Comparison of Thymus vulgaris (Thyme), Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) and propolis hydroalcoholic extracts versus systemic glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in balb/c mice

Background & objectives: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies. Many investigations are performed to find an effective and safe treatment for leishmaniasis. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of herbal extracts of Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) and Achillea millefolium (Yarrow), propolis hydroalcoholic extract and systemic glucantime against cutaneous leishmaniasis in Balb/c mice. Methods: A total of 45 mice were randomised into five groups each including nine mice. They were treated with pure ethanol 70°, systemic glucantime, Achillea millefolium hydroalcoholic extract, Thymus vulgaris hydroalcoholic extract and propolis hydroalcoholic extract for six weeks. The statistical tests including student t-test were used for analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, ver 13.00. Results: Mean of ulcer size reduction were –17.66, –22.57, 43.29, 36.09 and 43.77% for the alcohol, glucantime, yarrow, thyme and propolis groups, respectively. The results were suggestive that Thymus vulgaris, Achillea millefolium and propolis hydroalcoholic extracts were significantly more effective in reduction of ulcer size as compared with glucantime (p = 0.006, 0.002 and 0.008, respectively). Interpretation & conclusion: Our results are suggestive that Thymus vulgaris, Achillea millefolium and propolis extracts are effective for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice. Regarding these results, we suggest that efficacy of these extracts alone or in combination are evaluated against human cutaneous leishmaniasis as a randomized clinical trial

Decentralized stabilization of linear time invariant systems subject to actuator saturation

We are concerned here with the stabilization of a linear time invariant system subject to actuator saturation via decentralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers. When there exists no actuator saturation, i.e. when we consider just linear time invariant systems, it is known that global stabilization can be done via decentralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers only if the so-called decentralized fixed modes of it are all in the open left half complex plane. On the other hand, it is known that for linear time invariant systems subject to actuator saturation, semi-global stabilization can be done via centralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers if and only if the open-loop poles of the linearized model of the given system are in the closed left half complex plane. This chapter establishes that the necessary conditions for semi-global stabilization of linear time invariant systems subject to actuator saturation via decentralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers, are indeed the above two conditions, namely (a) the decentralized fixed modes of the linearized model of the given system are in the open left half complex plane, and (b) the open-loop poles of the linearized model of the given system are in the closed left half complex plane. We conjecture that these two conditions are also sufficient in general. We prove the sufficiency for the case when the linearized model of the given system is open-loop conditionally stable with eigenvalues on the imaginary axis being distinct. Proving the sufficiency is still an open problem for the case when the linearized model of the given system has repeated eigenvalues on the imaginary axis

Decentralized stabilization of linear time invariant systems subject to actuator saturation

We are concerned here with the stabilization of a linear time invariant system subject to actuator saturation via decentralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers. When there exists no actuator saturation, i.e. when we consider just linear time invariant systems, it is known that global stabilization can be done via decentralized control while using linear time invariant dynamic controllers only if the so-called decentralized fixed modes of it are all in the open left half complex plane

Prevention of Peritendinous Adhesion Formation after the Flexor Tendon Surgery in Rabbits: A Comparative Study between Use of Local Interferon-α, Interferon-β, and 5-Fluorouracil

Background Peritendinous adhesion is the most common complication after tendon surgery, particularly in zone II of the hand. Prevention of inflammation around the tendon, which develops after trauma and surgery, can decrease the tendon adhesion formation. This study compares the effect of some anti-inflammatory cytokines with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the tensile strength and in prevention of peritendinous adhesion formation. Methods Sixteen rabbits were allocated equally into 4 groups. Tendons of the index and ring fingers in zone II of the right hind paw were cut in all animals and then repaired. Interferon (IFN)-α in group 1, 5-FU in group 2, normal saline in group 3, and IFN-β in group 4 were locally applied to the repaired sites. Three weeks later, tensometric and histopathologic evaluations were performed. Results The force required for removing the tendon from the sheath was not different between the groups (P = 0.130), but the time required for removal was significantly shorter in 5-FU group (P = 0.049). The strength of repair was not different between the groups in terms of force and time needed for rupture (P = 0.11 and 0.67, respectively). In histopathologic examination, normal architecture of the tendon and peritendon environment was less disturbed in the IFN groups, especially in IFN-β specimens. Conclusions Local application of 5-FU significantly reduced peritendinous adhesion. Local IFN-α and IFN-β had no significant effect on the prevention of peritendinous adhesion formation. The strength of the repair was not affected by these cytokines and 5-FU. © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

SARS-CoV-2 and Stroke Characteristics: A Report from the Multinational COVID-19 Stroke Study Group

cited By 0BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke is reported as a consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in several reports. However, data are sparse regarding the details of these patients in a multinational and large scale. METHODS: We conducted a multinational observational study on features of consecutive acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis among SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We further investigated the risk of large vessel occlusion, stroke severity as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and stroke subtype as measured by the TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) criteria among patients with acute ischemic stroke. In addition, we explored the neuroimaging findings, features of patients who were asymptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 infection at stroke onset, and the impact of geographic regions and countries' health expenditure on outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 136 tertiary centers of 32 countries who participated in this study, 71 centers from 17 countries had at least 1 eligible stroke patient. Of 432 patients included, 323 (74.8%) had acute ischemic stroke, 91 (21.1%) intracranial hemorrhage, and 18 (4.2%) cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis. A total of 183 (42.4%) patients were women, 104 (24.1%) patients were CONCLUSIONS: We observed a considerably higher rate of large vessel occlusions, a much lower rate of small vessel occlusion and lacunar infarction, and a considerable number of young stroke when compared with the population studies before the pandemic. The rate of mechanical thrombectomy was significantly lower in countries with lower health expenditures.Peer reviewe