RESUMEN
Positron emission tomography [PET] has been utilized in numerous aspects of medicine since its introduction and development in 1970s. There has been a rapid improvement in imaging techniques and radiotracers in the last decade, which have enhanced the quality of PET in different biomedical research domains and patient care settings. In this editorial we will discuss applications of PET-computed tomography [CT]/magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] as well as other radiotracers in different variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases such as cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory and systemic diseases and review new concepts applicable to this imaging modality
RESUMEN
Impaired wound healing in ischemic tissues such as skin flaps resulting from inefficient perfusion is one major cause of complications in plastic surgery. In present experimental study, we investigated the effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 [FGF-2 or bFGF] and erythropoietin [EPO] in prevention of skin flap necrosis in rats. 30 adult albino rats were randomized into 3 groups: in control group, normal saline solution; in EPO group, erythropoietin [100U/ kg/day]: and in FGF-2 group, fibroblast growth factor-2 [2,5 microg/day] were injected subcutaneously in 3 daily consecutive doses in the designated flap areas before creating 4:1 random pattern skin flaps on the dorsum of animals. Areas of ischemic [S] and necrotic [S[N]] zones were measured and compared in all groups one week after the flap creations. The necrotic zone [S[N]], as well as the ratio of the necrotic zone to the total discolored zone [S[N]/[S[I]+S[N]]] were substantially larger in the control group [41% +/- 7%, 90% +/- 6%] compared to the EPO [20% +/- 2%,42% +/- 4%] and the FGF-2 [8% +/- 2%,19% +/- 3%] groups [p < 0.001]. The differences in these values were also meaningful between the EPO and FGF-2 groups [p < 0.001].Vascular density in ischemic area of the control group was less than those in the EPO and the FGF-2 groups; however, the differences were not statistically significant between any of the groups [p > 0.05]. Local administration of erythropoietin or fibroblast growth factor-2 in skin flaps could remarkably increase tissue viability and accelerate the wound healing process. However, the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 in preventing the necrotic event in, ischemic zones of skin flaps is much more considerable than that of erythropoietin
RESUMEN
We estimated pubertal development of 7,493 normal Iranian girls aged 6 to 20 years in a cross-sectional study. Pubertal stages were assessed according to Tanner. The mean ages to achieve secondary sexual characteristics as well as the mean age at menarche were estimated. Weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Reference curves for different breast stages and menarche were constructed. The percentiles for attaining each stage were compared to data proposed by Tanner. The mean age at breast bud stage [B2] was 10.10, pubic hair stage [P2] was 9.83, and menarche age was 12.55 years. The anthropometric variables were interpreted in different maturity stages. The mean age at attainment of puberty was compared with those of other populations. Not only the onset of puberty in Iranian girls but also the duration of puberty is similar to data from most other countries. A lower age limit for the definition of precocious puberty than the traditional 8 years is documented for Iranian girls. However, it should be noted that considering the rate of evolution of pubertal findings is more important than the age of their appearance