Genetic and Morphological Diversity of Wild Mint "Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson subsp. noeana (Briq.) Briq." in South and Southeastern Iran

The wild mint "Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson subsp. noeana (Briq.) Briq." is an important medicinal plant which contains several worthy components like: menthone, pulegone, pipertenon, menthol, thymol, and carvone in its essential oil. This plant grows extensively in center of Asia including Iran. Because of so worthy components and its big role in traditional and modern medicine, the wild mint diversity was considered based on morphological and phytochemical variables and DNA markers (RAPD and ISSR) in South and Southeastern Iran. A total of 64 genotypes of M. longifolia  subsp. noeana genotypes were col­lected from 8 distribution centers. In total, the 15 morphological and pigments variables were measured and calculated. The cluster analysis based on morphological and phytochemical variables divided populations in the 4 main groups. The fifteen RAPD primers with reproducible and score able amplifications characters were selected. Cluster analysis based on RAPD markers revealed seven main clusters in genetic distance 0.22. The nine ISSR primers with score able amplifications characters were selected. Cluster analysis based on ISSR markers revealed five main clusters in genetic distance 0.23. The results of this research showed enough genetic diversity among and inside of the studied wild mint populations which could be applied in following breeding and gene bank conservation programs

Demographic and circumstantial accounts of burn mortality in Cape Town, South Africa, 2001-2004: An observational register based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Burns are a persisting public health problem in low- and middle-income countries; however, epidemiologic data for these settings is scarce. South Africa is no exception although there is an emerging knowledge base, especially for paediatric burns. The current study describes the epidemiology of burn mortality across the lifespan in Cape Town (2.9 million inhabitants in 2001), one of the six South African metropolitan centres.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The distribution of burn mortality across socio-demographic groups and also their circumstances of occurrence were investigated using four year (2001 to 2004) surveillance data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (n = 1024 cases).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Burn mortality occurred at a rate of 7.9 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI: 7.3-8.3). Males sustained fatal rates 2.2 times more than that for females (p < 0.001), with rates significantly higher in the 25 to 38 and 39 to 50 age groups than at other ages (p < 0.001). The greatest difference between male and female deaths was observed in the 25 to 38 year age group, when almost three male deaths occurred for every female one. The vast majority of fatal burns were registered as accidental and occurred in the home, either over the cold and wet months or during recreational periods over weekends and across the year. Alcohol intoxication was reported for the majority of those adults whose alcohol blood levels were tested (i.e. 52.6% of cases aged 16+ years).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Besides paediatric burns, the high prevalence and circumstances of occurrence of burns among middle age men are a source of concern. There are reasons to believe that this over-representation is a reflection of detrimental living conditions, life-style and poor socio-economic status. It is recommended that there be greater prioritisation of prevention activities that involve the control or management of kerosene heat sources, the provision of alternatives to flammable housing materials, and the implementation of strategies to reduce harmful drinking practices.</p

Adherence to DASH Dietary Pattern and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-control Study

Abstract Objective: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as one of the endocrine and metabolic abnormalities is prevalent in reproductive-aged women. This study aimed to investigate the relevance between adherence to the DASH diet and PCOS.Results: This is an age and BMI-matched case-control study including (n=108) new diagnosis PCOS women as a case group and women without PCOS as a control group (n=108). Also, the validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the usual dietary intake. The method of Fung et al. was used to calculate the DASH score. Moreover, logistic regression was assessed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the DASH diet and the odds of PCOS. After adjustment for potential confounders, an increase in adherence to the DASH diet significantly reduced the odds of PCOS (OR for the highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.18; 95% CI 0.07, 0.47). There was a significant decreasing trend in the odds of PCOS across increasing quintiles of the DASH diet (p-trend &lt;0.001). The results showed that adherence to the DASH diet could reduce the odds of PCOS by 82 percent. It’s worth noting that more prospective studies are required to confirm the findings of the current study.</jats:p

Antidiabetic Activity of Different Extracts of Myrtus Communis in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract Background and aim: Hydroalcoholic (70°) extract of leaves of Myrtus communis has been shown to have antidiabetic effect in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats in our previous study. In this study, we intended to determine the components of the mentioned extract and identify the mechanism for its action. Materials and Methods: The leaves of Myrtus communis were extracted using petroleum ether by soxhlet. 100 g of the powder remaining in the strainer soxhlet apparatus were placed in two different percolators. The extraction was carried out by percolation method with ethanol-water (1-1) or distilled water in 72 hours. The remaining powder of water extract was further extracted using again ethanol (percolation method). The study was conducted on forty-eight matured male Charles-River rats (200-300 g) divided into 6 groups (n=8). Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). Hydroalcoholic, water, and ethanol extracts of Myrtus communis were used at the dose of 4, 2, and respectively 2 g/kg body weight per day for 5 days. All extracts were given orally by gastric tube. Results: We found that the total hydroalcoholic extract of Myrtus communis leaves showed a moderate antidiabetic effect. In this study, we showed that the ethanolic extract of leaves (2 g/kg) had a better hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats compared with the aqueous extract (p &lt; 0.05). Our results also showed that the oral administration of the ethanolic extract (2 g/kg) had an additive effect on the hypoglycemic action of glibenclamide (oral administration 5 mg/kg) in rats. Conclusion: A review of previous researches on leaves of Myrtus communis and also the present study suggests that the extracts may stimulate the β-cells of pancreas to release insulin.</jats:p

Effects of garlic supplementation and its derivatives on body weight and composition in adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose Garlic supplementation may be inversely contributed to body weight and composition; however, previous results have been inconsistent. This study aims to evaluate the effect of garlic supplementation on body weight and composition using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Design/methodology/approach Online databases of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2020. The random-effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes of the included studies. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration’s tool. Besides, the NutriGrade scoring system was applied to judge the credibility of the evidence. Findings In total, 18 studies (with 1,250 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that garlic supplementation has a significant increase in body weight [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.31 Kg, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.53 Kg, P = 0.005, n = 12 effect sizes]. Waist circumference (WC) does remarkably reduce [WMD = −1.28 cm, 95% CI: −2.08, −0.47 cm, P = 0.002, n = 4 effect size]. However, body mass index, body fat percent and fat-free mass do not dramatically change (P &gt; 0.05). Notably, the pooled analyses on body weight and WC were sensitive to two included studies. NutriGrade’s score was rated low for this meta-analysis. Originality/value Although garlic supplementation could slightly increase weight and simultaneously might decrease WC, these associations were not strong enough to corroborate the findings. Also, other anthropometric indices do not significantly change. Further well-designed randomized clinical trial studies are needed to confirm the results. </jats:sec

The Cardioprotective Effects of Resveratrol in Rats with Simultaneous Type 2 Diabetes and Renal Hypertension

This study aimed at examining the cardioprotective effects of resveratrol in rats with simultaneous type 2 diabetes and renal hypertension. Eight groups (8-10 each) of male Sprague-Dawley rats, including a control, a diabetic, a renal hypertensive, a sham, a simultaneously hypertensive–diabetic receiving vehicle, and 3 simultaneously hypertensive-diabetic receiving resveratrol at 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg/day were used. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood pressure and glucose, and serum markers of oxidative stress were measured, and animals’ hearts were used for isolated studies. Resveratrol prevented the increase of systolic blood pressure, serum malondialdehyde, fasting blood glucose, infarct size, coronary resistance, and coronary effluent creatine kinase-MB. Moreover, it prevented the decrease of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure, rate of increase of ventricular pressure, and rate of decrease of ventricular pressure. In conclusion, our findings show that resveratrol alleviates cardiac dysfunction in diabetic-hypertensive rats by virtue of antioxidant, antihypertensive, and coronary vasodilating activities. </jats:p

The Effects of Resveratrol in Rats with Simultaneous Type 2 Diabetes and Renal Hypertension: a Study of Antihypertensive Mechanisms

Background: Resveratrol has beneficial effects on cardiovascular system. This study aimed at examining antidiabetic and antihypertensive effects of resveratrol in rats with simultaneous type 2 diabetes and renal hypertension. Methods: Eight groups (8-10 each) of male Spargue-Dawley rats, including a control, a diabetic (induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide), a renal hypertensive (induced by placing plexiglas clips on the left renal arteries), a sham, a simultaneously hypertensive-diabetic receiving vehicle, and 3 simultaneous hypertensive-diabetic receiving resveratrol at 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg/day were used. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, renal hypertension was induced and animals were given vehicle or resveratrol for the next four weeks. Afterwards, blood pressure and glucose, serum markers of oxidative stress were measured and animal’s aortic rings were used for isolated studies. Results: Serum malondialdehyde, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, fasting blood glucose, maximal response and effective concentration 50 of phenylephrine, and inhibitory concentration 50 of acetylcholine of hypertensive-diabetic group receiving vehicle were significantly higher than those of the control group, and treatment with resveratrol caused significant reduction of these variables. Moreover, serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and maximal response to acetylcholine of hypertensive-diabetic group receiving vehicle were significantly lower than those of the control group, and treatment with resveratrol caused significant increase of these variables. Conclusion: The findings indicate that resveratrol has antidiabetic and antihypertensive effects, which may be partly due to antioxidant mechanism. They also show that antihypertensive effect of resveratrol may be additionally mediated by improving the release of nitric oxide and sympathoplegic activities

Suicidal Behavior by Burns in the Province of Fars, Iran

Background: While suicide by burns is a relatively uncommon form of suicide in developed countries, it is one of the most common methods of suicide in the Middle East region including Iran. Aims: To describe epidemiologic characteristics of suicidal behaviors by burns in the province of Fars, Iran. Methods: A prospective population-based study of all suicidal behaviors by burns requiring hospitalization was conducted in the province of Fars, Iran, from March 21, 2005 to March 20, 2006. Data were obtained from patients, family members, and/or significant others through interviews during the course of hospitalization. Results: A total of 125 patients with suicidal behavior by burns requiring hospitalization were identified during the study period, representing an overall incidence rate of 4.3 per 100,000 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 3.6–5.1). Females (6.2 per 100,000) had a higher rate of suicidal behavior by burns than males (2.4 per 100,000; p &lt; .001). The age-specific rate of suicidal behavior by burns peaked at age 20–29 years (10.1 per 100,000). The rate of suicidal behavior by burns was higher among single (7.2 per 100,000) vs. married persons (4.2 per 100,000; p = 0.03). Single males aged 20–39 years and young married women aged 15–29 years were at greatest risk of suicidal behavior by burns. The most common precipitating factor (74.4%) for suicidal behavior was a quarrel with a family member, a relative, and/or a friend. Conclusions: The high rate of suicidal behavior by burns among young/married women in Fars is of concern. Social, cultural, and economic factors may contribute to suicidal behavior and need to be addressed through education, support, and commitment. </jats:p