Investigation the Antioxidant and the Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Astragals. on In-vitro Indicator Microorganisms

Abstract: Extraction was performed by using maceration method for dried flower sample. Then, the antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts on eight bacterial sp. and two fungi were tested using disc diffusion method. The antioxidant effect was also determined through ferric reducing potency and phosphor molybdenum followed by total phenol determination.  Introduction: The Astragals. is high in certain antioxidants. The fruit is noted for its high level of vitamin C, and is used to make syrup, tea, and marmalade. It has been grown or encouraged in the wild for the production of vitamin C from its fruit (often as rose-hip syrup), especially during conditions of scarcity or during wartime. The species has also been introduced to other temperate latitudes. During World War II in the United States, Rosa canina was planted in victory gardens, and can still be found growing throughout the country, including roadsides and in wet, sandy areas along the coastlines. Methods and Results: Extraction was performed by using maceration method for dried flower sample. Then, the antimicrobial effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts on eight bacterial sp. and two fungi were tested using disc diffusion method. The antioxidant effect was also determined through ferric reducing potency and phosphomolybdenum followed by total phenol determination. Finally, partial detection of bioactive compounds was conducted using chemical and calorimetric methods. The results showed that ethanolic extract had the most antimicrobial effect; while aqueous extract weakly affected bacterial and fungal strains. Antioxidant experiments also revealed that ethanol extract had more antioxidant effects than aqueous extract. The most content of total phenolic compounds was found in ethanol extract. The results of the plant chemical determination showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, tannins, glycosides, and reducing sugars. Conclusions: Considering that few reports about the therapeutic effect of Astragals. has been published, this study could be considered as a valuable report about the important role of this plant on preventing infections and neutralizing oxidant agents

El impacto político de las creencias primitivas de la clase gobernante sasánida

Este artículo toma como punto de partida diferentes teorías sobre el pensamiento, en especial las que James George Frazer esbozó en La Rama Dorada. Por esta vía, se busca dar protagonismo a ciertos aspectos de la historia de la Persia sasánida que, al ser analizados a través de estas teorías, muestran el impacto que tuvieron las creencias primitivas. Eran unos credos que influyeron en muchos aspectos de su vida, pero en este estudio solo mostramos su papel en las órdenes o decisiones, victorias, fracasos y sueños de los sasánidas que influyeron, de manera sustancial, en su política interior y exteriorThis article uses various theories that exist about thought, especially the theories of James George Frazer in the Golden Branch as a turning point. In this way, it tries to give prominence to the certain aspects of the history of sassanid Persia, which after analyzing through these theories, they show the impact of primitive beliefs in Sassanid age. Creeds that affected in many aspects of their lives, but in this research we only show their role in the commands or decisions, victories, defeats and dreams of the Sassanids that substantially had influenced their domestic and foreign policies.Dieser Artikel baut auf verschiedenen Theorien des Denkens auf, insbesondere auf denjenigen die von James George Frazer in Der Goldene Zweig dargelegt wurden. Auf diese Art und Weise sollen bestimmte Aspekte der Geschichte des persischen Sassanidenreiches hervorgehoben werden, welche durch eine derartige Analyse die Auswirkungen primitiver Glaubensformen veranschaulichen. Diese Glaubensformen beeinflussten viele Bereiche des alltäglichen Lebens. In dieser Studie zeigen wir allerdings ausschließlich ihre Rolle in den Befehlen oder Entscheidungen, Siegen, Niederlagen und Träumen der Sassaniden auf, welche wiederum einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf deren Innen- und Außenpolitik hatten

Estimate Precipitation Changes in the East and West of the Zagros Main Thrust

AbstractIn relation to the effect of unevenness and precipitation, two issues have occupied the mind of researchers: First, the effect of altitude on increasing rainfall, and second, the effect of unevenness on the creation of deserts. The combination of these two effects has made it impossible to estimate a regression relationship between Zagros altitude and precipitation with a significant coefficient of explanation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the precipitation situation in the western (rain-facing) and eastern (rain-sheltered) slopes of the Zagros main thrust and to create wind-sheltered (rain-sheltered) areas. To investigate the effect of the Zagros Mountain Range in the creation of sheltered areas, the function and relationship of the factors of altitude and precipitation were investigated as effective parameters in the creation of different slopes of this mountain range. Maps of both precipitation and altitude were extracted for the Zagros Mountain Range. According to the results obtained from examining the relationship between the maps of precipitation and altitude, it can be said that the increase in precipitation in the windward slopes has significant coordination with the increase in altitude, but the increase in precipitation does not continue until the main thrust of Zagros. In most of the regions, the maximum rainfall occurred before the maximum height of Zagros (corresponding to the main Zagros Thrust). When passing through the Zagros thrust despite the significant height of the region, the amount of precipitation has significantly decreased. In the northern parts of Zagros, the biggest change of precipitation has happened in the wind shelter part, in the vicinity of the highest peak. Considering the high altitude in the sub-basins to the east of the Zagros Thrust, as well as their lower slope compared to the basins located in the west, they receive less rainfall due to their sheltered position. But since they have more receiving surface and because of the high altitude, they receive most of the precipitation in solid form. More penetration of water into the ground is possible during the stages of snow melting. In addition, this phenomenon has considerable ecological effects.Keywords: Zagros Main Thrust, Wind Sheltered Desert, Dry Areas, Rain Shadow. IntroductionIran is a vast mountainous land that covers most of the plateau with the same name (Mahmoudi, 1988). The southwestern mountainous unit of Iran is known as Zagros, which limits the Iranian plateau from the west, southwest, and part of the south. Zagros ranges in the form of regular and similar strands form the largest unevenness unit of Iran (Zomordian, 2006, p. 209).In the heterogeneous spatial distribution of atmospheric precipitation and the formation of deserts, geographical conditions and especially the altitude factor play an effective role. How unevenness affects the received precipitation in mountainous areas is not a simple matter. Because in the first place, the gradient of precipitation is not the same in all the mountains of the country, and even in a certain mountain, the gradient of precipitation is not the same on the wind-facing (windward) slopes and the wind-back (shelter) ones. Another issue is that in all mountains, precipitation does not increase with increasing altitude, and in areas where the amount of precipitation increases with increasing altitude, this direct relationship does not continue to the top of the mountains and does not increase more than a certain height with the increase in rainfall. Finally, in addition to the complexity of the relationship between precipitation and altitude, there is a lack of measurement in high altitudes. The effect of unevenness on the precipitation situation is a definite principle; however, it cannot be firmly expected that by passing the high peak, the precipitation will decrease to the extent of desert formation. But investigating changes in the amount of precipitation in mountainous areas is always the concern of researchers. This study aims to investigate the precipitation situation in the western (rain-facing) and eastern (rain-sheltered) slopes of the Zagros main thrust and to create wind-sheltered (rain-sheltered) areas. Materials and Methods The information sources of this research include 1:50000 topographic maps, 1:100000 geological maps, a digital height model of Iran, and library resources. To conduct this study, the height of Zagros was determined according to its reflected border in Google Earth and ArcGIS. Then, climatic, rain gauge, and hydrometer stations were identified within the area and at a distance of 40 km from the studied area, and the required data were extracted from the recorded information of those stations. In order to investigate and analyze the climatic situation of the region, relationships were estimated between precipitation and altitude in each basin, and based on them, the isohyet of the Zagros Mountains was drawn. In order to investigate the effect of the Zagros Mountain Range in the creation of sheltered areas, the function and relationship of the factors of altitude and precipitation were investigated as effective parameters in their creation in different slopes of the Zagros. Maps of both precipitation and altitude of the study area were extracted for the Zagros Mountain Range. According to the axis of numerous descents and ascents of the Zagros Mountains, those areas that receive little rainfall under their influence were determined and the situation of wind-sheltered areas is also analyzed. Research FindingsTo better understand the variability of precipitation in the studied area, the precipitation and height profiles were drawn perpendicular to the main Zagros thrust line, which connects the highest peak of the Zagros Mountain Range from the north to the south of the Zagros Mountain Range. By drawing precipitation and height profiles, the general state of changes in height and precipitation in the axis of the Zagros Thrust has been depicted. The increase in precipitation in the windward slopes is coordinated with the increase in altitude, and this increase does not necessarily continue to the main thrust of Zagros. After crossing the Zagros Thrust, even without a significant decrease in altitude, the amount of precipitation has decreased to the easternmost part of Zagros. Such a situation indicates that the main thrust of Zagros actually corresponds to the border of the rain shadow areas. The west of it is covered by its rainy core, which is caused by the slope facing the wind. Despite the higher altitude in the east, the rainfall decreases due to the rain shadow.Discussion of Results and ConclusionIn general, unevenness has a mechanical effect on the incoming air masses. According to the results obtained from examining the relationship between the maps of precipitation and altitude, it can be said that the increase in precipitation in the windward slopes has a significant relationship with the increase in altitude, but the increase in precipitation does not continue until the main thrust of Zagros. In most of the regions, the maximum rainfall occurred before the maximum height of Zagros (corresponding to the main Zagros Thrust). When passing through the Zagros thrust despite the significant height of the region, the amount of precipitation has a noticeable decrease. In the northern parts of Zagros, the biggest change of precipitation has happened in the wind shelter in the vicinity of the highest peak. Due to the high altitude in the sub-basins to the east of the Zagros Thrust, as well as their lower slope compared to the basins located in the west, they receive less rainfall due to their sheltered position. But because they have more receiving surface and due to their high altitude, they receive most of the precipitation in solid form

Bilateral Type 1 Idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia in a Female Patient: Multimodal Imaging of a Rare Presentation

We report a bilateral case of type 1 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (IMT) in a female patient. A 40-year-old otherwise healthy female with gradual vision loss since 2 years ago with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/400 in both eyes was referred. Her past medical history was negative for any systemic disease including diabetes and systemic hypertension. Color fundus photography showed bilateral loss of normal foveal reflex with macular edema. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated symmetric perifoveal telangiectasia mainly in the superior and nasal macula in both eyes with late staining and leakage. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed significant intraretinal fluid bilaterally and subretinal fluid in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) revealed obvious saccular parafoveal capillary telangiectasia and capillary dropout as well as decreased vascular density in both superficial and deep capillary plexus. Deep capillary plexus involvement in OCTA was more evident than superficial plexus. Based on the patient’s medical history and multimodal imaging, the diagnosis of bilateral IMT type 1 was made. The patient underwent 5 intravitreal monthly injection of bevacizumab in both eyes, which resulted in macular edema resolution. However, after 3 months of discontinuation of intravitreal bevacizumab, macular edema relapsed. In conclusion, type 1 IMT can occur bilaterally in an otherwise healthy female patient as a very rare presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the 4th case of bilateral type 1 IMT reported in a female

Efficiency of electrical coagulation process using aluminum electrodes for municipal wastewater treatment: a case study at Karaj wastewater treatment plant

Background: The reuse of treated municipal wastewater is an important source of water for different purposes. This study evaluated the efficiency of the electrocoagulation process in removing turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, and phosphate from wastewater at the treatment facility in Karaj, Iran. Methods: This experimental study was performed at a pilot scale and in a batch system. A 4-liter tank made from safety glass with 4 plate electrodes made from aluminum was unipolarly connected to a direct current power supply with a parallel arrangement. Wastewater samples were taken from the influent at the Karaj wastewater treatment facility. Rates of turbidity, TSS, COD, nitrate, and phosphate removal under different conditions were determined. Results: The highest efficiency of COD, TSS, nitrate, turbidity, and phosphate elimination was achieved at a voltage of 30 volts and a reaction time of 30 minutes. The rates were 88.43%, 87.39%, 100%, 80.52%, and 82.69%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, electrocoagulation is an appropriate method for use in removing nitrate, phosphate, COD, turbidity, and TSS from wastewater

Effects of Feeder Layers, Culture Media, Conditional Media, Growth Factors, and Passages Number on Stem Cell Optimization

Stem cells are undifferentiated and self-renewal cells which could be obtained from the body or artificially derived from an adult somatic cell by forced expression of specific genes. In recent years stem cells are widely used in laboratory for tissue engineering and therapeutic applications. There are different factors and conditions that affect the stem cell culture such as feeder layers, atmosphere, kind of medium, growth factors, passages number, and conditional media with animal or human sources. Optimization of stem cell culture for medical approaches and regenerative medicine is important. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of these factors and agents on optimization of stem cell culture has been discussed. This review study showed that optimization of feeder layer, atmosphere, and using supplemented media with essential growth factors could help in maintaining the stem cells in undifferentiated state in vitro. The present study indicated that optimization of stem cell culture depends on the kind of each cell type and using stem cells in low passage number could decrease chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damages. For inhibiting the stem cell contamination by feeder cell lines, culture of these cells on feeder free systems like Matrigel matrix in conditioned media supplemented with essential growth factors is useful. Also, for eradicating immune system responses and reducing the risk of animal pathogen transfer, culture of stem cells on human feeder in optimized media is suitable for therapeutic approaches and regenerative medicine

Differential regulatory effects of chemotherapeutic protocol on CCL3_CCL4_CCL5/CCR5 axes in acute myeloid leukemia patients with monocytic lineage

Aims AML (Acute myeloid leukemia) is characterized as a heterogeneous cancer. Chemokines play fundamental roles in the onset, progression cellular, migration, survival and improvement of AML therapy outcomes. The CCR5 receptors together with their ligands have indirect effects on the progression of cancer. In the present study, we have decided to investigate the impact of chemotherapy on the expression of CCR5 and its related ligands (CCL5, CCL4 and CCL3). Main methods In this study, peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens were collected prior and post the first stage of (7 + 3) chemotherapy from 25 AML-M4/M5 patients. The expression of CCR by Lymphocytes in peripheral blood was examined by flow cytometry and QRT-PCR. The serum levels of chemokines were measured by ELISA. Key findings There was not observed leukemic blast cells in peripheral blood smear at post first stage of chemotherapy. We found that the expression of CCR5 was attenuated in patients post the first stage of chemotherapy and the healthy control subjects. We have also observed that the serum levels of chemokines were elevated in AML patients prior to chemotherapy. Although in post-chemotherapy stage, only CCL3 was found to reach to the baseline level, CCL5 and CCL4 have not returned to the basal level and were significantly higher than healthy control subjects. Significance The current chemotherapy protocol was not able to completely inhibit CCL5 and CCL4. In conclusion, our findings in harmony with previous studies suggest that inhibition of chemokines along with chemotherapy in AML patients may aid therapy Keywords:Acute myeloid leukemiaChemotherapyChemokineCCL5CCL4CCL

Effect of CRP on Some of the in vitro Physicochemical Properties of LDL

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is the most important underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which recently has been classified as an inflammatory disorder. Accumulation of large amounts of oxidized LDL in the intima during local inflammation reaction led to increase several factors such as C -reactive protein (CRP). It has also been reported that CRP is able to bind with modified forms of LDL as well as oxidized LDL. These findings suggest possible positive or negative involvement of this protein in atherogenesis. The main objective of the present study was to assess the influence of CRP on LDL oxidation and the possible physical \changes of LDL in the presence of CRP in vitro. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: In this study, the susceptibility of purified LDL to oxidation was assayed by monitoring of formation of conjugated dienes in different physiological concentrations of CRP (0 - 0.5 -2&nbsp; &micro;g/ml) using a shimadzu spectrophotometer. Electrophoresis was used to determine the electrophoretic mobility of LDL in those conditions. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: CRP significantly reduced the susceptibility of Cu++ -induced LDL oxidation through increasing the lag timeand there was positive relationship between these findings and CRP concentration (P &lt; 0.05). CRP caused a significant reduction in the electrophotretic mobility of LDL compared to native LDL (n-LDL) (P&lt;0.05).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: A considerable reduction was shown in LDL oxidation, in higher concentration of CRP, via an unknown mechanism. The electrophoretic mobility of LDL, in the oxidative condition, decreases in the presence of CRP compared to n-LDL, which can be indicative of the effect of this protein on the physical and chemical properties of LDL. It seems that, other pathway than LDL oxidation is responsible for the effect of CRP on the atherogenesis processes. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Creactive protein, Low-density lipoprotein, Inflammation. &nbsp;</p

Synergistic Effects of Lauryl Gallate and Tamoxifen on Human Breast Cancer Cell

Background: Tamoxifen (TAM) is widely used for adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients. Tamoxifen therapy may lead to serious side effects. Anti-apoptotic substances in combination with chemotherapy drugs can result in additive or synergistic effects. Lauryl gallate (LG), a Gallic acid derivative, has been proven to inhibit tumor growth, without affecting normal cells. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of TAM and LG in breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Methods: In this experimental study, performed in ShahreKord University of Medical Science, Iran in 2017, the MCF-7 cells were treated by final concentrations of 10 mu M TAM alone, and in combination with 200 mu M of LG. We also used EX-527, as SIRT-1 inhibitor to examine the role of SIRT1 in cell apoptosis. BCL-2 and SIRT1 gene expression were measured by real-time PCR method, and cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry. Results: Tamoxifen alone and in combination with LG decreased BCL-2 expression 2.64 +/- 0.75 and 6.38 +/- 1.9 fold, respectively, after 48 h (P<0.05). SIRT1 expression was increased 1.67 +/- 0.22 and 2.47 +/- 0.34 - fold by TAM alone and in combination with LG, respectively (P<0.05). TAM alone and in combination with LG increased the percentage of apoptotic cells 15.79 +/- 2.81 and 60.67 +/- 6.23 percent, respectively after 48 h (P<0.001). Conclusion: The combination of LG and TAM is more effective for induction of apoptosis of breast cancer cells, compared to individual use of each. Thus, our data pave the way for new therapeutic options for suppressing breast cancer growth. Keywords:Breast cancer; Lauryl gallate; Gene expression; Apoptosis; Tamoxife

High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with the metabolic syndrome independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden

To investigate the influences of bacterial or viral pathogen burden in the relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the metabolic syndrome in a population-based study. METHODS: Data from 1754 men and women aged >or=25 years, from the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study were analyzed. The definition of the metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III was used. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus using ELISA. Measurement of CRP by a high-sensitivity CRP assay was done. RESULTS: The subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a higher geometric mean of CRP levels than the normal persons (p<0.0001). A linear relationship between an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components and CRP concentrations was observed (p for trend<0.0001). In multiple logistic regression models, hs-CRP showed significant associations with the metabolic syndrome after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and infectious burden divided into 2, 3 and 4 pathogens [OR=2.06, CI (1.32-3.21), p=0.001; OR=1.75, CI (1.26-2.42), p=0. 001; OR=2.12, CI (1.46-3.08), p<0.0001; respectively]