Evaluation of Posterior Vitreous Detachment after Microcoaxial Cataract Surgery

Objectives: To evaluate the posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) after microcoaxial cataract surgery by considering presence or absence of PVD in the phakic fellow eye. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated 40 eyes without PVD of 40 patients aged between 59 and 70 years who were bilateral phakic and were scheduled for surgery. The patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to presence or absence of PVD in the phakic fellow eye. Group 1 consisted of 14 patients with spontaneous PVD in the phakic fellow-eye; group 2 consisted of 26 patients without spontaneous PVD in the phakic fellow eye. The groups were compared in terms of occurrence of PVD after cataract surgery. The PVD was evaluated before cataract surgery and at first and third months after surgery. Results: There was no statistical difference in age, sex, manifest refraction, axial length, mean phaco time, and mean effective phaco time between the groups (p>0.05). While new-onset PVD was detected in 8 eyes at first month and in 2 eyes at third month in group 1, it was in 6 eyes at first month and in 2 eyes at third month in group 2. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.043 for first month; p=0.028 for third month). Conclusion: Even though size of incision has been reduced in cataract surgery, the occurrence of PVD is a potential complication. The presence of PVD in the phakic fellow eye should be considered for the occurrence of PVD due to surgery. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2014; 44: 288-92

Optimization of gene expression microarray protocol for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is a widely available clinical specimen for retrospective studies. The possibility of long-term clinical follow-up of FFPE samples makes them a valuable source to evaluate links between molecular and clinical information. Working with FFPE samples in the molecular research area, especially using high-throughput molecular techniques such as microarray gene expression profiling, has come into prominence. Because of the harmful effects of formalin fixation process such as degradation of nucleic acids, cross-linking with proteins, and chemical modifications on DNA and RNA, there are some limitations in gene expression profiling studies using FFPE samples. To date many studies have been conducted to evaluate gene expression profiling using microarrays (Thomas et al., Thomas et al. (2013) [1]; Scicchitano et al., Scicchitano et al. (2006) [2]; Frank et al., Frank et al. (2007) [3]; Fedorowicz et al., Fedorowicz et al. (2009) [4]). However, there is still no generally accepted, efficient and standardized procedure for microarray analysis of FFPE samples. This paper describes the microarray data presented in our recently accepted to be published article showing a standard protocol from deparaffinization of FFPE tissue sections and RNA extraction to microarray gene expression analysis. Here we represent our data in detail, deposited in the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database with the accession number GSE73883. Four combinations of two different cRNA/cDNA preparation and labeling protocols with two different array platforms (Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 and U133_X3P) were evaluated to determine which combination gives the best percentage of present call. The study presents a dataset for comparative analysis which has a potential in terms of providing a robust protocol for gene expression profiling with FFPE tissue samples. Keywords: Microarray, Gene expression, FFPE, Optimizatio

The effectiveness of combined transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ınterferential current therapy on chronic low back pain: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study

There are some electrotherapy studies regardingtranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current therapy (IFT), but none have examined their synergistic effects. Thisinvestigation was performed to assess the effectiveness of TENS/IFT in relieving chronic low back pain (LBP). Material and Methods: In this double-blind,placebo-controlled study, a total of 123 patients were divided into four groupsusing a computer method. Group 1 received TENS, Group 2 IFT, Group 3 combined TENS/IFT, and Group 4 sham TENS/IFT five times a week for 3 weeks.All participants also received hotpack therapy. Lumbar range of motion (ROM)was assessed via an inclinometer and the modified Schober test, and pain during activity was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) along with patientand physician global assessments. The Rolland-Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ) was administered to determine functional capacity. Results: Groups 1,2, and 3 showed significant improvement, but Group 4 showed none (p?0.001).Group 3 was superior to Group 2 with regard to the RMDQ, VAS, and global assessments (p?0.001). Conclusion: Combined TENS/IFT was more effectivethan IFT in improving functional level and decreasing pain during activity in patients with chronic LBP, however it was not superior to TENS therapy alone.The findings of this study offer insight that can be applied to future investigationsconcerning combined TENS/IFT therapy with different application frequenciesand modes or other combined therapies. We observed marked improvement infunction and pain during activity with the combination of both therapies; however, improvement was not significantly greater to that achieved with TENS therapy alone. Combined therapy was also superior to the other treatments withrespect to doctor and patient global assessments, but this was not significantlydifferent compared with that in the TENS and IFT alone groups. No improvements were found in the control (sham) group

From RNA isolation to microarray analysis: Comparison of methods in FFPE tissues

Background: Genome-wide gene expression profiling analysis of FFPE tissue samples is indispensable for cancer research and provides the opportunity to evaluate links between molecular and clinical information, however, working with FFPE samples is challenging due to extensive cross-linking, fragmentation and limited quantities of nucleic acid. Thus, processing of FFPE tissue samples from RNA extraction to microarray analysis still needs optimization

Effect of drug desensitization on drug hypersensitivity-related quality of life

PubMed: 33186768TO THE EDITOR: Trying to avoid exposure to drugs, anxiety about recurrence of an allergic reaction, and concerns about using drugs may adversely affect quality of life (QOL) in patients with drug hypersensitivity. 1,2 The only specific tool measuring health-related QOL in patients with drug hypersensitivity was developed by an Italian group in 2011 (DrHy-Q [Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire]).3 DrHy-Q is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating QOL in patients with drug hypersensitivity.Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest