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To identify and describe the type and frequency of perioperative factors in dogs and cats undergoing pancreatic surgery under referral care.Medical records from a small animal surgical referral practice were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs and cats that underwent pancreatic surgery between 2008 and 2019. Inclusion criteria included complete medical record, histopathology results and follow-up of at least 14 days postoperatively or until death. Variables collected included signalment, history, presenting complaint, preoperative diagnostic results, intraoperative complications, surgical findings/procedures, postoperative complications and histopathology results. Cases were excluded if pertinent information or a histopathology report was missing from the medical record. The frequency of these variables was reported.There were 81 client-owned animals identified that met the inclusion criteria (57 dogs and 24 cats). The most common pancreatic procedure performed in dogs was partial pancreatectomy 63.2% (36/57) and in cats was pancreatic biopsy 62.5% (15/24). The most common histologic diagnosis in dogs was pancreatic islet cell carcinoma 50.9% (29/57) and in cats was pancreatitis 41.7% (10/24). The overall mortality rate was 13.6% (11/81), with a 10.5% (6/57) mortality rate in dogs and a 20.8% (5/24) mortality rate in cats.In this series of dogs and cats, pancreatic surgery under referral care carried a low to moderate mortality rate.

Most adolescents have mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) and daily access to the internet. Scholars, however, have only recently begun to consider the impact of this technology on youth. This article draws on attachment theory to explain how adolescents’ attachment styles may be represented in their attachment to technology. The authors posit that the attachment framework used to describe the relationship between infants and their primary caregivers can also be used to explain the relationship between adolescents and their mobile devices, and then describe and illustrate what secure and insecure attachment to these devices may look like for adolescents. By providing a theoretical lens through which to view this emerging topic, interventions at the micro and macro levels can be created to counter the detrimental effects of technology use on youth. For instance, at the micro level, practitioners might work with parents to cocreate strategies to facilitate salutary smartphone use. At the macro level, social workers might consider advocating for policies that protect children from the application of technologies that are designed to exploit their developmental, psychological, and neurobiological vulnerabilities.

Using nucleophilic, boron-based –CF2Ar reagents, we demonstrate three methods to form C–CF bonds: (1) nucleophilic aromatic substitution, (2) palladium catalyzed cross-coupling, and (3) nucleophilic substitution.

Conjugated organic chromophores composed of linked donor (D) and acceptor (A) moieties have attracted considerable attention for photoelectrochemical applications. In this work, we compare the optoelectronic properties and photoelectrochemical performance of two D-A-D structural isomers with thiophene-X-carboxylic acid (X denotes 3 and 2 positions) derivatives and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole as the D and A moieties, respectively. 5,5'-(Benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(thiophene-3-carboxylic acid), BTD1, and 5,5'-(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(thiophene-2-carboxylic acid), BTD2, were employed in the study to understand how structural isomers affect surface attachments within chromophore-catalyst assemblies and their influence on charge-transfer dynamics. Crystal structures revealed that varying the position of the -COOH anchoring group causes the molecules to either contort out of a plane (BTD1) or adopt a near-perfect planar conformation (BTD2). BTD1 and BTD2 were co-loaded with either a water oxidation catalyst, [Ru(2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine)-(4,4'-((HO)2OPCH2)2-2,2'-bipyridine)(OH2)]2, RuCt2+, or proton reduction catalyst [Ni(P2PhN2C6H4CH2PO3H2)2]2+, NiCt2+, on oxide electrodes to facilitate photodriven water splitting reactions. Emission quenching measurements indicate that both BTD1 and BTD2 inject electrons into n-type SnO2|TiO2 electrodes and holes into p-type NiO semiconductors from their respective excited states at high efficiencies >60%. Photocurrent densities of chromophore-catalyst assemblies obtained using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) show that BTD2-sensitized photoanodes generate significantly more photocurrent than BTD1-sensitized electrodes; however, both exhibit similar performances at the photocathode. Photoelectrocatyltic measurements demonstrate that both BTD1 and BTD2 performed similarly, generating Faradaic efficiencies of 39 and 38% at the anode or 61 and 79% at the cathode. Transient absorption measurements suggest that the differences between the LSV and photoelectrocatalytic measurements result from the differences in quantum yields of the photogenerated redox equivalents, which is also a reflection of the varying metal oxide surface conformation. Our findings suggest that BTD2 should be investigated further in photocathodic studies since it has the structural advantage of being incorporated into diverse types of chromophore-catalyst assemblies.

In toddlers with esotropia, early alignment of the visual axes either with extraocular muscle surgery (EOMS) or botulinum toxin injections (BTIs) into both medial rectus muscles may result in improved depth perception. We compared the outcome of BTIs with EOMS in toddlers in order to gain further insight into the advantages and disadvantages of either method.In this retrospective study, our encrypted database was searched for toddlers with esotropia aged 35 months or younger at the time of initial treatment with either BTIs or EOMS and who had a follow-up of at least 2 years. We analyzed the angle of deviation, dose effect (DE), and binocularity as well as the number of interventions.We identified 26 toddlers who received their first treatment for esotropia within the first 35 months of life: 16 with BTIs (9 males, 7 females) and 10 with EOMS (3 males, 7 females). Mean follow-up was considerably longer in the EOMS (87.7 months) than in the BTI group (35.7 months). Age at first intervention was 22.8 months in the BTI and 24.1 months in the EOMS group, and each toddler wore its full cycloplegic refraction. Mean angle at treatment was 41.25 prism diopters (PD) in the BTI compared to 52.9 PD in the EOMS group. The BTI group received an average of 1.68 BTIs, with a mean dosage of 14.5 IU Botox and a mean DE (mDE) of 1.8 PD/IU. In the EOMS group, the average number of surgeries was 1.4, with a mean dosage of 16.85 mm and a mDE of 3.14 PD/mm surgery. Some degree of binocularity could be observed in 9 (56%) of the BTI (5 × Bagolini positive, 2 × 550″, 2 × 220″) and in 4 (40%) of the EOMS group (2 × 3600″, 1 × 550″, 1 × 300″). By the end of the BTI group follow-up, four toddlers electively underwent EOMS rather than a 3rd BTI (followed by a 3rd BTI in 1), which resulted in the appearance of measurable binocularity in all four (1 × Bagolini positive, 1 × 220″, 1 × 200″, 1 × 60″).Our results show that BTIs are a viable treatment alternative in early esotropia. Even if EOMS is ultimately required, some binocularity may develop as the visual axes are aligned for some time in the sensitive phase owing to the effects of Botox. Moreover, less surgical dosage is needed than would have otherwise been necessary to treat the original angle of deviation. BTIs are faster, less invasive, and present as an effective alternative when patient compliance is too low to reliably measure the angle of deviation, which is essential for the planning of EOMS.Bei Kleinkindern mit Innenschielen ist eine frühe Ausrichtung der Blickachsen für das Erreichen einer dreidimensionalen Raumwahrnehmung erforderlich. Wir verglichen die Ergebnisse zweier Behandlungsmöglichkeiten: Schieloperation (SO) vs. beidseitige Botulinumtoxininjektionen (BTI) in den M. rectus medialis.In dieser retrospektiven Studie wurde unsere verschlüsselte Datenbank nach Kleinkindern mit Innenschielen durchsucht, die bei Erstbehandlung maximal 35 Monate alt waren und ein Follow-up von mindestens 2 Jahren hatten. Wir analysierten den Schielwinkel, Dosiseffekt (DE), das Binokularsehen und die Anzahl der Interventionen.26 Kleinkinder wurden eingeschlossen: 16 erhielten BTI (8 m, 7 w) und 10 eine SO (3 m, 7 w). Vor der Intervention trug jedes Kleinkind seine volle zykloplegische Refraktion. Das mittlere Follow-up war deutlich länger in der SO- (87,7 Monate) als in der BTI-Gruppe (35,7 Monate). Das Alter bei Erstbehandlung war 22,8 Monate in der BTI- und 24,1 Monate in der SO-Gruppe. Der mittlere Schielwinkel bei Behandlungsbeginn war 41,25 Prismendioptrien (PD) in der BTI- verglichen mit 52,9 PD in der SO-Gruppe. Die BTI-Gruppe erhielt im Mittel 1,68 BTI mit einer durchschnittlichen Dosierung (dD) von 14,5 IU Botox und einem durchschnittlichen DE (dDE) von 1,8 PD/IU. In der SO-Gruppe erfolgten im Schnitt 1,4 Eingriffe pro Kleinkind mit einer dD von 16,85 mm und einem dDE von 3,14 PD/mm Chirurgie. Binokularsehen konnte bei 9 (56%) der BTI- (5 × Bagolini-positiv, 2 × 550″, 2 × 220″) und bei 4 (40%) der SO-Gruppe (2 × 3600″, 1 × 550″, 1 × 300″) festgestellt werden. Am Ende des Follow-ups der BTI-Gruppe wählten 4 Eltern eine SO statt einer 3. BTI. Darauf folgte bei einem Kleinkind eine 3. BTI. Bei allen Vieren konnte im Anschluss Binokularsehen beobachtet werden (1 × Bagolini-positiv, 1 × 220″, 1 × 200″, 1 × 60″).BTI sind eine geeignete Behandlungsoption bei frühem Innenschielen. Selbst wenn letztlich eine SO angezeigt ist, kann Binokularsehen entstehen, da die Blickachsen dank der Effekte des Botox während der sensitiven Phase eine Zeit lang ausgerichtet sind. Die dann benötigte chirurgische Dosierung ist geringer als sie es beim ursprünglichen Schielwinkel gewesen wäre. BTI sind schnell, weniger invasiv und stellen eine effektive Alternative dar, wenn die Patientencompliance eine zuverlässige Messung des Schielwinkels verhindert – essenziell für die Planung einer SO.

When subjected to arylboranes, anionic trifluoromethyl and difluorobenzyl palladium(II) complexes undergo fluoride abstraction followed by 1,1-migratory insertion. The resulting intermediate fluoroalkyl species can be induced to undergo a subsequent transmetalation and reductive elimination from either an in situ formed fluoroboronate (FB(Ar3)-) or an exogenous boronic acid/ester (ArB(OR)2) and nucleophilic activator, representing a net defluorinative arylation reaction. The latter method enabled a structurally diverse substrate scope to be prepared from either an isolated palladium-CF3 complex, or from Pd(PPh3)4 and other commercially available reagents.

Eye movements during reading can be impaired in amblyopia, developmental dyslexia, reduced visual acuity, or visual field defects. To detect pathology, normative values are important for comparison. In healthy children, there is sparse data on eye movements during reading. Therefore, the aim of this study was to, in a first step, explore the feasibility of applying the SMI RED eye tracker bar to record eye movements in 10- and 11-year-old children while reading a text.Thirty-three (19 aged 10 years, 14 aged 11 years) normally sighted children attending a primary school in Switzerland participated in our study. Visual acuity, the Lang test, and the cover test were performed as a screening for ophthalmologic pathology that might influence the results. Eye movements were recorded with the SMI RED eye tracker bar while the child read aloud two texts from the International Reading Speed Test (IReST), presented on a laptop. Both texts were in German with an equal level of difficulty and were presented in a randomized order. Reading speed (words/minute), number of saccades, number of fixations, and reading errors (mistakes in the reading) were evaluated.Screening did not reveal pathology other than refractive errors and children had full corrected visual acuity. Eye movements could be obtained in all but six children where the reflection of the glasses worn prevented a good pupil recording with the tracker. Younger children performed more saccades per word with a mean of 1.41 (SD 0.39) at 10 years of age versus 1.10 (SD 0.21) at 11 years of age. The number of fixations per word was also higher in younger children (mean: 1.63 [SD 0.37]) than in 11-year-old children (mean: 1.32 [SD 0.33]). Ten-year-old children seem to analyze a text in smaller units than 11-year-olds. Thus, 10-year-old children took more time to complete the reading task than the 11-year-olds (mean: 88.8 s [SD 24.1] versus 84.4 s [SD 15.1]). In addition, 10-year-old children made more reading errors compared to 11-year-olds (mean: 4.47 [SD 2.95] versus 2.28 [SD 1.72]).It is feasible to record eye movements in children aged 10 - 11, albeit this is more difficult when glasses are worn. As parameters change with age, further data is needed for a representative evaluation regarding eye movements during reading in children of different age groups. The information gained may offer help in recognizing reading difficulties and monitoring of treatment effects.Erkrankungen wie z. B. Amblyopie oder Dyslexie können beeinträchtigte Augenbewegungen während des Lesens zur Folge haben. Um ein Abweichungen erkennen zu können, sind Normwerte zum Vergleich wichtig. Bisher gibt es jedoch wenige Daten über die Augenbewegungen während des Lesens bei deutschsprachigen Kindern. Ziel dieser Studie ist es daher, in einem ersten Schritt zu schauen, ob der SMI RED Eye Tracker geeignet ist, Augenbewegungen von 10- und 11-jährigen Kindern beim Lesen eines deutschen Textes aufzuzeichnen.33 normalsichtige Kinder im Alter von 10 (n = 19) und 11 (n = 14) Jahren lasen 2 auf einem Laptop präsentierte deutschsprachige Texte des International Reading Speed Test (IReST) laut vor. Die Augenbewegungen wurden mithilfe eines SMI RED Eye Tracker aufgezeichnet. Zudem wurde eine Visusprüfung, ein Lang-Test und Abdecktest durchgeführt, um ophthalmologische Pathologien zu erkennen, welche das Ergebnis beeinflussen könnten. Untersuchte Parameter: Lesegeschwindigkeit (Wörter/Minute), Anzahl Sakkaden und Fixationen, Anzahl Lesefehler.Das Screening ergab keine andere Pathologie als Refraktionsfehler und Kinder hatten eine volle korrigierte Sehschärfe. Augenbewegungen konnten bei allen bis auf 6 Kindern erzielt werden, bei denen die Reflexion der getragenen Brille eine gute Pupillenaufnahme mit dem Tracker verhinderte. Jüngere Kinder führten im Alter von 10 Jahren mehr Sakkaden pro Wort mit einem Mittelwert von 1,41 (SD 0,39) gegenüber 1,10 (SD 0,21) im Alter von 11 Jahren durch. Die Anzahl der Fixationen pro Wort war bei jüngeren Kindern ebenfalls höher (Mittelwert: 1,63 [SD 0,37]) als bei 11-jährigen Kindern (Mittelwert: 1,32 [SD 0,33]). Zehnjährige Kinder scheinen einen Text in kleineren Einheiten als 11-jährige zu analysieren. Daher brauchten 10-jährige Kinder mehr Zeit, um die Leseaufgabe zu erledigen, als die 11-jährigen (Mittelwert: 88,8 s [SD 24,1] gegenüber 84,4 s [SD 15,1]). Darüber hinaus machten 10-jährige Kinder im Vergleich zu 11-jährigen mehr Lesefehler (Mittelwert: 4,47 [SD 2,95] gegenüber 2,28 [SD 1,72]).Messung von Augenbewegungen während des Lesens sind bei 10- und 11-jährigen Kindern mittels Eye Tracker durchführbar, wenn auch Brillengläser ein Problem darstellen können. Da sich die Parameter mit dem Alter ändern, werden weitere Daten für eine repräsentative Bewertung der Augenbewegungen während des Lesens bei Kindern verschiedener Altersgruppen benötigt. Die gewonnenen Informationen können dazu beitragen, Leseschwierigkeiten zu erkennen und die Behandlungseffekte zu überwachen.

The purpose of this study was to determine the surgical outcome, dose-effect (DE), and degree of binocularity in patients undergoing surgery for consecutive exotropia following initial surgery of esotropia.Twenty-one patients were identified. We analyzed the mean angle of deviation pre- and postoperatively as measured with the alternate prism cover test, DE, and binocularity.All patients had had previous strabismus surgery. The surgery for consecutive exotropia had been performed at a mean age of 35.92 ± 18.26 years. In 19 of these patients, surgery of consecutive exotropia involved at least one previously operated extraocular muscle, and the mean interval to the previous surgery was 25.67 ± 16.14 years. The mean angle of deviation (DE) at distance and in the primary position was - 33.43 ± 12.75 prism diopters (PD) preoperatively, + 0.76 ± 7.91 PD 1 week after surgery, and - 7.24 ± 12.14 PD 3 months after surgery. The mean DE was 3.58 ± 1.53 mm/PD at 1 week and 2.70 ± 1.78 mm/PD at 3 months post-surgery. Postoperatively, 62% patients had a binocularity of at least Bagolini positive, 33% had either a positive TNO or Titmus Test, and 24% were Lang I positive (550″).Performing strabismus surgery with consecutive exotropia results in restoration of some binocularity in a large number of patients, even in adults, and should be considered as a possibility. The dose-effect is comparable to conventional surgery of exotropia.Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die operativen Ergebnisse, den Dosiseffekt sowie den Grad an erreichter Binokularität bei Patienten nach Operation einer konsekutiven Exotropie zu untersuchen.21 Patienten wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Wir analysierten den prä- und postoperativen Schielwinkel, gemessen mit dem alternierenden Prismen-Cover-Test, den chirurgischen Dosiseffekt (DE) sowie die Stereofunktion.Alle Patienten waren aufgrund einer Esotropie im Kindesalter bereits operiert. Die Operation der konsekutiven Exotropie wurde im Mittel in einem Alter von 35,92 ± 18,26 Jahren durchgeführt. Bei 19 Patienten wurde an mindestens einem bereits voroperierten Muskel operiert. Das mittlere Intervall zur letzten Operation lag bei 25,67 ± 16,14 Prismendioptrien (PD). Der mittlere Schielwinkel lag bei − 33,43 ± 12,75 PD präoperativ, + 0,76 ± 7,91 PD 1 Woche postoperativ und − 7,24 ± 12,14 PD nach 3 Monaten. Der mittlere Dosiseffekt lag bei 3,58 ± 1,53 mm/PD 1 Woche postoperativ und bei 2,70 ± 1,78 mm/PD nach 3 Monaten. Postoperativ waren 62% zumindest Bagolini-positiv, 33% der Patienten waren entweder TNO- oder Titmus- und sogar 24% Lang-I-positiv (550″).Die Strabismuschirurgie der konsekutiven Exotropie erreicht in einer Vielzahl an Patienten ein gewisses Maß an Binokularität auch im Erwachsenenalter und sollte daher in Erwägung gezogen werden. Der Dosiseffekt ist vergleichbar mit der Chirurgie anderer Exotropieformen.

Goals We aimed to establish the epidemiological characteristics and documentation of diagnostic workup for gastroparesis (GP). Background No study has used a national database to evaluate the prevalence, demographics, and associated comorbid conditions of GP, and document rates of proper diagnosis. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional population-based study using the Explorys Platform to determine the prevalence of GP in a large and diverse population highly representative of the US population and to examine the diagnostic approach of GP. Data collected were individual characteristics from electronic medical records (EMRs) included age, ethnicity/race, sex, diagnostic report for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and gastric emptying study (GES). Results A total of 43,827,910 medical records were surveyed (1999 to 2014), of which 69,950 had a diagnosis of GP, yielding an overall prevalence of 0.16%. We identified 249,930 EMRs with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and 2,940,280 EMR's with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), of which 11,470 (4.59%) and 38,670 (1.31%) EMR's had concurrent GP, respectively. The remainder 19,810 EMRs with a diagnosis of GP were classified as having idiopathic GP. In all three subgroups, women and Caucasians had the highest prevalence of GP. The diagnosis of GP was confirmed by both GES and EGD in 9,950 of patients (14.22%). For patients with T1DM, T2DM, or idiopathic GP, GP was confirmed by both diagnostic tests in 16.8%, 14.0%, and 13.2%, respectively. Conclusions Our estimated rates of prevalence of GP in T1DM and T2DM indicate that GP is not a common clinical complication in these populations. Majority of EMRs that indicated a diagnosis of GP did not include any documentation of definitive diagnostic testing (EGD and/or GES).

Large-scale arrays of quantum-dot spin qubits in Si/SiGe quantum wells require large or tunable energy splittings of the valley states associated with degenerate conduction band minima. Existing proposals to deterministically enhance the valley splitting rely on sharp interfaces or modifications in the quantum well barriers that can be difficult to grow. Here, we propose and demonstrate a new heterostructure, the "Wiggle Well," whose key feature is Ge concentration oscillations inside the quantum well. Experimentally, we show that placing Ge in the quantum well does not significantly impact our ability to form and manipulate single-electron quantum dots. We further observe large and widely tunable valley splittings, from 54 to 239 ueV. Tight-binding calculations, and the tunability of the valley splitting, indicate that these results can mainly be attributed to random concentration fluctuations that are amplified by the presence of Ge alloy in the heterostructure, as opposed to a deterministic enhancement due to the concentration oscillations. Quantitative predictions for several other heterostructures point to the Wiggle Well as a robust method for reliably enhancing the valley splitting in future qubit devices., Main text and supplemental information, 11 pages, 7 figures

PURPOSE To assess the impact of neurodegenerative morphologic alterations due to macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) on microperimetry (MP) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). METHODS Thirty-five eyes of 18 patients with MacTel were examined using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), mfERG and MP. Software was used to match SD-OCT B-scans with the corresponding retinal sensitivity map and multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs), thus enabling direct structure/function correlation. RESULTS Loss of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) had the strongest negative association with retinal sensitivity (16.77 dB versus 4.58 dB, adj. p

Tests of contrast sensitivity (CS) are not routinely performed in the clinic, although CS is reduced in many conditions, such as amblyopia or glaucoma. This may be due to perceived time constraints or unaffordability of equipment.Monocular CS functions obtained with the FACT, CSV 1000E, and Lea Symbols were compared in 19 healthy subjects aged 24 - 78 years and 24 subjects aged 5 - 16 years, 9 of whom had amblyopia.CS functions could be obtained with all three tests. The tests were equally comfortable for young and adult patients, and took less than 5 minutes to perform (one eye). All measured CSs at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (cpd), but the FACT included 1.5 cpd. LINEAR MIXED EFFECT MODELS: were performed. While there was no significant difference at low spatial frequencies, the Lea CS test showed a ceiling effect in that range, while the FACT showed a floor effect at high spatial frequencies. CS in amblyopic children did not differ between the contralateral and the amblyopic eye. Overall, amblyopic eyes had lower CS values than the control eyes and CS did not correlate significantly to visual acuity at distance.All three CS tests could be usefully applied in the clinic in adults as well as children over the age of 4 years. Only the CSV 1000E exhibited neither a ceiling nor a floor effect. This was also the fastest test. In children with amblyopia, CS testing offers additional information on visual function. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find that the CSV and FACT are interchangeable.Obwohl Kontrastempfindlichkeit bei vielen Augenkrankheiten wie Amblyopie oder Glaukom vermindert ist, werden Kontrastempfindlichkeitstest nicht routinemäßig durchgeführt. Der Grund dafür liegt womöglich in der Zeitknappheit oder an mangelnder Ausrüstung.Kontrastempfindlichkeitsfunktionen wurden mit 3 verschiedenen Tests: FACT, CSV-1000E und Lea Symbolen monokular bei 19 gesunden Erwachsenen (24 – 78 J) und 15 gesunden und 9 amblyopen Kindern (5 – 16 J) gemessen und miteinander verglichen.Mit allen 3 Tests konnten Kontrastempfindlichkeitsfunktionen erhalten werden. Die Tests waren vergleichbar angenehm für Jung und Alt und dauerten alle weniger als 5 Minuten (1 Auge). Während alle Tests Kontrastempfindlichkeiten bei 3, 6, 12 und 8 Zyklen pro Grad messen, werden mit dem FACT auch Werte bei 1,5 Zyklen pro Grad gemessen. Lineare Mixed-Effect-Modelle wurden erstellt. In tiefen Ortsfrequenzen ergab sich keine signifikante Differenz. Lea zeigte einen Ceiling-Effekt in den tiefen und FACT ein Floor-Effekt in den hohen Ortsfrequenzen. Bei den amblyopen Kindern bestand kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen dem amblyopen und dem Partnerauge. Insgesamt hatten die amblyopen Augen tiefere Kontrastempfindlichkeiten als die Kontrollen und korrelierten nicht signifikant mit dem Fernvisus.Alle Tests können sowohl bei Erwachsenen als auch bei Kindern über 4 Jahren sinnvoll in der Praxis eingesetzt werden. Für Kinder mit Amblyopie liefert die Kontrastempfindlichkeit zusätzliche Informationen über die visuelle Funktion. Im Gegensatz zur Literatur waren FACT und CSV nicht austauschbar. Der CSV ließ sich am schnellsten durchführen und zeigte als einziger Test weder einen Floor- noch einen Ceiling-Effekt.

To compare two commonly used strengthening procedures in strabismus surgery: plication and resection of the extraocular muscle (EOM).From an anonymous databank of strabismus surgeries, performed at the University Eye Hospital Basel, patients with a horizontal strabismus surgery, consisting of a recession combined with either plication or resection of the antagonist and a follow-up of at least 3 months, were included. Exclusion criteria were previous eye surgeries, binocular surgeries, and simultaneous surgery of oblique or vertical EOM. Pre- and postoperative angles were measured using the alternating prism cover test during fixation at distance.Fifty-nine patients met the criteria and were matched according to the angle at baseline in the recession/plication group, resulting in 12 resection/recession and 12 plication/recession patients. There was no significant difference in the number of eso- and exodeviations, age at surgery, or gender between the groups. Mean difference between plication and resection was 1.2 PD at 1 week (p = 0.72) and 1.7 PD at 3 months (p = 0.61). A separate analysis for eso- and exodeviations showed no significant difference between recession/plication and recession/resection at 1 week or 3 months (p value side effect = 0.59; resection vs. plication at 1 week p = 0.68; resection vs. plication at 3 months: p = 0.57). The overall dose effect (SD) was 2.13 PD (0.88)/mm in the recession/plication group and 2.51 PD (0.81)/mm in the recession/resection group after 1 week (p = 0.331). After 3 months, the mean dose effect was 1.85 PD (1.06)/mm in the recession/plication group and 2.09 PD (1.12)/mm in the recession/resection group (p = 0.611).Our findings show that recession/plication is a valid alternative to recession/resection in horizontal strabismus without the need to cut the muscle, as we saw no difference in surgical effectiveness in either eso- or exodeviations at 1 week or at 3 months.Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Faltung mit der Resektion des extraokulären Muskels (EOM) zu vergleichen, da beide Operationen häufig als verstärkende OP in der Strabismusbehandlung zusammen mit einer Rücklagerung des Antagonisten durchgeführt werden.Eine anonymisierte Datenbank der Augenklinik Basel wurde nach horizontalen Strabismusoperationen durchsucht. Eingeschlossen wurden Patienten mit einer horizontalen Strabismusoperation und einem Follow-up von mindestens 3 Monaten. Ausschlusskriterien waren: frühere Augenoperationen, bilaterale Operationen und gleichzeitige Eingriffe an einem schrägen oder vertikalen extraokulären Muskel.59 Patienten erfüllten die Auswahlkriterien. Nachdem für den Ausgangswinkel der Faltungsgruppe gematcht wurde, ergaben sich 12 Rücklagerungen/Faltungen, die mit 12 Rücklagerungen/Faltungen verglichen werden konnten. Zwischen den beiden Gruppen bestand kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied bezüglich der Anzahl von Eso- und Exodeviationen, Alter bei OP und Geschlecht. Der mittlere Unterschied zwischen Faltung und Resektion betrug 1,2 PD nach 1 Woche (p = 0,72) und 1,7 PD nach 3 Monaten (p = 0,61). Eine separate Analyse zeigte weder für Eso- noch für Exodeviation einen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied zwischen Rücklagerung/Faltung und Rücklagerung/Resektion (p-Wert Seiteneffekt = 0,59; Resektion vs. Faltung nach 1 Woche p = 0,68; Resektion vs. Faltung nach 3 Monaten p = 0,57). Der Dosiseffekt (SD) unterschied sich nicht signifikant zwischen den Gruppen. Berechnet mit dem alternierenden Prismen-Cover-Test bei Fernfixation betrug dieser nach 1 Woche 2,13 PD (0,88)/mm in der Rücklagerungs-/Faltungsgruppe und 2,51 PD (0,81)/mm in der Rücklagerungs-/Resektionsgruppe (p = 0,331). Nach 3 Monaten betrug der Wert 1,85 PD (1,06)/mm in der Rücklagerungs-/Faltungsgruppe und 2,09 PD (1,12)/mm in der Rücklagerungs-/Resektionsgruppe (p = 0,611).Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Faltung kombiniert mit einer Rücklagerung des Antagonisten eine valide Alternative zur Rücklagerung/Resektion beim horizontalen Strabismus darstellt. Es gibt keinen Unterschied im Operationseffekt, weder bei Eso- noch bei Exodeviation, nach 1 Woche oder nach 3 Monaten.

An estimated 49.8% of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Multifocal contact lenses (MFCLs) and orthokeratology (OK) reduce peripheral retinal hyperopic defocus, which animal studies have shown to positively impact eye growth. MFCLs are expected to slow myopic progression by 20 - 50% and OK by 30 - 60%, making them valuable therapeutic tools. In view of the guidelines for myopia management published by the International Myopia Institute in 2019, the aim of this retrospective data analysis of a tertiary care center was to review past experience with OK and MFCLs for myopia control and gain information to update current practice.The contact lens (CL) database of the Eye Clinic of the University Hospital of Basel was searched with the label "myopia progression" between January 2012 - 2020. Patients were included if they gave informed consent, were younger than 19 years old at baseline, and had no ocular comorbidities that could potentially compromise vision. Primary outcomes were progression of spherical equivalent refraction for MFCL patients and progression of axial length (AL) for the OK group, comparing with historical data from OK trials. Secondary outcomes were the presence of risk factors for myopia, age, refractive error at baseline, follow-up duration, and adverse effects during therapy.Twenty-one patients could be included, with a mean age of 12.80 ± 3.32 years (y) at baseline. The majority of patients were older than 12 years and already myopic (- 3.89 ± 2.30 diopters) when control treatment was started. Overall, follow-up ranged from 0.08 to 6.33 years (2.03 ± 1.66 y). In the patients treated with MFCLs, myopia control improved significantly when patients changed from spectacles to MFCLs. In the OK group, 14% dropped out during the first year and 2 patients had multiple AL measurements during therapy, which showed a slower growth of AL when compared to other OK trials and controls with spectacles. There were two cases of non-severe keratitis. Environmental risk factors had not been documented and only 48% of clinical records had a documented family risk assessment.Patients showed a slower myopia progression under MFCLs or OK, which supports their role as a treatment option in myopia management. In this regard, AL measurement is an important additional parameter to be included in the assessment of myopia progression in clinical practice. Identification of children at risk of developing high/pathologic myopia (family history, environmental risk factors) needs to improve so that the first stages of myopic shift can be recognized and targeted. Changes in lifestyle should be actively encouraged, especially when the impact of decreases in outdoor time secondary to COVID-19 is yet to become clear.Circa 49,8% der Weltbevölkerung wird bis 2050 myop. Multifokale Kontaktlinsen (MFCLs) und Orthokeratologie (OK) reduzieren die hyperope Defokussierung in der Peripherie der Netzhaut, was sich gemäß Tierstudien positiv auf das myope Augenwachstum auswirken soll. MFCLs sollen das Fortschreiten der Myopie um 20 – 50% verlangsamen und OK um 30 – 60%. In Anbetracht der Richtlinien für das Myopiemanagement, die 2019 vom International Myopia Institute herausgegeben wurden, ist das Ziel dieser retrospektiven Datenanalyse eines tertiären Versorgungszentrums, frühere Erfahrungen mit OK und MFCLs für Myopiekontrolle zu sammeln und diskutieren.Die Kontaktlinsendatenbank (CL) der Augenklinik des Universitätsspitals Basel wurde mit dem Label „Myopieprogression“ zwischen Januar 2012 – 2020 durchsucht. Patienten wurden eingeschlossen, wenn die Einverständniserklärung vohanden war, wenn die Patienten zur Baseline unter 19 Jahre alt waren und keine okularen Komorbiditäten, die das Sehvermögen beeinträchtigen könnten, hatten. Primäre Endpunkte waren das Fortschreiten der sphärischen äquivalenten Refraktion für MFCL-Patienten und Fortschreiten der axialen Länge (AL) für die OK-Gruppe im Vergleich mit historischen Daten aus OK-Trials. Sekundäre Endpunkte waren Risikofaktoren für Myopie, Alter, Refraktion bei Baseline, Follow-up-Dauer und Nebenwirkungen während der Therapie.21 Patienten wurden eingeschlossen. Bei Baseline waren sie 12,80 ± 3,32 Jahre alt (y). Die Mehrheit der Patienten war älter als 12 Jahre und bereits myop (− 3,89 ± 2,30 D), als die Myopiebehandlung mit Kontaktlinsen begonnen wurde. Insgesamt lag das Follow-up zwischen 0,08 und 6,33 Jahren (2,03 ± 1,66 Jahre). Bei den mit MFCL behandelten Patienten verbesserte sich die Myopieprogression. In der OK-Gruppe hörten 14% mit der Therapie im 1. Jahr auf. Zwei OK-Patienten hatten mehrere AL-Messungen während der Therapie, welche ein langsameres Wachstum von AL zeigte im Vergleich zu anderen OK-Trials. Insgesamt gab es 2 Fälle von nicht schwerer Keratitis. Umweltrisikofaktoren wurden nicht dokumentiert und nur bei 48% der klinischen Akten wurden die familiären Risikofaktoren bewertet.Die Patienten zeigten ein langsameres Fortschreiten der Myopie unter MFCLs oder OK, was ihre Rolle im Myopiemanagement unterstützt. Die AL-Messung ist ein wichtiger Parameter, der aufgenommen werden muss für die Beurteilung des Fortschreitens der Myopie im klinischen Alltag. Die Identifizierung von Kindern mit einem hohen Risiko für eine Myopia magna (Familienanamnese, Umweltrisikofaktoren) muss verbessert werden, sodass die Prämyopiephase erkannt und die Therapie früh begonnen wird. Änderungen im Lebensstil sollten aktiv gefördert werden, vor allem, wenn die Auswirkungen der zunehmenden Screening-Zeit nach COVID-19 noch nicht klar sind.

The SpeedWheel (SW) test is an objective test of visual acuity (VA) using suppression of the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). Here, we established prediction intervals of the SW measures compared to Snellen acuity in adults and children.In this prospective, single center study, subjects aged at least 4 years underwent testing of VA with SW, Landolt-C, and Tumbling-E symbols (Freiburg acuity test: FrACT-C, FrACT-E). Prediction intervals were established for SW compared to FrACT-C or -E and for FrACT-E compared to FrACT-C. Mixed linear effect models were applied for statistical analysis.From 241 subjects, 471 eyes were included: median age 36 years, range 4 - 88 years, 43.6% male, 56.4% female. Eyes included were either healthy or had various underlying ophthalmic conditions. Prediction intervals for SW to estimate FrACT-C or -E acuity showed a similar range compared to the prediction interval of FrACT-C for the estimation of FrACT-E acuity. For each acuity step, there was no influence of age. Up to an SW acuity of 0.7 logMAR, 80% of the subjects had a FrACT-C acuity that was at most 1.6 logMAR lines below, and for an SW acuity of 1.0 logMAR, FrACT-C acuity was not worse than 4 logMAR lines. Prediction intervals for eyes with refractive error, cataract, visual field loss and retinal disease did not differ significantly from healthy eyes in contrast to eyes with amblyopia or multiple ophthalmic disorders. SW correlated well to FrACT tests and results of a previous study fell within our prediction estimates.Our prediction intervals for SW acuity may be used to estimate Snellen acuity (FrACT-C and -E) in the clinic in adults and children unable to cooperate in other acuity testing.Der SpeedWheel-Test (SW-Test) ästimiert die Sehschärfe mittels Suppression des optokinetischen Nystagmus (OKN). Wir erhoben Vorhersageintervalle für SW verglichen mit dem Snellen-Visus für Erwachsene und Kinder.In dieser prospektiven Studie wurde die Sehschärfe bei Probanden ab 4 Jahren mittels SW, FrACT-C, FrACT-E (Freiburg Acuity Test) erhoben. Vorhersageintervalle für den SW-Visus wurden im Vergleich zu FrACT-C und FrACT-E und für FrACT-E im Vergleich zu FrACT-C erstellt. In der statistischen Analyse kamen lineare gemischte Modelle zur Anwendung.471 Augen von 241 Probanden wurden eingeschlossen: Altersmedian 36 Jahre (4 – 88 Jahre), 43,6% männlich, 56,4% weiblich. Die Probandengruppe beinhaltete neben gesunden Augen auch solche mit vorbestehenden ophthalmologischen Erkrankungen. Die Vorhersageintervalle des SW im Vergleich zu den FrACT-Tests war vergleichbar mit dem Vorhersageintervall des FrACT-E-Tests bezogen auf den FrACT-C-Test. Für die verschiedenen Visusstufen ließ sich kein signifikanter Einfluss des Alters nachweisen. Für einen SW-Visus bis 0,7 logMAR war der FrACT-C-Visus bei 80% nicht schlechter als 1,6 logMAR-Zeilen und bei einem SW-Visus von 1,0 logMAR nicht schlechter als 4 logMAR-Zeilen. Augen mit refraktiven Fehlern, Katarakt, Gesichtsfeldeinschränkungen oder retinalen Krankheiten zeigten, im Unterschied zu Amblyopen oder Augen mit mehreren Augenkrankheiten, keinen signifikanten Unterschied zu Gesunden. SW korrelierte gut mit den FrACT-Tests. Daten einer Vorgängerstudie lagen innerhalb unserer Vorhersageintervalle.Unsere Vorhersageintervalle für SW können bei Erwachsenen und bei Kindern mit unzureichender Kooperation für einen subjektiven Sehtest helfen, um die Snellen-Sehschärfe (FrACT-C bzw. FrACT-E) zu ästimieren.

We study the evidence for a diversity of formation processes in early-type galaxies by presenting the first complete volume-limited sample of slow rotators with both integral-field kinematics from the ATLAS3D Project and high spatial resolution photometry from the Hubble Space Telescope. Analysing the nuclear surface brightness profiles of 12 newly imaged slow rotators, we classify their light profiles as core-less, and place an upper limit to the core size of ~10 pc. Considering the full magnitude and volume-limited ATLAS3D sample, we correlate the presence or lack of cores with stellar kinematics, including the proxy for the stellar angular momentum and the velocity dispersion within one half-light radius, stellar mass, stellar age, $\alpha$-element abundance, and age and metallicity gradients. More than half of the slow rotators have core-less light profiles, and they are all less massive than $10^{11}$ Msun. Core-less slow rotators show evidence for counter-rotating flattened structures, have steeper metallicity gradients, and a larger dispersion of gradient values than core slow rotators. Our results suggest that core and core-less slow rotators have different assembly processes, where the former are the relics of massive dissipation-less merging in the presence of central supermassive black holes. Formation processes of core-less slow rotators are consistent with accretion of counter-rotating gas or gas-rich mergers of special orbital configurations, which lower the final net angular momentum of stars, but support star formation. We also highlight core fast rotators as galaxies that share properties of core slow rotators and core-less slow rotators. Formation processes similar to those for core-less slow rotators can be invoked to explain the assembly of core fast rotators, with the distinction that these processes form or preserve cores.[Abridged], Comment: 25 pages, 13 figures, Figure 12 illustrates the main difference between core or core-less and slow or fast rotators; data can be obtained from the Atlas3D survey web site, see http://purl.org/atlas3d

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent inhibitors of acid secretion and are the mainstay of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Initially designed to be taken 30 min before the first daily meal, these agents are commonly used suboptimally, which adversely affects symptom relief. No study to date has assessed whether correcting dosing regimens would improve symptom control. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with persistent GERD symptoms on suboptimal omeprazole dosing experience symptomatic improvement when randomized to commonly recommended dosing regimen and to evaluate the economic impact of suboptimal PPI dosing in GERD patients. Patients with persistent heartburn symptoms ≥ 3 times per week treated with omeprazole 20 mg daily were enrolled and randomized to commonly recommended dosing or continued suboptimal dosing of omeprazole. The primary outcomes were changes in symptom, frequency, and severity, as determined using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) 4 weeks after the intervention was administered. In secondary analysis, an alternative measure of symptom load was used to infer potential costs. Sixty-four patients were enrolled. GSAS symptom, frequency, and severity scores were significantly better when dosing was optimized for overall and heartburn-specific symptoms (P

As many conjugated polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials provide substantial solar power conversion efficiencies (as high as 13%), it is important to develop a deeper understanding of how the primary repeat unit structures impact device performance. In this work, we have varied the group 14 atom (C, Si, Ge) at the center of a bithiophene fused ring to elucidate the impact of a minimal repeat unit structure change on the optical, transport, and morphological properties, which ultimately control device performance. Careful polymerization and polymer purification produced three “one-atom change” donor–acceptor conjugated alternating copolymers with similar molecular weights and dispersities. DFT calculation, absorption spectroscopy, and high-temperature solution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results indicate that poly(dithienosilole-alt-thienopyrrolodione), P(DTS-TPD), and poly(dithienogermole-alt-thienopyrrolodione), P(DTG-TPD) exhibit different rotational conformations when compared to p...

Cyclic strabismus is a rare disease of unknown origin. If untreated, it leads to manifest strabismus with the risk of amblyopia in children. Treatment is generally surgical. Here we report on three children in whom cyclic esotropia was successfully treated with one bimedial injection of 5 IU BotoxZyklisches Schielen ist eine seltene Form des Strabismus, die unbehandelt zum manifesten Schielen führt. Hier berichten wir über 3 Kinder, bei denen die Injektion von Botulinumtoxin in beide Mm. rectus medialis zu einer Heilung führte, die auch beim letzten Besuch nach 16, 11 und 8 Monaten anhielt. Somit bietet Botulinumtoxin eine minimalinvasive Therapieoption bei zyklischen Schielformen im Kindesalter.

Purpose To improve structure-function analysis in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) by including the two-global flash multifocal electroretinogram (2F–mfERG) and macular ganglion cell layer segmentation. Methods Twenty-five glaucoma patients (six pre-perimetric (PPG), 19 POAG) and 16 controls underwent 2F–mfERG, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and standard automated perimetry (SAP). For 2F–mfERG, the root mean square was calculated for the focal flash response at 15–45 ms (DC) and the global flash responses at 45–75 ms (IC1) and 75–105 ms (IC2). For OCT, macular total thickness (mT) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness were analysed. Values from the central 10° and 15° of 2F-mfERG were compared to the corresponding areas from OCT and visual field. Results Both PPG and POAG had significantly lower mfERG responses in the central 10° and 15° than the control group. Of the glaucoma patients, 30.7% (three PPG, five POAG) showed central mfERG and GCIPL reduction without a SAP defect in the central 15 degrees. Four patients had a central SAP defect associated with a reduced GCIPL without any detectable dysfunction on mfERG. MfERG DC and IC2 were larger with increased mT (p ≤ 0.02), but GCIPL only related positively to IC2 (p = 0.027). SAP sensitivity also increased with thicker mT but not with GCIPL (p

Purpose To further improve analysis of the two-flash multifocal electroretinogram (2F-mfERG) in glaucoma in regard to structure–function analysis, using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) analysis. Methods Sixty subjects [35 controls and 25 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)] underwent 2F-mfERG. Responses were analyzed with the DWT. The DWT level that could best separate POAG from controls was compared to the root-mean-square (RMS) calculations previously used in the analysis of the 2F-mfERG. In a subgroup analysis, structure–function correlation was assessed between DWT, optical coherence tomography and automated perimetry (mf103 customized pattern) for the central 15°. Results Frequency level 4 of the wavelet variance analysis (144 Hz, WVA-144) was most sensitive (p

ZusammenfassungDer Spasmus hemifacialis (SHF) ist eine häufige Erkrankung, die gekennzeichnet ist durch unwillkürliche Kontraktionen der vom Nervus facialis innervierten Muskulatur einer Gesichtshälfte. Die Symptome können tonisch oder klonisch, intermittierend oder permanent auftreten. Die Diagnosestellung erfolgt klinisch. Zur Ausschlussdiagnostik sollte eine MRT des Schädels eingesetzt werden, die einen pathologischen Nerv-Gefäß-Kontakt nachweisen und alternative Ursachen ausschließen kann. Häufig ist die Symptomatik nur gering ausgeprägt, so dass keine Therapie notwendig ist. Therapie der Wahl ist die Injektion von Botulinumtoxin zur Reduktion der pathologischen Aktivität. Die Dekompressionsoperation nach Jannetta gilt als Alternative, wird jedoch von den meisten Patienten nicht in Anspruch genommen.

To develop an understanding of the effect spin coating or blade coating have on the morphology of polymer:fullerene thin films for organic solar cells, we have investigated the morphology of poly[5-(2-hexyldecyl)-1,3-thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione-alt-5,5-(2,5-bis(3-dodecylthiophene-2-yl)-thiophene)] (P(T3-TPD)) blended with phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) using the solvent additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO). When P(T3-TPD) : PC71BM mixtures are cast with DIO, we observed a fivefold increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 1% to >5% for both spin and blade coated devices. We found the morphology and OPV performance are remarkably similar for spin and blade coated films without having to re-optimize the processing solution or coating temperature. We attribute the robust coating behavior to processing an aggregated solution of P(T3-TPD) : PC71BM. Further, in order to gain insight into how the common solvent additive DIO enhances thin film morphology, in situ UV-vis absorbance and reflection spectroscopies, coupled with thin film morphology characterization, was performed to develop a mechanistic understanding of the solidification process. In situ and static measurements revealed that DIO increases the nucleation density, reducing domain size and additionally increases the polymer crystallinity and phase purity.

A family of five electrochromic polymers (ECPs) based on 3,4-dioxythiophenes (XDOTs) (where X = ethylene (E) and propylene (Pro)) or a 3,4-diacyclic-substituted dioxythiophene (AcDOT, Ac) as main chain donors coupled in a random fashion with the sterically relaxed (i.e., low torsional energy barriers to planarity) donor–acceptor–donor unit EDOT–BTD–EDOT (EBE, BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) were synthesized using direct heteroarylation polymerization conditions. Designed as broadly light absorbing materials to improve overall contrast, ECPs were solution spray-cast into thin films, and their electrochromic properties were measured and compared against the previously reported ECP-Black (random copolymer composed of ProDOT and BTD). These new polymers exhibit enhanced integrated contrasts across the visible region (380–780 nm, Δ%Tint) larger than 45%, the highest achieved being ∼52%, a substantial improvement over ECP-Black (Δ%Tint = ∼32%). Increasing torsional strain of the main chain donor units moves the s...

Hintergrund: Es gibt keine konkreten Richtlinien fur die Anwendung von Botulinumtoxin bei Strabismus. Gemass einer Cochrane-Analyse von 2012, die nur 4 prospektive randomisierte kontrollierte Studien einschliessen konnte, bleibt der Gebrauch kontrovers. Viele retrospektive Studien beurteilen Botulinumtoxin jedoch als geeignete Alternative zur Schieloperation in gewissen Fallen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die Ergebnisse der Patienten, die an der universitaren Augenklinik Basel mit Botulinumtoxin therapiert wurden, vorgestellt. Patienten und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Datenanalyse wurden die Krankenakten der Patienten ausgewertet, die zwischen 2003 bis 2015 mit Botox® behandelt wurden und seit letzter Injektion einen Verlauf von mindestens 6 Monaten hatten. Ein erfolgreiches Resultat wurde als Abweichung von ≤ 10 Prismendioptrien mit Stereopsis bei der letzten Verlaufskontrolle definiert. Ergebnisse: 16 Patienten wurden erfasst, davon 11 Kinder und 5 Erwachsene. Der mittlere Verlauf betrug 19 Monate. Die Kinder waren alle esotrop, 9 hatten eine bleibende Winkelreduktion von im Mittel 25.5 Prismendioptrien, 6 (54.5 %) hatten ein erfolgreiches Resultat. Bei den Erwachsenen hatte nur ein Patient eine bleibende Winkelreduktion, andere profitierten von der Behandlung anderweitig: Linderung des Nystagmus (n = 1), Linderung von Kopfschmerzen bei dekompensierender Exophorie (n = 1), Wiedererlangen der Lesefahigkeit bei bilateraler Abduzensparese. Eine Ptosis trat bei nur bei den Kindern in 4 Fallen (36 %) auf, war stets transient und nicht visusbedrohend. Schlussfolgerungen: Ein bleibender Effekt von Botox® wurde vor allem bei Kindern mit Esotropie beobachtet. Es ist minimalinvasiv und kann eine Operation verhindern oder deren Dosierung verringern. Ptosisraten waren mit der Literatur vergleichbar.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a low risk of retinal toxicity which increases dramatically with a cumulative dose of >1000 g. Here we report a case of HCQ macular toxicity presentation in a young patient with a cumulative dose of 438 g. A 15-year-old female started attending annual consultations for retinal toxicity screening in our clinic after 3 years of HCQ treatment for juvenile idiopathic dermatomyositis. She had been diagnosed at age 12 and had been on hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day, cyclosporin 150 mg/day and vitamin D3 since. Screening consultations included: complete ophthalmologic examination, automated perimetry (AP, M Standard, Octopus 101, Haag-Streit), multifocal electroretinogram (VERIS 6.06™, FMSIII), optical coherence tomography (OCT, fast macular protocol, Cirrus SD-OCT, Carl Zeiss), fundus autofluorescence imaging (Spectralis OCT, Heidelberg Engineering Inc.) and color testing (Farnsworth-Panel-D-15). After 5 years of treatment, AP demonstrated reduced sensibility in only one extra-foveal point in each eye (p

Previous reports have suggested that the abrogation of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) signaling could be exploited to prevent and treat obesity and obesity-related disorders in humans. This study was designed to determine whether immunoneutralization of GIP, using a newly developed specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), would prevent the development of obesity. Specific mAb directed against the carboxy terminus of mouse GIP was identified, and its effects on the insulin response to oral and to intraperitoneal (ip) glucose and on weight gain were evaluated. Administration of mAb (30 mg/kg body wt, BW) to mice attenuated the insulin response to oral glucose by 70% and completely eliminated the response to ip glucose coadministered with human GIP. Nine-week-old C57BL/6 mice injected with GIP mAbs (60 mg·kg BW−1·wk−1) for 17 wk gained 46.5% less weight than control mice fed an identical high-fat diet ( P < 0.001). No significant differences in the quantity of food consumed were detected between the two treatment groups. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that subcutaneous, omental, and hepatic fat were 1.97-, 3.46-, and 2.15-fold, respectively, lower in mAb-treated animals than in controls. Moreover, serum insulin, leptin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides were significantly reduced, whereas the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/TC ratio was 1.25-fold higher in treated animals than in controls. These studies support the hypothesis that a reduction in GIP signaling using a GIP-neutralizing mAb might provide a useful method for the treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders.

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is a regulatory peptide expressed in the mammalian upper small intestine, and both GIP and its receptor (GIPR) are expressed in the cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain as well. While learning and memory deficits have been observed in GIPR−/− mice, the effects of peripheral GIP immunoneutralization on motor-coordination, learning, and memory have not been examined. In the present study, adult GIPR−/− mice (KO) and age-matched wild-type C57BL/6 J mice (WT) received weekly vehicle PBS injections for 12 weeks, while a third group of wild-type mice were injected weekly for 12 weeks with 30 mg/kg body weight humanized GIP-mAb (AB) to assess the possibility of long-term effects of peripheral GIP antagonism on rodent memory and behavior. All mice groups then underwent a battery of tests that evaluated motor behavior, body coordination, and memory. Performance deficits in several memory studies after 12 weeks of treatment were demonstrated in KO, but not in AB or WT mice. Body coordination performance showed no significant differences among the 3 groups. A similar short-term study (3 injections over 9 days) was also conducted and the results were similar to those from the long-term study. Thus, short-term and long-term peripheral GIP antagonism by GIP-mAb did not appear to affect learning and memory in mice, consistent with the notion that the GIP-mAb does not cross the blood brain barrier. Furthermore, our studies indicate that GIP signaling in the brain appears to involve local neurocrine pathways.

To investigate the correlation between subjective and objective visual acuity as elicited with a new computerized optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) suppression test ("SpeedWheel") in adults and school-aged children.Fifteen children (6-12 years) and 27 adults with refractive errors, amblyopia, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and thyroid-associated orbitopathy underwent testing of subjective visual acuity with E- and Landolt-C symbols (Freiburg Acuity and Contrast Test [FrACT]) and visual acuity as estimated with the SpeedWheel on an LCD screen.linear regression, Spearman correlation, and Bland-Altman plots.Mean difference against the mean was -0.01 when SpeedWheel was compared to Landolt C, but -0.15 when compared to E-symbols. Overall, SpeedWheel correlated very strongly to FrACT ("E": r = 0.85; P 0.001; Landolt-C: r = 0.81; P 0.001). This also held true in children ("E": r = 0.74; P 0.003; Landolt-C: r = 0.69; P 0.005).SpeedWheel enables estimation of visual acuity in a variety of conditions in both adults and school-aged children.

Author(s): Wolfe, RMW; Menon, AK; Fletcher, TR; Marder, SR; Reynolds, JR; Yee, SK | Abstract: Nickel ethenetetrathiolate (NiETT) polymers are promising n-type thermoelectric (TE) materials, but their insolubility requires the use of an inert polymer matrix to form films, which is detrimental to the TE performance. In this work, the use of thermal annealing as a post-treatment process simultaneously enhances the electrical conductivity from 6 ± 2 to 23 ± 3 S cm−1 and thermopower from −28 ± 3 to −74 ± 4 µV K−1 for NiETT/PVDF composite films. Spectroscopic characterization reveals that the underlying mechanism involves removal of residual solvent and volatile impurities (carbonyl sulfide and water) in the NiETT polymer backbone. Additionally, microscopic characterization reveals morphological changes caused by a densification of the film that improves chain packing. These effects result in a 25 × improvement in power factor from 0.5 to 12.5 µW m−1 K−2 for NiETT/PVDF films and provide insight into the composition of these coordination polymers that maintain their stability under ambient conditions.

The difluoromethyl group (R-CF2H) imparts desirable pharmacokinetic properties to drug molecules and is commonly targeted as a terminal functional group that is not amenable to further modification. Deprotonation of widely available Ar-CF2H starting materials to expose nucleophilic Ar-CF2- synthons represents an unexplored, yet promising route to construct benzylic Ar-CF2-R linkages. Here we show that the combination of a Bronsted superbase with a weak Lewis acid enables deprotonation of Ar-CF2H groups and capture of reactive Ar-CF2- fragments. This route provides access to isolable and reactive Ar-CF2- synthons that react with a broad array of electrophiles at room temperature. The methodology is highly general in both electrophile and difluoromethyl (hetero)arene and can be applied directly to the synthesis of benzylic difluoromethylene (Ar-CF2-R) linkages, which are useful lipophilic and metabolically resistant replacements for benzylic linkages in medicinal chemistry.