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Biomedical subjects

S Razavi

Publications and source records attributed to S Razavi.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Comparison of macular limited translocation and photodynamic therapy for management of choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia: a retrospective study].

PURPOSE: To analyze the results of limited macular translocation (MT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to degenerative myopia, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. METHODS: Retrospective review of 55 consecutive patients: 31 eyes were treated using PDT and 24 were operated on with the limited macular translocation technique with chorioscleral infolding described by de Juan. Before and after each treatment, a complete examination comprised visual acuity, fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Mean follow-up was 14 months in the PDT group and 19 months in the MT group. RESULTS: The improvement in visual acuity was better in the MT group than in the PDT group and was correlated with younger age (p<0.001). At month 12, visual acuity improved by 3 ETDRS lines or more in 6 six eyes of the PDT group (19%), with no improvement over 6 lines. In the MT group, visual acuity improved by 3 lines in 14 eyes (58%) including 8 eight eyes (33%) with an improvement of 6 lines or more. Final visual acuity remain unchanged (+/-2 lines) in 16 eyes of the PDT group (66%) and 8 eight eyes of the MT group (33%), and decreased in 9 nine eyes in the PDT group (29%) versus 2 two eyes in the MT group (8%). Mean gain in visual acuity at 12 months was +3.5 ETDRS lines in the MT group and -0.1 line in the PDT group (p=0.001). The mean displacement of the fovea after translocation was 950 microm. The mMean number of PDT treatments was 2.3 during the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Limited macular translocation allowed provided a significant improvement in visual acuity in some eyes with subfoveal neovascularization in myopia, especially in young patients, and resulted in a moderate rate of complications. Longer follow-up and further controlled and randomized studies are required to confirm these encouraging findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Can sperm protamine deficiency induce sperm premature chromosomal condensation?

Sperm premature chromatin condensation (PCC) has been considered as the second cause of failed fertilization post-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (post-ICSI). Cytoplasmic factors, including oocyte cytoplasmic immaturity have been suggested to induce PCC sperm. However, recent studies suggest that sperm chromatin anomaly might also lead to PCC sperm. During this study, human sperm from infertile patients with protamine deficiency or with adequate amount of protamine assessed by chromomycin A3 were injected into metaphase II mouse oocyte, treated with colcemid. Chromatin analysis was carried out on the injected oocyte. The results of this study show that contrary to the percentage of intact sperm, percentage of PCC sperm was significantly higher in oocytes injected with protamine deficient sperm (36.43 +/- 4.46) compared to oocytes injected with sperm with an adequate amount of protamine (11.99 +/- 3.54, P < 0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between percentage of PCC sperm and protamine deficiency (r = 0.46, P = 0.004). Therefore, it can be suggested that oocytes injected with protamine deficient sperm have a higher chance of forming PCC sperm and may result in failed fertilization post-ICSI.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of protamine-2 deficiency on ICSI outcome.

During spermiogenesis, histones are replaced by protamines (P1 and P2), resulting in sperm chromatin condensation followed by a halt to gene expression in haploid spermatids and spermatozoa. As a consequence, protamine deficiency and aberrant P1/P2 ratio have a profound effect on both fertilization and embryo development. However, reports on the effect of the P1/P2 ratio on fertilization and embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are contradictory between human and animal studies. The question that still remains to be elucidated is which type of protamine deficiency is most common among protamine deficient samples. The present study has a direct bearing on this issue investigating the correlation of the P1/P2 ratio with protamine deficiency, fertilization, embryo quality and embryo development in ICSI patients. This study was carried out on 71 patients. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining was used to determine protamine deficiency. Since this procedure does not indicate the type of protamine deficiency, the P1/P2 ratio was evaluated by nuclear protein extraction, acetic acid urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analysis of protein bands with software. Polyclonal anti-P1 and anti-P2 antibodies were used to confirm P1 and P2 presence. Results show a negative significant correlation of fertilization rate with protamine deficiency and P1/P2 ratio. No significant correlation was observed between protamine deficiency and P1/P2 ratio. Therefore, it can be concluded that altered P1/P2 ratio effects fertilization rate and embryo quality which subsequently may affect implantation and pregnancy outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Relationship between protamine deficiency with fertilization rate and incidence of sperm premature chromosomal condensation post-ICSI.

After aneuploidy, sperm premature chromatin condensation (PCC) is the next prevalent cause of fertilization failure. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sperm protamine deficiency on sperm PCC formation post-ICSI. Chromatin analysis was carried out on failed fertilized oocytes post-ICSI and incidences of sperm PCC were evaluated and the results were compared with the extent of protamine deficiency assessed by chromomycin A3. The results show that incidence of sperm PCC was significantly different in failed fertilized oocytes injected from semen samples with greater or less than 30% CMA3 positivity (P = 0.04). However, except for fertilization rate (P < 0.001), the mean number of MII, MI and germinal vesicles oocytes and percentage normal sperm were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between sperm protamine deficiency with fertilization rate. Hence sperm protamine deficiency affects fertilization rate and possibly prones sperm to PCC post-ICSI.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effect of human sperm chromatin anomalies on fertilization outcome post-ICSI.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sperm chromatin anomalies on fertilization outcome post-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Therefore, along with semen parameters, Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining for protamine deficiency, aniline blue staining for excessive histones, SDS for sperm chromatin stability and SDS + EDTA for the ability of sperm to undergo decondensation were carried out on 55 semen samples from patients referred to the Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center for ICSI. The results showed that among the aforementioned tests and semen parameters only CMA3 showed a significant correlation with fertilization outcome post-ICSI. Patients were also grouped according to CMA3 level of <30% or >30% or fertilization rate of <50% or >50%. The results show that the mean percentage fertilization and mean percentage of CMA3 positivity is different in both groups, respectively. The area under receiver operator characteristics curve shows that CMA3 is a highly sensitive and specific test for prediction of fertilization outcome post-ICSI. In conclusion, that sperm protamine deficiency has profound effect on fertilization failure in ICSI.

Chromatin↗
PubMed2003

[Alternative therapies for choroidal neovessels resulting from age-related macular degeneration].

Classic neovessels (CNVs) identified on fluorescein angiography may benefit from thermal laser photocoagulation when sparing the fovea. If they extend into it, photodynamic therapy may halt the natural progression to a central scotoma. Occult CNVs, when subfoveal, may benefit from photodynamic therapy when isolated (not associated with classic CNV or with a pigment epithelium detachment). A number of therapeutic approaches are being evaluated in order to diversify the therapeutic choices available for treatment of CNVs. Transpupillary thermotherapy, which causes a limited increase in retinal temperature, could produce a sclerosis of occult isolated CNV. This approach has shown interesting results in pilot studies but also carries a risk for iatrogenic effects. The American randomized clinical trial currently under way will provide an evaluation of this treatment. An antiangiogenic therapy currently in progress is studying anecortave acetate and another is investigating anti-VEGF compounds. Anecortave acetate, which demonstrated its angiostatic activity in experimental models as well as in a phase II study, is now in a worldwide randomized clinical trial. The anti-VEGF molecules (antibodies and oligonucleotides) have shown very interesting preliminary results and are being evaluated in a large number of patients. Finally, a preventive therapy consisting of oral supplementation with antioxidants (vitamins C, E, and A) and zinc is a major step forward, providing the possibility of a real and effective prevention of the complications of age-related maculopathy.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2002

[Age related macular degeneration: a review of anti-angiogenic treatments].

In Western countries, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual loss in people aged 65 and over. Laser photocoagulation has been shown to be beneficial in patients with extra- or juxta-foveal classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV), but the majority of patients with exudative maculopathy have occult or subfoveal CNV. Laser photocoagulation is plagued by recurrences, which occur in more than 50% of cases. Because of the limited efficacy of laser photocoagulation and the small number of patients who are eligible for treatment, investigators are attempting to develop new modalities to treat CNV. These modalities can be classified into three major categories: surgery, photodynamic and pharmacological treatments. The general mechanism, the regulation of ocular angiogenesis, and current anti-angiogenic treatments are the subject of this review of the recent literature.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2001

Down-regulation of high mobility group-I(Y) protein contributes to the inhibition of nitric-oxide synthase 2 by transforming growth factor-beta1.

The inducible isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS2) catalyzes the production of nitric oxide (NO), which participates in the pathophysiology of systemic inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. NOS2 is transcriptionally up-regulated by endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines, and down-regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. Recently we have shown that high mobility group (HMG)-I(Y) protein, an architectural transcription factor, contributes to NOS2 gene transactivation by inflammatory mediators. The aim of the present study was to determine whether regulation of HMG-I(Y) by TGF-beta1 contributes to the TGF-beta1-mediated suppression of NOS2. By Northern blot analysis, we show that TGF-beta1 decreased cytokine-induced HMG-I(Y) mRNA levels in vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Western analysis confirmed the down-regulation of HMG-I(Y) protein by TGF-beta1. To determine whether the down-regulation of HMG-I(Y) contributed to a decrease in NOS2 gene transactivation by TGF-beta1, we performed cotransfection experiments. Overexpression of HMG-I(Y) was able to restore cytokine inducibility of the NOS2 promoter that was suppressed by TGF-beta1. The effect of TGF-beta1 on NOS2 gene transactivation was not related to a decrease in binding of HMG-I(Y) to the promoter of the NOS2 gene, but due to a decrease in endogenous HMG-I(Y) protein. These data provide the first evidence that cytokine-induced HMG-I(Y) can be down-regulated by TGF-beta1. This down-regulation of HMG-I(Y) contributes to the TGF-beta1-mediated decrease in NOS2 gene transactivation by proinflammatory stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Relation between different human sperm nuclear maturity tests and in vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE: To consider the relationship between different sperm nuclear maturity tests and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate, in order to select the most sensitive, specific, and independent factor(s) for prediction of in vitro fertilization. METHODS: Infertile couples (101) were randomly selected from IVF candidates referred to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility center. Semen samples were collected on the day of oocyte recovery. Following routine semen analysis, major portion of the semen was prepared for routine IVF insemination and the remaining was used for following sperm nuclear maturity tests: chromomycin A3 (CMA3), aniline blue, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) test, and acridine orange test with or without heat shock (87 degrees C, 5 min). Sperms (200) were evaluated for each test. The results were recorded and analyzed for their correlation to fertilization rate, using correlation coefficient, logistic regression analysis, student t-test, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Among these tests, aniline blue and CMA3, and semen parameters, sperm morphology, and sperm motility showed a significant correlation with fertilization rate. Using logistic regression analysis, sperm morphology and CMA3 were the only independent factors related to in vitro fertilization. ROC curves showed that among above tests, CMA3 is the most specific and sensitive for sperm nuclear maturity. CONCLUSION: Among CMA3, aniline blue, SDS test, and acridine orange, CMA3 was the most sensitive and specific test that can be used along with routine semen analysis for more precise prediction of fertilization rate.

Acridine Orange↗
PubMed2001

Bloodletting acupuncture for the prevention of stridor in children after tracheal extubation: a randomised, controlled study.

Bloodletting acupuncture has been used for the treatment of a variety of upper respiratory tract problems, especially those of laryngeal origin. This study assesses its efficacy in reducing the incidence of stridor after tracheal extubation in children undergoing general anaesthesia with halothane. Sixty children were randomly allocated to an acupuncture group and a control group. In the acupuncture group, bloodletting acupuncture was performed before extubation. A blinded observer determined the presence and severity of postextubation stridor. The incidence of stridor in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than in the control group. In addition, the severity of stridor was significantly greater in the acupuncture group. It is concluded that in children undergoing halothane anaesthesia, the incidence of postextubation stridor cannot be reduced by bloodletting acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1997

[Cryptococcal chorioretinitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

We report a case of cryptococcal chorioretinitis discovered at ophthalmological examination of a 68-year-old woman with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This localization revealed cryptococcal septicemia, without involvement of the central nervous system unlike most cases reported. Therapy with fluconazole (400 mg per day) led to gradual regression of the chorioretinal lesion.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1992

This button makes you go up: three-year-olds and the Nintendo controller.

Forty three-year-old children used the Nintendo controller in a simple cursor-placement task, with two different software interfaces. The directional interface required children to map specific directions of movement on to specific buttons on the controller. The non-directional interface simply advanced the cursor in a clockwise direction to the next placement location, regardless of the specific directional button pressed. Results indicate that while the youngest three-year-old children find the non-directional interface slightly easier to use, older three-year-olds are more successful with the directional interface. In addition, all three-year-olds actually experienced problems using the simpler, non-directional interface - and problems increased with age. The results are discussed with reference to designing appropriate interfaces for the wide variety of skill levels present in the pre-school population.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of topical cyclosporin in microcrystalline keratopathy due to Streptococcus].

Infectious crystalline keratopathy is an exceptional but serious complication of penetrating keratoplasty. Streptococcus viridans and a steroid treatment are very often found. The treatment is always lengthy and difficult. The high number of bacteria and the steroid treatment, necessary to prevent rejection, worsen the infection. We report a case of Streptococcus crystalline keratopathy that evolved, despite the treatment, simultaneously toward abscess and acute rejection. Topical cyclosporin treatment was used to maintain an immunosuppression without worsening the infection.

Administration, Topical↗