The effect of the hypertensive phase on the long-term outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the long-term effect of hypertensive phase (HP) on the clinical outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. METHOD: The records of patients with different etiologies of glaucoma who underwent AGV implantation with at least 3 years of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. HP was defined as the IOP > 21 mm Hg during the first three months after surgery. The main outcome measure was cumulative success defined as 5 < IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and 20% reduction from the baseline with or without IOP lowering medications. Results that do not achieve cumulative success or undergo glaucoma reoperation during the follow-up period are considered failures. The secondary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (28 patients of HP, 92 patients without HP) with an average age (± SD) of 48.9 ± 19.6 years and a mean follow-up of 4.5 ± 1.4 years were enrolled. The mean duration of survival was 5.3 ± 0.5 years in HP which was significantly shorter than 6.4 ± 0.2 years in non-HP (log rank = 4.2, P = 0.04). Mean IOP and number of IOP lowering agents were higher in postoperative visits at 1,2, 3, and 4 years in HP patients compared with non-HP (all Ps < 0.01). Higher baseline IOP was significantly associated with higher rates of surgical failure. CONCLUSION: In the long-term follow-up, the duration of survival was significantly longer in the non-HP group. In the non-HP group, the failure rate was significantly lower than the HP group.

The role of primary needle revision after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary needle revision after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation in comparison with glaucoma medication use. METHODS: In this interventional case series, 23 eyes of 23 patients who underwent AGV implantation were enrolled. Needle revision was performed when the intraocular pressure was higher than the target pressure before glaucoma medications. Using a 30-gauge needle, the Tenon's capsule over the plate was incised and the bleb was reformed. Patients were examined on a postoperative day one, weekly (for four weeks), and every 1-3 months. Two criteria were used to define cumulative success as a minimum 20% reduction in IOP and 5 < IOP ≤ 21 mmHg (Criteria A) or 5 < IOP ≤ 18 mmHg (Criteria B) without (Complete success) or with (Qualified success) glaucoma medication. RESULTS: In this pilot study, we enrolled 23 patients with a mean age of 53.8 ± 12.4 years (25-78 years) who underwent AGV implantation and a one-year follow-up period. The mean number of primary needle revision was 2.2 ± 1.6 (1-6). One year postoperatively, the cumulative success rate was 91.4% and 86.9% based on Criteria A and B, respectively. The average of preoperative IOP was 28.26 ± 8.86 mmHg (range 15-46 mmHg), reaching 13.78 ± 3.54 mmHg (range 8-20) at the end of the one-year follow-up. (P < 0.001) The mean preoperative medication significantly decreased from a median of 4 (range 3-4) at baseline to 2 (range 1-4) after the one-year follow-up (P < 0.001). One patient experienced leakage over the plate, which was successfully treated via conservative management. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that primary needle revision is a safe and effective method for controlling IOP after AGV implantation with a lower need for medication.

Removal of Phenazopyridine from wastewater by merging biological and electrochemical methods via Azolla filiculoides and electro-Fenton process.

In the present study, the potential of Azolla filiculoides (A. filiculoides) was first investigated for degradation of Phenazopyridine (PhP), an analgesic drug. The effects of main variables such as initial pharmaceutical concentration, amount of plant, and pH were studied on the efficiency of the biological process. It was observed that A. filiculoides was able to remove pharmaceuticals from contaminated water up to 85.90% during 48 h. Then, the electro-Fenton (EF) method was applied for further removal of PhP yielding a removal rate of about 98.72% under optimum conditions during 2 h. The effects of variables including the current, amount of catalyst, and pH were also studied in this phase. Also, the probability of adsorption was investigated during this step. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed for the used magnetite nanoparticles, total organic carbon (TOC) were performed to investigate PhP removal efficiency during the reaction time and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were performed to analyze degradation byproducts of PhP. Based on the results, it was found that a combination of these bioremediation and electrochemical removal steps were capable of PhP removal from contaminated water. Therefore, this approach may be effective for phytoremediation of pharmaceutical-contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

Expression analysis and genotyping of DGKZ: a GWAS-derived risk gene for schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a disabling and severe mental illness characterized by abnormal social behavior and disrupted emotions. Similar to other neuropsychological disorders, both genetics and environmental factors interplay so as to develop SCZ. It is acknowledged that genes such as DGKZ are involved in lipid signaling pathways that are the basis of neural activities, memory, and learning and are considered as candidate loci for SCZ. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression level and genotypes of DGKZ in patients with SCZ and controls. We used q-PCR to measure the relative expression of DGKZ in blood. To determine DGKZ-rs7951870 genotypes, tetra-ARMS PCR was used. Our results showed a significant difference in DGKZ mRNA ratio between SCZ patients and healthy controls (P = 2 × 10-4). Also, we showed that rs7951870-TT genotype was strongly associated with increased DGKZ expression level (P = 0.038). In conclusion, our findings revealed dysregulation of DGKZ in SCZ patients and a significant correction between the gene expression and DGKZ variant rs7951870.

The rs1986112 Variant is Associated with Increased RAB8B Gene Expression in Schizophrenic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a serious mental disorder that interferes with a person's cognitive processes and leads to social disability. A wide range of factors may play important roles in increased risk of SCZ development. Genetic contributors are among the most influential actors involved in different molecular mechanisms leading to the development of the nervous system, thus they play pivotal roles in psychotic disorders and SCZ de-velopment. RAB8B is characterized for its key roles in several cellular and molecular mechanisms which are linked with different psychotic disorders, such as SCZ. METHODS: In this study, we assessed the expression level of RAB8B gene in blood samples of schizophrenic patients and normal healthy controls by means of quantitative real time PCR. We also investigated the correlation between RAB8B-rs1986112 genotypes and RAB8B expression levels through SNP genotyping by means of the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: Our results indicated a significant difference of RAB8B mRNA ratio between SCZ patients and healthy controls. Moreover, we showed significant upregulation of RAB8B in patients with rs1986112 GG and AG genotype compared to AA genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a role for RAB8B and its regulatory variation, rs1986112 in SCZ development.

Effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza: Evaluation of growth parameters, pigment contents and antioxidant enzyme activities.

Plants are essential components of all ecosystems and play a critical role in environmental fate of nanoparticles. However, the toxicological impacts of nanoparticles on plants are not well documented. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are produced worldwide in large quantities for a wide range of purposes. In the present study, the uptake of TiO2-NPs by the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza and the consequent effects on the plant were evaluated. Initially, structural and morphological characteristics of the used TiO2-NPs were determined using XRD, SEM, TEM and BET techniques. As a result, an anatase structure with the average crystalline size of 8nm was confirmed for the synthesized TiO2-NPs. Subsequently, entrance of TiO2-NPS to plant roots was verified by fluorescence microscopic images. Activity of a number of antioxidant enzymes, as well as, changes in growth parameters and photosynthetic pigment contents as physiological indices were assessed to investigate the effects of TiO2-NPs on S. polyrrhiza. The increasing concentration of TiO2-NPs led to the significant decrease in all of the growth parameters and changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. The activity of superoxide dismutase enhanced significantly by the increasing concentration of TiO2-NPs. Enhancement of superoxide dismutase activity could be explained as promoting antioxidant system to scavenging the reactive oxygen species. In contrast, the activity of peroxidase was notably decreased in the treated plants. Reduced peroxidase activity could be attributed to either direct effect of these particles on the molecular structure of the enzyme or plant defense system damage due to reactive oxygen species.

Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes activities and identification of intermediate products during phytoremediation of an anionic dye (C.I. Acid Blue 92) by pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris).

The potential of pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) for phytoremediation of C.I. Acid Blue 92 (AB92) was evaluated. The effects of various experimental parameters including pH, temperature, dye concentration and plant weight on dye removal efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the optimal condition for dye removal were pH 3.5 and temperature 25 degree C. Moreover, the absolute dye removal enhanced with increase in the initial dye concentration and plant weight. Pennywort showed the same removal efficiency in repeated experiments (four runs) as that obtained from the first run (a 6-day period). Therefore, the ability of the plant in consecutive removal of AB92 confirmed the biodegradation process. Accordingly, a number of produced intermediate compounds were identified. The effect of treatment on photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in plant roots and leaves were evaluated. The results revealed a reduction in photosynthetic pigments content under dye treatments. Antioxidant enzyme responses showed marked variations with respect to the plant organ and dye concentration in the liquid medium. Overall, the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity under AB92 stress in the roots was much higher than that in the leaves. Nevertheless, no significant increase in malondialdehyde content was detected in roots or leaves, implying that the high efficiency of antioxidant system in the elimination of reactive oxygen species. Based on these results, pennywort was founded to be a capable species for phytoremediation of AB92-contaminated water, may be effective for phytoremediation dye-contaminated polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Pretreatment with frequent topical betamethasone in Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pretreatment with topical betamethasone in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two eyes from 62 patients undergoing AGV. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients undergoing AGV to 2 arms of the study. The case group received AGV implantation with preoperative betamethasone eye drops, and the control group did not receive preoperative betamethasone. Follow-up examinations were performed on postoperative day 1, at least weekly for 4 weeks, and then every 1 to 3 months. Our main outcome measure was the rate of success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <15 mm Hg and IOP ≤18 mm Hg. RESULTS: We analyzed 62 eyes divided to case (n = 33) and control (n = 29) groups. The success rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 12 months postoperatively when considering either IOP < 15 or IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.001) and also at 6 months when considering IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.041). The reduction in the number of antiglaucoma medications used postoperatively was significantly higher in the betamethasone group at follow-up at 1 and 3 months and 1 year. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with topical betamethasone in AGV implantations increases the success rate and reduces the need for medications.

Chromium and cerium co-doped magnetite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as a potent antibacterial agent against S. aureus.

The development of innovative antibacterial samples with high efficacy has received a great deal of interest. Herein, we synthesized magnetite modified by Cr and co-modified by Cr and Ce, along with their reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based nanocomposites via facile hydrothermal and co-precipitation methods. The rGO-based samples showed proper magnetic behavior, high porosity, and vast specific surface area. The high specific surface area provided more adsorptive active sites with higher potentials for the decomposition of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cells. The antibacterial performance of the samples against S. aureus was evaluated at 50 and 100 µg mL-1 through the colony-forming unit (CFU) method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were subsequently determined. As per results, not only chromium cations could effectively damage the DNA of bacteria, but also the antibacterial efficacy was further enhanced by co-doping of cerium and the integration with rGO nanosheets. The antibacterial results were confirmed through the changes observed in the morphology and topology of the bacteria before and after the treatment using SEM and AFM analyses. Ultimately, the plausible S. aureus inactivation mechanism of the samples was disclosed.

Sonophotocatalytic activities of FeCuMg and CrCuMg LDHs: Influencing factors, antibacterial effects, and intermediate determination.

Herein, FeCuMg and CrCuMg layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized and their sonophotocatalytic activities toward Acid blue 113 (AB113) were compared. Sonolysis alone (only ultrasound) led to the decolorization efficiency of 13.0 %. A similar result was obtained in the case of the utilization of photolysis alone using a 10-W LED lamp (13.5 %). The adsorption process of AB113 onto both compounds was not efficient to significantly remove the target contaminant. The bandgap energy of 2.54 eV and 2.41 eV was calculated for FeCuMg and CrCuMg LDHs, respectively, indicating relatively higher photocatalytic activity of Cr-incorporated LDH than FeCuMg LDH. The sonophotocatalysis of AB113 (50 mg L-1) over CrCuMg LDH (81.1 %) was more efficient than that of FeCuMg LDH (57.3 %) within the reaction time of 60 min. Intermediate byproducts of the sonophotocatalytic decomposition of organic dye over the as-synthesized tri-metal layered sonophotocatalysts were also identified. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of both LDHs was evaluated by the CFU technique and the MBC and MIC values were determined. The antibacterial assessment confirmed the higher antibacterial activity of CrCuMg LDH than that of FeCuMg LDH against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).