Treatment of age-related macular degeneration: focus on ranibizumab

Ranibizumab, a humanized antigen-binding fragment (Fab) that binds all isoforms of VEGF-A, significantly slows down loss of vision and causes significant visual improvement in many patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These benefits of intravitreal ranibizumab apply to all angiographic subtypes of neovascular AMD and across all lesion sizes when the drug is injected at monthly intervals as shown in two pivotal phase III trials (ANCHOR and MARINA). The results from the PrONTO study suggest that less frequent treatment with ranibizumab through a variable dosing regimen dependent on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings is a treatment option that results in comparably favorable visual outcomes. Currently, it is unclear whether combination therapy of ranibizumab with photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides any significant advantage over ranibizumab monotherapy (FOCUS trial); however, the combination of PDT and ranibizumab may decrease the need for frequent retreatment. This question will be addressed in the SUMMIT trial. Therapy with ranibizumab is generally very well tolerated with a low rate of seriously adverse ocular events or systemic side-effects. The advent of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors has revolutionized the therapy of neovascular AMD. Ranibizumab at the moment appears to be the most effective approved treatment for neovascular AMD

Требования к узлу сопряжения секций геохода

Проведен анализ работы узла сопряжения секций (УСС) геохода. Сформированы требования к узлу сопряжения секций геохода.The analysis of the operation of the bearing unit of the geokhod is carried out. The requirements for the bearing unit of the geokhod are formed

Модернизация автоматизированной системы управления блока подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа

Объектом исследования является блок подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа. Цель работы – модернизация автоматизированной системы управления блоком подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа с использованием программируемого логического контроллера, на основе выбранной SCADA-системы. В выпускной квалификационной работа была разработана система контроля и управления технологическим процессом на базе промышленных контроллеров Siemens S7-400, с применением SCADA-системы WinCC. Разработанная система может применяться в системах контроля, управления и сбора данных на различных промышленных предприятиях. Данная система позволит увеличить производительность, повысить качество, точность и надежность измерений в системе и на производственном процессе.The object of the study is the methanol preparation unit at the complex gas treatment unit. The purpose of the work is the modernization of the automated control system for the methanol preparation unit in the complex gas treatment unit using a programmable logic controller based on the selected SCADA system. In the final qualifying work, a system for monitoring and controlling the process was developed on the basis of industrial controllers Siemens S7-400, using the SCADA system WinCC. The developed system can be used in monitoring, control and data collection systems at various industrial enterprises. This system will increase the productivity, improve the quality, accuracy and reliability of measurements

Morphometric Optic Nerve Head Analysis in Glaucoma Patients: A Comparison between the Simultaneous Nonmydriatic Stereoscopic Fundus Camera (Kowa Nonmyd WX3D) and the Heidelberg Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (HRT III)

Purpose. To investigate the agreement between morphometric optic nerve head parameters assessed with the confocal laser ophthalmoscope HRT III and the stereoscopic fundus camera Kowa nonmyd WX3D retrospectively. Methods. Morphometric optic nerve head parameters of 40 eyes of 40 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were analyzed regarding their vertical cup-to-disc-ratio (CDR). Vertical CDR, disc area, cup volume, rim volume, and maximum cup depth were assessed with both devices by one examiner. Mean bias and limits of agreement (95% CI) were obtained using scatter plots and Bland-Altman analysis. Results. Overall vertical CDR comparison between HRT III and Kowa nonmyd WX3D measurements showed a mean difference (limits of agreement) of −0.06 (−0.36 to 0.24). For the CDR < 0.5 group (n=24) mean difference in vertical CDR was −0.14 (−0.34 to 0.06) and for the CDR ≥ 0.5 group (n=16) 0.06 (−0.21 to 0.34). Conclusion. This study showed a good agreement between Kowa nonmyd WX3D and HRT III with regard to widely used optic nerve head parameters in patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. However, data from Kowa nonmyd WX3D exhibited the tendency to measure larger CDR values than HRT III in the group with CDR < 0.5 group and lower CDR values in the group with CDR ≥ 0.5

Extraocular Surgical Approach for Placement of Subretinal Implants in Blind Patients: Lessons from Cochlear-Implants

In hereditary retinal diseases photoreceptors progressively degenerate, often causing blindness without therapy being available. Newly developed subretinal implants can substitute functions of photoreceptors. Retina implant extraocular surgical technique relies strongly on cochlear-implant know-how. However, a completely new surgical approach providing safe handling of the photosensor array had to be developed. The Retina Implant Alpha IMS consisting of a subretinal microphotodiode array and cable linked to a cochlear-implant-like ceramic housing was introduced via a retroauricular incision through a subperiosteal tunnel above the zygoma into the orbit using a specially designed trocar. Implant housing was fixed in a bony bed within a tight subperiosteal pocket in all patients. Primary outcomes were patient short term safety as well as effectiveness. Nine patients participated in the first part of the multicenter trial and received the subretinal visual implant in one eye. In all cases microphotodiode array pull-through procedure and stable positioning were possible without affecting the device function. No intraoperative complications were encountered. The minimally invasive suprazygomatic tunneling technique for the sensor unit as well as a subperiosteal pocket fixation of the implant housing provides a safe extraocular implantation approach of a subretinal device with a transcutaneous extracorporeal power supply

Comparação de duas tabelas de arraçoamento utilizadas no cultivo de tilápias na Região Oeste do Paraná / Comparison of two feeding tables used in tilápia cultivation in the West Region of Paraná

A piscicultura vem crescendo ao longo dos anos, e para que esta atividade seja sustentável, é necessário um aprimoramento constante das técnicas de manejo, principalmente no cálculo da ração fornecida diariamente, que representa até 79% dos custos de produção. Várias tabelas de cálculo de arraçoamento já foram desenvolvidas, dificultando a escolha de uma delas para utilização em campo. Este artigo tem como objetivo comparar duas tabelas de arraçoamento fornecidas por piscicultores da região Oeste do Paraná, a fim de verificar qual delas é mais rentável para uso em campo. Conduziu-se um experimento com dois grupos de 15 tilápias, cada qual em um ambiente de mesmas condições, tendo como diferença a quantidade de ração fornecida com base nas tabelas de arraçoamento analisadas. Após o término do experimento, observou-se que uma das tabelas apresentou uma economia de ração, totalizando R$ 2,71 por Kg de biomassa produzida, sem perder desempenho produtivo em relação a outra tabela

Comparação de duas tabelas de arraçoamento utilizadas no cultivo de tilápias na Região Oeste do Paraná / Comparison of two feeding tables used in tilápia cultivation in the West Region of Paraná

A piscicultura vem crescendo ao longo dos anos, e para que esta atividade seja sustentável, é necessário um aprimoramento constante das técnicas de manejo, principalmente no cálculo da ração fornecida diariamente, que representa até 79% dos custos de produção. Várias tabelas de cálculo de arraçoamento já foram desenvolvidas, dificultando a escolha de uma delas para utilização em campo. Este artigo tem como objetivo comparar duas tabelas de arraçoamento fornecidas por piscicultores da região Oeste do Paraná, a fim de verificar qual delas é mais rentável para uso em campo. Conduziu-se um experimento com dois grupos de 15 tilápias, cada qual em um ambiente de mesmas condições, tendo como diferença a quantidade de ração fornecida com base nas tabelas de arraçoamento analisadas. Após o término do experimento, observou-se que uma das tabelas apresentou uma economia de ração, totalizando R$ 2,71 por Kg de biomassa produzida, sem perder desempenho produtivo em relação a outra tabela

Accumulation of hydrogen in titanium under irradiation with neutrons

The course of the nuclear reaction in titanium under neutron irradiation with formation of hydrogen was experimentally confirmed. Additional hydrogen and gamma quanta with an energy of 889 and 1120 keV are observed. The gamma-field effect should be taken into account when creating neutron protection based on titanium borides. The irradiation of titanium leads to a change in the thermoelectric power to 20%

Incidence of central retinal artery occlusion peaks in winter season

IntroductionStroke incidence exhibits seasonal trends, with the highest occurrences observed during winter. This study investigates the incidence of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), a stroke equivalent of the retina, and explores its monthly and seasonal variations, as well as potential associations with weather and ambient air pollutants.MethodsA retrospective search of medical records spanning 15 years (January 2008–December 2022) was conducted at the University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany, focusing on diagnosed cases of CRAO. Incidences were evaluated on a monthly and seasonal basis (winter, spring, summer, fall). Weather data (temperature, precipitation, atmospheric pressure) and concentrations of ambient air pollutants [fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3)], were analyzed for a potential association with CRAO incidence.ResultsOut of 432 patients diagnosed with CRAO between 2008 and 2022, significantly varying incidences were observed monthly (p = 0.025) and seasonally (p = 0.008). The highest rates were recorded in February and winter, with the lowest rates in June and summer. Concentrations of NO2, PM2.5 and lower ambient air temperature (average, minimum, maximum) showed significant correlations with CRAO incidence.DiscussionThis comprehensive 15-year analysis reveals a pronounced winter peak in CRAO incidence, with the lowest occurrences in summer. Potential associations between CRAO incidence and ambient air pollutants and temperature underscore the importance of considering seasonal trends and call for further investigations to elucidate contributing factors, potentially leading to targeted preventive strategies and public health interventions