Evaluation and management of benign tumors of the eye and eyelid.

Benign tumors of the eye and eyelid are common in children and adults, and they rarely undergo malignant transformation. Their workup and management have evolved over the years with increasing advancements in surgical and laser therapies. This contribution focuses on describing the following benign eye and eyelid tumors and their diagnostic and treatment approaches: congenital and acquired melanocytic nevi; nevus of Ota (Hori nevus); conjunctival papilloma; seborrheic keratosis; epidermoid cyst; dermoid cyst; milium; xanthelasma; hemangioma (cherry angioma and pyogenic granuloma); neurofibroma; neurilemmoma (schwannoma); and fibroepithelial polyp. Surgical removal is the primary treatment approach for many of these benign tumors. With advancements in laser technologies, there are now several laser types that can be used in the treatment of these benign eye and eyelid tumors. Other treatment modalities include cryosurgery, electrosurgery, and topical or intralesional medications. We hope this review will provide a reference to dermatologists and ophthalmologists in their approach to evaluation and management of benign eye and eyelid tumors.

Photo-responsive hydrogels based on a ruthenium complex: synthesis and degradation.

We report the synthesis of a photo responsive metallo-hydrogel based on a ruthenium(II) complex as a functional cross-linker. This metal complex contains reactive 4AAMP (= 4-(acrylamidomethyl)pyridine) ligands, which can be cleaved by light-induced ligand substitution. Ru[(bpy)2(4AAMP)2] cross-links 4-arm-PEG-SH macromonomers by thia-Michael-addition to the photocleavable 4AAMP ligand for the preparation of the hydrogel. Irradiation with green light at 529 nm leads to photodegradation of the metallo-hydrogel due to the ligand dissociation, which can be adjusted by adjusting the Ru[(bpy)2(4AAMP)2] concentration. The ligand substitution forming [Ru(bpy)2(L)2]2+ (L = H2O and CH3CN) can be monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption. The control of degradation by light irradiation plays a significant role in modulating the elasticity and stiffness of the light sensitive metallo-hydrogel network. The photo-responsive hydrogel is a viable substrate for cell cultures.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of hearing screening program for primary school children in southern Iran, Shiraz.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is the second most common chronic disease, the diagnosis and treatment of which can be faster through screening. In addition, early interventions will save significant costs for the education and health systems. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hearing screening for primary school children in Shiraz. METHODS: This cross-sectional economic evaluation of cost-effectiveness was conducted from the perspective of the health system. The study population comprised all seven-year-old children participating in the screening program in Shiraz. The present study dealt only with direct costs. The expected costs and outcomes, as well as the ICER index were estimated using the decision tree model. The study outcomes included averted disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and true identification of hearing loss cases. The robustness of the results was evaluated using the one-way sensitivity analysis. The TreeAge 2020 and Excel 2016 software were also used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: The hearing screening data obtained during 6 years (2015-2020) showed that every year, an average of 22,853 children in Shiraz were examined for hearing, of which 260 were true positive (%1.1). The costs of screening and lack of screening were estimated at $30.32 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and $13.75 PPP per child, respectively. The averted DALY due to performing hearing screening was estimated at 7 years for each child. The ICER was positive and equal to $ 0.06 PPP for the identified cases and $ 2.37 PPP per averted DALY. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, although hearing screening for primary school children had more costs and effectiveness, it was considered cost-effective. Therefore, universal screening with high quality and accuracy is recommended.

The Effect of Different Doses of Mesobuthus eupeus (Scorpionida: Buthidae) Scorpion Venom on the Production of Liver Necrosis in Nmri Mice.

BACKGROUND: Scorpion venom has a variety of different components considerably. Some of these compounds are proteins such as Phospholipase A2 which is one of the most important. Use of scorpion venom for the treatment of any disease requires an initial study to determine the therapeutic dose or safe dose. Therefore, due to the necessity of studying scorpion venom, it is of special importance to study the effects of its dose response in animal tissues. METHODS: To determine the inflammatory effects of scorpion's venom (Mesobuthus eupeus), 50 Nmri mice with an average weight of 24±7g were selected for investigation in two experiments. In first-round 25 of them were divided into 5 groups and were exposed to different doses of venom injection paralleling the control group. Single-injection of various doses on 25 mice was performed and results were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant differences between the test and control groups (in most groups). Liver necrosis was one of the important symptoms in this study, the severity of which was measured and statistically analyzed. CONCLUSION: It was determined that 0.05ppm is a safe dose and sub-lethal doses can use for the investigation of therapeutic effects of venom on cancer, diabetes, dermatitis, and so on.

Age and Sex Interact to Determine the Effects of Commonly Consumed Dairy Products on Postmeal Glycemia, Satiety, and Later Meal Food Intake in Adults.

BACKGROUND: Dairy consumption reduces postprandial glycemia and appetite when consumed with carbohydrates. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to test the effects of frequently consumed dairy products, age, and sex on glycemia, appetite, and food intake. METHODS: In a randomized, unblinded, crossover design, 30 older [60-70 y; BMI (kg/m2): 18.5-29.9] and 28 young (20-30 y; BMI: 18.5-24.9) adults consumed 500 mL of a calorie-free control (water), skim milk and whole milk, 350 g Greek yogurt, and 60 g cheddar cheese. Food intake at an ad libitum meal was measured 120 min later. Glycemia, appetite, and gastric hormone responses were measured premeal (15-120 min), within-meal (120-140 min), and postmeal (140-170 min). Effects of treatment, age, and sex and their interactions were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: All forms of dairy, compared with water, decreased postmeal glycemia, premeal appetite, and meal intake (P < 0.0001). Premeal glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 increased, and ghrelin decreased, but effects of dairy differed with age and sex. Older adults had 10% higher pre- and postmeal glucose (P < 0.01). Premeal appetite suppression per 100 kcal of treatments was more after yogurt than other dairy, but overall appetite suppression was less in older adults than in young adults and in males than in females (P < 0.05). Pizza intake was reduced by 175 kcal after yogurt and cheese and by 82 kcal after milks compared to water (P < 0.001). Mealtime reduction for treatment calories averaged 62% after yogurt and cheese but was less at 33% after milks (P < 0.05). Compensation was less in older (33%) than in young (63%) adults (P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Dairy products consumed in usual forms before a meal stimulate metabolic responses leading to reduced premeal appetite, later food intake, and postmeal glycemia, but their effects differ in magnitude and with the sex and age of adults.

Gold-Catalyzed Annulation of 1,8-Dialkynylnaphthalenes: Synthesis and Photoelectric Properties of Indenophenalene-Based Derivatives.

A simple gold-catalyzed annulation of 1,8-dialkynylnaphthalenes utilizing a cationic gold catalyst was developed. Such a peri-position of two alkynyl substituents has not been studied in gold catalysis before. Dependent on the substrate, the reactions either follow a mechanism involving vinyl cation intermediates or involve a dual gold catalysis mechanism which in an initial 6-endo-dig-cyclization generates gold(I) vinylidene intermediates that are able to insert into C-H bonds. Indenophenalene derivatives were obtained in moderate to high yields. In addition, the bidirectional gold-catalyzed annulation of tetraynes provided even larger conjugated π-systems. The optoelectronic properties of the products were also investigated.

Antihypertensive effects of new dihydropyridine derivatives on phenylephrine-raised blood pressure in rats.

Changes in the substitutions at C-3 and C-5 positions of 4-(1-methyl-5-nitro-2-imidazolyl) dihydropyridine analogs of nifedipine have led to changes in potency of the compounds. The objective of the present study was to examine the hypotensive effects of 5 newly synthesized dihydropyridine derivatives of nifedipine in rats with phenylephrine-raised blood pressure. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 19 groups of 7 animals each. Control group received the vehicle dimethylsulfoxide (0.05 mL), 3 groups were given nifedipine at 100, 300, or 1000 µg/kg, and 5 other groups each composed of 3 subgroups administered one of the 5 new dihydropyridine compound at 100, 300, or 1000 µg/kg. All animals were initially infused with 20 µg/kg/min phenylephrine for 45 min, and were then given a bolus of either dimethylsulfoxide, nifedipine, or new dihydropyridine compounds 20 min after the commencement of phenylephrine infusion. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) of the animals were measured before and at the end of phenylephrine infusion, or 25 min after injection of vehicle or compounds. Compared to dimethylsulfoxide, nifedipine, and new 1, 4-dihydropyridine derivatives caused significant reductions in MBP. Moreover, cyclohexyl propyl, phenyl butyl, and cyclohexyl methyl analogs of 1, 4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methyl-5-nitro-2-imidazoyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylase at 100 µg/kg, phenyl butyl, and cyclohexyl methyl analogs at 300 µg/kg, and cyclohexyl methyl analogs at 1000 µg/kg reduced MBP similar to nifedipine. There was no significant difference between HR of all groups before and after administration of the compounds. The findings indicated that changes in substitution at C-3 and C-5 positions of 2-(1-methyl-5-nitro-2-imidazolyl) dihydropyridine analogs of nifedipine were associated with changes in hypotensive activity of the compounds.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer in man induce aberrant crypt foci in rats: Preliminary findings.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated clear associations between specific dietary and environmental risk factors and incidence of colorectal cancer, but the mechanisms responsible for these associations are not known. An animal model could facilitate such an understanding. Both genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens induce aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colons of F344 rats. F344 rats were provided with diets that contained putative risk factors for CRC: low calcium and low vitamin D, high iron, high fructose, and decreased light (UV) exposure or a control diet for 14 wk. The rats were then assessed with biochemical measures and by topological examination for evidence of colon abnormalities. Circulating ionized calcium was decreased from 2.85 to 1.69 mmol/L, and ACF were increased from 0.7 to 13.6 lesions/colon (both P < 0.001). Rats exposed to the multiple environmental conditions associated with colon cancer, developed ACF similar to the heterogeneous or ill-defined ACF in the human colon. Heterogeneous ACF are the most frequently seen in humans and are also seen in rats shortly after exposure to the non-genotoxic colon carcinogen, dextransulfate sodium. The rodent model could be used to assess the pathways from diet and environment to colon cancer and to provide guidance for clinical studies.

Type I and Type II Hereditary Angioedema: Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Iranian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by C1-INH (C1 esterase inhibitor), low serum levels (type I), dysfunction (type II) or normal serum levels and function (type III), which lead to subcutaneous and submucosal edema attacks. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic, clinical and laboratory findings of Iranian patients with HAE. METHODS: The patients with a history or symptoms of angioedema who were referred to Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute (IAARI) between Jan 2006 and Jan 2014, were assessed based on a specific questionnaire and laboratory evaluation. The patients with a definite diagnosis of HAE type I and type II were entered into this study. RESULTS: Among 51 patients, 63.3% were diagnosed with HAE type I and 36.7% with HAE type II. Fifteen patients were under 18 years and 36 were adults. The mean age of symptoms onset and diagnosis were 12.33 ± 10.20 years and 24.48 ± 14.64 years, respectively. The mean delay of diagnosis was 11.02 ± 11.60 years. The most commonly involved locations of edema were hands, face and genitalia. Moreover, laryngeal edema was observed in 61.2% of patients, which led to death in two patients during this study. CONCLUSION: Hereditary angioedema is a life threatening disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. The outcomes of this study can be used to inform clinicians and health care providers about HAE, which can help earlier diagnosis and better management of the patients, specifically in life threatening attacks.