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The incidence rate of melanoma is dramatically increasing worldwide, raising it to the fifth most common cancer in men and the sixth in women currently. Resistance generally occurs to the agents used in chemotherapy; besides their high toxicity destroys the normal cells. This study reviewed a detailed summary of the structure, advantages, and disadvantages of nanotechnologybased drug delivery systems in the treatment of melanoma, as well as some nanocarrier applications in animal models or clinical studies. Respective databases were searched for the target keywords and 93 articles were reviewed and discussed. A close study of the liposomes, niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, cubosomes, dendrimers, cyclodextrins, solid lipid nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was conducted. It was found that these nanocarriers could inhibit metastasis and migration of melanoma cells and decrease cell viability. Conclusively, some nanocarriers like liposomes, niosomes, and transferosomes have been discussed as superior to conventional therapies for melanoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a surface sealant agent on the color stability and surface roughness (Ra) of two denture base materials: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and nylon. Materials and Methods: A total of 96 disk-shaped specimens (10 x 2 mm) were fabricated from heat-cured PMMA and nylon denture base materials (n = 48/material). Each of the color stability and Ra tests were performed on half of the samples in each material group (n = 24), and these subgroups were then subdivided according to the surface treatment applied: 12 specimens were conventionally polished, serving as the control group, and 12 specimens received a sealant on the surface in addition to the surface polishing. Color stability was assessed through measuring the CIEL*a*b* color parameters before and after immersion in coffee solution. Ra was measured and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs were taken before and after thermocycling. Statistical analysis was done using 2-way analysis of variance (α = .05). Results: The surface sealant agent significantly increased the color stability of both materials (P = .047). However, it had no significant effect on the Ra of materials before (P = .600) or after (P = .583) thermocycling. Nylon had a significantly rougher surface than PMMA both before and after thermocycling (P < .001). Similarly, SEM observations show a more irregular texture for nylon than for PMMA. Conclusion: Although the sealant agent had no significant effect on the Ra before or after thermocycling, it significantly decreased the color change of nylon and PMMA disks. Based on both statistical analyses and SEM observations, the Ra of PMMA was lower than nylon denture base material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lighvan hot spring and Toptapan mineral spring are located in the Eastern Azarbaijan, NW of Iran. The host rocks of Lighvan hot spring are dacite, andesite and Quaternary volcanic tuffs. Their main rock forming minerals are quartz, plagioclase, biotite and rarely amphibole. The host rocks of Toptapan mineral water spring are Cretaceous and Jurassic sandstone, shales and carbonate sedimentary rocks. Their main rock forming minerals are quartz, calcite, dolomite and clays. Due to the deposition of mineral water springs, travertine is the main Quaternary sediments around the springs. Water samples were collected from Toptapan mineral spring and Lighvan hot spring in July (dry season). The sampling method was according to standard methods for geochemical analysis. Field parameters such as PH, temperature, and EC were measured in situ, and samples were analyzed by ICP-OEC and ICP-MS in the laboratory of the Geological Survey of Iran. The measuring data showed that pH varies between 6.1 to 6.4. The surface temperature varies from 20.1°C to 32.8°C. The concentration of anions and cations in the Piper diagram show calcic bicarbonate type for Toptapan mineral spring and sodic bicarbonate type for Lighvan hot spring respectively. According to Lunglier - Ludwig diagram, the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals is the most important factor in increasing calcic cation. The Cl-Li-B diagram shows that the dissolution of sodic minerals and clays and ionic exchange are also the most important factors for increasing sodium in these springs. These data are in agreement to the host rocks, their mineralogy and their chemical composition. Based on the Ca-Mg-K geothermometer diagram, the geothermal reservoir temperature for Lighvan hot spring is 95-100 °C with a depth of about 2Km and for Toptapan mineral spring is 65-85 °C with a depth of less than 1Km. Also, high concentrations of chlorine show a deep geothermal primary reservoir in the Lighvan hot spring. These geochemical data show that these cold and hot springs are not polluted and not harmful for environmental point of views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Drug delivery through the skin can transfer therapeutic levels of drugs for pharmacological effects. Analgesics such as NSAIDs have gastrointestinal side effects and topical dosage forms of these drugs are mainly preferred, especially for local pains. Meloxicam is one of NSAIDs with no topical form in the market. In this research, we attempted to quantify the skin permeation of a meloxicam topical preparation and to show how permeation would be increased by using thymol as an enhancer. The effect of eutectic point of drug and thymol mixture on rate and extent of skin permeation was also studied. Materials and Methods: Different mixtures of thymol and meloxicam (2:8, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, 8:2) were prepared and their melting point were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. Then drug permeation was measured using diffusion cells and the Guinea pig skin. Results: Mixtures in ratios 5:5 and 4:6 of meloxicam / thymol showed a new endotherm at 149 and 140°C in DSC thermograms. The permeability of meloxicam from the creams containing 6:4, 5:5 and 4:6 ratios of meloxicam to thymol were 4.71, 15.2, 22.06 μg/cm2 respectively. This was significantly different from the cream of pure meloxicam (3.76 μg/cm2). Conclusion: This study set out to determine that thymol plays as a skin permeation enhancer and increases the meloxicam skin absorption and this enhancement is significant at the eutectic point of drug-enhancer mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide. Traditional herbs and spices can be used to control blood glucose concentrations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the daily intake of three grams cinnamon over eight weeks on glycemic status, lipid profiles and body composition in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 44 patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a three g/ day cinnamon supplement (n=22) or a placebo (n=22) for eight weeks. Weight, height, body fat mass and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured at baseline and after intervention. The fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL C, HDL C, Apo lipoprotein A I and B were measured at baseline and endpoint. Results: From 44 subjects participated in this study 37 completed the study. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, dietary intake and physical activity between groups. In the treatment group, the levels of fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, weight, BMI and body fat mass decreased significantly compared to baseline, but not in placebo group. No significant differences were observed in glycemic status indicators, lipid profile and anthropometric indicators between the groups at the end of intervention. Conclusion: These data suggest that cinnamon may have a moderate effect in improving glycemic status indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the capabilities of piezoelectric ceramic fiber composite process technology developed by Advanced Cerametrics Inc. (ACI) for energy scavenging systems. Piezoelectricity refers to the ability of certain crystalline materials to develop an electric charge proportional to a mechanical stress. The low-cost piezo fiber forming technology or the Viscous Suspension Spinning Process (VSSP) of ACI can produce fibers that has a diameter ranging from 10-250 µm. The technology generated 125 mW of continuous power.

Introduction: In the present article, the effect of the specimen geometry and the sample notch was studied on the high cycle fatigue lifetime and fracture behavior of the aluminum-based nanocomposite., Methods: For such an objective, rotary fully-reversed bending fatigue tests were performed on smooth and notched specimens, with the frequency of 100 Hz. Then, simulated results using the MSC Fatigue software were calculated and compared to the fatigue lifetime in the experiments for validation. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was utilized to observe the fracture surface of failed samples after testing., Results: Obtained results indicated that the fatigue lifetime increased by enhancing the sample diameter. However, the fatigue lifetime reduced when the stress concentration factor changed from 1.0 to 2.9., Conclusions: All samples with three geometries had a brittle fracture due to cleavage and quasi-cleavage marks on the fracture surface., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)