Discussion of “effect of exercise-induced dehydration on circulatory markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity”

We read with great interest a recent article by Georgescu et al. (2017) entitled “Effect of exercise-induced dehydration on circulatory markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity”. The authors aimed to investigate effects of hydration and rehydration by using sensitive indirect measures of oxidative stress and the antioxidant capacity response. In this study, they evaluated concentrations of plasma osmolality, Trolax equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) in a sample of athletes during pre-exercise, immediately postexercise, and 1 h after full rehydration. As stated in statistical analysis and also abstract of the article, the authors used 1-way ANOVA to compare differences in means of numerical variables (i.e., concentrations of plasma osmolality, TEAC, and FRAP) of different time-points of measurement. Since they investigated the same sample of participants in each group during different time-points (i.e., pre-exercise, immediately postexercise, and 1 h after full rehydration), their measurements are completely dependent (Farrokhi and Peykanpour 2017a; Farrokhi and Shirian 2017; Farrokhi et al. 2017). ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test are used for comparison of the means of more than 2 independent groups (Gaddis 1998; Farrokhi 2017b; Farrokhi and Arjaki 2017; Farrokhi and Peykanpour 2017b). Therefore, after assessment of the normal distribution of studied quantitative variables, including concentrations of plasma osmolality, TEAC, and FRAP, the authors must use repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman test for comparison of the means of each variable at pre-exercise, immediately postexercise, and 1 h after full rehydration (Farrokhi 2017a; Farrokhi and Amani-Beni 2017). Furthermore, they must use Wilcoxon test and paired t test for comparison of concentrations of plasma osmolality, TEAC, and FRAP between 2 time-points of measurement

Increased serum level of IL-37 in patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disease of central nervous system in which neurodegenerative and inflammatory mechanisms cause alternate neurological impairments. Many inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were suggested as contributor in MS pathogenesis, and the balance between these opposing cytokines can regulate MS severity. IL-37, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, is the most recently identified member of IL-1 family, which acts as a natural inhibitor of innate immunity. However, the role of IL-37 in MS has not investigated so far. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to measure serum level of IL-37 in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In a case�control study, plasma was collected from healthy controls (n = 49) and also patients with RRMS (n = 122) and NMO (n = 31). Serum level measurement of IL-37 was performed using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) method. The serum levels of IL-37 were 247.46 ± 74.02 and 312.00 ± 86.72 and 114.63 ± 20.58 in RRMS and NMO patients and healthy controls, respectively, showing statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.00). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between the serum levels of IL-37 and EDSS of patients (r = +0.31 and P = 0.00). In summary, the serum level of IL-37 was found to be significantly increased in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the mean serum level of IL-37 was correlated with disease severity. This suggests that IL-37 may be part of a feed-back loop to control underlying inflammation in MS pathogenesis. However, further studies will be required to indicate exact role of IL-37 in the MS pathomechanisms. © 2015, Belgian Neurological Society

Impacts of the Microclimate of a Large Urban Park on Its Surrounding Built Environment in the Summertime

The cooling effect of green spaces as an ecological solution to mitigate urban climate change is well documented. However, the factors influencing the microclimate in the built environment around forest parks, diurnal variations of their impact and their degree of importance have not been explicitly addressed. We attempted to quantify how much various landscape parameters, including land cover and spatial location, impact the ambient air and surface temperature in the area around Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park. Data were taken along strategically located traverses inside and outside the park. We found: (1) The air temperature during the day was 1.0–3.5 °C lower in the park than in the surrounding area; the surface temperature was 1.7–4.8 °C lower; air humidity in the park increased by 8.7–15.1%; and the human comfort index reduced to 1.8–6.9, all generating a more comfortable thermal environment in the park than in the surrounding area. (2) The distance to the park and the green space ratio of the park’s surrounding area are significant factors for regulating its microclimate. A 1 km increase in distance to the park caused the temperature to increase by 0.83 °C; when the green space ratio increased by 10%, the temperature dropped by 0.16 °C on average. The impact of these two parameters was more obvious in the afternoon than in the middle of the day or in the morning. The green space ratio could be used for designing a more stable thermal environment. (3) Land cover affects surface temperature more than it does air temperature. Our data suggest that an urban plan with an even distribution of green space would provide the greatest thermal comfort

Effect of fingolimod on platelet count among multiple sclerosis patients

Background: While many studies have previously focused on fingolimod�s effect on immune cells, the effect it has on circulating and local central nervous system platelets (Plts) has not yet been investigated. This study will elucidate what effects fingolimod treatment has on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients� plasma Plt levels. In addition, it will propose possible reasoning for these effects and suggest further investigation into this topic. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used patients from the Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis Society to produce a subject pool of 80 patients, including 14 patients who ceased fingolimod use due to complications. The patients had their blood analyzed to determine Plt levels both 1-month prior to fingolimod treatment and 1-month after fingolimod treatment had been started. Results: The mean level of Plts before initiation of fingolimod therapy (Plt1) among these MS patients was 256.53 ± 66.26. After 1-month of fingolimod treatment, the Plt level yielded an average of 229.96 ± 49.67 (Plt2). This number is significantly lower than the average Plt count before treatment (P < 0.01). Conclusions: MS patients taking oral fingolimod treatment may be at risk for side-effects caused by low Plt levels. This may not be a factor for patients with higher or normal Plt levels. However, a patient with naturally low Plt levels may experience a drop below the normal level and be at risk for excessive bleeding. In addition to these possible harmful side-effects, the decreased Plt population may pose positive effects for MS patients. © 2015 Farrokhi M

Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Bone Morphogenetic Protein for Full-Mouth Implant-Based Oral Rehabilitation in a Case of Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a debilitating complication following radiation therapy, which in the head and neck region, occurs most frequently in the mandible. Although ORN is rare, it is complex and multifactorial and requires appropriate management. Manipulation of bone in patients with head and neck cancers before radiotherapy can cause ORN. In this report, we aim to present successful insertion of four dental implants in the interforaminal segment combined with application of platelet-rich fibrin and bone morphogenetic protein in a 60-year-old male with stable ORN in the posterior regions of the mandible

Comparison of outcomes and complications in conventional versus ultrasound-accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis for treatment of pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Acute submassive a massive pulmonary embolism are known as leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in emergency departments. Choosing the optimal type of catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of pulmonary embolism presents a quandary to the practitioners. To the best of our knowledge, there is no meta-analysis comparing superiority of conventional CDT and ultrasound-accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis (USACDT). Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare conventional CDT with USACDT regarding clinical outcomes and safety profile. Methods: A systematic literature search of previous published studies comparing conventional CDT with USACDT regarding clinical outcomes and safety profile was carried out in the electronic databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane from inception to December 2021. Data were analyzed by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA, version 3). Results: The meta-analysis included nine studies with a total of 705 patients. Our meta-analysis showed that there is no significant difference between two groups with respect to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (SMD: �0.084; 95 CI: �0.287 to 0.12; p: 0.41), RV/LV (SMD: �0.003; 95 CI: �0.277 to 0.270; p: 0.98), and Miller score (SMD: �0.345; 95 CI: �1.376 to 0.686; p: 0.51). Similarly, we found no statistically significant differences between two groups regarding major and minor bleeding (p >.05). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that when compared with USACDT, conventional CDT provides similar clinical and hemodynamic outcomes or safety for treatment of pulmonary embolism without the need for very expensive technologies. However, randomized clinical trials are required to further investigate cost-effectiveness of USACDT in comparison with conventional CDT. © The Author(s) 2022