Acupuncture in the treatment of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic Paraparesis.

We investigate the possible effects of acupuncture on the improvement of neurological problems in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)disease. Twenty patients with HAM/TSP were studied in this pre and post-test clinical trial. Urinary incontinence, global motor disability, spasticity, and pain severity were evaluated before, one month, and three-month after the intervention. Analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of urinary symptoms one month after acupuncture (P = 0.023). A significant improvement was observed in patients' pain and the spasticity at the upper extremity joints, one and three-month after the intervention (P < 0.05). This study suggests that body acupuncture can be used as a complementary treatment to improve HAM/TSP neurological symptoms.

Selective adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions using Cr6+-imprinted Pebax/chitosan/GO/APTES nanofibrous adsorbent.

In the present study, a novel Cr6+-imprinted Pebax/chitosan/GO/APTES nanofibrous adsorbent (Cr6+-PCGA) was prepared and its performance was compared with PCGA nanofibers for selective sorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The prepared nanofibers were characterized using FTIR, SEM and EDAX analysis. The influence of batch sorption experiments including GO/APTES content, pH, contact time, Cr(VI) initial concentration and temperature on the Cr(VI) sorption efficiency using synthesized nanofibers was investigated. The Cr(VI) sorption data were well described using pseudo-second-order kinetic and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models. The maximum sorption capacities of Cr6+-PCGA and PCGA nanofibers for Cr(VI) ions sorption were found to be 204.5 and 550.5mgg-1, respectively. Thermodynamic studies indicated an endothermic and spontaneous nature of Cr(VI) ions sorption using both Cr6+-PCGA and PCGA nanofibers. The selectivity coefficient values of Cr(VI)/Pb(II), Cr(VI)/Cu(II) and Cr(VI)/Ni(II) indicated the higher selectivity of Cr6+-PCGA nanofibrous adsorbent for Cr(VI) ions separation compared to PCGA nanofibers. The good stability and reusability of Cr6+-PCGA nanofibrous adsorbent for five sorption/desorption cycles promised a higher potential of ion-imprinted nanofibers for separation of metal ions from aqueous systems in a large scale.

Effects of Danazol on Clinical Improvement of Patients with Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP): A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE(S): Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an endemic disease observed in Japan, Africa, Caribbean basin, and north-east Iran. It is usually presented as a chronic and progressive spastic paraparesis. There are some options for treatment of HAM/TSP patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of danazol controlled with placebo in relieving the symptoms and signs of HAM/TSP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 77 patients with definite diagnosis of HAM/TSP based on clinical and para-clinical findings, 71 patients had the required criteria for entering the study. Severity of symptoms and the degree of motor disability were determined before the beginning of treatment based on motor disability grading (MDG) in both groups of patients and were followed during 6 months in 1 month intervals for changes in symptoms and their motor disabilities. RESULTS: Among 38 patients of the first group, after 6 months therapy with danazol, mean difference between MDG0 (before starting the treatment) and MDG6 (after six months), as an indicator of motor improvement in the patients, was 0.89. Meanwhile, among the 33 patients treated with identical appearing placebo, there was no significant difference between MDG0 and MDG6 (P< 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in improvement of symptoms between two study groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that danazol provides relative effects on improving motor disabilities and symptoms of HAM/TSP patients that can be considered according to its lower side effects compared to other suggested treatments such as corticosteroids, and its lower costs in particular patients.