Based on this randomized controlled trial, autologous bone marrow MSC transplantation through peripheral vein probably has no beneficial effect in cirrhotic patients. Further studies with higher number of patients are warranted to better clarify the impact of MSC infusion through peripheral vein or portal vein in cirrhosis.

No abstract

Rationale and objectives: There is a rising onus on understanding the common features of COVID-19 pneumonia on different imaging modalities. In this study, we aimed to review and depict the common MRI features of COVID-19 pneumonia in our laboratory confirmed case series, the first comprehensive reported cohort in the literature. Materials and methods: Upon IRB approval, eight laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who presented to our outpatient imaging clinic underwent chest CT and, once various features of COVID-19 pneumonia were identified, a dedicated multisequence chest MRI was performed on the same day with an institutional protocol. Demographic data and the morphology, laterality and location of the lesions were recorded for each case. Results: Five males and three females with the mean age of 40.63 ± 12.64 years old were present in this case series. Five cases had typical CT features with ground glass opacities and consolidations, readily visible on different MRI sequences. Three cases had indeterminate or atypical features which were also easily seen on MRI. The comprehensive review of MRI features for each case and representative images have been illustrated. Conclusion: Becoming familiar with typical findings of COVID-19 pneumonia in MRI is crucial for every radiologist. Although MRI is not the modality of choice for evaluation of pulmonary opacities, it has similar capabilities in detection of COVID-19 pneumonia when compared to chest CT.

On February 19, 2020, the first case of a patient infected with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) was announced in Iran. The number of infected patients increased rapidly, and all health care centers faced an extremely challenging situation in Iran. The centers had to adopt new regulations and approaches to keep their patients and staff safe while providing service to society. Patients diagnosed with a malignancy are at a higher risk for infection with COVID-19 with a poorer prognosis. The Pardis Noor Radiology-Oncology center is a private center in Tehran composed of different departments, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Soon after the outbreak, we changed our rules and regulations for patients and staff. This is a report from a private radiology-oncology center in Tehran during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The radioprotective effect of hawthorn (Crataegus microphylla) fruit extract against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation has been investigated in mouse bone marrow cells. A single intraperitoneal (ip) administration of hawthorn extract at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg 1h prior to gamma irradiation (2 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs). All four doses of hawthorn extract significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and increased the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio (polychromatic erythrocyte/ polychromatic erythrocyte + normochromatic erythrocyte) in mice bone marrow compared with the non drug-treated irradiated control (p < 0.02-0.00001). The maximum reduction in MnPCEs was observed in mice treated with extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Administration of amifostine at dose 100 mg/kg and hawthorn at dose 200 mg/kg reduced the frequency of MnPCE almost 4.8 and 5.7 fold; respectively, after being exposed to 2 Gy of gamma rays, compare with the irradiated control group. Crataegus extract exhibited concentration-dependent activity on 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical showing that Crataegus contained high amounts of phenolic compounds and the HPLC analysis determined that it contained chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and hyperoside. It appeared that hawthorn extract with antioxidant activity reduced the genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation in bone marrow cells.

There is a need for higly accurate non-invasive methods for assessing organ iron content in thalassaemia patients. This study evaluated the relation between serum ferritin level, liver enzyme levels and hepatitis C antibody and liver and heart iron deposition assessed by MRI T2*. Data were obtained from the medical records of 156 thalassemia major patients in Tehran. There was a moderate negative correlation between serum ferritin and liver MRI T2* relaxation time (r = -0.535) and a weak negative correlation between serum ferritin and heart MRI T2* relaxation time (r = -0.361). Hepatitis C infection and liver enzyme levels did not confound or modify the relation between ferritin and liver or heart MRI T2*. Liver and heart MRI T2* readings were poorly correlated (r = 0. 281). Routine evaluation of liver and heart iron content using MRI T2* is suggested to better evaluate the haemosiderosis status in thalassemia patients. Relation entre la ferritine sérique et l'IRM hépatique et cardiaque pondérée en T2* chez des patients atteints de bêta-thalassémie majeure RÉSUMÉ Des méthodes non-invasives de haute précision sont nécessaires pour l'évaluation de la concentration en fer dans les organes des patients atteints de thalassémie. La présente étude a évalué la relation entre le taux de ferritine sérique, les taux d'enzymes hépatiques, la présence d'anticorps anti-hépatite C et les dépôts de fer dans le foie et le coeur examinés par IRM pondérée en T2*. Les données ont été obtenues à partir des dossiers médicaux de 156 patients atteints de thalassémie majeure à Téhéran. On a observé une corrélation négative modérée entre la ferritine sérique et le temps de relaxation T2* de l'IRM hépatique (r = -0,535) ainsi qu'une faible corrélation négative entre la ferritine sérique et le temps de relaxation T2* de l'IRM cardiaque (r = -0,361). L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C et les taux d'enzymes hépatiques ne constituaient pas de facteurs de confusion ou de modification de la relation entre la ferritine et l'IRM hépatique ou cardiaque pondérée en T2*. La corrélation entre les résultats de l'IRM hépatique et de l'IRM cardiaque pondérées en T2* était médiocre (r = 0,281). L'évaluation systématique de la concentration de fer dans le foie et le coeur à l'aide de l'IRM pondérée en T2* semble produire une meilleure évaluation de la présence d'une hémosidérose chez les patients atteints de thalassémie.

A 63-year-old man, who underwent conventional coronary angiography, because of a finding of a confusing vascular structure, was referred for 64-multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). His MSCT showed bilateral coronary-pulmonary artery fistula from both right and left coronary arteries via a dilated fistulous vascular malformation. Considering its reasonably high spatial and temporal resolutions, MSCT is regarded as a valuable technique to clarify the diagnosis in incidentally found equivocal cases of coronary fistula in conventional coronary angiography.

Transarterial B/LE is a safe and efficient alternative for controlling symptoms related to large hemangiomas.