Biotechnology and Health Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Synergistic Antiparkinsonian Effect of Flunarizine, Glibenclamide and B Vitamins in a Rat 6-Hydroxydopamine Model; The Role of Malondialdehyde","authors":"M. Sarookhani, H. Haghdoost-Yazdi, H. Piri, Nafiseh Rastgoo, Parham Tadayon","doi":"10.17795/BHS-38762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-38762","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The current study evaluated the effects of a combination of flunarizine (flu) a calcium channel blocker, glibenclamide (Glib), a KATP channels blocker and B \u0000vitamins (B com) on the behavioral symptoms of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced model of Parkinson disease to evaluate the synergistic antiparkinsonian effects \u0000of the drugs and supplements. Also the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in blood and brain suspensions to find probable neuroprotective mechanism of \u0000these materials. \u0000Methods: 6-OHDA was injected into striatum of rats by stereotaxic surgery. Pretreatment with flu, Glib and B com was started before the surgery and continued to three \u0000weeks after the surgery. Development and severity of Parkinson disease were evaluated by the conventional behavioral tests. MDA values were measured spectrophotometrically, \u0000using thiobarbituric acid test and the MDA standard curve. \u0000Results: Pretreatment with a combination of flu, Glib and B com ameliorated the behavioral symptoms of Parkinson disease. The effect of the combination was significantly \u0000more potent than those of flu, Glib or B com, solely. Pretreatment with the combination or using only Glib or B com separately, reduced the level of MDA in blood \u0000and brain, significantly. However, the effect of the combination was significantly more potent than those of Glib or B com, solely. \u0000Conclusions: Since the severity of the behavioral symptoms in the 6-OHDA-induced model of Parkinson disease reflects the degree of the lesion in substantia nigra (SN) \u0000dopaminergic neurons, it is suggested that using the combination had neuroprotective effects. The obtained data suggest a synergistic neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian \u0000effect for flu, Glib and B com. At least, a part of this effect was mediated through inhibition of oxidative stress. \u0000Keywords: 6-Hydroxydopamine, Flunarizine, Glibenclamide: B Vitamins, Behavioral Symptoms, Malondialdehyde","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"150 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80068456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Patients With Ongoing Miscarriage Using Serological Tests and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction","authors":"L. Conde-Ferráez, José Reyes Canché-Pech, G. Ayora-Talavera, L. Sáenz-Carbonell, I. Córdova-Lara, M. González-Losa","doi":"10.17795/BHS-37062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-37062","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most frequent viruses affecting females’ sexual and reproductive health. \u0000Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the HSV serostatus and viral shedding in patients with ongoing miscarriage. \u0000Methods: Two hundred and eight females were included in the study; IgM antibodies against HSV1/2 were detected in serum samples; the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantification of viral DNA was performed on cervicovaginal samples. Positive females were tested for IgG anti-HSV-2. \u0000Results: The results indicated 12.5% IgM-positive and 2.9% real-time PCR positive samples. None of the patients was positive for the both analyses, simultaneously. Among IgM-positives cases, 16.6% were also IgG-positive; whilst in PCR-positives samples, 20% were also IgG-positive. The presence of viral DNA without detectable IgM or IgG antibodies could indicate a recent infection or a \u0000reactivation with low copy numbers. \u0000Conclusions: IgM alone is not a marker for viral shedding in genital tract. Molecular testing in conjunction of IgG test should be evaluated as an option to determine HSV status, and applied for research on HSV genital infections records. \u0000Keywords: Herpes, Diagnosis, Viral Shedding","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"46 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80723012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparedness of Iranian Hospitals Against Disasters","authors":"S. Asefzadeh, Roya Rajaee, F. Ghamari, R. Kalhor, S. Gholami","doi":"10.17795/BHS-35073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-35073","url":null,"abstract":"Context: Over the past decade the number of accidents and disasters has been growing around the world. In addition to damaging communities and infrastructures, unexpected disasters also affect service providers. This study aimed to evaluate the readiness of hospitals when confronted with unexpected disasters. \u0000Evidence Acquisition: The present study was a simple review article, which was conducted via searching different sites, such as:Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed, using different key words such as: Disasters, Crisis, Hospital and preparedness.The relationship between the articles found in relation to our subject was investigated through the title and abstract of articles. The relationship between the articles, which were found in relation to our subject, was investigated through the title and abstract of \u0000the articles. Our search included papers published during the period between 2007 and 2015 and we only considered studies that measured the preparedness of hospitals in critical conditions. Among the 30 articles, which were found, 17 were excluded from the study due to lack of relevant data. Hence, 15 papers, which were of proper design and robust data analysis, were included in the \u0000current study. \u0000Results: Hospital preparedness in disaster was evaluated in three dimensions: structural, non-structural factors and vulnerability management performance. A total of readiness of hospitals in three dimensions was mediocre. \u0000Conclusions: Overall, the results derived from these studies indicated that hospital safety levels in most of the surveyed hospitals were moderate. Although the situation in hospitals is not critical, there is a need to plan and take appropriate measures to improve \u0000the safety level of the hospitals. \u0000Keywords: Disasters, Risk Assessment, Hospital Preparedness, Iranian Hospitals","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74373440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance Analysis of Hospitals Affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Using the Pabon Lasso Model: A Six-Year-Trend Study","authors":"R. Kalhor, Fatemeh Darzi Ramandi, S. Rafiei, S. Tabatabaee, M. Azmal, L. Kalhor","doi":"10.17795/BHS-38629","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-38629","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Nowadays, productivity and efficiency are considered a culture and a perspective in both life and work environments. This is the starting point of human development. \u0000Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the performance of hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences using the Pabon Lasso Model. \u0000Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytic research, with a cross-sectional design, conducted during six years (2009 - 2014), at selected hospitals. The studied hospitals of this study were 21 public hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The data was obtained from the treatment Deputy of Khorasan Razavi province. \u0000Results: Results from the present study showed that only 19% of the studied hospitals were located in zone 3 of the diagram, indicating a perfect performance. Twenty-eight percent were in zone 1, 19% in zone 2, and 28% in zone 4. \u0000Conclusions: According to the findings, only a few hospitals are at the desirable zone (zone 3); the rest of the hospitals fell in other zones, which could be a result of poor performance and poor management of hospital resources. Most of the hospitals were in zones 1 and 4, whose characteristics are low bed turnover and longer stay, indicating higher bed supply than demand for healthcare services or longer hospitalization, less outpatient equipment use, and higher costs. \u0000Keywords: Hospitals’ Performance Evaluation, Pabon Lasso Model, Efficiency, Key Performance Indicators, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"99 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79248885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioinformatics Approach for Pattern of Myelin-Specific Proteins and Related Human Disorders","authors":"Samiie Pouragahi, M. Sanati, M. Sadeghi, Marjan Nassiri-Asl","doi":"10.17795/BHS-38278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-38278","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Recent neuroinformatic studies, on the structure-function interaction of proteins, causative agents basis of human disease have implied that dysfunction or defect of different protein classes could be associated with several related diseases. \u0000Objectives: The aim of this study was the use of bioinformatics approaches for understanding the structure, function and relationship of myelin protein 2 (PMP2), a myelin-basic protein in the basis of neuronal disorders. \u0000Methods: A collection of databases for exploiting classification information systematically, including, protein structure, protein family and classification of human disease, based on a new approach was used. Knowledge discovery was carried out based on \u0000collections criteria and in silico integrative in vitro studies. \u0000Results: The results of the evaluation of bioinformatics comorbid proteomics studies revealed that PMP2, an intracellular andmembrane myelin protein, is specific for a neuritis disease and collaborative to other diseases. Leprosy, another neuronal disease that could be related to neuritis, consists of interferon gamma (IFNG), a secreted protein included various protein classes from what is neuritis. \u0000Conclusions: The growth rate of information in bioinformatics databases could facilitate studies of live organisms prior to observation studies. Two different protein classes could be causative agents of one disease. However, two related diseases from one disease group could consist of different protein classes. Future research in the field of proteomics could allow modern insight to reshuffling of proteins in different diseases, and lead to the discovery of the etiology of such diseases. \u0000Keywords: Bioinformatics Databases, Myelin Protein 2 (PMP2), Protein Classes, Human Disorders","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84620606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Association Between Sleep Quality and Metabolic Factors and Anthropometric Measurements","authors":"M. Khorasani, A. Mohammadpoorasl, M. Javadi","doi":"10.17795/bhs-38652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/bhs-38652","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Several studies have shown that sleep disorders may lead to metabolic or endocrine changes including insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and stroke. \u0000Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep quality and metabolic factors and anthropometric measurements among personnel \u0000of a central petrochemical company in Tehran. \u0000Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 personnel of a central petrochemical company in Tehran, during year 2015. Demographic information including \u0000age, gender, educational status, employment duration, working hours per day, marital status, smoking, medical history for disease and drug use, were collected \u0000by a questionnaire. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and also height and weight were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. \u0000Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) was performed to assess participants’ sleep quality. Serum concentrations of fasting glucose and lipid profiles were measured by the related biochemical kits. Logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate adjusting of factors associated with sleep quality. \u0000Results: The mean score for participants’ Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was 4.77 ± 2.62. About 30% of participants had had bad sleep quality. A high body mass \u0000index (BMI) (P < 0.001) and high waist circumference (P = 0.016) were inversely associated with sleep quality. Serum concentration of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P = 0.004) and triglyceride (P = 0.001) were statistically higher in participants with lower sleep quality than with those with higher sleep quality. The group with a good sleep quality had a higher serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) than those with a poor sleep quality (P = 0.034). Being female increased the risk of poor sleep quality by 2.5 folds, and with increasing BMI (OR = 1.17) and serum triglyceride (OR = 1.02) the risk of poor sleep quality was increased. \u0000Conclusions: People with a poor sleep quality had a higher BMI, waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels and a lower HDL-c concentration. Furthermore, BMI \u0000and serum triglyceride concentration are independently associated with the score of sleep quality. Indeed, it is recommended for people to screen for sleep quality to \u0000start necessary interventions. \u0000Keywords: Sleep Quality, Lipid Profile, Serum Glucose, Body Mass Index, Insulin Resistance, Petrochemical Company","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"142 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77888276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Physical Activity in Nursing and Midwifery Students","authors":"K. Hosseinzadeh, M. Heidari, A. Karbord, J. Azimian, A. Alizadeh","doi":"10.17795/BHS-35842","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-35842","url":null,"abstract":"There are some mediators that affect physical activity such as knowledge and attitude. Some barriers such as lack of \u0000time, bad environmentsmayimpede doing physical activities. It sounds that lack of time is acommonbarrier to do physical activity \u0000in nursing and midwifery students. Since they encounter some factors that affect their health, this knowledge, attitude and practice \u0000(KAP) study may be helpful to maintain and improve their health. \u0000Objectives: The current study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice related to physical activity in nursing and \u0000midwifery students. \u0000Patients and Methods: By simple randomized sampling method, 200 subjects were enrolled in the study. Based on the international \u0000physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), a standard checklist was used to gather the related data. Then, the data were analyzed \u0000by SPSS software in 95% confidence interval (CI). \u0000Results: Mean and standard deviation of subjects’ attitude was 5.9 � 3.1 (minimum: -3, maximum: 14, median: 6). There was no \u0000significant difference in the means of knowledge and attitude between genders, and also between nursing and midwifery students. \u0000There was significant difference only regarding walking (P = 0.017), stretching (P = 0.050) and body building (P = 0.040) between \u0000the students in 95% CI. \u0000Conclusions: Based on the current study finding, planning is needed to increase KAP of the students regarding physical activity. \u0000Some types of physical activity are more attractive than others formales and females separately, yet it is important to encourage the \u0000nursing and midwifery students to examine a variety of physical activities and help them find suitable activities. \u0000Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Physical Activity","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82165764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Prediction of Preeclampsia and Its Association With Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in the First Trimester of Pregnancy","authors":"H. Pakniat, F. Movahed, A. Bahman, Mahdi Azoor","doi":"10.17795/BHS-36810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-36810","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are one of the most serious complications and their early diagnosis is one of the most important goals of prenatal care. \u0000 \u0000Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the association of first trimester Hemoglobin (Hb) and Hematocrit (Hct) with preeclampsia. \u0000 \u0000Patients and Methods: This descriptive-analytic, prospective study was performed on 1376, less than 12 weeks of gestation, singleton pregnancies, visited for their prenatal care in health and medical clinics of the Qazvin province during years 2013 and 2014. At first, demographic data were recorded in a questionnaire and then all pregnant cases were referred to one of the three reference laboratories for their first trimester routine tests. After hemoglobin and hematocrit date collection, women were categorized in three groups: Hb < 11, Hb ≥ 12.49 and 11 ≤ Hb < 12.49, and based on Hct, two groups: Hct < 38% and Hct ≥ 38. The analysis was done by χ2 (chi-square) and t-test with SPSS 16. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve and Youden’s index were utilized for finding the optimum cut off for each. P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. \u0000 \u0000Results: Preeclampsia incidence was 5.1% in our study. Mean Hb was 12.38 ± 1.69 g/dL in the preeclampsia group and 11.8 ± 1.18 in the non-preeclampsia group, and mean Hct was 37.74 ± 5.15% in the preeclampsia group and 35.45 ± 3.58% in the preeclampsia group and 35.45 ± 3.58% in the non-preeclampsia group, (P = 0.016) (P = 0.001). Furthermore, 43 out of 68 patients with preeclampsia (10.9%) had high hemoglobin (Hb ≥ 12.5 g/dL). We found a significant association between the 1st trimester Hb, Hct and preeclampsia (P 38%) (4.41 - 12.044: CI 95%). According to Youden’s Index, optimum cut-off for 1st trimester Hb was 12.65 and for Hct, this was 38.05%. \u0000 \u0000Conclusions: The association of the 1st trimester high Hb and Hct with preeclampsia was revealed in this study, therefore it could be used as a prediction factor for early preeclampsia diagnosis. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Preeclampsia; First Trimester; Hemoglobin; Hematocrit","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85095248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lifestyles Based on Health Components in Iran","authors":"Mansour Babaei, M. Ghanei, K. Ahmadi, A. Tavana, M. Bahadori, A. Ebadi, S. Saeed, Baratali Asghari","doi":"10.17795/BHS-36173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17795/BHS-36173","url":null,"abstract":"Context: Lifestyle is a way employed by people, groups and nations and is formed in specific geographical, economic, political, cultural and religious texts. Health depends on lifestyle and is essential to preserve and promote health and improve lifestyle. \u0000Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate lifestyle based on health-oriented components in Iran. \u0000Data Sources: The research was conducted through E-banks including scientific information database (SID), Iran medical science databank (Iran Medex), Iran journal databank (Magiran) and other databases such as Elsevier, PubMed and google scholar meta search engine regarding the subject from 2000 to 2014. Moreover, Official Iranian statistics and information were applied. The search terms used included lifestyle, health, health promoting behaviors, health-oriented lifestyle and lifestyle in Iran. \u0000Study Selection: In the primary research, many papers were observed out of which 157 (120 in Farsi and 37 in English) were selected. \u0000Data Extraction: Following the careful study of these papers and excluding the unqualified papers, 19 papers with thorough information and higher relevance with the research purpose were selected. \u0000Results: After examining articles based on the selected keywords and search strategies, 215 articles (134 in Farsi and 81 in English) were obtained. Components of lifestyle and health are increasing in recent years; therefore, 8 (42%) and 11 (58%) articles were published \u0000during 2005 - 2010 and 2011 - 2014, respectively. Among them, there were 3 (16%), 8 (42%), 2 (10.5%), 2 (10.5%) and 0 articles on the review of literature, descriptive-analytic, qualitative, analytic and descriptive articles, respectively. \u0000Conclusions: Due to positive effect of healthy lifestyle on health promotion of individuals, it would be better for the government to provide comprehensive programs and policies in the society to enhance awareness of people about positive effects of healthoriented lifestyle on life and also provide required conditions to have a healthy lifestyle. Islamic Republic of Iran considers all aspects of health. Therefore, by paying attention to physical, psychological, social and spiritual health and wisdom, it can provide social and individual healthy lifestyles. \u0000Keywords: Lifestyle, Health, Health Promoting","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75834981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iranian Traditional Medicine as a Science Not Folkloric Medicine","authors":"M. Siahpoosh","doi":"10.5812/BHS-39182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/BHS-39182","url":null,"abstract":"Replying message to the interesting article “Viewpoints \u0000of patients in Qazvin towards complementary and alternative medicine published in biotechnology and \u0000health science”, which discussed the tendency of people \u0000to use three methods of complementary and alternative \u0000medicine including: Acupuncture, homeopathy and phlebotomy as a method of therapy in the Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) in 2012 in Qazvin, Iran (1); there are some important points which should be necessarily reminded: \u0000What is ITM? \u0000ITM is a medical school which has appeared in three \u0000forms: The first is folkloric medicine, the second is \u0000medicine of herbalists and bonesetters and the third is scientific medicine. Now, in Iran, the first and second forms of ITM are dominant and they are introduced as ITM whereas real ITM is the third form of it, scientific or academic ITM. \u0000Unfortunately, not only ordinary people but also many \u0000physicians and researchers think that ITM is the same as \u0000folkloric medicine and/or medicine of herbalists and bonesetters while the truth of ITM could be found in its valid references such as canon of medicine by Avicenna and Al-Havi by Rhazes. Many improvements in folkloric medicine and medicine of herbalists and bonesetters are different from those of scientific ITM anyway (2). In Iran since a few years ago many ITM centers are established that work on the basis of the first two forms of ITM and attract many fans even among some physicians who have no knowledge about the third form of ITM. In 2009 ITM colleges formally started teaching academic ITM in Tehran, Iran, as a result of which, legal and scientific ITM clinics were inaugurated in Tehran \u0000and then in other cities of Iran. However, nonscientific ITM centers are still active and practitioners work there without any legal and scientific basis. \u0000Principles of treatment according to academic ITM: \u0000According to ITM, treatment begins with nutritional \u0000orders. In the second step, drugs are used traditionally \u0000or in combination form; in the third step, other treatments such as surgery, massage, cupping, phlebotomy, \u0000etc. named as manual tasks may be used. Therefore, the \u0000third step is the final option that physician chooses. In \u0000ITM, there are very limited indications to drain blood from body through cupping, phlebotomy and leech; in addition, draining blood is a manual task which is the last line of treatment. Phlebotomy is an aggressive method of bleeding in which a vein splits and a lot of blood drains out. Cupping is less aggressive than phlebotomy in which some superficial capillaries are scratched and a little blood drains out (3). Hippocrates said that blood is the most important element in body; therefore it should never be drained out from body except in some exceptional circumstances (4). \u0000Traditional medicine treatment centers in Qazvin: \u0000Despite the academic ITM, cupping is a very common \u0000method of therapy in nonscientific forms of ITM and even \u0000it is the first line of treatment however ph","PeriodicalId":8849,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology and Health Sciences","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74078157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}