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We investigate the reputational consequences for directors of firms that receive a low‐support Say‐on‐Pay (SOP) vote. These affected directors face a significantly greater likelihood of losing board seats, both at the voting firm and in the external labor market. However, penalties are not equal for all directors. Directors who serve on compensation committees and at firms with high chief executive officer pay suffer internal penalties. Both internal and external penalties affect directors of low‐support firms with high executive entrenchment. Compensation committee members serving low‐support firms are more likely to receive a negative reelection recommendation from Institutional Shareholder Services and fewer votes for reelection, at both voting and external firms. We provide the first evidence of external labor market penalties when directors fail to align executive compensation contracting with shareholder preferences. Our findings suggest that nonbinding SOP votes provide shareholders with a mechanism to influence director incentives and, therefore, executive compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with or at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) can acquire a knee flexion contracture (FC). The prevalence, severity, and association of knee FC on OA outcomes such as pain, stiffness, and function are not well described and clinical scales may omit measuring joint range of motion. Objective: (1) To determine if the presence and severity of a knee FC was associated with worse joint pain, stiffness and/or function and (2) to determine if this association was present in participants with or at risk of knee OA. Methods: Following a detailed standardized protocol, maximum knee extension was obtained from the baseline physical examination data using a goniometer with the fulcrum over the knee joint line, the upper arm directed towards the greater trochanter and the lower arm directed towards the lateral malleolus. Design: Cross‐sectional, using the Osteoarthritis Initiative database. Setting and Participants: Baseline cross‐sectional data collected from a prospective outpatient cohort study, recruiting from four academic health care centers in the United States. Three subcohorts were included: those at‐risk of OA (n = 5995 knees), those with radiographic OA (n = 2610 knees), and controls (n = 62 knees). Main Outcome Measures: We categorized knee FCs as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Pain scales included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale and numeric pain rating scale; stiffness, the WOMAC stiffness subscale; and function, the WOMAC function subscale and 400‐m walk time. Results: Participants with FC reported overall worse pain, stiffness, and function compared to those without FC in a severity‐dependent manner. OA participants' scores showed between 1.8‐ and 11.0‐fold mean relative worsening versus at‐risk participants (P <.05 for all). Knee FC was independently associated in a severity‐dependent manner with all outcomes (P <.01). Conclusions: Knee FCs were associated with worse pain, stiffness, and function in a severity‐dependent manner in a population with or at risk of knee OA. There was an interaction between OA subcohort and FC severity (P‐for‐interaction <.01 for all WOMAC outcomes). Evaluation of the longitudinal effects of contracture on OA and at‐risk patient outcomes is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the midst of a global pandemic, couples are dealing a range of impacts that call for a cohesive unit while the virus frays at the edges of our most important relationships. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach to working with relationships rooted in attachment theory. As a process-oriented psychotherapy, EFT is an ideal approach to working with relationships during this pandemic helping to solidify an "in it together" approach required to survive both as a couple and the pandemic. In this paper, we briefly review the adaptations for moving a couple therapy practice online through an EFT lens, drawing on an EFT macro-intervention called the "Tango" as a focus in this process. We conclude the paper with a case example providing the reader with an illustration of the process and ideas for what to pay attention to when working online with a couple from an EFT perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Falls in the inpatient stroke population are common, resulting in increased morbidity and slow rehabilitation progress. Falls may result from stroke‐specific neurologic deficits; however, assessment of these deficits is lacking in many fall screening tools. Objective: To compare the ability to predict falls of the Stroke Assessment of Fall Risk (SAFR) tool, which includes items related to stroke‐specific neurologic deficits, and the commonly used Morse Fall Scale, which does not include these items. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting: Inpatient tertiary stroke rehabilitation unit. Participants: Patients (N = 220) with acute stroke. Main Outcome Measures: Falls were captured by the medical records from January 2017 to September 2018. Logistic regression analysis evaluated both screening tools for predicting falls by calculating sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC‐ROC) curve, and odds ratio (OR). We compared SAFR and Morse mean scores between fallers and non‐fallers using t‐tests. Results: Forty‐eight (21.8%) patients experienced ≥1 fall. SAFR, but not Morse, scores showed a statistically significant difference between fallers and non‐fallers (P =.001 vs P =.24, respectively). Higher SAFR score was associated with higher odds of falls (OR 1.36, 95% CI [1.12, 1.64]), whereas Morse was not (OR 1.04, 95% CI [0.97, 1.12]). SAFR showed a statistically significant difference in hemi‐neglect between fallers and non‐fallers (P =.03). Sensitivity and specificity of SAFR were 47.9% and 76.7%, vs 45.8% and 68.0% for Morse, respectively. SAFR positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 36.5% and 84.1%, respectively, similar to Morse (28.6% and 81.8%). The AUC‐ROC was 0.65 for SAFR and 0.56 for Morse. Conclusions: SAFR was significantly associated with fall risk and had better discrimination between fallers and non‐fallers than Morse. The neurologic‐specific hemi‐neglect component of SAFR, a component not present on the Morse, was a fall risk factor. Further research evaluating the predictive value of fall scales that include neurologic deficits is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusable learning objects (RLOs) are self-contained digital modules commonly utilized in e-learning. The purpose of this study is to develop RLOs for teaching soil color determination using a color sensor application: soil color, Soil Scanner application, global positioning system (GPS) location, color conversion, and crowdsourcing. Each RLO is a self-contained learning unit with specific learning goals, educational materials, quiz, and assessment. Navigation of each object is controlled by the participant via tabs to allow the user to control the pace of the RLO. The quality of each RLO is assessed by a learning object review instrument (LORI) framework rubric. Online quizzes at the end of each RLO are used to examine the learning outcomes. This study also used the web-based survey tool Qualtrics before and after the laboratory-based activity to systematically measure various constructs including familiarity with sensors, crowdsourcing, and perception of the sensor-based method of soil testing. Reusable learning objects were effective teaching tools as demonstrated by excellent scores (A) received by the students for all RLO quizzes. Each RLO scored well for each category of the LORI model framework assessment. Additional comments suggest that students were receptive to the RLOs as a learning tool. Students positively described their perception of the sensor-based method of soil testing compared with the traditional method, a Munsell color chart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In patients with osteoarthritis (OA), bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are intimately linked to disease progression. We hypothesized that aberrant multipotential stromal cell (also known as mesenchymal stem cell [MSC]) responses within bone tissue contributes to BML pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to investigate BML and non-BML native subchondral bone MSCs for numeric, topographic, in vitro functional, and gene expression differences. Methods Ex vivo 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the femoral heads of 20 patients with hip OA was performed. MRI-determined BML and non-BML regions were excised and enzymatically treated to extract cells and quantify MSCs using flow cytometry and colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine in vivo CD271+ MSC distribution. Culture-expanded CD271+ cells were analyzed for tripotentiality and gene expression. Results BML regions were associated with greater trabecular bone area and cartilage damage compared with non-BML regions. The proportion of CD45−CD271+ MSCs was higher in BML regions compared with non-BML regions (median difference 5.6-fold; P < 0.001); the CFU-F assay showed a similar trend (median difference 4.3-fold; P = 0.013). Immunohistochemistry revealed CD271+ cell accumulation in bone adjacent to cartilage defects and areas of osteochondral angiogenesis. BML MSCs had lower proliferation and mineralization capacities in vitro and altered expression of TNFSF11/RANKL and CXCR4/stromal cell-derived factor 1 receptor. OA MSCs showed up-regulated transcripts for CXCR1 and CCR6 compared with MSCs derived from healthy or osteoporotic bone. Conclusion This study is the first to show numeric and topographic alterations in native MSCs in the diseased bone of patients with hip OA. Given the associated functional perturbation of MSCs, these data suggest that subchondral bone MSC manipulation may be an OA treatment target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carbonaceous chondrites are among the most well-studied meteorite types and have played a vital role in deciphering the origin and evolution of our solar system. They have been linked to low-albedo C-type asteroids [1, 2], but due to subdued absorption bands, definitive asteroid-meteorite linkage remains elusive. Recent spacecraft missions to near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), such as Bennu and Ryugu, have shown that their surfaces are dominated by larger grain size material [3, 4] unlike the fine regolith that is observed on the Moon and larger NEAs like Eros [5, 6]. A majority of the existing spectral database are based on powdered meteorite samples (typically <45 µm) across a limited wavelength range (typically 0.35-2.5 µm) making it challenging to interpret spectra of small NEAs. In this work, we present the results of our study to constrain the grain size effects on spectra of six carbonaceous chondrite groups over a wide wavelength range (0.2-15 µm). Broad trends in grain size across the meteorite groups were observed in absolute reflectance, slope, and band characteristics. This work was done as part of PTYS 520 Meteorites class (Spring 2022) at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona. Meteorite Selection: Due to the difficulty of crushing metal, we chose to exclude the carbonaceous chondrite types that were high in metal content: CBs and CHs. The low availability of CI chondrites also led us to exclude them from this study. This left us with five main carbonaceous chondrite groups (CM, CO, CV, CR, and CK) as well as one ungrouped type (C2). Samples were selected from the University of Arizona collection. Sample Preparation: Samples from large slices were first dry-cut with a band saw to obtain a smaller sample piece and preserve extraneous material for future study. Then, each meteorite sample was hand-crushed with an alumina mortar and pestle and dry-sieved to five grain size classes: 45-90, 90-150, 150-300, 300-500, and 500-1000 microns. Crushing and sieving took place sequentially until at least 0.30 g of material was obtained for each grain size corresponding to each meteorite. Sample powders were then transferred into 3D-printed, black sample cups and leveled with a glass slide. Experimental Setup: Ultraviolet to visible reflectance spectra (0.20-0.60 µm) was acquired with an Avantes UV Spectrometer at i = 0° and e = 0° relative to a calibrated Spectralon standard with a combined deuterium arc lamp quartz-halogen light source. Visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra (0.6-2.5 µm) of our samples was taken using an ASD FieldSpec Pro HR spectrometer at i =30° and e = 0°, relative to a calibrated Spectralon standard, with a collimated 100W quartz-tungsten-halogen light source. Mid-infrared reflectance spectra (2.5-15 µm) was acquired with a ThermoFisher Nicolet FTIR at i = 0° and e = 0° relative to a diffuse gold standard with a silicon nitride globar light source. Results: Spectral slope in the 0.6-2.5 µm wavelength range was measured for all six samples. All grain sizes of Ungrouped C2 Tarda have a red spectra slope (increasing reflectance with increasing wavelength) across all grain sizes. In contrast, CM2 Aguas Zarcas and CR2 NWA 10324 have neutral to red spectral slope for smaller grain size that changes to blue slope (decreasing reflectance with increasing wavelength) at larger grain sizes. The spectra of the other three types (CO3.2, CV3, CK4) have blue slopes that do not qualitatively change with grain size. Tarda has the lowest 0.55 µm (photometric V filter) reflectance (<3%) and CK4 NWA 10563 is the brightest at (~8%). All samples show very minor changes in 0.55 µm reflectance with grain size. Band depth of the 1.1 µm olivine/pyroxene absorption for 45-90 microns grain size shows variation across the six types we studied. Futher analysis of all detected absorption bands and any correlations with grain size is ongoing. Acknowledgments: This work was funded by NASA YORPD Program grant 80NSSC22K0514 (PI: Reddy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Motivational interviewing, a directive, patient-centred counselling approach focused on exploring and resolving ambivalence, has emerged as an effective therapeutic approach within the addictions field. However, the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in weight-loss interventions is unclear. Electronic databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating behaviour change interventions using motivational interviewing in overweight or obese adults. Standardized mean difference (SMD) for change in body mass, reported as either body mass index (BMI; kg m−2) or body weight (kg), was the primary outcome, with weighted mean difference (WMD) for change in body weight and BMI as secondary outcomes. The search strategy yielded 3540 citations and of the 101 potentially relevant studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria and 11 were included for meta-analysis. Motivational interviewing was associated with a greater reduction in body mass compared to controls (SMD = −0.51 [95% CI −1.04, 0.01]). There was a significant reduction in body weight (kg) for those in the intervention group compared with those in the control group (WMD = −1.47 kg [95% CI −2.05, −0.88]). For the BMI outcome, the WMD was −0.25 kg m−2 (95% CI −0.50, 0.01). Motivational interviewing appears to enhance weight loss in overweight and obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple sequence repeat (SSR), or microsatellite markers, are codominant, abundant and hypervariable molecular markers from eukaryotic genomes that are being widely used in genetic mapping, phylogenetic studies, and marker-assisted selection. Currently, the number of SSR markers available from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genomic libraries is limited. This study was conducted to identify additional SSR markers in the alfalfa genome and to evaluate their ability to separate the nine historically recognized progenitors of North American cultivated alfalfa (African, Chilean, Falcata, Flemish, Indian, Ladak, Peruvian, Turkistan, and Varia), as well as seven additional accessions of M. sativa ssp. sativa, falcata, and coerulea and the model legume M. truncatula. Genomic DNA from the autotetraploid alfalfa germplasm W10 was used to develop 81 primer pairs, which amplified SSRs containing AC, AT, CT, CTT, GAT, and GGT motifs. The majority (96%) of the primer pairs were functional and 61(78.2%) detected 2 to 11 polymorphic fragments among the accessions. A dendrogram was constructed using cluster analysis from these data, representing three main clusters: (i) diploid ssp. falcata; (ii) M. truncatula; and (iii) all remaining entries. Additional separation of some accessions [M. truncatula ('Jemalong'), Ladak ('Ladak'), Fall dormancy 11 (UC-1465), Indian (Sirsa Type 9), Flemish ('Dupuit'), Peruvian ('Hairy Peruvian'), and African 2 ('Moapa')] was obtained through multiple correspondence analysis. These genomic alfalfa SSRs have excellent utility for polymorphic assessment with potential application for phylogenetic and genetic mapping studies of alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orbitofrontal cortical (OFC) and hippocampal (HPC) lesions in primates and rodents have been associated with impulsive behaviour. We showed previously that OFC- or HPC-lesioned rats chose the immediate low-reward (LR) option in preference to the delayed high-reward (HR) option, where LR and HR were associated with different spatial responses in a uniform grey T-maze. We now report that on a novel nonspatial T-maze task in which the HR and LR options are associated with patterned goal arms (black-and-white stripes vs. gray), OFC-lesioned rats did not show impulsive behaviour, choosing the delayed HR option, and were indistinguishable from controls. In contrast, HPC-lesioned rats exhibited impulsive choice in the nonspatial decision-making task, although they chose the HR option on the majority of trials when there was a 10-s delay associated with both goal arms. The previously reported impairment in OFC-lesioned rats on the spatial version of the intertemporal choice task is unlikely to reflect a general problem with spatial learning, because OFC lesions were without effect on acquisition of the standard reference memory water-maze task and spatial working memory performance (nonmatching-to-place) on the T-maze. The differential effect of OFC lesions on the two versions of the intertemporal choice task may be explained instead in terms of the putative role of OFC in using associative information to represent expected outcomes and generate predictions. The impulsivity in HPC-lesioned rats may reflect impaired temporal information processing, and emphasizes a role for the hippocampus beyond the spatial domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass production represents a fundamental biological process of both ecological and agricultural significance. The genetic basis of biomass production is unknown but asssumed to be complex. We developed a full sib, F1 mapping population of autotetraploid Medicago sativa (alfalfa) derived from an intersubspecific cross that was known to produce heterosis for biomass production. We evaluated the population for biomass production over several years at three locations (Ames, IA, Nashua, IA, and Ithaca, NY) and concurrently developed a genetic linkage map using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. Transgressive segregants, many of which exhibited high levels of heterosis, were identified in each environment. Despite the complexities of mapping within autotetraploid populations, single-marker analysis of variance identified 41 marker alleles, many on linkage groups 5 and 7, associated with biomass production in at least one of the sampling periods. Seven alleles were associated with biomass production in more than one of the sampling periods. Favorable alleles were contributed by both parents, one of which is from the M. sativa subsp falcata germplasm. Thus, increased biomass production alleles can be gleaned from unadapted germplasm. Further, the positive quantitative trait locus (QTL) alleles from the parents are partially complementary, suggesting these loci may play a role in biomass production heterosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ether-à-go-go (EAG) family of voltage-gated K+ channels contains three subfamilies, EAG, ether-à-go-go related (ERG) and ether-à-go-go like (ELK). The human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) K+ channel has been of significant interest because loss of function in the hERG channel is associated with a markedly increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The hERG channel has unusual kinetics with slow activation and deactivation but very rapid and voltage-dependent inactivation. The outer pore region of the hERG K+ channel is predicted to be different from that of other members of the voltage-gated K+ channel family. HERG has a much longer linker between the fifth transmembrane domain (SS) and the pore helix (S5P linker) compared to other families of voltage-gated K+ channels (43 amino acids compared to 14–23 amino acids). Further, the S5P linker contains an amphipathic α-helix that in hERG channels probably interacts with the mouth of the pore to modulate inactivation. The human EAG and rat ELK2 channels (hEAG and rELK2) show reduced or no inactivation in comparison to hERG channels, yet both channels are predicted to contain a similarly long S5P linker to that of hERG. In this study, we have constructed a series of chimaeric channels consisting of the S1–S6 of hERG but with the S5P α-helical region of either hEAG or rELK2, and one consisting of the S1–S6 of rELK2 but with the S5P α-helical region of hERG to investigate the role of the S5P linker in inactivation. Our studies show that charged residues on the α-helix of the S5P linker contribute significantly to the differences in inactivation characteristics of the EAG family channels. Further, individually mutating each of the hydrophilic residues on the S5P α-helix of hERG to a charged residue had significant effects on the voltage dependence of inactivation and the two residues with the greatest affect when mutated to a lysine, N588 and Q592, both lie on the same face of the S5P α -helix. We suggest that inactivation of hERG involves the interaction of this face of the S5P α-helix with a charged residue on the remainder of the outer pore domain of the channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cytogenetic investigation was conducted on four historically putatively distinct nondormant alfalfa germplasm sources, African, Chilean, Peruvian, and Indian tetraploid alfalfa [Medicago sativa ssp. sativa (L.) L. & L.; 2n = 4x = 32]. C-banding, image analysis, and cluster analysis was used to test the hypothesis that chromosome structure differed among the four nondormant alfalfa populations. Cytogenetic analyses revealed polymorphisms for heterochromatic DNA in the number and location of constitutive heterochromatic DNA both within and among genotypes. However, this variability did not prevent recognition of homologous chromosomes. Karyotypes of Peruvian and Indian populations were developed. The reference African population was used to compare the karyotypes of Peruvian and Indian populations as well as the previously published Chilean population. In general, the number of heterochromatic DNA bands was similar for the African, Chilean, and Peruvian populations; however, the Indian population had significantly fewer heterochromatic bands than the other three. Cluster analysis based on all eight chromosomes yielded no clear separation of the nondormant alfalfa populations possibly because of the lack of chromosomal rearrangements, similar genetic backgrounds of the initial introductions, intercrossing of the different sources, genetic drift during maintenance, and/or common genetic backgrounds of the original parental germplasm sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the chromosomal polymorphism as detected by chromosome banding patterns in Chilean Alfalfa germplasm. Location of constitutive heterochromatic DNA; Conduction of several cytogenetic studies of somatic chromosomes of tetraploid alfalfa; Distribution of constitutive heterochromatic DNA in tetraploid Chilean germplasm.

Antiarrhythmic agents are traditionally classified according to Vaughan Williams into four classes of action. Class I antiarrhythmic agents include most of the drugs traditionally thought of as antiarrhythmics, and have as a common action, blockade of the fast-inward sodium channel on myocardium. These agents have a very significant toxicity, and while they are being used less, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) does significantly increase the safety with which they can be administered. Class II agents are antisympathetic drugs, particularly the b-adrenoceptor blockers. These are generally safe agents which do not normally require TDM. Class III antiarrhythmic agents include sotalol and amiodarone. TDM can be useful in the case of amiodarone to monitor compliance and toxicity but is generally of little value for sotalol. Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs are the calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem. These are normally monitored by haemodynamic effects, rather than using TDM. Other agents which do not fall neatly into the Vaughan Williams classification include digoxin and perhexiline. TDM is very useful for monitoring the administration (and particularly the safety) of both of these agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a prospective study of child development in relation to early-life otitis media, we administered the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDI) to a large (N = 2,156), sociodemographically diverse sample of 1- and 2-year-old children. As a prerequisite for interpreting the CDI scores, we studied selected measurement properties of the inventories. Scores on the CDI/Words and Gestures (CDI-WG), designed for children 8 to 16 months old, and on the CDI/Words and Sentences (CDI-WS), designed for children 16 to 30 months old, increased significantly with months of age. On several scales of both CDI-WG and CDI-WS, standard deviations approximated or exceeded mean values, reflecting wide variability in results. Statistically significant differences in mean scores were found according to race, maternal education, and health insurance status as an indirect measure of income, but the directionality of differences was not consistent across inventories or across scales of the CDI-WS. Correlations between CDI-WG and CDI-WS ranged from .18 to .39. Our findings suggest that the CDI reflects the progress of language development within the age range 10 to 27 months. However, researchers and clinicians should exercise caution in using results of the CDI to identify individual children at risk for language deficits, to compare groups of children with different sociodemographic profiles, or to evaluate the effects of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews six assessment procedures used for assessing the recidivism risk of previously convicted sexual offenders. The review of these procedures examines whether they comply with generally accepted ethical and practice standards. With few exceptions, most risk assessment instruments fail to comply with these standards. Currently used instruments for risk assessment continue to rely excessively on clinical judgment; and, as a result, they remain at a preliminary stage of development. Consequently, these instruments amount to experimental procedures; and, therefore, they cannot support expert testimony in a legal proceeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative research explores the feelings of oncology patients nursed in protective isolation following high-dose chemotherapy. Five patients described their feelings about the isolation experience during audio-taped interviews lasting between a half and one hour. Tapes were transcribed and analysed, with emergent themes considered in relation to the other interviews and to the literature. The research findings indicate that cancer patients have specific concerns with regard to their experience in the isolation environment, which fall into four distinct categories of: 'being shut in'; 'coping with the experience'; 'being alone'; and 'maintaining contact with the outside world'. In addition, patients have concerns with regard to the experience of having cancer, that impinge upon the isolation experience. These are: 'having cancer'; 'suffering chemotherapy'; 'knowing what to expect'; and 'developing relationships with the health professionals'. The core variable is 'something that I have to go through'. The nature of the relationship between the categories led to the development of an integrative model for exploring the feelings of cancer patients nursed in isolation. Most of the informants coped well with the isolation experience and described feeling supported by the nursing staff. Their overriding concern in fact, reflected a desire to receive information about their disease and reassurance regarding their treatment. Being in isolation appears to inhibit communication about these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Night driving (mesopic) visual acuity and recovery after dazzle has been reported to be reduced in patients with liver disease. Mesopic visual acuity and dazzle recovery were evaluated in 32 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 29 alcoholics without liver disease, and 27 age-matched normal controls. All subjects were sober for at least 7 days prior to visual testing, a mean sobriety period of 22 and 39 weeks in alcoholics and cirrhotics, respectively. Serum vitamin A levels and/or dark adaptation were normal in all. Mean best decimal acuities were not significantly different among the groups: alcoholic cirrhotics, 0.32 ± 0.02; alcoholics, 0.32 ± 0.02; and normals, 0.33 ± 0.03 at 2 min. Although cirrhotics had significantly higher SGOT and lower albumin levels than alcoholics, mesopic acuity did not relate to liver blood tests. Decimal acuity following a dazzle stimulus was not significantly worse in cirrhotics and alcoholics compared to normals. Sober patients with alcoholic cirrhosis or a history of alcoholism have no evidence of a static mesopic visual defect and therefore may not have impaired night driving vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about equine rhinosporidiosis, considered as an exotic disease in Great Britain. According to the author, rhinosporidium seeberi is the infective, waterborne agent that causes such disease, which commonly exposes as polypoid masses of the nasal mucosa or conjunctiva in both human beings and animals. Moreover, the author cites some studies on the disease and the places where it is endemic.