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Fricke gel dosimeters obtained by modifications on standard Fricke dosimeter presents some advantages like easy preparation, tissue equivalence, good reproducibility and dose mapping. In this work, dose response characteristics of Gelatin Fricke gel dosimeters was investigated and compared with Fricke agarose gel dosimeters in terms of sesitivity. After prepration of three different formulation of Gelatin Fricke gel dosimeters and gamma irradiation of the samples, a spectrophotometer was applied to measure the optical absorbance of the samples. Results indicate a linear dose range response of 10 to 30 Gy, as well as increased gelatin concentrations cause the sensitivity of the dosimeter to detereorate with a 80% reduction of dose response for a change in gelatin concentration from 3 to 8 weight percent. Obtained coefficient variation verifies the good repeatability of the gel response. The gel dosimeter has no dose rate dependence. Comparison of the most sensitive Gelatin Fricke gel sample with the prepared Fricke agarose gel samples confirm that Fricke agarose dosimeter is more sensitive than Gelatin Fricke gel dosimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metalloporphyrin-based contrast agents can improve probe functionality such as biocompatibility, prolonging presence in blood, and specific tumor accumulation. Herein, we report synthesis, structural characteristics, quality control, and nuclear imaging of new metalloporphyrin-based contrast agents. Methods: To combine photodynamic therapy (PDT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), Gadolinium-proto porphyrin IX complex was synthesized via direct complexation method, then the metalloporphyrin (MP) was labeled with gallium-67 and gallium-68 in separated runs. In-vivo biodistribution studies were performed in mice bearing breast tumor (4T1 mouse mammary tumor cell line) and normal rats (for better visualization). Results: Adsorption of the labeled compound into the tumor (ID/g % up to 4.6%), despite the small size of the tumor, had an upward trend at all times, and high and fast (less than 45 min) uptake of radiotracer in cancerous tumors was observed. Conclusion: Fast and high tumor uptake revealed that this radiotracer could potentially be used as a theranostic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical or refractory diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are still a major health problem. Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) by larva of Lucilia sericata is an ancient and a modern option for wound healing. It works by debridement, stimulation of wound healing, and disinfection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MDT for healing atypical and refractory DFUs. Patients with atypical DFUs were selected and further evaluated for some predefined differential diagnoses like atypical fungal, parasitic, or bacterial infections, malignancy, trauma, and so on. Multiple MDT sessions were carried out. Ulcer size was measured before every MDT session. Complete wound healing, time to heal, and adverse effects were recorded as well. Forty-two DFU patients (26 men, 16 women) with 42 nonhealing atypical ulcers participated in this study. Complete wound healing was achieved in 35 patients (83.3%) by MDT. Complete debridement and then healing of the wounds happened in less than 1.79 ± 0.8 months. Four ulcers persisted, and 3 (7.1%) were eventually amputated. MDT may be considered as an effective treatment for atypical DFUs, which are unresponsive to conventional therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Linear dermatitis is endemic in Iran where most cases occur in the Caspian Sea coast and Fars province. The disease is caused by beetles of the genus Paederus which are active from early spring to beginning of autumn although its incidence rises from May to August. The classic taxonomy of Paederus spp. is based on the male genitalia that is very complex and needs expertise. In this study, we report a DNA-based method to discriminate Paederus fuscipes and Paederus littoralis (=syn: P. lenkoranus, P. ilsae). Methods: Type specimens were collected from north and south of Iran. Molecular typing of the species was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified fragments of mtDNA-COI. Results: Sequence analyses of the data obtained in this study showed significant DNA polymorphisms. There were 89 substitutions between COI sequences of the two species. The mtDNA-COI fragment comprises several useful species-specific restriction sites comprising HaeIII that could result in distinctively different species-specific PCR- RFLP profiles. The HaeIII enzyme cuts the 872 bp PCR amplicon of P. littoralis into 737 and 100 bp and two small nonvisible bands whereas it does not cut P. fuscipes amplicon into fragments. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that molecular typing is useful method and allows one to differentiate between two species and is recommended for discrimination of other Paederus species, which morphologically are indistinguishable or very difficult to be distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many techniques to eliminate eye refractive errors. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is one of these techniques causes an intensive post-surgical pain due to stimulation of pain receptors in the corneal epithelium. In this study we decided to compare the effect of two systemic drugs (Acifen and gabapentin) on pain relief following this surgery. Methods: In this double blind clinical trial study, 100 patients with refractive errors were divided into two groups with 50 members. A group of patients received gabapentin tablets (300 mg) every 8 hours for three days and the other group received Acifen capsules containing 325 mg acetaminophen, 200 mg ibuprofen, and 40 mg caffeine every 8 hours for three days. Patient's pain was measured through Faces Pain Scale (FPS). According to the findings, pain variables, drowsiness level, severity of dizziness, patient satisfaction and drug side-effects (before administration of drug, 2 hours after receiving each dosage) were determined and also compared between the two groups. Findings: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and sex. Pain assessment score median (P = 0.062), frequency of dizziness severity (P = 0.815), relative frequency of nausea and vomiting scores (P = 0.085), relative frequency of patient's satisfaction rate (P = 0.293), and frequency of drug side-effects (frequency in both groups equal to zero and P = 1) in the patients of the two groups had no significant difference to each other. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed no significant difference in comparing the two methods and considering other variables such as side effects, ease of use and also satisfaction rate, both methods can be used as successful methods to control pain in Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery. However, comparing either of the drugs with other methods of controlling pain seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many areas of Iran are endemic regarding Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) as a parasitic disease transmitted by a female sand fly vector’s bite. The present study investigated the distribution of sand flies in Harand and Egieh in Isfahan province, Central Iran. Overall, 408 out of 1260 collected sand flies were identified morphologically, among which 353 and 55 were isolated from Harand and Egieh, respectively. Also, 66.4% and 33.6% of the sand flies were female and male, respectively. The most prevalent sand fly species were Phlebotomus papatasi (52%), followed by Ph. caucasicus (40.4%), Sergentomyia sintoni (4.9%), and Ph. kazeruni (0.7%). Among 180 molecularly-analyzed sand flies, 14 (7.77%) were found infected with L. major, with 9 out of 103 (8.73%) Ph. papatasi and 5 out of 75 (6.66%) Ph. caucasicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a skin disease caused by Leishmania parasite. Despite being self-limiting, must be treated. Available drugs have side effects and drug resistance has also been seen., Materials and Methods: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is using sterile fly larvae (maggots) of blow flies ( Lucilia sericata ) for the treatment of different types of tissue wounds. Larvae have excreted and secreted substances that have been proved to have antimicrobial effects, in addition to the some other specifications., Results: In this study, the anti-leishmanial effects of extracts and secretions of sterile second- and third-instar larvae of L. sericata on the growth of Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes in the J774 macrophages have been evaluated in vitro ., Conclusion: The results showed that extracts and secretions had almost the same leishmaniocidal effect on promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes without cytotoxic effect on macrophages., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most important public health problems in many developing countries. Sand flies, as vectors, transmit infectious forms of the parasite to the vertebrate hosts. Poldokhtar, South West of Iran, is one of the endemic foci of diseases with a little information about it. In this paper, we have tried to gather some useful information to control and to prevent this disease in this region., Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted to determine the vector(s), the parasite, and the species composition of sand flies in the Poldokhtar County during the months from July to September 2015. Sticky paper traps were used to collect sand flies from July to September. Species identification was done based on available diagnostic keys. Nested-polymerase chain reaction was performed to diagnosis the Leishmania infection of sand flies, and restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to identify the Leishmania species., Results: A total of 2000 specimens comprising 8 species of sand flies (6 Phlebotomus and 2 Sergentomyia ) were identified. Phlebotomus papatasi was the dominant species outdoor and Sergentomyia sintoni was the dominant species indoor. Among the 163 specimens of female P. papatasi , just 10 of them (6.1%) were positive to Leishmania major parasites., Conclusion: This is the first report of Leishmania infection of P. papatasi to L. major in this region. The results revealed that the high density of P. papatasi in outdoor and their infection with L. major is attributed that this species can play a major role as a principle vector in this region., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes and predictability of higher order aberrations (HOAs) after personalized laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and personalized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for simple myopia and compound myopic astigmatism., Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 100 eyes were included. A total of 50 eyes underwent personalized LASIK and 50 eyes underwent personalized PRK. Preoperative and postoperative wavefront data were compared between the two groups. The influential factors and predictability of HOAs were also assessed., Result: Total HOA increased in the amount of 0.01 ± 0.14 μm for the 5 mm pupil ( P = 0.55) and 0.08 ± 0.22 μm for the 6 mm pupil ( P = 0.02) after PRK; however after LASIK the corresponding values for the 5 and 6 mm pupil sizes were 0.05 ± 0.12 and 0.15 ± 0.18 μm, respectively ( P < 0. 001). Mean changes were not significantly different between the PRK and LASIK groups for both 5 and 6 mm pupil sizes ( P = 0.21 and P = 0.13, respectively). Spherical aberration increased following LASIK more than following PRK ( P < 0.001). Changes in the root mean square (RMS) of total HOA had a statistically significant negative correlation ( P < 0.001) with its preoperative value. HOA and spherical aberration reduced in majority of eyes when the preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was low., Conclusion: For the 6mm pupil size, the total HOA increased following both personalized PRK and LASIK with no significant difference between the two groups. Change of the total HOA RMS was influenced by the preoperative values. The known influencing factors could predict nearly 50% of the changes in total HOA., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.