Anti-retinal Autoantibodies in Hydroxychloroquine Eye Toxicity.

Objective: Autoimmune retinopathy and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-related retinal toxicity share many similarities, raising the possibility autoimmunity plays a role in HCQ retinopathy. The objective of this study is to determine whether patients diagnosed with HCQ retinal toxicity are more likely to have circulating antiretinal autoantibodies (AAbs) compared to controls.

Methods: We tested plasma samples for the presence of anti-retinal AAbs by immunoblotting in 270 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving HCQ.

A scoping review of the epidemiology of systemic sclerosis and its organ manifestations: 2018-2024.

Purpose Of Review: Updates from large, observational cohorts and new statistical techniques have resulted in new data on the epidemiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). This scoping review uses data from 2018 to 2024 to describe the current understanding of the epidemiology of SSc and several of its organ- manifestations.

Recent Findings: Our review identified new estimates for the global incidence and prevalence of SSc (1.

Needs Assessment for Creating a Patient-Centered, Community-Engaged Health Program for Homeless Pregnant Women.

Purpose: Women who experience homelessness during pregnancy have poorer birth outcomes than the general population. This exploratory research describes the needs assessment of homeless women currently living at a shelter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to identify unmet needs related to maternal and infant perinatal health as the first step in designing a mutually beneficial patient-centered service-learning program for medical students to address these needs.

Methods: Two 1-hour focus groups were held at a shelter for women who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence.

In vivo and in vitro sustained release of ranibizumab from a nanoporous thin-film device.

Current administration of ranibizumab and other therapeutic macromolecules to the vitreous and retina carries ocular risks, a high patient treatment burden, and compliance barriers that can lead to suboptimal treatment. Here we introduce a device that produces sustained release of ranibizumab in the vitreous cavity over the course of several months. Composed of twin nanoporous polymer thin films surrounding a ranibizumab reservoir, these devices provide release of ranibizumab over 16 weeks in vitro and 12 weeks in vivo, without exhausting the initial drug payload.

In Vitro and In Vivo Sustained Zero-Order Delivery of Rapamycin (Sirolimus) From a Biodegradable Intraocular Device.

Purpose: We created implantable intraocular devices capable of constant and continuous rapamycin release on the scale of months to years.

Methods: Polycaprolactone (PCL) thin films were used to encapsulate rapamycin to create implantable and biodegradable intraocular devices. Different film devices were studied by modifying the size, thickness, and porosity of the PCL films.

Riboflavin and ultraviolet A as adjuvant treatment against Acanthamoeba cysts.

Background: Experimental studies have shown that the standard dose of riboflavin (R) or R + ultraviolet-A (UVA) as solo treatment are not able to exterminate Acanthamoeba cysts or even trophozoites. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the application of R + UVA can enhance the cysticidal effects of cationic antiseptic agents in vitro.

Methods: The log of either polyhexamethylene biguanide or chlorhexidine minimal cysticidal concentration in solutions containing riboflavin (concentrations 0.

Advanced glycation end-product accumulation reduces vitreous permeability.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of nonenzymatic cross-linking (glycation) upon the permeability of the vitreous to small- and large-solute diffusion.

Methods: Vitreous from freshly excised porcine eyes was treated for 30 minutes with control or 0.01%, 0.