Associations between dementia and exposure to topical glaucoma medications.

Background: Some studies have suggested that glaucoma may be associated with neurodegeneration and a higher risk of dementia.

Objective: To evaluate whether exposure to different categories of topical glaucoma medications is associated with differential dementia risks in people with glaucoma.

Methods: We used data from Adult Changes in Thought, a population-based, prospective cohort study that follows cognitively normal older adults from Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA) until Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia development.

In vivo imaging of mitochondrial function in normal, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma eyes.

To investigate macula and optic nerve head (ONH) mitochondrial metabolic activity using flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) in normal, glaucoma suspect (GS), and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes we performed a cross-sectional, observational study of FPF in normal, GS, and OAG eyes. The macula and ONH of each eye was scanned and analyzed with a commercially available FPF measuring device (OcuMet Beacon, OcuSciences Inc., Ann Arbor, MI).

Under Pressure: Emotional Reactions to Stress of Neurosurgeons and Neurosurgical Trainees.

Objective: Neurosurgeons demonstrate some of the highest levels of burnout among surgeons, yet little research has been done to understand the underlying stressors that neurosurgeons and trainees experience and the emotional responses to them. Our goal was to conduct a feasibility study identifying job stressors and emotional responses among neurosurgeons rather than generalize findings across the profession.

Methods: Emphasizing a qualitative approach in this feasibility and descriptive study, we strategically selected a small sample of neurosurgical attendings, residents, and fellows at 2 United States academic neurosurgical departments to ensure an in-depth analysis laying the groundwork for future extensive research.

A Retrospective Comparison of Phaco-tube vs. Phaco-trabeculectomy in Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose: To compare surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with Baerveldt implantation (phaco-tube) or trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C (MMC) (phaco-trab) in patients without prior incisional ocular surgery.

Design: Single-center, retrospective, comparative case series.

Participants: A total of 90 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 45 patients in the phaco-tube group and 45 patients in the phaco-trab group.

Social Vulnerability, COVID-19, Racial Violence, and Depressive Symptoms: a Cross-sectional Study in the Southern United States.

Background: In March 2020, the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic. In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered, catalyzing a national racial reckoning. In the Southern United States, these events occurred in the context of a history of racism and high rates of poverty and discrimination, especially among racially and ethnically minoritized populations.

Family Strengthening in the Context of COVID-19: Adapting a Community-Based Intervention from Kenya to the United States.

COVID-19 led to widespread disruption of services that promote family well-being. Families impacted most were those already experiencing disparities due to structural and systemic barriers. Existing support systems faded into the background as families became more isolated.

Genetic Variation Among Geographically Disparate Isolates of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma in the Contiguous United States.

Aster Yellows phytoplasma (AYp; Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris) is associated with diseases of herbaceous plants, including ornamentals and important commercial vegetable and grain crops. The aster leafhopper (ALH; Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes) is the predominant vector of these bacteria, though other leafhopper species can acquire and transmit AYp. Potentially inoculative leafhoppers are reported to overwinter in the southern United States and migrate to northern latitudes in the spring.

Resolution of pain with periocular injections in a patient with a 7-year history of chronic ocular pain.

Purpose: We report a case of a male patient with chronic ocular pain that resolved completely following peripheral nerve blocks.

Observations: A 66-year-old male presented with a seven-year history of severe left eye pain and photophobia. The pain began after retinal detachment repair with scleral buckle placement.

Monthly Versus Treat-and-Extend Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Prospective, Randomized Trial.

Background And Objective: Compare fixed monthly dosing of ranibizumab to treat-and-extend (T&E) ranibizumab during a period of 24 months for diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment.

Patients And Methods: Single-center, randomized, prospective pilot study that included 20 eyes of 20 subjects. Patients' best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was less than or equal to 20/40 and central foveal thickness on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was greater than 325 µm.

Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation: A Comparison of Slow Coagulation and Standard Coagulation Techniques.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of standard pop-titrated transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) and slow-coagulation TSCPC in the treatment of glaucoma.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Subjects: This study included 78 eyes with glaucoma of any type or stage that underwent TSCPC as part of their treatment course.

Anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: reducing anterior tibial subluxation.

Purpose: To measure and compare the amount of anterior tibial subluxation (ATS) after anatomic ACL reconstruction for both acute and chronic ACL-deficient patients.

Methods: Fifty-two patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated after primary, unilateral, anatomic ACL reconstruction. Post-operative true lateral radiographs were obtained of both knees with the patient in supine position and knees in full passive extension with heels on a standardized bolster.

Is glutamine deficiency the link between inflammation, malnutrition, and fatigue in cancer patients?

Purpose: Evaluation of potential associations between plasma glutamine levels and the incidence of cancer related fatigue, physical performance, poor nutritional status, and inflammation in patients with solid tumors.

Study Design: Mono-center cross-sectional study recruiting 100 (34 women) consecutive patients (September 2009-March 2011; ≥18 y) with solid tumors and causal tumor therapy.

Methodology: Fasting venous blood was harvested for routine clinical chemistry, amino acid (HPLC) and inflammation marker analyses.

Gemcitabine plus sorafenib versus gemcitabine alone in advanced biliary tract cancer: a double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre phase II AIO study with biomarker and serum programme.

Background: Since sorafenib has shown activity in different tumour types and gemcitabine regimens improved the outcome for biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients, we evaluated first-line gemcitabine plus sorafenib in a double-blind phase II study.

Patients And Methods: 102 unresectable or metastatic BTC patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of gallbladder or intrahepatic bile ducts, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2 were randomised to gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 once weekly, first 7-weeks+1-week rest followed by once 3-weeks+1-week rest) plus sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or placebo. Treatment continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Oncogenic KRAS regulates BMP4 expression in colon cancer cell lines.

Activating mutations in the KRAS oncogene are common in colorectal cancer. However, the complete spectrum of KRAS targets that mediate its tumorigenic effect has not yet been fully delineated. We identified bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4), a transforming growth factor-β family member that regulates development and tissue homeostasis, as a new target of KRAS.

Integrated array of 2-μm antimonide-based single-photon counting devices.

A 32x32 Sb-based Geiger-mode (GM) avalanche photodiode array, operating at 2 μm with three-dimensional imaging capability, is presented. The array is interfaced with a ROIC (readout integrated circuit) in which each pixel can detect a photon and record the arrival time. The hybridized unit for the 1000-element focal plane array, when operated at 77K with 1 V overbias range, shows an average dark count rate of 1.

Hoxc6 is overexpressed in gastrointestinal carcinoids and interacts with JunD to regulate tumor growth.

Background & Aims: The molecular alterations that underlie carcinoid tumor pathogenesis remain poorly defined. The homeobox gene HOXC6 was highly up-regulated in human gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors, and we sought to define its pathogenic role.

Methods: The functional and physical properties of Hoxc6 were investigated by establishing carcinoid cells that stably overexpressed Hoxc6 or were deficient in Hoxc6.

Defining molecular classifications and targets in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors through DNA microarray analysis.

Current classifications of human gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are inconsistent and based upon histopathologic but not molecular features. We sought to compare a molecular classification with the World Health Organization (WHO) histologic classification, identify genes that may be important for tumor progression, and determine whether gastrointestinal NETs (GI-NETs) differ in their molecular profile from pancreatic NETs (PNETs). DNA microarray analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in PNETs and GI-NETs.

Molecular genetics of neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors can develop either sporadically or in association with familial syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) or von Hippel-Lindau (VHL). A variety of genetic approaches has been utilized to dissect the underlying molecular pathogenesis of these distinctive tumors, including genome-wide screens such as comparative genomic hybridization, loss of heterozygosity and DNA microarray analysis as well as targeted investigations into specific tumor suppressor gene and oncogene candidates. The identification of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene that underlies the MEN1 syndrome has provided important new insights into tumor pathogenesis.

Hypoxic regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor through the induction of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Rho/ROCK and c-Myc.

The induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential feature of tumor angiogenesis. Hypoxia is a potent stimulator of VEGF expression, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is considered to be critical for this induction. However, we have previously demonstrated that induction of VEGF by hypoxia was preserved when HIF-1alpha was silenced.

Wnt signaling can repress thrombospondin-1 expression in colonic tumorigenesis.

The induction of new blood vessels is critical to the pathogenesis of colon cancer, and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has proven to be an effective approach to the treatment of this malignancy. Another potential therapeutic strategy would utilize endogenous anti-angiogenic molecules such as thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). However, the regulation of TSP-1 expression in colon cancer is poorly understood.

Induction of interleukin-8 preserves the angiogenic response in HIF-1alpha-deficient colon cancer cells.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is considered a crucial mediator of the cellular response to hypoxia through its regulation of genes that control angiogenesis. It represents an attractive therapeutic target in colon cancer, one of the few tumor types that shows a clinical response to antiangiogenic therapy. But it is unclear whether inhibition of HIF-1 alone is sufficient to block tumor angiogenesis.

Comprehensive allelotype and genetic anaysis of 466 human nervous system tumors.

Brain tumors pose a particular challenge to molecular oncology. Many different tumor entities develop in the nervous system and some of them appear to follow distinct pathogenic routes. Molecular genetic alterations have increasingly been reported in nervous system neoplasms.