Coral Crisis: Palytoxin-Induced Keratoconjunctivitis In Marine Experts,
2025
HCA Healthcare
Coral Crisis: Palytoxin-Induced Keratoconjunctivitis In Marine Experts, Nikolas Foresteire, Luis Cabrera, Cory Howard, Alexandra Craen, Ori Gat
West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025
No abstract provided.
Treatment Sequence With Tebentafusp And Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors In Patients With Metastatic Uveal Melanoma And Metastatic Gna11/Gnaq Mutant Melanocytic Tumors,
2025
Thomas Jefferson University
Treatment Sequence With Tebentafusp And Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors In Patients With Metastatic Uveal Melanoma And Metastatic Gna11/Gnaq Mutant Melanocytic Tumors, Florentia Dimitriou, Marlana Orloff, Erica Koch Hein, Phil Cheng, Isaac Hughes, Ester Simeone, Kamaneh Montazeri, Piyush Grover, Inderjit Mehmi, Camille Gerard, Caroline Gaudy-Marqueste, Jean-Jacques Grob, Olivier Michielin, Omid Hamid, Georgina Long, Ryan Sullivan, Ellen Kapiteijn, Douglas Johnson, Paolo Ascierto, Anthony Joshua, Richard Carvajal, Marcus Butler, Jessica Hassel, Reinhard Dummer
Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers
BACKGROUND: Metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is rare. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown modest efficacy in mUM. Tebentafusp prolonged overall survival (OS) in a phase 3 study. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the sequence of tebentafusp and ICIs.
METHODS: Patients with HLA-A * 02:01 positive mUM, or metastatic GNA11/GNAQ mutant melanocytic tumors treated with tebentafusp followed by ICIs (group 1) or the inverse sequence (group 2) at any treatment line were retrospectively identified. The primary objective was OS rate at 2 years.
RESULTS: 131 patients were included; 51 in group 1 and 80 in group 2. …
The Demodex Expert Panel On Treatment And Eyelid Health (Depth) Consensus Regarding The Preferred Treatment For Demodex Blepharitis,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
The Demodex Expert Panel On Treatment And Eyelid Health (Depth) Consensus Regarding The Preferred Treatment For Demodex Blepharitis, Eric Donnenfeld, Kelly K Nichols, Brandon D Ayres, Marjan Farid, Preeya K Gupta, Richard Lyndon Lindstrom, Stephen Pflugfelder, Christopher E Starr, Nandini Venkateswaran, Ian Benjamin Gaddie, Paul M Karpecki, Cecelia Koetting, Selina Mcgee, Laura M Periman, Elizabeth Yeu
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Purpose: To reach consensus on Demodex blepharitis (DB) treatment approaches using a modified Delphi process involving 15 ocular surface disease experts.
Methods: The Demodex Expert Panel on Treatment and Eyelid Health (DEPTH) consisted of 15 well-published ocular surface disease experts. Panelists completed two online surveys, a live consensus meeting, and a follow-up survey. The surveys consisted of scaled and multiple-choice questions related to the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of DB and its treatment. For the scaled questions using a 1 to 9 Likert scale, consensus was defined as weighted mean scores of 1-3 and 7-9, whereas for multiple-choice questions, consensus …
A Natural Small Molecule Isoginkgetin Alleviates Hypercholesterolemia And Atherosclerosis By Targeting Acly,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
A Natural Small Molecule Isoginkgetin Alleviates Hypercholesterolemia And Atherosclerosis By Targeting Acly, Zhidan Zhang, Meijie Chen, Yitong Xu, Zhihua Wang, Zhenghong Liu, Chenyang He, Fanshun Zhang, Xiaojun Feng, Xiayun Ni, Yuanli Chen, Jixia Wang, Xinmiao Liang, Zhifu Xie, Jingya Li, Maciej Banach, Jaroslav Pelisek, Yuqing Huo, Yunhui Hu, Paul C Evans, Li Wang, Xiao-Yu Tian, Jianbo Xiao, Yuhua Shang, Yijun Zheng, Xunde Xian, Jianping Weng, Suowen Xu
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Rationale: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) represents the predominant cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Given the established role of hypercholesterolemia as a significant risk factor for ASCVD, the discovery of new lipid-lowering medications is of paramount importance. ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is a crucial enzyme in cellular metabolism, providing acetyl-CoA as the building block for the biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. Consequently, it has emerged as a promising drug target for innovative treatments of lipid metabolic disorders.
Methods: Virtual screening of a natural product library was performed to identify small-molecule ACLY inhibitors, leading to the discovery of isoginkgetin (ISOGK). …
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation In Challenging Cases,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation In Challenging Cases, Jack X Ma, Li Wang, Douglas D Koch
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
In this article, we reviewed recently published papers of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in special eyes. In short eyes, accurate estimation of effective lens position is critical, and the ZEISS artificial intelligence IOL calculator produces the best outcomes. In long eyes, accuracy has been improved with axial length (AL) adjusted formulas such as the Wang-Koch AL adjustment and newer IOL formulas. In keratoconic eyes, hyperopic refractive outcomes increase with steeper keratometric values, and accuracy is poor in eyes with keratometric values ≥50.0 D. Two keratoconus-specific formulas (Barrett True K for keratoconus and Kane keratoconus) have been introduced. In eyes …
Tools And Methods For Cataract Recognition In Low-Resource Settings: A Narrative Review,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Tools And Methods For Cataract Recognition In Low-Resource Settings: A Narrative Review, Paulina N Truong, Elizabeth A Merlinsky, Nicholas C Maamari, Christina Y Weng, Andrew G Lee
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Cataracts are a leading cause of global blindness, with many low-resource populations having poor access to eye care. While much is known regarding surgical access and outcomes, less is understood about the initial detection of operable cataracts in low-resource settings. We performed a comprehensive literature review on existing and emerging cataract screening methods in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The search keywords were "cataract detection, diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation in low- and middle- income countries". 1,825 articles were identified and 62 were selected for final inclusion comprising reviews, meta-analyses, and original research studies. Only 12 studies proposed new cataract screening …
Genetic Newborn Screening For Retinoblastoma: A Belgian Initiative Baby Detect,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Genetic Newborn Screening For Retinoblastoma: A Belgian Initiative Baby Detect, Daniel A Rodriguez, Alex Song, Anshul Bhatnagar, Christina Y Weng
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Baby Detect Project, started in September 2022, aimed to create a newborn screening test using targeted next-generation sequencing for all early-onset, treatable, and serious conditions. The elaborated gene panel covers 405 genes, associated with 165 genetic conditions, and includes RB1, linked to retinoblastoma, the only oncological disease tested for. Germline RB1 mutations concern around 50% of all retinoblastoma cases and 100% of the most severe, bilateral cases. Ninety percent of them occur de novo, which delays the diagnosis by about a year with subsequent loss of vision and sometimes the eye itself. Detecting children with germline RB1 mutation at …
Extrusion Rates And Postoperative Emergency Visits In Tied And Untied Bicanalicular Silicone Stents In Pediatric Lacrimal Surgery,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Extrusion Rates And Postoperative Emergency Visits In Tied And Untied Bicanalicular Silicone Stents In Pediatric Lacrimal Surgery, Taimur Siddiqui, Sarah M Kamal, Katherine J Williams, Jiwei Sheng, Richard C Allen
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Purpose: The purpose is to compare rates of stent extrusion and emergency visits in tied and untied Crawford stents for pediatric lacrimal surgery.
Methods: This retrospective chart review included 166 eyes of 129 patients from 2018 to 2022. Data collected included tied/untied status, premature prolapse, retention, and time of removal, number of postoperative visits, emergent visits before scheduled follow-up, final follow-up, and surgical success.
Results: Of 166 eyes, 97 received tied stents and 69 received untied stents. Success rates, defined by need for additional surgery and symptoms, were similar between groups. However, untied stents prolapsed more often (P < 0.05) but led to fewer total follow-up visits (P …
Visual Acuity, Full-Field Stimulus Thresholds, And Electroretinography For 4 Years In The Rate Of Progression Of Ush2a-Related Retinal Degeneration (Rush2a) Study,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Visual Acuity, Full-Field Stimulus Thresholds, And Electroretinography For 4 Years In The Rate Of Progression Of Ush2a-Related Retinal Degeneration (Rush2a) Study, David G Birch, Peiyao Cheng, Maureen G Maguire, Jacque L Duncan, Allison R Ayala, Janet K Cheetham, Nicole R Doucet, Todd A Durham, Abigail T Fahim, Frederick L Ferris, Rachel M Huckfeldt, Michele Melia, Michel Michaelides, Mark E Pennesi, José-Alain Sahel, Katarina Stingl, Ajoy Vincent, Christina Y Weng
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
PURPOSE: To describe progression of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), full-field stimulus thresholds (FST), and electroretinography (ERG) over 4 years in the
DESIGN: Prospective natural history study.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants (n = 105) with biallelic disease-causing sequence variants in USH2A and BCVA letter scores of ≥54 were included.
METHODS: BCVA, FST, fundus-guided microperimetry, static perimetry, and spectral domain OCT were performed annually and ERG at baseline and 4 years only. Mixed effects models were used to estimate annual rates of change with 95% confidence intervals. Associations of change from baseline to 4 years between BCVA, FST, ERG, and other metrics were assessed …
Htr1b Is Necessary For Normal Retinal Function In Mice,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Htr1b Is Necessary For Normal Retinal Function In Mice, Solomon E Gibson, Xiaofeng Tao, Guofu Shen, Justin Ma, Yong H Park, Maria Polo-Prieto, Benjamin J Frankfort
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Introduction: Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that is involved in retinal development, physiology, and vision, yet the specific contribution of individual 5-HT receptors to retinal function is poorly characterized. We identified 5-HT receptor 1B (Htr1b) as a potential key regulator of serotonergic signaling in the retina.
Methods: Htr1b localization was examined using RNAseq and in situ labeling. Retinal structure was assessed using histology and SD-OCT. Visual function was evaluated using optomotor behavioral experiments. Retinal function was characterized in vivo using electroretinography (ERG) and ex vivo using multielectrode array (MEA) recordings.
Results: Htr1b transcript and HTR1B protein localized primarily …
On The Nose: Nasal Neurostimulation As A Technology Countermeasure For Sinonasal Congestion In Astronauts,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
On The Nose: Nasal Neurostimulation As A Technology Countermeasure For Sinonasal Congestion In Astronauts, Timon Ax, Philipp H Zimmermann, Tomas L Bothe, Karen Barchetti, Cintia S De Paiva, Francesc March De Ribot, Slade O Jensen, Thomas J Millar
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Human spaceflight subjects the body to numerous and unique challenges. Astronauts frequently report a sense of sinonasal congestion upon entering microgravity for which the exact pathomechanisms are unknown. However, cephalad fluid shift seems to be its primary cause, with CO2 levels and environmental irritants playing ancillary roles. Current management focuses on pharmacotherapy comprising oral and nasal decongestants and antihistamines. These are among the most commonly used treatments in astronauts. With longer and more distant space missions on the horizon, there is a need for efficacious and payload-sparing non-pharmacological interventions. Neurostimulation is a promising countermeasure technology for many ailments on Earth. …
Decline In Us-China Science: Can Ophthalmology Remain Collaborative?,
2025
The Texas Medical Center Library
Decline In Us-China Science: Can Ophthalmology Remain Collaborative?, Kevin Y Huang, Parth A Patel, Austin Huang, Allen C Ho, Jost B Jonas, Xiaodong Sun, Youxin Chen, Yingfeng Zheng, Yih-Chung Tham, Christina Y Weng, Tien Yin Wong
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
No abstract provided.
Ciliary Arl14b In Vision,
2025
West Virginia University
Ciliary Arl14b In Vision, Alexis Breann Crockett
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Primary cilia are highly specialized organelles that regulate signaling, trafficking, and sensory perception across multiple tissues, including the retina. The small GTPase ADP Ribosylation Factor-Like Protein 13B (ARL13B) is an atypical ARF-family protein enriched in cilia. ARL13B acts as a guanine exchange factor (GEF) for another small GTPase ARF-like Protein 3 (ARL3). Mutations in ARL13B cause Joubert syndrome, a ciliopathy characterized by brain malformation, developmental delays, and retinal degeneration. Despite ARL13B’s known ciliary localization and clinical relevance, ARL13B’s precise functions in cilia remain poorly defined. This dissertation investigates the cilia-specific roles and GEF-specific roles of ARL13B in photoreceptors using two …
Atypical Presentation Of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis In A 26 Year Old Female,
2025
HCA Healthcare
Atypical Presentation Of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis In A 26 Year Old Female, Laura Henein, Shahla Delawalla, Ebere Obasi, Gina Brock, Shameka Jones
South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025
No abstract provided.
Hyperglycemia Causes Differential Change In Macrophage Population In The Lacrimal Gland, Conjunctiva And Cornea,
2024
Chapman University
Hyperglycemia Causes Differential Change In Macrophage Population In The Lacrimal Gland, Conjunctiva And Cornea, Saleh Alfuraih, Amy Tran, Lois Kim, Rais Ansari, Ajay Sharma
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
Background: Due to its location, the ocular surface is exposed to environmental microbes. Innate immune cells including macrophages are first line defense against infections. In vitro exposure to high glucose as well as diabetes-associated hyperglycemia has been shown to affect innate immune cell function and population. The present study was designed to examine the effect of diabetes-associated hyperglycemia on the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva and cornea macrophage population, phenotypic changes and cytokines/chemokines.
Methods: Mouse model of Streptozotocin-induced diabetes was used to induce hyperglycemia. Immunostaining for CD11b and F4/80 was performed to stain macrophages in whole mount cornea, conjunctiva and 50 µm …
Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies For Early Diagnostic Precision And Personalized Therapeutic Strategies In Neuro-Ophthalmic And Neurodegenerative Pathologies,
2024
Thomas Jefferson University
Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies For Early Diagnostic Precision And Personalized Therapeutic Strategies In Neuro-Ophthalmic And Neurodegenerative Pathologies, Rahul Kumar, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Phani Paladugu, Dylan Amiri, Jeremy Saintyl, Jahnavi Yelamanchi, Robert Nahouraii, Ram Jagadeesan, Alireza Tavakkoli
SKMC Student Presentations and Publications
Advancements in neuroimaging, particularly diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), have significantly enhanced the early detection of biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. This review highlights the transformative role of advanced diffusion MRI techniques-Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging-in identifying subtle microstructural changes in the brain and visual pathways that precede clinical symptoms. When integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, these techniques achieve unprecedented diagnostic precision, facilitating early detection of neurodegeneration and …
Evaluation Of An Artificial Intelligence-Based Intraocular Lens Calculator: Ai-Based Iol-Optimized Formula,
2024
The Texas Medical Center Library
Evaluation Of An Artificial Intelligence-Based Intraocular Lens Calculator: Ai-Based Iol-Optimized Formula, Li Wang, Hendrik Burwinkel, Nicolas Bensaid, Douglas D Koch
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Purpose: To evaluate the ZEISS AI IOL Calculator (ZEISS AI) and compare its accuracy in refractive prediction to the Barrett Universal II (BUII) and Kane formulas.
Setting: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Design: Retrospective case series.
Methods: The ZEISS AI IOL Calculator (ZEISS AI) is an artificial intelligence (AI) based IOL-optimized formula. The refractive prediction errors (PEs) were calculated in the entire dataset and subgroups of short eyes (axial length (AL) ≤ 22.5 mm) and long eyes (AL ≥ 25.0 mm). The standard deviation (SD), root-mean-square absolute error (RMSAE), mean absolute error (MAE), median absolute error …
Performance Of Formulas Included In The Escrs Intraocular Lens Power Calculator,
2024
The Texas Medical Center Library
Performance Of Formulas Included In The Escrs Intraocular Lens Power Calculator, Janusz Skrzypecki, Douglas D Koch, Li Wang
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Purpose: To compare the refractive prediction errors (PEs) of formulas included in the ESCRS intraocular lens (IOL) power calculator to aid in informed decisions on IOL power selection based on the output of this tool.
Setting: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Design: Retrospective case-series.
Methods: 748 eyes of 748 patients after implantation of 1 of 3 lenses were included, single-piece: the SN60WF, PCB00/ZCB00 and 3-piece: MA60MA. IOL constants recommended by the calculator were used for the study. We performed analysis for the whole dataset, short (< 22 mm) and long eyes (>25 mm) as well as in subgroups based on the …
International Classification System For Ocular Complications Of Anti-Vegf Agents In Clinical Trials,
2024
The Texas Medical Center Library
International Classification System For Ocular Complications Of Anti-Vegf Agents In Clinical Trials, Marko M Popovic, Michael Balas, Srinivas R Sadda, David Sarraf, Ryan Huang, Sophie J Bakri, Audina Berrocal, Andrew Chang, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung, Sunir Garg, Roxane J Hillier, Frank G Holz, Mark W Johnson, Peter K Kaiser, Peter J Kertes, Timothy Y Y Lai, Jason Noble, Susanna S Park, Yannis M Paulus, Giuseppe Querques, Aleksandra Rachitskaya, Paisan Ruamviboonsuk, Shohista Saidkasimova, Maria Teresa Sandinha, David H Steel, Hiroko Terasaki, Christina Y Weng, Basil K Williams, Lihteh Wu, Rajeev H Muni
Faculty, Staff and Students Publications
Purpose: Complications associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies are reported inconsistently in the literature, thus limiting an accurate evaluation and comparison of safety between studies. This study aimed to develop a standardized classification system for anti-VEGF ocular complications using the Delphi consensus process.
Design: Systematic review and Delphi consensus process.
Participants: Twenty-five international retinal specialists participated in the Delphi consensus survey.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify complications of intravitreal anti-VEGF agent administration based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of anti-VEGF therapy. A comprehensive list of complications was derived from these studies, and this list was subjected to …
Metabolomic-Derived Endotypes Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Amd): A Step Towards Identification Of Disease Subgroups,
2024
Edith Cowan University
Metabolomic-Derived Endotypes Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Amd): A Step Towards Identification Of Disease Subgroups, Kevin Mendez, Ines Lains, Rachel S. Kelly, João Gil, Rufino Silva, John Miller, Demetrios G. Vavvas, Ivana Kim, Joan Miller, Liming Liang, Jessica A. Lasky-Su, Deeba Husain
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with a complex pathophysiology and phenotypic diversity. Here, we apply Similarity Network Fusion (SNF) to cluster AMD patients into putative metabolomics-derived endotypes. Using a discovery cohort of 163 AMD patients from Boston, US, and a validation cohort of 214 patients from Coimbra, Portugal, we identified four distinct metabolomics-derived endotypes with varying retinal structural and functional characteristics, confirmed across both cohorts. Patients clustered into Endotype 1 exhibited a milder form of AMD and were characterized by low levels of amino acids in specific metabolic pathways. Meanwhile, patients clustered into both …
