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Due to the increase in world population along with changing customer demands and market dynamics, new challenges are arising for the food production industry. Novel approaches based on digitalization, smart manufacturing and the cognitive factory that are announced for transition to Industry 4.0., are compatibly required in the food production to meet the present and future needs effectively and reliably. Therefore, in this study, we modeled and implemented an integrated system of wireless sensor network (WSN), cloud and big data in the scope of future food production process, which will collect, transform and process the sensor data of the production line of a real food production facility. This approach targets higher efficiency, productivity, quality in addition to improving asset utilization by optimized resource management and waste. Furthermore, the addition of statistical methodologies and presenting the results via a web-based real-time data display applications will offer a high level of user interaction and monitoring in digital smart manufacturing that provides flexibility, efficiency and quality of production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effects of peer education on breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge and health beliefs. 180 female university students were trained in BSE by the nursing students. Students instructed in groups by their peers showed a much higher degree of BSE knowledge. It was also found that perceived confidence of the students educated both individually and in groups increased afterward. Study results further revealed that the methods used for peer instruction do not affect students' sub-dimensions of health beliefs differently after the education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 33 year old man with Behcet's disease, a chronic multisystem disorder with vasculitis. It mentions that the disease was diagnosed using computed tomography, two dimensional, colour Doppler, and transoesophageal echocardiography. It states that the cardiac lessions were progressively resolved with dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide treatment.

Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes between gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and trabeculectomy (TRAB) in patients with advanced-stage pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG)., Methods: This comparative study comprised 62 patients who underwent GATT (N = 31) or TRAB (N = 31) for advanced-stage PEXG. Primary outcome was cumulative probability of surgical success at the end of 12-month follow-up. Success was determined as intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction ≥ 30% from baseline, IOP between 6 and 18 mmHg and IOP upper limits for IOP < 15 mmHg and < 12 mmHg, separately. Secondary outcomes were IOP reduction, antiglaucoma medication (AGM) use, and complications in the study., Results: Age, sex, cup/disc ratio, mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness did not significantly differ between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The probability of cumulative surgical success at the end of 12 months was similar between the two groups for IOP < 15 mmHg and < 18 mmHg but significantly higher after TRAB (92.0%) than GATT (82.5%) for IOP < 12 mmHg (log-rank test p = 0.035). Percentage of IOP reduction from baseline was similar between the groups (53.1 ± 18.6% in GATT group and 53.0 ± 16.6% in TRAB group, p = 0.98) at the end of 12 months. No significant difference in the mean number of AGM was present at the 12-month visit (1.3 ± 1.4 in GATT and 1.1 ± 1.4 in TRAB, p = 0.65)., Conclusion: At the end of 12 months, IOP reduction rate was similar between GATT and TRAB. Cumulative surgical success was higher after TRAB than GATT for IOP < 12 mmHg., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D] sufficiency has critical biological importance for the human body. Although there are several studies on the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and macular structure, the data in this regard are limited. This study mainly aimed to investigate macular microvascular structure using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in 25(OH)D deficiency., Study Design: Prospective, single-center, clinical study., Methods: The study included 82 eyes of 82 patients with 25(OH)D deficiency (Group I) and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects (Group II). All participants underwent OCTA examinations. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density (VD) measurements of the participants were statistically compared between the patients and healthy subjects., Results: The mean 25(OH)D levels measured from the venous blood samples of the participants were 7.61 ± 3.27 ng/mL in Group I and 25.39 ± 4.16 ng/mL in Group II, and the difference between these values was statistically significant (p  <  0.0001). The FAZ measurement was significantly higher in Group I. The VDs of the SCP and DCP measurements were significantly higher in Group II. When the central macular thickness values of the participants were compared, Group II had a significantly higher value, but there was no significant difference in the central macular volume and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analyses., Conclusion: The results showed that the FAZ area was significantly higher and the VDs of SCP and DCP were significantly lower in the patients with 25(OH)D deficiency. We found that 25(OH)D deficiency affected macular microvascular architecture.

Purpose: To investigate the potential benefits and practicality of ultra - wide field (UWF) imaging and intravenous UWF fluorescein angiography (IV UWF - FA) in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using an Optos® California device., Methods: This retrospective study involved 46 infants with a history of ROP who underwent UWF imaging with or without IV UWF - FA. ROP characteristics were identified using UWF color imaging. Retinal vascular findings following treatment were also assessed at IV UWF - FA analysis. All imaging sessions were performed under topical anesthesia without sedation. Main outcomes were the appearance of ROP at UWF color imaging and IV UWF-FA analysis, including status of ROP, neovascularizations, presence of plus disease, retinal vascular details, and resolution after treatment., Results: Seven (three girls) of the 46 infants (22 girls) underwent IV UWF-FA. Twelve IV UWF-FA sessions were performed in total. The oldest infant during IV UWF-FA analysis was at 55 postmenstrual weeks. Clinical characteristics of disease were easily identified at UWF color imaging. IV UWF-FA images also clearly revealed non-perfused retinal areas, fluorescein leakage, macular edema, retinal vascular abnormalities, and the status of the peripheral vascular termini. Complications of IV UWF-FA occurred in one infant in the form of patchy yellow skin discoloration around the injection site which completely disappeared on the first day following the procedure., Conclusions: Providing a high resolution panoramic view of the retina in a single image capture with no need for contact with the cornea appear to represent potential advantages of UWF imaging in infants with ROP. IV UWF-FA also seems to be a safe procedure which can be performed under topical anesthesia and that shows detailed retinal vascular alterations in patients with ROP., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare the number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections performed during 2020 with that in the same period in 2019., Methods: The study investigated anti-VEGF injections performed in 2019 and 2020. Injections performed on 923 eyes of 858 patients were evaluated. The patients were treated for diabetic macular edema (DME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Injections, new cases, and patients who either completed or did not complete three loading doses in 2019 and 2020 were first compared. The same comparisons were then performed between the pandemic period in 2020 and the same period in 2019., Results: While 2070 injections were performed on 670 eyes in 2019, 1478 injections were applied to 253 eyes in 2020 (p=0.001). The number of naive eyes was 163 in 2019 and 83 in 2020. During the pandemic period in 2020, 967 injections were performed on 181 eyes, compared with 1721 injections on 532 eyes in the same period in 2019 (p=0.001). While 86.5% of patients completed three injections in 2020, the rate was 78.9% for the same period in 2019 (p=0.025)., Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decrease in the number of patients presenting to the hospital, and delays occurred in treatment protocols. However, patients admitted to the hospital during this period adapted better to the loading doses. In conclusion, the pandemic caused significant disruption to treatment, and this will inevitably result in anatomical and functional worsening in the eye., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None declared., (Copyright: © 2022 by Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital.)

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and reliability of posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) application in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-related macular edema., Methods: Patients with confirmed BRVO-related macular edema were enrolled in the study. Patients were injected with a single, therapeutic dose of 40 mg PSTA. Detailed ophthalmic examination was performed at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), cataractogenic change (CC) and macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis results were evaluated. The results were compared statistically., Results: Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with a mean age of 63.49 ± 10.99 (55-86) years, 15 (36.6%) females, were included in the study. BCVA in LogMAR values at 1 and 3 months were significantly better than at baseline, while no significant difference from baseline was observed in sixth month values (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.846, respectively). Central macular thickness values obtained using OCT were significantly lower at the first, third and sixth months compared to baseline (p < 0.001 for all). IOP elevation was determined in only two eyes (4.8%) at the end of the study period, and no CC was detected in any case., Conclusion: PSTA application is an effective and safe option in BRVO-related macular edema.

Purpose: To study the existence of anti-carbonic anhydrase antibodies (anti-CA-I&II) in acute anterior uveitis (AAU) patients and to analyze the relationship between the levels of these antibodies and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level., Methods: Forty-five AAU cases and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study., Results: The average anti-CA I and II antibody levels were 0.433 ± 0.306 and 0.358 ± 0.261 IU/mL, respectively, in the AAU group and 0.275 ± 0.147 and 0.268 ± 0.108 IU/mL, respectively, in the control group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.036, respectively). In addition, it was found that the TOC, OSI, and MDA levels in the AAU subjects were statistically significantly higher than those of the control subjects., Conclusions: These results suggest that autoimmune responses against CA I and CA II and an altered serum oxidant-antioxidant balance may be involved in the pathogenesis of AAU.

Purpose. To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of ocular biometry and intraocular lens (IOL) power measurements obtained by ophthalmology residents using an AL-Scan device, a novel optical biometer. Methods. Two ophthalmology residents were instructed regarding the AL-Scan device. Both performed ocular biometry and IOL power measurements using AL-Scan, three times on each of 128 eyes, independently of one another. Corneal keratometry readings, horizontal iris width, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, pupil size, and axial length values measured by both residents were recorded together with IOL power values calculated on the basis of four different IOL calculation formulas (SRK/T, Holladay, and HofferQ). Repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements obtained were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results. Repeatability (ICC, 0.872-0.999 for resident 1 versus 0.905-0.999 for resident 2) and reproducibility (ICC, 0.916-0.999) were high for all biometric measurements. Repeatability (ICC, 0.981-0.983 for resident 1 versus 0.995-0.996 for resident 2) and reproducibility were also high for all IOL power measurements (ICC, 0.996 for all). Conclusions. The AL-Scan device exhibits good repeatability and reproducibility in all biometric measurements and IOL power calculations, independent of the operator concerned.

Aim: To evaluate the possible effects of phacoemulsification cataract surgery on ocular hemodynamics., Methods: In this prospective study, intraocular pressure (IOP), pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF), and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) were measured pre-operatively (baseline) and at 1 week and 3 weeks postoperation in 52 eyes of 26 patients (mean age 63.15±10.25 years) scheduled for unilateral phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. In all of the eyes, a blood flow analyzer (Paradigm DICON; Paradigm Medical Industries Inc.; USA) was used to obtain measurements of IOP, POBF, and OPA. The data obtained from operated eyes were compared statistically to untreated fellow phakic eyes of the patients., Results: For operated eyes, the mean baseline IOP, POBF, and OPA values were 15.9±4.64mmHg, 17.41±4.84µL/s, and 2.91±1.12mmHg, respectively. The IOP, POBF, and OPA values were 17.19±4.34mmHg, 17.56±6.46µL/s, and 3.12±1.1mmHg, respectively, in the nonoperated control eyes. Statistically significant differences from baseline measurements were not observed 1 week and 3 weeks postoperation for the operated or nonoperated eyes. There were also no statistically significant differences in any measurements between the operated and nonoperated eyes in all the examination periods (P>0.05 for all)., Conclusion: Uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery does not affect ocular hemodynamics in normotensive eyes with cataracts.

Purpose: To establish the correlation between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the development of diabetic retinopathy (DRP) in patients with diabetes mellitus., Methods: Seventy Type 2 diabetic patients, 35 with DRP, and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum IMA and MDA levels were compared statistically. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also performed to calculate the value of IMA and MDA in distinguishing DRP., Results: Mean serum IMA levels were 0.658 ± 0.128 absorbance units in the non-DRP group, compared with 0.767 ± 0.074 absorbance units in the DRP group and 0.619 ± 0.044 absorbance units in the control group. Mean serum MDA levels were 0.325 ± 0.172 nmol/mL, 0.244 ± 0.152 nmol/mL, and 0.178 ± 0.131 nmol/mL, respectively. The differences in IMA and MDA levels were statistically significant for all groups (P < 0.05 for all). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the determination of DRP in diabetic patients were 0.789 (95% confidence interval, 0.682-0.896) for IMA and 0.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.175-0.426) for MDA., Conclusion: Both serum IMA and serum MDA levels were higher in the diabetic patients compared with the control group. In particular, the high sensitivity of IMA toward DRP showed that it reflected retinal vascular complication better than MDA. Ischemia-modified albumin may be a useful marker in monitoring the risk of DRP development.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal bevacizumab on persistent retinal neovascularizations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy., Methods: Thirty-three eyes of 24 patients (mean age, 52.75 +/- 8.2 years) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy showing recurrences or no regressions in neovascularizations were evaluated in this study. After the intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg/0.05 mL of bevacizumab, the first examination was performed within 3 days and repeated at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. In these examinations, localization and dimensions of neovascularizations were evaluated with red-free photographs and/or fluorescein angiography., Results: All patients had type II diabetes for a period of 12 +/- 4.4 years (range, 2-20 years). After a single dose of bevacizumab, complete resolution rate of neovascularizations was 78.8% at 1 month, 63.6% at 3 months, and 45.4% at 6 months. When evaluated together with 9 eyes that had a second injection at 3 months, the complete resolution rate was 60.6% at 6 months. Mean best-corrected visual acuity and macular volume were 1.06 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/225 in Snellen) and 11.65 mm3 before treatment. Six months after treatment, these were 0.73 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/108 in Snellen) and 8.92 mm3 (P = 0.048 and 0.003, respectively)., Conclusion: Bevacizumab can be used safely and successfully in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy who do not experience any resolution or experience recurrences after panretinal photocoagulation.

An 3-month-old female infant was admitted to the authors' clinic because of abnormal gaze position. On examination, the eyes were in the down gaze position. The left eye had a partial iris and lens coloboma. On funduscopic examination, the optic nerve and retinal vessels could not be detected. Optic nerve and optic chiasm were not observed on magnetic resonance imaging., (Copyright 2009, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: To present the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a child with posterior scleritis., Methods: A 13-year-old boy was admitted to our clinic with symptoms of low degree of vision and ocular pain. Ophthalmologic examination, ocular ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and OCT investigations were carried out and the results were evaluated., Results: Visual acuity was 10/10 in the right eye, and finger counting at 1 meter in the left eye. Anterior segments and vitreous were normal in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed the edema on the macula and the normal disc margins on the left eye, while the right eye was normal. The FFA revealed the leakage on the macula. Posterior scleral thickening, choroidal effusion, and serous retinal detachment were determined in ocular ultrasonography, suggesting posterior scleritis. There were interesting cystic forms underneath the retina and serous macular detachment (SMD) in the first OCT examination. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone for 10 days and then with oral indomethacin for 20 days. Following the systemic treatment the visual acuity of the left eye improved, subjective signs disappeared, and the OCT manifestations returned to normal., Conclusions: In this case report, OCT provided new information about the retinochoroidal structure in posterior scleritis. These findings may be helpful for the diagnosis of this rare condition, but further studies are needed.

Endonasal dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) has gained interest in the last decade. Especially when a novice surgeon is performing the surgery, difficulty in identification of the lacrimal apparatus may complicate the procedure. We investigated the efficacy of methylene blue (MB) solution as a marker for lacrimal sac (LS) in endoscopic DCR. A total of 24 endoscopic DCR cases were performed (16 primary and 8 revision cases). During surgery, LS was irrigated with MB solution. Following lacrimal bone removal, medial wall of the LS is seen with a bluish hue. When the sac is dissected, the epithelium of the LS, which is heavily stained with MB contrasts with the surrounding nasal mucosa and therefore tailoring of the extent of the LS mucosa removal is facilitated. The follow-up period of the patients was 23 +/- 7.5 months. Of the 24 cases operated, only one case needed a re-operation. Use of MB solution is effective in both identifying LS and distinguishing it from surrounding nasal mucosa in DCR.

Purpose: Posterior microphthalmos is a rare ocular abnormality. The authors report two siblings with bilateral posterior microphthalmos., Methods: Two siblings (aged 10 and 13) were admitted with a history of low degree of vision. Ophthalmologic examinations, ocular ultrasonography, ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) investigations were carried out and the results were evaluated. All results were also compared with their normal sibling., Results: Two siblings with posterior microphthalmos have normal and near normal anterior segment dimensions, shortened axial lengths (smaller than 17 mm), low vision with high hyperopias, papillomacular folds, and crowded optic discs. OCT investigation showed bilateral papillomacular retinal fold and UBM examination showed that ciliary body moved behind the iris towards the pupilla and the iridocorneal angle anomalies in two siblings. These findings were not observed in the normal sibling., Conclusions: Posterior microphthalmos can exist in the presence of some ocular anomalies. In this case report, UBM provided new information about the structure of iridocorneal angle and ciliary body.

Background: High-altitude-induced hypoxia results in various diseases, such as chronic mountain sickness and high altitude retinal edema, and may affect severity and incidence of some cardiovascular diseases. In order to evaluate the effects of moderately high altitude on diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, a cross-sectional study was planned., Material Method: Long-term type II diabetic residents of sea level (n=75, 38 male, 37 female, mean age 51.9+/-10.5 in Trabzon and Zonguldak cities) and moderately high altitude (h = 1,727 m, n = 73, 28 male, 45 female, mean age 48.3+/-12.1, Van city) were compared., Results: No difference was observed in terms of age, gender, diabetes duration, body mass index, smoking, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure values, serum glucose levels, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, hemoglobin, HbA1C, hypertension control, or blood pressure medications and retinopathy incidence. Mean 24 h protein excretion (210.0+/-139.9, 127.8+/-112.1 mg; P=0.00), proteinuria prevalence (57.5% versus 33.3%, p=0.003), and serum creatinine levels (1.04+/-0.22 versus 0.84+/-0.21, p = 0.00) were significantly higher in the highlanders, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly lower in sea level (SL) patients (90.9+/-26.5 versus 83+/-21.1, p=0.05)., Conclusion: Tendency to diabetic nephropathy as indicated by higher proteinuria and creatinine levels is increased among type 2 diabetic patients living at moderately high altitude. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.