Clinical impact of nanophotonic blue-light filtering spectacles based on fullerene C60 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Uvod/Cilj. Plavo svetlo može da bude štetno za retinu. Nano-materijal od fulerena C60 i polimetil metakrilata (PMMA) transformiše svetlo u harmonizovano hiperpolarizovano svetlo upijajući plavu, ljubičastu i ultraljubičastu talasnu dužinu. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se oceni subjektivni i objektivni uticaj nošenja naočara na obavljanje dnevnih aktivnosti. Metode. Dvadeset pet zdravih dobrovoljaca podvrgnuto je kompletnom oftalmološkom pregledu, ispitivanju kontrastne senzitivnosti (KS) i perimetrije (PM). Popunjavan je upitnik o uticaju naočara na dnevne aktivnosti: dvoje naočara sa različitim koncentracijama fulerena C60 upoređeno je sa dvoje komercijalno dostupnih naočara sa plavim filterom. Rezultati. Nije postojala statistička razlika u KS (p = 0,83), kod PM parametara: MD (mean deviation) (p = 0,36), PSD (pattern standard deviation) (p = 0,25), i kod broja relativnih skotoma (p = 0,31), dok je broj apsolutnih skotoma pokazao statistički značajno smanjenje (p lt 0,05). Naočare B (sa manjom koncentracijom fulerena od 0,025%) imale su sveukupno najbolju srednju ocenu (p lt 0,00001): oko četiri petine ispitanika je bolje funkcionisalo danju, dok je oko dve trećine njih osećalo boljitak i danju i noću. Naočare B su isto tako bile superiorne u sveukupnoj oceni zadovoljstva pri svim kombinovanim dnevnim aktivnostima (4,04 ± 1,1) (p = 0,0008). Zaključak. Naočare sa plavim filterom na bazi fulerena C60 povećavaju sveukupan komfor u obavljanju dnevnih aktivnosti pri njihovom nošenju i nakon nošenja. Ovi filteri mogu da budu efikasan način zaštite od očnih bolesti uzrokovanih plavim svetlom uz povećan komfor u obavljanju svakodnevnih aktivnosti.Background/Aim. Blue light might be harmful to the retina. The nano-material based on fullerene C60 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) transforms the light into harmonized light and absorbs violet, blue, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelength. The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective and objective impact of the spectacles on daily activities. Methods. Twenty-five healthy participants were submitted to contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual field (VF) testing and a questionnaire about the influence of spectacles on daily activities: two spectacles with different concentrations of fullerene C60 vs. two commercially available blue-blocking spectacles. Results. There was no statistical difference in CS (p = 0.83), in VF parameters: mean deviation (MD) (p = 0.36), pattern standard deviation (PSD) (p = 0.25), number of relative scotomas (p = 0.31), while the number of absolute scotomas showed a statistically significant decrease (p lt 0.05). Spectacles B (with a lower concentration of fullerene - 0.025%) had the best overall comfort mean score (p lt 0.00001): four-fifths of participants performed better only during the day, while two-thirds performed better both during the day and night. Spectacles B were also superior in overall satisfaction regarding all combined daily activities (4.04 ± 1.1) (p = 0.0008). Conclusion. Blue-blocking filters with fullerene C60 increase the overall comfort of daily tasks during and after their use. These filters might be an effective mechanism that can protect us from ocular pathologies while providing better comfort in daily activities

Clinical impact of nanophotonic blue-light filtering spectacles based on fullerene C60 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Uvod/Cilj. Plavo svetlo može da bude štetno za retinu. Nano-materijal od fulerena C60 i polimetil metakrilata (PMMA) transformiše svetlo u harmonizovano hiperpolarizovano svetlo upijajući plavu, ljubičastu i ultraljubičastu talasnu dužinu. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se oceni subjektivni i objektivni uticaj nošenja naočara na obavljanje dnevnih aktivnosti. Metode. Dvadeset pet zdravih dobrovoljaca podvrgnuto je kompletnom oftalmološkom pregledu, ispitivanju kontrastne senzitivnosti (KS) i perimetrije (PM). Popunjavan je upitnik o uticaju naočara na dnevne aktivnosti: dvoje naočara sa različitim koncentracijama fulerena C60 upoređeno je sa dvoje komercijalno dostupnih naočara sa plavim filterom. Rezultati. Nije postojala statistička razlika u KS (p = 0,83), kod PM parametara: MD (mean deviation) (p = 0,36), PSD (pattern standard deviation) (p = 0,25), i kod broja relativnih skotoma (p = 0,31), dok je broj apsolutnih skotoma pokazao statistički značajno smanjenje (p lt 0,05). Naočare B (sa manjom koncentracijom fulerena od 0,025%) imale su sveukupno najbolju srednju ocenu (p lt 0,00001): oko četiri petine ispitanika je bolje funkcionisalo danju, dok je oko dve trećine njih osećalo boljitak i danju i noću. Naočare B su isto tako bile superiorne u sveukupnoj oceni zadovoljstva pri svim kombinovanim dnevnim aktivnostima (4,04 ± 1,1) (p = 0,0008). Zaključak. Naočare sa plavim filterom na bazi fulerena C60 povećavaju sveukupan komfor u obavljanju dnevnih aktivnosti pri njihovom nošenju i nakon nošenja. Ovi filteri mogu da budu efikasan način zaštite od očnih bolesti uzrokovanih plavim svetlom uz povećan komfor u obavljanju svakodnevnih aktivnosti.Background/Aim. Blue light might be harmful to the retina. The nano-material based on fullerene C60 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) transforms the light into harmonized light and absorbs violet, blue, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelength. The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective and objective impact of the spectacles on daily activities. Methods. Twenty-five healthy participants were submitted to contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual field (VF) testing and a questionnaire about the influence of spectacles on daily activities: two spectacles with different concentrations of fullerene C60 vs. two commercially available blue-blocking spectacles. Results. There was no statistical difference in CS (p = 0.83), in VF parameters: mean deviation (MD) (p = 0.36), pattern standard deviation (PSD) (p = 0.25), number of relative scotomas (p = 0.31), while the number of absolute scotomas showed a statistically significant decrease (p lt 0.05). Spectacles B (with a lower concentration of fullerene - 0.025%) had the best overall comfort mean score (p lt 0.00001): four-fifths of participants performed better only during the day, while two-thirds performed better both during the day and night. Spectacles B were also superior in overall satisfaction regarding all combined daily activities (4.04 ± 1.1) (p = 0.0008). Conclusion. Blue-blocking filters with fullerene C60 increase the overall comfort of daily tasks during and after their use. These filters might be an effective mechanism that can protect us from ocular pathologies while providing better comfort in daily activities

SERUM BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF): THE SEVERITY AND SYMPTOMATIC DIMENSIONS OF DEPRESSION

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) considering the severity of MDD episode defined by the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-17). The other aim was to research the connection between serum BDNF and the symptomatic dimensions of MDD. Subjects and methods: The study includes 139 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). Diagnosis of MDD was set by DSM-IV-TR criteria. The severity of MDD was estimated with HAM-D-17 in the manner that mild episode was diagnosed if the score on HAMD-17 was up to 18, moderately severe 18-25 and severe over 25. Concentration of BDNF was determined by the ELISA method. Results: This research could not find a difference in BDNF concentration considering the severity of the depressive disorder in groups suffering from mild, moderately severe and severe episodes of MDD (F=1.816; p=0.169). Factor analysis of HAMD-17 extracted four dimensions of depressive symptoms. None of the symptomatic dimensions was significantly related to BDNF concentration. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that serum BDNF levels are not related to the severity of depression and its specific symptomatic dimensions. These findings support the idea of a complex relationship between BDNF concentration at the periphery and in the CNS

Review of Antlions (Insecta: Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in North Macedonia

We present the state of knowledge on the family Myrmeleontidae occurring in North Macedonia based on published records, museum specimens and new samples, and provide a comprehensive species list. North Macedonia represents only 3.9% of the area of the Balkan Peninsula but harbours 19 species belonging to 14 antlion genera, i.e., 61% of the peninsular fauna. We report collection localities, literature records and biological data for each species. Three species, Nemoleon poecilopterus, Neuroleon assimilis and Myrmeleon inconspicuus, are reported for the first time in North Macedonia. The genus Nemoleon Navás is also reported for the first time in the country

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Corneal Thickness

Ultrastrukturne promene rožnjače kod osoba obolelih od dijabetes melitusa (DM) opisane su u ranijim radovima. Cilj istraživanja je bio poređenje centralne debljine rožnjače (CDR) osoba obolelih od DM bez retinopatije u stadijumu neproliferativne i proliferativne dijabetičke retinopa-tije sa CDR zdravih osoba kontrolne grupe. Metode rada: Ukupno je ispitana 121 osoba sa DM i 125 zdravih osoba. Kontrolnu grupu su činile osobe individualno uparene prema polu i starosti sa bolesnicima iz studijske grupe. Svi ispitanici su podvrgnuti oftalmološkom pregledu, koji je obuhvatio pregled očnog dna i merenje CDR ultrazvučnim pahimetrom. Oči ispitanika sa DM su, prema kriterijumima Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, podeljene u tri grupe: grupu bez dijabetičke retinopatije (NDR), sa neprolife-rativnom dijabetičkom retinopatijom (NPDR) i proliferativnom dijabetičkom retinopatijom (PDR). U istraživanje je uključeno samo jedno oko svakog ispitanika. Rezultati: Prosečna vrednost CDR bolesnika sa DM bila je 570,52±31,81 μm, a zdravih ispitanika 541,42±27,82 μm. Razlika u CDR između dve posmatrane grupe bila je statistički visoko značajna (p0,05). Zaključak: Veća CDR je utvrđena kod osoba sa DM u poređenju sa zdravim ispitanicima. Najveća CDR je ustanovljena u grupi očiju sa PDR; slede grupe NPDR i NDR.Introduction Ultrastructural changes in corneas of patients with diabetes mellitus have been previously described. Objective The aim of this study was to compare central corneal thickness (CDR) values in diabetic patients without retinopathy at the stage of diabetic nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy and CDR in a control group of healthy subjects. Methods The study included 121 diabetic patients and 125 healthy subjects matched according to gender and age. Each patient underwent ophthalmological examination involving a dilated fundus examination and CDR measurement using the ultrasound pachymeter. The eyes of diabetic patients were classified according to Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study into three groups: without diabetic retinopathy (NDR), with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and a group with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Only one eye of each subject was chosen for the study. Results The mean CDR value was significantly higher in the diabetic group (570.52 +/- 31.81 mu m) compared with the control group (541.42 +/- 27.82 mu m). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p lt 0.0001). The highest mean CDR value was recorded in the PDR group (585.97 +/- 28.58 mu m), followed by the NPDR group (570.84 +/- 30.27 mu m), whereas the lowest mean CDR value was recorded in the NDR group (559.80 +/- 31.55 mu m). There was a statistically significant difference in CDR between the NDR and PDR groups, as well as between the NPDR and PDR groups (p lt 0.001, p lt 0.05 respectively). No significant difference was recorded between the NDR and NPDR groups (p>0.05). Conclusion CDR of diabetic patients was higher compared to healthy subjects. The highest mean value of CDR was registered in the PDR group, followed by the NPDR and the NDR groups

Preparation of NdFeB Magnetic Nanoparticles by Surfactant-Assisted High Energy Ball Milling

Improved permanent magnets are essential for emergent applications in electronic and electric devices. Different attempts have been made to produce nanoscale anisotropic rare-earth magnetic powder based on Nd-Fe-B material. Recently, high energy surfactant assisted ball milling has been proven to be an effective technique to produce anisotropic hard magnetic Nd-Fe-B nanoparticles. In this paper we are presenting our experimental results on high energy ball milling in planetary mill "Puverisette 7 premium line" from "Fritsch". Except milling material, there are several variables which influence the milling process for the selected mill type. They are: mechanical properties of the milling media material (bowls, balls, etc.), ball-to-powder ratio (BPR), extent of filling of the milling bowl, milling atmosphere, milling speed and duration, and type of solution and surfactant for wet milling. We are going to give influence of all these parameters on obtained NdFeB magnetic materials with nanosized dimensions starting from Nd2Fe14B HDD (Hydrogenated Disproportionated Desorbed) material. Acknowledgements: This work is funded by FP7 project MAG-DRIVE: "New permanent magnets for electric-vehicle drive applications", grant agreement no: 605348

Validation of the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire in Serbian language

AIM: To translate the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) to Serbian language and asses its validity and reliability in the population of Serbian patients. METHODS: The study included 177 glaucoma patients. Clinical parameters (visual acuity, mean defect and square root of loss variance of visual field) and socio-demographic data were collected. Patients were stratified according to the Nelson's glaucoma staging system as mild, moderate and advanced glaucoma. All patients filled out the GQL-15 and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25). The GQL-15 was translated following the internationally-accepted methodology, and its psychometric properties were assessed by using classical test theory and Rasch analysis. RESULTS: The mean total score for the GQL-15 was 20.68 +/- 7.31. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale was 0.89 (central and near vision, alpha=0.24; peripheral vision, alpha=0.85; glare and dark adaptation, alpha=0.83). Factor analysis established 4 factors (70.3% of variance): two corresponding to the original factors and two new factors specific for the Serbian population. The GQL-15 score correlated positively with almost all clinical parameters and NEI-VFQ 25 proving good criterion validity. Correlation of the GQL-15 total score on test-retest confirmed appropriate scale reproducibility (rho= 0.96, P lt 0.001). The GQL-15 discriminated well advanced from mild and moderate glaucoma. In Rasch analysis we obtained adequate item (0.95) reliability index. Almost all items had infit and outfit mean squares in the accepted range. CONCLUSION: Serbian version of the GQL-15 demonstrates adequate reliability and validity. This version of the GQL-15 is a valid instrument for evaluation of quality of life among Serbian speaking patients with glaucoma and can be applied in daily clinical work

Glaucoma Symptom Scale: Psychometric properties of the Serbian version

Purpose The study aim was to translate and validate the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) in Serbian language. Methods Clinical parameters and socio-demographic data were collected for each of the 177 enrolled glaucoma patients. Each eye was classified according to the Glaucoma staging system by Mills into 6 stages. Patients filled out the GSS and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25). The GSS comprises 10 complaints common for glaucoma patients on a topical treatment, grouped into two subscales: SYMP-6 (non-visual) and FUNC-4 (visual problems). The GSS was translated following the customary methodology and its psychometric properties were assessed by using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Rasch analysis. Results The internal consistency of the Serbian GSS for the whole scale was very good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81). On factor analysis items were clustered into 2 factors (48.92% of variance) which corresponded to the original scale. The total and subscale GSS scores correlated significantly with measures of disease severity and also with total score and analogous NEI-VFQ 25 subscale scores. In Rasch analysis we obtained adequate item reliability index (0.90). Almost all items had infit and outfit mean squares in the accepted range. However, measurement precision was poor (low person separation reliability) and targeting revealed a ceiling effect. Conclusion When analyzed with CTT the Serbian version of the GSS seems to be a valid instrument, but Rasch analysis revealed some serious measurement flaws, therefore it should not be used in its current format. Further studies to modify and improve GSS are needed prior to its application for Serbian glaucoma patients

GSTM1-null and GSTT1-active genotypes as risk determinants of primary open angle glaucoma among smokers

AIM: To evaluate glutathione transferase theta 1 and mu 1 (GSTT1 and GSTM1) polymorphisms as determinants of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) risk, independently or in combination with cigarette smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A case-control study with 102 POAG patients and 202 age and gender-matched controls was carried out. Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction method was used for the analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms. The differences between two groups were tested by the t-test or chi(2) test. Logistic regression analysis was used for assessing the risk for disease development. RESULTS: The presence of GSTM1-null genotype did not contribute independently towards the risk of POAG. However, individuals with GSTT1-active genotype were at almost two-fold increased risk to develop glaucoma (P=0.044) which increased up to 4.36 when combined with GSTM1-null carriers (P=0.024). When glutathione transferase (GST) genotypes were analyzed in association with cigarette smoking, hypertension and diabetes, only carriers of GSTT1-active genotype had significantly increased risk of POAG development in comparison with GSTT1-null genotype individuals with no history of smoking, hypertension and diabetes, respectively (OR=3.52, P=0.003; OR=10.02, P lt 0.001; OR=4.53, P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that both GSTM1-null and GSTT1-active genotypes are associated with increased POAG risk among smokers, suggesting potential gene-environment interaction in glaucoma development