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Background and Objective Corpus callosum (CC), the main white matter cable which connects two hemispheres of brain, is important in special procedures such as stereotaxic surgeries vary in size, in different populations. Determination of possible size differences in ethnical groups has special values. Patients and MethodsThe size of the CC on midsagittal view was determined in 76 normal male subjects using MRI of brain hemispheres in northern Iran. The size of rostrum, body, splenium, length, and height of CC was measured for each subject. The width of the body of the corpus callosum (B), the anterior to posterior length (L) and the maximum height (H) of the corpus callosum, and ratios B/L and B/H were also calculated. Results The longitudinal dimensions of the CC were 70.21 mm and 74.05 mm in native Fars and Turkmens, respectively (P < 0.05). The heights were 25 mm and 25.75 mm in native Fars and Turkmen subjects, respectively. The width of CC in Turkmen people was significantly higher than native Fars people (P < 0.05). The Evans index in Turkmen group (0.314) was significantly higher than in native Fars (0.3). The B/L and B/H ratios were nonsignificantly different between two groups. Conclusion The CC parameters vary in different ethnical groups in northern Iran.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly observed arthritic disease causing severe pain and impairing patient's quality of life. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia extract and quercetin on the mouse model of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Sixty Balb-C mice were used to establish the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) model of OA. Then, they were randomized into untreated OA group (normal nutrition), E. angustifolia extract-treated group (32 mg/kg by gavage), quercetin-treated group (20 mg/kg by gavage) and ibuprofen- treated group (20 mg/kg). Fifteen mice with no MIA treatment were considered as the normal controls. The mice were treated for 28 days. The histopathological analysis was performed on knee joints. Expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and 13 (MMP-1 and MMP-13) in serum were assessed in addition. Histopathological study indicated that in the quercetin-treated group, the thickness of femur and tibia were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Among groups treated by E. angustifolia extract, quercetin and ibuprofen, the concentration of MMP-3 was 5.47 ± 1.75 ng/ml, 4.38 ± 1.78 ng/ml and 4.86 ± 1.40 ng/ml, respectively. The level of MMP-13 in sera was 3.32 ± 1.64 ng/ml, 2.67 ± 1.73 ng/ml and 5.31 ± 1.68 ng/ml in the same order (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the quercetin was useful in the reduction of symptoms of OA and raised the improvement of damaged cartilage. Hence, it can be a beneficial medical supplement in OA treatment. Besides, E. angustifolia extract and quercetin significantly reduced the serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 concentrations. It could be one of the mechanisms through that E. angustifolia plays a role in remission of OA.

Context: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the most common birth defects with a high rate of mortality. Several studies have shown the reduction of the rate of NTD due to preconceptional usage and flour fortification with folic acid. Objectives: The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the appropriate information about the prevalence of Neural Tube Defects among the Iranian population, geographic areas of Iran. Data Sources: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and data banks in Iran, such as the scientific information database (SID), Magiran, and Barekat knowledge network system from January 1969 to February 2017. The following keywords were used to search all fields in the above databases ("Neural Tube Defects" OR "NTD" AND "Iran"). Study Selection: NTDs were classified as given by Moore to include anencephaly, spina bifida, encephalocele, iniencephaly, and craniorachischisis. Primary outcomes of interest for estimating the prevalences were the total number of births (including live and stillbirths if available separately) and the total number of NTD affected births (including live and stillbirths if available separately). Data Extraction: Data extracted from selected studies, included: first author, study design, city, sample size, duration of studies, and the prevalence of NTDs and subtypes of neural tube defects. Results: A total of 429 studies were initially identified in the databases. After excluding duplicate studies, 244 articles were retrieved and reviewed based on their titles and abstracts; 221 articles were excluded. Twenty-three articles were selected for a more detailed review.