Exploring the effects of noise pollution on physiology and ptilochronology of birds.

Short and long-term sound-induced stress on daily basis can affect the physiology of avian individuals because they are more susceptible to sound stress in an open environment. OBJECTIVES: An ex-situ study was carried out to determine the impact of noise on physiology and ptilochronology of non-breeding male domesticated quail birds. METHODOLOGY: During 60-days long trial, male quail birds, aged 5-weeks, weighing (c.100gm) were used. Out of 72 experimental birds, 18 birds were assigned to the Control Group (G1) while remaining 54 birds were divided equally into 3 treatment groups: Road Traffic noise (G2), Military activity noise (G3) and Human Activities noise (G4). Birds were housed in standard-sized separate cages (20 ×45 × 20 cm), every bird was kept apart in separate cage in open laboratory under maintained environmental conditions. Millet seeds and water were provided to all the experimental birds ad libitum. Noise originated from several sources of recorded high-intensity music (1125 Hz/ 90 dB), was administered for 5-6 hours per day. Observations were recorded in the morning and afternoon. The experiment was conducted during the non-breeding season from August to October in triplicate. Blood sampling was done after 60 days. RESULTS: According to the current study, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentrations of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and glucose while a decline in the levels of albumin was seen in treatment birds of G3. While in terms of hematology, total white blood cells count (TWBC), total red blood cells count (TRBC), mean cell volume (MCV) & packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were raised in blood of treatment birds of G3. In terms of hormones, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum concentrations of Corticosterone in G3 while a significant (p<0.05) decline was observed in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the same group. Moreover, fault bar formation in G3 was more prominent than others. CONCLUSION: Noise stress can significantly affect serology, hematology, hormonal physiology and ptilochronology in quail birds.

Reply to Marino et al. Choroidal Thickness Measurements in the Case of Diabetic Macular Edema. Comment on "Amjad et al. Choroidal Thickness in Different Patterns of Diabetic Macular Edema. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 6169".

We are pleased to see that Marino et al. have written a Comment: "Choroidal Thickness Measurements in the Case of Diabetic Macular Edema" [...].

Choroidal Thickness in Different Patterns of Diabetic Macular Edema.

This observational study investigated the changes in choroidal thickness (ChT) in different patterns of diabetic macular edema (DME) based on image processing using enhanced-depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT). Participants with ocular conditions affecting the fundus view, including retinal diseases, were excluded. After observing the patient's medical record, multicolor fundus photos, thickness maps, and subtypes of DME were diagnosed according to the criteria reported by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). Edema was classified as focal or diffuse and was subdivided into cystic macular edema (CME), CME with subretinal fluid (CME+), and spongy macular edema (SME). Image processing was performed on the B-scan images from SD-OCT to segment the choroid layer and obtain the choroid thickness. A total of 159 eyes of 81 patients (46 males and 35 females; 57.53 ± 9.78 years of age), and 57 eyes of 30 healthy individuals (age 57.34 ± 8.76 years) were enrolled in this study. Out of 159 eyes, 76 had focal macular edema (FME), 13 exhibited SME, and 51 presented CME. Among those with cystic macular edema, 19 eyes showed subretinal fluid (CME+). The average choroidal thickness in FME, diffuse SME, CME, and CME+ was 216.95 ± 52.94 µm, 243.00 ± 46.34 µm, 221.38 ± 60.78 µm, and 249.63 ± 53.90 µm, respectively. The average choroidal thickness in age-matched controls was 213.88 ± 45.60 µm. Choroidal thickness increases with the severity of edema; choroidal thickness was higher in diffuse macular edema than in FME. However, choroidal thickness increased in cystic macular edema with subretinal fluid (CME+).

Central posterior hyaloidal fibrosis - A novel optical coherence tomography feature associated with choroidal neovascular membrane.

Purpose: To describe a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding at the vitreomacular interface (VMI), and report its association with advanced choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Observations: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans performed at three retinal imaging centres at Amanat Eye Hospital, Pakistan from May 2016 till May 2021 were reviewed. A specific change at the vitreomacular interface was noted consisting of abnormal hyper reflectivity at the point of attachment of the posterior hyaloid membrane to the foveal center which appears to 'fill in' the foveolar depression.Eight eyes of eight patients were identified. All affected eyes had advanced CNV and persistent vitreofoveolar adhesion. In all eyes, the foveal contour (concavity) was maintained and there was no inner retinal surface wrinkling which differentiates this OCT feature from vitreomacular traction or epiretinal membranes. The authors propose the term Central Posterior Hyaloidal Fibrosis (CPHF) for this specific OCT finding. Conclusions and Importance: Central Posterior Hyaloidal Fibrosis (CPHF) is a newly reported OCT finding associated with advanced CNV, which may represent a possible profibrotic influence of a choroidal neovascular membrane to the overlying posterior hyaloid adhesion.