Microbial contamination correlated to hygienic habits attitudes and practices toward handling contact lens units

Introduction: Contact lenses (CLs) are medical or cosmetic devices, comfortable and more convenient alternative to eyeglasses. Eye infection will result when microbes are introduced onto CLs, because defense against microbial invasion in the anterior chamber of the eyes is weak due to the very poor blood supply. Method: The present study investigates hygienic habits, attitudes and practices of thirty CL wearers, toward lens care, that might yield to microbial contamination of CL units through examination of 120 samples (4 items of each CL units) to detect microbial growth and to understand associated factors through a structured questionnaire. Results: Microbial contamination was detected in at least one item of twenty-five CL units (83.3%). None of disinfecting care solutions in original bottles was found contaminated. Incidence of microbial contamination in storage case (Right and Left) and rims of solution bottles was 21 (70%), 17 (56.7%) and 6 (20%) respectively. Eye redness after CLs wearing was almost a statistically significant sign associated with contaminated CL units (p=0.088). Using water only to wash hands and CL storage cases has been incriminated for increased contamination. Conclusions: Impurities in CL storage cases have led to reduced efficacy of disinfectant care solutions. Value-added awareness of CL wearers should be improved by regular visit to eye care professionals.

Case simulations for permanent education in Primary Care – School of Patients DF

Background In scenarios of vulnerability that include triple charge of diseases, permanent education in Primary Care and university is fundamental to allow greater access, efficiency and safety for users and health teams. Objectives The School of Patients DF was created as a tool for popular and technical health education, including case simulations for practice. It consists of standard technical content (Chapters), categorized by conditions and diseases, shared by Google Drive and used primarily in selected primary care units of Brazil's capital city. Results Technical simulations are performed in pairs, 1 participant acts as “patient” with script in hand (topics of the training) while the other acts as “health professional” as if in a regular visit. Simulations are timed for 10 minutes for consultation and 5 for feedback, boosting learning. Contents are based on guidelines and protocols from the Ministry of Health, Secretary of Health and Brazilian Community and Family Medicine Society. Since 2016 there have been realized over 1400 simulations, including weekly classes for last term medical students at the capital city federal university. Conclusions Simulations optimize the time necessary for permanent education (15 minutes blocks), avoiding limiting access for triage and consults, allowing smaller groups to train with greater focus and independent of computers or projectors. Key messages Standardizing training and practice bring benefit to patient care and safety. Simulations with structured physical examination are important both for professional as well as students.

Analyzing the value of an educational program for psoriasis patients: a prospective controlled pilot study

Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with a reduced life-quality. Severe disease forms put the patients at risk for life-treating cardiovascular events, metabolic, and other immune-mediated disorders. Psoriasis patients are often not sufficiently informed about their condition leading to suboptimal treatment adherence and, consequently, worse patient outcome. We investigated the value of an educational program on knowledge and self-expertise about the disease in psoriasis patients in general and dependent on age and disease duration. Methods Regular visit psoriasis-patients were asked to participate and choose to receive an additional educational program or not. Participating patients (n = 53) filled out two questionnaires: one at study inclusion and one at the next regular visit or after the absolved educational program. Surveys included disease knowledge assessment and numeric rating scales (0–10) for self-expertise about the disease, therapy adherence, and therapy satisfaction. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to investigate the quality of life. All continuous parameters were examined for statistically significant differences by paired t-test or unpaired t-test. Continuous parameters without Gaussian distribution were analyzed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs test or the Mann-Whitney test. For all categorical parameters, Fisher’s exact test was used. Results Patients who chose to be educated (n = 24) showed a significant increase in knowledge, self-expertise about the disease and amelioration of general health. No positive short-term effects were seen on the quality of life and therapy adherence. Analyzing the effect of age and disease duration, the educational program led to significant improvement of the emotional well-being in older patients (≥50 years) and with a longer disease duration as well as significant amelioration of the self-expertise about psoriasis in younger patients (< 50 years). Conclusions Patients who chose to participate in an educational program show a higher gain in knowledge and self-expertise about the psoriatic disease. Educational program thus might have a positive effect on the long-term management of psoriasis. Further long-term studies are needed to provide evidence for the influence educational programs have on outcome, quality of life, and treatment adherence of psoriatic patients. Trial registration Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00017318 (09.10.2019), retrospectively registered.

Dwindling Numbers of Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. in its Type Locality: Mohand (Dehradun)

An assessment of Eremostachys superba (Lamiaceae) was done in the type locality of Mohand (Dehradun) for its gradual decrease in the number from 100 to 25 in the last decades and only 7-9 plants at present. A regular visit has revealed that no flowering has been observed in the area from past two years and due to this no breeding has taken place which could result in further decrease in the number of the plants. The plant mainly breeds through cross pollination and no other population exists in the nearby area. But as no flowering has been observed in the area, the chances of self fertilization is also nil and it means that no propagation is taking place in the area. Further trampling of the plant by cattle grazing in the area has caused deterioration of the existing plants. The experiments carried out in the laboratory indicate that the seeds produced by the selfing have very poor germination percentage. As there is no other nearby population in the area, all the seeds that were produced in the earlier decades might have been the result of selfing and hence could not germinate under natural conditions. This strongly indicated occurrence of inbreeding depression and loss of fitness of the offspring right from the stage of germination, which is harmful for the perpetuation of the species and thereby leading to its rarity and making its conservation a challenge.

Managing Kinship over Long Distances: The Significance of ‘The Visit’

This article explores the meaning of ‘the visit’ to Pakistan by a sample of people living in the North of England, with relatives in Pakistan. It argues that the visit has a particular symbolic and practical significance in the maintenance of transnational kin relationships. Visiting involves travelling and ‘co-presence’ with people, as well as in a place – in this case, Pakistan. It is particularly important in the process of ‘knowing’ one's geographically distant relatives, and in ‘doing things together’ and ‘being there at key moments’. These elements are woven together with other ways of keeping in touch in between visits, and help to sustain family narratives of ‘the regular visit’ and the kinship network that is active over distances and over time. The visit was also important in helping to confirm a sense of belonging or affinity with Pakistan, even though for many in the study England was seen as home. However, visiting involves complex and sometimes difficult sets of negotiations and decisions about propriety, morality, exchange, and belonging in transnational kin relationships.

HOW TO GET RID OF FLEAS

Reading in the April number of the Canadian Entomologist, Mr. Heath's account of the plague of fleas in Manitoba, recalled what I had read in the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. It appears that in the Australian bush fleas are as great a nuisance as they are in some parts of Manitoba. A settler, who had suffered greatly from their presence, wrote to the Gazette that he had occasion to use tar paper in his dwelling, when he discovered that fleas would not stay in the house with it, and from that time he had no more trouble with fleas in his house, although they were as plentiful out of doors as ever. Last autumn, or early winter, one of our local members, on his regular visit to the Society's room, started the enquiry as to what was the best way to get rid of fleas, as his house had got overrun with them from having allowed their dog to sleep in the cellar. I thought of what I had then recently read, hunted up the number of the Gazette, found the reference, and showed it to him, when he said he would try it.