A Comprehensive Analysis of the Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis and Chemoprevention of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). It is described as a scarring disease of the oral mucosa associated with excess oxidants and insufficient antioxidants. While it is becoming increasingly accepted that oxidative stress results in excessive accumulation of collagen and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues, there is limited data regarding the moderation of oxidative stress to initiate or prevent OSMF. To assess the scope for mechanism-based approaches to prevent or reverse OSMF, we systematically evaluated the existing literature and investigated the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and chemoprevention of OSMF. A search for relevant articles on PubMed and Scopus was undertaken using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 78 articles were selected in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The articles eligible for assessment investigated both OSMF and/or oxidative stress biomarkers or specific antioxidants. Both in vitro and human studies consistently demonstrated variations in oxidative stress biomarker levels in OSMF and revealed an increase in oxidative stress, paralleling the development of the disease. Furthermore, the use of antioxidant supplements was overall associated with an improvement in clinical outcomes. Having identified the significance of oxidative stress in OSMF and the therapeutic potential of antioxidant supplements, this scoping review highlights the need for further well-designed studies in the development of mechanism-based interventions for managing OSMF.

Magnetic metal organic framework for pre-concentration of ampicillin from cow milk samples / 药物分析学报

The aim of this study is a present of a simple solvothermal synthesis approach to preparation of Cu-based magnetic metal organic framework (MMOF) and subsequently its application as sorbent for ultrasound assisted magnetic solid phase extraction (UAMSPE) of ampicillin (AMP) from cow milk samples prior to high performance liquid chromatography-Ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) determination. Characteristics of pre-pared MMOF were fully investigated by different techniques which showed the exclusive properties of proposed sorbent in terms of proper functionality, desirable magnetic property and also high specific surface area. Different influential factors on extraction recovery including sorbent dosage, ultrasonic time, washing solvent volume and eluent solvent volume were assessed using central composite design (CCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) as an operative and powerful optimization tool. This is the first report for determination of AMP using MMOF. The proposed method addressed some drawbacks of other methods and sorbents for determination of AMP. The presented method decreases the extraction time (4 min) and also enhances adsorption capacity (250 mg/g). Moreover, the magnetic property of presented sorbent (15 emu/g) accelerates the extraction process which does not need filtration, centrifuge and precipitation procedures. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method is applicable for linear range of 1.0-5000.0μg/L with detection limit of 0.29μg/L, satisfactory recoveries (≥95.0％) and acceptable repeatability (RSD less than 4.0％). The present study indicates highly promising perspectives of MMOF for highly effective analysis of AMP in complicated matrices.

Comparison of exogenous melatonin versus placebo on sleep efficiency in emergency medicine residents working night shifts: A randomized trial / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation resulting from night shifts, is a major cause of burnout among physicians. Exogenous melatonin may improve sleep quality in night-shift workers. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of melatonin versus placebo on sleep efficiency in emergency medicine (EM) residents. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, replicated crossover trial was performed on EM residents. This study consisted of 4 phases within a month with intervention periods of 2 nights and washouts of 6 days. In our study, EM residents had nine-hour shifts on 6 consecutive days, 2 mornings, 2 evenings and 2 nights and then 2 days off. At the end of shifts' cycle, 24 EM residents were given 3 mg melatonin or placebo (12 in each arm of the study) for 2 consecutive nights after the second night shift with crossover to the other arm after a six-day off drug. This crossover intervention was repeated for two more another time. Finally, we created 48 cases and comparisons in each arm. Different items related to sleep quality were assessed and compared both within the same group and between the two groups. RESULTS: In the melatonin group, daytime sleepiness (calculated by Karolinska Sleep Scale) had a significant reduction after taking the second dose of drug (P=0.003) but the same result was not observed when comparing the 2 groups. Mood status (calculated by Profile of Mood States) showed no remarkable difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Melatonin might have a limited benefit on sleep quality in EM residents working night shifts.

A Stability Indicating HPLC Method for the Determination of Fluvoxamine in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms.

Fluvoxamine maleate is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is used for the treatment of different types of depressive disorders. In the present study, a stability indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of fluvoxamine maleate. The chromatographic separation was carried out using a Nova-Pak CN column and a mixture of K2HPO4 50 mM (pH 7.0) and acetonitrile (60: 40, v/v) as the mobile phase. Target compounds were detected using a UV detector set at 235 nm. The developed method was linear over the concentration range of 1-80 µg/ml with acceptable precision (CV values < 2.0%) and accuracy (error values < 1.6%). The degradation studies showed that fluvoxamine maleate is relatively unstable under acidic, basic and oxidative conditions and also when exposed to UV radiation. On the other hand, the bulk powder of fluvoxamine maleate was relatively stable when exposed to visible light or heat. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of active ingredient of fluvoxamine dosage form without any interference from tablet excipients.

Allelic variant in the anti-Müllerian hormone gene leads to autosomal and temperature-dependent sex reversal in a selected Nile tilapia line.

Owing to the demand for sustainable sex-control protocols in aquaculture, research in tilapia sex determination is gaining momentum. The mutual influence of environmental and genetic factors hampers disentangling the complex sex determination mechanism in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Previous linkage analyses have demonstrated quantitative trait loci for the phenotypic sex on linkage groups 1, 3, and 23. Quantitative trait loci for temperature-dependent sex reversal similarly reside on linkage group 23. The anti-Müllerian hormone gene (amh), located in this genomic region, is important for sexual fate in higher vertebrates, and shows sexually dimorphic expression in Nile tilapia. Therefore this study aimed at detecting allelic variants and marker-sex associations in the amh gene. Sequencing identified six allelic variants. A significant effect on the phenotypic sex for SNP ss831884014 (p<0.0017) was found by stepwise logistic regression. The remaining variants were not significantly associated. Functional annotation of SNP ss831884014 revealed a non-synonymous amino acid substitution in the amh protein. Consequently, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based genotyping assay was developed and validated with a representative sample of fish. A logistic linear model confirmed a highly significant effect of the treatment and genotype on the phenotypic sex, but not for the interaction term (treatment: p<0.0001; genotype: p<0.0025). An additive genetic model proved a linear allele substitution effect of 12% in individuals from controls and groups treated at high temperature, respectively. Moreover, the effect of the genotype on the male proportion was significantly higher in groups treated at high temperature, giving 31% more males on average of the three genotypes. In addition, the groups treated at high temperature showed a positive dominance deviation (+11.4% males). In summary, marker-assisted selection for amh variant ss831884014 seems to be highly beneficial to increase the male proportion in Nile tilapia, especially when applying temperature-induced sex reversal.

Histopathological and molecular study of Neospora caninum infection in bovine aborted fetuses

To estimate the extent to which abortion in dairy cows was associated with of Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and to determine the risk factors of neosporosis in dairy farms from 9 provinces in Iran. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used to detect Neospora infection in the brain of 395 bovine aborted fetuses from 9 provinces of Iran. In addition, the brains of aborted fetuses were taken for histopathological examination. To identify the risk factors associated with neosporosis, data analysis was performed by SAS. Results: N. caninum was detected in 179 (45%) out of 395 fetal brain samples of bovine aborted fetuses using PCR. Among the PCR-positive brain samples, only 56 samples were suited for histopathological examination. The characteristic lesions of Neospora infection including non-suppurative encephalitis were found in 16 (28%) of PCR-positive samples. The risk factors including season, parity of dam, history of bovine virus diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis infection in herd, cow’s milk production, herd size and fetal appearance did not show association with the infection. This study showed that Neospora caused abortion was significantly more in the second trimester of pregnancy than other periods. In addition, a significant association was observed between Neospora infection and stillbirth. Conclusions: The results showed N. caninum infection was detected in high percentage of aborted fetuses. In addition, at least one fourth of abortions caused by Neospora infection. These results indicate increasing number of abortions associated with the protozoa more than reported before in Iran.