Journal of Advanced Medical Sciences and Applied Technologies
Volume:4 Issue: 1, Mar 2018

Techniques to fabricate nanostructured materials are in constant development. These techniques initiated with physical and chemical approaches and now are developed to biosynthesis and green synthesis techniques. Nowadays, bioactive compounds from microbial cells and plant extracts are hugely tested and employed for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Similar to microbial cells that can produce intracellular nanostructures, some plants can synthesize and maintain nanostructures in their tissue. The evidence of these finding is the phytomining technology. Now it is known that various parameters such as soil pH, geographical area, and ionic precursor can influence the process of in situ fabrication of nanoparticles. Plant metabolites such as terpenoids, polyphenols, reducing sugars, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and proteins play a major role in the reduction of metal ions as well as stabilization of the produced nanoparticles. These in situ synthesized nanoparticles can be extracted and purified via ashing techniques.

The male infertility is on the increase worldwide; therefore, it is attracting more attention in several studies in order to improve its treatment management. The current study aimed at contributing to set up epidemiological and biological data and draw a general profile of male infertility in Côte d’Ivoire. The current prospective and descriptive study was conducted on 401 males` sperm obtained through masturbation after three days of abstinence. The analysis of the information in the cards accompanying the samples and the spermogram and spermocytogram analyses were used to collect the related data. The average age of the males in the study was 39.97 years and the average duration of infertility was 6.66 years; 35.16% of the subjects were in the private sector and mostly composed of traders. Primary infertility was the leading cause of consultation in 55.61% of the cases. A significant relationship (P=0.03) between stress and azoospermia was highlighted, showing that males with stress were twice as likely to develop azoospermia (Odds Ratio=2.24). Results of the current study showed that in the vast majority, semen had several abnormalities with a high rate of associated abnormalities, 37.41%. However, among the isolated abnormalities, asthenozoospermia was the most prominent abnormality with a rate of 20.70%. This study shows that the sperms evaluated have many abnormalities, the most important of which is asthenozoospermia.

Saliva and semen stains may be found at crime scene (suicide, homicide, kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, poisoning, etc.). Through, which DNA can be isolated and individual can be identified. DNA can be of great importance in forensic science investigation to identify individuals. Currently, there are enormous methods to isolate DNA from biological fluids. The current study employed nanoparticle–biomolecule conjugate method to isolate DNA. A nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugate is a magnetic nanoparticle with biomolecules attached to its surface. Saliva and semen were collected using cotton swabs from different surfaces (tile, steel, aluminum, glass, iron, wood, etc.) on which saliva and semen were poured and allowed to dry earlier as to create simulated crime scene. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) act as solid phase support to isolate DNA from saliva and semen stains. In the current study, cells and spermatozoa were extracted from saliva and semen swabs, respectively. Cell lysis was performed to extract epithelial cells from saliva and spermatozoa from semen and magnetic nanoparticles and biomolecule conjugate were added to the lysed cells to bind to DNA. Application of external magnetic field helped to settle down nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugate and thus separate DNA from other cell components. Spectrophotometer Nanodrop technology was employed to perform the readings, which confirmed the presence of DNA at 260/280 ratio and quality of DNA was compared with the DNA isolated using the two different methods. The current study aimed at developing all new methods to isolate DNA from dried saliva and semen samples using magnetic nanoparticles by reviewing the methods developed earlier to isolate DNA from blood and tissue using magnetic nanoparticles. With modifications in the method and chemical preparation, a new method was successfully developed. DNA was isolated successfully; and confirmation was made by analyzing DNA through Nanodrop spectrophotometer.

Dysregulated neuronal activity in Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical (CSTC) networks is primarily described as the pathophysiology of Tourette Syndrome (TS). New neuromodulation techniques including noninvasive transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) are increasingly considered among potential therapeutic options for TS. To test the therapy protocol with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) a 31 year-old male patient with TS was selected to be administered for 10 sessions over five days of bilateral cathodal tDCS (30 minutes, 2 mA) on C3 and FC5, while the anode electrodes were placed on FP2. Tic severity and frequency were subjectively reported by the subject following the treatment on weekly basis and treatment response was objectively assessed by two experts. The patient noted that he was able to control his unwanted movement after over one year follow-up. The current study results together with earlier reports support the therapeutic effects of cathodal tDCS on tics in patients with TS. Randomized sham-controlled studies are required to shed more light on such therapeutic impact and the optimized protocols.

To report an Iranian woman with a variety of retinal vascular manifestations secondary to Neurofibromatosis -1. A 49 years old woman known case of Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1) presented with decreased vision in her right eye. We found peculiar retinal and choroidal findings. Mild vascular tortuosity and few hard exudates were the prominent finding in right eye fundus examination; however, left eye showed inferior hemi retinal artery macro aneurysm. Fluorescein angiography, revealed multiple bright choroidal nodules in both eyes. Left eye findings were in favor of branch retinal artery occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion. As vascular and microvascular manifestations of NF-1 are being reported recently, further investigational studies for retinal vascular associations in NF-1 patients appears reasonable. Complete ophthalmic examinations in each NF-1 patient seems essential to prevent potential threatening complications of vascular events in these patients.