Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease) — imaging manifestations of renal involvement

A 23-year-old lady presented with abdominal fullness and distension as well as large abdominal masses in physical exam. Upon ultrasonographic evaluation, two large space occupying lesions anterior to kidneys, with no clear distinction from renal tissue, as well as bilateral hydronephrosis were found. The findings were confirmed by MRI. Histopathological analysis of renal masses and lymph nodes showed proliferation of histiocytes mixed with occasional multinucleated giant cells, immunostaining of which was positive for S-100 and CD68. We present renal scintigraphy features of this rare case of renal sinus histiocytosis with massive intraabdominal lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease)

The Impact of Branding on Customers’ Attitudes toward Banking Services (The Case of Iran’s Melli Bank)

The aim of applying branding is to differentiate a product or service from others and creating a unique brand image of a certain product or service in the minds of target market. Furthermore, customers’ attitudes have been shown to influence and predict behavior. This research integrates consumer-based brand equity and the theory of planned behavior in evaluating the performance of Iran’s Melli bank in branding and measures the impact of branding on customers’ attitudes. A field survey was conducted on Iran’s Melli bank in Isfahan, the biggest national bank in Iran. Data are collected and analyzed from 314 prospective customers. Findings indicate that Iran’s Melli bank has performed unsatisfactorily in presenting a desired image to the target market. As a result, Melli bank needs to strengthen its brand loyalty by improving its quality of banking services and marketing communications. Key words: Branding; Brand equity; Attitude; Banking services; Ira

Morbidity and Mortality Following Short Course Preoperative Radiotherapy in Rectal Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and mortality in patients with operable stage II and III rectal cancers within one or two months after surgery, who has been treated pre-operatively with short course radiotherapy. Twenty-eight patients with rectal adenocarcinoma, consecutively referred to the Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital from March 2009 to March 2010, were selected for the study after staging by endorectal ultrasound and CT of abdomen, pelvis, and chest; and if they had inclusion criteria for short course schedule, they were treated with radiotherapy alone at 2500 cGy for 5 sessions, and then they were referred to the surgical service for operation one week later. They were visited there by a surgeon unaware of the research who completed a questionnaire about pre-operative, operative, and post-operative complications. Of 28 patients, 25 patients underwent either APR or LAR surgery with TME. One patient developed transient anal pain grade I and one patient had dysuria grade I; they were improved in subsequent follow-up. Short course schedule can be performed carefully in patients with staged rectal cancer without concerning about serious complications. This shorter treatment schedule is cost-effective and would be more convenient for patients due to fewer trips to the hospital and the main treatment, i.e. operating the patient, will be done with the shortest time the following diagnosis

Osteogenic/Odontogenic Bioengineering with co-Administration of Simvastatin and Hydroxyapatite on Poly Caprolactone Based Nanofibrous Scaffold

Purpose: Statin is an effective factor for promoting osteogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of simvastatin (SIM) and/or HA addition on changes in osteogenesis levels by human DPSCs transferred onto three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/Poly lactic acide (PLLA) polymeric scaffolds. Methods: For this purpose, a 3D nanofibrous composite scaffold of PCL/PLLA/HA was prepared by electrospinning method. SIM was added to scaffolds during DPSCs culturing step. Cell proliferation and osteogenic activity levels were assessed by using MTT assay and Alizarin Red assay methods. In addition, the expression of genes responsible for osteogenesis, including BMP2, Osteocalcin, DSPP and RUNX2, were determined before and 2 weeks after incorporation of SIM. Results: The MTT assay showed that PCL/PLLA/HA scaffolds seeded with DPSCs has significant (p<0.05) more proliferative effect than PCL/PLLA or DMEM cultured cells, additionally SIM administration improved this result over the PCL/PLLA/HA scaffolds without SIM treatment. SEM imaging revealed improved adhesion and probably osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs on PCL/PLLA/HA nanofibers treated with SIM, moreover the alizarin red assay ensured significant (p<0.05) higher mineralization of this group. Finally, real time PCR confirmed the positive regulation (P<0.05) of the expression of osteo/odontogenesis markers BMP2, Osteocalcin, DSPP and RUNX2 genes in PLLA-PCL-HA (0.1)-SIM group. Conclusion: As a result, addition of simvastatin with incorporation of hydroxyapatite in PCL-PLLA scaffolds might increase the expression of osteogenesis markers in the DPSCs, with a possible increase in cell differentiation and bone formation