Thickness Profile of Donated Corneas Preserved in Optisol-GS versus Sinasol: An Ex-vivo Study

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the thickness profile and the endothelial cell density (ECD) of donated corneas maintained in Optisol-GS with those preserved in Sinasol over seven days. Methods: Twenty paired donor corneas were received from the Central Eye Bank of Iran. After recording the osmolarity of each medium, one of each of the cornea pairs was preserved in either Optisol-GS or Sinasol media. Then, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and specular microscopic examinations were performed at the baseline and on day seven. Visante optical coherence tomography (V-OCT) was also performed at 1 hour (h), 24h, 72h, and one week post-preservation. The specular microscopic and V-OCT values were then compared between the two groups. Results: The mean osmolarity of the Sinasol group was significantly less than the Optisol- GS group (296 vs. 366 mOsm/L, p = 0.0008). The mean central corneal thickness at the measurement points was comparable between the two groups. However, the increase of thickness one week post-preservation in the Sinasol group was remarkably lower than those in the Optisol-GS group (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Corneal storage in Sinasol over seven days provides better and superior maintenance and preservation of corneal tissue deturgescence and a lower rate of ECD loss over Optisol-GS

The effectiveness of emotion regulation therapy (ERT) on improving depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction

Background: Among the cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infraction is one the main cause of mortality around the world. People with myocardial infarction are significantly more likely to suffer from psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, psychological interventions can help their routine treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of emotional regulation therapy on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: In this single-case design, 5 patients with myocardial infarction referred to the Taleghani Hospital were selected using convenience sampling method. They received eight sessions of emotional regulation psychotherapy. These patients were evaluated by anxiety, stress, and depression scale (DASS-21) before starting treatment and after each session.Results: The results showed that emotional regulation therapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction. Discussion: According to the findings of this study indicating the effectiveness of emotional regulation therapy on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction, this treatment can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment process for these patients

Risk Factors Associated with Keratoconus in an Iranian Population

Purpose: To determine associated factors for keratoconus (KCN) in the Iranian population. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 100 KCN patients and 200 age- and sex-matched individuals, who were either candidates for photorefractive keratectomy or healthy referrals from the Torfeh Eye Hospital, were included as the case and control groups, respectively. KCN patients were all registered at the Iranian National Registry of Keratoconus (KCNReg®). Demographic characteristics, patients’ symptoms and their habits, as well as systemic and ocular disorders were documented. Clinical examinations included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refractive error measurements, biomicroscopic examination, and corneal imaging. Results: In this case group, the frequency of mild, moderate, and severe KCN was 38%, 28%, and 34%, respectively. Parental consanguinity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.758, P = 0.029), positive familial history in patients’ first degree (OR = 12.533, P < 0.001) and second degree (OR = 7.52, P < 0.001) relatives, vernal keratoconjunctivitis (OR = 7.510, P = 0.003), severe eye rubbing (OR = 10.625, P < 0.001), and systemic diseases including migraine, hypertension, and thyroid disease (OR = 6.828, P = 0.021) were found as associated factors for KCN. Lesser frequency of KCN was observed in patients with Fars ethnicity (OR = 0.583, P = 0.042), with higher levels of wealth indices (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001) and higher levels of education (OR = 0.18, P = 0.024). Conclusion: Severe eye rubbing, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, parental consanguinity and positive familial history of KCN, low socioeconomic status, and low levels of education were significantly associated with KCN in our study population

Eye Bank Records on Pediatric Keratoplasty

Purpose: To report eye bank records for pediatric keratoplasty in Iran between 2006 and 2019. Methods: In a retrospective study, all electronic records of the Central Eye Bank of Iran for pediatric keratoplasty between April 2006 and March 2019 were analyzed in terms of indications for keratoplasty, surgical techniques, their corresponding trends, and post-transplantation graft clarity. Results: Our database included 2178 eyes from 2050 pediatric cases. The leading indications for keratoplasty included acquired nontraumatic diseases (75.8%), congenital abnormalities (12.7%), corneal regraft (8.3%), and acquired traumatic diseases (3.2%). Keratoconus was the most common acquired nontraumatic cause (58%) and more common in the age group >12 years than those ≤12 years (P < 0.001). Congenital corneal abnormalities and regrafts were more common in the age group ≤12 years (both Ps < 0.001). The most common surgical technique was penetrating keratoplasty (PKP, 90.9%) followed by deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK, 7.3%), Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK, 1.1%), anterior lamellar keratoplasty (0.5%), and keratolimbal allograft transplantation (0.2%). DSAEK was more common in the age group ≤12 years (P = 0.002), which, unlike PKP and DALK, showed a significant ascending trend over the 14-year period (P = 0.018). Posttransplantation graft clarity was 96.8%. Conclusion: Keratoconus was the leading indication for pediatric keratoplasty in Iran. Although PKP was the predominant keratoplasty procedure for the treatment of pediatric corneal disorders, it showed a significant descending trend over the 14 years

The Effect of Sodium Alginate Coating Containing Citrus (Citrus aurantium) and Lemon (Citrus lemon) Extracts on Quality Properties of Chicken Meat

The effect of sodium alginate-based edible coating containing 2% citrus (Citrus aurantium) and lemon (Citrus lemon) extracts was evaluated on the chemical, antimicrobial, and sensory properties of samples during storage at 4°C. The results showed that coating with sodium alginate containing citrus and lemon extracts had a significant effect on the pH, TVN, PV, and TBA values of chicken meat (P<0.05). The lowest PV and TBA values were observed in the coated sample containing sodium alginate with 2% citrus and lemon extracts (ALG + CAE + CLE), indicating the antioxidant activity of sodium alginate and extracts. Coating resulted in less growth of microorganisms in the samples. The lowest microbial counts were also observed in the sodium alginate containing 2% citrus and lemon extracts (ALG + CAE + CLE). The coated samples had good overall acceptability similar to the control treatment. In conclusion, sodium alginate containing citrus (C. aurantium) and lemon extracts (C. lemon) are suggested for coating meat products

Phenotypic and Molecular Identification of Bacteria Involved in Decubitus Ulcers

Background:    Bacterial secondary infection of pressure ulcers (bedsores), so called as decubitus ulcers, leads to ulcer development and it interferes with the healing process. Thus, such infections can be lethal due to the sepsis if no constructive medicinal measures regarded. Drug resistance of bacteria in pressure ulcers leads to healing inhibition. Molecular identification of bacteria involved in such infections seem necessary as culture and phenotypic approaches may result in misidentification. . The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria detected in bedsores in three Hospitals: Rasool-e-Akram, Imam Hossein and Tajrish Shohada Hospitals, Tehran, Iran. Methods:    To this end, decubitus ulcer samples of 49 patients were obtained using sterile swabs. After direct microscopic examination, the swabs were used to streak BHI agar plates supplemented with %5 defibrinated sheep blood for enrichment of probable aerobic cultures. Bacterial isolates diagnosed by biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates determined based on CLSI guideline. For molecular identification, PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene performed using Eubacterial universal primers. Then, the PCR products were sequenced and the nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were analyzed by BLASTN similarity search program available at NCBI.  Results:   Among the isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36%) had the highest frequency, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (32%) and Escherichia coli (30%). The frequencies of Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus spp. were 10% and 8%, respectively. Most of the isolated bacteria showed a widespread antibiotic resistance. Molecular identification of the bacterial isolates resulted in 6 isolates of Escherichia coli, two isolates of each of Proteus mirabilis and Shigella spp., 4 isolates of Enterobacter cloacae, and 1 isolate of each of Cronobacter sakazakii and Morganella morganii. Conclusion:   Results showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as the most frequent bacterial species detected in pressure ulcers; however, bacterial prevalence may be different in different hospital wards

Microprocessor Technology Forecasting using TFDEA

Technological advancements in the microprocessor industry are benchmarked and gauged against a set of diverse criteria specific to the fabrication process, usage as well as achieved performance. The changing trends in the appeal factor as well as wide variety of growing application of microprocessors in different industries can have a defining impact in the advancement of the technological features in future. This study is built on previous investigations in forecasting microprocessors’ technology and uses Technology Forecasting using Data Envelopment Analysis (TFDEA) methodology. It incorporates multiple variables that are affecting microprocessors’ future industry based on market priorities and customer’s specification preferences and aims at forecasting future microprocessor technology trends. The research uses the dataset collected by Stanford University, which holds a rich collection of microprocessor specifications from 17 factories for the past four decades, and is more recent compared to the dataset used in the former research. The result is a rate of change (RoC) that is based on much more recent dataset including the new generation of microprocessors (i.e. multi cores) and can be used to forecast the future microprocessor technology trends

Evaluation of Van A-B genes frequency in Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci spp., isolated from clinical samples of Imam Hossein Teaching Hospital in Tehran.: A molecular study of vancomycin-resistant-enterococci.

Abstract Background: Antibiotic resistance is an important cause of treatment failure and re-infection in enterococci. In this study, the frequency of phenotype and genotype of Van A-B genes in Vancomycin resistant enterococcus isolated from a clinical sample of Imam Hossein Hospitals in Tehran was determined. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study in 2018, a total of 76 vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Imam Hossein Hospitals in Tehran were evaluated, including those from blood, urine, sputum, and wound. The frequency of phenotype and genotype of Van A-B genes in them was determined by MIC Epsilometer test and Multiplex Real-time PCR. Results: The 160 isolates of enterococci collected from different hospital wards revealed that 76 (47%) enterococci were resistant by applying MIC E-test; interestingly, all VRE isolated showed high-level vancomycin resistance. The Real-time-PCR assay demonstrated vanA gene in 76 (100%) VRE isolates. Considering to controls no van B gene was detected in this assay. Based on bacterial phenotype tests, the results showed that 82% and 18% of the isolates were E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively. Conclusion: Totally, it may be concluded that Van A gene is more accompanied by high-level Vancomycin Teicoplanin resistance in common enterococci species. The frequency of Vancomycin resistance entrocooci is increasing especially among ICU admitted patients. For effective treatment MIC test and Van A-B genotyping seem to be essential

Trends in indications and techniques of corneal transplantation in Iran from 2006 to 2013; an 8-year review

Purpose: To report changing trends in indications and techniques of corneal transplantation in Iran. Methods: We reviewed eye bank records of 47,129 patients who had undergone corneal transplantation between 2006 and 2013 at different eye centers throughout Iran. Results: The most common indication for corneal transplantation was keratoconus (KCN, n = 21,350 eyes, 45.3%), followed by bullous keratopathy (BK, n = 8,566 eyes, 18.2%), corneal opacity and scar (COS, n = 7,158 eyes, 15.2%), graft failure (n = 3,252 eyes, 6.9%), corneal dystrophies (n = 2,553 eyes, 5.4%), and infectious keratitis (n = 2,238 eyes, 4.7%). Over the study period, there was a significant increase in the frequency of BK (P = 0.001) and graft failure (P = 0.025), and a significant decrease in the relative frequency of COS (P = 0.012). The prevalence of KCN (P = 0.172), infectious keratitis (P = 0.107), and corneal dystrophies (P = 0.836) remained unchanged. The most common technique of corneal transplantation was penetrating keratoplasty (PKP, n = 33,476 eyes, 71.0%), followed by deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK, n = 8,363 eyes, 17.7%), Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK, n = 3,516 eyes, 7.5%), tectonic (n = 1752, 3.7%), and keratolimbal allograft (KLAL, n = 19 eyes, 0.1%). Regarding the shift in surgical techniques, a significant increase was observed in DSAEK (P < 0.001), whereas PKP was significantly decreased (P = 0.005) over the 8-year period. No significant change was seen in the rates of DALK (P = 0.354), tectonic graft (P < 0.999) and KLAL (P = 0.151). Conclusion: KCN was the most common indication and PKP was the most prevalent technique used for corneal transplantation. Significant changes in surgical techniques were observed over the past 8 years; DSAEK demonstrated an increasing trend while PKP showed a decrease