Comparison between Alpha and silver sulfadiazine ointments in treatment of Pseudomonas infections in 3rd degree burns

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Alpha ointment in the treatment of burn wounds and compare its results with silver sulfadiazine (SS). Similar burn ulcers were produced on anterior surface of thigh of 60 rats. The wounds were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and dressing and debridement was performed daily. The first group of rats received topical SS, the second group received Alpha ointment and the third (control group) received no medication. Wound healing, contraction, culture, and scar formation were evaluated at the end of the second and 10th week. Alpha ointment was equally effective as SS, considering wound healing and contraction. Wound infection was significantly less common in Alpha ointment group compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Alpha ointment is a less expensive drug with an acceptable result compared to SS. Therefore, we recommend it as an alternative to SS, especially in patients with low economical backgrounds or in those who show adverse reactions to SS.     

Novel Extracorporeal Dialysis Circuit to Improve the Removal Efficiency of High and Middle Molecular Weight Toxins

A new extracorporeal circuit for hemodialysis was designed with the goal of improving the middle and high molecular weight toxins removal. A recirculation pathway was added to the hemodialysis circuit and relevant pressure regulation was performed along the circuit in order to keep the ultrafiltration rate as zero. The influence of increasing the recirculation to dialysate flow rate ratio on the removal of urea, vitamin B12, and hemoglobin was investigated. This removal was also modeled by an analytical method and solved by MATLAB software. A significant increase in removal of vitamin B12 (34%) and especially hemoglobin (228%) was achieved using the recirculation flow in an adjusted hemodialysis circuit. The model showed an acceptable agreement with the experimental results which shows its applicability for prediction of different toxin removal in this circuit.     

Expression analysis of mTOR-associated lncRNAs in multiple sclerosis

Metabolic Brain Disease - mTOR has been shown to be involved in the regulation of immune responses and differentiation of immune cells. This protein is a candidate molecule for unraveling the...     

The effect of He-Ne and Ga-Al-As laser light on the healing of hard palate mucosa of mice

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used to accelerate wound healing, yet questions remain concerning its therapeutic applications. This study aimed to compare the healing efficacy of helium-neon (He-Ne) red light (laser) and gallium aluminum arsenide (Ga-Al-As) infrared lasers at two different doses on hard palate wounds. In a randomized controlled study, 75 adult male mice were divided into five groups of 15 each, after undergoing identical surgical procedures; a control group, with no laser irradiation; HD1 and HD2 groups, treated with He-Ne laser (wavelengths 632.8 nm, power 5 mW, and spot size 0.02 cm²) at doses of 4 J/cm² and 7.5 J/cm² respectively; and GD1 and GD2 groups, treated with Ga-Al-As laser (wavelengths 830 nm, peak power 25 mW, and spot size 0.10 cm²) at the doses of 4 J/cm² and 7.5 J/cm², respectively. Five animals from each group were killed on the third, seventh, and 14 days after surgery, and biopsies were made for histological analysis. On the 3rd and 7th day after the surgery, the number of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in HD1, HD2, GD1, and GD2 groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. On the 7th and 14th day, the fibroblasts and new blood vessels counts and collagen density fibers in HD1, HD2, GD1, and GD2 groups were also significantly higher than that of the control groups, and the fibroblast counts and collagen density fibers in HD1 and HD2 groups were higher than that of the GD1 and GD2 groups. LLLT with He-Ne laser compared to Ga-Al-As laser has a positive healing effect on hard palate gingival wounds in mice regardless of the radiation dose.     

Displacement of the Hip Center of Rotation After Arthroplasty of Crowe III and IV Dysplasia: A Radiological and Biomechanical Study

To study the direction and biomechanical consequences of hip center of rotation (HCOR) migration in Crowe type III and VI hips after total hip arthroplasty, post-operative radiographs and CT scans of several unilaterally affected hips were evaluated. Using a three-dimensional model of the human hip, the HCOR was moved in all directions, and joint reaction force (JRF) and abductor muscle force (AMF) were calculated for single-leg stance configuration. Comparing to the normal side, HCOR had displaced medially and inferiorly by an average of 23.4% and 20.8%, respectively, of the normal femoral head diameter. Significant decreases in JRF (13%) and AMF (46.13%) were observed in a presumptive case with that amount of displacement. Isolated inferior displacement had a small, increasing effect on these forces. In Crowe type III and IV hips, the HCOR migrates inferiorly and medially after THA, resulting in a decrease in JRF, AMF, and abductor muscle contraction force.     

The influence of ethnicity on the characteristics of multiple sclerosis: A local population study between Persians and Arabs

Background

Based on previous studies, Iran is located in a low risk area in terms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to determine and compare the incidence, prevalence and demographic characteristics of MS in two ethnic groups of Persian and Arab over the period spanning 2009 in the Khuzestan province, in the Southwest of Iran.

Methods

A cross-sectional case register study was conducted between January and August 2009. All cases in the region whom were referred to the MS society in the city of Ahwaz were participants in the study. The population data from the Iranian Bureau of Statistics were used to calculate the population at risk based on the 1996 and 2006 census data.

Results

A total of 696 patients were identified according to the McDonald criteria during the last 12 years of which 569 patients were Persian. In 2009 the total prevalence and incidence rates of MS were 16.28 and 2.20 per 100,000 individuals. Based on these values, the female to male ratios were 3.11. The Persians manifested more sensory signs and symptoms (40.2%) but motor deficits (19.1%) and cerebellar findings (18.2%) were seen as being more manifest in Arab individuals. The main difference was observed in the progressive types of MS in which 24.7% of the Arab patients showed progressive type symptoms as compared to 15.9% of the cases in the Persian population.

Conclusion

According to this study the authors conclude that the prevalence and incidence of MS were higher in Persians; however progressive forms of MS with motor and cerebellar signs are more frequent in the Arab ethnic group.     

Electrodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide from aqueous solution using three-dimensional electrode reactor with G/β-PbO2 anode: Taguchi optimization and degradation mechanism determination

This study aimed to investigate the electro-degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous solution using two and three-dimensional electrode (2D and 3D) reactors with graphite(G)/β-PbO₂ anode. To increase the degradation efficiency, affecting parameters on the electro-degradation process were investigated and optimized by adopting the Taguchi design of experiments approach. The structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the electrodes were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammograms. The controllable factors, i.e., electrolysis time, 2,4-D initial concentration, solution pH and current density (j) were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the 2,4-D degradation efficiency was 75.6% using 2D and 93.5% using 3D electrode processes. The percentage contribution of each controllable factor was also determined. The pH of the solution was identified as the most influential factor, and its percentage contribution value was up to 39.9% and 40.4% for 2D and 3D electrode processes, respectively. Considering the parameters of the kinetics, it was found that the degradation of 2,4-D and removal of COD using the G/β-PbO₂ electrode obey the pseudo-first order kinetics. In addition, the mineralization pathway of 2,4-D at G/β-PbO₂ electrode was proposed. The results also demonstrated that the 3D electrode process with G/β-PbO₂ anode can be considered as a useful method for degradation and mineralization of 2,4-D herbicides from aqueous solution.

Optimization of process parameters using the Taguchi method, electrochemical degradation and electrochemical degradation mechanism of 2,4-D herbicide using 2D and 3D reactors with G/β-PbO₂ anode were investigated.     

The rs594445 in MOCOS gene is associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder

Metabolic Brain Disease - Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) gene encodes an enzyme which is involved in purine metabolism. Recent experiments have shown down-regulation of MOCOS in adult nasal...     

Calorie restriction promotes remyelination in a Cuprizone-Induced demyelination mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Metabolic Brain Disease - Over the past few decades several attempts have been made to introduce a potential and promising therapy for Multiple sclerosis (MS). Calorie restriction (CR) is a dietary...