Evaluation of therapeutic laser influences on the healing of third-degree burns in rats according to different wavelengths

Introduction: One of the most important innovative methods for tissue repair promotion is therapeutic lasers with photobiomodulution effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four different wavelengths of therapeutic laser (405, 532, 660 and 810 nm) on healing of third-degree burns from both clinical and pathological standpoints in rats. Materials and methods: 60 male Wistar rats were used. Animals were anesthetized and dorsal hairs were shaved and third-degree skin burns were created by use of a 95°C copper stamp. Lesions were irradiated with 1.5 J/cm² energy densities and 200 mW/cm² power densities. Results: Statistical analyses of the “wound contraction” changes between five groups during the study showed more reduction in wound size in all laser groups in comparison with the control group; but these differences were not statistically significant except between red and blue lasers on the last day of experiment. Discussion: Results of our study showed that using therapeutic lasers with green, blue, red, and infrared wavelengths may accelerate healing process. This trend is more obvious in red and infrared groups especially after acute phase, however, this effect was neither statistically nor clinically significant.     

Cannabidiol promotes neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus during an abstinence period in rats following chronic exposure to methamphetamine

Metabolic Brain Disease - Chronic methamphetamine (meth) abuse can lead to certain deficits in the hippocampal function by affecting the hippocampal neurogenesis and plasticity. To determine...     

Low gradient ascites： A seven-year course review

AIM: To study the patients with low gradient ascites in hospitals of Guilan Province (northern Iran). METHODS: Patients admitted in hospitals of Guilan Province with low gradient ascites from 1993 to 2000 were enrolled in the study. Serum and ascitic fluid albumin levels were determined by biochemical reactions. The serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) less than 1.1 g/dL was considered low. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 9.0 software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 148 patients enrolled in the study, 72 (48.6%) were males and 76 (51.4%) were females with a mean age of 59.03±13.54 years. Tuberculous peritonitis was the most frequent cause of low gradient ascites in 68 (45.9%). Other most frequent causes were cancer in 62 (41.9%), nephrotic syndrome in 9 (6%), pancreatitis in 6 (4%). Peritoneal cancer was found in 22 (35%), ovarian and gastric cancers were found in 14 (22.5%) and 12 (19.3%), respectively. All of which were the causes of ascites. The mean SAAG was 0.68±0.19 g/dL. The mean serum and ascitic fluid albumin concentrations were higher in tuberculous patients (P<0.006), but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was higher in cancer patients (P<0.0001). In peritoneal tuberculosis, mean ascitic glucose concentration was significantly lower than other patients (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be considered in all patients with low gradient ascites especially in developing countries (like Iran), as the first cause of ascites. In the approach to patients with low gradient ascites, ascitic fluid glucose, and LDH level are useful indicators for decision making.     

Knowledge levels and attitudes of health care professionals toward patients with hepatitis C infection

AIM: To study knowledge levels and attitudes of health care providers toward patients with hepatitis C virus infection in Guilan, a northern province of Iran.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 239 health care professionals from the Razi Hospital, including doctors, nurses, and operating room technicians. The questionnaires consisted of questions on demographic characteristics, knowledge levels, and attitudes toward hepatitis C patients. The questionnaire was tested in a pilot study and validated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software.RESULTS: The mean ± SD knowledge score was 17.43 ± 2.65 (from a total of 22). 51.9% of the participants achieved scores higher than the mean. There was a significant relationship between knowledge score and age (P = 0.001), gender (P = 0.0001), occupational history (P = 0.0001), and educational history (P = 0.027). There was also a significant relationship between attitude level and age (P = 0.002), gender (P = 0.0001), occupational history (P = 0.0001), and educational history (P = 0.035). Physicians were significantly more knowledgeable and showed more positive attitudes. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (P = 0.02).CONCLUSION: Discriminatory attitudes are common among health care providers toward hepatitis C patients. It is therefore necessary to improve their knowledge level and attitude toward this disease.     

Relative potency of pregabalin, gabapentin, and morphine in a mouse model of visceral pain

Purpose

Pregabalin is probably more effective than prototype gabapentin in different kinds of pain treatments. This study was performed to compare the potency of gabapentin, pregabalin, and morphine in a well-established model of visceral pain.

Methods

The number of abdominal contractions was counted for 30 min in adult male mice that received different doses of pregabalin, gabapentin, morphine, or placebo intraperitoneally 30 min before receiving 0.6% acetic acid 10 mL·kg^?1.The antinociceptive effect of each drug dose was determined as a percentage of the reduction in the number of acetic acid-induced writhes. The effective doses, for 20%, 50%, and 80% response (ED₂₀, ED₅₀, and ED₈₀, respectively), of each drug were calculated using least squares linear regression analysis, and then dose-response curves were compared.

Results

Pregabalin, gabapentin, and morphine produced a linear dose-dependent antinociceptive effect (coefficient of determination [r²] > 0.9). No difference was observed between slopes of dose-response curves. The ED₅₀ estimates (95% confidence interval) for pregabalin, gabapentin, and morphine were 17.1 (12.9 to 22.1) mg·kg^?1, 87.1 (45.8 to 129.8) mg·kg^?1, and 0.2 (0.1 to 0.3) mg·kg^?1, respectively.

Conclusion

In this animal model of visceral pain, all three drugs exhibited parallel dose-response curves. Pregabalin had five times the potency of gabapentin and 1/85^th the potency of morphine. Similar potency ratios may apply in clinical practice. Despite some limitations of animal studies, this model could be useful for comparing new analgesics in visceral pain treatment.