Metformin inhibits polyphosphate-induced hyper-permeability and inflammation

Circulating inflammatory factor inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) released from activated platelets could enhance factor XII and bradykinin resulted in increased capillary leakage and vascular permeability. PolyP induce inflammatory responses through mTOR pathway in endothelial cells, which is being reported in several diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, sepsis, and cancer. Systems and molecular biology approaches were used to explore the regulatory role of the AMPK activator, metformin, on polyP-induced hyper-permeability in different organs in three different models of polyP-induced hyper-permeability including local, systemic shortand systemic long-term approaches in murine models. Our results showed that polyP disrupts endothelial barrier integrity in skin, liver, kidney, brain, heart, and lung in all three study models and metformin abrogates the disruptive effect of polyP. We also showed that activation of AMPK signaling pathway, regulation of oxidant/ anti-oxidant balance, as well as decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration constitute a set of molecular mechanisms through which metformin elicits it's protective responses against polyP-induced hyper-permeability. These results support the clinical values of AMPK activators including the FDA-approved metformin in attenuating vascular damage in polyP-associated inflammatory diseases.Peer reviewe

Root Canal Anatomy of Maxillary and Mandibular Teeth

It is a common knowledge that a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of the internal anatomy of teeth is imperative to ensure successful root canal treatment. The significance of canal anatomy has been emphasized by studies demonstrating that variations in canal geometry before cleaning, shaping, and obturation procedures had a greater effect on the outcome than the techniques themselves. In recent years, significant technological advances for imaging teeth, such as CBCT and micro-CT, respectively, have been introduced. Their noninvasive nature allows to perform in vivo anatomical studies using large populations to address the influence of several variables such as ethnicity, aging, gender, and others, on the root canal anatomy, as well as to evaluate, quantitatively and/or qualitatively, specific and fine anatomical features of a tooth group. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the morphological aspects of the root canal anatomy published in the literature of all groups of teeth and illustrate with three-dimensional images acquired from micro-CT technology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Etiologic Causes of Invasive Fungal Sinusitis among Patients of, University Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran.

Background: This study aimed to determine the causes of invasive fungal sinusitis in patients of Shiraz University hospitals, Iran. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted during 18 months (from 21 March 2009 till 22 September 2010) in three Shiraz University Medical Hospitals Thirty six patients with sings of invasive fungal sinusitis were enrolled, and tissue samples were investigated for histopathology, culture and antifungal susceptibility test. The laboratory results with host factor and sinus computed tomography scan were evaluated for classification of patients as proven, probable and possible invasive fungal sinusitis. Findings: Thirty five patients have involved with at least one risk factor (immune compromised disease, diabetes mellitus, or use of immune suppressed drugs). Radiological findings of para sinus invasion or necrosis were present in 20 patients. By histopathology, 21 patients was considered as proven, from these 17 samples had positive growth. The culture etiology agents were 4 Candida, 8 Aspergillus, and 5 Mucor. All positive culture samples were “Match”ed with histopathology findings. Significan not association were considered for radiologic finding and histopathology and culture (P < 0.05). From 8 patients with mucormycosis histopathology, 6 suffered from diabetes mellitus. None of the antifungal agents were effective on these three types of infections. Conclusion: Imaging procedures can be used for diagnosis of infection in early stage of complication in high risk patients

Diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomographic scan in active pulmonary tuberculosis

Background and Objective: Since accurate and quick clinical and paraclinical diagnostic methods are not available, in some cases diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis occurs after considerable time from the onset of disease. This study was designed to determine the diagnostic value of High Resolution Computed Tomographic (HRCT) scan in active pulmonary tuberculosis, in Gorgan, Golestan province, North of Iran. Materials and Methods: This diagnostic screening study was carried out on 135 (79 male and 56 female) hospitalized patients suspected with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and HRCT was used in their course of treatment as recommendation of their clinician. The patients were chosen from 5th Azar hosptial during 2009-10. Also it should be mentioned that patients were selected on avaliabity bases, and they were examined by smear, and sputum culture. The patients with negative smear and culture were set up as true healthy group (64 subjects). The lung or small nuddles in HRCT was considered as proper position of lung involvument in active lung pulmonary. The HRCT findings between the case group (71 subjects) and healthy group were compared. According to HRCT findings, the sensitivity and specifity were determined for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Chi-Square test. Results: In this study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HRCT in active pulmonary tuberculosis were equal to 97.2%, 71.9%, 79.3% and 95.8% respectively. Involvement of upper and middle lobe of the right lung and upper lobe of the left lung were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that HRCT has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and can be used as a quick diagnostic way in active pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in patients with strong clinical suspicion and negative smear

Validation of the Cumberland Energyplex concept. Volumes 1 and 2. Executive summary and analysis detail. Final report

The definition and goal of the Energyplex, available and required resources, Energyplex elements and their economics, Energyplex products and markets, environmental residuals, electricity in Illinois, and have the goals are met are included. Elements of the Energyplex described are: ammonia from coal, synthetic natural gas plant, coal liquefaction, enhanced oil recovery, use of reject heat from power generation units, greenhouse environmental control, aquaculture, livestock enclosures, and corn refining and soybean oil and meal production. (MHR