Effect of amniotic membrane/collagen scaffolds on laryngeal cartilage repair

Abstract Objectives Laryngeal cartilage defects are a major problem that greatly impacts structural integrity and function. Cartilage repair is also a challenging issue. This study evaluated the efficacy of a collagen scaffold enveloped by amniotic membrane (AM/C) on laryngeal cartilage repair. Study Design Experimental animal study. Methods Fourteen Dutch rabbits were enrolled in the study. A 5 mm cartilage defect was created in the right and left thyroid lamina. The animals were divided into two groups randomly. Group 1 collagen scaffolds and group 2 AM/C were applied to the right side defects. Left side defects were not repaired, serving as control. Histologic evaluation was done 45 and 90 days following collagen and AM/C application with criteria of tissue and cell morphology, lacuna formation, vascularization, and inflammation. Results Significant improvement in cartilage repair was observed in the AM/C side compared to the control side in all histologic criteria after 45 days (p<.05). After 90 days, cartilage repair improved in cell morphology, lacuna formation, and inflammation significantly (p<.05). Conclusion The combination of amniotic membrane and collagen scaffolds provides a promising treatment modality for improving the repair of laryngeal cartilage defects. Level of Evidence NA

Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Association with Disability, Depression, Disease Type and Sex

The aim of the current study was to evaluate anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and factors which are associated with this symptom. Eighty totals of 180 patients with MS were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to answer the valid and reliable Persian version of the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) questionnaires. Demographic characteristics (sex and age), duration of the disease, disease course and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were recorded for all participants. Mean BDI was 17.5 ± 11.4 in patients while mean BAI was17.7 ± 12.5 in all participants, respectively. Mean BDI and BAI were not statistically different between male and female participants. Patients with higher levels of disability (higher EDSS) had significant higher BDI and BAI scores and there was significant positive correlation between EDSS and BDI and BAI scores (rho=0.42, P<0.001, rho=0.35, P<0.001). Patients with SP (Secondary progressive) type of disease had significant higher BDI and BAI score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that depression and disability level were independent predictors of anxiety in patients. Anxiety and factors which are related with this symptom should be considered in MS patients

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in β-thalassemia intermedia; a case report

Introduction: β-thalassemia intermedia reduces the body’s ability to produce adult hemoglobin and causes anemia. In contrast to β-thalassemia major, β-thalassemia intermedia patients do not require lifelong transfusion and are often independent of blood transfusion until young age. Moreover, chronic hypoxia and iron overload may cause tubular and glomerular dysfunction in patients with thalassemia. Case Presentation: We report a 21-year-old female with β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) presenting with generalized edema and proteinuria and showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) after renal biopsy. Conclusion: The possibility of occurrence of MPGN in patients with thalassemia should be considered. To our knowledge, it is the first case of thalassemia that was reported with MPGN and, more investigation is required to assess the association of thalassemia and MPGN

Effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone in obese and overweight Iranian individuals

BACKGROUND Human leptin is a peptide hormone that is released from white adipocytes. The absence of leptin or its receptor leads to uncontrolled food intake, leading to obesity. In the present work, the effects of auricular acupressure combined with low-calorie diet on the leptin hormone level were investigated. METHODS Volunteers (n=86) with body mass indices (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m² were randomised into a case (n=43) or a control (n=43) group. Participants in each group received a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. The case group was treated with auricular acupressure and the control group received a sham procedure. Plasma leptin levels, body fat mass, body weight and BMI were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS Participants who received auricular acupressure showed significant reductions in their plasma leptin levels (18.57%, p<0.01) as well as in their body fat mass (4%, p<0.05). These changes were not observed in the control group. The reduction in leptin was significantly greater in the acupressure group than the controls. CONCLUSIONS Auricular acupressure combined with a low-calorie diet significantly reduced plasma levels of leptin. However, the mechanism of this reduction is not clear