MERTK Inhibitor Associated Retinal Toxicity in a Human.

Purpose: The MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) helps maintain the homeostasis of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). Additionally, MERTK regulates the innate immune system. As such inhibition of MERTK has gained recent interest as a target for cancer therapeutics.

Association Between Systemic Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Optical Coherence Tomography Biomarkers in a Non-Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Cohort.

Background And Objective: Investigate associations between systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in eyes with complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retina atrophy (cRORA) secondary to non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Patients And Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with cRORA. OCT images and blood samples were collected at study enrollment.

Occlusion of Xen Gel Stent With Descemet's Membrane Relieved by Nd:YAG Laser.

The Xen gel stent is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgical implant designed to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) by creating an aqueous outflow path into the subconjunctival space. Since FDA approval, it has demonstrated good safety and efficacy data; however, there are multiple reports of Xen stent occlusions with debris from the anterior chamber. Herein, we report a case of a Descemet's membrane Xen stent occlusion in a 67-year-old woman with a past medical history of primary open angle glaucoma who underwent Xen stent placement through the ab externo approach.

Differences in imaging biomarkers between patients with intermediate and advanced non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the University of Colorado AMD registry.

Purpose: To quantify and compare the different prevalence rates of specific retinal imaging biomarkers in patients with intermediate AMD (iAMD) and advanced non-neovascular AMD (nnAMD).

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with iAMD and advanced nnAMD. Imaging studies were reviewed for qualitative imaging biomarkers.

Association Between Quantitative and Qualitative Imaging Biomarkers and Geographic Atrophy Growth Rate.

Purpose: Investigate associations between geographic atrophy (GA) growth rate and multimodal imaging biomarkers and patient demographics in patients with advanced non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nnAMD).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one eyes of 66 patients with advanced nnAMD with GA enrolled in the University of Colorado AMD Registry from August 2014 to June 2021, with follow-up through June 2023.

Limited English Proficiency Is Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients Presenting for Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between limited English proficiency (LEP) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients presenting for cataract surgery.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2014 and February 2020. Patients who self-identified as needing or preferring an interpreter were defined as having LEP.

Disparities in eye clinic patient encounters among patients requiring language interpreter services.

Background: Communication barriers are a major cause of health disparities for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Medical interpreters play an important role in bridging this gap, however the impact of interpreters on outpatient eye center visits has not been studied. We aimed to evaluate the differences in length of eyecare visits between LEP patients self-identifying as requiring a medical interpreter and English speakers at a tertiary, safety-net hospital in the United States.

Comparison of cataract surgery outcomes in English proficient and limited English proficiency patients.

Purpose: To determine differences in cataract surgery outcomes between English proficient (EP) and limited English proficiency (LEP) patients.

Setting: Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Aurora, Colorado.

Design: Retrospective.

Brain Structure and Response to Emotional Stimuli as Related to Gut Microbial Profiles in Healthy Women.

Objective: Brain-gut-microbiota interactions may play an important role in human health and behavior. Although rodent models have demonstrated effects of the gut microbiota on emotional, nociceptive, and social behaviors, there is little translational human evidence to date. In this study, we identify brain and behavioral characteristics of healthy women clustered by gut microbiota profiles.

Disease-related differences in resting-state networks: a comparison between localized provoked vulvodynia, irritable bowel syndrome, and healthy control subjects.

Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPVD) affects approximately 16% of the female population, but biological mechanisms underlying symptoms remain unknown. Like in other often comorbid chronic pain disorders, altered sensory processing and modulation of pain, including central sensitization, dysregulation of endogenous pain modulatory systems, and attentional enhancement of pain perception, have been implicated. The aim of this study was to test whether regions of interest showing differences in LPVD compared to healthy control subjects (HCs) in structural and evoked-pain neuroimaging studies, also show alterations during rest when compared with HCs and a chronic pain control group (irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]).

Rabies out-break in mules at Mansehra, Pakistan.

An unusual sickness in mules at Batrasi camp, District Mansehra, Pakistan, was reported. Twelve animals died with in 2-3 days after showing the clinical symptoms confusing with colic and nervous disorders. Animals did not respond to any treatment.