Morphological and photosynthetic acclimation of current-year needles to canopy gradients in light availability (seasonal mean integrated quantum flux density, Q(int)) was studied in the temperate conifer, Pinus sylvestris L., at two sites of contrasting nutrient availability. The nutrient-rich site supported a monospecific P. sylvestris stand on an old-field. The trees were approximately 30 yea...

Isolation and identification of some potent anti-tumor compounds from medicinal plants, has motivated researchers to screen different parts of plant species for anti-tumor effects. It has been reported that several conifer posses cytotoxic activities on some human tumor cell lines. In this study, male and female branchlets or fruit of four different species of Iranian conifers (Juniperus Sabina...

Background. A prominent nasolabial fold (NLF) is a cosmetic problem. Currently, numerous therapeutic modalities are available for pronounced NLFs with variable efficacy. Objective. To determine the efficacy and safety of subcision using a hypodermic needle for the correction of the prominent NLFs and its effect on skin elasticity. Methods. Sixteen patients with prominent NLFs underwent subcisio...

OBJECTIVES To preclinically evaluate drug-eluting biopsy needles (patent pending WO2016118026) as a new potential way of antimicrobial prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy. METHODS Twenty steel biopsy needles have been coated with polyvinyl alcohol, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Modified biopsy needles have been randomly divided into 3 groups (1:2:1 ratio). Needles from group I were imm...

BACKGROUND The masking properties of a new, non-penetrating, double-blind placebo acupuncture needle were demonstrated. Practitioners correctly identified some of the needles; if they were confident in this opinion, they would be unblinded. OBJECTIVE To investigate the clues that led to correct identification, and the confidence in this decision. METHODS Ten acupuncture practitioners, blind...

OBJECTIVES To introduce atraumatic (Sprotte) lumbar puncture needles and compare complication rates with traumatic (Quincke) needles. DESIGN Complication rates associated with traumatic needle use were retrospectively analysed over a four-week period. Atraumatic needles were then implemented and a prospective analysis of the complication rates was undertaken for a further six weeks. SETTING...

BACKGROUND Percutaneous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are commonly used in the treatment of spinal pain. The success of these procedures depends on the accuracy of needle placement, which is influenced by needle size and shape. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to examine and quantify the deviation of commonly used spinal needles based on needle tip design and gauge, using a bal...

Pollution often causes visible symptoms of foliar injury. The injury is sometimes associated with an increase in the accessibility of toxic elements to plants as a result of acidification of the soil. We investigated the distribution of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, S, Fe, B, Cu, Zn, Al, F, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Co) in healthy current-year needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing at an...

We present a case of a 50-year-old female with a 2-day history of back and abdominal pain who was discovered to have innumerable chronically retained acupuncture needles, which had migrated throughout her abdomen and pelvis. Although many of these needles were in precarious positions, including the epidural space, renal parenchyma, small bowel, and vasculature, there was no evidence for acute i...