The impact of prolonged face mask use on ocular surface health during COVID-19 pandemic: a clinical, and conjunctiva impression cytology study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between prolonged face mask use and ocular surface health utilizing conjunctival impression cytology, the Schirmer test, the tear break-up time (TBUT) test, and the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire. METHODS: In this cross-sectional prospective study, individuals who used face masks for at least eight hours per day for at least six months were compared to healthy volunteers who used face masks for no more than one hour per day. Each participant completed an OSDI questionnaire. The Schirmer test (under anesthesia), the TBUT test, and conjunctiva impression cytology analysis according to the Nelson classification method were performed on each participant. RESULTS: This study included 102 (49 male, 53 female) face mask users with an average age of 33.29 ± 7.71 years and 110 (60 male, 50 female) healthy controls with an average age of 32.96 ± 7.10 years (p = 0.746). The total OSDI score was significantly higher in face mask users than the control group (25.18 ± 3.54 vs 9.46 ± 2.13, p < 0.001). The mean Schirmer test value and TBUT were significantly lower in the study group than the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in total score and stage of the Nelson classification system (p < 0.001, and p = 0.024, respectively). All conjunctiva impression cytology assessments, including cellularity, cell-cell contact, nucleus/cytoplasma ratio, goblet cell amount, and metaplasia, revealed statistically significant deterioration in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.025, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prolonged use of face masks leads to dry eyes. The findings of conjunctiva impression cytology indicate the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of mask associated dry eye.

Evaluation of Estrogen, Progesterone, and GCDFP-15 Expression in Uterine Leiomyomas.

Approximately, one fourth of women have leiomyomas. Leiomyomas are benign tumors that originated from smooth muscle cells. Estrogen is claimed to relate as a cause but exact mechanism has not fully understood. In this study, 95 leiomyoma cases that have been diagnosed by our department in years between 2010 and 2012 were examined. Age ranges of patients, sizes, locations, and numbers of leiomyomas were identified. Immunohistochemically ER (estrogen), PR (progesterone), and Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 stains were performed to the paraffin blocks and their percentages of staining were noted. Statistically, submucosal and intramural locations were significantly related to ER and PR (p < 0,001). There were significant relationship between ER and PR in 30-50 years age group (p < 0,001). There were significant relationship between ER, PR and locations (p < 0,001), numbers (p < 0,001), sizes of leiomyomas (below 5 cm; p < 0,001), (between 5 and 10 cm; p = 0,037), larger than 10 cm; p = 0,002). Consequently, relationship between leiomyoma and ER, PR were revealed in this study. Also, relationship between leiomyoma locations and patient ages were identified statistically. There was no immunoreactivity with GCDFP-15 in leiomyomas.

Myocardial performance index in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between left ventricular (LV) myocardial performance index (MPI) and nondipper pattern in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Between June 2012 and November 2012, patients admitted to the Cardiology Department of Düzce University Faculty of Medicine and diagnosed previously with essential hypertension were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, nondippers and dippers, using ambulatory blood pressure measurement. All patients were evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. LV MPI was calculated from tissue Doppler imaging parameters. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the proportion of each class of antihypertensive medications. Dippers and nondippers had similar age, BMI, lipid profiles, and smoking status. The MPI value was significantly higher in nondippers than in dippers, and was correlated negatively with the rate of systolic and diastolic blood pressure fall at night (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that MPI is disturbed in patients with nondipper hypertension. MPI may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of global LV dysfunction in patients with a nondipper pattern, but further prospective studies are needed.