Hysterosalpingography in the assessment of proximal tubal pathology: a review of congenital and acquired abnormalities

Tubal and peritoneal disease are the main causes of infertility. Tubal pathology can be either congenital malformation or acquired, proximal or distal, unilateral or bilateral and transient or permanent. Several imaging methods such as laparoscopy, fluoroscopy, saline infusion sonography, and hysterosalpingography (HSG) have been used in the assessment of tubal and peritoneal pathology. Although laparoscopy is the modality of choice for investigating tubal patency and pelvic structure in many infertility centers, HSG is usually the initial diagnostic method for infertility workup because of its ease of performance, accuracy, and minimal risk of complications. This method provides useful information about size, contour, and anatomy of the inner surface of the fallopian tubes and is the gold standard for evaluation of tubal lumen. Tubal and peritubal pathology show various imaging manifestations on HSG. This review illustrates the radiographic features of congenital and acquired structural abnormalities of the proximal tubal pathology and along with etiology of proximal obstruction or occlusion will be described.     

Suicidal ideation and social exchanges among at-risk veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment

Purpose

The current study examined the independent association between positive (e.g., emotional and instrumental support) and negative (e.g., insensitive behavior, unwanted advice from others) social exchanges and suicidal ideation among veterans referred for a behavioral health assessment.

Methods

The sample included 606 veterans [mean age = 54.96 (SD = 14.96)] referred by primary care for a clinical mental health/substance abuse (MH/SA) assessment following a positive MH/SA screen. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SA conditions (e.g., depression, PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol abuse), the self-reported frequency of positive and negative social exchanges, and suicidal ideation were extracted from clinical interviews and evaluated.

Results

Veterans were primarily male, non-married, and had adequate financial resources, and approximately half were White. 74.4 and 20.3 % met criteria for a MH/SA condition and suicidal ideation, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for sociodemographics, physical functioning, and comorbid MH/SA conditions, veterans reporting more frequent negative exchanges with network members were significantly more likely to report suicidal ideation. Positive exchanges, in contrast, were not significantly related to the outcome. Inadequate finances and MH/SA conditions also were significantly related to suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the value of exploring the quality of social exchanges among veterans in primary care who screen positive for behavioral health issues, as such information has the potential to inform screening and intervention efforts aimed at reducing suicidal ideation.     

Investigation of the biological activity of methanol extract from Eremostachys labiosa Bunge

Eremostachys plants (Lamiaceae) are consumed by indigenous Iranian culture as medicinal plants, but experimental studies on their biological properties are lacking. In order to investigate the biological potentials, methanol extract of Eremostachys labiosa (ELM) was tested for toxicity on various cancer cell lines using MTT 3, (4, 5-dimethylthiazal-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. Anti-cancer effect of ELM was shown by its significant toxicity on different cancer cell lines especially on gastric (AGS) cancer cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of ELM, the amount of produced nitric oxide (NO) was assessed in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774A.1 macrophages using Griess reagent, and a remarkable decline was observed. Additionally, ELM showed considerable suppression on the proliferation of L. major promastigotes. The present study provides some evidence on the remarkable biological activities of E. labiosa. These findings also afford the scientific basis for the use of E. labiosa as a candidate medicinal plant for further in-depth phytochemical investigations towards anti-leishmanial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory compounds.     

Electrocardiographic, electrophysiologic, and anatomical features of ventricular tachycardia originating from noncoronary cusp

In this article, we report 2 young patients (a 15-year-old adolescent girl and a 25-year-old man) with drug-refractory palpitations. Admission electrocardiograms showed runs of ventricular tachycardia with left bundle-branch block morphology, left inferior axis, early precordial QRS transition, and positive QRS complex in lead I. In right ventricular mapping, the earliest activation site was found in the His bundle region. Aortic root mapping showed a very early fractionated ventricular signal with large atrial potential and no His potential in the noncoronary cusp region. Radiofrequency energy application in this region resulted in tachycardia termination within 5 to 10 seconds. During a 3- to 6-month follow-up period, the patients remained asymptomatic, and the electrocardiogram showed no ventricular arrhythmias.     

A walk around the application of nanocatalysts for cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C–H bonds

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions between two unmodified C–H bonds are one of the most attractive and fundamental strategies for the construction of C–C bonds. As these reactions avoid pre-functionalization and de-functionalization of the substrates, they are cleaner, safer, and faster than traditional cross-coupling reactions. After the introduction of the modern area of cross-dehydrogenative coupling in 2003, many efforts have been devoted to the development of more efficient and selective catalytic systems for these appealing reactions. Among the different types of catalytic systems that have been investigated, nanostructured metal catalysts are highly attractive in view of their high catalytic performance, easy separability and good reusability. The purpose of this review is to focus on the application of nanocatalysts for cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C–H bonds with particular emphasis on the mechanistic aspects of the reactions. Specifically, we have structured this review based on the type of C–C bonds. Thus, the review is divided into six major sections: (i) C(sp³)–C(sp³) coupling; (ii) C(sp³)–C(sp²) coupling; (iii) C(sp³)–C(sp) coupling; (iv) C(sp²)–C(sp²) coupling; (v) C(sp²)–C(sp) coupling; and (vi) C(sp)–C(sp) coupling.

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions between two unmodified C–H bonds are one of the most attractive and fundamental strategies for the construction of C–C bonds.     

Immunomodulatory vitamin D effects on regulatory T-cells and cytokines in an in vitro study on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various organs. Decreased numbers of regulatory T-cells (Treg cells; CD4⁺CD25^highFoxp3⁺) are associated with the pathogenesis of SLE. A vitamin D deficiency was observed in many lupus patients. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured in the presence or absence of vitamin D, and total Tregs percentage was analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, the level of expressions of Foxp3, TGFβ, and IL6 genes were analyzed by real-time-PCR. The results indicated that vitamin D treatment increased the percentage of Treg cells, and the expression of Foxp3 and TGFβ, and decreased the expression of IL6 in SLE patients.     

Effect of green tea on the second degree burn wounds in rats

Background:

Various studies indicate that the green tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Moreover, a few studies have been carried out that demonstrate beneficial effects of green tea on burned patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, green tea, Vaseline, and silver sulfadiazine dressings were used as first-aid treatment to deep dermal contact burns in rats, compared with a control of nothing. After creating second-degree burn on the dorsum of rats, the treatments were applied for 15 min in four groups. Wound dressing changes were daily. Macroscopic study was performed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 by using a digital camera and software processing of photos. Microscopic examination was done by pathologic evaluation of skin specimens on day 14.

Results:

We observed that green tea usage significantly decreased burn size in comparison to the control group (P = 0.004).

Conclusion:

Green tea is effective on healing process of second degree burn wounds.KEY WORDS: Green tea, second degree burn, silver sulfadiazine