Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume:17 Issue: 1, 2010

The anti TNFα drugs are new line treatment for articular inflammatory diseases which are used systemically, but due to expensiveness and some systemic adverse effects have limited usage. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of intra-articular (local) injection of Etanercept and Infliximab as two anti TNFα drugs on histopathology and also due to the important role of joint blood flow on joint performance, to investigate the effect of local infusion of these drugs on blood flow of chronically inflamed joints.

Forty two NZW rabbits, underwent chronic knee joint inflammation by antigen induced arthritis method and then were randomly assigned into histopathology and blood flow groups. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups: vehicle (normal saline), Etanercept and Infliximab. In the first group, 2 weeks after intraarticular injection of antigen either 4 mg Etanercept, 16 mg Infliximab or o.5 ml vehicle was injected into the joint and after 2 weeks microscopic sections of knee joints were assessed for synovial membrane hyperplasia, villus hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration and pannus formation. In the second group, 4 weeks after intraarticular injection of antigen, either 4 mg Etanercept, 1 mg Infliximab or vehicle was locally infused into articular atrery. Systemic blood pressure via carotid artery canulla and joint blood flow (JBF) by Laser Doppler Flowmeter were recorded.

Intraarticular injection of Etanercept and Infliximab had no significant effect on histopathological indices of inflammation. Etanercept increased JBF by 63.8±16.1% and decreased JVR by 42.2±4.4%. Infliximab, too, increased JBF by 70.6±16.1.1% and decreased JVR by 38.7 ±6.3%. The drugs had no effect on arterial blood pressure.

Although not significantly effective on histopathlogical indices, Etanercept and Infliximab seems to improve prognosis of chronic joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis through blood flow enhancement and hypoxia diminution.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is still a health problem in the world, including Iran where its cases have significantly increased in recent years. The objective of this study was to assess a new focus of anthroponotic CL in rural communities after the earthquake in Bam district.

After the report of the provincial health authorities, this study has been carried out in the summer of 2008 in Dehbakry region, Bam district, Kerman province in southeastern Iran.

Overall, 3884 individuals consisting of 1913 females (49.3%) and 1971 males (50.7%) were physically examined for the presence of active lesions or scars. The overall prevalence rate was 5.3%; 6.3% in females and 4. 3% in males with no significant difference. Most of the infection was in age group ≤10 years (9.3%) and the lowest in 21-30 year group (2.9%). The prevalence rate was significantly (P<0.001) higher in native residents (4.1%) than in non _ natives (1.1%). Most of the lesions were on the face (47%), and hands (34%). The majority (78%) had one lesion. Most of the cases had occurred during 2006. PCR technique revealed all 26 examined cases as Leishmania tropica.

All the cases have occurred after the earthquake and simultaneously with epidemic condition in the city of Bam. Traveling from endemic areas of Bam to this locality could be the main factor for establishment of this new ACL focus.

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common kind of anemia in childhood. Iron supplements that are usually prescribed for the treatment stain teeth. The purpose of this study was an in vitro comparison of the adsorption rate of iron onto incisor primary teeth after exposure to three different Iron drops (Darupakhash, Fer–In– Sol, Shahredaru).

This study was performed on sixty intact primary incisor teeth in two stages with one week interval. In each stage thirty teeth were examined. The teeth in each stage were divided into three groups and each group was exposed to one kind of Iron drop. The rate of Iron adsorption was measured by Atomic Absorption system. ANOVA (Kruskal – wallis) test was used for statistical analysis.

There was a significant difference among three types of Iron drops in adsorption of Iron (P<0.001). Fer–In–Sol had the least and darupakhash had the highest adsorption rate.

Although all three Iron drops cause stain on primary incisor teeth, there is a significant difference among them.

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is a rare carcinoma in female genitalia tract. In review of literature less than 100 cases have been reported. The presented case is a 44 - year - old married woman with complain of a painful mass in the vulvar area. The nodule was excised and microscopic examination revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin gland origin. A few months later radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed. In the pathology report, margins and all separated lymph nodes from inguinal area were free of tumor.