Risk Factors of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Population-Based Study: Results from SHIP-TREND-1 (Study of Health in Pomerania-TREND-1).

BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment in the elderly population in industrialized countries. The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) with its cohort SHIP-TREND was designed to investigate risk factors and clinical disorders in the general population of northeast Germany. This work focused on the first follow-up of SHIP-TREND and determined associated modifiable risk factors of AMD.

[Use of artificial intelligence in screening for diabetic retinopathy at a tertiary diabetes center].

Background: In 2018, IDx-DR was approved as a method to determine the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using artificial intelligence (AI) by the FDA.

Methods: We integrated IDx-DR into the consultation at a diabetology focus clinic and report the agreement between IDx-DR and fundoscopy as well as IDx-DR and ophthalmological image assessment and the influence of different camera systems.

Results: Adequate image quality in miosis was achieved more frequently with the Topcon camera (n = 456; NW400, Topcon Medical Systems, Oakland, NJ, USA) compared with the Zeiss camera (n = 47; Zeiss VISUCAM 500, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany).

[Schirmer's test and strip meniscometry : Comparative consideration in the diagnostics of dry eye].

Background: As one alternative to the Schirmer test, strip meniscometry has been presented as a methodology which also seems to be suitable for quantifying a lack of tear volume.

Methods: In a randomized prospective clinical study 391 eyes from 201 subjects were assigned to 3 groups according to the severity of eye surface deficiency (group 0: 225 healthy eyes, f/m = 1.25, mean age = 50.

[Static Retinal Vessel Analysis in Population-based Study SHIP-Trend].

Background: Interdisciplinary investigations of possible connections between general diseases and ophthalmological changes are difficult to perform in the clinical environment. But they are gaining in importance as a result of the age-related increase in chronic diseases. The collection of health-related parameters in the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) project allows to derive conclusions for the general population.

Penetrating chest trauma caused by a blank cartridge actuated rubber ball projectile: case presentation and ballistic investigation of an uncommon weapon type.

Recently, an increasing number of an uncommon weapon type based on a caliber 6-mm Flobert blank cartridge actuated revolver which discharges 10-mm-diameter rubber ball projectiles has been confiscated by police authorities following criminal offenses. A recent trauma case presenting with a penetrating chest injury occasioned an investigation into the basic ballistic parameters of this type of weapon. Kinetic energy E of the test projectiles was calculated between 5.

[Diabetic retinopathy--Current aspects of therapy].

Pathological changes of the small blood vessels are the main risk for diabetic retinopathy. A distinction is made between proliferative and non-proliferative processes. The diabetic macular edema can manifest itself at any stage of the diabetic retinopathy and poses a serious threat to vision and quality of life.

Modeling internal ballistics of gas combustion guns.

Potato guns are popular homemade guns which work on the principle of gas combustion. They are usually constructed for recreational rather than criminal purposes. Yet some serious injuries and fatalities due to these guns are reported.

Ballistic parameters and trauma potential of carbon dioxide-actuated arrow pistols.

Medical literature abounds with reports of injuries and fatalities caused by arrows and crossbow bolts. Crossbows are of particular forensic and traumatological interest, because their mode of construction allows for temporary mechanical storage of energy. A newly developed type of pistol (Arcus Arrowstar), which belongs to the category of air and carbon dioxide weapons, discharges arrow-shaped bolts actuated by carbon dioxide cylinders.

["Piggyback" shot: ballistic parameters of two simultaneously discharged airgun pellets].

Green and Good reported an uncommon case of homicide committed with an air rifle in 1982 (Am. J. Forensic Med.

Relationship of systemic blood pressure with ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure of glaucoma patients in telemedical home monitoring.

Background: We evaluated the relation of systemic blood pressure with intraday variations in ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in a telemedical home monitoring scenario.

Material/methods: In the project Teletonometry Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (TTMV) patients were equipped with a home monitoring system for 24-hour self-measurements of intraocular pressure and blood pressure for a period of six months. All measurements were transmitted via telephone modem to an electronic patient record.

Distribution of mean, systolic and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure in telemedical homemonitoring of glaucoma patients.

Background: To analyze the relation and distribution of mean, systolic and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in telemedical homemonitoring of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: 70 patients with POAG measured intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure at home for a period of 6 months with the Goldmann applanation self-tonometer Ocuton S and the blood pressure device boso medicus PC. Twenty-four-hour profiles were taken every 4 weeks in addition to single measurements in the morning and evening once a week.

Nail projectiles propelled by a mason's lacing cord: an experimental approach.

The recent clinical observation of two unintentional penetrating ocular and cerebral injuries due to 90-mm construction nails gave occasion to an experimental study to check the alleged trauma mechanism for plausibility. Both casualties reported that they had attached a mason's lacing cord to the masonry using a nail as anchoring when suddenly the nail was yanked from its moorings and propelled like a missile by the overstretched lacing cord. As to the best of the authors' knowledge, this mechanism of injury has not yet been reported in any of the literature; it was the aim to find an experimental approach to review the plausibility of the alleged sequence of events leading to the accidents.

Effect of different artificial tears against desiccation in cultured human epithelial cells.

Background: A large number of artificial tears is widely used to treat dry eye symptoms. To test the efficacy of these drugs independent of individual parameters in vitro models are required. As described previously, we employed a reproducible in vitro cell culture system to evaluate the desiccation protection capability of some artificial tears.

When backyard fun turns to trauma: risk assessment of blunt ballistic impact trauma due to potato cannons.

Although potato cannons are an area of great interest among internet users, they are almost completely unknown in the medical community. These simple ballistic devices are made from plastic plumbing pipes and are powered with propellant gas from aerosol cans. By combustion of the gas-oxygen mixture, a high pressure is produced which propels the potato chunks through the barrel.

Blunt Criterion trauma model for head and chest injury risk assessment of cal. 380 R and cal. 22 long blank cartridge actuated gundog retrieval devices.

Background: Blunt ballistic impact trauma is a current research topic due to the widespread use of kinetic energy munitions in law enforcement. In the civilian setting, an automatic dummy launcher has recently been identified as source of blunt impact trauma. However, there is no data on the injury risk of conventional dummy launchers.

Mind your hand during the energy crunch: Functional Outcome of Circular Saw Hand Injuries.

Background: Although injuries due to circular saws are very common all over the world, there is surprisingly little information available about their functional outcomes. As the socioeconomic impact of these injuries is immense and determined by the casualties' disability and impairment, it is the objective of this study to present data on the functional outcome, disability, and impairment of hand injuries due to electric circular saws.

Methods: Patients treated from 1999 through 2007 for circular saw-related hand injuries were contacted and asked for clinical follow-up assessment.

Noise trauma induced by a mousetrap--sound pressure level measurement of vole captive bolt devices.

While ballistic parameters of vole captive bolt devices have been reported, there is no investigation on their hazardous potential to cause noise trauma. The aim of this experimental study was to measure the sound pressure levels of vole captive bolt devices. Two different shooting devices were examined with a modular precision sound level meter on an outdoor firing range.

Proper estimation of blood loss on scene of trauma: tool or tale?

Background: Visually estimated amount of blood loss may influence decision making in the prehospital setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability and accuracy of paramedics and emergency physicians to visually estimate a volume of external blood loss and the influence of different vital signs.

Methods: In a prospective, blinded, observational design, participants were asked to visually estimate the amount of blood in six simulated trauma scenarios.

[Computer graphic display of retinal examination results. Software improving the quality of documenting fundus changes].

Purpose: Graphic documentation of retinal examination results in clinical ophthalmological practice is often depicted using pictures or in handwritten form. Popular software products used to describe changes in the fundus do not vary much from simple graphic programs that enable to insert, scale and edit basic graphic elements such as: a circle, rectangle, arrow or text. Displaying the results of retinal examinations in a unified way is difficult to achieve.

Intraocular pressure measurements with the newly reconfigured Ocuton S*TT-MV self-tonometer in comparison to Goldmann applanation tonometry in glaucoma patients.

Background: This study compared the new Ocuton S*TT-MV to the Ocuton S (former configuration) and GAT. The effect of the reconfiguration on measuring accuracy and device handling of glaucoma patients was evaluated.

Material/methods: 101 glaucoma patients performed self-measurements using the old Ocuton S and the Ocuton S*TT-MV.