Identification of miR-20a as A Potential Discerning Biomarker for Non-Invasive versus Invasive Retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Intraocular retinoblastoma (RB) is common in kids. Although the cause of this disease is a mutation in the RB1 gene, the formed cancerous mass in different patients is seen in non-invasive states, limited to the ocular cavity or in invasive states distributed to other parts of the body. Because this tumor's aggressiveness cannot be predicted early, these patients receive systemic chemotherapy with multiple drugs. Treating non-invasive and invasive tumors separately reduces chemical drug side effects. The aim of this study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers by separating miRNAs in blood serum from invasive and non-invasive RB patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, selected three gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. Two were related to serum and tumor tissue miRNAs, and one was related to non-invasive and invasive RB gene expression. Examined RB gene-miRNA relationships. Then, we performed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on candidate miRNAs in the Y79 cell line and patient blood samples in non-invasive and invasive retinoblastoma. RESULTS: Fourteen high-expression and 7 low-expression miRNAs resulted. MiR-181, miR-135a, miR-20a, miR-373, and miR-191 were common genes with differential genes between invasive and non-invasive retinoblastoma. Only MiR-181 was upregulated in the Y79 RB cell line. Other candidate miRNAs expressed less. Invasive retinoblastomas increased serum miR-20a and miR-191. CONCLUSION: Integrated and regular bioinformatics analyses found important miRNAs in patients' and miR-20a, miR- 191, and miR-135a can distinguish non-invasive and invasive retinoblastoma, suggesting further research.

A Scoping Review of Possible Solutions for Decreasing Socioeconomic Inequalities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: As socioeconomic inequalities are key factors in access and utilization of type 2 diabetes (T2D) services, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify solutions for decreasing socioeconomic inequalities in T2D. Methods: A scoping review of scientific articles from 2000 and later was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest databases. Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework for scoping review, articles were extracted, meticulously read, and thematically analyzed. Results: A total of 7204 articles were identified from the reviewed databases. After removing duplicate and nonrelevant articles, 117 articles were finally included and analyzed. A number of solutions and passways were extracted from the final articles. Solutions for decreasing socioeconomic inequalities in T2D were categorized into 12 main solutions and 63 passways. Conclusions: Applying identified solutions in diabetes policies and interventions would be recommended for decreasing socioeconomic inequalities in T2D. Also, the passways could be addressed as entry points to help better implementation of diabetic policies.

Resident-Performed Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery: Impact of Resident-Level Characteristics.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of complications in resident-performed phacoemulsification and influencing factors. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the outcomes of cataract surgeries performed by 18 ophthalmology residents were analyzed. The outcome of first 80 phacoemulsification cataract surgeries (1440 cataract surgeries) performed by each resident were analyzed. Outcome measures included the rate of intraoperative capsular rupture requiring anterior vitrectomy, nucleus drop, and incomplete attempts at uncomplicated procedures. Changes in the rate of complications over the surgical training course were also assessed. Results: The most common surgical complications were capsular rupture (7.5%), followed by incomplete attempt(s) (5.9%), and nucleus drop (1.1%). Comparing the first 40 and second 40 surgeries, the rate of complications decreased as a function of surgeon experience in all resident cohorts. Greater theoretical skills and younger surgeon age were associated with a lower rate of intraoperative capsular rupture (hazard ratios = 1.421 and 1.481, respectively; P = 0.047 and P = 0.041, respectively). The use of antianxiety drugs and number of surgeries in the first 6 months demonstrated no predictive value for a lower rate of intraoperative complications (hazard ratios = 0.929 and 1.002; P = 0.711 and P = 0.745, respectively). Conclusion: The use of antianxiety medication and more surgeries in the first 6 months did not decrease the rate of intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification, while improvement of theoretical skills may have increased the safety of resident-performed cataract surgery.

A registration trend in eyelid skin cancers and associated risk factors in Iran, 2005-2016.

BACKGROUND: Eyelid skin cancers are the most prevalent ophthalmic malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the Human Development Index (HDI) and lifestyle risk factors with eyelid skin cancers in Iran. METHODS: This ecological study analyzed the data collected from the Iranian National Population-based Cancer Registry (2005-2016). The data on provincial-level eyelid skin cancer risk factors were obtained from national sources. The association between provincial HDI and lifestyle risk factors with the prevalence of eyelid skin cancers was assessed. RESULTS: The mean 12-year age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of eyelid skin cancers was 16.22 per 100,000 (9,104 cases). The overall ASIR showed an upward trend with an estimated annual average increase of 0.006 per year. There were positive correlations between the prevalence of overall eyelid skin cancers and provincial HDI, smoking, and obesity (r = 0.32, 0.42, and 0.37, respectively). In multivariate analysis, obesity/overweight remained a positive predictor for high prevalence of total eyelid skin cancers (OR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.08-3.58, P = 0.026), carcinoma (2.10, 1.15-3.83, P = 0.015), and basal cell carcinoma (1.48, 0.99-2.20, P = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: An increasing trend in ASIR of eyelid skin cancers was observed in more than a decade in Iran which was positively associated with provincial HDI and prevalence of obesity. The findings of the study highlight the importance of promotional programs for preventing obesity/overweight and appropriate allocation of screening facilities based on the HDI level.

Bilateral Giant Full Thickness Macular Holes: An Infrequent Manifestation of Alport Syndrome.

Purpose: To report a case of Alport syndrome presenting with bilateral giant full-thickness macular holes, hypertensive chorioretinopathy, and exudative retinal detachment. Case Report: A 20 year-old man, a known case of Alport syndrome on hemodialysis, was referred to our clinic with bilateral vision loss initiated about 10 years prior to presentation, which exacerbated in the month prior to our visit. Bilateral large full-thickness macular holes, hypertensive chorioretinopathy, and exudative retinal detachment were detected in fundus examination. The patient had previous genetic counseling confirming the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. During follow-up, macular holes were covered with a thick epiretinal membrane and visual acuity decreased progressively in two weeks. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in the right eye. Two weeks following surgery, the macular hole was closed and visual acuity improved significantly. Conclusion: Bilateral giant full-thickness macular holes are uncommon presentations of Alport syndrome. The retinal findings may be caused by an inefficient type IV collagen presenting in the Bruch's membrane and in the internal limiting membrane. Pars plana vitrectomy can be considered to repair macular holes in these patients.

Intravitreal Injections and Face Masks: Endophthalmitis Risk Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: To assess the added risk of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections associated with the widespread use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, records of patients with acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections during the pre-COVID era-that is, March 1st, 2013 to October 31st, 2019 -and the COVID-19 era-that is, March 1st, 2020 to April 1st, 2021 -were reviewed and compared. Results: A total of 28,085 IVB injections were performed during the pre-COVID era; nine eyes of nine patients developed acute post-IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.032% (3.2 in 10,000 injections). In the COVID era, 10,717 IVB injections were performed; four eyes of four patients developed acute post-IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.037% (3.7 in 10,000 injections). The incidences of post-IVB endophthalmitis during these two eras were not statistically significantly different (P = 0.779). Conclusion: Face masking protocols seem unlikely to impose any additional risk of post-IVB endophthalmitis.

The effect of topical ketorolac tromethamine on macular thickening after phacoemulsification in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in preventing post-phacoemulsification macular thickening. This randomized clinical trial. patients randomized 1:1 to receive either topical ketorolac three times a day or a placebo. METHODS: A total of 101 eyes of 101 diabetic patients who were scheduled for phacoemulsification and had normal macular contour and thickness enrolled consecutively. The topical ketorolac and placebo were prescribed on the day before surgery and continued up to 4 weeks after surgery. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a history of intravitreal injection in less than three months, a history of macular photocoagulation in less than 6 months, and any other concomitant ocular pathologies were excluded. Central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded in the follow-ups of 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the surgery and compared with the controls. RESULTS: 49 eyes in the case group and 52 eyes in the control group were analyzed. Mean BCVA was significantly improved in both groups at all follow-ups (P < 0.001 for all). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the BCVA in different time points except week 12 (P = 0.028) among the study group. In the case and control groups, CMT was increased at all follow-ups (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference when comparing the two groups regarding the mean of CMT at any time point postoperatively (P > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% is not effective in the prevention of post-phacoemulsification macular thickening in diabetic patients. TRAIL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered into www. CLINICALTRIAL: gov with the RCT registration number NCT03551808. (2018/06/11 ) CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03551808.

Pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan intraocular lens implantation in patients with Marfan syndrome.

RATIONAL: The rationale of this study was to evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes of pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with subluxated crystalline lenses secondary to Marfan syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective case series, we evaluate the records of 21 eyes of 15 patients with Marfan syndrome and moderate-to-severe crystalline lens subluxation who underwent pars plana lensectomy/anterior vitrectomy and implantation of iris-claw Artisan IOL at referral hospital from September 2015 to October 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes of 15 patients (10 males and five females) with a mean age of 24.47 ± 19.14 years were included. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was improved from 1.17 ± 0.55 logMAR to 0.64 ± 0.71 logMAR at the final follow-up visit (P < 0.001). The mean intraocular pressure did not change significantly (P = 0.971). The final refraction showed a mean sphere of 0.54 ± 2.46 D and a mean cylinder of 0.81 ± 1.03 at the mean axis of 57.92 ± 58.33 degrees. One eye developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 2 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan IOL implantation seem to be a useful, impressive, and safe procedure with a low rate of complications in Marfan patients with moderate-to-severe crystalline lens subluxation. Visual acuity was significantly improved with acceptable anatomical and refractive outcomes.

Effectiveness of different vaccine platforms in reducing mortality and length of ICU stay in severe and critical cases of COVID-19 in the Omicron variant era: A national cohort study in Iran.

Various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines with different platforms have been administered worldwide; however, their effectiveness in critical cases of COVID-19 has remained a concern. In this national cohort study, 24 016 intensive care unit (ICU) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) admissions were included from January to April 2022. The mortality and length of ICU stay were compared between the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. A total of 9428 (39.25%) patients were unvaccinated, and 14 588 (60.75%) patients had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Compared with the unvaccinated, the first, second, and third doses of vaccine resulted in 8%, 20%, and 33% lower risk of ICU mortality in the adjusted model, with risk ratio (RR): 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-1.001, RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77-0.83, and RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.64-0.71, respectively. The mean survival time was significantly shorter in the unvaccinated versus the fully vaccinated patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.80-0.88); p < 0.001). All vaccine platforms successfully decreased the hazard of ICU death compared with the unvaccinated group. The duration of ICU stay was significantly shorter in the fully vaccinated than in unvaccinated group (MD, -0.62, 95% CI: -0.82 to -0.42; p < 0.001). Since COVID-19 vaccination in all doses and platforms has been able to reduce the risk of mortality and length of ICU-stay, universal vaccination is recommended based on vaccine availability.

A joinpoint and age-period-cohort analysis of ocular cancer secular trends in Iran from 2004 to 2016.

Investigating secular trends of ocular cancer registration in Iran. After acquiring Iranian national population-based cancer registry data, trends of age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR) of ocular cancers and annual percent changes (APC) between 2004 and 2016 were analysed in age groups, gender, topography and morphology types with joinpoint regression analysis. Age, period, and cohort effects on incidence rates were estimated by age-period-cohort model. Geographic distribution of ASIR was assessed using GIS. Overall ASIR of ocular cancers was 16.04/100,000 (95% CI 15.77-16.32). Joinpoint regression analysis showed a significant increase of ASIR between 2004 and 2009 for males (APC = 5.5, 95% CI 0.9-10.2), ages over 50 years (APC = 5.2, 1.2-9.4), skin/canthus/adnexal cancers (APC = 4.2, 0.8-7.7), and carcinomas/adenocarcinomas (APC = 4.3, 0.6-8.1); however, between 2009 and 2016 a declining trend was observed in all investigated variables. ASIR of retinoblastoma was significantly increased (averaged APC = 20.7, 9-33.7) between 2004 and 2016. age-period-cohort analyses showed that incidence rates of ocular cancers significantly increased with aging, time periods, and birth cohort effects (p < 0.001). ASIR varied from 6.7/100,000 to 21.7/100,000 in Iran. Excepting retinoblastoma, all ocular cancer incidence trends were downward over a 13-year period; however, it was increasing between 2004 and 2009 cancer. ASIR was significant aging in Iran.

Smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure: implications in ocular disorders.

PURPOSE: This article aims to gather and review the available knowledge on several implications of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in ocular disorders and provides pathomechanistic insights where applicable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies on the association of smoking and ETS exposure with various ocular disorders. Studies with different evidence levels, e.g., in-vivo, case-control, cohort, and meta-analysis, were included. RESULTS: Smoking is an established, modifiable risk factor in several ocular diseases, including cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and Graves' ophthalmopathy; smokers are subject to more severe disease courses and less favorable treatment outcomes. Uveitis is twice as likely in smokers; smoking may also delay its resolution. Smoking and ETS exposure are major risk factors for diseases of other organs, with associated ocular complications as well, such as diabetes mellitus. ETS exposure is also associated with ocular surface pathologies, including dry eye syndrome. In children, early-life ETS exposure and maternal smoking during pregnancy are strongly associated with refractive errors and strabismus. Currently, available data on potential risks attributable to ETS exposure regarding ocular diseases are scarce and, in some instances, controversial. CONCLUSION: In addition to smoking, ETS exposure is also a significant public health concern with possible links to several ocular diseases. However, the level of education of at-risk populations in this regard does not match the strength of the evidence.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Risk Factors in An Iranian Cohort: A Case-control Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the possible risk factors of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in an Iranian cohort. Methods: We recruited 39 consecutive CSCR cases and 80 age-matched controls with no ocular pathology from the same medical center from March 2019 to March 2021. Enrolled patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination and extensive history taking in a referral setting. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect any possible association of potential risk factors with CSCR. Results: The mean age of CSCR patients was 40.69±7.71 years. The male-to-female ratio in cases and controls was 1:1.79 and 1.22:1, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that alcohol consumption (odds ratio, OR: 62.0, P<0.001), smoking (OR: 4.0, 95% CI: 1.47-10.85, P<0.006), corticosteroid use (OR: 6.95, 95% CI: 2.64-18.28, P<0.001), and high psychological stress (OR: 13.34, 95% CI: 4.68-38.02, P<0.01) were significant risk factors for developing CSCR. Ischemic heart disease (P=0.550), hypertension (P=0.750), and hyperopia (P=0.467) were not associated with the risk of CSCR. The most common form of steroid use was oral in both groups. No pregnant female was present in the study sample, precluding the assessment of its potential association with CSCR. Conclusion: CSCR often affects individuals of productive working ages; thus, identifying its preventable risk factors is highly encouraged. Our results suggested that alcohol consumption, smoking, and high levels of psychological stress are independent, preventable risk factors for CSCR.

Descriptive phenomenology study of the reasons for the low uptake of free health service package among type II diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although several diabetes management and control programs are introduced in Iran, rate of using such cares in patients with Type II Diabetic in Ahvaz is low and they show no tendency for receiving free diabetes service package. The aim of this study was to identify reasons behind low uptake of free health service package among T2DM patients in Ahvaz, Iran. METHODS: This descriptive phenomenology study based on semi-structured guided interviews of patients with Type II Diabetic in Ahvaz, was carried out in the year 2021. Through purposeful sampling, 495 patients with diabetics who not received health services package more than 6 months were interviewed until the data saturation. The gathered data were analyzed through conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Reasons were categorized into three themes which include 13 subthemes and 57 codes. Themes included individual, accessibility, and structural factors. Besides, subthemes were lack of awareness, poor health literacy, adverse patients experience, difficulties to use services, verbal miscommunication cultural barriers, low trust, geographic barriers, time barriers, financial difficulties, lack of human resources, poor service delivery, and organizational factors were as barriers to participation. CONCLUSION: Regarding individual level, there is a need for further training of diabetic patients. Besides, for accessibility and structural factors Iranian healthcare system needs a comprehensive integrated care for the management of diabetes, this underlines the collaboration for improving patients' uptake of free health service package.

Oral Vitamin D Supplementation and Clinical Outcomes of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusions.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic response of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) with and without concomitant vitamin D supplementation. Methods: Seventy eyes of 68 patients with macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) received three monthly IVB injections. Patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) higher than 30 ng/ml were considered as the sufficient group. Cases with serum 25(OH) D levels below 30 ng/ml were randomized into the treatment and control groups. The control group received 50,000 IU of oral vitamin D, weekly for two months. One month after the last IVB injection, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured and compared with the preinjection values. Results: While 43 eyes (61.4%) of 42 patients had BRVO, 27 eyes (38.6%) of 26 patients had CRVO. In BRVO patients, changes of CMT and BCVA were not significantly different between the sufficient, control, and treatment groups (P = 0.58 and 0.64, respectively). In the CRVO group, CMT reduction in the control group was significantly less than the sufficient and treatment groups (P = 0.048). In addition, improvement of BCVA in the control group was significantly less (P = 0.036) than the sufficient and treatment groups. Conclusion: Oral vitamin D supplement therapy may improve anatomical and functional outcomes in patients with CRVO and vitamin D deficiency.

Kinematics modelling and dynamics analysis of an SMA-actuated active flexible needle for feedback-controlled manipulation in phantom.

Percutaneous needle-based procedures such as prostate brachytherapy demands for accurate placement of the needle tip at target locations. Recently, robotic needle insertion systems have been made available to help physicians in needle guidance and control inside tissue. It is often challenging to obtain an accurate and real-time position of the needle tip in clinical practice using medical imaging techniques. However, this information is vital for closed-loop control of the needles inside tissue. This work presents an SMA-actuated active flexible needle that is controlled inside a phantom without a need for a position sensor or a medical imaging device. The needle tip position feedback is found using shape sensing capabilities of the embedded SMA-wire actuators and a force sensor at the needle base. Three models were characterized and used to estimate needle tip position in real time. The control scheme was then tested on the active flexible needle to track a desired triangular trajectory in a phantom. It was shown that the control scheme presented in this work was able to manipulate the needle in this path with a reasonable accuracy.

Comparative Study of Medical Equipment Procurement in Selected Countries.

Background: Despite the fact that medical equipment is critical for providing good health services and also incurs significant expenditures for the health system, little is known about how to procure it effectively. To date, only a few comparative studies on the procurement framework for medical equipment between nations have been conducted. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine this issue between the leading countries. Methods: To conduct this comparative study, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Thailand, and Iran were selected. Medical devices, medical equipment, procurement, purchasing, and acquisition were keywords considered to search PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google scholar databases. Also, the websites of the related organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Ministry of Health of respective countries were searched for the gray literature. Providing information about the procurement framework and availability of evidence in the English language was considered as the inclusion criteria and the lack of access to full texts, letters, and commentary article designs were the exclusion criteria. The results were summarized and reported using comparative tables. Results: Most of the countries involved in this study are trying to align procurement activities with national health care priorities. In view of this, there is a trend toward centralized procurement, especially in Italy, Spain, England, Italy, Canada, and Iran. While a range of actors participate in the procurement process, a greater role for physicians and patients is necessary to be defined to meet patient needs. Moving from price-based approaches to value-based approaches is in the agenda to consider a broader range of criteria to achieve value for money and support patient access to innovations. Conclusion: Most of the countries have reorganized the mechanism of medical equipment procurement. The price of products is the important factor, and recently the value factor has become more important in procurement. Reinforcing the role of decision-making teams and hospital committees in the procurement of medical equipment is suggested. Further studies are needed on the application of value-based approaches to evaluate their effects in hospitals.

Outcomes of combined phacoemulsification/intraocular lens implantation and silicon oil removal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of simultaneous silicon oil removal (SOR) and phacoemulsification and intra ocular lens implantation. METHODS: In this retrospective non-comparative case series, the visual, refractive and anatomical outcomes of patients who underwent combined phacoemulsification/silicone oil removal (5700 centistokes) surgery between 2017 and 2019 in a single center were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-four eyes of 44 patients (eighteen males) were included. The mean age of the patients was 51.45 ± 11.59 years. The primary pathology was tractional retinal detachment (TRD) secondary to diabetic retinopathy in 36 eyes and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in 8 eyes. The median time period between silicone oil tamponade and removal was 9 months. There was no statistically significant difference between best corrected visual acuity (-0.14 ± 0.69 LogMAR, p= 0.19) and intraocular pressure (p= 0.26) before and after the surgery. Mean post-operative spherical equivalent (SE) at last visit was 0.36 ± 1.64 which was different from the target refraction (- 0.5D). After cataract/SOR surgery, one eye (2.3%) developed retinal re-detachment in RRD patient. Vitreous hemorrhage occurred in nine eyes (20.5%) which all had TRD as the primary pathology. CONCLUSION: Combined phacoemulsification, silicone oil and IOL implantation removal surgery seems to be a safe and useful procedure with high success rate and acceptable visual, refractive and anatomical outcomes.

Evaluation of medical equipment management in educational hospitals in Isfahan.

BACKGROUND: Medical equipment plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and medical education, and each year the major share of hospital costs (about 5%-15% annually) is allocated to the purchase of medical equipment. The selection and allocation of medical equipment should be appropriate and in line with the actual needs of the medical centers, clinical goals, human resources, and the conditions required to ensure safety. The purpose of this study was to study and evaluate current systems of medical equipment management and identify their strengths and weaknesses in Isfahan educational hospitals in 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive-applied research that was done in a cross-sectional way in 2018. The statistical population of the research is the authorities of medical equipment and other persons related to the management of medical equipment of selected educational hospitals in Isfahan. The data collection tool is a questionnaire. RESULTS: The result of this study was gathered in four areas: medical equipment management, safety, preventive maintenance, and training. CONCLUSION: According to this study, there is no comprehensive program in hospitals for how to manage medical equipment, which itself causes the loss of material and equipment capital of the organization. In most cases, the lack of a system for planning and controlling the amount of inventory and purchasing and maintaining medical equipment creates many problems, such as the accumulation and depreciation of equipment or the lack of these facilities in critical situations. In this study, it is suggested initially a scientific control system. Medical equipment is designed so that the hospital's need for equipment at any time of year and the amount of its equipment are clear so that it can be easily decided in this field.

Association of White Blood Cell Counts, Leukocyte Ratios, and Serum Uric Acid with Clinical Outcome of Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of serum uric acid and leukocyte counts and ratios as predictors of clinical outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab in diabetic macular edema. METHODS: In this prospective study, the patients were treated with three monthly intravitreal bevacizumab. The correlation of serum uric acid and immune cell indices with the changes of best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness at the end of month 3 were evaluated through univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80 eyes from 80 diabetic patients were included in the study. The difference of uric acid level and immune indices between groups with different retinopathy severity was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Lower duration of diabetes (p = 0.045), monocyte count (p = 0.021), and uric acid level (p < 0.001) were correlated with larger improvement in visual acuity at 3-month visit. Higher logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of baseline visual acuity (p = 0.007), lymphocyte count (p = 0.008), lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio (p < 0.001) and lymphocyte to platelet ratio (p < 0.001) were correlated with larger improvement in visual acuity at 3-month visits. According to multivariate analysis, baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (r = 0.125, p = 0.009), duration of diabetes (r = -0.216, p = 0.047), lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio (r = 0.712, p < 0.001), lymphocyte to platelet ratio (r = 0.238, p < 0.001), and uric acid level (r = -0.397, p < 0.001) were the significant predictors of changes in visual acuity in our subset of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid and leukocyte counts and ratios may predict the response of diabetic macular edema to intravitreal injection.