Short-Term Results of Sutureless Scleral Tunnel Trabeculectomy Using Adjunctive Topical Bevacizumab

This study was performed to assess the short-term effect of sutureless scleral tunnel trabeculectomy procedure with and without topical bevacizumab. Thirty patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) were enrolled and randomly divided to two groups. Patients in the first group (15 patients) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy without topical bevacizumab and patients in the second group (15 patients) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy with 1.25 mg of topical bevacizumab. Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of both groups was measured by an expert ophthalmologist, without awareness of the patient’s study group before the operation and six months post-operatively. Out of 30 patients in this study, six females (40%) and nine males (60%) underwent the sutureless trabeculectomy procedure (group A) as well as seven females (46.7%) and eight males (53.3%) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy with topical bevacizumab (group B). The mean age of the patients was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.91). A statistically significant difference in time variation of IOP was found between the two groups (P < 0.001). Mean IOP was 18.4 ± 4.35 mmHg in the sutureless group without bevacizumab and 11.73 ± 2.12 mmHg in the sutureless group with bevacizumab, six months post-surgically. No statistical significant differences were found in the baseline IOP between the two groups (P = 0.28). However, IOP changed significantly in group A and B from baseline to six months post-operatively (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001 respectively). According to the current findings, the sutureless trabeculectomy procedure is an effective surgical method for reduction of IOP. Addition of a single dose of 1.25 mg topical bevacizumab was more effective in reduction of IOP compared to sutureless trabeculectomy alone.Â

Short-Term Results of Sutureless Scleral Tunnel Trabeculectomy Using Adjunctive Topical Bevacizumab

This study was performed to assess the short-term effect of sutureless scleral tunnel trabeculectomy procedure with and without topical bevacizumab. Thirty patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) were enrolled and randomly divided to two groups. Patients in the first group (15 patients) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy without topical bevacizumab and patients in the second group (15 patients) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy with 1.25 mg of topical bevacizumab. Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of both groups was measured by an expert ophthalmologist, without awareness of the patient’s study group before the operation and six months post-operatively. Out of 30 patients in this study, six females (40%) and nine males (60%) underwent the sutureless trabeculectomy procedure (group A) as well as seven females (46.7%) and eight males (53.3%) underwent sutureless trabeculectomy with topical bevacizumab (group B). The mean age of the patients was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.91). A statistically significant difference in time variation of IOP was found between the two groups (P < 0.001). Mean IOP was 18.4 ± 4.35 mmHg in the sutureless group without bevacizumab and 11.73 ± 2.12 mmHg in the sutureless group with bevacizumab, six months post-surgically. No statistical significant differences were found in the baseline IOP between the two groups (P = 0.28). However, IOP changed significantly in group A and B from baseline to six months post-operatively (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001 respectively). According to the current findings, the sutureless trabeculectomy procedure is an effective surgical method for reduction of IOP. Addition of a single dose of 1.25 mg topical bevacizumab was more effective in reduction of IOP compared to sutureless trabeculectomy alone.

miRNAs in the regulation of mTOR signaling and host immune responses: the case of Leishmania infections

Micro RNAs (miRNAs), as regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, can respond to/or interact with cell signaling and affect the pathogenesis of different diseases/infections. The interaction/crosstalk of miRNAs with various cellular signaling networks including mTOR (as a master regulator of signaling relevant to different cellular mechanisms) might lead to the initiation, progression or restriction of certain disease processes. There are numerous studies that have identified the crosstalk between regulatory miRNA expression and the mTOR pathway (or mTOR signaling regulated by miRNAs) in different diseases which has a dual function in pathogenesis. However, the corresponding information in parasitic infections remains scarce. miRNAs have been suggested as specific targets for therapeutic strategies in several disorders such as parasitic infections. Thus, the targeting of miRNAs (as the modulators/regulators of mTOR) by small molecules and RNA-based therapeutics and consequently managing and modulating mTOR signaling and the downstream/related cell signaling/pathways might shed some light on the design of new therapeutic strategies against parasitic diseases, including Leishmaniasis. Accordingly, the present study attempts to highlight the importance of the crosstalk between regulatory miRNAs and mTOR signaling, and to review the relevant insights into parasitic infections by focusing specifically on Leishmania

Investigating the importance and causes of rheumatoid arthritis and its effective treatments: a review study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is among the mostimportant chronic diseases that can causejoint destruction and disability, especiallyin the adulthood. It is a progressive chronic autoimmuneinflammatory disease with variable clinical symptoms,characterized by mild to severe inflammation of the jointsthat can result in pain, dryness and joint destruction alongwith joint malformations and disability. Besides its physicaleffects, it can also affect one’s mental state and causemental illnesses, such as depression, given its permanentchanges in activity level and lifestyle. Therefore, due to theimportance of this debilitating disease, the present studyaimed to study the causes of RA and its effective treatments.The results showed that the most common causeof RA is genetic-related. However, genetic risk factor isnot fully responsible for the disease and environmentalfactors have been reported to be effective. Althoughthere has been a wide variety of studies on treatment ofRA, no definitive treatments have been reported for thedisease so far. The most commonly used treatment approachesfor this disease are rest and general treatments,pharmacotherapy, hydrocortisone intra-articular injection,physiotherapy, occupational therapy and surgery. Rest issupposed to be effective, especially in the early stages ofthe disease and during the recurrence periods. Overall,the goal of non-pharmacological treatments is to reducepressure on the joint. According to various studies, aspirinand non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin,ibuprofen, naproxen, and piroxicam) are the mostcommonly used drugs in the treatment of RA (especiallyin the early stages)

Comparing cardiac asymmetric septal hypertrophy in hypothyroid patients before and after Levothyroxine therapy

Asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH)is the echocardiographic manifestationof hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). HCM is characterized by inappropriate left ventriclehypertrophy with preferential involvement of theinterventricular symptom causing increased ventricularstiffness, which in turn results in diastolic dysfunction anddynamic left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient.The study population included 65 newly diagnosed clinicalhypothyroidism patients (52 female and 13 male with themean age: 36.7±11.5), who were referred to endocrinologyclinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,Iran. All analyses were performed using SPSS for the window,version 15.0. Continuous variables are presented asmean±SD, while categorical variables are presented as percentage.The prevalence of ASH (IP ratio ≥1.3) was 20%(13 in 65 patients), which was statistically very significant(in relation to 0.2% seen in the total population). In thepresent study, we investigated the prevalence of ASH inclinical hypothyroidism and also myocardial systolic anddiastolic parameter in these patients before and after thetreatment. It is conceivable that hypothyroidism is associatedwith both global LV dysfunction and localized septalmyocardial abnormality. Since the clinical significance ofthis reversible cardiomyopathy is unclear, routine echocardiogramsare not indicated in hypothyroidism. However,any patient with hypothyroidism with symptoms of cardiovasculardysfunction (such as dyspnea, dizziness syncope,pericardial pain resembling angina pectoris) should undergothe echocardiographic examination to exclude HCM

A comparative study of self-compassion and corona disease anxiety in adolescents receiving and not receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Introduction: The prevalence of COVID-19 has negative psychological consequences on adolescents. The current study aims to compare self-compassion and corona anxiety in adolescents receiving and not receiving Covid-19 vaccine. Methods: Based on the purpose of the research, a causal-comparative method was used. The study population included all male high school students in Kermanshah in 2021-2022, of which 384 students were selected as research sample using multi-step cluster sampling. The self-compassion questionnaire (Neff, 2003) and the anxiety of Corona questionnaire (Alipour et al, 2019) were used to collect data. Results: The results of data analysis using independent t-test showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups in terms of self-compassion and corona anxiety (p <0.01). Moreover, the results of independent t-test showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups for components of self-friendliness, common humanity, mindfulness and psychological symptoms of corona anxiety and physical symptoms of corona anxiety (p <0.01). Generally, the results showed that vaccinated individuals had significantly more self-compassion, self-friendliness, shared humanity, and mindfulness, and less corona anxiety and physical and psychological symptoms (p <0.01).&nbsp

Prevalence of Proteinuria and Hematuria in a Rural Population in the Southwest of Iran

Acute and chronic kidney diseases are common and are associated with the risk of kidney failure. Early detection of these disorders prevents their progression to kidney damage in later stages. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of proteinuria and hematuria in a rural population in Yasuj, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 676 people (350 females and 326 males) participated. People with positive dipstick test results entered the second screening and the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) was measured. People with UPCR ≥150 mg/g were evaluated for demographic and biochemical indicators. In the initial screening, 72 subjects (10.6%) tested positive by the dipstick test with trace proteinuria or higher. The UPCR results showed that this ratio was above 150 mg/g in 42 patients (6.2%), which was approximately equivalent to more than 150 mg of protein excreted per day. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of proteinuria and the demographic and biochemical markers. Briefly, it seems that the prevalence of proteinuria found by the dipstick test was similar to that in other parts of the world. However, according to the UPCR index, the percentage of proteinuria was significantly higher than in other studies. Because of the unknown mechanism of proteinuria, more studies based on genetic tests and kidney biopsies are needed to determine the causes of proteinuria

The Defensive Interactions of Prominent Infectious Protozoan Parasites: The Host’s Complement System

The complement system exerts crucial functions both in innate immune responses and adaptive humoral immunity. This pivotal system plays a major role dealing with pathogen invasions including protozoan parasites. Different pathogens including parasites have developed sophisticated strategies to defend themselves against complement killing. Some of these strategies include the employment, mimicking or inhibition of host’s complement regulatory proteins, leading to complement evasion. Therefore, parasites are proven to use the manipulation of the complement system to assist them during infection and persistence. Herein, we attempt to study the interaction´s mechanisms of some prominent infectious protozoan parasites including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania dealing with the complement system. Moreover, several crucial proteins that are expressed, recruited or hijacked by parasites and are involved in the modulation of the host´s complement system are selected and their role for efficient complement killing or lysis evasion is discussed. In addition, parasite’s complement regulatory proteins appear as plausible therapeutic and vaccine targets in protozoan parasitic infections. Accordingly, we also suggest some perspectives and insights useful in guiding future investigations

Effects of Exogenous Estrogen Treatment on Hippocampal Neurogenesis of Diabetic Ovariectomized Rats

Background: Mellitus Diabetes (DM) is the most important metabolic diseases. The incidence of DM is prone to increase. Vasculopathy, retinopathy, central and peripheral neuropathy are the most important reported side effects of DM. Cognitive dysfunction following DM reported in both sexes. Hippocampus is a major part of brain involving in cognitive function, its cells are able to neurogenesis, so it is possible that DM affects the hippocampus. In addition, neuroprotective effects of female sex steroids are reported elsewhere. In order to answer the question of whether female sex steroid are able to suppress the effects of DM on neurogenesis of dentate gyrus (DG) in diabetic ovariectomized rat the present study designed.Methods: Sprague-Dawley adult female rats were used in this study. The animals randomly divided in 8 groups including; control, diabetic (Diab), ovariectomy (OVX), Diab+OVX, estrogen treated (E2; Diab+OVX+E2), surgical and vehicle sham. Intrapritoneal injection of STZ, subcutaneous injection of E2 and routine bilateral surgery were used respectively to induce diabetes, estrogen treatment and OVX. Nissl staining, Brdu immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting were used in this study. Statistical analysis was done and the results presented in mean ± SD, Pv < 0.05 considered significant.Results: Brdu IHC showed that the neurogenesis significantly decreased in OVX, Diab and OVX-Diab groups (Pv < 0.05) in comparison with control and sham groups. Western blotting showed significant increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl2 proteins of trial groups comparing to control. Estrogen treatment significantly improved neurogenesis in animals of Diab+OVX+E2 group. The neurogenesis impairment was more sever in OVX + Diab animals than OVX and Diab ones merely.Conclusion: Based on our data, cognitive dysfunction caused by DM is related to hippocampal neurogenesis reduction and might improve under the influence of ovarian steroidal hormone therapy

Effectiveness of oral clonidine and gabapentin on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients in southwestern Iran: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Peripheral neuropathy is not only the most prevalent consequence of diabetes but also the main reason for foot ulceration, disability, and amputation. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the effectiveness of oral clonidine and gabapentin on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients. Methods This 12-week, randomized, and parallel-group trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of oral clonidine and gabapentin with gabapentin alone in diabetic patients in southwest Iran during the first half of 2021. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy as assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and divided into two groups of 15 patients, treated for up to three months. The data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software. In order to report the results, descriptive indices, independent t-test, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used. Results The mean and standard deviation of the age of the participants in the clonidine + gabapentin group was equal to 50.20 ± 7.44, and in the gabapentin group was equal to 50.47 ± 7.57 (t = 0.10, P-value = 0.923). This research showed a significant difference between the clonidine + gabapentin group and with gabapentin group in terms of neuropathic pain and the severity of neuropathic pain (P < 0.001). Conclusions According to this research results, clonidine + gabapentin can reduce neuropathic pain and the severity of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare professionals with diabetes expertise prescribe these medications to reduce neuropathic pain and its severity. Trial registration This study was registered in the Iranian Clinical Trials System with the ID (IRCT20211106052983N1) on 14/01/2022