Preparation of niosomes containing sorafenib and evaluation of their physicochemical properties

Introduction: Sorafenib is an antineoplastic and tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Sorafenib used as a treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and thyroid cancer. In this study, niosomes containing sorafenib were formulated by thin film hydration method for improve the therapeutic performance of sorafenib.  Methods and Results : Different niosomal formulations comprised of non-ionic surfactants including sorbitan esters (Span 20, 40, 60, 80) and polysurbates (Tween 20, 40, 60, 80), cholesterol were prepared using thin film hydration method to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of niosomes including particle size, microscopic stability, sorafenib release into deionized water/ethanol (40:60) from the niosomes using Franz cell,  sorafenib entrapment measurement. The sorafenib concentration was determined by spectrophotometer in 265 nm. Span/Tween 80 did not form niosome, but the other formulation formed niosomal suspensions. Most of the niosomes were multilamellar vesicles (MLV). The release data was best fitted by Baker-Lonsdale’s release model. Conclusions: A normal logarithmic particle size distribution was observed in some of the formulations. Niosomes had high physical stability during 6 months storage at refrigerator temperature. For clinical applications more studies on in vivo will be required in future studies

C-reactive protein and coronary calcium score association in coronary artery disease

Background: Both high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and spiral computed tomography coronary artery calcium score (CCS) are valid markers of cardiovascular risk. It is unknown whether hs-CRP is a marker of atherosclerotic burden or whether it reflects a process leading to acute coronary events. Methods and Results: We studied the relation between hs-CRP and CCS in 143 patients that were candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In our cross-sectional study, we found no significant association between hs-CRP and CCS in bivariate (p = 0.162) and multivariate (p = 0.062) analysis, but in patients who did not use statins this association was positive and significant in bivariate analysis (p = 0.001), and in multivariate analysis this association was negative and significant (p = 0.008). Conclusions: High-sensitivity CRP was not correlated with CCS. The relation between CRP and clinical events might not be related to atherosclerotic burden. Measures of inflammation, such as hs-CRP, and indices of atherosclerosis, such as CCS, are likely to provide distinct information regarding cardiovascular risk

Optimal pseudorandom sequence selection for online c-VEP based BCI control applications

<div><p>Background</p><p>In a c-VEP BCI setting, test subjects can have highly varying performances when different pseudorandom sequences are applied as stimulus, and ideally, multiple codes should be supported. On the other hand, repeating the experiment with many different pseudorandom sequences is a laborious process.</p><p>Aims</p><p>This study aimed to suggest an efficient method for choosing the optimal stimulus sequence based on a fast test and simple measures to increase the performance and minimize the time consumption for research trials.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 21 healthy subjects were included in an online wheelchair control task and completed the same task using stimuli based on the m-code, the gold-code, and the Barker-code. Correct/incorrect identification and time consumption were obtained for each identification. Subject-specific templates were characterized and used in a forward-step first-order model to predict the chance of completion and accuracy score.</p><p>Results</p><p>No specific pseudorandom sequence showed superior accuracy on the group basis. When isolating the individual performances with the highest accuracy, time consumption per identification was not significantly increased. The Accuracy Score aids in predicting what pseudorandom sequence will lead to the best performance using only the templates. The Accuracy Score was higher when the template resembled a delta function the most and when repeated templates were consistent. For completion prediction, only the shape of the template was a significant predictor.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The simple and fast method presented in this study as the Accuracy Score, allows c-VEP based BCI systems to support multiple pseudorandom sequences without increase in trial length. This allows for more personalized BCI systems with better performance to be tested without increased costs.</p></div

Rare Presentation of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Zygomycosis: Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy

Rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis afflicts primarily diabetics and immunocompromised individual, but can also occur in normal hosts rarely. We here presented an interesting case of facial nerve palsy and multiple cold abscesses of neck due to rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis in an otherwise healthy man. Although some reports of facial nerve paralysis in conjunction with rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis exist, no case of bilateral complete facial paralysis has been reported in the literature to date

Synthesis of tubular and belt-like aromatics having anthracene units

The work presented in this thesis was aimed at developing a new strategy to prepare conjug¬ated molecular belts with possible applications as precursors in rational carbon nanotube syntheses. Using the reaction scheme below, the range of the accessible belt oligoaryl¬acetylenes was increased by the introduction of anthracene units. As a first step towards this goal, it was essential to develop and optimize a new synthetic route to cyclic para-anthrylethylenes 44, which in turn can be used as precursors for belt-like aromatic compounds. The halogenation and dehydrohalogenation reactions of the corresponding anthraceno¬phanes as a simple and efficient access to belt-shaped aromatic molecules were extens¬ively investigated. The products of these reactions like cyclic [6] and [9]-para-anthrylacetylene 69 and 70 could be important intermediates in the rational synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Histopathologic evaluation of the inflammatory factors and stromal cells in the endometriosis lesions: A case-control study

Background: Endometriosis is a multifaceted gynecological disorder defined as a benign estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory process in which endometrial glands and stroma-like tissues are located outside the uterine cavity. It affects around 2-10% of all women during their reproductive years. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the traffic of mesenchymal stem cells and inflammatory factors toward the lesions. Materials and Methods: Ten samples of normal endometrium and eutopic endometrium were studied as a control group and 10 ectopic samples were considered as a case group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate stromal cells and inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to show the presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the lesions. The cells were digested and cultured in the laboratory to study cell proliferation. The number of cells and vessels were counted with Image J software, and data analysis was performed with Prism software. Results: Data analysis showed that the number of stromal cells and vessels in ectopic tissue were significantly higher than the control group (p &lt; 0.001). Also, the number of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and macrophages, in the ectopic group was much higher than in the control group (p &lt; 0.005). Conclusion: By expanding the number of blood vessels, blood flow increases, and cell migration to tissues is facilitated. The accumulation of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, stimulates the growth of stem cells and helps implant cells by creating an inflammatory process. Key words: Endometriosis, PCNA, Stem cell, Inflammation

Assessment of pH-responsive nanoparticles performance on laboratory column flotation cell applying a real ore feed

Nanoparticles (NPs) can promote the column flotation process in mining industry. Nanoparticles’ effects on column flotation process (copper recovery, grade and flotation rate constant) are assessed in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Iran, through response surface methodology (RSM) optimization technique. The γ-Al2O3, α-Fe2O3, SiO2, and TiO2 nanoparticles are selected for these experiments. A flotation rate constant is chosen as a response to assess the effect of nanoparticles on flotation in its kinetic sense. The process pH and nanoparticle dosage are selected as the influential parameters. Results obtained from RSM indicated that the maximum percentage of Cu recovery and grade is obtained at pH of 12 and nanoparticle dosage of 6 kg/t, through α-Fe2O3 and γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles, respectively. Applying nanoparticles in particular γ-Al2O3 and α-Fe2O3 increases the Cu recovery by 8–10% together with the grade by 3–6% in a significant manner. It is revealed that nanoparticles could effectively be applied in enhancing the flotation performance

Locating appropriate areas of municipal waste landfill using TOPSIS method (Case study: Langroud County)

ABSTRACT   Background & objective: The lack of suitable landfill for storage and disposal of solid wastes in different parts of Guilan has been not only led to deforestation and agricultural lands destruction, but also jeopardized public health. The Langroud County as a tourist destination of Guilan province is also affected by solid wastes. Therefore, the present study aims to locate the new appropriate area for municipal sanitary landfill, taking into account environmental standards in Langroud County.   Materials & Methods: In this research, 20 criteria were used in accordance with the standards of the Iranian Environmental Protection Agency, the Alberta State Environmental Authority of Canada, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the British Columbia Environmental Ministry as criteria for locating. TOPSIS method was used in combining the criteria maps in ArcGIS software environment.   Results: After passing TOPSIS and combining the layers obtained in the ArcGIS software environment, the final map of urban landfill location within the study area was classified into five classes (very weak, weak, moderate, good and excellent).   Conclusion: Based on the results, five prestigious areas in the south and southwest of the city with the highest degree of fit and excellent grade were proposed as new areas of urban solid waste disposal for the city of Langroud

Improvement of knowledge, attitude and perception of healthcare workers about ADR, a pre- and post-clinical pharmacists' interventional study

Purpose: Healthcare workers have a main role in detection, assessment and spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and improvement of their related knowledge, attitude and perception is essential. The goal of this study was evaluation of clinical pharmacists' interventions in improvement of knowledge, attitude and perception of healthcare workers about ADRs in a teaching referral hospital, Tehran, Iran. Method: Changes in knowledge, attitude and perception of healthcare workers of Imam teaching hospital about ADRs were evaluated before and after clinical pharmacists' interventions including workshops, meetings and presentations. Results: From the 100 participated subjects, 82 of them completed the study. 51 of the health workers have been aware of the Iranian Pharmacovigilance Center at the ministry of health before intervention and after that all the participants knew this centre. About awareness and detection of ADRs in patients, 69 (84.1) healthcare workers recognised at least one, and following interventions, it was improved to 73 (89). Only seven (8.5) subjects have reported ADRs in before intervention phase that were increased significantly to 18 (22) after intervention. Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists' interventions were successful in improvement of healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and perception about ADRs and spontaneous reporting in our hospital

Minimalnie inwazyjna paratyroidektomia pod kontrolą obrazowania radioizotopowego — porównanie niskich i wysokich dawek Tc-99m-MIBI

Introduction: Surgery remains the most effective treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) is a common technique for detecting and excising abnormal parathyroid glands. The aim of this study was to compare injections of low-dose and high-dose (99m) Tc methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) for intraoperative localisation of parathyroid adenomas by means of a gamma probe in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Material and methods: Thirty patients with PHPT and a preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma were enrolled between 2010 and 2012. They were considered as Group B and underwent MIRP using 5 mCi Tc-99m MIBI, and their perioperative data were compared with twenty patients treated with conventional 20 mCi Tc-99m MIBI previously (Group A). Results: Group A was made up of 20 patients (mean age, 41.55 years; 14 women and 6 men), and group B included 30 patients (mean age, 40.43 years; 19 women and 11 men). The mean serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium values were recorded pre- and postoperatively. The mean follow-up period for the patients in the two groups was 18.4 and 16.5 months, respectively. Pre-operative evaluation demonstrated that the groups were statistically similar. Intraoperative data and success rate of surgery showed no difference between the two groups. No significant complication was detected after surgeries and no recurrence happened in either of the two groups during the follow-up period. Conclusions: A new protocol of MIRP using low doses of Tc-99m-MIBI resulted in an excellent success rate. Comparing results of the study, we conclude that low-dose Tc-99m-MIBI may be preferred for identification of parathyroid adenomas intraoperatively by means of a gamma probe in PHPT patients because it appears to be as effective as high-dose Tc-99m-MIBI.Wstęp: Najbardziej skutecznym leczeniem pierwotnej nadczynności przytarczyc (PHPT, primary hyperparathyroidism) nadal pozostaje zabieg chirurgiczny. Minimalnie inwazyjna paratyroidektomia z lokalizacją radioizotopową (MIRP, minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy) jest techniką często stosowaną do wykrywania i wycinania nieprawidłowych przytarczyc. Badanie przeprowadzono w celu porównania małej i dużej dawki (99m) Tc metoksy-izobutylu-izonitrylu (MIBI) podawanych w celu śródoperacyjnej lokalizacji gruczolaków przytarczyc za pomocą sondy gamma u chorych z pierwotną nadczynnością przytarczyc (PHPT, primary hyperparathyroidism). Materiał i metody: W latach 2010–2012 do badania włączono 30 chorych z PHPT i przedoperacyjnym rozpoznaniem gruczolaka przytarczyc. W tej grupie chorych określonej jako grupa B wykonano MIRP po podaniu 5 mCi Tc-99m MIBI, a dane okołooperacyjne tych chorych porównano z danymi 20 pacjentów, u których zastosowano konwencjonalną dawkę 20 mCi Tc-99m MIBI (grupa A). Wyniki: Grupa A składała się z 20 chorych (średnia wieku 41,55 r.; 14 kobiet i 6 mężczyzn), a grupę B tworzyło 30 chorych (średnia wieku 40,43 r.; 19 kobiet i 11 mężczyzn). Zmierzono przed- i pooperacyjne stężenia w surowicy parathormonu (PTH, pathyroid hormone) i wapnia. Średni okres obserwacji chorych w grupach A i B wynosił odpowiednio 18,4 i 16,5 miesiąca. Ocena przedoperacyjna wykazała, że grupy nie różniły się statystycznie między sobą. Również dane śródoperacyjne odsetek zabiegów zakończonych powodzeniem były podobne w obu grupach. W żadnej z grup nie stwierdzono istotnych powikłań pozabiegowych ani nawrotu w okresie obserwacji. Wnioski: Nowy protokół MIRP z użyciem małych dawek Tc-99m-MIBI wiązał się z bardzo wysokim odsetkiem pomyślnych zabiegów. Porównanie wyników uzyskanych w badaniu pozwala sformułować wniosek, że do śródoperacyjnego identyfikowania za pomocą sondy gamma gruczolaków nadnercza u chorych z PHPT mogą być preferowane małe dawki Tc-99m-MIBI, ponieważ są równie skuteczne jak duże dawki Tc-99m-MIBI