Cavum velum interpositum cysts in normal and anomalous fetuses in second trimester of pregnancy: Comparison of its size and prevalence

ObjectiveCavum veli interpositi (CVI) is a potential space below the splenium of corpus callosum and sometimes presents as a cyst.Materials and methodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, 360 fetuses with normal second trimester scan and 152 s trimester fetuses with structural abnormalities were included.ResultsThe CVI cysts were more common in fetuses with brain anomaly compared to normal fetuses and fetuses with extra-central nervous system (CNS) anomalies (23% vs 18.3% and 18% respectively; p value < 0.01). The mean size of cysts in normal fetuses, fetuses with extra-CNS anomalies and fetuses with brain abnormalities was 4.6 mm, 5.8 mm and 9.2 mm respectively. There was a significant difference between cysts size in normal fetuses and fetuses with brain anomalies (p value < 0.01) and the cut-point was 7.1 mm.ConclusionThe prevalence of CVI cysts is more in fetuses with brain anomaly. Fetuses with a cyst size >7.1 mm need a more detailed brain examination.     

Investigating the performance of four specific types of material grafts and their effects on hemodynamic patterns as well as on von Mises stresses in a grafted three-layer aortic model using fluid-structure interaction analysis

One of the important parts of the cardiac system is aorta which is the fundamental channel and supply of oxygenated blood in the body. Diseases of the aorta represent critical cardiovascular bleakness and mortality around the world. This study aims at investigation of hemodynamic parameters in a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of three-layer grafted aorta using fluid–structure interaction (FSI). It assumes that a damaged part of aorta, which may happen as a result of some diseases like aneurysm, dissection and post-stenotic dilatation, is replaced with a biomaterial graft. Four types of grafts materials so-called Polyurethane, Silicone rubber, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Dacron are considered in the present study. The assumption of linear elastic and isotropic material is set for the both aorta's wall and aforementioned grafts. Blood is considered as an incompressible and Newtonian fluid. The results indicate higher displacement in Polyurethane and silicone rubber in comparison with other two. Furthermore, results reveal that blood flow velocity has slightly higher values in PTFE and Dacron grafted models compared to Polyurethane and Silicone rubber ones. Even though there are some differences in hemodynamic patterns in these grafted models, they are not considerable as much as von Mises stresses across the graft-aorta intersections are. This study shows that the types of material grafts play an important role in the amount of stresses particularly at intersections of aorta and graft.     

Acetaminophen toxicity up-regulates MRP2 expression in the liver of cats: an old story with new vision

This study was conducted to clarify the role of efflux transporter MRP₂ in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats. Sixteen mixed bred male cats and four liver samples from mixed breed male dogs were used. The cats were assigned into four groups (n?=?4), received saline and 2, 10 and 50?mg/kg doses of acetaminophen orally for 14 days. Unlike the intact dogs, the MRP₂ was not detectable in control cats. MRP₂ at mRNA level was expressed in the liver of cats, which received the medium and high doses. Data suggest that the MRP₂ expression may involve in the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats.     

Multifidus muscle size in adolescents with and without back pain using ultrasonography

Objective

The purposes of this study were; a) to compare multifidus muscle cross sectional area (CSA) in male adolescents suffering from low back pain (LBP) with healthy male adolescents using ultrasonography (US), and b) to assess the correlation between multifidus muscle size and demographic variables.

Decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions for P(O)–C bond formation

Phosphorus-containing compounds are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, which have wide applications in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, agricultural chemistry, and materials chemistry. In particular, organophosphorus compounds bearing a P(O)–C bond have attracted significant attention in recent decades due to their widespread biological and pharmacological activities. In this review, we will highlight the most important developments in the construction of P(O)–C bonds through decarboxylative C–P cross-coupling reactions. The literature has been surveyed from 2011 to May 2018.

Phosphorus-containing compounds are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, which have wide applications in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, agricultural chemistry, and materials chemistry.     

The effect of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic responsiveness in rat aortic smooth muscle

We report the role of thyroid hormones on in vitro responsiveness of rat aortic smooth muscle to alpha-adrenergic stimulation. Four groups of rats: hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, thyroxine (0.1 mg/kg) treated hypothyroid and controls were employed. Response of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors was evoked with 6 incremental doses (10(-9) to 10(-4) M) of preferential alpha 1-agonist, phenylephrine and alpha 2-agonist, clonidine respectively. alpha 1-Adrenoceptors were also evoked by phenylephrine after blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors with 10(-7) M yohimbine. Similarly, alpha 2-adrenoceptors were stimulated with clonidine after blocking alpha 1-adrenoceptors with selective antagonists prazosin (10(-7) M). Aortic responsiveness to alpha-agonist norepinephrine was compared between the aortae of hypothyroid and euthyroid rats after blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors with 10(-4) M corynanthine. We report that in hypothyroid aortae, alpha 1-adrenergic response was significantly decreased, the dose response curve shifted to the right and the maximal response was 30% less than the normal; alpha 2-adrenergic response was completely inhibited in hypothyroid state; also, IP injections of 0.1 mg/kg thyroxine twice in 48 h to thyroidectomized rats reversed the effects of hypothyroidism on both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic response. Hyperthyroidism did not alter alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic response. These results signify the role of thyroid hormones in the regulation of alpha-adrenergic response in rat aortae.