Ataxia

With over 40 years of ophthalmology industry experience, Dr. Lindstrom will lead Surface Ophthalmics into its next stage of growth as it advances its innovative and patented proprietary portfolio for dry eye syndrome. PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Surface Ophthalmics, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to transforming the management and treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES), today announced the appointment of Richard Lindstrom, MD as Founder & Chairman. A highly acclaimed physician and surgeon in ophthalmology, Dr. Lindstrom is founder and attending surgeon emeritus at Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A. Dr. Lindstrom will lead in partnership with Surface’s distinguished Board of Directors including Adrienne Graves, Ph.D., (Lead Director); Perry J. Sternberg, Shelley Thunen, and J. Andy Corley. In the US alone, an estimated 38 million people have some form of DES, yet only 17 million are diagnosed and fewer still, 1.7 million, are using a prescription therapy.1,2 With its product portfolio in development, Surface seeks to address the full range of DES, from episodic to chronic by providing eye care professionals targeted therapies to treat the signs, symptoms, and underlying causes of DES, which can be naturally occurring or following ocular surgery.3 “I am honored and thrilled to lead Surface Ophthalmics into its next phase of expansion as we work to advance the company’s innovative and proprietary medicinal candidates for patients suffering from DES,” said Dr. Lindstrom. “Our solutions hold significant potential to meet existing gaps in care, and I’m eager to collaborate with our talented team to introduce these products to the market.” Surface Ophthalmics is advancing two products: Kera Sol™ Tears, an over-the-counter artificial tear solution designed for cell-compatible, short-term, fast-acting, temporary relief of burning and irritation caused by dryness of the eye. Additionally, the company is progressing the clinical program for its investigational drug, Mycosol (Surf-101), a first-in-class prescription eye drop that delivers Mycophenolate in Surface’s proprietary formulation. This combination is designed to provide sustained immunosuppressive action and mucin upregulation at the ocular surface. Richard Lindstrom, MD Dr. Richard Lindstrom is founder and attending surgeon emeritus at Minnesota Eye Consultants P.A., a provider of eye care services, since 1989. Dr. Lindstrom has served as a researcher, teacher, inventor, writer, lecturer and highly acclaimed physician and surgeon in the ophthalmology field. Dr. Lindstrom has served as associate director of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank from 1987 - 2017. He is a medical advisor for several medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers and serves on the boards of several public and privately held life sciences companies. Dr. Lindstrom previously served as president of the International Society of Refractive Surgery from 1993 to 1994, the International Intraocular Implant Society from 2002 to 2004, the International Refractive Surgery Club from 2002 to 2004, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery from 2007 to 2008. He currently serves on the ASCRS Executive Committee and is a past chair of the ASCRS Foundation. From 1980 to 1989, he served as a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently an adjunct professor and foundation trustee emeritus. Dr. Lindstrom also chaired the Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences Foundation for three decades. About Surface Ophthalmics Surface Ophthalmics is a pioneering biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to the discovery and market introduction of novel treatments for diseases affecting the ocular surface. Our mission is to address critical unmet needs in eye care by harnessing in-depth expertise, a dynamic strategy, operational efficiency, and distinctive clinical advantages. To learn more visit and follow us on LinkedIn. References 1 2019 Dry Eye Products Market Report, Market Scope 2 Symphony Rx Data divided by DES Prevalence Study and validated with Market Scope data 3 Craig JP, et al., TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary, The Ocular Surface (2017)

Scientists have found our visual perception dips as our feet hit the ground. Further understanding this could help develop early diagnostics for neuromuscular or psychiatric illness; understand changes in mobility as we age; or help with sports science and athletic training. For the first time, neuroscientists have established a link between shifts in our visual perception and the cadence of our steps while walking. The research, published in Nature Communications, shows that the brain processes vision in a rhythmic manner, rising and falling in sensitivity in a cycle that corresponds to the rhythm of our steps. When swinging from one step to the next, human perception is good and reactions fast. During footfall, however, our vision is not as sharp and reactions are slowed. Lead author Dr Matthew Davidson from the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney said: "This work reveals a previously unknown relationship between perception and movement. It bridges a gap between experimental psychology and our natural, everyday behaviour." The study also confirms our understanding of the visual brain sensing the environment in a strobe-like way; our perception takes regular samples of the world before stitching them together to create our seamless experience. However, the new finding that reveals shifts in our visual perception has important implications for understanding human behaviour, how we interact with our environment and make decisions. The work was conducted by Dr Matthew Davidson with colleagues Professor David Alais and Professor Frans Verstraten in the School of Psychology, University of Sydney. Dr Davidson said: "We are consciously aware of a seamless stream of vision but this is deceptive. I use the analogy of a duck swimming on a pond. Beneath the smooth motion on the surface there is a lot cycling activity beneath." This study extends earlier work from the same lab showing that perception of vision and sound is cyclic, with our brain taking around eight samples per second. Professor Alais said: "The critical new finding in this study is that these oscillations in the brain's sampling of the world slow down when walking to match the step cycle. "Humans take about two steps per second when walking and generally keep to a consistent rhythm. The reported oscillations in visual sensitivity also occur at about two cycles per second and are locked to the step cycle. In some participants these rhythmic oscillations occur at four cycles per second but these were also locked to the step cycle." This work is the first time that visual perception has been finely and continuously sampled during walking. Without virtual reality headsets and motion tracking it would not be possible. Dr Davidson said: "Thanks to VR technology we have discovered that our vision moves through a good and a bad phase on every step." It is unclear why our brain's perceptual processes are so closely linked to walking. Professor Alais said: "One possible explanation is that vision becomes secondary to motor control while your foot is grounded and the next step is planned. Once you are in the swing phase between footfalls, the brain switches back to prioritising perceptual sampling of the world, creating an ongoing perceptual rhythm that harmonises with your step rate." The findings open questions that the research team will pursue in further studies. For example, does perception of sound and touch also modulate as we walk? And what about neural activity? The research team plans to follow up these questions to further understand the implications. Dr Davidson said: "An obvious question is whether these oscillations in perception are more pronounced in the elderly given difficulties with balance and coordination as we age. "It also raises the exciting possibility that we could develop cheap and easy diagnostic tests using VR headsets, or use this information to develop tests for early onset of neuro-muscular disorders or some psychiatric illnesses, which can manifest in abnormal gaits." He said it could also be applied to further research in sports science to see if the findings could be applied to optimise decision-making and reaction times in athletes. Underlying all this research remains a persistent mystery. If the world is sampled by our brains rhythmic pulses, why is our conscious perception so seamlessly smooth? Professor Verstraten said: "This was once a question for philosophers, but with access to technology neuroscientists have been able to shed light on how the gaps get filled in. The current view is that the brain is a predictive machine that actively constructs perception and predicts what ought to be there and fills in the blanks. But clearly, we need more research to deepen our understanding." Methods Researchers tracked the walking of 45 subjects walking back and forth along a 10-metre path in a virtual environment. During each walk (lasting about 9 seconds), subjects were required to respond to between zero and eight random visual stimuli. The same stimuli were also presented in stationary trials. Eye and head movement was tracked along with gait and walking information. Of the 45 subjects, insufficient data was collected for seven subjects. In the datasets for 38 subjects, reduced perception at footfall was recorded 83 percent of the time.

Elite Eight List of Pet Owner Fouls For Pet Poison Prevention Month MINNEAPOLIS, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- March is not just for madness -- it also happens to be Pet Poison Prevention Month. To help sports enthusiasts remember to protect their pets while cheering on their favorite teams, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline have analyzed case data and developed a list of the Elite Eight Pet Owner Fouls. 1. Administering Human Pain Medications. Pet owners often give their pet human pain medication when the pet isn't feeling well. Continue Reading "There is never a safe way to induce vomiting in a cat at home," said Dr. Schmid. Post this Human medications can be dangerous and even deadly to pets. "No one wants to see their beloved pet in pain, so when you see them suffering, it is common to reach for your nearest pain reliever to help them feel better," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. "The problem is, animals are very sensitive to human pain medications, particularly NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen, and only a small amount can be potentially deadly. Cats are particularly sensitive to these medications, leaving no room for error if they're given these medications." 2. Human/Pet Medication Mix-ups. Owners may store their medication in the same place as their pet's medication and mistakenly give the pet the owner's medication. "Do you have a specific place where you store all of the medication in your house?" Dr. Schmid asked. "If so, you are not alone! Many pet parents will keep their pet's medication in the same area as their own medication and have been known to give their pet the human medication by mistake. Depending on the type of medication and amount, potentially fatal consequences can occur. This is especially true for skeletal muscle relaxants such as baclofen and heart/blood pressure medications." 3. Home Treatment for Vomiting. Owners may attempt to induce vomiting in their pet without the guidance of a veterinarian, leading to injury. "Instructions on how to make your pet vomit are all over the internet," Dr. Schmid warns. "Getting a pet to vomit, however, isn't as carefree as Dr. Google may want you to believe. There is never a safe way to induce vomiting in a cat at home so it should only be done under the supervision of a veterinarian using prescription medication that has been proven safe for cats. Dogs may be able to have vomiting induced at home but only under the guidance of a veterinarian or poison expert, as giving too much hydrogen peroxide can cause severe consequences. Manually trying to gag your pet can result in nerve damage to the protective areas of the airway, salt can cause poisoning to your pet, and the myriad of other options you may read about are often dangerous and ineffective. There are also certain substances that may cause more harm if vomited. Always work with a medical expert when considering if inducing vomiting is necessary for your pet." 4. Inappropriate Storage of Household Cleaners. Cleaning products, such as toilet bowl cleaner, being left out or in the bowl where pets have access to it can have detrimental consequences. "Having to clean undesirable areas like toilet bowls often leaves us pondering the true meaning of life," Dr. Schmid mused. "Cleaners are often poured into the toilet bowl and left to set for a bit to work their magic. If toilet bowl lids aren't closed, or bathroom doors are left open, our curious furry housemates can find the bottle or water containing toilet bowl cleaner and take a dangerous drink or two." Toilet bowl cleaners can cause corrosive effects to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, leading to severe ulceration and pain. Depending on the concentration and amount ingested, these effects can be life-threatening. 5. Garbage Can Temptations. Moldy food left in the garbage can be a tempting treat for pets. "The great refrigerator clean-out often contains moldy food products that we quickly throw in the trash," Dr. Schmid said. "These moldy foods may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that result in ataxia, tremors, and seizures. Deaths can occur. If moldy food is placed in the trash, remember to keep the trash can out of reach of your pets, or better yet, immediately take the trash out of the house and place in a larger, more secure trash receptacle." 6. Dangerous Compost Access. Allowing unsupervised pet access to compost piles can become an all-you-can-eat buffet. "Food and organic material in compost piles may also allow mold with tremorgenic mycotoxins to grow," Dr. Schmid explained. "If using a compost bin, be sure to fence off the area so your furry friend does not have access to any of the great smelling and tasting rotting material!" 7. Rat Poison Placement. Placing rodenticides in an area accessible to pets can kill more than just rodents. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, rodents such as mice and rats get into our homes, our garages, and our sheds," Dr. Schmid said. "In an effort to rid these areas of the pesky rodents, mouse and rat baits are often set out. These baits have varying active ingredients that can be fatal depending on the amount ingested. If using mouse and rat bait in the same area that a pet is around, be sure to keep the bait far out of the pet's reach and only use in the bait station supplied by the bait manufacturer. While these don't completely eliminate the risk that your curious pet may get into the bait, it can help make access a bit trickier. Also, if bait is not kept in the recommended bait station and left out loosely, it is possible that a rodent can carry the bait to another area that is more easily accessible to your pet." 8. Convenient Cocktail Access. Alcoholic and caffeine containing beverages left sitting out on a low table (coffee table, end table) are no reason to party for our 4-legged companions. "It's easy to get distracted while leaving your alcoholic or caffeine-containing beverage on a low table, giving your pet sufficient time to ingest just enough to cause poisoning," Dr. Schmid warns. "Animals do not tolerate alcohol or caffeine in the same manner that people do, and small amounts can be enough to require a trip to the veterinarian, while larger amounts can result in death." "As humans, life gets in the way, and we make mistakes now and again. If you make any of these fouls, or your pets get into other things that may be toxic, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately," urged Dr. Schmid. "We're here to help save your pet's life when potential trouble arises." About Pet Poison Helpline Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at . Contact: Dr. Renee Schmid, Pet Poison Helpline® (952) 806-3803 [email protected] SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline