[Success rates of scleral buckling with and without retinopexy]

To compare the anatomical results of scleral buckling surgery with and without retinopexy in the management of phakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [RD]. In this retrospective, nonrandomized, interventional, comparative case series, data of 71 phakic eyes of 71 patients with rhegmatogenous RD that had undergone scleral buckling were evaluated. The procedure in 41 consecutive eyes was accompanied by retinopexy using intraoperative transscleral cryotherapy [6 cases] or postoperative laser photocoagulation [35 cases].The next 30 eyes did not receive retinopexy.The primary outcome measure was retinal redetachment rate.The secondary outcomes measures were final visual acuity and the occurrence of cystoid macular edema and macular pucker. The two groups were matched regarding age, sex, history of trauma or high myopia, and duration of RD before the surgery as well as the characteristics of the breaks and RD except for RD externt which was more in the non-retinopexy group. Retinal redetachment occurred in 4 patients [13.3%] in the nonretinopexy group and in 6 patients [14.6%] in the retinopexy group.The difference was not statistically significant [P>0.999].Neither was the difference between the groups significant in terms of final visual acuity and the occurrence of cystoid macular edema and macular pucker. Retinopexy does not seem to offer additional benefit to scleral buckling surgery for phakic rhegmatogenous RD in terms of anatomical and functional success. However, thses findings have to be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial

[Comparison of anti-H.pylori therapeutic responses in two groups of patients with and without cagA Ab]

CagA antigen is found in 60-80% of Helicobacter Pylori organisms. It seems that CagA positive strains have more virulence. The aim of this study was to compare the eradication rate of CagA positive and CagA negative genotypes using current quadruple regimens. The patients who had positive results for Helicobacter Pylori after endoscopy in Hazrat-Rasool Hospital were enrolled into the study. In 56 patients with positive rapid urease test [RUT], Anti CagA was determined and a 2-week quadruple regimen [Omeprazole, Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, and Bismuth] was prescribed. The UBT was performed two months after the end of treatment. Of 56 patients who were infected with Helicobacter Pylori, 36 [64.3%] had CagA antibody. 15 [26.8%] patients had positive UBT and 41 [73.2%] patients had negative tests. The success rate of treatment was 69.44% [25 patients] in CagA positive and 80% [16 Patients] in CagA negative participants. This difference was not statistically significant [P=0.533]. The presence of CagA is associated with higher success rate in conventional triple regimens but sufficient data for quadruple therapeutic regimens are not available. We did not find any association between CagA positivity and eradication rate of H.pylori

[Evaluation of induced apoptosis of apigenin in 3 lines of human B cell lymphoma in vitro]

Apoptosis or programmed cell death [PCD] is an important mechanism in both development and homeostasis of human tissues for the removal of superfluous cells and its induction is an effective method in the treatment of cancer. The aim of this study was the evaluation of induced apoptosis of apigenin in the human B cell lymphoma. In this experimental study, three human lymphoma B cells were cultured in RPMI1610, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, peniciline-streptomycin and L-glutamine, at 37°C for 2 days. Cancer cell lines were treated by apigenin and Cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. Then, effects of apigenen on human lymphoma B cells were examined by flowcytometry technique. During MTT, human lymphoma B cell line revealed significant apoptosis at 10, 15 and 20 micro g/ml concentrations compared with controls [p<0.01]. Flowcytometry assay showed that apoptotic bodies were significantly different in three human lymphoma B cells and 48 hours was appropriate time for inducing apoptosis. This study revealed the anticancer effects of apigenin and its effect on apoptosis on human lymphoma B cells in vitro

Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon

Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon Entezari M1, Majd A2, Falahian F3, Mehrabian S4, Hashemi M51 PhD student of Biology, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 2 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran. 3 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 4 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran. 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch Tehran, Iran. Currently cancer is considered as one of the main causes of mortality globally. Many chemicals in our environment can cause genetic mutations and are potentially responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths. The scientists are nowadays looking for food materials which can potentially prevent cancer occurrence. The aim of this research was to examine antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juices. Material and methods: In the present study Human Astrocytoma cancer cells were cultured in DMEM [Gibco], supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin, streptomycin, L-glutamine and incubated at 37°C for 2 days. In addition, cancer cell lines were treated by Citrus Limon fruit juice and cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. The Citrus Limon fruit juice was subsequently evaluated in terms of antimutagenicity and anticancer properties by a standard reverse mutation assay [Ames Test]. For performing Ames Test salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain was chosen based on the fact that it had a specific mutation in the histidine operon, requiring histidine from a foreign source to ensure its growth. The mentioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies exposing to carcinogen substance [Sodium Azide]. During MTT, human Astrocytoma cell line revealed to have a significant cell death when compared with controls [p > 0.01]. In Ames Test the fruit juices prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of half-ripe Citrus Limon was 71.7% and ripe Citrus Limon was 34.4% in antimutagenicity test and this value in anticancer test was 83.3% and 50% in half-ripe Citrus Limon and ripe Citrus Limon, respectively. This is the first study that revealed antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juice and the effects were higher in half-ripe Citrus Limon in comparison to the ripe one

[Intravitreal triamcinolone for refractory diabetic macular edema: a randomized climical trial]

To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide [IVT] on clinical, angiographic, and optical coherence tomographic parameters in refractory diabetic macular edema [DME]. In a double-masked placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 88 eyes of 61 patients with DME refractory to previous laser therapy or not suitable for such treatment were included in the study. Eligible eyes were randomly assigned into two groups. The treatment group [45 eyes] received 4 mg IVT and the placebo group [43 eyes] received subconjunctival injection of placebo. Complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography [OCT] were performed before intervention and repeated after 2 and 4 months. Quantitative measurement of variables on angiograms including hard exudates [HE], size of foveal avascular zone, and leakage severity was performed using Photoshop software. Two months after intervention, visual acuity [VA] improved in the treatment group [-0.13 Log MAR, P=0.01] but slightly deteriorated in the placebo group [0.02 Log MAR, P=0.63]. The difference of the above changes [0.15 Log MAR] was statistically significant at 2 months [P=0.02] but reduced to 0.11 Log MAR [P=0.08] after 4 months. Mean [standard deviation] of central macular thickness [CMT] by OCT before and 2 and 4 months after injection was 393 [15 I], 293 [109], and 362 [119] microns in the treatment group and 393 [166], 404 [134], and 405 [160] microns in the placebo group, respectively. The second month difference was statistically significant [P=0.01]. Reduction of the amount of HE [51%, P=0.004] and petaloid pattern [P=0.012] was significant in the treatment group as compared with the placebo group. There were no significant IVT-related side effects except for transient ocular hypertension in 32.6% of patients after 2 months. The greatest therapeutic effect of IVT on DME according to CMT and VA occurs at 2 months and decreases up to the fourth month. However, concerning cyctoid macular edema and hard exudates, the effect is maintained up to 4 months

[Visual outcomes and ocular survival in open-globe injuries]

To determine factors that affects and predicts final visual acuity, retinal attachment, and ocular survival after open-globe injuries. One-hundred sixteen eyes with open globe injuries were evaluated longitudinally from September 2001 to February 2004. Age, sex, involved eye, best corrected visual acuity [BCVA], afferent pupillary defect [APD], size and location of laceration, cataract, iris prolapse, vitreous prolapse, retinal detachment [RD], intraocular forgien body [IOFB], deep vitrectomy, and type of injury were evaluated as predisposing factors by logistic regression analysis for final visual acuity and retinal attachment and by Chi Square for survival rate. Enucleation was performed in 16 eyes [14%]. Low initial visual acuity, RD, and deep vitrectomy were detected as statistically significant risk factors for final visual acuity of 201200 or less. Positive APD and deep vitrectomy were statistically significant risk factors for final RD. BCVA of 20/300 or less, laceration size inore than 10 min, scleral and corneoscleral lacerations, vitreous prolapse, vitreous hemorrhage, RD, and sharp injury were risk factors for enucleation. Low BCVA, positive APD, and deep vitrectomy are risk factors for final low visual acuity. RD and deep vitrectoiny are risk factors for final RD. Low initial visual acuity; larger scleral lacerations, positive APD, and RD are negative factors for ocular survival

[High dose intravenous corticosteroid versus placebo in recent traumatic optic neuropathy]

To compare the effect of high dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy with placebo in the treatment of recent traumatic optic neuropathy [TON]. In double masked-placebo controlled clinical trial, 31 eyes of 31 patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Only patients with history of ophthalmic or head trauma within the past 7 days were included. Unconscious patients, with penetrating ocular injury, and candidates for decompression surgery were excluded. The treatment group [16 eyes] received 1 gr methylprednisolone intravenously for 3 days followed by 1 mg/kg prednisolone orally for 11 days. The placebo group [15eyes] received 50 ml normal saline intravenously every 6 hours for 3 days. Visual improvement was defined as increase of at least 0.3 logMAR visual acuity after 3 month. Visual improvement was achieved in 68.8% of the treatment group and 53.3% of the placebo group [P=0.1]. Visual improvement in the first 48 hours was correlated with final visual acuity [P=0.03] but final visual acuity was not significantly correlated with age [P0.06], interval from trauma to treatment [P=0.5], and initial visual acuity [P=0.06]. In patients with recent TON, high-dose intravenous corticosteroids and placebo are comparable in terms of improvement in visual acuity

[Posterior subtenon triamcinolone injection for refractory diabetic macular edema]

Purpose: to evaluate the effects of posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide [TA] injection on clinical, angiographic, and optical coherence tomographic [OCT] features in refractory diabetic macular edema [DME]

Method: in a randomized double-masked placebo-controlled clinical trial, 38 consecutive patients [64 eyes] with DME refractory to previous laser therapy or not suitable for such treatment were studied. An equal number of eyes [32] were allocated in the treatment and control groups. Posterior subtenon injection of 40 mg TA in the treatment group and subconjnctival injection of 0.1 ml of lidocaine 2% in the control group was performed and repeated after two months. Clinical, angiographic, and OCT features were evaluated before intervention and after 4 months. Quantitative measurement of hard exudates [HE], size of foveal avascular zone [FAZ], and leakage was done using Photoshop 7-0 software

Results: before injection, best corrected visual acuity [BCVA] was 0.93 +/- 0.39 LogMAR in the control group and 0.75 +/- 0.38 LogMAR in the treatment group [P= 0.078]. At the last follow up, BCVA was 0.88 +/- 0.48 LogMAR in the control group and 0.71 +/- 0.42 LogMAR in the treatment group [P= 0.136]. Before injection, central macular thickness [CMT] was 388.2 +/- 119.1 [micro]m in controls and 392.2 +/- 153.6 [micro]m in cases [P= 0.9]. At the end of the study, CMT was 375.4 +/- 154.66 [micro]m and 377.37 +/- 180.04 [micro]m in cases and controls, respectively [P= 0.5]. There was also no significant difference in HE, FAZ, and leakage changes in the angiograms. In 2 eyes of the treatment group, intraocular pressure exceeded 20 mmHg which was controlled by medication

Conclusion: posterior subtenon injection of TA in the eyes with severe DME seems to have no effect on visual acuity and macular thickness