The trends in nanomaterial-based biosensors for detecting critical biomarkers in stroke.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), is the second global cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, accounts for 80-85% of cerebrovascular disease. Stroke diagnosis could be challenging in the acute phase. Detection of biomarkers for evaluating the prognosis of diseases is essential for improving personalized treatment and decreasing mortality. At the present time, the absence of a broadly existing and rapid diagnostic test is an important limitation in the evaluation and treatment of diseases. The use of a biomarker-based diagnostic attitude has confirmed very valuable in acute coronary syndromes, which has been promoted in acute stroke to help early management decisions. Over the past decade, different detection procedures have developed for the assessment of human cardiac troponins (cTnI). This review emphasizes on summarizing optical, and electrochemical biosensors for the detection of cTnI, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as a critical biomarker in stroke.

Bioassay: A novel approach in antipsychotic pharmacology.

Accurate identification and measurement of antipsychotic drugs in in-vivo and in-vitro environment has a key role in the development and design of drugs, as any slight change in their dosage can affect the treatment process. Determination of antipsychotics in physiological fluids such as blood, plasma and urine are important in drug tablets and medical approaches. Chromatography is the main method used in the determination of antipsychotic drugs but this technique, despite its relative sensitivity, is a costly and complicated method. Biosensors, as simple, low-cost and highly sensitive and specific tools, can be the best alternative to eliminate the drawbacks of routine methods. For this purpose, various biosensors have been extensively developed in the recent years. The main objective of the present study is to introduce and collect recently developed biosensors for the measurement and detection of antipsychotic drugs. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a fundamental principle in pharmaceuticals, with the primary goal being to reduce and eliminate the side effects of drugs. This study shows that biosensors can be a modern and novel approach in the field of TDM.

Prospect of mesenchymal stem cells in therapy of osteoporosis: A review.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease associated with reduced bone strong point that results in raised fracture risk, with decreased bone strength, leading to reduced bone mineral density and poor bone quality. It is the most common in older females but some men are also at high risk. Although considered as a predictable result of aging, it is can be avoidable and treatable. The existing treatment of osteoporosis mainly contains antiresorptive and anabolic agents. In spite of these improvements, concerns around unusual side-effects of antiresorptive drugs, and the lack of perfect confirmation in maintenance of their long-standing effectiveness is bring about many patients not receiving these drugs. Over the years, the stem cell-based therapy has attained substantial clinical consideration because of its potential to treat numerous diseases. The stem cell therapy has been recommended as a probable therapeutic approach for patients with osteoporosis. Even though the concept of stem cell-based therapy for osteoporosis has caught substantial attention, no clinical trial has been published on humans. The cell studies based on osteoporosis are primarily focused on osteoclastic activity and bone resorption procedures. Earlier, it was on osteoblastogenesis and in recent times, on the differentiation probable of mesenchymal stem cells. In this review, we have summarized the therapeutic role of stem cell-based strategy in osteoporosis.

Effectiveness of topical gel of medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis) saliva extract on patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial.

Leech saliva extract (LSE) in the liposome-based gel was used as a supplementary treatment to relief the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). The saliva of medical leech was extracted and nano liposomes were used to formulate the supplement to enhance skin absorption. A clinical trial was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of LSE liposomal gel. Lenquesne and VAS questionnaires were used as indexes of this supplement therapy efficacy for 30 days. Questionnaires analysis showed that after one-month administration of LSE liposomal gel, patients' pain was relieved approximately up to 50%; also, due to reduction in joint inflammation and stiffness, the range of motion was increased and the patients' quality of life was enhanced (p < 0.001). LSE nano scaled liposomal gel as an innovative supplement therapy in OA patients, makes desirable therapeutic approach, which seems to make a significant impact on patient's quality of life and self-care capability.

Effect of E. laciniata (L) ointment on mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

This paper concerns the effects of methanol extract of Eremostachys laciniata on mild and moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Forty patients, including sixty hands affected by CTS, were randomly categorized in two different groups. Group A and Group B were treated with E. laciniata extract and placebo as the ointment, respectively. Tests, including the palmar prehension (pound), grip power (kg), visual analog scale (VAS) and electrodiagnostic study, were performed on all patients before and after the trial. During the trial, all patients receive Sodium Diclofenac (25 mg twice a day) orally. In addition, they utilized a night wrist splint. After four weeks of treatment, the state of mean palmer prehension in both groups improved yet, the statistics show that group A prevailed by (p = 0.01). Grip power increased in both groups as well, but this increase was not significant within-groups (p = 0.18 and p = 0.54 in group A and B, respectively) or between-groups (p = 0.053). Although the VSA decreased in both groups, group A prevailed again by (p < 0.001). After four weeks, no significant electrodiagnostic change was detected between the two groups. According to this study, the methanol extract of E. laciniata can be effective in treatment of mild and moderate CTS in combination with the wrist night splint, especially in alleviating the severity of the syndrome and increasing the palmer prehension power.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the fracture healing process.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a biophysical form of intervention in the fracture-repair process, which, through several mechanisms, accelerates the healing of fractures and enhances callus formation. The effect of laser on fracture healing is controversial. Some authors affirm that LLLT can accelerate bone formation by increasing osteoblastic activity. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of laser therapy on fracture healing. Thirty rabbits were subjected to tibial bone open osteotomies that were stabilized with external fixators. The animals were divided into two study groups: laser group and control group. Callus development and bone mineral density were quantitatively evaluated by CT; the animals were then killed and the fractures were assessed for biomechanical properties. The results demonstrated that the increasing rate of bone mineral density was higher in the laser (L) group than in the control (C) group. CT at 5 weeks revealed a mean callus density of 297 Hounsfield units (HU) for the control group and 691 HU for the L group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). In the L group, the mean recorded fracture tension was 190.5 N and 359.3 N for healed and intact bones, respectively, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The result of the study showed that the use of laser could enhance callus development in the early stage of the healing process, with doubtful improvement in biomechanical properties of the healing bone; therefore, laser therapy may be recommended as an additional treatment in non-union fractures in humans.