Our data show that cells from the growing margin of keloid scars have a higher production of collagen I and III compared with other lesional sites. Additionally, temporal extension of cell passage affects collagen production. Clinically these findings may influence selection and interpretation of extended cell passage and provide future direction for lesional site-specific therapy in keloid scars.

Background. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in Iran. Pentavalent antimonial drugs have been the first line of therapy in cutaneous leishmaniasis for many years. However, the cure rate of these agents is still not favorable. This study was carried out to compare the efficacies of intralesional glucantime with topical trichloroacetic acid 50% (TCA 50%) + glucantime and fractional carbon dioxide laser + glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. A total of 90 patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 to be treated with intralesional injection of glucantime, a combination of topical TCA 50% and glucantime, or a combination of fractional laser and glucantime. The overall clinical improvement and changes in sizes of lesions and scars were assessed and compared among three groups. Results. The mean duration of treatment was 6.1 ± 2.1 weeks in all patients (range: 2–12 weeks) and 6.8 ± 1.7, 5.2 ± 1.0, and 6.3 ± 3.0 weeks in glucantime, topical TCA plus glucantime, and fractional laser plus glucantime groups, respectively (P = 0.011). Complete improvement was observed in 10 (38.5%), 27 (90%), and 20 (87%) patients of glucantime, glucantime + TCA, and glucantime + laser groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Compared to glucantime alone, the combination of intralesional glucantime and TCA 50% or fractional CO2 laser had significantly higher and faster cure rate in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

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Research studies have shown that chronic administration of some antipsychotic drugs induces obesity in female but not in male. To explore the mechanisms involved in this effect, we administrated the dopamine antagonist sulpiride (40 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally to adult male mice during 45 days and then the glucose tolerance and serum levels of insulin, serum, and testicular testosterone and prolactin, and blood estrogen levels were evaluated. Chronic sulpiride administration did not affect body weight. However, prolactin levels and the area under the glucose and insulin curves were significantly elevated. Sulpiride significantly decreased testosterone and increased estrogen levels (p<0.05). After prolonged administration, sulpiride did not affect body weight, so this lack of effect may be related to the impairment of insulin sensitivity which prevents body weight gain and deals with other effects of sulpiride that cause adiposity promotion such as hyperprolactinemia. Future studies must evaluate other neurotransmitters involved in food intake regulation such as histamine and serotonin.

Background: Trauma and traumatic injuries are the most common causes of disabilities among the young population in developing countries. Besides morbidity and mortality, traumatic injuries can significantly decrease the quality of life and life expectancy of the victims. Objectives: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) is an acute, traumatic lesion of the spinal cord. It usually produces economic problems that can emotionally and psychologically affect the patients. This study aims to evaluate spinal column fractures and TSCI in Iran. Methods: In this study, we evaluated all of the cases diagnosed with TSCIs between 2012 and 2018. A total of 1014 patients were included in our study. Prevalence of spinal column fractures was evaluated and the percentage of each type of fractures was extracted. The need for surgery and the percentage of TSCI were also evaluated. Results: The most common cause of trauma was vehicle and road accidents (83.4%) followed by falling (12.7%). A total of 21 patients (2.1%) died due to injuries. The incidence of TSCI among patients with traumatic spinal column fractures were 62 cases (6.1%). Also, 67.7% of patients with TSCI underwent surgery. Furthermore, we found that the lumbar area received the highest incidence of TSCI (38.3% of all TSCIs) followed by thoracic spine fractures (27.4% of all TSCIs). Also thoracic and cervical spine fractures were mostly associated with mortality compared with other sites of spine fractures (47.6% and 38.1% of all mortalities, respectively). Conclusion: In our study, most cases (83.4%) were injured by road accidents which indicates the low safety of vehicles and roads in Iran. Epidemiological features of spinal column injuries and TSCI vary among different societies due to different causes. So far, this study is the first one to evaluate different spine fractures and TSCI and other associated factors in the Iranian population.The results indicate a high incidence of thoracic and lumbar fractures and a higher mortality rate in thoracic and cervical fractures.