Histopathologic evaluation of the inflammatory factors and stromal cells in the endometriosis lesions: A case-control study

Background: Endometriosis is a multifaceted gynecological disorder defined as a benign estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory process in which endometrial glands and stroma-like tissues are located outside the uterine cavity. It affects around 2-10% of all women during their reproductive years. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the traffic of mesenchymal stem cells and inflammatory factors toward the lesions. Materials and Methods: Ten samples of normal endometrium and eutopic endometrium were studied as a control group and 10 ectopic samples were considered as a case group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate stromal cells and inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to show the presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the lesions. The cells were digested and cultured in the laboratory to study cell proliferation. The number of cells and vessels were counted with Image J software, and data analysis was performed with Prism software. Results: Data analysis showed that the number of stromal cells and vessels in ectopic tissue were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Also, the number of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and macrophages, in the ectopic group was much higher than in the control group (p < 0.005). Conclusion: By expanding the number of blood vessels, blood flow increases, and cell migration to tissues is facilitated. The accumulation of inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, stimulates the growth of stem cells and helps implant cells by creating an inflammatory process. Key words: Endometriosis, PCNA, Stem cell, Inflammation

Digoxin Inhibits Retinoblastoma through Suppressing a Non-canonical TGFβ Signaling Pathway.

Aims: Retinoblastoma is a childhood ocular tumor rapidly developing from the immature cells of the retina due to loss of functional retinoblastoma protein. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, has been reported to be effective in inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cytotoxic effects on human cancers. In this regard, the present study aims to investigate whether digoxin could suppress retinoblastoma cancer through the regulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Methodology: The effects of digoxin on Y-79 cells, retinoblastoma cancer cell line, were investigated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoli-umbromide) and BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) assays to measure cellular cytotoxicity effects and cell apoptosis, respectively. Also, a qPCR assay was employed to analyze the mRNA expression levels of TGFβ signaling pathway including C-MYC, P21, P15, TGFβRI, TGFβRII, and SMAD2, 3, and 4 genes. Results: The results of the cell function assays revealed that digoxin inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of Y-79 cells. In addition, it was found that digoxin significantly suppressed C-MYC expression and enhanced the expression of P21, P15, SMAD2 and SMAD4 genes in a dose-and time-dependent manner. However, the obtained results could not detect any significant effect of digoxin on TGFβRI, TGFβRII and SMAD3 genes. Conclusion: Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that digoxin could be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of retinoblastoma by regulating the cell cycle genes via a non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathway

Socioeconomic inequalities in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension: evidence from the PERSIAN cohort study

Background Elevated blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. In this study, we examined the socioeconomic inequality and its related factors in prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control (ATC) of hypertension (HTN) in Iran. Method The study used data from the recruitment phase of The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). A sample of 162,842 adults aged > = 35 years was analyzed. HTN was defined according to the Joint National Committee)JNC-7(. socioeconomic inequality was measured using concentration index (Cn) and curve. Results The mean age of participants was 49.38(SD = +/- 9.14) years and 44.74% of the them were men. The prevalence of HTN in the total population was 22.3%(95% CI: 20.6%; 24.1%), and 18.8%(95% CI: 16.8%; 20.9%) and 25.2%(95% CI: 24.2%; 27.7%) in men and women, respectively. The percentage of awareness treatment and control among individuals with HTN were 77.5%(95% CI: 73.3%; 81.8%), 82.2%(95% CI: 70.2%; 81.6%) and 75.9%(95% CI: 70.2%; 81.6%), respectively. The Cn for prevalence of HTN was -0.084. Two factors, age (58.46%) and wealth (32.40%), contributed most to the socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of HTN. Conclusion The prevalence of HTN was higher among low-SES individuals, who also showed higher levels of awareness. However, treatment and control of HTN were more concentrated among those who had higher levels of SES, indicating that people at a higher risk of adverse event related to HTN (the low SES individuals) are not benefiting from the advantage of treatment and control of HTN. Such a gap between diagnosis (prevalence) and control (treatment and control) of HTN needs to be addressed by public health policymakers

Key Design Considerations Using a Cohort Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial in Evaluating Community-Based Interventions: Lessons Learnt from an Australian Domiciliary Aged Care Intervention Evaluation

The "stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial" (SW-CRT) harbours promise when for ethical or practical reasons the recruitment of a control group is not possible or when a staggered implementation of an intervention is required. Yet SW-CRT designs can create considerable challenges in terms of methodological integration, implementation, and analysis. While cross-sectional methods in participants recruitment of the SW-CRT have been discussed in the literature the cohort method is a novel feature that has not been considered yet. This paper provides a succinct overview of the methodological, analytical, and practical aspects of cohort SW-CRTs. We discuss five issues that are of special relevance to SW-CRTs. First, issues relating to the design, secondly size of clusters and sample size; thirdly, dealing with missing data in the fourth place analysis; and finally, the advantages and disadvantages of SW-CRTs are considered. An Australian study employing a cohort SW-CRT to evaluate a domiciliary aged care intervention is used as case study. The paper concludes that the main advantage of the cohort SW-CRT is that the intervention rolls out to all participants. There are concerns about missing a whole cluster, and difficulty of completing clusters in a given time frame due to involvement frail older people. Cohort SW-CRT designs can be successfully used within public health and health promotion context. However, careful planning is required to accommodate methodological, analytical, and practical challenges

Key design considerations using a cohort stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial in evaluating community-based interventions : lessons learnt from an Australian domiciliary aged care intervention evaluation

The ‘stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial’ (SW-CRT) harbours promise when for ethical or practical reasons the recruitment of a control group is not possible or when a staggered implementation of an intervention is required. Yet SW-CRT designs can create considerable challenges in terms of methodological integration, implementation, and analysis. While cross-sectional methods in participants recruitment of the SW-CRT have been discussed in the literature the cohort method is a novel feature that has not been considered yet. This paper provides a succinct overview of the methodological, analytical, and practical aspects of cohort SW-CRTs.We discuss five issues that are of special relevance to SW-CRTs. First, issues relating to the design, secondly size of clusters and sample size; thirdly, dealing with missing data in the fourth place analysis; and finally, the advantages and disadvantages of SW-CRTs are considered. An Australian study employing a cohort SW-CRT to evaluate a domiciliary aged care intervention is used as case study. The paper concludes that the main advantage of the cohort SW-CRT is that the intervention rolls out to all participants. There are concerns about missing a whole cluster, and difficulty of completing clusters in a given time frame due to involvement frail older people. Cohort SW-CRT designs can be successfully used within public health and health promotion context. However, careful planning is required to accommodate methodological, analytical, and practical challenges

Descemet's stripping-automated endothelial keratoplasty for symptomatic thioridazine deposits in the cornea

The aim of this study was to use Descemet's Stripping-automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) as a novel treatment to remove thioridazine corneal deposits. A 53-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of visual loss and glare. She had been taking thioridazine (100 mg/day for 1 year) for a psychiatric disorder. Dense yellowish-brown deposits had developed in the posterior stroma. Thioridazine was discontinued, and she was switched to fluoxetine. One year after discontinuation of thioridazine, her symptoms and signs did not resolve. Standard DSAEK was performed on her left eye. Two weeks after DSAEK, an anterior subcapsular cataract was detected in the same eye. Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed after 3 months. The left cornea became completely clear after DSAEK, and the patient's best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/40 to 20/20 at 1 month after cataract surgery. All-visual symptoms such as glare and halos improved postoperatively. We suggest that DSAEK can be used as a novel treatment to reduce vision problems caused by thioridazine-induced corneal deposits

Lens exchange for management of accommodative intraocular lens tilting

Accommodative intraocular lens (IOL) tilting, the so-called Z syndrome, is a rare complication of Crystalens (Bausch and Lomb) implantation. We report a significant IOL tilting and subsequent high lenticular astigmatism due to posterior capsular fibrosis 2 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery and Crystalens (AT50AO) implantation. The attempt to correct IOL position with neodymium-yttrium-aluminum garnet laser was unsuccessful, and Crystalens exchange with in-the-sulcus, three-piece monofocal IOL was performed. Accommodative IOL tilting could occur early after the surgery. Laser capsulotomy may be the first intervention to restore IOL position, but patients with a higher amount of lenticular astigmatism may require surgical intervention and IOL exchange

Papillary and peripapillary vascular densities and corresponding correlation with peripapillary retinal thicknesses using optical coherence tomography angiography in healthy children and adolescents

Abstract To evaluate the peripapillary retinal thickness (PPRT), vascular density (PPVD), and disc vascular density (PVD) and their correlations in normal healthy children using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). This was a cross-sectional study of 70 eyes from 36 normal healthy children aged 6–18 years who performed optic nerve head scans using OCTA. The PPRT included the peripapillary nerve fiber layer (PP-RNFLT), inner retina (PP-IRT), middle retinal thickness, and outer retinal thicknesses. The PP-RNFLT and PP-IRT were not significantly different between males and females. Superior nasal peripapillary RNFLT and IRT were significantly affected by age (ANOVA, P > 0.05). The PP-IRT and PP-RNFLT were lower in the 7–11 years old group in comparison with the other 3 groups (Post hoc Tukey test, P value  0.05). PPRT was not correlated with PVD, PPVD, superficial and deep retinal vascular densities, and choroidal vascular density. This study demonstrated that PPRT appears to change during growth in childhood. Superior nasal PPRT was affected more in the groups, decreasing from less than 7 years old to 7–11 years old and then back to pre-reduction values after 11 years old

Surgical site infection incidence after a clean-contaminated surgery in Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital, Iran

Objective. To determine the incidence rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery and its relationship with some risk factors. Methodology. Cross sectional study, in a convenience sample of 300 patients who underwent surgery classified as clean-contaminated in a hospital of Yasuj, Iran. Samples were taken directly from the wound at the first dressing change to all the patients. They were studied to determine bacteria growth. Results. The rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery was 53%. The most common gram positive microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (22%), and among gram negative: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) and Pseudomonas sp (25%). Significant correlation between the type of surgery and surgical site infection was found, it was not seen with the variables sex and surgical procedure. Conclusion. This study shows important problems regarding patients safety. Protocols should be reviewed to control infections.Objetivo. Determinar a taxa de incidência por infecção de ferida depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada e sua relação com alguns fatores de risco. Metodologia. Estudo de corte transversal numa mostra por conveniência de 300 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia classificada como limpa-contaminada num hospital de Yasuj, Irã. A todos os pacientes lhes foi tomada uma mostra para cultivo diretamente da ferida na primeira mudança do apósito, a qual foi estudada para determinar o crescimento de bactérias. Resultados. A taxa de infecção em feridas depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada foi de 53%. O microorganismo gram positivo mais frequente foi Staphylococcus aureus (22%), e dentro dos gram negativos: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) e Pseudomonas sp (25%). Encontrou-se associação significativa entre o tipo de cirurgia e a infecção da ferida cirúrgica, o que não se observou com as variáveis sexo e o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclusão. Este estudo mostra problemas importantes na garantia do paciente. Devem revisar-se os protocolos para o controle das infecções.Objetivo. Determinar la tasa de incidencia por infección de herida por cirugía limpia-contaminada y su relación con algunos factores de riesgo. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal en una muestra por conveniencia de 300 pacientes sometidos a cirugía clasificada como limpia-contaminada. A todos los pacientes les tomaron una muestra para cultivo directamente de la herida en el primer cambio del apósito, la cual se estudió para determinar el crecimiento de bacterias. Resultados. La tasa de infección en heridas quirúrgicas limpias-contaminadas fue del 53%. El microorganismo gram positivo más frecuente fue Staphylococcus aureus (22%), y dentro de los gram negatives fueron: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) y Pseudomonas sp (25%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre el tipo de cirugía y la infección de la herida quirúrgica, lo que no se observó con las variables sexo y el procedimiento quirúrgico. Conclusión. Este estudio muestra problemas importantes en el aseguramiento del paciente. Por consiguiente, es preciso revisar los protocolos para el control de las infecciones

Surgical site infection incidence after a clean-contaminated surgery in Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital, Iran Incidencia de infección de herida por cirugía limpia contaminada en el hospital Yasuj Shahid Beheshti, Irán Incidência de infecção de ferida depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada em hospital Yasuj Shahid Beheshti, Irã

Objective. To determine the incidence rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery and its relationship with some risk factors. Methodology. Cross sectional study, in a convenience sample of 300 patients who underwent surgery classified as clean-contaminated in a hospital of Yasuj, Iran. Samples were taken directly from the wound at the first dressing change to all the patients. They were studied to determine bacteria growth. Results. The rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery was 53%. The most common gram positive microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (22%), and among gram negative: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) and Pseudomonas sp (25%). Significant correlation between the type of surgery and surgical site infection was found, it was not seen with the variables sex and surgical procedure. Conclusion. This study shows important problems regarding patient’s safety. Protocols should be reviewed to control infections.<br>Objetivo. Determinar la tasa de incidencia por infección de herida por cirugía limpia-contaminada y su relación con algunos factores de riesgo. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal en una muestra por conveniencia de 300 pacientes sometidos a cirugía clasificada como limpia-contaminada. A todos los pacientes les tomaron una muestra para cultivo directamente de la herida en el primer cambio del apósito, la cual se estudió para determinar el crecimiento de bacterias. Resultados. La tasa de infección en heridas quirúrgicas limpias-contaminadas fue del 53%. El microorganismo gram positivo más frecuente fue Staphylococcus aureus (22%), y dentro de los gram negatives fueron: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) y Pseudomonas sp (25%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre el tipo de cirugía y la infección de la herida quirúrgica, lo que no se observó con las variables sexo y el procedimiento quirúrgico. Conclusión. Este estudio muestra problemas importantes en el aseguramiento del paciente. Por consiguiente, es preciso revisar los protocolos para el control de las infecciones.<br>Objetivo. Determinar a taxa de incidência por infecção de ferida depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada e sua relação com alguns fatores de risco. Metodologia. Estudo de corte transversal numa mostra por conveniência de 300 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia classificada como limpa-contaminada num hospital de Yasuj, Irã. A todos os pacientes lhes foi tomada uma mostra para cultivo diretamente da ferida na primeira mudança do apósito, a qual foi estudada para determinar o crescimento de bactérias. Resultados. A taxa de infecção em feridas depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada foi de 53%. O microorganismo gram positivo mais frequente foi Staphylococcus aureus (22%), e dentro dos gram negativos: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) e Pseudomonas sp (25%). Encontrou-se associação significativa entre o tipo de cirurgia e a infecção da ferida cirúrgica, o que não se observou com as variáveis sexo e o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclusão. Este estudo mostra problemas importantes na garantia do paciente. Devem revisar-se os protocolos para o controle das infecções