Magnesium Supplementation and the Effects on Wound Healing and Metabolic Status in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of magnesium administration on wound healing and metabolic status in subjects with DFU. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 70 subjects with grade 3 DFU. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (35 subjects each group) to receive either 250 mg magnesium oxide supplements or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention wound depth and appearance were scored in accordance with the “Wagner-Meggitt’s” wound assessment tool. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to assess related markers. After the 12-week treatment, compared with the placebo, magnesium supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum magnesium (+0.3 ± 0.3 vs. −0.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and significant reductions in ulcer length (−1.8 ± 2.0 vs. −0.9 ± 1.1 cm, P = 0.01), width (−1.6 ± 2.0 vs. −0.8 ± 0.9 cm, P = 0.02), and depth (−0.8 ± 0.8 vs. −0.3 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.003). In addition, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (−45.4 ± 82.6 vs. −10.6 ± 53.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04), serum insulin values (−2.4 ± 5.6 vs. +1.5 ± 9.6 μIU/mL, P = 0.04), and HbA1c (−0.7 ± 1.5 vs. −0.1 ± 0.4%, P = 0.03) and a significant rise in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. −0.004 ± 0.02, P = 0.01) were seen following supplementation of magnesium compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium resulted in significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−19.6 ± 32.5 vs. −4.8 ± 11.2 mg/L, P = 0.01) and significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+6.4 ± 65.2 vs. −129.9 ± 208.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium supplementation for 12 weeks among subjects with DFU had beneficial effects on parameters of ulcer size, glucose metabolism, serum hs-CRP, and plasma TAC levels

The Relationship Between Serum Levels of Interleukins 6, 8, 10 and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Clinical outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) depends on both primary and secondary brain injuries. Neuroinflammation is an important secondary mechanism, which occurs by releasing interleukins (ILs). Increased levels of ILs may affect clinical outcome following TBI. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the serum levels of interleukins 6, 8 and 10 and clinical outcome in patients with severe TBI 6 months after injury. Patients and Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study, 44 patients with GCS ≤ 8 (Glasgow coma scale) and age ≥ 14 years were included. Their blood samples were collected at first 6 hours after injury. Clinical outcome was determined based on GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) at 6 months after head injury. Serum levels of interleukins 6, 8 and 10 were measured using the ELISA method. Spearman's rho, independent T-Test, and Mann-Whitney Test were used for data analysis. Results: Comparing the serum levels of interleukins in two groups with favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes showed that the mean serum levels of interleukins 6 and 8 in group with favorable outcome was 85.2 ± 51.6 and 52.2 ± 31.9, respectively lower than those of group with unfavorable outcome with 162.3 ± 141.1 and 173.6 ± 257.3 (P < 0.03) and (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Increased serum levels of interleukins 6 and 8 as a predictive marker might be associated with unfavorable clinical outcome in patients with severe TBI

Cultural-based visual expression: Emotional analysis of human face via Peking Opera Painted Faces (POPF)

© 2015 The Author(s) Peking Opera as a branch of Chinese traditional cultures and arts has a very distinct colourful facial make-up for all actors in the stage performance. Such make-up is stylised in nonverbal symbolic semantics which all combined together to form the painted faces to describe and symbolise the background, the characteristic and the emotional status of specific roles. A study of Peking Opera Painted Faces (POPF) was taken as an example to see how information and meanings can be effectively expressed through the change of facial expressions based on the facial motion within natural and emotional aspects. The study found that POPF provides exaggerated features of facial motion through images, and the symbolic semantics of POPF provides a high-level expression of human facial information. The study has presented and proved a creative structure of information analysis and expression based on POPF to improve the understanding of human facial motion and emotion

Wavelet analysis method for solving linear and nonlinear singular boundary value problems

In this paper, a robust and accurate algorithm for solving both linear and nonlinear singular boundary value problems is proposed. We introduce the Chebyshev wavelets operational matrix of derivative and product operation matrix. Chebyshev wavelets expansions together with operational matrix of derivative are employed to solve ordinary differential equations in which, at least, one of the coefficient functions or solution function is not analytic. Several examples are included to illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method

Magnesium Supplementation and the Effects on Wound Healing and Metabolic Status in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of magnesium administration on wound healing and metabolic status in subjects with DFU. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 70 subjects with grade 3 DFU. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (35 subjects each group) to receive either 250 mg magnesium oxide supplements or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention wound depth and appearance were scored in accordance with the �Wagner-Meggitt�s� wound assessment tool. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to assess related markers. After the 12-week treatment, compared with the placebo, magnesium supplementation resulted in a significant increase in serum magnesium (+0.3 ± 0.3 vs. �0.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and significant reductions in ulcer length (�1.8 ± 2.0 vs. �0.9 ± 1.1 cm, P = 0.01), width (�1.6 ± 2.0 vs. �0.8 ± 0.9 cm, P = 0.02), and depth (�0.8 ± 0.8 vs. �0.3 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.003). In addition, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (�45.4 ± 82.6 vs. �10.6 ± 53.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04), serum insulin values (�2.4 ± 5.6 vs. +1.5 ± 9.6 μIU/mL, P = 0.04), and HbA1c (�0.7 ± 1.5 vs. �0.1 ± 0.4, P = 0.03) and a significant rise in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. �0.004 ± 0.02, P = 0.01) were seen following supplementation of magnesium compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium resulted in significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (�19.6 ± 32.5 vs. �4.8 ± 11.2 mg/L, P = 0.01) and significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+6.4 ± 65.2 vs. �129.9 ± 208.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium supplementation for 12 weeks among subjects with DFU had beneficial effects on parameters of ulcer size, glucose metabolism, serum hs-CRP, and plasma TAC levels. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201612225623N96. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Slow graft function after pediatric renal transplantation from volunteer live donors

Slow graft function (SGF) may occur during the early post-transplant period. In this paper, we present our findings regarding SGF after pediatric renal transplantation and its predictive variables. From 1985 to 2004, a total of 300 pediatric renal transplants were performed at our institution. A total of 10 cases with SGF and 50 controls that were operated by the same surgeons were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the recipients and donors was 11.4 (3-15 yr) and 28.05 yr (20-50 yr), respectively. All kidneys were retrieved from living donors. We compared patients with SGF with controls regarding four independent variables: age difference between donors and recipients, serum hemoglobin difference between donors and recipients, mean blood pressure (systolic blood pressure + 2 diastolic blood pressure/3) difference between donors and recipients, and weight difference between donors and recipients. The mean age of recipients was 10.5 ± 4.1 in SGF group and 11.6 ± 2.5 in control group (p = 0.4). The differences between donors and recipients regarding weight and mean blood pressure in subjects with SGF were not higher than other patients (42 kg vs. 37.4 kg, p = 0.4; -3 mmHg vs. -4.1 mmHg, p = 0.8). The mean hemoglobin difference between donors and recipients was 6.3 ± 2.1 g/dL in SGF group and 6.7 ± 2.3 g/dL in control group (p = 0.6). The differences between donors and recipients regarding age, weight, mean blood pressure and serum hemoglobin level are not predictive variables for SGF. © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

Use of a polyphasic approach including MALDI-TOF MS for identification of Aspergillus section Flavi strains isolated from food commodities in Brazil

Brazil is one the largest producers and exporters of food commodities in the world. The evaluation of fungi capable of spoilage and the production mycotoxins in these commodities is an important issue that can be of help in bioeconomic development. The present work aimed to identify fungi of the genus Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from different food commodities in Brazil. Thirty-five fungal isolates belonging to the section Flavi were identified and characterised. Different classic phenotypic and genotypic methodologies were used, as well as a novel approach based on proteomic profiles produced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Type or reference strains for each taxonomic group were included in this study. Three isolates that presented discordant identification patterns were further analysed using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and calmodulin gene sequences. The data obtained from the phenotypic and spectral analyses divide the isolates into three groups, corresponding to taxa closely related to Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus tamarii. Final polyphasic fungal identification was achieved by joining data from molecular analyses, classical morphology, and biochemical and proteomic profiles generated by MALDI-TOF MS.Acknowledgments are due to FAPEMIG - Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Brazil) for financial support. F. C. da Silva extends thanks to CAPES - Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Brazil) for the PhD grant. C. Santos and N. Lima thank CAPES for the financial support as international visiting professors in the Post-Graduate Programme in Agricultural Microbiology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil

An analysis of material consumption culture in the Muslim world

In this paper, we examine the notion of material consumption culture in Islamic societies. We differentiate between institutionalised religion and religion as culture. We contest the Orientalist portrayal of Islam as a fanatic ideology opposed to Western Modernity’s features of secularism, individualism, and pluralism. With reference to the Qur’anic text, we discuss that such qualities are embedded with Islam. We do not interpret the Qur’an from a theological perspective; rather, we seek to demonstrate the possibilities of its multiple interpretations. We argue that, in their everyday life consumption practices, Muslims (re)interpret religious guidelines in different ways and refer to Islam, as a transcendental set of guidelines, to make better sense of their cultural practices in different ways. We summarise our discussion by highlighting the importance of analysing the culture of consumption from the lens of insiders and offer directions for future research