Cellulose and Its Nano-Derivatives as a Water-Repellent and Fire-Resistant Surface: A Review

The inevitable destructive effects of moisture and temperature are obvious in cellulosic and nanocellulosic substrates. These materials are the main foundations of interdependent industries that produce products such as currency notes or high-quality packaging for sanitary, cosmetics, or ammunition in the defense industry. Therefore, it is essential to develop procedures to eliminate problems arising from humidity and fire to improve the quality of these green and sustainable materials. The production of waterproof and flame-resistant cellulose-based substrates has drawn increasing attention to resolve these drawbacks. In this review paper, we have initially summarized the most accessible cellulosic substrates, different kinds of nanocellulose, and the general information about water repellents and intumescent fireproof surfaces. Then, the potential and necessity of using cellulosic biobased substrates are addressed for use in modified shapes as waterproof and fire inhibitor coatings. Cost-effective, eco-friendly, and durable, dual-function coatings are also introduced as future challenges, which are exploited as water-repellents and flame-retardant cellulose-based surfaces for pulp and paper applications.     

Simulation of Depth of Wear of Eco-Friendly Concrete Using Machine Learning Based Computational Approaches

To avoid time-consuming, costly, and laborious experimental tests that require skilled personnel, an effort has been made to formulate the depth of wear of fly-ash concrete using a comparative study of machine learning techniques, namely random forest regression (RFR) and gene expression programming (GEP). A widespread database comprising 216 experimental records was constructed from available research. The database includes depth of wear as a response parameter and nine different explanatory variables, i.e., cement content, fly ash, water content, fine and coarse aggregate, plasticizer, air-entraining agent, age of concrete, and time of testing. The performance of the models was judged via statistical metrics. The GEP model gives better performance with R² and ρ equals 0.9667 and 0.0501 respectively and meet with the external validation criterion suggested in the previous literature. The k-fold cross-validation also verifies the accurateness of the model by evaluating R², RSE, MAE, and RMSE. The sensitivity analysis of GEP equation indicated that the time of testing is the influential parameter. The results of this research can help the designers, practitioners, and researchers to quickly estimate the depth of wear of fly-ash concrete thus shortening its ecological susceptibilities that push to sustainable and faster construction from the viewpoint of environmentally friendly waste management.     

Diterpenes and their derivatives as promising agents against dengue virus and dengue vectors: A literature‐based review

Dengue, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, causes about 100 million cases of infection annually. It is a major public concern, and if left untreated or improperly diagnosed, may cause serious health problems or even death. Historically, dengue has not considered priorities for pharmaceutical companies made the available treatment options. Therefore, medicinal scientists are revealing new insights and enabling novel interventions and approaches to dengue prevention and control. Diterpenes, a class of terpenes have gained much attention due to their diverse biological effects. This review aimed at summarizing available evidences of diterpenes and their derivatives acting against dengue virus and their vectors. For this, an updated search was made in the databases: PubMed and ScienceDirect by using specific keywords. Among the 117 published reports, a total of 30 articles was included in this review. Findings suggest that a number of diterpenes and/or their derivatives act against dengue virus and their two potential vectors namely Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. In conclusion, diterpenes and their derivatives may have the potential alternative therapeutic tools for the management of dengue virus and some associated diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquito.     

The effect of l‐carnitine supplementation on serum levels of omentin‐1, visfatin and SFRP5 and glycemic indices in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially fatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of l ‐carnitine (LC) on secreted frizzled‐related protein‐5 (SFRP5), omentin, visfatin, and glycemic indices in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g of LC or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of SFRP5, omentin, visfatin, and also glycemic indices were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study. LC supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of visfatin (95% CI [?14.718, ?0.877], p = .05) and increased the serum levels of SFRP5 (95%CI [1.637, 11.380], p < .006) and omentin (95% CI [9.014, 65.286], p < .01). However, LC supplementation had no significant effects on the serum levels of glycemic factors such as insulin (95% CI [?1.125, 3.056], p = .426), fasting blood sugar (95% CI [?4.743, 3.642], p = .894), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (95% CI [?0.305, 0.528], p = .729), and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (95% CI [?0.016, ?0.010], p = .81). LC supplementation decreased visfatin serum level and increased omentin‐1 and SFRP5 serum levels in patients with PV. However, it has no significant effect on the serum levels of insulin and glycemic indices.     

The effect of nettle (Urtica dioica) supplementation on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health problem, worldwide, that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Several randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have investigated the effect of nettle (Urtica dioica) supplementation on markers of glycemic status in patients with T2DM, with conflicting results. Therefore, the present study assessed the effect of nettle on some glycemic parameters in patients with T2DM. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from database inception up to June 2019, to identify RCTs investigating the effect of nettle supplementation on glycemic markers, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) concentrations, insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance index, and glycosylated hemoglobin percentage in adults with T2DM. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results of this meta‐analysis were reported based on the random effects model. Eight RCTs, comprising 401 participants, were included in the present systematic review and meta‐analysis. Based on the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool, five studies were considered as good quality, one was fair, and two studies were poor, respectively. The results of the meta‐analysis revealed a significant reduction in FBS concentrations (weighted mean difference [WMD]: ?18.01 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?30.04 to ?5.97, p < .001, I² = 94.6%) following nettle supplementation. However, no significant reduction was observed in insulin levels (WMD: 0.83 Hedges' g, 95% CI: ?0.26 to 1.92, p = .13, I² = 89.4%), homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance index (WMD: ?0.22, 95% CI: ?0.83 to 0.40, p = .49, I² = 69.2%), or glycosylated hemoglobin percentage (WMD: ?0.77%, 95% CI: ?1.77 to 0.22, p = .12, I² = 83.0%). The findings of the present study suggest that nettle supplementation may be effective in controlling FBS for T2DM patients. However, further studies are needed to confirm the veracity of these results.     

The effects of curcumin supplementation on body mass index,body weight,and waist circumference in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of liver‐related morbidity; its prevalence is elevating due to the rising epidemic of obesity. Several clinical trials have examined the effects of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric variables in NAFLD patients with inconclusive results. This dose–response meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of curcumin supplementation on body mass index (BMI), body weight, and waist circumference (WC) in patients with NAFLD. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Sid.ir, and Magiran.com to identify eligible studies up to March 2019. A meta‐analysis of eligible studies was performed using the random‐effects model to estimate the pooled effect size. Eight randomized controlled trials with 520 participants (curcumin group = 265 and placebo group = 255) were included. Supplementation dose and duration ranged from 70 to 3,000 mg/day and 8 to 12 weeks, respectively. Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced BMI (weighted mean difference [WMD] = ?0.34 kg/m², 95% CI [?0.64, ?0.04], p < .05) and WC (WMD = ?2.12 cm, 95% CI [?3.26, ?0.98], p < .001). However, no significant effects of curcumin supplementation on body weight were found. These results suggest that curcumin supplementation might have a positive effect on visceral fat and abdominal obesity that have been associated with NAFLD.     

伊朗2009-2016年间传统医学使用及家庭费用支出情况概述

目的:分析2009-2016年间伊朗传统医学使用及家庭费用支出情况的影响因素.方法:基于伊朗家庭收入和支出调查(HIES),采用伪面板数据的Tobit模型分析家庭收入、家庭财富等级、家庭规模、男性数量、识字成员数量、家庭成员平均年龄对传统医学使用及经费支出的影响.结果:研究结果表明,越富裕的家庭使用传统医学的频率越高;...     

Seizure semiology in temporal lobe vs. temporal plus epilepsy using intracranial EEG monitoring

Objectives:To utilize our tertiary center’s experience with Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and Temporal plus epilepsy (TPE) cases and determine whether a correlation exists between ictal semiology signs, their localization/lateralization value after intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, and surgical outcomes.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted among epilepsy patients who underwent resective surgery for TLE or TPE after intracranial EEG monitoring between January 2008 and December 2018 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were retrieved for 464 patients; 181 had intracranial electrode monitoring.Results:Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 27 years (SD=8.4) were included; 15 patients had TPE. Auras were frequently reported, emotional auras, in the form of fear (35%). The localization/lateralization value of aura was statistically significant for TPE patients, including visual hallucinations and vertigo, lateralized to the left and right temporo-occipital, respectively (p=0.009 and <0.001). Early-onset ictal manual automatism, oral automatism, late-onset dystonic posture, and late head-turning were significant for TLE without significant lateralization value. The ictal onset zone’s localization was significant between the scalp and intracranial EEG findings in mesial TLE patients. The probability of seizure freedom (Engel class I) was 74%, 60%, and 67% at 2-year follow-up for mesial, lateral TLE, and TPE, respectively.Conclusion:Our results are consistent with previous studies and confirm the importance of ictal semiology signs in TLE and TPE. The addition of intracranial EEG monitoring in these cases helped improve the surgical outcomes.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting approximately 70 million people globally.¹ Thirty percent of these patients have drug-resistant epilepsy,² and most cases referred for epilepsy surgery involve temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).³ However, after standard temporal lobectomy, around 40% of these patients will experience recurrent seizures.⁴ A variety of explanations have been proposed for these surgical failures, including incomplete removal of the epileptogenic zone, additional contralateral focus (bilateral TLE), dual pathology (mesial and neocortical), and extended epileptogenic focus to the neighboring structures, including extratemporal or temporal plus epilepsy (TPE).⁵The TPE is defined as focal epilepsy with a complex epileptogenic network involving the temporal lobe and the surrounding areas, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, operculum, and temporo-parieto-occipital junction.⁶ A thorough presurgical evaluation is required to delineate the epileptogenic zone for successful resective surgery. In phase I assessment, scalp video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropsychological evaluation are needed. Further non-invasive investigations can be included if the initial results are discordant. To reach a well-demarcated epileptogenic focus requires intracranial monitoring, including the subdural grid, strips, and depth, which is known as phase II assessment.⁷ Seizure semiology is the first step in a presurgical evaluation, and ictal semiology and scalp-EEG results play a valuable role in distinguishing TLE from TPE.⁸ Patients with TLE are more likely to experience abdominal auras, ictal gestural automatism, and post-ictal amnesia. However, TPE patients are more likely to experience gustatory hallucinations, rotatory vertigo, auditory illusions, contralateral eye and head versions, piloerection, and ipsilateral tonic posturing. Similar findings were highlighted in a review of TPE cases.4 Furthermore, laryngeal and throat constriction and the atypical distribution of somatosensory symptoms at seizure onset have been found.4Although some studies have found a correlation between seizure semiology and intracranial EEG monitoring in TLE (mesial vs. lateral) vs. TPE, none evaluated lateralization values. This study aims to utilize our tertiary center’s experience with TLE and TPE cases and determine whether a correlation exists between ictal semiology signs, their localization/lateralization value after intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring and surgical outcomes. We also highlight the process of phase I presurgical assessment (including ictal/interictal scalp EEG, MRI, positron emission tomography [PET], and neuropsychology) in our center.     

Effect of COVID-19 on the Number of CT-scans and MRI Services of Public Hospitals in Iran: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

BackgroundIn February 2020, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran announced the first case of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the number of CT-Scans and MRI services in public hospitals in western Iran.MethodsWe collected CT-scans and MRI services data from 18 public hospitals via Vice-Chancellor Office, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to February 2021. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on CT-Scans and MRI services. More specifically, ITSA was conducted using ordinary least squares regression with the number of CT-Scans and MRI services per 1,000 registered persons per month as dependent variable.ResultsAt the beginning of the observation period, the monthly rate of CT-Scans was constant (p for trend = 0.267) at 291.9 (from 95%CI 240.5 to 343.4) per 1,000 registered patients. The first case of COVID-19 coincided with an abrupt increase by 211.8 (from 95%CI 102.9 to 320.7) per 1,000 patients. Thereafter, the trend of CT-Scans did not change (p=0.576) compared to the pre-pandemic period. The rate of MRI services was 363.5 per 1,000 per registered patients per month (P = <0.0001) with a slightly decreasing trend (coefficient=-5; 95%CI, -6.9 to -3.1).ConclusionThe findings of this study showed that crises such as COVID-19 can affect the service delivery process. Health policymakers and decision makers should work to prevent potential reductions in health care during events such as COVID-19.     

Study of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

Background Alzheimer''s disease (AD) affects several people worldwide and has devastating impacts on society with a limited number of approaches for its pharmacological treatment. The main causes of AD are not clear yet. However, the formation of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, hyper-phosphorylation of tau protein, and disruption of redox homeostasis may cause AD. These causes have a positive correlation with oxidative stress, producing reactive ions, which are responsible for altering the physiological condition of the body.Conclusion Ongoing research recommended the use of phytochemicals as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to hinder the onset and progression of AD. The natural compound structures, including lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and alkaloids have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-amyloidogenic properties. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief introduction to AD along with the use of natural compounds as new therapeutic approaches for its management.