My Guardian: a personal safety mobile application

Smartphones have become somewhat essential and most people have one on hand at all times. Smartphones have been considered a blessing as it has many capabilities and is not just limited to calling and text messaging unlike the regular mobile phone. It can be utilised by converting it into an emergency safety device that can be used when users are placed in a potentially unsafe and dangerous situation. It will ease the process of getting help by allowing users to quickly notify people of an emergency situation with a press of a button. My Guardian, a personal safety application developed for smartphones, intends to help allow users to notify a set of predefined contacts when they feel they are in an unsafe situation or is simply nervous about travelling alone. With a press of a button, the application will send a text message to these contacts with their location coordinates and a personalized emergency alert message

Preliminary study to compare the prediction error of post operative refraction in pediatric cataract surgery between 2 different intraocular lens power calculation formula

Introduction: The treatment of paediatric cataracts has progressed tremendously in the past 15 to 20 years. There is a growing trend towards intraocular lens implantation in infants and younger children whose eyes are still undergoing rapid growth and refractive changes. Objective: This study is intended to assess the predictability of desired refractive outcomes at 3 month postoperative period in paediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery with primary placement of an intraocular lens. Methodology: This randomized interventional study of 31 eyes (24 patients) that successfully underwent cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantations. All patients were 12 years old and below. Intraocular lens power calculations were made using either SRK II or Modified Formula For Paediatric IOL Calculation. The postoperative refractive outcome was taken as the spherical equivalent of the refraction at 3 month postoperative follow-up. The prediction error was taken as the absolute difference between the predicted and the actual refraction. The data were analysed to compare the mean prediction error between SRK II and Modified Formula and evaluate the predictability. Results: The mean prediction error in the SRK II group was 1.03 D (SD, 0.69 D) while in Modified Formula 1.14 D (SD, 1.19 D). The SRK II group showed lower prediction error of 0.11 D compared to Modified Formula group, but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There were 3 eyes (18.75%) in SRK II group achieved accurate predictability where the refraction postoperatively was within ± 0.5 D from predicted refraction compared to 7 eyes (46.67%) in the Modified Formula group. However the difference of the predictability between the two formulas was also not statistically significant (p = 0.097). Conclusion: The prediction error and the accuracy of predictability of postoperative refraction in paediatric cataract surgery are comparable between SRK II and Modified Formula. The existence of the Modified Formula provides an alternative to the ophthalmologist for intraocular lens calculation in paediatric patients

Visual electrophy siological tests in obstructive sleep apnoea

AIM:To compare the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and pattern visual evoked potential ( PVEP ) between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients and controls. METHODS: This was a prospective cross - sectional study involving 40 OSA patients and 31 control subjects in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of OSA who had no ocular pathology were randomly selected to participate in the study. The apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was obtained from their records and used for stratification of OSA severity. Electrophysiological tests ( PVEP and PERG ) were performed on each patient by a trained technician in the electrophysiology laboratory of the Department of Ophthalmology, USM. The results obtained were recorded as median values. Data analysis was done using IBM Statistics Version 21. 0. RESULTS: Among OSA patients, we observed a significant reduction of the PERG amplitude P50 ( P < 0.001) and the PVEP amplitude P100 (P<0. 001) compared to the control group. OSA patients also had a significant increase in PVEP time to peak P100 (P = 0. 003) and time to peak N75 (P = 0. 004). However, no significant differences were detected in PERG time to peak between OSA patients and controls. There were likewise no significant differences in PVEP or PERG between OSA patients with different disease severity. CONCLUSION: OSA patients have significant abnormalities in PVEP amplitude and time to peak, as well as PERG amplitude. This may reflect subclinical optic nerve dysfunction in OSA. Further research is needed to determine the association between the severity of OSA and the degree of optic nerve dysfunction

Investigation of Michelson interferometer fiber temperature sensor based on single mode-multimode-single mode fiber structure

A simple fiber temperature sensor based on Michelson interferometer is investigated experimentally. The sensor is formed successive splicing of a single mode fiber (SMF) spliced to a short section of multimode fiber (MMF) followed by another SMF, which also known as single mode-multimode-single mode (SMS) structure. Temperature response of three different sensor lengths of 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm are experimented with increasing and decreasing temperature. The sensor exhibits good linearity, stability and repeatability for the test range from room temperature to 180 °C. The highest sensitivity is attained by the 10 mm sensor with response ~0.108 nm/°C. Factors that affect sensitivity are discussed and related issues are addressed. This sensor is most suitable for low to intermediate temperature applications

Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in a young boy: a case report

We report a case of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in a young boy with no clinical visualization of nematode. The diagnosis was made based on clinical findings and detection of Toxocara immunoglobulin G by Western blot test. An 11-year-old Malay boy presented with progressive blurring of vision in the left eye for a duration of 1 year. It was associated with intermittent floaters. Visual acuity in the left eye was 6/45 and improved to 6/24 with pinhole. There was positive relative afferent pupillary defect, impaired color vision, and presence of red desaturation in the left eye. There were occasional cells in the anterior chamber with no conjunctiva injection. Posterior segment examination revealed mild-to-moderate vitritis and generalized pigmentary changes of the retina with attenuated vessels. The optic disk was slightly hyperemic with mild edema. There was presence of multiple, focal, gray-white subretinal lesions at the inferior part of the retina. Full blood picture results showed eosinophilia with detection of Toxocara immunoglobulin G by Western blot test. Investigations for other infective causes and connective tissue diseases were negative. The diagnosis of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis secondary to Toxocara was made based on clinical findings and laboratory results. He was treated with oral albendazole 400 mg daily for 5 days and oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg with tapering doses over 6 weeks. At 1 month follow-up, the inflammation had reduced, and multiple, focal, gray-white subretinal lesions were resolved; however there was no improvement of vision

Evaluation of anatomical and visual function for early detection of ethambutol toxicity among tuberculosis patients

AIM: To evaluate if early ethambutol toxicity can be detected by comparing pre - and post - treatment anatomical and visual function using retinal nerve fiber thickness, pattern visual evoked potentials and conventional optic nerve function tests. METHODS:This was a prospective study involving 72 eyes of 36 patients treated with ethambutol according to directly observed treatment short-course(DOTS) strategy in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. The visual acuity and optic nerve function tests were performed by a single investigator. Likewise, Humphrey automated perimetry, optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) measurement of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) were performed by a single technician. The examinations were performed before initiating ethambutol treatment and 3mo after that. RESULTS: There was no change in visual acuity, colour vision, light brightness, red saturation and fundus findings pre and post ethambutol. However, there was a statistically significant deterioration in the mean deviation of the visual field post treatment (P = 0. 010). There were also significant changes on OCT and PVEP, with increased RNFL thickness in all quadrants ( P < 0. 05 ) and PVEP delayed P100 peak latency and amplitude (P<0. 001). CONCLUSION: Ethambutol toxicity is a known complication of tuberculosis treatment. Early detection of this toxicity may prevent severe irreversible visual loss. The use of OCT to detect RNFL thickness and PVEP to assess P100 latency and amplitude can assist in the detection of subclinical anatomical and visual function changes prior to development of abnormalities on conventional optic nerve function tests

Phase behavior and formation of oleyl ester nanoemulsions system

Oleylesters (OEs) are newly synthesized esters from different fatty acids of different chain length and oleyl alcohol using Novozyme 435 as catalyst. The phase behavior of these esters were determined by constructing the pseudoternaryphase diagrams of OEs/Tween 80/water at 25.0 ± 0.5°C. Compositions from the isotropic and homogeneous region were selected for characterization. The shortest OEs chain represents the most stable nanoemusions system with the smallest droplet for both isotropic and homogeneous regions. The results from simulation study showed that the shape of emulsion droplet was in spherical shape with the values of eccentricity (e) 0.11 to 0.17

Concurrent hyphema and orbital apex syndrome following herpeszoster ophthalmicus in a middle aged lady

INTRODUCTION: Hyphema and orbital apex syndrome occurring concurrently in a patient with herpeszoster ophthalmicus have not been reported previously. We present a case with these unique findingsand discuss the pathogenesis of these conditions and their management.PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 59-year-old Malay lady with underlying diabetes mellitus presented withmanifestations of zoster ophthalmicus in the left eye. Two weeks later, she developed total hyphema,and complete ophthalmoplegia suggestive of orbital apex syndrome. She was treated with combinationof intravenous acyclovir and oral corticosteroids, and regained full recovery of ocular motility. Totalhyphema persisted, and she required surgical intervention.DISCUSSION: Hyphema is postulated to occur due to an immune vasculitis affecting the iris vessels. Orbitalapex syndrome is probably due to an occlusive vasculitis affecting the vasculature of the extraocular mus-cles and optic nerve, resulting from a direct invasion by varicella zoster virus or infiltration of perivascularinflammatory cells. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain is essential to exclude possibility of localcauses at the orbital apex area.CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is an uncommon ocular presentation. Managing two concur-rent complications; persistent total hyphema and orbital apex syndrome is a challenging clinical situation.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent potential blinding situation

Concurrent hyphema and orbital apex syndrome following herpeszoster ophthalmicus in a middle aged lady

INTRODUCTION: Hyphema and orbital apex syndrome occurring concurrently in a patient with herpes zoster ophthalmicus have not been reported previously. We present a case with these unique findings and discuss the pathogenesis of these conditions and their management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 59-year-old Malay lady with underlying diabetes mellitus presented with manifestations of zoster ophthalmicus in the left eye. Two weeks later, she developed total hyphema,and complete ophthalmoplegia suggestive of orbital apex syndrome. She was treated with combinationof intravenous acyclovir and oral corticosteroids, and regained full recovery of ocular motility. Totalhyphema persisted, and she required surgical intervention. DISCUSSION: Hyphema is postulated to occur due to an immune vasculitis affecting the iris vessels. Orbitalapex syndrome is probably due to an occlusive vasculitis affecting the vasculature of the extraocular muscles and optic nerve, resulting from a direct invasion by varicella zoster virus or infiltration of perivascularinflammatory cells. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain is essential to exclude possibility of localcauses at the orbital apex area. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is an uncommon ocular presentation. Managing two concur-rent complications; persistent total hyphema and orbital apex syndrome is a challenging clinical situation.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent potential blinding situation

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe