Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may progress to severe forms of dementia, so therapy is needed to maintain cognitive abilities. The neural circuitry for oculomotor control is closely linked to that which controls cognitive behavior. In this study, we tested whether training the oculomotor system with gaze-controlled video games could improve cognitive behavior in MCI patients. Patients played a simple game for a month while a control group played the same game using a mouse. Cognitive improvement was assessed using the MoCA screening test and CANTAB. We also measured eye pupil and vergence responses in an oddball paradigm. The results showed an increased score on the MoCA test specifically for the visuospatial domain and on the Rapid Visual Information Processing test of the CANTAB battery. Pupil responses also increased to target stimuli. Patients in the control group did not show significant improvements. This pilot study provides evidence for the potential cognitive benefits of gaze-controlled gaming in MCI patients.

(1) Background: The proportion of fully mechanized harvesting systems in Austria is constantly increasing especially because of the technological development of the machines, which allows them to drive on increasingly steep terrain. This leads to additional challenges and potential hazards for the operators, which may also cause higher stress levels. The purpose of this study is to develop and debate a new set of methodologies for determining time and space resolved psychophysiology data to analyze stressful and non-stressful work situations for harvester and forwarder operators; (2) Methods: we suggest a study protocol to analyze a) tasks performed by the driver, b) environmental factors, like slope gradient, c) the psychophysiological response of experts during these tasks, and d) evaluate the worker´s subjective stress and fatigue before and after a harvest operation. (3) Results: Within this manuscript we present a study protocol based on quantitative and qualitative methods, like time and space resolved psychophysiology, questionnaires, qualitative interviews, as well as video and sensor-based analysis of environmental and machine data. The first results from real measurements of a forwarder driver are presented; (4) Conclusions: This multimodal research protocol serves to explore the relationship between stress, fatigue, and performed tasks. Through our quantitative and qualitative methodology, researchers can improve the health and safety of forest workers at work, improve their productivity and reduce damage to remaining trees.

Emotion recognition and social inference impairments are well-documented post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) yet the mechanisms underpinning these are not fully understood. We examined dynamic emotion recognition, social inference abilities, and eye fixation patterns between adults with and without TBI. Eighteen individuals with TBI and 18 matched non-TBI participants were recruited and underwent all three components of The Assessment of Social Inference Test (TASIT). The TBI group were less accurate in identifying emotions compared to the non-TBI group. Individuals with TBI also scored lower when distinguishing sincere and sarcastic conversations but scored similarly to those without TBI during lie vignettes. Finally, those with TBI also had difficulty understanding the actor’s intentions, feelings, and beliefs compared to participants without TBI. No group differences were found for eye fixation patterns and there were no associations between fixations and behavioural accuracy scores. This conflicts with previous studies and might be related to an important distinction between static and dynamic stimuli. Visual strategies appeared goal- and stimulus-driven, with attention being distributed to the most diagnostic area of the face for each emotion. These findings suggest that low-level visual deficits may not be modulating emotion recognition and social inference disturbances post-TBI.

Our previous research provides evidence that vergence eye movements may significantly influence cognitive processing and could serve as a reliable measure of cognitive issues. The rise of consumer-grade eye tracking technology, which uses sophisticated imaging techniques in the visible light spectrum to determine gaze position, is noteworthy. In our study, we explored the feasibility of using webcam-based eye tracking to monitor the vergence eye movements of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) during a visual oddball paradigm. We simultaneously recorded eye positions using a remote infrared-based pupil eye tracker. Both tracking methods demonstrated more pronounced cognitive vergence responses for targets as opposed to distractors. In summary, the use of a consumer-grade webcam to record cognitive vergence shows potential. This method could potentially lay the groundwork for future research aimed at creating an affordable screening tool for mental health care.

Background: The variability of the obtained results of manual tests assessing the angle of strabismus depends on the experience, skills, and training of the examiner. The authors hope that the new measuring device will provide a more sensitive and repeatable method for detecting small strabismus angles compared to the gold standard – PCT. The purpose of this article is to present an innovative strabismus angle demonstration device, called Strabiscan, to present automated measurements of eye deviation, and to compare the obtained results of these measurements to the traditional manual method. Methods: In patients with the manifest strabismic disease (n = 30) and a group of healthy subjects (n = 30), a detailed history was taken and routine ophthalmologic examinations were performed, including best-corrected distance visual acuity, assessment of refractive error using an autorefractometer after cycloplegia, biomicroscopic evaluation of the anterior segment of the eye, and evaluation of the eye fundus by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Subsequently, each patient and healthy subjects were subjected to a prismatic cover-uncover test using a manual method, and then the presence of strabismus was detected and its angle assessed using demonstration Strabiscan device. Results: In the control group, using the Strabiscan demonstration device, small-angle latent strabismus ≤3DP was diagnosed in 83% of patients, and >3DP in 13%. In contrast, using the prismatic cover-uncover test, latent strabismus ≤3DP was diagnosed in only 13% of patients, and latent strabismus with an angle >3DP in 13% of patients. No statistically significant differences were noted in the measurements of strabismus angles made by the different methods. Conclusions: The Strabiscan demonstration device allows quick and accurate assessment of the strabismus angle. Compared to the prismatic cover-uncover test, it has a higher sensitivity for detecting low-angle latent strabismus. Measurements with the Strabiscan do not require the presence of additional co-assistants for the test.

Model animals are employed in experiments as substitutes for human tissues and fluids, particularly when accessing particular human samples (such as cerebrospinal fluid, brain, ocular tissues, etc.) poses significant challenges or is ethically constrained. Nonhuman primates are frequently regarded as superior animal models for investigating human ophthalmological diseases. However, despite this recognition, the metabolomic composition of ocular tissues in non-human primates remains predominantly unexplored. In this work, we present a dataset on metabolite concentrations in serum and ocular tissues, including aqueous humor (AH), vitreous humor (VH), and lens, in two Macaque species: crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). A total of 99 compounds were quantified in 45 samples, shedding light on the previously unknown metabolomic profiles of primate eye tissues.

We evaluated the closure of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) the day after surgery in minimizing the burden and maximizing patient outcomes. Herein, 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and fluid-gas (20% sulfur hexafluoride) were performed for the treatment. Patients were instructed to remain in the facedown position until the confirmation of MH closure, and the position was discontinued in cases where the closure was confirmed. In total, 43 eyes of 43 patients, whose average age was 69.7±8.6 years, were enrolled in this study. We used swept-source (SS)-optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the confirmation of MH closure for gas-filled eyes and used spectral domain (SD)-OCT for the reconfirmation of MH closure after the gas volume was reduced to less than half of the vitreous cavity. MH closure was confirmed in 40 eyes (93%, the closure group) on the next day after surgery. The time from surgery to SS-OCT imaging was 24.7 hours. Although facedown positioning was terminated in cases where MH closure was confirmed, there were no cases in which the MH was re-opened afterward. The basal and minimum MH size was significantly larger in the non-closure group than that in the closure group (p = 0.027, p = 0.043, respectively). Therefore, checking with SS-OCT the day after surgery and terminating facedown positioning in cases where MH closure was confirmed would be a useful method, removing great burden for the elderly without sacrificing the MH closure rate.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between corneal nerve structure and function in a veteran population. Methods: 83 veterans (mean age: 55 ± 5 years) seen at the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic were included in the study. Each individual filled out questionnaires to evaluate ocular symptoms (5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire, DEQ5, Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI) and ocular pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS, Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye, NPSI-Eye). Individuals also underwent an ocular surface examination that captured functional nerve tests including corneal sensation, corneal staining, and Schirmer test for tear production. Corneal sub-basal nerve analysis was conducted using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images with corneal nerve density, length, area, width, and fractal dimension captured. IVCM and functional corneal metrics from the right eye were examined using correlational and linear regression analysis. Results: Most corneal structural metrics were not related to functional metrics, except for weak correlations between various IVCM metrics and tear production. In addition, corneal nerve fiber area was positively related to corneal sensation (r = 0.3, p = 0.01). On linear regression analyses, only corneal fractal dimension remained significantly related to tear production (β = -0.26, p = 0.02) and only corneal nerve fiber area remained significantly related to corneal sensation (β = 0.3, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Most corneal nerve structural metrics did not relate to functional metrics in our veteran population, apart from a few weak correlations between structural metrics and tear production. This highlights caution in using corneal nerve anatomy to predict corneal function.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a candidate for screening programs, since its prognosis is excellent when diagnosed in an early disease stage. Targeted screening of those at high risk for developing CM, a cost-effective alternative to population-wide screening, requires valid procedures to identify the high-risk group. Self-assessment of the number of nevi has been suggested as a component of such procedures, but its validity has not yet been established. We analyzed the level of agreement between self-assessments and expert assessments of the number of melanocytic nevi in the area between the wrist and the shoulder of both arms based on 4548 study subjects in whom mutually blinded double counting of nevi was performed. Nevus counting followed the IARC protocol. Study subjects received written instructions, photographs, a mirror, and a “nevometer” to support self-assessment of nevi larger than 2 mm. Nevus counts were categorized based on the quintiles of the distribution into five levels defining a nevus score. Cohen’s weighted kappa-coefficient was estimated to measure the level of agreement. In the total sample, agreement between self-assessments and expert-assessments was moderate (raw agreement: 50.29%, weighted κ=0.596). Self-assessed nevus counts were higher than those determined by experts (mean differ-ence: 3.33 nevi). The level of agreement was independent of sociodemographic and cutaneous factors; however, participants’ eye color had a significant impact on the level of agreement. Our findings show that even with comprehensive guidance, only a moderate level of agreement between self-assessed and expert-assessed nevus counts can be achieved. Self-assessed nevus information does not appear to be reliable enough to be used in individual risk assessment to target screening activities.

A scientific investigation into visual preferences of rural recreation path landscapes is crucial for enhancing visual qualities and visitors' experience. Taking Baofeng, a representative traditional village in Yunlong, as an example, this study analyzed the visual preference of three typical linear recreational paths with different landscape attributes. We used eye-tracking technology to collect eye movement data and conducted a subjective semantic differential evaluation. Our findings manifest a general inclination amongst individuals to favor closer views and paths with clear trajectories and rich elevation changes while walking, despite preference differences on different types of paths. Regarding group diversity, more inclusive design should be made to meet the sensory needs of different groups. Moreover, despite the limited level of correlation between subjective and objective evaluation methods, combining these two approaches remains indispensable. This synthesis advances prior quantitative landscape evaluation with a specific focus on rural path landscapes and upholds the integrity of results by combining objectivity with subjectivity. It also provides relevant design suggestions for further rural renewal and path planning of Baofeng village.

Brimonidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, used for treatment of open-angle glaucoma, has been shown to cause neurological side effects such as unresponsiveness, lethargy, hypoventilation, and stupor, mimicking opioid toxicity. We report one case of transient encephalopathy in a toddler, in whom brimonidine accidental toxicity was sus-pected and then confirmed by a toxicology study. The 8-month-old healthy girl child was taken to the pediatric ER since she was drowsy and hypotonic, with miosis. Brain CT scan and toxicological work-up on blood and urine were negative. Starting from hour +4, the child progressively improved, and by hour +6, she recovered to a normal state of consciousness. A survey of available drugs at the child’s reach showed the presence of brimonidine. Thus, ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied to quantify brimonidine in urine and plasma samples, showing 8.40 ng/mL level and 0.79 ng/mL, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report for determining brimonidine levels in urine and plasma by UPLC-MS/MS. Insufficient knowledge of the family members about the potential hazards of an apparently innocuous, topical medication such as eye drops may put children at a greater risk of poisoning. Necessary warnings should be better given to parents when prescribing this medication.

This study demonstrates the efficacy of structured pruning and architectural fine-tuning on the YOLOv7-tiny model for eye state detection, emphasizing optimization for real-time applications. Structured pruning significantly reduced the model's complexity and storage size while maintaining high detection accuracy, as evidenced by stable precision, recall, and mAP@.5 metrics across iterations. Further fine-tuning adjusted the model's width and depth, optimizing efficiency and processing speed without compromising performance. These optimizations yielded YOLOv7-tiny variants that are both computationally efficient and accurate, suitable for resource-constrained environments. The findings highlight the critical role of model optimization in deploying effective neural networks for specific detection tasks in real-time scenarios.

The intricate interplay between driver cognitive dysfunction, mental workload (MWL), and heart rate variability (HRV) provides a captivating avenue for investigation within the domain of transportation safety studies. This article presents a comprehensive review and examines cognitive hindrance stemming from mental workload and heart rate variability. It scrutinizes the mental workload experienced by drivers by leveraging data gleaned from prior studies that employed heart rate monitoring systems and eye tracking technology, thereby illuminating the correlation between cognitive impairment, mental workload, and physiological indicators such as heart rate and ocular movements. The investigation is grounded in the premise that the mental workload of drivers can be assessed through physiological cues, such as heart rate and eye movements. The study discovered that heart rate variability (HRV) and infrared (IR) measurements played a crucial role in evaluating fatigue and workload for skilled drivers. However, the study overlooked potential factors contributing to cognitive impairment in drivers and could benefit from incorporating alternative indicators of cognitive workload for deeper insights. Furthermore, investigated driving simulators demonstrated that an eco-safe driving Human-Machine Interface (HMI) significantly promoted safe driving behaviors without imposing excessive mental and visual workload on drivers. Recommendations were made for future studies to consider additional indicators of cognitive workload, such as subjective assessments or task performance metrics, for a more comprehensive understanding.

Background: The microbiome of the ocular surface has been characterised, but only limited in-formation is available on a possible silent intraocular microbial colonisation in normal eyes. Therefore, we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rDNA genes in aqueous hu-mor. Methods: Aqueous humor was sampled from three patients during cataract surgery. Air swabs, patient’s and healthy donor conjunctival swab served as controls. Following DNA extraction, the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rDNA gene were amplified and sequenced fol-lowed by denoising. The resulting Amplicon Sequence Variants were matched to a subset of the Ribosomal Database Project 16S database. The deduced bacterial community was then statis-tically analysed. Results: DNA content in all samples was low (0-1.49 ng/µl) but sufficient for analysis. Main phyla in all samples were Acinetobacteria (48%), Proteobacteria (26%), Firmicutes (14%), Acidobac-teria (8%) and Bacteroidetes (2%). Patients conjunctival control samples and anterior chamber fluid showed similar patterns of bacterial species containing many waterborne species. Non-disinfected samples showed a different bacterial spectrum than the air swab sample. Conclusions: The data confirm the existence of an ocular surface microbiome. A distinct intraoc-ular microbiome was not discernable from the background, suggesting the absence of an intra-ocular microbiome in normal eyes.

Gabapentin (GBP) was originally developed as a potential agonist for Gamma-Amino-Butyric-Acid (GABA) receptors, aiming to inhibit the activation of pain-signaling neurons. Contrary to initial expectations, it does not bind to GABA receptors. Instead, it exhibits several distinct pharmacological activities, including: (1) binding to the alpha-2-delta protein subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system, thereby blocking the excitatory influx of calcium; (2) reducing the expression and phosphorylation of CaMKII via modulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation; (3) inhibiting glutamate release and interfering with the activation of NMDA receptors; (4) enhancing GABA synthesis; (5) increasing cell-surface expression of δGABA_A receptors, contributing to its antinociceptive, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic-like effects. Additionally, GBP displays (6) inhibition of NF-kB activation and subsequent production of inflammatory cytokines, and (7) stimulation of the purinergic adenosine A1 receptor, which supports its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Initially approved for treating seizures and postherpetic neuralgia, GBP is now broadly used for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, acute and chronic neuropathic pain, and sleep disturbances. Recently, as an eye drop formulation, it has also been explored as a therapeutic option for ocular surface discomfort in conditions such as dry eye, neurotrophic keratitis, corneal ulcers, and neuropathic ocular pain. This review aims to summarize the evidence supporting the molecular effects of GBP, with a special emphasis on its applications in ocular surface diseases.