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PurposeShort-term improvements in retinal anatomy are known to occur in preclinical models of photoreceptor transplantation. However, correlative changes over the long term are poorly understood. We aimed to develop a quantifiable imaging biomarker grading scheme, using non-invasive multimodal confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) imaging, to enable serial evaluation of photoreceptor transplantation over the long term.MethodsYellow-green fluorescent microspheres were transplanted into the vitreous cavity and/or subretinal space of C57/BL6J mice. Photoreceptor cell suspensions or sheets from rhodopsin-green fluorescent protein mice were transplanted subretinally, into either NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J or C3H/HeJ-Pde6brd1 mice. Multimodal cSLO imaging was performed serially for up to three months after transplantation. Imaging biomarkers were scored, and a grade was defined for each eye by integrating the scores. Image grades were correlated with immunohistochemistry (IHC) data.ResultsMultimodal imaging enabled the extraction of quantitative imaging biomarkers including graft size, GFP intensity, graft length, on-target graft placement, intra-graft lamination, hemorrhage, retinal atrophy, and peri-retinal proliferation. Migration of transplanted material was observed. Changes in biomarker scores and grades were detected in 13/16 and 7/16 eyes, respectively. A high correlation was found between image grades and IHC parameters.ConclusionsSerial evaluation of multiple imaging biomarkers, when integrated into a per-eye grading scheme, enabled comprehensive tracking of longitudinal changes in photoreceptor cell grafts over time. The application of systematic multimodal in vivo imaging could be useful in increasing the efficiency of preclinical retinal cell transplantation studies in rodents and other animal models.

Purpose Short-term improvements in retinal anatomy are known to occur in preclinical models of photoreceptor transplantation. However, correlative changes over the long term are poorly understood. We aimed to develop a quantifiable imaging biomarker grading scheme, using noninvasive multimodal confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) imaging, to enable serial evaluation of photoreceptor transplantation over the long term. Methods Photoreceptor cell suspensions or sheets from rhodopsin-green fluorescent protein mice were transplanted subretinally, into either NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J or C3H/HeJ-Pde6brd1 mice. Multimodal cSLO imaging was performed serially for up to three months after transplantation. Imaging biomarkers were scored, and a grade was defined for each eye by integrating the scores. Image grades were correlated with immunohistochemistry (IHC) data. Results Multimodal imaging enabled the extraction of quantitative imaging biomarkers including graft size, GFP intensity, graft length, on-target graft placement, intra-graft lamination, hemorrhage, retinal atrophy, and periretinal proliferation. Migration of transplanted material was observed. Changes in biomarker scores and grades were detected in 14/16 and 7/16 eyes, respectively. A high correlation was found between image grades and IHC parameters. Conclusions Serial evaluation of multiple imaging biomarkers, when integrated into a per-eye grading scheme, enabled comprehensive tracking of longitudinal changes in photoreceptor cell grafts over time. The application of systematic multimodal in vivo imaging could be useful in increasing the efficiency of preclinical retinal cell transplantation studies in rodents and other animal models. Translational relevance By allowing longitudinal evaluation of the same animal over time, and providing quantifiable biomarkers, non-invasive multimodal imaging improves the efficiency of retinal transplantation studies in animal models. Such assays will facilitate the development of cell therapy for retinal diseases.

Purpose:The objective was to examine experimental and quasi-experimental studies about interventions that (i) included behavioral, psychological, educational, or vocational components; (ii) involve...

This Campbell systematic review reports the effects of psychosocial interventions on employment outcomes for cancer survivors. The review summarises findings from 12 studies covering 2,151 cancer survivors. Interventions include education, training, psychological support, environmental adjustments or accommodations, flexible or job‐sharing work conditions, or job search and placement assistance. Most interventions include more than one component to address barriers to employment. Abstract BACKGROUND In the United States, an estimated 1.5 million people are diagnosed annually with some type of cancer (American Cancer Society, 2011). Work is an important stabilizing factor for cancer survivors (Arnold, 1999). De Boer and colleagues (2009) identified a rate of 33.8% unemployment among cancer survivors beyond the age of 18 compared to 15.2% among a healthy international control population. Greater awareness of the job‐related and workplace issues that cancer survivors face can lead to more comprehensive rehabilitation plans and recovery (Centers for Disease Control, 2011; Nathan, Hayes‐Lattin, Sisler, & Hudson, 2011). Although various recent interventions have been developed to address unemployment among cancer survivors, these have not yet been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review is to examine experimental and quasi‐experimental studies about interventions that (i) include one or more behavioral, psychological, educational, or vocational components, (ii) involve cancer survivors aged 18 years or older, and (iii) assess intervention outcomes on employment outcomes. The aims are both to describe the variety of interventions that have been studied using rigorous methods and to estimate intervention effects. SEARCH STRATEGY We used electronic search techniques of 27 computerized databases to conduct a comprehensive search. Keywords used were relevant terms from four categories: population, treatment, domain, and design. We identified grey literature through electronic searches of popular search engines, unpublished dissertations/theses, and cancer‐related organizations and conferences. In addition, we searched reference lists from included individual studies for potential studies to consider. The dates of the last search for electronic databases and grey literature were November 2013 and October 2012, respectively. SELECTION CRITERIA We employed a two‐stage process to determine inclusion or exclusion of studies: (1) title and abstract stage and (2) full text stage. Participants needed to be cancer survivors 18 years of age or older. Interventions were included if they measured gainful employment, return to work, wages, or hours worked as an outcome. Interventions were behavioral, psychological, educational, or vocational in nature, including workshops, training, or counseling targeted towards employment initiation, return‐to‐work, or decreasing absenteeism and use of work disability or sick leave. Interventions included an element apart from medical or physical treatment (e.g., exercise, surgery, pharmaceutical treatment). Studies with a research design of randomized controlled trial or quasi‐experimental study were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The combined electronic search, hand searches, and examination of the grey literature produced a total of 20,249 citations. Of these studies, a total of 70 citations were advanced for collection of a full text copy of the study when either one of the two independent reviewers agreed it appeared to meet the inclusion criteria. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The results of the studies were synthesized in a random‐effects meta‐analysis using odds ratio effect sizes. RESULTS We found 12 studies evaluating the effects of psychosocially‐related interventions on the employment of cancer survivors (N = 2151). Our results provide promising evidence that the included interventions may improve employment status (OR = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26 to 2.32) for cancer survivors. For RCTs (k = 6), the weighted mean effect size for employment status was OR = 1.44 (CI = 0.99 to 2.09), favoring the intervention groups. The mean odds ratio of 1.44 translates to an employment rate of about 68% for intervention participants compared to a baseline 60% for comparison group participants. For QEDs (k = 6), the weighted mean effect size for employment status was OR = 2.18 (CI = 1.32 to 3.60), also favoring the intervention groups. The mean odds ratio of 2.18 for the quasi‐experimental studies translates to an employment rate of about 77% for intervention participants, compared to the baseline rate of 60% for the comparison group participants. Although the mean effect size from QEDs was larger than that from the RCTs, there is no significant difference between the two types of experimental designs (p = 0.19). There was no evidence of an effect on the number of hours worked (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.22 to 1.52) or number of sick leave days (OR = 1.18, CI = 0.81 to 1.71). Overall, the assessment of the risk of bias was high, and conclusions about the effectiveness of the included interventions should be interpreted with caution. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the positive effect psychosocial interventions may have on employment outcomes for cancer survivors. However, the methodological shortcomings of the included studies overall makes it likely that there is bias in the results and too few studies to provide sufficiently strong evidence to recommend particular practices. This review brings attention to the need for additional rigorous studies in this area, in particular, randomized controlled trials with more detailed reporting of data and study design and methodology.

Objectives To describe demographic characteristics, patterns of use, and symptoms associated with mercury poisoning among persons who used a Mexican beauty cream containing mercurous chloride and to estimate the prevalence of cream use in Texas near the Mexico border. Design Case series and cross-sectional survey. Setting Border communities of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Participants Persons who used the cream and contacted a health department in response to announcements about the cream and households that participated in the Survey of Health and Environmental Conditions in Texas Border Counties and Colonias, 1997. Main outcome measures Urine mercury concentrations, self-reported symptoms, and prevalence of cream use among households. Results Of 330 cream users who contacted their health department, 96% were women, and 95% were Hispanic. The mean urine mercury concentration was 146.7 microg/L (reference range : 0-20 microg/L). In 5% of 2,194 randomly selected Texas households near the Mexico border, at least 1 person had used "Crema de Belleza-Manning" (Laboratorios Vida Natural, S.A., Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico) in the previous year. Conclusions Most cream users had increased urine mercury concentrations. Cream use was common in Texas near the Mexico border. Physicians should consider toxicity in patients with neurologic symptoms of unclear cause and use public health departments when investigating unusual illnesses.