Fixation Location and Stability Using the MP-1 Microperimeter in Stargardt Disease: ProgStar Report No. 3.

Purpose: To determine fixation location and fixation stability in Stargardt disease (STGD1) and their association with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis within the multicenter, prospective ProgStar study.

Participants: A total of 238 patients and 440 eyes with ABCA4-related STGD1.

LINX magnetic esophageal sphincter augmentation versus Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation system (MSA) is a surgical technique with short-term evidence demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of medically refractory or chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Currently, the Nissen fundoplication is the gold-standard surgical treatment for GERD. We are the first to systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis comparing MSA to the Nissen fundoplication.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict HPV vaccination intentions of college men.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs in predicting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination behavioral intentions of vaccine-eligible college men.

Participants: Participants were unvaccinated college men aged 18-26 years attending a large public university in the southeastern United States during Spring 2015.

Methods: A nonexperimental, cross-sectional study design was employed.

Look Beyond Basic Protection: Vital Considerations in Safety Eyewear.

By offering eyewear that is best suited to workers' safety needs first, followed closely by style, employers support a stronger culture of acceptance and compliance.

Diagnosis of a mild peroxisomal phenotype with next-generation sequencing.

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBD) are caused by mutations in genes, and are typically diagnosed with biochemical testing in plasma followed by confirmatory testing. Here we report the unusual diagnostic path of a child homozygous for PEX1 p.G843D.

Heated insufflation with or without humidification for laparoscopic abdominal surgery.

Background: Intraoperative hypothermia during both open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery may be associated with adverse events. For laparoscopic abdominal surgery, the use of heated insufflation systems for establishing pneumoperitoneum has been described to prevent hypothermia. Humidification of the insufflated gas is also possible.

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on the Spectrum of Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming one of the most common causes of liver disease in the western world. The most significant risk factors are obesity and the metabolic syndrome for which bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment. However, the effects of bariatric surgery on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, specifically liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, are not well established.

North Carolina macular dystrophy (MCDR1) caused by a novel tandem duplication of the gene.

Purpose: To identify the underlying cause of disease in a large family with North Carolina macular dystrophy (NCMD).

Methods: A large four-generation family (RFS355) with an autosomal dominant form of NCMD was ascertained. Family members underwent comprehensive visual function evaluations.

Opportunities and considerations for visualising neuroimaging data on very large displays.

Neuroimaging experiments can generate impressive volumes of data and many images of the results. This is particularly true of multi-modal imaging studies that use more than one imaging technique, or when imaging is combined with other assessments. A challenge for these studies is appropriate visualisation of results in order to drive insights and guide accurate interpretations.

CLINICAL ENDPOINTS FOR THE STUDY OF GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

Purpose: To summarize the recent literature describing the application of modern technologies in the study of patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Review of the literature describing the terms and definitions used to describe GA, imaging modalities used to capture and measure GA, and the tests of visual function and functional deficits that occur in patients with GA.

Results: In this paper, we describe the evolution of the definitions used to describe GA.

Hairpin DNA-functionalized gold nanorods for mRNA detection in homogenous solution.

We report a fluorescent probe for mRNA detection. It consists of a gold nanorod (GNR) functionalized with fluorophore-labeled hairpin oligonucleotides (hpDNA) that are complementary to the mRNA of a target gene. This nanoprobe was found to be sensitive to a complementary oligonucleotide, as indicated by significant changes in both fluorescence intensity and lifetime.

Probing the Sudlow binding site with warfarin: how does gold nanocluster growth alter human serum albumin?

The search for new fluorescent molecules is vital to the advancement of molecular imaging and sensing for the benefit of medical and biological studies. One such class of new fluorescent molecule is fluorescent gold nanoclusters encapsulated in Human Serum Albumin (HSA-AuNC). In order to use this new fluorescent molecule as a sensor or fluorescent marker in biological imaging both in vitro and in vivo it is important to understand whether/how the proteins function is changed by the synthesis and presence of the gold nanoclusters inside the protein.

Long-term Follow-up of Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Intraocular Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Implants.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered via an intraocular encapsulated cell implant for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa.

Design: Long-term follow-up of a multicenter, sham-controlled study.

Methods: Thirty-six patients at 3 CNTF4 sites were randomly assigned to receive a high- or low-dose implant in 1 eye and sham surgery in the fellow eye.

Five-Year Safety and Performance Results from the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Clinical Trial.

Purpose: The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc, Sylmar, CA) was developed to restore some vision to patients blind as a result of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or outer retinal degeneration. A clinical trial was initiated in 2006 to study the long-term safety and efficacy of the Argus II System in patients with bare or no light perception resulting from end-stage RP.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial.

Intragastric Balloon for Management of Severe Obesity: a Systematic Review.

Older models of intragastric balloons (IGBs) had unacceptably high complication rates and inconsequential weight loss. With FDA approval of newer models, we aimed to systematically examine the literature regarding the efficacy of IGB therapy for obesity. A comprehensive electronic database search was completed.

Visualizing Dynamic Bitcoin Transaction Patterns.

This work presents a systemic top-down visualization of Bitcoin transaction activity to explore dynamically generated patterns of algorithmic behavior. Bitcoin dominates the cryptocurrency markets and presents researchers with a rich source of real-time transactional data. The pseudonymous yet public nature of the data presents opportunities for the discovery of human and algorithmic behavioral patterns of interest to many parties such as financial regulators, protocol designers, and security analysts.

A Case Study of Severe Esophageal Dysmotility following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Following bariatric surgery, a proportion of patients have been observed to experience reflux, dysphagia, and/or odynophagia. The etiology of this constellation of symptoms has not been systematically studied to date. This case describes a 36-year-old female with severe esophageal dysmotility following LSG.

TOWARDS A TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: Intravitreal Toxicity and Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors.

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of a single intravitreal injection of aminoguanidine and 1400W, 2 inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase, in rabbit eyes. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase has already been shown to be beneficial in various animal models of diabetic eye disease.

Methods: Groups of 4 New Zealand white rabbits were injected with balanced salt solution in the right eye and a single dose of either aminoguanidine (5, 1, 0.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Outcomes for Type 1 Diabetes after Bariatric Surgery.

Background. The utility of bariatric surgery in type 1 diabetes remains controversial. The aim of the present study is to evaluate glycemic control outcomes in obese patients with type 1 diabetes after bariatric surgery.

De novo intrachromosomal gene conversion from OPN1MW to OPN1LW in the male germline results in Blue Cone Monochromacy.

X-linked cone dysfunction disorders such as Blue Cone Monochromacy and X-linked Cone Dystrophy are characterized by complete loss (of) or reduced L- and M- cone function due to defects in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster. Here we investigated 24 affected males from 16 families with either a structurally intact gene cluster or at least one intact single (hybrid) gene but harbouring rare combinations of common SNPs in exon 3 in single or multiple OPN1LW and OPN1MW gene copies. We assessed twelve different OPN1LW/MW exon 3 haplotypes by semi-quantitative minigene splicing assay.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding in a population-based bariatric program: prospective cohort study.

Background: Bariatric surgery in Canada is primarily delivered within publicly funded specialty clinics. Previous studies have demonstrated that bariatric surgery is superior to intensive medical management for reduction of weight and obesity-related comorbidities. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in a publicly funded, population-based bariatric treatment program.

Worldwide Argus II implantation: recommendations to optimize patient outcomes.

Background: A position paper based on the collective experiences of Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System investigators to review strategies to optimize outcomes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa undergoing retinal prosthesis implantation.

Methods: Retinal surgeons, device programmers, and rehabilitation specialists from Europe, Canada, Middle East, and the United States were convened to the first international Argus II Investigator Meeting held in Ann Arbor, MI in March 2015. The recommendations from the collective experiences were collected.