Phenolic components from carrot (Daucus carota L.) pomace: Optimizing the extraction and assessing its potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Carrot pomace is a significant agricultural byproduct. Obtained during carrot juice processing. This residue is an appropriate reservoir of constituents with bioactive properties that could be investigated in the development of food constituents and nutritional supplements and in improving the quality and safety of foods. For this purpose, the objective of the present investigation was to extract the polyphenols from carrot pomace utilizing maceration and ultrasound-based extraction (UAE) procedures and to evaluate the antioxidant properties of phenolic constituents. To maximize the extraction of carrot pomace, a response surface approach was used. The optimal mixture of extraction time (A, min), ultrasonication power (B, w), and solvent type (C, v/v) for the highest yield of carrot pomace was found using a three-variable composite rotatable design (CRD). In order to assess different functional groups, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the extract collected under optimal circumstances. The highest polyphenols (26.53 %) were extracted by ethanol 70 % at 10 min with a sonication power of 250 w. The optimized extract also exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. The total phenolic compounds and scavenging of the DPPH radical were 85 mg GAE/gr and EC50: 55 ± 1 µg/mL, respectively. Together with Staphylococcus aureus, the highest zone of inhibition (12 mm) was identified. Our finding revealed that carrot pomace is an appropriate source of bioactive phenolic constituents, exhibiting antioxidant and antibacterial attributes, and could be applied as a natural preserver for promoting safety and quality properties in food products on an industrial scale.

A Reexamination of Peto's Paradox: Insights Gained from Human Adaptation to Varied Levels of Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation.

Humans have generally evolved some adaptations to protect against UV and different levels of background ionizing radiation. Similarly, elephants and whales have evolved adaptations to protect against cancer, such as multiple copies of the tumor suppressor gene p53, due to their large size and long lifespan. The difference in cancer protection strategies between humans and elephants/whales depends on genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and evolutionary pressures. In this paper, we discuss how the differences in evolutionary adaptations between humans and elephants could explain why elephants have evolved a protective mechanism against cancer, whereas humans have not. Humans living in regions with high levels of background radiation, e.g. in Ramsar, Iran where exposure rates exceed those on the surface of Mars, seem to have developed some kind of protection against the ionizing radiation. However, humans in general have not developed cancer-fighting adaptations, so they instead rely on medical technologies and interventions. The difference in cancer protection strategies between humans and elephants/whales depends on genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and evolutionary pressures. In this paper, we discuss how the differences in evolutionary adaptations between humans and elephants could explain why elephants have evolved a protective mechanism against cancer, whereas humans have not. Studying elephant adaptations may provide insights into new cancer prevention and treatment strategies for humans, but further research is required to fully understand the evolutionary disparities.

Professor John Roderick Cameron's Influence on Radiation Safety in Terrestrial and Space Environments.

Professor John Roderick Cameron (1922-2005) stands out as a trailblazer in the field of medical physics, whose innovative work has deeply influenced radiation protection and the broader medical radiation field through sound technical judgment and insight. Best known for inventing the bone densitometry device, his pioneering efforts have reshaped modern medical practices far beyond his initial breakthroughs. Cameron's explorations extended into the realms of space biomedical science and models of terrestrial radiation, areas where his insights continue to resonate today. As the Emeritus Professor of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a founding member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Cameron laid crucial groundwork for safety standards in environments with high natural radiation levels. His leadership was instrumental in advancing thermoluminescence dosimetry, radiation measurement, and image quality assurance, driving progress in both academia and clinical practices. Moreover, through establishing Medical Physics Publishing, Cameron played a pivotal role in spreading vital research and educational materials across the fields of health physics and medical physics. This commentary reflects on Cameron's far-reaching contributions, highlighting his critical work in space radiation research and terrestrial radiation models-key to the future of interplanetary travel and potential human settlement on planets like Mars. His research in areas of high background radiation, like Ramsar, Iran, has been fundamental in developing strategies for biological protection in space, which are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during long-duration space missions. We honor Professor Cameron's profound legacy, celebrating his visionary spirit and the lasting impact of his contributions on generations of scientists in radiation science.

Bio-synthesis, purification and structural analysis of Cyclosporine-A produced by Tolypocladium inflatum with valorization of agro-industrial wastes.

Cyclosporine A (CyA) holds significant importance as a strategic immunosuppressive drug for organ transplant patients. In this study, we aimed to produce pure and cost-effective Cyclosporine A (CyA) by fermenting a culture medium containing dairy sludge, using Tolypocladium inflatum PTCC 5253. Following the fermentation stage, ethyl acetate extraction and fast protein liquid chromatography were employed for sample purification. The initial evaluation of the effectiveness of CyA obtained from these processes was performed through bioassay, wherein the antimicrobial clear zone diameter was found to be larger compared to the sample obtained from the fermentation culture. The concentration of CyA was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, yielding values of 334 mg/L, 456 mg/L, and 578 mg/L for the fermented, extracted, and purified samples, respectively. Further analysis utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) confirmed a purity of 91.9% and proper agreement with the standard sample based on the ion intensity of Z/m 1205. To validate the structure of CyA, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy were employed. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analyses demonstrated that the purified CyA exhibited a crystal structure similar to the standard sample, characterized by two broad peaks at 2θ = 9° and 20°, and comparable glass transition temperatures (57-68 °C for the purified sample; 53-64 °C for the standard sample). Dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed a uniform particle size distribution in both the purified and standard samples. The zeta potentials of the purified and standard samples were determined to be - 25.8 ± 0.16 and - 23.63 ± 0.12 mV, respectively. Our results demonstrate that dairy sludge can serve as a suitable culture medium for the production of (CyA).

Digital Screen Time and the Risk of Female Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: As the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers continues to rise globally, concerns have been raised about their potential impact on human health. Exposure to high energy visible (HEV) blue light, emitted from digital screens, particularly the so-called artificial light at night (ALAN), has been associated with adverse health effects, ranging from disruption of circadian rhythms to cancer. Breast cancer incidence rates are also increasing worldwide. Objective: This study aimed at finding a correlation between breast cancer and exposure to blue light from mobile phone. Material and Methods: In this retrospective matched case-control study, we aimed to investigate whether exposure to blue light from mobile phone screens is associated with an increased risk of female breast cancer. We interviewed 301 breast cancer patients (cases) and 294 controls using a standard questionnaire and performed multivariate analysis, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests for data analysis. Results: Although heavy users in the case group of our study had a statistically significant higher mean 10-year cumulative exposure to digital screens compared to the control group (7089±14985 vs 4052±12515 hours, respectively, P=0.038), our study did not find a strong relationship between exposure to HEV and development of breast cancer. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that heavy exposure to HEV blue light emitted from mobile phone screens at night might constitute a risk factor for promoting the development of breast cancer, but further large-scale cohort studies are warranted.

Family History of Alzheimer's Disease Increases the Risk of COVID-19 Positivity: A SUMS Employees Cohort-based Study.

Background: Substantial data indicate that genetic and environmental factors play a key role in determining the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, it is known that having relatives with AD increases the risk of developing this disease. Objective: This study is aimed at investigating whether having a family history of AD, may increase the risk of COVID-19 in a cohort-based study. Material and Methods: Participants of this retrospective cohort study were previously enrolled in the SUMS Employees Cohort (SUMSEC). All participants including those whose SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive PCR test and chest CT scan were requested to respond to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Moreover, AD was diagnosed via memory and thinking impairment, concentration problems, confusion with location, and problems in finishing daily tasks. Results: The total numbers of female and male participants with a family history of AD were 463 and 222 individuals, respectively. When all types of family history of AD were considered, a 51.3% increase was found in the relative frequency of the participants with both family history of AD and confirmed COVID-19 compared with those only with a family history of AD. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of our study, and from a broader perspective, our findings can further support the concept that AD risk haplotypes including APOE are linked to the same morbidities from cardiovascular disease and obesity that increase vulnerability to COVID-19. Given this consideration, millions of APOE ε4 carriers around the globe should be advised to take additional precautions to prevent life-threatening diseases such as COVID-19.

Effects of glycerol and sorbitol on a novel biodegradable edible film based on Malva sylvestris flower gum.

There has been an increasing interest in the investigation of novel eco-friendly packaging materials. An edible film based on Malva sylvestris flower gum was fabricated with 40%, 50%, and 60% glycerol and sorbitol using casting method. FTIR analysis was applied to identify the functional groups of films with different concentrations of plasticizers. The lightness of the samples did not affect upon increasing the sorbitol and glycerol; nevertheless, the samples tended to be green and yellow. SEM images indicated that glycerol-based films enjoy heterogeneous and porous surfaces compared to the sorbitol-based samples. Although Tensile Strength and Young's Modulus characteristics declined considerably (p < .05) upon plasticizer addition, elongation at break increased by more than 10% in glycerol-based samples. A significant (p < .05) decrement was observed in the density of film strips via the addition of glycerol and sorbitol. Moisture content of films incorporated with both plasticizers saw a considerable improvement (p < .05) upon increasing the plasticizer concentration from 40% to 60% and is ascribed to the water-holding capacity of plasticizers. Water contact angle and water solubility increased via plasticizer supplementation, which is attributed to the hydrophilic characteristic of glycerol and sorbitol, are in line with SEM analysis.

Pediatric Open Globe Injuries Caused by Firecrackers in a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine characteristic features of open globe injuries caused by firecrackers among pediatric population. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional chart review, medical records of children with ocular trauma who were hospitalized in Isfahan, Iran, during 2013-2017 were reviewed. We analyzed the collected data before and after propensity score (PS) matching. RESULTS: Of 396 pediatric patients with open globe injury, 22 injuries (5.9%) were caused by firecrackers. Hyphema, iris prolapse, and lens rupture were noted in 15 (68.18%), 10 (45.45%), and 2 (9.09) eyes, respectively. None of patients had endophthalmitis. The mean age of patients in firecracker group was higher and significant (11.86 ± 4.05 in firecracker vs 7.80 ± 4.68 in nonfirecracker, P < 0.001). Furthermore, most boys were in firecracker group (95.5%, P = 0.005). Patients in firecracker group resided more in urban areas (86.4%, P = 0.054) and had more intraocular foreign body (IOFB) in the eyes (40.9%, P < 0.001). After PS matching, patients in firecracker group had higher IOFB ( P = 0.008). In logistic regression models, patients with corneal lacerations had lower odds for long-time admission (≥4 days) than patients with both corneal and scleral lacerations in crude model (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.69) and adjusted model (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.74). After PS matching, there was no significant association between risk factors and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed several differences between the pediatric open globe injuries caused by firecrackers and other mechanisms of injuries, including the age, sex, living place, presence of IOFB, and length of hospital stay.

Machine Learning Models for Predicting Breast Cancer Risk in Women Exposed to Blue Light from Digital Screens.

Background: Nowadays, there is a growing global concern over rapidly increasing screen time (smartphones, tablets, and computers). An accumulating body of evidence indicates that prolonged exposure to short-wavelength visible light (blue component) emitted from digital screens may cause cancer. The application of machine learning (ML) methods has significantly improved the accuracy of predictions in fields such as cancer susceptibility, recurrence, and survival. Objective: To develop an ML model for predicting the risk of breast cancer in women via several parameters related to exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Material and Methods: In this analytical study, three ML models Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN) were used to analyze data collected from 603 cases, including 309 breast cancer cases and 294 gender and age-matched controls. Standard face-to-face interviews were performed using a standard questionnaire for data collection. Results: The examined models RF, SVM, and MLPNN performed well for correctly classifying cases with breast cancer and the healthy ones (mean sensitivity> 97.2%, mean specificity >96.4%, and average accuracy >97.1%). Conclusion: Machine learning models can be used to effectively predict the risk of breast cancer via the history of exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation (including blue light and screen time issues) parameters. The performance of the developed methods is encouraging; nevertheless, further investigation is required to confirm that machine learning techniques can diagnose breast cancer with relatively high accuracies automatically.

Diabetic retinopathy and corneal endothelial parameters: an analytical cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the possible association of different pattern of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on corneal endothelium cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, corneal endothelium parameters including endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell size (AVG), coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), and hexagonality (Hex) were evaluated by non-contact specular microscopy. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four eyes of 134 diabetic patients including 77 females (57.5%) with a mean age of 61.03 ± 8.08 years were enrolled. The overall corneal parameters in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy were not significantly different (P > 0.05). There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control (B = 0.369, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial parameters were not associated with DM in patients without and with DR. There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control.

Comparison between the Effects of Acetaminophen, Dexmedetomidine, and Normal Saline Infusion on Pain Severity after Cataract Surgery.

Background: Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries, which is currently performed under topical anesthesia using sedative medications. Dexmedetomidine and acetaminophen are good candidates for analgesia in other circumstances, however, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine or acetaminophen infusion and normal saline (NS) alone compared with the control group on the severity of pain in cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: In this parallel randomized controlled clinical trial, the effect of dexmedetomidine or acetaminophen infusion and NS on level of pain, vital signs, recovery status, and surgeon satisfaction during cataract surgery were assessed. One hundred and thirty-five patients between the age of 50-80 years undergoing cataract surgery were recruited on a consecutive basis and randomized into three groups receiving acetaminophen (15 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (0.5 µgr/kg), and NS. Baseline vital signs, blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory and heart rate at certain time-points including the start of surgery, 5, 10, and 15 min after surgery, after arrival to the recovery room, 20, 40, 60 min after recovery were measured. Pain intensity and drugs side effects were also recorded after surgery. Results: Level of respiratory depression was higher in patients receiving dexmedetomidine. Heart rate and oxygen saturation percentage had no significant differences in the three groups as well as pain intensity. Conclusions: Acetaminophen was as effective as dexmedetomidine with lower side effects and higher surgeons' satisfaction, without any interference with cardiovascular and respiratory parameters. Acetaminophen infusion should be considered as an acceptable analgesic drug for cataract surgery.

Investigation of the Composition, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxicity Properties of Salvia abrotanoides Essential Oil.

Medicinal plants present promising attributes in traditional medicine based on earlier published documents. Most of the essential oils derived from vascular plants display a significant role in dealing with microbial and inflammation infections. This research aimed to provide informative knowledge about the composition, antimicrobial, and anticytotoxicity of Salvia abrotanoides essential oil. In this study, the chemical composition of S. abrotanoides was determined using FTIR and GC-MS analysis which demonstrated the significant number of monoterpenes in the constitutes. The antimicrobial activity of EO demonstrated a dose-related effect on several pathogenic bacteria and fungi; among bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria exhibited more sensitivity to the essential oil antimicrobial compounds. On the other hand, S. abrotanoides essential oil did not present antifungal activity as high as Fluconazole on Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of essential oil were determined as 14.70 ± 1.4 mg·GA/g essential oil and 2.93 ± 0.41 mg Q/g essential oil, respectively. The antioxidant activity of essential oils was investigated, and it was not as high as positive controls. Moreover, the microscopic changes of S. aureus and E. coli were investigated using SEM images. The cytotoxicity potential of essential oil was evaluated on L929 and A459 cell lines and also it was estimated to be stronger on A459 cell line than that of L929.

Evaluation of probiotic potential of autochthonous lactobacilli strains isolated from Zabuli yellow kashk, an Iranian dairy product.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential and anti-biofilm activity of five lactobacilli strains which isolated and identified from an Iranian product. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five lactobacilli strains, which were isolated from Zabuli yellow kashk, were evaluated for the presence of probiotic properties, such as resistance to low pH, resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, bile salt tolerance, hydrophobicity, and auto- and co-aggregation. In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility, adherence to Caco-2 cells (human colon cancer cell line), anti-adhesion activity, ability against biofilm formation and biofilm degradation of mentioned strains against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1707 were assessed. All the strains tested showed acceptable characteristics, but Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TW57-4 appeared of particular interest. Some probiotic properties of this strain were similar and in some cases higher than the commercial probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (standard sample). Cholesterol assimilation and radical-scavenging activity of Lpb. plantarum TW57-4 were 70.2% and 62.3%, respectively. The adhesion degree of Lpb. plantarum TW57-4 was 10.6%. Applying competition and inhibition assay, this strain showed 55.3% and 62.3% of competition and inhibition activity in adhesion of P. aeruginosa PTCC 1707 to the intestinal cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that Lpb. plantarum TW57-4 strain can be used as a promising candidate for in-vivo studies with the aim of developing new probiotic starter cultures. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study furthers our understanding of lactobacilli strains behaviour after consumption to establish their beneficial effects.

Characterization of cinnamon essential oil and its application in Malva sylvestris seed mucilage edible coating to the enhancement of the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory properties of lamb meat during storage.

AIMS: Firstly, Cinnamomum zeylani essential oil (CZEO) was isolated and characterized. Secondly, CZEO was used in Malva sylvestris mucilage (MSM) coating and its antioxidant and antimicrobial effects on lamb meat slices were evaluated in 10 days at 4°C. METHODS AND RESULTS: The main chemical compounds and functional groups of the CZEO were identified and quantified by a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer and by an Fourier transform infrared spectrometer respectively. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of CZEO were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent-based and aluminium chloride methods respectively. Various microbiological, physicochemical analyses and sensory evaluations were also utilized regarding the coated lamb meat slices. CZEO contains benzyl benzoate (40.93%), caryophyllene oxide (26.07%) and (E)-cinnamaldehyde (13.01%), with strong radical scavenging activity and antibacterial effect against investigated pathogenic microorganisms. The CZEO-loaded MSM edible coating greatly postponed the growth of microorganisms and extended the product life (>10 days). The pH value, moisture content and hardness of the samples were also preserved more efficiently when high concentrations of the essential oil were incorporated into the edible coating (p < 0.05). The CZEO-rich MSM coating was also able to possess considerable activity against lipid oxidation in lamb meat samples, and significantly decreased the production of primary and secondary oxidation products (p < 0.05). Moreover, sensory parameters of the samples were preserved more efficiently during cold storage when the CZEO-enriched edible coating, particularly MSM + 2% CZEO was used. CONCLUSIONS: The use of edible coating based on MSM and CZEO is therefore effective in reducing microbial growth and chemical reactions in lamb meat during the storage period. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The importance of the results of this study is in order to increase the use of natural preservatives, maintain food safety and of course the health of the people in the community.

Optimization of gamma-aminobutyric acid production by Lactobacillus brevis PML1 in dairy sludge-based culture medium through response surface methodology.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a pharmaceutical, bioactive amino acid that can produce by some species of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). For the first time, we evaluated the production of GABA by Lactobacillus brevis PML1 in the medium that contain the contaminant food bio-product like dairy sludge and soybean meal. GABA production was analyzed by chromatography (TLC, HPLC) and the features of fermented extract which contains this amino acid were evaluated. The results of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) of Central Composite Design (CCD) at p < .05 showed 300 ppm of GABA production in optimal treatment including 14.77% dairy sludge powder, 6.27% soybean meal, and 0.49% ammonium sulfate (32°C for 120 hr fermentation). The results of fermented extract also showed the acceptable antimicrobial, antioxidant, and toxicity (against cancer cell) properties. Also, L. brevis PML1has not shown any hemolytic or DNase activity which confirm its safety aspects. According to the results, this new culture can be used as a cheap substrate to biological production of GABA, by L. brevis PML1 in various food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Comparative effects of probiotic and paraprobiotic addition on microbiological, biochemical and physical properties of yogurt.

Paraprobiotics are inactivated probiotics that exert various health and technological benefits making them suitable for production of functional yogurt. In the present study, probiotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC SD 5221 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and paraprobiotic yogurt containing inactivated form of the mentioned bacteria were produced and were compared regarding microbiological, biochemical, and physical properties during 28 days of storage at refrigerated temperature. Results revealed that the greatest mean pH drop rate, mean acidity increase rate, mean redox potential increase rate, final acidity and final redox potential were observed in yogurt containing inactivated L. acidophilus added before fermentation. The highest lactic acid after 28 days of storage was obtained in samples prepared by addition of paraprobiotic form of L. acidophilus after fermentation. Yogurt samples with B. lactis and L. acidophilus added after fermentation showed the highest and lowest acetic acid level, respectively after 28 days of storage. The samples containing L. acidophilus and B. lactis had the highest acetaldehyde on day 0 while on day 28, L. acidophilus had more impact on acetaldehyde generation in yogurts. Addition of paraprobiotics increased viability of starter cultures. In addition, incorporation of inactivated probiotic cells into yogurt resulted in lower syneresis and the higher WHC compared to probiotic yogurt samples. Regarding color parameters, it was observed that color parameters (a*, b* and L*) were not influenced by paraprobiotic in probiotic and paraprobiotic yogurts. Overall, it can be concluded that incorporation of paraprobiotics into yogurt involves less technological challenges and can be considered as a suitable appropriate alternative for probiotics in development of functional yogurt.

Wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy with and without iris registration: comparison of astigmatic correction.

This study aimed to compare the visual outcomes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), with and without the iris registration (IR) technology. The retrospective cohort study was performed for wavefront-guided PRK using the Technolas 217z100 excimer laser system in patients with myopic astigmatism (cylinder error - 2 to - 4 diopter [D]). Eyes were divided into IR group (IRPRK) and non-IR group (non-IRPRK). Visual acuity (VA), cylindrical refraction, and the astigmatic vector components using the Alpins method were compared between the two groups preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Fifty IRPRK patients (66% female, mean age 30.56 ± 6.31 years) and 50 non-IRPRK (60% female, mean age 29.60 ± 5.63 years) were enrolled. The mean logMAR uncorrected VA improved from 0.89 ± 0.44 to 0.032 ± 0.05 in the IRPRK group (P < 0.001) and from 0.89 ± 0.46 to 0.042 ± 0.06 postoperatively while follow-up in the non-IRPRK group (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding mean uncorrected distance VA (P = 0.4), corrected distance VA (P = 0.5), spherical equivalent (P = 0.16), defocus equivalent (P = 0.18), and absolute cylinder (P = 0.94). More than 90% eyes were within ± 1.00 D of emmetropia in both groups. Moreover, Alpins vector analysis revealed that no significant differences were found in any astigmatic parameters between the two groups (P > 0.05). Wavefront-guided PRK independent of the IR status is effective, safe, and predictable in patients with myopic astigmatism. No statistical significance was observed supporting data for the better outcome of visual acuity and astigmatism correction using IR in comparison with a non-IR system.

Oral Immunotherapy Using Probiotic Ice Cream Containing Recombinant Food-Grade Lactococcus lactis Which Inhibited Allergic Responses in a BALB/c Mouse Model.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of recombinant probiotic bacteria as a candidate for oral vaccine with the potential of treating allergy to Amaranthus retroflexus pollens. The main gene of this allergen, Ama r 2, was cloned into the food grade plasmid pNZ7025 and then was electrotransformed into the food grade Lactococcus lactis NZ1330. No expression was observed in the primary structure due to the distance between the ribosome binding site and the start codon. Therefore, the vector structure was corrected using the site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) technique. The cell extract of this strain was used for assessing the expression of the recombinant allergen in western blot analysis, and the existence of this protein with a molecular weight of 14.2 kDa was confirmed. To evaluate the efficacy of this strain in the treatment of allergies as an oral vaccine, probiotic ice cream was prepared. After the sensitization of mice, the treatment was performed by oral immunotherapy for 4 weeks, 4 to 5 times per week. 20 µl of functional ice cream with 1012 CFU/ml of r-L. lactis NZ1330 significantly reduced the serum IgE level. The levels of IFN-γ and TGF-ß cytokines increased in the 20 µl ice cream treatment group as well as 40 µg/ml pure allergen compared with the PBS-treated group, and IL-4 cytokine levels decreased compared with the PBS-treated group. Overall, 20 µl ice cream with 1012 CFU/ml of the recombinant bacteria resulted in the best performance in terms of improving allergies to Th1 and Treg responses.