Patient adherence to therapy after switch to aflibercept from bevacizumab or ranibizumab for treatment-refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Clinical trials have demonstrated that switching patients from intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) or ranibizumab (IVR) to aflibercept (IVA) for treatment-refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) can decrease the injection frequency. This study evaluated whether there was a difference in the rate of injections or nonadherent events after switching therapies.

Methods: The study comprised a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients treated for nAMD from 2010 to 2018 who received ≥3 intravitreal injections of IVB/IVR prior to switching to IVA because of treatment-refractory nAMD.

Draft Genome Sequences for a Diverse Set of Seven and Species.

is a complex genus that includes commensal and pathogenic species that pose a public health threat to humans. While the pathogenic species have been studied extensively, many commensals have limited genomic information available. Here, we present 24 draft genomes for a diverse set of 7 and species.

BMScan: using whole genome similarity to rapidly and accurately identify bacterial meningitis causing species.

Background: Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening infection that remains a public health concern. Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by the following species: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli. Here, we describe BMScan (Bacterial Meningitis Scan), a whole-genome analysis tool for the species identification of bacterial meningitis-causing and closely-related pathogens, an essential step for case management and disease surveillance.

Draft Genome Sequences for a Diverse Set of Isolates from 10 Neisseria Species.

is a diverse genus that includes commensal and pathogenic species that pose a public health threat. While the pathogenic species have been studied extensively, many of the commensals have limited genomic information available. Here, we present draft genome sequences for a diverse set of 37 isolates from 10 species.

Using eye-tracking technology for communication in Rett syndrome: perceptions of impact.

Studies have investigated the use of eye-tracking technology to assess cognition in individuals with Rett syndrome, but few have looked at this access method for communication for this group. Loss of speech, decreased hand use, and severe motor apraxia significantly impact functional communication for this population. Eye gaze is one modality that may be used successfully by individuals with Rett syndrome.

Quality of Life and Self-Determination: Youth with Chronic Health Conditions Make the Connection.

While optimizing quality of life (QOL) is a key goal of rehabilitation care, no previous study has reported on what 'QOL' means to youth with chronic health conditions. In addition, no qualitative studies have explored the relationship between QOL and self-determination (SD). Objectives of this qualitative study were to examine: what the terms 'quality of life' and 'self-determination' mean to youth with chronic conditions; the factors these youth think are linked with these concepts; the relationship they see between concepts, the types of future goals youth have and how they view the connection between their SD and these goals.

Three-year trajectories of global perceived quality of life for youth with chronic health conditions.

Purpose: Objectives of this longitudinal study were to examine 3-year trajectories of global perceived quality of life (QOL) for youth with chronic health conditions, as obtained from youth and parent reports, and to identify personal and environmental factors associated with the trajectory groups for each perspective.

Methods: Youth with various chronic conditions aged 11-17 years and one of their parents were recruited from eight children's treatment centers. Latent class growth analysis was used to investigate perceived QOL trajectories (separately for youth and parent perspectives) over a 3-year period (four data collection time points spaced 12 months apart).

Inpatient Ophthalmology Consultation for Fungemia: Prevalence of Ocular Involvement and Necessity of Funduscopic Screening.

Purpose: To determine the generalizability of recent data assessing the necessity of ophthalmic consultation for fungemic patients, we examined the prevalence, microbial profile, and treatment of fungal chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis among patients with positive fungal cultures referred for ophthalmologic consultation at a tertiary care medical center.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: All inpatient ophthalmology consultations from Wills Eye Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed and cross-referenced to a microbiologic database of positive fungal blood cultures.

Assessing the Psychometric Properties of Both a Global and a Domain-Specific Perceived Quality of Life Measure When Used with Youth Who Have Chronic Conditions.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the psychometric properties of the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) when used with youth who have chronic conditions. Baseline data from a longitudinal study examining predictors of changes in perceived quality of life (PQOL) for youth with chronic conditions were used. SLSS and BMSLSS data were collected on over 400 youth aged 11-17 using youth self-report and parent proxy-report versions.

School-based occupational therapy for children with fine motor difficulties: evaluating functional outcomes and fidelity of services.

Consultative occupational therapy services are becoming widely used in the school environment. However, few studies have evaluated the utility of and the process by which these services are delivered. This study examined whether the written communication and fine motor skills of 23 children with fine motor difficulties improved after receiving school-based occupational therapy from a program whose mandate was to deliver services according to a consultation model of service delivery.