A Case Report of Topiramate-induced Acute Myopia

Acute myopia following use of some drugs is a relatively rare condition. Topiramate prescribed for seizure prophylaxis is one of these drugs. In this paper a case of acute transient myopia after taking topiramate is reported. The reported patient is a 28-year old woman who had no history of any eye disease. Following consumption of topiramate pill for one week, she had found blurred vision since one day prior to the admission. A complete ocular examinations revealed acute bilateral myopia. This disease was resolved about 48 hours after discontinuation of topiromate. Due to the wide spectrum of indications for the administration of Topiramate, neurologists and psychiatrists should be aware of its ocular side effects. In conclusion, ocular complications following this drug should be taken seriously and be subjected to ophthalmic counsaltation. Keywords: Topiramate, Myopia, Drug side effect

The results of photorefractive keratectomy with Mitomycin-C in myopia correction after five years

Objective: To evaluate the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mitomycin C in myopia correction after five years. Methods: This is a cross sectional study which included 145 eyes of 74 patients in 18 to 51 years age group that were undergoing Photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C using Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform in Markazi Eye Center, Tehran, Iran. All the surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. After five years follow-up evaluation including BCVA, UCVA, Refractive error measurement and external eye examination was performed. Results: The mean diopter of spherical equivalent before surgery was -3.40±1.73. The following findings were obtained after 5 years follow up visit: The mean spherical equivalent value: -0.08±0.40, the mean Log MARUCVA: 0.02±0.07, the mean Log MAR BCVA: 0.00±0.04. Conclusion: PRK is an effective, safe and predictable method used to correct myopia. The wave frontoptimized algorithm of the Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform demonstrated good refractive and visual results. Presence of variables such as gender, age and astigmatism before operation have no significant impact on the result of this operation. © 2016, Professional Medical Publications. All rights reserved

some recent criteria for brittle fracture prediction under in plane shear loading

Abstract: Different criteria are available in the literature to assess the fracture behaviour of sharp V-notches. A typical and well-known criterion is based on the application of the notch stress intensity factors (NSIFs), which are able to quantify the intensity of the stress fields ahead of the notch tip. This work considers two recent energy-based criteria applied here to sharp V-notches. The first criterion is based on the averaged value of the strain energy density (SED), while the second one called Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM) criterion is available under two different formulations: that by Leguillon et al. and that by Carpinteri et al. Considering the averaged SED criterion, a new expression for estimating the control radius R c under pure Mode II loading is proposed and compared with the sound expression valid under pure Mode I loading. With reference to pure Mode II loading the critical NSIF at failure can be expressed as a function of the V-notch opening angle. By adopting the three criteria considered here the expressions for the NSIFs are derived and compared. After all, the approaches are employed considering sharp V-notched brittle components under in-plane shear loading, in order to investigate the capability of each approach for the fracture assessment. With this aim a bulk of experimental data taken from the literature is used for the comparison

Phytochemical and bioactivity evaluation of Scrophularia amplexicaulis Benth

Scrophularia amplexicaulis Benth. is an Iranian endemic species of the genus Scrophularia, which comprises ca. 200 medicinally important herbaceous flowering plants. Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of this species afforded two iridoid glycosides, scropolioside D (1) and scrophuloside B4 (2), and two phenylalkanoid glycosides, salidroside (3) and verbascoside (4). Structures of these compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Free-radical-scavenging activity, potential antimalarial property, and contact toxicity as well as general toxicity of the extract and fractions were assessed

Review of the Influence of non-singular higher order terms on the stress field of thin welded lap joints and small inclined cracks in plates

In stress analysis of cracked plates, alongside the stress intensity factor which quantifies the singular stress component perpendicular to the crack plane, the role played in crack growth by the constant term parallel to the crack plane, called the T-stress, has been widely investigated by many researchers. There are, however, cases of practical interest where the influence on the stress field of the higher order terms in the series expansion for the crack tip stress field, is not negligible. The main aim of the present investigation is to present and apply a set of equations able to describe more accurately the stress components for those cases where the mode I and mode II stress intensity factors used in combination with the T-stress are unable to characterise with sufficient precision the complete stress field ahead the crack tip. The starting point is represented by the Williams’ solution (Williams, 1957) where stresses as expressed in terms of a power series. An example is investigated of a thin-thickness welded lap joint characterized by various joint width to thickness ratios, in the range of d/t ranging from 0.5 to 5. The present paper indicates that the local stresses as well as the strain energy averaged over a control volume which embraces the slip tip, can be evaluated with satisfactory precision only by taking into account a further four terms besides KI, KII and T-stress

Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles as Potent Antifungal Agent against Aspergillus terreus Thom

Medicinal plants are composed of a rich pool of biomolecules and have been increasingly recognized for their antimicrobial properties; however, increasing concerns have been put on the bioavailability features. Thus, this study is aimed at exploring the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Chenopodium album L. leaf extract and assessing the antifungal activity against Aspergillus terreus Thom. Plant extract was prepared in methanol to synthetize silver nanoparticles, which were then characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy, and particle size analysis. UV-Visible analysis indicated maximum absorption at 378 nm, and an average particle size was observed as 25.6 nm. Oval to hexagonal shape was observed by SEM. Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5%) was addressed against A. terreus biomass. At 3.5%, silver nanoparticles revealed to be highly effective, leading to 92% retardation in fungus growth. In next phase, various organic fractions, viz., chloroform, n-butanol, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate, were obtained from plant methanol extract, and the corresponding silver nanoparticles were prepared. These fractions were also assessed for antifungal activity, and n-hexane fraction led to 64% inhibition in A. terreus biomass. Following gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 18 compounds were identified, namely, 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1 methylethylidene and o-xylene), ethyl benzene, octadecane, nonane, decane, 2-methylheptane, n-hexadecane, 2-methylheptane, and eicosane, along with carbonyl compounds (4,4-dimethyl-3-hexanone) and phenols, like stearic acid, propionic acid hydrazide, and 2,4-di-T-butylphenol. These findings proved that C. album silver nanoparticles are highly effective against A. terreus.N.C.-M. acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Horizon 2020 Program (PTDC/PSI-GER/28076/2017)

Antibacterial activity of some Lamiaceae species against Staphylococcus aureus in yoghurt-based drink (Doogh)

Doogh is a dairy drinkable fermented product, whose shelf-life and quality is mostly affected by bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Thymus vulgaris L., Mentha piperita L. and Ziziphora tenuior L., alone or in combination, against Staphylococcus aureus in industrial doogh. A three-level and three-variable face centered central composite design experiment was used. Results showed that EOs significantly inhibited S. aureus growth after 1 and 7 days of storage. According to the model, the maximum inhibition was obtained in the presence of 0.2% of EO, independently of the type, and no synergistic or additive effects were observed. Slightly lower S. aureus survivals were observed at the maximum concentration of Z. tenuior EO. In spite of the antimicrobial activity of these EOs, further research is needed to assess their performance in food matrix and, in particular, in dairy product

Analgesic effects of intravenous ketamine during spinal anesthesia in pregnant women undergone Caesarean section; a randomized clinical trial

Suitable analgesia after cesarean section helps mothers to be more comfortable and increases their mobility and ability to take better care of their infants. Objectives: Pain relief properties of ketamine prescription were assessed in women with elective cesarean section who underwent spinal anesthesia with low dose intravenous ketamine and midazolam and intravenous midazolam alone. Patients and Methods: Sixty pregnant women scheduled for spinal anesthesia for cesarean section were randomized into two study groups. Ketamine (30 mg) + midazolam (1 mg = 2CC) or 1mg midazolam (2CC) alone, was given immediately after spinal anesthesia. Pain scores at first, second and third hours after CS operation, analgesic requirement and drug adverse effects were recorded in all patients. Results: Ketamine group had significant pain relief properties in compare with control group in first hours after cesarean section (0.78 ± 1.09 vs. 1.72 ± 1.22, VAS score, P = 0.00). Total dose of meperidine consumption in women of ketamine group was significantly lower than women of control group (54.17 ± 12.86 vs. 74.44 ± 33.82 mg, P = 0.02). There were no significant drug side effects in participated patients. Conclusions: Intravenous low-dose ketamine combined with midazolam for sedation during spinal anesthesia for elective Caesarean section provides more effective and long lasting pain relief than control group. © 2013 Iranian Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

The survival of patients with t(15;17)(q22;q12) positive acute promyelocytic leukemia: A study in north-east of iran

Background & Objective: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with t(15;17)(q22;q12) is a relatively common subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, our objective was to ascertain the survival of patients with this leukemia in north-east of Iran. Methods: Survival rates of 42 APL patients with t(15;17)(q22;q12) were assessed. Clinical information was obtained from archived medical records. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 18 software using log-ranked test and Kaplan Maier survival analysis. Results: Females and males comprised 49 and 51, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 34.3±14.1 years old. During the study period, 17 demises occurred in males, while this number was 7 in females. The mean survival of patients (month) was 23.22±3.57 (95 CI: 16.21±30.2). The five-year survival rate obtained 30. Regarding demographic and clinical features, the highest rates of 5-year survival were recorded in patients with 20-35 years old (47.6), males (51), white blood cell count <10� 109 /l (48), and platelet count >140� 109 /l (100). Conclusion: Younger age, lower WBC count and higher platelet count were significantly associated with longer survival in AML patients with t(15;17)(q22; q12). © Iranian Society of Pathology. All rights reserved