The MRI features of placental adhesion disorder – a pictorial review

Placental adhesion disorder (PAD) comprises placenta accreta, increta and percreta lesions, these are classified according to the depth of uterine invasion. Although PAD is considered a rare condition, its incidence has increased 10 fold in the last 50 years. Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality for assessment of the placenta, and in the majority of cases it is sufficient for diagnosis, however when ultrasound findings are suspicious or inconclusive, MRI is recommended as an adjunct imaging technique. Numerous MRI features of PAD have been described, including dark intra-placental bands, disorganised intra-placental vascularity and abnormal uterine bulging. This pictorial review describes and illustrates these characteristics and discusses their implications in planning delivery. In addition we present a series of ‘pitfall’ cases to aid the interpreting radiologist and discuss management of PAD. PAD is a clinical and diagnostic challenge that is encountered with increasing frequency requiring a cohesive multidisciplinary approach to its management

Monitoring and Modelling Morphological Changes in Rivers Using RS and GIS Techniques

River geomorphological investigation issues have received little attention in most countries of the world. Such processes become a pressing necessity due to climate change and anticipated events of extraordinary surges and dry seasons, which may debilitate the security of adjacent and downstream cities, particularly in locales that are exceedingly delicate and influenced by climatic changes. Al-Abbasia reach is a river that runs through the middle of the Euphrates River and is known for its numerous bends and meanders. The study of hydraulic structures such as barrages can provide important information about their influences on morphological processes in river reaches near the barrage upstream and downstream. Hydraulic analysis is made of the river behavior in u/s and d/s of hydraulic structures like barrages as a result of sediment deposition and erosion in u/s and d/s. A study, i.e., research on the impacts of the Abbassia barrage on the river system, has been conducted to address this issue using multi-temporal Landsat satellite data from 1976 to 2022 provided by the USGS. The study reach is located 5 kilometres upstream and 5 kilometres downstream of the Abbassia reach. Following the construction of the barrage, which had an impact on the sedimentation and geometry of the river, morphological variations took place in this part of the Al Abbassia reach. In this study, morphological changes throughout 49 years between 1976 and 2022 were investigated utilising remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) approaches. Additionally, four image groups from three separate decades were used to perform change detection (1990–2000, 2000–2010, and 2010–2022). In this study, a monitoring system using Landsat-3 MSS: 1985, Landsat-5 TM: 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and Landsat-8 OLI: 2010, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022 were employed to map river planform changes. The long-term comparison of this series of satellite images and historical maps for the period 1976–2022 indicates a continuation of change in the reach study with a rate of approximately 56, 33, 97, and 55% for upstream and 19%, 26%, 3%, and 45% for downstream for the width, area, deposition, and erosion, respectively. Furthermore, it is observed that there is a shift in river course within 200 m downstream of the barrage for the period of 1985–1990. The findings of this study, which monitor river morphological change at finer temporal and spatial resolutions, are crucial for promoting sustainable river management. They also aid in the investigation of river behaviour, which is necessary for providing the best management possible and overcoming the difficulties posed by this important research issue. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-03-03 Full Text: PD

Analgesic Effects of GpTx-1, PF-04856264 and CNV1014802 in a Mouse Model of NaV1.7-Mediated Pain

Loss-of-function mutations of NaV1.7 lead to congenital insensitivity to pain, a rare condition resulting in individuals who are otherwise normal except for the inability to sense pain, making pharmacological inhibition of NaV1.7 a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pain. We characterized a novel mouse model of NaV1.7-mediated pain based on intraplantar injection of the scorpion toxin OD1, which is suitable for rapid in vivo profiling of NaV1.7 inhibitors. Intraplantar injection of OD1 caused spontaneous pain behaviors, which were reversed by co-injection with NaV1.7 inhibitors and significantly reduced in NaV1.7−/− mice. To validate the use of the model for profiling NaV1.7 inhibitors, we determined the NaV selectivity and tested the efficacy of the reported NaV1.7 inhibitors GpTx-1, PF-04856264 and CNV1014802 (raxatrigine). GpTx-1 selectively inhibited NaV1.7 and was effective when co-administered with OD1, but lacked efficacy when delivered systemically. PF-04856264 state-dependently and selectively inhibited NaV1.7 and significantly reduced OD1-induced spontaneous pain when delivered locally and systemically. CNV1014802 state-dependently, but non-selectively, inhibited NaV channels and was only effective in the OD1 model when delivered systemically. Our novel model of NaV1.7-mediated pain based on intraplantar injection of OD1 is thus suitable for the rapid in vivo characterization of the analgesic efficacy of NaV1.7 inhibitors

The CD34-Related Molecule Podocalyxin Is a Potent Inducer of Microvillus Formation

BACKGROUND: Podocalyxin is a CD34-related transmembrane protein involved in hematopoietic cell homing, kidney morphogenesis, breast cancer progression, and epithelial cell polarization. Although this sialomucin has been shown to block cell adhesion, the mechanisms involved remain enigmatic. It has, however, been postulated that the adaptor proteins NHERF-1 and 2 could regulate apical targeting of Podocalyxin by linking it to the actin cytoskeleton. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, in contrast, we find that full-length Podocalyxin acts to recruit NHERF-1 to the apical domain. Moreover, we show that ectopic expression of Podocalyxin in epithelial cells leads to microvillus formation along an expanded apical domain that extends laterally to the junctional complexes. Removal of the C-terminal PDZ-binding domain of Podocalyxin abolishes NHERF-1 recruitment but, surprisingly, has no effect on the formation of microvilli. Instead, we find that the extracellular domain and transmembrane region of Podocalyxin are sufficient to direct recruitment of filamentous actin and ezrin to the plasma membrane and induce microvillus formation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest that this single molecule can modulate NHERF localization and, independently, act as a key orchestrator of apical cell morphology, thereby lending mechanistic insights into its multiple roles as a polarity regulator, tumor progression marker, and anti-adhesin

Возможности усовершенствованной методики однофотонной эмиссионной компьютерной томографии головного мозга с 99mTc-метоксиизобутилизонитрилом в определении степени злокачественности глиальных опухолей

99mTc-MIBI Brain SPECT results of 79 patients with glial brain tumors are presented in the issue. The new technique of brain SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI was discovered and its oppotunities in characterization of tumor grade is shown in his study.В статье представлена усовершенствованная с методика проведения однофотонной эмиссионной компьютерной томографии головного мозга с использованием радиофармпрепарата 99mTc-метоксиизобутилизонитрила при выявлении и определении степени злокачественности глиальных опухолей головного мозга. В результате обследования 79 пациентов с различными глиальными опухолями головного мозга показано, что применение данной методики позволяет не только определить наличие анапластической ткани опухоли, но также охарактеризовать ее по степени анапластической активности и отнести к той или иной степени злокачественности

Thickness Dependence of Mössbauer Parameters for Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ Metallic Glass Ribbons

Changes in magnetic microstructure of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ ribbons were investigated by the Mössbauer spectrometry as a function of their thickness. The latter decreases inversely with the quenching wheel velocity. Amorphicity of the samples was checked by X-ray diffraction and the Mössbauer spectrometry. Average values of hyperfine magnetic fields do not appreciably differ with the production velocity. On the other hand, notable deviations are observed in the position of a net magnetic moment. After annealing with moderate temperature, the magnetic anisotropy improves as indicated by an increase of the average value of hyperfine magnetic field. However, magnetic moments turn out of the ribbon plane and this process continues towards higher production velocity, i.e., smaller thickness of the ribbons. No appreciable deviations in the investigated Mössbauer parameters were revealed after annealing during different time intervals

Association Overweight and Obesity with Dietary Habits and Some Socio-demographic Variables Among Students in Southern Technical University

Overweight/obesity is a health problem that many young people suffer from, as a result of their unhealthy eating habits and changing their lifestyles, especially when they move to university life and makes them responsible for preparing their food meals. This study aims to find out the relationship between the dietary habits of university students and body mass index. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 randomly selected students (simple random sample) from Southern Technical University (College of Health and Medical Technology, Administrative Technical College, Technical College of Engineering, and Basrah Technical Institute). Data collection lasted for .6 months that started on November   2021 and ended on April 2022. Data were collected by direct interview with students by the researcher, using a detailed self-report questionnaire form .Use the height and weight scale to determine the body mass index .Regarding of food habits, use a questionnaire containing items related to the food habits and lifestyle that followed by the student. The results of our study showed that the lifestyle and dietary habits of Southern Technical University students, in addition to some demographic variables, had a significant effect on body mass index.&nbsp

Δ‐Myrtoxin‐Mp1a is a Helical Heterodimer from the Venom of the Jack Jumper Ant that has Antimicrobial, Membrane‐Disrupting, and Nociceptive Activities

Δ-Myrtoxin-Mp1a (Mp1a), a 49-residue heterodimeric peptide from the venom of Myrmecia pilosula, comprises a 26-mer A chain and a 23-mer B chain connected by two disulfide bonds in an antiparallel arrangement. Combination of the individual synthetic chains through aerial oxidation remarkably resulted in the self-assembly of Mp1a as a homogenous product without the need for directed disulfide-bond formation. NMR analysis revealed a well-defined, unique structure containing an antiparallel α-helix pair. Dual polarization interferometry (DPI) analysis showed strong interaction with supported lipid bilayers and insertion within the bilayers. Mp1a caused non-specific Ca2+ influx in SH-SY5Y cells with a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 4.3 μm. Mp1a also displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, with the highest potency against Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC 25 nm). Intraplantar injection (10 μm) in mice elicited spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia. Single- and two-chain mimetics of Mp1a revealed functional selectivity