Aloe Vera Gel-derived Eye Drops for Alkaline Corneal Injury in a Rabbit Model

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of topical Aloe Vera (AV) gel-derived eye drops on the healing of alkali-burned corneas in rabbits. Methods: Thirty alkali-burned corneas of 30 New Zealand albino rabbits were categorized into three groups: AV treatment group that received AV gel-derived eye drops four times a day; medical therapy (MT) group that received conventional treatment; and the control group. Clinical examinations together with digital imaging of the corneas were performed on days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 7. The area of the corneal epithelial defect (CED) was measured using ImageJ software. After euthanizing the rabbits, the affected corneas were evaluated by histopathological examination. Finally, the clinical and histopathological results were compared among the groups. Results: The CED area on days 2 and 7 was significantly less in the AV group than that in the MT group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.024, respectively) and the control group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.037, respectively). None of the cases developed hypersensitivity reactions, limbal ischemia, descemetocele, or corneal perforation during the study period. Based on histopathology, the AV group had notably less keratocyte loss than the MT group (P = 0.001) and the control group (P = 0.022). The inflammatory response after the alkali burn was higher in the AV group than that in the controls (P = 0.028). Conclusion: Short-term topical AV treatment was effective in healing alkali-burned corneas and hastened corneal re-epithelialization as compared to MT; however, AV gel-derived eye drops did not reduce the inflammatory response

Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Parkinson's Disease; Study of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers and White Matter Microstructure

Background: Growing evidence shows that impaired signaling of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is still controversy regarding its proinflammatory or neuroprotective function. In an attempt to elucidate the contribution of IGF-1 in PD, we aimed to discover the relation between serum IGF-1 levels in drug-naïve early PD patients and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as well as microstructural changes in brain white matter.Methods: The association between quartiles of serum IGF-1 levels and CSF biomarkers (α-synuclein, dopamine, amyloid-β1−42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau) was investigated using adjusted regression models in 404 drug-naïve early PD patients with only mild motor manifestations and 188 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). By using region of interest analysis and connectometry approach, we tracked the white matter microstructural integrity and diffusivity patterns in a subgroup of study participants with available diffusion MRI data to investigate the association between subcomponents of neural pathways with serum IGF-1 levels.Results: PD patients had higher levels of IGF-1 compared to HC, although not statistically significant (mean difference: 3.60, P = 0.44). However, after adjustment for possible confounders and correction for False Discovery Rate (FDR), IGF-1 was negatively correlated with CSF α-synuclein, total and phosphorylated tau levels only in PD subjects. The imaging analysis proved a significant negative correlation (FDR corrected P-value = 0.013) between continuous levels of serum IGF-1 in patients with PD and the connectivity, but not integrity, in following fibers while controlling for age, sex, body mass index, depressive symptoms, education years, cognitive status and disease duration: middle cerebellar peduncle, cingulum, genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. No significant association was found between brain white matter microstructral measures or CSF markers of healthy controls and levels of IGF-1.Conclusion: Altered connectivity in specific white matter structures, mainly involved in cognitive and motor deterioration, in association with higher serum IGF-1 levels might propose IGF-1 as a potential associate of worse outcome in response to higher burden of α-synucleinopathy and tauopathy in PD

Let’s Avoid Confusion in Notation of UCM Synergy Indexes

DEAR EDITOR Uncontrolled Manifold (UCM) approach has gained a lot of attention in the field of movement variability and related areas of research. The diversity of applications and the need to explore new UCM-based measures along with the advances in mathematical methods in UCM have led to several formulas for UCM outcome measures with different notations and conflicting interpretations. This letter is intended to summarize the most popular indexes while suggesting a unified notation

بررسی اثر خستگی عملکردی بر ارتفاع پرش عمودی در زنان و مردان سالم

مقدمه: پرش عمودی یکی از فعالیت‌های پایه ورزشی و آزمون بسیار شایعی در حیطه توان‌بخشی و ورزش است که به کمک آن می‌توان عملکرد و توان اندام تحتانی و سیستم عضلانی- اسکلتی بدن را بررسی نمود. از آن‌جایی‌ که خستگی یکی از عوامل مؤثر در افزایش خطر ابتلا به آسیب است، هدف از انجام مطالعه حاضر، بررسی تفاوت اثر خستگی در زنان و مردان حین پرش عمودی بود. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مطالعه مقطعی، 18 زن و 14 مرد، پرش عمودی را قبل و بعد از پروتکل خستگی عملکردی اجرا کردند. پروتکل خستگی عملکردی این طرح شامل 5 مرحله پرش بود. پرش یک نوع سیکل کشش- کوتاه شدن عضلانی است که می‌تواند فعالیت طبیعی عضلات را حین فعالیت‌های روزمره و ورزشی شبیه‌سازی کند. متغیر مورد بررسی این تحقیق، ارتفاع پرش عمودی بود. داده‌های مطالعه با استفاده از آزمون تحلیل واریانس با اندازه‌گیری مکرر بررسی گردید. یافته‌ها: بین دو گروه اثر متقابلی مشاهده نشد. ارتفاع پرش در مردان در هر دو شرایط قبل و بعد از خستگی بیشتر از زنان بود. همچنین، خستگی در هر دو گروه منجر به کاهش مقدار ارتفاع پرش شد. نتیجه‎گیری: نتیجه اصلی مطالعه حاضر، پاسخ مشابه مردان و زنان به خستگی بود. به نظر می‌رسد که خستگی عضلانی مانع از فعالیت مناسب عضلات برای کاهش شوک ناشی از ضربه و در نتیجه، انتقال بیشتر نیروی عکس‌العمل زمین به سمت مفاصل بالاتر و آسیب استخوانی می‌شود

Intralimb Coordination Pattern of the Lower Limbs in Male Athletes With Allograft and Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction During Landing

Background and Objectives: Two common choices exist for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, autograft and allograft. Hamstring tendon autografts and soft-tissue allografts are commonly used for ACL reconstruction. The outcomes between these two grafts are controversial. This research aims to quantify and compare lower limb joint coordination between two ACL reconstruction graft options and healthy individuals. Methods: Sixty-one athletes were enrolled after ACL reconstruction surgery (allograft, n=22; autograft, n=18). Furthermore, twenty-one healthy athletes were considered in the control group. The inclusion criteria included unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery with allograft and autograft methods, male athletes with a minimum of 9 months and a maximum of two years since their surgery, successfully passing a series of quadriceps and hamstring strength tests and distance jumping before entering sports-specific activities under the supervision of a sports physiotherapist, and returning to pre-injury sports activities. Results: Autograft was not statistically different from matched healthy limbs in terms of joint coordination variability and magnitude (P>0.05). However, the magnitude of joint coordination was superior to the allograft group compared to the autograft reconstructed ACL (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although our result reported no significant difference between groups in joint coordination variability, having an insight into coordinative function after ACL reconstruction will help develop postoperative rehabilitation programs as well as minimize the re-injury risk among patients. We also suggest that scholars should conduct more robust trials with valid research designs to control the results of ACL reconstruction comparison with autograft and allograft

Quantitative Analysis of Elbow Range of Motion Variability due to Muscular Fatigue

Objective: The goal of this study was quantitative analysis of elbow range of motion (ROM) variability due to musculo skeletal fatigue. Materials & Methods: Ten intact subjects using nonrandomized sampling were evaluated. Each subject performed four fatiguing tasks in two repetition rates using two weights that were 10 and 20 percent of their dynamic maximal voluntary contraction ability of non-dominant elbow flexion. The elbow range of motion (ROM), brachioradialis and biceps brachii activities were measured using an electrogoniometer and surface EMG electrodes. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) was used to calculate ROM variability correlations. Effect of task condition was tested by Krusakl-Wallis test. Results: Statistical analysis showed long term correlation between ROM fluctuations in three of the four tested conditions (0.5>&alpha&le1). This reveals the controlling role of central nervous system (CNS) during fatigue that in spite of the biomechanical differences between these three test conditions, long-term correlation coefficients were the same (P=0.548). The test condition with high load and low repetition rate differed significantly in comparison with other conditions (p=0.047). In this case the CNS played a minor role. Conclusion: In rehabilitation or sports repetitive exercises, it is recommended to do high load activities with low repetition rates in a biomechanically controlled condition because such activities during fatigue may result in musculoskeletal injuries

The Effect of Rehabilitation Exercises on Time Series Correlation in Gait of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Patients

Objective: In this research the effect of perturbation training on correlation index of detrended fluctuation analysis index (&alpha) of anterior cruciate ligament deficient (ACL) patients was evaluated using nonlinear dynamic methods. Materials & Methods: The study was done on ten male athletes with at least 6 months elapse after their ACL lesions. Subjects were selected using non-probability sampling technique. Stride time for about 270 gait cycles for each patient was recorded and used for detrended fluctuation analysis. Results: Analysis showed difference in values of &alpha between primary and shuffled data which indicates a non-trivial trend of data structure. According to the range of &alpha (0.5>&alpha>1), long time correlation between gait cycles was found. Also, the results showed no significant difference on &alpha before and after training (P=0.515). Conclusion: The results showed persistent patterns in time series which are similar to slow/ speed walking patterns. Also, it can be concluded that, according to their correlation values, ACL deficient patients had a similar behavior to healthy people

حکمرانی مطلوب در اندیشه‌های اخلاق‌گرایانه افلاطون و فارابی

Background and Aim: Plato and Farabi are considered as two representatives of the rationalist and idealist currents of thought in ancient Greece and Islam, whose ethical approaches are prominent in their theories. The ethical ideas of these thinkers have a clear political and social character that the present study examines the good governance from their perspective.&nbsp;&nbsp; Materials and Methods: The present study is theoretical and the method of the research is descriptive-analytical which has done using library resources. Ethical Considerations: In all stages of writing the article, while respecting the originality of the texts, honesty and trustworthiness have been observed. Findings: Good governance in Plato's ethical thought seeks to establish justice, the rule of law, and to place the philosopher-king at the top of the pyramid of the political system. From this point of view, justice in Plato's thought means moderation and harmony between the forces of society and the placement of each individual in a special place that is intended for him in the political system. But in Farabi's view, law and justice find a religious basis and the jurist-ruler replaces the philosopher-king. The implementation of the rules of Sharia is a fundamental principle in Farabi's political and social system, which is accompanied by a rational reading from the perspective of Greek wisdom.&nbsp;&nbsp; Conclusion: The system of good governance in Plato's ethical views can hardly be implemented, because it requires going beyond of the realities of society and build a political system by the philosopher-king; however the advantage of Plato's rule is that it considers justice, law and moderation in society to be rational and reformable. This thinking supported the idea of justice in the following centuries in the West. But on the other hand, in Farabi's views, there is a more realistic aspect that can build moderation in the model of Islamic governance based on the balance of wisdom and sharia. Therefore, Farabi's system of thought, based on the jurist-ruler, has operational capability and is built on the basis of ethical rules, including the principle of justice and the law of Sharia.&nbsp; &nbsp; Cite this article as: Javid MJ, Sanjari Moghadam F, Sanjari Moghadam HR, Bashir Banaem AR. Good Governance in the Ethical Thoughts of Plato and Farabi. Majale "Akhlāq-i zīstī" (i.e., Bioethics Journal). 2021; 11(36): e31.زمینه و هدف: افلاطون و فارابی به عنوان دو نماینده جریان فکری عقل‌گرا و ایده‌آل‌گرا در یونان باستان و اسلام به شمار می‌آیند که رویکردهای اخلاقی در تفکرات آن­ها برجسته است. اندیشه‌های اخلاق‌گرایانه آنان صبغه سیاسی و اجتماعی بارزی دارد که پژوهش حاضر به بررسی حکمرانی مطلوب در نزد این دو متفکر می‌پردازد. مواد و روش‌ها: پژوهش حاضر از حیث نوع، نظری و روش آن، توصیفی ـ تحلیلی است که با استفاده از منابع کتابخانه‌ای انجام می‌یابد. ملاحظات اخلاقی: در نگارش این مقاله، ضمن رعایت اصالت متون، اصول اخلاقیِ صداقت و امانتداری مورد توجه بوده است. یافته‌ها: حکمرانی مطلوب در اندیشه اخلاق‌گرایانه افلاطون به دنبال برقراری عدالت، حاکمیت قانون و برکشیدن فیلسوف‌‌شاه در رأس هرم نظام سیاسی است. از این جهت عدالت در اندیشه افلاطون به معنای اعتدال و هماهنگی میان قوای جامعه و قرارگرفتن هر فردی در جای خاصی است که در نظام سیاسی برای وی در نظر گرفته شده است؛ اما در دیدگاه فارابی، قانون و عدالت مبنای شرعی پیدا می‌کند و فقیه ـ حاکم جای فیلسوف‌شاه را می‌گیرد. اجرای احکام شریعت، اصل اساسی در نظام سیاسی و اجتماعی مورد نظر فارابی است که با خوانشی عقلانی از منظر عقل یونانی صورت می‌گیرد. نتیجه‌گیری: نظام حکمرانی مطلوب در آرای اخلاقی افلاطون به سختی می‌تواند قابلیت اجراشدن داشته باشد، زیرا نیازمند فرا رَوی از واقعیات جامعه و بناساختن نظام سیاسی به دست فیلسوف‌شاه است، اما مزیت حکمرانی مورد نظر افلاطون آن است که عدالت، قانون و اعتدال در جامعه را اموری عقلانی و قابل حک و اصلاح می‌داند. این میراث پشتوانه اندیشه عدالت‌خواهی در سده‌های بعدی در غرب شد. اما در آرای فارابی، سویه واقع‌گرایانه بیشتری دیده می‌شود که می‌تواند اعتدال را در الگوی حکمرانی اسلامی بر مبنای تعادل عقل و شرع بنا نهد. بنابراین نظام اندیشه فارابی، بر مبنای فقیه‌ حاکم هم قابلیت عملیاتی دارد و هم بر پایه قواعد اخلاقی، از جمله اصل عدالت و قانون شرع، ساخته می‌شود

Computing Dynamic Stability of Gait for the Assessment of the Effect of Perturbation Training of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Patients

Objective: In this study, using nonlinear dynamics methods, dynamic stability index was used to assess the effect of perturbation training on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient patients. Materials & Methods: Non-randomized sampling was employed to recruit male athletes with at least 6 months elapsed after their ACL lesion. Using tilt boards, 10 sessions of perturbation training were done. Lower limb kinematics were recorded using electrogoniometers during walking before and after the training. Knee kinematic data of 60 gait cycles was used to calculate dynamic stability index. Time series were reconstructed in five dimensions then finite-time lyapunov exponent was calculated for seven subjects before and after training. Wilcoxon nonparametric test was used to assess the impact of training. Results: The value of the dynamic stability index before and after training was computed as and , respectively. Statistical analysis showed that dynamic stability index of gait improved significantly in ACL deficient patients after perturbation training (P=0.016). Conclusion: Perturbation training improved the dynamic stability of ACL deficient patients. Therefore using nonlinear dynamics methods one can establish an effective theoretical basis for designing and assessment of specific ACL rehabilitation. Such methods could be used in functional assessment of other interventions that affects body movement such as gait