Cystoscopy is a diagnostic and invasive procedure for treatment and follow-up of genitourinary system patients and could be performed with a variety of anesthesia techniques. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine vs. fentanyl-ketamine on sedation and analgesia for cystoscopy. This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 60 patients undergoing cystoscopy in two groups. Patients were assigned randomly by block random allocation method into dexmedetomidine-ketamine group (1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine) and fentanyl-ketamine group (2 μg/kg fentanyl) receiving ketamine (0.5 mg/kg). Subsequently, mean blood pressure, heart rate, saturated oxygen, respiratory rate, pain intensity, Ramsay score for sedation level, cystoscopy duration, and urologic satisfaction were measured and compared between two groups. Both the groups were similar regarding age, sex and baseline hemodynamic parameters (P > 0.05). Lower heart rate and pain score were revealed in the dexmedetomidine-ketamine group at 25–50 and 30–60 minutes, respectively, after cystoscopy (P < 0.05). Moreover, repeated measure test showed that there was significant difference in trend of respiratory rate and pain score between two groups (P = 0.017) and was lower in dexmedetomidine-ketamine group. The dexmedetomidine-ketamine group relieves pain 30 minutes after cystoscopy with stable hemodynamic parameters during operation. Therefore, dexmedetomidine-ketamine is recommended to be employed for pain relief in subjects undergoing cystoscopy. The study was approved by Ethical Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences with IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.108 on July 2, 2018, and registered in Iranian Registry Clinical Trial center with code IRCT20141209020258N105 on April 21, 2019.

Aerobic exercise is widely accepted as a beneficial option for reducing fat in humans. Recently, it has been suggested that molecular hydrogen (H₂) augments mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, the hypothesis that inhaling H₂ could facilitate lipid metabolism during aerobic exercise was investigated in the current study by measuring the breath acetone levels, which could be used as non-invasive indicators of lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhaling H₂ on breath acetone output during submaximal exercise using a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, and cross-over experimental design. After taking a 20-minute baseline measurement, breath acetone levels were measured in ten male subjects who performed a 60% peak oxygen uptake-intensity cycling exercise for 20 minutes while inhaling either 1% H₂ or a control gas. In another experiment, six male subjects remained in a sitting position for 45 minutes while inhaling either 1% H₂ or a control gas. H₂ significantly augmented breath acetone and enhanced oxygen uptake during exercise (P < 0.01). However, it did not significantly change oxidative stress or antioxidant activity responses to exercise, nor did it significantly alter the breath acetone or oxygen uptake during prolonged resting states. These results suggest that inhaling H₂ gas promotes an exercise-induced increase in hepatic lipid metabolism. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Chubu University, Japan (approved No. 260086-2) on March 29, 2018.

Hereinafter, we evaluate argon’s neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) examining various localizations (hippocampal and cortical regions) with respect to neuronal damage and microglial activation 6, 24 and 72 hours after SAH. One hour after SAH (endovascular perforation rat model) or sham surgery, a mixture of gas containing 50% argon (argon group) or 50% nitrogen (control group) was applied for 1 hour. At 6 hours after SAH, argon reduced neuronal damage in the hippocampal regions in the argon group compared to the control group (P < 0.034). Hippocampal microglial activation did not differ between the treatment groups over time. The basal cortical regions did not show a different lesion pattern, but microglial activation was significantly reduced in the argon group 72 hours after SAH (P = 0.034 vs. control group). Whereas callosal microglial activation was significantly reduced at 24 hours in the argon-treated group (P = 0.018). Argon treatment ameliorated only early hippocampal neuronal damage after SAH. Inhibition of microglial activation was seen in some areas later on. Thus, argon may influence the microglial inflammatory response and neuronal survival after SAH; however, due to low sample sizes the interpretation of our results is limited. The study protocol was approved by the Government Agency for Animal Use and Protection (Protocol number: TVA 10416G1; initially approved by the “Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz NRW,” Recklinghausen, Germany, on April 28, 2009).

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common types of fatal poisonings worldwide. Acute exposure to high levels of CO as well as chronic exposure to low levels of CO and excessive noise can lead to high frequency hearing loss. In this study, twelve guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups: (1) exposed to noise and (2) exposed to noise plus CO. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were measured prior to the experiment and immediately, 5, 10 and 15 days post exposures. There was a significant difference between the ABR thresholds before and immediately after exposure to noise at frequencies of 4, 8, and 16 kHz and the most threshold shift was observed at 8 kHz. There was also a significant difference between the ABR thresholds before and immediately after exposure to noise and CO at frequencies of 2, 4, 8, and 16 kHz which demonstrated a temporary hearing loss after exposure to noise and CO and the major impact of CO on developing noise induced hearing loss occurred at 8 kHz. No significant difference was observed between the ABR thresholds recorded before conducting the experiments and the ones obtained 5, 10 and 15 days after simultaneous exposure to noise and CO at none of frequencies. Simultaneous exposure to noise and CO contributes to transient hearing loss in guinea pigs with the most evident temporary shift at 8 kHz. The methods were accepted in the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Science (registration No. CTRI/2016/01/017170) on January 18, 2016.

Hydrogen-rich water is conventionally prepared by direct current-electrolysis, but has been not or scarcely prepared by alternating current (AC)-electrolysis. The AC preparations from tap water for 20–30 minutes exhibit a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 1.55 mg/L, which was close to the theoretical maximum value of 1.6 mg/L. These preparations also displayed an oxidation-reduction potential of –270 mV (tap water: +576 mV) and pH of 7.7–7.8, being closer to physiological values of body fluids than general types of direct current-electrolytic hydrogen-rich water. We examined whether AC-electrolytic hydrogen-water is retained for hydrogen-abundance after boiling or for antioxidant abilities, and whether the oral administration of this water is clinically effective for diabetes and prevention against systemic DNA-oxidative injuries. 5,5-Dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide spin trapping and electron spin resonance revealed that the hydrogen-rich water generated by AC-electrolysis exhibited hydroxyl-radical-scavenging activities. Laser nanoparticle tracking method revealed that nanoparticle suspensions as abundant as 5.4 × 10⁷/mL were efficiently retained (up to 3.5 × 10⁷/mL) even after boiling for 10 minutes, being thermodynamically contrary to Henry’s law. Oral intake of hydrogen-rich water, 1500 mL per day, lasted for 8 weeks in nine people with the diabetes-related serum markers beyond the normal ranges. The subjects exhibited significant tendencies for the decreased fasting blood glucose and fructosamine, and for the increased 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol, concomitantly with significant decreases in urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine contents and its rate of generation. Hydrogen-rich water prepared by AC-electrolysis may be effective in improving diverse diabetes-related markers and systemic DNA oxidative injuries through the formation of abundant heat-resistant nanobubbles and the increased hydrogen concentrations. The study protocol was officially approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Japanese Center for Anti-Aging Medical Sciences (approval No. 01S02) on September 15, 2009.

Achieving thorough disinfection is regarded as one of the pillars in endodontics. Although calcium hydroxide (CH) is one of the routinely used intracanal medicament in endodontics; alternative approaches are gaining popularity to mitigate endodontic pathology. However, CH has to be tested for its dissociation which is a rate-limiting attribute essential for its therapeutic action. The dissociation of CH into OH^– and Ca²⁺ depends on the vehicle used to prepare the paste. This in-vitro study evaluated the use of ozonized olive oil in facilitating calcium ion release and change in pH when combined with CH. Fifty single rooted extracted human mandibular premolars were instrumented with NiTi rotary files (40/6). The teeth were divided into two groups (n = 25 per group) on the basis of vehicle: olive oil (CH + olive oil) and ozonized olive oil (CH + ozonized olive oil) groups. Both olive and ozonized olive oil vehicles allowed the diffusion of ions. However, pastes prepared with ozonized oil showed more ion diffusion, with marked calcium ion release after 15 days and alkalinity was maintained for complete period of 15 days, depicting better support for CH action. The change in calcium ion release and alkalinity were statistically significant in ozonized oil vehicle compared to olive oil vehicle. The present in-vitro study supports the use of ozonized olive oil as a vehicle to be used with CH as an intracanal medicament, considering its anti-microbial potential and sustainable release of calcium ions. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Manubhai Patel Dental College (approval No. MPDC_130/CONS-25/17) on June 4, 2018.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly occurs in old age and early stages. Its main manifestations are memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, loss of identity, abstract thinking and impairment of computing power, personality and behavior changes, etc. At present, the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease only stays on reducing the disease and delaying the development, which is also a difficult problem to overcome in clinical practice. Hydrogen sulfide, as a third gaseous signal molecule after carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide, has become very popular in recent years. It shows very promising prospects in the Alzheimer’s disease model. It can protect the nerve function and prevent the progress of the disease by affecting the amyloid precursor protein metabolism, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways. Therefore, this article summarizes the relevant basic and clinical research of hydrogen sulfide in Alzheimer’s disease, and discusses its progress and findings and mechanism characteristics.

The use of hydrogen for cancer control has made great progress in cytology and animal experiments. With the increasing number of hydrogen products on the market, larger numbers of advanced cancer patients have participated in clinical trials or received treatment at home after purchase. Our study reported a real-world survey from 82 patients with good cancer control using hydrogen products, including real world evidence from patients who received ineffective traditional treatment, patients who received traditional treatment that failed, or patients who refused traditional treatment. Two typical cases were reported herein. Subsequently, we included studies on the mechanism of hydrogen oncology. The mechanism of cancer control using hydrogen includes the inhibition of tumor cells and the activation of exhausted lymphocytes. Large-scale real world evidence has shown clinical value, and yet remains to be further developed and researched.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the respiratory disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 and is characterized by clinical manifestations ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory insufficiency and multi-organ failure. Patients with more severe symptoms may require intensive care treatments and face a high mortality risk. Also, thrombotic complications such as pulmonary embolisms and disseminated intravascular coagulation are frequent in these patients. Indeed, COVID-19 is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response resembling a cytokine storm, which is associated to endothelial dysfunction and microvascular complications. To date, no specific treatments are available for COVID-19 and its life-threatening complication. Immunomodulatory drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine and interleukin-6 inhibitors, as well as antithrombotic drugs such as heparin and low molecular weight heparin, are currently being administered with some benefit. Ozone therapy consists in the administration of a mixture of ozone and oxygen, called medical ozone, which has been used for over a century as an unconventional medicine practice for several diseases. Medical ozone rationale in COVID-19 is the possibility of contrasting endothelial dysfunction, modulating the immune response and acting as a virustatic agent. Thus, medical ozone could help to decrease lung inflammation, slow down viral growth, regulate lung circulation and oxygenation and prevent microvascular thrombosis. Ozone-therapy could be considered a feasible, cost-effective and easy to administer adjuvant therapy while waiting for the synthesis of a therapy or the development of the vaccine.