Cost-effectiveness of intensive Vs. standard follow-up models for patients with breast cancer in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst women throughout the world. Currently, there are various follow-up strategies implemented in Iran, which are usually dependent on clinic policies and agreement among the resident oncologists. Purpose: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of intensive follow-up versus standard models for early breast cancer patients in Iran. Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was performed with 382 patients each in the intensive and standard groups. Costs were identified and measured from a payer perspective, including direct medical outlay. To assess the effectiveness of the two follow-up models we used a decision tree along with indicators of detection of recurrence and metastasis, calculating expected costs and effectiveness for both cases; in addition, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were determined. Results: The results of decision tree showed expected case detection rates of 0.137 and 0.018 and expected costs of US24,494.62 and US6,859.27, respectively, for the intensive and standard follow-up models. Tornado diagrams revealed the highest sensitivity to cost increases using the intensive follow-up model with an ICER=US148,196.2. Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that the intensive follow-up method is not cost-effective when compared to the standard model

An investigation on the sustained releasing delivery of GnRHa using Freund's incomplete adjuvant in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) was used for emulsifying and sustained releasing of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The hormone [D-Ala6, des GlylO] m GnRHa was diluted in 0.25ml physiological saline and mixed with equal volume of FIA (GnRHa-FIA). A group of Rainbow trout broodstock were injected with GnRHa-FIA and compared with those receiving the treatment in two steps or one acute GnRHa injection. All of the fish that received GnRHa in emulsified form or in two steps injection ovulated in 10 and 11 days after injection respectively. In contrast, only 75% of the control fish and 60% of the fish with an acute injection ovulated up to 36 days after injection

Potential of electrospun nanofibers for biomedical and dental applications

YesElectrospinning is a versatile technique that has gained popularity for various biomedical applications in recent years. Electrospinning is being used for fabricating nanofibers for various biomedical and dental applications such as tooth regeneration, wound healing and prevention of dental caries. Electrospun materials have the benefits of unique properties for instance, high surface area to volume ratio, enhanced cellular interactions, protein absorption to facilitate binding sites for cell receptors. Extensive research has been conducted to explore the potential of electrospun nanofibers for repair and regeneration of various dental and oral tissues including dental pulp, dentin, periodontal tissues, oral mucosa and skeletal tissues. However, there are a few limitations of electrospinning hindering the progress of these materials to practical or clinical applications. In terms of biomaterials aspects, the better understanding of controlled fabrication, properties and functioning of electrospun materials is required to overcome the limitations. More in vivo studies are definitely required to evaluate the biocompatibility of electrospun scaffolds. Furthermore, mechanical properties of such scaffolds should be enhanced so that they resist mechanical stresses during tissue regeneration applications. The objective of this article is to review the current progress of electrospun nanofibers for biomedical and dental applications. In addition, various aspects of electrospun materials in relation to potential dental applications have been discussed

Bioethanol production from white onion by yeast in repeated batch

Abstract Considered to be the cleanest liquid fuel, bioethanol can be a reliable alternative to fossil fuels. It is produced by fermentation of sugar components of plant materials. The common onions are considered to be a favorable source of fermentation products as they have high sugar contents as well as contain various nutrients. This study focused on the effective production of ethanol from an endemic Iranian white onion (Allium cepa L., Dorche cultivar) by the yeast "Saccharomyces cerevisiae" in repeated batch. The results showed that the total sugar concentration of onion juice was77.3 g/l. The maximum rate of productivity, ethanol yield and final bioethanol percentage was 8 g/l/h (g ethanol per liter of onion juice per hour), 40 g/l (g ethanol per liter of onion juice and 93 %, respectively