The question “why the effect of the block is weak” or “why the effect has weaned off so soon” remains largely unanswered. ...the addition of an agent that can improve the final result of the ...peribulbar block has always been welcomed. Systemic parameters, such as systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, showed a hypotensive pattern in comparison to the control group, which can be of great help to the surgeon during surgeries, such as diabetic vitrectomies, where chances of intraocular bleed are much more. ...among the many adjunctive agents used till now, Dex has proved its non-inferior role in terms of regional and systemic efficacy.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Delhi, India, routinely experiences some of the world's highest urban
particulate matter concentrations. We established the Delhi Aerosol Supersite
study to provide long-term
characterization of the ...ambient submicron aerosol composition in Delhi. Here
we report on 1.25 years of highly time-resolved speciated submicron
particulate matter (PM1) data, including black carbon (BC) and
nonrefractory PM1 (NR-PM1), which we combine to develop a
composition-based estimate of PM1
(“C-PM1” = BC + NR-PM1) concentrations. We observed marked seasonal and diurnal variability in the concentration and
composition of PM1 owing to the interactions of sources and atmospheric
processes. Winter was the most polluted period of the year, with average
C-PM1 mass concentrations of ∼210 µg m−3. The monsoon was hot and rainy, consequently
making it the least polluted (C-PM1 ∼50 µg m−3) period. Organics constituted more than half
of the C-PM1 for all seasons and times of day. While ammonium, chloride,
and nitrate each were ∼10 % of the C-PM1 for the cooler
months, BC and sulfate contributed ∼5 % each. For the warmer
periods, the fractional contribution of BC and sulfate to C-PM1
increased, and the chloride contribution decreased to less than 2 %. The
seasonal and diurnal variation in absolute mass loadings were generally
consistent with changes in ventilation coefficients, with higher
concentrations for periods with unfavorable meteorology – low
planetary boundary layer height and low wind speeds. However, the variation
in C-PM1 composition was influenced by temporally varying sources,
photochemistry, and gas–particle partitioning. During cool periods when wind
was from the northwest, episodic hourly averaged chloride concentrations
reached 50–100 µg m−3, ranking
among the highest chloride concentrations reported anywhere in the world. We estimated the contribution of primary emissions and secondary processes to
Delhi's submicron aerosol. Secondary species contributed
almost 50 %–70 % of Delhi's C-PM1 mass for the
winter and spring months and up to 60 %–80 % for the warmer summer
and monsoon months. For the cooler months that had the highest C-PM1
concentrations, the nighttime sources were skewed towards primary sources,
while the daytime C-PM1 was dominated by secondary species. Overall,
these findings point to the important effects of both primary emissions and
more regional atmospheric chemistry on influencing the extreme particle
concentrations that impact the Delhi megacity region. Future air quality
strategies considering Delhi's situation in both a regional
and local context will be more effective than policies targeting only local,
primary air pollutants.
To improve the safety of healthcare systems, it is necessary to understand harm-related events that occur in these systems. In mental health services, particular attention is paid to harm arising ...from the actions of patients against themselves or others. The primary intention of examining these adverse events is to inform changes to care provision so as to reduce the likelihood of the recurrence of such events. The predominant approach to investigating adverse incidents has relied on the cause-and-effect conceptualisation of past events. Whilst the merits of approaches which are reliant on cause-and-effect narratives have been questioned, alternatives models to explain adverse incidents in health settings have not been theoretically or empirically tested. This novel article (i) examines the notion of causation (and the related notion of omission) in the context of explaining adverse events in mental health settings, and (ii) draws on a long-established discipline devoted to the study of how the past is interpreted (namely historiography) to theoretically investigate the innovative application of two historiographical approaches (i.e. counterfactual analysis and historical materialism) to understanding adverse events in mental health settings.
Herein, we demonstrated photocatalytic applications of organic semiconductor (perylenetetracarboxylic acid (PTCA))–incorporated silver nanocluster in the degradation of a model dye (malachite green) ...using a low-cost and energy-efficient visible LED light source. The utility of this material in the catalytic reduction of MG dye in the presence of a reducing agent (i.e. NaBH
4
) is also evaluated. This nanocluster was prepared using a facile one-pot methodology utilising biocompatible captopril and PTCA as protecting ligands. In this synthetic protocol, tetraoctylammonium bromide facilitates the cation induced aggregation process. It was characterised by UV-Vis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. HRTEM and EDX spectroscopy confirms the average diameter of the nanocluster to be 2.9 ±1 nm and the presence of N, C, S, O and Ag as the main elements respectively. As revealed in photocatalysis, the model dye malachite green (MG) was degraded by ~80% in 52 min. The kinetics of catalytic reduction reaction of MG in the presence of a reducing agent sodium borohydride reveals an acceleration of the reduction of MG in the presence of as-prepared PTCA/AgNC compared to having no catalyst. Superior water solubility and stable colloidal dispersion of the as-prepared nanocluster allowed highly efficient catalysis in homogenous conditions. Furthermore, it can find a wide range of potential applications in catalysis, sensors and organic field-effect transistor.
Graphical abstract
Purpose: To compare the visual outcomes and intraoperative complications between phacoemulsification and manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in cases of posterior polar cataract (PPC). ...Methods: A retrospective study was carried out involving 142 patients (164 eyes) with PPC who underwent cataract surgery between January and December 2017. Data collected include the demographic details, preoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), type of cataract, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment findings, type of surgery performed, intraoperative complications, postoperative UCVA on the first day, UCVA and BCVA at 1 month after surgery, complications, and resurgery details. Results: In total, 90 patients (107 eyes) underwent phacoemulsification, and 52 patients (57 eyes) underwent MSICS. There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, and type of PPC between the two groups (P = 0.326, 0.852, and 0.220, respectively). Patients who underwent phacoemulsification had significantly better preoperative BCVA (P = 0.002). The BCVA on first postoperative day and 1 month after surgery was better in the phacoemulsification group than in the MSICS group (P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The overall incidence of posterior capsular rupture (PCR) was 11.6%, which included the 10.3% in phacoemulsification and 14.0% in MSICS. There was, however, no significant difference in the rates of PCR between the two groups (P = 0.506). Conclusion: Phacoemulsification delivered better postoperative visual outcomes than MSICS in PPC patients, whereas the complication rates were similar between the two groups.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Psoriasis is a long-term immune-mediated inflammatory disorder mainly, but not only, affecting skin, and is associated with significant medical and psychological morbidity. Evidence suggests that ...sleep is disrupted in psoriasis, however high quality empirical evidence is lacking. Given the importance of sleep for health, characterisation of sleep disruption in psoriasis is an important goal. We therefore conducted a systematic review of the sleep-psoriasis literature.
Searches were conducted in Pubmed, SCOPUS and Web of Science from inception to May 2016. Studies were compared against inclusion/exclusion criteria and underwent a quality evaluation. Given the heterogeneity of studies, we conducted a narrative synthesis of the findings.
Searches revealed 32 studies which met our predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Whilst 93.7% of studies reported sleep disruption in this population, ranging from 0.05% to 85.4%, many had important methodological shortcomings. Over half of all quantitative studies (54.8%; 17/31) relied on non-validated measures, contributing to heterogeneity in study findings. In those that employed valid measures, assessing sleep was often not the primary objective. We frequently found the absence of adequate sample size calculations and poor statistical reporting.
This review showed that in psoriasis, reported sleep rates of sleep disturbance varied substantially. Most studies lacked a hypothesis driven research question and/or failed to use validated measures of sleep. We were unable to draw firm conclusions about the precise prevalence and nature of sleep disturbance within the psoriasis population. We offer suggestions to help advance understanding of sleep disturbance in psoriasis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction: Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are an effective way of compensating preexisting corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. To achieve success, it is imperative to align the toric ...IOLs in desired position and preoperative reference marking is one among the three important steps for accurate alignment. To make the marking procedure simpler and effective, we have modified the conventional three-step slit lamp-based technique. Materials and Methods: Patient is seated in front of the slit lamp and asked to keep the chin over chin rest. A 26-gauge bent needle with tip stained by sterile blue ink marker is used to make anterior stromal puncture (ASP) at the edges of horizontal 180° axis near the limbus. Results: A total of 58 eyes were retrospectively evaluated. Mean (+/-SD) IOL deviation on day 1 and day 30 was 5.7 ± 6.5° and 4.7 ± 5.6°, respectively. Median IOL misalignment on day 1 and day 30 was 3°. Redialing of IOL was required in 2 (3.4%) eyes only, all of which were performed within 1 week of surgery. In total, 2 (3.7%) eyes had a residual astigmatism of − 0.5 Dcyl and − 1.0 Dcyl, respectively. Conclusion: ASP is an effective technique for reference marking, technically simpler and can be practiced by most of the surgeons. It avoids the necessity of high-end sophisticated machinery and gives a better platform for the reference corneal marking along with the benefit of reproducibility and simplicity.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The most challenging step in sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens (SFIOL) is exteriorization of haptics. The conventional handshake technique has a learning curve since it involves ...intraocular handing over of haptics from one forceps to another. Here, we describe "extraocular needle-guided haptic insertion technique" (X-NIT), a novel technique of exteriorizing haptics that totally eliminates intraocular manipulations. This method involves sequential introduction of two bent 26-gauge needles through the sclera (pars plicata zone) into the eye which are brought out through a sclerocorneal wound. The intraocular lens haptics are threaded through these needles and exteriorized. Nineteen consecutive patients underwent surgery by this technique. There were no intraoperative complications. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of these patients at 1-month follow-up was 0.5 ± 0.3 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) with 18 of 19 eyes showing one or more lines of improvement in BCVA. X-NIT is a safe, easy, cost-effective, and highly reproducible technique, especially for beginners.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Low-cost sensors (LCS) offer the opportunity to measure urban air quality at a spatiotemporal scale that is finer than what is currently practical with expensive research- or regulatory-grade ...instruments. Recently, the LCS research community has focused largely on sensor calibration, pollution monitoring, and exposure assessment; here, we investigate the applicability of LCS for characterizing particulate pollution sources in an urban environment. Using an integrated multipollutant LCS system (which measures both gases and particles), we collected air quality data for 6 weeks during the winter at a site in Delhi, India. The results were compared to measurements taken by co-located research-grade particle instruments. Non-negative matrix factorization was used to deconvolve LCS data into unique factors that were then identified by examining the factor composition and comparing them to the research-grade measurements. The data were described well by three factors: a combustion factor characterized by high CO levels and two factors characterized by measured particles. These factors align well with measurements by research-grade instruments, including particle types determined from factor analysis of online particle composition measurements. This work demonstrates that multipollutant LCS measurements, despite their inherent limitations (e.g., calibration challenges and inability to measure smallest particles), can provide insight into sources of fine particulate matter in a complex urban environment.
Purpose: To determine the publication rates of free papers and posters presented at the All India Ophthalmic Conference (AIOC) 2010 in peer-reviewed journals up to December 2015 and compare this with ...publication rates from AIOC2000 published previously. Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the general Google search engine by two independent investigators. The title of the paper, keywords and author names were used to "match" the AIOC free-paper with the published paper. In addition, the "purpose," "methods," and "outcome measures" between the two were studied to determine the "match." Results: A total of 58 out of 394 free-papers (14.7%) from AIOC2010 were published till December 2015 compared to 16.5% from AIOC2000. Out of these, 52 (90%) were published in PubMed indexed journals. Maximum publications were seen in pediatric ophthalmology (50%) followed by glaucoma (24.4%) and cornea (23.8%). Fifteen out of 272 posters (5.5%) were published; orbit/oculoplastics had the highest poster publications (13%). Excluding papers in nonindexed journals and those by authors with international affiliations, the publication rate was approximately 12%. Conclusion: The publication rate of free papers from AIOC2010 has marginally reduced compared to AIOC2000. Various causes for this such as lack of adequate training, motivation, and lack of incentives for research in the Indian scenario have been explored, and measures to improve this paradigm have been discussed. It will be prudent to repeat this exercise every decade to compare publication rates between periodic AIOC, stimulate young minds for quality research and educate policy makers toward the need for developing dedicated research departments across the country.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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