Assessment of Corneal Parameters in Patients with Constitutional Thinness Using Scheimpflug Imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess corneal parameters in constitutional thinness (CT) subjects and to compare them with those of healthy individuals. METHODS: Twenty-four CT subjects (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and 24 healthy subjects (BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m2) were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. All participants were screened for age, gender, and medical history, then underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination. Corneal parameters were evaluated by Scheimpflug imaging. Height and weight of all subjects were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: The mean corneal thicknesses at the apex point, the center of pupil, the thinnest point, and the mean corneal volume were significantly lower in CT patients than those of controls. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly lower in CTs than in controls. There was a significant correlation between BMI and IOP, and BMI was significantly correlated with all pachymetric measurements and corneal volume. CONCLUSION: Corneal thicknesses were significantly thinner in CT subjects compared to those in control subjects. The impact of constitutional thinness on corneal parameters should be further investigated.

The Investigation of Symptoms and Diagnoses of Adult-Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder in Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate symptoms and diagnoses of Adult-Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in women with iron deficiency anemia, to evaluate relationship between ADHD with clinical features and to compare with the women without iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: Eighty-three newly diagnosed iron deficiency anemia patients and 70 healthy controls were included in this study. All participants were assessed using a sociodemographic form, Structured Clinical Interview I (SCID-I), Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS); Moreover, participants having WURS scores 36 and above were also assessed using the Adult ADD/ADHD Evaluation Scale and interviewed according to DSM-5 criteria. RESULTS: In the study, 22.9% of patients with iron deficiency anemia and 12.9% of healthy controls were found to have WURS scores 36 and above. Fifteen patients (18.1%) in iron deficiency anemia group and two patients (2.9%) in control group had adult ADHD, when they were evaluated with Adult ADD/ADHD Evaluation Scale and interviewed according to DSM-5 criteria (p=0.007). The patients with iron deficiency anemia had significantly higher WURS scores compared to controls (p=0.002). The levels of iron and ferritin had negative correlation (r=-0.166, p<0.05; r=-0.255, p<0.01, respectively) and the levels of serum iron binding capacity had positive correlation (r=0.255, p<0.01) with the scores of WURS. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of adult ADHD is higher than those reported for general population in patients with iron deficiency anemia. Early diagnose and treatment of adult ADHD may positively contribute to the patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Effect of alpha lipoic acid on smoking-induced skin damage.

OBJECTIVE: Exposed to cigarette leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species and the generation of bioactive molecules that can damage skin cells. This investigation was carried out to study possible effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) on smoking-induced rat skin injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 Spraque-Dawley female rats were allocated into three groups: control group (n = 8), smoking group (n = 10; 12 cigarettes/day, 8 weeks) and smoking + ALA group (n = 10; 12 cigarettes/day + 100 mg/kg, 8 weeks). Experiment group animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia with 10%ketamine + 2%xylasine at the end of second mounts and then skin examples were taken from the epigastric area. Histochemical (Haematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome, immunohistochemical (TNF-α) and biochemical analysis (CAT, MDA and protein carbonylation) were performed on these skin tissues. RESULTS: Histologically, skin was distinguished normal structure in the control group. In the smoking group, collagen bundles and hair follicle degradation/reduction, sweat gland degeneration, mononuclear cell infiltration in dermis were encountered. In ALA-treated group, all of these changes were improved (p < 0.05). Collagen bundles structures were appearance more regular than the smoking group . Immunohistologically, intense staining was observed in the smoking group, while very weak staining was observed in control group, weak staining was observed in the ALA-treated group. Biochemically; The CAT activity compared to cigarette group with control was raised high and in ALA group was higher compared to both groups, but not significant (p > 0.05). MDA; which is indicator of lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in cigarette group than in control group (p < 0.05) and was significantly lower in ALA group than cigarette (p < 0.05). Protein carbonylation was higher in cigarette group than the control group but not in the non-significant (p > 0.05). In the ALA it was significantly lower compared to the control group and cigarette (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on biochemical and histopathological determinations, the study showed that cigarette smoke can cause degenerative effects on skin tissues in rats. However, ALA has a curative effect on cigarette-induced injuries on the skin tissues by anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Association between the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and development of in-hospital atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the association between use of previous angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (renin-angiotensin system [RAS] blockers) and started RAS blockers after MI and development of AF in patients presenting with acute STEMI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted to the coronary care unit. Patients were divided into groups according to the use of RAS blockers before MI and development of AF rates was compared. Predictors of AF were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1000 patients presenting with STEMI, 247 received and 753 did not receive RAS blockers. The incidence of AF was 7.9%. The incidence of AF in patients receiving RAS blockers and did not receiving RAS blockers before MI were similar (5.7% vs. 8.6% respectively, P=0.13). On the other hand, AF rate was lower in patients in whom RAS blockers were administered during MI as compared to those in whom these agents were not administered (7.2% vs. 28.6%, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis results showed that administration of RAS blockers or statins during hospitalization and left atrial diameter were associated with development of AF in patients with acute STEMI. CONCLUSIONS: Previous therapy with RAS blockers does not reduce the incidence of AF in STEMI. Administration of RAS blockers at the hospital may decrease the AF rate in STEMI.