Comparison of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with MS and Normal Population

Purpose: To compare peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT).  Patients and Methods: In this prospective case control study, peripapillary RNFLT of 120 eyes from 60 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)  was compared to 120 eyes from 60 age and sex matched healthy controls using OCT.  The RNFLT in 4 peripapillary quadrants and the mean RNFLT of all four quadrants were compared between the case and control groups. The relation between MS variables such as age of onset, type and duration of disease, history of optic neuritis (ON) and other non-ocular episodes with RNFLT was evaluated in the case group. Results: The mean RNFLT of all four quarters was significantly lower in patients with MS compared to the controls (P < 0.001). Also RNFLT was significantly lower in each of 4 quadrants (superior, temporal, inferior; P < 0.001, nasal P = 0.003). There was no significant relation between RNFLT, the age of onset of MS disease, and history of non-ocular episodes. RNFLT had a significant relation with duration of the disease (P < 0.001), the type of MS (P < 0.001), history of ON (P = 0.002), and the number of ON episodes (P = 0.021). Conclusion: We found that RNFLT decreases in MS patients and its reduction is related to the duration and type of disease as well as history and number of ON episodes. Therefore measuring RNFLT may help in estimating the progress of MS and can potentially be included as a part of patients’ follow up protocol.Keywords: Multiple sclerosis;  Tomography; Optical Coherence;;Optic Neuritis; Retinal; Nerve Fibers

Choroidal Thickness in Different Types of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies

Purpose: To compare the choroidal thickness among eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, cone-rod dystrophy, and healthy eyes of sex- and age-matched individuals. Methods: In this comparative study, 503 eyes with RP (n = 264), cone-rod dystrophy (n = 109), Stargardt disease (n = 76), and Usher syndrome (n = 54) were included. To validate the data, 109 healthy eyes of 56 sex- and age-matched individuals were studied as controls. Choroidal imaging was performed using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness was measured manually using MATLAB software at 13 points in nasal and temporal directions from the foveal center with the interval of 500 μm and the choroidal area encompassing the measured points was calculated automatically. Results: The mean age was 36.33 ± 13.07 years (range, 5 to 72 years). The mean choroidal thickness at 13 points of the control eyes was statistically significantly higher than that in eyes with RP (P < 0.001) and Usher syndrome (P < 0.05), but not significantly different from that in eyes with Stargardt disease and cone-rod dystrophy. Among different inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), the choroidal thickness was the lowest in eyes with RP (P < 0.001). Choroidal thickness in the subfoveal area correlated negatively with best-corrected visual acuity (r = −0.264, P < 0.001) and the duration of ocular symptoms (r = −0.341, P < 0.001) in all studied IRDs. No significant correlation was observed between the subfoveal choroidal thickness and central macular thickness (r = −0.24, P = 0.576). Conclusion: Choroidal thinning in four different types of IRDs does not follow a similar pattern and depends on the type of IRD and the duration of ocular symptoms. A larger cohort is required to verify these findings

Evaluation of bond strength of orthodontic brackets using light- and chemical-cure adhesive systems over time: An in-vitro study

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the bond strength of light- and chemical-cure adhesive systems over six months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 144 sound human maxillary first and second premolars were randomly divided into six groups according to the adhesive type (i.e., Transbond XT and Unite) and evaluation time. The groups were T0 (24-h group without thermocycling), T1 (24-h group with thermocycling), T2 (1-month group), T3 (2-month group), T4 (4-month group), and T5 (6-month group). The bond strength was then measured and the data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 23) through the independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that shear bond strength of chemical-cure orthodontic adhesive (Unite, 15.37 MPa) at all-time points was significantly 1.37 times higher than that of the Transbond XT light-cure adhesive (11.15 MPa). Moreover, shear bond strength of self-cure adhesive (Unite) 1 month after debonding showed a significant difference with the 24-h group without thermocycling (P = 0.002), 24-h group with thermocycling (P = 0.008), and 6-month group (P = 0.016). The highest shear bond strength in both adhesives was observed at one month. Furthermore, the shear bond strength of Transbond XT light-cure adhesive one month after debonding showed a significant difference with the 24-h group without thermocycling (P = 0.000) and 24-h group with thermocycling (P = 0.000), as well as with the 2-month (P = 0.008), 4-month (P = 0.000), and 6-month groups (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Unite self-cure adhesive compared to Transbond XT light-cure adhesive has higher bond strength and is recommended for rebonding brackets in patients with multiple rebonds

Divorce Trends in Iran between 2004-2013

This study investigates divorce trend in populated cities of Iran by relying on the inferential statistics. For this purpose, the mean divorce is descriptively and intuitively compared in five big cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and Tabriz in the past ten years (2004-2013). This research is descriptive in terms of methodology. The data collection method is done through the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran and also the Statistical Centre of Iran. According to the obtained results, the overall mean divorce has been growing in five most populous cities of Iran, Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad and Shiraz, during the years 2004-2013. Tehran has had the higher percentage of divorce than other surveyed cities in the past ten years, and the highest frequency is recorded for 2012 with 34.96 divorces compared to the marriages. Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and Shiraz have had the highest rates of divorce than marriage after Tehran in terms of mean. The lowest mean divorce belongs to Shiraz with a mean of 13.16

Maternal self-efficacy and feeding practices in children aged ‎‎3-6 years‎

Objective: Nutrition in childhood has an important role in current and adulthood health. Recent studies have shown that the mother’s lifestyle has an important role in the methods used by mother to feed child. This paper aimed to investigate the association between mother’s weight efficacy lifestyle with feeding practices in children aged 3- 6 years. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study which was carried out in 30 primary schools of Rasht (Iran) in 2012, 165 mothers with children aged 3-6 years were participated. Mothers reported their own and their child’s demographics. Aspects of mother’s weight efficacy lifestyle and mother’s control practices were assessed using Weight Efficacy Lifestyle (WEL) questionnaire and Comprehensive Feeding Practices questionnaire (CFPQ) respectively. Height and weight of mothers participated in the study were measured. The role of mother’s weight efficacy in predicting child’s feeding practices was assessed using linear regression. Results: Results showed that mother’s weight efficacy was related to child feeding practices. The mothers with similar weight efficacy lifestyle applied similar methods in child nutrition. Mothers with better weight efficacy used more encourage balance and variety, environmental control, child involvement and less emotion regulation using foods. Conclusion:‎‏ ‏‎ The result of the ‎study showed that maternal ‎lifestyle was associated with ‎child feeding practices.

Synergistic interactions in mixed-species biofilms of pathogenic bacteria from the respiratory tract

IntroductionMixed-species biofilms are involved in a wide variety of infections. We studied the synergistic interactions during dual-species biofilm formation among isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.MethodsIsolates were cultured as single-species and all possible combinations of dual-species biofilms.ResultsThe 61 A. baumannii biofilms increased by 26-fold when cultured with S. maltophilia isolates; 62 A. baumannii biofilms increased by 20-fold when cultured with S. maltophilia isolates; and 31 P. aeruginosa biofilms increased by 102-fold when cultured with S. maltophilia 106.ConclusionsSynergy was observed between two isolates, including those that inherently lacked biofilm formation ability

MicroRNA-203a inhibits breast cancer progression through the PI3K/Akt and Wnt pathways

Abstract MicroRNA expression in breast cancer (BC) is explored both as a potential biomarker and for therapeutic purposes. Recent studies have revealed that miR-203a-3p is involved in BC, and importantly contributes to BC chemotherapy responses; however, the regulatory pathways of miR-203a in BC remain elusive. Hence, we aimed to investigate the miR-203a regulatory mechanisms and their potential functions in the progress of BC. To this end, the miR-203a potential involving pathways was predicted by databases analyzing its target genes. The relations between miR-203a, the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K)–Akt, and Wnt signaling pathways were mechanistically investigated. Our results revealed that miR-203a inhibited the activation of the PI3K/Akt and Wnt pathways and reduced its downstream cell cycle signals, including Cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-203a drastically arrested the cell cycle at subG1 and G1 phases, decreased the viability, proliferation, and migration, and increased apoptosis of BC cells. Therefore, miR-203a-3p may be considered a tumor suppressor factor and a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for BC

The effect of honey consumption on lipid profiles in healthy individuals: A randomized clinical trial

Background: It has been indicated in several studies that honey consumption has beneficial effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at examining the effect of honey intake compared with sucrose on lipid profiles in young healthy people. Materials and Methods: This randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial was performed on 60 healthy subjects with the age range of 18 to 30 years. Subjects were randomly divided into honey and sucrose groups. The honey group received 70 g honey per day and sucrose group received 70 g sucrose per day for one month. Lipid profiles of the participants were measured using the enzyme kit and compared in both groups (honey and sucrose) at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Results: Results showed that there was no significant difference in the mean of the baseline FBS, SBP, and DBP between the honey and sucrose groups (P>0.3). From baseline to four weeks, honey reduced the levels of total cholesterol, TG, and LDL but sucrose intake increased these levels (P<0.3). Also, honey consumption increased HDL but sucrose intake decreased it (P<0.001). We adjusted confounding variables including age, physical activity and some nutrient intakes in all of these analyses. Conclusion: Honey consumption, unlike sucrose, can decrease total cholesterol, TG, and LDL and also can increase HDL in healthy people

Analysis of physical changes in Fars province water zones related to climatic parameters using remote sensing, Bakhtegan, Tashk, Iran

In recent decades, severe climate change, decreased precipitation, temperature rise, and increased evapotranspiration (ET) have significantly reduced waterbodies. Furthermore, governments have prioritized the study of water level fluctuations of lakes to protect them from degradation nationally and regionally. The present study investigated the physical changes in lakes Bakhtegan and Tashk due to climatic parameters. To this end, Landsat satellite imagery and the NDWI were employed to calculate the area of the waterbodies from 1986 to 2018. The results showed that the area had decreased during the study period-- since 2009, Lake Bakhtegan had dried up completely. In 2008 and 2010, the lowest precipitation was 127.82 and 107.7 mm, respectively. During the study period (1986 to 2018), the average temperature was 19.44 °C, with an increase of 0.6 °C. Among the climatic parameters, precipitation, with a correlation coefficient of 0.55, and potential evapotranspiration (PET), with a correlation coefficient of about −0.68, were more strongly correlated with changes in the area of the waterbodies. To predict temperature and precipitation in the study area in the coming decades (2020–2050), the HadCM2 model of the CORDEX Project -WAS (South Asia) was used under two scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. These scenarios revealed the decrease in precipitation and increase in temperature trends. As a result, the waterbodies’ areas were estimated using the projected precipitation and PET for the period 2050–2020, indicating a decrease in the areas of the waterbodies