Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles (Nanoceria): Hopes in Soft Tissue Engineering.

Several biocompatible materials have been applied for managing soft tissue lesions; cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs, or nanoceria) are among the most promising candidates due to their outstanding properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and angiogenic activities. Much attention should be paid to the physical properties of nanoceria, since most of its biological characteristics are directly determined by some of these relevant parameters, including the particle size and shape. Nanoceria, either in bare or functionalized forms, showed the excellent capability of accelerating the healing process of both acute and chronic wounds. The skin, heart, nervous system, and ophthalmic tissues are the main targets of nanoceria-based therapies, and the other soft tissues may also be evaluated in upcoming experimental studies. For the repair and regeneration of soft tissue damage and defects, nanoceria-incorporated film, hydrogel, and nanofibrous scaffolds have been proven to be highly suitable replacements with satisfactory outcomes. Still, some concerns have remained regarding the long-term effects of nanoceria administration for human tissues and organs, such as its clearance from the vital organs. Moreover, looking at the future, it seems necessary to design and develop three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds containing nanoceria for possible use in the concepts of personalized medicine.

Normal-Appearing Endometrial Cells in Pap Tests of Women Aged Forty Years or Older and Cytohistological Correlates.

OBJECTIVE: The Bethesda System 2001 for reporting cervical cytology recommends reporting benign-appearing, exfoliated endometrial cells in women aged 40 years or older. The objective of this study was to determine the significance of normal endometrial cells in conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) tests of women aged 40 years and older and to correlate this finding with histological follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Over a period of 5 years, all Pap tests showing endometrial cells in women aged ≥ 40 years were identified. Histological follow-up and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 17,275 Pap tests, 199 (1.15%) showed benign endometrial cells. Forty-seven of these 199 patients had subsequent tissue sampling by surgical procedures including endometrial curettage (n = 31), lower genital tract biopsy (n = 30) and hysterectomy (n = 2). Overall, out of 47 cases, 3 (6.4%) had significant endometrial pathology including 2 simple hyperplasias without atypia and 1 complex hyperplasia with atypia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of clinically significant endometrial lesions associated with the presence of endometrial cells in Pap tests of women aged 40 years and older was very low. Considering this finding, women aged between 40 and 50 years with benign endometrial cells in a Pap test should undertake endometrial sampling only when additional clinical indicators are recognized.

Comparison of clinicopathologic variables in coexistence cancers of the endometrium and ovary: A review of 55 cases in an academic center in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The coexistence primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary are relatively uncommon. The purpose of this study was to characterize patients diagnosed primary synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer (SEOC), endometrial cancer (EC) with ovarian metastasis, and ovarian cancer (OC) with endometrial metastasis and compare clinicopathologic variables and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients with diagnosis of both endometrium and OC, who hospitalized between 2002 and 2012 in an academic center affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were evaluated with respect to different clinicopathologic variables, follow-up times, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients had been diagnosed with both endometrium and OC. 17, 26, and 12 patients were diagnosed as SEOC, EC, and OC, respectively. The frequency of abnormal uterine bleeding was significantly lower in OC (16.7%) compared to others (58.8% in SEOC and 53.8% in EC). However, the abdominal/pelvic pain was significantly higher in OC (50%) compared to others (35.3% in SEOC and 34.6% in EC) (P < 0.05). Complex atypical hyperplasia (87.5%), endometriosis (88.8%), and endometrioid carcinoma (54.5%) was observed most in SEOC group. The duration of follow-up time was between 3 and 171 months with a mean of 16 months. There was no death in SEOC who followed. Survivals of patients between three group were statistically significant (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of SEOC patients is better than those with EC and OC (P = 0.032).

An accessory mediastinal thyroid: A case report.

Various differential diagnoses and etiologies exist for mediastinal masses. One of the most uncommon is the ectopic mediastinal goiter. It is crucial for a clinician, especially cardiothoracic surgeons, to think about it when encountering such masses.

A giant quiet esophageal polyp: A case report.

Fibrovascular polyps of the esophagus are rare, benign, intraluminal submucosal tumors. In this report, we present a case of esophageal polyp in a young woman and discuss its diagnostic and surgical aspects.

Tension pneumothorax caused by the ruptured hydatid cyst of the lung.

Hydatid cyst disease puts a significant burden on the health of humans every year. The lung is the second most common organ of implantation of Echinococcus larvae. Due to the importance of early diagnosis of tension pneumothorax, this paper provides four cases of hydatid disease that presented with tension pneumothorax.

Tracheal hemangioma: a case report and literature review.

Hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors in children. Although hemangiomas are common, they are rarely seen in areas like the trachea and larynx.The most common clinical manifestations in tracheal hemangiomas are stridor and respiratory distress. The main diagnostic method is bronchoscopy. Other imaging techniques like computed tomography scans and MRIs are also helpful. Various treatment options are now used for treating the disease, including beta blockers like propranolol, local and systemic steroids, and surgical resection. Case presentation: An 8-year-old boy with the chief complaint of severe progressive dyspnea and a history of neonatal postbreastfeeding cyanosis was admitted. On physical examination, he had tachypnea, and stridor was heard upon auscultation. There was no history of fever, chest pain, or coughing. He underwent a rigid bronchoscopy followed by a neck computed tomography scan. The results indicated a soft tissue mass with a vascular nature. An MRI of the neck confirmed the diagnosis of tracheal hemangioma. The mass was not resectable during surgery; hence, angioembolization was carried out. Treatment was successful and there was no recurrence on the follow-up. Clinical discussion: Based on the findings in this literature review tracheal hemangiomas present with stridor, progressive respiratory distress, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chronic coughs. Advanced tracheal hemangiomas commonly do not reduce in size by themselves and need treatment. A close follow-up ranging from 3 months to 1 year is recommended. Conclusion: Although tracheal hemangiomas are rare they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe dyspnea and stridor.

Modified Sol-Gel Synthesis of Mesoporous Borate Bioactive Glasses for Potential Use in Wound Healing.

In this study, we successfully utilized nitrate precursors for the synthesis of silver (Ag)-doped borate-based mesoporous bioactive glass (MBGs) based on the 1393B3 glass formulation in the presence of a polymeric substrate (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) as a stabilizer of boric acid. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the glassy state of all the MBGs. The incorporation of 7.5 mol% Ag into the glass composition led to a decrease in the glass transition temperature (Tg). Improvements in the particle size, zeta potential, surface roughness, and surface area values were observed in the Ag-doped MBGs. The MBGs (1 mg/mL) had no adverse effect on the viability of fibroblasts. In addition, Ag-doped MBGs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative species. In summary, a modified sol-gel method was confirmed for producing the Ag-doped 1393B3 glasses, and the primary in vitro outcomes hold promise for conducting in vivo studies for managing burns.