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Purpose: To investigate choroidal vascularity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were not receiving therapy, children with ADHD who were regularly taking methylphenidate (MPH), and healthy controls. Methods: The study included three groups: patients with newly diagnosed ADHD without treatment, patients diagnosed as having ADHD who were already being treated with oral MPH, and controls. Both choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness were measured using an enhanced-depth imaging mode of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDIOCT) (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH). Results: There was a significant difference in CVI and stromal area between groups. Post-hoc univariate analysis showed that CVI was significantly lower in patients with ADHD treated with MPH compared with the other groups ( P < .001, for each); however, there was no difference between the treatment-free ADHD group and controls ( P = .305). In contrast, stromal area was significantly higher in patients with ADHD treated with MPH than the other groups ( P < .001, for each group). The correlation of CVI with MPH treatment duration in patients with ADHD treated with MPH showed a significant, moderate negative correlation ( P = .01, r = − 0.66). Conclusions: CVI is reduced in patients with ADHD treated with MPH, and the decrease in CVI becomes significant with increasing duration of MPH treatment. This result reflects an indirect effect of MPH treatment on choroidal vascular structures. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 20XX;X(X):XX–XX.]

The purpose of this study was to determine changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT) color codes after applying a myopic normative database. The diagnostic performance of the retinal nerve fiber layer analysis improved with the use of this database.To evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) OCT color codes based on a newly generated myopic normative database in comparison to the built-in normative database.A total of 371 subjects were included in this validation study in an attempt to generate a myopic normative database. Eighty myopic glaucomatous and 80 myopic healthy eyes were evaluated to determine the diagnostic performance of this database. The distribution of the color codes was investigated among the groups with reference to the built-in and myopic normative databases, and the 2 databases were compared in terms of abnormal color code frequency. The diagnostic performance of the myopic database was presented with sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values.The agreement between the databases decreased with increasing myopia degree. The distribution of the color codes of the built-in software significantly differed among the study groups in all sectors ( P =0.009 for the temporal sector and P0.001 for the remaining sectors). When the myopic database was used, there were no longer significant differences among the groups for the temporosuperior, temporoinferior, temporal, and nasal sectors ( P =0.561, 0.299, 0.201, and 0.089, respectively). After applying the myopic normative database, the specificity of the pRNFL color codes increased from 70.1% to 90.2%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value from 0.851 to 0.945.The use of a myopic normative database for pRNFL using SD-OCT significantly decreased differences among myopia severity groups, and may help to more reliably assess glaucoma in myopic eyes.

To compare the choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal vascular caliber in the differentiation of patients who have keratoconus (KC) from those of astigmatic and normal patients.This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 72 patients who had KC, 70 who had astigmatism, and 83 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined using the Sirius topography system and spectral domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging. Using the digital fundus photographs, the retinal vascular calibers were calculated. The measurements were also analyzed between the KC stages according to the Amsler-Krumeich classification.The CT measurements were significantly higher in the KC group, when compared with the other 2 groups, in each location (P 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed with regards to the central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) values (P = 0.959), while significant differences were noted in the central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) among the groups (P = 0.011). Significant increases were noted in the CT as the stage of KC progressed, except at temporal 3000 µm (P = 0.603). No statistically significant difference was observed with regards to the CRAE among the stages (P = 0.901). However, the CRVE changes increased remarkably as the stages advanced (P 0.001).The patients who had KC seemed to have a thicker CT and higher CRVE values than the healthy individuals, and these differences were progressively increased as the stages of KC advanced. Reflecting the vascular effects of inflammation, the high CRVE supported theories based on the inflammatory component of KC.

To assess the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular choroidal thickness (CT) of children who have Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), both with and without vitamin D deficiency (VDD).The prospective, case-control study herein comprised that included 46 children with DM and VDD (Group 1), 42 children with DM and normal vitamin D levels (Group 2), and 73 healthy children (Control group). The peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular CT were measured at three different points (subfoveal, 1500 μm nasal, and 1500 μm temporal from the fovea) and compared.The subfoveal, 1500 μm nasal, and 1500 μm temporal CT values were determined to be lower in the patients in Group 1 and Group 2 when compared to those in the Control group (P 0.001). The same parameters were determined to be lower in the patients in Group 1 when compared to those in Group 2, although this difference was not found to be statistically significant (P 0.05). In all of the quadrants, the RNFL thickness was determined to be similar between the groups, with P 0.05 for all of the groups, except for the nasal quadrant (P = 0.031). In the correlation analysis of the patients in Group 1, it was revealed that a positive correlation existed between the CT and the vitamin D levels (P 0.05).The choroids of pediatric diabetic children were thinner when compared to those of healthy children. The alterations in these parameters were more prominent in subjects who were determined to have lower levels of vitamin D.

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the retinal structural parameters of pediatric patients who were determined to be deficient in vitamin D. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: Retinal structural parameters, including the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), central macula, retinal layer, and choroidal thicknesses, central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), in pediatric subjects with vitamin D deficiency (group 1) and those without (group 2) were compared. Results: Group 1 comprised 70 individuals, while group 2 comprised 80 individuals. The mean peripapillary RNFL (except for the nasal superior sector [P = .037]), central macula, and retinal layer thicknesses were also determined to be similar in both groups (P > .05 for both groups). The mean choroidal thickness was lower in the subfoveal (P = .006) and nasal 3000-µm–diameter areas (P = .004) in group 1. The mean CRAE was determined to be lower (P = .031) and the CRVE was higher in group 1 (P = .005); it was determined that there was a significant correlation between the vitamin D level and both the CRAE (r = 0.447, P < .001) and CRVE (r = −0.320, P = .013). Conclusion: Choroidal thinning, a decrease in the CRAE, and increase in the CRVE were structural changes that occurred in the pediatric subjects who had vitamin D deficiency. The alterations in these parameters became more prominent in pediatric subjects who were determined to have lower vitamin D levels.

The design process of antenna structures that meet up-to-date requirements takes a long time and brings a high computational load. In this paper, an approach based on Soft Computing (SC) techniques was used to shorten the design time and to achieve an antenna structure that yields performance characteristics as close as possible to the desired values. In order to obtain a microstrip patch antenna with the targeted characteristics and the best accuracy in a faster way, a Support Vector Machine (SVM)-based regression model was employed. A triple-band microstrip antenna with desired resonance frequencies and gain values was designed by using the Support Vector Regression (SVR) model by introducing multiple slots and arc-truncation to the patch antenna. Simulation results of the High-Frequency Structural Simulator (HFSS) and measurements of implementation of the designed antenna are given. Performance characteristics of the obtained antenna are also compared with those given in the literature, which have triple-band properties. In addition, the antenna was redesigned using the optimization tool in HFSS for comparison. The accuracy of the results and required time for design were compared for both the SVR model approach and the HFSS optimization tool.

The aim of the study was to assess retinal microcirculation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the use of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and compare the results with those obtained in healthy controls.The study enrolled 39 patients who had fully recovered from COVID-19 and 40 healthy controls. OCT-A image acquisitions were obtained using AngioVue software (version 2017.1.0.151) and the RTVue XR Avanti imaging system (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). Nonflow area in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in the whole retinal vasculature, FAZ perimeter, acircularity index of FAZ, and foveal density were automatically obtained with the FAZ assessment tool. Vessel density (VD) at the SCP and deep capillary plexus were also measured.Compared to the control group, the nonflow area and the FAZ area in the whole retina was greater in the COVID-19 group; however no statistically significant difference was observed (p 0.05 respectively). As for vessel densities, all superficial parafoveal VD parameters were considerably higher in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group (p 0.05 respectively). Despite the fact that the vessel densities in the remaining zones were lower in the COVID-19 group, those differences were not statistically significant (p 0.05 respectively).VD at the parafoveal area of the SCP was significantly higher among patients in the late post-recovery period of COVID-19 disease compared to healthy controls. These findings show the impact of COVID-19 on the retinal microvasculature and its possible role as a risk factor for the development of ocular diseases.Ziel dieser Studie war es, die retinale Mikrozirkulation in von der Coronavirus-Krankheit 2019 (COVID-19) betroffenen Patienten mithilfe der optischen Kohärenztomografieangiografie (OCT-A) zu untersuchen und mit den Ergebnissen von gesunden Kontrollpersonen zu vergleichen.In der Studie wurden 39 Patienten, die sich vollständig von der Coronavirus-Krankheit erholt hatten, und 40 gesunde Kontrollpersonen untersucht. Zur OCT-A-Bildakquisition wurde die AngioVue-Software (Version 2017.1.0.151) und das RTVue-XR-Avanti-Bildgebungssystem (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA) verwendet. Das FAZ-Bewertungstool ermittelt automatisch den Non-Flow-Bereich im oberflächlichen Kapillarplexus (SCP), im Bereich der fovealen avaskulären Zone (FAZ) und im gesamten retinalen Gefäßsystem sowie den FAZ-Perimeter, den FAZ-Azirkularitätsindex und die foveale Dichte. Die Gefäßdichte (VD) im SCP und im tiefen Kapillarplexus wurde auch gemessen.Auch wenn kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied beobachtet wurde, war der Non-Flow-Bereich und der FAZ-Bereich in der gesamten Netzhaut in der COVID-19-Gruppe größer im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (jeweils p 0,05). Bezüglich der Gefäßdichten waren alle oberflächlichen parafovealen VD-Parameter in der COVID-19-Gruppe erheblich höher im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (jeweils p 0,05). Obwohl die Gefäßdichten in den verbleibenden Zonen in der COVID-19-Gruppe niedriger waren, waren diese Unterschiede statistisch nicht signifikant (jeweils p 0,05).Die VD im parafovealen Bereich des SCP war bei Patienten im späten Rekonvaleszenzstadium der Coronavirus-Erkrankung signifikant höher verglichen mit gesunden Kontrollen. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen die Auswirkungen von COVID-19 auf die retinale Mikrovaskulatur und ihre mögliche Rolle als Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung von Augenerkrankungen auf.

INTRODUCTION To quantitatively evaluate dry eye test and tear measurements following oculoplastic surgery. METHODS This comparative prospective clinical study comprised three groups of adult patients: the 1) blepharoplasty group: those with dermatochalasis; and 2) the blepharoplasty + Muller's muscle-conjunctival resection and 3) blepharoplasty + anterior levator resection groups: those with dermatochalasis and ptosis showing significant improvement after 10% phenylephrine administration. Ocular Surface Disease Index, tear film break-up time, corneal staining, and Schirmer test values were recorded. Tear meniscus area and height were measured using anterior segment-optical coherence tomography. RESULTS This study comprised 56 patients (18 males, 38 females). The blepharoplasty group included 40 eyes of 20 patients. The blepharoplasty + MMCR group included 21 eyes of 16 patients. The blepharoplasty + ALR group included 30 eyes of 20 patients. No significant differences resulted between the preoperative and postoperative dry eye test and tear measurements in the blepharoplasty group (P> 0.005/for all). Significant increases were seen in the corneal staining, TMH, TMA, and Schirmer test values were significantly decreased compared to those postoperatively in the blepharoplasty + MMCR group (P= 0.018, P< 0.001, P= 0.033 and P= 0.030, respectively). In the blepharoplasty + ALR group, the TMH and TMA were significantly decreased (P= 0.031, P= 0.036). CONCLUSION No changes resulted in dry eye tests following blepharoplasty in patients without dry eye symptoms. Changes were more pronounced following ptosis surgery, especially MMCR. Patients should be carefully examined for dry eye and treated during follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Purpose: To compare choroidal thickness (CT) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in childhood obesity with insulin resistance (IR) and without IR. Methods: Seventy-three childhood obesity and 62 healthy children, who were both age-matched and gender-matched, comprised the study population in this prospective study. Obesity was determined as having a body mass index (BMI) – standard deviation (SD) score that was > 2 SD. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and OPA were measured using a dynamic contour tonometer. The CT measurements were performed using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography at three locations, comprising at the fovea, at a position 500 µm nasal, and also at a position 500 µm temporal to the fovea. Results: Mean BMI value was 28.72 ± 4.85 in the patients with childhood obesity and 21.47 ± 1.14 in the control group. The mean IOP and OPA values were determined 15.90 ± 2.30 and 14.10 ± 2.16 mm Hg, 1.50 ± 0.28 and 1.74 ± 0.32 mm Hg in the patients with childhood obesity and the control group, respectively ( p 0.005). Conclusions: Our results showed that both OPA and CT values were significantly decreased in childhood obesity patients. We suggest further studies to verify longitudinal changes in OPA and CT, as also the evaluation of these parameters in other populations.

In order for living species to have a healthy and balanced diet, their needs for adequate amounts of protein, oil, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals must be met. When the amount of nutrients required by the living species is not taken as much as necessary, various health problems such as psychological, as well as metabolic, physiological and chemical disorders occur. One of the fundamental indicators of psychological problems is the diet of the living thing. Excess or less of the amount of nutrients required by the living species can cause various behavioral disorders. When these behavioral disorders are examined; chronic anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia, mood and depressive symptoms, counterconditioning and depersonalization, behavioral disorders, cognitive performance and anxiety, social interaction capacity, locomotor activity, repetitive behaviors, motor coordination and seizure sensitivity, autism spectrum disorder, alzheimer's, antiepileptic it is stated in studies that it has a characteristic feature and effects on manic type bipolar disorder and migraine headache. Moreover; it is stated that the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, social and communication disorders and restricted/repetitive behaviors, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders, satiety, performance restriction, chewing behavior, stereotypical behaviors affect animal welfare, yield and performance closely. In this study, it is aimed to give information about the abnormal behaviors observed in different species depending on nutrition.

One of the most important conditions of a healthy and balanced diet is the daily amount of vitamins, minerals, water, carbohydrates, fat, and protein that the body needs to be met from vegetable and animal origin products. Among the products of animal origin, chicken meat is both cheap and; it is a quality product. High-efficiency lines have been obtained with various breeding and selection studies carried out on poultry animals for many years throughout the world. Especially in recent years, chicken meat has attracted attention with its rich amount of nutrients. One of the biggest reasons for this is the rapid increase in production and consumption over the years. Worldwide USA, Brazil, China, European Union, India, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Thailand, countries like Indonesia is located in the first take place of chicken meat production. Turkey, especially in the last 30 years, poultry has increased rapidly over the years the production capacity of the work done on. Especially in recent years, a rapid increase has been achieved in exports and imports worldwide. In the World and Turkey with the increase in the production amount over the years, per capita consumption of chicken meat has also increased. In this study, the last two decades the world and Turkey, chicken meat production, consumption, export, and import are intended to provide information about.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The SARS-COV 2 virus, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, acts on the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor in the host cell. Ocular effects may occur because of the ACE-2 receptor in the retina. BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the retinal layers and optic disc parameters in previously confirmed COVID-19 patients using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: This study included 60 eyes of 60 subjects; 35 of them were in the COVID-19 group and the remaining 25 were in the control group. Patients with the diagnosis of COVID-19 that had a negative result after treatment were included in the study. Macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements, each retinal layer thickness of all participants were done 14-30 days after COVID-19 symptom onset, following the negative result of real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test using SD-OCT. RESULTS: The mean value of central macular thickness was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than the control group (p = 0.02). The mean values of the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer thickness in the COVID-19 group were signii¬cantly thinner than control group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively). Even though mean RNFL thickness measurements in all sections in the COVID-19 group was thinner than controls, there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: In the early recovery phase, changes in the macula, ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer could be seen. These patients should be followed up closely for the recognition of new pathologies that could be seen in the late recovery phase.

To investigate topographic, tomographic, topometric, densitometric, and aberrometric parameters in subclinical keratoconus with the Pentacam HR imaging system. Data of 3128 patients were evaluated, finding in 108 patients clinical keratoconus in one eye and subclinical keratoconus in the other. Corneal topographic, tomographic, topometric, densitometric, and aberrometric values obtained using the Pentacam HR imaging system were compared between clinical keratoconus, subclinical keratoconus, and normal eyes. Comparing eyes with subclinical keratoconus and the control group, while flat K, horizontal coma, horizontal trefoil, and vertical trefoil values were similar (p > 0.05 for each), all other parameters were significantly different (p

To evaluate quantitatively ocular biometric parameters and intraocular lens (IOL) power measurements post-ptosis surgery.This study comprised involutional ptosis patients divided into droopy eyelid severity groups: Group 1:4 mm, Group 2:3-4 mm, and Group 3:1-2 mm. The patients underwent anterior levator resection (ALR), and preoperative and postoperative biometry measurements 3 months postoperatively were obtained.The Group 1 sample size was 19, Group 2 was 22, and Group 3 was 16. The mean K1, K2, and Km values significantly decreased 3 months postoperatively in Group 1 (P0.001 for all). The mean K1, K2, and Km values non-significantly decreased 3 months postoperatively in Groups 2 and 3 (P0.05 for all). The mean corneal astigmatism magnitude decreased 3 months postoperatively in Group 1 (P0.01), Group 2 (P=0.186), and Group 3 (P=0.952). The mean recommended IOL powers targeting emmetropia increased postoperatively in Group 1 and were similar pre- and postoperatively in Groups 2 and 3. In Group 1, the mean changes after ptosis surgery by formula were 0.47 D for SRK/T, 0.52 D for Hoffer Q, 0.55 D for Haigis, 0.50 D for Barrett Universal II and 0.55 D for Holladay 2.Ptosis4 mm significantly impacts corneal curvature values and IOL power calculations when cataract surgery is planned. Surgeons might consider altering their lens power choice accordingly if cataract surgery is to be sequentially followed by ptosis repair.

To conduct an evaluation of the effects of irregular astigmatism on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the retinal layers observed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients who had keratoconus (KC).A total of 255 eyes from 255 individuals, comprising 72 eyes of KC patients, 70 eyes of patients with astigmia, and 113 eyes of healthy controls were included in the analysis. RNFL scan maps (comprising global, temporal, superotemporal, inferotemporal, nasal, inferonasal, and superonasal maps) and macular thickness (MT) maps of a standard from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid were assessed. The measurements were segmented automatically using Spectralis software, and included the RNFL, inner and outer plexiform layers (IPL, OPL), inner and outer nuclear layers (INL, ONL), ganglion cell layer, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the central 6-mm ETDRS subfield.The RNFL thickness in the KC group was lower when compared with the other two groups; however, statistically significant differences were noted in the global, temporal, superotemporal, and inferotemporal sectors (p 0.05 for all). All of the central MT parameters showed significant variation among the groups, while a statistically significant decrease was noted in the KC group, except in the inferior outer sector (p = 0.741). In the segmentation analysis, the KC group had the significantly lowest IPL, ONL, RPE, and outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness among the groups (p 0.05 for each). The astigmatic group was similar to the control group with regard to these parameters (p 0.05 for each).The eyes in the KC group appeared to have a thinner RNFL and MT when compared to those in the astigmatic and control groups. The ORLs, especially the ONL and RPE, were the most affected component of the macula in the KC group.Es sollte eine Bewertung der Auswirkungen von irregulärem Astigmatismus auf die retinale Nervenfaserschicht (RNFL) und die Netzhautschichten durchgeführt werden, die bei Patienten mit Keratokonus (KC) mittels optischer Kohärenztomografie (SD-OCT) im Spektralbereich beobachtet wurden.Insgesamt 255 Augen von 255 Personen, davon 72 Augen von KC-Patienten, 70 Augen von Patienten mit Astigmatismus und 113 Augen von gesunden Kontrollpersonen, wurden in die Analyse eingeschlossen. RNFL-Scankarten (umfassend globale, temporale, superotemporale, inferotemporale, nasale, inferonasale und superonasale) und Makuladickekarten (MT-Karten) eines Standardrasters der Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathie Study (ETDRS) wurden bewertet. Die Messungen wurden automatisch mit der Spectralis-Software segmentiert und umfassten die RNFL, innere und äußere plexiforme Schicht (IPL, OPL), innere und äußere Kernschicht (INL, ONL), Ganglienzellschicht, retinales Pigmentepithel (RPE) im zentralen 6-mm-ETDRS-Unterfeld.Die RNFL-Dicke in der KC-Gruppe war im Vergleich zu den anderen beiden Gruppen geringer; jedoch wurden statistisch signifikante Unterschiede in den globalen, temporalen, superotemporalen und inferotemporalen Sektoren festgestellt (p 0,05 für alle). Alle zentralen MT-Parameter zeigten eine signifikante Variation zwischen den Gruppen, während eine statistisch signifikante Abnahme in der KC-Gruppe festgestellt wurde, außer im unteren äußeren Sektor (p = 0,741). In der Segmentierungsanalyse wies die KC-Gruppe die signifikant niedrigste IPL, ONL, RPE-Schicht und die signifikant niedrigste Dicke der äußeren Netzhautschicht (ORL) unter den Gruppen auf (jeweils p 0,05). Die astigmatische Gruppe war hinsichtlich dieser Parameter der Kontrollgruppe ähnlich (jeweils p 0,05).Diejenigen in der KC-Gruppe schienen im Vergleich zu denen in der Astigmatismus- und Kontrollgruppe eine dünnere RNFL und MT zu haben. Die ORLs, insbesondere ONL und RPE, waren die am stärksten beeinflusste Komponente der Makula in der KC-Gruppe.

To determine if childhood obesity has an effect on the ocular surface and tear film of children who are afflicted.Patients who had childhood obesity, 85 eyes, and patients who were healthy, 75 eyes, were enrolled in this prospective and comparative study. The tear film breakup time (TF-BUT), tear meniscus area and height (TMA and TMH) values, Schirmer test scores, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores were obtained for all participants.The TMH, TMA, TF-BUT, and Schirmer test results were statistically significantly lower in the obesity group (p 0.001 for all). The children with obesity and insulin resistance had lower TMH, TMA, TF-BUT, and Schirmer test results when compared to the children without insulin resistance (p 0.05 for all). The body mass index was found to be correlated with the TMH, TMA, TF-BUT, and Schirmer test results (p 0.001 for all).Children with obesity had lower TMA, TMH, TF-BUT, and Schirmer test results than healthy subjects. When insulin resistance was added to obesity, these values were even lower.Untersuchungen zum Zusammenhang zwischen Fettleibigkeit bei Kindern und dem Tränenfilm betroffener Kinder.Von Patienten mit Adipositas im Kindesalter wurden 85 Augen und von gesunden Patienten 75 Augen in diese prospektive und vergleichende Designstudie eingeschlossen. Für alle Teilnehmer wurden die Werte für die Tränenfilmauflösungszeit (TF-BUT), die Tränenmeniskusfläche und -höhe (TMA und TMH), die Schirmer-Testwerte und die OSDI-Werte (OSDI: Ocular Surface Disease Index) ermittelt.Die TMH-, TMA-, TF-BUT- und Schirmer-Testergebnisse waren in der Adipositasgruppe statistisch signifikant niedriger (p 0,001 für alle). Die Kinder mit Fettleibigkeit und Insulinresistenz hatten niedrigere TMH-, TMA-, TF-BUT- und Schirmer-Testergebnisse im Vergleich zu den Kindern ohne Insulinresistenz (p 0,05 für alle). Es wurde festgestellt, dass der Body-Mass-Index mit den TMH-, TMA-, TF-BUT- und Schirmer-Testergebnissen korreliert (p 0,001 für alle).Die Kinder mit Adipositas hatten niedrigere TMA-, TMH-, TF-BUT- und Schirmer-Testergebnisse als gesunde Probanden. Wenn die Insulinresistenz zu Fettleibigkeit hinzugefügt wurde, waren diese Werte noch niedriger.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, can bind to epithelial cells in the human cornea and conjunctiva, which may result in changes of corneal and lenticular densitometry.We aimed to report the corneal and lenticular clarity of patients who had been diagnosed previously with confirmed infection of COVID-19.This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Fifty-three patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and 51 healthy individuals who had not had COVID-19 (control) were included in this study. Measurement of the corneal (at a corneal diameter of 12 mm) and lens densitometry of participants was performed using a Pentacam HR Scheimpflug imaging system. Three different optimal depths as anterior, central, and posterior layers and four concentric zones, consisting of diameters of 0 to 2, 2 to 6, 6 to 10, and 10 to 12 mm, were chosen to perform the corneal densitometric measurements. The mean lenticular densitometric values were calculated in zone 1 at 2.0 mm, zone 2 at 4.0 mm, and zone 3 at 6.0 mm by taking the central part of the pupil as reference point.When compared with the individuals in the control group, the corneal densitometry measurements in the patients in the COVID-19 group were considerably higher in anterior 0 to 2 mm, 2 to 6 mm, 6 to 10 mm zones and total diameter; center 0 to 2 and 2 to 6 mm zones and total diameter; posterior 0 to 2 mm zone; and total corneal 0 to 2 and 2 to 6 mm zones and total diameter (P.05, for each). When compared with the individuals in the control group, all of the lens densitometry measurements, except for those located in zone 1, were determined to be significantly higher among the patients in the COVID-19 group (P.05, for each).Significant alterations were found in corneal and lenticular densitometric values in patients who had had COVID-19. The virus could adversely affect cornea and lens transparency.

Purpose: To determine the corneal densitometry values by using Scheimpflug imaging in myopic, and hyperopic children and to compare the results with emmetropic children.Methods: The corneal densitometry measurements of the subject were obtained with Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography. The values were automatically measured in standardized grayscale units (GSU) over an area 12 mm in diameter, which was subdivided into 4 annular concentric zones (0-2 mm, 2-6 mm, 6-10 mm, 10-12 mm) and 3 corneal depths (anterior layer: anterior 120 µm; central layer: from 120 µm to the last 60 µm; posterior layer: last 60 µm). In addition, we evaluated the correlation between spherical equivalence and anterior corneal morphological parameters and the corneal densitometry values.Results: A total of 216 participants were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The eyes were divided into three groups related to their spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error values as follows: 89 (41.2%) hyperopic eyes, 66 (30.6%) myopic eyes, and 61 (28.2%) emmetropic control eyes. The hyperopic eyes were found to have lower corneal densitometry values in 4 annular zones and the total diameter of all depths except the central layer. However, only the 6-10 mm annular zone of the central and posterior layers of the myopic eyes had lower corneal densitometry values than emmetropic eyes. There was also a significant correlation between spherical equivalence and corneal densitometry values in some zones of the hyperopic eyes. Conclusion: Backward scattering of light was lower in hyperopic eyes and this could affect the visual quality.

Chitin is one of the most abundant biopolymers, and it has adopted many different structural conformations using a combination of different natural processes like biopolymerization, crystallization and non-equilibrium self-assembly. This leads to a number of striking physical effects like complex light scattering and polarization as well as unique mechanical properties. In doing so, chitin uses a fine balance between the highly ordered chain conformations in the nanofibrils and random disordered structures. In this opinion piece, we discuss the structural hierarchy of chitin, its crystalline states and the natural biosynthesis processes to create such specific structures and diversity. Among the examples we explored, the unified question arises from the generation of completely different bioarchitectures like the Christmas tree-like nanostructures, gyroids or helicoidal geometries using similar dynamic non-equilibrium growth processes. Understanding the in vivo development of such structures from gene expressions, enzymatic activities as well as the chemical matrix employed in different stages of the biosynthesis will allow us to shift the material design paradigms. Certainly, the complexity of the biology requires a collaborative and multi-disciplinary research effort. For the future's advanced technologies, using chitin will ultimately drive many innovations and alternatives using biomimicry in materials science. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 1)'.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate dry eye test parameters of pediatric patients with and without vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS In this prospective cross-sectional study, the Ocular Surface Disease Index, Schirmer test, tear film breakup time, corneal staining score, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were used to determine the dry eye test parameters of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1-DMPs) (group 1) and a healthy pediatric control group (group 2). Group 1 was divided into 2 subgroups based on their vitamin D status: group 1a, who had a VDD, and group 1b, who had vitamin D levels that were within the normal range. RESULTS This study compared 90 eyes of 90 pediatric T1-DMPs with 80 eyes of 80 healthy controls. The demographic characteristics of the groups were similar (P > 0.05). The tear film breakup time, Schirmer test, corneal staining score, and values of the tear meniscus height and area were observed to have been lower in the patients in group 1a than the healthy pediatric control group, at P < 0.001. The same parameters were statistically significantly lower in the patients in group 1a when compared with group 1b (P < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS The tear measurements of the pediatric T1-DMPs were lower than those in the healthy pediatric control group. The accompanying VDD made this situation more pronounced.

With the increasing number of COVID-19 virus cases causing pandemic effects worldwide, various measures such as restrictions have been taken. During these precautions, it has caused various stress-related problems in children who do not have the habit of staying home for a long time. Children were school life and being away from friends cause various problems such as sleep disorder, anxiety, depression, fear, anger, stress, sensitivity, feeling lonely. It is known that pets play a large part in the ability of children to cope with such problems. In this study, the relationship between the sense of responsibility, sleep disorder, hyperactivity and anger and pet owner during the covid-19 pandemic period of participating children was examined. In addition, the study was examined the relationship between attachment to the pet types of children during the covid-19 pandemic. In children with pets; when the relationship between animal types and attachment is examined; dog as pets for the majority of men; girls were found to have a cat. In the study, the sense of responsibility of children who own a pet; it was found that it is more developed than those who do not own a pet. When the sleep pattern disorder was examined, It was determined that it is more common in children who do not have a pet. In addition, it was found that children who do not have a pet are more hyperactive and angry. In this study, it was aimed to provide information about the effects of interaction between pets and children on development and psychology during the covid-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 virus, which has affected the whole world in a short time, has created various psychological effects on people. One of these effects is unconscious food consumption. During the quarantine, food consumption increased, regardless of the health and balanced diet of the people. This study was conducted across Turkey, with participants from 81 provinces were selected by chance for each city. Participants answered the questionnaire questions based on the voluntary principle. They stated that they consume food sources with high carbohydrate content during the pandemic and quarantine. In contrast, the consumption of animal products as a source of protein has not increased significantly. 73.02% of the participants especially prefer white meat as a source of animal protein. One of the most important reasons for this is that it is affordable. Especially in the last 30 years, thanks to the important developments in poultry breeding, the amount of production has increased significantly every day globally.White meat is eagerly consumed without any difference in social and economic class. When the amount of white meat consumed as a protein source during the COVID-19 pandemic was compared with the amount of white meat consumed in the previous process, it was found that there was no significant difference. In addition, it has been observed that consumption psychology has an effect on white meat consumption.

Bu bildiride, elektromanyetik spektrumunda X bandında askeri uydu haberleşmesinde kullanılmak üzere tahsis edilmiş olan 7.2 – 8.4 GHz frekans aralıklarında çalışması için geniş bantlı ve yüksek kazanca sahip bir mikroşerit yama anten mikroşerit besleme tekniği ile tasarımı yapılmıştır. Bu tasarımda alttaş olarak kalınlığı 3.175mm, dielektrik katsayısı 2.2 ve tanjant kaybı(tan δ) 0.0009 olan Rogers RT/duroid 5880 malzemesi seçilmiş olup HFSS program üzerinde simülasyonu yapılmıştır. Nümerik yöntemler ile hesaplanan anten boyutları uygun frekans aralıklarında çalışması için ayarlanmasının zor olması nedeniyle yapay zeka optimizasyon algoritmalarının bir parçası olan genetik algoritma kullanılarak tasarlanmış antenin boyutlarının optimizasyonu yapılarak istenilen frekans aralıklarında çalışması sağlanmıştır. Tasarlanan anten simülasyon sonuçlarına göre 7.06 – 8.41 GHz frekans aralıklarında çalışmaktadır ve tasarlanan anten yaklaşık olarak 1.35 GHz = %17.25 bant genişliğine sahiptir. 7.825 GHz merkez frekansında antenin kazancı yaklaşık olarak 7.2 dB’ dir. Tasarlanan antenin bant genişliğini artırmak amacı ile antenin bakır ile kaplı yama ve mikroşerit beslemenin boyutları optimize edilerek ikinci bir anten tasarımı gerçekleştirilmiştir. Anten üzerinde yapılan değişiklikler sonucundatasarlanan ikinci anten 6.74 – 9.69 GHz frekans aralıklarında çalışmaktadır ve tasarlanan anten yaklaşık olarak 2.95 GHz = % 37.7 bant genişliğine sahiptir. 7.825 GHz merkez frekansında antenin kazancı yaklaşık olarak 6.63 dB’ dir., In this paper, a broadband and high gain microstrip patch antenna was designed with a microstrip feeding technique to operate in the electromagnetic spectrum in the X band in the frequency range of 7.2 8.4 GHz, which is allocated for use in military sate llite communication. In this design, Rogers RT / duroid 5880 material with a thickness of 3.175mm, dielectric coefficient of 2.2 and tangent loss (tan δ) of 0.0009 was selected and simulated on the HFSS program. Since the antenna sizes calculated by numerical methods are difficult to adjust to operate in appropriate frequency ranges, the dimensions of the antenna designed using the geneticalgorithm, which is a part of artificial intelligence optimization algorithms, have been optimized to work in the desir ed frequency ranges. According to the designed antenna simulation results, it operates in the frequency ranges of 7.06 8.41 GHz and the designed antenna has a bandwidth of approximately 1.35 GHz = 17.25%. At 7.825 GHz center frequency, the antenna's gain is approximately 7.2 dB. In order to increase the bandwidth of the designed antenna, a second antenna design was realized by optimizing the dimensions of the antenna covered with copper and microstrip feeding. The second antenna designed as a result of th e changes madeon the antenna operates in the frequency ranges of 6.74 9.69 GHz and the designed antenna has a bandwidth of approximately 2.95 GHz = 37.7%. At the central frequency of 7.825 GHz, the antenna's gain is approximately 6.63 dB.

Background To investigate whether abnormal glucose metabolism and duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) caused the thinning in retinal layers in children with type 1 DM without retinopathy by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to compare the results obtained with those in healthy children. Methods This cross-sectional prospective study included 73 patients with type 1 DM (DM group) and 62 age-matched control subjects (control group). The duration of DM and the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of the diabetic children were recorded. Macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements obtained by SD-OCT were compared. Results There were significant differences in the mean values of the temporal inner, temporal outer and inferior outer macular thickness measurements between the groups (p = 0.031, p = 0.028 and p = 0.039, respectively). Moreover, the children with type 1 DM showed significantly thinner global, temporal superior and nasal inferior RNFL thickness measurements compared to the controls (p = 0.035, p = 0.022 and p = 0.034, respectively). Additionally, both the mean duration of DM and the mean HbA1c values were inversely and statistically significantly correlated with the mean temporal outer macular thickness and global RNFL thickness measurements in the DM group. Conclusions Retinal neural changes, which can be shown by SD-OCT, may be present in diabetic eyes even before clinically detectable retinal vasculopathy. Macular and RNFL thickness measurements might be useful indicators for early detection of diabetic retinopathy in the future.

Objective Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes that has a lifetime prevalence of 0.4- 5.5%. The neurochemical mechanism of BD is not fully understood. Oxidative stress in neurons causes lipid peroxidation in proteins associated with neuronal membranes and intracellular enzymes and it may lead to dysfunction in neurotransmitter reuptake and enzyme activities. These pathological processes are thought to occur in brain regions associated with affective functions and emotions in BD. The relationship between the number of manic episodes and total oxidant-antioxidant capacity was investigated in this study. Methods Eighty-two BD patients hospitalized due to manic symptoms and with no episodes of depression were enrolled in the study. Thirty of the 82 patients had had their first episode of mania, and the other 52 patients had had two or more manic episodes. The control group included 45 socio-demographically matched healthy individuals. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant capacity (TOC) measurements of the participants were performed. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated by TOC/TAC. Results There were no significant differences in OSI scores between BD patients with first-episode mania and BD patients with more than one manic episode. However, OSI scores in both groups were significantly higher than in the control group. TOC levels of BD patients with first-episode mania were found to be significantly higher than TOC levels of BD patients with more than one manic episode and healthy controls. There were no significant differences in TAC levels between BD patients with first-episode mania and BD patients with more than one manic episode. TAC levels in both groups were significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusion Significant changes in oxidative stress indicators were observed in this study, confirming previous studies. Increased levels of oxidants were shown with increased disease severity rather than with the number of manic episodes. Systematic studies, including of each period of the disorder, are needed for using the findings indicating deterioration of oxidative parameters.

Seizures are believed to be a dose-dependent side effect of clozapine. In this case report, we describe a patient who had tonic-clonic seizures after using a low dose clozapine who did not have any seizure risk. The 29-year-old male patient had been followed-up with a diagnosis of schizophrenia for about 5 years. When using clozapine 200 mg/day he had a tonic-clonic seizure with bilateral diffuse epileptic activity in electroencephalography (EEG). In the literature, there are a few case reports about low-dose clozapine-induced seizure. Seizures were observed in our case with a low dose of clozapine (200 mg/day) making this case remarkable. EEG monitoring at regular intervals and examination of plasma levels of clozapine could be useful in preventing the development of seizures.

To evaluate the effect of pterygium and pterygium surgery on corneal biomechanics by ocular response analyzer (ORA, Reichert, USA).This study considered 68 eyes (from 34 patients with a mean age of 21.2±7.1 years) with unilateral nasal, primary pterygium (horizontal length4 mm), and having undergone pterygium excision and conjunctival autografting. Pterygium length and area were measured from a photograph of the anterior segment using Image J program. ORA measurements were obtained before surgery and after the first month of the surgery. The measurements of the eyes with pterygium and healthy eyes were compared to evaluate the effect of pterygium. Similarly, measurements obtained before and after surgery were compared to evaluate the effect of pterygium surgery on corneal biomechanics. The correlation of the ORA measurements with the pterygium area was evaluated.Mean pterygium horizontal length and area were 3.31±1.43 mm and 6.82±2.17 mmPterygium4 mm and its surgical excision did not affect corneal biomechanics. These results may be taken into account when cornea biomechanics, mainly intraocular pressure measurements, are important.

In livestock enterprises, with the developing technology, the use of automation instead of control with manpower has become widespread. With the use of automation, it provides easy and reliable production, healthy product, decrease of labor force, prevention of economic losses, periodic and systematic operation and keeping data record regularly. In this way, it is possible to evaluate all records of animal production in digital environment. Control element (PC, PLC, PIC, Microprocessor, Electronic Cards), Activation Element (Motors, Cylinders, motion elements, etc.), Process (Production, temperature, control, chemical, events, etc.), Adjustment in automation used in animal husbandry Element (Acceleration, Angle, Speed, Flow, Encoders, Force, Load, Price, Pressure, Temperature, Slope, Torsion, Vibration Measurement Elements). Thanks to the intelligent sensors and controllers of these elements, feed and water of animals are recorded from central computers in automation control. In the studies, S7-300 PLC was used to carry out the general operation and collect the data. In addition, SCADA is used for central system supervision and control, data collection and storage, irrigation and feeding, warning and warning for security. In this study, it is aimed to give information about the use of automation in industrial animal husbandry enterprises.

In this paper, Vivaldi antenna array design with high gain and directivity, which works in ultra-wide band, is presented especially for Synthetic aperture radar applications in small surveillance satellites. The proposed antenna structure has been modified to improve the parameters that make up the radiation characteristic of an antenna, such as directivity, gain, return loss (S11), voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), and antenna efficiency. Firstly, the design parameters of a single antenna element are optimized using Genetic Algorithms (GA). The optimized Vivaldi antenna structure in 44⨯49 mm dimensions offers high antenna gain and return loss(S11)below −10 dB in X-band (8−12 GHz) and Ku-band (12−18 GHz) frequency range. As a substrate, Rogers Duroid 5880 with a 2.2 dielectric constant and 0.508 mm thickness, which can be easily found on the market and preferred at high frequencies, has been used. The antenna structure, which is optimized for use in high resolution synthetic aperture radar applications, is designed as a planar antenna array. The planar antenna array (4⨯4)is formed with 16 elements. The distance between the elements and the amplitude of current is optimized by GA in order to enhance antenna gain by minimizing side lobe levels (SLL) and the grating lobes in operating band width. In this way, the side lobe level below −20 dB, the average 18 dB gain during the operating frequency and the highest 19.4 dB antenna gain at 10 GHz have been obtained. The measurement and simulation results are in agreement and the proposed antenna has been proven to be suitable for high resolution SAR applications.

In this work we design a triple resonance electromagnetic absorber for space applications such as satellite communication, radar cross section reduction, space based radar antennas and satellite navigation systems. We achieved up to %97 absorbation at frequencies 8.8 GHz, 10.2 GHz and 11.2 GHz. We get 1 GHz band gap between these absorbation points. The design is working in both polarization. The design is simulated with CST (Computer Simulation Technique)computer based analysis tool. We get good results from this design and in the future we will realize the design physically and try to prove the correctness of computer based design. Triple resonance absorber can be used in satellite communication, radar cross section reduction, satellite navigation system and space based radar sytems.

Purpose To evaluate the effects of pterygium on biometry measurements and the relationship between these effects and pterygium size. Setting Ulucanlar Eye Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Design Prospective comparative study. Methods Patients who had unilateral primary pterygium excision were included in the study group. Anterior segment photographed images were taken of eyes with pterygia to calculate the pterygium length and area using the ImageJ program. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative biometry measurements (Lenstar LS900) were obtained for eyes with pterygium and their healthy fellow eyes (control group). Results Thirty-two patients with pterygium (mean age 63.31 years ± 7.18 [SD]) were included. The mean pterygium length was 3.07 ± 0.81 mm, and the mean area was 6.26 ± 2.07 mm2. The preoperative intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation with all formulas were higher than postoperative and control values (P Conclusion If the pterygium size is larger than 2.40 mm or 5.45 mm2 and simultaneous surgery is planned, the implanted IOL power should be at least 0.50 D smaller than the calculated power. Financial Disclosure None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Electrospinning has become a proven technique to introduce polymeric sub-phases into composites. The sub-phases such as nanofibers can also be used as a carrier platform for reinforcing particles at different scales, enabling a multiscale reinforcement approach. However, the polymeric nanofibers may lose their intended fibrous morphology during the composite curing at elevated temperature. As such, polymeric sub-phase can not contribute effectively as fibers to the mechanical properties of the composite. This paper exemplifies introduction of milled carbon fibers (MCF) carried by electrospun polymeric nanofibers and the use of the resultant multi-scale reinforcement as interlayer within conventional structural composites. The issue of polymeric nanofibers exposed to elevated temperature curing is circumvented by implementing a novel self-same nanofibrous strategy. While a base polymer for the nanofibers is chosen as epoxy compatible P(St-co-GMA), its derivative by a cross-linker Phthalic Anhydrate, P(St-co-GMA)/PA is also incorporated by dual-electrospining, i.e. simultaneous electrospinning of the two polymers. It was shown that the nanofibers of the base polymer melt and fuse over the cross-linkable nanofibers forming the self-same nanofibrous morphology during the heat treatment in accordance with the cure cycle of the epoxy resin in this study. MCFs were mixed into the cross-linkable polymer solution and electrospun with the P(St-co-GMA)/PA nanofibers. The dual polymer and MCF loaded nanofibrous structures were analyzed morphologically before and after heat treatment. Homogenous distribution of particles in the fibrous structures, melting of the neat copolymer, crosslinking of the polymer mix, and selfsame fibrous structure were characterized. The nanofiber mats were used as the reinforcement to epoxy resin films and as interlayers for carbon fiber-reinforced composites. In the case of nanocomposites, MCF enhanced the elastic modulus by about 9%. In the use of multiscale nanofibrous mats as interlayers of continuous carbon fiber composites, they improved the ultimate tensile strength of a cross-ply laminate by 9%.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a hearing loss of >30 dB in at least three consecutive frequencies that occurs in 3 days. The aim of this study was to investigate anxiety and depression caused by sudden, idiopathic, one-sided hearing loss. The levels of anxiety and depression in patients with this type of hearing loss were determined using the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at the time of the patient's first visit. In total, 56 patients (32 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 32.8 ± 9.9 years (range: 20 to 58 years) were selected as the patient group and 45 individuals without symptoms of anxiety and depression were selected as the control group. The mean pretreatment air-conduction threshold and bone-conduction threshold were 61.1 ± 26.1 and 49.4 ± 13.8, respectively. In the patient group, the pretreatment mean anxiety, depression, and hopelessness scores were 19.5 ± 10.7, 11.6 ± 8.4, and 6.2 ± 4.7, respectively. The control group's mean anxiety, depression, and hopelessness scores were 4.1 ± 3.0, 3.8 ± 2.1, and 1.8 ± 1.0, respectively. For all the tests, the difference between the patient group and the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.001 for all). Hearing levels were not correlated with scores on the BAS, BDI, and Beck Hopelessness Scale (p = 0.1, p = 0.6, and p = 0.4, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study show that sudden hearing loss can cause anxiety and depression. Questioning patients with sudden hearing loss about symptoms associated with anxiety and depression might be useful, and a psychiatric consultation should be requested if necessary.

PURPOSE: To investigate the corneal biomechanical responses of subclinical keratoconus with normal topographic, topometric, and tomographic findings. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, the study group was selected from patients with clinically evident keratoconus in one eye and subclinical keratoconus with normal topographic, topometric, and tomographic findings in the fellow eye. The control group was selected from candidates for contact lens use. The biomechanical analyses were performed using the Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany). The following parameters were analyzed: A1 velocity, A2 velocity, A1 length, A2 length, deformation amplitude ratio, stiffness parameter at the first applanation, Corvis Biomechanical Index, and Tomographic and Biomechanical Index (TBI). RESULTS: The study group consisted of 21 patients (10 men and 11 women; mean age: 27.7 ± 6.9 years), and the control group consisted of 35 patients (17 men and 18 women; mean age: 26.1 ± 5.8 years). No significant differences were found between the eyes with subclinical keratoconus and normal eyes in corrected distance visual acuity and the topographic, topometric, and tomographic parameters ( P > .05). Significant differences were found in the values of A2 length, A1 velocity, A2 velocity, and TBI between the subclinical keratoconus group and the control group ( P < .05). In distinguishing eyes with subclinical keratoconus from normal eyes, the TBI showed the highest area under the curve (0.790; cut-off: 0.29; sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 86%) in the receiver operating characteristic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical analysis with the Corvis ST may be used as a complementary diagnostic method in detecting subclinical keratoconus. [ J Refract Surg . 2019;35(4):247–252.]

We conducted a prospective study to investigate the effectiveness of pharmacologic treatment on alleviating facial paralysis, as well as the anxiety and depression that are associated with it. Our study population was made up of 105 patients-59 men and 46 women, aged 18 to 60 years (mean: 38.2)-who had acute idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis. Before treatment, paralysis was classified as House-Brackmann grade II or III in 44 patients (41.9%) and grade IV to VI in the remaining 61 (58.1%). After treatment, 73 patients (69.5%) improved to grade I, 29 (27.6%) were at grade II or III, and only 3 (2.9%) remained at grade IV or higher. Mean scores on the Beck anxiety inventory, the Beck depression inventory, and the Beck hopelessness scale were 20.30, 19.75, and 7.57, respectively, before treatment and 5.72, 5.68, and 2.85 afterward; the difference in all three measures was statistically significant (p0.001). We found no correlation between the degree of facial paralysis and anxiety levels (r = 0.094, p = 0.338) or depression levels (r = 0.181, p = 0.064). Clinicians should consider asking patients with peripheral facial paralysis about their feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness and refer them for a psychiatric consultation if necessary.