A Way to Increase the Sensitivity and Specificity of the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales.

Objective: The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS-14) have been acknowledged as gold standards in evaluating the severity of depression and anxiety. The specificity and sensitivity of these scales in predicting somatic complaints of depression and anxiety are issues in both clinical and research areas. The present study proposes a new model to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of HDRS-17 and HARS-14 for predicting symptoms of insomnia, inappetence, and loss of libido in psychiatric patients.

Evaluation of Liposomal and Microbubbles Mediated Delivery of Doxorubicin in Two-Dimensional (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) Models for Breast Cancer.

Objective: Liposomal cancer treatment strategies are useful in removing the side effects that were the main concern in recent years. In this study, we prepared microbubble (MBs) conjugated with DOX-loaded liposomes (DOX-loaded MBs) and investigated their effectiveness in breast cancer cells in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D).

Materials And Methods: With this aim, breast cancer cells with different features (4T1, MDA-MB231, MCF-7) were growth in 2D and 3D dimensions.

Phase behavior of DSPC/PEGSt mixtures at higher emulsifier contents.

Phase behaviors of 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and polyoxyethylene(40)stearate (PEGSt) were investigated with Langmuir monolayer isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging at DSPC/PEGSt molar ratios ranging from 9:1 to 5:5. Two plateaus were found in the Langmuir isotherms which were relatively shorter for the 9:1 mixture and extended significantly by increasing the PEGSt content, indicating that the PEGSt squeezed out whereas more emulsifier retained in the monolayer at higher PEGSt contents. A strong hysteresis was observed when the mixed monolayers were subjected to compression-expansion cycles.

Lack of Association between Pulse Steroid Therapy and Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of this study was to determine the possible factors affecting BMD in patients with MS. We included consecutive 155 patients with MS and 90 age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Effect of the systemic use of methotrexate on the oxidative stress and paraoxonase enzyme in psoriasis patients.

Previous studies have indicated that oxidative stress contributes in the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) treatment. The present study aims to investigate the systemic MTX treatments impact on the total oxidant and antioxidant status of the patients with psoriasis. A total of 26 psoriasis patients were included in the study.

Myocardial ischemic memory imaging with molecular echocardiography.

Background: Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome in patients presenting with chest discomfort is a challenge. Because acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion is associated with endothelial upregulation of leukocyte adhesion molecules, which persist even after ischemia has resolved, we hypothesized that microbubbles designed to adhere to endothelial selectins would permit echocardiographic identification of recently ischemic myocardium.

Methods And Results: Lipid microbubbles (diameter, 3.