Examining the Classification Accuracy of the Social, Academic, Emotional Behavior Risk Screener and Its Relationship with Writing Performance

This study examined the relationship between two school-wide screening measures, one examining classroom behaviors (the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener; SAEBRS; Kilgus, Chafouleas, & Riley-Tillman, 2013) and another evaluating writing fluency (Curriculum-Based Measurement in Written Expression; CBM-WE). This study also evaluated the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the SAEBRS and CBM-WE for identifying students at-risk for writing achievement deficits. A convenience sample of 147 third-grade general education students across two schools, who were determined to not have any significant impairment impacting their writing performance, participated in this study. The index tests (i.e., SAEBRS, CBM-WE) and reference standard (i.e., Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, III Essay Composition subtest; Pearson, 2009) were identified a priori. Of 147 participants, 18 students were identified as at-risk for writing achievement deficits and 129 students were identified as not at-risk. Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between the SAEBRS and CBM-WE for female and male students. In the identification of writing achievement deficits, the area under the ROC curve for CBM-WE revealed fair accuracy (AUC = .761; 95% Confidence Interval [.644, .878]) and poor accuracy was noted for the SAEBRS (AUC = .653; 95% Confidence Interval [.528, .778]). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the independent AUC values, the difference in the qualitative indicator suggest that CBM-WE is a superior screening measure for identifying at-risk students in comparison to the SAEBRS. The findings from this study highlight the contribution of classroom behaviors to the writing process of elementary-aged students and offers support for the use of CBM-WE to identify students at-risk for writing achievement deficits

The Impact of Classroom Behaviors and Student Attention on Written Expression

This study sought to examine classroom behaviors and attention as predictors of writing performance among third-grade students receiving a Tier 1 performance feedback intervention. Information about the classroom behavior of 80 third grade students (39 males, 41 females) was collected before intervention began through use of two teacher report measures: the Academic Performance Rating Scale (APRS; DuPaul, Rapport, & Perriello, 1991) and the inattention factor on the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behavior Rating Scale (SWAN; Swanson et al., 2006). Results indicated that the APRS and SWAN were significant predictors of writing fluency in the combined sample of participants. When examining gender differences between these predictors, the APRS and SWAN were identified to be significant predictors for writing fluency among female students. No behavioral predictors were found to be significantly associated with any of the writing measures for male students, and no behavioral predictors were found to be significantly associated with writing productivity for any of the participants. Results from this study offer some guidance regarding the underlying factors that contribute to writing performance within the context of academic interventions

Microscope-Integrated Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinal Surgery

Imaging techniques of the posterior segment of the eye have gradually evolved and tremendously improved during the last decade. A widespread implementation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the management and diagnosis of retinal conditions, with a concurrent advance in integrative technology, led to the integration of the OCT into the microscope for its intraoperative use. Regarding posterior segment eye surgery, some of the most common diagnoses in which microscope-integrated OCT (MIOCT) can result of great value are epiretinal membrane, macular hole (MH), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and, less frequently, for inflammatory diseases, chorioretinal biopsies, and retinal implants. The impact on the surgical procedure and, possibly, on the postoperative outcome could relate to the definition of whether or not a membrane has been entirely peeled, the presence of residual membranes, and the option to perform a dissection without the need of vital dyes. The possibility of correct topographical location of hemorrhages, suspect lesions, or implants can also facilitate the surgical decision-making during biopsies or prosthesis implantation. Microscope-integrated OCT is a feasible and useful tool that can provide valuable information during surgery impact on decision-making, anatomic results, surgical safety and provide opportunity to individualize surgical treatment for each patient

La profilaxis con antibióticos tópicos no es indispensable después del retiro de cuerpos metálicos extraños de la córnea

Objetivo: Valorar la incidencia de infección corneal en pacientes con cuerpos extraños corneales metálicos después de su retiro sin uso de antibióticos tópicos profilácticos. Métodos: Se incluyeron prospectivamente 120 pacientes con cuerpos extraños corneales metálicos. En todos los casos se retiraron los cuerpos extraños metálicos y el pulimiento del herrumbre anular se realizó en caso necesario. Lubricante en ungüento o en gotas fueron administrados en cada paciente. Se ocluyó con parche en caso indicado. Se siguió cada caso hasta obtener cicatrización total del área afectada. Se valoró la incidencia de infección corneal. Resultados: Ningún paciente desarrollo infección corneal. Conclusiones: El uso de antibióticos tópicos profilácticos después de retirar cuerpos extraños corneales metálicos no es indispensable

Combined therapy in diabetic macular edema

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of three different combinations for the ‘‘loading phase’’ in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME), using bevacizumab (BVZ), triamcinolone (TCL) and subthreshold macular photocoagulation (SMPC). Methods: Experimental, longitudinal, prospective, comparative and blind. Patients were randomly assigned to three treatment branches: Group 1: BVZ + SMPC (12 eyes), Group 2: SMPC + BVZ + TCL (7 eyes), Group 3: BVZ + TCL (11 eyes). Treatment with BVZ and TCL was given every 4 weeks for 3 months, SMPC was applied once at the beginning of treatment. Initial and final measurements of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were tested. Results: The improvement in BCVA and the reduction in CMT was statistically superior in group of BVZ + SMPCwhen compared to the other groups. There were no differences in IOP. Conclusions: Combined therapies in the ‘‘loading phase’’are a good option when treating DME. Although the group with BVZ + SMPC obtained the best results, further studies with longer followup and a higher number of participants to establish this combined therapy as the first treatment option are required

Behaviour of disc oedema during and after amiodarone optic neuropathy: case report

A 73-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation treated with Amiodarone presented with Optic Disc oedema in right eye (OD). Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) we describe the impact of this neuropathy on Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (RNFL). At diagnosis RNFL average was of 188 µm OD and 77 µm in the left eye (OS), six months after discontinuation of the drug decreased to 40 µm in OD and 76 µm in OS. The RNFL average of OD presented a transient increase during the acute oedema that returned to normal levels during the first month after discontinuation of the drug and fell dramatically to 44 µm at the second month and 40 µm at the sixth month. We show there is axonal loss after amiodaroneassociated optic neuropathy measured with OCT. The OCT may be used in these patients to document changes in RNFL in the follow-up

Sex and Age Morphometric Variations in Bony Nasolacrimal Duct and Fossa for Lacrimal Gland in Mexican Population

SUMMARY: Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is greater in women over 40 years and has been associated with morphometric variations in the osseous nasolacrimal duct, which varies according to age and sex. The objective is to determine variations regarding sex and age of the nasolacrimal duct and osseous fossa for lacrimal gland. One hundred sixteen dry orbits from Mexican population were analyzed; subdivided into four groups based on age and sex. The length, transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the bone entrance of the nasolacrimal duct, and the length and width of the fossa for lacrimal gland were determined. Statistical tests were applied to determine the significance of the differences found between groups. The nasolacrimal duct in women had shorter length than men in both age groups. The entrance had a wider transverse diameter in women than men independently of age and its anteroposterior diameter was shorter in men under 40 years than over 40 years. The fossa for lacrimal gland was larger in women under 40 years than in men of same age group and women over 40 years old. The lower third of the was wider in women under 40 years than in women over 40 years. Our study confirms significant differences between sex and age groups in some of the morphometric measurements of bony nasolacrimal duct and fossa for lacrimal gland in Mexican population. Comparative studies with and without clinical illness are needed to clarify if the bony characteristics of those structures participate in the etiopathogenesis and distribution differences observed in sex, age and ethnicity of thisillness. KEY WORDS: Nasolacrimal duct; Fossa for lacrimal gland; Morphometry; Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstructio

Cerebrospinal fluid microRNAs as potential biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading form of dementia worldwide, but its early detection and diagnosis remain a challenge. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small endogenous RNA molecules that regulate mRNA expression. Recent evidence suggests miRNAs play an important role in the five major hallmarks of AD pathophysiology: amyloidogenesis, tauopathy, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal death. Compared to traditional biomarkers of AD, miRNAs display a greater degree of stability in cerebrospinal fluid. Moreover, aberrant changes in miRNA expression can be measured over time to monitor and guide patient treatment. Specific miRNA profiles and combinations may also be used to distinguish AD subjects from normal controls and other causes of dementia. Because of these properties, miRNAs are now being considered as promising and potential biomarkers of AD. This review comprehensively summarizes the diagnostic potential and regulatory roles miRNAs play in AD

Short-term outcomes after the loading phase of intravitreal bevacizumab and subthreshold macular laser in non-center involved diabetic macular edema

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal bevacizumab and subthreshold macular photocoagulation (SMP), for the treatment of non-center involved diabetic macular edema (non-CI DME). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study included patients with type 2 diabetes, non-CI DME and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.30 logMAR or better. Each eye was randomized into three groups: group 1, monthly intravitreal bevacizumab; group 2, single SMP; group 3, single SMP and monthly bevacizumab. Main outcome measures were BCVA, and macular thickness measured with optical coherence tomography as macular central subfield thickness (CST), macular area of greater thickness (MAGT) and total macular volume (TMV). Results were analyzed after 3mo. RESULTS: A total of 32 eyes were included. Group 3 improved in BCVA (0.19±0.16 to 0.12±0.14 logMAR; P=0.041) and in TMV (7.90±0.57 to 7.65±0.73 mm3; P=0.025). Group 1 improved in MAGT (325±26.26 to 298.20±44.85 μm; P=0.022) and TMV (7.79±0.57 to 7.50±0.56 mm3, P=0.047). Group 2 didn’t show significant improvement of any variable. CONCLUSION: The loading phase of bevacizumab as monotherapy or combined with SMP is superior to SMP as monotherapy in providing short-term visual and anatomical improvement in non-CI DME

Treatment Algorithm in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy - From Protocols to the Real World

Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic that leads to multiple macrovascular and microvascular complications. The complex interrelated pathophysiological mechanisms triggered by hyperglycemia underlie the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a microvascular complication, considered the main cause of irreversible blindness in patients of productive age in the world. On the other hand, diabetic macular edema (DME) remains the clinical feature most closely associated with vision loss. In general, both manifestations are due to an increase in inflammatory factors, such as specific pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, interleukins and angiogenic substances including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Laser photocoagulation and VEGF inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of PDR and DME. Currently, randomized protocols suggest that VEGF inhibitors therapy could displace laser photocoagulation in the treatment of PDR with and without the presence of DME. The ongoing discussion still prevails about the different treatment modalities for both retinal manifestations in real-world settings