Opium Use and the Risk of Cataract: a Hospital-based, Group-matched, Case–control Study in Iran

Cataract is the most prevalent cause of reversible blindness worldwide. Although studies have identified risk factors for cataract, its association with opium use has not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the association between opium use and cataract in Iran in 2020. In a hospital-based, group-matched case–control study in Kerman, a city in southeast Iran, 160 new cases of cataract and 320 controls without cataract underwent ophthalmological examination and were interviewed. Logistic regression models tested the association between cataract and history of opium use, adjusting for demographic characteristics and history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, renal disease, smoking, alcohol use, and unprotected sun exposure. After controlling for potential confounders, opium use increased the odds of cataract, exhibiting a dose–response relationship. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for mild use was 1.44 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.80–2.58), and 2.10 (95% CI 1.04–4.25) for heavy use. Exposure to opium juice use further increased the odds of cataract (aOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.00–5.10). Other significant associations with cataract were lower education level (aOR 5.46, 95% CI 2.45–11.29), being unmarried (aOR 2.88, 95% CI 1.65–5.00), both underweight (BMI <18.5, aOR 5.27, 95% CI 2.02–13.70) and overweight (BMI >25, aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.15–2.87), and family history of cataract (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.32–3.23). Our study provides evidence that opium use could increase the odds of cataract. Results also support the association of cataract with other modifiable risk factors, such as very low and high BMI and unprotected sun exposure.

Scenario of Water Sensitive Urban Design for Cimahi City, Indonesia

O018 Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Improves Heart Rate response to Obstructive Respiratory events in Children with Down syndrome.

Combination of Cattell-Braasch and Kocher maneuver in laparotomy for diverticular resection in the third part of the duodenum: a case report

A duodenal diverticulum is an outpouching of all or partial layers of the duodenal wall. Duodenal diverticulum complications such as bleeding, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, choledochal occlusion, and perforation can develop. Localization of the diverticulum in the third part of the duodenum is rare. Surgical intervention with a combination of Cattell-Braasch and Kocher maneuvers in laparotomy is currently emerging as a viable option.

Rectovaginal fistula surgery with horizontal mattress and running suture after unsuccessful first repair: a report of two cases

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) repair after failed primary repair is uncommon. Patients with RVF experience physiological and sexual dysfunction with a significantly high risk of intravaginal infection and sepsis. There are many surgical procedures available for RVF repair. We performed an improvised transvaginal repair technique.

The physiological effect of prone positioning and lateral decubitus in non-intubated patients with severe COVID-19: a prospective cohort study

Prone positioning is one type of postural lung recruitment manoeuvre that has been widely studied regarding the benefits and physiological changes of the cardiorespiratory system. However, prone positioning is not very comfortable for the patients because they have to lie on their stomachs for a while when the oxygen therapy and other monitoring devices are still attached. Based on patient observations, some patients will change to more comfortable positions, namely using the right/left lateral decubitus position. The purpose of this research was to examine the physiological impact of prone and lateral decubitus position in non-intubated patients who were diagnosed with severe COVID-19.

Integrated geophysical methods for boulder delineation to improve mining

Near‐surface boulders can pose serious challenges to opencast mining. They often introduce complexities, delays in drilling, blasting and excavation programmes, which subsequently decrease mining efficiency, increase mining risks and costs. The location of subsurface boulders and the identification of other geological features that may impact mining activities (e.g. fractures, the presence of iron‐rich ultramafic pegmatites and the variation in weathering across a mining region) are necessary to reduce the challenges posed by these geological features, therefore optimizing mining efficiency. In this study, magnetics, electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction tomography, ground penetrating radar and borehole data are integrated for boulder delineation and mapping of other geological features that may impact mining using an unmined section at Tharisa Mine, Bushveld Complex (South Africa), as a test site. The results obtained from the different geophysical techniques are found to complement each other and successfully delineate boulders, fractures, iron‐rich ultramafic pegmatites and the variation in weathering and layering across the area. The incorporation of geophysical results can thus improve mining efficiency, while reducing mining risks and costs.

Are In-Person Trainee Interviews a Relic of the Past?

Measuring financial satisfaction of Indonesian young adults: a SEM-PLS analysis

Water Quality Monitoring System for Temperature, pH, Turbidity, DO, BOD, and COD Parameters Based on Internet of Things in Garang Watershed