Phytotoxic potential and phenolic profile of extracts from Scrophularia striata

A large number of plants produce secondary metabolites known as allelochemicals that are capable of inhibiting the germination of competitive species. This process is known as allelopathy and is mediated by several classes of chemicals, among which phenolic compounds are the most frequent. Thus, plant allelochemicals can be used to control weeds in agricultural systems. In the present work, we analyzed the phenolic profile and phytotoxic potential of different extracts (pure water or water: ethanol 50:50) from Scrophularia striata plants that were collected from two ecological regions in Iran (Pahleh and Lizan). The total polyphenolic content (TPC), as evaluated by the Folin-Ciocolteau method, ranged from 28.3 mg/g in the aqueous extract obtained from the Lizan ecotype to 39.6 mg/g in the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the Pahleh ecotype. Moreover, HPLC analysis was aimed at determining the content of eight phenolic compounds, namely eugenol, rosmarinic acid, hesperetin, hesperedin, trans-ferulic acid, vanillin, and caffeic acid. According to the results, rosmarinic acid appeared to be the most abundant component. The phytotoxic activities of S. striata extracts were examined on the seed germination of a crop species, Lepidium sativum, and two weeds, Chenopodium album and Malva sylvestris. All extracts showed inhibitory effects on these species. The efficiency of these inhibitory effects depended on the type of plant species, origin, and concentration of extract. The highest phytotoxic activity was caused by approximately 1% concentration of extract. The most susceptible weed was M. sylvestris. The extracts that were obtained from the Pahleh ecotype, notably the hydroalcoholic ones, showed higher phytotoxicity against L. sativum, C. album and M. sylvestris. These results encourage further studies to support the use of S. striata as a source of bioherbicides

Explaining the Challenges of the Iranian Health System in Fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic: a qualitative study

Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic has become a global threat for the general public and health care workers and it has created major challenges for all healthcare sectors. The challenges created by this disease can vary in different countries depending on cultural, social, and economic factors. To explain the challenges of the Iranian health system in fighting the covid-19 pandemic from the managers’ and executive authorities’ viewpoints. Methods The present study is a basic-applied research performed using a qualitative approach. It has studied 30 managers of the hospitals and medical centers’ managers, and deputies of the Ministry of Health, and the universities of medical sciences which were selected by purposive and snowball sampling with the maximum variety in March-September 2020. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews and content analysis was used to explain the challenges of the Iranian health system in fighting the covid-19 pandemic (2020). Results Most of the interviewees (87%) had a Ph.D. degree (34%), and 40% of the participants were graduated in management and health economy and policymaking fields. Analysis and synthesis of the data collected from the interviews led to the creation of 19 sub-themes and 12 main themes classified into four general scopes including the organizational factors, resources, management factors, and other factors. Conclusion Identifying the mentioned challenges can provide useful information for the managers and policymakers to develop appropriate plans and take the necessary measures for resolving the challenges and using the available resources to provide the most effective services

A Testicular Leydig Cell Tumor; An Uncommon Cause of Precocious Puberty: A Case Report With Secondary Central Precocious Puberty

Sexual precocity in boys is defined as any sign of secondary sexual characteristics present before the age of 9. Leydig cell tumors of the testes are a rare cause of peripheral precocious puberty in boys. Here, we report 8 years and 4-month-old boys with signs of peripheral precocious puberty because of a testicular Leydig cell tumor that developed true precocious puberty after surgical removal. Examination of genitalia showed Tanner 4 hair growth. The penis length was 14.5 cm with a 2.5 cm width. The right testis was enlarged but the left testis was measured at 2cm in length and 1 cm in width. Laboratory results showed low serum gonadotropin levels and increased androgen levels. Testicular sonography reported one solid mass measured 31×28×15 millimeters. With a presumptive diagnosis of Leydig cell tumor, the patient underwent radical orchiectomy. Pathologic evaluation confirmed it. Two months after surgery, the diagnosis of central precocious puberty was confirmed according to physical examination and rising of serum gonadotropins. We started treatment with a Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. Leydig cell tumor in children is an uncommon cause of precocious puberty. In every boy with the sign of peripheral precocious puberty and asymmetrical testicular enlargement, the testicular tumor should be considered. It may induce central precocious puberty after surgical resection and this diagnosis should be considered in the patient’s follow-up in the next visits

CpG Immunotherapy in Chenopodium album sensitized mice: The comparison of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IgE responses in intranasal and subcutaneous administrations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mucosal-based immunotherapy has been already used as an alternative form of allergen delivery. In asthma, the poor success rate of immune modulation could be a consequence of inadequate immune modulation in the airways. Previously, we have found that subcutaneous (S.C) co-administration of a homemade allergenic extract from Chenopodium album (Ch.a) pollen and Guanine-Cytosine containing deoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) is effective to prevent the inflammatory responses in mouse. In this study we used CpG/Ch.a for immunotherapy of Ch.a-induced asthma and compared the intranasal (I.N) and S.C routes of administration concerning IFN-γ, IL-10 and total IgE responses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ch.a sensitized mice were treated intranasaly or subcutaneously using CpG and Ch.a. extract. IFN-γ, IL-10 and total IgE were measured in supernatant culture of splenocytes and bronchoalveolor lavage (BAL) fluids by ELISA. Student's t test was used in the analysis of the results obtained from the test and control mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that I.N administration of CpG/Ch.a in sensitized mice significantly increased the production of systemic and mucosal IFN-γ and IL-10 compared to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ch.a alone and control ODNs treated sensitized mice (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, S.C. route induced the systemic and mucosal IFN-γ in the lower levels than in I.N one, and failed to increase systemic IL-10 induction (P = 0.06). Total serum IgE in CpG/Ch.a treated mice in both routes showed significant decreases compared to three control groups (P ≤ 0.01). The amounts of IgE in BAL fluids were not measurable in all groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to the results of this experiment we concluded that immunotherapy via the I.N co-administration of CpG/Ch.a in comparison with S.C route is more effective to stimulate the mucosal and regulatory responses in Ch.a induced asthma.</p

A Comparison of Human Development in Psychology and Nahj al-Balaghah

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: From the viewpoint of psychologists, creation of human from birth to death has various stages, namely fetus, childhood, adolescence, youth, middle age, and old age. Apart from biological and cognitive features, these stages have particular social and emotional characteristics which transcend individuals. Imams (PBUT) have paid particular attention to educational recommendations for different ages due to their special characteristics. In this regard, the recommendations of Imam Ali (PBUH) considering ways of treating children, adolescents, and young people indicate his awareness of the difference in physical, cognitive and psychological characteristics and age-specific needs of individuals. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of examining the developmental stages of human in Nahj al-Balaghah from Imam Ali's viewpoints and that of psychology.Method: This study has adopted an analytical-library approach. After studying different books of psychology and Nahj al-Balaghah, the developmental stages of human, and its different characteristics were described. Books from the Islamic and religious sciences, especially those related to the words of Imam Ali in Nahj al-Balaghah as well as books related to the developmental psychology, and articles related to the religious field and psychology were used. During this research, all ethical issues were observed and authors reported no conflict of interests.Results: The findings of psychologists such as Piaget, Eriksson in different embryonic, childhood, adolescence, youth and old age periods are in line with the statements of Imam Ali in Nahj al-Balaghah. From his point of view, each of the stages of development has a special sensitivity that needs to be addressed.Conclusion: The developments in hereditary, social context, psychological and physical factors, and prenatal and postnatal stages were taken into account .In order for individuals to succeed in these stages of growth, beside proper nutrition and a rich environment, education and training tips are very influential. In addition to psychological approaches, in Nahj al-Balaghah issues such as parent-child relationships, making friends, marriage, and communication with the elderly have been pointed out.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Mousavi SE, Elahi T, Masjedi Arani A, Saleck Ebrahimi L, Jalilpour M, Shahsavari Z. A Comparison of Human Development in Psychology and Nahj al-Balaghah. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 4(5): 129- 140

Hydatidosis of the Pelvic Cavity: A Big Masquerade

We report and discuss a case of primary hydatidosis of the pelvic cavity in a woman who presented with severe weight loss and abdominal pain. This unusual presentation was initially considered as a tumor process until surgical exploration and microscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis. The gynecologists should be aware of possibility of primary hydatid cyst of the pelvic cavity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic pelvic masses, especially in areas where the disease is endemic

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations