Ellipsoid Spectacle Comparison of Plusoptix, Retinomax and 2WIN Autorefractors.

Background: Handheld devices can automatically give an estimate of refraction. The established method for refraction comparison using spherical equivalent (M) and J0, J45 vector transformations by Bland-Altman analysis is too complex for non-eye doctors involved with vision screening and remote vision clinics. Therefore, a simpler comparison technique was developed.

School bus accommodation-relaxing skiascopy.

Objective: Accurate estimation of hyperopia and astigmatism is challenging in delayed children. Conventional skiascopy holds rows of increasing power ± lenses vertically in front of one eye. The school bus accommodation-relaxing skiascopy (SBA-RS) design holds child-friendly, lenses +1 to +10D horizontally so that a higher power fogs the nontested eye-relaxing accommodation without cycloplegia.

Performance of a Quick Screening Version of the Nintendo 3DS PDI Check Game in Patients With Ocular Suppression.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of the PDI Check (PDI Check LLC, Anchorage, AK) near vision screening game to assess monocular acuity, stereopsis, suppression, and color.

Methods: Children and adults consented to perform the PDI Check Quick Screening game following conventional near testing of patched Rosenbaum acuity, Titmus Fly stereo, Worth 4-dot, and Ishihara color. Time to complete each test and preferred method were recorded.

Performance of the 2WIN Photoscreener With "CR" Strabismus Estimation in High-Risk Patients.

Purpose: Accurate estimation of refractive error and ocular alignment is critical for identifying amblyopia risk factors. The 2WIN photoscreener (Adaptica) uses a novel infrared-transmitting occluder wand to quickly estimate intermittent deviations.

Design: Reliability analysis.

Ergot alkaloids contribute to virulence in an insect model of invasive aspergillosis.

Neosartorya fumigata (Aspergillus fumigatus) is the most common cause of invasive aspergillosis, a frequently fatal lung disease primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals. This opportunistic fungal pathogen produces several classes of specialised metabolites including products of a branch of the ergot alkaloid pathway called fumigaclavines. The biosynthesis of the N.

Biosynthesis of the Pharmaceutically Important Fungal Ergot Alkaloid Dihydrolysergic Acid Requires a Specialized Allele of .

Ergot alkaloids are specialized fungal metabolites that are important as the bases of several pharmaceuticals. Many ergot alkaloids are derivatives of lysergic acid (LA) and have vasoconstrictive activity, whereas several dihydrolysergic acid (DHLA) derivatives are vasorelaxant. The pathway to LA is established, with the P450 monooxygenase CloA playing a key role in oxidizing its substrate agroclavine to LA.