Publications by authors named "Leroy B"

Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR, OMIM #258870) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by progressive chorioretinal degeneration and hyperornithinemia. Current therapeutic modalities potentially slow disease progression but are not successful in preventing blindness. To allow for trial development, increased knowledge of the clinical phenotype and current therapeutic outcomes is required.

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  • Excitons, which are pairs of electrons and holes held together by Coulomb forces, can form a superfluid at low temperatures due to their bosonic properties.
  • The research involves directly imaging this exciton superfluid in a specific material setup (MoSe-WSe heterostructure), demonstrating a significant level of order across the sample.
  • The study also details how variations in exciton density and temperature help construct a phase diagram, revealing that the superfluid state can persist up to 15 K, aligning well with theoretical expectations and paving the way for advancements in quantum devices and superfluid research.
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Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive inherited retinal dystrophy, characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptors, presenting as a rod-cone dystrophy. Approximately 20-30% of patients with RP also exhibit extra-ocular manifestations in the context of a syndrome. This manuscript discusses the broad spectrum of syndromes associated with RP, pathogenic mechanisms, clinical manifestations, differential diagnoses, clinical management approaches, and future perspectives.

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While biological invasions continue to threaten biodiversity, most of current assessments focus on the sole exposure to invasive alien species (IAS), without considering native species' response to the threat. Here, we address this gap by assessing vertebrates' vulnerability to biological invasions, combining measures of both (i) exposure to 304 identified IAS and (ii) realized sensitivity of 1600 native vertebrates to this threat. We used the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to identify species threatened by IAS, their distribution, and the species' range characteristics of their associated IAS.

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Rachel Carson's warning of a silent spring directed attention to unwanted side effects of pesticide application. Though her work led to policies restricting insecticide use, various insecticides currently in use affect nontarget organisms and may contribute to population declines. The insecticide tebufenozide is used to control defoliating Lepidoptera in oak forests harboring rich insect faunas.

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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical for humanity nowadays, but it can be beneficial by developing engineered systems that valorize CO into commodities, thus mimicking nature's wisdom. Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) naturally accept CO into their metabolism as a primary redox sink system in photo-heterotrophy. Dedicated use of this feature for developing sustainable processes (e.

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  • This study compares two types of transcutaneous neurostimulation (TENS) for treating chronic radicular pain: conventional high-frequency low-intensity current (c-TENS) vs. mixed current (m-TENS), which combines c-TENS with low-frequency high-intensity current.
  • Seventy-four patients with chronic neuropathic pain participated in the trial and received both treatments in a randomized order over a month; the primary outcome measured was pain level using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
  • Results showed no significant difference in pain relief between c-TENS and m-TENS, with similar tolerance levels for both, indicating that there’s no clear preference for either treatment method in managing chronic neuropathic radicular pain.
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Purpose: To design and build a new disease registry to track the natural history and outcomes of approved gene therapy in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).

Methods: A core committee of 6 members was convened to oversee the construction of the FIRB! module. A further 11 experts formed a steering committee, which discussed disease classification and variables to form minimum datasets via a consensus approach.

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  • The study aims to evaluate how functional and structural assessments can serve as endpoints in clinical trials for retinal degeneration linked to USH2A mutations.
  • Participants with specific visual capabilities underwent various eye tests over four years, focusing on understanding changes in their vision.
  • Findings indicated that certain tests were more sensitive to detecting changes, influencing the design of future clinical trials related to this condition.
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  • The paper looks at how inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are diagnosed and treated in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • They surveyed 36 centers about their practices, including how they collect patient information and provide help for low vision.
  • The results showed there are important gaps, like many centers not having a database for patients, not enough genetic counselors, and a need for better support for low-vision rehabilitation.
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This study aims to describe the ophthalmic characteristics of autosomal dominant (AD) WFS1-associated optic atrophy (AD WFS1-OA), and to explore phenotypic differences with dominant optic atrophy (DOA) caused by mutations in the OPA1-gene. WFS1-associated diseases, or 'wolframinopathies', exhibit a spectrum of ocular and systemic phenotypes, of which the autosomal recessive Wolfram syndrome has been the most extensively studied. AD mutations in WFS1 also cause various phenotypical changes including OA.

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  • - Germline mosaicism is a rare genetic mechanism that can complicate the diagnosis and counseling of autosomal recessive disorders, specifically highlighted in two families with PXE (Pseudoxanthoma elasticum) where a paternal whole-gene deletion was detected.
  • - One family demonstrated clinical issues associated with PXE, showing retinopathy in a parent who only seemed to carry one copy of the mutated gene (heterozygous), raising challenges in understanding the inheritance patterns.
  • - A review of additional cases revealed 16 more patients with gonadal mosaicism, suggesting it might be underreported, highlighting the importance of variant verification in parents and siblings of affected individuals for accurate genetic counseling and management.
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Purpose: Evaluating the presence of class 3, 4, and 5 genetic variants in inherited retinal disease (IRD) genes in patients with retinopathy of unknown origin (RUO).

Methods: Multicentric retrospective study of RUO cases diagnosed between January 2012 and February 2022. General and ophthalmologic history, complete ophthalmologic examination, antiretinal antibodies, and IRD gene panel results were analyzed in every patient.

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Atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) synthesized from the bottom-up exhibit promising electronic properties for high-performance field-effect transistors (FETs). The feasibility of fabricating FETs with GNRs (GNRFETs) has been demonstrated, with ongoing efforts aimed at further improving their performance. However, their long-term stability and reliability remain unexplored, which is as important as their performance for practical applications.

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A multi-stakeholder, patient centric approach will be critical to the design of future successful clinical trials with outcome measures relevant to the RDH12-IRD population.

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Four European Reference Networks (ERN-EYE, ERKNet, Endo-ERN, ERN-ITHACA) have teamed up to establish a consensus statement and recommendations for Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). BBS is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy with at least 26 genes identified to date. The clinical manifestations are pleiotropic, can be observed in utero and will progress with age.

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  • Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a genetic eye condition often linked to high myopia, which can lead to serious retinal issues, making understanding myopic progression crucial for potential treatments.
  • The study analyzed cases of CSNB associated with specific genetic variants in patients under 18 who had multiple eye measurements, using a mixed-effect model to track changes in myopia over time.
  • Results showed that individuals with CSNB are significantly myopic from birth and continue to experience worsening myopia as they grow, suggesting they may benefit from treatments aimed at slowing down myopia progression.
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  • This project aimed to investigate the standards of genetic testing and counseling for patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) in select European countries, focusing on expert opinions about current challenges and potential improvements in patient care.
  • A survey was distributed to professionals across ten European nations, gathering data on the prevalence of genetic testing and counseling practices.
  • Results showed that while genetic tests are common and largely funded by public health services, many IRD patients still lack adequate testing and counseling, highlighting the need for better education for healthcare providers, improved access to advanced testing, and more genetic counselors.
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The ever-increasing and expanding globalisation of trade and transport underpins the escalating global problem of biological invasions. Developing biosecurity infrastructures is crucial to anticipate and prevent the transport and introduction of invasive alien species. Still, robust and defensible forecasts of potential invaders are rare, especially for species without known invasion history.

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Background: Vision has a key role in children's neuromotor, cognitive and social development. Children with visual impairment attain developmental milestones at later stages and are at higher risk of developing psychological disorders and social withdrawn.

Aims: We performed a scoping review to summarize the mostly used instruments assessing the impact of visual impairment on quality of life, functioning and participation of children and adolescents.

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  • * Researchers studied immune cell variations in the bone marrow of 54 genetically diverse mouse strains, discovering that these variations are polygenic and linked to gene functions related to growth and balance of immune cells.
  • * They also identified an intriguing mechanism, called "cyto-trans," where genes affect immune cell types differently than expected, revealing that such genes have undergone less negative selection over time, enhancing the immune system's adaptability and evolution.
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  • Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR) is a genetic disorder that causes progressive eye degeneration and significant vision loss, highlighting the importance of understanding its clinical characteristics for future treatments.
  • A study of 19 patients showed an early onset of eye symptoms, with many requiring cataract surgery by their late twenties, and demonstrated a link between early dietary protein restriction and improved outcomes in some cases.
  • The findings stress the severe nature of GACR, including complications like severe myopia and cystoid maculopathy, underlining the need for early diagnosis to facilitate timely interventions and improve patient quality of life.
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Purpose: To investigate the anterior scleral thickness (AST) in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS).

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, including patients with a genetically confirmed clinical diagnosis of MFS and age-, gender- and axial length-matched controls. Subjects with known corneal, conjunctival or scleral pathology and a history of ocular surgery, including pars plana vitrectomy, recent contact lens use or high-grade astigmatism were excluded.

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