The role of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in inflammatory arthritis: A therapeutic strategy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as a persistent inflammatory autoimmune disorder leading to the subsequent erosion of articular cartilage and bone tissue originating from the synovium. The fundamental objective of therapeutic interventions in RA has been the suppression of inflammation. Nevertheless, conventional medicines that lack target specificity may exhibit unpredictable effects on cell metabolism. In recent times, there has been evidence suggesting that specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which are lipid metabolites, have a role in facilitating the resolution of inflammation and the reestablishment of tissue homeostasis. SPMs are synthesized by immune cells through the enzymatic conversion of omega-3 fatty acids. In the context of RA, there is a possibility of dysregulation in the production of these SPMs. In this review, we delve into the present comprehension of the endogenous functions of SPMs in RA as lipids that exhibit pro-resolutive, protective, and immunoresolvent properties.

High-performance NiO@Fe3O4 magnetic core-shell nanocomposite for catalytic ozonation degradation of pharmaceutical pollution.

Pharmaceuticals that are present in superficial waters and wastewater are becoming an ecological concern. Therefore, it is necessary to provide high-performance methods to limit the harmful ecological effects of these materials to achieve a sustainable environment. In this research, NiO@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was prepared by the co-precipitation method and utilized in the catalytic ozonation process for the degradation of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-piperazin-1-yl-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (ciprofloxacin antibiotic), for the first time. The influencing parameters in the degradation process were analyzed and optimized via response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal ciprofloxacin removal efficiency (100%) was found at pH = 6.5, using 7.5 mg of the NiO@Fe3O4 nanocatalyst and 0.2 g L-1 h-1 ozone (O3) flow, applied over 20 min. Results showed a significant synergistic effect in the analyzed system, which makes the proposed catalytic ozonation process more efficient than using the catalyst and ozone separately. Also, based on the kinetic analysis data, the catalytic ozonation process followed the pseudo-first-order model. In addition, the nanocatalyst showed high recyclability and stability (88.37%) after five consecutive catalytic ozonation process cycles. In conclusion, the NiO@Fe3O4 nanocatalyst/O3 system can be effectively used for the treatment of pharmaceutical contaminants.

Predictors of COVID-19 Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients, Hamadan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Identification of the predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related death in hemodialysis patients plays a key role in the management of these patients. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the predictors of death among COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients in Hamadan province, Iran. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 50 COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients who were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and referred to hemodialysis wards of hospitals located in Hamadan province, Iran, from March 2019 and January 2020. In order to compare the demographic characteristics and clinical variables between survived and deceased patients, the independent student t test and chi-square test were applied. RESULTS: Out of 50 confirmed COVID-19 hemodialysis patients, 27 (54%) cases were male, 38 (76%) subjects were urban residents, and 4 (8%) individuals were smokers. A significant relationship was observed between patients' gender, age, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) status, and body mass index (BMI) with the treatment outcome (P < 0.05). A significantly higher level of serum albumin was observed in the survived patients (3.49 ±â€…0.37 vs. 3.17 ±â€…0.42, P =  0.030). Moreover, in terms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, a significantly higher level of LDH was observed in the patients who died (1471.1 ±â€…1484.89 vs. 670.86 ±â€…268.85, P =  0.005). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that some demographic characteristics of the patients, including age, gender, ARDS status, BMI, co-morbidities, and laboratory signs and symptoms are associated with disease outcomes in COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients. Therefore, awareness about the predictors of death in these patients can help make better and direct clinical decisions and inform health officials about the risk of COVID-19 mortality among hemodialysis patients.

Effect of a chitosan-based nanocomposite containing ZnO and Zataria multiflora essential oil on quality properties of Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) fillet.

This research aimed to estimate the effects of chitosan (CH) coating in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPS) and Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) on the bacterial and biochemical properties of the Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) fillets during refrigeration storage (4 ± 1 °C). The fillets were randomly divided into five treatments (CH, CH-ZnONPS, CH-ZEO, CH-ZnONPs-ZEO, and control). Then, the treated fillets were kept at 4 °C and quality analysis was performed on days 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16. The results revealed that the combination of ZnONPs and ZEO with CH coating is an active coating with antimicrobial effects. Also, the coated fillets improved the biochemical properties (such as FFA, TBA, TVBN, pH) as well as color properties during refrigeration storage. The highest rate of FFA (3.59 ± 0.08%oleic acid), TBA (1.43 ± 0.00 mg MDA/kg), TVBN (30.82 ± 0.30 mg/N100g), and pH (7.38 ± 0.03) was recorded in control fillets while the lowest rate of FFA (2.19 ± 0.00%oleic acid), TBA (0.61 ± 0.00 mg MDA/kg), TVBN (19.60 ± 0.20 mg/N100g), and pH (6.99 ± 0.04) was recorded in CH-ZnONPs-ZEO coated fillets (p < 0.05) on day 16. The sensory acceptance score was better than that of the control treatment on days 8 and 12 in Sea bass fillet coated with CH-ZnONPs, and CH-ZnONPS/CH-ZEO, respectively, and it was lower the critical score for fishery products. The combination of nanoparticles or essential oils (individually or in combination together) with edible coatings (chitosan) could increase and optimize the storage time of refrigerated seafood.

How to improve the human brucellosis surveillance system in Kurdistan Province, Iran: reduce the delay in the diagnosis time.

OBJECTIVES: Spatial information makes a crucial contribution to enhancing and monitoring the brucellosis surveillance system by facilitating the timely diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. METHODS: An exponential scan statistic model was used to formalize the spatial distribution of the adjusted delay in the diagnosis time of brucellosis (time between onset and diagnosis of the disease) in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare variables of interest between the clustered and non-clustered areas. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of clusters of human brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses was not random in Kurdistan Province. The mean survival time (i.e., time between symptom onset and diagnosis) was 4.02 months for the short spatial cluster, which was centered around the city of Baneh, and was 4.21 months for spatiotemporal clusters centered around the cities of Baneh and Qorveh. Similarly, the mean survival time for the long spatial and spatiotemporal clusters was 6.56 months and 15.69 months, respectively. The spatial distribution of the cases inside and outside of clusters differed in terms of livestock vaccination, residence, sex, and occupational variables. CONCLUSIONS: The cluster pattern of brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses indicated poor performance of the surveillance system in Kurdistan Province. Accordingly, targeted and multi-faceted approaches should be implemented to improve the brucellosis surveillance system and to reduce the number of lost days caused by delays in the diagnosis of brucellosis, which can lead to long-term and serious complications in patients.

Evaluation and comparison of the effect of honey, milk and combination of honey-milk on experimental induced second-degree burns of Rabit.

INTRODUCTION: Burn can happen in any area and causes dominant changes in the quality of normal tissues. The aim of present article is evaluation and comparison the effect of milk, natural honey, and combination of honey-milk on healing of burnt wound. METHOD AND MATERIAL: A 4-week trial study was carried out on 10 Albino New Zealand rabbits. All dry burned wound was created on the back of the scapula by a 1 * 1 cm metal block. First group received honey dressing, second group milk dressing, third group honey-milk dressing, and the fourth group 5% sulfadiazine dressing. Sampling was performed at days 1, 10, and 20. Measurement of wound size was done in days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28. The obtained data and information were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Duncan tests using SPSS. RESULTS: Result show that combination of milk-honey dressing had most significant effect on the improvement of wound healing in the recipient rabbits after a 4-week study. The size of burn wound in four different group was: Honey milk combination 0.428 cm2, honey 0.547 cm2, milk 0.579 cm2 and sulfadiazine 0.873 cm2. CONCLUSION: All dressing can accelerate wound healing and have promotive effect on wound healing but the combination of honey-milk had the greatest effect. Honey, milk, and sulfadiazine had next grade of effectiveness.

The effect of atmospheric pressure cold plasma on the inactivation of Escherichia coli in sour cherry juice and its qualitative properties.

One of the nonthermal methods is the atmospheric pressure cold plasma (APCP). In this study, the effect of cold plasma on the reduction of Escherichia coli bacteria and qualitative properties of sour cherry juice, including total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), and vitamin C, were investigated. Independent variables included plasma exposure time (1, 5, and 9 min), applied field intensity (25, 37.5, and 50 kV/cm), feeding gas oxygen content (0%, 0.5%, and 1%), and sample depth (0.5, 1, and 1.5 cm). The results show that increased oxygen content in argon has the greatest effect on the reduction of bacteria, and plasma exposure decreased 6 logarithmic periods of E. coli bacteria in sour cherry juice. Optimization results showed when all bacteria were eliminated by plasma, TPC remained unchanged, and TAC and vitamin C decreased by 4% and 21%, respectively, while thermal methods increased TPC by 23% and decreased TAC and vitamin C by 26% and 77%, respectively. These results indicate that, compared with conventional thermal methods, sour cherry juice pasteurization using APCP has little effect on the juice qualitative properties, and this method can serve as a suitable alternative to conventional thermal methods.

Prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children 7 to 14 years in 2016: A survey before pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Iran.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media in children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae among children in the city of Hamadan, west of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 532 students aged 7 to 14 years old from Hamadan were enrolled during the period from February to April 2016. Children were recruited using multi-stage sampling method. Informed consent form was obtained from parents of children. A researcher developed checklist was completed for every child by interviewer and samples of the throat of children were taken by swap method from the nasopharyngeal area. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used to describe the study population. This study was approved by the Committee on Ethics of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (IR.UMSHA.REC.1394.66). Prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae in children was 12.03% (95%CI: 9.38-15.10). About 37% (196 persons) of study population were male and 63% were female. Sixty four percent (345 people) of the studied population were from district two in Hamadan and others from District one. Prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae by sex was 13.77% (95% CI: 9.27-19.40) in males and 11.02 % (95% CI: 7.87-14.85) in females (P = 0.345). Considering the high prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children studied in Hamadan, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is recommended to be integrated into the Iran's National Immunization Program.

A novel facile synthesis of the amine-functionalized magnetic core coated carboxylated nanochitosan shells as an amphoteric nanobiosupport.

We developed a novel synthesis method for a multifunctional nanocomposite with amine-functionalized Fe3O4 core coated with carboxylated nanochitosan shells (NH2-Fe3O4@NCS-COOH) via carbodiimide activation. The chemical structures of chitosan and carboxylated nanochitosan (NCS-COOH) were verified by 1H NMR which confirmed the incorporation of citric acid by the formation of the new signal of the CH2 H-atoms. TEM image displayed the synthesized NH2-Fe3O4@NCS-COOH nanoparticles were in a spherical shape with an average size of 100 nm. The results of XRD revealed that NH2-Fe3O4@NCS-COOH have a good crystalline nature with the face center cubic structure and with the average crystallite size of 17 nm. The characterization using VSM showed that the magnetic nanoparticle had superparamagnetic behavior and the saturation magnetization was up to 30 emu/g. The BET specific surface area of NH2-Fe3O4@NCS-COOH was 45.18 m2/g. The synthesized nanostructure was found to be stable in different ranges of pH due to covalent bonds between nanochitosan and Fe3O4.

Comparison Efficiency of Posteroanterior Cephalometry and Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Detecting Craniofacial Asymmetry: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to compare cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and two-dimensional radiography in the assessment of facial asymmetry. METHODS: Three valid electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for articles published from 1973 to February 2017. Hand searching was done through references of selected articles, internal thesis, and national and international conferences. The titles and abstracts obtained from the search were evaluated by reviewers according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The established search strategy identified 2137 articles. A total of 2079 articles were from electronic search in three international databases and 58 articles from hand searching. After eliminating duplicate articles and on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles and 1 thesis entered the final analysis. Bayesian meta-analysis was done due to the heterogeneity of articles and the differences related to the methodology of the studies. According to this method, analyzing J-J landmark in two studies showed that there were no statistical differences between posteroanterior (PA) radiography and three-dimensional method with reference standard. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that there was no preference between the two techniques in measuring and diagnosing the landmarks and evaluating asymmetry. It can be concluded that in patients having problems other than asymmetry and need more information for the treatment plan, CBCT is more helpful than PA cephalometry.

Enhanced antibacterial activity, mechanical and physical properties of alginate/hydroxyapatite bionanocomposite film.

The effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA NPs) contents on the antibacterial activity, physical, and mechanical properties of sodium alginate (SA) film was scrutinized. The samples were prepared via incorporation of three different concentrations of HA NPs (1%, 3%, and 5%) into alginate solution at ambient temperature. In all SA/HA matrices, HA NPs demonstrated considerable bactericidal activity against foodborne pathogen during 12 days. The highest antibacterial effect of SA film was obtained in the presence of 5%HA NPs content and showed 3 CFU/mg reduction. In comparison to pristine alginate, different HA NPs additives enhanced elongation, tensile strength and moisture content of the nanocomposite films. Moreover, water solubility and water vapor permeability of the bionanocomposite were considerably reduced by 50% as the concentration of HA NPs content up to 5%.

Space-time Analysis of Breast Cancer and Its Late-stage Cases among Iranian Women.

BACKGROUND: Spatial scan statistic has been shown as a useful tool to investigate spatial patterns and detecting the spatial clusters of cancer. This study conducted to study spatial analysis of breast cancer and its late-stage cases, one of the most common women cancers in Iran and the world. METHODS: We used space-time and purely spatial scan statistic implemented in SaTScan software to detect clusters of breast cancer and late-stage cases, at city level by applying Poisson and Bernoulli distribution. Data on 40017 of breast cancer cases that reported to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) during 2005 to 2010 were included. RESULTS: Purely spatial and spatiotemporal high rates significant clusters of breast cancer and its late-stage cases with Poisson distribution were in the same geographical area including southwest, north, and northeast. CONCLUSION: Significant clusters areas have probably differences with other areas in terms of delay in diagnosis and access to appropriate health services because late-stage breast cancer cases had the greatest impact on formation of clusters. However, more studies are essential to be conducted in different areas of country to explain more precisely clusters detected areas and detecting reasonable justification for existence of significant clusters.

Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus pneumonia in Iran: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several studies have explored the nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumonia in Iran. This meta-analysis is aimed at exploring the overall prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae among healthy children and its resistance to antibiotics. METHODS: We have systematically reviewed published studies from international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) and national databases (Iranmedex, Magiran, Medlib, SID and Irandoc) and reference lists of articles published up to May 2015. Only cross-sectional studies supported with sensitivity test on samples collected from nasopharyngeal area were included and heterogeneity was assessed using Q-test and I2 test statistic. Publication bias was explored using the Egger's and Begg's tests and the funnel plot. The overall prevalence of analyzed data were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of S. pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage was 18% (95% CI: 14% - 23%). Antibiotic resistance rates were 26% (95% CI: 15% - 37%) to penicillin, 30% (95% CI: 10% - 49%) to erythromycin and 34% (95% CI: 10% - 57%) to tetracycline respectively. CONCLUSION: This study could be able effectively estimate the overall prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae and its antibiotics resistance rate among healthy children in Iran. In addition, the findings evidenced the role of pneumococcal vaccination in reducing the prevalence of S. pneumoniae carriage among healthy children in Iran.

Heavy metal bioaccumulation and risk assessment for wild and farmed beluga sturgeon caviar.

Because of over-exploitation of sturgeon for caviar production, they have been listed worldwide in annex II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulations; so caviar production using aquaculture is increasingly seen as a feasible way to reduce overfishing. The accumulation of the nonessential metals As, Ba, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sn was determined in the caviar of farmed and wild Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). The levels of As in both and Cd in wild samples were less than 0.01 mg kg(-1) wet weight, and the comparison for all of the metals studied did not show large fluctuations in metal concentrations between farmed and wild caviar samples. The average for each toxic metal was below the permissible limits proposed by the UK's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods (2000). The maximum allowable daily consumption rate of caviar was calculated; however, the health risks from caviar consumption are uncertain because the amount of caviar consumed by heavy users is not known.

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl in feathers of resident and migratory birds of South-west iran.

Persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, together with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were determined in tail feathers from 35 birds belonging to 15 species, all originating from the southwest of Iran (Khuzestan, coast of the Persian Gulf) and kept in museum collections. The patterns of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in birds varied depending on their migratory behavior. Resident birds contained higher median PCB concentrations (

Loss of connexin36 in rat hippocampus and cerebellar cortex in persistent Borna disease virus infection.

Neonatal Borna disease virus (BDV) infection of the Lewis rat leads to progressive degeneration of dentate gyrus granule cells, and cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Our aim here was to clarify whether BDV interfered with the formation of electrical synapses, and we, therefore, analysed expression of the neuronal gap junction protein connexin36 (Cx36) in the Lewis rat hippocampal formation, and cerebellar cortex, 4 and 8 weeks after neonatal infection. Semiquantitative RT-PCR, revealed a BDV-dependent decrease in Cx36 mRNA in the hippocampal formation 4 and 8 weeks post-infection (p.i.), and in the cerebellar cortex 8 weeks p.i. Correspondingly, immunofluorescent staining revealed reduced Cx36 immunoreactivity in both dentate gyrus, and ammons horn CA3 region, 4 and 8 weeks post-infection. In the cerebellar cortex, Cx36 immunoreactivity was detected only 8 weeks post-infection in the molecular layer, where it was down regulated by BDV. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, distinct BDV-dependent reductions in Cx36 mRNA and protein in the rat hippocampal formation and cerebellar cortex, suggesting altered neuronal network properties to be an important feature of persistent viral brain infections.

Contamination by organochlorine compounds in the edible tissue of four sturgeon species from the Caspian Sea (Iran).

This study focused on accumulation of organochlorine compounds (OCs), including dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulation in the muscle of four sturgeon (Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus; Stellate sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus; Ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris and Beluga sturgeon, Huso huso) from the southern Caspian Sea. The DDT group was prominent in all of the sturgeon muscle tested constituting almost half or more of the total organochlorine content. Contaminant concentration generally followed this order: DDTs>PCBs>HCHs>HCB. The OCs concentrations in Beluga sturgeon (H. huso) were the highest and over four times higher than in the next highest species (A. nudiventris). From an ecotoxicological point of view, the concentrations of OCs in experimental fishes do not reflect a comparatively clean and pollution-free environment; however, results from this study shown that the inflow of organic pollutants into the Caspian Sea has been reduced when compared with prior studies. Levels of measured OCs in sturgeon were relatively low, but the level of some OCs in some of the specimens tested exceeded the guidelines for food; therefore, the maximum allowable daily consumption rate for sturgeon from this watershed may be limited by DDTs and PCBs content for high risk populations.

Layer specific changes of astroglial gap junctions in the rat cerebellar cortex by persistent Borna Disease Virus infection.

Neonatal Borna Disease Virus (BDV) infection of the Lewis rat brain, leads to Purkinje cell degeneration, in association with astroglial activation. Since astroglial gap junctions (GJ) are known to influence neuronal degeneration, we investigated BDV dependent changes in astroglial GJ connexins (Cx) Cx43, and Cx30 in the Lewis rat cerebellum, 4, and 8 weeks after neonatal infection. On the mRNA level, RT-PCR demonstrated a BDV dependent increase in cerebellar Cx43, and a decrease in Cx30, 8, but not 4 weeks p.i. On the protein level, Western blot analysis revealed no overall upregulation of Cx43, but an increase of its phosphorylated forms, 8 weeks p.i. Cx30 protein was downregulated. Immunohistochemistry revealed a BDV dependent reduction of Cx43 in the granular layer (GL), 4 weeks p.i. 8 weeks p.i., Cx43 immunoreactivity recovered in the GL, and was induced in the molecular layer (ML). Cx30 revealed a BDV dependent decrease in the GL, both 4, and 8 weeks p.i. Changes in astroglial Cxs correlated not with expression of the astrogliotic marker GFAP, which was upregulated in radial glia. With regard to functional coupling, primary cerebellar astroglial cultures, revealed a BDV dependent increase of Cx43, and Cx30 immunoreactivity and in spreading of the GJ permeant dye Lucifer Yellow. These results demonstrate a massive, BDV dependent reorganization of astroglial Cx expression, and of functional GJ coupling in the cerebellar cortex, which might be of importance for the BDV dependent neurodegeneration in this brain region.

Persistent Borna Disease Virus infection changes expression and function of astroglial gap junctions in vivo and in vitro.

Neonatal Borna Disease Virus (BDV) infection of the Lewis rat brain leads to dentate gyrus (DG) degeneration, underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Since astroglial gap junction (GJ) coupling is known to influence neurodegenerative processes, the question arose whether persistent BDV infection influences astroglial connexins (Cx) Cx43 and Cx30 in the hippocampal formation (HiF) of Lewis rats. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis of forebrain (FB) samples revealed a virus dependent reduction of both Cx types 8 but not 4 weeks post infection (p.i.). Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase of Cx43 in the DG and a decrease in the CA3 region 4 and 8 weeks p.i. Cx30, which was detectable only 8 weeks p.i., revealed a BDV dependent increase in DG and CA3 regions. BDV dependent astrogliosis as revealed by immunodetection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) correlated not with astroglial connexin expression. With regard to functional coupling as revealed by scrape loading, BDV infection resulted in increased spreading of the GJ permeant dye Lucifer yellow in primary hippocampal astroglial cultures, and in increased expression of Cx43 and Cx30 as revealed by immunocytochemistry. In conclusion, persistent BDV infection of the Lewis rat brain leads to changes in astroglial Cx expression both in vivo and in vitro and of functional coupling in vitro. Distribution and time course of these changes suggest them to be a direct result of neurodegeneration in the DG and an indirect effect of neuronal deafferentiation in the CA3 region.

Craniopharyngioma: a clinicopathological study of 141 cases.

Craniopharyngioma is a tumor of the suprasellar region that histologically has two distinct variants with some differences in clinical behavior. The papillary type is almost always seen in adults and has a more indolent course compared with the adamantinomatous type, which is more common in childhood. In the present study, surgical specimens of craniopharyngiomas from 141 patients were reviewed. Their histomorphologic types were determined and the clinical features and prognosis of each group were assessed. The sizes of papillary type tumors were smaller and during the follow-up period there was no recurrence in the squamous papillary group. Aside from surgical resection (total vs subtotal), the recurrence rate for papillary type craniopharyngioma was lower than for adamantinomatous type. Histologic typing of craniopharyngioma especially in adults is useful for decision making with regard to treatment and follow-up.