Near eye display based on multiplexed retinal projections for robust compensation of eye pupil variance.

Among various specifications of near eye display (NED) devices, a compact formfactor is essential for comfortable user experience but also the hardest one to accomplish due to the slowest progresses. A pinhole/pinlight array based light-field (LF) technique is considered as one of the candidates to achieve that goal without thicker and heavier refractive optics. Despite those promising advantages, however, there are critical issues, such as dark spots and contrast distortion, which degrade the image quality because of the vulnerability of the LF retinal image when the observer's eye pupil size changes. Regardless of previous attempts to overcome those artifacts, it was impossible to resolve both issues due to their trade-off relation. In this paper, in order to resolve them simultaneously, we propose a concept of multiplexed retinal projections to integrate the LF retinal image through rotating transitions of refined and modulated elemental images for robust compensation of eye pupil variance with improved conservation of contrast distribution. Experimental demonstrations and quantitative analysis are also provided to verify the principle.

Review: Binocular double vision in the presence of visual field loss.

Binocular double vision in strabismus is marked by diplopia (seeing the same object in two different directions) and visual confusion (seeing two different objects in the same direction). In strabismus with full visual field, the diplopia coexists with visual confusion across most of the binocular field. With visual field loss, or with use of partial prism segments for field expansion, the two phenomena may be separable. This separability is the focus of this review and offers new insights into binocular function. We show that confusion is necessary but is not sufficient for field expansion. Diplopia plays no role in field expansion but is necessary for clinical testing of strabismus, making such testing difficult in field loss conditions with confusion without diplopia. The roles of the three-dimensional structure of the real world and the dynamic of eye movements within that structure are considered as well. Suppression of one eye's partial view under binocular vision that develops in early-onset (childhood) strabismus is assumed to be a sensory adaption to diplopia. This assumption can be tested using the separation of diplopia and confusion.

The Invisibility of Scotomas I: The Carving Hypothesis.

SIGNIFICANCE: Veridical depictions of scene appearance with scotomas allow better understanding of the impact of field loss and may improve the development and implementation of rehabilitation. Explanation and depiction of the invisibility of scotoma may lead to patients' understanding and thus better compliance with related treatments. PURPOSE: Simulations of perception with scotomas guide training, patient education, and rehabilitation research. Most simulations incorrectly depict scotomas as black patches, although the scotomas and the missing contents are usually invisible to patients. We present a novel approach to capture the reported appearance of scenes with scotomas. METHODS: We applied a content-aware image resizing algorithm to carve out the content elided under the scotomas. With video sequences, we show how and why eye movements fail to increase the visibility of the carved scotomas. RESULTS: Numerous effects, reported by patients, emerge naturally from the scotoma carving. Carving-eliminated scotomas over natural images are barely visible, despite causing substantial distortions. Low resolution and contrast sensitivity at farther eccentricities and saccadic blur reduce the visibility of the distortions. In a walking scenario, static objects moving smoothly to the periphery disappear into and then reemerge out of peripheral scotomas, invisibly. CONCLUSIONS: Scotoma carving provides a viable hypothetical simulation of vision with scotomas due to loss of neurons at the retinal ganglion cell level and higher. As a hypothesis, it generates predictions that lend themselves to future clinical testing. The different effects of scotomas due to loss of photoreceptors are left for follow-up work.

Effectiveness of paraffin bath therapy for the symptoms and function of hand diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Paraffin bath therapy is noninvasive and is widely used in various hand diseases. Paraffin bath therapy is easy to use, has fewer side effects, and can be applied to various diseases with different etiologies. However, there are few large-scale studies of paraffin bath therapy, and there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of paraffin bath therapy for pain relief and functional improvement in various hand diseases through a meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We searched for studies using PubMed and Embase. Eligible studies were selected based on the following criteria: (1) patients with any diseases of the hand; (2) comparison between paraffin bath therapy and no paraffin bath therapy; and (3) sufficient data on changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score, grip strength, pulp-to-pulp pinch strength, or Austrian Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand index before and after paraffin bath therapy. Forest plots were drawn to visualize the overall effect. Jadad scale score, I2 statistics, and subgroup analyses were used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of five studies included 153 patients who were treated and 142 who were not treated with paraffin bath therapy. The VAS were measured in all 295 patients included in the study, while the AUSCAN index was measured in the 105 patients with osteoarthritis. Paraffin bath therapy significantly reduced the VAS scores (mean difference [MD], -1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.93 to -0.60). In osteoarthritis, paraffin bath therapy significantly improved grip and pinch strength (MD -2.53; 95% CI 0.71-4.34; MD 0.77; 95% CI 0.71-0.83) and reduced the VAS and AUSCAN scores (MD -2.61; 95% CI -3.07 to -2.14; MD -5.02; 95% CI -8.95 to -1.09). DISCUSSION: Paraffin bath therapy significantly reduced the VAS and AUSCAN scores, and improved grip and pinch strength in patients with various hand diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Paraffin bath therapy is effective for alleviating pain and improving function in hand diseases, thereby improving quality of life. However, owing to the small number of patients included in the study and its heterogeneity, a further large-scale, well-structured study is needed.

Photographic Depiction of the Field of View with Spectacles-mounted Low Vision Aids.

SIGNIFICANCE: Photographic depiction helps to illustrate the primary and secondary field of view effects of low vision devices along with their utility to clinicians, patients, and caretakers. This technique may also be helpful for designers and researchers in improving the design and fitting of low vision devices. PURPOSE: The field of view through spectacles-mounted low vision devices has typically been evaluated using perimetry. However, the perimetric field diagram is different from the retinal image and often fails to represent the important aspects of the field of view and visual parameters. We developed a photographic depiction method to record and veridically show the field of view effects of these devices. METHODS: We used a 3D-printed holder to place spectacles-mounted devices at the same distance from the empirically determined reference point of the field of view in a camera lens (f = 16 mm) as they would be from an eye, when in use. The field of view effects of a bioptic telescope, a minifier (reverse telescope), and peripheral prisms were captured using a conventional camera, representing retinal images. The human eye pupil size (adjusting the F number: f/2.8 to f/8 and f/22 in the camera lens) and fitting parameters (pantoscopic tilt and back vertex distance) varied. RESULTS: Real-world indoor and outdoor walking and driving scenarios were depicted as retinal images illustrating the field of view through low vision devices, distinguishing optical and obscuration scotomas, and demonstrating secondary effects (spatial distortions, viewpoint changes, diplopia, spurious reflection, and multiplexing effects) not illustrated by perimetric field diagrams. CONCLUSIONS: Photographic depiction illustrates the primary and secondary field of view effects of the low vision devices. These images highlight the benefit and possible trade-offs of the low vision devices and may be beneficial in education and training.

Design of 45° periscopic visual field expansion device for peripheral field loss.

Patients with visual field loss have difficulty in mobility due to collision with pedestrians/obstacles from the blind side. In order to retrieve the lost visual field, prisms which deflect the field from the blind to the seeing side, have been widely used. However, the deflection power of current clinical Fresnel prisms is limited to ~30° and only provides a 5° eye scanning range to the blind side. This is not sufficient to avoid collision and results in increasing demands for a device with a higher power. In this paper, we propose a novel design and optimization of a higher power prism-like device (cascaded structure of mirror pairs filled with high refractive index) and verify enhanced expansion of up to 45° in optical ray tracing and photorealistic simulations.

Late Recurrence of Bladder Cancer following Radical Cystectomy: Characteristics and Outcomes.

PURPOSE: There are only a few studies on characteristics and outcomes of late recurrence (LR) of urothelial carcinoma of bladder (UCB) after radical cystectomy (RC). The objective of this study was to assess characteristics and oncological outcomes of such LR that developed 5 years after RC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 570 patients who underwent RC and bilateral regional lymphadenectomy for UCB at our institution. Comparisons of post-recurrence disease-specific survival (DSS) according to the timing of recurrence and the site of recurrence were performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test. Cox regression model was fitted to assess factors for post-recurrence DSS. RESULTS: Disease recurrence occurred in 214 (37.5%) patients, including 20 (9.3%) who had LRs. Median time from RC to recurrence was 13.0 (interquartile range 6.0-32.0) months. There were no significant differences in clinicopathological factors between early- and late-recurrence groups. Post-recurrence 5-year DSS was not significantly different (21.6 vs. 14.1%, p = 0.344) between early- and late-recurrence groups. However, it was worse in the nonurothelial recurrence group compared to that in the urothelial recurrence group (14.0 vs. 19.4%, p = 0.056). Older age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.001), nonorgan-confined disease at RC (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.15-2.61, p = 0.008), and lymph node invasion (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.01-2.45, p = 0.043) were significant predictors for post-recurrence 5-year DSS. CONCLUSIONS: LR after RC with lymphadenectomy is not common. However, it cannot be overlooked. LR had similar characteristics to early recurrence. Interestingly, the time to recurrence did not affect post-recurrence survival.

Dentin sealing and antibacterial effects of silver-doped bioactive glass/mesoporous silica nanocomposite: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize a silver-doped bioactive glass/mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Ag-BGN@MSN), as well as to investigate its effects on dentinal tubule occlusion, microtensile bond strength (MTBS), and antibacterial activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ag-BGN@MSN was synthesized using a modified "quick alkali-mediated sol-gel" method. Demineralized tooth disc models were made and divided into four groups; the following treatments were then applied: group 1-no treatment, group 2-bioglass, group 3-MSN, group 4-Ag-BGN@MSN. Next, four discs were selected from each group and soaked into 6 wt% citric acid to test acid-resistant stability. Dentinal tubule occlusion, as well as the occlusion ratio, was observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The MTBS was also measured to evaluate the desensitizing effect of the treatments. Cytotoxicity was examined using the MTT assay. Antibacterial activity was detected against Lactobacillus casei, and ion dissolution was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. RESULTS: Ag-BGN@MSN effectively occluded the dentinal tubule and formed a membrane-like layer. After the acid challenge, Ag-BGN@MSN had the highest rate of dentinal tubule occlusion. There were no significant differences in MTBS among the four groups (P > 0.05). All concentrations of Ag-BGN@MSN used had a relative cell viability above 72%. CONCLUSIONS: Ag-BGN@MSN was successfully fabricated using a modified sol-gel method. The Ag-BGN@MSN biocomposite effectively occluded dentinal with acid-resistant stability, did not decrease bond strength in self-etch adhesive system, had low cytotoxicity, and antibacterial effect. CLININAL RELEVANCE: Dentinal tubule sealing induced by Ag-BGN@MSN biocomposite with antibacterial effect is likely to increase long-term stability in DH.

Effect of different sizes of bioactive glass-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles on dentinal tubule occlusion and mineralization.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize two different sizes of bioactive glass-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (BGN@MSNs) and to investigate their effects on dentinal tubule occlusion and remineralization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different sizes of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized using the Stöber method (368A, 1840A) and coated with bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNs) using a modified quick alkali-mediated sol-gel method (368B, 1840B). Sensitive tooth disc models were prepared and divided into six groups and the following treatments were applied: group 1-no treatment, group 2-bioglass, group 3-368A, group 4-368B, group 5-1840A, and group 6-1840B. Then, five discs were selected from each group and soaked in 6 wt% citric acid to test acid resistance. Dentinal tubule occlusion and occlusion ratio were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. In vitro mineralization tests using simulated body fluid solution were performed to evaluate the remineralization effect of the treatment. RESULTS: All samples effectively occluded the dentinal tubule and formed a membrane-like layer. After acid treatment, 1840B (group 6) exhibited the highest rate of dentinal tubule occlusion. Remineralization was observed in 368B and 1840B, and 1840B exhibited the fastest remineralization. CONCLUSIONS: Dentinal tubule remineralization induced by the BGN@MSN biocomposite can be used to stabilize long-term prognosis in dentin hypersensitivity. The 1840B induced the most efficient remineralization, and its smaller size and larger surface area were effective for remineralization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The BGN@MSN biocomposite with its smaller size and larger surface area was more effective for remineralization and dentinal tubule sealing.

Implant Arthroplasty versus Arthrodesis for the Treatment of Advanced Hallux Rigidus: A Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies.

Implant arthroplasty and arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint are the main surgical treatment options for advanced hallux rigidus. The superiority of each modality continues to be debated, because there are few high-quality evidence-based studies, such as randomized controlled clinical trials or meta-analyses of comparative studies. The purpose of this study was to identify whether implant arthroplasty or arthrodesis is superior for the treatment of advanced hallux rigidus through meta-analysis of comparative studies. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases was conducted. Only retrospective or prospective comparative studies were included in this meta-analysis. The literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. The primary outcomes were clinical scores and patient satisfaction. The rate of reoperation and complication were also investigated. Seven comparative studies were included (2 prospective and 5 retrospective studies). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society-Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal score, patient satisfaction rate, reoperation rate, or complication rate. The visual analogue scale for pain was significantly lower in the arthrodesis group than the implant arthroplasty group. This meta-analysis revealed that implant arthroplasty and arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint led to similar clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, reoperation rates, and complication rates, whereas pain was significantly lower in arthrodesis. Further studies of high methodological quality are required to confirm these conclusions.

The associations between interleukin 10 polymorphisms and susceptibility to autoimmune uveitis - a meta-analysis.

Autoimmune uveitis is an ocular inflammatory disease that is associated with genetic factors. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an immune-regulatory cytokine of autoimmune diseases. IL-10 is considered a candidate gene for uveitis. We evaluate the association of IL-10 with susceptibility to autoimmune uveitis. The results from seven studies were pooled in the meta-analysis, covering a total of 2893 cases of uveitis and 4873 controls. Published literature from MEDLINE and Embase was retrieved. Meta-analyses were conducted on the associations between autoimmune uveitis and the -1082 A/G and -819 C/T polymorphisms of the IL-10 gene. The meta-analysis revealed no association between uveitis and the IL-10 -1082 A allele (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.64-1.30, p = 0.62). The recessive, dominant, and homozygous models of the IL-10 -1082 A/G allele also suggested no association between autoimmune uveitis and each genotype. The meta-analysis revealed significant association between uveitis and the -892 C allele (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.67-0.98, p = 0.03). In addition, significant association was found in homozygous models (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.36-0.92, p = 0.02). However, the dominant and recessive models of the IL-10 -819 C/T polymorphisms showed no association between uveitis and each genotype. This meta-analysis showed that the -1082 A/G polymorphisms of IL-10 were not associated with autoimmune uveitis, but the -819 C/T polymorphisms were significantly associated with uveitis.

Endovascular Versus Open Surgical Intervention in Patients with Takayasu's Arteritis: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Although medical treatment has advanced, surgical treatment is needed to control symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis (TA), such as angina, stroke, hypertension, or claudication. Endovascular or open surgical intervention is performed; however, there are few comparative studies on these methods. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to examine the outcome of surgical treatment of TA. METHODS: A meta-analysis comparing outcomes of endovascular and open surgical intervention was performed using MEDLINE and Embase. This meta-analysis included only observational studies, and the evidence level was low to moderate. Data were pooled and analysed using a fixed or random effects model with the I2 statistic. RESULTS: The included studies involved a total of 770 patients and 1363 lesions, with 389 patients treated endovascularly and 420 treated by surgical revascularization. Restenosis was more common with endovascular than open surgical intervention (odds ratio [OR] 5.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.78-9.62; p < .001). In subgroup analysis according to the involved lesions, endovascular intervention patients showed more restenosis than open surgical intervention patients in the coronary artery, supra-aortic branches, and renal artery. In both the active and inactive stages, restenosis was more common in those treated endovascularly than in those treated by open surgery. However, stroke occurred less often with endovascular intervention than with open surgical intervention (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.90; p = .003). Mortality and complications other than stroke and mortality did not differ between endovascular and open surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis has shown a lower risk of restenosis with open surgical intervention than with endovascular intervention. Stroke was generally more common with open surgical intervention than with endovascular intervention. However, there were differences according to the location of the lesion, and the risk of stroke in open surgery is higher when the supra-aortic branches are involved rather than the renal arteries.

No Useful Field Expansion with Full-field Prisms.

SIGNIFICANCE: Full-field prisms that fill the entire spectacle eye wire have been considered as field expansion devices for homonymous hemianopia (HH) and acquired monocular vision (AMV). Although the full-field prism is used for addressing binocular dysfunction and for prism adaptation training after brain injury as treatment for spatial hemineglect, we show that the full-field prism for field expansion does not effectively expand the visual field in either HH or AMV. PURPOSE: Full-field prisms may shift a portion of the blind side to the residual seeing side. However, foveal fixation on an object of interest through a full-field prism requires head and/or eye rotation away from the blind side, thus negating the shift of the field toward the blind side. METHODS: We fit meniscus and flat full-field 7Δ and 12Δ yoked prisms and conducted Goldmann perimetry in HH and AMV. We compared the perimetry results with ray tracing calculations. RESULTS: The rated prism power was in effect at the primary position of gaze for all prisms, and the meniscus prisms maintained almost constant power at all eccentricities. To fixate on the perimetry target, the subjects needed to turn their head and/or eyes away from the blind side, which negated the field shift into the blind side. In HH, there was no difference in the perimetry results on the blind side with any of the prisms. In AMV, the lower nasal field of view was slightly shifted into the blind side with the flat prisms, but not with the meniscus prisms. CONCLUSIONS: Full-field prisms are not an effective field expansion device owing to the inevitable fixation shift. There is potential for a small field shift with the flat full-field prism in AMV, but such lenses cannot incorporate refractive correction. Furthermore, in considering the apical scotoma, the shift provides a mere field substitution at best.

Field Expansion for Acquired Monocular Vision Using a Multiplexing Prism.

SIGNIFICANCE: Acquired monocular vision (AMV) is a common visual field loss. Patients report mobility difficulties in walking due to collisions with objects or other pedestrians on the blind side. PURPOSE: The visual field of people with AMV extends more than 90° temporally on the side of the seeing eye but is restricted to approximately 55° nasally. We developed a novel field expansion device using a multiplexing prism (MxP) that superimposes the see-through and shifted views for true field expansion without apical scotoma. We present various designs of the device that enable customized fitting and improved cosmetics. METHODS: A partial MxP segment is attached (base-in) near the nose bridge. To avoid total internal reflection due to the high angle of incidence at nasal field end (55°), we fit the MxP with serrations facing the eye and tilt the prism base toward the nose. We calculated the width of the MxP (the apex location) needed to prevent apical scotoma and monocular diplopia. We also consider the effect of spectacle prescriptions on these settings. The results are verified perimetrically. RESULTS: We documented the effectivity of various prototype glasses designs with perimetric measurements. With the prototypes, all patients with AMV had field-of-view expansions up to 90° nasally without any loss of seeing field. CONCLUSIONS: The novel and properly mounted MxP in glasses has the potential for meaningful field-of-view expansion up to the size of normal binocular vision in cosmetically acceptable form.

The association between genetic polymorphisms of the interleukin-23 receptor gene and susceptibility to uveitis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Uveitis is an eye inflammatory disease, which is sometimes associated with underlying systemic disease. Interleukin-23 plays an important role in autoimmune disease. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) and susceptibility to uveitis. METHODS: Published literature from PUBMED and EMBASE were retrieved. Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis, covering a total of 1309 cases of uveitis and 2400 controls. Meta-analyses were conducted on the associations between uveitisand rs7517847, rs17375018, and rs11209032 polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between IL-23R polymorphisms and uveitis with regard to the following alleles: for G allele vs. T allele of rs7517847, OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.92-1.12, P = 0.83; for A allele vs. G allele of rs17375018, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.99, P = 0.05; rs11209032 OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.84-1.51, P = 0.43. In contrast, there were significant associations between the AA + AG gene versus GG gene of rs17375018 and the AA gene versus AG + GG gene of rs11209032 polymorphism with uveitis (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.99, P = 0.04; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.59, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that each allele of IL-23R, including rs7519847, rs17375018 and rs11209032 was negatively associated with uveitis. However, homozygote models, including the rs17375018 GG genotype and rs11209032 AA genotype, were significantly associated with uveitis.

Multiplexing Prisms for Field Expansion.

PURPOSE: Prisms used for field expansion are limited by the optical scotoma at a prism apex (apical scotoma). For a patient with two functioning eyes, fitting prisms unilaterally allows the other eye to compensate for the apical scotoma. A monocular patient's field loss cannot be expanded with a conventional or Fresnel prism because of the apical scotoma. A newly invented optical device, the multiplexing prism (MxP), was developed to overcome the apical scotoma limitation in monocular field expansion. METHODS: A Fresnel-prism-like device with alternating prism and flat elements superimposes shifted and see-through views, thus creating the (monocular) visual confusion required for field expansion and eliminating the apical scotoma. Several implementations are demonstrated and preliminarily evaluated for different monocular conditions with visual field loss. The field expansion of the MxP is compared with the effect of conventional prisms using calculated and measured perimetry. RESULTS: Field expansion without apical scotomas is shown to be effective for monocular patients with hemianopia or constricted peripheral field. The MxPs are shown to increase the nasal field for a patient with only one eye and for patients with bitemporal hemianopia. The MxPs placed at the far temporal field are shown to expand the normal visual field. The ability to control the contrast ratio between the two images is verified. CONCLUSIONS: A novel optical device is demonstrated to have the potential for field expansion technology in a variety of conditions. The devices may be inexpensive and can be constructed in a cosmetically acceptable format.

High-Power Prismatic Devices for Oblique Peripheral Prisms.

PURPOSE: Horizontal peripheral prisms for hemianopia provide field expansion above and below the horizontal meridian; however, there is a vertical gap leaving the central area (important for driving) without expansion. In the oblique design, tilting the bases of both prism segments toward the horizontal meridian moves the field expansion area vertically and centrally (closing the central gap) while the prisms remain in the peripheral location. However, tilting the prisms results also in a reduction of the lateral field expansion. Higher prism powers are needed to counter this effect. METHODS: We developed, implemented, and tested a series of designs aimed at increasing the prism power to reduce the central gap while maintaining wide lateral expansion. The designs included inserting the peripheral prisms into carrier lenses that included yoked prism in the opposite direction, combination of two Fresnel segments attached at the base and angled to each other (bi-part prisms), and creating Fresnel prism-like segments from nonparallel periscopic mirror pairs (reflective prisms). RESULTS: A modest increase in lateral power was achieved with yoked-prism carriers. Bi-part combination of 36Δ Fresnel segments provided high power with some reduction in image quality. Fresnel reflective prism segments have potential for high power with superior optical quality but may be limited in field extent or by interruptions of the expanded field. Extended apical scotomas, even with unilateral fitting, may limit the utility of very high power prisms. The high-power bi-part and reflective prisms enable a wider effective eye scanning range (more than 15 degrees) into the blind hemifield. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional prisms of powers higher than the available 57Δ are limited by the binocular impact of a wider apical scotoma and a reduced effective eye scanning range to the blind side. The various designs that we developed may overcome these limitations and find use in various other field expansion applications.

Comparing object recognition from binary and bipolar edge images for visual prostheses.

Visual prostheses require an effective representation method due to the limited display condition which has only 2 or 3 levels of grayscale in low resolution. Edges derived from abrupt luminance changes in images carry essential information for object recognition. Typical binary (black and white) edge images have been used to represent features to convey essential information. However, in scenes with a complex cluttered background, the recognition rate of the binary edge images by human observers is limited and additional information is required. The polarity of edges and cusps (black or white features on a gray background) carries important additional information; the polarity may provide shape from shading information missing in the binary edge image. This depth information may be restored by using bipolar edges. We compared object recognition rates from 16 binary edge images and bipolar edge images by 26 subjects to determine the possible impact of bipolar filtering in visual prostheses with 3 or more levels of grayscale. Recognition rates were higher with bipolar edge images and the improvement was significant in scenes with complex backgrounds. The results also suggest that erroneous shape from shading interpretation of bipolar edges resulting from pigment rather than boundaries of shape may confound the recognition.

Meta-Analysis of Associations Between Interleukin-10 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to vasculitis. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted of the associations between the IL-10 -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A polymorphisms and the haplotype of the IL-10-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A polymorphisms and vasculitis. RESULTS: A total of 21 comparative studies involving 4121 patients and 5504 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed no association between the IL-10-1082 G allele and vasculitis in all study subjects (OR = 0.927, 95% CI = 0.780-1.102, p = 0.389). However, disease-specific meta-analysis showed an association between Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and the IL-10-1082 G allele (OR = 0.729, 95% CI = 0.547-0.971, p = 0.031). Meta-analysis revealed an association between vasculitis and the IL-10-819 C allele (OR = 0.804, 95% CI = 0.706-0.916, p = 0.001) in all study subjects and Behcet's disease (BD) (OR = 0.724, 95% CI = 0.679-0.781, p < 1.0 × 10(-9)). Meta-analysis of the IL-10-592 C allele showed an association with vasculitis in all study subjects (OR = 0.805, 95% CI = 0.619-0.938, p = 0.005) and BD (OR = 0.718, 95% CI = 0.661-0.781, p < 1.0 × 10(-9)). Meta-analysis of the IL-10 haplotype revealed an association between the GCC haplotype and vasculitis in Europeans (OR = 1.239, 95% CI = 1.105-1.513, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that IL-10 polymorphisms are associated with vasculitis susceptibility, especially in WG and BD.

Nosocomial empyema caused by a rare serotype, serotype 4c, of Listeria monocytogenes in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease: A case report and review of the literature.

The intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes presents characteristically as meningoencephalitis and bacteremia. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of empyema caused by serotype 4c L. monocytogenes in an immunocompromised patient. This case supports the inclusion of L. monocytogenes infection in the differential diagnosis of empyema in an immunocompromised patient.