a. r. khosravi

The present study investigated the potential anti-Omycetes activity of the ethanolic extract of Iranian propolis on two Saprolegnia parasitica isolates (KMG2 and KMG3) obtained from infected rainbow trout eggs in Iran. The initial minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of propolis extract was determined by the hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed MicroPlate (HeMP) method. Then, the effect of propolis extract on hyphal radial growth and cyst germination was assessed by an agar dilution method and 48-well tissue culture plates, respectively. Also, the impact of propolis on the sporulation activity of Saprolegnia sporangia was evaluated by using Saprolegnia-colonized hemp seed in sterile distilled water (SDW). The HeMP method showed that propolis had some anti-oomycete activity on S. parasitica with a MIC value of 1000 ppm. According to the agar dilution method, complete inhibition of hyphal growth was achieved at 250 ppm for KMG2 and 500 ppm for KMG3. Cyst germination and sporulation activity were ultimately arrested at 200 and 800 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, the propolis extract can be explored as an anti-oomycete substance for treating saprolegniasis in aquaculture. However, an in vivo study is required to assess the safety and efficacy of propolis before application in aquatic animal medicine.

The licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms. In the present study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of licoricerhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied.
Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and colon tissues were removed and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of L-NAME (10-4M), acetylcholine (4×10-5M) and Atropine (10-5M) drugs in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract were recorded (0.036mg/ml). Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70).
A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated colon occurred after administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Also, a significant decrease was seen in mechanical activity occurredin the co-administration of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. The mechanical activity of tissue was not significantly changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups. The mechanical activity of ileum tissue was not significantly changed in the co-administration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups.
We can conclude that hydro-alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity may be occurred independently in the nitrergic and cholinergic systems.

The patterns of geographic distribution of C3 and C4 species of the family Chenopodiaceae have been analyzed in Iran, using a database of 11151 georeferenced records. The members of Chenopodiaceae family with 45 genera and 204 species are widely distributed in Iran. There they show a ratio of about 2:1 between C4 and C3species. All available data were organized in MS access database, and analyzed in point-to-grid analysis tool of DIVA-GIS software, using 10 × 10 km grid cells and the circular neighborhood option. The highest species numbers, with a peak at 83 per grid unit, occur in Tehran, Semnan, and East Azerbaijan provinces but the density of records is extremely uneven. Consequently, the same areas also are the hot spots of both C4 and C3 species. The comparison between the distribution patterns of carbon isotope composition (δ13C) values of species and the annual precipitation gradient map represents that C4 Chenopods are well adapted to regions with high degree of aridity and low precipitation.

The geographical distribution of the genus Cousinia in Iran has been analyzed using a dataset of 3095 georeferenced observations. The 241 species of the genus are distributed throughout Iran. However, about third of the observations are made from provinces like, Khorasan Razavi, Tehran, and Fars. The genus has 135 rare species and 197 endemic species. The maximum distance between two observations of the same species, (MaxD) is 1863 kilometers. Razavi Khorasan, Lorestan, Esfahan, North Khorasan and Tehran have the highest number of rare species. Species richness was mapped with the point-to-grid richness analysis tool DIVA-GIS, using a 10×10 kilometer grid cell and the circular neighborhood option with a 50 km radius. High species richness occurs in large area in North of Semnan province, Dena Mountains, Central Alborz, Lorestan province, NW Iran and also in Kopet Dagh Mountain in Khorasan where the hotspots for endemic species are located. Forty five 0.5o×0.5o grid cells are needed to capture all species at once, which have the most conservative importance for this group of plants

Oral candidiasis، caused by Candida albicans، is one of the most common infections in immunocompromised patients، especially in HIV+ individuals. The aims of this study were to evaluate the susceptibility of C. albicans isolates to azole drugs and Trachyspermum ammi essential oil. Oral swabs were cultured from 70 HIV+ patients and In order to identify and confirm of C. albicans isolates، Chrom agar، Corn meal agar، germ tube production، carbohydrate assimilation، growth at 45˚C and PCR were performed. Sensivity to fluconazol، ketoconazole and clotrimazol were assessed by disc diffusion and also the effect of T. ammi essential oil was determined by disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods. The causative agent، in 50 patients with oral candidiasis، was C. albicans (71. 4%). In sensivity determination survey to antifungal drugs، the resistance of isolates to fluconazole، ketoconazole and clotrimazole were determined 32%، 28% and 14%، respectively. In disc diffusion، all isolates have an acceptable sensivity at 10 - 20 μL of the oil and 30 μL inhibit the growth completely in plate. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrsation (MIC) by microdilution broth method was 500ppm and 750ppm in 72% and 28% of isolates، respectively، and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) in 70% of isolates were 750ppm and for the rest of the isolates (30%) were 1000ppm. We conclude that use of this native plant، as an antifungal compound، could act as a treatment of the patients with mucosal candidiasis، beside of other drugs in to the future.

The geographic distribution of the Fabaceae (except the genus Astragalus L.) has been analyzed to have insights about the distribution pattern of this family as an approach for a better conservation policymaking. In doing so, we used a dataset of 10498 geo-referenced observations from Iran. Species richness, endemic species, weighted endemism and corrected weighted endemism were mapped in 1° x 1° latitude/longitude grids using ArcView and DIVA-GIS software. Iran was divided into 196 grid cells and of these, 173 grid cells had at least one record each. The highest endemic species values were observed in a grid cell located in Tehran province, which also possessed high species richness and even the highest weighted endemism values. But high values for corrected weighted endemism were obtained from grid cells located in the North East of Iran (mostly from Razavi Khorasan province). Species with very small documented distribution area (one grid cell only) were distributed in North and North West (West and East Azerbaijan provinces) of Iran and along the Zagros mountain range. In this study, seven regions with conservation importance were identified which can be compared with the present protected areas.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and unhealthy lifestyle. A combination of these risk factors has been shown to predict type 2 diabetes and CVD. To examine the association between socioeconomic determinants and smoking behavior in a population-based sample of Iranians with MetS.Patients and This cross-sectional survey comprised 12,600 randomly selected men and women aged ≥ 19 years living in 3 counties in the central part of Iran. These subjects had participated in the baseline survey of a community-based program for CVD prevention, entitled “Isfahan Healthy Heart Program,” conducted in 2000–2001. Subjects with MetS were selected on the basis of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP–ATPIII) criteria. Data for demographic factors, medical history, medication use, and lifestyle behaviors were obtained using questionnaires, and physical examination and fasting blood sampling were performed to measure blood pressure, obesity indices, and serum lipid levels. Smokers were defined as persons smoking at least 1 cigarette per day at the time of the study. Five social determinants were used: education, income, marital status, place of residency, and car ownership. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between socioeconomic determinants and smoking habits and other health-related behaviors. The mean age of subjects with MetS was significantly higher than that of subjects without MetS. In both MetS and non-MetS groups, the mean ages of smokers were higher than those of non-smokers. However, smokers in both groups showed lower waist circumference (WC) and waist–hip ratio (WHR). Our data showed that marital status, age category, and residency were not significantly different in smokers and non-smokers with MetS. Smoking was more common (12.4 %) in the group with intermediate educational level (6–12 years of education), the same as the high percentage of smokers (12.3 %) in the middle economic group by the income category (Quartile 1–3). MetS is significantly related to age, sex, and education. On the basis of the results of logistic regression analysis, middle-aged and elderly smokers were at approximately 4–5 times higher risk of developing MetS than nonsmokers. Low levels of education decreased the risk of MetS by 0.48; similarly, in non-smokers, 6–12 years of education decreased the risk of MetS by 0.72 (ranging between 0.63-0.82). This study showed that the 3 dimensions of socioeconomic status, i.e., education, occupation, and income, were associated with MetS in smokers. It is assumed that. Awareness of the effect of smoking on health is increased with a higher level of education.more educated people also have better practice, control and treatment related to their wealth. Therefore, we recommend prevention efforts against smoking in the lower social strata of the Iranian population.

In this work, a Nonlinear Optical Dye containing silica hybrid network was prepared via the sol-gel method, by copolymerization 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and 2-hydroxylethylmethacrylate (HEMA). Disperse Red 1 was introduced as the dye. The samples were characterized by DMTA (Dynamic Mechanical Thermo-Analysis) in order to have detailed information on the synthesized silicone-based nanocomposites. The investigations confirmed the development of reactions and revealed the appropriate mechanical and thermal properties. The dye-containing samples represented a better behavior compared with the blank one. The mechanical integrity was still maintained in the range of 250-300°C. In addition, the synthesized hybrid material showed an almost broad region for its glass transition temperature (with an averaged midpoint of ~130°C), which is an advantage for having smaller stiffness changes in hybrid nanocomposites.

The geographic distribution of the family Fabaceae (except the genus Astragalus) in Iran has been analyzed using a dataset of 10408 georeferenced observations. The 429 species of the family is distributed in whole Iran; however, about half of the observations are from provinces like, Fars, Hormozgan, Tehran, Bushehr and Mazandaran. The family has 173 rare species and 117 endemic species. The highest record for the maximum distance between two observations of one species (MaxD) is 2140 kilometer. East-Azerbaijan, Khorasan Razavi, Fars, Lorestan and West-Azerbaijan have the highest number of rare species. Species richness was mapped with the point-to-grid richness analysis tool DIVA-GIS, using a 10×10 kilometer grid cell and the circular neighborhood option with a 50 km radius. High species richness occurs in Fars, Gilan and Lorestan; also in Central Alborz where the hotspot for endemic species is located. Forty four 10×10 kilometer grid cells are needed to capture all species at once. But ninety percent of the species can be captured in only twenty grid cells, which have the most conservative importance for this group of plants.

Aflatoxins cause health hazards to human and animals and has also economical problems. Therefore, the de toxification effect of citric acid was investigated in rice as the main food of Iranian people. Initially 275 samples of rice were examined for aflatoxins by HPLC. The aflatoxins contaminated samples were later treated by aqueous citric acid and detoxification of aflatoxins were quantified using HPLC. Among the 275 samples analyzed, aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin B2 were detected in 211(76.72% of total) samples. Afla toxin B1 was detected in 203(73.82% of total) samples with a mean and standard deviation of 2.3±10.21ppb. Aflatoxin B2 together with aflatoxin B1 were detected in only 8(2.91% of total) samples with a mean and standard deviation of 1.38±2.7ppb of aflatoxin B2 and 2.99±1.56 of aflatoxin B1 respectively. Aflatoxin B1 level in 5 samples (1.82%) was above the maximum tolerated level of aflatoxin B1 in Iran (5ppb). However considering the Iranian maximum tolerated level for aflatox ins in rice (30ppb), only 3(1.09%) samples were above the 30ppb and also in regard to the European maximum toler ated level for aflatoxins in rice (4ppb), only 9(3.27%) samples were considered as higher than 4ppb. The HPLC assay showed that although aflatoxins with a concentration of <30 and <4 ppb in the rice samples were completely degraded, but 97.22% degradation occurred in rice contaminated with ³30 and ³4ppb when treated with 1N citric acid. These results revealed the efficacy of 1N citric acid in reducing aflatoxins levels in rice.

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease and the identification and diagnosis of its risk factors can help prevent its complications. Among the recently introduced risk factors is infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae. Atherosclerosis is initially characterized by increased intima-media-thickness (IMT), which can be measured by duplex ultrasonography. This study was designed to assess the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in increasing IMT Extracranial carotid duplex ultrasound was done in 83 individuals and IMT was measured 1 centimeter proximal to bifurcation of the common carotid arteries. IMT more than 0.9 mm was considered as increased. Forty-four individuals had increased IMT and were included in the case group; 39 individuals with normal IMT were considered as the control group. These two groups were matched for age, sex, smoking, and underlying diseases. Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG (Cp.IgG) and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA (Cp.IgA) were measured in these 2 groups by using the ELISA method and titers more than 1.10 ISR (Immune Status Ratio) were defined as positive, 0.9-1.09 ISR as borderline, and less than 0.9 ISR as negative. We compared the prevalence of Cp.IgG and Cp.IgA seropositivity and the means of antibody titers in these 2 groups.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Cp.IgG and Cp.IgA seropositivity and in the mean titers of these antibodies between the case and control groups.Cp.IgG and Cp.IgA do are not valuable predictors of increased IMT.

Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease encountered byphysicians. Its prevalence has been reported at 18% in Isfahan province. Hypertensioncontrol decreases the risk of stroke and coronary events by 50% and 15%, respectively.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the rate of blood pressure controlstands at 12.5%. Effective hypertension control requires measures such as screening,diagnosis, lifestyle improvement, and drug therapy. The type of drug regimen prescribed to the hypertensive patient is of key importance in achieving optimal control. The present study was performed to determine the type of drugs used by hypertensive patients in urban and rural areas of the provincial cities of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the provincial cities ofIsfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak in 2000-2001, as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program(IHHP). Cluster sampling method was used to select 10674 individuals from the urban andrural areas of the said provincial cities. The patients had systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg or both, or receivedantihypertensive medications. Data were entered into the EPI-5 software and analyzed with t-test using SPSS. A total of 2015 hypertensive individuals (18.9%) were identified. Awareness ofbeing hypertensive and rate of treatment and control of hypertension measured 47%, 23% and 9% respectively. Of 670 patients under treatment, 527 had been treated with one drug type, 133 with two drug types with 35 different combinations, and 30 used three drug types with 25 different combinations. Among single-drug regimens, beta-blockers were the most common choice (23%) and atenolol and methyldopa were the most frequently prescribed drugs, respectively. The frequency of diuretics use was 0.9%. Inappropriate combinations such as atenolol plus propranolol were seen among two- and three-drug regimens (nine patients). Drug regimens used by many hypertensive patients are not consistent withstandard protocols; these regimens are ineffective in blood pressure control and lead toincreased side-effects and subsequently patient noncompliance. Thus, further education of physicians and other healthcare providers on hypertension and antihypertensive treatment seems essential.

8irds are routinely exposed to this fungus and only rarely become pathogenic and the lower respiratory tract is most severely affected by inhalation rout. There have been sorne recent reports about respiratory aspergillosis in ostrich (Kyoung 200 l, Marks et al 1994). Aspergillus spp usually cause disease under condition of stress, immunosupression, and prolonged treatment with antibiotics or massive exposure to the microorganism. Clinical signs of aspergillosis in ostriches are weight loss, lethargy and dyspnea (Kyoung 2001). Other less common forms of aspergillosis in birds are encephalitis, ophthalmitis, osteomyelitis, dermatitis and systemic form (Fitzgerald & Moisan (1995). AJumigatus was isolated in sorne cases of respiratory aspergillosis (Campbell (1986). It has been reported that aspergillosis was observed in ostriches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but is relatively uncommon today (Terzich & Vanhooser (1993). This is the tirst case report of aspergillosis due to AJumigatus in Iran. The ostriches ofthis report had received chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin for a long time (45 days) so these drugs may have been the cause of the pulmonary aspergillosis.

Investigations have revealed that diabetics are more prone to develop infections than are the normal population. Oral candidiasis is one of the most common infections in diabetics and people with impaired immune systems. The purpose of this study was to identify the oral fungal flora and determine the prevalence of fungal infections. 132 type 2 diabetics (109 females and 23 males, aged 25 – 65 years) and 130 (107 females and 23 males) healthy age and sex–matched subjects were studied. Blood and saliva samples were obtained during fasting state. Four samples from different sites of the mouth were collected for culture. Blood groups were also tested. HbA1c was employed to assess the glycemic control of subjects. Candida Albicans was the most frequent species in the mouths of diabetics and controls. The prevalence of oral candida was significantly higher in diabetics than in controls (40.2% VS 16.2%, p<0.001). Blood glucose levels showed a positive and significant correlation with saliva glucose levels (p<0.001) and HbA1c (p<0.02). Saliva glucose demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with HbA1c (p<0.02). Poor glycemic control, denture use, and poor oral hygiene were the most important factors for developing oral candidosis in diabetics. “AB” blood group showed a positive correlation with oral lichen lesions. This study showed that a significant percentage of individuals are carriers of oral candida, without showing any symptoms of infection. In addition, oral candidal carriage and infections in diabetic patients is complex and includes species which have not been previously reported. Better glycemic control, oral hygiene and use of mouthwashes may reduce the chances of oral candidal carriage and infections in subjects.