[Histopathologic evaluation of normal radiolucent space around impacted third molar]

The follicular tissue around impacted third molar has a potential to develop to different lesions. However, it is generally accepted that the absence of abnormal radiolucency indicates the presence of a normal follicle. The aim of this study was to histopathologically evaluate the normal pericoronal radiolucencies associated with impacted third molars. The follicular space of 104 third molars with normal follicular space [<2.5mm] in panoramic radiographs was measured. Under local anesthesia, tooth and its follicle were taken out by surgical procedure and after necessary steps, were histopathologically evaluated. Data were analyzed by fisher's exact test, chi-square and logestic regression [alpha=0.05]. Thirty eight cases [36.5%] of all follicles had been collected from male, and 63.5% [66 cases] from female patients. 92 follicles [88.5%] had been taken out of mandible and 12 follicles [11.5%] from maxilla. Of the specimens submitted, 41.3% [43 cases] showed cystic changes equivalent to that in dentigerous cysts. Cystic changes in dental follicles were significantly higher in patients over 20 years of age [P<0.0001]. No significant difference was detected between sex of patients and cystic changes in follicles [P>0.05]. Impacted third molars with normal pericoronal radiolucency more than 1.5 mm showed cystic changes in 63.3% of the cases. This study confirms the idea that the risk of cystic changes increases with age. Considering the high incidence of cystic changes in pericoronal radiolucencies associated with impacted third molars, this study suggests prophylactic removal of impacted third molar

Correlation between umbilical cord pH and apgar score in high-risk pregnancy

The Apgar score as a proven useful tool fro rapid assessment of the neonate is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrapartum neonatal well-being. This study was carried out to determine the correlation between umbilical cord pH and Apgar score in high-risk pregnancies. This is a prospective cross-sectional, analytic study performed on 96 mother-fetal pairs during 2004-2005 at Shahid Yahyanejad Hospital, which is affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth was taken and an umbilical cord blood gas analysis was done immediately after birth in both groups. Mothers came with a labor pain and were divided into high-risk and low risk if they have had any perinatal risk factors. Other data like gestational age, birth weight, need for resuscitation and admission to the newborn ward or neonatal intensive care unit was gathered by a questionnaire for comparison between the two groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered being significant. The gestational age and birth weight were the same in high-risk and low risk mothers. Mean umbilical artery blood pH in high-risk mothers was significantly lower than in low risk mothers [P =0.004]. Mean apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in high-risk mothers than in low risk mothers [P<0.05]. According to the Kendal correlation coefficient there was no significant correlation between Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes and umbilical cord pH in low risk group [r=0.212, P=0.1]. But in high-risk group there was significant correlation between Apgar score at 1[st] and 5[th] minute and the umbilical cord ph [r=0.01, P=0.036 and r=0.176, P=0.146, respectively]. Combination of Apgar score and umbilical cord pH measurement in high-risk pregnant mother could better detect jeopardized baby

Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It is a trophoblastic disorder. Since human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] is secreted by trophoblast, the purpose of the study was to determine the levels of beta [hCG] in preeclampsia and normal cases. This study was conducted on 40 term pregnant women with preeclampsia [case group] and 40 normal pregnant cases [control group] in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University, Babol, Iran, from 2004 to 2005. Serum beta-hCG in all cases were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mean beta-hCG level in preeclampsia [mild and severe] was compared with normal cases. The maternal serum, beta-hCG level in patients with preeclampsia [39840 +/- 24630 IU/L] was higher than in the control group [27460 +/- 25862 IU/L] [p=0.031]. In mild preeclampsia [34 cases], the mean serum beta-hCG level was 31991 +/- 16758 IU/L while in severe preeclampsia [6 cases] 84312 +/- 9257 IU/L [p<0.0001]. The mean serum beta-hCG level in mild and severe preeclampsia was higher compared to the normal cases. The results of this study show that the levels of beta-hCG in severe form of preeclampsia is higher compared to the milder ones