Treatment of spinal hydatid disease: a single center experience.

In Turkey, spinal hydatidosis remains a serious health problem that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical, radiological, and surgical aspects and outcomes for five patients with spinal hydatidosis who were treated surgically at the Department of Neurosurgery of Ataturk University, Turkey. Despite the introduction of modern surgical and pharmacological therapy the disease remains difficult to cure, and patient outcomes are not satisfactory because of the high incidence of recurrence.     

Implantation: Ovulation induction and endometrial steroid receptors

The endometrial morphology, endometrial steroid receptors andserum steroid hormone concentrations have been studied in 22infertile women participating in an in-vitro fertilization,gamete intra-Fallopian transfer programme, including nine casesfollowing treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue/humanmenopausal gonadotrophin/human chorionic gonadotrophin. Allpatients had normal ovulatory function before treatment andsatisfactory response to ovulation induction. Endometrial biopsieswere taken in spontaneous and treatment cycles on the fourthday after ovulation had been detected by ultrasound scanning,when endometrial receptors were measured using immunohisto-chemistry.Histological examination of biopsies in spontaneous cycles showedthe majority (20/22) to be ‘in-phase’, while intwo cases luteal phase defect was diagnosed. After ovulationinduction, all the biopsies were still morphologically ‘in-phase’,although a significant reduction had occurred in the nuclearreceptor level in both the glands and stroma for both progesteronereceptors (gland P = 0.030, stroma P = 0.012 using microscopicanalysis; gland P = 0.020, stroma P < 0.001 using a cellanalysis system) and oestrogen receptors (gland P = 0.017, stromaP = 0.002 using direct microscopic analysis). This suggeststhat a reduction in steroid receptors in the endometrium occursafter ovulation induction in the presence of supraphysiologicalamounts of steroids, which is not associated with detectablemorphological changes     

Outcome of fetal meningomyelocele after vaginal delivery

Eight neonates with meningomyelocele were delivered vaginally. Diagnosis of meningomyelocele was made by ultrasonography during the latter half of pregnancy in three patients. The remaining five did not have ultrasound examination during the antenatal period. None of the meningomyelocele sacs (less than or equal to 4 cm in diameter) was ruptured at the time of delivery. Cesarean section may not be necessary for all fetuses with meningomyelocele.     

AMAP,the alleged non-toxic isomer of acetaminophen,is toxic in rat and human liver

N-acetyl-meta-aminophenol (AMAP) is generally considered as a non-toxic regioisomer of the well-known hepatotoxicant acetaminophen (APAP). However, so far, AMAP has only been shown to be non-toxic in mice and hamsters. To investigate whether AMAP could also be used as non-toxic analog of APAP in rat and human, the toxicity of APAP and AMAP was tested ex vivo in precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) of mouse, rat and human. Based on ATP content and histomorphology, APAP was more toxic in mouse than in rat and human PCLS. Surprisingly, although AMAP showed a much lower toxicity than APAP in mouse PCLS, AMAP was equally toxic as or even more toxic than APAP at all concentrations tested in both rat and human PCLS. The profile of proteins released into the medium of AMAP-treated rat PCLS was similar to that of APAP, whereas in the medium of mouse PCLS, it was similar to the control. Metabolite profiling indicated that mouse PCLS produced the highest amount of glutathione conjugate of APAP, while no glutathione conjugate of AMAP was detected in all three species. Mouse also produced ten times more hydroquinone metabolites of AMAP, the assumed proximate reactive metabolites, than rat or human. In conclusion, AMAP is toxic in rat and human liver and cannot be used as non-toxic isomer of APAP. The marked species differences in APAP and AMAP toxicity and metabolism underline the importance of using human tissues for better prediction of toxicity in man.     

Histological Study of Ovarian Interstitial Glands in IRAQI Buffaloes at Six and Nine Years Old

The present study was revealed some histological observations of interstitial glands in Iraqi buffalo＇s ovaries. This study was conducted on （24） ovaries collected from A1-Najaf slaughter house. The ovarian tissue specimens was fixed in （10%） formalin and histological preparations were carried out, then stained with H and E. Histologically the overian buffalo cortex at six year old that revaled single glands were lined by simple cuboidal epithelial cells. The glands were surrounded by collagen fibers, blood vessels and fibroblasts. The ovarian cortex at nine years old consisted of group of interstitial glands, lined by cuboidal cells. The epithelial lining single and group of interstitial glands were filled with fat droplets. The lumen of groups of interstitial glands contains acidophilic secretion. The present study was suggested that the present of fat droplets in the cells of interstitial glands due to androgens （steroid hormones） and that ensure less fertility in the female buffaloes.     

First detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in wild caught Phlebotomus papatasi in endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis,South of Iran

Objective

To identify the vectors and reservoirs of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic focus of Farashband, Fars Province, South of Iran.

Methods

Sticky papers and Sherman trap were used for collection of sand flies and rodents, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of kDNA, ITS1-rDNA were used for identification of Leishmania parasite in sand flies as well as rodents.

Results

Totally 2 010 sand flies were collected and the species of Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli was the common specimen in outdoors and indoors places. PCR technique was employed on 130 females of Phlebotomus papatasi. One of them (0.76%) was positive to parasite Leishmania major (L. major) and one specimen (0.76%) was positive to Leishmania infantum. Microscopic investigation on blood smear of the animal reservoirs for amastigote parasites revealed 16 (44%) infected Tatera indica. Infection of them to L. major was confirmed by PCR against kDNA loci of the parasite.

Conclusions

The results indicated that Phlebotomus papatasi was the dominant species circulating two species of parasites including L. major and Leishmania infantum among human and reservoirs. Furthermore, Tatera indica is the only main host reservoir for maintenance of the parasite source in the area.     

Recurrent osteoid osteoma: a case report with imaging features

We present a case of a 14-year-old boy, who presented with pain in the left thigh region for 1 year. The pain exacerbated at night, waking up the child and was relieved by salicylates. On the basis of clinical history, conventional radiography, computerized tomography and bone scintigraphy, a diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was made. The tumor was completely excised, and there was complete remission of symptoms. Six months following surgery, the pain recurred in the same region. Conventional radiography revealed dense sclerosis at the surgical site. Three-phase skeletal scintigraphy showed a focal area of increased blood pool activity followed by intense focal uptake in delayed images, characteristic of osteoid osteoma. Computerized tomography confirmed the findings of skeletal scintigraphy.