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.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Child Burn.

BACKGROUND: Burns are one of the most important health problems in communities. Traumatic injuries, especially Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) associated with burns, may increase disability and mortality. In addition to preventing burns, any action for a better treatment approach and early detection of concomitant traumatic injuries can reduce complications, disability, and treatment costs. We aimed to investigate the outcome of children with burn injury with and without TBI. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 392 children with burn injuries treated at Motahari Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2018-2019 were enrolled. Patient demographics, burn injury information and TBI-related information including head trauma and fracture were recorded in a checklist. Patients were divided into two groups of death (24 people) or discharge (368 people) in terms of outcome and the underlying variables were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the mean age of patients and gender in the two groups. The difference in the length of hospital stay, inhalation injury and skull fracture in the two groups was not statistically significant. The mean burn severity based on Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) and the frequency of TBI in the deceased group was significantly higher (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The severity of burns based on TBSA and TBI is associated with increased mortality among children with burn injuries. The results suggest the need to examine children with burn injuries for TBI using clinical examination or imaging.

Superficial Retinal Microvasculature and Choriocapillaris Alterations after Photodynamic Therapy in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To compare superficial retinal vascular, choriocapillaris (CC), and choroidal thickness changes in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients after half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). Method: In this prospective interventional case series study, fifteen eyes of 14 patients with chronic CSCR undergoing half-dose PDT treatment were enrolled. All patients underwent enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography angiography (EDI-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at baseline and 3 months after treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), superficial retinal vascular density, CC vessel density, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), central macular thickness (CMT), and choroidal thickness were compared. Results: Mean BCVA before and after PDT was 0.34 ± 0.26 and 0.19 ± 0.25 logMAR, respectively (p=0.011). Mean FAZ before treatment was 410.21 ± 117.00 µm2, which increased to 433.50 ± 116.76 µm2 (P=0.253). Mean vessel density at superficial capillary plexus (SCP) was 38.93 ± 11.12 at baseline, which increased to 39.04 ± 11.43 (P=0.886). Mean CC vessel density was 53.21 ± 4.14 at baseline, which significantly decreased to 51.85 ± 4.21 (P=<0.001). BCVA has no significant correlation with FAZ (P=0.282) and vessel density (P=0.0.241) at SCP. CMT significantly decreased from 380.87 ± 41.66 µ at baseline to 268.20 ± 28.07 µ at 3 months (P=0.132). We did not find any correlation between CMT and FAZ (P=0.040) and vessel density (P=0.686) at SCP. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness reduced from 411 ± 171 µm before treatment to 372 ± 117 µm (P=0.106). Conclusion: PDT treatment can affect retinal and choroidal structural parameters, but we could not find any significant influence on retinal vascular parameters, including FAZ area and vessel densityonly mean CC vessel density and subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased.

Real-World, Multicenter Case Series of Patients Treated with Oral Omadacycline for Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and have limited treatment options available. Omadacycline (OMC) is an aminomethylcycline antibiotic that has been shown to exhibit broad in vitro activity against antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Given the lack of real-world data, the primary objective of our report was to describe early experience with OMC for the treatment of resistant Gram-negative infections. METHODS: This was a real-world, multicenter, observational cases series/pilot study conducted in the USA. Inclusion criteria included any adult patient aged ≥ 18 years who received OMC for ≥ 72 h either in the inpatient and/or outpatient setting. Clinical success was defined as a composite of 90-day survival from initiation of OMC, lack of alteration in treatment/addition of other antibiotic due to concerns of OMC failure, and lack of microbiologic recurrence within 30 days from the end of therapy. RESULTS: Oral OMC was used in nine cases primarily for multidrug-resistant (MDR)/extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections (55.6% XDR and/or carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii [CRAB]). The majority of infections were of bone/joint (55.6%) origin, followed by intra-abdominal (33.3%) origin. Clinical success occurred in 66.7% of cases, with 80.0% success each in infections of bone/joint origin or those caused by CRAB. One patient experienced an adverse effect that was not treatment limiting while on therapy (gastrointestinal). CONCLUSION: The use of oral OMC in MDR/XDR Gram-negative infections exhibited a relatively high success rate with minimal adverse effects. Real-world studies with larger case numbers are needed to confirm our initial findings.

Clinical Characteristics Associated with Bacterial Bloodstream Coinfection in COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Inappropriate antibiotic use in COVID-19 is often due to treatment of presumed bacterial coinfection. Predictive factors to distinguish COVID-19 from COVID-19 with bacterial coinfection or bloodstream infection are limited. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 595 COVID-19 patients admitted between March 8, 2020, and April 4, 2020, to describe factors associated with a bacterial bloodstream coinfection (BSI). The primary outcome was any characteristic associated with BSI in COVID-19, with secondary outcomes including 30-day mortality and days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) by antibiotic consumption (DOT/1000 patient-days). Variables of interest were compared between true BSI (n = 25) and all other COVID-19 cases (n = 570). A secondary comparison was performed between positive blood cultures with true BSI (n = 25) and contaminants (n = 33) on antibiotic use. RESULTS: Fever (> 38 °C) (as a COVID-19 symptom) was not different between true BSI (n = 25) and all other COVID-19 patients (n = 570) (p = 0.93), although it was different as a reason for emergency department (ED) admission (p = 0.01). Neurological symptoms (ED reason or COVID-19 symptom) were significantly higher in the true BSI group (p < 0.01, p < 0.01) and were independently associated with true BSI (ED reason: OR = 3.27, p < 0.01; COVID-19 symptom: OR = 2.69, p = 0.03) on multivariate logistic regression. High (15-19.9 × 109/L) white blood cell (WBC) count at admission was also higher in the true BSI group (p < 0.01) and was independently associated with true BSI (OR = 2.56, p = 0.06) though was not statistically significant. Thirty-day mortality was higher among true BSI (p < 0.01). Antibiotic consumption (DOT/1000 patient-days) between true BSI and contaminants was not different (p = 0.34). True bloodstream coinfection was 4.2% (25/595) over the 28-day period. CONCLUSION: True BSI in COVID-19 was associated with neurological symptoms and nonsignificant higher WBC, and led to overall higher 30-day mortality and worse patient outcomes.

Incidence and management of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence, management, and clinical outcomes of cases who developed acute endophthalmitis following the administering of the intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection. METHODS: In this retrospective, non-comparative, single-center, cross-sectional study, the records of patients diagnosed with acute endophthalmitis following IVB injection between March 2013 and October 2019 were reviewed. Immediate injection of intravitreal antibiotics and early pars plana vitrectomy was performed for all cases after clinical diagnosis of acute post IVB endophthalmitis. RESULTS: A total of 28,085 IVB injections were performed during the study period. Nine eyes of nine patients developed acute post IVB endophthalmitis giving an overall incidence of 0.032% (95% CI, 0.01-0.06) (3.2 in 10,000 injections). Three cases (33%) were culture-positive (staphylococcus epidermidis). The mean time between IVB injection and presentation of endophthalmithis was 2.77 ± 1.25 days (Range, 1-6). The mean number of previously received IVB injections before developing of endophthalmitis was 4 ± 1.5 (range 2 to7). The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before IVB injection, at the presentation of endophthalmithis and three months after the treatment of endophthalmithis were 1.18 ± 0.62, 2.5 ± 0.42, and 1.94 ± 0.88 logMAR, respectively (P = 0.025). One eye developed phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute endophthalmitis following Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is very low. The time interval between injection and presentation is short. Prompt treatment with immediate intravitreal antibiotics and early pars plana vitrectomy are key in maximizing outcomes. The prognosis of post-IVB endophthalmitis is poor and may result in significantly visual impairment.

Risk of Missed Diagnosis of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma by Eye Care Providers.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of opportunistic case finding in glaucoma detection and to determine factors associated with failure of glaucoma detection by eye health providers. Methods: This study was conducted on 154 new definite primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients presenting to our glaucoma clinic. A questionnaire was prepared to determine if these subjects had sought eye care up to 12 months before presentation. The type of eye care provider and the principal reason for the visit were probed. The primary outcome measure was the frequency of a correct glaucoma diagnosis in their index visit. The secondary outcomes were factors associated with missed POAG diagnosis. Results: The great majority of study subjects (132 cases, 85.7%) had sought at least one ocular examination within 1 year before presentation. Among these patients, 73 cases (55.3%) had remained undiagnosed after the examination. Among the probed variables, age, gender, visual acuity, visual field defects, intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio, nerve fiber layer thickness of the worse eye at presentation, and family history of glaucoma were comparable between correctly diagnosed and missed POAGs. The only factors significantly associated with missed POAG diagnosis were lack of significant refractive errors and visiting an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist. Conclusions: The efficacy of opportunistic case finding for POAG seems to be less than ideal in our settings. Lack of a significant refractive error and visiting an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist were associated with a missed diagnosis of POAG. These observations reflect the need to adopt policies to improve glaucoma screening by eye care providers.

Fertility outcomes subsequent to medical and surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) and its treatment methods may affect subsequent fertility outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To compare methotrexate (MTX), laparoscopic salpingostomy, and salpingectomy methods of EP treatment and their effects on fertility outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed on women receiving a definitive diagnosis of tubular EP from 2014 to 2017 at Arash Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. In total, 194 women were studied, of which 64 were treated with MTX, 52 underwent salpingostomy, and 78 underwent salpingectomy, depending on their clinical status. Basic information, obstetrics history, and major outcomes of the treatment after an 18-month follow-up, including recurrence of EP, miscarriage, and successful intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), were recorded and variables were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in fertility outcomes among the three groups. Among the studied variables, predictors of successful IUP after EP treatment were multiparity (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.37; 95%CI: 1.06-1.77), no history of miscarriage (HR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.01-5.56), and a higher number of live births (HR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.01-2.37). On the other hand, predictors of EP recurrence included nulliparity (HR: 1.61; 95%CI: 1.02-2.53) and a lower number of live births (HR: 3.84; 95%CI: 1.43-10.98). The effect of other factors, including the utilized therapeutic modalities, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The current study results demonstrated that after an 18-month follow-up, fertility outcomes, including recurrence of EP and successful IUP, were not significantly different among the subjects with EP treated with MTX, salpingostomy, or salpingectomy. Further studies with long-term follow-ups are recommended.

Corona virus disease 2019-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in a patient with acute pneumonia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-years-old woman with a diagnosis of acute pneumonia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection who had received azithromycin and naproxen. Three days after starting the medication, she appeared ill and developed ocular discomfort, photophobia, dysuria, and macular rashes on the trunk and the extremities. On ophthalmological examination, a total epithelial defect was seen in both eyes. According to the examination, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was diagnosed and the patient was admitted to receive systemic and ocular support and medical care. The patient's condition improved during the 3 weeks and recovered from both COVID-19 and SJS life-threatening complications but ocular complications, including the destruction of the meibomian glands, irregularity of the eyelid margin, and corneal scarring remained for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Although, it is not clear whether the cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in COVID-19 patients is the virus itself or whether the use of medication, but patients with COVID-19, especially patients receiving medication, should be screened for symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Development of Progressive Chiari I Malformation in a Child with Unilateral Sporadic Retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of progressive Chiari malformation type I (CIM) in a patient with unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma (RB) treated with intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) and enucleation. METHODS: A 5-year-old male patient with a history of RB in his left eye treated with IAC and enucleation presented to our clinic for routine RB surveillance. Radiotherapy had not been used for the treatment of his RB. RESULTS: A progressive herniation of cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum was detected on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Brain and cervical MRI revealed no central nervous system mass, hydrocephalus, or syringomyelia. There was no history of head trauma. CONCLUSION: Progressive CIM may occur in unilateral sporadic RB.

Efficacy and complications of ruthenium-106 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and vision-threatening complications of brachytherapy with ruthenium-106 (106Ru) plaque to treat uveal melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature review was performed based on results from searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, using the following key words: "choroidal melanoma", "uveal melanoma", "brachytherapy", and "ruthenium-106". We included studies performed on more than 30 patients since 1986, reporting on local control rate, complications rate, mean radiation dose, and mean tumor thickness. The cumulative analysis was performed using Metaprop command of Stata v.16, and meta-regression was conducted based on mean tumor thickness and mean radiation dose to tumor's apex. RESULTS: Twenty-one retrospective studies were selected, involving 3,913 patients treated primarily with 106Ru plaque brachytherapy. The range of radiation dose to tumor apex was from 70 Gy to 250 Gy. The local control rate following brachytherapy ranged from 59% to 98%, and the overall weighted mean of local control was 84%. However, the heterogeneity between studies' reports was remarkable (I 2 = 95.40%). Meta-regression based on tumor thickness and mean dose of radiation to the apex showed that the studies' heterogeneity was minimally related to the difference in mean tumor size (I 2 = 92%). The correlation between larger tumor size and lower local control rate was statistically significant (p-value = 0.024). There was no significant correlation between the mean radiation dose and local control rate (p-value = 0.679). The most commonly reported complications were cataract and radiation-related retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the studies' heterogeneity was high, in a prescription dose ranging from 70 Gy to 250 Gy to the tumor apex, 106Ru brachytherapy seems to be successful in local control of uveal melanoma. The efficacy of 106Ru in controlling uveal melanomas decreased with the increase in tumor thickness. However, these outcomes should be verified in randomized comparative studies.

A new glaucoma drainage implant with the use of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A pilot study.

Purpose: To investigate the implantation of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a glaucoma drainage device. Methods: This study has been done in two steps. First, the constructed implants have been used in 4 rabbits and the histopathologic response was evaluated. In the second step, the implants were used in the 6 eyes of 6 patients with end-stage glaucoma with uncontrolled IOP and poor visual acuity. The tube was made of two-layer of PTFE membrane measuring 8 * 6 mm with a thickness of 1.8 mm and a silicone tube. The rabbits and the human eyes underwent surgical implantation of the tube in the anterior chamber. The histopathologic evaluation was done using H&E staining. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure and the number of glaucoma medications were assessed before and after the surgery. Results: In the histopathologic evaluation, subconjunctival polarizing fibers of a synthetic mesh infiltrated by fibrovascular septa was seen. A granulomatous inflammatory reaction composed of histiocytes, lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells were seen around and between the synthetic bundles. The average age of patients was 63 ± 5.5 years. The mean IOP reached from 36.6 ± 5.7 mmHg at baseline to 16.2 ± 8.9 mmHg at the final follow-up. Patients were followed for an average of 6.6 ± 4.5 months. One patient found hypotony refractory to medical and surgical treatment, which led to implant removal. One patient had uncontrolled IOP and finally led to phthisis bulbi following slow CPC. The remaining four eyes did well during the follow-up. Conclusion: The use of PTFE as a new polymer in tube shunt construction was reported. Larger studies, modification of the PTFE membranes like changing the porosity amount, and size of PTFE membranes might result in different conclusions.

A Systematic Literature Review on Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an uncommon vision-threatening disorder that can be caused by ocular or head trauma and is categorized into direct and indirect TON. The overall incidence of TON is 0.7-2.5%, and indirect TON has a higher prevalence than direct TON. Detection of an afferent pupillary defect in the presence of an intact globe in a patient with ocular or head trauma with decreased visual acuity strongly suggests TON. However, afferent pupillary defects may be difficult to detect in patients who have received narcotics that cause pupillary constriction and in those with bilateral TON. Mechanical shearing of the optic nerve axons and contusion necrosis due to immediate ischemia from damage to the optic nerve microcirculation and apoptosis of neurons is a probable mechanism. The proper management of TON is controversial. High-dose corticosteroid therapy and decompression of the optic nerve provide no additional benefit over observation alone. Intravenous erythropoietin may be a safe and efficient treatment for patients with TON.

Preliminary, Real-world, Multicenter Experience With Omadacycline for Mycobacterium abscessus Infections.

Twelve patients were treated with omadacycline (OMC) as part of a multidrug regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus. The majority of infections were of pulmonary origin (7/12; 58.3%). The median (interquartile range) duration of OMC was 6.2 (4.2-11.0) months. Clinical success occurred in 9/12 (75.0%) patients. Three patients experienced a possible adverse effect while on therapy.

The Relationship of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: This prospective study investigated the relationship between pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the Iranian population. MATERIALS: Overall, 994 singleton pregnant mothers of 18-35-year old were referred for first-trimester screening tests, including PAPP-A and ß-hCG, at the age of 6 days and 11-13 weeks, and were followed until the end of their pregnancy. The adverse pregnancy outcomes, PAPP-A, and ß-hCG serum levels were recorded and analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were measured by calculating the area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: The mean serum level of PAPP-A and ß-hCG was 1.10 ± 0.69 and 1.09 ± 0.8 MoM, respectively. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, regardless of its percentile, showed a significant relationship with the incidence of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal low birth weight (p < 0.001 for each). However, the relationship between PAPP-A and abortion was not significant (p > 0.05). According to ROC, the results indicated that PAPP-A had a significant relationship with the incidence of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal low birth weight (p < 0.001). However, ß-hCG levels showed no significant relationship with adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study revealed that lower level of PAPP-A and ß-hCG could be a predictive factor in preterm labor. Also, this study indicated that PAPP-A measurements could be a screening test for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, low birth weight and preterm labor.

Comparison of the Effect of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid and Sublingual Misoprostol on Reducing Bleeding After Cesarean Section: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intravenous tranexamic acid (TA) and sublingual misoprostol on reducing bleeding after cesarean section. MATERIALS: One hundred and fifty-eight participants with term pregnancies scheduled for cesarean section were randomly divided into two groups. In M group, two sublingual misoprostol pills (400 mg) were administrated, immediately after the delivery. In TA group, ten minutes before skin incision, TA ampoule (1 g) was injected. In both groups, immediately after the delivery, 20 units of oxytocin in 1 L ringer lactate with speed of 1000 CC/h was injected. At the end of the operation, the amount of bleeding was measured based on the number of small and large gauzes, the blood in the suction container and the difference of patient's hemoglobin before and 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Hemoglobin level reduction in the TA group was higher than the M group (- 2.45 ± 0.84 vs - 2.14 ± 1.38 g/dL) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, number of used gauze and blood suction in the TA group was significantly higher compared to sublingual misoprostol (4.67 ± 1.34 vs 3.25 ± 1.31 and 260.25 ± 79.06 vs 193.94 ± 104.79 cc, respectively) (P < 0.001). Mean blood pressure during the entire duration of surgery in the TA group decreased significantly as compared to the M group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Total bleeding was significantly lower in sublingual misoprostol as compared to the tranexamic acid group. Furthermore, in misoprostol group hemodynamic variables were stabilized greater than tranexamic acid group. REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT201708308611N6.

Effect of Cuscuta epithymum Acquainted with Risperidone on the Improvement of Clinical Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Triple-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cuscuta epithymum (CE) is an established medicinal herb utilized for treating psychosis in Persian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CE combined with risperidone on the clinical symptoms and the cognitive impairment in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, the intervention group received a dose of 500 mg of CE in the form of a capsule to be taken twice a day accompanied by an appropriate dose of risperidone. The control group was presented with a placebo identical to that of the CE capsule plus the allocated dose of risperidone. The PANSS and SCoRS questionnaires were used to assess the status of subjects prior to the initiation of the intervention as well as being put to use at the end of the second, fourth, and eighth week post-intervention. Registering and recording intel concerning positive and negative symptoms felt by participants (PANNS), and a test to assess the cognitive impairment of the individuals. RESULTS: After eight weeks of treatment, all negative and positive symptoms besides hostility and somatic concern exhibited a significant improvement in the CE group (P <0.05). In contrast, the CE placebo group displayed no substantial improvement in the cases of the positive, negative and general symptoms (P>0.05) regarding cognitive impairment, after eight weeks of treatment, all symptoms were greatly improved in the CE group (P<0.05), while the effect of the placebo on the patients cognitive impairment remained mostly stationary (P>0.05). Consequently, after eight weeks after the intervention, we can determine that the CE treatment has been noticeably more effective at improving positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that CE, possessing possible antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, safely improved the positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive impairment of patients with schizophrenia.

Effect of Phototherapy on Serum Level of Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D in Infants With Hyperbilirubinemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Phototherapy is one of the therapy methods for jaundice caused by hyperbilirubinemia. Vitamin D and bilirubin have two distinct routes of metabolism yet part of their syntheses is common in the liver and thus they may influence each other's synthesis. One of the consequences of phototherapy not previously studied in detail is hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia. The current study aimed at investigating the effect of phototherapy on serum level of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. METHODS: The current semi-experimental investigation was conducted on 50 term infants with jaundice that had phototherapy indication. Bilirubin, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D were measured in their blood samples at admission and then 48 hours after beginning the phototherapy. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 using paired-samples t test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The serum calcium was 9.85 mg/dL before phototherapy and significantly decreased after it (9.51 mg/dL) (P <0.001). Also, the mean serum magnesium was 2.21 mg/dL before phototherapy and significantly decreased after it (2.06 mg/dL) (P=0.047). The mean of serum vitamin D significantly increased after phototherapy (before 17.44 mg/dL and after 21.77 mg/dL) (P <0.0001). The current study showed that phototherapy could decrease the level of calcium and magnesium and increase the level of vitamin D.

Herpes simplex virus infection in minor burn injury: a case report.

This is a relative rare case of 0.5% TBSA (total body surface area) burn wound infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). A 1-year-old male infant had deep second degree burn of the left fourth finger with 0.5% TBSA after exposure to a hot object. Blisters and vesicles surrounded by erythema were obvious in the examination of the burned area. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing analyses addressed contamination of the burn wound with HSV. Three days after the administration of antibiotics, the wound was relatively healed and finally, the patient was discharged in good general health, and no signs of relapse were observed in the 3-month follow-up. Although HSV infection is rarely reported in non-immunocompromised patients and TBSA burn injuries, due to the high prevalence of HSV infection and its mortality potential in the affected patients, HSV infection should be clinically suspected in the cases with delayed wound healing. In addition, since HSV infection is very contagious, and exposure to patients with HSV infection might be highly problematic for other patients hospitalized in burn wards; hence, proper facilities should be provided for the isolation care of the burn patients with HSV infection.

Correlation between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 oncoprotein expression and some prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer is one of the increasing cancer diagnoses in the United States. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid cancer. There are a few researches done determining the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 HER2 (erbB-2) in PTC prognosis. They also have been controversial. This study is designed to determine the correlation of HER2 expression with tumor size, lymph node involvement, and capsular invasion as prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. Information about age, sex, tumor size, and lymph node involvement of 85 patients undergone thyroidectomy and diagnosed PTC in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital during 2010-2012, have been derived from their medical records. Four-micron sections made from paraffin embedded blocks and HER2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Other sections were stained with H and E Method and capsular invasion was evaluated by microscope. RESULTS: In this study, 88.2% of patients were female and 11.8% of patients were male. About 37.6% of samples were HER2 positive. There was no significant correlation between HER2 and lymph node involvement (P = 0.649), (P > 0.05). A significant correlation found between HER2 and capsular invasion (P = 0.000), (P < 0.05). This study found a significant correlation between HER2 and tumor size (P = 0.000), (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HER2 oncoprotein expression is correlated with increased tumor size and capsular invasion. Hence, HER2 can be used to assess PTC prognosis.