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.     

Myxopapillary ependymoma of the conus medullaris presenting with intratumoral hemorrhage during weight lifting in a teenager

Intratumoral hemorrhage within a myxopapillary ependymoma of the conus medullaris and cauda equina is rare. Most patients with myxopapillary ependymoma present insidiously, but they may present with hemorrhage or cauda equina syndrome. Limited number of case reports available has described this condition only in adult patients. We report our experience with intratumoral hemorrhage of myxopapillary ependymoma of the conus medullaris during weight lifting in a 15-year-old boy.     

Disturbance of zinc and glucose homeostasis by methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); evidence for type 2 diabetes

1.?The prevalence of diabetes and the other metabolic disorders has noticeably increased worldwide. A causal link between increasing risk of type 2 diabetes and exposure to environmental pollutants has been reported.

2.?We hypothesized that exposure to methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenate additive to gasoline would hinder zinc and glucose homeostasis in rats.

3.?Male Sprague–Dawley rats received MTBE in drinking water for 90 days. At the end of the treatment, pancreas and blood samples were collected for biochemical and molecular examinations. Expression of four candidate genes, including Insulin1, Insulin2, MT1A, SLC30A8 by Real-Time Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) as well as biochemical parameters, including fasting blood glucose (FBS), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHO), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), copper (Cu²⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) levels as well as High-sensitive C-reactive protein were assessed as endpoints.

4.?This study suggested that MTBE exposure can be associated with disruption in zinc homeostasis and glucose tolerance.     

Cyclic vomiting syndrome: treatment options

Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting separated by symptom-free periods. Our aims were to review treatments of adult cyclic vomiting syndrome as well as to identify areas for further clinical research and the unanswered questions in this field. We conducted a PubMed search using such keywords as “cyclic vomiting syndrome,” “nausea,” “vomiting,” “treatment,” “trigger factors” and “tricyclic antidepressants” and combined this information with the knowledge and clinical research from the authors. Available data show that in adult cyclic vomiting syndrome, there is an impressive and sustained response to high-dose tricyclic antidepressants. In up to 13 % who are regarded as poor responders to tricyclic antidepressants, a predictable profile can be identified related to coexisting psychological disorders, marijuana use, poorly controlled migraine headache or chronic narcotic use. Cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults is being an increasingly recognized entity. Tricyclic antidepressants are the main treatment for controlling symptoms. Eliminating and addressing trigger factors are an essential part of management.     

Lactobacillus crispatus strain SJ‐3C‐US induces human dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and confers an anti‐inflammatory phenotype to DCs

Lactobacillus crispatus is one of the most predominant species in the healthy vagina microbiota. Nevertheless, the interactions between this commensal bacterium and the immune system are largely unknown. Given the importance of the dendritic cells (DCs) in the regulation of the immunity, this study was performed to elucidate the influence of vaginal isolated L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US from healthy Iranian women on DCs, either directly by exposure of DCs to ultraviolet‐inactivated (UVI) and heat‐killed (HK) L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US or indirectly to its cell‐free supernatant (CFS), and the outcomes of immune response. In this work we showed that L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US induced strong dose‐dependent activation of dendritic cells and production of high levels of IL‐10, whereas IL‐12p70 production was induced at low level in an inverse dose‐dependent manner. This stimulation skewed T cells polarization toward CD4⁺ CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ Treg cells and production of IL‐10 in a dose‐dependent manner in mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) test. The mode of bacterial inactivation did not affect the DCs activation pattern, upon encounter with L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US. Moreover, while DCs stimulated with CFS showed moderate phenotypic maturation and IL‐10 production, it failed to skew T cells polarization toward CD4⁺ CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg) and production of IL‐10. This study showed that L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US confers an anti‐inflammatory phenotype to DCs through up‐regulation of anti‐inflammatory/regulatory IL‐10 cytokine production and induction of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ T cells at optimal dosage. Our findings suggest that L. crispatus SJ‐3C‐US could be a potent candidate as protective probiotic against human immune‐mediated pathologies, such as chronic inflammation, vaginitis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).