Geometry-Tuned Optical Absorption Spectra of the Coupled Quantum Dot-Double Quantum Ring Structure.

We investigate the energy spectra and optical absorption of a 3D quantum dot-double quantum ring structure of GaAs/AlGaAs with adjustable geometrical parameters. In the effective mass approximation, we perform 3D numerical computations using as height profile a superposition of three Gaussian functions. Independent variations of height and width of the dot and of the rings and also of the dot-rings distance determine particular responses, useful in practical applications.

Dental remains of Plio-Pleistocene Cercopithecidae (Mammalia: Primates) from Romania.

The superfamily Cercopithecoidea had a broad spatial distribution and occupied a wide variety of habitats across Europe from the Late Miocene until the Middle Pleistocene. Cercopithecines, such as macaques, showed more flexibility in habitat preferences, whereas colobines tended to be more sensitive to environmental differences. In Romania, only a few Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil sites have yielded primate remains.

Homonymous Hemiatrophy of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer as a Marker of Retrograde Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis-A Narrative Review.

Retrograde axonal neurodegeneration along the visual pathway-either direct or trans-synaptic-has already been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in compressive, vascular, or posttraumatic lesions of the visual pathway. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can noninvasively track macular and optic nerve changes occurring as a result of this phenomenon. Our paper aimed to review the existing literature regarding hemimacular atrophic changes in the ganglion cell layer identified using OCT examination in MS patients without prior history of optic neuritis.

The key role of the ophthalmologist in diagnosing botulism: two case reports.

Introduction: Botulinum toxin, the strongest known neurotoxin, is the cause of a rare fatal neuroparalytic disease characterized by the so-called "four Ds": diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia, dry mouth. If left untreated, botulism may cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, impairing the respiratory function which can ultimately lead to death.

Case Report: We describe the cases of two patients who presented, two years apart, with similar ocular symptoms such as blurred vision due to accommodation palsy, diplopia, accompanied by xerostomia and swallowing disorders, which were further confirmed as botulism.

Cationic exchange SPE combined with triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS/MS for detection of GHRHs in urine samples.

The use of growth hormone-releasing hormones (GHRHs) is prohibited in sports according to the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Considering the complexity of urine samples and the low concentrations at which these analytes should be detected, analyzing GHRHs is a challenging task. In most of the studies, GHRHs are analyzed using UHPLC-HRMS with an orbitrap.

Identifying Optical Coherence Tomography Markers for Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis and Management.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease affecting the optic nerve, directly or indirectly, through transsynaptic axonal degeneration along the visual pathway. New ophthalmological tools, arguably the most important being optical coherence tomography (OCT), could prove paramount in redefining MS diagnoses and shaping their follow-up protocols, even when the optic nerve is not involved.

Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted.

Conjunctival Lymphangiectasia - case report.

Conjunctival lymphangiectasia is a rare pathology that represents the enlargement of the lymphatic vessels localized in the conjunctiva. Patients may be asymptomatic or experience symptoms such as foreign body sensation, congestion, irritation, dryness, and blurry vision. There are various methods of therapy for patients with severe and symptomatic conjunctival lymphangiectasia.

Bilateral multifocal and recurrent chorioretinopathy - case report.

The aim of this report is to highlight a rare condition that raises serious diagnosis and treatment difficulties. A 34-year-old male patient presented at the Department of Ophthalmology accusing reduced visual acuity (VA), dyschromatopsia and slight photophobia in his left eye (OS). Posterior pole examination revealed serous retinal detachment superior to the optic nerve head in his right eye (OD) and a well-defined macular oedema in the OS.

Migraine or Acute Angle Closure?

This paper aimed to present a relatively frequent misinterpretation of a migraine with visual aura. Sometimes, patients with aura and migraine are referred to the ophthalmologic unit with the diagnosis of acute angle closure attack. Thus, we discussed the way an ophthalmologist could make a difference between these two entities.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is an autoimmune ocular disease that causes severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctival scarring with inferior fornix shortening and entropion along with trichiasis. Corneal keratinization and corneal ulcers may lead to permanent vision loss. The therapeutic approach of OCP is a challenging one.

Modeling Neurodegeneration in Patients with Visual Pathway Tumors by Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography.

Objective: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, high-resolution imaging technique that was suggested to be a powerful biomarker of neurodegeneration. The objective of our study is to assess the pattern of retinal OCT changes in patients with visual pathway tumors.

Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted and patients with single cerebral tumors with potential of compression on the visual pathway were included.

Case report: bilateral optic nerve head drusen and glaucoma.

Optic nerve head drusen is an incidental finding in current ophthalmological practice. Although patients rarely display symptoms, structural, and functional defects, there are exceptional cases when clinical appearance can make it difficult to diagnose underlying or coexisting conditions, such as glaucoma. The following case report demonstrates how overlapping optic nerve pathologies can interfere in clinical judgement and therapeutic decision making in a young male patient, with relevant family history for both glaucoma and bilateral optic nerve head drusen.

Dynamic behavior of a nematic liquid crystal mixed with CoFeO ferromagnetic nanoparticles in a magnetic field.

The dynamic behavior of a mixture of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) with 1% CoFeO nanoparticles was analyzed. Experimental data indicate a high stability of the nematic director in the mixture compared to a reference 5CB sample in the magnetic field. The ferrite nanoparticles agglomerate forming long chains as observed in polarized microscopy images.

Optical coherence tomography as a marker of vision in children with optic pathway gliomas.

Purpose: Optic pathway gliomas (OPG) represent an important cause of visual loss in pediatric population. The indication of treatment is based on clinical or neuroimaging progression. Visual acuity loss is the most important symptom of disease progression, but children with OPG are frequently unable to complete the testing of visual function.

Optical coherence tomography impacts the evaluation of visual pathway tumors.

The objective of this systematic literature review is to assess the role of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the evaluation of patients with tumors of the visual pathway. We performed a PubMed database search according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The search was restricted to articles published in English between 2000 and 2016, with at least 10 human adult participants enrolled.

Acanthamoeba keratitis challenges a case report.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare, chronic, mainly contact lens-related infection caused by a free-living amoeba found ubiquitously in water and soil. A case of a 9-year-old child, who presented to our clinic with painful, red left eye, associated with photophobia, and decreased visual acuity, wais reported. The clinical examination revealed a discoid opacity inferiorly bounded by a dense, gray infiltrate.

Evaluation of peripheral binocular visual field in patients with glaucoma: a pilot study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the peripheral binocular visual field (PBVF) in patients with glaucoma using the threshold strategy of Humphrey Field Analyzer.

Methods: We conducted a case-control pilot study in which we enrolled 59 patients with glaucoma and 20 controls. All participants were evaluated using a custom PBVF test and central 24 degrees monocular visual field tests for each eye using the threshold strategy.

ANTERIOR CHAMBER SYNCHYSIS SCINTILLANS: A CASE REPORT.

Synchysis scintillans is a vitreous condition in which multiple golden brown opacities are formed as a result of chronic vitreous hemorrhage. Anterior chamber synchysis scintillans was described in patients with afakia or lens subluxation. We report a case of a 63-year-old man with a history of left eye trauma and complete loss of vision, who presented for left eye discomfort.

Bilateral central vein occlusion in a case of diaphragmatic eventration.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a severe retinal pathology, which causes visual impairment usually after the age of 40. Mostly unilateral, less than 10% of cases are bilateral. Affected young adults (under the age of 40), usually exhibit a hidden, underlying systemic disease.

[Immunoglobulin-G4-related disease: a challenging diagnosis].

Introduction: Immunglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease was recently described and represents a systemic lymphoproliferative disorder. The orbital form of the disease manifests as chronic lid swelling and proptosis. Visual disturbances may occur due to apical orbital lesions.

[Practical aspects of automated perimetry].

Visual field testing is a subjective method, but yet a very important part for diagnosis and in follow-up of ocular or neurological diseases. In order to do a correct exam of the visual field, one must know well the equipment and all the factors that could induce errors. Basic skills for working with Optopol or Humphrey perimeter are discussed in this paper.

[Effect of physical and psychological stress on the course of primary open angle glaucoma].

Purpose: Analyzing how mutch mental or physical stress influences the elevation of intraocular pressure (lOP) and therefore the influence of stress over the progress of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), monitoring the changes of the glaucoma parameters that occur either under stress or under normal life conditions.

Methods: Observational analytical prospective nonexposed-exposed study that took place over a period of 18 months and reviewed 151 patients.

Results: Of the 64 patients that had mental stress before presenting to the doctor, in 47 (73%) of them, were foud increased lOP and visual field changes at regular consultation and 17 (27%) have experienced mental stress without increasing lOP values or any visual field change.

[Compliance of treatment in glaucoma patients].

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment compliance level of glaucoma patients and the correlation between the compliance level and a series of patient's demographic characteristics.

Methods: We conducted an observational study in which we studied 100 glaucoma patients who answered the questions we included into a questionnaire. We defined and calculated a broad compliance score and a narrow score, and we investigated the connection between the first score and age, gender, demographic location (urban versus rural), education level, current occupation and duration of disease respectively.