Role of MRI versus ultras

Purpose: To highlight the role of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting placental abnormalities and diseases. Patients and methods: This prospective study included fifty pregnant females with placental abnormalities (40 patients with abnormal placental location and/or implantation and 10 patients with other variable placental abnormalities). All the patients underwent US and MRI examination and detailed assessment of the placenta was performed. Operative findings, histopathology and/or follow-up were the gold standard for diagnosis in all cases. Results: The cases statistically evaluated in this study were gravid females with placenta previa at high risk of coexisting placental adhesive disorders (n = 39/50). The sensitivity and specificity of US were 68% and 78.57% respectively while those of MRI were 80% and 85.71% respectively in their ability to diagnose placental invasion. In placental hematoma cases, MRI confirmed the diagnosis due to the high sensitivity and specificity of MRI in detecting different ages of blood. In cases of molar pregnancy presence/absence of myometrial invasion was correctly detected in all cases by MRI. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is complementary to Ultrasound and it is important for the accurate diagnosis of placental abnormalities especially placenta previa and the seriously co-existing placenta accreta

Anti-inflammatory activity of Jasminum grandiflorum L. subsp. floribundum (Oleaceae) in inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis models

Our study has renewed interest in the genus Jasmine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. Aerial parts of Jasminum grandiflorum L. subsp. floribundum total methanolic extract (JTME) were tested for its therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory agent using two experimental models in rats; acetic acid (AA) induced ulcerative colitis and adjuvant induced arthritis.The administration of JTME showed anti-inflammatory activity in a dose dependent manner. JTME, 400 mg/kg was like prednisolone, 2 mg/kg p.o. (the reference drug), since it improved the tissues of the colon clinically, macro and microscopically (ulcer index), and histopathological (scoring). It reduced the intestinal expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa; IFNγ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1, and MPO. It also preserved tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells by counter-regulating claudin-5 and occludin levels additionally, it had a potent antioxidant activity. The expressions of NF-κB p65, TNF-α and caspase-3 in rats administered AA (2 mL of 4% solution, once, intrarectally) were significantly increased, where the lowest expression was scored in JTME, 400 mg/kg group. In the adjuvant induced model of rheumatoid arthritis, the TJME, 400 mg/kg reduced the levels of cathepsin D, iNOS, NO, RF, CRP, CPP and elevated the total antioxidant capacity of tissues. Additionally, it maintained bones without histopathological lesions, articular cartilage damage, and inflammation of the synovial membrane and periarticular tissues, in contrast to arthritic rats. Finally, we report a new detailed study to validate the medicinal importance of Jasminum for the chronic inflammatory disorders with immune dysfunction with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects