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While there are some recommendations about early insulin therapy in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients, there is not sufficient evidence on this strategy's cost-effectiveness. This study compared early insulin therapy versus oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) for managing T2DMusing a cost-effectiveness analysis approach in Iran. In this economic evaluation, a decision analytic model was designed. The target population was newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, and the study was carried out from the perspective of Iran's healthcare system with a one-year time horizon. Basal insulin, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) were compared in this evaluation. The main outcome for assessing the effectiveness of each intervention was the reduction in the occurrence of diabetes complications. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), and deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out. The DPP-4 inhibitors strategy was the dominant strategy with the highest effectiveness and the lowest cost. Early insulin therapy was dominated (ICER: $-53,703.18), meaning that it was not cost-effective. The sensitivity analyses consistently affirmed the robustness of the base case findings. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated probabilities of 77%, 22%, and 1% for DPP-4 inhibitors, TZDs strategies, and early insulin therapy, respectively, in terms of being cost-effective. In terms of cost-effectiveness, early insulin therapy was not cost-effective compared to OADs for managing newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Future studies in this regard, utilizing more comprehensive evidence, can yield more accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advantage of tenecteplase (TNK) over alteplase (ALT) in managing acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been reported, but the cost-effectiveness of these two strategies has not received as much attention. The objective of this study was to compare TNK and ALT for the management of AIS patients in Iran in terms of cost-effectiveness. This study was carried out from the payer's perspective in Iran, with a lifetime horizon. A full economic evaluation model was designed as a decision tree and a Markov model. After defining different Markov states, each health state was assigned a utility value, and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was estimated using that value. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was ultimately used for evaluating the comparative cost-effectiveness. Both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out. Compared to ALT, TNK can save approximately 4333.81 USD, and is able to increase one unit of QALY while saving approximately 17,450.29 USD. So, Base-case results showed that TNK strongly dominates ALT. Moreover, the base case results were strongly confirmed by deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Base-case and sensitivity analysis showed that TNK is the dominant strategy compared to ALT for the management of AIS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both pulsed dye laser (PDL) and fractional CO2 laser (FCO2L) are used commonly for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. To compare the efficacy of PDL and FCO2L on hypertrophic scars. One part of each scar, or one of the two similar scars in 35 patients was treated with PDL and the other parts, or scars were treated with FCO2L. The parameters used for FCO2L were: power = 30 W, pulse energy = 50 mJ, density = 200 spots/cm2. The parameters used for 585 nm PDL were 9 J/cm2 with 5 mm spot size. The FCO2L side was treated for three passes to debulk the scar. The coagulated tissue was wiped out before the next pass. The PDL side was treated with two superimposed passes. The procedures were repeated every month for 4 months. After four sessions of laser therapy, both sides showed remarkable improvement but no meaningful difference was detected between two areas that were treated with PDL and FCO2Ls (p >.05). The mean Vancouver Scar Scale was 7.31 ± 1.93 in the beginning and 4.26 ± 1.48 for FCO2L and 4.33 ± 1.70 for PDL one months after the final session. Both PDL and FCO2Ls were equally effective on hypertrophic scars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No topical and systemic treatment is proven to be effective on Cutaneous Macular Amyloidosis (CMA). The physical removal of the deposited protein by lasers may be a better choice. To compare the efficacy of different lasers including Pulsed dye laser (PDL), 1064 mode of Q-Switched Nd-YAG, CO2, and combined CO2 and Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers for the treatment of CMA. 17 adult female patients with clinical CMA and histopathological confirmation were included in this study. Four close 1 by 1 cm2 areas were treated simultaneously with PDL, Q-Switched Nd-YAG, CO2 and combined CO2 and Nd-YAG Lasers. The energy used for 585 nm PDL were 9 J/cm2 with the spot size of 5 mm. The energy used for 1064 nm mode of Nd-YAG laser was 5 Joules/cm2, with the spot size of 4 mm, and the frequency of 10 hertz. The energies used for CO2 laser were 4 and 3.5 Micro Joules for the first and second Passes. No desirable result obtained after PDL therapy. The Q-Switched Nd-YAG was effective in only 3 patients. All areas treated with CO2 laser were cleared. The CO2 laser is seems to be the most effective laser treatment of CMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two patients with isolated venous malformations on the face were treated with fiberoptic Nd-YAG laser (Lutronic laser company, South Korea). After nerve block anesthesia, the laser tip was pushed into the lesions either through a hole made by a 16 gauge needle or directly by inserting and triggering the laser tip few millimeters away from the lesions. The laser tip was pushed from one or few directions and moved back and forth, while triggering, in a fan pattern to cover the whole lesion. The procedure was continued till complete flattening of the lesions. The parameters used were pulse rate = 30 hertz, pulse energy = 300 mJoules, power = 6.0 watt, and total energy used for the first patient was 1000 Joules and for the second patient was 800 joules.Results:The lesions flattened completely after whole tissue coagulation. Moderate redness disappeared in the first 48 hours. No persistent discoloration and no sign of cutaneous burning appeared after the procedures. No antibiotic or analgesic was prescribed after the procedure. The patients were followed for more than 2 years with no recurrence and good cosmetic results.Conclusion:The fiberoptic Nd-YAG laser can be used as an effective procedure for venous malformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypertrophic Port Wine Stain (PWS) is only partially and superficially treated with the Pulsed dye laser (PDL) because of its limited depth of penetration. We used combined PDL and fiberoptic 1444-nm Nd-YAG laser to treat a case with hypertrophic PWS.Method: After tumescent anesthesia, few holes were made by a 16-gauge needle on different sides of the lesion. The fiberoptic tip of 1444-nm Nd-YAG laser was inserted within the holes and was pushed forward while triggering. In a fan pattern and by a back and forth movement, the subcutaneous and deep dermal areas were coagulated. The skin and outer mucosal surfaces were then treated by PDL. The fiberoptic system used was Accusculpt 1444-nm Nd-YAG laser (Lutronic lasers, South Korea), and the PDL used was 585 nm Nlite system (Chromogenex UK). The parameters used for PDL were fluence = 9 Joules/cm2and the spot size was 5 mm. The parameters used for fiberoptic 1444-nm Nd-YAG laser were: Pulse rate = 30 Hz, pulse energy = 300 mJ, power = 6 W, and the total energy = 4000 J for the whole face and mucosa.Result: Little sign of regression and moderate purpura were detected immediately after combined fiberoptic Nd-YAG and PDL therapy. The lesion gradually regressed within 4 months with satisfactory color and volume change.Conclusion: Combined fiberoptic Nd-YAG laser and PDL can be used for the treatment of deeper and superficial layers of hypertrophic PWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A better choice to prevent and cure viral infectious diseases will be established. [•] Individual treatment effects of IMOD and Arbidol will be increased. [•] Infectious diseases such as influenza and hepatitis B/C can be targeted. [•] Antioxidant properties and (IFN-γ) inducing effects increase CD4 lymphocytes. [•] A safe medicine will be produced to prevent spread of infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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A model is presented for the gasification of beech wood particles in a bubbling fluidized bed gasifier (BFBG). The model encompasses the hydrodynamics of the solid and gas phases as well as the different reaction kinetics. It also accounts for the freeboard where additional homogeneous reactions take place. The influential impact of the pyrolysis step on the final composition of produced fuel gas was demonstrated by applying two different kinetic models for pyrolysis. Model results are compared with the experimental work of this study and other published results on wood gasification in BFBG. Effects of equivalence ratio (ER), steam to biomass ratio (SB), bed temperature, feed location, and mass transfer between the countercurrent regions (Kw) on the gas composition of product fuel gas are studied. The model shows good agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tissue augmentation by polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) may lead to displacement or complications several years later and necessitate its removal. Objective: To use a fiberoptic 1444-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser for removing polyacrylamide hydrogel augmentations. Methods: Five patients with frontal and cheek augmentations were referred for gel removal. After nerve block anesthesia, a 600-μm optical fiber tip with a metallic cannula was inserted into a hole created by a 16-gauge needle, and the laser was triggered. The cannula was moved in a fan pattern in the augmented area and was then removed. The tissue was squeezed from its outermost region toward the hole to extrude the gel. The laser system used was a 1444-nm fiberoptic Nd-YAG, obtained from Lutronic lasers, South Korea. The parameters used were: pulse rate = 30, pulse energy = 150 J, power = 4.5 W, and total energy = 400-1200 J. Results: The heat of the laser tip liquefies the gel and by coagulating the surrounding tissues, it produces multiple patent canals. These two factors facilitate gel removal by squeezing the tissues. No temporary or permanent complication, such as hematoma, burning, or fibrosis, was detected. Conclusion: The 1444-nm Nd-YAG laser is a safe and efficient method for removing subcutaneous polyacrylamide hydrogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]