[Investigation of in vitro germination of zygotic embryo of ferula gummosa]

Galbanum is one of the endemic medicinal-industrial plants of Iran that is extincting because of irregular and unsuitable harvesting from natural habitats and its propagation problems. In this study, in vitro germination of zygotic embryo of galbanum [originated from Esfahan] was investigated. The effects of medium [B5 and ¼ MS], hormonal treatment [0 and 0.5 mgl[-1] GA3], duration of cold treatment of cultured embryos [0 and 6 days] and light condition of cultures [for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod or only under 16-h photoperiod] factors on embryo germination and characteristics of obtained plantlets were investigated. Maximum embryo germination [100%] was obtained. GA3 caused more height of shoot and less diameter of basal ring in obtained plantlets. Production of primary leaves in plantlets was mainly observed in ¼ MS medium and the highest production of secondary roots in plantlets was obtained in the both media. Cold treatment of cultured embryos had negative effect on production of primary leaves and secondary roots in plantlets. Production of primary leaves in obtained plantlets from cold treated embryos [for 6 days] was observed in hormone-free media, that were incubated for first week in darkness and then under 16-h photoperiod, and in media containing GA3, that were incubated only under 16-h photoperiod. Also, production of secondary roots in those plantlets was observed in the media incubated only under 16-h photoperiod. Embryo culture of galbanum is a useful method for overcoming seed dormancy and it also improves germination

[Comparison of aberrations after photorefractive keratectomy using tissue saving and personalized techniques]

To compare the effects of standard tissue saving method and personalized techniques of photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] on aberration changes in fellow eyes. This randomized controlled trial was performed on patients who were referred to Isfahan Parsian Clinic during 2007. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, PRK was randomly performed using tissue saving [TS] technique in one eye and personalized [P] technique in the fellow eye. Aberrometry was performed pre- and 6 months postoperatively. This study included 296 eyes of 148 [67 male and 81 female] patients with mean age of 29.1 +/- 7.0 years. The two groups had no significant difference in terms of laterality, pupil size and level of myopia preoperatively [P=0.65]. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/25 or more in 88.9% of the TS group and 92.6% of the P group [P=0.83]. Mean refractive error 6 months postoperatively was -0.50 +/- 0.36 diopter [D] in the TS group and 0.31 +/- 0.43 D in the P group [P=0.95]. Mean root-mean-square [RMS] value was -0.41 +/- 0.17 preoperatively and 0.86 +/- 0.43 postoperatively in the group TS [P<0.01]. Corresponding figures were 0.47 +/- 0.39 and 0.77 +/- 0.43 in the P group [P<0.01]. The two groups did not differ regarding pre- and postoperative RMS. Postoperative aberrations may be increased with both tissues saving and personalized techniques of PRK with no significant difference between them in this regard

[Evaluation of ophthalmologists' sitting position]

To evaluate ophthalmologists' sitting position during ocular examination and surgery and to evaluate any correlation between musculoskeletal disorders and mean work time. This cross-sectional study was performed on ophthalmologists in Isfahan, Iran in different occupational positions including the office, during slitlamp examination and in the operating room. The evaluation included neck angle, lumbar lordosis, pelvic angle and the position of lower leg and foot. Ophthalmologists were asked about spinal and shoulder pains and mean work time in the office and operating room. Among 73 studied ophthalmologists [including 60 male and 13 female subjects], there were malpositions in neck angle in 43 [58.9%], lumbar lordosis in 36 [49.3%], hip angle in 9 [12.3%], lower leg in 49 [67.1%] and foot in 31 [42.4%] cases. Among 62 ophthalmologists who performed surgery there were malpositions in neck angle in 38 [61.3%], lumbar lordosis in 38 [61.3%], hip angle in 2 [37.1%], knee angle in 43 [69.4%] and foot in 44 [71.0%] cases. There was a significant correlation between spinal pains and mean work time in the office [P=0.02] and operating room [P=0.01]. According to the correlation between spinal pains and work time, it is necessary to educate ophthalmologists for correct sitting position during work

[Dry eye following keratorefractive surgery]

To compare tear secretion values following LASIK [laser in situ keratomileusis] and photorefractive keratectomy [PRK]. Patients referred to Aban Eye Clinic [Isfahan, Iran] for refractive surgery were randomly assigned to LASIK or PRK. Exclusion criteria were contraindications for refractive surgery, usage of topical ocular drugs, dry eye and reoperation. Schirmer test was performed pre- and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The study included 176 eyes of 88 patients [30 male and 58 female] with mean age of 24.7 +/- 3.5 [range 19-34] years. Each group included 44 patients without any statistically significant difference regarding age, sex, mean spherical equivalent and corneal thickness. Mean values of Schirmer test were 13.5 +/- 5.3 mm in the PRK group and 14.5 +/- 7.1 mm in the LASIK group [P=0.08] preoperatively which reached 11.7 +/- 4.2, 12 +/- 4.1 and 12.7 +/- 5 mm in the PRK group and 13.5 +/- 3.6, 14.3 +/- 5 and 14.2 +/- 5.1 mm in the LASIK group at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, respectively [P=0.07, P=0.09 and P=0.17, respectively]. There were 4 cases [4.5%] of dry eye 6 months postoperatively in the LASIK group vs nill in the PRK group [P= 0.04]. Tear secretion decreases following both PRK and LASIK, however it seems to be more severe after LASIK

Report of a patient with concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm and colorectal carcinoma

We present a 73 year-old severely ill Iranian patient who had a cardiac arrest and a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] one hour after admission in N.I.O.C Hospital. He was a known case of abdominal aortic aneurysm which was accidentally diagnosed by ultrasonography two years ago, so he was emergently operated with probable diagnosis of rupture of aneurysm. Meanwhile, he had a history of painless rectorrhagia unrelated to defecation during the past six months. Tissue diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma was defined following a total colonoscopy. Colorectal carcinoma and abdominal aortic aneurysm are common diseases in similar age group. Co-existence of these diseases is rare. Treatment strategy is a big challenge for these patients. In this patient, aneurysmectomy was performed first, because of emergent condition of the patient, and treatment of the colorectal carcinoma was postponed

[Vaginal progestrone versus intramuscular in assisted reproduction [a comparative study]]

Progestrone is one of the important hormones in preparation of uterine endometrium for implantation of the fertilized ovum, and hyposecretion of this hormone can cause infertility and abnormalities in menstruation cycle of the women. With rising Assisted Reproduction comparative Treatment [ART], the number of patients with his abnormality and consequently their need to use external progesterone has increased. Since progesterone exists in different forms, the research is focused upon comparing the natural oil soluble progesterone with other types which are used as vaginal or rectal suppository. A prospective study with randomized clinical trial was done on the patients who were being treated in ART cycles in which superovulation using GnRH-a+hMG was done during 1996 in Royan Institute. Over this period of time, 185 cases of embryo transfusion was performed from which 88 patients [the first group] were randomly treated with progestrone suppository, and 97 [the second group] were treated with progestrone injection. Incidence of pregnancy in the first group was 22 [25%] and in the second group was 25 [25.8%], which statistically indicates no significant difference [p=0.90]. In these patients progesterone level of the blood serum was measured five and seven days after hCG injection. The average progesterone level in blood serum of the first group was 52.72 ng/ml and of the second group was 49.29 ng/ml, which statistically indicated no significant difference [p=0.764]. These findings suggest that the effect of different forms of this progestine drug on promoting secretory phase of endomertium and thus preparing uterus for implantation of the embryo is the same. Therefore, the choice of type drug should be based on the patients condition and their own preference

[Intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] of one and two day[s]-old oocytes after complete in vitro fertilization [IVF] failure]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of late [one and two days] Intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] after total fertilization failure in IVF. 35 IVF cycles that were part of our regular IVF program and showed no evidence of fertilization 16-46 hours after insemination [oocytes were observed at 16-18 hours and again 42-44 hours after the IVF procedures], were assigned to two treatment groups. Assisted fertilization with ICSI was carried out at 24 and 48 hours after oocyte retrieval. Group I [injected-day 1], consisted of 21 patients with 72 failed-fertilized metaphase II oocytes injected 1 day after ovum pick-up; and group II [injected-day 2], included 14 patients with 45 failed-fertilized metaphase II oocytes injected 2 days after ovum pickup. A single spermatozoon from the patient's husband [same as that used for insemination in IVF program] was injected into the cytoplasm of each of these oocytes. Resultant embryos were transferred 72 and 96 hours after oocyte retrieval in group I and II, respectively. Fertilization was achieved with ICSI in most patients with fertilization failure. In group I, [80.5%] oocytes fertilized, whereas in group II, 46.6% of oocytes fertilized. Cleavage rate was 79.3% of injected oocytes in group I, and 42.8% in group II. Finally, in group one 19 of 21 [94%] embryos well transferred. The transfer rate for group two was 11 of 14 [78%]. These results indicate significant differences between fertilization and cleavage rates in both groups. One of the singleton pregnancies resulted from transfer of the embryos in group II, and none in group I. This is the first known pregnancy achieved from late [two days] ICSI and late transferred embryos, after failed IVF. In conclusion, late [24 and 48 hours] ICSI after complete failed fertilization in IVF, can give good fertilization and good cleavage rates. This method can be used as an ideal protocol in IVF programs, to increase chance of pregnancy in infertile couples using the advantages of two main assisted reproductive treatments including IVF and ICSI