[Corneal neovascularization: review article]

Corneal neovascularization occurs through inordinate wound healing after infection, injury or surgery. Neovascularization is formation of new vascular structures in the locations which had not already vessels. The two overlapping mechanisms including vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are probably involved in neovascularization process, and the last mechanism is more involved in tumor growth and corneal and retinal disorders. In fact, corneal neovascularization is a visual threatening status that usually occurs along with inflammatory or infectious disorders of the eye surface. The studies of angiogenesis-related cancer showed that there is a balance between angiogenic factors [such as VEGF and FGF] and antiangiogenic molecules [such as angiostatin, endostatin and pigment epithelium-derived factor; EPDF] in cornea. Problems such as inflammation, infection, injury and lesions result in corneal neovascularization, which are due to stimulation of angiogenesis in this tissue. Corneal neovascularization may be influenced by matrix inetalloproteinase [MMPs] and other proteolytic enzymes. The application of new medical and surgical therapies such as angiostatic steroids, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, argon laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy [PDT] in animal models had been efficient to some extent for inhibition of corneal neovascularization. In this study we reviewed neovascularization-dependent corneal disorders and molecular processes involved in this disorder, and also their potential therapies

[ evaluation of antifungal activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid on growth inhibition of standard strain of Candida albicans]

In recent years, the incidence of opportunistic fungi has shown a marked increase. Infection caused by common pathogenic fungi is a significant health problem in immune compromised hosts. The present study evaluated antifungal activity of Titanum dioxide nanoparticles and Ethylene diamine Tetra-acetic Acid against Candida albicans as self-cleaning agent by standard micro dilution test. The present study was conducted at the Medical University of Tarbiyat Modares in 2009. TiO2 nanoparticles were obtained through the hydrolysis of TiCl4 [Titanium tetrachloride]. Size and type of these nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy [SEM] and X-Ray-Diffraction [XRD]. Afterwards, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] and Minimal Fungicide Concentration [MFC] test for TiO2 and EDTA were performed. Concentration of synthesized TiO2 was 7.03 mg/ml and 5.63 x 10[20] particles/ml. evaluation of morphology and diameter of the TiO2 nanoparticles with SEM showed that nanoparticles were spherical with diameter between 40-65 nm. MIC50 of 2.2, 1.24 and 0.125 micro g/ml respectively. MIC90 and MFC of TiO2, EDTA and fluconazole were 3.51, 2.48, 0.5 micro g/ml and 4.06, 3.1, 1 micro g/ml respectively. In the present study, using of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles with chemical method showed a suitable activity against Candida in comparison with Fluconzaole. Thus it might represent a good candidates in elimination of Candida in medical from medical devices

[ analysis of status of added colors to dried sweets in South of Tehran using thin layer chromatography]

Foodstuffs additives are a general term for materials that are added to the foodstuffs in order to increase durability and to improve the appearance, composition, taste and food nutritional value. Colors are classified in this group and are added to foodstuffs in order to increase their attraction. Colors may cause illness such as allergy, rash and hyper activation in children and also they may debilitate the Immune system, Anaphylaxis reactions may also occur and they may have cancerous effect. The aim of this survey was to analyze status of added colors to the dried sweets which are produced in south of Tehran city. 191 samples of dried sweets were randomly collected and analyzed from south of Tehran areas. First, the samples were de-colored by Clorhidric Acid, and then were analyzed after refining by Thin Layer Chromatography [T.L.C] method. Samples were identified by taking Retention Factor [RF values] into consideration. 93.2 percent from the total samples contained colors. Among chromatic samples, 42 samples [22%] out the total samples, contained artificial, non-edible colors and 96 samples [50.3%] from the total samples contained artificial and edible colors [for Industrial Producers] and 40 samples [21%], contained natural colors. Sunset yellow color was detected more than other added colors in sweets. Low costs, stability, PH, purity, and environmental conditions, motivate the producers for high utilization of edible colors without considering their possible hazards and/or their edible quality aspects. It is suggested that, based on the findings of this study and high consumption of colors

[Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a comparison between interbody cage and autograft iliac crest bone fusion]

Considering some contraversies in performing anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and particularley several methods of fusion [interbody cage and autograft iliac crest bone fusion], we performed this study between 1383-1384 in order to compare these two type of fusion. In this randomized clinical trial study we divided forty sequentially enrolled patients into two distinct groups. Diagnosis was made based on clinical examination and MRI findings. All patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, using cervical interbody cage or outograft iliac crest bone. Efficacy of fusion, complications relate with bone graft harvested site and also the time between operation and returning to daily activity was evaluated. Two groups were fairly similar in variables such as age, sex, clinical presentation and involved disc level distribution. In the first post-opertive day, 90% of patients in the cage group complained of Neck pain which was reduced to 60%, 25% and 5% at the end of the first week, first month and first post-operative year, respectively. These result were 95%, 55%, 35% and 10% in iliac group patients, respectively. Although segmental kyphosis was observed in one patient in cage group and two patients in iliac bone group, there was no evidence of progression requiring further surgical intervention. Time of operation was shorter in cage group. Regarding the soild fusion achieved in cage group and lack of any significant pain corresponding bone graft harvested site complications in this group, cervical interbody cage can be a reasonable alternative method for iliac crest bone graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion