Application of magnetic AlFu MOF nanocomposite for the extraction and preconcentration of some pesticides from different distillates.

This research used a magnetic AlFu nano-metal-organic framework as an adsorbent for the first time. This approach extracts and preconcentrates eight pesticides from various distillates through a two-step process: magnetic dispersive micro solid phase extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Initially, the nanocomposite is dispersed into a sample solution containing the pesticides and NaSO.

An insight into the potentials of carbon dots for in vitro live-cell imaging: recent progress, challenges, and prospects.

Carbon dots (CDs) are a strong alternative to conventional fluorescent probes for cell imaging due to their brightness, photostability, tunable fluorescence emission, low toxicity, inexpensive preparation, and chemical diversity. Improving the targeting efficiency by modulation of the surface functional groups and understanding the mechanisms of targeted imaging are the most challenging issues in cell imaging by CDs. Firstly, we briefly discuss important features of fluorescent CDs for live-cell imaging application in this review.

Carbon dots with pH-responsive fluorescence: a review on synthesis and cell biological applications.

This review summarizes state of the art synthesis and applications of carbon dots (CDs) with pH-responsive fluorescence. Following an introduction, the first section covers methods for the preparation of pH-responsive CDs, with subsections on general methods for preparing CDs (by hydrothermal, solvothermal, electrochemical, microwave, laser ablation, pyrolysis or chemical oxidation polymerization methods), and on precursors for synthesis. This is followed by a section on the mechanisms of pH-responsivity (by creating new functional groups, change of energy levels, protonation and deprotonation, aggregation, or by introduction shells).

On-chip analysis of carbon dots effect on yeast replicative lifespan.

Carbon dots (CDs) are promising nanomaterials for biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery due to their large surface area, excellent optical properties, and thermal and chemical stability. However, biosafety of CDs is still understudied, and there is not a generally accepted standard to evaluate the toxicity of CDs. We present a gradient network generator microfluidic device for dose-dependent testing of toxicity of CDs to a unicellular eukaryotic model organism, yeast Pichia pastoris.

Quality of life in mild and severe alopecia areata patients.

Background: Alopecia areata is a relapsing hair disorder characterized by a sudden hairloss and has a considerable impact on patient's quality of life. The goal of this study was to determine quality of life among patients with mild and severe forms of alopecia areata and compare the two groups.

Methods: During one year, 176 patients (96 mild, 80 severe) were selected and asked to complete Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaires.

New Insight into the Concept of Carbonization Degree in Synthesis of Carbon Dots to Achieve Facile Smartphone Based Sensing Platform.

Direct pyrolysis of citric acid (CA) has been proved to be a facile bottom-up technique for making pristine carbon dots (CD) with homogenous size distribution. However, limited reports are available on systematic optimization of carbonization degree. In this investigation, pyrolysis temperatures between 160 °C and 220 °C were studied, based on CA thermal decomposition path, using various heating durations.

Evaluation of prolactin levels in patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris and its correlation with pemphigus disease area index.

Background: Prolactin is a hormone; in addition to it known roles, it has immunomodulatory effects on lymphocytes maturation and immunoglobulins production. Hyperprolactinemia has been demonstrated in various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, and Graves' disease. In view of the prolactin immunomodulatory roles, studying prolactin levels in pemphigus as an autoimmune blistering disease may introduce new ways of understanding disease etiology and developing treatment strategies.

Treatment of erosive oral lichen planus with methotrexate.

Background And Objectives: Erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa causing significant pain and impairment of the quality of life. No immediate and definitive cure is available, especially in its chronic and most recalcitrant forms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of methotrexate treatment in EOLP.

Dermoscopic Changes of Melanocytic Nevi after Psoralen-Ultraviolet A and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Phototherapy.

Background: Phototherapy may alter the morphologic features of melanocytic nevi. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive method for evaluation of skin lesions, specifically melanocytic nevi.

Aims And Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) and psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy on the dermoscopic features of nevi.

The efficacy of methotrexate plus pioglitazone vs. methotrexate alone in the management of patients with plaque-type psoriasis: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Recently, thiazolidinediones have shown to be efficacious with a favorable safety profile when used in the treatment of chronic plaque-type psoriasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of a combination of methotrexate plus pioglitazone and methotrexate alone in plaque-type psoriasis. A total of 44 adult patients with plaque-type psoriasis were included in the study.

Genital warts in 250 Iranian patients and their high- risk sexual behaviors.

Background And Objective: Genital wart is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Sexual risk factors and sexual behavior pattern may be different in various countries. In this study, we tried to evaluate demographic information and some sexual behaviors and risk factors in Iranian patients with genital warts.

Bullous pemphigoid in Iranian patients: a descriptive study on 122 cases.

Bullous pemphigoid is an immunobullous disease with high mortality and morbidity. Different aspects and characteristics in the patients vary in different areas in the world. Our objective was to study clinical and demographic characteristics of bullous pemphigoid in Iranian patients.

Evaluation of the effect of disease duration in generalized vitiligo on its clinical response to narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

Background/purpose: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) has been accepted as an effective therapy for generalized vitiligo. On the other hand, different factors seem to contribute to a good response. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of disease duration on its clinical response to NB-UVB phototherapy.

Pemphigus and pregnancy: a 23-year experience.

Background: Studies on the interaction of pemphigus and pregnancy are limited to case reports and small case series. Pregnancy is not rare in Iranian pemphigus patients due to lower age at onset of the disease.

Aim: We sought to investigate the outcome of pregnancy and the course of pemphigus in pemphigus patients in a retrospective study.

Werner syndrome in an Iranian family.

A 49-year-old man was first seen in our department for the evaluation of scleroderma-like skin changes and a nonhealing ulcer on his leg from years before referral. His medical history was of long duration. His growth was stunted at the age of 12.

Pemphigus vulgaris and herpesviruses: is there any relationship?

Background: Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder, which results from interaction of exogenous and endogenous factors. One of these environmental factors is viral infections particularly, herpesviruses. We aimed to detect the presence of HSV 1 and 2 (herpes simplex virus) and HHV8 (human herpesvirus 8) in our patients who were suffering from pemphigus vulgaris.

Bilateral retro-auricular milia en plaque: a case report and review of the literature.

Milia en plaque, a rare inflammatory plaque type of milia is generally located in the periauricular area. Bilateral retroauricular milia en plaque is very rarely reported. Here, we report another case of bilateral retroauricular milia en plaque and review the previous cases.

A comparison of three times vs. five times weekly narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is an effective treatment for psoriasis.

Objectives: To compare the effects of three and five times weekly NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Methods: Sixty-five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were allocated to receive three or five times weekly NB-UVB, starting at low dose.

Role of thiopurine methyltransferase activity in the safety and efficacy of azathioprine in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity and the safety and efficacy of azathioprine sodium in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Referral university hospital for autoimmune blistering diseases.