Abstract Hepatoprotective effects of many herbal agents have been reported in animal studies and clinical trials. In this study, five hepatoprotective plants with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic effects were chosen to prepare a polyherbal compound for managing NAFLD. Sixty patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (2:1 ratio). Both group were advised to take healthy diet and exercise. The treatment group also received herbal capsules containing 400 mg of the mixture of Anethum graveolens, Citrus aurantium, Cynara scolymus, Portulaca oleracea, and Silybum marianum (2 capsules, thrice daily, for two months). The liver ultrasound and biochemical markers including the serum lipids, liver enzymes, and glucose were evaluated before starting the study and at the end of the treatment. Thirty patients in the treatment group and sixteen patients in the control group completed the study. The herbal compound significantly decreased the serum level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total cholesterol. Treatment with the herbal compound significantly improved the grade of the fatty liver, but no significant change was found in the control group. In conclusion, the formulated herbal compound appeared to be effective in biochemical improvement and decreasing the grade of the fatty liver in the patients with NAFLD.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Reparo do esfíncter é o tratamento primário para casos de incontinência fecal, especialmente em causas traumáticas. Independentemente da progressão no método e do material de reparo do esfíncter, os resultados são ainda desapontadores. Esse estudo avalia a eficácia do uso da membrana amniótica durante a esfincteroplastia, com relação aos seus efeitos na cura de diversos tecidos. MÉTODOS: Coelhos foram submetidos a um procedimento de esfincterotomia e, depois de transcorridas três semanas, foi realizada uma esfincteroplastia término-terminal. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: esfincteroplastia clássica, esfincteroplastia com membrana amniótica fresca, e esfincteroplastia com membrana amniótica descelularizada. Três semanas após a realização da esfincteroplastia, os animais foram sacrificados e o complexo esfinctérico foi encaminhado para avaliação histopatológica. O diâmetro do músculo esfinctérico e a composição do esfíncter foram avaliados. Antes da esfincterotomia, e antes e depois da esfincteroplastia, foi registrada a eletromiografia do esfíncter no local do reparo. RESULTADOS: Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos, mesmo na histopatologia, ou na eletromiografia. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a membrana amniótica tenha demonstrado efeitos promissores em termos da cicatrização dos diferentes tecidos em estudos com animais e em humanos, não foi observada eficácia na cura do esfíncter lesionado.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Sphincter repair is the primary management for fecal incontinence especially in traumatic causes. Regardless of progression in the method and material of sphincter repair, the results are still disappointing. This study evaluates the efficacy of using amniotic membrane during sphincteroplasty regarding its effects in healing of various tissues. METHODS: Rabbits undergone sphincterotomy and after three weeks end to end sphincteroplasty was done. Animals divided to three groups: classic sphincteroplasty, sphincteroplasty with fresh amniotic membrane and sphincteroplasty with decellularized amniotic membrane. Three weeks after sphincteroplasty animals were sacrificed and sphincter complex was sent for histopathologic evaluation. Sphincter muscle diameter and composition of sphincter was evaluated. Before sphincterotomy, before and after sphincteroplasty electromyography of sphincter at the site of repair were recorded. RESULTS: No statistical significant difference was seen between groups even in histopathology or electromyography. CONCLUSION: Although amniotic showed promising effects in the healing of different tissue in animal and human studies it was not effective in healing of injured sphincter.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mass treatment of ascariasis in rural areas of Hamadan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: A control programme in rural areas of Hamadan Province, which began in November 1997, involved giving all persons a single dose of 400 mg albendazole at intervals of three months. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by the formalin-ether concentration technique for stool examination and by the Stoll quantitative method. FINDINGS: The average rate of infection with Ascaris before treatment was 53.3%, ranging from 40% in Hamadan district to 75% in Toysercan. Two areas, Malayer and Nahavand, were excluded from the programme because the infection rates were only 13% and 4%, respectively. After two years of mass treatment the infection rate had decreased to 6%. The proportion of positive cases excreting only unfertilized eggs increased to 32%. No side-effects of mass treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: Systematic mass treatment giving high coverage proved to be very effective in the control of ascariasis, notwithstanding a lack of other preventive measures.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el tratamiento masivo de la ascariasis en zonas rurales de la provincia de Hamadan, en la República Islámica del Irán. MÉTODOS: En noviembre de 1997 dio comienzo en zonas rurales de la mencionada provincia un programa de lucha en virtud del cual se administró a todas las personas una dosis única de 400 mg de albendazol a intervalos de tres meses. La eficacia del tratamiento se evaluó empleando la técnica de concentración con formalina-éter para examinar las heces y mediante el método cuantitativo de Stoll. RESULTADOS: La tasa media de infección por Ascaris antes del tratamiento fue del 53,3%, entre el 40% del distrito de Hamadan y el 75% de Toysercan. Dos zonas - Malayer y Nahavand - quedaron excluidas del programa debido a que sus tasas de infección fueron sólo del 13% y el 4%, respectivamente. Al cabo de dos años de tratamiento masivo la tasa de infección había disminuido al 6%. La proporción de casos positivos que excretaban sólo huevos no fecundados aumentó al 32%. No se observaron efectos secundarios asociados al tratamiento masivo. CONCLUSIÓN: El tratamiento masivo sistemático con alta cobertura fue una alternativa muy eficaz para combatir la ascariasis, pese a la falta de otras medidas preventivas.

OBJECTIF: Evaluer le traitement de masse de l'ascaridiase dans les zones rurales de la province de Hamadan (République islamique d'Iran). MÉTHODES: Un programme de lutte, commencé en novembre 1997 dans les zones rurales de la province de Hamadan, consistait à administrer à chaque habitant une dose unique de 400 mg d'albendazole tous les 3 mois. L'efficacité du traitement a été évaluée par examen des selles après concentration (méthode formol-éther) et par la méthode quantitative de Stoll. RÉSULTANTS: Le taux moyen d'infection par Ascaris était de 53,3 % avant traitement, avec des valeurs allant de 40 % dans le district de Hamadan à 75 % à Toysercan. Deux zones, Malayer et Nahavand, ont été exclues du programme en raison de leur faible taux d'infection (13 % et 4 % respectivement). Après deux années de traitement de masse, le taux d'infection est tombé à 6 % et la proportion de cas positifs n'excrétant que des œufs non fécondés est passée à 32 %. Aucun effet secondaire n'a été observé. CONCLUSION: Un traitement de masse systématique avec un fort taux de couverture s'est révélé très efficace pour lutter contre l'ascaridiase, malgré l'absence d'autres mesures préventives.