Comparing spectacle and toric contact lens prescribing trends for astigmatism

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare spectacle and contact lens (CL) prescription trends, with an emphasis on astigmatic refractive error prescribing differences for patients who purchase spectacles or CLs in South Korea. Methods: A retrospective study of patient records of a major optical chain in South Korea was conducted. De-identified data of age, gender, power of prescribed spectacles and/or CLs were extracted from the practice database. Inclusion criteria were being within the first 10,000 purchasers of spectacles or CLs or both. Results: The first 10,000 purchases comprised spectacles (59%) and CLs (41%) (male:female ratio 4:6). The proportion of purchasers who were female was significantly higher for CLs (88% female, 12% male) than spectacles (43% female, 57% male) (χ2=4480.36, df=1, P&lt;0.0001). There was a significant difference in the proportions of purchases by age group for spectacles and CLs (χ2=3246.69, df=3, P&lt;0.0001). Spherical power distribution of prescribed lenses was similar between the groups; however, cylinder power and axis were significantly different (P&lt;0.0001). CL astigmatic powers were more likely to be 1.00 DC or greater, whereas the majority of spectacle lenses had astigmatic power of 0.75 DC or less. In total, 90% of toric CLs were prescribed ×180 and 9% other meridians, unlike spectacles where 50% were prescribed ×180, 14% ×90 and 40% at oblique meridians. Conclusion: There is scope for providing increased toric lens correction amongst CL wearers and increasing the proportion of wearers who are male. The estimated gap for toric lens prescription amongst CL wearers who have clinically significant astigmatism ≥0.75 DC is about 59%.</p

Detecting the gravitational wave memory effect with TianQin

The gravitational wave memory effect is a prediction of general relativity. The presence of memory effect in gravitational wave signals not only provides the chance to test an important aspect of general relativity, but also represents a potentially non-negligible contribution to the waveform for certain gravitational wave events. In this paper, we study the prospect of detecting the gravitational wave memory effect directly with the planned space-based gravitational wave detector -- TianQin. We find that during its 5 years operation, for the gravitational wave signals that could be detected by TianQin, about $0.5\sim2.0$ signals may contain displacement memory effect with signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) greater than 3. This suggests that the chance for TianQin to detect the displacement memory effect directly is low but not fully negligible. In contrast, the chance to detect the spin memory is negligible. We also study that in which parameter space, the memory effect is expected to be significant in waveform modeling.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Blood–brain barrier endothelial cells in neurodegenerative diseases: Signals from the “barrier”

As blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption emerges as a common problem in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, the crucial roles of barrier-type brain endothelial cells (BECs), the primary part of the BBB, have been reported in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms of how early vascular dysfunction contributes to the progress of neurodegeneration are still unclear, and understanding BEC functions is a promising start. Our understanding of the BBB has gone through different stages, from a passive diffusion barrier to a mediator of central-peripheral interactions. BECs serve two seemingly paradoxical roles: as a barrier to protect the delicate brain from toxins and as an interface to constantly receive and release signals, thus maintaining and regulating the homeostasis of the brain. Most previous studies about neurodegenerative diseases focus on the loss of barrier functions, and far too little attention has been paid to the active regulations of BECs. In this review, we present the current evidence of BEC dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and explore how BEC signals participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

Trace amounts of copper induce neurotoxicity in the cholesterol-fed mice through apoptosis

AbstractEvidence has been gathered to suggest that trace amounts of copper induce neurotoxicity by interaction with elevated cholesterol in diet. Copper treatment alone showed no significant learning and memory impairments in behavioral tasks. However, copper-induced neurotoxicity was significantly increased in mice given elevated-cholesterol diet. Trace amounts of copper decreased the activity of SOD and increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain of cholesterol-fed mouse. Copper also caused an increase in amyloid precursor protein (APP) mRNA level and the activation of caspase-3 in the brain of cholesterol-fed mice. The apoptosis-induced nuclear DNA fragmentation was detected in the brain of those mice by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling staining. These findings suggest that trace amounts of copper induce neurotoxicity in cholesterol-fed mice through apoptosis caused by oxidative stress

Influencing Factors for Sleep Quality Among Shift-working Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in China Using 3-factor Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

SummaryPurposeThe aim of this study was to identify influencing factors for sleep quality among shift-working nurses based on a three-factor scoring model that included sleep efficacy, sleep quality and daily dysfunction.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 513 nurses in a hospital in Shanghai, China, was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire. Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed based on the three-factor PSQI model: Factor 1, sleep efficacy; Factor 2, sleep quality; Factor 3, daily disturbances.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, marital status, and having children, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that participants who had previous shift work experience which was at least 6 months ago, or were currently performing shift work were significantly more likely to have poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) than those who had never done shift work (adjusted odds ratios of 3.943 and 3.975, respectively, both p < .001). Mean scores of the three individual factors increased significantly among nurses currently performing shift work compared with those who had never done shift work (Factor 1, β = 0.61, p < .001; Factor 2, β = 1.86, p < .001; Factor 3, β = 0.45, p = .002). Mean scores of Factor 2 and Factor 3 increased significantly among nurses with previous shift work experience compared with those who had never done shift work (Factor 2, β = 1.15, p = .003; Factor 3, β = 0.52, p = .005).ConclusionsPerforming current shift work and performing shift work previously were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. An appropriate arrangement and intervention strategies are needed in Chinese hospitals in order to improve sleep quality among shift-working nurses

3,9-Dichloro-2,4,8,10-tetra­oxa-3,9-di­phosphaspiro­[5.5]undecane-3,9-dione

In the title compound, C5H8Cl2O6P2, the two six-membered rings display chair conformations. The P=O bond distances are 1.444 (2) and 1.446 (2) Å. Weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are present in the crystal structure

Case report: Retrograde endovascular recanalization of vertebral artery occlusion with non-tapered stump via the deep cervical collateral

IntroductionVertebral artery (VA) occlusive disease is the major cause of posterior circulation ischemic stroke. Endovascular recanalization has been reported as a feasible treatment for patients with symptomatic VA occlusion refractory to optimal medical therapy. However, VA occlusion with non-tapered stump exhibits a low technique success rate when treated by antegrade endovascular therapy because of increased difficulty in passing the guidewire into the occluded segment. Herein, we presented a novel endovascular approach to recanalize chronically occluded VA with a non-tapered stump using a retrograde method via the deep cervical collateral, which has not been reported before.Case presentationThe present case was a patient with VA ostial occlusion with non-tapered stump and distal severe stenosis of the left VA who had recurrent posterior circulation transit ischemic attacks under optimal medical therapy. CT angiography demonstrated proximal non-tapered occlusion and distal severe stenosis of the left VA, and that the right VA did not converge with the left VA into basilar artery. Endovascular treatment was recommended and performed on this patient. However, antegrade endovascular recanalization of the left VA origin occlusion failed because the micro guidewire was unable to traverse the occluded segment. Fortunately, robust collateral from the deep cervical artery to the V3 segment of the left VA developed, in which we advanced the micro guidewire to the V3 segment of the left VA and reversely passed the micro guidewire through the occluded segment. Then, the occlusion and stenosis of the left VA were successfully resolved with angioplasty and stenting. After the procedure, the patient reported no neurological symptoms under medical therapy during 3-month follow-up.ConclusionAntegrade endovascular recanalization of VA occlusion with a non-tapered stump is a challenge. The retrograde endovascular method via the cervical collateral may be an alternative for this type of VA occlusion, which requires further exploration