Validity of correction factors applied to auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) in normal hearing adults in chartr EP system

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Even though many patients undergoing auditory steady-state response (ASSR) testing have some degree of hearing loss, some have normal hearing and ASSR...     

Comparison of mast cells count in oral reactive lesions

The purposes of this study were a comparison of mast cells (MCs) count in oral soft-tissue reactive lesions showing different degrees of fibrosis, and also an evaluation of the correlation of mast cells counting with the score of inflammation.     

The Nance Obturator,a New Fixed Obturator for Patients with Cleft Palate and Fistula

In patients with fistulas that impair function (e.g., feeding, resonance, intelligibility), obturators are used to improve feeding and reduce nasal air emission by occluding the abnormal opening between the oral and nasal cavities. This report describes a novel method for occluding an anterior palatal fistula in patients with cleft palates. The new design for a fixed obturator is based on the Nance appliance, which was originally used as a space maintainer, but has been redesigned for closing an anterior palatal fistula in a patient with cleft lip and palate. The Nance obturator may be used when the surgical closure of the fistula is not feasible and a removable device is not successful. As it is a fixed device, it does not require remaking with maxillary growth. The new design may also function as a fixed space maintainer to preserve molar anchorage and maxillary transverse width.     

Therapeutic effects of walnut oil on the animal model of multiple sclerosis

Objectives: Therapeutic approaches for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), are accompanied by various undesirable side effects. Owing to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of walnut, we investigated its effects on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS.

Methods: After EAE induction in mice, the treated group was gavaged daily with walnut oil. The weights and clinical symptoms were monitored daily for 21 days following the onset of symptoms. The spleens and brains of the mouse were removed and used for ELISA and histological studies.

Results: The average disease severity and plaque formation in the brains of the walnut oil-treated group were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) than those of the untreated group. Stimulated splenocytes of the treated group expressed significantly less INF-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 than the untreated group with no significant differences in IL-10 or IL-5 production. In serum from the treated group, IL-17 expression was also significantly less than in the untreated group, while IL-10 was greater (P?<?0.05).

Conclusion: Walnut oil significantly reduced disease severity, inhibited plaque formation, and altered cytokine production. More studies are required to identify the mechanism of action of walnut oil as a valuable supplement in the treatment of MS.     

The utility of radiolabeled PSMA ligands for tumor imaging

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a glycosylated type-II transmembrane protein expressed in prostatic tissue and significantly overexpressed in several prostate cancer cells. Despite its name, PSMA has also been reported to be overexpressed in endothelial cells of benign and malignant non-prostate disease. So its clinical use was extended to detection, staging, and therapy of various tumor types. Recently small molecules targeting PSMA have been developed as imaging probes for diagnosis of several malignancies. Preliminary studies are emerging improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of PSMA imaging, leading to a change in patient management. In this review, we evaluated the first preclinical and clinical studies on PSMA ligands resulting future perspectives radiolabeled PSMA in staging and molecular characterization, based on histopathologic examinations of PSMA expression.     

Iron in kidney and heart failure: from theory to practice

There is evidence that serum iron levels, regardless of the presence of anemia, directly impact outcomes in congestive heart failure (CHF) including quality of life, hospitalization rate and overall survival. Despite modern medical treatments, the prognosis of CHF remains grim. Ironically, simple iron replenishment may serve as a powerful tool in the armamentarium. This review will start from fundamental concepts of iron in oxygen delivery and analyze evidence-based outcomes in CHF iron-directed therapeutic trials. Imaging rationale that dovetails with this pathophysiology will also be detailed in a clinician-directed fashion.     

Recidivans cutaneous leishmaniasis unresponsive to liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome®)

A 60-year-old woman with thick crusted erythematous plaques on her glabella, apex nasi and left infraorbital region was diagnosed as recidivans cutaneous leishmaniasis. The lesions were resistant to antimonial drugs. Although some response was observed on the infraorbital region, lesions on the glabella and nose continued to infiltrate despite therapy with liposomal amphotericin B.     

Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ): to assess the association between automatic thoughts,emotions and sexual response

The role of cognitive-affective factors on male and female sexual functioning has been studied in North America and European countries and there is a lack of validated measures available for use elsewhere. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) to the Iranian context. The SMQ is a validated measure aimed at assessing the association between thoughts, emotions and sexual response during sexual activity. A total of 388 participants (224 women and 164 men) completed the SMQ. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation and subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. Three factors were identified in the male version: Failure Anticipation Thoughts, Erection Concern Thoughts, and Lack of Erotic Thoughts. In the female version, six factors were identified: Failure and Disengagement Thoughts, Low Self-Body Image Thoughts, Sexual Abuse Thoughts, Sexual Passivity and Control, Lack of Erotic Thoughts, and Partner's Lack of Affection. Also, a consistent pattern of correlations was found between the three subscales of the SMQ (thoughts, emotions, and sexual response) supporting the interactional character of the measure. This study has provided some preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the SMQ for use in Iranian populations.