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In situations where the molecular mechanism of many ocular disorders is unknown, owing to the difficulties associated with sampling from ocular tissues, human tear film can be a promising medium in ophthalmic research. The present study demonstrates an in-depth gel-based proteome optimization survey to approach more appropriate and efficient systems in various situations such as normal and dry-eye syndromes. Therefore, systematic and statistical evaluations were performed on different preparation methods, including acetone, acetone-methanol, chloroform-methanol-water, trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-acetone, tri- n-butylphosphate-acetone-methanol precipitations and ammonium sulfate fractionation at three different percentages of saturations (50, 70 and 90%). Methods were compared quantitatively on both one- and two-dimensional patterns. Some important parameters such as total protein recovery yield, densitometric analysis of some protein contaminants, banding patterns and total spot numbers along with statistical models for proper clustering were considered. Findings revealed noticeable impacts of preparation methods on all aspects of gel-based separations as well as recovery yield (ranging from 5.29 ± 0.96 to 22.56 ± 1.77 µg/mm) and banding and pattern resolution. In addition to all these, the most important point is that the total protein spot number on the final two-dimensional patterns (varied from 528.00 ± 19.00 to 657.00 ± 21.52 for different methods) were also noticeably increased in comparison with previously published reports (maximum of 250 spots), which is essential for a more comprehensive analysis. Increasing the proteome coverage in the present study is supposed to originate from improved solubility and effective rehydration during the sample application and isoelectric focusing (IEF) procedure along with proper sample preparation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been widely used as an explosive. TNT can induce some well-recognized toxic impacts comprising toxic hepatitis, aplastic anemia and cataract. The aim of study was evaluation of TNT exposed workers for systemic complication. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we carried out Liver Function Test (LFT), complete blood count (CBC) and slit lamp biomicroscopy to compare the prevalence and severity of these 3 complications between 47 male TNT exposed workers (with at least one year continuous experience of TNT exposure) and 43 unexposed male hospital worker who hadn't had any previous contacts with TNT. We also performed Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) to assess the probable obstructive/restrictive abnormalities, caused by TNT. Results: Mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level of TNT exposed group was significantly higher than the unexposed group ( p = 0.023) Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratios of both groups were in the range of restrictive pattern (82.03% and 81.42% for the exposed and unexposed group, respectively) with no meaningful difference. We didn't find out any specific TNT induced cataract and general cortical cataract (CC) and nuclear sclerotic cataract (NSC) prevalence was not significantly different. Discussion: we haven't found TNT as a chemical, causing toxic hepatitis or aplastic anemia; neither did we find it as a compound, responsible for a meaningful increase in cataract prevalence. However, due to the increased ALP serum levels and FEV1/FVC ratios among TNT workers, safety precautions are advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eyes are the most sensitive organs to sulfur mustard (SM). Late ocular complications have been reported even 15-20 years post-exposure. To date, no study has investigated the composition of tear proteins in tear samples of SM-intoxicated patients. Methods: Total protein content as well as concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P were measured in unstimulated tears of chemically-injured patients who suffer from late ocular complications of SM. These levels were compared to corresponding values obtained from tears of healthy control subjects. The concentration of total proteins was measured using the Bradford method and those of VEGF, CGRP and substance P by ELISA. Results: Total protein concentration was significantly lower in tears of the SM compared to control group ( p < 0.01). In contrast, tear samples of the SM group had significantly higher VEGF and VEGF/total protein compared to control group ( p < 0.01). Tear CGRP concentration was found to be lower in the SM vs. control group ( p < 0.05) but no significant difference in CGRP/total protein was observed ( p > 0.05). Finally, tear substance P concentrations were not found to be significantly different between the two groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this investigation indicated decreased total protein and CGRP, and elevated VEGF concentration in tears of SM-intoxicated patients who suffer from chronic ocular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many victims of chemical warfare(VCW) manifest some degree of refractive errors which were not present before exposure. These refractive errors are presumably long-term(delayed) effects of sulfur mustard exposure. However, no related research studies have been done to confirm this. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are the refractive errors of the eye and prevalence of these errors depends on several factors such as hereditary factors, age, profession, and also several geographical factors. The effect of sulfur mustard on the eye may be very complex and relates basically to the intensity of the injury. Sulfur mustard targets the cornea resulting in early effects of exposure. The delayed effects of exposure are less documented and are discussed in this study. Materials and METHOD: In this study, cross-sectional study refractive errors were studied as one of the delayed effects of sulfur mustard in VCW. 2252 eyes of VCW and 2248 normal eyes were chosen as controls. The mean age of both groups were 34.3(SD = 9.1) and 32.1(SD = 10.1) respectively. Both groups went through an optometric and ophthalmic examination. The refractive errors were measured by autorefractometer(Topcon RM 2300). The Student t-test and chi-square test were used and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of refractive errors in the VCW group was 89.8% which was higher than the control group of 72.6% p < 0.001. Astigmatism was the main refractive error in the VCW group and their prevalence(76.2%) was higher than the control group(47%) p < 0.001. The types of astigmatism found were“against” and“oblique.” Prevalence of myopic astigmatism in the VCW group was also higher than in the other types of astigmatisms. Discussion: There are three main causes for refractive errors. Change in anterior-posterior length of the eye or change in curvature of refractive surfaces and change in the index or combinations of them. All VCW have photophobia, dry eyes, and excessive blinking. They have narrow eye opening(narrow palpebral fissure). Eyelid pressure and excessive blinking, and dry eyes add gradual pressure on the cornea and in the long term lead to induce refractive errors such as astigmatism. Further studies will be needed however to confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent studies imply extensive applications for the human amniotic membrane (hAM) and its extract in medicine and ophthalmology. The content of hAM meets many requirements in eye surgeries, such as refractive surgery as the most important and commonly used method for treating the dramatically increasing refractive errors. However, they are associated with complications such as corneal haziness and corneal ulcer. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of amniotic membrane extracted eye drop (AMEED) on Trans-PRK surgery complications. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed during two years (July 1, 2019-September 1, 2020). Thirty-two patients (64 eyes), including 17 females and 15 males, aged 20 to 50 years (mean age of 29.59 ± 6.51) with spherical equivalent between -5 to -1.5 underwent Trans Epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (Trans-PRK) surgery. One eye was selected per case (case group) and the other eye was considered as control. Randomization was done using the random allocation rule. The case group was treated with AMEED, and the artificial tear drop every 4 hours. The control eyes received artificial tear drops instilled every 4 hours. The evaluation continued for three days after the Trans-PRK surgery. Results: A significant decrease in CED size was found in the AMEED group on the second day after surgery (P=0.046). Also, this group had a substantial reduction in pain, hyperemia, and haziness. Conclusion: This study showed that AMEED drop can increase the healing rate of corneal epithelial lesions after TransPRK surgery and reduce the early and late complications of Trans-PRK surgery. Researchers and Ophthalmologists should consider AMEED as a selection in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects and patients who have difficulty in corneal epithelial healing. We understood AMEED has a different effect on the cornea after surgery; therefore, the researcher must know AMEED’s exact ingredients and help expand AMEED uses (registration number: TCTR20230306001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies have already addressed the effects of occupational organic solvent exposure on the visually evoked potentials (VEPs). Visual system is an important target for Sulphur Mustard (SM) toxicity. A number of Iranian victims of Sulphur Mustard (SM) agent were apprehensive about the delay effect of SM on their vision and a possible delay effect of SM on their visual cortex. This investigation was performed on 34 individuals with a history of chemical exposure and a control group of 15 normal people. The Toennies electro-diagnosis device was used and its signals were saved as the latencies. The mean of N75, N140 and P100 of victims of chemical warfare (VCWs) and control group indicated no significant results (P>0.05). The VCWs did not show any visual symptoms and there was no clear deficit in their VEPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the relationship between different parameters of Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and Corvis ST (CST) in a sample of healthy Iranian school-aged children and the relationship between parameters of these 2 instruments against intraocular pressure (IOP), measured by the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT-IOP), age and gender, and find possible correlation between ORA and CST with GAT., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 healthy children. A general interview and complete eye examination were performed. Following successful GAT-IOP measurement, ORA and CST were conducted. The CST parameters were A 1/2 length (A1L, A2L), A 1/2 velocity (A1V, A2V), highest concavity deformation amplitude (HCDA), radius of curvature (RoC), peak distance (PD), central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP. The ORA parameters were corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOP-G) and corneal compensated IOP (IOP-CC). Extracted data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software., Results: Totally 39 males with age of 9.08±1.60 (6-12)y and 51 females with age of 8.96±1.55 (6-13)y were included. Many CST parameters were significantly correlated with CH, CRF, IOP-G and IOP-CC. Some CST parameters had a significant correlation with GAT-IOP, including IOP-CST in both eyes and HCDA, A2L, PD, and RoC in the left eye, but none with age, except A2L in the right eye. The CRF measurement showed a significant correlation with GAT-IOP in both eyes and CH in the right eye, yet, none with age. Among all CST and ORA parameters, CCT-CST in both eyes and A1L in right eye had a significant correlation with gender, although this was a negligible negative correlation. Comparison of mean IOP values by different devices showed a significantly highest IOP overestimation by CST and lowest by IOP-CC compared with GAT. Also, IOP-G versus IOP-CST significantly had the lowest IOP overestimation among others. Overall, either low positive correlation or negligible correlation was found between IOP measurements by 3 instruments., Conclusion: The study finds the highest IOP overestimation by CST and lowest by IOP-CC compared with GAT. Overall, either low positive correlation or negligible correlation is found between IOP measurements by the 3 instruments.

Purpose: To develop clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of ocular injuries caused by exposure to mustard gas., Methods: The clinical questions were designed by the guideline team. Websites and databases including National Guidelines Clearinghouse, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Cochrane, and PubMed were searched to find related CPGs and explore possible answers to the clinical questions. Since there were no relevant CPGs in the literature, related articles in Persian and English languages were extracted. Each article along with its level of evidence was summarized. Additionally, hand search was performed by looking the reference list of each article. Consequently, recommendations were developed considering the clinical benefits and side effects of each therapeutic modality. The recommendations were re-evaluated in terms of customization criteria. All recommendations along with the related evidence were scored from 1 to 9 by experts from all medical universities of Iran. The level of agreement among the experts was evaluated by analyzing the given scores., Results: The agreement was achieved for all recommendations. The experts suggested a number of minor modifications which were applied to the recommendations. Finally, CPGs were developed with 98 recommendations under three major domains including prevention of injury, diagnosis and management of the acute and delayed-onset mustard gas ocular injuries., Conclusion: Considering the lack of CPGs for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of mustard gas-induced keratitis, these recommendations would be useful to prevent the serious ocular complications of mustard gas and standardize eye care services to the affected individuals., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: The present study sought to evaluate the prophylactic effect of bethametazone on sulfur mustard (SM)-induced ocular morphometric damage in the rabbit eye., Methods: Twenty five healthy New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups of normal (not exposed to SM or solution), solution (exposed to solution), SM (exposed to SM), and prophylactic bethametazone (received eye solution of bethametazone then exposed to SM solution; then treated for 2 weeks). On the day 14 after exposure, five-micron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy evaluation. The ocular morphometric characteristics in the study groups were compared to determine the prophylactic effects of the bethametazone., Results: Bethamethazone could protect eyes from SM effect by means of decrease in changes in number of Keratocyte in 10000 μm(2), thickness of cornea (μm), thickness of corneal epithelium (μm), number of meibomian gland's cells in 2500 μm(2), thickness of palpebral conjuctival epithelium (μm), thickness of epithelial of palpebral skin (μm), number of epithelial layers of palpebral skin, and number of goblet cells in conjunctival sac in 1000 μm., Conclusions: Bethametazone may have a prophylactic effect on the early lesions of the eye of the rabbit due to SM exposure.