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Background: In recent years, changes in the composition of Iranian population into aged population have increased the need for more information about the quality of life (QOL) of this group. Proper planning for this age group for increasing their quality of life depends on the identification of factors associated with QOL. The aim of the current study was to assess the quality of life and its relationship with the quality of diet in elderly people aged 60 years and more living in the urban areas of Markazi province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 165 elderly people in the urban areas of Markazi Province in 2010. Data obtained via general and QOL (SF-36) questionnaires and three 24-hour recalls on food. The quality of diet was measured using Healthy Eating index. Results: The means of total SF-36, physical and mental components scores were 55.66, 51.32 and 57.30, respectively. Additionally, the average overall healthy eating index score was 82.83. The results showed that the total, physical, and mental components of SF-36 scores in the elderly were positively associated with the healthy eating index but not significantly (P=0.2). QOL and diet scores were significantly associated with age, sex, education, previous employment, income, leisure activities, exercise, insurance, smoking, present disease, and drug consumption (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the QOL in the elderly was not related to their quality of diet.

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Background: Fungal spores are present in large amounts in the nature which may cause diseases in the susceptible individuals. Fungal rhinosinusitis has been increased during recent decades. This study aims to investigate fungal rhinosinusitis in the patients with chronic needing endoscopic sinus surgery aims and to determine the sensitivity of the isolates to rhin sinusitis antifungal agents.

Materials and Methods: In cross sectional study, specimens were obtained in sterile plates containing normal saline. from the suspected cases of chronic rhinosinusitis who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery. Microscopic experiments and Cultures were done in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the growth of fungi for seven antifungal agents against the isolates was determined using E-Test.

Results: In total, specimens from 102 immunocompetent patients were examined. Nine positive specimens were presented, consisting of 3 for Aspergillus fumigatus, 3 for Penicillium, 2 for Aspergillus flavus and 1 for Alternaria. The mean age of the patients was 38 years, with 59 males and 43 females. The isolates were most sensitive to the voriconazole and amphotericin B.

Conclusion: Since the prevalence of fungal rhinosinusitis is low, unfortunately, the clinicians are not attentive enough to the condition, and they initiate antifungal therapy if the patients are not responsive to antibiotics. Early diagnosis and suitable treatment can help more efficient management of patients.

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Background: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that broadly is used to treat gram negative bacteria infections, although it has side effects such as nephrotoxicity. According to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties of Zataria Multiflora, the effects of co-treatment with zataria Multiflora and hydroalcholic extract on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicitj were investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this study, male rats of Vistar race were divided into 4 groups: control group, co-treatment with gentamicin and vehicle group, co-treatment with gentamicin and zataria Multifiora extract group, and co-treatment with zataria Multiflora extract and normal saline solution group. Zataria Multiflora hydroalcoholic extract was added to drinking water as 800 PPm concentration. They, systolic blood pressure and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured. Also, the amounts of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and osmolarity were measured in plasma and urine samples

 Results: In co-treatment group with zataria Multiflora extract, the amounts of urea, creatinine, absolute sodium excretion and relative sodium and potassium excretion and malondialdehyde (MDA) that have been inceased in treatment with gentamicin, significantly were reduced. Creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity, RBF and FRAP that was decreased in gentamicin group in compare to control group, significantly increased.

Conclusion: Co-treatment prevents nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin and attenuates oxidative-stress associated renal injury by reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation, So it can be effective to cure rats receiving gentamicin.

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