Hydrocarbons quality survey in the water, sediment and bivalve in the north-eastern of the Persian Gulf

Monthly samples of the bivalve Pinctada fucata were collected within one year (1995-96) in the north-eastern (Nakhiloo, Hendurabi and Lavan) of the Persian Gulf. The objective of this study was hydrocarbons quality survey. Thy above regions are natural habitant of pearl oyster (P.fucata). The primary sampling showed that pearl oyster stocks decreased in Lavan and Hendurabi regions, therefore the regions were selected as experimental stations. The oil hydrocarbons were measured in water (surface and depth), sediment and bivalves. The result indicated that in the north of Lavan, due to few currents of water hydrocarbons' concentration was more than north eastern part of Lavan, Hendurabi and Nakhiloo regions and in the, Nakhiloo region, in which hydrocarbons were less than studied stations, the bivalve size were larger

Ecotoxicological studies on Daphnia magna

In this study we used Daphnia magna as an index organism for ecotoxicological studies. In order to determine the filtration and ingestion rates in Daphnia magna, we used algea Chlorella volgaris (10 mg/1). Prior to the tests, the acute toxicity of the herbicides Machete and Saturn and the pesticides Diazinon and Malathion, in order to calculate their EC50, were determined. The concentrations which caused the same mortality rate in 24 hours as the EC50 concentrations of these chemical did, were 18.49 mg/1 for Machete, 4.46mg/1 for Saturn, 0.31 gr/1 for Diazinon and 1.5 grit for Malathion. In order to study the toxic effect of Machete, Saturn, Diazinon and Malathion on the filtration and ingestion rates, Daphnia magna was exposed to Ec50, 3/4 Ec50 ,1/2 Ec50 and 1/4 Ec50 concentrations. The rates were reduced after the organism had been exposed to these toxic chemicals for 5 hours. The effective concentrations at which feeding rate were reduced by 50%, compared to the controls, were for herbicides activity and pesticides action. These values in regard to filtration and ingestion rates were 2.8 and 3.3 mg/1 for Machete, 1.45 and 1.6 mg/1 for Saturn, 0.16 and 0.075 mg/1 for Diazinon and 0.6 and 0.7 mg/1 for Malathion respectively

Short-term Results of Using Injectable Bone Cement Technique in the Treatment of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract: Background & Aims: Treatment of osteoporotic distal radius fracture with metaphyseal defect is often complicated by secondary displacement, because of posterior cortex comminution. The aim of this study was to investigate functional outcomes and advantages of injection of bone cement in stabilizing and maintaining this fracture reduction. Methods: This prospective study was performed on 20 patients aged fifty years and older. After primary reduction and bone cement injection into metaphyseal void through minimal dorsal distal forearm incision, a short arm cast was applied for 3 weeks. Then the cast was removed and free use of the wrist was begun. Patients were assessed after 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months in regard to active wrist range of motion, pain score, grip strength, DASH score, modified Mayo wrist score and standard radiographic parameters. Results: The patients included 3 men and 17 women with the mean age of 67 years old. According to the AO classification, there were seventeen type-A3 and three type-C2 distal radius fractures. At final follow up, the active range of motion of the injured side relative to uninjured side averaged 91% of flexion, 93% of extension, 91% of radial deviation, 93% of ulnar deviation, 98% of pronation and 99% of supination. Mean DASH score was 4.4. Grip strength was 90% of the uninjured side. According to the modified Mayo wrist score, there were fourteen excellent and six good results. Mean final radiographic parameters were 10° of volar angle, 24° of radial inclination, 10 mm of radial length, 1 mm of ulnar variance, and 0.3 mm of intraarticular gap. Each of median nerve hyposthesia due to compression before reduction, loss of reduction, soft tissue cement deposit and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, occurred in one patient. None of the patients had further complications. Conclusion: According to the results, injection of bone cement in osteoporotic unstable distal radius fracture can be considered a safe and effective treatment method; it causes clinical functional improvement and rapid rehabilitation with little complications. Keywords: Radius fractures, Osteoporosis, Bone cement

Evaluation of effectiveness Benson’s relaxation method on anxiety level of patients undergoing heart surgery

اضطراب دارای سابقه ای به قدمت حیات انسان است. عمل جراحی، بخصوص جراحی قلب، نوعی تهدید سلامتی است. بیماران کاندید جراحی قلب مستعد نگرانی و اضطراب می باشند، لذا تامین سلامتی و کاهش اضطراب آنان امری واجب و ضروری است. پژوهش حاضر یک کارآزمایی بالینی است که بر روی 105 نفر (در دو گروه آزمون و شاهد) از بیماران کاندید جراحی قلب و به منظور بررسی تاثیر آرامسازی بر میزان اضطراب بیماران تحت عمل جراحی قلب بستری در بیمارستان قلب شهید رجایی تهران انجام گرفته است. ابزار گردآوری اطلاعات شامل پرسشنامه، اسفیگمومانومتر، استتوسکوپ و ترمومتر بود. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل اطلاعات از آمار توصیفی (فراوانی مطلق و نسبی) و آمار استنباطی (آزمون آماری X² و T-test) استفاده گردید. نتایج تحقیق نشان داد با بکارگیری آرامسازی، میزان اضطراب آشکار و پنهان واحدهای پژوهش در گروه آزمون کاهش معنی داری یافت درحالی که میزان اضطراب آشکار واحدهای پژوهش در گروه شاهد در روز قبل از عمل نسبت به بدو پذیرش افزایش قابل توجهی داشته است. همچنین با بکارگیری آرامسازی در گروه آزمایش مقادیر علایم حیاتی بیماران شامل فشار خون سیستولیک، فشار خون دیاستولیک، نبض، تعداد تنفس و درجه حرارت در روز قبل از عمل نسبت به بدو پذیرش به طور معنی داری کاهش یافت درحالی که در گروه شاهد این مقادیر شامل فشار خون سیستولیک، فشار خون دیاستولیک، نبض، تعداد تنفس و درجه حرارت در روز قبل از عمل نسبت به بدو پذیرش افزایش معنی داری داشته است. همچنین باتوجه به نتایج حاصل از این پژوهش با بکارگیری آرامسازی در گروه آزمون پس از عمل میزان داروی ضد درد کمتری مصرف شده است و تعداد بیمارانی که در این گروه از داروی ضد درد استفاده کرده اند، نسبت به گروه شاهد کمتر بوده است. با عنایت به نتایج حاصله، اهمیت نقش پرستاران در کاستن اضطراب در بیماران تحت عمل جراحی قلب با بکارگیری تدابیر مختلف مشخص می گردد

Epidemiological Aspects of Canine Dirofilariasis in the North of Iran

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is an important parasite in dog and other carnivores. Our objec­tive was study on incidence and periodicity of heartworm in north of Iran and using other meth­ods for its diagnosis in addition to Parasitology exam.Methods: This survey spanned two years, between 2006 and 2008. Blood samples were collected from 431 stray dogs distributed along north of Iran, the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. The Knott's modified test was used for diagnosis of D. immitis and other filariae. Meanwhile, the periodic­ity of microfilaria in peripheral blood circulation was calculated and the imaging diagno­sis techniques of four dogs that had positive results were done.Result: Diagnostic parasitology results indicated that 16.01% of stray dogs were microfilaremic. Two different microfilariae were diagnosed: D. immitis in 13.69%, Dipetalonema reconditum in 1.86% and in 0.46% both of them. There was no statistically significant between infection to fiariae with sex and age of dogs. Also study on the periodicity of the presence of microfilaria in peripheral circulation showed that the highest rate of those was at 1 am and the lowest rate at 12 pm. Radiographic study showed distinctive signs with varied degrees of severity included: Tortu­ous and enlargement of main and lobar pulmonary artery, pulmonary parenchymal lesions and Right side heart enlargement that confirmed in electrocardiography. Also in echocardiographic images observed short parallel-sided images with the appearance of equal signs that indicated the pres­ence of the heartworm.Conclusion: These results showed that to obtain a reliable diagnosis of heartworm infection, imag­ing tests could support parasitological exams

Determination of optimum levels of energy and protein on pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) diet at marketing stage

To investigate an economical diet for white pacific prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) rearing coastal zones of south Iran, 9 experimental diets were prepared considering three protein (37%, 37%, 40% CP) and three digestible energy (262, 312, 362 kcal. 100g^-1 DE) levels, using herbal protein source (soybean meal) as main protein source for the diets. 27 polyethylene round tanks (300 L volume) provided with aerated flow-through water system, stocked with …juvenile shrimps (9.16 ± 0.05 g mean weight) were applied to evaluate the growth performance of the shrimps and feed efficiency parameters of the diets for 8 weeks rearing period in an in-door experimental system. Results showed the diets were significantly different (P≤0.05)in the terms of growth performance and diet efficiency the shrimp, while the best obtaining observed in diet 1 (34% CP and 262 kcal. 100g^-1 DE). Average of weight gain was ranged from 4.58 ± 0.52 g in Diet 9 up to 6.88 ± 0.81 g in diet one, SGR was from 0.73 ± 0.06 in diet 9 to 1.00 ± 0.09 in diet one, survival was from 75.00 ± 7.07 % in diet 9 to 95.00 ± 5.00 % in diet one and FCR was from 5.02 ± 0.94 in diet one to 8.24 ± 1.59 in diet 9. Diets did not effectively influenced the body composition of the shrimp (P>0.05). According to the results of the present study, 34% Cp and 262 kcal. 100g^-1 DE could be suggested as suitable levels to be considered in the diet of the white pacific prawn in the grow-out stage

A pilot study to evaluate the effect of Taeumjowi-tang on obesity in Korean adults: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity, which is described as excessive or abnormal body fat, increases the risk of diet-related diseases. In Korea and around the world, the prevalence of obesity has grown annually from 1998 to 2008. This growth has continued despite various therapeutic efforts. The discovery of new and alternative treatments for obesity should be considered an important priority. Taeumjowi-tang (TJ001), a traditional Korean medicinal extract consisting of eight herbs, is a widely used herbal remedy for obesity in Korea. However, the efficacy and safety of TJ001 have not been fully investigated in a clinical trial. The purpose of this pilot study is to estimate obesity-related parameters and to assess the efficacy and safety of TJ001.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Our study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial of Taeumjowi-tang (TJ001). For this study, we will recruit obese Korean patients of both sexes, ages 18 to 65 years, from four university hospitals. A total of 104 subjects will be recruited. The participants will receive either 7 g of TJ001 or a placebo three times daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point will be the rate of subjects who lose at least 5% of their baseline body weight. The secondary end points will be changes in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip circumference ratio, lipid profiles, body fat composition, blood pressure, fasting glucose concentration, C-reactive protein and questionnaires related to the quality of life. The outcomes will be measured every 4 weeks. The study period will be 12 weeks and will include a total of five visits with each subject (at screening and at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of our study will inform various estimates of TJ001 and will serve as the basis for a larger-scale trial. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of TJ001 as an alternative herbal remedy for obesity.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN87153759">ISRCTN87153759</a></p

Cinnamomum cassia Bark in Two Herbal Formulas Increases Life Span in Caenorhabditis elegans via Insulin Signaling and Stress Response Pathways

Background: Proving the efficacy and corresponding mode of action of herbal supplements is a difficult challenge for evidence-based herbal therapy. A major hurdle is the complexity of herbal preparations, many of which combine multiple herbs, particularly when the combination is assumed to be vitally important to the effectiveness of the herbal therapy. This issue may be addressed through the use of contemporary methodology and validated animal models. Methods and Principal Findings: In this study, two commonly used traditional herbal formulas, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (SQDB) and Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXL) were evaluated using a survival assay and oxidative stress biomarkers in a well-established C. elegans model of aging. HLXL is an eleven herb formula modified from a top-selling traditional herbal formula for the treatment of arthritic joint pain. SQDB consists of ten herbs often used for fatigue and energy, particularly in the aged. We demonstrate here that SQDB significantly extend life span in a C. elegans model of aging. Among all individual herbs tested, two herbs Cinnamomum cassia bark (Chinese pharmaceutical name: Cinnamomi Cortex, CIN) and Panax ginseng root (Chinese pharmaceutical name: Ginseng Radix, GS) significantly extended life span in C. elegans. CIN in both SQDB and HLXL formula extended life span via modulation of multiple longevity assurance genes, including genes involved in insulin signaling and stress response pathways. All the life-span-extending herbs (SQDB, CIN and GS) also attenuated levels of H2O2 and enhanced small heat shock protein expression. Furthermore, the life spanextending herbs significantly delayed human amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced toxicity in transgenic C. elegans expressing human Aβ. Conclusion/Significance:These results validate an invertebrate model for rapid, systematic evaluation of commonly used Chinese herbal formulations and may provide insight for designing future evidence-based herbal therapy(s). Copyright: © 2010 Yu et al.published_or_final_versio