Lens Opacities in Valencia, Spain

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Amparo Díez-Ajenjo ◽  
M Carmen García-Domene ◽  
José M Artigas ◽  
Adelina Felipe ◽  
Cristina Peris-Martínez ◽  
...  

Purpose. To evaluate the most common lens opacities in Valencia (Spain), analyzed by gender, grade, and type of cataracts. The results are compared with other studies performed at other geographical latitudes and on different races. Methods. A total of 1951 eyes of patients diagnosed with cataracts, aged between 30 and 96 years, were evaluated in accordance with age, gender, type and degree of the cataract, bilaterality and symmetry of this disease. Lens Opacities Classification System III was used to classify the cataract and the degree was graded as mild or moderate to advanced. Results. The most common type of cataract is corticonuclear in the elderly and subcapsular in younger subjects. The most common are nuclear (28.4%) followed by cortical (6.2%), if combined cataracts are ruled out. There is a greater incidence of cortical cataracts in women (70%) and subcapsular cataracts in men (70%). Conclusions. The results suggest the existence of a gender factor in cataract formation and coincide with those obtained in similar studies performed in areas at a similar latitude (40° N) and with different race population. The geographical location (intensity and length of exposure to solar radiation) seems to be a determining factor in the formation of a specific type of cataract, more than race, although there are other factors that contribute in the formation of a specific type of cataract.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Purnima Mehta ◽  
Faaiq Hassan ◽  
Muhammed Omar Qadir ◽  
Shirish Dubey ◽  
Sergio Pagliarini ◽  
...  

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common type of systemic vasculitis affecting the elderly. Ophthalmic presentations of GCA in particular can be difficult to identify prior to permanent visual loss occurring. Methods: Here, we present 3 challenging cases as a retrospective series to highlight the variable presentations of GCA with ophthalmic involvement, but GCA was not suspected due to atypical presentation. Results: Unfortunately, all 3 cases went on to develop visual loss in the affected eye due to a delay in diagnosis or treatment. The authors wish to highlight the challenges posed to the referring clinicians, when patients had systemic/ocular co-morbidities, which delayed the suspicion of GCA Conclusion with a Practical Point: Our cases highlight the variable presentations of this condition as well as the devastating ophthalmic implications that GCA can have. A high index of suspicion must be maintained; particularly in elderly patients with atypical presentations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
M. Jahidul Islam ◽  
M. Shahadat Hossain ◽  
M. Ruhul Amin ◽  
Monzur Ahmed

Osteoarthritis (OA) is no longer considered ‘degenerative’ or ‘wear and tear’ arthritis; rather involves dynamic biomechanical, biochemical and cellular process. Indeed, the joint damage that occurs in OA is the result of active remodeling involving all the joint structures. Although articular cartilage is at the center of change, OA is viewed as a disease of the entire joint. Traditionally, OA has been viewed as an inevitable degenerative condition of the cartilage. It is currently viewed as a biomechanical and biochemical inflammatory disease of the entire joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. Its high prevalence, especially in the elderly, and the high rate of disability related to disease make it a leading cause of disability in the elderly. Because of the aging of Western populations and because obesity, a major risk factor, are increasing in prevalence, the occurrence of osteoarthritis is on the rise. In the United States, osteoarthritis prevalence will increase from 66–100% by the year 2020. OA affects certain joints, yet spares others. Commonly affected joints include the cervical and lumbosacral spine, hip, knee, and first metatarsal phalangeal joint (MTP). In the hands, the distal and proximal inter-phalangeal joints and the base of the thumb are often affected. Usually spared are the wrist, elbow, and ankle.Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2015;2(1):18-23DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jcamr.v2i1.22584


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pramudith M. Maldeniya ◽  
Akshya Vasudev

Delirious mania has been well recognized in the published literature and in the clinic. Over the years there has been refinement of understanding of its clinical features, course, and treatment. The literature suggests that delirious mania should be considered in individuals who present with a constellation of sudden onset delirium, mania, and psychosis. However, delirious mania is not recognized under a formal classification system nor are there any formal guidelines for its treatment. We, as such, question if the concept of delirious mania in the elderly is valid. We present a case of an elderly man with marked features of delirium with minimal manic or psychotic features who had a previous diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. On thorough clinical assessments no identifiable cause of his delirium was found. We therefore considered his presentation to be more likely due to delirious mania. Electroconvulsive therapy was considered and offered to which he responded very well. We invite the reader to consider whether delirious mania is a valid concept in the elderly, where features of delirium may be more prominent than manic or psychotic features.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-327
Author(s):  
Yhasmin Paiva Rody ◽  
Aristides Ribeiro ◽  
Aline Santana de Oliveira ◽  
Fernando Palha Leite

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the differences in radiation intensity as a function of distinct relief exposure surfaces and to quantify these effects on the leaf area index (LAI) and other variables expressing eucalyptus forest productivity for simulations in a process-based growth model. The study was carried out at two contrasting edaphoclimatic locations in the Rio Doce basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two stands with 32-year-old plantations were used, allocating fixed plots in locations with northern and southern exposure surfaces. The meteorological data were obtained from two automated weather stations located near the study sites. Solar radiation was corrected for terrain inclination and exposure surfaces, as it is measured based on the plane, perpendicularly to the vertical location. The LAI values collected in the field were used. For the comparative simulations in productivity variation, the mechanistic 3PG model was used, considering the relief exposure surfaces. It was verified that during most of the year, the southern surfaces showed lower availability of incident solar radiation, resulting in up to 66% losses, compared to the same surface considered plane, probably related to its geographical location and higher declivity. Higher values were obtained for the plantings located on the northern surface for the variables LAI, volume and mean annual wood increase, with this tendency being repeated in the 3PG model simulations.


Author(s):  
Bharat Raj Singh ◽  
Onkar Singh

Generation of solar energy has tremendous scope in India. The geographical location of the country stands to its benefit for generating solar energy. The reason being India is a tropical country and it receives solar radiation almost throughout the year, which amounts to 3,000 hours of sunshine. This is equal to more than 5,000 trillion kWh. Almost, all parts of India receive 4-7 kWh of solar radiation per sq metres. This is equivalent to 2,300–3,200 sunshine hours per year. States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for tapping solar energy due to their location. Since majority of the population live in rural areas, there is much scope for solar energy being promoted in these areas. Use of solar energy can reduce the use of firewood and dung cakes by rural household. Many large projects have been proposed in India, some of them are: i).Thar Desert of India has best solar power projects, estimated to generate 700 to 2,100 GW, ii). The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launched by the Centre is targeting 20,000 MW of solar energy power by 2022, iii).Gujarat’s pioneering solar power policy aims at 1,000 MW of solar energy generation, and Rs. 130 billion solar power plan was unveiled in July 2009, which projected to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020. Apart from above, about 66 MW is installed for various applications in the rural area, amounting to be used in solar lanterns, street lighting systems and solar water pumps, etc. Thus, India has massive plan for Solar Energy generation that may not only fulfill the deficit of power generation but also contribute largely in Green Energy Production to help to reduce the Climatic Changes globally.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 187-187
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad Joshi ◽  
Dinesh Atwal ◽  
Rahul Ravilla ◽  
Jun Tao ◽  
Joseph Su ◽  
...  

187 Background: Older age is a risk feature in melanoma. Elderly are more likely to have immunosenescence, which could help melanoma cells escape immune surveillance. Hence, there is a belief that elderly people cannot mount a potent immune response to checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) to fully eliminate melanoma. The objective of the study was to investigate age-related differences in the time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and immunotherapy related adverse events (irAEs) among patients with metastatic melanoma who received CPI. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with stage IV melanoma who received at least 1 dose of ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or combined ipilimumab and nivolumab. Demographics, pathologic, and clinical characteristics were obtained. Immune-related response criteria were utilized to define responses. Results: Sixty patients were included; 29 were less than 65 years old and 31 were 65 years or older. No significant differences, when adjusted for gender, type of melanoma and presence of brain metastasis, in TTP [HR 0.79; 95% CI (0.371.70); p = 0.46] and OS [Hazard ratio (HR) 0.75; 95% CI (0.31-1.82); P = 0.491] was observed between the < 65 and ≥65 year-old groups who received CPI for metastatic melanoma. Overall irAEs in two groups was comparable with 62% in the younger patients and 45% in the older patients (P = 0.19). Thirty responders had a median age of 66.9 (54.3-73.3 years old) and 30 non-responders had a median age of 62.7 (54-69.1 years old). Non-responders, regardless of age, were more likely to have BRAF mutated melanomas (53.3% vs. 27.6%; P = 0.04) and less likely to have irAEs (40% vs. 66.7%; P = 0.04) than responders. Conclusions: No difference in TTP, OS or irAEs was observed between the elderly and the young patients who received CPI for metastatic melanoma. In general, responders had higher irAEs and less BRAF mutated melanomas than non-responders.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Havva Balat

In this study, the solar energy potential of Turkey was investigated. Among the alternative clean energy resources in Turkey, the most important one is solar energy. Turkey's solar energy potential has been estimated to be 26.4 million toe as thermal and 8.8 million toe as electricity. Generally, solar energy is used for heating and the consumption of solar energy has increased from 5 ktoe in 1986 to 335 ktoe in 2003. Turkey's geographical location is highly favourable for utilization of solar energy. The yearly average solar radiation is 3.6 kWh/(m2 day) and the total yearly insulation period is approximately 2460 hours, which is sufficient to provide adequate energy for solar thermal applications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bengulescu ◽  
Philippe Blanc ◽  
Lucien Wald

Abstract. This study is concerned with the intrinsic temporal scales of the variability in the surface solar irradiance (SSI). The data consist of decennial time series of daily means of the SSI obtained from high-quality measurements of the broadband solar radiation impinging on a horizontal plane at ground level, issued from different Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) ground stations around the world. First, embedded oscillations sorted in terms of increasing timescales of the data are extracted by empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Next, Hilbert spectral analysis is applied to obtain an amplitude-modulation–frequency-modulation (AM–FM) representation of the data. The time-varying nature of the characteristic timescales of variability, along with the variations in the signal intensity, are thus revealed. A novel, adaptive null hypothesis based on the general statistical characteristics of noise is employed in order to discriminate between the different features of the data, those that have a deterministic origin and those being realizations of various stochastic processes. The data have a significant spectral peak corresponding to the yearly variability cycle and feature quasi-stochastic high-frequency variability components, irrespective of the geographical location or of the local climate. Moreover, the amplitude of this latter feature is shown to be modulated by variations in the yearly cycle, which is indicative of nonlinear multiplicative cross-scale couplings. The study has possible implications on the modeling and the forecast of the surface solar radiation, by clearly discriminating the deterministic from the quasi-stochastic character of the data, at different local timescales.


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