Knowing the future: partial foreknowledge effects on the programming of prosaccades and antisaccades

Foreknowledge about the demands of an upcoming trial may be exploited to optimize behavioural responses. In the current study we systematically investigated the benefits of partial foreknowledge--that is, when some but not all aspects of a future trial are known in advance. For this we used an ocular motor paradigm with horizontal prosaccades and antisaccades. Predictable sequences were used to create three partial foreknowledge conditions: one with foreknowledge about the stimulus location only, one with foreknowledge about the task set only, and one with foreknowledge about the direction of the required response only. These were contrasted with a condition of no-foreknowledge and a condition of complete foreknowledge about all three parameters. The results showed that the three types of foreknowledge affected saccadic efficiency differently. While foreknowledge about stimulus-location had no effect on efficiency, task foreknowledge had some effect and response-foreknowledge was as effective as complete foreknowledge. Foreknowledge effects on switch costs followed a similar pattern in general, but were not specific for switching of the trial attribute for which foreknowledge was available. We conclude that partial foreknowledge has a differential effect on efficiency, most consistent with preparatory activation of a motor schema in advance of the stimulus, with consequent benefits for both switched and repeated trials.

Effects on choroidal neovascularization after anti-VEGF Upload using intravitreal ranibizumab, as determined by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography

It is unclear whether anti-VEGF monotherapy in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) achieves morphologic CNV regression or only stops further CNV growth. In this study, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to image CNV structure before and after anti-VEGF treatment.

EFFECT OF AGING ON MACULAR FEATURES OF X-LINKED RETINOSCHISIS ASSESSED WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) is one of the most common causes of macular degeneration in young men. The purpose of this study was to use optical coherence tomography combined with ophthalmoscopy to study the effects of aging on the morphologic changes associated with XLRS.

Use of intraoperative fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography during descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty

To evaluate the intraoperative use of handheld Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) during Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) to assess the donor-host interface.

Microbiologic findings 1 year after partial- and full-mouth scaling in the treatment of moderate chronic periodontitis

To investigate the impact on microbiologic variables of full-mouth scaling (FMS) and conventional scaling and root planing (cSRP) after 12 months.

Intraoperative Patient-Specific Reconstruction of Partial Bone Flap Defects After Convexity Meningioma Resection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate implant accuracy and cosmetic outcome of a new intraoperative patient-specific cranioplasty method after convexity meningioma resection. METHODS: The patient's own bone flap served as a template to mold a negative form with the use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The area of bone invasion was determined and broadly excised under white light illumination with a safety margin of at least 1 cm. The definitive replica was cast within the remaining bone flap frame and the imprint. Clinical and radiologic follow-up examinations were performed 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Four women and two men (mean age 51.4 years ± 12.8) underwent reconstruction of bone flap defects after meningioma resection. Mean duration of intraoperative reconstruction of the partial bone flap defects was 19 minutes ± 4 (range 14-24 minutes). Implant sizes ranged from 17-35 cm(2) (mean size 22 cm(2) ± 8). Radiologic and clinical follow-up examinations revealed excellent implant alignment and favorable cosmesis (visual analogue scale for cosmesis [VASC] = 97 ± 5) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific reconstruction of partial bone flap defects after convexity meningioma resection using the presented intraoperative PMMA cast method resulted in excellent bony alignment and a favorable cosmetic outcome. Relatively low costs and minimized operation time for adjustment and insertion of the cranioplasty implant justify use of this method in small bony defects as well.

Head-to-head comparison of the neointimal response between metallic and bioresorbable everolimus-eluting scaffolds using optical coherence tomography

This study sought to compare the neointimal response of metallic everolimus drug-eluting stents (DES) and polymeric everolimus bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) by optical coherence tomography at 1 year.

Long-term tissue coverage of a biodegradable polylactide polymer-coated biolimus-eluting stent: comparative sequential assessment with optical coherence tomography until complete resorption of the polymer

Biolimus-eluting stents (BESs) with a biodegradable polymer in abluminal coating achieve more complete coverage at 9 months compared with sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) with a durable polymer, as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Whether this advantage persists or augments after complete resorption of the polymer (>12 months) is unknown.

Angiographic maximal luminal diameter and appropriate deployment of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold as assessed by optical coherence tomography: an ABSORB cohort B trial sub-study

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) present different mechanical properties as compared to metallic platform stents. Therefore, the standard procedural technique to achieve appropriate deployment may differ.

Serial analysis of the malapposed and uncovered struts of the new generation of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold with optical coherence tomography

The aim of this study is to assess the serial changes in strut apposition and coverage of the bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) and to relate this with the presence of intraluminal masses at 6 months with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Delayed coverage in malapposed and side-branch struts with respect to well-apposed struts in drug-eluting stents: in vivo assessment with optical coherence tomography

Background—Pathology studies on fatal cases of very late stent thrombosis have described incomplete neointimal coverage as common substrate, in some cases appearing at side-branch struts. Intravascular ultrasound studies have described the association between incomplete stent apposition (ISA) and stent thrombosis, but the mechanism explaining this association remains unclear. Whether the neointimal coverage of nonapposed side-branch and ISA struts is delayed with respect to well-apposed struts is unknown. Methods and Results—Optical coherence tomography studies from 178 stents implanted in 99 patients from 2 randomized trials were analyzed at 9 to 13 months of follow-up. The sample included 38 sirolimus-eluting, 33 biolimus-eluting, 57 everolimus-eluting, and 50 zotarolimus-eluting stents. Optical coherence tomography coverage of nonapposed side-branch and ISA struts was compared with well-apposed struts of the same stent by statistical pooled analysis with a random-effects model. A total of 34 120 struts were analyzed. The risk ratio of delayed coverage was 9.00 (95% confidence interval, 6.58 to 12.32) for nonapposed side-branch versus well-apposed struts, 9.10 (95% confidence interval, 7.34 to 11.28) for ISA versus well-apposed struts, and 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 2.23) for ISA versus nonapposed side-branch struts. Heterogeneity of the effect was observed in the comparison of ISA versus well-apposed struts (H=1.27; I2=38.40) but not in the other comparisons. Conclusions—Coverage of ISA and nonapposed side-branch struts is delayed with respect to well-apposed struts in drug-eluting stents, as assessed by optical coherence tomography.