Beneficial effects of metformin treatment on memory impairment.

Memory issues are a prevalent symptom in different neurodegenerative diseases and can also manifest in certain psychiatric conditions. Despite limited medications approved for treating memory problems, research suggests a lack of sufficient options in the market. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of elderly individuals experience various forms of memory disorders. Metformin, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, has shown neuroprotective properties through diverse mechanisms. This study explores the potential of metformin in addressing memory impairments. The current research gathered its data by conducting an extensive search across electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Previous research suggests that metformin enhances brain cell survival and memory function in both animal and clinical models by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death while increasing beneficial neurotrophic factors. The findings of the research revealed that metformin is an effective medication for enhancing various types of memory problems in numerous studies. Given the rising incidence of memory disorders, it is plausible to utilize metformin, which is an affordable and accessible drug. It is often recommended as a treatment to boost memory.

Different types and epidemiological patterns of calcaneal fractures based on reviewing CT images of 957 fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Calcaneal fractures may have lifelong debilitating sequences, if not treated properly. Identifying different types of calcaneal fractures based on the computed tomography (CT) scans can increase our conception about these fractures. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the available CT images of all consecutive patients with the diagnosis of calcaneal fracture, from January 2015 to December 2018, were reviewed to determine different patterns and types of these fractures. RESULTS: CT images of 886 patients (mean age, 41.29 ± 14.9; range, 3-89 years; male/female, 4.86; pediatric: 3.7%) with 957 calcaneal fractures were evaluated. The peak incidence of calcaneal fractures was seen in patients between 30 to 39 years of age (29%). The rate of open fractures and bilateral involvements were 2.4% and 8.0%, respectively. Among 680 (71.0%) intra-articular calcaneal fractures, subtalar calcaneal fractures were the most common type (94.3%). The majority of intra-articular subtalar calcaneal fractures were displaced (95.0%) with calcaneocuboid joint (CCJ) involvement (59.9%). Fracture lines were extended to the CCJ in about 86.9% of Sanders type IV, 66.3% of type III, and 60.2% of type II. Among 261 extra-articular fractures (27.3%), calcaneal body fracture (55.6%) was the most frequent type, followed by medial tubercle fracture (24.1%), calcaneal tuberosity fracture (10.4%), Degan type I anterior process fractures (5.4%), Degan type II anterior process fracture (3.4%), and isolated lateral tubercle fracture (1.1%). Most of bilateral calcaneal fractures were intra-articular subtalar fractures with involvement of CCJ. Although majority of intra-articular calcaneal fractures were displaced; less than half of the extra-articular fractures were displaced. CONCLUSION: Displaced intra-articular subtalar calcaneal fractures with CCJ involvement are the most frequent type of unilateral and bilateral calcaneal fractures. It appears that there is a correlation between Sanders type and the probability of CCJ involvement. Unlike intra-articular subtalar calcaneal fractures, the CCJ in the majority of extra-articular calcaneal body fractures was intact. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Carbon dots on V2O5 nanowires are a viable peroxidase mimic for colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.

A nanocomposite was hydrothermally prepared from C-dots and V2O5 nanowires, and characterized by TEM, FTIR and XRD. Due to the synergistic effects between C-dots and V2O5 nanowires, the nanocomposite is found to possess peroxidase-mimicking activity. This finding was exploited to design colorimetric methods for determination of H2O2 and glucose (via glucose oxidase) by using of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the chromogenic substrate. The C-dot/V2O5 nanocomposite catalyzes hydrogen peroxide to oxidize TMB and the resultant product, i.e., TMB* produces a blue color in the solution. Also for glucose determination, at first glucose reacts with dissolved oxygen in the presence of glucose oxidase and generates H2O2. Then, produced H2O2 was monitored by the C-dot/V2O5 nanozyme in the presence of TMB. Intensity of the blue color in the solution at wavelength of 650 nm is an indication of H2O2 or glucose concentration. The response to H2O2 is linear in the 0.5-520 µM concentration ranges, and that for glucose from 0.7 µM to 300 µM. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of peroxidase mimicking activity of C-dot/V2O5 nanocomposite and its application as sensitive colorimetric H2O2/glucose assay by using of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as chromogenic substrate to induce a typical blue color reaction.