Improvement of sulphur mustard-induced chronic pruritus, quality of life and antioxidant status by curcumin: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Skin is among the first and most heavily damaged organs upon sulphur mustard (SM) exposure. Pruritus is the most common chronic skin complication of SM, which adversely affects the quality of life (QoL). However, current therapies for the management of SM-induced pruritus are very limited and associated with side effects. The present trial investigated the efficacy of curcumin in the alleviation of SM-induced chronic pruritic symptoms. A total of ninety-six male Iranian veterans (age 37-59 years) were randomised to receive either curcumin (1?g/d, n 46) or placebo (n 50) for 4 weeks. Serum concentrations of substance P and activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial. Assessment of pruritus severity was performed using the pruritus score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. QoL was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Serum concentrations of substance P (P?相似文献   

Cervical margin integrity of Class II resin composite restorations in laser- and bur-prepared cavities using three different adhesive systems

One of the challenges in durability of posterior tooth-colored restorative materials is polymerization shrinkage, which results in gap formation between the restoration and tooth structure. The aim of the present study was to investigate marginal adaptation of Class II composite restorations using a self-etching and two etch-and-rinse adhesive systems in cavities prepared either with bur or Er,Cr:YSGG laser. A total of 45 extracted sound human premolars were selected. In each tooth, mesial and distal Class II cavities were prepared either by a diamond bur or by Er,Cr:YSGG laser with the margins 1 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction. Then the teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 15 each, according to the type of the adhesive system used (Single Bond, Single Bond 2, and Adper Easy One adhesive systems). Subsequent to restoring the teeth, the specimens were subjected to thermal cycling between 5 ± 2°C and 55 ± 2°C for 500 cycles and were then cut longitudinally into two halves using a diamond disk. Marginal adaptation was evaluated using a stereomicroscope, and the values for gap widths were obtained in micrometers. Data were analyzed using two-factor analysis of variance and post hoc tests. There were statistically significant differences in mean marginal gap widths between the adhesive type and preparation groups (p<0.05). The interfacial gap width in bur-prepared cavities was significantly less than that in laser-prepared cavities, and the lowest gap width was observed in Adper Easy One regardless of the type of the preparation.     

Protective Effect of Cornus mas Fruits Extract on Serum Biomarkers in CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats

Background:

Nowadays attention to use herbs such as cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is increasing, which contains high levels of antioxidants and anthocyanins. Cornus mas fruits have been used for gastrointestinal and excretory disorders for many years in traditional medicine, also may improve liver and kidney functions, and have protective effects such as anti-allergic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihistamine and antimalarial properties.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of Cornus mas fruits extract on serum biomarkers in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.

Materials and Methods:

Hepatotoxicity was induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride (1 mL/kg i.p.) in 1:1 dilution with olive oil. To evaluate the effect of Cornus mas fruits extract on disease progression, serum marker enzymes, serum total protein and albumin and liver lipid peroxidation were determined in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.

Results:

Oral administration of Cornus mas fruits extract to rats for 14 days provided a significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing elevated serum level of enzymes, total serum protein, albumin and liver lipid peroxidation content.

Conclusions:

Cornus mas fruit extract effect may be due to including some antioxidant components, which caused membrane stabilizing and normalization of fluctuated biochemical profiles induced by CCl₄ exposure. Our results validated the traditional use of Cornus mas in the treatment of liver disorders.     

Plasma Zinc Level in Hepatitis C Patients With or Without Beta Thalassemia Major; Is There Any Difference?

Background

Zinc deficiency has been reported frequently in hepatitis C patients in the literature. Furthermore, a decrease in zinc level has been shown in beta thalassemia major as well. Iranians consume a large amount of phytate in their regimens which can bind with zinc and decrease its gastrointestinal absorption.

Objectives

This study was designed to determine plasma zinc level in an Iranian sample with the diagnosis of hepatitis C with or without concomitant beta thalassemia major.

Patients and Methods

Between April 2011 and April 2012, plasma zinc level was determined via atomic absorption method, in 130 hepatitis C patients with or without beta thalassemia major in a known referral center of hepatic diseases in Tehran, Iran.

Results

Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of plasma zinc levels was determined as 0.78 ± 0.22 mg/L. Also zinc level was 0.76 ± 0.19 mg/L and 0.80 ± 0.24 mg/L in thalassemic and non thalassemic patients, respectively. T-test analysis showed that there is no significant difference between these two groups regarding plasma zinc level (P = 0.235).

Conclusions

It is concluded that zinc level of studied patients is less than which is reported in normal Iranian population. Moreover, there is not a significant difference in plasma zinc levels between thalassemic and non thalassemic patients and it seems to be a common problem in both ones. Addition of zinc supplement may be recommended in both groups in order to optimize the nutritional support and probably improve the treatment response.     

Adjuvant Therapy with Bioavailability‐Boosted Curcuminoids Suppresses Systemic Inflammation and Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial

Curcuminoids are bioactive polyphenolics with potent antiinflammatory properties. Although several lines of in vitro and preclinical evidence suggest potent anticancer effects of curcuminoids, clinical findings have not been conclusive. The present randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcuminoids as adjuvant therapy in cancer patients. Eighty subjects with solid tumors who were under standard chemotherapy regimens were randomly assigned to a bioavailability‐boosted curcuminoids preparation (180 mg/day; n = 40) or matched placebo (n = 40) for a period of 8 weeks. Efficacy measures were changes in the health‐related quality of life (QoL) score (evaluated using the University of Washington index) and serum levels of a panel of mediators implicated in systemic inflammation including interleukins 6 (IL‐6) and 8 (IL‐8), TNF‐α, transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), substance P and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1). Curcuminoid supplementation was associated with a significantly greater improvement in QoL compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Consistently, the magnitude of reductions in TNF‐α (p < 0.001), TGFβ (p < 0.001), IL‐6 (p = 0.061), substance P (p = 0.005), hs‐CRP (p < 0.001), CGRP (p < 0.001) and MCP‐1 (p < 0.001) were all significantly greater in the curcuminoids versus placebo group. In contrast, the extent of reduction in serum IL‐8 was significantly greater with placebo versus curcuminoids (p = 0.012). Quality of life variations were associated with changes in serum TGFβ levels in both correlation and regression analyses. Adjuvant therapy with a bioavailable curcuminoid preparation can significantly improve QoL and suppress systemic inflammation in patients with solid tumors who are under treatment with standard chemotherapy protocols. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A computational simulation of cyclic stretch of an individual stem cell using a nonlinear model

Many experiments have shown that mechanical stimuli like cyclic strains might be helpful in stem cell differentiation. To maximize such differentiations efficiency, it is imperative to detect the cellular mechanical responses to these stimuli. The purpose of this research was to show that a newly presented hyper‐viscoelastic model could correctly predict the level of stresses required to obtain a different response from a single mesenchymal stem cell cultured in a fibrin hydrogel block under a 10% cyclic strain at a frequency of 1 Hz, employing finite element method. One of the novelties of the research was the use of a model based on Simo's model. Another important feature of the research was the proposition of a multiscale model considering a layer of integrins. It was concluded that the forces exerted on the biological molecules had the maximum values of 24, 45, and 15 pN for the circumferential, radial, and shear forces, respectively. According to the results, the exerted forces within the cytoskeleton can lead to a different cellular response. These results might be a premise for interpreting events that lead to differentiation of stem cells into fibrochondrocytes. In addition, they can be beneficial in effective design of biological experiments as regards to this issue.     

Antimicrobial effects of the extracts of Zataria multiflora on the growth and multiplication of Listeria monocytogenes in milk using PCR

In a series of experiments, the possible antimicrobial role of Zataria multiflora was assessed against Listeria monocytogenes. Results presented here show the effects of the herbal extract on excluding the microorganism in milk tank bulks at a concentration of 0.8 mg/ml, which was demonstrated in both minimum inhibitory concentration and PCR assays. Considering the importance of the transmissible antibacterial resistance among different bacterial strains, it can be suggested that the crude extract of Z. multiflora could possibly act as an anti-Listeria agent.     

Operating Room Traffic is a Major Concern During Total Joint Arthroplasty

Background  

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication associated with total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Traffic in the operating room (OR) increases bacterial counts in the OR, and may lead to increased rates of infection.