Editorial – Eye Disorders in the Post-COVID Era

This is an Editorial and does not have an abstract. Please download the PDF or view the article HTML

Ziv-aflibercept in Diabetic Macular Edema: Relation of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness with Visual and Anatomical Outcomes

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept injections (IVZ) on subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) as well as on central macular thickness (CMT) and on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes in eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME). Methods: Fifty-seven eyes of 36 patients with CI-DME were included in this prospective interventional case series. Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and enhanced depth imaging OCT were performed at baseline followed by three monthly 1.25 mg IVZ injections. Changes of SCT, CMT, and BCVA at each follow-up session were assessed. The association between baseline SCT and its monthly changes with final visual and anatomical outcomes were also assessed. Results: CMT at baseline, and at the first, second, and third month follow-up sessions were 396 ± 119, 344 ± 115, 305 ± 89, and 296 ± 101 μm, respectively (P-value < 0.001). SCT at baseline, and at months one, two, and three were 236 ± 47, 245 ± 56, 254 ± 54, and 241 ± 54 μm, respectively (Pvalue > 0.99). Corresponding figures for BCVA were 0.58 ± 0.29, 0.47 ± 0.31, 0.4 ± 0.24, and 0.37 ± 0.23 LogMAR, respectively (P-value < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between BCVA and CMT changes following IVZ injections (P-value < 0.001). However, there were no significant correlations between SCT changes and visual acuity (VA) and CMT changes following IVZ injections. Conclusion: IVZ improved visual outcomes and macular thickness profiles in patients with CI-DME. However, IVZ had no significant effect on SCT. Baseline SCT and its monthly changes had no association with visual and anatomical outcomes

Antigenic and immunogenic evaluation of Helicobacter pylori FlaA epitopes

Objective(s): Helicobacter pyloriare among most common human pathogens affecting at least half of the world’s population. Mobility is one of the important primary factors in bacterial colonization and invasion. The purpose of this research is cloning, expression, and purification of FlaA protein specific epitopes in order to evaluate their antigenicity and immunogenicity. Materials and Methods: The antigenic region of the flaA gene was bioinformatically predicted using Epitope mapping software’s and the predicted epitopes were expressed in a prokaryotic expression vector. The antigen was injected into the animal model (mice BALB/c) and some indicators including IgG1, IgG2a, IgA, IFN-γ, and IL 5 were measured. Results: The immunogenicity studies in animal models by measuring serum antibodies (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA) and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL5) revealed that the rFlaA induces a proper immune response in animal models. Conclusion: The recombinant FlaA protein is antigenic and immunogenic. Therefore, it might be used in order to design of specific diagnostic kits and recombinant vaccines against H. pylori

Urbach-Wiethe Syndrome and the Ophthalmologist: Review of the Literature and Introduction of the First Instance of Bilateral Uveitis

Patients suffering from Urbach-Wiethe syndrome (UWS), also known as lipoid proteinosis or hyalinosis cutis et mucosae, may have an ophthalmologist involved in the diagnosis and management of their disease. Along with moniliform blepharosis as a pathognomonic feature of the disease, an ophthalmologist may encounter other manifestations of UWS in any part of the eye such as cornea; conjunctiva; sclera; trabecular meshwork; iris/pupil; lens and zonular fibers; retina; nasolacrimal duct. This paper provides a review on the pathogenesis and the diverse ocular manifestations seen in UWS patients. Uncommon complications are discussed in this paper (glaucoma; dry eye and epiphora; complications of lens, retina, cornea; iris/pupil and conjunctiva). Moreover, a 27-year-old male UWS patient is described with bilateral diffuse anterior stromal iris atrophy, diffuse keratic precipitates; posterior subcapsular cataract; 1 + vitreous cell in anterior vitreous examination. This case was thought to be the first instance of bilateral uveitis associated with UWS. Overall, ophthalmologists may encounter diverse ocular complications accompanying this syndrome. They should be familiar with well-established ophthalmologic manifestations leading them to cooperate with other specialists in diagnosis and management of the disease

Power - reliability tradeoff in low power 4-PAM signaling in on-chip communication

The higher data rates at low power consumption have recently directed attentions towards on/off-chip multilevel signaling. However, its tighter noise margin cost leads to reliability concern. In this work, the reliability issue for multilevel signaling is highlighted using 4-PAM scheme. Three cost-effective architectures based on Hamming codes are synthesized in 45-nm technology to analyze the tradeoffs between reliability improvement and power consumption. Results showed that the 8-(7,4) configuration can enhance the 4-PAM signaling performance more than 3.3-dB at the Bit Error Rate of 10-6 while reducing power consumption up to 58% against binary for a 10-mm global on-chip interconnect. Furthermore, it is shown that higher levels of reliability are achievable at the cost of lower power savings. This paper provides guidelines to the designers for selecting between signaling schemes given the design characteristics and constraints

Static Balance in Patients with Vestibular Impairments: A Preliminary Study

Aims. Vestibular system is indicated as one of the most important sensors responsible for static and dynamic postural control. In this study, we evaluated static balance in patients with unilateral vestibular impairments. Materials and Methods. We compared static balance control using Kistler force plate platform between 10 patients with unilateral vestibular impairments and 20 normal counterparts in the same sex ratio and age limits (50±7). We evaluated excursion and velocity of center of pressure (COP) and path length in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) planes with eyes open and with eyes closed. Results. There was no significant difference between COP excursions in ML and AP planes between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (p value > 0.05). In contrast, the difference between velocity and path length of COP in the mentioned planes was significant between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (p value < 0.05). Conclusions. The present study showed the static instability and balance of patients with vestibular impairments indicated by the abnormal characteristics of body balance

Effective scale-up of oily sludge bioremediation from a culture-based medium to a two-phase composting system using an isolated hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium: effect of two-step bioaugmentation

The scale-up feasibility of oily sludge (OS) biodegradation from a culture-based medium to a new two-stage composting process bioaugmentated with an indigenous isolated strain was surveyed. First, the bacterial strain (Enterobacter hormaechei strain KA6) was isolated from OS, and then its ability in biomass production and oil degradation in culture-based medium was evaluated. Finally, the strain was used for bioaugmentation in composting reactors which included four in-vessel experiments with the initial total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) concentrations between 10 and 30 g kg-1. The strain was added twice to the composting reactors which lasted 16 weeks including the primary composting stage (PCS) (first inoculation) and the secondary composting stage (SCS) (second inoculation). It was observed that the strain degraded 58.67, 74.79, 45.33, 10.66, and 5.92% of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% oil concentrations, respectively, in culture-based medium during 7 days. Regarding OS bioremediation in the composting experiments, a total TPH removal rate of 65.83–81.50% was also reached after the two-stage duration of 16 weeks. Due to the second bioaugmentation stage, the SCS showed higher TPH removal efficiency than the PCS. The study confirmed the effectiveness of the scaling-up of a culture-based medium to a composting process for treating OS

Heterologous expression of a truncated form of human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its biological activity in wound healing

Objective(s): Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most effective proteins in angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation and wound healing. These abilities are therapeutic potential of VEGF in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and other tissue damage circumstances. In this study, recombinant VEGF was produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) system and then biological activity of this protein was evaluated in animal wound healing. Materials and Methods: E. coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells were transformed with pET32a-VEGF clone and induced by isopropyl-β-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG). The recombinant protein was purified byaffinity chromatography. Recombinant VEGF-A-based ointment (VEGF/Vaseline 0.8 mg/100 w/w) was used for external wound (25×15mm thickness) healing in animal model. In vivo activity of ointment was evaluated by clinical evidences and cytological microscopic assessment. Results: The recombinant protein with molecular weight of 45 kilodaltons (kDa) and concentration of 0.8 mg/ml was produced.Immunoblotting data showed that the antigenic region of VEGF can be expressed in E. coli and the recombinant protein has similar epitopes with close antigenic properties to the natural form. Macroscopic findings and microscopic data showed that the recombinant VEGF-A ointment was effective on excisional wound healing. Conclusion: Recombinant VEGF-A produced by pET32a in E. coli, possesses acceptable structure and has wound healing capability

Evaluation of GJB2 and GJB6 Mutations in Patients Afflicted with Non-syndromic Hearing Loss

Background Non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) is assumed as one of the highly prevalent congenital defects in the world. In this regard, gap junction protein beta 2(GJB2), and gap junction protein beta 6(GJB6) mutations are considered as the leading congenital causes of deafness. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of GJB2 and GJB6 mutations in NSHL cases. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was implemented from Jan. 2015 to Sep. 2017 at Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran).46 patients afflicted with NSHL were recognized and recruited by physicians. Heparinized blood was collected and DNA of each participant was extracted. Genetic analysis of GJB2 and GJB6 genes was performed using PCR and GAP-PCR methods respectively. Results: 35delG mutation had the highest prevalence with allelic frequency of 6.12%. The allelic frequencies of 35delG, and delE120 were 6(6.12%), and 3(3.06%), respectively. Allelic frequency of W77R, Y65H, G160, and R127H was 2(2.04%) for each of them. In addition, 2 patients were heterozygous for p.V153I rare polymorphism (2.04%). Conclusion Overall, the present study indicated that 35delG mutation could be considered as the foremost causative factor of NHCL.  GJB2 mutations were highly prevalent among NSHL cases (23.9%). As a result, the mutation analysis of this gene could be appropriately used for prevention and early diagnosis of NSHL

Effect of competition between petroleum-degrading bacteria and indigenous compost microorganisms on the efficiency of petroleum sludge bioremediation: Field application of mineral-based culture in the composting process

The effect of competition between isolated petroleum-degrading bacteria (PDB) and indigenous compost microorganisms (ICM) on the efficiency of composting process in bioremediation of petroleum waste sludge (PWS) was investigated. After isolating two native PDB (Acinetobacter radioresistens strain KA5 and Enterobacter hormaechei strain KA6) from PWS, their ability for growth and crude oil degradation was examined in the mineral-based culture (MBC). Then, the PDB isolate were inoculated into the composting experiments and operated for 12 weeks. The results showed that the PDB degraded 21.65–68.73% of crude oil (1–5%) in the MBC after 7 days. The PDB removed 84.30% of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) in the composting bioreactor containing the initial TPH level of 20 g kg−1. Removal of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in the composting experiments proceeded according to the first-order kinetics. The computed values of degradation rate constants and half-lives showed a better performance of the PDB than ICM for TPHs removal. This finding suggests that simultaneous application of the PDB and ICM in the composting reactors resulted in a decline in the effectiveness of the PDB which is due to competition between them. The study also verified that the capability of PDB in degrading PHCs can be successfully scaled-up from MBC to composting process