Synthesis and Preformulation Studies of KTTKS and PAL-KTTKS as Anti-Wrinkle Peptides

Introduction: Skin aging is a complicated process which is one of the major issues in the field of dermatology and cosmetic products. Peptides are one of the novel ingredients included in the anti-aging formulations. KTTKS (Lys-Thr-Thr-Lys-Ser) and its derivative, PAL-KTTKS (Palmitic acid-KTTKS), have attracted a lot of attention in arresting or delaying skin aging, but unfortunately, there are almost no preformulation studies available about them. Methods and Results:Both peptides were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis and identified by Mass spectroscopy technique. UV absorption ability, percentage of crystallinity, melting point, decomposition temperature and thermal behavior of both peptides were analyzed by UV spectroscopy, XRD, TGA and DSC techniques respectively. Partition coefficient was also determined by ACD/chemsketch software. In addition stability studies for the aqueous solution of KTTKS were performed at 32 and 37 ℃.  The results of UV spectroscopy showsthe wavelength of maximum absorbance of both peptides is in the vacuum UV range. Based on the results of melting point and TGA apparatuses, KTTKS and PAL- KTTKS decompose at about 154 ℃ and 112 ℃ respectively and there is no melting point for them before decomposition. The results of DSC thermogramsindicate an endothermic peak at the temperature below 60 ℃ for both peptides which is probably due to intrinsic structural rearrangement or evaporation of volatile solvents. Crystallinity percentage for KTTKS and PAL-KTTKS are 62% and 32% respectively. cLogp of KTTKS is -3.27 and cLogp of PAL-KTTKS is 3.32. Conclusions: The results of this investigation can be employed for the formulation of these peptides for TTD

Comparison of Coupled and Uncoupled Consolidation Equations Using Finite Element Method in Plane-Strain Condition

In the current paper, the consolidation settlement of a strip footing over a finite layer of saturated soil has been studied using the finite element method. In Biot’s coupled consolidation equations, the soil deformation and excess pore pressure are determined simultaneously in every time step which refers to the hydro-mechanical coupling. By considering a constant total stress throughout the time and by assuming that volume strain is a function of isotropic effective stress, uncoupled consolidation equations can be obtained using coupled consolidation equations. In these uncoupled equations, excess pore pressure and deformation are determined separately. In this approach, the excess pore pressure can be identified in the first stage. Using the calculated excess pore pressure, the soil deformation is determined through effective stress-strain analyses. A computer code was developed based on coupled and uncoupled equations that are capable of performing consolidation analyses. To verify the accuracy of these analyses, the obtained results have been compared with the precise solution of Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation theory. The capability of these two approaches in estimation of pore water pressure and settlement and to show Mandel-Crayer’s effect in soil consolidation is discussed. Then, the necessity of utilizing coupled analyses for evaluating soil consolidation analysis was investigated by comparing the coupled and uncoupled analyses results

The Use of Nanoaccelerator in Cement Slurries in Low Temperature Well Conditions

It has long been known that temperature during circulation and after cement placement is one of the most important parameters for slurry design and the success in cement production. Conventional cements and low density cement slurries usually take a long time to set and cannot provide significant compressive strength. Therefore, it is important to design appropriate low density cement slurries for low temperature conditions during surface casing cementation. In well cementing procedures, the slurry must be fluid for a sufficient time to allow the task to be completed. One of the problems that frequently happens in cementing a low temperature formation is a long setting time, in which the cement is influenced by low temperatures and the thickening time increases. To solve this problem, a unique cement system, which contains nanosilica, hollow spherical material, and class-G oil well cement, was developed for the first time. For this purpose, some additives such as; dispersants and fluid loss control agents were used in the cement system. The laboratory tests show that this slurry has a low density, excellent fluid loss control, no free fluid, right-angle-set, and a short thickening time (47 minutes) at low temperatures. The experimental results presented herein can help resolving problems in surface casing cementing</span

AN IMPROVEMENT TO PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HEAVY-WEIGHT OIL WELL CEMENTS USING CARBON NANOTUBES

This study experimentally investigates the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT’s), as a reinforcing material, on the physical properties of heavy-weight oil well cements. A candidate well is selected and the properties of the cement slurry used in a problematic section of the well are tested in the laboratory. Carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) are added as fibers to the cement slurry and the improvements in the cement slurry and stone properties are studied. This work discusses the problems associated with conventional heavy-weight oil well cement used in the candidate well and reports the detail of the improvements on cement properties obtained by adding CNT’s to cement slurry formulation. These properties include cement slurry rheological properties, free water, fluid loss, thickening time, cement stone elasticity, and compressive strength. When only 1 wt.% of CNT is added to the cement slurry, the yield point and plastic viscosity increase by eight and five times respectively, while the free water and fluid loss of cement slurry are reduced by 85% and 70% respectively. In addition, cement stone compressive strength increases by 73.8%. Moreover, the elastic properties of the cement stone are improved and higher values for the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are achieved; however, there is an optimum concentration of nano-additive at which the maximum yield point, plastic viscosity, compressive strength, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio are reached. The results of this study can be used to optimize the cement slurry design in any given set of conditions

Low Level Laser Therapy Versus Pharmacotherapy in Improving Myofascial Pain Disorder Syndrome

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) lead to masticatory muscle pain, jaw movement disability and limitation in mouth opening. Pain is the chief complaint in 90% of the TMD patients which leads to disability and severe socioeconomic costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) compared to pharmacotherapy with NSAIDs (naproxen) in myofascial pain disorder syndrome (MPDS).Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 40 MPDS patients were divided into two groups. One group received naproxen 500 mg bid for 3 weeks as treatment modality and also had placebo laser sessions. The other group received active laser (diode 810 nm CW) as treatment and placebo drug. Pain intensity was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and maximum painless mouth opening was also measured as a functional index every session and at 2 months follow up. Data was collected and analyzed with SPSS software. Independent t test was used to analyze the data. A P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Low level laser caused significant reduction in pain intensity (P &lt; 0.05) and a significant increase in mouth opening. In naproxen group neither pain intensity nor maximum mouth opening had significant improvement. Pain relief, in subjective VAS was observed in third session in LLLT group, but did not occur in naproxen group. Maximum mouth opening increased significantly in laser group compared to the naproxen group from the eighth session.Conclusion: Treatment with LLLT caused a significant improvement in mouth opening and pain intensity in patients with MPDS. Similar improvement was not observed in naproxen group

A Study of Opportunities and Threats of Descriptive Assessment from Managers, Teachers and Experts Points of View in Chaharmahal and Bakhteyari Primary Schools

The aim of current study is to determine the strength and weakness of executing descriptive evaluation from the viewpoint of deans, teachers and experts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. A survey descriptive approach was performed. Statistical population includes 208 deans, 303 teachers, and 100 executive experts of descriptive evaluation scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in educational year 1387-88. Sample’s volume after some statistical estimation calculated to be 175, and members of the sample were selected by random sampling of a category proportional to the selected volume, that contains 100 teachers, 50 deans and 25 experts. To identify the justifiability of the inventory, opinions of twelve persons including advisor professor, consulting professor, designer of the descriptive evaluation scheme, four of educational planning department professors and five of experts holding masters and Ph.D. degrees that are executives of the scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, were used. Measurement tools included: 1) documents including reports, regulations and documents related to the running of this plan; 2) interviews conducted to use the opinions of experts in doing descriptive evaluation; 3) a self-administrated questionnaire including 4 items and 74 close–ended questions, and open – ended ones. For analyzing the data produced by inventory, we used SPSS-13 to analyze the data in two levels of descriptive and inferential. We also have used single variable t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference (LSD) tests. Results showed that the executives of descriptive evaluation scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province evaluate the so called scheme above average regarding to four scales (strength and weakness).Key words: Chaharmahal; Bakhteyari; Opportunities; Threats; Primary schoo

Frequency of Influenza-A-H1N1 in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Admitted to Loghman Hakim Hospital

Background: Here we assessed the incidence of Influenza-A-H1N1-related pneumonia in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study from November 22, 2016, to June 21, 2017, patients with CAP and suspected to seasonal influenza were included. Rapid Antigen test and quantitative real-time PCR assay were performed on samples. P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. In addition, radiologic patterns of them were evaluated.Results: a total of 29 admitted CAP patients were suspected of seasonal influenza. Two cases out of them were positive for influenza by real-time PCR, similar to result of influenza rapid test. The most common finding in their chest X ray was consolidation in one lobe. None of them vaccinated against influenza. Only nine patients received empiric Oseltamivir treatment. The amount of irrational antibiotic administration was significant.Conclusion: Despite low statistical numbers, admitted influenza CAP patients did not have unusual symptoms and radiologic patterns. Other results in this study showed need for antibiotic stewardship program and better training about necessity of vaccination

Promising Antibacterial Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against Several Multidrug Resistant Uropathogens

Background: Recently, nanotechnology has been demonstrated to be a promising application to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance. In the present study, we aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on several multiple-drug resistant (MDR) uropathogenic strains. Methods: This in vitro case-control study was performed on 4 uropathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial property was evaluated by well diffusion method at different concentrations of CuO NPs. Results: Overall, NPs concentration of 10, 25 and 50 μg/mL showed the remarkable antibacterial activity. A lower effect was seen against S. aureus strains. CuO NPs exhibited maximum bacterial growth inhibition against E. faecalis strains. In most of the cases, the zone of inhibition in 50 μg/mL concentration was closest to control positive antibiotics. Conclusion: In summary, CuO NPs as an alternative to conventional antibiotics that are currently used showed dose-dependent on antibacterial activity against different uropathogens, specificity towards pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. This promising antibacterial activity of CuO NPs suggesting the development of NPs coatings on the different surface of biomedical materials for applications in different antimicrobial control systems