Facile Synthesis of NiO/ZnO nanocomposite as an effective platform for electrochemical determination of carbamazepine.

The pharmaceutical science demand for sustainable and selective electrochemical sensors which exhibit ultrasensitive capabilities for the monitoring of different drugs. In an attempt to build a useful electrochemical sensor, we describe a most efficient method for the fabrication of NiO/ZnO nanocomposite through aqueous chemical growth method. The successfully synthesized NiO/ZnO nanocomposite is successfully employed to modify a glassy carbon electrode in order to build a sensitive and reliable electrochemical sensor for the detection of carbamazepine (CBZ), an anticonvulsant drug. The morphological texture, functionalities and crystalline structure of prepared nanocomposite were determined via FTIR, XRD, EDX, TEM, and SEM analysis. In order to examine the charge transfer kinetics, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to exploit the electrochemical properties of the synthesized nanocomposite. The NiO/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited excellent electron transfer kinetics and less resistive behavior than the individual NiO and ZnO nanoparticles. The differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry tools were used for the fluent determination of CBZ. Certain parameters were optimized to develop an effective method including optimum scan rate 60 mV/s, potential range from 0.4 to 1.4 V and BRB as supporting electrolyte with pH 3. The developed sensor showed exceptional response for CBZ under the linear dynamic range from 5 to 100 µM. The limit of detection of proposed NiO/ZnO sensor for the CBZ was calculated to be 0.08 µM. The analytical approach of prepared electrochemical sensor was investigated in different pharmaceutical formulation with acceptable percent recoveries ranging from 96.7 to 98.6%.

Ameloblastoma associated with syndromes: A systematic review.

Odontogenic lesions have been described in several syndromes. Despite multiple reports of ameloblastoma's association with various syndromes, it has not been added to the diagnostic criteria for any syndrome. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was gathering such cases' data. An electronic search in PubMed Central's database was performed. The search strategy was limited to human studies (case reports and case series), full-text English articles published from first of January 1975 until the end of 2018. Irrelevant articles or articles with inadequate information were omitted. Associated syndrome, patients' age and sex, lesions' location, radiographic features, and treatment modality were collected and analyzed. Ameloblastoma was reported in association with Gorlin syndrome (6 cases), epidermal nevus syndrome (2 cases), Gardner syndrome (2 cases), Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (1 case), and Williams syndrome (1 case). The commonest associated syndrome was Gorlin syndrome (50%) with maxillary and female predilections. Both cases of epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS) were female with mandibular involvement. In syndromes that odontogenic lesions are one of the diagnostic criteria, it is important to rule out ameloblastic changes. Although the relationship between ameloblastoma and these syndromes is not well known, any related information may be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis and the nature of this neoplasm.

Development of a DNA-liposome complex for gene delivery applications.

The association structures formed by cationic liposomes and DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)-liposome have been effectively utilized as gene carriers in transfection assays. In this research study, cationic liposomes were prepared using a modified lipid film hydration method consisting of a lyophilization step for gene delivery applications. The obtained results demonstrated that the mean particle size had no significant change while the polydispersity (PDI) increased after lyophilization. The mean particle size slightly reduced after lyophilization (520±12nm to 464±25nm) while the PDI increased after lyophilization (0.094±0.017 to 0.220±0.004). In addition. The mean particle size of vesicles increases when DNA is incorporated to the liposomes (673±27nm). According to the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, the spherical shape of liposomes confirmed their successful preservation and reconstitution from the powder. It was found that liposomal formulation has enhanced transfection considerably compared to the naked DNA as negative control. Finally, liposomal formulation in this research had a better function than Lipofectamine® 2000 as a commercialized product because the cellular activity (cellular protein) was higher in the prepared lipoplex than Lipofectamine® 2000.

Emergence of Multidrug Resistance and Metallo-beta-lactamase Producing Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Patients in Shiraz, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Metallo-beta-lactamase (MßL) enzymes production is one of the most important resistance mechanisms against carbapenems in some bacteria including Acinetobacter baumannii. AIMS: This study was aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and the prevalence of MßL among carbapenem-resistant isolates of A. baumannii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study from October 2012 to April 2013, 98 isolates were identified as A. baumannii using Microgen™ kits and confirmed by molecular method. These isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibilities by disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were further detected phenotypically by MßL minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)-test strips, and subsequently positive MßL isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Overall, 98% (96/98) of A. baumannii isolates were detected as carbapenem-resistant by MIC test. Highest sensitivity to the tested antibiotic with 42.9% (42/98) was observed to colistin. Of 96 carbapenem-resistant isolates, 43 were phenotypically positive for MßL; out of 43 isolates, 37 were confirmed for the presence of MßL genes by PCR. CONCLUSION: The frequency of drug resistance among the clinical samples of A. baumannii isolated in our study against most of the antibiotics was very high. Moreover, all MßL producing isolates were multidrug resistance. Therefore, systematic surveillance to detect MßL producing bacteria and rational prescription and use of carbapenems could be helpful to prevent the spread of carbapenem resistance.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma: report of two cases.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare tumor which affects women more than men and is more common in the mandible. The radiological examination reveals a well-defined unilocular or multilocular radiolucent lesion. This tumor may resemble a glandular odontogenic cyst, particularly in incisional biopsies. The accurate diagnosis of these lesions is imperative because the subsequent treatment of each lesion would be different. The purpose of this study is to report two cases of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma and explicate the differentiating criteria of this lesion from the glandular odontogenic cyst.

A cross-sectional study of the relationship between serum sexual hormone levels and internal derangement of temporomandibular joint.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are defined as clinical conditions that involve the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or both. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum 17ß-oestradiol and progesterone levels in menstruating women affected by internal derangement of the TMJ. A total of 142 women (mean age 30·2 ± 6·7) who referred to medical diagnostic laboratory of Iranian Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Mashhad Branch, were enrolled during 2007 and 2008. Forty-seven individuals had disc displacement with reduction (Group IIa) according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC)/TMD Axis I diagnosis. Radioimmunoassay was used for the detection of serum 17ß-oestradiol and progesterone levels in all 142 subjects. The mean progesterone level was significantly higher in control group (11·6 ± 10·4 ng mL(-1) ) compared to women with TMD (8·4 ± 6·8 ng mL(-1) , P = 0·03). No significant difference was found in two groups regarding 17ß-oestradiol level. Lower progesterone level in women with TMD can suggest the more important role of this hormone in the development of the disorder.