Refractive errors and ocular findings in children and adolescents with mental disorders: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing prevalence of mental disorders (MDs) has been reported among children and adolescents. However, only few studies have conducted ocular examinations, including those on refractive status, in these groups of patients. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the refractive status and ocular findings in children and adolescents with MDs compared with matched controls with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. METHODS: A total of 178 participants with MDs and 200 controls were recruited between April 2021 and May 2022. All the children and adolescents underwent cycloplegic or noncycloplegic autorefraction and retinoscopy, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and dilated fundus examinations. Ocular alignment was assessed using Hirschberg, Krimsky, or prism cover tests. The prevalence of refractive errors and ocular findings was the main outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent of patients with MDs and 8% of controls had ocular findings, the most common of which were conjunctivitis, keratitis, and trichiasis. For refractive status, 70% (124/178) of patients with MDs had myopia ≤-1.00 DS, and 2% (4/178) had hyperopia ≥+2.00 DS. In the control group, 70% (140/200) of patients had myopia ≤-1.00 DS, and 1% (2/200) had hyperopia ≥+2.00 DS. No differences were observed between the MD and control groups. However, the patients in the MD group (14.25±2.69 years) were significantly more susceptible to strabismus (P<0.05) and amblyopia (P<0.01) than those in the control group (13.65±3.04 years). There was a substantial difference between the two groups in the time spent on screen-based devices (P<0.001). Furthermore, mental retardation (OR=3.286, P<0.01), emotional disorders (OR=2.003, P<0.01), and adjustment disorders (OR=2.629, P<0.01) were associated with an increased risk of amblyopia. Depression (OR =1.362, P<0.01) and emotional disorders (OR=2.205, P<0.01) were associated with a higher prevalence of strabismus. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological examinations should be performed in children and adolescents with MDs because MDs are associated with a high prevalence of refractive errors and ocular diseases. Detection and intervention of ocular and refractive findings in children and adolescents with MDs are necessary and effective in alleviating the economic burden in healthcare and improving individuals' quality of life.

Functionalized γ-Boehmite Covalent Grafting Modified Polyethylene for Lithium-Ion Battery Separator.

In the field of lithium-ion batteries, the challenges posed by the low melting point and inadequate wettability of conventional polyolefin separators have increased the focus on ceramic-coated separators. This study introduces a highly efficient and stable boehmite/polydopamine/polyethylene (AlOOH-PDA-PE) separator. It is crafted by covalently attaching functionalized nanosized boehmite (γ-AlOOH) whiskers onto polyethylene (PE) surfaces. The presence of a covalent bond increases the stability at the interface, while amino groups on the surface of the separator enhance the infiltration of the electrolyte and facilitate the diffusion of lithium ions. The PE-PDA-AlOOH separator, when used in lithium-ion batteries, achieves a discharge capacity of 126 mAh g-1 at 5 C and retains 97.1% capacity after 400 cycles, indicating superior cycling stability due to its covalently bonded ceramic surface. Thus, covalent interface modification is a promising strategy to prevent delamination of ceramic coatings in separators.

[Optimization of preparation technology of LIUWEI cataplasm, a kind of Zhuang national herbs].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize preparation process of liuwei cataplasm, a Zhuang folk medical herb popularly applied as a kind of rheumatism, rheumatoid drug in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. METHODS: Orthogonal design test was employed to optimise matrix proportion and molding technology of liuwei cataplasma with glossiness, adhesive power, matrix residue, skin following and repeatedly exposing as indexes. RESULTS: Optimum matrix ratio of PANA, pressure sensitive adhesive, CNC-Na, gelatin, dihydroxyaluminium aminoacetate and glycerol was 0.5:1.0:0.4:0.1:0.3:3.0. Optimized parameters of technology were as follows: stiring speed 600 r/min, refining temperature 60 degrees C and drug loading of Liuwei extract 13.04%. CONCLUSION: Optimized liuwei cataplasm has a good adhesive power, exipcients and glossiness, meanwhile drug loading is large and no skin residue. The process is simple, stable and viable.

Ocular biological parameters and prevalence of myopia in vocational high school and general high school in China.

Significance: Higher prevalence of myopia is possibly associated with more extended schooling schedules. Therefore, adjustments to high school curricula may aid in reducing the prevalence of myopia among adolescents. Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of myopia among 15- to 18-year-old adolescents in Tianjin, China, and to evaluate the impact of different educational schedules on the prevalence of myopia among high school students. Methods: This is a school-based epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design. Ocular biological parameters and noncycloplegic photorefraction were examined using optical biometry devices and photoscreener devices. Each student's spherical equivalent (SE) and ocular biometry were recorded, and the prevalence of myopia was calculated. Results: A total of 2,867 participants (1,519 males and 1,348 females) were tested for non-cycloplegic refraction, axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT). In this research, the overall prevalence of myopia was 81.6%, with high myopia accounting for 11.8%. Myopia prevalence was substantially higher in general high schools than in vocational high schools, with 86.1 and 70.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of myopia (p = 0.744) or high myopia (p = 0.851) across the three vocational school years. In the general high school, however, there was an increase of 4.6% (p < 0.05) in myopia prevalence between year 10 and year12. Conclusion: Comparing vocational and standard high school students, there are considerable disparities in prevalence of myopia, spherical equivalent, and ocular biological parameters. The prevalence of myopia and high myopia increased among standard high school students, but remained relatively consistent among students in vocational schools.

Response to pioglitazone in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with vs. without type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Pioglitazone is considered a potential therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, different effects of pioglitazone on NAFLD have been demonstrated in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Herein, a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials was carried out to indirectly compare pioglitazone in NAFLD patients with vs. without type 2 diabetes. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pioglitazone vs. placebo involving NAFLD patients with or without type 2 diabetes/prediabetes collected from databases were enrolled into this analysis. Methodological quality was employed to evaluate the domains recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. The analysis covered the changes in histology (fibrosis, hepatocellular ballooning, inflammation, steatosis), liver enzymes, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBS), homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), weight and body mass index (BMI) before and after treatment, and adverse events. Results: The review covered seven articles, with 614 patients in total, of which three were non-diabetic RCTs. No difference was found in patients with vs. without type 2 diabetes in histology, liver enzymes, blood lipids, HOMA-IR, weight, BMI, and FBS. Moreover, no significant difference was revealed in adverse effects between NAFLD patients with diabetes and without DM, except the incidence of edema that was found to be higher in the pioglitazone group than in the placebo group in NAFLD patients with diabetes. Conclusions: Pioglitazone could exert a certain effect on alleviating NAFLD, which was consistent between non-diabetic NAFLD patients and diabetic NAFLD patients in improving histopathology, liver enzymes, and HOMA-IR and reducing blood lipids. Furthermore, there were no adverse effects, except the incidence of edema which is higher in the pioglitazone group in NAFLD patients with diabetes. However, large sample sizes and well-designed RCTs are required to further confirm these conclusions.

Computation of Binding Energy of MCS and GO-Grafted MCS with Waterborne Epoxy Resin Using Density Functional Theory Method: Investigating the Corrosion Resistance of the Composite Coatings.

In order to overcome the problems of poor corrosion resistance and low hydrophobicity of water-based coatings. Two corrosion-inhibiting materials, graphene oxide (GO) and modified chitosan (MCS), were added to the coatings to obtain a new type of coating with comprehensive properties. The composite material formed by PVA cross-linked waterborne epoxy resin was named "substrate". The density functional theory (DFT) calculation was used to explore the binding ability of MCS and GO-grafted MCS to the substrate, respectively. The results showed that the complex cross-linked network structure formed by the grafting of GO and MCS not only improved the intermolecular interaction force but also improved the binding ability to the substrate, and the coating is denser, effectively delaying the erosion to the coating by the corrosive medium. The composite coating exhibited excellent dual functional properties of hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance at the coating-metal interface, and a stronger protective effect was formed upon the steel plate. Studies showed that this composite coating has good hydrophobic properties. (The contact angle of the composite waterborne coating reaches 87°.) It also has low self-corrosion current (0.28/cm-2) and high corrosion voltage (-0.45 V). The maximum inhibition efficiency of the coating is 99.97%.

Effect of amblyopia treatment on macular microvasculature in children with anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomographic angiography.

To measure the retinal microvascular density in patients with anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) and to evaluate the effects of successful amblyopia treatment on microvasculature in retina. 59 children (5-12 years old) including 22 newly diagnosed unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, 16 recovered unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, and 21 control children were imaged with OCTA using 6 × 6-mm macular scan pattern. Vessel densities of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the deep capillary plexus (DCP), and the overall macular thickness were acquired and compared among the three groups. After adjustment for axial length, the amblyopia group showed lower macular vessel density in the SCP (P = 0.005) and in the DCP (P = 0.004) compared with that of the control group. However, for the recovered amblyopia group, no difference of vessel density was found when compared with the control group in both the SCP (P = 0.548) and the DCP (P = 0.124). No difference of the mean macular thickness was found among three groups (P ≥ 0.15). Children with anisometropic amblyopia have reduced macular vessel density in OCTA, while no difference of macular vessel density was found between the recovered amblyopic and control eyes. Macular thickness showed no difference in anisometropic amblyopia and remained unchanged after amblyopic treatment.

Effect of multi-platform extended care on postoperative self-efficacy and quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the effect of multi-platform extended care on postoperative self-efficacy and quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture (OVCF). METHODS: 162 OVCF patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutanous kyphoplasty (PKP) surgery in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 were classified into a control group (n=78) and an observation group (n=84) based on the admission time. The control group was given conventional health guidance and follow-up by telephone, and the observation group got multi-platform extended care. The postoperative incidence of re-fracture, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) before and after intervention, self-efficacy and quality of life were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Incidence of re-fracture in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The ODI scores of the two groups 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were lower than those on discharge (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower OD scores than the control group 6 and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). The self-efficacy scores of the two groups 6 months after discharge were higher than that on discharge (P<0.05), and the index in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the scores of all dimensions of quality of life in two groups 6 months of discharge were higher than those on discharge (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Multi-platform extended care can effectively reduce the risk of postoperative re-fracture in OVCF patients, facilitate the improvement of patients' lumbar function, self-efficacy, and quality of life, and improve the prognosis of patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Low-cost and environmentally friendly synthesis of an Al3+ and Mn4+ co-doped Li4Ti5O12 composite with carbon quantum dots as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.

To increase the specific capacity and conductivity of lithium titanate (LTO), low-cost and environmentally friendly carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were used to composite with Al3+ and Mn4+ co-doped Li4Ti5O12 (LTO-Al/Mn) to improve its electrical properties. The Al3+ and Mn4+ were successfully substituted for Ti located at (16d) sites in the LTO and the CQDs formed a composite with LTO-Al/Mn. The specific capacity of the first cycle at 0.1C increased to 296.5 mA h g-1, and the impedance decreased to 16.8 Ω. The specific capacity maintained 236.0 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles.

Effect of Timing of Initial Cataract Surgery, Compliance to Amblyopia Therapy on Outcomes of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation in Chinese Children: A Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: As a secondary analysis, we reassess the association of initial congenital cataract surgery times, compliance to amblyopia therapy, and visual outcomes for a long-term follow-up in a secondary IOL implantation. METHODS: Retrospective review of records of all infants with congenital cataracts who underwent secondary IOL implantation in the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2007, and the minimum follow-up period was 5 years. Multiple regression analysis was used and the possible confounding factors were also analyzed to assess the effect on visual outcome. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (male: 59.1%) were included. The median (min-max) age at cataract extraction and IOL implantation was 7.5 (3.0-15.0) and 35.0 (22.0-184.0) months, respectively, and the average follow-up period was 99.3 ± 23.6 months. The median (min-max) BCVA at final follow-up was 0.20 (0.01-1.00). Compliance to amblyopia therapy was none, poor, and good in 21.8%, 24.5%, and 53.6%, respectively. Postoperative BCVA [logMAR, median (min-max) 0.70 (0.00-2.00)] linearly decreased with increasing cataract extraction time (per month) (ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03-0.06, p < 0.0001) in multivariable models with laterality and compliance to amblyopia therapy adjusted. Good compliance to amblyopia therapy was associated with better BCVA (logMAR) at last follow-up (ß = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.53 to -0.27, p < 0.0001) with laterality, opacity type, and extraction time adjusted. CONCLUSIONS: For Chinese infants with congenital cataract, an earlier primary congenital cataract surgery at an age of 3 to 15 months is associated with a better visual outcome. Good compliance to amblyopia therapy was also significant to visual outcome.

Energy Storage Characteristics of BiFeO3/BaTiO3 Bi-Layers Integrated on Si.

BiFeO3/BaTiO3 bi-layer thick films (~1 µm) were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/(100) Si substrates with LaNiO3 buffer layers at 500 °C via a rf magnetron sputtering process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that both BiFeO3 and BaTiO3 layers have a (00l) preferred orientation. The films showed a small remnant polarization (Pr ~ 7.8 µC/cm²) and a large saturated polarization (Ps ~ 65 µC/cm²), resulting in a slim polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loop with improved energy storage characteristics (Wc = 71 J/cm³, η = 61%). The successful "slim-down" of the P-E loop from that of the pure BiFeO3 film can be attributed to the competing effects of space charges and the interlayer charge coupling on charge transport of the bi-layer film. The accompanying electrical properties of the bi-layer films were measured and the results confirmed their good quality.