Search

The control of emerging tetracycline organic pollutants in aquatic environments has been a recent challenge and research focus in the field of water pollution. This study presents a sol–gel method for synthesizing copper-titanium bimetallic doped silica microspheres as an effective adsorbent for removing tetracycline from aqueous solutions. The microspheres were characterized using SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, and BET analysis, and the effects of pH, dosage, time, and ion strength on tetracycline adsorption were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of the material was found to be 99.96 mg/g, significantly higher than monometallic doped microspheres. The enhanced adsorption properties for tetracycline are a result of the larger specific surface area (421.49 m2 g−1), pore size (14.7819 nm), and new metal coordination sites of the copper-doped material. Kinetic and isotherm modeling confirmed the effectiveness of the adsorbent, and FT-IR and XPS analyses suggested hydrogen bonding and copper complex formation as the primary mechanisms for tetracycline adsorption. At the fifth reuse, it is still possible to achieve 60% removal rate. All the results suggest that Cu/Ti-SiO2 composites can be a promising material for the removal of tetracycline from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of circularly polarized light smartphones in affecting dry eye symptoms and asthenopia through a comparison with linearly polarized smartphones. One hundred twenty participants were randomly divided into four groups. Dry eye and asthenopia symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Computer Vision Syndrome Scale 17 (CVSS17), Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Objective ocular examinations were assessed by confusion flicker frequency (CFF), tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive break‐up time (NIBUT), conjunctiva redness, fluorescein tear break‐up time (FTBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and the Schirmer I test. Tests were performed before and after a reading task. Subjective evaluations including the OSDI, CVSS17, and CISS were all significantly increased after reading on a linearly polarized smartphone, whereas no change was observed in the circular polarization groups in both light and dark environments. A significantly enlarged VAS was shown in all of the four groups, but a significant increase in ΔVAS only appeared in the linear polarization groups. There were significant decreases in TMH, NIBUT, conjunctiva redness, FTBUT, and CFF after reading on a linearly polarized smartphone but the circularly polarized smartphone had lesser effects on these parameters. Our study indicated that reading on linearly polarized smartphones may cause dry eye disorder, asthenopia, and ocular discomforts, whereas circularly polarized smartphones appears to minimize these adverse effects on eye dryness and visual fatigue in light and dark environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy plus topical 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops to treat Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eyes (SS-DE)., Research Design and Methods: In this prospective, randomized trial included, 60 individuals with SS-DE symptoms were randomized to receive topical eye drops containing either 0.1% sodium hyaluronate (Group S) or 0.05% CsA (Group C) plus IPL therapy. Before the first treatment (baseline), and at 12, 16, and 20 weeks after treatment commencement, we assessed the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, the Schirmer I test (SIT), noninvasive tear breakup time (NBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), meibomian gland (MG) dropout, lid margin abnormality, MG expressibility, and meibum quality., Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the OSDI, NBUT, CFS, MG expressibility, and meibum quality (all p  < 0.05). Group C showed a greater increase in OSDI, NBUT, MG expressibility, and meibum quality (all p  < 0.05). Moreover, SIT and lid margin abnormalities significantly improved in Group C (both p  < 0.05), but not in Group S., Conclusion: Treatment with 0.05% CsA eyedrops plus IPL therapy could significantly reduce the issues and physical discomfort of patients with SS-DE., Clinical Trial: Registered on 20 July 2021, with the registration number ChiCTR2100049059.