AIM: To evaluate the visual outcome of LASIK and occlusion therapy for anisometropic amblyopia in adolescents and compare it to the visual outcome of optical correction and occlusion therapy.METHODS: This retrospective case-controlled study included 19 children,aged between 10 and 17 years,with anisometropic amblyopia. Group A included 10 adolescents with anisometropic amblyopia in whom vision did not improve with optical correction and occlusion therapy. These patients were then treated with LASIK and occlusion therapy. Postoperative visual outcomes of this group were analyzed and compared to group B which included 9 age-matched controls who were compliant to treatment of anisometropic amblyopia by optical correction and occlusion therapy.RESULTS: In group A,the mean (SD) spherical refraction was -8.9±5.2D preoperatively and -1.9±2.0D postoperatively,the mean (SD) preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.25±0.18,which improved to 0.50±0.26 after treatment. In group B,the mean (SD) pre-treatment BCVA was 0.27±0.18 and improved to 0.50±0.28 after treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of post-treatment BCVA.CONCLUSION: LASIK offers a feasible solution for adolescents with anisometropic amblyopia who are not improving in vision with conventional treatment optical correction and occlusion therapy. The outcome in this group was comparable to the outcome in adolescents in whom vision improved with conventional treatment.

Drug resistance is a great challenge in cancer therapy using chemotherapeutic agents.Administration of these drugs with siRNA is an efficacious strategy in this battle.Here,the present study tried to incor-porate siRNA and paclitaxel(PTX)simultaneously into a novel nanocarrier.The selectivity of carrier to target cancer tissues was optimized through conjugation of folic acid(FA)and glucose(Glu)onto its surface.The structure of nanocarrier was formed from ternary magnetic copolymers based on FeCo-polyethyleneimine(FeCo-PEI)nanoparticles and polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol(PLA-PEG)gene delivery system.Biocompatibility of FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA(NPsA),FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-Glu(NPsB)and FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA/Glu(NPsAB)nanoparticles and also influence of PTX-loaded nanoparticles on in vitro cytotoxicity were examined using MTT assay.Besides,siRNA-FAM internalization was investi-gated by fluorescence microscopy.The results showed the blank nanoparticles were significantly less cytotoxic at various concentrations.Meanwhile,siRNA-FAM/PTX encapsulated nanoparticles exhibited significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 and BT-474cell lines.NPsAB/siRNA/PTX nanoparticles showed greater effects on MCF-7 and BT-474 cells viability than NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX.Also,they induced significantly higher anticancer effects on cancer cells compared with NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX due to their multi-targeted properties using FA and Glu.We concluded that NPsAB nanoparticles have a great potential for co-delivery of both drugs and genes for use in gene therapy and chemotherapy.

Objective:To evaluate and practically demonstrate the influence of Althaea ofifcinalis flower mucilage as a plant known in Iran’s and other Middle Eastern countries’ traditional medicine for its wound healing properties.
Methods:Animals were divided into 6 groups of 5 cases including a non-treated group as the negative control group receiving no treatment, a group treated with eucerin as the positive control group, a phenytoin 1%group as a standard group treated topically with phenytoin 1%hand-made ointment, and treatment groups treated with hand-made Althaea ofifcinalis flower mucilage (AFM) ointment in a eucerin base with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%).
Results:Among the treatment groups, the AFM 15%ointment showed the best result. Wound healing duration was reduced by the surface application of these groups. Wound closure was completed on Days 14 and 15 in the AFM 15% ointment and phenytoin 1% groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in healing period between these groups. Conclusions:In conclusion, AFM 15%ointment was found to reduce wound healing time without any significant difference with the phenytoin 1% ointment. The authors suggest increased AFM effectiveness in when combined with phenytoin or other effectual plants.

Background: The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) influences a wide range of behavioral and reward function. In this study, we evaluated electrical stimulation and inactivation of DRN on morphine conditioned place preference (CPP). Methods: The rats were anesthetised (n = 7 for each group) and the electrode and cannula were implanted into the DRN by stereotaxic instrument. Electrical stimulation (100μA) and reversible inactivation by lidocaine were induced into DRN and then morphine-induced CPP was investigated. Results: The stimulation of DRN in combination with effective dose of morphine showed a significant decrease only on expression phases 20s (SD 33.7) when compared with morphine group 119.85s (SD 23.7) (One way ANOVA, Tukey’s; P = 0.036). Also, this stimulation in combination with ineffective dose of morphine showed a significant increase only on acquisition phases 67.5s (SD 41.2) of CPP compared with morphine group -46s (SD 18.51) (P = 0.034). Also, there were not significant differences in inactivation of DRN by lidocaine on different phase of CPP (P = 0.091). Conclusion: It is possible that electrical stimulation of the DRN with changes in concentration of serotonin or involving other transmitters such as glutamate and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) would be involved to these changes of CPP.

We report a modified technique for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) on a 67-year-old man with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who presented with dyspnea. He was referred to our medical center for coronary artery bypass grafting. CTEPH had not been detected in his first visit to another medical center, but upon re-evaluation, the diagnosis was confirmed. PEA was performed with a modified method, which seems to be safe and suitable for the removal of clot and fibrotic materials. Iatrogenic dissection was performed with normal saline injection in the pulmonary artery, and then, the clot was removed completely. Although the technique may not be applicable for all cases, it can be used as an alternative to using an aspirating dissector and a pair of forceps.
Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Endarterectomy* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Peas ; Pulmonary Artery ; Surgical Instruments ; Thromboembolism

Objective:To determine lactic acid bacteria’s capability to enhance the process of binding and isolating aflatoxin B1 and to utilize such lactic acid bacteria as a food supplement or probiotic products for preventing absorption of aflatoxin B1 in human and animal bodies.
Methods: In the present research, the bacteria were isolated from five different sources. For surveying the capability of the bacteria in isolating aflatoxin B1, ELISA method was implemented, and for identifying the resultant strains through 16S rRNA sequencing method, universal primers were applied.
Results: Among the strains which were isolated, two strains of Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus beveris exhibited the capability of absorbing and isolating aflatoxin B1 by respectively absorbing and discharging 17.4%and 34.7%of the aforementioned toxin existing in the experiment solution.
Conclusions:Strains of Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus beveris were isolated from human feces and local milk samples, respectively. And both strains has the ability to isolate or bind with aflatoxin B1.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroquinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be due to efflux pump overexpression and/or target mutations. We designed this study to investigate the efflux pump mediated fluoroquinolone resistance and check the increasing effectiveness of fluoroquinolones in combination with an efflux pumps inhibitor among P. aeruginosa isolates from burn wounds infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 consecutive strains of P. aeruginosa were recovered from separate patients hospitalized in a burn hospital, Tehran, Iran. The isolates first were studied by disk diffusion antibiogram for 11 antibiotics and then minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) experiments were performed to detect synergy between ciprofloxacin and the efflux pump inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP). Then to elucidate the inducing of multi drug resistance due to different efflux pumps activation in Fluoroquinolone resistant isolates, synergy experiments were also performed in random ciprofloxacin resistant isolates which have overexpressed efflux pumps phenotypically, using CCCP and selected antibiotics as markers for Beta-lactams and Aminoglycosides. The isolates were also tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the MexA, MexC and MexE, which encode the efflux pumps MexAB-OprM, MexCD-OprJ and MexEF-OprN. RESULTS: Most of the isolates were resistant to 3 or more antibiotics tested. More than half of the ciprofloxacin resistant isolates exhibited synergy between ciprofloxacin and CCCP, indicating the efflux pump activity contributed to the ciprofloxacin resistance. Also increased susceptibility of random ciprofloxacin resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa to other selected antibiotics, in presence of CCCP, implied multidrug extrusion by different active efflux pump in fluoroquinolones resistant strains. All of Ciprofloxacin resistant isolates were positive for MexA, MexC and MexE genes simultaneously. CONCLUSION: In this burn hospital, where multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were prevalent, ciprofloxacin resistance and multidrug resistance due to the overexpression of fluoroquinolones mediated efflux pumps has also now emerged. Early recognition of this resistance mechanism should allow the use of alternative antibiotics and use an efflux pumps inhibitor in combination with antibiotic therapy.
Aminoglycosides ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; beta-Lactams ; Burns ; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone ; Ciprofloxacin ; Diffusion ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Multiple* ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Iran ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVES: This study was coperinducted with the aim of prediction of marital satisfaction based on emotional intelligence for postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was the descriptive-correlation and with a sample size of 134 people to predict marital satisfaction based on emotional intelligence for postmenopausal women was conducted in the Borujen city. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Data collection tools included an emotional intelligence questionnaire (Bar-on) and Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of this study showed a significant positive relationship between marital satisfaction and emotional intelligence (P < 0.05, r = 0.25). Also, regression analysis showed that emotional intelligence (β = 0.31) can predict positively and significantly marital satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the positive relationship between emotional intelligence and marital satisfaction, adequacy of emotional intelligence is improved as important structural in marital satisfaction. So it seems that can with measuring emotional intelligence in reinforced marital satisfaction during menopause, done appropriate action.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Data Collection ; Emotional Adjustment ; Emotional Intelligence* ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Personal Satisfaction ; Sample Size

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile leak is one of the most common complications of liver transplantation. The treatment options for bile leaks include conservative management, surgical re-intervention, percutaneous drainage and endoscopic drainage. We aimed to perform a systematic review to identify the efficacy of endoscopic treatment in the resolution of post-transplant bile leaks. METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed systematic literature search in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, grey literature and relevant references in May 2017. Human studies in English with documented post-liver transplant bile leaks were included. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled efficacy of biliary stents for the resolution of post-transplant bile leaks was 82.43% compared with 87.15% efficacy of nasobiliary tubes. The efficacy of biliary stents was lower for anastomotic leaks (69.23%) compared to T-tube (90.9%) or cut-surface/ cystic duct stump related leaks (92.8%). Similarly, the efficacy of nasobiliary tube was also lower for anastomotic leaks (58.33%) compared to T-tube or cut-surface related leaks (100%). CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review, the overall efficacy was 82.43% in biliary stent group, and 87.15% in nasobiliary tube group. Both biliary stent and nasobiliary tube were more effective in managing non-anastomotic leaks compared to anastomotic leaks.
Anastomotic Leak ; Bile ; Biliary Fistula ; Cystic Duct ; Drainage ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Stents

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of Group A streptococcus (GAS) to antibiotics usually used in Iran for treatment of GAS pharyngitis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2011 to 2013, children 3-15 years of age with acute tonsillopharyngitis who attended Mofid Children's Hospital clinics and emergency ward and did not meet the exclusion criteria were enrolled in a prospective study in a sequential manner. The isolates strains from throat culture were identified as GAS by colony morphology, gram staining, beta hemolysis on blood agar, sensitivity to bacitracin, a positive pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase (PYR) test result, and the presence of Lancefield A antigen determined by agglutination test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was identified by both disk diffusion and broth dilution methods. RESULTS: From 200 children enrolled in this study, 59 (30%) cases were culture positive for GAS. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin G. The prevalence of erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin resistance by broth dilution method was 33.9%, 57.6%, and 33.9%, respectively. Surprisingly, 8.4% of GAS strains were resistant to rifampin. In this study, 13.5% and 32.2% of the strains were resistant to clindamycin and ofloxacin, respectively. CONCLUSION: The high rate of resistance of GAS to some antibiotics in this study should warn physicians, especially in Iran, to use antibiotics restrictedly and logically to prevent the rising of resistance rates in future. It also seems that continuous local surveillance is necessary to achieve the best therapeutic option for GAS treatment.
Agar ; Agglutination Tests ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azithromycin ; Bacitracin ; Child* ; Clarithromycin ; Clindamycin ; Diffusion ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Erythromycin ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Iran* ; Logic ; Ofloxacin ; Penicillin G ; Pharyngitis* ; Pharynx ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Rifampin ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Streptococcus* ; Tonsillitis