BioMed Research International最新文献

Objective: Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive, nonpharmacological, and least expensive technique to improve sensitivity and reduce pain in patients with neuropathy. Evidence reported on the effectiveness of TENS on neuropathy was inconclusive. This study was aimed at providing recent evidence on the effectiveness of TENS for neuropathic pain, using data from randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials (CENTRAL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (Pedro), and Google Scholar from January 1, 1999, to May 5, 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies on TENS for neuropathic pain, without restrictions based on language or country. Key inclusion criteria were studies on TENS for neuropathic pain, while exclusion criteria included studies on neuropathic pain due to cancer, HIV infection, or stroke. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and assessed quality using the GRADE tool.

Results: Thirty articles met the eligibility criteria, and 25 were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, TENS slightly reduced neuropathic pain compared to placebo, but this was not clinically significant (SMD = -0.35; 95% CI: -0.90 to 0.10, p = 0.13). For patients with diabetic neuropathic pain, TENS was similar to placebo and other electrotherapies. However, it was better than placebo and other interventions for reducing neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients (SMD = -1.14; 95% CI: -2.22 to -0.06, p = 0.04).

Conclusions: TENS generally seems to provide a small reduction in neuropathic pain compared with a placebo, other electrotherapies, or other interventions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/1809879.].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2023/2942402.].

In this study, we developed and optimized an adapalene (Ada)-loaded niosomal hydrogel using the response surface methodology (RSM) and evaluated its efficacy for acne treatment. Ada-loaded niosomes (Ada-Nio) were prepared using the thin-film hydration (TFH) method, and their physicochemical characteristics, including particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE%), and morphology, were determined. After preparing the Ada-Nio hydrogel, its viscosity, pH, in vitro release behavior, and cytotoxicity were evaluated in the human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell line using the MTT assay. The Draize test was performed to evaluate skin irritation caused by the Ada-Nio hydrogel in New Zealand rabbits. The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and EE% of the optimized Ada-Nio formulation were 168.8 ± 1.5 nm, -70.6 ± 1.05 mV, 0.273 ± 0.015, and 80.3 ± 2.8%, respectively. SEM images of Ada-Nio showed spherical morphology. The viscosity and pH of the Ada-Nio hydrogel were 33,840 ± 1200 cP and 6.5 ± 0.3, respectively. The in vitro release profile showed that 73 ± 2.1% of Ada was released from the niosomal hydrogel within 24 h. Results from the cell viability and Draize tests indicated that the Ada-Nio hydrogel can be considered a safe and effective dermal agent for acne treatment. Niosomal hydrogel formulations appear to be safe, effective, and promising nanocarriers for the dermal delivery of Ada.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/4817608.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2013/524165.].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/3816258.].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/9230784.].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Cymbopogon citratus, citral, and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles derived from the extract in mitigating oxidative stress-induced liver damage in diabetes mellitus. Seventy rats were randomly split into seven groups: a control group of healthy rats received normal saline, a cosolvent group of Type 2 diabetics received olive oil, a negative control group of Type 2 diabetics, and groups of diabetic rats receiving various treatments: metformin (100 mg/kg), Cymbopogon citratus extract (30 mg/kg), citral (30 mg/kg), and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (30 mg/kg). Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats using 90 mg/kg of nicotinamide and 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin. After 6 weeks, the rats were anesthetized to extract blood samples. The serum levels of the liver function test (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase) were measured. They were then euthanized by CO₂ inhalation. Liver tissue was used to investigate histopathology, antioxidant activity, and Nrf2 gene expression. In the diabetes group, liver function tests increased, while TAC decreased and MDA increased (p < 0.05). The expression of the Nrf2 gene decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the treatment groups, the liver function tests and MDA decreased, while TAC and the expression of the Nrf2 gene increased compared to the Type 2 diabetes group (p < 0.05). The histopathological examination showed a return to normal condition. The study found that Cymbopogon citratus, specifically citral and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles, effectively mitigated oxidative stress-induced liver damage in diabetes.

Introduction: Inflammatory mechanisms mediate neuropathies in patients with endometriosis. The ENA-78 and CGRP genes are involved in pain signaling and inflammatory responses in these patients. However, the regulatory role of miRNAs targeting these genes remains unknown. This study is aimed at investigating the expression of CGRP- and ENA-78-related miRNAs in plasma and endometrial tissues in women with endometriosis and comparing it with healthy fertile women.

Materials and methods: Blood plasma, ectopic (EC), and eutopic (EU) endometrium samples from 30 patients with endometriosis and blood plasma and endometrial tissue samples from 30 healthy fertile women were collected. The Q-PCR technique was used to determine the expression levels of ENA-78 and CGRP genes and their associated microRNAs.

Results: Expression of the CGRP gene in EC and EU tissues of the endometriosis group increased compared to the control group, and the expression of miRNAs related to this gene (hsa-miR-5584-5p and hsa-miR-410-5p) in EC and EU tissues and serum of endometriosis patients decreased compared to the control group. Also, the expression of the ENA-78 gene in EC and EU tissues of the endometriosis group increased compared to the control group, and the expression of miRNAs related to this gene (hsa-miR-4748 and hsa-miR-92a-3p) in EC and EU tissues and serum of endometriosis patients decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Identification of miRNAs related to the pain and inflammation pathway may provide us with new markers for the evaluation of endometriosis. hsa-miR-5584-5p, hsa-miR-410-5p, hsa-miR-4748, and hsa-miR-92a-3p modulate neuroimmune responses in endometriosis and may serve as future diagnostic or therapeutic targets.