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Background and Objective: Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) by tuberculin skin test (TST) is accompaind with limitations. A few documented data exist regarding the performance of serology tests for LTBI diagnosis in HIV infection. The aim of this study was to determine LTBI prevalency and compare TST results and IgM antibodies against M.tuberculosis antigens (IAMA) for the diagnosis of LTBI in HIV infected individuals. Materials and Methods: In this discriptive study, sixty two HIV infected subjects were chosen randomly from an addict treatment center in Ahvaz southwest Iran during 2008. The patients underwent TST, using 5 TU of purified protein derivative, and IAMA was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15 software and Chi-Square test. Results: From 62 studied cases, 34 (54.8%) had positive result for TST, whereas 6 (9.7%) had positive IAMA. LTBI was diagnosed in 37 (59.7%) by either TST or IAMA. Overall concordance between TST and IAMA was 45.2%. In subjects with positive test by either TST or IAMA, only 4.8% had positive test by either diagnostic procedure. Discordant results were found in 54.8% of subjects. Positive results for both diagnostic methods in subjects with above and below 200 CD4-cell/mm3 did not show any significant differences. Conclusion: This study showed that LTBI prevalence among HIV infected individuals among addict patients, in this region is higher than other parts of the world. Also TST is a useful test for LTBI diagnosis is preferable to IAMA method.

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Background and Objective: The most important factor in the integrity of saphenous vein is the health degree of endothelium which guaranties the dilation of them after cronary bypass sergery. Kind of preservative soulution has a key role in endothelial protection. This study was done to evaluate Protective effect of perserved solutions of krebs contains verapamil, adrenaline and propranololol in comparision with Krebs and Heparinated blood on desqumation of the endothelial cell in Saphenous vein of Guinea pig.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 28 male Guinea pigs with 380±40g weight.for separating 3mm of saphenous vein rings and Measuring of rings nitric oxide released in preserving solutions: Krebs (K), Krebs plus propranolol (K+P), adrenaline (K+A) and verapamil (K+V) compaired with heparinized blood at 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes after harvesting measured by micro plate Griess reaction. Rings also stained by H&E and examined by light microscopy to evaluate endothelial desqumation.
Results: Average concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the Krebs plus Verapamil solution (K+V) Vs Heparinized Blood (HB), Krebs (K), Krebs plus Adrenaline (K+A) and Krebs plus Propanololol (K+P) revealed significant increase in NO release (P<0.05). The maximum NO measurement was 45 minuts after harvesting. Also histological study with H&E staining showed that endothelial layer was intact only in Krebs plus verapamil in compaired to control group, but in the other solutions the vascular intimal cells had suffered different degrees.
Conclusion: It seems that Krebs solutions containing verapamil has more efficiently to the proper functioning of the saphenous veins endothelium in animal modle.

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Background and Objective: Fungal diseases are increasing in immunocompromised patients. One of the important fungal disseases is Aspergillosis. Few studies have been conducted on the effects of melatonin on fungal diseases. This study was performed to determine the protective effect of melatonin and Amphotericin B in Aspergillosis in rat model.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 Wistar rat with weight ranging from 200 to 250 grams. Animals were allocted in five groups. The first group was positive control (immunocompromised condition with cyclophosphamide and inoclusion of Aspergillus spore). The second groupe was negative control (without drug and inoclusion of Aspergillus spore) and the third group was treated by melatonin (200 μg/kg). The forth group was treated by Amphotericin B and fifth group was treated by melatonin plus Amphotericin B, IL.6 and TNFα were measured in the first and ten^th days after contamination.
Results: The level of the IL.6 and TNFα in three interventional treated groups significantly reduced in compared to positive control group in first and ten^th days (P<0.05). The level of the IL.6 and TNFα in melatonin plus Amphotericin B group significantly reduced in comparison with Amphotericin B and melatonin treated groups in first and ten^th days (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Melatonin with Amphotericin B increases immune competent system in rats affected with Aspergillosis.
 

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Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia and high level of serum total cholesterol are risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of cardiovascular complications like coronary heart diseases. Lamiaceae plants have terpenoids and flavonoids can reduce triglyceride and cholesterol, therefore. This study was done to evaluate the effect of feeding with essential oil of Thymus deanensis Celak. on lipid profile, blood urea and liver enzymes in hyperchlostrolemic male Wistar rats.

Methods: This experimental study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (there were 6 rats in each groups). The groups including control, sham, two groups receiving 200 and 500 ppm Thymus deanensis essential oil and hyperchlostrolemia groups treated with doses of 200 and 500 ppm of Thymus deanensis essential oil. Hyperchlostrolemia was induced by giving high cholesterol (2%) and sweet almond oil (97.5%) diet. The animals were treated for 32 days with essential oil of the thyme. At the end of the 32-day trial, blood sampling was performed. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) liver enzymes were measured.

Results: The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). Thymus daenensis essential oil significantly reduced level of triglycerides and cholesterol (P˂0.05). The high dose of Thymus daenensis (500 ppm) essential oil more than a low dose (200 ppm) significantly reduced the level of cholesterol and triglyceride (P˂0.05). Blood urea nitrogen significantly increased in hypercholesterolemia group in compare to control group (P˂0.05). After the administration of essential oil with a minimum and maximum dose in hypercholesterolemia rats, the level of urea in the blood significantly decreased (P˂0.05). The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). AST level significantly reduced in the groups of rats which received minimal and maximal doses compared to the group hypercholesterolemia (P˂0.05).

Conclusion: By lowering blood lipids, urea and liver enzymes after the use of essential oils, it seems that the Thymus daenensis dose-dependent is effective in improving liver function, kidney and high level of  lipid.