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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]

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]

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]

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]

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.)

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.