Search

This study was aimed to investigate microbiological and molecular markers of periodontal problems and its association with conception in 101 Iraqi women, 50 primary infertile while 27 secondary infertile and 24 pregnant as control group. Major periodontal pathogen in the subgingival plaque and cervical vaginal swab specimens was detected, and molecular marker (16SrRNA) gene used for detection of Fusobacterium in our study. Fusobacterium sp. isolates from oral samples were examined biochemically and confirmed by molecular detection, they were also subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test and were shown to be resistant to β-lactamase family of antibiotics and were mostly resistant to Ciprofloxacin. Four Fusobacterium sp samples were identified in both Oral samples and vaginalcervical specimens of the same four women from the primary infertile group. Fusobacterium sp. was significantly (P<0.01) more frequently detected in the Oral samples and vaginal-cervical specimens among primary infertile group (38.7%) than pregnant (9.1%) as so among secondary (30.0%) than pregnant (9.1%). Analysis identified a model of a significant predictive factor of presence of Fusobacterium sp.: primary infertile [Odd ratio (OR) = 6.3 at 95% CI = 1.33-25.1] and secondary infertile OR = 4.2 at 95% CI = 1.84-12.22. this can show that infertalty state can be more risked than pregnant women to have the Fusobacterium sp and be effected by it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that contain an important group of bacterial strains such as fructophilic lactic acid bacteria that usually isolated from fructose rich niches. These groups of bacteria have been considered as probiotics, especially in animal applications. In this study these bacteria were isolated from 6 Plant sources (flowers) such as: Convolvulus arvensis, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis , Nerium oleander, Rosa rugosa, Tagetes erecta and Zinnia elegans. The bacterial isolates were identified by morphological and molecular methods through the detection of 16SrRNA gene. Carbohydrate fermentation profile as well as their antibacterial activity using the dual culture overlay assay was also detected. The results revealed that 5 types of different lactic acid bacteria were isolated included: Fructobacillus fructosus, Lactobacillus kunkeei, Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus faecium , and Lactobacillus brevis. These isolates showed variety in fermentation of carbohydrates. Also, all isolates exhibit inhibition effect against pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aures و Pseudomonas aeruginosa) except Enterococcus faecium which showed no effect it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to extract the effective material from the dry nests of termites and detect its antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacterial isolates and inhibit synthesis of its biofilm. Termites dry nests were collected and the effective material was extracted then the antibacterial activity was detected using the disc diffusion assay. Results were showed that the extract have antibacterial material from the Termites dry nests, this extract showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) at (21.5mm) and Gram negative bacteria ( Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at (26 mm and 20 mm) respectively by inhibiting their growth, as well as its effect on biofilm production of pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed a significant decrease (P<0.01) in biofilm synthesis as the concentration of the extract increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azathioprine, an antitumor agent, was labeled with 99mTc using stannous chloride dihydrate as a reducing agent. Factors such as the amounts of the reducing agent and substrate, pH, and reaction temperature and time were systematically studied to determine the optimum conditions, under which the 95% radiochemical yield was achieved. Biodistribution studies demonstrate the suitability of 99mTc-azathioprine as a novel tracer for tumor imaging. It shows high selectivity to high-replicating solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

188Re-5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphyrin, [188Re]TMPP, a tumor-targeted agent, was prepared. Under optimum conditions, the 188Re-TMPP yield after purification exceeded 98%. Biodistribution studies showed high tumor uptake of the agent within 30 min post injection (17.5 ± 1.1% ID/g) for Swiss Albino mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). [188Re]TMPP can be considered as a highly selective radiotracer for highly replicating solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was oriented to synthesis radioiodinated celiprolol (Cel) for a potential cardiac imaging. Celiprolol has been labeled using 125I with chloramine-T (Ch-T) as an oxidizing agent. The key effective factors such as amount of oxidizing agent, amount of substrate, pH, reaction temperature and reaction time, have been systematically studied to optimize the iodination. The biological distribution indicates the suitability of radioiodinated Cel as a novel tracer to image heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo evaluate the variability of performance among novice ophthalmic trainees in a range of repeated tasks using the Eyesi virtual reality (VR) simulator.MethodsEighteen subjects undertook three attempts of five cataract specific and generic three-dimensional tasks: continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, cracking and chopping, cataract navigation, bimanual cataract training, anti-tremor. Scores for each attempt were out of a maximum of 100 points. A non-parametric test was used to analyse the data, where a P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsHighly significant differences were found between the scores achieved in the first attempt and that during the second (P<0.0001) and third (P<0.0001) but not between the second and third attempt (P=0.65). There was no significant variability in the overall score between the users (P=0.1104) or in the difference between their highest and lowest score (P=0.3878). Highly significant differences between tasks were shown both in the overall score (P=0.0001) and in the difference between highest and lowest score (P=0.003).ConclusionThis study, which is the first to quantify reproducibility of performance in entry level trainees using a VR tool, demonstrated significant intra-novice variability. The cohort of subjects performed equally overall in the range of tasks (no inter-novice variability) but each showed that performance varies significantly with the complexity of the task when using this high-fidelity instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThere are changes in blood flow during the clinical stages of diabetic retinopathy with increasing leukostasis and secondary elaboration of cytokines. This study evaluated the vitreous concentrations of haemodynamic-related (endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO)), inflammatory and anti-inflammatory (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1 Ra) cytokines in the diabetic patients (with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)), compared them with those of control patients (full thickness macular hole, FTMH) and correlated to macular structural indices.MethodVitreous samples from five FTMH patients representing normal controls were analysed together with the vitreous samples of 15 patients with NPDR and five with PDR. The vitreous concentrations of nitrite (total NO), ET-1, and prostacyclin was determined using ELISA kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. A sandwich luminescent immunoassay technique was used to determine IL-1β and IL-1 Ra concentrations.ResultsIn the different clinical groups, there were no differences in the vitreous NO and prostacyclin concentrations. In NPDR, the median ET-1 concentration (0.7 pg/ml SD ±0.8 pg/ml) was significantly reduced (P<0.05), compared to PDR (6.35 pg/ml SD ±0.6 pg/ml) and FTMH (3.6 pg/ml SD ±0.14 pg/ml). Its concentration also positively correlated with foveal thickness and macular volume (P<0.05) in patients with NPDR and macular oedema. IL-1 β was detected in PDR, and diabetic patients demonstrated a lower concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 Ra.ConclusionReduced concentrations of ET-1 in NPDR may reflect the haemodynamic changes of NPDR. The IL-1 Ra concentration suggests a change in the anti-inflammatory environment of the diabetic retina.Eye (2008) 22, 223–228; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702584; published online 22 September 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the diagnostic information provided by digital subtraction dacryocystography (DCG) and syringing of the nasolacrimal system in patients with epiphora. Methods: Twenty-five lacrimal systems of 17 patients, who presented with unilateral or bilateral epiphora and no concurrent ocular or lid abnormality, were prospectively entered into the study. The patients initially underwent syringing by a lacrimal specialist followed by DCG. Results: Anatomical obstructions were detected in 88% of systems with syringing and in 84% with DCG. The anatomical sites of obstruction varied between the two tests in 20% of lacrimal drainage systems. Additional useful information was provided by DCG in 28% of the cases, including identification of multiple sites of obstruction, the presence of dacryoliths, fistulae, and congenital malpositions of the nasolacrimal sac-duct junction. Conclusion: The two investigations were found to have comparable detection rates for anatomical obstructions. Syringing thus appears to be able to detect the problem in the majority of cases but DCG can help delineate unidentified factors of surgical significance in a selected subgroup of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of controlled conjunctival cautery on the frequency and extent of subconjunctival haemorrhage (SCH) associated with sub-Tenon anaesthetic (STA) injection in patients with various clotting states.MethodsOne hundred forty-four patients suitable for cataract surgery with STA were prospectively divided into four groups: group A (n=36) were on warfarin (INR 1.8–4.2); group B (n=48) on aspirin (75 mg); group C (n=12) on clopidogrel (75 mg); and group D (n=48) on no anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. All patients had no other known coagulopathy. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups, one of which received localised bipolar cautery under microscope control to the STA conjunctival entry site before tissue dissection, whereas the other served as a control. χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyse the data with the SPSS package (v11.0).ResultsConjunctival cautery reduced the frequency of SCH from 67 to 6% in group A (P=0.0001); from 37.5 to 4% in group B (P=0.005); from 50 to 0% in group C (P=0.9); and from 17 to 0% in group D (P=0.55). This overall reduction in SCH was highly significant (P<0.0001), especially in groups A and B. No statistically significant reduction in the extent of SCH was found.ConclusionsControlled localised bipolar conjunctival cautery before STA injection may significantly reduce the frequency of SCH, especially in patients on warfarin or aspirin.Eye (2007) 21, 1387–1390; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702447; published online 2 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : To study a radiological classification, originally described by Keros in 1965, which provides an objective assessment of anterior skull base anatomy relevant in patients undergoing external medial orbital decompression. Materials and methods : The classification is based on anatomical landmarks measured via coronal CT-scan. The patients are divided into 3 Keros categories based on their olfactory fossa depth; Keros 1 (1–3 mm), Keros 2 (4–7 mm) and Keros 3 (8–16 mm). A cross-sectional group of 32 consecutive patients on the hospital radiology database with coronal CT scans were classified according to the Keros system. Results : All the patients fell into one of the three Keros categories. Anatomical associations of the Keros classification suggest that Keros 1 patients have the least risk of intracranial entry whilst Keros 3 patients carry the greatest risk. Conclusion : Keros classification provides an objective assessment of anterior skull base anatomy and can therefore guide the surgeon on the superior extent of medial wall bone removal during orbital decompression. This may help improve the safety profile of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the medical case of an 81-year-old woman with intraocular lenses (IOLs) opacification that is reminiscent of a congenital lamellar cataract.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Homonymous Hemianopia and Exotropia: An Important Management Issue," published in the previous issue.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new evidence-based treatment modality available for choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneratin (AMD). Eligibility for PDT is based on the morphological classification of the neovascular complex, the benefit being greater in classic with no occult lesions. Lesion size is also shown to be a predictive factor for treatment benefit. This retrospective case series looked at effect of initial and final lesion size on the visual outcome of patients with subfoveal classic with no occult CNV and found that increasing initial and final lesion size is associated with poorer visual outcome.Eye (2006) 20, 43–45. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701787; published online 15 April 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses an unusual case of corneal perforation with crystalline lens extrusion secondary to pseudomonas keratitis in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. A common complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is dry eye, which can compromise the ocular surface and predispose it to infective keratitis. Both RA and infective keratitis can lead to corneal melt but this rarely results in the extrusion of intraocular contents. In the context of RA, corneal melting and perforation are more likely in the presence of microbial keratitis and dry eyes. Lens expulsion is an uncommon complication of corneal melting.

A response from the author of the article on ophthalmology virtual reality training programme by G. M. Saleh, K. Theodoraki and S. Gillan in the 2013 issue is presented.

The article discusses research being done on oculoplastic surgical skill. It references a study by G. M. Saleh et al published in the 2008 issue of the journal "Ophthalmology." The objective of the research is to evaluate motion analysis as a discriminator of ophthalmic plastic surgical skill between surgeons of varying experience. The outcome measures, relevant methodology and results of the study are revealed.

The article presents the case of 54-year old woman with chalazion-induced hypermetropia at her right upper eyelid. Computerized corneal topography revealed a central corneal flattening that corresponds to the position of the chalazion. Results of other examinations are discussed. Incision and curettage methods are recommended to be used in cases significant chalazion to produce visual improvement.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a study about the use of mobile phone use around ophthalmic equipment.

A letter to the editor is presented discussing the advantages of modular phacoemulsification training and the advocacy of the same.

The North Abu Rusheid area in Egypt is a well-known high background natural radiation area (HBNRA) due to the existence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in mylonitic rocks. In this study, 27 rock samples were selected for dose estimation studies. 238 U and 232 Th were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and 40 K was measured using sodium iodide (thallium) gamma-ray spectroscopy. The ranges of activity concentrations (Bq/kg) of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the samples varied from 270 ± 2 to 2120 ± 29, 350 ± 2 to 1840 ± 27 and 20 ± 2 to 1390 ± 35 with mean values of 980 ± 349, 770 ± 351, and 640 ± 402 Bq/kg, respectively. The radiological hazard parameters were estimated from activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K and compared to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) values. The present study revealed that the hazard parameters were several times higher than the worldwide averages. The U/Th concentration ratio ranged from 0.7 to 3 and could be attributed to the presence of kasolite, uranothorite, zircon, and columbite in mylonitic rocks. From the radiological protection viewpoint, it is necessary to monitor natural radionuclides in these rocks prior to their use in residential and commercial construction materials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

PurposeDry eye syndrome (DES) causes significant morbidity. Trials of blood-derived products in treatment of the condition show promising results. However, their production is expensive and time-consuming. We investigate fingerprick autologous blood (FAB) as an alternative low-cost, readily accessible treatment for DES.Patients and methodsProspective, non-comparative, interventional case series. In total, 29 eyes of 16 DES patients (2 males and 14 females) from two NHS sites in the United Kingdom. Patients instructed to clean a finger, prick with a blood lancet, and apply a drop of blood to the lower fornix of the affected eye(s), 4 times daily for 8 weeks then stop and review 4 weeks later. Follow-up visits occurred ~3 days, 2, 4, 8 weeks into therapy, and 4 weeks post-cessation. At each visit, visual acuity, corneal staining, Schirmer's test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and ocular comfort index (OCI) were measured, and photographs taken. Results were analysed using Student's paired t-test.ResultsAt 8 weeks, there was improvement in mean Oxford corneal staining grade (3.31 to 2.07 (P<0.0001)), TBUT (5.00 to 7.80 s (P<0.05)), visual acuity (0.08 to 0.01 LogMAR equivalent (P<0.05)), and OCI score (56.03 to 39.72 (P<0.0001)). There was no statistically significant change in Schirmer's test results. Four weeks post-cessation versus immediately after completion of FAB therapy, mean staining grade worsened from 2.07 to 2.86 (P<0.0001). OCI score worsened from 39.72 to 44.67 (P<0.05).ConclusionsIn our limited case series FAB appears to be a safe and effective treatment for DES.

Objectives: Poor camera control during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) surgery can cause inadequate visualisation of the anatomy and suboptimal surgical outcomes. This study investigates the feasibility of using computer vision tracking in EnDCR surgery as a potential formative feedback tool for the quality of endoscope control., Design: A prospective cohort analysis was undertaken comparing junior versus senior surgeons performing routine EnDCR surgery. Computer vision tracking was applied to endoscopic video footage of the surgery: Total number of movements, camera path length in pixels and surgical time were determined for each procedure. A Mann-Whitney U-test was used to test for a significant difference between juniors and seniors (P < 0.05)., Setting: Operating theatre., Participants: Ten junior surgeons (<20 completed procedures) and 10 senior surgeons (>100 completed procedures)., Main Outcome Measures: Total number of movements of the endoscope per procedure. Path length of the endoscope per procedure., Results: Twenty videos, 10 from junior surgeons and 10 from senior surgeons were analysed. Feasibility of our tracking system was demonstrated. Mean camera path lengths were significantly different at 119,329px (juniors) versus 43,697px (seniors), P ≪ 0.05. The mean number of movements was significantly different at 9134 (juniors) versus 3690 (seniors), P ≪ 0.05. These quantifiable differences demonstrate construct validity for computer vision endoscope tracking as a measure of surgical experience., Conclusions: Computer vision tracking is a potentially useful structured and objective feedback tool to assist trainees in improving endoscope control. It enables juniors to examine how their pattern of endoscope control differs from that of seniors, focusing in particular on sections where they are most divergent., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Previous studies have investigated intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements through conventional soft (hydrogel) therapeutic contact lenses, and have found that an accurate IOP can be recorded in normal eyes, and in eyes with abnormal anterior segments. The IOP measurement through soft contact lenses may be affected by the water content and centre thickness of the lens. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are now being used as therapeutic contact lenses due to their high oxygen permeability. The purpose of this study is to investigate if IOP can be accurately measured in a subject wearing a silicone hydrogel contact lens., Methods: In a cohort study, the IOP was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer without a contact lens and then repeated with a hydrogel contact lens in situ., Results: The IOP of 20 eyes of 10 volunteers with no ocular pathology was measured. The mean difference (+/-S.D.) found between IOP measurement with (mean 15.55+/-1.70 mmHg) and without (mean 16.05+/-1.90 mmHg) contact lens was found to be -0.5+/-0.89 mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed which revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.89. No significant statistical difference was found between the two groups with paired t-test (p=0.19)., Conclusion: Accurate measurement of IOP by applanation tonometry can be achieved through a silicone hydrogel contact lens.

Lithologically, the rock types in the Gabal El Fereyid area are dominantly granites with minor amounts of pegmatites. The granites range in composition from tonalite to granite-adamallite with minor acidic dikes, quartz and pegmatite veins. The granite-adamallite is peraluminous and formed as a result of partial melting of amphibole-bearing rocks at depths of approximately 24-30 km and at temperatures of 800-950 degrees C. Among the different rock types, the muscovite-rich pegmatites had the highest U and Th contents (66 and 38 ppm on average, respectively). The high level of radioactivity in pegmatites is attributed to the presence of the radioactive minerals thorianite, uranophane and allanite as confirmed by XRD analysis. Binary relations of Zr/U, Zr/Th, Ce/U and Ce/Th against either U or Th in the granite-adamellite exhibit significant negative correlations indicating that both elements are not preferentially hosted in the accessory minerals phases such as zircon and monazite, but could be associated with major forming minerals such as biotite, muscovite, plagioclase and quartz, or U is situated within labile sites within granite. The uranium and thorium enrichment in the pegmatites is a two-stage process. The primary stage is magmatic whereas the secondary enrichment is from hydrothermal concentration. The magmatic U and Th are indicated by the presence of thorianite and allanite, whereas evidence of hydrothermal mineralization is the alteration of rock-forming minerals such as feldspar and the formation of secondary minerals such as uranophane and pyrite.

Among the different rock units in the Gabal Ribdab area, the two-mica leucogranite and muscovite pegmatitic granite are the most favourable host rocks for uranium and thorium mineralization. The muscovite pegmatitic granite shows evidence of post-magmatic alteration, e.g. Na- and K-metasomatism, whereas the two-mica leucogranite could be regarded as being fresh. The spectrometric survey revealed the presence of three enriched zones with a maximum eU content of 140 ppm and the maximum eTh is 36 ppm. Uranophane, zippeite and becquerelite are the most abundant uranium minerals. The origin of these secondary minerals is mainly related to alteration of primary minerals by the action of oxidizing fluids, mobilization of uranium and then redeposition in other forms. Redistribution by circulating meteoric waters might have taken place.