In vitro effect of some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors against HSV-1 replication.

OBJECTIVE: The current study was designed to investigate the effects of some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) on HSV-1 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, the SwissTargetPrediction server was used to predict the interactions between HSV-1 thymidine kinase and acyclovir, stavudine, zidovudine, didanosine, and entecavir. The effect of each component on Vero cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. After treatment, the cell supernatants were collected, and HSV-1 replication was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The qPCR results revealed that viral titers were reduced 41, 40, 19, 44, and 31-fold in the presence of acyclovir, zidovudine, stavudine, didanosine, and entecavir, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that NRTIs significantly reduce HSV-1 replication in cell culture.

Gd3+-DTPA-bis (N-methylamine) - anionic linear globular Dendrimer-G1; a more efficient MRI contrast media.

By advancing of molecular imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming an increasingly important tool in early diagnosis. Researchers have found new ways to increase contrast of MRI images.Therefore some types of drug known as contrast media are produced. Contrast media improve the visibility of internal body structures in MRI images. Gadodiamide (Omniscan®) is one of these contrast media which is produced commercially and used clinically. In this study Gadodiamide was first synthesized and then qualitative and quantitative methods were carried out to ensure the proper synthesis of this drug then to increase the efficiency of this contrast medium use dendrimer that is one kind of nano particle. This dendrimer has a polyethylene glycol (PEG) core and citric acid branches. After dendrimer attached to Gadodiamide to ensure the proper efficient connection between them the stability studies were carried out and cytotoxicity of the drug was evaluated. Finally, after ensuring the non-toxicity of the drug, in vivo studies (injected into mice) MR imaging was performed to examine the impact of synthesis drug on the resolution of image.The result obtained from this study demonstrated that the attachment of Gadodiamide to dendrimer reduces its cytotoxicity and also improved resolution of image. Also the new contrast media (Gd3+-DTPA- bis [N-methylamine] - Dendrimer) - unlike Omniscan® - is biodegradable and able to enter the HEPG2 cell line. The results confirm the hypothesis that using dendrimer to synthesize this new nano contrast medium increases its effectiveness.

Safety and Efficacy of MLC601 in Iranian Patients after Stroke: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective. To investigate the safety and efficacy of MLC601 (NeuroAid) as a traditional Chinese medicine on motor recovery after ischemic stroke. Methods. This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 150 patients with a recent (less than 3 month) ischemic stroke. All patients were given either MLC601 (100 patients) or placebo (50 patients), 4 capsules 3 times a day, as an add-on to standard stroke treatment for 3 months. Results. Sex, age, elapsed time from stroke onset, and risk factors in the treatment group were not significantly different from placebo group at baseline (P > .05). Repeated measures analysis showed that Fugl-Meyer assessment was significantly higher in the treatment group during 12 weeks after stroke (P < .001). Good tolerability to treatment was shown, and adverse events were mild and transient. Conclusion. MLC601 showed better motor recovery than placebo and was safe on top of standard ischemic stroke medications especially in the severe and moderate cases.

ESR response of bulk samples of clear fused quartz (CFQ) material to high doses from 10 MeV electrons: its possible application for radiation processing and medical sterilization.

Clear fuse quartz (CFQ) could be a good candidate for dose measurements in the radiation processing of food material and in the sterilization of disposable medical and pharmaceutical products. In this study, bulk samples of CFQ materials were exposed to 10 MeV electrons at doses between 5-15 and 25-35 kGy; the dose ranges normally used for processing and sterilization. After irradiation, the samples were subjected to electron spin resonance analysis to test the intensity of their signal against the applied doses. The reproducibility of dose curve of the material to 10 MeV electrons was also studied, in which the dosed samples were annealed at 800 degrees C for 20 min and reused for further dose curve reproducibility investigation. The dose response curves of the reused samples showed a good linearity between the absorbed dose and the ESR intensity of the signals. They also indicated that the ESR intensity in the dose response curve, in both dose ranges, decreased by approximately 37% for the first reuse process and approximately 41% for the second reuse process of the samples in comparison to the first measurement. The thermal fading of the cylindrical samples of the CFQ, at room temperature, showed a sharp decay of approximately 20% over a period of 15 days, after which the decay-rate was negligible for a measured period of 60 days.