Acute bilateral simultaneous angle closure glaucoma after topiramate administration: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A case of severe acute bilateral angle closure glaucoma with complete visual loss after oral topiramate therapy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 34 year-old woman developed bilateral severe visual loss 2 days after doubling the dosage of topiramate. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers in both eyes (OU). Intraocular pressures were 49 mm and 51 mm of Hg in right and left eyes respectively, with conjunctival chemosis, corneal edema, shallow anterior chamber and closed angles on gonioscopy. B-scan ultrasound revealed annular peripheral choroidal effusions in both eyes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Intraocular pressures and anterior chamber depth were normalized after discontinuation of topiramate and initiation of antiglaucoma therapy. Two weeks later, visual acuities improved to 20/25 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. B-scan ultrasound showed resolution of choroidal effusion. Topiramate, an oral sulpha-derivative medication is known to cause ciliochoroidal effusions, which lead to forward rotation of the ciliary body and displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm, with resultant acute angle closure glaucoma and myopic shift.</p

Divergent Serpentoviruses in Free-Ranging Invasive Pythons and Native Colubrids in Southern Florida, United States

Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake that has significantly affected ecosystems in southern Florida, United States. Aside from direct predation and competition, invasive species can also introduce nonnative pathogens that can adversely affect native species. The subfamily Serpentovirinae (order Nidovirales) is composed of positive-sense RNA viruses primarily found in reptiles. Some serpentoviruses, such as shingleback nidovirus, are associated with mortalities in wild populations, while others, including ball python nidovirus and green tree python nidovirus can be a major cause of disease and mortality in captive animals. To determine if serpentoviruses were present in invasive Burmese pythons in southern Florida, oral swabs were collected from both free-ranging and long-term captive snakes. Swabs were screened for the presence of serpentovirus by reverse transcription PCR and sequenced. A total serpentovirus prevalence of 27.8% was detected in 318 python samples. Of the initial swabs from 172 free-ranging pythons, 42 (24.4%) were positive for multiple divergent viral sequences comprising four clades across the sampling range. Both sex and snout-vent length were statistically significant factors in virus prevalence, with larger male snakes having the highest prevalence. Sampling location was statistically significant in circulating virus sequence. Mild clinical signs and lesions consistent with serpentovirus infection were observed in a subset of sampled pythons. Testing of native snakes (n = 219, 18 species) in part of the python range found no evidence of python virus spillover; however, five individual native snakes (2.3%) representing three species were PCR positive for unique, divergent serpentoviruses. Calculated pairwise uncorrected distance analysis indicated the newly discovered virus sequences likely represent three novel genera in the subfamily Serpentovirinae. This study is the first to characterize serpentovirus in wild free-ranging pythons or in any free-ranging North America reptile. Though the risk these viruses pose to the invasive and native species is unknown, the potential for spillover to native herpetofauna warrants further investigation

Playing is Performing – Video Games as Performance

acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Dentinal hypersensitivity: a review

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Tooth sensitivity is a very common clinical presentation which can cause considerable concern for patients. This condition is frequently encountered by periodontists, dentists, hygienists and dental therapists. The management of this condition requires a good understanding of the complexity of the problem, as well as the variety of treatments available. This review considers the aetiology, incidence and management of dentinal hypersensitivity.PM Bartol

Planck pre-launch status : The Planck mission

Peer reviewe

Embodied interfaces: dancing with digital sprites

This paper focuses on the research project, Projecting Performance, in which off-stage technical operators take on the role of performer through the live manipulation of digital ‘sprites’ in a theatrical environment. The sprites are projected onto gauzes in the stage space and operators control them with graphics tablets and pens to perform with on-stage dancers. Operators have frequently described experiences of dislocation or translocation during the experience of operating and this paper investigates the reasons for such reports. It presents the tripartite models of Zich and Castronova from the fields of theatre studies and human-computer interaction respectively, cross-referencing them to analyse the relationship between performer-operator and sprite. Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological theories are then employed through the writings of Crowther and Fraleigh to explore the experience of the performer-operator. The paper proposes an understanding of the digital interface in Projecting Performance as embodied and experienced both visually and kinaesthetically by the performer-operator

Youth in Action for Health Project: An Assessment of Food Insecurity Among Ethnically Diverse High School Students

Presentation given at the APHA\u27s 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo. Background: Food insecurity has been linked to poor adolescent health and negative educational outcomes. Using a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach, the Youth in Action project integrates public health inquiry with youth development and leadership in a high school Biomedical Academy program. Research Question: This study assessed food insecurity among ethnically diverse youth, and examined associations between perceptions of food security, school success, and socioeconomic variables. Methods: Baseline surveys were administered to 11th grade students (n =76). Survey questions were adapted from the California Healthy Kids Survey measuring food insecurity using the following proxy variables: access to healthy food at home and school, eating breakfast, and skipped meals due to finances. Other variables measured include perception of school success and primary language spoken at home. Descriptive statistics and contingency table analysis were used to characterize each variable and determine associations. Results: Surveys indicated 41% of students skipped breakfast, and 43% of students sometimes to often skipped meals due to finances. Additionally, 37% and 67% reported not having access to healthy food at home and school, respectively. No significant association was found between food insecurity and school success. However, speaking a language other than English at home was negatively associated with access to healthy food at home (p = 0.009), suggesting the healthy immigrant effect. Conclusion: The results highlight a need to develop programs to improve food security at home and schools, especially among ethnically diverse youth. Utilizing a YPAR approach could assist with engaging youth in improving food insecurity