ry eye is a multifactorial chronic disease of the tears and ocular surface. 1 Worldwide, the prevalence of dry eye ranges from 5% to 50% and varies owing to population characteristics, disease definition, and other risk factors. 2 In the United States, approximately 16.4 million adults (6.8%) have been diagnosed with dry eye. 3 Symptoms of dry eye are heterogeneous and include painful symptoms (ie, dryness, burning, irritation) and vision-related symptoms (ie, poor or fluctuating vision), which can negatively affect physical health, mental health, and quality of life. 2 Signs of dry eye are likewise heterogeneous and include decreased tear production, increased tear evaporation, inflammation, and high tear osmolarity. 4 Numerous risk factors for dry eye have been iden-tified, including age, sex, comorbidities such as depression and arthritis, and medications such as antihistamines. 2 Dry eye is also influenced by environmental factors, including wind, 5 high temperature, 6 low humidity, 5 high altitude, 7 and air pollution. 5 In a study of 500 hospital-based individuals in India, 6 wind and high temperature exposure, as assessed by self-report, correlated with dry eye prevalence (odds ratios, 2.15 and 1.91, respectively). In a study of 3.41 million US veterans, the risk of a diagnosis of dry eye was 6% and 7% higher in zip codes where wind speed and humidity were 1 SD less than the mean, respectively. The risk of a dry eye diagnosis was also 13% higher in zip codes where aerosol optical depth, a measure of atmospheric aerosols that include air-IMPORTANCE The ocular surface is continuously exposed to the environment. Although studies have focused on associations between outdoor environmental conditions and dry eye, information on associations between the indoor environment and dry eye is lacking.OBJECTIVE To determine associations between the indoor environment and dry eye. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThis prospective cross-sectional study sample of 97 veterans with a wide range of dry eye metrics was recruited from the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare eye clinic from October 19, 2017, to August 30, 2018. Dry eye metrics were first evaluated in the clinic, followed by indoor home environmental metrics within 1 week using a handheld particle counter. Data were analyzed from October 19, 2017, to August 30, 2018.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Symptoms of dry eye were assessed with standardized questionnaires. Dry eye signs were assessed via standard examination. Indoor environmental metrics included temperature, humidity, and particulate matter mass and count. RESULTSOf the 97 participants included in the analysis, 81 (84%) were men, with a mean (SD) age of 58.2 (11.9) years. Dry eye symptoms were in the moderate range with a mean (SD) Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score of 31.

Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV) threatens citrus production worldwide because it induces bud-union crease on the commercially important Citrange (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus sinensis) rootstocks. However, little is known about its genomic diversity and how such diversity may influence virus detection. In this study, full-length genome sequences of 12 CTLV isolates from different geographical areas, intercepted and maintained for the past 60 years at the Citrus Clonal Protection Program (CCPP), University of California, Riverside, were characterized using next generation sequencing. Genome structure and sequence for all CTLV isolates were similar to Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), the type species of Capillovirus genus of the Betaflexiviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis highlighted CTLV’s point of origin in Asia, the virus spillover to different plant species and the bottleneck event of its introduction in the United States of America (USA). A reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was designed at the most conserved genome area between the coat protein and the 3’-untranslated region (UTR), as identified by the full genome analysis. The assay was validated with different parameters (e.g. specificity, sensitivity, transferability and robustness) using multiple CTLV isolates from various citrus growing regions and it was compared with other published assays. This study proposes that in the era of powerful affordable sequencing platforms the presented approach of systematic full-genome sequence analysis of multiple virus isolates, and not only a small genome area of a small number of isolates, becomes a guideline for the design and validation of molecular virus detection assays, especially for use in high value germplasm programs.

BackgroundMany individuals with migraine report symptoms of dry eye (DE). However, it is not known whether DE profiles are similar between individuals with and without migraine. To bridge this gap, we evaluated symptoms and signs of DE, including symptoms suggestive of nerve dysfunction, in a large group of individuals with DE symptoms, and compared profiles between individuals with migraine and those without migraine or headache.MethodsProspective cross-sectional study of individuals with DE symptoms seen at the Miami VA.ResultsOf 250 individuals, 31 met International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for migraine based on a validated screen. Individuals with migraine were significantly younger (57 vs 62 years) and more likely to be female (26% vs 6%) than controls. Individuals with migraine had more severe DE symptoms and ocular pain compared with controls (mean Ocular Surface Disease Index 53.93 ± 21.76 vs 36.30 ± 22.90, p=0.0001; mean Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye 39.39 ± 23.33 vs 21.86 ± 20.17, p=0.0001). The difference in symptom profile occurred despite similar ocular surface parameters between the groups.ConclusionsIndividuals with migraine had a different DE symptom yet a similar DE sign profile when compared with controls without migraine. This suggests that DE symptoms in individuals with migraine may be driven by nerve dysfunction as opposed to ocular surface abnormalities.

L-Carnitine is a conditionally essential nutrient and plays an important role in mitochondrial β-oxidation. As a dietary supplement for athletes, L-carnitine has been investigated for its potential to enhance β-oxidation during exercise ultimately to improve performance. While some studies have shown a positive impact on VO(2 max) and other performance measures, other studies have found contradictory results. As such, investigations to a different mechanism by which L-carnitine supplementation could impact exercise and recovery were explored. Based on findings from cardiovascular research that L-carnitine enhances vascular endothelial function, an alternate hypothesis was developed. The hypothesis is centered on improving blood flow to muscle tissues and decreasing hypoxic stress and its resulting sequelae. Studies have shown a decrease in markers of purine catabolism and free radical generation and muscle soreness as a result of L-carnitine supplementation. Direct assessment of muscle tissue damage via magnetic resonance imaging also indicates the ability of L-carnitine to attenuate tissue damage related to hypoxic stress. L-Carnitine is regarded as a safe supplement for athletes and has been shown to positively impact the recovery process after exercise.