Hepatotoxic effects caused by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene in New Zealand white rabbits: a biochemical and histopathological study

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate hepatotoxicity effects of noise and toluene, and in particular, to study hepatotoxicity effects of simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene by histopathological and biochemical experiments. To experiment hepatotoxicity effects of noise and toluene, 100 dB white noise and 1000 ppm toluene vapors were generated during two consecutive weeks in healthy male New Zealand White rabbits. Non-simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene increased liver enzymes and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity, and also decreased serum level of glutathione peroxidase. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase levels increased by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene. Furthermore, catalase and alkaline phosphatase level decreased by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene. The hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) experiments indicated significant swelling, lipidosis, eosinophilic cytoplasm, pyknosis, karyorrhexis, and disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane in the liver tissue due to exposure to noise, toluene and simultaneous exposure to them.

     

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Highlighting medicinal plants toward biomolecules discovery for upcoming drugs formulation

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) can be triggered by a various types of gynecological, gastrointestinal, urological, and musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, the role of the central nervous system has proven to be an integral part on the development of any chronic pain syndrome, including CPPS. However, owing to the complex and heterogeneous etiology and pathophysiology of CPPS, the establishment of effective therapeutic interventions remains challenging for both physicians and patients. Nonetheless, recent studies have pointed that medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites can be effectively used in CPPS therapy, besides contributing to restore the patients' quality of life and potentiate the conventional CPPS management. In this sense, this review aims to provide a careful overview on the biomedical data for the use of medicinal plants use and their secondary metabolites on CPPS management.     

Subphrenic abscess and recurring focal lesions due to tuberculosis in a patient with IgA deficiency

Subdiaphragmatic abscess has not yet been reported as a manifestation of tuberculosis. We report an IgA deficient patient with recurrent episodes of unusual extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis including subdiaphragmatic abscesses and metacarpophalangeal osteomyelitis that was improved each time with antituberculosis drugs. There was not any resistance to the drugs used against mycobacterium despite repeated courses of antituberculosis regimens. In such recurrent cases, one should rule out any immunodeficiency states.     

Combined Characterization of the Time Response of Impression Materials via Traditional and FTIR Measurements

We investigated the temporal response of four dental impression materials, namely three siloxanes (Imprint 4, Flexitime, Aquasil) and one polyether (Impregum). The null hypothesis was that the nominal working times are confirmed by instrumental laboratory tests. We also aimed to identify alternative techniques with strong physical-chemical background for the assessment of temporal response. Traditional characterization was carried out by shark fin test device and durometer at both ambient and body temperature. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was performed at room temperature. From shark fin height and Shore hardness versus time the working time and the setting time of the materials were evaluated, respectively. These were in reasonable agreement with the nominal values, except for Impregum, which showed longer working time. Spectroscopy confirmed the different character of the two types of materials, and provided for Imprint 4 and Aquasil an independent evaluation of both evolution times, consistent with the results of the other techniques. Shark fin test and durometer measurements showed deviations in setting time, low sensitivity to temperature for Flexitime, and longer working time at higher temperature for Impregum. Deviations of working time appear in operating conditions from what specified by the manufacturers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy can provide insight in the correlation between material properties and their composition and structure.     

Numerical simulation of the fluid dynamics in vitreous cavity due to saccadic eye movement

In this study, the flow dynamics of vitreous due to saccadic movements following vitreous liquefaction or in post-vitrectomy eyes is investigated. Using a dynamic mesh technique, the eye motion was modeled and unsteady three-dimensional forms of continuity and Navier-Stokes equations were solved numerically. Firstly, the numerical model was validated for a sphere as a model of vitreous chamber and agrees well with the results based on available analytic solutions and experimental data. Then, numerical simulation was performed based on a deformed sphere with an indentation representing the lens. This consists of a vitreous cavity filled with a liquid having the viscosity of liquefied vitreous and balanced salt solution. The wall shear stress on the retina was computed and compared for various saccade amplitudes. Also, the effect of variation in vitreous viscosity and the size of lens indentation are investigated. The results show that the secondary flow in the vertical direction in the vitreous cavity is much higher for the liquefied vitreous and balanced salt solution compared with that for silicone oil. The possible effect of shear stress on the retinal detachment for all studied cases is discussed. A semi-analytic correlation is also developed for maximum wall shear stress of the spherical domain that is subjected to sinusoidal rotations.     

Endolift laser for jowl fat reduction: clinical evaluation and biometric measurement

Lasers in Medical Science - Recently, jawline rejuvenation and jowl fat treatment methods have received a lot of attention. Many people are extremely upset and complain about the excess fat under...