Pre-clinical methods to evaluate photic phenomena in intraocular lenses.

A new system and methodology are introduced to evaluate photic phenomena induced by different intraocular lens (IOL) technologies using a "see-through" IOL analyzer system in phakic subjects. Nineteen phakic subjects looked through the Groningen IOL Telescope type 1 (GIT1) system under different conditions. Four different IOL designs with different clinical levels of photic phenomena were evaluated by the subjects.

Pearls and Pitfalls in the Management of Vascular Anomalies.

Recent advancements in endovascular techniques have transformed the management of vascular malformations, shifting away from traditional surgical resections to less invasive methods like embolization and sclerotherapy. Vascular malformations are congenital anomalies resulting from embryonic angiogenesis failures, often misdiagnosed but manageable through a multidisciplinary approach. These malformations range from high-flow arteriovenous connections to low-flow venous, lymphatic, or mixed lesions, each requiring specific diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Moving towards an equitable future: Rethinking the use of race in pediatric densitometry.

Current guidelines from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) recommend considering race, sex, and age in calculating pediatric bone density z-scores by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). However, as patient populations become increasingly diverse, the application of these guidelines presents significant challenges, potentially leading to racial bias and systemic inequities in care. In response to growing calls for a reevaluation of race's role in clinical decision-making, we aimed to assess the readiness of front-line providers of DXA services to address these challenges.

Impact of a Bronchiolitis Clinical Pathway on Management Decisions by Preferred Language.

Background: Clinical pathways standardize healthcare utilization, but their impact on healthcare equity is poorly understood. This study aims to measure the effect of a bronchiolitis pathway on management decisions by preferred language for care.

Methods: We included all emergency department encounters for patients aged 1-12 months with bronchiolitis from 1/1/2010 to 10/31/2020.

Direct oral anticoagulants in skin surgery: a systematic review of their complications and recommendations for perioperative management.

Introduction: Many patients undergoing cutaneous surgery are prescribed at least one anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent. With the recent emergence of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), there is a deficit of knowledge regarding optimal perioperative management. This review aims to evaluate the evidence and risk surrounding management of DOACs in patients undergoing skin surgeries.

Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry in Clinical Pathways: A Framework for Evaluation.

Clinical algorithms, or "pathways," promote the delivery of medical care that is consistent and equitable. Race, ethnicity, and/or ancestry terms are sometimes included in these types of guidelines, but it is unclear if this is appropriate for clinical decision-making. At our institution, we developed and applied a structured framework to determine whether race, ethnicity, or ancestry terms identified in our clinical pathways library should be retained, modified, or removed.

An in vitro model of the macrophage-endothelial interface to characterize CAR T-cell induced cytokine storm.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a highly effective treatment for B-cell malignancies but limited in use due to clinically significant hyperinflammatory toxicities. Understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms which mediate these toxicities can help identify novel management strategies. Here we report a novel in vitro model of the macrophage-endothelial interface to study the effects of CAR T-cell-induced cytokine storm.

Evaluating dermatology education in Australia: Medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions.

Background: Despite a high frequency of dermatological general practice and emergency department presentations, including serious and potentially fatal skin conditions, evidence suggests that undergraduate dermatological education remains sparse. Given this, there exists a need to gauge dermatology-relevant knowledge and skill in our new doctors.

Methods: An online survey was completed by final-phase medical students and junior doctors from Australian medical schools.

Peripheral detection acuity for interference fringes and screen-based Gabor gratings.

This study compared on-axis and peripheral detection acuities measured with interference fringes, that bypass eye optics, and with screen-based Gabor gratings combined with an adaptive optics system. Gabor gratings are sinusoidal gratings incorporated with a Gaussian envelope that attenuate spatial frequency broadening that occur at the window edge. The magnitude of the attenuation was varied.

Defocused contrast sensitivity function in peripheral vision.

Purpose: Human peripheral detection performance is affected by optical factors such as defocus and higher order aberrations. From optical theory, we would expect defocus to produce local depressions (notches) in the contrast sensitivity function (CSF). However, such notches have not been observed in peripheral vision, and it is unknown whether human peripheral vision can detect local depressions (notches) in the CSF, such as those produced by monochromatic defocus when all monochromatic ocular aberrations are corrected.

Dominant outflow vein occlusion in the management of naturally occurring peripheral arteriovenous anomalies in cats and dogs.

Two dogs and 1 cat were referred to a tertiary veterinary center for the consultation and treatment of limb edema, variable dermal sanguineous crusting lesions, and intermittent lameness. A peripheral arteriovenous anomaly (PAA) was diagnosed via computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in each case. Arteriography enabled further evaluation of the PAA with confirmation of a dominant outflow vein.

Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin A injections in 30 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.

Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder characterised by excessive sweating due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. It can be classified as primary disease, or secondary to other causes. It has a high morbidity, and a range of treatment options.

Autofluorescence of blood and its application in biomedical and clinical research.

Autofluorescence of blood has been explored as a label free approach for detection of cell types, as well as for diagnosis and detection of infection, cancer, and other diseases. Although blood autofluorescence is used to indicate the presence of several physiological abnormalities with high sensitivity, it often lacks disease specificity due to use of a limited number of fluorophores in the detection of several abnormal conditions. In addition, the measurement of autofluorescence is sensitive to the type of sample, sample preparation, and spectroscopy method used for the measurement.

Peripheral vision and hazard detection with average phakic and pseudophakic optical errors.

The impact of peripheral optical errors induced by intraocular lenses was evaluated by simulating the average phakic and pseudophakic image qualities. An adaptive optics system was used to simulate the optical errors in 20° nasal and inferior visual field in phakic subjects. Peripheral resolution acuity, contrast sensitivity and hazard detection were evaluated.

A Rapid, High-Sensitivity SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Immunoassay to Aid Diagnosis of Acute COVID-19 at the Point of Care: A Clinical Performance Study.

Introduction: The LumiraDx severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen test, which uses a high-sensitivity, microfluidic immunoassay to detect the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2, was evaluated for diagnosing acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and children across point-of-care settings (NCT04557046).

Methods: Two paired anterior nasal swabs or two paired nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from each participant. Swabs were tested by the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 antigen test and compared with real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR; Roche cobas 6800 platform).

Transcatheter Bariatric Embolotherapy for Weight Reduction in Obesity.

Background: Obesity is well-appreciated to result in poor cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Dietary and medical weight loss strategies are frequently unsuccessful and unsustainable. Bariatric surgery is quite effective, but is reserved for the most obese patients because of the associated intraoperative/post-operative risks.

Leading synchronous virtual teaching sessions.

While there has been increasing demand for online education over the past decade, social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the transition from the physical to the virtual classroom. Staples of clinical education, such as grand rounds, noon conferences, case conferences and chalk talks, have been abruptly forced to shift into the digital world. There is an immediate need for guidance on synchronous virtual teaching, especially since health professional educators may lack familiarity with the technologies available and theories that guide their use.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with cirrhosis: a systematic review.

Background: Patients with cirrhosis have a poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Recognizing factors that affect HRQoL is key in delivering patient-centred care.

Aim: To identify factors most commonly associated with a poor HRQoL in adults with cirrhosis in a systematic review of the literature.

Embolization Techniques for Arteriovenous Malformations in Parkes-Weber Syndrome.

Background: Multiple high-flow arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the hallmark of Parkes-Weber syndrome (PWS). Surgical resection has historically shown poor outcomes with PWS. The aim of this study was to assess the management of PWS in the current era.