Short-term outcomes in patients with center-involving diabetic macular edema after a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab.

Background: A significant portion of diabetic macular edema (DME) is refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. This study investigates morphological and functional outcomes to a single intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection in patients with center-involving DME (ciDME) at 4-6 weeks and compares treatment responders and non-responders based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features.

Methods: IRB approved observational, retrospective chart review of patients with ciDME, identified by ICD-10 code, who received IVB and underwent baseline and 4-6 weeks follow-up SD-OCT imaging between January 1, 2016 and January 19, 2021.

How Do Women and Men Negotiate Sex in Later Life Relationships? A Qualitative Analysis of Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Later life relationships and in particular the role of sex within them, have often been neglected in research due to assumptions of decline and sexlessness. We contribute to a growing body of work which counters these stereotypes by examining sexual scripts within the socio-cultural context of later life relationships. We analyzed open-text comments from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) collected as part of a self-completion questionnaire.

No Adverse Effects following Off-Label Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Two Deep Brain Stimulation Systems: A Case Report.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems is subject to strict guidelines in order to ensure patient safety. Criteria include limits on the number of implanted leads. Here, we describe the case of a 29-year-old patient with generalized dystonia implanted with 4 DBS electrodes and 2 implantable pulse generators, who had an off-label spinal MRI without regard for manufacturer guidance yet suffered no adverse effects.

Tofacitinib for refractory ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Purpose: To report the successful use of tofacitinib in the treatment of refractory ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP).

Observations: Two patients with ocular MMP presented with refractory disease after failure of multiple therapies. Treatment with tofacitinib led to durable control of conjunctival inflammation within 8 weeks and no apparent progression of sub-conjunctival fibrosis.

Stereotactic Radiofrequency Thalamotomy for Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review.

Pain is a common occurrence in patients with cancer, which, in some cases, is not adequately controlled with medical analgesia. Thalamotomy is a treatment option in such circumstances, but synthesis of historical evidence and thalamic stratified data are lacking. We therefore sought to systematically review evidence supporting radiofrequency thalamotomy for intractable cancer pain.

Clinicomolecular Identification of Conserved and Individualized Features of Granulomatous Uveitis.

Objective: To identify molecular features that distinguish individuals with shared clinical features of granulomatous uveitis.

Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.

Participants: Four eyes from patients with active granulomatous uveitis.

α-Gal specific-IgE prevalence and levels in Ecuador and Kenya: Relation to diet, parasites, and IgG.

Background: IgE to α-Gal is a cause of mammalian meat allergy and has been linked to tick bites in North America, Australia, and Eurasia. Reports from the developing world indicate that α-Gal sensitization is prevalent but has been little investigated.

Objective: We sought evidence for the cause(s) of α-Gal sensitization and lack of reported meat allergy among children in less developed settings in Ecuador and Kenya.

The Next Generation of Ocular Pathogen Detection.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is a powerful method for pathogen detection that combines advanced genome sequencing technology with cutting-edge bioinformatics to analyze microbial populations. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing has the potential to identify uncommon, unculturable, and even previously unidentified pathogens from a clinical isolate. Of particular interest to ophthalmology, this robust data extraction can occur from very small volume clinical samples.

How do people think about later life when making workplace pension saving decisions?

While behavioural economists posit that 'present bias' influences adults' propensity to save, we know very little about the cultural frameworks and internalised rationalities that people apply in real life contexts when making pension choices. This paper investigates how people anticipate the future when they make decisions about workplace pensions, considering whether they think about later life at all; if so, how they conceptualise it; and how these views shape their saving behaviour. These are important questions in the UK where private pension saving is essential to provide for old age, yet an estimated 12 million people do not invest enough for income adequacy in later life.

Investigation into the α-Gal Syndrome: Characteristics of 261 Children and Adults Reporting Red Meat Allergy.

Background: Red meat allergy has historically been understood as a rare disease of atopic children, but the discovery of the "α-Gal syndrome," which relates to IgE to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), has challenged that notion.

Objective: To describe the clinical and immunologic characteristics of a large group of subjects with self-reported allergy to mammalian meat.

Methods: This was an observational study of 261 children and adults (range, 5-82 years) who presented for evaluation for allergic reactions to mammalian meat.

Altered metabolic profile in patients with IgE to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose following in vivo food challenge.

Determination of metabolic changes that occur following the development of and after red meat challenge in alpha-gal allergic individuals will aid in biomarkers for patient identification and targeted therapeutic development.

Relevance of specific IgE antibody titer to the prevalence, severity, and persistence of asthma among 19-year-olds in northern Sweden.

Background: Although sensitization to indoor allergens is strongly associated with asthma, there are questions as to how this relates to asthma symptoms.

Objective: We sought to study the relevance of IgE antibodies to cat and dog allergens in an area in which (1) the climate discourages cockroach, fungal, and mite growth and (2) dander allergens are known to be present in schools and houses without animals.

Methods: IgE to 8 allergens was tested in 963 sera from a population-based study on 19-year-olds, and associations with asthma symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment were examined.

Changes in cat specific IgE and IgG antibodies with decreased cat exposure.

Background: Current understanding of the effects of reducing exposure to cat allergens is limited. It has also become clear that there are different forms of immune response to cat allergens.

Objective: To investigate changes in skin tests and cat specific IgG and IgE antibodies when students from a home with a cat move to a college dormitory.

Delayed clinical and ex vivo response to mammalian meat in patients with IgE to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose.

Background: In 2009, we reported a novel form of delayed anaphylaxis to red meat related to serum IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). Although patients were remarkably consistent in their description of a 3- to 6-hour delay between eating mammalian meat and the appearance of symptoms, this delay has not been demonstrated under observed studies.

Objectives: We sought to formally document the time course of clinical symptoms after the ingestion of mammalian meat in subjects with IgE to alpha-gal and to monitor ex vivo for the appearance of markers of an allergic reaction.

Estrogen modulation of endosome-associated toll-like receptor 8: an IFNα-independent mechanism of sex-bias in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Females of child-bearing age are more resistant to infectious disease and have an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We hypothesized that estrogen-induced gene expression could establish an immunoactivated state which would render enhanced defense against infection, but may be deleterious in autoimmune development. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we demonstrate enhanced responses with immunogen stimulation in the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2) and gene array analyses reveal toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) as an E2-responsive candidate gene.

High titers of IgE antibody to dust mite allergen and risk for wheezing among asthmatic children infected with rhinovirus.

Background: The relevance of allergic sensitization, as judged by titers of serum IgE antibodies, to the risk of an asthma exacerbation caused by rhinovirus is unclear.

Objective: We sought to examine the prevalence of rhinovirus infections in relation to the atopic status of children treated for wheezing in Costa Rica, a country with an increased asthma burden.

Methods: The children enrolled (n= 287) were 7 through 12 years old.

Relationship between red meat allergy and sensitization to gelatin and galactose-α-1,3-galactose.

Background: We have observed patients clinically allergic to red meat and meat-derived gelatin.

Objective: We describe a prospective evaluation of the clinical significance of gelatin sensitization, the predictive value of a positive test result, and an examination of the relationship between allergic reactions to red meat and sensitization to gelatin and galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal).

Methods: Adult patients evaluated in the 1997-2011 period for suspected allergy/anaphylaxis to medication, insect venom, or food were skin tested with gelatin colloid.

Adhering to behaviour change in older pre-dialysis populations--what do patients think? A qualitative study.

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with the development of serious co-morbidities. Patients with CKD are encouraged to adhere to regimens to lower this risk. This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients attempting to integrate lifestyle changes into their lives.

Galactose-α-1,3-galactose-specific IgE is associated with anaphylaxis but not asthma.

Rationale: IgE antibodies to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) are common in the southeastern United States. These antibodies, which are induced by ectoparasitic ticks, can give rise to positive skin tests or serum assays with cat extract.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between IgE antibodies to α-gal and asthma, and compare this with the relationship between asthma and IgE antibodies to Fel d 1 and other protein allergens.

The relevance of tick bites to the production of IgE antibodies to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose.

Background: In 2009, we reported a novel form of delayed anaphylaxis to red meat that is related to serum IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal). Most of these patients had tolerated meat for many years previously. The implication is that some exposure in adult life had stimulated the production of these IgE antibodies.

The NKF-NUS hemodialysis trial protocol - a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a self management intervention for hemodialysis patients.

Background: Poor adherence to treatment is common in patients on hemodialysis which may increase risk for poor clinical outcomes and mortality. Self management interventions have been shown to be effective in improving compliance in other chronic populations. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a recently developed group based self management intervention for hemodialysis patients compared to standard care.

Planning with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and tomotherapy to modulate dose across breast to reflect recurrence risk (IMPORT High trial).

Purpose: To establish planning solutions for a concomitant three-level radiation dose distribution to the breast using linear accelerator- or tomotherapy-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), for the U.K. Intensity Modulated and Partial Organ (IMPORT) High trial.