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Introduction: Saffron (crocus sativus L.), an important spice rich in carotenoids, is used in folk medicine to treat numerous diseases. This study examines the effects of saffron consumption on innate and humoral immunity of healthy male students.
Materials and Methods: 41 healthy volunteered university students in two control and case groups were included in this study and consumed respectively milk and milk containing saffron for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the subjects at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Innate immunity was evaluated by determining the percentage and counts of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, platelets and the total white cells, CRP concentration and C3 and C4 concentrations and humoral immunity was assessed by deterning the percentage of lymphocytes and the concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA.
Results: Three weeks after saffron consumption, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration increased significantly (P<0.05, P=0.01). Total white blood cells and platelets count also reduced significantly (P<0.05). After 6 weeks, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration reduced significantly (P<0.05, P< 0.001) and platelets count increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared with week 3.
Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that saffron consumption enhances innate and humoral immunity systems and has anti-inflammatory effects. These effects depending on the duration of saffron consumption.

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Introduction: Preclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by hypertention, proteinuria and generalized edema. The condition usually occurs in the third trimester and word wide is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. No study concerning the immunological etiology and pathogenesis of preclampsia has been done in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of some immunological factors involved in the pathogenesis of preclampsia.
Materials and methods: This research was a clinical trial study. We measured C3, C4, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in 20 women with preclampsia, 20 normal pregnant women and 20 non-pregnant women matched for age, BMI, parity and gestational age. Seven patients had developed severe and thirteen mild preclampsia. After written informed consent was obtained, blood samples of subject group.
Collected serum collected was analyzed for immunological parameters by the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method of Mancini.
Results: C4 level was significantly decreased in women with severe preclampsia than in women with mild preclampsia and normal pregnancies, whereas C3 level did not differ between groups. IgG concentration was significantly higher in non-pregnant women than in women with preclampsia and normal pregnancies. There was a significant decrease in IgA concentration in normal pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. There was a not significant difference between the IgM concentrations of both groups.
Conclusion: Our data show several changes in immunological factors in preclampsia which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder in Iranian women.

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Background: Inappropriate feeding is one of the major causes of malnutrition in children. This study was carried out to get an insight into mothers’ views and beliefs about the role of complementary feeding in children under the age of two. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through 11 focus-group discussions (FGDs) with mothers, who had children under the age of two, in urban and rural areas of Damavand in 2007. Each FGD was held in the presence of a moderator, two note takers, and an observer. At the end of field work, all notes were collected and coded according to the objectives of the study. Then the subgroups for each objective were obtained, and emerging themes were extracted and reported. Results: In the study, six general themes were identified:(1) The mothers viewed complementary feeding as simple, soft, light foods which are especially made for children (2) the best time for introducing complementary feeding was 6 months of age (3) there were no complementary local foods in Damavand (4) for children under the age of one, a different type of food was separately prepared (5) home-made complementary food was preferred over the ready made type, and (6) children were fed with table food from the first year of life. Conclusion: Despite their sufficient knowledge about the advantages of complementary feeding, the majority of mothers, due to some socio-cultural limitations, had a weak performance. In this regard, in addition to making revisions in current training programs and protocols, providing effective and goal-oriented educational programs for mothers and others who take care of children is strongly recommended.

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Background: Epidemiologic studies show the high prevalence of some infections and cancers in individual blood groups. Perhaps, level of immunity factors differs in people with individual blood group. The aim of this study is to compare the level of antibodies and complement factors in ABO blood groups.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, peripheral blood samples from 40 male healthy individuals with different ABO blood groups (n=10 in each group) with similar age (18-25 years) and genetic background were collected. The serum levels of total IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C4 were analyzed by nephelometry method. All data were analyzed by SPSS software version 11.5.

Results: The levels of IgA, IgG, and C4 protein in individuals with O blood group were significantly higher than those of other groups (p=0.02, p=0.01, and p=0.004, respectively). Also, the mean concentration of IgM in individuals with AB blood group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p=0.02). There was a significant difference between the level of C3 in O blood group and those of other blood groups (p=0.01). The mean concentrations of all parameters (except IgG) in B blood group were lower than those in other blood group.

Conclusion: Generally, natural antibodies in O blood group were higher than those in other groups. This high level of total antibodies in O blood group may reduce susceptibility to some infections.

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Background: Cotonary artery illneses are the common heart illness that there is treatment methods now, many patients need the coronary artery bypass graft. Anxiety is a common phenomenon after all surgical operation. Anxiety in coronary artery bypass graft causes to increase metabolic rate, decrease immunity of body, and increases activity of heart coronary and gastrointestinal. This study was perfound to assess the effects of metatarsus foot reflexology on state anxiety levels after coronary artery bypass graft in Imam Ali Hospital Kermanshah.

Methods and Materials: This clinical trial included 88 patients that they were divided in to the intervention and control group based on the randomly. The intervention group received a 10 minute right foot massage one day on third and fourth day after coronary artery bypass graft and control group received no intervention, only at the time mentioned, score anxiety was measured with standard questionnaire spielberger.

Results: Patients state anxiety significanty decreased in the intervention group in the third day comparison with the control group, but no difference were not observed in the control group.

Conclusion: The finding of the study showed foot reflexology to be effective and simple that complication and damages are low that is used in reducing patients anxiety in treatment-health centers.