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Objective(s): Neobaicalein is one of the rich plant flavonoids isolated from the roots of Scutellaria spp. In this study, we evaluated and compared cytotoxic activity and the related apoptosis mechanisms of neobaicalein from Scutellaria litwinowii Bornm. & Sint. ex Bornm on apoptosis-proficient HL-60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability, cell apoptosis, caspase activity, and apoptosis-related protein expression were measured using MTS assay, propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry, caspase activity assay, and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: Neobaicalein significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner using the MTS assay (P

Sensors play vital roles in industry and healthcare due to the significance of controlling the presence of different substances in industrial processes, human organs, and the environment. Electrochemical sensors have gained more attention recently than conventional sensors, including optical fibers, chromatography devices, and chemiresistors, due to their better versatility, higher sensitivity and selectivity, and lower complexity. Herein, we review transition metal carbides (TMCs) and transition metal oxides (TMOs) as outstanding materials for electrochemical sensors. We navigate through the fabrication processes of TMCs and TMOs and reveal the relationships among their synthesis processes, morphological structures, and sensing performance. The state-of-the-art biological, gas, and hydrogen peroxide electrochemical sensors based on TMCs and TMOs are reviewed, and potential challenges in the field are suggested. This review can help others to understand recent advancements in electrochemical sensors based on transition metal oxides and carbides.

Abstract It has long been believed that the patients with thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) may harbor genetic mutations commonly found in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Despite extensive testing, such a mutation has escaped detection until now.

Solar-heating siphon-assisted oil recovery is promising as an eco-friendly strategy for oil spill mitigation due to its spontaneous, continuous, and renewable operation. However, the slow oil transport rate has constrained its progression. Here, we report a novel “legs-to-head” directional U-shape freeze casting method to fabricate siphon-assisted oil skimmers with well-aligned channels in the “legs” and interconnected pathways in the “head” to enhance the oil recovery rate. Real-time temperature monitoring during freezing clarified the influence of the connecting angle between the “legs” on the channel structure within the “head”. Resulting from a balance between the transport barrier in the “head” and the flow resistance in the “legs” of the oil skimmers, optimal performance was achieved at a 60° connection angle between the “legs”, yielding a high oil recovery rate of 620.2 L m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation. Furthermore, the outdoor test demonstrated a peak rate of 938.2 L m−2 h−1 at noon and a remarkable daily collection of 14 001 L m−2, achieved without external power or human intervention. Notably, the oil flow flux is calculated to be 207 218 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, outpacing conventional pumpassisted devices. This work provides pioneering designs towards efficient oil spill remediation and other fluid transport applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Peritoneal adhesion (PA) is an abnormal connective tissue that usually occurs between tissues adjacent to damaged organs during processes such as surgery. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) were investigated against postoperative-induced peritoneal adhesion. Methods. Thirty healthy male Wistar rats (220±20 g, 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: (1) normal, (2) control (induced peritoneal adhesion), and (3) and (4) PO extracts (induced peritoneal adhesion and received 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of PO extract for seven days). Finally, macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed using different scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Results. We found that the levels of adhesion scores and interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased in the control group. However, PO extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) notably reduced inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), fibrosis (TGF-β1), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group. Conclusion. Oral administration of PO improved postoperational-induced PA by alleviating the oxidative factors, fibrosis, inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis biomarkers, and stimulating antioxidative factors. Hence, PO can be considered a potential herbal medicine to manage postoperative PA. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of PO.

Introduction: According to the statistics of the Ministry of Health of Iran, the consumption of antibiotics has a high trend in Iran. So that nearly half of the prescriptions contain at least one antibiotic. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of parents toward the use of antibiotics for children in outpatient clinics in pediatric hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Methods and Materials: 400 samples of children's parents referred to the pediatric hospital pharmacy were participated in this cross-sectional study. The tool of the present research was a research made questionnaire, which was created based on a review of the literature and the valid research conducted on the subject of the research. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured using the test-retest method and the validity of the questionnaire was measured using the experts opinions (Cronbach's alpha: 0.89%). Results: In the survey of parents' knowledge, 39% believed that antibiotics treat viral infections. 31.5% of parents believed that if their child has symptoms of cough, runny nose, and sore throat and receives antibiotics, it will be treated faster. 28.8% believed that antibiotics should be stopped as soon as the patient's symptoms disappeared. In examining parents' attitudes, 123 parents (30.8%) agreed, and 41 parents (10.2%) completely agreed that they have little knowledge about bacterial resistance. Half of the parents (50.0%) believed that the per capita consumption of antibiotics is high in Iran. Previous antibiotics prescribed by the doctor were the most common reason for parents taking antibiotics without consulting a specialist for similar symptoms (38.5%), and the least common reason was the convenience of buying antibiotics from a pharmacy (12.8%). Furthermore, 42.8 percent preferably use the child's doctor and the pharmacist as sources of information about antibiotics. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that the majority of parents do not have enough information about antibiotics. Therefore, it seems that a written and appropriate program should be planned to inform and increase information literacy. Doctors were considered as the most important source of information for obtaining information about antibiotic use, followed by pharmacists. Therefore, doctors and pharmacists should consider more time for counseling with parents and this time should be closer to the standard time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm labor is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and it might be predicted by assessing the cervical change. Objective: To assess the association between absence of cervical gland area (CGA) and spontaneous preterm labor (SPTL). Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed on 200 singleton pregnant women with a history of SPTL, second-trimester abortion in the previous pregnancy or lower abdominal pain in current pregnancy. Each patient underwent one transvaginal ultrasound examination between 14-28 wk of gestation. Cervical length was measured and CGA was identified and their relationship with SPTL before 35 and 37 wk gestation was evaluated using STATA software version 10. Results: The mean of cervical length was 36.5 mm (SD=8.4), the shortest measurement was 9 mm, and the longest one was 61 mm. Short cervical length (≤18mm) was significantly associated with SPTL before 35 and 37 wk gestation. Cervical gland area (the hypoechogenic or echogenic area around the cervical canal) was present in 189 (94.5%) patients. Absent of CGA had a significant relationship with SPTL before 35 and 37 wk gestation (p=0.01 and p

Sensors play vital roles in industry and healthcare due to the significance of controlling the presence of different substances in industrial processes, human organs, and the environment. Electrochemical sensors have gained more attention recently than conventional sensors, including optical fibers, chromatography devices, and chemiresistors, due to their better versatility, higher sensitivity and selectivity, and lower complexity. Herein, we review transition metal carbides (TMCs) and transition metal oxides (TMOs) as outstanding materials for electrochemical sensors. We navigate through the fabrication processes of TMCs and TMOs and reveal the relationships among their synthesis processes, morphological structures, and sensing performance. The state-of-the-art biological, gas, and hydrogen peroxide electrochemical sensors based on TMCs and TMOs are reviewed, and potential challenges in the field are suggested. This review can help others to understand recent advancements in electrochemical sensors based on transition metal oxides and carbides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Safety of Lippia citriodora, as a herbal remedy, in pregnancy has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to identify the effect of L. citriodora aqueous extract on pregnancy outcome in mice. Materials and Methods: Timed-pregnant mice received doses of 0.5 g/kg/day L. citriodora aqueous extract or the vehicle control during organogenesis, intraperitoneally. Maternal body weights were measured throughout the pregnancy. The litters were examined for external malformations and skeletal abnormalities. Fetuses were stained with Alizarin red S and Alcian blue. Results: There were no significant differences in mean maternal weight gain during pregnancy between groups. Also, no significant differences were observed in mean number of implantation, live and resorbed fetuses between control and treated groups. The prevalence of all types of deformity was low and similar to control group (%1.11). Conclusion: The results of this study show that moderate consumption of L. citriodora as an infusion or tea appears to be safe to be used during pregnancy and does not have toxic effects on development of mouse embryo.

Introduction: Inappropriate use of antibiotics in health care systems can lead to bacterial resistance, nosocomial infections and increased hospital costs. So, evaluation programs for these medications are needed. This study evaluates the pattern of vancomycin utilization in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Methods: At first, according to drug information sources a check list was designed for appropriate indication and dosing of vancomycin. One hundred patients were selected randomly from different wards of hospital during a 6 months period and their data were collected in predesigned check list. Then, data were evaluated according to prepared checklist. Results: In this study, 100 patients (48 female and 52 male) were evaluated. Empiric therapy in 20% of patients was not initiated appropriately based on prepared checklist. Empiric regimen was changed in 10 patients based on culture results and in 28 patients regarding clinical response. Prescribed doses were according to the guideline in only 31% of patients. Duration of treatment were inappropriate in 35 patients. Vancomycin induced nephrotoxicity occurred in 7 patients and red man syndrome in 1 patient. Administration procedure was correct in all patients. Conclusion: According to the results, lots of error occurred in vancomycin administration and dosing in our center. It is necessary to develop localized guideline for vancomycin utilization in this hospital to prevent unwanted adverse reactions and antimicrobial resistance and also reduce treatment cost.

Introduction: Inappropriate use of antibiotic, leads to microbial resistance, nosocomial infections and increased hospital costs. Therefore, it is necessary to control and evaluate the use of these medications, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics. This study evaluated the pattern of meropenem utilization in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Methods: First, a guideline for proper indications of meropenem was designed and finalized based on the clinical pharmacists and infectious disease specialist’s comments. One hundred patients were chosen randomly from different wards of the hospital and their data were recorded in predesigned questionnaires. Then, the pattern of meropenem consumption was analyzed according to the guideline. Results: This study was performed in 100 patients, including 48 women and 52 men. In 13 cases (13%), patients had no approved indication for meropenem. The initial regimens were changed in 6 cases (6%) based on culture results and in 73 cases (73%) relied on clinical response. In 64 cases (64%), administrated doses were compatible with prepared guideline. Renal dose adjustment was acceptable based on guideline only in 30% of patients with renal impairment (30 patients out of 100). Hyper-sensitivity reaction, one of the adverse reactions of meropenem, was seen in 1 patient (1%). Conclusion: According to the results, considerable errors occurred in meropenem administration and dosing. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement a localized guideline for meropenem consumption in Imam Reza hospital of Mashhad, Iran.

Objective: Nigella Sativa (N. Sativa) seeds were used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of diseases. The seed extracts and oil of this plant have shown various pharmacological properties including antimicrobial actions. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects of methanol extract of the seeds against pathogenic bacteria causing mastitis in cows have been investigated. Materials and methods: in in vivo experiments, 10 cows with mastitis were treated by local injection of different concentrations of methanol extract of the seeds into the infected breasts. In in vitro experiments, the microorganisms were collected from the same infected breasts and used for the assessment of the antimicrobial effects of the extract by means of agar dilution and disk diffusion methods. Results and conclusion: The extract showed significant in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects on causative organisms compared to standard drugs and also induced healing of the disease. This is the first veterinary experiment, to our knowledge, that investigated the antibacterial effects of Nigella sativa.

Colchicum kotschyi Boiss grows wildly in Iran. Propagation of this perennial geophyte plant takes a long time either by corm or seed. Seeds usually have a deep dormancy and take more than a year to germinate. Therefore in order to find out an effective method to shorten this period, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replicates was conducted to investigate the effects of warm stratification (no stratification and 8 weeks at 25oC) and different chemical priming treatments. Priming was done by: H2SO4 (0 and 50%) and GA3 at (0, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) and KNO3 at (1 and 2%). Seeds were all cultured in a Potato Dextrose Agar media (1%) and put in a dark position for germination. The results showed that warm stratification priming alone, had a germination percentage of 28.7%. No germination was observed in control, H2SO4 and KNO3 treatments alone. Warm stratification along with GA3 significantly increased the germination percentage. Maximum germination percentage (70%) was obtained in warm stratification and GA3 (1000 ppm). It seems that the germination problem for most of the Colchicum kotschyi seeds is probably due to a kind of morphophysiological dormancy which is broken by warm stratification along with GA3.

"n 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} Background: Preterm delivery is a relevant public health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) before 35 and 37 weeks of gestational age and the measurement of the cervix length, cervical funneling and Cervical Gland Area (CGA), in high risk pregnant population."n"nMethods: A prospective cohort of 200 women carrying high risk pregnancies was evaluated by transvaginal sonography between 14th and 28th gestational weeks. The data were analyzed using statistical methods. A multiple linear regression model was estimated in order to examine the relationship between the gestational age at delivery and the cervical markers. A multiple logistic regression was estimated in order to analyze the factors associated to spontaneous preterm delivery and the transvaginal sonographic markers."n"nResults: Cervical length less than 18 mm and the presence of cervical funneling presented a statistically significant association with spontaneous preterm delivery before 35 weeks. The nondetection of Cervical Gland Area demonstrated a strong association with spontaneous preterm delivery before (p=0.0001, OR=169.1, CI=2.6-3.1) and 35th and 37th gestational week (p=0.001, OR=115, CI=2.12-3.5). The multiple logistic regression analysis suggested the non-detection of CGA as the only variable to reveal statistically significance association with spontaneous preterm delivery."n"nConclusion: Based on results of present study the absence of cervical gland area (CGA) can be a new and important ultrasound marker for predicting spontaneous preterm delivery and needs to confirm with future multicenter investigations.