syriacus extracts inhibited the growth of B. melitensis. The MIC50 values of O. syriacum and T. syriacus aqueous extracts were 3.125 µl/ml and 6.25 µl/ml, respectively. Reuben et al.40 found that the MIC and MBC often had comparable or close values, concluding that the essential oils of O. syriacum and T. syriacus possessed bactericidal effect on B. melitensis. Darabpour et al. found that the methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L seed exhibited a broad antibacterial activity against B. melitensis even at lowest concentration (50 mg/ml).41 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Shapouri and Rahnema reported the MIC of aqueous hops extract for B. abortus 544

and B. melitensis 16M, as 0.625 mg/ml, whereas that of acetonic and ethanolic extracts being 0.05 mg/ml.42 Motamedi and his colleagues studied the effect of plant extract-antibiotic combination against

B. melitensis, and observed a synergitistic activity in the combination of Oliveria decumbens extracts and doxycycline. In our in vitro study of T. syriacus aqueous extract of essential oil, a good additive activity against two B. melitensis Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical isolates was demonstrated when it was used in combination with levofloxacin. Conclusion Our study showed that O. syriacum and T. syriacus essential oils were most effective against B. melitensis. This could provide a potential source of new antibacterial agents which is worthy of clinical trials. In addition, doxycycline, levofloxacin and ofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics. Moreover, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical levofloxacin

and Thymus syriacus essential oil combination was more effective than either antibiotic or the essential oil alone. Further and more specific studies, in vivo, are recommended to determine the efficacy of these essential oils in the treatment of brucellosis infections. Acknowledgment Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The authors would like to thank the Director General of AECS, and the head of the Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology for their support. Conflict of interest: None declared
Background: Lead is a toxic element Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical which causes acute, subacute or chronic poisoning through environmental and occupational exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and laboratory abnormalities of chronic lead poisoning among workers of a car battery industry. Methods: Questionnaires and forms were designed and used to record demographic why data, past medical histories and clinical manifestations of lead poisoning. Blood samples were taken to determine biochemical (using Auto Analyzer; Model BT3000) and hematologic (using Cell Counter Sysmex; Model KX21N) parameters. An selleck kinase inhibitor atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer, Model 3030, USA) was used to determine lead concentration in blood and urine by heated graphite atomization technique. Results: A total of 112 men mean age 28.78±5.17 years, who worked in a car battery industry were recruited in the present study. The most common signs/symptoms of lead poisoning included increased excitability 41.9%, arthralgia 41.0%, fatigue 40.1%, dental grey discoloration 44.