The association of low-grade systemic inflammation with hypertensive retinopathy

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of systemic low-grade inflammation. The pathophysiologic mechanism of hypertensive retiopathy (HR) is not fully established. Elevated blood pressure (BP) alone does not fully account for the extent of retinopathy, other pathogenic mechanisms may be involved, such as low-grade inflammation. Therefore, this study was designed to answer the following questions. (i) Do hs-CRP levels change in HR? (ii) Is there any relation between degree of HR and hs-CRP levels? This study included 84 hypertensive patients with HR. The hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to the Keith-Wagener classification. Group 1 comprised 42 patients with grade I HR, and Group 2 comprised 42 patients with grade II HR. We selected 42 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) for control group. The level of hs-CRP in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 1 group (p = 0.018) and control group (p = 0.001), it was also higher in group 1 than in control group (p = 0.002). Also, hs-CRP showed positive correlations with degree of HR (r = 0.29, p = 0.017). Our study suggests that there is a relationship between HR and hs-CRP levels, which may be associated with systemic low- grade inflammation.     

A case report of neonatal convulsions due to maternal herpes gestationis

Herpes gestationis is a rarely seen autoimmune vesiculobullous and pruritic dermatosis of pregnancy. Neonatal morbidity associated with maternal herpes gestationis is controversial. The authors report the first case of neonatal convulsion with abnormal electroencephalography findings and transient vesicular eruption due to maternal herpes gestationis.     

Histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid and oxcarbazepine on rat uterine and ovarian cells

Purpose:   To determine the histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on rat uterine and ovarian cells.
Methods:   Fifty-six female prepubertal Wistar rats (21–24 days old and weighing between 47.5 and 58.1 g) were divided equally into four groups, which were given drinking water (controls), 300 mg/kg/day of VPA, 100 mg/kg/day of OXC or VPA + OXC via gavage, for 90 days. Ovaries and uteri of rats on proestrous and diestrous phases of estrous cycle were extirpated and placed in a fixation solution. The tissue specimens were assessed with apoptosis (TUNEL) staining protocols, eosinophil counting, and electron microscopic techniques.
Results:   In uteri, apoptosis in stroma, mitochondrial swelling, and cristolysis were observed in the VPA group, and OXC led to negative effects on epithelial cell and intracellular edema. In ovaries, both drugs increased apoptosis and intracytoplasmic edema. Organelle structure disruption was also observed in the OXC group. More conspicuous degenerative modifications were determined in the VPA + OXC group. In uteri, the number of TUNEL-positive luminal epithelial cells was 7.20 ± 1.32 in controls, and significantly increased to 29.60 ± 1.58, 34.20 ± 2.53, and 54.80 ± 2.04 in VPA, OXC, and VPA + OXC groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The highest number of TUNEL-positive glandular epithelium cells was observed in the VPA + OXC group; however, the number of TUNEL-positive stroma cells was highest in the VPA group. The highest number of eosinophils in stroma was in the VPA group.
Conclusion:   VPA and OXC trigger apoptotic and degenerative effects on rat uterine and ovarian cells. VPA also prevents implantation of embryo to the uterus and causes abortion via endometrial eosinophil infiltration.     

Evaluation of styloid chain calcification related to temporomandibular joint disc displacement: a retrospective cohort study

Oral Radiology - The present study aimed to evaluate any relationship between elongated styloid process (ESP) and temporomandibular joint disc displacement (TMJD). Study design: A retrospective...     

Clinical features and outcomes of 76 patients with COVID-19-related multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children

Clinical Rheumatology - Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a less understood and a rare complication of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Given the scarce data regarding...