Methotrexate hepatotoxicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND Increases in aminotransferases (transaminitis) are potential major adverse reactions seen with long-term use of methotrexate (MTX). The aim of this study, therefore was to evaluate the incidence of MTX induced hepatotoxicity and its risk factors among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS This retrospective study described 286 patients with RA who received ≥ 7.5 mg MTX weekly in an academic rheumatology clinic over a 15 year period. The results of serial liver function tests, concurrent MTX dose, cumulative dose and use of hepatotoxic drugs were collected and statistically analyzed according to a consecutive elevation in aminotransferases which occurred over at least a two week interval. RESULTS During the study period, 286 patients (84.4% female) with mean age of 46.6±12.7 years (18-84 years) were enrolled. Transaminitis occurred among 23.7% of patients (incidence: 6.9 per 100 person-years) during 40.5±34.6 month's exposure to MTX (989.6 person-years). The time difference between onset of therapy and occurrence of transaminitis was 22.1±22.0 months. The only significant factor related to the occurrence of transaminitis was the duration of MTX therapy. The average duration of treatment among patients with transaminitis (59.6±42.3 months) was greater than those with no transaminitis (p<0.001). The cumulative dose of MTX was significantly related to the occurrence of transaminitis (p<0.001). CONCLUSION MTX hepatotoxicity is a common complication of long-term treatment with MTX. It is associated with mild liver enzyme elevation and related to the duration of therapy

Experimental realization of the Yang-Baxter Equation via NMR interferometry

The Yang-Baxter equation is an important tool in theoretical physics, with many applications in different domains that span from condensed matter to string theory. Recently, the interest on the equation has increased due to its connection to quantum information processing. It has been shown that the Yang-Baxter equation is closely related to quantum entanglement and quantum computation. Therefore, owing to the broad relevance of this equation, besides theoretical studies, it also became significant to pursue its experimental implementation. Here, we show an experimental realization of the Yang-Baxter equation and verify its validity through a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) interferometric setup. Our experiment was performed on a liquid state Iodotrifluoroethylene sample which contains molecules with three qubits. We use Controlled-transfer gates that allow us to build a pseudo-pure state from which we are able to apply a quantum information protocol that implements the Yang-Baxter equation.Comment: 10 pages and 6 figure

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract prevents and improves D-galactose and NaNO2 induced memory impairment in mice

This study was conducted to examine the effects of saffron extract on preventing D-galactose and NaNO2 induced memory impairment and improving learning and memory deficits in amnestic mice. In this study, the learning and memory functions in ovariectomized mice were examined by the one way passive and active avoidance tests. In active avoidance test, training in amnestic treated (AT) and amnestic prophylaxis (AP) groups, was improved so that there was a significant difference between them and the amnestic control (AC) group. In passive avoidance test, animal’s step through latency, as an index for learning, in all test groups was significantly greater than control group. Total time spent in dark room (DS), which opposes the memory retention ability, in AC was significantly greater than AT group at 1 and 2 hours after full training, while there was not any significant difference between this index in AP and AT as compared with normal control (NC) group. Our findings indicate that saffron hydroalcoholic extract prevents and improves amnesia induced by D-galactose and NaNO2 in mice

A theoretical investigation of human skin thermal response to near-infrared laser irradiation

Near-infrared wavelengths are absorbed less by epidermal melanin mainly located at the basal layer of epidermis (dermo-epidermal junction), and penetrate deeper into human skin dermis and blood than visible wavelengths. Therefore, laser irradiation using near-infrared wavelength may improve the therapeutic outcome of cutaneous hyper-vascular malformations in moderately to heavily pigmented skin patients and those with large-sized blood vessels or blood vessels extending deeply into the skin. A mathematical model composed of a Monte Carlo algorithm to estimate the distribution of absorbed light followed by numerical solution of a bio-heat diffusion equation was utilized to investigate the thermal response of human skin to near-infrared laser irradiation, and compared it with that to visible laser irradiation. Additionally, the effect of skin surface cooling on epidermal protection was theoretically investigated. Simulation results indicated that 940 nm wavelength is superior to 810 and 1064 nm in terms of the ratio of light absorption by targeted blood vessel to the absorption by the basal layer of epidermis, and is more efficient than 595 nm wavelength for the treatment of patients with large-sized blood vessels and moderately to heavily pigmented skin. Dermal blood content has a considerable effect on the laser-induced peak temperature at the basal layer of epidermis, while the effect of blood vessel size is minimum

Managing of solid waste on construction site

Construction solid waste is a waste in solid form which is defined as useless or unwanted. It generated from building construction, demolition and refurbishment works. It has become as one of major environmental problems faced by the most municipalities.This paper based on study that has been conducted which involves types of solid wastes and factors that contribute to the waste on construction site. This study also focused on method used in managing solid waste on site. Two (2) methods have been used to achieve the objectives of this study which are questionnaire and interview. 34 respondents who are from construction company and local authorities in Pahang gave their feedback by answering the questionnaires. Data from questionnaire have been analyzed using average index (A!). Interview through site visit is carried out in Pekan, Pahang. It is done to get further information about methods used in managing waste on site. In conclusion, types of solid waste, factors contribute to waste on site and methods of managing solid waste have been identified. This study found that there are 8 types of construction waste on site such as concrete, asphalt, wood or timber, glass, plastic, metal or steel, roofing and brick or block. There are several factors contribute to waste on site such as lack of recycling facilities within the study region, mishandling, weather, inadequate storage, lack of communication between leader and worker, design changes,vandalism, ordering error, role of project manager and low quality material. The study result also shows the popular method choose by respondent to handle the solid waste which is dispose it and this is followed by reducing, recycling and reuse method