Correlation between central corneal thickness measurements using two uifferent ultrasonic pachymeters

Purpose: To assess correlation between central corneal thickness measurements using two different ultrasonic pachymeters. Material and Methods: This prospective study involved normal subjects aged 16 to 45 years. Central corneal thickness was measured in 47 eyes by two ultrasonic pachymeters – Tomey SP – 100 and Sonomed 300 AP. Correlations between CCT measurements assessed by the two pachymeters were tested by Pearson correlation. Results: Forty seven eyes were included in the study. The mean (± SD) age of the subjects was 27.79 years (± 6.88).The mean (± SD) Tomey Pachymeter CCT was 536.45 m (34.37) and the mean (SD) Sonomed CCT was 540.64 m (33.48).CCT measurements by the two modalities were very strongly correlated (r = 0.98; P \u3c0.0001). Conclusions: In healthy individuals, Tomey pachymeter measurements of corneal thickness were highly correlated with those obtained using Sonomed pachymeter, and hence the two may be used interchangeably

Incidence of intraocular lens exchange after cataract surgery

Intraocular lens (IOL) exchange after cataract surgery is unusual but may be associated with suboptimal visual outcome. The incidence of IOL exchange has not been consistently estimated. Such information is invaluable when counseling patients prior to cataract surgery. We examined the incidence of, and indications and risk factors for, IOL exchange after cataract surgery. We also assessed visual outcome of eyes that had an IOL exchange. A cohort design was used to estimate the incidence of IOL exchange and a case-control design to identify factors associated with it. All phacoemulsification surgeries with IOL (n = 17415 eyes) during 2010-2017 and those that had a subsequent IOL removal or replacement during the same time period were identified (n = 34 eyes). The incidence of IOL exchange was 2 per 1000 surgeries (95% confidence interval [CI] 1 to 3) over 8 years. Eyes that underwent subsequent IOL removal or replacement were compared with eyes that had cataract surgery only (n = 47) across demographic and clinical characteristics. In a binary logistic regression analysis, two factors were significantly associated with IOL exchange/removal: an adverse event during cataract surgery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 19.45; 95% CI 4.89-77.30, P \u3c 0.001) and a pre-existing ocular comorbidity (aOR 10.70; 95% CI 1.69-67.63, P = 0.021). The effect of gender was marginally significant (P = 0.077). Eyes that underwent IOL exchange or explantation were nearly two and a half times more likely to have a final best-corrected visual acuity of \u3c20/60 compared to those that had cataract surgery alone (adjusted RR 2.60 95% CI, 1.13-6.02; P = 0.025)

Lack of Knowledge Is the Leading Key for the Growing Cervical Cancer Incidents in Bangladesh: A Population Based, Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer in Bangladesh. Lack of awareness of screening methods, risk factors, and symptoms may lead to presenting most cervical cancers at an advanced stage. We investigated knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer (CCa) among females at the Sheikh Hasina Medical College (SHMC) of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted to collect data via a structured questionnaire from SHMC during the period of February 2019 to January 2020. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of cervical cancer were collected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with having heard and knowledge of cervical cancer. A p-value \u3c 0.05 was considered significant. Result Of all the interviews conducted, only 45.2% (493/1090) had heard of cervical cancer as a disease. Women were more likely to be aware of CCa if they were lived in urban areas, had higher education (university level education) and belong to high income families. The study revealed evidence of significant association between marital, literacy, residence and socio-economic status with women’s knowledge on cervical cancer (p\u3c 0.05). Conclusion This study serves to highlight that there was impoverished knowledge about cervical cancer among Bangladeshi women. Hence, this indicates the government should take proper steps to raise awareness and knowledge levels via educational programs and health counseling

Tychiini and Mecinini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Curculioninae) of Iran: eleven species recorded for the first time, with new data on host plants and distribution of several species

A faunistic study on the tribes Tychiini and Mecinini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae) was carried out during the years 2010-2013 in different ecological regions of Iran. Twenty nine species belonging to the genera Mecinus Germar, 1821, Gymnetron Schoenherr, 1825, Rhinusa Stephens, 1829, Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919, Tychius Germar, 1817 and Sibinia Germar, 1817 were collected. Localities and ecological notes on each species are provided. Among these, The following 11 species are new to the Iranian fauna: Mecinus crassifemur (Arzanov, 1991), Mecinus simus (Mulsant & Rey, 1859), Gymnetron linkei Reitter, 1907, Rhinusa antirrhini (Paykull, 1800), Rhinusa brondelii (H. Brisout de Barneville, 1862), Rhinusa florum (Rübsaamen, 1895), Tychius reitteri Faust, 1889, Tychius tridentinus Penecke, 1922, Sibinia aureofulva (Desbrochers des Loges, 1875), Sibinia pellucens (Scopoli, 1772), Sibinia unicolor Fảhraeus, 1843, whereas all other 18 species are new for one or more provinces. Host plants of several species reported for the first time and commented as well

Perceptions of eye health in schools in Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Research exploring children's and their teachers' perceptions of eye health is lacking. This paper reports for the first time on perceptions of primary schoolchildren and their teachers of healthy and diseased eyes, things that keep eyes healthy and damage them, and what actions to be taken in case of an eye injury. METHODS: Using draw and write technique, 160 boys and girls (9–12 years old) attending four primary schools in Abbottabad district, northern Pakistan, were invited to draw pictures in response to a set of semi-structured questions and then label them. Sixteen teachers who were currently teaching the selected students were interviewed one-on-one. RESULTS: Analysis of text accompanying 800 drawings and of the interview scripts revealed that most children and teachers perceived healthy eyes to be those which could see well, and diseased eyes to be those which have redness, watering, dirty discharge, pain, and itching; or those which have "weak eyesight" and blindness. Among things that students and teachers thought damage the eyes included sun, television, and sharp pointed objects, particularly pencils. Teachers noted that children with eye problems "have difficulty seeing the blackboard well", "screw up their eyes", and "hold their books too close". CONCLUSION: We conclude that schoolchildren and their teachers had a good knowledge of eye health, but many of them had serious misconceptions e.g., use of kohl, medicines and eye drops keeps eyes healthy. Kohl is an important source of lead and can reduce children's intelligence even at low blood levels. Health education in schools must take into account children's existing knowledge of and misconceptions about various aspects of eye health. Such steps if taken could improve the relevance of eye health education to schoolchildren

BCL2L12 is a novel biomarker for the prediction of short-term relapse in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BCL2-like 12 (BCL2L12) is a new member of the apoptosis-related BCL2 gene family, members of which are implicated in various malignancies. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a highly metastatic, malignant epithelial tumor, with a high prevalence in Southeast Asia and North Africa. The purpose of the current study was to quantify and investigate the expression levels of the BCL2L12 gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies and to assess its prognostic value. Total RNA was isolated from 89 malignant and hyperplastic nasopharyngeal biopsies from Tunisian patients. After testing the quality of the extracted RNA, cDNA was prepared by reverse transcription. A highly sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for BCL2L12 mRNA quantification was developed using SYBR® Green chemistry. GAPDH served as a reference gene. Relative quantification analysis was performed using the comparative CT (2-ΔΔCT) method. Higher BCL2L12 mRNA levels were detected in undifferentiated carcinomas of the nasopharynx, rather than in nonkeratinizing nasopharyngeal tumors (P = 0.045). BCL2L12 expression status was also found to be positively associated with the presence of distant metastases (P = 0.014). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with BCL2L12-positive nasopharyngeal tumors have significantly shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.020). Cox regression analysis showed BCL2L12 expression to be an unfavorable and independent prognostic indicator of short-term relapse in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P = 0.042). Our results suggest that mRNA expression of BCL2L12 may constitute a novel biomarker for the prediction of short-term relapse in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. © 2011 The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Evaluation of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase genes expression in the heart of broiler chickens with experimental pulmonary hypertension

1. To clarify the effect of cold-induced pulmonary hypertension on endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and iNOS) mRNA expression in the lung of broiler chickens, semi quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was performed on total RNAs isolated from lungs of the broiler chickens exposed to 5 weeks of cold stress. 2. The eNOS gene was expressed increasingly with the increasing age during the rearing period. 3. Comparing the treatment group with its related control group eNOS was expressed significantly only at d 21. 4. Expression of iNOS mRNA also increased in both control and treatment groups with increasing age until d 28 and then decreased at d 35 and 42. 5. Comparing the treatment group with its control group, iNOS mRNA level was significantly higher at 21 d of age in the cold-exposed chickens. 6. It was concluded that, although cold exposure could significantly increase eNOS and iNOS gene expression, cold-induced pulmonary hypertension is not associated with significant variations of eNOS and iNOS expression in the lungs of broiler chickens

Quantitative expression analysis and prognostic significance of the BCL2-associated X gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic epithelial malignancy showing high prevalence in Southeast Asia and North Africa. The BCL2-associated X (BAX) gene encodes the most important pro-apoptotic member of the BCL2 family. We have recently shown that BCL2 and BCL2L12, two other members of the same apoptosis-related family, possess significant prognostic value in NPC. The objective of the current study was to analyze BAX mRNA expression in nasopharyngeal biopsies of NPC patients, and to assess its prognostic potential in this disease.Methods: Total RNA was isolated from 88 malignant and 9 hyperplastic nasopharyngeal biopsies, resected from Tunisian patients. After cDNA synthesis by reverse transcription of polyadenylated RNA, BAX mRNA expression was analyzed using a highly sensitive quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method.Results: Lower BAX mRNA levels were detected in NPC biopsies than in hyperplastic nasopharyngeal samples. BAX mRNA expression status was associated with low tumor extent, negative regional lymph node status, and absence of distant metastases. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with BAX mRNA-positive NPC have significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In accordance with these findings, Cox regression analysis revealed that BAX mRNA expression can be considered as a favorable prognostic indicator of DFS and OS in NPC, independent of their gender, age, tumor histology, tumor extent, and nodal status. Furthermore, NPC patients without distant metastases are less likely to relapse when their primary tumor is BAX mRNA-positive, compared to metastasis-free patients with a BAX-negative nasopharyngeal malignancy.Conclusion: This is the first study examining the potential clinical utility of BAX as a prognostic tumor biomarker in NPC. We provide evidence that BAX mRNA expression can be considered as an independent favorable prognostic indicator of DFS and OS in NPC. © 2013 Kontos et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Primary elective spine arthrodesis: Audit of institutional cross matched to transfused (C/T) ratio to develop blood product ordering guidelines

Background: Currently, there are no uniform guidelines regarding the appropriate amount of blood products ordered prior to spine surgery. Here, we audited our own institution\u27s practices along with preoperative variables that contributed to perioperative transfusion requirements for elective spinal arthrodesis.Methods: This study utilized a single institution retrospective chart review of patients undergoing elective spinal fusion over a 2 year period. The cross matched to transfused (C/T) ratio was utilized to compare different patient groups. Sub-group multivariate analysis enabled us to identify possible predictors of transfusion for this patient population.Results: Eighty-five patients were included in the study. Of the 292 units of packed red blood cells ordered preoperatively, only 66 were transfused (C/T ratio 4.4:1). Those undergoing arthrodesis for degenerative disease (6.9:1) or cervical spine arthrodesis (23:1) had the highest C/T ratios. Univariate analysis revealed several factors contributing to a relatively high probability of perioperative transfusions, while multivariate analysis showed that the indication for surgery was the only factor independently associated with the requirement for transfusion.Conclusion: We found an unacceptably high C/T ratio at our institution. Based on the results of our univariate analysis, we recommend that two units packed cells to be arranged for patients with preoperative hemoglobin levels/dl, trauma, and Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) cases, or where more than two levels were being decompressed and/or arthrodesed. For the remainder of the cases, a group and hold policy should be sufficient