Cataract surgery astigmatism incisional management. Manual relaxing incision versus femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy. A systematic review

Purpose: This systematic review aims to compare corneal astigmatism correction in cataract surgery through corneal relaxing incision, manually and femtosecond laser assisted. Methods: The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations. We used PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) as databases from January 2010 to March 30, 2021. Patients with keratoconus, corneal ectasia, and a previous history of eye surgery were excluded because our aim was to analyze only healthy eyes. Results: A total of 1025 eyes were evaluated from 946 patients (mean age was 68.90 ± 5.12) in manual incision group articles, while 1905 eyes of 1483 patients (mean age was 65.05 ± 4.57) were evaluated in femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy (FLAK) articles. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 0.19 ± 0.12 and 0.15 ± 0.05 logMAR for manual incision and FLAK articles, respectively (p = 0.39). The mean correction index (CI) was similar in both groups: 0.77 ± 0.18 in manual incision and 0.79 ± 0.17 in femtosecond laser assisted incision (p = 0.70). Refractive stability was found after 3 months and no serious complications were reported during the follow-up in any group. Conclusion: Both techniques are safe and moderately effective in corneal astigmatism correction in cataract surgery. FLAK represents a more precise and predictable approach. However, since visual and refractive outcomes appear to be similar in both cases, the cost-benefit analysis is controversial

Elaboration and characterization of nanoemulsion with orange essential oil and pectin

BACKGROUND: Nanoemulsions formulated with citric essential oils are currently of interest because of their physical and chemical properties and multiple applications in areas such as the food industry or agrochemicals. These are thermodynamically unstable and have almost Newtonian flow behaviour, but a suitable formulation allows systems to be obtained with good physical stability and rheological properties. The addition of pectin makes this possible. In this work, food nanoemulsions formulated with pectin, orange essential oil (5 wt%), and Tween 80 were obtained by microfluidization. First, the effect of Tween 80 concentration from 1 to 5 wt% on emulsions without pectin was evaluated. Then, pectin was added to the most stable nanoemulsion obtained and two variables were studied: the pectin solution concentration (from 2 to 6 wt%) and the pectin/emulsion ratio (1:1 or 2:1) at a fixed pectin concentration. RESULTS: Rheological, laser diffraction, and multiple light scattering techniques were employed to determine the content of Tween 80 that results in the most stable nanoemulsion without pectin, which was 3 wt%. In addition, these techniques were used to determine the structure and physical stability of the nanoemulsions containing orange essential oil and pectin. The results obtained showed that the emulsions containing 2 wt% pectin were destabilized before 24 h. Furthermore, the emulsion with 6 wt% pectin and a 2:1 pectin/emulsion ratio showed the highest viscosity and the lowest mean diameters, and therefore the greatest stability. CONCLUSION: This work extends the knowledge of formulation of nanoemulsions and using essential oils. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CTQ2015-70700-

The Combined Effect of Low-dose Atropine with Orthokeratology in Pediatric Myopia Control: Review of the Current Treatment Status for Myopia

Pediatric myopia has become a major international public health concern. The prevalence of myopia has undergone a significant increase worldwide. The purpose of this review of the current literature was to evaluate the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine treatment combined with overnight orthokeratology for myopia control. A search was conducted in Pubmed and Web of Science with the following search strategy: (atropine OR low-dose atropine OR 0.01% atropine) AND (orthokeratology OR ortho-k) AND (myopia control OR myopia progression). All included studies improved myopia control by the synergistic effect of orthokeratology with low-dose atropine, compared with orthokeratology treatment alone. All studies included a short or medium follow-up period; therefore longer-term studies are necessary to validate these results

Is “Self-Experience” Really a Transdiagnostic Concept? Preliminary Evidence in Favor of the Transdiagnostic Conception of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

The authors would like to thank the University of Almeria's Contextual Therapies training program for the suggestions about the content of this article and financial support.Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) offers a radically behavioral and transdiagnostic conception of the formation of the “self” and the appearance of a diversity of psychological problems. This study examined the extent to which a wide variety of psychological disorders (somatization, obsessive–compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility/aggressiveness, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism) and a global index of psychopathological severity may in fact be linked to problems of the “self” according to the FAP conception. Two questionnaires, one related to self-experience according to FAP and the other to find the scores on several different psychopathology scales, were administered to 280 adult Spaniards for this purpose. The results confirmed the transdiagnostic nature of the “self”-experience. There are significant and strong correlations between all the psychopathology scales studied and self-experience. Linear regression analyses also show that, along with age and gender, in some cases, the score on self-experience predicts each and every one of the psychopathological variables studied, in addition to the Global Severity Index. These results are discussed and related to the transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology.University of Almeria's Contextual Therapies training progra

A methodology to select the price criterion in public procurement

The construction sector is a key driver for economic growth in any nation and public procurement is one of its pillars - hence the importance of the study and investigation of its mechanisms, especially tendering criteria. Price is the main deciding factor for most tenders and projects must have an appropriate base price relative to market price to avoid problems during the execution of the project. Most research on price criteria has been developed from the point of view of bidders and has discussed the development of tools and methodologies for determining the optimal bid price. In this paper we propose a methodology for public procurement procedures from the point of view of the administration. The methodology enables setting all aspects of the price criterion based on the size of the project budget, the nature of the work, and the number of bidders

A methodology to detect the deviations of the project´s budget compared to market prices

The budget of a project reflects the cost of the investment needed to build an infrastructure, install a system or acquire new materials or supplies. A well-formulated budget in accordance with market prices, allows contractors to prepare offers according to their technical, economic and financial characteristics. On the other hand, it avoids current philosophies that aim to get the contract at any price. Philosophies subsequently used to point out problems and claims during the execution of the project (contradictory prices, delays, etc.) in order to recover some or the entire economic bid carried out during the tendering. In this paper a simple and fast methodology is developed to check if the tendering price is in accordance with market prices, so that the economic viability of the project is not at risk. The application of the methodology on a sample of projects allows us to check the influence of the type of project (civil or building) on the characteristics of the budget. It also allows us to point out the insufficient economic endowment of the projects as the start of the subsequent problems during the execution of the work

Choroidal thickness assessment in keratoconus patients treated with cross-linking compared to healthy population.

Purpose: To analyze the choroidal thickness between patients with keratoconus undergoing cross-linking treatment and a healthy population, as well as to determine the factors that influence choroidal thickness. Methods: This was an observational, analytical, case–control study that was conducted from February 2021 to June 2021. Choroidal thickness was measured at different locations, including the subfoveal, nasal (1000 μm), temporal (1000 μm), superior (1000 μm) and inferior (1000 μm) locations using a Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging, which allowed us to obtain horizontal and vertical B-scans centered on the fovea. Results: This study included 21 patients with keratoconus (mean age, 21.86 ± 5.28 years) and 28 healthy patients (mean age, 24.21 ± 4.71 years). Choroidal thickness was significantly greater in patients with keratoconus than in healthy patients in each of the following measured locations: subfoveal (P < 0.001); nasal (1000 μm) (P < 0.001), temporal (1000 μm) (P < 0.001), superior (1000 μm) (P < 0.001) and inferior (1000 μm) (P < 0.001) locations. Variables such as age (ρ = − 0.09; P = 0.50) and refraction (ρ = 0.14; P = 0.34) were not found to be associated with choroidal thickness. In a stepwise multiple linear regression, the group was the single variable correlated with choroidal thickness (β = 0.88; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Choroidal thickness is thicker in keratoconus patients treated with cross-linking than in the healthy population. This finding could be associated with inflammatory choroidal mechanisms in keratoconus patients, but more studies are needed. Age and refractive error do not seem to influence choroidal thickness. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V

The uneven regional distributi on of projects funded by the EU Framework Programmes

The Framework Programmes (FPs) represent one key supply-side instrument in the innovati on policy mix implemented directly by the European Union (EU). Since its fi nal goal is fostering innovati on and competi ti veness, it is advisable to analyze the spati al distributi on of this instrument across EU regions. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the regional allocati on of the coordinati on and parti cipati on in projects under the 6th and the 7th FPs, as well as the distributi on of funds from Horizon 2020 (the 8th FP). For this purpose, a comprehensive database regionalized at NUTS 2 level was elaborated based on the data supplied by CORDIS and the Smart Specialisati on Platf orm. Moreover, in order to tackle the relati onship between FPs and regional development, NUTS 2 regions were classifi ed into three groups: less developed regions, middle-income regions and developed regions. Our empirical evidence underlines diff erent trends in this tool of the innovati on policy mix. The general trend points to a positi ve correlati on between the level of development and the capacity to att ract FPs projects and funds. Therefore, FPs might contribute to reinforcing pre-existi ng innovati on hubs and long-term growth dispariti es. Thus, coordinati on and parti cipati on in projects, as well as the funds allocated in the FPs are heavily concentrated in the developed regions. Middle-income regions att ract more projects on average than less develop regions, although the dispariti es among them are not parti cularly high. Concerning less developed regions, there are two different groups of regions. One of them is characterized by a remarkable number of project coordinations that attract funds, even higher than some middle-income regions; while the other group shows a low number of coordinations or participations in projects. Comparing the 6th and the 7th FPs, we observe a slight reduction of the disparities, particularly due to the higher participation of regions from Spain, Portugal and Italy, which were among the hardest hit by the economic recession in Europe. This trend could be explained by the need to compensate the reduction of regional and national funds by means of being more active in capturing EU funds. Keywords: Framework Programmes, innovation policies, cohesion policy, regional development, less developed regionsProgramy Ramowe (PR) stanowią jeden z kluczowych instrumentów po stronie podaży w zestawie polityki innowacji wdrażanych bezpośrednio przez Unię Europejską (UE). Ponieważ jej ostatecznym celem jest wspieranie innowacji i konkurencyjności, wskazane jest przeanalizowanie rozmieszczenia przestrzennego tego instrumentu w regionach UE. Głównym celem tego artykułu jest analiza regionalnej alokacji koordynacji i udziału w projektach w ramach 6-ego i 7-ego PR, a także podział środków z programu „Horyzont 2020” (8 PR). W tym celu opracowano obszerną bazę danych regionalizowaną na poziomie NUTS 2 na podstawie danych dostarczonych przez CORDIS i Platformę Inteligentnej Specjalizacji. Ponadto, w celu rozwiązania problemu relacji między programami ramowymi a rozwojem regionalnym, regiony NUTS 2 podzielono na trzy grupy: regiony słabiej rozwinięte, regiony o średnich dochodach i regiony rozwinięte. Nasze dowody empiryczne podkreślają różne trendy w tym narzędziu (zestawie) polityki innowacyjnej. Ogólna tendencja wskazuje na pozytywną korelację między poziomem rozwoju a zdolnością przyciągania projektów i funduszy. Dlatego też PR mogą przyczynić się do wzmocnienia wcześniej istniejących ośrodków innowacji i długoterminowych dysproporcji wzrostu. Tak więc koordynacja i uczestnictwo w projektach, a także środki przydzielone w ramach PR są silnie skoncentrowane w regionach rozwiniętych. Regiony o średnich dochodach przyciągają średnio więcej projektów niż mniej rozwijające się regiony, chociaż różnice między nimi nie są szczególnie wysokie. Jeśli chodzi o regiony słabiej rozwinięte, istnieją dwie różne grupy regionów. Jedna z nich charakteryzuje się znaczną liczbą koordynacji projektów, które przyciągają fundusze, nawet wyższe niż niektóre regiony o średnich dochodach; podczas gdy druga grupa wykazuje małą liczbę koordynacji lub udziału w projektach. Porównując 6-ty i 7-my PR, obserwujemy niewielkie zmniejszenie dysproporcji, w szczególności ze względu na większy udział regionów z Hiszpanii, Portugalii i Włoch, które były jednymi z najbardziej dotkniętych recesją gospodarczą w Europie. Tendencję tę można wytłumaczyć potrzebą zrekompensowania zmniejszenia funduszy regionalnych i krajowych poprzez większą aktywność w pozyskiwaniu funduszy UE. Słowa kluczowe: Programy Ramowe, polityka innowacji, polityka spójności, rozwój regionalny, regiony słabiej rozwinięteS

Accommodative and binocular disorders in preteens with computer vision syndrome: a cross-sectional study

To assess computer vision syndrome (CVS) in a preteen population through an adult-validated CVS questionnaire and to evaluate how digital devices affect accommodative and binocular vision, we enrolled 309 preteens in this cross-sectional study. An adult-validated CVS questionnaire adapted to preteens was used for all subjects. Visual acuity testing, unilateral and alternate cover tests, and tests for accommodative and vergence responses were performed for all preteens. The mean age was 10.75 ± 0.67 (10–12) years. Subjects were divided into two groups: the mild CVS group with a mean CVS score ≤2 and the severe CVS group with a mean CVS score >2. Between the mild and severe CVS groups, statistically significant differences were found in near point of convergence break and recovery (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) and distance negative fusional vergence break and recovery (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). More children with severe CVS developed vergence disorders than those with mild CVS. Optometric clinical screening assessments could reduce ocular symptomatology and prevent long-term effects. However, poor optometric findings might have occurred first, and the poor convergence skills resulted in the symptoms reported while using devices

Tear Film Stabilization and Symptom Improvement in Dry Eye Disease: The Role of Hyaluronic Acid and Trehalose Eyedrops versus Carmellose Sodium

This study evaluated the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid and trehalose (HA/trehalose) eyedrops in managing dry eye disease (DED) symptoms by measuring tear stability and administering a DED questionnaire. Sixty patients were treated with either HA/trehalose eyedrops (Tear A) or carmellose sodium eyedrops (Tear B) as controls. The tear breakup time (TBUT) and non-invasive breakup time (NIBUT) were monitored, and patients completed the standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) questionnaire. After two months of twice-daily applications, patients treated with the HA/trehalose eyedrops demonstrated significant improvements in the NIBUT (12.98 ± 3.22 s) and TBUT (12.95 ± 2.98 s), indicating increased tear stability. Moreover, they reported lower dry eye sensation (6.70 ± 4.94 SPEED score points), suggesting a reduction in DED symptoms. These findings underscore the efficacy of HA/trehalose eyedrops in improving both the objective and subjective signs of DED, with twice-daily application enhancing ocular surface conditions and reducing patient-reported symptoms. © 2023 by the authors