Hypertension is a serious medical condition that can increase the risk of developing heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. Many asymptomatic hypertension patients experience asymptomatic organ damage (AOD). The purpose of this study was to determine the roles of LncRNA-GAS5 and β-catenin in predicting AOD in hypertensive nondiabetic patients. This study included 256 subjects, 128 hypertension patients (75 of whom had AOD, and 53 of whom did not) and 128 healthy controls. qRT-PCR was used to assess LncRNA-GAS5, and ELISA was used to assess β-catenin. The LncRNA-GAS5 expression level was decreased in hypertensive patients compared to controls (p-value < 0.001). On the other hand, β-catenin levels showed higher levels in the patients in comparison with controls (p-value < 0.001). A 0.38-fold change in LncRNA-GAS5 expression predicted AOD with 86.6% sensitivity and 88.7% specificity. β-Catenin > 80.5 pg/mL predicted AOD with a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 69.8%. LncRNA-GAS5 expression was a better diagnostic predictor of AOD than β-catenin. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, decreased LncRNA-GAS5 expression independently increased the risk of AOD (adjusted odds ratio = 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01–0.1) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, elevated β-catenin levels may be an independent risk factor for AOD (adjusted odds ratio = 14.3 (95% confidence interval, 3.3–61.9) (p < 0.001). Collectively, in hypertensive patients, LncRNA GAS5 and β-catenin can distinguish patients with AOD from those who do not have AOD. LncRNA GAS5 and β-catenin can be used as independent predictors of AOD in hypertensive patients.
Purpose To describe a simple and minimally invasive technique using double-frequency YAG laser for correction of mild medial lower eyelid ectropion with punctal eversion and assess the efficacy of the technique by measuring the tear film meniscus pre- and post-laser treatment using imageJ software. Methods This study included 23 eyes of 19 patients with lower eyelid ectropion with punctal eversion. All patients were treated by double-frequency YAG laser applied to lower medial conjunctiva. Tear film thickness was assessed using imageJ software pre- and post-argon laser treatment. Results There was a highly significant change detected after argon laser treatment as regarding the mean of the height of tear film which was found to be significantly lower after argon laser treatment compared to before it (81.1 pixels versus 193.1 pixels, respectively) (P < 0.001). Conclusion Double-frequency YAG laser applied to lower medial palpebral conjunctiva is a simple, easy, safe, and effective procedure which can be used as a solo treatment in early cases of punctal eversion with no or mild medial canthal tendon laxity.
Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is an allergic reaction that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential innate immune receptors that contribute to developing various allergic diseases. This case-control study aims to determine the correlation between TLR-4 gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism and AC incidence and severity. The study included 70 AC patients and 70 non-allergic controls. All included subjects were subjected to a skin prick test, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurement, and TLR-4 gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism detection by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. AC patients had significantly higher total IgE levels than controls (P ≤ 0.001). The frequency of the wild-type AA and heterozygous AG genotype were significantly lower in AC patients compared to controls (60 % vs. 80 % and 8.6% vs. 12.9 %, respectively). In contrast, the homozygous mutant GG genotype was significantly more prevalent among AC patients than controls (31.4 % vs. 7.1 %). Furthermore, the wild AA genotype was strongly associated with mild disease (68.2%); nonetheless, the homozygous mutant GG genotype was linked to severe disease (53.8%). The heterozygous AG genotype was only found in moderate AC patients (17.1%). AC patients with the mutant G allele may be more likely to have a severe course of AC.
Purpose is to identify the motivational factors and barriers to clinical trial recruitment of the Egyptian DR patients. Patients and methods: Patients with DM either type I or II came to our outpatient clinic were subjected to fundus examination. Patients with any degree of diabetic retinopathy were included. A questionnaire was distributed to them. It included the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and questions to identify the motivational factors or barriers to participate in a trial. We divided them according to their tendency for recruitment, the first group that accepts the participation; we asked them about the most motivational factors. The second group that refused the participation, we asked them about their potential barriers. Results Among the 206 recruited patients (145/206) (70.4%), accepted to participate while the remaining (61/206) (29.6%) refused to. Fear from blindness was the commonest motivational factor (93.1%) and the risk of side effects was the commonest barrier (100%). Acceptance to participate was higher among those with positive family history (P = 0.01). Refusal to participate was higher in mild NPDR (P < 0.001). Patients with PDR and macular edema accepted to participate (P < 0.001). High education was significantly associated with acceptance compared to those who refuse (81.1% versus 18.9% respectively) (P = 0.004). Ocular history of previous intervention significantly associated with accepting to paricipate (P = 0.001). Conclusion Acceptance was unpredictably high. The results of this questionnaire should encourage researchers to conduct more clinical trials.
Purpose: To describe a new, simple and minimally invasive technique for correction of mild medial lower lid ectropion with punctal evrsion and measuring the efficacy of the technique by measuring the tear film meniscus pre and post argon laser treatment using imagej software.Methods: This study included 23 eyes, 19 patients with lower eyelid punctal eversion. All patients were treated by argon laser of lower medial conjunctiva. Tear film thickness was assessed using imagej software pre and post argon laser treatment.Results: There was a highly significant difference between before and after argon laser treatment as regarding the height of tear film which was found to be significantly lower after argon laser treatment compared to before it (81.1pixels versus 193.1pixels respectively) (p< 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, argon laser to lower medial palpebral conjunctiva is a simple, easy, safe, and effective procedure which can be applied as a sole treatment in early cases of punctal eversion with no or mild medial canthal tendon laxity.Clinical Trials Registration no clinical trial registration.
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