Effect of Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses on Nystagmus and Visual Function in Hyperopic Patients with Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome

Purpose: To determine the effect of rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPCL) on involuntary eye movements and visual function in hyperopic patients with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Methods: This prospective interventional case series was conducted on 16 patients with infantile nystagmus and hyperopia equal or more than +0.5 D and astigmatism more than -1 D over a 2-year period. A complete ophthalmological examination including determination of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, and videonystagmography was performed for all patients before and after at least 3 months of RGPCL use, and the outcomes were compared. Results: Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients with mean age of 18.6±4.9 years were enrolled. Mean spherical equivalent refractive error was +1.5±2.35 (range +1 to +6.25) diopters (D); corresponding values were +2.45±2.44 D (range +0.5 to +7.5) for spherical error and +1.90±0.83 D (range +1 to +4) for astigmatism. Monocular BCVA improved from 0.56±0.23 to 0.51±0.23 Log MAR (P=0.007), and binocular BCVA improved from 0.54±0.25 to 0.48±0.24 Log MAR (P=0.01) after fitting RGPCL. Following the use of RGPCL, contrast sensitivity was significantly improved at low (P=0.02) and intermediate (P< 0.001) frequencies but not at high frequencies (P=0.6). The frequency, amplitude, and intensity of nystagmus were decreased significantly after RGPCL use (P<0.001). Conclusion: RGPCL improved monocular and binocular BCVA and contrast sensitivity in hyperopic patients with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Motor indices of nystagmus (frequency, amplitude, and intensity) were also significantly improved after RGPCL use.     

Morphologic and proliferative characteristics of goat type a spermatogonia in the presence of different sets of growth factors

PurposeThe present study by using different growth factors was aimed to develop the best practical culture condition for purification of goat undifferentiated SSCs and their colonization under in vitro and in vivo conditions.MethodsThe enzymatically isolated SSCs obtained from one month old goat testes were cultured in DMEM plus FCS supplemented with different sets of growth factors (GDNF, LIF, bFGF, and EGF) for 2 weeks. At the end of each week, the morphological characteristics of cells and colonies alongside with purification rate of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia were evaluated by immunocytochemical staining and flow cytometry.ResultsThe number and size of colonies in treatment groups were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than corresponding values in control group. In immunocytochemical evaluation, the proportion of KIT and PGP9.5 positive cells were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in control and treatment groups, respectively.ConclusionsThe culture medium comprising all four growth factors, especially the one supplemented with the higher concentration of GDNF, was superior to the other groups with respect to the population of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia and its propagation in culture system. Additionally, goat SSCs could colonize within the mouse testis following xenotransplantation.     

Probiotic Supplementation and Micronutrient Status in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Micronutrient deficiencies are a worldwide public health concern. Emerging evidence supports the ability of probiotics to enhance micronutrient status, which could aid in the prevention of non-communicable disease-associated malnutrition. This systematic review evaluated evidence of the efficacy of probiotic supplementation to improve micronutrient status in healthy subjects. The authors searched for published English language peer-reviewed journal articles in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases from inception to July 2020 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB)2 and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool (ROBINS-I tool). Fourteen original studies out of 2790 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that, despite varying degrees of efficacy, the intake of certain probiotics in healthy subjects was associated with a positive impact on the status of certain micronutrients (vitamin B12, calcium, folate, iron and zinc). A limitation was that studies were widely heterogeneous in terms of participant age, probiotic strain, species, dosage, intervention duration, and form of administration. Additional clinical trials are warranted to determine the most effective strains of probiotics, doses and durations of interventions.     

Organophosphorous residue in Liza aurata and Cyprinus carpio

Objective

To determine the amount of azinphos methyl and diazinon residues in two river fishes, Liza aurata and Cyprinus carpio, in the north of Iran.

Methods

This study was done during 2006-2007. In this survey, 152 water and fish samples from Gorgan and Qarasu rivers, north of Iran, were investigated. Sampling was done in three predetermined stations along each river. Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) were extracted from the fishes and the water of rivers. After extraction, purification and concentration processes, the amount and type of insecticides in water and fish samples were determined by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC).

Results

There was a significant difference in the residue of the insecticides in the water and fish samples between summer and other seasons in the two rivers. The highest amount of insecticides residue was seen during summer. In both rivers, the amount of diazinon and azinphos methyl residues in the two fishes was more than 2 000 mg/L in summer. There was no significant difference in insecticides residue between the fishes in two rivers. The diazinon residue was higher than the standard limits in both rivers during the spring and the summer, but the residual amount of azinphos methyl was higher than the standard limits only during the summer and only in Qarasu River.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the amount of OPs in the water and the two fishes, Liza aurata and Cyprinus carpio, is higher than the permitted levels.     

Effect of sacroiliac manipulation on postural sway in quiet standing: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Sacroiliac joint manipulation can alter joint and muscle control mechanisms through local and remote effects. Postural balance is controlled by supraspinal (rambling) and spinal–peripheral (trembling) mechanisms. A manipulation may interfere with postural control in quiet standing.

Effects of vision and cognitive load on static postural control in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objective: To compare the effects of vision and cognitive load on static postural control in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: Twenty-eight PFPS patients and 28 controls participated in the study. Postural control was assessed in isolation as well as with visual manipulation and cognitive loading on symptomatic limb. The outcome measures of postural control were quantified in terms of area, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML), and mean velocity (MV) of the displacements of center of pressure (COP). In addition, cognitive performance (auditory Stroop task) was measured in the forms of average reaction time and error ratio in baseline (sitting) and different postural conditions. Results: PFPS subjects showed greater increases in area (p = 0.01), AP (p = 0.01), and ML (p = 0.05) displacements of COP in the blindfolded tasks as compared to control group. However, cognitive load did not differently affect postural control in the two groups. Although PFPS and control group had similar reaction times in the sitting position (p = 0.29), PFPS subjects had longer reaction times than healthy subjects in dual task conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Visual inputs seem to be essential for discriminating postural control between PFPS and healthy individuals. PFPS patients biased toward decreasing cognitive performance more than healthy subjects when they perform the single leg stance and cognitive task concurrently.