effects of ascorbic acid and garlic on bone mineralization in lead exposed pregnant rats

Lead exposure during pregnancy may impair skeletal development. Oxidative stress is one of the important mechanisms for lead toxicity effects. The aim of this study was to investigate ascorbic acid and garlic effects on bone mineralization in lead exposed pregnant rats. In this experimental study, 50 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups; group [L] exposed to lead acetate, group [L+C] exposed to lead acetate and ascorbic acid [vitamin C], group [L+G] exposed to lead acetate and garlic juice, sham group treated with tap water plus 0.4 mL/L normal hydrogen chloride [HCl] and 0.5 mg/L sugar, control group without any intervention. All treatments were done during pregnancy. After birth, blood and bone lead levels were measured and then all neonates were sacrificed, and their right tibia bone processed for alizarin red and Alcian blue staining. Blood lead levels in L group increased significantly in both mothers and their neonate compared to control animals. In addition, the neonates born to L group showed markedly higher lead concentrations in their bone than that of controls. In contrast, we found no significant changes in blood and bone lead levels in lead exposed neonates that received ascorbic acid and garlic. Bone formation in neonates of L group was clearly disrupted. Interestingly, both ascorbic acid and garlic treatments could apparently improve bone formation during pregnancy in lead exposed neonates. Ascorbic acid and garlic consumption during pregnancy may improve the deleterious effects of lead exposure on bone mineralization

Six year trend in cataract surgical techniques in Iran

To determine the cataract surgery techniques performed in Iran from 2000 to 2005. Materials and Methods- This study was part of the Iranian Cataract Surgery Survey [ICSS] which was a retrospective cross-sectional study. All major ocular surgery units and 10% of randomly selected minor units throughout Iran were included. Excluding the 2 week Iranian New Year holiday, 1 week per season between 2000 and 2005 [a total of 24 weeks] was selected for each center, and data on all cataract surgeries performed during these weeks were collected by reviewing patient records. The ANOVA repeated measure test was performed to determine longitudinal changes with a P<0.05 denoting statistical significance. Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens [IOL] implantation has become the surgical method of choice in Iran, increasing from less than 7% in 2000 to 57% in 2005 [P<0.000l]. Extracapsular cataract extraction showed a reverse trend compared to phacoemulsification, decreasing from greater than 91% in 2000 to 41% in 2005 [P<0.000l]. Intracapsular cataract extraction and lensectomy were rarely performed without significant changes over time [P>0.05] Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation has become the preferred cataract surgery method in Iran during recent years

Iris-supported artisan phakic intraocular lenses for treatment of moderate to high myopia

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Artisan Phakic Intraocular Lens [PIOL] for the correction of high myopia. In this prospective study of 22 eyes of 14 patients with high myopia, Artisan PIOLs [Ophtec BV] were implanted. Uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA], best corrected visual acuity [BCVA], refraction, astigmatism, safety, and predictability were analyzed. The mean of preoperative spherical equivalent was -11.1 +/- 3.3 D. An Artisan myopia lens was implanted in 28 eyes of 14 patients with preoperative myopia ranging from -6.0 to -20.0 D. The mean of patient age was 22.7 +/- 4.3 years. At three months follow-up, all eyes had a postoperative refraction within +/- 1 D emmetropia. Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from less than 20/200 to 20/50, and mean best corrected visual acuity improved from 20/39 to 20/30. The mean endothelial cell loss was 4.45% at three months, which was not significant. Postoperative complications included anterior chamber reaction in 10 [45%] patients that resolved with medical treatment in all of them. No other serious complications developed in any of the treated eyes during follow-up period. Artisan PIOLs can correct moderate to high myopia with good refractive results. There were no serious complications in this study