Association of brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings with the histopathologic grading of brainstem glioma

To determine association of brainstem glioma’s grading with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings

The many faces of primary cauda equina myxopapillary ependymoma: Clinicoradiological manifestations of two cases and review of the literature

Introduction: Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a benign and slow growing tumor that originates exclusively from the conus medullaris and cauda equina nervous tissue. It occurs more commonly in young patients. In addition, clinical presentations are non-specific and may mimic benign conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating this tumor. We hereby report on two young patients with long-lasting non-specific symptoms, which were clinically attributed to benign conditions. However, cauda equina tumor was revealed on MRI in both patients.Case report: Two cases of cauda equina MPE, a 19-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, with different clinical manifestations are reported. The first patient presented with paresis and paresthesia of the lower limbs, and the second patient’s complaint was chronic low-back pain and urinary incontinence. In both cases, MRI detected a tumor originated from the cauda equina, and histopathologic examination was compatible with MPE.Conclusion: Cauda equina tumors should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the young patients presented with neurologic deficits in the lower limbs, sphincter or erectile dysfunction, and even a simple low-back pain (particularly when symptoms are long-lasting and/or progressive)

Evaluation of Laboratory Factors in Patients with Covid 19 in Yazd, Maybod, and Ardakan Cities in 2020

Introduction: This new viral syndrome named as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by WHO. Some laboratory parameters change in the patients with covid-19. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating laboratory parameters in the patients with COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted in the hospitals of Shahid Sadoughi of Yazd, Imam Jafar Sadegh of Meibod and Shahid Ziaei of Ardakan between April and May 2019. The study population was patients with Covid-19 with a positive PCR test, 275 people were included in the study using the available sampling method. The checklist of this study included demographic information, hospitalization information and test values (CBC, diff, ESR, AST, ALT, Cr, Urea, LDH, PT, PTT, INR). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 17 and the significance level was considered less than 0.05. Results: A significant difference was observed between the values of WBC, Lymphocyte, Neutrophil, ESR, Urea, Creatinine, LDH, AST tests in the two groups that died and recovered. Among the patients who were hospitalized in the general departments, ICU or both, a significant difference was found between the patients who recovered and those who died (P=0.000). Significantly, more number of hospitalization days and older age were observed in deceased patients (P=0.000). Conclusion: In the present study, we came to the conclusion that in addition to increasing the level of WBC, neutrophil, urea, creatinine, LDH and AST in deceased patients, a decrease in lymphocytes was also observed and these results can be used in future crises of Covid-19

Evaluation of Geostatistical Techniques for Mapping Spatial Distribution of Soil PH, Salinity and Plant Cover Affected by Environmental Factors in Southern Iran

The study presented in this paper attempts to evaluate some interpolation techniques for mapping spatial distribution of soil pH, salinity and plant cover in Hormozgan province, Iran. The relationships among environmental factors and distribution of vegetation types were also investigated. Plot sampling was applied in the study area. Landform parameters of each plot were recorded and canopy cover percentages of each species were measured while stoniness and browsing damage were estimated. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in vegetation cover for high and low slope steepness. Also, vegetation cover was greater than other cases in the mountains with calcareous lithology. In general, there were no significant relationships among vegetation cover and soil properties such as pH, EC, and texture. Other soil properties, such as soil depth and gravel percentage were significantly affected by vegetation cover. Moreover, the geostatistical results showed that kriging and cokriging methods were better than inverse distance weighting (IDW) method for prediction of the spatial distribution of soil properties. Also, the results indicated that all the concerned soil and plant parameters were better determined by means of a cokriging method. Land elevation, which was highly correlated with studied parameters, was used as an auxiliary parameter

Evaluation of Geostatistical Techniques for Mapping Spatial Distribution of Soil PH, Salinity and Plant Cover Affected by Environmental Factors in Southern Iran

The study presented in this paper attempts to evaluate some interpolation techniques for mapping spatial distribution of soil pH, salinity and plant cover in Hormozgan province, Iran. The relationships among environmental factors and distribution of vegetation types were also investigated. Plot sampling was applied in the study area. Landform parameters of each plot were recorded and canopy cover percentages of each species were measured while stoniness and browsing damage were estimated. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in vegetation cover for high and low slope steepness. Also, vegetation cover was greater than other cases in the mountains with calcareous lithology. In general, there were no significant relationships among vegetation cover and soil properties such as pH, EC, and texture. Other soil properties, such as soil depth and gravel percentage were significantly affected by vegetation cover. Moreover, the geostatistical results showed that kriging and cokriging methods were better than inverse distance weighting (IDW) method for prediction of the spatial distribution of soil properties. Also, the results indicated that all the concerned soil and plant parameters were better determined by means of a cokriging method. Land elevation, which was highly correlated with studied parameters, was used as an auxiliary parameter

Corneal Ectasis among Wrestlers: Report of Two Cases

Report keratoconus in two patients with a long history of wrestling without any risk factor for corneal ectasia and reviewing the possible pathogenesis. To confirm suspicion of keratoconus, corneal topography was performed using scanning slit topography system and Orbscan. In two wrestlers with the complaint of visual loss in their eyes and IOP raising, corneal topography was performed and development of keratoconus (KCN) was detected. Athletes involved in sports with high strenuous exercises might need routine eye examination and also a baseline corneal topography. This may provide an earlier detection of KCN in this group of athletics

Exploring relationships between GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and endometriosis risk in an Iranian population

Introdution: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecologic disorders and shows significantly elevated prevalence in industrial regions. Additionally, a possible genetic predisposition is assumed for the disease. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes participated in the metabolism of many human disease-causing mutagens, carcinogens and environmental pollutants. A functionally significant A to G transition in GSTP1 gene causes substitution of in the codon 105 can influence the enzyme activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate association of GSTP1 polymorphism and endometriosis in women from central and southern Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, after obtaining informed consent, samples were obtained from 101 endometriosis patients and 126 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells and genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Data were compared in both groups by using Pearson chi-square and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests. Results: Results showed no significant association between GSTP1 Ile105Val Polymorphism and endometriosis susceptibility (P = 0.370). Frequencies of the AA, AG and GG genotype of GSTP1 gene polymorphism in the patients were 42.6%, 47.5% and 9.9%, while the frequencies in the controls were 49.2%, 45.2% and 5.6%, respectively. Conclusion: According to our study, GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism appears to be not associated with the risk of endometriosis in the studied population. However, additional studies, especially with larger sample size are needed to validate these findings. &nbsp

Effect of aqueous extract of Morus nigra on skin wound healing in type 1 diabetic rats

Introduction: Delay in wound healing is one of several complications of type 1 diabetes. It has been reported that the use of various herbal extracts such as Morus nigra increase the  wound healing.  Since,there are no studies on investigation of the effects of Morus nigra on wound healing in diabetics so this study was conducted to determine wound healing effects of Morus nigra in diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, the fresh fruits were blended and pressed. Then, the extract was filtered and then was passed through the filter paper then it was dried in shade. Diabetes was induced by injection of single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The circular wound (diameter 8 cm) was created on the back of each rat. The wounds were topically treated with 10 or 20 percent of concentration of the extract. Wounds in control group were treated with saline and normal group received no treatment.  Wound areas were monitored on days 1, 6 and 11; the repaired tissues were removed for histological evaluations. Result: Daily and local applications of the extract displayed significant wound healing activity through the reducing wound area and acceleration of wound contraction. Histological findings showed that various indices of tissue repairment such as  integrated epithelial,  typical granulated and regular collagen layers were mor obvious in  the treated wounds. Conclusion: Topical application of the Morus nigra extract can accelrate wound contraction and improve the histological indices inclue formation of epithelial and granulated layers and increase collagen density in the repaired tissue