Reflection-based imaging of macular pigment distributions in infants and children

pre-printWe have developed a reflection-based capability of the RetCam® platform, an FDA-cleared pediatric retinal-imaging instrument, for the purpose of measuring macular pigment levels as well as their spatial distributions in infants and children. Our modifications include narrow-band blue-wavelength excitation of the macular pigment absorption in combination with spectrally selective blue-wavelength readout of the reflection signals received by the instrument's CCD detector array. Furthermore, an algorithm is developed that allows the computation of optical density maps for the macular pigment relative to peripheral retinal areas. This made it possible for the first time to directly measure macular pigment levels and their spatial features in the developing human retina. In contrast to adults, infants with measurable pigment levels had almost exclusively a narrow, circularly symmetric, pigment distribution. The described methodology holds promise for future investigations into the role of macular pigment in the developing human retina and the effect of dietary interventions in diseases resulting from a lack of normal carotenoid levels

Nonmydriatic fluorescence-based quantitative imaging of human macular pigment distributions.

Journal ArticleWe have developed a CCD-camera-based nonmydriatic instrument that detects fluorescence from retinal lipofuscin chromophores ("autofluorescence") as a means to indirectly quantify and spatially image the distribution of macular pigment (MP). The lipofuscin fluorescence intensity is reduced at all retinal locations containing MP, since MP has a competing absorption in the blue-green wavelength region. Projecting a large diameter, 488 nm excitation spot onto the retina, centered on the fovea, but extending into the macular periphery, and comparing lipofuscin fluorescence intensities outside and inside the foveal area, it is possible to spatially map out the distribution of MP. Spectrally selective detection of the lipofuscin fluorescence reveals an important wavelength dependence of the obtainable image contrast and deduced MP optical density levels, showing that it is important to block out interfering fluorescence contributions in the detection setup originating from ocular media such as the lens. Measuring 70 healthy human volunteer subjects with no ocular pathologies, we find widely varying spatial extent of MP, distinctly differing distribution patterns of MP, and strongly differing absolute MP levels among individuals. Our population study suggests that MP imaging based on lipofuscin fluorescence is useful as a relatively simple, objective, and quantitative noninvasive optical technique suitable to rapidly screen MP levels and distributions in healthy humans with undilated pupils

Aflatoxin M1 contamination levels in cheeses sold in Isfahan Province, Iran

Objectives: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)-contaminated dairy products pose serious human health risks, causing liver and renal failure if consumed. They are also related to decreased milk and egg production in infected animals. This study investigated the AFM1 contamination levels in cheeses sold in Isfahan province, Iran, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: A total of 100 white cheese samples were randomly collected from supermarkets in Isfahan province and after extraction using dichloromethane were prepared for the ELISA. Results: Of the 100 samples, 52 (52%) were contaminated by AFM1, at levels ranging from 50.2 to 424.4 ng/kg. The remaining 48% of the samples had undetectable AFM1 levels (< 50 ng/ kg). Based on the standard limit set by the European Commission and Iran, 8% (8/100) of the AFM1-positive samples (with concentrations between 250.2 and 424.4 ng/kg) had levels higher than the permissible value of 250 ng/kg. Conclusion: Although the percentage of cheese samples in Isfahan province with AFM1 levels exceeding the national permissible limit was low, the examination of cheeses and the milk used for their production is nevertheless important for ensuring public health. Furthermore, optimum storage conditions of animal feed should be ensured, and livestock nutrition must be monitored for the presence of AFM1 and other aflatoxins

A Precisely Calculated Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio could Predict Overall Survival in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was initially used as a low cost prognostic marker in a group of solid tumors and subsequently hypothesized to have a role in multiple myeloma. This retrospective analysis aimed to report the prognostic importance of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in multiple myeloma. Methods: Between November 2003 and February 2016, we included 175 patients from two centers in this study. CBC differentials were primarily checked by a Sysmex analyzer in both centers. In one center, differentials were rechecked by light microscopy. Analysis of survival was performed using a Kaplan-Meier estimate and we assessed the effects of prognostic factors by Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Patients had a mean age of 63.22±10.89 years. Although mean lymphocyte percent did not differ between the two centers, mean neutrophil percent and mean neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were higher at the center that manually checked the CBC differentials. After adjustments for age and gender, we noted that the hazard ratio for elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio when stratified for the centers was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.01–1.15, P=0.034). Conclusion: A precisely checked neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio could act as a potentially inexpensive, accessible prognostic factor for multiple myeloma patients

Medical Students’ Learning Styles in Birjand University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objective : Learning and its improvement are the foundation of all activities in educational systems. One of the most important effective factors on students’ learning is their learning style. Being aware of the learning style used by students, help teachers to assist the students for a better use of different learning styles On the other hand, teachers can change their own educational style according to the students’ learning style to reach maximum level of efficacy. This research was performed in order to identify medical students’ learning styles in 2007. Methods : In this descriptive study, a questionnaire including demographic questions and Kolb Learning Style Inventory was distributed amongst all medical students who were attending the first semester of 2007 in Birjand University of Medical Sciences. This tool allows classification of learning styles into 4 groups: converging, accommodating, assimilating, and diverging. Results : Among 267 distributed questionnaires, 175 were filled by students. 68 percent of students were female, mean (±SD) age of the students was 22(±2.5) and their grade point average was 16.5(±1.5). The most prevalent learning style was converging (52%) followed by assimilating (28.6%), diverging (9.7%) and accommodating (9.7%). There was no significant relationship between learning style and age, sex, educational level, and grade point average. Conclusion : Considering that people with converging learning style are competent in solving problems, it necessitates that teachers at universities change their traditional methods into new ones like Problem Base Learning (PBL) and Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) so that they help students learn immense medical information. Keywords: Learning, Style, Medical student, Kolb

Prevalence of malnutrition in adults admitted to the hospitals affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 1390

Background and Aim: Malnutrition is a prevalent health problem but an unknown one to which little attention has been paid. This can increase complications, morbidity and mortality of the disease. Therefore, early detection of malnutrition to provide nutritional support for patients is very crucial. The main objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of patients admitted to the hospitals affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study on patients admitted to five hospitals affiliated to BUMS was done in 2011. Through stratified random sampling, 549 patients older than 20 years were selected from five hospitals and their nutrition status was determined by means of measuring their height, weight, and body mass index according to Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) on their admission. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS (V:16), using X2 at the significant level P <0.05. Results: Mean age of the patients was 49 ±20 years. Among them, 52.8% were males. Prevalence of malnutrition was 58.8% from which 53 % were at high risk and 5.8 % at medium risk. Among the patients, 148 (57.1% female patients were at high risk of malnutrition whereas, in the males the high risk was diagnosed in 143 (49.3%) which the difference was significant (men) (P=0.03). Prevalence of malnutrition in citizens was higher than villagers (P=0.001). It was also significantly higher in over 45 year olds compared to other age groups (P=0.04). Conclusion: Malnutrition is a common problem from which more than 53 % of the patients suffer. Therefore, an organized clinical nutritional service in the health centers are required

Investigating the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the older adults: a cross-sectional study in Eastern Iran

Abstract Background With the global increase in the older adults population, understanding factors that impact their quality of life is crucial. The perception of aging and self-efficacy are significant factors affecting older adults health outcomes. This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between Aging Perception and self-efficacyamong older adults individuals in Birjand city, a demographic that is rapidly increasing but under-research. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 on 400 older adults individuals in Birjand city. Participants were selected using a random sampling method from four regions, ensuring a representative sample. Data were collected through two main questionnaires: the Shortened Perceived Aging Questionnaire (SPAQ) and the General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSE), both validated for the Persian-speaking population. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS SOFTWARE. ARMONK, NY: IBM CORP. version 26, employing nonparametric tests due to the non-normal distribution of data. Results The study found a strong positive correlation between Aging Perception and self-efficacy (Spearman’s R = 0.79, p < 0.001), indicating that a more positive perception of aging is associated with higher self-efficacy. The analysis also revealed that men generally reported a more positive perception of aging and higher self-efficacy compared to women. However, underlying diseases and marital status did not significantly affect the Aging Perception or self-efficacy scores. Conclusions The findings suggest that enhancing self-efficacy among the older adults could improve their perception of aging, potentially leading to better health outcomes and quality of life. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions that consider cultural and gender-specific factors. Further research using longitudinal designs is recommended to explore the causality between Aging Perception and self-efficacy and to confirm these findings across different regions and cultural backgrounds in Iran

The Neuroprotective Effect of a Triazine Derivative in an Alzheimer's Rat Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, degeneration of the cholinergic neurons and neural cell death. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of a triazine derivative, C16H12Cl2N3S, on learning in an Alzheimer's rat model. Animals were divided into seven groups; each group contained seven animals.animals received no surgery and treatment; saline group: animals received normal saline after recovery; sham group: animals received 10% DMSO after recovery; STZ group (Alzheimer's model): animals received streptozotocin (STZ) in four and six days after recovery; T5, T10 and T15 groups: animals were treated with triazine derivative, C16H12Cl2N3S, at doses of 5, 10 and 15 µM, respectively. All drugs were injected intracerebroventricular. The spatial learning and histological assessment were performed in all groups. Animals in STZ group had more deficits in spatial learning than the control group in Morris water maze. C16H12Cl2N3S improved spatial learning significantly compared to STZ group. The CA1 pyramidal layer thicknesses in STZ group were reduced significantly compared to control group. C16H12Cl2N3S increased the CA1 pyramidal layer thickness in T15 group compared to STZ group. Current findings suggest C16H12Cl2N3S may have a protective effect on learning deficit and hippocampal structure in AD