Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline forsterite coated poly(L-lactide-co-ß-malic acid) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

In this research, after synthesizing poly(L-lactide-co-ß-malic acid) (PLMA) copolymer, hybrid particles of ice and nanocrystalline forsterite (NF) as coating carriers were used to prepare NF-coated PLMA scaffolds. The porous NF-coated scaffolds were directly fabricated by a combined technique using porogen leaching and freeze-drying methods. The obtained results indicate that the scaffolds were structurally porous with NF particles on their surfaces. When compared to the uncoated scaffolds, the NF coating improved both mechanical properties as well as enhanced bioactivity of the scaffolds. In addition, in vitro biological response of the rat bone marrow stromal cells indicated that NF significantly increased the biocompatibility of NF-coated scaffolds compared with PLMA.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles-loaded chitosan/bioactive glass scaffolds as a localized delivery system in the bone defects.

The functionality of tissue engineering scaffolds can be enhanced by localized delivery of appropriate biological macromolecules incorporated within biodegradable nanoparticles. In this research, chitosan/58 S-bioactive glass (58 S-BG) containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles has been prepared and then characterized. The effects of further addition of 58 S-BG on the structure of scaffolds have been investigated to optimize the characteristics of the scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. The results showed that the scaffolds had high porosity with open pores. It was also shown that the porosity decreased with increasing 58 S-BG content. Furthermore, the PLGA nanoparticles were homogenously distributed within the scaffolds. According to the obtained results, the nanocomposites could be considered as highly bioactive bone tissue engineering scaffolds with the potential of localized delivery of biological macromolecules.

Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at determining the efficacy of Mentha spicata (M. spicata) and Mentha × piperita (M. × piperita) in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blind clinical trial study. Prior to the study, patients were randomly assigned into four groups to receive M. spicata or M. × piperita. Statistical analysis included the χ(2) test, relative risk, and Student's t-test. Fifty courses were analysed for each group that met our eligibility criteria. The treatment and placebo groups applied essential oils of M. spicata, M. × piperita, or a placebo, while the control group continued with their previous antiemetic regimen. Patients or guardians recorded the number of emetic events, the intensity of nausea over 20 h of chemotherapy, as well as any possible adverse effects that occurred during this time. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the intensity and number of emetic events in the first 24 h with M. spicata and M. × piperita in both treatment groups (p < 0.05) when compared with the control and no adverse effects were reported. The cost of treatment was also reduced when essential oils were used. CONCLUSION: M. spicata or M. × piperita essential oils are safe and effective for antiemetic treatment in patients, as well as being cost effective.

Identification and genetic variation of fasciola species from tabriz, north- Western iran.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is considered as the most important helminthic infection of cattle and sheep. Traditional approaches using morphological and biologic characters cannot cause a certainty in the accurate and precise identification and intra-specific differences of Fasciola spp. In this study, we identified Fasciola species using ITS-1 marker and described genetic variation of each species of the parasite in isolates from Tabriz slaughterhouse in West Azerbaijan Province, north- western Iran. METHODS: Overall, 100 samples (50 from sheep and 50 from cattle) morphologically detected as Fasciola worms were studied for identification of Fasciola species by PCR-RFLP method and intra-species variation of the parasite using RAPD-PCR technique. RESULTS: A region of approximately 460bp in all samples was successfully amplified. There were no identifiable variations among the size of PCR products. Two and three fragments in samples correspond to F. hepatica and F. gigantica was seen, respectively, through PCR-RFLP method. No difference was seen in digestion pattern according to host (sheep or cattle). Different types of each species of the parasite was observed using RAPD-PCR technique. CONCLUSION: We could have an estimate of frequency of F. hepatica and F. gigantic and different genotypes of the parasite in isolates from one locality in north- western of Iran. By extension of such studies in future to other animal hosts (buffalo and goat) and including more regions to sampling, the reliability of the results and their application for control programs in zoonotic diseases will be increased.

A retrospective study of poisoning in Tehran.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the causes and mortality of poisoning in Tehran. METHODS: The 7000 poisoning cases referred to Loghman-Hakim Hospital in Tehran over six months in 1994 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall female to male ratio was 1.8:1. Most poisonings occurred in the age range 2-6 y for children and 21-40 y for adults. Oral ingestion was the most common route of intoxication. In children, boys had a higher frequency of poisonings than girls. Most cases of children were referred to the hospital between 8 am and 8 pm. In adults referred to the hospital, there was little diurnal variation in poisoning presentations. In adults, drugs were the most common cause of intoxication (60.2%). Of these, benzodiazepines (24.5%) were the most frequent, followed by antidepressants (20.5%) and analgesics (18%). Pesticide and opiate intoxications were also commonly observed. In children, after drugs (32.1%), hydrocarbons were the most frequent cause of poisoning (19.2%). Pesticide poisonings were most often fatal (19.2%), followed by barbiturates (18.6%) and opiates (16.2%). Organophosphate insecticides were responsible for 57% of total pesticide poisoning cases. Of the deaths, 87.5% were attributed to suicide. CONCLUSION: The majority of poisoning cases in adults occur intentionally and in children accidentally.

Radiation pneumonitis in rats and its modification by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril evaluated by high-resolution computed tomography.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated to the right hemithorax with a range of total doses delivered in 10 equal daily fractions of 4 MeV X rays. Half of each dose group consumed control feed, and half consumed feed containing the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (50 mg/kg/day) continuously after the last irradiation. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) of the entire thorax was performed at 4 and 8 weeks after the last irradiation, and the findings with CT were correlated with hemodynamic data, heart weight, and pulmonary histopathology. Rats exposed to 20 or 40 Gy in 10 fractions exhibited no acute changes in right lung density. After 60 Gy in 10 fractions, however, right lung density in rats on the control diet increased significantly at 4 weeks, and then returned to normal at 8 weeks. Captopril-treated rats exposed to 60 Gy/10 fractions did not exhibit this transient increase in right lung density. After 80 Gy/10 fractions, right lung density increased to 0.60-0.65 g/cm3 at 4 weeks regardless of diet. At 8 weeks after 80 Gy/10 fractions, right lung density increased further in rats given the control diet, but decreased to near normal levels in captopril-treated animals. The density of the shielded left lung based on the CT was independent of both contralateral radiation dose and diet. Histological examination of the irradiated lungs indicated that these acute changes detected by CT were associated with the exudative and edematous phases of radiation pneumonitis, and that captopril reduced the severity of these changes. Irradiated (40-80 Gy/10 fractions) animals fed the control diet exhibited a significant increase in central venous and pulmonary artery pressure, and cardiac right ventricular hypertrophy. Captopril prevented or attenuated these hypertensive reactions. These data demonstrate that high-resolution CT can detect radiation reactions in rat lung within 4 weeks after 60 Gy/10 fractions, and that captopril spares these acute changes detected by CT. The mechanism of captopril action is not clear, but may be due in part to a reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure, resulting in less severe edema in the irradiated lung.