 48 h