Characteristics and type of strabismus associated to macular diplopia. Treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of macular diplopia, treatment, and outcome. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of cases referred to the ocular motility section of a tertiary hospital with diplopia, diagnosed with macular diplopia between 2022-23. The etiology of the macular pathology and the type of associated strabismus were recorded. The result was considered good if the diplopia improved or was eliminated with the medical or surgical treatment. Follow-up time from the onset of diplopia until data collection was recorded. RESULTS: a total of 19 cases comprised the sample (63.2% women), mean age: 67.16 years. Amblyopia (21.1%), high myopia (47.4%), epirretinal membrane (ERM) (36.8%), neovascular membrane (26.3%), macular hole (10.5%), and lamellar (15.8%), and age macular degeneration (5.3%) were registered. The 47.4% had vertical diplopia, horizontal: 5.3 and 47.4% mixed. The mean horizontal deviation was: 7.3 PD (prism diopters) and vertical: 6.22 PD. Ocular extorsion was observed in 26.3%, and intorsion: 5.3%. Torticollis was present in 15.8%. The treatment consisted of strabismus surgery + Botox (15.8%), strabismus surgery (47.4%), medical treatment with Fresnel prims or Scotch cellophane (36.8%). A 68.4% presented a good result at the end of the study. The mean follow-up was 55.58 months. CONCLUSIONS: Misregistration of macular photoreceptors is the most common cause of binocular diplopia in patients with ERM or other macular pathologies. Most complains of vertical or mixed diplopia. Sensorimotor evaluation of these patients should be thorough. Early diagnosis prevents unnecessary prescription of prism glasses. Surgical and/or medical treatment achieves good results in most cases.

Miopexia supra-ecuatorial del recto lateral en el tratamiento del síndrome «sagging/heavy eye» miópico / Supraequatorial displacement with lateral rectus myopexy for treatment of myopic sagging/heavy eye

Objetivo Describir los resultados de sujetos con síndrome «sagging/heavy eye miópico» operados mediante la miopexia supraecuatorial del recto lateral. Método Estudio retrospectivo de 9 casos entre 2017-2023. Se analizaron desviación horizontal, vertical, ambliopía, diplopía, ducciones, torsión, pruebas sensoriales antes y después de la cirugía, patología macular y resonancia magnética orbitaria. El tratamiento se consideró exitoso cuando desaparecía o mejoraba la diplopía y una desviación vertical≤5 dioptrías prismáticas (Dp) al final del seguimiento. Resultados La edad media (DE) fue: 62,11 (4,6) años (100% mujeres). El 88,88% presentaba diplopía. La hipotropía media preoperatoria fue: 11,33Dp (DE 3,16), y la desviación vertical final 3,44Dp (DE 3,05). Tras la cirugía, la hipotropía se invirtió en un caso, quedó subcorregida en 5 y se alcanzó ortoforia en otros 3. La técnica se asoció a la cirugía de otro músculo recto en 4 sujetos. El tiempo medio de seguimiento posquirúrgico fue de 34 meses (DE 34,62). Seis de las 9 pacientes quedaron con una desviación vertical≤5Dp. En 3 pacientes se consiguió eliminar totalmente la diplopía, mientras que en 5 quedó intermitente (3 con patología macular) Conclusión En el tratamiento del «sagging/heavy eye miópico», el supradesplazamiento ecuatorial con miopexia del recto lateral constituye una opción terapéutica si la hipotropía es menor de 12Dp o la técnica de Yokoyama no está indicada. Se obtuvo un buen resultado en más de la mitad de los casos, suprimiéndose totalmente la diplopía en 3 y quedando en otros 5 de forma intermitente (AU)

Purpose To describe the outcome of the patients diagnosed of sagging/heavy eye associated to myopia, that were operated on with the supra-equatorial displacement with lateral rectus myopexy. Methods A retrospective study of 9 cases between 2017 and 2023. The following data were analyzed: horizontal and vertical deviation, diplopia, amblyopia, ductions, ocular torsion, sensorial test, macular pathology, and the orbital magnetic resonance. Treatment was considered successful if the diplopia was improved or eliminated and a final vertical deviation≤5prism diopters (PD). Results The mean age (SD) was: 62.11 (4.6) years (100% women). A total of 88.88% presented diplopia. The mean preoperative hypotropia was: 11.33PD (SD 3.16), and the mean final VD 3.44PD (SD 3.05). After surgery, the hypotropia was overcorrected in one case, under corrected in 5, and orthophoria was achieved in another 3. The technique was associated with surgery of another rectus muscle in 4 subjects. The mean follow-up time after surgery was 34 months (SD 34.62). Six of the 9 patients improved with a vertical deviation≤5PD. In 3 patients, the diplopia was eliminated, while in 5 it remained intermittent (3 with macular pathology). Conclusion Supra-equatorial displacement with lateral rectus myopexy for treatment of myopic sagging/heavy eye is a therapeutic option if hypotropia is less than 12PD or the Yokoyama technique is not indicated. A good result was obtained in most cases, although diplopia could only be totally suppressed in three, and another five remained intermittent (AU)

Supraequatorial displacement with lateral rectus myopexy for treatment of myopic sagging/heavy eye.

PURPOSE: To describe the outcome of the patients diagnosed of sagging/heavy eye associated to myopia, that were operated on with the supra-equatorial displacement with LR myopexy. METHODS: A retrospective study of 9 cases between 2017-2023. The following data were analyzed: horizontal and vertical deviation, diplopia, amblyopia, ductions, ocular torsion, sensorial test, macular pathology, and the orbital magnetic resonance. Treatment was considered Successful if the diplopia was improved or eliminated and a final vertical deviation (VD) ≤5 prism diopters (PD). RESULTS: The mean age (SD) was: 62.11 (4.6) years (100% women). A total of 88.88% presented diplopia. The mean preoperative hypotropia was: 11.33 PD (SD 3.16), and the mean final VD 3.44 PD (SD 3.05). After surgery, the hypotropia was overcorrected in one case, under corrected in 5, and orthophoria was achieved in another three. The technique was associated with surgery of another rectus muscle in 4 subjects. The mean follow-up time after surgery was 34 months (SD 34.62). Six of the 9 patients improved with a vertical deviation ≤5 PD. In 3 patients, the diplopia was eliminated, while in 5 it remained intermittent (three with macular pathology). CONCLUSION: Supra-equatorial displacement with LR myopexy for treatment of myopic sagging/heavy eye, is a therapeutic option if hypotropia is less than 12 PD or the Yokoyama technique is not indicated. A good result was obtained in most cases, although diplopia could only be totally suppressed in three, and another five remained intermittent.

Insuficiencia de convergencia con diplopía: tratamiento quirúrgico en adultos / Convergence insufficiency with diplopia: Surgical treatment in adults

Propósito Estudiar los resultados del mini plegamiento central del recto medial (RM) en las insuficiencias de convergencia de adultos con diplopía. Método Análisis retrospectivo de una muestra de 9 casos (7 mujeres). Se recogieron los datos de la dosis de plegamiento del RM, la hipercorrección inmediata posquirúrgica y al final del seguimiento, la desviación final de cerca y de lejos, la diplopía y el tiempo de seguimiento desde la cirugía. Se consideró buen resultado la desaparición de la diplopía, mejoría de los síntomas y una exotropía final de cerca ≤8dioptrías prismáticas (dp). Resultados Se realizó un mini-plegamiento central del RM en 9 pacientes (8 unilaterales). Edad media: 58,66 años (SD: 21,39). La media de la desviación preoperatoria de cerca fue de 16,22 (±2,99) dp y de lejos 6,88 (±4) dp. Se registró hipercorrección en visión lejana en 5 casos que se resolvió a los 3 meses después de la operación. No hubo hipercorrección en visión de cerca excepto en un caso. Ninguno de los casos operados presentó hipercorrección al final del seguimiento. La desviación horizontal final fue ≤8dp en visión cercana, excepto en 3 casos (media: 6,22). Los síntomas y la diplopía se resolvieron en 8 casos. El seguimiento medio fue de 10,33 meses. Conclusión El mini-plegamiento central de 1 o 2 músculos rectos mediales puede mejorar los síntomas y signos de exotropía asociados a la insuficiencia de convergencia cuando los ejercicios y los prismas son rechazados por los pacientes o cuando estos abordajes no han resuelto el problema (AU)

Objective To study the outcomes of treatment with central mini-plication of the medial rectus (MR) muscles in adult convergence insufficiency with diplopia. Methods The study sample comprised 9 cases (7 women). The length of MR plication was collected. Other variables reported were postsurgical deviation, overcorrections in the early postoperative period and at the end of follow-up, final horizontal deviation at near and at distance vision, diplopia, and mean follow-up from surgery. Surgical outcome was considered to be favorable when diplopia and symptoms were resolved and final exotropia at near was ≤8 pd at the end of follow-up. Results A central mini-plication of the MR was performed in 9 patients (8 unilateral). Mean (± SD) age was 58.66 (21.39) years. Mean near preoperative deviation: 16.22 (± 2.9) pd and distance preoperative deviation: 6.88 (± 4) pd Overcorrection at distance vision was recorded in 5 cases; this resolved by 3 months postoperatively. There was not overcorrection at near vision except one case. None of the cases operated on had overcorrection at the end of follow-up The final horizontal deviation was ≤8 pd at near vision, except for 3 cases (mean: 6.22). Symptoms and diplopia resolved in 8 cases. The mean follow-up was 10.33 months. Conclusion Central mini-plication of 1 or 2 medial rectus muscles can improve the symptoms and signs of exotropia associated with convergence insufficiency when exercises and the prisms are rejected by the patients and when these approaches have not solved the problem (AU)

Convergence insufficiency with diplopia: Surgical treatment in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcomes of treatment with central mini-plication of the medial rectus (MR) muscles in adult convergence insufficiency with diplopia. METHODS: The study sample comprised 9 cases (7 women). The length of MR plication was collected. Other variables reported were postsurgical deviation, overcorrections in the early postoperative period and at the end of follow-up, final horizontal deviation at near and at distance vision, diplopia, and mean follow-up from surgery. Surgical outcome was considered to be favorable when diplopia and symptoms were resolved and final exotropia at near was ≤8 pd at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: A central mini-plication of the MR was performed in 9 patients (8 unilateral). Mean (±SD) age was 58.66 (21.39) years. Mean near preoperative deviation: 16.22 (±2.9) pd and distance preoperative deviation: 6.88 (±4) pd Overcorrection at distance vision was recorded in 5 cases; this resolved by 3 months postoperatively. There was not overcorrection at near vision except one case. None of the cases operated on had overcorrection at the end of follow-up. The final horizontal deviation was ≤8 pd at near vision, except for 3 cases (mean: 6.22). Symptoms and diplopia resolved in 8 cases. The mean follow-up was 10.33 months. CONCLUSION: Central mini-plication of 1 or 2 medial rectus muscles can improve the symptoms and signs of exotropia associated with convergence insufficiency when exercises and the prisms are rejected by the patients and when these approaches have not solved the problem.

Resultados quirúrgicos de la esotropía adquirida comitante aguda. Causas y clasificación / Surgical outcomes of acquired acute comitant esotropia. Causes and classification

Objetivo Estudiar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de las esotropías comitantes adquiridas y analizar sus posibles causas. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes operados de esotropía aguda comitante desde 2017-2021. Se analizó la desviación horizontal de lejos y cerca, el equivalente esférico, y uso excesivo de tablets y smartphones. Se consideró buen resultado sensorial la presencia de estereopsis y motor si la deviación era≤10 dioptrías prismáticas (dp), y sin diplopía al final del seguimiento. Resultados Se incluyeron 15 casos (60% mujeres), edad media: 29,07 años (el 86,66%≥16 años). El tiempo medio desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta la cirugía: 23,3 meses. La media de la desviación horizontal preoperatoria fue de 19,73±7,2dp de cerca y 22,93±7,3 dp de lejos, disminuyendo al final del seguimiento a 3,33±3,8dp de cerca y 3,86±3,9dp de lejos (p<0,001). Un 66,6% refería diplopía. Un 46,66% tenían esoforias o microestrabismos descompensados, un 86,66% miopía y el 33,33% refería uso excesivo de tablets y smartphones. En 10 casos se realizó retroceso de rectos medios. El resultado motor fue bueno en un 93,33% de los casos y sensorial en 46,66%, con desaparición de la diplopía. Conclusiones La cirugía fue un excelente tratamiento para resolver la desviación y la diplopía. Las esoforias y los microestrabismos representaron casi la mitad de los casos y el excesivo uso de tablets y smartphones la tercera parte de la muestra. La mayoría de los sujetos eran miopes (AU)

Purpose To study the results of surgical treatment of acquired concomitant esotropia and its posible causes. Methods Retrospective study of the patients with acute acquired esotropia that were operated on since 2017 to 2021. Distance and near horizontal deviation, spherical equivalent and the excessive use of the tablets and smartphones were analyzed. A good sensorial outcome was considered when stereopsis was recovered and good motor outcome if horizontal deviation was≤10 prism diopters (pd) at the end of the follow-up. Results A total of 15 cases were included (60% women), mean age: 29.07 years (86.66%≥16 years). Mean time since the beginning of the symptoms to the surgery was 23.3 months. Mean horizontal preoperative deviation was 19.73±7.2pd at near and 22.93±7.3dp at distance decreasing to 3.33±3.8pd at near and 3.86±3.9pd at distance (P<.001). The 66.6% had diplopia. The 46.66% had decompensated esophoria or microesotropia, 86,66% myopia and the 33.33% referred excesive use of the tablets and smartphones. The medial rectus recession were done in 10 cases. A good motor outcome was obtained in the 93.33% of the cases and sensorial outcome in the 46.66% without diplopía. Conclusion Surgery was an excellent treatment to resolve the deviation and diplopia. The esophorias and microesotropias represented near the half of the cases and the excesive use of the tablets and smartphones were the third part of the sample. Most of the patients had myopia (AU)

Transposición del vientre del oblicuo inferior sin desinserción en el tratamiento de la hipertropia en aducción / Transposition of the inferior oblique muscle belly without disinsertion for overshoot in adduction treatment

Propósito Analizar la eficacia y la seguridad de la transposición del oblicuo inferior con miopexia en pacientes con hiperfunción primaria o secundaria del oblicuo inferior leve-moderada, con o sin diplopía. Método Estudio observacional retrospectivo de 12 pacientes tratados con dicha técnica entre octubre de 2018 y septiembre de 2021. Se suturó el oblicuo inferior a esclera a 5mm posterior a la inserción temporal del recto inferior. Todos tenían desviación vertical de pequeño ángulo (media ±DE: 4,42±1,62) en posición primaria (≤6 dioptrías prismáticas [dp]), hipertropia en aducción leve-moderada y 10 tenían diplopía. Los diagnósticos fueron: paresia del IVnervio (9), DVD (1) e hipertropia en aducción unilateral (2). De los 12 casos, 7 presentaban tortícolis, 2 torsión subjetiva y 2 torsión objetiva. Resultados La edad media de la muestra fue 46,86±25,1 años (50% hombres). De los 10 casos con diplopía, en 9 se resolvió. La desviación vertical media final en mirada al frente fue: 1,5dp ±2,93 (p=0,001). De 7 casos con hipertropia en aducción leve, en 3 desapareció y 4 quedaron igual. De 5 casos con hipertropia en aducción moderada, 2 mejoraron a leves y en 3 desapareció. El tortícolis se resolvió en 5 casos, y en otros 2 mejoró. El tiempo de seguimiento medio fue de 14,08±8,05 meses. No se registraron hipercorrecciones. Conclusiones La transposición del oblicuo inferior con miopexia es una nueva técnica eficaz y segura en pacientes con leve-moderada hipertropia en aducción e hipertropia de pequeño ángulo, con o sin diplopía (AU)

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inferior oblique muscle transposition and myopexy in patients with mild/moderate inferior oblique muscle overaction, with or without diplopia. Method We retrospectively analysed data for the 12 patients who underwent the technique. Data were collected from October 2018 to September 2021. Surgery was performed by suturing the inferior oblique belly to the sclera at 5mm posterior to the temporal end of the inferior rectus. All 12 patients had mild hypertropia (≤6 prism diopters [pd]) in primary position and mild/moderate inferior oblique overaction. Mean preoperative hypertropia was 4.42pd ±1.62. Diplopia was recorded in 10 cases. The diagnoses were fourth nerve paresis (9), unilateral primary inferior oblique overaction (2) and dissociated vertical deviation (1). Torticollis was observed in 7 cases, 2 had subjective torsion and 2 objective torsion. Results Mean age was 46.86±25.1 years (50%: men). Diplopia resolved in 9 of the 10 cases. The mean final vertical deviation was 1.5±2.93 (P=.001) pd in straight gaze. Of 7 mild overshoot in adduction, it disappeared in 3 and 4 remained the same. Of 5 moderate overshoot in adduction, 2 improved to mild and 3 disappeared. Torticollis was eliminated in 5 patients and improved in another 2. Mean time from surgery was 14.08±8.05 months. There were no overcorrections Conclusions Inferior oblique muscle transposition with myopexy is a safe and effective procedure in patients with mild-to-moderate inferior oblique muscle overaction and small-angle hypertropia, with or without diplopia (AU)

Transposition of the inferior oblique muscle belly without disinsertion for overshoot in adduction treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inferior oblique muscle transposition and myopexy in patients with mild/moderate inferior oblique muscle overaction, with or without diplopia. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed data for the 12 patients who underwent the technique. Data were collected from October 2018 to September 2021. Surgery was performed by suturing the inferior oblique belly to the sclera at 5 mm posterior to the temporal end of the inferior rectus. All 12 patients had mild hypertropia (≤6 prism diopters [pd]) in primary position and mild/moderate inferior oblique overaction. Mean preoperative hypertropia was 4.42 pd ±â€¯1.62. Diplopia was recorded in 10 cases. The diagnoses were fourth nerve paresis (9), unilateral primary inferior oblique overaction (2) and dissociated vertical deviation (1). Torticollis was observed in 7 cases, 2 had subjective torsion and 2 objective torsion. RESULTS: Mean age was 46.86 ±â€¯25.1 years (50%: men). Diplopia resolved in 9 of the 10 cases. The mean final vertical deviation was 1.5 ±â€¯2.93 (p = 0.001) pd in straight gaze. Of 7 mild overshoot in adduction, it disappeared in 3 and 4 remained the same. Of 5 moderate overshoot in adduction, 2 improved to mild and 3 disappeared. Torticollis was eliminated in 5 patients and improved in another 2. Mean time from surgery was 14.08 ±â€¯8.05 months. There were no overcorrections. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior oblique muscle transposition with myopexy is a safe and effective procedure in patients with mild-to-moderate inferior oblique muscle overaction and small-angle hypertropia, with or without diplopia.

Surgical outcomes of acquired acute comitant esotropia. Causes and classification.

PURPOSE: To study the results of surgical treatment of acquired concomitant esotropia and its posible causes. METHODS: Retrospective study of the patients with acute acquired esotropia that were operated on since 2017. Distance and near horizontal deviation, spherical equivalent and the excessive use of the tablets and smartphones were analyzed. A good sensorial outcome was considered when stereopsis was recovered and good motor outcome if horizontal deviation was ≤10 prism diopters at the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 15 cases were included (60% women), mean age: 29.07 years (86.66% ≥16 years). Mean time since the beginning of the symptoms to the surgery was 23.3 months. Mean horizontal preoperative deviation was 19.73 ± 7.2 pd at near and 22.93 ± 7.3 dp at distance decreasing to 3.33 ± 3.8 pd at near and 3.86 ± 3.9 pd at distance (P < .001). The 66.6% had diplopía. The 46.66% had decompensated esophoria or microesotropia, 86,66 % myopia and the 33.33% referred excesive use of the tablets and smartphones. The medial rectus recession were done in 10 cases. A good motor outcome was obtained in the 93.33% of the cases and sensorial outcome in the 53.3% without diplopía. CONCLUSION: Surgery was an excellent treatment to resolve the deviation and diplopia. The esophorias and microesotropias represented near the half of the cases and the excesive use of the tablets and smartphones were the third part of the sample. Most of the patients had myopia.

Correction to: Early Stepdown From Echinocandin to Fluconazole Treatment in Candidemia: A Post Hoc Analysis of Three Cohort Studies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab250.].

Strategies to mitigate ammonia and nitrous oxide losses across the manure management chain for intensive laying hen farms.

Circular economy principle aims to achieve sustainable production systems, focusing on the waste valorisation and the reduction of gaseous losses to the atmosphere. Nitrogen (N) compounds in terms of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) represent the major losses to the atmosphere of laying hen manure management chain. We present a study aimed to evaluate NH3 and N2O emission and mitigation strategies at housing, storage and land spreading stages. The whole manure management chain was evaluated under different scenarios which combined mitigation strategies of each stage. Two intensive laying hen facilities were involved in the study. Evaluated mitigation strategies were: (i) frequency of manure removal from housing facility, (ii) dried manure storage after passing throughout a manure drying tunnel (MDT) compared to fresh manure storage and (iii) fresh or dried manure incorporation versus surface land application. Increasing the frequency of manure removal from 4 days to 1/3 daily, reduced N losses around 68%. Dried manure storage achieved around 75% reduction in N losses compared to fresh manure storage. Spreading dried manure on grassland surface reduced ≈77% NH3 losses in relation to the emission level reached by fresh manure. The reduction was similar when dried manure was incorporated compared to surface application of fresh manure (≈79%). A 40% reduction in N losses was achieved using the MDT compared to no drying strategy. In the whole manure management chain, the combination of strategies that most reduced N losses was: removal frequency of 1/3 daily, dry storage after passing through the MDT and incorporated land application. These strategies reduced N losses between 40 and 60% compared to the 4 days of removal frequency, fresh storage and surface application of fresh manure.

Smart contact lens: A promising therapeutic tool in aniridia.

OBJECTIVE: The perform pre-clinical testing using optical design tools to simulate the optical quality of a smart artificial iris platform encapsulated in a scleral contact lens. These tools allow us to generate aniridia eye models and evaluate different metrics of visual quality and retinal illumination based on the aperture of the artificial iris based on liquid crystals. METHOD: The OCT imaging technique was used to measure the geometry of the anterior segment in a patient with aniridia and, from these data, the eye model was generated with the Zemax optical design program and specific programs developed in Matlab. Ocular aberrations were calculated and the visual function of the anirida eye model was evaluated in three scenarios: (i) without optical correction, (ii) with correction with a commercial scleral contact lens, and (iii) with correction with an optical lens. Intelligent contact based on artificial iris. RESULTS: Optical quality in patients with aniridia is limited by the magnitude of high-order aberrations. Conventional scleral contact lens design accurately corrects for blur but is unable to compensate for high-order ocular aberrations, especially spherical aberrations. The artificial iris-based smart contact lens design enables virtually all high-order aberrations to be compensated with active control of the pupillary diameter (activation of liquid crystal cells based on ambient lighting). In addition to minimizing high-order aberrations, reducing the pupil size would increase the depth of focus. CONCLUSIONS: This article demonstrates by means of optical simulations the concept of an intelligent artificial iris platform encapsulated in a scleral contact lens and its possible application in patients with aniridia. Furthermore, it allows us to anticipate possible visual results in clinical trials with healthy patients (after application of mydriatic agents) and in patients with aniridia. The results demonstrate a better visual quality and a decrease in retinal illumination.

Early Stepdown From Echinocandin to Fluconazole Treatment in Candidemia: A Post Hoc Analysis of Three Cohort Studies.

BACKGROUND: There are no clear criteria for antifungal de-escalation after initial empirical treatments. We hypothesized that early de-escalation (ED) (within 5 days) to fluconazole is safe in fluconazole-susceptible candidemia with controlled source of infection. METHODS: This is a multicenter post hoc study that included consecutive patients from 3 prospective candidemia cohorts (2007-2016). The impact of ED and factors associated with mortality were assessed. RESULTS: Of 1023 candidemia episodes, 235 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 54 (23%) were classified as the ED group and 181 (77%) were classified as the non-ED group. ED was more common in catheter-related candidemia (51.9% vs 31.5%; P = .006) and episodes caused by Candida parapsilosis, yet it was less frequent in patients in the intensive care unit (24.1% vs 39.2%; P = .043), infections caused by Nakaseomyces glabrata (0% vs 9.9%; P = .016), and candidemia from an unknown source (24.1% vs 47%; P = .003). In the ED and non-ED groups, 30-day mortality was 11.1% and 29.8% (P = .006), respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-10.61), Pitt score > 2 (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.94-9.20), unknown source of candidemia (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.14-5.86), candidemia caused by Candida albicans (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.48-10.61), and prior surgery (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.08-0.97) were independent predictors of mortality. Similar results were found when a propensity score for receiving ED was incorporated into the model. ED had no significant impact on mortality (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.16-1.53). CONCLUSIONS: Early de-escalation is a safe strategy in patients with candidemia caused by fluconazole-susceptible strains with controlled source of bloodstream infection and hemodynamic stability. These results are important to apply antifungal stewardship strategies.

Smart contact lens: a promising therapeutic tool in aniridia. / Lente de contacto inteligente: una prometedora herramienta terapéutica en aniridia.

OBJECTIVE: To perform pre-clinical testing using optical design tools to simulate the optical quality of a smart artificial iris platform encapsulated in a scleral contact lens. These tools allow us to generate aniridia eye models and evaluate different metrics of visual quality and retinal illumination based on the aperture of the artificial iris based on liquid crystals. METHOD: The OCT imaging technique was used to measure the geometry of the anterior segment in a patient with aniridia and, from these data, the eye model was generated with the Zemax optical design program and specific programs developed in Matlab. Ocular aberrations were calculated and the visual function of the anirida eye model was evaluated in three scenarios: (i) without optical correction, (ii) with correction with a commercial scleral contact lens, and (iii) with correction with an optical lens. intelligent contact based on artificial iris. RESULTS: Optical quality in patients with aniridia is limited by the magnitude of high-order aberrations. Conventional scleral contact lens design accurately corrects for blur but is unable to compensate for high-order ocular aberrations, especially spherical aberrations. The artificial iris-based smart contact lens design enables virtually all high-order aberrations to be compensated with active control of the pupillary diameter (activation of liquid crystal cells based on ambient lighting). In addition to minimizing high-order aberrations, reducing the pupil size would increase the depth of focus. CONCLUSIONS: This article demonstrates by means of optical simulations the concept of an intelligent artificial iris platform encapsulated in a scleral contact lens and its possible application in patients with aniridia. Furthermore, it allows us to anticipate possible visual results in clinical trials with healthy patients (after application of mydriatic agents) and in patients with aniridia. The results demonstrate a better visual quality and a decrease in retinal illumination.

Gold Chain Formation via Local Lifting of Surface Reconstruction by Hot Electron Injection on H2(D2)/Au(111).

The hexagonal close packed surface of gold shows a 22 × 3 "herringbone" surface reconstruction which makes it unique among the (111) surfaces of all metals. This long-range energetically favored dislocation pattern appears in response to the strong tensile stress that would be present on the unreconstructed surface. Adsorption of molecular and atomic species can be used to tune this surface stress and lift the herringbone reconstruction. Here we show that herringbone reconstruction can be controllably lifted in ultrahigh vacuum at cryogenic temperatures by precise hot electron injection in the presence of hydrogen molecules. We use the sharp tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) for charge carrier injection and characterization of the resulting chain nanostructures. By comparing STM images, rotational spectromicroscopy and ab initio calculations, we show that formation of gold atomic chains is associated with release of gold atoms from the surface, lifting of the reconstruction, dissociation of H2 molecules, and formation of surface hydrides. Gold hydrides grow in a zipper-like mechanism forming chains along the [11̅0] directions of the Au(111) surface and can be manipulated by further electron injection. Finally, we demonstrate that Au(111) terraces can be transformed with nearly perfect terrace selectivity over distances of hundreds of nanometers.

Alteraciones de la motilidad ocular en el síndrome de Kabuki / Changes in ocular motility in Kabuki síndrome

El síndrome de Kabuki es una enfermedad genética rara debida a una mutación genética en los genes KMT2D y KDM6A, que afecta a múltiples órganos, entre ellos los ojos, en la mayoría de los pacientes. Las características clínicas más típicas son: facies peculiar, baja estatura, anormalidades esqueléticas y bajo coeficiente intelectual. Las manifestaciones oculares más frecuentes son el estrabismo, la ptosis y los defectos refractivos. Presentamos una serie de casos de 5 pacientes (3 mujeres), 4 de ellos con estrabismo en forma de esotropía, hiperacción de oblicuos inferiores e hipofunción de oblicuos superiores asociado a un síndrome V. Son pocos los casos publicados de síndrome de Kabuki que describan las afectaciones oftalmológicas y las estrabológicas. Podría ser conveniente la realización de resonancias magnéticas orbitarias para detectar cambios en los trayectos musculares que estén relacionados con la patología de los movimientos oculares encontrados

Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, caused by mutation in the KMT2D or KDM6A genes, which affects several organs in the majority of patients, among which are the eyes. The most typical clinical characteristics are mental retardation, postnatal growth retardation, skeletal anomalies, and characteristic facial features. As the eyes are affected in most of the cases, ophthalmological examination is recommended for the early detection of ocular anomalies, in order to prevent visual impairment. The most frequent ocular signs are strabismus, ptosis, and refractive anomalies. A series of cases of Kabuki syndrome is described in five children, four of whom exhibited strabismus with esotropia, over action of inferior oblique muscles, and under action of superior oblique muscles associated with a V pattern. Most published papers do not report or might underestimate the ocular problems. It may be appropriate to perform orbital magnetic resonances in order to detect changes in the muscle paths that are related to the pathology of the eye movements found

Changes in ocular motility in Kabuki syndrome. / Alteraciones de la motilidad ocular en el síndrome de Kabuki.

Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, caused by mutation in the KMT2D or KDM6A genes, which affects several organs in the majority of patients, among which are the eyes. The most typical clinical characteristics are mental retardation, postnatal growth retardation, skeletal anomalies, and characteristic facial features. As the eyes are affected in most of the cases, ophthalmological examination is recommended for the early detection of ocular anomalies, in order to prevent visual impairment. The most frequent ocular signs are strabismus, ptosis, and refractive anomalies. A series of cases of Kabuki syndrome is described in five children, four of whom exhibited strabismus with esotropia, over action of inferior oblique muscles, and under action of superior oblique muscles associated with a V pattern. Most published papers do not report or might underestimate the ocular problems. It may be appropriate to perform orbital magnetic resonances in order to detect changes in the muscle paths that are related to the pathology of the eye movements found.

Age- and education-adjusted normative data for the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT).

The original Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) suggests a cutoff global score of 10 points. However, this limit may be too stringent for older adults attending memory training programs, particularly for those with low education levels. This study aims to provide appropriately adjusted age and education norms for the RBMT. Data from 711 subjects were grouped based on age (65-67, 68-71, 72-75 and 76-83) and education level (primary school, high school and university studies). The data exhibit a clear trend of scores decreasing with age. The diminution in scores does not reach trend levels of significance between neighboring (< 5 years) age intervals, but it is statistically significant at the designated alpha level (p = .05) when younger and older adults are compared over a range of 5 years of difference. 81.86% of our sample has global scores below the suggested cutoff of 10 points. The present study provides a more accurate representation of RBMT global score performance in older adults for specific age and education stratifications.

[Brain localization of semantic processing]. / Localizacion cerebral del procesamiento semantico.

INTRODUCTION: Semantic content processing is associated with the potential N400, and the P600 is linked with the processing of syntactic and grammatical rules. AIM: To verify whether the semantic processing of complex visual stimuli such as repetition, identity, order and double incongruence is recursive or computable. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 27 university students responded to an adapted N400 paradigm with five conditions, each with 80 tasks, while recording their brain activity with a 64-channel cap. RESULTS: Two temporal windows of 400 to 550 ms and 550 to 800 ms were analyzed using an ANOVA contrast of the condition factor by regions of interest. In addition, the inverse solution of the windows was calculated by low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) to identify the main sources related to the electrical power. The significant differences (p <0.05) in the results for the N400 and P600 in frontal and centroparietal areas in the logical operators studied are corroborated. CONCLUSION: It is confirmed that the brain processing of complex images is modulated by repetition, identity and order, but not by negation. Therefore, it can be said that the semantic processing of complex images is semi-computable.

TITLE: Localizacion cerebral del procesamiento semantico.Introduccion. El procesamiento del contenido semantico se asocia al potencial N400, y el P600 se vincula con el procesamiento de reglas sintacticas y gramaticales. Objetivo. Verificar si el procesamiento semantico de estimulos visuales complejos, como la repeticion, la identidad, el orden y la doble incongruencia, es recursivo o computable. Sujetos y metodos. Veintisiete universitarios respondieron a un paradigma adaptado N400 con cinco condiciones, cada una con 80 tareas, mientras se registraba su actividad cerebral con un gorro de 64 electrodos. Resultados. Dos ventanas temporales de 400 a 550 ms y de 550 a 800 ms se analizaron mediante un contraste ANOVA del factor condicion por regiones de interes. Ademas, se calculo la solucion inversa de las ventanas mediante tomografia electromagnetica de baja resolucion para identificar las fuentes corticales subyacentes a los potenciales electricos. Se corroboran diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en los potenciales N400 y P600 en areas frontales y centroparietales asociadas a los operadores logicos estudiados. Conclusion. Se confirma que el procesamiento cerebral de imagenes complejas (congruentes/incongruentes) es modulado por la repeticion, la identidad y el orden, pero no por la negacion. Por consiguiente, se puede decir que el procesamiento semantico de imagenes complejas es semicomputable.

Expression of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and its association with matrix metalloproteinases in symptomatic and asymptomatic apical periodontitis.

To determine Toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4 expression levels and associate them with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP), symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP), and healthy controls. Apical tissue/lesion samples were obtained from chronic AAP (n = 35) and SAP (n = 29), and healthy periodontal ligament (HPL, n = 10) with indication of tooth extraction, respectively. mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-13 were determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's pot hoc test (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient was obtained using the Spearman correlation (p < 0.05). TLR2, MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-13 mRNA levels were the highest in SAP followed by AAP and controls (p < 0.05). TLR4 and MMP-8 were over expressed in AAP and SAP compared to HPL (p < 0.05). TLR2 positively correlated with TLR4, MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13 in SAP (p < 0.05). TLR2 and TLR4 are overexpressed in apical lesions versus healthy periodontal ligament and correlate with collagenolytic MMPs. Particularly, TLR2 is overexpressed in SAP in association with MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13. Our results suggest that the activation of TLR2 along with MMP overexpression might contribute to SAP clinical presentation and progression. TLRs, MMPs, and their interaction can explain the clinical presentations and evolution of apical periodontitis and might represent key targets for new diagnostic and treatment approaches.