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Introduction: Herbal products are beneficial compounds with many applications in human life. In this study the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Dorema aucheri were assessed. Methods: The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation after drying the aerial parts of D. aucheri, collected from the mountains around Yasuj city in the South-West of Iran. The oil composition was determined by GC/MS. To evaluate in vitro cytotoxic activity, the apoptotic effects of the essential oil were investigated against SW48 and SW1116 colorectal cancer cell lines by (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium) bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Results: The essential oil yield was obtained 0.02% (W/W). Twenty-five compounds were identified in the oil, and the main constituents were caryophyllene (E) (31.29%), Phytol (14.92%), gurjunene (β-) (9.84%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (8.7%), and n-hexadecanoic acid (8.09%). The MTT assay showed that the IC50 values of the essential oil for SW48 and SW1116 cell lines were 1.4 and 1.2 mg/mL, respectively. The results of flow cytometry showed that the essential oil significantly increased the apoptosis in SW48 cell line compared with the vincristine (P < 0.05). It also increased the apoptosis in SW1116 cells compared with the vincristine, but this difference is not significant. Conclusion: The essential oil of D. aucheri consisted of high amounts of caryophyllene and showed significant cytotoxic effects against SW48 and SW1116 cancerous cell lines.

Abstract Background About 6.2 million adults in Germany cannot read and write properly despite attending school for several years. They are considered to be functional illiterates (FI). Since the ability to read and write is crucial for being employed and socially accepted, we developed a special literacy training to overcome these deficits. Methods In this study, we investigate training-related changes in intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) at rest in a group of 20 FI and 20 adult normal readers using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). We used independent component analysis (ICA) to define different networks. Results Before training, the between group analysis showed increased iFC in FI in a left-fronto-parietal network (LFPN; anterior insula, medial frontal cortex, lateral and frontal parietal regions) and in the Basal Ganglia network (BGN: thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, amygdala, supplementary motor cortex and cingulate gyrus). Furthermore, the Visual Network-1 (VN1; temporal occipital fusiform gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, occipital pole, lingual gyrus, thalamus) showed decreased iFC in FI. After training the FI group showed reversal of the “hyperconnectivity” in middle frontal gyrus and in the frontal orbital cortex and between supramarginal gyrus and the BGN. Furthermore, functional connectivity increased in FI VN1 (lateral occipital cortex, insular cortex). These changes in connectivity correlated with gains in reading speed and spelling accuracy. Conclusions These findings show that poor reading and writing abilities are associated with abnormalities in iFC in several brain areas subserving cognitive processes important for reading. Intensive literacy training induces changes in the functional connectivity between and within neural networks important for literacy skills.

Staphylococcus aureus is among the pathogens capable of developing a broad spectrum of infections in human beings. In addition to the hospital, the bacterium is present in the community and has a high resistance to antibiotics, which is also increasing on an ongoing basis. Resistance to β-lactam antibiotic family is one of the concerns about the bacterium that has encountered the treatment of such infections with difficulty. Due to the increased resistance and importance of this bacterium, new strategies are needed to control this pathogen. One of these approaches is the use of medicinal plants, which has attracted many researchers in the last decade. Several studies have been carried out or are being designed using various herbs to find active ingredients to deal with this bacterium. The aim of this study was to present the antibacterial activity of different medicinal plants and the effects of their active ingredients on methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and to clarify the pathway to further studies in this regard.

Precise control of movement and timing play a key role in musical performance. This motor skill requires coordination across multiple joints, muscles, and limbs, which is acquired through extensive musical training from childhood on. Thus, making music can be a strong driver for neuroplasticity. We here present the rare case of a professional french horn player with a congenital bilateral amelia of the upper limbs. We were able to show a unique cerebral and cerebellar somatotopic representation of his toe and feet, that do not follow the characteristic patterns of contralateral cortical and ipsilateral cerebellar layout. Although being a professional horn player who trained his embouchure muscles, including tongue, pharyngeal, and facial muscle usage excessively, there were no obvious signs for an expanded somatosensory representation in this part of the classic homunculus. Compared to the literature and in contrast to control subjects, the musicians’ foot movement-related activations occurred in cerebellar areas that are typically more related to hand than to foot activation.

In this study, natural zeolite was investigated as an inexpensive and effective adsorbent for the adsorption of malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. The initial pH, amount of zeolite, initial dye concentration and reaction time were selected as independent variables in box behnken design while color removal efficiency was considered as the response function. The results showed that the optimum parameter values for maximum color removal efficiency were: pH=9 , amount of zeolite 0.65 g , dye concentration 45 mg/L and reaction time 80 min . Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), the coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.9962) was high, showing that the experimental values fitted well with the predicted values. In addition, the statistical analysis of the results indicated that in the range studied, amount of zeolite and pH had a significant effect on color removal efficiency.

The recent studies in most of the countries show the impact of a large number of factors including: satisfaction, knowledge, condition, individual particulars, population specifications and behavioral variables in the people's participation. The important issue is that whether such variables are effective on the amount of people's participation in Iran? The objective of this study is to review the effective relationship factors on the farmers' knowledge in applying the Watershed Management Program(WMP) operations in Kooshkabad catchment area located in Khorasan Razavi Province in Iran (85 km2). The main objective of this study is to evaluate the factors which are effective on the people's participation in Iran. The total population of the under study catchment area is 1250 people (n=1250), in which 200 persons were selected by classified random sampling method (n=200). In fact, this research is designed to study the relationship between the awareness about Watershed Management Program (WMP) and level of participation in WMP in Iran. To this end, a provisional research was performed and its data were gathered through the interview with the residents of 6 villages at the downstream part of Karde dam catchment area. The knowledge and participation scale in watershed management operations is 0.90 and 0.92 respectively, which about half of farmers have the knowledge about watershed management operations and the participation level was at an intermediate level and there is a positive and significant relationship between the farmers' knowledge about watershed management program. Although, based on the findings, the level of social participation of people is more than the economical and environmental participation, in addition the findings show that the knowledge level of respondents about such operations has been low up to medium level and participation in it has a positive and meaningful relationship with the knowledge of such operations. ( r= 0.611, P=0.000) .

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases that impair the function of other body systems. This study conducted to determine the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi on biochemical blood parameters of diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (215 ± 35 g) randomly were divided into 6 equal groups. Normal control and diabetic control groups received distilled water, and the control group receivedhydroalcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi (120 mg/Kg). Three treatment diabetic groups received 40, 80 and 120 mg/Kg of a hydroalcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi respectively. All groups were treated orally by gavage which continued for 21 days. The level of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, creatinine and urea nitrogen in blood was measured at the end of the study in different groups. Findings: The Mean blood glucose in the treatment groups with extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi decreased significantly compared to the diabetic control (P < 0.05). The mean of AST, ALT and ALP was significantly reduced in treating diabetic groups in comparison to the diabetic control (P < 0.05). The mean of albumin and urea nitrogen in the treatment groups with 80 and 120 mg/Kg of the extract were reduced significantly compared to the diabetic control (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The dosage of 80 and 120 mg/Kg extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi improve liver and kidney function in diabetic rat.

Purpose: Aim of the present study was to investigate potential impairment of non-motor areas in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In particular, we evaluated whether homotopic resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) of non-motor associated cortical areas correlates with clinical parameters and disease-specific degeneration of the corpus callosum (CC) in ALS. Material and methods: Interhemispheric homotopic rs-FC was assessed in 31 patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs) for 8 cortical sites, from prefrontal to occipital cortex, using NIRS. DTI was performed in a subgroup of 21 patients. All patients were evaluated for cognitive dysfunction in the executive, memory, and visuospatial domains. Results: ALS patients displayed an altered spatial pattern of correlation between homotopic rs-FC values when compared to HCs (p = 0.000013). In patients without executive dysfunction a strong correlation existed between the rate of motor decline and homotopic rs-FC of the anterior temporal lobes (ATLs) (ρ = −0.85, p = 0.0004). Furthermore, antero-temporal homotopic rs-FC correlated with fractional anisotropy in the central corpus callosum (CC), corticospinal tracts (CSTs), and forceps minor as determined by DTI (p

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dipstick tests (leukocyte esterase and nitrite) in diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. Forty six children with ascites hospitalized between 2009 and 2010 in Children Medical Center were enrolled in this study. Reagent strip assays for leukocyte esterase and nitrite were performed on ascetic fluid and the results were compared to manual cell counting and ascitic fluid culture. SBP was defined as having a polymorphonuclear ascites count of ≥ 250/mm3. Twenty children were female and twenty six were male with mean age of 3±3.9 years. The sensitivity specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the leukocyte esterase reagent strips were all 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the nitrite reagent strip test were 100%, 97%, 90% and 100% respectively. Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid, bedside diagnostic test for the diagnosis of SBP.

Background and Aim: It has been shown that Capparis spinosa fruit has hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and analgesic properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Capparis spinosa fruit on histomorphological changes in pancreas after triggering diabetes mellitus in male rats. Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats (150- 200 g, 6 weeks of age) were randomly divided into five equal groups of 8 animals. Groups III, IV and V received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Blood glucose of the groups was measured, using a glucometer, after 72 hours. After 10 days, Group II, IV and V daily received 30, 20 and 30 mg/kg extract of Capparis spinosa respectively, for three weeks. Blood glucose was measured in the beginning of the study and at the end of every week. Besides, insulin of the blood was measured at the end of the study. The number of β cells and diameter of islets of Langerhans were determined using hematoxylin- phloxine staining. The collected data was analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software (V: 13). Results: Mean number of β cells and diameter of the islets significantly decreased in the diabetic control group compared to the nondiabetic controls. Histological assessments showed a significant increase in the number of β cells, diameter of islets, and amount of insulin in groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Caparis Spinosa compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusion: Administration of Capparis spinosa extract could increase the number of β cells and improve the function of damaged pancreas in diabetic rats.

This study was aimed to determine prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children with cholestatic liver diseases. Forty eight children with established cholestatic liver disease who referred to gastrointestinal clinic of Children Medical Center (Tehran, Iran) between April 2010 and March 2011 were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Laboratory analysis including calcium, phosphate, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkalinephosphatase (ALP), prothrombin time (PT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total protein determined by routine laboratory techniques. Mean age of participants was 299.1 ± 676.8 days (range 2-3600 days) whereas twenty one were female (43.8%) and 27 (56.3%) were male. Twenty two (45.8%) had evidences of rickets in X-ray evaluation. Three children with rickets and two with normal X-ray had Vitamin D deficiency while ten in rickets group and 16 in normal group had Vitamin D insufficiency. The main underlying diseases were anatomical biliary atresia in cases with rickets and idiopathic in other group. Rickets and Vitamin D deficiency should be considered in chronic cholestatic children.

BACKGROUND:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder with typical onset in the 5th- 6th decade of life. The hypothesis of an autoimmune origin of ALS receives less attention today, but immunological phenomena still seem to be involved and mechanisms such as protective autoimmunity may be important. Detection of antibodies against a variety of gangliosides has been repeatedly described in ALS-patients by several authors, but widely differing frequencies and titres have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the presence of six common antibodies with a commercially available test panel for GA1, GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b and GQ1b in a large group of clinically well-characterized ALS patients and compared them to a collective of 200 healthy blood donors. METHODS:IgG and IgM antibodies to the six gangliosides asialoGM1 (GA1), GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b, GQ1b were determined by GanglioCombi ELISA in sera of 84 ALS patients. Results were expressed as a %-ratio of a highly positive control and categorized as negative (100%). The values obtained from 200 Swiss blood donors served as a reference group. RESULTS:In twenty-two (26.2%) ALS-patients elevated anti-ganglioside antibodies could be detected: Taking all subspecific antibodies together, IgG antibodies were found in 9/84 (10.7%) and IgM in 15/84 (17.9%) patients. There was no correlation between age, gender, site of onset or survival and anti-ganglioside-positive/-negative titres in ALS-patients. No statistically significant difference in the frequency of anti-ganglioside antibodies compared to the group of healthy blood donors was found. CONCLUSION:Even with this more comprehensive approach, anti-ganglioside antibody frequencies and patterns in our ALS cohort closely resembled the values measured in healthy controls. In accordance with other studies, we did not observe any association of a distinct ALS phenotype with elevated anti-ganglioside antibodies or an impact on survival.

BackgroundSeveral recently developed therapies targeting motor disabilities in stroke sufferers have shown to be more effective than standard neurorehabilitation approaches. In this context, several basic studies demonstrated that music training produces rapid neuroplastic changes in motor-related brain areas. Music-supported therapy has been recently developed as a new motor rehabilitation intervention.Methods and resultsIn order to explore the plasticity effects of music-supported therapy, this therapeutic intervention was applied to twenty chronic stroke patients. Before and after the music-supported therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied for the assessment of excitability changes in the motor cortex and a 3D movement analyzer was used for the assessment of motor performance parameters such as velocity, acceleration and smoothness in a set of diadochokinetic movement tasks. Our results suggest that the music-supported therapy produces changes in cortical plasticity leading the improvement of the subjects' motor performance.ConclusionOur findings represent the first evidence of the neurophysiological changes induced by this therapy in chronic stroke patients, and their link with the amelioration of motor performance. Further studies are needed to confirm our observations.

This study was aimed to determine prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children with cholestatic liver diseases. Forty eight children with established cholestatic liver disease who referred to gastrointestinal clinic of Children Medical Center (Tehran, Iran) between April 2010 and March 2011 were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Laboratory analysis including calcium, phosphate, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkalinephosphatase (ALP), prothrombin time (PT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total protein determined by routine laboratory techniques. Mean age of participants was 299.1 ± 676.8 days (range 2-3600 days) whereas twenty one were female (43.8%) and 27 (56.3%) were male. Twenty two (45.8%) had evidences of rickets in X-ray evaluation. Three children with rickets and two with normal X-ray had Vitamin D deficiency while ten in rickets group and 16 in normal group had Vitamin D insufficiency. The main underlying diseases were anatomical biliary atresia in cases with rickets and idiopathic in other group. Rickets and Vitamin D deficiency should be considered in chronic cholestatic children.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disorder which is incurable to date. As there are many ongoing studies with therapeutic candidates, it is of major interest to develop biomarkers not only to facilitate early diagnosis but also as a monitoring tool to predict disease progression and to enable correct randomization of patients in clinical trials. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made substantial progress over the last three decades and is a practical, noninvasive method to gain insights into the pathology of the disease. Disease-specific MRI changes therefore represent potential biomarkers for ALS. In this paper we give an overview of structural and functional MRI alterations in ALS with the focus on task-free resting-state investigations to detect cortical network failures.

This study aims to scrutinize the possible relationship between academic self-efficacy beliefs and foreign language achievement among prospective ELT teachers. To do so, the data for the study were collected through a questionnaire, "College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale" adapted from Owen & Froman (1988), consisting of 33 items measuring male and female ELT students' "Academic Self-Efficacy Beliefs" as a whole. The scale is a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "very little" (1) to "quite a lot" (5). The reliability was found r = 0.827. In this study it has been observed that there is statistically a significant relationship between "academic self-efficacy beliefs" and "prospective ELT teachers' achievement" among male and female groups.