Comparison of Histological Chorioamnionitis in Pre-Term Delivery with and without Pre-Term Rupture of Membrane.

Background: Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a histologic response to intra-uterine inflammation that is usually confirmed by pathology examination after pre-term delivery and characterized by acute granulocyte infiltration into the fetal-maternal or fetal tissues. This study aimed to compare the HCA in pre-term delivery with and without pre-term rupture of membrane for assessment of its role on early neonatal outcomes and fetal heart rate patterns. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on placenta, chorionamnion, and cord of 100 cases with and without pre-term rupture of membrane between 28 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks delivered between March 2018 and February 2021. The kind of delivery, gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admission, a 5 min Apgar score <7, and fetal heart rate patterns in two groups with and without HCA were assessed. Results: The odds ratio (OR) for HCA was adjusted for fetal heart rate patterns, gestational age, and delivery mode (vaginal delivery or cesarean section). Vaginal delivery, gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and a 5 min Apgar score <7 were associated with HCA [OR: 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-9.5, P < 0.05; OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.5-1.1, P < 0.05; OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6-2.1, P < 0.05; and OR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.7-1.3, P < 0.05), respectively. However, there were no specific fetal heart rate patterns associated with HCA. Conclusion: Placental histology examination in pre-term infants with low Apgar scores may be useful to investigate the association between neonatal complications in pre-term delivery and asymptomatic chorioamnionitis.

Safety assessment of genetically modified rice expressing Cry1Ab protein in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Rice is considered one of the most important staple food crops. Genetically modified (GM) Bt rice, harbored cry1Ab gene expressing the insect-resistance protein has been developed to resistance to the insects. In this study, we assessed the safety of the GM Bt rice on Sprague-Dawley rats for 90 days. Totally, 120 rats in both sexes were used for three different diets, including 50% GM Bt rice, feeding with 50% rice, and standard feeding. Each 40 SD rats including 20 males and 20 females were considered as each diet. The clinical variables such as body weight and food consumption were measured and a range of clinical tests was examined, including hematology, serum chemistry parameters, urinalysis profile, thyroid, and sex hormone levels. Pathological assessments were also done. The results showed that the mean weekly feed utilization (%) had no significant difference among the studied groups. Also, blood biochemistry, hematological parameters, urine analysis, and hormonal levels had no significant differences among the groups. However, alanine aminotransferase was less in males versus female feeding with GM Bt rice. No histopathological changes were observed among the groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that GM Bt rice had no obvious adverse effects on rats' health.

Melanoma: Where we are and where we go.

Melanoma is known as an aggressive tumor which shows an increasing incidence and poor prognosis in the metastatic phase. Hence, it seems that diagnosis and effective management (including early diagnosis, choosing of the effective therapeutic platform, caring, and training of patients for early detection) are major aspects of melanoma therapy. Early detection of melanoma is a key point for melanoma therapy. There are various diagnosis options such as assessing of biopsy, imaging techniques, and biomarkers (i.e., several proteins, polymorphism, and liquid biopsy). Among the various biomarkers, assessing circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNAs, cell-free RNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as powerful diagnosis tools for melanoma patients. Deregulations of these molecules are associated with melanoma pathogenesis. After detection of melanoma, choosing of effective therapeutic regimen is a key step for recovery of melanoma patients. Several studies indicated that various therapeutic approaches including surgery, immunotherapy, systematic therapy, radiation therapy and antibodies therapy could be used as potential therapeutic candidates for melanoma therapy. Caring for melanoma patients is one of the important components of melanoma therapy. Caring and training for melanoma patients could contribute to better monitoring of patients in response to various therapeutic options. Here, we summarized various diagnosis approaches such as assessing biopsy, imaging techniques, and utilization of various biomarkers (i.e., proteins, CTCs, cfDNAs, and miRNAs) as a diagnostic biomarker for detection and monitoring patients with melanoma. Moreover, we highlighted various therapeutic options and caring aspects in patients with melanoma.

A Large Primary Subcutaneous Hydatid Cyst in Proximal Thigh: An Unusual Localization.

Primary muscular hydatidosis is a very rare condition with an incidence of 1%-4% in endemic regions. This case report describes an unusual location of hydatid cyst in the sartorius muscle and the application of imaging in its preoperative diagnosis, choosing a treatment strategy, and monitoring.

Two rare manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism: paralysis and peptic ulcer bleeding.

Primary hyperparathyroidism revealed by thoracic spine brown tumor and peptic ulcer bleeding is rare. We presented a case of 33-year-old male patient who was admitted with paraplegia. Thoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extradural lesion at T4 level. He underwent surgical decompression in T4. According to histopathologic finding and elevated serum parathormone (PTH) and hypercalcemia (total serum calcium 12.1 mg/dL), the diagnosis of brown tumor was down. Ultrasonography of his neck showed a well-defined lesion of 26 × 14 × 6 mm. The day after surgery, he experienced 2 episodes of melena. Bedside upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed gastric peptic ulcer with visible vessel. Treatment with intragastric local instillation of epinephrine and argon plasma coagulation was done to stop bleeding. After stabilization of the patient, parathyroidectomy was performed. Histologic study showed the parathyroid adenoma without any manifestation of malignancy. At discharge, serum calcium was normal (8.6 mg/dL). On 40th day of discharge, standing and walking status was normal. LEARNING POINTS: Thoracic spine involvement is a very rare presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism.The issue of whether primary hyperparathyroidism increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease remains controversial. However, gastrointestinal involvement has been reported in association with classic severe primary hyperparathyroidism.The treatment of brown tumor varies from case to case.

Combination of atorvastatin/coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive treatment in congestive heart failure: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality, is a final common pathway of several cardiovascular diseases, and its treatment is a major concern in the science of cardiology. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of addition of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)/atorvastatin combination to standard congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment versus addition of atorvastatin alone on CHF outcomes. METHODS: This study was a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. In the present study, 62 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups. In the intervention group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily plus 100 mg CoQ10 pearl supplement twice daily, and in the placebo group patients received 10 mg atorvastatin daily and the placebo of CoQ10 pearl for 4 months. For all patients echocardiography was performed and blood sample was obtained for determination of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels. Echocardiography and laboratory test were repeated after 4 months. The New York Heart Association Function Class (NYHA FC) was also determined for each patient before and after the study period. RESULTS: Data analyses showed that ejection fraction (EF) and NYHA FC changes differ significantly between intervention and placebo group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively). Changes in other parameters did not differ significantly between study groups. CONCLUSION: We deduce that combination of atorvastatin and CoQ10, as an adjunctive treatment of CHF, increase EF and improve NYHA FC in comparison with use of atorvastatin alone.