PURPOSE: To evaluate tear film function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) using tear film osmolarity (TFO) measurements compared to other tear film function tests. METHODS: DM patients without any history of ocular surface disorder but with potential effects on the tear film were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data including dry eye symptoms, duration of DM, stage of diabetic retinopathy and blood hemoglobin A1c levels were recorded. Tear film break-up time (TBUT) and basic tear secretion (Schirmer test) were assessed. TFO was determined using the Tearlab Osmolarity System. The outcome measures were the difference between the mean values of TBUT, basic tear secretion and TFO in both the study and control groups. RESULTS: We recruited 51 DM patients and 20 control subjects with a mean age of 51.2 (range, 21 to 70) and 48.5 (range, 24 to 70) years, respectively. A total of 27 patients (53%) and 11 controls (55%) reported dry eye symptoms (p = 0.668). The mean TBUT was 10.2 ± 4.8 seconds in the study group versus 10.5 ± 2.8 seconds in controls, which was not significantly different (p = 0.747). The mean Schirmer test score was 8.1 ± 4.3 mm in the patients versus 10.1 ± 3.0 mm in the controls (p = 0.069). The mean TFO was 294.1 ± 12.9 mosmol/L in the patients versus 291.4 ± 14.5 mosmol/L in the controls (p = 0.456). It was significantly higher in patients with poor glycemic control determined by hemoglobin A1c > 8% (p = 0.003). TFO had a positive correlation with the duration of DM (p = 0.030) but not with the stage of diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.944). However, TFO showed a significant relationship with dry eye symptoms (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TFO is impaired in patients with uncontrolled DM and is better correlated with glycemic control and dry eye symptoms than the TBUT and Schirmer tests.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Humans ; Osmolar Concentration ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Tears

OBJECTIVETo survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in Nur County and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district.

METHODSThis investigation was carried out on 150 head of cattle ticks of rural areas of Nur city which is located in Mazandaran province during spring and summer seasons of 2011. The collected ticks were identified using light microscope and available systematic keys.

RESULTSA total number of 1 563 ticks were isolated from examined cattle and their genus and numbers including: Ixodes ricinus 51% (111 male and 691 female) and Boophilus annulatus 49% (83 male and 678 female), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSResults of the current investigation indicate the presence of two species of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk Ixodes ricinus and Boophilus annulatus. More studies are required to increase our data concerning ticks and other ectopreasites of ruminants in other areas of Mazandaran province and should be noted to their ability in transmission of infectious agents.

PURPOSE: Olecranon fractures are particularly vulnerable to distraction and subsequent fracture dislocation due to the high tensile forces. Surgical treatment aims at reducing the fracture and restoring the anatomical joint surface condition, as well as neutralizing the strain inhibiting fracture healing. The XS nail® (Intercus GmbH, Bad Blankenberg, Germany), an intramedullary implant exerting compression across the entire fracture surface, unlike plates, leaves a minimal extra-cortical profile, and can be secured with threaded locking wires, thereby retaining the anatomical reduction without displacement or steps within the articular surface, which was often found in tension band wiring. After encouraging initial results, the long-term outcome was assessed. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the long-term outcome of patients surgically treated at our trauma center between January 2002 and December 2005 using the XS nail®. Patients over the age of 18 years eligible for the study must have undergone surgery for isolated, recent (less than 14 days) traumatic olecranon fractures, without concomitant injuries to the ipsilateral elbow and forearm. Further exclusion criteria were pseudarthrosis, re-fractures and osteotomy for distal humerus surgery, as well as polytraumatized patients unable to aid in their own recovery. Data were retrospectively gathered by standardised questionnaire and patient records, as well as surgery and anesthesiology reports. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel® 2016. RESULTS: There were 32 patients, 13 males (mean age 49.0 years) and 19 females (mean age 68.9 years) with 11 Schatzkers type D, 7 each type A and C, 5 type B and 2 type E at an average of 55.2 months, all showing complete consolidation. Of them, 6 patients had a loss of range of motion with more than 10° in the sagittal plane, and only 1 patient exceeded 10° reduction of supination. Twenty-five patients reported being pain-free under all circumstances, and all but 2 patients (93.75%) had returned to their previous activity level. The average disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was 21.15 (range 0-88.3), and the overall Mayo elbow performance index was 91.87, without complications, such as wound infection, neurovascular impairment or premature hardware removal. CONCLUSION Using the XS nail® system, all fracture types can be successfully treated and the rate of complications was lower than that treated by standard methods published in current literature. An excellent functional outcome, high range of motion as well as good retention of reduction without soft tissue irritation makes this a very suitable implant for fractures subject to tension.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Olecranon Process/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulna Fractures/surgery* ; Bone Wires ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Elbow Injuries