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Articles 61 - 81 of 81
Full-Text Articles in Optometry
Tear Component Interference In Bead-Based Biomarker Assays Using Magnetic Beads, Larezia Denise Williams
Tear Component Interference In Bead-Based Biomarker Assays Using Magnetic Beads, Larezia Denise Williams
All ETDs from UAB
Cytokines in tears can be biomarkers for ocular inflammation in dry eye subjects. Multiplex bead-based assays measure the concentration of multiple cytokines in a single tear sample. Bio-Rad® polystyrene bead-based assay kits have provided acceptable results for tear samples in this lab. Recently, Bio-Rad decided to replace polystyrene beads with magnetic beads. In earlier experiments in this laboratory, magnetic bead-based as-says did not produce results equivalent to polystyrene bead-based assays. The purpose of this investigation was to modify the magnetic bead-based tear cytokine assay to produce equivalent results to those obtained with the polystyrene bead-based assay. The modifications included running …
Measuring Aniseikonia Using Scattering Filters To Simulate Cataract, Jason Anthony Wilson
Measuring Aniseikonia Using Scattering Filters To Simulate Cataract, Jason Anthony Wilson
All ETDs from UAB
MEASURING ANISEIKONIA USING SCATTERING FILTERS TO SIMULATE CATARACT JASON WILSON DEPARTMENT OF VISION SCIENCE ABSTRACT The relationship between anisometropia and aniseikonia (ANK) is not well understood. Ametropic cataract patients provide a unique opportunity to study this relationship after undergoing emmetropizing lens extraction. Because light scatter may affect ANK measurement in cataract patients, its effect should also be evaluated. The Basic Aniseikonia Test (BAT) was evaluated using afocal size lenses to produce specific changes in retinal height. Several light scattering devices were then evaluated to determine which produced effects most similar to cataract. Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity (VA) losses were …
Post-Translational Modifications, Structure And Function Of Human Lens Crystallins, Chinwe Asomugha
Post-Translational Modifications, Structure And Function Of Human Lens Crystallins, Chinwe Asomugha
All ETDs from UAB
Cataract is an opacification of the lens causing reduction in vision over time. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults age 55 and older. The lens is a transparent structure that focuses incoming light onto the retina for visual perception. It has a high protein content, attributed mainly to water-soluble proteins known as crystallins. With age, crystallins undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs) that alter their structural and/or functional properties and, in turn, lead to cataract formation. The purpose of this research was to take a top-down approach in understanding changes in lens proteins with age, starting …
Behavior Of Midbrain Vergence Cells During Stepwise Transfers Of Gaze And Oblique Tracking In Depth, Leah Corthell
Behavior Of Midbrain Vergence Cells During Stepwise Transfers Of Gaze And Oblique Tracking In Depth, Leah Corthell
All ETDs from UAB
A long standing debate regarding the neural organization of oculomotor control began in the late 1800's with Hering and von Helmholtz proposing two opposing ideologies. Von Helmholtz proposed a monocular structure of the oculomotor circuitry in which each eye receives separate motor commands. Hering offered his law of equal innervation, which states that all eye movements are the sum of binocular vergence and conjugate commands. As a test of Hering's binocular proposal, this project compared the behavior of midbrain vergence cells during: 1) saccade-free stepwise transfers of gaze in depth; 2) combined saccade-vergence eye movements; 3) pure vergence tracking, and …
Overexpression Of Garp2 Increases Phototransduction Gain., Shanta Sarfare
Overexpression Of Garp2 Increases Phototransduction Gain., Shanta Sarfare
All ETDs from UAB
The cGMP-gated cation channel (CNG) in the rod photoreceptors is an essential component of phototransduction, and may have a role in maintaining structural integrity of the rod outer segment (ROS). The ß-subunit of the CNG channel (CNGB1) in the rod photoreceptors is comprised of an N-terminal glutamic acid-rich region (GARP') and a C-terminal channel-like region. Additionally, two soluble proteins GARP1 and GARP2 are alternatively spliced from the CNGB1 gene. Although GARPs are known to interact with other proteins in the rod photoreceptors, their role is currently unknown. To determine the role of GARP2 in the rod photoreceptors, we generated transgenic …
Response Dynamics Of Retinal Ganglion And Early Visual Cortical Cells To Simulated Optical Blur, Michael Lance Risner
Response Dynamics Of Retinal Ganglion And Early Visual Cortical Cells To Simulated Optical Blur, Michael Lance Risner
All ETDs from UAB
Visual neurons are highly sensitive to changes in luminance around the mean level of light. The effects of changes in luminance contrast on the responses of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and V1 neurons have been extensively studied. Sharp transitions in luminance signify edges, which are key features in the visual environment. However, edges are rarely sharp and may be blurred. Edges are generally blurred because eyes have a restricted depth of field, sources of light are rarely point sources, edges are typically smooth, and rapid motion induces blur. The purpose of this research was to understand how RGCs and V1 …
Exploration Of The Crosslinks Between Saccadic And Vergence Eye Movement Pathways Using Motor And Visual Perturbations, Kevin Paul Schultz
Exploration Of The Crosslinks Between Saccadic And Vergence Eye Movement Pathways Using Motor And Visual Perturbations, Kevin Paul Schultz
All ETDs from UAB
ANCOVA models to be non-orthogonal, we get similar results to the ANCOVA with
Modification Of Adenovirus Capsid Proteins For Gene Therapy Applications, Yizhe Tang
Modification Of Adenovirus Capsid Proteins For Gene Therapy Applications, Yizhe Tang
All ETDs from UAB
Adenovirus (Ad) is the most commonly used viral vector in gene therapy applications to date for a broad range of diseases. Although Ad-based viral vectors have many advantages in a variety of gene therapy designs, the commonly used adenoviral vectors have several key shortcomings. Those shortcomings include (1) inefficient transduction in cell types devoid of Ad’s native receptors and the incapability of gene delivery to targets behind physical barriers; (2) restricted accessibility to the central nerve system due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB); (3) lack of a useful strategy and platform to generate multi-functionality displaying Ad vectors …
Comparisons Between Behavioral And Electrophysiological Measures Of Visual Function In Rodent Models Of Retinal Degeneration, Glen R. Rubin
Comparisons Between Behavioral And Electrophysiological Measures Of Visual Function In Rodent Models Of Retinal Degeneration, Glen R. Rubin
All ETDs from UAB
The critical flicker frequency (CFF) is the lowest frequency for which a flickering light appears steady. Measuring CFF indicates rod- and cone-driven function relative to light intensity. CFF can be measured by both electroretinogram (ERG) and behavior. We measured CFF in several rodent models of retinal degeneration in order to better characterize retinal degeneration and understand the functional implications of electrophysiological changes. We measured ERG CFF in RCS dystrophic (RCS-p+) and wild type (WT) rats at PN23, PN44, and PN64. ERG CFF data in RCS rats show significant early degeneration of the rods followed by cones. CFF was significantly lower …
Patterns Of Differential Mrna And Protein Expression During Minus Lens Compensation And Recovery In Tree Shrew Sclera, Hong Gao
All ETDs from UAB
During the juvenile period of human development, an emmetropization mechanism uses visual signals to precisely guide the axial length elongation rate of the eyes to the optical power to keep the images in sharp focus. However, almost a third of the U.S. population develops axial myopia, in which the eye is elongated relative to the focal plane. The aims of the study were to examine 27 genes and 6 proteins in tree shrew sclera for potential differential expression patterns during minus lens compensation and dur-ing recovery. The study hypothesized that, in response to hyperopia produced by a -5 D lens, …
Sustained Pupil Constriction Following Brief Light Exposure: Relation To Retinal Health, Laxmikanth Kankipati
Sustained Pupil Constriction Following Brief Light Exposure: Relation To Retinal Health, Laxmikanth Kankipati
All ETDs from UAB
The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is an indispensable clinical measure of visual, neurological and autonomic function which, until recently, was thought to be driven by only rods and cones. In 2000, a novel subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was discovered that express melanopsin and are intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGC). These ipRGCs contribute to the PLR and are responsible for the sustained pupilloconstriction observed following light offset (the post-illumination pupil response (PIPR)). The primary goal of this project was to examine the PIPR in a broad sample of the general human population. Using a newly-developed, wide-field optical system, we demonstrate that …
Effects Of Daily Versus 30-Day Continuous Contact Lens Wear On Tear Cytokine Levels, Lucy Ebunoluwa Kehinde
Effects Of Daily Versus 30-Day Continuous Contact Lens Wear On Tear Cytokine Levels, Lucy Ebunoluwa Kehinde
All ETDs from UAB
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if 30 days of continuous contact lens wear produces a different ocular inflammatory response compared to 30 days of daily wear of Bausch & Lomb® PureVisionTM silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Eighty-five individuals wore these lenses for 30 days continuously in one eye and daily in the contralateral eye. Relative concentrations of 27 cytokines were measured in tear samples collected from the subjects using cytometric bead-based assays. Clinical tests were also conducted to correlate changes in cytokine levels to changes in clinical profiles. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the impact …
Structural And Functional Properties Of Human Αa-Crystallin, Jose Mauro Chaves
Structural And Functional Properties Of Human Αa-Crystallin, Jose Mauro Chaves
All ETDs from UAB
The three specific aims of the project were: (1) compare effects of deamidation alone (i.e., αA-N101D, αA-N123D, αA-N101/123D), truncation alone (αA-NT mutant [deletion of residue no. 1-63], or αA-CT mutant [deletion of residue no. 140-173]), or both truncation plus deamidation on structural and functional properties of human lens αA-crystallin; (2) identify components of complexes in the water soluble-high molecular weight (WS-HMW) proteins of normal aging and cataractous human lenses; and (3) determine interactions among WT-αA, αA-NT and αA-CT crystallin species with filensin and phakinin (beaded filament proteins) in vitro. The comparative structural and functional differences between αA-deamidated and/or truncated mutants …
Punctal Occlusion Impact On Tear Film Immuno-Regulatory Proteins Measured By Cytometric Bead-Based Assay, Martin W. Lafrance
Punctal Occlusion Impact On Tear Film Immuno-Regulatory Proteins Measured By Cytometric Bead-Based Assay, Martin W. Lafrance
All ETDs from UAB
PURPOSE: This study compares vendor reagents used for cytometric bead-based assay (CBA) of cytokines in human tears and validates a protocol for use in evaluating punctal occlusion, a treatment for keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It has been proposed that punctal occlusion may alter tear cytokine concentrations based on the facts that: (1) tear clearance, a measure of the balance between tear production and elimination, declines following occlusion and (2) reduced tear clearance and increased levels of pro-inflammatory tear cytokines are correlated in dry eye patients. This study compares tear clearance values and the level of 24 tear cytokines measured by CBA following …
The Role Of Melanopsin Containing Retinal Ganglion Cells In The Pupillary Responses Of Human And Non-Human Primates, David H. Mcdougal
The Role Of Melanopsin Containing Retinal Ganglion Cells In The Pupillary Responses Of Human And Non-Human Primates, David H. Mcdougal
All ETDs from UAB
Historically, the characteristics of the light-evoked neural signals driving the human pupillary light reflex (PLR) have been poorly understood. It was assumed that these light signals originated exclusively from rod and cone photoreceptors, although the measured spectral sensitivity and response dynamics of the PLR were difficult to reconcile with the known properties of rods and cones. Recently, a novel photoreceptive cell class has been discovered in the mammalian retina. These unique retinal ganglion cells not only receive rod and cone inputs, but also express the photopigment melanopsin, and exhibit intrinsic photoresponses independent of rod and cone inputs. These intrinsically photosensitive …
The Role Of Strychnine-Sensitive Nachrs In Rabbit Retinal Off Ganglion Cells, Jordan Michael Renna
The Role Of Strychnine-Sensitive Nachrs In Rabbit Retinal Off Ganglion Cells, Jordan Michael Renna
All ETDs from UAB
that when heteroskedasticity is present, but ignored, there is significant evidence to suggest
Expression And Function Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Human Vascular Endothelial Cells, Ryan C. Splittgerber
Expression And Function Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Human Vascular Endothelial Cells, Ryan C. Splittgerber
All ETDs from UAB
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in neural and non-neural tissues and have been reported to play a role in neovascularization and vascular diseases of the eye, specifically age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). However, the subunit composition of functional nAChRs, their mechanisms of action, and the downstream signaling pathways in non-neuronal tissues are not well understood. Since some nAChR subtypes have high Ca2+ permeability, we investigated the possible role of Ca2+ in activating signaling cascades that underlie the affects of nAChR activation in Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HDMECs). RT-PCR experiments revealed message for nearly all of the known …
Stem Cell Markers In The Posterior Limbus And Cornea, Sara L. Mcgowan
Stem Cell Markers In The Posterior Limbus And Cornea, Sara L. Mcgowan
All ETDs from UAB
The corneal endothelium is a layer of cells in the cornea that is responsible for maintaining the clear state of the cornea. Corneal endothelial cells may be induced to divide, but do not regularly divide in the normal cornea of a human beyond the age of twenty. Some studies have suggested that a stem cell population may reside in the pe-ripheral corneal endothelium or in the posterior limbus. Important molecular markers of stem cells are nestin which is expressed in neural crest stem cells; alkaline phosphatase is active in stem cells and not in differentiated cells; telomerase is a marker …
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor System In Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, Sudipto Mukherjee
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor System In Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, Sudipto Mukherjee
All ETDs from UAB
The goal of this study was to determine the influence, if any, of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell tractional force generation and the contributions of vitreous insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) towards control of IGF activity. Another objective was to evaluate RPE cells as a potential source of all six high-affinity IGFBPs and to determine if IGFBP biosynthesis is modulated in concert with phenotype changes and growth factor stimuli known to be present in disease. RPE generate tractional forces in response to IGF-I and -II with IGF-I being the more potent stimulus. Differential …
Effects Of Optical Blur On Visual Performance And Comfort Of Computer Users, Ferial M. Zeried
Effects Of Optical Blur On Visual Performance And Comfort Of Computer Users, Ferial M. Zeried
All ETDs from UAB
Background. The study examined the effects of optical blur on the visual performance and comfort of computer workers. Since most workers have significant degrees of optical blur, the study may elucidate improved methodology for workplace comfort and function. Methods. Since young and old workers experience blur from different sources, the study incorporated two different designs. The study examined the correction of optical blur using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The primary outcomes of the study were visual comfort and productivity. In study one, subjects were required to be 19-35 yrs of age, have at least 0.50D uncorrected refractive error …
Visually Impaired Caregivers: Perspectives From Patient Focus Groups, Bethany Surrey Martinez
Visually Impaired Caregivers: Perspectives From Patient Focus Groups, Bethany Surrey Martinez
All ETDs from UAB
Purpose: We typically think of those with severe visual impairment as having to receive care or assistance for tasks in everyday living. However, with the aging of the population, more persons who are severely visually impaired are now caring for a spouse of significant other. Very little is known about visually impaired (VI) caregivers. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study is to learn more about this vulnerable population of VI caregivers. Methods: Focus groups and one-on-one interviews were conducted with English speaking adults who were legally blind (U.S. definition) and served as informal caregiver of an adult family member. …