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Biomedical subjects

M Amini

Publications and source records attributed to M Amini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An open-label pilot study of the combination therapy of metformin and fluoxetine for weight reduction.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a very important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoarthritis, fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and respiratory problems. Many weight-reducing drugs cannot be used in obese patients because of numerous complications. Fluoxetine, an antidepressant, and metformin, an antidiabetic drug, reduce weight as their side effect, but the potency of each drug is not always enough. Here, we studied the effects of combination therapy of them for weight reduction in obese women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as an open, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Obese and overweight patients referred to obesity clinics were first put under a diet and behavior therapy education program before being invited to this study. The patients who accepted drug therapy were put in the case group. Those who did not accept drug therapy were put in the control group. Fluoxetine, 20 mg daily, and metformin, 500 mg three times daily, were prescribed to the participants. Weight and body mass index (BMI) changes within case and control groups were analyzed by paired t-tests and between groups by t-testing. Side effects were evaluated by interview and questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and three patients were referred to obesity clinics. Of these, 177 were female with 91 being volunteers for this study. Of this 91, 66 were in the case group and 25 in the control group. RESULTS: In a 6.68-month period, a 7.89 kg decrease in weight (9.32%) and a 3.43 U decrease in BMI (10.14%) were observed in participants of the case group that was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The participants of the control group were followed for a mean period of 8.12 months. In this period, the participants of the control group showed a 0.48 kg decrease in weight (0.52%) and a 0.11 U decrease in BMI (0.42%). This was not significant. No serious side effects of the drugs were observed in the case group. CONCLUSION: This open-label pilot study of combination therapy of metformin and fluoxetine gave encouraging weight reduction, and these results suggest the need for a randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing the two components and the combination to placebo.

Adult↗

[Tc]-99m thyroid scintigraphy in congenital hypothyroidism screening program.

The aetiology of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) may be important in determining disease severity, outcome and treatment schedules because athyroid patients need higher treatment doses and close monitoring particularly early in life. The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid scintigraphy (TS) findings in infants with CH and to determine the relationship of serum TSH and T4 values with thyroid agenesia, in an attempt to identify factors that may detect thyroid agenesia before treatment. Since August 2002 to April 2005, screening program for CH was carried out in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Isfahan, Iran. Screening was performed by measuring both the serums T4 and TSH concentration at day 3-7 of birth. Full-term newborns were recalled based on a serum TSH >20 mIU/l or serum T4 < 6.5 microg/dl and premature newborns based on T4 level by weight and TSH level by age. After repeating the laboratory test and clinical evaluation, Tc-99m TS was recommended for all infants with suspected CH before thyroxin replacement therapy. On the basis of Tc-99m TS, the thyroid gland was classified as normal scan, ectopic, goiter and athyrosis. TS results were compared with serum T4 and TSH levels. Of 93 381 newborns screened over a period of nearly 3 years, 262 neonates were found to have CH. The overall incidence of CH was 1 : 357 live births with a female/male ratio (F/M) of 1.4/1. Thyroid scan was performed on 116 (54%) of the infants with CH; of them, 33 cases (28.4%) were athyrotic (F/M = 0.8/1) while seven infants (6%) had ectopic thyroid (F/M = 1.3/1) and 76 cases (65.6%) had a normal thyroid scan (F/M = 1.5/1). Infants with the absence of thyroid in TS had significantly higher TSH value in comparison with those with ectopic or normal TS (116.3 +/- 109.64 vs. 108.10 +/- 62.92 or 55.35 +/- 48.26 mIU/l, respectively, P < 0.0001). Although not statistically different, the mean T4 level was higher in normal TS group than in ectopic and athyrotic groups (8.03 +/- 3.48 vs. 6.36 +/- 5.57 or 5.04 +/- 3 microg/dl, respectively, P = 0.09). We conclude that Tc-99m TS is a useful diagnostic tool for the initial investigation of suspected CH and considering the correlation of TS results with blood TSH levels, proper management and close monitoring of hypothyroid infants with severe hormonal alterations is necessary for the detection of thyroid agenesia.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗

High background radiation areas of Ramsar in Iran: evaluation of DNA damage by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE).

The hot springs in special areas in Ramsar, a northern coastal town in Iran, contain (226)Ra and (222)Rn. The natural radiation effects, radiosensitivity or adaptive responses, on the inhabitants of high natural radiation in Ramsar were studied. The single cell gel electrophoresis was used to monitor DNA damages. Three groups of volunteers were selected, one from high natural background radiation areas as the case group and two from normal background radiation areas as controls (control 1 and control 2). The latter one had the similar living situation to case group while the other (control 2) had different living situation from the other groups. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMNCs) were separated and irradiated by (60)Co source at five different gamma doses. It was found that the spontaneous level of DNA damage and the induced DNA damage in all challenging doses in case group was considerably higher than control groups (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the repair rate in those volunteers, who received less than 10.2 mSv/y was significantly more than the control groups. In the contrary, individuals who live in homes with more than 10.2 mSv/y had incomplete repair. Additionally the plasma and urinary levels of vitamin C were measured spectrophotometrically. Although the concentration of vitamin C of plasma was equal in case and control 1 groups, the urinary level of vitamin C was found to be lower in the case group.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan, Iran: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 810 patients with type 2 diabetes (289 men and 521 women) from Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre outpatient clinics, Iran, were examined. Part of examination included an assessment of neurological function including neuropathic symptoms and physical signs and nerve conduction velocity. RESULTS: The prevalence of PN was 75.1% (95% confidence interval 72.1, 78.0). PN was associated with age, proteinuria, and duration of diabetes, insulin-treatment, and presence of any retinopathy and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The age-adjusted prevalence rate of PN was 78% higher among patients with IHD, 64% higher among patients with any retinopathy, 66% higher among insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and it was greater with duration of diabetes. Using a stepwise binary logistic regression model, age, duration of diabetes and proteinuria were significant independent predictors of PN. CONCLUSION: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication in this population of Iranian type 2 diabetic patients. It increases with age, duration of diabetes and proteinuria.

Adult↗

Use of allogenic epidermal sheets for difficult wound healing: selection and testing of relevant growth factors.

The clinical interest of using allogenic epidermal sheets (AES) has largely been shown [1,2,3]. As well as covering, they also stimulate healing, by simultaneously secreting numerous growth factors (GFs), although little is known on their mechanism of action. Our objectives were to: (a) devise a test for the efficacy of AES release, (b) select keratinocyte-secreting strains and optimal culture conditions. Three GFs were selected: IL-1alpha, IL-8 and VEGF. Three different keratinocyte strains were cultured for 3 and 6 days after confluence for 3 passages. Assays were performed after 3 h and 24 h+3 h after dispase treatment (AES conservation for 24 h then change of medium and sampling after 3 h). AES were found to secrete GFs in DMEM and the amounts were greater when cultured for 6 rather than 3 days after confluence. Each strain had different secretory patterns depending on passage and time in culture, this variability being explained by inter-individual heterogeneity.

Cell Proliferation↗

Mapping risk of cadmium and lead contamination to human health in soils of Central Iran.

In order to map Cd and Pb contamination in the soils of the region of Isfahan, Central Iran, we performed indicator kriging on a set of 255 topsoil samples (0-20 cm) gathered irregularly from an area of 6800 km(2). The measured Cd concentrations exceeded the Swiss guide value in more than 80% of the samples whereas Pb concentrations exceeded the respective guide value only in 2% of the samples. Based on the simulated conditional distribution functions, the probability of exceeding the concentration of Cd and Pb from the specific threshold was computed. The results indicated that in most parts of the region the probability of contamination by Cd is very large (>0.95) whereas it is small (<0.5) for Pb. Based on a misclassification analysis, we chose the probability of 0.45 as optimum probability threshold to delineate the polluted from unpolluted areas for Cd. In addition, we performed a loss analysis to separate risks to human health from potential losses due to remediation costs. Based on this analysis a probability threshold of 0.8 was found to be the optimum threshold for the classification of polluted and unpolluted areas in the case of Cd. Health risks were found to be larger in the western parts of the region. Misclassification analysis was sufficient for risk mapping for Pb as its concentration did not reach risk levels for human health. A probability of 0.7 for Pb was found to be the optimum threshold for the delineation of polluted and unpolluted lands.

Cadmium↗

Pre-column derivatization of rofecoxib for determination in serum by HPLC.

An HPLC method for determination of rofecoxib in human serum is presented. The method is based on pre-column derivatization of analyte to a phenanthrene derivative of the drug. Rofecoxib and the internal standard were extracted from serum using liquid-liquid extraction. Upon exposure to UV light, the drug was found to undergo a photocyclization reaction, giving a species with high absorbance. Validation of the method has been studied in the concentration range 10-500 ng ml(-1).

Calibration↗

Application of a simple and sensitive GC-MS method for determination of morphine in the hair of opium abusers.

Thirty hair samples were collected from male opioid abusers for whom the presence of morphine in their urine samples was confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The hair samples were decontaminated by washing with isopropanol, deionized water, and isopropanol, dried at room temperature, and cut into small pieces. Samples of the latter (30 mg ) were digested by incubation in a mixture of methanol-trifluoroacetic acid (9:1) for 18 h at 45 degrees C and sonicated to improve the extraction process. The methanolic phase was evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen at 50 degrees C. The sample was derivatized by addition of N-methyl- N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) and 1% trimethyliodosilane (TMIS) at 70 degrees C for 20 min, with sonication. Derivatized samples (1 microL) were injected into a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system fitted with a capillary column; the Finnigan MS was operated in SIM mode. Naltrexone was used as internal standard (IS). The masses of the ions selected for morphine and naltrexone were 429 and 557, respectively. The limit of quantitation was set at 0.03 ng mg(-1) hair. By using the above procedure we detected morphine in all the samples examined, in the concentration range 0.26-10.31 ng mg(-1 )hair.

Adult↗

Increased accuracy of biopsy Gleason score obtained by extended needle biopsy.

PURPOSE: Accurate tumor grading is critical for adequate prostate cancer treatment. Nonetheless, the Gleason score of standard sextant biopsy correctly predicts the Gleason score of the radical prostatectomy specimen in about 50% of cases. We investigated if extended needle biopsy could improve biopsy Gleason score accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic transperitoneal radical prostatectomy was performed in 135 patients. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 89 cases by standard sextant transrectal (6 to 8 cores) biopsy and in 46 by extended needle (12 core transperineal under transrectal guidance) biopsy. Preoperative evaluation included digital rectal examination, prostatic specific antigen measurement, transrectal ultrasonography and endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging in all patients. All biopsy and prostatectomy specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. The concordance between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason score was 32 of 46 cases (70%) and 44 of 89 (49%) for 12 core and standard transrectal biopsy, respectively (z test p = 0.0127). Biopsy under grading was found in 11 of 46 cases (24%) and 35 of 89 (39%) (z test p = 0.0366), and biopsy over grading was found in 3 of 46 (6%) and 10 of 89 (11%) (z test p = 0.1894) with 12 core and standard transrectal biopsy, respectively. Primary Gleason pattern was predicted exactly by biopsy in 40 of 46 cases (87%) and 56 of 89 (63%) with 12 core and standard sextant biopsy, respectively (z test p = 0.0018). CONCLUSIONS: Extended needle biopsy significantly increases the accuracy of biopsy Gleason score for assessing final prostate cancer grade.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Urinary iodine excretion in pregnant women residing in areas with adequate iodine intake.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy is accompanied by profound alterations in thyroid economy and relative iodine deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary iodine excretion of pregnant women in cities with adequate and more than adequate iodine intake. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on schoolchildren and pregnant women in four cities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Urinary iodine excretion was measured for 438 schoolchildren and 403 pregnant women. In addition, in Isfahan City, thyroid volume was measured by sonography for 30 pregnant women in each trimester of pregnancy and for 90 non-pregnant women who also had urinary iodine measurement. RESULTS: Median urinary iodine of schoolchildren was 31.2, 25.0, 20.2 and 19.3 microg/dl in Rasht, Isfahan, Ilam and Tehran, respectively. Corresponding values for pregnant women were 33.8, 21.2, 19.0 and 18.6 microg/dl. The percentage of pregnant women with urinary iodine below 20 microg/dl was 16, 45, 55 and 54, and below 10 microg/dl was 1, 7, 7 and 13, in Rasht, Isfahan, Ilam and Tehran, respectively. In Isfahan, urinary iodine was significantly decreased in the third trimester of pregnancy, compared with controls. Mean thyroid volume was 7.8 +/- 3.1 ml and 7.8 +/- 2.8 ml in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recommended values for dietary iodine through universal salt iodisation may not be adequate for pregnant women, and the specific problem of iodine and pregnancy should be considered further in the light of the latest recommendations.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy by ultrasonic dissection without cystic duct and artery ligature.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment of gallstones. Nevertheless, there are some pitfalls due to the limits of current technology and the use of inappropriate ligature material, with a relevant risk of injuries and postoperative, mainly biliary, complications. Ultrasonically activated scissors may divide both vessels and cystic duct, with no need of further ligature, and possibly reduce the risk of thermal injuries. METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized clinical trial was started in 1999 to test harmonic shears (Ultracision, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, USA) in 461 consecutive patients undergoing LC in order to evaluate the theoretical benefits of ultrasonic dissection and the possible reduction in intraoperative bile duct injuries (BDIs) and postoperative complications. Patients were divided in two groups: in group 1 (HS; 331 patients) the operation was performed by Ultracision (including coagulation-division of cystic duct and artery); in group 2 (LOOP; 130 patients) the cystic duct, after coagulation-division by harmonic scissors, was further secured with an endo-loop. Both groups were further divided into two subgroups: expert and surgeon-in-training. The following categories of data were collected and analyzed: individual patient data, indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgical procedure data (associated procedures, intraoperative cholangiography, intraoperative complications, length of surgery, and conversion to open), and postoperative course data (postoperative morbidity, postoperative mortality, reinterventions, and postoperative hospital stay). Furthermore, biliary complications were analyzed as a single parameter comparing the incidence within groups and subgroups. Cumulative complications (intraoperative and postoperative) were also analyzed as a single parameter comparing their incidence in the series of each surgeon within the surgeon-in-training subgroup to the average results of the expert subgroup. Finally, length of surgery, postoperative complication rate, and length of postoperative hospital stay within subgroups were analyzed to evaluate the learning curve. RESULTS: Overall conversion rate was 0.87%. The mean operating time was 76.8 min (median, 70 min) in group 1 and 97.5 min (median 90 min) in group 2. BDI occurred in 1 case (0.32%) in the surgeon-in-training subgroup. Overall BDI rate was 0.22% (1/461). The overall incidence of postoperative bile leak was 2.7% (9 patients of subgroup 1 and 1 patient of subgroup 2). Clinical observation with spontaneous resolution occurred in 4 patients, and in 1 case the management consisted in an endoscopic biliary drainage; surgery was requested in the remaining cases. A laparoscopic approach was successfully attempted in all cases. Overall morbidity rate was 8.76% in group 1 and 13.84% in group 2. Rates of major complications, overall biliary complication, and postoperative bile leaks within the expert and surgeon-in-training subgroup differ significantly (p = 0.026, p = 0.03, and p = 0.049, respectively). There was 1 death (0.22%) due to sepsis that resulted from a small bowel injury by trocar insertion. Mean postoperative stay was 4.28 days for group 1 and 5.05 days for group 2. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found in both patient groups regarding postoperative mortality and complications, biliary complications, and especially cystic duct leaks. A retrospective comparison of literature data showed that use of ultrasonic dissection during LC seems to reduce the risk of BDI. Nevertheless, a learning curve in the use of ultrasonic-activated devices is required: a significant differences in postoperative major complications and biliary complications between the expert and the surgeon-in-training subgroups was shown. Furthermore, ultrasonic scissors misuse may cause bowel injuries in patients with severe adhesions, and this could represent a possible limitation for surgical safety.

Adolescent↗

Various durations of a standard regimen (amoxycillin, metronidazole, colloidal bismuth sub-citrate for 2 weeks or with additional ranitidine for 1 or 2 weeks) on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Iranian peptic ulcer patients. A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most economical and effective therapeutic regimens for eradication of Helicobacter pylori is the classic triple therapy with amoxycillin or tetracycline, metronidazole and a bismuth derivative. Addition of H2-receptor antagonists to these drugs may heighten the rate of eradication and shorten the duration. We therefore performed a randomized controlled trial comparing twice daily metronidazole, bismuth derivative and amoxycillin for 2 weeks with additional ranitidine for 1 or 2 weeks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 240 adult patients with duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to one of the following regimens: (1) amoxycillin 1 g bid, metronidazole 500 mg bid, bismuth sub-citrate 240 mg bid and ranitidine 300 mg bid for 1 week; (2) triple therapy without ranitidine for 2 weeks; or (3) triple therapy plus ranitidine 300 mg bid for 2 weeks. Side-effects of the drugs were evaluated two weeks after starting the treatment. The rapid urease test and histology from antrum and corpus, and/or 14C- urea breath test were used to determine H. pylori eradication six weeks after starting the treatment. RESULTS: In total, 195 patients were followed up for 6 weeks. The most frequent drug side-effects were unpleasant taste (46%), dry mouth (41%) and fatigue (26%), which had an equal distribution in all treatment groups. Endoscopy and 14C- urea breath test were performed for 178 and 123 patients, respectively. Eradication of H. pylori was documented in 19/64 (29.7%), 29/63 (46%) and 50/68 (73.5%) of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P < 0.000001 for group 1 versus group 3; P < 0.0014 for group 2 versus group 3; difference not significant for group 1 versus group 2). An intention-to-treat analysis showed eradication rates of 19/80 (23.75%), 29/80 (36.25%) and 50/80 (62.5%) for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At four weeks post-treatment, the most sensitive test for evaluation of eradication of H. pylori was histology. CONCLUSION: Although combined use of an H2-receptor antagonist and twice daily triple therapy in a two-week regimen is more effective than two-week triple or one-week quadruple therapy in Iranian patients, none of these regimens is ideal in countries with a probable high rate of resistant and strongly toxic strains of H. pylori.

Adult↗

[Sentinel lymph node for breast cancer: remove less to know more].

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to study the value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with breast cancer seen at a community hospital. METHODS: Consecutive cases receiving primary treatment for unicentric breast cancer less than 3 cm in diameter were prospectively studied from January 1999 to July 2000. All patients signed a detailed informed consent. The majority of patients (89%) underwent a combined technique of intradermal injection of 0.3-1.2 mCi of (99)Tc and 1-3 cc of Patent Blue at the biopsy site. Intraoperative localization was performed with a hand-held gamma probe. The first 15 patients underwent routine back-up lymphadenectomy. Thereafter, only patients with positive SLN, suspicious findings, or personal preference underwent formal axillary dissection. RESULTS: One hundred eight cases were included in the study with a median age of 61 years and a median diameter of the breast tumor of 1.5 cm. Success rate for identification of SLN was 94% (101/108 cases). A total of 917 additional lymph nodes were removed after SLN biopsy (median 6.5 lymph nodes/patient). Correlation between SLN and the final axillary status was 98%. In 20/36 patients (61%) with positive axillary status the sentinel lymph node was the only positive one. Ten patients had only microscopic foci of cancer found in the SLN. Sixty-seven patients (62%) could have avoided axillary dissection becouse the SLN was found, it was negative, and there were no other intraoperative suspicious findings. CONCLUSIONS: SLN biopsy is accurate and easily reproduced. Our data confirms that the majority of breast cancer patients may no longer need routine axillary lymphadenectomy.

Adult↗

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of captopril in plasma.

A rapid, simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of captopril in plasma has been developed. Captopril is derivatized with a new reagent, 2-bromo-2'-acetonaphthone to form a product that showed ultraviolet-absorbing properties. For plasma samples, the protein was removed with 6% perchloric acid and the derivatized captopril was extracted with diethyl ether. The chromatographic separation was performed on an analytical mu bondapak NH2 column (300 x 3.9 mm, i.d.) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of n-hexane-2-propanol-methanol-acetic acid (68:15:15:2). Using ultraviolet detection at 246 nm, the quantification limit for captopril in plasma was 10 ng/ml. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 12.5-500 ng/ml. The average recovery was 95% for plasma. The inter-day and intra-day assay coefficients of variation were found to be less than 12%.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

(+)-Bulbocapnine-beta-N-oxide from glaucium fimbrilligerum

A new aporphine alkaloid, (+)-bulbocapnine-beta-N-oxide (1), was isolated from Glaucium fimbrilligerum. Its structure and the stereochemistry at the N-oxide center were determined by spectroscopic methods and confirmed by synthesis.

Journal Article↗

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus in the Isfahan city population (aged 40 or over) in 1993.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes among people aged 40 or more and to compare selected factors such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index and lipid profile in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. This is a cross-sectional study of subjects aged over 40 in Isfahan. Selection of diabetic subjects were based on multi-stage random sampling. Diabetes status was defined by the World Health Organization criteria and was based on fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance test results. Data on age, body mass index, blood pressure and lipid profile were obtained. Results show that a total of 3910 eligible subjects were examined and classified into different diabetes status. The overall age-standardized prevalence of diabetes was 7.54% (95% CI: 6.24-8.84%) in males and 7.97% (95% CI: 6.75-9.19%) in females with no difference. Similarly, the overall age standardized prevalence was 7.76% (95% CI: 6.87-8.65%). The prevalence of diabetes was shown to increased in the older age groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, systolic blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, being overweight and also obesity were independently associated with diabetes. A large number of newly-diagnosed diabetic subjects were identified, which necessitates powerful screening programs. High levels of blood pressure, body mass index and lipid profile should draw attention to probable presence of diabetes.

Adult↗

Systemic lupus erythematosus with membranous glomerulonephritis and uterine vasculitis.

We report a case of lupus vasculitis with uterine localization and concurrent membranous nephropathy. Immunofluorescence study suggested the occurrence of an immune complex nephropathy and a pauci-immune pathogenesis of vasculitis. Our case points out the event of tissue damage in two organs mediated by different pathogenetic mechanisms. In addition, uterine vasculitis without pregnancy may be observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis.

Cervix Uteri↗