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Objective: Influenza complications are mild to serious, and can cause death in some cases. A great deal of attention has been paid in recent years to the development and use of new antiviral compounds to overcome drug resistance in certain strains of the influenza virus and treat the clinical implications. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral effect of punicalagin and its associated mechanism against influenza A (H1N1) virus in vitro. Materials and Methods: the ant-influenza activity of punicalagin was studied in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells using influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) (PR8) using Hemagglutinin assay (HA) and 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50). Then, the inhibition of haemagglutination, virucidal activity, inhibitory effect at different times, replication of viral RNA and expression of viral genes were investigated. Results: Punicalagin could inhibit influenza virus infection with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.98 µg/ml and selectivity index (SI) value of 6.1. Punicalagin decreased virus titers with an inhibitory effect on virus hemagglutination (p<0.05). Punicalagin also inhibited viral adsorption. The results of virus RNA replication and viral mRNA (NS1 and HA) expression after treatment with punicalagin showed significant suppression of viral mRNA expression but no effect on replication of viral RNA. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that punicalagin was effective against influenza infection most probably via inhibition of haemagglutination activity and virus binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The widespread use of antibiotics for growth promotion or therapeutic purposes in poultry farming has led to increased antibiotic resistance. Escherichia coli is one of the gastrointestinal bacteria capable of transferring resistance genes and causing antibiotic resistance in humans and poultry. Evaluating antibiotic resistance in poultry flocks can provide researchers with a clear picture of the health status of poultry flocks and the human community. Methods: This study was conducted on 60 broiler chicken flocks aged 1 to 28 days. These flocks had no history of antibiotic use. In the laboratory, after necropsy, sampling was carried out from five chicken pieces in each flock. After confirming the diagnosis and purification of E. coli using biochemical methods, antibiotic sensitivity testing against 19 antibiotics was performed using the disc diffusion method, following the CLSI guidelines. Results: Out of 300 samples collected, 270 (90%) isolates of E. coli were obtained. In this study, the sensitivity of antibiotics was as follows: fosfomycin (100%), lincomycin (94.81%), neomycin (48.52%), amoxicillin (48.15%), norfloxacin (41.48%), thiamphenicol (38.52%), enrofloxacin (38.52%), sulfamethoxazole (36.66%), florfenicol (31.85%), tilmycosin (31.85%), danofloxacin (30%), flumequine (25.19%), difloxacin (21.85%), chlortetracycline (16.66%), trimethoprim (16.66%), doxycycline (11.85%), erythromycin (10%), tylosin (1.48%), and colistin (0%). Additionally, resistance was observed only against tylosin (91.85%). No multiple resistance was observed among the isolated strains, and at least sensitivity to two antibiotics was detected in all samples. Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that the level of antibiotic resistance in broiler chicken flocks at young ages in the Kermanshah region is low. However, the sensitivity rate to 17 antibiotics is less than 50%, demonstrating a relatively high level of sensitivity in poultry at these ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aflatoxin analysis shows that Aspergillus section Flavi strains include mixtures of the strains that are highly toxic to humans with high levels of aflatoxins, while some others produce moderate levels of aflatoxins along with nontoxigenic strains. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Aflatoxin production in the Aspergillus section Flavi isolates of pistachio in Iran. Methods: To determine the aflatoxin-producing abilities of Aspergillus section Flavi isolates in pistachio orchards, 180 pistachio nut samples were collected, and fungal isolation was performed by Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus agar (AFPA) medium. In addition, distinct colony morphology in the coconut agar medium, yeast extract sucrose medium supplemented with methyl-ß-cyclodextrin, and sucrose low salt medium were used for the distinguishing and screening of toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates. The toxigenicity and aflatoxins production level of the isolates were assayed via thin layer chromatography. Results: In total, 120 isolates of various parts of the pistachio-growing areas of Aspergillus section Flavi were identified by the AFPA, 89.15% of which were able to produce one or several types of aflatoxins, while 10.83% of the isolates had no toxin production. Among the investigated isolates, 14.16% produced aflatoxins such as B1, B2, G1, and G2, while 10.83% of the isolates produced B1, B2, and G1, 34.16% of the isolates produced B1 and B2, and only 30% were able to produce the B1 aflatoxin. However, the aflatoxin production of the toxigenic isolates differed within the ranges of 39-21,548, 37- 8,432, 97-2,111, and 31-810 ng/g for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Influenza virus, which is associated with high level of morbidity and mortality, has been recently considered a public health concern; however, the methods of choice to control and treat it are limited. Our previous study showed anti-influenza virus activity of pomegranate peel extract (PPE). In this study, the mechanism through which PPE acts against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) was investigated. Materials and Methods: Ethyl alcohol extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel was prepared, and the action mechanism of PPE in inhibiting influenza replication was studied by time-ofdrug- addition assay, virucidal activity, RNA replication, hemagglutination inhibition assay, viral mRNA expression, and western blot analysis. Results: PPE inhibited viral polymerase activity, viral RNA replication, and viral protein expression but could not affect hemagglutination inhibition and virucidal activity. According to time-of-drug-addition assay results, PPE inhibited the virus adsorption and early steps of influenza replication. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the antiviral effect of PPE on influenza virus is most probably associated with inhibition of viral adsorption and viral RNA transcription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Influenza A virus infections are still a major health problem and the choices available for the control and treatment of the disease are limited. This research evaluated in vitro and in vivo antiviral effects of Peganum harmala L. seeds (PHS) extract against influenza A virus. Materials and Methods: In this research, in vitro anti-influenza A virus activity of the extract was assessed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In order to evaluate anti-influenza activity of PHS extract in vivo, BALB/c mice were infected with 5LD50 of mouse-adapted influenza virus (H1N1; PR8) and received 200 mg/kg/day of PHS extract or 20 mg/kg/day oseltamivir. Lungs of seven mice per group were removed on day 3 post-infection and lung virus titers were determined by qRT-PCR. Mice survival, body weights and general conditions were observed for up to 14 days post-infection. Results: The results demonstrated that, the ethanolic extract of PHS possesses high activity against influenza virus with IC50 value of 15.7 (CI95%:11.7-21) μg/ml in MDCK cells. Our results also showed that, oral administration of PHS extract (200 mg/kg/day) or oseltamivir (20 mg/kg/day) to infected mice, increased the survival rate, reduced body weight loss, and decreased lung virus titer. Conclusion: Based on our findings, P. harmala seeds extract can inhibit influenza A virus replication in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, isolation and characterization of the plant's active compounds and investigation of the underlying mechanisms of its antiviral action are highly suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are a number of published data indicating in vitro anti-HSV activity of some of Iranian herbal extracts with no systematic review to discuss these results. Therefore, this article was aimed to review and discuss the methods carried out and the phytochemistry and bioactivity of the extracts used and also conclusions provided in these publications. Materials and Methods: Published articles both in English (from Medline, Science Direct, EMBASE, Scopus, Pro Quest, Google scholar, Cochrane Library) and in Persian (from SID, Iran Medex and Magiran) databases, from 1966 to October 2014 were incorporated in this review. The in vitro studies that lacked CC50, IC50, were excluded. Results: Only 42 published reports were found to examine Iranian herbs against HSV replication in vitro. Seventeen out of 42 studies in which 23 kinds of medicinal plants were subjected to crude extraction were included. The review of data showed that some of the herbal extracts including Hyssopus officinalis methanolic extract, Melissa officinalis aqueous extract, Quercus persica L. hydroalcoholic extract and Securigeras ecuridaca methanolic extract with selective index (SI) of 234, 877, >778 and 250, respectively were highly effective against HSV in vitro. Conclusion: More comprehensive studies using more advanced methods are needed to be done to achieve promising anti-HSV agents from the bioactive compounds isolated from these herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Burning is one of those injuries that make severe pains in patients, and the procedure of treatment causes anxiety for patients. This study aims to determine the impact of desensitization method with eye movements and reprocessing on the anxiety arising from pain of bandaging in burns patients. Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial study conducted on burn patients in Shahid Rajaei Hospital of Qazvin in 2014-15. The participants were chosen through convenience sampling. All the patients were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control, each consisting of 30 patients. The instrument was a standard questionnaire of burning pain anxiety. Eye movement with desensitization method and reprocessing (Eye Movement with desensitization and Reprocessing: EMDR) were conducted on the intervention group for 45 to 90 minutes. The obtained data were analyzed performing independent t-test, chi-square test and descriptive analysis. Results: Mean score of anxiety in the intervention group before the intervention was 51.07±4.81. After conducting the intervention, the mean anxiety score of the patients was 38.40±2.05, showing a significant difference as a result of the intervention (p<0.001). The average scores of anxiety in the control group before and after the intervention were equal to 50.03 and 53.02, the difference between the two was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) method can reduce the anxiety resulting from pain of burn patients during the treatment procedure. Using this treatment technique for burn patients will lead to the health improvement and assuaging their anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Iran has rich herbal flora with extensive ecological diversity. So far, no systematic reviews have been conducted on Iranian medicinal plants regarding their phytochemistry, bioactivity and in vitro activity against the replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV). This article aimed to review and summarize the published results on this subject as to offer recommendations for future researches. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, we searched for articles published in English (via PubMed, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library) and Persian (via SID, IranMedex and Magiran), from 1966 to October 2014. In-vitro studies without the measurement of CC50, IC50, or EC50 were excluded from this review. Results: Only 42 published reports were identified on the evaluation of Iranian herbs with inhibitory effects against HSV replication in vitro. In total, 17 articles were selected, in which 23 medicinal plants were subjected to crude extraction. Review of data indicated that some herbal extracts such as Hyssopus officinalis methanolic extract, Melissa officinalis aqueous extract, Quercus persica L hydro-alcoholic extract and Securigera securidaca methanol seed extract were highly effective on HSV in vitro (selective indices: 234, 877, >778 and 250, respectively). Conclusion: This systematic review covered the published results of researches on Iranian medicinal plants and the corresponding isolated active phytochemicals. According to the results, comprehensive studies with advanced methodology are required as to discover effective anti-HSV agents obtained from the bioactive compounds isolated from these medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Given the advances in invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, pain has become an inevitable outcome of medical interventions. Considering the undesirable consequences of pain, medical experts are searching for new strategies to control and reduce the pain in different patients. Use of non-pharmacological pain management method has drawn the attention of researchers due to the limited side effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of watching animation on reduction of pain caused by venipuncture in children. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 84 children aged 6-12 years, randomly selected and divided into two groups of intervention and control. In intervention group, 3D glasses with audio and video playback were used to display animation films during venipuncture, and pain intensity was measured in the subjects. In control group, the intervention was performed in similar stages without animation playback. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-test, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test in SPSS V.22, and p=0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this study, the groups were identical in terms of age, gender, birth rate and ethnicity (p>0.05). Mean of pain intensity in intervention and control subjects was 37.35 and 47.65, respectively, which was indicative of lower pain intensity in the intervention group (p=0.045). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, use of animation playback could lead to the significant pain reduction and comfort of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mirror therapy on patients with unilateral amputations and phantom pain in the upper and lower limbs, referring to the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of Qazvin, Iran in 2013. Materials and Methods: In this study, 38 patients with unilateral amputations were allocated to the intervention and control groups (19 cases each). The treatment plan for the intervention group included mirror therapy three days a week (30 min per day) for a period of one month. On the other hand, patients in the control group were asked to look directly at the injured member under the same circumstances as the intervention group. Severity, duration and frequency of phantom pain were evaluated before and after the treatment in both groups. The mean values were analyzed, using t-test. Results: Phantom pain scores in patients with upper limb amputations were 7.5 and 3.25 before and after the intervention, respectively. In patients with lower limb amputations, the scores were 6.4 and 2 before and after the intervention, respectively; the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The average duration of phantom pain was 6 and 4 min in patients with upper limb amputations and 5.7 and 3.2 in patients with lower limb amputations before and after the intervention, respectively; the observed difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The average frequency of phantom pain was 5.5 and 4.75 in patients with upper limb amputations and 4.1 and 2.8 in patients with lower limb amputations before and after the intervention, respectively. The observed difference was not significant in patients with upper limb amputations (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference was observed in subjects with lower limb amputations (p<0.05). Conclusion: Mirror therapy was effective in reducing the severity and duration of phantom pain in patients with unilateral upper and lower limb amputations. Although mirror therapy was effective in reducing the frequency of phantom pain in patients with unilateral lower limb amputations, it could not reduce the frequency of phantom pain in patients with upper unilateral amputations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Prevalence of drug-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) has increased recently. Therefore, new antiviral agents with inhibitory effects against HSV-1 infection need to be obtained from medicinal plants. This study aimed to compare the anti-HSV-1 activity of crude ethanol extract and the correspond fractions of Quercus brantii acorn in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this research, crude ethanol extract of Quercus brantii was prepared and subjected to fractionation with different polarity. N-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol and other aqueous fractions were obtained from the crude extract. Anti-HSV-1 activity of the crude extract and the correspond fractions was evaluated on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell lines, using 3-[4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. Moreover, inhibitory effects of the plant materials during the adsorption and/or post-adsorption stages of HSV-1 replication cycle were investigated. Regression analysis was used to determine inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) and 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50), from which selective index (SI) was calculated. Results: In this study, chloroform fraction and crude extract had the most significant effects against HSV-1 with SI of 252.5 and 48.4, respectively. Other aqueous fractions exhibited limited activity against this virus with SI of 5.6. Moreover, n-hexane, n-butanol and chloroform fractions inhibited HSV-1 replication during the post-adsorption stage (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the chloroform fraction of Quercus brantii fruit exerts significant inhibitory effects against HSV-1 replication and could be used as an efficient anti-HSV-1 agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]