Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in HT-29 Cells by Stimulating Oxidative Stress and Damaging DNA

Nanoparticles have garnered considerable scientific attention in recent years due to their diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) on the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by Fe₃O₄ MNPs following MTT assay and to determine the optimal dose of 2.5 g/mL for inducing apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In HT-29 cells, Fe₃O₄ MNPs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium ion (Ca²⁺), and DNA damage. Additionally, the Fe₃O₄ MNPs significantly increased caspase 3 and 9 expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression at the protein and mRNA levels when compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). Fe₃O₄ MNPs also induced apoptosis in cancer cells by increasing the level of (ROS) and intracellular Ca²⁺, followed by an increase in caspase 3 and 9 expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression and direct DNA damage. Fe₃O₄ MNPs are an appropriate choice for colon cancer treatment based on their cell toxicity and induction of apoptosis in HT29 cells.

Phonological Mean Length of Utterance in 48-60-Month-old Persian-Speaking Children With Isfahani Accent: Comparison of Story Generation and Conversation Samples

Objective Phonological Mean Length of Utterance (PMLU), a quantitative measure for assessing phonological skills, is a diagnostic and clinical criterion in phonological development. Moreover, it is an indicator showing the efficacy of the intervention. The PMLU is a word level measure that can be calculated on the child’s transcribed speech sample (transcription). To calculate PMLU, all consonants and vowels of the child’s produced words, and target words (standard production of words in native adults) are individually scored. The proportion of Whole-Word Proximity (PWP), another phonological quantitative measure, includes the ratio of the produced PMLU to the targeted word PMLU. PWP indirectly reflects the intelligibility of speech. Since languages are distinctive in syllabic and phonological structures, PMLU should be studied as a language-specific measure. PMLU has specifically been designed to assess phonological skills in spontaneous speech. Spontaneous speech sampling methods are advantageous since they consider the effect of morphological and syntactic skills, length, and complexity of words, and they could show the normal development of word complexity. This study was conducted to determine PMLU and PWP in 48 to 60 months old Persian-speaking children with Isfahani accents and to compare them in story generation and conversation sampling methods. The potential sensitivity of PMLU to growth was also examined. Materials & Methods This is an observational and cross-sectional study that was conducted for one year in 2016 in Isfahan City, Iran. A total of 100 children (51 boys and 49 girls) aged 48-60 months participated in story generation sampling, and 67 children (32 boys and 35 girls) participated in conversation sampling. The participants were selected from 261 kindergartens under the supervision of the Welfare Organization of Isfahan Province using the convenience sampling method. After completing the consent form and considering the inclusion criteria, conversation and story-generation samples were collected. Audio samplings were done in the same room using the same software (Clear Record Litev. 2.1). Raters transcribed the first 50 words of the recorded speech samples. Finally, we used the formula to calculate the target PMLU and child PMLU based on the normal production of an adult who speaks Persian with an Isfahani accent and the child’s production, respectively. To evaluate inter-rater reliability, raters randomly transcribed 20% of all samples to recalculate values. Participants’ story generation and conversation scores were entered into SPSS16 separately. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to examine the data distribution. Based on the data distribution, paired t-test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare measurements, and the Pearson and Spearman tests were used to investigate the associations. Results Child PMLU, target PMLU, and PWP measures of the story generation method were 8.794, 8.811, 0.998, and those of the conversation method were 9.068, 9.093, and 0.998, respectively. Correlation test results showed significant relationship between age and PWP in story generation (r=0.308) and conversation (r=0.313). Comparing child PMLU in story generation and conversation showed a significant relationship between child PMLU in both sampling methods (P=0.000). The result of the target PMLU comparison in two methods of story generation and conversation (P=0.000) was significant. PWP did not significantly differ between the two sampling methods (P=0.973). The inter-rater reliability was calculated at 0.70. Conclusion This study can be used as a basis for quantitative studies in the field of children’s phonological assessment using Persian whole words. However, longitudinal studies in different age groups with a high level of evidence in this field can convince therapists to use whole-word measures in clinics.

Relationship between Calcium Score and Conventional Risk Factors in the Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis

Background: The coronary artery calcium score has been established as a highly specific feature of coronary atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to assess the possible association of coronary artery risk factors involving atherosclerosis with the coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). Methods: The present cross-sectional study, performed on 252 patients in need of CCTA during April 2019 and September 2019 at Farshchian hospital in Hamadan, Iran. The demographic information and risk factors were acquired from the files of patients. Furthermore, the CACs of patients were calculated and expressed as the Agatston score. Based on the Agatston scale, participants were divided into 4 CAC scores: zero (CAC = 0), mild (CAC = 1-99), moderate (CAC = 100-399), and severe (CAC ≥400). The association between possible coronary artery disease (CAD) risk variables and the CAC score was investigated using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Of 252 participants, approximately 40% of studied patients had a positive CAC score (CAC > 0). CAC significantly shifts toward higher scores in smokers, patients with diabetes, hypertension, and older patients. Mild (CAC = 1-99) and moderate CAC (100-399) were significantly associated with diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% CI, 1.48-7.17) and (OR, 12; 95% CI, 4.40-32.71) for mild and moderate CAC, respectively. However, the strongest predictor for severe CAC was diabetes (OR, 7.72; 95% CI, 2.10-28.35). Conclusion: Coronary artery calcium scoring is a marker for risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. In this study, more than half of patients in CAC screening had CAC = 0. The strongest predictor of severe CAC>0 was smoking and diabetes. Regarding this association between health condition and CAC, determining the CAC can prevent major coronary heart disease events in these patients.

Risk Factors Affecting 90-day Readmission of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: The rate of hospital readmission is seen as a measure of quality and accountability. Knowing the risk factors that can be changed could reduce the cost burden on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the health system. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the data extracted from hospital records during a 4-year period. The study setting encompassed three referral hospitals in Tehran and the south of Iran. The primary outcome was hospital readmission of patients with IBD. The factors associated with binary and categorical dependent variables were analyzed using robust logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression, respectively. The significance level was set at P=0.05. RESULTS: 187 patients were admitted during the 4-year study period for an IBD-related reason, among whom 131 patients (70.1%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 56 patients (29.9%) had Crohn's disease (CD). Moreover, 29% (55) of the participants had been readmitted at least once during the study period, and seven patients with IBD had been readmitted five or more times during the study period. Corticosteroids (OR=4.55, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.65- 12.55) and chronic pain (OR=6.65, 95% CI: 1.73-25.62) were two factors associated with their readmission within 90 days. For the patients with five or more times of readmissions, Corticosteroids (RRR=5.68), chronic pain (RRR=5.05), length of hospital stay (RRR=0.69), and age (RRR=0.9) could significantly explain the hospital readmissions. CONCLUSION: About one in seven hospitalizations of patients with IBD leads to 30-day readmission. Moreover, younger patients with IBD and shorter length of hospital stay were more likely to be readmitted five or more times during the study period. The use of corticosteroids and the presence of chronic pain were predictors of 90-day readmission. More studies are needed to detect the best management plan for chronic pains.

Statistical Learning in Late Talkers and Normal Peers

Background:

Late talkers (LTs) are children under three with poor vocabularies and no developmental problems. Statistical learning (SL) is defined as processing or learning patterns of environmental stimuli, for example, spoken language, music, or motor, that will unfold in time. We hypothesize if some LTs outgrow as developmental language disorder, they might be identified using SL tasks at the onset. We aimed to find any correlation between language measures and SL outcomes in LTs and normal children (NC).

Materials and Methods:

Sixteen pairs of LTs and NCs were recruited using a convenient sampling method from day-care centers and speech therapy clinics of the Comprehensive Center for Child Development in Isfahan city, Iran. Visual sequences presented using Habit software version 2.2.4. Children’s eye movements to visual sequences were monitored, and their reaction times and the number of anticipatory looks were analyzed offline. The language measures were determined in the free-play context.

Results:

Results indicated no significant correlation between SL and language measures and no difference observed in SL between the groups (P = 0.73).

Conclusions:

The results may refer to no overt correlation between SL and delayed overall linguistic measures along with inadequate samples, children’s fatigue, or insufficiency of the visual task in presenting SL.

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in the Context of Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy

PURPOSE

To report two sisters with bilateral progressive visual loss and photophobia secondary to stem cell deficiency due to multiple endocrine deficiency.

METHODS

Case reports and review of medical literature.

RESULTS

The younger sister had severe photophobia and decreased visual acuity since May 2000. Despite multiple outpatient visits no definite cause was found and conservative treatments failed. On slit lamp examination severe meibomian gland dysfunction, loss of eyelashes, decreased tear meniscus, diffuse corneal vascularization, and delayed punctate fluorescein staining of corneal epithelium were detected. She also had episodes of hypotension, oral candidiasis, and seizures. Her systemic workup revealed multiple endocrine deficiency (Addison's disease and hypoparathyroidism). Hormone replacement therapy with fludrocortisone and oral calcium accompanied by punctual occlusion led to significant clinical recovery . The older sister showed a similar pattern but interestingly the onset was later and the signs and symptoms were milder.

CONCLUSIONS

In the pediatric age group with diffuse corneal vascularization and no definite cause, systemic workup should be done to rule out multiple endocrine deficiencies. The therapy consists of hormone replacement therapy and management of dry eye.

Identification of chemical constituents and larvicidal activity of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian essential oil against two mosquito vectors Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

The larvicidal activity of essential oil extracted from an indigenous plant, Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian was evaluated against two mosquito species, Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from branch tips and leaf of this plant was determined by GC and GC/MS analysis. Forty-nine constituents were identified in the oil. The main constituents of the oil were Z-ligustilide (77.73%), 2-octen-1-ol acetate (6.27%), E-ligustilide (2.27%) and butylidene phthalide (1.97%). Five different logarithmic concentrations of essential oil were evaluated against the 4th instar larvae of An. Stephensi and Cx. pipiens. The LC(50) and LC(90) values against An. stephensi larvae were 4.88 and 9.60 ppm and for Cx. pipiens were 2.69 and 7.90 ppm, respectively. These properties suggest that K. odoratissima oil has potential source of valuable larvicidal compounds for mosquito larval control. This plant which causes high mortality at lower dose could be considered as a highly active plant. In this paper a guideline suggested for larvicidal activity of plant essential oils.

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is endemic in some regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and efforts have made to find factors that play a role in its prognosis. We retrospectively examined the correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels with several clinicopathological characteristics of 207 cases of oesophageal carcinoma. The mean ALP level in patients with lymph node involvement was significantly higher [141 (SD 77) U/L] than with node negative cancers [116 (SD 63) U/L]. Patients with ALP levels 165 U/L were 3.29 times more likely to have lymph node involvement than patients with ALP levels < or = 165 U/L. There was no statistically significant correlation between ALP level and sex, age, tumour histological type, site and size of tumour, depth of penetration, distant metastasis, degree of differentiation, presence of lymphatic invasion and presence of simultaneous multiple cancers. Elevated ALP in patients with oesophageal cancer may predict lymph node involvement.

Utility of filter paper for preserving insects, bacteria, and host reservoir DNA for molecular testing

BACKGROUND

Appropriate methodology for storage biological materials, extraction of DNA, and proper DNA preservation is vital for studies involving genetic analysis of insects, bacteria, and reservoir hosts as well as for molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by vectors and reservoirs. Here we tried to evaluate the utility of a simple filter paper-based for storage of insects, bacteria, rodent, and human DNAs using PCR assays.

METHODS

Total body or haemolymph of individual mosquitoes, sand flies or cockroaches squashed or placed on the paper respectively. Extracted DNA of five different bacteria species as well as blood specimens of human and great gerbil Rhombomys opimus was pipetted directly onto filter paper. The papers were stored in room temperature up to 12 months during 2009 until 2011. At monthly intervals, PCR was conducted using a 1-mm disk from the DNA impregnated filter paper as target DNA. PCR amplification was performed against different target genes of the organisms including the ITS2-rDNA of mosquitoes, mtDNA-COI of the sand flies and cockroaches, 16SrRNA gene of the bacteria, and the mtDNA-CytB of the vertebrates.

RESULTS

Successful PCR amplification was observed for all of the specimens regardless of the loci, taxon, or time of storage. The PCR amplification were ranged from 462 to 1500 bp and worked well for the specified target gene/s. Time of storage did not affect the amplification up to one year.

CONCLUSION

The filter paper method is a simple and economical way to store, to preserve, and to distribute DNA samples for PCR analysis.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Sixty Four Multi-Slice CT Angiography in Assessment of Arterial Cut-Off and Run-Off in Comparison with Surgical Findings

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The accurate anatomic mapping and determination of the severity of arterial disease, an important health problem of the elderly, is of great significance. We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of 64-multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in run-off and cut-off sites of arterial disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Throughout the study, MSCTA followed by an operative intervention was carried out on a total of 38 patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of arterial disease (AD) all of whom had the indication for vascular surgery. The mean age of patients was 34±15.86 (range, 23 to 93) years. MSCTA was executed using a 64-slice CT scanner, during the arterial phase of injecting the nonionic, contrast medium with a power injector at the rate of 5 ml/sec into the antecubital vein and exploration and revascularization of peripheral arterial disease was performed intraoperatively.

RESULTS

Atherosclerosis and arterial disease, the most common causes of vascular occlusion, were more common in the lower extremities. According to MSCTA findings, the most frequent site of stenosis was the superficial femoral artery. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a high degree of agreement amongst the raters. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the accuracy of MSCTA compared to surgery were 83.8%, 96%, 96.8%, 81.3% and 89%, respectively. MSCTA findings were compared with surgery as a standard of reference, which showed concordance in the majority of cases (81.6%). Cut-off sites were correctly identified by MSCTA in 97.3% of the patients and the most common sites of discordance were the run-off sites (18.2%).

CONCLUSION

MSCTA angiography as a novel diagnostic modality may be a suitable alternative and a viable choice for routine clinical diagnosis.

Influence of splenectomy on morbidity of esophageal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM

During esophagectomy, splenic injury may occur due to unintentional operative trauma, caused by excessive traction on the splenic ligaments or misplacement of re-tractors. The role of spleen in immune system is well recognized and the addition of splenectomy to esophagectomy may increase the rate of complications. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of splenectomy on postoperative morbidity and mortality after esophageal resection for esophageal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2001 and April 2006, 420 cases with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy in a referral cancer institute. In 14 patients (3.3%) splenectomy was added because of unwanted splenic injury during operation. In-hospital morbidities and mortality and hospital stay were compared between patients with and without concomitant splenectomy.

RESULTS

Although the overall complication rate in splenectomized patients was higher than other patients (43% vs. 30%), this figure was not statistically significant (P value: 0.3). Cervical anastomotic leakage occurred in 35.7% of splenectomized patients in comparison to 12.2% of control group (P value: 0.01, Odds Ratio: 3.93, CI95%: 1.27-12.2). There were no significant differences in cardiac and pulmonary complications, and in-hospital mortality rate between patients with and without splenectomy (P value > 0.05). Splenectomy did significantly affect post operative hospital stay (19 +/- 13 vs. 13 +/- 7 days, P value: 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

During esophagectomy, unplanned splenectomy may increase the incidence of anastomotic leakage and hospital stay. Therefore, whenever possible preservation of the spleen should be considered. An unexpected relationship between splenectomy and anastomotic leaks needs further investigation.Key words: Esophageal cancer; esophagectomy; splenectomy; esophagus; leakage; morbidity; mortality; complication.

Culicinae mosquitoes in Sanandaj county, Kurdistan province, western Iran

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

This study aims at studying mosquito-borne diseases as the major public health threat in Iran. Sanandaj outskirts are considered suitable habitats for mosquito larvae. In view of scanty reports on mosquito-borne disease implementation in this area, a study was undertaken to determine the mosquito fauna and frequency of mosquito larvae at Sanandaj City.

METHODS

In order to study the mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna, the samples were collected from May to July 2009 using dipping and night catch methods in Sanandaj district, Kurdistan province, western Iran.

RESULTS

Three genera and 11 species of the Culicinae subfamily were identified--Aedes vexans Meigen, Ochlerotatus caspius s.l. Pallas (indicating new occurrence records for the province), Culex hortensis Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens Linnaeus, Cx. mimeticus Noe, Cx. theileri Theobald, Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, and Cs. subochrea Edwards.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

Present study revealed that Ae. vexans and Ochlerotatus caspius s.l caught had not been previously recorded in Kurdistan province, highlighting the deficient knowledge of the fauna and distribution of Culicinae mosquitoes of this part of Iran.

Prediction of micelle–water partition coefficient from the theoretical derived molecular descriptors

The micelle-water partition coefficients of 81 organic compounds in SDS solution were predicted by quantitative structure-property relationship method. The multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques were used to build linear and nonlinear model, respectively. In this work the proposed QSPR models, both by MLR and ANN, contain identical descriptors which are zero order of Kier-Hall index, count of Hydrogen donors site [Zefirovs PC], average valency of a C atom, atomic charge weighted by partial positively charged surface area and minimum one electron reaction index for a C atom. The MLR model gave a root mean square (RMS) of 0.166, 0.25, and 0.289 for training, prediction and test sets, respectively, whereas ANN gave an RMS error of 0.06, 0.21, and 0.20 for training, prediction, and test sets, respectively. Comparison the results of these two methods reveals that those obtained by the ANN model are much better.

Pseudoaneurysm of inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction

Pseudoaneurysm of the inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction is described in a 25-year-old woman. She underwent total abdominal perineal proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy constructed through the right rectus muscle. 15 days later, she abruptly developed significant bleeding through the ileostomy that recurred two more times. Endoscopy performed through the ileostomy stoma revealed a small ulcer 8 cm from the stomal opening. The distal segment of ileum containing the bleeding site was resected, and on-table examination of the lesion revealed an underlying tear in the inferior epigastric artery wall. The patient recovered after the operation.

Corneal topographic changes after scleral buckling

PURPOSE

To evaluate corneal topographic changes and induced corneal astigmatism after scleral buckling (SB).

METHODS

This interventional case series includes all patients who had undergone scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) during a 1-year period. Patients were divided into four groups according to type and extent of scleral buckling which depended on the discretion of a retina specialist. Videokeratography was performed for all patients preoperatively and repeated 1 and 3 months after SB.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients (29 male, 74.7%) with mean age of 50.35+/-20 years (range 13-80) were finally analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of preoperative corneal astigmatism, surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), mean keratometry (mean K), and potential visual acuity (PVA ). Overall, preoperative mean K was 43.97+/-1.78 D, which reached 44.2+/-2.02 D and 43.92+/-2.16 D 1 and 3 months after the operation. Mean preoperative SRI was 0.58+/-0.4, which increased to 1.24+/-1.18 and 1.29+/-1.13 1 and 3 months after the operation respectively. Mean preoperative SAI was 0.39+/-0.21, which increased to 0.73+/-0.37 and 0.75+/-0.66 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Changes in SAI at 1 and 3 months following SB were significant (p values <0.001); however, these postoperative values were not significantly different. Mean preoperative PVA was 0.07+/-0.75 logMAR (equivalent to 20/20) but decreased to 0.24+/-0.25 (equivalent to 20/30) and 0.27+/-0.29 (equivalent to 20/40) 1 and 3 months after SB, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant changes in corneal topographic indices including increases in SRI and SAI and a concomitant decrease in PVA may occur after SB procedures. These induced changes must be considered and appropriately addressed postoperatively to provide the best possible corrected vision.

Primary capsulectomy, anterior vitrectomy, lensectomy, and posterior chamber lens implantation in children: limbal versus pars plana

PURPOSE

To compare the results of a limbal versus a pars plana approach for primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in the management of childhood cataract.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial of 45 eyes was conducted. After being matched, 38 eyes were included in the study and were divided into 2 equal groups for data analysis. All eyes had lensectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. Primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed through the limbus in half of the eyes and the pars plana in the other half. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, estimated red reflex, postsurgical inflammatory reaction, corneal clarity, posterior synechias, iris capture, IOL position, capsulectomy size, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, retinal tear, and postoperative refraction.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 approaches in the outcome measures.

CONCLUSION

The anatomic and visual results were encouraging when posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy, using a limbal or pars plana approach, were combined with lensectomy and PC IOL implantation in children. The application of these techniques depends on surgeon experience and skill.

Surgical management of cataract and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis

BACKGROUND

To determine the inflammatory course and level of visual rehabilitation after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis complicated by cataract.

METHODS

In a clinical trial, 32 eyes (visual acuity of 20/160 or worse) of 30 patients underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (19 eyes) or lensectomy (13 eyes) accompanied by posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed intraoperatively prior to intraocular lens implantation and the extent of vitreous haze was assessed. If vitreous haziness was 3+ or more, core vitrectomy (two eyes) or three-port pars plana deep vitrectomy (four eyes) was performed.

RESULTS

After an average follow up of 14.4 months (6 to 24 months), there was no statistically significant increase in cell and flare in the anterior chamber and vitreous or in keratic precipitates compared with the preoperative status of the eyes. However, 12% of the eyes developed synechiae (anterior and/or posterior) in comparison to preoperative condition (p < 0.05). Eight-seven percent of the eyes gained visual acuity of 20/40 or better (P < 0.005). Using the logistic regression model, a higher level of preoperative inflammation was associated with reduced likelihood of gaining visual acuity of 20/25 or more (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.049, 1.255). The complications of surgery were synechiae, 12%; opaque posterior capsule, 12%; vitreous loss, 3%; chronic glaucoma, 3%; and retinal detachment, 3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens can be well tolerated in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. Vitrectomy, whenever indicated in addition to cataract extraction, improves visual rehabilitation.