Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often follows a relapsing course. As disability in NMOSD is attack-related, effective treatments are needed. We aimed to compare the efficacy of azathioprine (AZA) and rituximab (RIT) as maintenance therapy in NMOSD patients. An open, randomized clinical trial was conducted during September 2015 to December 2016, in Isfahan, Iran. Initially, 100 NMOSD patients were approached, 86 entered the study, and 68 cases completed the trial. All patients had a relapsing-remitting course with expanded disability extended scale (EDSS) ≤7 (median 2.75, range = 0-7). Patients were randomized into two groups, which did not differ according to age, gender distribution, and disease duration. In the AZA group, 35 patients [20 aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG positive] were started on 50 mg/day oral AZA and increased to 2-3 mg/kg/day (with oral prednisolone as adjunctive therapy). In the RIT group, 33 patients (13 aquaporin-4-IgG positive) received 1 g intravenous rituximab and repeated 2 weeks later and then every 6 months. Annualized relapse rate (ARR) was measured as the primary outcome and EDSS as the secondary outcome after 12 months of intervention. The mean ARR [standard deviation (SD)] in the AZA group decreased from 1 (0.38) to 0.51 (0.55) (P value <0.001) and in the RIT group decreased from 1.30 (0.68) to 0.21 (0.42) (P value <0.001). ARR after intervention minus ARR before intervention [mean (SD)] was 1.09 (0.72) in RIT group and 0.49 (0.59) in AZA group (P value <0.001). EDSS after intervention minus EDSS before intervention [mean (SD)] was 0.98 (1.14) in RIT group and 0.44 (0.54) in AZA group (P value <0.001). Nineteen patients (54.3%) in AZA group and 26 patients (78.8%) in RIT group became relapse-free after intervention (P value = 0.033). AZA and RIT can both effectively decrease ARR and EDSS in NMOSD patients. RIT was significantly more effective than AZA treatment. Trial Registration Name of registry: clinicaltrials.gov; ID: NCT03002038; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03002038 .

Short segment posterior fixation is the preferred method for stabilizing thoracolumbar fractures. In case of significant disruption of the anterior column, the simple short segment construct does not ensure adequate stability. In this study, we tried to evaluate the effect of inclusion of the fractured vertebra in short segment fixation of thoracolumbar fractures. In a prospective randomized study, eighty patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated just with posterior pedicular fixation were randomized into two groups receiving either the one level above and one level below excluding the fracture level (bridging group), or including the fracture level (including group). Different clinical and radiological parameters were recorded and followed. A sum of 80 patients (42 patients in group 1 and 38 patients in group 2) were enrolled in the study. The patients in both the groups showed similar clinical outcome. There was a high rate of instrumentation failure in the ''bridging'' group. The ''bridging'' group showed a mean worsening (29%) in kyphosis, whereas the ''including'' group improved significantly by a mean of 6%. The significant effect of the ''including'' technique on the reduction of kyphotic deformity was most prominent in type C fractures. In conclusion, inclusion of the fracture level into the construct offers a better kyphosis correction, in addition to fewer instrument failures, without additional complications, and with a comparable-if not better-clinical and functional outcome. We recommend insertion of screws into pedicles of the fractured thoracolumbar vertebra when considering a short segment posterior fixation, especially in Magerl type C fractures.

This study suggests that the use of Acrylic cage is associated with good clinical and radiologic outcomes and it can be therefore a good substitute for bone graft and other cages in ACDF.

Purpose Trompe l’oeil as a novel art technique can not only promote art tourism but can also transform the landscape of a city into a platform for negotiation. Furthermore, trompe l’oeil aims to create a joyful, entertaining, new experience and an interactive environment for tourists in the cities. This paper highlights the introduction of trompe l’oeil as a new tourist attraction in Shiraz (Iran). Moreover, the goals of this study are to explore the role of trompe l’oeil (three-dimensional [3D] street painting) in promoting art tourism, to investigate the tendency of tourists toward experiencing art tours and trompe l’oeil and to determine the priority of trompe l’oeil themes from the domestic tourists’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this research study. Findings On the basis of the results of this study, it can be concluded that domestic tourists are eager to experience art tours and trompe l’oeil attractions and activities, except for buying and wearing 3D-printed clothes. In addition, trompe l’oeil on street floors and walls with funny, joyful and cultural-artistic and national-historical themes is more attractive for them. Originality/value No significant academic work has been undertaken in the field of art tourism to evaluate the attitude of tourists toward the trompe l’oeil attractions and activities.