Search

Achim Fieß,1,* Sandra Gißler,1,* Stephanie Grabitz,1 Philipp S Wild,2– 5 Karl J Lackner,6 Manfred E Beutel,7 Michael S Urschitz,8 Oliver Tüscher,5,9,10 Thomas Münzel,11 Jörn M Schattenberg,12,13 Stavros V Konstantinides,2,14 Norbert Pfeiffer,1 Alexander K Schuster1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 2Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 3German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; 4Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine-Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 5Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany; 6Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 7Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 8Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 9Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 10Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany; 11Center for Cardiology-Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 12Department of Internal Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany; 13Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany; 14Department of Cardiology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Achim Fieß, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany, Tel +49-(0)6131-17-5150, Fax +49-(0)6131-17-8495, Email achim.fiess@gmail.comAbstract: This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Slit lamp examination and Scheimpflug imaging of 8205 participants, aged 35 to 74, were assessed and signs of cataract or pseudophakia analyzed. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction and/or prematurity indicated by BW and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia. In the univariable analysis, cataract was initially associated with low and high BW, but this association disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, examiner and cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between low BW and pseudophakia or the frequency of cataract surgery within 5 years. The study reveals novel insights from a large population-based study specifically exploring this association.Keywords: Cataract, pseudophakia, birth weight, epidemiology, population-based study

Achim Fieß,1,* Sandra Gißler,1,* Philipp S Wild,2– 4 Karl J Lackner,5 Thomas Münzel,6 Matthias Michal,7 Michael S Urschitz,8 Norbert Pfeiffer,1 Alexander K Schuster1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 2Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine - Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 3Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 4German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; 5Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 6Center for Cardiology – Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 7Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 8Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Achim Fieß, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany, Tel +49-6131-17-5150, Fax +49-6131-17-8495, Email Achim.fiess@gmail.comAbstract: This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy (HR) in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). The study involved analyzing fundus photographs of 6855 participants, aged 35 to 74, to assess signs of HR, classified according to the Mitchell-Wong Classification. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction indicated by BW and the frequency of HR. The results showed that the frequency of HR did not significantly differ among groups with different BW ranges. In the univariable analysis, HR was initially associated with high BW, but this association disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between low BW and HR. The study reveals novel insights as there are no prior population-based studies specifically exploring this association.Keywords: birth weight, hypertensive retinopathy, epidemiology, population-based study

Achim Fieß,1 Marilena Brandt,1 Eva Mildenberger,2 Michael Siegfried Urschitz,3 Felix Mathias Wagner,1 Stephanie Desiree Grabitz,1 Esther Maria Hoffmann,1 Norbert Pfeiffer,1 Alexander Konrad Schuster1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 2Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 3Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, GermanyCorrespondence: Achim Fieß, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany, Tel +49-6131-17-5150, Fax +49-6131-17-8495, Email Achim.fiess@gmail.comPurpose: Prenatal growth restriction is associated with impaired neurodevelopment in childhood. This study investigated the effects of being born small for gestational age (SGA) on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness in adults born at term.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with a prospective ophthalmologic examination of participants born at full-term (gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) between 1969 and 2002. All participants were examined with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and grouped according to their birth weight in correlation to gestational age as former moderate (birth weight (BW) percentile 3rd to < 10th) and severe SGA (< 3rd percentile), normal (10th-90th percentile, AGA), and moderately (> 90th to 97th percentile) and severely (> 97th percentile) large for gestational age (LGA) adults (18 to 52 years).Results: Overall, 547 eyes of 285 individuals (age 29.9± 9.4 years, 151 females) born at term were included. Multivariable regression analyses revealed a strong association between a lower global pRNFL thickness in the severe SGA (B=− 8.99 [95%-CI: − 12.68; − 5.30] μm; p< 0.001) and in the moderate SGA groups (B=− 6.40 [95%-CI: − 10.29; − 2.50] μm; p=0.001) compared to the reference AGA group.Conclusion: Our results indicate that restricted fetal growth affects neurologic tissue development of the optic nerve head, particularly in individuals born severely SGA at term. This indicates that fetal growth restriction may exert disturbances in the development of neurologic tissue, which persists in adulthood.Keywords: birth weight, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, optic nerve head, epidemiology

Introduction/Purpose: Laser-excited remote phosphor (LERP) light sources have gained significant importance in lighting and display applications due to their unique brightness and color-rendering qualities. In addition to their well-known advantages in these areas, we found that they also offer largely unexplored potential for sensor applications, such as quantitative fluorescence analysis. This potential is especially relevant when sophisticated optics operating under space and cost constraints require low-etendue sources with highly stable spectral properties. In this paper, we present an example of such an application. The purpose of our research is to assess currently available phosphor materials and design a light source to our particular reference application. Methods: For this purpose, a characterization setup was developed that compares different phosphors excited by small laser spots, with diameters between 100 μm and 280 μm, in terms of emitted spectral radiance, incident laser power, and irradiance. Results: The investigation identified two suitable phosphors, including a phosphor that addresses the gap in the blue and green wavelength ranges. Furthermore, the importance of small laser spots was demonstrated, which allows reducing the laser power to simplify light source design and reduce costs. Discussion/Conclusion: This research proposes a functional set of phosphors for the abovementioned application and, at the same time, presents the current limitations of LERP light sources. We remain confident in the described application field for LERP sources and hope that the needs elaborated in this work will inspire further research and development of novel phosphor materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of traditional rigid probe trabeculotomy and 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy in treating childhood glaucoma, underlining the necessity of early surgical intervention. Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at the University Eye Hospital Mainz, Germany, included 109 patients under 18 years with childhood glaucoma who underwent rigid probe trabeculotomy or 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy between January 2015 and February 2021. Results: A total of 151 eyes from 109 patients were included. The average IOP decreased significantly in both groups, with a greater reduction seen in the 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy group (mean reduction: 10.1 ± 8.7 mmHg; p < 0.001). In the rigid probe trabeculotomy group, the IOP reduction was 8.1 ± 9.0 mmHg (p < 0.001). The need for revision surgeries was lower in the 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy group. Conclusions: Both trabeculotomy techniques effectively reduced the intraocular pressure in childhood glaucoma. The 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy group demonstrated fewer revision surgeries compared to the rigid probe trabeculotomy group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the IOP reduction between the groups. These findings indicate that while both methods are effective in managing the IOP in childhood glaucoma, the 360-degree catheter trabeculotomy may provide more favorable long-term results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of strabismus and nystagmus and to analyse associated factors in preterm and full-term infants in adulthood. Methods The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study is a retrospective cohort study with a prospective ophthalmological examination of participants born preterm and full-term (aged 18-52 years). Perinatal data were carefully assessed for risk factors and comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were conducted. The association between strabismus and nystagmus was assessed by analysing 16 different perinatal and actual risk factors in multivariable analysis. Participants were grouped into full-term controls (gestational age (GA) at birth =37 weeks), preterm participants without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and GA 33-36 weeks (group 2), GA 29-32 weeks (group 3), GA =28 weeks (group 4), non-treated ROP (group 5) and treated ROP (group 6). Results In total, 892 eyes of 450 preterm and full-term individuals (mean age: 28.6 years, SD: ± 8.6 years, 251 females) were included. Strabismus was observed in 2.1% (3/140), 6.6% (9/137), 17.4% (16/92), 11.1% (2/18), 27.1% (13/48) and 60% (9/15) of participants and nystagmus in 0.7% (1/140), 1.5% (2/137), 4.3% (4/92), 5.6% (1/18), 10.4% (5/48) and 26.7% (4/15) of participants in the respective groups. In the multivariable regression model, strabismus was associated with GA (OR=0.90; p=0.046), anisometropia =1.5 diopter (OR=3.87; p=0.003), hypermetropia =2 diopter (OR=9.89; p<0.001) and astigmatism =1.5 diopter (OR=2.73; p=0.017). Esotropia was more frequent than exotropia and hypermetropia/hypometropia. Most strabismus cases occurred within the first 10 years of life. The strongest predictor associated with nystagmus was perinatal adverse events (OR=15.8; p=0.002). Conclusion Low GA and refraction of the eye are independent risk factors for strabismus, which typically occurs in the first 10 years of life. Perinatal adverse events are the most important factors for the presence of nystagmus in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hare Indian Formation (HIF) is a late Eifelian to Givetian organic-rich mudstone constituting the lower portion of the Horn River Group (HRG), which has been minimally scrutinized in the literature. This paper proposes depositional environments and a sequence stratigraphic framework for the HIF. Using composition data collected via energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, geochemical proxies inform detrital input, silica source, and paleoredox conditions. Cross-plots and chemostratigraphic profiles of detritally sourced Al, Ti, and K and redox-sensitive Mo and V inform depositional and stratigraphic constraints. Silica proportions vary, indicating that sediment was derived from detrital and biogenic sources. Al, Ti, and K distributions increase upwards, showing increased continentally sourced minerals. Redox-sensitive metals are highest in the Bluefish Member (BM), suggesting intermittent euxinia. Based on the presence of continental and pelagic sediments, the sedimentary environment is interpreted as proximal- to mid-shelf. These proxies guide systems tract interpretations. Si and redox-sensitive metal concentrations peak higher in the BM, accompanied by lowered concentrations of Al, Ti, and K, suggesting a maximum flooding surface. At the top of the Prohibition and Bell Creek members, redox-sensitive enrichments are lower with higher concentrations of Al, Ti, and K, suggesting a maximum regressive surface. Transgression occurred during the initial deposition of the BM, followed by regression for the remainder of the HIF. The sedimentology of the HIF can be difficult to decipher; the use of chemostratigraphy supports its geological history (including sedimentation trends and a local record of relative sea level) using methods that may be applied to other finegrained successions. Key words: chemostratigraphy, Hare Indian Formation, Horn River Group, Devonian, Givetian, mudstone, fine-grained, sequence stratigraphy, geochemistry, Northwest Territories, Central Mackenzie Valley, Mackenzie Mountains, XRF, X-ray fluorescence. La Formation de Hare Indian (FHI) est un mudstone tardi-eifelien a givetien riche en matiere organique constituant la partie inferieure du Groupe de Horn River (GHR), qui a fait l'objet de peu d' etudes publiees. Le present article propose des milieux de depot et un cadre de stratigraphie sequentielle pour la FHI. A la lumiere de donnees de composition obtenues par fluorescence X a dispersion d' energie, des variables substitutives geochimiques apportent des precisions sur les apports detritiques, les sources de silice et les conditions d'oxydoreduction passees. Des graphiques de correlation et des profils chimiostratigraphiques de l'Al, du Ti et du K de source detritique et du Mo et du V, qui sont sensibles aux conditions d'oxydoreduction, mettent en lumiere des contraintes stratigraphiques et de sedimentation. Les proportions de silice varient, indiquant que les sediments proviennent de sources detritiques et biogenes. Les concentrations d'Al, de Ti et de K augmentent vers le haut, indiquant une augmentation de mineraux de source continentale. Les proportions des metaux sensibles a l'oxydoreduction sont les plus grandes dans le membre de Bluefish (MB), laissant croire a un euxinisme intermittent. Etant donne la presence de sediments continentaux et pelagiques, un milieu sedimentaire de plateforme proximale a mediale est interprete. Ces variables substitutives guident l'interpretation des corteges de depot. Les concentrations de Si et de metaux sensibles a l'oxydoreduction atteignent un maximum plus haut dans le MB, accompagne de concentrations moindres d'Al, de Ti et de K, ce qui indiquerait une surface d'inondation maximum. Au sommet des membres de Prohibition et de Bell Creek, les enrichissements de metaux sensibles a l'oxydoreduction sont plus faibles et les concentrations d'Al, de Ti et de K, plus grandes, ce qui indiquerait une surface de regression maximum. Une transgression s'est produite durant le depot initial du MB, suivie d'une regression pour le reste de la FHI. La sedimentologie de la FHI peut etre difficile a etablir; l'utilisation de la chimiostratigraphie appuie son histoire geologique (y compris les tendances de sedimentation et un registre local du niveau relatif de la mer) en faisant appel a des methodes qui pourraient etre appliquees a d'autres successions a grains fins. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : chimiostratigraphie, Formation de Hare Indian, Groupe de Horn River, Devonien, Givetien, mudstone, a grains fins, stratigraphie sequentielle, geochimie, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, vallee centrale du fleuve Mackenzie, monts Mackenzie, fluorescence X., Introduction Unconventional reservoirs have become increasingly prevalent in the energy industry and, as such, organic-rich mudstones have become common targets of exploration and production in basins across North America. This [...]