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Background and Aim: In recent years, tuberculosis (TB) has acquired a growing importance in developed and developing countries. The spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an increasing public health concern in many parts of the world, especially in low- income countries. Standard methods for drug susceptibility testing of M. tuberculosis are time-consuming. In this study, we have evaluated the possibility of using colorimetric method by means of Alamar Blue, to detect susceptibility of M. tuberculosis strains as less expensive and easier-to-read methods. Materials and Methods: For this study 23 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were obtained from Iranian National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Long Diseases. 11 isolates were resistant to rifampin and isoniazid and 12 isolates were susceptible to rifampin and isoniazid. The colorimetric method in this study was performed with a critical concentration of 0.2 µg/ml for isoniazid and 2 µg/ml for rifampin in 7H9GC broth. The tubes were incubated at 37˚C for 4 weeks. Results: For both rifampin and isoniazid, the sensitivity and specificity of Alamar Blue method was %100 and %90 respectively. In this study, the results for Alamar Blue were available in average 6 days. Conclusion: Medical laboratories in developing countries have to adapt a simple method, which does not require expensive equipment materials. In conclusion, this colorimetric method is simple, reliable and inexpensive methods to evaluate drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, especially in laboratories with low- income. In this regard, Alamar Blue culture tubes have the optional to become the method of choice for assessing drug susceptibility of M. tuberculosis in countries like Iran.

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Aims: The potential risk of radiations caused by the mobile phones affecting human, as well as the prevalence of diabetes, are of the main concerns in developing and modern societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of radiations caused by the mobile phones on the serum level of sexual hormones in streptozocin-induced diabetic adult male rats. 

Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 64 Wistar adult male rats were studied. The rats were divided into 8 groups (n=8 per group) including non-diabetic control, diabetic control, and 6 experimental groups. Control groups received no treatment. Diabetic experimental groups underwent 7-day continuous and cutoff mobile radiations and buzzer sound. At the end of the course, blood sampling having been done, serum levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone were measured. Data was analyzed by SPPS 18 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc.

Findings: Diabetes alone and with continuous and cutoff radiations of the mobile phones and buzzer sound led to a reduction in testosterone level (p<0.05). Diabetes had no effect on LH and FSH. Nevertheless, 2-hour cutoff radiations of the mobile phones led to a significant increase in FSH in the diabetic rats (p<0.005). In addition, 1-hour and 2-hour continuous radiations and 2-hour cutoff radiations of the mobile phones led to significant increases in LH in the diabetic rats (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In adult male rats, diabetes, radiations of mobile phones and buzzer sound lead to testosterone reduction. In addition, diabetes with mobile phone radiations leads to increases in LH and FSH levels. 

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Aim: Preoperative anxiety is an unpleasant manner created by fear of surgery. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diazepam pill with Safranal in reducing preoperative anxiety and improving vital symptoms.
Material and Methods: In this double blind randomized clinical trial, 54 patients who were candidates of urology surgery (varicocele) in 15th Khordad Hospital, Gonabad, Iran, were selected by purposive sampling method, using a randomized numbers table; they were divided into intervention (n=29) and control group (n=25). The patients in intervention group received 15mg Safranal and the patients in control group received 5mg oral diazepam 3 hours before surgery. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire was completed by the patients prior to the intervention and just at the entrance to the surgery room, and the vital symptoms of the patient were evaluated. The data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software, using of Chi-square and independent sample t-test.
Findings: After intervention, the trait anxiety in the Safranal group was significantly lower than diazepam group (p=0.007) and before the intervention (p=0.002). Also, diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the Safranal group compared with the diazepam group (p=0.049).
Conclusion: Saffranal consumption before surgery is more effective than diazepam consumption in reducing the trait anxiety, but it does not affect state anxiety. Also, compared to diazepam, Saffranal consumption leads to a more reduction in diastolic blood pressure, while it does not affect systolic blood pressure and heart rate.