Search

Objective(s): Colorectal cancer is the second deadly cancer for men and women worldwide. Depending on the pathological attributes of the tumor, there are numerous therapeutic options for colorectal cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is one of the main methods, however, due to the low solubility and short half-life of chemotherapy drugs, this treatment method has limitations. 5-Fu and curcumin are important drugs for the treatment of colorectal cancer. One of the primary resolutions is the application of bioanalytical techniques, which involve the utilization of chemotherapy agents in conjunction with nanoparticles, thereby facilitating the directed transportation of the therapeutic substance to malignant cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, Polycaprolactone-Polyethylene glycol-Hyaluronic acid (PCL-PEGHA) copolymers and magnetic nanoparticle iron-cobalt (FeCo) were synthesized to deliver Curcumin (CU), 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) and the combination to HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. To control the release of CU and 5-FU and in vivo tumor targeting, PCL-PEG-HA/FeCo were synthesized and then characterized for the morphological characteristics, shape, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles, drug retention efficiency, and release pattern in two acidic and neutral environments. Results: Our results demonstrated that the release profile of CU and 5-FU from the nanoparticles in acidic conditions was more than the drug release in neutral conditions. In acidic conditions, due to faster degradation of nanoparticles, drugs are released faster. Moreover, these nanoparticles have high biocompatibility and potential in transporting CU and 5-FU drugs to HCT116 cells. The IC50 of co-delivery of CU and 5-FU was 65.42 mg/L, while, the IC50 value of drugs coated with nanoparticles (PCL-PEG-HA/FeCo/5-FU/Curcumin) was 72.26. Otherwise, utilizing nanoparticles can increase the amount of apoptosis compared to control and free 5-Fu and Curcumin. Conclusion: In conclusion, PCL-PEG-HA/FeCo/5-FU/Curcumin nanoparticles can be an efficient solution in targeted drug delivery to colorectal cancer cells and reducing the side effects of these drugs on normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plant extracts to produce metal particles at the nanoscale has attracted intensive research interest due to their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. This study aimed to investigate the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs(using aqueous extracts of Silybum marianum L. and Portulaca oleracea L. and to assess their effectiveness as antibacterial and antifungal agents using the agar-well diffusion method. The production of AgNPs was confirmed through spectrophotometry, and their size and shape were measured using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The role of organic compounds in nanoparticle synthesis was also explored through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR analysis identified the functional groups of organic compounds in S. marianum and P. oleracea extracts that were responsible for reducing Ag ions and capping the resulting AgNPs. The nanoparticles demonstrated potent antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Fusarium graminearum, and Alternaria alternata. It was concluded that, in addition to their unique medicinal properties, S. marianum and P. oleracea can be utilized in the production of AgNP for medical and pharmaceutical purposes against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal infections. In summary, the seed extracts of S. marianum and P. oleracea, which are among the available plant sources, can be used for the highly stable production of AgNPs as a reducing and capping agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) as a complex neurological abnormality is marked with loss of myelin and axons due to chronic inflammatory and autoimmune responses. The modulatory properties of the low dose radiation (LDR) on inflammatory and immune responses have well known. Objective: The current research aimed to assess the impacts of LDR on the disability in patients suffering from MS. Material and Methods: This experimental pilot study was done on 10 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). After magnetic resonance imaging, the SPMS patients were treated by LDR at a daily dose of 2 Gray for 5 consecutive days (totally 10 Gray dose) using a linear accelerator. The extent of the disability was evaluated one week after the completion of radiotherapy using expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Results: After receiving radiotherapy, the patients had a feeling of wellbeing of some sort. The mean of EDSS was significantly reduced after radiotherapy compared with before irradiation (7.4±0.45 vs 6.35±1.18; P<0.017). EDSS more decreased in younger SPMS patients (P=0.0001), and in the women after LDR (P=0.027). Conclusion: Radiotherapy can reduce fatigue and EDSS in patients with SPMS. The age and gender of patients may influence the LDR efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neuropathy is a condition in which the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is disordered. Studying the effects of antioxidants on the performance improvement of this system is vital. This study aimed to investigate the effects of date extract on Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), Distal Motor Latency (DML), and wave height of the sciatic nerve in male rats. Methods: This laboratory study used 24 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g, divided into the test and control groups. The test group received 10% date extract daily, at 4 mL /kg of body weight, for three weeks. In the beginning, nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), Distal Motor Latency (DML), and wave height of the sciatic nerve were examined in all animals and reexamined for NCV three weeks later. P-values lower than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Sciatic NCV and wave height were significantly increased; however, compared to the control group, DML of the knee significantly declined in the test group. Conclusion: The compositions of date extract accelerate electrical signal transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The present study aimed to investigate the reducing or suppressing effects of crocin in ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice on ER stress markers. Mice were divided into six groups (n = 5 per group) including control, OVA‐sensitized (OVA), OVA‐treated crocin (OVA‐Cr25, OVA‐Cr50, and OVA‐Cr100 mg/kg), and OVA‐treated dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), (OVA‐Dexa) groups. Animals 5 later groups were sensitized to OVA and the treatment groups received intraperitoneally crocin/dexamethasone in the last 5 days of the model. At the end of the study, lung tissue was evaluated for airway inflammation, caspase 12 and CHOP protein levels, and expression of ER stress markers using real‐time‐PCR. Sensitization with OVA significantly caused airway inflammation and induction of ER stress in mice compared to the control group based on the elevated inflammatory cells and ER stress markers in the lung tissue. Treatment with crocin and dexamethasone reduced airway inflammation and suppressed ER stress markers. Interestingly, in the OVA‐Cr100 group, the suppressive effects on ER stress apoptotic markers were comparable to the OVA‐Dexa group. The results suggest that crocin mediates maladaptive ER stress conditions possibly by creating adaptive ER stress status and driving protein folding correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is still no finding available about malignant clinical course in patients with middle cerebral artery stroke. The aim of this study was to compare Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with malignant and non-malignant middle cerebral artery stroke in order to obtain its prognostic value in detecting malignant course. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 patients with acute ischemic stroke in Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran, 2017. All patients were admitted within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, and brain CT-scan was performed to confirm ischemic stroke. If more than 50% of the middle cerebral artery showed signs of hypo-density, it was considered as the massive MCA infarction (MMI), while others were excluded. In the first 24 hours, transcranial Doppler ultrasound was performed for all patients. Patients were then examined until discharge or death. In the case of fixed unilateral mydriasis in the clinical course or a displacement of more than 5 mm in septum pellucidum in the control CT-scan on days 3 to 7 (depending on the changes in the consciousness level), m-MCAI was diagnosed. Data were analyzed using SPSS. In the malignant cases, the mean PSV and MFV in MCA in the contralateral side of the lesion were significantly higher than those in the non-malignant cases. A significant increase in mean PSV and MFV in ACA in the contralateral side of the lesion was found in the malignant cases compared to the non-malignant cases (P=0.01). Significant difference was observed in terms of mean RI of ICA of contralateral side of the lesion between malignant and non-malignant cases (P=0.02). Our study showed increase in PSV and MFV in MCA and ACA in the contralateral side of the lesion in cases that lead to malignancy, which can be helpful in early identification of cases that advance to malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal transplantation (RT) is the transplantation of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease and has become the treatment of choice for most patients with end-stage renal disease. The knowledge of renal vascular variations is of a great importance for the surgeons who approach the kidneys from the retroperitoneal or laparoscopic route for renal transplants. The aim of this study was to detect renal vascular variations of kidney donors in Kerman by using CT angiogram. This cross-sectional study examined the CT angiograms of all kidney donors referred to the Radiology Ward of Shafa Medical center affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences from 2010 to 2012. The results of CT angiograms of 344 kidney donors were as follow: Right Renal Arteries: 236 cases with one artery; 97 cases with two arteries; 9 cases with three arteries; and one case with four arteries Left Renal Arteries: 225 cases with one artery; 103 cases with two arteries; and 16 cases with three arteries Right Renal Veins: 277 cases with one vein and 12 cases with two veins Left Renal Veins: 279 cases with one vein and 10 cases with two veins. There is no significant difference between our results and those of previous studies. In more than 30% of cases, our findings were associated with other incidental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The races show different cerebrovascular involvements, for example, the involvement of intracranial arteries are higher among Asians than Caucasians. The aim of this study was to investigate the cerebrovascular stenosis pattern by computed tomography angiography (CTA), which is unprecedented in Iran. METHODS: In this study, patients with brain stroke (thrombosis), confirmed by CT scanning and cardiac assessments, who referred to Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran, underwent brain and cervical arteries CT angiography to assess involved cerebrovascular territories and also its risk factors from June 2012 to June 2013. RESULTS: We did CTA for 100 patients. Eighty-four cases had cerebral artery stenosis. Intracranial vessel involvement alone was observed in 47.6% of patients, simultaneous intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis in 26.2%, and extracranial artery stenosis in 26.2%. Posterior cerebral artery territory showed the highest degree of vascular stenosis. Posterior cerebral artery stenosis alone was observed in 51.3% of the cases; 27.4% of the cases suffered from anterior artery stenosis, and 21.6% had simultaneous anterior and posterior cerebral artery stenosis. Smokers showed higher extracranial artery involvement compared to non-smokers; 44% of smokers and 14% of non-smokers had extracranial vertebral involvement. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that intracranial artery involvement was the most prevalent finding in patients with thrombotic stroke in Kerman. Also posterior cerebral artery stenosis was more prevalent than anterior artery stenosis. Hypertension was the most common risk factor. Furthermore, smoking was considered as an important risk factor for extracranial artery stenosis, especially in the posterior cerebral artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies indicate contribution of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. This study was designed to determine whether there is an effective difference in pituitary height, shape, and anteriorposterior diameter (APD) between patients with MS and the control group. Methods: In this study, sagittal pituitary height and APD of 134 men and women (64 patients with MS and 70 healthy subjects as control group) were measured by T1 sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All the subjects were free of sellar or parasellar pathology without a history of surgical intervention or prolactin affecting drugs like bromocriptine and cabergoline or corticosteroid consumption. Results: Mean height of pituitary gland was 6.62 ± 1.43 and 5.78 ±1.15 mm for patients and the control group, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Mean APD was 10.40 ± 1.29 mm for the group of patients and 10.25 ± 1.41 mm for the control group, respectively, without significant differences. 46.9%, 37.5%, and 15.6% of patients had flat, convex, and concave hypophyseal surfaces, respectively. This rate was 50%, 30%, and 20% among the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between our measurements among patients on whom imaging study was performed at time of disease onset with others. Conclusion: Mean height of pituitary gland among patients with MS was significantly greater than the control group (P = 0.001). So can we consider the same etiology for pituitary hypertrophy among patients with MS as a hypothesis? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study we investigated the epidemiology of MS and some related environmental factors in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Methods: The MS diagnosis was based on the revised Mc-Donald criteria. The patients were those registered at the Iran MS society, Kerman branch; those in the MS registration centers of Kerman and Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, and the Department of Neurology at Shafa Medical Center were studied. Results: The prevalence of MS was 31.5 per 100,000 population in Kerman province, and 57.3 per 100,000 population in Kerman city. The male to female ratio was 1:3. Average age at onset was 28.35 years, and 3.9% of cases were early onset at ⩽16 years of age. A linear relationship was observed between prevalence and average environmental temperature as prevalence tended to be lower in areas where the annual average temperature was higher. However, in the town of Shahrbabak which has cold weather, prevalence was low, which might be related to the presence of copper in this area. Average disability was 4.5± 1.9 (4.83 ± 1.9 in men and 4.26 ± 1.8 in women, p=0.0035) on the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale. The mean duration of illness was 8.2 ± 1 year. Almost all patients in this study used beta-interferon for a period of at least 4 years. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS in Kerman province was 31.5 per 100,000 people. A linear relationship between an increase in prevalence and low average temperature was observed. Copper may have a preventive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been several studies done on the role of metals in the occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease, but their roles have not been confirmed yet. Because of the lack of information on this issue, this study compared the serum level of copper and zinc in MS patients with their levels in a control group. Methods: This was an analytical, cross-sectional study conducted in Kerman (a medium size city), Iran. We assessed the serum level of copper and zinc in 58 MS patients and 39 healthy individuals, who were selected from the relatives of cases and matched for age and sex. Results: The average serum level of Copper in cases and controls were 93.7 and 88.9 ml/dl, respectively. The corresponding numbers for Zinc were 36.7 and 40.9 ml/dl, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (copper: P = 0.459; zinc: P = 0.249). Conclusion: The groups were matched for age, sex, and family. However, we did not find a considerable difference between the level of these metals in MS patients and controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. Although a minority of ischemic strokes in the community affect younger adults, up to 40% of acute ischemic strokes in young adults are cryptogenic in nature, that is, no cause is determined. Underlying pathologies of stroke of unknown cause are multiple, including patent foramen ovale (PFO). The PFO is the most common defect of atrial septum of the heart. This study evaluated the frequency of PFO in brain stroke with unknown etiology in patients younger than 50 years of age in Kerman. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done in Shafa Medical Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2008. For detection of the PFO, we used agitated saline test with transcranial Doppler sonography in brain stroke patients with unknown etiology and also a control group (normal persons). RESULTS: PFO was found in 53% of patients. No significant difference was observed between sexes. The rate in the control group was 20%. Patients with large PFO had 2 or more attacks of stroke. Subjects in the control group did not have large PFO. CONCLUSION: One of the most important underlying causes in young adults with cryptogenic stroke is PFO. It is better to prescribe antiplatelet drugs in patients with the first attack of stroke, but as for patients with recurrent stroke, closure of PFO must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population. The prevalence of active epilepsy in Kerman,Iran is 7.87/1000 individuals. The past decade has brought many advances to the treatment of epilepsy, including many new pharmacological agents. Lamotrigine is one of the new antiepileptic drugs. Lamotrigine has many side effects; the most important of which are allergic reactions. In this article, the author reports two cases of dopa- responsive dystonia (DRD) after few months administration of lamotrigine for epilepsy. The cases are two girls (4 and 5 years old) who had seizures and received lamotrigine 50 mg/day. They have been free of seizure after treatment but after some time the dystonic attacks developed. Lamotrigine administration discontinued, but dystonic attacks didn't disappear. Levodopa /carbidopa was started. After a few days, the dystonic pastures disappeared. In conclusion, lamotrigine may introduce dystonia in susceptible patients. These dystonic attacks might beresponsive to levodopa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A MnO2/CdTiO3 is prepared by a simple chemical method. The organic compound such as antibiotics is a contaminant found in large amounts in pharmaceutical industrial wastewater. Pharmaceutical compounds are toxic. The nano‐product was characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, DLS and UV–vis DRS revealed that the MnO2 nanoparticles were supported on the CdTiO3 surface. The crystallite size was found as 72.11 nm, and 38.13 nm for CdTiO3, and MnCdTi‐1 nanocomposites, respectively. The prepared catalyst was used for photo‐degradation of cephalexin under UV light irradiation. The result implies the complete degradation of cephalexin was carried out at 80 min for MnCdTi‐2 nanocomposites (88.88%) due to this catalyst has the lowest band gap compared to the other catalyst. The MnO2/CdTiO3 was selected for fungicidal and bactericidal efficiency against Aspergillus flavus, and candida albicans and Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The MnO2/CdTiO3–2 has great activity is compared with the other MnO2/CdTiO3–0 and MnO2/CdTiO3–1 samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The phakomatoses are a group of clinical disorders that are linked. Overlap between Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) and Klippel-TrenaunayWeber syndrome (KTWS) is very rarely. We presented a case of SWS with KTWS that involved upper limb. Case Presentation: A24- year-old male with extensive port-wine staining over left side of his face, extending to lower eyelids, cheeks, neck and left upper extremity. The size of mid arm circle in left side was 34 cm and in right side was 27 cm. Conclusions: This is a case of overlap SWS and KTWS that involved upper limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematological side effects are rare with lamotrigine. We report two cases (two men; 46 years old and 65 years old) with epilepsy that developed combined leucopenia and thrombocytopenia after receiving low dose lamotrigine for a time. Three weeks after discontinuing lamotrigine, all of the hematological abnormalities disappeared. We suggest that combined leucopenia and thrombocytopenia is one of the side effects of lamotrigine that must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repaglinide is an efficient anti-diabetic drug which is prescribed widely as multi-dosage oral daily regimens. Due to the low compliance inherent to each multi-dosage regimen, development of prolonged-release formulations could enhance the overall drug efficacy in patient populations., Methods: Repaglinide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed and characterized in vitro. Various surfactants were used in this study during the nanocarrier preparation procedure and their corresponding effects on some physicochemical properties of SLNs such as size, zeta potential; drug loading parameters and drug release profiles was investigated. Stearic acid and glyceryl mono stearate (GMS) were used as lipid phase and phosphatidylcholin, Tween80, Pluronic F127, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were used as surfactant/stabilizer., Results: The results showed some variations between formulations; where the Tween80-based SLNs showed smallest size, the phosphatidylcholin-based SLNs indicated most prolonged drug release time and the highest loading capacity. SEM images of these formulations showed morphological variations and also confirmed the nanoscale size of these particles. The FTIR and DSC results demonstrated no interaction between drug and excipients. The invitro release profiles of different formulations were studied and observed slow release of drug from all formulations. However significant differences were found among them in terms of their initial burst release as well as the whole drug release profile. From fitting these data to various statistical models, the Peppas model was proposed as the best model to describe the statistical indices and, therefore, mechanism of drug release., Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the effect of surfactant type on SLNs physicochemical properties such as morphological features, loading parameters, particle sizes and drug release kinetic. With respect to the outcome data, the mixture of phosphatidylcholin/Pluronic F127 was selected as the best surfactant/stabilizer to coat the lipid core comprising stearic acid and GMS.