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Background. Pain control after operations is essential in decreasing the patient recovery period and potential morbidity. Prescribing opiates is very effective, but significant side effects accompany them. This study aims to examine the effect of local ketamine infiltration in decreasing pain intensity in patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy. Methods. In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 92 patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy aged 30–60 years were selected and divided into two intervention and control groups randomly. For the intervention group, ketamine was injected subcutaneously into the incision site at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg after the operation. In the control group, 5 mg normal saline was used in the same method. Postoperative pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS: 0–10). The pain score and dose of administered opioids were documented at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours and compared between the two groups. Results. Postoperative pain intensity was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group, except for hour 24. The mean amounts of administered opioids were significantly lower in the intervention group at hours 6 and 12, as well as the total amount of used opioids, and no significant side effects were documented. Conclusion. Local ketamine subcutaneous injection in the incisional site is effective and is a safe procedure for reducing pain scores in patients who underwent a transabdominal hysterectomy.

Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a chronic condition characterized by the loss or dysfunction of β-cells in the pancreas, resulting in insufficient insulin production. This mini-review examines current treatment approaches and explores the potential of gene therapy as interventions for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The discussed strategies include β-cell sensitization, β-cell regeneration from various cell sources, stem cell therapies, and the promotion of β-cell replication. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the pathways involved in β-cell proliferation and the factors influencing their replication. Stem cell therapies, particularly using embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, hold promise for generating β-cells and replacing damaged or lost cells. Additionally, gene therapy offers a novel approach by manipulating genes involved in insulin production and glucose metabolism. However, ethical considerations, tumorigenic risks, and the translation of these therapies into clinical trials pose challenges. Nonetheless, the ongoing research and advancements in these areas provide hope for improved management and treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Zinc oxide nano particles is one of the best choices for ultraviolet protection due to its special properties. In this research, the UV-protection ability of sol gel-derived thin ZnO films on cotton fabrics was investigated. Various polymers have been used as adhesives to bind the nano-oxide with the surface of the treated fabric. Scanning electron microscopy and UV spectroscopy were carried out to study the properties of the treated fabrics. The results showed that the diameters of the synthesis zinc oxide particles - (68.81, 41.76 and 44.6 nm) with (PVA, PVP and CMC) respectively- were of the nanostructure, and the smallest diameter of the particles was produced with polyvinylpyrrolidone as adhesive. Using a spectrophotometer showed a decrease in the transmittance of the studied samples compared with the raw untreated sample of about 23%.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is a protein that is secreted immediately upon endothelial injury, and thereby it plays a key role in inflammation via recruitment of leucocytes to the site of inflammation at the beginning and throughout the inflammatory processes. Aim of this study was to develop two separate cell lines displaying either human MCP-1 (HMCP-1) or rabbit MCP-1 (RMCP-1) on their surface. A DNA fragment containing HMCP-1- or RMCP-1-encoding sequence was inserted into a pcDNA plasmid. Escherichia coli cells strain TOP 10F’ was separately transformed with the pcDNA/RMCP-1 or /HMCP-1 ligation mixture. Following the cloning and construct verification, human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293T) was transfected with either of the linearized plasmids. Plasmid integration into the genomic DNA of HEK 293T cells was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HMCP-1 and RMCP-1 expression was evaluated at RNA and protein levels by real-time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. PCR products of the expected sizes were amplified from the chromosomal DNA of transfected HEK 293T cells, i.e. 644 bp for H-MCP1 and 737 bp for RMCP-1 constructs. Real-time PCR revealed that the copy numbers of RMCP1 and HMCP1 mRNA per cell were 294 and 500, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis indicated 85% for RMCP-1 and 87% for HMCP-1 expression levels on the surface of transfected cells, when compared with an isotype control. The experiments thus confirmed that the MCP-1 genes were integrated into the HEK 293T genomic DNA and the encoded proteins were stably expressed on the cell surface.

Background: Phytoestrogens treatment to relieve hot flushes in menopausal women was considered recently. However, the actual effectiveness and safety are not clear. Methods: Randomized clinical trial (IRCT#20100706004329N5) was performed in 204 patients who complained of hot flushes in Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2013-2015. The first group received 50 mg isoflavone (group A) once daily and the second group received placebo (group B) in the same regimen. Patients were evaluated for breast examination (BE) and breast sonography (BS) as well as vaginal sonography at initial presentation and at 6th and 12th week follow-ups. Patients were educated to record frequency and severity of hot flushes. Results: Group A experienced less hot flushes attack (6 vs 9 patients with 5< attacks in 6 wk (P= 0.05), 7 Vs 13 patients with 5< in 12 wk (P=0.01)) which was also less severe (8 vs 12 patients with severe symptoms in 6 wk (0.04) and 3 Vs 10 patients with severe symptoms in 12 wk (0.001). Isoflavone had no effect on neither breast density nor nodularity (in 6 wk, P=0.50 and 0.80, respectively and in 12 wk, P=0.32 and 0.43) and neither breast tenderness nor nipple discharge (in 6 wk, P=0.40 and 0.34 respectively and in 12 wk, P= 0.31 and 0.26). There were no significant differences in endometrial thickness in 6 and 12wk. Conclusion: Effects of isoflavone on frequency and severity of hot flushes in perimenopausal women is observed. Some clinical and ultrasonographic benign non-significant changes of the breast and endometrium are noted after isoflavone intake.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with unknown etiology and variable clinical evolution. Interleukin-23 (IL-23), a member of the IL-12 cytokine family is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of the IL-12p40 subunit, and with a novel p19 subunit, its ability to enhance the expansion of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells indicates the responsibility for many of the inflammatory autoimmune responses. Objective: The objective of the project is to measure IL-23 level in plasma of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in comparison with healthy control subjects. Methods: In a case-control study, plasma was collected from healthy subjects as control group ( n = 40) and patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) ( n = 40). The plasma level of IL-23 was assessed by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (Ver. 16). Results: Plasma level of IL-23 in MS patients was significantly increased compared to control subjects ( p Value < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings revealed the increased IL-23 level in patients' group. In conclusion, the inhibition of IL-23 might be a novel and promising therapeutic strategy, especially in the therapy of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. IL-23 plays a pivotal role in development of MS and might be a specific marker and therapeutic target for MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the optimal dose of bupivacaine in providing adequate surgical anaesthesia with minimal haemodynamic disturbances., Methods: Three different doses of spinal bupivacaine in combination with or without fentanyl for surgical repair of hip fracture were used. Sixty patients were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and C) to receive a spinal anaesthetic of bupivacaine 10mg, 8mg and 6mg respectively. In addition to bupivacaine, group B and C also received fentanyl 20 microg in spinal mixture., Results: Intra operative heart rate was statistically insignificant in all three groups. Statistically significant drop in systolic blood pressure was found in group A & B at different study timings while statistically significant drop in diastolic blood pressure was only found in group A. Sensory block characteristics were similar among all three groups. Motor block pattern was found marginally significant in group C with highest time to achieve desired block. All patients had satisfactory level of surgical anaesthesia., Conclusion: This study concluded that low dose, 6 mg bupivacaine with 20 microg fentanyl provide adequate anaesthesia for surgical repair of hip fracture with stable haemodynamics.