Transplantation of retinal cells has recently provided a promising therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration. Here, we differentiated initially retinal progenitors (RPs) from adherent feeder-free human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with the use of defined media supplemented with a specific combination of growth factors. The differentiated RPs highly (>80%) expressed related molecular features that included Six3 at an early stage in addition to Crx, Rx, Pax6, Otx2, and Chx10 at later stage. Next, we examined the induction of photoreceptors by Shh and/or the coculture of rabbit retinal pigmented epithelium with hESCs-derived RPs. The differentiation of retinal cells was demonstrated by protein and gene expression in all groups. However, S-Opsin, a cone photoreceptor marker, had higher expression in the presence of Shh, whereas expressions of Gli and Hes1 decreased in the same group. Finally, hESC-derived RPs were treated with Shh transplanted into the subretinal space of sodium iodate-injected albino-type adult rabbits and analyzed 4 weeks later. Transplanted retinal cells survived, migrated into retinal layers, and restored a small but significant B-wave. The grafted cells expressed photoreceptor markers, S-Opsin and Rhodopsin. Our results indicate that putative hESC-derived retinal cells express related genes and proteins. Further, our results show that retinal-like cells can be useful replacements for photoreceptors in retinal diseases.

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Post traumatic endophthalmitis is an uncommon but severe complication of ocular trauma. We aimed to identify the incidence of post traumatic endophthalmitis and its contributing risk factors in Feiz hospital (Isfahan, Iran) from 2006 until 2010. Medical records of 1042 patients with open globe injury were analyzed and data were collected including age, sex, location of being injured, visual acuity (VA), time from injury to hospitalization and to repair, site of ophthalmic injury and the presence of foreign body. The frequency of post-traumatic endophthalmitis was about 2.1% (N = 22) of all patients. Nine of 22 cases with endophthalmitis were under 8 years. The visual acuity at the time of admission was seen to be contributed to high rate of endophthalmitis. Intraocular foreign body was detected in 139 patients; and the rate of endophthalmitis was 5% among these patients. Statistical analysis showed significant relationship between presence of foreign body and higher rate of endophthalmitis. Also, duration of hospitalization was significantly different between two study groups (P = 0.019). There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of other studied variables. Patients with low age, low visual acuity at admission, presence of intraocular foreign body and long duration of hospital stay had a higher risk of endophthalmitis after the repair of the globe. Compared to the reports of other large institutions, we can attribute the low incidence rate of endophthalmitis in our institution to the early use of systemic antibiotics such as gentamycin and cephalosporins in the first hour of hospitalization until discharge.

Background: COVID-19 patients, especially the patients requiring hospitalisation, have a high risk of several complications such as opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection that mainly affects diabetic and immunocompromised patients. An increase has been observed in the number of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19 admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, since October 2020. This is a report of the frequency, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of COVID-19 associated with mucormycosis infection. Methods: The medical records of COVID-19 patients with rhino-orbital mucormycosis who were diagnosed in an educational therapeutic hospital in Kermanshah, west of Iran were surveyed. Several parameters were analysed including demographic, clinical, therapeutic and laboratory characteristics.Results: Twelve patients with COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis were identified from 12 October to 18 November 2020. All cases reported as proven mucormycosis had a history of hospitalisation due to COVID-19. Comorbidities mainly included diabetes mellitus (83.33%) and hypertension (58.33%). Seventy-five per cent of patients received corticosteroids for COVID-19 treatment. The sites of involvement were rhino-sino-orbital (83%) and rhino-sino (17%). Amphotericin B/ liposomal amphotericin B alone or in combination with surgical debridement or orbital exenteration was used as the first-line therapy. The overall mortality rate was 66.7% (8/12). Conclusions:We found a high incidence of mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients. Diabetes mellitus and corticosteroid use were the dominant predisposing factor of mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a life-threatening and opportunistic infection;

Earth's atmosphere contains billion cubic meters of fresh water, which is considerable as a reliable water resource, especially in sultry areas. What is important in this context, how to extract the water, in an economic manner. In order to extract water from air conditioner, no need to spend any cost, because water produced as a by-product and trouble production. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the quantity and chemical quality of water obtained from Bandar Abbas air conditioners; at intervals beginning of March to early December of 2010. Sixty six samples were taken in cluster random plan. Bandar Abbas divided into four clusters; based on distance to shore and population density. Chemical tests which included: Turbidity, alkalinity, total hardness, Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) and quantity measurement were performed on them. Obtained water had slightly acidic pH, near to neutral range. Total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness and alkalinity of extracted water were in low rate. Each air conditioner produced 36 liter per day averagely. Split types obtained more water to window air conditioners. With regard to some assumptions, approximately 4680 to 9360 cubic meter per day water is obtainable which is suitable for many municipal and industrial water applications.