Insights into Risk: Exploring Retinopathy of Prematurity and Short-term Comorbidities in Moderate-to-Late Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and short-term comorbidity data moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) infants in Saudi Arabia are limited. AIM: The present study mainly aimed to identify ROP incidence and severity in MLP infants. The secondary objective was to explore whether moderate preterm infants are more prone to systemic short-term comorbidities compared to late preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, a tertiary center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Two-hundred and sixty-eight MLP infants born with gestational ages (GAs) of 32 to 36 + 6 weeks were included. Births were classified as moderate preterm (GA 32 to 33 + 6 weeks) and late preterm (GA 34 to 36 + 6 weeks) and the two groups were compared with an independent t-test. RESULTS: ROP incidence was 1.5%; all cases were stage 1 and involved zone II or III. No patient had type 1 ROP requiring treatment. The short-term comorbidity incidence was high (76.1%) and included hyperbilirubinemia (n = 206, 76.7%), respiratory distress syndrome (n = 178, 66.4%), hypoglycemia (n = 32, 11.9%,), and transient tachypnea of newborn (n = 25, 9.3%). Moderate preterm infants were more likely to have lower birth weight (P < 0.001), any-stage ROP (P = 0.032), respiratory distress syndrome (P = 0.031), intraventricular hemorrhage (P = 0.038), and hyperbilirubinemia (P < 0.001) compared to the late preterm infants. CONCLUSIONS: Any-stage ROP incidence among MLP infants was low, with no type 1 ROP cases requiring treatment. Short-term comorbidity incidence was relatively high among the moderate preterm infants. Despite the low non-type 1 ROP incidence at our center, MLP infants require proper surveillance of systemic short-term comorbidities.

Retrospective validation of the postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) criteria in a developing country.

Background: The characteristics of premature infants vary from country to country rendering it challenging to apply retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening algorithm globally. The screening criteria for postnatal growth and ROP (G-ROP) for preterm infants are known to be beneficial, but it is not clear whether these criteria can be used universally. Aim: The aim of this study is to validate the accuracy of the G-ROP criteria in screening preterm infants in Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 300 premature infants (mean gestational age [GA], 28.72 ± 2.2 weeks; range, 21-36 weeks) at a referral center who were screened for ROP between 2015 and 2021. The inclusion criteria were the availability of data on ROP outcome and body weight up until day 40 after birth. The G-ROP 1 and G-ROP 2 models were examined for their ability and accuracy in identifying infants with any stage ROP and treatable ROP. Results: The G-ROP 1 and G-ROP 2 models identified 233 and 255 infants for screening, respectively. The sensitivity of G-ROP 1 and G-ROP 2 for detecting treated ROP was 96.7% and 100%, respectively, and the specificity for detecting treatable ROP was 24.4% and 16.7%, respectively. Incorporation of the G-ROP 2 model, which did not miss any infant with type 1 ROP, would have reduced the number of screened infants by 15%. Conclusion: G-ROP 2 was more sensitive than G-ROP 1 for identifying infants who required treatment and could potentially reduce the burden of ROP screening.

Clinical profile of patients with endophthalmitis: A 16- year retrospective, cross-sectional study at tertiary care hospital in Western Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study aimed to profile the clinical features and demographics of patients with endophthalmitis in a tertiary care center, Western region, Saudi Arabia. We used a retrospective cross-sectional case series at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endophthalmitis was diagnosed in a total of 14 eyes of 14 patients treated in our hospital between 2002 and 2018. The patients' medical records were reviewed to gather demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 52.8 ± 19.2 years, and 50% of patients were male. The majority of endophthalmitis cases were post-ophthalmic surgery (50%), 35.7% were of endogenous origin, 7.2% were associated with corneal ulcer with perforation, and 7.2% were post open globe injury. Patients' admission to the hospital ranged from 2 to 10 days from symptoms occurrence with a median of 5 days. Half of the patients presented with no light perception vision, counting fingers in 14.2%, hand motion in 14.2%, light perception in 7.2%, and 20/300 in 7.2%. The final visual outcome improved in four cases (28.5%) with best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 reached in one patient. CONCLUSION: Post- ophthalmic surgery and endogenous endophthalmitis were the most common causes of endophthalmitis among our patients, with late presentation to the hospital and poor vision at presentation also being common findings. These findings highlight the necessity of proper patient education, after care and adherence to sterile techniques in ensuring that patients recover successfully from ophthalmic surgery.

The impact of moderate-to-late prematurity on ocular structures and visual function in Saudi children.

AIM: To assess and compare ophthalmologic and morphologic outcomes between school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm and those born at term. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty children born moderate-to-late preterm (gestational age 32 weeks + 0 days to 36 + 6 days, age range 5-10 years) at a tertiary university hospital were age- and sex-matched to full-term controls. Visual acuity, refractive errors, ocular biometry, macular, and optic nerve assessments with optical coherence tomography were investigated and compared between cases and controls. RESULTS: No differences in visual acuity or refraction were detected between the study groups. The difference in refractive error was not significant between the groups. Marked differences were observed in the anterior chamber depth, which was shallower in the preterm group (P = 0.044); however, no difference in total axial length was observed. The preterm and control groups significantly differed in terms of central macular thickness (247 ± 19 µm versus 235 ± 22 µm; P = 0.005 right eye); however, the groups did not significantly differ in foveal thickness. Central subfield thickness was also markedly greater in the preterm than in the control children (246.89 ± 19.1 µm versus 236.12 ± 23.3 µm, P = 0.015). No significant differences in mean parafoveal/perifoveal thicknesses or optic nerve parameters were observed between both groups. CONCLUSION: Significant differences between moderate to late preterm and full-term groups in regards to anterior chamber depth, central macular thickness, and central subfield thickness were found. It is important to recognize that being born preterm might have an impact on some ocular structures. Larger population-based studies should be conducted to study the long-term sequelae of moderate-to-late prematurity in our children.

Avaliação do Role Playing Game como programa de lazer

O lazer é um tema que tem recebido importantes considerações nos estudos sobre a qualidade de vida, tendo no jogo o principal reconhecimento para seu possível exercício. No Brasil escassez de pesquisas dedicadas ao lazer indicam a falta de conhecimento de suas dimensões. Assim os objetivos do presente estudo foram identificar as expectativas e conceitos sobre o lazer em um grupo de trabalhadores, avaliar a utilização do Role Playing Game (RPG) como estratégia de optimização do lazer, identificar possívels mudanças na satisfação dos sujeitos sobre o lazer a partir da vivência de um programa experimental baseado no RPG, e verificar suas avaliações perspectivas e opiniões sobre utilização do RPG como forma de lazer. Foram sujeitos deste estudo 10 trabalhadores da cidade de Campinas, São Paulo. O instrumento utilizado constituiu-se de dois questionários pertinentes diretamente ao pré e pós-teste, contendo dados de primeira forma e oito perguntas abertas e sete fechadas na segunda. Somou-se também ao instrumento um jogo de 10 sessões consecutivas, tendo para mediar o jogo a própria Autora. Os resultados demonstraram que este jogo específico obteve respostas positivas no que se refere aos objetivos do presente estudo, permitindo concluir que é viável dimensionalizar uma atividade particular de lazer e que o desenvolvimento de pesquisas relacionadas a esta área é muitissimo importante, pelos beneficios salutares relacionados à sua prática (AU)

Heteroarylalkanoic acids with possible antiinflammatoric activities. Part 6: 3-(4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide-3-yl-thio)-propanoic acid derivatives.

A series of 3-(4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide-3-yl-thio)-propanoic acids was synthesized in order to study their possible antiinflammatory in comparison with the corresponding lower homologues and isosters previously studied. Most of the compounds proved effective against carrageenan-induced plantar oedema. The possible influence of some chemico-physical parameters on the occurrence of this biological activity was investigated.

Heteroarylalkanoic acid with possible antiinflammatory activities. Note VII.

A series of 3-(4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide-3-ylamino)-propanoic acids was synthesized in order to study their possible antiinflammatory activity and to compare it with the corresponding homologous or isoster series previously studied. Of particular interest is parent compound 1, which is unsubstituted in the benzenoid moiety and exerts a very marked inhibitory effect on carrageenan-induced plantar oedema greater than that observed for any of the terms of the other series hitherto studied. The possible influence of some chemico-physical parameters on the occurrence of this antiinflammatory activity is investigated.

Cardiovascular activity of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. Part 10(3): Dialkylamino-, pyrrolidyl- and morpholyl-alkyl-derivatives of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, 7- or 5,7-halogen substituted.

A series of dialkylamino, pyrrolidyl and morpholyl-alkyl-derivatives of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, 7- or 5,7-halogen substituted in the benzenoid moiety, was prepared and their cardiovascular activity studied. Most of the substances in question were capable of inducing a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure; some of them tended to increase pulse pressure or to cause bradycardia, an effect which was noted particularly in the case of compound 10 which reduced heart-rate by 85%. The structure/activity relationship of these substances, of the 6- and 6,7-halogen substituted isomers and of their corresponding non-substituted progenitors is examined.

[Cardiovascular action of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. IX]. / Azione cardiovascolare di derivati dell'1,2,4-benzotiadiazin-1,1-diossido. Nota IX.

A series of quaternary ammonium salts of 3-alkylaminoderivatives of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide were prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. Almost all the substances tested proved to have some measure of depressant activity on arterial pressure and the most interesting compounds in this respect were (XII), (XIII), (XV) and (XIX) for which hypotensive values between 60 and 70% with respect to the base level were recorded. Compound (XV) also caused increase in the differential pressure and decrease of cardiac frequency. The later however was increased by some other compounds [(XII), (XVIII)]. The structure-activity relationships are discussed taking into account also the activity of the parent tertiary amines.

[Sulfonamides with central nervous system action. V]. / Solfonamidi ad azione sul sistema nervoso centrale. Nota V.

A series of 2-nitro and 2-aminobenzenesulfon-N-acylamides variously substituted on the benzene ring were prepared and tested for anticonvulsant activity (electro shock, pentamethylenetetrazole). Some of the compounds tested gave some measure of protection against convulsions induced by electric shock. The importance of the trifluoromethyl substituent in this effect was demonstrated.

[Heteroarylalkanoic acids with potential anti-inflammatory activity. II]. / Acidi eteroarilalcanoici a possibile azione antiinfiammatoria. Nota II.

A series of (1,2,4-benzothiadiazin-1,1-dioxide-3-yl)acetic acids was prepared so that antiinflammatory activity could be tested. Some of the compounds synthetized showed marked activity against plantar edema induced by carrageenin and/or dextran. It was found that in this series antiinflammatory activity is related to the nature of the substituents on the benzene ring as well as their number, dihalogen substitution being the most favourable modification and dichlorosubstitution in particular giving the compounds most active against both types of edema.

[Cardiovascular effect of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. VIII]. / Azione cardiovascolare di derivati dell'1,2,4-benzotiadiazin-1,1-diossido nota VIII.

A series of carboxy- and carbomethoxyalkyl derivatives of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiaidazin-1,1-dioxide either substituted or unsubstituted in the benzene ring [compounds (I leads to XVIII)] was prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. It was found that the introduction of a carboxy-or carbalkoxy-group in the omega position of 3-alkylamino derivatives of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide usually causes marked decrease or abolition of the cardiovascular activity shown by the parent compounds. The negative effect on the pressor trace (hypotension and increase in differential pressure) is more frequent and significant than that on bradycardial activity.

[Heteroarylalkanoic acids with potential anti-inflammatory activity]. / Acidi eteroarilalcanoici a possibile azione antiinfiammatoria.

A series of (3-oxodihydro-1,2,4-benzothiadiazin-1,1-dioxide-3-yl)acetic acids [compounds of type (A)] and (1,2,4-benzothiadiazin-1,1-dioxide-3-yl)oxyacetic acids [compounds of type (B)] were synthesised and tested for antiinflammatory activity. Preliminary tests showed certain compounds to have a significant level of antiinflammatory activity in rat paw edema induced by carrageenan. It was found that the antiinflammatory activity of this series of compounds depends on the nature, number and position of the substituents on the benzene ring.

[Cardiovascular action of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. VII]. / Azione cardiovascolare di derivati del 1,2,4-benzotiadiazin-1,1-diossido. Nota VII.

A series of dimethylamino-, diethylamino-, pyrrolidyl- and morpholylalkyl derivatives of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide (compounds I leads to XX) was prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. It was found that substitution of the alkyl group with the above mentioned groups in 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives in most cases causes marked dissociation of hypotensive activity from bradycardial activity and also disappearance or great reduction in the effect on differential pressure. It was also found that hypotensive activity is particularly dependent on the nature of the basic chain in the two components: length of the carbon chain between the two nitrogens and nature of the basic grouping. For the first component a chain of three carbon atoms seems the most effective and for the second the diethylamino group seems the most favourable. In addition, substituents in the benzene ring influence hypotensive activity, often positively, and 6,7-dichlorosubstitution in some compounds also affects the increase of differential pressure.

[Cardiovascular action of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. VI]. / Azione cardiovascolare di derivati del 1,2,4-benzotiadiazin-1,1-diossido. Nota VI.

A series of 3,4-dihydro derivatives of 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 6,7-dichloro-, 5,7-dibromo-, 5-nitro-7-chloro-, 7-nitro-, 7-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, various substituted on the heterocyclic carbon, was prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. It was found that in this series of compounds cardiac activity predominates and is exclusively of the depressant type. Bradycardial activity seems to be affected both by the nature of the substituent on the heterocyclic carbon atom and by the substituents on the benzene ring. An alkyl chain of three carbon atoms, normal or alpha-ethylsubstituted, on C3 and the presence of a chlorine atom in positions 6 or 7 seem to be the most significant structural features for this activity. Some of the substances tested showed a pressor effect (hypotension and/or increase in differential pressure).