The Use of Corneal Cross-linking in Treatment of Progressive Keratoconus: a Review

AbstractKeratoconus is a common corneal ectatic disorder which affects approximately 1 in 2,000 people. The traditional treatments for keratoconus are the use of inserts, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALKP). Corneal cross-linking is a relatively new minimally invasive therapeutic approach for treatment of progressive keratoconus, which increases the structural integrity of the cornea. In corneal cross-linking the production of oxygen free radicals by ultraviolet A (UVA) light increases the biomechanical strength of cornea while riboflavin acts as a photo synthesizer for production of oxygen free radicals by UVA. Treatment of progressive keratoconus is the most widespread use of cross-linking technique. In the present manuscript we will summarize different aspects of the utilization of cross-linking in treatment of corneal keratoconus. Keywords: Corneal Cross-linking; Treatment; Progressive; Keratoconu

The Effect of Topical Betamethasone Eye Drops on Postoperative Haze among Patients Undergoing Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking: a Randomized, Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical betamethasone eye drops on postoperative haze among patients undergoing corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). Patients and Methods: Patients with mild to moderate keratoconus, aged 18 to 30 years, who were a candidate for CXL treatment and had the evidence of disease progression based on topographic findings entered the present study. One eye of each patient randomly received betamethasone and topical antibiotics after CXL and the other eye received topical antibiotics and placebo in place of betamethasone. The eyes were compared regarding BCVA, UCVA, refraction, keratometric and pachymetric findings using Pentacam, as well as changes of corneal haze using confocal microscopy, before CXL as well as one month and six months after CXL. Results: There was no difference in BCVA, UCVA, refraction, keratometric and pachymetric findings between the two groups before and six months after surgery. Based on confocal findings, the difference in light reflectance intensity between the case and control groups was statistically significant in anterior (P = 0.021) and posterior (P = 0.017) corneal stroma one month postoperatively, indicating higher haze in the placebo group. This difference was also statistically significant in anterior (P = 0.001) mid (P = 0.002) and posterior (P = 0.002) stroma six months postoperatively.Conclusion: Betamethasone had no effect on visual acuity, refraction, keratometric and pachymetric findings six months after CXL. It reduced corneal haze in both the first and the sixth months postoperatively. Keywords: Keratoconus; Cornea; Cross-Linking; Haze; Betamethason

Prioritization of Private Space Factors based on Experts and Users Opinions in Universities' Learning Environments

Non-attention to users’ needs can insert physiological and mental harms to them, so environmental psychological knowledge can be used to help and promote quality of academic environments. According to the researches, there are main problems in academic spaces such as lack of private spaces and not having sense of belonging in students. Hence, this research tries to notice “personal space” conception which is one of mentioned meanings in environmental psychology and studies effective factors on “academic spaces”. Therefore, based on theories review and under experts’ ideas were extracted effective factors as: physical, mental, personal, and social factors in desirability of private spaces. The methodology of this paper consists of a quantitative and qualitative approach to hypothesis testing. For data collection written resources and half-structured interview by experts of this field were used, which was first analyzed by content analysis method and then classified. Then in order to clarifying importance of elements it was used the survey research. The survey method has been adopted to study the key objective of the research and to assess the level of correlation between variables. The sampling population of this study consisted mainly of experts and specialists groups. The sample size was determined through statistical methods. In order to assess the individual's point of view, In-depth interviews were done with experts and specialists in the field of study. Questionnaires have been distributed among targeted respondents. By using factor analysis, main factors were identified and prioritized. Comparison of the results from the experts and users questionnaire shows that about the important effective factors they have the same opinions but in priorities of physical and mental factors they have different ideas

Prioritization of Private Space Factors based on Experts and Users Opinions in Universities' Learning Environments

Non-attention to users’ needs can insert physiological and mental harms to them, so environmental psychological knowledge can be used to help and promote quality of academic environments. According to the researches, there are main problems in academic spaces such as lack of private spaces and not having sense of belonging in students. Hence, this research tries to notice “personal space” conception which is one of mentioned meanings in environmental psychology and studies effective factors on “academic spaces”. Therefore, based on theories review and under experts’ ideas were extracted effective factors as: physical, mental, personal, and social factors in desirability of private spaces. The methodology of this paper consists of a quantitative and qualitative approach to hypothesis testing. For data collection written resources and half-structured interview by experts of this field were used, which was first analyzed by content analysis method and then classified. Then in order to clarifying importance of elements it was used the survey research. The survey method has been adopted to study the key objective of the research and to assess the level of correlation between variables. The sampling population of this study consisted mainly of experts and specialists groups. The sample size was determined through statistical methods. In order to assess the individual's point of view, In-depth interviews were done with experts and specialists in the field of study. Questionnaires have been distributed among targeted respondents. By using factor analysis, main factors were identified and prioritized. Comparison of the results from the experts and users questionnaire shows that about the important effective factors they have the same opinions but in priorities of physical and mental factors they have different ideas

(E)-2-{[(Furan-2-ylmethyl)imino]methyl}-4-nitrophenol

In the title compound, C12H10N2O4, the furan-2-ylmethyl group is disordered over two sets of sites, with refined occupancies of 0.858 (3) and 0.143 (3). In the major component of disorder, the dihedral angle between the furan and benzene rings is 63.1 (2) and for the minor component this value is 67.9 (6) . The planes of the nitro group and the attached benzene ring form a dihedral angle of 4.34 (17) . In the crystal, inversion-related molecules are linked by two pairs of weak C—H O interactions, one involving the nitro group and the other involving the O—H group as an acceptor. As a result of these associations, ribbons are formed along [120]. A strong intramolecular O—H N hydrogen bond is observed.National Science Foundation MRI program (CHE0619278)Scopu

On The Study Of Environmental Factors Affecting Stress Reduction For Young Users In Local Small Urban Parks: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

This research aims to provide a structural equation model of the environmental variables that affect young users' daily stress reduction in local small parks. This study is an applied research that employs descriptive correlational methodology. The statistical population consisted of students from Shahid Beheshti University and Shahid Rajaei University using the small local parks in Tehran's distinct 1 and 4, which are the paper's case studies. Negin Park, Golrizan Park, Golestan Yekom Park, and Sha'banloo Park are the small local parks studied in this research. These parks are in the Velenjak neighborhoods in Distinct 1 and the Shian and Lavizan neighborhoods in Distinct 4. In this research, 30 users in the pilot neighborhood completed questionnaires. The Cronbach's alpha value is 0.814, indicating that the questions have suitable reliability. The authors used AMOS software for the structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that the model fit was acceptable and congruent with the reality of the community. Readability directly and meaningfully affects the sense of belonging. It means that higher readability of the environment leads to a greater sense of belonging. In addition, environmental variety has a direct and significant impact on one's sense of belonging. It indicates that increasing environmental variety leads to a greater sense of belonging. On the other hand, the readability of the local park has a substantial effect on the mediating role of sociability and environmental responsiveness on the experience of security. However, the non-direct connection of variety with a sense of security was not significant. &nbsp

Knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and ruarl households towards principles of nutrition in Iran: results of NUTRIKAP Survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households toward principles of nutrition in Iran. Methods: The study population was Iranian households who live in rural and urban areas in all provinces of the country. The sampling method at households’ level in each province was single stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The incumbent data was collected by a structured questionnaire and through the interview with the eligible subject in each household. Results: A total of 14,136 Iranian households were selected as total sample size, 9,149 urban households, and 4,987 rural households. Around 57.2% of urban and 49.5% of rural households was aware of food groups. Respectively in urban and rural households, about 35.1% and 39.7% had correct knowledge toward roles of food groups. Approximately 41.5% and 39.9% of households had accurate knowledge about reason of food eating in urban and rural areas, respectively. The results showed that 79.6% of them had favorable attitudes. The most of the households consumed red meat and poultry weekly whereas fish was eaten rarely. Fruits, vegetables and dairy were consumed daily in the most of households. Sugar intake was daily in the most of households and cream and butter intake was weekly. Conclusion: The most of households had moderate knowledge and good attitudes. Practice of families about food consumption was good. The results of this study can be used for proper intervention for improving of health society

Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice of Urban and rural households toward iron deficiency anemia in three provinces of Iran

Background: Lack of nutritional knowledge is one of the most important reasons of nutritional problems and consequently improper practice, which can lead to several complications. This study has been designed in order to compare knowledge, attitude and practices of the urban and rural households regarding iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Boushehr, Golestan and Sistan & Balouchestan provinces in 2004. Methods: The sampling method at household's level in each province was the single-stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The necessary data were gathered with a structured questionnaire and via the interviews between the questioners and the eligible people in each household. Comparison of frequency of variables between urban and rural areas were tested by chi square test. Results: A total of 2306 households were selected as overall sample size. In urban areas, people recognized iron food sources better than rural areas. Knowledge level of respondents about vulnerable group for IDA and the favorite attitude of households toward IDA were better in urban areas of Sistan & Blouchestan and Golestan provinces. In Sistan & Balouchestan and Golestan, rural households who drank tea immediately before or after meal was more than urban ones. The majority of pregnant and lactating mothers (except for rural areas of Bushehr) did not take iron supplement regularly. Less than 60 percent of children used iron drop regularly. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of households toward IDA were not acceptable. One of the best ways of improving nutritional practice is nutritional education with focus on applying available food resources