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Objective: Recent studies imply extensive applications for the human amniotic membrane (hAM) and its extract in medicine and ophthalmology. The content of hAM meets many requirements in eye surgeries, such as refractive surgery as the most important and commonly used method for treating the dramatically increasing refractive errors. However, they are associated with complications such as corneal haziness and corneal ulcer. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of amniotic membrane extracted eye drop (AMEED) on Trans-PRK surgery complications. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed during two years (July 1, 2019-September 1, 2020). Thirty-two patients (64 eyes), including 17 females and 15 males, aged 20 to 50 years (mean age of 29.59 ± 6.51) with spherical equivalent between -5 to -1.5 underwent Trans Epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (Trans-PRK) surgery. One eye was selected per case (case group) and the other eye was considered as control. Randomization was done using the random allocation rule. The case group was treated with AMEED, and the artificial tear drop every 4 hours. The control eyes received artificial tear drops instilled every 4 hours. The evaluation continued for three days after the Trans-PRK surgery. Results: A significant decrease in CED size was found in the AMEED group on the second day after surgery (P=0.046). Also, this group had a substantial reduction in pain, hyperemia, and haziness. Conclusion: This study showed that AMEED drop can increase the healing rate of corneal epithelial lesions after TransPRK surgery and reduce the early and late complications of Trans-PRK surgery. Researchers and Ophthalmologists should consider AMEED as a selection in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects and patients who have difficulty in corneal epithelial healing. We understood AMEED has a different effect on the cornea after surgery; therefore, the researcher must know AMEED’s exact ingredients and help expand AMEED uses (registration number: TCTR20230306001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a hepatotropic virus is one of the major global health concerns. Autochthonous HEV transmitted by oral fecal-route in poor sanitation conditions as well as vertical and rarely blood transfusion. HEV occurrence is more common in developing countries and recently increased in developed countries too. Middle East (ME) and Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) of WHO have been an endemic region for HEV infection. In this regard, we aimed to design a systematic review and pooled analysis to determine seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibody in ME and EMR countries. Evidence acquisition By using PRISMA guideline, data were collected from papers identified through PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and also from some national and regional databases from January 1990 to June 2016. Serum anti-HEV antibody (IgG) used for HEV prevalence estimation. HEV prevalence in the ME, WHO EMR countries, and in total, calculated by each country population size based on 2015 UN report. Results overall, 62 papers with a total sample size of 31,673 were fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included in our project. Considering anti-HEV antibody (IgG), prevalence of HEV infection in the countries of ME, WHO EMR and in total were 12.17% (95% CI: 11.79–12.57), 11.81% (95% CI: 11.43–12.21), and 11.87% (95% CI: 11.52–12.23) respectively. Conclusions HEV seroprevalence in WHO EMR and ME countries has high rate and more considerations are needed for the prevention and control of this infection especially in high-risk groups such as pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actual fatigue life of an existing offshore platform typically deviates from that intended by its designer because aging platforms commonly experience some degradations, mechanical damages, repairs and modifications, and come across demands for the service extension. The current multidisciplinary paper focuses on different aspects of the remaining fatigue life assessment of an aging offshore platform. In the course of a case study, it describes a hindcasting technique for quantitative estimation of the long-term wave climatology, methods for geotechnical/structural modelling of the platform foundation to evaluate the piles fatigue damages accumulated during their driving and in-place service and the outlines for a spectral fatigue modelling and analysis of the fatigue damages to welded structural joints. Potential limitations in the available codes of practice, regarding the fatigue life assessment of existing offshore structures, are highlighted. The reliability of the fatigue life evaluations, possible remedy measures and some fatigue integrity monitoring techniques are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]