The antinociceptive effect of artemisinin on the inflammatorypain and role of GABAergic and opioidergic systems

Faraz Mahdian Dehkordi,Jahangir Kaboutari,Morteza Zendehdel,Moosa Javdani 대한통증학회 2019 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.32 No.3

Background: Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test. Methods: On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), nal-oxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded.Results: Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin. Conclusions: It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by GABAA receptors.

The antinociceptive effect of artemisinin on the inflammatory pain and role of GABAergic and opioidergic systems

Dehkordi, Faraz Mahdian,Kaboutari, Jahangir,Zendehdel, Morteza,Javdani, Moosa The Korean Pain Society 2019 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.32 No.3

Background: Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test. Methods: On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded. Results: Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin. Conclusions: It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors.

Evaluation of linear measurements of implant sites based on head orientation during acquisition: An ex vivo study using cone-beam computed tomography

Sabban, Hanadi,Mahdian, Mina,Dhingra, Ajay,Lurie, Alan G.,Tadinada, Aditya Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2015 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.45 No.2

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites. Materials and Methods: Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine. The scanned volumes were reconstructed. Horizontal and vertical measurements were made and were compared to measurements made after simulating the head position to corrected head angulations. Data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the mean errors in vertical measurements with a marked difference observed at the extension head position (P<0.05). Statistical analysis failed to yield any significant interaction between the mean errors in horizontal measurements at various head positions. Conclusion: Head orientation could significantly affect the vertical measurements in CBCT scans. The main head position influencing the measurements is extension.

Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella sativa) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone

Tavakkoli, Alireza,Mahdian, Vahid,Razavi, Bibi Marjan,Hosseinzadeh, Hossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.3

Objectives: Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties. Among its many active constituents, thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds, and it is the constituent to which most properties of this herb are attributed. Methods: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effects of N. sativa and/or TQ. In this review, we investigated the clinical uses of N. sativa and TQ in the prevention and the treatment of different diseases and morbidity conditions in humans. Results: Black seed and TQ are shown to possess multiple useful effects for the treatment of patients with several diseases, such as inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, as well as metabolic syndrome. Also, other advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-epileptic properties, have been documented. The side effects of this herbal medicine appear not to be serious, so it can be applied in clinical trials because of its many advantages. Conclusion: Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.

The reliability of tablet computers in depicting maxillofacial radiographic landmarks

Tadinada, Aditya,Mahdian, Mina,Sheth, Sonam,Chandhoke, Taranpreet K,Gopalakrishna, Aadarsh,Potluri, Anitha,Yadav, Sumit Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2015 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.46 No.1

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the reliability of the identification of anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs on a standard medical grade picture archiving communication system (PACS) monitor and a tablet computer (iPad 5). Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 radiographs, including 500 panoramic and 500 lateral cephalometric radiographs, were retrieved from the de-identified dataset of the archive of the Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology of the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine. Major radiographic anatomical landmarks were independently reviewed by two examiners on both displays. The examiners initially reviewed ten panoramic and ten lateral cephalometric radiographs using each imaging system, in order to verify interoperator agreement in landmark identification. The images were scored on a four-point scale reflecting the diagnostic image quality and exposure level of the images. Results: Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two displays regarding the visibility and clarity of the landmarks in either the panoramic or cephalometric radiographs. Conclusion: Tablet computers can reliably show anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs.

Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella sativa ) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone

Alireza Tavakkoli,Vahid Mahdian,Bibi Marjan Razavi,Hossein Hosseinzadeh 대한약침학회 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.3

Objectives: Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties. Among its many active constituents, thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds, and it is the constituent to which most properties of this herb are attributed. Methods: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effects of N. sativa and/or TQ. In this review, we investigated the clinical uses of N. sativa and TQ in the prevention and the treatment of different diseases and morbidity conditions in humans. Results: Black seed and TQ are shown to possess multiple useful effects for the treatment of patients with several diseases, such as inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, as well as metabolic syndrome. Also, other advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-epileptic properties, have been documented. The side effects of this herbal medicine appear not to be serious, so it can be applied in clinical trials because of its many advantages. Conclusion: Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.

The reliability of tablet computers in depicting maxillofacial radiographic landmarks

Aditya Tadinada,Mina Mahdian,Sonam Sheth,Taranpreet K Chandhoke,Aadarsh Gopalakrishna,Anitha Potluri,Sumit Yadav 대한영상치의학회 2015 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.45 No.3

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the reliability of the identification of anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs on a standard medical grade picture archiving communication system (PACS) monitor and a tablet computer (iPad 5). Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 radiographs, including 500 panoramic and 500 lateral cephalometric radiographs, were retrieved from the de-identified dataset of the archive of the Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology of the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine. Major radiographic anatomical landmarks were independently reviewed by two examiners on both displays. The examiners initially reviewed ten panoramic and ten lateral cephalometric radiographs using each imaging system, in order to verify interoperator agreement in landmark identification. The images were scored on a four-point scale reflecting the diagnostic image quality and exposure level of the images. Results: Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two displays regarding the visibility and clarity of the landmarks in either the panoramic or cephalometric radiographs. Conclusion: Tablet computers can reliably show anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs.

Evaluation of linear measurements of implant sites based on head orientation during acquisition: An ex vivo study using cone-beam computed tomography

Hanadi Sabban,Mina Mahdian,Ajay Dhingra,Alan G. Lurie,Aditya Tadinada 대한영상치의학회 2015 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.45 No.2

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites. Materials and Methods: Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine. The scanned volumes were reconstructed. Horizontal and vertical measurements were made and were compared to measurements made after simulating the head position to corrected head angulations. Data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the mean errors in vertical measurements with a marked difference observed at the extension head position (P<0.05). Statistical analysis failed to yield any significant interaction between the mean errors in horizontal measurements at various head positions. Conclusion: Head orientation could significantly affect the vertical measurements in CBCT scans. The main head position influencing the measurements is extension.

The Effect of Reading Strategies and L1 Reading Attitudes on L2 Reading Comprehension: Investigating the Intermediary Role of L2 Reading Attitudes

Mohammad Reza Anani Sarab,Hamid Mahdian Rad 아시아테플 2022 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.19 No.4

The present study investigated whether and how the selected cognitive and affective predictors namely, reading strategies, L1 reading attitudes, and L2 reading attitudes contributed to L2 reading comprehension. 145 Iranian male 10th grade senior high school students of three public schools participated in the study by completing questionnaires and taking a reading comprehension test. Pearson’s r was applied to estimate the degree of correlation among cognitive, affective and linguistic constructs. All Pearson observed values were then subjected to t-test for Pearson r to test the hypotheses concerning the significance of the population correlation in each instance of estimated correlation. Then, structural equation modelling was employed to verify the hypothesised model of relationships among the variables. The study revealed L1 reading attitude, reading strategies, and L2 reading attitude were all positively and significantly correlated with L2 reading comprehension. It further showed that L1 reading attitude and reading strategies both had positive correlations with L2 reading attitude, and that L2 reading attitude mediated the effect of both L1 reading attitude and reading strategies on L2 reading comprehension. Significant pedagogical implications drawn from the results of the study are discussed.

Multi-objective optimization of double wishbone suspension of a kinestatic vehicle model for handling and stability improvement

Mohammad Reza Bagheri,Masoud Mosayebi,Asghar Mahdian,Ahmad Keshavarzi 국제구조공학회 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.68 No.5

One of the important problems in the vehicle design is vehicle handling and stability. Effective parameters which should be considered in the vehicle handling and stability are roll angle, camber angle and scrub radius. In this paper, a planar vehicle model is considered that two right and left suspensions are double wishbone suspension system. For a better analysis of the suspension geometry, a kinestatic model of vehicle is considered which instantaneous kinematic and statics relations are analyzed simultaneously. In this model, suspension geometry is considered completely. In order to optimum design of double wishbones suspension system, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is applied. Three important parameters of suspension including roll angle, camber angle and scrub radius are taken into account as objective functions. Coordinates of suspension hard points are design variables of optimization which optimum values of them, corresponding to each optimum point, are obtained in the optimization process. Pareto solutions for three objective functions are derived. There are important optimum points in these Pareto solutions which each point represents an optimum status in the model. In other words, corresponding to any optimal point, a specific geometric position is determined for the suspension hard points. Each of the obtained points in the Pareto optimization can be selected for a special design purpose by designer to create an optimum condition in the vehicle handling and stability.