Recent advances in the engineering of nanosized active pharmaceutical ingredients: Promises and challenges.

The advances in the field of nanotechnology have revolutionized the field of delivery of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Nanosized formulations have been extensively investigated to achieve a rapid dissolution and therefore pharmacokinetic properties similar to those observed in solutions. The present review outlines the recent advances, promises and challenges of the engineering nanosized APIs.

Use of hydroxyprogesterone caproate to prevent preterm labour in uterine didelphys: a case report.

Congenital uterine anomalies have been associated with poor reproductive outcome, which include recurrent miscarriage, abruptio placenta, intra-uterine growth restriction and preterm delivery. Here, we report a case: 36 years old, G3P2, known case of uterine didelphys, with history of preterm birth, who successfully carried her pregnancy till term with weekly intramuscular injection of 250 mg hydroxyprogesterone caproate (®Proluton Depot, Zuellig Pharma).

Compensated Row-Column Ultrasound Imaging System Using Fisher Tippett Multilayered Conditional Random Field Model.

3-D ultrasound imaging offers unique opportunities in the field of non destructive testing that cannot be easily found in A-mode and B-mode images. To acquire a 3-D ultrasound image without a mechanically moving transducer, a 2-D array can be used. The row column technique is preferred over a fully addressed 2-D array as it requires a significantly lower number of interconnections.

Analysis of HLA-DQB1*0602 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating, autoimmune and also complex disease of the central nervous system the etiology of which is not completely defined; but both genetic and environmental factors are regarded as main factors in its susceptibility. HLA-DQB1*0602 is considered as one of the most important genetic factors in MS predisposition but contradictory results have been reported in different populations world-wide. Since there are no data with respect to the correlation of HLA-DQB1*0602 and multiple sclerosis in Khuzestan province, and because of ethnic diversity in Khuzestan province, the aim was to examine the association of this allele with multiple sclerosis in Khuzestan.

Dermatologic Manifestations in End-stage Renal Disease.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a rapidly growing global health problem within the past decades due to increased life expectancy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and vascular diseases. Since ESRD is not curable definitively, patients suffering from ESRD have a very low quality of life; therefore, symptomatic management is the cornerstone of medical treatment. Uremia affects almost all body organs, such as skin, through different mechanisms including biochemical, vascular, neurologic, immunologic, hematologic, endocrine, and electrolyte and volume balance disturbances.

A Deep-Structured Conditional Random Field Model for Object Silhouette Tracking.

In this work, we introduce a deep-structured conditional random field (DS-CRF) model for the purpose of state-based object silhouette tracking. The proposed DS-CRF model consists of a series of state layers, where each state layer spatially characterizes the object silhouette at a particular point in time. The interactions between adjacent state layers are established by inter-layer connectivity dynamically determined based on inter-frame optical flow.

Genotypic Diversity of Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated from Inpatients and Outpatients.

We investigated the prevalence of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) isolated from hospitalized patients and outpatients (OP). Out of 350 staphylococcal isolates collected from three hospitals, 190 were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). These isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests, detection of mecA, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing.

Analysis of survival data in thalassemia patients in Shiraz, Iran.

Objectives: The survival rate of thalassemia patients has not been conclusively established, and the factors associated with survival remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the survival rate of thalassemia among patients in southern Iran and to identify the factors associated with mortality from thalassemia.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted based on a retrospective review of the medical records of 911 beta-thalassemia patients in 2014.

Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Addition to University of Wisconsin Solution on the Rate of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Adult Orthotopic Liver Transplant.

Objectives: One of the main concerns in liver transplant is the prolonged ischemia time, which may lead to primary graft nonfunction or delayed function. N-acetylcysteine is known as a hepato-protective agent in different studies, which may improve human hepatocyte viability in steatotic donor livers. This study investigated whether N-acetylcysteine can decrease the rate of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and improve short-term outcome in liver transplant recipients.

Angle Kappa Measurements: Normal Values in Healthy Iranian Population Obtained With the Orbscan II.

Background: The angle kappa is important in proper centration of corneal ablation in keratorefractive surgery. Orbscan II device is widely used preoperatively in photoablation surgeries and can be used to measure the angle kappa.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the mean angle kappa and its intercepts in healthy young Iranian adults.

Multiparametric MRI prostate cancer analysis via a hybrid morphological-textural model.

Multiparametric MRI has shown considerable promise as a diagnostic tool for prostate cancer grading. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) has shown particularly strong potential for improving the delineation between cancerous and healthy tissue in the prostate gland. Current automated diagnostic methods using multiparametric MRI, however, tend to either use low-level features, which are difficult to interpret by radiologists and clinicians, or use highly subjective heuristic methods.

CuO Nano-structures Prepared in Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaves Extract Medium: Efficient Catalysts for the Aqueous Media Preparation of Dihydropyrano[3, 2-c]chromene Derivatives.

CuO nano-structures were prepared in Rosmarinus Officinalis leaves extract medium via a green bio-chemical method and were used for the one-pot synthesis of dihydropyrano [3,2-c] chromene derivatives. This procedure is very simple and the products were synthesized in high to excellent yields.

The effect of Metformin on endometrial tumor-regulatory genes and systemic metabolic parameters in polycystic ovarian syndrome--a proof-of-concept study.

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the effects of three-month Metformin therapy on the expression of tumor-regulatory genes (p53, cyclin D2 and BCL-2) in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 40 women, aged between 21 and 45 years with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria) were recruited. The participants were assessed at pre- and 3-month-post-Metformin therapy for the menstrual regularities, weight reduction, Ferriman Galway scores, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and p53, BCL-2 and cyclin D2 gene expression.

Factors associated with placenta praevia in primigravidas and its pregnancy outcome.

Aim: To examine the factors associated with placenta praevia in primigravidas and also compare the pregnancy outcomes between primigravidas and nonprimigravidas.

Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in women who underwent caesarean section for major placenta praevia in a tertiary university hospital from January 2007 till December 2013. Medical records were reviewed.

Apparent Ultra-High b-Value Diffusion-Weighted Image Reconstruction via Hidden Conditional Random Fields.

A promising, recently explored, alternative to ultra-high b-value diffusion weighted imaging (UHB-DWI) is apparent ultra-high b-value diffusion-weighted image reconstruction (AUHB-DWR), where a computational model is used to assist in the reconstruction of apparent DW images at ultra-high b -values. Firstly, we present a novel approach to AUHB-DWR that aims to improve image quality. We formulate the reconstruction of an apparent DW image as a hidden conditional random field (HCRF) in which tissue model diffusion parameters act as hidden states in this random field.

Androgenetic alopecia, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance: Is there any association? A case-control study.

Context: Although several previous studies have investigated the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the results have been inconsistent.

Aim: We attempted to assess the presence of MS and IR in patients with AGA. This may help to detect if AGA can be considered as a clue for underlying serious systemic diseases.

Pregnancy outcomes with a primary complaint of perception of reduced fetal movements.

Reduced fetal movement is a worrisome common complaint, not only for mothers but also for the attending medical personnel. The aim of this study was to analyse the pregnancy outcomes of women who presented primarily with reduced fetal movements (RFM). A retrospective study was performed based on patients' perception alone.

Spontaneous rupture of uterine varicose veins: a rare cause for obstetric shock.

Spontaneous rupture of uterine surface varicose veins is rare but may result in serious complication of pregnancy, as it is associated with high perinatal and maternal mortality. We report a 24-year-old primigravida who presented with this rare condition mimicking placenta abruption, which was successfully managed. A review of reported cases was performed.

White-to-white corneal diameter: normal values in healthy Iranian population obtained with the Orbscan II.

Aim: To determine the normative values of white-to-white corneal diameter with Orbscan II Topography System and to compare right and left eyes data in the normal young population.

Methods: A total of 1001 healthy participants aged 18-45y participated in this observational cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 616 female and 385 male subjects.

Successful external cephalic version: factors predicting vaginal birth.

Purpose: To determine the maternal and fetal outcomes of successful external cephalic version (ECV) as well as factors predicting vaginal birth.

Methods: The ECV data over a period of three years at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) between 1 September 2008 and 30 September 2010 was reviewed. Sixty-seven patients who had successful ECV were studied and reviewed for maternal, fetal, and labour outcomes.

Thyroid disorders associated with alopecia areata in egyptian patients.

Context: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of localized, non-scarring hair loss. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but the role of autoimmunity is strongly suggested. AA is commonly associated with various autoimmune disorders; the most frequent among them is autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Preventing endometrial cancer risk in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women: could metformin help?

Current data indicate that there is a significant risk of endometrial cancer (EC) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), although further research needed to clarify the exact molecular mechanisms. Endometrial hyperplasia is a premalignant condition that usually heralds EC and it shares identical risk factors with EC. Metabolic syndrome with a triad of obesity, hyperinsulinaemia and diabetes, which is commonly observed in PCOS appears to be a key mechanism in EC pathogenesis.

Two novel splice variants of SOX2OT, SOX2OT-S1, and SOX2OT-S2 are coupregulated with SOX2 and OCT4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as new regulators of stem cell pluripotency and tumorigenesis. The SOX2 gene, a master regulator of pluripotency, is embedded within the third intron of a lncRNA known as SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT). SOX2OT has been suspected to participate in regulation of SOX2 expression and/or other related processes; nevertheless, its potential involvement in tumor initiation and/or progression is unclear.

Comparison between AmniSure placental alpha microglobulin-1 rapid immunoassay and standard diagnostic methods for detection of rupture of membranes.

Objective. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of placental alpha microglobulin-1 assay and standard diagnostic methods for detecting rupture of membrane. Study Design.

Reviewing the molecular mechanisms which increase endometrial cancer (EC) risk in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): time for paradigm shift?

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the commonest gynaecological cancer in North American and European women. Even though it has been shown that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a three-fold increase in the risk of developing EC compared to women without PCOS, the precise molecular mechanisms which increase EC risk in women with PCOS remain unclear. Clinical strategies to prevent EC in PCOS are therefore not well researched and understood.