Comparison of radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings of early osteoarthritis of the rabbit knees: an experimental study

The objectives of the present study were to describe radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of early osteoarthritis and their relationships at the same time. A total number of ten rabbits were used and randomly divided into two equal groups. In one group, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) of the left knee was transected to produce experimental osteoarthritis and in the other group, only the articular capsule was entered as sham operation (arthrotomy group). All of the left knees were examined by MRI and radiography before operation to exclude preexisting abnormalities and serve as control. One month postoperation, two conventional radiographic views and MR imaging were performed under general anesthesia. Statistical analysis of the MRI results revealed that there was a significant difference between the CCL-transected group with arthrotomy and control groups. There was no significant difference in the radiographic findings between the operated, arthrotomy and control groups. It was concluded that osteoarthritic changes of the joints can be detectable 1?month postinjury by MRI. Meniscal degeneration and subchondral bone irregularity are detectable diagnostic signs.     

Need for emergent studies on dietary factors among infancy nephrolithiasis

The prevalence of pediatric nephrolithiasis has increased in recent years in some countries located in the Afro-Asian stone-forming belt. The increase may be a result of rapid variations in eating habits and changes in socio-economic conditions. Geographic variation such as climate was reported to contribute to the incidence of urolithiasis in children. It seems necessary to do population based studies to find out the real prevalence of nephrolithiasis among infants and it should be quite important to investigate the association between dietary intake and nephrolithiasis.     

Lack of relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene 4b/a and T-786C polymorphisms with preeclampsia in southeast of Iran

Purpose  

Preeclampsia is an important disorder of pregnancy that carries a severe morbidity and mortality risk for both mother and fetus. A large number of studies have shown that abnormalities in nitric oxide synthesis may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.     

Primary bilateral ovarian and uterine Burkitt’s lymphoma following chemotherapy for breast cancer

Background  

Burkitt’s lymphoma is extremely rare in the United States, with reports of approximately 300 new cases each year. A case of Burkitt’s lymphoma involving the uterus, cervix, ovaries and appendix 15 years after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is presented.     

Functional long-term results after the harvest of vascularised iliac bone grafts bicortically with the anterior superior iliac spine included

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative morbidity at the donor site and the long-term outcome after the harvest of bicortical iliac bone grafts, including the iliac crest and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), by using a confirmed score. We retrospectively examined 54 consecutive patients who had had vascularised iliac bone grafts harvested to reconstruct different parts of the mandible. We used the Harris Hip Score to evaluate objectively the long-term postoperative morbidity at the donor site. Of 54 patients, 20 were female (37%) and 34 male (63%), with a mean age of 49 years (range 12–81). The causes of the bony defects were malignancy (n = 37, 69%), benign tumours (n = 7, 13%), osteomyelitis (n = 9, 17%), and atrophy of the alveolar ridge (n = 1, 2%). All transplants healed adequately. A total of 38/52 patients (73%) had a score of more than 80 points, which defines clinical success. Vascularised iliac bone grafts offer excellent bony dimensions with optimal shape to be used for reconstruction of different parts of the mandible. They can be harvested bicortically, including the iliac crest and the ASIS, with acceptable morbidity at the donor site. The Harris Hip Score is an appropriate tool for the evaluation of long-term impairment at the donor site after the harvest of vascularised iliac bone grafts, and it could be used to compare the results of different studies.     

Primary pelvic retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a female with high-grade recurrence

Myxofibrosarcoma or malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma. However, primary pelvic and retroperitoneal myxoid is an extremely rare tumor. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman diagnosed with primary MFH originating from the left gluteal muscle and presenting with a large pelvic mass. A 49-year-old woman G0 presented with a 3-year history of progressive left leg sciatica pain, left lower extremity edema, and a pelvic mass consistent with low-grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma upon surgical resection. Despite adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), she developed recurrence underwent within 7 months. She underwent repeat surgical resection with histopathology showing a MFH with high-grade features. We describe this case and review the literature of MFH. MFH of the pelvis and retroperitoneum is extremely rare. It has a high mortality rate and short overall survival. The tumor is characterized by local invasion, while lymph node or vascular metastases are uncommon. Complete tumor resection is the best primary treatment and is usually followed by adjuvant RT or chemotherapy. These patients must have close observation for local recurrence.     

Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in asthma in Northeast of Iran

The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in asthma has drawn much attention in recent years. In this study we assessed the prevalence of C. pneumoniae infections in patients with chronic stable and acute exacerbation of asthma and compared it with normal population. Twenty adult patients with chronic stable asthma and 21 patients with acute exacerbations of asthma and 41 matched control subjects were studied for presence of C. pneumoniae using cell culture. This study suggests that positive results of C. pneumoniae culture are associated with both chronic stable and acute exacerbation of asthma. It could be concluded that C. pneumoniae is a risk factor for either development or exacerbation of asthma.