We designed an artificial neural network (ANN) to diagnose cirrhosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. Routine laboratory data (PT, INR, platelet count, direct bilirubin, AST/ALT, AST/PLT) and age were collected from 144 patients. Cirrhosis in these patients was diagnosed by liver biopsy. The ANN's ability was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the results were compared with a logistic regression model. Our results indicate that the neural network analysis is likely to provide a non-invasive, accurate test for diagnosing cirrhosis in chronic HBV-infected patients, only based on routine laboratory data.

Our findings suggest that both BMI and WC have the same power to predict MetS and also children with higher BMI or WC are more susceptible to MetS. Moreover, a high incidence of MetS in children highlights the importance of interventional strategies during early childhood.

Purpose To report the genetic analysis of an Iranian Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD)-affected family, and to review previously reported mutations in the gene and assess the distribution of affected amino acids in the encoded protein. Methods The eleven exons of CYP4V2 were sequenced in the DNA of the proband of the Iranian BCD family. The putative disease-causing variation was screened in all affected and non-affected members. BCD causing CYP4V2 mutations previously reported in the literature were compiled, and positions of amino acids affected by nonsense and missense mutations were mapped onto the primary structure of the CYP4V2 protein. Results C.1219G > T in CYP4V2 that causes p.Glu407* was identified as cause of BCD in the Iranian family. The mutation segregated with disease status. Clinical presentations were similar among affected members, except that one patient presented with retinal macular hole. Twelve nonsense and 47 missense mutations in CYP4V2 were compiled. Inspection of distribution of amino acids affected by the mutations suggested non-random distribution and clustering of affected amino acids in nine regions of the protein, including regions that contain the heme binding site, the metal binding site, and a region between these binding sites. The most C-terminus proximal nonsense mutation affected position 482. Conclusions This study presents results of the genetic analysis of an Iranian BCD family. Protein regions affected by mutations within the nine mutation clusters include regions well conserved among orthologous proteins and human CYP4 proteins, some of which are associated with known functions. The findings may serve to identify reasonable candidate gene region targets for gene editing therapy approaches.

Purpose:To describe a 42-year-old man, a known case of Bietti crystalline dystrophy who underwent surgery for unilateral full thickness macular hole.Case Report:Clinical features, color fundus photographs, and optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, and electrooculography findings of the patient are reported. His visual acuity improved from counting fingers to 20/50 after pars plana deep vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas injection.Conclusion:Macular hole can occur in Bietti crystalline dystrophy and the post-surgical outcome is good.

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Purpose:To compare the efficacy and side effects of loteprednol versus fluorometholone after myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).Methods:One hundred and twenty four eyes of 62 patients who underwent PRK were enrolled in this study. One eye of each subject was randomized to receive loteprednol 0.5% and the fellow eye was given fluorometholone 0.1%. Patients were followed up for three months.Results:There was no significant difference in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, corneal haze, intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular discomfort and redness between groups at the final visit. At 3 months postoperatively, 20/25 or better UDVA was achieved in 95% of the loteprednol group and 92% of the fluorometholone group (P > 0.05). There was neither visually significant corneal haze nor ocular hypertension (IOP rise > 10 mmHg or IOP > 21 mmHg) in any group.Conclusion:The efficacy and side effects of loteprednol 0.5% and fluorometholone 0.1% after myopic PRK are comparable.

Purpose:To compare the anterior segment indices measured by two Scheimpflug camera machines; Galilei and Pentacam.Methods:In this observational case series, the anterior segment indices of myopic healthy subjects seeking for refractive surgery were measured by Pentacam and Galilei on the same day. Analyzed parameters were anterior and posterior best fit spheres (BFS), axial curvature, true corneal power, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber (AC) depth, AC volume, AC angle, and pupil diameter.Results:This study included 176 eyes of 88 participants. Mean radius of the anterior BFS was 7.79 ± 0.34 mm versus 7.75 ± 0.39 mm measured by Pentacam and Galilei, respectively (r = 0.877, P < 0.001). Corresponding values for the mean radius of posterior BFS were 6.42 ± 0.32 and 6.47 ± 0.38 mm, respectively (r = 0.879, P < 0.001). Anterior corneal mean power was 43.8 ± 1.9 diopters (D) with Pentacam and 43.8 ± 2.4 D with Galilei (r = 0.905,P < 0.001). Posterior corneal mean power was measured − 6.3 ± 0.3 and − 6.3 ± 0.4 D using Pentacam and Galilei, respectively (r = 0.873, P < 0.001). True corneal power was 43.9 ± 1.9 D with Pentacam and 43.5 ± 2.3 D with Galilei (r = 0.909, P < 0.001). CCT was 537 ± 44 and 553 ± 51 μm measured by Pentacam and Galilei, respectively (r = 0.796, P < 0.001). AC depth measurements using Pentacam and Galilei were 3.29 ± 0.4 and 3.3 ± 0.38 mm (P < 0.001), respectively; AC volume was 207 ± 50 and 129 ± 39 mm3≥ (P = 0.004), and AC angle was 39.7 ± 9.2 and 54.2 ± 5.2 degrees (P = 0.051), respectively. Average pupil diameter was measured 3.91 ± 1.77 mm by Pentacam and 3.34 ± 0.89 mm by Galilei (P = 0.018).Conclusions:There was a significant correlation between the Pentacam and Galilei in all measured parameters except AC angle, AC volume, and average pupil diameter.

Purpose: To investigate the retinal vascular characteristics among patients with different types of inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 59 genetically confirmed cases of IRD including 37 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (74 eyes), 13 patients with Stargardt disease (STGD) (26 eyes), and 9 patients with cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) (18 eyes). Both eyes of 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were investigated as controls. All participants underwent optical coherence tomography angiography to investigate the vascular densities (VDs) of superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) as well as foveal avascular zone area. Results: In RP, significantly lower VD in whole image ( P = 0.001 for DCP), fovea ( P = 0.038 for SCP), parafovea ( P < 0.001 for SCP and DCP), and perifovea ( P < 0.001 for SCP and DCP) was observed compared to controls. In STGD, VD of parafovea ( P = 0.012 for SCP and P = 0.001 for DCP) and fovea ( P = 0.016 for DCP) was significantly lower than controls. In CRD, the VD of parafovea ( P = 0.025 for DCP) was significantly lower than controls. Whole image density was significantly lower in RP compared to STGD ( P < 0.001 for SCP) and CRD ( P = 0.037 for SCP). VD in parafovea ( P = 0.005 for SCP) and perifovea ( P < 0.001 for SCP and DCP) regions was significantly lower in RP compared with STGD. Also, foveal VD in STGD was significantly lower than RP ( P = 0.023 for DCP). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated lower VDs in three different IRDs including RP, STGD, and CRD compared to healthy controls. Changes were more dominant in RP patients.