Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support Device for Y-Stent-Assisted Coiling of Wide-Neck Intracranial Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) device has been frequently used as an intracranial stent for treating intracranial aneurysms. However, the feasibility and efficacy of LVIS devices in Y-stent-assisted coiling (Y-SAC) have remained contentious. This study aimed to evaluate long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes of Y-SAC using LVIS devices. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical presentation and angiography data of patients treated with Y-SAC using LVIS stents. The vascular angle geometry between the parent and the 2 branch vessels, before and after stent deployment and after coiling, were analyzed. Based on the Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC), aneurysm occlusion status was classified. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: Forty patients with 40 aneurysms were included in this study. Immediate postprocedural angiograms showed complete/near-complete occlusion (RROC 1 and 2) in 31 aneurysms (77.5%). The long-term follow-up angiographic studies were available in 32 patients and showed RROC class 1 and 2 in 93.8% of patients. Y-SAC with LVIS devices significantly decreased the angle between the bifurcation branches from 171.90° ± 48.0° (standard deviation) to 130.21° ± 46.3° (standard deviation) (P < 0.0001). Periprocedural complications occurred in 5 patients (12.5%) including 4 in-stent thromboses (10.5%). Thirty-six patients (90.0%) had favorable clinical outcomes at the final follow-up. Univariate analysis showed that World Federation of Neurological Societies grade 3-5, thickness of subarachnoid hemorrhage on head computed tomography, intraprocedural complications, and in-stent thrombosis were predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Y-SAC using the LVIS device for intracranial bifurcation aneurysms is a feasible and relatively safe procedure with favorable long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes.

Prevalence, trend, and associated risk factors for cleft lip with/without cleft palate: a national study on live births from 2016 to 2021.

BACKGROUNDS: Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly, including non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate only. Failure in the fusion of median and lateral nasal processes, the maxillary prominence, and soft tissues around the oral cavity can cause CL/P. Previously, the prevalence has been estimated to be 1 among every 1000 births in 2014 among American neonates and no other reports have been available since. Thus, this study aimed to calculate the prevalence and trend of isolated CL/P among American live births from 2016 to 2021 with its associated risk factors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this cross-sectional population-based retrospective study, we used live birth data provided by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We calculated the prevalence per 10,000 live births of isolated (non-syndromic) CL/P from 2016 to 2021. To examine risk factors for developing isolated CL/P, we used logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: The total prevalence per 10,000 births from 2016 to 2021 was 4.88 (4.79-4.97), for both sexes, and 5.96 (5.82-6.10) for males, and 3.75 (3.64-3.87) for females. The prevalence did not show any consistent linear decreasing or increasing pattern. We found significant association between increased odds of developing isolated CL/P among cases with 20 to 24 year-old mothers (OR = 1.07, 1.01-1.13, p = 0.013), mothers who smoked 11 to 20 cigarettes per day (OR = 1.46, 1.33-1.60, p <  0.001), mothers with extreme obesity (OR = 1.32, 1.21-1.43, p <  0.001), mothers with grade II obesity (OR = 1.32, 1.23-1.42, p <  0.001), mothers with pre-pregnancy hypertension (OR = 1.17, 1.04-1.31, p = 0.009), mothers with pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.96, 1.71-2.25, p <  0.001), and mothers who used assisted reproductive technology (OR = 1.40, 1.18-1.66, p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a minuscule increase, albeit insignificant, in the trend of CL/P prevalence from 2016 to 2021. Developing CL/P had greater odds among mothers with pre-pregnancy diabetes, smoking, obesity, and pre-pregnancy hypertension mothers along with mothers who used assisted reproductive technology. Isolated CL/P had the highest prevalence in non-Hispanic Whites, American Indian or Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.

Accidental displacement of a dental implant into the nasal cavity: Report of a rare case.

Through radiographic evaluation to discover the location of a displaced implant, it was revealed that the implant had migrated to the middle meatus of the nasal cavity. The patient had no signs or symptoms, and no inflammation was observed radiographically. The implant was removed under endoscopy through the nostril.

Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome in adrenal adenocarcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency that classically occurs following cancer therapy, although spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome can also occur in malignancies, albeit rarely. Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome has previously been reported in some hematologic malignancies, but it rarely happens in solid tumors and seems to be associated with a higher mortality rate. This is the first case of adrenal adenocarcinoma that developed spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome occurring in a patient previously diagnosed with adrenal adenocarcinoma. The patient was a 64-year-old Persian man with abdominal pain, hypersomnia, and fatigue who was previously diagnosed with right adrenocortical carcinoma and had undergone right adrenalectomy with regional lymph nodes resection 5 months previously. On physical examination, the patient had abdominal distension and mild tenderness at the right upper quadrant. Pitting edema was detected bilaterally in the lower extremities. Initial imaging revealed multiple and large lesions suggestive of liver metastases. The laboratory data showed hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated serum creatinine level indicative of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome in the patient. Despite immediate and intensive care with antibiotics, hydration, treatment with a hypouricemic agent, and renal replacement therapy, the patient ultimately died from multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor lysis syndrome in solid tumors has high mortality. Patients susceptible to spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome must receive aggressive treatment immediately, which is crucial for preventing morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome may be underdiagnosed, and a high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis and proceed with required interventions. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of this rare phenomenon.

The Effect of High-Power Lasers on Root Canal Disinfection: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: In root canal therapy, the cleaning and shaping of canals are routinely applied by clinicians in order to remove microorganisms. Eradicating bacteria from the root canal system plays a crucial role in long-term success; however, it is not always easy to disinfect root canals properly because of their complicated anatomy and bacterial load. Achieving an optimally disinfected root canal environment requires adjunctive antibacterial therapeutic methods. High-power laser utilization as an adjunctive strategy to conventional treatment is a relatively new approach that helps clinicians. Methods: This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Online databases, namely Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, were searched electronically regarding lasers and endodontic treatments. Appropriate studies were included according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: Among 504 obtained studies by search, 48 were considered for a detailed analysis. Ten articles performed in vivo evaluation, while nine assessed the effect of lasers on artificial models, and 29 conducted ex vivo experiments on extracted teeth. When the diode laser, the most frequently used laser, was utilized as an adjunct therapy after NaOCl irrigation, it killed more bacteria than conventional irrigation with NaOCl. Laser-activated irrigation (LAI) with the Er, Cr: YSGG laser and NaOCl disinfects the root canal effectively. Also, photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) with Er: YAG and NaOCl exhibited a high bactericidal effect and deep tubular penetration. Conclusion: High-power laser utilization, considering proper case selection and method, can assist in root canal treatment of infected teeth.

Ozone therapy as an alternative method for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most important complications of diabetes that can lead to amputation. Treatment of DFUs is a major challenge and places a heavy economic and social burden on patients and their families. CASE PRESENTATION: The present case report is of a 52-year-old kurdish male patient with a 7-year history of type 2 diabetes. While on a bike ride, he sustained a traumatic injury to his right leg, which caused a deep gash measuring 14 × 5 cm on the tibia. During the hospital stay, no improvement was observed after routine wound care including suturing, antibiotic therapy, and dressing change. The patient was referred to our wound-care team. In the first step, the necrotic tissues of his foot ulcer were irrigated and then debrided using mechanical debridement and saline. Next, the patient underwent a 70 µg/dL dose of ozone therapy over a 30-day period in 10 sessions (one 20-minute session every 3 days). Between each session, the patient's wound was wrapped in silver-containing gauze bandages. After 1 month of wound-care using ozone therapy, the patient's foot ulcer had healed and he was discharged from our wound-care service with a stable and good general condition. CONCLUSION: Considering the effectiveness of ozone therapy along with silver-containing dressing in the treatment of DFUs, wound-care teams can utilize it as an adjunct to the standard methods of DFU treatment.

Machine learning approaches in GIS-based ecological modeling of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi, a vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Golestan province, Iran.

The distribution and abundance of Phlebotomus papatasi, the primary vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in most semi-/arid countries, is a major public health challenge. This study compares several approaches to model the spatial distribution of the species in an endemic region of the disease in Golestan province, northeast of Iran. The intent is to assist decision makers for targeted interventions. We developed a geo-database of the collected Phlebotominae sand flies from different parts of the study region. Sticky paper traps coated with castor oil were used to collect sand flies. In 44 out of 142 sampling sites, Ph. papatasi was present. We also gathered and prepared data on related environmental factors including topography, weather variables, distance to main rivers and remotely sensed data such as normalized difference vegetation cover and land surface temperature (LST) in a GIS framework. Applicability of three classifiers: (vanilla) logistic regression, random forest and support vector machine (SVM) were compared for predicting presence/absence of the vector. Predictive performances were compared using an independent dataset to generate area under the ROC curve (AUC) and Kappa statistics. All three models successfully predicted the presence/absence of the vector, however, the SVM classifier (Accuracy = 0.906, AUC = 0.974, Kappa = 0.876) outperformed the other classifiers on predicting accuracy. Moreover, this classifier was the most sensitive (85%), and the most specific (93%) model. Sensitivity analysis of the most accurate model (i.e. SVM) revealed that slope, nighttime LST in October and mean temperature of the wettest quarter were among the most important predictors. The findings suggest that machine learning techniques, especially the SVM classifier, when coupled with GIS and remote sensing data can be a useful and cost-effective way for identifying habitat suitability of the species.

Epidemiological Differences Between Localized and Nonlocalized Low Back Pain.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with a longitudinal follow-up. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pain, which is localized to the low back, differs epidemiologically from that which occurs simultaneously or close in time to pain at other anatomical sites SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Low back pain (LBP) often occurs in combination with other regional pain, with which it shares similar psychological and psychosocial risk factors. However, few previous epidemiological studies of LBP have distinguished pain that is confined to the low back from that which occurs as part of a wider distribution of pain. METHODS: We analyzed data from CUPID, a cohort study that used baseline and follow-up questionnaires to collect information about musculoskeletal pain, associated disability, and potential risk factors, in 47 occupational groups (office workers, nurses, and others) from 18 countries. RESULTS: Among 12,197 subjects at baseline, 609 (4.9%) reported localized LBP in the past month, and 3820 (31.3%) nonlocalized LBP. Nonlocalized LBP was more frequently associated with sciatica in the past month (48.1% vs. 30.0% of cases), occurred on more days in the past month and past year, was more often disabling for everyday activities (64.1% vs. 47.3% of cases), and had more frequently led to medical consultation and sickness absence from work. It was also more often persistent when participants were followed up after a mean of 14 months (65.6% vs. 54.1% of cases). In adjusted Poisson regression analyses, nonlocalized LBP was differentially associated with risk factors, particularly female sex, older age, and somatizing tendency. There were also marked differences in the relative prevalence of localized and nonlocalized LBP by occupational group. CONCLUSION: Future epidemiological studies should distinguish where possible between pain that is limited to the low back and LBP that occurs in association with pain at other anatomical locations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Somatising Tendency: Findings from the CUPID Study.

Somatising tendency, defined as a predisposition to worry about common somatic symptoms, is importantly associated with various aspects of health and health-related behaviour, including musculoskeletal pain and associated disability. To explore its epidemiological characteristics, and how it can be specified most efficiently, we analysed data from an international longitudinal study. A baseline questionnaire, which included questions from the Brief Symptom Inventory about seven common symptoms, was completed by 12,072 participants aged 20-59 from 46 occupational groups in 18 countries (response rate 70%). The seven symptoms were all mutually associated (odds ratios for pairwise associations 3.4 to 9.3), and each contributed to a measure of somatising tendency that exhibited an exposure-response relationship both with multi-site pain (prevalence rate ratios up to six), and also with sickness absence for non-musculoskeletal reasons. In most participants, the level of somatising tendency was little changed when reassessed after a mean interval of 14 months (75% having a change of 0 or 1 in their symptom count), although the specific symptoms reported at follow-up often differed from those at baseline. Somatising tendency was more common in women than men, especially at older ages, and varied markedly across the 46 occupational groups studied, with higher rates in South and Central America. It was weakly associated with smoking, but not with level of education. Our study supports the use of questions from the Brief Symptom Inventory as a method for measuring somatising tendency, and suggests that in adults of working age, it is a fairly stable trait.

Classification of neck/shoulder pain in epidemiological research: a comparison of personal and occupational characteristics, disability, and prognosis among 12,195 workers from 18 countries.

To inform case definition for neck/shoulder pain in epidemiological research, we compared levels of disability, patterns of association, and prognosis for pain that was limited to the neck or shoulders (LNSP) and more generalised musculoskeletal pain that involved the neck or shoulder(s) (GPNS). Baseline data on musculoskeletal pain, disability, and potential correlates were collected by questionnaire from 12,195 workers in 47 occupational groups (mostly office workers, nurses, and manual workers) in 18 countries (response rate = 70%). Continuing pain after a mean interval of 14 months was ascertained through a follow-up questionnaire in 9150 workers from 45 occupational groups. Associations with personal and occupational factors were assessed by Poisson regression and summarised by prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). The 1-month prevalence of GPNS at baseline was much greater than that of LNSP (35.1% vs 5.6%), and it tended to be more troublesome and disabling. Unlike LNSP, the prevalence of GPNS increased with age. Moreover, it showed significantly stronger associations with somatising tendency (PRR 1.6 vs 1.3) and poor mental health (PRR 1.3 vs 1.1); greater variation between the occupational groups studied (prevalence ranging from 0% to 67.6%) that correlated poorly with the variation in LNSP; and was more persistent at follow-up (72.1% vs 61.7%). Our findings highlight important epidemiological distinctions between subcategories of neck/shoulder pain. In future epidemiological research that bases case definitions on symptoms, it would be useful to distinguish pain that is localised to the neck or shoulder from more generalised pain that happens to involve the neck/shoulder region.

Construction of a DNA Vaccine Encoding Mtb32C and HBHA Genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Development of a new vaccine for tuberculosis requires immunogenic antigens capable of inducing suitable and long-lasting T cell immunity. The emergence of multidrugs and extensively drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis has made it a global public health concern. OBJECTIVES: DNA vaccine is a straightforward method to introduce antigens to the host. In the present study, two immunodominant mycobacterial antigens (Mtb32C and HBHA) were isolated and cloned into pcDNA3.1 (+) to design and construct a new DNA vaccine. This vector is capable of producing new potent chimeric protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mtb32C (Rv0125) and heparin-binding haemagglutinin adhesion (HBHA) genes were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of M. tuberculosis H37Rv genome and ligated into pcDNA3.1 (+). Colony-PCR and restriction enzyme analysis were used to confirm the accuracy of the cloning procedure. RESULTS: In the current study, recombinant pcDNA3.1 (+) vector containing Mtb32C and HBHA genes was successfully constructed. The desired size of DNA fragment was observed using single and double digestion methods. CONCLUSIONS: Mtb32C and HBHA genes were successfully isolated from H37Rv genome and cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector. This vector can be considered as a vaccine to evaluate immune responses in animal models.

Potent and selective inhibitors of class A ß-lactamase: 7-prenyloxy coumarins.

Class A and D ß-lactamases are the main causes of resistance against ß-lactam antibiotics, especially the penam group, in Staphylococcus aureus. On the basis of the potentiator property of ethanolic extracts of Ferula szowitsiana root on penicillin, MIC values observed for resistant S. aureus, the main naturally occurring compounds in these extracts, auraptene, umbelliprenin and galbanic acid, were evaluated for ß-lactamase inhibitory activity. Amongst them auraptene showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50=21±1.5 µM) toward class A ß-lactamase, whereas no inhibition was observed for class D ß-lactamase. To obtain the structure activity relationship of the mentioned compounds and rationalize the enzyme inhibitory results, docking analysis was performed for both groups of ß-lactamases. Docking analysis showed that the compounds have 100-500-fold lower bonding affinity toward the class D ß-lactamase than toward the class A enzyme.

Patterns of multisite pain and associations with risk factors.

To explore definitions for multisite pain, and compare associations with risk factors for different patterns of musculoskeletal pain, we analysed cross-sectional data from the Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study. The study sample comprised 12,410 adults aged 20-59 years from 47 occupational groups in 18 countries. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect information about pain in the past month at each of 10 anatomical sites, and about potential risk factors. Associations with pain outcomes were assessed by Poisson regression, and characterised by prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). Extensive pain, affecting 6-10 anatomical sites, was reported much more frequently than would be expected if the occurrence of pain at each site were independent (674 participants vs 41.9 expected). In comparison with pain involving only 1-3 sites, it showed much stronger associations (relative to no pain) with risk factors such as female sex (PRR 1.6 vs 1.1), older age (PRR 2.6 vs 1.1), somatising tendency (PRR 4.6 vs 1.3), and exposure to multiple physically stressing occupational activities (PRR 5.0 vs 1.4). After adjustment for number of sites with pain, these risk factors showed no additional association with a distribution of pain that was widespread according to the frequently used American College of Rheumatology criteria. Our analysis supports the classification of pain at multiple anatomical sites simply by the number of sites affected, and suggests that extensive pain differs importantly in its associations with risk factors from pain that is limited to only a small number of anatomical sites.

Disabling musculoskeletal pain in working populations: is it the job, the person, or the culture?

To compare the prevalence of disabling low back pain (DLBP) and disabling wrist/hand pain (DWHP) among groups of workers carrying out similar physical activities in different cultural environments, and to explore explanations for observed differences, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 18 countries. Standardised questionnaires were used to ascertain pain that interfered with everyday activities and exposure to possible risk factors in 12,426 participants from 47 occupational groups (mostly nurses and office workers). Associations with risk factors were assessed by Poisson regression. The 1-month prevalence of DLBP in nurses varied from 9.6% to 42.6%, and that of DWHP in office workers from 2.2% to 31.6%. Rates of disabling pain at the 2 anatomical sites covaried (r = 0.76), but DLBP tended to be relatively more common in nurses and DWHP in office workers. Established risk factors such as occupational physical activities, psychosocial aspects of work, and tendency to somatise were confirmed, and associations were found also with adverse health beliefs and group awareness of people outside work with musculoskeletal pain. However, after allowance for these risk factors, an up-to 8-fold difference in prevalence remained. Systems of compensation for work-related illness and financial support for health-related incapacity for work appeared to have little influence on the occurrence of symptoms. Our findings indicate large international variation in the prevalence of disabling forearm and back pain among occupational groups carrying out similar tasks, which is only partially explained by the personal and socioeconomic risk factors that were analysed.

Synthesis and SAR studies of 3-allyl-4-prenyloxyaniline amides as potent 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

15-Lipoxygenases are one of the nonheme iron-containing proteins with ability of unsaturated lipid peroxidation in animals and plants. The critical role of the enzymes in formation of inflammations, sensitivities and some of cancers has been demonstrated in mammalians. Importance of the 15-lipoxygenases leads to development of mechanistic studies, products analysis and synthesis of their inhibitors. In this work new series of the 3-allyl-4-allyoxyaniline amides and 3-allyl-4-prenyloxyaniline amides were designed, synthesized and their inhibitory potency against soybean 15-lipoxygenase were determined. Among the synthetic amides, 3-allyl-4-(farnesyloxy)-adamantanilide showed the most potent inhibitory activity by IC(50) value of 0.69 µM. SAR studies showed that in spite of prenyl length increases, the effects of the amide size and its electronic properties on the inhibitory potency became predominant. The SAR studies was also showed that the orientation of allyl and prenyloxy moieties toward Fe core of the SLO active site pocket is the most suitable location for enzyme inhibition.

The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study: methods of data collection and characteristics of study sample.

BACKGROUND: The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three- to five-fold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as "repetitive strain injury" (RSI). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectively.

An association of human papillomaviruses low risk and high risk subtypes with skin tag.

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are related to the genesis of various benign lesions and some malignant tumors, but no clear relationship has been identified so far between the subtypes of HPV and skin tag. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present case-control study was designed to detect the existence of low risk and high risk HPV types in lesions of 50 patients with skin tag (case group) and normal skin around the melanocytic nevus of 30 patients (control group), using PCR. RESULTS: All of the samples were negative for HPV subtypes, except two samples in control group which were positive for high risk HPV. There was no significant relationship between the HPV subtypes and skin tag. CONCLUSION: There is no association between skin tag and low risk and high risk human papillomaviruses.

Incidence of rotavirus diarrhea in children under 6 years referred to the Pediatric Emergency and Clinic of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran.

Rotavirus is the most important pathogen responsible for acute diarrhea in infants and young children. The incidence of rotavirus infection was studied in 156 children less than six years of age who were suffering from acute gastroenteritis, between February 22, 2006 and February 21, 2007 in Mashhad. Rotavirus antigen was detected by latex agglutination test (Rotascreen) in 28.8% of the stool samples examined. The frequency of rotavirus infection was significantly higher among patients under 24 months of age (69%) than among children two years old or more (31%). The peak of incidence was in the winter. This study revealed that rotavirus is an important etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis among children in Mashhad.

A microbiologic investigation following the disinfection of irreversible hydrocolloid materials using the spray method.

Antimicrobial efficacy of three spray disinfectants--0.525 percent sodium hypochlorite (bleach), deconex and Sanosil--was evaluated on contaminated alginate disks. Disks were sprayed eight to 10 times after rinsing in water for 15 seconds. The samples were then placed into plastic bags containing a sterile moist cotton roll for 10 minutes. The use of 0.525 percent sodium hypochlorite sprayed onto the surface of alginate effectively disinfected 96.6 percent of the samples.

Increased microvessel density in involved organs from patients with HTLV-I associated adult T cell leukemia lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL) is a rapidly progressive lymphoproliferative disorder secondary to infection with the human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). The role of angiogenesis in the development and prognosis of many hematologic malignancies is established. We have previously shown that ATLL derived cells secrete high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), induce endothelial tube formation in vitro and establish functional gap junction-mediated communication with endothelial cells. We also demonstrated that plasma from ATLL and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy patients exhibit very high levels of VEGF and b-FGF. Recently, we showed that treatment with the combination of zidovudine and interferon alpha reduced both HTLV-I proviral load and importantly VEGF plasma levels suggesting a potential anti-angiogenic effect of this therapy. In this report, we evaluated microvessel density (MVD) in involved organs from 20 patients with ATLL, as compared to normal organs from matched controls. We show evidence of significantly increased MVD in all tested involved organs from ATLL patients, suggesting that angiogenesis plays an important role in the development or organ invasion of ATLL, and could represent a potentially interesting target for anti-angiogenic therapy of ATLL.