Mask-Associated Dry Eye (MADE) in healthcare professionals working at COVID-19 pandemic clinics

Background: Healthcare professionals working at COVID-19 pandemic clinics have to work with masks during long hours. After the widespread use of masks in the community, many mask-related side effects were reported to clinics. The increase in the number of applicants with dry eye symptoms due to mask use in ophthalmology clinics has led to the emergence of the concept of mask-associated dry eye (MADE). We think that it would be valuable to evaluate ocular surface tests with a comparative study using healthcare professionals working in pandemic clinics, which we think is the right study group to examine the effects of long-term mask use. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the mask-associated dry eye (MADE) symptoms and findings in healthcare professionals who have to work prolonged time with face masks in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic clinics. Patients and Methods: In this prospective, observational comparative clinical study, healthcare professionals who use the mask for a long time and work in COVID-19 pandemic clinics were compared with an age and sex-matched control group consisting of short-term masks users, from April 2021 to November 2021. All participants underwent the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear film break-up time (T-BUT), Oxford staining score, Schirmer's test I, and meibography with infrared transillumination. Results: The long-term mask user group consisted of 64 people, while the short-term mask user group consisted of 66 people (260 eyes, total). The OSDI score and Schirmer I measurement were not statistically different between the two groups. T-BUT was statistically significantly shorter in the long-term group (P: 0.008); lid parallel-conjunctival fold, Oxford staining score, and upper and lower lid meibography score were found to be significantly higher in the long-term group (P < 0.001, P: 0.004, P: 0.049, P: 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals with longer mask-wearing times are at greater risk of ocular surface damage. It may be considered to prevent this damage by blocking airflow to the ocular surface, such as by wearing a face mask properly or fitting it over the nose with surgical tape. Those who have to work with a mask for a long time during the COVID-19 pandemic should keep in mind the ophthalmology follow-up for eye comfort and ocular surface health

On Critical Massive (Super)Gravity in adS3

We review the status of three-dimensional "general massive gravity" (GMG) in its linearization about an anti-de Sitter (adS) vacuum, focusing on critical points in parameter space that yield generalizations of "chiral gravity". We then show how these results extend to N=1 super-GMG, expanded about a supersymmetric adS vacuum, and also to the most general `curvature-squared' N=1 supergravity model.Comment: 10 pages, Proceedings of ERE 2010, Granada, 6-10 september 2010; reference adde

More on Massive 3D Supergravity

Completing earlier work on three dimensional (3D) N=1 supergravity with curvature-squared terms, we construct the general supergravity extension of cosmological massive gravity theories. We expand about supersymmetric anti-de Sitter vacua, finding the conditions for bulk unitarity and the critical points in parameter space at which the spectrum changes. We discuss implications for the dual conformal field theory.Comment: v1 : 53 pages, 1 figure; v2 : significantly shortened, 42 p., version published in Class. Quant. Gra

Contribution of natural and anthropogenic effects in the Iznik Lake bottom sediment: Geochemical and microfauna assemblages evidence

The relationship between the distribution of benthic foraminifera with ostracoda and sediment type and geochemical environment in the Iznik Lake is discussed. The microfauna (benthic foraminifer and ostracod) were sampled in seven recent bottom sediment samples, and geochemical variables of the sediment of the same samples were measured. This study is aimed at investigating the geochemical properties of 7 bottom sediment samples analysed in 5 lines in Iznik Lake. The depths for the samples varies from 1 to 68 m. The microfauna individuals were found in very low quantity, a total of 5 species foraminifera and 11 species 10 genus ostracod were identified. The geochemical properties were found to correspond well to the sediment type and depositional environment and five different sediment/depositional environment types could be distinguished. The individuals of microfauna reveals specific faunal assemblages that are closely related to these sediment and geochemical environment types. According to the survey, sediments encountered in the formation of gypsum crystals feature when considered together with the magnetism of Iznik Lake and the surrounding area suggest that are affected by new tectonics. Again this geochemical study the magnetic properties of the heavy-mineral contents, the entire amount of magnetite and hematite and heavy-mineral content has appeared to be affected by changes in the process. The purpose of this work is to distinguish the natural (geogenic) component, originated by techtonical origin this lake, from anthropogenic contamination owing to human activity. There were relationship between microfauna assemblages and heavy metals, trace element pollutant in the bottom lake sediments. Additionally, less individuals are found in most of the sediment samples in observed (in this 7 samples), this coincidence suggests that the heavy metals within the environment can also be a cause. The reason that of heavy metals, trace element pollutants are a factor in the distribution of microfaunal assemblages of genera and species were observed. © 2017Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit: 423/13092005Samples of this research were obtained by the Istanbul University Scientific Research Projects Unit , Project No. 423/13092005 , title project of “Iznik Lake Stratigraphy and Hydrocarbon Resources in the surface sediments Defining”. Appendix

Contribution of natural and anthropogenic effects in the Iznik Lake bottom sediment: Geochemical and microfauna assemblages evidence

The relationship between the distribution of benthic foraminifera with ostracoda and sediment type and geochemical environment in the Iznik Lake is discussed. The microfauna (benthic foraminifer and ostracod) were sampled in seven recent bottom sediment samples, and geochemical variables of the sediment of the same samples were measured. This study is aimed at investigating the geochemical properties of 7 bottom sediment samples analysed in 5 lines in Iznik Lake. The depths for the samples varies from 1 to 68 m. The microfauna individuals were found in very low quantity, a total of 5 species foraminifera and 11 species 10 genus ostracod were identified. The geochemical properties were found to correspond well to the sediment type and depositional environment and five different sediment/ depositional environment types could be distinguished. The individuals of microfauna reveals specific faunal assemblages that are closely related to these sediment and geochemical environment types. According to the survey, sediments encountered in the formation of gypsum crystals feature when considered together with the magnetism of Iznik Lake and the surrounding area suggest that are affected by new tectonics. Again this geochemical study the magnetic properties of the heavy-mineral contents, the entire amount of magnetite and hematite and heavy-mineral content has appeared to be affected by changes in the process. The purpose of this work is to distinguish the natural (geogenic) component, originated by techtonical origin this lake, from anthropogenic contamination owing to human activity. There were relationship between microfauna assemblages and heavy metals, trace element pollutant in the bottom lake sediments. Additionally, less individuals are found in most of the sediment samples in observed (in this 7 samples), this coincidence suggests that the heavy metals within the environment can also be a cause. The reason that of heavy metals, trace element pollutants are a factor in the distribution of microfaunal assemblages of genera and species were observed. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd