Association of myopia and parapapillary choroidal microvascular density in primary open-angle glaucoma

Background/Aims To compare parapapillary choroidal microvascular (PPCMv) densities between myopic eyes with and without glaucoma. Methods In this retrospective study, OCTA images (4.5 x 4.5 mm) were obtained using a commercial spectral-domain OCTA system. PPCMv density was calculated in inner and outer annuli using customized software. Marginal model of generalized estimating equations was established to adjust for confounding factors and intraclass correlations. Results This study included 35 myopic eyes with glaucoma (MG), 96 non-myopic eyes with glaucoma (NMG) matched for visual field mean deviation, 37 myopic eyes without glaucoma (MNG), and 73 control eyes from three tertiary centers. The participant ages were (mean standard deviation, SD) 57.43 11.49, 60.40 10.07, 52.84 9.35, and 54.74 12.07 years. Inner and outer annular PPCMv densities (mean SD) decreased in the following order: control (0.15 0.04 and 0.12 0.04), MNG (0.14 0.08 and 0.12 0.08), NMG (0.09 0.05 and 0.07 0.04), and MG (0.09 0.04 and 0.07 0.03). The mean differences in PPCMv density between glaucoma groups (NMG and MG) and the control group (mean difference 95% confidence interval) were -0.06 (-0.08 to -0.04, P 0.112). Conclusions Parapapillary choroidal microvascular density attenuation tends to be greater in eyes with glaucoma than in eyes with myopia

Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity Can Modify the Effects of Apo-B Polymorphisms (Ins/Del and EcoRI) on Lipid Profiles and Atherogenic Indices Between Diabetic Patients

We aimed to study the role of Apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) polymorphisms (Ins/Del and EcoRI) and genotype interaction on lipid profiles and atherogenic indices in response to changes in dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) of diet. This cross-sectional study consisted of 700 diabetic patients. Biochemical markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interlukin-18 (IL-18), and Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) were measured based on standard protocols. Genotyping of the Apo-B polymorphisms was conducted by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Subjects with Ins/Ins genotype with higher DTAC intake had lower TG, AIP, and AC compared to Del-allele carriers. Moreover, A-allele carriers (EcoRI) with a higher median intake of DTAC had lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) compared to GG homozygotes. For combined genotypes, the EcoRI only variant (Ins/Ins and AA + AG) with higher DTAC intake had lower BMI and WC. Moreover, Ins/Del only variant (Ins/del + del/del and GG) with more adherence to DTAC had higher TG and AIP. Our study showed that Apo-B polymorphisms interact with the antioxidant capacity of diet to ameliorate the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases, especially atherosclerosis in the A carriers of EcoR1 and Ins/Ins homozygous of Ins/Del polymorphism

Prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of sleep disturbances in patients with primary brain tumors: a systematic review

Sleep disturbances are common in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT), significantly affecting their health-related quality of life (QoL), emotional well-being, cognitive function, and clinical outcomes. These disturbances not only impact the patients themselves but also place a burden on their families and caregivers. Despite growing recognition of these problems, a comprehensive understanding of their prevalence, severity, and risk factors remains limited. This systematic review aimed to update the evidence on sleep disturbances in PBT patients, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies published from September 2015 to June 2024. Eligible studies assessed sleep disturbances in adult PBT patients using validated methods. Studies with mixed-cancer samples, pediatric patients, or lacking validated sleep assessments were excluded. A total of 11 studies were included, revealing high rates of sleep disturbances, ranging from 9.2 to over 60, varying by tumor type and treatment stage. Key risk factors included older age, female gender, certain tumor types (e.g., pituitary), perioperative sleep quality, and psychological distress. Sleep disturbances were linked to worse clinical outcomes, including higher mortality and burden. Addressing sleep disturbances through routine assessment and targeted interventions is essential for improving outcomes in this population

Intersecting SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and global vaccine efficacy against COVID-19

In line with encountering the world with the emergence of vaccine-resistance variants of SARS-CoV-2, 15,669,529 samples that received COVID-19 vaccines until April 2023 were investigated as two doses in the first phase and booster vaccinations in the second phase. The analysis shows that D614G and P681 mutations occurred in both phases. The E484 and Y655 mutations significantly emerged during the second phase. The 762-889 and 254-381 regions are revealed as conserved parts and could be considered in vaccine design. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant reduction in single mutations between populations with 20-50 and those with 70-100 vaccination coverage (p=0.017). The Mann-Whitney U test proposes a link between vaccination and suppression of viral mutation rates. Dynamic modeling suggests that key mutations have facilitated the virus' evolution and immune escape. The study's findings are crucial for understanding virus genome mutations, especially E614 and P681 in Delta and E484 and H655 in Omicron. This highlights the need to adjust strategies and strengthen global efforts in combating the pandemic

Application of natural hematite as catalyst in heterogeneous photo-Fenton like process for 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation

This work investigates the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) through the combination of hematite and UV light for the activation of sodium percarbonate (SPC) in a heterogeneous photo-Fenton like (HPF) process. The hematite was fully characterised and the effects of different reaction parameters such as pH, doses of hematite and SPC, 2,4-DCP initial concentration, and the presence of co-existing anions were investigated. Under the optimised conditions (pH = 3.0, Hematite0 = 300.0 mg L−1, SPC0 = 500.0 mg L−1), the degradation of 2,4-DCP (50.0 mg L−1) was 99.88 ± 0.05 %. Quenching experiments demonstrated the participation of 1O2, O2rad−, CO3rad−, and radOH radicals in the degradation of 2,4-DCP, with the dominance of radOH radicals (82.39 %). Furthermore, the degradation of 2,4-DCP was effectively retarded by the presence of Cl−, NO3−, CO32−, and PO43− anions in the solution. Overall, the HPF process with hematite can be proposed as an effective and promising approach for the degradation of 2,4-DCP from the waste stream and can be used for the decontamination of other organic compounds due to its stability and feasibility. © 2024 Elsevier B.V

Pure spinal multiple sclerosis: A case series of a possible new entity

BACKGROUND: Recent literature describes a condition similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) but with demyelinating lesions limited to the spinal cord. This condition, referred to as "pure spinal" MS, might benefit from disease-modifying treatment (DMT). METHODS: We screened the medical records of approximately 8000 patients with demyelinating diseases at the Isfahan MS clinic in Iran. Criteria for inclusion in the case series were adults with a demyelinating disease limited to the spinal cord, positive oligoclonal IgG bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and negative results for other potential diagnoses. RESULTS: Seven people with pure spinal MS were identified (all women, mean age SD: 40.14 6.17 years at the first visit, mean follow-up duration SD: 98 39.41 months). Two had a family history of conventional MS in their siblings. All patients exhibited lower limb weakness and tested negative for anti-MOG and anti-AQP4 antibodies. They experienced relapsing-remitting partial myelitis, with new spinal cord lesions on MRI but no extraspinal CNS lesions. DMT significantly reduced relapse rates in all patients, and two showed no increase in EDSS scores. CONCLUSION: Pure spinal MS might be an atypical form of MS. Those affected may benefit from DMT; therefore, further investigation and consideration in the upcoming revisions of the McDonald criteria are recommended

Lipid-based nanodelivery systems of curcumin: Recent advances, approaches, and applications

Despite its many beneficial effects, pharmaceutical applications of curcumin (CUR) are limited due to its chemical instability, low solubility/absorption and weak bioavailability. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of CUR-loaded nanodelivery systems to tackle those issues. Within many different nanocarriers developed for CUR up to date, lipid-based nanocarriers (LBNs) are among the most extensively studied systems. LBNs such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid carriers, nanostructured phospholipid/surfactant carriers are shown to be potential delivery systems capable of improving the solubility, bioavailability, and chemical stability of CUR. The particle characteristics, stability, bioavailability, and release properties of CUR-loaded LBNs can be tailored via optimizing the formulation and processing parameters. This paper reviews the most recent studies on the development of various CUR-loaded LBNs. Approaches to the improvement of CUR bioavailability and release characteristics of LBNs are discussed. Furthermore, challenges in the development of CUR-loaded LBNs and their potential applications are presented

Design and Psychometric Evaluation of a Questionnaire Assessing Quranic Attitudes and Attachment in Muslim Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Background: Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers among women, can pose numerous psychological challenges for patients. In this context, the Quranic lifestyle, as a rich source of religious teachings, can play a significant role in promoting mental health and quality of life among patients. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 85 breast cancer patients in the summer of 2023. A questionnaire with eight items in two dimensions was designed. Face validity was determined using the Item Impact Score (IIS), and content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Exploratory factor analysis was employed to categorize items and identify dimensions for evaluating construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Findings: The mean (standard deviation) of participants age was 42.50 (11.58) years. The final version of the scale consisted of 8 items in 2 dimensions. The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.94, and for each dimension, it was greater than 0.80. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed the appropriate fit of the latent variable model. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed in this study. Therefore, this 8-item scale is proposed as a suitable and efficient tool for measuring attitudes towards the Quran, hope, and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Evaluation of the Effects of Decellularized Wharton Jelly Nanoparticles on Polyhydroxy Butyrate-Chitosan Electrospun Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering Applications

An integral part of cartilage tissue engineering is scaffold fabrication methods and the selection of materials that mimic the extracellular matrix of the host tissue. This study aims to investigate the effects of the decellularized extracellular matrix of cord Wharton’s jelly (DWJM) on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-nano chitosan (Cs) electrospun scaffold by adding (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) wt of DWJM nanoparticles. Evaluation of the results regarding fiber diameter, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties confirmed that the scaffold with 0.2 wt DWJM nanoparticles is the optimal choice. The average fiber diameter decreased from 441.5 to 327.4 nm, while the ultimate strength increased from 5.1 to 7.5 MPa, and the elongation at break increased from 11.9 to 13.7. The addition of DWJM nanoparticles played a significant role in reducing crystallinity, increasing hydrolytic decomposition, appropriate degradation, and enhancing cell compatibility. Based on the results of the MTT test, a significant increase in the growth and proliferation of chondrocytes on the scaffolds with 0.2 wt DWJM nanoparticles was observed compared to the PHB-Cs scaffold during 7 days of cell culture. In conclusion, the nanocomposite scaffold containing of 0.2 wt DWJM nanoparticles exhibits efficient biological behavior and can serve as a suitable option for cartilage tissue engineering. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024

Deep learning for age estimation from panoramic radiographs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Panoramic radiographs are widely used for age estimation in clinical and forensic domains. Conventionally, age estimation uses humans assessing tooth development and deducing the expected age from that. Deep learning may improve or substitute this traditional approach and allow age estimation at scale in routine settings. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the performance of deep learning for age estimation on panoramic radiographs. Data: Studies using deep learning for age estimation (index test), reporting their performance metrically against a reference test (human expert assessment or the actually known age) were included. Sources: PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Scopus, ArXiv, medRxiv, and IEEE databases were searched on 24th July 2023, and the search was updated in June 2024. Study selection: Out of 2,441 studies, 42 were selected for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Meta-analysis was restricted to studies (n = 9) that reported the error of the model against the reference test in years. Results: Thirteen studies demonstrated a low risk of bias, while the majority showed unclear or high risk of bias. Accuracy for classifying individuals into age brackets emerged as the most common metric, with accuracy spanning from 27 to 100 . Pooled mean absolute error was 1.75 (95 CI: 0.96 - 2.55) years Conclusion: The performance of deep learning for age estimation from panoramics varied significantly between studies. The mean absolute error, at 1.75 years, however, indicates the promises of deep learning for this purpose. Clinical significance: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the potential of deep learning as an adjunct diagnostic tool for age estimation, showing that, in mean, the absolute error of deep learning was only 1.75 years. However, several methodological limitations identified herein necessitate further investigation before widespread clinical implementation can be considered