Frequency of retinopathy of prematurity at a tertiary referral center

Background: With advances in medical facilities and increased survival of premature infants, the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has increased. This study aimed to determine the frequency of ROP and its associated risk factors. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, retrospective study included all premature infants with a birth weight (BW) equal or less than 2,500 g and/or gestational age (GA) equal or less than 35 weeks who were referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, for ROP screening over a 7-year period from April 2013 to April 2020. Demographic criteria, associated risk factors, and findings of eye examinations were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 812 at-risk infants screened, 807 met the inclusion criteria. ROP was observed in 316 (39.0%) of the 807 premature infants, with types I and II in 142 (45.0%) and 174 (55.0%) infants, respectively. The mean GA (29.6 ± 2.5 weeks versus 30.7 ± 2.5 weeks) and BW (1,203.6 ± 382.8 g versus 1,333.5 ± 386.5 g) were significantly lower in infants with ROP than in those without ROP (both P < 0.001). GA (r = 0.80; P < 0.001) and BW (r = 0.85; P < 0.001) had a strong positive correlation with ROP, and the correlation increased as GA and BW decreased (all P < 0.001). Associated risk factors in infants with ROP, in order of frequency, were oxygen therapy (22.8%), respiratory distress (16.1%), phototherapy (14.6%), blood transfusion (5.7%), apnea (4.1%), mechanical ventilation (1.6%), and intraventricular hemorrhage (0.9%). Multivariate regression analyses showed low GA and BW (both P < 0.05) as independent predictors of ROP. Conclusions: The frequency of ROP in premature infants was slightly higher than the average range reported for domestic and foreign statistics. Low BW and GA were independent predictors of ROP

A 10-year review of the visual outcomes of early versus late pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with dropped lens fragment or nucleus during phacoemulsification

Background: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a routine surgical option for the removal of dropped lens fragment or nucleus in the vitreous cavity due to complicated cataract surgery; however, its optimal timing is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to determine the visual outcomes of early versus late PPV in eyes with dropped lens fragment or nucleus due to complicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Methods: This descriptive-analytical retrospective study collected data of patients who underwent early (less than or equal to 1 week) versus late (> 1 week) PPV for the management of dropped lens fragment or nucleus resulting from complicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery over a 10-year period at Imam Khomeini Tertiary Referral Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. Demographic characteristics, the interval between complicated phacoemulsification and PPV, pre- and postoperative intraocular pressures, best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), and postoperative complications were extracted from each patient’s record. Results: Fifty-one eyes of 51 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 64.66 (6.54) years and a male-to-female ratio of 33 (64.7%) to 18 (35.3%) were included over 10 years. The mean (SD) BCDVA before PPV was 1.87 (0.53) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which improved significantly to 0.54 (0.46) logMAR at the final postoperative visit (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) BCDVA was significantly better after early PPV than after late PPV (0.41 [0.30] versus 0.62 [0.52] logMAR; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the final BCDVAs among the three methods of lens fragment removal (P > 0.05). The rates of post-PPV complications were as follows: 29 (56.9%) eyes with corneal edema, 16 (31.4%) eyes with uveitis, 10 (19.6%) eyes with cystoid macular edema, 8 (15.7%) eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and 8 (15.7%) eyes with other complications (optic nerve atrophy, choroidal neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, or epiretinal membrane formation). No significant differences were observed in the rates of complications according to the time interval between complicated phacoemulsification and PPV (all P > 0.05). The frequency of corneal edema was significantly higher when removing lens fragments using the trans-limbal method than using the other methods (P < 0.05), yet the rates of other complications were comparable among the three methods of lens fragment removal (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Early PPV and removal of a dropped lens fragment or nucleus resulting from complicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery are recommended to achieve better visual outcomes. Future studies with longer follow-up, greater sample sizes, and analysis of other parameters of visual function, such as contrast sensitivity, visual field, color vision, and stereopsis, could provide more conclusive results and help verify our preliminary findings

Wettability behavior of solution blow spun polysulfone by controlling morphology

Solution blow spinning (SBS) is used to prepare polysulfone materials (PSf) with different morphologies changing the processing conditions. Morphological study is done by scanning electron microscopy. Materials mainly constituted by beads and fibers are obtained. An optimization strategy based on desirability function approach together with Box–Behnken design is employed to find the best processing conditions to produce PSf materials with tailored morphology. Feed rate and air pressure are the variables of SBS processing conditions with the highest influence on the relative amount of fibers produced while air pressure and a particular balance between work distance and feed rate have the highest impact on the size of fibers. Contact angle measurements are used to understand SBS PSf wettability as a function of morphology. It is demonstrated the possibility of designing PSf materials with particular wettability behavior induced by tailored morphologies obtained from a particular election of SBS processing conditions.Fondos de Investigación de Fco. Javier González Benito,política de reinversión de costes generales, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2012/00130/004) and Acción Estratégica en Materiales Compuestos Poliméricos e Interfases, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2011/00287/002). Ministerio de Asuntos económicos y Transformación Digital (Ref. UC3M: 2013/00540/001). Besides,authors greatly appreciate the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT-México) for financial support associated to a the scholarship number 625396

Absorbable suture for band tightening of scleral buckling in pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a modified surgical technique and a 6-month follow-up

Background: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium as a result of liquid vitreous passing through a retinal break. Scleral buckling surgery (SB) is a conventional treatment for RRD. In SB, a silicon explant is used to indent the sclera, reduce vitreous traction, and close the retinal break, and an encircling band is used circumferentially, leading to myopia. This study aimed to evaluate the functional and biometric outcomes after SB with absorbable band-tightening sutures in patients with pseudophakic RRD. Methods: In this prospective interventional study, we included pseudophakic eyes with RRD treated surgically with SB and a temporary encircling band using a 6-0 absorbable Vicryl suture to tighten the band, instead of conventional permanent suture tightening. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), intraocular pressure (IOP), spherical equivalent refractive error (SER), and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) were measured preoperatively and at 1 day, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Results: We included 30 eyes of 30 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 66.1 (10.5) years who underwent SB with an absorbable band-tightening suture for pseudophakic RRD. Significant increases in AL and ACD were observed at 2 weeks after surgery, with a significant decline in values thereafter; however, at the 6-month follow-up, the values were significantly higher than those at baseline (all P < 0.05). Based on the Vicryl tension and its hydrolysis, mean (SD) SER at 2 weeks postoperatively was significantly more myopic than at baseline (-5.8 [1.6] D versus +1.3 [1.8] D). However, the mean (SD) SER decreased significantly throughout the 6-month follow-up (all P < 0.05), and it reached -1.8 (0.9) D, which was comparable with the mean baseline SER (P = 0.140). The participants experienced significant improvement in BCDVA throughout the follow-up period (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Using an absorbable suture to tighten the encircling band in patients with pseudophakic RRD can reduce postoperative myopia without adversely affecting the anatomical or functional outcomes. Future comparative studies with larger sample sizes and longer postoperative follow-up are needed to verify these findings

Determining the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in newborn infants in Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: گلوکز -6- فسفات دهیدروژناز (G6PD) اولین آنزیم در مسیر متابولیسم پنتوز فسفات می باشد. این مسیر در از بین بردن متابولیت های اکسیدان در بدن نقش موثری را ایفا می کند. کمبود این آنزیم باعث کاهش احیاء انرژی گلبول های قرمز و همولیز می‌گردد. در این مطالعه استفاده از روش غربالگری جهت تعیین میزان فراوانی کمبود آنزیم G6PD در نوزادان تازه متولد شده مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- مقطعی از بند ناف 1240 نوزاد تازه به دنیا آمده نمونه سرم تهیه شد و با استفاده از روش فلورسانس لکه ای میزان فعالیت آنزیم G6PD تعیین گردید. اطلاعات دموگرافیک شامل محل زندگی، جنس، سابقه کمبود G6PDدر خانواده و بستری به علت زردی تکمیل شد. داده ها با استفاده از نرم افزار آماری SPSS و آزمون آماری کای دو مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: از کل 1240 نمونه مورد بررسی 29 نفر (3/2) دچار کمبود G6PDبودند، از بین افراد مبتلا، 3 نفر (3/10) از آنها کمبود شدید آنزیم G6PD و 26 نفر (7/89) کمبود خفیف تا متوسط داشتند. بین متغیرهای مورد بررسی و کمبود آنزیم، فقط موارد بستری به علت زردی ارتباط معنی داری با کمبود آنزیم داشت (001/0>P). نتیجه گیری: با توجه به درصد بالای بستری شدن نوزادان مبتلا به کمبودG6PD و خطراتی که این بیماری همولیتیک می تواند در آینده برای بیماران ایجاد کند و نظر به ارزان بودن تست فلورسنت لکه ای، می توان از این تست جهت غربالگری نوزادان تازه متولد شده استفاده کرد

Comparative study of oral probiotic and dimethicone on infantile colic

زمینه و هدف: کولیک شیرخواری یکی از شایع ‌ترین مشکلات شیرخواران در 3 ماه اول زندگی است و حدود 28-3 شیرخواران را درگیر می‌کند. این بیماری باعث نگرانی زیادی برای والدین و مشکلات درمانی برای متخصصین کودکان نیز می‌شود. پاتوژنز این بیماری هنوز ناشناخته است. هدف این مطالعه بررسی اثر پروبیوتیک لاکتوباسیلوس روتری (Lactobacillus reuteri) بر روی بهبود علائم و نشانه‌های کولیک شیرخواری در یک مطالعه آینده‌نگر بود. روش بررسی: این مطالعه از نوع کار آزمایی بالینی مورد شاهدی است. تعداد 70 شیرخوار با معیارهای کولیک شیرخواری وارد مطالعه شدند و به‌صورت تصادفی در دو گروه دریافت پروبیوتیک لاکتوباسیلوس روتری (108 باکتری زنده روزانه) یا دایمتیکون (20 میلی‌گرم سه بار در روز) برای 28 روز قرار گرفتند. یافته‌ها: 70 شیرخوار 34 بیمار در گروه پروبیوتیک و 36 نفر در گروه دایمتیکون مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. میانگین سنی گروه‌های پروبیوتیک و دیمتیکون به ترتیب 41/35 و 43/5 روز بوده است. میزان متوسط زمان گریه در دو گروه پروبیوتیک و دایمتیکون از میزان اولیه 206 دقیقه روزانه به 47±78/2 و 36/5±173/8 دقیقه روزانه به ترتیب بعد از دو هفته رسید. درنهایت 88 و 9 شیرخواران در گروه پروبیوتیک و دایمتیکون بهبود یافتند. عارضه جانبی برای هیچ‌کدام از دو دارو مشاهده نشد. نتیجه‌گیری: داروی پروبیوتیک علائم و نشانه‌های کولیک را به‌صورت قابل‌توجه در شیرخواران شیر مادر خوار کاهش داد که می‌تواند بیانگر نقش مهم این دارو نه‌تنها در بهبود معیارهای کولیک بلکه در کاهش شدت دفع گاز شیرخواران که نشانه شدت نفخ شکم است، باشد

Prevention of Corneal Neovascularization; a Preliminary Experimental Study in Rabbits

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propranolol, timolol and bevacizumab with betamethasone to prevent corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rabbits. This study was performed on 28 male rabbits. CNV was induced by three 7-0 silk sutures 2 mm long and 1 mm distal to the limbus. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of propranolol + betamethasone, timolol + betamethasone and bevacizumab + betamethasone and betamethasone alone. Eye drops were started from the first day of study. On 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th and 42nd days, vascular progression, time of neovascularization and vascular area were evaluated and compared with the control group (betamethasone alone). There was a significant reduction in the area of ​​neovascularization in the timolol and bevacizumab groups compared to the control group (P-value = 0.05, P=0.047, respectively). Also, regarding vascular progression, there was a significant decrease in the timolol and bevacizumab groups (P-value = 0.014, P=0.002, respectively). Regarding delayed onset of neovascularization, there was a significant difference in the timolol and bevacizumab group in rabbits (P-value = 0.04, P=0.00, respectively). In conclusion, the use of timolol and bevacizumab drops besides betamethasone can delay neovascularization and decrease the length of corneal vascularization in rabbits

The frequency study of allergy to common food allergens in children 1 to 6 years with suspected food allergy referring Imam Ali Clinic, Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: آلرژی به مواد غذایی به عنوان یکی از مشکلات بهداشت جهانی به ویژه در کشورهای در حال توسعه می‌باشد و میزان آن همانند بقیه‌ ی اختلالات آلرژیک رو به افزایش می‌باشد. هدف از انجام این مطالعه، بررسی فراوانی آلرژن‌ های غذایی شایع بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه ی توصیفی- تحلیلی که با استفاده از روش نمونه گیری آسان، بر روی 230 نفر از کودکان 6-1 سال مراجعه کننده به کلینیک امام علی (ع) شهرکرد در سال 1393 انجام شد، کودکان در 2 گروه 115 نفره شامل افراد مشکوک به آلرژی غذایی و 115 نفر بدون علایم آلرژی غذایی قرار گرفتند و آلرژن ‌های غذایی شایع شامل شیر گاو، تخم مرغ و بادام زمینی از نظر آزمون پوستی بررسی شدند. برای آنالیز داده ‌ها از آزمون ‌های آماری T-test و کای دو استفاده گردید. یافته ها: بین آلرژی به بادام زمینی، تخم مرغ و دیگر آلرژن ها (فلفل، موز، ماهی، کیوی، خربزه، گندم، هلو، بادمجان، کدو، گوجه فرنگی و هندوانه) با گروه های مورد مطالعه ارتباط معنی داری مشاهده گردید (001/0>P). 79 نفر (7/68) از کودکان گروه مورد و 22 نفر (1/19) از کودکان گروه کنترل حداقل به یک آلرژن واکنش نشان دادند. بیشترین حساسیت 79 نفر (3/34) مربوط به دیگر آلرژن ها و کمترین آن 2 نفر (9/0) مربوط به آلرژی نسبت به شیر بود. نتیجه گیری: دیگر آلرژن ها به عنوان بیشترین و شیر گاو به عنوان کمترین فراوانی حساسیت غذایی کودکان شناسایی شد. این حساسیت در کودکان مشکوک به آلرژی غذایی نسبت به گروه شاهد بیشتر بود

Topical Timolol Inhibits Corneal Neovascularization in Rabbits

Timolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist that is similar to propranolol. The mechanism through which these drugs act on the regression of neovascularization is largely unknown. However, it is thought that the drugs may act through vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, vasoconstriction, and vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of timolol on corneal neovascularization in rabbits. Neovascularization was induced in the eyes of 20 rabbits. Next, the rabbits were divided into two groups: the timolol (experimental) group received eye drops containing timolol 0.5% twice per day; and the saline (control) group received saline drops twice per day for two weeks. After 7 days, the mean area of corneal neovascularization (presented as a percentage relative to baseline) was significantly lower in the timolol group than in the saline group (4.63 ± 4.61% versus 58.39 ± 6.31%, P < 0.001). After 2 weeks, the mean area of corneal neovascularization was 0.85 ± 1.33% in the timolol group and 1.73 ± 2.06% in the saline group (P = 0.315). After the first week of treatment, timolol significantly reduced the area of neovascularization compared to control. Timolol may increase the rate of recovery from corneal neovascularization.Â

Finding the existence of of Helicobacter pylori in springs of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran by polymerase chain reaction

Background and aims: Helicobacter pylori is the primary cause of various diseases. This study was conducted to determine the existence of H. pylori in springs and surface water in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: In this study, 29 water samples were collected from three different locations of Zayanderud River, 24 springs, and two subterranean from June 2014 to August 2014 in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Samples were filtered and DNAs were extracted. Then, the existence of H. pylori DNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 16S rRNA, glm and Cag genes. Results: In the present study, the total infection rate of samples by H. pylori was 24.13. H. pylori and DNA was detected in 100 of samples of Zayanderud River, 12.5 in springs of Dehcheshmeh in Farsan and Baram in Lordegan, and 50 in aqueducts. Conclusion: These findings show the existence of H. pylori in springs and surface water in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province and additional evidence for waterborne transmission of H. pylori in some environments