Design and Implementation of a Hybrid Wireless Power and Communication System for Medical Implants

Data collection and analysis from multiple implant nodes in humans can provide targeted medicine and treatment strategies that can prevent many chronic diseases. This data can be collected for a long time and processed using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in a medical network for early detection and prevention of diseases. Additionally, machine learning (ML) algorithms can be applied for the analysis of big data for health monitoring of the population. Wireless powering, sensing, and communication are essential parts of future wireless implants that aim to achieve the aforementioned goals. In this paper, we present the technical development of a wireless implant that is powered by radio frequency (RF) at 401 MHz, with the sensor data being communicated to an on-body reader. The implant communication is based on two simultaneous wireless links: RF backscatter for implant-to-on-body communication and a galvanic link for intra-body implant-to-implant connectivity. It is demonstrated that RF powering, using the proposed compact antennas, can provide an efficient and integrable system for powering up to an 8 cm depth inside body tissues. Furthermore, the same antennas are utilized for backscatter and galvanic communication

Metformin attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats through activation of AMPK signaling pathway

Background: Nephropathy is the main problem of diabetes and can be classified into several phases according to the presence of albuminuria. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) operates as a sensor of energy charge. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the reno-protective properties of AMPK signaling pathway against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced nephropathy in the rat. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups. Group 1 was normal rats (N group); group 2 was diabetic rats (D group); group 3 received diabetic rats + metformin (DM group), and group 4 received giabetic rats + metformin + dorsomorphin (DMD group). Serum albumin, uric acid, total protein and creatinine for estimation of renal injury were measured. Finally, the histological study was evaluated. Results: Reduction of body weight, albumin and total protein in the diabetic rat was reversed by metformin administration. Our results showed that serum uric acid and creatinine were significantly increased in diabetic rats and decreased after treatment with metformin in diabetic rats. AMPK improved the histopathology and morphological changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Administration of dorsomorphin (AMPK inhibitor) with metformin can reverse the beneficial effects of AMPK. Conclusions: AMPK signaling pathway ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by modifications of serum albumin, uric acid, total protein, creatinine and attenuation of kidney damage

Dose-response meta-analysis of arsenic exposure in drinking water and intelligence quotient

Objectives: Exposure to inorganic arsenic through drinking water is a threat for public health. Using the arsenic-containing water in the long-term causes a variety of skin diseases, high blood pressure, and skin cancer. Arsenic also damages the nervous system. A wide range of studies have studied the effect of arsenic in drinking water on the level of intelligence in children. Methods: For the purpose of our research, we searched three electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline (PubMed) in English from 2000 to January 2018. We used the dose-response meta-analysis through applying random effect models in order to estimate the pooled association (with a 95 uncertainty) between water arsenic concentration and intelligence level. Results: Using a two-stage random effect model to investigate the dose-response association between arsenic concentration and Intelligence Quotient scale, we estimated a significant linear association as �0.08 (95 CI: �0.14, �0.01). Actually, for each unit increase in arsenic concentration (one microgram per liter), intelligence quotient scale decreases by 0.08. Conclusions: Considering the significance of the relationship between arsenic concentration in drinking water and the level of intelligence quotient as an important factor in training, the level of arsenic and its associated risks should be decreased in water resources. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The Antinociceptive Effects of Rosuvastatin in Chronic Constriction Injury Model of Male Rats

Introduction: According to studies, statins possess analgesics and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we examined the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of rosuvastatin in an experimental model of Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI). Methods: Our study was conducted on four groups; sham, CCI (the control group), CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 5 mg/kg), and CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 10 mg/kg). We performed heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia tests on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st after inducing CCI. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-6. Rats' spinal cords were also examined to measure tissue concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) enzymes. Results: Our findings showed that CCI resulted in significant increase in heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia on the 7th, 14th and 21st day. Rosuvastatin use attenuated the CCI-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. Rosuvastatin use also resulted in reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels. However, rosuvastatin therapy increased the concentration of SOD and GPx in the CCI+Ros (5 mg/kg) and the CCI+Ros (10 mg/kg) groups compared to the CCI group. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin attenuated the CCI-induced neuropathic pain and inflammation. Thus, antinociceptive effects of rosuvastatin might be channeled through inhibition of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant propertie

Research Paper: The antinociceptive effects of rosuvastatin in chronic constriction injury model of male rats

Introduction: According to studies, statins possess analgesics and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we examined the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of rosuvastatin in an experimental model of Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI). Methods: Our study was conducted on four groups; sham, CCI (the control group), CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 5 mg/kg), and CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 10 mg/kg). We performed heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia tests on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st after inducing CCI. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-6. Rats' spinal cords were also examined to measure tissue concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) enzymes. Results: Our findings showed that CCI resulted in significant increase in heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia on the 7th, 14th and 21st day. Rosuvastatin use attenuated the CCI-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. Rosuvastatin use also resulted in reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels. However, rosuvastatin therapy increased the concentration of SOD and GPx in the CCI+Ros (5 mg/kg) and the CCI+Ros (10 mg/kg) groups compared to the CCI group. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin attenuated the CCI-induced neuropathic pain and inflammation. Thus, antinociceptive effects of rosuvastatin might be channeled through inhibition of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant properties

The antinociceptive effects of rosuvastatin in chronic constriction injury model of male rats

Introduction: According to studies, statins possess analgesics and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we examined the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of rosuvastatin in an experimental model of Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI). Methods: Our study was conducted on four groups; sham, CCI (the control group), CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 5 mg/kg), and CCI+rosuvastatin (i.p. 10 mg/kg). We performed heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia tests on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st after inducing CCI. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-6. Rats' spinal cords were also examined to measure tissue concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) enzymes. Results: Our findings showed that CCI resulted in significant increase in heat hyperalgesia, cold and mechanical allodynia on the 7th, 14th and 21st day. Rosuvastatin use attenuated the CCI-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. Rosuvastatin use also resulted in reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA levels. However, rosuvastatin therapy increased the concentration of SOD and GPx in the CCI+Ros (5 mg/kg) and the CCI+Ros (10 mg/kg) groups compared to the CCI group. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin attenuated the CCI-induced neuropathic pain and inflammation. Thus, antinociceptive effects of rosuvastatin might be channeled through inhibition of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant properties

Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of zolpidem in the rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Introduction: Nephrotoxicity is one of the most important side effects of cisplatin which has limited its use. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of this drug. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of zolpidem on the reduction of nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 adult male rats were divided into 4 groups; 1) healthy group, 2) control group, 3, 4) cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity + different doses of zolpidem. After a certain period of time, the urine, spinal cord and kidney samples of rats were collected. Then, urine levels of functional factors including urea, creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio, antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated. Consequently, histological studies were conducted with the collected samples. Results: Zolpidem reduced levels of urea, creatinine, albumin/creatinine ratio, and MDA. It also increased the amount of antioxidant enzymes of the kidney including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and moderated the tubular damage caused by the use of cisplatin. Conclusion: Zolpidem is able to improve the nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Immunological approaches and emerging pharmacologic treatments

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is an etiological agent of pandemic COVID-19, which spreads rapidly worldwide. No proven effective therapies currently exist for this virus, and efforts to develop antiviral strategies for the treatment of COVID-19 are underway. The rapidly increasing understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virology provides a notable number of possible immunological procedures and drug targets. However, gaps remain in our understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In this review, we describe the latest information in the context of immunological approaches and emerging current antiviral strategies for COVID-19 treatment. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

Prediction of response to treatment in children with epilepsy

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to predict the response to treatment in patients treated with anti-epilepsy drugs. Material and Methods: This analytical questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2014 among 128 patients with epilepsy admitted to Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The inclusion criteria were children 2 months to 12 yr of age with epilepsy and patients who experienced fever and seizure attacks at least once were excluded from the study. Patients were followed up for 6 months and the response to their treatment was recorded. The good response to treatment was defined as the absence of seizure with two drugs during follow up. Results: Seventy-two patients (56.3%) were boys. The age of the first seizure was under 2 yr old in 90 patients (70.3%). History of febrile convulsion, family history of epilepsy and history of asphyxia was found in 16 (12.5%), 41 (32%), and 27 (21.1%) patients, respectively. Seizure etiology was idiopathic in 90 patients (70.3%), and the number of seizures was 1-2 in 36 patients (28.1%). Overall, 57 patients (44.5%) had cerebral lesion according to CT scan or MRI, and EEG was abnormal in 101 patients (78.9%). In 6-month follow-up, 40 patients (31.3%) responded well to the treatment and 88 patients (68.8%) responded poorly to the treatment. History of asphyxia (OR = 6.82), neonatal jaundice (OR = 2.81) and abnormal EEG (OR = 0.19) were effective factors in response to treatment. Conclusion: Abnormal EEG is an effective factor in treatment response in the children studied. Key Words: Pediatric, Anti-seizure drug, Response to treatment, Children, Epileps