Global Insights from Patients, Providers, and Staff on Challenges and Solutions in Managing Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Introduction: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is a global public-health concern, associated with a considerable burden to individuals, healthcare systems, and society. The objective of this study was to understand different perspectives on the challenges associated with the clinical management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, which could elucidate measures to comprehensively improve clinical care and outcomes.

Methods: A survey was carried out of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, their providers, and clinic staff in 77 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, from a diverse range of healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models.

Improving Clinical Management of Diabetic Macular Edema: Insights from a Global Survey of Patients, Healthcare Providers, and Clinic Staff.

Introduction: In contrast with patients receiving therapy for retinal disease during clinical trials, those treated in routine clinical practice experience various challenges (including administrative, clinic, social, and patient-related factors) that can often result in high patient and clinic burden, and contribute to suboptimal visual outcomes. The objective of this study was to understand the challenges associated with clinical management of diabetic macular edema from the perspectives of patients, healthcare providers, and clinic staff, and identify opportunities to improve eye care for people with diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a survey of patients with diabetic macular edema, providers, and clinic staff in 78 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, representing a diverse range of individuals, healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models.

Enhancing motor functional recovery in spinal cord injury through pharmacological inhibition of Dickkopf-1 with BHQ880 antibody.

Background: Mounting experimental evidence has underscored the remarkable role played by the Wnt family of proteins in the spinal cord functioning and therapeutic potential in spinal cord injury (SCI). We aim to provide a therapeutic prospect associated with the modulation of canonical Wnt signaling, examining the spatio-temporal expression pattern of Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) and its neutralization after SCI. We employ an intraparenchymal injection of the clinically validated Dkk1-blocking antibody, BHQ880, to elucidate its effects in SCI.

Malodour classification with low-cost flexible electronics.

Understanding body malodour in a measurable manner is essential for developing personal care products. Body malodour is the result of bodily secretion of a highly complex mixture of volatile organic compounds. Current body malodour measurement methods are manual, time consuming and costly, requiring an expert panel of assessors to assign a malodour score to each human test subject.

Silk-Elastin-like Polymers for Acute Intraparenchymal Treatment of the Traumatically Injured Spinal Cord: A First Systematic Experimental Approach.

Despite the promising potential of hydrogel-based therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury (SCI), the need for new biomaterials to design effective strategies for SCI treatment and the outstanding properties of silk-elastin-like polymers (SELP), the potential use of SELPs in SCI is currently unknown. In this context, we assessed the effects elicited by the in vivo acute intraparenchymal injection of an SELP named (EIS)-RGD6 in a clinically relevant model of SCI. After optimization of the injection system, the distribution, structure, biodegradability, and cell infiltration capacity of (EIS)-RGD6 were assessed.

Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in routine clinical practice in Latin America: the AQUILA study.

Background: AQUILA (NCT03470103) was a prospective, observational, 12-month cohort study evaluating treatment patterns, clinical effectiveness, and safety of intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in patients from Latin America with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: Treatment-naïve and previously treated (switching to IVT-AFL) patients (aged  ≥ 55 years) were enrolled from March 2018, with a primary completion date of September 2020, from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Patients received IVT-AFL in a routine clinical practice setting.

Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema in routine clinical practice in Latin America: the AQUILA study.

Background: AQUILA (NCT03470103) was a prospective, observational, 12-month cohort study to understand treatment patterns and to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in patients from Latin America with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: Treatment-naïve and previously treated (switching to IVT-AFL) patients (aged ≥ 18 years) were enrolled from March 2018, with a primary completion date of September 2020, from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. Patients received IVT-AFL in a routine clinical practice setting.

The management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: A systematic literature review of patient-reported outcomes, patient mental health and caregiver burden.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic literature review was to describe patient-reported outcomes, mental health and caregiver burden in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in Embase and MEDLINE according to pre-defined criteria.

Results: Of 856 records identified, 63 met inclusion criteria.

Characterization of Ex Vivo and In Vitro Wnt Transcriptome Induced by Spinal Cord Injury in Rat Microglial Cells.

It is well known that inflammation is crucial in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic central nervous system (CNS) injuries, and that microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) play a pivotal role in neuroinflammation. Therefore, the exploration of molecular signaling pathways that are involved in the microglia/macrophage response might help us to shed light on their eventual therapeutic modulation. Interestingly, there is growing evidence showing that the Wnt family of proteins is involved in different neuropathologies that are characterized by a dysregulated neuroinflammatory response, including spinal cord injury (SCI).

Optical coherence tomography angiography as predictor of visual outcomes in retinal vein occlusion treated with antiangiogenic therapy.

Purpose: Evaluate optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) features in retinal vein occlusions (RVO) associated with visual outcomes after anti-VEGF.

Methods: Analytical observational study performed in eyes with macular edema secondary to RVO treated with anti-VEGF, with at least 6 months of follow-up. Bradley et al.

Announcement Signals and Automatic Braking Using Virtual Balises in Railway Transport Systems.

In rail transport, various automatic protection systems are available to ensure the safe operation of trains and to facilitate automation and optimization tasks. For this purpose, a set of physical balises is used, which are placed at fixed points along the railway track. Based on the information provided by these balises, different information is displayed to the driver, and control actions are generated.

Recommendations for OCT Angiography Reporting in Retinal Vascular Disease: A Delphi Approach by International Experts.

Purpose: To develop a consensus nomenclature for reporting OCT angiography (OCTA) findings in retinal vascular disease (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion) by international experts.

Intra-Day Solar Power Forecasting Strategy for Managing Virtual Power Plants.

Solar energy penetration has been on the rise worldwide during the past decade, attracting a growing interest in solar power forecasting over short time horizons. The increasing integration of these resources without accurate power forecasts hinders the grid operation and discourages the use of this renewable resource. To overcome this problem, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) provide a solution to centralize the management of several installations to minimize the forecasting error.

Cluster Analysis of Urban Acoustic Environments on Barcelona Sensor Network Data.

As cities grow in size and number of inhabitants, continuous monitoring of the environmental impact of sound sources becomes essential for the assessment of the urban acoustic environments. This requires the use of management systems that should be fed with large amounts of data captured by acoustic sensors, mostly remote nodes that belong to a wireless acoustic sensor network. These systems help city managers to conduct data-driven analysis and propose action plans in different areas of the city, for instance, to reduce citizens' exposure to noise.

Defining Nonadherence and Nonpersistence to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapies in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance: Poor adherence or persistence to treatment can be a barrier to optimizing clinical practice (real-world) outcomes to intravitreal injection therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Currently, there is a lack of consensus on the definition and classification of adherence specific to this context.

Objective: To describe the development and validation of terminology on patient nonadherence and nonpersistence to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Smartphone Addiction and Cybercrime Victimization in the Context of Lifestyles Routine Activities and Self-Control Theories: The User's Dual Vulnerability Model of Cybercrime Victimization.

(1) Background: This paper combines lifestyle-routine activities (L-RAT) and self-control (SCT) theories along with the literature on smartphone addiction in a joint model that addresses the multiple vulnerabilities that make the smartphone user a potential victim of cybercrime. This model, which we call the dual vulnerability model of cybercrime victimization, was subjected to empirical testing on a nationally representative sample of smartphone users. (2) Methods: Data from 2837 participants from a nationally representative sample of Spanish smartphone users were modeled using Mplus causal modeling software.

Anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in the era of COVID-19: responding to different levels of epidemic pressure.

Purpose: Following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the easing of strict measures to reduce its spread has led to a resurgence of cases in many countries at both the national and local level. This article addresses how guidance for ophthalmologists on managing patients with retinal disease receiving intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during the pandemic should be adapted to the local epidemic pressure, with more or less stringent measures implemented according to the ebb and flow of the pandemic.

Methods: The Vision Academy's membership of international retinal disease experts analyzed guidance for anti-VEGF intravitreal injections during the COVID-19 pandemic and graded the recommendations according to three levels of increasing epidemic pressure.

Bioresorbable and Mechanically Optimized Nerve Guidance Conduit Based on a Naturally Derived Medium Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate and Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Blend.

Severe peripheral nerve injuries represent a large clinical problem with relevant challenges such as the development of successful synthetic scaffolds as substitutes to autologous nerve grafting. Numerous studies have reported the use of polyesters and type I collagen-based nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) to promote nerve regeneration through critical nerve defects while providing protection from external factors. However, none of the commercially available hollow bioresorbable NGCs have demonstrated superior clinical outcomes to an autologous nerve graft.

Macular and choroidal thicknesses in a healthy Hispanic population evaluated by high-definition spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Purpose: To report normal values of macular and choroidal thickness obtained from a healthy Hispanic population using Optovue (Optovue Inc, Freemont CA, USA) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Design: Observational, cross-sectional, correlation study.

Methods: A total of 290 eyes (145 healthy subjects) were included; 69% of subjects were female.

MANAGEMENT OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM TEAR DURING ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY.

Purpose: This article aims to review current evidence on the development, diagnosis, and management of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

Methods: Literature searches were performed using MEDLINE/PubMed databases (cut-off date: August 2019).

Results: Three key recommendations were made based on existing literature and clinical experience: 1) Multimodal imaging with color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, near-infrared reflectance imaging, fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography-angiography, and/or fluorescein angiography are recommended to diagnose RPE tear and assess risk factors.

Central serous chorioretinopathy imaging biomarkers.

Purpose: To identify the factors predicting the visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) through 12 months.

Methods: Patients with diagnosis of CSCR, either acute or chronic, were included in this multicentric, retrospective study. Demographic factors; systemic risk factors; central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), linear extent of ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone damage on optical coherence tomography; details of leak on fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were included as predictors of anatomical and visual outcomes.

Describing the status of reproductive ageing simply and precisely: A reproductive ageing score based on three questions and validated with hormone levels.

Objective: Most women live to experience menopause and will spend 4-8 years transitioning from fertile age to full menstrual stop. Biologically, reproductive ageing is a continuous process, but by convention, it is defined categorically as pre-, peri- and postmenopause; categories that are sometimes supported by measurements of sex hormones in blood samples. We aimed to develop and validate a new tool, a reproductive ageing score (RAS), that could give a simple and yet precise description of the status of reproductive ageing, without hormone measurements, to be used by health professionals and researchers.

UV-Casting on Methacrylated PCL for the Production of a Peripheral Nerve Implant Containing an Array of Porous Aligned Microchannels.

Peripheral nerves are basic communication structures guiding motor and sensory information from the central nervous system to receptor units. Severed peripheral nerve injuries represent a large clinical problem with relevant challenges to successful synthetic nerve repair scaffolds as substitutes to autologous nerve grafting. Numerous studies reported the use of hollow tubes made of synthetic polymers sutured between severed nerve stumps to promote nerve regeneration while providing protection for external factors, such as scar tissue formation and inflammation.