We evaluated the concordance rate and diagnostic accuracy of digital cytology slides reviewed by experienced pathologists at the University of Miami and the Ohio State University in comparison with review of conventional glass slides by the pathologist at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In addition, we evaluated interobserver reproducibility in telecytology diagnosis in pleural effusion smears between Ohio State and Miami University. For this, we selected 50 pleural effusion smears with different diagnoses. For each case, digital images were sent via the Internet to the consulting pathologists at the two US universities. The accuracy of the telecytology diagnoses was 83% and 87% at the two US universities and the accuracy of glass slide review was 89%. The inter-observer reproducibility of telecytology diagnosis between these two universities was 0.71. The concordance rate, inter-observer reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of telecytology diagnosis in pleural effusion smears between the three institutions were good. Telecytology diagnosis of pleural effusion smears is potentially useful in screening and diagnosis and may allow more efficient use of scarce cytopathologist resources and expertise.

BackgroundThis investigation is concentrated on how hematological and serum biochemical markers would change in streptozotocin-induced Insulin-Dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM) in male adult wistar rats. Hematological parameters, serum protein electrophoresis parameters and hepatic transaminases level (SGOT-SGPT) were all measured in both control group rats (N=6) and diabetic group rats (N=6) and comparison between two groups was performed. Material and MethodSingle dose intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg dose of streptozotocin(STZ) in male adult wistar rats, induces extensive necrosis in langerhans β-cell islets, because of its cytotoxicity. Experimental diabetes mellitus can be induced completely in less than 72 hours after STZ intraperitoneal injection. Streptozotocin(STZ) was purchased from Sigma company. Diabetic and control group rats were kept separately in different metabolic cages, and their blood glucose(BG), hematological parameters, serum protein electrophoretic pattern and hepatic transaminases level were analyzed and comparison was done. ResultsIn our investigation, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus(IDDM) was completely induced one week after single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg BW. Diabetes mellitus induction was verified by measuring fasting plasma glucose level in blood samples of rats. Level of blood glucose, hematological parameters, serum protein electrophoretic pattern and hepatic transaminase enzymes level, were all measured. In diabetic group rats level of blood glucose (BG), hepatic transaminase enzymes (SGOT & SGPT), serum α1-globulin and β-globulin were significantly increased but in albumin, albumin/globulin ratio (A/G ratio) and serum α2-globulin a significant decrease was observed in diabetic rats in comparison with normal rats. ConclusionExtensive inflammation and tissue necrosis induced following diabetes mellitus induction in rats. Significant alterations were observed in serum protein electrophoresis fractions and hepatic transaminase enzymes level due to streptozotocin cytotoxic impacts on some tissues specifically liver.Because of extensive β-cells necrosis and degeneration caused by streptozotocin exposure, high level of blood glucose(diabetic hyperglycemia) was observed in diabetic rats. This type of experimentally induced diabetes mellitus would highly affect hematological parameters. Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus induced by streptozotocin, can lead to anemia, neutrophilia and lymphocytosis and also has decreasing effects on red blood cell indices (HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC) in diabetic group rats.

Introduction:Alcea rosea L. is used in Asian folk medicine as a remedy for a wide range of ailments. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats.Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, ethylene glycol (EG), curative and preventive groups. Control group received tap drinking water for 28 days. Ethylene glycol (EG), curative and preventive groups received 1% ethylene glycol for induction of calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculus formation; preventive and curative subjects also received the hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots in drinking water at dose of 170 mg/kg, since day 0 or day 14, respectively. Urinary oxalate concentration was measured by spectrophotometer on days 0, 14 and 28. On day 28, the kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically under light microscopy for counting the calcium oxalate deposits in 50 microscopic fields.Results:In both preventive and curative protocols, treatment of rats with hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots significantly reduced the number of kidney calcium oxalate deposits compared to ethylene glycol group. Administration of Alcea rosea extract also reduced the elevated urinary oxalate due to ethylene glycol.Conclusion:Alcea rosea showed a beneficial effect in preventing and eliminating calcium oxalate deposition in the rat kidney. This effect is possibly due to diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects or presence of mucilaginous polysaccharides in the plant. It may also be related to lowering of urinary concentration of stone-forming constituents.

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