Can the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause choroiditis and optic neuropathy?

Objectives: We aim to investigate the involvement of the choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in COVID-19 patients using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020. 40 patients (23 female and 17 male) with COVID-19 and 42 healthy individuals (26 female and 16 male) were included in the study. The OCT scans were performed 4 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: In the COVID-19 group, in the right eyes, the mean nasal choroidal thickness was 295.70 ± 7,046 μm ( p = 0.017), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.25 ± 6,353 μm ( p = 0.003), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 296.63 ± 6,324 μm ( p = 0.039), and mean RNFL was 89.23 ± 1.30 μm ( p = 0.227). In the left eyes, mean nasal choroidal thickness was 287.88 ± 9,033 μm ( p = 0.267), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.80 ± 9,457 μm ( p = 0.013), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 298.50 ± 9,158 μm ( p = 0.079), and mean RNFL was 89.48 ± 1,289 μm ( p = 0.092). Compared with the control group, the patient group had significant thickening of the choroidal thickness in all quadrants of the right eyes, and significant thickening of the subfoveal choroidal thickness in the left eyes. There was no significant difference in the RNFL thickness between groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 may cause a subclinical involvement in the choroidal layer.

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Choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer analysis in acute systemic brucellosis

European Journal of Inflammation ◽

10.1177/20587392211040666 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 205873922110406

Author(s):

Kürşad Ramazan Zor ◽

Tuğba Arslan Gülen ◽

Gamze Yıldırım Biçer ◽

Erkut Küçük ◽

Ayfer İmre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nerve Fiber ◽

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Control Group ◽

Fiber Layer ◽

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness ◽

Nerve Fiber Layer ◽

Rnfl Thickness ◽

The Mean ◽

Retinal Nerve Fiber

Introduction This study aims to detect changes in choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in acute stage brucellosis. Methods Fnewly diagnosed patients with acute brucellosis and 19 healthy individuals as control group were included in the study. Choroidal thickness and RNFL thickness were measured using the Spectral Domain Cirrus OCT Model 400 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) for each participant in the patient and control group. Results In the brucella group, in the right eyes, the mean nasal choroidal thickness was 272.77 ± 50.26 μm ( p = 0.689), the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 321.14 ± 33.08 μm ( p = 0.590), the mean temporal choroidal thickness was 278.86 ± 48.84 μm ( p = 0.478), and the mean RNFL thickness was 90.43 ± 8.93 μm ( p = 0.567). In the left eyes, the mean nasal choroidal thickness was 282.29 ± 48.93 μm ( p = 0.715), the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 316.79 ± 39.57 μm ( p = 0.540), the mean temporal choroidal thickness was 284.93 ± 50.57 μm ( p = 0.392), and the mean RNFL thickness was 92.64 ± 8.95 μm ( p = 0.813). Conclusion No difference was found between the control and the brucella groups regarding to all choroidal regions and RNFL thickness.

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The effect of gamma radiation on plasma levels of zinc and selenium in nuclear medicine staff

Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.34172/jsums.2019.09 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 51-56

Author(s):

Mahdiyeh Mirnam Niha ◽

Mehdi Salehi Barough

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Medicine ◽

Gamma Radiation ◽

Graphite Furnace ◽

Serum Zinc ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background and aims: Gamma radiation is widely being used in medical-imaging centers. The aim of this study was to measure possible alterations in serum zinc and selenium levels among nuclear medicine staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 nuclear medicine staff as well as on 10 individuals as the control group. Blood samples (20 mL) were obtained from the participants and the serum specimens were isolated by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 7 minutes. The samples were then used for measurement of zinc and selenium levels. Zinc and selenium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with a graphite furnace. The mean serum levels of zinc and selenium were compared using SPSS. Results: The mean level of zinc in the radiated group (70.91±14.46 μmol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (89.75±17.35 μmol/L) (P=0.002). A negative significant correlation was found between the duration of exposure to radiation and zinc levels (P=0.005). Furthermore, a negative significant relationship was observed between the mean radiation dose after 5 years and zinc concentration (P=0.019). Non-significant difference was found in the mean level of selenium between control (1.71±0.35 μmol/L) and radiation (2.13±1.12 μmol/L) groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between selenium level and exposure time. Conclusion: Based on the results, declined level of zinc can be considered as one of the possible mechanisms caused by gamma radiation on cells which may be associated with oxidative damage. Therefore, zinc therapy can be helpful for those who work at medical radiation centers; however, it merits further studies.

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Two-year Changes in Postoperative Central Macular Thickness and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Epiretinal Membrane Patients

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society ◽

10.3341/jkos.2021.62.12.1607 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 62 (12) ◽

pp. 1607-1616

Author(s):

Woo Seok Choi ◽

Jihae Park ◽

Kyoo Won Lee ◽

Hyun Gu Kang

Keyword(s):

Epiretinal Membrane ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Macular Thickness ◽

Control Group ◽

Central Macular Thickness ◽

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness ◽

Corrected Visual Acuity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Purpose: To evaluate changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after phacovitrectomy over a 2-year period in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients.Methods: The records of 52 idiopathic ERM patients (52 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy, without recurrence of the condition over a 2-year follow-up period, were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in CMT and SFCT, as measured by optical coherence tomography, were analyzed and compared with those of a normal control group over a 2-year period.Results: The mean preoperative CMT and SFCT were 425.67 ± 84.67 and 257.56 ± 90.13 μm, respectively. Postoperative CMT was reduced significantly to 372.17 ± 45.26 μm at 1 year and 363.15 ± 47.35 μm at 2 years (p < 0.001). SFCT at 1 and 2 years postoperatively was significantly reduced to 238.85 ± 84.85 and 230.31 ± 87.95 μm, respectively (p < 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant change in CMT; however, the SFCT decreased by 11.09 ± 22.36 μm during the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.007). In contrast, in the patient group, CMT and SFCT decreased by 62.52 ± 71.45 and 27.25 ± 41.97 μm, respectively, showing a significant difference from the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043, respectively). Both before surgery and at 1 year postoperatively, the thinner the CMT, the better the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.010 and p = 0.018, respectively). A better postoperative BCVA at 2 years was associated with a thinner CMT and better BCVA before surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).Conclusions: Following a phacovitrectomy procedure, ERM patients showed significant reductions in both the CMT and SFCT at the 2-year follow-up.

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Spontaneous ovulation and pregnancy in women with polycystic ovarian disease; a cross sectional study

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20180148 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 359

Author(s):

Mostafa A. Sleem ◽

Ibrahim I. Mohamed ◽

Mahmoud S. Zakherah ◽

Ahmed M. Abbas ◽

Momen A. Kamel

Keyword(s):

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Right ◽

Study Participants ◽

Health Hospital

Background: Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of approximately 5-10%. This study aims to assess the rate of spontaneous ovulation and pregnancy in patients. The present study was a cross sectional study conducted at Woman's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.Methods: The current study was a cross sectional study carried out in Assiut Women's Health Hospital between the 1st October 2016 and 31st July 2017. The patients were selected as infertile patients with PCOD. The patient ages range between 20 and 35 years. The BMI is between 18 and 30 Kg/m2. The main outcome measure was the rate of spontaneous ovulation and spontaneous pregnancy in the 3 cycles.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 26.64±4.59 years and the mean BMI was 24.46±2.62Kg/m2. The sonographic ovarian volume was 12.47±0.69 mm3 for the right ovary and 12.74±0.73 mm3 for the left ovary. No difference in the serum FSH, LH, FSH/LH ratio and prolactin over the 3 consecutive cycles. The rate of spontaneous ovulation in the 3 cycles was 6 women (8.6%) and 2 cases (2.8%) became pregnant spontaneously during the study period. There is no statistical significant difference between ovulating and non-ovulating women according to the BMI and ovarian volume.Conclusions: The present study concluded that the rate of spontaneous ovulation was 8.6% in women with PCOD within 3 cycles with no adverse effects of drugs or surgical interference.

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Choroidal vascular sublayers in Chinese pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnancy

10.21203/rs.2.163/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Tingting Hong ◽

Xin Meng ◽

Xinxiao Gao ◽

Jun Wang

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness ◽

Healthy Pregnancy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sd Oct

Abstract Background: Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to investigate choroidal vascular sublayers in Chinese pre-eclampsia (PE) and healthy pregnancy. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study, including 20 normal subjects, 23 healthy pregnancy and 37 patients with PE. Using SD-OCT, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT)， 750μm nasal and temporal to the fovea, 1500μm nasal and temporal to the fovea（T1500, T750, SFCT, N750, N1500）and sublayers (choriocapillaris/Sattler layer and Haller layer) were measured. Results: There was no significant difference in mean age, spherical equivalent among the three groups (P=0.532). Additionally, no significant difference in the gestational age between the healthy pregnancy and PE group was found (P=0.783). Significant differences were seen in large choroid vessel thickness(LCVT), medium choroidal vessel thickness (MCVT) and choroidal thickness (CT) at 5 locations among three groups (P<0.05). There was significant increase in healthy pregnancy group than in normal subjects at N1500-CT, N750-CT, SFCT, T750-CT and MCVT (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed at T1500CT and LCVT (P>0.05). Meanwhile, significant increase was detected in PE group than in healthy pregnancy group at N1500-CT, N750-CT, SFCT, T750-CT, T1500CT and LCVT (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed at MCVT(P=0.709). Conclusion: Our study revealed the variation of choroidal vascular sublayers during pregnancy and PE. Key words: Pre-eclampsia, subfoveal choroidal thickness, choroidal sublayers, optical coherence tomography

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Load Distribution Between Right and Left Foot by Using Podata Postural Stabilometric Footplate in Undergraduate Students of Pakistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-116096/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adnan Hashim ◽

Ashfaq Ahmad ◽

Asif Hanif ◽

Samia Sarmad ◽

Faiza Sharif

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Load Distribution ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Right ◽

Secure Place

Abstract Objective: The objective was to assess the load distribution between right and left foot by using PODATA Postural Stabilometric footplate in undergraduate students of Pakistan.Study design: Cross sectional study.Place and Duration: This study was conducted from the different medical institutes of Pakistan.Methodology: Ethical committee's clearance was acquired from the University of Lahore before this research's ritualistic starting point. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 145 undergraduate students having age years. For data collection, empowerment from patients was started by taking compile agreement from the university's management. Informed consent was taken from the study participants. All questions in the questionnaire were validated through previous literature. Questionnaires were provided and abstracted to the respondents as a pamphlet. After collection, data was saved in a secure place to avoid any biases.Results: Out of 145 students, 115(75.9%) students were females, and 30(24.1%) students were males, 76 students had normal body weight, The mean weight on the right foot was 2.29 ± 0.92 kg by accessor 1, 2.29 ± 0.93 kg by accessor 2 & the mean weight on the left foot was 0.57 ± 0.33 kg by Accessor 1, 0.57 ± 0.34 kg by Accessor 2; hence, there is a significant difference in weight on right & left foot by accessor 1 & accessor 2 during open eyes as the p-value was significant. (value <0.00001**).Conclusion: It was concluded that the load distribution is not the same as the right foot and the left foot. The right foot is dominant; changing the accessor doesn't matter the foot's dominancy, and if someone has right-hand dominance, it's not necessarily that their right foot Will be dominant. Their left foot can also be dominant. Load distribution between foot also depends on the total body weight.

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The association between palatal rugae pattern and dental malocclusion

Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics ◽

10.1590/2177-6709.24.1.37.e1-9.onl ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 037e1-037e9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Farheen Fatima ◽

Mubassar Fida ◽

Attiya Shaikh

Keyword(s):

Class Ii ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Class Iii ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Palatal Rugae ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Right ◽

Dental Malocclusion

ABSTRACT Introduction: Palatal rugae complete its development during early intrauterine life, whereas dental malocclusions in permanent dentition establishes several years into the post-natal life. Objective: The objective of present study was to determine if there is an association between the palatal rugae pattern and Angle’s classes of malocclusion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pretreatment dental casts of 184 patients. The sample was divided into the following groups: Class I, Class II div. 1, Class II div. 2, and Class III. The number of palatal rugae was recorded, bilaterally. The length, pattern and orientation of three anterior-most primary rugae on both sides were recorded. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 17.8 ± 5.4 years. The mean number of the palatal rugae was 11.18 ± 2.5, with significant differences among different malocclusion groups. The length of the first rugae on left side and third rugae on both sides varied significantly among the groups (p< 0.05). Similarly, the pattern of palatal rugae was also found to be significantly different among the malocclusion groups. The right sided rugae did not have any significant difference in the orientation in different malocclusion groups; however, the left sided rugae showed significant differences among the four malocclusion groups (p< 0.001). Conclusions: The current study showed subtle differences in the palatal rugae pattern among the Angle’s classes of malocclusion. Similarly, the length and orientation of some rugae were also found to be significantly different between malocclusion groups.

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Subfoveal choroidal thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in young obese males

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672120982899 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 112067212098289

Author(s):

Ceylan Uslu Dogan ◽

Damla Culha

Keyword(s):

Nerve Fiber ◽

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Obese Group ◽

Fiber Layer ◽

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness ◽

Young Males ◽

Rnfl Thickness ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Temporal Quadrant

Objective: Regarding the effect of obesity on subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, controversial results have been reported in different patient groups. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on these parameters among young male subjects in comparison with age-matched non-obese healthy males. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included both eyes of 50 obese young males and 50 healthy non-obese young males. The obese and the non-obese groups included subjects with a BMI of ⩾30 and ⩽25 kg/m², respectively. Subfoveal choroidal thickness and RNFL analyses were conducted by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Results: Subfoveal choroidal thickness (321.0 ± 46.7 vs 338.4±35.3, p = 0.002) and RNFL thickness at temporal quadrant (73.4 ± 9.9 vs 76.4 ± 9.3, p = 0.008) was significantly lower in the obese group when compared to the non-obese group. The groups did not differ regarding peripapillary RNFL thickness at other quadrants (superior, inferior, or nasal) or regarding mean peripapillary RNFL thickness. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated a negative correlation of obesity with subfoveal choroidal thickness and temporal quadrant peripapillary RNFL thickness. Larger studies on different patient groups with longer-term follow-up are warranted to better elucidate the ophthalmological effects of obesity.

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Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520987819 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652098781

Author(s):

Mathias Paiva ◽

Lars Blønd ◽

Per Hölmich ◽

Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Keyword(s):

Trochlear Dysplasia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Tibial Tubercle ◽

Control Group ◽

Trochlear Groove ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

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Interleukin-37 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine: does its relation to disease activity suggest its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis therapy?

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s43166-021-00065-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eman A. Baraka ◽

Mona G. Balata ◽

Shereen H. Ahmed ◽

Afaf F. Khamis ◽

Enas A. Elattar

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Tender Joint ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.

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