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Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently show symptoms of central nervous system involvement, termed neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis is one of the neurological pathologies seen in CNS lupus. Patients with NPSLE typically present with nonspecific symptoms such as headache and cognitive impairment. Due to a lack of specific neuroradiological findings, diagnosis and management of such patients remain a big challenge. We report a 5-year-old girl who presented with fever and headache as the only neurological symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed focal grey and white matter lesions, suggestive of inflammatory or demyelinating ethology. Even though MR imaging findings may not be diagnostic of CNS lupus vasculitis, the study is routinely performed as a part of initial evaluation in patients with juvenile SLE showing neurological signs and symptoms.

Aims Psychiatric illnesses are common in the perinatal period and many women are treated with psychotropic medications. Prescribing psychotropic medications often raises concern among patients and clinicians, because of a lack of information and no license to prescribe during pregnancy. This project aimed to evaluate the interventions offered in a perinatal clinic against the Perinatal College Centre for Quality Improvement standards. This included evaluating medications prescribed in the antenatal and postnatal periods; counselling regarding medication risks and benefits, provision of verbal and written information and psychosocial interventions. Methods Data of 60 patients (30 antenatal and 30 postnatal) attending perinatal outpatient clinics covering two cities in Midlands, England, consecutively from November 1st 2023 were collected from electronic clinical notes and clinic letters. Patients who did not attend their appointment were excluded. Results The mean age of the sample was 30.3 ± 5.2 (range 19–41). Average gestational age was 6.5 ± 2.1 months (range 2.0–9.5) for antenatal women, and average postnatal duration was 6.5 ± 5.0 months (range 0.1–22.0) at the time of review. All women had psychiatric diagnosis, except one who was discharged back to primary care. The most common diagnoses were mixed anxiety and depression (38.3%), emotionally unstable personality disorder (38.3%), and postnatal depression (20%). The majority (75.0%) were prescribed psychotropic drugs. Antidepressants were prescribed in 66.7% of antenatal and 76.7% postnatal patients; most commonly prescribed overall were sertraline (33.3%) and citalopram (23.3%). Antipsychotics were prescribed in 30.0% of antenatal and 46.7% of postnatal patients. Aripiprazole and quetiapine were most commonly prescribed in the antenatal (both 13.3%) and postnatal (both 20%) periods. A larger proportion (40.0%) of women had as required medications; promethazine (20.0% vs 30.0%), diazepam (6.7% vs 13.3%) and zopiclone (3.3% vs 13.3%) were most frequently prescribed, with figures indicating prescription rates in the ante- versus postnatal period. None of the medications were prescribed above licensed limits nor met criteria for high dose antipsychotic monitoring. Verbal and written information about medications was provided in 78.3% and 35.0% of all cases respectively. Most (65.0%) women were offered psychological therapies, and of these, 69.2% received it. Conclusion Most women in the perinatal period were prescribed psychotropic drugs, with higher proportions in the postnatal period. The findings suggested areas of improvement, such as offering written information, documenting the discussion of medication counselling, and to increase the psychotherapeutic support. It also suggests developing manualised educational interventions to improve information sharing with patients, and perinatal care.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation of Meiboscale with symptom score (Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI]) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) sign score. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional hospital-based study of 53 patients of primary MGD who filled the OSDI questionnaire form and underwent complete ocular examination. The MGD sign score was calculated in both eyes using the sum of six grading systems proposed by Arita et al. in 2016. The participants underwent imaging of the upper and lower eyelids of both eyes (212 eyelids) by specular microscope. The area of meibomian gland loss (MGL) was visually assessed and scored using the Meiboscale photographic card. Correlation between these three values – OSDI score, sign score, and MGL score based on Meiboscale - was calculated using Spearman's correlation analysis and Jonckheere–Terpstra (J–T) test. Correlation coefficient rs > 0.5 was considered clinically significant. Results: Associations between MGL score and OSDI score, as well as between OSDI and sign score were statistically significant, but not clinically significant (rs = 0.3684, P < 0.001 and rs = 0.41179, P < 0.001, respectively). The association between MGL score and MGD sign score was statistically as well as clinically significant (rs = 0.8392, P < 0.001). J–T test revealed large effect size (P < 0.001, r-effect = 0.93). Conclusion: The Meiboscale card had not been tested for utility in the Indian outpatient setting yet. Meiboscale can be used for reliable assessment and grading of MGD, and has clinical utility similar to the sum of six MGD sign scores. Additionally, assessment of symptoms using OSDI or a similar questionnaire is also recommended.

Abstract Background One of the largest outbreaks of rhinosinocerebral mucormycosis (RSCM) occurred in India close to the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. RSCM is a rare infection caused by several fungal species occurring in immunocompromised subjects. Mucor shows a high propensity to invade the central nervous system. There have been limited studies, mostly isolated case reports, on the neurological manifestations of RSCM. The outbreak of mucormycosis infection was thus the most opportune to study the neurological manifestations and cranial nerve involvement in mucormycosis in greater depths. Aim of the study The purpose of the study was to investigate and review the involvement of cranial nerves in a series of cases of rhinosinocerebral mucormycosis associated with the novel coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Results It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of seven patients who were undergoing treatment of RSCM with a recent history of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection within the last 3 months. Patients with cranial nerve involvement were identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a single institution. Demographic details of the patients, clinical presentation, imaging, microbiological and pathological findings were recorded. All subjects had two or more cranial nerves affected by fungal infection. The most commonly involved cranial nerve was found to be the optic nerve followed by the trigeminal nerve and its branches. We document three cases with extensive involvement of the inferior alveolar branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), a previously unreported finding. In one case, in addition to the second and fifth cranial nerves, the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and twelfth cranial nerves were involved without any sensory or motor long tract involvement, suggestive of Garcin syndrome secondary to intracranial abscesses and skull base osteomyelitis due to invasive fungal infection. This case is of rare occurrence in the literature, and our study provides one such example. Conclusion Cranial nerve involvement in patients of mucormycosis tends to have a poor prognosis, both cosmetic and functional. Radical surgeries and aggressive medical management is needed in such cases to improve the outcome.

Purpose: Pterygium is a triangular fibrovascular subepithelial ingrowth of degenerative bulbar conjunctival tissue over the cornea. It is now considered to be a result of uncontrolled cellular proliferation as overexpression of p53 protein and Ki-67 nuclear protein was found in the epithelium. This study was done to find the expression of p53 and Ki-67 with the severity and duration of the pterygium to explain the etiopathogenesis. Methods: Data were analyzed from 43 Indian participants of all age groups. All patients were divided according to the severity of pterygium (mild, moderate, and severe groups) and according to the duration of pterygium (4 years). The samples were studied by immunohistochemistry by using antibodies against p53 and Ki-67 proteins considering >5% expression as significant. Results: Of 43 cases, p53 and Ki-67 expression were positive in 33 cases. In mild, moderate, and severe cases p53 positivity was 33.3%, 78.4%, 100%, respectively. P53 expression increased with duration, 79.3% positive in 4 years. With increasing severity of pterygium, mild, moderate, and severe cases, Ki-67 positivity was 66.7%, 78.37%, 66.7%, respectively. Ki-67 expression with duration, 79.3% positive in 4 years of the duration of pterygium with no statistical significance. Conclusion: Our study revealed that with increasing duration and severity of pterygium, p53 expression was observed to be increasing. Ki-67 expression increased with the duration of pterygium but not with the severity.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the choroidal thickness in normal population and hypertensive patients and to assess the possible effect of hypertension on choroidal thickness using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. A total of 68 eyes of 34 individuals in the age group of 40–60 years were included in both the hypertensive group and control group. Individuals with refractive error beyond ± 3 D and posterior segment pathology were excluded. The choroidal thickness was measured at the sub-foveal region, 500 μm nasal and 500 μm temporal to the fovea on SD-OCT with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and Mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in all individuals. Duration of hypertension was also noted in hypertensive individuals. Results: The choroidal thickness at all locations was significantly lower in the hypertensive group (subfoveal, nasal, temporal and mean choroidal thickness 253.24 ± 63.96 μm, 249.35 ± 63.57 μm, 250.01 ± 63.37 μm, 250.87 ± 63.38 μm, respectively) as compared to the control group (subfoveal, nasal, temporal and mean choroidal thickness 301.25 ± 55.79 μm, 298.97 ± 57.07 μm, 299.49 ± 55.06 μm, 299.90 ± 55.50 μm, respectively). The choroidal thickness in the hypertensive group also had a significant negative correlation with the SBP (Spearman correlation coefficient, rho = –0.35, P = 0.003) and the duration of hypertension (rho = -0.25, P = 0.037). Conclusion: The study demonstrated decreased choroidal thickness in systemic hypertensive subjects as compared to age-matched healthy individuals. The choroidal thickness in hypertensive subjects also had a significant but weak negative correlation with SBP and duration of hypertension.

Purpose: This study aimed to share our experience in the hospital cornea retrieval program as a new eye bank. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care institute from August 26, 2019 to March 22, 2020. The medical and eye bank records were analyzed for hospital mortality, mortuary records, and donors approached. The corneal collection was divided between Voluntary (received from voluntary calls), HCRP (cornea received from hospital deaths), and Medico-Legal Cases (received from MLC deaths in hospital) to see the trend of donation and utilization over time. Results: During the study period, 154 corneas (77 pairs) were collected. The HCRP provided a major source of corneas 58.4% (90 corneas) as compared to voluntary 19.5% (30 corneas) and MLC 22.1%(34 corneas). There were younger tissues in MLC than HCRP donors, and older tissues in Voluntary donors, and the difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the quality of optical grade tissues and the utilization of corneas for transplants between the three groups. Post hoc analysis showed more non-optical tissues in the voluntary donations (P = 0.004), maximum donors with medical contraindications in the HCRP group (P = 0.001), and time-lapse in corneal retrieval in MLC cases (P = 0.0001). Of these 154 corneas, 78 (50.6%) were assessed as suitable for transplantation, of which 59 (75.6%) tissues were optical grade tissues. The overall utilization was 39.6%. Conclusion: HCRP is indeed challenging for a new eye bank, but proper understanding and implementing strategies may help for good utilization of tissues.

Delayed recognition and treatment of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in adults leads to devastating complications. A 24-year-old woman presented with diarrhea, malaise, and shortness of breath. Her medical history included blunt abdominal trauma for which, she had bowel resection surgery and revision surgery within a year of the last surgery at the age of 8 years. She had difficulty in night vision and dry eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity was 6/18 in the BE. On slit-lamp examination in the both eyes (BE), the conjunctiva was thick, dry-looking with wrinkling, and the cornea had diffused superficial punctate keratitis and in the left eye, there was corneal xerosis of 1.5 × 1.5 mm. Tear film breakup time was 0-s in the BE. Schirmer's were 30 mm BE. The rest of the ocular examination was within normal limits. A clinical diagnosis of xerophthalmia secondary to malabsorption was made and treated with systemic vitamin A and intense lubrication. With time, ophthalmic conditions improved, but she died due to poor general wellbeing and repeated hospital-acquired infections. The infrequent presentation of VAD in adults and the unusual etiology in this patient make this case interesting, whereas its potentially devastating consequences highlight the importance of its early recognition, treatment, and regular follow up needed by both patient and physician in the community (general practitioner and ophthalmologists) for the prevention of VAD complications and poor prognosis.

Purpose: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the eye banks have limited/stopped corneal collection, as this is a highly contagious disease. This has led to shortage of donor corneas worldwide. Glycerol preservation of tissue remains a viable option in this scenario. The objective is to compare fresh corneal tissue (FCT) with glycerol-preserved cornea (GPC) in emergency corneal transplantation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary care centre of Uttarakhand. Medical records of the patients who underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) were reviewed. FCT group included patients who underwent TPK with fresh corneal tissue and GPC group included patients who underwent TPK with glycerol preserved cornea. The indications and outcomes of TPK in the terms of therapeutic success were analysed and compared between both the groups. Results: A total of 94 eyes of 91 patients underwent TPK from October 2011 to August 2017. FCT group included 60 eyes of 57 patients and GPC group included 34 eyes of 34 patients. The primary indication of TPK was infectious keratitis in both the groups (FCT-81.6%; GPC - 91.2%) There was no significant difference in the therapeutic success in both the groups (P = 0.741, Odds ratio- 1.59 with 95% CI- 0.39-6.44). Complications included glaucoma (FCT-21.7%; GPC- 35.2%) graft infection (FCT- 18.33% GPC- 2.9%); graft rejection (FCT-11.66%, GPC- 0%); and graft failure (FCT-88.33%, GPC-100%). Conclusion: The GPC is comparable to FCTs in therapeutic transplant and can be a useful interim procedure in saving the eyes in cases of infective keratitis in the time of crisis.

Background: Infectious Keratitis (Ik) Is A Potential Vision-Threatening Ocular Infection Caused By A Variety Of Microorganisms. Aim: To Explore Risk Factors And Etiological Agents Associated With Ik. Design: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study In Which Corneal Scrapings From 120 Suspected Cases Were Evaluated At A Tertiary Health Care Institute From January To December 2019. Methods: Scrapings Were Subjected To Direct Microscopy, Culture, And Identification By Both Conventional Methods And Maldi-Tof-Ms. The Patient's Demographic Data And Predisposing Factors, If Any Were Recorded. Results: The Mean Age Of Patients Was 48.9 Years And Predisposing Factors Were Documented In 46% (55/120) Of Cases. Overall, Infective Etiology Could Be Established In 51% (N = 61/120) Of Cases. Fungal Growth In 26% (N = 31/120) Of Cases And Bacterial Growth In 22% (N = 27/120) Of Cases Was Obtained. Growth Of More Than One Species Of Fungi Or Growth Of Bacteria Along With Fungus Were Observed In 2% (N = 3/120) Of Cases. Of All The Fungal Isolates Obtained (N = 34), The Most Common Isolate Was Fusarium (18/34) Followed By Aspergillus (8/34), Curvularia (4/34), Pseudallescheria Boydii (3/34), And Geotrichum (1/34). Among The Gram-Positive Bacterial Isolates (N = 16), Staphyloccus Species (15/16) Were Isolated In Maximum Number Followed By Streptococcus Pneumoniae (1/16). Among The Gram-Negative Isolates (N = 13), Pseudomonas Species (8/13) Were Isolated In Maximum Number Of Cases, Followed By Acinetobacter (3/13), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (1/13), And Escherichia Coli (1/13). Conclusion: For Initiating Appropriate Empirical Therapy, The Knowledge Of The Epidemiological Pattern Of Infectious Keratitis Of A Particular Geographical Region Is Crucial.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to carry out blue light photography of fluorescein-stained corneas using a novel smartphone attachment. Methods: A smartphone attachment known as the cobalt blue light unit (C-BLU) was developed. It can filter out all wavelengths of light except the blue light emerging from the flashlight of a smartphone. A pilot study was carried out wherein the images captured with the C-BLU system were compared with slit-lamp photographs of the same patients. This setup was then used to photo document fluorescein-stained corneas in various clinical settings assembled at point-of-care. Results: Many pathologies of the fluorescein-stained cornea were captured using the C-BLU filter. It was used effectively in various settings (remote eye camps, intensive care units (ICU), pediatric group, corneal trauma triaging, etc.). C-BLU was assembled and used by optometrists and ophthalmology residents. The images captured were used for documenting, assisting in the treatment, and also for telecommunication of the patients' findings. Conclusion: C-BLU is a low-cost pocket-size filter which is easy to use with a modern smartphone without any technical expertise needed to obtain a clear image of fluorescein-stained pathological corneas.

Background: Globally, ocular morbidities are one of the most underdiagnosed, underreported, and undertreated public health concern. Among estimated 39 billion blind in world, India shares major proportions, with majority of them living in rural population. In India, religious festivals like Kumbh Mela that involve mass gatherings are mainly attended by middle and elderly population who are usually susceptible to various ocular diseases. Therefore, we analyzed the data of our eye camp to document pattern and magnitude of ocular morbidities among pilgrims attending a mega religious festive event. Methods: In a cross-sectional, descriptive study, we included all those patients who participated in a mega eye camp “Netrakumbh” from January to March 2019 at Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, India and were attended by voluntary ophthalmologist from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. Presenting chief complaints and detailed history were collected from all participants. All patients underwent comprehensive eye examination including visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopic examination, tonometry, etc., Data were compiled and analyzed utilizing SPSS 22.0. Results: A total of 47142 eyes of 23571 persons of all age groups (range 5 years to 70 years) with approximate equal gender distribution attending the mega eye camp were examined. The most common ocular morbidity noticed after ocular examination was refractive error with underlying cause majorly as presbyopia, followed by cataract, after cataract, convergence insufficiency, lids, and adnexal disease, etc. Conclusions: This study highlights the changing pattern of common ocular morbidities presently among middle and elderly populations in developing countries like India.

Purpose: This study was carried out to see the results of glycerol-preserved cornea (GPC) in emergency situation when fresh corneal tissue was not available. The aim was to study the outcome of corneal transplantation using GPC. Methods: This was a retrospective study. The medical records of all the patients were reviewed, who underwent keratoplasty using “GPC” during the period from October 2011 to December 2015. The indication of keratoplasty, duration of preservation of the GPC, and its outcome were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Out of the 222 penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) performed over the study period, the GPC was used in 34 patients (males = 31, 91.2%) aged 15–74 years. Therapeutic keratoplasty was performed in all cases in this cohort except one in which tectonic keratoplasty was done. The primary indication of PKP (91.2%) was infectious keratitis. Of these, 20 (64.5%) patients presented with perforated corneal ulcers. Post-PKP, ocular anatomy was preserved in 91.2%, and visual acuity of perception of light positive and accurate projection of rays in all the quadrants was obtained in 76.5% cases. Complications included glaucoma (n = 12, 35.1%), phthisis bulbi (n = 2, 5.9%), and graft reinfection and endophthalmitis after PKP (n = 1, 2.9%). The secondary procedure post-GPC and PKP were trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (n = 7, 58.3%) in patients not controlled on topical antiglaucoma medication. Optical keratoplasty was performed in (n = 3) 8.8% patients and triple procedure in (n = 2) 5.8% patients with good visual acuity postprocedure. Conclusions: Acellular GPCs are useful in emergency keratoplasty to avoid loss of vision and can save the eye.

Introduction: Diabetic retina undergoes degenerative changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in addition to vascular changes. Loss of RNFL with changes in inner retina and their association with metabolic control have been studied with varied results in diabetic patients. Aim: To compare the RNFL thickness between diabetic patients and age matched healthy controls and to correlate the thickness to metabolic control. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty five patients were enrolled in the study out of which 50 served as controls, 58 patients were diabetic without retinopathy and 57 patients had diabetic retinopathy. Both eyes of all patients underwent optical coherence tomography scans for RNFL and ganglion cell complex. Foveal and parafoveal thickness were also measured. All the parameters were compared to patient’s metabolic control. Results: RNFL thinning was observed in superotemporal (p-value = 0.001) and upper nasal sectors (p-value = 0.031) around the optic disc in eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Ganglion cell complex also showed statistically significant thinning in diabetic patients. Creatinine levels showed a weak negative correlation to the RNFL. Conclusion: This study positively concluded that neurodegeneration in an early component of diabetic retinopathy.

Introduction: Corneal blindness forms significant proportion of visual blindness in developing countries and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) can restore vision for this. The prognosis of PK is dependent on the corneal diseases responsible for corneal blindness. Aim: To evaluate the indications and visual outcome of PK in tertiary eye care institute in Uttarakhand. Materials and Methods: Data was reviewed from the medical records of 145 PK done in Department of Ophthalmology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences from January 2012 to October 2014. Analysis of data was done for evaluation of the indications and visual outcome by Paired student’s t-test for hypothesis testing of grouped values of preoperative and last follow-up best corrected visual acuity in cases of optical and therapeutic grafts. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study data of 145 eyes of 138 patients was reviewed. The most common indication for keratoplasty was corneal scarring including adherent leucoma 48 (33.10%). Therapeutic keratoplasty was done for 33 cases with maximum 30(20.68%) cases of infectious keratitis. One case of tectonic graft was included in therapeutic keratoplasty group for analysis. There was statistically significant difference (p=.0001) in best corrected visual acuity improvement from 1.39 logMAR+ 0.022(SD) preoperatively to 0.367 logMAR+0.44(SD) postoperatively and 1.4 logMAR+.000(SD) preoperatively to 0.16 logMAR+0.57(SD) postoperatively for optical and therapeutic grafts respectively. Conclusion: Infective keratitis either active or healed was the major indication for keratoplasty. Poor prognosis indications were most common in this part of the country. The visual outcome following corneal transplantation was encouraging particularly in cases of optical keratoplasty.

Colletotrichum species, a rare and emerging fungus is a well- known plant pathogen and an uncommon cause of human infection. It has been implicated as the etiological agent of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis and keratitis, particularly following colonization of traumatized tissues or in immunocompromised patients. However, it has hardly ever been reported in the absence of such predisposing risk factors. Here, we report a case of keratitis with Colletotrichum coccodes occurring in a middle- aged, immunocompetent person without any history of trauma or co-morbidity. The isolate was sensitive to Amphotericin B and Voriconazole, and accordingly the patient was treated successfully with ocular administration of Amphotericin B.

Adult intussusception is a rare entity accounting for only 5% of all intussusceptions and causes approximately 1% of all adult intestinal obstructions. Unlike paediatric intussusceptions which are usually idiopathic, there is usually a lead point pathology which might be malignant in up to 50% cases. We present an unusual case of adult intussusception which was not diagnosed on any investigation including computerized tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was a case of ileo-ileo-cecal intussusception caused by a large lipoma 38 mm×43 mm×61 mm. It was treated by emergency laparotomy for acute intestinal obstruction. A conservative resection with ileostomy was performed with good postoperative recovery.

Background:Allergic rhinitis (AR) causes increased upper airway resistance and may lead to undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). This problem may be further complicated in the pediatric inner-city population where indoor allergens such as rat, cockroach, and mouse may contribute to morbidity.Objective:To determine the pattern of aeroallergen sensitization in inner-city pediatric patients with SDB and to determine if intranasal corticosteroid treatment improves SDB, using a validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ).Methods:Patients (ages 2–18) were evaluated for AR and completed the PSQ prior to treatment. Skin prick testing (SPT) to aeroallergens, including inner-city culprits (rat, cockroach, and mouse), was performed. Patients with a history of AR, a positive SPT evaluation, and at least one positive response on the PSQ were treated with intranasal mometasone furoate monohydrate, environmental control, (±) antihistamines. After 6 weeks of treatment, PSQ responses were reassessed.Results:Of the 23 patients recruited in this study, 100% had SDB as per screening PSQ responses; 100% had 1 positive SPT, 78% of which were SPT-positive to cockroach, mouse, or rat. Prior to treatment, patients’ average PSQ score 6.00 questions; following treatment, an average PSQ score 2.35, indicating clinical improvement (P< 0.0001 paired ttest).Conclusion:Children suffering from AR have increased nasal obstruction leading to sleep-disordered events. This study demonstrated that adequate treatment, that is, intranasal steroids, may significantly improve SDB. In inner-city children, elimination of indoor allergens such as cockroach, mouse, or rat may further improve SDB. Larger prospective studies are needed to further validate these preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot carrier (HC) solar cell is one of the most promising advanced photovoltaic concepts. It aims to minimise two major losses in single junction solar cells due to sub-band gap loss and thermalisation of above band gap photons by using a small bandgap absorber, and, importantly, collecting the photo-generated carriers before they thermalise. In this paper we will present recent development of the two critical components of the HC solar cell, i.e., the absorber and energy selective contacts (ESCs). For absorber, fabrication and carrier cooling rates in potential bulk materials — hafnium nitride, zirconium nitride, and titanium hydride are presented. Results of ESCs employing double barrier resonant tunneling structures Al2O3/Ge quantum well (QW)/Al2O3 and Al2O3/PbS quantum dots (QDs)/Al2O3 are also presented. These results are expected to guide further development of practical HC solar cell devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]