Semi-automatic Methods for Airway and Adjacent Vessel Measurement in Bronchiectasis Patterns in Lung HRCT Images of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Airway and vessel characterization of bronchiectasis patterns in lung high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is very important to compute the score of disease severity. We propose a hybrid and evolutionary optimized threshold and model-based method for characterization of airway and vessel in lung HRCT images of CF patients. First, the initial model of airway and vessel is obtained using the enhanced threshold-based method. Then, the model is fitted to the actual image by optimizing its parameters using particle swarm optimization (PSO) evolutionary algorithm. The experimental results demonstrated the outperformance of the proposed method over its counterpart in R-squared, mean and variance of error, and run time. Moreover, the proposed method outperformed its counterpart for airway inner diameter/vessel diameter (AID/VD) and airway wall thickness/vessel diameter (AWT/VD) biomarkers in R-squared and slope of regression analysis.     

Genetic Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis by Using the Actin Gene and Molecular Based Methods

Background

Trichomonas vaginalis is the agent of urogenital tract infection that causes human trichomoniasis with some serious health complications. More understanding about genetic features of the parasite can be helpful in the study of the pathogenesis, drug susceptibility and epidemiology of the infection. For this end, we conducted analysis of the actin gene of T. vaginalis by applying the PCR-SSCP (PCR-Single Stranded Conformational Polymorphism) and nucleotide sequencing method.

Methods

Fifty T. vaginalis samples were collected from 950 women attending gynecology clinics in two cities of Iran, Hamadan and Tehran, from November 2010 to July 2011. After axenisation of isolates, all samples subjected to PCR-SSCP and nucleotide sequencing.

Results

According to the SSCP banding patterns and nucleotide sequencing, seven sequence types were detected among the isolates. Alignment of the nucleotide sequences showed five polymorphic sites in the different strain types. Amino acid substitution was not observed in the nucleotide sequence translation of the all sequences.

Conclusion

The actin gene analysis represents genetic diversity of T. vaginalis and it suggests that various strains can be responsible for clinically different trichomoniasis in infected individuals. It is expected that further studies will be conducted to increase our knowledge about relationship between the actin gene polymorphism and different biological behavior of the parasite.     

Functional P2X7 receptors at cultured hippocampal astrocytes but not neurons

P2X7 receptors have been suggested to be located both on neurons and astrocytes of the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the present Ca²⁺-imaging and patch-clamp study, we reinvestigated these findings on mixed neuronal–astrocytic cell cultures prepared from embryonic or newborn rat hippocampi. We found in a Mg²⁺-free bath medium that the prototypic P2X7 receptor agonist dibenzoyl-adenosine triphosphate (Bz-ATP) increased the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) both in the neuronal cell bodies and in their axo-dendritic processes only to a very minor extent. However, Bz-ATP produced marked [Ca²⁺]_i transients in the neuronal processes, when they grew above a glial carpet, which was uniformly sensitive to Bz-ATP. These glial signals might be misinterpreted as neuronal responses because of the poor focal discrimination by a fluorescent microscope. Most astrocytes had a polygonal shape without clearly circumscribable boundaries, but a subgroup of them had neuron-like appearance. The cellular processes of this astrocytic subgroup, just as their cell somata and their polygonal counterparts, appeared to possess a high density of functional P2X7 receptors. In contrast to astrocytes, in a low Ca²⁺/no Mg²⁺-containing bath medium, hippocampal neurons failed to respond to Bz-ATP with membrane currents. In addition, neither the amplitude nor the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents, representing the quantal release of glutamate, was modified by Bz-ATP. We conclude that cultured hippocampal neurons, in contrast to astrocytes, possess P2X7 receptors, if at all, only at a low density.     

Comparison of abdominal palpation, Johnson’s technique and ultrasound in the estimation of fetal weight in Northern Iran

Objectives

to assess the accuracy of abdominal palpation, Johnson's technique and ultrasound in the estimation of fetal weight (EFW).

Design, setting and participants

174 pregnant women were recruited at random in a large teaching hospital in Iran. Fetal weight was estimated by palpation and Johnson's technique at the time of admission by one qualified midwife, and then estimated by ultrasound by one radiologist. After birth, all newborns were weighed using the same scale.

Findings

a significant correlation was found between EFW by ultrasound, palpation and Johnson's technique and actual birth weight. The differences between EFW by palpation, ultrasound and Johnson's technique and actual birth weight were significant for small-for-gestational-age fetuses (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively), but not for appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses. These differences were significant for ultrasound (p<0.001) and palpation (p<0.05) in large-for-gestational-age fetuses. The sensitivity of ultrasound for EFW of low-birthweight fetuses (72.2%) and the sensitivity of Johnson's technique for EFW of normal-weight and macrosomic fetuses (97.3% and 75%, respectively) appeared to be higher than the sensitivities of the other methods.

Conclusion

palpation and Johnson's technique can be used as alternatives to ultrasound for EFW, particularly if the measurements are taken by experienced, skilled personnel.     

Reinforcement of anticipatory eating by short as well as long fasts

Rats can learn to anticipate the omission of subsequent meals by increasing food intake. Our previous reports have analysed group means at each trial but that does not allow for rats learning at different speeds. This paper presents instead a rat-by-rat analysis of all the raw data from previous experiments. The re-analysis supports the published evidence that the capacity for reinforcement generated by withholding of food is greater after a longer fast than after a shorter fast, but that the learning is quicker after the shorter fast. The individualised analyses also extend the evidence that the pattern of learning, extinction and re-learning with shorter fasts is similar to that with longer fasts. These findings indicate that, contrary to our previous interpretation, a single learning mechanism can explain the effects of both durations of food deprivation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Biebersteinia multifida</Emphasis> DC a potential savior against testicular torsion-induced reperfusion injury

The study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of the methanolic extract of Biebersteinia multifida DC on ischemia–reperfusion injury induced by testicular torsion/detorsion in rats. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Sham operation group, torsion/detorsion group plus saline, and torsion/detorsion groups plus 75 and 150 mg/kg doses of DC extract (administered intraperitoneally 15 min before detorsion). Testicular ischemia was induced via keeping the left testis under 720° counterclockwise torsion for 2 h; afterwards, detorsion was performed. All rats were sacrificed 4 h after detorsion and bilateral testes were removed for histological examinations. The testes in sham operation group had normal structure. Contralateral testicular tissue had mild injury in torsion/detorsion (T/D) group, while it was approximately normal in DC-treated group. In the T/D group, most of the testes demonstrated severe lesions in ipsilateral testes. In contrast, ipsilateral twisted testicular tissue in DC-treated group showed mild to moderate injuries. Similar histopathological results were obtained in both utilized therapeutic doses of DC (75 and 150 mg/kg). B. multifida is a rich source of phenolic antioxidant components that can be potentially used as a free radical scavenger in testicular damages caused by reperfusion injury, although more detailed studies are warranted.     

Relationship between cardiac symptoms, myocardial perfusion defects and coronary angiography findings in systemic lupus erythematosus

Coronary angiography is generally regarded as the 'gold standard' test for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to determine the relationship between cardiac symptoms and findings of coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medical records of all SLE patients who underwent coronary angiography while attending our clinic over 24 years were reviewed, noting the indication for the test and its findings. Among patients who had MPS within 6 months prior to coronary angiography, a contingency table was used to rate the agreement between the two tests. Among the 35 patients who underwent coronary angiography, 31 had the test to investigate cardiac symptoms. Among the symptomatic patients, 17 (55%) had an abnormal angiogram with one or more plaques, while 14 (45%) had normal angiograms. All four asymptomatic patients had normal angiograms. Compared to those with normal angiograms, patients with abnormal angiograms had a higher mean number of cardiovascular risk factors per patient (1.6?±?1.4 vs. 0.6?±?1.0, p?=?0.02). Twenty-four patients had both angiography and MPS. Overall, the agreement between angiography and MPS was poor (κ?=?0, p?=?0.0008), with 14 (58.3%) patients having perfusion defects and normal angiograms. A proportion of SLE patients with cardiac symptoms do not have plaques on coronary angiography. Overall there is poor agreement between the findings of coronary angiography and MPS in SLE, suggesting mechanisms of ischemia other than plaques.     

Study of correlation between chronic stressor,biochemical markers and hematologic indices in Shahrekord Cohort Study: A population-based cross-sectional study

AimStress is one of the most common and controllable risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stress and biochemical factors and hematologic indices.MethodsThe data to conduct this cross-sectional study were obtained from Shahrekord Cohort Study (SCS). The sample size included 1000 people who were randomly selected from 7000 people enrolled in the SCS conducted in 2017–2018. To measure stress as well as blood biochemical factors and hematologic indices, the Questionnaire of Stressful Life Events and Glucose and Lipid profile were used, respectively.ResultsAmong stress dimensions, job security was significantly associated with most biochemical factors and hematologic indices. Linear regression model showed that there was a significant correlation between stress and blood urea, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), education, marital status, and occupation.ConclusionThis study reported that the level of exposure to stressors was higher than that of other studies, and the results of this study are recommended to be used for screening and early detection of the consequences of exposure to chronic stressors, especially for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.     

Late Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Vaginal Bleeding in Their First Trimester

Purpose

First trimester vaginal bleeding (FTVB) does not usually terminate the pregnancy. However, its outcome is a matter of debate. This study sought to assess the outcomes of pregnancies, complicated by FTVB.

Methods

In this cohort study, 236 gravida 1 and 2 FTVB patients with delivery after 28 weeks of gestational age, admitted to Imam Hossein Hospital during 2009–2010, were evaluated. The control group consisted of 944 gravida 1 and 2 women without any history of vaginal bleeding. Late pregnancy outcomes such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, placental abruption, preterm delivery, and premature rupture of membranes in the mothers and low birth weight (LBW), intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR), Apgar score at 5 min <7, and NICU admission in the infants were evaluated. Logistic regression was used for estimation of odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval.

Results

Compared to controls, the FTVB cases had more premature rupture of membranes (OR = 10), gestational hypertension (OR = 5.3), and placental abruption (OR = 4.7), while their infants had higher odds of LBW, IUGR, Apgar score at 5 min <7, and admission to NICU too. The incidence of premature rupture of membranes was 3.6 % in the controls and 27.1 % in the cases (RR = 10, P < 0.001). The incidence of gestational hypertension and LBW was 1.5 and 7.2 % (P < 0.001) in the controls and 6.6 and 12.3 % (P < 0.001) in the cases. The other outcomes were similar in both groups.

Conclusion

FTVB may play a role in the development of late pregnancy outcomes in mothers and infants. Thus, it is recommended to evaluate some interventions on FTVB cases to prevent complications.