Background: Poultry Meat is one of the major sources of human food. The cholesterol level in poultry productions could be monitored by feeding different medicinal plants. The medicinal plants have hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. Objective: The aim of this study was comparison hypolipidemic effect, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration in broilers given three commercial herbal extracts and virginiamycin. Methods: A total four hundred and eighty 1-d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and 0.15% (V/V) virginiamycin, 0.1% (V/V) extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garlic (Allium sativum) and blend of extracts with the same dose were added to water. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration were measured after 42 day. Results: Garlic (Allium sativum) significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, and TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) improved hematocrit percentage and hemoglubin concentration, but not significantly. Conclusion: Herbal extracts could improve blood factors in comparison with the control and antibiotic fed birds.

Background: During the removal of the angiographic sheath, due to the patient's vigilance and observation of the process, the patient experiences high levels of anxiety and stress.
Objective: To determine the effects of inhalation of lavender essential oil on stress and anxiety during sheath take out in patients after coronary angiography.
Method: In a semi-experimental study, 70 patients were selected by random sampling method in 2012 - 2013 and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. After leaving the shield (4 hours after the completion of the angiography), the Spielberger anxiety questionnaire was completed by the patients in both groups. After 70 minutes, the patients in the experimental group smelled two drops of lavender essential oil and the control group smelled placebo for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes, the anxiety and stress levels of the patients assessed again and compared with pretest.
Results: After intervention, anxiety (P = 0.001) and stress (P <0.001) in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group. Also, the anxiety and stress of the experimental group in the post-intervention phase was significantly lower than before the intervention
(P <0.001). Fisher's exact test showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of anxiety levels after intervention (P = 0.001); such that the majority of the experimental group showed a slight anxiety level (67.9%).
Conclusion: The use of lavender essential oil during sheath take out in patients after coronary angiography can reduce stress and anxiety.
 

Background: Tooth decay is the result of the activity of cariogenic microorganisms that live in dental plaque. Among these, Streptococcus mutans is the main factor in the development and progression of dental tissue destruction. Objective: The study aims to investigate the anti-caries potential of a natural compound-based varnish against S. mutans on a set of dental specimens. Methods: Fifty-four extracted human molar and premolar specimens were procured from an outpatient clinic of pediatric dentistry, Bojnurd, Iran. These teeth were cast in a silicon putty and treated with a varnish made of propolis and miswak (from twigs of Salvadora persica L. tree) ethanolic extracts, followed by incubation in a harsh acidic medium (pH 2). Then, the density of samples, antibacterial activity, buffering capacity, and fluoride release were respectively investigated using radiography, disc diffusion and microdilution tests, and pH drop challenge in acetic acid solution (PH 4). Results: Overall, the varnishes protected the dental samples from dissolution in the acidic medium, as evidenced by the radiographic examination. The varnishes also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity (inhibition zones of 3.2 ± 0.8 mm and 2.0 ± 0.2 mm for miswak and propolis varnish films), a considerable buffering capacity (pH increase from 4 to 7 within 5 minutes), and released fluoride (mean 85 µmoles). Conclusion: The application of natural compound-based varnish is strongly recommended for dental protection.