Analysis of the piezo- and pyroelectric response of PVDF foils as fast particle detectors in pulsed supersonic jets.

We report the design and performance of a new, rugged, general-purpose particle detector consisting of a stretched foil of polyvinylidene difluoride. Several detectors have been built and evaluated for applications in pulsed supersonic jet experiments where, , particle density shall be measured with high time resolution. The working principle is that a directed bunch of particles, moving in vacuum, collides with the sensitive detector area and generates an electric charge.

Intake of Blueberries, Anthocyanins, and Risk of Eye Disease in Women.

Background: Blueberries and anthocyanins, their key bioactive component, may improve eye health. However, few long-term studies have examined blueberries and anthocyanins with cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Objectives: To investigate the prospective association between blueberry and anthocyanin intake with incident cataract, total AMD, and visually significant AMD among middle-aged and older women.

Effects of Vitamin D and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation: 4-Year Findings from the VITAL Randomized Trial.

Background: The VITAL study was a nationwide, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial of vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day) and marine n-3 FAs (1 g/day) supplements. We recently reported that vitamin D supplementation with or without omega 3 fatty acids reduced autoimmune disease by 22% in the VITAL study. Objective: To investigate the effects of vitamin D3 and/or n-3 FAs on changes in systemic inflammatory biomarkers including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines over a 4-year period in the VITAL sub-cohort with in-person evaluations at the Center for Clinical Investigations (CCI) in Boston.

Efficacy of Marine ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation vs Placebo in Reducing Incidence of Dry Eye Disease in Healthy US Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Results of several small randomized clinical trials have suggested that supplements of marine ω-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in treating signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). However, randomized clinical trial data to examine whether ω-3 fatty acid supplements can prevent DED are lacking.

Objective: To evaluate whether long-term daily supplementation with marine ω-3 fatty acids prevents the development of DED.

Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report 28.

Importance: After the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) study, the beta carotene component was replaced by lutein/zeaxanthin for the development of the revised AREDS supplement. However, it is unknown if the increased risk of lung cancer observed in those assigned beta carotene persists beyond the conclusion of the AREDS2 trial and if there is a benefit of adding lutein/zeaxanthin to the original AREDS supplement that can be observed with long-term follow-up.

Objective: To assess 10-year risk of developing lung cancer and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Homocysteine Is Associated With Future Venous Thromboembolism in 2 Prospective Cohorts of Women.

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Effect of Vitamin D and ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Ancillary Study of the VITAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Observational studies suggest that higher intake or blood levels of vitamin D and marine ω-3 fatty acids may be associated with lower risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, evidence from randomized trials is limited.

Objective: To evaluate whether daily supplementation with vitamin D3, marine ω-3 fatty acids, or both prevents the development or progression of AMD.

The Association of Aspirin Use with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies: Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Report No. 20.

Purpose: To analyze the potential association between aspirin use and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Two prospective cohort studies within 2 controlled clinical trials of oral supplementation for age-related eye disease.

Participants: Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) participants 55 to 80 years of age and AREDS2 participants 50 to 85 years of age.

Genetic Correlations Between Diabetes and Glaucoma: An Analysis of Continuous and Dichotomous Phenotypes.

Purpose: A genetic correlation is the proportion of phenotypic variance between traits that is shared on a genetic basis. Here we explore genetic correlations between diabetes- and glaucoma-related traits.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Marine n-3 Fatty Acids and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.

Background: Higher intake of marine n-3 (also called omega-3) fatty acids has been associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer in several observational studies. Whether supplementation with n-3 fatty acids has such effects in general populations at usual risk for these end points is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, with a two-by-two factorial design, of vitamin D (at a dose of 2000 IU per day) and marine n-3 fatty acids (at a dose of 1 g per day) in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer among men 50 years of age or older and women 55 years of age or older in the United States.

Vitamin D Supplements and Prevention of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: It is unclear whether supplementation with vitamin D reduces the risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease, and data from randomized trials are limited.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, with a two-by-two factorial design, of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) at a dose of 2000 IU per day and marine n-3 (also called omega-3) fatty acids at a dose of 1 g per day for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease among men 50 years of age or older and women 55 years of age or older in the United States. Primary end points were invasive cancer of any type and major cardiovascular events (a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes).

Effect of Combined Treatment With Folic Acid, Vitamin B, and Vitamin B on Plasma Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Women.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether reducing plasma homocysteine concentrations with long-term, combined treatment with folic acid, vitamin B, and vitamin B alters plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Methods And Results: We conducted a blood substudy of 300 treatment-adherent participants (150 in the active treatment group, 150 in the placebo group) in the WAFACS (Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing a daily combination of folic acid (2.5 mg), vitamin B (50 mg), vitamin B (1 mg), or matching placebo, in cardiovascular disease prevention among women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Testosterone Pathway Genetic Polymorphisms in Relation to Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: An Analysis in Two Large Datasets.

Purpose: Sex hormones may be associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), although the mechanisms are unclear. We previously observed that gene variants involved with estrogen metabolism were collectively associated with POAG in women but not men; here we assessed gene variants related to testosterone metabolism collectively and POAG risk.

Methods: We used two datasets: one from the United States (3853 cases and 33,480 controls) and another from Australia (1155 cases and 1992 controls).

Effect of Combination Folic Acid, Vitamin B , and Vitamin B Supplementation on Fracture Risk in Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association of elevated plasma homocysteine levels with greater bone resorption and fracture risk. Vitamins B , B , and folic acid are cofactors in homocysteine metabolism, and supplementation with B vitamins is effective in lowering homocysteine levels in humans. However, randomized trials of supplemental B vitamins for reduction of fracture risk have been limited.

Prospective study of plasma homocysteine, its dietary determinants, and risk of age-related macular degeneration in men.

Purpose: Cross-sectional and case-control studies generally support a direct association between elevated plasma homocysteine and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but data from prospective studies are limited. We examined the prospective relation of plasma homocysteine level, its dietary determinants, and risk of AMD in a large cohort of apparently healthy male physicians.

Methods: During a mean follow-up of 11.

Effect of Baseline Nutritional Status on Long-term Multivitamin Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Physicians' Health Study II Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Long-term multivitamin use had no effect on risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Physicians' Health Study II. Baseline nutritional status may have modified the lack of effect.

Objective: To investigate effect modification by various baseline dietary factors on CVD risk in the Physicians' Health Study II.

Age at natural menopause genetic risk score in relation to age at natural menopause and primary open-angle glaucoma in a US-based sample.

Objective: Several attributes of female reproductive history, including age at natural menopause (ANM), have been related to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We assembled 18 previously reported common genetic variants that predict ANM to determine their association with ANM or POAG.

Methods: Using data from the Nurses' Health Study (7,143 women), we validated the ANM weighted genetic risk score in relation to self-reported ANM.

Assessing the Association of Mitochondrial Genetic Variation With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Using Gene-Set Analyses.

Purpose: Recent studies indicate that mitochondrial proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In this study, we examined the association between POAG and common variations in gene-encoding mitochondrial proteins.

Methods: We examined genetic data from 3430 POAG cases and 3108 controls derived from the combination of the GLAUGEN and NEIGHBOR studies.

A Common Variant in MIR182 Is Associated With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in the NEIGHBORHOOD Consortium.

Purpose: Noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. We aimed to identify common variants in miRNA coding genes (MIR) associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Using the NEIGHBORHOOD data set (3853 cases/33,480 controls with European ancestry), we first assessed the relation between 85 variants in 76 MIR genes and overall POAG.

Nuclear cataract as an early predictive factor for recalcitrant juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.

Purpose: To analyze factors predictive of having treatment-resistant uveitis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis.

Methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed with JIA-associated uveitis treated at a single tertiary referral center from October 2005 to March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. The main outcome measures were demographic characteristics, ocular comorbidity, clinical course, treatments, and baseline risk factors associated with poor response to first-line therapies.