Incidence, progression and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in 35-95-year-old individuals from three jointly designed German cohort studies.

Objective: To estimate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) incidence/progression across a wide age range.

Methods And Analysis: AMD at baseline and follow-up (colour fundus imaging, Three Continent AMD Consortium Severity Scale, 3CACSS, clinical classification, CC) was assessed for 1513 individuals aged 35-95 years at baseline from three jointly designed population-based cohorts in Germany: Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg (KORA-Fit, KORA-FF4) and Altersbezogene Untersuchungen zur Gesundheit der Universität Regensburg (AugUR) with 18-year, 14-year or 3-year follow-up, respectively. Baseline assessment included lifestyle, metabolic and genetic markers.

Testing a Model of Sexual Minority Orientation in Individuals with Typical Development, the Broad Autism Phenotype, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) are more likely than individuals with typical development (TD) to report a sexual minority orientation (e.g., Bejerot and Eriksson, PLoS ONE 9:1-9, 2014; DeWinter et al.

Heart Rate-based Lactate Minimum Test in Running and Cycling.

The heart rate-based lactate minimum test is a highly reproducible exercise test. However, the relation between lactate minimum determined by this test and maximal lactate steady state in running and cycling is still unclear. Twelve endurance-trained men performed this test in running and cycling.

Osteoporosis in the lower extremities in chronic spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and sex on bone densitometry parameters of the hip, femoral neck, tibial epiphysis, and diaphysis and on long bone fractures.

Setting: SCI rehabilitation center.

Outcomes of an emotion regulation intervention group in young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals on the autism spectrum experience difficulties in social relationships and emotion regulation. The aim of the present exploratory research study was to develop and explore the effectiveness of a manualized emotion regulation group intervention for autistic adults to improve emotion regulation and social communication. The group participants included seven young adults (age > 18 years) on the autism spectrum.

Sexuality in the Autism Spectrum Study (SASS): Reports from Young Adults and Parents.

Previous research indicates that although those with ASD desire sexual relationships, they may not effectively engage in romantic and intimate interactions. The purpose of this study was to compare reports from young adults with ASD and parents from the same families on the young adult's sexual behavior, experiences, knowledge, and communication. 100 young adults (18-30 years) and parents completed an online survey.

Life After an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: A Comparison of Stress and Coping Profiles of African American and Euro-American Caregivers.

The purpose of the present study was to understand how caregiver stress and coping behaviors impact African American and Euro-American families differently when caring for a child with autism. This study used discriminate function analysis to contrast the stress and coping profiles of Euro-American caregivers who are more acculturated with the majority culture with African American caregivers who ascribe to more traditional values. A sample of 103 families was recruited (52 Euro-American, 51 African American).

Clinical considerations for the inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in clinical trials.

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased considerably over the past 20 years. Because of this rise and the inherent complexity of ASD, there is a need for an increased number of scientifically valid basic and clinical research studies addressing this disorder. This manuscript serves as an introduction to the clinical presentation of ASD as well as the unique challenges and modifications required to conduct clinical research with this population.

Autism spectrum disorder in Latin American families: Experiences in Chile.

Introduction: The present study provides pilot data investigating relationships between severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, community supports, and other family variables as reported by caregivers of children with ASD in Chile.

Method: An anonymous caregiver survey was developed based on previous ASD survey studies conducted in the United States and direct input from collaborators residing in Chile. Participants included Chilean caregivers of individuals with ASD (N = 50; M = 6.

Broad Autism Phenotypic Traits and the Relationship to Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior.

Individuals with higher levels of the broad autism phenotype (BAP) have some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Like individuals with ASD, people with higher-BAP may have fewer sexual experiences and may experience more same-sex attraction. This study measured BAP traits, sexual experiences, and sexual orientation in typically developing (TD) individuals to see if patterns of sexual behavior and sexual orientation in higher-BAP resemble those in ASD.

Treatment of optic neuritis with erythropoietin (TONE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial-study protocol.

Introduction: Optic neuritis leads to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells whose axons form the optic nerve. The standard treatment is a methylprednisolone pulse therapy. This treatment slightly shortens the time of recovery but does not prevent neurodegeneration and persistent visual impairment.

SLO-Microperimetry in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration During Anti-VEGF Therapy.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the morphological and functional outcome of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) during antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy with bevacizumab using SLO microperimetry (SLO-MP) with eye tracking.

Patients And Methods: First, reproducibility was tested over the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 21 eyes of 19 patients with wet AMD. Second, 21 eyes of 19 patients with active CNV were studied longitudinally during bevacizumab therapy.

A trial of d-cycloserine to treat the social deficit in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders are difficult for older adolescents and young adults as impaired social communication affects the transition to adult life. d-Cycloserine, a partial glycine agonist at the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor, was tested in a double-blind randomized trial in 20 older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders using two dosing strategies (50 mg daily versus 50 mg weekly) for 8 weeks with a 2-week follow-up after discontinuation. d-Cycloserine caused statistically and clinically significant improvement with no differentiation between dosing strategies on the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist before and after d-cycloserine administration.

A trial of D-cycloserine to treat stereotypies in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have core impairments in social communication as well as the presence of repetitive, stereotypic behaviors and restricted interests. Older adolescents and young adults are particularly impacted by these deficits. Preclinical data implicate glutamatergic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ASDs.

Restoration of retinal layers after epiretinal membrane peeling.

Purpose: To evaluate the morphologic restoration of retinal anatomy after surgery for epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Correlation of retinal structure with visual outcome.

Design: Retrospective consecutive case series.

Accuracy of the Heidelberg Spectralis in the alignment between near-infrared image and tomographic scan in a model eye: a multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate temporal changes and predictors of accuracy in the alignment between simultaneous near-infrared image and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan on the Heidelberg Spectralis using a model eye.

Design: Laboratory investigation.

Methods: After calibrating the device, 6 sites performed weekly testing of the alignment for 12 weeks using a model eye.

Hydrosilylated porous silicon particles function as an intravitreal drug delivery system for daunorubicin.

Purpose: To evaluate in vivo ocular safety of an intravitreal hydrosilylated porous silicon (pSi) drug delivery system along with the payload of daunorubicin (DNR).

Methods: pSi microparticles were prepared from the electrochemical etching of highly doped, p-type Si wafers and an organic linker was attached to the Si-H terminated inner surface of the particles by thermal hydrosilylation of undecylenic acid. DNR was bound to the carboxy terminus of the linker as a drug-loading strategy.

A novel cytarabine crystalline lipid prodrug: hexadecyloxypropyl cytarabine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to synthesize and characterize two types of cytarabine (Ara-C) lipid produgs and evaluate the prodrugs for sustained intraocular delivery after administration by intravitreal injection.

Methods: Hexadecyloxypropyl cytarabine 5'-monophosphate (HDP-P-Ara-C) and hexadecyloxypropyl cytarabine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (HDP-cP-Ara-C) were synthesized starting from cytarabine (1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine). Their vitreal clearance profile was simulated using a custom dissolution chamber, in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using cell proliferation assays, and in vivo ocular properties in rat and rabbit eyes were assessed using biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, electroretinography, and histology.

Effect of change in drusen evolution on photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction.

Purpose: To evaluate the integrity of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction after change of drusen size in age-related macular degeneration using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods: Drusen volume raster scans were performed with the Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering) through 2,624 drusen in 14 eyes with clinically dry age-related macular degeneration, which had been longitudinally followed-up between 23 and 28 months without intervention (mean, 26.3 months).

Retinal adherence and fibrillary surface changes correlate with surgical difficulty of epiretinal membrane removal.

Purpose: To correlate surgical difficulty of epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal with characteristics of ERM adherence seen by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Design: Prospective observational case series.

Methods: Surgical difficulty was correlated with extent of ERM adherence by SD-OCT using masked observers in consecutive eyes undergoing ERM removal (N=31).

Intraocular safety and pharmacokinetics of hexadecyloxypropyl-cidofovir (HDP-CDV) as a long-lasting intravitreal antiviral drug.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular safety and pharmacokinetics of hexadecyloxypropyl-cidofovir (HDP-CDV), the hydrolysis product of HDP-cyclic-CDV, a long-lasting intravitreal cidofovir prodrug for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

Methods: HDP-cyclic-CDV was suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37°C and formation of HDP-CDV was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for 30 weeks. The safety and pharmacokinetics of HDP-CDV intravitreal injections were studied using New Zealand Red rabbits and (14)C labeled HDP-CDV.

The microperimetry of resolved cotton-wool spots in eyes of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Background: Retinal cotton-wool spots (CWSs) are an important manifestation of retinovascular disease in hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Conventional automated perimetry data have suggested relative scotomas in resolved CWSs; however, this has not been well delineated using microperimetry. This study evaluates the retinal sensitivity in documented resolved CWSs using microperimetry.

Primary intraocular lymphoma: a review.

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare, non-Hodgkin lymphoma considered to be a subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma. We describe a 65-year-old woman who presented to the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, who was diagnosed with bilateral PIOL without systemic disease. She enjoyed a 16-month remission but ultimately recurred in the brain.

Scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging stabilized microperimetry in dry age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To determine the effect of drusen and geographic atrophy (GA) in dry age-related macular degeneration on retinal sensitivity using an eye tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope microperimetry.

Methods: A total of 44 eyes from 22 patients with dry age-related macular degeneration and drusen and 11 patients with GA were imaged with scanning laser ophthalmoscope microperimetry (OPKO Health, Miami, FL). A custom microperimetry pattern was used to evaluate retinal sensitivity to a Goldmann III size target (108 μm on the retina).

Clinical evaluation and treatment accuracy in diabetic macular edema using navigated laser photocoagulator NAVILAS.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical use and accuracy of a new retinal navigating laser technology that integrates a scanning slit fundus camera system with fluorescein angiography (FA), color, red-free, and infrared imaging capabilities with a computer steerable therapeutic 532-nm laser.

Design: Interventional case series.

Participants: Eighty-six eyes of 61 patients with diabetic retinopathy and macular edema treated by NAVILAS.