Ocular involvement of oak processionary caterpillar hairs: Clinical outcome up to one year.

Purpose: To evaluate a consecutive series of patients that presented with ocular findings after contact with the oak processionary caterpillar (OPC) during an epidemic reproduction of the OPC in Germany in 2019 and to assess the 1-year outcome of those eyes with persisting OPC hairs in the cornea.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 11 eyes (11 patients) that presented in June/July 2019 with acute ocular symptoms after outdoor activity or caterpillar nest removal. Evaluation of patients charts and slit-lamp images up to one year.

The activity of therapeutic molecular cluster Ag5 is dependent on oxygen level and HIF-1 mediated signalling.

Regions of hypoxia occur in most solid tumours and are known to significantly impact therapy response and patient prognosis. Ag5 is a recently reported silver molecular cluster which inhibits both glutathione and thioredoxin signalling therefore limiting cellular antioxidant capacity. Ag5 treatment significantly reduces cell viability in a range of cancer cell lines with little to no impact on non-transformed cells.

Introduction to Large Language Models (LLMs) for dementia care and research.

Introduction: Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive abilities including memory, reasoning, and communication skills, leading to gradual decline in daily activities and social engagement. In light of the recent advent of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, this paper aims to thoroughly analyse their potential applications and usefulness in dementia care and research.

Method: To this end, we offer an introduction into LLMs, outlining the key features, capabilities, limitations, potential risks, and practical considerations for deployment as easy-to-use software (e.

Defined exposure of honey bee colonies to simulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF): Negative effects on the homing ability, but not on brood development or longevity.

Urbanization and the increasing use of wireless technologies lead to higher emission rates of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in populated areas. This anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation is a form of environmental pollution and a potential stressor on bees or other flying insects. Cities often have a high density of wireless devices operating on microwave frequencies, which generate electromagnetic frequencies e.

Targeted memory reactivation in human REM sleep elicits detectable reactivation.

It is now well established that memories can reactivate during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, but the question of whether equivalent reactivation can be detected in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is hotly debated. To examine this, we used a technique called targeted memory reactivation (TMR) in which sounds are paired with learned material in wake, and then re-presented in subsequent sleep, in this case REM, to trigger reactivation. We then used machine learning classifiers to identify reactivation of task-related motor imagery from wake in REM sleep.

Submacular Hemorrhages Show No Significant Seasonal Variations in a European Cohort.

The aim of the article is to investigate the seasonality of acute submacular hemorrhages (SMHs) in a European population and analyze the influence of the seasons, arterial hypertension, and intake of anticoagulatory/antiplatelet (AC/AP) medication on hemorrhage size. This retrospective, monocentric study included 164 eyes of 164 patients treated for acute SMH at the University Hospital Münster, Germany, between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021. Data on the day of occurrence, hemorrhage size, and general patient characteristics were recorded.

A Skewed Loss Function for Correcting Predictive Bias in Brain Age Prediction.

In neuroimaging, the difference between predicted brain age and chronological age, known as brain age delta, has shown its potential as a biomarker related to various pathological phenotypes. There is a frequently observed bias when estimating brain age delta using regression models. This bias manifests as an overestimation of brain age for young participants and an underestimation of brain age for older participants.

Discriminating Healthy Optic Discs and Visible Optic Disc Drusen on Fundus Autofluorescence and Color Fundus Photography Using Deep Learning-A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to use deep learning based on a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for automated image classification of healthy optic discs (OD) and visible optic disc drusen (ODD) on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and color fundus photography (CFP). In this study, a total of 400 FAF and CFP images of patients with ODD and healthy controls were used. A pre-trained multi-layer Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) was trained and validated independently on FAF and CFP images.

Targeting targeted memory reactivation: Characteristics of cued reactivation in sleep.

Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) is a technique in which sensory cues associated with memories during wake are used to trigger memory reactivation during subsequent sleep. The characteristics of such cued reactivation, and the optimal placement of TMR cues, remain to be determined. We built an EEG classification pipeline that discriminated reactivation of right- and left-handed movements and found that cues which fall on the up-going transition of the slow oscillation (SO) are more likely to elicit a classifiable reactivation.

Towards an objective evaluation of EEG/MEG source estimation methods - The linear approach.

The spatial resolution of EEG/MEG source estimates, often described in terms of source leakage in the context of the inverse problem, poses constraints on the inferences that can be drawn from EEG/MEG source estimation results. Software packages for EEG/MEG data analysis offer a large choice of source estimation methods but few tools to experimental researchers for methods evaluation and comparison. Here, we describe a framework and tools for objective and intuitive resolution analysis of EEG/MEG source estimation based on linear systems analysis, and apply those to the most widely used distributed source estimation methods such as L2-minimum-norm estimation (L2-MNE) and linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformers.

Quality assessment of anatomical MRI images from generative adversarial networks: Human assessment and image quality metrics.

Background: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can synthesize brain images from image or noise input. So far, the gold standard for assessing the quality of the generated images has been human expert ratings. However, due to limitations of human assessment in terms of cost, scalability, and the limited sensitivity of the human eye to more subtle statistical relationships, a more automated approach towards evaluating GANs is required.

Ongoing neural oscillations predict the post-stimulus outcome of closed loop auditory stimulation during slow-wave sleep.

Large slow oscillations (SO, 0.5-2 Hz) characterise slow-wave sleep and are crucial to memory consolidation and other physiological functions. Manipulating slow oscillations may enhance sleep and memory, as well as benefitting the immune system.

Optimizing intraocular lens power calculation using adjusted conventional keratometry for cataract surgery combined with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using adjusted conventional keratometry (K) according to postoperative posterior to preoperative anterior corneal curvature radii (PPPA) ratio for eyes with Fuch's dystrophy undergoing cataract surgery combined with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (triple DMEK).

Methods: A fictitious refractive index (FRI) was determined (Pentacam HR®) based on the PPPA ratio in 50 eyes undergoing triple DMEK. Adjusted corneal power was calculated in every eye using adjusted K values: K values determined by the IOLMaster were converted to adjusted anterior corneal radius using the mean FRI.

Rigid motion-resolved prediction using deep learning for real-time parallel-transmission pulse design.

Purpose: Tailored parallel-transmit (pTx) pulses produce uniform excitation profiles at 7 T, but are sensitive to head motion. A potential solution is real-time pulse redesign. A deep learning framework is proposed to estimate pTx distributions following within-slice motion, which can then be used for tailored pTx pulse redesign.

Text Mining of Adverse Events in Clinical Trials: Deep Learning Approach.

Background: Pharmacovigilance and safety reporting, which involve processes for monitoring the use of medicines in clinical trials, play a critical role in the identification of previously unrecognized adverse events or changes in the patterns of adverse events.

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of automating the coding of adverse events described in the narrative section of the serious adverse event report forms to enable statistical analysis of the aforementioned patterns.

Methods: We used the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) as the coding scheme, which integrates 217 source vocabularies, thus enabling coding against other relevant terminologies such as the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision, Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities, and Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine).

The hippocampus as the switchboard between perception and memory.

Adaptive memory recall requires a rapid and flexible switch from external perceptual reminders to internal mnemonic representations. However, owing to the limited temporal or spatial resolution of brain imaging modalities used in isolation, the hippocampal-cortical dynamics supporting this process remain unknown. We thus employed an object-scene cued recall paradigm across two studies, including intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) and high-density scalp EEG.

Local infiltration analgesia with bupivacaine and adrenaline does not reduce perioperative blood loss in total hip arthroplasty.

This study evaluates the effect of local infiltration analgesia with bupivacaine and adrenaline on perioperative blood loss in total hip arthroplasty. Patients who had primary total hip arthroplasty were retrospectively assigned to two groups. One group had 100 ml of bupivacaine/adrenaline solution injected into periarticular soft tissues at the end of the procedure.

CILIORETINAL ARTERIES INFLUENCE OPTIC NERVE HEAD, PERIPAPILLARY, AND MACULAR VESSEL DENSITIES IN HEALTHY EYES: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Background/purpose: To analyze the influence of a cilioretinal artery (CRA) on macular and peripapillary vessel density in healthy eyes as measured using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods: A total of 83 eyes of 83 patients were included in this study. Optical coherence tomography angiography was performed using the RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue (Optovue Inc).

Combining AFM13, a Bispecific CD30/CD16 Antibody, with Cytokine-Activated Blood and Cord Blood-Derived NK Cells Facilitates CAR-like Responses Against CD30 Malignancies.

Purpose: Natural killer (NK)-cell recognition and function against NK-resistant cancers remain substantial barriers to the broad application of NK-cell immunotherapy. Potential solutions include bispecific engagers that target NK-cell activity via an NK-activating receptor when simultaneously targeting a tumor-specific antigen, as well as enhancing functionality using IL12/15/18 cytokine pre-activation.

Experimental Design: We assessed single-cell NK-cell responses stimulated by the tetravalent bispecific antibody AFM13 that binds CD30 on leukemia/lymphoma targets and CD16A on various types of NK cells using mass cytometry and cytotoxicity assays.

[Diagnostics of diseases of the optic nerve head in times of artificial intelligence and big data].

Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) interesting for automated image segmentation, analysis and classification, among others and has already been described for various fields of ophthalmology.

Objective: This manuscript provides an overview of current approaches and advances in the application of big data and AI in various diseases of the optic nerve head.

Material And Methods: A PubMed search was performed.

Correlation Constraints for Regression Models: Controlling Bias in Brain Age Prediction.

In neuroimaging, the difference between chronological age and predicted brain age, also known as , has been proposed as a pathology marker linked to a range of phenotypes. Brain age delta is estimated using regression, which involves a frequently observed bias due to a negative correlation between chronological age and brain age delta. In brain age prediction models, this correlation can manifest as an overprediction of the age of young brains and an underprediction for elderly ones.

Assessing the validity of corneal power estimation using conventional keratometry for intraocular lens power calculation in eyes with Fuch's dystrophy undergoing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: The present retrospective study was designed to test the hypothesis that the postoperative posterior to preoperative anterior corneal curvature radii (PPPA) ratio in eyes with Fuch's dystrophy undergoing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is significantly different to the posterior to anterior corneal curvature radii (PA) ratio in virgin eyes and therefore renders conventional keratometry (K) and the corneal power derived by it invalid for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation.

Methods: Measurement of corneal parameters was performed using Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR, Oculus, Germany). In 125 eyes with Fuch's dystrophy undergoing DMEK, a fictitious keratometer index was calculated based on the PPPA ratio.

["Flipped classroom"-A future concept for student teaching in ophthalmology?].

Background: "Flipped classroom" is a didactic teaching concept in which learning contents are prepared by self-study with arranged tools before the classroom session. The concept offers the advantage of a uniform knowledge base for the students at the beginning of the course and also the advantage of a greater theoretical knowledge, which creates more opportunities for practical exercises, application and consolidation in the subsequent joint teaching units. This study describes the establishment and application of such a model in student teaching in ophthalmology and analyzes the student's evaluation.