Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) in the liver allograft presenting with a mass-like lesion.

This is a rare case of extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) presenting as a mass-like lesion in liver allograft. Our patient was a 57-year-old woman who had undergone liver transplantation due to hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. She presented with an ill-defined hypoechoic lesion on ultrasound which showed features of focal EMH on pathologic examinations. While transient intrahepatic hematopoiesis has been reported in liver transplant patients, focal EMH mass lesion is a rarely encountered phenomenon. Therefore, focal EMH may need to be considered as a differential diagnosis when encountering a mass in post liver transplant patients.

The Effects of Helicobacter Pylori Eradication on Liver Function and Metabolic Profile in Non-diabetic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A 5-year Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication on liver function tests (LFT) and fat content (LFC) in non-diabetic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included dyspeptic HP infected non-diabetic NASH participants. The intervention arm received HP eradication treatment, while the control arm did not get any HP treatment. In the meantime, the standard management of NASH was performed in both trial arms. Mean alterations in LFT were the primary outcome and the secondary outcomes included the mean changes in LFC and serum metabolic profile. The trial follow-up period was 5 years. RESULTS: 40 participants (female: 20), with a mean age of 41.58 (±12.31) years, were enrolled in the study. The HP eradication arm included 20 participants (female: 11) with a mean age of 40.25 (±10.59) years, and the control arm consisted of 20 individuals (female: 9) with a mean age of 42.90 (±13.97) years. The tests of within-subjects effects showed a significant decrease in mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P=0.007), triglyceride (TG; P=0.04), cholesterol (P=0.004), and fasting blood sugar (FBS; P<0.001), and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL; P=0.04) in both research groups during the study period. The tests of between-subjects effects demonstrated a more significant decrement of FBS in HP eradicated patients than the controls (P=0.02). The reduction in waist circumference, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, insulin, and LFC were more prominent in the intervention group than the controls; however, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Adding HP eradication treatment to standard NASH treatment showed more therapeutic effect thanthe standard NASH treatment protocol alone regarding the decrement of FBS in participants with dyspeptic non-diabetic NASH. Considering the non-statistically significant improvement in other metabolic indices and LFT in this trial, further studies are recommended.

The Use of Feature Tracking Technique for the Quantification of Ventricular Strain Pattern in Patients with Ebstein's Anomaly: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a congenital heart disorder characterized by abnormal function of the tricuspid valve. There are several ways to study tissue composition using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One of the most accurate methods is strain calculation using the feature tracking (FT) technique. Due to the novelty of the FT technique in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines to conduct FT-MRI and to present a quantitative report. The current study is aimed to evaluate the FT technique in EA patients and to compare the obtained numerical values with those of healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 33 individuals were enrolled in a study conducted in 2018-2019 at Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Radial, longitudinal, and circumferential strain patterns of the left and right ventricles were determined in both the patients and the controls using the FT technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22.0. Results: The results showed a significantly lower left ventricular (LV) radial strain in EA patients compared to the control group (P=0.002). In addition, the right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) in EA patients was significantly lower than in the controls (P=0.001). Other parameters (LV global longitudinal strain, RV radial strain, LV circumferential strain, and RV circumferential strain) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Determination of strain patterns using cardiac MRI is a promising method for the diagnosis of EA. Markers such as LV longitudinal strain and RV-GLS are the most suitable parameters for the early diagnosis of heart dysfunction.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory and oxidative markers and hormonal functions in PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy among reproductive-age women. Various therapeutical approaches are currently used to manage or control symptoms associated with PCOS. This systematic review intended to assess the effects of Vit E supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory and oxidative markers, and hormonal functions in PCOS women based on the clinical trial's results. The databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase were used to find all relevant studies. The authors reviewed all relevant clinical trials via systematic evaluation of abstracts and titles. Searches were conducted on August 1, 2020. After the initial search and reading of the article's title and abstract, 353 articles were reviewed; finally, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria. Vitamin E supplementation improves lipid profile, decreases insulin and HOMA-IR levels. Furthermore, while Vitamin E supplementation decreases LH and testosterone concentrations, it increases FSH and progestrone concentrations. The following meta-analysis showed that vitamin E supplementation made statistically significant improvements in triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels, meanwhile, pooled mean difference for waist circumference (WC) and HOMA-IR were also statistically significant. Supplementary regimens containing vitamin E can positively affect metabolic and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS.

Predictors of Visual Acuity Improvement and Supernormal Vision After Refined Single-Step Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate predicting factors of visual acuity improvement and achieving uncorrected (UDVA) or corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity supernormal vision (⩾ 15/10; Snellen 20/13) 1 year after refined transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK). METHODS: In this retrospective case series, a total of 155 eyes with myopia (mean ± standard deviation = -3.53 ± 1.81 diopters) with and without astigmatism (range = 0.25 to 4.50 diopters) were recruited and observed for 1 year. Patients underwent refined single-step TransPRK using the SCHWIND AMARIS 500 laser (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany). The main predicting factors of postoperative supernormal vision and visual acuity improvements were sought by statistical modeling. RESULTS: Logistic models showed mesopic contrast sensitivity, high laser fluence, and coma higher-order aberration (HOA) as predicting factors for both UDVA and CDVA super-normal vision. Myopia, astigmatism, dynamic cyclotorsion correction, optical zone, and transitional zone showed associations only in simple models and were not retained in multivariable models. According to the linear regression models, CDVA, mesopic contrast sensitivity, coma HOA, and keratometry were common predictors of both postoperative UDVA and CDVA improvement compared to preoperative UDVA. Astigmatism, optical and transitional zones, and high laser fluence were common predictors only in simple regression models. CONCLUSIONS: Through statistical modeling, preoperative CDVA, mesopic contrast sensitivity, coma HOA, and simulated keratometry were found to be the main factors that predicted improvement of both postoperative CDVA and UDVA compared to preoperative CDVA. Furthermore, mesopic contrast sensitivity, coma HOA, and high laser fluence were the common predictors of achieving both CDVA and UDVA supernormal vision 1 year after refined single-step TransPRK. [J Refract Surg. 2019;35(12):771-780.].

Factors Associated With Ocular Cyclotorsion Detected by High-Speed Dual-Detection Eye Tracker During Single-Step Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To determine demographic, surgical, and preoperative visual factors affecting the level of static and dynamic cyclotorsion (SC and DC) in eyes undergoing single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 386 patients with different types of refractive errors scheduled for single-step TransPRK were enrolled. A comprehensive profile of personal, optic, and visual characteristics of patients as surgical parameters were collected. Statistical modeling was used to explore correlates of SC and DC before and during the refractive procedure, respectively. RESULTS: There was no difference in various indices of SC and DC between right and left eyes. Lower age (beta = -0.20), uncorrected (beta = -0.99) and corrected (beta = -0.72) visual acuities, and keratometry (beta = -0.09) were significantly associated with higher ranges of DC during the laser ablation procedure. Worse mesopic contrast sensitivity (beta = 0.24) and higher (beta = 0.002, left eyes) or lower (beta = -0.002, right eyes) kappa locus also showed significant associations with a higher range of DC. In cases of SC before the procedure, amount (beta = 0.46) and axis (beta = -0.003) of the astigmatism demonstrated notable associations. CONCLUSIONS: Through comprehensive modeling, age, visual axis indices, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity were found to be the main factors significantly associated with dynamic ocular globe cyclotorsions during single-step TransPRK. This could help identify eyes at higher risk of cyclotorsion and its potential complications in refractive surgery. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(11):736-744.].

Comparison of Single-Step Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy With or Without Mitomycin C in Mild to Moderate Myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare efficacy and safety of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with or without mitomycin C (MMC) in patients with mild to moderate myopia. METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate myopia (≤ -5.50 diopters [D]) underwent single-step transepithelial PRK using the Amaris laser (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany). Total ablation depth (epithelium and stroma) was 160 µm or less. The right eye of each patient was treated with 0.02% MMC for 10 seconds, whereas the left eye did not receive any MMC. Corneal haze, endothelial cell indices, refraction, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and higher order aberrations were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: In this comparative case series, 71 patients (16 men and 55 women; 142 eyes) were enrolled. Mean patient age was 27.97 ± 5.74 years. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent of patients' right and left eyes were -3.20 ± 1.20 and -3.30 ± 1.20 diopters, respectively (P = .70); other preoperative visual parameters were also comparable. Incidence of 2+ grade of haze was detected in 1 (2.5%) right and 2 (5.0%) left eyes (P > .99) 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Incidence of 1+ degree of haze was also comparable. No eye developed 3+ degrees or more of haze. One year postoperatively, both eyes achieved comparable refraction, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and higher order aberrations, and no greater than trace haze was detected. MMC-treated eyes suffered a greater loss of endothelial cell density (P < .001) and showed higher variance in cell size (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Single-step transepithelial PRK with or without MMC showed similar efficacy and incidence of haze in eyes with mild to moderate myopia with total ablation depths of 160 µm or less. However, MMC-treated eyes showed a worse profile of endothelial cell indices. Applications of MMC in this subgroup of patients may be reconsidered. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(6):400-407.].

Efficacy and safety of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was introduced to prevent complications from conventional PRK and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). In the 2-step platform, phototherapeutic keratectomy is followed by PRK. It did not show notable safety or efficacy superiorities over conventional PRK. In the conventional single-step transepithelial PRK, ablation of epithelium and stroma occurs in a single continuous session by an Amaris laser. It showed better comparative safety results. Reverse single-step transepithelial PRK and the platform using smart-pulse technology were recent improvements in the single-step Amaris laser. They provide a smoother postablative stromal bed counter. In the refined single-step platform, a modified nomogram is used for determination of ablation parameters, along with modifications in postablative measures. It yielded better comparative results in hyperopia. Controlled trials comparing reverse, smart-pulse technology-equipped, or refined platforms of single-step transepithelial PRK with other modern laser-assisted methods could provide more robust evidence on the topic. Some key elements with significant roles in post-transepithelial PRK outcomes are discussed.