Investigation of the mixing ratio of quince seed gum, potato starch and gellan gum on the properties of the resulting film by Mixture Design.

In this study, the impact of three different biopolymers, namely, quince seed gum, potato starch and gellan gum, at levels of zero to three, on optimizing the biodegradable film was investigated. In order to prepare the mixed edible film, the textural properties of the films, water vapor permeability, water-solubility, transparency, thickness, color parameters, acid solubility and microstructure of the made films were investigated. Numerical optimization of method variables was performed based on the maximum Young's modulus and minimum solubility in water, minimum solubility in acid and minimum water vapor permeability by mixed design, using the Design-Expert software. The results showed that the increase of the quince seed gum directly affected the Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation to break, solubility in acid, and a* and b* values. However, the rise of the potato starch and gellan gum levels increased the thickness, solubility in water, water vapor permeability, transparency, L* value and Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation to break, solubility in acid and a* and b* values. The optimal conditions for the production of the biodegradable edible film were selected at the levels of 1.623 %, 1.637 % and 0 % for quince seed gum, potato starch and gellan gum, respectively. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the film had more uniformity, coherence and smoothness, as compared to other films studied. The results of this study, thus, showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the predicted and laboratory results (p < 0.05), indicating the good fit of the model designed for producing a quince seed gum/potato starch/gellan gum composite film.

Investigation of the relationship between atopy and psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between allergic and autoimmune diseases is an important issue, which has recently attracted the researchers' interest. AIM: To determine the relationship between atopy and psoriasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 102 patients referred to the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2016. The participants were assigned into two groups: experimental and control groups, including the patients suffering from psoriasis and those with no history of cutaneous or other systemic diseases, respectively. Both groups filled in the ISAAC questionnaire and had skin prick tests. In addition, the serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and blood eosinophil cell count were measured. The data were analysed using the regression test through SPSS version 16. RESULTS: According to the results of the ISAAC questionnaire, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of asthma (p = 0.04). The mean serum concentrations of IgE and eosinophil cell count were not significantly different between the experimental (153.93 IU/ml and 187.77 cells/µl, respectively) and control groups (152.19 IU/ml and 187.68 cells/µl, respectively) (p = 0.057 and p = 0.886, respectively). In addition, there was an indirect correlation between the eosinophil cell count and psoriasis severity (p = 0.032, r = -0.297). Furthermore, the comparison of the skin prick test results revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the number of positive and negative cases (p = 0.436). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that atopy was not common in the patients with psoriasis and supported the concept that atopy protects against such autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.

Effects of Minerva Orthosis on Larynx Height in Young, Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND: During speech, larynx is higher in the neck for high-pitched sounds and lower for low-pitched sounds. Patients with different problems in cervical and cervicothoracic spine use cervical orthosis to limit cervical motion. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Minerva orthosis on larynx height in young, healthy volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 18 subjects. Acoustic measurement of frequency variability has been assessed in 3 brace conditions: (1) without brace, (2) with brace, and (3) 30 minutes after wearing the brace. RESULTS: Several statistically significant differences were found in the comparison between Minerva and 30 minutes after Minerva. CONCLUSION: When planning cervical orthosis treatment, it is important to consider the reduction in larynx height that may result from bracing for those who are already at risk of developing dysphagia and dysphonia.

Comparison of bandage contact lens removal on the fourth versus seventh postoperative day after photorefractive keratectomy: A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of bandage contact lens (BCL) removal on the fourth versus seventh post-operative day following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: This study recruited eyes of patients who underwent PRK surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In Group 1 BCL was removed on the 4th postoperative day, while in Group 2, BCL was removed on the 7th postoperative day. After BCL removal, patients were asked to express their pain score and eye discomfort. At one and three months follow-up examinations, visual acuity scale was assessed. Slit-lamp examination was performed in all visits to evaluate complications. RESULTS: 260 eyes of 130 patients underwent PRK. The age and sex ratio were not significantly different between the two groups. One month after the surgery, the logMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were significantly lower in Group 2 (P value = 0.016, 0.001 respectively), however, the UDVA and CDVA were not significantly different after 3 months (P > 0.05). In Group 1, filamentary keratitis (FK) was observed in 10 (7.6%) eyes, 6 (4.61%) eyes were diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) and corneal haze was detected in 3 (2.3%) eyes. However, in Group 2, RCE was observed in 4 (2.3%) and FK was noted in 4 (3.07%) eyes. No haze was seen in Group 2. The difference in rate of complications was statistically significant (14.6% and 6.1% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, P = 0.02). Pain and eye discomfort scores were not significantly different (P > 0.05). There was no major complications including infectious keratitis in either groups. CONCLUSION: Following PRK surgery, BCL removal on the seventh postoperative day yields faster visual rehabilitation and lower rate of postoperative complications with no increase in eye pain, discomfort or infection.

Depression, poor sleep, and sexual dysfunction in migraineurs women.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a chronic disorder affecting women more than men. Sexual dysfunction is one the complaints of women with migraine, which is not regarded as it should be. The goal of this study was to determine sexual dysfunction in women with migraine, and possible effects of depression and sleep quality on their sexual function. METHODS: One hundred married migraineurs women were enrolled. All participants were asked to fill out valid and reliable Persian versions of Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire (PSQI), female sexual function index (FSFI) and beck depression inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Mean BDI, PSQI, and FSFI scores were 15.1 ± 9.1, 7.6 ± 4, and 21.6 ± 8.8 in all patients, respectively. Sexual dysfunction found in 68% and 79% were poor sleepers. Mean BDI and PSQI scores were significantly higher in women with sexual dysfunction (FSFI < 26.55). There was significant negative correlation between BDI score and FSFI (r = -0.1, P = 0.001) as well as significant positive correlation between BDI and PSQI (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BDI and age were independent predictors of FSFI score. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider sexual dysfunction in women with migraine along with depression and poor sleep in such cases.

Metastatic prostate cancer mimicking chronic subdural hematoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Cancer of the prostate is extremely common and is well known to metastasize to the pelvic lymph nodes and axial skeleton (vertebral column, pelvis, cranium, and proximal femur). However, reports of intracranial metastasis are rare and commonly discovered postmortem. Moreover, metastatic lesions mimicking subdural hematoma are extremely rare and are uncommonly reported in the literature. We found only three such cases in the literature. We present a unique case of metastatic prostate cancer presenting with headaches after head trauma with classic radiologic findings of subdural hematoma. The diagnosis may have been made sooner with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Combined effects of caffeine and malnutrition on the newborn rat's myocardium.

We hypothesized that the pathological effects on the neonatal rat heart could be aggravated by Cu deficiency due to the combined effects of caffeine exposure and malnutrition. Upon birth, pups were mixed and randomly picked; 8 pups were assigned to each dam and then divided into 4 groups. Group 1 dams received a normal diet containing 20% protein. Group 2 dams were fed 20% protein diet supplemented with caffeine (4 mg/100 g BW). Group 3 dams received 6% protein diet as a malnourished group, and group 4 dams received 6% protein diet supplemented with caffeine (4 mg/100 g BW). On postnatal day 10, dams and pups were killed. Group 2 tended to have a decrease in the Cu levels of dams' plasma and milk and in pups' plasma and heart tissue compared to those of group 1. This pattern was not observed consistently between groups 3 and 4. Transmission electron microscopy of group 2 pups' hearts revealed a degree of disruption in the mitochondria compared to normal mitochondria seen in group 1. There was no consistent change in the mitochondria of group 4 compared to group 3. The caffeine level observed in all categories of group 4 (dams' plasma and milk, pups' plasma and heart tissue) was lower than those in group 2. Although malnutrition affected body weight and heart weight, combined effects of caffeine and malnutrition on Cu content in the neonatal heart was relatively minor compared to the well nourished group. This well nourished group showed that the effects of caffeine on Cu were more consistent, resulting the changes of mitochondria.