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The accuracy of ultrasound findings in predicting the incidence of morbidly adherent placenta has been evaluated previously. In this study, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of different quantitative findings of color Doppler and grayscale ultrasonography in predicting morbidly adherent placenta.

Abstract: Introducing engineered nanoparticles into an aquifer or reservoir can potentially increase the storage efficiency and mitigate the risk of leakage of stored CO2. We have measured flow pattern and pressure drop during core floods in which high pressure liquid CO2 or a CO2 analogue fluid displaces an aqueous suspension of nanoparticles. The displacement front is more spatially uniform and travels more slowly compared to a control displacement with no in- situ nanoparticles. Pressure measurements are consistent with generation of a viscous phase such as an emulsion during the displacement. These observations suggest that a nanoparticle stabilized emulsion is formed during the displacement which acts to suppress the viscous instability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Denitrification of high- nitrate high- salinity wastewater is difficult due to plasmolysis and inactivation of denitrifiers at high salinity conditions. In this study, the effects of salinity and empty bed contact time (EBCT) on simultaneous heterotrophic and sulfur based autotrophic denitrification of synthetic wastewater were evaluated in an up flow packed bed reactor .The reactor was filled with granular elemental sulfur particles with diameters of 2.8-5.6 mm and porosity of 40%. The initial culture was prepared from sludge of Shahrak-e- ghods domestic wastewater treatment plant. The influent nitrate concentration and EBCT were 600 mg NO3-N/lit and 16 h respectively. First, the stoichiometric fraction of nitrate removed by heterotrophic denitrification (with methanol as organic carbon source) supplied enough alkalinity to compensate the autotrophic alkalinity consumption, was determined 60%. Then, salt concentration was gradually increased with NaCl from 0% in the feed. The Process kept high nitrate removal efficiency (>99%) even at 3.5 % NaCl. During these changes the alkalinity variations were insignificant which showed the microbial population ratio of acclimated autotrophic to heterotrophic denitrifiers had no any significant changes with NaCl concentrations up to 3.5% in the feed. At 4 and 5% NaCl, the efficiency drastically decreased to 78% and 48%, respectively. Similar behavior was also observed for methanol removal efficiency, effluent turbidity as an indirect determinant of biological mass and sulfate production. The effects of flow rates on denitrification of synthetic high nitrate high salinity wastewater with 3.5 %NaCl under mixotrophic condition were also investigated by increasing the flow rate from 7.06 lit/day to 70.6 lit/day with corresponding EBCT 20 to 2 h. Denitrification efficiency was close to 100% at EBCT of 20 to 8 hr, but decreased to 79% and 39% when the EBCT was 4 and 2 h, respectively. The decrease in effluent sulfate concentration (as an indicator for autotrophic denitrification) and the increase in effluent alkalinity (as an indicator for heterotrophic denitrification) and pH at EBCT of 4 and 2 h were considerable correspondingly. These results imply that the population ratio of autotrophic to heterotrophic denitrifiers depends on EBCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the application of landscape ecology in planning and design of urban ecological systems. The ecological approach to landscape planning and the concepts of designing and implementing ecological systems have gained increasing attention in the last two decades. However, the ecological systems of urban environment need more research to consider built and natural patches and corridors together and to provide proper and applicable strategies that meet all of the diverse aspects of planning and designing sustainable urban systems. This approach could help in defining sustainable landscape development, aiming for a balance between both physical and natural systems in urban areas. This research is focused on Tehran's metropolitan area as a case study to provide a relationship between landscape ecology and urban planning and design to propose a model for analyzing and providing strategies and policies for conserving and resorting urban ecological systems. The spatial structure of green and natural areas are studied and categorized based on the patch-corridor-matrix model. Overlaying the selected layers helped provide strategies for conservation and reclamation, and policies to improve the structure and function of urban landscapes. The strategies to restore the ecological structure and to develop its function in Tehran metropolitan area are based on structural congruence, aggregate with outliers, local compensation and indispensable patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swell-shrink movement of expansive soils due to seasonal wetting and drying can cause differential ground movements. This movement can inflict substantial structural damage above foundation level to lightly loaded infrastructure. To reduce this movement, techniques have been employed to either (i) chemically restrain the soil’s reactivity, (ii) control the moisture variation within the ground, or (iii) engage a footing system that can limit the impact of the stresses generated by such differential ground movements. Recently, a new concrete-free footing system has been developed in Australia in an attempt to sufficiently resist such ground movements. This system is comprised of an adjustable steel plate attached to the ground by multiple thin steel (hollow) battered mini-piles. The technology shows promise as a low-impact, cost-effective, excavation and concrete-free, innovative alternative to traditional footing systems. It is also quick and easy to install without the use of bulky and expensive equipment. Early field trial results have indicated that this new footing system can combat against and significantly reduce the transfer of the swell-shrink ground movements to a structure. This paper will describe this new footing system and report on an experimental field trial to date, which will include measured ground movements, moisture content and soil suction results vs. depth, as well as the performance of this new driven battered mini-pile group footing system.

Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) can provide a prostate cancer (PCa) detection approach in positron emission tomography (PET) using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PSMA-11 peptide. There are some studies evaluated magnetic-nanoprobes for PSMA detection by MRI, using non-FDA-approved ligands including antibodies or peptides, which are not as specific as PSMA-11., Purpose: To assess targeted iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) by PSMA-11 peptides as a potential specific nano-molecular probes to investigate a PSMA + PCa-xenograft model by MRI., Study Type: Prospective., Animal Model: Twenty male C57BL6 nude mice induced subcutaneously PSMA + LNCaP cell line tumor., Field Strength/sequence: 1.5 T, T 2 -W Fast Spin echo and T 2 *-W Gradient echo., Assessment: Coated IONPs with Carboxymethylated-dextran (DNPs) and with bovine serum albumin (BNPs), as well as, targeted DNPs with PSMA-11-HYNIC peptide (TDNPs) and targeted BNPs with PSMA-11-HBED peptide (TBNPs) were injected intravenously with dose 2.8 mg Fe/kg. Coronal T 2 -W and the T 2 *-W images were obtained before and 4 hours and 6 hours post-injection. Signal intensity (SI) and relative signal enhancement (RSE) were computed in two- and three-dimensional analyses. Histological analysis of tumors was evaluated, and the Fe distribution within the body based on atomic absorption spectroscopy was calculated., Statistical Tests: One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test, Paired-samples T-test, P < 0.05 was considered significant., Results: A reduction in T 2 -W SI was achieved as 22 ± 7%, 59 ± 3%, 65 ± 5%, and 78 ± 3% respectively for BNPs, TBNPs, DNPs, and TDNPs 6 hours post-injection. The most difference between targeted and non-targeted groups was observed at 6 hours for PSMA-11-HBED, and at 4 hours for PSMA-11-HYNIC. RSE indicated 88.6 ± 3.1% and 80.7 ± 3.2% enhanced contrast between tumor and muscle region for TBNPs and TDNPs on T 2 *-W images., Conclusions: Both TBNPs and TDNPs are promising novel nano-molecular probes for PSMA + PCa tumor detection. The injection dose of non-targeted IONPs can be reduced by using targeted nanoprobes three times for BNPs and two times for DNPs., Evidence Level: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1., (© 2023 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background and Aims: Thromboembolism complication is considered the most common complication associated with the treatment of endovascular. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the studies investigating the effect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor agents on thromboembolic complications during endovascular aneurysm coiling., Materials and Methods: This systematic review investigated the outcome of the use of three glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor agents (ie abciximab, tirofiban, and eptifibatide) on the thromboembolic complications during endovascular aneurysm coiling. The electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline were searched up to 25 June 2021, using the keywords "Abciximab," "Tirofiban," and "Eptifibatide" incombination with "Thromboembolism Complication," "Aneurysms," and "Endovascular Aneurysm Coiling.", Results: A total of 21 articles were found to be eligible and included in this review. The rates of complete and partial recanalization were estimated to be 56% and 92% in patients who underwent abciximab and tirofiban therapy, respectively. Rupture aneurysms were found in the majority of patients. In general, the mortality rate of the patients treated for thromboembolic complications during endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors was found to be 4.8% (CI 95%:0.027-0.067; p < .005). The average remission rate in studies investigating thromboembolism was 91% (CI 95%:0.88-0.95, I 2 : 65.65/ p < .001)., Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, a higher mean rate of complete recanalization by eptifibatide was found in studies in which abciximab or tirofiban were used, compared to other mentioned agents. Moreover, the amount of hemorrhage was reported to be less after using tirofiban rather than abciximab., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The attentive management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has attracted particular attention. The German 7-joint Ultrasound (US-7) is the first scoring system that combines bone erosions and soft tissue lesions in a single composite scoring system. This study aimed to assess the correlation between US-7 and Disease Activity Score Using 28 Joint Counts (DAS28) in clinically active RA patients. The efficacy of a novel ultrasound score-based system, the US-9 score (joints assessed with US-7 plus knees), was also compared with the standard US-7 score., Methods: All the RA patients referred to the outpatient rheumatology clinic of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, during 2019-2020 were included. 28 joints were clinically examined to calculate DAS28. Nine joints were assessed comprising the German US-7 plus knees using grayscale ultrasonography (GSUS) and power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS). Retrieved data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 22. The Spearman Correlation test was used to find the correlation between DAS28 and ultrasonographic findings. The statistical significance level was set at P<0.05., Results: This study was composed of thirty-five RA patients with a mean age of 49.1±12.0 years. US-7 synovitis scores in GSUS and PDUS were significantly correlated with DAS28 (P=0.02, r=0.38 and P=0.003, r=0.48, respectively). US-9 synovitis scores in GSUS and PDUS were also significantly correlated with DAS28 (P=0.003, r=0.49 and P=0.006, r=0.45, respectively). The synovitis score measured by GSUS was significantly correlated with the GSUS knee synovial score (P=0.01, r=0.42)., Conclusion: Ultrasound assessment of large joints such as knees can be an effective approach to determining RA severity. However, it can be proposed that adding more involved joints into the sonographic assessment does not necessarily provide a better clinical correlation., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright: © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Myelolipoma is a benign tumor containing mature adipose cells and a combination of myeloid and erythroid elements. This tumor is typically found in the adrenal glands; however, it has been detected outside the adrenal glands in rare cases. We report an extremely rare case of myelolipoma in the lumbar spine causing significant neural compression due to the involvement of the posterior spinal elements. Given the significant neurological deficit, the patient was surgically managed as soon as possible. Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare lesions, and only one case has been reported in the spine so far. However, this diagnosis should be considered in cases with its characteristic imaging features.

In 2018, during our first clinical study on the kineticomyographic (KMG)-controlled bionic hand, we implanted three magnetic tags inside the musculotendinous junction of three paired extensor-flexor transferred tendons. However, the post-operative tissue adhesions affected the independent movements of the implanted tags and consequently the distinct patterns of the obtained signals. To overcome this issue, we modified our surgical procedure from a one-stage tendon transfer to a two-stage. During the first surgery, we created three tunnels using silicon rods for the smooth tendon gliding. In the second stage, we transferred the same three pairs of the forearm agonist-antagonist tendons through the tunnels and implanted the magnetic tags inside the musculotendinous junction. Compared to our prior clinical investigation, fluoroscopy and ultrasound evaluations revealed that the surgical modification in the current study yielded more pronounced independent movements in two specific magnetic tags associated with fingers (maximum 5.7 mm in the first trial vs. 28 mm in the recent trial with grasp and release) and thumb (maximum 3.2 mm in the first trial vs. 9 mm in the current trial with thumb flexion-extension). Furthermore, we observed that utilizing the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons for the flexor component in finger and thumb tendon transfer resulted in more independent movements of the implanted tags, compared with the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the prior research. This study can help us plan for our future five-channel bionic limb design by identifying the gestures with the most significant independent tag displacement., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: One controversial question in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) diagnosis is whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) imaging tools have any relationship with electrodiagnostic (EDX) study. The objective of this study is to determine the possible correlation between MRI and US measurements with EDX parameters. Methods: Both US and MRI of the median nerve were simultaneously performed in 12 confirmed CTS wrists, at two levels of forearm distal fold (proximal) and the hook of the hamate (distal), to measure various anatomic parameters of the nerve. EDX parameters of median motor distal latency (DL) and median sensory proximal latency (PL) were evaluated in milliseconds. Results: Nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), measured by MRI, correlated with sensory PL at distal level ( p = 0.015). At proximal level MRI, nerve width and width to height ratio also correlated with motor DL ( p = 0.033 and 0.021, respectively). Median nerve CSA proximal to distal ratio correlated with sensory PL ( p = 0.028) at MRI. No correlation was found between US and EDX measurements. Conclusions: Median nerve MRI measurement of nerve CSA at hook of the hamate (distal) level or CSA proximal to distal ratio correlated with EDX parameter of sensory PL. On the other hand, nerve MRI width and width to height ratio at distal level correlated with motor DL in EDX. Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic).

Background: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a type of occult spinal dysraphism, which necessitates early detection as an essential component of patient management in reducing complications. This study aimed to compare the findings of spinal cord ultrasonography between TCS patients and healthy individuals., Methods: The current study is a case-control study of patients who were admitted to the Akbar and Ghaem Hospitals (Mashhad, Iran) in 2019. The study population comprised 30 children with TCS aged under two years old, and the control group included 34 healthy peers of the same age. The maximum distance of the spinal cord from the posterior canal wall was measured in millimeters using ultrasonography. Demographic and sonographic findings of each participant were recorded in checklists, which were then entered into SPSS software. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant., Results: The study included 30 children with TCS and 34 healthy individuals with a mean age of 7.67±6.39 months. TCS patients had a significantly shorter maximum distance of the spinal cord from the posterior wall of the spinal canal than the control group (1.75±0.62 mm vs. 2.79±0.76, P<0.001). After performing corrective surgery, the TCS patients indicated significant improvement in this interval (1.57±0.54 mm to 2.95±0.49 mm, respectively, P=0.001)., Conclusion: In comparison to children without TCS, the spinal cord was substantially closer to the posterior canal wall in TCS patients. However, these outcomes were improved significantly in patients after surgery., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright: © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Introduction: Cervical adenopathy can be involved in various pathological processes. This study aimed to evaluate the ultrasound classification of cervical adenopathy (A-RADS) to choose the appropriate approach., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 patients with cervical adenopathy at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during 2020-2021. The data of the long axis diameter, short axis diameter, shape, border, vascular pattern, presence of calcification and changes in cyst/necrosis, cortical echogenicity, hilum visibility, and location of involved lymph nodes were extracted. Lymph nodes was classified into four normal, reactive, suspicious & lymphoid disorders, and metastatic groups, based on ultrasound appearance (Adenopathy-reporting and data system). Diagnostic methods included follow-up, core needle biopsy (CNB), and fine needle aspiration (FNA), and surgical results. After determining the final diagnosis, demographic, sonographic, and pathological data were analyzed at a significance level of p<0.05., Results: Of 294 patients, 185 were benign, and 109 were malignant. There were no significant differences in the location, long axis diameter, shape, cystic or necrotic changes, calcification, and margins of the lymph nodes between the benign and malignant groups. The enlarged short axis diameter, invisible hilum with isoechoic cortex, and non-hilar vascularity were significantly higher in the malignant group (p<0.001). The malignancy rate was 8.7% in reactive cases, 48.5% in lymphoid disorders, and 90% in metastatic nodes., Conclusion: The results of this study shows that cervical lymph nodes can be classified based on short axis diameter, cortex and hilum echo-texture and vascular pattern into normal, reactive, suspicious & lymphoid disorders, and metastatic, which have a high concordance with pathologic results.

Objectives: Accurate detection and competent management of thyroid nodules, as a common disease, basically depends on the reliability of the ultrasonography (US) report. In this research, we evaluated inter and intra-observer variation among ultrasonography reporters, based on ACR-TIRADS., Methods: In this retrospective study, 345 thyroid US images of 150 patients were reviewed. Three clinicians with at least 6-year experience in thyroid US reviewed the images twice at 6-8 weeks' intervals. Composition, echogenicity, shape, margin, and echogenic foci based on ACR-TIRADS were reported, independently. Inter and intra-observer variations were calculated based on Cohen's Kappa statistics., Results: 345 ultrasonography images of 150 patients with thyroid nodules (83 women and 67 men) with a mean age of 65 years were reviewed. Moderate to the substantial intra-observer agreement was achieved with the highest Kapa value in the category of shape (k=0.61-0.77). For TIRADS level, the moderate intra-observer agreement was observed (k=0.42-0.46). Inter-observer agreement for the US category of thyroid nodules was obtained slightly to moderate. Composition (k=0.42 and 0.51) and echogenicity (k=0.45 and 0.46) showed the highest overall agreement and margin showed the lowest overall agreement (k=0.18 and 0.19). In assessing TIRADS level of nodules, a fair agreement was obtained (k=0.23 and 0.29)., Conclusion: Moderate to substantial intra-observer agreement and slight to moderate inter-observer variation for evaluation of thyroid nodules; shows the need for a computer-aided diagnosis system based on artificial intelligence to assist our physicians in differentiating thyroid nodule characteristics based on explicit image features. An additional training course based on ACR-TIRADS for physicians can be another useful recommendation., (© 2022 mums.ac.ir All rights reserved.)

Background: The interest in ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is growing. This paper aimed to find the correlation of postoperative changes in these modalities' parameters with clinical outcomes., Methods: Boston CTS questionnaire-symptom severity (BQ-SS), Boston CTS questionnaire-functional status (BQ-FS), and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires (for pain, paresthesia, and grip weakness assessment) were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Various imaging parameters of the median nerve and carpal tunnel were evaluated using US and MRI at two levels of the hook of the hamate (distal) and the pisiform (proximal) once preoperatively and then 3 months postoperatively. Corresponding US and MRI parameter measures were compared, and correlational analysis was performed between alteration of imaging findings and changes in clinical parameters postoperatively., Results: Patients' functional status (BQ-FS score) was positively correlated with the nerve width both in US and MRI at the proximal level ( r = 0.457 and r = 0.453, respectively) and also with the MRI nerve circumference at the distal level ( r = -0.482). Correlation between paresthesia and the nerve width was notable in MRI at the distal hook of the hamate level ( r = -0.403). Grip weakness VAS score was correlated with the nerve width-to-height ratio (WHR) in US at the distal level ( r = 0.432)., Conclusions: Changes in US and MRI parameters of the median nerve width, circumference, and WHR were associated with clinical changes in patients with CTS after surgery., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2022 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association.)

Background: In recent years, several trials investigated the role of anti-inflammatory agents in reducing cardiovascular events. Trehalose is a natural disaccharide able to reduce inflammation by enhancing macrophage autophagic activity. This action has been demonstrated to attenuate atherosclerotic plaque development in various pro-atherogenic animal models. However, at present, no data about the efficacy of this compound in human subjects have been published., Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind trial involving 15 patients with history of myocardial infarction and evidence of systemic inflammation (defined as C-reactive protein > 2 mg/L). The patients were randomly assigned, in 2:1 ratio, to receive either intravenous trehalose (15 g once weekly) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end-point was the change in arterial wall inflammation, assessed by quantifying 18 F-FDG PET/CT uptake in carotid arteries and ascending aorta., Results: The MDS TBR change of the index vessel at 3-month follow-up was not significant in treatment and placebo groups. Furthermore, we could not demonstrate any significant difference between the trehalose group and control group in changes of cIMT from baseline to 3 months in the overall population. No significant changes in echocardiographic measurement were noted after trehalose treatment. Except for the change in urea level in placebo group (31.00 ± 6.59 vs. 25.60 ± 6.402 P = 0.038) no other changes were detected after treatment. Also, there was a significant difference between changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) trehalose and placebo groups., Conclusion: This was the first study that specifically assessed the effects of intravenous trehalose on atherogenesis in human subjects. Trehalose treatment was characterized by an optimal safety profile, but no significant reduction in arterial wall inflammation could be observed. This might be a consequence of the small sample size of this trial. Larger studies are needed to better assess the efficacy of this compound in this clinical context., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

The present study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of clinical tests and ultrasonography in detecting ankle ligament injuries. In this cross-sectional study, 105 patients with a history of ankle sprain were included. Ankle ligaments, including syndesmosis of ankle, as well as deltoid, calcaneofibular, anterior talofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments were evaluated by clinical tests, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound and clinical tests were assessed in normal, sprain, partial tear, and complete tear groups. The inter-observer reliability (Cohen's Kappa score) of the evaluated techniques with magnetic resonance imaging was assessed. Anterior drawer test showed a sensitivity and specificity of 81 and 80% in the detection of anterior talofibular ligament injuries, respectively. Ultrasonography showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing normal anterior talofibular ligament from the torn or sprained ligament with a kappa value of 1. The sensitivity of ultrasonography in detecting normal calcaneofibular ligament and deltoid ligament was 93% and 90%, respectively. Ultrasonography was highly specific in detecting calcaneofibular ligament tear but it was not sensitive in this regard. Ultrasonography was proved reliable in determining the normal anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament from the torn or sprained ligament. Ultrasonography is an effective complementary tool for primary evaluation of ankle injuries, which leads to early diagnosis and efficient quality of care. Clinical tests are not reliable to rule out the ankle ligaments injury and the results should be interpreted with caution., (Copyright © 2021 the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: There has been a dearth of an accurate and reliable method for the measurement of fetal pelvic bones. In this study, we describe a novel, easy-to-use method for ischial and iliac bone measurement in fetal ultrasound scanning., Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 1179 pregnant women at 12 to 40 weeks of an uneventful gestation. Pelvic biometric indices, including the length of the ilium and ischium, were measured by a novel and easy method. Then data were analyzed by regression models to develop a formula for gestational age (GA) estimation based on pelvic bones., Results: The approximate ossification time of the ischium was determined to range between the 13th and 20th gestational weeks. We calculated 3 formulas using linear regression models: formula 1, GA (days) = 92.563 + (11.604 × ischial length); formula 2, GA (days) = 57.006 + (7.819 × iliac length); and formula 3, GA (days) = 65.809 + (5.610 × iliac length) + (3.431 × ischial length)., Conclusions: The 2-dash line method can contribute to efficient and precise ultrasound measurement of the ilium and ischium in pelvic biometry of the fetus., (© 2020 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Background: In this case report, we presented a rare case of maternal death with massive vulvar edema and Covid-19 diagnosis., Case Presentation: The case was a 20-year-old woman who was referred to with pain and massive vulvar edema by passing 7 days from her labor. The laboratory tests showed leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and elevated C-reactive protein levels. The high-resolution computed tomography was in favor of Covid-19 changes. Finally, she died because of respiratory distress, ON the 8th day postpartum., Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of Covid-19, it is important and vital to be aware of its potential complications and then to try prevent and manage them, especially during high-risk periods such as pregnancy and postpartum., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The management of thyroid nodules has been proposed based on US features and information obtained from Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). In this study, we checked the diagnostic value of ultrasound in comparison with FNAC in probably benign nodules of thyroid., Materials and Methods: Patients with thyroid nodules referred to the Radiology department from 2015 to 2020, were classified into five types based on the American College of Radiology/thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) standards. The patients with TI-RADS III-V were examined by FNA biopsy. Subsequently, the collected data of 535 patients having thyroid nodules with TI-RADS III were statistically analyzed., Results: The mean age of the patients was estimated at 46.57. The analysis of TI-RADS III cases examined by the FNA biopsy revealed that 99.1% of the cases were diagnosed with benign lesions. The mean size of benign and malignant nodules was 27mm and 41mm, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the size of the nodules or patients age, and thyroid malignancy (P-values > 0.05)., Conclusion: There was a very low chance of malignancy (0.9%) in thyroid nodules with thyroid imaging classification of TI-RADS III. Furthermore, no meaningful correlation was observed between the size of the nodules and their malignancy. Therefore, the use of FNAC, based on the current guidelines, on thyroids for nodules larger than 2.5 cm might need to be revised.

This study presented chemical immobilization of an iron(III)-based metal-organic framework [NH 2 -MIL-101(Fe)] on the surface of sand particles and its application for Cr(VI) photocatalytic reduction using visible light. The surface of sand particles was functionalized with (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxy silane to provide the active sites for bond formation with MOF particles. Using a heat treatment step, MOF particles were bonded on the surface of sand particles, thereby providing a photocatalyst more applicable in real environments. The presence of amino-functional groups in MOF was influential in bond formation. Furthermore, they are effective in the activation of the photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. The photocatalyst properties were investigated by FESEM, FTIR, XPS, EDS, and DRS analysis. The impact of various parameters, such as light power, irradiation and contact time, TDS impact, and pH, was examined. The composite produced by immobilization of NH 2 -101(Fe) on the surface of sand-Cl showed the high Cr(VI) removal efficiency (80% at 20 mg L -1 ) as a result of the strong chemical bond formation through the suitable functional groups incorporated in materials. Under the optimum conditions, the reduction rate reached more than 99% using irradiation by 1000 W visible light for 30 min., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rotator cuff disorders are a leading cause of shoulder symptoms. Accurate imaging, detecting the type of the involved muscle, and severity of the injury have important effects on the choice of treatment. Accordingly, the current study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for rotator cuff disorders in patients suffering from shoulder pain and to explore the precision of ultrasound in determining the exact dimensions of a tear in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: This prospective research was performed on patients clinically suspected of rotator cuff tendinopathy. An ultrasound of the shoulder was initially performed for the candidates. In this study, MRI was regarded as the modality of choice for examining the images of shoulder disorders. The European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) guidelines were used to design the protocols and implement imaging measures. Based on the reference standard of MRI, the specificity and sensitivity as well as positive and negative predictive values of ultrasound in detection of rotator cuff disorders were calculated., Results: A total of48 patients (22 women, 23 dominant right hands) with an average age of 51.6±8.3 years were enrolled in this study. Based on MRI findings, rotator cuff disorders were detected in 43 patients (89.5%). The most commonly observed disorders were partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (n=17, 35.4%), full-thickness rotator cuff tear (n=16, 33.3%), and tendinopathy (n=10, 20.8%). Among rotator cuff disorders, the highest sensitivity of ultrasound was observed in the detection of full-thickness tear (93.7%) and rotator cuff tendinopathy (90%). The highest specificity was found in the detection of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (100%) and partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (96.7%)., Conclusion: Based on our findings, ultrasound could be considered as a high-quality diagnostic tool to rule in partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears and rule out the rotator cuff pathologies.

Although the neuroanatomy of transgender persons is slowly being charted, findings are presently discrepant. Moreover, the major body of work has focused on Western populations. One important factor is the issue of power and low signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio in neuroimaging studies of rare study populations including endocrine or neurological patient groups. The present study focused on the structural neuroanatomy of a Non-Western (Iranian) sample of 40 transgender men (TM), 40 transgender women (TW), 30 cisgender men (CM), and 30 cisgender women (CW), while assessing whether the reliability of findings across structural anatomical measures including gray matter volume (GMV), cortical surface area (CSA), and cortical thickness (CTh) could be increased by using two back-to-back within-session structural MRI scans. Overall, findings in transgender persons were more consistent with sex assigned at birth in GMV and CSA, while no group differences emerged for CTh. Repeated measures analysis also indicated that having a second scan increased SNR in all regions of interest, most notably bilateral frontal poles, pre- and postcentral gyri and putamina. The results suggest that a simple time and cost-effective measure to improve SNR in rare clinical populations with low prevalence rates is a second anatomical scan when structural MRI is of interest., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)