To examine whether spinal cord decompression improves functional recovery and decreases lesion volumes in paraplegic (not paraparetic) rats and, if so, at what postoperative time it is most efficacious. The spinal cords of 63 female rats were compressed at T9 with Yasargil clips. Rats were assigned randomly to five different treatment groups of 3 s, 1 hr, 6 hr, 3 weeks, and 10 weeks. Locomotor behavior scoring was based on the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale (Ohio State University, Columbus, OH) motor scores. Comparing five groups, the mean BBB was statistically higher in the 3-s group (P< 0.05). Comparison of progressive changes in BBB in each group revealed statistically meaningful improvement in the 3-s group, too. Spared surface area of spinal cord was 81.5 +/- 4.9% in 3-s group and 10.8 +/- 1.4% in the delayed groups of decompression (P = 0.039). Rats undergoing immediate decompression showed significantly better functional recovery and smaller lesion volumes.

Background Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a serious problem in pregnancy. The exact etiology of RSA is unknown in more than 50% of all the patients. However, genetic variations are known as susceptibility factors for idiopathic RSA. Considering the role of miRNA biosynthesis machinery in the miRNA production and effect of miRNAs on various diseases, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms on RSA risk. Methods In this case‐control study, 150 RSA patients and 195 age‐matched healthy female controls were recruited. Both polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR‐RFLP method. Results The frequency of DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype was higher in the control group (P = .022). There was a statistically significant association between rs3742330 polymorphism and a reduced RSA risk in dominant and allelic models (P = .013 and P = .007, respectively). No statistically significant association was found between DROSHA rs6877842 variant and RSA risk. The combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms led to a decreased RSA risk. However, the synergic effect of rs3742330A and rs6877842G alleles (A‐G) and AA‐GG genotypes was associated with an increased RSA risk. Conclusion the DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype and combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms were associated with a reduced RSA risk.

The MDM2 309GG genotype was associated with higher risk of PE. The TT-DD and GG-DD combined genotypes were higher in PE women.

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Objectives: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that regulates angiogenesis and mediates sex steroid-induced cell growth. The present study investigated the association of VEGF gene-2578C/A (rs699947) and −2549 insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the promoter region of VEGF-A gene and uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in Southeast of Iran. Material and methods:One hundred and fifty five women with uterine leiomyoma and 157 age, BMI, and ethnicity matched healthy women were enrolled in this study. VEGF gene -2578C/A polymorphism genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and the -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism was analyzed by PCR method. Results:The frequency of alleles and genotypes of VEGF-2578C/A polymorphism was not different between women with uterine leiomyoma and the controls; however, a significant association was revealed between II genotype of -2549 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of VEGF gene and uterine leiomyoma. Conclusions:The findings showed that VEGF gene -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with uterine leiomyoma.