Synthesis of Nano Magnetite Fe3O4 Based Vanadic Acid: A Highly Efficient and Recyclable Novel Nano-catalyst for the Synthesis of 4,4’-(arylmethylene)-bis(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ols)

Nano magnetic Fe3O4 based vanadic acid [MNPs@VO(OH)2] (average diameter 20–26 nm) has been synthesized by grafting VOCl3 on the Fe3O4 surface nanoparticles as a retrievable supporter to produce novel heterogeneous reusable solid acid with dual ability (Bronsted and Lewis acid) followed by stirring in the air. The resultant material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Significantly, the as-prepared [MNPs@VO(OH)2] exhibits a high catalytic activity in the synthesis of 4,4’-(arylmethylene)bis(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ols). Additionally, the newly synthesized heterogeneous solid acid catalyst can be reused for several times without apparent loss of its catalytic activity. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

The Combined Effects of a Methacrylate Powder Dressing (Altrazeal Powder) and Photobiomodulation Therapy on the Healing of a Severe Diabetic Foot Ulcer in a Diabetic Patient: A Case Report

Weakened wound healing is a popular, severe complication of patients with diabetes that poses a risk for foot infection and amputation. In recent years, researchers have been searching to find new treatments for treating diabetic foot ulcer.  In this case report for the first time, we applied photobiomodulation therapy and Altrazeal powder together to treat and expedite tissue repair in a severe case of diabetic foot ulcer in a 47-year-old woman who suffered from type 1 diabetes.   We observed along with progress of combination therapy, the ulcer area was significantly reduced, and the wound healed within 16 weeks. Also, dermatitis and purulent secretion were treated, and pain was reduced. This reported case study, indicated the beneficial impact of the combination of photobiomodulation therapy and Altrazeal powder for the healing of a severe of diabetic foot ulcer in a patient with type one diabetes. Combined application of photobiomodulation therapy plus Altrazeal powder demonstrated an additive effect. Further clinical trials in clinical setting in is suggested to validate the results further. In addition, more studies in preclinical models are suggested to find mechanism of action of the combination therapy

Analysis of Association between the Effects of Methylphenidate and DRD4 Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Drug treatment is one of the most important treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The DRD4 gene is a transporter and receptor coding gene of dopamine and is one of the most important genes under investigation in the disorder and etiology of ADHD. In this study, the association between rs3758653 C/T and VNTR exon 3 repetition polymorphisms of the DRD4 gene and the effects of methylphenidate were investigated in patients with ADHD disorder consuming methylphenidate. Methods: The descriptive-analytical study was performed on 122 patients (5 - 18 years old) with ADHD who were treated with methylphenidate. DNA was extracted using salting out method. Subsequently, the rs3758653 polymorphism in the 5’UTR region of DRD4 gene was genotyped by PCR-RFLP method, and the VNTR fragment in exon III of DRD4 gene was investigated by electrophoresis gel on acrylamide gel method. After eight weeks from the start of drug treatment with methylphenidate, the intensity of symptoms was evaluated using the Conners scale. Finally, all data from questionnaires and information that were resulted from laboratory findings were analyzed using ANOVA and repeated measure analysis. Results: Of the 122 patients under study, 15 patients (12.3%) were responded to the drug treatment, and 107 patients (87.7%) were not responded. The significant differences were not revealed in genotype, and allele frequencies of between rs3758653 (C/T) and exon III 3’VNTR repeats polymorphisms of the DRD4 gene and responder and non-responder of ADHD groups to the drug treatment. Conclusions: The results showed that the reduction of ADHD symptoms with drug treatment is not related to DRD4 sub-types in patients with ADHD

Possibility of the blood clot, thrombotic thrombocytopenia following injection of COVID-19-vaccine AstraZeneca; a systematic review

Introduction: Recently, it has been reported that the injection of vaccines such as the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) involves some rare cases of thrombocytopenia and blood clots, although the vaccines created immunity in people. Estimates of this phenomenon are not the same in different countries, probably due to age distribution and number. Objectives: This study attempted to study AstraZeneca’s rare side effects in people injected with this vaccine. Methods: This systematic study was conducted using articles published in 2021 under the title of blood clot and thrombocytopenia by AstraZeneca injection. The references and data were gathered through national and international sites such as Magiran, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. They were also gathered and examined using report cases and the available data on COVID-19 vaccine immunization in various countries. The keywords used mainly are COVID-19 vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, blood clots, thrombus, thrombotic, and thrombocytopenia. Eventually, 25 articles were searched and examined, of which 15 related ones were selected after reviewing and re-studying. While investigating the summary and method in those 15, they were filtered more accurately; finally, ten articles were chosen. Inclusion criteria consisted of all related articles and exclusion criteria contained articles that were less related to our research subject after purification or were redundant and not of high quality. Results: This study found that rare blood clot cases and thrombocytopenia were seen despite mild side effects after AstraZeneca injection. After assessing its benefits, adverse effects, and age distribution, the countries using AstraZeneca decided to continue using it. The main difference in reported statistics in these countries is due to the variety in the age and number of people receiving the vaccine. Conclusion: Blood clots and thrombocytopenia are among the rare side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In different countries, the vaccine side effects vary depending on the age and number of participants. Anyway, according to the investigations conducted in this area, the highest records of these side effects are observed in Norway, which is still low. Overall, through studying this study and other similar ones, politicians, managers, and even ordinary people can be informed about the pros and cons of this vaccine

ابن بیطار داروشناس اندلسی دوره تمدن اسلامی

The subject of spices and medicines is one of the noticeable topics of ancient medicine and almost all the authors of medical works have devoted a part of their work to this subject. Andalusia was one of the territories where doctors assigned particular attention to pharmacology and drug addiction topic. One of the most important influencing factors on doctor’s attention to multifunction of medicine was the admittance a copy of Discouridus, Greek wise to that region. One of the most famous pharmacies of Andalusia and word of Islam is Ibn al-Baytar, who considered him as rightful substitute to Discouridus. He read the Discouridus Genesis book and it made good use of that. Ibn al-Baytar was one of the few scientists who traveled to various places to collect plan he, alongside this valuable research. Studied the Andalusian writings and writings with great car. This article reviews a lot of book and articles about an important person like Ibn al-Baytar and could collect issues of his biography and work and typewrite it.   Please cite this article as: Derakhshan L, Rajabnejad MR. Ibn al-Baytar, Pharmacist of Andalusian Islamic Civilization. Med Hist J 2020; 11(41): 71-79.موضوع ادویه و مفردات دارویی از موضوع‌های مورد توجه در تاریخ پزشکی است، تقریباً همه نویسندگان آثار پزشکی، بخشی از آثار خود را به این موضوع اختصاص داده‌اند. در دوره تمدن اسلامی، اندلس از جمله سرزمین‌هایی بود که پزشکان آن، به موضوع داروشناسی به طور خاص و مفردات دارویی به طور اخص پرداخته‌اند. یکی از مهم‌ترین عوامل تأثیرگذار بر توجه پزشکان به مقوله ادویه مفرده، ورود نسخه‌ای از کتاب دیسقوریدوس، حکیم یونانی به آن دیار بوده است. از مشهورترین داروشناسان اندلس و جهان اسلام آن روزگار، می‌توان از «ابن بیطار» سخن به میان آورد که وی را به حق، جانشین دیسقوریدوس دانسته‌اند. وی کتاب الحشایش دیسقوریدس را با دقت خواند و به نیکی از آن بهره برد. ابن بیطار از معدود دانشمندانی بود که برای جمع‌آوری گیاهان به نقاط مختلف دنیا سفر کرد. وی در کنار این پژوهش ارزشمند، آثار و نوشته‌های اندلسیان و خارج از آن را با دقت فراوان مورد مطالعه قرار داد. این پژوهش با بررسی کتاب‌ها و مقالات، در مورد شخصیت مهمی چون ابن بیطار توانست، مطالبی از زندگی‌نامه و آثار وی را مورد بررسی قرار داده و آن را به رشته تحریر درآورد

Significant Changes of 5-Hydroxytriptamine 3A Receptor Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Allergic Asthmatic Patients

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. The stress is a factor for asthma which indicates a disorder in the function of communicational mediators of nervous and  immunological systems  such  as  neurotransmitters.  A  study  indicated  that  blood serotonin concentration increases in asthmatic patients. Other study indicates that one kind of the serotonin  receptors, named 5HT3A, on PBMCs causes secretion of series of pro- inflammatory cytokines which play important  roles in allergic asthma disease. Thus, we evaluated the ratio expression level of 5HT3A subtype receptors in asthma. The Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells were separated from whole blood of 30 allergic asthmatic patients and 30 normal controls by a gradient density centrifugation technique, then the total cellular RNA was extracted and the cDNA was synthesized. This process was followed by real-time PCR using primer pairs specific for 5-hydroxytryptamine 3A subtype receptor mRNA and beta-actin as internal control. Results  revealed  that  relative  gene  expression  of  5-hydroxytryptamine 3A  subtype receptor  increased significantly in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear  Cells of  patients  with asthma in comparison with normal individuals. To conclude, considering 5-hydroxytryptamine 3A subtype receptor role in accomplishment of asthma symptoms, this increase in its expression may exacerbate the seriousness of asthma disease

A Study of Necessary Activities for Moving towards Educational Equity in Higher Education

Introduction: In the scientific literature, each author has considered "educational equity” from a different perspective and some of its specifications and indices. These indices need to be carefully examined. In this study, the initial aim was to review scientific texts and different perspectives on "educational equity" in higher education to facilitate prioritize measures that enable taking operational steps toward "educational equity." Methods: This study was conducted through Synthesis of Quantitative Literature (classified as a synthesis research). Therefore, based on the gathered scientific literature, necessary activities for reaching “educational equity” were introduced using the content analysis method and extracting, coding, and categorizing the items. Results: The required steps for moving towards “educational equity” were categorized as follows: Steps before entering higher education (including 5 basic subsets), institutional actions and interventions (four subsets), and national actions and interventions (four subsets). Conclusion: In order to achieve equity in higher education, while considering the initial and institutional measures, additional measures need to be taken to achieve "educational equity". These include measures that should be considered at the national level to anticipate the needs of the "labor market" by adopting appropriate policies, so that graduates can apply their skills in the community

Calculation of Mitral Valve Area in Mitral Stenosis: Comparison of Continuity Equation and Pressure Half Time With Two-Dimensional Planimetry in Patients With and Without Associated Aortic or Mitral Regurgitation or Atrial Fibrillation

Accurate measurement of Mitral Valve Area (MVA) is essential to determining the Mitral Stenosis (MS) severity and to achieving the best management strategies for this disease. The goal of the present study is to compare mitral valve area (MVA) measurement by Continuity Equation (CE) and Pressure Half-Time (PHT) methods with that of 2D-Planimetry (PL) in patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MS). This comparison also was performed in subgroups of patients with significant Aortic Insufficiency (AI), Mitral Regurgitation (MR) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF). We studied 70 patients with moderate to severe MS who were referred to echocardiography clinic. MVA was determined by PL, CE and PHT methods. The agreement and correlations between MVA’s obtained from various methods were determined by kappa index, Bland-Altman analysis, and linear regression analysis. The mean values for MVA calculated by CE was 0.81 cm (±0.27) and showed good correlation with those calculated by PL (0.95 cm, ±0.26 ) in whole population (r=0.771, P<0.001) and MR subgroup (r=0.763, P<0.001) and normal sinus rhythm and normal valve subgroups (r=0.858, P<0.001 and r=0.867, P<0.001, respectively). But CE methods didn’t show any correlation in AF and AI subgroups. MVA measured by PHT had a good correlation with that measured by PL in whole population (r=0.770, P<0.001) and also in NSR (r=0.814, P<0.001) and normal valve subgroup (r=0.781, P<0.001). Subgroup with significant AI and those with significant MR showed moderate correlation (r=0.625, P=0.017 and r=0.595, P=0.041, respectively). Bland Altman Analysis showed that CE would estimate MVA smaller in comparison with PL in the whole population and all subgroups and PHT would estimate MVA larger in comparison with PL in the whole population and all subgroups. The mean bias for CE and PHT are 0.14 cm and -0.06 cm respectively. In patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis, in the absence of concomitant AF, AI or MR, the accuracy of CE or PHT method in measuring MVA is nearly equal. But in the presence of significant AI or MR, PHT method is obviously superior to CE and in the presence of AF neither have sufficient accuracy

Evaluating the relationship between Ex3 vNTR and rs3758653 polymorphisms in DRD4 genes in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with respect to the dose of methylphenidate

Background. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders starting at an early age with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and impulsivity. This study aimed to investigate the molecular alterations of the DRD4 gene, which have been linked to ADHD in previous studies with respect to the dose of methylphenidate. Methods. The study population included all ADHD patients needing drug therapy aged 5-18 years referred to Bozorgmehr psychiatric clinic in Tabriz in 2017 for one year. After diagnosis, symptoms severity was assessed using the Conners Scale for ADHD Assessment. Then, 4 ml of blood was collected from each individual and DNA was extracted using salting out method. After performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the products were separated using specific restriction enzymes and then polymorphisms of Ex3 VNTR and rs3758653 of DRD4 gene were analyzed in 2% agarose gel. The last dose to achieve the therapeutic response was recorded in mg/kg. Then, we investigated the relationship between the doses of drug used to achieve the therapeutic response and the existence of the mentioned polymorphisms. Results. There was no significant relationship between treatment response and type of polymorphism. Also, there was no significant relationship between the average dose of drug and the polymorphisms of three replicates, four replicates, six replicates, and more than six replicates in EX3VNTR in DRD4 gene. In addition, we witnessed no statistically significant relationship between the mean drug dose and CC, TC, and TT genotypes in DRD4rs3758653. Conclusion. There was no significant relationship between treatment response and type of polymorphism. There was no significant relationship between the average dose of drug and the polymorphisms of three replicate, four replicates, six replicates and more than six replicates in EX3VNTR in DRD4 gene. Between mean drug dose and CC, TC and TT genotypes in DRD4rs3758653, there was no statistically significant relationship. Practical Implications. Determining the reduction of ADHD symptoms by taking methylphenidate and evaluating the relationship between presence or absence of DRD4 polymorphisms and the dosage of drug to achieve a better response to treatment can collect enough evidence to determine the dose of methylphenidate according to the molecular analysis of DRD4 gene in patients with ADHD. This can reduce doctor visits, save time, and decrease the drug side effects