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Background & Objective: A supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCBPB) is a safe alternative to general anesthesia in upper limb surgeries. We compared the effect of adding magnesium sulfate (MS) and low-dose dexamethasone (LDD) to ropivacaine in SCBPB in elective upper limb surgeries. Materials & Methods: The ultrasound-guided SCBPB was done on 55 candidates for elective upper extremity surgeries in 3 groups by using 200 mg MS + 24 mL ropivacaine 0.5% (MS Group), 4 mg dexamethasone + 24 mL ropivacaine 0.5% (LDD Group), and 1 mL normal saline + 24 mL ropivacaine 0.5% (NS Group). The sample was investigated for the sensory and motor block onset, motor and sensory block duration, analgesia duration, total opioid consumption, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during sensory return. Results: The onset of motor and sensory block was faster in the MS group compared to the LDD and NS group (P<0.05). The sensory block duration was longer in the LDD group compared to the MS and NS groups. The duration of motor block and analgesia in the LDD group was significantly longer than the NS group (P<0.05). However, this difference was not significant regarding the MS group (p>0.05). The LDD and MS groups were not different in terms of total opioid consumption and VAS at the time of sensory return. However, both groups had significant differences with the NS group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The LDD prolonged the motor and sensory block duration and analgesia compared to MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As two of the most abundant and destructive salts in nature, sodium and magnesium sulfates can affect the physico-mechanical characteristics of stones and, thus, their durability. In this paper, the effects of these salts are compared on some physico-mechanical characteristics of travertine, including point load index (PLI), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), P-wave velocity (Vp), and porosity (n). For this purpose, a travertine sample was obtained from the Abasabad quarry in Mahallat (central Iran) and transferred to the laboratory. Next, salt crystallization tests in sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions were carried out for up to 30 cycles. Afterward, PLI, BTS, Vp, and n of the sample were measured after every 5 cycles of the salt crystallization test. The decay constant (λ), half-time (N1/2), and the rate of loss (RL) were used to compare the effects of sodium and magnesium sulfates on the PLI, BTS, Vp, and n of the sample. Here, λ and N1/2 were obtained from regression curves developed between the measured PLI, BTS, Vp, and n with cycles of salt crystallization tests. The RL and N1/2 of the PLI, BTS, Vp, and n show that the durability of the sample subjected to the salt crystallization tests in sodium and magnesium sulfates was different. The results indicate that the effect of sodium sulfate on the PLI, BTS, Vp, and n of the sample was more severe than that of magnesium sulfate. Generally, PLI, BTS, Vp, and n not only indicate visible changes occurring in the sample due to salt crystallization action (e.g., mass loss, powdering, pitting, and detachments) but also show its inner microstructural modifications due to pores development. In addition, the PLI, BTS, Vp, and n can be good indicators for preventive and monitoring purposes and suitable tools for uncovering the initial stages of building stones' deterioration subjected to salt crystallization action. These parameters are vital when it is not possible to detect the changes in the inner structure of building stones with the naked eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnesium sulfate is used topically to reduce the duration of labor in some regions of the country. However, there is insufficient evidence about its effectiveness. This study aimed to determine whether topical magnesium sulfate reduces labor duration and improves childbirth experience (primary outcomes)., Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, the participants were 98 women with low-risk, singleton, and full-term pregnancies admitted to a teaching hospital in Iran. They were randomly assigned to the intervention group (receiving 50% magnesium sulfate) or the control group (receiving distilled water) stratified by parity and onset of labor. The participants, interventionists, and data collectors were blinded. During the vaginal examination at the beginning of the active phase of labor, 10 mL of magnesium sulfate or distilled water was poured on the cervix of the uterus. Data collection was performed by the researcher with continuous monitoring up to two hours post-delivery and follow-up at 4-5 weeks postpartum. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2.0 was used to examine childbirth experience. We performed a modified intention-to-treat analysis, excluding those whose outcome of interest could not be assessed. Independent-samples t-tests were used to compare the groups in terms of the mean of the primary outcomes., Results: Participant recruitment took place between December 2021 and December 2022. Thirty-three percent were primiparous and 37% had induced labor. Three women in the intervention group and seven in the control group underwent emergency cesarean sections. All 49 women assigned to each group were included in the analysis of labor duration outcome, while one and two women were excluded from the analysis of childbirth experience score due to loss to follow-up. In the intervention group, compared to the control group, the mean duration of the intervention until delivery was significantly shorter (1.59 vs. 2.93 h; MD -1.34, 95% CI [-1.88 to -0.79]) and the childbirth experience score was higher (3.1 vs. 2.3, MD 0.84; 95% CI [0.59 to 1.08])., Conclusions: According to the results of this trial, pouring 10 mL of 50% magnesium sulfate on the cervix at the beginning of the active phase of labor probably reduces labor duration and improves the childbirth experience., Trial Registration: Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: IR.TBZMED.REC. 1400.726. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20100414003706N40 Registration date: 21/11/2021 ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/58323 )., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background and Objective: Corrosion and precipitation are important indicators of water quality assessment. The aim of this study was to analyze water stability water in Semnan distribution networks. Materials and Methods: To achieve the purpose, samples were taken from 5 points (3 points of storage tanks and 2 distribution network points) and analyzed for physical-chemical analysis. The concentration of common anions and cations was determined by ion chromatography (IC). The sediment formed in the water distribution network was also investigated for studying its structure and main elements by using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and induced coupling plasma spectroscopy (ICP). The corrosion and scaling indices, including the Ryznar stability index (RSI), Langelier index (LI), and calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP) were also studied. Results: According to the obtained results, the quality (physically-chemically) of most of the taken samples lies within the permissible limits of Iran's national standard (1053). However, in terms of total harness all sampling point showed values beyond WHO guidelines for drinking water. Magnesium and sulfate concentrations were also exceeded in one of the reservoirs. The results also showed the main sediment structures were calcium carbonate (calcite) and silica oxide. Moreover, According to the results, the average values of LSI and CCPP represented the scaling due to carbonate calcium nature of water. Water stability analysis indicated major roles of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate formation as temporary hardness and minor roles of magnesium sulfate and chloride as permanent hardness. Conclusion: According to the results, to prevent water scaling in pipes it is recommended to use lime softening at pH=10 which not only removes temporary hardness but enhances silicate ions removal by co-precipitation with Mg(OH)2 formed followed by filtration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitated opioid withdrawal syndrome (OWS) is a severe and intolerable situation that may occur by a pharmaceutical agent. Reactivation of inhibited N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor in person with prolonged opioid use can led to severe OWS. We conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to assess the effect of magnesium sulfate (MGSO 4) as an NMDA receptor antagonist on OWS. The study randomly divided forty patients with precipitated OWS due to partial agonist (buprenorphine) use referred to the emergency unit of Toxicology Department of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran; into two groups. The control group received conventional therapies, including clonidine 0.1 mg tablet each hour, intravenous infusion of 10 mg diazepam every 30 min, and IV paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 1 g, while the intervention group received 3 g of MGSO 4 in 20 min and then 10 mg/kg/h up to 2 h, in addition to the conventional treatment. The clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) evaluated OWS at the start of the treatment, 30 min, and 2 h later. Both groups had similar demographic, opiate types, and COWS severity at the start of the intervention. COWS was lower in the intervention than the control group at 30 min (11.20 ± 2.86 and 14.65 ± 2.36, respectively, P = 0.002) and at 2 h (3.2 ± 1.61 and 11.25 ± 3.27, respectively, P < 0.001) after treatment. The intervention group received lesser doses of clonidine (0.12 ± 0.51 and 0.17 ± 0.45 mg, P = 0.003) and Diazepam (13.50 ± 5.87, 24.0 ± 6.80 mg, P = 0.001) than the control group. Serum magnesium levels raised from 1.71 ± 0.13 mmol/L to 2.73 ± 0.13 mmol/L in the intervention group. Magnesium can significantly reduce the severity of OWS. Additional studies are required to confirm these results. • On withdrawal state inhibited N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor is reactivated and induced symptoms. • Magnesium is an NMDA receptor antagonist. • Magnesium can significantly reduce the severity of Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome. • MGSO4 treated group had lower COWS than the control group at 30 min. • MGSO4 treated group received lesser doses of clonidine and Diazepam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the most common complications of spinal anesthesia in elective cesarean is a headache, known commonly as post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH). Various methods are mainly recommended such as resting and the use of non-opioid analgesics, caffeine, and codeine, but none of them has been fully effective in its treatment. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of magnesium sulfate on the prevention of postdural- puncture headache in the elective cesarean. Method: a total of 68 patients candidate for elective cesarean and admitted to Kamali Hospital were selected using convenient sampling and they were randomly divided into two groups. One group received magnesium and other group received saline. Subjects of case group received magnesium at the dose of 50 mg / kg as bolus and the subjects of control group received normal saline at the same dose as bolus. The incidence of headache and its severity 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours after surgery were measured in both case and control groups. Results: The mean age of patients in the magnesium sulfate group was 27.94 years with a standard deviation of 5.18 and the mean age of patients in the normal saline group was 29.35 years with a standard deviation of 5.97. The mean body mass index (BMI) in the magnesium sulfate group was 26.34 with a standard deviation of 4.03 and the mean body mass index (BMI) in the normal saline group was 27.15 with a standard deviation of 2.47. Postdural- puncture headache severity was lower in the case group than that in the control group at all times (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate before elective cesarean in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia significantly decreases the severity of post-duralpuncture headache (PDPH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this study was determining the effect of acupressure on the severity of pain associated with intramuscular injections of magnesium sulfate administered by the Z-track technique in patients with eclampsia and preeclampsia. Forty-eight patients participated in this single-group clinical trial, which was conducted in three stages. For each patient, three intramuscular injections were administered by the Z-track technique. The first injection was administered by the conventional method. The second injection at a sham control point and the third injection using acupressure (BL32) were administered. Pain severity was measured on a visual analogue scale. The mean pain intensity was 7.22 in the first, 4.75 in the second and 1.94 in the third injections (p < 0.001). The results of the study showed that acupressure at the BL32 point before intramuscular injection of magnesium sulfate significantly reduced the injection-related pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lake Urmia brine and SC investigated under natural condition and lab simulation. • NaCl was the dominant mineral along with MgCl 2 and Na-K-SO 4 in the natural SCs. • The absence of MgCl 2 from DSSCs was related to their re-dissolution during 2019. • Magnesium sulfate minerals were the latest minerals to precipitate in the simulation ponds. • Sedimentation rate of 10–30 mm for 2019 was 33.3 to 100-fold of normal condition. Gradual desiccation of Lake Urmia (LU) in the northwest of Iran has led to catastrophic water loss by 2022 promoting the salt crust (SC) deposition on the lake bed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate 1) the effect of water level on the brine composition, 2) the effect of gradual lake desiccation on SC formation, mineralogy and stratification and 3) the SC formation and mineral precipitation in a lab-scale experiment. In 2019, brine and SC samples were collected in July and October, and analyzed for the prevailing ions and minerals. For the simulation experiment, brine samples were added in two vessels and the change in pH, ionic composition and SC evolution were investigated. The wet season brine type changed from Mg-Na-Cl to Na-Mg-Cl and remained unchanged throughout the dry season. In vessels, Mg2+ and Na+ became dominant ions in the surface and subsurface layers respectively, while Cl- remained roughly unchanged; and minerals gradually precipitated from the margins to the center of the vessels based on their solubility. Similar to the lake SCs, in the simulation vessels, halite dominated the SCs and bischofite (MgCl 2 ·6H 2 O) was detected in most of the vessels' layers. The formation of oldhamite (CaS) in both in the vessels and the lake SC indicated the prevalence of low oxygen conditions. In the simulation vessel, Calciolangbeinite (K 2 CaSO 4 (H 2 O) 4) was one of the first minerals to form along with halite, while Starkeyite (MgSO 4 ·(H 2 O) 4) and Kieserite (MgSO 4 ·(H 2 O)) were the latest minerals to precipitate. The absence of magnesium sulfate minerals under natural conditions in both newly formed SCs in 2019 and those dated back to 2005, suggested that if the lake level continues to drop, magnesium sulfate minerals will be the final product of the brine. The existence of a dark silicate layer within SC stratification helped to investigate the evaporate deposition at the early stages of SC formation and after the catastrophic shrink. Based in the precipitation of a new layer on top of the submerged SC samples during 2019, a sedimentation rate between 10 and 30 mm/y is calculated with NaCl and CaS as major precipitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum anxiety and depression are prevalent disorders. The authors of this study aimed to determine the effects of zinc and magnesium supplements on depressive symptoms and anxiety in postpartum women referred to three governmental, educational hospitals in Tabriz, Iran during 2014–2015. In this triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, the participants were randomly assigned to the zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and placebo groups (n= 33 per group). The intervention groups received a 27-mg zinc sulfate tablet or 320-mg magnesium sulfate tablet per day for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received a placebo tablet each day during the same period. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Blood samples were drawn from each participant to determine serum levels of zinc and magnesium before intervention at 48 hours after delivery. Also, a 24-hour dietary questionnaire was used during the first and last 3 days of the intervention. Adjusting for baseline scores as well as zinc and magnesium serum levels, no significant difference was observed between groups 8 weeks after delivery in mean scores of depressive symptoms (p =.553), state anxiety (p =.995), and trait anxiety (p =.234). This study concluded magnesium and zinc did not reduce postpartum anxiety and depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to assess the resistance of travertine against salt crystallization, 15 travertine samples were selected from Iran's mines. Petrographic, physical and mechanical properties of the travertine samples were determined, and then salt crystallization test was carried out by using magnesium sulfate (MgSO) solution up to 60 cycles. Dry weight increment, dry weight loss, Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), point load strength index and P-wave velocity were calculated at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 number of cycles. Two weathering forms (granular disintegration, and alveolaring) were observed in the samples as a result of salt crystallization pressure. Onyx travertine samples were more resistant than travertine samples. It was found out that the deterioration rate at elementary cycles was lower. The results showed that durability of samples has a positive relationship with initial BTS and a negative relationship with initial effective porosity. It was concluded non-destructive tests are good technique for assessment of travertine deterioration in salt crystallization test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isoxsuprine (Vasodilan) is a beta-adrenergic that directly affects the vascular smooth muscle and results in peripheral vascular dilation. Isoxsuprine relaxes the uterine smooth muscles and is used for treatment of pre-term labor and dysmenorrhea. Isoxsuprine is used extensively in hospitals and private clinics in Iran; however, few studies have reported its safety and efficacy in the prevention of pre-term labor. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of maintenance therapy with oral isoxsuprine for the prevention of pre-term labor. Methods: We undertook a blinded prospective randomized trial of 70 women with singleton pregnancies who presented in pre-term labor between 26 to 34 weeks of gestation. After arresting the contractions with intravenous magnesium sulfate, the patients were randomized into two groups, with the treatment group receiving oral isoxsuprine until 34 weeks of gestation. Response to treatment was assessed by the progression of the pregnancies in both groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Our results showed that 14 (40%) of the patients in the case group and 12 (34.29%) of patients in the control group had pre-term births, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.621). Also four women (11.43%) in the case group and five women (14.29%) in the control group delivered before 34 weeks (P=0.721). Conclusion: Oral isoxsuprine was not effective as a maintenance treatment in preventing pre-term births or in delaying delivery until after 34 weeks. Larger studies are needed to identify the best treatment for pre-term labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorous (OP) Nerve agents (NAs) are known as the deadliest chemical warfare agents. They are divided into two classes of G and V agents. Most of them are liquid at room temperature. NAs chemical structures and mechanisms of actions are similar to OP pesticides, but their toxicities are higher than these compounds. The main mechanism of action is irreversible inhibition of Acetyl Choline Esterase (AChE) resulting in accumulation of toxic levels of acetylcholine (ACh) at the synaptic junctions and thus induces muscarinic and nicotinic receptors stimulation. However, other mechanisms have recently been described. Central nervous system (CNS) depression particularly on respiratory and vasomotor centers may induce respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Intermediate syndrome after NAs exposure is less common than OP pesticides poisoning. There are four approaches to detect exposure to NAs in biological samples: (I) AChE activity measurement, (II) Determination of hydrolysis products in plasma and urine, (III) Fluoride reactivation of phosphylated binding sites and (IV) Mass spectrometric determination of cholinesterase adducts. The clinical manifestations are similar to OP pesticides poisoning, but with more severity and fatalities. The management should be started as soon as possible. The victims should immediately be removed from the field and treatment is commenced with auto-injector antidotes (atropine and oximes) such as MARK I kit. A 0.5% hypochlorite solution as well as novel products like M291 Resin kit, G117H and Phosphotriesterase isolated from soil bacterias, are now available for decontamination of NAs. Atropine and oximes are the well known antidotes that should be infused as clinically indicated. However, some new adjuvant and additional treatment such as magnesium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, gacyclidine, benactyzine, tezampanel, hemoperfusion, antioxidants and bioscavengers have recently been used for OP NAs poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute Bronchiolitis is a common seasonal lower respiratory disease in infants. Syncytial respiratory virus is responsible for more than 50 percent of bronchiolitis events. The treatment is usually supportive. This study was done to examine the efficacy of nebulizer magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis. Methods: This study was a double blind clinical trial in which 60 patients admitted with acute bronchiolitis in Alzahra, Amin and Shariati hospitals in Isfahan, Iran during 2010 and 2011 were studied. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, A and B. Group A were treated by magnesium sulfate, epinephrine and normal saline and group B were treated only by epinephrine and normal saline. Severity of symptoms was investigated by measuring the temperature, SPO2, pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) and respiratory distress assessment instrument (RDAI) index, at the beginning of stuy to 3 days after treatment by follow-up questionnaires. Data were analyzed by Student t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Findings: The mean of temperature, SPO2, PR, RR and RDAI at admission and during hospital stay was not significantly different between two groups. After removing the confounding effect of different arrival, RDAI in second and third days in group A was significantly less than group B (P < 0.01). Conclusion: According to this study, treatment with magnesium sulfate has no effect on symptoms of acute bronchiolitis. Magnesium sulfate can reduce RDAI only in the second and third days of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Renal colic emerging from renal stone is virtually the most severe pain which is experienced. Intravenous infusion of morphine sulfate is known as a usual treatment for the disease. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of magnesium sulfate vs morphine sulfate in renal colic relief as for analgesic effect as well as lack of morphine sulfate side effects when using magnesium sulfate., Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial in renal colic patients who had referred to the emergency department of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran. A total of 80 eligible patients were selected and randomly assigned into two groups; patients in the case group received 50 mg/kg intravenous magnesium sulfate, and those in the control group 0.1 mg/kg intravenous morphine. The primary outcome was the pain score measured on a numerical rating scale at 0, 10 and 20 minutes after infusion. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 ., Results: The two groups were similar in terms of demographic features and pain intensity at the time of referral (P <.0001). Ten minutes after drug administration, the pain mean score in the morphine group leveled at 4.88, and in the magnesium group 5.70, which proved to be greater in the morphine group (P- = 0.06). However, the pain mean score turned out to be 3.65 in the morphine group and 3.20 in the magnesium group thus significantly indifferent (P = .48)., Conclusions: In this study, we concluded that administration of intravenous 50 mg/kg magnesium sulfate could be as effective as morphine in reducing renal colic without any further complications., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Ionising radiation has deleterious effects on human cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and cysteine, the active metabolite of NAC, are well-known radioprotective agents. Recently, a serine-magnesium sulfate combination was proposed as an antidote for organophosphate toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the use of a serine-magnesium sulfate mixture in the prevention of γ-radiation-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes as compared to NAC and cysteine., Methods: This study was carried out at the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between April and September 2016. Citrated blood samples of 7 mL each were taken from 22 healthy subjects. Each sample was divided into 1 mL aliquots , with the first aliquot acting as the control while the second was exposed to 2 Gy of γ-radiation at a dose rate of 102.7 cGy/minute. The remaining aliquots were separately incubated with 600 μM concentrations each of serine, magnesium sulfate, serine-magnesium sulfate, NAC and cysteine before being exposed to 2 Gy of γ-radiation. Lymphocytes were isolated using a separation medium and methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium and comet assays were used to evaluate cell viability and DNA damage, respectively., Results: The serine-magnesium sulfate mixture significantly increased lymphocyte viability and reduced DNA damage in comparison to serine, magnesium sulfate, NAC or cysteine alone ( P <0.01 each)., Conclusion: The findings of the present study support the use of a serine-magnesium sulfate mixture as a new, non-toxic, potent and efficient radioprotective agent., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Objective: Administration of many drugs including magnesium sulfate (MS) has considerable influences on pregnancy outcomes. The present study investigates the effects of MS administration on reaching the active phase of labor in women with premature rupture of membrane (PROM) and subsequent fetal complications., Materials and Methods: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed among primipara women referred to the PROM center in Tehran, Iran between March 2010 and August 2012. Patients were equally allocated into two groups; the intervention group who received MS (n = 46) and the control (placebo) group (n = 46). Both groups received a corticosteroid, 1g oral azithromycin (oral) and 2 g ampicillin (IV) every 6 hours for 48 hours, followed by amoxicillin (500 mg orally 3 times daily) for an additional 5 days. None of the research staff were aware of the treatment allocation of patients in order for blinding purposes., Results: Administration of MS in intervention group increases this period 2.7 times compared to the control group. In women whose gestational age was <30 weeks, MS administration increased the active phase of labor up to 77%. Administration of magnesium sulfate reduced the risk of respiratory distress syndrome significantly (p = 0 .002), without producing any adverse pregnancy outcomes., Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate increases delay in reaching the active phase of labor in mothers with PROM, without producing adverse birth outcomes. (Registration ID in IRCT; IRCT2012091810876N1)., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.)