Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Dogs in Tehran, Iran

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infects a wide range of animals; felines are definitive hosts and other animals including the dogs are intermediate hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran, capital of Iran and to investigate possi­ble associated risk factors.Methods: Three hundreds ninety six serum samples were collected during 2007-8 from the dogs. Col­lected samples were tested using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in dilutions of 1:16 and more. All procedures were carried out in Shahrekord University, Iran. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software, qui square test with confidence interval of 0.95.Results: From evaluated samples, 89 (22.47%) were positive in titers of at least 1:16. further evalua­tions in other dilutions showed positive results in dilutions of maximum 1:16 , 1:32, 1:64, 1:128 and 1:256 in 38, 29, 15, 2 and 5 dogs respectively. Investigation of the role of risk factors showed no sex predisposition while infection rate was significantly higher in dogs older than one year old. Living places were of significant importance; infection rate was significantly higher in stray or guard dogs in compare with household dogs (P<0.05). Conclusion: Relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran shows high environmental contamination. It is recommended that the dogs with suspected clinical signs be tested for T. gondii infection

Intentional left subclavian artery coverage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair for traumatic aortic injury

BackgroundThoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is widely used for treatment of traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Stent graft coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) may be required in up to 40% of patients. We evaluated the long-term effects of intentional LSA coverage (LSAC) on symptoms and return to normal activity in TAI patients compared with a similarly treated group whose LSA was uncovered (LSAU).MethodsPatients were identified from a prospective institutional trauma registry between September 2005 and July 2012. TAI was confirmed using computed tomography angiography. The electronic medical records, angiograms, and computed tomography angiograms were reviewed in a retrospective fashion. In-person or telephone interviews were conducted using the SF-12v2 (Quality Metrics, Lincoln, RI) to assess quality of life. An additional questionnaire was used to assess specific LSA symptoms and the ability to return to normal activities. Data were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation and multiple linear and logistic regression analysis with appropriate transformations using SAS software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC).ResultsDuring the study period, 82 patients (57 men; mean age 40.5 ± 20 years, mean Injury Severity Score, 34 ± 10.0) underwent TEVAR for treatment of TAI. Among them, LSAC was used in 32 (39.5%) and LSAU in 50. A group of the LSAU patients (n = 22) served as matched controls in the analysis. We found no statistically significant difference in SF-12v2 physical health scores (ρ = −0.08; P = .62) between LSAC and LSAU patients. LSAC patients had slightly better mental health scores (ρ = 0.62; P = .037) than LSAU patients. LSAC patients did not have an increased likelihood of experiencing pain (ρ = −0.0056; P = .97), numbness (ρ = −0.12; P = .45), paresthesia (ρ = −0.11; P = .48), fatigue (ρ = −0.066; P = .69), or cramping (ρ = −0.12; P = .45). We found no difference between groups in the ability to return to activities. The mean follow-up time was 3.35 years. Six LSAC patients (19%) died during the follow-up period of unrelated causes.ConclusionsIntentional LSAC during TEVAR for TAI appears safe, without compromising mental or physical health outcomes. Furthermore, LSAC does not increase the long-term risk of upper extremity symptoms or impairment of normal activities

Comparative assessment of tear function tests, tear osmolarity, and conjunctival impression cytology between patients with pterygium and healthy eyes

Purpose: To compare histologic abnormalities of tear film and tear osmolarity between normal eyes and eyes with pterygium. Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based, case-control study involving 95 patients (65 men, 30 women) with unilateral pterygium. The tear meniscus height (TMH), Schirmer's test-1 (SCH-1) score, Rose Bengal staining (RBS) score, tear film breakup time (TBUT), tear osmolarity (TO), and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) were assessed in both eyes. The Chi-square and Student's t-tests were used to compare the results between the two groups. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean patient age was 50.9 years, with the largest age group being the 45-55 year-old bracket across both genders. Most patients (82.1) had nasal pterygium, and 80 were involved in outside activities. The mean assessment values in the case and control groups were as follows: TMH, 0.21 vs. 0.24 mm; SCH-1, 13.2 vs. 17.8 mm; RBS, 4.38 vs. 2.51 points; TBUT, 8.7 vs. 13.2 seconds; TO, 306 vs. 299 mOsm/L (P < 0.001 in all cases). The proportions of abnormal assessment values in the case and control groups were as follows: TMH, 82.1 vs. 3.16; SCH-1, 20 vs. 2.1; RBS, 30.53 vs. 4.22; TBUT, 61.05 vs. 6.3; TO, 10.52 vs. 1.05; CIC, 33.7 vs. 7.37 (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion: This study showed that the quantity and quality of tear film, as well as the number of goblet cells, decreased, but the tear osmolarity increased in eyes with pterygium. Furthermore, the TMH, RBS results, TBUT, and CIC have more precise state of the patient's tear condition with the disease of the pterygium. Safarzadeh Masoud 1 Department of Optometry, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Heidari Sahel 2 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Azizzadeh Parvin 3 Bahman Ophthalmology Research Center, Bahman Hospital, Tehran Sheibani Kourosh 4 Basir Eye Safety Research Center, Basir Eye Clinic, Tehran Nassiri Nader 5 Ophthalmic Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Heidari Laleh 6 Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Aghataheri Sattar 7 Department of Optometry, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Moukoury Nyolo E, Epee E, Nsangou JFI, Noa Noa Tina B. Pterygiun in a tropical region: Analysis of 344 cases in Cameroon. Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol 2009;311:11-15. Shiroma H, Higa A, Sawaguchi S, Iwase A, Tomidokoro A, Amano S. 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Collecting tear osmolarity measurements in the diagnosis of dry eye. Exp Rev Ophthalmol 2009;4:451-453. Ozsutcu M, Arslan B, Erdur SK, Gulkilik G, Kocabora SM, Muftuoglu O. Tear osmolarity and tear film parameters in patients with unilateral pterygium. Cornea 2014;33:1174-1178. Singh R, Joseph A, Umapathy T, Tint NL, Dua HS. Impression cytology of the ocular surface. Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1655-1659. Viso E, Gude F, Rodríguez-Ares MT. Prevalence of pinguecula and pterygium in a general population in Spain. Eye (Lond) 2011;25:350-357. Antony AT, Mini PA, Dalia S. Pterygium and Dry Eye- A Clinical Correlation. J Med Scie Clin Res 2017;5:23654-23659. Rahman A, Yahya K, Fasih U, Huda W, Shaikh A. Comparison of Schirmer's test and tear film breakup time test to detect tear film abnormalities in patients with Pterygium. J Pak Med Assoc 2012;6:1214-1216. Lee AJ, Lee J, Saw SM, Gazzard G, Koh D, Widjaja D, Tan DT. 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The Potential for Telemedicine to Reduce Bias in Patients Seeking Facial Plastic Surgery

Telemedicine use among otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, it is unclear what impact the increased adoption of telehealth will have on the doctor-patient relationship, patients' perceptions of individual practices, and the likelihood of patients proceeding with the next steps toward surgery. While an understanding of these complex questions is imperative for all otolaryngologists, it is extremely important for facial plastic surgeons who focus on elective procedures, particularly cosmetic/aesthetic operations. The use of telemedicine has the potential to reduce bias among patients seeking facial plastic surgery, especially cosmetic procedures. As reports of this phenomenon are anecdotal thus far, we recommend further study into the specific criteria that patients consider when selecting a facial plastic surgeon