Attenuation of haloperidol induced orofacial dyskinesia by ginkgo biloba extract

 Introduction: Tardive dyskinesia is one of the major side effects of long-term neuroleptic treatment. Increased reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress has been proposed as possible etiopathologic mechanisms. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) is a natural antioxidant. We investigated the effects of ginkgo biloba extract on neuroleptic-induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats, a potential animal model for tardive dyskinesia.Methods: Orofacial dyskinesia was induced by chronic administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p) for a period of 21 days. On 22nd day, animals were assessed for development of oral dyskinesia. Malon di aldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels were evaluated in animal forebrain homogenate.Results: Chronic haloperidol (1 mg/kg) treatment significantly increased the vacuous chewing movement’s frequency, increased MDA and decreased SOD and catalase levels. Co-administration of EGB 25 mg/kg along with haloperidol suppressed the haloperidol induced vacuous chewing movements (Pvalue < 0.05). EGB 100 mg/kg reversed haloperidol induced reduction in SOD level. It also reversed the increment in MDA level observed in haloperidol treated rats.Conclusion: The present study suggested that oxidative stress plays a significant role in neuroleptic-induced orofacial dyskinesia and EGB co-administration reverses these behavioral and biochemical changes.Declaration Interest: None

Diagnostic Accuracy of Chest x-Ray and Ultrasonography in Detection of Community Acquired Pneumonia; a Brief Report

Introduction: Chest x-ray (CXR) is the simplest diagnostic tool of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), but it has some limitation. Therefore, the aim of this study is comparing the diagnostic accuracy of CXR and chest ultrasonography (CUS) in detection of CAP. Methods: In the present study, a consecutive sample of suspected patients with CAP was underwent CUS, CXR, and chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Diagnostic accuracy of CUS and CXR was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios using SPSS 20 statistical software. Results: 30 patients with CAP were enrolled (93.3% male with mean age of 63.8 ± 18.3 years). Sensitivity of CUS and CXR in detection of CAP were 100.0% (95% Cl: 85.4-100.0) and 93.1% (95% Cl: 75.8-98.8), respectively. Specificity of CXR was 0.0 (95% Cl: 0.0-94.5), while the CUS specificity was not calculable. Conclusion: Findings of the present study demonstrated on the higher diagnostic accuracy of CUS versus CXR in detection of pneumonia

Lower tear meniscus in computer reading task with and without soft contact lens

Dry eye is the major contributor to computer vision syndrome. The reductions in the blink rate and amplitude have been considered as the possible mechanisms leading to this condition. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in the lower tear meniscus heights and areas in the computer reading task, in dry eye subjects, with and without soft contact lenses. In this quasi-experimental study, 39 subjects (with mean age of 21.2 ± 2.4 years), with dry eye, were enrolled.  The lower tear meniscus height and area (TMH, TMA) of the right eye was captured by Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography before and after 45 minutes of reading task behind desktop 17” Cathode Ray Tube monitors. The same procedure was performed after the insertion of the hydrogel soft contact lenses with 58% water content. The results of TMHs, TMAs were analyzed with a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with two within-subject factors.: The mean ± standard error of  TMH and TMA pre and post computer tasks were 283.6± 25.4 µm, 0.029±0.005 mm2, 297.6±20.7 µm , 0.036 ± 0.005 mm2 respectively. After contact lens insertion, the mean TMH and TMA pre and post computer task were 231.6 ± 10.6 µm, 0.020±0.0019 mm2, 213.0±9.0 µm, 0.018 ± 0.0011 mm2, respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the changes in TMH (P=0.86) and TMA (P=0.37) after computer task, were not statistically significant, while the insertion of the soft contact lens had reduced the TMH and TMA significantly (P<0.001 for both). After 45 minutes of reading task behind desktop monitors, the tear volume has not changed, with and without high water SCLs. A reduction in tear volume might be expected with longer duration of computer task or at late hours of the day. The creation of a more stable tear film should be considered in the management strategies for shorter duration of work behind desktop monitors

A Survey on Prevalence and Pathological Findings of Gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari Sheep in Iran

In a survey of 430 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep at a slaughterhouse in Iran, gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 7 sheep (1.6%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult and female sheep (P < 0.05). Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 6 sheep with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 sheep with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these sheep was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected sheep revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) in 5 sheep. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in sheep with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, but it is not likely to become clinically significant

Comparison of an Italian Chart with an Iranian Chart in Visual Acuity Measurement

Background: Taking visual acuity is an important part of an eye routine examination. This study was conducted to compare visual acuity measured using an Iranian digital tumbling E chart with visual acuity measured using an Italian digital tumbling E chart as a familiar foreign chart.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 200 participants (400 eyes; healthy n=40, glaucoma n=40, retinal disorders n=40, post lasik n=40, corneal n=40) with mean age 44.28 years. Visual acuity of both eyes of half of the subjects (n=100, n=20 from each group), was first measured using the Italian digital chart and then measured using Iranian digital chart. Visual acuity of the rest of subjects (n=100, n=200 from each group) was first measured using the Iranian digital chart and then measured using the Italian digital chart. Measured visual acuities were recorded in logMAR notation.Results: The mean of the Iranian and Italian Tumbling E chart is 0.280±0.012 and 0.277±0.012, respectively. Paired t-test used to evaluate the mean difference between two groups (p=0.721) indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between means of the two tests. Spearman correlation coefficient for the results of both tests was 0.942 (p&lt;0.001), which was statistically significant and could be categorized as a strong positive correlation.Conclusion: The two digital Tumbling E charts acted similarly at different levels of acuity in different disorders. However, the Iranian chart requires a more accurate design for optotypes of the lower acuity lines in order to obtain more accurate measurement of visual acuities in healthy subjects

Isolation, characterization and tolerance survey of bacterial strains to cadmium in soils receiving Hamadan industrial parks wastewater treatment plant effluent

Background and Aims: Biosorption is a relatively new clean up method used for the removal of heavy metals from the environment. Entry of heavy metals into the environment may result in change in population structure and further alteration of resistance mechanism(s) in exposed microorganisms. The first question inthis study sought to determine the threshold of bacterial resistance to cadmium (Cd). The second question was to identify indigenous bacterial species capable of removing the Cd from the soil and consequently to achieve a more efficient biological treatment for industrial effluents.Materials and Methods: Natural topsoil samples were obtained from three industrial parks in Hamadan, Iran. The concentration of Cd in soil samples was measured and thence the bacterial cultures were prepared. Following the screening process, the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] were determined in order to find the threshold of bacterial tolerance. Indeed, theadsorption capacity of bacterial strains came down in favor of the identification of resistant bacteria.Results: Respectively, 42, 4 and 4 bacterial strains were identified for cultures having average cadmium concentrations of 0.78, 500 and 750 mg/L. This experiment did also detect that Tcd2 and Tcd4 showed the highest MIC with 1250 mg Cd/L. Moreover, TCd2, belonging to the family of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterobacter genus, demonstrated the maximum cadmium removal efficiency (30.2%).Conclusion: The test was successful as it was able to identify the indigenous cadmium tolerant bacteria with high adsorption capacity. This finding has important implications for developing special biological wastewater treatment such as a biofilter in the cadmium-releasing industries.Key words: Cadmium, Hamadan, Industrial park, Resistant bacteria, Soi

Comparative Evaluation of Spectral Transmittance of Some Welding Glasses with ANSI Z87.1

Background: Welding emits harmful rays to the eyes. We evaluate and compare the UV, blue light and IR transmittance characteristics of some currently available welding safety protectors with ANSI Z87.1 criteria.Materials and Methods: Three type of welding safety protectors (three of each type) have been evaluated for spectral transmittance. One-sample T-test was performed to establish is there a statistically significant difference between the standard criteria and UV, blue and IR regions for the welding protectors (α=0.05).Results: In ultraviolet (UV) (far and near) region, two types of the tested protectors (P1, P2) transmitted lower than the maximum allowable value specified in the standard (P&lt;0.001). In infrared (IR) spectrum only one type (P3) transmitted lower than the maximum allowable value specified in the standard (P&lt;0.001). In blue light region, all of the tested protectors transmitted lower than the maximum allowable value specified in the standard (P&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Although all of the tested glasses could meet some parts of the criteria, but none of them could meet the complete spectral transmittance requirements of ANSI Z87.1

Comparison of Two Marketed Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Based Artificial Tear Drops in Young Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome

Background: Artificial tears have been among the first line of therapy in management of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). This study was conducted to compare a local artificial tear with an imported one in reduction of DES. This comparison would help to evaluate the cost and benefits of each drop in the proper management of DES.Materials and Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial study, a total 65 students meeting our inclusion criteria for DES entered the study. The OSDI questionnaire, TBUT, corneal and conjunctival staining and Schirmer test, were performed. The patients were divided into two groups by block randomization. Group 1 received first drop and group 2 received second drop. Both groups were instructed to use the drops 4 times a day for 14 days. The same tests were performed by the same examiner who was blind to the treatment type after two weeks. Repeated measured ANOVA was used to analyze the data.Results: A total of 58 patients completed the study. In both groups, after the intervention, the OSDI scores (P&lt;0.001), TBUT score (P=0.041), corneal (P&lt;0.001) and conjunctival staining scores (P&lt;0.001) showed improvement in compare to those before the intervention. However, the Schirmer test score did not show significantly difference before and after intervention. In comparing two groups the OSDI scores, the TBUT score, the corneal and conjunctival staining scores and the Schirmer scores did not show statistically significant difference.Conclusion: The two artificial tears equally reduced the symptoms and signs of DES in two weeks

How Much of Hazardous Blue Light is Transmitted By Spectacle Lenses?

This is a Letter to the Editor and does not have an abstract