BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes for complete loss of vision among working-aged adults around the world. The present study aims to evaluate the rate of DR and its risk factors among the adults with young-onset diabetes from a tertiary care setting in Sri Lanka.MethodsA consecutive sample of 1,007 individuals referred from multiple centers, were invited for the study. Ophthalmological evaluation was done, with dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy by an Ophthalmologist. Retinopathy was classified according to the International Clinical DR Disease Severity Scale. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and anthropometric details. Seated blood pressure, Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), HbA1c and urine microalbumin were also measured. Data were analysed using SPSSv14. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed in all patients, with ‘presence of DR’ as the dichotomous dependent variable and other independent covariates.ResultsSample size was 684 (response rate–67.9%), mean age was 37.1 ± 5.9 years and 36.0% were males. Mean duration of diabetes was 5.2 ± 4.0 years. Previous retinal screening had been done in 51.0% by a non-specialist doctor and in 41.5% by a consultant ophthalmologist. Rate of any degree of DR in the study population was 18.1% (Males 16.4%, Females 20.0%; P = NS). In patients with DR, majority had mild Non-Proliferative DR (NPDR) (57.2%), while 32.2% had moderate NPDR, 0.8% had severe NPDR and 9.7% had maculopathy. Mean age, duration of diabetes, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), FBG, HbA1c and urine microalbumin levels were significantly higher amongst the patients with DR. The results of the binary logistic regression indicate that the duration of diabetes (OR:1.24), HbA1c (OR:1.19), age (OR:1.11), urine Microalbumin (OR:1.11) and DBP (OR:1.04) all were significantly associated with DR.ConclusionsIn this large multi center study, nearly one in five adults with young-onset diabetes was found to have retinopathy. Age, duration of diabetes, HbA1C and urine Microalbumin levels were significantly associated with the presence of retinopathy, while HbA1c was also a significant factor determining severity. Nearly 50% of the study population has never undergone retinal screening by an ophthalmologist, highlighting the need for well organized screening programs.

High performing sensor consisting of SnO2/Gn nanocomposite was fabricated using a novel one-step in-situ sonochemical method. The reducing properties of SnCl2 was used to reduce graphite oxide (GO) so that SnCl2 could be transformed to SnO2 on the basal plane of graphene. The combined characterizations including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transformed Infra-Red spectroscopic data (FTIR) indicated the successful formation of SnO2/Gn composites. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the gas sensor showed ideal ohmic behavior having low resistance. To demonstrate the product on sensing application, gas sensors were fabricated using SnO2/Gn composites and used in detecting ethanol vapor at room temperature (27°C).The results indicate that the SnO2/Gn composite exhibits a considerably high sensing performance of 17.54% response at 150 ppm ethanol vapor, rapid response and reproducibility. Furthermore, the performance of the gas sensor based on SnO2/Gn is very stable for a long period of time under normal operating conditions. Therefore, it is suggested that SnO2/Gn can be considered as an excellent sensing material which also has a potential for wider range of applications on sensors.

The initial research on rechargeable batteries started focusing on both Lithium and Sodium but Lithium was more attracted because of its higher energy density. Later considering the cost of lithium, research has been directed to explore the possibility of using Sodium for rechargeable batteries because of its high abundance and low cost compared to Lithium. In this study we focuses on sodium Nickel oxide as the cathode material of the sodium iron rechargeable battery and tests were carried out to find the formation of crystal structure. Synthesis of NaxNiO2 nonporous active material were made using solid state reactions at 700°C and the material development was studied by XRD characterizing technique. The developed NaxNiO2 was used as the active cathode material in a rechargeable half cell. The characterization confirmed the crystal structure of NaNiO2 to be monoclinic, and also its surface morphology. Electron transition status test revealed the specific energy band gap to be 5.16 eV. Charge transfer resistance of the cathode material obtained was 13,121 Ω. The further investigations on charge discharge revealed the maximum efficient charging rate per gram as 7.5 mA for 0.12 hours and maximum rate of discharge for maximum charge retention as 25 mA rate of charge per gram of NaxNiO2 which was the active

Introduction: Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is the fourth leading cause for blindness worldwide. Screening is vital for its early detection and prevention of blindness. However screening all diabetic patients by specialists is impossible, particularly in resource poor settings such as Sri Lanka. We aimed to compare the agreement between non-specialist doctors and specialist ophthalmologists in diagnosing DR and planning follow up.