Search Results (107)

Oculomics uses ocular images, ocular biofluids and functional ocular tests to extract diagnostic information on local or systemic biological states. Most current evidence is cross-sectional: one retinal photograph, OCT scan, OCTA examination or tear sample is compared with a reference population, or converted into a diagnostic or prognostic score. This approach is useful for screening and risk enrichment, but it does not show whether the same patient is changing over time. In this review, dynamic oculomics, or oculomic kinetics, is presented as a diagnostic-monitoring approach based on repeated ocular measurements within the same individual. Its object is the personal trajectory: baseline level, short-term variability, long-term drift, response to stimulus, recovery and modification by treatment. We discuss the biological basis of ocular trajectories, the limits imposed by local ocular regulation and disease, and the technical constraints of fundus photography, structural OCT, OCTA, functional challenge tests, tear analysis, aqueous humour analysis, continuous intraocular pressure monitoring and home-based imaging. We also examine artificial intelligence, validation, governance, health-economic considerations and practical implementation. The available evidence does not support a universal ocular surrogate for systemic disease. More realistic applications include detection of unexpectedly rapid tissue change, individualised risk stratification, treatment-response assessment and recognition of discordance between systemic markers and ocular tissue behaviour. Full article

Does God laugh? This article is a systematic theological discussion of divine laughter and its implications for human laughter. Firstly, I define laughter in contrast to humour and the comical, and I present the most common theories of laughter. Secondly, I use Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose to discuss laughter in relation to Christianity, and I hint at a possible concept of divine laughter. Thirdly, I unfold this idea of divine laughter, not least by drawing on the phenomenon of Easter laughter (risus paschalis), and I outline its implications for human laughter and mockery. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is entering religious communication not only through chatbots and generated text, but also through images and reels on social media. Yet research in this field has paid limited attention to what images contribute beyond their accompanying words. This article examines how AI-assisted visuals are incorporated into Indonesian Muslim Instagram accounts linked to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and what communicative work they perform. Informed by the Religious Social Shaping of Technology framework and visual-culture scholarship, the study combines qualitative digital observation with content and multimodal analysis of eleven posts from three accounts and sampled comments. The visuals were adopted selectively within established organisational, humour-oriented, and preacher-led modes of address. AI functioned through amplification: synthetic construction gave bodily and spatial form to themes of national belonging, moral criticism, santri conduct, and interreligious engagement, while enabling encounters that could not readily be photographed. These moral positions became legible through familiar signs, but authority remained with the organisation, collective voice, or public persona through which the images were framed and circulated. AI-assisted imagery is therefore best understood as situated visual mediation: it expands what religious communicators can picture without independently determining the meaning or authority of what is pictured. Full article

Persistent pain is a major health issue that interferes with farmers’ ability to work more commonly than for the general working population. Farmers also like to self-manage pain but evidence-based pain management educational resources that are relevant to their way of life are limited. This study utilised a participatory co-design approach with farmers, pain clinicians and pain researchers to develop a tailored persistent pain management education resource for farmers. Key, transferable learnings include: the value of information provision in both printed and digital formats, the use of straightforward language, farmer-themed metaphors, imagery, humour and case studies/quotes, as well as reflection and goal-setting activities that focus on function. Co-designers highlighted the importance of materials being easily accessible, sharable and distributed by those who can demonstrate an understanding of farming, to reassure farmers of the resources’ relevance. Including information that is applicable across farmers’ typical pain journeys (pain onset, frustration and resignation stages as described in the paper) is another important consideration. Findings have informed the development of a pain management education resource that was considered relevant, relatable and accessible by co-designers. Lessons are applicable to the development of future health-related educational resources for this unique and at-risk group. Full article

Background/Objectives: Collaboration between medical and dental professionals is essential for comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare, yet the two fields often remain separate in education and practice. This study explored attitudes, experiences, and perceptions of interprofessional relationships among medical and dental faculty and students at a Croatian university. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Thirty-nine participants, including faculty members and students from medicine and dentistry, were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to interprofessional perceptions and collaboration. Results: Participants generally reported mutual respect, although their accounts revealed subtle hierarchies, persistent stereotypes, and implicit biases. Overt animosity was rare, often limited to humour, though instances of disrespect and status differentiation were described. Educational collaboration was minimal, with siloed curricula and few structured initiatives, while clinical collaboration was described as largely case-dependent and centred on referral rather than coordinated care. Personal exposure to the other profession mitigated some biases, suggesting that social proximity influences professional perceptions. Conclusions: Despite overall respect, participants identified structural, cultural, and educational factors that limited opportunities for interprofessional engagement within the studied setting. The findings suggest that creating opportunities for structured interprofessional learning and collaborative clinical practice may strengthen professional understanding, support more integrated models of care, and ultimately contribute to improved patient-centred healthcare. Full article

Background: Disruptive classroom behaviour remains a persistent challenge for teachers, peers, and students alike. Mentalization-based interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in addressing such behaviour, yet research has predominantly focused on student-centred or school-wide approaches, leaving teacher-centred applications underexplored. Aims: This study investigated (1) whether teachers’ use of MBIs during incidents of disruptive behaviour was associated with incident resolution, and whether this varied by severity, and (2) how MBIs were enacted in naturalistic classroom settings. Methods: Interactions between students and teachers were observed across two classrooms in a London-based alternative provision school, yielding 259 documented incidents of disruptive behaviour and 815 coded teacher–student interaction sequences—the primary unit of analysis. Teacher responses were coded for six predefined MBIs (including Mentalization; shifting focus to underlying mental states, and Playing with reality; encouraging flexible perspectives through humour or playfulness), using a validated scheme with high inter-rater agreement across all coding dimensions (Cohen’s κ > 0.75). Incident outcomes (resolved vs. unresolved) served as the dependent variable, with severity as a moderator. Thematic analysis of classroom dialogue characterised how MBIs were enacted in practice. Results: Several MBIs were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of incident resolution, while others were less effective. Only one intervention pairing—the simultaneous use of Mentalization and Playing with reality—showed a tentative synergistic association which should be treated as exploratory. Robust additive effects were observed across incident severity. Qualitative analyses highlighted how MBIs were delivered, including differences in tone, style, and strategy. Conclusions: In this naturalistic observational study, teachers’ use of MBIs was associated with the resolution of disruptive behaviour in classrooms. These findings extend understanding of how MBT principles can be translated into educational contexts and provide preliminary evidence to inform future research on teacher-centred MBIs, which will require controlled designs before programme development. Full article

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has long been utilized as a vitreous humour substitute in the treatment of retinal detachment. To address increasing clinical demands, PDMS synthesis has been explored, yielding a range of viscosities of PDMS with favourable properties for this application. While various formulations and synthesis routes for developed PDMS have been reported in previous studies, an evaluation of their biocompatibility and relationship to physical properties has not yet been reported. However, the biocompatibility of this biomaterial is a critical determinant of its long-term performance. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the biocompatibility of PDMS and its relationship with physical properties through a comprehensive assessment that correlates polymer synthesis parameters, physicochemical properties, storage stability, emulsification resistance, and cytotoxicity. The samples tend to be stable during a five-month storage period. No signs of emulsification were observed when the samples were exposed to the emulsifiers. All samples exhibited no cytotoxic effect through the resazurin assay. Collectively, these findings suggest that synthesized PDMS possesses favourable biocompatibility and physicochemical stability, supporting its potential as a vitreous humour substitute. Full article

LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges, driven largely by exposure to stigma, discrimination, and minority stress. In response, there is growing interest in creative, community-based interventions that support wellbeing. This study evaluates “LGBTQteehee!”, a 10-week stand-up comedy programme designed to promote mental wellbeing and resilience among LGBTQ+ individuals. N = 6 participants took part in post-intervention qualitative data collection via focus group and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Two overarching themes were identified: “Standing up Together: A Queer Ensemble” and “Comedy as Catharsis”, each comprising two subthemes. The first theme captured the importance of community, highlighting “Where Comedy Meets Community” and “Where Safety Takes Centre Stage”, emphasising the role of belonging, diversity, and psychological safety. The second theme reflected the transformative potential of comedy, with “Performing (Queer) Resilience” and “Taking the Mic and Owning the Moment” illustrating how participants reframed lived experience into empowering narratives and reported increased confidence and self-expression. Findings suggest that the benefits of the intervention extend beyond humour alone, instead reflecting the interplay between social connection and identity-affirming narrative expression. Participants described how having a space to talk openly about their mental health and receive support from others contributed to their perceptions of both individual and collective resilience. These findings suggest that community-based comedy interventions may offer accessible and identity-affirming spaces through which LGBTQ+ individuals can explore wellbeing, belonging, and resilience. Whilst further evaluation is required, the findings contribute to growing discussions regarding the role of arts-based approaches in supporting LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing. Full article

This study investigates the communicative power of editorial cartoons in Ghana’s public discourse, focusing on how they inform, critique, and influence sociopolitical narratives. Drawing on a dataset of cartoons by Tilapia—one of the country’s leading cartoonists—published between May 2024 and May 2025, the paper explores how cartoons address themes such as economic hardship, youth addiction, cultural values, environmental degradation, and political hypocrisy. The central question guiding this study is as follows: How do Tilapia’s editorial cartoons visually construct and critique key national issues—such as economic hardship, environmental degradation, youth addiction, and political hypocrisy—in Ghanaian public discourse? Guided by an integrated theoretical framework from semiotics, visual rhetoric, and critical metaphor theory, the analysis reveals how cartoons use humour, caricature, exaggeration, and symbolic imagery to simplify complex realities and foster civic reflection. The study highlights how cartoons serve not only to entertain but also to hold power to account, amplify public concerns, and promote sociopolitical engagement. Through detailed visual analysis of ten selected cartoons, the paper underscores their capacity to critique governance, expose contradictions, and reflect collective sentiment—especially during election cycles. Overall, the research affirms the evolving role of visual satire as a potent medium of resistance, cultural expression, and democratic participation in Ghana. By bridging visual culture and critical discourse, the paper contributes to broader understandings of the role of the media in shaping public perception and fostering informed citizenship. Full article

Background/Objectives: While intravitreal administration allows for increased ocular exposure to anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies, there is still a need for developing delivery systems able to prolong ocular drug exposure and alleviate patient compliance and safety concerns because of repeated injections. Therefore, the objective of this work was to guide the design of sustained-release formulations of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies for intravitreal administration through a model-based strategy in non-infectious uveitis in the preclinical setting. Methods: Using an in-house-developed anterior uveitis disease model in rats, an intravenous reference dose reducing free TNF-α by 90% at the biophase was established. Intravitreal administrations of sustained-release formulations every 24 weeks were then simulated for adalimumab, golimumab and infliximab to evaluate TNF-α kinetics in the anterior chamber of the eye at different release rates. The selected sustained-release formulation was further evaluated for possible formulation issues causing device emptying before the next administration. Results: Intravitreal administration of sustained-release formulations releasing adalimumab, golimumab or infliximab at 1.802, 0.979 and 1.442 μg/week, respectively, met the predefined criteria of ≥90% reduction in free TNF-α at the biophase. TNF-α levels in aqueous humour were anticipated to be the most sensitive to detect possible formulation issues. Formulation emptying 10, 4 or 8 weeks for adalimumab, golimumab and infliximab, respectively, before next administration triggered TNF-α reaching pathological levels at week 24 post-dose. Conclusions: This work underscores the potential of new approach methodologies in the preclinical drug development of sustained-release formulations for intravitreal administration in ocular inflammatory disorders with less animal testing and without compromising the accuracy of model-informed predictions for human translation. Full article

Elevated temperatures are frequently encountered in numerous occupational settings such as iron and steel foundries, non-ferrous metal foundries, brick and ceramic manufacturing plants, glass production facilities, rubber factories, electrical power plants, bakeries, laundries, chemical processing sites, mining operations, smelting plants, and steam tunnels. Employees working in these environments are at risk of developing various health issues and injuries, including ocular complications, due to prolonged exposure to heat and the physical demands of handling heavy materials. This study focuses on examining the pressure within the eye’s anterior chamber, referred to as Intraocular Pressure (IOP), and its association with the cornea’s biomechanical characteristics, with particular attention to corneal temperature. Our methodology is grounded in the principles of the first law of thermodynamics. The findings reveal a link between the temperature of the eye’s anterior chamber and the biomechanical behaviour of the cornea. Specifically, IOP serves as an indicator of the cornea’s elasticity and its optical properties as influenced by temperature variations. We investigated how the cornea’s elastic energy, or the work it performs, varies with temperature changes. The results show that an increase in temperature corresponds to a reduction in the work exerted by the cornea. The corneal temperature is affected by both the ambient environment and the temperature of the aqueous humour within the anterior chamber. This indicates a relationship between the mechanical work done by the cornea and the pressure exerted by the fluid in the eye’s front segment. Furthermore, our study identified a correlation between corneal thickness and IOP, which our modelling approach successfully quantifies. Utilizing the first law of thermodynamics, we calculated the work performed by the anterior chamber against the cornea’s internal surface. Temperature fluctuations influence the secretion, drainage, and flow characteristics of the aqueous humour, thereby impacting IOP and associated ocular conditions. These insights are valuable for devising strategies aimed at preventing eye injuries among workers exposed to high-temperature environments. Full article

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM). Disease progression can result in visual impairment, primarily due to diabetic macular edema (DME) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Although several ocular treatments are available for DME, a subset of patients fails to respond, reflecting the multifactorial, complex, and systemic nature of DR. Inflammatory biomarkers can be classified according to different characteristics, including imaging biomarkers—most commonly assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT)—and molecular biomarkers, which are defined by their biochemical and biophysical properties. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adipokines, and inflammation-related enzymes are recognized as key inflammatory biomarkers and can be detected in the vitreous humour, aqueous humour, tears, serum, and other biological tissues. The identification and characterization of reliable biomarkers may help determine disease severity, monitor disease progression, and predict the risk of specific outcomes, thereby aiding in the prevention of end-stage disease (prognostic biomarkers). In addition, biomarkers may serve as predictive tools for therapeutic response, guiding personalized treatment strategies and enabling ongoing monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of DR and DME. Full article

Critical thinking dispositions are essential motivational drivers for intellectual excellence; yet their relationship with socio-emotional traits, such as humour, remains under-researched. This study investigated associations between critical thinking dispositions and the four humour styles (Affiliative, Self-enhancing, Aggressive, Self-defeating) in higher education, controlling for gender, field of study, and academic year. A quantitative, correlational design was used with 382 Portuguese university students who completed the Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale and the Humour Styles Questionnaire. Our results showed that Open-mindedness predicted Affiliative humour, while CT Self-confidence and Cognitive maturity predicted Self-enhancing humour. Truth-seeking inversely predicted Aggressive humour, which was higher in males and students of Science and Technology. Self-defeating humour was uniquely predicted by lower Cognitive maturity. These findings underscore that adaptive humour aligns with reflective thinking, whereas maladaptive styles correlate with traits that may hinder epistemic engagement. These findings underscore that adaptive humour is associated with reflective thinking, whereas maladaptive humour styles correlate with dispositional traits that may impede epistemic engagement; taken together, the results highlight the importance of integrating educational strategies that foster critical thinking dispositions, as such strategies may facilitate the development of more adaptive humour styles. Full article

This narrative review outlines the structure and essential functions of ocular proteoglycans (PGs) in visual processing as documented in the extensive literature on this subject matter. The eye, as one of the most complex sensory organs, relies on the coordinated activity of various tissues and cell types, with PGs playing a central role in facilitating communication and maintaining tissue function. These molecules stabilise ocular tissues; for example, SPACRCAN (IMPG2) and hyaluronan aggregates in the interphotoreceptor matrix protect photoreceptors from oxidative stress. Specialised heparan sulfate PGs, such as pikachurin, eyes-shut, and the neurexin family, stabilise synapses and ensure synaptic specificity and plasticity. Pikachurin is particularly important for the rapid transmission of visual signals at the bipolar ribbon synapse. A diverse array of chondroitin sulfate (aggrecan, versican, neurocan, brevican, phosphacan, NG2), keratan sulfate (SV2), and heparan sulfate (perlecan, agrin, collagen XVIII) PGs are differentially expressed in ocular tissues, contributing to tissue stability and homeostasis. In the cornea, sclera, and choroid, small leucine-rich repeat PGs (SLRPs) maintain three-dimensional structure, corneal transparency, and tissue function through interactions with cytokines and growth factors. The vitreous humour contains opticin and nyctalopin, which support the nutrition of avascular regions and facilitate bipolar ribbon synapse signalling. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the eye as a visual organ depends significantly on the functional roles of its constituent PGs. Full article

Translation primarily refers to interlingual translation here, i.e., the transfer of texts (broadly understood) between distinct languages. Wordplay is used synonymously with puns, while language-play is a broader concept referring to the intentional manipulation of linguistic elements for special effects. Language-play thus includes, but is not limited to, wordplay. This paper provides an overview of the issues involved in the translation of language-play, including wordplay. To this end, definitions, categories, and arguments related to translation on the one hand, and to word- as well as language-play on the other, are presented. This includes an introduction to different modes, purposes, and challenges of translation, as well as a discussion of the possible forms, functions, and effects of language-play, partly in relation to humour. Based on this groundwork, claims and findings related to the combination of the fields, i.e., the translation of word- and language-play, will be summarized. The paper concludes with an attempt at placing word- and language-play translation into a broader context, including societal and educational concerns, as well as the latest changes affecting the translation profession. Full article