Multifunctional Theranostic Graphene Oxide Nanoflakes as MR Imaging Agents with Enhanced Photothermal and Radiosensitizing Properties.

The integration of multiple therapeutic and diagnostic functions into a single nanoplatform for image-guided cancer therapy has been an emerging trend in nanomedicine. We show here that multifunctional theranostic nanostructures consisting of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) scaffolded within graphene oxide nanoflakes (GO-SPIO-Au NFs) can be used for dual photo/radiotherapy by virtue of the near-infrared (NIR) absorbance of GO for photothermal therapy (PTT) and the Z element radiosensitization of AuNPs for enhanced radiation therapy (RT). At the same time, this nanoplatform can also be detected by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging because of the presence of SPIO NPs.

Variable Expressivity of Wolfram Syndrome in a Family with Multiple Affected Subjects.

Purpose: To study the genetic basis and clinical manifestations of Wolfram syndrome in a multi-affected family.

Methods: Complete clinical examinations including urological, ophthalmic, neurological, and endocrinologic assessment were performed for three affected family members. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes with salting out method and all exons and their flanking regions were sequenced.

Prenatal diagnosis of primary congenital glaucoma and histopathological features in a fetal globe with mutations.

Background/objectives: This study aims to report the developmental and histopathological features of ocular tissues from an electively aborted human fetus with mutations in , and thus predisposed to primary congenital glaucoma in comparison to an age-matched healthy fetal globe.

Subjects/methods: Both eyes of two 17-week gestational aged fetuses, the first with mutations and the second as healthy control fetus, were studied. Hematoxylin and eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff, Gomori's trichrome, and Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining protocols in addition to immunohistochemistry staining using anti-cytochrome p4501B1, anti-fibrillin-1, and anti-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal antibodies, as primary antibodies, were performed to assess the effect of the mutations on tissue development, cytochrome p4501B1 protein expression, extracellular matrix structure, and oxidative stress in the developing fetus eye.

The First Inherited Retinal Disease Registry in Iran: Research Protocol and Results of a Pilot Study.

Background: To describe the protocol for developing a national inherited retinal disease (IRD) registry in Iran and present its initial report.

Methods: This community-based participatory research was approved by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran in 2016. To provide the minimum data set (MDS), several focus group meetings were held.

Triple combination of heat, drug and radiation using alginate hydrogel co-loaded with gold nanoparticles and cisplatin for locally synergistic cancer therapy.

Although multimodal cancer therapy has shown superior antitumor efficacy in comparison to individual therapy due to the potential generation of synergistic interactions among the treatments, its clinical usage is highly hampered by systemic dose-limiting toxicities. Herein, we developed a multi-responsive nanocomplex constructed from alginate hydrogel co-loaded with cisplatin and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) (abbreviated as ACA) to combine chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT) and photothermal therapy. The nanocomplex markedly improved the efficiency of drug delivery where ACA resulted in noticeably higher tumor growth inhibition than free cisplatin.

Gold nanoparticles promote a multimodal synergistic cancer therapy strategy by co-delivery of thermo-chemo-radio therapy.

Multimodal cancer therapy has become a new trend in clinical oncology due to potential generation of synergistic therapeutic effects. Herein, we propose a multifunctional nanoplatform comprising alginate hydrogel co-loaded with cisplatin and gold nanoparticles (abbreviated as ACA) for triple combination of photothermal therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (thermo-chemo-radio therapy). The therapeutic potential of ACA was assessed in combination with 532 nm laser and 6 MV X-ray against KB human mouth epidermal carcinoma cells.

mutation as the cause of various clinical manifestations in a family affected with inherited retinal dystrophy.

: To reveal the underlying genetic defect in a complex family affected with different clinical features of inherited retinal dystrophy, we carried out whole exome sequencing followed by confirmatory molecular tests.: Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed for available affected family members. Whole exome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, Sanger sequencing confirmation, and segregation analysis were done to identify the causative mutation.

Identification of genes involved in glaucoma pathogenesis using combined network analysis and empirical studies.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. We aimed in this study to identify genes that may make subtle and cumulative contributions to glaucoma pathogenesis. To this end, we identified molecular interactions and pathways that include transcription factors (TFs) FOXC1, PITX2, PAX6 and NFKB1 and various microRNAs including miR-204 known to have relevance to trabecular meshwork (TM) functions and/or glaucoma.

Incomplete penetrance of gene for autosomal dominant form of cone-rod dystrophy.

: Cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) is an inherited retinal dystrophy that is transmitted via different modes of inheritance. Mutations in more than 30 genes have been identified to cause the disease. We aimed to investigate the genetic agents of two unrelated cone-rod dystrophy affected Iranian families with autosomal recessive inheritance patterns.

Effects of intravitreal connective tissue growth factor neutralizing antibody on choroidal neovascular membrane-associated subretinal fibrosis.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays an essential role in the regulation of extracellular matrix proteins and pro-fibrotic and angiogenic factors. This experimental research was conducted to evaluate if CTGF is elevated after induction of a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) and whether intravitreal anti-CTGF without and with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) may have any effect on the CNVM associated sub-retinal fibrosis. In adherence to ARRIVE guidelines, CNVM was induced by laser spots in the right eye retinas of ninety-four pigmented rats.

A novel PAX6 mutation causes congenital aniridia with or without retinal detachment.

Background: Aniridia is a rare developmental eye disorder characterized by complete or partial iris hypoplasia often accompanied with other ocular changes that affect the cornea, anterior chamber, lens, retina, and optic nerve. Most cases of aniridia are inherited with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance caused by PAX6 mutations or deletions. To reveal the underlying genetic defect in a four-generation Iranian family with aniridia, we carried out a genetic screening of PAX6.