Induced third-degree burn in rat: healing by Melilotus officinalis extract as medicinal plant

Introduction: burn wounds are common happenings which cause many people have irreversible defects and to be death around the world every year.  In this study, we evaluated the effects of Melilotus officinalis and Alpha ointment in the healing of burn wounds and compare their findings with silver sulfadiazine (SSD).Methods: Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, and similar burn ulcers were produced on the back of rats. The first group of rats received no treatment, base gel was used topically to group II, in groups III-V, Alpha, SSD and Melilotus officinalis preparations were applied, respectively. Wound healing, contraction and histopathological examination were evaluated at the end of 7, 14, and 21 days.Results: Alpha ointment was equally effective as Melilotus officinalis gel, while its efficacy was better compared to SSD for all parameters of wound healing on days 7, 14 and 21. Alpha and Melilotus officinalis preparations as less expensive medications which significantly improve the quality of wound healing and scar formation and also are more appropriate treatment choices than SSD.Conclusion: Alpha and Melilotus officinalis are recommended as alternative to SSD, especially in patients with low economical backgrounds or in those who show adverse reactions to SSD.</p

Sphenoid Sinus:Anatomic Variations and Their Importance in Trans-sphenoidSurgery

Background: Over the past decades, instruments and techniques of the transsphenoidal approach have improvedgreatly. All of these procedures, whether microscopic or endoscopic, must pass through the sphenoid sinus to reach the lesions. The sphenoid sinus is surrounded by several vital anatomical structures. Knowing the details of the anatomy of the sphenoid sinus and the extent of pneumatization can guide the surgeon through difficult corners of  this approach.  Purpose:  This work  aimed  to determine  the incidence  of  the different  anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus in Iranian patients with pituitary adenomas as detected by preoperative MRI and CT  scans.  Methods:  Preoperative  CT  scan  and  MRI  of  64  adult  patients  with  pituitary  adenomas  were retrospectively reviewed regarding degree of pneumatization and septation of the sphenoid sinus. Results: Regarding the degree of pneumatization, there were 34 cases with sellar type (59.4%), 10 patients with presellar type  (15.6%), and  16 cases with conchal  type  (25%).  Regarding  degree  of  septation, no absence  of  septum observed in any of our cases. A single intersphenoid septum observed in 18 of cases (28.1%), and 46 of cases had more than one intersphenoid septum (71.9%). Also, one onodi cell was identified. Conclusion: Enrichment of the knowledge of the sphenoid sinus anatomic variation would aid in reducing complications. Surgeons must meticulously study the preoperative imaging to become familiar with the nuances and variations unique to each case and proceed accordingly to decrease the risk of complications.

Brain Tumors in Elderly

Brain tumors in elderly are increasing as the number of people, who comprise the older population, does.About half of the patients with brain tumors appear to be over 60 years of age.In this review article, Glioblastoma multiform, as the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system in elderly is discussed in details of definition, prognosis, diagnosis, treatment and differential diagnosis. Other tumors such as meningioma, pituitary adenoma, CNS lymphoma and metastasis are also included to be reviewed.  Treatment plans, either conservative or aggressive, classic or novel, approved or under investigation, are presented. Furthermore different attitudes of treatment in the past and recently are also argued. Conventional therapy, Surgery, Radiotherapy, chemotherapy radioimmunotherapy, hormonal therapy and some other novel methods of treatments are discussed in details for the glioma.Determining factors which may be associated to the patient's response to each treatment planare also discussed. Finally, some age related issues are provided to be paid attention to consider an old patient with brain tumor, and planning an optimal treatment in order to make the best management decisions.Until recently,  peoplewith brain tumors in elderly, were used to be treated in conservative plans and often were excluded of the clinical trials but now the number of patients who desire and receive more aggressive therapy for brain tumors is increasing

A comparison between standard triple therapy and sequential therapy on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in uremic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background: The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in hemodialysis dependent patients is higher than the general population. These patients are also more prone to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a standard triple therapy with a sequential therapy on Helicobacter pylori eradication in azotemic and hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Forty nine hemodialysis and azotemic patients, naïve to H. pylori treatment, were randomized into two groups to receive either standard triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 500 mg and clarithromycin 250 mg twice a day for 14 days) or a sequential therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg for 10 days, amoxicillin 500 mg twice a day for the first 5 days and clarithromycin 250 mg + tinidazole 500 mg twice a day just during the second 5 days). H. pylori eradication was evaluated by fecal H. pylori antigen assessment 8 weeks after the treatment. Results: Of 49 patients, 45 patients (21 in triple therapy group and 24 in the sequential group) completed the study. Based on intention to treat analysis, H. pylori eradication rates were 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.8-85.5%) in standard triple therapy group and 84% (95% CI: 69.6-98.3%) in sequential therapy group (P = 0.34). Per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were (95% CI: 76.2%. 6-89.3%) 54 and 87.5% (95% CI: 68.8-95.5%), respectively (P = 0.32). Conclusion: According to Maastricht III consensus report, the results of our study showed that sequential therapy might be a better choice compared with the standard triple therapy in azotemic and hemodialysis patients Iran. We propose to assess the effects of shorter-duration sequential therapy (less than 10 days) for H. pylori eradication

The Spine Vertebral Bodies 3D Modeling and its Biomechanical Advantages

To perform an accurate approach to the spine specially for fracture stabilization a 3D model of spine surgical region may improve this mechanism and it can help the surgeon to have a deeper glance to this scenario. The pre-op planning facility is another advantage of the patient spine specific model to take a chance of making guides to direct pedicle screws safely and increase the pathomechanics of volumes of interest stability factor parallel with its mobility restoration. There are some algorithms for making 3D-reconstruction from CT or MR data-set but the main goal of in-vivo component 3D making is right component extraction from its peripheral segments to achieve the best judgment especially about the surgical approach. Here is a cervical vertebral bodies segmentation and 3D-reconstruction of two cervical adjacent levels combined with the registration process that is shown the intervertebral degree regarding to range of motion percent

Comparison between Alpha and Calendula for Healing of Third-Degree Burn in Rats: Burn healing in rat by Alpha and Calendula

In this study, we compared the effects of Calendula and Alpha ointment in the treatment of burn wounds and also compared its results with silver sulfadiazine (SSD). Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, and similar burn ulcers were produced on anterior surface of thigh of rats. In the first group of rats no treatment was applied, base gel was applied topically to group II, in groups III-V, Alpha, SSD, and Calendula preparations were applied, respectively. Wound healing, contraction, and histopathological evaluation were evaluated at the end of 7, 14, and 21 days. Alpha ointment was equally effective as Calendula gel, and had better efficacy compared to SSD for all markers of wound healing at days of 7, 14, and 21.Alpha and Calendula preparations are less expensive drugs and significantly improve the quality of wound healing and scar formation and are more appropriate treatment choices than SSD. Therefore, we recommended them as alternative to SSD, especially in patients with low economical backgrounds or in those who show adverse reactions to SSD