Archives of Advances in Biosciences

     Food labeling is found to be a very important public health tool aimed at providing consumers with information which may influence their purchasing decisions. This study has aimed to assess the consumers' behaviors about the important information on the labels and their reasons for use or non-use. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted as point of purchase survey among 2123 shoppers in chain stores in Teharn, Iran, during 2008-2009. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which contained 4 sections measuring respondents’ background, knowledge, perception, and behaviors about information on food labels. Results showed that 82.8 % of consumers look at food label information when purchasing food products. Younger adults (aged 20-40 years), female, married, employees and holders of a diploma and higher, individuals with higher level of knowledge, and those in the group categories of monthly income higher 6 million rials were significantly more likely to use food labels. Most of the respondents (29.3%) found small print on food labels to be the main reason for not reading food labels information, followed by no interest (26.3%), do not believe (12.6%), do not understand (7.1%). Our study suggests that increasing nutrition knowledge and understandable and legible food labeling can increase the likelihood of food label usage.   

 

        The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and normal oral mucosa in Iranian individuals with OSCC and their association with various risk factors. The investigation followed a hospital-based case-control design. Cases were individuals with diagnosed OSCC, age- and sex-matched with controls. Sixty-six paraffin embedded tissue samples (39 OSCC and 27normal oral mucosa) were studied. DNA was purified to amplify HPV-DNA using HPV type specific primers-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.Mean age was 64.2 ±14 years in cases (range 25-81 years), and 63.5 ±13.5 years in controls (range 22-78 years). Forty-three percent (17/39) of OSCC but none of normal oral mucosa were positive for HPV 16/18 DNA (p = 0.001). The most frequent type in patient group was HPV-16 type. The prevalence rate was high older in age (>50 years) and gender (male) and tongue tissue but no significant association was found (p=0.7, p=0.5 and p=0.42 respectively). We found a significant association of HPV16/18 with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Also, HPV16/18 is a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis. In addition, also it is suggested that HPV is as a risk factor independent of alcohol and tobacco can be effective in creating OSCC.

 

This study was carried out to identify the efficacy of Caparis spinosa root extract on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major. Caparis spinosa extracts were prepared. Promastogotes of  L.major (1×10⁶ parasites/ml)were incubated at 26 ºC for 24,48 and 72hours in fresh medium(NNN), in absence or presence of different concentrations (0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7,0.9 mg/ml) of Caparis spinosa methanolic root extract. It was determined that anti-protozoal activity of Caparis extract (0.9 mg/ml) was similar to glucantime as a gold standard drug (p<0.05) and both were able to kill 97.8 % of promastigotes after72 hours. Microscopic observation showed that mainly complete lyses of promastigotes after treating with0.9 mg/ml of Caparis spinosa for72hours. Higher extract concentrations had more effect on promastigote population (p<0.05). It was demonstrated that Caparis sponosa root extract has positive effect on amastigotes of leishmania major. It was determined 0.7 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml Caparis root extract concentrations were more effective than other concentrations on amastigots of Leishmania in ulcers. The mean of ulcer size of the mice that received 50 µl of 0.7 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml Caparis root extract were less than mice receiving 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5. The mean of ulcer size of the mice that received 50 µl of 0.9 mg/ml Caparis spinosa root extract were significantly smaller than control group after six weeks(p<0.05) ,but the mean of ulcer size in mice which had been received glucantime (150 mg/ml)and Caparis root extract were not  significantly different (p>0.05). The results were suggestive that Caparis root extract had significantly similar effect in reduction of ulcer size as compared to glucantime (p<0.05).

 

According to the high prevalence of narcissistic personality among normal populations, this study was conducted to found out the simple and multiple relationships of parenting styles and early traumas with narcissism personality in university students. The statistical society of current research included all students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz. To perform this research, 314 students (159 female, 155 male) were selected by multistage randomly sampling method and complete narcissism personality inventory 16 items (Ames et al, 2006), parenting styles ( bum rind, 1990) and early trauma inventory. The data of questionnaire were analyzed by multiple regressions in stepwise and entry methods .The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that 66 percent narcissism personality variance in students was explained by parenting styles and traumas in early life. Also, early life trauma, avoidant and secure attachment emerged as the strongest predictors of narcissism personality in students. Given the role of parenting styles and early life trauma on the making of narcissistic personality in students, recommended that a set of training program will be used by specialist to prevent the narcissistic personality tendency.

 

Considering the potential benefits of edible coatings and films for storage of food materials, effect of edible calcium alginate film on shelf life of frozen lamb muscles was studied in the present research. Microbial analyses including total microorganisms count and psychrophilic bacteria count and chemical analyses such as total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and moisture content determination were performed. Coated and uncoated samples had not statistically significant difference in total microbial count, total volatile nitrogen level and moisture content. However, there was statistically significant difference between the coated and uncoated samples in terms of psychrophilic bacteria count (p<0.05). Considering the role of psychrophilic bacteria in meat spoilage, results of the current research confirmed that calcium alginate films may be to some extent effective in shelf life extension of frozen lamb muscle.

 

The aim of this investigation was conducted to proteomic analysis of plasma obtained from pregnant women who destined to develop late-onset preeclampsia without intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during 16^th week of gestation. Plasma was obtained from primiparous women during 16^th week of gestation. 2-DE proteomic analysis was done for plasma from 11 healthy pregnant women and 11 women who developed preeclampsia later. Using bioinformatic analysis with Progenesis SameSpots ver4.0 software and ANOVA test, expression of 2 spots were statistically different between two groups. In preeclamptic state, expression of both were decreased, one of these spots was vitamin D binding protein (p-value: 0.047), the other one will be discussed in another paper. According to results, we concluded that during 16^th week of gestation, occurance of late-onset preeclampsia without IUGR is predictable. During this week, pathology of disease is present and may be the process of placental degeneration and impaired placentation are include in disease pathology.

 

Orthopantomography is a well-established imaging technique in dental diagnosis. Although its exposure to individuals is relatively low compared to other diagnostic radiology examinations, it is still the most frequent X-ray examination. So it is important to estimate absorbed dose to critical organs in this examination. The present study was designed to determine the radiation doses to eyes, parotid, thyroid, submandibular gland and brain using Gafchromic films in an anthropomorphic head and neck phantom in three imaging centers, one digital and the remainders analogue. The absorbed dose to brain was measured globally with two vertically and horizontally embedded films in the phantom and submandibular, parotid and thyroid glands were also measured at their correct position in the phantom. The dose to the eyes was measured at the surface.Each measurement was triplicated and results were presented as mean (SD).After calibration of the films, they were embedded in the phantom and it was exposed with similar conditions for an adult patient. Absorbed doses were from 0.97-3.12 mGyfor brain, 1.23-3.02 mGy forleft parotid, 1.19-4.54 mGy for right parotid, 1.27-4.46 mGy left thyroid, 1.56-3.88 mGy for right thyroid, 1.45-2.83 mGy for Submandibular, 1.55-2.38 for right eye and 1.39-3.77 mGy for left eye.Our results showed similar depth and surface doses at all. Due to the direction of X-ray tube rotation, in the analogue devices in which the direction of rotation was right to left, doses of left sided organs were higher, and in the digital device that the direction was left to right, doses of right sided organs were higher. The absorbed doses in digital device were significantly lower than the analogue devices (p-value≤0.05).

Melatonin, a pineal gland secreted hormone has different effects on mammalian physiology. Recently, specific receptors of melatonine have been found in the central nervous system and spinal cord of rabbits. L - Theanine is a unique amino acid in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The effects of this amino acid is based on increasing GABA and dopamine levels in the brain and has a weak effect on the NMDA receptors, receptors that inhibitory effects of ketamine on them have been proven. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral combination of melatonin and L-Theanine on analgesia and anesthesia characteristics, induced by intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride in New Zealand white rabbits. Five rabbits were anesthetized by intramascular injection of 35 mg/kg of 10% ketamine hydrochloride (Control group). The same rabbits, after 2 weeks, and complete clearance of the drugs from their bodies, were administered orally with the combination of 25 mg L-Theanine and 3 mg melatonin, 60 min prior to ketamine injection (Experimental group). In both groups, time spending to induction of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, anesthetic depth and vital signs including rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, SPO2 and palpebral, pedal and righting reflexes were observed. The results showed no significant differences in onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia and anesthetic depth, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin. As a conclusion, administration of 3 mg melatonin and 25 mg L-theanine could not effect on ketamine hydrochloride anesthesia in New Zealand white rabbits.

 

 

      Dorema aucheri is a plant that grows in Iran. In Persian it is called (Bilhar). This experimental study was carried out at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014. After collection and preparation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dorema aucheri (Bilhar), The antibacterial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Bilhar was evaluated against 7 laboratory strains of microorganisms, including 4 Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis) and 3 Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris). Its effects against human pathogen microorganism were determined using “Spreading of the Extract on Medium Surface” and “Disk Agar Diffusion Method”, Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) were determined for this extract. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using one-way ANOVA. The zone of inhibition for the ethanolic extract varied from 8 mm for P. aeruginosa to 24 mm for S. pyogenes and from 7 mm for P. aeruginosa to 19 mm for S.pyogenes in the aqueous extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged between 2 mg/ml and 64 mg/ml while the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) ranged between 4 mg/ml and 256 mg/ml. Among of tested strains, P. aeruginosa has maximum MIC and MBC. 30 and 40 mg/mL Concentrations of Redcurrant have significant antimicrobial effect on bacteria. Antibacterial effect of extracts was decreased with decrease of extract concentration in disk. According to result, ethanolic extract of Dorema aucheri have antimicrobial effect on growth of all of the strains exposed analyzes and antimicrobial effect of that was maximum on Gram-positive bacterum of S. pyogenes. P. aeruginosa showed the highest level of resistance against the aqueous and ethanolic Bilhar extracts. The present study demonstrated that the ethanol leaf extract of Dorema aucheri hold an excellent potential as an antibacterial agent.

 

Since the uterine is a sensitive tissue to steroid hormones, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) alone or in combination on morphological and morphometrically parameters of ovariectomized mouse uterus.Adult virgin female mice (8-10 weeks old)were ovariectomized and treated with E2, P4, E2 followed by P4 and the oil vehicle alone for 5-days period. Uterine tissue was removed, and processed for histology assessment. The total uterine diameter were significantly higher (P < 0.05) following E2 treatment and Maximum diameter of uterine lumen, myometrium and endometrium were recorded after this treatment regimen. Sequential treatment with oestradiol and then progesterone caused both mitotic activity and cell degeneration. P4 treatment induced signs of active secretion in the endometrium glands and symptoms of degeneration and cell death. Estradiol treatment induced growth of uterine tissue. Subsequent treatment with progesterone stimulated uterine tissues to reach maximum size and maturity which is necessary to modify the uterus in preparation for pregnancy.

 

       Historically, opium was used as a potent analgesic and to treat dyspnea and cough. It is documented that opium can increase exercise tolerance and relieve breathlessness. However, its overdose can suppress respiratory centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of opium on spirometric lung volumes.The study was done on two groups of patients referred to the lung clinic of Labbafi Nejad hospital. Group A was composed of 84 patients who were smokers and group B was made up of 40 patients who were smokers and opium addicts. Patients underwent spirometry and demographic questionnaires were collected. Significant differences were noted on lung volumes between two groups. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) was 56 ± 4.6 % in Group A and 72 ± 4.7 % in Group B (P < 0.001). Difference on Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) was also statistically significant, 53 ± 6.6 % in Group A versus 69 ± 4.4 % in Group B (P < 0.001). In this study, lung volumes were considerably larger in patients who were opium addicts and smokers compared to patients who were only smokers. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results, and such confirmation may lead to better understanding about role of opioids in respiratory diseases.

 

The Monte Carlo method can be used to describe any technique that approximates solutions to quantitative problems through statistical sampling. This method is considered to be the most accurate method for dose calculation in radiotherapy. For complete modeling of a linear accelerator, it is required that the manufactured information covers all data, but some data such as primary electron energy must be indicated. The purpose of this study was to determine the best primary electron energy for 15 MV photon beam with varying the energy and FWHM. A Monte Carlo model for photon-beam output of a Siemens primus linear accelerator was validated by plotting the energy spectrum of photon beam and calculating the percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profiles for 10×10 cm² field. Square 10×10 cm² field was validated by measurements in water by a farmer chamber. Linac head simulation was performed with BEAMnrc and dose calculation and 3D dose file were produced by DOSXYZnrc. The results were analyzed using MATLAB. It was found a good agreement between calculated PDD and beam profile for 15 MV photon beam using Monte Carlo simulation with primary electron energy of 11 MV and FWHM of 0.4 with maximum dose difference of 1.2% in PDD curves. In conclusion, using primary electron energy of 11 MV and FWHM of 0.4 has very good accuracy in calculating of dose distribution for 15 MV photon beam and it can be considered as a promising method for patient dose calculations.

Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are useful vehicle for genetransfer to dividing and non-dividing cells and genetic manipulations. However, the use of lentiviruses in studies requires an accurate titration technique.Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is a sensitive technique for the indication and quantitation of retrovirals particles. In this study, we used the qPCR for lentiviral vector titeration. The puromycin resistance gene as templates for an SYBR green-based real-time qPCR method and detect lentiviral copy number integrated lentiviral DNA. Consequently, this studyshowed that theusing ofantibioticresistance genesviral particles titration maybeefficient with highly accuracy.

 

 

 

     Information literacy is a set of individual skills and abilities to accurate identifying, accessing, using, evaluating and reviewing of information resources. Since this skills improved the student capabilities to retrieval, management and use of information; nowadays, it is considered as one of the most importantcriterion fortheevaluation of students by forums. This study is a descriptive and analytical applied survey. The systematized samples were 103 students in paramedical sciences faculty Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences in 3 level: undergraduate (BA), master (MA) and PhD students who were studying during 2011-2012.The data collection tool is the questionnaire which published by ACRL and based on information literacy standards. This questionnaire has 55 item arranged in Likert scale. Results shows that the information literacy level in all studentwas 50 % lower than the level expected of ACRL standards except Ph.D. students in basic science and MA students in medical library and information science. The level of information literacy in PhD and MA students was significantly higher than BA students while the graduate students level was not significantly different.  

    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important agents producing nosocomial diseases in hospitalized children. Then, screening of health care providers who are in direct contact with patients in hospital is necessary. The objective of this study was to investigate MRSA collected isolates for MLSB phenotypes, in particular inducible clindamycin resistance (MLSBi).Two hundred and twenty nine health care providers were examined and nasal samples for S. aureus culture and sociodemographic data were obtained from them during one year august 2012 - july 2013. After MRSA identification, all isolates were examined for antibiotic resistant pattern.Staphylococci were isolated from 27 samples. Twenty one of them were MRSA. All isolates sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin. D-tests identified 6 isolates (28.6%) with inducible resistance to clindamycin (MLSBi phenotype). Carrier samples screening are considered less than clinical samples. Treatment of variety of infectious diseases due to resistant bacteria is difficult. So, annual screening of these individuals, detecting the carriers and decolonizing them to reduce transmission of S. aureus in the hospital is necessary.

Organizational culture of an organization is one of the fundamental staffs' job satisfaction factors. This study aimed to determine the effects of organizational culture on faculty members' job satisfaction using Hofstede's model. In a descriptive applied study 61 faculty members of Shahid Beheshti university of Medical Sciences were randomly selected and studies in 2015. Hofstede's model were used to job satisfaction and measuring dimensions of organizational culture (distribution of high power, ambiguity aversion, masculinity/femininity and individualism/collectivism) by modified Hofstede's model in five spectrums of Likert scale. The study population consists of 61 faculty members, %66.7 percent was women and %74.4 was married. Mean and standard deviation of age was 42.3±9.7 years old. Most of people were opposed to the distribution of high power and masculinity and demanding ambiguity aversion and collectivism. The rate of individualism variable effect was little more than power distribution. There was significant difference in ambiguity aversion among faculty members (p<0.001). The rate of job satisfaction was high among faculty members (p<0.001). Faculty members' job satisfaction was high. Hence it could be concluded that keeping distribution high power and patriarchy in organizational culture and ambiguity aversion are crucial factors for faculty members' job satisfaction.

    Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies with a growing occurrence. It presently ranks ninth among the most frequent cancers in the world and the sixth leading cause of death from cancer. For a variety of reasons, the mainstream of patients with esophageal cancer is actually not suitable for Esophagectomy. More than 50% have locally advanced unresectable or metastatic tumors at diagnosis. Other reasons which exclude Esophagectomy include old age, comorbidity or refusal by the patient. For more advanced stages of esophageal cancers, the basis of non-surgical treatment is chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT), either alone or in combination as chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The purpose of this study is to summaries and judgmentally analyzes current non-surgical treatments. Although the best treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer is still being debated, the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has gained acceptance.

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis disease caused by the larva of Echinococcus granulosus parasite in man and animals. The Proteases enzymes are necessary for nutrition, migration and evasion of immunity of parasite into host. The aim of this study was to determine the protease activity of hydatid cyst protoscolices (PSC), healthy and cystic liver tissues in order to compare of this biomarker for host and parasite in hydatid disease. In this study, PSC were collected from sheep liver tissue infected with hydatid cysts at an abattoir and washed 3 times with PBS buffer.  PSC samples were freeze-thawed and sonicated while collected liver tissues were homogenized. Extract solution samples were centrifuged and stored at - 20°C. Protease enzymes activity was measured in the extract solutions of PSC and sheep liver tissue samples (healthy and cystic livers). Samples protein concentrations and protein bands were detected using Bradford and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) methods respectively. To determine significant difference between two groups, statistical t-test was performed. The values of protease enzyme activities in healthy, cystic and PSC were determined 0.0028, 0.0087 and 0.50U/ml/mg respectively. Elevation of protease enzyme activity in cystic liver as compared with healthy was not significant. Statistical T-test showed higher protease enzyme activity for PSC as compared to healthy (p<0.05). SDS-PAGE confirmed 24 kDa and 54 kDa bands for protease enzyme in PSC samples and 24 kDa band in liver samples. Protease enzyme activity and molecular weight as compared to healthy liver tissues could be concerned as a comparative metabolic biomarker for host and parasite in hydatidosis

Due to the adverse effects of obesity and overweight on health status of people, organizations that provide daily food aim for a healthy Body Mass Index among their staff. The purpose of this applied randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to study the effect of modifications in the food service section and nutritional intervention on the BMI of staff in an industrial center. In this applied randomized controlled trial which lasted for 40 days, 116 overweight people (BMI ≥ 26) were randomly selected and divided into control and test groups. Individual daily food plan was prepared by a dietitian and nutritional education sessions were held for test group. At the management level, food menu was modified reduce the calorie intake by at least 1000 Kcal per day for the test group and also cost less for the center. The kitchen staffs were trained to promote healthy cooking and improving the food taste. The satisfaction level of food service was also evaluated before and after the intervention, using a questionnaire. To analyze the findings, SPSS 16 software, independent t-test and paired t-test, and Macnemar test were used. The results showed that BMI in test group decreased from 27.5 ± 2.36 to 26.8 ± 2.15 (p<0.05), while in control group increased by 0.5 Kg/m². Similar result was observed in weight change. The level of satisfaction of food service following changes in the menu increased significantly in both groups. Also, cost of food and use of fat were reduced by 15% and 8%, respectively.  Dietary interventions and improving the nutritional knowledge along with modification in food service system could result in better weight management in organization staff using canteen food.