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Introduction People with diabetes are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. However, limited data are available to quantify their risk of kidney function decline in South Asia. This study evaluates the rate and predictors of kidney function decline among people with type 2 diabetes in South Asia.Research design and methods We analyzed data from the Centre for Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) Trial to quantify the rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in people with type 2 diabetes (n=1146) over 2.5 years of follow-up. The CARRS Trial evaluated a multicomponent intervention of decision-supported electronic health records and non-physician care coordinator to improve diabetes management at 10 diabetes clinics in India and Pakistan. We used linear mixed models to estimate eGFR slope among all participants and tested the association of eGFR slope with demographic, disease-related, and self-care parameters, accounting for randomization and site.Results The mean age of participants was 54.2 years, with a median duration of diabetes of 7.0 years (IQR: 3.0 - 12.0) and median CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) eGFR of 83.6 (IQR: 67.7 to 97.9) mL/min/1.73 m2. The overall mean eGFR slope was −1.33/mL/min/1.73 m2/year. There were no differences in the eGFR slope by treatment assignment to intervention versus usual care. In the adjusted regression model, pre-existing diabetic retinopathy (slope difference: −2.11; 95% CI: −3.45 to –0.77), previous cardiovascular disease (−1.93; 95% CI: −3.45 to –0.40), and statins use (−0.87; 95% CI: −1.65 to –0.10) were associated with faster eGFR decline.Conclusions People with diabetes receiving care at urban diabetes clinics in South Asia experienced annual eGFR decline at two times higher rate than that reported from other contemporary international diabetes cohorts. Risk factors for faster decline were similar to those previously established, and thus care delivery models must put an additional emphasis on kidney protective therapies among subgroups with microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications.Trial registration number NCT01212328.

The release of organic pollutants and dyes into the environment by industries has had profound and harmful effects on both humans and ecosystems. Graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced form have been investigated for their effectiveness in removing pollutant dyes. GO nano-powder was synthesized using an improved version of Hummer's method and subsequently thermally reduced at various temperatures, including 125, 150, 175, and 200 °C, under vacuum conditions. In the X-ray diffraction spectra, an intense (001) diffraction peak was initially observed at 9.136° (2θ) for pristine GO. This peak gradually shifted towards higher angles as the reduction process took place and eventually disappeared when the GO was reduced at 200 °C. The intensity ratio of the D and G bands (ID/IG ratio) for GO nano-powder in the Raman spectra decreased from 0.94 to 0.76 due to the reduction process. The FTIR spectra of GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) also illustrated the reduction process. The bandgap of pristine GO significantly decreased from 2.31 to 0.73 eV, as determined by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry during the reduction process. The surface area and pore volume of both pristine GO and rGO-150 were determined using the BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) and BJH (Barrett-Joyner-Halenda) methods. The results indicated an increase in the BET surface area from 6.61 to 7.86 m2/g and a corresponding enhancement in pore volume from 0.118 to 0.128 cc/g after reduction. The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation behavior of pristine GO and reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) were examined using methylene blue dye. The pristine GO demonstrated impressive adsorption capability, effectively removing the dye by 85.78 % within just 15 min and achieving nearly 97 % removal after 4 h. In contrast, the highest photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, about 47.58 %, was attained for the rGO sample reduced at 150 °C under the illumination of visible light.

Background: Estimating the morbidity and mortality in the emergency department (ED) only allows the pediatricians to assess the prognosis of the patient and plan therapies accordingly. This study was conducted to develop and validate a simple scoring system and establish a correlation between clinical parameters and the outcome of the patient. Subjects and Methods: Nine parameters, i.e., body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure (BP), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), capillary refill time, level of sensorium, presence of seizure, and random blood sugar level, were documented, at the time of admission. Parameters were assigned a score of “0” if it is normal. An abnormality in the above parameters were indicated by a score ranging from 1 to 3. The primary outcome was assessed in terms of death/survival. Results: Out of the total, 57.2% required critical care, and mortality was reported in 14.75% of cases. On univariate analysis, seven clinical parameters were significantly associated with mortality. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, abnormalities in BP, SpO2, and temperature were independent predictors of mortality (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic was 0.798 (95% confidence interval, 0.755–0.836; P < 0.0001) for the outcome of mortality (the predictive ability of score of 79.8%). The patients with scores 1–5, 6–10, and >10 had 4.923, 23.143, and 112.0 higher odds of mortality, respectively. Conclusions: This scoring system predicts the severity of illness and outcome with a sensitivity of 71.19% and specificity of 72.14%, respectively, in the ED. Higher scores predict unfavorable outcomes in these children.

We are examining the behavior of a composite made of ferroelectrics with strong dielectric properties and ferrites with magnetic properties due to the rising need for materials for multipurpose devices. Many application avenues will be favored by the pairing of these materials’ individual qualities with one another. Perovskite and [Formula: see text]-type hexaferrite composite materials have been chosen for this study based on their magnetic and dielectric properties. The composites, (1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]) [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Nd2[Formula: see text])4Co2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] = 0.52, 0.54, 0.56, 0.58 are prepared by solid state reaction method and phase formation was examined. Consideration has been given to the magnetic, dielectric, and magneto-dielectric properties. This work has established the link between the electric and magnetic domains while applying electric and magnetic forces to the materials. The magneto-dielectric research revealed magneto-electric coupling in all of the samples. However, the sample shows the maximum coupling for [Formula: see text] = 0.54 with MDR% values of 93.17%, which might be because this sample appears to have a high magneto-resistance (161%).

Abstract Purpose To compare differences in choriocapillaris flow deficit (CC FD) in multifocal choroiditis (MFC) between two treatment arms using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods In this prospective randomized clinical trial, patients were randomized to either Group 1 which received standard tapering dose of oral corticosteroids, or Group 2 which received additional dexamethasone implant (or intravitreal methotrexate). The patients were followed-up until 12 weeks using OCTA and other imaging tools. CC FD and visual acuity between the two groups were compared at each visit. Results Twenty-five subjects (17 males; 25 eyes) were studied (11 eyes in Group 1). There were no differences between the visual acuity or CC FD (1.12 versus 1.08 mm2; p = 0.86) at baseline between the groups. However, patients in Group 2 achieved better visual acuity (0.32 ± 0.23 versus 0.15 ± 0.11; p = 0.025) and CC FD (0.54 versus 0.15 mm2; p = 0.008) at 12 weeks. Conclusions OCTA is a useful tool in monitoring the CC FD recovery after treatment in MFC. Patients receiving intravitreal corticosteroid/methotrexate in addition to systemic corticosteroid showed greater resolution of CC FD on OCTA compared to those receiving only oral corticosteroids.

Synthesis of polycrystalline (Pb1-xNdx)(Ti1-xFex)O3(for x = 0.21–0.30) solid solutions using solid-state reaction method has been reported. The structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of the resulting solid solutions have been investigated in detail. The XRD data show that the phase transition occurs at 0.27 ≤ x ≤ 0.28 at room temperature. The dielectric studies show that the transition temperature continuously decreases with increasing “x”. So it is clearly evident from XRD and dielectric data that the tetragonal to cubic phase transition occurs at x = 0.27 to x = 0.28 at room temperature. The remnant polarization (Pr) decreases from 19.78 μC/cm2 to 11.13 µC/cm2 gradually up to x = 0.25 whereas other samples exhibit lossy behavior. The remnant magnetization (Mr) continuously increases from 0.068 emu/g to 0.467 emu/g with composition. All samples exhibit a positive magnetoelectric effect which is the strongest in x = 0.22 sample.

Background: Periodontal dressings are used for wound protection and patient comfort. Nano-silver particles have the ability to promote wound healing through anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate early wound healing parameters following periodontal surgery using nano-crystalline silver membrane as periodontal dressing. Materials and Methods: Forty-two systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis indicated for periodontal flap surgery were enrolled for the present study. Post surgery, the patients were randomly allocated to either a nano-crystalline silver dressing (Acticoat™) group (test group) or only the noneugenol dressing group (control group). Plaque index (PI) and wound healing index were recorded at the 7th- and 14th-day postsurgery. The microbiological analysis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were evaluated at baseline and 7th-day postsurgery. Results: The healing index was significantly higher in the test group as compared to the control group at days 7 and 14 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The colony-forming units/ml count of bacteria were significantly reduced postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.019). VEGF levels increased significantly 7th-day postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the PI on the 7th-day postsurgery between the two groups (P = 0.173). Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that silver can be used as a potent periodontal dressing ingredient that can decrease the microbial colonization beneath the pack and promote faster healing postsurgery due to its antimicrobial activity.

Topic: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) are the most common ocular pathogens associated with infectious anterior uveitis. Currently, there are a number of antiviral agents administered to treat viral anterior uveitis (VAU). However, there is no consensus or guidelines about the most appropriate approach leading for the best treatment outcomes with fewer ocular complications.Clinical Relevance: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of different antiviral therapies in the management of anterior uveitis secondary to HSV and VZV.Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, OVID, and Embase up to January 2020. Randomized trials, non-randomized intervention studies, controlled before and after studies and observational studies assessing the effect of oral and or topical treatments for VAU were considered. Data extraction and analysis with evaluation of the risk of bias in the included trials were performed.Results: Oral acyclovir demonstrated a statistically significant good treatment outcome in the management of VZV anterior uveitis (vs. placebo) (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.59), but did not have similar effect in HSV anterior uveitis (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.15–1.50). In the treatment of VZV anterior uveitis, there was significant superiority of oral acyclovir−7 day course—over topical acyclovir (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.28–13.52). Whereas, there was no significant superiority of one of the following treatment regimens over the others: topical acyclovir over topical corticosteroids (OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.67–5.17), and oral acyclovir−7 day course—over oral acyclovir−14 day course—(OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.01–4.50) or oral valaciclovir (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.48–4.07).Conclusion: Treatment of HSV and VZV anterior uveitis is currently based on individual experiences and limited literature, largely due to weak clinical trial evidence in this regard. Our results highlight the existence of a substantial gap in our evidence base. This finding might contribute to future research studies to ascertain the role of different antiviral therapies in the treatment of VAU.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD420202 00404.

In this report, we describe a rare case of a 44-year-old Asian male with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with bullous exudative retinal detachment. Endocrinology evaluation revealed hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression with low serum cortisol. Furthermore, neuroimaging revealed the presence of a pituitary microadenoma. He was treated with systemic eplerenone and hydrocortisone. After 12 weeks, bullous detachment completely resolved. Our case is a unique description of acute CSC with underlying low serum cortisol levels that responded to treatment with mineralocorticoid antagonist. This case highlights the various endocrine abnormalities other than the raised serum cortisol that can occur in patients with CSC.

A 48-year-old female presented with complaints of recent onset diminution of vision of the left eye (OS) for the past 2 months. She was highly myopic and was using glasses for the past 30 years. Ocular examination revealed presence of a myopic fundus with high axial lengths in both the eyes. Fundus examination of the OS revealed a myopic tessellated fundus with prominent choroidal vessels and a blunted foveal reflex. There was a small pale whitish lesion just superior to the foveal center. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans (both horizontal and vertical) confirmed presence of dome-shaped maculopathy. There was subretinal fluid in the OS. A vertical OCT scan also revealed a subretinal hyperreflective material, which was confirmed to be due to a small mixed type 1 and type 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on swept-source (SS) OCT angiography in the OS. The patient was given intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) in the OS. At 1-month follow-up, the subretinal fluid completely resolved. The CNV lesion regressed significantly on SS-OCT angiography. The best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/80 to 20/20 in the OS, which was maintained at 3 months of follow-up.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of intraoperative intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis undergoing phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation. Methods: Retrospectively, data of patients with JIA-associated uveitis undergoing phacoemulsification with PCIOL implantation with intraoperative dexamethasone implant injection were analyzed. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. Primary outcome measures were ocular inflammation, intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and worsening of uveitis. Results: 8 eyes of 6 patients were included. BCVA was significantly improved at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively 0.20 ± 0.09, P = 0.008; 0.18 ± 0.11, P = 0.008; and 0.24 ± 0.11, P = 0.01, respectively. No statistical difference noted in mean IOP at various follow-up visits. None developed worsening of uveitis or Cystoid macular edema. Conclusion: Intraoperative intravitreal dexamethasone implant is a safe and effective in preventing and managing the postoperative inflammation in children with JIA-associated uveitic cataract.

Purpose: To describe the presentation, clinical course and management of a patient with bilateral maculopathy associated with sertraline. Observations: We report a rare case of bilateral cystoid macular edema and subretinal fluid in a 78-year-old Asian Indian female who was on chronic sertraline therapy. The patient was initially misdiagnosed as intermediate uveitis and started on oral corticosteroids. However, multimodal imaging with fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography ruled out ocular inflammation. There was symmetrical bilateral macular involvement and changes on macular electroretinography, which provided clues to the diagnosis of toxic maculopathy. After cessation of sertraline therapy, the retinal pathology reversed with improvement in visual acuity. Conclusions and Importance: Development of cystoid macular edema due to sertraline is a very rare adverse event and must be considered by psychiatrists and ophthalmologists. Our case demonstrates this rare toxicity along with its imaging features, and reversal on cessation of sertraline therapy. Keywords: Sertraline, Maculopathy, Macular edema, Drug-induced retinopathy, Bull's eye maculopathy

Abstract Inflammatory choroidal neovascular membranes are challenging to diagnose and manage. A number of uveitic entities may be complicated by the development of choroidal neovascularization leading to a decrease in central visual acuity. In conditions such as punctate inner choroidopathy, development of choroidal neovascularization is extremely common and must be suspected in all cases. On the other hand, in patients with conditions such as serpiginous choroiditis, and multifocal choroiditis, it may be difficult to differentiate between inflammatory choroiditis lesions and choroidal neovascularization. Multimodal imaging analysis, including the recently introduced technology of optical coherence tomography angiography, greatly aid in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory choroidal neovascularization. Management of these neovascular membranes consists of anti-vascular growth factor agents, with or without concomitant anti-inflammatory and/or corticosteroid therapy.

A structurally and functionally intact choroid tissue is vitally important for the retina function. Although central retinal artery is responsible to supply the inner retina, choroidal vein network is responsible for the remaining one-third of the external part. Abnormal choroidal blood flow leads to photoreceptor dysfunction and photoreceptor death in the retina, and the choroid has vital roles in the pathophysiology of many diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia, Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Biomarkers of choroidal diseases can be identified in various imaging modalities that visualize the choroid. Indocyanine green angiography enables the visualization of choroid veins under the retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal blood flow. New insights into a precise structural and functional analysis of the choroid have been possible, thanks to recent progress in retinal imaging based on enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technologies. Long-wavelength SS-OCT enables the choroid and the choroid–sclera interface to be imaged at greater depth and to quantify choroidal thickness profiles throughout a volume scan, thus exposing the morphology of intermediate and large choroidal vessels. Finally, OCT angiography allows a dye-free evaluation of the blood flow in the choriocapillaris and in the choroid. We hereby review different imaging findings of choroidal diseases that can be used as biomarkers of activity and response to the treatment.

PurposeThis study was performed to determine the occurrence of ocular surface manifestations in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases i.e. PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, OVID and Google scholar was performed using a comprehensive search strategy. The searches were current through 31st May 2020. Pooled data from cross-sectional studies was used for meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis was conducted for studies where a meta-analysis was not feasible.ResultsA total of 16 studies reporting 2347 confirmed COVID-19 cases were included. Pooled data showed that 11.64% of COVID-19 patients had ocular surface manifestations. Ocular pain (31.2%), discharge (19.2%), redness (10.8%), and follicular conjunctivitis (7.7%) were the main features. 6.9% patients with ocular manifestations had severe pneumonia. Viral RNA was detected from the ocular specimens in 3.5% patients.ConclusionThe most common reported ocular presentations of COVID-19 included ocular pain, redness, discharge, and follicular conjunctivitis. A small proportion of patients had viral RNA in their conjunctival/tear samples. The available studies show significant publication bias and heterogeneity. Prospective studies with methodical collection and data reporting are needed for evaluation of ocular involvement in COVID-19.

Background: Identification of an individual is a very important aspect of forensic odontology. Palatal rugae can aid in this identification, as they remain unchanged once formed in embryo. Aim: The aim of the study was to establish the reliability of using the palatal rugae dimensions in identifying the different ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: A total number of sixty participants of two different ethnic groups were taken. The sample size consisted of thirty individuals of Assam and thirty individuals of Punjab between the age range of 17 and 26 years, with 15 males and 15 females in each group. The casts were prepared with alginate impression and digital caliper was used to measure the dimensions of rugae at different points on both right and left sides. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 20 with unpaired t-test. Results and Conclusion: The study revealed the statistical significant difference in rugae dimensions of both these ethnic groups.

A 39-year-old female with dengue fever presented with decreased vision in both eyes. Visual acuity was 20/200 and 20/80 in the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS), respectively. Fundus showed granular, grayish-white lesions in the parafoveal region in OD. Multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed. FA showed late hyperfluorescence with few microaneurysms in OS. OCT showed hyperreflectivity in various layers, suggestive of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). OCTA showed disruption of retinal capillary plexuses. This case shows how OCTA provides newer insights into the pathogenesis of AMN lesions in dengue fever.